JP2009134699A - Data collection apparatus and data management system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a data collection apparatus which enables easy modification of the device data items to be collected. <P>SOLUTION: An adapter (30) which collects device data from an air conditioner (10) includes: an item definition file storage region (35b) and a device data collection unit (32a). The device data is associated with the air conditioner (10). The item definition file storage region (35b) contains an item definition file (70). The item definition file (70) defines the device data items to be collected. The device data collection unit (32a) interprets the item definition file (70) stored in the item definition file storage region (35b) and collects device data on a collection item from the air conditioner (10). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a data collection device that collects device data related to equipment and a data management system including the same.

  Conventionally, in order to monitor and control equipment such as air-conditioning equipment, hot-water supply equipment, lighting equipment, and crime prevention equipment, equipment data indicating the operating state and contents of the equipment has been collected. In many cases, the device data collecting operation is performed by a management device provided in the vicinity of the facility device (Patent Document 1).

In general, such a management apparatus is configured to collect device data of items defined in a program by executing a program held by the management apparatus.
JP 2003-316425 A

  However, when the collection item of device data is defined in the program, even if it is necessary to change the collection item, the change is not easy. This is because, in general, a developer having specialized knowledge is required for program design and development, and an operation confirmation test is also required. In particular, when the collected device data is processed by a remote management server existing remotely from the equipment, the program on the remote management server side must be changed.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a data collection device that easily changes collection items of device data and a data management system including the data collection device.

  The data collection device according to the first invention includes an item definition file storage unit and a device data collection unit, and collects device data. Device data is data relating to equipment. The item definition file storage unit stores an item definition file. An item definition file is a data file that defines collection items of device data. The device data collection unit interprets the item definition file stored in the item definition file storage unit, and collects device data according to the collection item from the facility device.

  In this data collection device, device data is collected by a device data collection unit that can interpret an item definition file that is a data file. That is, device data collection items are defined by data files. Therefore, when changing the device data collection item, it is not necessary to modify the device data collection unit (more specifically, for example, a program that causes the device data collection unit to perform the collection operation), and only the data file is updated. You can do it. This makes it easy to change the collection item of the device data.

  A data collection device according to a second invention is the data collection device according to the first invention, and further comprises a device data storage unit and a device data transmission unit. The device data storage unit temporarily stores the device data collected by the device data collection unit. The device data transmission unit transmits the device data temporarily stored in the device data storage unit to the remote management device. The remote management device manages equipment from a remote location of the equipment.

  The data collection device acquires device data from the equipment and temporarily stores it, and then transmits it to the remote management device. Therefore, the equipment can be managed remotely based on the equipment data.

  A data collection device according to a third aspect of the present invention is the data collection device according to the second aspect of the present invention, wherein the device data collection unit collects device data from the equipment at time intervals described in the item definition file.

  In this data collection device, the timing of the device data collection operation is defined by a data file. Therefore, the timing of the device data collection operation can be easily changed.

  A data collection device according to a fourth invention is the data collection device according to the second invention or the third invention, and further comprises an item definition file acquisition unit. The item definition file acquisition unit acquires the item definition file from the remote management device and stores it in the item definition file storage unit.

  This data collection device acquires the item definition file from the remote management device. Therefore, the item definition file can be given to the data collection device by giving the item definition file to the remote management device.

  A data collection device according to a fifth invention is the data collection device according to the fourth invention, and the item definition file acquisition unit periodically reads the item definition file held by the remote management device.

  This data collection device periodically inquires the remote management device to obtain the item definition file. Therefore, by changing the item definition file in the remote management device, the device data collection item can be changed. Thereby, it becomes possible to change the collection item of apparatus data from the remote of an installation apparatus.

  A data collection device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the data collection device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the name of the read command registered in the equipment is described in the item definition file. Yes. The device data collection unit transmits the name of the read command to the facility device, and obtains device data along the collection item as a return value.

  Here, a read command for acquiring device data from the equipment can be described in the item definition file. On the other hand, the data collection device causes the equipment device to execute a read command in the item definition file, and obtains desired device data as a return value. Therefore, it is possible to cause the data collection device to collect desired device data simply by specifying the name of the read command in the item definition file.

  A data collection device according to a seventh invention is the data collection device according to any one of the first invention to the fifth invention, wherein the item definition file includes a name of the read command registered in the equipment and the device data The name of the function registered in the collection unit is described. The device data collection unit transmits a read command to the facility device, executes a function using the return value as an argument, and obtains device data along the collection item as the return value.

  Here, a read command and a function for processing a return value of the read command can be described in the item definition file. On the other hand, the data collection device causes the equipment device to execute a read command in the item definition file, processes the return value by executing a function in the item definition file, and obtains desired device data as the return value. Therefore, it is possible to cause the data collection device to collect desired device data simply by specifying the name of the read command and the name of the function in the item definition file.

  A data management system according to an eighth aspect includes a data collection device and a remote management device. The data collection device collects device data. Device data is data relating to equipment. The remote management device is connected to the data collection device and manages the equipment from a remote location. The data collection device includes an item definition file storage unit, a device data collection unit, a device data storage unit, and a device data transmission unit. The item definition file storage unit of the data collection device stores an item definition file. An item definition file is a data file that defines collection items of device data. The device data collection unit interprets the item definition file stored in the item definition file storage unit of the data collection device, and collects device data according to the collection item from the facility device. The device data storage unit temporarily stores the device data collected by the device data collection unit. The device data transmission unit transmits the device data temporarily stored in the device data storage unit to the remote management device. The remote management apparatus includes a device data receiving unit, an item definition file storage unit, a device data shaping unit, and a device data storage unit. The device data receiving unit receives device data from the device data transmitting unit. The item definition file storage unit of the remote management device stores an item definition file. The device data shaping unit interprets the item definition file stored in the item definition file storage unit of the remote management device, and shapes the device data received by the device data receiving unit. The device data storage unit stores the device data in a form shaped by the device data shaping unit.

  In this data management system, device data is collected by a device data collection device that can interpret an item definition file that is a data file. That is, device data collection items are defined by data files. Therefore, when changing the device data collection items, it is not necessary to modify the device data collection device (more specifically, for example, a program that causes the device data collection device to perform the collection operation), and only the data file is updated. You can do it. This makes it easy to change the collection item of the device data.

  The device data collected by the data collection device is temporarily stored in the data collection device and then transmitted to the remote management device. On the other hand, the remote management device interprets the item definition file, and shapes and accumulates device data based on the contents. Therefore, when changing the device data collection item, it is necessary to modify not only the data collection device but also the remote management device (more specifically, for example, a program that causes the remote management device to perform device data shaping operation). Disappears. This makes it easy to change the collection item of the device data.

  A data management system according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is the data management system according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, wherein the item definition file describes item classifications for classifying collected items. The device data shaping unit classifies device data according to the item classification. The device data storage unit has a plurality of databases for storing device data for each item classification.

  In this data management system, the classification of collection items can be described in the item definition file. Then, device data is accumulated in separate databases according to the classification. As a result, the device data can be managed efficiently on the remote management device side.

