JP7837236B2 - Hot water supply system and server system for hot water supply system - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to a hot water supply system and a server system for the hot water supply system.

In a water heating system comprising a water heater configured to heat and dispense hot water, and a remote control for operating the water heater, it is known that, as seen in Patent Document 1, for example, the remote control's memory unit stores an information code such as a QR code (registered trademark) representing the address (URL) of a website for downloading the electronic data of the water heater's instruction manual, and the image of this information code can be displayed on the remote control's display unit as appropriate.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2018-136111

In the water heater described in Patent Document 1, in order to allow users to easily download the electronic data of the instruction manual for the water heater they are using, it is preferable that the address information (URL) indicated by the information code corresponds to the model number of the water heater the user is using.

This is because, if the address information (URL) indicated by the information code is a higher-level address related to multiple types of water heaters, the user must search for information corresponding to the model of the water heater they are using from the website corresponding to that higher-level address information.

However, in the case of water heating systems, generally, there isn't a single, fixed remote control model for each type of water heater; rather, each remote control model is often compatible with multiple types of water heaters. Therefore, it's not possible to store an information code indicating the address information corresponding to the water heater model it's paired with during the manufacturing or shipping stages of each remote control model.

Here, for example, during the installation of a water heater, it's conceivable that the contractor or other service provider could store the above information code in the remote control. However, in this case, it would require additional labor from the contractor or service provider, increasing their workload, and would also necessitate equipment to store the information code in the remote control. Furthermore, it would increase the likelihood of incorrect information codes being registered in the remote control.

This invention was made in view of the above background, and aims to provide a water heater that can display an image on a remote control without requiring the remote control to pre-store information codes containing address information for product support pages corresponding to the water heater model, provided by an external server, and a server system for that water heater.

The present invention provides a hot water supply system that, in order to achieve the above objective, comprises a water heater configured to heat and dispense hot water, and a remote control for operating the water heater,
The aforementioned water heater is equipped with a storage unit that pre-stores specific information, including information related to the model of the water heater.
The remote control is characterized by having a display unit capable of displaying an image of an information code containing address information for product support pages provided by an external server, which classifies and provides information for each of several types of water heater models, and an information code display processing unit that converts a model-specific information code, which is an information code containing address information for a product support page corresponding to the water heater model among the product support pages provided by the external server, into an image based on the specific information obtained from the water heater through communication with the water heater, and displays it on the display unit (First Invention).

In this invention, "information code" refers to data that represents information through an image pattern when it is imaged and displayed. As the information code, for example, a two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark) or a one-dimensional code such as a barcode may be used. Furthermore, in this invention, "specific information" may refer to the aforementioned type-matching information code, or information in a different form from the aforementioned type-matching information code. "Imageing based on specific information" means, if the "specific information" is a type-matching information code, to image the type-matching information code as the specific information; if the "specific information" is information in a different form from the type-matching information code, it means to image the type-matching information code generated based on the specific information.

According to the first invention described above, the remote control can display a model-matching information code, which includes the address information of the product support page corresponding to the model of the water heater it controls (the water heater that, together with the remote control, constitutes the water heating system), as an image based on the specific information obtained from the water heater, on the display unit of the remote control.

Therefore, according to the first invention, it is possible to display an image on the remote control without needing to pre-store information codes containing address information for product support pages corresponding to the water heater model, provided by an external server, in the remote control.

Furthermore, users of water heaters can easily access the product support page corresponding to their water heater model by using a communication device such as a smartphone that can read the model compatibility information code. Additionally, the remote control can be used with multiple types of water heaters, increasing its versatility.

In the first invention described above, the specific information includes model information indicating the model of the water heater, and the information code display processing unit of the remote control is configured to generate an image of the model-corresponding information code using the model information included in the specific information obtained from the water heater, and to display the image of the generated model-corresponding information code on the display unit (second invention).

According to this, the remote control generates a model-specific information code corresponding to the water heater model. This allows the model-specific information code to include not only the address of the product support page corresponding to the water heater model, but also various other pieces of information.

For example, in the second invention described above, the information code display processing unit of the remote control may be configured to generate the model-specific information code to which error information regarding an abnormality that occurred in the water heater or the remote control has been added (third invention).

