JP2017184219A - Network system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve a network system for enabling equipment to autonomously change transmission frequency in accordance with at least a situation.SOLUTION: Facility equipment (d) comprises: a first condition determination part d1 for determining whether or not a predetermined first condition is satisfied; and a transmission frequency setting part d4 for changing transmission frequency. When the first condition determination part d1 determines that the first condition is fulfilled, the transmission frequency setting part d4 sets the transmission frequency to frequency different from an initial state, and when the first condition determination part d1 determines that the first condition is not satisfied, the transmission frequency setting part d4 sets the transmission frequency to the initial state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention includes a server device and a facility device capable of communicating with the server device, and the facility device is configured to periodically transmit acquisition information to the server device at a predetermined transmission frequency in an initial state. The server device relates to a network system configured to receive the acquired information transmitted from the facility device.

  In recent years, various electronic devices can communicate via a wide-area communication network such as the Internet. Some devices can communicate with a server, send information to the server, and receive commands from the server. There is. These devices perform communication at regular intervals (for example, once a day) so as not to excessively increase the communication load on the server because the number of computing resources of the devices themselves is not large and the number tends to increase. May be configured to.

  However, in a situation where it is desired to transmit a plurality of commands from the server to the device in a short period of time, communication with higher frequency may be required. In order to cope with such a situation, as shown in Patent Document 1, a technique is known that can control the communication interval of a device by a command from the server to the device.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2015-033034

  However, for example, when an error occurs in a device, there is a case where it is desired to increase the communication frequency according to the conditions on the device side, for example, from the time when the error occurs until the error is resolved. In addition, when there is a person who can operate the device at the site, it is desirable that the communication frequency can be changed to a high frequency or a low frequency as appropriate based on the judgment of the person.

  On the other hand, if a wide range of errors such as collective water breakage occurs in an apartment house with a large number of devices installed, if a device is configured to communicate autonomously at a high frequency when an error occurs, a large number of devices Thus, communication is executed at a high frequency, and the load on the server increases. For this reason, in such a case, it is desirable that the communication frequency can be controlled to be low.

  As described above, depending on the status of the device, not only can the communication frequency be changed by a command from the server, but the device can control the communication frequency autonomously or according to human judgment according to the situation at the site. desirable. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to realize a network system in which a device can autonomously change a transmission frequency according to at least a situation.

The characteristic configuration of the network system according to the present invention for achieving this object includes a server device and equipment that can communicate with the server device,
The equipment is configured to transmit acquisition information to the server device at a predetermined transmission frequency in an initial state,
The server device is a network system configured to receive the acquisition information transmitted from the facility device,
The equipment is
A first condition determination unit that determines whether or not a first condition for changing the transmission frequency in the initial state is satisfied;
A transmission frequency setting unit for changing the transmission frequency,
When the first condition determination unit determines that the first condition is satisfied, the transmission frequency setting unit sets the transmission frequency to a frequency different from the initial state,
Thereafter, when the first condition determination unit determines that the first condition is not satisfied, the transmission frequency setting unit sets the transmission frequency to the initial state.

  According to the above characteristic configuration, the equipment can determine whether the first condition is autonomously satisfied by the first condition determination unit, and can change the transmission frequency by the transmission frequency setting unit according to the determination result. Specifically, for example, when an error occurs in the equipment as the first condition, the transmission frequency can be changed more frequently than in the initial state. That is, it is possible to realize a network system in which the device can autonomously change the transmission frequency according to at least the situation.

Another characteristic configuration includes a server device and equipment that can communicate with the server device.
The equipment is configured to transmit acquisition information to the server device at a predetermined transmission frequency in an initial state,
The server device is a network system configured to receive the acquisition information transmitted from the facility device,
The equipment is
A transmission frequency setting unit for changing the transmission frequency;
Manual switching means configured to set the transmission frequency to a frequency different from the initial state by performing a predetermined manual operation;
A second condition determination unit that determines whether or not a second condition when changing the transmission frequency to the initial state is satisfied,
After the transmission frequency is set to a frequency different from the initial state by the manual switching means, when the second condition determination unit determines that the second condition is satisfied, the transmission frequency setting unit The transmission frequency is set to the initial state.

  According to the above characteristic configuration, when there is a person at the site where the equipment is installed, the transmission frequency can be changed using the manual switching means at the judgment of the person. As a result, for example, when a fuel cell system is considered as a device that communicates with a server, the fuel cell system has a feature that it takes a certain time until power generation starts immediately after installation or maintenance. In the case of a temporary high-frequency communication, if you can grasp the state of the fuel cell system on the server side even after leaving the site, check whether there was a problem before the start of power generation Therefore, it is possible to leave the place after completion of installation or maintenance without waiting for the start of power generation. That is, it is possible to realize a network system in which the transmission frequency can be changed by human judgment.

Yet another characteristic configuration includes a server device and equipment that can communicate with the server device,
The equipment is configured to transmit acquisition information to the server device at a predetermined transmission frequency in an initial state,
The server device is a network system configured to receive the acquisition information transmitted from the facility device,
The equipment is
A first condition determination unit that determines whether or not a first condition for changing the transmission frequency in the initial state is satisfied;
A transmission frequency setting unit for changing the transmission frequency;
Manual switching means configured to set the transmission frequency to a frequency different from the initial state by performing a predetermined manual operation;
A second condition determination unit that determines whether or not a second condition when changing the transmission frequency to the initial state is satisfied,
When the first condition determining unit determines that the first condition is satisfied, the transmission frequency setting unit sets the transmission frequency to a frequency different from the initial state, and then the first condition determining unit Is determined that the first condition is not satisfied, the transmission frequency setting unit sets the transmission frequency to the initial state,
After the transmission frequency is set to a frequency different from the initial state by the manual switching unit, when the second condition determination unit determines that the second condition is satisfied, the transmission frequency is set to the initial frequency. The point is to set the state.

