JP2017026253A - Water heater system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve convenience by actualizing optimum sound volume settings of a remote controller of a water heater system.SOLUTION: The present invention relates to a water heater system that comprises a water heater body and at least two remote controllers for remotely operating the water heater body, one of the two communicatively connected remote controllers and the other each comprising a microphone and a speaker and enabling a mutual speech call using microphones and speakers. The one remote controller comprises a communication part which communicates with an external communication terminal, an amplifier which amplifies and outputs a speech signal, received from the communication terminal through communication, to the speaker by the communication part, and a sound volume detection part which detects sound volume of a sound input to the microphone after being output by the speaker, the sound volume of the speaker being adjusted based upon a value obtained by comparing the sound volume detected by the sound volume detection part with a predetermined threshold.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a water heater system.

  Conventionally, a water heater system includes a water heater main body and a remote controller (hereinafter also referred to as a remote controller) for remotely operating the water heater main body. In such a water heater system, one and the other of the two remote controllers connected for communication are each provided with a microphone and a speaker, and a voice call can be made between these remote controllers using the microphone and the speaker.

  Recently, a more convenient water heater system has been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a remote control system in which an audio signal output from a music playback device connected to one remote control by wire can be output from a speaker of the other remote control. On the other hand, Patent Document 2 describes a technique in which a remote control receives a radio signal from a movable communication terminal. Thus, the remote controller of the water heater can be connected to various communication terminals by wire or wirelessly.

JP 2013-12971 A JP 2007-170767 A

As described above, since various communication terminals can be connected as a music player to the remote controller of the conventional water heater, the initial value of the volume output from the speaker of the remote controller differs for each music player. For this reason, depending on the model of the player, a large volume may be output from the speaker of the remote controller when connected to the remote controller for the first time, or the volume may be too low to be heard. As a result, there is a problem that the user feels uncomfortable.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to realize an optimum volume setting of a remote controller in a water heater system and improve convenience.

  A water heater system according to an aspect of the present invention includes a water heater body and at least two remote controllers for remotely operating the water heater body, and one and the other of the two remote controllers connected in communication Are provided with a microphone and a speaker, respectively, and a water heater system configured to allow voice communication between the remote controllers using the microphone and the speaker, wherein the one remote controller is connected to an external communication terminal. A communication unit that performs communication between the communication terminal, an amplifier that amplifies an audio signal received from the communication terminal via communication by the communication unit, and outputs the amplified signal to the speaker; and an input to the microphone after being output by the speaker A volume detector for detecting the volume of the generated sound, and detected by the volume detector Based on the value obtained by comparing the volume and the predetermined threshold, adjusting the volume of the speaker.

  According to this configuration, an audio signal (audio signal) transmitted from an external communication terminal is output from the speaker of the remote controller via communication (for example, short-range wireless communication). At this time, the volume of the speaker is adjusted based on a value obtained by comparing the volume of the sound input to the microphone of the remote controller with a predetermined threshold. For example, if the volume exceeds a predetermined threshold, the volume of the speaker is lowered. At this time, the speaker volume may be decreased indirectly by lowering the volume level of the audio signal transmitted from the communication terminal by communication control, or the volume of the speaker amplifier may be directly decreased by adjusting the gain of the amplifier of the speaker. Good. That is, even when a large volume is output from the remote controller, the speaker volume can be automatically adjusted, and the user can feel less uncomfortable.

  In addition, since the volume is adjusted based on the sound input to the microphone, even if the remote control is installed in a bathroom where sound waves are likely to reverberate, the sound from the speaker and its reverberant sound must be accurately picked up. Can do.

  Further, by using a microphone and a speaker of a remote controller having a voice call function, it can be realized with a simpler configuration without adding new parts, and thus manufacturing costs can be suppressed. The communication method is not limited to wireless communication, but may be wired communication.

