Heat source functional device

Abstract

To provide a heat source function apparatus which allows a manufacturer to accurately determine whether the heat source function device to be repaired is a sold product or leased product.SOLUTION: A water heater 10 ( heat source function apparatus) is provided, comprising a display input unit 131 (notification unit) for notifying contact information for a repair request in the event of a failure, and a control unit 133 for controlling the display input unit 131. The control unit 133 causes the display input unit 131 to notify different contact information depending on whether the water heater 10 is a sold product or a leased product on the basis of information indicative of whether the water heater 10 is a leased product or not.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a heat source functional device that provides a predetermined function using a heat source.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, heat source functional devices that provide a predetermined function using a heat source, such as water heaters and cookers, are known. These heat source functional devices are not only sold to customers but also leased to customers.

[0003] The following Patent Document 1 describes an equipment lease system that leases lease equipment such as air conditioners and cogeneration devices to customers and receives lease payments from customers.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] When the heat source functional device fails, the customer requests the manufacturer to repair it. In this case, the party responsible for the repair cost differs depending on whether the heat source functional device is a sold product or a leased product. That is, when the heat source functional device is a sold product, the customer bears the repair cost. On the other hand, when the heat source functional device is a leased product, the manufacturer bears the repair cost.

[0006] Therefore, if it is unclear whether the heat source functional device is a sold product or a leased product when a repair request for the heat source functional device is received, there is a risk of incorrect billing for the repair cost.

[0007] In view of these challenges, the present invention aims to provide a heat source function device that allows the manufacturer to accurately determine whether the heat source function device to be repaired is a purchased product or a leased product. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The main aspect of the present invention relates to a heat source function device that provides a predetermined function using a heat source. The heat source function device according to this aspect comprises a notification unit that notifies a contact point for repair requests in the event of a malfunction, and a control unit that controls the notification unit. The control unit makes the contact point notified by the notification unit different depending on whether the heat source function device is a purchased item or a leased item, based on information indicating whether the heat source function device is a purchased item or a leased item.

[0009] According to the heat source function device of this embodiment, the notification unit notifies different contact information depending on whether the heat source function device is a purchased or leased product. Therefore, the manufacturer can accurately determine whether the heat source function device to be repaired is a purchased or leased product based on which contact information was used to receive the repair request.

[0010] In the heat source function device according to this embodiment, the contact information is, for example, a telephone number.

[0011] Alternatively, the aforementioned contact information may be the access information for a webpage used to request repairs.

[0012] With these configurations, it is possible to distinguish whether the heat source function unit to be repaired is a purchased or leased item by the telephone number or webpage used for repair requests.

[0013] The heat source function device according to this embodiment may include a communication unit for communicating with an external server. Here, the external server manages information related to leases, and the control unit may be configured to obtain information from the external server via the communication unit indicating whether or not the heat source function device is a leased item.

[0014] With this configuration, even if the heat source function unit is manufactured and shipped without distinction between sales and leased items, the control unit can smoothly obtain information from an external server indicating that the heat source function unit is a leased item if it is subsequently used as a leased item. This allows the control unit to appropriately inform the user of the contact information for repair requests, depending on whether the heat source function unit is a leased item or not.

[0015] Furthermore, the heat source function device according to this embodiment may include a storage unit for storing the information, and the control unit may be configured to acquire the information from the storage unit.

[0016] With this configuration, the control unit can smoothly determine whether the heat source function device is leased or purchased by referring to the information stored in the memory unit. Therefore, it can appropriately inform the user of the contact information for repair requests, depending on whether the heat source function device is leased or not.

[0017] The heat source function device according to this embodiment includes a remote controller that accepts the setting of the function, and the notification unit may be configured to be provided in the remote controller.

[0018] This configuration allows users to easily access repair contact information via their usual remote controller. Therefore, repair requests to the manufacturer can be submitted smoothly.

[0019] The heat source function device according to this embodiment is, for example, a water heater. In this case, the user is notified of different contact information depending on whether the water heater is a purchased or leased item. Therefore, the manufacturer can accurately determine whether the water heater to be repaired is a purchased or leased item based on which contact information was used to receive the repair request.

[0020] However, the heat source equipment subject to leasing is not limited to hot water supply equipment; other heat source equipment such as stoves may also be included. [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a heat source function device that enables the manufacturer to accurately grasp whether the heat source function device to be repaired is a commercially sold product or a leased product.

