Hot water supply remote control and notification system

Abstract

A hot water supply remote control (10), which is installed at a first location and which controls a hot water supply device (12), comprises: a first communication means for communicating with a notifying device (20a); a second communication means for communicating with a second remote control (11) which is installed at a second location different from the first location and which controls the hot water supply device (12); a notification method table storage means for storing a notification method table in which notification information and notification methods are associated with one another; a notifying means for performing notification, upon receipt of notification information from the notifying device (20a), using a notification method corresponding to the notification information; and a notification information transmitting means for transmitting the notification information to the second remote control (11) upon receipt of the notification information from the notifying device (20a). This makes it possible for the content of notifications from the notifying device to be more reliably transferred to a user.

Description

Hot water remote control and notification system

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a hot water supply remote control and a notification system.

[0002] Conventionally, a hot water supply system has been known in which a bathroom remote control and a kitchen remote control are installed in the bathroom and kitchen to control the hot water supply devices, respectively, and by operating these remote controls, hot water can be supplied to the bathroom and kitchen, the bathtub can be automatically filled, etc., and the system also has an intercom function that allows communication between the bathroom remote control and the kitchen remote control.

[0003] Regarding such hot water supply systems, Patent Document 1 describes a technology in which warning sounds and voice guidance emitted from information terminal devices (earthquake early warning systems, fire alarm systems, door phones, etc.) are picked up by a microphone in the kitchen remote control and transmitted to the bathroom remote control via an intercom function, so that the user in the bathroom can hear the warning sounds and voice guidance.

[0004] JP 2009-210178 A

[0005] However, the technology described in Patent Document 1 has the problem that, for example, if the information terminal device is installed in a location away from the kitchen and the warning sound or voice guidance emitted from the information terminal device cannot be picked up by the microphone of the kitchen remote control, it is not possible to reliably notify the user in the kitchen or bathroom.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a hot water remote control and an alarm system that can more reliably convey the notification content of an alarm device to a user.

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the hot water remote control of the present disclosure is a hot water remote control that is installed at a first location and controls a hot water supply device, and includes: a first communication means for communicating with an alarm device; a second communication means for communicating with a second remote control that is installed at a second location different from the first location and controls the hot water supply device; an alarm method table storage means for storing an alarm method table that associates alarm information with alarm methods; an alarm means for, when receiving alarm information from the alarm device, issuing an alarm using an alarm method corresponding to the alarm information; and an alarm information transmission means for, when receiving the alarm information from the alarm device, transmitting the alarm information to the second remote control.

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to more reliably convey the notification content of the notification device to the user.

[0009] FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of the alarm system in embodiment 1. FIG. 1 shows the hardware configuration of the first remote control in embodiment 1. FIG. 1 shows the hardware configuration of the first remote control in embodiment 1. FIG. 1 shows the functional configuration of the first remote control in embodiment 1. FIG. 1 shows the hardware configuration of the second remote control in embodiment 1. FIG. 1 shows the hardware configuration of the second remote control in embodiment 1. FIG. 1 shows the functional configuration of the second remote control in embodiment 1. FIG. 1 shows the hardware configuration of the door phone master in embodiment 1. FIG. 1 shows the hardware configuration of the door phone slave in embodiment 1. FIG. 1 shows the state transition of the first remote control in embodiment 1. FIG. 1 shows the state transition of the second remote control in embodiment 1. FIG. 1 shows the state transition of the door phone master in embodiment 1. Flowchart showing the operation of the first remote control in embodiment 1. FIG. 1 shows an example of an alarm method table in embodiment 1. FIG. 1 shows an example of a screen displayed by the first remote control and the second remote control when answering a call in embodiment 1. FIG. 1 shows an example of a screen displayed by the first remote control and the second remote control when simple answering in embodiment 1. FIG. 1 shows an example of a screen displayed by the first remote control when in relay mode in embodiment 1. FIG. 2 shows a flowchart showing the operation of the second remote control in embodiment 1. FIG. 3 shows a flowchart showing the operation of the doorphone master unit in embodiment 1. FIG. 4 shows the overall configuration of the alarm system in variant 1 of embodiment 1. FIG. 5 shows the overall configuration of the alarm system in variant 2 of embodiment 1. FIG. 6 shows the overall configuration of the alarm system in embodiment 2. FIG. 7 shows the hardware configuration of the indoor unit in embodiment 2. FIG. 8 shows the functional configuration of the indoor unit in embodiment 2. FIG. 9 shows state transition of the indoor unit in embodiment 2. FIG. 10 shows state transition of the doorphone master unit in embodiment 2.

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0011] (Embodiment 1) Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a notification system A in embodiment 1. The notification system A includes a hot water supply system 1 and a door phone system 2a. The hot water supply system 1 and the door phone system 2a are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a home network 3. The hot water supply system 1 includes a first remote control 10, a second remote control 11, and a hot water supply apparatus 12. The first remote control 10 and the second remote control 11 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a communication line 13a, and the second remote control 11 and the hot water supply apparatus 12 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a communication line 13b. The communication lines 13a and 13b are connected together via a connection terminal of the second remote control 11, thereby connecting the first remote control 10, the second remote control 11, and the hot water supply apparatus 12 so as to be able to communicate with each other. The first remote control 10 is also connected to the home network 3 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0012] The wiring method between the communication lines 13a and 13b is not limited, as long as the first remote control 10, the second remote control 11, and the water heating device 12 can be connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other. For example, the communication line 13a may connect the first remote control 10 and the water heating device 12 to each other, and the communication lines 13a and 13b may be connected to a connection terminal of the water heating device 12. The first remote control 10 is an example of a water heating remote control and a home appliance according to the present disclosure, and is installed, for example, in a kitchen and controls the water heating device 12 in response to a user's operation. The second remote control 11 is an example of a second remote control according to the present disclosure, and is installed, for example, in a bathroom and controls the water heating device 12 in response to a user's operation. The kitchen and the bathroom are examples of a first location and a second location, respectively, according to the present disclosure. The water heating device 12 is a storage-type water heater including a heat pump unit and a tank unit, neither of which is shown, and supplies hot water generated by heating city water to a kitchen, bathroom, etc.

[0013] The intercom system 2a includes an intercom master unit 20a installed in a home, such as a living room, to notify the home of the presence of a visitor, and an intercom slave unit 21a installed outside the home, such as at the entrance, to receive calls from the visitor. The intercom master unit 20a and the intercom slave unit 21a are communicatively connected to each other via a communication line 22a. The intercom master unit 20a is also communicatively connected to a home network 3. The intercom master unit 20a is an example of an alarm device according to the present disclosure. The home network 3 is, for example, a communication network such as a wired local area network (LAN) or a wireless LAN. The hot water supply system 1 and the intercom system 2a communicate via the home network 3 in accordance with a communication protocol such as ECHONET Lite (registered trademark).

[0014] 2 and 3 are diagrams illustrating the hardware configuration of the first remote control 10 according to the first embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 2 , the first remote control 10 includes a control circuit 100, a first communication interface 101, a second communication interface 102, an auxiliary storage device 103, an output device 104, a sensor 105, and an input device 106. These components are interconnected via a bus 107. The control circuit 100 includes a central processing unit (CPU), a read-only memory (ROM), and a random-access memory (RAM), none of which are shown, and controls the various components of the first remote control 10. The first communication interface 101 is an example of a first communication means according to the present disclosure. The first communication interface 101 includes a communication circuit (not shown) and communicates with the indoor phone master unit 20a via the home network 3.

[0015] Second communication interface 102 is an example of a second communication means according to the present disclosure. Second communication interface 102 includes a communication circuit (not shown) and performs data communication and voice (intercom) communication with second remote control 11 via communication line 13a, and performs data communication with water heating apparatus 12 via communication lines 13a and 13b. Auxiliary storage device 103 is an example of a notification method table storage means according to the present disclosure. Auxiliary storage device 103 is composed of a readable / writable nonvolatile semiconductor memory. Examples of the readable / writable nonvolatile semiconductor memory include an EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), and a flash memory. Auxiliary storage device 103 stores a program for operating first remote control 10 and data used when the program is executed (e.g., a notification method table, etc., as described below).

[0016] The output device 104 is a device that outputs sound, images, light, etc., and includes a speaker 1040, a monitor 1041, and a light-emitting device such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) (not shown). The speaker 1040 outputs alarm sounds such as electronic sounds and voice guidance, and voice during a call, from the front surface of the first remote controller 10 (see FIG. 3). The monitor 1041 includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic electroluminescence (EL) display, and displays various screens (see FIG. 3) under the control of the control circuit 100. The sensor 105 is an image sensor such as a thermal image sensor, a charge-coupled device (CCD), or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS), a human presence sensor such as a Doppler sensor, or a radio wave radar, and is provided on the front surface of the first remote controller 10 (see FIG. 3) to detect the posture of people in the kitchen.

