Heating control device, heating control method and program

Abstract

To provide a heating control device, a heating control method and a program enabling energy saving while suppressing heat shock to a user.SOLUTION: A cloud server 1 includes: a hot water filling start detection section 2111 that detects start of hot water filling; a temperature acquisition section 2114 that acquires indoor temperature information indicating a temperature of at least one of a bathroom and an undressing room and a room temperature information indicating a temperature of a room of a user when the start of hot water filling is detected; a heating necessity determination section 2115 that determines the necessity of heating at least one of the bathroom and the undressing room on the basis of the indoor temperature information and the room temperature information; and a control information generation section 116 that generates control information for controlling at least one of a bathroom heating device installed in the bathroom to heat the bathroom and an undressing room heating device installed in the undressing room to heat the undressing room when the heating necessity determination section determines the necessity of heating at least one of the bathroom and the undressing room.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 16

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a heating control device, a heating control method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] It is generally known that if a bathroom is too cold and there is a large temperature difference between the bathroom and the room where the user was before bathing, the user may experience a physical abnormality known as heat shock when bathing. Taking this heat shock into consideration, a heating system has been proposed that heats the bathroom when it receives an instruction to supply hot water to the bathtub or to reheat the bathtub if the bathroom temperature is below a preset temperature (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-169915 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the heating system described in Patent Document 1 continues to heat the bathroom based only on the bathroom temperature, which may result in unnecessary power consumption by the heating system.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned reasons, and aims to provide a heating control device, a heating control method, and a program that can reduce heat shock to users while saving energy. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the heating control device according to the present disclosure includes: a bathtub filling start detection unit that detects when the bathtub has started to be filled with water; a temperature acquisition unit that acquires indoor temperature information indicating the temperature of at least one of the bathroom and the dressing room and room temperature information indicating the temperature of the user's room when the start of filling the bathtub is detected; a heating necessity determination unit that determines whether heating is necessary for at least one of the bathroom and the dressing room based on the indoor temperature information and the living room temperature information; a control information generating unit that generates control information for controlling at least one of a bathroom heating device installed in the bathroom to heat the bathroom and a changing room heating device installed in the changing room to heat the changing room when the heating necessity determining unit determines that heating of at least one of the bathroom and the changing room is necessary; The heating necessity determination unit determines that heating is necessary for at least one of the bathroom and the changing room, where the absolute value of the differential temperature is equal to or greater than the first reference differential temperature, when the temperature of at least one of the bathroom and the changing room indicated by the indoor temperature information is equal to or less than a predetermined first reference differential temperature and the absolute value of the differential temperature between the temperature of at least one of the bathroom and the changing room indicated by the living room temperature information is equal to or greater than a predetermined first reference differential temperature. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, a heating necessity determination unit determines whether heating is necessary for at least one of the bathroom and the dressing room, based on indoor temperature information and living room temperature information. Here, when the temperature of at least one of the bathroom and the dressing room is equal to or lower than a predetermined first reference temperature and the absolute value of the differential temperature between the temperature of at least one of the bathroom and the dressing room indicated by the indoor temperature information and the temperature of the living room indicated by the living room temperature information is equal to or higher than the predetermined first reference temperature, the heating necessity determination unit determines that heating is necessary for at least one of the bathroom and the dressing room, whose absolute value of the differential temperature is equal to or higher than the first reference temperature. Then, when the heating necessity determination unit determines that heating is necessary for at least one of the bathroom and the dressing room, whose absolute value of the differential temperature is equal to or higher than the first reference temperature, the control information generation unit generates control information for controlling at least one of a bathroom heating device installed in the bathroom to heat at least one of the bathroom and the dressing room, whose absolute value of the differential temperature is equal to or higher than the first reference temperature, and a changing room heating device installed in the changing room to heat the changing room. This prevents the bathroom heater from unnecessarily heating the bathroom or the changing room heater from unnecessarily heating the changing room, and prevents the absolute value of the temperature difference between the temperature in the bathroom or changing room and the temperature in the living room from exceeding the first reference temperature when the user starts bathing. This prevents heat shock to the user and saves energy by preventing unnecessary operation of the bathroom heater or changing room heater. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a heating system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] A block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a heating system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a cloud server according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] 1A is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a bathing history storage unit according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a heating necessity determination condition storage unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5]A sequence diagram for explaining the operation of the heating system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] A sequence diagram for explaining the operation of the heating system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] A sequence diagram for explaining the operation of the heating system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 1A is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen image displayed on a display unit of a terminal device according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing another example of an operation screen image displayed on a display unit of a terminal device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen image displayed on a display unit of a terminal device according to the first embodiment; [Figure 10] A sequence diagram for explaining the operation of the heating system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 1A is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen image displayed on a display unit of a terminal device according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing another example of an operation screen image displayed on a display unit of a terminal device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] 1 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a heating control process executed by a cloud server according to the first embodiment. [Figure 13] 1 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a heating control process executed by a cloud server according to the first embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a heating system according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 15] A block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a heating system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 16] A block diagram showing the functional configuration of a cloud server according to a second embodiment. [Figure 17] A sequence diagram for explaining the operation of the heating system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 18] A sequence diagram for explaining the operation of the heating system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 19] A sequence diagram for explaining the operation of the heating system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 20]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen image displayed on a display unit of a terminal device according to a second embodiment; [Figure 21] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a heating control process executed by a cloud server according to a second embodiment. [Figure 22] 1A is a diagram showing the operating or stopping conditions for a bathroom heating device and the conditions for sending inquiry information regarding the bathroom temperature and the difference temperature between the bathroom temperature and the temperature of a living room according to a second embodiment; and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing the operating or stopping conditions for a bathroom heating device and the conditions for sending inquiry information regarding the bathroom temperature and the difference temperature between the bathroom temperature and the temperature of hot water stored in a bathtub according to a second embodiment. [Figure 23] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a heating system according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 24] Block diagram showing the functional configuration of a cloud server according to a third embodiment. [Figure 25] A sequence diagram for explaining the operation of the heating system according to the third embodiment. [Figure 26] A sequence diagram for explaining the operation of the heating system according to the third embodiment. [Figure 27] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a heating control process executed by a cloud server according to a third embodiment. [Figure 28] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a set temperature determination process executed by a cloud server according to a third embodiment. [Figure 29] An explanatory diagram of the operation of the heating system according to the third embodiment [Figure 30] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a heating system according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 31] A block diagram showing the functional configuration of a cloud server according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 32] 1A is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a bathing history storage unit according to a fourth embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing an example of information stored in an operation history storage unit according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 33] A sequence diagram for explaining the operation of the heating system according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 34]A sequence diagram for explaining the operation of the heating system according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 35] A sequence diagram for explaining the operation of the heating system according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 36] A sequence diagram for explaining the operation of the heating system according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 37] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a heating control process executed by a cloud server according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 38] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a heating control process executed by a cloud server according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 39] An explanatory diagram of the operation of the heating system according to the fourth embodiment [Figure 40] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a heating system according to a modified example. [Figure 41] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a cloud server according to a modified example. [Figure 42] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of a heating control process executed by a cloud server according to a modified example. [Figure 43] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of a heating control process executed by a cloud server according to a modified example. [Figure 44] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen image displayed on a display unit of a terminal device according to a modified example. [Figure 45] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of a heating control process executed by a cloud server according to a modified example. [Figure 46] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing conditions for operating or stopping a bathroom heating device with respect to the temperature of the bathroom and the temperature of the living room according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] (Embodiment 1) A heating system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. The heating system according to the embodiment includes a bathroom heating device installed in a bathroom and a heating control device that controls the bathroom heating device. The heating control device includes a bathing history storage unit that stores, by day, bathing start time information indicating the time when the water heater started filling the bathtub with water and bathing start time information indicating the time when the user started bathing, in association with each other. The heating control device also includes a heating necessity determination time identification unit that, when the start of filling the bathtub with water is detected, determines a heating necessity determination time based on the bathing start time information and the bathing start time information to determine whether bathroom heating is necessary after the time when the bathtub filling started. A heating necessity determination unit that, when the heating necessity determination time arrives, determines whether bathroom heating is necessary based on room temperature information. A control information generation unit that, when the heating necessity determination unit determines that bathroom heating is necessary, generates control information for controlling the bathroom heating device to heat the bathroom. If the temperature of the bathroom is equal to or lower than a preset first reference temperature, the heating necessity determining unit determines that heating of the bathroom is necessary.

[0010] As shown in FIG. 1, the heating system according to this embodiment includes a bathroom heating device 3 installed in a bathroom to heat the bathroom, a cloud server 1, and a terminal device 7. This heating system is also used with a water heater 5 that supplies hot water to a bathtub and a lighting fixture 6 installed in the bathroom. Water heater 5 starts filling the bathtub when a user operates operating device 55 to start filling the bathtub with water. Bathroom heating device 3, water heater 5, and lighting fixture 6 are connected to a local network NW2 installed in a building that includes a bathroom. Local network NW2 is also connected to a wide area network NW1 via a router 8. Cloud server 1 and terminal device 7 can communicate with each other via the wide area network, and cloud server 1 can communicate with bathroom heating device 3, water heater 5, or lighting fixture 6 via the wide area network NW1 and local network NW2. Local network NW2 is, for example, a wired local area network (LAN) or a wireless LAN, and wide area network NW1 is, for example, the Internet. Router 8 is, for example, a broadband router.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 2, bathroom heating apparatus 3 includes heater 32, blower fan 33, motion sensor 34, temperature sensor 35, and control unit 31. When control unit 31 receives control information from cloud server 1, it drives heater 32 and blower fan 33 to heat the bathroom based on the received control information. When control unit 31 detects the presence of a person in the bathroom using motion sensor 34, it sends the detection information to cloud server 1. When control unit 31 receives temperature request information from cloud server 1, it generates room temperature information indicating the bathroom temperature detected by temperature sensor 35 and sends the information to cloud server 1. Control unit 31 is also connected to operating device 36 for receiving user operations. When the user uses operating device 36 to start or stop operation of bathroom heating apparatus 3, control unit 31 starts or stops the operation of heater 32 and blower fan 33 depending on the operation.

[0012] The water heater 5 is, for example, a storage-type water heater, and includes a heat pump 53 for heating hot water, a drive unit 52 for driving the heat pump 53 and a supply mechanism (not shown) for mixing hot water stored in a hot water storage tank with room-temperature tap water and supplying the water to a bathtub, and a control unit 51 for controlling the operation of the drive unit 52. The water heater 5 also includes a hot water outlet sensor 56 for detecting hot water being dispensed into the bathroom. The amount of hot water dispensed into the bathroom includes at least hot water dispensed from a shower installed in the bathroom. An operating device 55 for receiving user operations is connected to the control unit 51. When a user performs a preset operation on the operating device 55, the control unit 51 controls the drive unit 52 to drive the heat pump in accordance with the operation. When a user performs an operation on the operating device 55 to start filling the bathtub in the bathroom with hot water, the control unit 51 drives the supply mechanism to start filling the bathtub with hot water in response to the operation, and generates and sends a water filling start notification information to the cloud server 1. Furthermore, when the hot water outlet sensor 56 detects that hot water is being discharged into the bathroom, the control unit 51 generates hot water outlet status information notifying this fact and sends it to the cloud server 1. Note that the control unit 51 may also be configured to calculate the amount of hot water to be supplied to the bathroom detected by the hot water outlet sensor 56 after the user performs an operation to start filling the bath, and when the calculated amount of hot water exceeds a predetermined standard amount of hot water, generate hot water outlet status information notifying this fact and send it to the cloud server 1.

[0013] The lighting fixture 6 includes a light-emitting module 62 that uses a light-emitting element such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode), a power switch 63 for turning on or off the light-emitting module 62, and a control unit 61 that controls the power supply to the light-emitting module 62 depending on the on / off state of the power switch 63. When the power switch 63 switches from the off state to the on state, the control unit 61 generates on-notification information and transmits it to the cloud server 1.

[0014] The terminal device 7 is, for example, a smartphone, and includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 701, a main memory 702, an auxiliary memory 703, a display 704, an input unit 705, a wide-area communication unit 706, and a bus 709 connecting these components together. The main memory 702 has a volatile memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) and is used as a work area for the CPU 701. The auxiliary memory 703 is a non-volatile memory such as a semiconductor flash memory and stores programs for the CPU 701 to execute various processes. The display 704 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display. The input unit 705 is, for example, a transparent touchpad placed on top of the display 704. The wide-area communication unit 706 is connected to the wide-area network NW1 and transmits information transferred from the CPU 701 to the cloud server 1 and transfers information received from the cloud server 1 to the CPU 701.

[0015] Cloud server 1 includes CPU 101, main memory 102, auxiliary memory 103, wide-area communication unit 106, timer 107, and bus 109 interconnecting these components, and functions as a heating control device that controls bathroom heating device 3. CPU 101 is, for example, a multi-core processor. Main memory 102 is made up of volatile memory and is used as a work area for CPU 101. Auxiliary memory 103 is made up of large-capacity non-volatile memory and stores programs for implementing the various functions of cloud server 1. Wide-area communication unit 106 is connected to wide-area network NW1.

[0016] By loading and executing the programs stored in auxiliary memory 103 into main memory, CPU 101 functions as a bath filling start detection unit 111, a bathing start detection unit 112, a heating necessity determination condition setting unit 113, a temperature acquisition unit 114, a heating necessity determination unit 115, a control information generation unit 116, a control information transmission unit 117, a notification unit 118, a command acquisition unit 119, a bathing determination unit 120, a bath filling timing determination unit 121, and a heating necessity determination timing specification unit 122, as shown in Fig. 3. Also, auxiliary memory 103 shown in Fig. 2 includes a bathing history storage unit 131 and a heating necessity determination condition storage unit 132, as shown in Fig. 3. Bathing history storage unit 131 stores bath filling start time information indicating the time when the water heater 5 started filling the bathtub with water in the past and bathing start time information indicating the time when the user started bathing, in association with a combination of user identification information identifying the user of the bathroom and date information, as shown in Fig. 4(A). The bathing history storage unit 131 also stores differential time information indicating the difference in time between the bath filling start time indicated by the bath filling start time information and the bathing start time indicated by the bathing start time information.

[0017] The heating necessity determination condition memory unit 132 stores, in association with user identification information, delay time information indicating the delay time relative to the start time of filling the water at the heating necessity determination period, and inquiry necessity information indicating whether or not the user needs to be inquired about the bathing start time when filling the water, as shown in Figure 4(B), for example.

[0018] The water filling start detection unit 111 detects that the bathtub in the bathroom has started to be filled with water by receiving water filling notification information from the water heater 5. The water filling start detection unit 111 also stores water filling start time information, which indicates the time when the water filling notification information was received, in the bathing history storage unit 131 in association with the user identification information corresponding to the water filling notification information.

[0019] Bathing start detection unit 112 detects that a user has started bathing when it receives on-notification information from lighting fixture 6 indicating that the power switch has been turned on, when it receives detection notification information from bathroom heating device 3 notifying that a person is present in the bathroom, or when it receives hot water dispensing status information from water heater 5 notifying that hot water is being dispensed from the bathroom. Bathing start detection unit 112 also identifies the time at which it received the on-notification information or the detection notification information as the bathing start time. Bathing start detection unit 112 then stores the identified bathing start time in bathing history storage unit 131 in association with the user identification information corresponding to the on-notification information or the detection notification information. Here, when bathing start detection unit 112 receives on-notification information from lighting fixture 6 and detection notification information from bathroom heating device 3, it stores bathing start notification information indicating the time at which it received the on-notification information or the detection notification information in bathing history storage unit 131. Furthermore, when bathing start detection unit 112 detects that the user has started bathing, it notifies heating necessity determination time specification unit 122 of bathing start detection notification information notifying that bathing start has been detected.

[0020] The heating necessity determination condition setting unit 113 acquires past bath filling start time information and bathing start time information stored in the bathing history storage unit 131 each time a preset heating necessity determination time update period arrives. Here, the heating necessity determination condition setting unit 113 acquires bath filling start time information and bathing start time information from a point in time going back a preset condition setting target period from the heating necessity determination time update period to the heating necessity determination time update period. The condition setting target period is set to, for example, one week. The heating necessity determination condition setting unit 113 then calculates the average time difference between the bath filling start time indicated by the acquired bath filling start time information and the bathing start time indicated by the acquired bathing start time information. Based on the calculated average, the heating necessity determination condition setting unit 113 calculates a delay time for the heating necessity determination period, which determines whether or not heating is required in the bathroom relative to the bath filling start time. Here, the heating necessity determination condition setting unit 113 sets the delay time to 0, for example, if the average value is less than a preset unit time. Here, the unit time is set to, for example, two hours. In this case, if a user repeatedly starts filling the bathtub at 5:00 PM and starts bathing before 7:00 PM during the condition setting period, the delay time is set to 0 hours. The heating necessity determination condition setting unit 113 may also calculate the median value of the time difference between the bath filling start time indicated by the acquired bath filling start time information and the bathing start time indicated by the acquired bathing start time information as the delay time for determining whether heating is necessary relative to the bath filling start time. The heating necessity determination condition setting unit 113 then stores the calculated delay time in the heating necessity determination condition storage unit 132 in association with the user identification information of the corresponding user. Furthermore, each time a preset heating necessity determination timing update period arrives, the heating necessity determination condition setting unit 113 calculates, for each user, the range of the time difference between the bath filling start time indicated by the acquired bath filling start time information and the bathing start time indicated by the acquired bathing start time information, and based on the calculated range, sets inquiry necessity information indicating whether bathing start time request information that inquires of the user about their bathing start time should be sent to the terminal device 7. Here, the range is a value obtained by subtracting the minimum value from the maximum value of the time difference within the aforementioned condition setting period for each user.If the calculated range is equal to or greater than a preset range threshold, the heating necessity determination condition setting unit 113 sets the inquiry necessity information for the user corresponding to the calculated range to inquiry necessary, and does not set the aforementioned delay time information.

