JP6223937B2 - Household equipment with sound notification function - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to household equipment with a sound notification function having a function of notifying auditory information such as voice and musical sound.

  In the home, various equipment such as a heating cooker such as a gas stove or IH cooker, an air conditioner such as a hot air heater, and a hot water supply device such as a gas water heater or an electric water heater are used. In these home equipment, various auditory information such as setting operation notifications such as an electronic sound when a switch operation is performed, and safety-related notifications such as a warning sound in the event of an abnormality, are provided for confirmation of operation by the user. Informed from the speaker. In recent years, home appliances have been proposed that have a guide function that guides the user's operation and the state of the device using auditory information of voice guidance, and a navigation function that navigates the operation of the device using the auditory information of voice navigation. (Patent Documents 1 and 2).

JP 2007-17092 A JP 2005-167563 A

  By the way, non-directional speakers such as electrodynamic speakers in which audible sound is radiated as it is in multiple directions are used in the above-mentioned household equipment. Since safety-related notifications and the like at the time of abnormality are auditory information that everyone in the room wants to recognize, it is preferable to notify from the non-directional speaker as described above.

  However, the setting operation notification, voice guidance, and the like are auditory information that is necessary only for a user who uses the device, but is unnecessary auditory information for other residents. Therefore, for example, for a viewer watching music or television, such auditory information becomes unpleasant noise. In particular, recent residences often have a living space where the kitchen and living room are integrated, so that the resident in the living room can easily receive the auditory information notified from the equipment used in the kitchen. . For this reason, it may be possible to arbitrarily set the auditory information notification function and turn off the auditory information notification function such as setting operation notification and voice guidance. If there is no auditory information, the operation becomes inconvenient.

  On the other hand, as a sound device, a directional speaker is known in which a sound notified from a speaker can be heard only by a person located in the direction of the sound. Therefore, when the auditory information such as the setting operation notification and the voice guidance is notified, the auditory information can be notified only to the user who operates the operation unit by using the directional speaker.

  However, when household equipment is used, the user is not always located in the directional direction, so the user may not be aware of the auditory information only with the directional speaker. In addition, a device having a navigation function may request a predetermined operation from the device side after notifying predetermined auditory information. When such audible information requiring operation is notified from a directional speaker, the directional speaker can be heard only by a person located in the directional direction and cannot be heard by the surroundings. There is a problem that the operation will be stopped.

  Furthermore, in the case of household equipment that can be used simultaneously by multiple people, such as a hot water supply device, depending on the content of the operation, not only the user of the operation terminal but also other residents may want to be recognized. There is auditory information.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to notify a person who needs necessary auditory information, and has a sound notification function that makes it difficult for an unwanted person to recognize auditory information. The purpose is to provide household equipment.

The present invention
The device body,
A plurality of operation terminals for operating the device;
A storage unit storing auditory information;
A control unit for controlling the output of auditory information,
Each operation terminal has an operation unit and a communication unit that communicates with the device body,
At least one operation terminal of the plurality of operation terminals is an operation terminal having both a directional speaker and a non-directional speaker, and the other operation terminal is an operation terminal having at least a non-directional speaker. Equipment for home use,
The control unit determines whether the predetermined auditory information to be notified based on the usage state of the device is the directional information output to the directional speaker or the non-directional information output to the non-directional speaker, and outputs the auditory information. Switch destination ,
An operation terminal other than the operated operation terminal and the operated operation terminal for the predetermined auditory information to be notified based on the use state of the device resulting from the predetermined operation performed by the operation unit of one operation terminal having both speakers When outputting to
Predetermined auditory information is determined as directional information for the operated operation terminal, and is output to a directional speaker for notification, and non-directional information is transmitted to an operation terminal other than the operated operation terminal. determination to, and output to a non-directional speaker, a equipment for sound alarm function in a home with a Ru control configuration is broadcast.

