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

Abstract

We provide technology that can improve user convenience compared to conventional technologies. [Solution] The equipment system may include equipment installed in a building and a portable terminal capable of communicating with the equipment. The equipment may include an operating unit, a notification unit that notifies relevant information related to the operating unit, an operating microcontroller storing operating software for controlling the operating unit, and a notification microcontroller storing notification software for controlling the notification unit. The operating microcontroller and the notification microcontroller may each be mounted on separate chips. The portable terminal may be unable to remotely control the operating unit via the operating microcontroller during an operating update period when the operating software is being updated, but may be able to remotely control the operating unit via the operating microcontroller during a notification update period when the notification software is being updated and the operating software is not being updated.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a communication system that executes writing of software updates for hot water equipment. The hot water equipment cannot operate during software updates. In the communication system, when a software update is required, communication is executed to inquire the user about the approval of the update, and when the user's approval is obtained, the update program is transmitted to the hot water equipment.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Equipment may have multiple microcontrollers, each with a different function. These multiple microcontrollers may be mounted on different chips. Typically, during a software update of the first microcontroller mounted on the first chip, the first microcontroller cannot operate unless measures are taken, such as providing a separate backup area for storing the software to be updated, separate from the normal area. In contrast, a second microcontroller mounted on another second chip, where the software update is not being performed, can operate during the software update of the first microcontroller. In the communication system of Patent Document 1, even if the system has multiple microcontrollers mounted on different chips, the operation of the hot water equipment is stopped during the software update, regardless of which microcontroller is performing the update. Therefore, even if there is an operational microcontroller, the user cannot use any of the functions of the hot water equipment. This specification provides a technology that can improve user convenience compared to the prior art when a software update is performed.

[0005] In a first aspect of this technology, the equipment system may include equipment installed in a building and a portable terminal capable of communicating with the equipment. The equipment may include an operating unit, a notification unit that notifies relevant information related to the operating unit, an operating microcontroller storing operating software for controlling the operating unit, and a notification microcontroller storing notification software for controlling the notification unit. The operating microcontroller and the notification microcontroller may each be mounted on separate chips. The portable terminal may be unable to remotely control the operating unit via the operating microcontroller during an operating update period in which the operating software is being updated, but may be able to remotely control the operating unit via the operating microcontroller during a notification update period in which the notification software is being updated and the operating software is not being updated.

[0006] In the above equipment system, the equipment's operating microcontroller and notification microcontroller are mounted on separate chips. Therefore, during the notification update period, the notification unit cannot be controlled by the notification microcontroller, but the operating unit can be controlled by the operating microcontroller. Even during the notification update period, the user can remotely control the operating unit via the operating microcontroller using a mobile device. This improves user convenience compared to conventional technology where all equipment operation is stopped regardless of which microcontroller is performing the software update.

[0007] In a second aspect of this technology, in the first aspect described above, the equipment may include a main unit equipped with an operating unit and a remote control equipped with a notification unit and capable of communicating with the main unit and a mobile terminal. In this case, the remote control may include a housing that houses a first chip on which an operating microcontroller is mounted and a second chip on which a notification microcontroller is mounted.

[0008] With the above configuration, the operating unit and the notification unit can be arranged separately, thereby improving the flexibility of the notification unit's placement.

[0009] In a third aspect of this technology, in the first or second aspect described above, the relevant information may include information indicating that the operating unit cannot operate during the operating update period.

[0010] With the above configuration, the notification unit can inform the user if the operating unit is unable to operate during the operation update period.

[0011] In a fourth aspect of this technology, in any one of the first to third aspects described above, the relevant information may include information indicating that remote operation by a mobile terminal is possible during the notification update period.

[0012] With the above configuration, the notification unit can inform the user that remote operation can be performed even during the notification update period.

[0013] In a fifth aspect of this technology, in any one of the first to fourth aspects described above, the notification unit may include a display unit that displays relevant information. In this case, the relevant information may include an input screen that accepts input from the user for the update time when the operating microcontroller's software will be updated.

[0014] With the above configuration, the system can receive the update time for the operating microcontroller's software from the user via an input screen. This allows the system to perform the software update for the operating microcontroller at the update time received from the user.

[0015] In the sixth aspect of this technology, in any one of the first to fifth aspects described above, the operating unit may include a heat source for heating water. In that case, the equipment may function as a water heater.