[0021] The heating necessity determination time specifying unit 122 specifies the heating necessity determination time for determining whether or not the bathroom needs to be heated after the time the water filling starts, based on the water filling start time information and the bathing start time information. Here, the heating necessity determination time specifying unit 122 acquires the delay time information and inquiry necessity information stored in the heating necessity determination condition storage unit 132. If the inquiry necessity information is set to indicate that the user does not need to be inquired, the heating necessity determination time specifying unit 122 specifies the heating necessity determination time as the time delayed by the delay time indicated by the delay time information from the water filling start time indicated by the water filling start time information. On the other hand, if the inquiry necessity information is set to indicate that the user needs to be inquired, the heating necessity determination time specifying unit 122 specifies the heating necessity determination time based on bathing start time information indicating the user's bathing start time, acquired from the terminal device 7. Here, heating necessity determination time specifying unit 122 acquires bathing start time information from terminal device 7 by having notification unit 118 transmit bathing start time request information to terminal device 7, which requests terminal device 7 to transmit bathing start time information. Then, heating necessity determination time specifying unit 122 specifies a time point a preset time before the bathing start time indicated by the acquired bathing start time information as the heating necessity determination time. Furthermore, heating necessity determination time specifying unit 122 notifies heating necessity determination unit 115 of information indicating the identified heating necessity determination time.

[0022] Temperature acquisition unit 114 acquires indoor temperature information from bathroom heating device 3 by sending to bathroom heating device 3 temperature request information that requests bathroom heating device 3 to send indoor temperature information indicating the bathroom temperature detected by temperature sensor 35. Temperature acquisition unit 114 notifies heating necessity determination unit 115 of the acquired indoor temperature information.

[0023] When the heating necessity determination time notified by heating necessity determination time specifying unit 122 arrives, heating necessity determination unit 115 determines whether bathroom heating is necessary based on the room temperature information. Specifically, when the bathroom temperature indicated by the room temperature information is equal to or lower than a predetermined first reference temperature, heating necessity determination unit 115 determines that bathroom heating is necessary. The first reference temperature is set to 10°C, for example. When the bathroom temperature indicated by the room temperature information is higher than the first reference temperature and equal to or lower than a predetermined second reference temperature higher than the first reference temperature, heating necessity determination unit 115 causes notification unit 118 to send inquiry information to terminal device 7 inquiring about the need for bathroom heating. The second reference temperature is set to 15°C, for example. Then, when command acquisition unit 119 notifies heating necessity determination unit 115 of on command information instructing the user to turn on the bathroom heating, heating necessity determination unit 115 determines that bathroom heating is necessary.

[0024] When heating necessity determination unit 115 determines that the bathroom needs to be heated, control information generation unit 116 generates control information for controlling bathroom heating device 3 to heat the bathroom. Then, control information transmission unit 117 transmits the generated control information to bathroom heating device 3.

[0025] Bathing determination unit 120 determines whether the user has started bathing within a preset bathing history determination time after control information generation unit 116 generates the control information and control information transmission unit 117 transmits the control information to bathroom heating device 3. Here, bathing history determination time is set to, for example, five minutes. If bathing start detection unit 112 does not detect the user's bathing within the bathing history determination time, bathing determination unit 120 determines that the user has not started bathing within the bathing history determination time.

[0026] The bath filling time determination unit 121 determines that the user should reconsider the bath filling time if the time difference between the bath filling start time indicated by the bath filling start time information and the bathing start time indicated by the bathing start time information remains equal to or greater than a predetermined reference time difference during the period from the current time back to the current time by a predetermined bath filling time determination period. Here, the bath filling time determination period is set to, for example, one week.

[0027] If the inquiry necessity information stored in the heating necessity determination condition storage unit 132 is set to require inquiry to the user, the notification unit 118 transmits the above-mentioned bathing start time request information to the terminal device 7 when the start of filling the water is detected. Furthermore, if the heating necessity determination unit 115 determines that the bathroom temperature is higher than the first reference temperature and equal to or lower than the second reference temperature, the notification unit 118 transmits the above-mentioned inquiry information to the terminal device 7. If the terminal device 7 transmits on-command information after the notification unit 118 notifies the inquiry information, the command acquisition unit 119 acquires the transmitted on-command information and notifies the heating necessity determination unit 115. Furthermore, if the bathing determination unit 120 determines that the user has not started bathing within the above-mentioned waiting time, the notification unit 118 generates bathing start prompt information that prompts the user to start bathing and transmits the information to the terminal device 7. Furthermore, when bath filling time determination unit 121 determines that the user should be prompted to reconsider the bath filling time, notification unit 118 generates bath filling time review suggestion information that prompts the user to reconsider the bath filling time and sends it to terminal device 7. Furthermore, after control information transmission unit 117 sends control information to bathroom heating device 3 for controlling bathroom heating device 3 to heat the bathroom, notification unit 118 sends start notification information to terminal device 7 that notifies the user that bathroom heating device 3 has started operating.

[0028] Next, the operation of the heating system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 5 to 12. First, assume that a user operates operating device 55 to start filling the bathtub with water. In this case, water heater 5 starts filling the bathtub with water (step S1). Next, water heater 5 generates water filling start notification information notifying that water filling has started (step S2), and the generated water filling start notification information is sent from water heater 5 to cloud server 1 (step S3). Meanwhile, when cloud server 1 receives the water filling start notification information, it stores water filling start time information, which indicates the time when the water filling start notification information was received, in bathing history storage unit 131.

[0029] Next, when the user turns on power switch 63 of lighting fixture 6 installed in the bathroom to take a bath, lighting fixture 6 generates on-notification information notifying that it has been turned on (step S4), and the generated on-notification information is sent from lighting fixture 6 to cloud server 1 (step S5). When the user enters the bathroom to take a bath and turns on hot water, bathroom heating device 3's human presence sensor 34 detects the user and water outlet sensor 56 of water heater 5 detects the hot water being dispensed, bathroom heating device 3 generates detection notification information notifying that the user has been detected in the bathroom (step S6), and the generated detection notification information is sent from bathroom heating device 3 to cloud server 1 (step S7). Water heater 5 generates hot water dispense status information notifying that hot water dispense has been detected (step S8), and the generated hot water dispense status information is sent from water heater 5 to cloud server 1 (step S9). Meanwhile, upon receiving the on-notification information and detection notification information, cloud server 1 determines the user's bathing start time (step S10). At this time, the cloud server 1 stores in the bathing history storage unit 131 bathing start time information indicating the identified bathing start time.

[0030] Thereafter, when the preset heating necessity determination timing update time arrives, the cloud server 1 acquires bath filling start time information and bathing start time information from a point in time, stored in the bathing history storage unit 131, that is a preset condition setting target period back from the heating necessity determination timing update time up to the heating necessity determination timing update time. The cloud server 1 then calculates the average value of the time difference between the bath filling start time indicated by the acquired bath filling start time information and the bathing start time indicated by the acquired bathing start time information (step S11). Next, the cloud server 1 sets the calculated average value of the time difference as the aforementioned delay time (step S12). Next, the cloud server 1 calculates, for each user, a range of the time difference between the bath filling start time indicated by the acquired bath filling start time information and the bathing start time indicated by the acquired bathing start time information (step S13). Then, based on the calculated range, the cloud server 1 sets inquiry necessity information indicating whether or not to send bathing start time request information to the terminal device 7, which inquires about the user's bathing start time (step S14).

[0031] Next, as shown in FIG. 6, it is assumed that the user operates the operating device 55 to start filling the bathtub with water. In this case, the water heater 5 starts filling the bathtub with water (step S15). Next, the water heater 5 generates water filling start notification information notifying that water filling has started (step S16), and the generated water filling start notification information is transmitted from the water heater 5 to the cloud server 1 (step S17). Meanwhile, upon receiving the water filling start notification information, the cloud server 1 stores water filling start time information indicating the time when the water filling start notification information was received in the bathing history storage unit 131. Here, it is assumed that the cloud server 1 determines that it is not necessary to inquire of the user about the bathing start time by referring to the inquiry necessity information stored in the heating necessity determination condition storage unit 132 (step S18). In this case, the cloud server 1 determines the time to determine whether or not heating is necessary based on the time when the water filling start notification information was received and the delay time indicated by the delay time information stored in the heating necessity determination condition storage unit 132 (step S19).

[0032] Next, when cloud server 1 determines that the identified time has arrived to determine whether heating is necessary (step S20), cloud server 1 transmits temperature request information to bathroom heating apparatus 3, requesting that bathroom heating apparatus 3 transmit room temperature information indicating the bathroom temperature (step S21). Meanwhile, upon receiving the temperature request information, bathroom heating apparatus 3 generates room temperature information indicating the bathroom temperature detected by temperature sensor 35 (step S22). The generated room temperature information is then transmitted from bathroom heating apparatus 3 to cloud server 1 (step S23). Meanwhile, suppose cloud server 1 receives the room temperature information and determines that the bathroom temperature T indicated by the received room temperature information is equal to or lower than first reference temperature Tth1 (step S24). In this case, cloud server 1 generates control information for controlling bathroom heating apparatus 3 to heat the bathroom (step S25). The generated control information is then transmitted from cloud server 1 to bathroom heating apparatus 3 (step S26). Meanwhile, upon receiving the control information, bathroom heating apparatus 3 starts heating operation to heat the bathroom based on the received control information (step S27). Furthermore, after cloud server 1 generates and transmits control information to bathroom heating device 3, start notification information is transmitted from cloud server 1 to terminal device 7 to notify the user that bathroom heating device 3 has started heating operation (step S28).

[0033] Meanwhile, as shown in Figure 7, upon receiving the start notification information, terminal device 7 causes display unit 704 to display an operation screen image including a message notifying the user that bathroom heating apparatus 3 has started heating the bathroom (step S29). Here, terminal device 7 causes display unit 704 to display operation screen image M1, which includes a message notifying the user that bathroom heating apparatus 3 has started heating operation, as shown in Figure 8(A), for example. Here, operation screen image M1 includes button image BU1, and when the user touches a portion of input unit 705, which is a touchpad, that corresponds to button image BU1, terminal device 7 erases operation screen image M1 from display unit 704.

[0034] Returning to FIG. 7, suppose that cloud server 1 receives room temperature information and determines that bathroom temperature T indicated by the received room temperature information is higher than first reference temperature Tth1 and equal to or lower than second reference temperature Tth2 (step S30). In this case, cloud server 1 generates inquiry information for inquiring of the user whether or not to heat the bathroom (step S31). Then, the generated inquiry information is transmitted from cloud server 1 to terminal device 7 (step S32). Meanwhile, upon receiving the inquiry information, terminal device 7 displays, on display unit 704, an operation screen image including a message inquiring whether or not to heat the bathroom (step S33). Here, terminal device 7 displays, on display unit 704, an operation screen image M2 including a message inquiring whether or not to heat the bathroom, as shown in FIG. 8(B), for example. Here, operation screen image M2 includes a button image BU21 indicating that the bathroom should not be heated and a button image BU22 indicating that the bathroom should be heated. When the user touches a portion of the input unit 705, which is a touchpad, that corresponds to the button image BU21, the terminal device 7 erases the operation screen image M2 from the display unit 704.

[0035] Returning to FIG. 7, when a user operates terminal device 7 to turn on bathroom heating device 3, ON command information is generated to instruct bathroom heating device 3 to start heating operation (step S34). Here, when the user touches a portion of input unit 705 (the touchpad) corresponding to button image BU22 while terminal device 7 is displaying operation screen image M2, such as that shown in FIG. 8(B), on display unit 704, terminal device 7 erases operation screen image M1 from display unit 704 and generates ON command information. The generated ON command information is then transmitted from terminal device 7 to cloud server 1 (step S35).

[0036] Meanwhile, when cloud server 1 receives the on command information, it generates control information for controlling bathroom heating device 3 to heat the bathroom (step S36). The generated control information is then sent from cloud server 1 to bathroom heating device 3 (step S37). Meanwhile, when bathroom heating device 3 receives the control information, it starts heating operation to heat the bathroom based on the received control information (step S38). Next, the processes of steps S26 and S27 described above are executed.

[0037] Suppose that after control information is generated and transmitted to the bathroom heating apparatus, a preset bathing history determination time elapses without receiving on-notification information from lighting fixture 6 or detection-notification information from bathroom heating apparatus 3. In this case, bathing suggestion information urging the user to start bathing is transmitted from cloud server 1 to terminal device 7 (step S39). Meanwhile, upon receiving the bathing suggestion information, terminal device 7 displays an operation screen image containing a message urging the user to start bathing on display unit 704 (step S40). Here, terminal device 7 displays operation screen image M3 on display unit 704, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, containing a message urging the user to start bathing. Here, operation screen image M3 includes button image BU3. When the user touches the portion of input unit 705, which is a touchpad, that corresponds to button image BU3, terminal device 7 erases operation screen image M3 from display unit 704.

[0038] Furthermore, when the cloud server 1 receives the on-notification information and the detection notification information and identifies the user's bathing start time (step S41), it determines that the number of days on which the time difference D between the bath filling start time indicated by the bath filling start time information and the bathing start time indicated by the bathing start time information is equal to or greater than the predetermined reference time difference Dth has continued for a predetermined reference number of days Nth (step S42). In this case, as shown in FIG. 10, the cloud server 1 generates bath filling time change proposal information that prompts the user to change the bath filling start time (step S43). The generated bath filling time change proposal information is then transmitted from the cloud server 1 to the terminal device 7 (step S44). Meanwhile, upon receiving the bath filling time change proposal information, the terminal device 7 displays an operation screen image on the display unit 704 that includes a message prompting the user to change the bath filling start time (step S45). Here, the terminal device 7 displays an operation screen image M4 on the display unit 704 that includes a message prompting the user to change the bath filling start time, as shown in FIG. 11(A), for example. Furthermore, the operation screen image M3 includes a button image BU4, and when the user touches a portion of the input unit 705, which is a touchpad, that corresponds to the button image BU4, the terminal device 7 erases the operation screen image M4 from the display unit 704.

[0039] Returning to FIG. 10 , it is assumed that the user operates the operation device 55 to start filling the bathtub with water, and the series of processes from steps S13 to S15 described above are executed. Here, it is assumed that the cloud server 1 determines, by referencing the inquiry necessity information stored in the heating necessity determination condition storage unit 132, that it is necessary to inquire of the user about the bathing start time (step S46). In this case, bathing start time request information for requesting the user to specify the bathing start time is transmitted from the cloud server 1 to the terminal device 7 (step S47). Meanwhile, upon receiving the bathing start time request information, the terminal device 7 displays on the display unit 704 a bathing start time input screen image for prompting the user to enter the bathing start time (step S48). Here, the terminal device 7 displays on the display unit 704, for example, an operation screen image M5 including a time input field B5 as shown in FIG. 11(B). Here, operation screen image M5 includes button image BU5, and when the user touches a portion of input unit 705, which is a touchpad, that corresponds to button image BU5 after inputting the input start time in time input field B5, terminal device 7 erases operation screen image M5 from display unit 704. Operation screen image M5 also includes button image BU5 that is selected when the user has completed inputting the bathing start time.

[0040] Returning to FIG. 10, when the user completes the operation of inputting the bathing start time into the terminal device 7, the terminal device 7 generates bathing start time information indicating the bathing start time (step S49). Here, assume that the user, while the terminal device 7 is displaying an operation screen image M5 on the display unit 704 as shown in FIG. 11(B), inputs the input start time into the time input field B5 and touches a portion of the input unit 705, which is a touchpad, corresponding to button image BU5. In this case, the terminal device 7 erases the operation screen image M5 from the display unit 704 and generates the bathing start time information. Next, the generated bathing start time information is transmitted from the terminal device 7 to the cloud server 1 (step S50). Meanwhile, upon receiving the bathing start time information, the cloud server 1 determines the heating necessity determination time based on the bathing start time indicated by the received bathing start time information (step S51).

[0041] Next, the heating control process executed by the cloud server 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13. This heating control process is initiated when a program for executing the heating control process is started while the cloud server 1 is powered on. First, as shown in FIG. 12, the water filling start detection unit 111 determines whether or not it has acquired water filling start notification information from the water heater 5 (step S101). If the water filling start detection unit 111 determines that it has not yet acquired the water filling start notification information (step S101: No), it executes the process of step S107, which will be described later. On the other hand, if the water filling start detection unit 111 determines that it has acquired the water filling start notification information (step S101: Yes), it identifies the time when it acquired the water filling start notification information as the water filling start time, and stores the identified water filling start time information in the bathing history storage unit 131 (step S102). Next, the notification unit 118 refers to the inquiry necessity information stored in the heating necessity determination condition storage unit 132, and determines whether the inquiry necessity information is set to "inquiry to the user is necessary" (step S103). If the notification unit 118 determines that the inquiry necessity information is set to "inquiry to the user is necessary" (step S103: Yes), the notification unit 118 generates the bathing start time request information and transmits it to the terminal device 7 (step S104).

[0042] Next, the heating necessity determination time specifying unit 122 determines whether bathing start time information has been received from the terminal device 7 within a preset waiting time after the notification unit 118 transmitted the bathing start time request information (step S105). If the heating necessity determination time specifying unit 122 determines that bathing start time information has not been received from the terminal device 7 within the waiting time after the transmission of the bathing start time request information (step S105: No), the process of step S107 is executed. In this case, the heating necessity determination time is not specified. On the other hand, if the heating necessity determination time specifying unit 122 determines that bathing start time information has been received from the terminal device 7 after the transmission of the bathing start time request information (step S105: Yes), the heating necessity determination time specifying unit 122 specifies a time point that is a preset time before the bathing start time indicated by the received bathing start time information as the heating necessity determination time (step S106). On the other hand, suppose that the notification unit 118 determines that the inquiry necessity information is set to not require an inquiry to the user (step S103: No). In this case, the heating necessity determination time specifying unit 122 specifies the time delayed from the water filling start time by the delay time indicated by the delay time information stored in the heating necessity determination condition storage unit 132 as the heating necessity determination time (step S106).