[0017] Input device 106 is a device that accepts input operations from the user and includes microphone 1060 and buttons 1061. Microphone 1060 inputs the user's voice during a call. Buttons 1061 are, for example, composed of a plurality of push buttons, and as shown in FIG. 3 , include a button group 1061a for controlling water heating apparatus 12 and making calls with second remote control 11, and a button group 1061b for operating the screen of monitor 1041. Note that all or part of buttons 1061 may be composed of touch buttons, various switches, or the like. Input device 106 may also include a touch panel.

[0018] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of first remote controller 10. First remote controller 10 includes, as characteristic functions according to the present disclosure, an operation status detection unit 1000, a notification unit 1001, a notification information transmission unit 1002, a response operation reception unit 1003, and a response execution unit 1004. These functional units are realized by control circuit 100 of first remote controller 10 executing the above-described program stored in auxiliary storage device 103. In addition, first remote controller 10 also includes general functions related to controlling water heating device 12, but a description of such general functions will be omitted. Operation status detection unit 1000 is an example of an operation status detection means according to the present disclosure. Operation status detection unit 1000 detects the user's operation status (e.g., cooking, bathing, showering, sleeping, waking up, etc.) based on the detection results of sensor 105 using, for example, AI (artificial intelligence).

[0019] The notification unit 1001 is an example of a notification means according to the present disclosure. When the notification unit 1001 receives notification information from the door phone system 2a, it issues a notification according to the received notification information and the operating state of the user. Details of the notification issued by the first remote control 10 will be described later. The notification information transmission unit 1002 is an example of a notification information transmission means according to the present disclosure. When the notification information transmission unit 1002 receives notification information from the door phone system 2a, it transmits the received notification information to the second remote control 11. The response operation reception unit 1003 is an example of a response operation reception unit according to the present disclosure. The response operation reception unit 1003 receives a user's response operation in response to the notification issued by the notification unit 1001. The response execution unit 1004 is an example of a response execution means according to the present disclosure. The response execution unit 1004 executes a response process according to the user's response operation.

[0020] 5 and 6 are diagrams showing the hardware configuration of second remote control 11 in embodiment 1. As shown in Fig. 5, second remote control 11 includes control circuit 110, communication interface 111, auxiliary storage device 112, output device 113, sensor 114, and input device 115. These components are connected to each other via bus 116. Control circuit 110 includes a CPU, ROM, and RAM, none of which are shown, and controls each component of second remote control 11. Communication interface 111 includes a communication circuit, not shown, and performs data communication and voice (interphone) communication with first remote control 10 via communication line 13a, and data communication with water heating apparatus 12 via communication line 13b.

[0021] The auxiliary storage device 112 is composed of a readable / writable nonvolatile semiconductor memory. Examples of the readable / writable nonvolatile semiconductor memory include an EPROM, an EEPROM, and a flash memory. The auxiliary storage device 112 stores a program for operating the second remote control 11 and data used when the program is executed (e.g., a notification method table, described below). The output device 113 is a device for outputting sound, images, light, etc., and includes a speaker 1130, a monitor 1131, and a light-emitting device such as an LED (not shown). The speaker 1130 outputs notification sounds such as electronic sounds and voice guidance, as well as voice during a call, from the front of the second remote control 11 (see FIG. 6). The monitor 1131 includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display, and displays various screens (see FIG. 6) under the control of the control circuit 110.

[0022] The sensor 114 is a human presence sensor such as a thermal image sensor, CCD, or CMOS image sensor, a Doppler sensor, or a radio wave radar, and is provided on the front of the second remote control 11 (see FIG. 6 ). It detects the posture of a person in the bathroom. The input device 115 is a device that accepts input operations from the user and includes a microphone 1150 and buttons 1151. The microphone 1150 inputs the user's voice during a call. The buttons 1151 are, for example, composed of multiple push buttons. As shown in FIG. 6 , the buttons 1151 include a button group 1151a for controlling the water heating apparatus 12 and making a call with the first remote control 10, and a button group 1151b for operating the screen of the monitor 1131. Note that all or part of the buttons 1151 may be composed of touch buttons, various switches, or the like. The input device 115 may also include a touch panel.

[0023] 7 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of second remote control 11. Second remote control 11 includes, as characteristic functions according to the present disclosure, operation status detection unit 1100, notification unit 1101, response operation reception unit 1102, and response execution unit 1103. These functional units are realized by control circuit 110 of second remote control 11 executing the above-mentioned program stored in auxiliary storage device 112. In addition to these, second remote control 11 also includes general functions related to the control of water heating device 12, but a description of these general functions will be omitted. Operation status detection unit 1100 detects the user's operation status (e.g., cooking, bathing, showering, sleeping, waking up, etc.) based on the detection results of sensor 114, using, for example, AI.

[0024] When the notification unit 1101 receives notification information from the first remote controller 10, it issues a notification according to the received notification information and the operating state of the user. Details of the notification issued by the second remote controller 11 will be described later. The response operation receiving unit 1102 receives a user's response operation in response to the notification issued by the notification unit 1101. The response executing unit 1103 executes a response process according to the user's response operation.

[0025] 8 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the indoor phone master unit 20a in the first embodiment. The indoor phone master unit 20a includes a control circuit 200a, a first communication interface 201a, a second communication interface 202a, an auxiliary storage device 203a, an output device 204a, and an input device 205a. These components are interconnected via a bus 206a. The control circuit 200a includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM (not shown), and controls the various components of the indoor phone master unit 20a. The first communication interface 201a includes a communication circuit (not shown) and communicates with the first remote control 10 via the home network 3. The second communication interface 202a includes a communication circuit (not shown) and performs data communication and voice (intercom) communication with the indoor phone slave unit 21a via a communication line 22a.

[0026] The auxiliary storage device 203a is composed of a readable / writable nonvolatile semiconductor memory. Examples of the readable / writable nonvolatile semiconductor memory include an EPROM, an EEPROM, and a flash memory. The auxiliary storage device 203a stores a program for operating the indoor phone base unit 20a and data used when the program is executed. The output device 204a outputs sound, images, light, etc., and includes a speaker 2040a, a monitor 2041a, and a light-emitting device such as an LED (not shown). The speaker 2040a outputs alarm sounds such as electronic sounds and voice guidance, as well as voice during a call. The monitor 2041a includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display, and displays images received from the indoor phone handset 21a under the control of the control circuit 200a.

[0027] The input device 205a is a device that accepts input operations from the user, and includes a microphone 2050a and buttons 2051a. The microphone 2050a inputs the user's voice during a call. The buttons 2051a are configured, for example, as push buttons, touch buttons, various switches, etc. The input device 205a may also be configured to include a touch panel.

[0028] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the intercom slave 21a in the first embodiment. The intercom slave 21a includes a control circuit 210a, a communication interface 211a, an imaging device 212a, an auxiliary storage device 213a, a speaker 214a, and an input device 215a. These components are interconnected via a bus 216a. The intercom slave 21a also includes a light-emitting device such as an LED (not shown). The control circuit 210a includes a CPU, ROM, and RAM (not shown) and controls each component of the intercom slave 21a. The communication interface 211a includes a communication circuit (not shown) and performs data communication and voice (intercom) communication with the intercom master 20a via a communication line 22a. The imaging device 212a includes an image sensor such as a CCD or CMOS, captures an image of the area outside the entrance, and acquires image data of the area outside the entrance.

[0029] The auxiliary storage device 213a is composed of a readable / writable nonvolatile semiconductor memory. Examples of the readable / writable nonvolatile semiconductor memory include an EPROM, an EEPROM, and a flash memory. The auxiliary storage device 213a stores a program for operating the intercom handset 21a and data used when the program is executed. The speaker 214a outputs alarm sounds such as electronic sounds and voice guidance, as well as voice during a call. The input device 215a is a device that accepts input operations from users such as visitors, and includes a microphone 2150a and buttons 2151a. The microphone 2150a inputs the user's voice during a call. The buttons 2151a are composed of, for example, a push button, a touch button, various switches, etc. The input device 215a may also include a touch panel.

[0030] 10 is a diagram showing state transitions of the first remote control 10 in the first embodiment. The state of the first remote control 10 transitions to one of a normal state J100a, an annunciation state J101a, a response state J102a, and a relay state J103a according to predetermined conditions. When power supply starts, the state of the first remote control 10 is the normal state J100a. The first remote control 10, the second remote control 11, and the indoor apparatus 20a can confirm each other's state via the aforementioned communication paths.

