JP2000291996A - Supervisory control system for air conditioning - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a supervisory control system for air conditioning, in which a user can deliver an appropriate control command without causing confusions by displaying the record of commands to an objective air conditioner before the user delivers a control command. SOLUTION: When an operation for selecting an air conditioner 4 is carried out at a distributed control terminal 3, the record of commands to an objective air conditioner is read out from the memory section 20 of a central building air-conditioning supervisory controller 1 and displayed. A user makes a decision as to whether the command is appropriate, based on the display. When the indoor temperature is altered, for example, a decision is made whether an operation for raising the set temperature is carried out immediately before. If it is carried out, the control command is preserved, otherwise the control command is delivered. The supervisory controller 1 decides whether the control command is delivered, and if it is delivered the record of command is added and an up-to-data record of command is displayed on the distributed control terminal 3. Since a decision is made as to whether the control command being delivered by a user is appropriate, errors in control command can be avoided.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air conditioning monitoring and control system for centrally managing and controlling air conditioners in a building.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an air-conditioning monitoring and control system for controlling and monitoring air-conditioning equipment in a building, equipment control and monitoring are performed by
It is performed centrally in the central monitoring room via the network.
In general, a resident of a building (hereinafter referred to as a “user”) changes scheduling such as extending the operating time of air conditioning in the building,
When requesting a change or confirmation of the set temperature, a start / stop, etc., it is necessary to contact the central monitoring room by telephone or the like.

[0003] The operator of the central monitoring room operates the air-conditioning monitoring and control system based on those communications, and performs requested processing.

[0004] Also, when the user wants to confirm the currently set temperature, operation schedule, and the like, it is necessary to similarly inquire of the central monitoring room.

The operator in the central monitoring room must perform a setting change operation and a confirmation operation every time there is an inquiry from the user and contact the user, which is a burden on the operator. In addition, the user also has to make a fine change in the settings to obtain the comfort of the living environment, which is troublesome and requires a compromise.

As a solution to these problems, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
There is a method disclosed in US Pat. JP 1
No. 0-63724 discloses operation control of an air conditioner or the like without an operator via electronic mail,
An object of the present invention is to provide a building management system capable of issuing a processing request such as setting value information confirmation.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION However, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
In the method disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 0-63724, there is a possibility that another user may issue a command of the same content to an air conditioner being controlled based on a previously issued command, which confuses the user. .

In addition, since the air conditioners that can be controlled for each user who uses e-mail are limited, if the user moves, only the same air conditioner can be controlled unless the user information is changed, which is troublesome.

Further, when the user information is frequently changed due to movement of the user or the like, there is a possibility that the user is confused because the air conditioner which can be operated by the user is not indicated.

[0010] In addition, even if the administrator has the authority to control all the air conditioners, when the management operation is required from the terminal for maintenance or the like, the management operation cannot be performed from the terminal. It takes time and effort.

[0011] In order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, the present invention displays a previous instruction history to a target air conditioner before the user issues a control command, thereby preventing the user from being confused. It is an object of the present invention to provide an air conditioning monitoring control system capable of issuing an appropriate control command.

[0012]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an air conditioning monitoring and control system, comprising: a central building for centrally managing air conditioning units in a building and individually controlling each air conditioning unit; Air conditioning monitoring and control device and LA in the building
A plurality of distributed control terminals using a general-purpose computer connected to an N (local area network), and when the control instruction is issued from the distributed control terminal to the air conditioner, when the previous control instruction was given to the air conditioner concerned; Is displayed on the decentralized control terminal.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the air conditioning monitoring and control system, a terminal position judging unit for judging a location of the distributed control terminal to which the control input has been made, and air conditioner position information for storing the position of the air conditioner. A control input determining unit that does not accept a control command for an air conditioner determined to be inappropriate by comparing the position indicated by the storage unit and the terminal position determination unit with the data of the air conditioner position information storage unit is provided. It is characterized by:

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the air conditioning monitoring control system, the controllable air conditioner display means for displaying the air conditioners controllable from the distributed control terminal separately from the air conditioners which cannot be controlled, and the control input determining means. A controllable air conditioner display means for instructing an air conditioner that can be controlled from the distributed control terminal to which control has been input when the command has been canceled is provided.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the air conditioning monitoring and control system, an administrator judging unit for judging whether or not the user is an administrator of the air conditioning monitoring and control system, and when the administrator is judged, the management operation is distributed. And a management control means enabling the control terminal to perform the control.

