Application programs for equipment systems, equipment, and mobile terminals.

Abstract

We provide technology that can prevent a decline in user convenience. [Solution] The equipment system comprises equipment installed in a building and a control device that is communicatively connected to the equipment and has software related to the equipment. In this case, the control device prohibits software updates at least temporarily when the equipment is operating. Furthermore, the control device prohibits software updates at least temporarily when the equipment is not operating and prediction-related information related to predicting the start of operation of the equipment satisfies predetermined conditions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a technology for updating software related to equipment.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a software update device that updates software used in equipment installed in a house. The software update device determines whether the equipment is in operation based on operation information indicating the operation status of the equipment, and distributes an update file for updating the software of the equipment to the equipment that is not in operation.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In many cases, during the update of software related to equipment, the user cannot use the equipment normally. Therefore, it is desirable to update the software related to the equipment during a period when the equipment is not operating. However, if the software update is executed immediately before starting the operation of the equipment even during a period when the equipment is not operating, the user cannot use the equipment normally, and there is a risk of reduced convenience. This specification provides a technology that can prevent the reduction of user convenience.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] In a first aspect of this technology, the equipment system may include equipment installed in a building and a control device that is communicatively connected to the equipment and has software related to the equipment. In this case, the control device may at least temporarily prohibit software updates when the equipment is operating. Furthermore, the control device may at least temporarily prohibit software updates when the equipment is not operating and prediction-related information related to predicting the start of operation of the equipment satisfies predetermined conditions.

[0006] In the above equipment system, not only is software updates for the control unit prohibited at least temporarily when the equipment is operating, but even when the equipment is not operating, software updates for the control unit are prohibited at least temporarily when the start of equipment operation is anticipated. Therefore, it is possible to prevent software updates from being executed just before the equipment starts operating, thus preventing a decrease in user convenience.

[0007] In a second aspect of this technology, the equipment in the first aspect may include a water heater that supplies hot water heated by a heat source to the bathtub. In this case, the prediction-related information may include the water level in the bathtub, and the predetermined condition may include the water level exceeding a predetermined threshold water level.

[0008] If the water level in the bathtub exceeds a predetermined threshold level, it can be inferred that, for example, a user is bathing in the bathtub. In this case, the user is likely to use the shower or similar device. That is, if the water level in the bathtub exceeds the threshold level, the water heater is likely to supply hot water, for example, via the shower or similar device. With this configuration, the start of operation of the water heater can be predicted based on the water level in the bathtub.

[0009] In a third aspect of this technology, in the first or second aspect described above, the equipment may include a water heater that supplies hot water heated by a heat source to the bathtub. In this case, the prediction-related information may include the water level in the bathtub. Furthermore, the predetermined condition may include the water level rising to or above a predetermined value.

[0010] If the water level in the bathtub rises above a predetermined value, it can be inferred that, for example, a user is bathing in the bathtub. In this case, the user is likely to use the shower or similar device. That is, if the water level in the bathtub rises above a predetermined value, the water heater is likely to supply hot water, for example, via the shower or similar device. With this configuration, the start of operation of the water heater can be predicted based on the rise in the water level in the bathtub.

[0011] In a fourth aspect of this technology, in any one of the first to third embodiments described above, the equipment may include a water heater that supplies hot water heated by a heat source to the bathtub. In this case, the prediction-related information may include the time when the bathtub filling operation, in which the water heater supplies hot water to the bathtub, is completed. Furthermore, the predetermined condition may include that the current time falls within the time period after the bathtub filling is completed, which is later than the time the bathtub filling is completed.

[0012] After the bath filling process is complete, the user is likely to use the shower or other means of heating. In other words, if the current time falls within the time period after bath filling, the water heater is likely to supply hot water, for example, via the shower. With this configuration, the start of operation of the water heater can be predicted based on the time bath filling is complete and the time period after bath filling.

[0013] In a fifth aspect of this technology, in any one of the first to fourth aspects described above, the equipment may include a water heater that supplies hot water heated by a heat source to a bathtub. In this case, the water heater may be configured to allow specifying a relevant time related to the bathtub filling operation before starting the bathtub filling operation. Furthermore, the predictive relevant information may include a bathtub filling start time, which is calculated based on the relevant time, and the predetermined condition may include that the current time is included in the pre-bathtub filling time before the bathtub filling start time.

[0014] For example, if a software update is performed immediately before the start time of filling the bathtub, the control unit will become unusable even though the water heater is performing the filling operation, reducing user convenience. With this configuration, if the current time falls within the time period before filling the bathtub, the software update is prohibited at least temporarily, thus preventing the software update from being performed immediately before the start time of filling the bathtub. In this specification, "relevant time related to the filling operation" may include both the time the filling operation starts and the time the filling operation is completed.

[0015] In the sixth aspect of this technology, in any one of the first to fifth aspects described above, the equipment may include a water heater that supplies hot water heated by a heat source to a bathtub. In this case, the prediction-related information may include the time when the reheating operation in which the water heater heats the water in the bathtub is completed, and the predetermined condition may include that the current time is in the post-reheating time period, which is after the reheating completion time.

[0016] After the reheating operation is complete, the user is likely to use the shower, etc. That is, if the current time falls within the time period after reheating, the water heater is likely to supply hot water, for example, via the shower. With this configuration, the start of operation of the water heater can be predicted based on the time when the reheating is completed.

[0017] In the seventh aspect of this technology, in any one of the first to sixth aspects described above, the prediction-related information may include the number of times the equipment was actually operated between the current time and a predetermined time prior. In this case, the predetermined condition may include the number of times the number of operations exceeds a predetermined number.

[0018] If the number of activations exceeds a predetermined number, the equipment is highly likely to start operating, even if it is not currently operating. With this configuration, it is possible to predict when the equipment will start operating based on the number of activations.