The one remote controller, when the communication unit receives the audio signal, the sound output process from the speaker, the volume detection process in the volume detection unit, the comparison between the detected volume and the threshold Processing may be executed sequentially.
According to this configuration, the sound volume adjustment process can be suitably realized by using the remote controller as a trigger when receiving an audio signal from an external communication terminal.

  The one remote controller is configured to output a volume adjustment signal for adjusting the volume to the communication terminal based on a value obtained by comparing the volume detected by the volume detection unit with a predetermined threshold. After the output of the volume adjustment signal, the audio output process, the volume detection process, and the comparison process are repeatedly executed until the volume detected by the volume detection unit is equal to or lower than the threshold. May be.

According to this configuration, the above-described processing is executed until the volume detected by the microphone of the remote controller is equal to or lower than the threshold value, and therefore the speaker volume of the remote controller can be reliably suppressed.
The one remote controller may be installed in a bathroom.
According to this configuration, the volume of the remote control speaker is adjusted before the user enters the bathroom, so that the user feels uncomfortable.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the optimal volume setting of a remote control is implement | achieved in a water heater system, and the improvement of convenience can be aimed at.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a water heater system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an example of a circuit block diagram of a portion related to communication of the water heater body. FIG. 3 is an example of a block diagram of a bathroom remote control circuit. FIG. 4 is an example of a block diagram of a circuit of a music terminal. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of music playback processing by the bathroom remote controller.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference symbols throughout all the drawings, and redundant description thereof is omitted. Further, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment.

(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a water heater system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a water heater system 100 includes a water heater body 1 and a bathroom remote controller 2 and a kitchen remote controller 3 for remotely operating the water heater body 1. The bathroom remote controller 2 and the kitchen remote controller 3 are communicatively connected via the water heater body 1. Specifically, the two-core communication cable 4 connected to each of the remote controllers 2 and 3 is connected to each other via a terminal block (not shown) of the water heater main body 1 so that the bathroom remote controller 2 and the kitchen remote controller are connected. 3 is connected for communication.

  The water heater main body 1 is installed at a predetermined location outdoors or indoors, and has a hot water supply function for supplying hot water to a kitchen, a bathtub, or the like and a bath retreat function. Moreover, you may provide the hot water heating functions, such as floor heating. The water heater main body 1 includes, for example, a heat exchanger, a combustion device that heats the heat exchanger using gas or kerosene as fuel, a pipe that serves as a hot water channel connected to the heat exchanger, a fuel pipe, various sensors, and the like Is housed in a housing.

  The bathroom remote controller 2 is installed in the bathroom 2A and has a function of remotely operating the water heater body 1, a voice call function capable of making a call with the kitchen remote controller 3, and the bathroom remote controller 2 using the voice call function. It has a BGM function capable of outputting an audio signal output from a music terminal (corresponding to a “communication terminal” of the present invention) 5 connected through communication through a speaker of the bathroom remote control 2.

  The kitchen remote control 3 is installed in the kitchen 3A, and has a function for remotely operating the water heater body 1, a voice call function for making a call with the bathroom remote control 2, and the kitchen remote control 3 using this voice call function. It has a BGM function that can output an audio signal output from a music terminal (not shown) connected for communication through a speaker of the kitchen remote controller 3. Here, two remote controllers 2 and 3 are illustrated, but three or more remote controllers having functions similar to these may be provided.

  The music terminal 5 is placed, for example, in a dressing room 5A outside the bathroom. In the present embodiment, the music terminal 5 is communicably connected to the bathroom remote control 2 and is configured to be able to output an audio signal reproduced by the music terminal 5 through the speaker of the bathroom remote control 2. In the present embodiment, the music terminal 5 is a smartphone, but may be a music player, notebook computer, mobile phone, portable game machine, etc. that each individual has and carries. The music terminal 5 is configured to play back content such as a music file (music data), an audio file (audio data), a video file (video data), a still image file (still image data), and the like. In this embodiment, a music file (music data) is reproduced.