[0016] According to the above configuration, the user can remotely operate the water heater using a mobile device, even during the notification update period. However, in the modified version, the equipment may be, for example, a bathroom dryer.

[0017] The equipment components that make up the above-mentioned equipment system, as well as the remote controls for operating the equipment, are novel and useful. Furthermore, the application program for the mobile terminal and the control method for realizing the equipment system are also novel and useful. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0018] [Figure 1] A diagram showing the configuration of the hot water supply system 100 according to the embodiment is shown. [Figure 2] The flowchart for the update process is shown below. [Figure 3] An example of each screen SC1 to SC3 is shown. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0019] (Examples) (Configuration of hot water supply system 100) As shown in FIG. 1, the hot water supply system 100 of the present embodiment includes a hot water supply unit 10, a mobile terminal 40, and a server 50. The hot water supply system 100 uses the hot water supply unit 10 to supply hot water to each part of the house 2 (for example, the kitchen).

[0020] The server 50 is installed on the Internet 5 by, for example, the manufacturer of the hot water supply unit 10. In a modified example, the server 50 may be installed on the Internet 5 by a vendor other than the manufacturer of the hot water supply unit 10.

[0021] The hot water supply unit 10 includes a water heater 11 and a kitchen remote controller 20. The water heater 11 is installed on the outer wall of the house 2. The kitchen remote controller 20 is installed in the kitchen of the house 2 (not shown). That is, the hot water supply unit 10 is a facility installed in the house 2.

[0022] The water heater 11 includes a burner 13, a wired I / F (abbreviation for interface) 15, and a control microcomputer 17. The burner 13 burns fuel gas (for example, city gas) supplied from a fuel supply source (not shown) to heat water. That is, the burner 13 is a heat source device that heats water. The water heater 11 supplies the hot water heated by the burner 13 to the kitchen of the house 2 (not shown) and the like. The wired I / F 15 executes communication with the kitchen remote controller 20. The wired I / F 15 is connected to the wired I / F 25 of the kitchen remote controller 20 via a two-core cable L1.

[0023] The control microcomputer 17 is a computer equipped with a CPU. The control microcomputer 17 includes a memory 19. The memory 19 is composed of a volatile memory and a non-volatile memory, and stores, for example, the hot water software SW1. The hot water software SW1 is a program for controlling, for example, ignition or extinguishing of the burner 13, adjustment of the opening degree of a supply valve (not shown) that determines the supply amount of fuel gas to the burner 13, adjustment of the opening degree of a mixing valve (not shown) that mixes high-temperature water heated by the burner 13 and low-temperature water not heated by the burner 13, etc. In this embodiment, the hot water software SW1 is stored in the memory 19 since the shipment of the water heater 11 and may be updated.

[0024] The kitchen remote controller 20 includes a housing 21, a display unit 22, an operation unit 24, a wired I / F 25, a Wi-Fi (registered trademark) I / F 26, and a microcomputer unit 30. The housing 21 is a case that houses the display unit 22, the operation unit 24, the wired I / F 25, the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) I / F 26, and the microcomputer unit 30. The display unit 22 is exposed on the surface of the housing 21 and displays various information regarding the hot water unit 10. The display unit 22 displays information such as whether the burner 13 of the water heater 11 is ignited and the set temperature of the hot water supplied from the water heater 11. The operation unit 24 is also exposed on the surface of the housing 21 and receives various inputs from the user. The operation unit 24 receives inputs from the user such as increase or decrease of the set temperature of the hot water supplied from the water heater 11. Note that the display unit 22 may be a so-called touch screen. In that case, the display unit 22 may function as the operation unit 24.

[0025] The wired I / F 25 of the kitchen remote controller 20 has the same configuration as the wired I / F 15 of the water heater 11 described above. The Wi-Fi I / F 26 performs wireless communication with the router 4 of the house 2 using Wi-Fi communication according to the Wi-Fi method. The Wi-Fi I / F 26 can be connected to the Internet 5 via the router 4. Note that the kitchen remote controller 20 may be connected to the Internet 5 by other communication means such as WiMAX (registered trademark), Wi-SUN (registered trademark), ZigBee (registered trademark), etc. instead of Wi-Fi communication.

