Management system, indication method, controller for air conditioner

Abstract

The present invention reduces the amount of communication between a controller and a server device. The present invention is a management system including a controller capable of communicating with a first air conditioner and a second air conditioner different in model from the first air conditioner, and a server device capable of communicating with the controller, wherein a control section of the controller transmits an instruction corresponding to the model of the first air conditioner or the second air conditioner to the first air conditioner or the second air conditioner upon receiving the instruction from the server device.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a management system, an instruction method, and a controller. BACKGROUND

[0002] A management system is known in which a device such as an air conditioner provided on a customer side is connected to a controller, and the controller communicates with a server device arranged in a cloud or the like via a network. In the management system, the server device is able to monitor the device, or a manager is able to operate a user terminal such as a PC to display the state of the device.

[0003] A system is known in which an air conditioner is connected to a network, and the air conditioner is controlled from a remote location (see, for example, Patent Literature 1).

[0004] <RELATED ART DOCUMENTS>

[0005] <PATENT LITERATURES>

[0006] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2021-135915 SUMMARY

[0007] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0008] However, in the case of the existing system, since the server device transmits specific control content for controlling the air conditioner, the amount of communication between the controller and the server device sometimes increases.

[0009] An object of the present application is to reduce the amount of communication between the controller and the server device.

[0010] MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS

[0011] The management system in the first aspect of the present application includes:

[0012] a controller capable of communicating with a first air conditioner and a second air conditioner of a different model from the first air conditioner; and a server device capable of communicating with the controller,

[0013] a control section of the controller transmits an instruction corresponding to the model of the first air conditioner or the second air conditioner to the first air conditioner or the second air conditioner when the instruction is received from the server device.

[0014] According to the first aspect of the present application, it is possible to reduce the amount of communication between the controller and the server device.

[0015] The management system in the second aspect of the present application is the management system described in the second aspect,

[0016] The first air conditioner stores a program corresponding to the first control, and the second air conditioner does not store the program,

[0017] The control section of the controller instructs the first air conditioner to the first control and instructs the second air conditioner to a second control that is a substitute for the first control, when receiving an instruction associated with the first control from the server device.

[0018] The management system in the third aspect of the present application is the management system in the second aspect,

[0019] The second control is an operation setting of the second air conditioner set by the control section of the controller.

[0020] The management system in the fourth aspect of the present application is the management system in the second aspect or the third aspect,

[0021] The control section of the controller instructs the first air conditioner to execute the program as the first control, when receiving an inspection instruction as an instruction associated with the first control from the server device.

[0022] The management system in the fifth aspect of the present application is the management system in the fourth aspect,

[0023] The program is a pre-season inspection program for confirming whether or not an air conditioner has a failure when the air conditioner is stopped for a certain period.

[0024] The management system in the sixth aspect of the present application is the management system in the fourth aspect,

[0025] The program performs control that is decided in advance for predicting a failure of each component possessed by the first air conditioner.

[0026] The management system in the seventh aspect of the present application is the management system in the second aspect,

[0027] The control section of the controller instructs the first air conditioner to restart the control section and instructs the second air conditioner to stop and restart operation based on remote control, when receiving an instruction of restarting the control section as an instruction associated with the first control from the server device.

[0028] The management system in the eighth aspect of the present application is the management system in the second aspect,

[0029] The control section of the controller instructs the first air conditioner to emergency operation and instructs the second air conditioner of the multi-system to stop an outdoor unit having a failure, when receiving an instruction of emergency operation as an instruction associated with the first control from the server device.

[0030] The management system in the ninth aspect of the present application is an instruction method by a management system including a controller capable of communicating with a first air conditioner and a second air conditioner different in model from the first air conditioner, and a server device capable of communicating with the controller,

[0031] The control section of the controller transmits an instruction corresponding to the model of the first air conditioner or the second air conditioner to the first air conditioner or the second air conditioner when the instruction is received from the server device.

[0032] According to the ninth aspect of the present application, the amount of communication between the controller and the server device can be reduced.

[0033] The management system in the tenth aspect of the present application is a controller that communicates with a server device and a first air conditioner storing a program corresponding to a first control and a second air conditioner different in model from the first air conditioner,

[0034] The second air conditioner does not store the program,

[0035] The control section of the controller instructs the first air conditioner to the first control and the second air conditioner to a second control that is a substitute for the first control when an instruction associated with the first control is received from the server device.

[0036] According to the tenth aspect of the present application, the amount of communication between the controller and the server device can be reduced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0037] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an instruction method of an apparatus using a management system.

[0038] Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of a system structure of a management system.

[0039] Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware structure of an edge device.

[0040] Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware structure of a server device.

[0041] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating a flow of an overall process related to a point inspection instruction.

[0042] Figure 6 is an example of a functional block diagram illustrating a division of functions of a first model, a second model, an edge device, and a server device in a management system into modules.

[0043] Figure 7 Fig. 1 is an example of a diagram showing model determination information stored in a model determination information storage section.

[0044] Figure 8 Fig. 2 is an example of a sequence chart illustrating a process in which the edge device switches the point inspection instruction from the server device to an instruction corresponding to the model of the device and transmits it to the device.

[0045] Figure 9 Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating a flow of the overall process when an anomaly occurs (modification example 1).

[0046] Figure 10 Fig. 4 is an example of a functional block diagram illustrating a division of the functions of the first model, the second model, the edge device, and the server device in the management system into modules (modification example 1).

[0047] Figure 11 Fig. 5 is an example of a diagram showing anomaly code information stored in an anomaly code storage section.

[0048] Figure 12 Fig. 6 is an example of a sequence chart illustrating a process in which the edge device switches the microcomputer reset instruction from the server device to an instruction corresponding to the model of the device and transmits it to the device.

[0049] Figure 13 Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating a flow of the overall process when an anomaly occurs (modification example 2).

[0050] Figure 14 Fig. 8 is an example of a functional block diagram illustrating a division of the functions of the first model, the second model, the edge device, and the server device in the management system into modules (modification example 2).