[0031] (Normal state J100a) Normal state J100a is a state in which no operation related to notification is being performed by first remote control 10. In this state, a screen showing the status of water heating apparatus 12, a screen for operating water heating apparatus 12, etc. are displayed on monitor 1041 of first remote control 10. When notification information is received from indoor apparatus 20a in normal state J100a, the state of first remote control 10 transitions to notification state J101a.

[0032] (Notification state J101a) The notification state J101a is a state in which, after receiving notification information from the indoor apparatus 20a, no response operation is input by the user on any of the indoor apparatus 20a, the first remote control 10, and the second remote control 11. In this state, an operation screen for inputting a response operation is displayed on the monitor 1041 of the first remote control 10. When a response operation is input on the first remote control 10, the state of the first remote control 10 transitions to a response state J102a. When a response operation is input on the indoor apparatus 20a, the state of the first remote control 10 transitions to a normal state J100a. When a response operation is input on the second remote control 11, the state of the first remote control 10 transitions to a relay state J103a.

[0033] (Response state J102a) The response state J102a is a state in which the user is responding to a visitor or the like via the first remote control 10. In this state, an operation screen for receiving an end operation input from the user is displayed on the monitor 1041 of the first remote control 10. When the end operation is input by the user on the first remote control 10, the state of the first remote control 10 transitions to the normal state J100a.

[0034] (Relay state J103a) The relay state J103a is a state in which data exchanged between the second remote control 11 and the indoor apparatus 20a is relayed when a response operation is input on the second remote control 11. In this state, a screen indicating that relaying is in progress is displayed on the monitor 1041 of the first remote control 10. When an end operation is input on the second remote control 11, the state of the first remote control 10 transitions to the normal state J100a.

[0035] 11 is a diagram showing state transitions of the second remote control 11 in embodiment 1. The state of the second remote control 11 transitions to one of a normal state J110a, an annunciation state J111a, and a response state J112a according to predetermined conditions. When power supply starts, the state of the second remote control 11 is the normal state J110a.

[0036] (Normal state J110a) Normal state J110a is a state in which no operation related to notification is being performed by second remote control 11. In this state, a screen showing the status of water heating apparatus 12, a screen for operating water heating apparatus 12, etc. are displayed on monitor 1131 of second remote control 11. When notification information is received from first remote control 10 in normal state J110a, the state of second remote control 11 transitions to notification state J111a.

[0037] (Alarm state J111a) The alarm state J111a is a state in which, after receiving alarm information from the first remote control 10, no user response operation is input from any of the indoor apparatus 20a, the first remote control 10, and the second remote control 11. In this state, an operation screen for inputting a response operation is displayed on the monitor 1131 of the second remote control 11. When a response operation is input from the second remote control 11, the state of the second remote control 11 transitions to the response state J112a. Furthermore, when a response operation is input from the indoor apparatus 20a or the first remote control 10, the state of the second remote control 11 transitions to the normal state J110a.

[0038] (Response state J112a) The response state J112a is a state in which the user is responding to a visitor or the like via the second remote control 11. In this state, an operation screen for receiving an end operation input from the user is displayed on the monitor 1131 of the second remote control 11. When the end operation is input by the user on the second remote control 11, the state of the second remote control 11 transitions to the normal state J110a.

[0039] 12 is a diagram showing state transitions of indoor apparatus 20a in embodiment 1. In accordance with predetermined conditions, indoor apparatus 20a transitions to one of the following states: normal state J200a, alarm state J201a, response state J202a, and relay state J203a. When power supply starts, indoor apparatus 20a is in the normal state J200a.

[0040] (Normal State J200a) In the normal state J200a, no alarm-related operation is being performed by any of the indoor apparatus 20a, the first remote control 10, and the second remote control 11. In this state, a screen indicating that the indoor apparatus 20a is in standby mode is displayed on the monitor 2041a of the indoor apparatus 20a. When a call signal is received from the indoor apparatus 21a in the normal state J200a, the state of the indoor apparatus 20a transitions to the alarm state J201a.

[0041] (Alarm State J201a) The alarm state J201a is a state in which, after receiving a call signal from the intercom handset 21a, the user has not input a response operation from any of the intercom master 20a, the first remote control 10, and the second remote control 11. In this state, an operation screen for inputting a response operation is displayed on the monitor 2041a of the intercom master 20a. When a response operation is input from the intercom master 20a, the state of the intercom master 20a transitions to a response state J202a. Furthermore, when a response operation is input from the first remote control 10 or the second remote control 11, the state of the intercom master 20a transitions to a relay state J203a. Furthermore, when a certain time (e.g., one minute) has elapsed since receiving the call signal from the intercom handset 21a, the state of the intercom master 20a transitions to a normal state J200a.

[0042] (Answering state J202a) The answering state J202a is a state in which the user is answering a call from a visitor via the indoor phone master unit 20a. In this state, an operation screen for receiving an end operation input from the user is displayed on the monitor 2041a of the indoor phone master unit 20a. When the user inputs an end operation on the indoor phone master unit 20a, the state of the indoor phone master unit 20a transitions to the normal state J200a.

[0043] (Relay state J203a) In relay state J203a, data exchanged between first remote control 10 and intercom handset 21a or between second remote control 11 and intercom handset 21a is relayed. In this state, a screen indicating that relaying is in progress is displayed on monitor 2041a of intercom master 20a. When an end operation is input on first remote control 10 or second remote control 11, intercom master 20a transitions to normal state J200a.

[0044] 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first remote controller 10. (Step S1000a) When the first remote controller 10 receives notification information from the indoor apparatus 20a, the first remote controller 10 transitions to the notification state J101a. After that, the operation of the first remote controller 10 transitions to step S1001a.

[0045] (Step S1001a) The first remote control 10 requests the intercom master 20a to transfer image data. Thereafter, operation of the first remote control 10 proceeds to step S1002a. Although detailed description will be omitted, when the intercom slave 21a accepts a call operation from a visitor, it transmits a call signal to the intercom master 20a and starts capturing images of the area outside the entrance. The image data of the area outside the entrance is continuously transmitted to the intercom master 20a until the intercom master 20a transitions to the normal state J200a. When the intercom master 20a receives a request to transfer image data from the first remote control 10, it transmits the image data received from the intercom slave 21a to the first remote control 10. The first remote control 10 displays an image based on the image data received from the intercom master 20a on the monitor 1041.

[0046] (Step S1002a) First remote controller 10 transmits (transfers) the notification information received from indoor apparatus 20a to second remote controller 11. After that, the operation of first remote controller 10 proceeds to step S1003a.

[0047] (Step S1003a) The first remote controller 10 issues a notification using a notification method corresponding to the received notification information and the user's operating state. Thereafter, the operation of the first remote controller 10 transitions to step S1004a. Here, notification in the hot water supply system 1 triggered by notification information from a notification device of a system different from the hot water supply system 1 (hereinafter referred to as an "external system") will be described with reference to the notification method table shown in FIG. 14 . The notification method table is a data table that associates notification information, operating states, and notification methods, and is stored in the auxiliary storage device 103 of the first remote controller 10 and the auxiliary storage device 112 of the second remote controller 11.

[0048] The notification information corresponds to the model characteristics of the notification device (in this example, indoor phone base unit 20a) and includes information indicating the model of the notification device and information indicating the notification content. For convenience, the notification method table in FIG. 14 shows only the content corresponding to the notification information from indoor phone base unit 20a, but the notification method table also includes content based on notification information from notification devices in other external systems (e.g., fire alarm systems, earthquake alarm systems, etc.). The operating state is the user's operating state detected by first remote control 10, such as cooking, bathing, showering, sleeping, awake (or other), etc.

[0049] The notification method corresponds to the notification information and the user's operating state. In this embodiment, notification is performed by at least one of an electronic sound, audio guidance, and monitor display. In the electronic sound notification, sounds such as "ping-dong" or "beep" are output from the speaker 1040. In the audio guidance notification, audio guidance such as "A visitor has arrived" or "The doorbell has rung" is output from the speaker 1040. In the monitor display notification, for example, text such as "Outside call in progress" or an illustration of a handset indicating a call is about to be made is displayed on the monitor 1041. It is assumed that the notification method table has a preferred notification method preset according to the notification information and the operating state. However, for example, the first remote control 10 may pick up ambient sounds using the microphone 1060 and dynamically change the frequency setting of the electronic sound to a frequency different from that of the ambient sounds.

