Patent Publication Number: US-2010121465-A1

Title: Group management apparatus and group management program

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a group management apparatus that collectively manages installation equipment groups comprising plural installation equipment and to a group management program thereof. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Conventionally, management systems are adopted where a large number of items of installation equipment are separated into a plurality of groups of installation equipment. A management apparatus is then connected to each group and the installation equipment belonging to the group is then managed centrally (refer to patent document 1). 
     In such a management system, it is necessary to individually confirm a plurality of management apparatus connected to each installation equipment group in order to comprehend the operating conditions of the installation equipment. Then, it is conceivable to dispose a group management apparatus that connects with the plurality of management apparatus and to let the group management apparatus carry out interrogation processing for the plurality of management apparatus to acquire the information relating to the operating conditions of installation equipment within the system so that it can be easy to confirm the operating conditions of the plurality of installation equipment collectively managed by the plurality of management apparatus installed within the system. 
     Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Publication Laid-open No. 2003-302091 
     DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
     When information relating to the operating conditions of the installation equipment is acquired from a plurality of management apparatus and the operating conditions of the installation equipment are comprehended based on the information, the information at the group management apparatus is preferably the one that is acquired in the same time period. However, while the group management apparatus carries out interrogation processing for a plurality of management apparatus, if a communication error occurs during interrogation processing for one management apparatus, it is not possible for the group management apparatus to carry out interrogation processing for other management apparatus. This means that difference between the timing of acquiring the information from one management apparatus and the timing of acquiring the information from other management apparatus can be large. 
     The present invention therefore provides a group management apparatus and a group management program that reduce the differences in the timing of acquiring information relating to operating conditions for installation equipment from a plurality of management apparatus. 
     Technical Problem 
     A group management apparatus of a first aspect of the invention collectively manages first to nth installation equipment groups and includes a plurality of interrogation processors and an allocation unit. The group management apparatus is connected to the first to nth management apparatus. The first to nth management apparatus collectively manage a plurality of installation equipment belonging to the first to nth installation equipment groups. The interrogation processor repeatedly carries out interrogation processing for the first to nth management apparatus with regard to operating conditions of the installation equipment collectively managed by the first to nth management apparatus, respectively. The allocation unit allocates different interrogation processors to the first to nth management apparatus, respectively, one at a time. Further, the allocation unit allocates other allocation processors to the first to nth management apparatus according to an interrogation processing state of the installation equipment by at least one of the interrogation processors. 
     The group management apparatus of the present invention includes a plurality of interrogation processors that carry out interrogation processing for the plurality of management apparatus. The allocation unit then allocates any of the interrogation processors to any of the management apparatus according to the interrogation processing state of the interrogation processors. 
     This means that a plurality of interrogation processors carry out interrogation process for the management apparatus in parallel according to the processing state of the other interrogation processors. Therefore, if a communication error occurs when one interrogation processor carries out interrogation processing for one management apparatus, other interrogation processors can carry out interrogation processing for other management apparatus, which reduces the differences in the timing of acquiring information at the group management apparatus from each management apparatus. 
     A group management apparatus of a second aspect of the invention is the group management apparatus of the first aspect of the invention, the group management apparatus further comprising an operation unit. The operation unit decides the number of interrogation processors based on predetermined states. 
     The group management apparatus of the present invention is provided with an operation unit that decides the number of interrogation processors based on predetermined states. An appropriate number of interrogation processors are therefore provided automatically. The predetermined states are conditions decided arbitrarily by the user and can be, for example, conditions such as the number of management apparatus connected or the interval at which interrogation processing is repeated. 
     An appropriate number of interrogation processors are therefore provided automatically at the group management apparatus, which makes it possible to complete the interrogation processing for all of the management apparatus in the time desired by the user. 
     A group management apparatus of a third aspect of the invention is the group management apparatus of the second aspect of the invention, the group management apparatus further comprising a storage unit. The storage unit stores an operating and viewing program capable of operating the installation equipment and/or viewing an operating condition of the installation equipment. The operating and viewing program is capable of being executed at a party concerned management apparatus in the possession of a party concerned of the installation equipment. 
     At the group management apparatus of the present invention, an operating and viewing program capable of operating the installation equipment and/or viewing an operating condition of the installation equipment is stored in the storage unit. The operating and viewing program can be executed at a party concerned management apparatus that a party concerned of the installation equipment operates. 
     Therefore, it becomes possible to operate installment equipment and/or view the operating conditions of the installation equipment at apparatus other than the group management apparatus. 
     A group management apparatus of a fourth aspect of the invention collectively manages first to nth installation equipment groups and includes an interrogation processor and a deciding unit. The group management apparatus is connected to the first to nth management apparatus. The first to nth management apparatus collectively manage a plurality of installation equipment belonging to the first to nth installation equipment groups. The interrogation processor repeatedly carries out an interrogation process of the first to nth management apparatus regarding the operating conditions of the installation equipment that are collectively managed by the first to nth management apparatus, respectively. The deciding unit decides an order of interrogation process for the first to nth management apparatus by the interrogation processor. The order of interrogation processing for the first to nth management apparatus is decided based on the state of past interrogation processing by the interrogation processor. The interrogation processor carries out the interrogation processing for the first to nth management apparatus based on the order decided by the deciding unit. 
     With the group management apparatus of the present invention, the order of interrogation processing for the management apparatus is decided based on the state of past interrogation processing by the interrogation processor. 
     The next interrogation processing is carried out based on the state of past interrogation processing so that information can be acquired efficiently. Therefore, differences in the timing of acquiring information at the group management apparatus from each management apparatus can be reduced. 
     A group management apparatus of a fifth aspect of the present invention is the group management apparatus of the fourth aspect of the present invention, the order of the interrogation processing decided by the deciding unit giving priority to interrogation processing for the first to nth management apparatus for which the interrogation processing in the past carried out without any problems. 
     With the group management apparatus of the present invention, the deciding unit decides the order to give priority to the interrogation processing of management apparatus that were carried out in the past without any problems. 
     For example, if the interrogation processing is carried out for management apparatus to which a communication error might be taking place during the interrogations processing for management apparatus to which normal communication can be achieved, a long period of time is required until interrogation processing is carried out for the management apparatus to which normal communication can be achieved. By eliminating this inconvenience and giving priority to the interrogation processing for management apparatus that can be carried out interrogation processing without any problems, the differences in the timing of acquiring information at the group management apparatus from each management apparatus can be reduced. 
     A group management apparatus of a sixth aspect of the invention is the group management apparatus of the fourth aspect of the invention, the group management apparatus further comprising a storage unit. The storage unit stores an operating and viewing program capable of operating the installation equipment and/or viewing an operating condition of the installation equipment. The operating and viewing program is capable of being executed at a party concerned management apparatus that a party concerned of the installation equipment operates. 
     At the group management apparatus of the present invention, an operating and viewing program capable of operating the installation equipment and/or viewing an operating condition of the installation equipment is stored in the storage unit. The operating and viewing program can be executed at a party concerned management apparatus that a party concerned of the installation equipment operates. 
     Therefore, it becomes possible to operate installment equipment at apparatus other than the group management apparatus and/or view the operating condition of the installation equipment. 
     A group management apparatus of a seventh aspect of the invention collectively manages first to nth installation equipment groups and includes an interrogation processor, a communication error detector, and a storage unit. The group management apparatus is connected to the first to nth management apparatus. The first to nth management apparatus collectively manage a plurality of installation equipment belonging to the first to nth installation equipment groups. The interrogation processor repeatedly carries out interrogation processing for the first to nth management apparatus as to operating conditions of the installation equipment that are collectively managed by the first to nth management apparatus, respectively. The communication error detector detects whether or not communication errors are present in the communication states of the first to nth management apparatus. The storage unit stores detection results by the communication error detector. The interrogation processor carries out the interrogation process for the first to nth management apparatus based on the detection results stored in the storage unit during interrogation processing of the operating conditions. 
     The group management apparatus of the present invention is provided with an interrogation processor that carries out interrogation process for the management apparatus as to the operating conditions of collectively managed air conditioning apparatus and a communication error detector that detects communication errors between the group management apparatus and the management apparatus. The interrogation processor then carries out interrogation processing based on the detection results of the communication error detector. 
     The interrogation processor carries out interrogation processing based on detection results stored in the storage unit by the communication error detector. It is therefore possible to acquire information relating to the operating conditions of the air conditioning apparatus efficiently from each management apparatus. It is therefore possible to make the time differences of acquiring the information small, the information being acquired from each management apparatus by the group management apparatus. 
     A group management apparatus of an eighth aspect of the present invention is the group management apparatus of the seventh aspect of present invention, the interrogation processor carrying out interrogation processing for only management apparatus of the first to nth management apparatus that did not show errors in communication states in the past based on the detection results stored in the storage unit during interrogation processing of the operating conditions. 
