Functionality-restricted systems and application programs

The function restriction system addresses the issue of mobile device use in bathrooms by detecting device presence and activity to limit non-essential functions, ensuring user convenience and safety during bathing.

JP2026044129APending Publication Date: 2026-03-12RINNAI CORP
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-08-29
Publication Date
2026-03-12

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The use of mobile devices in bathrooms can disrupt the relaxing effects of bathing, and existing technologies do not effectively restrict their use in a manner that balances user convenience and safety.

Method used

A function restriction system that includes an entry determination device to detect the presence of a portable device in a bathroom and a function restriction device to limit device functions when the device is detected in the bathroom, utilizing wireless communication and location information to determine the user's activity, allowing certain functions like emergency calls and restricting others like video streaming.

Benefits of technology

The system effectively restricts non-essential device functions during bathing while allowing essential functions, enhancing user convenience and safety, thereby preserving the relaxing bath experience.

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Abstract

To provide a technique capable of restricting the use of portable devices in a bathroom. [Solution] The function restriction system may include an entry determination device configured to determine whether a portable device is located in a bathroom, and a function restriction device configured to restrict at least one function of the portable device when the entry determination device determines that the portable device is located in the bathroom.
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Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a function restriction system and an application program. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a technology that detects entrants using a human presence sensor built into the bathroom remote control, and detects wireless signals from the entrant's mobile device using a wireless communication device built into the bathroom remote control, thereby determining with high accuracy when a entrant has left the bathroom. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-82175 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In recent years, people have been bringing mobile devices into the bathroom and using them while bathing. However, using a mobile device while bathing can potentially ruin the relaxing effects of bathing. This specification provides a technology that can restrict the use of mobile devices in the bathroom. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In a first aspect of the present technology, a function restriction system may include an entry determination device configured to determine whether a portable device is located in a bathroom, and a function restriction device configured to restrict at least one function of the portable device when the entry determination device determines that the portable device is located in the bathroom.

[0006] According to the above configuration, the use of portable devices in the bathroom can be restricted.

[0007] In a second aspect of the present technology, in the first aspect, the function restriction system may further include a wireless communication device disposed in the bathroom and capable of wireless communication with the portable device. The entry determination device may be configured to determine whether the portable device is located in the bathroom based on a wireless signal transmitted by one of the portable device and the wireless communication device and received by the other of the portable device and the wireless communication device.

[0008] According to the above configuration, it is possible to determine whether or not the mobile device is located in the bathroom with a simple configuration.

[0009] In a third aspect of the present technology, in the second aspect, the function restriction system may further include a water heater and a bathroom remote control that is placed in the bathroom and is capable of controlling the operation of the water heater. The wireless communication device may be incorporated in the bathroom remote control.

[0010] According to the above configuration, there is no need to place a wireless communication device in the bathroom separately from the bathroom remote control, which improves the aesthetic appearance of the bathroom.

[0011] In a fourth aspect of the present technology, in the second or third aspect, the entry determination device may be configured to determine whether the portable device is located in the bathroom based on the signal strength of the wireless signal.

[0012] According to the above configuration, it is possible to reduce the processing load on the room entry determination device for determining whether or not the mobile device is located in the bathroom.

[0013] In a fifth aspect of the present technology, in the first aspect, the portable device may be capable of acquiring location information of the portable device, and the room entry determination device may be configured to determine whether the portable device is located in the bathroom based on the location information of the portable device acquired by the portable device.

[0014] Generally, many mobile devices such as smartphones and feature phones have a positioning function that uses GPS or the like, and are capable of acquiring location information of the mobile device. According to the above configuration, it is possible to determine whether the mobile device is located in a bathroom by using the location information acquired by the mobile device.

[0015] In a sixth aspect of the present technology, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the function restriction system may further include a bathing determination device configured to determine whether the user of the portable device is taking a bath. The function restriction device may be configured not to restrict the at least one function of the portable device even if the room entry determination device determines that the portable device is located in the bathroom, when the bathing determination device does not determine that the user of the portable device is taking a bath. The function restriction device may be configured to restrict the at least one function of the portable device when the room entry determination device determines that the portable device is located in the bathroom and when the bathing determination device determines that the user of the portable device is taking a bath.