[0019] In the eighth aspect of this technology, in any one of the first to seventh aspects described above, the equipment system may further include a storage unit that stores actual operating times indicating the times when the equipment was actually operated in the past, and an estimation unit that estimates the operating time when the equipment will be operated based on the actual operating times stored in the storage unit. In this case, the prediction-related information may include the operating time estimated by the estimation unit, and the predetermined conditions may include that the current time falls within the operating time range based on the operating time.

[0020] During the operating time period based on the operating time estimated by the estimation unit, the equipment is highly likely to start operating even if it is not currently operating. With this configuration, the start of equipment operation can be predicted based on the operating time estimated by the estimation unit.

[0021] In the ninth aspect of this technology, in any one of the first to eighth aspects described above, the equipment system may further include a first notification unit that notifies that the control device is inoperable during a software update.

[0022] This configuration allows the user to be notified that the control unit may be inoperable during a software update.

[0023] In the tenth aspect of the present technology, in any one of the first to ninth aspects described above, the facility equipment system may further include a second notification unit that notifies that software update is at least temporarily prohibited when a predetermined condition is satisfied.

[0024] According to such a configuration, it is possible to notify the user that the prediction-related information of the facility equipment satisfies a predetermined condition and the software update of the control device is at least temporarily prohibited.

[0025] In the eleventh aspect of the present technology, in any one of the first to tenth aspects described above, the facility equipment system may further include a third notification unit that notifies the user of an inquiry regarding whether to execute software update.

[0026] According to such a configuration, it is possible to inquire the user whether to execute software update.

[0027] In the twelfth aspect of the present technology, in any one of the first to eleventh aspects described above, the facility equipment system may further include a third notification unit that notifies the user of an inquiry regarding whether to execute software update. In that case, after the execution of software update is selected by the user in the inquiry, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the second notification unit notifies that the software update is at least temporarily prohibited, and when the predetermined condition is no longer satisfied thereafter, the inquiry may be notified again.

[0028] When it is notified that the software update of the control device is at least temporarily prohibited after the user selects software update in the inquiry, the user recognizes that the software update is prohibited. According to such a configuration, when the software update becomes executable after it is notified that the software update is prohibited, it is possible to inquire the user who recognizes that the software update is prohibited again whether to execute software update.

[0029] In the thirteenth aspect of this technology, in any one of the ninth to twelfth aspects described above, the equipment system may further include a portable terminal capable of communicating with at least a control device. In this case, notification may be performed via the portable terminal.

[0030] With this configuration, for example, compared to a configuration that delivers notifications via equipment, it is possible to deliver more reliable notifications to users via mobile devices that are likely to be carried by users.

[0031] The equipment components that make up the above-mentioned equipment system are also new and useful. Furthermore, the control device itself for the equipment system, the computer program for the control device, and the control method for realizing the equipment system are also new and useful.

[0032] Furthermore, this specification also discloses an application program for a mobile terminal. The mobile terminal may be communicatively connected to equipment installed in a building and may be communicative to a control device having software related to the equipment. The control device may, at least temporarily, prohibit software updates when the equipment is operating. The control device may further, at least temporarily, prohibit software updates when the equipment is not operating and prediction-related information related to predicting the start of operation of the equipment meets certain conditions. The application program may cause the mobile terminal to notify the control device that it is inoperable during a software update. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0033] [Figure 1] A schematic diagram of the hot water supply system 100 according to the embodiment is shown. [Figure 2] The diagram shows the configuration of the hot water supply system 100. [Figure 3] The flowchart for the update process is shown below. [Figure 4] The flowchart for the process of predicting the start of operation is shown. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0034] (Examples) (Configuration of hot water supply system 100) As shown in Figure 1, the hot water supply system 100 of this embodiment is a system for supplying hot water W1 to a house 2. The hot water supply system 100 comprises a water heater 10, a kitchen remote control 20, a bathroom remote control 30, a mobile terminal 40, and a server 50. The server 50 is installed on the Internet 5 by, for example, the manufacturer of the water heater 10 and each of the remote controls 20 and 30. In a modified example, the server 50 may be installed on the Internet 5 by a company other than the manufacturer of the water heater 10 and each of the remote controls 20 and 30.

[0035] The water heater 10 is installed on the exterior wall of the house 2. The water heater 10 supplies hot water W1 to a bathtub 9 installed in the bathroom 8 of the house 2, for example. As shown in Figure 2, the water heater 10 comprises a burner 11, a display unit 12, a wired interface 15, and a control unit 17. The water heater 10 generates hot water by heating water through the combustion of fuel gas in the burner 11. In a modified example, the water heater 10 may be equipped with a heat pump to heat the water instead of or in addition to the burner 11. The display unit 12 displays information related to the water heater 10.

[0036] The wired interface 15 is an interface for communication with the wired interface 25 of the kitchen remote control 20 and the wired interface 35 of the bathroom remote control 30. In this embodiment, each wired interface 15, 25, and 35 is connected by a two-core cable C1. The control unit 17 is a microcomputer comprising a CPU 18 and a memory 19. The memory 19 includes volatile memory and non-volatile memory. The CPU 18 controls the operation of the water heater 10 according to the software (not shown) stored in the memory 19. For example, when the burner 11 is heating water, the CPU 18 sends a heating signal to each remote control 20 and 30 indicating that the burner 11 is heating.

