JP2006340060A - Controlled object apparatus and its supervisory control system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a controlled object apparatus capable of easily downloading software to an operating means, and to provide its supervisory control system. <P>SOLUTION: The controlled object apparatus 2 is the one to be remotely operated by the operating means 4, including a receiver 6 and a transmitter 7. The receiver 6 receives distribution request information. The distribution request information is related to a distribution request to be transmitted from the operating means 4. The transmitter 7 transmits the software for operating the controlled object apparatus 2 to the operating means 4 when the receiving part 6 receives the distribution request information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a control target device and a monitoring control system thereof.

  Conventionally, remote control of a device to be controlled such as an air conditioner has been performed using a portable operation means such as a remote controller. The software for operating the device is usually a fixed program that cannot be updated and is built in the remote controller in advance, and the program cannot be updated or changed when the device is changed. Therefore, one remote controller can operate only limited devices.

Therefore, a method of updating the software of the remote controller has been proposed so that the remote controller can cope with the operation of various devices.
In the remote control described in Patent Document 1, by performing communication between an air conditioning control controller that centrally controls the air conditioning equipment and the remote control, downloading of operation software from the air conditioning control controller to the remote control and remote control of the air conditioning equipment are performed. The operation is being performed.

As another update method, a method of downloading software from a server storing software to a mobile phone or the like used as a remote controller via a communication network such as the Internet is conceivable.
JP 2003-9256 A

However, when downloading software to the remote control of Patent Document 1 or operating an air conditioner using the remote control, it is necessary to move the remote control to a distance that allows communication with the controller. For this reason, the remote control download environment is limited, making it unusable.
On the other hand, in the method of downloading software via the Internet, there is a problem that it takes time and effort to find the URL address of the server from the manual of the air conditioner and to input the URL address to a mobile phone or the like.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a control target device and a monitoring control system thereof that can easily download software to an operation unit.

  The control target device of the first invention is a control target device that can be remotely operated by the operating means. The control target device includes a reception unit and a transmission unit. The receiving unit receives the distribution request information. The distribution request information relates to a distribution request transmitted from the operation unit. When the receiving unit receives the distribution request information, the transmitting unit transmits software for operating the control target device to the operating unit.

  Here, when the receiving unit of the control target device receives the distribution request information from the operation unit, software for operating the control target device is transmitted to the operation unit. Therefore, it is easy to obtain software.

The control target device of the second invention is the control target device of the first invention, and further includes a storage unit for storing software.
Here, since the software stored in the storage unit of the control target device is transmitted to the operation means, it is easy to obtain the software.

A control target device of the third invention is the control target device of the second invention, and further includes a software receiving unit. The software receiving unit receives the updated software from an external transmission source.
Here, the updated software transmitted from the external transmission source is received by the software receiving unit.

A device to be controlled according to a fourth aspect is the device to be controlled according to any one of the first to third aspects, further comprising software update notification means. The software update notification means notifies the operation means that the software has been updated.
Here, when the software is updated, the software update notification means notifies the operation means.

A control target device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the control target device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, further comprising automatic software transmission means. The software automatic transmission means automatically transmits the updated software to the operation means.
Here, the updated software is automatically transmitted to the operation means by the software automatic transmission means.

The control target device of the sixth invention is a control target device that can be remotely operated by the operating means. The control target device includes a reception unit and a transmission unit. The receiving unit receives the distribution request information. The distribution request information relates to a distribution request transmitted from the operation unit. The transmission unit transmits the address of the server to the operation means when the reception unit receives the distribution request information. The server stores software for operating the control target device.
Here, when the receiving unit of the control target device receives the distribution request information from the operation unit, the address of the server storing the software for operating the control target device is transmitted to the operation unit. Therefore, it is easy to obtain software. In addition, since the address is transmitted to the operation means, it is not necessary to input the address.

A device to be controlled according to a seventh aspect is the device to be controlled according to the sixth aspect, further comprising a storage unit for storing an address.
Here, since the address of the server stored in the storage unit of the control target device is transmitted to the operation means, it is easy to obtain the software and the address input operation is not necessary.

A control target device according to an eighth aspect is the control target device according to the seventh aspect, and further includes an address receiving unit. The address receiving unit receives the updated address from the server.
Here, the updated address transmitted from the server is received by the address receiving unit.
A control target device according to a ninth aspect is the control target device according to any of the sixth to eighth aspects, further comprising an address update notification means. The address update notification means notifies the operation means that the address has been updated.
Here, when the address is updated, the operating means is notified by the address update notifying means.

A control target device according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the control target device according to any of the sixth to ninth aspects, further comprising an address automatic transmission unit. The address automatic transmission means automatically transmits the updated address to the operation means.
Here, the updated address is automatically transmitted to the operation means by the address automatic transmission means.

A monitoring control system for a control target device according to an eleventh aspect includes a control target device and a controller. The device to be controlled is arranged in one or a plurality of living rooms. The control target device is the control target device of the first invention. The controller is connected to one or more devices to be controlled. The controller monitors and controls the device to be controlled. The controller has a storage unit. The storage unit stores software for the operation means to operate the control target device.
Here, since the software is stored in a controller connected to one or a plurality of control target devices, it is easy to obtain the software. The software is centrally managed by the controller.

A monitoring control system for a control target device according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is the monitoring control system for a control target device according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, wherein the controller further includes a room information database. The room information database stores room information. To do. The room information is information related to the room where the control target device is installed.
Here, since the controller has a room information database, the room information is transmitted together with the software.

In the monitoring control system for the control target device according to the thirteenth aspect of the invention, the controller control system for the control target device according to the twelfth aspect of the invention further includes a room information selection unit. The room information selection unit selects room information from the room information database. The room information corresponds to the control target device that has received the distribution request information. Here, since the controller has a room information selection unit, the room information corresponding to the control target device that has received the distribution request information is transmitted. .

A monitoring control system for a control target device according to a fourteenth aspect of the invention is the monitoring control system for a control target device according to the eleventh aspect, wherein the controller further includes a software selection unit. The software selection unit selects software corresponding to the control target device that has received the distribution request information from the storage unit.
Here, the software selection unit selects software corresponding to the control target device that has received the distribution request information from the storage unit. Therefore, software corresponding to the control target device that has received the distribution request is transmitted.

