Operation display device

Abstract

To provide an operation display device configured to prevent a mode from entering a maintenance mode despite an intention of a user.SOLUTION: Operation display devices 10, 20 include operation units 12, 22, display devices 13, 23, and control units 11, 21, respectively. The operation units 12, 22 each include: an operation panel 30 with a plurality of switch areas S (S1-S12) set on an operation surface 30A; and a plurality of light emitting sections L (L1-L12) arranged to correspond to the switch areas S on a back side of the operation panel 30 and configured to provide higher visibility of the switch areas S during an ON period than the visibility of the switch areas S during an OFF period. The control units 11, 21 are configured to transmit an operation command to a device 90 on the basis of operation input received by the switch areas S corresponding to the light-emitting sections L during the ON period, and configured to enter a maintenance mode on the basis of an operation input received by the switch areas S corresponding to the light-emitting sections L during the OFF period.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an operation display device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a remote control device, which is an example of a conventional operation display device. This remote control device is for operating a water heater, which is an example of equipment having a heating means. The remote control device includes a fixed switch, a fixed display unit, and a controller unit.

[0003] The fixed switch receives operational inputs for operating the water heater. The fixed display unit displays the operating status and setting values ​​of the water heater. The fixed display unit can also display information required when the fixed switch receives operational inputs. The controller unit controls the fixed display unit and receives operational inputs from the fixed switch, and transmits operational commands to the water heater to operate the water heater.

[0004] The controller unit can make the water heater perform special settings and special operations by simultaneously pressing the fixed switches as a special operation. This allows the remote control device to be more compact in electrical equipment and improves the work efficiency of test runs and maintenance inspections compared to when dedicated switches for special settings and special operations are provided. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-241765 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, with the conventional remote control device, when a user inputs an operation to the fixed switch to operate the water heater, there is a risk that the user may accidentally press the fixed switch simultaneously, which may result in the remote control device causing the water heater to execute special settings and special operations despite the user's intention.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned conventional situation, and has as its object to provide an operation display device that can prevent the user from switching to maintenance mode even when the user does not intend to do so. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The operation display device of the present invention is an operation display device for operating an apparatus having a heating means, an operation unit that receives an operation input for operating the device; a display unit that displays an operating state and a setting value of the device, the display unit being capable of displaying information required when the operation unit receives the operation input; a control unit that controls the display unit, receives the operation input from the operation unit, and transmits an operation command to the equipment to operate the equipment, the control unit being capable of shifting to a maintenance mode to cause the equipment to perform a maintenance operation including at least one of a test run of the heating means and maintenance and inspection of the heating means; Equipped with the operation unit is an operation panel having a flat operation surface, and a plurality of switch areas for receiving the operation input by touch are set on the operation surface; a plurality of light emitting units arranged behind the operation panel so as to correspond to the respective switch areas, the light emitting units having higher visibility of the switch areas when emitting light than when not emitting light; and The control unit is configured to transmit the operation command to the device based on the operation input received by the switch area corresponding to the light-emitting unit when the light is emitting light, and to transition to the maintenance mode based on the operation input received by the switch area corresponding to the light-emitting unit when the light is not emitting light.

[0009] The operation display device of the present invention transmits operation commands to the device based on operation input by the user into the switch area corresponding to the light-emitting section when it is lit, i.e., the switch area that is highly visible and easy to operate.

[0010] On the other hand, this operation display device transitions to maintenance mode based on an operation input made by an operator attempting to perform a test run or maintenance inspection of the equipment in the switch area corresponding to the non-illuminating light-emitting part, i.e., a switch area with low visibility that makes it difficult to prompt operation.

[0011] Here, the user is unlikely to operate the switch area corresponding to the light-emitting part when it is not emitting light, because the user may determine that any operation input made to that switch area will be invalid or may find it difficult to recognize that it is a switch area.

[0012] Therefore, the operation display device of the present invention can prevent the device from switching to the maintenance mode despite the user's intention.

[0013] It is desirable that the visibility of the switch area corresponding to the light-emitting portion when not emitting light is approximately equal to the visibility of the area surrounding each switch area on the operation surface.

[0014] In this case, the user will have difficulty recognizing the switch area corresponding to the non-illuminating light-emitting portion as a switch area, making it extremely unlikely that the user will operate that switch area. As a result, the operation display device can further prevent the user from switching to the maintenance mode unintentionally.

[0015] It is desirable that the control unit transition to the maintenance mode when the operation input received by the switch area corresponding to the non-emitting light-emitting unit is a special operation including at least one of a long press and a simultaneous press.

