JPH0833053A - Centralized managing device for showcase or the like - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a centralized managing device for showcases or the like by which abnormality at a terminal side controller provided at the showcase or the like can be exactly grasped and the terminal side controller can be easily disconnected from a system when the abnormality is generated. CONSTITUTION:Based on the data from a terminal side controller 6, the microcomputer of a system controller 4 judges whether or not an alarm is contained in those data and when the alarm is contained, an LED display part is turned on for each channel. Based on the data from the terminal side controller 6, it is judged whether or not abnormality is generated at the terminal side controller 6 and when the abnormality is generated, the LED display part is flickered on for each channel.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a centralized management system for showcases or the like for collectively centrally managing the operating states of a plurality of showcases.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a store such as a supermarket or a convenience store, a plurality of showcases and refrigerators are installed. Conventionally, each showcase is individually controlled by a controller including a temperature controller and a defrosting timer. The current situation is that it is controlled by. Therefore, various setting operations such as the temperature of the showcase and the defrosting time must be individually performed in the place where the showcase and the like are installed. Therefore, the work becomes extremely complicated when the setting is changed depending on the season or the weather.

Further, in order to grasp the operating conditions such as various set values and the temperature of the showcase etc., it is necessary to go to the place where the showcase etc. is installed and check them individually. There was a problem that it was not possible to easily grasp the data related to. Therefore, for example, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 1-291085 (F25D21 / 06), a control device for each showcase is connected to a central control device configured by a microcomputer by a communication line, and various setting operations for each showcase are performed by the central control device. In addition, there is shown a system that collects data related to the operating condition of the showcase in a centralized management device and collectively manages the data. According to such a system, it is possible to collectively perform the setting work and the operation status management of a plurality of showcases, so that the setting and management work is significantly simplified.

[0004]

However, when an abnormality occurs in the control device of the showcase, no response is given to the call from the central control unit, so that the central control unit normally operates as if it were operating normally. The display is as shown, or the same alarm as the abnormality of other general equipment in the showcase is output. Therefore, it is extremely difficult for the user to determine that the control device itself is abnormal, and particularly when managing a plurality of showcases, it is also difficult to determine which showcase control device is abnormal. Was there.

Further, it is almost impossible to change the wiring of the centralized control device once it has been performed. If an abnormality occurs in the control device of the showcase, leave it as it is. There was no alternative but to continue running or to shut down the entire system and repair the abnormal showcase controller. The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned conventional technical problems, and can accurately grasp the abnormality of the terminal-side control device provided in a showcase or the like, and easily when the abnormality occurs. It is an object of the present invention to provide a centralized management device such as a showcase that can separate the terminal side control device from the system.

[0006]

That is, the centralized control device of the present invention collectively manages the operating states of a plurality of showcases and the like. It is provided with a plurality of units that can be connected to the host controller, and is equipped with a terminal-side controller to which each individual channel is assigned. Input means for inputting operating conditions such as frost time, transmission / reception means for transmitting data input by this input means to the terminal side control device, and receiving data transmitted from the terminal side control device, and alarm display means And a control means, which is based on data from the terminal side control device,
It is determined whether or not the data includes an alarm. If the data includes an alarm, the alarm display means displays the first alarm for each channel, and based on the data from the terminal side control device, It is determined whether or not there is an abnormality in the terminal-side control device, and if an abnormality occurs, the alarm display means displays a second alarm display different from the first alarm display for each channel. is there.

The centralized control device for a showcase or the like according to a second aspect of the present invention is the above, wherein the host control device comprises a setting means for setting the use status of the channel in the control means, and the control means is an unused channel. This is to ignore the terminal side control device of the above for control purposes.

[0008]

According to the centralized control device for a showcase or the like of the present invention, various settings relating to the operating conditions of the terminal side control device such as each showcase can be made by the input means of the host control device. Further, when data is received from each terminal-side control device and an alarm is included, the alarm display means displays the first alarm for each channel, and based on the data, the terminal-side control device. If there is an abnormality, the alarm display means displays a second alarm display that is different from the first alarm display for each channel. Therefore, the terminal side control device itself. It is possible to promptly notify the user that an abnormality has occurred in the device or an abnormality has occurred in the communication line, and to promptly take a prompt action.

