Patent Publication Number: US-2022217038-A1

Title: Device management system

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a device management system. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     As in PTL 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2012-193885), there is an apparatus that diagnoses the operation and the like of a device on the basis of measurement value data of the device. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     An abnormality is more likely to occur in a device in a certain period after the device is installed than in a normal period. 
     Solution to Problem 
     A device management system according to a first aspect includes a management apparatus and a transmitting apparatus. The management apparatus manages device information. The device information is information related to a device. The transmitting apparatus transmits the device information to the management apparatus. The management apparatus or the transmitting apparatus changes a condition for transmitting the device information from the transmitting apparatus to the management apparatus, in accordance with execution of a new installation or a configuration change. 
     Therefore, it is possible to efficiently manage a device. 
     A device management system according to a second aspect is the system according to the first aspect, in which the new installation is a new installation of the device or the transmitting apparatus. The configuration change is any one of addition, update, and removal of the device or the transmitting apparatus. Alternatively, the configuration change is replacement of a component included in the device. 
     A device management system according to a third aspect is the system according to the first aspect or the second aspect, in which the device information includes identification information of the device and operation data of the device. The transmitting apparatus collects the device information from the device. 
     A device management system according to a fourth aspect is the system according to the third aspect, in which the operation data includes at least information related to an accumulated operating time of the component. In a case where the information related to the accumulated operating time of the component is reset, the management apparatus or the transmitting apparatus determines that the configuration change has been executed. 
     A device management system according to a fifth aspect is the system according to any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect, in which in a case where management point information of the device is changed, the management apparatus or the transmitting apparatus determines that the configuration change has been executed. 
     A device management system according to a sixth aspect is the system according to the fifth aspect, in which the management point information of the device is set on the basis of the device information. 
     A device management system according to a seventh aspect is the system according to any one of the second aspect to the sixth aspect, in which the management apparatus or the transmitting apparatus changes the condition for transmitting the device information, in accordance with execution of the new installation or the configuration change. The condition is changed at least for each device, for each transmitting apparatus, for each refrigerant system including the device, or for each component. 
     A device management system according to an eighth aspect is the system according to any one of the first aspect to the seventh aspect, in which the management apparatus or the transmitting apparatus changes, as the condition, at least an information item included in the device information or a frequency with which the transmitting apparatus transmits the device information to the management apparatus. 
     A device management system according to a ninth aspect is the system according to any one of the first aspect to the eighth aspect, in which the management apparatus or the transmitting apparatus changes, as the condition, a transmission path through which the transmitting apparatus transmits the device information to the management apparatus. 
     A device management system according to a tenth aspect is the system according to any one of the first aspect to the ninth aspect, in which the management apparatus or the transmitting apparatus monitors an abnormality in the device on the basis of the device information. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a device management system. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of an air conditioner. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram illustrating the detailed configuration of the device management system. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an example of transmission conditions. 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram illustrating a flow of processing performed in a first period. 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram illustrating a flow of processing performed in a second period. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     A device management system  100  according to the present disclosure will be described hereinafter. It should be noted that the following embodiment is a specific example and is not intended to limit the technical scope, but can be modified, as appropriate, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. 
     (1) Overall Configuration 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the device management system  100  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the following description, a plurality of apparatuses having similar functions will be described using the same reference numerals when a description common to all of them is given. One apparatus out of a plurality of apparatuses having similar functions will be described using a suffix with a lower case letter when the one apparatus is distinguished from the others. For example, transmitting apparatuses  20   a  and  20   b  are apparatuses having similar fractions and are represented by transmitting apparatuses  20  when a description common to the transmitting apparatuses  20   a  and  20   b  is given. While suffixes a, b, and the like are used for convenience of description, these represent any numbers, and their quantity is not limited thereto. 
     The device management system  100  is a system that manages a large number of devices and a large number of transmitting apparatuses  20  using a management apparatus  30 . Here, the management apparatus  30  is installed in a central management center  3 . A large number of facilities  2  ( 2   a  to  2   c ) exist in the control area of the central management center  3 . The facilities  2  are, for example, an office building, a commercial building, and a condominium. Each of the facilities  2  is equipped with one or a plurality of air conditioners  10  ( 10   a  to  10   f ) as an example of a device to be managed. When air conditioners  10  are installed in each of the facilities  2 , management point information of each of the air conditioners  10  is registered in the management apparatus  30 . Each of the air conditioners  10  is connected to one of the plurality of transmitting apparatuses  20  ( 20   a  and  20   b ). In the device management system  100 , the transmitting apparatuses  20  and the management apparatus  30  communicate device information to each other to manage the air conditioners  10  and the transmitting apparatuses  20 . Specifically, the management apparatus  30  acquires operation data included in the respective pieces of device information of the air conditioners  10  and the transmitting apparatuses  20  to determine the presence or absence of an abnormality in the air conditioners  10  and the transmitting apparatuses  20 . When an air conditioner  10  and a transmitting apparatus  20  are newly installed or when a configuration change occurs, the device management system  100  can detect an abnormality at an early stage by acquiring detailed device information. 
