Hot water supply system

Abstract

To enable easier and more accurate communication of information regarding the nature of any malfunctions in the hot water supply system. [Solution] The hot water supply system 1 includes a water heater body 1A that receives gas from an external source to perform hot water supply operations, an operating device 81 equipped with a display unit 81B and an operating unit 81C, an abnormality detection unit that detects the occurrence of a predetermined abnormality, and a control unit 81A that controls the display unit 81B. When the abnormality detection unit detects the abnormality, the control unit 81A causes a two-dimensional code 190 containing information about the nature of the abnormality to be displayed on the display unit 81B.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a hot water supply system.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a server device for automatic response to hot water heater repairs. This device includes an automatic response unit that automatically responds to a call from a user and acquires the content of the voice of the call using learning data for voice recognition, and a response generation unit that acquires the intention of the voice using learning data for intention analysis based on the content of the voice acquired by the automatic response unit, and generates a response to the user based on the intention of the voice, and a storage unit that stores a database defining the relationship between the error code of the hot water heater and the necessity of repair. The automatic response unit outputs a voice corresponding to the response to the user. When the content of the voice indicates that an error code is displayed on the user's hot water heater, the response generation unit generates a response prompting the input of the error code of the hot water heater as a response to the user, and when the error code input in response to the response prompting the input of the error code is an error code that requires repair of the hot water heater, the response generation unit generates a response prompting the input of the judgment result of whether to perform the repair as a response to the user.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the server device for automatic response to hot water heater repairs disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to input an error code using a dial during the automatic response of the call center, and it is inevitable to call the call center or input the error code individually.

[0005] One of the purposes of this disclosure is to provide a technology that can more easily and accurately transmit information about the nature of an abnormality in a hot water supply system to an external party. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One of the disclosures is a hot water supply system, A hot water supply system comprising a water heater unit that receives gas from an external source to perform hot water supply operations, and an operating device equipped with a display unit and an operating unit, An anomaly detection unit that detects the occurrence of a predetermined anomaly, When the abnormality detection unit detects the abnormality, the control unit causes the display unit to display a two-dimensional code on which information regarding the nature of the abnormality is recorded. It has. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The technology disclosed herein enables easier and more accurate transmission of information regarding the nature of an anomaly in a hot water supply system. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a management system including a hot water supply system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the water heater of the hot water supply system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a simplified block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the water heater shown in Figure 2. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a front view illustrating the first remote controller of the water heater shown in Figure 2. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a block diagram illustrating the electrical configuration of the information terminal and management device in the management system shown in Figure 1. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of anomaly response control executed in an information terminal according to an application program. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments of the present disclosure are listed and illustrated below. The features illustrated below may be combined in any non-consistent way.

[0010] [1] A hot water supply system comprising a water heater unit that receives gas from an external source to perform hot water supply operations, and an operating device equipped with a display unit and an operating unit, An anomaly detection unit that detects the occurrence of a predetermined anomaly, When the abnormality detection unit detects the abnormality, the control unit causes the display unit to display a two-dimensional code on which information regarding the nature of the abnormality is recorded. A hot water supply system having [a specific feature / feature].

[0011] The hot water supply system described in [1] above can display a two-dimensional code containing information about the nature of the abnormality in the event of an abnormality in the hot water supply system. Therefore, anyone who sees this two-dimensional code can easily and accurately obtain information about the nature of the abnormality as electronic data by reading the code with a terminal, which can then be used to take appropriate action.

[0012] [2] When the abnormality occurs, the control unit records the type of abnormality and identification information uniquely associated with the water heater unit in the two-dimensional code. The hot water supply system described in [1].

[0013] The hot water supply system described in [2] above can identify the specific water heater unit that has malfunctioned and accurately communicate to an external party what type of malfunction has occurred in that unit.

[0014] [3] Having an information terminal equipped with an imaging unit, an information processing unit and a communication unit, The imaging unit captures the two-dimensional code displayed on the display unit, The information processing unit reads the two-dimensional code captured by the imaging unit, When the information processing unit reads the two-dimensional code, the communication unit transmits the information recorded in the two-dimensional code to the management device. The hot water supply system according to [1] or [2].

[0015] The hot water supply system of [3] above can read the two-dimensional code displayed in response to the occurrence of an abnormality by a separate information terminal and transmit it from the information terminal to the management device. Therefore, even if the water heater does not have a function of communicating with the management device, information regarding an abnormality that has occurred in the water heater can be transmitted to the management device more easily and accurately.