  FIG. 2 is an example of a block diagram of a circuit of a portion related to communication of the water heater body 1. The water heater main body 1 includes a control unit 11, a power supply unit 12, and a communication processing unit 13.

  The control unit 11 is constituted by, for example, a microcontroller having a CPU and a memory (RAM, ROM, etc.). The control data transmitted from the remote controllers 2 and 3 and received via the communication processing unit 13 or the water heater body 1 The operation of each part of the water heater main body 1 is controlled based on detection data of various sensors provided in each part. Moreover, the control part 11 monitors the operation | movement condition of the water heater main body 1, produces | generates the data which show the present operation | movement condition (for example, ignition information of a combustion apparatus etc.) for every predetermined time, and uses it as a control data for communication processing. The data is transmitted to the remote controllers 2 and 3 via the unit 13.

  The power supply unit 12 supplies DC power to the remote controls 2 and 3 via the communication cable 4. The communication processing unit 13 transmits and receives control data and the like by a packet communication method. Specifically, the communication processing unit 13 sends the control data transmitted from the remote controllers 2 and 3 received via the communication cable 4 (the contents of the remote operation operated by the remote controllers 2 and 3 to the water heater main body 1. The control data obtained by demodulating the control data packet is output to the control unit 11. On the other hand, control data input from the control unit 11 (control data for transmitting the operation status of the water heater main body 1 to the remote controllers 2 and 3) is packetized and modulated, and sent to the communication cable 4.

  The communication processing unit 13 and the power supply unit 12 are connected to the communication cable 4. That is, the modulated carrier wave output for packet transmission from the communication processing unit 13 is superimposed on the voltage for power supply.

  FIG. 3 is an example of a block diagram of a circuit of the bathroom remote controller 2 (kitchen remote controller 3). The kitchen remote controller 3 has a circuit configuration similar to that of the bathroom remote controller 2, and the reference numerals in parentheses correspond to the components of the kitchen remote controller 3 in FIG. 3.

The bathroom remote control 2 (kitchen remote control 3) includes a control unit 21 (31), a power supply unit 22 (32), a communication processing unit 23 (33), a display unit 24 (34), an operation unit 25 (35), an audio codec (hereinafter referred to as “the codec”). 26 (36), first speaker amplifier 27 (37), microphone 28 (38), speaker 29 (39), communication unit 41 (51), second speaker amplifier 42 (52), microphone An amplifier 43 (53), a first switch circuit 44 (54), and a second switch circuit 45 (55) are provided. Here, the circuit configuration of the bathroom remote controller 2 will be described in detail on behalf of both remote controllers 2 and 3.
The control unit 21 is configured by, for example, a microcontroller having a CPU and a memory (such as RAM and ROM), and controls the operation of the entire bathroom remote controller 2.
The power supply unit 22 is supplied with DC power from the power supply unit 12 of the water heater main body 1 via the communication cable 4 and functions as a power supply for the bathroom remote controller 2 as a whole.

  The communication processing unit 23 transmits and receives control data, audio data, and the like by a packet communication method. When performing transmission / reception of control data, the communication processing unit 23 controls the control data transmitted from the water heater main body 1 received via the communication cable 4 (the operation status of the water heater main body 1 is transmitted to the remote controller 2). The control data obtained by demodulating the (data) packet is output to the control unit 21. The control unit 21 controls information displayed on the display unit 24 based on control data input from the communication processing unit 23.

  Further, the communication processing unit 23 packetizes and modulates the control data (control data for transmitting the contents of the remote operation operated by the operation unit 25 to the water heater main body 1) input from the control unit 21 to the communication cable 4 To send.

The communication processing unit 23 and the power supply unit 22 are connected to the communication cable 4. That is, the modulated carrier wave output for packet transmission from the communication processing unit 23 is superimposed on the voltage for power supply from the water heater body 1.
The display unit 24 includes a display screen such as a liquid crystal display and LEDs, and is controlled by the control unit 21 to display various information.