According to the above characteristic configuration, the equipment can determine whether the first condition is autonomously satisfied by the first condition determination unit, and can change the transmission frequency by the transmission frequency setting unit according to the determination result. Specifically, for example, when an error occurs in the equipment as the first condition, the transmission frequency can be changed more frequently than in the initial state. That is, it is possible to realize a network system in which the device can autonomously change the transmission frequency according to at least the situation.
In addition, when there is a person at the site where the equipment is installed, the transmission frequency can be changed using the manual switching means at the judgment of the person. As a result, for example, when a fuel cell system is considered as a device that communicates with a server, the fuel cell system has a feature that it takes a certain time until power generation starts immediately after installation or maintenance. In the case of a temporary high-frequency communication, if you can grasp the state of the fuel cell system on the server side even after leaving the site, check whether there was a problem before the start of power generation Therefore, it is possible to leave the place after completion of installation or maintenance without waiting for the start of power generation. That is, it is possible to realize a network system in which the device can change the transmission frequency autonomously at least according to the situation, but can change the transmission frequency based on human judgment.

Further, in the further feature configuration, the first condition determination unit determines that the first condition is satisfied when an error occurs and when there is a sign that an error occurs,
The transmission frequency setting unit determines the transmission frequency when the first condition determination unit determines that the first condition is satisfied because an error has occurred or there is a sign that an error will occur. It is in the point set more frequently than the initial state.

  According to the above characteristic configuration, when an error occurs or when there is a sign that an error will occur, the frequency of transmission of acquired information from the equipment to the server device is higher than in the initial state. That is, the server device can collect useful information that appears when an error occurs or when there is a sign that an error will occur.

  Further, the further feature configuration is that, when the server device determines that the acquired information received from the facility device includes error information and a sign that an error occurs, the transmission frequency is transmitted to the facility device. Is set to be set at a higher frequency than in the initial state.

  According to the above characteristic configuration, when the server apparatus determines that there is error information and a sign that an error will occur in the acquisition information received from the facility equipment, the acquisition information from the equipment apparatus to the server apparatus The transmission frequency is higher than the initial state. That is, the server device can collect useful information that appears when an error occurs or when there is a sign that an error will occur.

Further, in the further characteristic configuration, the equipment device acquires information on the number of times of starting or stopping the fuel cell system that is repeatedly started and stopped, and transmits the information to the server device as one of the acquisition information,
When the number of times of starting or stopping of the fuel cell system exceeds a predetermined number, it is determined that there is a sign that an error will occur.

  According to the above characteristic configuration, the server device can collect the acquired information at a high frequency when the number of times of starting or stopping the fuel cell system exceeds a predetermined number.

Further, in the further characteristic configuration, the facility device acquires information on the generated power at the rated operation of the fuel cell system and transmits it to the server device as one of the acquisition information,
When the generated power at the rated operation of the fuel cell system falls below a predetermined power, it is determined that there is a sign that an error will occur.

  According to the above characteristic configuration, the server device can collect the acquired information at a high frequency when the generated power during the rated operation of the fuel cell system falls below the predetermined power.

Further, the further feature configuration is that the equipment is information on the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell system, or the amount of raw fuel gas supplied to the fuel cell system, which can be used to derive the power generation efficiency, and the Obtaining information on the generated power of the fuel cell system and transmitting it to the server device as one of the obtained information,
When the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell system falls below a predetermined power generation efficiency, it is determined that there is a sign that an error will occur.

  According to the above characteristic configuration, the server device can collect information at a high frequency when the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell system falls below a predetermined power generation efficiency.

Further, the further feature configuration is that the equipment includes a display unit that displays information handled by the equipment to the user.
The display means displays information for calling attention to the fact that the number of times of starting or stopping is large when the number of times of starting or stopping of the fuel cell system exceeds the predetermined number of times.

  According to the above characteristic configuration, when the number of times of starting or stopping of the fuel cell system exceeds a predetermined number of times, the display means of the equipment device urges the user to be aware that the number of times of starting or stopping is large. be able to.

Further, the further characteristic configuration includes a user communication device that can be communicated with the server device and used by a user of the facility device,
The server device, when the number of start or stop of the fuel cell system received from the specific equipment exceeds the predetermined number of times, for the user communication equipment used by the user of the equipment The point is to notify information to call attention to the fact that the number of times of starting or stopping is large.

  According to the above characteristic configuration, when the number of times of starting or stopping the fuel cell system received from a specific facility device exceeds a predetermined number, in the user communication device used by the user of the facility device, for the user, It is possible to call attention to the fact that the number of times of starting or stopping is large.

Further, a further characteristic configuration is provided with a plurality of the equipment devices,
The server device is
A high-frequency communication detector that detects that the acquired information has been received from the equipment more than the first specified number within a predetermined first time more frequently than the initial state;
A low-frequency command transmission unit that transmits a low-frequency command to the equipment when the high-frequency communication detection unit detects reception of the acquisition information at a high frequency;
The equipment is
The transmission frequency setting unit is configured to set the transmission frequency to be equal to or lower than the initial state when the low frequency command is received.

  According to the above characteristic configuration, the high-frequency communication detection unit of the server device can detect that communication is performed more frequently than the initial state from the first specified number or more of equipment, and the low-frequency command transmission unit further detects the equipment. A low frequency command can be transmitted to Thereby, it can suppress that communication is frequently performed from an equipment apparatus to a server apparatus. Therefore, for example, when multiple equipment is installed in an apartment house, each equipment equipment is caused by a wide range of errors that occur due to disasters such as water outages, simultaneous power outages, and frozen pipes in winter. Even when communication starts at a high frequency all at once, it is possible to realize a network system that can prevent a heavy load on the server device.

Further, the further feature configuration is configured such that the plurality of facility devices are configured to be able to communicate with each other, and the transmission frequency setting information can be transmitted to and received from each other,
The equipment is
The transmission frequency setting when it is detected that a second prescribed number or more of the facility devices are transmitting the acquired information more frequently than the initial state within a predetermined spatial range within a predetermined second time. In that the transmission frequency is set to be equal to or lower than the initial state.

