Patent Description:
There has been provided an air conditioning management system for comprehensively managing (monitoring, controlling, and the like) air conditioners such as an outdoor unit and an indoor unit. In such an air conditioning management system, a data center connected to a network such as the Internet or a public network provides a controller with a management program, and the controller executes the management program (Patent Literature <NUM>: <CIT>). The management program in Patent Literature <NUM> is selected in accordance with device information as information unique to an air conditioner and is provided from the data center.

<CIT> and <CIT> each disclose an air conditioning management system configured to manage a plurality of air conditioners as management targets, the system comprising: a controller connected to the air conditioners and configured to execute a management program for management of the air conditioners, and a server apparatus connected to the controller.

A different program for management of an air conditioner may be applied to each air conditioner as a management target. In an exemplary case where a new air conditioner is introduced, the existing management program included in the controller may fail to achieve sufficient management. Patent Literature <NUM> needs development of a corresponding management program for management of a newly introduced air conditioner. Development of a management program problematically requires enormous work time and processes.

An air conditioning management system according to the invention is set out in claim <NUM>.

In the air conditioning management system according to the invention, the server apparatus provides the air conditioner data model to enable management with use of an identical management program even when a new air conditioner is introduced.

The air conditioning management system can thus manage a new type of the air conditioners introduced to the air conditioning management system with use of the identical management program.

An air conditioning management system according to further aspect of the invention is set out in the dependent claims.

<FIG> is a schematic view depicting a configuration of an air conditioning management system <NUM>. When a plurality of devices having similar functions are commonly described below, identical reference signs will be denoted. An English lower-case subscript will be added to distinguished description of one of the devices having similar functions. For example, indoor units 12a, 12b, and 12c have similar functions, and will be each called an indoor unit <NUM> without using a subscript a, b, and c for common description.

The air conditioning management system <NUM> includes an air conditioner <NUM> as a management target, a controller <NUM> that executes a management program <NUM> for management of the air conditioner <NUM>, and a server apparatus <NUM> that provides an air conditioner data model <NUM> to be referred to in the management program <NUM> and manages the air conditioner <NUM>.

The server apparatus <NUM> herein is installed in a central management center. The server apparatus <NUM> is connected to a communication network <NUM> such as the Internet. The server apparatus <NUM> is connected with a plurality of facilities <NUM> (2a to 2c). Examples of the facilities <NUM> include an office building, a commercial building, and a condominium. Each of the facilities <NUM> is provided with, as management targets, one or a plurality of air conditioners <NUM> that execute cooling operation or heating operation in the facility <NUM>. The air conditioner <NUM> includes an outdoor unit <NUM>, and one or a plurality of indoor units <NUM> (12a, 12b, and 12c). The air conditioner <NUM> is connected with the controller <NUM>. The controller <NUM> is connected to the server apparatus <NUM> via the communication network <NUM> such as the Internet.

In the air conditioning management system <NUM>, the controller <NUM> executes the management program <NUM> to manage the air conditioner <NUM>. Management herein indicates monitoring, operating, or the like of the air conditioner <NUM>. The controller <NUM> executes the management program <NUM> in accordance with the air conditioner data model <NUM> to acquire predetermined data from the air conditioner <NUM>. The air conditioner data model <NUM> is a collection of data on the air conditioner <NUM> (the outdoor unit <NUM> or the indoor unit <NUM>). The air conditioner data model <NUM> is prepared for each type by a manager or the like of the air conditioning management system <NUM>, and is registered at the server apparatus <NUM>. When the air conditioner data model <NUM> is registered at the server apparatus <NUM>, the server apparatus <NUM> provides the controller <NUM> with the air conditioner data model <NUM>. The air conditioning management system <NUM> can thus manage a new type of the air conditioner <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic view depicting a configuration of the air conditioner <NUM>. As described above, the air conditioner <NUM> as the management target of the air conditioning management system <NUM> includes the outdoor unit <NUM>, and the one or the plurality of indoor units <NUM>. The outdoor unit <NUM> is disposed on a roof, in a basement, or the like. The indoor units <NUM> are dispersedly installed on a plurality of floors, in a plurality of rooms, or the like of the facilities <NUM>.