[0043] Heating necessity determination unit 115 then determines whether the heating necessity determination time identified by heating necessity determination time identification unit 122 has arrived (step S107). If heating necessity determination unit 115 determines that the heating necessity determination time has not yet arrived (step S107: No), the process of step S116, described below, is executed. On the other hand, if heating necessity determination unit 115 determines that the heating necessity determination time has arrived (step S107: Yes), temperature acquisition unit 114 transmits the aforementioned temperature request information to bathroom heating apparatus 3 (step S108) and acquires room temperature information from bathroom heating apparatus 3 (step S109). Next, heating necessity determination unit 115 determines whether bathroom temperature T indicated by the room temperature information is equal to or lower than a predetermined first reference temperature Tth1 (step S110). If heating necessity determination unit 115 determines that bathroom temperature T is equal to or lower than first reference temperature Tth1 (step S110: Yes), the process proceeds to step S114, which will be described later. On the other hand, if heating necessity determination unit 115 determines that bathroom temperature T is higher than first reference temperature Tth1 (step S110: No), the process proceeds to step S111, which will be described later. If heating necessity determination unit 115 determines that bathroom temperature T is higher than second reference temperature Tth2 (step S111: No), the process proceeds to step S116, which will be described later. On the other hand, if heating necessity determination unit 115 determines that bathroom temperature T is equal to or lower than second reference temperature Tth2 (step S111: Yes), the notification unit 118 generates inquiry information inquiring of the user about whether or not the bathroom needs to be heated, and transmits the inquiry information to terminal device 7 (step S112).

[0044] Next, command acquisition unit 119 determines whether the aforementioned ON command information transmitted from terminal device 7 has been received within a preset waiting time after notification unit 118 sent the inquiry information to terminal device 7 (step S113). If command acquisition unit 119 determines that the ON command information has not been received from terminal device 7 within the waiting time after sending the inquiry information to terminal device 7 (step S113: No), the process proceeds to step S116, which will be described later. On the other hand, if command acquisition unit 119 determines that the ON command information has been received from terminal device 7 after sending the inquiry information to terminal device 7 (step S113: Yes), it notifies heating necessity determination unit 115 of the received ON command information. Thereafter, heating necessity determination unit 115 determines that heating of the bathroom is necessary, and control information generation unit 116 generates control information for controlling bathroom heating device 3 to heat the bathroom. Then, control information transmission unit 117 transmits the generated control information to bathroom heating device 3 (step S114). Next, notification unit 118 sends start notification information to terminal device 7, informing the user that bathroom heating device 3 has started heating operation (step S115).

[0045] Next, as shown in FIG. 13 , bathing start detection unit 112 determines whether it has received the on-notification information from lighting fixture 6 or the detection notification information from bathroom heating device 3 (step S116). Assume that bathing start detection unit 112 determines that it has received the on-notification information from lighting fixture 6, the detection notification information from bathroom heating device 3, or the hot water discharge status information from water heater 5 (step S116: Yes). In this case, bathing start detection unit 112 determines the time at which it received the on-notification information or the detection notification information as the bathing start time. Then, bathing start detection unit 112 stores bathing start time information indicating the determined bathing start time in bathing history storage unit 131, in association with the user identification information corresponding to the on-notification information or the detection notification information (step S117). The bath filling timing determination unit 121 then determines whether the number of days on which the time difference D between the bath filling start time indicated by the bath filling start time information and the bathing start time indicated by the bathing start time information is equal to or greater than the predetermined reference time difference Dth has continued for a predetermined reference number of days Nth (step S118). If the bath filling timing determination unit 121 determines that the number of days on which the time difference D is equal to or greater than the reference time difference Dth has continued for less than the reference number of days Nth (step S118: No), the processing of step S122, described below, is executed. On the other hand, if the bath filling timing determination unit 121 determines that the number of days on which the time difference D is equal to or greater than the reference time difference Dth has continued for the reference number of days Nth (step S118: Yes), the notification unit 118 generates bath filling timing review suggestion information that prompts the user to review the bath filling time and sends it to the terminal device 7 (step S119), after which the processing of step S122, described below, is executed.

[0046] Assume also that bathing start detection unit 112 determines in step S116 that it has not received the on-notification information from lighting fixture 6 or the detection notification information from bathroom heating device 3 (step S116: No). In this case, bathing determination unit 120 determines whether a preset bathing history determination time has elapsed since control information generation unit 116 transmitted the control information to bathroom heating device 3 (step S120). If bathing determination unit 120 determines that the bathing history determination time has not yet elapsed (step S120: No), the process proceeds to step S122, described below. On the other hand, if bathing determination unit 120 determines that the bathing history determination time has elapsed (step S120: Yes), notification unit 118 generates bathing start suggestion information encouraging the user to start bathing and transmits the information to terminal device 7 (step S121).

[0047] Next, the heating necessity determination condition setting unit 113 determines whether a preset time for updating the heating necessity determination time has arrived (step S122). If the heating necessity determination condition setting unit 113 determines that the time for updating the heating necessity determination time has not yet arrived (step S122: No), the process of step S101 is executed again. On the other hand, if the heating necessity determination condition setting unit 113 determines that the time for updating the heating necessity determination time has arrived (step S122: Yes), it acquires the bathing history storage unit 131-stored bath filling start time information and bathing start time information from a point prior to the heating necessity determination time update time by a preset condition setting target period up to the heating necessity determination time update time. The heating necessity determination condition setting unit 113 then calculates the average time difference between the bath filling start time indicated by the acquired bath filling start time information and the bathing start time indicated by the acquired bathing start time information (step S123). Next, the heating necessity determination condition setting unit 113 sets the calculated average value of the time difference as the delay time for the heating necessity determination period for determining whether or not the bathroom needs to be heated relative to the bath filling start time (step S124). The heating necessity determination condition setting unit 113 stores delay time information indicating the calculated delay time in the heating necessity determination condition storage unit 132 in association with the user identification information of the corresponding user. Next, the heating necessity determination condition setting unit 113 calculates, for each user, a range of the time difference between the bath filling start time indicated by the acquired bath filling start time information and the bathing start time indicated by the acquired bathing start time information (step S125). Then, based on the calculated range, the heating necessity determination condition setting unit 113 sets inquiry necessity information indicating whether or not bathing start time request information, which inquires the user about the bathing start time, needs to be sent to the terminal device 7 (step S126). If the calculated range is equal to or greater than the preset range threshold, the heating necessity determination condition setting unit 113 sets the inquiry necessity information for the user corresponding to the calculated range to inquiry necessary, and does not set the delay time information. Next, the process of step S101 is executed again.

[0048] As described above, in the heating system according to this embodiment, when heating necessity determination time specification unit 122 detects the start of filling the bathtub with water, it determines the heating necessity determination time, based on past information about the start time of filling the bathtub and the start time of bathing, for determining whether or not to heat the bathroom after the time the bathtub starts to be filled with water. Furthermore, when the heating necessity determination time arrives, heating necessity determination unit 115 determines whether or not to heat the bathroom based on the room temperature information. Here, if the bathroom temperature is equal to or lower than a predetermined first reference temperature, heating necessity determination unit determines that bathroom heating is necessary. Then, when heating necessity determination unit 115 determines that bathroom heating is necessary, control information generation unit 116 generates control information for controlling bathroom heating device 3 installed in the bathroom to heat the bathroom. This prevents bathroom heating device 3 from unnecessarily heating the bathroom after the bathtub starts to be filled with water until the heating necessity determination time, and prevents the bathroom temperature from falling below the first reference temperature when the user begins bathing. Therefore, it is possible to prevent heat shock to users and to conserve energy by preventing unnecessary operation of bathroom heating device 3.

[0049] In this embodiment, heating necessity determination condition setting unit 113 calculates the average time difference between past bath filling start times and past bathing start times as the delay time for the heating necessity determination time relative to the bath filling start time. Heating necessity determination time specification unit 122 then specifies the heating necessity determination time as the time delayed by the delay time from the bath filling start time. This allows the heating necessity determination time to be appropriately specified based on past bath filling start times and bathing start times, allowing bathroom heating device 3 to be operated appropriately to prevent heat shock to the user.

[0050] Furthermore, heating necessity determination condition setting unit 113 in this embodiment calculates the range of the time difference between the past water filling start time and the past bathing start time, and based on the calculated range, determines whether to send bathing start time request information to the terminal device, asking the user about their bathing start time. Then, heating necessity determination time determining unit 122 determines the heating necessity determination time for users whose time difference range is equal to or greater than the range threshold, based on bathing start time information indicating the user's bathing start time obtained from the terminal device by sending the bathing start time request information to the terminal device. This allows bathroom heating device 3 to appropriately determine the start time for bathroom heating even for users who have not yet decided when to fill the water or start bathing.

[0051] Furthermore, if the user does not start bathing within a preset waiting time after control information generation unit 116 generates control information and control information transmission unit 117 transmits the control information to bathroom heating apparatus 3, notification unit 118 in this embodiment generates bathing start suggestion information urging the user to start bathing and transmits the information to terminal device 7. This allows the user to understand that bathroom heating apparatus 3 is continuing to heat the bathroom even though the user has not started bathing, which has the advantage of making it easier to take energy-saving measures, such as stopping bathroom heating apparatus 3 if the user will not be taking a bath.

[0052] Furthermore, if the time difference between the time the bath fills and the time the bath begins to bathe remains equal to or greater than the reference time difference between the time going back the current time by the time period for determining when the bath should be filled and the time the bath should start to bathe continues to be equal to or greater than the reference time difference between the time going back the current time and the current time, the notification unit 118 according to this embodiment generates bath filling time change suggestion information urging the user to reconsider the time the bath should be filled and sends this to the terminal device 7. This has the advantage that the user can quickly recognize when the time the bath should be filled is inappropriate from the perspective of saving energy in light of their own lifestyle habits, making it easier to take measures to save energy, such as changing the time the bath should be filled depending on when the bath should start to bathe.

[0053] Furthermore, when the bathroom temperature is higher than the first reference temperature and equal to or lower than a second reference temperature that is higher than the first reference temperature, notification unit 118 according to this embodiment transmits inquiry information to terminal device 7 inquiring about whether or not the bathroom needs to be heated. Then, when instruction acquisition unit 119 acquires the on instruction information, heating necessity determination unit 115 determines that the bathroom needs to be heated. As a result, when the bathroom temperature is at a temperature that does not cause a heat shock to the user, it is possible to determine whether or not the bathroom needs to be heated according to the user's preference, thereby improving convenience for the user.

[0054] (Embodiment 2) The heating system according to this embodiment differs from the heating system according to Embodiment 1 in that, when the start of filling the bathroom bathtub with water is detected, the temperature acquisition unit acquires living room temperature information indicating the temperature of the user's room in addition to indoor temperature information indicating the bathroom temperature, and the heating necessity determination unit determines whether or not the bathroom needs to be heated based on the indoor temperature information and the living room temperature information. Here, the heating necessity determination unit determines that the bathroom needs to be heated if the bathroom temperature is equal to or lower than a predetermined first reference temperature and the absolute value of the difference temperature between the bathroom temperature indicated by the indoor temperature information and the living room temperature indicated by the living room temperature information is equal to or higher than a predetermined first reference difference temperature.

[0055] As shown in Figure 14, the heating system according to this embodiment includes bathroom heating device 3 installed in a bathroom to heat the bathroom, cloud server 2001, and terminal device 7. In Figure 14, components similar to those in embodiment 1 are designated by the same reference numerals as in Figure 1. This heating system is used in conjunction with water heater 2005, which supplies hot water to a bathtub in the bathroom, and air conditioner 4, which is installed in the user's room. Bathroom heating device 3, air conditioner 4, and water heater 2005 are connected to local network NW2 installed in a building that has a bathroom. Local network NW2 is connected to wide area network NW1 via router 8.

[0056] As shown in Fig. 15, the air conditioner 4 includes a compressor 42, a blower fan 43, a temperature sensor 45, and a control unit 41. In Fig. 15, the same components as those in embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals as in Fig. 2. The control unit 41 drives the compressor 42 and the blower fan 43 to air-condition the room. Furthermore, when the control unit 41 receives temperature request information from the cloud server 2001, it generates room temperature information indicating the temperature of the room detected by the temperature sensor 45 in response to the temperature request information and transmits the information to the cloud server 2001.

[0057] Water heater 2005 is, for example, a storage-type water heater, and includes heat pump 53, drive unit 52, used hot water temperature sensor 2054 that detects the temperature of hot water stored in a bathtub in the bathroom, and control unit 2051 that controls drive unit 52. Operation device 55 is connected to control unit 2051. Furthermore, when control unit 2051 receives temperature request information from cloud server 2001, it generates used hot water temperature information indicating the temperature of hot water stored in the bathtub detected by used hot water temperature sensor 2054 in response, and transmits this information to cloud server 2001. Note that, similar to control unit 51 described in the first embodiment, when a user operates operation device 55 to start filling the bathtub in the bathroom with hot water, control unit 2051 drives a supply mechanism in response to the operation to start filling the bathtub with hot water, and also generates and transmits water filling start notification information to cloud server 2001.

[0058] Cloud server 2001 has the same hardware configuration as cloud server 1 described in embodiment 1, and includes CPU 101, main memory 102, auxiliary memory 103, wide area communication unit 106, timer 107, and bus 109, and functions as a heating control device. Auxiliary memory 103 stores programs for implementing various functions of cloud server 2001. CPU 101 reads the programs stored in auxiliary memory 103 into main memory and executes them, thereby functioning as a water heating start detection unit 2111, a temperature acquisition unit 2114, a heating necessity determination unit 2115, a control information generation unit 116, a control information transmission unit 117, a notification unit 2118, and a command acquisition unit 119, as shown in FIG. 16. Note that in FIG. 16, components similar to those in embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals as in FIG. 3.

[0059] Water filling start detection unit 2111 detects that water filling has started by receiving water filling notification information. Temperature acquisition unit 2114 acquires indoor temperature information from bathroom heating unit 3 by sending to bathroom heating unit 3 temperature request information requesting bathroom heating unit 3 to send indoor temperature information indicating the bathroom temperature detected by temperature sensor 35. Temperature acquisition unit 2114 notifies heating necessity determination unit 2115 of the acquired indoor temperature information. Temperature acquisition unit 2114 also acquires living room temperature information from air conditioner 4 by sending to air conditioner 4 temperature request information requesting air conditioner 4 to send living room temperature information indicating the living room temperature detected by temperature sensor 45. Temperature acquisition unit 2114 notifies heating necessity determination unit 2115 of the acquired living room temperature information. Furthermore, the temperature acquisition unit 2114 acquires hot water temperature information from the water heater 2005 by transmitting to the water heater 2005 temperature request information requesting the water heater 2005 to transmit hot water temperature information indicating the temperature of the hot water stored in the bathtub and used by the user, detected by the hot water temperature sensor 2054. The temperature acquisition unit 2114 notifies the heating necessity determination unit 2115 of the acquired hot water temperature information.

[0060] The heating necessity determination unit 2115 determines whether bathroom heating is necessary based on the room temperature information and the living room temperature information. Specifically, the heating necessity determination unit 2115 determines that bathroom heating is necessary when the bathroom temperature indicated by the room temperature information is equal to or lower than a predetermined first reference temperature and the absolute value of the difference in temperature between the bathroom temperature and the living room temperature indicated by the living room temperature information is equal to or higher than a predetermined first reference temperature. Here, the first reference temperature is set to, for example, 15°C. The first reference temperature is set to, for example, 10°C. The heating necessity determination unit 2115 also determines that bathroom heating is necessary when the bathroom temperature is equal to or lower than the first reference temperature and the absolute value of the first difference in temperature between the bathroom temperature and the living room temperature is less than the first reference temperature, and the absolute value of the second difference in temperature between the bathroom temperature and the hot water temperature stored in the bathtub indicated by the hot water temperature information is equal to or higher than a predetermined second reference temperature. Here, the second reference temperature is set to, for example, 25°C.

[0061] Notification unit 2118 sends inquiry information to terminal device 7 inquiring about the need for bathroom heating when the bathroom temperature is equal to or lower than the first reference temperature, the absolute value of the first differential temperature is less than the first reference differential temperature, and the absolute value of the second differential temperature is less than the second reference differential temperature, or the absolute value of the first differential temperature is equal to or higher than a third reference differential temperature that is smaller than the first reference differential temperature, or the absolute value of the second differential temperature is equal to or higher than a fourth reference differential temperature that is smaller than the second reference differential temperature. Notification unit 2118 also sends stop notification information to terminal device 7 informing the user that operation of bathroom heating device 3 has been stopped, after control information transmitter 117 sends control information to bathroom heating device 3 to stop bathroom heating. When terminal device 7 sends on command information after notification unit 2118 has sent the inquiry information, command acquirer 119 acquires the on command information and notifies heating need determination unit 2115.

[0062] Next, the operation of the heating system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 17 to Fig. 20. First, assume that a user operates operation device 55 to start filling the bathtub with water. In this case, water heater 2005 starts filling the bathtub with water (step S61). Next, water heater 2005 generates water filling start notification information notifying that filling of the bathtub has started (step S62), and the generated water filling start notification information is sent from water heater 2005 to cloud server 2001 (step S63).

[0063] Meanwhile, when cloud server 2001 receives the water filling start notification information, it sends temperature request information to bathroom heating apparatus 3, requesting that bathroom heating apparatus 3 send room temperature information indicating the temperature of the bathroom (step S64). Cloud server 2001 also sends temperature request information to water heater 2005, requesting that water heater 2005 send hot water temperature information indicating the temperature of the hot water stored in the bathtub (step S65). Cloud server 2001 also sends temperature request information to air conditioner 4, requesting that air conditioner 4 send room temperature information indicating the temperature of the room (step S66).

