equipment and machinery

Abstract

To provide a facility apparatus that can secure a plurality of communication paths.SOLUTION: A bathroom heating ventilation drying device 1A, which is the location of a facility apparatus, includes: a body unit 2 installed in a bathroom 200; an operation unit 3 installed in a wash and dressing room 300 and operating the body unit 2; a first communication unit 4 connected to an external device 100 using a first wireless communication standard; and a second communication unit 5 connected to the external device 100 using a second wireless communication standard. The first communication unit 4 and the second communication unit 5 are provided in the operation unit 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] As equipment installed in a house, a remote control system for a water heater has been proposed. In this remote control system, it includes a first remote control for remotely controlling the water heater, a communication line connecting between the water heater and the first remote control, and access means for accessing a wide area communication network. The access means is arranged outside the first remote control and is configured to have a communication path including a communication line between it and the first remote control (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 where equipment installed in a house can be remotely operated from the outside via a communication line, if there is only one communication path, when normal communication cannot be performed via that communication path, the remote operation cannot be performed.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and an object thereof is to provide equipment that can ensure a plurality of communication paths.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention comprises a main unit installed in a building and having adjustment means for adjusting either or both of the temperature and humidity inside the building; an operating unit that can operate the main unit within the same building as the main unit; an internal communication means that connects the main unit and the operating unit in a communicative manner; a plurality of external communication means that are connected to external devices in a communicative manner using a plurality of wireless communication standards; a connection determination means that determines whether or not a connection can be made with the plurality of external communication means and the internal communication means; and a control means that controls the main unit in accordance with the operation of the operating unit and controls the main unit in accordance with the operation of the external device, wherein the control means , contact The subsequent determination method determined that connection was possible. multiple External communication means either of the or internal communication means The main unit receives the operation via this method. If the connection determination means determines that connection is possible via internal communication means but impossible via all of the multiple external communication means, it outputs control information to stop the operation of the main unit, and stops the operation of the main unit which was controlled according to the operation of the external device. It is a piece of equipment. Furthermore, the present invention is a device comprising: a main unit installed in a building and having adjustment means for adjusting either or both of the temperature and humidity inside the building; an operating unit that can operate the main unit within the same building as the main unit; an internal communication means that connects the main unit and the operating unit in a communicative manner; a plurality of external communication means that are communicatively connected to an external device using a plurality of wireless communication standards; a connection determination means that determines whether connection is possible with the plurality of external communication means and the internal communication means; and a control means that controls the main unit in response to operations on the operating unit and also controls the main unit in response to operations on an external device. The control means receives operations on the main unit via one of the plurality of external communication means or the internal communication means that the connection determination means has determined is possible to connect, and if the connection determination means determines that connection is possible with one of the plurality of external communication means but not with the internal communication means, the control means stops the operation of the main unit which is controlled in response to operations on an external device. Furthermore, the present invention comprises a main unit installed in a building and having adjustment means for adjusting either or both of the temperature and humidity inside the building; an operating unit that can operate the main unit within the same building as the main unit; an internal communication means that connects the main unit and the operating unit in a communicative manner; a plurality of external communication means that are communicatively connected to an external device using a plurality of wireless communication standards; a connection determination means that determines whether connection is possible with the plurality of external communication means and the internal communication means; and a control means that controls the main unit in response to operations on the operating unit and also controls the main unit in response to operations on an external device. The control means receives operations on the main unit via any of the plurality of external communication means or the internal communication means that the connection determination means determines is possible to connect, and if the connection determination means determines that connection is possible with any of the plurality of external communication means and not possible with the internal communication means, it receives operations on an external device via the external communication means that is determined to be possible among the plurality of external communication means. Furthermore, the present invention is a device comprising: a main unit installed in a building and having adjustment means for adjusting either or both of the temperature and humidity inside the building; an operating unit that can operate the main unit within the same building as the main unit; an internal communication means that connects the main unit and the operating unit in a communicative manner; a plurality of external communication means that are communicatively connected to an external device using a plurality of wireless communication standards; a connection determination means that determines whether or not connection is possible with the plurality of external communication means and the internal communication means; and a control means that controls the main unit in accordance with the operation of the operating unit and controls the main unit in accordance with the operation of an external device. The plurality of external communication means are provided in the main unit as one wireless communication means and other wireless communication means. The control means receives operation of the main unit via one of the plurality of external communication means or the internal communication means that the connection determination means has determined to be connectable. If the connection determination means determines that connection with the internal communication means is impossible and connection with one wireless communication means or at least one of the other wireless communication means is possible, the device makes the main unit operable from an external device via the one wireless communication means or other wireless communication means that can be connected.