According to the centralized management apparatus of the second aspect of the present invention, the use status of the channel can be set in the control means by the setting means of the host control device, and the abnormal terminal side control device is set as unused. As a result, the terminal-side control device will be ignored in the control thereafter, so that the terminal-side control device can be separated from the system very easily without changing the wiring. Thereby, it becomes possible to smoothly manage a plurality of showcases and the like.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a centralized management device 1 of the present invention. The system of the centralized control device 1 of the present invention is provided in each of the showcases, etc., the central control device 2 composed of a personal computer, the main control device 3 and the system control device 4 constituting the host control device constituted by a microcomputer. It is constructed from the lower-level terminal side control device 6 that has been created.

The central control device 2 is provided in a security room of a store, etc., and as shown in FIG. 2, a microcomputer 7 as a control means, a hard disk 8 as a holding means connected to the microcomputer 7 and a ROM 9, R.
It comprises an AM 11, a floppy disk drive 12, a transmitting / receiving means 13, an output control means 14 and an input control means 16. The transmitting / receiving means 13 is composed of a serial interface, and includes the main controller 3 and RS-23 described above.
It is connected via a communication line 17 such as 2C.

In the hard disk 8, in addition to the control program of the central management unit 2 itself, various data sent from the main control unit 3, data relating to the installation form (case layout) of the showcase S described later, and various types. Data on operating conditions and communication protocols are stored. A printer 18 as an output means and a display 19 as a display means are connected to the output control means 14,
The input control means 16 includes a keyboard 21 as an input means.
The mouse 22 is connected. Further, a modem 23 is connected to the microcomputer 7 so that it can communicate with the outside through a telephone line.

Next, the main control unit 3 which constitutes the host control unit is also provided in the guard room or the like, and as shown in FIG. 3, a microcomputer 24 as a control means, and a ROM 26 and a RAM 27 connected to the microcomputer 24. ,
It is composed of an EEPROM 40, transmitting / receiving means 28, 29, an output control means 31, and an input control means 32. The transmitting / receiving means 28, 29 are constituted by a serial interface, the transmitting / receiving means 28 is connected to the central management unit 2 via the communication line 17, and the transmitting / receiving means 29 is connected to the system control unit 4 via the communication line 33. To be done. The transmission / reception unit 29 has five connection ports, which allows connection of a maximum of five system control devices 4.

The ROM 26 stores a communication protocol and a control program for the main controller 3 itself, and the RAM 2
Various data sent from the system control device 4, various data sent to the system control device 4, and control data of the main control device 3 itself (display data of the liquid crystal display unit 34, etc.) are stored in the memory 7. Data regarding various settings and installation states of the case S and the like are stored and retained even when the power is turned off. The output control means 31 is connected to a liquid crystal display section 34 as a display means, an external alarm output 99 consisting of a relay contact output and a buzzer 36, and the input control means 32 is a key switch 37 or a dip switch 38 as an input means. The slide switch 39 is connected.

The key switch 37 is a switch for performing various settings and display commands described later, and the dip switch 38 is a switch for setting the connection state of the system control device 4. The slide switch 39 is a switch for performing lighting control of the showcase S, etc., which will be described later, and settings for nighttime stop. Next, as shown in FIG. 4, the system control device 4 constituting the host control device includes a microcomputer 41 as control means, and this microcomputer 4
ROM 42, RAM 43, EEPROM connected to 1
45, transmission / reception means 44, 46, output control means 47 and input control means 48. Transmitting / receiving means 44,
Reference numeral 46 denotes a serial interface, and the transmitting / receiving means 44 is connected via the communication line 33 to the main control device 3 (which is also connected to another system control device 3 at the same time). It is connected to the device 6 via a communication line 49. The transmission / reception means 46 has 30 connection ports, and a maximum of 30 terminal-side control devices 6 can be connected, whereby a maximum of 150 terminal-side control devices 6, that is, the central control device 1, that is, The showcase S and the like can be connected.

