Housing equipment device

Abstract

To provide a housing equipment device that can easily maintain software in the latest state without interfering with the use of a controlled unit.SOLUTION: A housing equipment device includes a control unit H that executes software S to control the operation of a controlled unit 2. The control unit H is configured to be able to execute update processing that updates the software S by using an update file F obtained via a communication network N, and the control unit H is also configured to automatically start the update processing when it is determined that the software S is in an updateable state where the use of the controlled unit 2 is not hindered.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a household equipment device that is provided with a control unit that executes software to control the operation of a controlled unit. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 shows a home appliance that includes a control unit 41 that executes software (firmware) to control the operation of a controlled unit (hot water appliance 100), and the control unit 41 is configured to be able to execute an update process that updates the software using an update file (update program) obtained via a communication network.

[0003] In the home appliance of Patent Document 1, the controlled unit does not function normally while the software is being updated, so when updating the software, the user is asked whether or not to update the software, and the update process begins only if the user agrees to the update. For example, by agreeing to the update at a time when the user is not using the controlled unit, it is possible to avoid the update process starting while the controlled unit is in use, which would prevent the controlled unit from being used normally, and thus make it possible to update the software at a time when use of the controlled unit is not interrupted. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-144959 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the housing equipment of Patent Document 1, software is not updated unless the user agrees to the update, so there is a risk that the software will be left unupdated for a long period of time.

[0006] In view of this situation, a main object of the present invention is to provide a household equipment device that makes it easy to keep software up to date without interfering with the use of the controlled device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A first characteristic configuration of the present invention is a household equipment device that includes a control unit that executes software to control the operation of a controlled unit, and the control unit is configured to be able to execute an update process that updates the software using an update file acquired via a communication network, The control unit is configured to automatically start the update process when it determines that the controlled unit is in an updateable state in which use of the controlled unit is not hindered.

[0008] According to this configuration, the update process for updating the software is automatically started when the control unit determines that the controlled unit is in an updateable state where use of the controlled unit is not hindered, so the user of the controlled unit does not need to perform any special operations to start the update process when updating the software. This makes it possible to avoid the software being left unupdated to the latest version for a long period of time because the user has not performed the operation to start the update process themselves, making it easier to maintain the software up to date. In addition, the update process is initiated when the controlled device is in an updatable state that does not prevent the user from using it, and is not initiated when the controlled device is not in an updatable state, thereby preventing the controlled device from becoming unable to be used normally due to the start of the update process. This makes it possible to provide a household equipment device that can easily maintain its software up to date without interfering with the use of the functions of the controlled units.

[0009] A second characteristic configuration of the present invention is a water heater system including, as the controlled unit, a water heater main body and a remote controller for remotely operating the water heater main body; the remote controller includes remote control software as the software, the control unit is configured to be able to execute, as the update process, a remote control update process of updating the remote control software using the acquired update file; The remote controller has a hot water supply switch for switching whether or not the hot water supply operation by the water heater main body is performed, The control unit is configured to determine that the update is possible when the hot water supply switch is switched to a hot water supply prohibited state that prohibits the execution of hot water supply operation and when the use of the controlled unit is not hindered.

[0010] According to this configuration, the remote control update process for updating the remote control software is initiated when the hot water supply switch has been switched to the hot water supply prohibited state and the state is one in which update is possible and use of the controlled device is not hindered, and is not initiated when the hot water supply switch has not been switched to the hot water supply prohibited state or when use by the user of the controlled device is hindered. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the situation where hot water supply is stopped during hot water supply because the remote control update process is started in a state where the user has switched the hot water supply switch to the hot water supply prohibition state because there is no intention to supply hot water, and it is also possible to avoid the situation where use of the controlled unit is hindered by the execution of the remote control update process, and it becomes easy to maintain the remote control software in the latest state.

[0011] A third characteristic configuration of the present invention is a water heater system including, as the controlled unit, a water heater main body and a remote controller for remotely operating the water heater main body; The water heater main body includes water heater software as the software, The control unit is configured to be able to execute, as the update process, a water heater update process that updates the water heater software using the acquired update file, The remote controller has a hot water supply switch for switching whether or not the hot water supply operation by the water heater main body is performed, The control unit is configured to determine that the update is possible when the hot water supply switch is switched to a hot water supply prohibited state that prohibits the execution of hot water supply operation and when the use of the controlled unit is not hindered.

