JP7403356B2 - Control system, server, control information notification method, and control information notification program - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to a control system, a server, a control information notification method, and a control information notification program.

Conventionally, energy monitoring systems are known that include a plurality of controllers that acquire the energy consumption of equipment installed in a target property, and an energy monitoring device that collects the energy consumption from each controller ( For example, see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011-193577

On the other hand, in the controller, the required control, such as energy saving control or comfort control, differs depending on the property, the installation location of the device, the time of day, and the like. Therefore, setting the control method for the equipment in the controller is complicated. Therefore, the control method for the equipment in the controller is usually set by a maintenance company.

The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a control system in which even a person other than a maintenance company can set a control method for equipment in a controller.

A control system according to the present disclosure includes a first controller, a second controller, and a server that manages the first controller and the second controller. a driving information collection unit that collects driving information including a control method; a control information extraction unit that extracts a control method that satisfies extraction conditions indicating a control summary or a store from the driving information collected by the driving information collection unit; and a control information notification unit that notifies the second controller of the control method extracted by the information extraction unit, and the second controller includes an operation unit that operates the device using the control method notified from the server. shall be.

According to the present disclosure, with the configuration as described above, even a person other than a maintenance company can set a control method for a device in a controller.

1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a control system according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a server according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a controller according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the control system according to the first embodiment. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation for setting whether or not sharing is possible by the control system according to the first embodiment. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of shared information generation operation by the control system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of shared information generated by a shared information generation unit in Embodiment 1. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an extraction condition setting operation performed by the control system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of selection information displayed by the selection information display section in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of extraction conditions regarding a control method used in the control system according to the first embodiment. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a showcase driving operation performed by the control system according to the first embodiment. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of operation information collection operation by the control system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a specific example of operation of the control system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a specific example of operation of the control system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a server according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 16A and 16B are diagrams illustrating examples of the hardware configuration of the control system according to the first and second embodiments.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
Embodiment 1.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a control system according to the first embodiment.
The control system manages and sets controls related to the operation of equipment installed at multiple properties. In the following, a case will be described in which the property is a chain store such as a supermarket or a convenience store, and the equipment is a showcase. As shown in FIG. 1, this control system includes a server 1, one or more controllers (first controller) 2a, and one or more controllers (second controller) 2b. In FIG. 1, four stores (A store to D store) are shown, and a controller 2a is provided for each of the A store to C store, and a controller 2b is provided for the D store. Further, in FIG. 1, a sensor 3 is provided for store A.

Note that the controller 2a refers to a controller that has a function of operating the showcase based on a certain control method and measured value, and notifying the server 1 of operation information including at least one of the control method and the measured value. Further, the controller 2b refers to a controller that has a function of operating the showcase based on control information (at least one of a control method and a measured value) notified from the server 1. In the following, a case will be described in which the controller 2a and the controller 2b are the controllers 2 having both of the above functions.

The server 1 manages the controllers 2 (controller 2a and controller 2b). As shown in FIG. 2, this server 1 includes a storage section 101, an equipment information setting section 102, a sharing permission setting section 103, an operation information collection section 104, a shared information generation section 105, a shared information notification section 106, and a control information extraction section. 107 and a control information notification section 108. An example of the server 1 is a cloud server.

The storage unit 101 stores various data handled by the server 1.
The storage unit 101 may include, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), flash memory, EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), EEPROM (Electrically EPROM), etc. Volatile or volatile semiconductor memory, magnetic disk , a flexible disc, an optical disc, a compact disc, a mini disc, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), etc.

Further, FIG. 2 shows a case where the storage unit 101 is provided inside the server 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the storage unit 101 may be provided outside the server 1.

The equipment information setting unit 102 sets, for each controller 2, information (equipment information) regarding the showcase controlled by the controller 2. The equipment information includes information regarding the equipment configuration of the showcase, the layout of the showcase (store layout), and the store where the showcase is installed. Information regarding the store includes the location of the store, the presence or absence of the sensor 3 installed in the store, the type of the sensor 3, the area of the sales floor, and the like. Note that the equipment information setting unit 102 may set at least equipment information for each controller 2a.

The sharing permission setting unit 103 sets sharing permission for each controller 2. Sharing availability indicates whether information based on the operating information and equipment information of the showcase controlled by the controller 2 can be disclosed to other controllers 2 as shared information (shareable) or cannot be disclosed (shareable). . The sharing permission setting unit 103 may be configured to set the sharing permission for each controller 2 to default (for example, sharing not possible) in an initial state, and to change it upon receiving a notification from the controller 2. Note that the sharing permission setting unit 103 may set sharing permission or prohibition for at least each controller 2a.