  The operation unit 25 includes various operation switches for remotely operating the water heater main body 1, a call switch that is operated during a call with another remote controller (here, the kitchen remote controller 3), and the like according to the operation of the user. An operation signal is output to the control unit 21.

[Voice call function]
The bathroom remote control 2 includes a codec 26, a first speaker amplifier 27, a microphone 28, a speaker 29, a first switch circuit 44, and a second switch circuit 45 in addition to the call switch described above, in order to realize a voice call function. (See FIG. 3).

  The first switch circuit 44 switches so that the output terminal of the microphone amplifier 43 is connected to the input terminal of the codec 26 when the voice switch is pressed and the voice call function is selected.

  The second switch circuit 45 switches the input terminal of the speaker 29 to be connected to the output terminal of the first speaker amplifier 27 when the voice switch is selected by pressing the call switch.

  The codec 26 encodes and decodes an audio signal by a method such as ADPCM or DPCM. The first speaker amplifier 27 processes the audio signal decoded by the codec 26 and outputs it to the speaker 29 via the second switch circuit 45. The speaker 29 converts the sound signal from the first speaker amplifier 27 into sound and outputs the sound. The microphone 28 converts the sound into an analog sound signal and outputs it to the microphone amplifier 43. The microphone amplifier 43 amplifies the analog audio signal and outputs it to the codec 26 via the first switch circuit 44.

  Here, the operation when making a call between the remote controllers 2 and 3 by the voice call function will be briefly described. When starting a call, for example, a voice call function is started by pressing one of the call switches of the bathroom remote controller 2 and the kitchen remote controller 3. For example, when a user of the bathroom utters sound toward the microphone 28 of the bathroom remote controller 2, the sound signal from the microphone 28 is input to the microphone amplifier 43 and the codec 26, and is encoded. (Voice data) is input to the communication processing unit 23. The communication processing unit 23 packetizes and modulates the audio data and sends it to the communication cable 4.

  On the other hand, the communication processing unit 23 outputs the audio data obtained by demodulating the audio data packet transmitted from the kitchen remote control 3 received via the communication cable 4 to the codec 26. The audio data is decoded into an audio signal by the codec 26 and input to the first speaker amplifier 27. The audio signal input to the first speaker amplifier 27 is subjected to predetermined processing such as amplification and is output to the speaker 29, and audio is output from the speaker 29.

  Note that the volume output from the speaker 29 at this time is determined by the volume setting (amplification amount) in the first speaker amplifier 27, but the first speaker amplifier 27 of each of the remote controllers 2 and 3 shown in the present embodiment is In order to suppress an increase in parts costs, the volume setting can be set in four levels including mute (specifically, four levels of mute, low volume, medium volume, and high volume). It is set to one of four levels.

  Although the operation in the bathroom remote controller 2 has been described above, the operation in the kitchen remote controller 3 is the same. When the call is terminated, the intercom function is terminated (suspended) by pressing one of the call switches of the bathroom remote controller 2 and the kitchen remote controller 3 during the call period.

[BGM function]
The bathroom remote controller 2 can output an audio signal (corresponding to the “voice signal” of the present invention) output from the music terminal 5 communicatively connected to the bathroom remote controller 2 through the speaker 29 using the voice call function. It has a function.

In order to realize the BGM function, the bathroom remote controller 2 includes a control unit 21, a communication unit 41, a second speaker amplifier 42, a microphone amplifier 43, a first switch circuit 44, and a second switch circuit 45 in addition to the above configuration. (See FIG. 3).
The first switch circuit 44 switches so that the output terminal of the microphone amplifier 43 is connected to the input terminal of the control unit 21 when the call switch is not pressed.
The second switch circuit 45 switches the input terminal of the speaker 29 to be connected to the output terminal of the second speaker amplifier 42 when the call switch is not pressed.