[0012] According to this configuration, the water heater update process for updating the water heater software is initiated when the water heater switch has been switched to the hot water supply prohibited state and use of the controlled device by the user is not hindered, and is not initiated when the water heater switch has not been switched to the hot water supply prohibited state or when use of the controlled device is hindered. This makes it possible to avoid situations where hot water supply stops during hot water supply because the water heater update process is started while the user has switched the hot water supply switch to the hot water supply prohibited state, and it also makes it easier to keep the water heater software up to date while avoiding situations where the use of the controlled unit is hindered by the execution of the water heater update process.

[0013] A fourth characteristic configuration of the present invention includes a bathroom detection unit that detects use of the bathroom, The controlled unit includes a water heater main body and a bathroom remote control provided in the bathroom for remotely controlling the water heater main body, The bathroom remote control includes bathroom software as the software, The control unit is configured to be able to execute a bathroom remote control update process that updates the bathroom software using the acquired update file as the update process, and is configured to determine that the update is possible when the bathroom detection unit does not detect use of the bathroom.

[0014] According to this configuration, the bathroom remote control update process for updating the bathroom software is started when the bathroom is not in use, such as when the user is not bathing in the bathroom or not taking a shower, and is not started when the user is using the bathroom. In other words, when the user is not using the bathroom, the controlled unit is not used by operating the bathroom remote control in the first place, so the user's use of the controlled unit is not hindered.By starting the water heater update process in this state, it is possible to avoid the use of the controlled unit being hindered by the execution of the water heater update process, while making it easier to keep the water heater software up to date.

[0015] A fifth characteristic configuration of the present invention is that the control unit executes an update possible time prediction process that predicts the time when the update possible state will be reached in the future based on the time when the update possible state was reached in the past, and executes the update process at the time when the update possible state will be reached predicted by the update possible time prediction process.

[0016] According to this configuration, the update process is executed at the time when the updated state is predicted by the update possible time prediction process, so that the controlled unit is likely to continue to be in an updatable state while the update process is being executed, and it is possible to prevent the user from starting to use the controlled unit while the update process is being executed, causing the controlled unit to lose its updatable state.

[0017] A sixth characteristic feature of the present invention is that a notification unit is provided that notifies the user that the software will be updated when the control unit starts executing the update process.

[0018] According to this configuration, the user can be notified that the software will be updated by the notification from the notification unit, thereby preventing the user from starting to use the controlled unit while the software is being updated, causing the controlled unit to lose its updatable state. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] Hot water system block diagram [Figure 2] Flowchart of software update process [Figure 3] Flowchart of update possibility determination process when updating heat source machine software [Figure 4]Flowchart of update availability determination process when updating kitchen software [Figure 5] Flowchart of update possibility determination process when updating bathroom software DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a household equipment according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the household equipment 1 includes a control unit H that executes software S to control the operation of a controlled unit 2. The housing equipment 1 is equipment that is installed in a house, and in this embodiment, the housing equipment 1 is a hot water supply system 4.

[0021] [Hot water supply system] The hot water supply system 4 includes, as controlled units 2, a heat source unit 6 (corresponding to the water heater body), a kitchen remote control 7 (corresponding to a remote control) provided in the kitchen for remotely controlling the heat source unit 6, and a bathroom remote control 8 (corresponding to a remote control) provided in the bathroom 13 for remotely controlling the heat source unit 6. The heat source unit 6 has a heat source unit control unit H1 as the control unit H, the kitchen remote control 7 has a kitchen control unit H2 as the control unit H, and the bathroom remote control 8 has a bathroom control unit H3 as the control unit H. The heat source unit 6 also has a cogeneration system (not shown) that generates both heat and electricity, and a storage tank (not shown) that stores hot water heated using the heat generated when the cogeneration system generates electricity, and the hot water supply system 4 is configured as a cogeneration system.

[0022] The heat source unit 6, the kitchen remote control 7, and the bathroom remote control 8 are configured to be able to send and receive various information. In this embodiment, the heat source unit 6 and the kitchen remote control 7, and the heat source unit 6 and the bathroom remote control 8 are configured to send and receive various information directly to each other via communication lines, etc., but the kitchen remote control 7 and the bathroom remote control 8 are not directly connected, and are configured to send and receive various information via the heat source unit 6.

