JP2007264809A - Operation terminal of facility apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an operation terminal of a facility apparatus that can prevent malfunctions caused by a remote operation of a former user when the user is changed due to the change of abodes. <P>SOLUTION: A terminal includes: a remote operation function control part 9 for controlling the switching between a remote operation disable mode for deactivating a remote operation function and a remote operation enable mode for activating the function; and a power cut period decision part 10 for determining whether a power cut period when the energization to the operation terminal 1 is cut off is more than a predetermined decision period. The remote operation function control part 9 holds a remote operation mode before the power cut during the power cut period, and performs control of the remote operation disable mode if the power cut period is more than the decision period on the basis of the decision of the power cut period decision part 10 in recovery to the energization state from the power cut, and also performs the control of the remote operation mode that is held before the power cut if the power cut period is less than the decision period. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an operation terminal for equipment that is fixedly installed in a building, and more particularly to an operation terminal for equipment that can be remotely operated from the outside.

  As an operation terminal for equipment that is fixedly installed in a building, there is a remote control terminal for a hot water heater that can be remotely operated from a mobile phone or the like (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Non-Patent Document 1).

  In Patent Document 1, while using a global network connection environment such as the Internet, it is possible to remotely monitor and operate a hot water heater installed in a home or the like with a simple and low-cost configuration as much as possible. A system is disclosed. More specifically, in FIG. 1 of Patent Document 1 and paragraph numbers [0024] to [0041] of the specification, the water heater accesses an external server connected via the Internet, and the internal state of the water heater is changed. Sends event information that associates time information and hot water heater identification information with information and operation information, and estimates the state of the water heater based on the event information received from the water heater by the external server, and other than the water heater Sends the estimation result of the state of the water heater in response to access from a communication terminal device such as a cellular phone, and accepts and registers remote operation information, and the water heater periodically accesses an external server to receive the remote operation information. A water heater system is disclosed that is capable of performing operations based on remote operation information received and received on the water heater side.

  In Non-Patent Document 1, a remote control terminal for a hot water heater that has a built-in interface for Internet connection and a Web browser, can browse life information on the Internet, gas usage, etc., and can be remotely operated from a mobile phone. It is disclosed.

JP 2003-279121 A "Remote control (network remote control) catalog for gas hot water heaters with internet connection function for newly built apartments", Osaka Gas Co., Ltd., October 1, 2004

  On the other hand, not only equipment such as a hot water heater and the like, but an electric device having an Internet connection function called an information home appliance and capable of transmitting and receiving data with a management server on the Internet has been developed. However, since equipment such as hot water heaters, air conditioners, and security equipment is fixedly installed in a building such as a residence, unlike general information appliances, users (users) of equipment due to relocation, etc. Even if it moves, it is usually used for the next resident who has left the original installation location. Furthermore, not only the equipment is used at the installation location, but also the above-described remote operation function may be left usable.

  Here, if the previous user who moved out is not notified of the move or the like to the administrator who manages the remote operation of the equipment, or if the user is delayed, the previous user uses it by mistake. If a remote operation is performed on the facility device that has been performed, the facility device is remotely operated without the knowledge of the new user of the facility device.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an operation terminal for equipment that can prevent malfunction due to remote operation from a previous user when the user changes due to moving or the like. The point is to provide.

  An operation terminal for facility equipment according to the present invention for achieving the above object is an operation terminal for facility equipment fixedly installed in a building, and has a connection function with a predetermined data communication line network, A communication interface for transmitting / receiving information to / from a management server via a data communication network, and communication with the management server via the communication interface, and reception of remote operation data for the facility equipment output from the management server At least one of the remote operation data communication unit, the remote operation data communication unit, the remote operation data communication unit, and the remote operation unit that performs an operation based on the remote operation data received by the remote control data communication unit. Remote operation disabled mode that deactivates one of the functions, and remote operation that activates both functions of the remote operation data communication unit and the remote operation unit A remote operation function control unit that performs control to switch between the two remote operation modes with the operable mode, and whether or not a power failure period during which the power to the operation terminal is interrupted is equal to or longer than a predetermined determination period A power failure period determination unit that performs the remote operation function control unit before the determination that the determination period elapses after the energization of the operation terminal is interrupted before the remote operation is interrupted. When the operation mode is maintained and the energization is restored, based on the determination of the power failure period determination unit, if the power failure period is equal to or longer than the determination period, the remote operation disabled mode is performed, When the power failure period is less than the determination period, the first feature is that the remote operation mode held before the start of the power failure period is controlled.

  Furthermore, in addition to the first feature, the operation terminal for equipment according to the present invention is such that, in the remote operation disabled mode, the remote operation data communication unit does not receive the remote operation data from the management server. Is the second feature.

  Furthermore, in addition to the first or second feature, the operation terminal for facility equipment according to the present invention is configured such that the power failure period determination unit determines a current time to connect to the data communication network except during the power failure period. Connect to the provided time providing server via the communication interface to periodically acquire the current time, and calculate the time difference from the current time at the previous acquisition every time the current time is acquired, A third feature is to compare the power failure period calculated based on the above and the determination period.

  Furthermore, in addition to the first or second feature, the operation terminal for facility equipment according to the present invention provides a current time when the power failure period determination unit connects to the data communication network except during the power failure period. A current time acquisition unit that acquires a current time by connecting to a time providing server to be provided periodically or when a predetermined event occurs via the communication interface, and a periodic basis based on the current time acquired by the current time acquisition unit Adjusting the time, and after the time adjustment, the current time is measured based on the internal clocking operation, and the internal clocking operation stops the internal clocking operation during the power failure period, immediately after the end of the power failure period In addition, the current time acquisition unit acquires the current time from the time providing server, and the internal time measuring unit adjusts the time before the current time acquired by the current time acquisition unit. Serial the blackout period calculated by the time difference between the time adjustment before the current time of the internal clock means, and a fourth, characterized in that comparing the calculated the blackout period the determination period.