[0016] For example, when cleaning the bathroom, the user may be in the bathroom but not taking a bath. If the use of the mobile device in the bathroom were restricted in such a case, the user's convenience may be impaired. According to the above configuration, the use of the mobile device is restricted only when the mobile device is located in the bathroom and the user is taking a bath, thereby improving the user's convenience.

[0017] In a seventh aspect of the present technology, in any one of the first to sixth aspects, even if the function restriction device restricts at least one function of the mobile device, the call function using the mobile device may be usable.

[0018] Even if the user makes a call using a mobile device while taking a bath, it is believed that the relaxing effect of bathing will not be significantly diminished. According to the above configuration, it is possible to improve convenience for the user.

[0019] In an eighth aspect of the present technology, in any one of the first to seventh aspects, even if the function restriction device restricts at least one function of the mobile device, the emergency call function using the mobile device may be usable.

[0020] From the viewpoint of ensuring the safety of the user, it is desirable that the user be able to make an emergency call using the mobile device even while taking a bath. With the above configuration, the safety of the user can be ensured.

[0021] In a ninth aspect of the present technology, in any one of the first to eighth aspects, at least one function of the portable device that is restricted by the function restriction device may include a function of executing a specific application program on the portable device.

[0022] For example, application programs for watching videos using a mobile device or for using social networking services using a mobile device may reduce the relaxing effect of bathing if used while the user is bathing. With the above configuration, the relaxing effect of bathing can be enhanced by restricting the execution of specific application programs that may reduce the relaxing effect in the bathroom.

[0023] In a tenth aspect of the present technology, in any one of the first to ninth aspects, the function restriction system may further include a management device capable of communicating with the function restriction device and configured to manage settings of the function restriction device.

[0024] According to the above configuration, the use of mobile devices in the bathroom can be appropriately restricted using the management device.

[0025] The above-described room entry determination device, function restriction device, and bathing determination device may be provided separately from the mobile device and configured to be able to communicate with the mobile device. Alternatively, the above-described room entry determination device, function restriction device, and bathing determination device may be incorporated into the mobile device. For example, the mobile device may execute an application program to cause the mobile device to perform the functions of the room entry determination device, function restriction device, and bathing determination device.

[0026] In an eleventh aspect of the present technology, an application program for a portable device may be configured to cause the portable device to function as an entry determination means configured to determine whether the portable device is located in a bathroom, and a function restriction means configured to restrict at least one function of the portable device when the entry determination means determines that the portable device is located in the bathroom.

[0027] According to the above configuration, the use of portable devices in the bathroom can be restricted. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of a function restriction system 10 according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of portable devices 26 and 28 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart of a function restriction process performed by the portable device 26 according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] (Example) 1, function restriction system 10 of this embodiment includes hot water heater 12, bathroom heating terminal 14, bathroom remote control 16, kitchen remote control 18, router device 20, wireless communication device 22, server device 24, mobile device 26, and mobile device 28. Hot water heater 12, bathroom heating terminal 14, bathroom remote control 16, kitchen remote control 18, router device 20, and wireless communication device 22 are all installed in house 2.

[0030] Hot water heater 12 is attached to the exterior wall of house 2. Hot water heater 12 is equipped with a hot water burner 30 that heats hot water to supply hot water to bathroom 4 and kitchen 6 of house 2, a heating burner 32 that heats heating water to heat bathroom heating terminal 14 or another heating terminal (not shown), and a control device 34 that controls the operation of hot water burner 30, heating burner 32, etc. Hot water heater 12 is capable of performing operations such as a bath filling operation to supply hot water to bathtub 4a installed in bathroom 4 and a reheating operation to reheat water stored in bathtub 4a.