According to the above-mentioned household equipment, when the predetermined auditory information is notified from the speaker, the auditory information to be notified based on the usage state of the instrument is directed to the directional information that should be notified only in a certain direction or in multiple directions. Since it is determined whether it should be non-directional information and the output destination is switched, only the user in the directional direction can recognize the necessary auditory information only for that user, and it is unnecessary for non-users. Auditory information can be made difficult to be recognized by unspecified persons. In addition, when the auditory information is non-directional information, the non-directional speaker is notified over a wide range, so that the unspecified person around the device can recognize the auditory information. As described above, the auditory information in this specification means information that can be recognized by hearing including not only acoustic information such as electronic sounds but also voice information such as voice guidance and voice navigation.
Further, for example, in a hot water supply apparatus in which operation terminals are arranged not only in the kitchen but also in a bathroom or the like, the hot water supply temperature of the entire device can be changed by operating each operation terminal. It is necessary to notify other residents other than the operating user of the usage status of the device resulting from the operation of the operating terminal. The environment of the person who needs the auditory information is different even if the auditory information is the same. Therefore, when notifying predetermined auditory information based on the usage state of the device resulting from the operation of the operation terminal having both the directional speaker and the non-directional speaker, the user is in the vicinity of the operated operation terminal. Therefore, the auditory information to be notified is determined as the directional information and notified from the directional speaker, so that the auditory information necessary only for the operating user can be recognized only by the user. On the other hand, since there is often no other resident in the vicinity of the operation terminal that is not operated, even if the same auditory information is reported from the directional speaker, it may not be recognized by other resident. However, according to the above-mentioned household equipment, the operation terminal that is not operated is determined as non-directional information even if it is the same auditory information, and is output to the non-directional speaker for notification. Can be recognized.

In the household equipment with sound notification function, preferably,
A control part determines predetermined | prescribed auditory information as directivity information, when notifying predetermined auditory information based on the use condition of the apparatus resulting from predetermined | prescribed operation.

  For example, when the auditory information such as the setting operation notification is notified based on the usage state of the device when the operation switch is operated, it is sufficient that only the user who operates the device in front of the device can recognize the auditory information. The auditory information is determined as directional information, and is output to a directional speaker for notification, so that the auditory information necessary only for the operating user can be recognized only by that user.

In the household equipment with sound notification function, preferably,
Auditory information includes auditory information that requires an operation to request a predetermined operation after the auditory information is notified,
The control unit determines the required audio information as directional information a predetermined number of times until a predetermined operation is performed when notifying the required audio information based on the usage state of the device, and operates the directional speaker. Output auditory information, let it know,
If a predetermined operation is not performed even if the required audible information is notified from the directional speaker a predetermined number of times, the required audible information is determined to be non-directional information and the required audible information is output to the non-directional speaker. Thus, a control configuration for informing is provided.

  For example, in a device having a navigation function, a predetermined operation may be requested after notification of voice navigation. Since such auditory information only needs to be recognized by the user who operates the device, it is considered to be directional information notified from the directional speaker. However, if the user is not in the directional direction, the auditory information that requires operation is recognized. The operation of the device may be interrupted. However, according to the above-mentioned household equipment, if the predetermined operation is not performed even if the required audible information is notified by the directional speaker a predetermined number of times, the required audible information is determined as non-directional information, Since the required auditory information is output to the non-directional speaker and notified, the user who is not in the directional direction can recognize the required auditory information.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the predetermined auditory information to be notified based on the usage state of the device is determined as directional information or non-directional information, and the auditory information is determined between the directional speaker and the non-directional speaker. Because it is switched between and informing, necessary auditory information can be recognized by a necessary person. In addition, it becomes difficult for a person who does not need auditory information to recognize, and discomfort is suppressed. This makes it possible to provide highly convenient home equipment.

  In addition, since the auditory information to be notified based on the usage state of the device resulting from the predetermined operation is output to the directional speaker and notified, the auditory information that is required only by the user who operates the device is given to the user. Limited recognition. As a result, it is possible to provide household equipment that further improves convenience.

  Furthermore, in the case of notifying the required operation auditory information that requires a predetermined operation after notification of voice navigation or the like, it is determined to be directional information up to a predetermined number of times and is notified from the directional speaker. Only necessary users can be recognized. And when a predetermined operation is not performed even after a predetermined number of notifications, since it is determined that non-directive information is required for operation-related auditory information, notification is made from a non-directional speaker. It is possible to reliably recognize the audio information required for operation. Thereby, operation | movement of an apparatus can be continued smoothly.

