WO2017068760A1 - Relay apparatus - Google Patents

Relay apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2017068760A1
WO2017068760A1 PCT/JP2016/004526 JP2016004526W WO2017068760A1 WO 2017068760 A1 WO2017068760 A1 WO 2017068760A1 JP 2016004526 W JP2016004526 W JP 2016004526W WO 2017068760 A1 WO2017068760 A1 WO 2017068760A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
communication
notification
established
adapter
router
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/JP2016/004526
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French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
山下　剛
井上　智晴
真行 杉岡
善彦 前川
小野　秀
峠田　直樹
Original Assignee
株式会社ノーリツ
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Application filed by 株式会社ノーリツ filed Critical 株式会社ノーリツ
Publication of WO2017068760A1 publication Critical patent/WO2017068760A1/en

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F13/00—Interconnection of, or transfer of information or other signals between, memories, input/output devices or central processing units
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04Q—SELECTING
    • H04Q9/00—Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a relay device that relays communication between a home equipment and a management server.
  • Patent Document 1 in a relay adapter that is connected to one or more devices including a heat source device, is connected to a management center that monitors and remotely controls the device, and relays between the device and the management center, Determine whether the communication with the control device of the device is abnormal, notify if it is abnormal, and determine whether the communication with the management center is abnormal However, it is disclosed that when it is abnormal, it is notified.
  • a communication adapter that is communicably connected to the hot water supply system, a 3G router that communicates with the management server, and the like are accommodated in the housing.
  • the communication adapter includes an LED for monitoring a communication state with a 3G router or the like and notifying a contractor or the like when a communication abnormality is detected.
  • the DC power supplied from the hot water supply system is used as the operation power source of the communication adapter, while the AC power supplied from the commercial power supply outside the hot water supply system is relayed as the operation power source of the 3G router. What was converted into predetermined DC power inside the apparatus is used.
  • this relay device When this relay device is installed at a predetermined location together with a hot water supply system and a test run is performed, first, the power supply system is plugged into a power outlet, and then the hot water supply system is powered on to start up. The procedure was to start the 3G router by plugging in the outlet. Therefore, after the hot water supply system is activated first and the power supply voltage is supplied from the hot water supply system to the communication adapter and the communication adapter is activated, power is supplied to the 3G router to be activated.
  • the communication adapter is activated before the 3G router, even if the communication adapter attempts to perform initial communication with the 3G router, the 3G router is not activated and communication is not established. It is determined that the communication is abnormal, and a notification that communication with the 3G router is abnormal is made. Therefore, there is a risk that the installer will misunderstand that a failure or malfunction has occurred.
  • the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a relay device that can eliminate unnecessary communication abnormality notifications.
  • a relay device is a relay device that relays communication between a housing equipment device and a management server connected to a communication network, the housing equipment A communication adapter that communicates with each other, and a router that communicates with each other and communicates with the management server via the communication network, the communication adapter And at least one of the router devices notifies that the communication state between the first communication processing unit that executes communication processing for communication with the other and the other is abnormal.
  • communication is not established if one of the communication adapter and the router device is activated and the communication process for performing communication with the other is performed unless the other is activated.
  • the first notification unit is not notified of the abnormality. This eliminates unnecessary communication abnormality notifications during a trial run or the like, and prevents the installer from misunderstanding that a failure or malfunction has occurred.
  • the first notification unit is configured to perform notification that the communication state with the other is unconfirmed, and the first notification control unit is configured such that the one is activated after the other is activated. Before the first communication with the other is established, the first notification unit may be controlled to perform notification that the communication state with the other is unconfirmed.
  • the communication adapter further notifies that the communication state between the second communication processing unit that executes communication processing for performing communication with the management server and the management server is abnormal.
  • the second notification unit capable of communicating with the management server after the communication adapter is activated for the first time, and communicates each time the second communication processing unit executes the communication process. Is determined, and when it is determined that communication is not established, the second notification unit is informed that the communication is abnormal, and after the communication adapter is activated, Before the communication is established for the first time, a second notification control unit that controls the second notification unit so as not to notify the abnormality is provided.
  • the second notification unit is configured to perform notification that the communication state with the management server is unconfirmed, and the second notification control unit is configured so that the communication adapter is activated. Before the first communication with the management server is established, the second notification unit may be controlled to notify that the communication state with the management server is unconfirmed. Good.
  • the communication adapter and the router device may be configured to be supplied with power from different power supply units. In this case, after the one is activated by supplying power to the one of the communication adapter and the router device, the other is activated by supplying power to the other. It may be.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a remote monitoring system using a relay device as an example of an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an outline of functional blocks of the communication adapter.
  • FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the communication adapter.
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of a remote monitoring system using a relay device of a modified example (another example) of the embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a remote monitoring system using a relay device as an example of an embodiment of the present invention.
  • This remote monitoring system includes a relay device 1, a hot water supply system 2 which is an example of a housing equipment, and a management server 3 connected to a communication network 4 such as the Internet.
  • the hot water supply system 2 includes a plurality of water heaters 21, a system controller 22, and a remote controller 23, and is a system that operates by connecting a plurality of water heaters 21. In FIG. 1, only one water heater 21 is shown, but a plurality of similar water heaters 21 are connected. Then, the number of operating water heaters 21 is controlled by the system controller 22 according to the increase or decrease of the amount of hot water supply.
  • the remote controller 23 includes an operation unit having various operation switches and a display unit using a liquid crystal panel or the like. By operating the operation unit, the operation of the hot water supply system 2 is started and stopped, the hot water supply temperature The hot water supply set temperature and the like can be displayed on the display unit.
  • the hot water heater 21 is installed in a predetermined place indoors or outdoors such as a hotel, and has a hot water supply function for supplying hot water to a kitchen or a bathtub.
  • the water heater 21 has a power supply unit (not shown) that converts an AC voltage of an external AC power supply (commercial power supply) supplied from an outlet connected to the power plug P2 to generate a predetermined DC voltage, The DC voltage generated by this power supply unit is used internally.
  • the terminal block T2 of the water heater 21 and the terminal block T3 of the system controller 22 are connected by a two-core cable C3, and the water heater 21 (a controller (not shown) built in the water heater 21) is connected via the two-core cable C3. ) And the system controller 22 communicate with each other (bidirectional communication).
  • the system controller 22 can connect a plurality of water heaters 21 and control them.
  • the terminal block T3 includes a plurality of sets of connection portions, and the plurality of water heaters 21 are connected to any one set of connection portions in the terminal block T3 via each two-core cable C3 for each water heater. Is done.
  • the system controller 22 has a power supply unit that converts an AC voltage of an external AC power supply (commercial power supply) supplied from an outlet connected to the power plug P3 to generate a predetermined DC voltage. The DC voltage thus used is used internally and supplied to the remote controller 23 and the communication adapter 11 of the relay device 1.
  • the remote controller 23 is connected to the terminal block T4 of the system controller 22 by a two-core cable C2, and a DC voltage is supplied from the system controller 22 via the two-core cable C2. In addition, communication (bidirectional communication) is performed between the remote controller 23 and the system controller 22 via the two-core cable C2.
  • information such as the hot water supply set temperature is transmitted from the remote controller 23 to the system controller 22, and the system controller 22 controls the water heater 21 based on the information such as the hot water supply set temperature. Further, the error information and the like of the water heater 21 is transmitted from the system controller 22 to the remote controller 23, and the remote controller 23 displays the error information and the like on the display unit.
  • the relay device 1 includes a communication adapter 11, a 3G router 12, a power supply board 13 that is a power supply unit, a leakage safety device (breaker) 14, a terminal block T ⁇ b> 1, and the like in a housing 15.
  • the communication adapter 11 is connected to the terminal block T1 with a two-core cable.
  • the terminal block T1 is connected to the terminal block T4 of the system controller 22 by a two-core cable C1.
  • the communication adapter 11 is supplied with a predetermined DC voltage, which is an operation power supply voltage, from the system controller 22 via the two-core cable C1 and the like.
  • communication (bidirectional communication) is performed between the communication adapter 11 and the system controller 22 via the two-core cable C1 and the like.
  • the communication adapter 11 is composed of, for example, a printed wiring board on which electronic components are mounted, and notification lights La, Lb, and Lc made of LEDs are provided on the board.
  • LEDs having different lighting colors are used as the notification lights La, Lb, and Lc.
  • the power supply board 13 is supplied with an AC voltage from an external AC power supply (commercial power supply) from the power plug P1 through a leakage safety device (breaker) 14, and uses this AC voltage as a power supply voltage for operating the 3G router 12.
  • the voltage is converted to a voltage and supplied to the 3G router 12.
  • the communication adapter 11 and the 3G router 12 are connected by a LAN cable C4, and for example, LAN communication based on the Ethernet (registered trademark) standard is possible.
  • the relay device 1 is provided with a 3G antenna 12A outside the casing 15, and the 3G router 12 is connected to the 3G antenna 12A via a 3G antenna cable C5, and passes through the base station 5 of the 3G mobile phone network.
  • the management server 3 or the like connected to the communication network 4 such as the Internet.
  • the notification lamp La provided in the communication adapter 11 is for notifying a contractor or the like of the communication state between the communication adapter 11 and the hot water supply system 2 (system controller 22), and the notification lamp Lb is a communication adapter.
  • 11 is for informing the installer of the communication state between the 11G and the 3G router 12, and the notification lamp Lc is used for constructing the communication state between the communication adapter 11 and the management server 3 via the 3G router 12. It is for notifying a person or the like.
  • each of the notification lamps La, Lb, and Lc is controlled so as to be continuously lit when the communication state is normal, and to blink repeatedly in a short period when the communication state is abnormal.
  • a trial run is performed after the hot water supply system 2 and the relay device 1 are installed.
  • the lid of the casing 15 of the relay device 1 is opened, and communication is performed as shown in FIG.
  • the installer can see the adapter 11, the 3G router 12, and the like, and the installer can check the lighting or blinking state of the notification lamps La, Lb, and Lc.
  • the power plugs P2 and P3 of the hot water heater 21 and the system controller 22 are respectively inserted into the outlets, and the hot water heater 21, the system controller 22, and the system controller 22 are supplied with power (DC voltage).
  • the communication adapter 11 to be supplied is activated and the notification lamp La indicating the communication state between the communication adapter 11 and the system controller 22 is continuously lit (the communication state is normal), the power plug of the relay device 1
  • the procedure is to start the 3G router 12 by inserting P1 into an outlet.
  • each of the notification lamps La, Lb, Lc is controlled to repeat blinking at a longer cycle than when the communication state is abnormal, thereby confirming that the communication state is unconfirmed Can be notified.
  • FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an outline of functional blocks of the communication adapter 11.
  • the communication adapter 11 includes a communication processing unit 11a that performs communication processing for performing communication between the above-described notification lamp La and the system controller 22, and a notification control unit CLa.
  • the notification control unit CLa determines whether communication by the communication process is established (whether the communication is normally performed), and notifies based on the determination result. It is configured to control the light La. Further, the notification control unit CLa controls the notification lamp La to notify that the communication state is unconfirmed before the communication with the system controller 22 is established for the first time after the communication adapter 11 is activated. ing.
  • the communication adapter 11 is a communication processing unit 11b (first communication processing unit) that performs communication processing for performing communication between the above-described notification lamp Lb (first notification unit) and the 3G router 12. And a notification control unit CLb (first notification control unit).
  • the notification control unit CLb determines whether communication by the communication process is established (whether the communication is normally performed) and determines that the communication is established. Sometimes the notification lamp Lb is informed that the communication is normal, and the communication processing after the communication adapter 11 is activated for the first time after the communication with the 3G router 12 is established is determined to be not established.