According to this, the model-specification information code displayed on the remote control includes not only the address information of the product support page corresponding to the water heater model, but also error information regarding any malfunctions that occurred in the water heater or remote control. Therefore, when an image of this model-specification information code is scanned by a suitable communication terminal such as a smartphone, the terminal can transmit the error information to an external server. This eliminates the need for the user to manually enter error information on the product support page corresponding to the water heater model.

In the first invention described above, the specific information is an information code that includes the address information of the product support page corresponding to the model of the water heater, and the information code display processing unit of the remote control is configured to display an image on the display unit obtained by converting the information code acquired from the water heater as the specific information into an image of the model-corresponding information code (fourth invention).

According to this, the remote control can display an image of the model-matching information code on its display unit without requiring a process to generate the model-matching information code. This allows for a simplified and cost-effective remote control software configuration.

In any of the above inventions 1 to 4, the specific information includes the serial number of the water heater, and the information code display processing unit of the remote control may be configured to display an image on the display unit obtained by imaging the model-specific information code with the serial number of the water heater added (invention 5).

According to this, the model information code displayed on the remote control includes not only the address information of the product support page corresponding to the water heater model, but also the water heater's serial number. Therefore, when an image of this model information code is scanned by a suitable communication terminal such as a smartphone, the terminal can transmit the water heater's serial number to an external server. This eliminates the need for the user to manually enter the serial number when it is required on the product support page corresponding to the water heater model.

Furthermore, the server system for a hot water heater according to the present invention is characterized by comprising a hot water heater according to any of the first to fifth inventions described above, and the external server that provides product support pages classified by the type of hot water heater (sixth invention).
According to this, a server system capable of achieving the effects described in the first to fifth inventions can be constructed.

A diagram showing the overall configuration of a server system for a hot water supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention. A block diagram showing the configuration of the hot water supply system shown in Figure 1. Figure 1 shows an example of a product support page provided by an external server. A flowchart showing the processing in the first embodiment of the information code display processing unit shown in Figure 2. A flowchart showing the processing in the second embodiment of the information code display processing unit shown in Figure 2.

[First Embodiment]
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 4. Referring to Figure 1, the server system for a hot water supply device of this embodiment comprises a hot water supply device 1, an external server 30, and a communication terminal 40.

The hot water supply system 1 comprises a water heater 10, which serves as a heat source configured to heat and dispense hot water, and a remote control 20 for operating the water heater 10. The water heater 10 is connected to a water supply channel 11 and a hot water outlet channel 12. The hot water supplied from the water supply channel 11 is heated by a heating device (not shown), and the heated hot water is dispensed through the hot water outlet channel 12. For example, a combustion-type heating device is used as the heating device.

Furthermore, the water heater 10 may be equipped with a storage tank for storing heated hot water. In this case, the water heater 10 may be equipped with a heating device that heats the hot water in the storage tank, not limited to a combustion-type heating device, but for example, a heat pump type heating device or an electric heating device. The water heater 10 may also be equipped with a bathtub filling function and a reheating function. In addition, the water heater 10 may be equipped with a heating circuit for a heating device that uses a heat transfer medium such as hot water.

The water heater 10 is equipped with a control device 15 that has functions for controlling its operation. The control device 15 is composed of one or more electronic circuit units, including a processor such as a microcontroller, memory (ROM, RAM, etc.), interface circuits, and communication devices, and is capable of communicating with the remote control 20 via wired or wireless connection. The control device 15 can control the operation of the water heater 10 through functions realized by its implemented hardware configuration and program (software configuration).

Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, the control device 15 has a memory unit 15a that pre-stores specific information, including information regarding the model of the water heater 10 on which the control device 15 is installed. This memory unit 15a may be composed of a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM. In this embodiment, the specific information stored in the memory unit 15a includes model information indicating the model of the water heater 10 itself (information associated with the model), and also includes the serial number of the water heater 10 in addition to the model information. This specific information is pre-written to the memory unit 15a, for example, on the manufacturing line before the water heater 10 is shipped.

As shown in Figure 2, the remote control 20 comprises a display unit 22 composed of a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, etc., an operation unit 23 including a plurality of operation switches (not shown), and a control unit 21 having functions for controlling the operation of the remote control 20. Note that the display unit 22 may be a touch panel type display unit that also functions as the operation unit 23.