  In a domestic facility device having a plurality of operation terminals, there are cases where it is desired to notify predetermined auditory information from other operation terminals based on the use state of the device resulting from the operation of one operation terminal. According to the invention, auditory information can be notified in a mode suitable for the environment around each operation terminal.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of household equipment according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a circuit configuration of the home equipment according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a data table showing a part of auditory information set in the home equipment according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the household equipment according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the home equipment according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of household equipment according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of a circuit configuration of the home equipment according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a data table showing a part of the auditory information set in the home equipment according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the home equipment according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

(Embodiment 1)
This Embodiment demonstrates the case where the household equipment with a sound alerting | reporting function is applied to the gas stove arrange | positioned in a kitchen.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a gas stove according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of stove burners 14 are provided on the top surface of the top plate 12, and a grill cabinet 13 is provided inside the stove main body 11. Further, in front of the top surface of the top plate 12, a liquid crystal display unit 20 for displaying visual information such as the operating state, cooking mode, and cooking conditions is disposed, and the display panel is configured to be visible. Yes.

  On the outer periphery of each burner 14, an ignition electrode 15 for spark discharge in the vicinity of the flame hole and a flame detection sensor 16 for detecting the presence or absence of a combustion flame are disposed. When an ignition operation is performed by the stove point fire extinguishing operation unit 25, a high voltage is applied to an ignition electrode 15 from an igniter (not shown) incorporated in the stove body 11, and a spark discharge is generated in the vicinity of the flame hole. Based on the detected temperature of the combustion flame detected at 16, the ignition state is determined.

  At the center of each burner 14, a pan bottom temperature sensor 17 for detecting the pan bottom temperature as well as detecting the presence or absence of a pan on the virtues is urged upward by urging means (not shown). Based on the pan bottom temperature sensor 17, the presence or absence of the cooking container and the heating state of the cooking container are determined.

  Although not shown in the figure, an upper and lower grill burner is disposed in the grill 13, and like the burner 14, an ignition electrode and a flame detection sensor are disposed in the vicinity of the flame hole of each grill burner, A temperature sensor for detecting the internal temperature is disposed behind the grill storage 13. Therefore, as with the burner 14, the ignition state is determined based on the detected temperature of the combustion flame detected by the flame detection sensor, and the heating state in the grill 13 is determined by the temperature sensor.

  On the front portion of the stove main body 11, a stove point fire extinguishing operation unit 25 for extinguishing each stove burner 14 and a grill point extinguishing operation unit 26 for causing the grill burner to extinguish are disposed on the left and right, respectively. ing. In addition, each point fire extinguishing operation part 25 and 26 has the thermal power setting function for setting manually the thermal power of each burner within the predetermined range arbitrarily.

  Below the stove point fire extinguishing operation section 25 is provided a stove operation panel 30 that appears and disappears in response to a pressing operation by the user, and allows the user to set automatic cooking using the stove burner 14. A water heater switch 31, a deep-fried food cooking switch 32, a rice cooking switch 33, a timer cooking switch 34 for performing timer cooking, and the like are provided.

  A grill operation panel 40 that appears and disappears in response to a user's push operation is provided below the grill point extinguishing operation unit 26, and the user sets automatic cooking using the grill 13. For this purpose, there are provided a menu switch 41 and a burn-in / out switch 42 for setting the burn-in / out.

  Furthermore, a power switch 27 and a directional speaker 50 whose directing direction is directed toward the central front portion of the stove main body 11 are provided above the stove point fire extinguishing operation unit 25. A non-directional speaker 51 is provided above. A plurality of speakers 50 and 51 may be provided.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a control device 60 that controls the operation of the entire gas stove is incorporated in the stove main body 11, and the control device 60 includes each sensor such as the flame detection sensor 16 described above, and point extinguishing. Each switch of the operation units 25 and 26, each switch of each operation panel 30 and 40, valve units 18 and 19 for controlling the gas supply to each burner 14 and each grill burner, the liquid crystal display unit 20 and the like And are connected via electrical wiring. The speakers 50 and 51 are connected to the control device 60 via the amplifiers 52 and 53, and the ignition electrode 15 is connected to the igniter 55 through the electrical wiring.

  The control device 60 includes a microcomputer, and stores a control unit 61 that controls each component according to a preset processing program in accordance with signals from each switch and each sensor, and a data table of various auditory information. Based on instructions from the storage unit 62 and the control unit 61, predetermined auditory information is read from the storage unit 62, reproduced, and the reproduced signal is output to the amplifiers 52, 53 of the speakers 50, 51 and a timer 64 etc.