The ROM 42 stores a communication protocol and a control program for the system control device 4 itself, and a RAM.
Various data sent from the terminal-side control device 6 and data related to various operating conditions such as the showcase S sent from the main control device 3 are stored in 43. EEPRO
The setting data of various operating conditions such as the showcase S sent from the main control device 3 is stored in the M45 and is retained even when the power is turned off. The output control means 47 is connected to the LED display section 51 as an alarm display means, and the input control means 48 uses channels 1 to 30 allocated for controlling the showcase S and the like as described later.
A dip switch 52 is connected to set an unused channel and its own channels A to E, or to switch an LED display section 51 for displaying an alarm to an operation monitor.

Next, the terminal side control device 6 is provided in each of the showcase S and the refrigerator R of FIG. 1, and as shown in FIG. 5, a microcomputer 54 as a control means.
And a ROM connected to this microcomputer 54
56, RAM 57, EEPROM 50, and transmitting / receiving means 5
8, output control means 59 and input control means 61. The transmitting / receiving means 58 is composed of a serial interface and is connected to the system control device 4 via the communication line 49. Further, the ROM 56 stores a communication protocol and a control program for the terminal side control device 6 itself, and the RAM 57 stores data regarding various operating conditions such as the showcase S sent from the system control device 4.

Further, the EEPROM 50 stores setting data of various operating conditions such as the showcase S set by the terminal side control device 6, and is retained even when the power is turned off. The output control means 59 has a display means 62 for displaying an alarm.
And the actuator 63 are connected. In the case of the showcase S, the actuator 63 is an expansion valve, a heater for defrosting, lighting, and the like, and in the case of the refrigerator R, it means a compressor motor or the like. The input control means 61 includes a setting switch 64, a temperature inside the showcase S, and
A sensor 66 for detecting the condensation pressure of the refrigerator R and the like is connected. The data detected by the sensor 66 is also stored in the RAM 57. The setting switch 64 is for allocating and setting channels 1 to 30 of the terminal side control device 6 as described above. Further, the microcomputer 54 holds a sensor ID as individual identification information set for each model of the showcase S and the refrigerator R.

The showcase S and the refrigerator R are installed in a predetermined number and in a predetermined installation form, that is, a case layout according to the size of a store such as a supermarket or a convenience store.
The necessary number of units are connected to the main controller 3 in accordance with the number of units installed. That is, when a total of 91 to 150 showcases S and refrigerators R are installed in a large-scale store, 4
One to five system control devices 4 are connected. Further, in the case where 31 or more and 90 or less showcases S or refrigerators R in total are installed in a medium-scale store, two or three system control devices 4 are connected. Further, when a total of 30 showcases S or refrigerators R are installed in a small-scale store, one system control device 4 is connected.

In this way, the main control unit 3 and the system control unit 4 are separated, and one system control unit 4 is connected to the terminal side control unit 6 such as 30 showcases S. As a result, the number of connecting ports of the transmitting / receiving means 29 of the main control device 3 is reduced, and even in the case of a small-scale store, four unused ports are produced at worst, so that structural waste is reduced and cost is reduced. It is possible to flexibly respond to the scale of the store.

Further, when the showcase S or the like is installed, each terminal side control device 6 has a setting switch 64 for setting 1 to 30.
The channel of each terminal-side control device 6 is set by setting one of A to E in the system control device 4 to which the terminal-side control device 6 is connected. (For example, A01) is allocated and set. still,
When the number of showcases S or the like connected to the system control device 4 is less than 30, the DIP switch 52 of the system control device 4 determines whether the channels (1 to 30) are used or not used.
, The usage status of this channel is transmitted from the microcomputer 41 of the system control device 4 to the microcomputer 24 of the main control device 3, and the use / unuse of the channel is also set in the microcomputer 24 of the main control device 3. To be done. Then, the unused terminal-side control device 6 is controlled by the microcomputers 24 and 41 in the subsequent control.
Etc. are ignored.

The operation of each device having the above configuration will be described. First, various input operations in the central management device 2 will be described. FIG. 6 shows the transition of the display screen on the display 19 of the central management unit 2. When a business menu is selected from the standby screen by operating the keyboard 21 or the mouse 22, the microcomputer 7 displays the business menu screen of FIG. 7 on the display 19. When the second shop layout creation menu from the top is selected on this business menu screen, a case layout creation screen (not shown) of the shop layout creation menu is displayed on the display 19.

