JP2017126934A - Remote monitoring system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a remote monitoring system capable of performing a two-way communication with a remote monitoring unit even when any failure occurs on a communication network.SOLUTION: The remote monitoring system includes a monitor unit for monitoring the state of equipment. The monitor unit is connected to any one of a plurality of communication networks to transmit a piece of data including a piece of information relevant to the equipment. The monitor unit has a plurality of addresses corresponding to the plurality of communication networks, and transmit the data including the plurality of addresses.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a remote monitoring system that remotely monitors equipment such as an elevator.

  In a remote monitoring system having a remote monitoring center that remotely monitors the operation state of the elevator at a location geographically distant from the elevator, when the abnormality occurs in the elevator, the remote monitoring device provided in the elevator is the remote monitoring center. The remote monitoring center is notified of an elevator abnormality through a communication network connecting the remote monitoring device and the remote monitoring device. However, when a failure occurs in the communication network, even if the remote monitoring device detects an abnormality in the elevator, it cannot notify the remote monitoring center, and the remote monitoring center cannot grasp the abnormality of the elevator, that is, the elevator Becomes unsupervised.

  On the other hand, the technique described in Patent Document 1 has been conventionally known. In this conventional technology, a plurality of communication networks provided by a plurality of communication carriers are used as a communication network used by the remote monitoring device to communicate with the remote monitoring center. When a failure occurs in one of the communication networks and the communication network cannot be used, the remote monitoring device switches to using another communication network and notifies the remote monitoring center of the occurrence of an abnormality in the building equipment.

JP-A-9-161190

  In the above prior art, when a communication network failure occurs and communication with the remote monitoring center becomes impossible, it is possible to switch to another communication network and the remote monitoring device can notify the remote monitoring center of an elevator abnormality. is there. However, in the situation where the state of the elevator is confirmed from the remote monitoring center side, the communication address for connecting to the remote monitoring device is changed by switching the communication network. Become. For this reason, communication from the remote monitoring center to the remote monitoring device becomes difficult.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a remote monitoring system capable of bidirectional communication with a remote monitoring device even when a failure occurs in a communication network.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a remote monitoring system according to the present invention includes a monitoring device that monitors the state of facility equipment, and the monitoring device is connected to any of a plurality of communication networks and includes information about the facility equipment. The monitoring device transmits data including a plurality of addresses corresponding to a plurality of communication networks and including the plurality of addresses in the data.

  According to the present invention, the address of the monitoring device can be registered or updated in the remote monitoring system based on the data transmitted by the monitoring device. Thereby, bi-directional communication with the monitoring device in the remote monitoring system can be reliably performed.

  When the remote monitoring system includes a remote monitoring server of the remote monitoring center, the remote monitoring center can surely grasp a plurality of addresses that the monitoring device currently has by the data transmitted by the monitoring device. Thereby, even when a failure occurs in the communication network, bidirectional communication between the remote monitoring center and the monitoring device becomes possible.

  Problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above will become apparent from the following description of embodiments.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the remote monitoring system which is one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the address notification process operation | movement of a remote monitoring apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the address registration processing operation | movement of a remote monitoring server. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the communication connection processing operation of a remote monitoring apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the communication connection processing operation of a remote monitoring server.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a remote monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the equipment that is the object of remote monitoring is an elevator.

  A remote monitoring device 2 that monitors the operation status of the elevator 1 is connected to the elevator 1. The remote monitoring device 2 is connected to the IP monitoring network connection device 3 and notifies the remote monitoring center 6 at a remote location of the occurrence of an abnormality in the elevator 1 via the IP monitoring network connection device 3. The IP monitoring network connection device 3 includes a plurality of connection modules 31, a connection module 32, and a connection module 33n that perform network connection in order to connect to a plurality (three in this embodiment) of communication networks. And connect to the dedicated communication network 41, communication network 42, and communication network 43, respectively. Note that the number of connection modules and communication networks is not limited to three, and may be any number.

  When connection to each of the communication networks 41 to 43 is successful, the connection modules 31 to 33 are notified of addresses 51 to 53 used for communication from the communication network side. The IP monitoring network connection device 3 receives the communication address (A) 51, address (B) 52, and address (C) 53 assigned to each of the connection modules 31, 32, and 33. Register with.

  When the IP monitoring network connection device 3 detects that the communication addresses 51 to 53 are received from the communication networks 41 to 43 to which the connection modules 31 to 33 are connected, the IP monitoring network connection device 3 sends the communication addresses 51 to 53 to the remote monitoring device 2. Corresponding to 53, addresses 21 to 23 used by the remote monitoring device 2 are notified.