     The management apparatus  30  is connected to a plurality of maintenance terminals  40  ( 40   a  and  40   b ) via a communication network NW 1 . When an abnormality alarm for the air conditioners  10  is issued, the management apparatus  30  notifies the operators or the like of the maintenance terminals  40  of the issuance of the abnormality alarm. 
     The communication network NW 1  includes a WAN (Wide Area Network) across a plurality of properties. For example, the communication network NW 1  includes the Internet. 
     (2) Detailed Configuration 
     (2-1) Device 
     A device, which is a management target of the device management system  100  according to this embodiment, will be described hereinafter using, as an example, an “air conditioner”, which performs an air conditioning operation such as cooling or heating of a target space. However, the management target of the device management system  100  according to this embodiment is not limited to an air conditioner, and any device having the following features can be adopted. For example, a ventilator, a humidity control device, an air handling unit, a chiller unit, and/or any other refrigeration apparatus or the like may be adopted as a “device”. 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of an air conditioner  10  according to this embodiment. The air conditioner  10  includes an outdoor unit  11  installed on the rooftop or the like of a facility  2 , and a large number of indoor units  12  ( 12   a  to  12   c ) installed in rooms of the facility  2 . The outdoor unit  11  and the indoor units  12  illustrated in  FIG. 2  are connected to each other via a refrigerant circuit and constitute one refrigerant system. The outdoor unit  11  and the indoor units  12  are connected to each other via a dedicated communication line. The outdoor unit  11  includes a plurality of components  11 A to  11 C. The components  11 A to  11 C are, for example, a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an outdoor fan, and so on. Each of the indoor units  12  includes a plurality of components  12 A to  12 C ( 12 Aa to  12 Ca,  12 Ab to  12 Cb, and  12 Ac to  12 Cc). The components  12 A to  12 C are, for example, an indoor heat exchanger, an outdoor fan, an expansion valve, and so on. 
     When the air conditioner  10  is installed (newly installed) in the control area of the central management center  3 , management point information of the air conditioner  10  is stored (registered) in the management apparatus  30  of the central management center  3 . The management point information of the air conditioner  10  includes identification information, a model name, a model code, an address, and system information of each of the air conditioner  10  and the components  11 A to  11 C and  12 A to  12 C, information on the transmitting apparatus  20  associated with the air conditioner  10 , information on the maintenance terminal  40  associated with the air conditioner  10  and the transmitting apparatus  20 , and so on. The identification information is, for example, a name, a machine number, a MAC address, or the like, and may be set in advance by an administrator or the like or may be set through the storage of the management point information in the management apparatus  30 . The air conditioner  10  undergoes a configuration change, as necessary. The configuration change is, for example, addition, update, or removal of the air conditioner  10 , the outdoor unit  11 , or any one of the indoor units  12 , or replacement of the components  11 A to  11 C and  12 A to  12 C included in the air conditioner  10 . When a configuration change is performed on the air conditioner  10 , the management point information of the air conditioner  10  stored in the management apparatus  30  is updated. 
     The outdoor unit  11  includes a collection unit  11 X, a storage unit  11 Y, and a connection unit  11 Z. 
     The collection unit  11 X collects operation data of the air conditioner  10 . The operation data of the air conditioner  10  includes information acquired by a plurality of sensors disposed in predetermined locations of the air conditioner  10 . The operation data of the air conditioner  10  collected by the collection unit  11 X is temporarily stored in the storage unit  11 Y. The operation data of the air conditioner  10  includes a plurality of items of information. For example, the operation data of the air conditioner  10  includes items of information, such as the accumulated operating time, the indoor set temperature, the indoor temperature, the discharge pipe temperature of the compressor, the heat exchanger temperature, the outdoor temperature, the refrigerant pressure on the discharge side of the compressor, the refrigerant pressure on the suction side of the compressor, the state of an electromagnetic valve or a four-way switching valve, the inverter frequency of the compressor, the current value of the compressor, and the presence or absence of a transmission abnormality. The accumulated operating time is, for example, information acquired for each of the types of the components  11 A to  11 C and  12 A to  12 C. Specifically, the accumulated operating time of the compressor  11 A serving as the component  11 A increases in accordance with the operating time of the air conditioner  10 . When the compressor  11 A is replaced with a new compressor by replacement or the like, the accumulated operating time is reset (set to 0), and acquisition of the accumulated operating time of the new compressor is started. The accumulated operating time may not be acquired by a sensor, but may be acquired from the data stored in the storage unit  11 Y of the air conditioner  10 , or may be acquired from the data stored in the management apparatus  30 . 
