Information equipment, control apparatus and control method

An information equipment 300 located in a consumer's facility 300 includes a reception unit 310 and a transmission unit 320 that performs transmission and reception of a command conforming to a predetermined protocol with a HEMS 200 via a network connected to the HEMS 200, and receives an operational instruction from the HEMS 200 and a control unit 340 that controls an operation of the information equipment 300 according to the operational instruction. The transmission unit 320 transmits a breakdown notification message indicating that the network has had a breakdown to the HEMS 200 when the network is restored after the breakdown.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a 371 National Stage application which claims the benefit of PCT Application No. PCT/JP2014/060209 filed on 8 Apr. 2014, which claims the benefit of Japanese Application No. 2013-081677, filed on 9 Apr. 2013. The contents of the above applications are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to information equipment located in a consumer's facility, a control apparatus, and a control method.

BACKGROUND ART

In recent years, a control system (energy management system (EMS)) that controls a plurality of pieces of information equipment gets a lot of attention (for example, Patent Document 1). In this control system, a control apparatus that controls a plurality of pieces of information equipment is installed.

Examples of the control apparatus include a home energy management system (HEMS) located in a house, a building energy management system (BEMS) located in a building, a factory energy management system (FEMS) located in a factory, and a store energy management system (SEMS) located in a store.

As a plurality of pieces of information equipment, there are a distributed power supply, a power storage apparatus, a thermal storage apparatus, a load, and the like. The distributed power supply is an apparatus that generates electric power using natural energy such as sunlight, wind power, or geothermal heat such as a solar cell. Alternatively, the distributed power supply is an apparatus that generates electric power using fuel gas such as a fuel cell, for example, a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). The power storage apparatus is an apparatus that stores electric power such as a secondary battery. The thermal storage apparatus is an apparatus that converts electric power into heat and stores heat such as a water heater. The load is a refrigerator, illumination, an air conditioner, a television, or the like.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENT

Patent Document

Patent Document 1: Japanese application publication No. 2010-128810

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In addition, with the spread of operation apparatuses such as smartphones, there arises a need in which it is desired to remotely control information equipment through the operation apparatus outside a consumer's facility (a house, a building, a factory, a store, or the like) in which the information equipment is located.

However, the following problem is considered in the remote control of the information equipment. When an operational instruction given from the operation apparatus is transmitted to the information equipment via the control apparatus, if a network connected to the control apparatus has a breakdown, for example, due to a failure of a router, the information equipment may not receive the operational instruction. In this case, content of the operational instruction transmitted from the control apparatus to the information equipment is likely to be different from an operation of the information equipment. For this reason, it is unlikely to sufficiently ensure security of the information equipment depending on content of the operational instruction.

In this regard, the present invention was made to solve the above problem, and it is an object of the present invention to provide information equipment, a control apparatus, and a control method, which are capable of remotely controlling the information equipment in view of a problem such as a security aspect.

Solution to Problem

Information equipment according to a first aspect is information equipment that is controlled by a control apparatus and located in a consumer's facility. The information equipment includes a communication unit that performs transmission and reception of a command conforming to a predetermined protocol with the control apparatus via a network connected to the control apparatus, and receives an operational instruction from the control apparatus and a control unit that controls an operation of the information equipment according to the operational instruction. The communication unit transmits a breakdown notification message indicating that the network has had a breakdown to the control apparatus when the network is restored after the breakdown.

In the first aspect, the information equipment further comprises a storage unit that configured to stores a network breakdown information indicating information related to the breakdown of the network. The breakdown notification message includes the network breakdown information, and is an information notification command that is transmitted to the control apparatus through the communication unit when the control unit detects the restoration of the network.

In the first aspect, the control unit suspends the operation of the information equipment when the breakdown is detected.

In the first aspect, the network breakdown information includes a cause-associated operation state indicating an operation state of the information equipment according to a cause.

In the first aspect, if the information equipment is operating according to the operational instruction, when the breakdown is detected, the control unit suspends the operation of the information equipment, and if the information equipment is operating according to an instruction received without intervention of the control apparatus, even when the breakdown is detected, the control unit does not suspend the operation of the information equipment.

In the first aspect, if the operational instruction is an outside-consumer's facility operational instruction which the control apparatus receives from a server located outside the consumer's facility via the network, and the information equipment is operating according to the outside-consumer's facility operational instruction, when the breakdown is detected, the control unit suspends the operation of the information equipment, and if the operational instruction is an inside-consumer's facility operational instruction which the control apparatus receives via the network without intervention of the server, and the information equipment is operating according to the inside-consumer's facility operational instruction, even when the breakdown is detected, the control unit does not suspend the operation of the information equipment.

In the first aspect, the control unit suspends the operation of the information equipment when a predetermined period of time elapses after the breakdown is detected.

In the first aspect, the control unit transmits the breakdown notification message to the control apparatus when the restoration is detected after the operation of the information equipment is suspended due to the breakdown.

In the first aspect, the communication unit repeatedly transmits the breakdown notification message until a response is received from the control apparatus after the breakdown notification message is transmitted.

In the first aspect, the predetermined protocol is ECHONET Lite.

In the first aspect, the network breakdown information is one of properties of ECHONET equipment object specified in ECHONET Lite.

In the first aspect, when the communication unit receives a request command for requesting notification of a state of the information equipment from the control apparatus after the control unit detects the restoration, the communication unit includes the network breakdown information in a response command for responding to the request command, and transmits the response command to the control apparatus.

A control apparatus according to a second aspect controls information equipment located in a consumer's facility. The control apparatus comprises a communication unit that configured to performs transmission and reception of a command conforming to a predetermined protocol with the information equipment via a network connected to the control apparatus, and transmits an operational instruction to the information equipment. When the network is restored after a breakdown, the communication unit transmits the operational instruction to the information equipment.