[0051] Figure 15 Fig. 9 is an example of a diagram showing emergency operation information stored in an emergency operation information storage section.

[0052] Figure 16A Fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating one sensor substitution in the three modes of emergency operation.

[0053] Figure 16B Fig. 11 is a diagram illustrating one component substitution in the three modes of emergency operation.

[0054] Figure 16C Fig. 12 is a diagram illustrating one function shielding in the three modes of emergency operation.

[0055] Figure 17 Fig. 13 is an example of a sequence chart illustrating a process in which the edge device switches the emergency operation instruction from the server device to an instruction corresponding to the model of the device and transmits it to the device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0056] Hereinafter, as an example of a mode for implementing the present application, the management system and the instruction method performed by the management system will be described.

[0057] <Outline of the operation of the management system>

[0058] First, referring to Figure 1 , the transmission processing of the instruction from the management system 100 to the equipment will be described. Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating the instruction method of the equipment of which the outline of the use of the management system 100 is illustrated. In the present application, the instruction is transmitted from the server device 60 to the edge device 10, the edge device 10 judges the model of the first model 30a (an example of the second air conditioner), the second model 30b (an example of the first air conditioner) of the control object, and switches to the instruction corresponding to the model. In the present application, the model of the equipment is mainly judged. The model can include the difference between the new model and the old model. In addition, hereinafter, the equipment will be referred to as the first model 30a, the second model 30b according to the difference in the model, and an arbitrary equipment will be referred to as the equipment 30. In addition, in the case of simply referred to as the equipment 30, the outdoor unit is mainly meant, but the equipment 30 sometimes includes the indoor unit.

[0059] The instruction transmitted from the server device 60 to the edge device 10 mainly includes the pre-season point inspection instruction, the microcomputer reset, and the emergency operation, and the like. In Figure 1 , the outline of the processing in the case of the pre-season point inspection instruction will be described.

[0060] (1) When the date and time set in advance are reached, the server device 60 transmits the point inspection instruction to the edge device 10.

[0061] (2) The edge device 10 judges whether the equipment 30 is the first model or the second model based on the model name or the like acquired from the first model 30a and the second model 30b for the point inspection instruction (an example of the instruction associated with the first control), and switches to the instruction corresponding to the model.

[0062] (3) In the case of the instruction being the point inspection instruction, the edge device 10 transmits the instruction (an example of the second control) of the operation setting (cooling and heating mode, set temperature, air volume, and the like) to the first model 30a. Since the first model 30a does not have the pre-season point inspection program, the edge device 10 transmits the instruction to replace the pre-season point inspection program.

[0063] (4) The edge device 10 instructs the execution of the pre-season point inspection program (an example of the first control) to the second model 30b.

[0064] Assuming that the model is judged by the server device 60 and the indication corresponding to the model is transmitted, in this case, the execution of the operation setting and the pre-season point inspection procedure is instructed from the server device 60 to the edge device 10 respectively. In the present application, however, only one point inspection instruction is transmitted from the server device 60 to the edge device 10, so that the amount of communication between the server device 60 and the edge device 10 can be reduced. Further, the operation processing (judgment of the specific instruction corresponding to each model) of the server device 60 can be reduced. Conventionally, it was judged by the edge device 10 what kind of instruction was accepted according to the model of the equipment 30, and the switching of the instruction was not performed.

[0065] Further, as described later in detail, in the case where the instruction is the reset of the microcomputer, the edge device 10 transmits the instruction to stop and restart the operation of the first model 30a from the remote controller 51 (an abbreviation of the remote controller) via the indoor unit 50 to the first model 30a, and transmits the instruction to reset the microcomputer of the outdoor unit to the second model 30b.

[0066] In the case where the instruction is the emergency operation, the first model 30a is limited to the multi-system (a system in which two or more outdoor units are connected), and the edge device 10 transmits the instruction to stop the outdoor unit in which the failure has occurred and to continue the operation of the normal outdoor unit. To the second model 30b, the edge device 10 transmits the instruction to execute the function to be used instead of the function in which the failure has occurred.

[0067] <LANGUAGE>

[0068] The pre-season point inspection procedure is a procedure for confirming whether or not the air conditioner has a failure when the air conditioner is stopped for a certain period. The certain period is assumed to be several months. The pre-season point inspection procedure can forcibly generate a state of a component that is not generated in the normal operation. The operation based on the pre-season point inspection procedure is referred to as a trial operation. The pre-season point inspection procedure can be executed even without the certain period.

[0069] The model is a kind of air conditioner. The difference in the model means a difference caused by the presence or absence of a certain function when the function is focused on. The difference in the model can be judged from the model name, the type number, or the manufacturing number, or the like.

[0070] The instruction from the server device means a delivery of a process to be performed by the edge device 10. The instruction can also be expressed as a command, a control, a command, an instruction, a request, or the like.

[0071] <SYSTEM STRUCTURE OF MANAGEMENT SYSTEM>

[0072] Next, the system structure of the management system 100 will be described with reference to Figure 2 The system structure of the management system 100 will be described. Figure 2Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration of a management system 100.

[0073] The management system 100 provides various services for efficient use of IoT from a manager to a general user by making various devices 30 such as air conditioners, lighting, and the like communicate with the server device 60 on the cloud side via a network N. The edge device 10, the devices 30, the sensor switch class 53, and the user terminal 70 are disposed on the customer side, and the server device 60 is disposed in a data center, the Internet, or the like on the cloud.

[0074] The devices 30 refer to all devices that consume electric power, such as air conditioners, security devices, heat source devices, fire alarms, AHUs (air handling units), electric meters, lighting, and the like. The sensor switch class 53 is various sensors, lamps, relays, and the like. The devices 30 and the sensor switch class 53 are communicably connected to the edge device 10 via a dedicated cable or a network such as a LAN. The devices 30 and the sensor switch class 53 can also be communicably connected to the edge device 10 by wireless communication.