The control unit 21 is composed of one or more electronic circuit units, including a processor such as a microcontroller, memory (ROM, RAM, etc.), interface circuits, and communication devices. This control unit 21 can communicate with the control device 15 of the water heater 10 via wired or wireless connection, and receives operation signals from the operation unit 23. The control unit 21 can control the display information of the display unit 22 and the operation of the sound-generating unit (not shown) through the functions realized by its implemented hardware configuration and program (software configuration).

In this embodiment, the display unit 22 can display images of two-dimensional codes, such as QR codes (registered trademarks), as information codes that represent various information using image patterns. The control unit 21 includes the function of an information code display processing unit 21a, which displays an image of a model-specific two-dimensional code corresponding to the model of the water heater 10 that constitutes the water heater system 1 together with the remote control 20, on the display unit 22 when a request to display such a code occurs. Details of the model-specific two-dimensional code will be described later.

The external server 30 is a server capable of providing product support pages (web pages) for multiple types of water heaters, including the water heater 10, via an external network NW consisting of the internet, telephone lines, etc. In this case, the external server 30 is configured to provide product support pages categorized by water heater model.

For example, the external server 30 can provide product support pages for each model of water heater, as illustrated in Figure 3. In this example, the product support page corresponding to a particular model of water heater displays the product code, model number, product name, type of gas used, and serial number.

Furthermore, this product support page allows you to select pages for obtaining (downloading) the instruction manual for your water heater model, viewing frequently asked questions and answers regarding your water heater model, requesting repairs for your water heater model, submitting inquiries about your water heater model, ordering consumables and optional parts for your water heater model, and registering your water heater model (user registration).

Here, we will explain the model-specific two-dimensional code that the control unit 21 of the remote control 20 displays on the display unit 22 via the information code display processing unit 21a. This model-specific two-dimensional code, represented by its image pattern, includes at least address information indicating the address (URL) of the product support page provided by the external server 30, corresponding to the model of the water heater 10 that, together with the remote control 20, constitutes the water heater 1. This model-specific two-dimensional code corresponds to the model-specific information code in this invention.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, when a request arises to display a model-specific two-dimensional code on the display unit 22, the information code display processing unit 21a executes a process to generate a model-specific two-dimensional code using the specific information stored in the storage unit 15a of the control device 15 of the water heater 10, and can then display an image of the generated model-specific two-dimensional code on the display unit 22.

The communication terminal 40 is a communication terminal composed of, for example, a smartphone or tablet device, and includes a display unit 41 and a camera 42. The display unit 41 may be, for example, a touch panel type display unit, but a separate operation unit may also be provided on the communication terminal 40. Furthermore, the camera 42 is not limited to being integrated into the communication terminal 40; it may be an external camera connected to the communication terminal 40 via a connection cable.

This communication terminal 40 has an application pre-installed for reading images of 2D codes via the camera 42. Furthermore, the communication terminal 40 can communicate with an external network NW at any time. Therefore, when an image of a type-specific 2D code is displayed on the display unit 22 of the remote control 20, and the image of the type-specific 2D code is captured by the camera 42 of the communication terminal 40 as shown in Figure 1, the communication terminal 40 can automatically acquire the information represented by the image pattern of the type-specific 2D code.

Furthermore, the communication terminal 40 can access the external server 30 at the address indicated by the product support page address information corresponding to the model of the water heater 10, based on the information obtained from the image of the model-specific 2D code. In response to this access, the display unit 41 can display the product support page at that address.

Next, the operation of displaying the model-specific two-dimensional code image on the display unit 22 of the remote control 20 in this embodiment will be explained. In this embodiment, when the user of the water heater 1 performs a predetermined operation on the remote control 20 (an operation to display the model-specific two-dimensional code image), or when an abnormality occurs in the water heater 10 or the remote control 20, the control unit 21 of the remote control 20 detects that a request has been made to display the model-specific two-dimensional code image on the display unit 22.

At this time, the information code display processing unit 21a of the control unit 21 of the remote control 20 executes the process shown in the flowchart of Figure 4. In STEP 1, the information code display processing unit 21a obtains specific information (specific information including the model information and serial number of the water heater 10) stored in the storage unit 15a of the control unit 15 of the water heater 10 through communication with the control unit 15 of the water heater 10.