  A data management system according to a tenth aspect is the data management system according to the ninth aspect, wherein the item classification includes a first classification and a second classification. The first classification is a classification that indicates a collection item unique to a specific facility device. The second classification is a classification indicating that the collected items are common to other equipment managed by the remote management device.

  In this data management system, device data of collection items required by a plurality of facility devices and device data of collection items required only by a specific facility device are managed in separate databases. Thereby, on the remote management device side, the storage area of the device data is saved, and the device data can be managed more efficiently.

  A data collection device according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention includes an item definition file storage unit and a device data collection unit, and collects device data related to the first facility device and the second facility device. The item definition file storage unit stores an item definition file. The item definition file is a data file that defines a first collection item of equipment data related to the first equipment and a second collection item of equipment data related to the second equipment. The device data collection unit interprets the item definition file stored in the item definition file storage unit, collects device data along the first collection item from the first equipment device, and device data along the second collection item. Are collected from the second equipment.

  In this data collection device, device data is collected by a device data collection unit that can interpret an item definition file that is a data file. Moreover, the object which collects apparatus data is a some installation apparatus. That is, device data collection items related to a plurality of facility devices are defined by the data file. Therefore, when changing the device data collection item, it is not necessary to modify the device data collection unit (more specifically, for example, a program that causes the device data collection unit to perform the collection operation), and only the data file is updated. You can do it. This makes it easy to change the collection item of the device data.

  A data collection device according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is the data collection device according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, further comprising a first communication unit and a second communication unit. The first communication unit enables communication with the first equipment device via the first communication network. The second communication unit enables communication with the second facility device via a second communication network different from the first communication network. In the item definition file, identification information of the second equipment is defined in association with the second collection item. The device data collection unit refers to the identification information in the item definition file and collects device data along the second collection item from the second facility device.

  This data collection device is connected to different equipment via different communication networks, and the identification information of the equipment (second equipment) connected to at least one communication network (second communication network) is defined as an item. It is described in the file. Therefore, device data relating to a plurality of types of equipment can be collected via a plurality of types of communication networks. The identification information of the second equipment device may be a network address on the second communication network, or may be any information that can specify the second equipment device. If the identification information of the second equipment is not a network address on the second communication network, the data collection device holds information for converting the identification information into a network address on the second communication network, or It is desirable that it can be obtained from the outside.

  A data collection device according to a thirteenth invention is the data collection device according to the twelfth invention, wherein the first communication network is a dedicated communication network with the first equipment. The second communication network is a general-purpose communication network supported by the second equipment device.

  The data collection device communicates with the second facility device via the general-purpose communication network (second communication network) while communicating with the first facility device via the dedicated communication network (first communication network). Therefore, the device data can be collected not only from the equipment corresponding to the dedicated communication network but also from the equipment corresponding to the general-purpose communication network.

  In the data collection device according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is easy to change the collection items of device data.

  In the data collection device according to the second aspect of the present invention, facility equipment can be managed remotely based on equipment data.

  In the data collection device according to the third aspect of the present invention, the timing of the device data collection operation can be easily changed.

  In the data collection device according to the fourth aspect of the invention, the item definition file can be provided to the data collection device by providing the item definition file to the remote management device.

  In the data collection device according to the fifth aspect of the invention, the collection item of the device data can be changed by changing the item definition file in the remote management device.

  In the data collection device according to the sixth aspect of the invention, it is possible to cause the data collection device to collect desired device data simply by specifying the name of the read command in the item definition file.

  In the data collection device according to the seventh aspect of the invention, it is possible to cause the data collection device to collect desired device data simply by specifying the name of the read command and the name of the function in the item definition file.

  In the data management system according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, it is easy to change the collection items of device data.

  In the data management system according to the ninth aspect of the invention, device data can be efficiently managed on the remote management device side.

  In the data management system according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, device data can be managed more efficiently on the remote management device side.

  In the data collection device according to the eleventh aspect, it is easy to change the collection items of the device data.

  In the data collection device according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, device data relating to a plurality of types of equipment can be collected via a plurality of types of communication networks.

  In the data collection device according to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, device data can be collected not only from equipment corresponding to a dedicated communication network but also from equipment corresponding to a general-purpose communication network.

  Hereinafter, remote management systems 100 and 200 (data management systems) including adapters 30 and 230 (data collection devices) according to embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of the remote management system 100. The remote management system 100 is a system for managing the air conditioning equipment 10 in the property 1 from the remote management server 20 in the remote management center 2. The air conditioning facility 10 and the remote management server 20 are connected via the Internet 6.

  In addition to the adapter 30, a network device (not shown) such as an office personal computer is connected to a local area network (hereinafter, LAN) 5a provided in the property 1. The adapter 30 is a network adapter for connecting the air conditioning equipment 10 to the LAN 5a. Note that controlled components included in the air conditioning facility 10 perform internal communication via a communication network 5b corresponding to a dedicated protocol. In the property 1, a router 40 that connects the LAN 5a and the Internet 6 is also installed.

  For simplicity, only one property 1 is clearly shown in FIG. 1, but in reality, the remote management system 1 manages a plurality of air conditioning facilities 10 installed in a plurality of properties 1. Suppose you are.

[Air conditioning equipment]
The air conditioner 10 includes an outdoor unit (not shown) and one or a plurality of indoor units (not shown) connected to the outdoor unit via a refrigerant pipe, and as a whole, a compressor, a heat exchanger, and the like (not shown) The refrigerant circuit comprised from this is formed. An adapter 30 is attached to a predetermined position of the air conditioning equipment 10. The adapter 30 is connected to the air conditioning equipment 10 on a one-to-one basis.

  Various sensors 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e,... Are attached at predetermined positions of the refrigerant circuit of the air conditioning equipment 10 (see FIG. 2). The sensor 12a detects the indoor temperature of the room in which the indoor unit serving as the master unit is installed. The sensor 12b detects the outside air temperature near the property 1 where the outdoor unit is installed. The sensor 12c detects the temperature of the refrigerant in the discharge pipe of the compressor. The sensor 12d detects the pressure of the refrigerant in the discharge pipe of the compressor. The sensor 12e detects the pressure of the refrigerant in the suction pipe of the compressor.

  In addition, the air conditioning facility 10 includes a control unit 11. The control unit 11 controls the operation of the air conditioning equipment 10 in accordance with an operation command input by a user via a remote controller (not shown) in the property 1, that is, a controlled component such as a compressor included in the refrigerant circuit. To control the operation.

  A memory is mounted on a control board constituting the control unit 11. A command library is stored in the memory. The command library is a collection of commands C01, C02,. Each command C01, C02,... Is a command for obtaining device data of the air conditioning equipment 10 from the outside, and is executed on the control unit 11 after waiting for an activation command from the adapter 30. The device data includes data relating to the operation state such as detection values of the sensors 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e,..., Start / stop of the air conditioning equipment 10, set temperature, set humidity, set air volume, and setting. This includes data related to driving details such as wind direction history.