[0016] (4) including the management device, The management device has a receiving unit that receives the information transmitted from the information terminal, and a transmitting unit that transmits detailed information corresponding to the information received by the receiving unit to the information terminal. The information terminal has a display device and a display control unit that causes the display device to display content based on the detailed information when the detailed information is received from the management device. The hot water supply system according to [3], which has the above.

[0017] In the hot water supply system of [4] above, when information regarding an abnormality that has occurred in the water heater is transmitted to the management device, the management device can provide detailed information regarding the abnormality to the information terminal. This hot water supply system can accurately transmit the content of the abnormality to the management device even if the water heater does not have detailed information regarding the abnormality that has occurred, and can obtain detailed information in the management device and display the detailed information on the display device of the information terminal.

[0018] (5) A plurality of types of abnormalities are registered in the management device, and each of the plurality of types of abnormalities is either a type that requires repair or a type that does not require repair. The transmitting unit transmits the detailed information, including explanatory information indicating that the abnormality identified by the information received by the receiving unit is an abnormality that does not require repair, to the information terminal if the abnormality belongs to the type that does not require repair. The hot water supply system described in [4].

[0019] The hot water supply system described in [5] above can automatically determine, via a management device, whether an abnormality in the water heater requires repair, and if the abnormality does not require repair, it can provide and display explanatory information to that effect on an information terminal.

[0020] [6] Having a program used in an information terminal that comprises an imaging unit, an information processing unit and a communication unit, The aforementioned program, The steps include causing the imaging unit to perform an operation to image the two-dimensional code, When the imaging unit captures the two-dimensional code, the information processing unit is instructed to perform an operation to read the two-dimensional code. The steps include: when the information processing unit reads the two-dimensional code, causing the communication unit to perform an operation to transmit the information recorded in the two-dimensional code to the management device; A hot water supply system as described in [1] or [2], including the following:

[0021] The hot water supply system described in [6] above can read the two-dimensional code displayed in response to an abnormality using a separate information terminal, and transmit the information from that terminal to the management device. Therefore, even if the hot water heater does not have a function to communicate with the management device, information regarding abnormalities that occur in the hot water heater can be transmitted to the management device more easily and accurately.

[0022] <First Embodiment> 1. Overview of Hot Water Supply System 1 The following description relates to a hot water supply system 1 according to the first embodiment. The hot water supply system 100 shown in Figure 1 is a system that includes a water heater 1. In the representative example described below, the hot water supply system 100 further includes an information terminal 102 and a management device 120. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the water heater 1 includes a water heater body 1A that receives gas supply from an external source to perform hot water supply operations, and a remote controller 80 for remotely operating the water heater body 1A. As shown in Figure 3, the remote controller 80 may include a first remote controller 81 equipped with a display unit 81B and an operation unit 81C, and a second remote controller 82. The first remote controller 81 is an example of an operation device.

[0023] As shown in Figure 2, the water heater 1 is configured as a bath and hot water supply system equipped with a function to supply hot water to the bathtub and a function to heat the water in the bathtub. Of the water heater 1, the water heater body 1A is equipped with a hot water supply side circuit 2 and a bath side circuit 3, and most of these are housed within the casing. The hot water supply side circuit 2 is equipped with an inlet pipe 12, an outlet pipe 10, a heat exchanger 6 (hot water supply side heat exchanger), etc., and functions as a path to heat tap water supplied from the outside and dispense it as hot water. The bath side circuit 3 is equipped with a gas burner 54 (bath burner), a heat exchanger 56 (bath side heat exchanger), a water passage pipe 66, a circulation pump 62, thermistors 64, 65, etc., and is used for reheating the bathwater, etc.