[0023] The heat source machine control unit H1 of the heat source machine 6 has heat source machine software S1 installed as software S, the kitchen control unit H2 of the kitchen remote control 7 has kitchen software S2 installed as software S, and the bathroom control unit H3 of the bathroom remote control 8 has bathroom software S3 installed as software S. In other words, the heat source machine 6 is equipped with heat source machine software S1 (equivalent to water heater software), the kitchen remote control 7 is equipped with kitchen software S2, and the bathroom remote control 8 is equipped with bathroom software S3.

[0024] Kitchen remote control 7 is equipped with a communication unit 12 that can receive update files F distributed by management server 10 via a communication network N, such as the Internet. The received update files F include a heat source machine update file F for updating heat source machine software S1, a kitchen update file F for updating kitchen software S2, and a bathroom update file F for updating bathroom software S3. If the received update file F is an update file F for updating heat source machine software S1, kitchen remote control 7 is configured to transmit the update file F to heat source machine 6, and if the received update file F is an update file F for updating bathroom software S3, kitchen remote control 7 is configured to transmit the update file F to bathroom remote control 8.

[0025] [Heat source machine] The heat source unit 6 has a hot water supply function that performs a hot water supply operation to supply hot water at a set hot water temperature. In this embodiment, in addition to the hot water supply function, the heat source unit 6 has a heating function that performs a heating operation to heat the heat medium flowing through the heating circulation path to provide heating such as bathroom heating, and an anti-freeze function that performs an anti-freeze operation to prevent freezing in the pipes in low temperature environments such as winter. The heat source machine 6 is configured so that, by operating the hot water supply switch 15 on the kitchen remote control 7, it can be switched between a state in which hot water supply operation is permitted and a state in which hot water supply operation by the heat source machine 6 is prohibited.

[0026] The heat source machine control unit H1 is configured to perform hot water supply operation when the hot water tap (not shown) is opened or when the hot water filling switch (not shown) on the kitchen remote control 7 or the bathroom remote control 8 is operated while hot water supply operation by the heat source machine 6 is permitted. When performing hot water supply operation, the heat source machine control unit H1 controls the heat source machine 6 to fill the bathtub 14 with hot water supplied from the hot water tank by heating it with a burner, etc., to a set hot water temperature, or to heat up the hot water recovered from the bathtub 14 by heating it with a burner and supplying it to the bathtub 14.

[0027] The heat source machine control unit H1 is configured to perform heating operation when an operation to perform heating operation such as floor heating is performed using the kitchen remote control 7, etc., and when heating operation is performed, it controls the heat source machine 6 so that the heat medium circulating through the heating circuit is heated by the burner.

[0028] The heat source machine control unit H1 is configured to perform freeze prevention operation when freeze prevention conditions are met, such as the outside air temperature falling below a predetermined freeze prevention temperature, and when performing freeze prevention operation, it controls the heat source machine 6 to activate an anti-freeze heater to heat the pipes through which hot water flows, or to circulate hot water within the pipes.

[0029] [Kitchen remote control] Kitchen remote control 7 is equipped with hot water supply switch 15, which switches whether or not hot water supply operation by heat source unit 6 is performed, and kitchen notification unit 16, which can notify information. Kitchen notification unit 16 is composed of a speaker, monitor, etc. Hot water supply switch 15 is configured to be switchable between a hot water supply permitted state (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the ON state) in which hot water supply operation by heat source unit 6 is permitted, and a hot water supply prohibited state (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the OFF state) in which hot water supply operation by heat source unit 6 is prohibited.

[0030] The kitchen control unit H2 of the kitchen remote control 7 is configured to notify the kitchen alarm unit 16 that the hot water supply switch 15 is in the OFF state by, for example, turning off the backlight of the display unit of the kitchen remote control 7 when the hot water supply switch 15 is switched to the OFF state. In addition, when the hot water supply switch 15 is switched to the ON state, the kitchen control unit H2 is configured to notify the ON state via the kitchen notification unit 16, for example by turning on the backlight of the display unit of the kitchen remote control 7.