  Furthermore, in addition to any of the above features, the operation terminal for facility equipment according to the present invention is configured such that the remote operation data communication unit has a predetermined timing, the remote operation mode is the remote operation disabled mode and the remote operation enabled mode. It is a fifth feature that remote operation mode notification data indicating which one of these is transmitted to the management server.

  Furthermore, in addition to any of the above features, the operation terminal for facility equipment according to the present invention includes an input operation device for user input operation on the outer surface of the housing, and the remote operation function control unit includes the input operation device from the input operation device. The sixth feature is that the two remote operation modes can be switched based on the received operation input by the user.

  Furthermore, in the operation terminal for equipment according to the present invention, in addition to the sixth feature, the remote operation data communication unit sets the remote operation mode by the remote operation function control unit to the remote operation disabled mode. Information that can identify whether the reason is the first reason based on the determination of the power failure period determination unit or the second reason other than the first reason including the operation input by the user from the input operation device, The seventh feature is that the data is transmitted to the management server.

  Furthermore, in addition to any of the above characteristics, the operating terminal for facility equipment according to the present invention enables the power failure period determination unit to determine whether or not the power failure period is longer than a second determination period longer than the determination period. When the power failure period determination unit determines that the power failure period is equal to or longer than the second determination period, the remote operation data communication unit accepts a remote operation instruction to the operation terminal from the outside by the management server An eighth feature is that a password invalidation request for invalidating a password for user authentication used at the time is transmitted to the management server.

  According to the operation terminal of the equipment of the first feature, first, when the remote operation function control unit is set to be switched to the remote operation possible mode, the remote operation data communication unit is connected to the management server via the communication interface. The user of the facility equipment is out of the office because it can communicate, receive the remote operation data for the equipment output from the management server, and operate the equipment based on the remote operation data received by the remote operation unit. However, by transmitting a predetermined remote operation instruction to the management server from a communication device that can be used outside the home, such as a mobile phone, the management server transmits the remote operation instruction as remote operation data to the operation terminal. Remote control of equipment is possible. On the other hand, when the remote operation function control unit is set to be switched to the remote operation disabled mode, at least one of the functions of the remote operation data communication unit and the remote operation unit is deactivated. The remote controller does not receive the remote operation data or does not operate the facility equipment based on the remote operation data received by the remote operation section even if the remote operation data is received. Further, the remote operation function control unit performs control to make the remote operation disabled mode when the power failure period is a predetermined determination period (for example, set to about several hours) based on the determination of the power failure period determination unit, If the power outage period is less than the judgment period, the remote operation mode that is held before the start of the power outage period is controlled. Since the power supply to the operation terminal is cut off due to the breaker being cut off, the power failure state occurs, but when the next resident moves in and the power supply to the operation terminal is restored, the determination period has elapsed. Since the remote operation disabled mode, the remote operation by the previous user is impossible. In addition, when the power supply to the operation terminal is cut off due to a power failure on the commercial power supply side, the power failure state usually does not extend for a long time, so the power failure on the commercial power supply side can be restored by setting the judgment period appropriately. When the power supply to the operation terminal is restored, the remote operation mode before the start of the power failure period is restored. Therefore, if the remote operation mode before the start is the remote operation possible mode, the current user is absent. When a power failure occurs on the commercial power supply side and returns within the determination period, the current user can remotely operate the equipment as if no power failure occurred on the commercial power supply side.

  According to the operation terminal of the equipment of the second feature, the remote operation data is not received on the management server side because the remote operation data communication unit does not receive the remote operation data from the management server in the remote operation disabled mode. Since it can be recognized that there is no remote operation, that is, the remote operation disabled mode, it is possible to notify the communication device that has transmitted the remote operation instruction to the management server that the remote operation is impossible.

  According to the operation terminal of the equipment of the third or fourth feature, the power failure period determination unit in the operation terminal of the equipment of the first feature can calculate the power failure period. Can be played reliably. Particularly, according to the operation terminal of the equipment device of the fourth feature, since the internal time measuring means is provided, the current time acquisition means does not need to frequently access the time providing server to acquire the current time, and the current time acquisition means Can reduce the load. Note that the management server may perform the current time providing function of the time providing server.

  According to the operation terminal of the equipment device of the fifth feature, since the remote operation mode on the operation terminal side can be grasped on the management server side, the remote operation instruction is transmitted to the communication device that has transmitted the remote operation instruction to the management server. Can be notified of whether or not remote operation is possible. In particular, in the remote operation disabled mode, when the function of the remote operation data communication unit is activated and the function of the remote operation unit is deactivated, the management server sends the remote operation data to the operation terminal side. Since it is possible to transmit and the remote operation data communication unit cannot recognize the remote operation disabled mode from the state of the remote operation data communication unit, the management server can recognize the remote operation disabled mode by receiving the remote operation mode notification data.

  According to the operation terminal of the equipment of the sixth feature, the remote operation mode can be set reflecting the user's intention when the user performs an input operation from the input operation device.

  According to the operation terminal for facility equipment of the seventh feature, the reason why the remote operation mode of each operation terminal is set to the remote operation disabled mode can be grasped on the management server side. As a result, when switching to the remote operation disabled mode due to a power failure or the like occurs in multiple dwelling units at the same time in an apartment house, etc. It is possible to determine whether there is a reason.

