Patent Publication Number: US-2022221181-A1

Title: Controller and air conditioning management system

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a U.S. national stage application of international Application No. PCT/JP2019/019306, filed on May 15, 2019, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a controller and an air conditioning system. 
     BACKGROUND 
     With the progress of network technology, it has become common to control air conditioning in the office spaces of branch offices from remote locations such as headquarters. In such a case, a virtual private network (VPN) is constructed between the headquarter and a branch office, and the communication content is encrypted to ensure security. 
     However, since the construction of a VPN is expensive, a simple method has become popular in which a network barrier, called a firewall, is installed and only communication from each local network to the outside is permitted. In such the case, it is difficult to access the inside of the local network from the outside of that local network, and thus it is necessary to install a server at an intermediate point to relay data. 
     With such a configuration, it is not easy to equalize the operability of a controller installed near an air conditioner (hereinafter, referred to as a local controller) and the operability of a controller installed at a remote site (hereinafter, referred to as a remote controller). For example, if the screen of the local controller is customized on site, the operability of the local controller will be different from the operability of the remote controller. 
     For example, when the floor layout is changed in a building in which the local controller is installed, and the information of the floor layout is reflected lust in the local controller, the local controller and the remote controller will display different layouts. Since many remote controllers may be installed, it is a difficult task to manually change the display settings of every remote controller one by one. 
     To cope with this, there is a technique of automatically equalizing the operability, for example, by sharing an image to be used for operation between terminals (refer to, for example, Patent Literature 1). 
     PATENT REFERENCE 
     
         
         Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-109947 
       
    
     However, in the conventional technique, the image to be used for operation must be exchanged between the controllers, and for a configuration in which data is relayed by a server at an intermediate point, as mentioned above, the delay time of the screen renewal increases, and the operability of the remote controller significantly deteriorates. 
     SUMMARY 
     Accordingly, it is an object of at least one aspect of the present invention to readily equalize the operability of a first controller and the operability of a second controller via a server. 
     A controller according to an aspect of the invention is configured to select and execute one of first air conditioning control and second air conditioning control, the controller including: a connection interface unit configured to be connected to an air conditioner; a communication interface unit configured to perform communication; a display unit configured to display a display screen; and a control unit configured to control the connection interface unit, the communication interface unit, and the display unit; wherein in a case where the first air conditioning control is executed, the connection interface unit is connected to the air conditioner, the communication interface unit is connected to a first network, the control unit is configured to cause the display unit to display a first display screen in accordance with first screen customizing information for generating the first display screen for controlling the air conditioner, and to control the air conditioner by using the first display screen, the control unit, when the first screen customizing information is changed in order to change the first display screen, is configured to send first setting information from the communication interface unit to a server connected to the Internet via a first firewall connected to the first network, the first setting information indicating a changed part of the first screen customizing information, and the control unit is configured to obtain, from the server via the communication interface unit, renewal information indicating a changed part of screen customizing information for generating a remote display screen and to change, by changing the first screen customizing information in accordance with the renewal information, the first display screen so that the first display screen is to be identical to the remote display screen, the remote display screen being a display screen to be displayed in a remote controller not connected to the air conditioner; and in a case where the second air conditioning control is executed, the connection interface unit is not connected to the air conditioner, the communication interface unit is connected to a second network, the control unit is configured to cause the display unit to display a second display screen for controlling the air conditioner in accordance with second screen customizing information for generating the second display screen, the control unit, when the second screen customizing information is changed in order to change the second display screen, is configured to send second setting information indicating a changed part of the second screen customizing information from the communication interface unit to the server connected to the Internet via a second firewall connected to the second network, and the control unit is configured to obtain, from the server via the communication interface unit, renewal information indicating a changed part of screen customizing information for generating a local display screen and to change, by changing the second screen customizing information in accordance with the renewal information, the second display screen so that the second display screen is to be identical to the local display screen, the local display screen being a display screen to be displayed in a local controller connected to the air conditioner. 
     An air conditioning system according to an aspect of the invention includes: a first controller is configured to control an air conditioner, the first controller being configured to be connected to the air conditioner and a first network and be able to communicate with the Internet via a first firewall connected to the first network; a second controller is configured to control the air conditioner via the first controller, the second controller being configured to be connected to a second network and be able to communicate with the Internet via a second firewall connected to the second network; and a server configured to be connected to the Internet; wherein the first controller includes; a connection interface unit configured to be connected to the air conditioner, a first communication interface unit configured to be connected to the first network, a first display unit configured to display a first display screen based on first screen customizing information, the first screen customizing information being information for generating the first display screen, and a first control unit configured to send, when the first screen customizing information is changed in order to change the first display screen, first setting information indicating a changed part of the first screen customizing, information to the server via the first communication interface unit, the second controller includes; a second communication interface unit configured to be connected to the second network, a second display unit configured to display a second display screen based on second screen customizing information identical to the first screen customizing information, the second screen customizing information being information for generating the second display screen identical to the first display screen, and a second control unit configured to send, when the second screen customizing information is changed in order to change the second display screen, second setting information indicating a changed part of the second screen customizing information to the server via the second communication interface unit, and the server includes; a server communication interface unit configured to be connected to the Internet, and a server control unit configured to send first renewal information identical to the second setting information to the first controller via the server communication interface unit in response to a request from the first controller and to send second renewal information identical to the first setting information to the second controller via the server communication interface unit in response to a request from the second controller, wherein the first control unit is configured to obtain the first renewal information from the server via the first communication interface unit and to change, by changing the first screen customizing information in accordance with the first renewal information, the first display screen so that the first display screen is to be identical to the changed second display screen, and the second control unit is configured to obtain the second renewal information from the server via the second communication interface unit and to change, by changing the second screen customizing information in accordance with the second renewal information, the second display screen so that the second display screen is to be identical to the changed first display screen. 