  • the notification lamp Lb is informed of an abnormality, and the communication processing before the first communication with the 3G router 12 is established after the communication adapter 11 is activated is not established. Control is performed so that the notification lamp Lb is not notified of the abnormality even if the determination is made.
  • the notification control unit CLb controls the notification lamp Lb to notify that the communication state is unconfirmed before the communication with the 3G router 12 is established for the first time after the communication adapter 11 is activated. ing.
  • the communication adapter 11 is a communication processing unit 11c (second communication processing unit) that executes communication processing for performing communication between the above-described notification lamp Lc (second notification unit) and the management server 3. And a notification control unit CLc (second notification control unit).
  • the notification control unit CLc determines whether communication by the communication process is established (whether the communication is normally performed) and determines that the communication is established. Sometimes the notification lamp Lc is informed that the communication is normal, and it is determined that the communication process after the communication adapter 11 is activated for the first time after communication with the management server 3 is not established.
  • the notification lamp Lc is informed that the communication lamp 11 is abnormal, and the communication processing before the first communication with the management server 3 is established after the communication adapter 11 is activated is not established. Control is performed so that the notification lamp Lc is not notified of the abnormality even if the determination is made. Further, the notification control unit CLc controls the notification lamp Lc to notify that the communication state is unconfirmed before the communication with the management server 3 is established for the first time after the communication adapter 11 is activated. ing.
  • the communication adapter 11 includes notification lights La to Lc and a microcontroller, and the communication processing units 11a to 11c and the notification control units CLa to CLc are functional blocks that are realized by the operation of the microcontroller.
  • the establishment of communication means that communication is normally performed.
  • the communication adapter 11 can receive a response and information from the communication partner as normal data in response to a request transmitted to the communication partner. It is determined that communication has been established. On the other hand, if the response or information from the communication partner cannot be received as normal data in response to the transmitted request (when abnormal data is received), or even if a predetermined time elapses after the request is transmitted If there is no response from, it is determined that communication is not established (communication is not established).
  • information unilaterally transmitted from the communication partner can be received as normal data, it is determined that communication has been established, and information unilaterally transmitted from the communication partner can be received as normal data. If not (when abnormal data is received), it is determined that communication is not established (communication is not established). Note that normal data is not abnormal data in which a data value cannot be determined due to noise or the like, but data that can accurately determine a data value.
  • FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the communication adapter 11.
  • an operation procedure related to communication with the 3G router 12 is mainly shown.
  • Step S1 As described above, at the time of trial operation of the hot water supply system 2 and the relay device 1, when the installer inserts the power plugs P2 and P3 into the outlets, the water heater 21 and the system controller 22 are activated and the communication adapter 11 is activated ( Step S1).
  • the communication adapter 11 puts all the notification lamps La, Lb, and Lc into a blinking state with a long blinking cycle indicating that the communication state is unconfirmed (step S2).
  • the communication adapter 11 performs communication processing with the system controller 22 of the hot water supply system 2 and simultaneously performs communication processing with the 3G router (step S3).
  • the communication adapter 11 will make the notification lamp La a continuous lighting state, if communication by the communication process between the system controllers 22 is materialized.
  • the communication adapter 11 receives device information of the hot water supply system 2 such as the number of connected water heaters 21 (installed number) from the system controller 22.
  • the communication adapter 11 transmits a transmission request for the device information of the 3G router 12 to the 3G router 12.
  • the 3G router 12 transmits device information (for example, individual identification information) of the 3G router 12 to the communication adapter 11 and the communication adapter 11 has successfully received the device information of the 3G router 12,
  • step S4 it is determined that communication has been established.
  • step S4 the communication adapter 11 normally receives the device information of the 3G router 12, it is determined in step S4 that communication is not established (No), and the process returns to step S3.
  • step S3 the communication adapter 11 is activated and the communication process (step S3) with the 3G router 12 is performed, but the power plug P1 is not inserted into the outlet and the 3G router 12 is not activated. Therefore, in step S4, it is determined that communication is not established (No), and the process returns to step S3. If the determination in step S4 is No, step S3 is repeated every predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds).
  • the installer plugs the power plug P1 of the relay device 1 into an outlet and activates the 3G router 12. .
  • step S4 When the 3G router 12 is activated and it is determined (step S4) that communication by the communication process (step S3) with the 3G router 12 has been established (step S4), the 3G router is turned on by continuously turning on the notification lamp Lb. 12 is informed that the communication state with the terminal 12 is normal (step S5).
  • Step S6 to S8 are the same as steps S3 to S5 except that the information transmitted and received is different.
  • step S8 the state of the notification lamp Lb that is continuously lit by step S5 is continued. become. If it is determined in step S7 that communication is not established (No), the communication state with the 3G router 12 is abnormal by setting the notification lamp Lb to a blinking state with a short blinking cycle. Is notified (step S9).
  • the processing after step S6 may be, for example, processing for confirming the communication state with the 3G router 12 at predetermined time (t2) intervals.
  • the communication adapter 11 transmits a communication state confirmation request to the 3G router 12 (step S6), and the 3G router 12 transmits a communication state confirmation response to the communication adapter 11 in response to this request. If the communication status confirmation response is not received even after a predetermined time (t1) has elapsed since the communication status confirmation request was transmitted, it is determined that communication has been established. It may be determined that it is not established (step S7).
  • Step S9 when the LAN cable C4 is disconnected or the like, it is determined in step S7 that communication has not been established, and the notification lamp Lb is changed to a blinking state with a short blinking period to notify that the communication state is abnormal ( Step S9).
  • the communication adapter 11 determines that communication by the communication process (step S3) with the 3G router 12 is established for the first time after activation (step S4), and then communicates with the management server 3 via the 3G router 12. I do.
  • the processing in this case is performed according to the procedure in communication with the 3G router 12 shown in FIG. Although communication between the communication adapter 11 and the management server 3 is always performed via the 3G router 12, it is not specified in the following description that it is performed via the 3G router 12.
  • the management server 3 accumulates (stores) information transmitted from the communication adapter 11.
  • the device information of the hot water supply system 2 previously received from the system controller 22 is transmitted to the management server 3 (with the management server 3 according to step S3). Communication process).
  • the notification lamp Lc is continuously lit to notify that the communication state with the management server 3 is normal (notification processing according to step S5).
  • the process returns to the communication process with the management server 3 according to step S3, and this communication process is repeated every predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds).
  • the communication adapter 11 since the 3G router 12 is activated after the communication adapter 11 is activated at the time of a test run or the like, the communication adapter 11 is in communication with the communication adapter 11 and the 3G router 12. Even if the communication process for starting communication with the 3G router 12 (step S3) is executed, it is determined that communication is not established unless the 3G router 12 is started (step S4). However, in this case, notification that the communication state is abnormal is not performed. This eliminates unnecessary communication abnormality notifications during a trial run or the like, and prevents the installer from misunderstanding that a failure or malfunction has occurred.
  • the communication adapter 11 includes the first communication processing unit, the first notification unit, and the first notification control unit.
  • 3G The router 12 may be provided.
  • the communication adapter 11 may be activated after the 3G router 12 is activated during a trial operation or the like.
  • the hot water supply system 2 in which a plurality of water heaters 21 are connected as an example of the housing equipment is described as an example, but the housing equipment is configured by a single water heater,
  • the built-in controller and the communication adapter 11 may be connected to be communicable with, for example, a two-core cable.
  • the housing equipment is not limited to a water heater or a hot water system, but may be any housing equipment that transmits information about the equipment to the management server 3 via the relay device 1.
  • the communication adapter 11 and the 3G router 12 housed in one casing 15 are illustrated as an example of the communication adapter and the router device in the relay device according to the present invention, the present invention is not limited to this.
  • the communication adapter and the router device may be configured separately.
  • communication between the communication adapter and the router device may be performed by wireless communication.
  • the communication adapter when the communication adapter and the router device are configured separately, the communication adapter performs notification of a communication state between them and notification of an abnormality.
  • the communication adapter also performs determination of the communication state between the communication adapter and the management server and notification of an abnormality.
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of a remote monitoring system using a relay device according to a modification of the embodiment of the present invention. Elements that are the same as those in FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals, and in the following, differences from FIG. 1 will be mainly described.
  • This remote monitoring system includes a relay device 1B, a hot water supply system 2B which is an example of a housing equipment, and a management server 3 connected to a communication network 4 such as the Internet.
  • the hot water supply system 2B includes a single water heater 21 and a remote controller 23.
  • the relay device 1B includes a communication adapter 11B and a wireless LAN router 12B as a router device. Communication between the communication adapter 11B and the wireless LAN router 12B is performed by wireless communication. Note that the wireless LAN router 12B may be provided in advance in a user's house where the hot water supply system 2B is installed, for example.
  • the terminal block T1 of the communication adapter 11B and the terminal block T2 of the water heater 21 are connected by the two-core cable C1.
  • the remote controller 23 is connected to the terminal block T2 of the water heater 21 with a two-core cable C2.
  • the water heater 21 uses a DC voltage generated by an internal power supply unit (not shown) and supplies it to the communication adapter 11B and the remote controller 23 via the two-core cables C1 and C2.
  • the remote controller 23 performs mutual communication (bidirectional communication) with the controller 21a of the water heater 21 via the two-core cable C2.
  • the communication adapter 11B performs communication (bidirectional communication) with the controller 21a of the water heater 21 via the two-core cable C1.
  • the communication adapter 11B has the same function as the communication adapter 11 shown in FIG. However, in the case of the communication adapter 11B of FIG. 4, in FIG. 2, the communication processing part 11a performs the communication process for communicating with the controller 21a of the water heater 21, and the communication processing part 11b Communication processing for performing communication (wireless communication) with the wireless LAN router 12B is executed, and the communication processing unit 11c performs communication processing with the management server 3 via the wireless LAN router 12B. Is configured to run.
  • the notification controllers CLa to CLc and the notification lamps La to Lc in the case of the communication adapter 11B have the same functions as in the case of the communication adapter 11.
  • the communication adapter 11B is provided with an operation switch (initial setting operation switch) (not shown) for performing an initial setting of communication with the wireless LAN router 12B.
  • an operation switch initial setting operation switch
  • the wireless LAN router 12B when performing a test run, the wireless LAN router 12B is activated in advance, and the installer inserts the power plug P2 of the water heater 21 into an outlet, and supplies power from the water heater 21 and the water heater 21.
  • the communication adapter 11B to which (DC voltage) is supplied is activated.
  • the notification lamp La which shows the communication state between the communication adapter 11B and the controller 21a of the water heater 21 will be in a continuous lighting state (communication state is normal)
  • a contractor will perform the initial setting operation switch of the communication adapter 11B.
  • the procedure is such that the communication adapter 11B is initialized to perform communication with the wireless LAN router 12B. Communication when performing this initial setting is the first communication between the communication adapter 11B and the wireless LAN router 12B.
  • the communication adapter 11B When performing the above-described test operation, the communication adapter 11B, when activated, puts all the notification lamps La, Lb, Lc into a blinking state with a long blinking cycle indicating that the communication state is unconfirmed (step S2 in FIG. 3). See). Next, the communication adapter 11B performs communication processing with the controller 21a of the water heater 21, and in parallel with this, performs communication processing with the wireless LAN router 12B (see step S3 in FIG. 3). .
  • the communication adapter 11B will make the notification lamp La a continuous lighting state, if communication by the communication process between the controllers 21a is materialized.
  • the communication adapter 11B receives the device information of the hot water supply system 2B such as the individual identification information of the hot water heater 21 from the controller 21a.
  • the communication adapter 11B determines that the communication processing with the wireless LAN router 12B is not established before the initial setting operation switch is turned on (when it is off) (FIG. 3).