In the second aspect, the control apparatus further comprises a storage unit configured to that stores the operational instruction, when a breakdown notification message indicating that the network has had a breakdown is received from the information equipment, the communication unit transmits a setting command including a latest operational instruction stored in the storage unit to the information equipment.

In the second aspect, the communication unit repeatedly transmits a request command for requesting transmission of the breakdown notification message to the information equipment when the network is restored.

In the second aspect, the predetermined protocol is ECHONET Lite.

A control method according to a third aspect is used in a control system including information equipment located in a consumer's facility and a control apparatus that controls the information equipment. The control method comprises a step of performing, by the information equipment and the control apparatus, transmission and reception of a command conforming to a predetermined protocol via a network connected to the control apparatus; a step of operating, by the information equipment, according to an operational instruction given from the control apparatus; a step of transmitting, by the information equipment, a breakdown notification message indicating that the network has had a breakdown to the control apparatus when the network is restored after the breakdown; and a step of transmitting, by the control apparatus, the operational instruction to the information equipment when the control apparatus receives the breakdown notification message.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, a control system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the appended drawings. In the following drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals.

There are schematic diagrams, and it should be noted that a ratio of each dimension or the like is different from an actual one. Thus, a specific dimension or the like has to be determined in view of the following description. Of course, portions that differ in a relation of dimensions or a ratio are included in the drawings.

OVERVIEW OF EMBODIMENT

Information equipment according the embodiment is information equipment that is controlled by a control apparatus and located in a consumer's facility. The information equipment includes a communication unit that performs transmission and reception of a command conforming to a predetermined protocol with the control apparatus via a network connected to the control apparatus, and receives an operational instruction from the control apparatus and a control unit that controls an operation of the information equipment according to the operational instruction. The communication unit transmits a breakdown notification message indicating that the network has had a breakdown to the control apparatus when the network is restored after the breakdown.

In the embodiment, the communication unit transmits a breakdown notification message indicating that the network has had a breakdown to the control apparatus when the network is restored after the breakdown. Therefore, it is capable of remotely controlling the information equipment in view of a problem such as a security aspect.

First Embodiment

Control System

A control system according to the first embodiment will be described below.FIG. 1is a diagram illustrating a control system100according to the first embodiment.

The control system100includes a consumer's facility10, a CEMS20, a transformer substation30, a smart server40, and a power generating station50as illustrated inFIG. 1. The consumer's facility10, the CEMS20, the transformer substation30, and the smart server40are connected via a wide area network60.

The consumer's facility10is an example of a consumer's facility including at least one of a distributed power supply, a power storage apparatus, a thermal storage apparatus, and a load. The distributed power supply, the power storage apparatus, the thermal storage apparatus, or the load is an example of information equipment controlled by a control apparatus.

The distributed power supply is an apparatus that generates electric power using natural energy such as sunlight, wind power, or geothermal heat such as a solar cell, for example. Alternatively, the distributed power supply is an apparatus that generates electric power using fuel gas such as a fuel cell, for example. The power storage apparatus is an apparatus that stores electric power such as a secondary battery, for example. The thermal storage apparatus is an apparatus that converts electric power into heat and stores heat such as a water heater, for example. The load is a refrigerator, illumination, an air conditioner, a television, or the like.

The consumer's facility10may be, for example, a detached residence, a housing complex such as an apartment house, a commercial facility such as a building, a factory, or a store.

In the first embodiment, a consumer's facility group10A and a consumer's facility group10B are configured with a plurality of consumer's facilities10. The consumer's facility group10A and the consumer's facility group10B are classified, for example, according to a geographical region.

The CEMS20controls a connection between the plurality of consumer's facilities10and a power grid. The CEMS20manages the plurality of consumer's facilities10and stands for a cluster energy management system. Specifically, the CEMS20disconnects the plurality of consumer's facilities10from the power grid in the event of a power outage. On the other hand, the CEMS20connects the plurality of consumer's facilities10with the power grid in the event of power restoration.

In the first embodiment, a CEMS20A and a CEMS20B are installed. For example, the CEMS20A controls a connection between the consumer's facilities10included in the consumer's facility group10A and the power grid. For example, the CEMS20B controls a connection between the consumer's facilities10included in the consumer's facility group10B and the power grid.

The transformer substation30supplies electric power to the plurality of consumer's facilities10via a power distribution line31. Specifically, the transformer substation30steps down a voltage supplied from the power generating station50.

In the first embodiment, a transformer substation30A and a transformer substation30B are installed. For example, the transformer substation30A supplies electric power to the consumer's facilities10included in the consumer's facility group10A via the power distribution line31A. For example, the transformer substation30B supplies electric power the consumer's facilities10included in the consumer's facility group10B via the power distribution line31B.

The smart server40manages a plurality of CEMSs20(here, the CEMS20A and the CEMS20B). The smart server40manages a plurality of transformer substations30(here, the transformer substation30A and the transformer substation30B). In other words, the smart server40integrally manages the consumer's facilities10included in the consumer's facility group10A and the consumer's facility group10B. For example, the smart server40has a function of redressing the balance between electric power to be supplied to the consumer's facility group10A and electric power to be supplied to the consumer's facility group10B.

The power generating station50generates electric power using thermal power, wind power, hydraulic power, nuclear power, or the like. The power generating station50supplies electric power to the plurality of transformer substations30(here, the transformer substation30A and the transformer substation30B) via a power transmission line51.

The wide area network60is connected to the respective apparatuses via signal lines. Examples of the wide area network60include the Internet, a wide area line network, a narrow area line network, and a mobile telephone network.

A consumer's facility according to the first embodiment will be described below.FIG. 2is a diagram illustrating the details of the consumer's facility10according to the first embodiment.

The consumer's facility10includes a distribution board110, a load120, a photovoltaic cell (PV) unit130, a storage battery unit140, a fuel cell unit150, a hot-water storage unit160, and a HEMS200as illustrated inFIG. 2.