  According to the above characteristic configuration, the equipment itself detects autonomously that a high frequency communication has occurred within a certain spatial range within the second time, and a high frequency communication is detected. Can be suppressed. Therefore, for example, when multiple equipment is installed in an apartment house, each equipment equipment is caused by a wide range of errors that occur due to disasters such as water outages, simultaneous power outages, frozen pipes in winter, etc. If they try to communicate at a high frequency all at once, the equipment device itself detects that multiple high-frequency communication has occurred autonomously by the high-frequency communication number confirmation unit, and suppresses high-frequency communication. can do. That is, it is possible to realize a network system that can prevent a heavy load on the server device.

Further, the further feature configuration is that the equipment is provided with short-range wireless communication means, and is configured to be able to communicate with each other using the short-range wireless communication means,
The spatial range corresponds to a range that can be communicated by the short-range wireless communication means.

  According to the above characteristic configuration, the equipment that can communicate with the short-range wireless communication means can be regarded as a device that exists in a short distance by providing the short-range wireless communication means for the equipment devices to communicate with each other. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately prepare a means for measuring the distance between the facility devices, and a network system that can prevent a high load on the server device can be realized at low cost.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a network system according to a first embodiment. Normal network sequence diagram Network sequence diagram when using the first condition determination unit Network sequence diagram when using high-frequency communication detector Schematic configuration diagram of a network system according to the second embodiment Network sequence diagram when using the high-frequency communication number confirmation unit Schematic configuration diagram of a network system according to the third embodiment Schematic configuration diagram of a network system according to the fourth embodiment

(First embodiment)
1. FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a network system according to the present embodiment. The network system includes one server device s and equipment d capable of communicating with the server device s. In the present embodiment, a plurality of equipment devices d are provided for one server device s.

  The equipment device d is configured to acquire the acquisition information i related to a measurement target device (not shown), and as illustrated in FIG. 2, the acquisition information i is transmitted to the server device s at a predetermined transmission frequency (time interval of int1) in the initial state. Send. In the present embodiment, the equipment device d transmits the acquisition information i to the server device s at a transmission frequency of once every day (24 hours) as int1 in the initial state.

  More specifically, the equipment device d corresponds to a remote control of a fuel cell system installed in a general home, and the measurement target device corresponds to a fuel cell system. The fuel cell system is, for example, a fuel cell main body of a solid polymer type or a solid oxide type, and a fuel reformer that generates hydrogen supplied as fuel gas to the fuel cell main body by a reforming process. It is a system equipped with. In this case, the equipment device d is configured to acquire information such as the temperature and voltage of the fuel cell main body of the fuel cell system, error information, and other information indicating the operating state as the acquisition information i.

  The server device s is configured to receive and store the acquisition information i transmitted from the equipment device d. The server device s records the acquired information i transmitted from the equipment d in a storage device (memory or storage device) (not shown) so that it can be referred to as necessary when, for example, verifying the cause when a failure occurs. Composed.

2. Detailed configuration of each device 2-1. Configuration of Facility Device The facility device d includes a control device dc, a communication unit dn1, and a manual switching unit SW. The control device dc includes an arithmetic processing device, a storage device, and software that operates on the arithmetic processing device. The communication unit dn1 is a unit for communicating with the server device s, and specifically, a wired LAN or a wireless LAN is used. The equipment device d and the server device s are connected via the Internet via a relay device such as a router or a load balancer.

  More specifically, the control device dc includes a first condition determination unit d1, a second condition determination unit d2, and a transmission frequency setting unit d4. The transmission frequency setting unit d4 is configured to be able to change the frequency at which the equipment device d transmits the acquisition information i to the server device s using the communication unit dn1 (hereinafter referred to as “transmission frequency”).

  In the present embodiment, the first condition determination unit d1 is configured to determine whether or not a predetermined first condition is satisfied. The first condition is a condition for changing the transmission frequency in the initial state to a different value. In the present embodiment, the first condition is “the equipment device d or the state change of the equipment to be measured of the equipment device d occurs, d or that the device to be measured is in a predetermined state ”. The “predetermined state” here is a state that can be determined based on the acquisition information i of the equipment device d. Specifically, “the state in which an error has occurred in the measurement target device of the facility device d” is used as the first condition. More specifically, in the present embodiment, the fuel cell system that is the measurement target device is configured to periodically transmit an error notification to the equipment device d in a state where an error is detected, and the first condition determination unit d1 determines that “the equipment device d detects an error of the device to be measured” as a state in which the first condition is satisfied.

  The second condition determination unit d2 is configured to determine whether or not a second condition different from the first condition is satisfied. The second condition is a condition for changing the transmission frequency to the initial state. As the second condition, “the physical quantity has changed since the manual switching means SW has been operated and has reached a specific threshold” is used. it can. In the present embodiment, “the elapsed time since the manual switching means SW is operated exceeds a specific value” is used as the second condition. Specifically, the second condition determination unit d2 is configured to be able to measure an elapsed time after the manual switching means SW is operated by the user, and “a certain time (for example, 24 hours) after the manual switching means SW is operated. Is used as the second condition.

  The manual switching means SW is a means for changing the transmission frequency of the equipment device d, and is configured so that the user of the equipment device d can change the transmission frequency by a predetermined manual operation. In this embodiment, the manual switching means SW is provided as a button on the equipment device d, and when the user presses it, the transmission frequency of the equipment device d is changed via the transmission frequency setting unit d4. At this time, the transmission frequency of the equipment device d is set higher than the initial state. Specifically, the transmission frequency is set to once every 5 minutes. In the present embodiment, this transmission frequency is set to be equivalent to the interval of int2 shown in FIG. 3 (transmission frequency set when the first condition determination unit d1 determines that the first condition is satisfied). Is done.