[0007] In this invention, a communication path is established between the main unit, which is operated by the control unit, and an external device using multiple communication standards. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] In this invention, equipment installed in a building can be remotely controlled wirelessly from an external source, and remote control is possible by selecting a communication path from among multiple available communication paths. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [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 a functional block diagram showing a modified example of a bathroom heating, ventilation, and drying device, which is an example of the equipment of this embodiment. [Figure 3B] This is a functional block diagram showing a modified example of a bathroom heating, ventilation, and drying device, which is an example of the equipment of this embodiment. [Figure 4A] This is a functional block diagram showing another modification of a bathroom heating, ventilation, and drying device, which is an example of the equipment of this embodiment. [Figure 4B] This is a functional block diagram showing another modification of a bathroom heating, ventilation, and drying device, which is an example of the equipment of this embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a functional block diagram showing another modification of a bathroom heating, ventilation, and drying device, which is an example of the equipment of this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the equipment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] <Example of equipment configuration in this embodiment> Figure 1 is a functional block diagram of a bathroom heating, ventilation, and drying device, showing an example of the equipment in this embodiment, and Figure 2 is a front view showing an example of the control panel.

[0012] The bathroom heating, ventilation, and drying device 1A, an example of an air conditioning system as equipment in this embodiment, comprises a main unit 2 installed in a bathroom 200, which is a room in a residential building, and an operating unit 3 that allows the main unit 2 to be operated from within the residential building where the main unit 2 is installed. The operating unit 3 is installed, for example, in another room connected to the bathroom 200, such as a washroom or dressing room 300. Alternatively, the operating unit 3 may be in a form that can be used inside the bathroom 200.

[0013] The main body part 2, as an adjustment means for adjusting either or both of the temperature and humidity in the bathroom 200, which is a room of a house as a building, sucks air from the bathroom 200, circulates the air sucked from the bathroom 200 and blows it out into the bathroom 200, and also has a function of exhausting the air sucked from the bathroom 200 to the outside. The blowing part 20 is provided with a heating part 21 for heating the air blown into the room by the blowing part 20. The blowing part 20 may be configured to include a ventilation fan that sucks air from the bathroom 200 and exhausts it to the outside, and a circulation fan that sucks air from the bathroom 200, circulates the air sucked from the bathroom 200 and blows it out into the bathroom 200, or may be configured to include one fan and a mechanism for switching the air passage.

[0014] The main body part 2 is provided with a main body control part 22 for controlling the blowing part 20, the heating part 21, etc. based on control information and the like input from the operation part 3, and a wired communication part 23 that is wired-connected to the operation part 3.

[0015] The operation part 3 is provided with an input part 30 for receiving operations of the user such as selection of the operation mode and stop of the operation, and an output part 31 for displaying the operation mode selected by the operation of the input part 3, the connection state between the bathroom heating ventilation drying device 1A and the external device 100, etc. Further, the operation part 3 is provided with a control part 32 for outputting control information and the like based on the operation of the user, and a wired communication part 33 that is wired-connected to the wired communication part 23 of the main body part 2. The wired communication part 23 and the wired communication part 33 are an example of internal communication means, and connect the main body control part 22 of the main body part 2 and the control part 32 of the operation part 3 so as to be communicable. In addition, when the operation part 3 can be used inside the bathroom 200, the main body part 2 and the operation part 3 may be configured to be connected by infrared communication. In this case, the main body part 2 and the operation part 3 are provided with an infrared communication part as internal communication means.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, the input part 30 is provided with an operation mode selection button 30a for selecting the operation mode, a stop button 30b for stopping the operation, and an operation time setting button 30c for setting the operation time.

