JP7799559B2 - Operation display device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an operation display device.

Patent Document 1 discloses a remote control device, which is an example of a conventional operation display device. This remote control device is used to operate a water heater, which is an example of equipment with a heating means. The remote control device includes a fixed switch, a fixed display unit, and a controller unit.

The fixed switch receives operational inputs to operate the water heater. The fixed display unit displays the operating status and settings of the water heater. The fixed display unit can also display information required when the fixed switch receives operational inputs. The controller unit controls the fixed display unit, receives operational inputs from the fixed switch, and transmits operational commands to the water heater to operate the water heater.

The controller unit can cause the water heater to perform special settings and special operations when the fixed switches are pressed simultaneously as a special operation. This allows for more compact electrical components and improved work efficiency during test runs and maintenance inspections compared to devices equipped with dedicated switches for special settings and special operations.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-241765

However, with the above-mentioned conventional remote control device, when a user inputs an operation to a fixed switch to operate a water heater, there is a risk that the user may accidentally press two fixed switches at the same time. As a result, this remote control device may cause the water heater to execute special settings and special operations without the user's intention.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above-mentioned conventional situation, and aims to solve the problem of providing an operation display device that can prevent the user from switching to maintenance mode unintentionally.

The operation display device of the present invention is an operation display device for operating an appliance having a heating means,
an operation unit that receives an operation input for operating the device;
a display unit that displays an operating state and a setting value of the device, the display unit being capable of displaying information required when the operation unit receives the operation input;
a control unit that controls the display unit, receives the operation input from the operation unit, and transmits an operation command to the equipment to operate the equipment, the control unit being capable of shifting to a maintenance mode to cause the equipment to perform a maintenance operation including at least one of a test run of the heating means and maintenance and inspection of the heating means;
Equipped with
the operation unit is an operation panel having a flat operation surface, and a plurality of switch areas for receiving the operation input by touch are set on the operation surface;
a plurality of light emitting units arranged behind the operation panel so as to correspond to the respective switch areas, the light emitting units having higher visibility of the switch areas when emitting light than when not emitting light;
and
The control unit is configured to transmit the operation command to the device based on the operation input received by the switch area corresponding to the light-emitting unit when the light is emitting light, and to transition to the maintenance mode based on the operation input received by the switch area corresponding to the light-emitting unit when the light is not emitting light.

The operation display device of the present invention transmits operation commands to the device based on the user's operation input by entering an operation into the switch area that corresponds to the illuminated light-emitting section, i.e., a switch area that is highly visible and encourages operation.

On the other hand, when an operator who is attempting to test run or perform maintenance inspection of the equipment makes an operation input into the switch area corresponding to the non-illuminating light-emitting section, i.e., a switch area with low visibility that makes it difficult to prompt operation, this operation display device will transition to maintenance mode based on that operation input.

Here, the user is unlikely to operate the switch area corresponding to the non-illuminating light-emitting part because they may determine that any operation input made to that area will be invalid or may have difficulty recognizing it as a switch area.

Therefore, the operation display device of the present invention can prevent the device from switching to maintenance mode unintentionally by the user.

It is desirable that the visibility of the switch area corresponding to the light-emitting portion when not emitting light be approximately equal to the visibility of the area surrounding each switch area on the operating surface.

In this case, the user will have a hard time recognizing the switch area corresponding to the non-illuminating light-emitting section as a switch area, making it extremely unlikely that they will operate that switch area. As a result, this operation display device can further prevent the user from switching to maintenance mode unintentionally.

It is desirable that the control unit transition to maintenance mode when the operation input received by the switch area corresponding to the non-illuminating light-emitting unit is a special operation including at least one of a long press and a simultaneous press.

In this case, the user is less likely to perform special operations. As a result, this operation display device can further prevent the user from switching to maintenance mode unintentionally.

When the control unit switches to maintenance mode, it is desirable that the control unit display multiple maintenance items on the display unit and receive operational input via the operation unit to select an arbitrary maintenance item from among the maintenance items.

In this case, when switching to maintenance mode, an operator attempting to perform a test run or maintenance inspection of equipment can easily select any maintenance item from multiple maintenance items.

