JP2015154293A - Control apparatus and control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a control apparatus which enables a user of a manipulator to appropriately grasp setting contents of a device provided for a customer of power in a control system for controlling the device, and a control method.SOLUTION: An EMS 200 includes a control section 230 which generates a setting change request message for requesting a setting change of a device 100 in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol and transmits the setting change request message to the device 100 over a network provided for a customer of power. In the case where a plurality of manipulators 300 each for generating an operation instruction to the device 100 in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol are connected to the network, in response to a predetermined trigger, the control section 230 transmits a setting information notification message including setting information of the device 100 to the plurality of manipulators 300.

Description

  The present invention relates to a control device and a control method in a control system that controls equipment provided to a consumer of electric power.

  In recent years, there is a control system in which a device provided to a consumer of electric power, a control device that controls and manages the device, and an operation device that operates the device according to a user operation instruction are connected via a network. It has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1). The device is, for example, a load that operates by consuming electric power (for example, an air conditioner, lighting, or a refrigerator), or a distributed power source that outputs electric power (for example, a solar power generation device, a storage battery device, or a fuel cell device). . Controller, for example, HEMS (Home Energy Management System), SEMS (Store Energy Management System), BEMS (Building Energy Management System), FEMS (Factory Energy Management System), referred to as CEMS (Cluster / Community Energy Management System) Is done. The operation device is, for example, a personal computer, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, or the like.

  In order to spread the control system, it is preferable that the device, the control device, and the operation device correspond to a predetermined communication protocol. As such a communication protocol, for example, ECHONET Lite (registered trademark) is known.

  The operation device transmits an operation instruction for the device to the device via the network. The device changes the setting in accordance with the operation instruction, and transmits a response message including setting information indicating the setting content of the device to the operation device via the network. The operating device displays the acquired setting information, so that the user of the operating device grasps the setting content of the device.

JP 2010-128810 A

  However, since an increase in cases where a plurality of operating devices are connected to a network is predicted in the future, the following problems are assumed.

  For example, when the device changes the setting according to the operation instruction received from any of the plurality of operation devices, the operation device can acquire the latest setting contents of the device, but the other operation devices Unable to get the latest settings for. For this reason, the display content of the other operation device is different from the setting content of the device, and the user of the other operation device may not be able to grasp the setting content of the device.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and in a control system that controls equipment provided to a power consumer, the user of the operating device appropriately grasps the setting contents of the equipment. It is an object of the present invention to provide a control device and a control method that enable this.

  The control device according to the first feature generates a setting change request message for requesting a setting change of a device according to a predetermined communication protocol, and sends the setting change request message to the power supply via a network provided in a power consumer. A control unit for transmitting to the device is provided. When a plurality of operation devices that generate operation instructions for the device according to the predetermined communication protocol are connected to the network, the control unit notifies setting information including setting information of the device according to a predetermined trigger. A message is transmitted to the plurality of operating devices.

  In the first feature, the control unit receives a setting change response message for the setting change request message from the device, and a setting requesting setting information of the device in response to reception of the setting change response message The setting information notification message is sent to the plurality of operating devices with the predetermined trigger being any one of reception of the setting information response message for the setting information request message from the device after transmitting the information request message to the device. Send.

  In the first feature, the control unit transmits the setting information request message to the device a plurality of times in response to reception of the setting change response message, and the control unit transmits the setting transmitted the plurality of times. The setting information notification message is transmitted to the plurality of operating devices with the predetermined trigger being the reception of the setting information response message for each of the information request messages from the device.

  In the first feature, the control unit transmits the setting information request message to the device a plurality of times in response to reception of the setting change response message, and transmits the setting information request message transmitted the plurality of times. The setting information response message for each is received from the device, and the control unit indicates that the setting information of the device indicated by the received setting information response message is the setting information of the device indicated by the previously received setting information response message. The setting information notification message is transmitted to the plurality of operating devices.

  In the first feature, the control unit transmits the setting change request message corresponding to the received operation instruction to the device, and includes setting information of the device acquired from the device in response to the setting change request message. The setting information notification message is generated.

