JP2000346522A - Remote control system of freezing/refrigerating showcase - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a remote control system of a freezing/refrigerating showcase so designed that the stableness of operation of each unit can be ensured by prohibiting a unidirectional control from a control device on the center system side as to a control for changing operational conditions of the unit, in the case when the unit on the local system side is controlled by a remote operation by the control device on the center system side. SOLUTION: A local system 1a is provided with a discriminating means 13 which discriminates information on a change of a state of operation or a set value and monitoring information on the state of operation or the set value from others, out of the information transmitted to the local system 1a side from a center system 2, and with a setting change enabling switch as a switching means to select prohibition or permission of transmission of the information on the change and the monitoring information to a unit. The information on the change of the set value, some monitoring information, etc., are discriminated and the transmission of the information to each of units 5a to 5n is prohibited normally, while the information on the change and the monitoring information are transmitted thereto only for a certain period when switchover is made to a permission mode.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for monitoring the operation state of a plurality of refrigerated showcases installed in a store such as a supermarket using a telephone line from a remote place, and monitoring and setting control data. The present invention relates to a remote management system for changing a value.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a conventional remote management system. Reference numeral 21a denotes a local system on a store side such as a supermarket, and the local system 21a is connected via a telephone line 3 to a central center system 2 side. It is connected to a control device 4 using a computer.

The local system 21a has controllers 5a, 5b, 5c... 5n such as a refrigerator-freezer showcase, a prefabricated refrigerator, and a refrigerator installed in the store, for controlling the temperature in the refrigerator, the operation time, and the like. 7a, 7b, 7
.. 7n are mounted, and each of the devices 5a, 5b, 5c,.
5n is connected to the centralized management device 8 using a computer or the like and the communication interface 22 via the communication line 6. The communication interface 22 is connected to the control device 4 on the side of the center system 2 via the telephone line 3 and is disposed between the communication line 6 and the telephone line 3 to exchange information between the local system 21a and the center system 2 side. It has a function to exchange.

In the figure, reference numeral 21b denotes another local system, and a plurality of local systems 21a, 21b,.
21n is connected to the center system 2 via the telephone line 3.

In such a system, a communication interface 22 conventionally comprises a modem 10 serving as a connection portion with a telephone line 3 connected to a center system 2 and a communication line 6 of a local system 21a as shown in FIG. A communication processor 12 serving as a connection unit;
The conversion processor 11 is connected to the modem 10
And a function of converting the information received by the communication processor 12 and transmitting the information to the communication processor 12, and converting the information from the communication processor 12 and transmitting the information to the modem 10.

Next, the operation will be described. The plurality of local systems 21a, 21b... 21n are collectively managed by the control device 4 of the center system 2 via the telephone line 3, and the operating state of each device 5a, 5b, 5c. Information such as monitoring, monitoring of set values such as the internal temperature, and set value change information are transmitted from the control device 4 to the communication interface 22 of the local system 21a via the telephone line 6.

The communication interface 22 converts all of the information into communication information, and transmits the information to each of the devices 5a, 5b, 5c... 5n via the communication line 6 via the central control device 8 or directly from the communication interface 22. Controller 7a,
7b, 7c... 7n. Each controller 7a, 7
b, 7c... 7n automatically and immediately process the information in accordance with the content of the received information, and transmit, for example, data on the operating state and information that the set value has been changed.
This answer information is transmitted to the communication interface 2 via the communication line 6.
2, where it is converted into telephone line information and transmitted to the control device 4 of the center system 2 via the telephone line 3.

[0008]

As described above, the local system 21a, 2a
1b... 21n is transmitted to each device 5a, 5b, 5c via the central management device 8 or the communication interface 22.
... 5n controllers 7a, 7b, 7c ... 7n
And is automatically processed here, so that not only information such as monitoring of operating conditions and monitoring of set values such as internal temperature, etc., but also operating conditions of the devices 5a, 5b, 5c. The setting value change information of the inside temperature to be changed is also received, and the setting value of the inside temperature is immediately changed.

The information such as the change of the set value is used to change the actual operating conditions, and it is desirable that the information be changed based on a comprehensive situation judgment at the site. If the determination in step 4 is made unilaterally, various troubles may occur.