[0031] [Bathroom remote control] Bathroom remote control 8 is equipped with bathroom notification unit 17 that can notify information. Bathroom notification unit 17 is composed of a speaker, a monitor, etc. Hot water supply system 4 is also equipped with bathroom detection unit 20, which detects whether bathroom 13 is in use, and the detection information from bathroom detection unit 20 is input to bathroom remote control 8. To further explain, bathroom detection unit 20 is equipped with water level sensor 22, which detects the water level in bathtub 14 provided in bathroom 13, and human presence sensor 21, which detects whether or not someone is present in bathroom 13. Bathroom control unit H3 of bathroom remote control 8 is configured to determine that bathroom 13 is in use if water level sensor 22 detects a water level equal to or greater than a set water level or if human presence sensor 21 detects a person in bathroom 13, and to determine that bathroom 13 is not in use if water level sensor 22 detects a water level below the set water level and human presence sensor 21 does not detect a person in bathroom 13.

[0032] [Update process] Next, a software update process for updating the software S will be described. The control unit H is configured to be able to execute an update process for updating the software S using an update file F acquired via the communication network N. The control unit H is configured to be able to execute, as an update process, a heat source machine update process that updates the heat source machine software S1 using the acquired update file F (update file F for the heat source machine). The control unit H is also configured to be able to execute, as an update process, a kitchen remote control update process (corresponding to a remote control update process) that updates the kitchen software S2 (corresponding to the remote control software) using the acquired update file F (update file F for the kitchen). The control unit H is also configured to be able to execute, as an update process, a bathroom remote control update process (corresponding to a remote control update process) that updates the bathroom software S3 using the acquired update file F (update file F for the bathroom). In this embodiment, the heat source unit control unit H1 of the heat source unit 6 is configured to perform the heat source unit update process, the kitchen control unit H2 of the kitchen remote control 7 is configured to perform the kitchen remote control update process, and the bathroom control unit H3 of the bathroom remote control 8 is configured to perform the bathroom remote control update process.

[0033] The control unit H is configured to automatically start the update process in the controlled unit 2 when it determines that the controlled unit 2 is in an updateable state in which use by the user of the controlled unit 2 is not hindered. In addition, the control unit H is configured to execute an update possible time prediction process that predicts the time when the update possible state will be reached in the future based on the time when the update possible state was reached in the past, and to execute the update process at the time when the update possible state will be reached as predicted by the update possible time prediction process. In this embodiment, the control unit H is configured to automatically start the update process when it determines that the update is possible at the time when the update is possible as predicted in the update possible time prediction process.

[0034] The hot water supply system 4 is also provided with an alarm unit 18 (kitchen alarm unit 16 and bathroom alarm unit 17) that notifies the user that the software S will be updated when the control unit H starts executing an update process, and the control unit H is configured to control the alarm unit 18 to notify the user that the software S will be updated when the update process starts. In this embodiment, the control unit H is configured to control both the kitchen alarm unit 16 and the bathroom alarm unit 17 when starting execution of an update process for the heat source machine software S1, to notify the user from both the kitchen alarm unit 16 and the bathroom alarm unit 17 that the heat source machine software S1 will be updated. The control unit H is also configured to control the kitchen alarm unit 16 when starting execution of an update process for the kitchen software S2, to notify the user from the kitchen alarm unit 16 that the kitchen software S2 will be updated. The control unit H is also configured to control the bathroom alarm unit 17 when starting execution of an update process for the bathroom software S3, to notify the user from the bathroom alarm unit 17 that the bathroom software S3 will be updated.

[0035] Next, the updateable state will be described. The control unit H is configured to determine that the update is possible based on whether or not the use of the heat source unit 6 by the user is being hindered and whether or not the hot water supply switch 15 is in the OFF state. The four conditions under which the use of the heat source unit 6 is not hindered are "hot water supply operation is not being performed," "heating operation is not being performed," "anti-freeze operation is not being performed," and "use of the bathroom 13 is not detected." Which of these four conditions must be met to ensure that the use of the heat source unit 6, which is the controlled unit 2, is not hindered varies depending on the software S that is updated by the update process, and one or more conditions are set depending on the function of the software S. In this embodiment, the system is configured to determine whether the kitchen control unit H2 is in an updatable state in any of the following cases: when a heat source unit update process is executed to update the heat source unit software S1; when a kitchen remote control update process is executed to update the kitchen software S2; or when a bathroom remote control update process is executed to update the bathroom software S3.