[0037] As shown in Figure 1, the kitchen remote control 20 is installed in the kitchen 6 of the house 2. As shown in Figure 2, in addition to the wired I / F 25 described above, the kitchen remote control 20 further includes a display unit 22, an operation unit 24, a Wi-Fi® I / F 26, and a control unit 27. The display unit 22 displays information related to the operation of the water heater 10, such as whether the burner 11 of the water heater 10 is heating or not, and the set temperature of the hot water W1 supplied from the shower (not shown) located in the bathroom 8. The operation unit 24 receives instructions from the user, such as instructions regarding the water heater 10. The wired I / F 25 has the same configuration as the wired I / F 15 of the water heater 10 described above. The Wi-Fi I / F 26 performs wireless communication with the router 4 located in the house 2 using Wi-Fi communication according to the Wi-Fi method. The Wi-Fi I / F 26 performs wireless communication with the server 50 and the mobile terminal 40 via the router 4 and the internet 5. The control unit 27 is a microcomputer comprising a CPU 28 and memory 29. The memory 29 consists of volatile memory and non-volatile memory and stores the software SW1. Software SW1 is a program for controlling the kitchen remote control 20. More specifically, software SW1 is a program for operating the water heater 10 via the kitchen remote control 20. In this embodiment, software SW1 is stored in memory 29 at the time of shipment of the kitchen remote control 20. In a modified example, software SW1 may be downloaded from an external server (e.g., server 50) via the internet 5, for example.

[0038] The kitchen remote control 20 receives a bath filling instruction from the user via the operation unit 24, for example, to supply hot water W1 to the bathtub 9. In this case, the CPU 28 of the control unit 27 generates a control signal based on the bath filling instruction according to the software SW1 and transmits the generated control signal to the water heater 10. In this case, the water heater 10 starts heating the burner 11 and performs a bath filling operation to supply hot water W1 to the bathtub 9 according to the control signal received from the kitchen remote control 20. In this way, the kitchen remote control 20 can operate the water heater 10.

[0039] As shown in Figure 1, the bath remote control 30 is installed in the bathroom 8 of the house 2. As shown in Figure 2, in addition to the wired I / F 35 described above, the bath remote control 30 further includes a display unit 32, an operation unit 34, and a control unit 37. The display unit 32 displays information regarding the operation of the water heater 10. The operation unit 34 receives instructions from the user regarding the water heater 10. The wired I / F 35 has the same configuration as the wired I / F 25 of the kitchen remote control 20 described above. The control unit 37 is a microcomputer equipped with a CPU 38 and memory 39. The memory 39 is composed of volatile memory and non-volatile memory and stores the software SW2. The software SW2 is a program for controlling the bath remote control 30. More specifically, the software SW2 is a program for operating the water heater 10 via the bath remote control 30. For example, the bath remote control 30 receives instructions from the user to fill the bathtub via the operation unit 34. In this case, the CPU 38 of the control unit 37 generates a control signal based on the hot water filling instruction according to the software W2 and transmits the control signal to the water heater 10. As a result, the water heater 10 performs the hot water filling operation described above. In other words, the bath remote control 30 can operate the water heater 10. The bath remote control 30 also accepts, via the operation unit 34, a reheating instruction to perform a reheating operation to reheat the water W1 in the bathtub 9 with the burner 11, and a timer time input to perform the hot water filling operation according to a time previously entered by the user.

[0040] The mobile terminal 40 is, for example, a smartphone carried by a user residing in house 2. The mobile terminal 40 is not limited to a smartphone, but may also be a tablet, smartwatch, or other terminal device. The mobile terminal 40 comprises a display unit 42, an operation unit 44, a cellular interface 45, a Wi-Fi interface 46, and a control unit 47. The cellular interface 45 is a wireless interface for performing mobile communication with a base station network (not shown). The cellular interface 45 connects to the internet 5 via mobile communication. This allows the mobile terminal 40 to perform wireless communication with, for example, a server 50 via the internet 5. Furthermore, the mobile terminal 40 can perform wireless communication with the kitchen remote control 20 via the internet 5 and router 4. The Wi-Fi interface 46 performs wireless communication with, for example, router 4 using Wi-Fi communication according to the Wi-Fi standard. The control unit 47 is a microcomputer equipped with a CPU 48 and memory 49. Memory 49 stores AP1 (application program). AP1 is, for example, a program for displaying the inquiry screen SC1 (see Figure 3), which will be described later, on the display unit 42.

[0041] The following describes the update process performed by the CPU 38 of the bath remote control 30, with reference to Figures 3 and 4. The update process is the process for updating the software SW2. The CPU 38 repeats the update process while the bath remote control 30 is powered on.

[0042] (Update process) In S10, the CPU 38 determines whether the current time is the update determination time for software SW2. The update determination time is a pre-set time at which it is determined whether or not to start the process to perform an update on software SW2. For example, the update determination time is 12:00 AM. Note that the update determination time can be changed retrospectively by the user. The CPU 38 repeats the process in S10 until the current time matches the update determination time. If the CPU 38 determines that the current time matches the update determination time (YES in S10), it proceeds to S20.

[0043] In S20, the CPU 38 determines whether the version of software SW2 stored in memory 39 is the latest version. First, the CPU 38 requests version information from the server 50 indicating the latest version of software SW2, and receives the version information from the server 50. Furthermore, the CPU 38 compares the latest version of software SW2 indicated by the version information received from the server 50 with the version of software SW2 currently stored in memory 39. If the two versions match, the CPU 38 determines that there is no need to update software SW2 (YES in S20) and returns to processing S10. If the two versions do not match, the CPU 38 determines that there is a need to update software SW2 (NO in S20) and proceeds to processing S30.

[0044] In S30, the CPU 38 determines whether the latest version of software SW2 is already stored in memory 39. If it is stored (YES in S30), it skips S32 and proceeds to S34. If the latest version of software SW2 is not stored in memory 39 (NO in S30), the CPU 38 proceeds to S32.

[0045] In S32, the CPU 38 sends a download request to the server 50, and the server 50 downloads the latest version of the software SW2. In this embodiment, the bath remote control 30 can receive instructions from the user regarding the operation of the water heater 10 (for example, an instruction to fill the bathtub) while the latest version of the software SW2 is being downloaded.