  The remote monitoring device 2 registers the addresses 21 to 23 notified from the IP monitoring network connection device 3 in itself. At this time, if the IP monitoring network connection device 3 has received the addresses 51 to 53 for the communication modules 31 to 33 from the plurality of communication networks 41 to 43, the IP monitoring network connection device 3 is directed to the remote monitoring device 2 corresponding to the received three addresses. Three addresses 21 to 23 are registered. The addresses 21 to 23 registered in the remote monitoring device 2 are addresses generated based on the addresses 51 to 53 notified from the communication networks 41 to 43 to the connection modules 31 to 33, respectively. It is possible to determine which communication network the address is from. In the present embodiment, the address (21, 22, 23) of the remote monitoring device 2 is the address ((A), (B), (C)) assigned to the connection module (31, 32, 33). The address code (u1, u2, u3) for specifying the remote monitoring device 2 is added.

  Note that the addresses 21 to 23 may be created by the remote monitoring device 2. In this case, the IP monitoring network connection device 3 notifies the remote monitoring device 2 of the addresses 51 to 53 assigned to the connection modules 31 to 33. The remote monitoring device 2 creates its own addresses 21 to 23 based on the notified addresses 51 to 53 and registers them in the own device.

  The communication networks 41 to 43 are connected to a firewall device (F / W) 7 installed in the remote monitoring center 6, and go through the firewall device 7 to a remote monitoring server 8 installed in the remote monitoring center 6. Connected. When the remote monitoring device 2 detects that an abnormality has occurred in the elevator 1, the connection module 31 provided in the IP monitoring network connection device 3 using any of the addresses 21 to 23 registered in the remote monitoring device 2. Of the elevator 1 to the remote monitoring server 8 via any of the communication networks 41 to 43 and the firewall device 7 via the connection module corresponding to one of the addresses 21 to 23 to be used. To do. Here, the remote monitoring device 2 selects an address used for notification from the addresses 21 to 23, and thus a communication network. As a selection means at this time, for example, a priority order is set for the communication networks 41 to 43.

  When the remote monitoring device 2 notifies the remote monitoring server 8 of the occurrence of an abnormality in the elevator 1, the remote monitoring device 2 includes the addresses 21 to 23 registered in the remote monitoring device 2 in the data regarding the occurrence of the abnormality, Transmit to the monitoring server 8. The remote monitoring server 8 extracts the addresses 21 to 23 of the remote monitoring device 2 included in the abnormality occurrence data received from the remote monitoring device 2, and the extracted addresses 21 to 23 are set in the remote monitoring device 2. For example, the remote monitoring device 2 such as a serial number is registered in the address management database 9 together with a uniquely identifiable code.

  When no abnormality has occurred in the elevator, at a time set in advance in the remote monitoring device 2 to confirm that no abnormality has occurred in the communication path from the remote monitoring device 2 to the remote monitoring server 8. Scheduled communication is performed with respect to the remote monitoring server 8, and the addresses 21 to 23 registered in the remote monitoring device 2 are included in the scheduled communication data, and the remote monitoring server 8 is notified. As a result, the address information 21 to 23 of the remote monitoring device 2 registered in the address management database 9 can be updated to the latest state at regular time intervals.

  When the IP monitoring network connection device 3 is replaced due to a failure or the like, new addresses 51 to 53 are notified from the communication networks 41 to 43 to the connection modules 31 to 33. The new IP monitoring network connection device 3 generates new addresses 21 to 23 for the remote monitoring device 2 from the newly notified addresses 51 to 53 and notifies the remote monitoring device 2 of the new addresses.

  In the present embodiment, the addresses 21 to 23 included in the data transmitted from the remote monitoring device 2 to the remote monitoring server 8 are part of the data contents separately from the address indicating the transmission source added to the data. Added.

  The remote monitoring device 2 registers the addresses 21 to 23 notified from the new IP monitoring network connection device 3 in the own device and notifies the remote monitoring server 8 of the new addresses 21 to 23. The remote monitoring server 8 registers the notified new addresses 21 to 23 in the address management database 9. Thereby, the remote monitoring server 8 can hold the latest address of the remote monitoring device 2. In addition, you may perform notification of the new addresses 21-23 by the remote monitoring apparatus 2 with an abnormality report and a regular report as mentioned above.