[0026] The microcontroller unit 30 includes a wireless microcontroller 31, an operational microcontroller 33, and a display microcontroller 36. In the microcontroller unit 30, the wireless microcontroller 31, the operational microcontroller 33, and the display microcontroller 36 are each mounted on multiple chips C1 to C3 arranged on a single board B1. That is, the wireless microcontroller 31, the operational microcontroller 33, and the display microcontroller 36 are each mounted on separate chips. In the modified example, each chip C1 to C3 may be mounted on a different board.

[0027] Each microcontroller 31, 33, and 36 is a computer equipped with a CPU (not shown). The wireless microcontroller 31 is connected to the Wi-Fi interface 26. The wireless microcontroller 31 has a memory 32 composed of volatile memory and non-volatile memory. The memory 32 has a normal area M1 and a backup area M2. The wireless software SW2 is stored in the normal area M1. The backup area M2 is an area used to back up the normal area M1 and stores the same data as the normal area M1 (for example, the wireless software SW2). The wireless software SW2 is, for example, a program for controlling the Wi-Fi interface 26. The wireless software SW2 is stored in the memory 32 from the time the kitchen remote control 20 is shipped and may be updated.

[0028] The operating microcontroller 33 is connected to a wired interface 25. The operating microcontroller 33 includes a memory 34. The memory 34 consists of volatile memory and non-volatile memory and stores the operating software SW3 and version information V1. The operating software SW3 is a program for instructing the control microcontroller 17 of the water heater 11 to ignite or extinguish the burner 13, adjust the opening degree of the supply valve (not shown), adjust the opening degree of the mixing valve (not shown), etc. The version information V1 is information indicating the current versions of the software SW1 of the water heater 11, the wireless software SW2 of the wireless microcontroller 31, the operating software SW3 of the operating microcontroller 33, and the display software SW4 of the display microcontroller 36, which will be described later. In this embodiment, the operating microcontroller 33 is connected to the other microcontrollers 31 and 36 so as to be able to communicate, and comprehensively manages the microcontroller unit 30. The operating microcontroller 33 uses the version information V1 in the memory 34, for example, to execute the update process described later. The operating software SW3 and version information V1 are stored in the memory 34 of the kitchen remote control 20 from the time of shipment. In a modified example, the operating software SW3 may be downloaded retrospectively from an external server (e.g., server 50).

[0029] The display microcontroller 36 includes a memory 38. The memory 38 consists of volatile memory and non-volatile memory and stores the display software SW4. The display microcontroller 36 controls the display unit 22 of the kitchen remote control 20 using the display software SW4. The display software SW4 is a program for generating images, characters, etc., and displaying them on the display unit 22 of the kitchen remote control 20. The display software SW4 is stored in the memory 38 from the time the kitchen remote control 20 is shipped. In a modified example, the display software SW4 may be downloaded retrospectively from an external server (e.g., server 50).

[0030] The mobile terminal 40 is a smartphone and is carried by a user residing in, for example, house 2. The mobile terminal 40 is not limited to a smartphone; it can be any user-portable device such as a feature phone, tablet, portable game console, or notebook PC. The mobile terminal 40 comprises a display unit 42, an operation unit 44, a cellular interface 46, and a control microcontroller 47. The display unit 42 displays, for example, the operation stop screen SC2, which will be described later. In this embodiment, the display unit 42 is a so-called touchscreen and also functions as the operation unit 44. The operation unit 44 accepts various operations from the user. For example, the operation unit 44 accepts the operation of the display end button S2, which will be described later.

[0031] Cellular I / F 46 is a wireless I / F for performing mobile communication with a base station network (not shown). In addition to cellular I / F 46, the mobile terminal 40 may also be equipped with a Wi-Fi I / F for performing wireless communication with the router 4 of the house 2, for example, using Wi-Fi communication according to the Wi-Fi standard. In that case, the mobile terminal 40 may perform wireless communication with the kitchen remote control 20 via the router 4.

[0032] The control microcontroller 47 is a computer equipped with a CPU (not shown). The control microcontroller 47 is equipped with memory 49. Memory 49 consists of volatile memory and non-volatile memory and stores AP (application program) 1. AP1 is, for example, a program for remotely controlling the water heater 11. AP1 is downloaded, for example, from the server 50 to the memory 49 of the mobile terminal 40.