An object of the present invention is to solve the inconvenience of the conventional example and to change the operating conditions of each device when the control device of the center system remotely controls each device of the local system. It is an object of the present invention to provide a remote management system for a refrigerated showcase in which one-sided control from a control device on the center system side is disabled and operation stability of each device can be secured.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention firstly connects a plurality of freezing and refrigerated showcases equipped with a controller having a built-in communication function by communication lines, and communicates the communication lines. A local system connected to a telephone line via an interface, and a center system including a control device connected to the plurality of local systems via the telephone line. In the remote management system of the freezing and refrigeration showcase for monitoring the operating state of the freezing and refrigeration showcase and the set value of the control data, and also for changing the operating state and the set value and collectively managing a plurality of local systems, Among the information sent from the center system to the local system, information on changes in operating conditions and set values Determining means for distinguishing between operating state and set value monitor information, and switching means for switching between prohibition and permission of transmission of operating state and set value change information, and operating state and set value monitor information to the refrigerated showcase. Is provided in the communication interface or the controller, usually, the operating state and the set value change information and some monitor information are determined to prevent the freezing and refrigeration showcase from changing the operating state and the set value. By transmitting the operation status, set value change information, and some monitor information to the freezer and refrigerated showcase only for a certain period of time when the value is changed or the monitor is switched to the permission mode for some monitors, The monitoring information of some data, such as changes in operating conditions of various devices and power measurement, is switched to the permission mode by the switching means at the local system site judgment. Since it is possible for a limited time, which is not done only one judgment from center system, it can ensure the stability of operation of each device.

Secondly, since the switching means is a switching device provided in a communication interface or an operation unit of a controller or an operating device connected to a communication line, the switching device is used for switching to a set value change permission mode. It requires special switch operation of the actuator and the operating device, and can prevent setting values from being changed only by one-sided determination from the center system.

Third, in the permission mode, the prohibition is released by an output by a key operation of the communication interface, or the prohibition is released by an output by operating the switching device or the operating device, or a center system. The prohibition is released by the password from or a combination of these release methods, and the change permission mode is such that the prohibition state is restored by the output by the key operation of the communication interface, or the change permission mode is automatically set after a lapse of a predetermined time. The prohibition state is recovered, or the prohibition state is recovered by detecting that the transmission of the setting value change information and some monitor information via the telephone line from the center system has been completed, or the prohibition state is restored, or the switching device or the operation is performed. The prohibition status is restored by the output by operating the device, or the telephone is connected from the center system. Prohibited state is restored at the end signal,
Alternatively, the prohibition state is recovered by the signal from the center system that the telephone line is disconnected, or the recovery is performed by a combination of these prohibition state recovery methods. Operation status monitoring information and some set value monitor information are accepted, but set value change information and some monitor information such as electric energy are not accepted, so they can be set only by one-sided judgment from the center system. No value change or partial monitoring is done.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a remote management system for a refrigerator-freezer showcase of the present invention. The basic configuration of the present invention is the same as that of the conventional example already described with reference to FIG. Have the same reference numerals.

The present invention also connects the local system 1a to the control device 4 using a computer of the central system 2 via the telephone line 3. The local system 1a is a refrigerated showcase installed in a store. , Prefabricated refrigerators, refrigerators and other equipment 5a, 5b, 5c ...
5n are equipped with controllers 7a, 7b, 7c... 7n for controlling the internal temperature, operation time and the like, respectively, and each of the devices 5a, 5b, 5c. And a communication interface 6 via a communication line 6. The communication interface 9 is connected to the control device 4 of the center system 2 via the telephone line 3 and disposed between the communication line 6 and the telephone line 3 so that mutual information between the local system 1a and the center system 2 can be obtained. Has the function of replacing

In the figure, 1b shows another local system,
The plurality of local systems 1a, 1b... 1n are connected to the center system 2 via the telephone line 3.

In such a system, the communication interface 9 includes a modem 10, a conversion processor 1
1. In addition to the configuration of the communication processor 12, among the information transmitted from the center system 2, information for discriminating between operating state and set value change information and operating state and set value monitoring information is stored. The determination means 13 and the setting value change information and the monitor information based on the determination information from here are transmitted to the controller 7a of each device 5a, 5b, 5c.
7b, 7c... 7n are connected to the conversion processor 11 as a switching means for instructing the conversion processor 11 by a switching operation.

The mechanism for providing the function of discriminating the operating state and set value change information from the operating state and set value monitor information is not limited to the communication interface 9 as described above. , 7b, 7c ...
7n is also possible.

Further, the switching means is not limited to the setting change permission switch 14 provided in the communication interface 9, but the switching operation means is provided by a dedicated switching device (centralized connection) connected to the communication line 6 of the local system 1. controller,
Remote controller) (including a remote controller), and a communication interface 9 and controllers 7a, 7b, 7c,.
n, and further, a switching operation is transmitted from the center system 2 to the communication interface 9 and the controllers 7a, 7b, 7c... 7n via the telephone line 3. Note that this last method also includes a password.