[0046] In S34, the CPU 38 sends inquiry screen data to the mobile terminal 40. Upon receiving the inquiry screen data from the CPU 38, the mobile terminal 40 displays the inquiry screen SC1 on the display unit 42 (see Figure 2). The inquiry screen SC1 includes a message asking the user whether or not to update the software SW2, an execution button B1 to accept the instruction to perform the update, and a postponement button B2 to postpone the update. Furthermore, the inquiry screen SC1 includes a message indicating that the bath remote control 30 cannot be operated while the software SW2 is being updated. This allows the system to ask the user whether or not to perform the software SW2 update, and to inform the user that they will not be able to operate the water heater 10 via the bath remote control 30 if the user selects the execution button B1 and the software SW2 update is performed. In addition, since the inquiry screen SC1 is displayed on the mobile terminal 40 carried by the user, even if, for example, the user is not present in the bathroom 8 (see Figure 1), the system can reliably inform the user that they will not be able to operate the water heater 10 via the bath remote control 30 while the software SW2 is being updated. Furthermore, the mobile terminal 40 sends an execution command to the bath remote control 30 when it receives a selection of the execution button B1 from the user, and sends a postponement command to the bath remote control 30 when it receives a selection of the postponement button B2. Note that the inquiry screen SC1 does not have to include the execution button B1. In that case, the mobile terminal 40 may send an execution command to the bath remote control 30 if it does not receive a selection of the postponement button B2 even after a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute) has elapsed since displaying the inquiry screen SC1. This allows the process of updating the software SW2 to continue without receiving a selection from the user.

[0047] In S40, the CPU 38 determines whether the execute button B1 was selected on the inquiry screen SC1. If no execution command is received from the mobile terminal 40, the CPU 38 determines that the execute button B1 was not selected (NO in S40) and proceeds to S42.

[0048] In S42, the CPU 38 determines that the postponement button B2 was selected on the inquiry screen SC1 if a postponement instruction was received from the mobile terminal 40 (YES in S42), and proceeds to S44. If no postponement instruction is received from the mobile terminal 40 (NO in S42), the CPU 38 returns to S40.

[0049] In S44, the CPU 38 sends manual postponement screen data to the mobile terminal 40. Upon receiving the manual postponement screen data from the CPU 38, the mobile terminal 40 displays the manual postponement screen SC2 on the display unit 42. The manual postponement screen SC2 includes a message indicating that the postponement of the software SW2 update has been accepted, a message indicating that the update can be resumed by operating the application AP1, and a display end button B3 to end the display of the manual postponement screen SC2.

[0050] In S40, the CPU 38, upon receiving an execution command from the mobile terminal 40, determines that the execution button B1 has been selected on the inquiry screen SC1 (YES in S40) and proceeds to S50.

[0051] Here, for example, the CPU 38 of the bath remote control 30 cannot execute processing according to the software SW2 while the software SW2 is being updated. Therefore, the user cannot operate the water heater 10 via the bath remote control 30 while the software SW2 is being updated. Conventionally, for example, while the water heater 10 is supplying hot water W1 to the bathtub 9, that is, while the water heater 10 is operating, the software SW2 update of the bath remote control 30 was prohibited. In this case, the software SW2 update is performed while the water heater 10 is operating, which prevents the user from being unable to operate the water heater 10 via the bath remote control 30 even though the water heater 10 is operating. However, even if the software SW2 update is performed when the water heater 10 is not operating, the water heater 10 may start operating during the software SW2 update. In this case, even though the water heater 10 is operating, the user may not be able to operate the water heater 10 via the bath remote control 30, which may reduce user convenience. Therefore, in the hot water supply system 100 of this embodiment, the CPU 38 performs operation start prediction processing in S50. The operation start prediction process is a process for predicting the start of operation of the water heater 10 in order to prevent a decrease in user convenience. Below, we will refer to Figure 4 and explain the operation start prediction process.

[0052] (Prediction of operation start process) In S90, the CPU 38 determines whether the water heater 10 is currently operating. Specifically, if the CPU 38 does not receive the aforementioned heating signal from the water heater 10, it determines that the water heater 10 is not operating (NO in S90) and proceeds to S100. If the CPU 38 receives a heating signal from the water heater 10, it determines that the water heater 10 is operating (YES in S90) and proceeds to S160.

[0053] In S160, the CPU 38 determines whether it has already sent automatic postponement screen data to the mobile terminal 40. The automatic postponement screen data is data for displaying the automatic postponement screen SC4 on the mobile terminal 40. The automatic postponement screen SC4 includes a message indicating that the update of the software SW2 has been postponed, i.e., temporarily prohibited, because if the update is performed at this time, it will become impossible to operate the water heater 10 via the bath remote control 30, and a display end button B4 to end the display of the automatic postponement screen SC4. If the CPU 38 has already sent the automatic postponement screen data to the mobile terminal 40 (YES in S160), it returns to processing S90 after a predetermined waiting period has elapsed. If the CPU 38 has not sent the automatic postponement screen data to the mobile terminal 40 (NO in S160), it proceeds to processing S162. The waiting period is the estimated period required from when the water heater 10 starts operating until it stops, for example, 1 hour. The waiting period can be changed retrospectively by the user.

[0054] In S162, the CPU 38 sends the automatic postponement screen data to the mobile terminal 40. In this case, the mobile terminal 40 displays the automatic postponement screen SC4 described above on the display unit 42. This prevents the operation of the water heater 10 via the bath remote control 30, thus informing the user that the software SW2 update has been postponed. The CPU 38 sends the automatic postponement screen data to the mobile terminal 40, and after the waiting period described above has elapsed, returns the process to S90. If the CPU 38 has previously displayed the automatic postponement screen data to the mobile terminal 40 (YES in S160), it does not send the automatic postponement screen data to the mobile terminal 40 again. Since the automatic postponement screen SC4 is not displayed on the display unit 42 of the mobile terminal 40 multiple times, it is possible to prevent the user from feeling annoyed.