[0016] In this case, the user is less likely to perform a special operation, and as a result, the operation display device can further prevent the user from switching to the maintenance mode unintentionally.

[0017] When the control unit shifts to the maintenance mode, it is desirable that the control unit displays a plurality of maintenance items on the display unit and receives an operation input via the operation unit to select an arbitrary maintenance item from the maintenance items.

[0018] In this case, when the operator who is to carry out a test run or maintenance inspection of the equipment switches to the maintenance mode, he or she can easily select any maintenance item from a plurality of maintenance items. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] According to the operation display device of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the device from switching to the maintenance mode unintentionally by the user. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a hot water supply system to which the kitchen remote control and bathroom remote control of the embodiment are applied. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a hot water supply system to which the kitchen remote control and bathroom remote control of the embodiment are applied. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a front view of the kitchen remote control of the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a front view of the bathroom remote control of the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a front view similar to FIG. 3, showing the kitchen remote control in an unpowered state. [Figure 6]FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the AA cross section of FIG. 5, relating to the kitchen remote control of the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a front view similar to FIG. 3, showing the kitchen remote control in a state where the operation switch is pressed and the first display unit is displaying the initial screen. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a front view similar to FIG. 3, showing the kitchen remote control in a state where the first display section displays various setting menus. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a front view similar to FIG. 3, showing the kitchen remote controller with the first display section displaying the maintenance service menu. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a program for the first control unit of the kitchen remote control and the second control unit of the bathroom remote control in the embodiment to transition to and end the maintenance mode. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0022] (Example) As shown in FIG. 1, a kitchen remote control 10 and a bathroom remote control 20 of the embodiment are examples of specific aspects of the operation display device of the present invention, and are applied to a hot water supply system 1 installed in a house H1.

[0023] The house H1 is equipped with a kitchen R1 and a bathroom R2. The sink in the kitchen R1 is equipped with a mixer tap 5. The bathroom R2 is equipped with a bathtub 3, a mixer tap, and a shower (not shown).

[0024] Hot water supply system 1 includes a hot water supply device 90 installed in residence H1 and a bathroom heater 70 installed in bathroom R2. Hot water supply system 1 also includes a kitchen remote control 10 installed in kitchen R1 and a bathroom remote control 20 installed in bathroom R2. As will be explained in detail later, kitchen remote control 10 and bathroom remote control 20 are used to operate hot water supply device 90.

[0025] <Hot water supply equipment> Water heater 90 is an example of the "equipment having a heating means" of the present invention. Water heater 90 has a well-known configuration and will not be described here, but it has heating means 99, a heat exchanger, a circulation pump, and the like, which are not shown.

[0026] Heating means 99 is a gas burner that burns fuel gas such as city gas to generate high-temperature combustion gas. Water heater 90 circulates water supplied from a tap or the like through a heat exchanger (not shown) and heats the water by exchanging heat with the combustion gas generated by heating means 99, thereby heating the water and dispensing hot water.

[0027] The hot water supply device 90 is connected to the mixer faucet 5 by a kitchen supply pipe P1A. The hot water supply device 90 is also connected to the bathtub 3 by a bathtub supply pipe P3A and a bathtub return pipe P3B. The hot water supply device 90 performs circulation heating by heating the hot water using heating means 99 while circulating the hot water between the bathtub 3 and a heat exchanger (not shown) using a circulation pump (not shown).

[0028] The hot water supply device 90 heats water supplied from a tap or the like by a heating means 99, and dispenses hot water in the kitchen R1 and bathroom R2.

[0029] More specifically, the water heater 90 can perform a hot water supply operation to supply hot water to the mixer faucet 5 in the kitchen R1 and to the mixer faucet and shower (not shown) in the bathroom R2. The water heater 90 can also perform an automatic bath filling operation to automatically fill the bathtub 3 in the bathroom R2 with hot water, a reheating operation to heat the water in the bathtub 3, a hot water top-up operation to top up hot water in the bathtub 3, and a cold water top-up operation to top up cold water in the bathtub 3.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 2, water heater 90 is connected to kitchen remote control 10 and bathroom remote control 20 by wire, and communicates with them.

[0031] <Bathroom heater> As shown in Figure 1, bathroom heater 70 is installed on the ceiling of bathroom R2. Bathroom heater 70 has a well-known configuration, so a brief explanation will be given. It includes a circulation fan, a radiator, a thermal valve, and other components (not shown). Bathroom heater 70 is connected to hot water supply device 90 by heater supply piping P7A and heater return piping P7B.

