Equipment systems, equipment, and communication terminals

Abstract

We provide technology that can improve user convenience. [Solution] The equipment system may include equipment and a communication terminal capable of communicating with the equipment via a predetermined communication line. The equipment system may be configured to perform normal communication processing, which involves normal communication between the equipment and the communication terminal, and update software transmission processing, which involves sending update software for the equipment from the communication terminal to the equipment. The equipment system may perform normal communication processing in a first communication mode. The equipment system may perform update software transmission processing in a second communication mode. The data transmission efficiency between the equipment and the communication terminal in the second communication mode may be higher than the data transmission efficiency between the equipment and the communication terminal in the first communication mode.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to facility equipment systems, facility equipment, and communication terminals.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a facility equipment system including facility equipment and a communication terminal capable of communicating with the facility equipment via a predetermined communication line. The facility equipment system is configured to be capable of executing normal communication processing for performing normal communication between the facility equipment and the communication terminal, and update software transmission processing for transmitting update software for the facility equipment from the communication terminal to the facility equipment.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] During the execution of the update software transmission process, the normal operation of the facility equipment (for example, the hot water supply operation) may become impossible to execute. Therefore, if the time required for the execution of the update software transmission process is long, the time during which the normal operation of the facility equipment becomes impossible to execute becomes long, and there is a risk that the convenience of the user is impaired. In this specification, a technology capable of improving the convenience of the user is provided.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] In a first aspect of this technology, the equipment system may include equipment and a communication terminal capable of communicating with the equipment via a predetermined communication line. The equipment system may be configured to perform normal communication processing, which involves normal communication between the equipment and the communication terminal, and update software transmission processing, which involves transmitting update software for the equipment from the communication terminal to the equipment. The equipment system may perform the normal communication processing in a first communication mode. The equipment system may perform the update software transmission processing in a second communication mode. The data transmission efficiency between the equipment and the communication terminal in the second communication mode may be higher than the data transmission efficiency between the equipment and the communication terminal in the first communication mode.

[0006] According to the above configuration, the data transmission efficiency between the equipment and the communication terminal when the update software transmission process is executed is higher than the data transmission efficiency between the equipment and the communication terminal when normal communication processing is executed. As a result, the time required to execute the update software transmission process can be reduced, which in turn reduces the time during which the equipment is unable to perform its normal operation, and thus improves user convenience.

[0007] In a second aspect of this technology, in the first aspect described above, the communication speed in the second communication mode may be higher than the communication speed in the first communication mode. It should be noted that "communication speed" as used herein refers to the actual speed of communication conducted over the communication line, and does not indicate the communication capacity of the communication line.

[0008] With the above configuration, the communication speed when the update software transmission process is executed will be higher than the communication speed when the normal communication process is executed. As a result, the data transmission efficiency when the update software transmission process is executed can be made higher than the data transmission efficiency when the normal communication process is executed.

[0009] In a third aspect of this technology, in the first or second aspect described above, the equipment system may further include an accessory device configured to communicate with each of the equipment and the communication terminal via the communication line. The first communication mode may be a one-to-many or many-to-many communication mode between the equipment, the communication terminal and the accessory device. The second communication mode may be a one-to-one communication mode between the equipment and the communication terminal.

[0010] According to the above configuration, when normal communication processing is performed, each piece of equipment and communication terminal communicates with auxiliary equipment via the communication line. In contrast, when update software transmission processing is performed, each piece of equipment and communication terminal ceases to communicate with auxiliary equipment via the communication line. This makes it possible to achieve higher data transmission efficiency when update software transmission processing is performed than when normal communication processing is performed.

[0011] In a fourth aspect of this technology, in the third aspect described above, the first communication mode may be a time-division multiplexing communication mode between the equipment, the communication terminal, and the accessory equipment.

[0012] According to the above configuration, when normal communication processing is performed, the time to transmit data over the communication line is allocated not only to the equipment and communication terminals but also to auxiliary equipment. In contrast, when update software transmission processing is performed, the time to transmit data over the communication line is not allocated to auxiliary equipment. This makes it possible to achieve higher data transmission efficiency when update software transmission processing is performed than when normal communication processing is performed.