The driving information collection unit 104 collects driving information from the controller 2 at a predetermined timing. The operation information includes a control method and a control result. Further, when the controller 2 is provided with a measured value acquisition section 207 described later, the above-mentioned driving information also includes the measured values acquired by the measured value acquisition section 207. Note that the driving information collection unit 104 collects measured values and some control methods (changes in control settings, changes in start/stop, etc.) in real time.

The shared information generation unit 105 generates shared information based on the operation information collected by the operation information collection unit 104 and the equipment information set by the equipment information setting unit 102. The shared information is information that the user who operates the controller 2 refers to when selecting an extraction condition, especially when selecting a store as an extraction condition. The extraction conditions are conditions used when the server 1 extracts control information (at least one of a control method and a measured value), and there are extraction conditions related to a control method and extraction conditions related to a measured value.

Note that the operating information and equipment information used by the shared information generation unit 105 are the operating information and equipment information of the showcase controlled by the controller 2 whose sharing permission set by the sharing permission setting unit 103 indicates sharing. The shared information includes rankings of effects of various controls, control methods for each controller 2, equipment information for each store, and the like. The ranking of the effects of various controls can be generated from the control results included in the driving information collected by the driving information collecting unit 104. Further, the control method for each controller 2 can be generated from the control method included in the driving information collected by the driving information collecting unit 104. Further, equipment information for each store can be generated from equipment information set by the equipment information setting unit 102.

When receiving a shared information acquisition request from the controller 2, the shared information notification unit 106 notifies the controller 2 of the shared information generated by the shared information generation unit 105.

Based on the extraction conditions regarding the control method received from the controller 2, the control information extraction unit 107 extracts a control method that satisfies the extraction conditions from the driving information collected by the driving information collection unit 104. Extraction conditions include, for example, the outline of the control or the store. Note that one extraction condition may be selected for the entire showcase controlled by the controller 2, or may be selected for each group (for example, sales floor) of a plurality of showcases. Examples of control methods include changing schedules, control setting values, and starting/stopping. Note that the control information extraction unit 107 extracts some control methods (changes in control settings, changes in start/stop, etc.) in real time.

Furthermore, based on the extraction conditions regarding the measured values received from the controller 2, the control information extraction unit 107 extracts measured values that satisfy the extraction conditions from the driving information collected by the driving information collection unit 104. An example of the extraction condition is a store. Measured values include temperature, humidity, amount of electricity, presence or absence of people, and the like. Note that the control information extraction unit 107 extracts measured values in real time.

The control information notification unit 108 notifies the controller 2 that has notified the extraction condition of the control information (at least one of the control method and the measured value) that satisfies the extraction condition extracted by the control information extraction unit 107.

The controller 2 controls a showcase installed in a target store. As shown in FIG. 3, this controller 2 includes a storage section 201, a selection information display section 202, a shared information acquisition request section 203, a shared information display section 204, an extraction condition notification section 205, a control method setting section 206, and a measurement value acquisition section. 207, an operation section 208, a control result detection section 209, and an operation information notification section 210.

The storage unit 201 stores various data handled by the controller 2.
The storage unit 201 may be, for example, a nonvolatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as a RAM, ROM, flash memory, EPROM, or EEPROM, a magnetic disk, a flexible disk, an optical disk, a compact disk, a mini disk, or a DVD.

Further, FIG. 3 shows a case where the storage unit 201 is provided inside the controller 2. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the storage unit 201 may be provided outside the controller 2.

The selection information display unit 202 displays selection information on a display unit (not shown). The selection information is information that the user refers to when selecting an extraction condition, particularly when selecting a control outline as an extraction condition. Note that the user may be a user who directly operates the controller 2 or may be a user who indirectly operates the controller 2 from a remote location.

The shared information acquisition request unit 203 notifies the server 1 of the shared information acquisition request when the user makes a shared information acquisition request.

The shared information display section 204 displays the shared information notified from the server 1 on the display section.

The extraction condition notification section 205 sends an extraction condition (extraction related to the control method) selected by the user based on at least one of the selection information displayed by the selection information display section 202 and the shared information displayed by the shared information display section 204. (at least one of the conditions and the extraction conditions regarding the measured value) is notified to the server 1.