[0031] Bathroom heating terminal 14 is attached to the ceiling of bathroom 4. Bathroom heating terminal 14 can perform a heating operation to heat the air in bathroom 4, a drying operation to dry the air in bathroom 4, a mist sauna operation to spray high-temperature water in mist form from the ceiling of bathroom 4, and a waterfall operation to release high-temperature water from the ceiling of bathroom 4. Bathroom heating terminal 14 is connected by wire to control device 34 of hot water heater / heater 12, allowing two-way communication. The operation of bathroom heating terminal 14 is controlled by control device 34.

[0032] Bathroom remote control 16 is attached to the wall of bathroom 4 inside bathroom 4. Bathroom remote control 16 is wired to control device 34 of hot water heater / heating unit 12, allowing for two-way communication. Bathroom remote control 16 has display unit 16a for displaying the status of hot water heater / heating unit 12 and bathroom heating terminal 14, and input unit 16b for inputting instructions to hot water heater / heating unit 12 and bathroom heating terminal 14.

[0033] Kitchen remote control 18 is attached to the wall of kitchen 6. Kitchen remote control 18 is wired to control device 34 of hot water heater / heater 12, enabling bidirectional communication. Kitchen remote control 18 includes display unit 18a for displaying the status of hot water heater / heater 12 and bathroom heating terminal 14, and input unit 18b for inputting instructions to hot water heater / heater 12 and bathroom heating terminal 14. Kitchen remote control 18 also includes a WiFi (registered trademark) interface (not shown), enabling wireless communication with router device 20 via WiFi communication. Router device 20 is connected to the Internet 36. Therefore, control device 34 of hot water heater / heater 12 can be connected to Internet 36 via kitchen remote control 18 and router device 20. In the following description, WiFi will be abbreviated as "WF" and interface will be abbreviated as "IF."

[0034] Wireless communication device 22 is attached to the wall of bathroom 4 inside bathroom 4. Wireless communication device 22 is equipped with a Bluetooth (registered trademark) IF (not shown) and is capable of wireless communication with mobile devices 26, 28 via Bluetooth communication. Wireless communication device 22 is connected to bathroom remote control 16 by wire and is capable of two-way communication. The operation of wireless communication device 22 is controlled by control device 34. In the following description, Bluetooth will also be abbreviated as "BT."

[0035] Server device 24 is managed by the manufacturer of hot water heater / heating unit 12. Server device 24 is connected to the Internet 36. Server device 24 can communicate bidirectionally with control device 34 of hot water heater / heating unit 12 via Internet 36, router device 20, and kitchen remote control 18.

[0036] The mobile device 26 is a device that can be carried by a user, such as a smartphone, a smart watch, a feature phone, a tablet terminal, a portable game console, or a notebook PC. As shown in FIG. 2, the mobile device 26 includes a display unit 26a, an input unit 26b, a GPS positioning unit 26c, a cellular IF 26d, a WFIF 26e, a BTIF 26f, and a control unit 26g. The display unit 26a is a display for displaying various information. The display unit 26a may function as a so-called touch panel (i.e., the input unit 26b). The input unit 26b includes a plurality of keys. A user of the mobile device 26 can input various instructions to the mobile device 26 via the input unit 26b. The GPS positioning unit 26c can acquire location information of the mobile device 26 using GPS. The cellular IF 26d is a wireless IF for performing mobile communication with the base station network 38. The mobile device 26 can make calls with other mobile devices (e.g., the mobile device 28) and can connect to the Internet 36 via mobile communication. The WFIF 26e is a wireless IF for executing WF communication. The mobile device 26 can also connect to the Internet 36 by communicating with the router device 20 via WF communication. The BTIF 26f is a wireless IF for executing BT communication. The mobile device 26 can communicate with the wireless communication device 22 via BT communication. The control unit 26g controls the operation of the mobile device 26. The control unit 26g includes a memory 26h. The memory 26h stores multiple application programs (hereinafter also referred to as "apps") 26i. For example, the multiple apps 26i include a video viewing app for downloading and viewing videos from the Internet 36, an SNS app for using an SNS via the Internet 36, and the like. In this embodiment, the plurality of apps 26i also includes a remote control app for receiving various information related to hot water heater 12 and bathroom heating terminal 14, and for sending various instructions to hot water heater 12 and bathroom heating terminal 14. Such a remote control app is provided by the manufacturer of hot water heater 12, and can be downloaded to mobile device 26 via Internet 36.1 stores the identification number of the control device 34 of the hot water heater / heating apparatus 12 in association with the identification number of the mobile device 26. Therefore, when the mobile device 26 is connected to the Internet 36, the mobile device 26 can communicate bidirectionally with the control device 34 of the hot water heater / heating apparatus 12 via the server device 24.