  • the notification that the communication state is abnormal is not performed.
  • the notification lamp Lb is continuously lit. By making this state, it is notified that the communication state with the wireless LAN router 12B is normal (see step S5 in FIG. 3). Thereafter, when the communication adapter 11B performs communication with the wireless LAN router 12B, processing corresponding to the processing after step S6 in FIG. 3 is performed.
  • the initial setting operation switch is turned on after the communication adapter 11B is activated during a trial operation or the like, so that the initial setting of communication with the wireless LAN router 12B is performed. Yes. Therefore, even if the communication adapter 11B is activated and executes the communication process for the wireless LAN router 12B (see step S3 in FIG. 3), it is determined that communication is not established while the initial setting operation switch is off. (Refer to the case of No in step S4 in FIG. 3), but in this case, notification that the communication state is abnormal is not performed. This eliminates unnecessary communication abnormality notifications during a trial run or the like, and prevents the installer from misunderstanding that a failure or malfunction has occurred.
  • the communication adapters 11 and 11B are activated and the communication adapters 11 and 11B and the router device (3G router 12, wireless LAN router 12B) Before the first communication is established between the communication adapters 11 and 11B, the communication adapters 11 and 11B are not notified that the communication state with the router device is abnormal. If the first communication is not established even after a predetermined time (for example, several tens of minutes to several hours) elapses after activation, notification that the communication state is abnormal may be performed.
  • a predetermined time for example, several tens of minutes to several hours
  • a predetermined time for example, several tens of minutes to several hours
  • the construction work is completed or almost completed, and the first communication is not established at that time. This is because it is considered that there are some problems.
  • the present invention is useful as a relay device or the like that can eliminate notification of unnecessary communication abnormality.

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Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a relay apparatus capable of eliminating unnecessary notification of communication abnormality. An example of this relay apparatus is provided with: a communication adapter (11) that communicates with housing equipment; and a router device that communicates with the communication adapter (11), also communicates with a management server (3) via a communication network, and is configured from, for example, a 3G router (12), wherein at least one of the communication adapter (11) and the router device comprises a first communication processing unit that executes communication processing with the other, a first notification unit, and a first notification control unit that, regarding the communication processing after the first establishment of communication with the other after the start-up of the one, determines whether communication has been established or not every time the first communication processing unit executes the communication processing, and performs control such that when determining that the communication has not been established, causes the first notification unit to provide notification of abnormality, and before the first establishment of communication with the other after the start-up of the one, causes the first notification unit not to provide the notification of abnormality.

Description

中継装置Relay device
　本発明は、住宅設備機器と管理サーバとの間の通信を中継する中継装置に関する。 The present invention relates to a relay device that relays communication between a home equipment and a management server.
　例えば、特許文献１には、熱源機を含む１又は２以上の機器に接続されるとともに、機器の監視や遠隔制御を行う管理センターに接続され、機器と管理センターとを中継する中継アダプタにおいて、機器の制御装置との間の通信が異常であるか否かを判断し、異常である場合にはそれを報知すること、および、管理センターとの間の通信が異常であるか否かを判断し、異常である場合にはそれを報知することが開示されている。 For example, in Patent Document 1, in a relay adapter that is connected to one or more devices including a heat source device, is connected to a management center that monitors and remotely controls the device, and relays between the device and the management center, Determine whether the communication with the control device of the device is abnormal, notify if it is abnormal, and determine whether the communication with the management center is abnormal However, it is disclosed that when it is abnormal, it is notified.
　ところで、従来、複数の給湯器を連結して運用する給湯システム等の住宅設備機器の遠隔監視を行うシステムとして、例えば、給湯システムに接続された中継装置から、給湯システム内の各機器の動作状態等の情報が、３Ｇ（第３世代）携帯電話網の基地局を経由してインターネット等の通信ネットワークに接続された管理サーバへ送信されるものがある。 By the way, conventionally, as a system for remotely monitoring housing equipment such as a hot water system that operates by connecting a plurality of hot water heaters, for example, from the relay device connected to the hot water system, the operating state of each device in the hot water system Is transmitted to a management server connected to a communication network such as the Internet via a base station of a 3G (third generation) mobile phone network.
　このような中継装置では、筐体内に、給湯システムと通信可能に接続された通信アダプタと、通信アダプタと通信を行うとともに、管理サーバと通信を行う３Ｇルータ等が収納されている。そして、例えば、通信アダプタには、３Ｇルータ等との通信状態を監視して通信異常が検出されれば、そのことを施工者等に報知するためのＬＥＤが備えられている。 In such a relay device, a communication adapter that is communicably connected to the hot water supply system, a 3G router that communicates with the management server, and the like are accommodated in the housing. For example, the communication adapter includes an LED for monitoring a communication state with a 3G router or the like and notifying a contractor or the like when a communication abnormality is detected.
特開２００７－２７４７１０号公報JP 2007-274710 A
　この中継装置では、通信アダプタの動作用電源として、給湯システムから供給される直流電力が用いられる一方、３Ｇルータの動作用電源として、給湯システムの外部の商用電源から供給される交流電力を、中継装置の内部で所定の直流電力に変換したものが用いられる。 In this relay device, the DC power supplied from the hot water supply system is used as the operation power source of the communication adapter, while the AC power supplied from the commercial power supply outside the hot water supply system is relayed as the operation power source of the 3G router. What was converted into predetermined DC power inside the apparatus is used.
　この中継装置を給湯システムとともに所定場所に設置して試運転を行う際、まず、給湯システムの電源プラグをコンセントに差し込むことにより給湯システムへ電源供給を行って起動させた後、３Ｇルータ用の電源プラグをコンセントに差し込むことにより３Ｇルータを起動させるという手順になっていた。そのため、先に給湯システムが起動して給湯システムから通信アダプタへ電源電圧が供給されて通信アダプタが起動した後で、３Ｇルータに電源供給が行われて起動されることになる。 When this relay device is installed at a predetermined location together with a hot water supply system and a test run is performed, first, the power supply system is plugged into a power outlet, and then the hot water supply system is powered on to start up. The procedure was to start the 3G router by plugging in the outlet. Therefore, after the hot water supply system is activated first and the power supply voltage is supplied from the hot water supply system to the communication adapter and the communication adapter is activated, power is supplied to the 3G router to be activated.
　このように通信アダプタが３Ｇルータよりも先に起動されるので、通信アダプタが３Ｇルータとの間で初期通信を行おうとしても３Ｇルータは起動しておらず通信が成立しないので、通信アダプタでは通信異常と判断し、３Ｇルータとの通信が異常である旨を報知してしまう。そのため、施工者が故障や不具合が発生していると勘違いをするおそれがある。 As described above, since the communication adapter is activated before the 3G router, even if the communication adapter attempts to perform initial communication with the 3G router, the 3G router is not activated and communication is not established. It is determined that the communication is abnormal, and a notification that communication with the 3G router is abnormal is made. Therefore, there is a risk that the installer will misunderstand that a failure or malfunction has occurred.
　本発明は上記のような課題を解決するためになされたもので、不要な通信異常の報知を無くすことができる中継装置を提供することを目的としている。 The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a relay device that can eliminate unnecessary communication abnormality notifications.
　上記目的を達成するために、本発明のある形態に係る中継装置は、住宅設備機器と、通信ネットワークに接続された管理サーバと、の間の通信を中継する中継装置であって、前記住宅設備機器との間で相互に通信を行う通信アダプタと、前記通信アダプタとの間で相互に通信を行うとともに、前記通信ネットワークを介して前記管理サーバと通信を行うルータ装置とを備え、前記通信アダプタおよび前記ルータ装置の少なくともいずれか一方は、他方との間の通信を行うための通信処理を実行する第１の通信処理部と、前記他方との間の通信状態が異常である旨の報知を行うことができる第１の報知部と、前記一方が起動後に前記他方との間の通信が初めて成立した後の通信処理について、前記第１の通信処理部が通信処理を実行するたびに通信が成立したか否かを判定し、通信が成立していないと判定したときには前記第１の報知部に異常である旨の報知を行わせ、前記一方が起動後に前記他方との間の通信が初めて成立するより前においては、前記第１の報知部に異常である旨の報知を行わせないよう制御する第１の報知制御部とを有している。 In order to achieve the above object, a relay device according to an aspect of the present invention is a relay device that relays communication between a housing equipment device and a management server connected to a communication network, the housing equipment A communication adapter that communicates with each other, and a router that communicates with each other and communicates with the management server via the communication network, the communication adapter And at least one of the router devices notifies that the communication state between the first communication processing unit that executes communication processing for communication with the other and the other is abnormal. Each time the first communication processing unit executes a communication process with respect to a first notification unit that can be performed and a communication process after the first one is activated and the communication between the other is established for the first time It is determined whether or not communication has been established. When it is determined that communication has not been established, the first notification unit is informed of an abnormality, and communication between the one and the other after activation is performed. Before the first establishment, the first notification control unit that controls the first notification unit not to notify the abnormality is provided.
　この構成によれば、通信アダプタおよびルータ装置のうちの一方が起動して、他方との間の通信を行うための通信処理を実行しても他方が起動していなければ通信は成立しないが、この場合、第１の報知部に異常である旨の報知を行わせないようにしている。これにより、試運転時等において、不要な通信異常の報知を無くし、施工者が故障や不具合が発生していると勘違いをすることが無くなる。 According to this configuration, communication is not established if one of the communication adapter and the router device is activated and the communication process for performing communication with the other is performed unless the other is activated. In this case, the first notification unit is not notified of the abnormality. This eliminates unnecessary communication abnormality notifications during a trial run or the like, and prevents the installer from misunderstanding that a failure or malfunction has occurred.
　前記第１の報知部は、前記他方との間の通信状態が未確認である旨の報知も行うことができるよう構成されており、前記第１の報知制御部は、前記一方が起動後に前記他方との間の通信が初めて成立するより前においては、前記第１の報知部に前記他方との間の通信状態が未確認である旨の報知を行わせるよう制御するようにしてもよい。 The first notification unit is configured to perform notification that the communication state with the other is unconfirmed, and the first notification control unit is configured such that the one is activated after the other is activated. Before the first communication with the other is established, the first notification unit may be controlled to perform notification that the communication state with the other is unconfirmed.
　前記通信アダプタは、さらに、前記管理サーバとの間の通信を行うための通信処理を実行する第２の通信処理部と、前記管理サーバとの間の通信状態が異常である旨の報知を行うことができる第２の報知部と、前記通信アダプタが起動後に前記管理サーバとの間の通信が初めて成立した後の通信処理について、前記第２の通信処理部が通信処理を実行するたびに通信が成立したか否かを判定し、通信が成立していないと判定したときには前記第２の報知部に異常である旨の報知を行わせ、前記通信アダプタが起動後に前記管理サーバとの間の通信が初めて成立するより前においては、前記第２の報知部に異常である旨の報知を行わせないよう制御する第２の報知制御部とを有していてもよい。 The communication adapter further notifies that the communication state between the second communication processing unit that executes communication processing for performing communication with the management server and the management server is abnormal. The second notification unit capable of communicating with the management server after the communication adapter is activated for the first time, and communicates each time the second communication processing unit executes the communication process. Is determined, and when it is determined that communication is not established, the second notification unit is informed that the communication is abnormal, and after the communication adapter is activated, Before the communication is established for the first time, a second notification control unit that controls the second notification unit so as not to notify the abnormality is provided.
