JP2009088786A - Initial setting system of equipment, and remote controller of the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a worker in charge of initial setting to easily recognize identifying information on a management network of equipment in order to accurately conduct the initial setting of the equipment. <P>SOLUTION: A remote control system 1 of air-conditioners 50a, 50b, ... is provided with remote controllers 70a, 70b, ... and an initial setting tool 60. The remote controllers 70a, 70b, ... accept inputs of an operating instruction of air-conditioners 50a, 50b, ... The remote controllers 70a, 70b, ... have functions to give a system address respectively to the air-conditioners 50a, 50b, .... The initial setting tool 60 acquires system addresses from the air-conditioners 50a, 50b, ..., accepts input of device names of the air-conditioners 50a, 50b, ... while displaying the system addresses acquired on a display part 63, and registers the device names input corresponding to the air-conditioners 50a, 50b, ..., etc. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an initial setting system for equipment and a remote control for equipment.

Conventionally, a device management service that manages equipment such as air conditioners via a management network has been used (for example, Patent Document 1). In order to implement such a service, it is necessary to previously register basic information on equipment such as a device name in a device management apparatus included in the management network. At the time of such initial setting, the operator needs to correctly recognize the identification information on the management network of the equipment device.
JP 2007-159149 A

  However, such identification information is not always presented to the operator in an easy-to-understand manner at the time of initial setting. For example, consider the case where the MAC address of the network adapter of the equipment is used as such identification information. The network adapter normally has a MAC address, but if the network adapter itself is attached to a position that is difficult to see, such as the inside of a casing of equipment, the operator cannot easily confirm the MAC address. . In such a case, there is a possibility that the initial setting of the equipment is erroneously performed.

  An object of the present invention is to enable an operator who performs initial setting to easily recognize identification information on a management network of the equipment device so that the initial setting of the equipment device can be accurately performed.

  An initial setting system for equipment according to a first aspect includes a remote controller and an initial setting device. The remote control receives an input of an operation command for equipment. The initial setting device performs initial setting of equipment. The remote control has a grant unit. The assigning unit assigns the equipment device identification information to the equipment device. The initial setting device includes an acquisition unit, a registration reception unit, and a registration unit. The acquisition unit acquires the identification information of the facility device from the facility device. The registration accepting unit accepts input of registration information related to the facility device while displaying the identification information of the facility device. The registration unit registers the registration information in association with the equipment.

  Since the remote control of the equipment is for the user to give an operation command to the equipment, the remote control and the equipment are always associated with each other in a manner that can be understood by the user. In the initial setting system for facility equipment according to the first aspect of the invention, identification information on the management network of the facility equipment can be given from the remote control to the equipment equipment. Then, the identification information given by the remote controller is acquired and displayed on an initial setting device that accepts input of registration information related to the equipment. The initial setting device may be a device that is connected to the management network only at the time of initial setting, or may be a device that is routinely connected to the management network for the purpose of managing equipment. Therefore, the worker who performs the initial setting of the equipment can easily recognize the identification information on the management network of the equipment through the remote controller, and can correctly perform the initial setting of the equipment.

  An initial setting system for facility equipment according to a second invention is the initial setting system according to the first invention, and the remote control further includes a display unit. The display unit displays the identification information of the equipment.

  In this equipment device initial setting system, the identification information given to the equipment by the remote controller is displayed on the display unit of the remote controller. Therefore, the worker can easily know the identification information given to the equipment by the remote controller.

  An initial setting system for facility equipment according to a third invention includes a remote controller and an initial setting device. The remote control receives an input of an operation command for equipment. The initial setting device performs initial setting of equipment. The remote control includes a first acquisition unit and a first display unit. The first acquisition unit acquires the identification information of the facility device from the facility device. The first display unit displays the identification information of the facility device. The initial setting device includes a second acquisition unit, a registration receiving unit, and a registration unit. The second acquisition unit acquires the identification information of the facility device from the facility device. The registration accepting unit accepts input of registration information related to the facility device while displaying the identification information of the facility device. The registration unit registers the registration information in association with the equipment.

  Since the remote control of the equipment is for the user to give an operation command to the equipment, the remote control and the equipment are always associated with each other in a manner that can be understood by the user. In the equipment device initial setting system according to the third aspect of the invention, the remote controller can acquire and display identification information on the equipment equipment management network from the equipment equipment. Also, an initial setting device that receives input of registration information related to the equipment can acquire and display identification information on the management network of the equipment from the equipment. The initial setting device may be a device that is connected to the management network only at the time of initial setting, or may be a device that is routinely connected to the management network for the purpose of managing equipment. Therefore, the worker who performs the initial setting of the equipment can easily recognize the identification information on the management network of the equipment through the remote controller, and can correctly perform the initial setting of the equipment.

  An equipment device initial setting system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the initial setting system according to any one of the first aspect to the third aspect of the invention, wherein the registration information is the equipment name of the equipment.

  In this equipment device initial setting system, the operator can correctly set the equipment name of the equipment.

  A remote controller for equipment according to a fifth aspect of the present invention includes a command receiving unit and a granting unit. The command receiving unit receives an input of an operation command for equipment. The assigning unit assigns the equipment device identification information to the equipment device.

  Since the remote control of the equipment is for the user to give an operation command to the equipment, the remote control and the equipment are always associated with each other in a manner that can be understood by the user. In the fifth aspect of the invention, identification information on the management network of the equipment can be given from the remote control to the equipment. Therefore, the worker who performs the initial setting of the equipment can easily recognize the identification information on the management network of the equipment through the remote controller, and can correctly perform the initial setting of the equipment.

  A remote controller for equipment according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the remote controller according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, further comprising a display unit. The display unit displays the identification information of the equipment.