  As described above, according to the operation terminal of the equipment of the first feature, the remote operation function control unit performs remote operation when the power failure period is equal to or longer than the predetermined determination period based on the determination of the power failure period determination unit. In order to perform control to disable mode, if the user in front of the operating terminal is absent due to moving, etc., the breaker will be dropped and the power supply to the operating terminal will be cut off, resulting in a power outage, and then the next resident When the power supply to the operation terminal is restored, the remote operation disabled mode is entered and the previous user cannot perform remote operation when the determination period has elapsed. Since the two remote operation modes can be switched by the remote operation function control unit, the remote operation mode can be switched by the user's input operation, or the remote operation mode is automatically set when a predetermined event occurs. In the case of a configuration such as switching, there may be a case where the remote operation possible mode is entered after forcibly switching to the remote operation impossible mode after recovery from a power failure. May work. However, according to the operation terminal of the equipment of the eighth feature, when the power failure period is equal to or longer than the second determination period longer than the determination period, there is a possibility that the user in front of the operation terminal is absent due to a move or the like. Because the management server sends a password invalidation request for invalidating the password for user authentication used when the management server accepts a remote operation instruction from the previous user to the management server, The set password is invalidated, the management server no longer accepts a remote operation instruction from the previous user, and the possibility that the equipment is activated by remote operation by the previous user is eliminated.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of an operation terminal for facility equipment according to the present invention (hereinafter, abbreviated as “the present invention terminal” as appropriate) will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the present invention terminal 1 is a remote control terminal of a hot water heater 21 that is an example of equipment that is fixedly installed in a building 20 (for example, a residence such as a detached house or an apartment house). Yes, connected to a LAN (local network) 12 installed in the building 20, and via the Internet 15 (corresponding to a data communication network) via a router 13 and a line connection device 14 connected to the LAN 12. It is configured to be connectable to an external server (management server 16, content server 17, 18). A personal computer and other information appliances (not shown) are connected to the LAN 12 and can be connected to the Internet 15. Data can be transmitted to and received from the terminal 1 of the present invention. The description is omitted because it is not directly related to the gist of the invention. 1 connects a communication line (ADSL (asymmetric digital subscriber line), optical communication cable, wireless communication line, etc.) and a router 13 for physical connection to the Internet 15. For example, an ADSL modem and an optical line terminal device. In the present embodiment, the LAN 12 is assumed to be a LAN using a generally used TCP / IP (transmission control protocol / internet protocol) as a communication protocol. The physical configuration of the LAN 12 includes a configuration in which the terminal 1, the router 13, and other terminal devices of the present invention are connected by a LAN cable via a hub (not shown), a configuration in which a wireless LAN is connected, and other methods. Any of these may be used.

  In the present embodiment, the hot water heater / heater 21 is provided with a hot water tap and a shower tap in a kitchen, a bath, a washroom, etc., an automatic hot water supply to the bath tub, a reheating of the bath tub, one or a plurality of floor heating terminals and a bathroom. This is a multifunctional hot water heater that can supply circulating hot water to a hot water heating terminal such as a heating dryer, and the hot water supply from the terminal 1 of the present invention to each of these hot water loads can be centrally controlled. Furthermore, the hot water supply control to each hot water load can be remotely operated from the outside via the management server 16 and the terminal 1 of the present invention.

  The management server 16 manages setting and registration of data necessary for various operations including the Internet connection of the terminal 1 of the present invention, and accepts a remote operation instruction for the hot water heater 21 from the outside to the terminal 1 of the present invention. A server that transmits remote operation data, and has a function as a Web server, a database management function, and a remote operation management function. The management server 16 is configured to accept access from an external communication terminal 22 such as a mobile phone having an Internet connection function via the Internet 15 with respect to the remote operation management function. After receiving the user ID and password input for user authentication, the remote control instruction for the hot water heater 21 is received. By performing user authentication, confirmation of a remote operation instruction from a legitimate user and identification of the terminal 1 of the present invention, which is a transmission destination of remote operation data based on the remote operation instruction, are made.

  The content servers 17 and 18 perform terminal authentication with the terminal 1 of the present invention in advance, thereby recognizing the terminal 1 of the present invention as a legitimate client terminal and managing information managed by each server (for example, The weather forecast, notification to the user, town information of the residential area, cooking recipe, user gas consumption, etc.) are permitted to be viewed, and HTML (hypertext markup language) or XML (extensible markup) of the information is given to the terminal 1 of the present invention. a Web server that transmits display data described in a markup language such as language.

  FIG. 2 schematically shows a functional block configuration related to the Internet connection function of the terminal 1 of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the terminal 1 of the present invention has an input operation device 2 for user input operation and a screen display device 3 for information output installed on an outer surface (not shown) of the casing, and further includes communication. An interface 4, an external information transmission / reception control unit 5, an equipment operation unit 6, a remote operation data communication unit 7, a remote operation unit 8, a remote operation function control unit 9, a power failure period determination unit 10, and a nonvolatile storage device 11 Is done. Here, the communication interface 4, the external information transmission / reception control unit 5, the equipment operation unit 6, the remote operation data communication unit 7, the remote operation unit 8, the remote operation function control unit 9, and the power failure period determination unit 10 are all functional. Means, which is realized in software by executing each computer program for realizing each function by the central processing unit of the computer using hardware resources of the computer constituting the terminal 1 of the present invention. is there.

  The input operation device 2 includes a touch switch fixedly installed on the outer surface of the housing and a touch switch formed in software on the display screen of the screen display device 3 having a touch panel function. Operation input (operation on / off, temperature change, operation mode selection, timer operation on / off, timer time setting change, etc.), operation input to access external servers and browse information on the Internet, for various settings An operation input or the like is received and transferred to each of the function units according to the content of the received operation input.

  The screen display device 3 is a liquid crystal display device having a touch panel function fixedly installed on the outer surface of the housing. The screen display device 3 displays a touch switch for input operation and a screen display for information output. This is performed based on control from the device operation unit 6.