[0055] In S100, the CPU 38 compares the water level H1 of the bathtub W1 with the threshold water level Hth1. The threshold water level Hth1 is a value used to detect when the user is immersed in the bathtub W1 and is pre-stored in memory 39. The threshold water level Hth1 can be changed retrospectively by the user. The CPU 38 constantly monitors the water level H1 indicated by, for example, the water level sensor (not shown) of the water heater 10. If the water level H1 is greater than or equal to the threshold water level Hth1 (YES in S100), the CPU 38 proceeds to S160.

[0056] If the water level H1 is equal to or greater than the threshold water level Hth1 (YES in S100), it is presumed that, for example, the user is bathing in the bathtub 9. In this case, the user may be using the shower or the like in the bathroom 8. Therefore, if the water level H1 is equal to or greater than the threshold water level Hth1 (YES in S100), the water heater 10 is likely to start operating at an imminent time. The start of operation of the water heater 10 can be predicted based on the water level H1 in the bathtub 9. If the water level H1 is below the threshold water level Hth1 (NO in S100), the CPU 38 proceeds to S102.

[0057] In S102, the CPU 38 determines whether the water level H1 has risen to or above the threshold Hth2 within a predetermined determination period (e.g., 3 minutes). The threshold Hth2 is a value (e.g., 5 cm) used to detect when a user is immersed in the water W1 of the bathtub 9. The determination period and the threshold Hth2 are stored in memory 39 beforehand. The determination period and the threshold Hth2 can be changed retrospectively by the user. If the water level H1 rises to or above the threshold Hth2 (YES in S102), the CPU 38 proceeds to S160. For example, if the amount of water W1 stored in the bathtub 9 is initially small, or if a small user is using the bathtub 9, the water level H1 may not reach the threshold water level Hth1 even though the user is immersed in the water W1 (NO in S100). Even in such cases, when the user immerses themselves in the water W1, the water level H1 rises to or above the threshold Hth2. Therefore, if the water level H1 rises above the threshold Hth2 (YES in S102), it is presumed that the user is bathing in the bathtub 9. In this case, the user may be using the shower or other facilities in the bathroom 8. Therefore, if the water level H1 rises above the threshold Hth2 (YES in S102), it is highly likely that the water heater 10 will start operating at an imminent time. The start of operation of the water heater 10 can be predicted based on the water level H1 in the bathtub 9. If the water level H1 does not rise above the threshold Hth2 even after the judgment period has elapsed (NO in S102), the CPU 38 proceeds to S110.

[0058] In S110, the CPU 38 compares the supply count N1 with the threshold count Nth1. The supply count N1 is the number of times hot water W1 has been supplied from the water heater 10 during a predetermined period (for example, the last 30 minutes). The threshold count Nth1 is a value (for example, 3 times) used to determine if the user is using the water heater 10 frequently, and is pre-stored in memory 39. Note that the threshold count Nth1 can be changed retrospectively by the user. For example, the CPU 38 receives the supply count N1 from the control unit 17 of the water heater 10, and if the received supply count N1 is greater than or equal to the threshold count Nth1 (YES in S110), the process proceeds to S160. If the supply count N1 is greater than or equal to the threshold count Nth1 (YES in S110), there is a possibility that hot water W1 will be supplied from the water heater 10 again. In this case, there is a high probability that the water heater 10 will start operating at the near future. Therefore, the start of operation of the water heater 10 can be predicted based on the supply count N1. CPU38 proceeds to S120 if the number of supply cycles N1 falls below the threshold cycle Nth1 (NO in S110).

[0059] In S120, the CPU 38 estimates the operating time T1. Specifically, the CPU 38 receives actual operating times from the water heater 10, indicating the times when the water heater 10 actually supplied hot water W1 during a predetermined period in the past (e.g., one week). The CPU 38 stores the received operating times in memory 39 and estimates the operating time T1, which is the time when the user is most likely to operate the water heater 10, based on the stored operating times. The CPU 38 may also estimate the median value of the operating time T1 if, for example, the operating times are concentrated in the same time period over a predetermined number of days. Furthermore, the operating time T1 may be estimated by machine learning based on the operating times, for example.

[0060] In S122, the CPU 38 determines whether the current time falls within the operating time period Z1. The operating time period Z1 is a time period based on the operating time T1 estimated in S120, for example, 30 minutes before and after the operating time T1. If the current time falls within the operating time period Z1 (YES in S122), the CPU 38 proceeds to S160. Within the operating time period Z1 based on the operating time T1 estimated based on actual time, the water heater 10 is likely to operate at a close time. Therefore, the start of operation of the water heater 10 can be predicted based on the operating time T1 estimated based on actual time. If the current time does not fall within the operating time period Z1 (NO in S122), the CPU 38 proceeds to S130.

[0061] In S130, the CPU 38 determines whether or not the bath filling completion time T2 is stored in the memory 39. The bath filling completion time T2 is the time when the water heater 10 has finished supplying a predetermined amount of hot water W1 to the bathtub 9, that is, the time when the bath filling operation is completed. When the CPU 38 receives a bath filling instruction from the user, it calculates the bath filling completion time T2 based on the time the bath filling instruction was received, the amount of hot water supplied to the bathtub 9, the heating capacity of the burner 11, and the target temperature specified by the user, and stores it in the memory 39. If the bath filling completion time T2 is not stored in the memory 39, the CPU 38 determines that the bath filling instruction has not been received (NO in S130), skips S132, and proceeds to S140. If the bath filling completion time T2 is stored in the memory 39, the CPU 38 determines that the bath filling instruction has been received (YES in S130), and proceeds to S132. Furthermore, CPU38 will determine S130 as YES even if the timer time described later is entered.

