JP7485903B2 - Communications system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a communication system, and more specifically to control of firmware updates for components of a hot water utilization facility using a communication system in which the hot water utilization facility and a server are communicatively connected.

A remote management system for a multi-hot water supply system, which is an example of a hot water utilization facility, is known. JP 2019-128653 A (Patent Document 1) describes a technique for writing an update program downloaded from a management server via a communication adapter (relay device) to the components of the hot water supply system in the above-mentioned remote management system.

In Patent Document 1, the management server acquires version information of the software of the components of the hot water supply system collected by the communication adapter during regular communication with the communication adapter. If the acquired version information differs from the version information of the new program to be updated, the management server transmits software update information to the communication adapter. Furthermore, the communication adapter downloads the update program based on the received software update information and transmits it to the above-mentioned components, thereby writing the update program to each component.

JP 2019-128653 A

However, in the method of Patent Document 1, components that store a program version different from the latest version of the program held by the management server are uniformly subject to software updates each time they communicate with the management server.

Therefore, there is a concern that devices that contain special firmware that should not be rewritten may be automatically targeted for updates. On the other hand, there is a concern that the workload may increase if software updates that take such special specifications into account are managed manually on the management server side.

The present invention has been made to solve these problems, and the object of the present invention is to provide control of a communication system that can perform appropriate firmware updates without automatically updating special specification firmware.

In one aspect of the present invention, a communication system in which a hot water utilization facility including a plurality of components is communicatively connected to a server includes a control means for generating a firmware update command for the update firmware in a predetermined component of the plurality of components based on a comparison of the firmware version of the predetermined component with the update firmware version when the hot water utilization facility is communicatively connected to the server. The control means generates the firmware update command when the firmware version of the predetermined component does not match the firmware version of the update firmware, provided that it is the first communication connection between the hot water utilization facility and the server, or the firmware version of the predetermined component is not a special version.

The present invention makes it possible to realize control of a communication system that can perform appropriate firmware updates without automatically updating firmware with special specifications.

1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a communication system for a hot water utilization facility according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a server illustrated in FIG. 1 . 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a communication adapter illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a firmware version update. 4 is a sequence diagram illustrating firmware update control in the communication system of the hot water utilization equipment according to the present embodiment. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a control process for firmware update by a server. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a modified example of a control process for updating firmware in the communication system of the hot water utilization facility according to the present embodiment.

Below, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that in the following, the same or corresponding parts in the drawings will be given the same reference numerals, and in principle, their description will not be repeated.

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a communication system for a hot water utilization facility according to this embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 1, the communication system 5 for the hot water utilization facility according to this embodiment includes the hot water utilization facility 100, an interface device 20, an external communication network 40, and a server 50. The communication system 5 communicatively connects the hot water utilization facility 100 and the server 50 for remote management and remote operation of the hot water utilization facility 100 via the server 50.

The hot water utilization facility 100 is, for example, a water heating device, and includes a water heater 110, remote controllers (hereinafter also simply referred to as "remote controls") 120, 130, and a communication adapter 150. Hot water from the water heater 110 is sent to a hot water supply destination via piping connected to a plurality of hot water supply outlets 111. For example, the hot water supply destination includes a faucet and a bathtub, not shown. Alternatively, the hot water supply destination may include a heater (not shown) that uses high-temperature water as a heat source, so that the water heating device can have a heating function.

A circuit board 115 is installed inside the water heater 110. A controller 140 for driving and controlling the water heater 110 is mounted on the circuit board 115. The controller 140 controls a solenoid valve (not shown) for controlling the supply of fuel gas to a combustor (not shown), an air supply fan (not shown) for supplying air to be mixed with the fuel gas, and the like.

The water heater 110 and the remote controls 120 and 130 are connected to the communication adapter 150 via a communication line (e.g., a two-core communication line) 101. The remote controls 120 and 130 have display units 121 and 131 and input units 122 and 132. The user can fill the water tank and set the hot water temperature by operating the input units 122 and 132 according to the screens displayed by the display units 121 and 131.

For example, the remote control 120 can be installed in the bathroom. The remote control 130 can be installed in the kitchen. In this way, the user can use the remote controls 120 and 130 to configure various settings for each function of the hot water utilization facility 100.

The communication adapter 150 has a wireless communication function for communicating with the interface device 20 using a specified communication protocol (e.g., IEEE802.11n, etc.).

The interface device 20 has a function of connecting devices present within a certain range, including the remote controls 120 and 130, to the server 50 via the external communication network 40. For example, the interface device 20 can be configured by a so-called wireless LAN (Local Area Network) router. The external communication network 40 is typically the Internet. Hereinafter, the external communication network 40 will also be referred to simply as the Internet 40.