[0013] In a fifth aspect of this technology, in any one of the first to fourth aspects described above, the equipment system may be able to set an execution schedule time, which is a time related to the scheduled execution of the update software transmission process. The equipment system may not perform the update software transmission process if the equipment is performing a predetermined operation when the scheduled execution time is reached.

[0014] If equipment is performing a predetermined operation (e.g., hot water supply) and that operation is interrupted for a software update, user convenience may be impaired. With the above configuration, even if the time for executing the software transmission process has arrived, if the equipment is performing a predetermined operation, the software transmission process can be postponed (i.e., the software update can be postponed). This prevents the predetermined operation of the equipment from being interrupted for a software update, thereby improving user convenience.

[0015] In a sixth aspect of this technology, the equipment may be able to communicate with a communication terminal via a predetermined communication line. The equipment may be configured to perform normal communication processing, which involves normal communication with the communication terminal, and update software reception processing, which involves receiving update software for the equipment from the communication terminal. The equipment may perform the normal communication processing in a first communication mode. The equipment may perform the update software reception processing in a second communication mode. The data transmission efficiency between the equipment and the communication terminal in the second communication mode may be higher than the data transmission efficiency between the equipment and the communication terminal in the first communication mode.

[0016] According to the above configuration, the time required to execute the update software reception process can be reduced, thereby reducing the time during which the equipment cannot operate normally, and thus improving user convenience.

[0017] In a seventh aspect of the present technology, the communication terminal may be capable of communicating with the facility equipment via a predetermined communication line. The communication terminal may be configured to be capable of executing normal communication processing for performing normal communication with the facility equipment and update software transmission processing for transmitting update software for the facility equipment to the facility equipment. The communication terminal may execute the normal communication processing in a first communication mode. The communication terminal may execute the update software transmission processing in a second communication mode. The data transmission efficiency between the facility equipment and the communication terminal in the second communication mode may be higher than the data transmission efficiency between the facility equipment and the communication terminal in the first communication mode.

[0018] According to the above configuration, the time required to execute the update software transmission processing can be shortened, so the time during which the normal operation of the facility equipment becomes impossible can be shortened, and thus the convenience for the user can be improved.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0019] [Figure 1] It is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the facility equipment system 2 according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a flowchart of the software update management process executed by the facility equipment system 2 according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] It is a diagram schematically showing the communication mode when normal communication is executed in the facility equipment system 2 according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] It is a diagram schematically showing the communication mode when transmission of update software from the kitchen remote controller 8 to the water heater 4 is executed in the facility equipment system 2 according to the embodiment.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] (Embodiment) As shown in FIG. 1, the facility equipment system 2 includes a water heater 4, a bathroom remote controller 6, a kitchen remote controller 8, a wireless LAN router 10, a server 12, and a mobile terminal 14.

[0021] The water heater 4 is installed, for example, in the home of a user who will be using the water heater 4. The water heater 4 comprises a heating unit 16, a communication interface 18, and a microcomputer 20. The heating unit 16 comprises, for example, a heat pump, a gas burner, an oil burner, an electric heating device, and / or an induction heating device. The water heater 4 can perform hot water supply operations by heating water using the heating unit 16 and supplying the heated water to predetermined locations. Hot water supply operations here refer to, for example, supplying hot water to a tap, filling a bathtub, reheating water in a bathtub, supplying hot water to a heating appliance (i.e., heating), and heating water in a hot water storage tank. A two-core signal line 22 is connected to the communication interface 18. The water heater 4 can communicate with the kitchen remote control 8 and the bathroom remote control 6 via the signal line 22. That is, the water heater 4 is wired to the kitchen remote control 8 and the bathroom remote control 6. In this embodiment, the signal line 22 also functions as a power line for supplying DC power generated from a power source (e.g., commercial power) connected to the water heater 4 to the kitchen remote control 8 and the bathroom remote control 6. Therefore, on the signal line 22, the power for communication is superimposed on the power from the power source. The microcontroller 20 is composed of a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. The microcontroller 20 includes a software storage unit 24 that stores the software for the water heater 4. The software storage unit 24 is, for example, part of the ROM. The microcontroller 20 controls the water heater 4 based on the software stored in the software storage unit 24. The software stored in the software storage unit 24 can also be said to be the software applied to the water heater 4.