A monitoring control system for a control target device according to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention is the monitoring control system for a control target device according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, wherein the distribution request information includes user ID information. The user ID information relates to a user ID given to a user who uses the operation means. The controller includes a transmission permission unit. The transmission permission unit permits transmission of room information corresponding to the user ID information.
Here, since the distribution request information includes the user ID information, the transmission permission unit permits the transmission of the room information according to the authority of the user.

A monitoring control system for a control target device according to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention is the monitoring control system for a control target device according to the eleventh aspect, wherein the controller further includes a software receiving unit. The software receiving unit receives the updated software from an external transmission source.
Here, the updated software transmitted from the external transmission source is received by the software receiving unit.

  A monitoring target control system for a control target device according to a seventeenth aspect includes a control target device, a controller, and a server. The device to be controlled is arranged in one or a plurality of living rooms. The control target device is the control target device of the sixth invention. The controller is connected to one or more devices to be controlled. The controller monitors and controls the device to be controlled. The server is installed in the remote monitoring center. The server is the server of the sixth invention. The controller has a storage unit for storing addresses. The server has a software storage unit and a transmission unit. The software storage unit stores software for the operation means to operate the control target device. The transmission unit transmits software to the operation means.

  Here, when the receiving unit of the control target device receives the distribution request information from the operation unit, the address of the server storing the software for operating the control target device is transmitted to the operation unit. The address is transmitted from the controller to the transmission means via the control target device. Therefore, it is easy to obtain software and no address input operation is required. The software is centrally managed and changed by the server.

The monitoring control system for a control target device according to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention is the monitoring control system for the control target device according to the seventeenth aspect, wherein the server further includes a room information database. The room information database stores room information. The room information is information related to the room where the control target device is installed.
Here, since the server has a living room information database, the living room information is transmitted together with the software. The room information is centrally managed and changed by the server.

A monitoring control system for a control target device according to a nineteenth aspect of the invention is the monitoring control system for a control target device according to the seventeenth aspect, wherein the server further includes a setting history information database. The setting history information database stores setting history information. The setting history information relates to the past setting history of the control target device.
Here, since the server has a setting history information database, the setting history information is transmitted together with the software. The setting history information is centrally managed and changed by the server.

A monitoring control system for a control target device according to a twentieth aspect is the monitoring control system for a control target device according to a seventeenth aspect, wherein the server further includes an operation time information database. The operating time information database stores operating time information. The operation time information relates to the past operation time of the control target device.
Here, since the server has an operation time information database, the operation time information is transmitted together with the software. The operating time information is centrally managed and changed by the server.

A supervisory control system for a control target device according to a twenty-first aspect is the supervisory control system for a control target device according to a seventeenth aspect, wherein the controller further includes an address receiving unit. The address receiving unit receives the updated address from the server.
Here, the updated address transmitted from the server is received by the address receiving unit.

According to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a monitoring control system for a control target device according to any of the eleventh to twenty-first aspects, wherein the control target device and the operating means can communicate with each other by infrared communication. Connected to each other.
Here, since the control target device and the operation means are connected by infrared communication, information is not leaked to the outside and is safe in terms of security.

A control target device monitoring control system according to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention is the control target device monitoring control system according to any of the eleventh aspect to the twenty-second aspect of the present invention, wherein the operation means is portable.
Here, since the operation means is portable, it is used by moving to an arbitrary place.

A monitoring control system for a control target device according to a twenty-fourth aspect of the invention is the monitoring control system for a control target device according to any one of the eleventh to twenty-first aspects, wherein the control target device and the operation means can communicate with each other by wire. Are connected to each other.
Here, the operation means is used by being wired to the control target device.
A monitoring control system for a control target device according to a twenty-fifth aspect of the invention is the monitoring control system for the control target device according to any of the eleventh to twenty-fourth aspects, wherein the control target device is an indoor unit of an air conditioner. .
Here, the monitoring control system is used for monitoring control of an indoor unit of an air conditioner.

According to the first invention, it is easy to obtain software for operating the control target device.
According to the second invention, it is easy to obtain software.
According to the third aspect of the invention, the software stored in the control target device can be updated by receiving the updated software transmitted from the external transmission source.
According to the fourth invention, it is possible to notify the operating means that the software has been updated.

According to the fifth aspect, the updated software can be automatically transmitted to the operation means.
According to the sixth aspect of the invention, it is easy to obtain software and no address input work is required. In addition, since only the address is obtained from the control target device and the software on the server is downloaded to the operating means, even if there is a software upgrade, it is only necessary to update the software on the server. Have.

According to the seventh aspect of the invention, it is easy to obtain software and no address input work is required.
According to the eighth invention, the address stored in the control target device can be updated by receiving the updated address transmitted from the server.
According to the ninth aspect, it is possible to notify the operating means that the address has been updated.

According to the tenth aspect, the updated address can be automatically transmitted to the operation means.
According to the eleventh aspect, it is easy to obtain software. Software can be centrally managed by the controller.
According to the twelfth aspect, the room information can be acquired together with the software.
According to the thirteenth aspect, the room information corresponding to the control target device that has received the distribution request information can be acquired.

According to the fourteenth aspect, software corresponding to the control target device that has received the distribution request can be acquired.
According to the fifteenth aspect, transmission of room information can be permitted according to the authority of the user.
According to the sixteenth aspect, the software stored in the controller can be updated by receiving the updated software transmitted from the external transmission source.

  According to the seventeenth aspect, it is easy to obtain software and no address input operation is required. The software can be centrally managed and changed on the server. Furthermore, since only the address is obtained from the control target device and the software on the server is downloaded to the operating means, even if there is a software upgrade, it is only necessary to update the software on the server. Have. According to the eighteenth aspect, the room information can be acquired together with the software. In addition, the room information can be centrally managed and changed by the server.

According to the nineteenth invention, setting history information can be acquired together with software. Also, the setting history information can be centrally managed and changed by the server.
According to the twentieth invention, operating time information can be acquired together with software. Also, the operating time information can be centrally managed and changed by the server.
According to the twenty-first aspect, the address stored in the controller can be updated by receiving the updated address transmitted from the server.