The control method setting unit 206 sets a control method for the showcase. Here, if the extraction condition notification unit 205 has notified the server 1 of the extraction conditions regarding the control method, the control method setting unit 206 sets the control method notified from the server 1 as the control method for the showcase. do. On the other hand, if the extraction condition notification unit 205 has not notified the server 1 of the extraction conditions related to the control method, the control method setting unit 206 selects a unique control method as the control method for the showcase in response to user operations, etc. Set.

The measurement value acquisition unit 207 acquires the measurement value measured by the sensor 3. The sensor 3 is installed in the store and measures parameters used by the controller 2 to control the showcase. Examples of the sensor 3 include a temperature sensor that measures temperature, a humidity sensor that measures humidity, a wattmeter sensor that measures electric energy, and a human sensor that detects the presence or absence of a person. Note that the measured value acquisition unit 207 acquires measured values in real time. Further, if the sensor 3 is not provided, the measured value acquisition unit 207 is not required in the controller 2.

The operating unit 208 operates the showcase using the control method set by the control method setting unit 206. Here, if the extraction condition notification unit 205 notifies the server 1 of the extraction conditions related to the measured values, the operation unit 208 uses the above control method to execute the showcase based on the measured values notified from the server 1. to drive. On the other hand, if the extraction condition notification unit 205 has not notified the server 1 of the extraction conditions related to the measured value, the operation unit 208 uses the above control method to perform the following operations based on the measured value acquired by the measured value acquisition unit 207. Drive the showcase. Note that the interlocking control of the showcase using the measured values by the operating unit 208 is the same as the conventional control method for the showcase. For example, when the measured value is the outside temperature, the operating unit 208 strengthens the cooling by the showcase when the outside temperature is higher than the specified value, and weakens the cooling by the showcase when the outside temperature is lower than the specified value.

The control result detection unit 209 detects the effect (control result) obtained by the operation of the showcase by the operation unit 208. The control result is, for example, power consumption.

The driving information notification unit 210 notifies the server 1 of driving information. The driving information includes the control method set by the control method setting section 206 and the control result detected by the control result detection section 209. Further, when the controller 2 is provided with the measured value acquisition section 207, the above-mentioned driving information also includes the measured value acquired by the measured value acquisition section 207. Note that the driving information notification unit 210 notifies measured values and some control methods (changes in control settings, changes in start/stop, etc.) in real time.

Note that the controller 2a is not indispensable for the function of operating the showcase based on the control information (at least one of the control method and the measured value) notified from the server 1, and may not have the function. good.
Further, the controller 2b is not required to have a function of operating the showcase based on a certain control method and measured value and notifying the server 1 of operation information including at least one of the control method and the measured value. It is not necessary to have the function.

Next, an example of the operation of the control system according to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 will be described with reference to FIG. 4. It is assumed that the equipment information setting unit 102 has already set the equipment information for each controller 2.
In the operation example of the control system, as shown in FIG. 4, the control system first sets whether sharing is possible (step ST401).
Next, the control system generates shared information (step ST402).
Next, the control system sets extraction conditions (step ST403).
Next, the control system operates the showcase (step ST404).
Next, the control system collects driving information (step ST405).

Next, an example of the setting operation of sharing permission/prohibition in step ST401 will be described with reference to FIG. 5.
In the example of the sharing permission setting operation in step ST401, as shown in FIG. 5, the sharing permission setting unit 103 of the server 1 sets the sharing permission for each controller 2 (step ST501). The sharing permission setting unit 103 may be configured to set the sharing permission for each controller 2 to default (for example, sharing not possible) in an initial state, and to change it upon receiving a notification from the controller 2. By setting whether or not to allow sharing, stores that do not wish to share information can be prevented from sharing, thereby making the information private to other stores.

Next, an example of the shared information generation operation in step ST402 will be described with reference to FIG. 6.
In the shared information generation operation example in step ST402, as shown in FIG. The operating information and equipment information of the showcase controlled by the controller 2 whose sharing permission set by the sharing permission setting unit 103 indicates sharing is extracted from the installed equipment information (step ST601).

Next, the shared information generation unit 105 generates shared information based on the extracted operating information and equipment information (step ST602).