[0017] 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.

[0018] The control unit 32 is an example of a control means. It receives operations from the operation unit 3 and outputs control information to control the blower unit 20 and heating unit 21 of the main unit 2 according to the operations on the operation unit 3. In addition, when the operating mode selection button 30a is pressed, the control unit 32 lights up the operating status lamp 31a corresponding to the selected operating mode.

[0019] 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 input unit 30 of the operation unit 3. 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 200, in response to the operation of 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 200 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 input unit 30. Furthermore, the control unit 32 outputs control information to execute a drying operation mode, which performs drying operation by blowing warm air into the bathroom 200 while performing ventilation operation within the bathroom 200, in response to the operation of the input unit 30. Furthermore, the control unit 32 outputs control information to execute a cooling operation mode, which performs cooling operation by blowing air into the bathroom 200 according to the temperature of the bathroom 200, in response to the operation of the input unit 30.

[0020] The main unit control unit 22 is an example of a control means, and based on 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, it controls the air blower unit 20 and the heating unit 21, etc., to execute 24-hour ventilation operation mode, heating operation mode, ventilation operation mode, drying operation mode, and cool air operation mode.

[0021] The bathroom heating, ventilation, and drying device 1A is wirelessly connected to the external device 100. The main unit control unit 22 of the main unit 2 and the control unit 32 of the operation unit 3 receive operations from the external device 100 and control the air blower unit 20 and heating unit 21 of the main unit 2 according to the operations on the external device 100. This allows the desired operating mode to be executed by the operation of the external device 100. The bathroom heating, ventilation, and drying device 1A may also be configured to output operation and fault history information to the external device 100.

[0022] Therefore, the bathroom heating, ventilation, and drying device 1A is equipped with multiple communication units to enable connection with the external device 100 using multiple wireless communication standards. In this example, the device is equipped with a first communication unit 4 and a second communication unit 5 as multiple external communication means that enable communication with the external device using multiple wireless communication standards.

[0023] The first communication unit 4 is an example of a wireless communication method, and in this example, it consists of a communication module compatible with Wi-Fi (registered trademark) as the first communication standard. The second communication unit 5 is an example of another wireless communication method, and in this example, it consists of a communication module compatible with Bluetooth (registered trademark) as the second communication standard.

[0024] The bathroom heating, ventilation, and drying device 1A has a first communication unit 4 and a second communication unit 5 provided on the operation unit 3. The first communication unit 4 and the second communication unit 5 may be composed of circuits on which various electronic components are mounted on a circuit board (not shown) that constitutes the operation unit 3. In addition, the first communication unit 4 and the second communication unit 5 are provided on the operation unit 3 with antennas corresponding to their respective communication standards.

[0025] 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 first communication unit 4. The router 101 installed in the house forms a wired and wireless LAN within the home. The router 101 is also connected to the external internet network 104 via a terminal adapter 103. Furthermore, a server 105 may also be connected to the router 101.

[0026] Furthermore, the bathroom heating, ventilation, and drying device 1A has an external device 100 that can be connected wirelessly, and a terminal device 102 such as a smartphone that supports the Bluetooth® communication standard is connected to the second communication unit 5. If the terminal device 102 supports the Wi-Fi® communication standard, it can connect to the router 101 and the first communication unit 4. Also, if the terminal device 102 supports the LTE® communication standard, it can connect to the internet network 104.