  In the first feature, the control unit transmits the setting information notification message to the plurality of operation devices with the arrival of setting information transmission timing set at a predetermined interval as the predetermined trigger.

  In the first feature, the control unit transmits the setting information request message to the device at the setting information transmission timing, and includes the setting information of the device acquired from the device in response to the setting information request message. The setting information notification message is generated.

  In the first feature, the predetermined communication protocol is ECHONET Lite (registered trademark).

  The control method according to the second feature is a control method in a control device that controls equipment. The control method generates a setting change request message for requesting a setting change of the device according to a predetermined communication protocol, and transmits the setting change request message to the device via a network provided in a power consumer. And a setting information notification message including setting information of the device in response to a predetermined trigger when a plurality of operation devices that generate operation instructions for the device according to the predetermined communication protocol are connected to the network. Transmitting to the plurality of operating devices.

  According to the present invention, in a control system for controlling a device provided to a power consumer, a control device and a control method that enable a user of an operation device to appropriately grasp the setting contents of the device are provided. Can do.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a control system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the EMS according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the operating device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram illustrating a control method according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram illustrating a control method according to the second embodiment.

  Hereinafter, a control system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals.

  However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic and ratios of dimensions and the like are different from actual ones. Therefore, specific dimensions and the like should be determined in consideration of the following description. Moreover, it is a matter of course that portions having different dimensional relationships and ratios are included between the drawings.

[Outline of Embodiment]
The control device according to the embodiment generates a setting change request message for requesting a setting change of the device according to a predetermined communication protocol, and sends the setting change request message to the device via a network provided in a power consumer. A control unit for transmission is provided. When a plurality of operation devices that generate operation instructions for the device according to the predetermined communication protocol are connected to the network, the control unit notifies setting information including setting information of the device according to a predetermined trigger. A message is transmitted to the plurality of operating devices.

  In the embodiment, the control device transmits setting information indicating the setting content of the device to a plurality of operation devices in response to a predetermined trigger. Thereby, the plurality of operation devices can acquire the setting information regardless of which operation device has operated the device. Therefore, it is possible to provide a control device and a control method that enable the user of the operation device to appropriately grasp the setting contents of the device in the control system that controls the device provided to the power consumer.

[First Embodiment]
(Control system)
Hereinafter, the control system according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a control system 10 according to the first embodiment.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the control system 10 includes a device 100, an EMS 200, and an operation device 300. In FIG. 1, signal lines to which signals are transmitted are indicated by solid lines, and power lines to which power is transmitted are indicated by broken lines. The signal line may be wired or wireless.

  The device 100 is, for example, a load that operates by consuming electric power or a distributed power source that outputs electric power. A load is a device that consumes power supplied via a power line. A load is household appliances, such as a refrigerator, a freezer, illumination, or an air conditioner, for example. The distributed power source is, for example, a solar power generation device (PV device), a storage battery device, or a fuel cell device. In FIG. 1, a PV device 110, a storage battery device 120, and an illumination 130 are shown as examples of the device 100.

  Distribution board 500 is connected to distribution line 1 (system). Distribution board 500 is connected to device 100 (PV device 110, storage battery device 120, and illumination 130) via a power line.

  The PV device 110 is a solar power generation device that generates power in response to reception of sunlight. The PV device 110 converts the generated DC power into AC power, and outputs the AC power to the distribution board 500 via the power line. The amount of power generated by the PV device 110 changes according to the amount of solar radiation.

  The storage battery device 120 is a device that stores electric power. The storage battery device 120 converts the AC power supplied from the system 1 into DC power and stores the DC power. Further, the storage battery device 140 converts the output DC power into AC power, and outputs the AC power to the distribution board 500 via the power line.

  The illumination 130 operates by consuming the power output from the distribution board 500.

  The EMS 200 is an example of a control device (Energy Management System) that controls and manages the device 100.