The distribution board110is connected to the power distribution line31(grid). The distribution board110is connected to the load120, the PV unit130, the storage battery unit140, and the fuel cell unit150via power lines.

The distribution board110may include a measuring unit that measures electric power supplied from the power distribution line31(grid). The measuring unit may measure power consumption of the load120.

The load120is an apparatus that expends electric power supplied via the power line. For example, the load120includes an apparatus such as a refrigerator, illumination, an air conditioner, a television, or the like. The load120may include a single apparatus or may include a plurality of apparatuses.

The PV unit130includes a PV131and a PCS132. The PV131is an exemplary distributed power supply and is an apparatus that is generates electric power according to reception of sunlight. The PV131outputs generated DC power. A power generation amount of the PV131changes according to an amount of solar radiation with which the PV131is irradiated. The PCS132is an apparatus (a power conditioning system) that converts the DC power output from the PV131into AC power. The PCS132outputs the AC power to the distribution board110via the power line.

In the first embodiment, the PV unit130may include a pyranometer that measures the amount of solar radiation with which the PV131is irradiated.

The PV unit130is controlled by a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) technique. In detail, the PV unit130optimizes an operation point (a point decided by an operation point voltage value and an electric power value or a point decided by an operation point voltage value and a current value) of the PV131.

The storage battery unit140includes a storage battery141and a PCS142. The storage battery141is an apparatus that stores electric power. The PCS142is an apparatus (power conditioning system) that converts the DC power output from the storage battery141into the AC power.

The fuel cell unit150includes a fuel cell151and a PCS152. The fuel cell151is an exemplary distributed power supply and is an apparatus generates electric power using fuel gas. The PCS152is an apparatus (power conditioning system) that converts the DC power output from the fuel cell151into the AC power.

The fuel cell unit150operates according to load following control. In detail, the fuel cell unit150controls the fuel cell151such that the electric power output from the fuel cell151follows the power consumption of the load120.

The hot-water storage unit160is an exemplary thermal storage apparatus that converts electric power into heat and stores heat. Specifically, the hot-water storage unit160includes a hot-water tank, and heats water supplied from the hot-water tank using exhaust heat caused by an operation (power generation) of the fuel cell151. In detail, the hot-water storage unit160heats the water supplied from the hot-water tank, and returns the heated hot water to the hot-water tank.

The HEMS200is a control apparatus that manages the information equipment (the load, the distributed power supply, the power storage apparatus, or the thermal storage apparatus) located in the consumer's facility10.

In the first embodiment, the HEMS200is connected to the PV unit130, the storage battery unit140, the fuel cell unit150, and the hot-water storage unit160via the signal lines, and controls the PV unit130, the storage battery unit140, the fuel cell unit150, and the hot-water storage unit160. The HEMS200may control the operation mode of the load120such that the power consumption of the load120is controlled. The signal line that connects the HEMS200with the information equipment may be a wireless medium or a wired medium.

The HEMS200is connected with various kinds of servers via the wide area network60. For example, various kinds of servers store information (hereinafter, “energy charge information”) such as a purchase unit price of electric power supplied from the grid, a sale unit price of electric power supplied from the grid, and a purchase unit price of fuel gas.

Alternatively, for example, various kinds of servers store information (hereinafter, “energy consumption prediction information”) used to predict the power consumption of the load120. For example, the energy consumption prediction information may be generated based on a previous actual value of the power consumption of the load120. Alternatively, the energy consumption prediction information may be a power consumption model of the load120.

Alternatively, for example, various kinds of servers store information (hereinafter, PV power generation amount prediction information) used to predict the power generation amount of the PV131. The PV power generation prediction information may be a prediction value of the amount of solar radiation with which the PV131is irradiated. Alternatively, the PV power generation prediction information may be a weather forecast, a season, a duration of sunlight, or the like.

An application scene of the first embodiment will be described below.FIG. 3is a diagram illustrating the application scene of the first embodiment.

A system according to the application scene of the first embodiment includes a HEMS200, information equipment300, a router400, an operation apparatus500, and a server600as illustrated inFIG. 3.

The HEMS200is an exemplary control apparatus that manages the information equipment300located in the consumer's facility10. The HEMS200is connected with the router400in a wired or wireless manner, and performs communication with the information equipment300, the operation apparatus500, and the server600via the router400.

The information equipment300is controlled by the HEMS200as in the load120, the PV unit130, the storage battery unit140, the fuel cell unit150, and the hot-water storage unit160.

The router400configures a narrow area network70installed in the consumer's facility10. The router400may configure a wireless LAN or a wired LAN as the narrow area network70.FIG. 3illustrates an example in which the HEMS200is connected with the router400in a wired manner, and the information equipment300and the operation apparatus500are connected with the router400in a wireless manner. The HEMS200may be connected with the router400in a wireless manner, and the information equipment300and the operation apparatus500may be connected with the router400in a wired manner.

The operation apparatus500is an operation apparatus that transmits an operational instruction to the information equipment300. The operation apparatus500may be an operation apparatus (for example, a remote controller or an operation button installed in the information equipment300) that inputs an operation to the information equipment300directly without intervention of the router400or the HEMS200. Alternatively, the operation apparatus500may be an operation apparatus (for example, a mobile terminal connected to the router400in a wireless manner or a personal computer connected to the router400in a wired manner) connected to the narrow area network70. The operation apparatus connected to the narrow area network70inputs an operation to the information equipment300indirectly via the router400and the HEMS200. Alternatively, the operation apparatus500may be an operation apparatus (for example, a mobile terminal that can access the server600or a personal computer that can access the server600) connected to the wide area network60different from the narrow area network70. The operation apparatus connected to the wide area network60is not limited to an apparatus carried by the user and may be a server (for example, a server managed by an electric power company) installed on the wide area network60. A demand response or the like is considered as an operational instruction transmitted from the server.