[0032] The bathroom heater 70 can perform heating operation to warm the bathroom R2 by circulating the air in the bathroom R2 using a circulation fan (not shown) and heating the air with hot water supplied from the water heater 90 and flowing through a radiator (not shown).

[0033] Although not shown in the figure, the user can operate the bathroom heater 70 in heating mode or change the heating mode setting by operating the bathroom heater remote control installed in the changing room.

[0034] As shown in Figure 2, bathroom heater 70 is connected to water heater 90 by wire and communicates with water heater 90. As will be described later, bathroom heater 70 performs a bathroom heating trial run when it receives a command to perform a bathroom heating trial run from kitchen remote control 10 or bathroom remote control 20 via water heater 90.

[0035] <Kitchen and bathroom remote controls> The kitchen remote control 10 has a first control unit 11, a first display unit 13, and a first operation unit 12. The bathroom remote control 20 has a second control unit 21, a second display unit 23, and a second operation unit 22.

[0036] The first control unit 11 and the second control unit 21 are examples of the "control unit" of the present invention. The first control unit 11 and the second control unit 21 have substantially the same configuration.

[0037] The first display unit 13 and the second display unit 23 are examples of the "display unit" of the present invention. The first display unit 13 and the second display unit 23 have substantially the same configuration, and their external shapes are also substantially the same, as shown in Figures 3 and 4.

[0038] The first operation unit 12 and the second operation unit 22 are examples of the "operation unit" of the present invention. The first operation unit 12 and the second operation unit 22 have substantially the same configuration. However, the arrangement of the multiple switch areas S (S1 to S12) and multiple light-emitting units L (L1 to L12) of the first operation unit 12 is different from the arrangement of the multiple switch areas S (S1 to S12) and multiple light-emitting units L (L1 to L12) of the second operation unit 22, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0039] For this reason, the kitchen remote control 10 will be described in detail, and explanations and illustrations of the bathroom remote control 20 with substantially the same configuration as the kitchen remote control 10 will be omitted as appropriate.

[0040] 2, the first control unit 11 is an electronic circuit unit including a CPU (not shown), a memory unit 11M including memory elements such as ROM and RAM, an interface circuit, etc. The first control unit 11 executes control processing related to the operation of the kitchen remote control 10.

[0041] Storage unit 11M stores various programs, setting information, and the like for remotely controlling water heating apparatus 90, etc. Storage unit 11M also stores various information acquired by first control unit 11 during remote control of water heating apparatus 90, etc. The programs stored in storage unit 11M include the program shown in FIG.

[0042] Like the first control unit 11, the second control unit 21 of the bathroom remote control 20 is an electronic circuit unit including a CPU (not shown), a memory unit 21M, an interface circuit, etc. The programs stored in the memory unit 21M include the program shown in Figure 10.

[0043] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the first display unit 13 is located in a rectangular area that is part of the front surface of the kitchen remote control 10.

[0044] The front of the kitchen remote control 10 is covered with a front cover 31, which is a transparent resin flat plate. The front of the front cover 31 is a flat surface. As shown in FIG. 6, the first display unit 13 is disposed on the back side of the front cover 31.

[0045] An exterior pattern printed layer 31A is formed on the back surface of the front cover 31. The exterior pattern printed layer 31A is formed so as not to overlap with the first display portion 13, and is not to impede the visibility of the first display portion 13.

[0046] In this embodiment, the exterior pattern printed layer 31A is formed so that the area surrounding the first display unit 13 on the front surface of the kitchen remote controller 10 is substantially the same color, for example, white.

[0047] The first display unit 13 is a dot matrix display panel in which pixels that can be switched on and off are two-dimensionally arranged in the vertical and horizontal directions, and specifically is a liquid crystal panel, an organic EL panel, or the like.

[0048] First display unit 13 displays various information such as characters and images under the control of first control unit 11. For example, first display unit 13 can display kanji, katakana, alphabets, numbers, marks, etc., with 32 x 32 dots as one character unit.

[0049] First display unit 13 displays the operating status and setting values ​​of water heating apparatus 90 on an "initial screen" shown in Fig. 7. First display unit 13 can also display information required when first operating unit 12 receives an operation input, for example, a plurality of menu screens such as the "various setting menus" shown in Fig. 8. Furthermore, first display unit 13 can display a "maintenance service menu" shown in Fig. 9 by a special operation described later.