[0064] Meanwhile, upon receiving the temperature request information, bathroom heating apparatus 3 generates room temperature information indicating the bathroom temperature detected by temperature sensor 35 (step S67). The generated room temperature information is then sent from bathroom heating apparatus 3 to cloud server 2001 (step S68). Furthermore, upon receiving the temperature request information, water heater 2005 generates hot water temperature information indicating the temperature of the hot water stored in the bathtub detected by hot water temperature sensor 2054 (step S69). The generated hot water temperature information is then sent from water heater 2005 to cloud server 2001 (step S70). Furthermore, upon receiving the temperature request information, air conditioner 4 generates room temperature information indicating the temperature of the room detected by temperature sensor 45 (step S71). The generated room temperature information is then sent from air conditioner 4 to cloud server 2001 (step S72).

[0065] Meanwhile, suppose cloud server 2001 determines that bathroom temperature T indicated by the received room temperature information is equal to or lower than first reference temperature Tth1 (step S73). Then, suppose cloud server 2001 determines that the absolute value of differential temperature dT1 between the bathroom temperature indicated by the received room temperature information and the room temperature indicated by the received room temperature information is equal to or higher than first reference differential temperature dT1th1 (step S74). In this case, cloud server 1 generates control information for controlling bathroom heating apparatus 3 to heat the bathroom (step S75). The generated control information is then transmitted from cloud server 2001 to bathroom heating apparatus 3 (step S76). Meanwhile, upon receiving the control information, bathroom heating apparatus 3 starts heating operation to heat the bathroom based on the received control information (step S77). After cloud server 2001 generates and transmits the control information to bathroom heating apparatus 3, cloud server 2001 transmits start notification information to terminal device 7 to notify the user that bathroom heating apparatus 3 has started heating operation (step S78). Meanwhile, upon receiving the start notification information, terminal device 7 causes display unit 704 to display an operation screen image including a message notifying the user that bathroom heating device 3 has started heating the bathroom (step S79). Here, terminal device 7 causes display unit 704 to display operation screen image M1, such as that shown in Figure 8(A) described in embodiment 1, for example.

[0066] Furthermore, if cloud server 2001 determines that bathroom temperature T is equal to or lower than first reference temperature Tth1, it determines that the absolute value of the temperature difference dT1 between the bathroom temperature and the room temperature is less than first reference temperature difference dT1th1, as shown in FIG. 18 (step S80). Then, cloud server 2001 determines that the absolute value of the temperature difference dT2 between the bathroom temperature and the temperature of hot water stored in the bathtub indicated by the received hot water temperature information is equal to or higher than the second reference temperature difference dT2th1 (step S81). In this case, cloud server 2001 generates control information for controlling bathroom heating apparatus 3 to heat the bathroom (step S82). The generated control information is then transmitted from cloud server 2001 to bathroom heating apparatus 3 (step S83). Meanwhile, upon receiving the control information, bathroom heating apparatus 3 starts heating operation to heat the bathroom based on the received control information (step S84). Next, the processes of steps S78 and S79 described above are executed.

[0067] Furthermore, suppose that cloud server 2001 determines that bathroom temperature T is equal to or lower than first reference temperature Tth1 and then determines that the absolute value of temperature difference dT1 between the bathroom temperature and the room temperature is less than first reference temperature difference dT1th1 (step S85). Then, suppose that cloud server 2001 determines that the absolute value of temperature difference dT2 between the bathroom temperature and the hot water temperature in the bathtub is less than second reference temperature difference dT2th1 (step S86). Now, suppose that cloud server 2001 determines that the absolute value of temperature difference dT1 between the bathroom temperature and the room temperature is equal to or higher than third reference temperature difference dT1th2, or that the absolute value of temperature difference dT2 between the bathroom temperature and the hot water temperature in the bathtub is equal to or higher than fourth reference temperature difference dT2th2 (step S87). In this case, cloud server 2001 generates inquiry information to inquire of the user whether or not to heat the bathroom (step S88). The generated inquiry information is then transmitted from cloud server 2001 to terminal device 7 (step S89). Meanwhile, upon receiving the inquiry information, terminal device 7 displays, on display unit 704, an operation screen image including a message inquiring whether or not to heat the bathroom (step S90). Here, terminal device 7 displays, on display unit 704, for example, an operation screen image M2 as shown in FIG. 8(B) described in embodiment 1.

[0068] Returning to FIG. 18, when a user operates terminal device 7 to turn on bathroom heating device 3, on command information is generated to instruct bathroom heating device 3 to start heating operation (step S91). Terminal device 7 then transmits the generated on command information to cloud server 2001 (step S92). Meanwhile, upon receiving the on command information, cloud server 2001 generates control information for controlling bathroom heating device 3 to heat the bathroom (step S93). Then, as shown in FIG. 19, cloud server 2001 transmits the generated control information to bathroom heating device 3 (step S94). Meanwhile, upon receiving the control information, bathroom heating device 3 starts heating operation to heat the bathroom based on the received control information (step S95). The processes of steps S78 and S79 described above are then executed.

[0069] Let us also assume that cloud server 2001 determines that bathroom temperature T indicated by the received indoor temperature information is higher than second reference temperature Tth2 (step S96). In this case, cloud server 2001 generates control information for controlling bathroom heating apparatus 3 to stop heating the bathroom (step S97). The generated control information is then sent from cloud server 2001 to bathroom heating apparatus 3 (step S98). Meanwhile, when bathroom heating apparatus 3 receives the control information while operating, it stops heating operation of the bathroom based on the received control information (step S99). After cloud server 2001 generates and sends the control information to bathroom heating apparatus 3, cloud server 2001 sends stop notification information to terminal device 7 to notify the user that bathroom heating apparatus 3 has stopped heating operation (step S1000). Meanwhile, upon receiving the stop notification information, terminal device 7 causes display unit 704 to display an operation screen image including a message notifying the user that bathroom heating apparatus 3 has stopped heating the bathroom (step S1001). 20, the terminal device 7 displays an operation screen image M6 on the display unit 704, the operation screen image M6 including a message notifying the user that the bathroom heating has been stopped. The operation screen image M6 includes a button image BU6, and when the user touches a portion of the input unit 705, which is a touchpad, that corresponds to the button image BU6, the terminal device 7 erases the operation screen image M6 from the display unit 704.

[0070] Next, the heating control process executed by cloud server 2001 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 21. First, water filling start detection unit 2111 determines whether water filling start notification information has been received from water heater 5 (step S201). As long as water filling start detection unit 2111 determines that water filling start notification information has not yet been received (step S201: No), the process of step S201 is repeated. On the other hand, if water filling start detection unit 2111 determines that water filling start notification information has been received (step S201: Yes), temperature acquisition unit 2114 transmits the aforementioned temperature request information to bathroom heating unit 3, water heater 2005, and air conditioner 4 (step S202). Upon receiving the temperature request information, bathroom heating unit 3 generates room temperature information indicating the bathroom temperature detected by temperature sensor 35. Furthermore, upon receiving the temperature request information, water heater 2005 generates used water temperature information indicating the temperature of the water stored in the bathtub detected by used water temperature sensor 2054. Furthermore, when air conditioner 4 receives the temperature request information, it generates room temperature information indicating the room temperature detected by temperature sensor 45. Then, temperature acquisition unit 2114 acquires the room temperature information, hot water temperature information, and room temperature information sent from bathroom heating device 3, hot water heater 2005, and air conditioner 4, respectively (step S203).

[0071] Next, the heating necessity determination unit 2115 determines whether the bathroom temperature T indicated by the received room temperature information is equal to or lower than the first reference temperature Tth1 (step S204). If the heating necessity determination unit 2115 determines that the bathroom temperature T is higher than the first reference temperature Tth1 (step S204: No), the process of step S212, described below, is executed. On the other hand, suppose that the heating necessity determination unit 2115 determines that the bathroom temperature T is equal to or lower than the first reference temperature Tth1 (step S204: Yes). In this case, the heating necessity determination unit 2115 calculates the absolute value of the difference temperature dT1 between the bathroom temperature and the room temperature indicated by the received room temperature information, and determines whether the calculated absolute value is equal to or higher than the first reference difference temperature dT1th1 (step S205). If the heating necessity determining unit 2115 determines that the absolute value of the temperature difference dT1 between the bathroom temperature and the room temperature is equal to or greater than the first reference temperature difference dT1th1 (step S205: Yes), the process of step S210, which will be described later, is executed.

[0072] Meanwhile, suppose the heating necessity determination unit 2115 determines that the absolute value of the temperature difference dT1 between the bathroom temperature and the room temperature is less than the first reference temperature difference dT1th1 (step S205: No). In this case, the heating necessity determination unit 2115 determines whether the absolute value of the temperature difference dT2 between the bathroom temperature and the temperature of hot water stored in the bathtub indicated by the received hot water temperature information is equal to or greater than the second reference temperature difference dT2th1 (step S206). If the heating necessity determination unit 2115 determines that the absolute value of the temperature difference dT2 between the bathroom temperature and the temperature of hot water stored in the bathtub is equal to or greater than the second reference temperature difference dT2th1 (step S206: Yes), the processing of step S210, described below, is executed. Meanwhile, suppose the heating necessity determination unit 2115 determines that the absolute value of the temperature difference dT2 between the bathroom temperature and the temperature of hot water stored in the bathtub is less than the second reference temperature difference dT2th1 (step S206: No). In this case, the heating necessity determination unit 2115 determines whether the absolute value of the temperature difference dT1 between the bathroom temperature and the room temperature is equal to or greater than the third reference temperature difference dT1th2, or whether the absolute value of the temperature difference dT2 between the bathroom temperature and the temperature of hot water in the bathtub is equal to or greater than the fourth reference temperature difference dT2th2 (step S207). Here, let us assume that the heating necessity determination unit 2115 determines that the absolute value of the temperature difference dT1 between the bathroom temperature and the room temperature is less than the third reference temperature difference dT1th2 and that the absolute value of the temperature difference dT2 between the bathroom temperature and the temperature of hot water in the bathtub is less than the fourth reference temperature difference dT2th2 (step S207: No). In this case, the process of step S201 is executed again.

[0073] Meanwhile, suppose that the heating necessity determination unit 2115 determines that the absolute value of the temperature difference dT1 between the bathroom temperature and the room temperature is equal to or greater than the third reference temperature difference dT1th2, or that the absolute value of the temperature difference dT2 between the bathroom temperature and the temperature of hot water stored in the bathtub is equal to or greater than the fourth reference temperature difference dT2th2 (step S207: Yes). In this case, the notification unit 118 generates inquiry information inquiring of the user about the necessity of heating the bathroom and transmits the inquiry information to the terminal device 7 (step S208). Subsequently, the command acquisition unit 119 determines whether or not the above-mentioned ON command information transmitted from the terminal device 7 has been received within a preset waiting time after the notification unit 118 transmitted the inquiry information to the terminal device 7 (step S209). If the command acquisition unit 119 determines that the ON command information has not been received from the terminal device 7 within the waiting time after the transmission of the inquiry information to the terminal device 7 (step S209: No), the process of step S201 is executed again. On the other hand, if command acquirer 119 determines that it has acquired on-command information from terminal device 7 after sending the inquiry information to terminal device 7 (step S209: Yes), it notifies control information generator 116 of the acquired on-command information. Control information generator 116 then generates control information for controlling bathroom heating device 3 to heat the bathroom. Control information transmitter 117 then transmits the generated control information to bathroom heating device 3 (step S210). Notification unit 2118 then generates start notification information to notify the user that bathroom heating device 3 has started heating operation, and transmits this information to terminal device 7 (step S211). Next, step S201 is executed again.

[0074] If heating necessity determination unit 2115 determines in step S204 that bathroom temperature T is higher than first reference temperature Tth1 (step S204: No), it determines whether bathroom temperature T is equal to or higher than second reference temperature Tth2 (step S212). If heating necessity determination unit 2115 determines that bathroom temperature T is equal to or lower than second reference temperature Tth2 (step S212: No), the process of step S201 is executed again. On the other hand, if heating necessity determination unit 2115 determines that bathroom temperature T is higher than second reference temperature Tth2 (step S212: Yes), control information generation unit 116 determines whether bathroom heating device 3 is in operation (step S213). Here, control information generation unit 116 determines that bathroom heating device 3 is in operation if, for example, the user has already operated operating device 36 to activate bathroom heating device 3. If control information generator 116 determines that bathroom heating apparatus 3 is stopped (step S213: No), step S201 is executed again. On the other hand, if control information generator 116 determines that bathroom heating apparatus 3 is operating (step S213: Yes), it generates control information for controlling bathroom heating apparatus 3 to stop heating the bathroom. Control information transmitter 117 then transmits the generated control information to bathroom heating apparatus 3 (step S214). Notification unit 2118 then generates stop notification information to notify the user that bathroom heating apparatus 3 has stopped heating operation, and transmits this information to terminal device 7 (step S215). Then, step S201 is executed again.

[0075] By executing this series of heating control processes, cloud server 2001 stops bathroom heating device 3 if it is operating when bathroom temperature T is equal to or higher than second reference temperature Tth2, as shown in Figure 22(A). Furthermore, when bathroom temperature T is equal to or lower than first reference temperature Tth1, cloud server 2001 operates bathroom heating device 3 if the absolute value of the temperature difference dT1 between the bathroom temperature and the room temperature is equal to or higher than first reference temperature difference dT1th1. Furthermore, when bathroom temperature T is equal to or lower than first reference temperature Tth1, cloud server 2001 transmits inquiry information to terminal device 7 inquiring the user about whether or not the bathroom needs to be heated if the absolute value of the temperature difference dT1 between the bathroom temperature and the room temperature is less than first reference temperature difference dT1th1 and equal to or higher than third reference temperature difference dT1th2. 22(B), when bathroom temperature T is equal to or lower than first reference temperature Tth1, and the absolute value of temperature difference dT2 between the bathroom temperature and the temperature of hot water stored in the bathtub is equal to or higher than second reference temperature difference dT2th1, cloud server 2001 operates bathroom heating device 3. Furthermore, when bathroom temperature T is equal to or lower than first reference temperature Tth1, and the absolute value of temperature difference dT2 between the bathroom temperature and the temperature of hot water stored in the bathtub is lower than second reference temperature difference dT2th1 and higher than fourth reference temperature difference dT2th2, cloud server 2001 sends inquiry information to terminal device 7 inquiring the user about whether or not the bathroom needs to be heated.

[0076] As described above, in the heating system according to this embodiment, when temperature acquisition unit 2114 detects the start of filling the bathtub with water, it acquires indoor temperature information and living room temperature information. Heating necessity determination unit 2115 determines whether bathroom heating is necessary based on the indoor temperature information and living room temperature information. Here, heating necessity determination unit 2115 determines that bathroom heating is necessary if the bathroom temperature is equal to or lower than a first reference temperature and the absolute value of the temperature difference between the bathroom temperature and the living room temperature is equal to or higher than the first reference temperature difference. This prevents bathroom heating apparatus 3 from unnecessarily heating the bathroom when the absolute value of the temperature difference between the bathroom temperature and the living room temperature is less than the first reference temperature difference. This prevents the absolute value of the temperature difference between the bathroom temperature and the living room temperature from exceeding the first reference temperature difference when the user begins bathing. This prevents heat shock to the user and saves energy by limiting unnecessary operation of bathroom heating apparatus 3.

[0077] Furthermore, heating necessity determination unit 2115 according to this embodiment determines that bathroom heating is necessary when the bathroom temperature is equal to or lower than a first reference temperature and the absolute value of the temperature difference between the bathroom temperature and the temperature of the living room is less than the first reference temperature difference, but the absolute value of the temperature difference between the bathroom temperature and the temperature of hot water stored in the bathtub is equal to or higher than a second reference temperature difference. This prevents the temperature difference between the temperature of the hot water stored in the bathtub and the bathroom temperature from exceeding the second reference temperature difference, thereby preventing a user from experiencing heat shock when soaking in the hot water stored in the bathtub while in the bathroom.

[0078] (Embodiment 3) In the heating system of this embodiment, when the temperature acquisition unit detects the start of filling the bathroom bathtub with water, it acquires changing room temperature information indicating the temperature in the changing room in addition to indoor temperature information indicating the bathroom temperature and living room temperature information indicating the temperature in the user's room. The heating necessity determination unit then determines whether the bathroom needs to be heated based on the indoor temperature information and the living room temperature information, and the temperature setting unit determines the set temperature of the changing room heating device based on the difference between the bathroom temperature and the set temperature of the living room. Here, the temperature setting unit determines the set temperature of the changing room heating device based on the set temperature of the bathroom heating device and the temperature of the living room when the difference temperature between the set temperature of the bathroom heating device and the set temperature of the changing room heating device is equal to or greater than a predetermined lower limit difference temperature and less than a predetermined upper limit difference temperature.

[0079] As shown in Figure 23, the heating system according to this embodiment includes bathroom heating device 3 installed in a bathroom to heat the bathroom, and cloud server 5001. In Figure 23, components similar to those in embodiments 1 and 2 are designated by the same reference numerals as in Figures 1, 2, 14, and 15. Bathroom heating device 3, changing room heating device 5009, air conditioner 4, and water heater 5 are connected to local network NW2 installed in a building that has a bathroom. Local network NW2 is also connected to wide area network NW1 via router 8. Control unit 31 of bathroom heating device 3 manages set temperature information indicating the bathroom's set temperature. When control unit 31 receives set temperature request information from cloud server 5001 requesting the transmission of set temperature information, it transmits the set temperature information to cloud server 5001.

[0080] Changing room heating device 5009 differs from bathroom heating device 3 in that it does not have a human presence sensor. It instead has a heater (not shown), a blower fan (not shown), a temperature sensor (not shown), and a control unit (not shown). Upon receiving control information from cloud server 5001, the control unit drives the heater and blower fan to heat the bathroom based on the received control information. The control unit also manages set temperature information indicating the set temperature of the changing room. Upon receiving set temperature request information from cloud server 5001 requesting the transmission of set temperature information, the control unit transmits the set temperature information to cloud server 5001. Furthermore, upon receiving temperature request information from cloud server 5001, the control unit generates room temperature information indicating the temperature of the changing room detected by the temperature sensor in response to the request and transmits the information to cloud server 1.