FIG. 7 shows an example of shared information generated by the shared information generation unit 105.
The shared information shown in FIG. 7 shows energy saving effect rankings, temperature maintenance effect rankings, and equipment information for each store. The energy saving effect ranking shown in FIG. 7 includes an overall ranking, a ranking for the frozen section, and a ranking for each section of each store. The ranking of the temperature maintenance effect shown in FIG. 7 is also the same as the ranking of the energy saving effect shown in FIG. 7, and is not shown in FIG. The equipment information shown in FIG. 7 shows the layout and equipment configuration for each store.

Next, an example of the extraction condition setting operation in step ST403 will be described with reference to FIG. 8. In the following, a case will be described in which the user selects both the extraction conditions related to the control method and the extraction conditions related to the measured values. Note that the selection of extraction conditions regarding measured values is normally performed before the store is operated. In addition, extraction conditions related to control methods are normally selected before store operation, but if you want to temporarily change the control method depending on the environment such as the weather on that day or the store's circumstances, etc. Implemented each time.
In the example of the extraction condition setting operation in step ST403, as shown in FIG. 8, the selection information display unit 202 of the controller 2 first displays selection information on the display unit (step ST801).

FIG. 9 shows an example of selection information for selecting extraction conditions related to the control method.
The selection information shown in FIG. 9 shows a selection number (No.), a purpose of control, and a menu. In FIG. 9, "energy-saving driving" and "comfortable driving" are shown as control objectives. Further, in FIG. 9, the menu shows "low" and "strong" for energy-saving driving, and "hot" and "cool" for comfortable driving.
Then, the user can select extraction conditions (outline of control) regarding the control method by referring to the selection information shown in FIG. 9 and selecting any selection number from No. 1 to No. 4. The selection information as shown in FIG. 9 allows the user to set the control method without being aware of the details of the control method (control setting values, etc.). That is, the user does not need to be a maintenance contractor, and may be a person (such as a store employee) who has little knowledge about setting the control method, and can easily set the control method.

Further, in the selection information shown in FIG. 9, the user can select the shared information acquisition request by selecting No. 5 as the selection number. The case where the user selects No. 5 will be described below.

In this case, the shared information acquisition request unit 203 of the controller 2 notifies the server 1 of the shared information acquisition request (step ST802).

Next, the shared information notification unit 106 of the server 1 notifies the controller 2 that made the acquisition request of the shared information generated by the shared information generation unit 105 (step ST803).

Next, the shared information display section 204 of the controller 2 causes the display section to display the shared information notified from the server 1 (step ST804). As a result, the shared information shown in FIG. 7, for example, is displayed on the display unit. Then, the user can select extraction conditions regarding the control method by referring to the shared information shown in FIG. 7 and selecting a desired store. The shared information shown in Figure 7 allows the user to select a store to serve as a control model depending on the equipment configuration of the store, etc., and to reflect the control method used at that store as the control method for the store. becomes. At this time, the user selects, for example, a store with a high ranking, a store with a similar layout, or a store with a similar sales floor area to his own store.

Although an example of a method for selecting an extraction condition related to a control method has been described above, an example of a method for selecting an extraction condition related to a measured value is also the same as described above.
FIG. 10 shows an example of extraction conditions regarding the control method selected by the user. FIG. 10 shows a case in which the user selects extraction conditions for each department (group). In the extraction conditions shown in Figure 10, the control method of store C is used for the showcases installed in the fruit and vegetable section, the control method of store A is used for the showcases installed in the frozen section, and the control method is used for the showcases installed in the meat section. It is shown that the control method of store C is used for the showcase shown in FIG.

Next, the extraction condition notification unit 205 of the controller 2 notifies the server 1 of the extraction conditions (extraction conditions related to the control method and extraction conditions related to the measured values) selected by the user (step ST805).

Next, an example of the operation of the showcase in step ST404 will be described with reference to FIG. 11.
In the showcase driving operation example in step ST404, as shown in FIG. A control method that satisfies the extraction conditions is extracted from the collected driving information (step ST1101). Note that the control information extraction unit 107 extracts some control methods (changes in control settings, changes in start/stop, etc.) in real time.

Furthermore, the control information extraction unit 107 extracts measured values that satisfy the extraction conditions from the driving information collected by the driving information collection unit 104 based on the extraction conditions regarding the measured values received from the controller 2 (step ST1102). . Note that the control information extraction unit 107 extracts measured values in real time.

Next, the control information notifying unit 108 of the server 1 notifies the controller 2 that has notified the extraction conditions of the control information (control method and measured value) extracted by the control information extracting unit 107 (step ST1103).