     The storage unit  11 Y is configured to store various types of information and is constituted by a non-volatile memory, a volatile memory, and the like. The storage unit  11 Y stores programs and the like for executing various functions of the air conditioner  10 . 
     The connection unit  11 Z is connected to a connection unit  24  of the transmitting apparatus  20  to communicate various types of information. In this embodiment, the collection unit  11 X, the storage unit  11 Y, and the connection unit  11 Z are disposed in the outdoor unit  11 , but may be disposed in each of the indoor units  12 . Alternatively, a plurality of collection units  11 X, a plurality of storage units  11 Y, and a plurality of connection units  11 Z may be disposed. 
     (2-2) Transmitting Apparatus  20   
     Various types of information on the air conditioners  10  are transmitted to the management apparatus  30  via the transmitting apparatuses  20  illustrated in  FIG. 3 . Each of the transmitting apparatuses  20  collects information from one or a plurality of corresponding air conditioners  10  by connecting to the connection unit(s)  11 Z of the air conditioner(s)  10 . 
     When a transmitting apparatus  20  is installed (newly installed) in the control area of the central management center  3  in correspondence with an air conditioner  10 , management point information of the transmitting apparatus  20  is stored (registered) in the management apparatus  30  of the central management center  3 . The management point information of the transmitting apparatus  20  includes identification information, a model name, a model code, and an address of the transmitting apparatus  20 , information on the corresponding air conditioner  10 , and so on. The identification information is, for example, a name, a machine number, a MAC address, an IP address, or the like, and may be set in advance by the administrator or the like or may be set through the storage of the management point information in the management apparatus  30 . The transmitting apparatus  20  undergoes a configuration change, as necessary. The configuration change is, for example, addition, update, or removal of the transmitting apparatus  20 . When a configuration change is performed on the transmitting apparatus  20 , the management point information of the transmitting apparatus  20  stored in the management apparatus  30  is updated. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , each of the transmitting apparatuses  20  includes a storage unit  21 , a communication unit  22 , a processing unit  23 , and a connection unit  24 . 
     The storage unit  21  is configured to store various types of information and is constituted by a non-volatile memory, a volatile memory, and the like. The storage unit  21  stores programs for executing various functions of the transmitting apparatus  20 . The storage unit  21  includes a transmission condition storage unit  21 A. 
     The transmission condition storage unit  21 A stores transmission conditions for transmitting pieces of device information to the management apparatus  30 . Each of the transmission conditions includes information items to be transmitted to the management apparatus  30 , and information such as frequency. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the transmission conditions include, for example, a first transmission condition A 1 , a second transmission condition A 2 , a third transmission condition B 1 , and a fourth transmission condition B 2 . The transmission conditions are not limited to those presented here, and can be set as desired by the administrator or the like. In this embodiment, the first transmission condition A 1  and the second transmission condition A 2  are conditions for transmitting pieces of device information on the air conditioner  10 , and the third transmission condition B 1  and the fourth transmission condition B 2  are conditions for transmitting pieces of device information on the transmitting apparatus  20 . Further, the first transmission condition A 1  and the third transmission condition are transmission conditions of the respective pieces of device information in a first period, and the second transmission condition A 2  and the fourth transmission condition are transmission conditions of the respective pieces of device information in a second period. In this embodiment, the first period is a period of two weeks after a new installation or configuration change of the air conditioner  10  or the transmitting apparatus  20 . The second period is a period after the lapse of two weeks from a new installation or configuration change of the air conditioner  10 . 
     The first transmission condition A 1  in this embodiment is a condition for transmitting information on the target air conditioner  10  to the management apparatus  30  in a certain period (the first period) after a new installation or configuration change of the air conditioner  10 . The information on the air conditioner  10  acquired under the first transmission condition A 1  is referred to as first device information. The first transmission condition A 1  includes the identification information of the air conditioner  10  and the operation data of the air conditioner  10 . The operation data of the air conditioner  10  includes ten items of information from first information to tenth information. In the first transmission condition A 1 , the first device information is collected from the air conditioner  10  with a frequency of once every 10 minutes and is transmitted to the management apparatus  30 . 
     The second transmission condition A 2  is a condition for transmitting information on the target air conditioner  10  to the management apparatus  30  after the lapse of a certain period (the second period) from a new installation or configuration change of the air conditioner  10 . The information acquired under the second transmission condition A 2  is referred to as second device information. The second device information includes the identification information of the air conditioner  10  and the operation data of the air conditioner  10 . The operation data of the air conditioner  10  includes five items of information from first information to fifth information. The second device information is collected from the air conditioner  10  with a frequency of once every 30 minutes and is transmitted to the management apparatus  30 . 
     The third transmission condition B 1  is a condition for transmitting information on the transmitting apparatus  20  to the management apparatus  30  in a certain period (the first period) after a new installation or configuration change of the transmitting apparatus  20 . The information on the transmitting apparatus  20  acquired under the third transmission condition B 1  is referred to as third device information. The third device information includes the identification information of the transmitting apparatus  20  and the operation data of the transmitting apparatus  20 . The operation data of the transmitting apparatus  20  includes three items of information from first information to third information. The first device information is collected from the transmitting apparatus  20  with a frequency of once every 20 minutes and is transmitted to the management apparatus  30 . 
     The fourth transmission condition B 2  is a condition for transmitting information on the transmitting apparatus  20  to the management apparatus  30  after the lapse of a certain period (the second period) from a new installation or configuration change of the transmitting apparatus  20 . The information acquired under the fourth transmission condition B 2  is referred to as fourth device information. The figure illustrates an example of the fourth device information acquired under the fourth transmission condition B 2  in this embodiment. The fourth device information includes, as information items, the identification information of the transmitting apparatus  20  and the operation data of the transmitting apparatus  20 . The operation data of the air conditioner  10  includes two items of information from first information to second information. The fourth device information is collected from the transmitting apparatus  20  with a frequency of once every 60 minutes and is transmitted to the management apparatus  30 . 
     In this embodiment, the first device information is more detailed device information of the air conditioner  10  than the second device information. Specifically, the first device information includes more information items than the second device information. The first device information is collected more frequently (acquired at shorter time intervals) than the second device information. The third device information is more detailed device information of the transmitting apparatus  20  than the fourth device information. The third device information includes more information items than the fourth device information. The third device information is collected more frequently than the fourth device information. 
     The transmission conditions stored in the storage unit  21  can be updated as appropriate from the management apparatus  30  or any other apparatus. For example, the transmission conditions stored in the storage unit  21  are updated in accordance with a command from the management apparatus  30 . 
     The communication unit  22  illustrated in  FIG. 3  executes communication with an external network including the communication network NW 1 . With the functions of the communication unit  22 , various types of information are exchanged between the transmitting apparatuses  20  and the management apparatus  30 . 
     The processing unit  23  executes various types of information processing. The processing unit  23  includes a collection processing unit  231 , an acquisition processing unit  232 , and a transmission processing unit  233 . 
     The collection processing unit  231  collects each piece of device information from the corresponding air conditioner  10  under the first transmission condition A 1  or the second transmission condition A 2  with the predetermined frequency. Each piece of device information collected by the collection processing unit  231  may be temporarily stored in the storage unit  21 . 
     The acquisition processing unit  232  acquires each piece of device information from the transmitting apparatus  20  under the third transmission condition at or the fourth transmission condition B 2  with the predetermined frequency. Each piece of device information collected by the acquisition processing unit  232  may be temporarily stored in the storage unit  21 . 
     The transmission processing unit  233  controls communication between the transmitting apparatus  20  and the management apparatus  30  via the communication unit  22 . For example, the transmission processing unit  233  transmits pieces of device information collected by the collection processing unit  231  from the air conditioners  10  to the management apparatus  30  under each transmission condition with the predetermined frequency. For example, the transmission processing unit  233  transmits each piece of device information acquired by the acquisition processing unit  232  from the transmitting apparatus  20  to the management apparatus  30  under each transmission condition with the predetermined frequency. 
     The connection unit  24  is connected to the connection units  11 Z of the outdoor units  11 . The transmitting apparatus  20  can collect pieces of device information from the air conditioners  10  via the connection unit  24 . 
     (2-3) Management Apparatus 
     The management apparatus  30  is connected to the transmitting apparatuses  20  and the maintenance terminals  40  via the communication network NW 1  to manage the plurality of air conditioners  10 . The management apparatus  30  communicates with the transmitting apparatuses  20  via the communication network NW 1 . The management apparatus  30  is a computer that manages device information and the like and is, for example, a super computer, a workstation, a personal computer, a tablet device, a smartphone, or the like. Alternatively, for example, the management apparatus  30  may be configured by connecting a plurality of computers or devices via a network. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the management apparatus  30  includes a storage unit  31 , an input unit  32 , a communication unit  33 , a processing unit  34 , and an output unit  35 . 
     The storage unit  31  is configured to store various types of information and includes a ROM, a RAM, and/or a hard disk or the like. Here, the storage unit  31  includes a management point information storage unit  31 A, a device information storage unit  31 B, and a transmission condition storage unit  31 C. The storage unit  31  stores programs for executing various functions of the management apparatus  30 . 
     When an air conditioner  10  or a transmitting apparatus  20  is newly installed, the management point information storage unit  31 A individually stores management point information thereof. As a result, the air conditioner  10  or the transmitting apparatus  20  is registered in the management apparatus  30 . At this time, the management point information may be manually registered by the administrator or the like or may be registered based on information acquired from the air conditioner  10  or the transmitting apparatus  20 . Specifically, the administrator or the like inputs the corresponding management point information via the input unit  32  to register the management point information. Alternatively, the air conditioner  10  or the transmitting apparatus  20  transmits management point information thereof to the management apparatus  30 , and the management apparatus  30  performs registration based on the received management point information. 
     The management point information stored in the management point information storage unit  31 A is updated in response to a configuration change of the air conditioner  10  or the transmitting apparatus  20 . The management point information may be manually updated by the administrator or the like or may be automatically updated based on the device information thereof. Specifically, the administrator or the like inputs information for update via the input unit  32 . Alternatively, in the management apparatus  30 , a configuration change processing unit  342  updates the management point information on the basis of the device information acquired from the air conditioner  10  or the transmitting apparatus  20 . 
     The device information storage unit  31 B individually stores a plurality of pieces of device information acquired from the air conditioners  10  or the transmitting apparatuses  20 . 
     The transmission condition storage unit  3 IC individually stores transmission conditions for the air conditioners  10  or the transmitting apparatuses  20 . The information stored in the transmission condition storage unit  31 C includes information on the transmission conditions stored in the storage unit  21  of each of the transmitting apparatuses  20 . In this embodiment, the first transmission condition A 1  is stored as a transmission condition corresponding to the air conditioners  10  in the first period, and the second transmission condition A 2  is stored as a transmission condition corresponding to the air conditioners  10  in the second period. Further, the third transmission condition Bi is stored as a transmission condition corresponding to the transmitting apparatuses  20  in the first period, and the fourth transmission condition B 2  is stored as a transmission condition corresponding to the transmitting apparatuses  20  in the second period. The information stored in the transmission condition storage unit  31 C is rewritten as appropriate, thereby making it possible to change the corresponding transmission condition in the transmitting apparatuses  20 . For example, in a case where the first transmission condition A 1  stored in the transmission condition storage unit  31 C as the transmission condition for the air conditioners  10  is rewritten to the second transmission condition A 2 , the management apparatus  30  sends a request to rewrite the transmission condition in the transmitting apparatuses  20  corresponding to the air conditioners  10  via the communication unit  33 . Each of the transmitting apparatuses  20  rewrites the transmission condition for the air conditioners  10  stored in the storage unit  21  from the first transmission condition A 1  to the second transmission condition A 2 . 
     The storage unit  31  is capable of storing any information other than those in the various storage units described above. 
     The input unit  32  is an interface for inputting information to the management apparatus  30 . For example, the input unit  32  is implemented by a keyboard, a mouse, and/or a touch screen or the like. For example, the input unit  32  enables input of information to various reception screens. 
     The communication unit  33  is an interface for communicating with the transmitting apparatuses  20  and the maintenance terminals  40 . Specifically, the communication unit  33  receives pieces of device information from the transmitting apparatuses  20 . The pieces of device information received by the communication unit  33  and other information are stored in the storage unit  31 . 
     The processing unit  34  is configured to execute various types of information processing in the management apparatus  30  and is constituted by a CPU, a cache memory, and the like. The processing unit  34  has functions as a calculation unit  341 , the configuration change processing unit  342 , a transmission condition processing unit  343 , and an abnormality processing unit  344 . 
     The calculation unit  341  performs calculation related to information processing based on the information received by the communication unit  33 . 
     The configuration change processing unit  342  determines, based on each piece of device information stored in the device information storage unit  31 B, whether a configuration change has been performed on the corresponding air conditioner  10 . In this embodiment, if, in each piece of device information, the identification information of the air conditioner  10  is different from the identification information stored in the management point information storage unit  31 A, the configuration change processing unit  342  determines that a configuration change has been performed. Alternatively, if, in each piece of device information, the item of the accumulated operating times of the components  11 A to  11 C and  12 A to  12 C of the air conditioner  10  is reset, the configuration change processing unit  342  determines that a configuration change has been performed. When the configuration change processing unit  342  determines that a configuration change has been performed, the configuration change processing unit  342  perform s a process of updating the management point information of the air conditioner  10  stored in the management point information storage unit  31 A. 
     The transmission condition processing unit  343  changes the transmission conditions stored in the transmission condition storage unit  31 D. When a certain period has elapsed since the first transmission condition A 1  was set or if the management point information stored in the management point information storage unit  31 A is changed, the transmission condition processing unit  343  changes the transmission condition. The transmission conditions may be changed manually by the administrator or the like. 
     The abnormality processing unit  344  performs, based on each of the pieces of device information received from the air conditioners  10 , a process of determining an abnormality in a corresponding one of the air conditioners  10 . An “abnormality” is determined in a case where the operation data included in the device information is not within a range of a reference value. If the abnormality processing unit  344  determines that the air conditioner  10  has an abnormality, the abnormality processing unit  344  executes a process of creating information (abnormality information) for notifying the administrator or supervisor of the presence or absence or the like of an abnormality related to the air conditioner  10 . The abnormality processing unit  344  causes the output unit  35  to output the created abnormality information. 
     The output unit  35  is configured to output various types of information and is constituted by a variety of devices such as a display and a speaker. For example, the output unit  35  outputs an input screen or the like for receiving input of various types of information. For example, the output unit  35  outputs the abnormality information created by the abnormality processing unit  344 . The various types of information output by the output unit  35  can also be output to the maintenance terminals  40  via the communication network NW 1 . 
     (2-4) Maintenance Terminal 
     The maintenance terminals  40  are terminals operated by the maintenance workers of the air conditioners  10 . The maintenance terminals  50  receive abnormality information from the management apparatus  30 . This enables the maintenance workers to diagnose the air conditioner  10  or the transmitting apparatus  20  in which an abnormality is detected and to perform troubleshooting and the like. 
     (3) Device Management Process in Device Management System  100   
       FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram for describing a flow of processing performed in the device management system  100  according to this embodiment. While  FIG. 5  illustrates the flow of processing in a relationship among one management apparatus  30 , one air conditioner  10 , one transmitting apparatus  20 , and one maintenance terminal  40 , the processing illustrated in  FIG. 5  is individually performed between the management apparatus  30  and the air conditioners  10 , the transmitting apparatuses  20 , and the maintenance terminals  40 . 
     (3-1) Processing in First Period 
     First, a flow of processing performed by the device management system  100  in the first period will be described. 
     In step S 11 , the air conditioner  10  and the transmitting apparatus  20  are installed in the control area of the central management center  3 . The management apparatus  30  stores management point information of the air conditioner  10  and management point information of the transmitting apparatus  20  in the storage unit  31 . As a result, management of the device (the air conditioner  10 ) is started in the device management system  100 . 
     In step S 12 , the first transmission condition A 1  and the third transmission condition B 1  are stored in the storage unit  31  of the management apparatus  30  and the storage unit  21  of the transmitting apparatus  20 . Accordingly, the first period is started. In this embodiment, the first period is two weeks. 
     In step S 13 , the management apparatus  30  acquires the first device information and the third device information under the first transmission condition A 1  and the third transmission condition B 1 . Specifically, the collection processing unit  231  of the transmitting apparatus  20  collects the first device information, which is acquired by the collection unit  11 X of the air conditioner  10 , under the first transmission condition A 1 . The transmitting apparatus  20  transmits the collected first device information to the management apparatus  30 . Further, the transmitting apparatus  20  acquires the third device information, which is acquired by the acquisition processing unit  232 , under the third transmission condition B 1 . The transmitting apparatus  20  transmits the acquired third device information to the management apparatus  30 . 
     In step S 14 , the management apparatus  30  stores the pieces of device information acquired via the communication unit  33  in the storage unit  31 . 
     In step S 15 , the abnormality processing unit  344  of the management apparatus  30  determines an abnormality in the air conditioner  10  or the transmitting apparatus  20  on the basis of the pieces of device information stored in the device information storage unit  31 B. If it is determined that the air conditioner  10  or the transmitting apparatus  20  has an abnormality, the abnormality processing unit  344  creates abnormality information and outputs the abnormality information from the output unit  35 . The abnormality information is output to the maintenance terminal  40  via, for example, the output unit  35 . 
     In step S 16 , the configuration change processing unit  342  of the management apparatus  30  determines, based on the information stored in the device information storage unit  31 B, whether a configuration change has been performed on the air conditioner  10 . If it is determined in step S 16  that no configuration change has been performed on the air conditioner  10 , the process returns to step S 13 . In other words, the first device information is repeatedly collected under the first transmission condition A 1  until the first period ends. 
     On the other hand, if it is determined in step S 16  that a configuration change has been performed on the air conditioner  10 . the configuration change processing unit  342  stores new management point information in the management point information storage unit  31 A, and the process returns to step S 12 . In other words, the configuration change processing unit  342  causes the management apparatus  30  to store the first transmission condition A 1  again as a transmission condition for the air conditioner  10 . 
     (3-2) Processing in Second Period 
     Next, a flow of processing performed by the device management system  100  in the period after the end of the first period and in the second period will be described. 
     In step S 21 , when the first period ends, the transmission condition processing unit  343  updates the transmission conditions stored in the transmission condition storage unit  31 D. Specifically, the first transmission condition A 1  stored in the transmission condition storage unit  31 D is updated to the second transmission condition A 2 . The third transmission condition B 1  stored in the transmission condition storage unit  31 D is updated to the fourth transmission condition B 2 . Accordingly, the second period is started. 
     In step S 22 , the management apparatus  30  acquires the second device information and the fourth device information under the second transmission condition A 2  and the fourth transmission condition B 2 . Specifically, the transmitting apparatus  20  collects the second device information, which is acquired by the acquisition unit of the air conditioner  10 , under the second transmission condition A 2 . The transmitting apparatus  20  transmits the collected second device information to the management apparatus  30 . Further, the transmitting apparatus  20  acquires the fourth device information, which is acquired by the acquisition processing unit, under the fourth transmission condition B 2 . The transmitting apparatus  20  transmits the acquired fourth device information to the management apparatus  30 . 
     In step S 23 , the management apparatus  30  stores the pieces of device information acquired via the communication unit in the storage unit  31 . 
     In step S 24 , the abnormality processing unit  344  of the management apparatus  30  determines an abnormality in the air conditioner  10  or the transmitting apparatus  20  on the basis of the pieces of device information stored in the device information storage unit  31 B. If it is determined that the air conditioner  10  or the transmitting apparatus  20  has an abnormality, the abnormality processing unit  344  creates abnormality information and outputs the abnormality information from the output unit. The abnormality information is output to the maintenance terminal  40  via, for example, the output unit  35 . 
     In step S 25 , the configuration change processing unit  342  of the management apparatus  30  determines, based on the information stored in the device information storage unit  31 B, whether a configuration change has been performed on the air conditioner  10 . If it is determined in step S 25  that no configuration change has been performed on the air conditioner  10 , the process returns to step S 22 . In other words, the first device information is repeatedly collected under the second transmission condition A 2  and the fourth transmission condition B 2 . 
     On the other hand, if it is determined in step S 25  that a configuration change has been performed on the air conditioner  10 , in step  26 , the configuration change processing unit  342  stores new management point information in the management point information storage unit  31 A, and then the process returns to step S 12  for the first period. In other words, the configuration change processing unit  342  causes the management apparatus  30  to store the first transmission condition A 1  again as a transmission condition for the air conditioner  10 . 
     (4) Features 
     (4-1) 
     The device management system  100  according to this embodiment includes the management apparatus  30  and the transmitting apparatus  20 . The management apparatus  30  manages device information. The device information includes the identification information of the air conditioner  10  serving as a device and operation data of the device. The device information is information related to the air conditioner  10 . The transmitting apparatus  20  collects the device information from the air conditioner  10 . The transmitting apparatus  20  transmits the device information to the management apparatus  30 . The management apparatus  30  changes the condition for transmitting the device information from the transmitting apparatus  20  to the management apparatus  30 , in accordance with the execution of a new installation or a configuration change. 
     In the device management system  100  according to this embodiment, the new installation is the new installation of the air conditioner  10  or the transmitting apparatus  20 . The configuration change is any one of addition, update, and removal of the air conditioner  10  or the transmitting apparatus  20 . 
     In a certain period after the new installation or the configuration change is executed, an abnormality is likely to occur due to an initial failure or the like that has failed to be detected in a trial operation of the management apparatus  30  or the transmitting apparatus  20 . The device management system  100  presented in this embodiment requests the management apparatus  30  or the transmitting apparatus  20  to transmit detailed device information in a certain period after the new installation or the configuration change is executed. In the detailed device information, a large number of information items are included in the device information, or the device information is frequently transmitted. This enables an abnormality that has occurred in the management apparatus  30  or the transmitting apparatus  20  to be detected at an early stage. In addition, even if an abnormality has occurred, since the detailed device information is stored in the management apparatus  30 , it is easy to identify the source or the like of the abnormality. In the device management system  100 , therefore, the air conditioner  10  and the transmitting apparatus  20  can be efficiently managed. 
     (4-2) 
     The operation data includes at least information related to the accumulated operating time of a component. In a case where the information related to the accumulated operating time of the component is reset, the management apparatus  30  determines that a configuration change has been executed. Alternatively, in a case where the management point information of the air conditioner  10  is changed, the management apparatus  30  determines that a configuration change has been executed. The management point information of the air conditioner  10  is set on the basis of the device information. The management apparatus changes the condition for transmitting the device information in accordance with execution of a new installation or a configuration change. 
     The management apparatus  30  can automatically determine that a configuration change has been executed, without requiring the administrator or the like. In addition, the management apparatus  30  can automatically change the condition for transmitting the device information. This enables efficient management of the air conditioner  10 . 
     (4-3) 
     The management apparatus  30  changes, as a condition, at least an information item included in the device information or a frequency with which the transmitting apparatus  20  transmits the device information to the management apparatus  30 . 
     The management apparatus  30  can acquire detailed device information by changing an information item included in the device information or the frequency with which the device information is transmitted. 
     (4-4) 
     The management apparatus  30  monitors an abnormality in the air conditioner  10  on the basis of the device information. 
     The management apparatus  30  can monitor an abnormality in the air conditioner  10  by acquiring the operation data included in the device information. 
     (5) Modifications 
     (5-1) 
     In this embodiment, the management apparatus  30  changes the condition for transmitting the device information from the transmitting apparatus  20  to the management apparatus  30 . However, the condition for transmitting the device information to the management apparatus  30  may be changed by the transmitting apparatus  20 . The transmitting apparatus  20  may store in the storage unit  21  information for changing the condition for transmitting the device information. In the transmitting apparatus  20 , the processing unit  23  may perform a process for changing the condition for transmitting the device information. The condition changed by the transmitting apparatus  20  is transmitted to the management apparatus  30  via the communication unit  22 . 
     In the transmitting apparatus  20 , furthermore, the processing unit  23  may determine that a configuration change has been executed. 
     (5-2) 
     In this embodiment, the device information is acquired for each air conditioner  10  or each transmitting apparatus  20 . However, the device information may be acquired for each refrigerant system or each of the components  12 A to  12 C. The condition for acquiring the device information may be a condition for each device, for each transmitting apparatus, for each refrigerant system including devices, or for each component. Further, the condition for acquiring the device information may be changed for each device, for each transmitting apparatus, for each refrigerant system including devices, or for each component. 
     (5-3) 
     In this embodiment, the configuration change is any one of addition, update, and removal of the air conditioner  10  or the transmitting apparatus  20 . However, the configuration change may include replacement of the components  12 A to  12 C included in the air conditioner  10 . 
     (5-4) 
     The management apparatus  30  or the transmitting apparatus  20  according to this embodiment may change, as a condition, a transmission path through which the transmitting apparatus  20  transmits the device information to the management apparatus  30 . 
     Accordingly, the management apparatus  30  can acquire the device information via a more efficient transmission path. 
     (5-5) 
     The transmitting apparatus  20  presented in this embodiment may be included in the air conditioner  10 . Specifically, the air conditioner  10  includes a processing unit that executes the processes performed by the transmitting apparatus  20 , or a program for executing the processes performed by the transmitting apparatus  20 . The air conditioner  10  including the transmitting apparatus  20  changes the condition for transmitting the device information from the air conditioner  10  including the transmitting apparatus  20  to the management apparatus  30 , in accordance with the execution of a new installation or a configuration change. 
     (6) 
     While an embodiment of the present disclosure has been described, it will be understood that forms and details can be changed in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as recited in the claims. 
     REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
     
         
           10   a  to  10   f  device 
           12 Aa to  12 Ca,  12 Ab to  12 Cb,  12 Ac to  12 Cc component 
           20  transmitting apparatus 
           30  management apparatus 
           100  device management system 
       
    
     CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
     PTL 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2012493885