[0081] Cloud server 5001 has the same hardware configuration as cloud server 1 described in embodiment 1 and functions as a heating control device. Note that, hereinafter, hardware components similar to those of cloud server 1 described in embodiment 1 will be described using the same reference numerals as in FIG. 2. CPU 101 reads a program stored in auxiliary storage unit 103 into main storage and executes it, thereby functioning as a water filling start detection unit 111, a temperature acquisition unit 5114, a heating necessity determination unit 5115, a control information generation unit 5116, a control information transmission unit 117, a set temperature acquisition unit 5120, and a temperature setting unit 5121, as shown in FIG. 24. Note that in FIG. 24, components similar to those in embodiments 1 and 2 are assigned the same reference numerals as in FIG. 3 or FIG. 16.

[0082] Temperature acquisition unit 5114 acquires room temperature information from bathroom heating unit 3 by sending bathroom heating unit 3 temperature request information requesting bathroom heating unit 3 to send room temperature information indicating the bathroom temperature detected by temperature sensor 35. Temperature acquisition unit 5114 also acquires room temperature information from air conditioner 4 by sending air conditioner 4 temperature request information requesting air conditioner 4 to send room temperature information indicating the room temperature detected by temperature sensor 45. Temperature acquisition unit 5114 also acquires room temperature information from changing room heating unit 5009 by sending changing room heating unit 5009 temperature request information requesting changing room heating unit 5009 to send room temperature information indicating the changing room temperature detected by its temperature sensor. Temperature acquisition unit 5114 notifies heating necessity determination unit 5115 of the acquired room temperature information and room temperature information.

[0083] Heating necessity determination unit 5115 determines whether bathroom heating is necessary based on room temperature information indicating the bathroom temperature and living room temperature information. Specifically, heating necessity determination unit 5115 determines that bathroom heating is necessary if the bathroom temperature indicated by the room temperature information is equal to or lower than a predetermined first reference temperature and the difference temperature obtained by subtracting the bathroom temperature from the living room temperature indicated by the living room temperature information is equal to or higher than a predetermined first reference difference temperature. Furthermore, heating necessity determination unit 5115 determines that bathroom heating is not necessary if the bathroom temperature is higher than a predetermined second reference temperature that is higher than the first reference temperature.

[0084] Set temperature acquisition unit 5120 acquires set temperature information from bathroom heating unit 3 and changing room heating unit 5009 by transmitting set temperature request information to bathroom heating unit 3 and changing room heating unit 5009, requesting the transmission of the above-mentioned set temperature information from bathroom heating unit 3 and changing room heating unit 5009. Set temperature acquisition unit 5120 notifies temperature setting unit 5121 of the acquired set temperature information.

[0085] Temperature setting unit 5121 sets the set temperature for changing room heating unit 5009 based on the set temperature for bathroom heating unit 3 and the temperature in the living room. If the difference in temperature between the set temperature for the bathroom and the set temperature for the changing room is less than a preset lower limit difference temperature or equal to or greater than a preset upper limit difference temperature, temperature setting unit 5121 sets the set temperature for changing room heating unit 5009 to a temperature higher than either the set temperature for bathroom heating unit 3 or the temperature in the living room, but lower than the other. Specifically, temperature setting unit 5121 first calculates a temporary set temperature Tnew for changing room heating unit 5009 using the relational expression (1) below.

[0086]

number

[0087] Here, α is a constant greater than 0 and less than 1, and is set to 0.3, for example. Tsb is the set temperature of bathroom heating device 3, and Tl is the room temperature. For example, if the set temperature of bathroom heating device 3 is 30°C and the room temperature is 20°C, setting α to 0.3 will result in a provisional set temperature of 27°C.

[0088] Then, if the provisional setting temperature Tnew is equal to or lower than a temperature that is a preset margin temperature lower than the setting temperature Tsb of the bathroom heating device 3, the temperature setting unit 5121 determines the calculated provisional setting temperature Tnew as the setting temperature of the changing room heating device 5009. On the other hand, if the provisional setting temperature Tnew is higher than a temperature that is a preset margin temperature lower than the setting temperature Tsb of the bathroom heating device 3, the temperature setting unit 5121 determines the temperature that is the margin temperature lower than the setting temperature Tsb of the bathroom heating device 3 as the setting temperature of the changing room heating device 5009.

[0089] Next, the operation of the heating system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 25 and 26. In Figures 25 and 26, the same processes as those in Embodiment 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in Figures 17 to 19. First, assume that a user operates operating device 55 to start filling the bathtub with water. In this case, a series of processes from steps S61 to S63 is executed. When cloud server 5001 receives the bathtub filling start notification, it sends temperature request information to bathroom heating device 3 (step S64). Furthermore, cloud server 5001 sends temperature request information to changing room heating device 5009, requesting that changing room heating device 5009 send room temperature information indicating the temperature in the changing room (step S5061). Furthermore, cloud server 5001 sends temperature request information to air conditioner 4 (step S66).

[0090] Meanwhile, upon receiving the temperature request information, bathroom heating apparatus 3 generates room temperature information indicating the bathroom temperature (step S67), and the generated room temperature information is sent from bathroom heating apparatus 3 to cloud server 5001 (step S68). Furthermore, upon receiving the temperature request information, changing room heating apparatus 5009 generates room temperature information indicating the temperature of the changing room detected by its temperature sensor (step S5062). Subsequently, the generated room temperature information is sent from changing room heating apparatus 5009 to cloud server 5001 (step S5063). Furthermore, upon receiving the temperature request information, air conditioner 4 generates living room temperature information (step S71), and the generated living room temperature information is sent from air conditioner 4 to cloud server 5001 (step S72).

[0091] Meanwhile, suppose cloud server 5001 determines that bathroom temperature Tb is higher than first reference temperature Tth1 (step S5064) and that differential temperature dT1, obtained by subtracting bathroom temperature Tb from living room temperature Tl, is equal to or higher than first reference differential temperature dT1th1 (step S5065). Then, suppose cloud server 5001 determines that bathroom temperature Tb is equal to or lower than second reference temperature Tth2 (step S5066). In this case, cloud server 5001 transmits to bathroom heating apparatus 3 temperature setting request information requesting bathroom heating apparatus 3 to transmit temperature setting information (step S5067). Cloud server 5001 also transmits to changing room heating apparatus 5009 temperature setting request information requesting changing room heating apparatus 5009 to transmit temperature setting information (step S5068).

[0092] Meanwhile, when bathroom heating device 3 and changing room heating device 5009 receive the temperature setting request information, bathroom heating device 3 sends the temperature setting information managed by the bathroom heating device to cloud server 5001 (step S5069). Changing room heating device 5009 also sends the temperature setting information managed by the bathroom heating device to cloud server 5001 (step S5070). Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 26, cloud server 5001 acquires temperature setting information from bathroom heating device 3 and changing room heating device 5009 and then determines that differential temperature dT3 between the temperature setting of bathroom heating device 3 and changing room heating device 5009 is less than the lower limit differential temperature or greater than or equal to the upper limit differential temperature (step S5067). In this case, cloud server 5001 determines the temperature setting of changing room heating device 5009 based on the temperature setting of bathroom heating device 3 and the temperature in the living room (step S5072). Cloud server 5001 then generates control information for controlling bathroom heating device 3 to heat the bathroom, and also generates control information for controlling changing room heating device 5009 to heat the changing room based on the determined set temperature (step S5073). The generated control information is then sent from cloud server 5001 to bathroom heating device 3 (step S5074). Meanwhile, upon receiving the control information, bathroom heating device 3 starts heating operation to heat the bathroom based on the received control information (step S5075).

[0093] The cloud server 5001 then transmits the generated control information to the changing room heating device 5009 (step S5076). Meanwhile, upon receiving the control information, the changing room heating device 5009 updates the set temperature based on the received control information (step S5077). Next, the changing room heating device 5009 starts heating operation to heat the changing room so that the temperature in the changing room reaches the set temperature (step S5078).

[0094] Next, the heating control process executed by cloud server 5001 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 27 and 28. First, water filling start detection unit 111 determines whether water filling start notification information has been received from water heater 5 (step S501). As long as water filling start detection unit 111 determines that water filling start notification information has not yet been received (step S501: No), the process of step S501 is repeated. On the other hand, if water filling start detection unit 111 determines that water filling start notification information has been received (step S501: Yes), temperature acquisition unit 5114 transmits the aforementioned temperature request information to bathroom heating unit 3, changing room heating unit 5009, and air conditioner 4 (step S502). At this time, upon receiving the temperature request information, changing room heating unit 5009 generates room temperature information indicating the temperature in the changing room detected by the temperature sensor. Temperature acquisition unit 5114 then acquires the indoor temperature information and living room temperature information sent from bathroom heating device 3, undressing room heating device 5009, and air conditioner 4, respectively (step S503).

[0095] Next, the heating necessity determination unit 5115 determines whether the bathroom temperature Tb indicated by the room temperature information is equal to or lower than the first reference temperature Tth1 (step S504). If the heating necessity determination unit 5115 determines that the bathroom temperature Tb is equal to or lower than the first reference temperature Tth1 (step S504: Yes), the process of step S507, described below, is executed. On the other hand, suppose that the heating necessity determination unit 2115 determines that the bathroom temperature Tb is higher than the first reference temperature Tth1 (step S504: No). In this case, the heating necessity determination unit 5115 calculates a differential temperature dT1 obtained by subtracting the bathroom temperature from the room temperature indicated by the acquired room temperature information, and determines whether the calculated differential temperature dT1 is equal to or higher than the first reference differential temperature dT1th1 (step S505). If the heating necessity determining unit 5115 determines that the differential temperature dT1 is less than the first reference differential temperature dT1th1 (step S505: No), the process of step S501 is executed again.

[0096] On the other hand, suppose heating necessity determination unit 5115 determines that differential temperature dT1 is equal to or greater than first reference differential temperature dT1th1 (step S505: Yes). In this case, heating necessity determination unit 5115 determines whether bathroom temperature Tb indicated by the room temperature information is higher than second reference temperature Tth2 (step S506). If heating necessity determination unit 5115 determines that bathroom temperature Tb is higher than second reference temperature Tth2 (step S506: Yes), the process of step S501 is executed again. On the other hand, suppose heating necessity determination unit 5115 determines that bathroom temperature Tb is equal to or less than second reference temperature Tth2 (step S506: No). In this case, set temperature acquisition unit 5120 transmits the above-mentioned set temperature request information to bathroom heating device 3 and changing room heating device 5009 (step S507). At this time, upon receiving the set temperature request information, bathroom heating device 3 and changing room heating device 5009 each transmit the set temperature information managed by that device to cloud server 5001. Then, set temperature acquisition unit 5120 acquires the set temperature information transmitted from bathroom heating device 3 and changing room heating device 5009 (step S508).

[0097] Next, set temperature acquisition unit 5120 determines whether differential temperature dT3 between the set temperature of bathroom heating unit 3 and the set temperature of undressing room heating unit 5009 is equal to or greater than the lower limit differential temperature and less than the upper limit differential temperature (step S509). If set temperature acquisition unit 5120 determines that differential temperature dT3 is equal to or greater than the lower limit differential temperature and less than the upper limit differential temperature (step S509: Yes), the process of step S511, described below, is executed. On the other hand, if set temperature acquisition unit 5120 determines that differential temperature dT3 is less than the lower limit differential temperature or equal to or greater than the upper limit differential temperature (step S509: No), the set temperature determination process is executed (step S510).

[0098] The temperature setting process executed by cloud server 5001 according to this embodiment will now be described in detail with reference to FIG. 28. First, temperature setting unit 5121 calculates temporary temperature setting Tnew using the relational expression (1) described above (step S551). Next, temperature setting unit 5121 determines whether the calculated temporary temperature setting Tnew is higher than a temperature that is lower than bathroom heating unit 3's temperature setting Tsb by a preset margin temperature (step S552). If temperature setting unit 5121 determines that temporary temperature setting Tnew is higher than bathroom heating unit 3's temperature setting Tsb by the margin temperature (step S552: Yes), it determines the setting temperature for undressing room heating unit 5009 to be a temperature that is lower than bathroom heating unit 3's temperature setting Tsb by the margin temperature (step S553). On the other hand, if temporary set temperature Tnew is equal to or lower than the temperature that is lower than set temperature Tsb of bathroom heating device 3 by the margin temperature, temperature setting unit 5121 determines the calculated temporary set temperature Tnew as the set temperature of undressing room heating device 5009 (step S554).

[0099] 27, control information generator 5116 then generates control information for controlling bathroom heating device 3 to heat the bathroom, and also generates control information for controlling changing room heating device 5009 to heat the changing room based on the determined set temperature. Control information transmitter 117 then transmits the generated control information to bathroom heating device 3 and changing room heating device 5009 (step S511). Next, the process of step S501 is executed again.

[0100] By executing this series of heating control processes, cloud server 5001 controls bathroom temperature Tb so that the difference in temperature between bathroom temperature Tb1 and room temperature Tl is equal to or less than first reference difference temperature dT1th1, as shown in graph LT1 in Figure 29, when bathroom temperature Tb1 is equal to or less than room temperature Tl. Then, cloud server 5001 controls bathroom heating device 3 and changing room heating device 5009 so that the difference in temperature between bathroom temperature Tb2 and room temperature Tl is equal to or less than first reference difference temperature dT1th1, as shown in graph LT2, for example. On the other hand, cloud server 5001 avoids controlling bathroom heating device 3 and changing room heating device 5009 so that bathroom temperature Tb3 is equal to or less than first reference difference temperature dT1th1 when bathroom temperature Tb3 is higher than room temperature Tl, as shown in graph LT3.

[0101] As described above, in the heating system of this embodiment, when the difference in temperature between the bathroom temperature and the changing room temperature is less than a preset lower limit difference temperature or equal to or greater than a preset upper limit difference temperature, temperature setting unit 5121 sets the set temperature of changing room heating device 5009 to a temperature that is higher than either the set temperature of bathroom heating device 3 or the temperature of the living room, but lower than the other. This makes it possible to keep the power consumption of changing room heating device 5009 lower than that of bathroom heating device 3 when both bathroom heating device 3 and changing room heating device 5009 are operating. Furthermore, it is possible to create an environment in which the temperature gradually decreases or increases in the order of bathroom, changing room, and living room, thereby increasing the comfort of a user when moving, for example, from the bathroom to the living room.

[0102] (Fourth embodiment) The heating system of this embodiment differs from the heating system of embodiment 1 in that the estimation unit uses a trained model to estimate whether heating is necessary for at least one of the bathroom and the changing room and when to start heating if heating is necessary, based on the temperature of at least one of the bathroom and the changing room, the temperature of the user's room, the amount of hot water supplied to the bathtub, the temperature of the hot water supplied to the bathtub, and the air temperature outside the building in which the bathtub is located.

[0103] As shown in Fig. 30, the heating system according to this embodiment includes a bathroom heating device 6003 installed in a bathroom to heat the bathroom, a changing room heating device 6009 installed in a changing room to heat the changing room, an outdoor air temperature detection device 6010 that detects the air temperature outside the building in which the bathroom is located, and a cloud server 5001. In Fig. 30, components similar to those in embodiment 1 are assigned the same reference numerals as in Fig. 1. This heating system is also used with a water heater 6005 that supplies hot water to a bathtub in the bathroom and lighting fixtures 6 installed in the bathroom. The bathroom heating device 6003, changing room heating device 6009, air conditioner 4, water heater 6005, lighting fixtures 6, and outdoor air temperature detection device 6010 are connected to a local network NW2 installed within the building.

[0104] Bathroom heating apparatus 6003 is connected to operation device 6035 for receiving operations from the user. When the user performs a preset operation on operation device 6035, bathroom heating apparatus 6003 sends operation information indicating the operation to cloud server 6001. Furthermore, when bathroom heating apparatus 6003 starts heating operation based on control information obtained from cloud server 6001, it sends operation information corresponding to the control information to cloud server 6001.

[0105] An operation device 6095 for receiving operations from the user is also connected to the changing room heating device 6009. When the user performs a preset operation on the operation device 6095, the changing room heating device 6009 transmits operation information indicating the operation content to the cloud server 6001. Furthermore, when the changing room heating device 6009 starts heating operation based on control information obtained from the cloud server 6001, it transmits operation information corresponding to the control information to the cloud server 6001.

[0106] Like the water heater 5 described in the first embodiment, the water heater 6005 includes a heat pump 53, a drive unit 52, a control unit 51, and a hot water outlet sensor 56. Like the water heater 2005 described in the second embodiment, the water heater 6005 also includes a used hot water temperature sensor 2054 that detects the temperature of the hot water stored in the bathroom bathtub. Here, when the control unit 51 acquires hot water outlet information request information (described later) from the cloud server 6001, it generates hot water outlet volume information based on the hot water outlet state detected by the hot water outlet sensor 56, and generates hot water outlet temperature information based on the temperature detected by the used hot water temperature sensor 2054. Then, the control unit 51 transmits the generated hot water outlet volume information and hot water outlet temperature information to the cloud server 2001.

[0107] Each time a user turns on or off lighting device 6, lighting device 6 transmits operation information indicating the operation to cloud server 6001. Furthermore, when lighting device 6 performs a turn-on or turn-off operation based on control information obtained from cloud server 6001, lighting device 6 transmits operation information corresponding to the control information to cloud server 6001.

[0108] The outside air temperature detecting device 6010 has a temperature sensor (not shown) that measures the temperature outside the building in which the bathtub is located, and generates outside air temperature information indicating the temperature detected by the temperature sensor. When the outside air temperature detecting device 6010 receives temperature request information (described later) from the cloud server 6001, it generates the above-mentioned outside air temperature information and transmits it to the cloud server 6001.

