JP4121987B2 - Equipment control system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a device control system that controls operations of a plurality of device groups.

  In stores such as supermarkets and convenience stores, many different types of equipment such as showcases for cooling products and air conditioners for air conditioning in stores are installed. Development of a remote monitoring system for intensively monitoring the operation status of these devices from a remote location is being promoted.

FIG. 7 shows a configuration example of the remote monitoring system. In the remote monitoring system, a plurality of device groups (3) and (3) to be monitored at a plurality of stores, and a device group management device connected to the plurality of monitoring target device groups (3) and (3) (20) is installed, and the device group management device (20) of each store is connected to the remote monitoring device (1) installed in the monitoring center via a communication line (4) such as a telephone line. ing.
The device group management device (20) of each store is connected to each of a plurality of monitored device groups (3) and (3) and controls a plurality of device group control units (3) for controlling the operation of each monitored device group (3) ( 22) and (22), and a plurality of device group controllers (22) and (22) and a communication processor (23) for relaying communication between the remote monitoring device (1). Note that the communication protocol of the monitoring target device group (3) varies depending on the type and manufacturer of each device, and each device group control unit (22) is monitored according to the communication protocol of the connected monitoring target device group (3). It communicates with the device group (3).
On the other hand, the remote monitoring device (1) has a plurality of monitoring target device groups (3) (3) based on the comparison result between the operation state data acquired from each device group management device (20) and the past operation state data. Monitoring and control unit (11) that detects and predicts the occurrence of a failure, operation state information set by the user (for example, information about power consumption) and operation state data acquired from each device group management device (20). And an operation control unit (12) for controlling the operation of a plurality of device group control units (22) and (22) of each device group management device (20).

  FIG. 8 shows a data flow when the remote monitoring device (1) acquires data from the monitoring target device group (3). As shown in the figure, first, data reference request data having the data format of the device (hereinafter referred to as an external data format) is transmitted from the remote monitoring device (1) to the device group management device (20). The communication processing unit (23) of the device group management device (20) receives the data reference request data, and converts the received data into the data format of the device group control unit (22) (hereinafter referred to as an internal data format). And supplied to the device group control unit (22). The device group control unit (22) receives the data reference request data, issues a data acquisition request to the connected monitoring target device group (3), and is output from the monitoring target device group (3). The received data is received, converted into an internal data format, and supplied to the communication processing unit (23). The communication processing unit (23) converts the data supplied from the device group control unit (22) into an external data format and transmits it to the remote monitoring device (1). In this way, the remote monitoring device (1) acquires data from the monitoring target device group (3).

In addition, an equipment management system that controls and monitors equipment equipment such as air conditioners and lighting equipment in a building has been proposed (see Patent Document 1). In the facility management system, a facility management apparatus is connected to the target facility, and a common data structure description language is used for external communication between the facility management apparatus and the target facility and internal communication within the facility management apparatus.
JP 2001-14386 A [G06F 17/60]

By the way, in the remote monitoring system, in order to reduce the data communication amount between the remote monitoring device (1) and each device group management device (20) shown in FIG. Thus, it is conceivable to provide each device group management device (20) with an operation control unit (24) having the same function as the operation control unit (12) of the remote monitoring device (1).
However, the communication processing unit (23) of the conventional device group management device (20) shown in FIG. 7 converts the data into the internal data format when receiving data having the external data format from the remote monitoring device (1). Therefore, when the system shown in FIG. 9 is constructed, the operation control unit (12) of the remote monitoring device (1) must be changed to one capable of communication in the internal data format. There was a problem that the work was complicated.
It is also conceivable to provide the device group management device (20) without changing the operation control unit (12) of the remote monitoring device (1) shown in FIG. However, in such a configuration, when the data from the remote monitoring device (1) is for the device group control unit (22), it is necessary to convert the data into an internal data format. If it is for the operation control unit (12), it is not necessary to convert to the internal data format, so when the communication processing unit (23) receives data from the remote monitoring device (1), the internal data format There has been a problem that a process for determining whether or not to convert the data into a file has to be added, and the change work is complicated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to easily change the arrangement of functions between a device group management device and a control device such as the remote monitoring device connected to the device group management device without performing complicated change work. It is to provide a device control system that can do this.