[0024] In the hot water supply circuit 2, the inlet pipe 12 is configured as a path for water to flow in from the water inlet 16, and the outlet pipe 10 is configured as a path for sending hot water to the hot water outlet 18. The heat exchanger 6 includes a primary heat exchanger 7 and a secondary heat exchanger 8 that exchange combustion heat from the gas burner 4. In the hot water supply circuit 2, the inlet pipe 12 is connected to the inlet of the secondary heat exchanger 8 in a configuration that supplies tap water, and this inlet pipe 12 is equipped with a water flow sensor 34 that detects the flow of water in the pipe. Downstream of the inlet pipe 12, the heat transfer tubes 8a of the secondary heat exchanger 8 are connected, and downstream of that, a water supply pipe 20 is connected that connects the heat transfer tubes 8a of the secondary heat exchanger 8 and the heat transfer tubes 7a of the primary heat exchanger 7. Furthermore, the heat transfer tubes 7a of the primary heat exchanger 7 are connected in a configuration that is connected to this water supply pipe 20. A hot water outlet pipe 10 is connected to the outlet of the primary heat exchanger 7, in a configuration that discharges the hot water heated by the primary heat exchanger 7. The hot water outlet pipe 10 is equipped with a thermistor 26 for detecting the temperature of the water inside the pipe.

[0025] Within the hot water combustion chamber 90, the primary heat exchanger 7 is located upstream of the combustion exhaust path of the gas burner 4, and the secondary heat exchanger 8 is located downstream of the combustion exhaust path. The primary heat exchanger 7 recovers the sensible heat from the combustion exhaust, and the secondary heat exchanger 8 recovers the latent heat. The primary heat exchanger 7 is equipped with heat transfer tubes 7a that serve as the water passage path within the primary heat exchanger 7. It transfers the combustion heat contained in the combustion exhaust generated by the gas burner 4 to the water passing through the heat transfer tubes 7a, exchanging heat by transferring the sensible heat energy to the water. The secondary heat exchanger 8 is equipped with heat transfer tubes 8a that serve as the water passage path within the secondary heat exchanger 8. It transfers the combustion heat from the combustion exhaust generated by the gas burner 4 after it has passed through the primary heat exchanger 7 to the water passing through the heat transfer tubes 8a, exchanging heat by transferring the latent heat energy to the water.

[0026] A bypass path 14 is provided as a water flow path that bypasses the inlet pipe 12 and the outlet pipe 10, and is configured as a water flow path different from that of the heat exchanger 6. This bypass path 14 is equipped with a bypass valve 32 that can transition between a closed state in which the water flow in the bypass path 14 is blocked and an open state in which the opening degree is increased from that closed state. In the inlet pipe 12, a water flow rate control valve 33 is provided upstream of the branching point where the bypass path 14 is connected. The water flow rate control valve 33 is equipped with a motor whose rotation angle of the drive shaft is controlled by instructions from the controller 22, and is configured to continuously change the opening degree of the inlet pipe 12 between a closed state and a fully open state. In the gas pipe 40 that supplies gas to the gas burner 4, a gas source solenoid valve 42, a hot water gas proportional control valve 44, and hot water switching solenoid valves 46, 46... for each branch pipe to each gas burner 4 are provided from the upstream side. Below the hot water combustion chamber 90, a fan 48 is provided to supply combustion air to each of the gas burners 4 and gas burner 54. A switching solenoid valve 53 is provided in the branch pipe from the gas pipe connected to the gas burner 54.

[0027] In the bath-side circuit 3, the water supply pipe 66 is configured as a path through which water from the hot water supply circuit 2 enters and also constitutes at least a part of the circulation path that circulates water from the bathtub 60. The water supply pipe 66 comprises a supply pipe 68 for guiding water from the bathtub 60 to the heat exchanger 56, a return pipe 67 for guiding water from the heat exchanger 56 to the bathtub 60, and an intermediate pipe 69 connected to the supply pipe 68 and the return pipe 67 and passing through the heat exchanger 56. The water supply pipe 66 functions as a circulation path that can circulate water, for example, during reheating operation, by guiding water drawn from the bathtub 60 to the heat exchanger 56 via the supply pipe 68, and guiding the water that has passed through the heat exchanger 56 back to the bathtub 60 via the return pipe 67. The heat exchanger 56 comprises a primary bath heat exchanger 57 and a secondary bath heat exchanger 58, and is configured to heat the circulating water so as to transfer the combustion heat generated by the combustion in the gas burner 54 to the water passing through the water supply pipe 66. The supply pipe 68 is located between the bathtub 60 and the primary bath heat exchanger 57, and this supply pipe 68 is equipped with a thermistor 65 for detecting the temperature of the water passing through it. The return pipe 67 is located between the secondary bath heat exchanger 58 and the bathtub 60. The return pipe 67 is equipped with a circulation pump 62 and a thermistor 64 (bath thermistor). The circulation pump 62 is a device that moves the water in the water passage pipe 66, drawing water in from the heat exchanger 56 side and discharging the drawn water toward the bathtub 60 from the opposite side of the heat exchanger 56. A drop pipe 70 branched from the hot water outlet pipe 10 is connected to the return pipe 67, and the drop pipe 70 is equipped with a hot water solenoid valve 72 and a drop water volume sensor 74. By opening the hot water solenoid valve 72 provided in the drop pipe 70, it is possible to supply hot water heated in the hot water supply circuit 2 to the bathtub 60.