[0037] Mobile device 28 has the same configuration as mobile device 26. Mobile device 28 has a display unit 28a, an input unit 28b, a GPS positioning unit 28c, a cellular IF 28d, a WFIF 28e, a BTIF 28f, and a control unit 28g. The control unit 28g has a memory 28h. A plurality of apps 28i are stored in memory 28h. Server device 24 stores an identification number of the control device 34 of the hot water heater / heating unit 12 and an identification number of mobile device 28 in association with each other. Therefore, when mobile device 28 is connected to the Internet 36, it can communicate bidirectionally with the control device 34 of the hot water heater / heating unit 12 via server device 24. In this embodiment, the user of mobile device 26 is, for example, a minor, and the user of mobile device 28 is, for example, the guardian of the user of mobile device 26. Mobile device 26 and mobile device 28 are capable of two-way communication via the Internet 36, and the user of mobile device 28 can use mobile device 28 to manage the settings of various applications of mobile device 26.

[0038] (Function restriction processing) The function restriction process performed by the control unit 26g of the mobile device 26 will be described below with reference to FIG.

[0039] In S2, control unit 26g determines whether mobile device 26 is located inside bathroom 4. In this embodiment, control unit 26g determines that mobile device 26 is located inside bathroom 4 if the signal strength of the wireless signal transmitted from wireless communication device 22 and received by BTIF 26f is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, and determines that mobile device 26 is located outside bathroom 4 if the signal strength of the wireless signal is below the predetermined threshold. If it is determined that mobile device 26 is located inside bathroom 4 (YES), the process proceeds to S4. If it is determined that mobile device 26 is located outside bathroom 4 (NO), the process proceeds to S8.

[0040] In S4, the control unit 26g determines whether the user of the mobile device 26 is taking a bath. In this embodiment, the control unit 26g communicates with the control device 34 of the hot water heater 12 via the server device 24 to determine whether the hot water heater 12 has already performed a hot water filling operation that day. If the hot water heater 12 has already performed a hot water filling operation that day, the control unit 26g determines that the user of the mobile device 26 is taking a bath, and if the hot water heater 12 has not performed a hot water filling operation that day, the control unit 26g determines that the user of the mobile device 26 is not taking a bath. If it is determined that the user of the mobile device 26 is entering data (YES), the process proceeds to S6. If it is determined that the user of the mobile device 26 is not taking a bath (NO), the process proceeds to S8.

[0041] In S6, the control unit 26g starts restricting the functions of the mobile device 26 if the function restriction of the mobile device 26 is not being executed. In this embodiment, execution of a video viewing application on the mobile device 26 and / or execution of an SNS application on the mobile device 26 is prohibited. Note that in this embodiment, even while the function restriction of the mobile device 26 is being executed, the calling function using the mobile device 26 and the emergency call function using the mobile device 26 are available. After S6, the process returns to S2.

[0042] In S8, if the function restriction of the mobile device 26 is being executed, the control unit 26g releases the function restriction of the mobile device 26. After S8, the process returns to S2.

[0043] (Variation) In S2, control unit 26g may determine whether mobile device 26 is located in bathroom 4 based on the location information of mobile device 26 acquired by GPS positioning unit 26c. In this case, control unit 26g may acquire the location information of bathroom 4 from server device 24 or control device 34 of hot water heater / heating unit 12. Alternatively, control unit 26g may calculate the location information of bathroom 4 from the location information of mobile device 26 acquired by GPS positioning unit 26c when it is determined using other means (e.g., wireless communication device 22) that mobile device 26 is located in bathroom 4, and store the calculated location information in memory 26h.