Next, in STEP 2, the information code display processing unit 21a determines whether or not there is error information regarding an abnormality that occurred in the water heater 10 or the remote control 20. Here, if an abnormality occurs in the water heater 10, error information indicating the nature of the abnormality and the date and time of occurrence is stored chronologically in the control device 15 of the water heater 10. If an abnormality occurs in the remote control 20, error information indicating the nature of the abnormality and the date and time of occurrence is stored chronologically in the control unit 21 of the remote control 20. Note that the error information may be stored collectively in the control device 15 of the water heater 10 or the control unit 21 of the remote control 20.

If there is error information stored in the control device 15 of the water heater 10 or the control unit 21 of the remote control 20, the judgment result in STEP 2 becomes positive. In this case, the information code display processing unit 21a acquires the latest error information, or error information for the most recent predetermined period or predetermined number of times, in STEP 3.

Furthermore, in STEP 4, the information code display processing unit 21a generates a model-specific two-dimensional code using the specific information obtained in STEP 1 and the error information obtained in STEP 3. In this case, the information code display processing unit 21a uses the model information from the obtained specific information to determine the address (URL) of the product support page corresponding to the model of the water heater 10.

Specifically, in this embodiment, the control unit 21 of the remote control 20 has pre-stored the higher-level address, which is the address of the higher-level product support page for each model among the product support pages provided by the external server 30.

The information code display processing unit 21a then determines the address of the product support page corresponding to the model of the water heater 10 by adding the model information of the water heater 10 as a parameter to the higher-level address. The address with the model information of the water heater 10 added as a parameter is represented in a format such as "https://www.rinnai-style.jp/products_support/?P1=CXUR-B2300W". In this example, "www.rinnai-style.jp/products_support/" is the higher-level address, and "?P1=CXUR-B2300W" is the part with the model information (=CXUR-B2300W) added as a parameter.

Furthermore, the above-mentioned higher-level address may be stored in the control device 15 of the water heater 10. The control unit 21 of the remote control 20 may obtain the higher-level address from the control device 15 of the water heater 10 when determining the address of the product support page corresponding to the model of the water heater 10, for example. The higher-level address may also be included in the aforementioned specific information.

In STEP 4, the information code display processing unit 21a, after determining the address of the product support page corresponding to the model of the water heater 10 as described above, generates a model-specific two-dimensional code as a two-dimensional code representing information including address information indicating that address, the serial number of the water heater 10 obtained in STEP 1, and the error information obtained in STEP 3, using an image pattern.

In this embodiment, the program implemented in the control unit 21 of the remote control 20 includes an application for generating a two-dimensional code. The information code display processing unit 21a then generates a type-matched two-dimensional code by executing the processing of this application.

On the other hand, if there is no error information stored in the control device 15 of the water heater 10 or the control unit 21 of the remote control 20, the judgment result in STEP 2 will be negative. In this case, the information code display processing unit 21a generates a model-specific two-dimensional code in STEP 5. In STEP 5, the information code display processing unit 21a generates a model-specific two-dimensional code using the specific information obtained in STEP 1.

In this case, the information code display processing unit 21a, similar to STEP 4, uses the model information from the acquired specific information to determine the address (URL) of the product support page corresponding to the model of the water heater 10. Then, the information code display processing unit 21a generates a model-specific two-dimensional code, representing the address information indicating the determined address and the serial number from the specific information as a two-dimensional code using an image pattern.

After generating a model-specific two-dimensional code in STEP 4 or 5 as described above, the information code display processing unit 21a displays an image of the model-specific two-dimensional code on the display unit 22 of the remote control 20 in STEP 6.
As described above, the processing of the information code display processing unit 21a is executed.

As described above, with the model-specific 2D code image displayed on the display unit 22 of the remote control 20, the user of the water heater 1 can take a picture of the model-specific 2D code image using the camera 42 of their communication terminal 40. This allows the communication terminal 40 to access the external server 30, specifically the address indicated by the product support page address information corresponding to the model of the water heater 10, which is represented by the image pattern of the model-specific 2D code.

At this time, when the user performs the operation to request the access using the communication terminal 40, the communication terminal 40 executes the access. As a result, the product support page corresponding to the model of the water heater 10, as shown in Figure 3, is displayed on the display unit 41 of the communication terminal 40.

In this way, even without knowing the model number of the water heater 10 they are using or the address of the product support page provided by the external server 30, users can easily display the product support page corresponding to the model number of the water heater 10 on the display unit 41 of their communication terminal 40 by reading the image of the model-specific 2D code displayed on the display unit 22 of the remote control 20 via the camera 42 of their communication terminal 40.