[0050] As shown in Figure 4, the second display unit 23 of the bathroom remote control 20 is similar to the first display unit 13, and is controlled by the second control unit 21 to display the "initial screen" shown in Figure 7, display multiple menu screens such as those shown in Figure 8, and display the "maintenance service menu" shown in Figure 9.

[0051] The first operation unit 12 has an operation panel 30 shown in Figures 3 and 5 to 9, and a plurality of light-emitting units L (L1 to L12) shown in Figures 3 and 6. The light-emitting units L (L1 to L12) are not shown in Figures 5 and 7 to 9.

[0052] 6, an operation mark printed layer 31B is further formed in an area on the rear surface of the front cover 31 that does not overlap with the first display unit 13. The operation mark printed layer 31B is laminated on the exterior pattern printed layer 31A.

[0053] The operation panel 30 is configured to have an area on the front cover 31 where an operation mark printing layer 31B is formed, and a touch panel 32 attached to the back surface of the front cover 31 so as to overlap the operation mark printing layer 31B.

[0054] In this embodiment, the touch panel 32 is a capacitance type panel having a known configuration, which is not easily affected by water droplets or the like.

[0055] The operation panel 30 has a flat operation surface 30A. The operation surface 30A is an area on the front surface of the front cover 31 that overlaps with the operation mark printed layer 31B and the touch panel 32.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of switch areas S (S1 to S12) are set on the operation surface 30A. Each switch area S (S1 to S12) is a substantially rectangular shape that is slightly larger than the user's fingertip. Each switch area S (S1 to S12) receives an operation input when the user's fingertip touches it. The touch panel 32 detects the operation input to each of the switch areas S (S1 to S12) and transmits the detection result to the first control unit 11 as an operation input to the first operation unit 12.

[0057] The operation mark-printed layer 31B has a plurality of marks arranged so as to correspond one-to-one with each of the switch areas S (S1 to S12).

[0058] The mark located in the switch area S (S1) is a mark indicating "DRIVE." The mark located in the switch area S (S2) is a mark indicating "MENU."

[0059] The mark located in switch area S (S3) is a mark indicating an upward direction. The mark located in switch area S (S4) is a mark indicating a downward direction. The mark located in switch area S (S5) is a mark indicating a leftward direction. The mark located in switch area S (S6) is a mark indicating a rightward direction.

[0060] The mark located in the switch area S (S7) is a mark indicating "OK." Each of the marks located in the switch areas S (S8 to S12) is a mark indicating "◯."

[0061] 3 and 6, each light-emitting unit L (L1 to L12) is arranged to correspond to each switch area S (S1 to S12) behind the operation panel 30. In this embodiment, each light-emitting unit L (L1 to L12) is arranged to correspond one-to-one to each switch area S (S1 to S12).

[0062] In this embodiment, each light-emitting unit L (L1 to L12) is a light-emitting diode and is mounted on a circuit board. The first control unit 11 controls the switching of each light-emitting unit L (L1 to L12) between emitting and not emitting light.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 3, the light-emitting portion L (L1) is located behind the switch area S (S1). The light-emitting portion L (L2) is located behind the switch area S (S2). The light-emitting portion L (L3) is located behind the switch area S (S3). The light-emitting portion L (L4) is located behind the switch area S (S4). The light-emitting portion L (L5) is located behind the switch area S (S5). The light-emitting portion L (L6) is located behind the switch area S (S6).

[0064] The light-emitting portion L (L7) is located behind the switch area S (S7). The light-emitting portion L (L8) is located behind the switch area S (S8). The light-emitting portion L (L9) is located behind the switch area S (S9). The light-emitting portion L (L10) is located behind the switch area S (S10). The light-emitting portion L (L11) is located behind the switch area S (S11). The light-emitting portion L (L12) is located behind the switch area S (S12).

[0065] As shown in Figure 5, when the power supply source of the water heating device 90 is cut off and power is not supplied to the kitchen remote control 10, all of the light-emitting elements L (L1 to L12) are not emitting light and the first display element 13 is not operating.

[0066] In this state, all marks on the operation mark-printed layer 31B are hidden by the exterior pattern-printed layer 31A. Therefore, when a user looks at the front of the kitchen remote control 10, they only see the exterior pattern-printed layer 31A, and it is difficult for them to recognize all of the switch areas S (S1 to S12) as switch areas.

[0067] That is, the visibility of the switch areas S (S1 to S12) corresponding to the light-emitting portions L (L1 to L12) when not emitting light is approximately equal to the visibility of the areas surrounding each switch area S (S1 to S12) on the operation surface 30A.