  As described above, the notification of the address by the remote monitoring device 2 and the registration of the address by the remote monitoring server 8 are performed by an MPU (Micro Processor Unit) or a CPU in a computer system provided in each of the remote monitoring device 2 and the remote monitoring server 8. An arithmetic processing device such as (Central Processing Unit) is executed by executing a predetermined program. Next, processing operations of the remote monitoring device 2 and the remote monitoring server 8 in this case will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing operation of the remote monitoring device 2 in the notification of the addresses 21 to 23.

  When the process is started, it is determined whether an abnormality of the elevator 1 has been detected (step S11). If it is determined that an abnormality has been detected (YES in step S11), the currently registered addresses 21 to 23 are included in the transmission data for the abnormality notification (step S12). Next, this transmission data is transmitted to the remote monitoring server 8 (step S13), and the process ends.

  If it is determined in step S11 that no abnormality has been detected (NO in step S11), it is then determined whether the time is a predetermined time (timed) for performing scheduled communication (step S14). If it is determined that it is the predetermined time (YES in step S14), the currently registered addresses 21 to 23 are included in the scheduled communication data (step S15). Next, this scheduled communication data is transmitted to the remote monitoring server 8 (step S13), and the process ends.

  If it is determined in step S14 that the time is not the predetermined time (NO in step S14), it is then determined whether new addresses 21 to 23 are received from the IP monitoring network connection device 3 (step S16). . If it is determined that a new address has been received (YES in step S16), data for new address notification is created (step S17). Next, the new address notification data is transmitted to the remote monitoring server 8 (step S13), and the process ends.

  When it is determined in step S16 that a new address has not been received (NO in step S16), the process returns to step S11, and the processes after step S11 are executed again.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing operation of the remote monitoring server in address registration.

  When the process starts, it is determined whether any of the data transmitted by the remote monitoring device 2, that is, the transmission data for notification of abnormality, the scheduled communication data and the new address notification data shown in FIG. (Step S21). If it is determined that data is received (YES in step S21), the process of step S22 is then executed. If it is determined that no data has been received (NO in step S21), the process in step S21 is executed again.

  In step S22, an address included in the data received from the remote monitoring device 2 is extracted. The extracted address is registered in the address management database 9 (step S23), and the process ends.

  Hereinafter, communication connection operations in the remote monitoring device 2 and the remote monitoring server 8 will be described.

  When the IP monitoring network connection device 3 detects that an abnormality has occurred in any of the communication networks 41 to 43 and any of the connection modules 31 to 33 has been disconnected from any of the communication networks 41 to 43, remote monitoring is performed. The apparatus 2 is notified of information on a communication network in which communication has become impossible due to an abnormality.

  The remote monitoring device 2 selects an address that can be used for communication from the addresses 21 to 23 based on the notified information of the communication network, and performs communication to the remote monitoring server 8. In addition, when any of the communication networks 41 to 43 cannot communicate with the IP monitoring network connection device 3 from the communication networks 41 to 43, the remote monitoring device 2 has the addresses 21 to 21. 23 is used to connect to the remote monitoring server 8. If the connection fails, the remote monitoring device 2 tries to connect to the remote monitoring server 8 again using another address. When the connection is made, the remote monitoring server 8 uses any one of the addresses 21 to 23 used for connection by the remote monitoring device 2 as the address at which communication with the remote monitoring device 2 was last successful. 9 is registered.

  When the remote monitoring server 8 is connected to the remote monitoring device 2, the remote monitoring server 8 is remotely accessed from the address management database 9 using a code (for example, the serial number of the remote monitoring device 2) that can uniquely identify the connection target as a key. The addresses 21 to 23 of the monitoring device 2 and the addresses used when the remote monitoring device 2 last connected to the remote monitoring server 8 are acquired. Next, the remote monitoring server 8 first establishes a connection to the address used when the remote monitoring device 2 last connected to the remote monitoring server 8, which can be regarded as having a high probability of successful communication connection. Execute and connect to another address when connection fails. As a result, the remote monitoring server 8 can reliably communicate with the remote monitoring device 2 using any address.

  Regarding the communication connection by the remote monitoring device 2 and the communication connection by the remote monitoring server 8 as described above, arithmetic processing devices such as MPUs and CPUs in the computer systems respectively provided in the remote monitoring device 2 and the remote monitoring server include: This is done by executing a predetermined program. Next, processing operations of the remote monitoring device 2 and the remote monitoring server 8 in this case will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing operation of the remote monitoring device in communication connection.

  When the process starts, an address for communication connection with the remote monitoring server 8 is selected from the registered addresses 21 to 23 (step S31). Here, priorities are assigned to the addresses 21 to 23 in advance, and first, addresses having higher priorities are selected.

