equipment and machinery

Abstract

To provide an equipment device that makes it possible to recognize where the terminal device is operated.SOLUTION: An equipment device includes a communication unit 4 connected to an external device 100 via a communication line, and a control unit 32 that outputs, to an operation unit 3, operation state information according to operation location identification information for identifying the location of a terminal device 102 that has operated a main unit 2 in the external device 100 when external control information for operating the main unit 2 is input from the external device 100 to the communication unit 4.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0006] , ,

[0005] , It has an output unit connected to the main unit that outputs various information. ,

[0007] , ,

[0001] The present invention relates to equipment installed in a house.

Background Art

[0002] As equipment installed in a house, a technology has been proposed that enables a bathroom heating, ventilation, and drying device installed in a bathroom to be operated by an external terminal device such as a smartphone (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a configuration that enables equipment installed in a house to be remotely operated by an external terminal device, when the operation is started by an operation on the terminal device, a notification is made by an external operation notification lamp provided on the operation unit.

[0005] However, it is difficult to appropriately determine whether the operation was performed by a person inside the house or a person outside the house using the terminal device, whether the operation by remote control should be continued, and the legitimacy of the remote control operation rather than a misoperation.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and an object thereof is to provide equipment that can recognize where the terminal device was operated.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] To solve the above-described problems, the present invention includes a main body portion installed in a house, It has an output unit connected to the main unit that outputs various information. an operation unit, and The control unit is equipped with,A communication means connected to a terminal device via a communication line, and when external control information for operating the main unit is input from the terminal device to the communication means, the terminal device provides operating status information indicating where the operation was performed. Output section Control means that outputs to The output unit has an operation status notification unit that outputs operation status information, and the control means determines whether the operation was performed from inside the home using a terminal device or from outside the home using a terminal device, and also determines which terminal device among multiple terminal devices registered as capable of operation was used to receive the operation, and if an operation is made by a terminal device, until the operation of the main unit started by the operation of the terminal device is completed, it outputs to the operation status notification unit whether the operation was received from inside the home using a terminal device or from outside the home using a terminal device, and also outputs to the operation status notification unit which terminal device received the operation. It is equipment.

[0008] In this invention, when an operation is performed by an external terminal device other than the control unit, operation status information indicating where the operation was performed is output to the control unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] In this invention, when an operation is performed by an external terminal device other than the control unit, the location of the operation by the terminal device can be recognized via the control unit. This allows a person near the control unit to appropriately determine whether remote operation is continuing and whether the remote operation is legitimate and not a erroneous operation. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a functional block diagram of a bathroom heating, ventilation, and drying system, showing an example of the equipment in this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a front view showing an example of the control panel. [Figure 3A] This is an operation diagram illustrating an example of the output of operating status information from the control unit. [Figure 3B] This is an operation diagram illustrating an example of the output of operating status information from the control unit. [Figure 3C] This is an operation diagram illustrating an example of the output of operating status information from the control unit. [Figure 4A] This is a front view of the operation unit showing a modified example of the operation status notification unit of this embodiment. [Figure 4B] This is a front view of the operation unit showing a modified example of the operation status notification unit of this embodiment. [Figure 4C] This is a front view of the operation unit showing a modified example of the operation status notification unit of this embodiment. [Figure 4D] This is a front view of the operation unit showing a modified example of the operation status notification unit of this embodiment. [Figure 4E]It is a front view of an operation unit showing a modification example of the operation state notification unit of the present embodiment. [Figure 5A] It is a front view showing a modification example of the operation unit of the present embodiment. [Figure 5B] It is an explanatory diagram showing an output example of operation state information by voice. [Figure 6A] It is an explanatory diagram showing a notification example when an operation is performed on a terminal device. [Figure 6B] It is an explanatory diagram showing a notification example when an operation is performed on a terminal device.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the facility equipment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] <Configuration Example of Facility Equipment of the Present Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a bathroom heating, ventilation, and drying device showing an example of the facility equipment of the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a front view showing an example of an operation unit.

[0013] A bathroom heating, ventilation, and drying device 1A, which is an example of an air conditioner as the facility equipment of the present embodiment, includes a main body unit 2 installed in a bathroom 300, which is a room in a house, and an operation unit 3 installed in a washroom and dressing room 301, which is another room connected to the bathroom 300.