  In addition, when the equipment device d receives a low-frequency command iX, which will be described later, the transmission frequency is set below the initial state by the transmission frequency setting unit d4. More specifically, in the present embodiment, when the equipment device d receives the low-frequency command iX from the server device s via the communication unit dn1, as shown in FIG. 4, the equipment device d stops transmitting the acquisition information i during int3. To do. That is, the transmission frequency is set to once in the time of int3 that is lower than the initial state (transmission frequency of once in int1). In the present embodiment, after the time of int3 has elapsed, the transmission frequency in the initial state is automatically set. In other words, when the equipment device d receives the low frequency command iX, the equipment device d stops transmission of the acquisition information i only during int3 and is set to an initial state.

2-2. Configuration of Server Device The server device s includes a control device sc and communication means sn. The control device sc includes an arithmetic processing device, a storage device, and software that operates on the arithmetic processing device. The communication means sn is a means for communicating with the equipment d, and specifically, a wired LAN or a wireless LAN is used.

  More specifically, the control device sc includes a high frequency communication detection unit s1 and a low frequency command transmission unit s2. The high-frequency communication detection unit s1 detects that the acquired information i is received more frequently than the initial state from the first specified number or more of the equipment devices d within the predetermined first time T1 (see FIG. 4). Composed. The first time T1 and the first specified number are determined by various factors such as the performance of the server device s and the maximum number of connections of the equipment device d. Specifically, for example, the first time T1 is 5 minutes, A value such as 3 is set as the first specified number.

  The low-frequency command transmission unit s2 determines that the high-frequency communication detection unit s1 detects the reception of the acquired information i at a frequency higher than or equal to the first specified number within the first time T1 to the equipment d during communication. The low-frequency command iX is simultaneously transmitted using the communication means sn.

  Further, the server device s is obtained by, for example, obtaining information i (equipment) stored in the server device s by a user such as a supplier who performs installation or maintenance of the equipment d using an input / output device such as a keyboard or a display. The log of the acquired information i received from the device d) is configured to be accessible.

3. Operation of Network System Hereinafter, the operation of the network system in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. In the following, FIG. 3 illustrates control of the transmission frequency of the equipment device d using the first condition determination unit d1, and FIG. 4 illustrates transmission of the equipment device d using the high-frequency communication detection unit s1 of the server device s. The frequency control will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the “equipment device d” is detected when the measurement target device of the equipment device d breaks down from the initial state (a state in which no problem has occurred in the equipment device d and the measurement target device of the equipment device d). When an event that “detects an error in the measurement target device” occurs (step # 1), the first condition determination unit d1 sets the first condition that “the facility device d detects an error in the measurement target device”. It determines with satisfy | filling, and the transmission frequency setting part d4 sets a transmission frequency to the frequency (interval of int2) different from an initial state. That is, in the present embodiment, when the first condition determining unit d1 determines that the first condition is satisfied, the transmission frequency is higher than the initial state.

  While the first condition determination unit d1 determines that the first condition is satisfied, the equipment device d transmits the acquisition information i to the server device s at an interval of int2. That is, in this embodiment, when an error occurs in the measurement target device, the transmission frequency of the equipment device d is automatically set to a high frequency.

  Thereafter, when an event occurs in which the measurement target device is in a normal state due to, for example, repair of the measurement target device (step # 2), the first condition determination unit d1 determines that “the equipment device d has an error in the measurement target device. It is determined that the first condition “detected” is not satisfied, and the transmission frequency setting unit d4 sets the transmission frequency to an initial state (interval of int1). That is, when the first condition is not satisfied, the transmission frequency of the equipment device d is in the initial state.

  With such a mechanism, when an error occurs in the measurement target device of the equipment device d on the server device s side, the acquisition information i can be obtained in detail until the error is resolved, and the cause can be accurately clarified. Can be done. In addition, since the transmission frequency is automatically set to the initial state after the error is eliminated, it is possible to save the user from changing the outgoing setting to the site of the equipment device d after the error is eliminated.

  As another mechanism, in the present embodiment, the equipment device d includes a manual switching unit SW, and a user of the equipment device d (for example, a trader who performs maintenance of the measurement target device of the equipment device d) manually switches the unit. When the SW is operated, the transmission frequency is set to a frequency different from the initial state by the transmission frequency setting unit d4. Specifically, the transmission frequency of the equipment device d is set to a higher frequency (interval of int2) than the initial state by the transmission frequency setting unit d4. Thereafter, when the second condition determination unit d2 determines that a second condition such as “a certain time (for example, 24 hours has elapsed since the manual switching means SW is operated)” is satisfied, the transmission frequency The transmission frequency of the equipment device d is set to the initial state by the setting unit d4. More specifically, the transmission frequency of the equipment device d is set to a higher frequency (interval of int2) than the initial state for 24 hours after the manual switching means SW is operated.

  With this mechanism, the user who is in charge of installing or maintaining the equipment d will not be able to install or maintain the equipment d if the user wants to know the state of the problem for a while, such as immediately after the installation or maintenance of the equipment to be measured. The manual switching means SW can be operated immediately after the maintenance to leave the site. Thereafter, the user of the equipment device d can access the server device s side and grasp the acquired information i transmitted from the equipment device d one by one. Thereby, after installation and maintenance, it is possible to save the trouble of going to the site in order to confirm the status of the equipment device d again after a while.

  As another mechanism, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, a low-frequency command is issued to a plurality of equipment d (d and d ′, d ″) with which the server device s communicates. iX is transmitted, and the transmission frequency of the equipment d is configured to be equal to or lower than the initial state.