     According to ate, least one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to readily equalize the operability of a first controller and the operability of a second controller via a server. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of an air conditioning management system according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of a server. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram of controller management information. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of screen customizing management information. 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram illustrating operation management information. 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  are block diagrams illustrating hardware configuration examples. 
         FIG. 7  is a block diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of a local controller. 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of screen customizing information. 
         FIG. 9  is a block diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of a remote controller. 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of correlated operation management information. 
         FIG. 11  is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a local controller sending screen customizing information to a server. 
         FIG. 12  is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a remote controller downloading screen customizing information of a correlated controller from a server. 
         FIG. 13  is a flowchart illustrating the operation from the transmission of setting information by a local controller to the updating of screen customizing information by a remote controller. 
         FIG. 14  is a flowchart illustrating the operation from the transmission of operating state information by a local controller to the updating of correlated operation management information by a remote controller. 
         FIG. 15  is a flowchart illustrating the operation from the transmission of setting information by a remote controller to the updating of screen customizing information by a local controller. 
         FIG. 16  is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen displayed on a local controller and a remote controller. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of an air conditioning management system  100  according to an embodiment. 
     The air conditioning management system  100  includes a server  110 , air conditioners  130 A to  130 D, local controllers  140 A to  140 D, and remote controllers  160 A and  160 B, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The local controllers  140 A to  140 D are connected to a first local area network (LAN)  180  or first network. 
     The remote controllers  160 A and  160 B are connected to a second LAN  181  or second network. 
     The first LAN  180  is connected to a first firewall  183 , and the local controllers  140 A to  140 D can communicate with the Internet  185  or third network via the first firewall  183 . 
     The second LAN  181  is connected to a second firewall  184 , and the remote controllers  160 A and  160 B can communicate with the Internet  185  via the second firewall  184 . 
     When there is no need to distinguish between the air conditioners  130 A to  130 D, the air conditioners  130 A to  130 D are referred to as air conditioners  130 . When there is no need to distinguish between the local controllers  140 A to  140 D, the local controllers  140 A to  140 D are referred to as local controllers  140 . When there is no need to distinguish between the remote controllers  160 A and  160 B, the remote controllers  160 A and  160 B are referred to as remote controllers  160 . 
     In the example illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the air conditioning management system  100  includes four air conditioners  130 A to  130 D, four local controllers  140 A to  140 D, and two remote controllers  160 A and  160 B, but these numbers are not limited to such example. The air conditioning management system  100  should include at least one air conditioner  130 , at least one local controller  140 , and at least one remote controller  160 . 
     Note that, as described above, the local controllers  140  and the remote controllers  160  are controllers that control the air conditioners  130 ; the local controllers  140  are connected to air conditioners  130  while the remote controllers  160  are not connected to the air conditioners  130  but control the air conditioners  130  via the local controllers  140 . 
     For example, the air conditioners  130  are installed in the office spaces of branch offices of a company located at multiple sites. The air conditioners  130  are connected to the local controllers  140 . 
     The local controllers  140  control the operating state, such as operation and suspension, and the operation mode, such as heating operation or cooling operation, of the air conditioners  130 . 
     The first firewall  183  transmits a communication request from the first LAN  180  connected to the local controllers  140  to the Internet  185 , but does not transmit a communication request from the Internet  185  to the first LAN  180 . 
     The server  110  is connected to the Internet  185 . The second firewall  184  transmits a communication request from the second LAN  181  in which the remote controllers  160  are installed, to the Internet  185 , but does not transmit a communication request from the Internet  185  to the second LAN  181 . 
     The remote controllers  160  control the air conditioners  130  disposed at remote sites. 
     Since the air conditioning management system  100  includes the first firewall  183  and the second firewall  184 , as described above, it is possible to access the server  110  from the local controllers  140 , but it impossible to access the local controllers  140  from the remote controllers  160  and the server  110 . 
     Moreover, it is possible to access the server  110  from the remote controllers  160 , but it is impossible to access the remote controllers  160  from the local controllers  140  and the server  110 . 
     Here, the control executed by the local controllers  140  is also referred to as first air conditioning control, and the control executed by the remote controllers  160  is also referred to as second air conditioning control. 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of the server  110 . 
     The server  110  includes a storage unit  111  as a server storage unit, a server communication unit  115  as a server communication interface unit, a display unit  116  as a server display unit, an input unit  117  as a server input unit, and a server control unit  118 . 
     The storage unit  111  stores programs and information necessary for processing by the server  110 . 
     For example, the storage unit  111  stores controller management information  112 , screen management information  113 , and operation management information  114 . 
     The controller management information  112  correlates the local controllers  140  and the remote controllers  160 . 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram of the controller management information  112 . 
     The controller management information  112  is information in a table format containing a local controller column  112   a,  a remote controller column  112   b,  and a transmission complete column  112   c,  as illustrated in FIG. 
     The local controller column  112   a  stores local controller identification information for identifying the local controllers  140 . 