[0109] Cloud server 6001 has the same hardware configuration as cloud server 1 described in embodiment 1 and functions as a heating control device. Note that, hereinafter, hardware components similar to those of cloud server 1 described in embodiment 1 will be described using the same reference numerals as in FIG. 2. CPU 101 reads a program stored in auxiliary storage unit 103 into main storage and executes it, thereby functioning as a bath filling start detection unit 6111, a bathing start detection unit 112, a temperature acquisition unit 6114, an estimation unit 6115, a control information generation unit 6116, a control information transmission unit 6117, a hot water outlet information acquisition unit 6122, an outside air temperature acquisition unit 6124, an operation information acquisition unit 6125, and a model generation unit 6126, as shown in FIG. 31. Note that, in FIG. 31, components similar to those in embodiment 1 are assigned the same reference numerals as in FIG. 3. Auxiliary storage unit 103 also has a bathing history storage unit 6131, a hot water discharge history storage unit 6132, an indoor temperature history storage unit 6133, an outdoor temperature history storage unit 6134, an operation history storage unit 6135, and a model storage unit 6136. Bathing history storage unit 6131 stores, as shown in Fig. 32(A), for example, bathing start time information indicating the time when water heater 6005 started filling the bathtub with hot water in the past, and bathing start time information indicating the time when the user started bathing, in association with date information.

[0110] Returning to FIG. 31, the hot water outlet history storage unit 6132 stores hot water outlet volume information indicating the volume of hot water supplied to the bathtub and hot water outlet temperature information indicating the temperature, in association with time information indicating the preset time when the hot water volume and temperature were acquired. The indoor temperature history storage unit 6133 stores information indicating the temperature in the bathroom, the temperature in the dressing room, and the temperature in the living room, in association with time information indicating the preset time when the temperatures were acquired. The outdoor temperature history storage unit 6134 stores outdoor temperature information indicating the temperature outside the building in which the bathroom is located, in association with time information indicating the time when the temperature was acquired. The operation history storage unit 6135 stores, in association with user identification information, delay time information indicating the delay time relative to the start time of filling the water at the heating necessity determination time, and inquiry necessity information indicating whether the user should be asked about the bathing start time when the water begins to be filled, as shown in FIG. 4(B), for example.

[0111] As shown in FIG. 32(B), for example, the operation history storage unit 6135 stores in chronological order operation target device identification information that identifies the operation target device on which the operation was performed, operation content information that indicates the operation content, set temperature information that indicates the set temperature when the operation was performed, and operation time information that indicates the time when the operation was performed, in association with date information that indicates the date on which the operation was performed.

[0112] Model storage unit 6136 stores model information indicating a trained model for estimating whether heating is needed for the bathroom and changing room and when to start heating if heating is needed, based on the bathroom temperature, the dressing room temperature, the temperature of the user's room, the amount of hot water supplied to the bathtub, the temperature of the hot water supplied to the bathtub, and the temperature outside the building where the bathtub is located. This trained model is, for example, a neural network composed of an input layer, an intermediate layer, and an output layer. If heating is needed, the bathroom temperature, the dressing room temperature, the temperature of the user's room, the amount of hot water supplied to the bathtub, the temperature of the hot water supplied to the bathtub, and the temperature outside the building where the bathtub is located are input to the input layer, and a numerical value indicating when heating should start is output. On the other hand, if heating is not needed, the trained model outputs a preset numerical value indicating that heating is not needed from the output layer. Model storage unit 6136 also stores model information indicating a trained model for estimating the set temperatures of bathroom heater 6003 and changing room heater 6009 based on the bathroom temperature, the dressing room temperature, the temperature of the user's room, the amount of hot water supplied to the bathtub, the temperature of the hot water supplied to the bathtub, and the temperature outside the building where the bathtub is located. This trained model is, for example, a neural network, and when the bathroom temperature, the changing room temperature, the temperature of the user's room, the amount of hot water supplied to the bathtub, the temperature of the hot water supplied to the bathtub, and the temperature outside the building where the bathtub is located are input into the input layer, a numerical value indicating the set temperature of each of the bathroom heating device 6003 and the changing room heating device 6009 is output.

[0113] 31, when the water filling start detection unit 6111 receives water filling notification information from the water heater 6005 notifying that the bathroom bathtub has started to be filled with water, it detects that water filling has started and stores water filling start time information indicating the time when the water filling notification information was received in association with the date information in the bathing history storage unit 131. The water filling start detection unit 6111 also notifies the estimation unit 6115 of the received water filling start notification information.

[0114] Temperature acquisition unit 6114 acquires indoor temperature information from bathroom heating unit 6003 by sending it temperature request information to bathroom heating unit 6003 requesting that bathroom heating unit 6003 send indoor temperature information indicating the temperature in the bathroom. Temperature acquisition unit 6114 also acquires living room temperature information from air conditioner 4 by sending it temperature request information to air conditioner 4 requesting that air conditioner 4 send living room temperature information indicating the temperature in the room. Temperature acquisition unit 6114 also acquires indoor temperature information from changing room heating unit 6009 by sending it temperature request information to changing room heating unit 6009 requesting that changing room heating unit 6009 send indoor temperature information indicating the temperature in the changing room. Temperature acquisition unit 6114 stores the acquired indoor temperature information and living room temperature information in indoor temperature history storage unit 6133 in association with time information indicating the time when the temperatures were acquired.

[0115] The hot water outlet information acquisition unit 6122 acquires hot water outlet volume information and hot water outlet temperature information from the hot water heater 6005 by sending hot water outlet information request information to the hot water heater 6005, which requests the hot water heater 6005 to send the above-mentioned hot water outlet volume information and hot water outlet temperature information. In other words, the hot water outlet information acquisition unit 6122 functions as a hot water outlet volume acquisition unit that acquires hot water outlet volume information indicating the volume of hot water supplied to the bathtub, and also functions as a hot water outlet temperature acquisition unit that acquires hot water outlet temperature information indicating the temperature of the hot water supplied to the bathtub. The temperature acquisition unit 6114 stores the acquired hot water outlet volume information and hot water outlet temperature information in the hot water outlet history storage unit 6132 in association with time information indicating the time when the above-mentioned hot water outlet volume and hot water temperature were acquired.

[0116] The outside temperature acquisition unit 6124 acquires outside temperature information from the outside temperature detection device 6010 by transmitting to the outside temperature detection device 6010 outside temperature information request information that requests the outside temperature detection device 6010 to transmit outside temperature information indicating the outside temperature. The outside temperature acquisition unit 6124 stores the acquired outside temperature information in the outside temperature history storage unit 6134 in association with the time information indicating the temperature acquisition time described above.

[0117] When operation information acquisition unit 6125 acquires operation information transmitted from bathroom heating device 6003, changing room heating device 6009, and lighting fixture 6, it extracts information on the device to be operated, operation content information, set temperature information, and operation time information contained in the acquired operation information. Operation information acquisition unit 6125 then associates the extracted information on the device to be operated, operation content information, set temperature information, and operation time information with date information indicating the date the operation information was acquired, and stores the information in chronological order in operation history storage unit 6135.

[0118] Estimation unit 6115 uses a trained model for estimating whether bathroom heating is necessary and when to start heating if bathroom heating is necessary, from the bathroom indoor temperature information, the changing room indoor temperature information, the living room temperature information, the hot water output information, the outlet hot water temperature information, and the outside temperature information, to estimate when to start heating if bathroom heating is necessary and when to start turning on lighting fixture 6. Estimation unit 6115 also estimates the set temperatures of bathroom heating unit 6003 and changing room heating unit 6009, from the bathroom indoor temperature information, the changing room indoor temperature information, the living room temperature information, the hot water output information, the outlet hot water temperature information, and the outside temperature information.

[0119] Control information generation unit 6116 generates control information for controlling bathroom heating device 6003, changing room heating device 6009, and lighting device 6, based on the timing to start heating when bathroom heating is necessary, the timing to start lighting device 6, the set temperature of bathroom heating device 6003, and the set temperature of changing room heating device 6009, which have been estimated by estimation unit 6115. Control information transmission unit 6117 then transmits the generated control information to bathroom heating device 6003, changing room heating device 6009, and lighting device 6.

[0120] The model generation unit 6126 identifies a period corresponding to the training data used to generate a trained model for each past day based on the bath filling start time information and bathing start time information stored in the bathing history storage unit 6231. The model generation unit 6126 also extracts the target device identification information, operation content information, set temperature information, and operation time information for each past day within the identified period from the target device identification information, operation content information, set temperature information, and operation time information stored in the operation history storage unit 6135. The model generation unit 6126 then generates a trained model using the indoor temperature information and room temperature information stored in the indoor temperature history storage unit 6133, the hot water discharge amount information and hot water discharge temperature information stored in the hot water discharge history storage unit 6132, the outdoor temperature information stored in the outdoor temperature history storage unit 6134, and the extracted target device identification information, operation content information, set temperature information, and operation time information. The model generation unit 6126 updates the model information stored in the model storage unit 6136 with model information indicating the generated trained model.

[0121] Next, the operation of the heating system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 33 to 36. First, assume that a user operates operating device 55 to start filling the bathtub with water. In this case, water heater 6005 starts filling the bathtub with water (step S6001). Next, water heater 6005 generates water filling start notification information notifying that water filling has started (step S6002), and the generated water filling start notification information is sent from water heater 6005 to cloud server 6001 (step S6003). Meanwhile, upon receiving the water filling start notification information, cloud server 1 updates the water filling start time information stored in bathing history storage unit 131 using water filling start time information indicating the time when the water filling start notification information was received (step S6004).

[0122] Next, when the preset time to obtain the hot water outlet volume and hot water outlet temperature arrives, cloud server 6001 transmits hot water outlet information request information to water heater 6005, requesting water heater 6005 to transmit the above-mentioned hot water outlet volume information and hot water outlet temperature information (step S6005). Meanwhile, upon receiving the hot water outlet information request information, water heater 6005 generates hot water outlet volume information based on the hot water outlet state detected by hot water outlet sensor 56, and generates hot water outlet temperature information based on the temperature detected by hot water usage temperature sensor 2054 (step S6006). The generated hot water outlet volume information and hot water outlet temperature information are then transmitted from water heater 6005 to cloud server 6001 (step S6007). Here, upon receiving the hot water outlet volume information and hot water outlet temperature information transmitted from water heater 6005, cloud server 6001 stores the obtained hot water outlet volume information and hot water outlet temperature information in hot water outlet history storage unit 6132.

[0123] Furthermore, when the preset temperature acquisition time arrives, cloud server 6001 sends to bathroom heating device 6003 temperature request information requesting bathroom heating device 6003 to send the aforementioned room temperature information (step S6008). Meanwhile, upon receiving the temperature request information, bathroom heating device 6003 generates room temperature information indicating the bathroom temperature (step S6009), and the generated room temperature information is sent from bathroom heating device 6003 to cloud server 6001 (step S6010). Next, cloud server 6001 sends to changing room heating device 6009 temperature request information requesting changing room heating device 6009 to send room temperature information indicating the temperature of the changing room (step S6011). Meanwhile, upon receiving the temperature request information, changing room heating device 6009 generates room temperature information indicating the temperature of the changing room detected by its temperature sensor (step S6012). Next, the generated indoor temperature information is transmitted from the changing room heating device 6009 to the cloud server 6001 (step S6013).

[0124] 34, temperature request information requesting the air conditioner 4 to transmit the aforementioned room temperature information is transmitted from cloud server 6001 to air conditioner 4 (step S6014). Meanwhile, upon receiving the temperature request information, air conditioner 4 generates room temperature information (step S6015), and the generated room temperature information is transmitted from air conditioner 4 to cloud server 6001 (step S6016). Here, upon acquiring the indoor temperature information and living room temperature information transmitted from bathroom heating device 6003, undressing room heating device 6009, and air conditioner 4, respectively, cloud server 6001 stores the acquired indoor temperature information and living room temperature information in indoor temperature history storage unit 6133. Next, temperature request information requesting the outdoor temperature detection device 6010 to transmit the aforementioned outdoor temperature information is transmitted from cloud server 6001 to outdoor temperature detection device 6010 (step S6017). On the other hand, when the outside air temperature detection device 6010 receives the temperature request information, it generates outside air temperature information (step S6018), and the generated outside air temperature information is transmitted from the outside air temperature detection device 6010 to the cloud server 6001 (step S6019). Here, when the cloud server 6001 acquires the outside air temperature information transmitted from the outside air temperature detection device 6010, it stores the acquired outside air temperature information in the outside air temperature history storage unit 6134.

[0125] Next, when the preset estimation time arrives, cloud server 6001 uses the trained model indicated by the information stored in model storage unit 6136 to estimate the heating start times for bathroom heater 6003 and changing room heater 6009 and the turn-on start times for lighting fixture 6 (step S6020). Cloud server 6001 then estimates the set temperatures for bathroom heater 6003 and changing room heater 6009 (step S6021). Next, cloud server 6001 generates control information for controlling bathroom heater 6003 and changing room heater 6009 based on the estimated heating start times and set temperatures for bathroom heater 6003 and changing room heater 6009. Cloud server 6001 also generates control information for controlling lighting fixture 6 based on the estimated turn-on start times for lighting fixture 6 (step S6022).

[0126] Next, when the estimated time for bathroom heating device 6003 to start heating arrives, cloud server 6001 transmits control information to bathroom heating device 6003 to cause it to start heating (step S6023). Meanwhile, upon receiving the control information, bathroom heating device 6003 updates the set temperature based on the received control information (step S6024) and then starts heating operation to heat the bathroom (step S6025). Bathroom heating device 6003 then generates operation information corresponding to the received control information (step S6026), which is then transmitted from bathroom heating device 6003 to cloud server 6001 (step S6027). Upon receiving the operation information, cloud server 6001 extracts information about the device to be operated, the operation content, the set temperature, and the time of operation from the received operation information, and stores the information in operation history memory unit 6135.

[0127] Next, when the estimated heating start time for the changing room heating device 6009 arrives, control information for starting heating operation of the changing room heating device 6009 is transmitted from the cloud server 6001 to the changing room heating device 6009 (step S6028). Meanwhile, upon acquiring the control information, the changing room heating device 6009 updates the set temperature based on the acquired control information (step S6029) and then starts heating operation to heat the changing room (step S6030), as shown in FIG. 35 . Thereafter, the changing room heating device 6009 generates operation information corresponding to the acquired control information (step S6031), and the generated operation information is transmitted from the changing room heating device 6009 to the cloud server 6001 (step S6032). Here, upon acquiring the operation information, the cloud server 6001 extracts information on the device to be operated, operation content information, set temperature information, and operation time information included in the acquired operation information, and stores the extracted information in the operation history storage unit 6135.

[0128] Next, when the estimated lighting start time for lighting device 6 arrives, cloud server 6001 transmits control information to lighting device 6 to cause lighting device 6 to start turning on (step S6033). Meanwhile, upon receiving the control information, lighting device 6 starts turning on based on the received control information (step S6034). Next, lighting device 6 generates operation information corresponding to the received control information (step S6035), and the generated operation information is transmitted from lighting device 6 to cloud server 6001 (step S6036). Upon receiving the operation information, cloud server 6001 extracts information about the device to be operated, the operation content information, the temperature setting information, and the operation time information from the received operation information, and stores the extracted information in operation history storage unit 6135.

[0129] Thereafter, when the cloud server 6001 detects that the user has started bathing based on the acquired operation information (step S6037), it updates the bathing start time information stored in the bathing history memory unit 131 using the bathing start time information indicating the time when the bathing start was detected (step S6038).

[0130] Let's also assume that after the user starts filling the water with water but before the user's bathing is detected, the user manually stops bathroom heating device 6003. In this case, bathroom heating device 6003 stops heating operation (step S6039) and generates operation information indicating that heating operation has been stopped (step S6040). The generated operation information is then sent from bathroom heating device 6003 to cloud server 6001 (step S6041). Meanwhile, upon receiving the operation information, cloud server 6001 updates the information on the device to be operated, the operation content information, the set temperature information, and the operation time information stored in operation history storage unit 6135 by deleting the operation content information that has the same device information as the received operation information and indicates that bathroom heating device 6003 has started operating, as well as the corresponding set temperature information and operation time information (step S6042).

[0131] Next, as shown in Figure 36, suppose that after the user starts filling the water with water but before the user's bathing is detected, the user manually starts bathroom heating device 6003, which had been stopped. In this case, bathroom heating device 6003 starts heating operation (step S6043) and generates operation information indicating that heating operation has started (step S6044). The generated operation information is then sent from bathroom heating device 6003 to cloud server 6001 (step S6045). Meanwhile, upon receiving the operation information, cloud server 6001 updates the information stored in operation history storage unit 6135 about the device to be operated, the operation content information, the set temperature information, and the operation time information by adding the information about the device to be operated, the operation content information, the set temperature information, and the operation time information contained in the received operation information (step S6046).

[0132] Next, suppose that after the user starts filling the water with water but before the user's bathing is detected, the user manually changes the set temperature of bathroom heating device 6003, which has been stopped. In this case, bathroom heating device 6003 changes the set temperature (step S6047) and generates operation information indicating that the set temperature has been changed (step S6048). The generated operation information is then sent from bathroom heating device 6003 to cloud server 6001 (step S6049). Meanwhile, upon receiving the operation information, cloud server 6001 updates the set temperature information corresponding to the device information included in the received operation information, thereby updating the device information, operation content information, set temperature information, and operation time information stored in operation history storage unit 6135 (step S6050).

[0133] Thereafter, when the preset model update time arrives, cloud server 6001 generates a trained model using the indoor temperature information and room temperature information stored in indoor temperature history storage unit 6133, the hot water discharge amount information and hot water discharge temperature information stored in hot water discharge history storage unit 6132, the outdoor temperature information stored in outdoor temperature history storage unit 6134, and the operation target device identification information, operation content information, set temperature information, and operation time information stored in operation history storage unit 6135 (step S6051). Next, cloud server 6001 updates the information stored in model storage unit 6136 with information indicating the generated trained model (step S6052).