　前記第２の報知部は、前記管理サーバとの間の通信状態が未確認である旨の報知も行うことができるよう構成されており、前記第２の報知制御部は、前記通信アダプタが起動後に前記管理サーバとの間の通信が初めて成立するより前においては、前記第２の報知部に前記管理サーバとの間の通信状態が未確認である旨の報知を行わせるよう制御するようにしてもよい。 The second notification unit is configured to perform notification that the communication state with the management server is unconfirmed, and the second notification control unit is configured so that the communication adapter is activated. Before the first communication with the management server is established, the second notification unit may be controlled to notify that the communication state with the management server is unconfirmed. Good.
　前記通信アダプタと前記ルータ装置とは異なる電源部から電力が供給されるよう構成されていてもよい。この場合、前記通信アダプタと前記ルータ装置とのうちの前記一方に電力が供給されることによって前記一方が起動された後で、前記他方に電力が供給されることによって前記他方が起動されるようにしてもよい。 The communication adapter and the router device may be configured to be supplied with power from different power supply units. In this case, after the one is activated by supplying power to the one of the communication adapter and the router device, the other is activated by supplying power to the other. It may be.
　外部の交流電源から供給される電力を直流電力に変換して前記ルータ装置に供給する電源部をさらに備えるとともに、前記通信アダプタには、前記住宅設備機器内の電源部から電力が供給されるよう構成されていてもよい。 It further includes a power supply unit that converts power supplied from an external AC power source into DC power and supplies the DC power to the router device, and power is supplied to the communication adapter from the power supply unit in the housing equipment. It may be configured.
図１は、本発明の実施形態の一例の中継装置を用いた遠隔監視システムの概略構成図である。FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a remote monitoring system using a relay device as an example of an embodiment of the present invention. 図２は、通信アダプタの機能ブロックの概略を示す図である。FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an outline of functional blocks of the communication adapter. 図３は、通信アダプタの動作の一例を示すフローチャートである。FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the communication adapter. 図４は、本発明の実施形態の変形例（他の例）の中継装置を用いた遠隔監視システムの概略構成図である。FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of a remote monitoring system using a relay device of a modified example (another example) of the embodiment of the present invention.
　以下、好ましい実施の形態を、図面を参照しながら説明する。なお、本発明は、以下の実施形態に限定されない。 Hereinafter, preferred embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the following embodiment.
　（実施形態）
　図１は、本発明の実施形態の一例の中継装置を用いた遠隔監視システムの概略構成図である。 (Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a remote monitoring system using a relay device as an example of an embodiment of the present invention.
　この遠隔監視システムは、中継装置１と、住宅設備機器の一例である給湯システム２と、インターネット等の通信ネットワーク４に接続された管理サーバ３などを備えている。
　給湯システム２は、複数の給湯器２１とシステムコントローラ２２とリモコン２３とを備え、複数の給湯器２１を連結して運用するシステムである。なお、図１では、給湯器２１が１つしか図示されていないが、同様の給湯器２１が複数連結されている。そして、システムコントローラ２２によって給湯量の増減に応じて給湯器２１の運転台数の制御が行われる。また、リモコン２３は、各種操作スイッチを有する操作部と、液晶パネル等を用いた表示部とを有し、操作部が操作されることによって、給湯システム２の運転の開始および停止や、給湯温度の設定等を行うことができるとともに、給湯設定温度等を表示部に表示することができる。 This remote monitoring system includes a relay device 1, a hot water supply system 2 which is an example of a housing equipment, and a management server 3 connected to a communication network 4 such as the Internet.
The hot water supply system 2 includes a plurality of water heaters 21, a system controller 22, and a remote controller 23, and is a system that operates by connecting a plurality of water heaters 21. In FIG. 1, only one water heater 21 is shown, but a plurality of similar water heaters 21 are connected. Then, the number of operating water heaters 21 is controlled by the system controller 22 according to the increase or decrease of the amount of hot water supply. In addition, the remote controller 23 includes an operation unit having various operation switches and a display unit using a liquid crystal panel or the like. By operating the operation unit, the operation of the hot water supply system 2 is started and stopped, the hot water supply temperature The hot water supply set temperature and the like can be displayed on the display unit.
　給湯器２１は、ホテル等の屋外または屋内の所定の場所に設置され、調理場や浴槽等に湯水を供給する給湯機能を備えている。給湯器２１は、その電源プラグＰ２が接続されるコンセントから供給される外部交流電源（商用電源）の交流電圧を変換して所定の直流電圧を生成する電源部（図示せず）を有し、この電源部で生成した直流電圧を内部で使用する。 The hot water heater 21 is installed in a predetermined place indoors or outdoors such as a hotel, and has a hot water supply function for supplying hot water to a kitchen or a bathtub. The water heater 21 has a power supply unit (not shown) that converts an AC voltage of an external AC power supply (commercial power supply) supplied from an outlet connected to the power plug P2 to generate a predetermined DC voltage, The DC voltage generated by this power supply unit is used internally.
　給湯器２１の端子台Ｔ２とシステムコントローラ２２の端子台Ｔ３とが２芯ケーブルＣ３で接続され、２芯ケーブルＣ３を介して給湯器２１（給湯器２１に内蔵されているコントローラ（図示せず））とシステムコントローラ２２との間で相互に通信（双方向通信）が行われる。 The terminal block T2 of the water heater 21 and the terminal block T3 of the system controller 22 are connected by a two-core cable C3, and the water heater 21 (a controller (not shown) built in the water heater 21) is connected via the two-core cable C3. ) And the system controller 22 communicate with each other (bidirectional communication).
　システムコントローラ２２は、複数の給湯器２１を接続することができ、それらを制御することができる。端子台Ｔ３は、複数組の接続部を備え、複数の給湯器２１は、給湯器毎に、それぞれの２芯ケーブルＣ３を介して、上記端子台Ｔ３における、いずれか１組の接続部へ接続される。システムコントローラ２２は、その電源プラグＰ３が接続されるコンセントから供給される外部交流電源（商用電源）の交流電圧を変換して所定の直流電圧を生成する電源部を有し、この電源部で生成した直流電圧を内部で使用するとともに、リモコン２３および中継装置１の通信アダプタ１１へ供給する。 The system controller 22 can connect a plurality of water heaters 21 and control them. The terminal block T3 includes a plurality of sets of connection portions, and the plurality of water heaters 21 are connected to any one set of connection portions in the terminal block T3 via each two-core cable C3 for each water heater. Is done. The system controller 22 has a power supply unit that converts an AC voltage of an external AC power supply (commercial power supply) supplied from an outlet connected to the power plug P3 to generate a predetermined DC voltage. The DC voltage thus used is used internally and supplied to the remote controller 23 and the communication adapter 11 of the relay device 1.
　リモコン２３は、システムコントローラ２２の端子台Ｔ４に２芯ケーブルＣ２で接続されており、２芯ケーブルＣ２を介してシステムコントローラ２２から直流電圧が供給される。また、２芯ケーブルＣ２を介してリモコン２３とシステムコントローラ２２との間で相互に通信（双方向通信）が行われる。 The remote controller 23 is connected to the terminal block T4 of the system controller 22 by a two-core cable C2, and a DC voltage is supplied from the system controller 22 via the two-core cable C2. In addition, communication (bidirectional communication) is performed between the remote controller 23 and the system controller 22 via the two-core cable C2.
　例えば、リモコン２３から給湯設定温度等の情報がシステムコントローラ２２へ送信され、システムコントローラ２２は給湯設定温度等の情報に基づいて給湯器２１を制御する。また、システムコントローラ２２から給湯器２１のエラー情報等がリモコン２３へ送信され、リモコン２３では、表示部にエラー情報等を表示する。 For example, information such as the hot water supply set temperature is transmitted from the remote controller 23 to the system controller 22, and the system controller 22 controls the water heater 21 based on the information such as the hot water supply set temperature. Further, the error information and the like of the water heater 21 is transmitted from the system controller 22 to the remote controller 23, and the remote controller 23 displays the error information and the like on the display unit.
　中継装置１は、筐体１５内に、通信アダプタ１１、３Ｇルータ１２、電源部である電源基板１３、漏電安全装置（ブレーカ）１４、及び端子台Ｔ１などを備えている。 The relay device 1 includes a communication adapter 11, a 3G router 12, a power supply board 13 that is a power supply unit, a leakage safety device (breaker) 14, a terminal block T <b> 1, and the like in a housing 15.
　通信アダプタ１１は、２芯ケーブルで端子台Ｔ１に接続されている。端子台Ｔ１は、２芯ケーブルＣ１でシステムコントローラ２２の端子台Ｔ４と接続されている。これにより、通信アダプタ１１には、その動作用電源電圧である所定の直流電圧が、２芯ケーブルＣ１等を介してシステムコントローラ２２から供給される。また、２芯ケーブルＣ１等を介して通信アダプタ１１とシステムコントローラ２２との間で相互に通信（双方向通信）が行われる。 The communication adapter 11 is connected to the terminal block T1 with a two-core cable. The terminal block T1 is connected to the terminal block T4 of the system controller 22 by a two-core cable C1. As a result, the communication adapter 11 is supplied with a predetermined DC voltage, which is an operation power supply voltage, from the system controller 22 via the two-core cable C1 and the like. In addition, communication (bidirectional communication) is performed between the communication adapter 11 and the system controller 22 via the two-core cable C1 and the like.
　通信アダプタ１１は、例えば、電子部品が搭載されたプリント配線基板で構成され、その基板上に各々ＬＥＤからなる報知灯Ｌａ，Ｌｂ，Ｌｃが設けられている。この例では、各報知灯Ｌａ，Ｌｂ，Ｌｃとして、点灯色が異なるＬＥＤが用いられている。 The communication adapter 11 is composed of, for example, a printed wiring board on which electronic components are mounted, and notification lights La, Lb, and Lc made of LEDs are provided on the board. In this example, LEDs having different lighting colors are used as the notification lights La, Lb, and Lc.
　電源基板１３は、電源プラグＰ１から漏電安全装置（ブレーカ）１４を介して外部交流電源（商用電源）から交流電圧が供給され、この交流電圧を３Ｇルータ１２の動作用電源電圧として用いる所定の直流電圧に変換して、３Ｇルータ１２へ供給する。 The power supply board 13 is supplied with an AC voltage from an external AC power supply (commercial power supply) from the power plug P1 through a leakage safety device (breaker) 14, and uses this AC voltage as a power supply voltage for operating the 3G router 12. The voltage is converted to a voltage and supplied to the 3G router 12.
　通信アダプタ１１と３Ｇルータ１２とは、ＬＡＮケーブルＣ４で接続され、例えば、イーサネット（登録商標）規格に基づくＬＡＮ通信が可能である。 The communication adapter 11 and the 3G router 12 are connected by a LAN cable C4, and for example, LAN communication based on the Ethernet (registered trademark) standard is possible.
　また、中継装置１は、その筐体１５の外側に３Ｇアンテナ１２Ａが設けられ、３Ｇルータ１２は、３ＧアンテナケーブルＣ５で３Ｇアンテナ１２Ａと接続されており、３Ｇ携帯電話網の基地局５を経由してインターネット等の通信ネットワーク４に接続された管理サーバ３等と通信を行うことができる。 In addition, the relay device 1 is provided with a 3G antenna 12A outside the casing 15, and the 3G router 12 is connected to the 3G antenna 12A via a 3G antenna cable C5, and passes through the base station 5 of the 3G mobile phone network. Thus, it is possible to communicate with the management server 3 or the like connected to the communication network 4 such as the Internet.