  The control unit 11 that has received the command C01, C02,... Activation command from the adapter 30 executes predetermined processing as determined by the commands C01, C02,. The device data is sent back to the adapter 30. For example, if the command C01 is a command for obtaining data in which the outside air temperature data is concatenated after the room temperature data, the control unit 11 that has received the command C01 start-up command sends the current command to the sensors 12a and 12b. The temperature value is detected. Then, the detection value of the outside air temperature sensor 12b is connected behind the detection value of the room temperature sensor 12a, and the connection value is sent back to the adapter 30.

  That is, device data of the air conditioning equipment 10 can be obtained from the outside of the air conditioning equipment 10 by giving the control unit 11 an activation command of commands C01, C02,. In other words, device data other than the return values of the commands C01, C02,... Held in advance by the control unit 11 cannot be obtained from the outside of the air conditioning equipment 10.

〔adapter〕
The adapter 30 is a network adapter for connecting the air conditioning equipment 10 to a LAN 5a compatible with Ethernet (registered trademark).

  As illustrated in FIG. 3, the adapter 30 includes a communication unit 31, a control unit 32, and a storage unit 35. The communication unit 31 is responsible for the communication function of the adapter 30, and absorbs the difference in communication protocol between the networks 5a and 5b.

  The adapter 30 has a control function for controlling the air conditioning equipment 10 in addition to a function for converting a communication protocol between the networks 5a and 5b. In the storage unit 35, various programs for managing the air conditioning equipment 10 such as a data collection program, a periodic notification program, a data acquisition program, and an abnormality detection program are stored.

  The control unit 32 operates as the data collection unit 32a by executing the data collection program in the storage unit 35. The data collection unit 32a collects device data from the control unit 11 of the air conditioning equipment 10 using the commands C01, C02,... And stores the device data in the device data storage area 35a in the storage unit 35. . The device data collection process by the data collection unit 32a is executed at a time interval T1. The device data storage area 35a has only a storage capacity capable of storing device data for a predetermined period (for example, 30 minutes), and sequentially when new device data is acquired. The oldest device data is being erased.

  A function library is stored in the storage unit 35. The function library is a collection of functions F01, F02,. The functions F01, F02,... Are functions for processing the device data received from the control unit 11 of the air conditioning equipment 10 as return values of the commands C01, C02,. Will be.

  For example, it is assumed that the function F01 is a function for extracting only data having a predetermined length from a predetermined position of the processing source device data. In this case, when the function F01 is executed with the return value of the command C01 (a command for obtaining data obtained by concatenating the outside temperature data behind the room temperature data), the start position of the outside temperature data, and the length of the outside temperature data as arguments. Only the outside air temperature data can be extracted. Therefore, the function F01 is useful when only some data in the return values of the commands C01, C02,. If the function F02 is a function that counts a predetermined value included in the return values of the commands C01, C02,..., Depending on the combination with the commands C01, C02,. The number of activations of the air conditioning equipment 10 can be counted or the number of stops of the air conditioning equipment 10 can be counted.

  The data collection unit 32a stores the return values of the functions F01, F02,... Obtained by processing the return values of the commands C01, C02,. When the return values of the commands C01, C02,... Are processed by the functions F01, F02,..., Only the return values of the functions F01, F02,. Saved and does not save the return values of the commands C01, C02,.

  That is, the items of the equipment data collected by the data collection unit 32a are determined by designating the commands C01, C02,... And the functions F01, F02,. Is done. Combinations of commands C01, C02,... And functions F01, F02,... (Including only commands C01, C02,...) Are described in the item definition file 70. The item definition file 70 is stored in the item definition file storage area 35b in the storage unit 35. The data collection unit 32a reads the item definition file 70 every time the device data collection process is executed, and commands C01, C02,... Described in the item definition file 70 and functions F01, F02 if necessary. ,... Are acquired, and the device data of the items defined in the item definition file 70 is acquired.

  Also, in the item definition file 70, a time interval T1 of the device data collection processing by the data collection unit 32a is defined. The data collection unit 32a identifies the item of the device data based on the item definition file 70 and identifies the time interval T1 when executing the device data collection process. Then, after the time T1 has elapsed from the start of the collection process, the device data collection process is started again. That is, the start timing of the next device data collection process is determined by the item definition file 70.

  Further, the control unit 32 operates as the periodic notification unit 32b by executing the periodic notification program in the storage unit 35. The periodic notification program is started at a time interval T2 (for example, 3 hours). When the periodic notification program is activated, the periodic notification unit 32b transmits the device data in the device data storage area 35a to the remote management server 20 via the communication unit 31 (periodic notification).

  The control unit 32 operates as the data acquisition unit 32c by executing the data acquisition program in the storage unit 35. The data acquisition program is started at a time interval T3 (for example, 10 minutes). When the data acquisition program is started, the data acquisition unit 32c accesses the remote management server 20 via the communication unit 31, and the air conditioning equipment 10 from the item definition file storage area 25a (see FIG. 4) of the remote management server 20. The item definition file 70 corresponding to is downloaded. The downloaded item definition file 70 is stored in the item definition file storage area 35 b secured in the storage unit 35.

  The control unit 32 operates as the abnormality detection unit 32d by executing the abnormality detection program in the storage unit 35. The abnormality detection program is started at a time interval T4 (for example, 5 minutes). When the abnormality detection program is activated, the abnormality detection unit 32d determines whether there is an abnormality in the air conditioning facility 10 based on the device data in the device data storage area 35a. When an abnormality is actually detected, data indicating that fact and details of the abnormality (abnormality notification data) is created and immediately transmitted to the remote management server 20 (abnormality notification). The abnormality detection unit 32d also creates similar abnormality notification data when it receives data indicating that an abnormality has been detected from the control unit 11 of the air conditioning equipment 10, and immediately transmits the data to the remote management server 20. (Abnormal report).

[Router]
The router 40 has a firewall function and, as a rule, blocks access to network devices in the LAN 5a from the WAN (Internet 6) side. Note that the inquiry response from the network device in the LAN 5a to the network device outside the LAN 5a is not limited to this.

[Remote management server]
As shown in FIG. 4, the remote management server 20 is a server computer having a communication unit 21, a control unit 22, an output unit 23, an input unit 24, and a storage unit 25.

  The communication unit 21 has a communication function of the remote management server 20 and enables the remote management server 20 to connect to the Internet 6, that is, to communicate with the adapter 30.

  In the storage unit 25, various databases D1, D2, D3,... Are defined.

  In the database D1, abnormality report data transmitted from the abnormality detection unit 32d of the adapter 30 to the remote management server 20 via the Internet 6 is stored. In addition, the result of dealing with the abnormality related to the abnormality notification performed by the service person is also stored in association with the abnormality notification data.

  In the databases D2, D3,..., Device data sent from the periodic reporting unit 32b of the adapter 30 to the remote management server 20 via the Internet 6 is stored. In the databases D2, D3,..., Device data of items belonging to different categories are stored. For example, only the device data of the item whose category ID is G01 is stored in the database D2, and only the device data of the item whose category ID is G02 is stored in the database D3.

