BACKGROUND Technical Field The disclosure relates to a hot water supply device, and more particularly relates to a terminal device that communicates with the hot water supply device.
Description of Related Art Conventionally, it is necessary to input settings (for example, installation settings) to a hot water supply device when the hot water supply device is installed. The settings may be changed using various methods including, for example, a remote control to set function settings, a DIP switch on a control board of the hot water supply device, a connector plugged in to the control board of the hot water supply device, and/or a seven-segment display with a tactile switch, and/or the like.
When an apartment complex or the like includes a plurality of hot water supply devices, a service personnel may need to input settings to each of the plurality of hot water supply devices. The plurality of hot water supplies may use the same settings or different settings. Since the service personnel has to input the settings one by one for each of the plurality of hot water supply devices, a time needed for installing the plurality of hot water supply devices may increase. To reduce the time needed for installing the plurality of hot water supply devices, the installation settings for one of the plurality of hot waters supply devices may be stored in memory of a terminal device, and the stored installation settings may then be reused for other of the plurality of hot water supply devices.
However, when the installation settings used for a plurality of hot water supply devices at a first installation site is stored in the memory of the terminal device, there is a possibility the installation settings used for the first installation site may be mistakenly reused as the installation settings of hot water supply devices at a second installation site.
Therefore, a way to prevent/reduce a possibility of mistakenly using the installation settings for the first installation site as the installation settings for the second installation site is needed.
SUMMARY The disclosure provides a method of setting up a hot water supply system. The hot water supply system includes a first hot water supply device having a first set of setting values to be set, and a terminal device configured to communicate with the first hot water supply device, wherein the terminal device is configured to set the first set of setting values of the first hot water supply device. The method of setting up the hot water supply system includes a step of storing the first set of setting values of the first hot water supply device in the terminal device as a stored set of setting values, and a step of reusing the stored set of setting values for another hot water supply device, wherein the terminal device is configured to delete the stored set of setting values in a case when a predetermined delete condition is met.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings which are meant to be exemplary, not limiting, and wherein like elements are numbered alike in several Figures. Similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a hot water supply system having a star connection according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a hot water supply device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a system controller of a hot water supply system having a star connection according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a pairing process between a mobile terminal and a hot water supply system according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a mobile terminal connected to a hot water supply system according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a mobile terminal obtaining/receiving data of an individual hot water supply device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a graphical user interface of a terminal device connected to a first hot water supply device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating the graphical user interface of the terminal device connected to the first hot water supply device 2A with a first set of setting values entered according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method for inputting the first set of setting values to the first hot water supply device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the graphical user interface of the terminal device connected to a second hot water supply device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating the graphical user interface of the terminal device connected to the second hot water supply device after a “Apply Saved Setting” button is selected.
FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating a first installation site and a second installation site according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 13 is a table illustrating predetermined delete condition for a stored set of setting values according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating a graphical user interface of a terminal device wherein a first icon is not arranged on the graphical user interface.
FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating a graphical user interface of a terminal device wherein a first icon is automatically moved to a position away from a top of the graphical user interface.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a hot water supply system having a star connection according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Referring to FIG. 1, a hot water supply system 1 is provided. The hot water supply system 1 may be disposed, for example, on a building, inside a building, on a roof of the building, and/or the like. The hot water supply system 1 may be used, for example, to provide heated water to a shower(s) of a gym, to provide heated drinking water for a building and/or the like. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the hot water supply system 1 may be disposed at other locations, and/or provided for other purposes according to requirements.
Referring to FIG. 1, the hot water supply system 1 includes a plurality of hot water supply devices 2. More specifically, the hot water supply system 1 of the present embodiment includes six hot water supply devices 2, namely a first hot water supply device 2A, a second hot water supply device, 2B, a third hot water supply device 2C, a fourth hot water supply device 2D, a fifth hot water supply device 2E, and a sixth hot water supply device 2F. A number of the hot water supply devices 2 is not limited thereto, and the number of the hot water supply devices 2 of the hot water supply system 1 may be set according to requirements. For example, the number of the hot water supply devices 2 may be 10, 18, 24 hot water supply devices 2. A numbering of the plurality of hot water supply devices such as first hot water supply device, second third hot water supply device, third hot water supply device, fourth hot water supply device, fifth hot water supply device, sixth hot water supply device and the like is merely to differentiate between the plurality of hot water supply devices for explanation purposes only and is not intended to limit the disclosure. That is to say, the numbering of the hot water supply devices may be changed, switched, altered, and/or omitted.
Referring to FIG. 1, the hot water supply system 1 includes a system controller 30 that controls a connection and/or communication to each of the hot water supply devices 2. Each of the plurality of hot water supply devices 2 is (wired or wirelessly) connected to the system controller 30 such that the plurality of hot water supply devices 2 may communicate with each other.