[0075] The devices 30 and the sensor switch class 53 are controlled by the edge device 10. In other words, the edge device 10 exerts a required operation on the devices 30 and the sensor switch class 53 to meet the purposes of the devices 30 and the sensor switch class 53. The contents of the control vary depending on the kinds of the devices 30 and the sensor switch class 53, but for example, in a case where the devices 30 are air conditioners, all controls related to the functions possessed by the air conditioners, such as a cool / warm mode, a set temperature, an air volume, a humidity, an air direction, and the like that can be generally set in the air conditioners, can be included. Further, in the control, there are also action modes such as a seasonal pre-inspection dedicated mode, a microcomputer reset, a stop of operation, and a substitute for a function, and the like.

[0076] The devices 30 collect operation data corresponding to the devices 30 and mainly transmit the operation data to the edge device 10 periodically. The periodicity is, for example, once per 1 minute, once per 10 minutes, once per 60 minutes, or the like, but can be set by a user or the server device 60. Further, the devices 30 can transmit the operation data to the edge device 10 by a request from the edge device 10 or the user terminal 70. The operation data varies depending on the devices 30, and for example, in a case of air conditioners, there are various data such as a high-pressure pressure of a refrigerant, a low-pressure pressure of the refrigerant, a temperature of the refrigerant, a rotation speed of a fan, a CPU temperature of a microcomputer, and the like.

[0077] Further, the devices 30 transmit an abnormality code to the edge device 10 in a case where an abnormality is detected. The device 30 that detects the abnormality stops operation. The edge device 10 transmits the abnormality code to the server device 60. As for the sensor switch class 53, the processing of the edge device 10 can also be the same. The sensor switch class 53 mainly transmits information of the own device to the edge device 10 periodically or transmits an abnormality code.

[0078] In addition, the second model 30b can detect a prediction of a failure by a failure prediction engine possessed by itself, and transmit a prediction code to the edge device 10. Details of the failure code and the prediction code are described later.

[0079] The edge device 10 is a controller of the device 30 and the sensor switch class 53. The edge device 10 has a function as a control device of the device 30 and the sensor switch class 53, an information processing device that processes operation data and the like, and a communication device that communicates with the server device 60. The edge device 10, for example, transmits an abnormality code received from the device 30 to the server device 60, and receives an instruction corresponding to the abnormality code from the server device 60. Alternatively, the edge device 10 receives an instruction from the server device 60 even if it does not transmit any information to the server device 60 (for example, in a case where there is an instruction from the user terminal 70 to the server device 60). The edge device 10 transforms the instruction into an appropriate instruction according to the model of the device 30 and the sensor switch class 53, and transmits it to the device 30 and the sensor switch class 53.

[0080] The server device 60 is one or more information processing devices. Although one server device 60 is shown in Figure 2 The server device 60 can be configured by dividing it into several according to functions. In addition, the server device 60 can also be configured by gathering its functions by one information processing device. Furthermore, the server device 60 can also be prepared by a plurality of server devices of the same function, and the plurality of server devices 60 can process while communicating like a server cluster.

[0081] The server device 60 receives an abnormality code and the like transmitted from the edge device 10 via the network N, and generates a necessary instruction. For example, for the abnormality code, the server device 60 instructs the edge device 10 to perform emergency operation regardless of the model of the device 30. In addition, the server device 60 can also transmit an instruction to the device 30 to the edge device 10 according to a schedule or an operation set by the user terminal 70.

[0082] The server device 60 also has a function of a Web server. The Web server provides a client with screen information described in an HTML file, XML, a CSS file, JavaScript (registered trademark), and the like in response to a request from a client software (Web client) such as a Web browser operated by a user at hand. An application that uses a Web mechanism like this is called a Web application.

[0083] In addition, the server device 60 preferably supports cloud computing. Cloud computing refers to a usage method of utilizing resources on a network regardless of specific hardware resources. Cloud computing provides data, software that was utilized in a computer at hand of a user in the past to the user as a service via a network. The user side can utilize various services from any terminal by preparing a Web browser that operates in a personal computer, a portable information terminal, or the like, and an Internet connection environment, or the like.

[0084] The user terminal 70 is a client terminal that displays various screens provided by the server device 60. The user terminal 70 can be used by a manager or a general user. The manager includes a manager on the client side and a manager on the management system side, but the present application does not distinguish between them. In addition, the manager is a person who performs maintenance and management that is not performed by a general user who uses the device 30 on a daily basis.

[0085] The screen displayed by the user terminal 70 is various, but as an example, there are a list screen of the device 30 and the sensor switch group 53 connected to the edge device 10 on the client side, a company internal map that shows a place where the device 30 and the sensor switch group 53 are disposed, and an operation screen that operates the device 30 and the sensor, and the like.

[0086] The user terminal 70 is, for example, a PC (Personal Computer), a smart phone, a tablet terminal, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a wearable PC (sunglasses type, watch type, or the like), or the like. However, it is sufficient as long as it has a communication function and a Web browser operates. In addition, in the user terminal 70, a local application dedicated to the management system 100 can operate instead of the Web browser.

[0087] Hardware structure of edge device and server device

[0088] Next, with reference to Figure 3 The hardware structure of the edge device 10 will be described. Figure 3 is a drawing that shows an example of the hardware structure of the edge device 10. As Figure 3 indicated, the edge device 10 has a processor 201, a memory 202, an auxiliary storage device 203, an I / F (Interfae) device 204, a communication device 205, and a driver device 206. In addition, each hardware of the edge device 10 is connected to each other via a bus 207.

[0089] The processor 201 has various arithmetic devices such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The processor 201 reads various programs onto the memory 202 and executes them. The processor 201 corresponds to the control section 110 that controls the entire edge device 10.

[0090] The memory 202 has a main storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The processor 201 and the memory 202 form a so-called computer, and the processor 201 executes various programs read onto the memory 202.

[0091] The auxiliary storage device 203 stores various programs and various data used when the various programs are executed by the processor 201.

[0092] The I / F device 204 is a connection device that connects the device 30, the sensor switch 53, and the like, which are examples of external devices, to the edge device 10.