  In 6th invention, the identification information which the remote control provided to the equipment is displayed on the display part of a remote control. Therefore, the worker can easily know the identification information given to the equipment by the remote controller.

  A remote controller for equipment according to a seventh aspect includes a command receiving unit, an obtaining unit, and a display unit. The command receiving unit receives an input of an operation command for equipment. The acquisition unit acquires the identification information of the facility device from the facility device. The display unit displays the identification information of the equipment.

  Since the remote control of the equipment is for the user to give an operation command to the equipment, the remote control and the equipment are always associated with each other in a manner that can be understood by the user. In the seventh invention, the remote controller can acquire and display identification information on the management network of the equipment from the equipment. Therefore, the worker who performs the initial setting of the equipment can easily recognize the identification information on the management network of the equipment through the remote controller, and can correctly perform the initial setting of the equipment.

  An initial setting system for equipment according to an eighth aspect includes a first equipment, a first remote controller, a second equipment, a second remote controller, and an initial setting device. The first remote control receives an input of an operation command for the first equipment device. The second remote controller receives an input of an operation command for the second equipment device. The initial setting device performs initial setting of the first equipment device and the second equipment device. The first remote control has a first giving unit. A 1st provision part provides the 1st identification information of a 1st installation apparatus to a 1st installation apparatus. The second remote controller has a second giving unit. A 2nd provision part provides the 2nd identification information of a 2nd installation apparatus to a 2nd installation apparatus. The initial setting device includes an acquisition unit, a registration reception unit, and a registration unit. The acquisition unit acquires first identification information from the first equipment device, and acquires second identification information from the second equipment device. The registration receiving unit receives the input of the first registration information while displaying the first identification information, and receives the input of the second registration information while displaying the second identification information. The first registration information is information related to the first equipment device. The second registration information is information related to the second equipment device. The registration unit registers the first registration information in association with the first equipment device, and registers the second registration information in association with the second equipment device.

  Since the remote control of the equipment is for the user to give an operation command to the equipment, the remote control and the equipment are always associated with each other in a manner that can be understood by the user. In the initial setting system for facility equipment according to the eighth aspect of the invention, identification information on the management network of the facility equipment can be given from the remote control to the equipment equipment. Then, the identification information given by the remote controller is acquired and displayed on an initial setting device that accepts input of registration information related to the equipment. The initial setting device may be a device that is connected to the management network only at the time of initial setting, or may be a device that is routinely connected to the management network for the purpose of managing equipment. Therefore, the worker who performs the initial setting of the equipment can easily recognize the identification information on the management network of the equipment through the remote controller, and can correctly perform the initial setting of the equipment.

  An equipment device initial setting system according to a ninth aspect includes a first equipment device, a first remote controller, a second equipment device, a second remote controller, and an initial setting device. The first remote control receives an input of an operation command for the first equipment device. The second remote controller receives an input of an operation command for the second equipment device. The initial setting device performs initial setting of the first equipment device and the second equipment device. The first remote control includes a first acquisition unit and a first display unit. The first acquisition unit acquires first identification information of the first facility device from the first facility device. The first display unit displays first identification information. The second remote controller has a second acquisition unit and a second display unit. The second acquisition unit acquires second identification information of the second facility device from the second facility device. The second display unit displays second identification information. The initial setting device includes a third acquisition unit, a registration receiving unit, and a registration unit. The third acquisition unit acquires first identification information from the first equipment device, and acquires second identification information from the second equipment device. The registration receiving unit receives the input of the first registration information while displaying the first identification information, and receives the input of the second registration information while displaying the second identification information. The first identification information is information related to the first equipment device. The second registration information is information related to the second equipment device. The registration unit registers the first registration information in association with the first equipment device, and registers the second registration information in association with the second equipment device.

  Since the remote control of the equipment is for the user to give an operation command to the equipment, the remote control and the equipment are always associated with each other in a manner that can be understood by the user. In the equipment device initial setting system according to the ninth aspect of the invention, the remote control can acquire and display identification information on the equipment equipment management network from the equipment equipment. Also, an initial setting device that receives input of registration information related to the equipment can acquire and display identification information on the management network of the equipment from the equipment. The initial setting device may be a device that is connected to the management network only at the time of initial setting, or may be a device that is routinely connected to the management network for the purpose of managing equipment. Therefore, the worker who performs the initial setting of the equipment can easily recognize the identification information on the management network of the equipment through the remote controller, and can correctly perform the initial setting of the equipment.

  In the equipment device initial setting system according to the first aspect of the invention, the operator who performs the equipment device initial setting easily recognizes the identification information on the equipment device management network via the remote controller, and corrects the equipment device initial setting correctly. It can be carried out.

  In the facility device initial setting system according to the second invention, the operator can easily know the identification information given to the facility device by the remote controller.

  In the facility equipment initial setting system according to the third aspect of the invention, the operator who performs the initial setup of the equipment easily recognizes the identification information on the management network of the equipment via the remote control, and corrects the initial setup of the equipment. It can be carried out.

  In the initial setting system for equipment according to the fourth aspect of the invention, the operator can correctly set the equipment name of the equipment.

  In the equipment remote control according to the fifth aspect of the invention, the operator who performs the initial setting of the equipment easily recognizes the identification information on the management network of the equipment via the remote control and correctly performs the initial setting of the equipment. Can do.

  With the remote controller for equipment according to the sixth aspect of the invention, the operator can easily know the identification information given to the equipment by the remote controller.

  In the equipment remote control according to the seventh aspect of the invention, the operator who performs the initial setting of the equipment can easily recognize the identification information on the management network of the equipment via the remote control and correctly perform the initial setting of the equipment. Can do.

  In the equipment device initial setting system according to the eighth aspect of the invention, the operator who performs the equipment device initial setting easily recognizes the identification information on the equipment device management network via the remote controller, and corrects the equipment device initial setting correctly. It can be carried out.