A remote control 40 may be provided for a user to command tasks, such as commanding the hot water supply system 1 to operate (for example, turn ON / turn OFF the hot water supply system 1), and/or setting a temperature of the water that is to be supplied by the hot water supply system 1. The remote control 40 may include, for example, a display 41, a button(s), a touch screen display and/or the like. The remote control 40 may be wired or wireless remote control that is connected to the system controller 30.
Referring to FIG. 1, a water input and a water output of the six hot water supply devices 2 are arranged in parallel. More specifically, the hot water supply system 1 includes six inlet pipes 20 and six outlet pipes 21 which connect the six hot water supply devices 2 in parallel. The six inlet pipes 20 are connected to a water supply pipe 22, which in turn is connected to a water supply system 26. The water supplied to the water supply pipe 22 by the water supply system 26 is then supplied to each of the six the hot water supply devices 2 via their respective inlet pipes 20.
Referring to FIG. 1, the water that is supplied to the hot water supply device 2 is outputted from the outlet pipe 21. In the present embodiment, six outlet pipes 21 are all connected to a hot water pipe 23, and hot water heated by each hot water supply device 2 is outputted to the hot water pipe 23 via their respective outlet pipes 21. The hot water pipe 23 is connected to a hot water tap 24 such as a spigot or shower, wherein hot water is discharged from the hot water tap 24. A number of the hot water tap 24 is not intended to limit the disclosure, and may be set according to requirements. The water supply pipe 22 is provided with a pump 25 for circulating the water. The pump 25 operates to cause water and hot water to circulate and flow from the water supply pipe 22 to the six inlet pipes 20. The pump 25 includes, for example, a motor that drives the pump 25.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a hot water supply device according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Referring to FIG. 2, the hot water supply device 2 is adapted to generate hot water through heat exchange. The hot water supply device 2 includes the inlet pipe 20, the outlet pipe 21, a combustion unit 12, a burner unit 55, a heat exchanger 75, an exhaust aperture 50, a first temperature sensor 60, a second temperature sensor 70, a control unit (C/U) 16, a wireless communication module 17, a fan 90, a rotation speed sensor 95, and a venturi mixer 120. Each hot water supply device 2 may also include an operation panel 15, electrically coupled to the control unit 16, the operation panel 15 including, for example, a display, touch display, and/or a button. In the present embodiment, a material of the inlet pipe 20 and the outlet pipe 21 are, for example, copper. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the inlet pipe 20 and the outlet pipe 21 may be made of other material. The hot water supply device 2 may include a power supply part, comprising a switch configured to turn on and off power to the wireless communication module 17. The hot water supply device 2 may be configured to turn on power to their respective wireless communication module 17 via the switch when there is a need to perform wireless communication using their respective wireless communication module 17, and turn off power to their respective wireless communication module 17 via the switch when there is no need to perform wireless communication using their respective wireless communication module 17. In this way, power may be saved when the wireless communication module 17 is not in use, and/or when their respective wireless communication module 17 is not needed at the present time to perform wireless communication.
Referring to FIG. 2, the hot water supply device 2 described is configured to heat water by burning fuel gas, however the disclosure is not limited thereto. In another embodiment of the disclosure, the hot water supply device 2 may be configured to heat the water using electricity instead of gas. In another embodiment of the disclosure, the hot water supply system 1 may include a combination of both, wherein some hot water supply devices 2 heat water by gas, while some hot water supply devices 2 heat water by electricity.
Referring to FIG. 2, the control unit (C/U) 16 may include, for example, a processor. The wireless communication module 17 may include, for example, a transceiver and a receiver including an antenna(s). The wireless communication module 17 may be used to wirelessly communicate with another wireless communication module 17 of another hot water supply device 2, and/or wirelessly communicate with a mobile terminal 1. The mobile terminal 100 may include a processor, a global navigation satellite system receiver (for example, a GPS receiver), a display, and a wireless communication module for wirelessly communicating with the hot water supply devices 2 having the wireless communication module 17. The mobile terminal 100, may be for example a handheld device, a tablet PC, a smart phone and/or the like. However the disclosure is not limited thereto. The wireless communication module 17 may allow for wireless communication by, for example, Bluetooth. However, the wireless communication is not limited to Bluetooth, and a type of wireless communication(s) may be set according to requirements. The mobile terminal 100 is an example of a terminal device of the disclosure.
Referring to FIG. 1, in the present embodiment, all of the plurality of hot water supply devices 2 include the wireless communication module 17. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. In another embodiment of the disclosure, none of the plurality of hot water supply devices 2 may include the wireless communication module 17. In another embodiment of the disclosure, some of the hot water supply devices 2 may include the wireless communication module 17, while some hot water supply devices 2 may not include the wireless communication module 17. The configuration for each hot water supply device 2, whether to include or not include the wireless communication module 17, may be set according to requirements, and is not intended to limit the disclosure.
Referring to FIG. 2, the burner unit 55 is disposed in the combustion unit 12. The combustion unit 12 mixes together fuel gas supplied from a fuel supply conduit (not shown in the figures) and air for combustion supplied by a fan 90, and combusts the resulting mixture. The rotation speed sensor 95 detects a rotation speed of the fan 90. The burner unit 55 includes a spark plug 31 for igniting the fuel-air mixture gases supplied from the burner unit 55 by generating an ignition spark between itself and an ignition target provided in the burner unit 55.