[0050] 14 shows the notification methods of "beep," "voice guidance," and "monitor display," but is not limited to these and may include, for example, a notification method using an LED or the like. The first remote controller 10 also includes a table editing means for editing the notification method table in response to user operations, allowing the user to arbitrarily change the notification methods in the notification method table. For example, the user can appropriately change the ON / OFF settings of "beep," "voice guidance," and "monitor display," the volume and frequency of "beep," the selection of message content for "voice guidance," the light intensity for "monitor display," etc.

[0051] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed by the first remote controller 10 in step S1003a. The second remote controller 11 also displays a similar screen during the alert state. As shown in FIG. 15, the first remote controller 10 displays on the monitor 1041 an image based on the image data received from the indoor apparatus 20a in step S1001a, and issues an alert using an alert method corresponding to the alert information received from the indoor apparatus 20a and the user's operating state. At this time, the first remote controller 10 also displays an operation screen for the user to input a response operation, with options for "call response" and "simplified response," which will be described later, as shown in FIG. 15.

[0052] (Step S1004a) The first remote control 10 determines whether the indoor phone master 20a is in the alarm state J201a. If the indoor phone master 20a is in the alarm state J201a (step S1004a; YES), the operation of the first remote control 10 transitions to step S1005a. If the indoor phone master 20a is not in the alarm state J201a (step S1004a; NO), the first remote control 10 transitions to the normal state J100a, and this flow ends. Note that in this step, when the indoor phone master 20a is not in the alarm state J201a refers to when a response operation is input in the indoor phone master 20a.

[0053] (Step S1005a) The first remote control 10 determines whether the second remote control 11 is in the notification state J111a. If the second remote control 11 is in the notification state J111a (step S1005a; YES), the operation of the first remote control 10 transitions to step S1006a. If the second remote control 11 is not in the notification state J111a (step S1005a; NO), the operation of the first remote control 10 transitions to step S1010a. Note that in this step, the case where the second remote control 11 is not in the notification state J111a refers to the case where a response operation is input on the second remote control 11.

[0054] (Step S1006a) The first remote controller 10 determines whether or not a response operation has been input by the user on the first remote controller 10. If a response operation has been input on the first remote controller 10 (step S1006a; YES), the operation of the first remote controller 10 proceeds to step S1007a. If a response operation has not been input on the first remote controller 10 (step S1006a; NO), the operation of the first remote controller 10 returns to step S1004a. Note that in this step, a case where a response operation has been input refers to a case where the user selects one of the options "answer call" and "simple response" displayed on the first remote controller 10, for example, as shown in FIG. 15 .

[0055] (Step S1007a) The first remote controller 10 transitions to the response state J102a. After that, the operation of the first remote controller 10 transitions to step S1008a.

[0056] (Step S1008a) The first remote control 10 requests the indoor apparatus 20a to relay a response in accordance with the response operation selected in step S1006a. Thereafter, the operation of the first remote control 10 proceeds to step S1009a. When the first remote control 10 requests relaying of a response, the indoor apparatus 20a relays, for example, the voice data transmitted from the first remote control 10 to the indoor apparatus 21a. Here, a user's response via the first remote control 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17. In this embodiment, two types of responses are assumed: a call response and a simple response. FIG. 16 shows an example of a display screen when a call response is selected in step S1006a.

[0057] Answering a call means that the user and the visitor communicate with each other via the first remote control 10 and the intercom handset 21a, and the intercom master 20a relays the voice data of the call between the first remote control 10 and the intercom handset 21a until an end operation is input on the first remote control 10. When answering a call is selected, the first remote control 10 accepts voice input from the user and outputs voice input from the visitor until an end operation is input on the first remote control 10. At this time, as shown in FIG. 16 , the first remote control 10 displays, for example, text such as "Answering call" and an illustration of a handset or the like indicating that a call is in progress, and also displays an "End" option (described later) as an operation screen for the user to input an end operation.

[0058] 17 shows an example of a display screen when simple answering is selected in step S1006a. Simple answering means that the user notifies the visitor of an automated message via the first remote control 10 and the intercom slave 21a, and the intercom master 20a relays the automated message from the first remote control 10 to the intercom slave 21a until an end operation is input on the first remote control 10. When simple answering is selected, the first remote control 10 displays a list of predetermined answer patterns, accepts the user's selection of a desired answer pattern from the user, and transmits an automated message corresponding to the selected answer pattern to the intercom master 20a until an end operation is input on the first remote control 10.

[0059] For example, as shown in Fig. 17, the first remote control 10 displays options of "request for response when the user is not at home," "request for standby," and "request for revisit" as response patterns, and also displays an option of "end," which will be described later, as an operation screen for the user to input an end operation. The request for response when the user is not at home is a response pattern that prompts visitors to respond in the same way as when the user is not at home, and the automated message corresponding to this response pattern has content such as "This is an automated message. We are currently unable to assist you. If you are a delivery person, please use the delivery box." The wait request is a response pattern that prompts visitors to wait, and the automated message corresponding to this response pattern has content such as "This is an automated message. We are currently unable to assist you. Please wait a moment."

[0060] The re-visit request is a response pattern for encouraging the visitor to return, and the automated message corresponding to this response pattern may be, for example, "This is an automated message. I am currently unavailable. Please have the delivery person redeliver the delivery." The response patterns are not limited to the "request for assistance when the customer is not at home," "request for standby," and "re-visit request" shown in FIG. 17 , but various other response patterns may be used, such as a "request for recorded message." Furthermore, a message arbitrarily set or recorded by the user may be stored in the auxiliary storage device 103 as an automated message and used as the automated message. While the automated message is intended to be notified to the visitor by voice via the intercom handset 21a, it is not limited thereto, and may also be notified to the visitor by text displayed on a display device (not shown) provided in the intercom handset 21a.

[0061] (Step S1009a) The first remote control 10 determines whether or not the user has input an end operation on the first remote control 10. More specifically, as shown in Fig. 16 or 17, when the user selects the "End" option displayed on the first remote control 10, the first remote control 10 determines that the user has input an end operation on the first remote control 10. When the end operation has been input on the first remote control 10 (step S1009a; YES), the first remote control 10 transitions to the normal state J100a, and this flow ends. When the end operation has not been input on the first remote control 10 (step S1009a; NO), the first remote control 10 repeats the operation of this step.

[0062] In addition, in the case where the first remote control 10 needs to send an automatic message only once in a simple response, it does not require the user to perform an end operation, and may assume that the user has input an end operation after sending the automatic message.

[0063] (Step S1010a) The first remote control 10 transitions to the relay state J103a. After that, the operation of the first remote control 10 transitions to step S1011a. At this time, as shown in FIG. 18 , the first remote control 10 displays, for example, text such as "In-house call answering" or an illustration of a handset indicating that a call is unavailable, and outputs the voice of the call via the second remote control 11 and the intercom handset 21a.

[0064] (Step S1011a) The first remote control 10 determines whether the second remote control 11 is in the normal state J110a. If the second remote control 11 is in the normal state J110a (step S1011a; YES), the first remote control 10 transitions to the normal state J100a, and this flow ends. If the second remote control 11 is not in the normal state J110a, in other words, if the second remote control 11 is maintaining a responsive state (step S1011a; NO), the first remote control 10 repeats the operation of this step.

[0065] 19 is a flowchart showing the operation of the second remote controller 11. (Step S1100a) The second remote controller 11 transitions to an annunciation state J111a when it receives annunciation information from the first remote controller 10. Thereafter, the operation of the second remote controller 11 transitions to step S1101a.

[0066] (Step S1101a) The second remote control 11 requests the first remote control 10 to transfer image data. Thereafter, the operation of the second remote control 11 transitions to step S1102a. When the first remote control 10 receives the request to transfer image data from the second remote control 11, it transfers the image data received from the indoor apparatus 20a to the second remote control 11. The second remote control 11 displays an image based on the image data received from the first remote control 10 on the monitor 1131.

[0067] (Step S1102a) The second remote controller 11 issues a notification using a notification method corresponding to the received notification information and the user's operating state. Similar to the first remote controller 10 described above, the second remote controller 11 determines a notification method based on the received notification information, the user's operating state, and the notification method table, and issues a notification using the determined notification method (see FIGS. 14-15). Thereafter, the operation of the second remote controller 11 transitions to step S1103a.

[0068] (Step S1103a) The second remote control 11 determines whether the first remote control 10 is in the alarm state J101a. If the first remote control 10 is in the alarm state J101a (step S1103a; YES), the operation of the second remote control 11 transitions to step S1104a. If the first remote control 10 is not in the alarm state J101a (step S1103a; NO), the second remote control 11 transitions to the normal state J110a, and this flow ends. Note that in this step, the first remote control 10 is not in the alarm state J101a refers to a case where a response operation is input in the first remote control 10 or the indoor apparatus 20a.