Next, the control method setting unit 206 of the controller 2 sets the control method notified from the server 1 as the control method for the showcase (step ST1104). Note that the control method setting unit 206 is capable of individually changing the control method set as described above.

Next, the operating unit 208 of the controller 2 operates the showcase using the control method set by the control method setting unit 206 based on the measured value notified from the server 1 (step ST1105). This allows the controller 2 to operate the showcase using the control method and measurement values borrowed from other stores.

Next, an example of the operation information collection operation in step ST405 will be described with reference to FIG. 12. Here, a case will be described in which the sensor 3 is installed in a store targeted by the controller 2.
In the operation information collection operation example in step ST405, as shown in FIG. 12, the measured value acquisition unit 207 of the controller 2 first acquires the measured value measured by the sensor 3 (step ST1201). Note that the measured value acquisition unit 207 acquires measured values in real time.

Further, the control result detection section 209 of the controller 2 detects the effect (control result) obtained by the operation of the showcase by the operation section 208 (step ST1202).

Next, the driving information notification unit 210 of the controller 2 notifies the server 1 of the driving information (step ST1203). The driving information includes the control method set by the control method setting unit 206, the control result detected by the control result detection unit 209, and the measured value acquired by the measured value acquisition unit 207. Note that the driving information notification unit 210 notifies measured values and some control methods (changes in control settings, changes in start/stop, etc.) in real time.

Next, the driving information collection unit 104 of the server 1 collects driving information from the controller 2 (step ST1204).

Next, a specific example of the operation of the control system shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 will be described.
Here, as shown in FIG. 13, a case will be described in which the controller 2 installed at store D uses control information used by the controller 2 installed at another store. In FIG. 13, store A is provided with a sensor 3 that measures the outside temperature. Further, in FIG. 13, shift temperature is set as a control method in the controller 2 installed at store C. The shift temperature refers to the temperature that is shifted from the control set value only during the energy saving time period. The server 1 collects operating information from each controller 2 installed at stores A to D. Then, the server 1 generates shared information based on the held equipment information and the collected operation information. The shared information generated by this server 1 is notified in response to a request from the controller 2 installed at store D.

In FIG. 13, for the controller 2 installed at store D, the user selects store C as the extraction condition regarding the control method, and selects store A as the extraction condition regarding the measured value. In this case, the server 1 extracts the control method of store C and the outside temperature of store A from the operating information and notifies the controller 2 of the information. Then, the controller 2 uses the control method and outside temperature notified from the server 1 to operate the showcase. For example, if the control settings are changed in the controller 2 installed at store C, that information is notified to the controller 2 installed at store D, and the controller 2 installed at store D also changes the control settings. Value is changed.

FIG. 14 shows a case where the user sets extraction conditions for each department in the controller 2 installed in store D. In FIG. 14, store A is provided with a sensor 3 that measures the outside temperature and a sensor 3 that measures the temperature and humidity inside the store. Further, in FIG. 14, shift temperature is set as a control method in the controller 2 installed at store C. In addition, in FIG. 14, store D has three departments (a meat department, a frozen department, and a fruit and vegetable department). The server 1 collects operating information from each controller 2 installed at stores A to D. Then, the server 1 generates shared information based on the held equipment information and the collected operation information. The shared information generated by this server 1 is notified in response to a request from the controller 2 installed at store D.

In FIG. 14, for the controller 2 installed in store D, the user selects store C as the extraction condition regarding the control method for the meat department, and selects store A as the extraction condition regarding the control method for the frozen department. are doing. Note that for the fruit and vegetable section, the user does not select extraction conditions regarding the control method, but employs an original control method. Furthermore, the user has selected the outside temperature of store A as the extraction condition regarding the measured value. In this case, the server 1 notifies the controller 2 of the method of controlling the meat section of store C, the method of controlling the frozen section of store A, and the outside temperature of store A. Then, the controller 2 uses the control method and outside temperature notified from the server 1 to operate the showcase.

Usually, in a store having multiple departments, the optimal control method differs for each department. That is, the optimal control method differs depending on the sales area, such as a sales area that requires energy saving, a sales area that requires comfort, or a sales area that requires thorough temperature control. Therefore, as shown in Figure 14, the user can set the extraction conditions for each department and use the appropriate control method for each department, making it possible to combine the control methods of multiple stores and set the optimal control method. becomes.