According to the twenty-second aspect, information is not leaked to the outside, and it is safe in terms of security.
According to the twenty-third aspect, the operating means can be moved to an arbitrary place for use.
According to the twenty-fourth invention, the operation means can be used by being wired to the control target device.
According to the twenty-fifth aspect of the invention, it can be used for monitoring control of an indoor unit of an air conditioner.

[First Embodiment]
Next, a control target device and its monitoring control system according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
<Configuration of supervisory control system 1>
As shown in FIG. 1, a monitoring control system 1 is a system that monitors and controls a device to be controlled. As a main configuration, a plurality of indoor units 2 of an air conditioner that are devices to be controlled and a plurality of indoor units And an air conditioning system monitoring control controller (hereinafter referred to as a controller) 3 for controlling the machine 2.

  The plurality of indoor units 2 (indoor unit numbers: ID-1, ID-2, ID-3) are arranged in the plurality of living rooms SA and SB, respectively. Specifically, the indoor unit 2 is embedded in the space SC behind the ceiling, and is disposed above each of the living rooms SA and SB. The plurality of indoor units 2 are communicably connected to the controller 3 via a communication network L1 such as Ethernet. The plurality of indoor units 2 are connected to the outdoor unit A through the refrigerant pipe L2.

The plurality of indoor units 2 are each operated by a mobile phone 4 which is a portable operation means.
In addition, in this embodiment, although the example which controls the several air conditioner installed in the several living room is shown, this invention is not limited to this, The plurality installed in one living room The present invention can be applied even when one air conditioner is controlled or when only one air conditioner is controlled.

<Configuration of indoor unit 2>
As shown in FIG. 2, each of the plurality of indoor units 2 has the same configuration, and includes a main unit B having a function related to air conditioning, and a communication unit 5.
The communication unit 5 includes a reception unit 6, a transmission unit 7, an interface 8, and a control unit 29.
The receiving unit 6 receives distribution request information related to a distribution request transmitted from the mobile phone 4. The receiving unit 6 receives an operation signal transmitted from the mobile phone 4.
The distribution request information includes user ID information related to a user ID given to a user who uses the mobile phone 4.

  The transmission unit 7 transmits software for operating the indoor unit 2 to the mobile phone 4 when the reception unit 6 receives the distribution request information. Further, the transmission unit 7 transmits the room information stored in the controller 3 to the mobile phone 4. Further, the transmission unit 7 transmits the operation status and other information to the mobile phone 4 one by one. Software, room information, and other various information are transmitted from the controller 3 to the indoor unit 2 that has received the distribution request information via the communication network L1.

The control unit 29 controls the reception unit 6, the transmission unit 7, and the interface 8.
The reception unit 6 and the transmission unit 7 of the indoor unit 2 are configured to perform infrared communication with the transmission unit 16 and the reception unit 17 (see FIG. 4) of the mobile phone 4. That is, the receiving unit 6 and the receiving unit 17 are composed of an infrared light receiving unit, and the transmitting unit 7 and the transmitting unit 16 are composed of an infrared transmitting unit. As infrared communication is adopted as a communication means between the indoor unit 2 and the mobile phone 4, information is not leaked to the outside, and it is safe in terms of security.

The interface 8 is an interface for transmitting and receiving signals between the indoor unit 2 and the controller 3. The interface 8 is connected to the interface 15 of the controller 3 via the communication network L1.
The information transmitted from the indoor unit 2 to the controller 3 includes distribution request information and position information of the indoor unit 2 that has received the distribution request information. The position information is stored in a built-in memory of the interface 15 or the like. The position information is composed of each unique indoor unit number (ID-1, ID-2, ID-3) of the indoor unit 2.

<Configuration of controller 3>
The controller 3 is connected to the plurality of indoor units 2 and monitors and controls the indoor units 2.
As shown in FIG. 3, the controller 3 includes a storage unit 9, a living room information database 10, a control unit 11, a living room information selection unit 12, a software selection unit 13, a transmission permission unit 14, an interface 15, have.
The storage unit 9 stores software S for the mobile phone 4 to operate the indoor unit 2. The software is one or more types of software corresponding to each model of the plurality of indoor units 2. In addition, when the plurality of indoor units 2 are all the same model, only one type of software may be used.

  The room information database 10 stores room information. The room information is air conditioner management information such as position information of the indoor unit 2 (installation location (for example, a room or a floor)) or an air conditioner list indicating a room or a tenant to which the indoor unit 2 belongs. That is, the room information includes information such as which tree the indoor unit 2 of a certain room belongs to, which room, or which tenant it belongs to. The room information is displayed on the display unit 19 (see FIGS. 4 and 6) of the mobile phone 4 that has acquired the room information.

The control unit 11 is a CPU that controls and monitors the operation of the plurality of indoor units 2. In addition, the control unit 11 includes each component (the storage unit 9, the room information database 10, the control unit 11, the room information selection unit 12, the software selection unit 13, the transmission permission unit 14) in the controller 3. , Controls the operation of the interface 15).
The room information selection unit 12 selects room information corresponding to the indoor unit 2 that has received the distribution request information from the room information database. For example, when the indoor unit 2 that has received the distribution request information in FIG. 1 is the indoor unit 2 with the indoor unit number ID-2, the room information about the private room SA in which the indoor unit 2 with the indoor unit number ID-2 is arranged (for example, The air conditioner list in the private room SA is selected.

The software selection unit 13 selects the software S corresponding to the indoor unit 2 that has received the distribution request information from the storage unit 9.
The transmission permission unit 14 permits transmission of room information corresponding to the user ID information included in the distribution request information. Moreover, the transmission permission part 14 also permits transmission of software based on the user ID information included in the distribution request information.
The interface 15 is connected to the interface 8 of the indoor unit 2 via the communication network L1.

<Configuration of mobile phone 4>
As shown in FIG. 4, the mobile phone 4 has a function as a remote controller for operating the plurality of indoor units 2 in addition to basic functions such as a normal call function and a mail transmission / reception function. The mobile phone 4 includes a transmission unit 16, a reception unit 17, a control unit 18, a display unit 19, and an operation unit 20.