InFIG. 3, the operation apparatus500A that inputs an operation to the information equipment300directly, the operation apparatus500B connected to the narrow area network70, and the operation apparatus500C connected to the wide area network60are illustrated as the operation apparatus500. It should be noted that when the operational instruction is the demand response or the like, the operation apparatus500C may be dealt the same way as the server600.

The server600is a server that is installed on the wide area network60and receives the operational instruction on the information equipment300from the operation apparatus500C connected to the wide area network60. It should be noted that the operation apparatus500C is not necessarily constantly connected to the server600.

Here, it is undesirable to maintain a session between the HEMS200connected to the narrow area network70installed in the consumer's facility10and the server600constantly in terms of security. Commonly, in order to protect an apparatus connected to the narrow area network70, a firewall is installed between the wide area network60and the narrow area network70. Thus, it is difficult to access the HEMS200from the server600arbitrarily. In terms of this, it is desirable that the server600transmit the operational instruction received from the operation apparatus500C to the HEMS200according to an inquiry that is regularly given from the HEMS200to the server600.

The embodiments are not limited to this example. For example, the operational instruction received from the operation apparatus500C may be transmitted from the server600to the HEMS200at an arbitrary timing by causing the firewall to perform port release or the like.

Here, it should be noted that the information equipment300operates according to the operational instruction received via the HEMS200and the router400except when an operation is directly input by the operation apparatus500A. In this regard, the HEMS200regularly performs transmission and reception of a network check command (for example, a ping command) for checking whether or not a network connecting the HEMS200with the information equipment300has a breakdown with the information equipment300via the router400. Alternatively, the HEMS200may regularly perform transmission and reception of a network check command for checking whether or not the network connecting the HEMS200with the server600has a breakdown with the server600via the router400.

Similarly, the information equipment300regularly performs transmission and reception of a network check command for checking whether or not a network connecting the information equipment300with the HEMS200has a breakdown with the HEMS200via the router400.

A control apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described below.FIG. 4is a block diagram illustrating the HEMS200according to the first embodiment.

The HEMS200includes a reception unit210, a transmission unit220, a control unit230, and a storage unit240as illustrated inFIG. 4.

In the first embodiment, the reception unit210and the transmission unit220configure a communication unit that performs transmission and reception of a message conforming to a predetermined protocol with the information equipment300.

The reception unit210receives various kinds of signals from the apparatuses connected via the (wired or wireless) signal lines. For example, the reception unit210receives the information indicating the power generation amount of the PV131from the PV unit130. The reception unit210receives information indicating a storage amount of the storage battery141from the storage battery unit140. The reception unit210receives information indicating the power generation amount of the fuel cell151from the fuel cell unit150. The reception unit210receives information indicating a hot water storage amount of the hot-water storage unit160from the hot-water storage unit160.

In the first embodiment, the reception unit210receives a command conforming to a predetermined protocol from the information equipment300via a network connected to the HEMS200. When communication between the HEMS200and the information equipment300is performed according to ECHONET Lite scheme, the reception unit210receives messages (a SET response command, a GET response command, and an INFO command) conforming to ECHONET Lite scheme from the respective apparatuses. The SET response command is a response command to a setting command (a SET command) including an operational instruction on the information equipment300, and includes a setting response indicating a setting result (seeFIGS. 6(A) and 6(B)which will be described later). The GET response command is a response command to a request command (a GET command) for requesting reference of information indicating a state of the information equipment300, and includes information (state information) in which reference is requested (seeFIGS. 7(A) and 7(B)which will be described later). The INFO command is a command that is autonomously transmitted from the information equipment300without depending on the command on the information equipment300from the HEMS200, and includes state information indicating the state of the information equipment300(seeFIG. 8which will be described later).

The reception unit210may receive the energy charge information, the energy consumption prediction information and the PV power generation amount prediction information from various kinds of servers via the wide area network60. The energy charge information, the energy consumption prediction information, and the PV power generation amount prediction information may be stored in the HEMS200in advance.

In the first embodiment, the reception unit210receives an operational instruction (an inside-consumer's facility operation) from the operation apparatus500B. The reception unit210receives the operational instruction (an outside-consumer's facility operation) received from the operation apparatus500C from the server600.

The transmission unit220transmits various kinds of signals to the apparatuses connected via the signal line. For example, the transmission unit220transmits signals for controls on the load120, the PV unit130, the storage battery unit140, the fuel cell unit150, and the hot-water storage unit160to the respective apparatuses.

In the first embodiment, the transmission unit220transmits a command conforming to a predetermined protocol to the information equipment300via the network connected to the HEMS200. When communication between the HEMS200and the information equipment300is performed according to ECHONET Lite scheme, the transmission unit220transmits the messages (the SET command and the GET command) conforming to ECHONET Lite scheme to the respective apparatuses. The SET command is the setting command including the operational instruction on the information equipment300(seeFIG. 6(A)which will be described later). The GET command is the request command for requesting reference of the information indicating the state of the information equipment300(seeFIG. 7(A)which will be described later).

In the first embodiment, the transmission unit220transmits an inquiry about the operational instruction received from the operation apparatus500C to the server600.

In the first embodiment, the transmission unit220transmits the operational instruction to the information equipment300. The operational instruction includes an instruction input by the inside-consumer's facility operation performed by the operation apparatus500B connected to the narrow area network70and an instruction input by the outside-consumer's facility operation performed by the operation apparatus500C connected to the wide area network60in addition to an operational instruction generated by the control unit230(which will be described later) in order to control the operation of the information equipment300.

The transmission unit220transmits the operational instruction to the information equipment300so that a transmission source (that is, the HEMS200, the operation apparatus500B or the operation apparatus500C) of the operational instruction is identified. When communication between the HEMS200and the information equipment300is performed according to ECHONET Lite scheme, for example, the transmission unit220includes the operational instruction and an operation route specifying information identifying the transmission source of the operational instruction in the existing message (the SET command) in ECHONET Lite scheme, and transmits the resulting message. For example, a 1-bit flag may be used as the operation route specifying information.