On the hard disk 8 of the central management unit 2,
A program and data relating to case layout creation are stored, and in this case layout creation screen, a frame corresponding to each showcase S or the like is displayed on the display 1.
9 and operating with commands such as move, copy and rotate with the mouse 22, a case layout matching the actual installation form of the showcase S in the store as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the display 19. Can be created. Further, the model name of the showcase S corresponding to the frame, the product type such as fresh fish, the channel, and the sensor ID can be set, and the display color of the frame can be color-coded for each product type. ing. The data regarding the case layout created by such a case layout creating function is stored in the hard disk 8 and saved by the microcomputer 7.

Next, when the fourth setting menu from the top is selected on the work menu screen, the microcomputer 7 does not show various setting menus relating to various settings of the main controller 3 and operating conditions of the terminal side controller 6. The terminal control setting screen is displayed on the display 19. In this terminal control setting screen, the inside temperature setting for each channel (for example, A01) assigned to each terminal side control device 6 by the keyboard 21 or the mouse 22,
It is possible to set various alarms, various set values for defrosting, control temperature, and operating conditions of the showcase S and the like. The data relating to the operating conditions can be stored in the hard disk 8 by the microcomputer 7 and can also be transmitted to the main controller 3 by the transmitting / receiving means 13 by using the download function by operating the keyboard 21.

Next, the main controller 3 will be described. The main controller 3 includes a box-shaped main body 68 as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, and a lid 6 attached to the main body 68 so as to be openable and closable.
9 and an inner lid 70 screwed to the main body 68. The liquid crystal display unit 34 has a display capacity of 16 characters × 2 lines and is arranged in the upper left portion of the upper surface of the inner lid 70. A through hole 71 is formed in the lid 69 corresponding to the liquid crystal display unit 34. There is. Similarly, an operation switch (buzzer stop switch, alarm release switch, check switch, scan switch, etc.) 72 forming the key switch 37 is arranged on the upper surface of the inner lid 70 corresponding to the through hole 71. Further, a numeric keypad 73 which also constitutes the key switch 37 is arranged on the upper surface of the inner lid 70 which is hidden by the lid 69 below the operation switch 72. A terminal plate 76 for the external alarm output 99 is provided below the inner lid 70.

A system controller 4 is built in the main controller 3, and its LED display section 51 has an inner lid 70.
A through hole 74 is formed in the lid 69 on the right side of the upper surface and corresponding to the LED display section 51. This L
The ED display unit 51 is connected to the system control device 4 30.
It is composed of 30 LEDs provided corresponding to the channels of the terminal side control device 6 of the stand. Also,
Below the inner lid 70, a dip switch 52 for setting whether the channel is used or not is provided. Further, on the side surface of the main body 68, a power cord outlet 81, an external output outlet 82, a communication cable outlet 83, an RS232.
A C connection port 84, an extension communication outlet 85, and an extension power outlet 86 are provided.

The data relating to the operating conditions of the showcase S and the like set by the main control unit 3 is stored in the RAM 27 and the EEPROM 40 by the microcomputer 24, and the transmission / reception means 29 sends the data to the system control unit 4.
However, when the data relating to the operating conditions is downloaded from the central control unit 2 as described above, the microcomputer 24 causes the RAM 27 and the EEPROM 4 to operate.
The contents of 0 are rewritten to the downloaded data and transmitted to the system control device 4. Further, although these data are transmitted separately for each channel, the data relating to the channels set as unused as described above are not transmitted. Further, in response to a request from the central management device 2, the microcomputer 24 of the main control device 3 uploads the set data to the central management device 2 by the transmitting / receiving means 28. The central management device 2 can compare the data uploaded from the main control device 3 with the data set by the central management device 2.

Next, when the system controller 4 receives the data relating to the operating conditions of the showcase S and the like belonging to its own channel (A to E) from the main controller 3 by the transmitting / receiving means 44, the microcomputer 41 once receives the data. RA
The data is stored in M43, and further, the transmission / reception means 46 transmits data relating to the operating condition to the terminal side control device 6. On the other hand, in the terminal-side control device 6, when the transmitting / receiving means 58 receives the data relating to the operating conditions for its own channel (01 to 30), the microcomputer 54 stores the data in the RAM 57. The microcomputer 54 controls the expansion valve and the compressor motor as the actuator 63 by comparing the output related to the temperature inside the showcase S from the sensor 66 with the temperature inside the storage set in the data related to the operating conditions to control the expansion valve and the compressor motor. The temperature is controlled to the set temperature in the refrigerator. Further, the heater as the actuator 63 is controlled based on the data regarding defrosting, the defrosting control of the showcase S is executed, and the lighting of the illumination as the actuator 63 is controlled based on the data regarding lighting control.