The transmission unit 16 transmits the distribution request information to the indoor unit 2. The transmission unit 16 transmits an operation signal for operating the indoor unit 2.
The receiving unit 17 receives software transmitted from the transmitting unit 7 of the indoor unit 2. In addition, the receiving unit 17 receives the room information stored in the controller 3 from the transmitting unit 7. Further, the receiving unit 17 receives the operation status and other information from the transmitting unit 7.

The control unit 18 controls the operation of each component (transmission unit 16, reception unit 17, display unit 19, and operation unit 20) inside the mobile phone 4.
The display unit 19 displays the room information transmitted from the transmission unit 7 of the indoor unit 2 (see FIG. 6). Further, when the indoor unit 2 is remotely operated, the display unit 19 displays various information (operation / stop of the indoor unit 2, heating / cooling, set temperature, air volume, etc.) when operating the indoor unit 2.

  The operation unit 20 includes an existing button of the mobile phone 4. The operation unit 20 is used for remote operation of the indoor unit 2 and input of user ID information. When the operation unit 20 performs remote operation of the indoor unit 2 or input of user ID information, a remote operation screen, a user ID input screen, or the like is displayed on the display unit 19.

<How to download software>
Next, the procedure for downloading the software of this embodiment to the mobile phone 4 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Here, it is assumed that the user of the mobile phone 4 operates the operation unit 20 to transmit a distribution request signal and user ID information.
As shown in FIG. 5, when the user operates the operation unit 20 of the mobile phone 4 in step S <b> 1, the distribution request signal is first sent from the transmission unit 16 of the mobile phone 4 to the indoor unit closest to the mobile phone 4. 2 (in FIG. 1, the indoor unit 2 of the air conditioner number ID-2) is transmitted to the receiving unit 6. Thereafter, the distribution request signal and the position information of the indoor unit 2 that has received the distribution request information are received by the controller 3 via the communication network L1.

Next, in step S2, the control unit 11 of the controller 3 controls the transmission permission unit 14 so as to determine whether or not the user ID information included in the distribution request information is permitted to transmit software and room information. . If the transmission permission is received, the process proceeds to step S3. On the other hand, if the transmission permission is not received, the process returns to step S1.
In step S3, the control unit 11 selects software from the storage unit 9 of the controller 3 based on the user ID information included in the distribution request information and the position information of the indoor unit 2 that has received the distribution request information. The software selection unit 13 is controlled.

Next, in step S4, the control unit 11 controls the room information selection unit 12 so as to select room information from the room information database 10 of the controller 3 based on the user ID information and the position information.
After that, in step S5, the software and the room information are transmitted to the mobile phone 4 via the indoor unit 2 (in FIG. 1, the indoor unit 2 with the air conditioner number ID-2) that has received the distribution request information. More specifically, the control unit 29 of the indoor unit 2 sends the software and the room information to the mobile phone 4 while establishing communication between the interface 8 of the indoor unit 2 that has received the distribution request information and the interface 15 of the controller. The transmission unit 7 of the indoor unit 2 is controlled to transmit to
If the mobile phone 4 acquires the room information, the indoor unit numbers ID-1, ID-2, ID- of each of the plurality of indoor units 2 are displayed on the display unit 19 of the mobile phone 4 as shown in FIG. The air conditioner list 23 including the indoor unit information 21 including 3 and the room name information 22 including the room names SA and SB to which the indoor units 2 belong is displayed. Thereby, the user of the mobile phone 4 knows information about the indoor unit 2 (for example, the indoor unit 2 with the indoor unit number ID-2 in FIG. 1) and other indoor units 2 to be operated by the mobile phone 4 from now on. Can do. From now on, the indoor unit 2 (ID-2) operated by the mobile phone 4 is displayed by the light emitting portion 24 so that it can be distinguished from other indoor units 2.

<Features of First Embodiment>
(1)
In the monitoring control system 1 of the first embodiment, the controller 3 that monitors and controls a plurality of indoor units 2 has a storage unit 9 that stores software for the mobile phone 4 to operate the indoor units 2. The plurality of indoor units 2 include a receiving unit 6 that receives distribution request information from the mobile phone 4 and a transmitting unit 7 that transmits software to the mobile phone 4 when the receiving unit 6 receives the distribution request information. Each has. Therefore, the user of the mobile phone 4 can acquire software for operating the indoor unit 2 by transmitting the distribution request information to the nearest indoor unit 2. Therefore, it is easy to obtain software. Moreover, the software of the plurality of indoor units 2 is centrally managed by the controller 3.
(2)
In the monitoring control system 1 of the first embodiment, the controller 3 has a room information database 10 that stores room information, which is information related to the room where the indoor unit 2 is installed. Accordingly, the room information is transmitted to the mobile phone 4 together with the software.
(3)
In the monitoring control system 1 of the first embodiment, the controller 3 includes a room information selection unit 12 that selects room information corresponding to the indoor unit 2 that has received the distribution request information from the room information database 10. Therefore, the room information corresponding to the indoor unit 2 that has received the distribution request information is automatically transmitted to the mobile phone 4. Therefore, since the room information corresponding to one indoor unit 2 is easily obtained, the operation necessary for obtaining is reduced.
(4)
In the monitoring control system 1 of the first embodiment, the controller 3 includes a software selection unit 13 that selects software corresponding to the indoor unit 2 that has received the distribution request information from the storage unit 9. Therefore, even when the software for operating the indoor unit 2 is different for each indoor unit 2, the software corresponding to the indoor unit 2 that has received the distribution request information is transmitted.
(5)
In the monitoring control system 1 of the first embodiment, the distribution request information includes user ID information related to a user ID given to a user who uses the mobile phone 4. The controller 3 includes a transmission permission unit 14 that permits transmission of room information corresponding to user ID information and software. Therefore, transmission of room information and software is permitted according to the user's authority.
(6)
In the monitoring control system 1 of the first embodiment, infrared communication is adopted as a communication means between the indoor unit 2 and the mobile phone 4, so that information is not leaked to the outside and is safe in terms of security. .
In addition, since any one of the plurality of indoor units 2 and the mobile phone 4 communicate with each other by infrared communication, one indoor unit 2 is identified from the plurality of indoor units 2 inside the building. The position of the indoor unit 2 can be detected with high accuracy that cannot be obtained.
(7)
In the first embodiment, portable operation means such as the mobile phone 4 is adopted as the operation means. Therefore, the user can move the mobile phone 4 to an arbitrary place to acquire operation software and the indoor unit 2. Can be operated.