In addition, it is also possible to use a wired LAN router instead of a wireless LAN router as the interface device 20. In this case, the communication adapter 150 can be configured to communicate with the wired LAN router using a specified communication protocol (e.g., the Ethernet standard IEEE802.3, etc.).

The server 50 is connected to the Internet 40 and has a function for managing remote control (remote operation and remote monitoring) of the hot water utilization facility 100. The communication adapter 150 is communicatively connected to the interface device 20 by wireless communication, and can communicate with the server 50 via the Internet 40. As a result, the hot water utilization facility 100 is communicatively connected to the server 50 with the communication adapter 150 acting as a relay device.

The server 50 can also be connected to by a mobile terminal device 30 such as a smartphone or tablet terminal. When the mobile terminal device 30 is within a range where it can connect to the interface device 20, the mobile terminal device 30 can communicate with the server 50 by connecting to the interface device 20 by wireless communication. When the mobile terminal device 30 is outside the home, the mobile terminal device 30 can communicate with the server 50 by connecting to the Internet 40 via a router 60 or a base station 70.

In this way, in addition to operating the remote controls 120 and 130, the user can also use the mobile terminal device 30 to access the server 50 both inside and outside the range where the interface device 20 can be connected, thereby remotely controlling (remotely operating and remotely monitoring) the hot water utilization facility 100.

An application program for the hot water utilization equipment 100 can be installed on the remote control 130 and the mobile terminal device 30. For example, the application program is downloaded from the server 50 and then installed.

In addition, the water heater 110 (controller 140), the remote controls 120 and 130, and the communication adapter 150 each store a program (hereinafter also referred to as "firmware (F/W)") for controlling the operation of the device. The firmware is written with the current version at the time of factory shipment, and in this embodiment, it can be overwritten with a different version of firmware by distribution from the server 50. In the configuration example of FIG. 1, the remote controls 120 and 130 and the controller 140 correspond to an example of a "control device", and the communication adapter 150 corresponds to an example of a "relay device".

Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the general configuration of server 50.

Referring to FIG. 2, the server 50 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 55 for controlling the entire device, a communication unit 56 and memory 57 connected to the CPU 55, and a display unit 58. The communication unit 56 has a function of communicating with other devices or servers via communication connected to the Internet 40. The display unit 58 is composed of a display screen.

The memory 57 includes, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 57a, which is a memory for storing programs executed by the CPU 55, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 57b, which is a memory for storing calculated values and a working area when the CPU 25 executes programs, and a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 57c, which is an example of a large storage device. The server 50 can be configured to have functions equivalent to those of a general computer. The server 50 may further include an operation unit for receiving operation input.

Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of the communication adapter 150.

Referring to FIG. 3, the communication adapter 150 includes a control unit 151, communication units 152 and 153, a power supply circuit 154, a memory 155, an antenna 157, and a connector 158. The communication line 101 (two-core communication line) shown in FIG. 1 is connected to the connector 158.

The control unit 151 can be configured with a microcomputer including a CPU 151a and an interface (I/F) 151b. The communication unit 152 is configured to be able to transmit and receive information by sending and receiving data in both directions between the water heater 110 and the remote controls 120 and 130 via a two-core communication line 101 connected to a connector 158.

The communication unit 153 is configured to transmit and receive data in both directions to and from the interface device 20 (wireless LAN router) by wireless communication via the antenna 157.

The power supply circuit 154 receives power from the two-core communication line 101 connected to the connector 158 and generates the operating power supply voltage for each element in the communication adapter 150.

The memory 155 has a ROM 155a and a RAM 155b. The ROM 155a is typically configured from an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) and stores the firmware of the communications adapter 150 and data used for control. During the startup process, the control unit 151 reads out the firmware stored in the ROM 155a and expands it into the RAM 155b. The control unit 151 executes the program expanded into the RAM 155b to control the operation of the communications adapter 150.

Note that in FIG. 3, the memory 155 and the control unit 151 are depicted as separate elements, but it is also possible for part or all of the memory 155 to be built into the control unit 151.

The communication unit 153 can transmit and receive data to and from the communication unit 56 of the server 50 via the interface device 20 and the Internet 40. This allows the communication adapter 150 to periodically transmit operating information of the hot water utilization equipment 100 to the server 50.

As a result, the server 50 can collect and manage various information about the hot water utilization equipment 100 of each customer, such as a home or each accommodation facility, that is connected to the server 50 via the communication adapter 150.