The data relating to the operating conditions such as the internal temperature of the showcase S and the like are successively stored in the RAM 57 and updated by the microcomputer 54. Further, when the temperature inside the refrigerator rises abnormally due to, for example, a failure of the expansion valve and exceeds the set value related to the alarm in the data sent from the system controller 4, the microcomputer 54 causes the display means 62 to display the showcase S. In addition to displaying the alarm, the data related to the operating state is stored in the RAM 57 together with the information related to the alarm.

Microcomputer 4 of system controller 4
1 is, for example, a maximum of 3 connected to itself once a minute
Polling is performed on the microcomputers 54 of the zero terminal side control devices 6. When the microcomputer 54 of the terminal side control device 6 is polled by the system control device 4, the microcomputer 54 along with its own channel and sensor ID is stored in the RAM.
The data about the operating state stored in 57 is transmitted from the transmitting / receiving means 58 to the system controller 4. The system control device 4 receives and collects the data relating to the operating state by the transmitting / receiving means 46, and outputs the data relating to the operating state for a maximum of 30 terminals for each terminal side control device 6, that is, for each channel.
Stored in AM43. The data regarding the operating state in the RAM 43 is updated by the data transmitted from the terminal side control device 6 by the next polling.

Next, the alarm operation of the microcomputer 41 of the system controller 4 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Based on the data transmitted from the terminal-side control device 6, the microcomputer 41 first determines, for example, in step S1 whether or not the channel A01 is used, and if not, proceeds to step S2 and LED
The LED of the channel A01 on the display unit 51 is turned off. If the channel A01 is being used, the process proceeds to step S3, and it is determined whether or not the data is normal.

Here, if the microcomputer 54 of the terminal-side control device 6 fails, or if the power supply is abnormal or the communication line 49 is abnormal, the data sent from the terminal-side control device 6 is It becomes abnormal. When the microcomputer 41 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the terminal side control device 6 itself based on the data, the microcomputer 41 proceeds to step S4 and blinks the LED of the channel A01 in the LED display unit 51 (second). Warning display).

Further, when there is no abnormality in the channel A01, the microcomputer 41 proceeds to step S5, judges whether the data transmitted from the terminal side control device 6 includes the alarm information, and includes it. If it is, the LE of the channel A01 in the LED display section 51 is displayed.
D is turned on (first alarm display). And this is performed about all the terminal side control apparatuses 6 connected to the said system control apparatus 4 (step Sn-step Sn +).
5).

As described above, the microcomputer 41 of the system control device 4 determines whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the terminal side control device 6 itself, and in that case, when an alarm is issued in the showcase S or the like. Since it is displayed separately for each channel, it is possible to promptly inform the user of the abnormality of the terminal-side control device 6 and prompt prompt action. And
Set the terminal control device 6 that has become abnormal to the DIP switch 52
By setting the terminal-side control device 6 to unused, the terminal-side control device 6 will be ignored thereafter for control, so that the terminal-side control device 6 can be separated from the system very easily without changing the wiring. Like Thereby, it becomes possible to smoothly manage a plurality of showcases S and the like.

Even when the user intentionally uses the showcase S or the like under an abnormal condition, setting the channel as unused can prevent an unnecessary alarm from being generated. Next, the microcomputer 24 of the main controller 3
Also polls the system control device 4 once a minute in accordance with the time when the system control device 4 completes the collection of data from each terminal-side control device 6. When the microcomputer 41 of the system control device 4 is polled by the main control device 3, the transmission / reception means 44 sends data concerning the operating state of up to 30 showcases S stored in the RAM 43 together with its own channel to the main transmission / reception means 44. It is transmitted to the control device 3. The main controller 3 receives and collects the data regarding the operating state by the transmitting / receiving means 29, and stores the data regarding the operating state for up to 150 units for each terminal side controller 6, that is, for each channel in the RAM 27. This RA
Similarly, the data on the operating state in M27 is updated by transmitting the data on the operating state from the system control device 4 by the next polling.