Next, an example in which a network has a breakdown and then is recovered will be described. Here, the network means a communication line of a range in which the HEMS200can detect the presence or absence of a breakdown by transmitting and receiving the network check command, and specifically refers to a network (the narrow area network70) connecting the HEMS200with the information equipment300or a network (the wide area network60and the narrow area network70) connecting the HEMS200with the server600.

In the first embodiment, when the network is restored after the breakdown, the transmission unit220transmits the operational instruction to the information equipment300. In detail, when the network is restored, the transmission unit220repeatedly transmits a request command (the GET command) for requesting transmission of a breakdown notification message (which will be described later) to the information equipment300. Upon the reception unit210receiving the breakdown notification message from the information equipment300, the transmission unit220transmits a setting command (the SET command) including the latest operational instruction stored in the storage unit240(which will be described later) to the information equipment300.

For example, even when the breakdown of the network between the HEMS200and the information equipment300is detected, the HEMS200hardly detects whether or not the information equipment300is continuously operating according to the operational instruction received from the HEMS200or whether or not the operation has suspended in view of security. In this regard, the transmission unit220repeatedly transmits the request command (the GET command) to the information equipment300after the network is restored. When the reception unit210receives the GET response command from the information equipment300, and the information equipment300also detects the breakdown of the network, the transmission unit220transmits (retransmits) the latest operational instruction stored in the storage unit240to the information equipment300. As a result, the information equipment300can return to the same operation state as the operation state before the breakdown of the network.

When the information equipment300is operating according to the direct operation performed by the operation apparatus500A, communication between the operation apparatus500A and the information equipment300is not influenced although the network has a breakdown. As will be described later, when the HEMS200detects that the information equipment300is operating according to the direct operation performed by the operation apparatus500A through an operation type identifier included in a message (an INFO command or the like) received from the information equipment300, the transmission unit220may omit transmission of the request command and transmission of the operational instruction.

Referring back toFIG. 4, the control unit230controls the operation of the HEMS200. The control unit230controls the load120, the PV unit130, the storage battery unit140, the fuel cell unit150, and the hot-water storage unit160.

In the first embodiment, the control unit230controls the operation of the information equipment300. In detail, the control unit230generates the operational instruction on the information equipment300, and transmits the operational instruction to the information equipment300through the transmission unit220.

In the first embodiment, the control unit230determines the route type (the transmission source) of the operational instruction on the information equipment300received from another equipment rather than the operational instruction generated by the control unit230. In detail, when the operational instruction is not given via the server600installed on the wide area network60, the control unit230determines the route type to be the inside-consumer's facility operation. On the other hand, when the operational instruction is given via the server600installed on the wide area network60, determines the route type to be the outside-consumer's facility operation.

As described above, when the route type is the inside-consumer's facility operation, the operational instruction is transmitted from the operation apparatus500B to the HEMS200via the router400. Thus, the control unit230can determine that the operational instruction is not transmitted via the server600by checking a transmission source IP address of the operational instruction. On the other hand, when the route type is the outside-consumer's facility operation, the operational instruction received from the operation apparatus500C by the server600is transmitted from the server600to the HEMS200. Thus, the control unit230can determine that the operational instruction is transmitted via the server600by checking the transmission source IP address of the operational instruction.

The storage unit240stores information necessary when the control unit230controls the load120, the PV unit130, the storage battery unit140, the fuel cell unit150, and the hot-water storage unit160. The storage unit240stores information necessary for control and management of the equipment300.

In the first embodiment, the storage unit240stores the operational instruction on the equipment300. The storage unit240stores the operational instruction on the equipment300and the route type (the transmission source) of the operational instruction in association with each other.

Information equipment according to the first embodiment will be described below.FIG. 5is a block diagram illustrating the information equipment300according to the first embodiment.

The information equipment300includes a reception unit310, a transmission unit320, a storage unit330, and a control unit340as illustrated inFIG. 5.

In the first embodiment, the reception unit310and the transmission unit320configure a communication unit that performs transmission and reception of a message conforming to a predetermined protocol with the HEMS200.

The reception unit310receives various kinds of signals from the apparatuses connected via the (wireless or wired) signal lines. Specifically, the reception unit310receives the operational instruction from the operation apparatus500A or the HEMS200. The operational instruction given from the HEMS200includes the operational instruction given from the operation apparatus500B or the operation apparatus500C in addition to the operational instruction generated by the HEMS200(the control unit230).

When communication between the HEMS200and the information equipment300is performed according to ECHONET Lite scheme, the reception unit310receives the messages (the SET command and the GET command) conforming to ECHONET Lite scheme from the HEMS200.

In the first embodiment, the reception unit310receives the operational instruction of the first format from the HEMS200when the route type is the inside-consumer's facility operation. On the other hand, the reception unit310receives the operational instruction of the second format different from the first format from the HEMS200when the route type is the outside-consumer's facility operation.

The transmission unit320transmits various kinds of signals to the apparatuses connected via the (wireless or wired) signal lines.

When communication between the HEMS200and the information equipment300is performed according to ECHONET Lite scheme, the transmission unit320transmits the messages (the SET response command, the GET response command, and the INFO command) conforming to ECHONET Lite scheme to the HEMS200.

In detail, upon receiving the setting command including the operational instruction on the information equipment300, the transmission unit320notifies the HEMS200of an operation route identifier indicating the route type of the operational instruction included in the setting command. For example, upon receiving the SET command, the transmission unit320transmits the SET response command including the operation route identifier indicating the route type of the operational instruction included in the SET command to the HEMS200as illustrated inFIG. 6(B).