[0044] In S2, control unit 26g may obtain information regarding the signal strength of the wireless signal transmitted by BTIF 26f and received by wireless communication device 22 from control device 34 of hot water heater / heating appliance 12, and may determine whether mobile device 26 is located inside bathroom 4 based on the signal strength of the wireless signal. Alternatively, control unit 26g may determine whether mobile device 26 is located inside bathroom 4 based on the propagation time of the wireless signal transmitted from wireless communication device 22 (or BTIF 26f) and received by BTIF 26f (or wireless communication device 22).

[0045] In S2, control unit 26g may determine that mobile device 26 is located in bathroom 4 if BT communication with wireless communication device 22 is successfully established.

[0046] The mobile device 26 and the wireless communication device 22 may be capable of communicating with each other via short-range wireless communication other than BT communication, such as UWB communication.

[0047] A plurality of wireless communication devices 22 may be provided inside bathroom 4. In this case, in S2, control unit 26g may calculate the distance between each wireless communication device 22 and mobile device 26 based on the signal strength or propagation time of the wireless signal transmitted from each wireless communication device 22 (or BTIF 26f) and received by BTIF 26f (or each wireless communication device 22), and determine by trilateration whether mobile device 26 is located inside bathroom 4, or may determine by triangulation whether mobile device 26 is located inside bathroom 4 based on the angle of arrival of the wireless signal transmitted from each wireless communication device 22 (or BTIF 26f) and received by BTIF 26f (or each wireless communication device 22).

[0048] The wireless communication device 22 may be built into the bathroom remote control 16.

[0049] In S2, the determination of whether mobile device 26 is located in bathroom 4 may be made by control device 34 or server device 24 of hot water heater / heating apparatus 12. In this case, control unit 26g may transmit, to control device 34 or server device 24, information regarding the signal strength of the wireless signal transmitted from wireless communication device 22 and received by BTIF 26f, and may receive the determination result of whether mobile device 26 is located in bathroom 4 from control device 34 or server device 24.

[0050] In S4, the control unit 26g communicates with the control device 34 of the hot water heater 12 via the server device 24 and may determine that the user of the mobile device 26 is taking a bath if the bathroom heating terminal 14 is performing mist sauna operation or waterfall operation, or may determine that the user of the mobile device 26 is not taking a bath in other cases.

[0051] Hot water heater 12 may be equipped with a water level sensor (not shown) that detects the water level in bathtub 4a. In this case, in S4, control unit 26g may acquire the detection value of the water level sensor from control device 34 of hot water heater 12, and determine that the user of portable device 26 is taking a bath if the water level in bathtub 4a is equal to or higher than a predetermined water level, or may determine that the user of portable device 26 is not taking a bath in other cases.

[0052] In S4, the determination as to whether the user of portable device 26 is taking a bath may be made by control device 34 of hot water heater 12 or server device 24. In this case, control unit 26g may receive the determination result as to whether the user of portable device 26 is taking a bath from control device 34 or server device 24.

[0053] The function restriction system 10 does not have to include the bathroom heating terminal 14. Furthermore, the hot water heater / heating machine 12 may be a dedicated hot water heater that does not include the heating burner 32.

[0054] The function restriction system 10 does not need to include the server device 24. In this case, the mobile device 26 can perform the same operations as described above by communicating bidirectionally with the control device 34 of the hot water heater / heating unit 12 via WF communication with the router device 20 or BT communication with the wireless communication device 22.

[0055] (Features of the Example) As described above, in one or more embodiments, function restriction system 10 includes mobile device 26. Mobile device 26 functions as entry determination means configured to determine whether mobile device 26 is located in bathroom 4 when a remote control app is executed, and function restriction means configured to restrict at least one function of mobile device 26 when the entry determination means determines that mobile device 26 is located in bathroom 4. Mobile device 26 functioning as entry determination means can also be referred to as an entry determination device, and mobile device 26 functioning as function restriction means can also be referred to as a function restriction device.