[0062] In S132, the CPU 38 determines whether the current time falls within the post-bath-filling time period Z2. The post-bath-filling time period Z2 is, for example, the 30 minutes after the bath filling completion time T2. If the current time falls within the post-bath-filling time period Z2 (YES in S132), the CPU 38 proceeds to S160. During the time period after the bath filling completion time T2, there is a high probability that the user will use, for example, a shower, in the bathroom 8 after the bath filling operation of the bathtub 9 is complete. Therefore, based on the bath filling completion time T2 and the post-bath-filling time period Z2, it is possible to predict that the water heater 10 will start operating. If the current time falls outside the post-bath-filling time period Z2 (NO in S132), the CPU 38 proceeds to S140.

[0063] In S140, the CPU 38 determines whether the reheating completion time T3 is stored in memory 39. The reheating completion time T3 is the time when the water heater 10 finishes heating the water W1 in the bathtub 9 to the target temperature, that is, the time when the reheating operation is completed. When the CPU 38 receives a reheating instruction from the user, it calculates the reheating completion time T3 based on the time the reheating instruction was received, the water level of the water W1 in the bathtub 9, the heating capacity of the burner 11, the current temperature of the water W1 in the bathtub 9, and the target temperature specified by the user, and stores it in memory 39. If the reheating completion time T3 is not stored in memory 39, the CPU 38 determines that the reheating instruction has not been received (NO in S140), skips S142, and proceeds to S150. The CPU 38 determines that a reheating instruction has been received (YES in S140) if the reheating completion time T3 is stored in memory 39, and proceeds to S142. The CPU 38 may also automatically start reheating if, when a heat retention instruction has been given to maintain the temperature of the water W1 in the bathtub 9 at a set temperature, the difference between the temperature of the water W1 in the bathtub 9 and the set temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature. In this case, the CPU 38 may store the reheating completion time T3 in memory 39 when automatically starting the reheating operation.

[0064] In S142, the CPU 38 determines whether the current time falls within the post-reheating time period Z3. The post-reheating time period Z3 is, for example, the 30 minutes after the reheating completion time T3. If the current time falls within the post-reheating time period Z3 (YES in S142), the CPU 38 proceeds to S160. During the time period after the reheating completion time T3, there is a high probability that the user will use, for example, a shower in the bathroom 8 after the reheating operation has been completed. Therefore, based on the reheating completion time T3 and the post-reheating time period Z3, it is possible to predict that the water heater 10 will start operating. If the current time falls outside the post-reheating time period Z3 (NO in S142), the CPU 38 proceeds to S150.

[0065] In S150, the CPU 38 determines whether the bath filling start time T4 is stored in the memory 39. The bath filling start time T4 is calculated based on a timer time previously specified by the user. The timer time is, for example, the time when the bath filling operation is completed. When the user inputs a timer time, the water heater 10 starts the bath filling operation at the bath filling start time T4 so that the bath filling is completed at the input timer time. When the timer time is input, the CPU 38 calculates the bath filling start time T4 based on the timer time, the amount of hot water supplied to the bath 9, the heating capacity of the burner 11, and the target temperature specified by the user, and stores it in the memory 39. If the bath filling start time T4 is not stored in the memory 39, the CPU 38 determines that no timer time has been input (NO in S150), skips S152, and terminates the process shown in Figure 4. The CPU 38 determines that a timer time has been entered (YES in S150) if the bath filling start time T4 is stored in memory 39, and proceeds to S152. Note that the timer time may be the time when the bath filling operation starts. In that case, the CPU 38 may store the entered timer time in memory 39 as the bath filling start time T4.

[0066] In S152, the CPU 38 determines whether the current time falls within the pre-bathtub filling time period Z4. The pre-bathtub filling time period Z4 is, for example, the 30 minutes prior to the start time of bathtub filling T4. If the current time falls within the pre-bathtub filling time period Z4 (YES in S152), the CPU 38 proceeds to S160. For example, if the software SW2 update is performed immediately before the time to start filling the bathtub 9, the bath remote control 30 will become unusable even while the bathtub 9 is filling, reducing user convenience. Therefore, by postponing the software SW2 update (S160, S162) when the current time falls within the pre-bathtub filling time period Z4 (YES in S152), it is possible to prevent a decrease in user convenience. If the current time does not fall within the pre-bathtub filling time period Z4 (NO in S152), the CPU 38 terminates the process shown in Figure 4.

[0067] (Continuing the update process) Returning to Figure 3, the update process will be explained. In S60, the CPU 38 determines whether or not it sent the automatic postponement screen data described above to the mobile terminal 40 in the previous operation start prediction process (S50) (see S162 in Figure 4). If the CPU 38 sent the automatic postponement screen data to the mobile terminal 40 (YES in S60), it returns to S34 and sends the inquiry screen SC1 to the mobile terminal 40 again. If the automatic postponement screen data was sent in the previous operation start prediction process, the user is aware that the software SW2 update has been postponed because they are unable to operate the water heater 10 via the bath remote control 30 due to the automatic postponement screen SC4 (see Figure 4). If the automatic postponement screen data was sent in the most recent operation start prediction process (YES in S60), the inquiry screen SC1 can be displayed on the mobile terminal 40 to ask the user again whether or not to update the software SW2 now. If the CPU 38 did not send the automatic postponement screen data to the mobile terminal 40 in the previous operation start prediction process (NO in S60), it proceeds to S70.

[0068] S70 is the same process as S20 and S30 described above. For example, while the update of software SW2 is postponed in the operation start prediction process of S50, a newer next version of software SW2 may be released. Therefore, in the process of S70, CPU38 queries server50 again for the latest version, and if the version of the software in memory39 is different from the latest version (NO in S70), the process proceeds to S72. In S72, CPU38 downloads the latest version of software SW2 from server50.

[0069] In S80, the CPU 38 stops the operation of each part, such as the display unit 32 and the operation unit 34. As a result, the bath remote control 30 cannot display information on the display unit 32, and even if the user operates the operation unit 34, it cannot send the aforementioned control signals to the water heater 10. Therefore, the user cannot operate the water heater 10 via the bath remote control 30.