[0022] The effects or significance of the present invention will become clearer from the description of the embodiments shown below. However, the embodiments shown below are merely examples when implementing the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to what is described in the following embodiments.

Brief Explanation of Drawings

[0023] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a hot water supply system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the circuit blocks of each device constituting the hot water supply system according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3(a) is a diagram showing the configuration of contract information managed by a server according to an embodiment. FIG. 3(b) is a diagram showing the configuration of pairing information managed by a server according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing executed by the control unit of the server in response to the reception of a pairing request according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing when an operation is performed to display the inquiry destination for a failure on the kitchen remote controller according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] FIGS. 6(a) to (c) are diagrams showing the screens displayed on the display input unit of the kitchen remote controller in the processing of FIG. 5 according to an embodiment, respectively. [Figure 7] FIGS. 7(a) to (c) are diagrams showing the screens displayed on the display input unit of the kitchen remote controller in the processing of FIG. 5 according to Modification Example 1, respectively. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing when an operation is performed to display the inquiry destination for a failure on the kitchen remote controller according to Modification Example 2. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0024] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0025] In the following embodiment, the hot water supply device 10 corresponds to the "heat source function device" described in the claims. Furthermore, the display input unit 131 of the remote controller 13 corresponds to the "notification unit" described in the claims, and the control unit 133 of the remote controller 13 corresponds to the "control unit" described in the claims.

[0026] However, the above description is solely for the purpose of relating the configuration of the claims to the configuration of the embodiments, and this correspondence does not in any way limit the invention described in the claims to the configuration of the embodiments.

[0027] Figure 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a hot water supply system 1 according to an embodiment.

[0028] As shown in Figure 1, the hot water supply system 1 comprises a hot water supply device 10 and a server 50, and is capable of communicating with a mobile terminal device 30 via a router 20 and an external communication network 40.

[0029] The hot water supply system 10 comprises a water heater 11 and remote controllers 12 and 13. The water heater 11 is a gas water heater that supplies hot water using gas as fuel. The water heater 11 is equipped with a combustion chamber 110, which is a heat source. Heat is recovered from the combustion gas produced in the combustion chamber 110 by a heat exchanger, and the water supplied from the water inlet pipe is heated and raised in temperature. As a result, hot water is produced in the water heater 11.

[0030] The hot water generated by the water heater 11 is supplied to kitchen faucets, bathtubs, taps, etc., via pipes connected to the hot water outlets 11a. If the water heater 11 is equipped with a floor heating function, a bathroom heating function, and a panel heater heating function, hot water is supplied from the water heater 11 to the equipment that provides these functions.

[0031] Remote controllers 12 and 13 are connected to the water heater 11 and are used to make various settings for each function of the water heating system 10. Remote controller 12 includes a display unit 121 and an input unit 122. The input unit 122 includes an operation switch 122a, as well as switches for setting the automatic bath function, reheating function, hot water refilling function, cold water refilling function, etc. The operation switch 122a is a switch for switching the water heater 11 between the ON state and the OFF state. Remote controller 13 includes a display input unit 131 consisting of a touch panel and an operation switch 132.

[0032] The user can make arbitrary settings for things like filling the bathtub and adjusting the hot water temperature by operating the input unit 122 according to the screen displayed on the display unit 121. The user can also make settings for things like filling the bathtub by operating the soft switches displayed on the display input unit 131.

[0033] Remote controller 12 is installed in the bathroom, and remote controller 13 is installed in the kitchen, etc. Hereinafter, the remote controller 12 installed in the bathroom will be referred to as the "bathroom remote control 12," and the remote controller 13 installed in the kitchen, etc. will be referred to as the "kitchen remote control 13."

[0034] Router 20 is a communication relay device that connects each device located within the building (in this case, in-house H10) to the external communication network 40. When a mobile terminal device 30 is located in in-house H10, it is connected to Router 20 via wireless communication and can communicate with Server 50. Mobile terminal device 30 is, for example, a mobile phone. Alternatively, mobile terminal device 30 may be another portable terminal device such as a portable tablet. The external communication network 40 is, for example, the internet.

[0035] A server 50 for managing remote control of the water heater 10 is connected to the external communication network 40. The kitchen remote control 13 communicates with the server 50 via the router 20 and the external communication network 40.