  The control unit 21 is configured to detect the volume of music input to the microphone 28 after being output from the speaker 29 (corresponding to the “volume detection unit” of the present invention). Further, the control unit 21 is configured to compare the detected sound volume with a predetermined threshold value and adjust the sound volume of the speaker 29 based on the compared value. In the present embodiment, the control unit 21 outputs a volume adjustment signal for adjusting the volume to the music terminal 5 via the communication unit 41.

  The communication unit 41 communicates with the music terminal 5 to transmit and receive various control commands, music data, and the like with the music terminal 5. The communication unit 41 is, for example, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) wireless transceiver. The communication unit 41 decodes music data received from the music terminal 5, performs D / A conversion, and outputs an audio signal (audio signal) to the second speaker amplifier 42.

  The second speaker amplifier 42 amplifies the audio signal (audio signal) input from the communication unit 41 and outputs it to the speaker 29. In the present embodiment, the communication unit 41 and the second speaker amplifier 42 are mounted on the Bluetooth module 50. The Bluetooth module 50 and the control unit 21 exchange data with each other by UART communication.

  FIG. 4 is an example of a block diagram of a circuit of the music terminal 5. As shown in FIG. 4, the music terminal 5 includes a CPU 61, a RAM 62, a ROM 63, a flash memory 64, a playback unit 65, a display unit 66, an operation unit 67, and a communication unit 68. The CPU 61 controls each unit of the music terminal 5 based on the operation program of the music terminal 5 stored in the ROM 63. In addition, a reproduction application program is installed or recorded in the ROM 63. The CPU 61 reads the reproduction application program into the RAM 62 and executes it.

  A plurality of music files are recorded in the flash memory 64. The reproduction unit 65 reproduces the music file recorded in the flash memory 64 according to the reproduction application program, and transmits the music data to the bathroom remote controller 2 via the communication unit 68. The display unit 66 displays content information (music title, artist name, etc.) of the music file being played. The operation unit 67 receives an instruction based on a user operation, and is an operation button, a touch panel, or the like provided on the housing of the music terminal 5. The communication unit 68 communicates with the communication unit 41 of the bathroom remote control 2 and transmits and receives various control commands, music data, and the like to and from the bathroom remote control 2. The communication unit 68 is, for example, a Bluetooth wireless transceiver.

  Here, the operation | movement at the time of reproducing | regenerating music by the wireless communication between the bathroom remote control 3 and the music terminal 5 by BGM function is demonstrated easily. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of music playback processing of the bathroom remote controller 2.

  First, the bathroom remote controller 2 executes a pairing process with the music terminal 5 (step S1). Specifically, the bathroom remote controller 2 is connected to the music terminal 5 by radio in a well-known manner, and exchanges and registers pairing information (address and encryption key) with each other. To execute the pairing process. Thereafter, the bathroom remote controller 2 is mutually connected to the music terminal 5 by Bluetooth wireless communication by a known method.

  Next, the bathroom remote controller 2 stands by until it receives music data transmitted from the music terminal 5 (step S2). Specifically, the bathroom remote controller 2 transmits a reproduction instruction to the connected music terminal 5. When receiving the reproduction instruction, the CPU 61 of the music terminal 5 starts reproduction of the music file recorded by itself when the music file is not being reproduced, and transmits the reproduced music data to the bathroom remote controller 2 via wireless communication.

  And the bathroom remote control 2 will amplify an audio signal (audio | voice signal) by the 2nd speaker amplifier 42, if the music data from the music terminal 5 is received by the communication part 41 (it is YES at step S2), and audio signal (audio signal ( Audio signal) is output (step S3). In this way, the BGM function is realized in the bathroom remote controller 2. At this time, the user puts the music terminal 5 in the dressing room in the music playback state so that music is played from the speaker 29 of the bathroom remote control 2 (see FIG. 1).