The operation display device of the present invention can prevent the user from switching to maintenance mode unintentionally.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a hot water supply system to which the kitchen remote control and bathroom remote control of the embodiment are applied. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a hot water supply system to which the kitchen remote control and bathroom remote control of the embodiment are applied. FIG. 3 is a front view of the kitchen remote control of the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a front view of the bathroom remote control of the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a front view similar to FIG. 3, showing the kitchen remote control in an unpowered state. FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the AA cross section of FIG. 5, relating to the kitchen remote control of the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a front view similar to FIG. 3, showing the kitchen remote controller in a state where the operation switch is pressed and the first display unit displays the initial screen. FIG. 8 is a front view similar to FIG. 3, showing the kitchen remote control in a state where the first display unit displays various setting menus. FIG. 9 is a front view similar to FIG. 3, showing the kitchen remote controller with the first display section displaying the maintenance service menu. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a program for the first control unit of the kitchen remote control and the second control unit of the bathroom remote control in this embodiment to transition to and end the maintenance mode.

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

(Example)
As shown in FIG. 1, a kitchen remote control 10 and a bathroom remote control 20 of the embodiment are examples of specific aspects of the operation display device of the present invention, and are applied to a hot water supply system 1 installed in a house H1.

The house H1 is equipped with a kitchen R1 and a bathroom R2. A mixer tap 5 is installed at the sink in the kitchen R1. The bathroom R2 is equipped with a bathtub 3, a mixer tap, and a shower (not shown).

The hot water supply system 1 includes a hot water supply device 90 installed in the residence H1 and a bathroom heater 70 installed in the bathroom R2. The hot water supply system 1 also includes a kitchen remote control 10 installed in the kitchen R1 and a bathroom remote control 20 installed in the bathroom R2. As will be explained in more detail later, the kitchen remote control 10 and the bathroom remote control 20 are used to operate the hot water supply device 90.

<Hot water supply equipment>
Water heater 90 is an example of the "equipment having a heating means" of the present invention. Water heater 90 has a well-known configuration and will not be described here, but it has a heating means 99 and a heat exchanger, a circulation pump, and the like (not shown).

The heating means 99 is a gas burner that burns fuel gas, such as city gas, to generate high-temperature combustion gas. The water heater 90 circulates water supplied from a tap or other source through a heat exchanger (not shown), where heat is exchanged between the water and the combustion gas generated by the heating means 99, heating the water and dispensing hot water.

The hot water supply device 90 is connected to the mixer faucet 5 via the kitchen supply pipe P1A. The hot water supply device 90 is also connected to the bathtub 3 via the bathtub supply pipe P3A and the bathtub return pipe P3B. The hot water supply device 90 performs circulating heating by circulating hot water between the bathtub 3 and a heat exchanger (not shown) using a circulation pump (not shown) while heating it using a heating means 99.

The hot water supply device 90 heats water supplied from a tap or other source using a heating means 99 and dispenses hot water in the kitchen R1 and bathroom R2.

More specifically, the water heater 90 is capable of performing a water heating operation to supply hot water to the mixer tap 5 in the kitchen R1 and the mixer tap and shower (not shown) in the bathroom R2. The water heater 90 is also capable of performing an automatic bath filling operation to automatically fill the bathtub 3 in the bathroom R2 with water, a reheating operation to heat the water in the bathtub 3, a hot water top-up operation to top up hot water in the bathtub 3, and a cold water top-up operation to top up cold water in the bathtub 3.

As shown in FIG. 2, the water heater 90 is connected by wire to the kitchen remote control 10 and bathroom remote control 20, and communicates with them.

<Bathroom heater>
As shown in Figure 1, bathroom heater 70 is installed on the ceiling of bathroom R2. Bathroom heater 70 has a well-known configuration, so a brief explanation will be omitted. It includes a circulation fan, a radiator, a thermal valve, and other components (not shown). Bathroom heater 70 is connected to hot water supply system 90 by heater supply piping P7A and heater return piping P7B.

The bathroom heater 70 circulates air in the bathroom R2 using a circulation fan (not shown), and heats the air with hot water supplied from the water heater 90 and flowing through a radiator (not shown), thereby performing heating operation to warm the bathroom R2.

Although not shown in the figure, the user can operate the bathroom heater 70 in heating mode or change the heating mode setting by operating the bathroom heater remote control installed in the changing room.