[0033] When a user initiates remote operation of the hot water supply unit 10 via the mobile terminal 40, they first operate the operation unit 24 of the kitchen remote control 20 to enter remote operation setting mode while the mobile terminal 40 is connected to the router 4. In remote operation setting mode, the microcontroller unit 30 of the kitchen remote control 20 displays, for example, a passcode on the display unit 22. When the control microcontroller 47 of the mobile terminal 40 receives input of the passcode displayed on the kitchen remote control 20 from the user via the operation screen of AP1 (not shown), it transmits the entered passcode to the kitchen remote control 20 via the router 4. If the passcode received from the mobile terminal 40 matches the passcode displayed on the display unit 22, the microcontroller unit 30 transmits identification information to the mobile terminal 40 to identify the hot water supply unit 10.

[0034] When the control microcontroller 47 of the mobile terminal 40 receives identification information for the hot water supply unit 10 from the microcontroller unit 30, it transmits this identification information to the server 50. In this case, the server 50 generates identification information to be attached to the mobile terminal 40 (i.e., AP1) corresponding to the hot water supply unit 10 and transmits it to the mobile terminal 40. The control microcontroller 47 stores the identification information of AP1 received from the server 50 in the memory 49. The user uses the identification information of AP1 in the memory 49 to remotely control the hot water supply unit 10 via the mobile terminal 40. Specifically, for example, when the control microcontroller 47 receives an increase instruction from the user via the operation screen of AP1 to increase the set temperature of the hot water supplied from the water heater 11, it transmits the identification information of AP1 in the memory 49 and the increase instruction to the server 50 via the internet 5. In this case, the server 50 identifies the hot water supply unit 10 stored in association with the identification information of AP1 and transmits the increase instruction to the kitchen remote control 20 via the internet 5 and the router 4. The operating microcontroller 33 of the kitchen remote control 20 transmits a control signal to the water heater 11 via the wired I / F 25 in response to an increase instruction received from the server 50. As a result, the control microcontroller 17 of the water heater 11 receives the control signal from the operating microcontroller 33. In this case, the control microcontroller 17 increases the set temperature of the hot water supplied from the water heater 11 in accordance with the received control signal. This increases the temperature of the hot water supplied from the water heater 11. In this way, the mobile terminal 40 uses AP1 to remotely control the burner 13 via the operating microcontroller 33.

[0035] As described above, the memory 32 of the wireless microcontroller 31 of the kitchen remote control 20 includes a normal area M1 and a backup area M2. Therefore, even when the wireless microcontroller 31 is updating the wireless software SW2 in the normal area M1, it can continue to control, for example, the Wi-Fi interface 26 by using the wireless software SW2 in the backup area M2.

[0036] In contrast, the memory 34 of the operating microcontroller 33 and the memory 38 of the display microcontroller 36 do not have backup areas. This reduces the capacity of each memory 34 and 38. However, for example, while the operating software SW3 stored in the memory 34 of the operating microcontroller 33 is being updated, the operating microcontroller 33 cannot transmit the control signals mentioned above to the water heater 11. Similarly, while the display software SW4 stored in the memory 38 of the display microcontroller 36 is being updated, the display microcontroller 36 cannot display images or the like on the display unit 22.

[0037] As described above, each microcontroller 31, 33, and 36 is mounted on separate chips C1, C2, and C3. Therefore, even when the operating software SW3 of the operating microcontroller 33 mounted on chip C2 is being updated, the wireless microcontroller 31 and display microcontroller 36 mounted on chips C1 and C3, which are separate from the operating microcontroller 33, can still operate. Similarly, even when the display software SW4 mounted on chip C3 is being updated, the wireless microcontroller 31 and operating microcontroller 33 mounted on chips C1 and C2, which are separate from the display microcontroller 36, can still operate. Thus, in the hot water supply system 100 of this embodiment, the microcontrollers that can operate during an update vary depending on which of the multiple software SW1 to SW3 provided by the microcontroller unit 30 is being updated.

[0038] (Update process) Referring to Figure 2, the update process performed by the operating microcontroller 33 of the kitchen remote control 20 will be explained. The update process involves identifying which of the software SW1 to SW4 provided by the hot water supply unit 10 needs to be updated, and then performing the software update while continuing to operate the available microcontrollers. The operating microcontroller 33 performs the update process at predetermined update times (for example, at midnight).