  In the facility equipment initial setting system according to the ninth aspect of the invention, the operator who performs the initial setup of the equipment easily recognizes the identification information on the management network of the equipment via the remote control, and corrects the initial setup of the equipment. It can be carried out.

  Hereinafter, a remote management system 1 (initial setting system) for air conditioners 50a, 50b, ... (facility equipment) according to first and second embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment>
〔overall structure〕
FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of the remote management system 1. The remote management system 1 is a system that manages a plurality of air conditioners 50a, 50b,... Installed in the property 2 from a remote management server 30 installed in the remote management center 3. The air conditioners 50a, 50b,... And the remote management server 30 can communicate with each other via the Internet 6.

  The property 2 is provided with a router 40 that relays the Internet 6 and a local area network (hereinafter, LAN) 5a provided in the property 2. The LAN 5a corresponds to Ethernet (registered trademark). The initial setting tool 60 connected to the LAN 5a is a tool for initial setting of the air conditioners 50a, 50b,. In addition to the air conditioners 50a, 50b,... And the initial setting tool 60, devices (not shown) such as personal computers used in the property 2 can be connected to the LAN 5a.

  For simplicity, only one property 2 is shown in FIG. 1, but in reality, the remote management system 1 has air conditioners 50a, 50b,.・ It shall be managed.

〔air conditioner〕
As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioners 50a, 50b,... Are respectively air conditioner bodies 10a, 10b,..., Remote controllers 70a, 70b,. And adapters 20a, 20b,... For connecting to the LAN 5a. The air conditioner bodies 10a, 10b,..., The remote controls 70a, 70b,... And the adapters 20a, 20b,.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the air conditioner 50a will be described with reference to FIG. 2, but the other air conditioners 50b,... Have the same configuration as the air conditioner 50a.

a) Air Conditioner Main Body The air conditioner main body 10a includes an outdoor unit (not shown) and one or more indoor units connected to the outdoor unit via a refrigerant pipe. One system having a refrigerant circuit composed of a heat exchanger or the like is formed. Of the one or more indoor units, the adapter 20a is detachably attached to a predetermined position in the casing of the indoor unit serving as the master unit. For this reason, although a sticker with a MAC address is affixed to the adapter 20a, the MAC address cannot be visually recognized from the outside. The indoor unit of the air conditioner body 10a is a ceiling-embedded indoor unit.

  Various sensors 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e,... Are attached to the air conditioner body 10a. The sensor 12a detects the temperature of a room in which an indoor unit serving as a master unit included in the air conditioner body 10a is installed. The sensor 12b detects the temperature of the outside air near the property 2 where the outdoor unit included in the air conditioner body 10a is installed. The sensor 12c detects the temperature of the refrigerant in the discharge pipe of a compressor (not shown) included in the air conditioner body 10a. The sensor 12d detects the refrigerant pressure in the discharge pipe of a compressor (not shown) included in the air conditioner body 10a. The sensor 12e detects the pressure of the refrigerant in the suction pipe of a compressor (not shown) included in the air conditioner body 10a.

  In addition, the air conditioner main body 10 a includes a control unit 11. The control unit 11 controls the operation of the air conditioner body 10a in accordance with an operation command input from a general user in the property 2 via the remote controller 70a, that is, a controlled component such as a compressor included in the refrigerant circuit. To control the operation.

  The control part 11 transmits the apparatus data regarding the air conditioner main body 10a to the adapter 20a. For example, the control unit 11 transmits the operating state data (device data) of the air conditioner body 10a to the adapter 20a at a predetermined interval (1 minute in the present embodiment). The operating state data is, for example, detection values of various sensors 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e,. Further, when an operation command is input via the remote controller 70a, the control unit 11 immediately transmits data (device data) based on the input operation command to the adapter 20a. The data based on the operation command includes, for example, power on / off, operation mode (cooling mode, heating mode, air blowing mode, etc.), set temperature, set humidity, and the like. Further, the control unit 11 compares the detection values of the various sensors 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e,... With a predetermined threshold at a predetermined interval (1 minute in this embodiment), and the predetermined threshold. If an abnormality such as exceeding is detected, data indicating that (device data) is transmitted to the adapter 20a.

  Further, the control unit 11 executes a control command sent from the adapter 20a. In the control command sent from the adapter 20a, for example, the start / stop of the air conditioner body 10a is ordered, or the operation setting values such as the set temperature and the set humidity related to the operation of the air conditioner body 10a are ordered, Some commands send device data to the adapter 20a.

b) Remote control The remote control 70a is for receiving an operation command input to the air conditioner body 10a from a general user. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the communication unit 71, the control unit 72, and the display A unit 73, an input unit 74, and a storage unit 75. The remote controller 70a is attached to the wall surface along with the other remote controllers 70b,. However, the correspondence between the remote controls 70a, 70b,... And the air conditioner main bodies 10a, 10b,... Is taken during installation work, or the remote controls 70a, 70b,. , 10b,... Are devised, such as stickers indicating the installation locations of the indoor units, and which air conditioner bodies 10a, 10b,.・ It is managed so that the user can surely understand whether to respond to

  The communication unit 71 has a communication function of the remote controller 70a and enables communication with the control unit 11 of the air conditioner body 10a.

  The display unit 73 includes a liquid crystal display or the like.

  The input unit 74 is a button group including a cross key, a confirmation button, an operation / stop button, an operation switching button, an air volume adjustment button, and a cancel button (see FIG. 4).

  The control unit 72 operates the entire remote controller 70a according to a control program stored in the storage unit 75, such as transmitting an operation command input from the user via the input unit 74 to the control unit 11 of the air conditioner body 10a. To control.