The main controller 3 collects the data regarding the operating states of the showcases S and the refrigerator R from the terminal side controllers 6 in such a procedure. Microcomputer 2
Reference numeral 4 denotes data stored in the RAM 27, such as the internal temperature of each showcase S and the like, and the EEPROM 40.
The temperature set in the refrigerator stored in the liquid crystal display unit 34 is sequentially displayed for each channel on the liquid crystal display unit 34 at intervals of, for example, 3 seconds. Then, when the scan switch forming the operation switch 72 is pressed, the microcomputer 24 stops switching the display on the channel at the time of pressing. Next, when the up arrow switch of the display feed switch which also constitutes the so-called switch 72 is pressed, the data display of the immediately preceding channel is returned, and when the down arrow switch is pressed, the data display of the next channel is started.

Here, as described above, the microcomputer 24 of the main controller 3 is set to use or not use the channel set by the DIP switch 52 of the system controller 4. Therefore, based on this setting, the microcomputer 24 prohibits the display of unused channels when displaying the data, and skips and displays the next channel. That is, for example, when channels A03 to A30 are unused, for example, channel B0
When the display feed switch indicated by the up arrow is pressed from the state in which the data of No. 1 is displayed, channels A03 to A30 are skipped and the data of channel A02 is displayed.

Then, when the scan switch is pressed again, the microcomputer 24 returns to the state of displaying the data of the subsequent channels at intervals of 3 seconds. In this case as well, for example, when the channels B05 to B30 are unused. Performs the operation of skipping the data display of channels B05 to B30 and shifting to the data display of channel C01. As described above, the microcomputer 24 of the main control device 3 sequentially displays the data of each showcase S and the like on the liquid crystal display unit 34 for each channel, and when an unused channel is set, the data of the channel is displayed. Display is prohibited and the data of the next channel is displayed. Therefore, the unused channel is displayed one by one.
There is no need to press and fly, and operability is significantly improved.

Further, since unnecessary channels are not displayed, confusion such as misidentification as a failure is not caused even in maintenance and the like, and even when an intermediate channel becomes unnecessary due to remodeling of a store, etc. Since it is only necessary to set the channels as unused, there is no need to reallocate the channels for the whole. When the check switch is pressed, the microcomputer 24 of the main controller 3 determines whether the inside temperature of each showcase S is within a predetermined temperature range above and below the control temperature set for each showcase S. Whether or not all the showcases S are checked is displayed, and only the channel numbers of the showcases S that deviate from the temperature range are displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 34.

Further, when the alarm information is included in the data relating to the operating condition transmitted from the system control device 4, the microcomputer 24 notifies to that effect and the generation of the data including the alarm information. The channel number of the original showcase S or the like and the alarm content are displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 34. This alarm display is erased by operating the alarm release switch and can be switched to a normal display, but unless the cause of the alarm is eliminated,
That is, a predetermined display indicating that the alarm is present is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 34 until the alarm information is not present in the data at the next polling. Further, since the liquid crystal display unit 34 can only display the amount of 16 characters × 2 lines, when the alarm information of the amount which cannot be displayed is received, the alarm information of the displayable amount is displayed and the remaining alarm information is displayed. A predetermined display indicating that the information exists is displayed.

On the other hand, the microcomputer 7 of the central control unit 2 also polls the main control unit 3 once a minute in accordance with the time when the main control unit 3 completes the collection of data from each system control unit 4. I do. When the microcomputer 24 of the main control unit 3 is polled by the central management unit 2, the transmission / reception unit 28 sends the data concerning the operating states of up to 150 showcases S stored in the RAM 27 to the central management unit 2. Send.

The central control unit 2 receives and collects the data relating to the operating condition by the transmitting / receiving means 13, and stores the data relating to the operating condition for each terminal side control unit 6, that is, for each channel, up to 150 units in the hard disk 8. save. In addition, the hard disk 8 always holds data regarding the operating status of each terminal-side control device 6 for 24 hours, and
Data for more than 4 hours is updated every minute.