  A first device control system according to the present invention includes a plurality of device groups including at least one device, one or more device group management devices connected to the plurality of device groups, and the one or more devices. One or a plurality of control devices connected to the group management device, each device group management device, one or more first control unit for controlling the operation of the connected one or more device group, The control device includes a communication processing unit that relays communication between one or a plurality of first control units and all or a part of the one or a plurality of control devices. A second control unit for controlling the operation of the first control unit of the apparatus is provided. And the communication processing part of each apparatus group management apparatus uses a common data format for the communication between the 1st control parts in an own apparatus, and the communication between the 2nd control parts of a control apparatus.

  In the first device control system according to the present invention, the second control unit of the control device uses the data format used for communication between the communication processing unit and the first control unit in the device group management device. Since communication with the processing unit can be performed, if the device group management device does not have the same function as the second control unit, the second control unit can be arranged in the device group management device without being changed. I can do it. Further, it is not necessary to add processing for determining whether or not format conversion is necessary when data is received from the outside to the communication processing unit.

Specifically, each device group management apparatus has a plurality of first control units, and one device group is connected to each first control unit, and the data having the data format identifies the device group management device. Device identification information and device group / device identification information for identifying a device group or a device constituting each device group are included. And the communication processing part of each equipment group management device is
Means for receiving data transmitted from the second control unit of the control device;
Means for determining whether or not the device identification information included in the received data matches the device identification information of the own device;
When both identification information matches, the received data is transmitted to a first control unit that controls a device group or a device group having the device group / device identification information included in the received data among the plurality of first control units. Means,
Means for receiving data transmitted from the first control unit;
Means for comparing the device identification information contained in the received data with predetermined identification information;
Depending on the comparison result, the received data is sent to the first control unit other than the first control unit that has transmitted the received data, or to the second control unit of the control device. And means for transmitting.

In the specific configuration described above, device identification information given to each device group management device and each device group or each device are given to identify a plurality of device groups or devices constituting each device group. For example, when a device group management device is added, other device group management is performed for each of a plurality of device groups or devices connected to the management device. Identification information can be assigned regardless of the identification information of a plurality of device groups or devices connected to the apparatus. Also, when a new device group or device is added to one device group management device, identification information is given regardless of the identification information of a plurality of device groups or devices connected to other device group management devices. I can do it.
According to the specific configuration, when adding a device group management apparatus or device group, identification information can be easily given to the added device group or device.

  A second device control system according to the present invention includes a plurality of device groups composed of at least one device, one or a plurality of device group management devices connected to the plurality of device groups, and the one or more devices. One or a plurality of control devices connected to the group management device, and at least one device group management device of the one or more device group management devices operates the connected one or more device groups One or more first control units for controlling the operation, a second control unit for controlling the operation of the one or more first control units, the one or more first control units, and the one or more control devices And a communication processing unit for relaying communication between the one or plural first control units and the second control unit. The communication processing unit of the device group management device is used for communication with the first control unit in the device itself, communication with the second control unit in the device, and communication with the control device. Use a common data format.

  In the second device control system according to the present invention, the second control unit of the device group management device communicates with the communication processing unit in a data format used for communication between the communication processing unit and the control device. Therefore, when the control device has the same function as that of the second control unit, the second control unit can be arranged in the control device without being changed. Also, suppose that the data format used for communication between the second control unit and the communication processing unit of the device group management apparatus is between the communication processing unit and the first control unit, and between the communication processing unit and the control device. When the second control unit is arranged in the control device without being changed, the communication processing unit of the device group management device receives the second data when the data is received from the control device. Although it is necessary to add a process for determining whether or not conversion to a data format used with one control unit is necessary, according to the device control system, there is no need to add the determination process. .

  According to the first and second device control systems according to the present invention, the arrangement of functions can be easily changed between the device group management device and the control device without performing complicated change work.