[0039] In S2, the operating microcontroller 33 determines whether an update is necessary. Specifically, the operating microcontroller 33 requests version information indicating the latest version of each software SW1 to SW4 from the server 50 and receives the version information from the server 50. Furthermore, the operating microcontroller 33 compares the latest version indicated by the version information received from the server 50 with the current version of each software SW1 to SW4 contained in the version information V1 in memory 34. If there is no software whose latest version differs from the current version, the operating microcontroller 33 determines that an update is not necessary (NO in S2) and terminates the process shown in Figure 2. If there is software whose latest version differs from the current version, the operating microcontroller 33 determines that an update is necessary (YES in S2) and proceeds to S4.

[0040] In S4, the operating microcontroller 33 determines whether the update target includes the hot water supply software SW1 of the water heater 11. Here, the update target is the software that was determined in the S2 process to be different from the latest version. The update target may include only one software from SW1 to SW4, or it may include multiple software. If the update target includes the hot water supply software SW1 (YES in S4), the operating microcontroller 33 proceeds to S12. Alternatively, if the update target does not include the hot water supply software SW1 (NO in S4), the operating microcontroller 33 proceeds to S10.

[0041] In S10, the operating microcontroller 33 determines whether the update target includes the operating software SW3. If the update target includes the operating software SW3 (YES in S10), the operating microcontroller 33 proceeds to S12. If the update target does not include the operating software SW3 (NO in S10), the operating microcontroller 33 proceeds to S14.

[0042] In S14, the operating microcontroller 33 determines whether the update target includes the display software SW4. If the update target does not include the display software SW4, i.e., if the update target is the wireless software SW2 (NO in S14), the operating microcontroller 33 proceeds to S50. As mentioned earlier, the memory 32 of the wireless microcontroller 31 where the wireless software SW2 is stored is provided with a backup area M2. Therefore, even if the wireless software SW2 stored in the normal area M1 is being updated, the wireless microcontroller 31 can continue wireless communication, for example, via the Wi-Fi I / F 26. For this reason, if the update target is the wireless software SW2, the operating microcontroller 33 proceeds to S50 without executing the processes in S12 to S32 described later, and performs the update of the wireless software SW2.

[0043] In S12, the operating microcontroller 33 uses the display microcontroller 36 to display the time input screen SC1 on the display unit 22. As shown in Figure 3, the time input screen SC1 includes a message prompting the user to input the software update time and a message indicating that the water heater 11 cannot be used while the software related to the operation of the water heater 11 is being updated. The time input screen SC1 further includes a time input unit T1 that receives the update time from the user to perform the software update related to the operation of the water heater 11, and an update button S1 that receives an instruction to perform the update at the present time. Here, if the update target includes the water heating software SW1 of the water heater 11 (YES in S4), the control microcontroller 17 cannot control the burner 13 while the water heating software SW1 is being updated, so the user will not be able to use the water heater 11. Also, the water heater 11 in this embodiment does not have an operation unit that receives input from the user. Therefore, if the update target includes the operating software SW3 of the kitchen remote control 20 (YES in S10), the kitchen remote control 20 cannot send control signals to the water heater 11 while the operating software SW3 is being updated, so the user will not be able to operate the water heater 11 using the kitchen remote control 20. For this reason, in this embodiment, in addition to the case where the update target includes the hot water supply software SW1 of the water heater 11 (YES in S4), the operation of the water heater 11 is also stopped when the update target includes the operating software SW3 of the kitchen remote control 20 (YES in S10). In other words, "software related to the operation of the water heater 11" refers to either the hot water supply software SW1 of the water heater 11 or the operating software SW3 of the operating microcontroller 33.

[0044] In S20, the operating microcontroller 33 determines whether or not an update time has been entered into the time input section T1 (see Figure 3) of the time input screen SC1. If no update time has been entered into the time input section T1 (NO in S20), the operating microcontroller 33 proceeds to S24. If an update time has been entered into the time input section T1 (YES in S20), the operating microcontroller 33 proceeds to S22.