[0134] Next, the heating control process executed by the cloud server 6001 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 37 and 38. First, as shown in FIG. 37, the water filling start detection unit 6111 determines whether water filling start notification information has been acquired from the water heater 5 (step S601). As long as the water filling start detection unit 6111 determines that water filling start notification information has not yet been acquired (step S601: No), the process of step S621, described below, is executed. On the other hand, if the water filling start detection unit 6111 determines that water filling start notification information has been acquired (step S601: Yes), it generates water filling start time information indicating the time when the water filling start notification information was acquired, and uses the generated water filling start time information to update the water filling start time information stored in the bathing history storage unit 131 (step S602).

[0135] Next, the hot water outlet information acquisition unit 6122 determines whether the preset time for obtaining the hot water volume and hot water temperature has arrived (step S603). If the hot water outlet information acquisition unit 6122 determines that the time for obtaining the hot water volume and hot water temperature has not yet arrived (step S603: No), the processing of step S606 described below is executed. On the other hand, if the hot water outlet information acquisition unit 6122 determines that the time for obtaining the hot water volume and hot water temperature has arrived (step S603: Yes), it transmits the hot water outlet information request information described above to the water heater 6005 (step S604). Then, the hot water outlet information acquisition unit 6122 acquires the hot water outlet state and hot water outlet temperature information transmitted from the water heater 6005 in response to the hot water outlet information request information (step S605). Here, the hot water outlet information acquisition unit 6122 stores the acquired hot water outlet volume information and hot water outlet temperature information in the hot water outlet history storage unit 6132 in association with time information indicating when the hot water outlet volume and hot water outlet temperature information were acquired.

[0136] Next, temperature acquisition unit 6114 determines whether the preset temperature acquisition time has arrived (step S606). If temperature acquisition unit 6114 determines that the temperature acquisition time has not yet arrived (step S606: No), the process of step S609, described below, is executed. On the other hand, if temperature acquisition unit 6114 determines that the temperature acquisition time has arrived (step S606: Yes), it transmits the aforementioned temperature request information to bathroom heating unit 6003, changing room heating unit 6009, air conditioner 4, and outdoor air temperature detection device 6010 (step S607). Then, temperature acquisition unit 6114 acquires the room temperature information, living room temperature information, and outdoor air temperature information transmitted in response to the temperature request information from bathroom heating unit 6003, changing room heating unit 6009, air conditioner 4, and outdoor air temperature detection device 6010, respectively (step S608).

[0137] Next, estimation unit 6115 determines whether a preset estimation time has arrived (step S609). If estimation unit 6115 determines that the estimation time has not yet arrived (step S609: No), step S603 and subsequent steps are executed again. On the other hand, if estimation unit 6115 determines that the estimation time has arrived (step S609: Yes), it estimates the heating start times of bathroom heating unit 6003 and changing room heating unit 6009 and the turn-on start times of lighting fixture 6. Here, estimation unit 6115 estimates the heating start times of bathroom heating unit 6003 and changing room heating unit 6009 and the turn-on start times of lighting fixture 6 using the trained models indicated by the information stored in model storage unit 6136 (step S610). Next, estimation unit 6115 determines whether the estimated heating start times and turn-on start times exist (step S611). If the estimation unit 6115 determines that the estimated heating start time or lighting start time does not exist (step S611: No), the process of step S618, which will be described later, is executed.

[0138] On the other hand, suppose that estimation unit 6115 determines that estimated heating start times and lighting start times exist (step S611: Yes). In this case, estimation unit 6115 estimates the set temperatures of bathroom heating unit 6003 and changing room heating unit 6009 using the trained model indicated by the information stored in model storage unit 6136 (step S612). Next, control information generation unit 6116 generates control information for controlling bathroom heating unit 6003 and changing room heating unit 6009 based on the heating start times and set temperatures of bathroom heating unit 6003 and changing room heating unit 6009 estimated by estimation unit 6115. Control information generation unit 6116 also generates control information for controlling lighting device 6 based on the estimated lighting start times of lighting device 6 (step S613).

[0139] 38, control information transmitter 6117 then determines whether the estimated time for bathroom heating device 6003 or changing room heating device 6009 to start heating, or the estimated time for lighting device 6 to start turning on, has arrived (step S614). If control information transmitter 6117 determines that the estimated time for bathroom heating device 6003 or changing room heating device 6009 to start heating, or the estimated time for lighting device 6 to start turning on, has not yet arrived (step S614: No), it proceeds to step S616, which will be described later. On the other hand, suppose control information transmitter 6117 determines that the estimated time for bathroom heating device 6003 or changing room heating device 6009 to start heating, or the estimated time for lighting device 6 to start turning on, has arrived (step S614: Yes). In this case, control information transmitter 6117 transmits control information corresponding to the estimated heating start time or lighting start time to bathroom heating device 6003, changing room heating device 6009, or lighting fixture 6 (step S615).

[0140] Next, operation information acquisition unit 6125 determines whether it has acquired operation information transmitted from bathroom heating device 6003, changing room heating device 6009, or lighting fixture 6 (step S616). If operation information acquisition unit 6125 determines that it has not yet acquired operation information (step S616: No), it executes the process of step S618, which will be described later. On the other hand, if operation information acquisition unit 6125 determines that it has acquired operation information (step S616: Yes), it extracts information about the device to be operated, operation content information, set temperature information, and operation time information included in the acquired operation information, and stores these information in operation history storage unit 6135 (step S617).

[0141] Next, the bathing start detection unit 112 determines whether or not it has detected the user's start of bathing based on the acquired operation information (step S618). If the bathing start detection unit 112 determines that it has not yet detected the user's start of bathing (step S618: No), it executes the processing of step S620, which will be described later. On the other hand, if the bathing start detection unit 112 determines that it has detected the user's start of bathing (step S618: Yes), it updates the bathing start time information stored in the bathing history storage unit 131 using bathing start time information indicating the time when the bathing start was detected (step S619).

[0142] Thereafter, the bathing start detection unit 112 determines whether a preset start time estimation target period has ended (step S620). If the bathing start detection unit 112 determines that the start time estimation target period has not yet ended (step S620: No), the process of step S613 is executed again. On the other hand, it is assumed that the bathing start detection unit 112 determines that the start time estimation target period has ended (step S620: Yes). In this case, the model generation unit 6126 determines whether a preset model update time has arrived (step S621). If the model generation unit 6126 determines that the model update time has not yet arrived (step S621: No), the process of step S601 is executed again. On the other hand, if the model generation unit 6126 determines that the time for updating the model has arrived (step S621: Yes), it generates a trained model using the indoor temperature information and room temperature information stored in the indoor temperature history storage unit 6133, the hot water outlet volume information and hot water outlet temperature information stored in the hot water outlet history storage unit 6132, the outdoor temperature information stored in the outdoor temperature history storage unit 6134, and the operation target device identification information, operation content information, set temperature information, and operation time information stored in the operation history storage unit 6135 (step S622). Next, the model generation unit 6126 updates the model information stored in the model storage unit 6136 with model information indicating the generated trained model (step S623). Then, the processing of step S601 is executed again.

[0143] Assume that the amount and temperature of hot water discharged from water heater 6005, the temperature in the living room, the temperature in the dressing room, the temperature in the bathroom, and the outdoor temperature each change over time, as shown in Figure 39. In Figure 39, Vs represents the amount of hot water discharged from water heater 6005, Ts the temperature of hot water discharged from water heater 6005, Tl the temperature in the living room, Td the temperature in the dressing room, Tb the temperature in the bathroom, and To the outdoor temperature. Estimation unit 6115 estimates when to start operating bathroom heating device 6003 and changing room heating device 6009 and when to start turning on lighting fixture 6, based on the changes in Vs, Ts the temperature of hot water discharged from water heater 6005, Tl the temperature in the living room, Td the temperature in the dressing room, Tb the temperature in the bathroom, and To the outdoor temperature from the start to the end of filling the water with hot water. In addition, the model generation unit 6126 generates a trained model based on the trends in the hot water output Vs of the water heater 6005, the hot water output temperature Ts of the water heater 6005, the room temperature Tl, the indoor temperature Td of the changing room, the indoor temperature Tb of the bathroom, and the outdoor temperature To from the start of filling the water to the end of filling the water, as well as the actual start times of operation of the bathroom heating device 6003 and the changing room heating device 6009 and the start time of lighting fixture 6 within the period for estimating the operation timing after filling the water.

[0144] As described above, in the heating system of this embodiment, estimation unit 6115 uses the trained model described above to estimate when bathroom heating unit 6003 and changing room heating unit 6009 should start heating when heating is necessary. Estimation unit 6115 also uses the trained model to estimate the set temperatures of bathroom heating unit 6003 and changing room heating unit 6009. Control information generation unit 6116 then generates control information for bathroom heating unit 6003 and changing room heating unit 6009 based on the heating start time and set temperatures estimated by estimation unit 6115. This allows bathroom heating unit 6003 and changing room heating unit 6009 to be controlled more accurately.

[0145] Furthermore, according to the heating system of this embodiment, the model generation unit 6126 updates the model information indicating the learned model every time a preset model update period arrives, using the user's device identification information, operation content information, set temperature information, and operation time information. This allows the heating start period and set temperature of the bathroom heating device 6003 and the changing room heating device 6009 to be adapted to the user's preferences, improving comfort.

[0146] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, if there are multiple air conditioners 4, the living room temperature information acquired from the air conditioner 4 installed in the living room is used as the living room temperature. Alternatively, for example, the following configuration may be used: The air conditioner 4 is equipped with a human presence sensor, and information about the presence or absence of a person in the living room is transmitted to a cloud server along with the living room temperature information. Here, the human presence or absence information refers to the frequency with which the human presence sensor of the air conditioner 4 detected a person within a certain period of time until the air conditioner 4 received the temperature request information. In this case, the cloud server uses the living room temperature information acquired from the air conditioner 4 that detected a person most frequently as the living room temperature. Alternatively, instead of the human presence or absence information, the operating time of the air conditioner 4 may be transmitted to the cloud server along with the living room temperature information. In this case, the cloud server uses the living room temperature information acquired from the air conditioner 4 with the longest operating time as the living room temperature. According to this configuration, the temperature difference between the living room and the bathroom for a bathing user can be accurately measured.

[0147] Furthermore, for example, the heating control device may determine the heating necessity determination time based on the water filling start time information and the bathing start time information to determine whether or not the bathroom needs to be heated after the time the water filling starts, and when the heating necessity determination time arrives, determine whether or not the bathroom needs to be heated based on the absolute value of the difference temperature between the bathroom temperature and the room temperature.

[0148] As shown in FIG. 40, the heating system of this variation includes bathroom heating device 3 installed in a bathroom to heat the bathroom, cloud server 3001, and terminal device 7. In FIG. 40, components similar to those in embodiments 1 and 2 are designated by the same reference numerals as in FIGS. 1 and 14. This heating system is also used with water heater 2005, air conditioner 4, and lighting fixture 6. Bathroom heating device 3, air conditioner 4, water heater 2005, and lighting fixture 6 are connected to local network NW2 installed in a building that has a bathroom. Local network NW2 is connected to wide area network NW1 via router 8.

[0149] Cloud server 3001 has the same hardware configuration as cloud server 1 described in embodiment 1, and includes CPU 101, main memory 102, auxiliary memory 103, wide-area communication unit 106, timer 107, and bus 109, and functions as a heating control device. Auxiliary memory 103 stores programs for implementing various functions of cloud server 3001. CPU 101 loads the programs stored in auxiliary memory 103 into main memory and executes them, thereby functioning as bath filling start detection unit 111, bathing start detection unit 112, heating necessity determination condition setting unit 113, temperature acquisition unit 3114, heating necessity determination unit 3115, control information generation unit 116, control information transmission unit 117, notification unit 3118, command acquisition unit 119, bathing determination unit 120, bath filling timing determination unit 121, and heating necessity determination timing identification unit 122, as shown in FIG. 41 . 41, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in Fig. 3. The auxiliary storage unit 103 also includes a bathing history storage unit 131 and a heating necessity determination condition storage unit 132.

[0150] Similar to temperature acquisition unit 2114 described in embodiment 2, temperature acquisition unit 3114 acquires room temperature information from bathroom heating unit 3 by sending temperature request information to bathroom heating unit 3, requesting that bathroom heating unit 3 transmit room temperature information. Temperature acquisition unit 3114 also notifies heating necessity determination unit 3115 of the acquired room temperature information. Temperature acquisition unit 2114 also acquires room temperature information from air conditioner 4 by sending temperature request information to air conditioner 4, requesting that air conditioner 4 transmit room temperature information. Temperature acquisition unit 3114 notifies heating necessity determination unit 3115 of the acquired room temperature information. Temperature acquisition unit 3114 also acquires hot water temperature information from water heater 2005 by sending temperature request information to water heater 2005, requesting that water heater 2005 transmit hot water temperature information. Temperature acquisition unit 2114 notifies heating necessity determination unit 3115 of the acquired hot water temperature information.

[0151] Like heating necessity determination unit 2115 described in embodiment 2, heating necessity determination unit 3115 determines that bathroom heating is necessary when the bathroom temperature indicated by the room temperature information is equal to or lower than the first reference temperature and the absolute value of the difference temperature between the bathroom temperature and the living room temperature indicated by the living room temperature information is equal to or higher than the first reference difference temperature. Heating necessity determination unit 3115 also determines that bathroom heating is necessary when the bathroom temperature is equal to or lower than the first reference temperature and the absolute value of the first difference temperature between the bathroom temperature and the living room temperature is less than the first reference difference temperature, or when the absolute value of the second difference temperature between the bathroom temperature and the hot water temperature indicated by the hot water temperature information is equal to or higher than the second reference difference temperature.

[0152] If the inquiry necessity information stored in the heating necessity determination condition storage unit 132 is set to require inquiry to the user, the notification unit 3118 transmits the bathing start time request information to the terminal device 7 when the start of filling the water is detected. Furthermore, the notification unit 3118 transmits inquiry information to the terminal device 7 inquiring of the user about the need for heating the bathroom when the bathroom temperature is equal to or lower than the first reference temperature, the absolute value of the first differential temperature is less than the first reference differential temperature, and the absolute value of the second differential temperature is less than the second reference differential temperature, or when the absolute value of the first differential temperature is equal to or higher than a third reference differential temperature that is smaller than the first reference differential temperature, or when the absolute value of the second differential temperature is equal to or higher than a fourth reference differential temperature that is smaller than the second reference differential temperature. Furthermore, if the bathing determination unit 120 determines that the user has not started bathing within the waiting time, the notification unit 3118 generates bathing start prompting information prompting the user to start bathing and transmits the information to the terminal device 7. Furthermore, when bath filling time determination unit 121 determines that the user should be prompted to reconsider the bath filling time, notification unit 3118 generates bath filling time review suggestion information prompting the user to reconsider the bath filling time and sends it to terminal device 7. Furthermore, after control information transmission unit 117 has sent control information to bathroom heating device 3 for controlling bathroom heating device 3 to heat the bathroom, notification unit 3118 sends start notification information to terminal device 7 notifying the user that operation of bathroom heating device 3 has started. Furthermore, after control information transmission unit 117 has sent control information to bathroom heating device 3 for controlling bathroom heating device 3 to stop heating the bathroom, notification unit 2118 sends stop notification information to terminal device 7 notifying the user that operation of bathroom heating device 3 has stopped.

[0153] Next, the heating control process executed by the cloud server 3001 according to this modification will be described with reference to Fig. 42 and Fig. 43. Note that in Fig. 42 and Fig. 43, the same processes as those in the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals as Figs. 12, 13, and 21. First, when a series of processes from steps S101 to S106 are executed as shown in Fig. 42, the heating necessity determination unit 115 determines whether the heating necessity determination time identified by the heating necessity determination time identification unit 122 has arrived (step S107). When the heating necessity determination unit 115 determines that the heating necessity determination time has not arrived yet (step S107: No), the process of step S116, which will be described later, is executed. On the other hand, if heating necessity determination unit 115 determines that the time to determine whether heating is necessary has arrived (Step S107: Yes), temperature acquisition unit 3114 sends temperature request information to bathroom heating unit 3, water heater 2005, and air conditioner 4 (Step S301). Upon receiving the temperature request information, bathroom heating unit 3 generates room temperature information, and upon receiving the temperature request information, water heater 2005 generates hot water temperature information. Upon receiving the temperature request information, air conditioner 4 generates room temperature information. Temperature acquisition unit 3114 then acquires the room temperature information, hot water temperature information, and room temperature information sent from bathroom heating unit 3, water heater 2005, and air conditioner 4, respectively (Step S302). Next, heating necessity determination unit 3115 determines whether bathroom temperature T indicated by the received room temperature information is equal to or lower than first reference temperature Tth1 (Step S204). Next, a series of processes from steps S205 to S214 are executed. After that, as shown in Figure 43, bathing start detector 112 determines whether it has received the above-mentioned on-notification information from lighting fixture 6 or the above-mentioned detection notification information from bathroom heating device 3 (step S116). Then, a series of processes from step S117 onwards are executed.

[0154] This configuration prevents bathroom heating device 3 from wasting time heating the bathroom after the bathtub starts to be filled with water until the time to determine whether heating is necessary, and prevents bathroom heating device 3 from wasting time heating the bathroom when the absolute value of the temperature difference between the bathroom temperature and the room temperature is less than the first reference temperature difference. It also prevents the absolute value of the temperature difference between the bathroom temperature and the room temperature from exceeding the first reference temperature difference when the user starts bathing. This prevents heat shock to the user and saves energy by limiting the unnecessary operation of bathroom heating device 3.