  Although not shown, the control unit 61 controls the point fire extinguishing of the stove burner 14 and the grill burner and the point extinguishing control of judging the ignition or extinguishing of the stove burner 14 and the grill burner based on the output value from the flame detection sensor 16. The temperature of the cooking container is determined based on the output value from the pan detection temperature determining unit and the pan detection temperature determining unit that determines whether the cooking container is placed at the heating position based on the on / off state of the determining unit and the pan bottom temperature sensor 17. Auditory information selection for selecting predetermined auditory information to be notified from the data table based on the use state of the pan bottom temperature determining unit for determining, the temperature in the grill 13 based on the temperature sensor, and the use state of the gas stove The auditory information determination unit for determining whether the predetermined auditory information is directional information or non-directional information based on the usage state of the gas stove, the selected auditory information Is output to the processing circuit 63. When the required auditory information for requesting a predetermined operation is notified after the predetermined auditory information is notified, the directivity is determined a predetermined number of times until the predetermined operation is performed. A circuit configuration such as a counting unit for determining whether or not the information is output is provided.

  FIG. 3 is a data table showing a part of auditory information notified by the gas stove according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the data table stores a large number of auditory information data with notification numbers and classifications, and one of the auditory information is selected according to the state of use of the gas stove. As will be described later, in this embodiment, auditory information is classified into setting operation notification, cancellation notification, error notification, safety-related notification, completion arrival notification, voice navigation notification, and other notifications (not shown). When the auditory information is selected based on the usage state, whether the information is directional information or non-directional information is determined from the classification of the auditory information. However, the determination may be made for each auditory information to be notified. In addition, the auditory information in which both the directivity and non-directivity columns are checked in the data table indicates that the information is determined as non-directional information after being determined as directivity information a predetermined number of times.

  The data table will be described in more detail. For example, when the user operates the power switch 27, the setting operation notification of the notification number Vc001 “Power is turned on” is selected, and then the menu on the grill operation panel 40 is selected. When the switch 41 is operated, the setting operation notification of notification number Vc070 “Set to grilled fish auto. Since these setting operation notifications are auditory information notified based on the use state of the gas stove resulting from the user's operation before the gas stove, it is determined as directional information and is notified from the directional speaker 50.

  Further, for example, when the cooking time before the end of the cooking time is selected, the completion notification of “Grill auto cooking will be finished soon” of the notification number Vc076 is selected. Auto-completion finished. Grill door is hot. Please be careful. " Furthermore, for example, if the temperature inside the grill 13 rises excessively during automatic cooking and the grill burner is extinguished, “Grill safety device fired and fire extinguished. Vc087. The grill is hot. Is selected. For example, when a malfunction occurs during automatic cooking, an error notification of the notification number Vc068 “The safety device has been activated and extinguished because of continuous use for X minutes” is selected. When notifying the completion or abnormal end of such automatic cooking, since the user is often not in front of the gas stove, if the notification is made from the directional speaker 50, the user may not recognize the end of cooking or the abnormal state. is there. Therefore, these completion arrival notifications and safety-related notifications are determined as non-directional information and are notified from the non-directional speaker 51.

  In addition, when the user accidentally operates the grill fire extinguishing operation unit 26 during the automatic cooking as described above, the cancel notification of the notification number Vc080 “automatic cooking is in progress and cannot be changed” is selected. However, when the cancel notification is repeatedly performed within the predetermined time, it is highly likely that the user is not in the directional direction and the same operation is repeated. Therefore, the non-directional speaker 51 is determined as non-directional information. Will be informed.

  Similarly, for example, in a gas stove having a navigation function, in the automatic cooking as described above, when the user interrupts the operation during menu selection, the notification number Vc086 “Grill is not on. Menu is selected. Voice navigation notification is selected. Such voice navigation notification is auditory information that is notified based on the usage state of the device resulting from the user operating the grill operation panel 40, so that it is determined as directivity information and is notified from the directional speaker 50. Is done. However, even if the auditory information is notified from the directional speaker 50 a predetermined number of times, if the ignition operation is not performed, there is a high possibility that there is no user in the directional direction. For this reason, when notifying the required operation auditory information that requires a predetermined operation after such notification, even if the required audible information is notified from the directional speaker 50 a predetermined number of times, if the predetermined operation is not performed, Necessary operation auditory information is determined to be non-directional information and is notified from the non-directional speaker 51. Thereby, even if the user is not in front of the gas stove, the user can be made aware of the necessity of operation. The predetermined number of times to be notified from the directional speaker 50 may be one time or a plurality of times depending on the auditory information.

  4 and 5 are flowcharts showing a notification program in the case where predetermined auditory information is notified on the gas stove of the present embodiment based on the use state. Note that the gas stove of the present embodiment is configured such that the notification program is activated when the power switch 27 is turned on.