[0027] The bathroom heating, ventilation, and drying device 1A is assigned a unique IP address. The control unit 32 executes a program in accordance with the Wi-Fi® standard, in response to the authentication function of the router 101, causing the first communication unit 4 to connect with the router 101. The control unit 32 also executes a program in accordance with the Bluetooth® standard, in response to the authentication function of the terminal device 102, causing the second communication unit 5 to connect with the terminal device 102.

[0028] 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 first communication unit 4 of the bathroom heating, ventilation, and drying device 1A via router 101. Terminal device 102 is also connected to the second communication unit 5 of the bathroom heating, ventilation, and drying device 1A in accordance with the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard. Furthermore, terminal device 102 is connected to router 101 via the internet network 104, and is connected to the first communication unit 4 of the bathroom heating, ventilation, and drying device 1A via router 101.

[0029] The bathroom heating, ventilation, and drying device 1A registers an operable terminal device 102 when an application is operated on the terminal device 102.

[0030] When the connection between the first communication unit 4 and the terminal device 102 is established via the router 101 and the internet network 104, the control unit 32 obtains connection availability information via the first communication unit 4. Also, when the connection between the second communication unit 5 and the terminal device 102 is established, the control unit 32 obtains connection availability information via the second communication unit 5.

[0031] The control unit 32 is equipped with a connection determination function 34a as a connection determination means for determining whether or not a connection can be established with the first communication unit 4 and the second communication unit 5. The control unit 32 obtains connection feasibility information for the first communication unit 4 and the second communication unit 5 using the connection determination function 34a, and if it determines that a connection cannot be established with one of the communication units, it switches the communication unit that performs communication with the external device 100 (terminal device 102) to the other communication unit with an established connection. When the blower unit 20 and heating unit 21 of the main unit 2 are operating in control according to the operation of the external device 100 (terminal device 102), if a connection cannot be established with one of the communication units of the first communication unit 4 or the second communication unit 5, the control unit that performs communication with the external device 100 (terminal device 102) is switched to the other communication unit with an established connection, thereby continuing the control according to the operation of the external device 100 (terminal device 102). Furthermore, the control unit 32 acquires connection status information for the first communication unit 4 and the second communication unit 5 using the connection determination function 34a. If it determines that a connection cannot be established between both communication units while the blower unit 20 and heating unit 21 of the main unit 2 are operating in accordance with the operation of the external device 100 (terminal device 102), the control unit 32 outputs control information to stop the operation of the blower unit 20 and heating unit 21 of the main unit 2.

[0032] The main control unit 22 is equipped with a connection determination function 34b as a means for determining whether a connection can be made between the wired communication unit 23 of the main unit 2 and the wired communication unit 33 of the operation unit 3. The main control unit 22 obtains connection status information between the wired communication unit 23 and the wired communication unit 33 using the connection determination function 34b, and controls the blower unit 20 and the heating unit 21 of the main unit 2 according to whether a connection can be made between the wired communication unit 23 and the wired communication unit 33. If the main control unit 22 determines that the wired communication unit 23 and the wired communication unit 33 are not connected while the blower unit 20 and the heating unit 21 of the main unit 2 are operating in response to an operation by an external device 100 (terminal device 102), it stops the operation of the blower unit 20 and the heating unit 21 of the main unit 2. Furthermore, if the main unit control unit 22 determines that a connection cannot be established between both the first communication unit 4 and the second communication unit 5 while the blower unit 20 and heating unit 21 of the main unit 2 are operating in accordance with the operation of the external device 100 (terminal device 102), and the wired communication unit 23 and the wired communication unit 33 are connected, and the control unit 32 of the operation unit 3 outputs control information to stop the operation of the blower unit 20 and heating unit 21 of the main unit 2, the main unit control unit 22 stops the operation of the blower unit 20 and heating unit 21 of the main unit 2.

[0033] <Example of operation of the equipment in this embodiment> The following describes an example of the operation of the bathroom heating, ventilation, and drying device 1A, which is an example of an air conditioning device as equipment in this embodiment, with reference to the figures.