  The control unit 72 has a function of assigning a system address to the air conditioner 50a. The system address is information for uniquely identifying the air conditioner 50a from the other air conditioners 50b on the LAN 5a. The system address assigning function is a function that is executed when there is an input to execute the function from an operator who performs initial setting of the air conditioner 50 a via the input unit 74. The operator determines a system address that does not overlap with the other air conditioners 50b,... According to the guidance of the screen displayed on the display unit 73 by executing the function, and sets the input unit 74 to the input unit 74. Via the remote control 70a. The input system address is sent to the adapter 20a via the communication unit 71. When the control unit 72 receives a notification from the adapter 20a that the system address has been registered in the storage unit 25 of the adapter 20a, the control unit 72 displays the registered system address on the display unit 73 for confirmation together with the completion of registration. Let

c) Adapter On the other hand, the adapter 20a is a network adapter for connecting the air conditioner body 10a to the LAN 5a corresponding to Ethernet (registered trademark). It is assumed that the controlled component included in the air conditioner main body 10a performs internal communication via the dedicated communication network 5b.

  The adapter 20 a includes a communication unit 21, a control unit 22, and a storage unit 25. The communication unit 21 is responsible for the communication function of the adapter 20a and absorbs the difference in communication protocol between the networks 5a and 5b.

  The adapter 20a has a control function for controlling the air conditioner body 10a in addition to a function for converting a communication protocol between the networks 5a and 5b. The storage unit 25 stores control data for controlling the air conditioner main body 10a, and the control unit 22 transmits a control command to the control unit 11 of the air conditioner main body 10a according to the control data. For example, if an operation schedule is registered in the storage unit 25 that starts the air conditioner body 10a every morning at 9:00 and stops every night at 21:00, the control unit 22 performs air conditioning every morning at 9:00. A start command for the air conditioner body 10a is transmitted to the control unit 11 of the air conditioner body 10a, and a stop command for the air conditioner body 10a is transmitted to the control unit 11 of the air conditioner body 10a every night at 21:00.

  Note that control data such as an operation schedule stored in the storage unit 25 is subjected to a predetermined authentication process, and then from the remote management server 30 via the Internet 6 or the initial setting tool 60 via the LAN 5a. It is accessible from. Therefore, a person who is authenticated by a password or the like can rewrite control data such as an operation schedule of the air conditioner body 10a stored in the storage unit 25.

  In the storage unit 25, a device data storage area 25a and a daily report data storage area 25b are secured. The equipment data storage area 25a is an area for storing equipment data related to the air conditioner body 10a sent from the control unit 11 of the air conditioner body 10a. The device data storage area 25a has a storage capacity that can store device data for a predetermined period (30 minutes in this embodiment), and every time new device data is acquired. The oldest device data is erased sequentially.

  The daily report data storage area 25b stores original data of daily report data transmitted from the adapter 20a to the remote management server 30 once a day. The daily report data is data that summarizes the operation state and operation history of the air conditioner body 10a for one day, and the maximum detection value of the various sensors 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e,. Value / minimum value and the accumulated operating time of the air conditioner body 10a for the day. The original data of the daily report data stored in the daily report data storage area 25b is data in the middle of processing before the daily report data to be finally transmitted to the remote management server 30 is completed. Daily report data is processed based on the device data in the device data storage area 25a at a predetermined interval (in this embodiment, 30 minutes), and once a day from the communication unit 21 to the remote management server 30 at a predetermined time. Will be sent to. When the transmission of daily report data to the remote management server 30 is completed, the transmitted daily report data is deleted from the daily report data storage area 25b. That is, the daily report data storage area 25b is handed over in order to newly create daily report data for the next day.

  In addition, the control unit 22 detects an abnormality in the air conditioner body 10a according to the abnormality detection program stored in the storage unit 25. That is, the control unit 22 determines whether there is an abnormality in the air conditioner body 10a based on the device data in the device data storage area 25a at a predetermined interval (5 minutes in the present embodiment). When an abnormality is actually detected, an abnormality occurrence is obtained by adding device data for a predetermined past period (30 minutes in the present embodiment) stored in the device data storage area 25a to the data indicating that fact. The report data is created and immediately transmitted to the remote management server 30 (abnormal report). Further, the control unit 22 also creates similar abnormality report data when the communication unit 21 receives data indicating that an abnormality has been detected from the control unit 11 of the air conditioner body 10 a, and sends it to the remote management server 30. Send immediately (abnormal alert).

  The non-volatile area of the storage unit 25 stores the MAC address of the adapter 20a. The volatile area of the storage unit 25 includes an IP address automatically assigned to the adapter 20a by the router 40, and a system address assigned to the air conditioner 50a by an operator such as a service person via the remote controller 70a. Is saved. Note that both the MAC address and the IP address are information for uniquely identifying a network device on the networks 5a and 6.

[Router]
The router 40 has a DHCP function, and can automatically assign an IP address to each adapter 20a, 20b,... Connected to the router 40. The router 40 has a firewall function and, as a rule, blocks access from the WAN (Internet 6) side to devices in the LAN 5a. Note that the inquiry response from the device in the LAN 5a to the device outside the LAN 5a is not limited to this.

[Initial setting tool]
Next, the configuration of the initial setting tool 60 will be described with reference to FIG. The initial setting tool 60 is a device that is connected to the LAN 5a by an operator such as a service person only when the air conditioners 50a, 50b,. The initial setting tool 60 is a normal personal computer installed with a Web browser, and includes a communication unit 61, a control unit 62, a display unit 63, an input unit 64, and a storage unit 65.

  The communication unit 61 is responsible for the communication function of the initial setting tool 60, and allows the initial setting tool 60 to connect to the LAN 5a and the Internet 6, that is, to communicate with the adapters 20a, 20b,. I have to.