Hereinafter, the embodiment in which the present invention is implemented in the remote monitoring system shown in FIG. 1 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
In the remote monitoring system according to the present invention, a plurality of monitoring target device groups such as a showcase group including one or a plurality of showcases and an air conditioner group including one or a plurality of air conditioners are provided in a plurality of stores. 3) (3) and a device group management device (2) connected to the plurality of monitored device groups (3) and (3) are installed, and the device group management device (2) of each store is It is connected to a remote monitoring device (1) installed in the monitoring center via a communication line (4) such as a telephone line.
The device group management device (2) of each store is connected to each of the plurality of monitored device groups (3) and (3), and controls a plurality of device group control units (3) that control the operation of each monitored device group (3) ( 22) (22) and a communication processing unit (21) for relaying communication between the plurality of device group control units (22) and (22) and the remote monitoring device (1). The plurality of device group controllers (22) and (22) and the communication processor (21) are each realized by a program.
On the other hand, the remote monitoring device (1) has a plurality of monitoring target device groups (3) and (3) based on the comparison result between the operation state data acquired from each device group management device (2) and the past operation state data. Based on the monitoring control unit (11) that detects and predicts the occurrence of a failure, the operating state information set by the user (for example, information on power consumption), and the operating state data acquired from each device group management device (2) And an operation control unit (12) for controlling operations of the plurality of device group control units (22) and (22). The monitoring control unit (11) and the operation control unit (12) are each realized by a program.

In the remote monitoring system according to the present invention, between the communication processing unit (21) of each device group management device (2) and the monitoring control unit (11) and the operation control unit (12) of the remote monitoring device (1). A common data format is used for communication and communication between the communication processing unit (21) of each device group management device (2) and the plurality of device group control units (22) and (22).
FIG. 2 shows the structure of data having the data format. The data includes the number of bytes of transmission data, version information of the communication format, management device ID information for identifying a device group management device, and monitoring target devices. Device group ID information for identifying a group, command request ID information for identifying a command request, command response ID information for identifying a command response, sequence number, and transmission information.
For example, the remote monitoring device (1) remotely controls the device group (3) having the device group ID “2” connected to the device group management device (2) having the management device ID “1”. Then, data including “1” as the management device ID information and “2” as the device group ID information is transmitted to the device group management device (2).

FIG. 3 shows a data flow when the remote monitoring device (1) acquires data from the monitoring target device group (3). First, data reference request data having the data format shown in FIG. 2 is transmitted from the remote monitoring device (1) to the device group management device (2). Here, the data request reference data includes the ID information of the device group management device (2) to which the monitoring target device group (3) whose data is to be acquired is connected, and the ID of the monitoring target device group (3). Information and ID information of the data reference request command are included.
The communication processing unit (21) of the device group management device (2) receives the data reference request data, and does not convert the format of the received data, and the monitored device having the device group ID included in the received data This is supplied to the device group control unit (22) to which the group (3) is connected. The device group control unit (22) receives the data reference request data, issues a data acquisition request to the connected monitoring target device group (3), and is output from the monitoring target device group (3). From the received data, response data having the data format shown in FIG. 2 is generated and supplied to the communication processing unit (21). Here, the device group ID information includes the ID of the remote monitoring device (1) and the response command ID to the data reference request command. The transmission information includes data received from the monitored device group.
The communication processing unit (21) transmits the data supplied from the device group control unit (22) to the remote monitoring device (1) without format conversion. In this way, the remote monitoring device (1) acquires data from the monitoring target device group (3).

FIG. 4 shows a procedure executed by the communication processing unit (21) of each device group management device (2) when receiving data from the remote monitoring device (1). First, in step S1, the remote monitoring device (1) is shown. Wait to receive data from.
When data from the remote monitoring device (1) is received, the process proceeds to step S2, where it is determined whether or not the management device ID information included in the data matches the ID of the own device. In step S3, the data is transmitted as it is to the device group control unit (22) to which the monitoring target device group (3) having the device group ID included in the data is connected, and then the process returns to step S1. Wait for reception of data from the remote monitoring device (1).
On the other hand, if the management device ID information included in the data from the remote monitoring device (1) does not match the ID of the own device, the data is sent to the remote monitoring device (1) in step S4. After returning a message indicating that it is not, the process returns to step S1 and waits for reception of data from the remote monitoring device (1).