[0034] In the bathroom heating, ventilation, and drying device 1A, when the input unit 30 is operated by the operation unit 3, control information corresponding to the operation is output from the control unit 32 to the main unit control unit 22. Based on the control information input from the operation unit 3, the main unit control unit 22 controls the air blower unit 20 and the heating unit 21 to execute 24-hour ventilation operation mode, heating operation mode, ventilation operation mode, drying operation mode, and cool air operation mode.

[0035] Furthermore, in the bathroom heating, ventilation, and drying device 1A, when the connection between the first communication unit 4 and the terminal device 102 is established via the router 101, and the connection between the second communication unit 5 and the terminal device 102 is established, external control information is input, for example, via the first communication unit 4, through the operation of the terminal device 102.

[0036] In the bathroom heating, ventilation, and drying device 1A, external control information corresponding to the operation of the terminal device 102 is output from the control unit 32 to the main unit control unit 22. Based on the external control information input from the operation unit 3, the main unit control unit 22 controls the air blower unit 20 and the heating unit 21 to execute 24-hour ventilation operation mode, heating operation mode, ventilation operation mode, drying operation mode, and cool air operation mode.

[0037] The control unit 32 acquires connection availability information from the first communication unit 4 and the second communication unit 5. If the connection determination function 34a determines that a connection cannot be established via the first communication unit 4, it determines whether a connection can be established via the second communication unit 5. If it determines that a connection can be established via the second communication unit 5, it switches the communication unit that performs communication with the external device 100 (terminal device 102) to the second communication unit 5, which has an established connection.

[0038] Furthermore, if the control unit 32 determines that a connection cannot be established via the second communication unit 5, it determines whether a connection can be established via the first communication unit 4. If it determines that a connection can be established via the first communication unit 4, it switches the communication unit that performs communication with the external device 100 (terminal device 102) to the first communication unit 4, which has an established connection.

[0039] As a result, even if communication via either the first communication unit 4 or the second communication unit 5 becomes impossible while the terminal device 102 is operating the bathroom heating, ventilation, and drying device 1A, communication via the other communication unit, which has already established a connection, is still possible, allowing the terminal device 102 to continue operating the bathroom heating, ventilation, and drying device 1A.

[0040] In response, the control unit 32, while the blower unit 20 and heating unit 21 of the main unit 2 are being operated by control in response to the operation of the external device 100 (terminal device 102), determines that a connection cannot be established in both the first communication unit 4 and the second communication unit 5, and outputs control information to stop the operation of the blower unit 20 and heating unit 21 of the main unit 2. The main unit control unit 22, while the wired communication unit 23 and the wired communication unit 33 are connected, determines that a connection cannot be established in both the first communication unit 4 and the second communication unit 5, and when control information to stop the operation of the blower unit 20 and heating unit 21 of the main unit 2 is output from the control unit 32 of the operation unit 3, stops the operation of the blower unit 20 and heating unit 21 of the main unit 2.

[0041] Furthermore, even when the blower unit 20 and heating unit 21 of the main unit 2 are operating in response to an operation on the external device 100 (terminal device 102), if there is a person inside the house, they can confirm the notification on the operation unit 3 and operate the main unit 2 using the operation unit 3. Therefore, if the control unit 32 determines that a connection cannot be established in both the first communication unit 4 and the second communication unit 5 while the blower unit 20 and heating unit 21 of the main unit 2 are operating in response to an operation on the external device 100 (terminal device 102), it may notify the operation unit 3 that operation on the external device 100 (terminal device 102) is impossible. Alternatively, if the control unit 32 determines that a connection cannot be established in both the first communication unit 4 and the second communication unit 5 while the blower unit 20 and heating unit 21 of the main unit 2 are operating in response to an operation on the external device 100 (terminal device 102), it may allow the main unit 2 to be controlled by the operation unit 3.

[0042] Furthermore, by equipping the control unit 3 with a first communication unit 4 and a second communication unit 5, it is possible to install the control unit 3 in the washroom / dressing room, thereby enabling the construction of a bathroom heating, ventilation, and drying device 1A equipped with wireless communication capabilities compatible with multiple communication standards, and making construction easy.