     The group management apparatus of the present invention only carries out interrogation processing for management apparatus for which there are no errors detected by the communication error detector. It is therefore possible to carry out interrogation processing for all of the management apparatus without delays. Then, the differences in the timing of acquiring information at the group management apparatus can be reduced. 
     A group management apparatus of the ninth aspect of the present invention is the group management apparatus of the seventh aspect of present invention, the storage unit storing an operating and viewing program capable of operating the installation equipment and/or viewing an operating condition of the installation equipment. The operating and viewing program can then be executed at a party concerned management apparatus that a party concerned of the installation equipment operates. 
     At the group management apparatus of the present invention, an operating and viewing program capable of operating the installation equipment and/or viewing an operating condition of the installation equipment is stored in the storage unit. The operating and viewing program can be executed at a party concerned management apparatus that a party concerned of the installation equipment operates. 
     Operation of installation equipment at apparatus other than the group management apparatus and/or view of the operating condition of the installation equipment are therefore possible. 
     A program of a tenth aspect of the present invention is a program executed in group management apparatus that collectively manages first to nth installation equipment groups, the program including a setting step, an allocation step, and a processing step. The group management apparatus is connected to first to nth management apparatus that collectively manage a plurality of installation equipment belonging to the first to nth installation equipment groups. The setting step sets a plurality of interrogation processors. The interrogation processor repeatedly carry out interrogation processing for the first to nth management apparatus regarding operating conditions of the installation equipment collectively managed by the first to nth management apparatus. The allocation step allocates different interrogation processors to the first to nth management apparatus, respectively, one at a time. In the interrogation step, the interrogation processors allocated in the allocation step carry out interrogation processing for the allocated first to nth management apparatus. The allocation step allocates other interrogation processors to the first to nth management apparatus according to a state of interrogation processing of at least one of the interrogation processors in the interrogation step. 
     The program of the present invention provides a plurality of interrogation processors that carry out interrogation processing for the plurality of management apparatus. The plurality of interrogation processors can then be allocated according to the interrogation processing state of at least one management apparatus. 
     This means that a plurality of interrogation processors carry out interrogation processing for the management apparatus in parallel while taking into consideration of the processing state of the other interrogation processors. It is therefore possible for other interrogation processors to carry out interrogation processing for other management apparatus even when a communication error occurs, for example, while one interrogation processor carries out interrogation processing for one management apparatus. The differences in the timing of acquiring information at the group management apparatus from each management apparatus can be reduced. 
     A program of an eleventh aspect of the present invention is a program executed in group management apparatus that collectively manages first to nth installation equipment groups, the program including a setting step, a deciding step, and an interrogation step. The group management apparatus is connected to first to nth management apparatus that collectively manage a plurality of installation equipment belonging to the first to nth installation equipment groups. The setting step sets an interrogation processor. The interrogation processor repeatedly carries out interrogation processing for the first to nth management apparatus regarding operating conditions of the installation equipment collectively managed by the first to nth management apparatus, respectively. The deciding step decides an order of interrogation processing for the first to nth management apparatus by the interrogation processor. The interrogation step carries out interrogation processing for the first to nth management apparatus. The deciding step decides the order of interrogation processing for the first to nth management apparatus based on past interrogation processing states. The interrogation step carries out interrogation processing for the first to nth management apparatus based on the order decided in the deciding step. 
     The program of the present invention decides the order of interrogation processing based on past interrogation processing states of the interrogation processor and interrogation processing carried out for the management apparatus by the interrogation processors. 
     It is therefore possible to efficiently acquire information because the next interrogation processing is carried out based on the state of past interrogation processing. This means the differences in timing of acquiring the information at the group management apparatus from each management apparatus can be reduced. 
     A program of an twelfth aspect of the present invention is a program executed in group management apparatus that collectively manages first to nth installation equipment groups, the program including a setting step, an interrogation step, a communication error detection step, and a storage step. The group management apparatus is connected to first to nth management apparatus that collectively manage a plurality of installation equipment belonging to the first to nth installation equipment groups. The setting step sets an interrogation processor. The interrogation processor repeatedly carries out interrogation processing for the first to nth management apparatus regarding operating conditions of the installation equipment that is collectively managed by the first to nth management apparatus. The interrogation step carries out interrogation processing for the first to nth management apparatus. The communication error step detects whether or not there are errors in the communication states of the first to nth management apparatus. The storage step stores results of the communication states detected in the communication error detection step. The interrogation step is executed in parallel with the communication error detection step. The interrogation steps carries out interrogation processing for the first to nth management apparatus based on the detection results stored in the storage step during interrogation processing. 
     In the program of the present invention, it is executed that a step of carrying out interrogation processing of the operating condition of air conditioning apparatus collectively managed by the management apparatus and a step of detecting errors in communication between the group management apparatus and the management apparatus in parallel. Interrogation processing is then executed based on the communication error detection results. 
     Interrogation processing is executed based on the communication error detection results stored in the storage unit. It is therefore possible to acquire information relating to the operating conditions of the air conditioning apparatus efficiently from each management apparatus. It is therefore possible to reduce the differences in timing of acquiring the information at the group management apparatus from each management apparatus. 
     ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS 
     With the group management apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, if a communication error occurs when one interrogation processor carries out interrogation processing for one management apparatus, other interrogation processors can carry out interrogation processing for other management apparatus, which reduces the differences in the timing of acquiring information at the group management apparatus from each management apparatus. 
     In the group management apparatus of the second aspect of the present invention, an appropriate number of interrogation processors are automatically provided, which makes it possible to complete the interrogation processing for all of the management apparatus in the time desired by the user. 
     With the group management apparatus of the third aspect of the present invention, operation of installation equipment at apparatus other than the group management apparatus and/or view of the operating conditions of the installation equipment are therefore possible. 
     The group management apparatus of the fourth aspect of the present invention can efficiently acquire information, which can reduce the differences in timing of acquiring information at the group management apparatus from each management apparatus. 
     With the group management apparatus of the fifth aspect of the present invention, by giving priority to the interrogation processing for management apparatus that can be carried out interrogation processing without any problems, the differences in the timing of acquiring information at the group management apparatus from each management apparatus can be reduced. 
     With the group management apparatus of the sixth aspect of the present invention, operation of installation equipment at apparatus other than the group management apparatus and/or view of the operating conditions of the installation equipment are therefore possible. 
     With the group management apparatus of the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to acquire information relating to the operating conditions of the air conditioning apparatus efficiently from each management apparatus. It is therefore possible to reduce the differences in timing of acquiring the information at the group management apparatus from each management apparatus. 
     With the group management apparatus of the eighth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to carry out interrogation processing for all of the management apparatus without delays and then, it is possible to reduce the differences in timing of acquiring the information at the group management apparatus. 
     With the group management apparatus of the ninth aspect of the present invention, operation of installation equipment at apparatus other than the group management apparatus and/or view of the operating conditions of the installation equipment are therefore possible. 
     With the program of the tenth aspect of the present invention, even when a communication error occurs while one interrogation processor is carrying out an interrogation processing for one management apparatus, other interrogation processors can carry out interrogation processing for other management apparatus. It is therefore possible to reduce the differences in timing of acquiring the information at the group management apparatus from each management apparatus. 
     With the program of the eleventh aspect of the present invention, it is therefore possible to efficiently acquire the information because the next interrogation processing is carried out based on the state of past interrogations processing. This means that the differences in timing of acquiring the information at the group management apparatus from each management apparatus can be reduced. 
     With the program of the twelfth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to acquire the information relating to the operating conditions of the air conditioning apparatus efficiently from each management apparatus. It is therefore possible to reduce the differences in timing of acquiring the information at the group management apparatus from each management apparatus. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram showing an overall configuration for a group management system according to first to third embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram showing a configuration for an air conditioning apparatus according to the first to third embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram showing a configuration for a management apparatus according to the first to third embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram showing a management screen for a management program according to the first to third embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a diagram showing a configuration for a group management apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a diagram showing a communication method for a group management program according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a diagram showing a management screen of a group management program according to the first to third embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a further diagram showing a management screen of a group management program according to the first to third embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a diagram showing the flow of control by the group management program according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a diagram showing the flow of control by the group management program according to the first to third embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a further diagram showing the flow of control by the group management program according to the first to third embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  is a diagram showing a configuration for a group management apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  is a diagram showing a communication method for a group management program according to the second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 14  is a diagram showing the flow of control by the group management program according to the second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 15  is a diagram showing a configuration for a group management apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 16  is a diagram showing a communication method for a group management program according to the third embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 17  is a diagram showing the flow of control by the group management program according to the third embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 18  is a diagram showing the flow of control by the group management program according to the third embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 19  is a diagram showing an overall configuration for a group management system according to a modified example (6) of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCE SYMBOLS 
     
         
           10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  air conditioning apparatus 
           15   b   1 ,  15   b   2 , . . . ,  15   bn  air conditioning apparatus group 
           20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  management apparatus 
           30 ,  130 ,  230  group management apparatus 
           31 ,  131 ,  131  group management communication unit 
           32 ,  132 ,  232  group management display unit 
           33 ,  133 ,  233  group management storage unit 
           34 ,  134 ,  234  group management control unit 
           100  group management system 
       
    
     BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     First Embodiment 
     The following is a description with reference to the drawings of a group management system  100  using a group management apparatus  30  of a first embodiment of the present invention. 
     &lt;Overall Configuration&gt; 
       FIG. 1  is a view showing a configuration for the group management system  100  of this embodiment. The group management system  100  is a management system for air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  that can be used at locations such as universities, hospitals and factories. The group management system  100  includes the plurality of air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn , management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  that collectively manage the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn , and group management apparatus  30  for collectively managing air conditioning apparatus groups  15   b   1 ,  15   b   2 , . . . ,  15   bn  constituted by the plurality of air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn.    
     At the group management system  100 , the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  are connected using a dedicated control line to the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an , and the group management apparatus  30  is connected to the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  via an Intranet line. 
     The numbers of management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an , the numbers of the air conditioning apparatus groups  15   b   1 ,  15   b   2 , . . . ,  15   bn  connected to the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an , and the plurality of air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  belonging to the air conditioning apparatus groups  15   b   1 ,  15   b   2 , . . . ,  15   bn  in the group management system  100  are by no means limited to the numbers shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     &lt;Configuration of Each Section&gt; 
     (1) Outline of Configuration for Air Conditioning Apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn    
     At the group management system  100 , the plurality of air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  are installed so as to be connected to the plurality of management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  at a location such as a university, a hospital, or a factory. The following description is given of the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1  using  FIG. 2  but the same also applies for the remaining air conditioning apparatus  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn.    
     The air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1  has a cooling circuit made up of compressors, heat exchangers, and the like (not shown). Various sensors  13   ca ,  13   cb ,  13   cc ,  13   cd ,  13   ce , . . . are attached to the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 . The sensor  13   ca  detects the temperature of the room where the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1  is installed. The sensor  13   cb  detects the temperature of outside air in the vicinity of equipment where the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1  is installed. The sensor  13  cc detects an ejection temperature that is the temperature of a refrigerant in an ejection pipe of a compressor included in the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 . The sensor  13   cd  detects an ejection pressure that is the pressure of the refrigerant in the ejection pipe of the compressor included in the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 . The sensor  13   ce  detects an intake pressure of the refrigerant in an intake pipe of the compressor included at the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 . 
     The air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1  has an equipment communication unit  11   c  and an equipment control unit  12   c . The equipment communication unit  11   c  is connected to the management apparatus  20   a   1  by a dedicated control line. The equipment control unit  12   c  controls the operation of the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1  according to a control instruction sent from outside. The equipment control unit  12   c  is connected to each of the various sensors  13   ca ,  13   cb ,  13   cd ,  13   ce , . . . . Values detected by each of the various sensors  13   ca ,  13   cb ,  13   cd ,  13   ce , . . . , (equipment information) are then sent to the management apparatus  20   a   1  at predetermined intervals (in this embodiment, one minute). The equipment control unit  12   c  compares values acquired from each of the various sensors  13   ca ,  13   cb ,  13   cd ,  13   ce , . . . , at predetermined intervals (in this embodiment, one minute) with a predetermined threshold value. When the equipment control unit  12   c  detects an abnormality such as a value that exceeds a predetermined threshold, the equipment control unit  12   c  also transmits abnormality information indicating that abnormality to the management apparatus  20   a   1  as equipment information. 
     (2) Outline of Configuration for Management Apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an    
     The management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  are installed at the location where the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  are provided, and collectively manage the plural air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  via a dedicated control line. The management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  are respectively provided to air conditioning apparatus group  15   b   1 ,  15   b   2 , . . . ,  15   bn  constituted by the plurality of air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  and are connected to the group management apparatus  30  as described in the following. The air conditioning apparatus groups  15   b   1 ,  15   b   2 , . . . ,  15   bn  are groups into which a system administrator dividing the plurality of air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn . The management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  are then connected every group for ease of management of the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn . Each of the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  then manages the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  belonging to the respectively connected air conditioning apparatus groups  15   b   1 ,  15   b   2 , . . . ,  15   bn . The following description is given of the management apparatus  20   a   1  using  FIG. 3 , but the same also applies for the remaining management apparatus  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an.    
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the management apparatus  20   a   1  mainly comprises a management communication unit  21   a , a management display unit  22   a , a management storage unit  23   a , and a management control unit  24   a.    
     The management communication unit  21   a  has a first communication unit  21   aa  and a second communication unit  21   ab . The first communication unit  21  as receives a control signal from the group management apparatus  30  described later. The second communication unit  21   ab  sends a control signal to the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1  belonging to the air conditioning apparatus group  15   b   1  connected to the management apparatus  20   a   1  and receives equipment information from the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 . It will be noted that the “Equipment information” refers to values detected by each of the various sensors  13   ca ,  13   cb ,  13   cd ,  13   ce , . . . , provided at the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 , information relating to abnormality of the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 , and information relating to the operating conditions of the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1  understood by the management control unit  24   a  by periodically connecting to the equipment control unit  12   c  of the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1  as described in the following. 
     The management display unit  22   a  displays a management screen (refer to  FIG. 4 ) when a later-described management program is executed. The management screen is a screen displaying information received by the management apparatus  20   a  and is an operation screen that accepts control of the plurality of air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1  by the management apparatus  20   a   1 . 
     An operating data storage region  23   aa  and a start-up data storage region  23   ab  are secured at the management storage unit  23   a . The equipment information that has been received from the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1  is accumulated in the operating data storage region  23   aa . The start-up data storage region  23   ab  is a region that stores settings in regard to after how many seconds after receiving the instructions that the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1  connected to the management apparatus are to be started up, when the management apparatus  20   a   1  receives a batch start-up instruction from the later-described group management apparatus  30 . A region for storing a management program for managing the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1  connected to the management apparatus  20   a   1  is ensured at the management storage unit  23   a.    
     The management control unit  24   a  executes a management program stored in the management storage unit  23   a  and collectively manages the plurality of air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1  belonging to the air conditioning apparatus group  15   b   1  connected to the management apparatus  20   a   1 . Specifically, the management control unit  24   a  determines at a predetermined interval whether or not there are abnormalities in the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1  based on equipment information stored in the operating data storage region  23   aa . The management control unit  24   a  is periodically connected to the equipment control unit  12   c  the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1  is provided with and comprehends the operating conditions of the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1  (for example, conditions such as “running” or “stopped”). The management control unit  24   a  then controls operation of the plurality of air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1  (running or stopping the air conditioning apparatus, changing operation modes, such as a cooling mode, a heating mode, and an air blowing mode, changing the temperature, changing the blowing direction, and changing the blowing rate, etc.). 
     (3) Outline of Configuration for Group Management Apparatus  30   
     One group management apparatus  30  is installed in the premises where the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  are provided, such as a location where a system administrator that manages the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  is on stand-by. The group management apparatus  30  is also connected to the plurality of management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  and acquires information relating to the operating conditions of the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  that are collectively managed by each of the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  via the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an . The group management apparatus  30  comprehends the operating conditions of the air conditioning apparatus groups  15   b   1 ,  15   b   2 , . . . ,  15   bn  based on acquired information relating to the operating conditions of the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  belonging to the air conditioning apparatus groups  15   b   1 ,  15   b   2 , . . . , respectively, and collectively manages the air conditioning apparatus groups  15   b   1 ,  15   b   2 , . . . ,  15   bn.    
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the group management apparatus  30  mainly comprises a group management communication unit  31 , a group management display unit  32 , a group management storage unit  33 , and a group management control unit  34 . 
     The group management communication unit  31  is connected to the first communication unit  21  as of the management communication unit  21   a  via an intranet line. The group management communication unit  31  sends control signals to the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  and receives equipment information for the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  that are collectively managed by each of the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  from the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an.    
     The group management display unit  32  is mainly comprised of a first display  32   a  and a second display  32   b . The first display  32   a  displays, per group, management results for the plurality of air conditioning apparatus groups  15   b   1 ,  15   b   2 , . . . ,  15   bn  by the later-described group management control unit  34 . The second display  32   b  comprehensively displays management results for the plurality of air conditioning apparatus groups  15   b   1 ,  15   b   2 , . . . ,  15   bn  by the later-described group management control unit  34 . 
     A region  33   a  for storing a group management program for collectively managing air conditioning apparatus groups  15   b   1 ,  15   b   2 , . . . ,  15   bn  connected to the group management apparatus  30  is ensured at the group management storage unit  33 . A processing information storage region  33   b  is ensured at the group management storage unit  33 . The processing information storage region  33   b  stores information relating to the operating conditions of the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  that are acquired from the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  by the later-describing interrogation processors  34   a   1 ,  34   a   2 , . . . . 
     The group management control unit  34  has the interrogation processors  34   a   1 ,  34   a   2 , . . . , an allocation unit  34   b , an operation unit  34   c , a display control unit  34   d , a batch display receiver  34   e , a batch running unit  34   f , and a batch stopping unit  34   g . While the group management program is executed at the group management apparatus  30 , the interrogation processors  34   a   1 ,  34   a   2 , . . . , carry out interrogation processing for the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  in order to acquire information relating to the operating conditions of the air conditioning apparatus groups  15   b   1 ,  15   b   2 , . . . ,  15   bn . The interrogation processing is a process that is carried out for the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  to interrogate as to the operating conditions of the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  that are collectively managed by the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an , respectively. The interrogation processors  34   a   1 ,  34   a   2 , . . . , refer to threads that can be allocated within the CPU. The interrogation processing performed by the interrogation processors  34   a   1 ,  34   a   2 , . . . , is repeated every data collection interval described later. 
     The operation unit  34   c  calculates the number of interrogation processors based on predetermined states. The predetermined states are states decided arbitrarily by the user. In this embodiment, the number of management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  connected to the group management apparatus  30  and the data collection interval desired by the system administrator etc. are used as the predetermined states. The data collection interval is the interval of updating the operating conditions of the air conditioning apparatus groups  15   b   1 ,  15   b   2 , . . . ,  15   bn  at the group management apparatus  30 . Specifically, this is the interval after the interrogation processing of the operating conditions for all of the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  connected to the group management apparatus  30  in order from the first management apparatus  20   a   1  to the last management apparatus  20   an  until the following interrogation processing of the operating conditions of the first management apparatus  20   a   1 . In this embodiment, one hundred and fifty management apparatus from management apparatus  20   a   1  to management apparatus  20   a   150  are connected to the group management apparatus  30 . Conditions are then set to be able to acquire information relating to the operating conditions of the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  collectively managed by the management apparatus  20   a   1  to  20   a   150 , respectively, from all of the management apparatus  20   a   1  to  20   a   150  within every ten minutes. The number of interrogation processors  34   a   1 ,  34   a   2 , . . . , decided by the operation unit  34   c  based on the conditions are then provided. 
     The allocation unit  34   b  then allocates the interrogation processors  34   a   1 ,  34   a   2 , . . . , the number of which being decided by the operation unit  34   c , to the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  connected to the group management apparatus  30 , respectively. 
     The following is a detailed description using  FIG. 6 . In this embodiment, the operation unit  34   c  decides the number of the interrogation processors  34   a   1 ,  34   a   2 , . . . , based on an equation “thread number&gt;the number of management apparatus×time-out time/data collection interval”. For example, when the number of interrogation processors  34   a   1 ,  34   a   2 , . . . , is decided to ten by the operation unit  34   c , the allocation unit  34   b  allocates a first interrogation processor  34   a   1  to a tenth interrogation processor  34   a   10  to the first management apparatus  20   a   1  to the tenth management apparatus  20   a   10 , respectively. The first interrogation processor  34   a   1  to the tenth interrogation processor  34   a   10  then carry out the interrogation processing for the first management apparatus  20   a   1  to the tenth management apparatus  20   a   10 , allocated respectively. The allocation unit  34   b  looks at the interrogation processing state of the first management apparatus  20   a   1  to the tenth management apparatus  20   a   10  and allocates interrogation processors to carry out the interrogation processing for the eleventh management apparatus  20   a   11  to the one-hundred and fiftieth management apparatus  20   a   150 . For example, when communication with the first management apparatus  20   a   1  is carried out normally by the first interrogation processor  34   a   1  and interrogation processing is complete, the allocation unit  34   b  allocates the first interrogation processor  34   a   1  for which interrogation processing is complete to the eleventh management apparatus  20   a   11 . On the other hand, when communication with the second management apparatus  20   a   2  by the second interrogation processor  34   a   2  is not completed for a reason such as a communication error so that the second interrogation processor  34   a   2  awaits a response from the second management apparatus  20   a   2 , the allocation unit  34   b  allocates a third interrogation processor  34   a   3  of which interrogation processing for the third management apparatus  20   a   3  is complete to the interrogation processing for a twelfth management apparatus  20   a   12 . When there is no response from the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  to interrogation processing by the interrogation processors  34   a   1 ,  34   a   2 , . . . , before the time-out time (in this embodiment, twenty seconds) elapses, an indication that the interrogation processing was not carried out normally is displayed at the group management display unit  32 . 
     The group management control unit  34  makes the first display  32   a  and the second display  32   b  display whether the operating conditions of the air conditioning apparatus groups  15   b   1 ,  15   b   2 , . . . ,  15   bn  are under the predetermined states or not, based on information relating to the operating conditions of the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  stored in the processing information storage region  33   b . “Predetermined states” refers to states of running (running or stop) and abnormality (normal or abnormal). 
     A detailed description is now given with reference to  FIG. 7 .  FIG. 7  is a diagram showing a management screen of a group management program. Each controller  1 ,  2 ,  3 , . . . lined up at a region  71   a  of a table  70  refers to the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  that are connected to the air conditioning apparatus groups  15   b   1 ,  15   b   2 , . . . ,  15   bn . A region  71   b  of the table  70  indicates the running states (running or stopped) of the air conditioning apparatus groups  15   b   1 ,  15   b   2 , . . . ,  15   bn . A region  71   c  of the table  70  indicates abnormal states (abnormal or normal) of the air conditioning apparatus groups  15   b   1 ,  15   b   2 , . . . ,  15   bn . The operating conditions of the air conditioning apparatus groups  15   b   1 ,  15   b   2 , . . . ,  15   bn  displayed at the regions  71   b  and  71   c  correspond to the operating conditions of the air conditioning apparatus groups  15   b   1 ,  15   b   2 , . . . ,  15   bn  displayed at the first display  32   a . The region  72  corresponds to management results of the operating conditions that the second display  32   b  displays comprehensively for the plurality of air conditioning apparatus groups  15   b   1 ,  15   b   2 , . . . ,  15   bn.    
     For example, when it is determined in this embodiment that there is even one air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1  running among the air conditioning apparatus belonging to the first air conditioning apparatus group  15   b   1 , the group management control unit  34  displays “running” in running state column  71   b  of the controller  1  that is corresponding to the first management apparatus  20   a   1  connected to the first air conditioning apparatus group  15   b   1 . When all of the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1  are not running, “stopped” is displayed. When an abnormality is detected for at least one air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1  among the air conditioning apparatus belonging to the first air conditioning apparatus group  15   b   1  in operation, the group management control unit  34  displays “abnormal” in abnormal state column  71   c  of the controller  1  that is corresponding to the first management apparatus  20   a   1  connected to the first air conditioning apparatus group  15   b   1 . When all of the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1  are normal, “normal” is displayed. When at least one group of the air conditioning apparatus groups  15   b   1 ,  15   b   2 , . . . ,  15   bn  is running, “running” is displayed at the region  72 . When it is detected that at least one group of the air conditioning apparatus groups  15   b   1 ,  15   b   2 , . . . ,  15   bn  is showing an abnormality, “abnormal” is displayed at the region  72 . 
     The display control unit  34   d  operates as a result of receiving selections at predetermined portions of the air conditioning apparatus groups  15   b   1 ,  15   b   2 , . . . ,  15   bn  displayed per group at the first display  32   a . Management screens for the management programs started up at the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  are then displayed at the group management display unit  32 . Specifically, as a result of receiving selections at predetermined portions of the air conditioning apparatus groups  15   b   1 ,  15   b   2 , . . . ,  15   bn  displayed per group, the display control unit  34   d  displays management screens (refer to  FIG. 4 ) of the management program in the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  that are connected to the selected air conditioning apparatus groups  15   b   1 ,  15   b   2 , . . . ,  15   bn  at the group management display unit  32 . In this embodiment, the “predetermined portion” refers to the portion shown by the region  73  of  FIG. 7 . 
     The batch display receiver  34   e  makes the group management display unit  32  display management screens for management programs started up at the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  with respect to all of the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  displaying “abnormal” at the first display  32   a  (region  71   c  in  FIG. 7 ). The batch display receiver  34   e  is, for example, a button provided on a screen for displaying management result of the group management programs (refer to  80  of  FIG. 8 ). The management screen of the management program displayed here is displayed at the group management display unit  32  of the group management apparatus  30  using a web browser. 