On the other hand, the server 50 can also transmit data and information to the communication adapter 150. This makes it possible to provide a remote operation service for the hot water utilization equipment 100. For example, it is possible to perform specific operations of the hot water utilization equipment 100, such as switching the hot water supply operation switch on/off and changing the hot water supply temperature setting, via the Internet 40 from the server 50 or the mobile terminal device 30.

In this way, two-way data communication can be performed between the hot water utilization facility 100 and the server 50 using the communication adapter 150 provided as a relay device. The communication adapter 150 can also be configured to be built into the remote control 120 or 130.

In the communication system 5 according to the present embodiment, firmware updates for each of the components of the hot water utilization equipment 100 can be automatically performed by distribution from the server 50. In the following, as an example, firmware update control for the communication adapter 150 will be described. In the communication adapter 150, firmware can be updated by storing firmware downloaded from the server 50 in the ROM 155a.

Figure 4 shows a conceptual diagram explaining firmware version updates.

Referring to FIG. 4, the firmware of the communication adapter 150 is upgraded from the initial version VRA as appropriate for the purpose of adding functions or fixing bugs. In the example of FIG. 4, the firmware is upgraded in order to versions VRB, VRC, and VRD, and currently version VRD is the latest version.

Furthermore, in addition to the normal version upgrade history, firmware may have a special version VRX with special specifications. For example, if some kind of trouble occurs with the hot water utilization equipment 100, there are cases where firmware with a data log collection function is specially installed in the communication adapter 150 in order to investigate the cause.

Such special version VRX firmware is typically written to a communications adapter 150 that has already been put into use by a service technician or other special manual operation. The special version VRX firmware must run continuously for a certain period of time until enough data is collected to enable investigation of the cause.

On the other hand, when the communication adapter 150 is shipped from the factory, the appropriate version of firmware at that time is stored together with information indicating the version of that firmware (F/W version information). Therefore, if the adapter has been in stock for a long time after being shipped from the factory, there is a risk that the stored firmware version will be outdated when it is actually used. In such a case, it is necessary to update to a new version of firmware.

When the server 50 is connected to the communication adapter 150 for communication, the server 50 can receive firmware version information about the communication adapter 150 and thereby learn the version of firmware currently stored in the communication adapter 150. For example, the server 50 can detect which of at least firmware versions VRA to VRD is stored in the communication adapter 150 that is connected for communication.

For example, when the technique of Patent Document 1 is applied, at each timing when the communication adapter 150 communicates with the server 50, the communication adapter 150 that stores a firmware version different from the latest version (VRD) managed by the server 50 is uniformly designated as a target for firmware update. As a result, the special version VRX firmware is also automatically recognized by the server 50 as a target for update. This raises concerns that the program of the special version VRX may be automatically rewritten against the intention of identifying the cause of the trouble. On the other hand, there is a concern that an increase in the workload may occur if software updates that take such special specifications into account are managed manually on the management server side.

In addition, immediately after upgrading the firmware, it is preferable to set up a monitoring period for a certain period of time from the start of use of the upgraded firmware to prepare for the occurrence of problems, etc. Therefore, during such a monitoring period, it is not preferable to uniformly update to the latest version of firmware. In the example of Figure 4, immediately after updating to version VRD, rewriting to version VRC, which has a stable operational track record, poses a lower risk.

For this reason, in this embodiment, a stable version is predefined on the server 50 side in addition to the latest version according to the update order. In the example of FIG. 4, while use of version VRD has begun, the monitoring period is still in progress, so version VRC is defined as the stable version in addition to the latest version VRD. Note that when use of version VRD progresses, it is possible to change the stable version designation from version VRC to version VRD. The stable version firmware corresponds to one example of "update firmware" prepared in server 50.

Figure 5 shows a sequence diagram explaining firmware update control in the communication system of the hot water utilization equipment according to this embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 5, when the communication adapter 150 is installed, a test is performed to establish a communication connection with the server 50 as part of the initial settings for installation. At this time, the communication adapter 150 makes its first communication connection to the server 50.

During the initial communication connection, communication C01 from the communication adapter 150 to the server 50 transmits ID information for identifying the hot water utilization facility 100 including the communication adapter 150. In addition to the above ID information, communication C01 transmits firmware version information of the communication adapter 150. The ID information may further include information indicating the installation location of the hot water utilization facility 100 (address data, or latitude, longitude, and altitude data).

In response to this, the server 50 automatically determines whether or not a firmware update is required for the communication adapter 150.

Figure 6 is a flowchart explaining the control process of firmware update by the server 50. The control process shown in Figure 6 is executed, for example, by the CPU 55 of the server 50.