The outdoor unit <NUM> includes a compressor <NUM>, an outdoor heat exchanger <NUM>, an outdoor fan <NUM>, a sensor <NUM>, an outdoor unit controlling unit 11X, and the like. Each of the indoor units 12a, 12b, and 12c includes an indoor heat exchanger <NUM>, an indoor fan <NUM>, a sensor <NUM>, an indoor unit controlling unit 12X (12Xa, 12Xb, and 12Xc), and the like. The outdoor unit <NUM> (the outdoor unit controlling unit 11X) and the indoor unit <NUM> (the indoor unit controlling unit 12X) are connected to each other via a dedicated communication line. The outdoor unit controlling unit 11X and the indoor unit controlling unit 12X cooperatively control operation of each unit in the air conditioner <NUM> in accordance with detection values of the sensors <NUM> and <NUM> or the like. The server apparatus <NUM> collects, via the communication network <NUM>, data on the outdoor unit <NUM> and the indoor unit <NUM> from the outdoor unit controlling unit 11X and the indoor unit controlling unit 12X. The outdoor unit controlling unit 11X transmits and receives the data on the outdoor unit <NUM> and the indoor unit <NUM> to and from the controller <NUM>. The air conditioner <NUM> is managed in accordance with a command inputted to the controlling units 11X and 12X from a remote controller or the like attached to each of the indoor units <NUM> or via the communication network <NUM>, the server apparatus <NUM>, and the controller <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic view depicting functional blocks of devices constituting the air conditioning management system <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> is connected to the outdoor unit controlling unit 11X of the outdoor unit <NUM> to manage the air conditioner <NUM>. The controller <NUM> is a computer for managing the air conditioner <NUM>, and is exemplarily called a gateway or an edge. The controller <NUM> may be constituted by a plurality of computers and devices connected via a network. The controller <NUM> includes a storage unit <NUM>, a communication unit <NUM>, a processing unit 63a, and a connecting unit <NUM>.

The storage unit <NUM> is configured to store various information, and may include a ROM, a RAM, and/or a hard disk, etc. The storage unit <NUM> stores various programs for execution of various functions of the controller <NUM>, and various data for execution of the programs. Specifically, the storage unit <NUM> stores the management program <NUM> for management of the air conditioner <NUM>, the air conditioner data model <NUM> (to be described later) to be referred to in the management program <NUM>, and a conversion function for data conversion. The management program <NUM> may be provided from the server apparatus <NUM> via the communication unit <NUM> to be described later, or may be preliminarily included in the controller <NUM>. The conversion function is used for interconversion between data recognizable by the air conditioner <NUM> and data recognizable by the server apparatus <NUM>. The air conditioner data model <NUM> is linked with information on the conversion function for conversion of each piece of data, and the controller <NUM> uses the conversion function to process data interconversion.

The communication unit <NUM> is an interface or the like for communication with the communication network <NUM> via a public network, a router, or the like (not depicted). The communication unit <NUM> is functioned to achieve communication between the controller <NUM> and the server apparatus <NUM>, of data on the air conditioner <NUM> including various commands. The controller <NUM> receives the air conditioner data model <NUM> from the server apparatus <NUM> via the communication unit <NUM>.

A control unit <NUM> is constituted by a CPU, a cache memory, and the like. The control unit <NUM> cooperates with remaining constituents of the controller <NUM> to control the entire controller <NUM>. The control unit <NUM> includes the processing unit 63a that processes various information in the controller <NUM>. For example, the processing unit 63a acquires data from the outdoor unit <NUM> and the indoor unit <NUM> via the connecting unit <NUM> to store the data in the storage unit <NUM>. The processing unit 63a processes, with use of the conversion function, interconversion between data recognizable by the air conditioner <NUM> and data recognizable by the server apparatus <NUM>. The processing unit 63a causes the communication unit <NUM> to transmit various commands received from the server apparatus <NUM> to the outdoor unit <NUM> and the indoor unit <NUM> at predetermined timing.