  Next, the bathroom remote controller 2 detects the volume of the sound that is output from the speaker 29 and then input to the microphone 28 (step S4). Specifically, the control unit 21 converts the volume input to the microphone 28 based on the electrical signal supplied from the microphone amplifier 43 via the first switch circuit 44 (generates output volume information) (FIG. 3). Here, the control unit 21 converts the sound volume into data based on the voltage value of the electric signal input to the control unit 21. For example, the control unit 21 averages the voltage value of the input electrical signal, divides the volume input to the microphone 28 into about 5 to 10 levels, and sets the result as output volume information. This level division is set so that the level is divided at a level that is finer than at least the volume setting (four levels in the present embodiment) of the first speaker amplifier 14 described above. That is, the input volume to the microphone 28 (that is, the output volume from the speaker 29) is detected with a resolution larger than the volume adjustment level that can be adjusted by the first speaker amplifier 27.

  And the control part 21 compares the sound volume converted into data in step S4 with a predetermined threshold value. In the present embodiment, the volume classified as digital data is compared with a predetermined threshold value. However, the analog data of the electric signal input to the control unit 21 may be compared with the predetermined threshold value. The control unit 21 adjusts the volume of the speaker 29 based on the compared value (step S5).

  If the volume exceeds a predetermined threshold (NO in step S5), the control unit 21 decreases the volume of the speaker 29. Specifically, the control unit 21 transmits a volume adjustment signal for decreasing the volume to the music terminal 5 via the communication unit 41 via wireless (step S6). When receiving the volume adjustment signal, the CPU 61 of the music terminal 5 decreases the volume in the reproduction application program for the music file being reproduced in accordance with the instruction. By lowering the volume level of the audio signal (sound signal) transmitted from the music terminal 5 by communication control, the volume of the speaker 29 can be lowered indirectly.

  The control unit 21 then outputs an audio signal output process (step S3), a volume detection process (step S4), and a comparison process (step S5) until the volume falls below a predetermined threshold (YES in step S5). Are repeatedly executed to determine the volume (step S7). Here, the control unit 21 may determine the volume at the same value as the threshold value, or may determine the volume at an arbitrary value equal to or less than the threshold value. Thereafter, the user who has entered the bathroom 2A can change the volume setting of the operation unit 25 and finely adjust the volume to a more optimal level.

  As described above, there are various music terminals 5 that can be connected to the bathroom remote controller 2, and it is difficult to initially set the volume on the remote controller side, and depending on the model, a large volume can be output when the user enters the bathroom 2A. There is sex.

  On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, regarding the BGM function using the voice call function in the water heater system 100, even when the volume of the music output from the speaker 29 of the bathroom remote control 2 is high, the remote control automatically Volume can be adjusted. In other words, since the volume adjustment of the speaker 29 is realized before the user enters the bathroom, even if a large volume is output from the speaker 29 once, the user who enters the room does not feel uncomfortable.

  Further, since the volume adjustment processing is performed based on the sound input to the microphone 28, even if the bathroom remote controller 2 is installed in the bathroom 2A where sound waves are likely to echo as in this embodiment, the sound from the speaker 29 and The reverberation can be picked up accurately.

  In order to obtain such an effect, the water heater system 100 according to the present embodiment uses the existing speaker 29 and the microphone 28 provided in the bathroom remote control 2 in order to realize a voice call function, and in terms of hardware, By simply changing the design by simply adding the first switch circuit 44 and the second switch circuit 45, the volume adjustment is realized by detecting the output volume of the speaker 29. Therefore, the increase in the number of parts is kept to the minimum necessary. Thus, the effects described above can be obtained without a significant increase in manufacturing cost.

  In the present embodiment, the volume of the speaker 29 is indirectly lowered by lowering the volume level of the audio signal (audio signal) transmitted from the music terminal 5 by communication control. 2 may be configured to directly reduce the volume of the speaker 29 by adjusting the gain of the second speaker amplifier 42 inside (see FIG. 3).

  Although the operation in the bathroom remote controller 2 has been described in the present embodiment, the operation in the kitchen remote controller 3 is the same. Further, only one of the bathroom remote controller 2 and the kitchen remote controller 3 may have a BGM function.