[0093] The communication device 205 is a communication device that communicates with the server device 60 via the network N.

[0094] The drive device 206 is a device that sets a recording medium 210. The recording medium 210 described herein includes a medium that records information optically, electrically, or magnetically, such as a CD-ROM, a floppy disk, and an optical magnetic disk. In addition, the recording medium 210 can include a semiconductor memory that electrically records information, such as a ROM and a flash memory.

[0095] In addition, the various programs installed in the auxiliary storage device 203 are installed, for example, by setting the distributed recording medium 210 in the drive device 206, and reading the various programs recorded in the recording medium 210 by the drive device 206. Alternatively, the various programs installed in the auxiliary storage device 203 can be installed by being downloaded from the network N via the communication device 205.

[0096] On the other hand, Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware structure of the server device 60. In addition, the hardware structure of the server device 60 is substantially the same as the hardware structure of the edge device 10, and thus, here, the differences from the hardware structure of the edge device 10 are mainly described.

[0097] The processor 221 reads various programs onto the memory 222 and executes them.

[0098] The I / F device 224 is a connection device that connects the display device 230, which is an example of an external device, the operation device 240, and the server device 60. The display device 230 displays the internal state of the server device 60. The operation device 240 is used when the administrator of the server device 60 inputs various instructions to the server device 60.

[0099] The communication device 225 is a communication device that communicates with the edge device 10 and the user terminal 70 via the network N.

[0100] <Flow of the entire point inspection instruction>

[0101] Figure 5 is a diagram that explains the flow of the entire processing related to the point inspection instruction. Hereinafter, the flow of the processing will be explained.

[0102] (1) The server device 60 detects a preset timing (change of season, etc.) and automatically sends a point inspection guide mail to the administrator of the customer.

[0103] (2) When the administrator of the customer determines that the pre-season trial operation should be performed by mail, the point inspection date and time are set in the server device 60. In addition, it can not necessarily be mail, but can be contacted by telephone or SNS.

[0104] (3) The server device 60 sends a point inspection instruction to the edge device 10 at the set point inspection date and time.

[0105] (4) The edge device 10 switches the point inspection instruction according to the model of the equipment 30 and sends it to each equipment 30. Details will be described later, the first model 30a is instructed to operate the setting (cooling and heating mode, set temperature, air volume, etc.).

[0106] (5) The second model 30b is instructed to execute the pre-season point inspection procedure.

[0107] (6) The second model 30b is installed with the pre-season point inspection procedure, so the trial operation is performed. In addition, since the pre-season point inspection procedure includes a failure prediction engine, the operation data is predicted for failure. When a failure is predicted, a prediction code is generated.

[0108] (7) Since the first model 30a is not installed with the pre-season point inspection procedure, the edge device 10 predicts a failure for the operation data by the failure prediction engine.

[0109] (8) The server device 60 sends the inspection result (prediction code or normal) based on the point inspection result saved in the failure prediction storage section 64 to the customer by mail or the like.

[0110] <About the functions>

[0111] Next, with reference toFigure 6 The functional configuration of each device possessed by the management system 100 will be described in detail. Figure 6 is an example of a functional block diagram in which the functions of the first model 30a, the second model 30b, the edge device 10, and the server device 60 in the management system 100 are divided into modules.

[0112] << First Model >>

[0113] The first model 30a has a communication section 31, an abnormality detection section 32, a model management section 33, an operation section 34, and an operation data collection section 35. These sections possessed by the first model 30a are functions or units realized by the control of the air conditioning mechanism of the indoor unit 50 or the outdoor unit possessed by the equipment 30 or the microcomputer executing the program of the command of the device 30.

[0114] The communication section 31 communicates with the edge device 10 via a dedicated cable or a network. In the present application, the communication section 31 transmits operation data to the edge device 10 or receives operation settings from the edge device 10.

[0115] The abnormality detection section 32 detects the state of a component that cannot continue operation, such as a non-functioning actuator or an abnormal value of the temperature of the refrigerant, and generates an abnormality code corresponding to the content of the state. In addition, the abnormality detection can be performed by the edge device 10.

[0116] The model management section 33 manages the model of the own device and automatically transmits model information to the edge device 10 in response to a request from the edge device 10 or at the time of startup or the like. As the model information, there are a model name, a model number, a manufacturing number, and the like, as long as it is information that can judge the model.

[0117] The operation section 34 controls the outdoor unit and the indoor unit 50, respectively, and performs air conditioning operation corresponding to the cooling and heating mode, the set temperature, the air volume, and the like set by the user through the remote controller 51 or the like.

[0118] The operation data collection section 35 collects operation data indicating the state of the equipment 30 from the indoor unit 50 and the outdoor unit, for example, periodically. The operation data is various, such as the high-pressure pressure of the refrigerant, the low-pressure pressure of the refrigerant, the temperature of the refrigerant, the rotation speed of the fan, and the CPU temperature of the microcomputer.

[0119] Next, the second model 30b will be described. The second model 30b has a communication section 31, an abnormality detection section 32, a model management section 33, an operation section 34, an operation data collection section 35, a failure prediction engine, and a trial operation execution section 37. In addition, the communication section 31, the abnormality detection section 32, the model management section 33, the operation section 34, and the operation data collection section 35 can have the same functions as those of the first model 30a.

[0120] The seasonal-preliminary inspection program 40 is installed in the second model 30b. The seasonal-preliminary inspection program 40 is a program for operating the device 30 in a mode dedicated to the inspection. The failure prediction engine 36 and the trial operation execution section 37 are implemented by the seasonal-preliminary inspection program 40.

[0121] The failure prediction engine 36 has a function of predicting a failure. By the prediction of a failure, a state that is likely to cause a failure although the operation is possible is detected, rather than an abnormality that is a degree of inability to continue the operation. In contrast, a state that is difficult to continue the operation is referred to as a failure. The failure prediction engine 36 refers to a recognition model that is learned by a deep learning or the like so as to output a possibility of a failure with respect to the operation data, with the correspondence between the operation data and the occurrence of a failure or the non-occurrence of a failure as learning data of the machine learning. The failure prediction engine 36 outputs a possibility (probability) of a failure with respect to the input operation data. The failure prediction engine 36 judges that a failure is predicted in a case where the probability exceeds a threshold value.