[0069] (Step S1104a) The second remote control 11 determines whether or not a response operation has been input by the user on the second remote control 11. If a response operation has been input on the second remote control 11 (step S1104a; YES), the operation of the second remote control 11 proceeds to step S1105a. If a response operation has not been input on the second remote control 11 (step S1104a; NO), the operation of the second remote control 11 returns to step S1103a. Note that in this step, a case where a response operation has been input refers to a case where the user selects one of the options "answer call" and "simple response" displayed on the second remote control 11, as shown in FIG. 15, for example.

[0070] (Step S1105a) The second remote controller 11 transitions to a response state J112a. After that, the operation of the second remote controller 11 transitions to step S1106a.

[0071] (Step S1106a) The second remote control 11 requests the first remote control 10 to relay the response in accordance with the response operation selected in step S1104a. The operation of the second remote control 11 then transitions to step S1107a. When the second remote control 11 requests the first remote control 10 to relay the response, the first remote control 10 relays, for example, the audio data transmitted from the second remote control 11 to the indoor apparatus 20a. The operation of the second remote control 11 when the user responds is the same as that of the first remote control 10 (see FIGS. 16-17 ).

[0072] Note that answering a call on the second remote control 11 means that the user and the visitor communicate with each other via the second remote control 11 and the intercom handset 21a, and the first remote control 10 and the intercom master 20a relay the voice data during the call between the second remote control 11 and the intercom handset 21a until an end operation is input on the second remote control 11. Also, simple answering on the second remote control 11 means that the user notifies the visitor of an automated message via the second remote control 11 and the intercom handset 21a, and the first remote control 10 and the intercom master 20a relay the automated message from the second remote control 11 to the intercom handset 21a until an end operation is input on the second remote control 11.

[0073] (Step S1107a) The second remote control 11 determines whether or not the user has input an end operation on the second remote control 11. More specifically, as shown in Fig. 16 or 17, when the user selects the "End" option displayed on the second remote control 11, the second remote control 11 determines that the user has input an end operation on the second remote control 11. When the end operation has been input on the second remote control 11 (step S1107a; YES), the second remote control 11 transitions to the normal state J110a, and this flow ends. When the end operation has not been input on the second remote control 11 (step S1107a; NO), the second remote control 11 repeats the operation of this step.

[0074] 20 is a flowchart showing the operation of indoor apparatus 20a. (Step S2000a) When indoor apparatus 20a receives a call signal from indoor apparatus 21a, it transitions to an alarm state J201a. After that, the operation of indoor apparatus 20a transitions to step S2001a.

[0075] (Step S2001a) Indoor apparatus 20a transmits notification information to first remote controller 10. The notification information includes information indicating the model of indoor apparatus 20a (in this example, the indoor apparatus system) and information indicating the notification content (in this example, an out-of-home call). After that, operation of indoor apparatus 20a proceeds to step S2002a.

[0076] (Step S2002a) Indoor apparatus 20a issues a notification in accordance with a predetermined notification method, such as outputting an electronic sound, etc. After that, the operation of indoor apparatus 20a proceeds to step S2003a.

[0077] (Step S2003a) The indoor apparatus 20a determines whether the first remote controller 10 is in the alarm state J101a. If the first remote controller 10 is in the alarm state J101a (step S2003a; YES), the operation of the indoor apparatus 20a transitions to step S2004a. If the first remote controller 10 is not in the alarm state J101a (step S2003a; NO), the operation of the indoor apparatus 20a transitions to step S2007a. Note that in this step, the case where the first remote controller 10 is not in the alarm state J101a refers to the case where a response operation is input on the first remote controller 10 or the second remote controller 11.

[0078] (Step S2004a) Indoor phone master unit 20a determines whether an answering operation has been input to indoor phone master unit 20a. If an answering operation has been input to indoor phone master unit 20a (step S2004a; YES), the operation of indoor phone master unit 20a proceeds to step S2005a. If an answering operation has not been input to indoor phone master unit 20a (step S2004a; NO), the operation of indoor phone master unit 20a returns to step S2003a.

[0079] However, if an answering operation is not input in the indoor apparatus 20a (step S2004a; NO), and a certain time (e.g., one minute) has elapsed since the call signal was received from the indoor apparatus 21a, the indoor apparatus 20a transitions to the normal state J200a, and this flow ends. Note that in this step, an answering operation is input when, for example, the user selects the "answer call" option displayed on the indoor apparatus 20a.

[0080] (Step S2005a) Indoor apparatus 20a transitions to a response state J202a. After that, the operation of indoor apparatus 20a transitions to step S2006a.

[0081] (Step S2006a) The indoor phone master unit 20a determines whether an end operation has been input in the indoor phone master unit 20a. If an end operation has been input in the indoor phone master unit 20a (step S2006a; YES), the indoor phone master unit 20a transitions to the normal state J200a, and this flow ends. If an end operation has not been input in the indoor phone master unit 20a (step S2006a; NO), the indoor phone master unit 20a repeats the operation of this step. Note that, in this step, an end operation being input refers to, for example, when the user selects the "End" option displayed on the indoor phone master unit 20a.

[0082] (Step S2007a) Indoor apparatus 20a transitions to relay state J203a. After that, the operation of indoor apparatus 20a transitions to step S2008a.

[0083] (Step S2008a) The indoor apparatus 20a determines whether the first remote controller 10 is in the normal state J100a. If the first remote controller 10 is in the normal state J100a (step S2008a; YES), the indoor apparatus 20a transitions to the normal state J200a, and this flow ends. If the first remote controller 10 is not in the normal state J100a (step S2008a; NO), the indoor apparatus 20a repeats the operation of this step. Note that in this step, when the first remote controller 10 is not in the normal state J100a refers to when the first remote controller 10 or the second remote controller 11 is maintaining a response state.

[0084] As described above, the alarm system A in embodiment 1 is an alarm system that includes a home appliance and an alarm device, and the home appliance and the alarm device are connected to each other for communication, and the home appliance includes a first communication means for communicating with the alarm device, an alarm method table storage means for storing an alarm method table that associates alarm information with alarm methods, and an alarm means for, when receiving alarm information from the alarm device, issuing an alarm using the alarm method corresponding to the alarm information.

[0085] This allows the notification to be widely distributed to users in the home regardless of the volume of the notification sound from the notification device, making it possible to more reliably convey the notification content of the notification device to users.

[0086] Furthermore, since the notification information corresponds to the model characteristics of the notification device, the notification can be given in an appropriate notification method that matches the nature of the notification information, making it easier for the user to understand the notification content. As a result, the notification content of the notification device can be more reliably conveyed to the user.

[0087] Furthermore, since the notification method in the notification method table can be changed by the user at will, the notification can be made in an appropriate notification method that matches the user's visual and hearing abilities, making it easier for the user to distinguish the notification content. As a result, the notification content of the notification device can be more reliably conveyed to the user.

[0088] In addition, the notification method table associates notification information with a user's operating state and a notification method, and the home appliance further includes an operating state detection means for detecting the user's operating state, and when the notification means receives notification information from the notification device, it issues a notification using a notification method corresponding to the notification information and the user's operating state detected by the operating state detection means.

[0089] This allows the notification to be made in an appropriate notification method that matches the operating state of the user, making it easier for the user to understand the notification content, and making it possible to more reliably convey the notification content from the notification device to the user.

[0090] Furthermore, since the notification means changes the frequency of the notification sound to a frequency different from that of the surrounding environmental sound, the notification can be made in an appropriate manner that matches the surrounding environmental sound, making it easier for the user to distinguish the notification content. As a result, the notification content of the notification device can be more reliably conveyed to the user.

[0091] The home electric appliance further includes a response operation receiving unit that receives a response operation from a user, and a response executing unit that executes a response according to the response operation from the user.

[0092] This allows the user to respond even from a home appliance installed far away from the alarm device (for example, a second remote control 11 installed in the bathroom), making it possible to respond immediately to an alarm from the alarm device.

[0093] The response operation accepting means presents a plurality of predetermined response patterns and accepts selection of a desired response pattern from the user.

[0094] This allows the user to immediately perform a response operation, making it possible to immediately respond to the notification from the notification device.

[0095] The home appliance also includes a hot water supply remote control installed at a first location to control the hot water supply device, a second communication means for communicating with a second remote control installed at a second location different from the first location to control the hot water supply device, and an alarm information transmission means for transmitting the alarm information to the second remote control when the alarm information is received from the alarm device.