FIG. 5 shows a procedure executed by the communication processing unit (21) of each device group management apparatus (2) when receiving data from the device group control unit (22). First, in step S11, the device group control unit ( Wait for reception of data from 22).
When the data from the device group control unit (22) is received, the process proceeds to step S12, where it is determined whether or not the management device ID information included in the data has a value of “0”. In this case, in step S13, another device group control unit (22) to which the monitoring target device group (3) having the device group ID included in the data is connected, or another device group management device (2). After transmitting the data to the communication processing unit (21), the process returns to step S11 and waits for reception of data from the device group control unit (22).
On the other hand, when the management device ID information included in the data from the device group control unit (22) is not a value of “0”, and the device group ID information included in the data is the ID information of the remote monitoring device. After transmitting the data as it is to the remote monitoring device (1) in step S14, the process returns to step S11 and waits for reception of data from the device group control unit (22).

In the remote monitoring system according to the present invention, the monitoring control unit (11) and the operation control unit (12) of the remote monitoring device (1) are connected to the communication processing unit (21) and the device group in the device group management device (2). Since it is possible to communicate with the communication processing unit (21) in the data format used for communication with the control unit (22), for example, the same function as the operation control unit (12) has the same function as the device group management device (2). In the case where the device is held in the device group management device (2) as shown in FIG. 6, the operation control unit (12) can be arranged without being changed. Further, it is not necessary to add to the communication processing unit (21) a process for determining whether or not format conversion is necessary when data is received from the outside. In this way, the arrangement of functions can be easily changed between the remote monitoring device (1) and the device group management device (2) without performing complicated program change work.
For example, in a store where a large number of device groups are installed, a plurality of device group management devices may be installed. In this case, a single device group management device (2) is provided as shown in FIG. An operation control unit (12) is provided, and the communication processing unit (21) of the device group management device (2) and the communication processing unit (21) of another device group management device (2) are connected to, for example, a local area network ( 5) If connected to each other by 5), a plurality of monitored device groups (3) connected to other device group management devices (2) by the operation control section (12) of one device group management device (2). Data can be acquired from (3).

  Further, the communication processing unit (21) of the device group management device (2) does not need to perform a process of converting the data format, so that it is compared with the communication processing unit (23) of the conventional device group management device (20). The processing burden is reduced.

  Furthermore, the management device ID information given to each device group management device (2) and the device group given to each monitoring target device group (3) are used for identifying a plurality of monitoring target device groups (3). Since ID information of two layers of ID information is used, for example, when adding a device group management device (2), a plurality of device groups (3) and (3) connected to the management device (2) are added. On the other hand, ID information can be assigned independently of the ID information of the plurality of device groups (3) and (3) connected to the other device group management device (2). Also, when a new device group (3) is added to one device group management device (2), a plurality of device groups (3) (3) connected to the other device group management device (2) ID information can be assigned regardless of the identification information. In this way, when the device group management device (2) or the device group (3) is added, ID information can be easily given to the added device group (3).

In addition, each part structure of this invention is not restricted to the said embodiment, A various deformation | transformation is possible within the technical scope as described in a claim.
For example, in the above embodiment, a device group ID for identifying the monitoring target device group (3) is assigned to each monitoring target device group. However, each device constituting each monitoring target device group is assigned to each monitoring target device group. A device ID for identifying the device is assigned to the device, and communication is performed between the remote monitoring device (1) and the device group management device (2) using the above-described management device ID information and device ID information. It is also possible to adopt a configuration. In this configuration, the communication processing unit (21) of the device group management device (2) has the device group control unit (22) that controls the device from the device ID included in the received data from the remote monitoring device (1). The received data is specified and transmitted to the device group control unit (22), and the device group control unit (22) acquires data from a device having a device ID included in the received data.

In addition, the communication processing unit (21) of the device group management device (2) identifies one device group control unit (22) from the device group ID information or device ID information included in the received data from the remote monitoring device (1). Thus, the configuration is not limited to the configuration in which the reception data is transmitted to the device group control unit (22), and the configuration in which the reception data is transmitted to all the device group control units (22) may be employed. In this configuration, each device group control unit (22) is connected to the device group ID information included in the received data or the device group ID information of the monitored device group (3) to which the device ID information is connected. When the device ID information of the connected device is obtained, the device group ID information or the connection of the monitored device group (3) connected to the monitored device group (3) or while acquiring data from the device. If it is not the device ID information of the device that is being used, a message to that effect is returned to the communication processing unit (21). Then, when the communication processing unit (21) receives the message from all the device group control units (22), it returns a message to the remote monitoring device (1) that the received data is not addressed to itself.
Further, in the above embodiment, the present invention is implemented in a remote monitoring system including one remote monitoring device (1). However, the present invention is implemented in a remote monitoring system including a plurality of remote monitoring devices. Is also possible. In this system, by assigning the management device ID to each of a plurality of remote monitoring devices, communication can be performed between the plurality of remote monitoring devices and the plurality of device group management devices.

