JP2004049269A - Central controller for showcase - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a central controller for a showcase capable of stably operating the showcase by restoring setting value data in a first storage means even when a data holding means becomes abnormal and the setting value data in the volatile first storage means are lost. <P>SOLUTION: The host controller 1 of the central controller for the showcase is provided with: an input means 12 for receiving the set value data such as an intra-container set temperature, defrosting set time and the suction pressure value of a compressor; a volatile first storage means 112 and a nonvolatile second storage means 113 for storing the inputted set value data; and a built-in battery 114 for holding the set value data stored in the first storage means 112. Thus, even when the set value data in the first storage means 112 are lost by the defect/abnormality of the built-in battery 114, the showcase is operated by using the set value data in the second storage means 113. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a showcase centralized control device for centrally controlling a plurality of showcases installed in a store.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, in a centralized control device of this type of showcase, set value data such as a set temperature in a refrigerator, a defrost set time, a suction pressure value of a compressor, and the like are input through an input means (keyboard) of a host control device. While these set value data are stored in a volatile memory, the set value data is electrically held by a data holding means, for example, a built-in battery so that the set value data does not disappear from the memory. The set value data is communicated to the case terminal control device installed for each showcase and the refrigerator terminal control device installed for each refrigerator, and the operation data is collected from each terminal control device and managed collectively. System.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, the operation of storing the set value data in the memory of the host control device is performed before the showcase is operated in the store, specifically, at the time of production and shipment of the showcase, the temperature environment in the store, and the cooling maintenance temperature of the sold product. Are input and stored so as to correspond to the above. The memory is a RAM so that data can be rewritten later.
[0004]
However, when the power is cut off due to a failure of the built-in battery after storing the set value data in the memory, the set value data is lost because the memory is volatile. Was.
[0005]
Also, after the showcase is installed in the store, the set value data in the memory is retained by the external power supply inside the store, but when the power is cut off due to a power failure, etc. Also, when the set value data is lost from the memory and the power failure is restored, the showcase operation is not restarted, or an abnormal showcase operation is performed due to different set value data remaining in the memory. Had.
[0006]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, it is an object of the present invention to restore the set value data of the first storage unit even when the data holding unit becomes abnormal and the set value data of the volatile first storage unit disappears, The present invention is to provide a centralized control device for a showcase that can be operated stably.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention is directed to a centralized control of the operation of each showcase by transmitting and receiving operation data between a host control device and a terminal control device provided in each of a plurality of showcases. A centralized control device for a showcase, wherein the higher-level control device includes input means for inputting set value data such as an internal set temperature, a defrost set time, a suction pressure value of a compressor, and the input set value. It has a structure including a volatile first storage means and a non-volatile second storage means for storing data, and a data holding means for holding the setting value data stored in the first storage means.
[0008]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the set value data is stored in both the volatile first storage means and the nonvolatile second storage means, the setting of the first storage means is caused by a defect / abnormality of the data holding means. Even when the value data has disappeared, the showcase can be driven using the set value data in the second storage means. When new set value data is input by the input means, the set value data in the first and second storage means is rewritten as needed (the invention of claim 2).
[0009]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the centralized control device for a showcase according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, further comprising an inspection unit for inspecting the set value data of each storage unit and the performance of the data holding unit. Is displayed, and when the inspection means determines that at least the data holding means is abnormal, the control means displays the data holding means abnormality on the display means.
[0010]
According to the invention of claim 3, when the inspection means determines that the data holding means is abnormal, the control means controls the display means to display the abnormality of the data holding means. For example, when the power consumption of the battery, the failure of the power supply circuit of the battery, or the like occurs, it is possible to immediately recognize the occurrence of the power failure, so that the data holding means can be replaced immediately.
[0011]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the centralized control device for a showcase according to the third aspect of the present invention, when the inspection means determines that the first storage means is abnormal in data and the second storage means determines that data is normal, The control means controls the data in the first storage means to be rewritten with the data in the second storage means.