[0028] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the hot water supply system 1 is equipped with a controller 22 as a control device. As shown in Figure 3, the controller 22 is equipped with a control unit 22A, which is configured as, for example, a known microcomputer, a memory 22B, which is configured as a known semiconductor memory, and a communication unit 22C, which is configured as an interface for communication with the outside world. This controller 22 can perform various types of control.

[0029] As shown in Figure 3, the controller 22 is connected to multiple remote controllers 80 in a configuration that allows them to communicate with the controller 22. Each of these remote controllers 80 is equipped with an operation unit and is capable of performing operations that execute multiple functions related to the water heater. In the example in Figures 2 and 3, the multiple remote controllers 80 include a first remote controller 81 installed in the bathroom and a second remote controller 82 installed in a different location (e.g., the kitchen). As shown in Figure 3, the first remote controller 81 includes a control unit 81A configured as a known microcomputer, a display unit 81B configured as a liquid crystal display device, an operation unit 81C equipped with multiple known individual operation units 81Z (Figure 4) such as push buttons, and a communication unit 81D that has the function of transmitting signals generated by the first remote controller 81 to the controller 22. As shown in Figure 3, the second remote controller 82 includes a control unit 82A configured as a known microcomputer or the like, a display unit 82B configured as a liquid crystal display device or the like, an operation unit 82C provided with a plurality of known individual operation units such as push buttons, and a communication unit 82D that has the function of transmitting signals generated by the second remote controller 82 to the controller 22.

[0030] The information terminal 102 is configured as a portable information and communication device such as a smartphone or tablet. As shown in Figure 5, the information terminal 102 includes a control unit 114, a communication unit 104, a display device 106, a storage unit 108, an operation unit 110, an imaging unit 112, and the like. The control unit 114 corresponds to an example of an information processing unit and is configured as a known information processing device such as a microcomputer, and is equipped with a known arithmetic unit such as a CPU and other peripheral circuits, and can perform various controls and calculations. The communication unit 104 can communicate with the management device 120 via a communication network (e.g., the Internet). The display device 106 is a display unit that forms part of a known touch panel display device, and is configured as a known image display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic electroluminescent display. The storage unit 108 is configured as a known storage device such as a semiconductor memory device, and corresponds to, for example, RAM, ROM, or other non-volatile memory. The operation unit 110 is configured, for example, as a known touch panel positioned to cover the front of the display device 106, and is configured to cover the display device 106 with a transparent configuration that allows the image on the display device 106 to be viewed from the outside. Note that the example shown here is merely one example, and the display device 106 only needs to be configured to display an image in a way that is visible to the user. The operation unit 110 only needs to be configured to allow information to be input by user operation, and may include input interfaces other than a touch panel (such as buttons). The imaging unit 112 is configured as a known camera and is configured to capture the two-dimensional code described later.

[0031] The management device 120 is, for example, a server equipped with an information storage function. The management device 120 includes a control unit 122, a communication unit 124, a display device 126, a storage unit 128, an operation unit 130, and the like. The control unit 122 is configured as a known information processing device such as a microcomputer, and is equipped with a known arithmetic unit such as a CPU and other peripheral circuits, and can perform various controls and calculations. The communication unit 124 can communicate with the information terminal 102, etc., via a communication network (e.g., the Internet). The display device 126 can be configured to display images in a way that is visible to the user, and known display devices can be used. The storage unit 128 is configured as a known storage device, and examples include semiconductor memory such as RAM, ROM, and non-volatile memory, as well as HDDs and SSDs. The operation unit 130 can be configured to allow information to be input by user operation, and known operating devices can be used.