  The communication interface 4 is a communication interface that transmits and receives data by TCP / IP communication with the external servers 16 to 18 via the router 13, the line connection device 14, and the Internet 15. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that a private address managed by the router 13 is allocated to the terminal 1 of the present invention, and a unique IP address (global address) on the Internet is not allocated. Communication connection to 16 to 18 is established only by access from the terminal 1 side of the present invention.

  The external information transmission / reception control unit 5 receives an operation input for browsing information on the Internet from the input operation device 2, and is designated via the communication interface 4 based on the received operation input. And the like, the display data described in HTML or XML output from the accessed external server is received, and the received display data is interpreted by the built-in Web browser function. The data is displayed on the display screen of the screen display device 3.

  The facility equipment operation unit 6 receives an operation input of the hot water heater 21 from the input operation device 2, interprets the operation input according to the display mode of the screen display device 3, and generates an operation instruction signal of a predetermined signal format. It converts and outputs toward the control apparatus (not shown) of the hot water heater 21.

  The remote operation data communication unit 7 periodically (for example, at intervals of several minutes to several tens of minutes) via the communication interface 4 when the remote operation mode to be described later is a remote operation possible mode. 16, when remote operation data of the hot water heater 21 is output from the management server 16, the remote operation data is received. Therefore, when the remote operation mode is the remote operation disabled mode, the remote operation data communication unit 7 does not perform the above access to the management server 16 for receiving the remote operation data. In the present embodiment, the remote operation data communication unit 7 accesses the management server 16 via the communication interface 4 when the remote operation mode setting is changed by the remote operation function control unit 9, and has been changed. Remote operation mode notification data indicating whether the remote operation mode is the remote operation disabled mode or the remote operation enabled mode is transmitted to the management server 16. Thereby, on the management server 16 side, the setting change of the remote operation mode on the present invention terminal 1 side can be recognized immediately.

  By the way, since communication between the remote operation data communication unit 7 and the management server 16 is in a state where mutual terminal authentication is possible by a network initial setting process to be described later, the management server 16 side transmits remote operation data to the terminal 1 of the present invention. When transmitting, remote operation data for the terminal 1 of the present invention can be transmitted. Further, when receiving remote operation mode notification data from the terminal 1 of the present invention, it is remote operation mode notification data of the terminal 1 of the present invention. Can be recognized.

  The remote operation unit 8 interprets the remote operation data received from the management server 16 by the remote operation data communication unit 7 and converts it into an operation instruction signal in a predetermined signal format to control the hot water heater 21 (not shown). ) To output. If the operation with respect to the hot water heater 21 is the same, the operation instruction signal output from the remote operation unit 8 and the equipment device operation unit 6 is the same operation instruction signal. Thereby, the control apparatus of the hot water heater / heater 21 does not need to distinguish between the operation input from the input operation device 2 of the terminal 1 of the present invention and the operation input from the outside via the management server 16.

  The remote operation function control unit 9 is configured to perform two remote operation modes (a remote operation disabled mode and a remote operation disabled mode based on an operation input for setting a remote operation mode by the user from the input operation device 2 or a determination result of the power failure period determination unit 10. Remote control mode) is controlled. The remote operation function control unit 9 holds information on whether the latest switched remote operation mode is the remote operation disabled mode or the remote operation enabled mode in a nonvolatile manner, that is, even during a power failure. Here, when the remote operation disabled mode is set, the remote operation data communication unit 7 is deactivated, and periodic access to the management server 16 for receiving remote operation data is not executed, and the management server No remote control data is received from 16. On the contrary, when the remote operation enabled mode is set, the remote operation data communication unit 7 is activated, and the periodic access to the management server 16 for receiving the remote operation data is executed. When the remote operation data of the hot water heater 21 is output, the remote operation data is received.

  When the two remote operation modes are switched based on the operation input from the input operation device 2, the remote operation function control unit 9 performs control to switch to the remote operation mode designated by the operation input. Further, when switching between the two remote operation modes based on the determination result of the power failure period determination unit 10, if the power failure period Tx is equal to or longer than the predetermined determination period Tref (Tx ≧ Tref), the remote operation mode is set to the remote operation mode. When the power failure period Tx is less than the determination period Tref (Tx <Tref), control is performed so that the remote operation mode held before the start of the power failure period is maintained. In addition, the power failure which prescribes | regulates the power failure period Tx includes the outdoor power failure by the commercial power source side which supplies electric power to this invention terminal 1 and the hot-water supply heater 21, the indoor power failure only in the building 20, and this invention terminal 1 It is determined that a power failure occurs when all power failures such as interruption of energization of the electrical equipment are included and the voltage value of the power supply voltage supplied to the terminal 1 of the present invention at the time of the power failure is lower than the operation lower limit voltage of the terminal 1 of the present invention.

  The power failure period determination unit 10 determines whether or not the power failure period Tx in which energization (power supply) to the terminal 1 of the present invention and the hot water heater 21 is interrupted is equal to or greater than the determination period Tref (Tx ≧ Tref). The determination period Tref is set to about several hours (for example, 6 hours), for example, and is stored in the computer program describing the function of the power failure period determination unit 10 or in the nonvolatile storage device 11. The setting may be either a configuration that is fixed and cannot be changed by the user, or a configuration that can be changed by a user operation input from the input operation device 2. The power failure period Tx is calculated in the following manner and compared with the determination period Tref.