The heat exchanger 75 is, for example, a fin and tube type heat exchanger, and includes a heat exchange tubing 45 and a plurality of fins 46 that are fixed to the heat exchange tubing 45 so as to be capable of heat transfer. The heat exchanger 75 is connected between the inlet pipe 20 and the outlet pipe 21. In the present embodiment, one end 45A of the heat exchange tubing 45 connects with one end 20A of the inlet pipe 20, and an other end 45B of the heat exchange tubing 45 connects with an other end 21B of the outlet pipe 21.
Water enters the hot water supply device 2 from an other end 20B of the inlet pipe 20, the water is heated by the heat exchanger 75, and then exits from a one end 21A of the outlet pipe 21. The burner unit 55 of the hot water supply device 2 combusts fuel gas to generate heat. The heat exchanger 75 exchanges heat between the fuel gas combusted by the burner unit 55 and the water passing through the heat exchanger 75.
The combusted fuel gas is turned into exhaust gas after heat exchange is completed by the heat exchanger 75. The exhaust aperture 50 discharges exhaust gas after heat exchange by the heat exchanger 75. The first temperature sensor 60 is disposed at the exhaust aperture 50 and detects a measured exhaust temperature of the exhaust gas. In the present embodiment, the first temperature sensor 60 is, for example, a thermistor. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto and other temperature sensors such as a thermocouple and the like may be used. In the present embodiment, a material of the exhaust aperture 50 is, for example, PVC plastic. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the exhaust aperture 50 may be made of other material.
The second temperature sensor 70 is disposed at the inlet pipe 20 and detects a water temperature of the water entering the inlet pipe 20. In the present embodiment, the second temperature sensor 70 is, for example, a thermistor. In other embodiments, the second temperature sensor 70 may be a thermocouple. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto and other temperature sensors may be used.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a system controller of a hot water supply system having a star connection according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Referring to FIG. 3, the system controller 30 directly communicates with the control units 16 of each of the plurality of hot water supply devices 2. The system controller 30 may include, for example, a CPU 31, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, an EEPROM 32 (nonvolatile memory), and a bus 35 connecting them. The system controller 30 may also include an input/output interface 36 such as a touch screen (or a display for outputting to a user and buttons for input by the user) for inputting by the user and outputting to the user to and from the system controller 30, and a communication interface 37 for transmitting/receiving to/from the remote control 40. The system controller 30 may also include a wireless communication module 38. The control units 16 of each of the six hot water supply devices 2 are connected to the input / output interface 36, respectively, so that the system controller 30 and the control units 16 of the six water heaters 2 can transmit and receive signals to and from each other. The ROM 32 may store a control program for operation control of the hot water supply system 1. The system controller 30 is an example of a communication relay apparatus of the disclosure.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a pairing process between a mobile terminal and a hot water supply system according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Referring to FIG. 4, the mobile terminal 100 is configured to be paired with any one of the plurality of hot water supply devices 2 using a factory-set password to establish a first wireless communication path WCP1 between the one hot water supply devices 2 and the mobile terminal 100. In more detail, the mobile terminal 100 displays on the display, a list of the plurality of hot water supply devices 2 which are available for wireless pairing with the mobile terminal 100. The maintenance/installation personnel may select one of the plurality of hot water supply devices 2 from the list displayed on the mobile terminal 100 and enter the factory-set password to establish a first wireless communication path WCP1.
After one of the plurality of hot water supply devices 2 is paired with the mobile terminal 100 using the factory-set password, the one of the plurality of hot water supply devices 2 is configured to receive a one-time password from the mobile terminal 100 via the first wireless communication path WCP1. Then, the one of the plurality of hot water supply devices 2 is configured to send the one-time password to other hot water supply devices 2 among the plurality of hot water supply devices 2.
Referring to FIG. 4, the first hot water supply device 2A is illustrated as the one hot water supply devices 2 that is paired with the mobile terminal 100 to establish the first wireless communication path WCP1 between the first hot water supply device 2A and the mobile terminal 100. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. In other embodiments of the disclosure, any of the hot water supply devices 2B~2F may be the one hot water supply device 2 that is paired with the mobile terminal 100 to establish the first wireless communication path WCP1.
It should be noted, each of the plurality of hot water supply devices 2 has a factory-set password for wireless pairing. The factory-set password for each hot water supply device 2 may be provided or displayed on, for example, a casing of the respective hot water supply device 2. In the present embodiment, the factory-set password for each hot water supply device 2 is different, and the factory-set password may include, for example, a serial number of the respective hot water supply device 2. However, the disclosure is note limited thereto, and in another embodiment of the disclosure, some or all of the plurality of hot water supply device 2 may have the same factory-set password for wireless pairing.