[0032] 2. Abnormal Response Operation The water heater 1A can detect abnormalities (errors) in the water heater 1A using known methods. Various types of known abnormalities (errors) can be used as abnormalities, and may include the value of any sensor falling within a predetermined abnormal range for that sensor, a failure to ignite during hot water supply operation, a misfire occurring during hot water supply operation, the activation of an earthquake sensor, prolonged continuous use, or other abnormalities. The controller 22, which corresponds to an example of an abnormality detection unit, detects whether or not each of the predetermined abnormalities has occurred at a predetermined time for each abnormality.

[0033] When the abnormality detection unit (controller 22) detects an abnormality, the control unit 81A generates a two-dimensional code 190 containing information about the nature of the abnormality and displays it on the display unit 81B as shown in Figure 4. The two-dimensional code 190 may be a QR code (registered trademark) or any other type of information code. Specifically, when any abnormality occurs, the control unit 81A records information in the two-dimensional code 190 that includes the type of abnormality and identification information uniquely associated with the water heater unit 1A. More specifically, the two-dimensional code 190 can record information such as the model name, type, gas type, individual appliance ID of the water heater unit where the abnormality occurred, the version of the software installed in the water heater unit, the gas type information version, the type of abnormality currently occurring or that occurred most recently, the address to which the abnormality information is sent, the date and time of occurrence, the combustion time at the time of the abnormality, the number of combustions at the time of the abnormality, the power supply time at the time of the abnormality, sensor information (thermistor, etc.) at the time of the abnormality, the load status (fan speed, etc.) at the time of the abnormality, the sequence number at the time of the abnormality, the terminal at which the abnormality occurred, and the input at the time of the error. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the control unit 81A may display information identifying the abnormality on the display unit 81B along with the display of the two-dimensional code 190. In the example in Figure 4, the error code 92, which identifies the nature of the abnormality, is displayed as this information.

[0034] On the other hand, when a user of the hot water supply system 1 sees a two-dimensional code 190 displayed on the display unit 81B, the user can operate the information terminal 102 to capture the two-dimensional code 190 displayed on the display unit 81B using the imaging unit 112. The information terminal 102 stores an application program that processes data in the manner shown in Figure 6, for example. When the start condition is met in the information terminal 102 (for example, when a predetermined start operation is performed on the operation unit 110), the control unit 114 executes the application program and performs the abnormal response control shown in Figure 6.

[0035] When the control unit 114 starts the abnormal response control shown in Figure 6 according to the application program described above, it first performs the process in step S1. Specifically, when the control unit 114 performs the process in step S1, it causes the imaging unit 112 to continuously perform imaging operations, and repeatedly determines whether or not the two-dimensional code 190 has been captured by the imaging unit 112. Until the two-dimensional code 190 is captured by the imaging unit 112, it repeatedly determines No in step S1 and repeatedly attempts to capture the two-dimensional code 190. The process in step S1 in the above program corresponds to an example of "a step in which the imaging unit performs an operation to capture the two-dimensional code".

[0036] If the control unit 114 determines in step S1 that the imaging unit 112 has captured a two-dimensional code 190, in step S2 it decodes the contents recorded in the captured two-dimensional code 190. The processing in step S2 of the above program corresponds to an example of "a step in which the imaging unit captures a two-dimensional code and causes the information processing unit to perform an operation to read the two-dimensional code." The control unit 114 corresponds to an example of an information processing unit and has the function of reading the two-dimensional code captured by the imaging unit 112.

[0037] After step S2, in step S3, the control unit 114 performs a process to transmit the information recorded in the two-dimensional code 190 to the management device 120. The address of the management device 120 may be provided in advance in the application program, or it may be recorded in the two-dimensional code 190. In this embodiment, when the control unit 114, which corresponds to the information processing unit, reads the two-dimensional code 190, the communication unit 104 functions to transmit the information recorded in the two-dimensional code 190 to the management device 120. Specifically, the control unit 114 and the communication unit 104 cooperate to transmit the information recorded in the two-dimensional code 190 (information related to the content of the abnormality, including the type of abnormality and identification information uniquely associated with the water heater unit 1A) as electronic data to the management device 120. The process in step S3 of the above program corresponds to an example of "a step in which the communication unit performs an operation to transmit the information recorded in the two-dimensional code to the management device when the information processing unit reads the two-dimensional code."