<Modification of First Embodiment>
(A)
In the first embodiment, the software for operating each of the plurality of indoor units 2 is centrally managed by storing the software in the storage unit 9 of the controller 3, but the present invention is not limited to this. Alternatively, the indoor unit 2 may be provided with a storage unit 51 (see FIG. 8) for storing software for operating the mobile phone 4.

The communication unit 5 of the indoor unit 2 shown in FIGS. 7 to 8 includes a receiving unit 6, a transmitting unit 7, a storage unit 51, and a control unit 52. The receiving unit 6 and the transmitting unit 7 are common to the indoor unit 2 in FIG.
The storage unit 51 stores software for operating the mobile phone 4. The storage unit 51 is connected to the transmission unit 7.

The control unit 52 controls the operation of each component (receiving unit 6, transmitting unit 7, and storage unit 51) inside the communication unit 5.
In the case of the indoor units 2 shown in FIG. 7 to FIG. 8, since the software corresponding to each indoor unit 2 is stored in the storage unit 51, it is only necessary to transmit the distribution request information to the indoor unit 2. The dedicated software for operating the indoor unit 2 that has received the distribution request information can be reliably acquired from the storage unit 51 of the mobile phone 4. Therefore, it is easy to obtain software.

  Similarly to the indoor unit 2 shown in FIGS. 7 to 8, a room air conditioner provided with a storage unit for storing software for operating with the mobile phone 4 may be used. Even in this case, only by transmitting the distribution request information to the room air conditioner, the dedicated software for operating the room air conditioner can be reliably acquired from the storage unit in the mobile phone 4. Is easy.

The indoor unit 2 shown in FIGS. 7 to 8 further includes a software receiving unit that receives updated software from an external transmission source (for example, a remote monitoring center server installed in the remote monitoring center). May be. In this case, the software can be updated from the remote monitoring center.
Further, the indoor unit 2 shown in FIGS. 7 to 8 indicates that the software has been updated by reception from an external transmission source (or download from a mobile terminal of a service person who has visited the site). Software update notifying means for notifying to may be further provided. In this case, when an operation signal is transmitted from the mobile phone 4 to the indoor unit 2, the software version information is transmitted, the version is checked by the control unit 29 on the indoor unit 2 side, and the software needs to be updated. Notifies the mobile phone 4 that the software needs to be updated. The user who has received the update notification may transmit the distribution request again to update the software.

Furthermore, the indoor unit 2 shown in FIGS. 7 to 8 may further include automatic software transmission means for automatically transmitting the updated software to the mobile phone 4. In this case, if there is software update Even when there is no distribution request from the user, the software can be automatically updated when the user operates the indoor unit 2 using the mobile phone 4.
(B)
Similarly to the above modification (A), the controller 3 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 is updated by an external transmission source (for example, a remote monitoring center server installed in the remote monitoring center). A software receiving unit that receives In this case, the software can be updated from the remote monitoring center.

Also in this case, similarly to the above-described modification (A), the indoor unit 2 shown in FIG. 2 receives the controller 3 by receiving from an external transmission source (or downloading from a portable terminal of a service person who goes to the site). Software update notification means for notifying the mobile phone 4 that the software stored in the storage unit 9 is updated may be further provided. In this case, when an operation signal is transmitted from the mobile phone 4 to the indoor unit 2, the software version information is transmitted, the version is checked by the control unit 29 on the indoor unit 2 side, and the software needs to be updated. Notifies the mobile phone 4 that the update is necessary. The user who has received the update notification may transmit the distribution request again to update the software.
Furthermore, the indoor unit 2 shown in FIG. 2 may further include automatic software transmission means for automatically transmitting the updated software to the mobile phone 4. In this case, the indoor unit 2 is stored in the storage unit 9 of the controller 3. If the software is updated, the software can be automatically updated when the user is operating the indoor unit 2 using the mobile phone 4 even if there is no distribution request from the user.

(C)
In the monitoring control system 1 of the first embodiment, infrared communication is adopted as a communication means between the indoor unit 2 and the mobile phone 4, but the present invention is not limited to this, and other wireless communication is possible. Even if a wireless connection such as Bluetooth is employed, software can be downloaded to the mobile phone 4 as in the monitoring control system of the first embodiment.
(D)
In the monitoring control system 1 of the first embodiment, wireless connection such as infrared communication is adopted as a communication means between the indoor unit 2 and the mobile phone 4, but the present invention is limited to this. Instead, the operating means may be connected to the indoor unit 2 by wire. In this case, operation means such as a remote controller can be connected to any one of the plurality of indoor units 2 via a cable so that the software can be downloaded from the indoor unit 2 to the remote controller. Easy.
(E)
In the first embodiment, an air conditioner list is displayed on the display unit 19 of the mobile phone 4. Using this air conditioner list, other indoor units 2 other than the indoor unit 2 that has received the distribution request information are remotely operated. You may make it do. In this case, at least one kind of operation software for operating the plurality of indoor units 2 is downloaded to the mobile phone 4, and the air conditioner number belonging to the room SB different from the room SA where the mobile phone 4 is present. If the indoor unit 2 with ID-3 is selected, the indoor unit 2 with ID-3 can be remotely operated.
(F)
In the first embodiment, the portable telephone 4 is described as an example of portable operation means. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a remote controller that can transmit to and receive from the indoor unit 2 is also possible. Good. Moreover, you may use information portable terminals, such as PDA, as another portable operation means.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a control target device and a monitoring control system thereof according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
<Configuration of the monitoring control system 25>
As shown in FIG. 9, the monitoring control system 25 is a system that monitors and controls a control target device. As a main configuration, the monitoring control system 25 includes a plurality of indoor units 2 that are control target devices and a plurality of indoor units. An air conditioning system monitoring control controller (hereinafter referred to as a controller) 26 for controlling the machine 2 and a remote monitoring center server (hereinafter referred to as a server) 30 installed in the remote monitoring center are provided. The server 30 stores software for operating the indoor unit 2.
The plurality of indoor units 2 (indoor unit numbers: ID-1, ID-2, ID-3) and the outdoor unit A are common to the configuration of the outdoor unit A of the indoor unit 2 of the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the transmission unit 7 (see FIG. 2) of the indoor unit 2 transmits the URL address of the server 30 instead of transmitting software.
The plurality of indoor units 2 are each operated by a mobile phone 4 which is a portable operation means. The mobile phone 4 has the same configuration as the mobile phone 4 of the first embodiment. The mobile phone 4 can be connected to the server 30 via a communication network C such as the Internet.