[0014] The main body unit 2 includes a blower unit 20 that realizes the function of sucking air from the bathroom 300, circulating the air sucked from the bathroom 300, and blowing it out into the bathroom 300, and exhausting the air sucked from the bathroom 300 outdoors, and a heating unit 21 that heats the air blown into the room by the blower unit 20. The blower unit 20 may be configured to include a ventilation fan that sucks air from the bathroom 300 and exhausts it outdoors, and a circulation fan that sucks air from the bathroom 300, circulates the air sucked from the bathroom 300, and blows it out into the bathroom 300, or may be configured to include one fan and a mechanism for switching the air passage.

[0015] The main unit 2 includes a main unit control unit 22 that controls the blower unit 20 and the heating unit 21, etc., based on control information input from the operation unit 3, and a wired communication unit 23 that is connected to the operation unit 3 by a wire.

[0016] The operation unit 3 includes an input unit 30 that receives user operations such as selecting an operating mode and stopping operation, and an output unit 31 that displays the operating mode selected by the operation of the input unit 30, the connection status between the bathroom heating, ventilation and drying device 1A and the external device 100, etc. The operation unit 3 also includes a control unit 32 that outputs control information etc. based on user operations, and a wired communication unit 33 that is wired to the wired communication unit 23 of the main unit 2.

[0017] The bathroom heating, ventilation, and drying device 1A is operated via an operation unit 3 installed in the washroom / dressing room 301, where the operating mode is selected and operation is stopped. The bathroom heating, ventilation, and drying device 1A is also wirelessly connected to various external devices 100. The bathroom heating, ventilation, and drying device 1A can be operated from inside the house where the device 1A is installed (referred to as "inside the house") or from outside the house (referred to as "outside the house") using a terminal device 102 within the external devices 100 that has the function to operate the bathroom heating, ventilation, and drying device 1A. Operation via the terminal device 102 is referred to as remote operation. Furthermore, the bathroom heating, ventilation, and drying device 1A may be configured to output operation and malfunction history information to the external devices 100.

[0018] The control unit 32 is an example of a control means, and outputs control information to control the air blower 20 and heating unit 21, etc., in response to the operation of the input unit 30 of the operation unit 3. In addition, the control unit 32 receives external control information to control the air blower 20 and heating unit 21, etc., via the communication unit 4 in response to the operation of the terminal device 102, and outputs the input external control information.

[0019] The main unit control unit 22 controls the blower unit 20 and the heating unit 21, etc., based on control information, external control information, etc., input from the operation unit 3 via the wired communication unit 33 of the operation unit 3 and the wired communication unit 23 of the main unit 2, and executes an operating mode according to the operation.

[0020] Next, we will describe a configuration in which the bathroom heating, ventilation, and drying device 1A is wirelessly connected to the external device 100.

[0021] The bathroom heating, ventilation, and drying device 1A is equipped with a communication unit 4 to enable wireless connection with an external device 100. The communication unit 4 is an example of a communication means, and in this example, it is composed of a communication module compatible with Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

[0022] The bathroom heating, ventilation, and drying device 1A has a communication unit 4 provided on the control unit 3. The communication unit 4 may consist of a circuit in which various electronic components are mounted on a circuit board (not shown) that makes up the control unit 3. In addition, the communication unit 4 has antennas provided on the control unit 3 that correspond to each communication standard.

[0023] The bathroom heating, ventilation, and drying device 1A has an external device 100 that can be connected wirelessly, such as a router 101 that supports the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) communication standard, which is connected to the communication unit 4. The router 101 installed in the house forms a wired and wireless in-house network 108 within the house.

[0024] Furthermore, the router 101 is connected to the external internet network 104 via the terminal adapter 103. Additionally, a server 105 within the house may be connected to the router 101. Furthermore, an external server 106, such as the manufacturer of the bathroom heating, ventilation, and drying device 1A or the administrator of the bathroom heating, ventilation, and drying device 1A, may be connected to the internet network 104.

[0025] Furthermore, the bathroom heating, ventilation, and drying device 1A can connect to the router 101 and communication unit 4 that constitute the in-home network 108, as well as to an external Wi-Fi® communication line, if the terminal device 102, which is equipped with an information input unit and output unit, such as a smartphone or tablet, among the wirelessly connectable external devices 100, supports the Wi-Fi® communication standard. In addition, if the terminal device 102 supports the LTE communication standard, it can connect to the internet network 104.