　この中継装置１について詳しく以下に説明する。
　通信アダプタ１１に設けられた報知灯Ｌａは、通信アダプタ１１と給湯システム２（システムコントローラ２２）との間の通信状態を施工者等に報知するためのものであり、報知灯Ｌｂは、通信アダプタ１１と３Ｇルータ１２との間の通信状態を施工者等に報知するためのものであり、報知灯Ｌｃは、３Ｇルータ１２を介した通信アダプタ１１と管理サーバ３との間の通信状態を施工者等に報知するためのものである。例えば、各報知灯Ｌａ，Ｌｂ，Ｌｃは、各々の通信状態が正常である場合には連続点灯し、異常である場合には短い周期で点滅を繰り返すように制御される。 The relay device 1 will be described in detail below.
The notification lamp La provided in the communication adapter 11 is for notifying a contractor or the like of the communication state between the communication adapter 11 and the hot water supply system 2 (system controller 22), and the notification lamp Lb is a communication adapter. 11 is for informing the installer of the communication state between the 11G and the 3G router 12, and the notification lamp Lc is used for constructing the communication state between the communication adapter 11 and the management server 3 via the 3G router 12. It is for notifying a person or the like. For example, each of the notification lamps La, Lb, and Lc is controlled so as to be continuously lit when the communication state is normal, and to blink repeatedly in a short period when the communication state is abnormal.
　また、給湯システム２および中継装置１が設置されたあとに試運転を行うが、この試運転を行う際には、中継装置１の筐体１５の蓋を開いた状態とし、図１のように、通信アダプタ１１や３Ｇルータ１２等を施工者が見ることができ、施工者は報知灯Ｌａ，Ｌｂ，Ｌｃの点灯あるいは点滅状態等を確認することができる。この試運転を行う時に、本例では、給湯器２１及びシステムコントローラ２２の電源プラグＰ２，Ｐ３を各々コンセントに差し込んで、給湯器２１と、システムコントローラ２２と、システムコントローラ２２から電源（直流電圧）が供給される通信アダプタ１１とを起動させ、通信アダプタ１１とシステムコントローラ２２との間の通信状態を示す報知灯Ｌａが連続点灯状態（通信状態が正常）になった後、中継装置１の電源プラグＰ１をコンセントに差し込んで３Ｇルータ１２を起動させる手順となっている。 Further, a trial run is performed after the hot water supply system 2 and the relay device 1 are installed. When this trial run is performed, the lid of the casing 15 of the relay device 1 is opened, and communication is performed as shown in FIG. The installer can see the adapter 11, the 3G router 12, and the like, and the installer can check the lighting or blinking state of the notification lamps La, Lb, and Lc. In performing this test operation, in this example, the power plugs P2 and P3 of the hot water heater 21 and the system controller 22 are respectively inserted into the outlets, and the hot water heater 21, the system controller 22, and the system controller 22 are supplied with power (DC voltage). After the communication adapter 11 to be supplied is activated and the notification lamp La indicating the communication state between the communication adapter 11 and the system controller 22 is continuously lit (the communication state is normal), the power plug of the relay device 1 The procedure is to start the 3G router 12 by inserting P1 into an outlet.
　この試運転時のように、システムコントローラ２２から通信アダプタ１１へ電源（直流電圧）の供給が開始された起動時において、通信アダプタ１１が各機器（システムコントローラ２２，３Ｇルータ１２，管理サーバ３）との間の通信状態が未確認であるときには、各報知灯Ｌａ，Ｌｂ，Ｌｃは、通信状態が異常である場合よりも長い周期で点滅を繰り返すように制御され、これにより通信状態が未確認であることを報知できる。 At the time of starting the supply of power (DC voltage) from the system controller 22 to the communication adapter 11 as in the trial operation, the communication adapter 11 is connected to each device ( system controller 22, 3G router 12, management server 3). When the communication state during the period is unconfirmed, each of the notification lamps La, Lb, Lc is controlled to repeat blinking at a longer cycle than when the communication state is abnormal, thereby confirming that the communication state is unconfirmed Can be notified.
　図２は、通信アダプタ１１の機能ブロックの概略を示す図である。この図２では、図１から一部の構成要素を省略して図示している。
　通信アダプタ１１は、前述の報知灯Ｌａと、システムコントローラ２２との間の通信を行うための通信処理を実行する通信処理部１１ａと、報知制御部ＣＬａとを備えている。報知制御部ＣＬａは、通信処理部１１ａが通信処理を実行するたびにその通信処理による通信が成立したか否か（通信が正常に行われたか否か）を判定し、この判定結果に基づいて報知灯Ｌａを制御するよう構成されている。また、報知制御部ＣＬａは、通信アダプタ１１が起動後にシステムコントローラ２２との間の通信が初めて成立する以前には、報知灯Ｌａに通信状態が未確認である旨の報知を行わせるように制御している。 FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an outline of functional blocks of the communication adapter 11. In FIG. 2, some components are omitted from FIG.
The communication adapter 11 includes a communication processing unit 11a that performs communication processing for performing communication between the above-described notification lamp La and the system controller 22, and a notification control unit CLa. Each time the communication processing unit 11a executes the communication process, the notification control unit CLa determines whether communication by the communication process is established (whether the communication is normally performed), and notifies based on the determination result. It is configured to control the light La. Further, the notification control unit CLa controls the notification lamp La to notify that the communication state is unconfirmed before the communication with the system controller 22 is established for the first time after the communication adapter 11 is activated. ing.
　また、通信アダプタ１１は、前述の報知灯Ｌｂ（第１の報知部）と、３Ｇルータ１２との間の通信を行うための通信処理を実行する通信処理部１１ｂ（第１の通信処理部）と、報知制御部ＣＬｂ（第１の報知制御部）とを備えている。報知制御部ＣＬｂは、通信処理部１１ｂが通信処理を実行するたびにその通信処理による通信が成立したか否か（通信が正常に行われたか否か）を判定し、通信が成立したと判定したときには報知灯Ｌｂに正常である旨の報知を行わせ、通信アダプタ１１が起動後に３Ｇルータ１２との間の通信が初めて成立した後の通信処理について、それによる通信が成立していないと判定したときには報知灯Ｌｂに異常である旨の報知を行わせ、通信アダプタ１１が起動後に３Ｇルータ１２との間の通信が初めて成立するより前の通信処理については、それによる通信が成立していないと判定しても報知灯Ｌｂに異常である旨の報知を行わせないよう制御するようにしている。また、報知制御部ＣＬｂは、通信アダプタ１１が起動後に３Ｇルータ１２との間の通信が初めて成立する以前には、報知灯Ｌｂに通信状態が未確認である旨の報知を行わせるように制御している。 In addition, the communication adapter 11 is a communication processing unit 11b (first communication processing unit) that performs communication processing for performing communication between the above-described notification lamp Lb (first notification unit) and the 3G router 12. And a notification control unit CLb (first notification control unit). Each time the communication processing unit 11b executes the communication process, the notification control unit CLb determines whether communication by the communication process is established (whether the communication is normally performed) and determines that the communication is established. Sometimes the notification lamp Lb is informed that the communication is normal, and the communication processing after the communication adapter 11 is activated for the first time after the communication with the 3G router 12 is established is determined to be not established. In some cases, the notification lamp Lb is informed of an abnormality, and the communication processing before the first communication with the 3G router 12 is established after the communication adapter 11 is activated is not established. Control is performed so that the notification lamp Lb is not notified of the abnormality even if the determination is made. In addition, the notification control unit CLb controls the notification lamp Lb to notify that the communication state is unconfirmed before the communication with the 3G router 12 is established for the first time after the communication adapter 11 is activated. ing.
　また、通信アダプタ１１は、前述の報知灯Ｌｃ（第２の報知部）と、管理サーバ３との間の通信を行うための通信処理を実行する通信処理部１１ｃ（第２の通信処理部）と、報知制御部ＣＬｃ（第２の報知制御部）とを備えている。報知制御部ＣＬｃは、通信処理部１１ｃが通信処理を実行するたびにその通信処理による通信が成立したか否か（通信が正常に行われたか否か）を判定し、通信が成立したと判定したときには報知灯Ｌｃに正常である旨の報知を行わせ、通信アダプタ１１が起動後に管理サーバ３との間の通信が初めて成立した後の通信処理について、それによる通信が成立していないと判定したときには報知灯Ｌｃに異常である旨の報知を行わせ、通信アダプタ１１が起動後に管理サーバ３との間の通信が初めて成立するより前の通信処理については、それによる通信が成立していないと判定しても報知灯Ｌｃに異常である旨の報知を行わせないよう制御するようにしている。また、報知制御部ＣＬｃは、通信アダプタ１１が起動後に管理サーバ３との間の通信が初めて成立する以前には、報知灯Ｌｃに通信状態が未確認である旨の報知を行わせるように制御している。 Further, the communication adapter 11 is a communication processing unit 11c (second communication processing unit) that executes communication processing for performing communication between the above-described notification lamp Lc (second notification unit) and the management server 3. And a notification control unit CLc (second notification control unit). Each time the communication processing unit 11c executes the communication process, the notification control unit CLc determines whether communication by the communication process is established (whether the communication is normally performed) and determines that the communication is established. Sometimes the notification lamp Lc is informed that the communication is normal, and it is determined that the communication process after the communication adapter 11 is activated for the first time after communication with the management server 3 is not established. Sometimes the notification lamp Lc is informed that the communication lamp 11 is abnormal, and the communication processing before the first communication with the management server 3 is established after the communication adapter 11 is activated is not established. Control is performed so that the notification lamp Lc is not notified of the abnormality even if the determination is made. Further, the notification control unit CLc controls the notification lamp Lc to notify that the communication state is unconfirmed before the communication with the management server 3 is established for the first time after the communication adapter 11 is activated. ing.
　通信アダプタ１１は、報知灯Ｌａ～Ｌｃおよびマイクロコントローラ等によって構成され、上記の通信処理部１１ａ～１１ｃおよび報知制御部ＣＬａ～ＣＬｃは、マイクロコントローラ等の動作によって実現する機能ブロックである。 The communication adapter 11 includes notification lights La to Lc and a microcontroller, and the communication processing units 11a to 11c and the notification control units CLa to CLc are functional blocks that are realized by the operation of the microcontroller.
　なお、通信が成立するとは、通信が正常に行われることであり、例えば、通信アダプタ１１は、通信相手へ送信した要求に対して、通信相手からの応答や情報を正常なデータとして受信できた場合に通信が成立したと判定する。一方、送信した要求に対して通信相手からの応答や情報を正常なデータとして受信できなかった場合（異常なデータを受信した場合）や、要求を送信してから所定時間経過しても通信相手からの応答がない場合には、通信が成立していない（通信不成立）と判定する。また、通信相手から一方的に送られてくる情報を正常なデータとして受信できた場合には通信が成立したと判定し、通信相手から一方的に送られてくる情報を正常なデータとして受信できなかった場合（異常なデータを受信した場合）には通信が成立していない（通信不成立）と判定する。なお、正常なデータとは、ノイズ等によってデータ値を判別できないような異常なデータではなく、データ値を正確に判別できるデータである。 The establishment of communication means that communication is normally performed. For example, the communication adapter 11 can receive a response and information from the communication partner as normal data in response to a request transmitted to the communication partner. It is determined that communication has been established. On the other hand, if the response or information from the communication partner cannot be received as normal data in response to the transmitted request (when abnormal data is received), or even if a predetermined time elapses after the request is transmitted If there is no response from, it is determined that communication is not established (communication is not established). In addition, when information unilaterally transmitted from the communication partner can be received as normal data, it is determined that communication has been established, and information unilaterally transmitted from the communication partner can be received as normal data. If not (when abnormal data is received), it is determined that communication is not established (communication is not established). Note that normal data is not abnormal data in which a data value cannot be determined due to noise or the like, but data that can accurately determine a data value.
　〔通信アダプタと３Ｇルータ等との間の通信〕
　図３は、通信アダプタ１１の動作の一例を示すフローチャートであり、この図３では、主に３Ｇルータ１２との間の通信に関する動作の手順を示している。 [Communication between communication adapter and 3G router]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the communication adapter 11. In FIG. 3, an operation procedure related to communication with the 3G router 12 is mainly shown.
　前述のように給湯システム２および中継装置１の試運転時には、施工者が、電源プラグＰ２，Ｐ３を各々コンセントに差し込むと、給湯器２１とシステムコントローラ２２とが起動するとともに通信アダプタ１１が起動する（ステップＳ１）。 As described above, at the time of trial operation of the hot water supply system 2 and the relay device 1, when the installer inserts the power plugs P2 and P3 into the outlets, the water heater 21 and the system controller 22 are activated and the communication adapter 11 is activated ( Step S1).
　通信アダプタ１１は、起動後に、全ての報知灯Ｌａ，Ｌｂ，Ｌｃを通信状態が未確認である旨を示す点滅周期の長い点滅状態にする（ステップＳ２）。 After the activation, the communication adapter 11 puts all the notification lamps La, Lb, and Lc into a blinking state with a long blinking cycle indicating that the communication state is unconfirmed (step S2).
　次に、通信アダプタ１１は、給湯システム２のシステムコントローラ２２との間の通信処理を行うとともに、これと並行して３Ｇルータとの間の通信処理を行う（ステップＳ３）。 Next, the communication adapter 11 performs communication processing with the system controller 22 of the hot water supply system 2 and simultaneously performs communication processing with the 3G router (step S3).
　そして、通信アダプタ１１は、システムコントローラ２２との間の通信処理による通信が成立すると、報知灯Ｌａを連続点灯状態にする。このシステムコントローラ２２との間の最初の通信では、通信アダプタ１１は、給湯器２１の連結台数（設置台数）等の給湯システム２の機器情報をシステムコントローラ２２から受信する。 And the communication adapter 11 will make the notification lamp La a continuous lighting state, if communication by the communication process between the system controllers 22 is materialized. In the initial communication with the system controller 22, the communication adapter 11 receives device information of the hot water supply system 2 such as the number of connected water heaters 21 (installed number) from the system controller 22.
　一方、ステップＳ３における３Ｇルータ１２との間の通信処理では、通信アダプタ１１から３Ｇルータ１２の機器情報の送信要求が３Ｇルータ１２へ送信される。３Ｇルータ１２がこれに応答して３Ｇルータ１２の機器情報（例えば、個体識別情報等）を通信アダプタ１１へ送信し、通信アダプタ１１が３Ｇルータ１２の機器情報を正常に受信できた場合に、ステップＳ４において通信が成立したと判定する。 On the other hand, in the communication process with the 3G router 12 in step S3, the communication adapter 11 transmits a transmission request for the device information of the 3G router 12 to the 3G router 12. In response to this, when the 3G router 12 transmits device information (for example, individual identification information) of the 3G router 12 to the communication adapter 11 and the communication adapter 11 has successfully received the device information of the 3G router 12, In step S4, it is determined that communication has been established.
　また、通信アダプタ１１が３Ｇルータ１２の機器情報を正常に受信するまでは、ステップＳ４において、通信が成立していない（Ｎｏ）と判定され、ステップＳ３へ戻る。 Further, until the communication adapter 11 normally receives the device information of the 3G router 12, it is determined in step S4 that communication is not established (No), and the process returns to step S3.
　いま、通信アダプタ１１が起動されて、３Ｇルータ１２との間の通信処理（ステップＳ３）が行われているが、電源プラグＰ１はコンセントに差し込まれておらず、３Ｇルータ１２は起動していないので、ステップＳ４では、通信が成立していない（Ｎｏ）と判定され、ステップＳ３へ戻る。ステップＳ４の判定がＮｏの場合には、ステップＳ３が所定時間（例えば１０秒）ごとに繰り返される。 Now, the communication adapter 11 is activated and the communication process (step S3) with the 3G router 12 is performed, but the power plug P1 is not inserted into the outlet and the 3G router 12 is not activated. Therefore, in step S4, it is determined that communication is not established (No), and the process returns to step S3. If the determination in step S4 is No, step S3 is repeated every predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds).
　そして、通信アダプタ１１とシステムコントローラ２２との間の通信が成立して報知灯Ｌａが連続点灯状態になると、施工者は、中継装置１の電源プラグＰ１をコンセントに差し込んで３Ｇルータ１２を起動させる。 Then, when communication between the communication adapter 11 and the system controller 22 is established and the notification lamp La is continuously lit, the installer plugs the power plug P1 of the relay device 1 into an outlet and activates the 3G router 12. .
　３Ｇルータ１２が起動して、３Ｇルータ１２との間の通信処理（ステップＳ３）による通信が成立したと判定（ステップＳ４）した場合には、報知灯Ｌｂを連続点灯状態にすることにより３Ｇルータ１２との間の通信状態が正常である旨を報知する（ステップＳ５）。 When the 3G router 12 is activated and it is determined (step S4) that communication by the communication process (step S3) with the 3G router 12 has been established (step S4), the 3G router is turned on by continuously turning on the notification lamp Lb. 12 is informed that the communication state with the terminal 12 is normal (step S5).
　この後、通信アダプタ１１が３Ｇルータ１２との間の通信を行う際には、ステップＳ６以降の処理が行われる。ステップＳ６～Ｓ８は、送受信される情報が異なるほかは、ステップＳ３～Ｓ５と同様の処理であり、ステップＳ８では、ステップＳ５によって連続点灯状態となっている報知灯Ｌｂの状態が継続されることになる。また、ステップＳ７において、通信が成立していない（Ｎｏ）と判定した場合には、報知灯Ｌｂを点滅周期の短い点滅状態にすることにより３Ｇルータ１２との間の通信状態が異常である旨を報知する（ステップＳ９）。 Thereafter, when the communication adapter 11 performs communication with the 3G router 12, the processing from step S6 is performed. Steps S6 to S8 are the same as steps S3 to S5 except that the information transmitted and received is different. In step S8, the state of the notification lamp Lb that is continuously lit by step S5 is continued. become. If it is determined in step S7 that communication is not established (No), the communication state with the 3G router 12 is abnormal by setting the notification lamp Lb to a blinking state with a short blinking cycle. Is notified (step S9).
　ステップＳ６以降の処理は、例えば、所定時間（ｔ２）間隔で、３Ｇルータ１２との間の通信状態を確認するために行う処理であってもよい。この場合、例えば、通信アダプタ１１が３Ｇルータ１２へ通信状態確認要求を送信し（ステップＳ６）、それを受けて３Ｇルータ１２が通信アダプタ１１へ通信状態確認応答を送信し、この応答を通信アダプタ１１が受信することで通信が成立した（通信状態が正常）と判定し、通信状態確認要求を送信してから所定時間（ｔ１）経過しても通信状態確認応答を受信しない場合には通信が成立していないと判定する（ステップＳ７）ようにしてもよい。例えば、ＬＡＮケーブルＣ４が断線した場合等にはステップＳ７で通信が成立していないと判定され、報知灯Ｌｂを点滅周期の短い点滅状態にすることにより通信状態が異常である旨を報知する（ステップＳ９）。 The processing after step S6 may be, for example, processing for confirming the communication state with the 3G router 12 at predetermined time (t2) intervals. In this case, for example, the communication adapter 11 transmits a communication state confirmation request to the 3G router 12 (step S6), and the 3G router 12 transmits a communication state confirmation response to the communication adapter 11 in response to this request. If the communication status confirmation response is not received even after a predetermined time (t1) has elapsed since the communication status confirmation request was transmitted, it is determined that communication has been established. It may be determined that it is not established (step S7). For example, when the LAN cable C4 is disconnected or the like, it is determined in step S7 that communication has not been established, and the notification lamp Lb is changed to a blinking state with a short blinking period to notify that the communication state is abnormal ( Step S9).
　〔通信アダプタと管理サーバとの間の通信〕
　通信アダプタ１１は、起動後に、３Ｇルータ１２との間の通信処理（ステップＳ３）による通信が初めて成立したと判定（ステップＳ４）した後、３Ｇルータ１２を介して管理サーバ３との間で通信を行う。この場合の処理は、図３に示す３Ｇルータ１２との間の通信における手順に準じて行う。通信アダプタ１１と管理サーバ３との間の通信は、必ず３Ｇルータ１２を介して行われるが、以下の説明では３Ｇルータ１２を介して行われることを明記しない。管理サーバ３では、通信アダプタ１１から送信されてきた情報を蓄積（記憶）する。 [Communication between the communication adapter and the management server]
The communication adapter 11 determines that communication by the communication process (step S3) with the 3G router 12 is established for the first time after activation (step S4), and then communicates with the management server 3 via the 3G router 12. I do. The processing in this case is performed according to the procedure in communication with the 3G router 12 shown in FIG. Although communication between the communication adapter 11 and the management server 3 is always performed via the 3G router 12, it is not specified in the following description that it is performed via the 3G router 12. The management server 3 accumulates (stores) information transmitted from the communication adapter 11.
　まず、通信アダプタ１１が起動後に管理サーバ３と最初に行う通信では、先にシステムコントローラ２２から受信した給湯システム２の機器情報を管理サーバ３へ送信する（ステップＳ３に準じた管理サーバ３との間の通信処理）。 First, in the first communication with the management server 3 after the communication adapter 11 is activated, the device information of the hot water supply system 2 previously received from the system controller 22 is transmitted to the management server 3 (with the management server 3 according to step S3). Communication process).
　その後、所定時間（ｔ３）内に管理サーバ３から、給湯システム２の機器情報を受信した旨を示す受信応答を受信した場合には、通信が成立したと判定し、そうでない場合には、通信が成立していないと判定する（ステップＳ４に準じた判定処理）。 Thereafter, when a reception response indicating that the device information of the hot water supply system 2 has been received from the management server 3 within a predetermined time (t3), it is determined that communication has been established, and otherwise, communication is established. Is not established (determination process according to step S4).
　上記で、通信が成立したと判定した場合には、報知灯Ｌｃを連続点灯状態にすることにより管理サーバ３との間の通信状態が正常である旨を報知する（ステップＳ５に準じた報知処理）。一方、通信が成立していないと判定した場合には、ステップＳ３に準じた管理サーバ３との間の通信処理へ戻り、この通信処理が所定時間（例えば１０秒）ごとに繰り返される。 In the above, when it is determined that communication has been established, the notification lamp Lc is continuously lit to notify that the communication state with the management server 3 is normal (notification processing according to step S5). ). On the other hand, when it is determined that communication is not established, the process returns to the communication process with the management server 3 according to step S3, and this communication process is repeated every predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds).
　本実施形態では、試運転時等において、通信アダプタ１１を起動させた後で３Ｇルータ１２を起動させるようにしているので、通信アダプタ１１と３Ｇルータ１２との間の通信については、通信アダプタ１１が起動して、３Ｇルータ１２との間の通信を行うための通信処理（ステップＳ３）を実行しても、３Ｇルータ１２が起動していなければ通信は成立していないと判定（ステップＳ４）されるが、この場合、通信状態が異常である旨の報知を行わせないようにしている。これにより、試運転時等において、不要な通信異常の報知を無くし、施工者が故障や不具合が発生していると勘違いをすることが無くなる。 In the present embodiment, since the 3G router 12 is activated after the communication adapter 11 is activated at the time of a test run or the like, the communication adapter 11 is in communication with the communication adapter 11 and the 3G router 12. Even if the communication process for starting communication with the 3G router 12 (step S3) is executed, it is determined that communication is not established unless the 3G router 12 is started (step S4). However, in this case, notification that the communication state is abnormal is not performed. This eliminates unnecessary communication abnormality notifications during a trial run or the like, and prevents the installer from misunderstanding that a failure or malfunction has occurred.
　上記実施形態では、第１の通信処理部、第１の報知部、および、第１の報知制御部を通信アダプタ１１に備えることとしたが、これとともに、あるいは、これに代えて、これらを３Ｇルータ１２に備えることとしてもよい。この場合、試運転時等において、３Ｇルータ１２を起動させた後で、通信アダプタ１１を起動させるようにしてもよい。 In the above-described embodiment, the communication adapter 11 includes the first communication processing unit, the first notification unit, and the first notification control unit. However, in addition to or instead of this, 3G The router 12 may be provided. In this case, the communication adapter 11 may be activated after the 3G router 12 is activated during a trial operation or the like.
　なお、本実施形態では、住宅設備機器として、複数台の給湯器２１が連結されている給湯システム２を例に挙げたが、住宅設備機器が１台の給湯器で構成され、その給湯器に内蔵されているコントローラと通信アダプタ１１とが例えば２芯ケーブルで通信可能に接続されるようにしてもよい。また、住宅設備機器は、給湯器や給湯システムに限らず、機器の情報が中継装置１を介して管理サーバ３へ送信される住宅設備機器であればよい。 In the present embodiment, the hot water supply system 2 in which a plurality of water heaters 21 are connected as an example of the housing equipment is described as an example, but the housing equipment is configured by a single water heater, The built-in controller and the communication adapter 11 may be connected to be communicable with, for example, a two-core cable. Further, the housing equipment is not limited to a water heater or a hot water system, but may be any housing equipment that transmits information about the equipment to the management server 3 via the relay device 1.
　また、本発明に係る中継装置における通信アダプタとルータ装置との一例として、１つの筐体１５内に収納された通信アダプタ１１と３Ｇルータ１２とを例示したが、これに限られない。例えば、通信アダプタとルータ装置とが別体として構成されていてもよい。さらにこの場合において、通信アダプタとルータ装置との間の通信は無線通信によって行われるようにしてもよい。このように、通信アダプタとルータ装置とが別体として構成されている場合、これらの間の通信状態の判定及び異常である旨等の報知は、通信アダプタが行うようにする。また、通信アダプタと管理サーバとの間の通信状態の判定及び異常である旨等の報知も、通信アダプタが行うようにする。 Further, although the communication adapter 11 and the 3G router 12 housed in one casing 15 are illustrated as an example of the communication adapter and the router device in the relay device according to the present invention, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the communication adapter and the router device may be configured separately. Further, in this case, communication between the communication adapter and the router device may be performed by wireless communication. As described above, when the communication adapter and the router device are configured separately, the communication adapter performs notification of a communication state between them and notification of an abnormality. In addition, the communication adapter also performs determination of the communication state between the communication adapter and the management server and notification of an abnormality.
　以上のように、本実施形態においては他の例（変形例）が種々考えられる。以下に、１つの変形例を挙げて簡単に説明する。 As described above, various other examples (modifications) are conceivable in this embodiment. The following briefly describes one modification.
　〔変形例〕
　図４は、本発明の実施形態の変形例の中継装置を用いた遠隔監視システムの概略構成図である。図１と同等の要素には同一符号を付し、以下では、主に図１と異なる部分について説明する。 [Modification]
FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of a remote monitoring system using a relay device according to a modification of the embodiment of the present invention. Elements that are the same as those in FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals, and in the following, differences from FIG. 1 will be mainly described.
　この遠隔監視システムは、中継装置１Ｂと、住宅設備機器の一例である給湯システム２Ｂと、インターネット等の通信ネットワーク４に接続された管理サーバ３などを備えている。 This remote monitoring system includes a relay device 1B, a hot water supply system 2B which is an example of a housing equipment, and a management server 3 connected to a communication network 4 such as the Internet.
　給湯システム２Ｂは、１台の給湯器２１とリモコン２３とを備えている。また、中継装置１Ｂは、通信アダプタ１１Ｂと、ルータ装置としての無線ＬＡＮルータ１２Ｂとで構成されている。通信アダプタ１１Ｂと無線ＬＡＮルータ１２Ｂとの間の通信は、無線通信によって行われる。なお、無線ＬＡＮルータ１２Ｂは、例えば、給湯システム２Ｂが設置されるユーザ宅に予め備えられているものでもよい。 The hot water supply system 2B includes a single water heater 21 and a remote controller 23. The relay device 1B includes a communication adapter 11B and a wireless LAN router 12B as a router device. Communication between the communication adapter 11B and the wireless LAN router 12B is performed by wireless communication. Note that the wireless LAN router 12B may be provided in advance in a user's house where the hot water supply system 2B is installed, for example.
　この場合、通信アダプタ１１Ｂの端子台Ｔ１と給湯器２１の端子台Ｔ２とが２芯ケーブルＣ１で接続されている。また、リモコン２３は、給湯器２１の端子台Ｔ２に２芯ケーブルＣ２で接続されている。そして、給湯器２１は、内部の電源部（図示せず）で生成した直流電圧を内部で使用するとともに、２芯ケーブルＣ１，Ｃ２を介して通信アダプタ１１Ｂ，リモコン２３へ供給する。また、リモコン２３は、２芯ケーブルＣ２を介して給湯器２１のコントローラ２１ａとの間で相互に通信（双方向通信）を行う。通信アダプタ１１Ｂは、２芯ケーブルＣ１を介して給湯器２１のコントローラ２１ａとの間で相互に通信（双方向通信）を行う。 In this case, the terminal block T1 of the communication adapter 11B and the terminal block T2 of the water heater 21 are connected by the two-core cable C1. The remote controller 23 is connected to the terminal block T2 of the water heater 21 with a two-core cable C2. The water heater 21 uses a DC voltage generated by an internal power supply unit (not shown) and supplies it to the communication adapter 11B and the remote controller 23 via the two-core cables C1 and C2. In addition, the remote controller 23 performs mutual communication (bidirectional communication) with the controller 21a of the water heater 21 via the two-core cable C2. The communication adapter 11B performs communication (bidirectional communication) with the controller 21a of the water heater 21 via the two-core cable C1.
　また、通信アダプタ１１Ｂは、図２に示す通信アダプタ１１と同様の機能を有する。ただし、図４の通信アダプタ１１Ｂの場合には、図２において、通信処理部１１ａは、給湯器２１のコントローラ２１ａとの間の通信を行うための通信処理を実行し、通信処理部１１ｂは、無線ＬＡＮルータ１２Ｂとの間の通信（無線通信）を行うための通信処理を実行し、通信処理部１１ｃは、無線ＬＡＮルータ１２Ｂを介して管理サーバ３との間の通信を行うための通信処理を実行するように構成されている。なお、この通信アダプタ１１Ｂの場合の報知制御部ＣＬａ～ＣＬｃ及び報知灯Ｌａ～Ｌｃについては、通信アダプタ１１の場合と同様の機能を有している。 Further, the communication adapter 11B has the same function as the communication adapter 11 shown in FIG. However, in the case of the communication adapter 11B of FIG. 4, in FIG. 2, the communication processing part 11a performs the communication process for communicating with the controller 21a of the water heater 21, and the communication processing part 11b Communication processing for performing communication (wireless communication) with the wireless LAN router 12B is executed, and the communication processing unit 11c performs communication processing with the management server 3 via the wireless LAN router 12B. Is configured to run. The notification controllers CLa to CLc and the notification lamps La to Lc in the case of the communication adapter 11B have the same functions as in the case of the communication adapter 11.
　なお、通信アダプタ１１Ｂには、無線ＬＡＮルータ１２Ｂとの間の通信の初期設定を行わせるための図示しない操作スイッチ（初期設定操作スイッチ）が設けられている。 The communication adapter 11B is provided with an operation switch (initial setting operation switch) (not shown) for performing an initial setting of communication with the wireless LAN router 12B.
　この変形例の場合、例えば試運転を行う際、無線ＬＡＮルータ１２Ｂは予め起動されており、施工者は、給湯器２１の電源プラグＰ２をコンセントに差し込んで、給湯器２１と、給湯器２１から電源（直流電圧）が供給される通信アダプタ１１Ｂとを起動させる。そして、通信アダプタ１１Ｂと給湯器２１のコントローラ２１ａとの間の通信状態を示す報知灯Ｌａが連続点灯状態（通信状態が正常）になった後、施工者が通信アダプタ１１Ｂの初期設定操作スイッチをオンにして、通信アダプタ１１Ｂに無線ＬＡＮルータ１２Ｂとの間の通信の初期設定を行わせる手順となっている。この初期設定を行うときの通信が、通信アダプタ１１Ｂと無線ＬＡＮルータ１２Ｂとの間の初めての通信になる。 In the case of this modification, for example, when performing a test run, the wireless LAN router 12B is activated in advance, and the installer inserts the power plug P2 of the water heater 21 into an outlet, and supplies power from the water heater 21 and the water heater 21. The communication adapter 11B to which (DC voltage) is supplied is activated. And after the notification lamp La which shows the communication state between the communication adapter 11B and the controller 21a of the water heater 21 will be in a continuous lighting state (communication state is normal), a contractor will perform the initial setting operation switch of the communication adapter 11B. The procedure is such that the communication adapter 11B is initialized to perform communication with the wireless LAN router 12B. Communication when performing this initial setting is the first communication between the communication adapter 11B and the wireless LAN router 12B.
　上記の試運転等を行う際に、通信アダプタ１１Ｂは、起動すると、全ての報知灯Ｌａ，Ｌｂ，Ｌｃを通信状態が未確認である旨を示す点滅周期の長い点滅状態にする（図３のステップＳ２を参照）。次に、通信アダプタ１１Ｂは、給湯器２１のコントローラ２１ａとの間の通信処理を行うとともに、これと並行して無線ＬＡＮルータ１２Ｂとの間の通信処理を行う（図３のステップＳ３を参照）。 When performing the above-described test operation, the communication adapter 11B, when activated, puts all the notification lamps La, Lb, Lc into a blinking state with a long blinking cycle indicating that the communication state is unconfirmed (step S2 in FIG. 3). See). Next, the communication adapter 11B performs communication processing with the controller 21a of the water heater 21, and in parallel with this, performs communication processing with the wireless LAN router 12B (see step S3 in FIG. 3). .
　そして、通信アダプタ１１Ｂは、コントローラ２１ａとの間の通信処理による通信が成立すると、報知灯Ｌａを連続点灯状態にする。このコントローラ２１ａとの間の最初の通信では、通信アダプタ１１Ｂは、給湯器２１の個体識別情報等の給湯システム２Ｂの機器情報をコントローラ２１ａから受信する。 And the communication adapter 11B will make the notification lamp La a continuous lighting state, if communication by the communication process between the controllers 21a is materialized. In the initial communication with the controller 21a, the communication adapter 11B receives the device information of the hot water supply system 2B such as the individual identification information of the hot water heater 21 from the controller 21a.