In the control system according to the first embodiment, the server 1 classifies the operational information collected from the controller 2 (controller 2a) as data by purpose, creates a database, and holds the operational information. Then, when the user operating the controller 2 (controller 2b) selects extraction conditions for the current day or after that day, the server 1 extracts control information that matches the extraction conditions, and the controller 2 (controller 2b) Notify. Then, the controller 2 (controller 2b) operates the showcase using the notified control information. As a result, in the control system according to Embodiment 1, in stores such as chain stores, the control method is shared for at least some of the stores while leaving it to each store's autonomy, so that the controller receives notification of the control method. Regarding 2, there is no need for the maintenance company to set the control method. In addition, with this control system, by reusing control methods from other stores, it is possible for someone other than the maintenance company to easily change the control method, for example, if the control method needs to be changed temporarily due to the day's environment or store circumstances. Become. Moreover, in this control system, by diverting the measured values for at least some stores, it becomes unnecessary to install the sensor 3 in the stores targeted by the controller 2 that receives the notification of the measured values.

Note that in stores such as chain stores, each store is often located in a similar area and has a similar layout. Furthermore, the showcases installed in stores are often from the same manufacturer. Therefore, even if the control method and measured values at one of the above-mentioned stores are used in another store, it is expected that the same effect as the original store will be obtained at the other store.

Note that the above description shows a case where the user operating the controller 2 refers to at least one of the selection information and the shared information and selects the extraction condition. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the server 1 may determine the similarity between stores (similarity in area ratio of sales floor, similarity in layout, similarity in geography, etc.) based on the shared information, and the controller 1 Alternatively, candidates for extraction conditions may be selected and notified to the controller 2. The user operating the controller 2 may select a desired extraction condition from among the extraction condition candidates notified by the server 1.

Furthermore, in the above description, a case has been described in which the control information extraction unit 107 extracts one piece of control information that satisfies the extraction conditions. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the control information extraction unit 107 may extract a plurality of pieces of control information that satisfy the extraction conditions. In this case, for example, when the control information is a numerical value such as a measured value or a control setting value, the control information extraction unit 107 averages the extracted plural pieces of control information, and the control information notification unit 108 averages the extracted control information. The controller 2 may be notified of the control information after averaging.

Further, in the above description, a case has been described in which the controller 2 (controller 2b) uses the measured value notified from the server 1 to operate the showcase. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the controller 2 may operate the showcase using the measured value acquired by the measured value acquisition unit 207. That is, in the control system according to the first embodiment, diversion of measured values is not essential.

Furthermore, in the above example, the device is a showcase. However, the device is not limited to this, and may be, for example, an air conditioner or a lighting device.
Furthermore, in the above example, the property is a store. However, the property is not limited to this, and the property may be an apartment, for example.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the control system includes the controller 2a, the controller 2b, and the server 1 that manages the controller 2a and the controller 2b. an operation information collection unit 104 that collects operation information including a control method for the equipment controlled by the device 2a; and a control information extraction unit 107 that extracts a control method that satisfies extraction conditions from the operation information collected by the operation information collection unit 104. , a control information notification unit 108 that notifies the controller 2b of the control method extracted by the control information extraction unit 107, and the controller 2b includes an operation unit 208 that operates the equipment using the control method notified from the server 1. Ta. Thereby, in the control system according to the first embodiment, even a person other than a maintenance company can set the control method for the equipment in the controller 2b.

Embodiment 2.
In the control system according to Embodiment 1, a case has been shown in which the control information extraction unit 107 extracts control information that satisfies the extraction conditions, and the control information notification unit 108 notifies the controller 2 of the control information as it is. In contrast, in a control system according to a second embodiment, a case will be described in which a weighting coefficient is added to the control information.
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the server 1 according to the second embodiment. In the server 1 according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 15, a coefficient calculation unit 109 is added to the server 1 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. The other configurations are the same, and only the different parts will be explained. In the following, a case where the device is a showcase is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this.

The coefficient calculation unit 109 calculates a weighting coefficient for the control information based on equipment information regarding the showcases controlled by the controller 2 (controller 2a and controller 2b). At this time, the coefficient calculation unit 109 calculates the degree of similarity between stores (such as degree of similarity in floor area ratio, degree of layout similarity, degree of similarity in geographical relationship, etc.) from the equipment information, and calculates a weighting factor.