<Configuration of controller 26>
The controller 26 is connected to the plurality of indoor units 2 and monitors and controls the indoor units 2.
As shown in FIG. 10, the controller 26 includes a control unit 11, an interface 15, a URL address storage unit 27, and a transmission permission unit 28. The control unit 11 and the interface 15 are common to the configurations of the control unit 11 and the interface 15 of the first embodiment.
The URL address storage unit 27 stores the URL address of the server 30.
The transmission permission unit 28 permits transmission of the URL address based on the user ID information included in the distribution request information.

<Configuration of server 30>
As shown in FIG. 11, the server 30 includes a reception unit 31, a transmission unit 32, a control unit 33, a software storage unit 34, a transmission permission unit 36, a room information database 37, and a setting history information database 38. And an operating time information database 39.

The receiving unit 31 receives distribution request information regarding a distribution request transmitted from the mobile phone 4. The distribution request information includes user ID information related to a user ID given to a user who uses the mobile phone 4.
The transmission unit 32 transmits the software S for operating the indoor unit 2 and the room information to the mobile phone 4 when the reception unit 31 receives the distribution request information. Further, the transmission unit 32 also transmits the setting history information stored in the setting history information database 38 and the operation time information stored in the operation time information database 39 to the mobile phone 4.

  The software storage unit 34 stores software S for the mobile phone 4 to operate the indoor unit 2. The software S is one or more types of software corresponding to each model of the plurality of indoor units 2. If there is a plurality of software, URL addresses corresponding to the respective software may be set so that predetermined software can be downloaded. In addition, when the plurality of indoor units 2 are all the same model, only one type of software and corresponding URL address is required.

The control unit 33 operates the internal components of the server 30 (reception unit 31, transmission unit 32, software storage unit 34, room information database 37, setting history information database 38, and operation time information database 39). To control.
The transmission permission unit 36 permits transmission of room information corresponding to the user ID information included in the distribution request information. The transmission permission unit 36 also permits software transmission based on the user ID information included in the distribution request information.

The room information database 37 stores room information. The room information is air conditioner management information such as position information of the indoor unit 2 (installation location (for example, a room or a floor)) or an air conditioner list indicating a room or a tenant to which the indoor unit 2 belongs.
The setting history information database 38 stores setting history information regarding each setting history of the plurality of indoor units 2.
The operation time information database 39 stores operation time information related to the operation time of each of the plurality of indoor units 2.

<How to download software>
Next, the software download procedure of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. Here, it is assumed that the user of the mobile phone 4 operates the operation unit 20 (see FIG. 4) to transmit a distribution request signal and user ID information. In order to download the software, first, the URL address of the server 30 is acquired.

<URL address acquisition process>
As shown in FIG. 12, when the user operates the operation unit 20 of the mobile phone 4 in step S21, the distribution request signal is first sent from the transmission unit 16 of the mobile phone 4 to the indoor unit closest to the mobile phone 4. 2 (in FIG. 9, the indoor unit 2 of the air conditioner number ID-2) is transmitted to the receiving unit 6 (see FIG. 2). After that, the distribution request signal and the location information of the indoor unit 2 that has received the distribution request information are received by the controller 26 via the communication network L1.

Next, in step S22, the control unit 11 of the controller 26 controls the transmission permission unit 28 so as to determine whether or not the user ID information included in the distribution request information is permitted to transmit a URL address. If the transmission permission is received, the process proceeds to step S23. On the other hand, if the transmission permission is not received, the process returns to step S21.
Next, in step S23, the URL address is transmitted to the mobile phone 4 via the indoor unit 2 (in FIG. 9, the indoor unit 2 with the air conditioner number ID-2) that has received the distribution request information. More specifically, the control unit 29 (see FIG. 2) of the indoor unit 2 sets the URL address while establishing communication between the interface 8 of the indoor unit 2 that has received the distribution request information and the interface 15 of the controller. The transmission unit 7 (see FIG. 2) of the indoor unit 2 is controlled to transmit to the mobile phone 4.
Thereby, the URL address of the server 30 is acquired by the mobile phone 4.

<Download processing from server 30>
Next, software download processing from the server 30 to the mobile phone 4 is performed.
As shown in FIG. 13, in step S31, the server 30 is connected by the mobile phone 4 that has acquired the URL address. In other words, the mobile phone 4 connects to the server 30 via the communication network C such as the Internet using the acquired URL address.

Next, in step S <b> 32, when the user operates the operation unit 20 of the mobile phone 4, the distribution request signal is received by the reception unit 31 of the server 30 via the communication network C.
Next, in step S33, the control unit 33 of the server 30 controls the transmission permission unit 36 so as to determine whether or not the user ID information included in the distribution request information is permitted to transmit software and room information. . If the transmission permission is received, the process proceeds to step S34. On the other hand, if the transmission permission is not received, the process returns to step S31.
Next, in step S34, the control unit 33 of the server 30 transmits software and room information (room information, setting history information, operation time information, etc.) to the mobile phone 4 via the communication network C. The transmission unit 32 is controlled. Thereby, the mobile phone 4 can acquire software, room information, and the like.

<Features of Second Embodiment>
(1)
In the monitoring control system 25 of the second embodiment, the controller 26 that monitors and controls the plurality of indoor units 2 includes a URL address storage unit 27 that stores the URL address of the server 30. The server 30 stores software for the mobile phone 4 to operate the indoor unit 2. The plurality of indoor units 2 include a receiving unit 6 that receives distribution request information from the mobile phone 4 and a transmitting unit 7 that transmits a URL address to the mobile phone 4 when the receiving unit 6 receives the distribution request information. Each is equipped. Therefore, the user of the mobile phone 4 can acquire the URL address by transmitting the distribution request information to the nearest indoor unit 2. Therefore, the user accesses the server 30 using the acquired URL address and easily obtains the software. For this reason, it is not necessary to obtain the URL address.