Ultimately, users can easily obtain instruction manuals corresponding to their water heater model 10, check frequently asked questions and answers regarding the water heater 10, request repairs for the water heater 10, make inquiries about the water heater 10, order consumables and optional parts for the water heater 10, and register their ownership (user registration) for the water heater 10, all starting from the product support page.

Furthermore, since the information represented by the image pattern of the model-specific 2D code includes error information and serial numbers, this information can be automatically transmitted from the communication terminal 40 to the external server 30. Therefore, when requesting repairs for the water heater 10 or making inquiries about the water heater 10, the user does not need to manually input error information or serial numbers. This, in turn, makes such requests and inquiries easier to perform and prevents users from incorrectly entering error information or serial numbers.

Furthermore, even when registering ownership (user registration), the user does not need to manually enter information such as the model number and serial number of the water heater 10, thus simplifying the ownership registration process.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 5. In this embodiment, the only differences from the first embodiment are the content of the specific information stored in the storage unit 15a of the control device 15 of the water heater 10 and the processing of the information code display processing unit 21a of the remote control 20. Therefore, the same matters as in the first embodiment will not be explained.

In this embodiment, the specific information stored in the storage unit 15a of the control device 15 of the water heater 10 is, for example, a two-dimensional code. In this case, the two-dimensional code is a model-specific two-dimensional code that includes, as information represented by its image pattern, address information indicating the address of the product support page corresponding to the model of the water heater 10 among the product support pages provided by the external server 30, and the serial number of the water heater 10.

In this case, the address of the product support page corresponding to the model of the water heater 10 may be an address in the same format as the address determined by the information code display processing unit 21a in STEP 4 or 5 in the first embodiment (an address that uses the model of the water heater 10 as a parameter), or it may be an address that directly specifies the directory corresponding to the model without using the model of the water heater 10 as a parameter.

Such addresses are represented in a format like "https://www.rinnai-style.jp/products_support/index/CXUR/000001". In this example, "www.rinnai-style.jp/products_support/" is the aforementioned higher-level address, and "index/CXUR/000001" is the part that indicates the directory corresponding to the model number of the water heater 10.

In this embodiment, when the control unit 21 of the remote control 20 detects a request to display an image of the type-specific two-dimensional code on the display unit 22, the information code display processing unit 21a of the control unit 21 executes the process shown in the flowchart of Figure 5. In STEP 11, the information code display processing unit 21a obtains the type-specific two-dimensional code, which is stored as specific information in the storage unit 15a of the control unit 15, through communication with the control unit 15 of the water heater 10.

Next, in STEP 12, the information code display processing unit 21a displays an image of the type-specific 2D code acquired in STEP 11 on the display unit 22 of the remote control 20.

In this embodiment, the processing of the information code display processing unit 21a is executed as described above. Except for the matters described above, this embodiment is the same as the first embodiment. Note that in this embodiment, the information code display processing unit 21a does not perform the process of generating a two-dimensional code, so it is not necessary to provide an application for generating a two-dimensional code in the control unit 21 of the remote control 20.

In this embodiment as well, the information represented by the image pattern of the model-specific two-dimensional code includes address information indicating the address of the product support page corresponding to the model of the water heater 10. Therefore, with the image of the model-specific two-dimensional code displayed on the display unit 22 of the remote control 20, the user of the water heater 1 can take a picture of the model-specific two-dimensional code with the camera 42 of their communication terminal 40, thereby displaying the product support page corresponding to the model of the water heater 10 on the display unit 41 of the communication terminal 40, similar to the first embodiment.

Therefore, similar to the first embodiment, even without knowing the model number of the water heater 10 being used or the address of the product support page provided by the external server 30, the user can easily display the product support page corresponding to the model number of the water heater 10 on the display unit 41 of their communication terminal 40.

Ultimately, users can easily obtain instruction manuals corresponding to their water heater model 10, check frequently asked questions and answers regarding the water heater 10, request repairs for the water heater 10, make inquiries about the water heater 10, order consumables and optional parts for the water heater 10, and register their ownership (user registration) for the water heater 10, all starting from the product support page.

Furthermore, since the information represented by the image pattern of the model-specific 2D code includes the serial number, this serial number can be automatically transmitted from the communication terminal 40 to the external server 30. Therefore, when requesting repairs for the water heater 10 or making inquiries about the water heater 10, the user does not need to manually enter the serial number. This, in turn, makes such requests and inquiries easier to perform and prevents users from entering the serial number incorrectly.