  When the notification program is activated, when the signal from each switch or each sensor is input, the control unit 61 selects the auditory information to be notified from the data table based on the use state of the gas stove, and sets the notification number. Store (step ST1). For example, when the auditory information to be notified is classified as safety-related notification (Yes in step ST2), it is determined as non-directional information because it is necessary to notify all indoor residents, and the processing circuit 63 It outputs and alert | reports from the non-directional speaker 51 (step ST10).

  Further, when the auditory information to be notified is classified into error notification or completion arrival notification (Yes in step ST3 or ST4), the user is often away from the front of the gas stove. Is output to the processing circuit 63 and notified from the non-directional speaker 51 (step ST10).

  However, for example, when the auditory information to be notified is a setting operation notification due to the operation of the stove point fire extinguishing operation unit 25 or the like (Yes in step ST5), the user is in front of the gas stove. It is determined as information, outputted to the processing circuit 63, and notified from the directional speaker 50 (step ST11).

  If the auditory information to be notified is a cancel notification (Yes in step ST6), it is determined whether or not it is within a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds) from the previous notification, and if the predetermined time is exceeded (step In ST8, No) is a new cancel notification, which is determined as directivity information, outputted to the processing circuit 63 and notified from the directional speaker 50 (step ST11), and this cancel notification is canceled last time. Within a predetermined time, and this cancellation notification is the second notification (Yes in steps ST8 and ST9), the same operation is repeated and the cancellation notification from the directional speaker 50 is not recognized. Since there is a possibility, the same auditory information is determined as non-directional information, and is output to the processing circuit 63 for non-directional scanning. Notifying from over mosquito 51 (step ST10).

  Furthermore, when the auditory information to be notified is a voice navigation notification resulting from the operation of the automatic cooking menu switch 41 or the like (Yes in step ST7), the voice navigation processing program shown in FIG. 5 is executed. In this voice navigation processing program, first, it is determined as directivity information, which is output to the processing circuit 63 and notified from the directivity speaker 50 (step ST21). Next, an operation confirmation timer is started (step ST22), and if a predetermined operation is not performed even after a predetermined time (for example, 4 seconds) has elapsed (No in step ST24), a predetermined number of times (for example, 4 times) It is determined whether or not navigation notification has been performed (step ST25), and if not, it is added once to the number of notifications (step ST26), and notification is again made from the directional speaker 50 (step ST21). However, if a predetermined operation is not performed within a predetermined time even if a voice navigation notification is notified from the directional speaker 50 a predetermined number of times, the same auditory information is determined as non-directional information, and the processing circuit 63 And is notified from the non-directional speaker 51 (step ST10).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is determined whether the auditory information to be notified based on the usage state of the device is directional information or non-directional information, and the auditory information is transmitted to the directional speaker and the non-directional speaker. Therefore, necessary auditory information can be recognized by a person who needs it, and auditory information can be made difficult to be recognized by an unnecessary person. Also, in the case of operation-required auditory information, it is determined to be directional information up to a predetermined number of times and is notified from a directional speaker, so that it can be recognized only by the user, and unnecessary auditory information is prevented from leaking to the surroundings it can. In addition, if the predetermined operation is not performed even if the required auditory information is notified a predetermined number of times, since the user is not nearby, even the same auditory information is determined as non-directional information, Since the notification is made from the directional speaker, the user can be surely recognized.

(Embodiment 2)
This Embodiment demonstrates the case where the household equipment with a sound alerting | reporting function is applied to a hot-water supply apparatus.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a hot water supply apparatus according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the water heater includes a water heater body 100 and a kitchen remote controller 200 and a bathroom remote controller 300 which are operation terminals for remotely operating the water heater body 100. It is connected to the main body 100 by wire or wireless.

  The hot water heater main body 100 performs hot water supply operation when hot water is used in the kitchen, when bathing in a bathtub, or when reheating, and although not shown, the hot water heater main body 100 includes a burner, a blower fan, heat An exchanger or the like is provided, and the hot water supply operation is controlled based on detection signals detected by various sensors such as a temperature sensor and a flow rate sensor provided in a pipe or the like.