[0155] In the second embodiment, control information generator 116 generates control information for controlling bathroom heating device 3 to stop heating the bathroom when heating necessity determination unit 2115 determines that bathroom temperature T is equal to or higher than second reference temperature Tth2, and control information transmitter 117 transmits the generated control information to bathroom heating device 3. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when heating necessity determination unit 2115 determines that bathroom temperature T is higher than second reference temperature Tth2, notification unit 2118 may generate inquiry information to inquire of the user whether or not to heat the bathroom and transmit the inquiry information to terminal device 7. In this case, upon receiving the inquiry information, terminal device 7 may display on display unit 704 operation screen image M7, which includes a message inquiring whether or not to stop heating the bathroom, as shown in FIG. 44. Here, operation screen image M7 includes button image BU71 indicating that bathroom heating should be stopped and button image BU72 indicating that bathroom heating should be continued. When the user touches the part of touchpad input unit 705 corresponding to button image BU72, terminal device 7 erases operation screen image M2 from display unit 704, and bathroom heating by bathroom heating apparatus 3 continues. On the other hand, when the user touches the part of touchpad input unit 705 corresponding to button image BU71 while terminal device 7 is displaying operation screen image M7 as shown in FIG. 44 on display unit 704, terminal device 7 erases operation screen image M7 from display unit 704 and generates and transmits OFF command information to cloud server 2001. When command acquirer 119 acquires the OFF command information from terminal device 7, control information generator 116 generates control information for controlling bathroom heating apparatus 3 to stop heating the bathroom, and control information transmitter 117 transmits the generated control information to bathroom heating apparatus 3.

[0156] In the second embodiment, the heating necessity determination unit 2115 determines whether the absolute value of the temperature difference dT2 between the bathroom temperature and the temperature of the hot water stored in the bathtub is less than the second reference temperature difference dT2th1. However, this is not limiting. In the second embodiment, the heating necessity determination unit 2115 may determine that heating of the bathroom is unnecessary if the bathroom temperature is higher than a predetermined first reference temperature, even if the temperature difference between the bathroom temperature and the temperature of the living room is equal to or greater than the predetermined first reference temperature difference. Furthermore, the heating necessity determination unit 2115 may omit determining the absolute value of the temperature difference dT2 between the bathroom temperature and the temperature of the hot water stored in the bathtub.

[0157] The heating control process executed by the cloud server according to this modification will now be described with reference to Figure 45. Note that in Figure 45, the same processes as in Embodiment 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals as in Figure 21. Because the functional configuration of the cloud server according to this modification is the same as in Embodiment 2, the same reference numerals will be used for the functional configuration. First, step S201 is executed. If bath filling start detection unit 2111 determines that bath filling start notification information has been acquired (step S201: Yes), temperature acquisition unit 2114 transmits the aforementioned temperature request information to bathroom heating unit 3 and air conditioner 4 (step S401). Upon receiving the temperature request information, bathroom heating unit 3 generates room temperature information indicating the bathroom temperature detected by temperature sensor 35. Furthermore, upon receiving the temperature request information, air conditioner 4 generates living room temperature information indicating the room temperature detected by temperature sensor 45. Temperature acquisition unit 2114 then acquires the room temperature information and living room temperature information transmitted from bathroom heating unit 3 and air conditioner 4, respectively (step S402).

[0158] Next, heating necessity determination unit 2115 determines whether bathroom temperature T indicated by the received room temperature information is equal to or lower than first reference temperature Tth1 (step S204). Let's assume that heating necessity determination unit 2115 determines that bathroom temperature T is equal to or lower than first reference temperature Tth1 (step S204: Yes). In this case, control information generation unit 116 generates control information for controlling bathroom heating device 3 to heat the bathroom. Control information transmission unit 117 then transmits the generated control information to bathroom heating device 3 (step S210). Notification unit 2118 then generates start notification information notifying the user that bathroom heating device 3 has started heating operation, and transmits this information to terminal device 7 (step S211). Next, step S201 is executed again.

[0159] If the heating necessity determination unit 2115 determines that the bathroom temperature T is higher than the first reference temperature Tth1 (step S204: No), it determines whether the bathroom temperature T is higher than the second reference temperature Tth2 (step S403). If the heating necessity determination unit 2115 determines that the bathroom temperature T is equal to or lower than the second reference temperature Tth2 (step S403: No), it calculates a differential temperature dT1 by subtracting the bathroom temperature from the room temperature indicated by the received room temperature information, and determines whether the calculated differential temperature dT1 is equal to or higher than the first reference differential temperature dT1th1 (step S404). If the heating necessity determination unit 2115 determines that the differential temperature dT1 is equal to or higher than the first reference differential temperature dT1th1 (step S404: Yes), the processing from step S210 onwards is executed. On the other hand, if the heating necessity determining unit 2115 determines that the differential temperature dT1 is less than the first reference differential temperature dT1th1 (step S404: No), the processing from step S213 onwards, which will be described later, is executed.

[0160] If heating necessity determination unit 2115 determines in step S403 that bathroom temperature T is higher than second reference temperature Tth2 (step S403: Yes), control information generation unit 116 determines whether bathroom heating apparatus 3 is in heating operation (step S213). If control information generation unit 116 determines that bathroom heating apparatus 3 is stopped (step S213: No), the process of step S201 is executed again. On the other hand, if control information generation unit 116 determines that bathroom heating apparatus 3 is in heating operation (step S213: Yes), it generates control information for controlling bathroom heating apparatus 3 to stop heating the bathroom. Control information transmission unit 117 then transmits the generated control information to bathroom heating apparatus 3 (step S214). Next, notification unit 2118 generates stop notification information notifying the user that bathroom heating apparatus 3 has stopped heating operation and transmits it to terminal device 7 (step S215). Then, the process of step S201 is executed again.

[0161] By executing this series of heating control processes, the cloud server according to this modification stops bathroom heating device 3 when bathroom temperature Tb is higher than second reference temperature Tth2, as shown in Figure 46. The cloud server also operates bathroom heating device 3 when bathroom temperature T is below second reference temperature Tth2 and above first reference temperature Tth1, and when the differential temperature dT1 obtained by subtracting bathroom temperature Tb from room temperature Tl is above first reference differential temperature dT1th1. Furthermore, the cloud server operates bathroom heating device 3 when bathroom temperature Tb is below first reference temperature Tth1.

[0162] In this modification, an example has been described in which the cloud server controls bathroom heating device 3 by executing the heating control process shown in Figure 45. However, this is not limited to this, and the cloud server may also control a changing room heating device (not shown) installed in a changing room located near the bathroom by executing the heating control process shown in Figure 45.

[0163] Incidentally, when the bathroom temperature is, for example, 2 to 3°C higher than the first reference temperature and the temperature difference between it and the room temperature is greater than the first reference differential temperature, or when the bathroom temperature is lower than the first reference temperature, it is necessary to maintain the user's comfort by running bathroom heating device 3 in heating mode. On the other hand, when, for example, the temperature difference between the bathroom temperature and the room temperature is greater than the first reference differential temperature but the bathroom temperature is relatively high, for example, around 30°C, bathroom heating is not necessary from the perspective of user comfort.

[0164] In contrast, with this configuration, heating necessity determination unit 2115 operates bathroom heating device 3 regardless of the temperature difference between the room and bathroom temperatures if the room temperature is lower than the first reference temperature, thereby improving user comfort. Furthermore, with this configuration, heating necessity determination unit 2115 determines that bathroom heating is unnecessary if the bathroom temperature is equal to or lower than a second reference temperature higher than the first reference temperature, even if the temperature difference between the room and bathroom temperatures is equal to or higher than the first reference temperature difference. This prevents bathroom heating device 3 from being operated unnecessarily. This also reduces the frequency with which users manually shut down bathroom heating device 3 because they feel they no longer need heating, thereby improving user convenience.

[0165] In the first and second embodiments, cloud servers 1 and 2001 each control bathroom heating device 3 installed in a bathroom. However, this is not limiting. For example, the cloud server may control the aforementioned changing room heating device (not shown). In this case, the heating necessity determination time specification unit in the cloud server, when detecting the start of filling the bathtub with water, specifies a heating necessity determination time after the time filling the bathtub begins based on the bath filling start time information and the bathing start time information. When the heating necessity determination time arrives, if the temperature in the changing room is equal to or lower than a predetermined first reference temperature, the heating necessity determination unit determines that heating of the changing room is necessary. Then, when the heating necessity determination unit determines that heating of the changing room is necessary, the control information generation unit in the cloud server generates control information for controlling the changing room heating device to heat the changing room. Specifically, the cloud server may generate control information for controlling the changing room heating device by executing the heating control process described in embodiment 1 for the changing room heating device and transmit the control information to the changing room heating device.

[0166] Alternatively, in the cloud server, the temperature acquisition unit may acquire indoor temperature information indicating the temperature of the changing room and living room temperature information when it detects that the bathtub in the bathroom has started to be filled with water.The heating necessity determination unit may then determine that heating of the changing room is necessary when the temperature of the changing room is equal to or lower than a predetermined first reference temperature and the absolute value of the difference in temperature between the changing room temperature indicated by the changing room temperature information and the living room temperature indicated by the living room temperature information is equal to or higher than the predetermined first reference difference temperature.Specifically, the cloud server may execute the heating control process described in embodiment 2 for the changing room heating device to generate control information for controlling the changing room heating device and transmit the control information to the changing room heating device.

[0167] Alternatively, the cloud server may control both bathroom heating system 3 and a changing room heating system (not shown) in parallel. That is, the cloud server may execute the heating control process for bathroom heating system 3 described in the first and second embodiments, while simultaneously executing the heating control process for the changing room heating system as described above. In this case, the first reference temperature for the bathroom temperature may be different from the first reference temperature for the changing room temperature. For example, the first reference temperature for the bathroom temperature may be set lower than the first reference temperature for the changing room temperature. With this configuration, even when the temperatures decrease in the order of living room, changing room, and bathroom, the temperature gradient can be finely adjusted, thereby reducing heat shock to users.

[0168] The heating necessity determination unit may also calculate the absolute value of the temperature difference between the bathroom temperature and the changing room temperature and the absolute value of the temperature difference between the changing room temperature and the living room temperature, and determine whether at least one of the calculated absolute values is equal to or greater than a first reference temperature difference. Here, if the heating necessity determination unit determines that both the absolute value of the temperature difference between the bathroom temperature and the changing room temperature and the absolute value of the temperature difference between the changing room temperature and the living room temperature are equal to or greater than the first reference temperature difference, it determines that heating of both the bathroom and the changing room is necessary. If the heating necessity determination unit determines that the absolute value of the temperature difference between the bathroom temperature and the changing room temperature is equal to or greater than the first reference temperature difference and that the absolute value of the temperature difference between the changing room temperature and the living room temperature is less than the first reference temperature difference, it determines that heating of at least the bathroom is necessary. On the other hand, if the heating necessity determination unit determines that the absolute value of the temperature difference between the bathroom temperature and the changing room temperature is less than the first reference temperature difference and that the absolute value of the temperature difference between the changing room temperature and the living room temperature is equal to or greater than the first reference temperature difference, it determines that heating of at least the changing room is necessary. This configuration reduces the temperature difference between the living room and the changing room and between the changing room and the bathroom, thereby suppressing heat shock to users.

[0169] Furthermore, the various functions of the cloud servers 1, 2001, and 3001 according to the present disclosure can be realized using a normal computer system, rather than a dedicated system. For example, a program for executing the above operations may be stored on a non-transitory recording medium (such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory)) that can be read by the computer system and distributed to a computer connected to a network, and the program may be installed in the computer system to configure the cloud servers 1, 2001, and 3001 that execute the above processes.

[0170] The method of providing the program to the computer is arbitrary. For example, the program may be uploaded to a bulletin board system (BBS) on a communication line and distributed to the computer via the communication line. The computer then launches the program and executes it under the control of an operating system (OS) in the same way as other applications. In this way, the computer functions as a cloud server 1, 2001, or 3001 that executes the above-mentioned processes.

[0171] Although the embodiments and modifications of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to these. The present disclosure includes appropriate combinations of the embodiments and modifications, and appropriate modifications thereto. [Industrial Applicability]

[0172] The present disclosure is suitable as a heating control device that controls a bathroom heating device installed in a bathroom. [Explanation of symbols]

[0173] 1,2001,3001,5001,6001 Cloud server, 3,6003 Bathroom heating device, 4 Air conditioner, 5,2005,6005 Water heater, 6 Lighting fixture, 7 Terminal device, 8 Router, 31,41,51,61,2051 Control unit, 32 Heater, 33,43 Blower fan, 34 Human presence sensor, 35,45 Temperature sensor, 36,55,5095,6035 Operating device, 42 Compressor, 52 Drive unit, 53 Heat pump, 56 Hot water outlet sensor, 62 Light-emitting module, 63 Power switch, 2054 Used hot water temperature sensor, 55 Operating device, 101,701 CPU, 102,702 Main memory unit, 103,703 Auxiliary memory unit, 106,706 Wide area communication unit, 107 Timekeeping unit, 109,709 Bath, 111,2111,6111 Bath filling start detection unit, 112 Bathing start detection unit, 113 Heating necessity determination condition setting unit, 114,2114,3114,5114,6114 Temperature acquisition unit, 115,2115,3115,5115 Heating necessity determination unit, 116,5116,6116 Control information generation unit, 117,6117 Control information transmission unit, 118,2118,3118 Notification unit, 119 Command acquisition unit, 120 Bathing determination unit, 121 Bath filling time determination unit, 122 Heating necessity determination time specification unit, 131 Bathing history memory unit, 132 Heating necessity determination condition memory unit, 704 Display unit, 705 Input unit, 5009,6009 Changing room heating device, 5120 set temperature acquisition unit, 5121 temperature setting unit, 6115 estimation unit, 6122 hot water outlet information acquisition unit, 6124 outside temperature acquisition unit, 6125 operation information acquisition unit, 6126 model generation unit, B5 input field, BU1, BU3, BU4, BU5, BU6, BU21, BU22, BU71, BU72 button images, M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, M7 operation screen images, NW1 wide area network, NW2 local network

Claims

1. a bathtub filling start detection unit that detects when the bathtub has started to be filled with water; a temperature acquisition unit that acquires indoor temperature information indicating the temperature of at least one of the bathroom and the dressing room and room temperature information indicating the temperature of the user's room when the start of filling the bathtub is detected; a heating necessity determination unit that determines whether heating is necessary for at least one of the bathroom and the dressing room based on the indoor temperature information and the living room temperature information; a control information generating unit that generates control information for controlling at least one of a bathroom heating device installed in the bathroom to heat the bathroom and a changing room heating device installed in the changing room to heat the changing room when the heating necessity determining unit determines that heating of at least one of the bathroom and the changing room is necessary; When the temperature of at least one of the bathroom and the changing room is equal to or lower than a predetermined first reference temperature and the absolute value of the difference temperature between the temperature of at least one of the bathroom and the changing room indicated by the indoor temperature information and the temperature of the living room indicated by the living room temperature information is equal to or higher than a predetermined first reference difference temperature, the heating necessity determination unit determines that heating is necessary for at least one of the bathroom and the changing room, where the absolute value of the difference temperature is equal to or higher than the first reference difference temperature. Heating control device.

2. The temperature acquisition unit further acquires used hot water temperature information indicating the temperature of the hot water stored in the bathtub to be used, The heating necessity determination unit determines that heating of the bathroom is necessary when the temperature of at least one of the bathroom and the dressing room is equal to or lower than a predetermined first reference temperature and the absolute value of the difference temperature between the temperature of at least one of the bathroom and the dressing room indicated by the indoor temperature information and the temperature of the living room indicated by the living room temperature information is less than a predetermined first reference difference temperature, or when the absolute value of the difference temperature between the temperature of the bathroom and the temperature of hot water stored in the bathtub indicated by the hot water temperature information is equal to or higher than a predetermined second reference difference temperature. The heating control device of claim 1 .

3. the control information generator generates both control information for controlling the bathroom heating device and control information for controlling the changing room heating device; a set temperature acquisition unit that acquires a first set temperature of the bathroom heating device and a second set temperature of the undressing room heating device; and a temperature setting unit that sets the second set temperature of the changing room heating device to a temperature that is higher than either the first set temperature or the temperature of the living room and lower than the other when a difference temperature between the first set temperature and the second set temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined lower limit difference temperature and lower than an upper limit difference temperature. The heating control device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. When the start of filling the bathtub with water is detected, acquiring indoor temperature information indicating the temperature of at least one of the bathroom and the dressing room and room temperature information indicating the temperature of the user's room; a step of determining, based on the indoor temperature information and the living room temperature information, whether the temperature of at least one of the bathroom and the dressing room is equal to or lower than a predetermined first reference temperature and whether the absolute value of the difference temperature between the temperature of at least one of the bathroom and the dressing room indicated by the indoor temperature information and the temperature of the living room indicated by the living room temperature information is equal to or higher than a predetermined first reference difference temperature; and when it is determined that the temperature of at least one of the bathroom and the dressing room is equal to or lower than the first reference temperature and the absolute value of the differential temperature is equal to or higher than the first reference differential temperature, generating control information for controlling at least one of a bathroom heating device installed in the bathroom to heat the bathroom and a dressing room heating device installed in the dressing room to heat the dressing room. Heating control method.

5. Computer, a bathtub filling start detection unit that detects when the bathtub has started to be filled with water; a temperature acquisition unit that acquires, when the start of filling the bathtub is detected, room temperature information indicating the temperature of at least one of the bathroom and the dressing room and room temperature information indicating the temperature of the user's room; a heating necessity determination unit that determines whether heating is necessary for at least one of the bathroom and the dressing room based on the indoor temperature information and the living room temperature information; a control information generating unit that generates control information for controlling at least one of a bathroom heating device installed in the bathroom to heat the bathroom and a changing room heating device installed in the changing room to heat the changing room when the heating necessity determining unit determines that heating of at least one of the bathroom and the changing room is necessary; A program for functioning as When the temperature of at least one of the bathroom and the changing room is equal to or lower than a predetermined first reference temperature and the absolute value of the difference temperature between the temperature of at least one of the bathroom and the changing room indicated by the indoor temperature information and the temperature of the living room indicated by the living room temperature information is equal to or higher than a predetermined first reference difference temperature, the heating necessity determination unit determines that heating is necessary for at least one of the bathroom and the changing room, where the absolute value of the difference temperature is equal to or higher than the first reference difference temperature. program.

Images