  Next, based on the communication network information notified from the IP monitoring network connection device 3, it is determined whether the communication network corresponding to the address selected in step S31 is normal (step S32). If it is determined that the communication network is normal (YES in step S32), then step S33 is executed. If it is determined that the communication network is abnormal (NO in step S32), step S31 is executed again, and addresses with higher priority are sequentially selected.

  In step S33, communication connection processing is executed using the address selected in step S31. Next, it is determined whether the connection is successful (step S34). If the connection is successful (YES in step S34), the process ends.

  When it is determined that the connection has failed (NO in step S34), the process returns to step S31, and the processes after step S31 are executed again. In this case, as described above, when any of the communication networks 41 to 43 cannot communicate, the communication networks 41 to 43 do not notify the IP monitoring network connection device 3 of an abnormality. Equivalent to.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing operation of the remote monitoring server in communication connection.

  When the process starts, the registered addresses 21 to 23 of the remote monitoring device 2 that is the connection partner and the address when communication with the remote monitoring device 2 was last successful are acquired from the address management database 9 (step S41). ). Next, a communication connection process to the address at the time of the last successful communication is acquired (step S42).

  Once step S42 is executed, it is next determined whether or not the connection is successful (step S43). If the connection is successful (YES in step S43), the process ends.

  If it is determined that the connection has failed (NO in step S43), next, communication connection processing to another address is executed (step S44). Here, priorities are assigned in advance to the addresses 21 to 23 registered in the address management database 9, and first, other addresses are selected from addresses having higher priorities. In the present embodiment, this priority order is the same as the priority order in the remote monitoring device 2, but may be set uniquely for the remote monitoring server. When step S44 is executed, the process returns to step S43 to determine whether the connection to another address is successful. If it is determined that the connection has failed again, step S44 is executed again, and addresses with higher priority are sequentially selected.

  According to this embodiment, since the remote monitoring device transmits its own address to the remote monitoring server, the remote monitoring server can register or update the existing address of the connectable remote monitoring device. In addition to communication from the remote monitoring device to the remote monitoring center, communication from the remote monitoring center to the remote monitoring device is secured. Therefore, even if a failure occurs in the communication network, normal communication can be continued in both directions between the remote monitoring device and the remote monitoring center.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above, Various modifications are included. For example, the above-described embodiments have been described in detail for easy understanding of the present invention, and are not necessarily limited to those having all the configurations described. Further, it is possible to add, delete, and replace other configurations for a part of the configuration of the embodiment.

  For example, monitoring targets of the remote monitoring device include equipment such as an escalator, an air conditioner, a lighting device, and a private power generation facility in addition to an elevator.

1 Elevator 2 Remote monitoring device 21-23 Address (Remote monitoring device)
3 IP Monitoring Network Connection Device 31-33 Connection Module 41-43 Communication Network 51-53 Address (Connection Module)
6 Remote monitoring center 7 Firewall device 8 Remote monitoring server 9 Address management database

Claims (7)

In a remote monitoring system that includes a monitoring device that monitors the state of equipment, the monitoring device is connected to any of a plurality of communication networks and transmits data including information on the equipment.
The monitoring device
A plurality of addresses corresponding to the plurality of communication networks;
And the monitoring system is characterized by transmitting the data including the plurality of addresses. The remote monitoring system according to claim 1,
And a remote monitoring server connected to the monitoring device via any of the plurality of communication networks,
The remote monitoring server extracts the plurality of addresses from the data received from the monitoring device, and registers the extracted addresses in a database. The remote monitoring system according to claim 1 or 2,
The remote monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the data is abnormality notification data, scheduled communication data, or new address notification data of the equipment. The remote monitoring system according to claim 1 or 2,
A plurality of connection modules for connecting the monitoring device to any of the plurality of communication networks between the monitoring device and the plurality of communication networks,
The plurality of addresses are created based on addresses assigned to the plurality of connection modules. The remote monitoring system according to claim 1 or 2,
A plurality of connection modules for connecting the monitoring device to any of the plurality of communication networks between the monitoring device and the plurality of communication networks,
The plurality of connection modules notify a state of the plurality of communication networks to the monitoring device. The remote monitoring system according to claim 5, wherein
The remote monitoring system, wherein the monitoring device executes connection to a communication network determined to be normal based on the states of the plurality of communication networks notified from the plurality of connection modules. The remote monitoring system according to claim 2, wherein
The remote monitoring system is characterized in that the monitoring server executes connection with the monitoring device based on the plurality of addresses registered in the database and the last address successfully communicated with the monitoring device.

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