  The control unit 62 performs initial setting of the air conditioners 50a, 50b,... While communicating with the remote management server 30 via the communication unit 61. Details of the initial setting will be described later.

  The display unit 63 is a display visible to an operator of the initial setting tool 60 such as a serviceman, and the input unit 64 is used when the operator inputs an operation command to the initial setting tool 60.

[Remote management server]
As shown in FIG. 6, the remote management server 30 includes a communication unit 31, a control unit 32, an output unit 33, an input unit 34, and a storage unit 35.

  The communication unit 31 has a communication function of the remote management server 30 and enables connection of the remote management server 30 to the Internet 6, that is, communication with the air conditioners 50a, 50b,. ing.

  In the storage unit 35, various data tables for storing various data related to the air conditioners 50a, 50b,... Are defined. For example, the storage unit 35 stores a daily report data table for storing daily report data sent from the air conditioners 50a, 50b,... To the remote management server 30 via the Internet 6, and abnormal report data. An abnormal report data table exists. The result of coping with the abnormality of the air conditioners 50a, 50b,... Is stored in the abnormality notification data table in association with the abnormality notification data related to the abnormality. The storage unit 35 is also provided with a device configuration data table for storing device configuration data. The device configuration data is, for example, the outdoor unit or indoor unit connection configuration, model number and device number included in the air conditioner bodies 10a, 10b,..., The device names of the air conditioner bodies 10a, 10b,. Are network information of the adapters 20a, 20b, ..., control data of the air conditioner bodies 10a, 10b, ... registered in the adapters 20a, 20b, ..., etc., and the air conditioners 50a, 50b, ... At the time of initial setting, etc., it is sent from the initial setting tool 60 to the remote management server 30 via the Internet 6.

  In the data table in the storage unit 35, various data relating to the air conditioners 50a, 50b,... Are stored in a manner associated with the MAC addresses of the air conditioners 50a, 50b,. Further, the storage unit 35 also stores data that associates the MAC addresses of the air conditioners 50a, 50b,... With the property 2 in which the air conditioners 50a, 50b,.

  The storage unit 35 also stores authentication information for authenticating a person who has accessed via the Internet 6.

  The control unit 32 executes a remote management program for the air conditioners 50a, 50b,... Stored in the storage unit 35. More specifically, the control unit 32 examines abnormalities in the air conditioners 50a, 50b,... Based on various data related to the air conditioners 50a, 50b,. , A report / suggestion regarding the use mode of the air conditioners 50a, 50b,... Is created for the users of the air conditioners 50a, 50b,. It is also possible to operate the remote management server 30 and send a control command from the remote management server 30 to the air conditioners 50a, 50b,.

  The output unit 33 includes a display, a speaker, and the like. When the control unit 32 detects an abnormality in the air conditioners 50a, 50b,..., The output unit 33 is connected to the remote management center 3 on the remote management server 30 side. Notify the staff to that effect. For example, the details of the abnormality that occurred in the air conditioner body 10a (such as the type of abnormality and the name and address of the property 2 where the abnormality occurred) are displayed on the display, or a sound is sent from the speaker to notify that an abnormality has occurred. Or

  The input unit 34 is used when an operator of the remote management server 30 inputs an operation command to the remote management server 30.

[Initial setting of air conditioner]
Hereinafter, an initial setting flow of the air conditioners 50a, 50b,... By an operator such as a serviceman will be described with reference to FIG. The initial setting here refers to registering device configuration data of the air conditioners 50a, 50b,... Installed in the property 2 in the remote management server 30. The worker assigns a system address to each air conditioner 50a, 50b,... Using the remote controllers 70a, 70b,. It is necessary to make a note of what system addresses are assigned to the air conditioners 50a, 50b,. This is because in the remote management system 1 (more precisely, in the networks 5a, 6), the air conditioners 50a, 50b,. Below, the case where only some old air conditioners in property 2 are replaced with new air conditioners is illustrated.

  First, in step S20, an operator who performs initial setting of the air conditioners 50a, 50b,... Starts a Web browser on the initial setting tool 60, specifies the URL of the remote management server 30 on the browser, The remote management server 30 is accessed. In response to this, the remote management server 30 sends a login screen to the browser of the initial setting tool 60 that is the access source. The login screen is a screen for requesting an operator to input an ID and a password for confirming the access authority to the remote management server 30. When the operator operates the input unit 64 and inputs an ID or the like on the login screen, the input ID or the like is sent to the remote management server 30. On the remote management server 30 side, the control unit 32 specifies a function permitted for the ID or the like sent from the initial setting tool 60 based on the authentication information in the storage unit 35, and executes the function. Create a top screen with buttons and other buttons. The top screen is sent to the Web browser of the initial setting tool 60 and displayed on the display unit 63.

  Hereinafter, the program responsible for the processing of the initial setting tool 60 is implemented as a JAVA (registered trademark) applet that runs on the Web browser, and is downloaded from the remote management server 30 to the Web browser of the initial setting tool 60. .

  Subsequently, in step S21, the operator operates a button on the top screen to proceed to a new registration screen for the air conditioners 50a, 50b,. The new registration screen is a screen sent from the remote management server 30 to the initial setting tool 60, like the top screen.

  On the new registration screen, a search button for receiving a search for the air conditioners 50a, 50b,... Currently connected to the LAN 5a is provided. When the operator presses the button, the control unit 62 of the initial setting tool 60 makes an inquiry to all the network devices currently connected to the LAN 5a, and the adapters 20a, 20b,. To acquire network information (MAC address, IP address and system address) of the air conditioners 50a, 50b,. The network information is transmitted from the communication unit 61 of the initial setting tool 60 to the communication unit 31 of the remote management server 30 via the Internet 6.