  The power failure period determination unit 10 periodically (via the time difference ΔT (for example, the time difference server) 19 via the communication interface 4 to the time providing server (standard time server) 19 that provides the current time (standard time) connected to the Internet 15 except during the power failure period. Every 5 minutes) to obtain the current time T0, store it in the nonvolatile storage device 11, and store the current time difference from the current time T1 at the previous acquisition stored in the nonvolatile storage device 11 ( A power failure period (Tx = T0−T1−ΔT) is calculated based on T0−T1) and is compared with the determination period Tref. If there is no power failure between the previous acquisition of the current time T1 and the acquisition of the new current time T0, the current time difference (T0-T1) and the access interval ΔT to the time providing server 19 are equal. 0, but if a power failure occurs between the previous acquisition of the current time T1 and the acquisition of the new current time T0, access to the time providing server 19 is stopped and the current time is not acquired during the power outage period. Therefore, since the current time difference (T0−T1) becomes longer, the power failure period Tx is calculated from the difference between the current time difference (T0−T1) and the access interval ΔT.

  The nonvolatile storage device 11 is a built-in or external storage device in the computer constituting the terminal 1 of the present invention, and is composed of, for example, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, a magnetic disk memory (HDD), etc. The current time difference T0 (T1) used by the period determination unit 10 for calculating the power outage period Tx, the URL (uniform resource locator) or IP address of the external servers 16 to 18 in which access from the terminal 1 of the present invention is set in advance, Data for terminal authentication with the external servers 16 to 18 is stored.

  When the present invention terminal 1 is installed in the building 20 together with the hot water heater / heater 21, the network initial setting process from step # 1 to step # 4 shown in FIG. 3 is executed. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the IP address, subnet mask, default gateway address, etc. are set as communication settings with the router 13 (step # 1), and the management server 16 To exchange terminal authentication information (step # 2), and register terminal identification information unique to the present invention terminal 1 and installation location information of the present invention terminal 1 in the management server 16 (step # 3). On the management server 16 side, terminal identification information, installation location information, and the like are registered in an operation terminal database (not shown). Thereafter, the management server 16 and the present invention terminal 1 mutually confirm that they are a legitimate operation terminal and a legitimate management server based on this processing result. Subsequently, at least the management server 16 and the specific server 17 of the external servers 16 to 18 that are scheduled to be accessed are accessed, respectively, and the terminal identification information unique to the terminal 1 of the present invention and the user information of the terminal 1 of the present invention (For example, a user name and a user identification number) are associated with each other and registered in each external server (step # 4). These initial setting processes can be performed by separately storing and executing an initial setting program in a computer constituting the terminal 1 of the present invention. The network initial setting process is performed by a construction worker when the terminal 1 of the present invention is newly installed or repaired and replaced, and is not a process in a normal user operation mode. The process of step # 3 may be performed individually on the management server 16 side, and the process of step # 4 may be an initial setting process by the user in the user operation mode after the process of step # 3. Absent.

  Next, state transition between the two remote operation modes (the remote operation disabled mode and the remote operation enabled mode) of the terminal 1 of the present invention by the operation of the remote operation function control unit 9 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the following description, there are five states of the present invention terminal 1 related to remote operation. First, initial operation stop state before power-on (S00), second operation state after power-on and remote operation disabled mode state (S11), third operation state after power-on and remote-operation enabled mode state (S11) S21), fourth, an operation stop state due to a power failure after power-on and remote operation disabled mode state (S10), and fifth, an operation stop state due to a power failure after power-on and remote operation-enabled mode state (S20).

  When the power is turned on from the initial operation stop state (S00), the state transits to the operation state and the remote operation disabled mode state (S11). The initial state after the network initial setting process is also the S11 state. When the remote operation function control unit 9 makes a transition to the S11 state, the remote operation data communication unit 7 accesses the management server 16 via the communication interface 4, and sends the remote operation mode notification data to the management server 16 that the transition to the S11 state has occurred. Send. In the S11 state, the S11 state is maintained unless energization to the terminal 1 of the present invention is maintained within predetermined conditions and an operation input from the input operation device 2 to the remote operation enabling mode by the user is not accepted. As a condition in which energization to the terminal 1 of the present invention is maintained and the operation state can be continued, the power outage period Tx in which the energization to the terminal 1 of the present invention is interrupted is less than a predetermined power outage period lower limit value Tmin. In addition, as a power failure period lower limit value Tmin, a range of about 0 <Tmin ≦ 1 second is assumed. That is, the terminal 1 of the present invention assumes a case in which a normal operation is possible by the power storage function of the built-in power supply capacitor in an instantaneous power failure with a power failure period Tx of less than the power failure period lower limit value Tmin of about 1 second.

  In the S11 state, when an operation input for switching to the remote operation possible mode by the user is received from the input operation device 2 in the energized state (Tx <Tmin), the state changes to the operation state and the remote operation possible mode state (S21). When the remote operation function control unit 9 makes a transition from the S11 state to the S21 state, the remote operation data communication unit 7 accesses the management server 16 via the communication interface 4 and manages the remote operation mode notification data indicating the transition to the S21 state. Send to server 16. In the S21 state, the S21 state is maintained unless an operation input for switching to the remote operation disabled mode by the user from the input operation device 2 is received in the energized state (Tx <Tmin).

  In the S21 state, when an operation input for switching to the remote operation disabled mode by the user from the input operation device 2 is accepted in the energized state (Tx <Tmin), the state transits to the operation state and the remote operation disabled mode state (S11). When the remote operation function control unit 9 makes a transition from the S21 state to the S21 state, the remote operation data communication unit 7 accesses the management server 16 via the communication interface 4 and manages the remote operation mode notification data indicating the transition to the S11 state. Send to server 16.

  In the S11 state, when a power failure state (Tx ≧ Tmin) occurs, a transition is made to the operation stop state and the remote operation disabled mode state (S10). In this case, since the terminal 1 of the present invention is in an operation stop state, the remote operation data communication unit 7 is in a communication disabled state with the management server 16, but the remote operation function control unit 9 is in a power outage state even during a power outage period. Since the remote operation mode before becoming the state, that is, the remote operation disabled mode is held in a nonvolatile manner, the remote operation mode is maintained in the remote operation disabled mode even when the operation is stopped due to a power failure.