The central management unit 2 collects data relating to the operating states of the showcases S and the refrigerator R from the terminal side control units 6 in this procedure. Therefore, when it is desired to check the operating state of each showcase S or the like, the business menu is selected from the standby screen of FIG. 6 by operating the keyboard 21 or the mouse 22, and the business menu screen of FIG. 7 is displayed on the display 19. When the operation check monitor at the top is selected while the display is on, the microcomputer 7 displays the product layout screen shown in FIG. 8 on the display. This product layout screen is displayed based on the product type information in the case layout created in the case layout creation screen and stored in the hard disk 8, and is not displayed individually for each showcase S but stored. The layout of a single or a plurality of showcases S is displayed in one frame according to the type of product in use. The refrigerator R is displayed on the display 19.

On the product layout screen, the frame of the product housed in the showcase S whose operation status is to be displayed,
For example, when a frame of fresh fish is selected with the mouse 22, the microcomputer 7 uses the information on the case layout in the hard disk 8 to show the showcase S near the frame of the fresh fish.
The case layout screen of FIG. 9 showing the individual layouts is displayed on the display 19. In this case layout screen, one frame shows one to three showcases S, and the channels of each showcase S are also shown in the frame (for the terminal side control device 6, the showcase S etc.
You can set up to 3 units.

Next, when the showcase S whose operating condition is desired to be displayed, for example, the channel A01 is selected by the mouse 22 on this case layout screen, the microcomputer 7 displays the case information screen of FIG. When normal data or data display is selected on this screen, the screen shifts to the data display screen of FIG. On this data display screen, the microcomputer 7 displays on the display 19 the set values of various operating conditions of the showcase S of the channel A01 stored in the hard disk 8 and the data on the current operating state. Also,
Since the hard disk 8 retains data on the driving state for the past 24 hours, the microcomputer 7 changes the time at the uppermost time area of the data display screen with the keyboard 21 so that the microcomputer 7 operates at that time. The state is displayed on the display 19.

As described above, when examining the operating state of the showcase S or the like, first, the layout of the showcase S is displayed on the display 19, and the showcase S to be displayed is selected while viewing the layout. As a result, the showcase S can be specified according to the actual installation form, and the visibility and operability are significantly improved.
In particular, by adopting the method of shifting from the product layout to the case layout, the showcases S are gradually narrowed down from a large viewpoint, so that the identification can be performed extremely smoothly even when the number of showcases S is large. Become.

By operating the keyboard 21 on the data display screen shown in FIG. 11, the graph display shown in FIG. 12 is displayed. On this graph display screen, the microcomputer 7 displays the transition on the display 19 in the form of a graph from the data of the operating state such as the internal temperature of the showcase S of the channel for the past 24 hours which is held in the hard disk 8. . This makes it possible to easily check the history of the operating state of the showcase S. Also,
In response to a command from the keyboard 21, the microcomputer 7 prints (prints out) these data and graph display on the printer 18.

Here, when the alarm information is included in the data relating to the driving state transmitted from the main control unit 3, the microcomputer 7 of the central control unit 2 first shows the showcase S or the like issuing the alarm. The data relating to the operating state is extracted from the data for 24 hours, which is 10 hours back from the time when the alarm is issued, and is transferred to another table in the hard disk 8 for storage. The data for 10 hours is not discarded even if the time elapses. next,
The microcomputer 7 displays on the display 19 as shown in FIG.
The display automatically switches to the product layout screen in Fig. 8 from the state in which the standby screen is displayed, and the product type frame (shown by * 1 in Fig. 8) that includes the alarming showcase S blinks. Then, the user is warned that an alarm has been issued. When the blinking product frame, for example, the ice temperature frame on the product layout screen is selected by the mouse 22,
The microcomputer 7 displays the case layout screen of FIG. 9 on the display 19. In this case layout screen, the showcase S (Fig.
Blink channel A06) indicated by medium * 1.