  Subsequently, in step S22, the control unit 32 of the remote management server 30 refers to the device configuration data table in the storage unit 35, and network information (MAC address, IP address) of the air conditioner previously connected to the LAN 5a. And system address) and device name. And the control part 32 produces a search result screen (refer FIG. 8) based on the network information etc. of the new and old air conditioners in LAN5a. The search result screen displays the search results of the air conditioners 50a, 50b,... In the LAN 5a, sets the device names of the searched air conditioners 50a, 50b,. This is a screen for associating 50b,.

  On the search result screen, for the air conditioners 50a, 50b,... Currently connected to the LAN 5a, M1) an input box for inputting a device name, M2) a MAC address display field, and M3 ) IP address display field, M4) system address display field, M5) check box for selecting whether or not to perform registration, and M6) pull-down menu for selecting a replacement air conditioner in tabular form Are displayed at the same time. Each row of the table corresponds to each air conditioner 50a, 50b,... Currently existing in the LAN 5a on a one-to-one basis. The network information detected in step S21 is displayed in the MAC address column, IP address column, and system address column of M2) to M4). The pull-down list of the pull-down menu of M6) is a list of MAC addresses of air conditioners that previously existed in the LAN 5a.

  In creating the search result screen of FIG. 8, the control unit 32 sets the MAC address of the air conditioners 50a, 50b,... Currently connected to the LAN 5a, and the MAC address of the air conditioner previously connected to the LAN 5a. Compare If there is a match, the MAC address is M2) the default value of the M6) pull-down menu in the row displayed in the MAC address display field is set as the MAC address. The default value of the M1) device name input box in the same row is the device name associated with the MAC address and stored in the device configuration data table in the storage unit 35. The default values in the M1) and M6) fields are set to such values for the air conditioners 50a, 50b,... Having the MAC addresses registered in the remote management server 30. It is because it can be judged that it was doing. On the other hand, since it can be determined that the air conditioners 50a, 50b,... Having MAC addresses that are not registered in the remote management server 30 are newly added to the LAN 5a, the default value in the M1) column is It becomes blank and the default value in the M6) column is “No applicable device”. The search result screen in FIG. 8 is a default screen. The air conditioners with the MAC addresses “1.00.1a”, “1.00.1c”, and “1.00.1d” are air conditioners that have existed before, and the air conditioners with the MAC address “1.00.1b”. The machine is an air conditioner that did not exist before.

  The search result screen is transmitted from the communication unit 31 of the remote management server 30 to the communication unit 61 of the initial setting tool 60 and displayed on the display unit 63.

  Subsequently, in step S23, the operator operates the input unit 64 to name the current air conditioners 50a, 50b,... In the LAN 5a and the air conditioners 50a, 50b,. And the correspondence relationship with the replacement source air conditioner is entered on the search result screen.

  More specifically, the operator refers to the notes about the correspondence between the installation locations of the air conditioners 50a, 50b,... Prepared in advance and the system addresses, and currently exists in the LAN 5a. For the air conditioners 50a, 50b,..., Enter an appropriate device name in the input box of M1), and select the correct MAC address of the air conditioner of the replacement source from the pull-down list of the pull-down menu of M6). If there is no air conditioner to be associated among the air conditioners that existed in the LAN 5a before, “no applicable device” is selected on the pull-down menu of M6). Each time another MAC address is selected on the pull-down menu of M6), the value in the input box of M1) on the same line is automatically updated to the device name corresponding to the MAC address. It has become. The device name corresponding to the MAC address is acquired by referring to the device configuration data table in the storage unit 35.

  In addition, as an equipment name of the air conditioner, for example, “reception room-north” or “reception room-south”, such as “reception room-north” or “reception room”, should be simply named. Is common.

  Thereafter, when the operator presses the “Register” button on the search result screen with the check box of M4) checked, the check box of the information selected by the operator on the search result screen is checked. Only information relating to the air conditioners 50a, 50b,... Contained therein is transmitted from the communication unit 61 of the initial setting tool 60 to the communication unit 31 of the remote management server 30 via the Internet 6. When the “Register” button is pressed, the control unit 62 transmits the device name input to the input box of M1) via the communication unit 61 to the corresponding adapter 20a, 20b,. One adapter 20a, 20b,... Registers the received device name in the storage unit 25.

  In subsequent step S24, the control unit 32 of the remote management server 30 creates a takeover data selection screen. The takeover data selection screen is a screen that accepts selection of the type of data to be taken over from the replacement air conditioner to the new air conditioners 50a, 50b,. Therefore, if none of the air conditioners 50a, 50b,... Is associated with the replacement source air conditioner in step S23, step S24 is omitted.

  The takeover data selection screen is transmitted from the communication unit 31 of the remote management server 30 to the communication unit 61 of the initial setting tool 60 and displayed on the display unit 63. And an operator selects the kind of data which should be handed over from the air conditioner of the exchange origin on a hand-over data selection screen. Of course, it is also possible to take over all data associated with the replacement air conditioner. The information selected by the operator is transmitted from the communication unit 61 of the initial setting tool 60 to the communication unit 31 of the remote management server 30 via the Internet 6.

  In subsequent step S25, the information selected by the operator in steps S23 and S24 is reflected in various data tables in the storage unit 35.

  More specifically, at this time, the device names of the air conditioners 50a, 50b,... Are stored in the device configuration data table in the storage unit 35 in association with the MAC addresses of the air conditioners 50a, 50b,. Is done. Moreover, the link information of the record that stores the type of data that the operator wishes to take over among the records in the various data tables is rewritten from the previous air conditioner to the MAC address of the current air conditioner. The link information is information for associating each record with a specific air conditioner.

  In step S26, the initial setting tool 60 downloads the control data of the air conditioner main bodies 10a, 10b,..., Such as the operation schedule stored in the device configuration data table in the storage unit 35, from the remote management server 30. And re-register in the storage unit 25 of the corresponding adapter 20a, 20b,.

[Features of First Embodiment]
The remote controllers 70a, 70b,... Are for the user to give operation commands to the air conditioners 50a, 50b,. .. Are associated with each other in a manner that can be understood by the user. The remote controllers 70a, 70b,... Can be assigned system addresses that allow the air conditioners 50a, 50b,... To be identified within the LAN 5a. . Then, the initial setting tool 60 that receives the setting input of the device names of the air conditioners 50a, 50b,... Acquires the system address assigned by the remote controllers 70a, 70b,. . Therefore, the operator who performs the initial setting of the air conditioners 50a, 50b,... Easily recognizes the system addresses of the air conditioners 50a, 50b,. Can be done correctly.

Second Embodiment
Subsequently, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following, description of parts common to the first embodiment is omitted. The main difference between the first embodiment and the second embodiment is that the air conditioners 10a, 10b,... Have remote controls 170a, 170b,. ) Is connected.

〔Remote controller〕
Like the remote controls 70a, 70b,... According to the first embodiment, the remote controls 170a, 170b,... According to the second embodiment input operation commands to the air conditioner bodies 10a, 10b,. Is received from a general user, and includes a communication unit 171, a control unit 172, a display unit 173, an input unit 174, and a storage unit 175. The installation mode of the remote controller 170a is the same as that of the remote controller 70a. Only the remote controller 170a will be described below, but the same applies to the other remote controllers 170b,.

  The communication unit 171 has a communication function of the remote controller 170a and enables communication with the control unit 11 of the air conditioner body 10a.

  The display unit 173 includes a liquid crystal display or the like.

  The input unit 174 is a button group including a cross key, a confirmation button, an operation / stop button, an operation switching button, an air volume adjustment button, and a cancel button (see FIG. 10).

  The control unit 172 operates the entire remote controller 170a according to a control program stored in the storage unit 175, such as transmitting an operation command input from the user via the input unit 174 to the control unit 11 of the air conditioner body 10a. To control.

  Further, the control unit 172 has a function of acquiring a MAC address from the adapter 20a. The MAC address acquisition function is a function that is executed when there is an input to perform the function from an operator who performs initial setting of the air conditioner 50a via the input unit 74. When the function is executed, the control unit 172 acquires the MAC address of the adapter 20a stored in the storage unit 175 of the adapter 20a via the communication unit 171. Subsequently, the control unit 172 displays the MAC address of the adapter 20a received from the adapter 20a on the display unit 73 so that the user can understand it.

[Initial setting of air conditioner]
The initial setting of the air conditioners 50a, 50b,... Of the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the following points. That is, the operator assigns system addresses to the air conditioners 50a, 50b,... Using the initial setting tool 60 instead of the remote controls 70a, 70b,. At this time, it is not necessary to take note of the correspondence between the installation locations of the air conditioners 50a, 50b,. In step S23, the operator inputs M1) while referring to the MAC addresses of the air conditioners 50a, 50b,... Displayed on the display unit 173 of the remote controllers 170a, 170b,. Enter an appropriate device name in the box, and select the correct MAC address of the replacement air conditioner from the pull-down list in the pull-down menu of M6).

[Features of Second Embodiment]
The remote controllers 170a, 170b,... Are for the user to give operation commands to the air conditioners 50a, 50b,. .. Are associated with each other in a manner that can be understood by the user. The remote controllers 170a, 170b, ... can acquire and display the MAC addresses of the air conditioners 50a, 50b, ... from the air conditioners 50a, 50b, ..., respectively. The initial setting tool 60 can also acquire and display the MAC addresses of the air conditioners 50a, 50b,... From the air conditioners 50a, 50b,. Therefore, an operator who performs initial setting of the air conditioners 50a, 50b,... Easily recognizes the MAC addresses of the air conditioners 50a, 50b,. The initial setting of the air conditioners 50a, 50b,.

<Other embodiments>
(A)
In the first and second embodiments, the initial setting tool 60 is an ordinary personal computer having a web browser in which no special program or the like for initial setting of the air conditioners 50a, 50b,. The necessary program is downloaded from the remote management server 30 to the initial setting tool 60. However, all or part of such a program may be originally installed in the initial setting tool 60.

(B)
In the first and second embodiments, the functions of the adapters 20a, 20b,... May be mounted on the control unit 11 of the air conditioner main bodies 10a, 10b,. In this case, the adapters 20a, 20b,.

(C)
In the first and second embodiments, the device to be managed by the remote management system 1 may not be an air conditioner, and may be other types of equipment such as lighting equipment, hot water supply equipment, disaster prevention equipment, for example. Good.

(D)
In the first embodiment, the identification information of the air conditioners 50a, 50b,... On the LAN 5a may not be a system address.

  In the second embodiment, the identification information of the air conditioners 50a, 50b,... On the LAN 5a may not be the MAC addresses of the adapters 20a, 20b,. MAC addresses (of the control unit 11) of 10b,. Moreover, when the gateway which bundles air conditioner main body 10a, 10b, ... exists, the MAC address of the said gateway may be used. Furthermore, an IP address may be used instead of the MAC address.

(E)
In the first and second embodiments, the air conditioner main bodies 10a, 10b,. For example, by actually operating the air conditioner main bodies 10a, 10b,... After step S23, it is possible to confirm whether the setting contents for the air conditioner main bodies 10a, 10b,. .

(F)
In the first and second embodiments, the air conditioners 50a, 50b,... Are not necessarily connected to the remote management server 30 when the air conditioners 50a, 50b,. All or some of the 30 functions may be mounted on the initial setting tool 60. On the other hand, when the air conditioners 50a, 50b,... Are initially set, the air conditioners 50a, 50b,... Do not necessarily have to be connected to the initial setting tool 60. All or a part of the remote management server 30 may be mounted.