In addition, software for operating the plurality of indoor units 2 is centrally managed by the server 30. Therefore, even when the model of the indoor unit 2 is changed or the layout of the living room is changed, the server 30 on the remote monitoring center side can cope with the model change.
In the monitoring control system 25 according to the second embodiment, only the URL address is acquired from the indoor unit 2 and the software in the server 30 is downloaded to the mobile phone 4. It has the convenience that it is only necessary to update the existing software. On the other hand, when the software is stored in the air conditioner body or the controller, it is necessary to update all the software stored in them, and enormous man-hours and work are generated. In the monitoring control system 25, these enormous man-hours and operations do not occur.
(2)
In the monitoring control system 25 of the second embodiment, the server 30 includes a room information database 37 that stores room information that is information related to the room in which the indoor unit 2 is installed. Accordingly, the room information is transmitted to the mobile phone 4 together with the software.
(3)
In the monitoring control system 25 of the second embodiment, the server 30 has a setting history information database 38 that stores setting history information related to past setting histories of the plurality of indoor units 2. Accordingly, the setting history information is transmitted to the mobile phone 4 together with the software.
(4)
In the monitoring control system 25 of the second embodiment, the server 30 has an operation time information database 39 that stores operation time information related to operation times of the plurality of indoor units 2. Accordingly, the operating time information is transmitted to the mobile phone 4 together with the software.
(5)
In the monitoring control system 25 of the second embodiment, the distribution request information includes user ID information related to a user ID given to a user who uses the mobile phone 4. The server 30 has a transmission permitting unit 36 that permits transmission of room information and software corresponding to the user ID information and software. Therefore, transmission of room information and software is permitted according to the authority of the user.

<Modification of Second Embodiment>
(A)
In the second embodiment, the URL address of the server 30 is stored in the URL address storage unit 27 of the controller 26 and centrally managed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the URL address storage unit 39 ( 14) may be provided in the indoor unit 2.

The communication unit 5 of the indoor unit 2 shown in FIG. 14 includes a receiving unit 6, a transmitting unit 7, a URL address storage unit 39, and a control unit 40. The receiving unit 6 and the transmitting unit 7 are common to the indoor unit 2 in FIG.
The URL address storage unit 39 stores the URL address of the server 30 and is connected to the transmission unit 7.
The control unit 40 controls the operation of each component (reception unit 6, transmission unit 7, and URL address storage unit 39) inside the communication unit 5.
In the case of the indoor units 2 shown in FIG. 14, URL addresses corresponding to the respective indoor units 2 are stored in the URL address storage unit 39, so that URL address storage can be performed only by transmitting distribution request information to the indoor units 2. The URL address corresponding to the indoor unit 2 that has received the distribution request information can be reliably acquired from the unit 39 in the mobile phone 4. Therefore, even when the models of the plurality of indoor units 2 are different, the URL address corresponding to each model can be easily acquired. By connecting the mobile phone 4 to the server 30 using the acquired URL address, desired software can be easily obtained. In this case, the user does not need to input a URL address. In addition, since only the URL address is acquired from the indoor unit 2 and the software in the server 30 is downloaded to the mobile phone 4, even if the software is upgraded, it is only necessary to update the software in the server 30. It has the convenience. On the other hand, when software is stored in the air conditioner main body, it is necessary to update all of the software stored in them, which requires enormous man-hours and work, but the indoor unit shown in FIG. In 2, the enormous man-hours and operations are not generated.

The indoor unit 2 shown in FIG. 14 may further include a URL address receiving unit that receives the updated URL address from the server 30. In this case, the URL address from the server 30 can be updated.
Furthermore, the indoor unit 2 shown in FIG. 14 indicates that the URL address has been updated by receiving from the server 30 (or downloading from a mobile terminal of a service person who went to the site or manual input). URL address update notification means for notifying may be further provided. In this case, when the operation signal is transmitted from the mobile phone 4 to the indoor unit 2, the URL address version information is transmitted, the version is checked by the control unit 29 on the indoor unit 2, and the URL address needs to be updated. In this case, the mobile phone 4 is notified that updating is necessary. The user who has received the update notification may send the distribution request again to acquire the URL address, access the server 30 and update the software.
Furthermore, the indoor unit 2 shown in FIG. 14 may further include URL address automatic transmission means for automatically transmitting the updated URL address to the mobile phone 4. In this case, if the URL address is updated, Even when there is no distribution request from the user, the URL address can be automatically updated when the user operates the indoor unit 2 using the mobile phone 4.

(B)
Similarly to the modification (A), the controller 26 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 may further include a URL address receiving unit that receives the updated URL address from the server 30. In this case, the URL address from the server 30 can be updated.

  Also in this case, similarly to the above-described modification (A), the indoor unit 2 shown in FIG. 2 receives the controller 30 (or downloads from the mobile terminal of a service person who went to the site or input by hand) to the controller. It may further comprise URL address update notification means for notifying the mobile phone 4 that the URL address stored in the 26 URL address storage units 27 has been updated. In this case, when the operation signal is transmitted from the mobile phone 4 to the indoor unit 2, the URL address version information is transmitted, the version is checked by the control unit 29 on the indoor unit 2, and the URL address needs to be updated. In this case, the mobile phone 4 is notified that updating is necessary. The user who has received the update notification may transmit the distribution request again to update the URL address.

Furthermore, the indoor unit 2 shown in FIG. 2 may further include URL address automatic transmission means for automatically transmitting the updated URL address to the mobile phone 4, and in this case, the URL address storage unit of the controller 26 If the URL address stored in 27 is updated, the URL address is automatically updated when the user operates the indoor unit 2 using the mobile phone 4 even if there is no distribution request from the user. It can be performed.
(C)
In the monitoring control system 25 of the second embodiment, the URL address can be acquired by transmitting the distribution request information to the indoor unit 2, but the present invention is not limited to this, and other than the URL address Another address that can identify the server 30 may be acquired.
(D)
In the second embodiment, the mobile phone 4 is described as an example of a portable operation means. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a URL address is used as another portable operation means. An information portable terminal such as a PDA that can be used to access the server 30 may be used.