Furthermore, even when registering ownership (user registration), the user does not need to manually enter information such as the model number and serial number of the water heater 10, thus simplifying the ownership registration process.

[Other embodiments]
It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and other embodiments can also be adopted. Several other embodiments are given below as examples. In the first embodiment, among the specific information, model information indicating the model number of the water heater 10 was used as information regarding the model number of the water heater 10. However, instead of the model information, for example, address information of a product support page corresponding to the model number of the water heater 10 may be used. In this case, the address information of the product support page may be either address information that uses the model information as a parameter, or address information that specifies a directory without using the model information as a parameter.

In each of the above embodiments, the specific information stored in the storage unit 15a of the control device 15 of the water heater 10 included the serial number of the water heater 10, but this serial number may be omitted.

In the embodiments described above, a two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark) was used as the information code. However, the information code in the present invention is not limited to a two-dimensional code; it may also be a one-dimensional code such as a barcode.

1…Water heating system, 10…Water heater, 15a…Storage unit, 20…Remote control, 22…Display unit, 21a…Information code display processing unit, 30…External server.

Claims (5)

A hot water supply system comprising a water heater configured to heat water for hot water supply and dispense hot water, and a remote control for operating the water heater,
The aforementioned water heater is equipped with a storage unit that pre-stores specific information, including information related to the model of the water heater.
The remote control is configured to include a display unit capable of displaying an image of an information code containing an address for a product support page provided by an external server, categorized by the model of a water heater, and an information code display processing unit that displays an image of a model-specific information code, which is an information code containing an address for a product support page corresponding to the model of the water heater among the product support pages provided by the external server, based on the specific information obtained from the water heater through communication with the water heater .
The aforementioned specific information includes model information indicating the model of the water heater,
The information code display processing unit of the remote control is:
The higher-level address, which is the address of the higher-level product support page corresponding to the model of the water heater, is obtained from the storage unit of the water heater or the remote control.
Based on the model information contained in the specific information obtained from the water heater, an address for direct access to the product support page corresponding to the water heater model is determined by adding a parameter indicating directory information of the product support page corresponding to the water heater model to the higher-level address, and an image of the model correspondence information code including the determined address is generated.
The image obtained by converting the generated type correspondence information code into an image is displayed on the display unit.
The water heater is characterized in that the product support page corresponding to the model of the water heater consists of multiple types of service information, including information for obtaining the instruction manual for the water heater of the corresponding model and other support information . In the hot water supply device according to claim 1 ,
The hot water supply device is characterized in that the information code display processing unit of the remote control is configured to generate the model-specific information code to which error information relating to an abnormality that occurred in the hot water supply or the remote control has been added. A hot water supply system comprising a water heater configured to heat water for hot water supply and dispense hot water, and a remote control for operating the water heater,
The aforementioned water heater is equipped with a storage unit that pre-stores specific information, including information related to the model of the water heater.
The remote control is configured to include a display unit capable of displaying an image of an information code containing an address for a product support page provided by an external server, categorized by the model of a water heater, and an information code display processing unit that displays an image of a model-specific information code, which is an information code containing an address for a product support page corresponding to the model of the water heater among the product support pages provided by the external server, based on the specific information obtained from the water heater through communication with the water heater.
The aforementioned specific information is an information code that includes the address of the product support page corresponding to the model of the water heater.
The address of the product support page corresponding to the model of the water heater is configured by adding a parameter indicating the directory information of the product support page corresponding to the model of the water heater to the parent address, which is the address of the parent product support page above the product support page corresponding to the model of the water heater.
The information code display processing unit of the remote control is configured to display an image on the display unit obtained by converting the information code acquired from the water heater as the specific information into an image of the model-corresponding information code .
The water heater is characterized in that the product support page corresponding to the model of the water heater consists of multiple types of service information, including information for obtaining the instruction manual for the water heater of the corresponding model and other support information . In the hot water supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
The specified information includes the serial number of the water heater,
The hot water heater is characterized in that the information code display processing unit of the remote control is configured to display an image on the display unit, which is an image of the model-specific information code to which the serial number of the water heater has been added. A server system for a water heater, comprising a water heater according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , and the external server that provides product support pages classified by the model of multiple types of water heaters.