  Specifically, when the equipment device d communicates with the server device s more frequently than in the initial state, the high frequency indicating that the equipment device d is communicating at a high frequency when transmitting the acquisition information i. The communication flag flagH is transmitted (in the present embodiment, flagH is also transmitted in the case of FIG. 3 in the same manner, but the illustration is omitted in FIG. 3 because it is not related to the operation). For this reason, for example, when an event (error) occurs in a plurality of equipment devices d due to a disaster or the like, as shown in FIG. 4, each equipment device d transmits acquisition information i and a high-frequency communication flag flagH. The server device s records the acquisition information i for each equipment device d, and measures how many equipment devices d received the high-frequency communication flag flagH within the first time T1 by the high-frequency communication detection unit s1. When detecting that the high frequency communication flag flagH equal to or greater than the first specified number is received (step # 11), the low frequency command transmission unit s2 transmits the low frequency command iX to each equipment d (step # 12). . Since the equipment device d is configured such that the transmission frequency is set to the initial state or less (the transmission frequency of int3) when the low frequency command iX is received as described above, the equipment device d receives the low frequency command iX. To int3, communication from the equipment d to the server device s is suppressed.

  With such a mechanism, for example, when a plurality of equipment d is installed in an apartment house, for example, in a wide area caused by a disaster such as a water outage or a simultaneous power outage of an apartment house or freezing of piping in winter. If each equipment device d tries to start communication at a high frequency all at once due to the occurrence of an error, it is detected at the high frequency communication detection unit s1 of the server device s that a plurality of high frequency communication has occurred. The low-frequency command iX is transmitted by the command transmission unit s2. Therefore, the acquisition information i is frequently transmitted from the plurality of facility devices d to the server device s, and a high load can be prevented from occurring in the server device s.

(Second Embodiment)
1. Detailed Configuration of Each Device In the first embodiment, on the server device s side, it is detected that the acquisition information i is frequently transmitted from a plurality of equipment devices d, and a high load is generated on the server device s. In contrast to the configuration that prevents the server apparatus s from generating autonomously a high load, the present embodiment is configured to prevent the server apparatus s from generating a high load autonomously. Below, description is abbreviate | omitted about the part similar to the structure of 1st Embodiment, and only the characteristic part concerning this embodiment is demonstrated.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the plurality of facility devices d are configured to be able to communicate with each other between the facility devices d (between d, d ′, and d ″ in the figure), and send the transmission frequency setting information to each other. It is configured to be able to send and receive. In the present embodiment, the equipment device d includes a short-range wireless communication unit dn2, and is configured to be able to communicate with each other using the short-range wireless communication unit dn2. In addition, when the equipment device d transmits the acquisition information i to the server device s using the communication unit dn1, if the transmission frequency is higher than the initial state, the facility device d sets the short-range wireless communication unit dn2 And the high frequency communication flag flagH is configured to be transmitted to the surrounding equipment d.

  More specifically, BluetoothLE (registered trademark), Zigbee (registered trademark), or the like can be used as the short-range wireless communication means dn2. In transmitting information to the equipment device d at a short distance, it is preferable to use a broadcast distribution method instead of establishing a connection each time. With such a configuration, it is possible to exchange the high-frequency communication flag flagH only within a range in which the short-range wireless communication unit dn2 can communicate (a limited range in which the radio waves of the short-range wireless communication unit dn2 can reach). .

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the control device dc of the equipment device d includes a high-frequency communication number confirmation unit d3. The high-frequency communication number confirmation unit d3 is configured to confirm the number of equipment devices d transmitting the acquisition information i more frequently than the initial state within a certain spatial range within a predetermined second time T2. ing. Specifically, the high-frequency communication number confirmation unit d3, for example, within a range that can be communicated by the short-range wireless communication unit dn2 as a range corresponding to the “certain spatial range” within 5 minutes as the second time T2, It is confirmed from how many equipment devices d the high frequency communication flag flagH is received.

2. Operation of Network System The operation of the network system in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in the figure, when an event (error) occurs, the equipment device d transmits the acquisition information i to the server device s and transmits the high-frequency communication flag flagH to the peripheral equipment devices d (d ′, d ″). .

  The equipment device d checks how many equipment devices d received the high-frequency communication flag flagH within the second time T2 by the high-frequency communication number confirmation unit d3. The high-frequency communication number confirmation unit d3 transmits the acquired information i more frequently than the initial state within the range in which the short-range wireless communication means dn2 can communicate within the predetermined second time T2 from the initial state. If detected, the transmission frequency setting unit d4 sets the transmission frequency to be equal to or lower than the initial state (step # 21). In the present embodiment, 3 is set as the second specified number, and the transmission frequency setting unit d4 is configured to perform communication at the same frequency as the initial state (frequency once int4). The other equipment devices d ′ and d ″ are configured to perform the same operation as the equipment device d.

  With such a mechanism, for example, when a plurality of equipment devices d are introduced into an apartment house, each of them is caused by a wide range of errors that occur due to a water outage of the apartment house, a simultaneous power outage, or freezing of piping in winter. If the equipment device d tries to start communication at a high frequency at once, the equipment device d itself detects that a plurality of high-frequency communication is autonomously generated by the high-frequency communication number confirmation unit d3, Suppress communication at Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the acquisition information i from being transmitted to the server device s with high frequency from the plurality of facility devices d and to prevent the server device s from being heavily loaded.

(Third embodiment)
In the above-described embodiment, “the occurrence of an error in the measurement target device of the equipment device d” is used as the first condition used by the first condition determination unit d1, and the transmission frequency setting unit is satisfied when the first condition is satisfied. An example is shown in which the acquired information i is transmitted at a higher frequency than the initial state (frequency once int2 time) with respect to the transmission interval in the initial state (frequency once int1 time) by d4.

  However, the first condition may be “the equipment device d or the state of the equipment to be measured of the equipment equipment d is changed, and the equipment equipment d or the equipment to be measured is in a predetermined state”. Or a condition such as “a sign of an error being confirmed from information acquired from the measurement target device of the facility device d” may be used. In this case, the first condition determination unit d1 determines that the first condition is satisfied when an error has occurred and when there is a sign that an error will occur, and the transmission frequency setting unit d4 has the first condition determination unit d4. When d1 determines that the first condition is satisfied because an error has occurred or there is a sign that an error will occur, the transmission frequency is set higher than the initial state.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram of a network system according to the third embodiment. In this example, the fuel cell system FC is a measurement target device, and the facility device d acquires the acquisition information i from the fuel cell system FC. In addition, the equipment d of the present embodiment includes a display unit dd that displays information handled by the equipment d to the user, in addition to the control device dc, the communication unit dn1, and the manual switching unit SW. The display means dd can be realized by a display unit that can display predetermined character information on a remote controller or the like that constitutes the equipment device d, a lamp that can turn on and off the light, and the like. Although not shown in FIG. 7, the equipment device d may include the short-range wireless communication unit dn2 described above.

The following is a description of a sign that an error occurs.
When the fuel cell main body of the fuel cell system FC is repeatedly started and stopped, the performance deteriorates with deterioration, and an error such as a battery voltage drop may occur. Further, in the fuel reformer of the fuel cell system FC, the deterioration of various catalysts proceeds with the temperature change due to start and stop, and the concentration of carbon monoxide in the fuel gas obtained by the reforming process increases. is there. When the concentration of carbon monoxide in the fuel gas increases, the electrode catalyst on the anode of the fuel cell main body is poisoned by carbon monoxide, and an error such as a decrease in battery voltage may occur. That is, if the accumulated number of times of starting or stopping (the number of times of starting or stopping the fuel cell main body and the fuel reforming device) after the fuel cell system FC is installed increases, the possibility of the occurrence of the above error increases. .

  Therefore, the equipment device d acquires information indicating the number of times of starting or stopping the fuel cell system FC and transmits it to the server device s as one of the acquired information i. The first condition determining unit d1 When the number of FC start-ups or stops exceeds a predetermined number, it is determined that there is a sign that an error will occur.

  In addition, the display means dd is activated when the number of times the fuel cell system FC is activated or stopped exceeds a predetermined number, that is, when the first condition determination unit d1 determines that there is a sign that an error will occur. Display information to call attention to the high number of times or stops. For example, when the control device dc determines that there is a sign that an error will occur by the first condition determination unit d1, the “accumulation stop count increases in advance” stored in the equipment d for the display unit dd. The user can be alerted by displaying character information such as “is”.

  In addition, when the deterioration of the fuel cell system FC progresses, the generated power at the rated operation of the fuel cell system FC may decrease. For example, when the rated power generation power originally assumed for the fuel cell system FC is 700 W and the fuel cell system FC is operating to follow the power load, if the actual power load exceeds the rated power generation, The battery system FC should perform a rated operation that outputs the rated generated power. That is, if the generated power at the rated operation of the fuel cell system FC, that is, the actual generated power when the power load is larger than the rated generated power is smaller than the original rated generated power, the fuel cell system FC is originally assumed. Performance may not be exhibited, that is, deterioration may have progressed. Then, if the information of the rated power generation, the actual power load, and the actual power generation that are originally assumed for the fuel cell system FC are acquired, the actual power generation when the actual power load is larger than the rated power generation (that is, It is possible to determine the level of the generated power during rated operation) with respect to the rated generated power.

  Therefore, the equipment device d acquires information indicating the generated power at the rated operation of the fuel cell system FC and transmits the information to the server device s as one of the acquired information i. The first condition determination unit d1 When the generated power at the rated operation of the FC falls below the predetermined power, it is determined that there is a sign that an error will occur. For example, if there is information on the rated generated power originally assumed for the fuel cell system FC, the actual power load, and the actual generated power, the generated power at the rated operation of the fuel cell system FC can be known.

  Further, in the fuel cell system FC, the raw fuel gas supplied to the fuel reformer is reformed to generate fuel gas such as hydrogen. Therefore, if the amount of raw fuel gas supplied per unit time to the fuel reformer of the fuel cell system FC is determined, the amount of fuel gas generated per unit time by the fuel reformer of the fuel cell system FC In addition, the amount of fuel gas consumed per unit time for power generation in the fuel cell main body of the fuel cell system FC (that is, generated power) is also determined. However, when the deterioration of the fuel cell system FC progresses, even if the raw fuel gas is supplied to the fuel reformer, the fuel reformer does not generate enough fuel gas, or the fuel cell body generates a predetermined power generation. In some cases, power is not output. That is, as the fuel cell system FC deteriorates, the power generation efficiency may decrease. For example, the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell system FC is the ratio of the generated power of the fuel cell main body to the amount of fuel gas supplied to the fuel cell main body (that is, the amount of raw fuel gas supplied to the fuel reformer).

Therefore, the facility device d acquires information on the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell system FC and transmits it to the server device s as one of the acquired information i, and the first condition determination unit d1 determines that the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell system FC is When the power generation efficiency falls below a predetermined power generation efficiency, it is determined that there is a sign that an error will occur. For example, if there is information on the amount of raw fuel gas supplied to the fuel reformer of the fuel cell system FC per unit time and the generated power of the fuel cell main body of the fuel cell system FC, the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell system FC Can know.
Alternatively, the equipment device d acquires the raw fuel gas amount and the generated power information that can be used to derive the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell system FC, and transmits the information to the server device s as one of the acquisition information i. May be. When receiving the information, the server device s can derive the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell system FC from the ratio of the generated power of the fuel cell main body to the amount of raw fuel gas supplied to the fuel reformer.

(Fourth embodiment)
In the above embodiment, when the server device s determines that there is error information in the acquired information i received from the equipment device d and that there is a sign that an error will occur, the transmission frequency is set to the initial state for the equipment device d. It may be instructed to set the frequency more frequently.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram of a network system according to the fourth embodiment. In this example, the fuel cell system FC is a measurement target device, and the facility device d acquires the acquisition information i from the fuel cell system FC. In addition, the network system includes a user communication device t that can be communicated with the server device s and used by a user of the facility device d. The user communication device t is a mobile communication terminal such as a mobile phone or a smartphone used by a user of the facility device d or a computer device having a communication function. The server device s stores information about contact information such as the user's e-mail address. Although FIG. 8 shows only one equipment device d and one user communication device t, the network system has a plurality of equipment devices d and a plurality of user communication devices t corresponding to each equipment device d. The server device s may store information on contact information such as an e-mail address of the user for each equipment device d.

  As described in the third embodiment, the server device s receives information indicating the number of times of starting or stopping the fuel cell system FC or information indicating the generated power during the rated operation of the fuel cell system FC from the equipment d. Information on the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell system FC, information on the amount of raw fuel gas supplied to the fuel cell system FC and information on the power generated by the fuel cell system FC that can be used to derive the power generation efficiency, etc. It can be received as one of the acquired information i. Therefore, the control device sc of the server device s can determine that there is a sign that an error will occur when the number of times of starting or stopping the fuel cell system FC exceeds a predetermined number of times, and during the rated operation of the fuel cell system FC When the generated power falls below the predetermined power, it can be determined that there is a sign that an error will occur, and when the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell system FC falls below the predetermined power generation efficiency, it can be determined that there is a sign that an error will occur.

  Then, when the control device sc of the server device s determines that there is error information in the acquired information i received from the equipment device d and that there is a sign that an error will occur, the communication device sn sends the information to the equipment device d. The transmission frequency is instructed to be set higher than the initial state. As a result, in the equipment device d, the transmission frequency setting unit d4 sets the transmission frequency higher than the initial state.

  Further, when the number of times of starting or stopping the fuel cell system FC received from the specific equipment device d exceeds the predetermined number of times, the server device s responds to the user communication equipment t used by the user of the equipment device d. Thus, information for calling attention to the fact that the number of times of starting or stopping is large is notified. For example, when the number of times of starting or stopping the fuel cell system FC received from a specific equipment device d exceeds the predetermined number of times, the control device dc By notifying the stored message information such as “the cumulative stop count is increasing” and displaying the message information on the display unit of the user communication device t, the user can be alerted.

(Other embodiments)
(1) The change of the transmission frequency by the transmission frequency setting unit d4 when the first condition is satisfied is not necessarily limited to the case where the frequency is higher than the initial state, and may be lower than the initial state. Specifically, for example, when the first condition is a condition such that “an error does not occur in the equipment d itself”, the transmission frequency may be set lower than the initial state when the first condition is satisfied. .

(2) In the first embodiment, an example in which “the elapsed time since the manual switching means SW is operated exceeds a specific value” is used as the second condition. However, the second condition may be “the physical quantity after the manual switching means SW is operated and has reached a specific threshold”, and other conditions may be used. For example, it can be used that a physical quantity that can indirectly detect that the measurement target device of the equipment device d has reached a stable operation has reached a specific threshold value. Specifically, the condition may be that the temperature of the cooling water in the fuel cell system as the measurement target device has reached a certain temperature.

(3) In the first embodiment, as a configuration for “the high-frequency communication detection unit s1 of the server device s detects that high-frequency communication is performed by a large number of equipment d” An example in which the device d uses a configuration in which the high-frequency communication flag flagH is transmitted to the server device s together with the acquired information i, and the high-frequency communication detection unit s1 of the server device s measures the number of receptions of the high-frequency communication flag flagH is shown. It was. However, the configuration in which the high-frequency communication detection unit s1 detects that high-frequency communication is performed by the first or more number of equipment devices d is not limited to such an example.

  For example, the server device s is configured to measure the communication interval for each equipment device d that communicates, and determines the communication frequency of the equipment device d in communication from the measured communication interval, and communicates at a communication frequency that can be regarded as a high frequency. When the number of facility equipments d performing the above is equal to or greater than the first specified number, it may be configured to detect that a high-frequency communication is performed by a large number of facility equipments d.

(4) In the first embodiment, when the equipment device d receives the low frequency instruction iX, the transmission frequency setting unit d4 sets the transmission frequency to be lower than the initial state. It may be set to the same frequency as the initial state.

(5) In the said 2nd Embodiment, although the example in the case of providing near field communication means dn2 as a means for equipment apparatus d to communicate was shown, it replaced with near field communication means dn2, for example, A configuration in which communication via a wireless LAN or a public wireless line (such as a telephone line) is possible is also possible. In this case, when determining other equipment devices d existing within a certain spatial range from communicable equipment devices d, the reception intensity of radio waves emitted by the other equipment devices d is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. Based on this, it may be determined that it exists within a certain spatial range.

  Alternatively, the equipment device d is further provided with an absolute position information acquisition means such as GPS, and is configured to transmit its own location information to the surrounding equipment device d, and is located within a certain distance from itself based on the received location information. The equipment d may be determined. That is, for example, if the “certain spatial range” is 100 m around the equipment device d, a configuration for checking whether the distance between the two points is within 100 m based on its own position information and the position information of the other equipment device d. And good.

(6) In the said 2nd Embodiment, the equipment device d shows the example in the case of setting the transmission frequency to the frequency of an initial state, when the equipment device d more than 2nd regulation number communicates with high frequency. However, the frequency may be lower than in the initial state. In this case, it may be configured to return to the frequency of the initial state after a certain time.

(7) In the above-described embodiment, whether or not there is a sign that an error will occur is determined such as the number of times the fuel cell system is started or stopped, the power generated during rated operation of the fuel cell system, the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell system Although the example of determining based on information has been described, it may be determined whether there is a sign that an error will occur based on other information.

  Note that the configuration disclosed in the above embodiment (including another embodiment, the same applies hereinafter) can be applied in combination with the configuration disclosed in the other embodiment as long as no contradiction occurs. The embodiments disclosed in this specification are exemplifications, and the embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto, and can be appropriately modified without departing from the object of the present invention.