As shown in FIG. 2, bathroom heater 70 is connected to water heater 90 by wire and communicates with water heater 90. As described below, bathroom heater 70 performs a bathroom heating test run when it receives a command to perform a bathroom heating test run from kitchen remote control 10 or bathroom remote control 20 via water heater 90.

<Kitchen remote control and bathroom remote control>
The kitchen remote control 10 has a first control unit 11, a first display unit 13, and a first operation unit 12. The bathroom remote control 20 has a second control unit 21, a second display unit 23, and a second operation unit 22.

The first control unit 11 and the second control unit 21 are examples of the "control unit" in the present invention. The first control unit 11 and the second control unit 21 have substantially the same configuration.

The first display unit 13 and the second display unit 23 are examples of the "display unit" of the present invention. The first display unit 13 and the second display unit 23 have substantially the same configuration, and their external shapes are also substantially the same, as shown in Figures 3 and 4.

The first operating unit 12 and the second operating unit 22 are examples of the "operating unit" of the present invention. The first operating unit 12 and the second operating unit 22 have substantially the same configuration. However, the arrangement of the multiple switch areas S (S1-S12) and multiple light-emitting units L (L1-L12) of the first operating unit 12 differs from the arrangement of the multiple switch areas S (S1-S12) and multiple light-emitting units L (L1-L12) of the second operating unit 22, as shown in Figures 3 and 4.

For this reason, the kitchen remote control 10 will be described in detail, and explanations and illustrations of the bathroom remote control 20, which has substantially the same configuration as the kitchen remote control 10, will be omitted as appropriate.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first control unit 11 is an electronic circuit unit including a CPU (not shown), a memory unit 11M composed of memory elements such as ROM and RAM, and an interface circuit. The first control unit 11 executes control processing related to the operation of the kitchen remote control 10.

Memory unit 11M stores various programs and setting information for remotely controlling water heating apparatus 90, etc. Memory unit 11M also stores various information acquired by first control unit 11 during remote control of water heating apparatus 90, etc. as appropriate. Programs stored in memory unit 11M include the program shown in Figure 10.

Like the first control unit 11, the second control unit 21 of the bathroom remote control 20 is an electronic circuit unit including a CPU (not shown), a memory unit 21M, an interface circuit, etc. Programs stored in the memory unit 21M include the program shown in Figure 10.

As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the first display unit 13 is located in a rectangular area that is part of the front surface of the kitchen remote control 10.

The front of the kitchen remote control 10 is covered by a front cover 31, which is a transparent resin plate. The front of the front cover 31 is a flat surface. As shown in Figure 6, the first display unit 13 is located on the back side of the front cover 31.

An exterior pattern printed layer 31A is formed on the back surface of the front cover 31. The exterior pattern printed layer 31A is formed so as not to overlap with the first display section 13 and so as not to impair the visibility of the first display section 13.

In this embodiment, the exterior pattern printing layer 31A is formed so that the area surrounding the first display unit 13 on the front of the kitchen remote control 10 is substantially the same color, for example, white.

The first display unit 13 is a dot-matrix display panel in which pixels that can be switched on and off are arranged two-dimensionally in the vertical and horizontal directions, and is specifically a liquid crystal panel, organic EL panel, etc.

The first display unit 13 displays various information such as characters and images under the control of the first control unit 11. For example, the first display unit 13 can display kanji, katakana, alphabets, numbers, marks, etc., with 32 x 32 dots as one character unit.

The first display unit 13 displays the operating status and setting values of the water heating device 90 on the "initial screen" shown in Figure 7. The first display unit 13 can also display information required when the first operation unit 12 receives operation input, such as multiple menu screens such as the "various setting menus" shown in Figure 8. Furthermore, the first display unit 13 can display the "maintenance service menu" shown in Figure 9 by using a special operation described below.

As shown in Figure 4, the second display unit 23 of the bathroom remote control 20 is similar to the first display unit 13, and is controlled by the second control unit 21 to display the "initial screen" shown in Figure 7, multiple menu screens such as those shown in Figure 8, and the "maintenance service menu" shown in Figure 9.

The first operation unit 12 has an operation panel 30 shown in Figures 3 and 5 to 9, and multiple light-emitting units L (L1 to L12) shown in Figures 3 and 6. The light-emitting units L (L1 to L12) are not shown in Figures 5 and 7 to 9.