[0096] This allows the notification to be widely distributed to users in the kitchen or bathroom regardless of the volume of the notification sound from the notification device, making it possible to more reliably convey the notification content of the notification device to the user.

[0097] Since the notification device is a device included in the door phone system, it can more reliably notify the presence or absence of a visitor, and if a visitor does arrive, it is possible to respond immediately.

[0098] (Variation 1) Fig. 21 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an alarm system B in Variation 1 of Embodiment 1. The alarm system B includes a hot water supply system 1 and a fire alarm system 2b. The hot water supply system 1 and the fire alarm system 2b are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other via a home network 3. The home network 3 is communicatively connected to a wide area network via a communication device such as a broadband router (not shown). The wide area network is, for example, a communication network such as the Internet line or a telephone line.

[0099] Fire alarm system 2b is a system that detects a fire and notifies the interior of a home, and includes fire alarm master unit 20b and fire alarm slave unit 21b. Fire alarm master unit 20b and fire alarm slave unit 21b are communicatively connected to each other via communication line 22b. Fire alarm master unit 20b is also communicatively connected to home network 3. Fire alarm master unit 20b is an example of an alarm device according to the present disclosure. Upon detecting a fire, fire alarm master unit 20b and fire alarm slave unit 21b transmit alarm information including information indicating their own model and information indicating the content of the alarm to hot water supply system 1 via home network 3. Upon receiving the alarm information from fire alarm system 2b, first remote control 10 and second remote control 11 of hot water supply system 1 issue an alarm corresponding to the received alarm information.

[0100] When the user responds via the first remote controller 10 or the second remote controller 11, a notification of the fire is sent to an external disaster prevention support server via the wide area network. The notification includes information indicating the address of the house.

[0101] In this way, the notification system B according to the first modification of the first embodiment can more reliably notify the user of the occurrence of a fire, and the user can immediately take action in the event of a fire (such as requesting rescue or issuing an evacuation warning to the surrounding area).

[0102] (Variation 2) Fig. 22 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an alarm system C in Variation 2 of Embodiment 1. The alarm system C includes a hot water supply system 1 and an earthquake alarm system 2c. The hot water supply system 1 and the earthquake alarm system 2c are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other via a home network 3. The home network 3 is communicatively connected to a wide area network via a communication device such as a broadband router (not shown).

[0103] Earthquake alarm system 2c is a system that detects the occurrence of an earthquake and notifies the inside of a home, and includes earthquake alarm device 20c. Earthquake alarm device 20c is communicably connected to home network 3. Earthquake alarm device 20c is an example of an alarm device according to the present disclosure. When earthquake alarm device 20c detects the occurrence of an earthquake, it transmits alarm information including information indicating its own model and information indicating the content of the alarm to hot water supply system 1 via home network 3. When first remote control 10 and second remote control 11 of hot water supply system 1 receive the alarm information from earthquake alarm system 2c, they issue an alarm corresponding to the received alarm information.

[0104] Furthermore, when the user performs a response operation via the first remote control 10 or the second remote control 11, a notification of the occurrence of an earthquake is transmitted to an external disaster prevention support server via the wide area network. The notification includes information indicating the address of the residence as well as the damage situation, etc. The earthquake alarm device 20c is assumed to be a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or tablet terminal that is capable of receiving information such as earthquake alerts distributed via the wide area network, but is not limited to this. The device may also be an alarm device or alarm system (not shown) connected to the wide area network, which directly transmits the earthquake alert, etc. as alarm information to the hot water supply system 1.

[0105] In this way, the notification system C according to the second modification of the first embodiment can more reliably notify the user of the occurrence of an earthquake. Furthermore, the user can immediately take action (such as requesting rescue) when an earthquake occurs.

[0106] (Variant 3) The notification information in embodiment 1 includes both information indicating the model and information indicating the notification content, but it may also include only information indicating the notification content, or if the notification content can be identified by the model, it may not include information indicating the notification content.

[0107] (Variation 4) A second remote control 11 may be configured to be communicably connected to the intercom system 2a via the home network 3 instead of the first remote control 10. In this case, the second remote control 11 is an example of a hot water supply remote control and a home appliance according to the present disclosure. The first remote control 10 is an example of a second remote control according to the present disclosure.

[0108] (Variation 5) The hot water supply system 1 and the intercom system 2a may be connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other not via the home network 3 but via a wide area network such as the Internet line or a telephone line.

[0109] (Variation 6) All or part of the functional units of the first remote controller 10 (see FIG. 4) may be implemented by dedicated hardware. Also, all or part of the functional units of the second remote controller 11 (see FIG. 7) may be implemented by dedicated hardware. Examples of dedicated hardware include a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, an ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or a combination thereof.

[0110] The technical ideas according to the above-described modifications may be realized independently or in appropriate combination.

[0111] (Embodiment 2) Fig. 23 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a notification system D in embodiment 2. The notification system D includes an air conditioning system 4 and a door phone system 2d. The air conditioning system 4 and the door phone system 2d are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a home network 3. The air conditioning system 4 includes an indoor unit 40 installed inside the home to control the air conditioning inside the home, and an outdoor unit 41 installed outside the home to control the refrigerant circuit, and is connected to the home network 3 so as to be able to communicate with each other via the indoor unit 40. The indoor unit 40 is an example of a home appliance according to the present disclosure.

[0112] The intercom system 2d includes an intercom master unit 20d installed in a home, such as a living room, to notify the home of the presence or absence of a visitor, and an intercom slave unit 21d installed outside the home, such as at the entrance, to receive calls from the visitor. The intercom master unit 20d and the intercom slave unit 21d are communicatively connected to each other via a communication line 22d. The intercom master unit 20d is communicatively connected to the home network 3. The hardware configuration of the intercom master unit 20d is the same as that of the intercom master unit 20a in the first embodiment (see FIG. 8 ), and the hardware configuration of the intercom slave unit 21d is the same as that of the intercom slave unit 21a in the first embodiment (see FIG. 9 ). The intercom master unit 20d is an example of an alarm device according to the present disclosure.

[0113] FIG. 24 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the indoor unit 40 in embodiment 2. The indoor unit 40 includes a control circuit 400, a first communication interface 401, a second communication interface 402, an auxiliary storage device 403, an output device 404, a sensor 405, and an input device 406. These components are connected to each other via a bus 407. In addition to the above, the indoor unit 40 also includes a general air conditioning configuration. The control circuit 400 includes a CPU, ROM, and RAM (not shown), and performs overall control of each component of the indoor unit 40. The first communication interface 401 includes a communication circuit (not shown) and communicates with the outdoor unit 41 via a communication line (not shown). The second communication interface 402 includes a communication circuit (not shown) and communicates with the indoor phone master unit 20d via the home network 3.

[0114] The auxiliary storage device 403 is an example of a notification method table storage means according to the present disclosure. The auxiliary storage device 403 is configured with a readable / writable nonvolatile semiconductor memory, a hard disk drive (HDD), or the like. Examples of the readable / writable nonvolatile semiconductor memory include an EPROM, an EEPROM, and a flash memory. The auxiliary storage device 403 stores a program for operating the indoor unit 40 and data used when the program is executed (for example, a notification method table similar to that in the first embodiment).

[0115] The output device 404 is a device that outputs sound, images, light, etc., and includes a speaker 4040, a monitor 4041, and a light-emitting device such as an LED (not shown). The speaker 4040 outputs notification sounds such as electronic sounds and voice guidance, and voice during calls. The monitor 4041 is configured to include a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display, and displays various screens under the control of the control circuit 400. The sensor 405 is a human presence sensor such as a thermal image sensor, an image sensor such as a CCD or CMOS, a Doppler sensor, or a radio wave radar, and detects the posture of a person in the location where the indoor unit 40 is installed.

[0116] The input device 406 is a device that accepts input operations from the user, and includes a microphone 4060 and buttons 4061. The microphone 4060 inputs the user's voice during a call. The buttons 4061 are, for example, composed of multiple push buttons. Note that all or part of the buttons 4061 may be composed of touch buttons, various switches, or the like. The input device 406 may also include a touch panel.

[0117] FIG. 25 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the indoor unit 40. The indoor unit 40 includes, as characteristic functions according to the present disclosure, an operation status detection unit 4000, a notification unit 4001, a response operation reception unit 4002, and a response execution unit 4003. These functional units are implemented by the control circuit 400 of the indoor unit 40 executing the above-described programs stored in the auxiliary storage device 403. The indoor unit 40 also includes general air conditioning functions, but a description of these general functions will be omitted. The operation status detection unit 4000 detects the user's operation status (e.g., cooking, bathing, showering, sleeping, waking up, etc.) based on the detection results of the sensor 405, using, for example, AI.