  The kitchen remote controller 200 is installed on the wall surface of the kitchen and the like. The display unit 220 displays visual information such as the operating state of the water heater main body 100 and the hot water temperature, and the operation input for switching the water heater main body 100 between the operating state and the standby state. / Off switch 201, automatic switch 202 for instructing the start of automatic hot water filling operation to the bathtub, UP switch 203 and DOWN switch 204 for setting hot water temperature, etc., set value change targets (hot water temperature, clock, automatic hot water filling) A priority switch 206 for setting / canceling the priority mode for prohibiting the setting of the hot water supply temperature by the bathroom remote controller 300, giving priority to the setting of the hot water supply temperature by the kitchen remote controller 200. In addition, directional and non-directional speakers 250 and 251 for outputting auditory information are provided.

  The bathroom remote controller 300 is installed on the wall surface of the bathroom, and is similar to the kitchen remote controller 200 by the display unit 320, the operation on / off switch 301, the automatic switch 302, the UP switch 303 and the DOWN switch 304, the selection switch 305, and the bathroom remote controller 300. A priority switch 306 for setting / canceling the priority mode for prohibiting the setting of the hot water supply temperature by the kitchen remote controller 200 in preference to the hot water supply temperature setting, and a non-directional speaker 351 are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 7, a control device 110 that controls the operation of the entire hot water supply device is incorporated in the water heater main body 100, and the control device 110 is constituted by a microcomputer, and each remote controller 200 described above. , 300 and a control unit 111 for controlling each component in accordance with a preset processing program, a communication unit 112 for transmitting / receiving to / from each remote controller 200, 300, a timer 113, etc. I have.

  Although not shown, the main body control unit 111 of the water heater main body 100 includes a combustion control unit that controls the combustion of the burner, a point fire extinguishing determination unit that determines point fire extinguishing of the burner, a hot water supply temperature determining unit that determines hot water supply temperature, and a bath temperature. The circuit configuration includes a bath temperature determination unit for determining, a selection unit for selecting a state notification signal based on the usage state of the entire hot water supply device in order to notify predetermined auditory information from each of the remote controllers 200 and 300.

  Control devices 210 and 310 for controlling the operation of the remote controllers 200 and 300 are incorporated in the kitchen and bathroom remote controllers 200 and 300, respectively. Remote control units 211 and 311 that control each component according to the program, storage units 212 and 312 in which data tables of various auditory information notified from the remote controls 200 and 300 are stored, and communication units 213 that communicate with the water heater main body 100 313, processing circuits 214, 314, etc. for reproducing predetermined auditory information and outputting the reproduced signals to the amplifiers 252, 253, 353 of the speakers 250, 251, 351, and the like. Although not shown in the drawings, each of the remote control units 211 and 311 includes an operation determination unit and a main body control unit 111 that determine whether or not predetermined auditory information to be notified is caused by a user operating each remote control 200 or 300. An auditory information selection unit that selects predetermined auditory information from the data table based on a state notification signal received from the auditory information output unit that outputs the selected auditory information to the processing circuits 214 and 314, and predetermined auditory information is notified. After a predetermined time, when notifying the auditory information that requires a predetermined operation within a predetermined time, a count unit that determines whether or not it has been output as directivity information a predetermined number of times until a predetermined operation is performed is provided. Yes. The communication units 213 and 313 of the remote controllers 200 and 300 and the communication unit 112 of the water heater main body 100 are always in communication.

  FIG. 8 is a data table showing a part of auditory information stored in storage 212 for notifying predetermined auditory information from kitchen remote controller 200 in the hot water supply apparatus of the present embodiment. Although not shown, a similar data table is also stored in the storage unit 312 of the bathroom remote controller 300.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in the data table of the kitchen remote controller 200, a large number of auditory information is stored with a notification number, and based on a signal received from the main body control unit 111, depending on the use state of the device. Any auditory information is notified from the directional speaker 250 or the non-directional speaker 251. Each auditory information is classified into directional information notified from the directional speaker 250 or non-directional information notified from the non-directional speaker 251. The auditory information checked in both columns is the first embodiment. Similarly, it is indicated that the information is notified as non-directional information after being notified as directivity information a predetermined number of times. In the present embodiment, even when the auditory information to be notified belongs to the same classification, the auditory information may be directional information or non-directional information. A table is used.

  The data table will be described in more detail. For example, when the user operates the operation on / off switch 201 of the kitchen remote controller 200, a signal corresponding to the operation is transmitted to the main body control unit 111 of the water heater main body 100, and the operation contents are displayed. A corresponding status notification signal is transmitted to the kitchen remote controller 200. Then, the remote control unit 211 of the kitchen remote control 200 reads the auditory information of the “SW reception buzzer” assigned the notification number Vh001 from the data table, determines whether it is due to its own operation, and determines the directivity speaker 250. I will inform you.