  The EMS 200 is connected to the device 100 (the PV device 110, the storage battery device 120, and the lighting 130) and the operation device 300 via a network provided in a consumer. The network is, for example, a home area network, and specifically includes a router 400 and a communication line.

  The EMS 200 transmits / receives a message corresponding to a predetermined communication protocol to / from the device 100 and the operation device 300. An example of the predetermined communication protocol is ECHONET Lite (registered trademark). The device 100, the EMS 200, and the operation apparatus 300 that support ECHONET Lite (registered trademark) correspond to ECHONET Lite (registered trademark) nodes defined in ECHONET Lite (registered trademark).

  The EMS 200 may be connected to various servers via an external network such as the Internet. EMS200 may acquire information, such as a power purchase unit price from system 1, and a power sale unit price to system 1, from various servers, for example.

  The operation device 300 is a device that transmits an operation instruction to the device 100. The operation device 300 transmits / receives a message corresponding to a predetermined communication protocol to / from the device 100 and the EMS 200. The operation device 300 is, for example, a personal computer 301, a tablet terminal 302, a smartphone 303, a television 304, or the like.

(Configuration of EMS)
Hereinafter, the EMS according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the EMS 200 according to the first embodiment.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, the EMS 200 includes a communication unit 210, a storage unit 220, and a control unit 230.

  The communication unit 210 transmits / receives a message corresponding to a predetermined communication protocol between the device 100 and the operation device 300 via a network.

  The communication unit 210 may receive information necessary for control and management of the device 100 from various servers via an external network.

  The storage unit 220 stores information necessary for control and management of the device 100. For example, the storage unit 220 stores information on the device 100 acquired from the device 100.

  The control unit 230 controls the communication unit 210 and the storage unit 220.

  The control unit 230 transmits a setting information request message for requesting setting information indicating the setting contents of the device 100 to the device 100. The control unit 230 receives a setting information response message including setting information from the device 100 that has received the setting information request message. The setting information includes, for example, specification information indicating the specifications of the device 100 (manufacturer code, serial number, model, rated output, rated power consumption, etc.), and status of the device 100 (power supply, set temperature, output or power consumption, and operation Status information indicating the mode).

  The control unit 230 generates a setting change request message for requesting a setting change of the device 100 according to a predetermined communication protocol, and transmits the setting change request message to the device 100 via the network. The control unit 230 receives a setting change response message indicating that the setting has been changed according to the setting change request message from the device 100 that has changed the setting according to the setting change request message.

  In addition, when the setting information request for the device 100 is received from the operation device 300, the control unit 230 transmits a setting information request message corresponding to the received setting information request to the device 100, and according to the setting information request message. A setting information notification message including setting information received from the device 100 is transmitted to the controller device 300. When receiving an operation instruction for the device 100 from the operation device 300, the control unit 230 transmits a setting change request message corresponding to the received operation instruction to the device 100, and receives the setting change request message from the device 100 in response to the setting change request message. A setting information notification message including the set information is transmitted to the controller device 300.

  Although details will be described later, in the first embodiment, when a plurality of operation devices 300 that generate operation instructions for the device 100 according to a predetermined communication protocol are connected to a network, the control unit 230 responds to a predetermined trigger. Then, a setting information notification message including setting information of the device 100 is transmitted to the plurality of operation devices 300.

  By the way, the EMS 200 may further control and manage a device that does not support a predetermined communication protocol (hereinafter, a non-compatible device). In this case, the control unit 230 transmits / receives a message corresponding to a communication protocol uniquely defined with a non-compatible device. When receiving a setting information request for a non-compliant device from the controller device 300, the control unit 230 generates a setting information request according to a uniquely defined communication protocol, and transmits the generated setting information request to the non-compliant device. To do. The control unit 230 transmits a setting information notification message including setting information received from the non-compliant device in response to the setting information request to the operation device 300. In addition, when receiving an operation instruction for an incompatible device from the operation device 300, the control unit 230 generates an operation instruction in accordance with a uniquely defined communication protocol, and transmits the generated operation instruction to the incompatible device. . The control unit 230 transmits a setting information notification message including setting information received from the non-compliant device in response to the operation instruction to the operation device 300. In other words, the EMS 200 communicates with the operation device 300 instead of the non-compliant device as an adapter of the non-compliant device.