  In the storage unit 25, an item definition file storage area 25a for storing the item definition file 70 is secured. The item definition file 70 is prepared for each air conditioning equipment 10 and is stored in association with the equipment ID of the air conditioning equipment 10 (for example, the MAC address of the adapter 30 corresponding to the air conditioning equipment 10 on a one-to-one basis). .

  The control unit 22 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and operates as a data shaping unit 22a by executing a data shaping program in the storage unit 25. The data shaping unit 22a shapes the device data from the adapter 30 received via the communication unit 21 in accordance with the data structure of the databases D2, D3,. Store.

  Moreover, the control part 22 operate | moves as the remote management part 22b which manages the air conditioning equipment 10 variously remotely by executing the various programs in the memory | storage part 25. FIG. For example, the remote management unit 22b inspects abnormalities in the air conditioner 10 based on various data in the databases D1, D2,..., Reports and proposals regarding the use mode of the air conditioner 10 to users of the air conditioner 10. Or create a book.

  The output unit 23 includes a display, a speaker, and the like. When the remote management unit 22b detects an abnormality in the air conditioning facility 10, the output unit 23 notifies the staff of the remote management center 2 on the remote management server 20 side of the fact. To do. For example, details of the abnormality that occurred in the air conditioner 10 (such as the type of abnormality and the name and address of the property 1 in which the abnormality occurred) are displayed on the display, or a warning sound is sent from the speaker to notify that an abnormality has occurred. Or

  The input unit 24 includes a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, and is used when an operator of the remote management server 20 operates the remote management server 20. An administrator who can operate the remote management server 20 can change the item definition file 70 in the item definition file storage area 25 a via the input unit 24.

[Data structure of item definition file]
The data structure of the item definition file 70 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The item definition file 70 is for defining device data collection items and is described in, for example, an XML format. In the item definition file 70, each item is a combination of the name of the command C01, C02,... And the name of the function F01, F02,. (Including the case of only the name). That is, the device data of one item becomes a return value of the commands C01, C02,..., Or functions F01, F02,... Using the return values of the commands C01, C02,. The return value of

  In the item definition file 70, a category ID is described in association with each item. A category classifies items of device data. The category ID is referred to when the data shaping unit 22a shapes the device data to be stored in the databases D2, D3,. This is because the databases D2, D3,.

  Usually, the same pattern of equipment data items to be collected is common among air conditioners 10 of the same model. With regard to device data collected in such a common item pattern, a dedicated database having an optimal data structure for storing device data of the pattern is prepared and managed in the dedicated database. It is efficient. On the other hand, it is efficient to manage the device data of items collected only from a specific air conditioning facility 10 for the convenience of the customer in a separate database having a dedicated data structure. In addition, it is desirable to manage device data of specific items that are temporarily collected when an abnormality occurs or the like in a separate database.

[Flow of device data collection processing]
Next, the flow of device data collection processing will be described with reference to FIG.

  The device data collection process shown in FIG. 6 is started by the data collection unit 32a of the adapter 30 at a time interval T1 described in the item definition file 70. The time interval T1 can be changed by updating the item definition file 70.

  First, in step S11, the data collection unit 32a reads the item definition file 70 from the item definition file storage area 35b.

  In subsequent step S12, the data collection unit 32a reads data for one item from the item definition file 70 read in step S11.

  In the subsequent step S13, the data collection unit 32a reads the names of the commands C01, C02,... From the data for one item read in step S12, and sends the commands C01, C02,. Issued to the control unit 11. Thereafter, the return values of the commands C01, C02,... Executed on the control unit 11 are received from the control unit 11.

  In subsequent step S14, the data collecting unit 32a reads the names of the functions F01, F02,... And the arguments thereof, if any, from the data for one item read in step S12, and the functions F01, F02,. Are obtained by substituting the return values of the commands C01, C02,. Note that step S14 is omitted when the names of the functions F01, F02,... Are not included in the data for one item read in step S12.

  In subsequent step S15, the data collection unit 32a displays the value acquired in step S13 when step S14 is not executed, and the value acquired in step S14 when step S14 is executed. Save in.

  The above steps S12 to S15 are repeated for the item of the device data defined in the item definition file 70 read out in step S11.

[Flow of device data issue processing]
Next, the flow of device data issue processing will be described with reference to FIG.

  The device data reporting process shown in FIG. 7 is started at a time interval T2.

  First, in step S <b> 21, the periodic notification unit 32 b of the adapter 30 collects device data in the device data storage area 35 a and transmits the device data to the remote management server 20 via the communication unit 31.

  In subsequent step S22, the communication unit 21 of the remote management server 20 receives a piece of device data from the periodic notification unit 32b.

  In subsequent step S23, the data shaping unit 22a of the remote management server 20 reads the item definition file 70 from the item definition file storage area 25a.

  In subsequent step S24, the data shaping unit 22a refers to the item definition file 70 read out in step S23, and separates a group of device data from the periodic notification unit 32b into device data for each item.

  In subsequent step S25, the data shaping unit 22a refers to the category ID associated with each item in the item definition file 70, and stores the device data for each item separated in step S24 in the databases D2 and D3. , ... are determined. Thereafter, the device data for each item is stored in the corresponding databases D2, D3,.

〔Characteristic〕
(1)
In the above embodiment, the device data is collected by the adapter 30 that can interpret the item definition file 70 that is a data file. That is, device data collection items are defined by data files. Therefore, when the device data collection item is changed, it is not necessary to modify the program in the adapter 30, and only the data file needs to be updated.

  The device data collected by the adapter 30 is temporarily stored in the adapter 30 and then transmitted to the remote management server 20. On the other hand, the remote management server 20 can interpret the item definition file 70 and grasp the meaning of the device data from the adapter 30 based on the contents. As a result, the remote management server 20 can appropriately process the device data from the adapter 30. Therefore, it is not necessary to modify not only the adapter 30 but also the program in the remote management server 20 when changing the device data collection item.

  Therefore, it is possible to easily change the device data collection item.

(2)
In the above embodiment, the execution timing of the device data collection process is defined by the item definition file 70. Therefore, the execution timing of the device data collection process can be easily changed.

(3)
In the above embodiment, the item definition file 70 is downloaded from the remote management server 20 to the adapter 30 at the time interval T2. Therefore, it is possible to change the collection item of the device data simply by updating the item definition file in the remote management server 20. This eliminates the need for a service person to visit the site in order to change the device data collection item.

(4)
In the above embodiment, the category ID of the collection item is described in the item definition file 70. Thereby, on the remote management server 20 side, the device data can be efficiently managed by separate databases D2, D3,... For each category.

Second Embodiment
As shown in FIG. 8, the remote management system 200 described below is different from the remote management system 100 of the first embodiment in that an adapter 230 is mainly installed instead of the adapter 30. Unlike the adapter 30, the adapter 230 is connected not only to the air conditioning facility 10 but also to other facilities 80a, 80b,... Other than the air conditioning facility 10 via controllers 60a, 60b,. In addition, about the component of 2nd Embodiment which is common in 1st Embodiment, the same referential mark as 1st Embodiment is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted partially.