[0022] The bathroom remote control 6 is installed, for example, in the bathroom of the user's house. The bathroom remote control 6 includes an operation unit 26, a display unit 28, a communication interface 30, a microcomputer 32, and a storage unit 34. The operation unit 26 includes, for example, a switch (not shown) operable by the user. The user can input various instructions and information into the bathroom remote control 6 via the operation unit 26. The display unit 28 includes, for example, a display (not shown) for displaying various information. A signal line 22 is connected to the communication interface 30. The bathroom remote control 6 can communicate with each of the water heater 4 and the kitchen remote control 8 via the signal line 22. The microcomputer 32 is composed of a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, etc. The microcomputer 32 controls the bathroom remote control 6. The storage unit 34 includes, for example, a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM or a flash memory. Various settings related to the water heater 4 (for example, the setting of the hot water supply temperature to the bathtub, the setting of the hot water filling temperature to the bathtub, the setting of the heating temperature, the setting of the boiling temperature of the water in the hot water storage tank) are stored in the storage unit 34.

[0023] The kitchen remote control 8 is installed, for example, in the kitchen of the user's house. The kitchen remote control 8 includes an operation unit 36, a display unit 38, a communication interface 40, a wireless module 42, a microcomputer 44, and a storage unit 46. The operation unit 36 includes, for example, a switch (not shown) operable by the user. The user can input various instructions and information into the kitchen remote control 8 via the operation unit 36. The display unit 38 includes, for example, a display (not shown) for displaying various information. A signal line 22 is connected to the communication interface 40. The kitchen remote control 8 can communicate with each of the water heater 4 and the bathroom remote control 6 via the signal line 22. The microcomputer 44 is composed of a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, etc. The microcomputer 44 controls the kitchen remote control 8. The wireless module 42 is an interface for performing wireless communication. The wireless module 42 can perform wireless communication with the server 12 via the wireless LAN router 10. The storage unit 46 includes, for example, a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM or a flash memory. Similar to the aforementioned storage unit 34, various settings related to the water heater 4 are stored in the storage unit 46.

[0024] When any settings are changed on either the kitchen remote control 8 or the bathroom remote control 6, the changes are transmitted via the signal line 22 to the other kitchen remote control 8 or bathroom remote control 6, as well as to the water heater 4. The other kitchen remote control 8 or bathroom remote control 6 then makes the same setting changes. As a result, the settings are shared between the kitchen remote control 8, the bathroom remote control 6, and the water heater 4.

[0025] Server 12 is managed by the manufacturer that produced the water heater 4. A storage device 48 is connected to Server 12. The storage device 48 includes, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive). When the manufacturer of the water heater 4 creates update software to update the software of the water heater 4, the update software is stored in the storage device 48 as needed.

[0026] The mobile terminal 14 is, for example, a smartphone, tablet, or PC. The mobile terminal 14 is equipped with user-operable switches (not shown) and a display (not shown) that displays various information. The mobile terminal 14 may also be equipped with a touch panel that functions as both a switch and a display. The mobile terminal 14 can communicate wirelessly with the server 12 via the wireless LAN router 10 or using mobile communication such as 4G or 5G. The mobile terminal 14 can also communicate wirelessly with the wireless module 42 of the kitchen remote control 8 via the wireless LAN router 10 or using short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth®. The mobile terminal 14 has a water heater application installed, provided by the manufacturer of the water heater 4. The water heater application is an application program for receiving various information from the kitchen remote control 8 and the server 12, and for sending various instructions to the kitchen remote control 8 and the server 12.

[0027] (Software update management process: Figure 2) The software update management process is the process related to updating the software of the water heater 4. The software update management process is run continuously as long as power is supplied to the water heater 4, the kitchen remote control 8, and the bathroom remote control 6.