[0038] Meanwhile, the management device 120 has a program stored in it, which is executed by the control unit 122. After execution begins, when in standby mode, it monitors whether or not information recorded in the two-dimensional code 190 has been transmitted from the information terminal 102 to the management device 120. In this example, the control unit 122 and the communication unit 124 correspond to an example of a receiving unit, and have the function of receiving the information recorded in the two-dimensional code 190 when it is transmitted to the management device 120.

[0039] Multiple types of anomalies are registered in the management device 120, and detailed information is stored associated with each type of anomaly. For example, detailed information 1 is stored associated with anomaly type 1, detailed information 2 is stored associated with anomaly type 2, and detailed information 3 is stored associated with anomaly type 3. Therefore, if the information transmitted from the information terminal 102 to the management device 120 (information recorded in the two-dimensional code 190) includes an anomaly type, the detailed information associated with this anomaly type can be read. In addition, each of the registered types of anomalies is either a "repair-required type" that requires repair or a "repair-free type" that does not require repair. The detailed information includes information about the classification to which the associated anomaly type belongs (explanatory information indicating whether it is a "repair-required type" or a "repair-free type"). For example, if an anomaly type 1 is a "repair-required type," then detailed information 1 associated with type 1 includes explanatory information indicating that anomaly type 1 is a "repair-required type." If the Type 2 anomaly is a "repair-free type," then the detailed information 2 associated with Type 2 will include explanatory information indicating that the Type 2 anomaly is a "repair-free type."

[0040] The control unit 122 reads detailed information corresponding to the type of anomaly from the type of anomaly contained in the information transmitted from the information terminal 102 (information recorded in the two-dimensional code 190), and transmits response information containing the read detailed information to the information terminal 102 that sent the information. In this example, the control unit 122 and the communication unit 124 correspond to an example of a transmitting unit, and operate to transmit detailed information (specifically, detailed information associated with the type of anomaly contained in the information received by the receiving unit) corresponding to the information received by the receiving unit (information recorded in the two-dimensional code 190) to the information terminal 102. Specifically, if the anomaly identified by the information received by the receiving unit belongs to a type that does not require repair, the transmitting unit transmits detailed information including explanatory information indicating that the anomaly does not require repair to the information terminal 102, and if the anomaly identified by the information received by the receiving unit belongs to a type that requires repair, the transmitting unit transmits detailed information including explanatory information indicating that the anomaly requires repair to the information terminal 102.

[0041] Assuming that the management device 120 operates in this manner, the control unit 114 transmits the information recorded in the two-dimensional code 190 to the management device 120 in step S3, and then in step S4 determines whether or not the management device 120 has responded with detailed information. For example, if no response with detailed information is received within a certain time from the transmission in step S3, the control unit 114 causes the display device 106 to display predetermined information (for example, an error message such as "Detailed information could not be obtained") in step S6. If a response with detailed information is received within a certain time from the transmission in step S3, the control unit 114 causes the display device 106 to display content based on the detailed information in step S5. The control unit 114 corresponds to an example of a display control unit and has the function of displaying content based on detailed information on the display device 106 when detailed information is received from the management device 120. The content based on detailed information may be all of the detailed information, only a part of the detailed information, or explanatory information converted from the detailed information into easily understandable content. After step S5 or step S6, the control unit 114 determines whether the program termination condition has been met. If the termination condition has not been met, it returns to step S1; if it has been met, it terminates the program (terminates the control shown in Figure 6). The termination condition may be met if a predetermined termination operation is performed, if a certain amount of time has elapsed without the two-dimensional code being captured, if the information terminal 102 enters sleep mode or is powered off, or if any other condition is met.

[0042] If, after processing in step S3, the control unit 114 receives "detailed information including explanatory information indicating that there is an abnormality requiring repair" from the information terminal 102, in step S5, it is preferable to display on the display device 106 an explanation that an abnormality requiring repair has occurred in the hot water supply system 1, the specific details of the abnormality occurring in the hot water supply system 1, the contact information of the company that will perform the repair (telephone number, email address, etc.), how to handle the hot water supply system 1 until the repair is completed, and the contact information of the operator (telephone number, email address, etc.). If, after processing in step S3, the control unit 114 receives "detailed information including explanatory information indicating that there is an abnormality that does not require repair" from the information terminal 102, in step S5, it is preferable to display on the display device 106 an explanation that an abnormality that does not require repair has occurred in the hot water supply system 1, the specific details of the abnormality occurring in the hot water supply system 1, how to handle the hot water supply system 1 (how to clear the abnormality), and the contact information of the operator (telephone number, email address, etc.).