  The remote management system 200 is a system that manages the air conditioning facility 10 and other facilities 80a, 80b,... In the property 1 from the remote management server 20 in the remote management center 2. The air conditioning facility 10 and other facilities 80a, 80b,... And the remote management server 20 are connected via the Internet 6.

  In addition to the adapter 230, a network device (not shown) such as an office personal computer is connected to the LAN 5a installed in the property 1. The adapter 230 is a network adapter for connecting the air conditioning equipment 10 to the LAN 5a. The controllers 60a, 60b,... Are connected to the LAN 5a, and have a function of monitoring and controlling other facilities 80a, 80b,... Communicating with themselves via the dedicated network 5c. Yes.

  For simplicity, only one property 1 is clearly shown in FIG. 8, but actually, the remote management system 200 includes a plurality of air conditioning facilities 10 installed in the plurality of properties 1 and others. It is assumed that the facilities 80a, 80b,.

[Air conditioning equipment]
An adapter 230 is attached to the air conditioning facility 10 in the second embodiment instead of the adapter 30 in the first embodiment. The other points are the same.

[Other equipment and its controller]
Hereinafter, the other facilities 80a, 80b,... And the controllers 60a, 60b,. For simplicity, only the other equipment 80a and the controller 60a are shown in FIG. 9, but the same applies to the other equipment 80b,... And the controllers 60b,.

  The other equipments 80a, 80b,... Are equipment manufactured by a manufacturing company different from the air conditioning equipment 10. For example, the air conditioning equipment 10 may be an air conditioning equipment, a lighting equipment, or a locking system. It may be. The controllers 60a, 60b,... Are dedicated devices for monitoring and controlling the other facilities 80a, 80b,..., And are manufactured by the same manufacturing company as the other facilities 80a, 80b,. ing.

  Various sensors (not shown) are attached to predetermined positions of the other facilities 80a, 80b,. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 9, each other equipment 80a, 80b, ... has the control part 81. As shown in FIG. The control unit 81 controls the operation of the other facilities 80a, 80b,... According to the operation command input by the user via the controllers 60a, 60b,. Controls the operation of the controlled parts included in.

  A memory is mounted on a control board constituting the control unit 81. A command library is stored in the memory. The command library is a collection of commands E01, E02,... And commands H01, H02,. Each command E01, E02,... Is a command for obtaining device data of the other equipment 80a, 80b,... From outside, and the commands H01, H02,. This is a command for giving a control command to. The device data includes data relating to the operation state such as the detection value of the sensor, and data relating to the operation content such as the history of starting / stopping of the other facilities 80a, 80b,. The commands E01, E02,..., H01, H02,... Are executed on the control unit 81 after waiting for an activation command given via the controllers 60a, 60b,.

  .., H01, H02,..., H01, H02,..., H01, H02,. A predetermined process is executed as defined by... And the result is sent back to the controllers 60a, 60b,. More specifically, when commands E01, E02,... For obtaining specific device data are passed to the control unit 81, the device data is sent back and a control command is given to the control unit 81. When the command is passed, the execution result of the control command is sent back.

  .., H01, H02,... Are given to the control unit 81, so that the other equipment 80a, 80b,. The device data can be obtained and the other facilities 80a, 80b,... Can be controlled from the outside of the other facilities 80a, 80b,. In other words, device data other than the return values of the commands E01, E02,... Held in advance by the control unit 81 cannot be obtained from the outside, and the commands H01, Other than the control commands related to H02,... Cannot be given from the outside.

  As shown in FIG. 9, each controller 60a, 60b,... Has a communication unit 61, a control unit 62, and a storage unit 65, and has a Web server function. In the storage unit 65, various programs for realizing the Web server function are stored. The communication unit 61 is responsible for the communication function of the controllers 60a, 60b,... And absorbs the difference in communication protocol between the networks 5a and 5c.

  The control unit 62 operates as the Web server unit 62a by executing various programs in the storage unit 65. The web server function realized by the web server unit 62a of the controllers 60a, 60b,... Is a function for managing the other facilities 80a, 80b,. Therefore, various network devices having a Web client function acquire device data related to the other facilities 80a, 80b,... Via the Web via communication with the Web server unit 62a, or the other facilities 80a, 80b,.・ ・ A control command can be given to More specifically, the Web server 62a transfers various data received from the client computer via the Web to the other facilities 80a, 80b,... And from the other facilities 80a, 80b,. Transfer various data received to the client computer.

〔adapter〕
The adapter 230 is a network adapter for connecting the air conditioning equipment 10 to the LAN 5a compatible with Ethernet (registered trademark), and has a Web client function.

  As illustrated in FIG. 10, the adapter 230 includes a communication unit 231, a control unit 232, and a storage unit 235.

  The communication unit 231 has a communication function of the adapter 230, and absorbs a difference in communication protocol between the networks 5a and 5b. More specifically, the communication part 231 is comprised from the LAN side communication part 231a which bears a communication function with LAN5a, and the air conditioning side communication part 231b which bears a communication function with the network 5b only for the air conditioning equipment 10.

  The adapter 230 has a control function for controlling the air conditioning facility 10 and the other facilities 80a, 80b,..., In addition to a function for converting a communication protocol between the networks 5a and 5b. In the storage unit 235, various programs for managing the air conditioning facility 10 and other facilities 80a, 80b,..., Such as a data collection program, a periodic notification program, a data acquisition program, and an abnormality detection program are stored. .

  The control unit 232 operates as the data collection unit 232a by executing the data collection program in the storage unit 235. The data collection unit 232a collects device data from the control unit 11 of the air conditioning equipment 10 using the commands C01, C02,... And the controllers 60a, 60b using the commands E01, E02,. ,... Are collected from the control unit 81 of the other facilities 80a, 80b,... And the device data is stored in a device data storage area 235a in the storage unit 235 in a predetermined format. The device data collection process by the data collection unit 232a is executed at a time interval T1. The device data storage area 235a has only a storage capacity that allows device data to be stored for a predetermined period (for example, 30 minutes), and sequentially when new device data is acquired. The oldest device data is being erased.

  The storage unit 235 stores a function library similar to that of the first embodiment. The function library is a collection of functions F01, F02,. Each function F01, F02,... Controls the control unit 11 of the air conditioning equipment 10 and other equipment 80a, 80b,... As return values of the commands C01, C02,. This is a function for processing the device data received from the unit 81, and is executed by the data collection unit 232a.

  The data collection unit 232a stores the return values of the functions F01, F02,... Obtained by processing the return values of the commands C01, C02, ..., E01, E02, ... in the device data storage area 235a. Save to. When the return values of the commands C01, C02,..., E01, E02,... Are processed by the functions F01, F02, ..., the functions F01, F02,. Only the return values of... Are saved, and the return values of the commands C01, C02,..., E01, E02,.

  That is, the items of the device data collected by the data collection unit 232a include commands C01, C02,..., E01, E02,... And functions F01, F02,. It is determined by specifying. Combination of commands C01, C02,..., E01, E02,... And functions F01, F02,... (Including the case of only commands C01, C02,..., E01, E02,. ) Is described in the item definition file 270a. The item definition file 270a is stored in the item definition file storage area 235b in the storage unit 235. The data collection unit 232a reads the item definition file 270a every time the device data collection process is executed, and commands C01, C02,... Described in the item definition file 270a, and functions F01, F02 if necessary. ,... Are acquired, and the device data of the items defined in the item definition file 270a is acquired.