Control information extraction section 107 in the second embodiment adds the weighting coefficient calculated by coefficient calculation section 109 to the extracted control information. For example, when the control information is a numerical value such as a measured value or a control setting value, the control information extraction unit 107 multiplies the extracted control information by the weighting coefficient.
The control information notification unit 108 in the second embodiment notifies the controller 2 of the control information extracted by the control information extraction unit 107 and added with a weighting coefficient.

Note that the above description shows a case where the coefficient calculation unit 109 calculates a weighting coefficient for control information. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the server 1 may not include the coefficient calculation unit 109 and may use weighting coefficients input by user operation or the like. Furthermore, the weighting coefficients do not need to be fixed values and can be changed as appropriate.

Note that in the control systems according to Embodiments 1 and 2, a case is shown in which the control information extraction unit 107 is provided in the server 1. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the function corresponding to the control information extraction unit 107 may be provided in the controller 2b instead of the server 1, and the same effects as described above can be obtained.
In this case, the control information notifying unit 108 provided in the server 1 is changed to a driving information notifying unit that notifies the controller 2b of the driving information collected by the driving information collecting unit 104. Further, the controller 2b is provided with a control information extraction unit that extracts control information (at least one of a control method and a measured value) that satisfies extraction conditions from the operation information notified from the server 1 (operation information notification unit). It will be done. Furthermore, when the extraction condition regarding the control method is selected by the user, the control method setting section 206 sets the control method extracted by the control information extraction section as the control method for the showcase. Further, when the user selects an extraction condition related to the measured value, the operation unit 208 performs the following operation based on the measured value extracted by the control information extraction unit using the control method set by the control method setting unit 206. Drive the showcase. Note that in this case, the extraction condition notification unit 205 is unnecessary.

Finally, with reference to FIG. 16, an example of the hardware configuration of the control system according to the first and second embodiments will be described. An example of the hardware configuration of the server 1 according to the first embodiment will be described below, but the same applies to the controller 2 according to the first embodiment and the server 1 and the controller 2 according to the second embodiment.
The functions of the equipment information setting unit 102, sharing permission/prohibition setting unit 103, operation information collection unit 104, shared information generation unit 105, shared information notification unit 106, control information extraction unit 107, and control information notification unit 108 in the server 1 perform processing. This is realized by circuit 501. As shown in FIG. 16A, the processing circuit 501 may be dedicated hardware, or as shown in FIG. 16B, a CPU 502 (Central Processing Unit, central processing unit, It may also be a processing device, arithmetic device, microprocessor, microcomputer, processor, or DSP (Digital Signal Processor).

When the processing circuit 501 is dedicated hardware, the processing circuit 501 is, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate). Array), or a combination of these. The processing circuit 501 performs the functions of each of the equipment information setting section 102, sharing permission setting section 103, operation information collecting section 104, shared information generating section 105, shared information notifying section 106, control information extracting section 107, and control information notifying section 108. Alternatively, the functions of each part may be implemented collectively in the processing circuit 501.

When the processing circuit 501 is the CPU 502, the equipment information setting unit 102, the sharing permission setting unit 103, the operation information collecting unit 104, the shared information generating unit 105, the shared information notifying unit 106, the control information extracting unit 107, and the control information notifying unit 108 Functions are realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. Software and firmware are written as programs and stored in memory 503. The processing circuit 501 realizes the functions of each section by reading and executing programs stored in the memory 503. That is, the server 1 includes a memory 503 for storing a program that, when executed by the processing circuit 501, results in each step shown in FIG. 4 being executed, for example. These programs also include the procedures of the equipment information setting unit 102, sharing permission setting unit 103, operation information collection unit 104, shared information generation unit 105, shared information notification unit 106, control information extraction unit 107, and control information notification unit 108. It can also be said that it causes a computer to execute the method. Here, as the memory 503, for example, non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as RAM, ROM, flash memory, EPROM, EEPROM, magnetic disk, flexible disk, optical disk, compact disk, mini disk, DVD, etc. are applicable. do.

Note that some of the functions of the equipment information setting unit 102, sharing permission setting unit 103, operation information collection unit 104, shared information generation unit 105, shared information notification unit 106, control information extraction unit 107, and control information notification unit 108 are may be realized by dedicated hardware, and part may be realized by software or firmware. For example, the function of the equipment information setting section 102 is realized by a processing circuit 501 as dedicated hardware, and the sharing permission setting section 103, operation information collection section 104, shared information generation section 105, shared information notification section 106, control The functions of the information extraction unit 107 and the control information notification unit 108 can be realized by the processing circuit 501 reading and executing programs stored in the memory 503.