(Configuration of operation device)
Hereinafter, the operation device according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the operating device 300 according to the first embodiment.

  As illustrated in FIG. 3, the operation device 300 includes a communication unit 310, a storage unit 320, a control unit 330, a display unit 340, and an input unit 350.

  The communication unit 310 exchanges messages corresponding to a predetermined communication protocol with the device 100 and the EMS 200. Specifically, the communication unit 310 transmits a setting request for requesting an operation instruction for the device 100 or setting information of the device 100. In addition, the communication unit 310 receives a setting information notification including setting information of the device 100. The predetermined communication protocol is, for example, ECHONET Lite (registered trademark).

  The storage unit 320 stores information acquired via the communication unit 310. Specifically, the storage unit 320 stores setting information of the device 100.

  The control unit 330 controls the communication unit 310, the storage unit 320, and the display unit 340.

  The control unit 330 generates a message corresponding to a predetermined communication protocol. Specifically, the control unit 330 generates an operation instruction for the device 100 based on information input via the input unit 350 described later, and transmits the operation instruction to the EMS 200 via the communication unit 310. Further, the control unit 330 generates a setting information request for requesting setting information of the device 100 and transmits the setting information request to the EMS 200 via the communication unit 310. Alternatively, the control unit 330 may transmit an operation instruction or a setting information request to the device 100 via the communication unit 310.

  Further, the control unit 330 receives the message transmitted from the EMS 200 via the communication unit 310. Specifically, the control unit 330 receives a setting information notification message including setting information of the device 100 and acquires setting information of the device 100. When acquiring the setting information of the device 100, the control unit 330 updates the setting information of the device 100 stored in the storage unit 320. Moreover, the control part 330 will update the display content of the display part 340 mentioned later, if the setting information of the apparatus 100 is acquired.

  The display unit 340 displays the information acquired by the control unit 330 using a web browser or the like. Specifically, the display unit 330 displays setting information of the device 100.

  The input unit 350 is a keyboard or the like for the user to input information for controlling or managing the device 100. For example, the user inputs information for generating an operation instruction for the device 100 via the input unit 350. The input unit 350 may be integrated with the display unit 340 like a touch panel, for example.

(Method of operation)
Hereinafter, a control method according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram illustrating a control method according to the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the operation device 300 will be described assuming that the operation device 302 (tablet terminal) and the operation device 303 (smartphone) are connected to a network.

  As illustrated in FIG. 4, in step S <b> 110, the operation device 303 transmits an operation instruction for the device 100 to the EMS 200. In step S120, the EMS 200 transmits a setting change request message corresponding to the received operation instruction to the device 100. This setting change request message corresponds to, for example, a SET command in the ECHONET Lite (registered trademark) standard.

  In step S130, the device 100 changes the setting according to the received setting change request message. Furthermore, in step S140, the device 100 transmits a setting change response message indicating that the setting has been changed according to the setting change request message to the EMS 200.

  Upon receiving the setting change response message, the EMS 200 transmits a setting information notification message including setting information to the operation device 302 and the operation device 303 in step S150.

[Example of change]
Hereinafter, a control method according to a modified example of the first embodiment will be described. In the control method according to the first embodiment, the EMS 200 transmits a setting information notification message to the plurality of operating devices 300 (the operating device 302 and the operating device 303) in response to receiving the setting change response message (step S150). On the other hand, in the control method according to the modification example of the first embodiment, the EMS 200 transmits a setting information request message to the device 100 in response to the setting change response message received by the device 100 (step S140). This setting information request message corresponds to, for example, a GET command in the ECHONET Lite (registered trademark) standard.

  Thereafter, the EMS 200 transmits a setting information notification message to the plurality of operating devices 300 (the operating device 302 and the operating device 303) in response to receiving the setting information response message for the setting information request message from the device 100 (step S150). ). That is, after receiving the setting change response message, the EMS 200 confirms the setting information of the device 100 and then transmits a setting change notification message to the plurality of operation devices 300.