     The batch running unit  34   f  sends a control signal to the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  to start running of the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  that are managed by the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an , respectively. Upon receiving the control signal, the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  then let the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  start up based on settings stored in the start-up data storage region  23   ab  of the management storage unit  23   a . The batch stopping unit  34   g  sends a control signal to the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  to stop running of the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  that are managed by the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an , respectively. 
     Communication with the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  from the group management apparatus  30  gives priority to interrogation processing of the operating conditions by the interrogation processors  34   a   1 ,  34   a   2 , . . . . Namely, control signals for the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  from the display control unit  34   d , the batch display receiver  34   e , the batch running unit  34   f , and the batch stopping unit  34   g  are sent to the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  after interrogation processing of the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  by the interrogation processors  34   a   1 ,  34   a   2 , . . . is complete. 
     &lt;Process Flow in Group Management System  100 &gt; 
     Next, a description is given with reference to  FIGS. 9 to 11  of the flow of control of the group management program of the group management system  100  of this embodiment. 
     First, the operation unit  34   c  decides the number of interrogation processors  34   a   1 ,  34   a   2 , . . . , based on predetermined states (step S 101 ). When the number of interrogation processors  34   a   1 ,  34   a   2 , . . . , is decided in step  5101 , the interrogation processors  34   a   1 ,  34   a   2 , . . . , start interrogation processing for the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  (step S 102 ). Here, first, all of the interrogation processors  34   a   1 ,  34   a   2 , . . . , carry out interrogation process for any of the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an . The allocation unit  34   b  then confirms the state of interrogation processing of the interrogation processors  34   a   1 ,  34   a   2 , . . . , that first carried out the interrogation processing (step S 103 ). The interrogation processors  34   a   1 ,  34   a   2 , . . . , that have finished interrogation processing for any of the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  are then allocated to interrogation processing for the next management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  (step S 104 ). The interrogation processors  34   a   1 ,  34   a   2 , . . . , then carry out interrogation processing for the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  with regards to the operating conditions of the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn . When information regarding the operating conditions of the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  is acquired, the information is stored in the processing information storage region  33   b  (step S 105 ). This is then repeated until interrogation processing for all of the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  by the interrogation processors  34   a   1 ,  34   a   2 , . . . , is complete (step  106 ). When there is no response within a fixed period of time from the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an , the interrogation processors  34   a   1 ,  34   a   2 , . . . , stops interrogation processing for the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an , and carries out interrogation processing for the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  that are subsequently allocated by the allocation unit  34   b.    
     The group management apparatus  30  then starts to comprehend the operating conditions of the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  every air conditioning apparatus group  15   b   1 ,  15   b   2 , . . . ,  15   bn  based on information regarding the operating conditions of the air conditioning apparatus acquired by interrogation processing for the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  (step S 107 ). The group management control unit  34  then determines whether or not there is an air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  in which an abnormality is occurring amongst the air conditioning apparatus groups  15   b   1 ,  15   b   2 , . . . ,  15   bn  (step S 108 ). When there is even one of the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  is occurring, the group management control unit  34  displays “abnormal” at the first display  32   a  for the operating conditions of the air conditioning apparatus groups  15   b   1 ,  15   b   2 , . . . ,  15   bn  that the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  belong to (step S 109 ). When there is no air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  in which an abnormality is occurring, then “normal” is displayed at the first display  32   a  (step S 110 ). 
     The group management control unit  34  then determines whether or not there is a air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  that is currently running amongst the air conditioning apparatus groups  15   b   1 ,  15   b   2 , . . . ,  15   bn  (step S 111 ). When there is even one of the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  is currently running, the group management control unit  34  displays “running” for the operating conditions of the air conditioning apparatus groups  15   b   1 ,  15   b   2 , . . . ,  15   bn  (step S 112 ). When none of the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn , are running, “stopped” is displayed at the first display  32   a  (step S 113 ). The group management control unit  34  repeats step  5107  to step S 113  until comprehension of the operating conditions of all of the air conditioning apparatus groups  15   b   1 ,  15   b   2 , . . . ,  15   bn  is complete. If the comprehension of the operating conditions of all of the air conditioning apparatus groups  15   b   1 ,  15   b   2 , . . . ,  15   bn  is complete (step S 114 ), the group management control unit  34  proceeds to the next step S 115 . 
     The group management control unit  34  then determines whether or not there is an “abnormal” in the operating conditions for the air conditioning apparatus groups  15   b   1 ,  15   b   2 , . . . ,  15   bn  (step S 115 ). When there is an abnormal occurring at even one of the air conditioning apparatus groups  15   b   1 ,  15   b   2 , . . . ,  15   bn , “abnormal” is then displayed at the second display (step S 116 ). When there is no “abnormal” at any of the air conditioning apparatus groups  15   b   1 ,  15   b   2 , . . . ,  15   bn , “normal” is displayed at the second display unit (step S 117 ). The group management control unit  34  then determines whether or not there is “running” in the operating conditions for the air conditioning apparatus groups  15   b   1 ,  15   b   2 , . . . ,  15   bn  (step S 118 ). When there is even one of the air conditioning apparatus groups  15   b   1 ,  15   b   2 , . . . ,  15   bn  is running, “running” is then displayed at the second display (step S 119 ). When none of the air conditioning apparatus groups  15   b   1 ,  15   b   2 , . . . ,  15   bn  are running, “stopped” is displayed at the second display unit (step S 120 ). 
     The group management apparatus  30  executes the processing from step  5107  to step S 120  periodically and/or every time the management screen of the group management program is operated, and updates the operating conditions displayed at the first display  32   a  and the second display  32   b  (step S 121 ). 
     When a predetermined portion of the air conditioning apparatus groups  15   b   1 ,  15   b   2 , . . . ,  15   bn  displayed at the first display  32   a  is selected (step S 122 ), the display control unit  34   d  of the group management apparatus  30  makes a request to the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  that are connected to the air conditioning apparatus groups  15   b   1 ,  15   b   2 , . . . ,  15   bn  for information relating to the management screen of the management program (step S 123 ). The management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  receiving the information request (step S 124 ) then send information relating to the management screen of the management program to the group management apparatus  30  (step S 125 ). When the display control unit  34   d  requests to the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  for information relating to the management screen of the management program, when the management program is not running at the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an , the display control unit  34   d  causes the management programs to be started up within the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  and acquires information relating to the management screen of the management programs that have been started up. The display control unit  34   a  then causes the management screens of the management programs to be displayed at the group management display unit  32  using the web browser (step S 126 ). 
     &lt;Features&gt; 
     (1) In the premises of this embodiment, where a plurality of buildings are dispersed and installed within one site, and where a plurality of air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  are then provided at the respective buildings, it is preferable to divide the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  into a plurality of groups each constituted by air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  and to manage the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  collectively per group by connecting to management apparatus  20   a ,  20   b , . . . , in order to manage the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  efficiently. However, if the number of groups is increased and the number of management apparatus connecting to the groups is increased, when the group management apparatus  30  carries out interrogation processing for each of the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  for the operating conditions of the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn , the differences in the timing of acquiring the information from the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  may be large due to conditions of the communication. That is, when a communication error occurs in carrying out interrogation processing for any of the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an , interrogation processing for the other management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  can not be carried out. This means that a large amount of time is required to obtain the information relating to the operating conditions of the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  from all of the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  and means that there are also cases where there are the large differences between the timing of acquiring first information and the timing of acquiring last information. 
     The group management apparatus  30  of this embodiment can provide an appropriate number of interrogation processors  34   a   1 ,  34   a   2 , . . . , based on predetermined states, and execute for interrogation processing for the plurality of management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  in parallel. The allocation unit  34   b  confirms states of the interrogation processing of the interrogation processors  34   a   1 ,  34   a   2 , . . . , and decides which management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  the interrogation processors  34   a   1 ,  34   a   2 , . . . , are allocated to. It is therefore possible to rapidly carry out interrogation processing for all of the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an . With regard to the information relating to the operating conditions of the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  acquired at the group management apparatus  30 , the differences in the timing of acquiring the information can be reduced. It is therefore possible to comprehend, at the management screen of the group management program, the operating conditions acquired in the same period of the air conditioning apparatus groups  15   b   1 ,  15   b   2 , . . . ,  15   bn  connected at each of the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an.    
     (2) At the group management apparatus  30  of this embodiment, it is possible to display the management screen of the management programs started up at the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  at the group management display unit  32  of the group management apparatus  30  by sending control instructions from the group management apparatus  30  to the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an . It is also possible to collectively stop and run the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  connected to each of the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  from the group management apparatus  30  via the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an.    
     Transmission of the control instruction described above from the group management apparatus  30  to all of the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  is carried out after interrogation processing for all of the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  by the interrogation processors  34   a   1 ,  34   a   2 , . . . , is complete. That is, control instructions from the group management apparatus  30  to the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an , such as batch stop or batch running instructions and control instructions to display the management screen of management programs can be sent only after the interrogation processors  34   a   1 ,  34   a   2 , . . . , have completed the interrogation processing for all of the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an . However, because the group management apparatus  30  of this embodiment does not require a long period of time for carrying out the interrogation processing for the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an , other control instructions can be rapidly sent to the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an.    
     Second Embodiment 
     Next, a description is given of the group management system  100  of a second embodiment of the present invention. With the exception of the configuration of the group management apparatus  130 , the configuration is the same as the configuration of the group management system  100  of the first embodiment. The overall configuration, the configuration of the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn , and the configuration of the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  is therefore not described. 
     (1) Outline of Configuration for Group Management Apparatus  130   
     One group management apparatus  130  is installed in the premises where the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  are provided, such as a location where a system administrator that manages the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  is on stand-by. The group management apparatus  130  is also connected to the plurality of management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  and acquires information relating to the operating conditions of the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  that are collectively managed by each of the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  via the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an . The group management apparatus  130  collectively manages the acquired operating conditions of the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  in every air conditioning apparatus group  15   b   1 ,  15   b   2 , . . . ,  15   bn.    
     As shown in  FIG. 12 , the group management apparatus  130  mainly comprises a group management communication unit  131 , a group management display unit  132 , a group management storage unit  133 , and a group management control unit  134 . The group management communication unit  131  and the group management display unit  132  are the same as the group management communication unit  31  and the group management display unit  32  of the first embodiment and are therefore not described. 
     A region  133   a  for storing a group management program for collectively managing air conditioning apparatus groups  15   b   1 ,  15   b   2 , . . . ,  15   bn  connected to the group management apparatus  130 , an interrogation processing state storage region  133   b , and a processing information storage region  133   c  are ensured at the group management storage unit  133 . The interrogation processing state storage region  133   b  stores the state of interrogation processing by an interrogation processor  134   a  described later. The state of interrogation processing stored in the interrogation processing state storage region  133   b  is updated every time the interrogation processor  134   a  carries out interrogation processing for all of the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  installed in the management system  100 . Information relating to the operating conditions of the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  acquired from the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  by the interrogation processor  134   a  described later is stored in the processing information storage region  133   c.    
     The group management control unit  134  has the interrogation processor  134   a , a deciding unit  134   b , a display control unit  134   c , a batch display receiver  134   d , a batch running unit  134   e , and a batch stopping unit  134   f . The display control unit  134   c , the batch display receiver  134   d , the batch running unit  134   e , and the batch stopping unit  134   f  are the same as the display control unit  34   d , the batch display receiver  34   e , the batch running unit  134   f , and the batch stopping unit  34   g  of the first embodiment and are therefore not described. 
     While the group management program is executed at the group management apparatus  130 , the interrogation processor  134   a  carries out interrogation processing for the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  in order to comprehend the operating conditions of the air conditioning apparatus groups  15   b   1 ,  15   b   2 , . . . ,  15   bn . The interrogation processing is a process that is carried out by the interrogation processor  134   a  for the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  to interrogate as to the operating conditions of the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  that are collectively managed by the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . , ,  20   an , respectively, and is the same as the interrogation processing described in the first embodiment. Interrogation processing is carried out repeatedly by the interrogation processor  134   a . In this embodiment, one-hundred and fifty management apparatus from the first management apparatus  20   a   1  to the management apparatus  20   a   150  are connected to the group management apparatus  130 . The interrogation processor  134   a  then starts interrogation processing for the management apparatus  20   a   1  again upon completion of interrogation processing for the management apparatus  20   a   1  to the one-hundred and fiftieth management apparatus  20   a   150 . When there is no response from the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  to interrogation processing by the interrogation processor  134   a  before the time-out time (in this embodiment, twenty seconds) elapses, an indication that the interrogation processing was not carried out normally is displayed at the group management display unit  132 . 
     The deciding unit  134   b  then decides the order of the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  that carry out interrogation processing based on the interrogation processing conditions stored in the interrogation processing state storage region  133   b . This is described in detail using  FIG. 13 . For example, interrogation processing carried out in the first time is carried out by the interrogation processor  134   a  in order from the first management apparatus to the one-hundred and fiftieth management apparatus. At the first interrogation processing in the second time, the deciding unit  134   b  then decides the order of the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  that to be carried out interrogation processing based on the interrogation processing state stored in the interrogation processing state storage region  133   b . For example, when there is a communication error in interrogation processing of the second management apparatus  20   a   2  in the first time, the deciding unit  134   b  decides upon an order for interrogation processing in the second time where the interrogation processor  134   a  skips the second management apparatus  20   a   2 , and interrogation processing goes from the first management apparatus  20   a   1  to the third management apparatus  20   a   3 . The interrogation processor  134   a  then interrogates the second management apparatus  20   a   2  after finishing the interrogation processing up to the one-hundred and fiftieth management apparatus  20   a   150 . 
     The group management control unit  134  makes the first display  132   a  and the second display  132   b  display whether the operating conditions of the air conditioning apparatus groups  15   b   1 ,  15   b   2 , . . . ,  15   bn  are under predetermined states or not, based on information relating to the operating conditions of the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  stored in the processing information storage region  133   c . “Predetermined states” refers to states of running (running or stop) and abnormality (normal or abnormal), as in the first embodiment. The determination of the operating conditions of the air conditioning apparatus groups  15   b   1 ,  15   b   2 , . . . ,  15   bn  by the group management control unit  134  and the display of the determination results at the first display  132   a  and the second display  132   b  is the same as described for the first embodiment using  FIG. 7  and is not described here. 
     Communication with the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  from the group management apparatus  130  gives priority to interrogation processing of the operating conditions by the interrogation processor  134   a . Namely, control signals for the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  from the display control unit  134   c , the batch display receiver  134   d , the batch running unit  134   e , and the batch stopping unit  134   f  are sent to the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  after interrogation processing for the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  by the interrogation processor  134   a  is complete. 
     &lt;Process Flow in Group Management System  100 &gt; 
     Next, a description is given with reference to  FIG. 14  of the flow of control of the group management program of the group management system  100  of the second embodiment. The flow of control of the group management program of this embodiment is such that the control from step S 208  onwards is the same as the control for step S 107  onwards described for the flow of control for the group management program of the first embodiment. The processing from A onwards shown in  FIG. 14  is also the same as the flow of control described for the first embodiment using  FIGS. 10 and 11 . In this embodiment, the flow of control up to step S 207  is described. However, a description of step S 208  to step S 211  in  FIG. 14  and drawings and a description describing the processing from A onwards are omitted. 
     First, the deciding unit  134   b  determines whether or not the state of interrogation processing is stored in the interrogation processing state storage region  133   b  (step S 201 ). When information relating to past interrogation processing states is stored in the interrogation processing state storage region  133   b , the deciding unit  134   b  confirms this state (step S 202 ). The interrogation processor  134   a  then decides the order for which the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  are interrogated (step  5203 ) based on the state. The interrogation processor  134   a  then starts interrogation processing for the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  (step S 204 ). The state of the interrogation processing is then stored in the interrogation processing state storage region  133   b  (step S 205 ). The interrogation processor  134   a  then stores information relating to the operating conditions of the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  acquired from the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  in the group management storage unit  133  (step S 206 ). When there is no response within a fixed period of time from the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  being interrogated, the interrogation processor  134   a  stops interrogation processing for the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  and carries out interrogation processing for the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  that are subsequently allocated is next in the order decided by the deciding unit  134   b . The interrogation by the interrogation processor  134   a  is carried out until interrogation of all of the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  connected to the group management apparatus  130  is complete (step S 207 ). 
     &lt;Features&gt; 
     (1) At the group management apparatus  130  of this embodiment, the deciding unit  134   b  decides the order of interrogation processing based on past interrogation processing states by the interrogation processor  134   a  in such a manner as to give priority to interrogation processing for management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  that have been carried out interrogation processing without any problems in the past. By giving priority to the interrogation processing for management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  that have completed the interrogation processing without communication error or the like, the differences in the timing of acquiring the information relating to the operating conditions of the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  at the group management apparatus  130  can be reduced. It is therefore possible to display the operating conditions of the air conditioning apparatus groups  15   b   1 ,  15   b   2 , . . . ,  15   bn  on the management screen of the group management program based on information acquired in the same period. 
     (2) At the group management apparatus  130  of this embodiment, it is possible to display the management screen for the management programs started up at the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  at the group management display unit  132  of the group management apparatus  130  by sending control instructions from the group management apparatus  130  to the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an . It is also possible to collectively stop and run the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  connected to each of the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  from the group management apparatus  130  via the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an.    
     Third Embodiment 
     Next, a description is given of the group management system  100  of a third embodiment of the present invention. With the exception of the configuration of a group management apparatus  230 , the configuration is the same as the configuration of the group management system  100  of the first embodiment. The overall configuration, the configuration of the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn , and the configuration of the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  is therefore not described. 
     (1) Outline of Configuration of the Group Management Apparatus  230   
     One group management apparatus  230  is installed in the premises where the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  are provided, such as a location where a system administrator that manages the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  is on stand-by. The group management apparatus  230  is also connected to the plurality of management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  and acquires information relating to the operating conditions of the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  that are collectively managed by each of the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  via the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an . The group management apparatus  230  collectively manages the acquired operating conditions of the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  in every air conditioning apparatus group  15   b   1 ,  15   b   2 , . . . ,  15   bn.    
     As shown in  FIG. 15 , the group management apparatus  230  mainly comprises a group management communication unit  231 , a group management display unit  232 , a group management storage unit  233 , and a group management control unit  234 . The group management communication unit  231  and the group management display unit  232  are the same as the group management communication unit  31  and the group management display unit  32  of the first embodiment and are therefore not described. 
     A region  233   a  for storing a group management program for collectively managing the air conditioning apparatus groups  15   b   1 ,  15   b   2 , . . . ,  15   bn  connected to the group management apparatus  230 , a detection results storage region  233   b , and a processing information storage region  233   c  are ensured at the group management storage unit  233 . The detection results storage region  233   b  stores results detected by a communication error detector  234   b  described later. Information relating to the operating conditions of the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  acquired from the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  by an interrogation processor  234   a  described later is stored in the processing information storage region  233   c.    
     The group management control unit  234  has the interrogation processor  234   a , a communication error detector  234   b , the display control unit  234   c , a batch display receiver  234   d , a batch running unit  234   e , and a batch stopping unit  234   f . The display control unit  234   c , the batch display receiver  234   d , the batch running unit  234   e  and the batch stopping unit  234   f  are the same as the display control unit  34   d , the batch display receiver  34   e , the batch running unit  34   f , and the batch stopping unit  34   g  of the first embodiment and are therefore not described. 
     While the group management program is executed at the group management apparatus  230 , the interrogation processor  234   a  carries out interrogation processing for the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  in order to comprehend the operating conditions of the air conditioning apparatus groups  15   b   1 ,  15   b   2 , . . . ,  15   bn . The interrogation processing is a process that is carried out by the interrogation processor  234   a  for the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  to interrogate as to the operating conditions of the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  that are collectively managed by the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . , ,  20   an , respectively, and is the same as the interrogation processing described in the first embodiment. Interrogation processing is carried out repeatedly at predetermined intervals (ten minute intervals in this embodiment) by the interrogation processor  234   a . In this embodiment, one-hundred and fifty units of the management apparatus  20   a   1  to the management apparatus  20   a   150  are connected to the group management apparatus  230 . The interrogation processor  234   a  then starts interrogation processing for the management apparatus  20   a   1  again after completion of interrogation processing for the first management apparatus  20   a   1  to the one-hundred and fiftieth management apparatus  20   a   150 . When there is no response from the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  to interrogation processing by the interrogation processor  234   a  before the time-out time (in this embodiment, twenty seconds) elapses, an indication that the interrogation processing was not carried out normally is displayed at the group management display unit  232 . 
     The communication error detection unit  234   b  detects whether or not there is errors in communication states for each management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  from the group management apparatus  230 . The communication error detection unit  234   b  sends, for example, short data to confirm communication with each of the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  and confirms whether or not communication errors are occurring. In this embodiment, as described above, one-hundred and fifty management apparatus from the first management apparatus  20   a   1  to the management apparatus  20   a   150  are connected to the group management apparatus  230 . The communication error detection unit  234   b  therefore sends short data to the one-hundred and fifty management apparatus  20   a   1  to  20   a   150  and confirms the states of communication with the group management apparatus  230 . As shown in  FIG. 16 , the communication error detection unit  234   b  repeatedly confirms the states of communication between the group management apparatus  230  and the management apparatus  20   a   1  to  20   a   150 . The detection results are then stored in the detection results storage region  233   c  every time the communication error detection unit  234   b  confirms the communication state of each of the management apparatus  20   a   1  to  20   a   150 . When the communication error detection unit  234   b  completes confirmation of the state of communication with the one-hundred and fifty management apparatus  20   a   1  to  20   a   150 , a list indicating the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  that are communicating normally is formed based on the detection results stored in the detection results storage region  233   b . The interrogation processor  234   a  then carries out the next interrogation processing only for the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  indicated in the list. When an error in communication with the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  is detected by the communication error detection unit  234   b  or when there is an error in interrogation processing by the interrogation processor  234   a , an indication of the error is displayed at the group management display unit  232 . 
     The group management control unit  234  determines whether or not the operating conditions of the air conditioning apparatus groups  15   b   1 ,  15   b   2 , . . . ,  15   bn  are predetermined states based on information relating to the operating conditions of the air conditioning apparatus  10   c    1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  stored in the processing information storage region  233   c , and displays the results of this determination at the first display  232   a  and the second display  232   b . “Predetermined states” refers to states of running and abnormality, as in the first embodiment. The determination of the operating conditions of the air conditioning apparatus groups  15   b   1 ,  15   b   2 , . . . ,  15   bn  by the group management control unit  234  and the display of the determination results at the first display  232   a  and the second display  232   b  is the same as described for the first embodiment using  FIG. 7  and is not described here. 
     Communication with the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  from the group management apparatus  230  gives priority to interrogation processing of the operating conditions by the interrogation processor  234   a . Namely, control signals for the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  from the display control unit  234   c , the batch display receiver  234   d , the batch running unit  234   e , and the batch stopping unit  234   f  are sent to the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  after interrogation processing for the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  by the interrogation processor  234   a  is complete. Process by the communication error detection unit  234   b  is carried out after the interrogation processing described the above and the transmission of the control signals. 
     &lt;Process Flow in Group Management System  100 &gt; 
     Next, a description is given with reference to  FIGS. 17 and 18  of the flow of control of the group management program of the group management system  100  of the third embodiment. Step S 310  onwards in the flow of process by the interrogation processor  234   a  of this embodiment is the same as the flow of control in step S 107  onwards describing the flow of the group management program of the first embodiment. The process from A onwards shown in  FIG. 18  is also the same as the flow of control described for the first embodiment using  FIGS. 10 and 11 . In this embodiment, the flow of control up to step S 309  is described. However, a description of step S 310  to step S 313  in  FIG. 18  and drawings and a description describing the processing from A onwards are omitted. 
     In this embodiment, confirmation of a communication state by the communication error detection unit  234   b  and interrogation processing of the interrogation processor  234   a  are carried out in parallel. First, the flow of the process of communication error detection unit  234   b  is described using  FIG. 17 . The communication error detection unit  234   b  confirms the communication state in order for the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  connected to the group management apparatus  230  (step S 301 ). The results of communication confirmation by the communication error detection unit  234   b  are then stored in the detection results storage region  233   b  each time the communication state is confirmed for each management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  (step S 302 ). The communication error detection unit  234   b  then confirms the communication state for all of the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  connected to the group management apparatus  230  (step S 303 ). When the confirmation of the communication state for all of the management apparatus is complete, a list indicating management apparatus that can be communicated with out any problems is made based on the detection results stored in the detection results storage region  233   b  (step S 304 ). 
     Next, a description is given using  FIG. 18  of the flow of process by the interrogation processor  234   a . Before carrying out interrogation processing for the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  with regard to the operating conditions of the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn , the interrogation processor  134   a  confirms whether or not there is a list of the detection results indicating the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  which can be communicated normally by the communication error detection unit  234   b  (step S 305 ). When there is the list of the detection results, the interrogation processor  234   a  confirms the list (step S 306 ) and carries out interrogation processing for the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  shown in the list (step S 307 ). When there is not the list of the detection results, all of the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  are carried out interrogation processing for the operating conditions of the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  (step S 307 ). When there is no response within a fixed period of time from the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  being carried out interrogation processing, the interrogation processor  234   a  stops interrogation processing for the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  and carries out interrogation processing for other management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  that are in the list of the detection results. Information acquired by interrogation processing is then stored in the group management storage unit  233  (step S 308 ). The interrogation processing by the interrogation processor  234   a  is then carried out until interrogation processing for all of the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  connected to the group management apparatus  130  is complete (step S 309 ). 