[0026] The bathroom heating, ventilation, and drying device 1A is assigned a unique IP address. The control unit 32, in accordance with the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) standard, executes a program that connects the communication unit 4 to the router 101 in response to the authentication function provided by the router 101.

[0027] Terminal device 102 has an application installed to operate the bathroom heating, ventilation, and drying device 1A. Terminal device 102 is connected to router 101 in accordance with the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) standard, and is connected to the communication unit 4 of the bathroom heating, ventilation, and drying device 1A via router 101. In addition, terminal device 102 is connected to router 101 via the internet network 104, and is connected to the communication unit 4 of the bathroom heating, ventilation, and drying device 1A via router 101.

[0028] The bathroom heating, ventilation, and drying device 1A registers multiple operable terminal devices 102 when an application is operated on a terminal device 102. Each registered terminal device 102 is assigned terminal identification information.

[0029] Next, the configuration of the operation unit 3 will be described. As shown in Figure 2, the input unit 30 includes an operation mode selection button 30a for selecting an operation mode, a stop button 30b for stopping operation, and an operation time setting button 30c for setting the operation time.

[0030] The output unit 31 includes an operating status lamp 31a that visually displays the operating mode selected by the operating mode selection button 30a, as well as the settings for each operating mode. The output unit 31 also includes an operating status notification unit 31b that notifies the operating status.

[0031] The operation status notification unit 31b notifies, for example, in a visible manner via a display, whether the operation unit 3 has been operated upon, whether the terminal device 102 has been operated upon within the home, or whether the terminal device 102 has been operated upon from outside the home.

[0032] The operation status notification unit 31b is configured to display characters or other information using light. For example, when the LED is not lit, light does not pass through the panel 35 of the operation unit 3, making the operation status notification unit 31b invisible. When the LED is lit or blinking, light passes through the panel 35 of the operation unit 3, making the display content of the operation status notification unit 31b visible. By implementing the operation status notification unit 31b in this configuration, the operation unit 3 does not require an opening or the like at the location where the operation status notification unit 31b is installed, allowing for configurations with and without the operation status notification unit 31b, and enabling the panel 35 to be shared. For example, operation status information indicating where the terminal device 102 was operated from is notified by the lit or blinking of the LED, such as operation status information 31b1 indicating that the terminal device 102 was operated from inside the home, or operation status information 31b2 indicating that the terminal device 102 was operated from outside the home. Furthermore, by turning off the LEDs and extinguishing the operation status information 31b1 and 31b2, it is indicated that an operation has been received by the operation unit 3.

[0033] The operation status notification unit 31b may be configured to display a fixed string of characters by lighting up or blinking, or it may be configured to display an arbitrary string of characters. Alternatively, it may be configured to have a lamp that lights up or blinks.

[0034] <Example of operation of the equipment in this embodiment> Figures 3A to 3C are explanatory diagrams showing examples of operation status information output from the control unit. Below, an example of the operation of the bathroom heating, ventilation, and drying device 1A, which is an example of an air conditioning system as equipment in this embodiment, will be explained with reference to each of these figures.

[0035] When the main unit 2 is operated by the operation unit 3, the control unit 32 outputs control information to execute a 24-hour ventilation operation mode, which performs continuous ventilation operation at a predetermined ventilation airflow rate, in response to the operation of the operation mode selection button 30a on the input unit 30. The control unit 32 also outputs control information to execute a heating operation mode, which performs heating operation by blowing warm air into the bathroom 300, in response to the operation of the operation mode selection button 30a on the input unit 30. Furthermore, the control unit 32 outputs control information to execute a ventilation operation mode, which performs ventilation operation mainly of the bathroom 300 at a predetermined ventilation airflow rate greater than the ventilation airflow rate in the 24-hour ventilation operation mode, in response to the operation of the operation mode selection button 30a on the input unit 30.

[0036] Furthermore, the control unit 32 outputs control information to execute a drying operation mode, which performs ventilation in the bathroom 300 while blowing warm air into the bathroom 300 to perform a drying operation, in response to the operation of the operating mode selection button 30a on the input unit 30. In addition, the control unit 32 outputs control information to execute a cool air operation mode, which performs a cool air operation, which blows air into the bathroom 300 according to the temperature of the bathroom 300, in response to the operation of the operating mode selection button 30a on the input unit 30.