[0036] When the mobile terminal device 30 is located inside the home (H10), the mobile terminal device 30 communicates with the server 50 via the router 20 and the external communication network 40. When the mobile terminal device 30 is outside the home, the mobile terminal device 30 connects to the external communication network 40 via the base station 70 or an externally installed router and communicates with the server 50.

[0037] The kitchen remote control 13 and the mobile terminal device 30 have the application program for the hot water supply system 1 downloaded from the server 50 and installed. This application program contains address information (for example, an IP address) for accessing the server 50. The kitchen remote control 13 and the mobile terminal device 30 access the server 50 and communicate with it based on this address information.

[0038] The address information of the kitchen remote control 13 is sent to the server 50 during initial setup and registered with the server 50. Furthermore, the ID information (identification information) of the kitchen remote control 13 is sent from the kitchen remote control 13 to the server 50 and registered with the server 50. In addition, a portable terminal device 30 capable of remotely controlling the water heater 10 is associated with the water heater 10 and registered with the server 50. Specifically, the ID information of the water heater 10 (kitchen remote control 13) and the ID information and address information of the portable terminal device 30 are associated with each other and registered with the server 50. This registration is performed by the pairing process described later.

[0039] In this way, by registering information about the mobile terminal device 30 with the server 50, the user of the mobile terminal device 30 can use the mobile terminal device 30 to remotely control (for example, set functions) and remotely monitor (for example, monitor the operating status and monitor the bathroom) the hot water supply system 10, both inside the house H10 and outside the house.

[0040] Furthermore, if the water heater 10 is a leased item, the server 50 manages information related to the lease of the water heater 10. Lease information includes the lease agreement number, customer information such as the name and address of the customer who is the contract holder, ID information of the leased water heater 10, and billing information. Billing information includes, for example, the billing amount based on the monthly usage of the water heater 10. In this case, information regarding usage is periodically transmitted from the kitchen remote control 13 to the server 50. The server 50 provides the billing information for each month to the mobile terminal device 30 associated with the leased water heater 10 via push notification or the like. The billing amount may be a fixed amount each month.

[0041] Furthermore, a terminal device 60 of the customer support center is connected to the external communication network 40. Customer support staff (person in charge) can access the server 50 from the terminal device 60 as needed to refer to lease-related information, etc.

[0042] Figure 2 shows the circuit blocks of each component that make up the hot water supply system 1.

[0043] The water heater 11 comprises a control unit 111, a storage unit 112, and a communication unit 113. The control unit 111 is equipped with a microcomputer and controls each part of the water heater 11 according to a program stored in the storage unit 112. The storage unit 112 is equipped with memory and stores a predetermined control program.

[0044] The communication unit 113 communicates with the bathroom remote control 12 and the kitchen remote control 13 according to the control unit 111. The communication unit 113 is connected to the communication unit 125 of the bathroom remote control 12 and the communication unit 135 of the kitchen remote control 13 via two-core communication lines L1 and L2. Furthermore, the two-core communication lines L1 and L2 are connected to each other inside the communication unit 113. Therefore, the communication unit 125 of the bathroom remote control 12 and the communication unit 135 of the kitchen remote control 13 are connected to each other by the two-core communication lines L1 and L2. As a result, a signal transmitted from any of the communication units 113, 125, or 135 is transmitted simultaneously to the other communication units.

[0045] In addition, the water heater 11 includes various sensors such as a water level sensor for detecting the water level in the bathtub, a temperature sensor (thermistor) for detecting the temperature of the hot water, and a flow rate sensor for detecting the supply of hot water.

[0046] In addition to the display unit 121 and input unit 122 described above, the bathroom remote control 12 includes a control unit 123, a storage unit 124, and a communication unit 125.

[0047] The control unit 123 is equipped with a microcomputer and performs predetermined control according to a program stored in the memory unit 124. The memory unit 124 is equipped with memory and stores predetermined control programs. The communication unit 125 communicates with the water heater 11 and the kitchen remote control 13 according to the control unit 123.

[0048] In addition, the bathroom remote control 12 is equipped with a human sensor to monitor people inside the bathroom. The human sensor is, for example, a pyroelectric sensor using infrared light. The detection range of the human sensor covers the washing area and bathtub inside the bathroom.

[0049] In addition to the display input unit 131 and operation switch 132 described above, the kitchen remote control 13 includes a control unit 133, a storage unit 134, a communication unit 135, and a wireless communication unit 136.