     The remote controller column  112   b  stores remote controller identification information for identifying the remote controllers  160  that remotely control the air conditioners  130  connected to the local controllers  140  identified by the local controller identification information stored in the same row of the local controller column  112   a.    
     The transmission complete column  112   c  stores information indicating whether or not information corresponding to the screen customizing information from the local controllers  140  is sent to the remote controllers  160 . Here, if a check mark is stored in the transmission complete column  112   c,  the transmission is completed, and if no check mark is stored, the transmission is not completed. 
     For example, as illustrated in the second and third rows of the controller management information  112  in  FIG. 3 , if the local controller  140 A and the local controller  140 B are correlated with the remote controller  160 A, the remote controller  160 A can switch, for a display, between a display screen that is the same as the display screen of the local controller  140 A and a display screen that is the same as the display screen of the local controller  140 B, in accordance with a switching instruction from a user. Then, the remote controller  160 A can display a display screen that is the same as the display screen of the local controller  140 A to remotely control the air conditioner  130 A via the local controller  140 A, and can display a display screen that is the same as the display screen of the local controller  140 B to remotely control the air conditioner  130 B via the local controller  140 B. 
     To return to  FIG. 2 , the screen management information  113  includes, for each local controller  140 , screen customizing management information for generating a display screen for controlling the air conditioner  130  connected to the corresponding local controller  140 . It is assumed that the screen customizing management information is associated with the local controller identification information of the local controller  140  that displays the corresponding display screen. 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the screen customizing management information. The screen customizing management information  1131  illustrated in  FIG. 4  is information in a table format containing an item column  113 # 1   a,  a content column  113 # 1   b,  and a timestamp column  113 # 1   c.    
     Note that the screen customizing management information  113 # 1  illustrated in  FIG. 4  is for generating a display screen of the local controller  140 A illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The item column  113 # 1   a  stores item names or item identification information for identifying the items displayed on the display screen. 
     The content column  113 # 1   b  stores the content of the corresponding items. For example, as the content of the item name “floor image,” a file name of a file indicating a floor image in a raster format is stored. As the content of the item name “floor layout,” a file name of a file of a floor layout image in a vector format for drawing lines indicating the floor layout or an object such as an air conditioner is stored. Note that as the content of the item names “name of air conditioner,” “name of building,” and “name of floor,” text data indicating them is stored. 
     The timestamp column  113 # 1   c  stores timestamps indicating the times of renewal of the corresponding items. In the first embodiment, a date is used as the timestamp, but any information may be used as long as the information can distinguish between before and after a renewal. 
     To return to  FIG. 2 , the operation management information  114  indicates the operating states of the air conditioners  130 . 
       FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation management information  114 . 
     The operation management information  114  is information in a table format containing a local controller column  114   a,  an operating state column  114   b,  a temperature setting column  114   c,  and an operation mode column  114   d,  as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
     The local controller column  114   a  stores the local controller identification information of the local controllers  140  that have sent operating state information, i.e., the local controllers  140  connected to the corresponding air conditioners  130 . 
     The operating state column  114   b  stores operating state information indicating whether or not the corresponding air conditioners  130  are in operation. If the operating state information indicates “ON,” it indicates operation, and the operating state information indicates “OFF,” it indicates suspension. 
     The temperature setting column  114   c  stores temperature setting information indicating the temperature setting of the corresponding air conditioners  130 . If the operating state is “OFF,” the corresponding field in the column is left empty. 
     The operation mode column  114   d  stores operation mode information indicating the operation modes of the corresponding air conditioners  130 . The operation mode information indicates, for example, an operation mode such as “heating,” “cooling,” or “dry.” If the operating state is “OFF,” the corresponding field in the column is left empty. 
     To return to  FIG. 2 , the server communication unit  115  is connected to and communicates with the Internet  185 . 
     The display unit  116  displays various screens. 
     The input unit  117  accepts input from an operator. 
     The server control unit  118  controls the processing by the server  110 . 
     For example, in response to a request from a correlated local controller  140 , the server control unit  118  sends renewal information identical to the setting information sent from the remote controller  160 , to the local controller  140  via the server communication unit  115 . Here, setting information sent from the remote controller  160  is also referred to as second setting information. The renewal information sent to the local controller  140  is also referred to as first renewal information. 
     In response to a request from a remote controller  160 , the server control unit  118  sends renewal information identical to the setting information sent from a correlated local controller  140  to the remote controller  160  via the server communication unit  115 . Here, the setting information sent from the local controller  140  is also referred to as first setting information. The renewal information sent to the remote controller  160  is also referred to as second renewal information. 
     Specifically, when an operator correlates a local controller  140  and a remote controller  160  by using the input unit  117  via the screen for correlating the local controller  140  and the remote controller  160  displayed on the display unit  116 , the server control unit  118  generates controller management information  112  in accordance with the inputted content and causes the storage unit  111  to store the generated controller management information  112 . 
     When setting information is sent from a local controller  140  or a remote controller  160 , and when the timestamp included in the setting information is newer than the timestamp of the item corresponding to the item included in the setting information out of the items of the corresponding screen customizing management information included in the screen management information  113 , the server control unit  118  renews the content of the corresponding item in the screen customizing information with the content of the item included in the setting information, and also renews the corresponding timestamp with the timestamp included in the setting information. 
     When a local confirmation request is issued by a remote controller  160 , the server control unit  118  refers to the screen management information  113 , generates local renewal information indicating the content of the item having a timestamp newer than the timestamp included in the local confirmation request in the screen customizing management information associated with the local controller identification information included in the local confirmation request, and gives the generated local renewal information to the remote controller  160  that had issued the request. 
     When a remote confirmation request is issued from a local controller  140 , the server control unit  118  refers to the screen management information  113 , generates remote renewal information indicating the content of the item having a timestamp newer than the timestamp included in the remote confirmation request in the screen customizing management information associated with the local controller identification information included in the remote confirmation request, and gives the generated remote renewal information to the local controller  140  that had issued the request. 
     When operating state information is sent from the local controller  140 , the server control unit  118  renews the corresponding row in the operation management information  114 . 
     Then, when a remote controller  160  issues an operation confirmation request, the server control unit  118  refers to the controller management information  112  to specify a local controller  140  correlated with the remote controller  160  that had issued the request. Moreover, the server control unit  118  refers to the operation management information  114  to specify the operating state of the specified local controller  140 , and gives operating state response information indicating the specified operating state of each correlated local controller  140  to the remote controller  160  that had issued the request. 
     A portion or the entirety of the server control unit  118  described above can be implemented by, for example, a memory  10  and a processor  11 , such as a central processing unit (CPU), that executes the programs stored in the memory  10 , as illustrated in  FIG. 6A . In other words, the server  110  can be implemented by a computer. Such programs may be provided via a network or may be recorded and provided on a recording medium. That is, such programs may be provided as, for example, program products. 
     A portion or the entirety of the server control unit  118  can be implemented by, for example, a processing circuit  12 , such as a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a field programmable gate array (FPGA), as illustrated in  FIG. 6B . 
     Note that the storage unit  111  can be implemented by a storage device, such as a hard disc drive (HDD). 
     The server communication unit  115  can be implemented by a communication device, such as a network interface card (NIC). 
     The display unit  116  can be implemented by a display device, such as a display. 
     The input unit  117  can be implemented by an input device, such as a mouse or a keyboard. 
       FIG. 7  is a block diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of the local controller  140 . 
     The local controller  140  is a first controller including a storage unit  141  as a first storage unit, a local communication unit  143  as a first communication interface unit, an air conditioning communication unit  144  as a connection interface unit, a display unit  145  as a first display unit, an input unit  146  as a first input unit, and a local control unit  147  as a first control unit. 
     The storage unit  141  stores programs and information necessary for processing by the local controller  140 . 
     For example, the storage unit  141  stores screen customizing information  142  or first screen customizing information for generating a first display screen. The screen customizing information  142  is information for generating a display screen for controlling the air conditioner  130  connected to the local controller  140 . 
       FIG. 8  is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the screen customizing information  142 . 
     The screen customizing information  142  illustrated in  FIG. 8  is information in a table format containing an item column  142   a,  a content column  142   b,  and a timestamp column  142   c.    
     Note that the screen customizing information  142  illustrated in  FIG. 8  is for generating a display screen to be displayed by the local controller  140 A illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The item column  142   a  stores item names. 
     The content column  142   b  stores the content of corresponding items. Note that, if file names are indicated in the content column  142   b,  the screen customizing information  142  includes files identified by those file names. 
     The timestamp column  142   c  stores timestamps indicating the times at which any of the items have been renewed. In the first embodiment, a date is used as the timestamp, but any information may be used as long as the information can distinguish between before and after the renewal. 
     To return to  FIG. 7 , the local communication unit  143  is connected to and communicates with the first LAN  180 . 
     The air conditioning communication unit  144  is connected to and communicates with the air conditioner  130 . 
     The display unit  145  displays a display screen as a first display screen. Note that the display screen displayed by the local controller  140  is also referred to as a local display screen. 
     The input unit  146  accepts an input of an instruction from a user via a screen displayed on the display unit  145 . 
     The local control unit  147  controls the processing by the local controller  140 . 
     For example, the local control unit  147  causes the display unit  145  to display a display screen on the basis of the screen customizing information  142  stored in the storage unit  141 , and controls the air conditioner  130  in accordance with an instruction input to by the input unit  146 . 
     When the input unit  146  accepts an input instructing the setting for changing the display screen via the screen displayed on the display unit  145 , the local control unit  147  changes the screen customizing information  142  in response to the input instruction, and renews the timestamp to the time at which the change was made. 
     If the screen customizing information  142  is changed, the local control unit  147  generates setting information or first setting information including the changed part, a timestamp, and local controller identification information for identifying the local controller  140 . The local control unit  147  then causes the local communication unit  143  to send the setting information to the server  110 . Here, the changed part includes the item names of the changed items and the content after the change. Note that the content after the change may include changed files. 
     The local control unit  147  generates, in a predetermined cycle, remote confirmation requests, which are requests for confirming whether or not the display screen of the correlated remote controller  160  has been changed. A remote confirmation request includes a timestamp included in the screen customizing information  142  and local controller identification information for identifying the local controller  140 . The predetermined cycle is preferably from one minute to one hour. The local control unit  147  then causes the local communication unit  143  to send the remote confirmation request to the server  110 . 
     Then, when the local communication unit  143  receives remote renewal information or renewal information from the server  110  as a response to the remote confirmation request, the local control unit  147  changes the screen customizing information  142  stored in the storage unit  141  on the basis of the received remote renewal information and changes the display screen displayed on the display unit  145 . Consequently, when the display screen of a correlated remote controller  160  is changed, the display screen displayed on the local controller  140  is also changed to be identical to the display screen changed in the remote controller  160 . 
     Furthermore, when the operating state of the air conditioner  130  changes, the local control unit  147  generates operating state information indicating the operating state after the change and the local controller identification information. The local control unit  147  then causes the local communication unit  143  to send the operating state information to the server  110 . 
     A portion or the entirety of the local control unit  147  described above can be implemented by, for example, a memory  10  and a processor  11 , as illustrated in  FIG. 6A . Such programs may be provided via a network or may be recorded and provided on a recording medium. That is, such programs may be provided as, for example, program products. 
     A portion or the entirety of the local control unit  147  can also be implemented by, for example, a processing circuit  12 , as illustrated in  FIG. 6B . 
     Note that the storage unit  141  can be implemented by, for example, a non-volatile memory. 
     The local communication unit  143  can be implemented by a communication device such as an NIC. 
     The air conditioning communication unit  144  can be implemented by a connection interface for connecting to the air conditioner  130 . 
     The display unit  145  and the input unit  146  can be implemented by, for example, a touch screen. 
       FIG. 9  is a block diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of a remote controller  160 . 
     The remote controller  160  is a second controller including a storage unit  161  as a second storage unit, a remote communication unit  164  as a second communication interface unit, a display unit  165  as a second display unit, an input unit  166  as a second input unit, and a remote control unit  167  as a second control unit. 
     The storage unit  161  stores programs and information necessary for processing by the remote controller  160 . Here, the remote controller  160  is assumed to be the remote controller  160 A illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Note that the remote controller  160 B has the same configuration as that of the remote controller  160 A except for the information stored in the storage unit  161 . 
     For example, the storage unit  161  stores screen customizing information  162 A, screen customizing information  162 B, and correlated operation management information  163 . The screen customizing information  162 A and the screen customizing information  162 B are second screen customizing information for generating a second display screen. 
     Here, the screen customizing information  162 A is identical to the screen customizing information  142  stored in the local controller  140 A, and the screen customizing information  142 B is identical to the screen customizing information  142  stored in the local controller  140 B. Note that, when there is no need to distinguish between the screen customizing information  162 A and  162 B, the screen customizing information  162 A and  162 B is referred to as screen customizing information  162 . 
     In other words, it is assumed that the storage unit  161  of the remote controller  160  includes screen customizing information  162  for every correlated local controller  140 . 
     The screen customizing information  162  has a similar configuration as that of the screen customizing information  142  illustrated in  FIG. 8 . However, it is assumed that the screen customizing information  162  is associated with the local controller identification information for identifying the corresponding local controller  140 . 
     The correlated operation management information  163  is information for managing the operating state of the air conditioner  130  connected to the local controller  140  correlated with the remote controller  160 . 
       FIG. 10  is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the correlated operation management information  163 . 
     The correlated operation management information  163  is information in a table format containing a local controller column  163   a,  an operating state column  163   b,  a temperature setting column  163   c,  and an operation mode column  163   d,  as illustrated in  FIG. 10 . 
     The local controller column  163   a  stores local controller identification information for identifying the local controller  140  correlated with the remote controller  160 . 
     The operating state column  163   b  stores operating state information indicating whether or not the corresponding air conditioner  130  in operation. 
     The temperature setting column  163   c  stores temperature setting information indicating the temperature setting of the corresponding air conditioner  130 . 
     The operation mode column  163   d  stores operation mode information indicating the operation mode of the corresponding air conditioner  130 . 
     To return to  FIG. 9 , the remote communication unit  164  is connected to the second LAN  181  and communicates with the second LAN  181 . 
     The display unit  165  displays a display screen as the second display screen. Note that the display screen displayed by the remote controller is also referred to as a remote display screen. 
     The input unit  166  accepts an input of an instruction from a user via a screen displayed on the display unit  165 . 
     The remote control unit  167  controls the processing by the remote controller  160 . 
     For example, the remote control unit  167  uses a screen displayed on the display unit  165  to accept, via the input unit  166 , a selection of the air conditioner  130  to be controlled, or in other words, the air conditioner  130  to be switched. For example, the name of the air conditioner included in the screen customizing information  162  may be displayed, and the selection of the air conditioner  130  to be controlled may be accepted. The input of such selection corresponds to an input of a switching instruction. 
     The remote control unit  167  then causes the display unit  165  to display a display screen on the basis of the screen customizing information  162  and the correlated operation management information  163  corresponding to the selected air conditioner  130  and being stored in the storage unit  161 , and controls the selected air conditioner  130  in accordance with the instruction accepted by the input unit  166 . In other words, the display screen is switched to one corresponding to the air conditioner  130  to be controlled. 
     When the input unit  166  accepts an input instructing the setting for changing the display screen via the screen displayed on the display unit  165 , the remote control unit  167  changes the associated screen customizing information  162  in response to the input instruction, and renews the timestamp with the time at which the change was made. 
     When the screen customizing information  162  is changed, the remote control unit  167  generates setting information or second setting information including the changed part, the timestamp indicating the time at which the change was made, and the associated local controller identification information. The remote control unit  167  then causes the remote communication unit  164  to send the setting information to the server  110 . Note that the changed part includes the item names of the changed items and the content after the change. 