[0056] According to the above configuration, the use of mobile device 26 in bathroom 4 can be restricted.

[0057] In one or more embodiments, function restriction system 10 further includes wireless communication device 22 disposed in bathroom 4 and capable of wireless communication with portable device 26. Portable device 26 is configured to determine whether portable device 26 is located in bathroom 4 based on a wireless signal transmitted by one of portable device 26 and wireless communication device 22 and received by the other of portable device 26 and wireless communication device 22.

[0058] According to the above configuration, it is possible to determine whether or not mobile device 26 is located in bathroom 4 with a simple configuration.

[0059] In one or more embodiments, the function restriction system 10 further includes a hot water heater 12 (an example of a hot water heater) and a bathroom remote control 16 that is located in the bathroom 4 and is capable of controlling the operation of the hot water heater 12. The wireless communication device 22 is incorporated into the bathroom remote control 16.

[0060] According to the above configuration, there is no need to place wireless communication device 22 in bathroom 4 separately from bathroom remote control 16, which improves the aesthetic appearance of bathroom 4.

[0061] In one or more embodiments, the mobile device 26 is configured to determine whether the mobile device 26 is located in the bathroom 4 based on the signal strength of the wireless signal.

[0062] According to the above configuration, the processing load on mobile device 26, which functions as entry determination means, to determine whether mobile device 26 is located in bathroom 4 can be reduced.

[0063] In one or more embodiments, mobile device 26 is capable of acquiring location information of mobile device 26. Mobile device 26 is configured to determine whether mobile device 26 is located in bathroom 4 based on the location information of mobile device 26 acquired by mobile device 26.

[0064] Generally, many mobile devices, such as smartphones and feature phones, have a positioning function that uses GPS or the like, and are able to acquire location information of the mobile device. According to the above configuration, it is possible to determine whether mobile device 26 is located in bathroom 4 by using the location information of mobile device 26 acquired by mobile device 26.

[0065] In one or more embodiments, mobile device 26 also functions as bathing determination means configured to determine whether the user of mobile device 26 is taking a bath when the remote control app is executed. Mobile device 26 is configured not to restrict at least one function of mobile device 26 even when it is determined that mobile device 26 is located in bathroom 4, if it is not determined that the user of mobile device 26 is taking a bath. Mobile device 26 is configured to restrict at least one function of mobile device 26 if it is determined that mobile device 26 is located in bathroom 4 and if it is determined that the user of mobile device 26 is taking a bath. Mobile device 26 functioning as bathing determination means can also be referred to as a bathing determination device.

[0066] For example, when cleaning bathroom 4, the user may be in bathroom 4 but not taking a bath. Restricting the use of mobile device 26 in bathroom 4 in such cases may impair user convenience. According to the above configuration, the use of mobile device 26 is restricted only when mobile device 26 is located in bathroom 4 and the user is taking a bath, thereby improving user convenience.

[0067] In one or more embodiments, even if at least one function of the mobile device 26 is limited, the functionality of calling using the mobile device 26 is still available.

[0068] Even if the user makes a call using the mobile device 26 while taking a bath, it is believed that the relaxing effect of taking a bath will not be significantly impaired. The above configuration can improve convenience for the user.

[0069] In one or more embodiments, emergency calling functionality using mobile device 26 is still available even if at least one function of mobile device 26 is limited.

[0070] From the viewpoint of ensuring the safety of the user, it is desirable that even when the user is taking a bath, an emergency call can be made using the mobile device 26. With the above configuration, the safety of the user can be ensured.

[0071] In one or more embodiments, at least one function that is restricted on the mobile device 26 includes the ability to run a particular app 26i on the mobile device 26.