[0050] The control unit 133 is equipped with a microcomputer and performs predetermined control according to a program stored in the memory unit 134. The memory unit 134 is equipped with memory and stores predetermined control programs. The communication unit 135 communicates with the water heater 11 and the bathroom remote control 12 according to the control unit 133.

[0051] The wireless communication unit 136 is a wireless communication module capable of wireless communication with the router 20. The server 50 registers the address information and ID information of the wireless communication unit 136 (wireless communication module) as the address information and ID information of the kitchen remote control 13 (water heater 10).

[0052] The server 50 comprises a control unit 501, a storage unit 502, and a communication unit 503. The control unit 501 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and performs predetermined control according to a program stored in the storage unit 502. The storage unit 502 includes memory and a hard disk and stores predetermined control programs. The communication unit 503 performs predetermined communication according to the control unit 501.

[0053] Figure 3(a) shows the structure of contract information managed by server 50.

[0054] When a user enters into a lease agreement, they submit customer information to the manufacturer, including their name, address, and contact information (such as a telephone number and email address). A contract number is assigned to the lease agreement, and this contract number is provided to the user. The manufacturer registers the submitted customer information, along with the contract number, in the server 50. As a result, the contract information shown in Figure 3(a) is sequentially stored in the storage unit 502 of the server 50. As shown in Figure 3(a), the contract information is structured by linking the contract number with the customer information.

[0055] Figure 3(b) shows the structure of the pairing information managed by server 50.

[0056] Pairing information is information that associates the water heater 10 with a portable terminal device 30 capable of remotely controlling the water heater 10. As shown in Figure 3(b), the pairing information is configured by associating the ID information and address information of the water heater 10 (kitchen remote control 13) with the ID information and address information (terminal information) of the portable terminal device 30. Terminal information of multiple portable terminal devices 30 can be associated with a single water heater ID.

[0057] Pairing is performed, for example, using the following steps:

[0058] First, the user starts the application program for the hot water supply system 1 installed on the mobile terminal device 30 in the home H10 and sets the mobile terminal device 30 to pairing mode. Then, the user performs a pairing operation on the display input unit 131 of the kitchen remote control 13. As a result, the kitchen remote control 13 broadcasts a pairing announcement using the UDP protocol. If the mobile terminal device 30 is in the home H10, this announcement is received by the mobile terminal device 30.

[0059] When the mobile terminal device 30 receives this announcement, it displays a reception screen for accepting pairing operations. The reception screen includes a field for entering the contract number of the lease agreement. If the water heater 10 to be paired is a leased item, the user enters the contract number in this field and then performs the pairing operation. If the water heater 10 to be paired is a purchased item, the user performs the pairing operation without entering anything in this field. As a result, the mobile terminal device 30 unicasts a pairing request to the kitchen remote control 13 using the TCP protocol. The pairing request includes the ID information and address information of the mobile terminal device 30.

[0060] When this pairing request is received by the kitchen remote control 13, a confirmation screen for accepting the pairing is displayed on the display input unit 131 of the kitchen remote control 13. When the user performs an operation to accept the pairing on this confirmation screen, the kitchen remote control 13 sends a pairing response to the mobile terminal device 30 using the TCP protocol. This pairing response contains the ID information of the kitchen remote control 13.

[0061] When the mobile terminal device 30 receives a pairing response from the kitchen remote control 13, the mobile terminal device 30 sends a pairing request to the server 50. This pairing request includes the ID information and address information of the mobile terminal device 30, as well as the ID information of the kitchen remote control 13 received from the kitchen remote control 13 in the previous process. In addition, if the user entered a contract number on the reception screen described above, the entered contract number is also included in the pairing request. Thus, a pairing request containing the information necessary for pairing is sent from the mobile terminal device 30 to the server 50.

[0062] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the process executed by the control unit 501 of the server 50 in response to the receipt of a pairing request.

[0063] When the control unit 501 of the server 50 receives the above-mentioned pairing request from the mobile terminal device 30 (S101:YES), it performs a pairing process that associates the ID information and address information of the mobile terminal device 30 included in the pairing request with the ID information of the hot water supply device 10 (S102).

[0064] As described above, the server 50 has the ID information and address information of the water heater 10 (the ID information and address information of the kitchen remote control 13) registered when the water heater 10 was initially set up for the water heater system 1. In step S102, the control unit 501 associates the ID information and address information of the mobile terminal device 30 included in the pairing request with the pair of ID information and address information of the water heater 10 that is already registered and corresponds to the ID information of the kitchen remote control 13 included in the pairing request. As a result, the pairing information shown in Figure 3(b) is configured for the mobile terminal device 30.