  In addition, in the item definition file 270a, a time interval T1 of device data collection processing by the data collection unit 232a is also defined. Then, the data collection unit 232a identifies the item of the device data based on the item definition file 270a and identifies the time interval T1 when executing the device data collection process. Then, after the time T1 has elapsed from the start of the collection process, the device data collection process is started again. That is, the start timing of the next device data collection process is determined by the item definition file 270a.

  Further, the control unit 232 operates as the periodic notification unit 232b by executing the periodic notification program in the storage unit 235. The periodic notification program is started at a time interval T2 (for example, 3 hours). When the periodic notification program is activated, the periodic notification unit 232b transmits the device data in the device data storage area 235a to the remote management server 20 via the communication unit 231 (periodic notification).

  The control unit 232 operates as the data acquisition unit 232c by executing the data acquisition program in the storage unit 235. The data acquisition program is started at a time interval T3 (for example, 10 minutes). When the data acquisition program is activated, the data acquisition unit 232 c accesses the remote management server 20 via the communication unit 231, and the item corresponding to the adapter 230 from the storage area 25 a (see FIG. 11) of the remote management server 20. The definition file 270a and the conversion definition file 270b are downloaded. The downloaded item definition file 270a and conversion definition file 270b are stored in the storage area 235b secured in the storage unit 235.

  The control unit 232 operates as the abnormality detection unit 232d by executing the abnormality detection program in the storage unit 235. The abnormality detection program is started at a time interval T4 (for example, 5 minutes). When the abnormality detection program is activated, the abnormality detection unit 232d determines whether there is an abnormality in the air conditioning facility 10 based on the device data in the device data storage area 235a. When an abnormality is actually detected, data indicating that fact and details of the abnormality (abnormality notification data) is created and immediately transmitted to the remote management server 20 (abnormality notification). The abnormality detection unit 132d also creates similar abnormality notification data when it receives data indicating that an abnormality has been detected from the control unit 11 of the air conditioning equipment 10, and immediately transmits the data to the remote management server 20. (Abnormal report).

[Router]
A router 40 similar to that of the first embodiment is installed in the LAN 5a.

[Remote management server]
As shown in FIG. 11, when compared with the first embodiment, the remote management server 20 in the second embodiment mainly includes an item definition file 270a in the storage area 25a in the storage unit 25 instead of the item definition file 70, and The difference is that the conversion definition file 270b is stored.

  The item definition file 270a is prepared for each adapter 230, and is stored in association with the identification information of the adapter 230 (for example, the MAC address of the adapter 230). Similarly, the conversion definition file 270b is prepared for each adapter 230 and stored in association with identification information of the adapter 230 (for example, the MAC address of the adapter 230).

[Data structure of item definition file]
A data structure of the item definition file 270a will be described with reference to FIG.

  The item definition file 270a defines items for collecting device data related to the air conditioning facility 10 and other facilities 80a, 80b,... And is described in, for example, an XML format. In the item definition file 270a, each item includes the names of the commands C01, C02,..., E01, E02,... And the names of the functions F01, F02,. It is defined by a combination (including the case of only the names of commands C01, C02,..., E01, E02,...). That is, the device data of one item becomes a return value of one command C01, C02,..., E01, E02,..., Or one command C01, C02,. Are the return values of the functions F01, F02,... With the return values of E02,.

  In the item definition file 270a, a category ID is described in association with each item. The merits of classification by the category are as described in the first embodiment.

  Further, each item in the item definition file 270a is conceptually associated with one air conditioner 10 or one controller 60a, 60b,. That is, the network address on the LAN 5a of one controller 60a, 60b,... (IP address and port number of the controllers 60a, 60b,...) Is described in the <collection item> tag corresponding to each item. Can be described (in the <address> tag in FIG. 12), and when a network address is described in the tag, the controllers 60a, 60b,.・ ・ Is associated with the item. On the other hand, when the network address is not described in the tag, the air conditioning equipment 10 is associated with the item.

[Conversion definition file]
The conversion definition file 270b is a data file in which information for causing the adapter 230 to interpret the meaning of the return values of the commands E01, E02,... Held by the other facilities 80a, 80b,. Since the other facilities 80a, 80b,... And the controllers 60a, 60b,... Are devices manufactured by a manufacturing company different from the air conditioning facility 10 and the adapter 230, the adapter 230 has commands E01, E02,.・ The meaning of the return value cannot be interpreted as it is. Therefore, the conversion definition file 270b includes information for converting the meaning of the return value of the commands E01, E02,... Into a value that can be recognized by the adapter 230.

[Flow of device data collection processing]
Next, with reference to FIG. 13, the flow of the collection process of the apparatus data regarding the air conditioner 10 and the other facilities 80a, 80b,.

  The device data collection process shown in FIG. 13 is started by the data collection unit 232a of the adapter 230 at a time interval T1 described in the item definition file 270a. The time interval T1 can be changed by updating the item definition file 270a.

  First, in step S211, the data collection unit 232a reads the item definition file 270a and the conversion definition file 270b from the storage area 2235b of the storage unit 235.

  In subsequent step S212, the data collection unit 232a reads data for one item from the item definition file 270a read in step S211.

  In the subsequent step S213, the data collection unit 232a, from the data for one item read in step S212, if there is a network address in the <address> tag, and commands C01, C02,..., E01, E02,. • Read the name and. When the network address is read, the command E01 read via the LAN 5a to the network address, that is, to the Web server unit 62a of the controller 60a, 60b,. , E02,. In response to this, the Web server unit 62a immediately relays the commands E01, E02,... To the control unit 81 of the other facilities 80a, 80b,. On the other hand, when the network address is not read, the data collection unit 232a issues the commands C01, C02,... To the control unit 11 of the air conditioning equipment 10 via the network 5b. Thereafter, the return values of the commands C01, C02,..., E01, E02,.

  In subsequent step S214, the return values of the commands E01, E02,... Obtained in step S213 are converted according to the conversion definition file 270b read in step S211. In step S214, the data for one item read in step S212 is not derived from the other facilities 80a, 80b,..., But is derived from the air conditioning facility 10, that is, the data for one item read in step S212. Is omitted when the <address> tag is not included.

  In the subsequent step S215, the data collection unit 232a reads the names of the functions F01, F02,... And the arguments, if any, from the data for one item read in step S212, and the functions F01, F02,. Are obtained by substituting the return values of the commands C01, C02,..., E01, E02,... Acquired in step S213 (or converted values when step S214 is executed). Note that step S215 is omitted when the names of the functions F01, F02,... Are not included in the data for one item read in step S212.

  In subsequent step S216, the data collection unit 232a stores the value acquired in the last executed step among steps S213, S214, and S215 in the device data storage area 235a.

  Then, the above steps S212 to S216 are repeated for the item of the device data defined in the item definition file 270a read out in step S211.