Referring to FIG. 4, at a time the first wireless communication path WCP1 is established, the mobile terminal 100 is paired with only the one hot water supply device 2A, and the mobile terminal 100 is not yet paired with the other hot water supply devices 2B~2F. After the first hot water supply device 2A is paired with the mobile terminal 100, the mobile terminal 100 is configured to send a one-time password to the first hot water supply device 2A via the first wireless communication path WCP1. In the present embodiment, the user of the mobile terminal 100 is prompted whether to send the one-time password. However, in another embodiment of the disclosure, the one-time password may be automatically sent by the mobile terminal 100 after the first wireless communication path WCP1 is established.
Then, the first hot water supply device 2A is configured to receive the one time password from the mobile terminal 100 via the first wireless communication path WCP1. Next, the first hot water supply device 2A is configured to automatically send the one time password to the other hot water supply devices 2B~2F.
Referring to FIG. 4, after the one-time password is received by the other hot water supply devices 2B~2F, the other hot water supply devices 2B~2F are configured to accept the one-time password as a valid password for wireless pairing. In other words, the control unit 16 of each of the plurality of hot water supply devices 2 is configured to accept the one-time password as a valid password for wireless pairing. In this way, the other hot water supply devices 2B~2F are configured to be automatically paired with the mobile terminal 100 using the one-time password to establish wireless communication with the mobile terminal 100, without requiring a user to manually input the factory-set password. For example, the second hot water supply devices 2B is paired with the mobile terminal 100 using the one-time password to establish a second wireless communication path WCP2 between the second hot water supply device 2B and the mobile terminal 101; the third hot water supply devices 2C is paired with the mobile terminal 100 using the one-time password to establish a third wireless communication path WCP3 between the third hot water supply device 2B and the mobile terminal 101; the fourth hot water supply devices 2D is paired with the mobile terminal 100 using the one-time password to establish a fourth wireless communication path WCP4 between the fourth hot water supply device 2D and the mobile terminal 101; the fifth hot water supply devices 2E is paired with the mobile terminal 100 using the one-time password to establish a fifth wireless communication path WCP5 between the fifth hot water supply device 2E and the mobile terminal 101; the sixth hot water supply devices 2F is paired with the mobile terminal 100 using the one-time password to establish a sixth wireless communication path WCP6 between the sixth hot water supply device 2F and the mobile terminal 101.
In this way, after the one-time password is sent to the plurality of hot water supply devices 2, then the mobile terminal 100 may automatically execute pairing with each of the other plurality of hot water supply devices 2 by using the same one-time password. More specifically, the mobile terminal 100 may automatically execute pairing with each of the other plurality of hot water supply devices 2 without a need to manually pair the mobile terminal 100 with each of the plurality of hot water supply devices 100 using their respective factory-set password. In this way, a different factory-set password does not need to be manually inputted individually by the user for each hot water supply device 2 which is to be paired with the mobile terminal 100.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the one-time password may be valid for a predetermined period of time. And the one-time password becomes invalid when the predetermined period of time has passed. The pre-determined period of time may be, for example, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, and the like. The pre-determined period of time is not intended to limit the disclosure, and may be set according to requirements.
Referring to FIG. 4, after the mobile terminal 100 is successfully paired with all of the plurality of hot water supply devices 2, then the mobile terminal 100 may communicate (for example, send and/or receive data) with all of the plurality of hot water supply devices 2, or communicate (for example, send and/or receive data) with a specific hot water supply device 2. In addition, the mobile terminal 100 may command all of the plurality of hot water supply devices 2 or a specific hot water supply device 2 to perform a predetermined task/operation, such as for initialization and/or maintenance. The hot water supply device(s) 2 to be command by the mobile terminal 100, and/or the hot water supply device(s) 2 which the mobile terminal 100 is intended to communicate with may be selected by the user using the user interface of the mobile terminal 100. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the mobile terminal 100 may be configured to communicate with and/or control all or some of the plurality of hot water supply devices 2 at the same time, wherein the all or some of the plurality of hot water supply devices 2 communicating with the mobile terminal 100 are configured to display on a display part of the hot water supply device 2 an indicator indicating that communication is in progress with the mobile terminal 100. In another embodiment of the disclosure, the mobile terminal 100 may be configured to communicate with and/or control only one hot water supply device 2 at a single time instance, wherein the only one hot water supply device 2 communicating with the mobile terminal 100 is configured to display on a display part of the one hot water supply device 2 an indicator indicating that communication is in progress with the mobile terminal 100. The display part of the hot water supply device 2 may include, for example, a display or a light, wherein the hot water supply device 2 that is/are currently communicating with the mobile terminal 100 has the light turned ON, or the display displaying a light or message indicating communication is in progress with the mobile terminal 100. The light may be, for example, a light bulb or an LED. In another embodiment, the indicator may be a sound. In this way, installation/maintenance personnel may easily identify the hot water supply device 2 (or hot water supply devices 2) which is/are currently communicating and/or being commanded by the mobile terminal 100.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a mobile terminal connected to a hot water supply system according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Referring to FIG. 5, once the mobile terminal 100 is paired with at least one of the hot water supply devices 2, the mobile terminal 100 is connected to the hot water supply system 1, and the mobile terminal 100 may display a list of all of the hot water supply devices 2 of the hot water supply system 1. Then, the user may select any hot water supply device 2 to obtain/receive data of any individual hot water supply device 2 in the hot water supply system 1.