In step (hereinafter simply referred to as "S") 110, the server 50 reads the ID information and F/W version information of the communication adapter 150 that is connected for communication, and in step S120, it determines whether or not the communication connection from that communication adapter 150 is the first time.

If this is the first communication connection (YES in S120), the server 50 records in S125 a history of an existing communication connection with the communication adapter 150, and in S130 determines whether the F/W version information loaded in S110 matches the version information of the stable version (VRC in FIG. 4).

When the F/W version information does not match the version information of the stable version (NO in S130), it is determined that the firmware version of the communications adapter 150 does not match the stable version. In this case, S140 generates an update command (F/W update command) for the communications adapter 150 to the stable version (VRC) firmware.

In contrast, if communication with the communication adapter 150 is not the first time (NO in S120), or if the F/W version information matches the version information of the stable version (YES in S130), S150 determines that a F/W update command is unnecessary and does not generate one.

Referring again to FIG. 5, in the initial communication connection, communication C02 is executed from the server 50 to the communication adapter 150 as a reply to communication C01. For example, in communication C02, information is sent from the communication adapter 150 to the server 50 to notify that a communication connection has been established.

Furthermore, if a F/W update command is generated in S140 of FIG. 6, the F/W update command is also transmitted in communication C02. The F/W update command includes information indicating the download destination URL (Uniform Resource Locator) and the start date and time of the F/W update.

The communication adapter 150 can access the URL by performing communication C03 with the server 50 at the start date and time. This allows the stable version of the firmware specified by the server 50 to be downloaded by communication C04. Alternatively, the stable version of the firmware may be transmitted from the server 50 to the communication adapter 150 at the communication C02 stage.

After the initial communication connection, the communication adapter 150 periodically or in response to an event, appropriately executes an mth (m: natural number m≧2) communication connection with the server 50. In the second and subsequent communication connections, in FIG. 6, the history left in S125 results in a NO determination in S120, so that a F/W update command is not generated.

As a result, according to the communication system for hot water utilization equipment of this embodiment, when a communication adapter 150 (in-stock item) in which an older version of firmware is stored is connected to the server 50 for the first time, it is possible to automatically update to a stable version of firmware, and the special version of firmware written after the initial connection is not treated as an update target. This makes it possible to automatically update firmware in stock, without automatically treating special specification firmware as an update target.

Figure 7 shows a flowchart that explains a modified example of the firmware update control process by server 50.

Referring to FIG. 7, the server 50 reads ID information and F/W version information for each communication with the communication adapter 150 in S110 similar to FIG. 6. The server 50 then determines in S160 whether the F/W version information read in S110 matches the special version preregistered in the server 50. When the F/W version information read in S110 matches the version information of the special version (YES in S160), the F/W update command is not generated in S150 similar to FIG. 6. That is, in S160, it is determined whether the condition that the version of the firmware stored in the communication adapter 150 connected for communication is "not a special version" is met.

If the version indicated by the F/W version information read in S110 is not a special version (NO at S160), the process of S130 to S150 is executed as in FIG. 6. As a result, if the F/W version information does not match the version information of the stable version (NO at S130), a F/W update command to the stable version firmware is generated at S140. That is, in the control process of FIG. 7, a F/W update command can be generated even at the second or subsequent communication connection.

In this way, according to the modified example shown in FIG. 7, as described in FIG. 6, in the initial communication connection, the old version of firmware stored in the in-stock communication adapter 150 can be automatically updated without updating the special version of firmware.

Furthermore, according to the control process of FIG. 7, even in the second and subsequent communication connections, it is possible to automatically update firmware that is different from the stable version at that time without targeting special version firmware for update, but on the other hand, it becomes necessary for the server 50 to manage version information so as to cover special versions.

In other words, in the control process of FIG. 6, the opportunity to update the firmware is limited to the first communication connection, while a mismatch with the stable version is used as a trigger to generate a firmware update command, so there is no need for the server 50 to know everything about the special version. In other words, the management load on the server 50 is reduced.

However, the determination of "not being a special version" by S160 in FIG. 7 can also be achieved by detecting that the version indicated by the F/W version information does not match any of the versions according to the normal version upgrade history (e.g., versions VRA to VRD in FIG. 4), rather than by detecting a match between the version information of the special version and the F/W version information. In this case, the management load of the special version on the server 50 side can be reduced.