[0043] <Modified versions of the equipment according to this embodiment> In the example of the equipment described above, the bathroom heating, ventilation, and drying device 1A was explained using Wi-Fi® and Bluetooth® as examples of multiple communication standards, but it is not limited to these. Other communication standards such as LTE®, the short-range wireless communication standard ZigBee, and infrared communication may also be used.

[0044] For example, within Wi-Fi (registered trademark), it may be possible to switch between various communication standards referred to as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) 4, Wi-Fi (registered trademark) 5, and Wi-Fi (registered trademark) 6. Furthermore, it may be possible to switch between Wi-Fi (registered trademark) and public networks such as LTE (registered trademark), or between Bluetooth (registered trademark) and LTE (registered trademark). In addition, within LTE (registered trademark), it may be possible to switch between various communication standards referred to as 4G and 5G.

[0045] Figures 3A and 3B are functional block diagrams showing modified examples of the equipment of this embodiment of a bathroom heating, ventilation, and drying device. As shown in Figure 3A, the bathroom heating, ventilation, and drying device 1A may have either the first communication unit 4 or the second communication unit 5 in the main body 2, or, as shown in Figure 3B, may have both the first communication unit 4 and the second communication unit 5 in the main body 2.

[0046] In the configuration shown in Figure 3A, the control unit 32 acquires connection status information for the first communication unit 4 using the connection determination function 34a. The main control unit 22 acquires connection status information for the wired communication unit 23 and the wired communication unit 33, as well as connection status information for the second communication unit 5 using the connection determination function 34b.

[0047] According to the configuration in Figure 3A, when the blower unit 20 and heating unit 21 of the main unit 2 are being operated by control in response to operations on the external device 100 (terminal device 102), if the connection determination function 34a determines that a connection via the first communication unit 4 has not been established, the connection determination function 34b determines whether a connection via the second communication unit 5 has been established. If it is determined that a connection via the second communication unit 5 has been established, operation from the external device 100 (terminal device 102) via the second communication unit 5 is enabled.

[0048] Furthermore, while the blower unit 20 and heating unit 21 of the main unit 2 are operating in control according to the operation of the external device 100 (terminal device 102), if the connection determination function 34b determines that a connection via the second communication unit 5 has not been established, the connection determination function 34a determines whether a connection via the first communication unit 4 has been established. If it is determined that a connection via the first communication unit 4 has been established, operation from the external device 100 (terminal device 102) via the first communication unit 4 is enabled.

[0049] Furthermore, while the blower unit 20 and heating unit 21 of the main unit 2 are operating in control according to the operation of the external device 100 (terminal device 102), if the connection determination function 34b determines that the wired communication unit 23 and the wired communication unit 33 are not connected, then the connection via the first communication unit 4 through the connection between the wired communication unit 23 and the wired communication unit 33 will not be established. Therefore, the connection determination function 34b determines whether a connection via the second communication unit 5 has been established. If it determines that a connection via the second communication unit 5 has been established, operation from the external device 100 (terminal device 102) via the second communication unit 5 is enabled.

[0050] Furthermore, if the operation of the blower unit 20 and heating unit 21 of the main unit 2 is being controlled according to the operation of the external device 100 (terminal device 102), and the connection determination function 34b determines that the wired communication unit 23 and the wired communication unit 33 are not connected, the operation of the blower unit 20 and heating unit 21 of the main unit 2 may be stopped.

[0051] In the configuration shown in Figure 3B, the main control unit 22 acquires connection status information for the wired communication unit 23 and the wired communication unit 33, connection status information for the first communication unit 4, and connection status information for the second communication unit 5 using the connection determination function 34b.