[0036] Specifically, when executing the heat source machine update process to update the heat source machine software S1, the kitchen control unit H2 is configured to determine that the update is possible when all four conditions are met: "hot water supply operation is not being performed," "heating operation is not being performed," "anti-freeze operation is not being performed," and "use of the bathroom 13 is not detected." In addition to these four conditions, the kitchen control unit H2 is configured to determine that the update is possible when the hot water supply switch 15 is in the OFF state. In this way, when updating the heat source machine software S1, the kitchen control unit H2 is configured to determine that the software is in an updateable state when the hot water supply switch 15 is in the OFF state and the use of the heat source machine 6, which is the controlled unit 2, is not hindered.

[0037] When executing the kitchen remote control update process to update the kitchen software S2, the kitchen control unit H2 is configured to determine that the update is possible when one condition, "hot water supply operation is not being performed," is met, and is configured to determine that the update is possible when, in addition to this one condition, the hot water supply switch 15 is in the OFF state. In this way, when updating the kitchen software S2, the kitchen control unit H2 is configured to determine that the software is in an updateable state when the hot water supply switch 15 is in the OFF state and the use of the controlled device 2, such as the kitchen remote control 7, is not hindered.

[0038] When executing the bathroom remote control update process to update the bathroom software S3, the kitchen control unit H2 is configured to determine that the bathroom software is in an updateable state if both of the following two conditions are met: "hot water supply operation is not being performed" and "use of the bathroom 13 is not detected." If these two conditions are met, the kitchen control unit H2 is configured to determine that the bathroom software is in an updateable state regardless of the state of the hot water supply switch 15. In this way, when updating the bathroom software S3, the kitchen control unit H2 is configured to determine that the update is possible when the use of the controlled device 2, such as the bathroom remote control 8, is not obstructed.

[0039] Next, the update possible time prediction process will be described. In the update possible time prediction process, the time when the hot water switch 15 was turned on, the time when hot water operation was performed, the time when heating operation was performed, the time when anti-freeze operation was performed, and the time when the bathroom 13 was used are obtained by season, day of the week, and time of day, and from this obtained information on times, the time when the update possible time will be predicted as the period during which the state in which the probability of the update possible state in the future is below a set probability continues for a set time (for example, the time required to update software S). In the update enablement time prediction process for the heat source machine software S1, the time when the software will be able to be updated is predicted based on the previously acquired times when the hot water supply switch 15 was turned on, when hot water supply operation was performed, when heating operation was performed, when anti-freeze operation was performed, and when the bathroom 13 was used. In the update enablement time prediction process for the kitchen software S2, the time when the software will be able to be updated is predicted based on the times when the hot water supply switch 15 was turned on and when hot water supply operation was performed. In the update enablement time prediction process for the bathroom software S3, the time when the software will be able to be updated is predicted based on the times when hot water supply operation was performed and when the bathroom 13 was used.

[0040] Next, the process of updating the software S by the control unit H will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the process of updating the software S by the control unit H, when an update file F is received (#1: Yes), an update possibility determination process is performed (#2), and if it is determined in this update possibility determination process that the update is possible (#3: Yes), a notification process is performed to notify the notification unit 18 that the software S will be updated (#4), and an update process is performed to update the software S after a set time has elapsed since the notification process was performed (#5). Then, if it is determined in the update possibility determination process that the update is not possible (#3: No), the update possibility determination process is performed again. In addition, the kitchen remote control 7 is capable of performing a cancellation operation to cancel the update of the software S between the time the notification process is performed and the time the kitchen remote control update process is started, and if the update of the software S is canceled by the kitchen remote control 7, the control unit H is configured to resume from the update possibility determination process after a set period has elapsed since the update was canceled.