     The remote control unit  167  generates, in a predetermined cycle, local confirmation requests, which are requests for confirming whether or not the display screen of the correlated local controller  140  has been changed. A local confirmation request includes a timestamp included in the screen customizing information  162  and local controller identification information associated with the screen customizing information  162 . The predetermined cycle is preferably from one minute to one hour. The remote control unit  167  then causes the remote communication unit  164  to send the local confirmation request to the server  110 . 
     Then, when the remote communication unit  164  receives local renewal information or renewal information from the server  110  as a response to the local confirmation request, the remote control unit  167  renews the associated screen customizing information  162  stored in the storage unit  161  on the basis of the received local renewal information. Consequently, when the display screen displayed on the correlated local controller  140  is changed, the display screen displayed on the remote controller  160  is also changed to be identical to the display screen displayed in the local controller  140 . 
     The remote control unit  167  generates, in a predetermined cycle, operation confirmation requests for confirming whether or not the operating state of the air conditioner  130  connected to the correlated local controller  140  has been changed. An operation confirmation request includes remote controller identification information for identifying the remote controller  160 . The predetermined cycle is preferably from one second to 10 seconds. The remote control unit  167  then causes the remote communication unit  164  to send the operation confirmation request to the server  110 . 
     Then, when the remote communication unit  164  receives operating state response information from the server  110  as a response to the operation confirmation request, the remote control unit  167  renews the corresponding information in the correlated operation management information  163  stored in the storage unit  161  on the basis of the received operating state response information. 
     A portion or the entirety of the remote control unit  167  described above can be implemented by, for example, a memory  10  and a processor  11 , as illustrated in  FIG. 6A . Such programs may be provided via a network or may be recorded and provided on a recording medium. That is, such programs may be provided as, for example, program products. 
     A portion or the entirety of the remote control unit  167  can also be implemented by, for example, a processing circuit  12 , as illustrated in  FIG. 6B . 
     Note that the storage unit  161  can be implemented by, for example, a non-volatile memory. 
     The remote communication unit  164  can be implemented by a communication device such as an NIC. 
     The display unit  165  and the input unit  166  can be implemented by, for example, a touch screen. 
       FIG. 11  is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a local controller  140  sending screen customizing information to the server  110 . 
     The operation indicated in  FIG. 11  should be performed once when the screen customizing information  142  is stored in the local controller  140  at the start of the use of the local controller  140 , etc. 
     First, the local control unit  147  sends the screen customizing information  142  stored in the storage unit  141  together with local controller identification information to the server  110  via the local communication unit  143  (step S 10 ). The screen customizing information  142  also includes files identified by file names indicated by the screen customizing information  142 . 
     When the server communication unit  115  receives the screen customizing information  142  and the local controller identification information from the local control unit  147 , the server control unit  118  changes the timestamp column  142   c  of the screen customizing information  142  so that timestamps can be stored in the respective rows and stores the timestamps stored in the timestamp column  142   c  in the respective rows, to generate screen customizing management information  113 # 1  as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , and stores the generated screen customizing management information  113 # 1  in the storage unit  111  as part of the screen management information  113  in association with the received local controller identification information (step S 11 ). 
       FIG. 12  is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the remote controller  160  downloading screen customizing information of the correlated controller from the server  110 . 
     The remote control unit  167  of the remote controller  160  generates a download request including remote controller identification information and causes the remote communication unit  164  to send the download request to the server  110  (step S 20 ). 
     The server control unit  118  of the server  110  that has received the download request refers to the controller management information  112  to determine whether or not an of the local controllers  140  out of the local controllers  140  correlated with the remote controller identification information included in the download request has not transmitted screen customizing information (step S 21 ). If there is such a local controller  140  (Yes in step S 21 ), the process proceeds to step S 22 , and if there is no such local controller  140  (No in step S 21 ), the process proceeds to step S 24 . 
     In step S 22 , the server control unit  118  refers to the controller management information  112  to specify a local controller  140  that has not transmitted screen customizing information out of the local controllers  140  correlated with the remote controller identification information included in the download request, and reads the screen customizing management information of the specified local controller  140  from the screen management information  113 . The server control unit  118  then generates screen customizing information by changing the timestamp column of the read screen customizing management information so that all rows show the same timestamp. Moreover, the server control unit  118  causes the server communication unit  115  to send the generated screen customizing information together with the local controller identification information of the specified local controller  140  to the remote controller  160  that is the request source. The process then proceeds to step S 23 . 
     In step S 23 , the remote controller  160  that has received the screen customizing information and the local controller identification information associates the received screen customizing information with the received local controller identification information and stores the information in the storage unit  161 . 
     In step S 24 , the server control unit  118  causes the server communication unit  115  to send information indicating that there is no associated screen customizing information to the remote controller  160  that is the request source. 
       FIG. 13  is a flowchart illustrating the operation from the transmission of the setting information by the local controller  140  to the updating of the screen customizing information  162  by the remote controller  160 . 
     Note that the operation illustrated in  FIG. 13  is started immediately after the user customizes the display of the local controller  140  and the local control unit  147  renews the screen customizing information  142 . 
     The local control unit  147  of the local controller  140  extracts the item names and the content of the renewed row and the time tamp from the screen customizing information  142 , and generates setting information by adding the local controller identification information of the local controller  140  (step S 30 ). 
     Next, the local control unit  147  causes the local communication unit  143  to send the generated setting information to the server  110  (step S 31 ). 
     The server control unit  118  of the server  110  that has received the setting information specifies, in the screen management information  113 , the screen customizing management information associated with the local controller identification information included in the received setting information (step S 32 ). 
     The server control unit  118  then renews the specified screen customizing management information with the received setting information (step S 33 ). For example, in the screen customizing management information, the server control unit  118  renews the content of the row of the item name corresponding to the item name included in the setting information with the content included in the setting information, and renews the timestamp of the row with the timestamp included in the setting information. 
     Next, to confirm whether or not the display screen of the correlated local controller  140  has been changed, the remote control unit  167  of the remote controller  160  generates a local confirmation request including the timestamp included in the screen customizing information  162  stored in the storage unit  161  and the local controller identification information associated with the screen customizing information  162  (step S 34 ). Here, when the remote controller  160  is correlated with multiple local controllers  140 , the local confirmation request may include information about the multiple local controllers  140  or may include information about one local controller  140 . 
     The remote control unit  167  then causes the remote communication unit  164  to send the local confirmation request to the server  110  (step S 35 ). 
     Next, the server control unit  118  of the server  110  that has received the local confirmation request specifies, in the screen management information  113 , the screen customizing management information associated with the local controller identification information included in the received local confirmation request (step S 36 ). 
     The server control unit  118  then compares the timestamp stored in the timestamp column of the specified screen customizing management information with the timestamp included in the received local confirmation request to determine whether or not the display screen of the local controller  140  has been renewed (step S 37 ). If the display screen has been renewed (Yes in step S 37 ), the process proceeds to step S 38 , and if the display screen has not been renewed (No in step S 37 ), the process ends. 
     In step S 38 , the server control unit  118  generates local renewal information including the item name, the content, the content, and the timestamp of the row renewed in the screen customizing management information, and local controller identification information associated with the screen customizing management information. 
     The server control unit  118  then causes the server communication unit  115  to send the local renewal information to the remote controller  160  that has sent the local confirmation request (step S 39 ). 
     Next, the remote control unit  167  of the remote controller  160  that has received the local renewal information specifies, in the storage unit  161 , the screen customizing information  162  associated with the local controller identification information included in the received local renewal information (step S 40 ). 
     The remote control unit  167  then, in the specified screen customizing information  162 , renews the content of the column corresponding to the item name included in the received local renewal information with the content included in the received local renewal information, and also renews the timestamp column with the timestamp included in the received local renewal information (step S 41 ). 
     Note that, when the screen customizing information  162  corresponding to the display screen displayed on the display unit  165  is renewed, the remote control unit  167  generates a display screen with the renewed content and causes the display unit  165  to display the display screen. 
     Consequently, the remote controller  160  can renew the display screen displayed on the display unit  165  in accordance with the renewal of the display screen of the correlated local controller  140 . 
       FIG. 14  is a flowchart illustrating the operation from the sending of operating state information by the local controller  140  to the updating of correlated operation management information  163  by the remote controller  160 . 
     Note that the operation illustrated in  FIG. 14  is performed periodically. 
     The local control unit  147  of the local controller  140  generates operating state information including information indicating the operating state of the connected air conditioner  130  and local controller identification information (step S 50 ). 
     Next, the local control unit  147  causes the local communication unit  143  to send the generated operating state information to the server  110  (step S 51 ). 
     The server control unit  118  of the server  110  that has received the operating state information specifies the row corresponding to the local controller identification information included in the received operating state information in the operation management information  114 , and renews the information stored in the row with the corresponding information included in the received operating state information (step S 52 ). 
     Next, to confirm the operating state of the correlated local controller  140 , the remote control unit  167  of the remote controller  160  generates an operation confirmation request including the local controller identification information stored in the correlated operation management information  163  stored in the storage unit  161  (step S 53 ). Here, when the remote controller  160  is correlated with multiple local controllers  140 , the operation confirmation request may include local controller identification information of the multiple local controllers  140  or may include local controller identification information of one local controller  140 . 
     The remote control unit  167  then causes the remote communication unit  164  to send the operation confirmation request to the server  110  (step S 54 ). 
     Next, the server control unit  118  of the server  110  that has received the operation confirmation request specifies the operating state from the row corresponding to the local controller identification information included in the received operation confirmation request in the operation management information  114 , and generates operating state response information including the specified operating state information and the corresponding local controller identification information (step S 55 ). 
     The server control unit  118  then causes the server communication unit  115  to send the operating state response information to the remote controller  160  that has sent the operation confirmation request (step S 56 ). 
     Next, the remote control unit  167  of the remote controller  160  that has received the operating state response information renews, in the storage unit  161 , the information in the row corresponding to the local controller identification information included in the received operating state response information with the corresponding information included in the operating state response information (step S 57 ). 
     Note that when the information in the row corresponding to the display screen displayed on the display unit  165  is renewed, the remote control unit  167  generates a display screen with the renewed information and causes the display unit  165  to display the display screen. 
     Consequently, the remote controller  160  can cause the latest operating state of the correlated local controller  140  to appear on the display screen. 
       FIG. 15  is a flowchart illustrating the operation from the transmission of the setting information by the remote controller  160  to the updating of the screen customizing information  142  by the local controller  140 . 
     Note that the operation illustrated in  FIG. 15  starts immediately after the user customizes the display screen of the remote controller  160  and the remote control unit  167  renews the screen customizing information  162 . 
     The remote control unit  167  of the remote controller  160  extracts the item name and the content of the renewed row and the timestamp from the screen customizing information  162 , and generates setting information by adding the local controller identification information associated with the screen customizing information  162  (step S 60 ). 
     Next, the remote control unit  167  causes the remote communication unit  164  to send the generated setting information to the server  110  (step S 61 ). 
     The server control unit  118  of the server  110  that has received the setting information specifies, in the screen management information  113 , the screen customizing management information associated with the local controller identification information included in the received setting information (step S 62 ). 
     The server control unit  118  then renews the specified screen customizing management information with the received setting information (step S 63 ). For example, in the screen customizing management information, the server control unit  118  renews the content of the row of the item name corresponding to the item name included in the setting information with the content included in the setting information, and renews the timestamp of the row with the timestamp included in the setting information. 
     Next, to confirm whether or not the display screen of the correlated remote controller  160  has been changed, the local control unit  147  of the local controller  140  generates a remote confirmation request including the timestamp included in the screen customizing information  142  stored in the storage unit  141  and local controller identification information (step S 64 ). 
     The local control unit  147  then causes the local communication unit  143  to send the remote confirmation request to the server  110  (step S 65 ). 
     Next, the server control unit  118  of the server  110  that has received the remote confirmation request then specifies, in the screen management information  113 , the screen customizing management information associated with the local controller identification information included in the received remote confirmation request (step S 66 ). 
     The server control unit  118  then compares the timestamp stored in the timestamp column of the specified screen customizing management information with the timestamp included in the received remote confirmation request to determine whether or not the display screen of the remote controller  160  has been renewed (step S 67 ). If the display screen has been renewed (Yes in step S 67 ), the process proceeds to step S 68 , and if the display screen has not been renewed (No in step S 67 ), the process ends. 
     In step S 68 , the server control unit  118  generates remote renewal information including the item name, the content, and the timestamp of the renewed row in the screen customizing management information. 
     The server control unit  118  then causes the server communication unit  115  to send the remote renewal information to the local controller  140  that has sent the remote confirmation request (step S 69 ). 
     Next, the local control unit  147  of the local controller  140  that has received the remote renewal information renews, in the screen customizing information  162  stored in the storage unit  141 , the content of the column corresponding to the item name included in the received remote renewal information with the content included in the received remote renewal information and also renews the timestamp column with the timestamp included in the received remote renewal information (step S 70 ). 
     Note that, when the display screen is displayed on the display unit  145 , the local control unit  147  generates a display screen with the renewed content and causes the display unit  145  to display the display screen. 
     Consequently, the local controller  140  can renew the display screen displayed on the display unit  145  in accordance with the renewal of the display screen of the correlated remote controller  160 . 
       FIG. 16  is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen displayed on the local controller  140  and the remote controller  160 . 
     The display screen  190  illustrated in  FIG. 16  is displayed on the basis of the screen customizing information  142  illustrated in  FIG. 8 . 
     The entire display screen  190  is displayed in a bitmap format as the floor image indicated in  FIG. 8 . 
     An object  191   a  of the air conditioner and lines  191   b,    191   c,  and  191   d  representing the layout of a room are drawn in the floor layout indicated in  FIG. 8 . 
     Moreover, the name  191   e  of the air conditioner, the building name  191   f,  and the floor name  191   g  are drawn by determining the coordinates thereof in the floor layout indicated in  FIG. 8  in accordance with the name of the air conditioner indicated in  FIG. 8 , the name of the building indicated in  FIG. 8 , and the floor name indicated in  FIG. 8 , respectively. 
     Note that the operating state  192  of the air conditioner is displayed in accordance with the operating state of the air conditioner  130 . 
     In the embodiments described above, the local controller  140  and the remote controller  160  are described as separate components, but it is preferable that a installed controller be identified either as the local controller  140  or the remote controller  160  in the stage of installation in the air conditioning management system  100 , where the controller includes, for example, a connection interface unit functioning as the air conditioning communication unit  144 , a communication interface unit functioning as the local communication unit  143  or the remote communication unit  164 , a display unit functioning as the display unit  145  or the display unit  165 , an input unit functioning as the input unit  146  or the input unit  166 , a storage unit functioning as the storage unit  141  or the storage unit  161 , and a control unit functioning as the local control unit  147  or the remote control unit  167 . 
     For example, when such a controller is connected to the air conditioner  130 , the controller may function as the local controller  140 , and when the controller is not connected to the air conditioner  130 , the controller may function as the remote controller  160 . Alternatively, the identification of the local controller  140  and the remote controller  160  may be inputted via the input unit. 
     According to the embodiments described above, the customization of the display screen performed at the local controller  140  can be automatically reflected to the display screen of the remote controller  160 , and the customization of the display screen performed at the remote controller  160  can be automatically reflected to the display screen of the local controller  140 . 
     Note that, by allowing controllers having the same configuration to be used as the local controllers  140  and the remote controllers  160 , the local controllers  140  and the remote controllers  160  do not have to be provided separately depending on the configuration of the air conditioning management system  100 , and costs can be reduced through mass production. 
     When the remote controller  160  is correlated with multiple local controllers  140 , the remote controller can switch between and multiple display screens identical to the multiple display screens of the multiple local controllers  140 , and thus the remote controller  160  can control the air conditioner  130  by using the same display screens as those of the local controllers  140 . 
     The local controller  140  sends operating state information indicating the operating state of the air conditioner  130  to the server  110 , and the remote controller  160  receives the operating state response information indicating the operating state of the air conditioner  130  from the server  110 , and thereby the remote controller  160  can display the operating state of the air conditioner  130 .