[0122] The machine learning is a technology of making a computer have a learning ability like a human being, and refers to a technology of making a computer autonomously generate an algorithm required for a judgment such as data recognition, with respect to learning data taken in advance, and making a prediction with respect to new data by applying the algorithm. The learning method for the machine learning can be any one of supervised learning, unsupervised learning, semi-supervised learning, reinforcement learning, deep learning, and further, a learning method in which these learning methods are combined, and the learning method for the machine learning is not limited. The method of the machine learning is not limited to the methods described in the present application, and includes a perceptron, deep learning, a support vector machine, logistic regression, naive Bayes, a decision tree, a random forest, and the like.

[0123] The trial operation execution section 37 forcibly generates a state in which the components of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit 50 can be inspected. The failure prediction engine 36 can also detect the prediction of a failure with respect to the operation data in the trial operation. The inspection performed before the season in which the air conditioner is mainly used in summer and winter is referred to as a seasonal-preliminary inspection. However, the trial operation can be performed even before the season. The seasonal-preliminary inspection program can forcibly generate a state of the components that is not generated in the normal operation. As an example, the seasonal-preliminary inspection performs whether the expansion valve is opened and closed within a prescribed movable range, whether the compressor can generate a prescribed pressure, whether the electromagnetic valve can be opened and closed, whether an arbitrary actuator operates as instructed, and the like.

[0124] <<Edge Device>>

[0125] The edge device 10 has a communication section 11, 15, an instruction switching section 12, a failure prediction engine 14, and a model judgment information storage section 13. These sections of the edge device 10 are implemented by a computer, and the like. Figure 3Any of the illustrated constituent elements implements a function or a unit that is performed according to a command from the processor 201 that expands a program from the auxiliary storage device 203 into the memory 202. Further, the model judgment information storage 13 is constructed by Figure 3 The auxiliary storage device 203 and the like illustrated.

[0126] The communication section 15 communicates with the first model 30a and the second model 30b via a dedicated cable or a network. In the present application, the communication section 15 receives operation data from the first model 30a and the second model 30b. Further, the communication section 15 transmits operation settings to the first model 30a and instructs the execution of the pre-seasonal inspection procedure 40 to the second model 30b.

[0127] Further, the communication section 11 communicates with the server device 60 via the network N. In the present application, the communication section 11 receives an inspection instruction from the server device 60.

[0128] The instruction switching section 12 switches the content of the instruction according to the model of the device 30 of the transmission destination, with respect to the pre-seasonal inspection instruction received from the server device 60. In the case of the second model 30b, the instruction switching section 12 transmits the execution of the pre-seasonal inspection procedure 40 (instruction to shift to the inspection-dedicated mode). In the case where the device 30 is the first model, the instruction switching section 12 generates and instructs operation settings (cooling and heating modes, set temperature, air volume, and the like) of the first model 30a that become a substitute for the pre-seasonal inspection procedure 40. By substitute, it means to use one item as another item. In detail, the operation settings are operation modes in which it is not possible to confirm with the precision of the pre-seasonal inspection procedure, but it is possible to detect abnormalities within a possible range.

[0129] The function of the failure prediction engine 14 can be the same as that of the second model 30b. Since the first model 30a does not have the failure prediction engine 36, the failure prediction is performed by the failure prediction engine 14 with respect to the operation data transmitted from the first model 30a.

[0130] As illustrated in Figure 7 In the model judgment information storage 13, the distinction of the model is registered with respect to the model. Figure 7 The model judgment information stored in the model judgment information storage 13 is illustrated. In the model judgment information, the model is registered with respect to the model name. The instruction switching section 12 collates the model name acquired from the device 30 with the model judgment information, and judges the model.

[0131] << Server Device >>

[0132] Returning to Figure 6The server device 60 has a communication section 61, a trial operation instruction section 62, a schedule storage section 63, and a failure prediction storage section 64. These sections of the server device 60 are realized by functions or units that are implemented by any of the constituent elements shown in FIG. 8 acting according to a command from the processor 221 that executes the program expanded from the auxiliary storage device 223 into the memory 222. Further, the schedule storage section 63 and the failure prediction storage section 64 are constructed by the auxiliary storage device 223 and the like shown in FIG. 8. Figure 4 The schedule storage section 63 and the failure prediction storage section 64 are constructed by the auxiliary storage device 223 and the like shown in FIG. 8. Figure 4

[0133] The communication section 61 communicates with the edge device 10 via the network N. In the present application, the communication section 61 transmits a point inspection instruction to the edge device 10.

[0134] The trial operation instruction section 62 transmits a point inspection instruction (an instruction of trial operation) to the edge device 10 based on a schedule of trial operation set in the schedule storage section 63.

[0135] Therefore, in the schedule storage section 63, a date and time of pre-season point inspection set from the user terminal 70 is set. Since if the customer accidentally causes the air conditioner to operate during work hours, the temperature and humidity greatly change, which interferes with business, the date and time of pre-season point inspection is usually set to a time other than work hours.

[0136] Therefore, the user terminal 70 connects to the server device 60 through a Web browser and displays a schedule setting screen. A manager of the customer can set a desired date and time from the schedule setting screen. In addition, the manager can be prompted by a customer engineer or the like through mail, telephone, or the like to set a schedule so that the manager does not forget to perform pre-season point inspection before the season.

[0137] In the failure prediction storage section 64, a prediction code detected by the failure prediction engine 14, 36 is recorded in association with identification information of the device 30 and the like. Even in a case where the failure prediction engine 14, 36 does not generate a prediction code for a point inspection instruction, a result of point inspection that is not problematic (normal) is recorded in association with the identification information of the device 30 and the like. For a customer in which a prediction code is stored, a customer engineer or the like can make an access. For a customer in which normal is stored, a manager of the customer is sent a meaning that a result of point inspection is not problematic through mail or the like.