  In the S10 state, when returning from the power failure state (Tx ≧ Tmin) to the energized state, regardless of the length of the power failure period Tx, a transition is made to the original operation state and the remote operation disabled mode state (S11). In this case, the remote operation data communication unit 7 returns to the state in which communication with the management server 16 is possible, but the remote operation mode remains in the remote operation disabled mode and is not changed. There is no need to send it to the management server 16.

  In the S21 state, when a power failure state (Tx ≧ Tmin) occurs, the operation state is changed to the remote operation enabled mode state (S20). In this case, since the terminal 1 of the present invention is in an operation stop state, the remote operation data communication unit 7 is in a communication disabled state with the management server 16, but the remote operation function control unit 9 is in a power outage state even during a power outage period. Since the remote operation mode before becoming, that is, the remote operation possible mode is held in a nonvolatile manner, the remote operation mode is maintained in the remote operation possible mode even in the operation stop state due to a power failure.

  In the S20 state, when the power failure state (Tx ≧ Tmin) returns to the energized state, the transition state differs depending on the length of the power failure period Tx. The remote operation function control unit 9 determines a transition state based on the determination result of the power failure period determination unit 10. That is, when the power failure period Tx is equal to or longer than the determination period Tref (Tx ≧ Tref), the state transits to the operation state and the remote operation disabled mode state (S11). In this case, the remote operation data communication unit 7 returns to the state in which communication with the management server 16 is possible, and the remote operation mode is changed from the remote operation enable mode to the remote operation disable mode. The operation mode notification data is transmitted to the management server 16. Here, if the state transition from the S20 state to the S11 state is strictly analyzed, when the terminal 1 of the present invention returns to the energized state, it returns to the operating state before the determination result of the power failure period determination unit 10 is obtained. After instantaneously returning to the original S21 state, it is considered that the state finally transitions to the S11 state.

  On the other hand, when the power failure period Tx is less than the determination period Tref (Tx <Tref), the state transits to the original operation state and the remote operation enabled mode state (S21). In this case, the remote operation data communication unit 7 returns to a state in which communication with the management server 16 is possible. However, since the remote operation mode remains unchanged, the remote operation mode notification data indicating that the operation has returned to the S21 state is provided. There is no need to send it to the management server 16. However, since the terminal 1 of the present invention is substantially in the remote operation disabled mode during the power failure period, remote operation mode notification data indicating that the terminal has returned to the S21 state may be transmitted to the management server 16.

  As described above, in the terminal 1 of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 4, when returning to the energized state after the operation stop state (S10 state or S20 state) due to a power failure, the remote operation function control unit 9 If the power failure period Tx is equal to or longer than the determination period Tref (Tx ≧ Tref) based on the determination result, the remote operation mode is set to the remote operation disabled mode, that is, the state is always changed to the S11 state. In order to perform control to return to the original remote operation mode, the determination period Tref is set to be longer than the power failure time of the commercial power supply that can normally be generated. If the mode is restored and the previous mode is the remote control enabled mode, the remote operation of the hot water heater 21 from the outside can be performed as before even after the return from the power failure of the commercial power source. On the other hand, when the power failure is not a commercial power failure, that is, when the resident or manager of the building 20 returns from the intentional long-term power failure state, the remote operation mode is forcibly changed to the remote operation disabled mode. Remote operation of the hot water heater / heater 21 becomes impossible.

  Next, another embodiment of the terminal 1 of the present invention will be described.

  <1> The calculation method of the power failure period Tx of the power failure period determination unit 10 is not necessarily limited to the calculation method of the above embodiment. For example, the power failure period determination unit 10 may periodically (for example, once a day) or when a predetermined event occurs (for example, to a bathtub) via the communication interface 4 except during a power failure period. The current time acquisition means for acquiring the current time by connecting to the automatic hot water supply start), and periodically adjusting the time based on the current time acquired by the current time acquisition means, and after the time adjustment based on the internal timing operation And the internal time measuring means for stopping the internal time measuring operation during a power failure. Then, the current time acquisition means detects that it has returned to the energized state immediately after the end of the power failure period, accesses the time providing server 19 via the communication interface 4, acquires the current time Tb, and the internal time measurement means Before the time adjustment based on the current time T0 acquired immediately after the end of the power failure period, the current time T0 acquired by the current time acquisition means and the internal time measurement means before the time adjustment, that is, during the power failure period It is also preferable to calculate a power failure period Tx (= Tb-Ta) based on a time difference (Tb−Ta) from the current time T1 when the operation is stopped, and to compare the calculated power failure period Tx with the determination period Tref.

  As yet another embodiment, the power failure period determination unit 10 can operate during a power failure period using a secondary power source such as a rechargeable battery, and is activated by a power failure detection means for detecting the occurrence and termination of the power failure period, and the occurrence of a power failure period. And as a structure provided with the internal time measuring means which stops by completion | finish of a power failure period, you may calculate the time measured by the internal time measuring means as the power failure period Tx.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the case where the power failure period determination part 10 accesses the time provision server 19 regularly and acquires current time T0 was assumed, the management server 16 has a function which provides the present time T0. If the remote operation data communication unit 7 periodically accesses the management server 16, the current time T0 may be acquired and provided to the power failure period determination unit 10.

  <2> In the above embodiment, the remote operation data communication unit 7 accesses the management server 16 via the communication interface 4 when the remote operation mode setting is changed by the remote operation function control unit 9, and is changed. Although the remote operation mode notification data indicating whether the remote operation mode is the remote operation disable mode or the remote operation enable mode is transmitted to the management server 16, the remote operation data communication unit 7 is not necessarily in the remote operation mode. There is no need to send the notification data to the management server 16. In other words, when the remote operation mode is the remote operation disabled mode, the periodic access is interrupted on the management server 16 side unless the remote operation data communication unit 7 performs regular access to the management server 16. Thus, although there is a slight time lag, it can be recognized that the terminal 1 of the present invention is in the remote operation disabled mode.