  The device to be controlled and its monitoring control system of the present invention can be employed for downloading operation software used by the operation means for operating the indoor unit of the air conditioner, as in the above embodiment. The present invention is not limited to this. Furthermore, the present invention can be employed in all fields as long as operation software is downloaded to an operation means for remotely operating a control target device. For example, the present invention can be applied to downloading operation software to a remote controller for remote operation of home appliances.

1 is a configuration diagram of a monitoring control system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The block diagram which shows the structure of the indoor unit of FIG. The block diagram which shows the structure of the controller for air-conditioning system monitoring control of FIG. The block diagram which shows the structure of the mobile telephone of FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a software download method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The figure which shows the example of a display of the display part of the mobile telephone of FIG. The block diagram of the monitoring control system concerning the modification of 1st Embodiment of this invention. The block diagram which shows the structure of the indoor unit of FIG. The block diagram of the monitoring control system concerning 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The block diagram which shows the structure of the controller for air-conditioning system monitoring control of FIG. The block diagram which shows the structure of the server of FIG. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the acquisition process of URL address concerning 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the download method of the software concerning 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The block diagram which shows the structure of the indoor unit concerning the modification of 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1, 25 Monitoring control system 2 Indoor unit 3, 26 Controller for air conditioning system monitoring control (controller)
4 Mobile phone 9, 51 Storage unit 10, 37 Office information database 27, 38 URL address storage unit 34 Software storage unit

Claims (25)

A control target device (2) that can be remotely operated by an operating means (4),
A receiving unit (6) for receiving distribution request information relating to a distribution request transmitted from the operating means (4);
A transmission unit (7) for transmitting software for operating the control target device (2) to the operation means (4) when the reception unit (6) receives the distribution request information;
A control target device (2). A storage unit (51) for storing the software;
The control object apparatus (2) according to claim 1. A software receiving unit for receiving the updated software from an external transmission source;
The control object apparatus (2) according to claim 2. Software update notification means for notifying the operation means (4) that the software is updated;
Control object apparatus (2) in any one of Claim 1 to 3. A software automatic transmission means for automatically transmitting the updated software to the operation means (4);
Control object apparatus (2) in any one of Claim 1 to 4. A control target device (2) that can be remotely operated by an operating means (4),
A receiving unit (6) for receiving distribution request information relating to a distribution request transmitted from the operating means (4);
When the receiving unit (6) receives the distribution request information, the address of the server (30) storing software for operating the control target device (2) is transmitted to the operating means (4). A transmitting unit (7) to perform,
A control target device (2). A storage unit (39) for storing the address;
Control object apparatus (2) according to claim 6. An address receiving unit for receiving the updated address from the server (30);
Control object apparatus (2) according to claim 7. An address update notification means for notifying the operation means (4) that the address is updated;
Control object apparatus (2) in any one of Claim 6 to 8. An address automatic transmission means for automatically transmitting the updated address to the operation means (4);
Control object apparatus (2) in any one of Claim 6 to 9. The control target device (2) according to claim 1, which is arranged in one or more living rooms,
A controller (3) connected to one or more of the control target devices (2) and monitoring and controlling the control target device (2);
With
The controller (3) has a storage unit (9) for storing software for the operation means (4) to operate the control target device (2).
A monitoring control system (1) for the control target device (2). The controller (3) further includes a room information database (10) that stores room information that is information related to the room in which the control target device (2) is installed.
The monitoring control system (1) of the control target device (2) according to claim 11. The controller (3) further includes a room information selection unit (12) for selecting the room information corresponding to the control target device (2) that has received the distribution request information from the room information database (10). Yes,
The monitoring control system (1) of the control object apparatus (2) according to claim 12. The controller (3) further includes a software selection unit (13) that selects the software corresponding to the control target device (2) that has received the distribution request information from the storage unit (9).
The monitoring control system (1) of the control target device (2) according to claim 11. The distribution request information includes user ID information related to a user ID given to a user who uses the operation means (4).
The controller (3) includes a transmission permission unit (14) that permits transmission of the room information corresponding to the user ID information.
The monitoring control system (1) of the control object apparatus (2) according to claim 12. The controller (3) further includes a software receiving unit that receives the updated software from an external transmission source.
The monitoring control system (1) of the control target device (2) according to claim 11. The control target device (2) according to claim 6, which is arranged in one or more living rooms,
A controller (26) connected to one or more of the control target devices (2) and monitoring and controlling the control target device (2);
The server (30) according to claim 6, installed in a remote monitoring center;
With
The controller (26) has a storage unit (27) for storing the address,
The server (30) transmits a software storage unit (34) for storing software for the operation means (4) to operate the control target device (2), and transmits the software to the operation means (4). Having a transmitter (32),
A monitoring control system (25) for the control target device (2). The server (30) further includes a room information database (37) for storing room information, which is information related to the room in which the control target device (2) is installed.
The monitoring control system (25) of the control object apparatus (2) according to claim 17. The server (30) further includes a setting history information database (38) for storing setting history information related to past setting history of the control target device (2).
The monitoring control system (25) of the control object apparatus (2) according to claim 17. The server (30) further includes an operation time information database (39) for storing operation time information related to the operation time of the control target device (2).
The monitoring control system (25) of the control object apparatus (2) according to claim 17. The controller (26) further includes an address receiving unit that receives the updated address from the server (30).
The monitoring control system (25) of the control object apparatus (2) according to claim 17. The control target device (2) and the operation means (4) are connected to each other so as to be communicable by infrared communication.
The monitoring control system (1, 25) for the control target device (2) according to claim 11 to 21. The operation means (4) is portable.
The monitoring control system (1, 25) of the control target device (2) according to any one of claims 11 to 22. The device to be controlled (2) and the operation means (4) are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other by wire.
The monitoring control system (1, 25) of the control target device (2) according to any one of claims 11 to 21. The control target device (2) is an indoor unit of an air conditioner.
The monitoring control system (1, 25) of the control target device (2) according to any one of claims 11 to 24.

Images