[0065] Furthermore, the control unit 501 determines whether the pairing request includes the contract number (S103). If the pairing request does not include the contract number (S103: NO), the control unit 501 sends a registration notification to the paired water heater 10 (kitchen remote control 13) (S106) and terminates the process. As a result, information indicating that the pairing has been completed is displayed on the display input unit 131 of the kitchen remote control 13.

[0066] On the other hand, if the pairing request includes a contract number (S103: YES), the control unit 501 further associates the contract information corresponding to that contract number (see Figure 3(a)) with the current pairing information (S104). The third line from the top of Figure 3(b) shows the state in which the contract information AG3 is associated with the pairing information. The associated contract information may consist only of the contract number.

[0067] Then, the control unit 501 sends information (lease information) indicating that the water heater 10 that was paired is a leased item to the paired water heater 10 (kitchen remote control 13) (S105), and further sends a registration notification to the water heater 10 (kitchen remote control 13) (S106). With this, the control unit 501 terminates the process shown in Figure 4.

[0068] When the control unit 133 of the kitchen remote control 13 receives the lease information transmitted in step S105, it stores a flag in the storage unit 134 indicating that it is a leased item. Then, when the kitchen remote control 13 receives the registration notification transmitted in step S106, it displays information on the display input unit 131 indicating that the pairing is complete. This allows the user to confirm that the pairing is complete.

[0069] The registration notification may also be sent to the mobile terminal device 30 via push notification or the like. In this case, the user can confirm that the pairing has been completed via the mobile terminal device 30.

[0070] Furthermore, the process shown in Figure 4 may be executed only when the first mobile terminal device 30 is paired with the hot water supply device 10. In this case, steps S103 to S105 in Figure 4 may be omitted when pairing a second or subsequent mobile terminal device 30. Also, the contract number may be omitted from the information transmitted from the mobile terminal device 30 to the server 50 during this pairing. Therefore, when a second or subsequent mobile terminal device 30 is paired, the input field for the contract number does not need to be included on the reception screen of that mobile terminal device 30.

[0071] By the way, if the water heater 10 malfunctions, the user requests repairs from the manufacturer. In this case, the party responsible for the repair costs differs depending on whether the water heater 10 is a purchased item or a leased item. That is, if the water heater 10 is a purchased item, the user bears the repair costs. On the other hand, if the water heater 10 is a leased item, the manufacturer bears the repair costs. Therefore, when a repair request for the water heater 10 is made, if it is unclear whether the water heater 10 is a purchased item or a leased item, there is a risk of errors in billing for repair costs.

[0072] Therefore, in this embodiment, when a user requests a repair, the manufacturer is provided with a configuration that allows them to accurately determine whether the water heater 10 to be repaired is a purchased item or a leased item.

[0073] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the process when an operation is performed on the kitchen remote control 13 to display the contact information for troubleshooting.

[0074] When a user performs an operation on the display input unit 131 of the kitchen remote control 13 to display the contact information for troubleshooting (S201: YES), the control unit 133 checks whether a flag indicating that it is a leased item (lease flag) is held in the storage unit 134 (S202). As described above, the lease flag is held in the storage unit 134 when the kitchen remote control 13 receives the leased item information transmitted in step S105 of Figure 4.

[0075] If the lease flag is held (S203: YES), the control unit 133 indicates that the water heater 10 is a leased item and displays the first contact information on the display input unit 131 (S204). On the other hand, if the lease flag is not held (S203: NO), the control unit 133 indicates that the water heater 10 is a purchased item and displays a second contact information different from the first contact information on the display input unit 131 (S205). With this, the control unit 133 terminates the process shown in Figure 5.

[0076] Figures 6(a) to 6(c) show the screens displayed on the display input unit 131 of the kitchen remote control 13 during the process shown in Figure 5.

[0077] The user operates the initial screen of the display input unit 131 to display the equipment information display screen shown in Figure 6(a). This screen includes a key K11 to display water heater equipment information, a key K12 to display remote control information, a key K13 to display contact information, and a key K14 to return to the previous screen. To request repair of a malfunction, the user operates key K13. This makes step S201 in Figure 5 YES.