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a mobile terminal obtaining/receiving data of an individual hot water supply device according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Referring to FIG. 6, when the user selects the first host water supply device 2A, the mobile terminal 100 may display the (for example, a total combustion time, a total number of combustions, a total ON time, any errors) of the first hot water supply device 2A. The data that may be displayed on the mobile terminal 100 is not limited thereto, and may be set according to requirements. In addition, the mobile terminal may be used to change/set any settings of any hot water supply device 2, and/or command any hot water supply device 2 to perform any tasks.
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a graphical user interface of a terminal device connected to a first hot water supply device according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Referring to FIG. 7, the mobile terminal 100, which is an example of the terminal device, includes the display D that displays a graphical user interface (GUI). The display D may be a capacitive touch screen. The mobile terminal 100 may include an input unit, for example, a keyboard, a microphone, a camera, and/or the like. A first icon 210, a second icon 220, a third icon 230, and a fourth icon 240 are arranged on the GUI. The first icon 210 is labeled “Apply Saved Settings”. The second icon 220 is labeled “SELECT”. The third icon 230 is labeled “Save temporarily”. The fourth icon 240 is labeled “DONE”. The label of the icons 210, 220, 230, 240 are not limited thereto and may be set according to requirements. For example, in another embodiment of the disclosure, the first icon 210, second icon 220, the third icon 220, and the fourth icon 240 may be labeled with different text, without a text, a picture, a color and/or the like.
Referring to FIG. 7, as shown at a top of the GUI, the mobile terminal 100 is currently connected with the first hot water supply device 2A to establish communication between the mobile terminal 100 and the first hot water supply device 2A. A user selection to establish communication between the mobile terminal 100 and the first hot water supply device 2A may be received via the graphical user interface using, for example, the second icon 220 labeled “SELECT”. In other words, the hot water supply device 2 that the mobile terminal 100 is connected to may be changed by selecting the second icon 220. The graphical user interface GUI further displays a first set of setting values 300 which may be set by the mobile terminal 100. In the present embodiment, the first set of setting values 300 includes a first setting value 310, a second setting value 320, a third setting value 330, a fourth setting value 340 a fifth setting value 350. The mobile terminal 100 is configured to communicate with the currently connected first hot water supply device 2A. The mobile terminal 100 is configured to set the first set of setting values 300 of the currently connected first hot water supply device 2A. The first set of setting values 300 may be transmitted to the first hot water supply device 2A as installation settings.
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating the graphical user interface of the terminal device connected to the first hot water supply device 2A with a first set of setting values entered according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Referring to FIG. 8, the first setting value 310 specifies a “vent type” of the first hot water supply device 2A, which may be entered as, for example, outside vent, direct vent, forced exhaust, flexible exhaust pipe with forced exhaust, forced exhaust with collective exhaust, and/or the like. The second setting value 320 specifies a “vent size” of the first hot water supply device 2A, which may be entered as, for example, a diameter of the vent (in inches, feet, millimeters, meter, centimeters, and/or the like). The third setting value 330 specifies a “vent length” of the first hot water supply device 2A, which may be entered as, for example, a length of the vent (in inches, feet, millimeters, meter, centimeters, and/or the like). The fourth setting value 340 specifies an “elevation” at which the first hot water supply device 2A is installed, which may be entered as, for example, the elevation at which the first hot water supply device 2A is installed (in inches, feet, meters, centimeters, and/or the like). The fifth setting value 350 specifies a “unit setting” of the temperature of the first hot water supply device 2A, which may be entered as, for example, Celsius, Fahrenheit, Kelvin, and/or the like. The first set of setting values 300 are not limited thereto, and may be set according to requirements. For example, the first set of setting values 300 may include other setting values such as a “service reminder” which specifies whether a notification is provided when service/maintenance of the hot water supply device 2 is due, which may be entered as, for example, Yes or No.
Referring to FIG. 8, the first set of setting values 300 to be used in the first hot water supply device 2A have been entered using the mobile terminal 100. The third icon 230 may be selected (for example, clicked, checked, and/or tapped on the screen) to save the first set of setting values 300 to memory of the mobile terminal 100. In more detail, if the third icon 230 is selected, the first set of setting values 300 of the first hot water supply device 2A is stored in the mobile terminal 100 as a stored set of setting values SV. It should be noted, the first set of setting values 300 may be stored in the mobile terminal 100 as the stored set of setting values SV at a timing when the third icon 230 labeled “Save temporarily” is selected (for example, clicked, checked, and/or tapped on the screen), or at a timing when the fourth icon 240 labeled “DONE” is selected (for example, clicked, checked, and/or tapped on the screen). The first set of setting values 300 may be transmitted from the mobile terminal 100 to the first hot water supply device 2A by selecting (for example, clicked, checked, and/or tapped on the screen) the fourth icon 240 labeled “DONE”. After the stored set of setting values SV are stored in the mobile terminal 100, the stored set of setting values SV may then be reused for another hot water supply device 2 at a later time by selecting the first icon 210 labeled “Apply Saved Settings”.