According to the present invention, it is possible to determine whether the control instruction that the user is going to perform is appropriate by displaying the previous instruction history to the target air conditioner before the user gives the control instruction. It is possible to provide an air-conditioning monitoring and control system that can reduce the trouble of a user's checking operation.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is directed to a central building air conditioning monitoring and control device for centrally managing air conditioners in a building and individually controlling each air conditioner, A plurality of distributed control terminals using a general-purpose computer connected to a LAN (local area network), and when the control instruction is issued from the distributed control terminal to the air conditioner, when the previous control instruction was given to the corresponding air conditioner; Is displayed on the decentralized control terminal, so that it is possible to determine whether or not the control instruction that the user is going to perform is appropriate, thereby reducing the trouble of the user's confirmation work.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first aspect of the present invention, a terminal position determining unit for determining a location of a distributed control terminal to which a control input has been made, A control command is issued to the air conditioner position information storage unit that stores the position, and to the air conditioner that is determined to be inappropriate by comparing the position indicated by the terminal position determination unit with the data of the air conditioner position information storage unit. Is provided, there is an effect that the possibility of issuing an erroneous control instruction is reduced.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a controllable air conditioner display means for displaying an air conditioner controllable by the distributed control terminal separately from an air conditioner which cannot be controlled in the first aspect of the present invention. A controllable air conditioner display means for displaying a controllable air conditioner separately from an air conditioner which cannot be controlled from the distributed control terminal, and a distributed control terminal which is control-input when the control command is canceled by the control input determination means. The controllable air conditioner display means for instructing the air conditioner that can be controlled from the server is provided, so even if a command is issued to the wrong air conditioner, the air conditioner that can be controlled is indicated, so that the user is confused. Has the effect that there is no.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first aspect, an administrator judging section for judging whether or not an administrator of the air conditioning monitoring control system is provided, and an administrator judging section. In the case that the management operation is performed from the distributed control terminal, the management control command means is provided for enabling the management operation to be performed from the distributed control terminal. It has the effect of improving.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an air-conditioning monitoring and control system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Reference numeral 1 denotes a central building air-conditioning monitoring and control device, which includes a network server and the like. The central building air-conditioning monitoring and control device is a LAN (Local Area Network) configured by Ethernet or the like.
k) 2, it is connected to the distributed control terminal 3.

The distributed control terminal 3 is a general-purpose PC (Pers
Onal Computer), which is used not only for the function of the distributed control terminal of the air conditioning monitoring and control system but also for ordinary office work.

Reference numeral 4 denotes an air conditioner, and a dedicated signal line 5 forms an air conditioner network. A signal line 5 is connected to the central building air-conditioning monitoring and control device 1, and centralized management and individual management are performed by exchanging communication packet data such as control signals with the air conditioner 4.

FIG. 2 is an example of a display screen on the distributed control terminal 3 of the present embodiment. In the display window 6, as buttons for controlling the air conditioner, an operation button 7, an operation mode button 8, a set temperature button 9, an air volume and wind direction change button 10
Is arranged. Reference numeral 11 denotes an end button for releasing the distributed control terminal function of the air conditioning monitoring and control system.

In a status display window 12 displayed in the display window 1, a whole building configuration display 14, a whole living room display 13 in which an air conditioner to be controlled is arranged, and a status of a device that issues a control instruction are displayed. The device display 15 is displayed.

The whole building configuration display 14 and the whole room display 1
In 3, the selection button is arranged. For example, when "2F" is selected in the building whole structure display 14, the "2F" display portion is highlighted. In the whole room display 13, the position and unique address of the air conditioner installed in the room are displayed, and the selected air conditioner portion is highlighted. In the example of FIG. 2, the air conditioner “01” of “2F” is selected.

Reference numeral 16 denotes an instruction history display window, which displays what control instruction has been given to the selected air conditioner ("air conditioner 01" in the example of FIG. 2) up to the present time together with the instructed time.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the central building air-conditioning monitoring and control device 1 in this embodiment. Reference numeral 17 denotes a network interface unit for controlling communication via the LAN 2. The control instruction input by the network interface unit 17 is transmitted to the target air conditioner 4 by the monitoring control processing unit 18.
Is transferred to the communication control unit 21.

The communication control unit 21 inputs and outputs a signal for controlling the air conditioner 4 through the dedicated line 5. In the monitoring control processing unit 18, simultaneously with the conversion of the control command, the content of the command is added to the control command storage unit 20 together with the current time obtained by the time timer 19. The data stored in the control instruction storage unit 20 is appropriately distributed to the distributed control terminal 3 through the network interface unit 17 as an instruction history.

A description will be given with reference to a flowchart of the control processing shown in FIG. 4 having the above configuration. First, the distributed control terminal 3
When an air conditioner selection operation is performed from Step 1 (Step 1), the control instruction history for the target air conditioner is read from the control instruction storage unit 20 in the central building air conditioning monitoring and control device 1 (Step 1).
p2) Display the instruction history on the distributed control terminal performing the operation (Step 3).

At this time, the user performing the operation determines whether or not the instruction he or she wants to perform is appropriate by looking at the history display. For example, it is determined whether or not the operation of increasing the set temperature has been performed immediately before the change of the set temperature is performed to increase the room temperature.