[0118] When the notification unit 4001 receives notification information from the indoor apparatus 20d, the notification unit 4001 refers to the notification method table shown in Fig. 14 and issues a notification according to the received notification information and the operating state of the user. The response operation receiving unit 4002 receives a response operation from the user in response to the notification from the notification unit 4001. The response executing unit 4003 executes a response process according to the user's response operation.

[0119] 26 is a diagram showing state transitions of the indoor unit 40 in embodiment 2. The state of the indoor unit 40 transitions to one of the normal state J400d, the alarm state J401d, and the response state J402d according to predetermined conditions. When power supply starts, the indoor unit 40 is in the normal state J400d. Note that the indoor unit 40 and the indoor phone master unit 20d can confirm each other's state via the communication path described above.

[0120] (Normal State J400d) The normal state J400d is a state in which no operation related to notifications is being performed by the indoor unit 40. In this state, the monitor 4041 of the indoor unit 40 displays a screen showing the air conditioning status, a screen for operating the air conditioning system 4, and the like. When notification information is received from the indoor phone master unit 20d in the normal state J400d, the state of the indoor unit 40 transitions to the notification state J401d.

[0121] (Alarm State J401d) The alarm state J401d is a state in which, after receiving alarm information from the indoor apparatus 20d, no user response operation is input in either the indoor apparatus 20d or the indoor unit 40. When a response operation is input in the indoor unit 40, the state of the indoor unit 40 transitions to a response state J402d. Furthermore, when a response operation is input in the indoor apparatus 20d, the state of the indoor unit 40 transitions to a normal state J400d.

[0122] (Response state J402d) The response state J402d is a state in which the user is responding to a visitor or the like via the indoor unit 40. In this state, an operation screen for receiving input of an end operation from the user is displayed on the monitor 4041 of the indoor unit 40. When the end operation is input by the user in the indoor unit 40, the state of the indoor unit 40 transitions to the normal state J400d.

[0123] 27 is a diagram showing state transitions of indoor apparatus 20d in embodiment 2. In accordance with predetermined conditions, indoor apparatus 20d transitions to one of the following states: normal state J200d, alarm state J201d, response state J202d, and relay state J203d. When power supply starts, indoor apparatus 20d is in the normal state J200d.

[0124] (Normal State J200d) In the normal state J200d, neither the indoor unit 20d nor the indoor unit 40 is performing any operation related to an alarm. In this state, a screen indicating that the indoor unit is in standby mode is displayed on the monitor 2041a of the indoor unit 20d. When a call signal is received from the indoor unit 21d in the normal state J200d, the state of the indoor unit 20d transitions to the alarm state J201d.

[0125] (Alarm State J201d) The alarm state J201d is a state in which, after receiving a call signal from the intercom slave 21d, no user has input a response operation to either the intercom master 20d or the indoor unit 40. In this state, an operation screen for inputting a response operation is displayed on the monitor 2041a of the intercom master 20d. When a response operation is input to the intercom master 20d, the state of the intercom master 20d transitions to a response state J202d. Furthermore, when a response operation is input to the indoor unit 40, the state of the intercom master 20d transitions to a relay state J203d. Furthermore, when a certain time (e.g., one minute) has elapsed since receiving the call signal from the intercom slave 21d, the state of the intercom master 20d transitions to a normal state J200d.

[0126] (Answering state J202d) The answering state J202d is a state in which the user is answering a call from a visitor via indoor apparatus 20d. In this state, an operation screen for receiving an end operation input from the user is displayed on monitor 2041a of indoor apparatus 20d. When the user inputs an end operation on indoor apparatus 20d, the state of indoor apparatus 20d transitions to normal state J200d.

[0127] (Relay State J203d) In relay state J203d, data exchanged between indoor unit 40 and intercom slave unit 21d is relayed. In this state, a screen indicating that relaying is in progress is displayed on monitor 2041a of intercom master unit 20d. When an end operation is input in indoor unit 40, the state of intercom master unit 20d transitions to normal state J200d.

[0128] 28 is a flowchart showing the operation of indoor unit 40. (Step S4000d) When indoor unit 40 receives notification information from indoor apparatus 20d, it transitions to notification state J401d. Thereafter, the operation of indoor unit 40 transitions to step S4001d.

[0129] (Step S4001d) The indoor unit 40 requests the intercom master unit 20d to transfer image data. Thereafter, operation of the indoor unit 40 transitions to step S4002d. Although detailed description will be omitted, upon receiving a call operation from a visitor, the intercom slave unit 21d transmits a call signal to the intercom master unit 20d and begins capturing images of the area outside the entrance. The intercom master unit 20d continuously transmits image data of the area outside the entrance to the intercom master unit 20d until the intercom master unit 20d transitions to normal state J200d. When the intercom master unit 20d receives a request to transfer image data from the indoor unit 40, it transfers the image data received from the intercom slave unit 21d to the indoor unit 40. The indoor unit 40 displays an image based on the image data received from the intercom master unit 20d on the monitor 4041.

[0130] (Step S4002d) The indoor unit 40 issues a notification using a notification method corresponding to the received notification information and the user's operating state. Similar to the first remote control 10 and the second remote control 11 in embodiment 1, the indoor unit 40 determines a notification method based on the received notification information, the user's operating state, and the notification method table, and issues a notification using the determined notification method (see FIGS. 14-15). Thereafter, the operation of the indoor unit 40 transitions to step S4003d.

[0131] (Step S4003d) The indoor unit 40 determines whether the indoor phone master unit 20d is in the alarm state J201d. If the indoor phone master unit 20d is in the alarm state J201d (step S4003d; YES), the operation of the indoor unit 40 transitions to step S4004d. If the indoor phone master unit 20d is not in the alarm state J201d (step S4003d; NO), the indoor unit 40 transitions to the normal state J400d, and this flow ends. Note that in this step, when the indoor phone master unit 20d is not in the alarm state J201d refers to when a response operation is input in the indoor phone master unit 20d.

[0132] (Step S4004d) The indoor unit 40 determines whether or not a response operation has been input by the user in the indoor unit 40. If a response operation has been input in the indoor unit 40 (step S4004d; YES), the operation of the indoor unit 40 transitions to step S4005d. If a response operation has not been input in the indoor unit 40 (step S4004d; NO), the operation of the indoor unit 40 returns to step S4003d.

[0133] (Step S4005d) The indoor unit 40 transitions to a response state J402d. After that, the operation of the indoor unit 40 transitions to step S4006d.

[0134] (Step S4006d) The indoor unit 40 requests the indoor apparatus 20d to relay the response in accordance with the response operation selected in step S4004d. The operation of the indoor unit 40 then proceeds to step S4007d. When the indoor apparatus 40 requests the indoor apparatus 20d to relay the response, the indoor apparatus 20d relays, for example, the audio data transmitted from the indoor apparatus 40 to the indoor apparatus 21d. The operation of the indoor apparatus 40 when the user responds is the same as that of the first remote control 10 in the first embodiment (see FIGS. 16-17 ).

[0135] (Step S4007d) The indoor unit 40 determines whether or not the user has input an end operation in the indoor unit 40. For example, as shown in FIG. 16 or 17, when the user selects the "End" option displayed on the indoor unit 40, the indoor unit 40 determines that the user has input an end operation in the indoor unit 40. When the end operation has been input in the indoor unit 40 (step S4007d; YES), the indoor unit 40 transitions to the normal state J400d, and this flow ends. When the end operation has not been input in the indoor unit 40 (step S4007d; NO), the indoor unit 40 repeats the operation of this step.

[0136] 29 is a flowchart showing the operation of indoor apparatus 20d. (Step S2000d) When indoor apparatus 20d receives a call signal from indoor apparatus 21d, it transitions to an alarm state J201d. After that, the operation of indoor apparatus 20d transitions to step S2001d.

[0137] (Step S2001d) Indoor apparatus 20d transmits notification information to indoor unit 40. The notification information includes information indicating the model of indoor apparatus 20d (in this example, the indoor apparatus system) and information indicating the notification content (in this example, an out-of-home call). After that, operation of indoor apparatus 20d proceeds to step S2002d.

[0138] (Step S2002d) Indoor apparatus 20d issues a notification in accordance with a predetermined notification method, such as outputting an electronic sound, etc. After that, the operation of indoor apparatus 20d proceeds to step S2003d.

[0139] (Step S2003d) The indoor apparatus 20d determines whether the indoor unit 40 is in the alarm state J401d. If the indoor unit 40 is in the alarm state J401d (step S2003d; YES), the operation of the indoor apparatus 20d proceeds to step S2004d. If the indoor unit 40 is not in the alarm state J401d (step S2003d; NO), the operation of the indoor apparatus 20d proceeds to step S2007d. Note that in this step, the indoor unit 40 is not in the alarm state J401d refers to a case where a response operation has been input in the indoor unit 40.