[0045] In S22, the operating microcontroller 33 waits until the update time entered in the time input unit T1, and proceeds to S26 if the current time matches the update time. In this way, by receiving the time to perform the software update related to the operation of the water heater 11 from the user via the time input unit T1 of the time input screen SC1, the software update can be performed at the update time. This prevents the water heater 11 from stopping at an unintended time by the user. The time input screen SC1 may include, in addition to or instead of the time input unit T1, an update date input unit such as a calendar. In that case, when the operating microcontroller 33 receives input of the update date from the user, it may perform the update process if the current time on that update date matches the update time entered in the time input unit T1, or the predetermined update time (for example, midnight) mentioned above. Furthermore, the time input screen SC1 may include an update process stop button to receive instructions from the user to stop the update process. In that case, the operating microcontroller 33 may terminate the update process shown in Figure 2 when it receives a selection from the user to stop the update process, and then execute the update process again when the current time matches the predetermined update time described above.

[0046] In S24, the operating microcontroller 33 determines whether the update button S1 of the time input screen SC1 displayed in S12 has been selected. The operating microcontroller 33 repeats the process in S20 until the update button S1 is selected. If the update button S1 is selected (YES in S24), the operating microcontroller 33 proceeds to S26.

[0047] In S26, the operating microcontroller 33 displays the operation stop screen SC2 on the display unit 22. The operation stop screen SC2 includes a message indicating that the water heater 11 cannot be operated while the software related to the operation of the water heater 11 is being updated, and a display end button S2 to end the display of the operation stop screen SC2. This allows the user to be informed, for example, by the operation stop screen SC2 that a software update related to the operation of the water heater 11 is about to be performed and that the water heater 11 will be inoperable during the software update. The operating microcontroller 33 stops displaying the operation stop screen SC2 in response to the selection of the display end button S2. Note that the operation stop screen SC2 does not necessarily have to include the display end button S2. In that case, the operating microcontroller 33 may continue to display it until the update process is completed.

[0048] In S28, the operating microcontroller 33 transmits the operation stop screen data to the mobile terminal 40. The operating microcontroller 33 transmits, for example, the operation stop screen data and the serial number of the hot water supply unit 10 to the server 50. The server 50 identifies AP1 using the identification information it stores in association with the received serial number and transmits the operation stop screen data to AP1 (i.e., the mobile terminal 40). When the control microcontroller 47 of the mobile terminal 40 receives the operation stop screen data, it uses AP1 to display the operation stop screen SC2 described above on the display unit 42. This makes it possible to more reliably inform the user, for example, that a software update related to the operation of the water heater 11 is about to be performed, and that the water heater 11 will be unable to operate during the software update, even if the user is not near the kitchen remote control 20, via the mobile terminal 40 carried by the user. After transmitting the operation stop screen data to the mobile terminal 40, the operating microcontroller 33 proceeds to S30.

[0049] In S30, the operating microcontroller 33 determines whether the water heater 11 is currently operating or not. For example, the operating microcontroller 33 determines that the water heater 11 is operating if the burner 13 of the water heater 11 is ignited. If the operating microcontroller 33 determines that the water heater 11 is not operating (NO in S30), it skips S32 and proceeds to S50. If the operating microcontroller 33 determines that the water heater 11 is operating (YES in S30), it proceeds to S32.

[0050] In S32, the operating microcontroller 33 sends a control signal to the water heater 11 to stop its operation. This stops the operation of the water heater 11. If the operating microcontroller 33 determines that the water heater 11 is operating (YES in S30), it may return to S12, display the time input screen SC1, and accept input of the updated time from the user.

[0051] In S50, the operating microcontroller 33 performs the update of the target to be updated. This updates the target to the latest version. Once the operation of the operating microcontroller 33 has finished performing the update of the target to be updated, it terminates the process shown in Figure 2.

[0052] In S14, if the update target includes the display software SW4 (YES in S14), the operating microcontroller 33 proceeds to S40. In S40, the operating microcontroller 33 displays the operable screen SC3 on the display unit 22 of the kitchen remote control 20. As shown in Figure 3, the operable screen SC3 includes a message indicating that the display on the display unit 42 of the kitchen remote control 20 will be stopped while the display software SW4 is being updated, a message indicating that the water heater 11 is operable even while the display software SW4 is being updated and can be operated via the mobile terminal 40, and a display end button S3. This informs the user that the display software SW4 update is about to be performed, that the screen display on the display unit 22 will be stopped while the display software SW4 is being updated, but that the water heater 11 is operable and can be remotely operated by the mobile terminal 40. The operating microcontroller 33 terminates the display of the operable screen SC3 in response to the selection of the display end button S3.

[0053] In S42, the operating microcontroller 33 transmits the operable screen data to the mobile terminal 40 via the server 50, similar to S28 described above. Upon receiving the operable screen data, the mobile terminal 40 displays the operable screen SC3 described above on the display unit 42. This allows the user to view the operable screen SC3 via the mobile terminal 40. After transmitting the operable screen data to the mobile terminal 40, the process proceeds to S50. As a result, the update target is updated to the latest version, as described above, and the process shown in Figure 2 is completed.

[0054] (Effects of this embodiment) Thus, in the hot water supply system 100 of this embodiment, the microcontrollers 31, 33, and 36 of the water heater 11 are mounted on separate chips C1, C2, and C3. Therefore, even if the display software SW4 of the display microcontroller 36 is being updated (YES in S14), the burner 13 can be controlled by the operating microcontroller 33 unless the operating software SW3 of the operating microcontroller 33 is being updated (NO in S10). The user can remotely control the burner 13 via the operating microcontroller 33 using a mobile terminal 40, thus improving user convenience compared to conventional technology.

[0055] (Correspondence) The hot water supply system 100 is an example of an "equipment system". The hot water supply unit 10 is an example of an "equipment". The burner 13 is an example of an "operating unit". The display unit 22 is an example of a "notification unit". The display microcontroller 36 is an example of a "notification microcontroller", and the display software SW4 is an example of "notification software". The water heater 11 is an example of a "main unit". The kitchen remote control 20 is an example of a "remote control". Chips C2 and C3 are examples of a "first chip" and a "second chip", respectively. The operation stop screen SC2 is an example of "information indicating that the operating unit cannot operate during the operation update period". The operation enabled screen SC3 is an example of "information indicating that remote operation by the mobile terminal can be performed during the notification update period". The time input screen SC1 is an example of an "input screen".

[0056] (Modification 1) The kitchen remote control 20 may be equipped with a speaker in place of, or in addition to, the display unit 22. The operating microcontroller 33 may, for example, in S40 of Figure 2, output an audio message to the speaker indicating that remote operation of the water heater 11 by the mobile terminal 40 is possible, in place of, or in addition to, the operable screen SC3. In this embodiment, the speaker is an example of a "notification unit".

[0057] (Modification 2) The hot water supply system 100 does not need to have a kitchen remote control 20. In that case, for example, the water heater 11 may have a display unit, an operation unit, a Wi-Fi interface and a microcontroller unit. In this modification, the water heater 11 may be directly remotely controlled by a mobile terminal 40 via a Wi-Fi interface. In that case, the operating microcontroller of the water heater 11 may perform the processing shown in Figure 2. In this modification, the operating microcontroller included in the microcontroller unit of the water heater 11 is an example of an "operating microcontroller". That is, the "equipment" does not have to be divided into a "main unit" and a "remote control".

[0058] (Modification 3) The operating microcontroller 33 does not have to perform the process in S26 of Figure 2. In other words, the "related information" does not have to include "information indicating that the operating unit cannot operate during the operation update period."

[0059] (Modification 4) The operating microcontroller 33 does not have to perform the process in S40 of Figure 2. That is, the "related information" does not have to include "information indicating that remote operation by the mobile terminal is possible during the notification update period."

[0060] (Modification 5) The operating microcontroller 33 does not have to execute the process in S12 of Figure 2. In other words, the "related information" does not have to include the "input screen".

[0061] (Modification 6) The equipment is not limited to the hot water supply unit 10. For example, the equipment may be a hot water supply unit consisting of a water heater 11 and a bath remote control located in the bathroom. In further modifications, the equipment may be a bathroom drying unit consisting of a bathroom dryer and a dressing room remote control located in the dressing room, or a floor heating unit consisting of a floor heating unit and a floor heating remote control.