[0028] In S2, when power is supplied to the equipment system 2, normal communication begins between the water heater 4, the kitchen remote control 8, and the bathroom remote control 6. Normal communication here includes, for example, sharing settings between the water heater 4, the kitchen remote control 8, and the bathroom remote control 6; sending instructions from the kitchen remote control 8 (or bathroom remote control 6) to the water heater 4 to start / stop hot water supply; and sending the operating status of the water heater 4 from the water heater 4 to the kitchen remote control 8 and the bathroom remote control 6. As shown in Figure 3, during normal communication, the water heater 4, the kitchen remote control 8, and the bathroom remote control 6 alternately output signals to the signal line 22. Normal communication is performed at the first communication speed (e.g., 9600bps). In the example in Figure 3, the signal output from the water heater 4 to the signal line 22 is indicated as "100a", the signal output from the kitchen remote control 8 to the signal line 22 is indicated as "100b", and the signal output from the bathroom remote control 6 to the signal line 22 is indicated as "100c". In this embodiment, normal communication is time-division multiplexing (TDS) communication between the water heater 4, the kitchen remote control 8, and the bathroom remote control 6. Specifically, TDS is a communication method in which the order in which each device outputs a signal to the signal line 22, the time it takes for that order to complete one cycle (called a communication frame), and the time within a communication frame for each device to output a signal to the signal line 22 (called a time slot) are defined. In this embodiment, TDS is achieved by having the water heater 4 output signal 100a to the signal line 22, the kitchen remote control 8 and the bathroom remote control 6 receive signal 100a from the water heater 4 and then output signals 100b and 100c to the signal line 22 at different timings, and the water heater 4 output signal 100a again after receiving signals 100b and 100c from the kitchen remote control 8 and the bathroom remote control 6 respectively. In another example, normal communication may be polling communication. Polling-based communication is a method in which a master device (e.g., water heater 4) sequentially queries slave devices (e.g., kitchen remote control 8 and bathroom remote control 6) for the presence of a transmission request, and a device that has a transmission request outputs a signal on signal line 22 in response to the query. In another example, normal communication may be conducted using a token passing method.Token passing communication is a method in which a token, which is the right to send a message, is passed around among the devices in sequence, and the device holding the token outputs a signal to the signal line 22. In this way, normal communication takes place between three or more devices, that is, it is one-to-many or many-to-many communication. One-to-many communication refers to a situation where only one specific device communicates with two or more other devices, while many-to-many communication refers to a situation where any device communicates with two or more other devices. After S2, the process proceeds to S4.

[0029] In S4, the equipment system 2 determines whether or not update software for the water heater 4 is stored in the storage device 48 of the server 12. Specifically, the kitchen remote control 8 queries the server 12 for the presence of the update software to determine its availability. If the server 12 does not have the update software (NO), the process repeats S4. During this time, the water heater 4, the kitchen remote control 8, and the bathroom remote control 6 continue normal communication. If the server 12 has the update software (YES), the process proceeds to S6.

[0030] In S6, the equipment system 2 determines whether the current time has reached the scheduled time for performing a software update for the water heater 4. The scheduled time for the software update is set automatically, for example, by the kitchen remote control 8. The scheduled time for the software update may also be set by the user via the kitchen remote control 8. The scheduled time for the software update may also be set to a time when the water heater 4 is not expected to perform hot water supply operations (for example, at night). If the current time has not reached the scheduled time for the software update (NO), the process returns to S4. If the current time has reached the scheduled time for the software update (YES), the process proceeds to S8. Note that if the current time has reached the scheduled time for the software update, the kitchen remote control 8 may query the server 12 for the availability of the update software.

[0031] In S8, the equipment system 2 determines whether the water heater 4 is performing a hot water supply operation. If the water heater 4 is performing a hot water supply operation (YES), the process returns to S4. If the water heater 4 is not performing a hot water supply operation (NO), the process proceeds to S10.

[0032] In S10, the equipment system 2 stops the normal communication that started in S2 (or S18, described later) and prohibits subsequent hot water supply operations. Hot water supply operations are prohibited until normal communication resumes in the following process. While normal communication is stopped (i.e., while hot water supply operations are prohibited), the equipment system 2 causes the display unit 38 of the kitchen remote control 8 and the display unit 28 of the bathroom remote control 6 to display a predetermined message (for example, a message indicating that hot water supply operations are prohibited). After S10, the process proceeds to S12.