Alternatively, upon receiving the request command requesting reference of the information indicating the state of the information equipment300, the transmission unit320notifies the HEMS200of the operation route identifier indicating the route type of the operational instruction received before the request command is received. For example, upon receiving the GET command, the transmission unit320transmits the GET response command including the operation route identifier indicating the route type of the operational instruction received before the GET command is received to the HEMS200as illustrated inFIG. 7(B). In other words, the transmission unit320transmits the GET response command including the operation route identifier indicating an operation route through which a current operation has been instructed to the HEMS200.

Alternatively, when a variable stored in the storage unit330(which will be described later) is changed, the transmission unit320notifies the HEMS200of the operation route identifier indicating the changed variable. For example, the transmission unit320transmits the INFO command including the operation route identifier indicating the changed variable to the HEMS200as illustrated inFIG. 8.

Next, an example in which the network has a breakdown and then is restored will be described. Here, the network means a communication line of a range in which the information equipment300can detect the presence or absence of breakdown according to transmission and reception of the network check command, and specifically refers to the network (the narrow area network70) connecting the information equipment300with the HEMS200.

In the first embodiment, the transmission unit320transmits the breakdown notification message indicating that the network has had a breakdown to the HEMS200when the network is restored after the breakdown.

The breakdown notification message includes network breakdown information which will be described later. When a predetermined protocol is ECHONET Lite, the breakdown notification message is the INFO command that is transmitted from the transmission unit320to the HEMS200when the control unit340detects the restoration of the network.

Alternatively, as will be described later, the transmission unit320may transmit the breakdown notification message to the HEMS200when the restoration of the network is detected after the operation of the information equipment300has been suspended due to the breakdown.

In the first embodiment, the transmission unit320repeatedly transmits the breakdown notification message until the reception unit310receives a response from the HEMS200after the breakdown notification message is transmitted.

For example, even when the breakdown of the network between the information equipment300and the HEMS200is detected, the HEMS200hardly detects whether or not the information equipment300is continuously operating according to the operational instruction received from the HEMS200or whether or not the operation has been suspended in view of security. In this regard, the transmission unit320causes the HEMS200to detect the state of the information equipment300by repeatedly transmitting the breakdown notification message (the INFO command) to the HEMS200after the restoration of the network. When the reception unit310receives the latest operational instruction from the HEMS200, the information equipment300can return to the same operation state as the operation state before the breakdown of the network.

When the information equipment300is operating according to the direct operation performed by the operation apparatus500A, communication between the operation apparatus500A and the information equipment300is not influenced although the network has a breakdown. Thus, when the information equipment300is operating according to the direct operation performed by the operation apparatus500A, the transmission unit220does not transmit the breakdown notification message.

The storage unit330stores the variable indicating the route type of the operational instruction on the information equipment300.

As described above, the variable indicating the route type of the operational instruction on the information equipment300includes the variable indicating an operation in which the HEMS200is the transmission source, the variable indicating the inside-consumer's facility operation in which an operation is input to the information equipment300from the operation apparatus500B connected to the narrow area network installed in the consumer's facility10and the variable indicating the outside-consumer's facility operation in which an operation is input to the information equipment300from the operation apparatus500C connected to the wide area network60different from the narrow area network70.

The variable indicating the inside-consumer's facility operation may include a variable indicating a direct operation in which an operation is directly input to the information equipment300without intervention of another equipment (for example, the HEMS200or the router400) and a variable indicating an indirect operation in which an operation is indirectly input to the information equipment300via another equipment (for example, the HEMS200or the router400).

The direct operation may be an operation of the operation button installed in the information equipment300or may be an operation using the remote controller associated with the information equipment300. The indirect operation may be an operation using the operation apparatus500B connected to the narrow area network70installed in the consumer's facility10.

In the first embodiment, the storage unit330stores the network breakdown information related to the breakdown of the network. For example, the network breakdown information includes a time at which the breakdown occurred in the network and a time at which the network was restored. The network includes the wide area network60and the narrow area network70.

In the first embodiment, the network breakdown information further includes a cause-associated operation state that indicates the operation state of the information equipment300according to a cause. Specifically, examples of the cause-associated operation state include activation, suspension, remote activation (the inside-consumer's facility operation), remote activation (the outside-consumer's facility operation), remote suspension (the inside-consumer's facility operation), remote suspension (the outside-consumer's facility operation), and suspension caused by network breakdown detection.

When a predetermined protocol is ECHONET Lite, the network breakdown information is one of properties of ECHONET equipment object specified in ECHONET Lite.

After the control unit340detects the restoration of the network, when the reception unit310receives the request command (the GET command) requesting notification of the state of the information equipment300from the HEMS200, the transmission unit320may include the network breakdown information in the GET response command that is transmitted in response to the request command and transmit the resulting GET response command to the HEMS200.

The control unit340controls the operation of the information equipment300. Specifically, the control unit340controls the operation of the information equipment300according to the operational instruction.

In the first embodiment, the control unit340determines the route type of the operational instruction. The control unit340can specify any one of the operation performed by the HEMS200, the inside-consumer's facility operation, and the outside-consumer's facility operation according to the operation route specifying information included in the message including the operational instruction. The control unit340can specify the direct operation and thus can specify any other operation than the direct operation. Thus, the control unit340can specify that the inside-consumer's facility operation is the direct operation and specify that the inside-consumer's facility operation is the indirect operation as well.

In the first embodiment, the control unit340detects whether or not the network has a breakdown. In detail, the control unit340detects whether or not the network with the router400has a breakdown by regularly performing transmission and reception of the network check command (for example, the ping command) with the HEMS200via the reception unit310and the transmission unit320. Alternatively, the control unit340regularly performs transmission and reception of the network check command with the server600.

In the first embodiment, when the breakdown of the network is detected, the control unit340suspends the operation of the information equipment300. Alternatively, when a predetermined period of time T1has elapsed after the breakdown of the network is detected, the control unit340may suspend the operation of its own equipment.