[0062] 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]

[0063] 2: Housing 4: Router 5: Internet 10: Hot water supply unit 11: Water heater 13: Burner 15,25:Wired I / F 17,47: Control microcontroller 19,32,34,38,49: Memory 20: Kitchen remote control 21: Cabinet 22,42:Display section 24,44:Operation unit 30: Microcontroller Unit 31: Wireless Microcontroller 33: Operating microcontroller 36: Display Microcontroller 40: Mobile devices 46: Cellular Interface 50: Server 100: Hot water supply system B1: Board C1, C2, C3: Chips L1: Two-core cable SC1: Time input screen SC2: Operation stop screen SC3: Operable screen SW1: Hot water supply software SW2: Wireless Software SW3: Operating Software SW4: Display Software T1: Time input section

Claims

1. Equipment and systems, Equipment and machinery installed in the building, A portable terminal capable of communicating with the aforementioned equipment, Equipped with, The aforementioned equipment and machinery are The operating part and A notification unit that notifies relevant information related to the aforementioned operating unit, An operating microcontroller containing operating software for controlling the aforementioned operating unit, A notification microcontroller containing notification software for controlling the notification unit, Equipped with, The aforementioned operating microcontroller and the aforementioned notification microcontroller are each mounted on separate chips. The aforementioned mobile terminal is During the operation update period in which the operation software is being updated, remote operation of the operation unit via the operation microcontroller becomes impossible. During a notification update period in which the notification software is being updated but the operating software is not being updated, it is possible to remotely control the operating unit via the operating microcontroller. Equipment and systems.

2. The aforementioned equipment and machinery are The device body equipped with the aforementioned operating part, A remote control equipped with the aforementioned notification unit and capable of communicating with the main unit and the mobile terminal, It is equipped with, The aforementioned remote control is The first chip on which the aforementioned operating microcontroller is mounted, The second chip, on which the aforementioned notification microcontroller is mounted, It has an enclosure that houses the The equipment system according to claim 1.

3. The equipment system according to claim 1, wherein the related information includes information indicating that the operating unit cannot operate during the operating update period.

4. The equipment system according to claim 1, wherein the related information includes information indicating that remote operation by the mobile terminal is possible during the notification update period.

5. The notification unit includes a display unit that displays the related information, The aforementioned related information includes an input screen that accepts input from the user for the update time when the software update of the operating microcontroller will be performed. The equipment system according to claim 1.

6. The aforementioned operating unit includes a heat source for heating water. The aforementioned equipment functions as a water heater. The equipment system according to claim 1.

7. Equipment installed in a building, It is configured to communicate with mobile devices, The operating part and A notification unit that notifies relevant information related to the aforementioned operating unit, An operating microcontroller containing operating software for controlling the aforementioned operating unit, A notification microcontroller containing notification software for controlling the notification unit, Equipped with, The aforementioned operating microcontroller and the aforementioned notification microcontroller are each mounted on separate chips. The aforementioned mobile terminal is During the operation update period in which the operation software is being updated, remote operation of the operation unit via the operation microcontroller becomes impossible. During a notification update period in which the notification software is being updated but the operating software is not being updated, it is possible to remotely control the operating unit via the operating microcontroller. equipment.

8. A remote control for operating equipment installed in a building, It is configured to communicate with mobile devices, The aforementioned remote control is A notification unit that notifies relevant information related to the operating part of the aforementioned equipment, An operating microcontroller containing operating software for controlling the aforementioned operating unit, A notification microcontroller containing notification software for controlling the notification unit, Equipped with, The aforementioned operating microcontroller and the aforementioned notification microcontroller are each mounted on separate chips. The aforementioned mobile terminal is During the operation update period in which the operation software is being updated, remote operation of the operation unit via the operation microcontroller becomes impossible. During a notification update period in which the notification software is being updated but the operating software is not being updated, it is possible to remotely control the operating unit via the operating microcontroller. Remote control.

9. An application program for a mobile terminal that can communicate with equipment installed in a building, The aforementioned equipment and machinery are The operating part and A notification unit that notifies relevant information related to the aforementioned operating unit, An operating microcontroller containing operating software for controlling the aforementioned operating unit, A notification microcontroller containing notification software for controlling the notification unit, Equipped with, The aforementioned operating microcontroller and the aforementioned notification microcontroller are each mounted on separate chips. The aforementioned application program, During the operation update period in which the operation software is being updated, remote operation of the operation unit via the operation microcontroller becomes impossible. During a notification update period in which the notification software is being updated but the operating software is not being updated, it is possible to remotely control the operating unit via the operating microcontroller. Application program.

Images