Here, if the operation of raising the set temperature is performed immediately before, since it is known that the control is being performed, the control instruction is suspended. Conversely, if the instruction to raise the set temperature has not been issued, a control instruction is issued. The central building air-conditioning monitoring and control device 1 determines whether or not a control instruction has been issued (Step 4), and if a control instruction has been issued, adds an instruction history (Step 5), and displays the latest instruction history display on the distributed control terminal 3. Display above.

As described above, when the control instruction is issued from the distributed control terminal to the air conditioner, the control instruction history display for displaying the history of the control instruction for the air conditioner is provided. Since it is possible to determine whether or not the instruction is appropriate, it is possible to reduce the possibility of issuing an erroneous control instruction and to issue an appropriate instruction.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 5 is an example of a display screen on the distributed control terminal 3 of Embodiment 2. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

Reference numeral 22 denotes a control restriction display for notifying the user that the selected air conditioner cannot be controlled. By selecting an air conditioner in the status display window 12,
If the air conditioner is located far from the place where the operating distributed control terminal 3 is installed, the control operation is canceled and the control operation is canceled while displaying that control is impossible.

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of the present embodiment.
23 is a monitoring control processing unit 18 in the central building air conditioning control terminal 1.
The distributed control terminal position determining unit added with the function determines the distributed control terminal position from the data in the distributed position information storage unit 24. Reference numeral 25 denotes an air conditioning position information storage unit which stores data when the air conditioner is installed.

Reference numeral 26 denotes a controllability judging unit for judging the controllability by referring to data in the distributed control terminal position judging unit 23 and the air conditioning position information storage unit 25. The uncontrollable data is transmitted to the distributed control terminal 3 through the section.

FIG. 7 shows an example of the position information data stored in the distributed position information storage unit 24. The address field 27 describes the network address of the decentralized control terminal, and the location information field 28 describes the location of the building in symbolized form in comparison with the address.

As described above, since the air conditioners that can be controlled from the position of the decentralized control terminal are limited, erroneous operations such as erroneously controlling an unrelated air conditioner can be prevented.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 8 is an example of a display screen on the distributed control terminal 3 of the present embodiment 3. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

Reference numeral 29 denotes an example of a controllability air conditioner display.
In this display, the air conditioner in which a black circle is displayed indicates that it cannot be controlled from the distributed control terminal 3,
Open circles indicate that control is possible. On this screen,
If an uncontrollable air conditioner is selected by mistake, a controllable air conditioner display 30 is displayed to inform the user that control is impossible. If a control command is issued even though control is impossible, a controllable air conditioner instruction screen is displayed as shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is an example of a controllable air conditioner instruction display. A controllable air conditioner instruction window 31 is displayed on the display window 6 when an uncontrollable air conditioner is selected and a control instruction is issued. The controllable air conditioner reselection button 32 on the controllable air conditioner instruction window 31 allows the user to select an air conditioner that can be controlled again (in this embodiment, since only the air conditioner 01 and the air conditioner 02 can be controlled, the air conditioner can be controlled). Selection buttons for the device 01 and the air conditioner 02 are displayed).

At this stage, if the user notices that his or her operation (instruction to control an uncontrollable air conditioner) is incorrect, the user selects the cancel button 33 to return to the original screen display. Operation can be corrected again. If the selection of the control target air conditioner is found to be incorrect, the controllable air conditioner reselection button 32
By selecting, there is no need to perform the operation again.

As described above, the controllable air conditioners and the non-controllable air conditioners are displayed separately on the distributed control terminal, so that erroneous operations are reduced when selecting an air conditioner to which a control instruction is to be issued. Furthermore, even in the event that a command is issued to the wrong air conditioner, the air conditioner for which control can be instructed is shown again, which can lead to a correct operation that confuses the user.

Fourth Embodiment FIG. 10 shows an example of a display screen on the distributed control terminal 3 according to the fourth embodiment. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

Reference numeral 34 denotes an administrator mode button for implementing an administrator mode in which all the control and management operations of all the air conditioners can be performed from the distributed control terminal 3 when performing maintenance or the like. By selecting the administrator mode button 34, a password window 35 for prompting input of a password for determining that the user is an administrator is displayed on the display window 6.

In the password window 35, an input box 36 for inputting a password, an enter button 37 for confirming the input, and a cancel button 38 for canceling the input are arranged. By inputting the password into the input box 36 and selecting the enter button 37, the user is recognized as an administrator and can perform management operations. If you enter the wrong password, you will be prompted to enter the password again.

FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram of the present embodiment. An administrator judging unit 39 judges whether or not the input of the password of the administrator is an administrator by comparing the input of the password with the contents of an administrator password file (not shown).