[0052] According to the configuration in Figure 3B, when the blower unit 20 and heating unit 21 of the main unit 2 are being operated by control in response to operations on the external device 100 (terminal device 102), if the connection determination function 34b determines that a connection via the first communication unit 4 has not been established, the connection determination function 34b determines whether a connection via the second communication unit 5 has been established. If it determines that a connection via the second communication unit 5 has been established, it enables operation from the external device 100 (terminal device 102) via the second communication unit 5.

[0053] Furthermore, while the blower unit 20 and heating unit 21 of the main unit 2 are operating in control according to the operation of the external device 100 (terminal device 102), if the connection determination function 34b determines that a connection via the second communication unit 5 has not been established, the connection determination function 34b determines whether a connection via the first communication unit 4 has been established. If it determines that a connection via the first communication unit 4 has been established, operation from the external device 100 (terminal device 102) via the first communication unit 4 is enabled.

[0054] Furthermore, while the blower unit 20 and heating unit 21 of the main unit 2 are operating in control according to the operation of the external device 100 (terminal device 102), if the connection determination function 34b determines that the wired communication unit 23 and the wired communication unit 33 are not connected, the connection determination function 34b determines whether a connection has been established via the first communication unit 4 or the second communication unit 5. If it determines that a connection has been established via the first communication unit 4 or the second communication unit 5, it enables operation from the external device 100 (terminal device 102) via the communication unit with which the connection has been established.

[0055] Furthermore, if the operation of the blower unit 20 and heating unit 21 of the main unit 2 is being controlled according to the operation of the external device 100 (terminal device 102), and the connection determination function 34b determines that the wired communication unit 23 and the wired communication unit 33 are not connected, the operation of the blower unit 20 and heating unit 21 of the main unit 2 may be stopped.

[0056] Figures 4A and 4B are functional block diagrams showing other modifications of the bathroom heating, ventilation, and drying device, which is an example of the equipment of this embodiment. As shown in Figure 4A, the bathroom heating, ventilation, and drying device 1A may also be configured to be connected by wire to a bathroom heater 110, which is another piece of equipment installed in the washroom / dressing room 300, and the bathroom heater 110 may be operated by an operation unit 3 or an external device 100, which is a terminal device 102.

[0057] The bathroom heating, ventilation, and drying device 1A is equipped with a wired communication unit 35 on its control unit 3, which is connected to the washroom heater 110 by a wire. The washroom heater 110 is equipped with a wired connection unit 111, which is connected to the wired communication unit 35 of the bathroom heating, ventilation, and drying device 1A by a wire, and a control unit 112 that controls the washroom heater 110.

[0058] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4B, the bathroom heating, ventilation, and drying device 1A may also be configured such that a bathroom heater 110, which is another piece of equipment installed in the washroom / dressing room 300, is wirelessly connected to it, and the bathroom heater 110 is operated by an operation unit 3 or an external device 100, which is a terminal device 102. The bathroom heater 110 includes a wired connection unit 111 that is wired to the wired communication unit 35 of the bathroom heating, ventilation, and drying device 1A, a control unit 112 that controls the bathroom heater 110, and a wireless communication unit 113 that is connected to the first communication unit 4 or the second communication unit 5 of the bathroom heating, ventilation, and drying device 1A.

[0059] Figure 5 is a functional block diagram showing another modification of the bathroom heating, ventilation, and drying device, which is an example of the equipment of this embodiment. As shown in Figure 5, the bathroom heating, ventilation, and drying device 1A may also be configured such that other electrical equipment 120 installed in the bathroom 200 or washroom / dressing room 300 is connected to the first communication unit 4 or the second communication unit 5, and information is sent and received.