[Flow of device data issue processing]
Next, the flow of device data issue processing will be described with reference to FIG.

  The device data issue processing shown in FIG. 14 is started at a time interval T2.

  First, in step S221, the periodic notification unit 232b of the adapter 230 collects the device data in the device data storage area 235a and transmits them to the remote management server 20 via the LAN side communication unit 231a. At this time, the device data transmitted collectively includes device data related to both the air conditioning facility 10 and the other facilities 80a, 80b,.

  In subsequent step S222, the communication unit 21 of the remote management server 20 receives a piece of device data from the periodic notification unit 232b.

  In subsequent step S223, the data shaping unit 22a of the remote management server 20 reads the item definition file 270a from the item definition file storage area 25a.

  In subsequent step S224, the data shaping unit 22a refers to the item definition file 270a read in step S223, and separates a group of device data from the periodic notification unit 32b into device data for each item.

  In subsequent step S225, the data shaping unit 22a refers to the category ID associated with each item in the item definition file 270a and stores the device data for each item separated in step S224 in the databases D2, D3. , ... are determined. Thereafter, the device data for each item is stored in the corresponding databases D2, D3,.

〔Characteristic〕
The remote management system 200 according to the second embodiment has the following features in addition to the features described for the remote management system 100 according to the first embodiment.

(1)
Like the controllers 60a, 60b,... Described above, a management device for equipment provided by a certain company is equipped with a mechanism for reporting data to a remote management server under the jurisdiction of the company. Even so, it is often the case that a mechanism for reporting data to a remote management server of another company is not installed. However, in the case of the above embodiment, the controllers 60a, 60b,... Are equipped with a Web server function and can exchange data with the adapter 230 having the Web client function. Can collect device data from other facilities 80a, 80b,... Via the controllers 5a, 60b,... Via the LAN 5a, or can give control instructions to the other facilities 80a, 80b,. It can be done.

  In other words, other facilities 80a, 80b,... That cannot be directly monitored by the adapter 230 of the company are monitored and controlled via the controllers 60a, 60b,.

(2)
When managing other facilities 80a, 80b,... Of other companies via controllers 60a, 60b,... Of other companies, the controllers 60a, 60b,. Can be a problem. However, in the above embodiment, the conversion definition file 270b for converting the data format of the other company into the data format of the other company is held in the adapter 230 of the own company, so that the controller 60a, 60b,. 200.

<Other embodiments>
(A)
In the first embodiment, the equipment managed by the remote management server 20 may not be the air conditioning equipment 10. For example, other types of air conditioning equipment, hot water supply equipment, lighting equipment, security equipment, or the like, or a combination of these may be used. The same applies to the air conditioning equipment 10 in the second embodiment.

(B)
In the first and second embodiments, the data acquisition units 32c and 232c download the item definition files 70 and 270a and the conversion definition file 270b every time the remote management server 20 is accessed at the time interval T3. However, it may be downloaded only when the item definition files 70 and 270a and the conversion definition file 270b in the remote management server 20 are updated.

(C)
In the first and second embodiments, when the periodic notification units 32b and 232b access the remote management server 20 for periodic notification, the item definition files 70 and 270a and the conversion definition file 270b in the storage area 25a are stored. You may make it download.

(D)
In the first and second embodiments, the item definition files 70 and 270a and the conversion definition file 270b may be uploaded to the storage area 25a of the remote management server 20 via a terminal connected to the Internet 6. .

(E)
In the first and second embodiments, the adapters 30 and 230 may be omitted by incorporating the functions of the adapters 30 and 230 into the control unit 11 of the air conditioning equipment 10. Alternatively, all or a part of the various functions (data collection function, periodic report function, data acquisition function, abnormality detection function) of the adapters 30 and 230 may be incorporated in the control unit 11 while the adapters 30 and 230 remain.

  A centralized controller having the functions of the adapters 30 and 230 may be connected to the air conditioning equipment 10 instead of the adapters 30 and 230. The centralized controller is a device that centrally manages a plurality of air conditioning facilities 10 in the same property 1. In other words, a plurality of air conditioning facilities 10 may be connected to the adapters 30 and 230. In such a case, each item in the item definition files 70 and 270a needs to be associated with information (such as an address on the network 5b) for identifying the plurality of air conditioning facilities 10.

(F)
In the first and second embodiments, the command library held by the control unit 11 of the air conditioning equipment 10 includes not only commands C01, C02,... A command for giving a control command to the air conditioner 10 (for example, a start command for the air conditioner 10, a command for changing the set temperature, etc.) may be included. In such a case, a control command can be given to the air conditioning equipment 10 from the remote management server 20 by describing a command for giving a control command to the air conditioning equipment 10 in the item definition files 70 and 270a.

  Similarly, in the second embodiment, by describing commands H01, H02,... In the item definition file 270a, a control command is given from the remote management server 20 to the other facilities 80a, 80b,. Also good.

(G)
In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, the adapter 230 is manufactured by the same manufacturer as the adapter 230 instead of the controllers 60a, 60b,. The adapter 230b and the air conditioning equipment 10 may be connected. Then, the adapter 230 may collectively hold the data, and the adapter 230b may have a data backup. In other words, a configuration in which one or a plurality of adapters 230b as children is connected to the adapter 230 as a parent may be adopted.

  In such a case, the parent adapter 230 collectively receives data to be distributed from the external management device such as the remote management server 20 to the parent adapter 230 and the child adapter 230b, stores them in a lump, and appropriately stores the child adapter 230b. Data to be distributed to the external management device such as the remote management server 20 from the parent adapter 230 and the child adapter 230b in a lump, and sent to the external management device in a lump. Also good. Furthermore, in this case, the child adapter 230b may hold the same data as the parent adapter 230 as a backup (see FIG. 16A).

  Alternatively, the parent adapter 230 collectively receives data to be distributed to the parent adapter 230 and the child adapter 230b from an external management device such as the remote management server 20, and the data for the child adapter 230b is sent to the child adapter 230b. The data may be transferred immediately, and the respective adapters 230 and 230b may hold the data related to each (see FIG. 16B).

  Note that only when an abnormality occurs, the parent-child relationship between the parent adapter 230 and the child adapter 230b can be canceled, and the parent adapter 230 and the child adapter 230b can be configured to individually perform similar communication processing (see FIG. 16 (c)).

  Further, at the time of trial operation, the data of the parent adapter 230 can be saved in the child adapter 230b (see FIG. 16D).

  Note that the data referred to in the present modification can include not only the item definition files 70 and 270a of the above embodiment, but also any kind of data (control commands, monitoring data, programs, etc.).

(H)
In the second embodiment, each item related to the controllers 60a, 60b,... In the item definition file 270a is associated with a network address on the LAN 5a of the controllers 60a, 60b,. However, instead of the network address, other types of identification information that can identify the controllers 60a, 60b,... May be described. In such a case, the adapter 230 uses the network address on the LAN 5a of the controllers 60a, 60b,... In order to enable communication with the controllers 60a, 60b,. It is necessary to have information that can be converted into the above, or to be able to obtain from outside as appropriate.