In FIG. 4, a stable version of firmware is described as an example of "update software", but the "update software" does not necessarily have to be uniquely determined in advance, and may be selected based on information included in the ID information indicating the installation location of the hot water utilization equipment 100. For example, firmware such as a "cold climate version", a "warm climate version", a "high altitude version", and a "low altitude version" may be prepared in advance, and the "update firmware" may be determined by selecting from these multiple versions of firmware based on the information indicating the installation location of the hot water utilization equipment 100 read in S110. In this case, in S130, a process is performed to identify the "update firmware", and the version of the identified "update firmware" is compared with the F/W version information read in S110.

In addition, in this embodiment, the function of the "control means" that controls the generation or non-generation of a F/W update command in the communication adapter 150 is realized by the control process in the server 50 shown in FIG. 6 or FIG. 7. That is, a configuration example in which the "control means" is provided in the server 50 is shown. On the other hand, in contrast to this embodiment, it is also possible to transmit the version of the "update firmware" from the server 50 to the communication adapter 150 and to have the communication adapter 150 determine whether or not the firmware needs to be updated only at the time of the first communication connection, that is, to provide the function of the "control means" on the communication adapter side. It is also possible to distribute parts of the function of the "control means" between the communication adapter 150 and the server 50.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the communication adapter 150, one of the components of the hot water utilization equipment 100, is the subject of firmware update control, but the firmware of other components, such as the controller 140 and the remote controls 120 and 130, can also be similarly controlled by the control process of FIG. 6 or FIG. 7.

In addition, in FIG. 1, a hot water supply device including a water heater 110 is shown as an example of the hot water utilization facility 100, but in the application of this embodiment, the hot water utilization facility 100 is not limited to this example. For example, even if the hot water utilization facility 100 is a bath water filtration device, a bath water replenishment device, a hot water supply device equipped with a fuel cell exhaust heat recovery function, and a heat pump type hot water supply device, etc., it is possible to apply the control described in this embodiment to the automatic update of firmware of the components of the hot water utilization facility 100.

The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, not by the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

5 Communication system, 20 Interface device, 30 Portable terminal device, 40 External communication network (Internet), 50 Server, 57, 155 Memory, 60 LAN router, 70 Base station, 100 Hot water utilization equipment, 101 Communication line, 110 Water heater, 111 Water outlet, 115 Circuit board, 120, 130 Remote control, 122, 132 Input unit, 140 Controller, 150 Communication adapter, 151 Control unit, 154 Power circuit, 157 Antenna, 158 Connector, C01-C04 Communication, VRA-VRD Version (firmware), VRX Special version (firmware).

Claims (4)

A communication system in which a hot water utilization facility including a plurality of constituent devices is communicatively connected to a server,
a control means for generating a firmware update command for the update firmware in a specific component device based on a comparison between a version of the firmware of the specific component device and a version of the update firmware when the hot water utilization equipment and the server are connected for communication;
The control means generates the firmware update command when the version of the firmware of the specified component device and the version of the update firmware do not match, on condition that the hot water utilization equipment and the server are connected for communication for the first time or that the version of the firmware of the specified component device is not a special version;
The communication system includes:
A transmitting means is further provided for transmitting identification information of the specific component device and firmware version information of the specific component device from the hot water utilization facility to the server when the hot water utilization facility and the server are connected for communication,
The control means generates the firmware update command when the version information transmitted by the transmission means during the initial communication connection between the hot water utilization equipment and the server does not match the version information of the update firmware prepared in the server, but does not generate the firmware update command during the second or subsequent communication connection between the hot water utilization equipment and the server, regardless of the transmitted version information. A communication system in which a hot water utilization facility including a plurality of constituent devices is communicatively connected to a server,
a control means for generating a firmware update command for the update firmware in a specific component device based on a comparison between a version of the firmware of the specific component device and a version of the update firmware when the hot water utilization equipment and the server are connected for communication;
The control means generates the firmware update command when the version of the firmware of the specified component device and the version of the update firmware do not match, on condition that the hot water utilization equipment and the server are connected for communication for the first time or that the version of the firmware of the specified component device is not a special version;
The communication system includes:
A transmitting means is further provided for transmitting identification information of the specific component device and firmware version information of the specific component device from the hot water utilization facility to the server when the hot water utilization facility and the server are connected for communication,
The server pre-stores specific version information that identifies the special version of the firmware,
A communication system in which, when the hot water utilization equipment and the server are connected for communication, the control means does not generate the firmware update command when the version information transmitted by the transmission means matches the specific version information. The plurality of components include:
A control device for hot water supply;
a relay device that is communicatively connected to the control device via a communication line and has a wired or wireless communication function between the control device and an interface device that is communicatively connected to the server via an external communication network,
3. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined component device is the relay device. 4. The communication system according to claim 1 , wherein the update firmware is a stable version of firmware whose operation has been confirmed.

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