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method for inputting the first set of setting values to the first hot water supply device according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Referring to FIG. 9, the first set of setting values 300 may be entered by drop down menu, a keyboard of the mobile terminal 100, a microphone of the mobile terminal 100, and/or the like. An input method of the first set of setting values 300 is not intended to limit the disclosure. In the present embodiment, the “vent type” is entered via a drop down menu. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto and may be set according to requirements. In another embodiment of the disclosure, the “vent type” may be entered by, for example, typing using a keyboard of the mobile terminal 100, and/or the like.
FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the graphical user interface of the terminal device connected to a second hot water supply device according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Referring to FIG. 10, as shown at a top of the GUI, the mobile terminal 100 is currently connected with the second hot water supply device 2B to establish communication between the mobile terminal 100 and the second hot water supply device 2B. A user selection to establish communication between the mobile terminal 100 and the second hot water supply device 2B may be received via the graphical user interface using the second icon 220 labeled “SELECT”. The hot water supply device 2 that the mobile terminal 100 is connected to may be changed by selecting the second icon 220. The graphical user interface GUI displays a second set of setting values 400 which may be set by the mobile terminal 100. The second set of setting values 400 includes a first setting value 410, a second setting value 420, a third setting value 430, a fourth setting value 440 a fifth setting value 450. The mobile terminal 100 is configured to communicate with the currently connected second hot water supply device 2B. The mobile terminal 100 is configured to set the second set of setting values 400 of the currently connected second hot water supply device 2B.
Referring to FIG. 10, since the first set of setting values 300 that was used for the first hot water supply device is stored in the mobile terminal 100 as the stored set of setting values SV, the stored set of setting values SV may be reused for another hot water supply device 2 at a later time by selecting the first icon 210 labeled “Apply Saved Settings”. In the present embodiment, the another hot waters supply device 2 is the second hot water supply device 2B, wherein the stored set of setting values SV is reused for the second hot water supply device 2B by selecting the first icon 210 labeled “Apply Saved Settings”. In another embodiment of the disclosure, the another hot water supply device 2 may be, for example, the third hot water supply device 2C, the fourth hot water supply device 2D, the fifth hot water supply device 2E, the sixth hot water supply device 2F. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the mobile terminal 100 may compare whether the first hot water supply device and the another hot waters supply device are the same model type, and in a case when the first hot water supply device and the another hot waters supply device are different models, the mobile terminal 100 may display a notification to notify the user that the models are different, and/or prevent the first icon 210 labeled “Apply Saved Settings” from being selected.
FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating the graphical user interface of the terminal device connected to the second hot water supply device after a “Apply Saved Setting” button is selected. Referring to FIG. 11, after the first icon 210 labeled “Apply Saved Settings” is selected when the mobile terminal 100 is connected with the second hot water supply device 2B, the mobile terminal 100 automatically enters the stored set of setting values SV as the second set of setting values 400. The second set of setting values 400 to be used in the second hot water supply device 2B have been entered using the mobile terminal 100 by selecting the first icon 210 labeled “Apply Saved Settings”. It should be noted, the user may first select the first icon 210 labeled “Apply Saved Settings” to automatically enter the stored set of setting values SV into the second set of setting values 400, and then manually edit the values of the second set of setting values 400 at a later time. In the present embodiment, the mobile terminal 100 automatically enters the stored set of setting values SV as the second set of setting values 400 in response to user input of selecting the first icon 210 labeled “Apply Saved Settings”. However, in another embodiment of the disclosure, the mobile terminal 100 may automatically enter the stored set of setting values SV as the second set of setting values 400 without user input (for example, without user input of selecting the first icon 210 labeled “Apply Saved Settings”) after communication between the mobile terminal 100 and the second hot water supply device 2B is established. In other words, the stored set of setting values SV may be entered as the second set of setting values 400 when the a user selection to establish communication between the mobile terminal 100 and the second hot water supply device 2B is received via the graphical user interface using the second icon 220 labeled “SELECT”.
Referring to FIG. 11, the third icon 230 may be selected (for example, clicked, checked, and/or tapped on the screen) to save the second set of setting values 400 to memory of the mobile terminal 100. In more detail, the second set of setting values 400 of the second hot water supply device 2B is stored in the mobile terminal 100 as the stored set of setting values SV. It should be noted, the second set of setting values 400 may be stored in the mobile terminal 100 as the stored set of setting values SV at a timing when the third icon 230 labeled “Save temporarily” is selected (for example, clicked, checked, and/or tapped on the screen), or at a timing when the fourth icon 240 labeled “DONE” is selected (for example, clicked, checked, and/or tapped on the screen). The second set of setting values 400 are transmitted from the mobile terminal 100 to the second hot water supply device 2B by selecting (for example, clicked, checked, and/or tapped on the screen), for example, the fourth icon 240 labeled “DONE”. After the stored set of setting values SV are stored in the mobile terminal 100, the stored set of setting values SV may then be reused for another hot water supply device 2 at a later time by selecting the first icon 210 labeled “Apply Saved Settings”.