[0012]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the set value data in the first storage unit is lost due to a data abnormality in the first storage unit, for example, a failure in the data holding unit, the first storage unit is stored in the second storage unit. The appropriate set value data is rewritten, and the showcase operation is normally operated.
[0013]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the centralized control device for a showcase according to the third aspect of the present invention, the inspection means determines that the second storage means is abnormal in data, and the first storage means determines that data is normal. When it is determined that the data holding unit is normal, the control unit rewrites the set value data in the second storage unit with the set value data in the second storage unit.
[0014]
According to the invention of claim 5, when the data in the second storage means is abnormal, the set value data in the second storage means is not changed on condition that the first storage means and the data holding means are normal. It is rewritten with the set value data in the first storage means, whereby the first and second storage means can always be made appropriate and the showcase can be driven.
[0015]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the centralized control device for a showcase according to the third aspect of the present invention, when the inspection means determines that the first storage means and the second storage means are abnormal, or the second storage means and the data When it is determined that the holding means is abnormal, the control means displays on the display means to initialize the first and second storage means and controls to stop the operation of each showcase.
[0016]
According to the invention of claim 6, when the showcase cannot be operated normally, the operation of the showcase is stopped and the user is prompted to initialize the first and second storage means. Thereby, the set value data of each storage unit is reset and the operation of the showcase is restarted.
[0017]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
1 to 4 show an embodiment of a centralized control device of a showcase according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a connection configuration diagram of a host control device and each terminal control device, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a host control device. FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams showing processing control associated with normality / abnormality of each memory and the built-in battery, and FIG. 4 is a control flowchart of the host controller.
[0018]
The centralized control device is composed of a host control device 1 and a terminal control device 2, and the connection relationship between each host control device 1 and the terminal control device 2 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0019]
Here, the terminal control device 2 includes a showcase terminal control device 21 installed for each showcase 3 and a refrigerator terminal control device 22 for a group of each showcase 3. In each showcase terminal control device 21, for example, set value data such as a set internal temperature and a set defrost time is stored so that stored products are kept at the optimum temperature for each showcase 3, and the set value data is stored in the set value data. The cooling operation is controlled based on the cooling operation. Further, the refrigerator terminal control device 22 stores, for example, a set suction pressure value of the refrigerator 4 and is controlled so that the operation of the refrigerator 4 is efficiently performed.
[0020]
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, the host controller 1 outputs various set value data to the terminal controllers 21 and 22 via the communication line 5. The host controller 1 includes a microcomputer (hereinafter, referred to as a microcomputer) 11, an input device (for example, an input key) 12 for inputting various setting value data to the microcomputer 11, a display device (for example, a CRT) 13 for displaying various information, It has a communication device 14 for transmitting and receiving between the microcomputer 11 and the terminal control device 2. Here, the set value data input from the input device 12 is processed by the microcomputer 11, the input content is displayed on the display device 13, and transmitted to the terminal control device 2 through the communication device 14 and the communication line 5. The data acquired by the terminal control device 2 is also input to the microcomputer 11 through the communication line 5 and the communication device 14.
[0021]
The microcomputer 11 includes a CPU 111 having an inspection unit 111a therein, a volatile first memory (for example, RAM) 112, a nonvolatile second memory (for example, EEPROM) 113, and a built-in battery (for example, battery) 114. Have. Here, the first memory 112 and the second memory 113 store various set value data such as the set internal temperature, the set defrost time, and the set suction pressure value of each showcase 3 which are input through the input device 12. Have been. Further, since the first memory 112 is volatile, various data stored in the first memory 112 is held by the built-in battery 114, and the built-in battery 114 functions as a data holding unit.
[0022]
An inspection unit 111a inside the microcomputer 11 inspects whether the first memory 112, the second memory 113, and the built-in battery 114 are normal, and operates an external power source (commercially available) for driving each showcase in the store. Inspection is performed at the time of turning on the power supply (at the start of operation) and at a predetermined interval (at the time of steady operation) after turning on the external power supply in the store.