Next, the operation will be described. If the information sent from the control device 4 of the center system 2 to the communication interface 9 via the telephone line 3 is determined by the determining means 13 to be the monitoring information of the operation state or the monitor information of the set value, the communication line 6 are transmitted to the controllers 7a, 7b, 7c,... 7n of the devices 5a, 5b, 5c,.

Each controller 7a, 7b, 7c... 7
n to decode this communication information, perform the processing according to the instruction,
The reply is output to the communication line 6. The answer information is converted into telephone line information by the communication interface 9 and transmitted to the control device 4 of the center system 2.

On the other hand, the control device 4 of the center system 2
When the information transmitted from the communication interface 9 via the telephone line 3 to the communication interface 9 is determined by the determining means 13 to be information on a change in the operating state and set values, and some data such as monitor information such as the amount of power, Further, the conversion processor 11 checks whether the setting change permission switch 14 is in the prohibition mode or the permission mode. In the case of the prohibition mode, the operation state, the change information of the set value and the monitor information are transmitted to the respective devices 5a and 5b. , 5c... 5n,
The conversion processor 11 sends a response indicating that the setting cannot be changed directly to the control device 4 of the center system 2. Thereby, each device 5a, 5b, 5c ... 5n
For example, the setting value such as the internal temperature is not changed.

On the other hand, each device 5a, 5b, 5c.
..Setting change permission switch 14 based on judgment of 5n installation site
Is switched to the change permission mode, the set value change information from the control device 4 of the center system 2 is converted into communication information that can be transmitted by the communication line 6 through the communication interface 9 in the same manner as other information. And each device 5a, 5
b, 5c... 5n controllers 7a, 7b, 7c
..Sent to 7n.

Each of the controllers 7a, 7b, 7c
.. 7n, the set value of the internal temperature is changed based on the set value change information, and the response information indicating that the processing has been performed is converted into telephone line information by the communication interface 9 to control the center system 2 side. Transmit to the device 4.

Switching to the change permission mode is performed by the setting change permission switch 1 in the communication interface 9 as described above.
The communication is not limited to the communication device 4 but is transmitted to the communication interface 9 and the controllers 7a, 7b, 7c... 7n via the communication line 6 by a dedicated switching device (including a centralized controller and a remote controller) connected to the communication line 6. The communication interface 9 and the controllers 7a and 7 are transmitted by a password or the like from the center system 2 via the telephone line 3.
b, 7c... 7n.

To return the change permission mode from the permission state to the prohibition state after changing the set value, the setting change permission switch 1
4, the method of operating a switching device or an operating device, a method of inputting an operation switch using a dedicated switching device (including a centralized controller and a remote controller), or a method of receiving response information from the local system 1a side and receiving a response information from the local system 1a side A method of transmitting a setting end signal from the telephone line 3 via the telephone line 3, a method of automatically recovering after a lapse of a predetermined time after the change of the set value, or a method of setting the center system 2 and the local system 1 by the telephone line 3 A method of detecting that the communication of the value change information has been completed by a communication interface 9 or a dedicated switching device (including a centralized controller or a remote controller), or a method of detecting a signal from the center system that a telephone line has been disconnected, or It is recovered by a combination of these recovery methods. In this way, after the set value is changed, the set value non-changeable mode is set as a normal mode.

It should be noted that in the above-described embodiment, the change prohibition /
Although the target of permission was mainly set values such as the internal temperature,
The present invention is not limited to this, and some monitor information such as the amount of electric power is also targeted.

[0028]

As described above, the remote management system for equipment such as a freezer and refrigerated showcase of the present invention firstly connects a plurality of refrigerated and refrigerated showcases equipped with a controller having a built-in communication function by communication lines. A local system in which the communication line is connected to a telephone line via a communication interface; and a center system including a control device connected to the plurality of local systems via the telephone line. The control unit monitors the operating state of the freezing and refrigeration showcase on the local system side and the set value of the control data, and also changes the operating state and the set value, and collectively manages a plurality of local systems. In the remote management system, the information transmitted from the center system to the local system is Determining means for discriminating between operating state and set value change information and operating state and set value monitor information; and operating state and set value change information, and operating state and set value monitor information to the refrigerated showcase. The communication interface or the controller is provided with a switching means for switching between the prohibition and the permission of the transmission, and the refrigerated showcase normally determines the change of the operation state and the set value by determining the change information of the operation state and the set value and some monitor information. Do not change the operating status, set value, or change the operating mode, set value, and some monitor information to the refrigerated showcase only for a certain period of time when the mode is changed to the permission mode for some monitors. As a result, the monitoring information of some data, such as changes in operating conditions of each device, such as changes in set values, and power measurement, can be switched at the site of the local system. Since only possible fixed period is switched to the permission mode by the step,
It cannot be done only by one-sided judgment from the center system,
The operation stability of each device can be secured, troubles can be prevented from occurring on site, and a highly reliable system can be provided.