[0078] If the water heater 10 is a leased item, operating key K13 will display the screen shown in Figure 6(b) on the display input unit 131. This screen includes the contact telephone number N11, the lease contract number N12, and the key K15 to return to the previous screen. The contact telephone number N11 displayed here is the first contact number announced in step S204 of Figure 5.

[0079] The user uses their mobile terminal device 30 or similar to call the inquiry telephone number N11. This connects the call to the customer service center's consultation desk. This consultation desk corresponds to the first contact point. The user explains the malfunction of the water heater 10 to the person in charge at the consultation desk and, if necessary, requests repairs. At this time, the user provides the person in charge with the contract number displayed on the display input unit 131, if necessary.

[0080] On the other hand, if the water heater 10 is a product for sale, the screen shown in Figure 6(c) is displayed on the display input unit 131 by operating the key K13. This screen includes the contact telephone number N13 and the key K16 to return to the previous screen. The contact telephone number N13 displayed here is the second contact number announced by step S205 in Figure 5. The contact telephone number N13 is different from the contact telephone number N11 in Figure 6(b).

[0081] The user uses their mobile device 30 or similar to call the inquiry telephone number N13. This connects the call to the customer service center's consultation desk. This consultation desk corresponds to the second contact point and is different from the consultation desk in the case of Figure 6(b). The user explains the malfunction of the water heater 10 to the person in charge at the consultation desk and, if appropriate, requests repairs.

[0082] Thus, in this embodiment, the telephone number for requesting repairs differs depending on whether the water heater 10 is leased or purchased. Therefore, the manufacturer (customer service center) can easily and accurately determine whether the water heater 10 to be repaired is leased or purchased.

[0083] <Effects of the Embodiment> According to this embodiment, the following effects can be achieved.

[0084] As shown in Figure 5, if the water heater 10 (heat source function unit) is a leased item (S203: YES), the first contact information is notified from the display input unit 131 (notification unit) (S204), and if the water heater 10 (heat source function unit) is a purchased item (S203: NO), the second contact information is notified from the display input unit 131 (notification unit) (S205). Therefore, the manufacturer can accurately determine whether the water heater 10 (heat source function unit) to be repaired is a purchased item or a leased item based on which contact information was used to receive the repair request.

[0085] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 6(a) to 6(c), different contact telephone numbers N11 and N13 are provided depending on whether the water heater 10 (heat source function unit) to be repaired is a leased item or a purchased item. Therefore, the manufacturer can distinguish whether the water heater 10 (heat source function unit) to be repaired is a leased item or a purchased item based on which telephone number the user uses to make the call.

[0086] As shown in Figure 4, the control unit 133 obtains lease information from the server 50 (external server) via the wireless communication unit 136 (communication unit) indicating whether or not the water heater 10 (heat source function device) is a leased item (S105). As a result, even if the water heater 10 (heat source function device), including itself, is manufactured and shipped without distinction between sold and leased items, the control unit 133 can smoothly obtain lease information from the server 50 indicating that the water heater 10 is a leased item if it is subsequently used as a leased item. Therefore, the contact information for repair requests can be appropriately notified to the user depending on whether or not the water heater 10 (heat source function device) is a leased item.

[0087] In this case, when the control unit 133 receives lease information through the process in step S105 of Figure 4, it stores a lease flag (information indicating that it is a leased item) in the storage unit 134. Then, in the process shown in Figure 5, the control unit 133 checks whether the lease flag is held in the storage unit 134 (S202) and determines whether the hot water heater 10, including itself, is a leased item (S203). As a result, the control unit 133 can smoothly determine whether the hot water heater 10 (heat source function device) is a leased item or a purchased item, and can appropriately inform the user of the contact information for repair requests depending on whether the hot water heater 10 is a leased item or not.

[0088] As shown in Figure 1, in this embodiment, the notification unit that notifies the contact information for repair requests in the event of a malfunction is configured in the display input unit 131 of the kitchen remote control 13. This allows the user to easily obtain the contact information for repair requests via the kitchen remote control 13 that they normally use. Therefore, repair requests to the manufacturer can be made smoothly.

[0089] <Example of change 1> Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications are possible to the application examples of the present invention other than those described above.

[0090] For example, in the above embodiment, as shown in Figures 6(b) and (c), telephone number N11 is provided as the first contact when the water heater 10 is a leased item, and telephone number N13 is provided as the second contact when the water heater 10 is a purchased item. However, the first and second contacts are not limited to these.