(G)
The system address assigning function in the first embodiment may be as follows.

  That is, when execution of the system address assigning function is instructed by the operator, the control unit 72 passes through the control unit 11 of the air conditioner body 10a and the adapter 20a, and the air conditioners 50a, 50b,. Search for. More specifically, all network devices currently connected to the LAN 5a are inquired, and the network information (MAC) of the air conditioners 50a, 50b,... From the adapters 20a, 20b,. Address, IP address and other air conditioner 50b,..., System address) if any. The acquired network information is displayed on the display unit 73. Subsequently, the operator refers to the system address of the other air conditioners 50b,... Displayed on the display unit 73, and does not overlap the other air conditioners 50b,. A system address is determined and input to the remote controller 70 a via the input unit 74. The input system address is sent to the adapter 20a via the communication unit 71. When the control unit 72 receives a notification from the adapter 20a that the system address has been registered in the storage unit 25 of the adapter 20a, the control unit 72 displays the registered system address on the display unit 73 for confirmation along with the completion of registration. Let

  The present invention has the effect of easily recognizing identification information on a management network of equipment and making it possible to correctly perform initialization of equipment and is useful as an equipment equipment initial setting system and equipment remote control. is there.

1 is a configuration diagram of a remote management system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. The block diagram of an air conditioner. The block diagram of the remote control which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The external view of the remote control which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The block diagram of an initial setting tool. The block diagram of a remote management server. The figure which shows the flow of the initial setting of the air conditioner which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows a search result screen. The block diagram of the remote control which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The external view of the remote control which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 Remote management system 5a LAN
6 Internet 50a, 50b, ... Air conditioner 60 Initial setting tool 61 Communication unit 62 Control unit 63 Display unit 64 Input units 70a, 70b, ... Remote control 71 Communication unit 72 Control unit 73 Display unit

Claims (9)

A remote controller (70a, 70b,...) That receives an input of an operation command for the equipment (50a, 50b,...);
An initial setting device (60) for initial setting of the equipment;
With
The remote control is
A grant unit (72) for giving identification information of the equipment to the equipment;
Have
The initial setting device is:
An acquisition unit (61) for acquiring the identification information from the facility device;
A registration receiving unit (63, 64) for receiving input of registration information related to the facility equipment while displaying the identification information;
A registration unit (62) for registering the registration information in association with the facility device;
Having
Initial setting system for equipment. The remote control (70a, 70b,...)
A display unit (73) for displaying the identification information;
Further having
The initial setting system for equipment according to claim 1. A remote controller (70a, 70b,...) That receives an input of an operation command for the equipment (50a, 50b,...);
An initial setting device (60) for initial setting of the equipment;
With
The remote control is
A first acquisition unit (71) for acquiring identification information of the equipment from the equipment;
A first display unit (73) for displaying the identification information;
Have
The initial setting device is:
A second acquisition unit (61) for acquiring the identification information from the facility device;
A registration receiving unit (63, 64) for receiving input of registration information related to the facility equipment while displaying the identification information;
A registration unit (62) for registering the registration information in association with the facility device;
Having
Initial setting system for equipment. The registration information is a device name of the facility device (50a, 50b, ...).
The initial setting system for equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 3. A command receiving unit (74) for receiving an input of an operation command for the equipment (50a, 50b,...);
A grant unit (72) for giving identification information of the equipment to the equipment;
Comprising
Remote control of equipment (70a, 70b, ...). A display unit (73) for displaying the identification information;
Further comprising
The remote control (70a, 70b, ...) for the equipment according to claim 5. A command receiving unit (74) for receiving an input of an operation command for the equipment (50a, 50b,...);
An acquisition unit (71) for acquiring identification information of the equipment from the equipment;
A display unit (73) for displaying the identification information;
Comprising
Remote control of equipment (70a, 70b, ...). A first equipment device;
A first remote control for receiving an input of an operation command for the first equipment device;
A second facility device;
A second remote control for receiving an input of an operation command for the second equipment device;
An initial setting device configured to perform initial setting of the first equipment device and the second equipment device;
With
The first remote control is
A first assigning unit for giving first identification information of the first equipment device to the first equipment device;
Have
The second remote control is
A second granting unit for granting second identification information of the second facility device to the second facility device;
Have
The initial setting device is:
An acquisition unit that acquires the first identification information from the first facility device, and acquires the second identification information from the second facility device;
While displaying the first identification information, the input of the first registration information related to the first equipment device is received, and while displaying the second identification information, the second registration information related to the second equipment device is displayed. A registration accepting unit that accepts input,
A registration unit for registering the first registration information in association with the first equipment device, and for registering the second registration information in association with the second equipment device;
Having
Initial setting system for equipment. A first equipment device;
A first remote control for receiving an input of an operation command for the first equipment device;
A second facility device;
A second remote control for receiving an input of an operation command for the second equipment device;
An initial setting device configured to perform initial setting of the first equipment device and the second equipment device;
With
The first remote control is
A first acquisition unit for acquiring first identification information of the first facility device from the first facility device;
A first display for displaying the first identification information;
Have
The second remote control is
A second acquisition unit that acquires second identification information of the second facility device from the second facility device;
A second display unit for displaying the second identification information;
Have
The initial setting device is:
A third acquisition unit for acquiring the first identification information from the first facility device and acquiring the second identification information from the second facility device;
While displaying the first identification information, the input of the first registration information related to the first equipment device is received, and while displaying the second identification information, the second registration information related to the second equipment device is displayed. A registration accepting unit that accepts input,
A registration unit for registering the first registration information in association with the first equipment device, and for registering the second registration information in association with the second equipment device;
Having
Initial setting system for equipment.

Images