The connecting unit <NUM> is an interface to be connected to the outdoor unit controlling unit 11X. The controller <NUM> can thus transmit various commands to the outdoor unit controlling unit 11X and receive data from the outdoor unit controlling unit 11X via the connecting unit <NUM>.

The server apparatus <NUM> is connected to the controller <NUM> via the communication network <NUM> to manage the air conditioner <NUM>. The server apparatus <NUM> is a computer that manages the air conditioner <NUM>, such as a supercomputer, a workstation, a personal computer, or cloud computing. The server apparatus <NUM> includes a storage unit <NUM>, a communication unit <NUM>, a processing unit 43a, an input unit <NUM>, and an output unit <NUM>.

The storage unit <NUM> is configured to store various information, and includes a ROM, a RAM, and/or a hard disk, etc. For example, the storage unit <NUM> stores various programs for execution of various functions of the server apparatus <NUM>, and various data for execution of the programs. Specifically, the storage unit <NUM> stores the management program <NUM>, and the air conditioner data model <NUM> to be referred to in the management program <NUM>. The air conditioner data model <NUM> is stored (registered) at the storage unit <NUM> via the input unit <NUM> to be described later or the communication unit <NUM> to be described later. When the air conditioner data model <NUM> is registered at the storage unit <NUM> of the server apparatus <NUM>, the processing unit 43a provides the air conditioner data model <NUM> to the controller <NUM> via the communication unit <NUM>.

The communication unit <NUM> is an interface or the like for communication with the controller <NUM> and the like via a public network, a router, or the like (not depicted). Specifically, the communication unit <NUM> executes communication with the controller <NUM>, of data on the air conditioner <NUM> including various commands.

A control unit <NUM> is constituted by a CPU, a cache memory, and the like. The control unit <NUM> cooperates with remaining constituents of the server apparatus <NUM> to control the entire server apparatus <NUM>. The control unit <NUM> includes the processing unit 43a that processes various information in the server apparatus <NUM>. For example, the processing unit 43a stores, in the storage unit <NUM>, data on the air conditioner (the outdoor unit <NUM> and the indoor unit <NUM>) as a management target, the data acquired from the controller <NUM>. The processing unit 43a further manages the air conditioner in accordance with the data stored in the storage unit <NUM>.

The input unit <NUM> is an interface for input of information to the server apparatus <NUM>. The input unit <NUM> is implemented by a keyboard, a mouse, and/or a touch screen, etc..

The output unit <NUM> is configured to output various information and is constituted by any type of a display, a speaker, and the like.

The air conditioner data model <NUM> is a collection of data on each type of the air conditioners <NUM>. Each type of the air conditioners <NUM> indicates each model of the outdoor unit <NUM> or the indoor unit <NUM>, and a different model is set for different horse power, capacity, or the like of the outdoor unit <NUM> or the indoor unit <NUM>.

For example, <FIG> is a schematic chart indicating the air conditioner data model <NUM> for the indoor unit 12a. The indoor unit 12a is a single flow indoor unit (type A), and the air conditioner data model <NUM> for the indoor unit 12a includes data on start and stop, set temperature, and suction temperature. <FIG> is a schematic chart indicating the air conditioner data model <NUM> for the indoor unit 12b. The indoor unit 12b is a four-way blowable cassette indoor unit (type B), and the air conditioner data model <NUM> for the indoor unit 12b includes data on start and stop, set temperature, suction temperature, and a human detection state. <FIG> is a schematic chart indicating the air conditioner data model <NUM> for the indoor unit 12c. The indoor unit 12c is a floorstanding indoor unit (type C), and the air conditioner data model <NUM> for the indoor unit 12c includes data on start and stop, set temperature, suction temperature, and floor temperature. The air conditioner data model <NUM> for the indoor unit <NUM> can obviously include any other data. Each piece of data is linked with items such as "Input/Output", Data Type", and "Property (Attribute)" to indicate data on the indoor unit 12a, 12b, and 12c in more detail.