[0072] For example, if a user uses an app 26i for watching videos using mobile device 26 or an app 26i for using SNS using mobile device 26 while taking a bath, the relaxing effect of bathing may be diminished. According to the above configuration, by restricting the execution of specific apps 26i in bathroom 4 that may diminish the relaxing effect, the relaxing effect of bathing can be enhanced.

[0073] In one or more embodiments, the functionality restriction system 10 further includes a mobile device 28 (an example of a management device) capable of communicating with the mobile device 26 and configured to manage the settings of the mobile device 26 .

[0074] According to the above configuration, the use of mobile device 26 in bathroom 4 can be appropriately restricted using mobile device 28.

[0075] Although specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail above, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and variations of the specific examples exemplified above. The technical elements described in this specification or drawings exhibit technical utility alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. Furthermore, the technology exemplified in this specification or drawings can achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving one of these objectives alone is technically useful. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 2: Housing 4:Bathroom 4a: Bathtub 6: Kitchen 10: Function restriction system 12: Hot water heater 14: Bathroom heating terminal 16: Bathroom remote control 16a: Display section 16b: Input section 18: Kitchen remote control 18a: Display section 18b: Input section 20: Router equipment 22: Wireless communication device 24: Server equipment 26: Mobile devices 26a: Display section 26b: Input section 26c: GPS positioning unit 26g: Control section 26h: Memory 26i: App 28: Mobile devices 28a: Display section 28b: Input section 28c: GPS positioning unit 28g: Control section 28h: Memory 28i: App 30: Hot water burner 32: Heating burner 34: Control device 36: Internet 38:Base station network

Claims

1. a bathroom entry determination device configured to determine whether the portable device is located in a bathroom; A function restriction system comprising a function restriction device configured to restrict at least one function of the portable device when the entry determination device determines that the portable device is located in the bathroom.

2. The bathroom further includes a wireless communication device that is arranged in the bathroom and is capable of wireless communication with the mobile device, 2. The function restriction system of claim 1, wherein the entry determination device is configured to determine whether the portable device is located in the bathroom based on a wireless signal transmitted by one of the portable device and the wireless communication device and received by the other of the portable device and the wireless communication device.

3. A water heater and The bathroom further includes a bathroom remote control that is arranged in the bathroom and can control the operation of the water heater, The function restriction system of claim 2 , wherein the wireless communication device is incorporated in the bathroom remote control.

4. The function restriction system of claim 2 , wherein the entrance determination device is configured to determine whether the mobile device is located in the bathroom based on the signal strength of the wireless signal.

5. the mobile device is capable of acquiring location information of the mobile device; The function restriction system of claim 1, wherein the entry determination device is configured to determine whether the mobile device is located in the bathroom based on the location information of the mobile device acquired by the mobile device.

6. The device further includes a bathing determination device configured to determine whether a user of the portable device is taking a bath; the function restriction device is configured not to restrict the at least one function of the portable device when the bathing determination device does not determine that the user of the portable device is taking a bath, even if the room entry determination device determines that the portable device is located in the bathroom; 2. The function restriction system of claim 1, wherein the function restriction device is configured to restrict at least one function of the portable device when the entry determination device determines that the portable device is located in the bathroom and the bathing determination device determines that the user of the portable device is taking a bath.

7. 2. The function restriction system of claim 1, wherein even when the at least one function of the mobile device is restricted by the function restriction device, a call function using the mobile device is available.

8. The function restriction system of claim 1 , wherein an emergency call function using the mobile device is available even when the at least one function of the mobile device is restricted by the function restriction device.

9. 2. The function restriction system of claim 1, wherein at least one function of the portable device restricted by the function restriction device includes a function of executing a specific application program on the portable device.

10. The function restriction system of claim 1 , further comprising a management device capable of communicating with the function restriction device and configured to manage settings of the function restriction device.

11. An application program for a mobile device, comprising: The mobile device, a bathroom entry determination means configured to determine whether the portable device is located in a bathroom; a function limiting means configured to limit at least one function of the portable device when the entrance determining means determines that the portable device is located in the bathroom. An application program configured to function as a

Citation Information

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