[0138] <About Action or Processing>

[0139] Next, the processing of the edge device 10 transmitting a point inspection instruction to the device 30 will be described with reference to FIG. 10. Figure 8 The processing of the edge device 10 transmitting a point inspection instruction to the device 30 will be described. Figure 8 ​is a sequence chart illustrating a process in which the edge device 10 switches the inspection instruction from the server device 60 to an instruction corresponding to the model of the equipment 30 and transmits it to the equipment 30.

[0140] S1: The trial operation instruction section 62 of the server device 60 accesses the schedule storage section 63 periodically and compares the current date and time with the date and time at which the trial operation is to be performed.

[0141] S2: In the case where the result thereof is that there is the date and time at which the trial operation is to be performed, the trial operation instruction section 62 transmits the inspection instruction to the edge device 10 via the communication section 61. The trial operation instruction section 62 transmits the inspection instruction without taking into account the model of the equipment 30 connected to the edge device 10.

[0142] S3: The communication section 11 of the edge device 10 receives the inspection instruction, and the instruction switching section 12 refers to the model judgment information storage section 13 to judge the model of the equipment 30. The instruction switching section 12 can also inquire the model name from all the equipment 30 connected thereto, and can also transmit the model name to the edge device 10 in advance at the time of power-on or operation start of the equipment 30.

[0143] S4: In the case of the first model 30a, the instruction switching section 12 generates an operation setting (cooling / heating mode, set temperature, air volume, etc.) and instructs operation based on the operation setting. In addition, the instruction switching section 12 inquires whether or not the first model 30a is in operation before the instruction, and defers the instruction in the case where it is in operation. Furthermore, the instruction switching section 12 holds the current operation setting (cooling / heating mode, set temperature, air volume, etc.) before the instruction, and sets the current operation setting to the first model 30a (restores the setting) when the operation based on the inspection instruction ends.

[0144] S5: In the case of the second model 30b, the instruction switching section 12 instructs execution of the pre-season inspection procedure 40. In this case, the instruction switching section 12 also inquires whether or not the second model 30b is in operation before the instruction, and defers the instruction in the case where it is in operation. Furthermore, the instruction switching section 12 holds the current operation setting (cooling / heating mode, set temperature, air volume, etc.) before the instruction, and sets the current operation setting to the second model 30b when the trial operation based on the pre-season inspection procedure 40 ends.

[0145] S6: The communication section 31 of the first model 30a receives the instruction of the operation based on the operation setting, and the operation section 34 causes the outdoor unit and the indoor unit 50 to operate with the operation setting.

[0146] S7: The operation data collection section 35 collects operation data and transmits it to the edge device 10 via the communication section 31. In addition, in the case where the abnormality detection section 32 detects an abnormality at this stage, an abnormality code is transmitted, and the operation section 34 suspends the operation.

[0147] S8: The communication section 15 of the edge device 10 receives the operation data and performs the failure prediction processing based on the failure prediction engine 14.

[0148] S9: The communication section 11 of the edge device 10 transmits the result of the failure prediction processing, that is, the prediction code or normal, to the server device 60.

[0149] S10: On the other hand, the communication section 31 of the second model 30b receives an execution instruction of the seasonal point inspection procedure 40 and the trial operation execution section 37 performs the trial operation. In addition, in this stage, in a case where the abnormality detection section 32 detects an abnormality, an abnormality code is transmitted and the trial operation execution section 37 suspends the trial operation.

[0150] S11: The operation data collection section 35 collects the operation data and performs the failure prediction processing based on the failure prediction engine 36.

[0151] S12: The communication section 31 of the second model 30b transmits the result of the failure prediction processing, that is, the prediction code or normal, to the edge device 10.

[0152] S13: Since the communication section 15 of the edge device 10 receives the prediction code or normal, the failure prediction processing is not performed and the communication section 11 transmits the prediction code or normal to the server device 60.

[0153] S14: The communication section 61 of the server device 60 receives the prediction code or normal. The communication section 61 saves the prediction code or normal of steps S9, S14 in the failure prediction storage section 64.

[0154] Thus, the edge device 10 of the present application switches the point inspection instruction from the server device 60 according to the model and transmits an instruction instead of the instruction to the second model to the first model. Therefore, the server device 60 transmits one point inspection instruction to the edge device 10, and thus in the present application, it is possible to reduce the communication amount between the server device 60 and the edge device 10. Furthermore, the point inspection instruction is not switched according to the model in the server device 60, and thus it is possible to reduce the processing load.

[0155] <Modified Example 1>

[0156] Next, as a modified example of the point inspection instruction, the processing in a case where the server device 60 transmits a microcomputer reset to the edge device 10 in a case where an abnormality is detected will be described.

[0157] <Flowchart for the Entirety of the Abnormality Occurrence>

[0158] Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating the overall processing at the time of the abnormality occurrence. Hereinafter, the processing will be described in accordance with the flowchart.

[0159] (1) When an abnormality occurs in the device 30, an abnormality code indicating the content of the abnormality is transmitted to the server device 60 via the device 30 and the edge device 10.

[0160] (2) The server device 60 judges whether or not microcomputer reset can be performed based on the abnormality code, and in the case where it can, transmits a microcomputer reset instruction to the edge device 10.

[0161] (3) The edge device 10 switches the microcomputer reset instruction according to the model of the device 30, and transmits it to each device 30. For example, to the first model 30a, an operation stop and restart based on remote controller control are instructed.

[0162] (4) To the second model 30b, a microcomputer reset is instructed.

[0163] <About Functions>

[0164] Figure 10 is an example of a functional block diagram in which the functions of the first model 30a, the second model 30b, the edge device 10, and the server device 60 in the management system 100 are divided into modules. Also, in the explanation of Figure 10 , the constituent elements denoted by the same symbols as in Figure 6 play the same functions, and thus sometimes only the main constituent elements of the present embodiment are mainly explained.