Specifically, the item "Input/Output" indicates that the data is an input value or an output value. The item "Data Type" indicates whether acquired data is analog data or binary data.

The item "Property (Attribute)" includes a current value indicating a current state of the air conditioner <NUM>, an environmental state around the air conditioner <NUM>, and a set value. The current value includes data acquired by the controller <NUM> from the air conditioner <NUM> via the connecting unit <NUM>. A minimum value and a maximum value indicates a minimum value and a maximum value of a manageable value for the type. The minimum value and the maximum value exemplarily indicates a minimum value and a maximum value of the set temperature for the air conditioner <NUM>. An initial value indicates a value initially set for the type. A stride indicates a stride of a manageable set value for the type. OPC indicates a communication command set for the type. Type of OPC indicates information for specification of the air conditioner <NUM> in accordance with the communication command. Date Converter indicates information on the conversion function used for conversion of the data item.

The information on the conversion function enables selection of one of a plurality of conversion functions stored in the controller <NUM>. Examples of the information on the conversion function include a function ID preliminarily set for each of the conversion functions.

Described hereinafter is a method of providing the air conditioner data model <NUM>.

In the air conditioning management system <NUM>, the controller <NUM> stores, in the storage unit <NUM>, the management program <NUM> for management of the air conditioner <NUM>. The manager or the like of the air conditioning management system <NUM> prepares the air conditioner data model <NUM> on an air conditioner newly introduced, and stores the air conditioner data model <NUM> thus prepared in the storage unit <NUM> of the server apparatus <NUM>. The model is stored in the storage unit <NUM> of the server apparatus <NUM> when the manager or the like transmits the air conditioner data model <NUM> from a computer, a tablet terminal, or the like for the manager to the communication unit <NUM> of the server apparatus <NUM> via the communication network <NUM> such as the Internet. When the new air conditioner data model <NUM> is stored (registered) at the storage unit <NUM>, the processing unit 43a of the server apparatus <NUM> transmits the air conditioner data model <NUM> from the communication unit <NUM> to the communication unit <NUM> of the controller <NUM> via the communication network <NUM> such as the Internet. The processing unit 63a of the controller <NUM> stores the air conditioner data model <NUM> thus received in the storage unit <NUM>. The controller <NUM> can thus execute the management program <NUM> with reference to the air conditioner data model <NUM>. At this time, the controller <NUM> may acquire the conversion function as information for execution of the program.

The controller <NUM> acquires data from the air conditioner <NUM> via the connecting unit <NUM>. The data thus acquired is stored in a predetermined region of the air conditioner data model <NUM> indicated in <FIG>.

The server apparatus <NUM> communicates with the controller <NUM> upon receipt of a request acquired via the input unit <NUM> or the communication unit <NUM> or at intervals of predetermined time, and manages the air conditioner <NUM> in accordance with the air conditioner data model <NUM> stored in the controller <NUM>. Managing the air conditioner <NUM> includes monitoring the air conditioner <NUM> or transmitting a command or the like to the air conditioner <NUM> or a different device. At this time, the processing unit 63a of the controller <NUM> refers to the information on the conversion function included in the air conditioner data model <NUM> to convert data in accordance with the conversion function. Specifically, the processing unit 63a convers data stored in the predetermined region of the air conditioner data model <NUM> to data recognizable by the server apparatus <NUM> in accordance with the conversion function included in the air conditioner data model <NUM>.

(<NUM>-<NUM>) The air conditioning management system <NUM> according to the present disclosure manages the plurality of air conditioners <NUM> (the outdoor unit <NUM> and the indoor units <NUM>) as management targets. The air conditioning management system <NUM> includes the controller <NUM> and the server apparatus <NUM>. The controller <NUM> is connected to the air conditioners <NUM>. The controller <NUM> executes the management program <NUM> for management of the air conditioners <NUM>. The controller <NUM> is connected to the server apparatus via the network. The server apparatus <NUM> is connected to the controller <NUM>. The server apparatus <NUM> provides the controller <NUM> with the air conditioner data model <NUM> as a collection of data on the air conditioners to be referred to in the management program <NUM>. The air conditioner data model <NUM> is provided for each type of the air conditioners <NUM>. The air conditioner data model <NUM> includes the information on the conversion function for interconversion between data acquired from the air conditioners and data recognizable by the server apparatus.

When the air conditioner data model <NUM> is registered at the server apparatus <NUM> in the air conditioning management system <NUM>, the server apparatus <NUM> provides the controller <NUM> with the air conditioner data model <NUM>.

In a conventional air conditioning management system, the management program <NUM> has been prepared in accordance with information (the air conditioner data model <NUM>) unique to the air conditioners. The existing management program <NUM> thus prepared may occasionally fail to achieve sufficient management when a new air conditioner is introduced to the air conditioning management system. In an exemplary case where a new type of the air conditioners is introduced to the air conditioning management system, it has been necessary to develop a management program for the new type of the air conditioners. Development of a management program problematically requires enormous work time and processes.

In view of this, the air conditioning management system <NUM> according to the present disclosure is configured as described above to start management of a new air conditioner <NUM> added to the air conditioning management system <NUM>, without development of any new management program <NUM>. Accordingly, the air conditioning management system <NUM> can continuously manage the air conditioners <NUM>.

The air conditioner data model <NUM> includes the information on the conversion function to achieve interconversion between data acquired from the air conditioners and data recognizable by the server apparatus.

In the air conditioning management system <NUM> according to the present disclosure, the controller <NUM> may provide the air conditioner data model <NUM> in the following manner.

Initially, the manager or the like of the air conditioning management system <NUM> prepares the air conditioner data model <NUM> for an air conditioner newly introduced, and stores the air conditioner data model <NUM> thus prepared in the storage unit <NUM> of the server apparatus <NUM>. The model is stored in the storage unit <NUM> of the server apparatus <NUM> when the manager or the like transmits the air conditioner data model <NUM> from a computer, a tablet terminal, or the like for the manager to the communication unit <NUM> of the server apparatus <NUM> via the communication network <NUM> such as the Internet.

Subsequently, the air conditioner is installed in one of the facilities <NUM>, and the outdoor unit controlling unit of the air conditioner and the connecting unit <NUM> of the controller <NUM> are connected to each other. The controller <NUM> acquires type information on the outdoor unit and the indoor unit of the air conditioner via the connecting unit <NUM>. The controller <NUM> transmits the type information acquired from the air conditioner to the server apparatus <NUM> via the communication network <NUM>, to request transmission of the air conditioner data model corresponding to the type information. When the server apparatus <NUM> transmits the air conditioner data model to the controller <NUM> in response to this request, the controller <NUM> is provided with the air conditioner data model for the new air conditioner.

Claim 1:
An air conditioning management system (<NUM>) configured to manage a plurality of air conditioners (<NUM>) as management targets, the system comprising:
a controller (<NUM>) connected to the air conditioners (<NUM>) and configured to execute a management program (<NUM>) for management of the air conditioners (<NUM>); and
a server apparatus (<NUM>) connected to the controller (<NUM>),
characterized in that
the server apparatus is configured to, for each type of the air conditioners, provide the controller (<NUM>) with an air conditioner data model (<NUM>) as a collection of data on the air conditioners (<NUM>) to be referred to in the management program (<NUM>).