Here, it should be noted that when the information equipment300is operating according to the operational instruction received from the HEMS200, if the breakdown of the network is detected, the control unit340suspends the operation of the information equipment300, but when the information equipment300is operating according to the instruction (that is, an instruction given by the direct operation performed by the operation apparatus500A) received without intervention of the HEMS200, the control unit340does not suspend the operation of the information equipment300even if the breakdown of the network is detected.

Alternatively, when the operational instruction is the operational instruction (that is, an outside-consumer's facility operational instruction given by the operation apparatus500C) which the HEMS200has received from the server600installed on the wide area network60via the network, and the information equipment300is operating according to the outside-consumer's facility operational instruction, if the breakdown of the network is detected, the control unit340suspends the operation of its own equipment. On the other hand, when the operational instruction is the operational instruction (that is, an inside-consumer's facility operational instruction given by the operation apparatus500B) which the HEMS200has received via the network without intervention of the server600, and the information equipment300is operating according to the inside-consumer's facility operational instruction, although the breakdown of the network is detected, the control unit340may not suspend the operation of the information equipment300. It is because in the case of the inside-consumer's facility operational instruction given by the operation apparatus500B, the operator is considered to be able to input the operational instruction within the consumer's facility, that is, nearby the information equipment300and check the operation state of the information equipment300.

A control method according to the first embodiment will be described below.FIGS. 9 to 11are sequence diagrams illustrating a control method according to the first embodiment.FIGS. 9 to 11illustrate an example in which communication between the HEMS200and the information equipment300is performed according to ECHONET Lite scheme.

FIG. 9is a sequence diagram illustrating the direct operation performed by the operation apparatus500A. In step S110, the information equipment300receives the operational instruction from the operation apparatus500A.

In step S120, the information equipment300performs an operation (executes a process) according to the received operational instruction.

In step S130, the HEMS200checks whether or not the network with the router400has a breakdown by performing transmission and reception of the network check command with the router400. In step S140, the information equipment300checks whether or not the network with the router400has a breakdown by performing transmission and reception of the network check command with the router400. The process of step S130and the process of step S140are assumed to be performed periodically, respectively.

In step S150, the HEMS200detects that the network with the router400has a breakdown. Specifically, when no response is received from the router400in response to the network check command transmitted by the HEMS200, the HEMS200detects the breakdown of the network.

In step S160, the information equipment300detects that the network with the router400has a breakdown. Specifically, when no response is received from the router400in response to the network check command transmitted by the information equipment300, the information equipment300detects the breakdown of the network.

In step S170, the information equipment300detects the network with the router400has been restored. Specifically, when the response is received from the router400again after the response to the network check command transmitted by the information equipment300has not been obtained, the information equipment300detects the restoration of the network.

In step S180, the HEMS200detects that the network with the router400has been restored.

InFIG. 9, a timing of the detection (step S170) of the network restoration by the information equipment300is assumed to be earlier than a timing of the detection (step S180) of the network restoration by the HEMS200, but it should be noted that the timings change, for example, according to a cycle of transmission and reception of the network check command.

As described above, when the operational instruction is received from the operation apparatus500A, the information equipment300maintains the operation (the state in which the process has been executed) according to the operational instruction received in step S110although the breakdown of the network is detected.

FIG. 10is a sequence diagram when the operational instruction is transmitted from the HEMS200to the information equipment300. Particularly,FIG. 10is a sequence diagram focusing on the operation of the information equipment300.

In step S210, the operation apparatus500B or the operation apparatus500C transmits the operational instruction to the HEMS200. Here, it should be noted that the operation apparatus500C transmits the operational instruction to the HEMS200via the server600.

In step S211, the HEMS200includes the operational instruction in the SET command, and transmits the SET command. Here, the operational instruction transmitted by the HEMS200may be the operational instruction generated by the HEMS200or the operational instruction received from the operation apparatus500B or the operation apparatus500C.

In step S212, the router400transmits the SET command to the information equipment300.

In step S220, the HEMS200stores the operational instruction.

In step S230, the information equipment300performs the operation (executes the process) according to the received operational instruction.

In step S240, the HEMS200checks whether or not the network with the router400has a breakdown by performing transmission and reception of the network check command with the router400. In step S245, the information equipment300checks whether or not the network with the router400has a breakdown by performing transmission and reception of the network check command with the router400. The process of step S240and the process of step S245are assumed to be performed regularly, respectively.

In step S250, the HEMS200detects that the network with the router400has a breakdown. Specifically, when no response is received from the router400in response to the network check command transmitted by the HEMS200, the HEMS200detects the breakdown of the network.

In step S255, the information equipment300detects that the network with the router400has a breakdown. Specifically, when no response is received from the router400in response to the network check command transmitted by the information equipment300, the information equipment300detects the breakdown of the network.

When a predetermined period of time T1has elapsed after the breakdown of the network is detected, in step S260, the information equipment300suspends the operation of its own equipment.

In step S275, the information equipment300detects that the network with the router400has been restored. Specifically, when the response is received from the router400again after the response to the network check command transmitted by the information equipment300has not been obtained, the information equipment300detects the restoration of the network.

In step S280, the information equipment300transmits the breakdown notification message indicating that the network has had a breakdown to the router400, and in step S281, the router400transmits the breakdown notification message to the HEMS200. When a predetermined protocol is ECHONET Lite, the breakdown notification message is the INFO command that is transmitted by the information equipment300when the network restoration is detected. The information equipment300repeats the process of step S280and step S281until the response to the breakdown notification message is received from the HEMS200.

In step S270, the HEMS200detects that the network with the router400has been restored. InFIG. 10, a timing of the detection (step S275) of the network restoration by the information equipment300is assumed to be earlier than a timing of the detection (step S270) of the network restoration by the HEMS200, but it should be noted that the timings change, for example, according to a cycle of transmission and reception of the network check command.

In step S290, the HEMS200transmits the SET command including the stored latest operational instruction to the router400, and in step S291, the router400transmits the SET command to the information equipment300.