[0165] <<First Model>>

[0166] The first model 30a newly has a remote controller control section 38. The remote controller control section 38 instructs an operation stop to a remote controller 51 that communicates with the indoor unit 50 in wired or wireless to the indoor unit 50. The remote controller control section 38 instructs an operation start to the remote controller 51 after a certain time elapses from the operation stop. In this way, since the first model 30a does not have a function of resetting the microcomputer of the outdoor unit, the stop and restart of the operation are instructed by the remote controller control. By the stop and restart of the operation, sometimes the abnormality can be eliminated.

[0167] <<Second Model>>

[0168] The second model 30b newly has a microcomputer reset section 39. The microcomputer reset section 39 resets the microcomputer of the outdoor unit. The reset means restart. By the restart of the microcomputer, sometimes the abnormality can be eliminated. Also, the reset of the microcomputer includes the reset of all the microcomputers that are set in advance among the plurality of microcomputers possessed by the outdoor unit, and furthermore, the microcomputer of the indoor unit can be reset as needed.

[0169] <<Edge Device>>

[0170] The functional block diagram of the edge device 10 is the same as that of Figure 6The functions of the indication switching unit 12 are the same, but different. In the event of an anomaly, the edge device 10 sometimes receives a microcomputer reset instruction from the server device 60. The indication switching unit 12 switches the content of the instruction according to the model of the device 30 that sent the anomaly code. In the case of the first model of device 30, the indication switching unit 12 indicates a stop and restart of operation based on remote control control. In the case of the second model 30b, the indication switching unit 12 indicates a microcomputer reset.

[0171] <<Server Device>>

[0172] The server device 60 newly includes a reset instruction unit 65 and an exception code storage unit 66. Upon receiving an exception code from the slave device 30 via the edge device 10, the reset instruction unit 65 instructs the edge device 10 to perform a microprocessor reset. More specifically, the reset instruction unit 65 determines whether a microprocessor reset can be performed based on the exception code; for exception codes that allow for microprocessor reset, the reset instruction unit 65 instructs the edge device 10 to perform a microprocessor reset.

[0173] In the exception code storage unit 66, the system corresponding to the exception code stores whether the microcomputer can be reset. Figure 11 The exception code information stored in the exception code storage unit 66 is shown. For example... Figure 11 As shown, in the exception code storage unit 66, settings corresponding to the exception code establishment include whether a microcomputer reset and an emergency operation can be performed. This is because, depending on the content of the exception, there may be a situation where a microcomputer reset, an emergency operation, or both are ineffective.

[0174] The reset indicator 65 only instructs the microprocessor to reset for exception codes that can be reset. For exception codes that cannot be reset but can be operated under emergency conditions, it instructs the emergency operation described later. Thus, microprocessor reset takes precedence over emergency operation. This is because, when the exception is eliminated by microprocessor reset, the device 30 can function 100%, but under emergency operation, some functions may be limited.

[0175] <Regarding actions or handling>

[0176] Next, refer to Figure 12 The process by which the edge device 10 sends a microcomputer reset instruction to the device 30 is described. Figure 12 This is a sequence diagram illustrating the process by which the edge device 10 switches the microcomputer reset instruction from the server device 60 to an instruction corresponding to the model of the device 30 and sends it to the device 30. First, the situation where an anomaly occurs in the first model 30a is explained.

[0177] S21: An anomaly occurred during the operation of the first model 30a. The anomaly detection unit 32 detected the anomaly.

[0178] S22: When the abnormality detection section 32 detects an abnormality, the communication section 31 promptly transmits an abnormality code to the edge device 10. The identification information of the device 30 is attached to the abnormality code. The operation section 34 causes the operation to stop.

[0179] S23: When the communication section 15 of the edge device 10 receives the abnormality code, the communication section 11 transmits the abnormality code to the server device 60.

[0180] S24: The communication section 61 of the server device 60 receives the abnormality code, and the reset instruction section 65 acquires the reset possibility associated with the abnormality code from the abnormality code storage section 66.

[0181] S25: The reset instruction section 65 judges whether the received abnormality code can be reset. In the description below, a case where the microcomputer reset is possible is described. Figure 12

[0182] S26: The reset instruction section 65 transmits the microcomputer reset instruction to the edge device 10 regardless of the model of the device 30. In addition, since the identification information of the first model 30a is attached to the abnormality code, the reset instruction section 65 saves the identification information of the first model 30a to which the microcomputer reset instruction is transmitted. This is used to judge whether the microcomputer reset instruction has been transmitted in the case where the server device 60 receives the abnormality code next time.

[0183] S27: The communication section 11 of the edge device 10 receives the microcomputer reset instruction, and the instruction switching section 12 judges the model of the device 30 that transmitted the abnormality code with reference to the model judgment information storage section 13. It is also possible to transmit the model name to the edge device 10 together with the abnormality code, and it is also possible to newly inquire the model name from the first model 30a by the instruction switching section 12.

[0184] S28: For the first model 30a, the instruction switching section 12 transmits the operation stop and restart instruction based on the remote controller control via the communication section 31.

[0185] ​S29: Since the communication section 31 of the first model 30a receives the operation stop and restart instruction based on the remote controller control, the remote controller control section 38 first instructs the indoor unit 50 to stop the operation. In a case where the operation has already stopped due to detection of an abnormality, it is not necessary to stop the operation, and the operation stop is transmitted in order to reliably stop the operation. The indoor unit 50 is instructed to stop the operation because the outdoor unit communicates with the edge device 10, and the indoor unit 50 communicates with the remote controller 51. The indoor unit 50 requests the remote controller 51 to stop the operation, and thus the remote controller 51 instructs the indoor unit 50 to stop the operation. By stopping the operation of the indoor unit 50, the outdoor unit also stops. After the operation is stopped, the remote controller control section 38 stands by for a certain time, and then instructs the indoor unit 50 to restart the operation. The indoor unit 50 requests the remote controller 51 to restart the operation, and thus the remote controller 51 instructs the indoor unit 50 to restart the operation. By starting the operation of the indoor unit 50, the outdoor unit also starts the operation.