[0033] In S12, the equipment system 2 downloads the update software from the server 12 to the kitchen remote control 8. Specifically, the server 12 sends the update software to the communication module of the kitchen remote control 8 via packet communication, and the communication module stores the received packets in the storage unit 46. The download of the update software from the server 12 to the kitchen remote control 8 is performed at a second communication speed (for example, 38400 bps). The second communication speed is higher than the first communication speed described in S2. After S12, the process proceeds to S14.

[0034] In S14, the equipment system 2 transmits the update software from the kitchen remote control 8 to the water heater 4. During this time, one-to-one communication takes place between the water heater 4 and the kitchen remote control 8 via the signal line 22. As shown in Figure 4, while the update software is being transmitted from the kitchen remote control 8 to the water heater 4, the kitchen remote control 8 and the water heater 4 alternately output signals to the signal line 22. Specifically, the kitchen remote control 8 outputs a packet 100p of the update software stored in the memory unit 46 to the signal line 22, and the water heater 4 outputs a reception signal 100r to the signal line 22 indicating that it has received the packet 100p. This exchange is repeated. During this time, the bathroom remote control 6 does not output a signal to the signal line 22, but it may receive the signal output to the signal line 22. The transmission of the update software from the kitchen remote control 8 to the water heater 4 is performed at the third communication speed (for example, 19200bps). The third communication speed is higher than the first communication speed described in S2, and lower than the second communication speed described in S12. Note that the process in S12 (i.e., downloading the update software from the server 12 to the kitchen remote control 8) and the process in S14 (i.e., sending the update software from the kitchen remote control 8 to the water heater 4) are executed in parallel. Once the process in S14 (i.e., sending the update software from the kitchen remote control 8 to the water heater 4) is completed, the process proceeds to S16.

[0035] In S16, the equipment system 2 applies the update software to the water heater 4. Specifically, the microcontroller 20 of the water heater 4 overwrites the software stored in the software storage unit 24 with the update software received from the kitchen remote control 8 in S14. After S16, the process proceeds to S18.

[0036] In S18, the equipment system 2 determines whether the application of the update software to the water heater 4 is complete. In this embodiment, the water heater 4 is configured to output an application completion signal to the signal line 22 after the application of the update software is complete. Therefore, the kitchen remote control 8 and the bathroom remote control 6, each connected to the signal line 22, can determine that the application of the update software to the water heater 4 is complete upon receiving the application completion signal. In another example, the kitchen remote control 8 and the bathroom remote control 6 may each determine that the application of the update software to the water heater 4 is complete after a predetermined time (e.g., 40 minutes) has elapsed since the kitchen remote control 8 started transmitting the update software in the processing of S14. In this case, the predetermined time may be appropriately changed depending on the data capacity of the update software. In yet another example, the kitchen remote control 8 and the bathroom remote control 6 may each determine that the application of the update software to the water heater 4 is complete after a predetermined time (e.g., 3 minutes) has elapsed since the kitchen remote control 8 finished transmitting the update software in the processing of S14. If the application of the update software to water heater 4 is not complete (NO), the process repeats S18. If the application of the update software to water heater 4 is complete (YES), the process proceeds to S20.

[0037] In S20, the equipment system 2 resumes normal communication that was stopped in S10 and allows subsequent hot water supply operations. After S20, the process returns to S4.

[0038] (Advantages of software update management processes) In the case where the update software is sent from the kitchen remote control 8 to the water heater 4 (see Figure 4), unlike in the case where normal communication is performed (see Figure 3), the bathroom remote control 6 does not output a signal to the signal line 22. Furthermore, in the case where the update software is sent, the communication speed on the signal line 22 is higher than in the case where normal communication is performed. Due to these two factors, the data transmission efficiency between the kitchen remote control 8 and the water heater 4 in the case where the update software is sent is higher than the data transmission efficiency between the kitchen remote control 8 and the water heater 4 in the case where normal communication is performed. As a result, the time required to send the update software is shortened, and consequently, the time during which the water heater 4's hot water operation is prohibited is also shortened.

[0039] (modified version) (See Figure 1) The water heater 4 may be replaced with a different piece of equipment (for example, a cooking appliance, a clothes dryer, a dishwasher, a bathroom heater / dryer, a tank device, a microbubble generator, or a fuel cell power generator). In this case, the kitchen remote control 8 may be configured to download update software corresponding to the equipment from the server 12 and transmit it to the equipment. The kitchen remote control 8 may also be replaced with another communication terminal equivalent to the kitchen remote control 8 (i.e., a communication terminal corresponding to the replaced equipment) depending on whether the water heater 4 is replaced with a different piece of equipment.

[0040] (See Figure 1) The water heater 4, kitchen remote control 8, and bathroom remote control 6 may be connected wirelessly via a wireless communication line (for example, a wireless LAN communication line) instead of being connected via a wired connection through the signal line 22. Therefore, communication between the water heater 4, kitchen remote control 8, and bathroom remote control 6 via the signal line 22 may be performed via a wireless communication line.

[0041] (See Figures 3 and 4) The communication speed in the case where the update software is sent from the kitchen remote control 8 to the water heater 4 (i.e., the third communication speed) may be less than or equal to the communication speed in the case where normal communication is performed (i.e., the first communication speed). In this example as well, in the case where the update software is sent from the kitchen remote control 8 to the water heater 4, one-to-one communication is performed between the kitchen remote control 8 and the water heater 4, and as a result, the data transmission efficiency between the kitchen remote control 8 and the water heater 4 may be higher than in the case where normal communication is performed.

[0042] (See Figures 1, 3, and 4) The equipment system 2 does not necessarily have to include a bathroom remote control 6. As a result, even in cases where normal communication is performed, one-to-one communication between the kitchen remote control 8 and the water heater 4 may be performed. In this example as well, in cases where update software is sent from the kitchen remote control 8 to the water heater 4, the communication speed is higher, and as a result, the data transmission efficiency between the kitchen remote control 8 and the water heater 4 may be higher than in cases where normal communication is performed.

[0043] (See Figure 2) If the water heater 4 is performing hot water supply operation when the current time reaches the scheduled software update execution time (i.e., if the answer in S8 is YES), the equipment system 2 may cause the water heater 4 to stop its hot water supply operation and perform a software update for the water heater 4 (i.e., S10-S20).

[0044] (See Figure 2) The kitchen remote control 8 does not have to perform the S12 process (i.e., downloading the update software from the server 12 to the kitchen remote control 8) and the S14 process (i.e., sending the update software from the kitchen remote control 8 to the water heater 4) in parallel. In other words, the kitchen remote control 8 may perform the S14 process (i.e., sending the update software from the kitchen remote control 8 to the water heater 4) after the S12 process (i.e., downloading the update software from the server 12 to the kitchen remote control 8) has been completed.

[0045] (See Figure 4) The time width of packet 100p and the time width of received signal 100r may be different. That is, the time width of packet 100p may be made longer, and the time width of received signal 100r may be made shorter. Furthermore, the water heater 4 does not have to output the received signal 100r.

[0046] (See Figure 2) When the kitchen remote control 8 performs the processes of S12 and S14 in parallel, it may send the update software downloaded from the server 12 to the water heater 4 at any time without storing it in the storage unit 46.

[0047] (Features of the example) In one or more embodiments, the equipment system 2 includes a water heater 4 and a kitchen remote control 8 (example of a communication terminal) that can communicate with the water heater 4 (example of equipment) via a signal line 22 (example of a communication line). The equipment system 2 is configured to perform normal communication processing, which involves normal communication between the water heater 4 and the kitchen remote control 8, and update software transmission processing, which involves sending update software for the water heater 4 from the kitchen remote control 8 to the water heater 4. The equipment system 2 performs normal communication processing in the communication mode shown in Figure 3 (example of a first communication mode). The equipment system 2 performs update software transmission processing in the communication mode shown in Figure 4 (example of a second communication mode). The data transmission efficiency between the water heater 4 and the kitchen remote control 8 in the communication mode shown in Figure 4 is higher than the data transmission efficiency between the water heater 4 and the kitchen remote control 8 in the communication mode shown in Figure 3.

[0048] According to the above configuration, the data transmission efficiency between the water heater 4 and the kitchen remote control 8 when the update software transmission process is performed is higher than the data transmission efficiency between the water heater 4 and the kitchen remote control 8 when normal communication processing is performed. As a result, the time required to perform the update software transmission process can be reduced, which in turn reduces the time during which the water heater 4 is unable to operate, and thus improves user convenience.

[0049] In one or more embodiments, the communication speed in the communication mode shown in Figure 4 (i.e., the third communication speed) is higher than the communication speed in the communication mode shown in Figure 3 (i.e., the first communication speed).

[0050] With the above configuration, the communication speed when the update software transmission process is executed will be higher than the communication speed when the normal communication process is executed. As a result, the data transmission efficiency when the update software transmission process is executed can be made higher than the data transmission efficiency when the normal communication process is executed.

[0051] In one or more embodiments, the equipment system 2 further includes a bathroom remote control 6 (an example of an accessory) configured to communicate with each of the water heater 4 and the kitchen remote control 8 via a signal line 22. The communication configuration shown in Figure 3 is a one-to-many or many-to-many communication configuration between the water heater 4, the kitchen remote control 8, and the bathroom remote control 6. The communication configuration shown in Figure 4 is a one-to-one communication configuration between the water heater 4 and the kitchen remote control 8.

[0052] With the above configuration, when normal communication processing is performed, the water heater 4 and the kitchen remote control 8 each communicate with the bathroom remote control 6 via the signal line 22. In contrast, when the update software transmission processing is performed, the water heater 4 and the kitchen remote control 8 each cease to communicate with the bathroom remote control 6 via the signal line 22. This makes it possible to achieve higher data transmission efficiency when the update software transmission processing is performed compared to when normal communication processing is performed.

[0053] In one or more embodiments, the communication mode shown in Figure 3 is a time-division multiplexing communication mode between the water heater 4, the kitchen remote control 8, and the bathroom remote control 6.

[0054] With the above configuration, when normal communication processing is performed, the time to transmit data via signal line 22 is allocated not only to the water heater 4 and kitchen remote control 8, but also to the bathroom remote control 6. In contrast, when update software transmission processing is performed, the time to transmit data via signal line 22 is not allocated to the bathroom remote control 6. This makes it possible to achieve higher data transmission efficiency when update software transmission processing is performed than when normal communication processing is performed.

[0055] In one or more embodiments, the equipment system 2 can set a scheduled software update execution time (example of scheduled execution time), which is a time related to the scheduled execution of the software update transmission process. The equipment system 2 does not execute the software update transmission process if the water heater 4 is performing a hot water supply operation (example of a predetermined operation) when the scheduled software update execution time is reached.

[0056] If the water heater 4 is performing a hot water supply operation and this operation is interrupted for a software update, user convenience may be impaired. With the above configuration, even if the time for the scheduled execution of the software transmission process has arrived, if the water heater 4 is performing a hot water supply operation, the software transmission process can be postponed (i.e., the software update can be postponed). This prevents the water heater 4's hot water supply operation from being interrupted for a software update, thereby improving user convenience.

[0057] In one or more embodiments, the water heater 4 is capable of communicating with the kitchen remote control 8 via a signal line 22. The water heater 4 is configured to perform normal communication processing, which involves normal communication with the kitchen remote control 8, and update software reception processing, which involves receiving update software for the water heater 4 from the kitchen remote control 8. The water heater 4 performs normal communication processing in the communication mode shown in Figure 3. The water heater 4 performs update software reception processing in the communication mode shown in Figure 4. The data transmission efficiency between the water heater 4 and the kitchen remote control 8 in the communication mode shown in Figure 4 is higher than the data transmission efficiency between the water heater 4 and the kitchen remote control 8 in the communication mode shown in Figure 3.

[0058] According to the above configuration, the time required to execute the update software reception process can be reduced, thereby reducing the time during which the water heater 4 is unable to perform hot water supply operations, and thus improving user convenience.

[0059] In one or more embodiments, the kitchen remote control 8 is capable of communicating with the water heater 4 via a signal line 22. The kitchen remote control 8 is configured to perform normal communication processing, which involves normal communication with the water heater 4, and update software transmission processing, which involves sending update software to the water heater 4. The kitchen remote control 8 performs normal communication processing in the communication mode shown in Figure 3. The kitchen remote control 8 performs update software transmission processing in the communication mode shown in Figure 4. The data transmission efficiency between the water heater 4 and the kitchen remote control 8 in the communication mode shown in Figure 4 is higher than the data transmission efficiency between the water heater 4 and the kitchen remote control 8 in the communication mode shown in Figure 3.

[0060] According to the above configuration, the time required to execute the update software transmission process can be reduced, thereby reducing the time during which the water heater 4 is unable to perform hot water supply operations, and thus improving user convenience.

[0061] 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]

[0062] 2: Equipment system, 4: Water heater, 6: Bathroom remote control, 8: Kitchen remote control, 10: Wireless LAN router, 12: Server, 14: Mobile terminal, 16: Heating unit, 18: Communication interface, 20: Microcontroller, 22: Signal line, 24: Software storage unit, 26: Operation unit, 28: Display unit, 30: Communication interface, 32: Microcontroller, 34: Storage unit, 36: Operation unit, 38: Display unit, 40: Communication interface, 42: Wireless module, 44: Microcontroller, 46: Storage unit, 48: Memory device, 100a, 100b, 100c: Signal, 100p: Packet, 100r: Received signal

Claims

1. An equipment system comprising equipment and a communication terminal capable of communicating with the equipment via a predetermined communication line, The equipment system is configured to perform normal communication processing, which involves normal communication between the equipment and the communication terminal, and update software transmission processing, which involves sending update software for the equipment from the communication terminal to the equipment. The aforementioned equipment system performs the normal communication processing in a first communication mode. The aforementioned equipment system performs the update software transmission process in a second communication mode. An equipment system in which the data transmission efficiency between the equipment and the communication terminal in the second communication mode is higher than the data transmission efficiency between the equipment and the communication terminal in the first communication mode.

2. The equipment system according to claim 1, wherein the communication speed in the second communication mode is higher than the communication speed in the first communication mode.

3. The aforementioned equipment system further comprises auxiliary equipment configured to communicate with each of the equipment and the communication terminal via the communication line, The first communication mode is a one-to-many or many-to-many communication mode between the equipment, the communication terminal, and the accessory equipment. The equipment system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second communication mode is a one-to-one communication mode between the equipment and the communication terminal.

4. The equipment system according to claim 3, wherein the first communication mode is a time-division multiplexing communication mode between the equipment, the communication terminal, and the accessory equipment.

5. The aforementioned equipment system is capable of setting an execution schedule time, which is a time related to the scheduled execution of the update software transmission process. The equipment system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the equipment system does not perform the update software transmission process when the equipment is performing a predetermined operation at the scheduled execution time.

6. Equipment capable of communicating with a communication terminal via a predetermined communication line, The aforementioned equipment is configured to perform normal communication processing, which involves normal communication with the communication terminal, and update software reception processing, which involves receiving update software for the equipment from the communication terminal. The aforementioned equipment performs the normal communication processing in a first communication mode. The aforementioned equipment performs the update software reception process in a second communication mode, Equipment in which the data transmission efficiency between the equipment and the communication terminal in the second communication mode is higher than the data transmission efficiency between the equipment and the communication terminal in the first communication mode.

7. A communication terminal capable of communicating with equipment via a predetermined communication line, The communication terminal is configured to perform normal communication processing, which involves normal communication with the equipment, and update software transmission processing, which involves sending update software to the equipment. The communication terminal performs the normal communication processing in the first communication mode. The aforementioned communication terminal performs the update software transmission process in a second communication mode, A communication terminal in which the data transmission efficiency between the equipment and the communication terminal in the second communication mode is higher than the data transmission efficiency between the equipment and the communication terminal in the first communication mode.

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