  Here, in response to the reception of the setting change response message, the EMS 200 transmits a setting information request message to the device 100 a plurality of times, and sends a setting information response message to each of the setting information request messages transmitted a plurality of times. 100 may be received. In this case, the EMS 200 transmits a setting change notification message to the plurality of operation devices 300 in response to receiving the setting information response message for each of the setting information request messages transmitted a plurality of times from the device 100.

  Here, when the setting information of the device 100 indicated by the received setting information response message is different from the setting information of the device 100 indicated by the previously received setting information response message, the EMS 200 operates the setting change notification message in a plurality of operations. To device 300.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, the EMS 200 receives the setting change response message for the setting change request message from the device 100, and requests the setting information of the device 100 in response to the reception of the setting change response message. The setting information is transmitted to the plurality of operating devices (the operating device 302 and the operating device 302) by using, as a predetermined trigger, one of receiving the setting information response message for the setting information request message after transmitting the setting information request message to the device 100. To the device 303). Thereby, the operation device 302 other than the operation device 303 that has transmitted the operation instruction can also acquire the setting information of the device 100.

  In particular, in the modification example of the first embodiment, the EMS 200 transmits the setting change notification message to the plurality of operation devices 300 after confirming the setting information of the device 100 after receiving the setting change response message. Accordingly, when the device 100 cannot change the setting according to the setting change request message (when the set value is outside the range of values that can be handled by the device 100 and cannot be set, etc.) The plurality of operation target devices 300 can acquire the latest setting contents of the device 100. Therefore, in the control system that controls the equipment provided to the power consumer, the user of the operation device can appropriately grasp the setting contents of the equipment.

[Second Embodiment]
Hereinafter, the control method according to the second embodiment will be described focusing on differences from the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram illustrating a control method according to the second embodiment. Hereinafter, similarly to the sequence diagram illustrated in FIG. 4, the operation device 300 will be described assuming that the operation device 302 (tablet terminal) and the operation device 303 (smartphone) are connected to a network.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in step S210, the EMS 200 detects the arrival of the setting information transmission timing.

  In step S220, the EMS 200 transmits a setting information request message requesting setting information to the device 100. In step S230, the device 100 that has received the setting information request message transmits a setting information response message including the setting information to the EMS 200.

  Upon receiving the setting information response message, the EMS 200 transmits a setting information notification message including setting information to the operation device 302 and the operation device 303 in step S230.

  When the predetermined period T elapses from the setting information transmission timing in step S210, in step S250, the EMS 200 detects the setting information transmission timing again. The EMS 200 that has detected the setting information transmission timing again transmits a setting information request message to the device 100 (step S220), and receives a setting information response message from the device 100 (step S230), the setting information including the setting information of the device 100. The notification message is transmitted to the operation device 302 and the operation device 303 (step S240). Hereinafter, every time the predetermined period T elapses, the processes of steps S220 to S240 are repeated.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, the EMS 200 generates a plurality of setting information notification messages including the setting information of the device 100 with the arrival of the setting information transmission timing set at a predetermined interval (predetermined period T) as a predetermined trigger. To the operation devices (operation devices 302 and 303). Thereby, for example, even when the operation device 302 directly transmits an operation instruction to the device 100 without using the EMS 200, the EMS 200 periodically acquires the setting information of the device 100, and the acquired setting information of the device 100 is obtained. By notifying the plurality of operation devices 300, the plurality of operation devices 300 can periodically update the display content. Therefore, in the control system that controls the equipment provided to the power consumer, the user of the operation device can appropriately grasp the setting contents of the equipment.

[Other Embodiments]
Although the present invention has been described with reference to the above-described embodiments, it should not be understood that the descriptions and drawings constituting a part of this disclosure limit the present invention. From this disclosure, various alternative embodiments, examples and operational techniques will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

  In the embodiment, ECHONET Lite (registered trademark) is exemplified as the predetermined communication protocol. However, the embodiment is not limited to this, and a communication protocol other than ECHONET Lite (registered trademark) (for example, ZigBee (registered trademark) or KNX) may be used as the predetermined communication protocol. Alternatively, ECHONET Lite (registered trademark) and another communication protocol may be used in combination as a predetermined communication protocol.