  <3> In the above embodiment, when the remote operation mode is the remote operation disabled mode, the remote operation data communication unit 7 does not regularly access the management server 16, but the remote operation disabled mode In some cases, the remote operation data communication unit 7 continues to periodically access the management server 16, and the remote operation unit 8 does not process the remote operation data received from the management server 16 by the remote operation data communication unit 7. A configuration in which an operation instruction signal is not output to the control device of the hot water heater 21 may be employed.

  <4> In the above embodiment, when returning to the energized state after the operation stop state due to a power failure (S10 state or S20 state), the remote control function control unit 9 is based on the determination result of the power failure period determination unit 10. In the case where the power failure period Tx is equal to or longer than the determination period Tref (Tx ≧ Tref), the case where the remote operation mode is controlled to be the remote operation disabled mode has been described. Further, the power failure period determination unit 10 is configured to be able to determine whether or not the power failure period Tx is equal to or longer than the second determination period Tref2, and immediately after the power failure state returns to the energized state, the power failure period determination unit 10 When it is determined that Tx is equal to or longer than the second determination period Tref2, the remote operation data communication unit 7 accesses the management server 16 via the communication interface 4 and transmits a password invalidation request to the management server 16. It is also preferable. Here, the second determination period Tref2 is set to be longer than the determination period Tref in the above embodiment. The password invalidation request is for invalidating a password for user authentication used when the management server 16 accepts a remote operation instruction for the present invention terminal 1 from the external communication terminal 22 to the management server 16. It is an instruction. Accordingly, in this embodiment, when the management server 16 receives the password invalidation request of the terminal 1 of the present invention, it is determined whether the remote operation mode on the terminal 1 side of the present invention is the remote operation disabled mode or the remote operation enabled mode. Regardless, since user authentication is not performed for subsequent access from the external communication terminal 22 corresponding to the terminal 1 of the present invention, a hot water heater of the terminal 1 of the present invention is obtained without receiving a remote operation instruction. 21 is in a state where remote control is not possible.

  <5> In the above embodiment, the direct transition between the operation state and the remote operation disabled mode state (S11) and the operation state and the remote operation enable mode state (S21) is an input operation in the energized state (Tx <Tmin). Although a case has been described where an operation input for switching to a remote operation mode (remote operation disabled mode or remote operation enabled mode) by the user from the device 2 is received, for example, addition or substitution to the remote operation mode switching operation input by the user The remote operation mode may be switched by the occurrence of a predetermined event. For example, when the home security system is installed in the building 20, the home security system sets the remote operation possible mode when the inside of the building 20 is set to the security setting mode (monitoring state), and the building 20 It is also a preferred embodiment to link the home security system and the terminal of the present invention so that the remote operation disabled mode is set when the inside is set to the security release mode (non-monitoring state).

  <6> In the above embodiment, when the remote operation data communication unit 7 changes the remote operation mode setting from the remote operation enabled mode to the remote operation disabled mode by the remote operation function control unit 9, for example, the communication interface The reason (setting reason) for accessing the management server 16 via 4 and switching the remote operation mode by the remote operation function control unit 9 from the remote operation enable mode to the remote operation disable mode is based on the determination of the power failure period determination unit 10 First reason (reason for transition from state S20 to state S11 in the state transition diagram shown in FIG. 4), or operation input by the user from the input operation device 2, for example (from state S21 in the state transition diagram shown in FIG. 4 to state) Information that can identify whether the second reason other than the first reason including the reason for transition to S11 is transmitted to the management server 16 The is also a preferred embodiment. According to such another embodiment, the reason why the remote operation mode of each operation terminal is set to the remote operation disabled mode can be grasped on the management server 16 side. As a result, if switching to the remote operation disabled mode due to a power failure or the like occurs simultaneously in multiple dwelling units in an apartment house, etc. It is possible to determine whether it is a proper reason.

  <7> In the above embodiment, the terminal 1 of the present invention has an Internet connection function and can be connected to the external servers 16 to 18 via the Internet 15. The Internet connection function is not necessarily required for the purpose of only accepting a remote operation instruction to the machine 21, and communication with the management server 16 is performed via a dedicated data communication line instead of the Internet 15. It may be a configuration. In this case, the external information transmission / reception controller 5 of the terminal 1 of the present invention is not necessary.

  <8> In the above embodiment, in FIG. 1, assuming a detached house as the building 20, the terminal 20 of the present invention (operating equipment operation terminal) 1 and the hot water heater (facility equipment) 21 are provided in the building 20. However, when a collective housing is assumed as the building 20, a plurality of sets of the present invention terminal 1 and hot water heaters 21 are installed in the building 20, and each operation is performed. The terminal may be connected to the common router 13 via the LAN 12. When a plurality of sets of the present invention terminal 1 and the equipment 21 are installed in the apartment house, the equipment 21 does not necessarily have to be the same equipment or model. Similarly, each operation terminal 1 does not necessarily have the same specification and appearance.

  Furthermore, when only one set of the present invention terminal (equipment equipment operation terminal) 1 and the hot water heater (equipment equipment) 21 is installed in the building 20, the present invention terminal 1 includes the LAN 12 and the router 13. It may be configured such that it can be directly connected to the line connection device 14 and connected to the Internet 15 without being interposed.