Next, when the blinking showcase S (channel A06) on this case layout screen is selected with the mouse 22, the microcomputer 7 is shown in FIG.
When the case information screen of is displayed on the display 19 and normal data and data display are selected on this screen, FIG.
Move to the data display screen of. In this data display screen, the microcomputer 7 stores the alarm contents (high temperature alarm, low temperature alarm) in addition to the set values of various operating conditions of the showcase S of the channel A06 stored in the hard disk 8 and the data relating to the abnormal operating state. (Alarm etc.) is also displayed on the display 19. Further, by operating the keyboard 21 on the data display screen of FIG. 11, the display shifts to the graph display of FIG. 12, and the microcomputer 7 holds the channel A stored in the hard disk 8.
The transition of the operating state data such as the internal temperature of the showcase S of 06 is displayed on the display 19 as a graph. As a result, it is possible to easily confirm the history of past driving states that have caused the alarm of the showcase S to occur. Further, in response to a command from the keyboard 21, the microcomputer 7 prints these data and graph display on the printer 18.

Further, even if 24 hours or more have passed without the user being aware of this alarm occurrence, the showcase S (channel number A06) in the hard disk 8 for the past 10 hours including the alarm occurrence time as described above. Since the data on the operating state of is retained without being discarded,
By selecting the alarm data on the case information screen of FIG. 10, the microcomputer 7 displays the past 24 hours or more data on the data display screen of FIG.
This data is also graphically displayed and the printer 18
Can be printed on the floppy disk by the floppy disk drive 12 in response to a command from the keyboard 21.

[0051]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, various settings relating to the operating conditions of the terminal side control device such as each showcase can be made by the input means of the host control device. Further, when data is received from each terminal-side control device and an alarm is included, the alarm display means displays the first alarm for each channel, and based on the data, the terminal-side control device. If there is an abnormality, the alarm display means displays a second alarm display that is different from the first alarm display for each channel. Therefore, the terminal side control device itself. It is possible to promptly notify the user that an abnormality has occurred in the device or an abnormality has occurred in the communication line, and to promptly take a prompt action.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the setting status of the channel can be set in the control means by the setting means of the host control device, and the abnormal terminal-side control device is set as unused. Since the terminal-side control device will be ignored thereafter for control, it becomes possible to very easily disconnect the terminal-side control device from the system without changing the wiring. Thereby, it becomes possible to smoothly manage a plurality of showcases and the like.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a centralized management device such as a showcase according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an electric circuit of the central management unit.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an electric circuit of a main controller.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an electric circuit of the system control device.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an electric circuit of the terminal-side control device.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing transition of screens displayed on the display of the central management device.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a screen of a business menu displayed on the display of the central management device.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a screen of a product layout displayed on the display of the central management device.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a screen of a case layout displayed on the display of the central management device.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a case information screen displayed on the display of the central management device.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a data display screen displayed on the display of the central management device.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a graph display screen displayed on the display of the central management device.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a main controller.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the main control device with a lid and an inner lid opened.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a program relating to an alarm operation of a microcomputer of the system control device.

[Explanation of reference numerals] 1 central control device 3 main control device 4 system control device 6 terminal side control device 29 transmission / reception means 34 liquid crystal display section 37 key switch 44 transmission / reception means 46 transmission / reception means 51 LED display section 52 dip switch 54 microcomputer 58 transmission / reception Means 66 Sensor S Showcase R Refrigerator

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A centralized management device for collectively managing the operating states of a plurality of showcases, etc., wherein the centralized management device is provided in a host controller and the plurality of showcases, etc. A plurality of units can be connected, and each terminal is configured with a terminal-side control device to which an individual channel is allocated, and the upper-level control device sets operating conditions such as the set temperature of the showcase and the defrosting time. Input means for inputting, transmitting / receiving means for transmitting the data input by the input means to the terminal side control device, and receiving data transmitted from the terminal side control device, an alarm display means, and a control means. The control means determines whether or not an alarm is included in the data based on the data from the terminal-side control device, and if the data includes an alarm, The alarm display means displays the first alarm for each channel, and based on the data from the terminal-side control device, it is determined whether or not the terminal-side control device has an abnormality, and the abnormality has occurred. In this case, the centralized management device for a showcase or the like, wherein the alarm display means displays a second alarm display different from the first alarm display for each channel. 2. The host control device comprises setting means for setting the use status of the channel in the control means, and the control means ignores the terminal side control device of the unused channel for control purposes. A centralized management device for a showcase according to claim 1.