     &lt;Features&gt; 
     (1) At the group management apparatus  230  of this embodiment, the communication error detection unit  234   b  confirms communication states between the group management apparatus  230  and the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  in parallel with interrogation processing of the interrogation processor  234   a . The interrogation processor  234   a  then carries out interrogation processing, based on the detection results detected by the communication error detection unit  234   b , for the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  that have been carried out interrogation processing without any problems in the past. Because the detection of communication errors and the interrogation processing are carried out in parallel, the interrogation processor  234   a  can carry out interrogation processing for the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  based on the detection results in the communication error detection unit  234   b . This means that delays in information acquisition due to communication errors less influence on information relating to the operating conditions of the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  acquired at the group management apparatus  230 , and the differences in timing of acquiring information is reduced. The operating conditions of the air conditioning apparatus groups  15   b   1 ,  15   b   2 , . . . ,  15   bn  can then be displayed at the management screen of the group management program based on information acquired in the same period. 
     Modified Example 
     (1) In the first to third embodiments, the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  that are management targets are not limited to being configured by the same type of air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  and may also be configured by plural types of air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn.    
     The installation equipment can also be installation equipment other than the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn . For example, the installation equipment may be electrical equipment, water supply and drainage apparatus, a humidifier, an elevator, lighting apparatus, disaster prevention apparatus, or crime prevention devices etc., or may be a combination of a number of types of equipment. 
     (2) In the first to third embodiments, the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  and the group management apparatus  30  may be connected by a line other than an intranet line. For example, they may be interconnected by a dedicated control line, an Internet line or a telephone line. 
     (3) In the flow of control of the group management program described in the first embodiment, determination of the operating conditions of the air conditioning apparatus groups  15   b   1 ,  15   b   2 , . . . ,  15   bn  and determination of the operating conditions of the entire system is carried out in order of whether of not an abnormality has occurred and whether or not the air conditioning apparatus are currently running. However, determination of the operating conditions is not limited to this order. The determination whether or not an abnormality has occurred may also be carried out after the determination whether or not the air conditioning apparatus are currently running has been carried out. 
     (4) The group management apparatus  30  of the first embodiment may further ensure an interrogation processing state storage region that stores the states of interrogation processing by the interrogation processors  34   a   1 ,  34   a   2 , . . . , and the allocation unit  34   b  may further allocate the interrogation processors  34   a   1 ,  34   a   2 , . . . , to interrogation processing for each of the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  based on the interrogation processing state stored in the interrogation processing state storage region. The state of interrogation processing stored in the interrogation processing state storage region is updated every time the interrogation processors  34   a   1 ,  34   a   2 , . . . , carry out interrogation processing for all of the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  installed in the management system  100 . Because the state of the previous interrogation processing can be comprehended based on the interrogation processing state in the interrogation processing state storage region, the allocation unit  34   b  may allocate the interrogation processors  34   a   1 ,  34   a   2 , . . . , to give priority to management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  that can be communicated without any problems in the previous interrogation processing. In this case, the allocation unit  34   b  is allocated to interrogation processing for the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  that communication errors occurred in the previous interrogation processing after interrogation processing for all of the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  that communication can be carried out without any problems is complete. Therefore, information relating to the operating conditions of the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  obtained by the group management apparatus  30  is not susceptible to the influence of communication errors. It is therefore possible to confirm the operating conditions based on information obtained at the same time at the management screen of the group management apparatus. 
     (5) At the group management apparatus  230  of the third embodiment, process of the communication error detection unit  234   b  in the first time can be combined with interrogation processing by the interrogation processor  234   a . This is to say that the results of communication error detected through interrogation processing for the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  by the interrogation processor  234   a  may store in the detection results storage region  233   b , and the interrogation processor  234   a  may carry out following interrogation processing based on the detected results stored in the detection results storage region  233   b.    
     (6) At the management system  100  in the first to third embodiments, operation of each management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  can be carried out at the group management apparatus  30 ,  130 ,  230 , and the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  managed by the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  are managed there. However, it might be configured that operation of each of the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  may be carried out at locations other than the group management apparatus  30 ,  130 ,  230 . For example, other apparatus (web client)  40  (corresponding to the concerned parties management apparatus) may be configured to connect to an intranet line or Internet line connecting the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  and the group management apparatus  30 ,  130 ,  230  and to operate the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  from the web client  40  (refer to  FIG. 19 ). 
     The web client  40  is a typical personal computer that the parties concerned for the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  operates. The parties concerned for the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  is the administrator of the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  including the system administrator managing the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  at the location where the group management apparatus  30  is installed. Further, as mentioned the above, the web client  40  is connected to an intranet line or an Internet line connecting the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  and the group management apparatus  30 ,  130 ,  230 . Communication carried out between the web client  40  and the management apparatus and between the web client  40  and the group management apparatus  30 ,  130 ,  230  are carried out by using the same communication protocol (for example, http communication). 
     In the following, examples are shown of a configuration of a management system  200  (refer to  FIG. 19 ) where the web client  40  is provided at a system constituted by the group management apparatus  30 , the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an , and the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn . However, the same also applies for the case of using the group management apparatus  130 ,  230  in place of the group management apparatus  30 . With regard to the configuration of the group management apparatus  30 ,  130 ,  230  and the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an , the configuration that added to the above embodiments are only described. 
     Example 1 
     Each management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  is provided with a web server function. Programs such as JAVA applets for executing the management programs are also stored in each of the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an . The web client  40  downloads programs such as JAVA applets from each management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an.    
     This means that not only can the operation of each of the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  be managed at the group management apparatus  30 , but also each of the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  can be managed at the web client  40 , and the operation of the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  managed at each of the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  can be managed. Therefore, even if the group management apparatus  30  is broken due to failure etc., for example, it is possible to manage the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  without directly going to the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an.    
     Example 2 
     Group management apparatus  30  is provided with a web server function. Further, programs such as JAVA applets for executing the management program of each management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  at the group management apparatus  30 , the programs being appended layout information, are stored. “Layout information” is information indicating the layout of rooms or buildings each of the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  are installed in such as, for example, the layout shown in  FIG. 4 . The web client  40  downloads programs such as JAVA applets appended with layout information from the group management apparatus  30 . 
     It is then possible, at the web client  40 , to operate each of the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  and to manage each of the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  managed by each of the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an , using the programs such as the JAVA applets and the layout information downloaded from the group management apparatus  30 . 
     Example 3 
     Each management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  and the group management apparatus  30  are provided with a web server function. Programs such as JAVA applets for executing the management programs of each of the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  are stored at each management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an . The layout information for the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  is stored at the group management apparatus  30 . The web client  40  downloads programs such as JAVA applets from each management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  and downloads layout information from the group management apparatus  30 . 
     It is then possible, at the web client  40 , to operate each of the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an , using the layout information downloaded from the group management apparatus  30  and to manage each of the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  managed by each of the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an.    
     Example 4 
     Each management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  and the group management apparatus  30  are provided with a web server function. Programs such as JAVA applets for executing the management programs of each of the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  are stored at each management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an . Programs such as JAVA applets for executing the group management programs are also stored at the group management apparatus  30 . The web client  40  downloads programs such as stored JAVA applets from each management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  and from the group management apparatus  30 . 
     As a result, at the web client  40 , it is possible to individually manage the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  managed by each of the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an  and it is possible to comprehensively manage the air conditioning apparatus groups  15   b   1 ,  15   b   2 , . . . ,  15   bn  managed by the group management apparatus  30 . 
     By adopting the configurations described above in examples  1  to  4 , it is possible, from a web client  40  that is a typical personal computer, to comprehensively manage the air conditioning apparatus groups  15   b   1 ,  15   b   2 , . . . ,  15   bn  by the group management apparatus  30 ,  130 ,  230  and/or carry out management of the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  carried out by the management apparatus  20   a   1 ,  20   a   2 , . . . ,  20   an . That is, it is possible to operate the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  and/or the air conditioning apparatus groups  15   b   1 ,  15   b   2 , . . . ,  15   bn  and view the operating conditions of the air conditioning apparatus  10   c   1 ,  10   c   2 , . . . ,  10   cn  and/or the air conditioning apparatus groups  15   b   1 ,  15   b   2 , . . . ,  15   bn  at locations other than the group management apparatus  30 ,  130 , and  230 . 
     Further Embodiments 
     In the above, a description is given based on the drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. However, the specific configuration is by no means limited to these embodiments and various modifications are possible without deviating from the essence of the present invention. 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     The present invention enables collective management of a plurality of air conditioning apparatus groups connected to a plurality of management apparatus and a plurality of air conditioning apparatus belonging to the air conditioning apparatus group. This is particularly useful as group management apparatus and group management programs that enable the time differences for acquiring information small, the information of which is about the operating conditions of installation equipment acquired from the plurality of management apparatus.