As shown in FIG. 6, an operation mark printing layer 31B is further formed on the back surface of the front cover 31 in an area that does not overlap with the first display unit 13. The operation mark printing layer 31B is laminated on the exterior pattern printing layer 31A.

The operation panel 30 is composed of an area on the front cover 31 where the operation mark printing layer 31B is formed, and a touch panel 32 attached to the back surface of the front cover 31 so as to overlap the operation mark printing layer 31B.

In this embodiment, the touch panel 32 is a capacitive panel with a well-known configuration that is less susceptible to the effects of water droplets and the like.

The operation panel 30 has a flat operation surface 30A. The operation surface 30A is the area on the front surface of the front cover 31 that overlaps with the operation mark printing layer 31B and the touch panel 32.

As shown in FIG. 3, multiple switch areas S (S1 to S12) are set on the operation surface 30A. Each switch area S (S1 to S12) is a roughly rectangular shape slightly larger than the user's fingertip. Each switch area S (S1 to S12) receives operation input when the user's fingertip touches it. The touch panel 32 detects operation input to each switch area S (S1 to S12) and transmits the detection result to the first control unit 11 as operation input to the first operation unit 12.

The operation mark printing layer 31B has multiple marks arranged in one-to-one correspondence with each switch area S (S1 to S12).

The mark located in switch area S (S1) is the mark indicating "DRIVE." The mark located in switch area S (S2) is the mark indicating "MENU."

The mark located in switch area S (S3) is a mark indicating an upward direction. The mark located in switch area S (S4) is a mark indicating a downward direction. The mark located in switch area S (S5) is a mark indicating a leftward direction. The mark located in switch area S (S6) is a mark indicating a rightward direction.

The mark located in switch area S (S7) is a mark indicating "OK." The multiple marks located in switch areas S (S8-S12) are each marks indicating "◯."

As shown in Figures 3 and 6, each light-emitting element L (L1 to L12) is arranged to correspond to each switch area S (S1 to S12) behind the operation panel 30. In this embodiment, each light-emitting element L (L1 to L12) is arranged to correspond one-to-one to each switch area S (S1 to S12).

In this embodiment, each light-emitting unit L (L1 to L12) is a light-emitting diode mounted on a circuit board. The first control unit 11 controls the switching between emitting and not emitting light for each light-emitting unit L (L1 to L12).

As shown in Figure 3, the light-emitting portion L (L1) is located behind the switch area S (S1). The light-emitting portion L (L2) is located behind the switch area S (S2). The light-emitting portion L (L3) is located behind the switch area S (S3). The light-emitting portion L (L4) is located behind the switch area S (S4). The light-emitting portion L (L5) is located behind the switch area S (S5). The light-emitting portion L (L6) is located behind the switch area S (S6).

Light-emitting portion L (L7) is located behind switch area S (S7). Light-emitting portion L (L8) is located behind switch area S (S8). Light-emitting portion L (L9) is located behind switch area S (S9). Light-emitting portion L (L10) is located behind switch area S (S10). Light-emitting portion L (L11) is located behind switch area S (S11). Light-emitting portion L (L12) is located behind switch area S (S12).

As shown in Figure 5, when the power supply source for the water heater 90 is cut off and power is not being supplied to the kitchen remote control 10, all light-emitting elements L (L1 to L12) are not emitting light, and the first display unit 13 is not operating.

In this state, all marks on the operation mark printing layer 31B are hidden by the exterior pattern printing layer 31A. Therefore, when a user looks at the front of the kitchen remote control 10, they only see the exterior pattern printing layer 31A, and it is difficult for them to recognize all of the switch areas S (S1 to S12) as switch areas.

In other words, when not emitting light, the visibility of the switch areas S (S1-S12) corresponding to the light-emitting portions L (L1-L12) is approximately equal to the visibility of the areas surrounding each switch area S (S1-S12) on the operation surface 30A.

When power supply from the power source to the water heater 90 begins but the water heater 90 is in a standby state, the first control unit 11 of the kitchen remote control 10 causes only the light-emitting unit L (L1) to emit light and does not activate the first display unit 13.

This allows the user to see the mark indicating "Drive" through light emitted from the light-emitting unit L (L1) and transmitted through the operation mark printing layer 31B and the exterior pattern printing layer 31A.

In other words, the visibility of the switch area S (S1) when the light-emitting section L (L1) is emitting light is higher than the visibility of the switch area S (S1) when the light-emitting section L (L1) is not emitting light.

When a user performs an operation input on the first operation unit 12 to switch the water heating apparatus 90 to an operating state, the user touches the switch area S (S1) corresponding to the mark indicating "operation" with their fingertip. The touch panel 32 detects this operation input. The operation input is then transmitted from the first operation unit 12 to the first control unit 11, and the first control unit 11 transmits an operation command to the water heating apparatus 90. As a result, the water heating apparatus 90 switches from a paused state to an operating state.

The first control unit 11 of the kitchen remote control 10 then causes the light-emitting units L (L2 to L6, L8 to L12) to emit light, as shown in Figure 7.

As a result, the user can see the mark indicating "MENU" located in switch area S (S2), the mark indicating the upward direction located in switch area S (S3), the mark indicating the downward direction located in switch area S (S4), the mark indicating the leftward direction located in switch area S (S5), the mark indicating the rightward direction located in switch area S (S6), and the mark indicating a "circle" located in each of switch areas S (S8-S12) through light emitted from light-emitting elements L (L2-L6, L8-L12) and transmitted through operation mark printing layer 31B and exterior pattern printing layer 31A.

In other words, the visibility of the switch areas S (S2 to S6, S8 to S12) when the light-emitting units L (L2 to L6, L8 to L12) are illuminating is higher than the visibility of the switch areas S (S2 to S6, S8 to S12) when the light-emitting units L (L2 to L6, L8 to L12) are not illuminating.

The first control unit 11 also activates the first display unit 13 to display the "initial screen" shown in Figure 7. The area along the bottom edge of the first display unit 13 displays the operation functions to be assigned to the switch areas S (S8 to S12).

In the example shown in Figure 7, the "Auto" switch, which causes the water heater 90 to perform an automatic filling operation, is assigned to switch area S (S8), and the "Reheating" switch, which causes the water heater 90 to perform a reheating operation, is assigned to switch area S (S9). The same applies to switch areas S (S10-S12).

When the user touches the switch area S (S2) corresponding to the mark indicating "MENU" with their fingertip, the touch panel 32 detects this operation input. This operation input is then transmitted from the first operation unit 12 to the first control unit 11, and the first control unit 11 switches the menu screen displayed on the first display unit 13.

When a user touches a switch area S (S4) corresponding to a mark indicating an upward direction with their fingertip, or a switch area S (S5) corresponding to a mark indicating a downward direction with their fingertip, the touch panel 32 detects this operation input. This operation input is then transmitted from the first operation unit 12 to the first control unit 11, and the first control unit 11 increases or decreases the setting value of the hot water outlet temperature of the hot water supply device 90.

When a user touches switch area S (S8) with their fingertip to activate the "automatic" switch assigned to switch area S (S8), the touch panel 32 detects this operational input. This operational input is then transmitted from the first operation unit 12 to the first control unit 11, and the first control unit 11 transmits a command to the hot water supply device 90 to perform the automatic hot water filling operation. As a result, the hot water supply device 90 performs the automatic hot water filling operation.

When the first display unit 13 displays the "initial screen" shown in FIG. 7, the light-emitting unit L (L7) is not emitting light, making it difficult for the user to recognize the switch area S (S7) as a switch area. Furthermore, in this state, if no operation is required on the switch area S (S5, S6), the light-emitting unit L (L5, L6) may also be changed to not emitting light, making it difficult for the user to recognize the switch area S (S5, S6) as a switch area.

When the first display unit 13 is in a state where it displays a menu screen such as that shown in FIG. 8, the first control unit 11 causes the light-emitting unit L (L7) to emit light.

This allows the user to see the mark indicating "OK" located in the switch area S (S7) through light emitted from the light-emitting element L (L7) and transmitted through the operation mark printing layer 31B and the exterior pattern printing layer 31A.

In other words, the visibility of the switch area S (S7) when the light-emitting section L (L7) is emitting light is higher than the visibility of the switch area S (S7) when the light-emitting section L (L7) is not emitting light.

By touching switch areas S (S2-S4, S6, S7) with a fingertip, a user can select any menu item from the multiple menu items displayed on the menu screen or enter a selected menu item. The touch panel 32 detects this operation input. The operation input is then transmitted from the first operation unit 12 to the first control unit 11, and the first control unit 11 transmits an operation command to the water heating device 90.

When the first display unit 13 displays a menu screen such as that shown in FIG. 8, the light-emitting portions L (L5, L8 to L12) are not illuminated, making it difficult for the user to recognize the switch areas S (S5, S8 to S12) as switch areas.

The second operation unit 22 of the bathroom remote control 20 is similar to the first operation unit 12 and receives operation inputs for operating the water heater 90. The operation inputs are transmitted from the second operation unit 22 to the second control unit 21. The second control unit 21 transmits operation commands to the water heater 90 to operate the water heater 90.

<Special operation for switching to maintenance mode>
The first control unit 11 of the kitchen remote control 10 can transition to a maintenance mode in which the "maintenance service menu" shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the first display unit 13.

The second control unit 21 of the bathroom remote control 20 can also be switched to a maintenance mode in which the "Maintenance Service Menu" shown in Figure 9 is displayed on the second display unit 23.

The contents of the maintenance mode and the special operations required to enter maintenance mode are substantially the same for the kitchen remote control 10 and the bathroom remote control 20, so we will only explain the kitchen remote control 10 and will omit explanations and illustrations of the bathroom remote control 20 as appropriate.

The maintenance mode is a mode for causing the water heater 90 and bathroom heater 70 to perform maintenance operations, including a test run of the heating means 99 and maintenance and inspection of the heating means 99.

Specifically, the "Maintenance Service Menu" shown in Figure 9 displays multiple menu items: "Bathroom Trial Run," "Bathroom Heating Trial Run," "Fault Memory Monitor Display," and "Maintenance Information Display." The first control unit 11 receives operational input via the first operation unit 12 to select an arbitrary maintenance item from the maintenance items.

The "bathroom trial run" is a maintenance operation that performs a trial run of the heating means 99 in the hot water supply system 1 and the components related to the bathtub 3 to determine whether automatic water filling operations and the like can be performed normally.

The "bathroom heating trial run" is a maintenance operation that performs a trial run to determine whether heating operation can be performed normally for the heating means 99 in the hot water supply system 1 and the components related to the bathroom heater 70.

"Fault Memory Monitor Display" is a maintenance operation that displays the date and time of the fault, the details of the fault, etc., regarding maintenance and inspection of the heating means 99, etc. in the hot water supply system 1.

"Maintenance information display" is a maintenance operation that displays information output from sensors regarding maintenance and inspection of the heating means 99 and other components in the hot water supply system 1, as well as various information such as the timing of regular inspections and the timing of replacing consumables.

The maintenance mode is intended for use by workers who intend to perform a test run or maintenance inspection of the hot water supply system 1, and is not intended for use by users. Therefore, when the hot water supply device 90 switches from a sleep state to an operating state, the first control unit 11 repeatedly executes the program shown in FIG. 10 to transition to and end the maintenance mode.

First, in step S101, the first control unit 11 determines whether the "various settings menu" shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the first display unit 13. If the answer is "No" in step S101, the first control unit 11 repeats step S101. Then, if the answer is "Yes" in step S101, the first control unit 11 proceeds to step S102.

When the first control unit 11 proceeds to step S102, it determines whether the switch area S (S5) corresponding to the non-emitting light-emitting element L (L5) has received the special operation "long press for 2 seconds."

It is difficult for a user to recognize that the switch area S (S5) corresponding to the non-illuminating light-emitting element L (L5) is a switch area. On the other hand, an operator attempting to test run or perform maintenance inspection of the hot water supply system 1 can, by referring to a maintenance manual or the like, recognize that the switch area S (S5) corresponding to the non-illuminating light-emitting element L (L5) is a switch area that receives the special operation of "press and hold for two seconds" when the "various setting menu" shown in Figure 8 is displayed on the first display unit 13.

If the first control unit 11 determines "No" in step S102, it returns to step S101 and repeats steps S101 and S102. Then, when the touch panel 32 detects that the switch area S (S5) corresponding to the non-emitting light-emitting unit L (L5) has received the special operation "long press for 2 seconds" and the determination in step S102 becomes "Yes," the first control unit 11 transitions to maintenance mode in step S103.

Next, the first control unit 11 proceeds to step S104 and causes the first display unit 13 to display the "Maintenance Service Menu" shown in Figure 9.