(I)
In the second embodiment, the controllers 60a, 60b,... Are omitted, the other facilities 80a, 80b,... Are directly connected to the LAN 5a, and the adapter 230 does not go through the controllers 60a, 60b,. You may comprise so that communication with other equipment 80a, 80b, ... is possible.

  Alternatively, in the second embodiment, commands E01, E02,..., H01, H02,... Of other facilities 80a, 80b,. ,... Are relayed to the other facilities 80a, 80b,. However, the commands executed on the controllers 60a, 60b,... Are described in the item definition file 270a, and the controllers 60a, 60b,. You may leave it to me.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention has an effect that the device data collection item can be easily changed, and is useful as a data collection device and a data management system including the data collection device.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of a remote management system according to a first embodiment. FIG. The lineblock diagram of the air-conditioning equipment concerning a 1st embodiment. The block diagram of the adapter which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The lineblock diagram of the remote management server concerning a 1st embodiment. The figure which shows the data structure of the item definition file which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The flowchart which shows the flow of the collection process of the apparatus data which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The flowchart which shows the flow of the alerting | reporting process of the apparatus data which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The whole block diagram of the remote management system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The block diagram of the air-conditioning equipment which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The block diagram of the adapter which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The block diagram of the remote management server which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The figure which shows the data structure of the item definition file which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The flowchart which shows the flow of the collection process of the apparatus data which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The flowchart which shows the flow of the notification process of the apparatus data which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The whole block diagram of the remote management system which concerns on a modification (G). The conceptual diagram of the function of the adapter which concerns on a modification (G).

Explanation of symbols

1 property 2 remote management center 5a LAN (first communication network)
5b Dedicated network (second communication network)
10 Air conditioning equipment (equipment equipment, first equipment)
20 Remote management server (remote management device)
21 Communication unit (device data receiving unit)
22 control unit 22a data shaping unit 25 storage unit 25a storage area (item definition file storage unit)
30,230 Adapter (data collection device)
32,232 Control unit 32a, 232a Data collection unit (device data collection unit)
32b, 232b Periodic reporting unit (device data transmission unit)
32c, 232c Data acquisition unit (item definition file acquisition unit)
35, 235 Storage unit 35a, 235a Device data storage area (device data storage unit)
35b, 235b storage area (item definition file storage)
60a, 60b, ... Controllers 70, 270a Item definition files 80a, 80b, ... Other equipment (second equipment)
100, 200 Remote management system (data management system)
231a LAN side communication unit (first communication unit)
231b Air-conditioning side communication unit (second communication unit)
C01, C02, ... Command (read command)
D1, D2, D3, ... Databases E01, E02, ... Commands (read commands)
F01, F02, ... Function T1 time interval

Claims (13)

A data collection device (30) for collecting equipment data related to the equipment (10),
An item definition file storage unit (35b) for storing an item definition file (70), which is a data file for defining collection items of the device data;
A device data collection unit (32a) that interprets the item definition file stored in the item definition file storage unit and collects the device data along the collection item from the facility device;
Comprising
Data collection device (30). A device data storage unit (35a) for temporarily storing the device data collected by the device data collection unit (32a);
A device data transmission unit (32b) that transmits the device data temporarily stored in the device data storage unit to a remote management device (20) that remotely manages the facility device (10);
Further comprising
The data collection device (30) according to claim 1. The device data collection unit (32a) collects the device data from the facility device (10) at a time interval (P1) described in the item definition file (70).
The data collection device (30) according to claim 2. An item definition file acquisition unit (32c) for acquiring the item definition file (70) from the remote management device (20) and storing it in the item definition file storage unit (35b);
Further comprising
The data collection device (30) according to claim 2 or 3. The item definition file acquisition unit (32c) periodically reads the item definition file (70) held by the remote management device (20).
The data collection device (30) according to claim 4. In the item definition file (70), the names of read commands (C01, C02,...) Registered in the equipment (10) are described.
The device data collection unit (32a) transmits the name of the read command to the equipment device, and obtains the device data along the collection item as a return value thereof.
A data collection device (30) according to any of claims 1 to 5. In the item definition file (70), the name of the read command (C01, C02,...) Registered in the equipment device (10) and the function registered in the device data collection unit (32a). (F01, F02,...) Are described,
The device data collection unit transmits the read command to the equipment device, executes the function with the return value as an argument, and obtains the device data along the collection item as the return value.
A data collection device (30) according to any of claims 1 to 5. A data collection device (30) for collecting equipment data relating to the equipment (10);
A remote management device (20) connected to the data collection device and remotely managing the equipment;
With
The data collection device includes:
An item definition file storage unit (35b) for storing an item definition file (70), which is a data file for defining collection items of the device data;
A device data collection unit (32a) that interprets the item definition file stored in the item definition file storage unit and collects the device data along the collection item from the facility device;
A device data storage unit (35a) for temporarily storing the device data collected by the device data collection unit;
A device data transmission unit (32b) for transmitting the device data temporarily stored in the device data storage unit to the remote management device;
Have
The remote management device is:
A device data receiving unit (21) for receiving the device data from the device data transmitting unit;
An item definition file storage unit (25a) for storing the item definition file;
A device data shaping unit (22a) for interpreting the item definition file stored in the item definition file storage unit and shaping the device data received by the device data receiving unit;
A device data storage unit (D2, D3,...) That stores the device data in a form shaped by the device data shaping unit;
Having
Data management system (100). In the item definition file (70), item classifications for classifying the collection items are described.
The device data shaping unit (22a) classifies the device data according to the item classification,
The device data storage unit (D2, D3,...) Has a plurality of databases that store the device data for each item classification.
The data management system (100) according to claim 8. The item classification includes a first classification indicating that the collection item is unique to the facility device (10), and the collection item common to other facility devices managed by the remote management device (20). A second classification indicating that there is,
The data management system (100) of claim 9. A data collection device (230) for collecting equipment data relating to the first equipment (10) and the second equipment (60a, 60b, ..., 80a, 80b, ...),
An item definition file storage unit that stores an item definition file (270) that is a data file that defines a first collection item of the device data related to the first equipment and a second collection item of the equipment data related to the second equipment. (235b),
Interpreting the item definition file stored in the item definition file storage unit, collecting the device data along the first collection item from the first equipment device, and the device along the second collection item A device data collection unit (232a) for collecting data from the second facility device;
Comprising
Data collection device (230). A first communication unit (231b) that enables communication with the first equipment (10) via a first communication network (5b);
A second communication unit that enables communication with the second equipment (60a, 60b, ..., 80a, 80b, ...) via a second communication network (5a) different from the first communication network. (231a),
Further comprising
In the item definition file (270), identification information of the second equipment is defined in association with the second collection item,
The device data collection unit (232a) refers to the identification information in the item definition file and collects the device data along the second collection item from the second facility device.
The data collection device (230) of claim 11. The first communication network (5b) is a dedicated communication network with the first equipment (10),
The second communication network (5a) is a general-purpose communication network supported by the second equipment (60a, 60b, ..., 80a, 80b, ...).
A data collection device (230) according to claim 12.

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