[0070] In S82, the CPU 38 sends update execution screen data to the mobile terminal 40. In this case, the mobile terminal 40 displays the update execution screen SC3 on the display unit 42. The update execution screen SC3 includes a message indicating that the software SW2 of the bath remote control 30 is being updated, and a message indicating that the display of the update execution screen SC3 will continue until the software SW2 update is complete. This allows the user to be notified by the update execution screen SC3 that the software SW2 is currently being updated. Furthermore, even though the display unit 32 of the bath remote control 30 cannot display the update execution screen SC3 during the software SW2 update (S80), the update execution screen SC3 can be displayed using the display unit 42 of the mobile terminal 40.

[0071] In S84, the CPU 38 uses the latest version of software SW2 stored in memory 39 to update software SW2. This updates software SW2 in memory 39 to the latest version. Once the software SW2 update is complete, the CPU 38 proceeds to S86.

[0072] In S86, the operation of the display unit 32 and other components is resumed. This allows the bath remote control 30 to operate the water heater 10 according to the updated software SW2. At this time, the CPU 38 sends an update completion signal to the mobile terminal 40 indicating that the software SW2 update is complete. As a result, the mobile terminal 40 terminates the display of the update execution screen SC3. This informs the user that the software SW2 update is complete.

[0073] (Effects of this embodiment) Thus, in the hot water supply system 100 of this embodiment, even when the water heater 10 is not operating (NO in S90 in Figure 4), the update of the software SW2 of the bath remote control 30 is postponed (S160 and S162) if, for example, the water level H1 becomes equal to or greater than the threshold water level Hth1 (YES in S100). This prevents the software SW2 update from being executed just before the water heater 10 starts operating, thus preventing the software SW2 update of the bath remote control 30 from interfering with the operation of the water heater 10 via the bath remote control 30. Therefore, a decrease in user convenience can be prevented.

[0074] (Correspondence) The hot water supply system 100 is an example of an "equipment system". The CPU 38 of the bath remote control 30 is an example of a "control device", and the water heater 10 is an example of an "equipment". The burner 11 is an example of a "heat source unit". The bath filling start time T4 is an example of a "related time".

[0075] The process in S34 is an example of a process executed by the "First Notification Unit". The process in S162 is an example of a process executed by the "Second Notification Unit". The process in S34 when automatic delay screen data is sent in the most recent operation start prediction process (YES in S60 in Figure 3) is an example of a process executed by the "Third Notification Unit".

[0076] (Modification 1) The equipment system may include, for example, a floor heating unit instead of the water heater 10. In this case, the CPU of the floor heating remote control, which is communicatively connected to the floor heating unit, may perform the update process shown in Figure 3 and the operation start prediction process shown in Figure 4. In this modification, the floor heating unit is an example of "equipment," and the CPU of the floor heating remote control is an example of "control device." In a further modification, the equipment system may include a bathroom dryer and a bathroom dryer remote control, which is communicatively connected to the bathroom dryer. In this case, the CPU of the bathroom dryer remote control may perform the update process shown in Figure 3 and the operation start prediction process shown in Figure 4. In this modification, the bathroom dryer is an example of "equipment," and the CPU of the bathroom dryer remote control is an example of "control device."

[0077] (Modification 2) The CPU 18 of the water heater 10 may perform the update process shown in Figure 3 and the operation start prediction process shown in Figure 4 in order to update the software in the memory 19 based on information regarding the operation of the burner 11. In this embodiment, the burner 11 is an example of "equipment," and the CPU 18 is an example of "control device."

[0078] (Modification 3) The update process in Figure 3 and the operation start prediction process in Figure 4 may be executed by the CPU 28 of the kitchen remote control 20 when updating the software SW1 of the kitchen remote control 20. In this modification, the CPU 28 is an example of a "control device".

[0079] (Modification 4) If the water level H1 is equal to or greater than the threshold water level Hth1 (YES in S100 in Figure 4), the CPU 38 may send the automatic postponement screen data to the mobile terminal 40 in S162, then terminate the process in Figure 4 and return to S10 in Figure 3. In other words, the CPU 38 may cancel the update of the software SW2 if the operating information of the water heater 10 satisfies predetermined conditions. In this modification, the CPU 38 may again execute the processes from S20 onwards if the current time becomes the update determination time (YES in S10).

[0080] (Modification 5) The CPU 38 does not have to execute at least one of the processes S100, S102, S110, S122, S132, S142, and S152 in Figure 4.

[0081] (Modification 6) The inquiry screen SC1 does not need to include a message indicating that the water heater 10 cannot be operated via the bath remote control 30 while the software SW2 is being updated.

[0082] (Modification 7) The CPU 38 does not have to execute the process in S162 of Figure 4. That is, the CPU 38 does not have to display the automatic postponement screen SC4 on the mobile terminal 40. In another modification, the CPU 38 does not have to execute S60 of Figure 3. That is, in this modification, the CPU 38 does not have to display the inquiry screen SC1 on the mobile terminal 40 even if the automatic postponement screen SC4 was displayed on the mobile terminal 40 in the immediately preceding operation start prediction process.

[0083] (Modification 8) In S34 of Figure 3, the CPU 38 may, instead of or in addition to transmitting the inquiry screen data to the mobile terminal 40, display the inquiry screen SC1 on the display unit 32 of the bathroom remote control 30 or on the display unit 22 of the kitchen remote control 20. Similarly, in S44, the CPU 38 may display the manual postponement screen SC2 on the display unit 32 of the bathroom remote control 30 or on the display unit 22 of the kitchen remote control 20, and in S162 of Figure 4, the automatic postponement screen SC4 may be displayed on the display unit 32 of the bathroom remote control 30 or on the display unit 22 of the kitchen remote control 20.