[0091] For example, as shown in Figures 7(b) and (c), access information A11 for the repair request webpage may be provided as the first contact, and access information A12 for the repair request webpage may be provided as the second contact. In this case, as shown in Figures 7(b) and (c), QR codes (registered trademark) Q11 and Q12 containing this access information A11 and A12 may also be included on the screen.

[0092] Users can access the repair request webpage from their mobile terminal device 30, etc., using access information A11, A12 or QR codes (registered trademark) Q11, Q12. If QR codes (registered trademark) Q11, Q12 are included on the screen as shown in Figures 7(b) and (c), users can access the respective repair request webpages more easily.

[0093] In this case as well, the access information A11, A12 or QR codes (registered trademarks) Q11, Q12 differ from each other depending on whether the water heater 10 is a leased or purchased item. Therefore, the manufacturer can accurately determine whether the water heater 10 (heat source function unit) to be repaired is a purchased or leased item based on which webpage the repair request was received through.

[0094] In addition, the first and second contact addresses may be different email addresses or similar addresses set by the manufacturer.

[0095] <Example of change 2> In the process shown in Figure 5, step S202 checks whether or not a lease flag is held in the storage unit 134. However, the method for determining whether or not the hot water heater 10 is a leased item is not limited to this.

[0096] For example, as shown in Figure 8, in response to receiving an inquiry operation from the user (S201: YES), the control unit 133 may query the server 50 to determine whether the hot water supply unit 10 is a leased item (S211). In this case, step S105 is omitted from the process shown in Figure 4.

[0097] In step S211, the control unit 133 sends a notification to the server 50 inquiring about the existence of a lease, which includes the ID information of the kitchen remote control 13 (the ID information of the water heater 10). The server 50 refers to the management information in Figure 3(b) and checks whether contract information is associated with the ID information (water heater ID) included in this notification. If contract information is associated, the server 50 sends a response to the kitchen remote control 13 indicating that it is a leased item. If contract information is not associated, the server 50 sends a response to the kitchen remote control 13 indicating that it is a purchased item.

[0098] The control unit 133 of the kitchen remote control 13 determines, based on the received response, whether the water heater 10 is a leased item or a purchased item (S203). Then, the control unit 133 notifies the first contact person (S204) or the second contact person (S205) according to the determination result.

[0099] Furthermore, information indicating whether the water heater 10 is a leased or sold item does not necessarily have to be obtained from the server 50; for example, it may be stored in the storage unit 134 beforehand. For example, if the water heaters 10 shipped from the manufacturer are sorted into those for lease and those for sale, only the water heaters 10 shipped for lease may have a lease flag stored in the storage unit 134 beforehand to indicate that they are leased items.

[0100] In this case as well, the process shown in Figure 5 will cause the display input unit 131 to notify the user of two different first and second contact points, depending on whether the water heater 10 is leased or purchased. Therefore, the manufacturer can accurately determine whether the water heater 10 to be repaired is a purchased or leased item based on which contact point was used to receive the repair request.

[0101] Furthermore, information indicating whether the water heater 10 is leased or purchased does not necessarily have to be stored in the storage unit 134; for example, it may be stored by a switch or identifier implemented in the kitchen remote control 13.

[0102] For example, a switch that can be switched between two positions may be implemented on the kitchen remote control 13, with one position identifying a leased item and the other position identifying a purchased item. In this case, the manufacturer sets the switch position according to whether the water heater 10 is a leased or purchased item, for example, at the time of shipment or installation. Instead of step S202 in Figure 5, the control unit 133 acquires an electrical signal corresponding to the position of this switch as information indicating whether the water heater 10 is a purchased or leased item, and executes the processing from step S203 onwards. With this configuration as well, similar to the embodiment described above, different contact information can be provided to the user depending on whether the water heater 10 is a leased or purchased item.

[0103] <Other examples of changes> In the above embodiment, when the control unit 133 of the kitchen remote control 13 receives the lease target information transmitted by the process in step S105 of Figure 4, the control unit 133 stores the lease flag in the storage unit 134. However, the received lease target information may be stored in the storage unit 134 as is. In this case, the control unit 133 only needs to check in step S202 of Figure 5 whether or not the lease target information is stored in the storage unit 134.

[0104] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the processes in steps S103 to S105 in Figure 4 were performed during the pairing process between the mobile terminal device 30 and the water heater 10. However, the processes in steps S103 to S105 in Figure 4 may also be performed during processes other than the pairing process. For example, when the installation of the water heater 10 is completed, the installer or user may operate the kitchen remote control 13 to register with the server 50 that the water heater is a leased item.