[0060] Although the bathroom heating, ventilation, and drying device 1A has been described as an example of the equipment in this embodiment, the contents of the present invention can also be applied to a washroom heater that blows warm air into the dressing room and / or its operating unit. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0061] 1A...Bathroom heating, ventilation, and drying device, 2...Main unit, 20...Air blower unit, 21...Heating unit, 22...Main unit control unit (control means), 23...Wired communication unit (internal communication means), 3...Operation unit, 30...Input unit, 31...Output unit, 32...Control unit (control means), 33...Wired connection unit (internal communication means), 34a, 34b...Connection determination function (connection determination means), 4...First communication unit (external communication means, one wireless communication means), 5...Second communication unit (external communication means, other wireless communication means)

Claims

1. A main unit installed in a building, having an adjustment mechanism for adjusting either or both the temperature and humidity inside the building, An operating unit that can operate the main unit is located in the same building as the main unit, An internal communication means that connects the main body and the operating unit in a way that enables communication, Multiple external communication means that can communicate with external devices using multiple wireless communication standards, A connection determination means for determining whether or not a connection is possible between multiple external communication means and internal communication means, The system includes control means that controls the main body in response to operations on the operation unit and controls the main body in response to operations on the external device, The control means receives operations from the main unit via any of the multiple external communication means that the connection determination means has determined to be connectable, or via the internal communication means. If the connection determination means determines that connection is possible via the internal communication means but impossible via all of the multiple external communication means, it outputs control information to stop the operation of the main unit, thereby stopping the operation of the main unit which was controlled according to the operation of the external device. equipment.

2. A main body installed in a building and having an adjustment means for adjusting either or both the temperature and humidity inside the building, An operating unit that can operate the main unit is located in the same building as the main unit, An internal communication means that connects the main body and the operating unit in a way that enables communication, Multiple external communication means that can communicate with external devices using multiple wireless communication standards, A connection determination means for determining whether or not a connection is possible between multiple external communication means and internal communication means, The system includes control means that controls the main body in response to operations on the operation unit and controls the main body in response to operations on the external device, The control means receives operations from the main unit via any of the multiple external communication means that the connection determination means has determined to be connectable, or via the internal communication means. If the connection determination means determines that connection is possible via any of the multiple external communication means and not possible via the internal communication means, it stops the operation of the main unit, which is controlled according to the operation of the external device. equipment.

3. A main body installed in a building and having an adjustment means for adjusting either or both the temperature and humidity inside the building, An operating unit that can operate the main unit is located in the same building as the main unit, An internal communication means that connects the main body and the operating unit in a way that enables communication, Multiple external communication means that can communicate with external devices using multiple wireless communication standards, A connection determination means for determining whether or not a connection is possible between multiple external communication means and internal communication means, The system includes control means that controls the main body in response to operations on the operation unit and controls the main body in response to operations on the external device, The control means receives operations from the main unit via any of the multiple external communication means that the connection determination means has determined to be connectable, or via the internal communication means. If the connection determination means determines that connection is possible via any of the multiple external communication means, but not via the internal communication means, the operation of the external device is received via the external communication means that is determined to be connectable among the multiple external communication means. equipment.

4. The control means can be connected via any of the plurality of external communication means, and if the connection determination means determines that it is not possible to connect via the internal communication means, the control means notifies the external device that it is not possible to operate the operation unit via the external communication means which is determined to be connectable among the plurality of external communication means. The equipment and apparatus described in claim 3.

5. A main body installed in a building and having an adjustment means for adjusting either or both the temperature and humidity inside the building, An operating unit that can operate the main unit is located in the same building as the main unit, An internal communication means that connects the main body and the operating unit in a way that enables communication, Multiple external communication means that can communicate with external devices using multiple wireless communication standards, A connection determination means for determining whether or not a connection is possible between multiple external communication means and internal communication means, The system includes control means that controls the main body in response to operations on the operation unit and controls the main body in response to operations on the external device, The multiple external communication means are provided in the main body with one wireless communication means and other wireless communication means. The control means receives operations from the main unit via any of the multiple external communication means that the connection determination means has determined to be connectable, or via the internal communication means. If the connection determination means determines that connection to the internal communication means is impossible, but connection to at least one of the one wireless communication means or the other wireless communication means is possible, the main unit can be operated from the external device via the one wireless communication means or the other wireless communication means that can be connected. equipment.

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