It is a block diagram showing the structure of the remote monitoring system which implemented this invention. It is a figure showing a data format. It is a figure showing the data flow at the time of the remote monitoring apparatus of the said remote monitoring system acquiring data from the monitoring object apparatus group. It is a flowchart showing the procedure which the communication processing part of an apparatus group management apparatus performs at the time of the data reception from a remote monitoring apparatus. It is a flowchart showing the procedure which the communication processing part of an apparatus group management apparatus performs at the time of the data reception from an apparatus group control part. It is a block diagram showing the example of a change of the structure of the said remote monitoring system. It is a block diagram showing the function structure of the conventional remote monitoring system. It is a figure showing the data flow at the time of the remote monitoring apparatus of the said remote monitoring system acquiring data from the monitoring object apparatus group. It is a block diagram showing the example of a change of the structure of the said remote monitoring system.

Explanation of symbols

(1) Remote monitoring device
(11) Supervisory control unit
(12) Operation control unit
(2) Device group management device
(21) Communication processor
(22) Device group controller
(3) Monitored device group
(4) Communication line

Claims (2)

A plurality of device groups comprising at least one device, one or more device group management devices connected to the plurality of device groups, and one or more controls connected to the one or more device group management devices Each device group management device includes one or more first control units that control the operation of one or more connected device groups, the one or more first control units, and the one or more first control units. A communication processing unit that relays communication with all or some of the plurality of control devices, and each control device controls the operation of the first control unit of the device group management device. In a device control system used for a store having two control units, the communication processing unit of each device group management device communicates with the first control unit in its own device, and the second of the control device. the communication between the control unit, using a common data format
Each device group management device has a plurality of first control units, and one device group is connected to each first control unit, and the data having the data format has a device identification for identifying the device group management device Information and a device group / device identification information for identifying a device group or a device constituting each device group, and the communication processing unit of each device group management device
Means for receiving data transmitted from the second control unit of the control device;
Means for determining whether or not the device identification information included in the received data matches the device identification information of the own device;
When both identification information matches, the received data is transmitted to a first control unit that controls a device group or a device group having the device group / device identification information included in the received data among the plurality of first control units. Means,
Means for receiving data transmitted from the first control unit;
Means for comparing the device identification information contained in the received data with predetermined identification information;
Depending on the comparison result, the received data is sent to the first control unit other than the first control unit that has transmitted the received data, or to the second control unit of the control device. A device control system comprising means for transmitting. A plurality of device groups comprising at least one device, one or more device group management devices connected to the plurality of device groups, and one or more controls connected to the one or more device group management devices In a device control system used for a store comprising a device, a computer controls the operation of one or a plurality of connected device groups, and all or a part of the one or a plurality of control devices. A program for functioning as a device group management device that communicates with a control device,
One or more control programs for controlling the operation of one or more connected device groups;
A first communication program that receives data having a predetermined data format from a control device, maintains the data format, and transmits the received data to all or part of the one or more control programs;
A second communication program that receives data having the data format from a control program, maintains the data format, and transmits the received data to the control device ;
There are a plurality of control programs, and the data having the predetermined data format includes device identification information for identifying a device group management device and a device group / device for identifying a device group or a device constituting each device group. Device identification information, and the first communication program includes:
A process of receiving data transmitted from the control device;
A process for determining whether the device identification information included in the received data matches the device identification information of the own device;
A process for transmitting the received data to a device group having a device group / device identification information included in the received data or a control program for controlling the device among the plurality of control programs when the two identification information matches. And the second communication program
A process of receiving data transmitted from the control program;
A process of comparing the device identification information included in the received data with predetermined identification information;
In order to cause a computer to execute a process of transmitting the received data to another control program other than the control program that transmitted the received data, or the control device, of the plurality of control programs, according to the comparison result Program that is .

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