[0041] [Updating Possibility Determination Process When Executing Heat Source Machine Updating Process] Next, the update possibility determination process when updating the heat source machine software S1 in the heat source machine update process will be described based on the flowchart in FIG. In the update possibility determination process when updating the heat source machine software S1, if the hot water supply switch 15 is in the OFF state (if #11: Yes), and hot water supply operation is not being performed (if #12: Yes), and heating operation is not being performed (if #13: Yes), and anti-freeze operation is not being performed (if #14: Yes), and use of the bathroom 13 is detected (if #15: Yes), it is determined that the software is in an update possible state, and if it is the predicted time for update (if #16: Yes), it is determined that update is possible (#17). In addition, in the update possibility determination process when updating the heat source machine software S1, if the hot water supply switch 15 is ON (if #11: No), if hot water supply operation is being performed (if #12: No), if heating operation is being performed (if #13: No), if anti-freeze operation is not being performed (if #14: No), if use of the bathroom 13 is detected (if #15: No), or if it is the predicted time for update (if #16: No), it is determined that update is not possible (#18).

[0042] [Updating possibility determination process when executing kitchen remote control updating process] Next, the update possibility determination process when updating the kitchen software S2 in the kitchen remote control update process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the update possibility determination process when updating the kitchen software S2, if the hot water supply switch 15 is in the OFF state (if #21: Yes) and the hot water supply operation is not being performed (if #22: Yes), it is determined that the update is possible, and if it is the predicted time for update (if #23: Yes), it is determined that the update is possible (#24). In addition, in the update possibility determination process when updating the kitchen software S2, if the hot water supply switch 15 is ON (if #21: No), if the hot water supply operation is in progress (if #22: No), or if it is not the predicted time for update (if #23: No), it is determined that the update is not possible (#25).

[0043] [Update possibility determination process when executing bathroom remote control update process] Next, the update possibility determination process when updating bathroom software S3 in the bathroom remote control update process will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. In the update possibility determination process when updating bathroom software S3, if hot water supply operation is not being performed (if #31: Yes) and use of bathroom 13 is detected (if #32: Yes), it is determined that the update is possible, and if it is the predicted time for update (if #33: Yes), it is determined that the update is possible (#34). In addition, in the update possibility determination process when updating the bathroom software S3, if hot water supply operation is in progress (if #31: No), if use of the bathroom 13 is detected (if #32: No), or if it is not the predicted time for update (if #33: No), it is determined that update is not possible (#35).

[0044] As described above, the control unit H of the hot water supply system 4 is configured to automatically start the update process when it is determined that the controllable unit 2 is in an updateable state where use of the controllable unit 2 is not hindered. Therefore, the update process is started when the controllable unit 2 is in an updateable state where use of the controllable unit 2 is not hindered, and is not started when the controllable unit 2 is not in an updateable state, so it is possible to avoid a situation where the controllable unit 2 cannot be used normally due to the start of the update process.

[0045] [Another embodiment] Other embodiments of the present invention will be described below. Note that the configurations of the embodiments described below are not limited to being applied independently, but can also be applied in combination with the configurations of other embodiments.

[0046] (1) In the above embodiment, when updating the heat source machine software S1, the control unit H determines that the update is possible when "hot water supply operation is not being performed," "heating operation is not being performed," "anti-freeze operation is not being performed," "use of the bathroom 13 is not detected," and "hot water supply switch 15 is in the OFF state." However, the conditions for determining that the update is possible when updating the heat source machine software S1 may be changed as appropriate depending on the functions of the heat source machine 6, etc.

[0047] (2) In the above embodiment, when updating the kitchen software S2, the control unit H determines that the update is possible when "hot water supply operation is not being performed" and "hot water supply switch 15 is in the OFF state." However, the conditions for determining that the update is possible when updating the kitchen software S2 may be changed as appropriate depending on the functions of the kitchen remote control 7, etc.

[0048] (3) In the above embodiment, when updating the bathroom software S3, the control unit H is configured to determine that the bathroom software S3 is in an updateable state when "hot water supply operation is not being performed" and "use of the bathroom 13 is not detected." However, the conditions for determining that the bathroom software S3 is in an updateable state when updating the bathroom software S3 may be changed as appropriate depending on the functions of the bathroom remote control 8, etc. For example, the control unit H may determine that the bathroom software S3 is in an updateable state when "use of the bathroom 13 is not detected," regardless of whether hot water supply operation is being performed.

[0049] (4) In the above embodiment, the control unit H executes the update process at the time when the updateable state predicted by the update possible time prediction process is reached. However, the time when the updateable state is likely to be reached may be configured to be manually set, and the update process may be executed at this manually set time.