When the administrator is judged to be an administrator by the administrator judging section 39, the management control section 40 can be accessed. The management control unit 40 controls the entire air conditioner in the building and controls management operations such as updating and changing the management file group 41 in which management data is stored. When the management operation is completed, the management control unit 40 automatically rejects the access, and manages the management operation so that the management operation cannot be performed unless the password is input again.

As described above, it is determined whether or not the user is an administrator of the air-conditioning monitoring and control system. If the administrator is determined, the management operation can be performed from the distributed control terminal.
When the management operation is required for maintenance or the like, the operation can be performed from the distributed control terminal, so that the operability is improved and the security operation is improved because the management operation is restricted to general users.

[0052]

As described above, according to the present invention, a central building air conditioning monitoring and control device for centrally managing air conditioners in a building and individually controlling the air conditioners, and a LAN in the building.
A plurality of distributed control terminals using a general-purpose computer connected to the (local area network), and when a control instruction is issued from the distributed control terminal to the air conditioner, when the previous control instruction for the corresponding air conditioner was issued. Since it has a control instruction history display to be displayed on the distributed control terminal,
Since it is possible to determine whether or not the control instruction that the user is going to perform is appropriate, it is possible to reduce the trouble of the user's confirmation work.

A terminal position determining section for determining the location of the distributed control terminal to which the control input has been made, an air conditioner position information storage section for storing the position of the air conditioner, and a terminal position determining section. The air conditioner which is determined to be inappropriate by comparing the determined position with the data of the air conditioner position information storage unit is provided with a control input determination unit that does not accept a control command, so that the air conditioner is installed in a place other than a living space. The possibility of giving a control instruction to the air conditioner by mistake is reduced.

The controllable air conditioner display means for displaying the air conditioners controllable from the distributed control terminal separately from the air conditioners not controllable, and the air conditioner not controllable by the distributed control terminal. Controllable air conditioner display means for separately displaying, and controllable air conditioner display means for indicating an air conditioner that can be controlled from the distributed control terminal to which control is input when the control command is canceled by the control input determination means. Therefore, even in the event that a command is issued to the wrong air conditioner, a control instruction operation to the air conditioner capable of giving a control instruction is prompted, so that the user can be led to a correct control operation.

Also, an administrator judging unit for judging whether or not an administrator of the air-conditioning monitoring and control system is provided, and a management command for enabling a management operation to be performed from the distributed control terminal when it is determined that the user is an administrator. Means, the management operation can be performed from the decentralized control terminal even when it is necessary to perform a management operation for maintenance or the like, so that operability is improved, and security is improved since a general user cannot perform the management operation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an air conditioning monitoring control system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a display screen on the distributed control terminal of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the central building air conditioning monitoring and control device of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a control processing flowchart of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a display screen on a distributed control terminal according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing position information data of the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a display screen on a distributed control terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a controllable air conditioner instruction display of the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a display screen on a distributed control terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 Central building air conditioning monitoring device 3 Distributed control terminal 4 Air conditioner 16 Instruction history display window 18 Monitoring control processing unit 20 Control instruction storage unit 22 Control restriction display 23 Distributed control terminal position determination unit 26 Control availability determination unit 29 Control availability air conditioner display 31 controllable air conditioner instruction window 34 administrator mode button 35 password window 39 administrator determination unit 40 management control unit

Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Tomonori Ouchiyama 4-2-5 Takaidahondori, Higashiosaka-shi, Osaka Matsushita Refrigerator Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 3L061 BA05

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A central building air conditioning monitoring and control device for centrally managing air conditioners in a building and individually controlling each air conditioner, and a plurality of general-purpose computers connected to a local area network in the building. Air conditioning monitoring control with a distributed control terminal and a control instruction history display for displaying on the distributed control terminal when the last control instruction was issued to the air conditioner when the control instruction was issued from the distributed control terminal to the air conditioner system. 2. A terminal position determining unit for determining a location of a distributed control terminal to which a control input has been made, an air conditioner position information storage unit for storing the position of an air conditioner, and a terminal position determining unit. The air conditioner according to claim 1, further comprising a control input determining unit that does not receive a control command for an air conditioner that is determined to be inappropriate by comparing the determined position with data in the air conditioner position information storage unit. Air conditioning monitoring and control system. 3. A controllable air conditioner display means for displaying an air conditioner controllable from a decentralized control terminal separately from an air conditioner which cannot be controlled, and a control input distributed control means when a control command is canceled by a control input determining means. 2. The air-conditioning monitoring and control system according to claim 1, further comprising controllable air-conditioning device indicating means for indicating an air-conditioning device that can be controlled from a control terminal. 4. An administrator judging section for judging whether or not an administrator of the air-conditioning monitoring control system, and a management control means for enabling a management operation to be performed from the distributed control terminal when the administrator is judged. The air-conditioning monitoring and control system according to claim 1, comprising: