JP2018078511A - Apparatus information management system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus information management system capable of continuously managing apparatus operation information.SOLUTION: An apparatus information management system includes: an apparatus 10 that stores second identification information granted to the apparatus and transmits apparatus operation information together with the second identification information to a communicator 20; the communicator 20, which stores first identification information and transmits the apparatus operation information together with the first identification information and second identification information to a management server device S; and the management server device S, which stores apparatus combination information, a combination of the first identification information on the communicator 20 and the second identification information on the apparatus 10 for performing transmission/reception of information to/from the communicator 20, in association with the apparatus operation information, where the communicator and the apparatus are installed in the same facility B. The second identification information stored by the apparatus 10 is information that has been uniquely granted to the apparatus 10 by the management server device S and has been transmitted to the apparatus 10 via the communicator 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an information communication network installed in a facility and used by a user of the facility, and an information communication network installed in the facility, which transmits and receives information to and from the device and is attached to itself. Management device that receives and stores a communication device having unique first identification information and device operation information that is installed at a remote location outside the facility and that indicates the operation status of the device from the communication device via the information communication network And a device information management system.

  Patent Document 1 includes an equipment information management system including equipment such as an air conditioner and a water heater installed in a facility such as a house, and a management server device capable of communicating information with the equipment via an information communication network. Is described. In this device information management system, the device transmits device operation information (such as air conditioner information 7) indicating its own operation status to the management server device, and the management server device stores the device operation information. Then, when accessed from the user communication device used by the user of the device, the management server device transmits the device operation information to the user communication device to allow the user to browse. In addition, since devices such as an air conditioner and a water heater do not originally have an information communication function, the devices are connected to an information communication network via a communication device (controller 2).

  Although not described in Patent Document 1, the management server device needs to identify the communication device that has accessed. Generally, identification information called a MAC (Media Access Control) address that is unique in the information communication network is assigned to a communication device connected to the information communication network at the time of shipment. Therefore, the management server device can identify the accessing communication device and device using the MAC address, and store the MAC address of the communication device and the device operation information in association with each other.

Using the system as described in Patent Document 1, if the management server device continuously stores device operation information such as past power consumption and hot water consumption by a specific device by a user, It is also possible for a person to check the power consumption and hot water consumption of the current month against the power consumption and hot water consumption of the same month of the previous year.
However, since the MAC address is also changed when the communication device is replaced due to a failure or the like, the device operation information associated with the MAC address before the change, the device operation information associated with the MAC address after the change, There is a problem that the continuity of is lost.

Patent Document 2 describes a system that can be continuously tracked as the same device even when the configuration of the device is changed over time due to reasons such as repair. Specifically, in the system described in Patent Document 2, the server creates in advance an event record including data points regarding the electronic device (device manufacturer, model, motherboard serial number, hard drive serial number, etc.) In addition, a unique electronic serial number (ESN) for the event record is created and transmitted to the electronic device. Then, when accessed from the electronic device, the server identifies the electronic device by verifying whether the electronic serial number of the electronic device is a valid number. When such an electronic serial number (ESN) is used, a part of the event record is changed due to a change in parts built in the electronic device over time due to reasons such as repair. Even so, it is possible to continuously track the same electronic device.
When the electronic device is accessed, if the electronic serial number of the electronic device is invalid or the electronic device does not have the electronic serial number, the server newly records an event record as described above. A process of creating and newly creating a unique electronic serial number for the event record is performed.

JP 2004-005496 A Patent No. 5363305

  In the system described in Patent Document 2, if there is an electronic serial number (ESN), the electronic device before and after the change can be continuously tracked even if the configuration of a part of the electronic device is changed. When the entire electronic device is replaced, a new electronic serial number is given. That is, the information regarding the electronic device before replacement cannot be taken over.

Similarly, devices such as an air conditioner and a water heater are connected to a management server device via a communication device, and the management server device continuously manages device operation information of the device in association with the MAC address of the communication device. Even in this case, when the communication device is exchanged and its MAC address is changed, the device operation information cannot be taken over.
Note that the management server device can manage not only the MAC address of the communication device but also both the device manufacturing number and the MAC address of the communication device in association with the device operation information. Then, even if the MAC address of the communication device is changed, if the device serial number is not changed, the previous device operation information can be taken over.

  However, there is a possibility that the device serial number is duplicated among manufacturers or between a plurality of lineups within the manufacturer, and is not unique identification information. Therefore, it is difficult for the management server device to reliably identify the device only with the device serial number. In addition, a method such as assigning a uniquely managed serial number to a device and writing it to the nonvolatile memory built into the device at the time of manufacturing or shipping the device is a viewpoint of increasing costs and increasing manufacturing man-hours due to a change in the factory production line. Is not preferable.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a device information management system capable of continuously managing device operation information.

The characteristic configuration of the device information management system according to the present invention for achieving the above object is a device installed in a facility and used by a user of the facility,
A communication device that is installed in the facility, transmits and receives information to and from the device, and is given to itself, and has a first identification information unique in the information communication network,
A device information management system comprising a management server device installed in a remote location outside the facility and receiving device operation information indicating the operation status of the device from the communication device via the information communication network. And
The device stores second identification information given to itself, and transmits the device operation information together with the second identification information to the communication device,
The communicator transmits the device operation information together with the first identification information and the second identification information to the management server device,
The management server device is a combination of the first identification information of the communication device installed in the same facility and the second identification information of the device that transmits and receives information to and from the communication device. Device association information is stored in association with the device operation information,
The second identification information stored in the device is that the management server device uniquely assigns the device and transmits the information to the device via the communication device.
Here, the first identification information may be a MAC address.

According to the above characteristic configuration, the management server device assigns unique second identification information to the device, and the device stores the second identification information. Therefore, the device is in a stage such as manufacturing or shipping. It is not necessary to have unique identification information.
In addition, the management server device stores a combination of the first identification information of the communication device and the second identification information of the device as device combination information, and stores the device operation information as the first identification information of the communication device and the first identification information of the device. 2 Since it is received together with the identification information, even if either one of the communication device or the device is changed by exchange or the like, the combination of the original communication device and the device can be specified using the remaining unique identification information. . As a result, it is possible to ensure continuity between the device operation information received in the past and the device operation information received after any one of the communication device and the device is exchanged.
Therefore, it is possible to provide a device information management system that can continuously manage device operation information.

Another characteristic configuration of the device information management system according to the present invention is that the device transmits pre-stored initial identification information to the communication device when the second identification information is not yet given to the device. And
When the communication device receives the initial identification information from the device, the communication device transmits the initial identification information and the first identification information of the communication device to the management server device,
When the management server device receives a combination of the initial identification information and the first identification information from the communication device, if the first identification information is not included in the device combination information already stored, Uniquely assigning the second identification information to a device, and newly storing a combination of the first identification information of the communication device and the second identification information of the device as the device combination information; and The second identification information is transmitted to the device via the communication device.
Here, the initial identification information may be a null value.

  According to the above characteristic configuration, when the management server device receives the combination of the initial identification information and the first identification information from the communication device, the management server device does not include the first identification information in the already stored device combination information. The device uniquely assigns the second identification information to the device, and newly stores the combination of the first identification information of the communication device and the second identification information of the device as the device combination information. In contrast, the second identification information is transmitted. That is, the management server device uses a combination of newly installed communication devices and devices using device combination information in which unique first identification information about the communication devices and unique second identification information about the devices are combined. It can be memorized anew.

Still another characteristic configuration of the device information management system according to the present invention is that the device has stored the initial identification information stored in advance in the communication device when the second identification information has not been given to the device. And when the communication device receives the initial identification information from the device, the communication device transmits the initial identification information and the first identification information of the communication device to the management server device. When the combination of information and the first identification information is received from the communication device, if the first identification information is included in the device combination information already stored, the second identification information for the device The combination of the first identification information of the communication device and the second identification information of the device is updated and stored in the previously stored device combination information, and the device In To some the second identification information to the point that transmits via the communication unit.
Here, the initial identification information may be a null value.

  According to the above characteristic configuration, when the management server device receives the combination of the initial identification information and the first identification information from the communication device, if the device identification information already stored includes the first identification information. The second identification information is uniquely given to the device, and the combination of the first identification information of the communication device and the second identification information of the device is updated and stored in the previously stored device combination information. And the second identification information is transmitted to the device. That is, the management server device combines the combination of the existing communication device and the device that has been exchanged, etc., into device combination information of unique first identification information about the communication device and unique second identification information about the device. Can be stored. At this time, since the management server device updates and stores the previously stored device combination information for the combination of the first identification information of the communication device and the second identification information of the device, the device operation information received in the past And continuity between the device operation information received after any one of the communication device and the device is exchanged.

Still another characteristic configuration of the device information management system according to the present invention is that the management server device receives the device operation information from the communicator together with the combination of the first identification information and the second identification information.
If the received device identification information includes the received first identification information and the received second identification information, the already stored device combination information receives Storing the associated device operation information in association with each other,
If the received first identification information is not included in the stored device combination information and the received second identification information is included, the stored device combination information is received. In addition to updating the combination of the first identification information and the received second identification information, the received device operation information is stored in association with the updated device combination information.

According to the above characteristic configuration, when the management server device receives the device operation information together with the combination of the first identification information and the second identification information from the communication device, the management server device receives the first identification received in the already stored device combination information. If information is included and the received second identification information is included, the received device operation information is stored in association with the device combination information already stored. That is, the management server device can continuously store the device operation information in association with the device combination information.
In addition, when the management server device receives the device operation information from the communication device together with the combination of the first identification information and the second identification information, the first identification information received is included in the device combination information already stored. If the received second identification information is included, the stored device combination information is updated as a combination of the received first identification information and the received second identification information, and the updated device The association information is stored in association with the received device operation information. That is, even if the first identification information is changed due to the exchange of the communication device, the continuity between the device operation information received in the past and the device operation information received after the communication device is exchanged is maintained. It can be secured.

It is a figure which shows the structure of an apparatus information management system. It is a figure explaining the communication processing performed between an apparatus, a communication apparatus, and a management server apparatus. It is a figure explaining the communication processing performed between an apparatus, a communication apparatus, and a management server apparatus. It is a figure explaining the communication processing performed between an apparatus, a communication apparatus, and a management server apparatus. It is a figure explaining the communication processing performed between an apparatus, a communication apparatus, and a management server apparatus.

A device information management system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a device information management system. As illustrated, the device information management system includes a device 10, a communication device 20, and a management server device S. The device 10 and the communication device 20 are installed in a facility B such as a house. The management server device S is installed in a remote place outside the facility B. FIG. 1 illustrates an example in which three facilities B are drawn, and one facility 10 and one communication device 20 are provided in each facility B. However, the number of facilities B installed and the devices in each facility B are illustrated. 10 and the number of communication devices 20 are not limited. In the facility B, an internal private network 31 and an external information communication network N are connected using a router 30. The communication device 20 is connected to an external information communication network N via the router 30.

  The device 10 is a device used by a user of the facility B. For example, the device 10 is various devices such as an air conditioner, a power generation device such as a fuel cell, a hot water heater used to supply hot water to a hot water bath or a hot water supply. The device 10 of this embodiment includes an operation unit 11, a device control unit 12, a device storage unit 13, and a device communication unit 14. The operation unit 11 is a device such as the above-described air conditioner, power generation device, or water heater. The device control unit 12 is a device that controls the operation unit 11 and collects device operation information. The device storage unit 13 is a device that stores information handled by the device 10. The device communication unit 14 is a device for communicating with the communication device 20 in a wired or wireless manner.

  The device operation information is various information regarding the operation status of the device 10. For example, when the operation unit 11 is an air conditioner, the device operation information includes information about operation modes such as cooling operation and heating operation, information about a set temperature, information about an operation period, information about an operation reservation, power Information about consumption. In addition, when the operation unit 11 is a power generation device, the device operation information includes information about output voltage / output power, information about a power generation operation period, information about the number of start / stop times, and the like. Further, when the operation unit 11 is a water heater, the device operation information is information related to a hot water supply set temperature, information related to consumption of hot water supply, and the like. In addition, the detection value of a temperature sensor provided in the device 10 may be used as the device operation information.

  It is preferable that such device operation information is continuously managed in a state associated with each user. For example, if the management server device continuously stores the device operation information, it is possible for the user to check the hot water consumption of the current month and the hot water consumption of the same month of the previous year.

  The device 10 stores the second identification information given to itself in the storage unit 23. The second identification information is information given by the management server device S through processing to be described later. And the apparatus 10 transmits apparatus operation information to the communication apparatus 20 with predetermined timing with 2nd identification information. The predetermined timing is a timing such as once per hour, a timing when a specific event occurs in the device 10, or the like.

  The communication device 20 is a device that transmits / receives information to / from the device 10 and transmits / receives information to / from the management server device S connected to the information communication network N. The communication device 20 according to the present embodiment includes a communication unit 21, a control unit 22, and a storage unit 23. The communication unit 21 is a device for communicating with the device 10 in a wired or wireless manner and communicating with the management server device S via the router 30. The control unit 22 is a device for controlling the operation of the communication device 20. The storage unit 23 is a device that stores information handled by the communication device 20. Since the communication device 20 is a device connected to the information communication network N, the communication device 20 has unique identification information (first identification information) in the information communication network N. For example, the first identification information given to the communication device 20 is a unique MAC address or the like in the information communication network N, and is stored in the storage unit 23 at the time of manufacture or shipment. Thus, the communication device 20 has first identification information unique to the information communication network N assigned to itself. Then, the communication device 20 transmits the device operation information received from the device 10 to the management server apparatus S at a predetermined timing together with the first identification information and the second identification information.

  The communication device 20 is not limited to the device having only the communication function as described above, and may be a device having other functions. For example, the communication device 20 can be realized by using a remote control device that issues an operation command to the device 10. Therefore, the communication device 20 of the present embodiment includes an input receiving unit 24 and a display unit 25 in addition to the communication unit 21, the control unit 22, and the storage unit 23 described above. The input receiving unit 24 is a device that receives an input from the user such as a driving command to the operating unit 11. The display unit 25 is a device that displays information handled by the communication device 20 to the user.

  The management server device S is installed in a remote location outside the facility B, and receives device operation information indicating the operation status of the device 10 from the communication device 20 via the information communication network N and stores it. Therefore, the management server device S is realized using a computer having an information communication function, an information storage function, an arithmetic processing function, and the like for performing information communication with other devices via the information communication network N. The management server apparatus S is a combination of the first identification information of the communication device 20 installed in the same facility B and the second identification information of the device 10 that transmits / receives information to / from the communication device 20. Certain device association information is stored in association with device operation information.

  Next, a communication process performed between the device 10, the communication device 20, and the management server device S will be described with reference to FIGS.

[When the device 10 and the communication device 20 are newly installed devices]
FIG. 2 shows an example in which the device 10 and the communication device 20 are newly installed devices. In this case, the storage unit 23 of the communication device 20 stores first identification information A1 such as a MAC address assigned to the communication device 20. However, the storage unit 23 of the device 10 does not store identification information for identifying itself. In the figure, the storage unit 23 of the device 10 stores initial identification information (for example, a null value) as an initial value set at the time of manufacture, shipment, or the like.

  In the process # 10 shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 22 of the device 10 has not yet been given the second identification information for itself. For example, when the power is turned on for the first time after newly installed in the facility B, If the communication device 20 capable of performing information communication with the device communication unit 14 exists, initial identification information stored in advance in the device storage unit 13 is transmitted to the communication device 20. In this case, the control unit 22 of the device 10 transmits a “null value” as initial identification information to the communication device 20.

  In step # 11, when receiving the initial identification information from the device 10, the communication device 20 transmits the initial identification information and the first identification information A1 stored in its own storage unit 23 to the management server device S.

In step # 12, when the management server device S receives the combination of the initial identification information and the first identification information: A1 from the communication device 20, the management server apparatus S includes the first identification information: A1 in the device combination information already stored in itself. It is determined whether or not it is included. Since the device 10 cannot be identified from the “null value” as the initial identification information, the management server device S focuses only on the first identification information: A1. Since FIG. 2 shows an example in which the device 10 and the communication device 20 are newly installed devices, the first identification information A1 received by the management server device S is still stored in the management server device S. It has not been. Therefore, the management server apparatus S determines that the first identification information: A1 is not included in the device combination information already stored in the management server apparatus S. In addition, the management server device S uniquely assigns the second identification information: B1 to the device 10, and a combination of the first identification information: A1 of the communication device 20 and the second identification information: B1 of the device 10. The device association information is newly stored.
In step # 13, the management server S transmits the second identification information B1 to the communication device 20 in order to transmit the second identification information B1 to the device 10 via the communication device 20. .

  In step # 14, when receiving the second identification information B1 from the management server device S, the communication device 20 transmits the second identification information B1 to the device 10.

In step # 15, the device control unit 12 of the device 10 stores the second identification information B1 received by the device communication unit 14 in the device storage unit 13. Thereafter, the device 10 transmits the device operation information to the communication device 20 together with the second identification information B1.
In this way, the unique second identification information B2 given to the device 10 by the management server device S is transmitted to the device 10 and stored therein.

[When transmitting device operation information from the device 10]
FIG. 3 is an example in the case where device operation information is transmitted from the device 10 to the management server device S. In this case, the storage unit 23 of the communication device 20 has already stored the first identification information: A1 such as the MAC address assigned to the communication device 20, and the storage unit 23 of the device 10 identifies itself. Second identification information: B1 is already stored, and the management server apparatus S stores device combination information that is a combination of the first identification information: A1 of the communication device 20 and the second identification information: B1 of the device 10. I already remember it.

  In step # 20 shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 22 of the device 10 transmits device operation information to the communication device 20 at a predetermined timing together with the second identification information B1. For example, the control unit 22 of the device 10 similarly uses the device storage unit to store the device operation information stored in the device storage unit 13 at a timing such as once per hour or when a specific event occurs in the device 10. 13, together with the second identification information B <b> 1 stored in the device 13, the device communication unit 14 transmits the information to the communication device 20. As described above, the second identification information B1 stored in the device storage unit 13 is information that the management server device S uniquely assigns to the device 10 and transmits the information to the device 10 via the communication device 20. It is.

  In step # 21, when the communication device 20 receives the second identification information B1 and device operation information from the device 10, the communication device 20 stores the information in the storage unit 23 of the communication device 20. And the control part 22 of the communication apparatus 20 transmits the apparatus operation information received from the apparatus 10 to the management server apparatus S with predetermined timing with 1st identification information: A1 and 2nd identification information: B1.

In step # 22, when the management server device S receives the first identification information: A1 and the second identification information: B1 and the device operation information from the communication device 20, the management server device S adds the first information to the device combination information already stored in itself. It is determined whether a combination of identification information: A1 and second identification information: B1 is included. In step # 22, the management server device S determines that the combination of the first identification information: A1 and the second identification information: B1 is included in the device combination information that is already stored in the management server device S. The management server device S then stores the device combination information that is already stored (that is, the first identification information: A1 of the communication device 20 and the second identification of the device 10 that transmits / receives information to / from the communication device 20). (Information: combination with B1) and the device operation information is stored in association with each other.
In this way, in the management server device S, device operation information indicating the operation status of the device 10 installed in each facility B is accumulated.

[When the communication device 20 is replaced]
FIG. 4 shows an example in which the device 10 is left as it is, but the communication device 20 is replaced due to a failure or the like. In this case, the storage unit 23 of the communication device 20 after the exchange stores the first identification information A2 such as the MAC address given to itself, but the content of the communication device 20 before the exchange is First identification information: different from A1. Further, since the device 10 has not been replaced, the second identification information B1 for identifying itself is already stored. The management server device S already stores device combination information, which is a combination of the second identification information B1 of the device 10 and the first identification information A1 of the communication device 20 before replacement, but the communication after replacement. The first identification information A2 of the container 20 is not stored.

  In step # 30 shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 22 of the device 10 communicates the device operation information at a predetermined timing together with the second identification information: B1 because the second identification information: B1 has already been given to itself. To the device 20. In step # 31, when the communication device 20 receives the second identification information B1 and device operation information from the device 10, the communication device 20 stores the information in the storage unit 23 of the communication device 20. And the control part 22 of the communication apparatus 20 transmits the apparatus operation information received from the apparatus 10 to the management server apparatus S with predetermined timing with 1st identification information: A2 and 2nd identification information: B1.

  In step # 32, when the management server device S receives the first identification information: A2 and the second identification information: B1 and the device operation information from the communication device 20, the management server device S first stores the first combination information in the device combination information stored in itself. It is determined whether or not a combination of identification information: A2 and second identification information: B1 is included. In step # 32, the management server device S determines that the combination of the first identification information: A2 and the second identification information: B1 is not included in the device combination information already stored in the management server device S. However, since the management server device S can recognize that the device combination information already stored includes the second identification information B1 of the device 10, the communication device 20 is replaced by the communication device 20 being replaced. It can be determined that the combination of the first identification information and the second identification information of the device 10 has been changed from “A1” and “B1” to “A2” and “B1”. Then, the management server device S updates the stored device combination information as a combination of the received first identification information: A2 and the received second identification information: B1, and also updates the updated device combination information. The received device operation information is stored in association with each other.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, when the management server device S receives the device operation information from the communicator 20 together with the combination of the first identification information and the second identification information, the management server device S stores the device combination information already stored. If the received first identification information is included and the received second identification information is included, the received device operation information is stored in association with the already stored device combination information, and is already stored. If the received device identification information does not include the received first identification information and the received second identification information is included, the already stored device combination information is received as the received first identification information. The updated device combination information is updated as a combination with the second identification information, and the received device operation information is stored in association with the updated device combination information.

[When the device 10 is replaced]
FIG. 5 shows an example in which the communication device 20 remains as it is, but the device 10 is repaired or replaced due to a failure or the like.
In this case, the storage unit 23 of the communication device 20 already stores the first identification information A1 such as a MAC address assigned to the communication device 20. However, the storage unit 23 of the device 10 has not yet been given the second identification information from the management server device S due to the repair or replacement. Instead, the storage unit 23 of the device 10 stores initial identification information (for example, a null value) as an initial value set at the time of manufacture, shipping, or the like. The management server device S already stores device combination information that is a combination of the first identification information A1 of the communication device 20 and the second identification information B1 of the device 10 before repair or replacement.

  In the process # 40 shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 22 of the device 10 has not yet been given the second identification information for itself. For example, when the power is turned on for the first time after newly installed in the facility B, If the communication device 20 capable of performing information communication with the device communication unit 14 exists, initial identification information stored in advance in the device storage unit 13 is transmitted to the communication device 20. In this case, the control unit 22 of the device 10 transmits a “null value” as initial identification information to the communication device 20.

  In step # 41, when receiving the initial identification information from the device 10, the communication device 20 transmits the initial identification information and the first identification information A1 stored in its own storage unit 23 to the management server device S.

In step # 42, when the management server S receives the combination of the initial identification information and the first identification information: A1 from the communication device 20, the management server apparatus S includes the first identification information: A1 in the device combination information already stored in itself. It is determined whether or not it is included. Since the device 10 cannot be identified from the “null value” as the initial identification information, the management server device S focuses only on the first identification information: A1. Since FIG. 5 shows an example when the device 10 is repaired or replaced, the management server device S includes the first identification information A1 of the communication device 20 in the device combination information already stored. I can recognize that. Then, the management server device S changes the combination of the first identification information of the communication device 20 and the second identification information of the device 10 from “A1” and “B1” to “A1” and “null” by exchanging the device 10. It can be determined that the value has been changed to “value”. As a result, the management server device S uniquely assigns the second identification information: B2 to the device 10, and a combination of the first identification information: A1 of the communication device 20 and the second identification information: B2 of the device 10. Is updated and stored, and the second identification information B2 is transmitted to the device 10 via the communication device 20. And in step # 43, the management server device S In order to transmit the second identification information: B2 to the device 10 via the communication device 20, the second identification information: B2 is transmitted to the communication device 20.

  In Step # 44, when receiving the second identification information: B2 from the management server apparatus S, the communication device 20 transmits the second identification information: B2 to the device 10.

  In step # 45, the device control unit 12 of the device 10 stores the second identification information B2 received by the device communication unit 14 in the device storage unit 13. And after that, the apparatus 10 transmits apparatus operation information to the communication apparatus 20 with 2nd identification information: B2.

<Another embodiment>
<1>
In the above embodiment, the configuration of the device information management system has been described with a specific example, but the configuration can be changed as appropriate.
For example, in the said embodiment, although the air conditioner, the electric power generating apparatus, and the water heater were described as an example of the apparatus 10, another apparatus can be used as the apparatus 10. FIG.

In the above embodiment, the case where the first identification information is the MAC address has been described. However, the first identification information may be information other than the MAC address as long as the information is unique in the information communication network N.
Moreover, although the case where the initial identification information is a null value has been described, information other than the null value may be used as long as the information can be recognized by the management server device S as the initial identification information.
Moreover, although some examples of apparatus operation information were given, you may use the information different from what was mentioned above as apparatus operation information.

<2>
In the above embodiment, the example in which the device 10 and the communication device 20 are provided as separate devices has been described. However, the device 10 and the communication device 20 may be provided in the same device. For example, among the functions of the communication device 20 described above, the function of the communication device of the present invention may be mounted on the device 10 as a communication module. In this case, “when the communication device 20 is replaced” described in the above embodiment corresponds to a case where the communication module is replaced.

<3>
The configurations disclosed in the above-described embodiments (including the other embodiments, the same applies hereinafter) can be applied in combination with the configurations disclosed in the other embodiments as long as no contradiction arises, and are disclosed in this specification. The embodiment is an exemplification, and the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this, and can be appropriately modified without departing from the object of the present invention.

  The present invention can be used for a device information management system capable of continuously managing device operation information.

10 equipment 20 communication device B facility N information communication network S management server device

Claims (6)

Equipment installed in the facility and used by users of the facility;
A communication device that is installed in the facility, transmits and receives information to and from the device, and is given to itself, and has a first identification information unique in the information communication network,
A device information management system comprising a management server device installed in a remote location outside the facility and receiving device operation information indicating the operation status of the device from the communication device via the information communication network. And
The device stores second identification information given to itself, and transmits the device operation information together with the second identification information to the communication device,
The communicator transmits the device operation information together with the first identification information and the second identification information to the management server device,
The management server device is a combination of the first identification information of the communication device installed in the same facility and the second identification information of the device that transmits and receives information to and from the communication device. Device association information is stored in association with the device operation information,
The second identification information stored in the device is a device information management system which is information that the management server device uniquely assigns to the device and transmits the information to the device via the communication device. When the device has not yet been given the second identification information, the device transmits the initial identification information stored in advance to the communication device,
When the communication device receives the initial identification information from the device, the communication device transmits the initial identification information and the first identification information of the communication device to the management server device,
When the management server device receives a combination of the initial identification information and the first identification information from the communication device, if the first identification information is not included in the device combination information already stored, Uniquely assigning the second identification information to a device, and newly storing a combination of the first identification information of the communication device and the second identification information of the device as the device combination information; and The device information management system according to claim 1, wherein the second identification information is transmitted to the device via the communication device. When the device has not yet been given the second identification information, the device transmits the initial identification information stored in advance to the communication device,
When the communication device receives the initial identification information from the device, the communication device transmits the initial identification information and the first identification information of the communication device to the management server device,
When the management server device receives a combination of the initial identification information and the first identification information from the communication device, if the first identification information is included in the device combination information already stored, Uniquely assigns the second identification information to the device, and updates the device combination information that has already been stored with the combination of the first identification information of the communication device and the second identification information of the device The device information management system according to claim 1, wherein the second identification information is transmitted to the device via the communication device.   The device information management system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the initial identification information is a null value. When the management server device receives the device operation information from the communicator together with a combination of the first identification information and the second identification information,
If the received device identification information includes the received first identification information and the received second identification information, the already stored device combination information receives Storing the associated device operation information in association with each other,
If the received first identification information is not included in the stored device combination information and the received second identification information is included, the stored device combination information is received. Any one of Claims 1-4 which updates as a combination of the said 1st identification information which received and the said received 2nd identification information, and associates and stores the said apparatus operation information received in the said apparatus combination information after the update. The device information management system according to claim 1.   The device information management system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first identification information is a MAC address.

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