[0023]
That is, at the start of operation, whether the built-in battery 114 satisfies the performance of retaining the data in the first memory 112 (normal or abnormal), and whether the set value data in the first memory 112 is consistent (Normal or abnormal), it is checked whether the setting data in the second memory 113 is consistent (normal or abnormal). Also, at the time of steady operation, whether the internal battery 114 satisfies the performance of retaining the data in the first memory 112 (normal or abnormal), and whether the set value data in the first memory 112 is consistent Inspect (normal or abnormal).
[0024]
Here, whether the internal battery 114 is normal or abnormal is determined based on, for example, whether or not the voltage of the internal battery 114 is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. Whether the first memory 112 and the second memory 113 are normal or not is determined based on, for example, the following comparison between the memories 112 and 113. That is, the comparison is performed by using the pattern data (for example, Aioueo) written in a partial area of each of the memories 112 and 113, and the comparison is performed by using the sum of the data of the entire storage area of various setting value data of each of the memories 112 and 113. , 113 by making a comparison for each content of the related setting value data. The comparison may be made using any one of them.
[0025]
The centralized control device of the showcase according to the present embodiment performs control as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 based on the determination of normality / abnormality of the inspection unit 111a. Hereinafter, control of the centralized control device will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 shows control at the start of operation, and FIG. 4 shows control at the start of operation and at the time of steady operation.
[0026]
That is, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4, it is determined whether or not the second memory 113, the first memory 112, and the built-in battery 114 are normal (S1, S2, S3). First processing is performed (S4). In the first process, the showcase is normally operated as shown in FIG.
[0027]
When it is determined in step S2 that the first memory 112 is abnormal, it is determined whether the internal battery 114 is normal (S5). When it is determined that the internal battery 114 is normal, a second process is performed (S6). In the second process, the set value data in the first memory 112 is rewritten with the set value data in the second memory 113 in order to recover the abnormal first memory 112 as shown in FIG. On the other hand, when it is determined that the internal battery 114 is abnormal, a third process is performed (S7). In the third process, as shown in FIG. 3, in addition to the control of the second process, the abnormality of the internal battery 114 is displayed on the display device 13 to notify the abnormality of the internal battery 114.
[0028]
If it is determined in step S3 that the built-in battery 114 is abnormal, a third process is performed (S7). Here, although the first memory 112 is determined to be normal, the first memory 112 is a volatile memory, and the set value data may actually be abnormal due to an abnormality of the internal battery 114. Therefore, the set value data in the first memory 112 is rewritten with the set value data in the second memory 113. In addition, in the third process, the abnormality of the internal battery 114 is displayed on the display device 13 to notify the abnormality of the internal battery 114.
[0029]
If it is determined in step S1 that the second memory 113 is abnormal, it is determined whether the first memory 112 is normal (S8). Then, when the first memory 112 is normal, it is determined whether or not the internal battery 114 is normal (S9). If it is determined in step S9 that the state is normal, a fourth process is performed (S10). In the fourth process, the set value data in the second memory 113 is rewritten with the set value data in the first memory 112 in order to recover the abnormal second memory 113 as shown in FIG.
[0030]
If it is determined in step S8 that the first memory 112 is abnormal, it is determined whether the internal battery 114 is normal (S11). When it is determined that the internal battery 114 is normal, a fifth process is performed as shown in FIG. 3 (S12). In the fifth process, a message is displayed on the display device 13 to initialize the memories 112 and 113, and the communication from the host control device 1 to the terminal control device 2 is interrupted. When the communication interruption state continues for a predetermined time, the operation of the showcase 3 is performed based on the set values already stored in the terminal control device 2.
[0031]
When it is determined in step S9 and step S11 that the built-in battery 114 is abnormal, the sixth process is performed as shown in FIG. 3 (S13). In the sixth process, as shown in FIG. 3, the display device 13 displays a message indicating that the memories 112 and 113 are to be initialized, and the display device 13 displays an abnormality of the internal battery 114. Then, similarly to the fifth process, the communication from the higher-level control device 1 to the terminal control device 2 is interrupted, and when this communication interruption state continues for a predetermined time, the setting value already stored in the terminal control device 2 The operation of the showcase 3 is performed based on.