　一方、通信アダプタ１１Ｂは、無線ＬＡＮルータ１２Ｂとの間の通信処理については、初期設定操作スイッチがオンする前（オフのとき）には、通信は成立していないと判定しても（図３のステップＳ４のＮｏの場合を参照）、通信状態が異常である旨の報知を行わない。初期設定操作スイッチがオンになって、初期設定のための通信が行われて通信が成立したと判定（図３のステップＳ４のＹｅｓの場合を参照）した場合には、報知灯Ｌｂを連続点灯状態にすることにより無線ＬＡＮルータ１２Ｂとの間の通信状態が正常である旨を報知する（図３のステップＳ５を参照）。この後、通信アダプタ１１Ｂが無線ＬＡＮルータ１２Ｂとの間の通信を行う際には、図３のステップＳ６以降の処理に相当する処理が行われる。 On the other hand, the communication adapter 11B determines that the communication processing with the wireless LAN router 12B is not established before the initial setting operation switch is turned on (when it is off) (FIG. 3). The notification that the communication state is abnormal is not performed. When the initial setting operation switch is turned on and communication for initial setting is performed and it is determined that communication has been established (see Yes in step S4 in FIG. 3), the notification lamp Lb is continuously lit. By making this state, it is notified that the communication state with the wireless LAN router 12B is normal (see step S5 in FIG. 3). Thereafter, when the communication adapter 11B performs communication with the wireless LAN router 12B, processing corresponding to the processing after step S6 in FIG. 3 is performed.
　この変形例の場合、試運転時等において、通信アダプタ１１Ｂを起動させた後で、初期設定操作スイッチをオンにすることにより、無線ＬＡＮルータ１２Ｂとの間の通信の初期設定を行わせるようにしている。したがって、通信アダプタ１１Ｂが起動して、無線ＬＡＮルータ１２Ｂに対する通信処理（図３のステップＳ３を参照）を実行しても、初期設定操作スイッチがオフの間は、通信は成立していないと判定（図３のステップＳ４のＮｏの場合を参照）されるが、この場合、通信状態が異常である旨の報知を行わせないようにしている。これにより、試運転時等において、不要な通信異常の報知を無くし、施工者が故障や不具合が発生していると勘違いをすることが無くなる。 In the case of this modification, the initial setting operation switch is turned on after the communication adapter 11B is activated during a trial operation or the like, so that the initial setting of communication with the wireless LAN router 12B is performed. Yes. Therefore, even if the communication adapter 11B is activated and executes the communication process for the wireless LAN router 12B (see step S3 in FIG. 3), it is determined that communication is not established while the initial setting operation switch is off. (Refer to the case of No in step S4 in FIG. 3), but in this case, notification that the communication state is abnormal is not performed. This eliminates unnecessary communication abnormality notifications during a trial run or the like, and prevents the installer from misunderstanding that a failure or malfunction has occurred.
　なお、上記の本実施形態の一例（図１）及び変形例（図４）では、通信アダプタ１１，１１Ｂが起動して通信アダプタ１１，１１Ｂとルータ装置（３Ｇルータ１２，無線ＬＡＮルータ１２Ｂ）との間で最初の通信が成立するより前においては、通信アダプタ１１，１１Ｂにルータ装置との間の通信状態が異常である旨の報知を行わせないようにしているが、通信アダプタ１１，１１Ｂが起動して所定時間（例えば、数１０分間～数時間）経過しても最初の通信が成立しない場合には、通信状態が異常である旨の報知を行わせるようにしてもよい。これは、例えば、通信アダプタ１１，１１Ｂが起動して所定時間（例えば、数１０分間～数時間）経過すれば、施工作業が完了あるいは略完了しており、そのときに最初の通信が成立しない場合には何らかの不具合があると考えられるからである。 In the example (FIG. 1) and the modification (FIG. 4) of the above-described embodiment, the communication adapters 11 and 11B are activated and the communication adapters 11 and 11B and the router device (3G router 12, wireless LAN router 12B) Before the first communication is established between the communication adapters 11 and 11B, the communication adapters 11 and 11B are not notified that the communication state with the router device is abnormal. If the first communication is not established even after a predetermined time (for example, several tens of minutes to several hours) elapses after activation, notification that the communication state is abnormal may be performed. For example, when a predetermined time (for example, several tens of minutes to several hours) elapses after the communication adapters 11 and 11B are activated, the construction work is completed or almost completed, and the first communication is not established at that time. This is because it is considered that there are some problems.
　上記説明から、当業者にとっては、本発明の多くの改良や他の実施形態が明らかである。従って、上記説明は、例示としてのみ解釈されるべきであり、本発明を実行する最良の態様を当業者に教示する目的で提供されたものである。本発明の精神を逸脱することなく、その構造及び／又は機能の詳細を実質的に変更できる。 From the above description, many modifications and other embodiments of the present invention are apparent to persons skilled in the art. Accordingly, the foregoing description should be construed as illustrative only and is provided for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the best mode of carrying out the invention. The details of the structure and / or function may be substantially changed without departing from the spirit of the invention.
　本発明は、不要な通信異常の報知を無くすことができる中継装置等として有用である。 The present invention is useful as a relay device or the like that can eliminate notification of unnecessary communication abnormality.
　１，１Ｂ　中継装置
　２，２Ｂ　給湯システム
　３　管理サーバ
１１，１１Ｂ　通信アダプタ
１２　３Ｇルータ
１２Ｂ　無線ＬＡＮルータ
１１ａ，１１ｂ，１１ｃ　通信処理部
Ｌａ，Ｌｂ，Ｌｃ　報知灯
ＣＬａ，ＣＬｂ，ＣＬｃ　報知制御部 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1B Relay apparatus 2,2B Hot-water supply system 3 Management server 11, 11B Communication adapter 12 3G router 12B Wireless LAN router 11a, 11b, 11c Communication processing part La, Lb, Lc Notification light CLa, CLb, CLc Notification control part

Claims (6)

  1. 　住宅設備機器と、通信ネットワークに接続された管理サーバと、の間の通信を中継する中継装置であって、
    　前記住宅設備機器との間で相互に通信を行う通信アダプタと、
    　前記通信アダプタとの間で相互に通信を行うとともに、前記通信ネットワークを介して前記管理サーバと通信を行うルータ装置とを備え、
    　前記通信アダプタおよび前記ルータ装置の少なくともいずれか一方は、
    　他方との間の通信を行うための通信処理を実行する第１の通信処理部と、
    　前記他方との間の通信状態が異常である旨の報知を行うことができる第１の報知部と、
    　前記一方が起動後に前記他方との間の通信が初めて成立した後の通信処理について、前記第１の通信処理部が通信処理を実行するたびに通信が成立したか否かを判定し、通信が成立していないと判定したときには前記第１の報知部に異常である旨の報知を行わせ、前記一方が起動後に前記他方との間の通信が初めて成立するより前においては、前記第１の報知部に異常である旨の報知を行わせないよう制御する第１の報知制御部とを有する、
    　中継装置。     A relay device that relays communication between a housing equipment and a management server connected to a communication network,
    A communication adapter for communicating with the housing equipment;
    A router device that performs mutual communication with the communication adapter, and communicates with the management server via the communication network,
    At least one of the communication adapter and the router device is
    A first communication processing unit that executes communication processing for communication with the other;
    A first notification unit capable of performing notification that the communication state with the other is abnormal;
    For the communication processing after the first communication is established for the first time after the one is activated, it is determined whether or not the communication is established each time the first communication processing unit executes the communication processing. When it is determined that it is not established, the first notifying unit is informed of an abnormality, and before the first establishment of communication with the other after the one is activated, A first notification control unit that controls the notification unit not to notify the abnormality,
    Relay device.
  2. 　前記第１の報知部は、
    　前記他方との間の通信状態が未確認である旨の報知も行うことができるよう構成されており、
    　前記第１の報知制御部は、
    　前記一方が起動後に前記他方との間の通信が初めて成立するより前においては、前記第１の報知部に前記他方との間の通信状態が未確認である旨の報知を行わせるよう制御する、
    　請求項１に記載の中継装置。     The first notification unit includes:
    It is configured to be able to notify that the communication state with the other is unconfirmed,
    The first notification control unit
    Before the one is activated and before communication with the other is established for the first time, the first notification unit is controlled to notify that the communication state with the other is unconfirmed,
    The relay device according to claim 1.
  3. 　前記通信アダプタは、さらに、
    　前記管理サーバとの間の通信を行うための通信処理を実行する第２の通信処理部と、
    　前記管理サーバとの間の通信状態が異常である旨の報知を行うことができる第２の報知部と、
    　前記通信アダプタが起動後に前記管理サーバとの間の通信が初めて成立した後の通信処理について、前記第２の通信処理部が通信処理を実行するたびに通信が成立したか否かを判定し、通信が成立していないと判定したときには前記第２の報知部に異常である旨の報知を行わせ、前記通信アダプタが起動後に前記管理サーバとの間の通信が初めて成立するより前においては、前記第２の報知部に異常である旨の報知を行わせないよう制御する第２の報知制御部とを有する、
    　請求項１または２に記載の中継装置。     The communication adapter further includes:
    A second communication processing unit that executes communication processing for performing communication with the management server;
    A second notification unit capable of performing notification that the communication state with the management server is abnormal;
    For communication processing after communication with the management server is established for the first time after the communication adapter is activated, determine whether communication is established each time the second communication processing unit executes communication processing, When it is determined that communication is not established, the second notification unit is informed that the communication is abnormal, and before communication with the management server is established for the first time after the communication adapter is activated, A second notification control unit that controls the second notification unit not to notify that the second notification unit is abnormal,
    The relay apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.
  4. 　前記第２の報知部は、
    　前記管理サーバとの間の通信状態が未確認である旨の報知も行うことができるよう構成されており、
    　前記第２の報知制御部は、
    　前記通信アダプタが起動後に前記管理サーバとの間の通信が初めて成立するより前においては、前記第２の報知部に前記管理サーバとの間の通信状態が未確認である旨の報知を行わせるよう制御する、
    　請求項３に記載の中継装置。     The second notification unit includes:
    It is configured to be able to notify that the communication state with the management server is unconfirmed,
    The second notification control unit
    Before the communication with the management server is established for the first time after the communication adapter is activated, the second notification unit is notified that the communication state with the management server is unconfirmed. Control,
    The relay device according to claim 3.
  5. 　前記通信アダプタと前記ルータ装置とは異なる電源部から電力が供給されるよう構成された、
    　請求項１～４のいずれかに記載の中継装置。     The communication adapter and the router device are configured to be supplied with power from different power supply units,
    The relay device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
  6. 　外部の交流電源から供給される電力を直流電力に変換して前記ルータ装置に供給する電源部をさらに備えるとともに、
    　前記通信アダプタには、前記住宅設備機器内の電源部から電力が供給されるよう構成された、
    　請求項５に記載の中継装置。     Further comprising a power supply unit that converts power supplied from an external AC power source into DC power and supplies it to the router device,
    The communication adapter is configured to be supplied with power from a power supply unit in the house equipment.
    The relay device according to claim 5.
PCT/JP2016/004526 2015-10-19 2016-10-07 Relay apparatus WO2017068760A1 (en)

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Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2019080218A (en) * 2017-10-26 2019-05-23 株式会社ノーリツ Relay device
JP2019190690A (en) * 2018-04-20 2019-10-31 株式会社ノーリツ Water heating appliance

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2002041140A (en) * 2000-07-31 2002-02-08 Miura Co Ltd Method for monitoring equipment
JP2007274710A (en) * 2007-05-01 2007-10-18 Tokyo Gas Co Ltd Relay adapter, remote management system, remote management method and remote management program
JP2012087961A (en) * 2010-10-18 2012-05-10 Panasonic Corp Air conditioning apparatus

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2002041140A (en) * 2000-07-31 2002-02-08 Miura Co Ltd Method for monitoring equipment
JP2007274710A (en) * 2007-05-01 2007-10-18 Tokyo Gas Co Ltd Relay adapter, remote management system, remote management method and remote management program
JP2012087961A (en) * 2010-10-18 2012-05-10 Panasonic Corp Air conditioning apparatus

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2019080218A (en) * 2017-10-26 2019-05-23 株式会社ノーリツ Relay device
JP2019190690A (en) * 2018-04-20 2019-10-31 株式会社ノーリツ Water heating appliance

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