Referring to FIG. 11, after the second set of setting values 400 to be used in the second hot water supply device 2B is entered by a user manually, for example, using the keyboard/microphone of the mobile terminal 100, or automatically using the first icon 210 labeled “Apply Saved Settings” of the mobile terminal 100, in a case when the third icon 230 labeled “Save temporarily” is not selected (for example, not clicked, not checked, and/or not tapped on the screen), the second set of setting values 400 are not saved as the stored set of setting values SV. In a case when the second set of setting values 400 are not saved as the stored set of setting values, the stored set of setting values SV may retain the first set of setting values 300 as the stored set of setting values SV.
FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating a first installation site and a second installation site according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Referring to FIG. 12, in a case when a service personnel using the mobile terminal 100 travels between a first installation site S1 and a second installation site S2. The first installation site S1 includes a plurality of hot water supply devices and may be, for example, a gym. The second installation site S2 includes a plurality of hot water supply devices and may be, for example, an apartment complex. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the first installation site S1 and the second installation site S2 may be set according to requirements. When the service personnel travels between a first installation site S1 and a second installation site S2, there is a possibility that the stored set of setting values SV for the first installation site S1 stored in the mobile terminal 100 may be mistakenly reused at the second installation site S2 when the service personnel travels from the first installation site S1 to the second installation site S2. A way to prevent/reduce a possibility of mistakenly using the stored set of setting values SV for the first installation site S1 at the second installation site S2 is provided as follows.
FIG. 13 is a table illustrating predetermined delete condition for a stored set of setting values according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Referring to FIG. 13, the mobile terminal 100 may be configured to delete the stored set of setting values SV from the memory of the mobile terminal 100 in a case when a predetermined delete condition DC is satisfied. In this way, a possibility of mistakenly using the stored set of setting values SV that is configured for the first installation site S1 as the installation settings for the second installation site S2 may be prevented/reduced.
Referring to FIG. 13, the predetermined delete condition DC1 may be set to, for example, when a predetermined time on a clock has elapsed since the stored set of setting values SV is stored in the mobile terminal 100. The predetermined time on the clock may be set to, for example, 2 hours, 6.5 hours, 24 hours and/or the like. The predetermined time on the clock is not limited thereto, and may be set according to requirements. In more detail, if the stored set of setting values SV is stored in the mobile terminal 100 at a time T0 (when the third icon 230 or the fourth icon 240 on the GUI is selected), and a current time is the current time T1, then the elapsed time may be calculated by T1-T0. The stored set of setting values SV may be deleted from the mobile terminal 100 when the elapsed time T1-T0 is greater than or equal to the predetermined time. For example, the stored set of setting values SV may be deleted from the mobile terminal 100 when 6 hours has elapsed since the stored set of setting values SV is stored in the mobile terminal 100. For example, the stored set of setting values SV may be deleted from the mobile terminal 100 when a countdown clock that starts countdown from the predetermined time of, for example, 6.5 hours reaches zero.
Referring to FIG. 13, in another embodiment of the disclosure, the predetermined delete condition DC2 may be set to, for example, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the stored set of setting values has been used. In more detail, each time the first icon 210 labeled “Apply Saved Settings” is selected or each time the fourth icon 240 is selected, the stored set of setting values SV may be stored in the mobile terminal 100 for a predetermined additional amount of time. The predetermined additional amount of time may be, for example, 1 hour, 2.5 hours, 3 hours, 6 hours and/or the like. The predetermined additional amount time is not limited thereto, and may be set according to requirements. For example, when the first icon 210 labeled “Apply Saved Settings” is selected, the predetermined amount of time may be set/reset to 0 seconds, and the predetermined additional amount of time of 1 hour may be added to the predetermined amount of time. The stored set of setting values SV may be deleted from the mobile terminal 100 after 1 hour.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the clock may be a countdown clock, and the predetermined additional amount of time is added to the countdown clock each time the stored set of setting values is used. For example, when the countdown of the countdown clock reaches 0 seconds, the predetermined delete condition is satisfied and the stored set of setting values SV may be deleted from the mobile terminal 100. In another embodiment of the disclosure, each time the first icon 210 labeled “Apply Saved Settings” is selected, the predetermined additional amount of time may be added to the existing countdown clock. For example, when 59 minutes 30 seconds remain on the existing countdown clock, the predetermined additional amount of time of 1 hour may be added the existing countdown clock of 59 minutes 30 seconds to yield a countdown clock of 1 hours 59 minutes 30 seconds. In an embodiment of the disclosure, an upper limit may be set for the countdown clock. For example, an upper limit of the countdown clock may be set to not exceed 6 hours, 8hours, and/or the like. The upper limit of the countdown clock is not intended to limit the disclosure.