[0140] (Step S2004d) Indoor phone master unit 20d determines whether an answering operation has been input in indoor phone master unit 20d. If an answering operation has been input in indoor phone master unit 20d (step S2004d; YES), the operation of indoor phone master unit 20d proceeds to step S2005d. If an answering operation has not been input in indoor phone master unit 20d (step S2004d; NO), the operation of indoor phone master unit 20d returns to step S2003d.

[0141] However, if an answering operation is not input in master unit 20d (step S2004d; NO), and a certain time (e.g., one minute) has elapsed since receiving the call signal from slave unit 21d, master unit 20d transitions to normal state J200d, and this flow ends. Note that in this step, an answering operation is input when, for example, the user selects the "answer call" option displayed on master unit 20d.

[0142] (Step S2005d) Indoor apparatus 20d transitions to a response state J202d. After that, the operation of indoor apparatus 20d transitions to step S2006d.

[0143] (Step S2006d) Indoor phone master unit 20d determines whether an end operation has been input in indoor phone master unit 20d. If an end operation has been input in indoor phone master unit 20d (step S2006d; YES), indoor phone master unit 20d transitions to normal state J200d, and this flow ends. If an end operation has not been input in indoor phone master unit 20d (step S2006d; NO), indoor phone master unit 20d repeats the operation of this step.

[0144] (Step S2007d) Indoor apparatus 20d transitions to relay state J203d. After that, the operation of indoor apparatus 20d transitions to step S2008d.

[0145] (Step S2008d) The indoor apparatus 20d determines whether the indoor unit 40 is in the normal state J400d. If the indoor unit 40 is in the normal state J400d (step S2008d; YES), the indoor apparatus 20d transitions to the normal state J200d, and this flow ends. If the indoor unit 40 is not in the normal state J400d (step S2008d; NO), the indoor apparatus 20d repeats the operation of this step. Note that in this step, when the indoor unit 40 is not in the normal state J400d refers to when the indoor unit 40 maintains a response state.

[0146] As described above, the alarm system D in embodiment 2 is an alarm system that includes a home appliance and an alarm device, and the home appliance and the alarm device are connected to each other for communication, and the home appliance includes a first communication means for communicating with the alarm device, an alarm method table storage means for storing an alarm method table that associates alarm information with alarm methods, and an alarm means for, when receiving alarm information from the alarm device, issuing an alarm using the alarm method corresponding to the alarm information.

[0147] This allows the notification to be widely distributed to users in the home regardless of the volume of the notification sound from the notification device, making it possible to more reliably convey the notification content of the notification device to users.

[0148] (Variation 1) The notification method table may be stored in a storage device included in a dedicated remote control (not shown) of the air conditioning system 4. Alternatively, the notification may be performed via an output device included in the dedicated remote control, or the user may respond via an input device included in the dedicated remote control. Alternatively, the user's posture may be detected by a human presence sensor included in the dedicated remote control. Alternatively, the dedicated remote control may be provided with all or some of the functions (see FIG. 25 ) of the indoor unit 40.

[0149] (Variant 2) The notification information in embodiment 2 includes both information indicating the model and information indicating the notification content, but it may also include only information indicating the notification content, or if the notification content can be identified by the model, it may not include information indicating the notification content.

[0150] (Modification 3) The air conditioning system 4 and the door phone system 2d may be connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other not via the home network 3 but via a wide area network such as the Internet or a telephone line.

[0151] (Variation 4) All or part of the functional units (see FIG. 25 ) of the indoor unit 40 may be realized by dedicated hardware. The dedicated hardware may be, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a combination thereof.

[0152] The technical ideas according to the above-described modifications may be realized independently or in appropriate combination.

[0153] The present disclosure allows various embodiments and modifications without departing from the broad spirit and scope. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments are intended to explain the present disclosure and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. That is, the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, not the embodiments. Various modifications made within the scope of the claims and the meaning of the disclosure equivalent thereto are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0154] The present disclosure can be suitably employed in a notification system that notifies a user in a home.

[0155] A to D alarm system, 1 hot water supply system, 2a, 2d door phone system, 2b fire alarm system, 2c earthquake alarm system, 3 home network, 4 air conditioning system, 10 first remote control, 11 second remote control, 12 hot water supply device, 13a, 13b, 22a, 22b, 22d communication line, 20a, 20d door phone parent unit, 20b fire alarm parent unit, 20c earthquake alarm device, 21a, 21d door phone child unit, 21b fire alarm child unit, 40 indoor unit, 41 outdoor unit, 100, 110, 200a, 210a, 400 control circuit, 101, 201a, 401 first communication interface, 102, 202a, 402 second communication interface, 103, 112, 203a, 213a, 403 Auxiliary storage device, 104, 113, 204a, 404 Output device, 105, 114, 405 Sensor, 106, 115, 205a, 215a, 406 Input device, 107, 116, 206a, 216a, 407 Bus, 111, 211a Communication interface, 212a Imaging device, 1000, 1100, 4000 Operation state detection unit, 1001, 1101, 4001 Notification unit, 1002 Notification information transmission unit, 1003, 1102, 4002 Response operation reception unit, 1004, 1103, 4003 Response execution unit, 214a, 1040, 1130, 2040a, 4040 Speaker, 1041, 1131, 2041a, 4041 Monitors, 1060, 1150, 2050a, 2150a, 4060 Microphones, 1061, 1151, 2051a, 2151a, 4061 Buttons, 1061a, 1061b, 1151a, 1151b Button group

Claims

1. A hot water remote control installed at the first location to control the hot water supply system, A first communication means for communicating with a notification device, A second communication means that communicates with a second remote control that is installed at a second location different from the first location and controls the hot water supply device, A notification method table storage means that stores a notification method table that associates notification information with the user's operating state and notification method, A means for detecting the user's operating state, A notification means that, upon receiving notification information from the notification device, provides notification using a notification method corresponding to the notification information and the user's operating state detected by the operating state detection means. The system includes a notification information transmission means that, upon receiving the notification information from the notification device, transmits the notification information to the second remote control. Water heater remote control.

2. The aforementioned notification information is information corresponding to the model characteristics of the notification device. The hot water remote control according to claim 1.

3. The notification method in the aforementioned notification method table can be changed at the user's discretion. A hot water heater remote control according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The notification means changes the frequency of the notification sound to a frequency different from the ambient noise. A hot water heater remote control according to claim 1 or 2.

5. A response operation receiving means for receiving user response operations, The system further comprises a response execution means that executes a response in accordance with the user's response operation, A hot water heater remote control according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The response operation receiving means presents a predetermined number of response patterns and accepts the user's selection of the response pattern they desire. The hot water remote control according to claim 5.

7. A notification system comprising a home appliance and a notification device, wherein the home appliance and the notification device are interconnected by communication, The aforementioned home appliances are A first communication means for communicating with the aforementioned notification device, A notification method table storage means that stores a notification method table that associates notification information with the user's operating state and notification method, A means for detecting the user's operating state, The system includes a notification means that, upon receiving notification information from the notification device, provides notification using a notification method corresponding to the notification information and the user's operating state detected by the operating state detection means. Notification system.

8. The aforementioned notification information is information corresponding to the model characteristics of the notification device. The notification system according to claim 7.

9. The notification method in the aforementioned notification method table can be changed at the user's discretion. The notification system according to claim 7 or 8.

10. The notification means changes the frequency of the notification sound to a frequency different from the ambient noise. The notification system according to claim 7 or 8.

11. The aforementioned home appliances are A response operation receiving means for receiving user response operations, The system further comprises a response execution means that executes a response in accordance with the user's response operation, The notification system according to claim 7 or 8.

12. The response operation receiving means presents a predetermined number of response patterns and accepts the user's selection of the response pattern they desire. The notification system according to claim 11.

13. The aforementioned home appliance is a hot water remote control installed at the first location to control the hot water supply system, A second communication means that communicates with a second remote control that is installed at a second location different from the first location and controls the hot water supply device, The system includes a notification information transmission means that, upon receiving the notification information from the notification device, transmits the notification information to the second remote control. The notification system according to claim 7 or 8.

14. The aforementioned notification device is a device included in the door phone system. The notification system according to claim 7 or 8.

15. The aforementioned alarm device is a device included in a fire alarm system. The notification system according to claim 7 or 8.

16. The aforementioned notification device is a device that displays information for an earthquake notification system. The notification system according to claim 7 or 8.