[0043] 3. Examples of effects The hot water supply system 1 can display a two-dimensional code 190 containing information about the nature of an abnormality that occurs in the hot water supply system 1. Therefore, anyone who sees this two-dimensional code 190 can easily and accurately obtain information about the nature of the abnormality as electronic data by reading the two-dimensional code 190 with, for example, an information terminal 102, and use this information to take appropriate action.

[0044] The hot water supply system 1 records the type of abnormality and identification information uniquely associated with the water heater unit 1A in the two-dimensional code 190, thereby identifying the specific water heater unit 1A that has experienced an abnormality and accurately communicating to the outside what type of abnormality has occurred in that water heater unit 1A.

[0045] The hot water supply system 1 can read the two-dimensional code 190 displayed in response to an abnormality using a separate information terminal 102, and transmit it from the information terminal 102 to the management device 120. Therefore, even if the water heater 1 does not have a function to communicate with the management device 120, information regarding abnormalities that occur in the water heater 1 can be transmitted to the management device 120 more easily and accurately.

[0046] When information regarding an abnormality occurring in the water heater 1 is transmitted to the management device 120, the hot water supply system 1 can provide detailed information about the abnormality to the information terminal 102. Even if the water heater 1 does not have detailed information about the abnormality, the hot water supply system 1 can accurately transmit the details of the abnormality to the management device 120, which can then acquire the detailed information and display it on the display device 106 of the information terminal 102.

[0047] The hot water supply system 1, when an abnormality occurs in the water heater 1, automatically determines in the management device 120 whether or not the abnormality requires repair. If the abnormality does not require repair, it can provide and display explanatory information to that effect on the information terminal 102.

[0048] <Other Embodiments> The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and in the drawings. For example, any combination of the features of the embodiments described above or below is possible as long as it does not contradict each other. Furthermore, any feature of the embodiments described above or below may be omitted unless explicitly stated as essential. In addition, the embodiments described above may be modified as follows.

[0049] In the above embodiment, the error code 92 was displayed along with the two-dimensional code 190, but it is not necessary to display the error code 92.

[0050] It should be noted that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed herein, and is intended to include all modifications within the scope set forth in the claims or equivalents thereof. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0051] 1: Water heater 1A: Water heater unit 22: Controller (anomaly detection unit) 81: First remote controller (operating device) 81A: Control Unit 81B: Display section 81C: Operation section 81D: Communications Department 100: Hot water supply system 102: Information terminal 104: Communications Department 106:Display device 112: Imaging Unit 114: Control Unit (Information Processing Unit, Display Control Unit) 120: Management device 124: Communications section (receiving section, transmitting section)

Claims

1. A hot water supply system comprising a water heater unit that receives gas from an external source to perform hot water supply operations, and an operating device equipped with a display unit and an operating unit, An anomaly detection unit that detects the occurrence of a predetermined anomaly, When the abnormality detection unit detects the abnormality, the control unit causes the display unit to display a two-dimensional code on which information regarding the nature of the abnormality is recorded. It has, The information relating to the nature of the abnormality includes at least one of the following: the type of gas used by the water heater unit where the abnormality occurred, the version of the software installed in the water heater unit, sensor information at the time of the abnormality, and the rotation speed of the fan installed in the water heater unit at the time of the abnormality. Hot water supply system.

2. The control unit records the type of abnormality and identification information uniquely associated with the water heater unit in the two-dimensional code when the abnormality occurs. The hot water supply system according to claim 1.

3. It has a management device, The aforementioned management device comprises a receiving unit and a transmitting unit. The management device operates to communicate with an information terminal which is equipped with an imaging unit, an information processing unit, a communication unit, a display device, and a display control unit. When the imaging unit captures the two-dimensional code displayed on the display unit, the information processing unit reads the two-dimensional code captured by the imaging unit, and the communication unit operates to transmit the information recorded in the two-dimensional code to the management device when the information processing unit has read the two-dimensional code, the receiving unit receives the information transmitted from the information terminal, and the transmitting unit transmits detailed information corresponding to the information received by the receiving unit to the information terminal. The hot water supply system according to claim 1 or claim 2.

Images