  In addition, for example, when the UP switch 203 or the DOWN switch 204 is operated to change the hot water supply temperature with the kitchen remote controller 200 in a state where the priority switch 306 is turned on with the bathroom remote controller 300, similarly, depending on the operation. The signal is transmitted to the main body control unit 111 of the water heater main body 100, and a state notification signal corresponding to the operation content is transmitted to the kitchen remote control 200. Then, the remote control unit 211 of the kitchen remote controller 200 reads out the auditory signal “Notice that the hot water supply temperature is given priority to the bathroom remote controller” assigned the notification number Vh010 from the data table, and determines whether it is due to its own operation. The notification is made from the directional speaker 250. In addition, since these auditory information is information unnecessary for other residents, a state notification signal is not transmitted from the main body control unit 111 to the bathroom remote controller 300, but is notified only from the kitchen remote controller 200.

  Further, for example, when the automatic switch 202 for instructing the start of the automatic hot water filling operation to the bathtub is turned on by the kitchen remote controller 200, a signal corresponding to the operation is transmitted to the main body control unit 111 of the water heater main body 100, and the operation A status notification signal corresponding to the content is transmitted to the kitchen and bathroom remote controls 200 and 300. Then, the remote control unit 211 of the kitchen remote control 200 reads the auditory information of “I will fill the hot water” assigned the notification number Vh020 from the data table, determines whether it is due to its own operation, and directs it. Notification from the directional speaker 250. Similarly, the remote control unit 311 of the bathroom remote controller 300 reads out the auditory information of “I will fill the hot water” assigned the notification number Vh020 from the data table, determines whether it is due to its own operation, Notification is given from the non-directional speaker 351.

  For example, when the automatic hot water filling operation is completed, a state notification signal corresponding to the state of the water heater body 100 is transmitted to the kitchen and bathroom remote controllers 200 and 300. Then, the remote control controllers 211 and 311 of the kitchen and bathroom remote controls 200 and 300 read out the auditory information of the notification number Vh030 “Bath has been boiled” from the data table and notify it from the non-directional speakers 251 and 351. .

  For example, when the user operates the selection switch 205 that changes the volume of the kitchen remote controller 200, a signal corresponding to the operation is transmitted to the main body control unit 111 of the water heater main body 100, and a state notification signal corresponding to the operation content is transmitted. It is transmitted to the kitchen remote control 200. Then, the remote control unit 211 of the kitchen remote controller 200 reads the auditory information “Sound is loud” to which the notification number Vh040 is assigned from the data table, determines whether or not it is due to its own operation, and the directional speaker. 250. Since the selection switch 205 for changing the volume is required to operate the UP switch 203 or the DOWN switch 204 in order to confirm the setting at the volume after the auditory information is notified, If the control unit 111 does not receive a signal corresponding to an operation for changing the volume within a predetermined time from the kitchen remote controller 200, the control unit 111 instructs the kitchen remote controller 200 to notify the user again. If the above operation is not performed, it is highly likely that the user is not in the vicinity of the kitchen remote controller 200, so the same auditory information is notified from the non-directional speaker 251.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a notification program in the case of notifying predetermined auditory information from the kitchen remote controller 200 based on the use state in the hot water supply apparatus of the present embodiment. As in the first embodiment, each remote controller 200, When the 300 on / off switches 201 and 301 are turned on, the notification program is always activated. Since the bathroom remote controller 300 of this embodiment has only the non-directional speaker 351, the description of the process of the bathroom remote controller 300 is omitted, but the process of selecting each auditory information is the same as that of the kitchen remote controller 200. is there.

  When the notification program is activated, the main body control unit 111 receives signals from the remote controllers 200 and 300, switches and sensors, and transmits a state notification signal to the kitchen remote controller 200 based on the state of use of the hot water supply device. Then, the remote control unit 211 of the kitchen remote controller 200 selects predetermined auditory information to be notified, and determines whether the auditory information is directional information or non-directional information (step ST31). When the information is non-directional information, predetermined auditory information is notified from the non-directional speaker 251 (step ST39).

  When the auditory information to be notified is directional information, it is then determined whether or not the initial generation of the auditory information is caused by the operation of the kitchen remote controller 200 (step ST32). For example, the hot water supply temperature is changed by the bathroom remote controller 300. In the case where it does not result from the operation of the kitchen remote controller 200 as in the case of the case, predetermined auditory information is notified from the non-directional speaker 251 (step ST39).