[0050] (5) In the above embodiment, the notification unit 18 notifies the user when the control unit H starts to execute the update process. However, in addition to or instead of such notification, the notification unit 18 may notify the user that the control unit H is executing the update process, or may notify the user that the update process has been executed by the control unit H.

[0051] (6) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the kitchen control unit H2 determines whether an update is possible when updating the heat source machine software S1, the kitchen software S2, or the bathroom software S3. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the heat source machine control unit H1 may be configured to determine whether an update is possible when updating the heat source machine software S1, the kitchen software S2, or the bathroom software S3. The heat source machine control unit H1 may determine whether an update is possible when updating the heat source machine software S1, the kitchen control unit H2 may determine whether an update is possible when updating the kitchen software S2, and the bathroom control unit H3 may determine whether an update is possible when updating the bathroom software S3.

[0052] (7) In the above embodiment, the hot water supply system 4 is described as a cogeneration system including a combined heat and power supply device and a storage tank in the heat source unit 6. However, the hot water supply system 4 may be modified as appropriate, and may be a system including a power generation device other than a cogeneration system, or may be a system without a power generation device.

[0053] (8) In the above embodiment, the home appliance 1 is described as a hot water supply system 4 as an example. However, the home appliance 1 may be any appliance configured to be capable of executing an update process to update the software S using an update file F obtained via a communication network N, and may be, for example, a stove, an alarm, an air conditioner, a floor heating system, etc.

[0054] (9) In the above embodiment, the bathroom detection unit 20 is described as including the water level sensor 22 and the human presence sensor 21. However, the bathroom detection unit 20 may include a sensor other than the water level sensor 22 or the human presence sensor 21, or may include only one of the water level sensor 22 and the human presence sensor 21. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 1 Housing equipment 2 Controlled part 6 Heat source unit (water heater body) 7 Kitchen remote control (remote control) 8 Bathroom remote control 15 Hot water switch 18. Information Department 20 Bathroom detection unit F Update file H control section N Communication Network S Software S1 Heat Source Machine Software S2 Kitchen Software S3 Bathroom Software

Claims

1. A household equipment device includes a control unit that executes software to control the operation of a controlled unit, and the control unit is configured to be able to execute an update process to update the software using an update file acquired via a communication network, The control unit is configured to automatically start the update process when it determines that the home appliance is in an updateable state in which use of the controlled unit is not hindered.

2. The controlled unit includes a water heater main body and a remote controller for remotely operating the water heater main body, the remote controller includes remote control software as the software, the control unit is configured to be able to execute, as the update process, a remote control update process of updating the remote control software using the acquired update file; The remote controller has a hot water supply switch for switching whether or not the hot water supply operation by the water heater main body is performed, The home appliance according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to determine that the appliance is in the updateable state when the hot water supply switch is switched to a hot water supply prohibited state that prohibits hot water supply operation and when the use of the controlled unit is not hindered.

3. The controlled unit includes a water heater main body and a remote controller for remotely operating the water heater main body, The water heater main body includes water heater software as the software, The control unit is configured to be able to execute, as the update process, a water heater update process that updates the water heater software using the acquired update file, The remote controller has a hot water supply switch for switching whether or not the hot water supply operation by the water heater main body is performed, The home appliance according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to determine that the appliance is in the updateable state when the hot water supply switch is switched to a hot water supply prohibited state that prohibits hot water supply operation and when the use of the controlled unit is not hindered.

4. a bathroom detection unit for detecting the use of the bathroom; The controlled unit includes a water heater main body and a bathroom remote control provided in the bathroom for remotely controlling the water heater main body, The bathroom remote control includes bathroom software as the software, The control unit is configured to execute a bathroom remote control update process that updates the bathroom software using the acquired update file as the update process, and is configured to determine that the update is possible when the bathroom detection unit does not detect use of the bathroom.

5. The control unit executes an update possible time prediction process to predict the time when the update possible state will be reached in the future based on the time when the update possible state was reached in the past, and executes the update process at the time when the update possible state will be reached as predicted by the update possible time prediction process.

6. The household equipment according to claim 1 , further comprising a notification unit that notifies the user that the software will be updated when the control unit starts the update process.

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