In this way, the processing circuit 501 can implement each of the above functions using hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof.

Note that it is possible to freely combine each embodiment, to modify any component of each embodiment, or to omit any component in each embodiment.

1 Server, 2 Controller, 3 Sensor, 101 Storage unit, 102 Equipment information setting unit, 103 Sharing permission setting unit, 104 Operation information collection unit, 105 Shared information generation unit, 106 Shared information notification unit, 107 Control information extraction unit, 108 Control information notification unit, 109 Coefficient calculation unit, 201 Storage unit, 202 Selection information display unit, 203 Shared information acquisition request unit, 204 Shared information display unit, 205 Extraction condition notification unit, 206 Control method setting unit, 207 Measured value acquisition unit , 208 operation section, 209 control result detection section, 210 operation information notification section, 501 processing circuit, 502 CPU, 503 memory.

Claims (8)

comprising a first controller, a second controller, and a server that manages the first controller and the second controller,
The server is
an operation information collection unit that collects, from the first controller, operation information including a control method for equipment controlled by the first controller;
a control information extraction unit that extracts a control method that satisfies extraction conditions indicating a control outline or a store from the driving information collected by the driving information collection unit;
a control information notification unit that notifies the second controller of the control method extracted by the control information extraction unit;
The second controller is
A control system comprising: an operation unit that operates equipment according to a control method notified from the server. A plurality of the first controllers are provided,
The operation information collected by the operation information collection unit includes a control method and control results obtained by operating the equipment according to the control method,
The server is
a shared information generation unit that generates shared information based on the driving information collected by the driving information collection unit;
a shared information notification unit that notifies the second controller of the shared information generated by the shared information generation unit when a shared information acquisition request is received from the second controller;
The second controller is
a shared information acquisition request unit that notifies the server of a shared information acquisition request;
a shared information display unit that displays shared information notified from the server on a display unit;
The control system according to claim 1, further comprising an extraction condition notification unit that notifies the server of extraction conditions selected by the user based on the shared information displayed on the display unit. The server is
comprising a sharing permission/prohibition setting unit for setting sharing permission/prohibition for each of the first controllers;
The shared information generation unit generates shared information using operating information of a device controlled by a first controller whose sharing permission set by the sharing permission setting unit of the first controller indicates sharing. 3. The control system according to claim 2, wherein the control system generates: The server is
a coefficient calculation unit that calculates a weighting coefficient based on equipment information regarding equipment controlled by the first controller and equipment information regarding equipment controlled by the second controller;
The control information extraction unit adds a weighting coefficient calculated by the coefficient calculation unit to the extracted control method,
Any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control information notifying unit notifies the second controller of the control method to which the weighting coefficient extracted by the control information extracting unit is added. Control system as described in Section. comprising a first controller, a second controller, and a server that manages the first controller and the second controller,
The server is
an operation information collection unit that collects, from the first controller, operation information including a control method for equipment controlled by the first controller;
and a driving information notification unit that notifies the second controller of the driving information collected by the driving information collection unit,
The second controller is
a control information extraction unit that extracts a control method that satisfies extraction conditions indicating a control outline or a store from the driving information notified from the server;
A control system comprising: an operation section that operates a device using the control method extracted by the control information extraction section. an operation information collection unit that collects, from a first controller, operation information including a control method for equipment controlled by the first controller;
a control information extraction unit that extracts a control method that satisfies extraction conditions indicating a control outline or a store from the driving information collected by the driving information collection unit;
and a control information notification unit that notifies a second controller of the control method extracted by the control information extraction unit. a step in which the operation information collection unit collects operation information including a control method for equipment controlled by the first controller from the first controller;
a control information extraction unit extracting a control method that satisfies extraction conditions indicating a control outline or a store from the driving information collected by the driving information collection unit;
A control information notification method comprising: a control information notification unit notifying a second controller of the control method extracted by the control information extraction unit. a step in which the operation information collection unit collects operation information including a control method for equipment controlled by the first controller from the first controller;
a control information extraction unit extracting a control method that satisfies extraction conditions indicating a control outline or a store from the driving information collected by the driving information collection unit;
A control information notification program for causing a computer to execute the following steps: a control information notification unit notifying a second controller of the control method extracted by the control information extraction unit.

Images