Referring to FIG. 13, in another embodiment of the disclosure, the predetermined delete condition DC3 may be when a date changes from a date when the stored set of setting values SV is stored in the mobile terminal 100. In more detail, when the stored set of setting values SV is stored in the mobile terminal 100 on June 13, the stored set of setting values SV may be deleted from the mobile terminal 100 when the date changes to June 14.
Referring to FIG. 13, in another embodiment of the disclosure, the predetermined delete condition DC4 may be when a distance between a location of the mobile terminal 100 and a location where the stored set of setting values SV was stored in the mobile terminal 100 is greater than or equal to a predetermined distance. The predetermined distance may be, for example, 100 meters, 300 meter, 1 kilometer, and/or the like. The predetermined distance is not intended to limit the disclosure, and may be set according to requirements. For example, the stored set of setting values SV may be deleted from the mobile terminal 100 when a distance between the first installation site S1 (where the stored set of setting values SV was stored in the mobile terminal 100) and the second installation site S2 (that is a current location of the mobile terminal 100) is greater than 100 meters. In more detail, the mobile terminal 100 may acquire a first location of the mobile terminal 100 using the GPS when the first icon 210, the second icon 220, the third icon 230 or the fourth icon 240 is selected. Then the mobile terminal 100 may acquire a current location of the mobile terminal 100 using the GPS. The mobile terminal 100 may delete the stored set of setting values SV when the distance between the first location and the current location of the mobile terminal 100 is greater than or equal to a predetermined distance.
Referring to FIG. 13, in another embodiment of the disclosure, the predetermined delete condition DC5 may be when the stored set of setting values SV is reused once for another hot water supply device 2. In more detail, the stored set of setting values SV may be interpreted as “reused”, for example, when the first icon 210 labeled “Apply Saved Settings” is selected, or when the fourth icon 240 labeled “DONE” is selected. For example, the stored set of setting values SV may be deleted from the mobile terminal 100 after the first icon 210 or the fourth icon 240 is selected. After the stored set of setting values SV is deleted, the mobile terminal 100 may be configured to store another stored set of setting values SV’ if the third icon 230 labeled “Save temporarily” is selected. The another stored set of setting values SV’ may be the same setting values as the stored set of setting values SV or different from the stored set of setting values SV.
FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating a graphical user interface of a terminal device wherein a first icon is not arranged on the graphical user interface. Referring to FIG. 14, the processor of the mobile terminal 100 may not arrange the first icon 210 on the GUI when the predetermined delete condition DC is met. In more detail, the processor of the mobile terminal 100 may determine an elapsed time of how long the stored set of setting values SV has been stored in the mobile terminal 100, and automatically arrange the first icon 210 labeled “Apply Saved Settings” on the graphical user interface based on the elapsed time. For example, when the predetermined time has elapsed such that the stored set of setting values SV is deleted from the memory and not stored in the mobile terminal 100, the first icon 210 may be automatically arranged not to be displayed on the graphical user interface (GUI). In another embodiment of the disclosure, the first icon 210 may be automatically arranged not to be displayed on the graphical user interface (GUI) without deleting the stored set of setting values SV from memory.
Referring to FIG. 7, in another embodiment of the disclosure, when the predetermined time has elapsed such that the stored set of setting values SV is deleted from memory and not stored in the mobile terminal 100, the first icon 210 may be automatically arranged to be displayed on the graphical user interface (GUI) but not selectable, and/or grayed out (for example, displayed in a lighter color compared to when the first icon 210 is selectable).
FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating a graphical user interface of a terminal device wherein a first icon is automatically moved to a position away from a top of the graphical user interface. Referring to FIG. 15, the processor of the mobile terminal 100 may arrange the first icon 210 to be displayed on the GUI even when the predetermined delete condition DC is met. In more detail, when the predetermined time has elapsed such that the stored set of setting values SV is deleted from the memory and not stored in the mobile terminal 100, the first icon 210 may be displayed on the GUI but automatically moved to a position away from a top of the graphical user interface. In more detail, the first icon 210 is moved to a bottom of the graphical user interface and not selectable.
Referring to FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, when the predetermined time has not elapsed such that the stored set of setting values SV is still stored in the memory of the mobile terminal 100, the first icon 210 may be automatically arranged to be displayed on the graphical user interface (GUI), and/or the first icon 210 is arranged on the graphical user interface to be selectable. In addition, when the first icon 210 is selectable, the first icon 210 may be displayed in a darker color and/or bolder font compared to when the first icon 210 is not selectable.
The GUI of the present disclosure provides a specific manner of automatically arranging icons to the user based on the predetermined delete conditions which provides a specific improvement over prior systems, resulting in an improved user interface for electronic devices. In this way, a possibility of mistakenly using the stored set of setting values SV that is configured for the first installation site S1 as the installation settings for the second installation site S2 may be prevented/reduced.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure. In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the disclosure covers modifications and variations provided that they fall within the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.