Next, the first control unit 11 proceeds to step S105 and receives operation input via the first operation unit 12 to select an arbitrary maintenance item from the multiple menu items of the "Maintenance Service Menu" shown in Figure 9, namely, "Bathroom Trial Run," "Bathroom Heating Trial Run," "Fault Memory Monitor Display," and "Maintenance Information Display."

In this case, as shown in FIG. 9, the first operating unit 12 may receive operation input through switch areas S (S5, S8-S12) that correspond to the non-illuminating light-emitting units L (L5, L8-L12). Based on the operation input, the first control unit 11 then transmits an operation command to the water heater 90, or to the bathroom heater 70 via the water heater 90.

Next, the first control unit 11 proceeds to step S106 and determines whether an operation to switch from the "Maintenance Service Menu" shown in FIG. 9 to another menu screen has been performed.

If the first control unit 11 determines "No" in step S106, it returns to step S105 and repeats steps S105 and S106. If the first control unit 11 determines "Yes" in step S106, it ends the maintenance mode in step S107. Then, the first control unit 11 returns to step S101 and repeats steps S101 to S107 until the water heating device 90 switches to the sleep state.

When the water heater 90 switches from a sleep state to an operating state, the second control unit 21 of the bathroom remote control 20, like the first control unit 11, repeatedly executes the program shown in Figure 10 to transition to and end maintenance mode.

<Action and effect>
The first control unit 11 of the kitchen remote control 10 of the embodiment and the second control unit 21 of the bathroom remote control 20 of the embodiment transmit an operation command to the water heater 90 based on the operation input when the user performs an operation input on the switch area S that corresponds to the light-emitting part L when it is lit, i.e., the switch area S that is highly visible and easy to operate.

In the example shown in FIG. 8, the first control unit 11 transmits an operation command to the water heating device 90 based on an operation input made by the user to a switch area S (S2 to S4, S6, S7) that corresponds to the illuminating light-emitting element L (L2 to L4, L6, L7) when lit, is highly visible, and is easy to operate. The same applies to the second control unit 21.

On the other hand, the first control unit 11 of the kitchen remote control 10 of the embodiment and the second control unit 21 of the bathroom remote control 20 of the embodiment execute the program shown in FIG. 10, and when an operator attempting to test run or perform maintenance inspection of the hot water supply device 90 inputs an operation into the switch area S (S5) corresponding to the non-illuminating light-emitting part L (L5), i.e., the switch area S (S5) which has low visibility and is difficult to prompt operation from, the operation mode is entered based on the operation input.

Here, when the "Various Settings Menu" shown in Figure 8 is displayed on the first display unit 13, the user is unlikely to operate the switch area S (S5) corresponding to the non-illuminating light-emitting part L (L5), as the user may determine that any operation input made to the switch area S (S5) will be invalid or may find it difficult to recognize it as the switch area S (S5).

Therefore, the kitchen remote control 10 and bathroom remote control 20 of the embodiment can prevent the device from switching to maintenance mode unintentionally by the user.

Furthermore, in the kitchen remote control 10 and bathroom remote control 20 of the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the visibility of the switch areas S (S1-S12) corresponding to the light-emitting elements L (L1-L12) when not illuminated is approximately equal to the visibility of the areas surrounding each switch area S (S1-S12) on the operation surface 30A. With this configuration, when the "various settings menu" shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the first display unit 13, the user will find it difficult to recognize the switch area S (S5) corresponding to the light-emitting element L (L5) when not illuminated as the switch area S (S5), making it extremely unlikely that the user will operate that switch area S (S5). As a result, the kitchen remote control 10 and bathroom remote control 20 can be further prevented from switching to maintenance mode unintentionally by the user.

Furthermore, the first control unit 11 and the second control unit 21 execute steps S101 and S102 shown in FIG. 10, and when the "various settings menu" shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the first display unit 13, if the operation input received by the switch area S (S5) corresponding to the non-illuminating light-emitting unit L (L5) is the special operation "long press for 2 seconds," the first control unit 11 and the second control unit 21 transition to maintenance mode in step S103 shown in FIG. 10. The user is unlikely to perform such a special operation. As a result, the kitchen remote control 10 and the bathroom remote control 20 can be further prevented from transitioning to maintenance mode unintentionally by the user.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 10, when the first control unit 11 transitions to maintenance mode in step S103, it causes the first display unit 13 to display multiple maintenance items in step S104, and receives operation input via the first operation unit 12 to select an arbitrary maintenance item from these maintenance items in step S105. The second control unit 21 is similar to the first control unit 11. With this configuration, an operator who intends to perform a test run or maintenance inspection of the water heating device 90 can easily select an arbitrary maintenance item from the multiple maintenance items when transitioning to maintenance mode.

The present invention has been described above with reference to examples, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above examples and can be modified and applied as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the embodiment, the appliance having a heating means is a hot water heater 90, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the appliance having a heating means may be a clothes dryer, a bathroom heater, a hot water floor heating system, or the like. Furthermore, if the appliance having a heating means is a clothes dryer, the operation display device may not be a remote control device, but may be an operation display panel located on the front of the clothes dryer's housing.

In the embodiment, the first control unit 11 determines whether the switch area S (S5) corresponding to the light-emitting element L (L5) when not emitting light has received the special operation of "long press for 2 seconds," but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, step S102 in FIG. 10 may be modified to determine whether the switch area S (S5) corresponding to the light-emitting element L (L5) when not emitting light and the switch area S (S8) corresponding to the light-emitting element L (L8) when not emitting light have received the special operation of "simultaneous press." Furthermore, step S102 in FIG. 10 may be modified to determine whether the switch area S (S5) corresponding to the light-emitting element L (L5) when not emitting light and the switch area S (S8) corresponding to the light-emitting element L (L8) when not emitting light have received the special operation of "simultaneous press and long press."

In the embodiment, the operation panel 30 of the first operation unit 12 and the second operation unit 22 has a capacitive touch panel 32, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the operation panel may have a touch panel of a type other than capacitive, such as a resistive type.

In the embodiment, each light-emitting element L (L1 to L12) is arranged in one-to-one correspondence with each switch area S (S1 to S12) behind the operation panel 30, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the operation unit according to the present invention may have multiple sets of light-emitting elements that emit different light colors, and these sets of light-emitting elements may be arranged to correspond to each switch area.

The present invention can be used, for example, in water heaters, clothes dryers, bathroom heaters, and hot water floor heating systems.

10, 20... Operation display device (10... kitchen remote control, 20... bathroom remote control)
99... Heating means 90... Equipment (hot water heater)
12, 22...Operation unit (12...First operation unit, 22...Second operation unit)
13, 23...display section (13...first display section, 23...second display section)
11, 21...control unit (11...first control unit, 21...second control unit)
30A: Operation surface 30: Operation panel S (S1 to S12): Multiple switch areas L (L1 to L12): Multiple light-emitting sections

Claims (3)

An operation and display device for operating an appliance having a heating means,
an operation unit that receives an operation input for operating the device;
a display unit that displays an operating state and a setting value of the device, the display unit being capable of displaying information required when the operation unit receives the operation input;
a control unit that controls the display unit, receives the operation input from the operation unit, and transmits an operation command to the equipment to operate the equipment, the control unit being capable of shifting to a maintenance mode to cause the equipment to perform a maintenance operation including at least one of a test run of the heating means and maintenance and inspection of the heating means;
Equipped with
the operation unit is an operation panel having a flat operation surface, and a plurality of switch areas for receiving the operation input by touch are set on the operation surface;
a plurality of light emitting units arranged behind the operation panel so as to correspond to the respective switch areas, the light emitting units having higher visibility of the switch areas when emitting light than when not emitting light;
and
the switch area corresponding to the light-emitting portion when not emitting light has the same color as an area surrounding the switch area on the operation surface;
the visibility of the switch area corresponding to the light-emitting portion when not emitting light is equal to the visibility of an area surrounding each of the switch areas on the operation surface;
The control unit is configured to transmit the operation command to the device based on the operation input received by the switch area corresponding to the light-emitting unit when it is lit, while transitioning to the maintenance mode based on the operation input received by the switch area corresponding to the light-emitting unit when it is not lit. The operation display device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit transitions to the maintenance mode when the operation input received by the switch area corresponding to the light-emitting unit when not emitting light is a special operation including at least one of a long press and a simultaneous press. When the control unit shifts to the maintenance mode, the control unit causes the display unit to display a plurality of maintenance items,
3. The operation display device according to claim 1, wherein the operation input for selecting an arbitrary one of the maintenance items is received by the operation unit.