[0037] Furthermore, the control unit 32 outputs control information to stop the currently running operating mode in response to the operation of the stop button 30b on the input unit 30. In addition, the control unit 32 outputs control information to set the operating time of the operating mode selected by the operating mode selection button 30a in response to the operation of the operating time setting button 30c on the input unit 30.

[0038] When the operating mode selection button 30a is operated, the control unit 32 illuminates the operating status lamp 31a corresponding to the selected operating mode. For example, when the heating operating mode is selected by operating the operation unit 3, the operating status lamp 31a, which is provided in conjunction with the operating mode selection button 30a for selecting the heating operating mode, is illuminated, as shown in Figure 3A.

[0039] Furthermore, when the operating mode selection button 30a of the operation unit 3 is operated, the control unit 32 outputs via the operation status notification unit 31b that an operation has been received from the operation unit 3. For example, as shown in Figure 3A, by turning off the LEDs constituting the operation status notification unit 31b, the control unit 32 outputs to the operation status notification unit 31b that an operation has been received from the operation unit 3 by not displaying any visible information on the operation status notification unit 31b. Note that by turning on the LEDs constituting the operation status notification unit 31b, the control unit 32 indicates that an operation has been received from the operation unit 3. Ta A string indicating this may be output to the operation status notification unit 31b in a visible manner.

[0040] Furthermore, the bathroom heating, ventilation, and drying device 1A receives external control information from the operation of the terminal device 102 once the connection between the communication unit 4 and the terminal device 102 is established.

[0041] The control unit 32 receives external control information via the communication unit 4 to execute the 24-hour ventilation operation mode in response to the operation of the terminal device 102, and outputs the received external control information. Furthermore, the control unit 32 receives external control information via the communication unit 4 to execute the heating operation mode in response to the operation of the terminal device 102, and outputs the received external control information.

[0042] Furthermore, the control unit 32 receives external control information to execute the drying operation mode via the communication unit 4 in response to the operation of the terminal device 102, and outputs the input external control information.

[0043] Furthermore, the control unit 32 outputs control information to stop the currently running operating mode in response to the operation of the terminal device 102. In addition, the control unit 32 outputs control information to set the operating time of the operating mode in response to the operation of the terminal device 102.

[0044] When external control information is input from the terminal device 102, the control unit 32 determines whether the terminal device 102 was operated from inside the home or from outside the home, based on the operation location identification information which identifies the location where the terminal device 102 was operated.

[0045] The location identification information is, for example, information indicating the communication path between the terminal device 102 and the communication unit 4. When the control unit 32 receives external control information from the terminal device 102, it determines whether the external control information is first received information 107a via the first communication path, the Internet network 104, or second received information 107b via the second communication path, the home network 108, and determines whether the operation was performed from inside the home using the terminal device 102 or from outside the home using the terminal device 102.

[0046] The location identification information for operation may be, for example, the location information of the terminal device 102. When the control unit 32 receives external control information from the terminal device 102, it may determine, based on the location information of the terminal device 102, whether the external control information is first received information 107a input from outside the home (first location) or second received information 107b input from inside the home (second location), and whether the operation was performed from inside the home or from outside the home using the terminal device 102. The location information may be obtained, for example, from a GPS installed in the terminal device 102.

[0047] The control unit 32 then outputs operation status information corresponding to the location where the terminal device 102 was operated, such as whether the terminal device 102 was operated from inside the home or from outside the home, to the operation status notification unit 31b via display or other means.

[0048] When the control unit 32 determines that it has received an operation from the terminal device 102 from inside the home, it lights up the LED constituting the operation status notification unit 31b, for example, as shown in Figure 3B, to indicate that it has received an operation from the terminal device 102 inside the home. Ta A string containing identification information indicating this, along with operation status information 31b1 including lamp indicators, is output to the operation status notification unit 31b in a way that is easily visible.

[0049] Furthermore, when the control unit 32 determines that it has received an operation from the terminal device 102 from outside the home, it lights up the LED constituting the operation status notification unit 31b, for example, as shown in Figure 3C, to indicate that it has received an operation from the terminal device 102 from outside the home. Ta A string containing identification information indicating this, along with operation status information 31b2 including lamp indicators, is output to the operation status notification unit 31b in a way that is easily visible.