Secondly, since the switching means is a switching device provided in a communication interface or an operation section of a controller or an operating device connected to a communication line, the switching device is used for switching to a set value change permission mode. It is possible to prevent the setting values from being changed only by one-sided judgment from the center system at the site where the equipment is installed.

Third, in the permission mode, the prohibition is released by an output by a key operation of the communication interface, or the prohibition is released by an output by operating the switching device or the operating device, or a center system. The prohibition is released by the password from or a combination of these release methods, and the change permission mode is such that the prohibition state is restored by the output by the key operation of the communication interface, or the change permission mode is automatically set after a lapse of a predetermined time. The prohibition state is recovered, or the prohibition state is recovered by detecting that the transmission of the setting value change information and some monitor information via the telephone line from the center system has been completed, or the prohibition state is restored, or the switching device or the operation is performed. The prohibition status is restored by the output by operating the device, or the telephone is connected from the center system. Prohibited state is restored at the end signal,
Alternatively, since recovery is performed using a combination of these methods for recovering the prohibited state, the system reliably returns to the prohibited mode, such as changing the set value, during normal operation, and the monitoring information of the operating status and some set value monitor information are accepted. Since the value change information and some monitor information such as the electric energy are not received, it is possible to reliably prevent the setting values from being changed or some monitors from being performed only by one-sided determination from the center system.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a remote management system for equipment such as a refrigerator-freezer showcase of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a communication interface, which is a main part, of an embodiment of a remote management system for devices such as a refrigerator-freezer showcase according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a conventional remote management system for devices such as a freezer and refrigerated showcase.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a communication interface of a conventional remote management system for devices such as a freezer and refrigerated showcase.

[Explanation of symbols]

1a, 1b Local system, 2 center system, 3 telephone line, 4 control device, 5a, 5b, 5c ...
・ 5n equipment, 6 communication lines, 7a, 7b, 7c ... 7
n controller, 8 central control unit, 9 communication interface, 10 modem, 11 conversion processor, 12
Communication processor, 13 determining means, 14 setting change permission switch.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A local system in which a plurality of freezer and refrigeration showcases each having a controller having a built-in communication function are connected by a communication line, and the communication line is connected to a telephone line via a communication interface, and a plurality of local systems. And a center system having a control device connected via the telephone line, and the control device of the center system monitors the operation state of the freezing and refrigeration showcase on the local system side and set values of control data. Further, in a remote management system of a refrigerated showcase that changes an operation state and a set value and collectively manages a plurality of local systems, among information transmitted from the center system to the local system side, an operation state and a setting are set. Determining means for determining the change information of the value and the monitor information of the operating state or the set value; The communication interface or the controller is provided with a switching unit that switches between prohibition and permission of transmission of operating state and set value change information and monitoring of operating state and set value to the freezer and refrigeration showcase. Determines information and some monitor information to prevent the refrigerated showcase from changing operating conditions and set values or performing some monitoring, and switching to operating mode, changing set values, and enabling some monitors A refrigerated showcase remote management system characterized in that information on changes in operating conditions, set values, and some monitor information is transmitted to a refrigerated showcase only for a predetermined period. 2. The switching device according to claim 1, wherein the switching unit is a switching device provided in a communication interface or an operation unit of a controller or an operation device connected to a communication line.
A remote management system for a device such as the refrigerated showcase described above. 3. The prohibition of the permission mode is released by an output by a key operation of the communication interface, or
The prohibition is released by an output by operating the switching device or the operating device, or the prohibition is released by a password from the center system, or is released by a combination of these release methods, and the change permission mode is The prohibition state is recovered by the output of the key operation of the communication interface, or the prohibition state is automatically recovered after a lapse of a predetermined time, or the transmission of the set value change information and the monitor information by the telephone line from the center system side. The prohibition state is recovered by the detection of the termination, or the prohibition state is recovered by the output by operating the switching device or the operating device, or the prohibition state is recovered by the setting completion signal from the center system via the telephone line. The prohibition status is restored by the signal that the telephone line is disconnected from the center system side, or Remote management system for equipment such as refrigerated showcase of claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that restoring a combination of recovery methods disabled state of et.