[0068] When power supply from the power source to the water heater 90 is started but the water heater 90 is in a sleep state, the first control unit 11 of the kitchen remote control 10 causes only the light-emitting unit L (L1) to emit light and does not operate the first display unit 13.

[0069] This allows the user to see the mark indicating "DRIVE" by the light that is emitted from the light emitting unit L (L1) and passes through the operation mark printed layer 31B and the exterior pattern printed layer 31A.

[0070] That is, the visibility of the switch area S (S1) when the light emitting part L (L1) is emitting light is higher than the visibility of the switch area S (S1) when the light emitting part L (L1) is not emitting light.

[0071] When the user performs an operation input to first operation unit 12 to switch water heating apparatus 90 to the operating state, the user touches switch area S (S1) corresponding to the mark indicating "operation" with a fingertip. Touch panel 32 detects this operation input. Then, this operation input is transmitted from first operation unit 12 to first control unit 11, and first control unit 11 transmits an operation command to water heating apparatus 90. As a result, water heating apparatus 90 switches from the paused state to the operating state.

[0072] Then, the first control unit 11 of the kitchen remote control 10 causes the light-emitting units L (L2 to L6, L8 to L12) to emit light, as shown in FIG.

[0073] As a result, the user can see the mark indicating "MENU" located in the switch area S (S2), the mark indicating an upward direction located in the switch area S (S3), the mark indicating a downward direction located in the switch area S (S4), the mark indicating a leftward direction located in the switch area S (S5), the mark indicating a rightward direction located in the switch area S (S6), and the mark indicating a "circle" located in each of the switch areas S (S8 to S12) through the light emitted from the light-emitting section L (L2 to L6, L8 to L12) and passing through the operation mark printing layer 31B and the exterior pattern printing layer 31A.

[0074] In other words, the visibility of the switch areas S (S2 to S6, S8 to S12) when the light emitting units L (L2 to L6, L8 to L12) are emitting light is higher than the visibility of the switch areas S (S2 to S6, S8 to S12) when the light emitting units L (L2 to L6, L8 to L12) are not emitting light.

[0075] In addition, the first control unit 11 activates the first display unit 13 to display the "initial screen" shown in Fig. 7. In an area along the bottom edge of the first display unit 13, operation functions to be assigned to the switch areas S (S8 to S12) are displayed.

[0076] 7, the "AUTO" switch that causes water heater 90 to perform an automatic hot water filling operation is assigned to switch area S (S8), and the "RE-HEATING" switch that causes water heater 90 to perform a re-heating operation is assigned to switch area S (S9). The same is true for switch areas S (S10 to S12).

[0077] When the user touches the switch area S (S2) corresponding to the mark indicating "MENU" with a fingertip, the touch panel 32 detects the operation input. The operation input is then transmitted from the first operation unit 12 to the first control unit 11, and the first control unit 11 switches the menu screen to be displayed on the first display unit 13.

[0078] When a user touches a fingertip to switch area S (S4) corresponding to a mark indicating an upward direction or to switch area S (S5) corresponding to a mark indicating a downward direction, touch panel 32 detects the operation input. Then, the operation input is transmitted from first operation unit 12 to first control unit 11, and first control unit 11 increases or decreases a setting value of hot water outlet temperature of water heating device 90, etc.

[0079] When a user touches switch area S (S8) with their fingertip to activate the "automatic" switch assigned to switch area S (S8), touch panel 32 detects this operational input. This operational input is then transmitted from first operation unit 12 to first control unit 11, and first control unit 11 transmits a command to water heating apparatus 90 to perform the automatic water filling operation. As a result, water heating apparatus 90 performs the automatic water filling operation.

[0080] 7, the light-emitting portion L (L7) is non-illuminating, making it difficult for the user to recognize the switch area S (S7) as a switch area. In addition, in this state, if no operation is required on the switch area S (S5, S6), the light-emitting portion L (L5, L6) may also be changed to non-illuminating, making it difficult for the user to recognize the switch area S (S5, S6) as a switch area.

[0081] When the first display unit 13 is in a state where it displays a menu screen as shown in FIG. 8, the first control unit 11 causes the light emitting unit L (L7) to emit light.

[0082] This allows the user to see the mark indicating "OK" located in the switch area S (S7) by light emitted from the light-emitting unit L (L7) and transmitted through the operation mark printing layer 31B and the exterior pattern printing layer 31A.

[0083] That is, the visibility of the switch area S (S7) when the light emitting part L (L7) is emitting light is higher than the visibility of the switch area S (S7) when the light emitting part L (L7) is not emitting light.

[0084] A user can touch switch area S (S2 to S4, S6, S7) with a fingertip to perform an operation input such as selecting an arbitrary menu item from a plurality of menu items displayed on the menu screen or confirming a selected menu item. Touch panel 32 detects the operation input. The operation input is then transmitted from first operation unit 12 to first control unit 11, and first control unit 11 transmits an operation command to water heating device 90.

[0085] When the first display unit 13 displays a menu screen such as that shown in FIG. 8, the light-emitting units L (L5, L8 to L12) are not emitting light, making it difficult for the user to recognize the switch areas S (S5, S8 to S12) as switch areas.

[0086] Second operation unit 22 of bathroom remote control 20 is similar to first operation unit 12 and receives operation input for operating water heating device 90. The operation input is transmitted from second operation unit 22 to second control unit 21. Second control unit 21 transmits an operation command to water heating device 90 for operating water heating device 90.

[0087] <Special operation for entering maintenance mode> The first control unit 11 of the kitchen remote control 10 can transition to a maintenance mode in which the "maintenance service menu" shown in FIG.

[0088] Similarly, second control unit 21 of bathroom remote control 20 can be switched to a maintenance mode in which the "maintenance service menu" shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on second display unit 23.

[0089] The contents of the maintenance mode and the special operations for entering the maintenance mode are substantially the same for the kitchen remote control 10 and the bathroom remote control 20, so we will explain the kitchen remote control 10 and omit explanations and illustrations of the bathroom remote control 20 as appropriate.

[0090] The maintenance mode is a mode for causing water heater 90 and bathroom heater 70 to perform maintenance operations, including a test run of heating means 99 and maintenance and inspection of heating means 99.

[0091] 9, multiple menu items are displayed, including "bathroom test run," "bathroom heating test run," "fault memory monitor display," and "maintenance information display." The first control unit 11 receives an operation input from the first operation unit 12 to select an arbitrary maintenance item from the maintenance items.

[0092] The "bathroom trial run" is a maintenance operation that performs a trial run to determine whether the heating means 99 in the hot water supply system 1 and the components related to the bathtub 3 can perform automatic water filling operations, etc. normally.

[0093] The "bathroom heating trial run" is a maintenance operation that performs a trial run of the heating means 99 in the hot water supply system 1 and the components related to the bathroom heater 70 to determine whether heating operation can be performed normally.

[0094] The "fault memory monitor display" is a maintenance operation that displays the date and time of the fault occurrence, the fault content, etc., regarding the maintenance and inspection of the heating means 99 and the like in the hot water supply system 1.

[0095] "Display maintenance information" is a maintenance operation that displays information output from sensors regarding maintenance and inspection of the heating means 99 etc. in the hot water supply system 1, and displays various information such as the timing of regular inspections and the timing of replacing consumables.

[0096] The maintenance mode is a mode used by an operator who intends to perform a test run or maintenance inspection of hot water supply system 1, and is not intended for use by users. Therefore, when hot water supply device 90 switches from the sleep state to the operating state, first control unit 11 repeatedly executes the program shown in Fig. 10 to transition to and end the maintenance mode.

[0097] First, in step S101, the first control unit 11 determines whether or not the "various setting menu" shown in Fig. 8 is displayed on the first display unit 13. If the answer is "No" in step S101, the first control unit 11 repeats step S101. Then, if the answer is "Yes" in step S101, the first control unit 11 proceeds to step S102.

[0098] When the first control unit 11 proceeds to step S102, it determines whether or not the switch area S (S5) corresponding to the non-light emitting light emitting unit L (L5) has received the special operation "long press for 2 seconds."

[0099] It is difficult for a user to recognize that the switch area S (S5) corresponding to the non-illuminating light-emitting part L (L5) is a switch area. On the other hand, an operator who is about to perform a test run or maintenance inspection of the hot water supply system 1 can recognize by referring to a maintenance manual or the like that the switch area S (S5) corresponding to the non-illuminating light-emitting part L (L5) is a switch area that receives the special operation of "long press for 2 seconds" when the "various setting menu" shown in Fig. 8 is displayed on the first display unit 13.

[0100] If the answer to step S102 is "No," the first control unit 11 returns to step S101 and repeats steps S101 and S102. Then, when the touch panel 32 detects that the switch area S (S5) corresponding to the non-emitting light-emitting unit L (L5) has received the special operation "long press for 2 seconds" and the answer to step S102 becomes "Yes," the first control unit 11 transitions to the maintenance mode in step S103.

[0101] Next, the first control unit 11 proceeds to step S104, and causes the first display unit 13 to display the "Maintenance Service Menu" shown in FIG.

[0102] Next, the first control unit 11 proceeds to step S105, and receives an operation input via the first operation unit 12 to select any maintenance item from the multiple menu items of the "Maintenance Service Menu" shown in Figure 9, namely, "Bathroom Trial Run," "Bathroom Heating Trial Run," "Fault Memory Monitor Display," and "Maintenance Information Display."

[0103] 9, first operating unit 12 may receive operation input through switch areas S (S5, S8-S12) corresponding to non-illuminating light-emitting units L (L5, L8-L12). Based on the operation input, first control unit 11 transmits an operation command to water heating device 90, or transmits the command to bathroom heater 70 via water heating device 90.

[0104] Next, the first control unit 11 proceeds to step S106 and determines whether or not an operation for switching from the "Maintenance Service Menu" shown in FIG. 9 to another menu screen has been performed.

[0105] If first control unit 11 determines "No" in step S106, it returns to step S105 and repeats steps S105 and S106. If first control unit 11 determines "Yes" in step S106, it ends the maintenance mode in step S107. Thereafter, first control unit 11 returns to step S101 and repeats steps S101 to S107 until water heating apparatus 90 switches to the sleep state.

[0106] When the water heating device 90 switches from a sleep state to an operating state, the second control unit 21 of the bathroom remote control 20, like the first control unit 11, repeatedly executes the program shown in Figure 10 to transition to and end the maintenance mode.

[0107] <Action and effect> The first control unit 11 of the kitchen remote control 10 of the embodiment and the second control unit 21 of the bathroom remote control 20 of the embodiment transmit an operation command to the water heating device 90 based on the operation input when the user performs an operation input on the switch area S corresponding to the light-emitting part L when it is lit, i.e., the switch area S that is highly visible and easy to operate.

[0108] 8, when a user performs an operation input to switch area S (S2 to S4, S6, S7) that corresponds to light-emitting section L (L2 to L4, L6, L7) when lit, has high visibility, and is easy to prompt operation, first control section 11 transmits an operation command to water heating apparatus 90 based on the operation input. The same applies to second control section 21.

[0109] On the other hand, the first control unit 11 of the kitchen remote control 10 of the embodiment and the second control unit 21 of the bathroom remote control 20 of the embodiment execute the program shown in Figure 10, and when an operator who is attempting to perform a trial run or maintenance inspection of the water heating device 90 makes an operation input to the switch area S (S5) corresponding to the non-illuminating light-emitting part L (L5), i.e., the switch area S (S5) which has low visibility and is difficult to prompt operation, the device transitions to maintenance mode based on the operation input.

[0110] Here, when the "various setting menus" shown in Figure 8 are displayed on the first display unit 13, the user is unlikely to operate the switch area S (S5) corresponding to the non-illuminating light-emitting part L (L5), as the user may determine that any operation input made to the switch area S (S5) will be invalid or may find it difficult to recognize it as the switch area S (S5).

[0111] Therefore, the kitchen remote control 10 and the bathroom remote control 20 of the embodiment can prevent the transition to the maintenance mode even when the user does not intend to do so.

[0112] Furthermore, in kitchen remote control 10 and bathroom remote control 20 of the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the visibility of switch area S (S1-S12) corresponding to light-emitting section L (L1-L12) when not illuminated is approximately equal to the visibility of the area surrounding each switch area S (S1-S12) on operation surface 30A. With this configuration, when the "various setting menu" shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on first display section 13, it is difficult for the user to recognize switch area S (S5) corresponding to light-emitting section L (L5) when not illuminated as switch area S (S5), and the likelihood of operating switch area S (S5) is extremely low. As a result, kitchen remote control 10 and bathroom remote control 20 can be further prevented from switching to maintenance mode unintentionally by the user.

[0113] Furthermore, first control unit 11 and second control unit 21 execute steps S101 and S102 shown in FIG. 10. When the "various setting menu" shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on first display unit 13, if the operation input received by switch area S (S5) corresponding to non-illuminating light-emitting unit L (L5) is the special operation "long press for 2 seconds," first control unit 11 and second control unit 21 transition to maintenance mode in step S103 shown in FIG. 10. The user is unlikely to perform such a special operation. As a result, kitchen remote control 10 and bathroom remote control 20 can be further prevented from transitioning to maintenance mode unintentionally by the user.

[0114] 10, when first control unit 11 transitions to the maintenance mode in step S103, it causes first display unit 13 to display a plurality of maintenance items in step S104, and receives an operation input for selecting an arbitrary maintenance item from the maintenance items via first operation unit 12 in step S105. Second control unit 21 is similar to first control unit 11. With this configuration, a worker who intends to perform a test run or maintenance inspection of water heating apparatus 90 can easily select an arbitrary maintenance item from the plurality of maintenance items when the mode transitions to the maintenance mode.

[0115] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the examples, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above examples and can be modified and applied as appropriate within the scope of the invention.

[0116] In the embodiment, the appliance having a heating means is a water heater 90, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the appliance having a heating means may be a clothes dryer, a bathroom heater, a hot water floor heating system, etc. Furthermore, when the appliance having a heating means is a clothes dryer, the operation display device may be an operation display panel disposed on the front surface of the housing of the clothes dryer, rather than a remote control device.

[0117] In the embodiment, the first control unit 11 determines whether the switch area S(S5) corresponding to the light-emitting unit L(L5) when not emitting light has received the special operation "long press for 2 seconds," but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, in step S102 of FIG. 10, the first control unit 11 may be modified to determine whether the switch area S(S5) corresponding to the light-emitting unit L(L5) when not emitting light and the switch area S(S8) corresponding to the light-emitting unit L(L8) when not emitting light have received the special operation "simultaneous press." Furthermore, in step S102 of FIG. 10, the first control unit 11 may be modified to determine whether the switch area S(S5) corresponding to the light-emitting unit L(L5) when not emitting light and the switch area S(S8) corresponding to the light-emitting unit L(L8) when not emitting light have received the special operation "simultaneous press and long press."

[0118] In the embodiment, the operation panel 30 of the first operation unit 12 and the second operation unit 22 has a capacitive touch panel 32, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the operation panel may have a touch panel of a type other than the capacitive type, such as a resistive type.

[0119] In the embodiment, each light-emitting unit L (L1 to L12) is arranged to correspond one-to-one with each switch area S (S1 to S12) behind the operation panel 30, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the operation unit according to the present invention may have multiple sets of light-emitting units with different light emission colors, and these sets of light-emitting units may be arranged to correspond to each switch area. [Industrial Applicability]

[0120] The present invention can be used in, for example, hot water heaters, clothes dryers, bathroom heaters, hot water floor heating systems, and the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0121] 10, 20...Operation display device (10...Kitchen remote control, 20...Bathroom remote control) 99...Heating means 90...Equipment (hot water heater) 12, 22...Operation unit (12...First operation unit, 22...Second operation unit) 13, 23...display section (13...first display section, 23...second display section) 11, 21...control unit (11...first control unit, 21...second control unit) 30A…Operation surface 30...Operation panel S (S1 to S12)...Multiple switch areas L (L1 to L12)...Multiple light-emitting elements

Claims

1. An operation and display device for operating an appliance having a heating means, an operation unit that receives an operation input for operating the device; a display unit that displays an operating state and a setting value of the device, the display unit being capable of displaying information required when the operation unit receives the operation input; a control unit that controls the display unit, receives the operation input from the operation unit, and transmits an operation command to the equipment to operate the equipment, the control unit being capable of shifting to a maintenance mode to cause the equipment to perform a maintenance operation including at least one of a test run of the heating means and maintenance and inspection of the heating means; Equipped with the operation unit is an operation panel having a flat operation surface, and a plurality of switch areas for receiving the operation input by touch are set on the operation surface; a plurality of light emitting units arranged behind the operation panel so as to correspond to the respective switch areas, the light emitting units having higher visibility of the switch areas when emitting light than when not emitting light; and the switch area corresponding to the light-emitting portion when not emitting light has the same color as an area surrounding the switch area on the operation surface; the visibility of the switch area corresponding to the light-emitting portion when not emitting light is equal to the visibility of an area surrounding each of the switch areas on the operation surface; The control unit is configured to transmit the operation command to the device based on the operation input received by the switch area corresponding to the light-emitting unit when it is lit, while transitioning to the maintenance mode based on the operation input received by the switch area corresponding to the light-emitting unit when it is not lit.

2. The operation display device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit transitions to the maintenance mode when the operation input received by the switch area corresponding to the light-emitting unit when not emitting light is a special operation including at least one of a long press and a simultaneous press.

3. When the control unit shifts to the maintenance mode, the control unit causes the display unit to display a plurality of maintenance items, 3. The operation display device according to claim 1, wherein the operation input for selecting an arbitrary one of the maintenance items is received by the operation unit.

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