  On the other hand, when the auditory information to be notified is caused by the operation of the kitchen remote controller 200, it is further determined whether or not the auditory information is repeatedly notified a predetermined number of times (step ST33). For example, when only one notification is targeted (No in step ST33), such as when the automatic switch 202 is operated, the notification is issued from the directional speaker 250 (step ST38). As described above, the same auditory information is notified from the non-directional speaker 351 from the bathroom remote controller 300 that is not operated.

  For example, when the auditory information to be notified is to be notified a predetermined number of times (for example, 4 times), it is determined whether or not a predetermined operation is performed within a predetermined time (for example, 4 seconds). If no operation is performed, it is added to the previous number of notifications (steps ST34 to ST37), and if the added number of notifications reaches a predetermined number (for example, four times) (Yes in step ST36), the user uses the kitchen. Since there is a high possibility that the remote controller 200 is not in the vicinity, predetermined auditory information is notified from the non-directional speaker 251 (step ST39).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, necessary auditory information can be recognized by a necessary person, and auditory information can be made difficult to be recognized by an unnecessary person. In addition, in household equipment having a plurality of operation terminals, predetermined auditory information is obtained based on the use state of the apparatus resulting from the operation of one operation terminal, other than the operated operation terminal or the operated operation terminal. When notifying from another operation terminal, necessary auditory information can be notified to a necessary person according to the situation around each operation terminal.

(Other embodiments)
(1) In any of the above embodiments, predetermined auditory information is output from the control unit to the amplifier of each speaker via the processing circuit and notified, but the control unit has an on / off function of the amplifier. Thus, the speaker may be switched.
(2) In Embodiment 1 described above, both the directional speaker and the non-directional speaker are provided in the stove body, but each speaker may be provided, for example, in a ventilator disposed above the gas stove.
(3) Although the two remote controllers are provided in the second embodiment, three or more remote controllers may be provided depending on the device. In this case, the auditory information may be notified by synchronizing one remote controller with another remote controller.
(4) In the second embodiment, only the non-directional speaker is provided in the bathroom remote control. However, both the directional and non-directional speakers may be provided as in the kitchen remote control.

50,250 Directional speaker 51,251,351 Non-directional speaker 61 Control unit 62, 212, 312 Storage unit 100 Water heater body (equipment body)
200 Kitchen remote control (operation terminal)
300 Bathroom remote control (operation terminal)
111 Main body control unit 211, 311 Remote control unit

Claims (3)

The device body,
A plurality of operation terminals for operating the device;
A storage unit storing auditory information;
A control unit for controlling the output of auditory information,
Each operation terminal has an operation unit and a communication unit that communicates with the device body,
At least one operation terminal of the plurality of operation terminals is an operation terminal having both a directional speaker and a non-directional speaker, and the other operation terminal is an operation terminal having at least a non-directional speaker. Equipment for home use,
The control unit determines whether the predetermined auditory information to be notified based on the usage state of the device is the directional information output to the directional speaker or the non-directional information output to the non-directional speaker, and outputs the auditory information. Switch destination ,
An operation terminal other than the operated operation terminal and the operated operation terminal for the predetermined auditory information to be notified based on the use state of the device resulting from the predetermined operation performed by the operation unit of one operation terminal having both speakers When outputting to
Predetermined auditory information is determined as directional information for the operated operation terminal, and is output to a directional speaker for notification, and non-directional information is transmitted to an operation terminal other than the operated operation terminal. determination to, non-directional and output to the speaker, equipment for sound alarm function in a home with a Ru control configuration is broadcast. In household equipment with a sound alarm function according to claim 1,
A home appliance with a sound notification function that determines predetermined auditory information as directivity information when the controller reports predetermined auditory information based on the usage state of the device resulting from a predetermined operation. In household equipment with a sound alarm function according to claim 1 or 2,
Auditory information includes auditory information that requires an operation to request a predetermined operation after the auditory information is notified,
The control unit determines the required audio information as directional information a predetermined number of times until a predetermined operation is performed when notifying the required audio information based on the usage state of the device, and operates the directional speaker. Output auditory information, let it know,
If a predetermined operation is not performed even if the required audible information is notified from the directional speaker a predetermined number of times, the required audible information is determined to be non-directional information and the required audible information is output to the non-directional speaker. Then, household equipment with a sound notification function having a control configuration for notification.

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