SW: manual switching means T1: first time T2: second time d: facility equipment d1: first condition determining unit d2: second condition determining unit d4: transmission frequency setting unit dn1: communication means dn2: short-range wireless communication means dd: display means i: acquisition information iX: low frequency command s: server device s1: high frequency communication detection unit s2: low frequency command transmission unit sn: communication unit FC: fuel cell system (measurement target device)
t: User communication device

Claims (13)

A server device and equipment capable of communicating with the server device,
The equipment is configured to transmit acquisition information to the server device at a predetermined transmission frequency in an initial state,
The server device is a network system configured to receive the acquisition information transmitted from the facility device,
The equipment is
A first condition determination unit that determines whether or not a first condition for changing the transmission frequency in the initial state is satisfied;
A transmission frequency setting unit for changing the transmission frequency,
When the first condition determination unit determines that the first condition is satisfied, the transmission frequency setting unit sets the transmission frequency to a frequency different from the initial state,
Thereafter, when the first condition determination unit determines that the first condition is not satisfied, the transmission frequency setting unit sets the transmission frequency to the initial state. A server device and equipment capable of communicating with the server device,
The equipment is configured to transmit acquisition information to the server device at a predetermined transmission frequency in an initial state,
The server device is a network system configured to receive the acquisition information transmitted from the facility device,
The equipment is
A transmission frequency setting unit for changing the transmission frequency;
Manual switching means configured to set the transmission frequency to a frequency different from the initial state by performing a predetermined manual operation;
A second condition determination unit that determines whether or not a second condition when changing the transmission frequency to the initial state is satisfied,
After the transmission frequency is set to a frequency different from the initial state by the manual switching means, when the second condition determination unit determines that the second condition is satisfied, the transmission frequency setting unit A network system for setting the transmission frequency to the initial state. A server device and equipment capable of communicating with the server device,
The equipment is configured to transmit acquisition information to the server device at a predetermined transmission frequency in an initial state,
The server device is a network system configured to receive the acquisition information transmitted from the facility device,
The equipment is
A first condition determination unit that determines whether or not a first condition for changing the transmission frequency in the initial state is satisfied;
A transmission frequency setting unit for changing the transmission frequency;
Manual switching means configured to set the transmission frequency to a frequency different from the initial state by performing a predetermined manual operation;
A second condition determination unit that determines whether or not a second condition when changing the transmission frequency to the initial state is satisfied,
When the first condition determining unit determines that the first condition is satisfied, the transmission frequency setting unit sets the transmission frequency to a frequency different from the initial state, and then the first condition determining unit Is determined that the first condition is not satisfied, the transmission frequency setting unit sets the transmission frequency to the initial state,
After the transmission frequency is set to a frequency different from the initial state by the manual switching unit, when the second condition determination unit determines that the second condition is satisfied, the transmission frequency is set to the initial frequency. Network system to set the status. The first condition determination unit determines that the first condition is satisfied when an error occurs and when there is a sign that an error will occur,
The transmission frequency setting unit determines the transmission frequency when the first condition determination unit determines that the first condition is satisfied because an error has occurred or there is a sign that an error will occur. The network system according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the network system is set at a higher frequency than the initial state.   When the server apparatus determines that there is a sign that an error will occur in the acquired information received from the facility device, the transmission frequency is set to be higher than the initial state for the facility device. The network system according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the network system is instructed. The facility device acquires information on the number of times of starting or stopping the fuel cell system that is repeatedly started and stopped and transmits the information to the server device as one of the acquisition information,
The network system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein when the number of times of starting or stopping of the fuel cell system exceeds a predetermined number, it is determined that there is a sign that an error will occur. The facility device acquires information on generated power at the rated operation of the fuel cell system and transmits it to the server device as one of the acquisition information,
The network system according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein when the generated power at the rated operation of the fuel cell system falls below a predetermined power, it is determined that there is a sign that an error will occur. The facility device can be used to derive information on the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell system, or the amount of raw fuel gas supplied to the fuel cell system and the generated power of the fuel cell system, which can be used to derive the power generation efficiency. Acquire information and send it to the server device as one of the acquisition information,
The network system according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein when the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell system falls below a predetermined power generation efficiency, it is determined that there is a sign that an error will occur. The equipment has a display means for displaying information handled by the equipment to the user,
7. The display unit according to claim 6, wherein when the number of times of starting or stopping of the fuel cell system exceeds the predetermined number of times, the display means displays information for calling attention that the number of times of starting or stopping is large. Network system. A user communication device that can be communicated with the server device and used by a user of the facility device,
The server device, when the number of start or stop of the fuel cell system received from the specific equipment exceeds the predetermined number of times, for the user communication equipment used by the user of the equipment The network system according to claim 6, wherein information for calling attention to a large number of times of starting or stopping is notified. A plurality of the equipment is provided,
The server device is
A high-frequency communication detector that detects that the acquired information has been received from the equipment more than the first specified number within a predetermined first time more frequently than the initial state;
A low-frequency command transmission unit that transmits a low-frequency command to the equipment when the high-frequency communication detection unit detects reception of the acquisition information at a high frequency;
The equipment is
The network system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the transmission frequency setting unit is configured to set the transmission frequency to be equal to or lower than the initial state when the low frequency command is received. The plurality of facility devices are configured to be able to communicate with each other, and configured to be capable of transmitting and receiving the transmission frequency setting information to and from each other,
The equipment is
The transmission frequency setting when it is detected that a second prescribed number or more of the facility devices are transmitting the acquired information more frequently than the initial state within a predetermined spatial range within a predetermined second time. The network system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein a unit is configured to set the transmission frequency to be equal to or lower than the initial state. The equipment includes a short-range wireless communication unit, and is configured to be able to communicate with each other using the short-range wireless communication unit.
The network system according to claim 12, wherein the spatial range corresponds to a range in which communication can be performed by the short-range wireless communication unit.

Images