  In addition, the bathroom remote controller 2 of the present embodiment detects the sound output process from the speaker 29 and the volume detection process in the volume detection unit triggered by the reception of the audio signal given from the music terminal 5 by the communication unit 41. By sequentially executing the comparison processing between the sound volume and the threshold value, the sound volume adjustment processing can be suitably realized.

  In addition, the bathroom remote controller 2 of the present embodiment outputs a sound volume adjustment signal to the music terminal 5 and then outputs an audio signal (step S3) until the detected sound volume becomes a predetermined threshold value or less. By repeatedly performing the volume detection process (step S4) and the comparison process (step S5), the volume of the speaker 29 of the bathroom remote control 2 can be reliably suppressed.

  In this embodiment, the communication between the bathroom remote controller 2 and the music terminal 5 is wireless communication (Bluetooth). However, other short-range wireless communication may be used, and wireless communication such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) may be used. A LAN may be used. Further, the communication is not limited to wireless communication, and wired communication may be used.

  In this embodiment, the bathroom remote controller 2 is installed in the bathroom 2A (see FIG. 1), but the environment is such that the walls and ceiling are made of a material that easily reflects sound waves (for example, a room surrounded by stone walls). Etc.). Under the above environment, sound waves are likely to echo and the volume can be easily detected through the microphone 28. Thereby, the volume adjustment effect by this invention increases more.

  In the water heater system 100 of the present embodiment, the kitchen remote controller 3 installed in the kitchen 3A is communicably connected to the bathroom remote controller 2, but as a place other than the kitchen, for example, communicates with a remote controller installed in the living room. It may be connected as possible.

  In the present embodiment, the volume that exceeds the predetermined threshold is adjusted to be lowered. However, the volume that is lower than the predetermined threshold may be increased. That is, contrary to the present embodiment, output of an excessively low volume may be suppressed. The predetermined threshold value is not limited to one, and a plurality of threshold values may be set.

  From the foregoing description, many modifications and other embodiments of the present invention are obvious to one skilled in the art. Accordingly, the foregoing description should be construed as illustrative only and is provided for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the best mode of carrying out the invention. The details of one or both of the structure and function may be substantially changed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

  The present invention can be suitably applied to, for example, a bathroom remote controller and a portable music player.

1 Water heater body 2 Bathroom remote control 2A Bathroom 3 Kitchen remote control 3A Kitchen 4 Communication cable 5 Music terminal (smartphone)
5A dressing room 100 water heater system

Claims (4)

A water heater body and at least two remote controllers for remotely operating the water heater body, and one and the other of the two remote controllers connected to each other have a microphone and a speaker, respectively, And a water heater system configured to enable voice communication using the microphone and the speaker,
The one remote controller is
A communication unit configured to communicate with an external communication terminal;
An amplifier that amplifies an audio signal received from the communication terminal via communication by the communication unit and outputs the amplified signal to the speaker;
A volume detection unit that detects the volume of the sound input to the microphone after being output by the speaker;
The water heater system in which the volume detection unit compares the detected volume with a predetermined threshold and adjusts the volume of the speaker based on the compared value.   The one remote controller, when the communication unit receives the audio signal, the audio output processing from the speaker, the volume detection processing in the volume detection unit, the comparison between the detected volume and the threshold The water heater system according to claim 1, wherein the processing is sequentially executed. The one remote controller is configured to output a volume adjustment signal for adjusting the volume to the communication terminal based on a value obtained by comparing the volume detected by the volume detection unit with a predetermined threshold. And
The sound output process, the sound volume detection process, and the comparison process are repeatedly executed until the sound volume detected by the sound volume detection unit becomes equal to or lower than the threshold value after outputting the sound volume adjustment signal. Item 3. A water heater system according to item 2.   The water heater system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the one remote controller is installed in a bathroom.

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