As described above, when the information equipment300is operating according to the operational instruction received from the HEMS200, if the network is restored after the breakdown, the information equipment300transmits the breakdown notification message to the HEMS200. Thus, the information equipment300can return to the operation state before the network breakdown by notifying the HEMS200of the fact that the network has had a breakdown and causing the HEMS200to retransmit the latest operational instruction.

FIG. 11is a sequence diagram when the operational instruction is transmitted from the HEMS200to the information equipment300. Particularly,FIG. 11is a sequence diagram focusing on the operation of the HEMS200.

In step S310, the operation apparatus500B or the operation apparatus500C transmits the operational instruction to the HEMS200. Here, it should be noted that the operation apparatus500C transmits the operational instruction to the HEMS200via the server600.

In step S311, the HEMS200includes the operational instruction in the SET command, and transmits the resulting SET command. Here, the operational instruction transmitted by the HEMS200may be the operational instruction generated by the HEMS200or the operational instruction received from the operation apparatus500B or the operation apparatus500C.

In step S312, the router400transmits the SET command to the information equipment300.

In step S320, the HEMS200stores the operational instruction.

In step S330, the information equipment300performs the operation (executes the process) according to the received operational instruction.

In step S340, the HEMS200checks whether or not the network with the router400has a breakdown by performing transmission and reception of the network check command with the router400. In step S345, the information equipment300checks whether or not the network with the router400has a breakdown by performing transmission and reception of the network check command with the router400. The process of step S340and the process of step S345are assumed to be performed regularly, respectively.

In step S350, the HEMS200detects that the network with the router400has a breakdown. Specifically, when no response is received from the router400in response to the network check command transmitted by the HEMS200, the HEMS200detects the breakdown of the network.

In step S355, the information equipment300detects that the network with the router400has a breakdown. Specifically, when no response is received from the router400in response to the network check command transmitted by the information equipment300, the information equipment300detects the breakdown of the network.

When a predetermined period of time T1has elapsed after the breakdown of the network is detected, in step S360, the information equipment300suspends the operation of its own equipment.

In step S370, the HEMS200detects that the network with the router400has been restored. Specifically, when the response is received from the router400again after the response to the network check command transmitted by the HEMS200has not been obtained, the HEMS200detects the restoration of the network.

In step S380, the HEMS200transmits the request command (the GET command) for requesting transmission of the breakdown notification message to the router400, and in step S381, the router400transmits the GET command to the information equipment300. The process of step S380and step S381is repeated until the HEMS200receives the GET response command from the information equipment300.

In step S375, the information equipment300detects that the network with the router400has been restored. InFIG. 11, a timing of the detection (step S375) of the network restoration by the information equipment300is assumed to be later than a timing of the detection (step S370) of the network restoration by the HEMS200, but it should be noted that the timings change, for example, according to a cycle of transmission and reception of the network check command.

In step S382, the information equipment300transmits the GET response command including the network breakdown information to the router400, and in step S383, the router400transmits the GET response command to the HEMS200.

In step S390, the HEMS200transmits the SET command including the stored latest operational instruction to the router400, and in step S391, the router400transmits the SET command to the information equipment300.

As described above, when the information equipment300is operating according to the operational instruction received from the HEMS200, if the network is restored after the breakdown, the HEMS200transmits the SET command including the latest operational instruction to the information equipment300according to the breakdown notification message from the information equipment300. Thus, the HEMS200can cause the information equipment300to operate in the state before the network breakdown by detecting that the network connected to the information equipment300has had a breakdown and retransmitting the latest operational instruction to the information equipment300.

OTHER EMBODIMENTS

The present invention has been described in connection with the above embodiment, but a statement and a drawing describing a part of this disclosure are not intended to limit the invention. Various alternative embodiments, examples, and operation techniques are obvious to those having skill in the art from this disclosure.

In the embodiment, ECHONET Lite has been described as a predetermined protocol. However, the embodiments are not limited thereto, and any other protocol (for example, ZigBee (a registered trademark), KNX, or the like) than ECHONET Lite may be used as a predetermined protocol. Alternatively, a combination of ECHONET Lite and another communication protocol may be used as a predetermined protocol.

In the embodiment, the three types, that is, the inside-consumer's facility operation (the direct operation), the inside-consumer's facility operation (the indirect operation), and the outside-consumer's facility operation have been described as the route type of the operational instruction. However, the embodiments are not limited thereto. Two types, that is, the inside-consumer's facility operation and the outside-consumer's facility operation may be used as the route type of the operational instruction. Alternatively, the route type of the operational instruction may be an operation other than the direct operation and the direct operation.

In the embodiment, the network breakdown information has been described as one of properties of ECHONET equipment object specified in ECHONET Lite. However, the embodiments are not limited thereto. The network breakdown information may be included in a message as an arbitrary format of data.

In the embodiment, the information equipment300specifies the inside-consumer's facility operation and the outside-consumer's facility operation according to the difference in the format of the message including the operational instruction. However, the embodiments are not limited thereto. The information equipment300may specify the inside-consumer's facility operation and the outside-consumer's facility operation, for example, by checking the transmission source IP address.

The embodiment has been described in connection with the example in which the control apparatus is the HEMS200. However, the embodiments are not limited thereto. The control apparatus may be installed in the CEMS20or may be installed in the smart server40. Alternatively, the control apparatus may be installed in the building energy management system (BEMS), may be installed in the factory energy management system (FEMS), or may be installed in the store energy management system (SEMS).

In the embodiment, the consumer's facility10includes the load120, the PV unit130, the storage battery unit140, the fuel cell unit150, and the hot-water storage unit160. However, the consumer's facility10may include any one of the load120, the PV unit130, the storage battery unit140, the fuel cell unit150, and the hot-water storage unit160.

The entire contents of Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-81677 filed on Apr. 9, 2013 are incorporated herein by reference.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide information equipment, a control apparatus, and a control method, which are capable of remotely controlling the information equipment in view of a problem such as a security aspect.