[0084] The technical elements described herein or in the drawings demonstrate technical usefulness individually or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. Furthermore, the technologies illustrated herein or in the drawings can achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving even one of these objectives constitutes technical usefulness in itself. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0085] 2: House, 4: Router, 5: Internet, 6: Kitchen, 8: Bathroom, 9: Bathtub, 10: Water heater, 11: Burner, 12, 22, 32, 42: Display unit, 15, 25, 35: Wired I / F 49: Memory, 20: Kitchen remote control, 24, 34, 44: Control panel, 26, 46: Wi-Fi I / F, 30: Bathroom remote control, 40: Mobile terminal, 50: Server, 100: Hot water supply system, AP1: App, B1: Execute button, B2: Postpone button, B3, B4: Display end button, C1: Two-core cable, N1: Number of supply cycles, Nth1: Threshold cycles, H1: Water level, Hth1: Threshold water level, Hth2: Threshold, SC1: Inquiry screen, SC2: Manual postponement screen, SC3: Update execution screen, SC4: Automatic postponement screen, SW1, SW2: Software, T1: Operation time, T2: Hot water filling completion time, T3: Reheating completion time, T4: Hot water filling start time, W1: Hot water, Z1: Operation time zone, Z2: Time zone after hot water filling, Z3: Time zone after reheating, Z4: Time zone before hot water filling

Claims

1. Equipment and machinery installed in the building, A control device that is communicatively connected to the aforementioned equipment and has software related to the aforementioned equipment, Equipped with, The control device is When the aforementioned equipment is in operation, the software update shall be prohibited at least temporarily. If the aforementioned equipment is not operating and the prediction-related information related to the prediction of the start of operation of the aforementioned equipment meets predetermined conditions, the software update is prohibited at least temporarily. Equipment and systems.

2. The aforementioned equipment includes a water heater that supplies hot water heated by a heat source to the bathtub. The aforementioned prediction-related information includes the water level in the bathtub, The aforementioned predetermined conditions include the water level exceeding a predetermined threshold water level. The equipment system according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned equipment includes a water heater that supplies hot water heated by a heat source to the bathtub. The aforementioned prediction-related information includes the water level in the bathtub, The aforementioned predetermined conditions include the water level rising to a predetermined value or higher. The equipment system according to claim 1.

4. The aforementioned equipment includes a water heater that supplies hot water heated by a heat source to the bathtub. The aforementioned prediction-related information includes the time when the water heater completes the water filling operation, in which it supplies hot water to the bathtub. The aforementioned predetermined conditions include the current time being included in the time period after the completion time of filling the bathtub, The equipment system according to claim 1.

5. The aforementioned equipment includes a water heater that supplies hot water heated by a heat source to the bathtub. The water heater is configured to allow specifying relevant times related to the bath filling operation before starting the bath filling operation, which supplies hot water to the bathtub. The aforementioned prediction-related information includes the time at which the water heater starts the hot water filling operation, and the time at which the hot water filling operation is calculated based on the aforementioned related time. The aforementioned predetermined conditions include the current time being included in the pre-hot water filling time before the hot water filling start time, The equipment system according to claim 1.

6. The aforementioned equipment includes a water heater that supplies hot water heated by a heat source to the bathtub. The aforementioned prediction-related information includes the time when the reheating operation in which the water heater heats the water in the bathtub is completed, The aforementioned predetermined conditions include the current time being included in the time period after the reheating is completed, which is later than the time the reheating is completed. The equipment system according to claim 1.

7. The aforementioned prediction-related information includes the number of times the equipment actually operated between the current time and a predetermined time prior, The aforementioned predetermined conditions include the fact that the number of operations exceeds a predetermined number. The equipment system according to claim 1.

8. The aforementioned equipment system is A storage unit that stores actual operating times of the aforementioned equipment in the past, An estimation unit estimates the operating time of the equipment based on the actual time stored in the memory unit, Furthermore, The prediction-related information includes the operating time estimated by the estimation unit, The aforementioned predetermined conditions include the current time being included in the operating time period based on the aforementioned operating time, The equipment system according to claim 1.

9. The equipment system according to claim 1, further comprising a first notification unit that notifies that the control device is unable to operate during a software update.

10. The equipment system according to claim 1, further comprising a second notification unit that notifies that the software update has been prohibited at least temporarily when the predetermined conditions are met.

11. The equipment system according to claim 1, further comprising a third notification unit that notifies the user of an inquiry regarding whether or not to perform the software update.

12. The aforementioned equipment system further includes a third notification unit that notifies the user of an inquiry regarding whether or not to perform the software update, The third notification unit notifies the second notification unit that the software update has been temporarily prohibited because the predetermined conditions have been met after the user has selected to perform the software update in the query, and then notifies the query again if the predetermined conditions are no longer met thereafter. The equipment system according to claim 10.

13. The aforementioned equipment system further includes at least a portable terminal capable of communicating with the control device, The notification is performed via the mobile terminal. The equipment system according to any one of claims 9 to 12.

14. Equipment installed in a building, The control device includes software related to the aforementioned equipment, The control device is When the aforementioned equipment is in operation, the software update shall be prohibited at least temporarily. If the aforementioned equipment is not operating and the prediction-related information related to the prediction of the start of operation of the aforementioned equipment meets predetermined conditions, the software update is prohibited at least temporarily. equipment.

15. An application program for mobile devices, The aforementioned mobile terminal is communicatively connected to equipment installed in the building and is also communicative to a control device having software related to the said equipment. The control device is When the aforementioned equipment is in operation, the software update shall be prohibited at least temporarily. If the aforementioned equipment is not operating and the prediction-related information related to the prediction of the start of operation of the aforementioned equipment satisfies predetermined conditions, the software update shall be prohibited at least temporarily. The application program causes the mobile terminal to notify that the control device is unable to operate during the software update. Application program.

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