  <9> In the above embodiment, the present invention terminal 1 is described assuming a remote control terminal separated from the equipment main body, but part or all of the present invention terminal 1 is provided on the equipment main body side. It doesn't matter. For example, only the input operation device 2 and the screen display device 3 are provided on the remote control terminal side, the communication interface 4, the external information transmission / reception control unit 5, the equipment operation unit 6, the remote operation data communication unit 7, the remote operation unit 8, the remote operation You may provide the operation function control part 9, the power failure period determination part 10, the non-volatile memory | storage device 11, etc. in the equipment main body side.

  <10> In the above embodiment, the hot water heater is assumed as the equipment connected to the terminal 1 of the present invention. However, the hot water heater may be a gas hot water heater or an electric hot water heater, and other than the hot water heater. Equipment equipment, for example, air conditioning equipment or home security equipment may be used.

  Further, the external communication terminal for instructing remote operation from the outside is not limited to a mobile phone, and may be a personal computer, a PDA (portable information terminal) or the like.

  The operation terminal for equipment according to the present invention can be used as an operation terminal for equipment that is fixedly installed in a building such as a remote control terminal of a hot water heater and can be remotely operated from the outside.

The block diagram which shows the general | schematic system configuration | structure of the connection environment with the management server in one Embodiment of the operation terminal of the equipment apparatus which concerns on this invention. The block diagram which shows the schematic function structure in one Embodiment of the operation terminal of the equipment which concerns on this invention. The flowchart which shows the process sequence of the network initial setting process in one Embodiment of the operation terminal of the equipment apparatus which concerns on this invention. The state transition diagram which shows the state transition between the remote operation impossible mode and remote control possible mode in one Embodiment of the operation terminal of the equipment apparatus which concerns on this invention

Explanation of symbols

1: Operation terminal for equipment according to the present invention (remote control terminal for hot water heater)
2: Input operation device 3: Screen display device 4: Communication interface 5: External information transmission / reception control unit 6: Equipment operation unit 7: Remote operation data communication unit 8: Remote operation unit 9: Remote operation function control unit 10: Power failure period Determination unit 11: Non-volatile storage device 12: LAN
13: Router 14: Line connection device 15: Data communication line network (Internet)
16: External server (management server)
17: External server (content server)
18: External server (content server)
19: Time providing server 20: Building (house)
21: Equipment (hot water heater)
22: External communication terminal (mobile phone)

Claims (8)

An operation terminal for equipment that is fixedly installed in a building,
A communication interface having a connection function with a predetermined data communication line network, and transmitting and receiving information to and from the management server via the data communication line network;
A remote operation data communication unit that communicates with the management server via the communication interface, and receives remote operation data for the facility device output from the management server;
A remote operation unit for performing operations on the facility equipment based on the remote operation data received by the remote operation data communication unit;
Remote operation disable mode for deactivating at least one of the functions of the remote operation data communication unit and the remote operation unit, and remote operation for activating both functions of the remote operation data communication unit and the remote operation unit A remote operation function control unit that performs control to switch between the two remote operation modes with the possible mode;
A power outage period determination unit that determines whether or not a power outage period during which power to the operation terminal is interrupted is a predetermined determination period or more,
The remote operation function control unit maintains the remote operation mode before the energization is interrupted during a period from when the energization to the operation terminal is interrupted until the determination period elapses, and the energization is restored. If the power failure period is equal to or longer than the determination period based on the determination of the power failure period determination unit, the remote operation disabled mode is controlled, and the power failure period is less than the determination period. Performs control for the remote operation mode that is held before the start of the power failure period.   2. The equipment operation terminal according to claim 1, wherein the remote operation data communication unit does not receive the remote operation data from the management server in the remote operation disabled mode.   The power failure period determination unit is connected to the time providing server that provides the current time to be connected to the data communication network except during the power failure period, and periodically acquires the current time by connecting via the communication interface. Each time the current time is acquired, a time difference from the current time at the previous acquisition is calculated, and the power outage period calculated based on the time difference is compared with the determination period. The operation terminal of the equipment described in 1. The power failure period determination unit,
Obtain the current time by connecting to the time providing server that provides the current time to connect to the data communication network except during the power outage period, or by connecting to the time providing server periodically or when a predetermined event occurs Means,
The time is periodically adjusted based on the current time acquired by the current time acquisition means, and after the time adjustment, the current time is measured based on the internal clock operation, and the internal clock operation is stopped during the power failure period. An internal timing means,
Immediately after the end of the power failure period, the current time acquisition unit acquires the current time from the time providing server, and the internal time measuring unit performs time adjustment before the current time acquired by the current time acquisition unit and the internal time The operation terminal for equipment according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the power failure period is calculated based on a time difference from a current time before time adjustment of a time measuring means, and the calculated power failure period is compared with the determination period. .   The remote operation data communication unit transmits remote operation mode notification data indicating whether the remote operation mode is the remote operation disable mode or the remote operation enable mode to the management server at a predetermined timing. The operation terminal for equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 4. Provided with an input operation device for user input operation on the outer surface of the housing,
The remote operation function control unit is configured to receive an operation input by a user from the input operation device, and to switch between the two remote operation modes based on the received operation input. Item 5. The operation terminal for equipment according to any one of Items 1 to 5.   In the remote operation data communication unit, the setting reason for setting the remote operation mode by the remote operation function control unit to the remote operation disabled mode is the first reason based on the determination of the power failure period determination unit, or the input operation The operation terminal for equipment according to claim 6, wherein information capable of identifying whether it is a second reason other than the first reason including the operation input by a user from an apparatus is transmitted to the management server. The power failure period determination unit is configured to be able to determine whether or not the power failure period is longer than a second determination period longer than the determination period,
When the power failure period determination unit determines that the power failure period is equal to or longer than the second determination period, the remote operation data communication unit is used when the management server accepts a remote operation instruction for the operation terminal from the outside. The operation terminal for equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a password invalidation request for invalidating a user authentication password to be transmitted is transmitted to the management server.