[0105] In this case, the installer or user enters the lease agreement number when performing a registration operation with the server 50 for the kitchen remote control 13. As a result, a registration request including the contract number and the ID information of the kitchen remote control 13 is sent from the kitchen remote control 13 to the server 50. The control unit 501 of the server 50 performs the processing in steps S104 to S106 based on the received contract number and ID information. That is, the control unit 501 associates the contract information corresponding to the contract number with the ID information (hot water heater ID) of the kitchen remote control 13 (S104), and further sends the lease target information to the kitchen remote control 13 (S105). As a result, a lease flag is held in the storage unit 134 of the kitchen remote control 13, similar to the embodiment described above. The control unit 133 of the kitchen remote control 13 notifies the first or second contact by processing similar to that in Figure 5, depending on whether or not the lease flag is held in the storage unit 134.

[0106] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the processing performed by the control unit 133 does not necessarily have to be realized by software functions of a control program; some or all of it may be realized by hardware using logic circuits.

[0107] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the process shown in Figure 5 was performed in the control unit 133 of the kitchen remote control 13, but this process may also be performed in other control units 111 and 123 that constitute the hot water heater 10. Also, if the hot water heater 10 has a control unit or other control unit in addition to the control units 111, 123 and 133 shown in Figure 2, the process shown in Figure 5 may be performed in this control unit.

[0108] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the notification unit was the display input unit 131 of the kitchen remote control 13, but the notification unit is not limited to this. For example, the display unit 121 of the bathroom remote control 12 may be the notification unit along with the display input unit 131 of the kitchen remote control 13, or the display unit 121 of the bathroom remote control 12 may be the notification unit alone. Also, if the water heater 10 further includes a display unit other than the display unit 121 and the display input unit 131, this display unit may be the notification unit. In addition, the notification may be made not only by image but also by sound.

[0109] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the hot water heater 10 was a combustion-type hot water heater that heats water using combustion gas produced by burning gas, but the configuration of the hot water heater 10 is not limited to this. For example, the hot water heater 10 may be an oil-fueled hot water heater, or the hot water heater 10 may be a cogeneration-type hot water heater that generates electricity using a generator and stores hot water produced using waste heat from the generator.

[0110] Furthermore, the heat source function device to which the present invention applies is not limited to the hot water supply device 10, but may also be other types of heat source function devices such as stoves (for example, gas stoves) or fan heaters. In this case as well, the process shown in Figure 5 is executed in response to an inquiry operation when this type of heat source function device malfunctions. As a result, depending on whether the device is leased or purchased, either the first contact or the second contact will be displayed on the display panel of the device.

[0111] In addition, embodiments of the present invention can be modified in various ways as appropriate within the scope of the claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0112] 10. Hot water supply system (heat source function device) 13. Kitchen remote control (remote controller) 50 servers (external servers) 131 Display Input Unit (Notification Unit) 133 Control Unit 134 Storage section 135 Communications Department

Claims

1. A heat source function device that provides a predetermined function using a heat source, A notification unit that notifies the contact information for repair requests in the event of a malfunction, The system includes a control unit that controls the notification unit, The control unit, based on information indicating whether the heat source function device is a purchased item or a leased item, causes the contact information notified by the notification unit to differ depending on whether the heat source function device is a purchased item or a leased item. A heat source functional device characterized by the following features.

2. In the heat source function device according to claim 1, The aforementioned contact information is a telephone number. A heat source functional device characterized by the following features.

3. In the heat source function device according to claim 1, The aforementioned contact information is the access information for the repair request webpage. A heat source functional device characterized by the following features.

4. In the heat source function device according to claim 1, It is equipped with a communication unit for communicating with external servers, The external server manages the information for each heat source function device. The control unit acquires the information from the external server via the communication unit. A heat source functional device characterized by the following features.

5. In the heat source function device according to claim 1, The system includes a storage unit that stores the aforementioned information, The control unit acquires the information from the storage unit. A heat source functional device characterized by the following features.

6. In the heat source function device according to claim 1, The system includes a remote controller that accepts settings for the aforementioned functions, The notification unit is provided in the remote controller, A heat source functional device characterized by the following features.

7. In the heat source function device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, The heat source function device is a hot water supply device. A heat source functional device characterized by the following features.

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