  Although not specifically mentioned in the embodiment, it should be noted that the message corresponding to the predetermined communication protocol further includes a field indicating the identification information of the transmission source node, the reference number of the message, and the like.

  The EMS 200 may be a HEMS (Home Energy Management System), a SEMS (Store Energy Management System), a BEMS (Building Energy Management System), or an FEM. There may be.

  In the embodiment, the operation device 300 has been described as displaying information on the device 100 (the PV device 110, the storage battery device 120, and the lighting 130) corresponding to a predetermined communication protocol. However, the embodiment is not limited to this, and when a device (non-compliant device) that does not support a predetermined communication protocol is provided in a consumer and is controlled and managed by the EMS 200, the operation device 300 is The setting information of the non-compliant device may be acquired from the EMS 200 and the acquired setting information of the non-compliant device may be displayed.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... System | strain, 10 ... Control system, 100 ... Apparatus, 200 ... EMS, 210 ... Communication part, 220 ... Memory | storage part, 230 ... Control part, 300 ... Operation apparatus, 310 ... Communication part, 320 ... Memory | storage part, 330 ... Control 340 ... display unit 350 ... input unit 400 ... router 500 ... distribution panel

Claims (9)

A control device including a control unit that generates a setting change request message for requesting a setting change of a device according to a predetermined communication protocol, and transmits the setting change request message to the device via a network provided in a power consumer Because
When a plurality of operation devices that generate operation instructions for the device according to the predetermined communication protocol are connected to the network, the control unit notifies setting information including setting information of the device according to a predetermined trigger. A control device that transmits a message to the plurality of operation devices.   The control unit receives a setting change response message for the setting change request message from the device, and sends a setting information request message for requesting setting information of the device in response to reception of the setting change response message to the device. The setting information notification message is transmitted to the plurality of operation devices, with the predetermined trigger being any one of the setting information response messages received from the device after being transmitted to the setting information request message. The control device according to claim 1. The control unit transmits the setting information request message to the device a plurality of times in response to receiving the setting change response message,
The control unit receives the setting information notification message for each of the setting information request messages transmitted a plurality of times from the device as the predetermined trigger, and sends the setting information notification message to the plurality of operation devices. The control device according to claim 2, wherein The control unit transmits the setting information request message to the device a plurality of times in response to reception of the setting change response message, and the setting information response to each of the setting information request messages transmitted a plurality of times Receive a message from the device,
When the setting information of the device indicated by the received setting information response message is different from the setting information of the device indicated by the previously received setting information response message, the control unit sends the setting information notification message to the plurality of setting information notification messages. The control device according to claim 2, wherein the control device transmits the operation device.   The control unit transmits the setting change request message corresponding to the received operation instruction to the device, and includes the setting information notification message including the setting information of the device acquired from the device according to the setting change request message. The control device according to claim 2, wherein:   2. The control according to claim 1, wherein the control unit transmits the setting information notification message to the plurality of operation devices with the arrival of setting information transmission timing set at a predetermined interval as the predetermined trigger. apparatus.   The control unit transmits the setting information request message to the device at the setting information transmission timing, and sends the setting information notification message including the setting information of the device acquired from the device in response to the setting information request message. The control device according to claim 2, wherein the control device is generated.   The control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined communication protocol is ECHONET Lite (registered trademark). A control method in a control device for controlling equipment,
Generating a setting change request message for requesting a setting change of the device according to a predetermined communication protocol;
Transmitting the setting change request message to the device via a network provided in a power consumer;
When a plurality of operating devices that generate operation instructions for the device according to the predetermined communication protocol are connected to the network, a setting information notification message including setting information of the device is received in response to a predetermined trigger. And a step of transmitting to the controller device.

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