[0050] Furthermore, when the control unit 32 receives external control information from the terminal device 102, it lights up the operation status lamp 31a corresponding to the operation mode selected by the terminal device 102. For example, when the drying operation mode is selected by operating the terminal device 102 inside the home, as shown in Figure 3B, in addition to the notification by the operation status notification unit 31b described above, the operation status lamp 31a provided in the operation unit 3 corresponding to the operation mode selection button 30a for selecting the drying operation mode is lit up. Also, when the ventilation operation mode is selected by operating the terminal device 102 outside the home, as shown in Figure 3C, in addition to the notification by the operation status notification unit 31b described above, the operation status lamp 31a provided in the operation unit 3 corresponding to the operation mode selection button 30a for selecting the ventilation operation mode is lit up.

[0051] The control unit 32 outputs operation status information 31b1 and 31b2 to the operation status notification unit 31b via the operation unit 3 until the operation of the main unit 2, which was started in the operation mode selected by the operation of the terminal device 102, is completed.

[0052] Furthermore, if multiple terminal devices 102 are connected via the communication unit 4, the control unit 32 may notify the other terminal devices 102 that an operation has been performed on one terminal device 102 and external control information has been input.

[0053] The main unit control unit 22 controls the air blower unit 20 and the heating unit 21, etc., based on control information, external control information, etc., input from the operation unit 3 via the wired communication unit 33 of the operation unit 3 and the wired communication unit 23 of the main unit 2, to execute 24-hour ventilation operation mode, heating operation mode, ventilation operation mode, drying operation mode, and cool air operation mode. The main unit control unit 22 also stops the 24-hour ventilation operation mode, heating operation mode, ventilation operation mode, drying operation mode, and cool air operation mode.

[0054] <Examples of the effects of the equipment of this embodiment> If a person inside or outside the house operates the terminal device 102 to operate the bathroom heating, ventilation, and drying device 1A in a desired operating mode, and another person inside the house operates the control unit 3 to operate the bathroom heating, ventilation, and drying device 1A in a different operating mode, there is a possibility that the device may switch to an operation mode unintended by the operator of the terminal device 102.

[0055] Therefore, the operation unit 3 is equipped with an operation status notification unit 31b, and when an operation is performed on the terminal device 102, in addition to the currently running operating mode, the operation status notification unit 31b outputs, by display or other means, that an operation was received from inside the home or from outside the home.

[0056] This allows a person attempting to operate the control unit 3 to check the operation status notification unit 31b and determine whether the bathroom heating, ventilation, and drying device 1A is being operated by someone inside the house or by someone outside the house. For example, if it is recognized that the operation by the terminal device 102 was performed inside the house, it can be determined that the operation was not performed by the terminal device 102 from outside the house without having to contact someone who is not inside the house by phone or email to confirm whether the device is running.

[0057] Furthermore, the notification by the operation status notification unit 31b on the operation unit 3 is not limited to display output; it may also be via sound or other means.

[0058] In this case, when performing operations from terminal device 102, the terminal device 102 may request the input of authentication information such as a passcode to prevent operation by someone who does not know the authentication information.

[0059] <Modified example of the operation status notification unit of this embodiment> Figures 4A to 4E are front views of the operation unit showing a modified example of the operation status notification unit in this embodiment.

[0060] As shown in Figures 4A and 4B, the operation status notification unit 31b receives an operation from the terminal device 102 within the home. Ta Operation status information 31b1 includes a string of characters and lamp indicators that have identification information indicating that the terminal device 102 is being operated outside the home. Ta The operation status information 31b2, which includes a string of characters with identification information indicating the operation status and an indicator light, is output in a visible manner by lighting up the LEDs that constitute the operation status notification unit 31b.

[0061] When the control unit 32 determines that it has received an operation from the terminal device 102 inside the home, as shown in Figure 4A, it receives an operation from the terminal device 102 inside the home. Ta The lamp indicator 31c2 corresponding to the operation status information 31b1 indicating this is illuminated.

[0062] Furthermore, when the control unit 32 determines that the terminal device 102 has been operated from outside the home, it lights up the lamp indicator 31c2 corresponding to the operation status information 31b2 indicating that the terminal device 102 has been operated from outside the home, as shown in Figure 4B.

[0063] In this way, operation status information 31b1 indicating that the terminal device 102 was operated inside the home and operation status information 31b2 indicating that the terminal device 102 was operated outside the home may be displayed together, and the presence or absence of the lamp indicators 31c1 and 31c2 can be used to distinguish and output whether the terminal device 102 was operated inside the home or outside the home.

[0064] As shown in Figure 4C, the operation status notification unit 31b uses the same wording for operation status information 31d indicating that the terminal device 102 has been operated, whether the operation of the terminal device 102 takes place inside the home or outside the home.

[0065] When the control unit 32 determines that the terminal device 102 has been operated within the home, it outputs the operation status information 31d in a visible manner by, for example, lighting up the LEDs that constitute the operation status notification unit 31b. Furthermore, when the control unit 32 determines that the terminal device 102 has been operated outside the home, it outputs the operation status information 31d in a visible manner by blinking the LEDs that constitute the operation status notification unit 31b.

[0066] In this way, the operation status information 31d indicating that the terminal device 102 has been operated may be the same for both operations of the terminal device 102 inside the home and operations of the terminal device 102 outside the home, and the operation status information 31d may be illuminated or blinked to distinguish between operations of the terminal device 102 inside the home and operations of the terminal device 102 outside the home.

[0067] As shown in Figure 4D, the operation status notification unit 31b includes operation status information 31e1 to 31e3 indicating whether the terminal device 102 has been operated inside or outside the home, as well as terminal identification information 31f that distinguishes between multiple terminal devices 102.

[0068] The control unit 32 determines whether an operation was received from either inside or outside the home of the terminal device 102, and also determines which of the multiple terminal devices 102 registered as capable of operation was used to receive the operation. Then, it outputs one of the operation status information 31e1 to 31e3, which is associated with the terminal identification information 31f corresponding to the terminal device 102 that received the operation, in a visible manner, for example, by lighting up or flashing one of the corresponding lamp indicators 31c1 to 31c3.

[0069] Thus, the operation status information 31e1 to 31e3, which indicates whether the terminal device 102 was operated inside or outside the home, may include terminal identification information 31f consisting of a string of characters or the like that distinguishes between multiple terminal devices 102, so that it is possible to output which terminal device 102 performed the operation.

[0070] As shown in Figure 4E, the operation status notification unit 31b receives an operation from the terminal device 102 within the home. Ta Operation status information 31b1 includes a string of characters and lamp indicators that have identification information indicating that the terminal device 102 is being operated outside the home. Ta The operation status information 31b2, which includes a string of characters with identification information indicating the operation status and an indicator light, is output in a visible manner by lighting up the LEDs that constitute the operation status notification unit 31b.

[0071] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4E, the operation status notification unit 31b includes operation status information 31e1 to 31e3 indicating whether the terminal device 102 has been operated inside or outside the home, as well as terminal identification information 31f that distinguishes between multiple terminal devices 102.

[0072] The control unit 32 determines whether the terminal device 102 has been operated either inside or outside the home, and if it determines that the terminal device 102 has been operated inside the home, Ta The lamp indicator 31c2 corresponding to the operation status information 31b1 indicating this is illuminated.

[0073] Furthermore, when the control unit 32 determines that the terminal device 102 has been operated from outside the home, it lights up the lamp indicator 31c2 corresponding to the operation status information 31b2 indicating that the terminal device 102 has been operated from outside the home.

[0074] Furthermore, the control unit 32 determines which of the multiple terminal devices 102 registered as capable of operation initiated the operation. It then outputs one of the operation status information 31e1 to 31e3, which is associated with the terminal identification information 31f corresponding to the terminal device 102 that initiated the operation, in a visible manner, for example, by lighting up or flashing one of the corresponding lamp indicators 31c1 to 31c3.

[0075] In this way, operation status information 31b1 indicating that the terminal device 102 was operated inside the home and operation status information 31b2 indicating that the terminal device 102 was operated outside the home may be displayed together, and the presence or absence of the lamp indicators 31c1 and 31c2 can be used to distinguish and output whether the terminal device 102 was operated inside the home or outside the home.

[0076] Furthermore, the operation status information 31e1 to 31e3, which indicates whether the terminal device 102 was operated inside or outside the home, may also include terminal identification information 31f consisting of a string of characters or the like that distinguishes between multiple terminal devices 102, so that it is possible to output which terminal device 102 performed the operation.

[0077] Figure 5A is a front view showing a modified example of the operation unit in this embodiment, and Figure 5B is an explanatory diagram showing an example of outputting operation status information by voice.