[0032]
At the start of operation, the above-described control is performed. Subsequently, during normal operation, that is, when the in-store external power is turned on, the power of the external power is supplied to the memories 112 and 113, and the first memory is turned on. Although the set value data of 112 is always held, the following control is performed in consideration that the power supply of the external power supply may be cut off due to a power failure or the like.
[0033]
That is, it is determined whether the first memory 112 is normal and whether the built-in battery 114 is normal (S14, S15, S16). When only the internal battery 114 is abnormal, the abnormality of the internal battery 114 is displayed on the display device 13 (S17). When only the first memory 112 is abnormal, the abnormality of the first memory 112 is displayed on the display device 13 (S18). If both the internal battery 114 and the first memory 112 are abnormal, the display device 13 displays that both are abnormal.
[0034]
With the control during the steady operation as described above, not only the maintenance of the first memory 112 directly related to the operation control of the showcase 3 but also the status of the internal battery 114 is constantly monitored. Therefore, even when a power failure occurs, the set value data in the first memory 112 is securely held.
[0035]
The host controller 1 has an external detachable storage device 15, for example, an interface device 16 to which a CompactFlash (registered trademark) card is connected, so that setting value data can be input through the detachable storage device 15. I have.
[0036]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, since the set value data input by the input means of the host control device is stored in both the volatile first storage means and the nonvolatile second storage means, Even when the set value data in the first storage means is lost due to a failure or abnormality of the holding means, the showcase can be operated using the set value data in the second storage means.
[0037]
Therefore, it is possible to input the set value data in advance such as at the time of production and shipment of the showcase without worrying about the consumption of the data holding means. Is set, the set value data is written to the first storage means, so that the normal operation of the showcase can be immediately resumed when the power failure is restored.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a connection between a host control device according to the present invention and each terminal control device. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a host control device according to the present invention. FIG. FIG. 4 shows a process control associated with an abnormality. FIG. 4 is a control flowchart of a higher-level control device according to the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Upper control device, 2 ... Terminal control device, 3 ... Showcase, 4 ... Communication line, 11 ... Microcomputer, 12 ... Input device, 13 ... Display device, 14 ... Communication device, 111 ... CPU, 111a ... Inspection part, 112: first memory, 113: second memory, 114: built-in battery.

Claims (6)

A showcase centralized control device for transmitting and receiving operation data between a host control device and a terminal control device provided in each of a plurality of showcases and centrally controlling the operation of each showcase,
The higher-level control device includes an input unit to which set value data such as a set temperature in the refrigerator, a defrost set time, and a suction pressure value of the compressor are input, and a volatile first storage unit that stores the input set value data. And a non-volatile second storage means, and a data holding means for holding the setting value data stored in the first storage means. 2. The centralized control of a showcase according to claim 1, further comprising control means for controlling rewriting of the set value data in the first storage means and the second storage means when new set value data is input. apparatus. In addition to the inspection means for inspecting the set value data of each of the storage means and the performance of the data holding means, the display means for displaying the judgment result of the inspection means is provided. 3. The centralized control device for a showcase according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the display unit to display an abnormality of the data holding unit when it is determined that the condition is true. When the inspection means determines that the first storage means is abnormal data and determines that the second storage means is normal data, the control means stores the data of the first storage means in the second storage means. 4. The centralized control device for a showcase according to claim 3, wherein control is performed so that the data is rewritten with data. When the inspection means determines that the second storage means is abnormal, the first storage means determines that the data is normal, and further, when the data holding means determines that the data is normal, the control means determines that the data is abnormal. 4. The centralized control device for a showcase according to claim 3, wherein control is performed to rewrite the set value data of the second storage means with the set value data of the first storage means. When the inspection means determines that the first storage means and the second storage means are abnormal, or when the second storage means and the data holding means are abnormal, the control means controls the display means. 4. The centralized control device for a showcase according to claim 3, wherein a display is provided to initialize the first and second storage means, and control is performed to stop the operation of each showcase.

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