[0078] The operation unit 3 is equipped with a voice-activated button 34 that receives voice commands to output operation status information. When the control unit 32 determines whether it has received an operation from the terminal device 102, either inside or outside the home, it outputs operation status information 31b1 or operation status information 31b2 to the operation status notification unit 31b via the operation unit 3. Furthermore, when the voice-activated button 34 is operated, the control unit 32 outputs operation information 200a indicating the location and content of the operation, as shown in Figure 5B, via voice from a speaker (not shown) provided on the operation unit 3. In addition, comment information 200b, which is input and selected by the operator who operated the terminal device 102, may also be output via voice. The voice may be a synthesized voice combining pre-set voices.

[0079] <Example of notification to a terminal device connected to the equipment of this embodiment> Figures 6A and 6B are explanatory diagrams showing examples of notifications when an operation is performed on a terminal device.

[0080] The terminal device 102 has an application installed to operate the bathroom heating, ventilation, and drying device 1A. This application may also be configured to receive notifications from the bathroom heating, ventilation, and drying device 1A and an external server 106, etc.

[0081] As described above, when the terminal device 102 is operated inside or outside the home, the operation status notification unit 31b of the operation unit 3 outputs information such as whether the operation was performed by the terminal device 102 inside the home, the terminal device 102 outside the home, or one of multiple terminal devices 102. In addition, operating information indicating the content of the operation, information identifying the terminal device 102 that performed the operation, and comment information entered or selected by the operator who operated the terminal device 102 are notified to the machine that performed the operation or to the other terminal device 102.

[0082] For example, as shown in Figure 6A, operation information 102b indicating the content of the operation is output in a visible display to the operation / display unit 102a, which is the display of the terminal device 102 that performed the operation. Alternatively, an operation button 102c for approving the displayed content such as the operation information 102b may be displayed on the operation / display unit 102a, and the approval status may be notified to the bathroom heating, ventilation and drying device 1A or the server 106.

[0083] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6B, the operation / display unit 102a of a terminal device 102 other than the terminal device 102 that performed the operation may output operation information 102b indicating the content of the operation, including identification information 102d that identifies the terminal device 102 that performed the operation, via a visible display. In addition, comment information 102e that is input or selected by the operator who operated the terminal device 102 may be output via a visible display. The comment information 102e may be information related to the operation of the bathroom heating, ventilation and drying device 1A, or other information. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0084] 1A...Bathroom heating, ventilation, and drying device, 2...Main unit, 20...Air blower unit, 21...Heating unit, 22...Main unit control unit, 23...Wired communication unit, 3...Operation unit, 30...Input unit, 31...Output unit, 32...Control unit (control means), 33...Wired communication unit, 4...Communication unit (communication means)

Claims

1. The main unit is installed in the house, It comprises an operating unit connected to the main unit and having an output unit that outputs various information, The aforementioned operating unit is A communication means connected to a terminal device via a communication line, When external control information for operating the main unit is input from the terminal device to the communication means, the control means outputs operation status information indicating where the terminal device was operated to the output unit. The output unit has an operation status notification unit that outputs the operation status information, The control means determines whether the operation was performed from inside the home using the terminal device or from outside the home using the terminal device, and also determines which terminal device among the multiple terminal devices registered as capable of operation was used to perform the operation. When an operation is performed on the terminal device, the operation status notification unit outputs whether the operation was received from inside the home or from outside the home, and also outputs which terminal device performed the operation, until the operation of the main unit, which was started by the operation of the terminal device, is completed. equipment.

2. The operation status information is output according to operation location identification information that identifies the location where the terminal device was operated, and the operation location identification information is information indicating the communication path between the terminal device and the communication means. The equipment and apparatus described in claim 1.

3. The control means determines whether the external control information input to the communication means from the terminal device is first received information via the first communication path or second received information via the second communication path. The equipment and apparatus described in claim 2.

4. The first communication path is the Internet network, and the second communication path is a home network. The equipment and apparatus described in claim 3.

5. The operation status information is output according to operation location identification information that identifies the location where the terminal device was operated, and the operation location identification information is the location information of the terminal device. The equipment and apparatus described in claim 1.

6. Multiple terminal devices connected via the communication means are registered in an identifiable manner. The equipment and apparatus described in any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The control means notifies the terminal device that performed the operation or another terminal device of operating information indicating the content of the operation performed by the terminal device. Multiple terminal devices connected via the aforementioned communication means are registered in an identifiable manner. The equipment and apparatus described in claim 6.

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