[0186] Since the first model 30a has started the operation, the abnormality detection section 32 detects the abnormality in a case where the abnormality has not been eliminated. In this case, the abnormality code is again transmitted to the server device 60, and the emergency operation instruction is transmitted to the first model 30a if the emergency operation can be performed. In a case where the emergency operation cannot be performed, a customer engineer is dispatched to the customer as soon as possible, and even in a case where the emergency operation can be performed, it is preferable to dispatch the customer engineer to the customer as soon as possible. In a case where the abnormality has been eliminated, the abnormality detection section 32 does not detect the abnormality, and thus the operation is continued.

[0187] Next, a case where an abnormality has occurred in the second model 30b will be described.

[0188] S31: The second model 30b has an abnormality in the operation. The abnormality detection section 32 detects the abnormality.

[0189] S32: When the abnormality detection section 32 detects the abnormality, the communication section 31 promptly transmits the abnormality code to the edge device 10. The abnormality code is attached with the identification information of the device 30. The processes of steps S33 to S37 below can be the same as those of steps S23 to S27.

[0190] S38: With respect to the second model 30b, the switching section 12 is instructed to transmit the microcomputer reset instruction via the communication section 15.

[0191] S39: The communication section 31 of the second model 30b receives the microcomputer reset instruction, so the microcomputer reset section 39 resets the microcomputer of the outdoor unit. The outdoor unit restarts by the reset. The second model 30b starts operation automatically or according to the instruction from the microcomputer reset section 39. In the case where the abnormality is not eliminated, the abnormality detection section 32 detects the abnormality. In this case, the abnormality code is again transmitted to the server device 60, and if emergency operation is possible, an emergency operation instruction is transmitted to the first model 30a. In the case where emergency operation is not possible, a customer engineer is dispatched to the customer as soon as possible, and even in the case where emergency operation is possible, it is preferable to dispatch a customer engineer to the customer as soon as possible.

[0192] Thus, the edge device 10 of the present application instructs the equipment 30 according to the model switching of the microcomputer reset instruction from the server device 60. Therefore, the server device 60 can transmit one microcomputer reset instruction to the edge device 10, so the communication amount between the server device 60 and the edge device 10 can be reduced in the present application. Further, the microcomputer reset instruction is not switched according to the model in the server device 60, so the processing load can be reduced.

[0193] <Modified Example 2>

[0194] Next, as a modified example of the point inspection instruction, the processing in the case where the server device 60 transmits an emergency operation instruction to the edge device 10 in the case where an abnormality is detected will be described.

[0195] <Flowchart for the Whole in the Case of Abnormality Occurrence>

[0196] Figure 13 is a flowchart illustrating the whole processing in the case of abnormality occurrence. Hereinafter, the flow of processing will be described.

[0197] (1) When an abnormality occurs in the equipment 30, an abnormality code indicating the content of the abnormality is transmitted to the server device 60 via the equipment 30 and the edge device 10.

[0198] (2) Assuming that the server device 60 determines that microcomputer reset is not possible or has already transmitted a microcomputer reset instruction. The server device 60 determines whether emergency operation is possible according to the abnormality code, and in the case where it is possible, transmits an emergency operation instruction to the edge device 10.

[0199] (3) The edge device 10 switches the emergency operation instruction according to the model of the equipment 30, and transmits it to each equipment 30. For example, the first model 30a is instructed to stop the outdoor unit in which no failure has occurred in the multi-system.

[0200] (4) The second model 30b is instructed an emergency operation corresponding to the abnormal code. The emergency operation is an operation to restrict a part of the functions by a substitute of a sensor, a conservation of a component, a shielding of a function, and the like, but to continue the operation. In addition, although the edge device 10 performs a setting for the emergency operation to the second model 30b, the final operation to start the emergency operation is performed by the user. This is because there are also clients who do not want to implement the emergency operation.

[0201] <About the functions>

[0202] Figure 14 is an example of a functional block diagram in which the functions of the first model 30a, the second model 30b, the edge device 10, and the server device 60 in the management system 100 are divided into modules. In addition, in the description of Figure 14 , the constituent elements denoted by the same symbols as in Figure 6 play the same functions, and thus sometimes only the main constituent elements of the present embodiment are mainly described.

[0203] <<First model>>

[0204] The first model 30a of the present embodiment is a multi-system in which two or more outdoor units are connected. The emergency operation of the first model 30a stops the outdoor unit that has failed in the multi-system and continues the operation of only the normal outdoor unit. Therefore, in the case of the first model 30a, the object of the emergency operation is the multi-system in which two or more outdoor units are connected. In the first model 30a, the stop of the outdoor unit is performed by the operation unit 34, and thus there is no new function in Figure 14 .

[0205] <<Second model>>

[0206] The second model 30b newly has an emergency operation unit 41. The emergency operation unit 41 performs the emergency operation corresponding to the emergency operation instruction from the edge device 10 to the second model 30b. Details are described in the edge device 10.

[0207] <<Edge device>>

[0208] The edge device 10 newly has an emergency operation information storage unit 16. The emergency operation information storage unit 16 stores how to perform the emergency operation for the function that has failed. Regarding the emergency operation, refer to Figure 15 , Figures 16A-16C for the description.

[0209] Figure 15 The emergency operation information stored in the emergency operation information storage unit 16 is shown. Each item of the emergency operation information is described.

[0210] • The item of the function that has failed is the sensor that has failed or the component that has failed, which is determined from the abnormal code or the like.

[0211] • The item of the content of the emergency operation indicates how the emergency operation is performed for the function that has failed. As shown in Figure 15 , for each function that has failed, control is set that causes the device 30 to operate in an emergency manner even without the function.

[0212] • The item of the limitation matter is a limitation for ensuring reliability, since the emergency operation is implemented within a range that does not affect reliability.

[0213] Figures 16A-16C is a diagram that explains three modes of the emergency operation. In Figure 15 , in a case where the function that has failed is "compressor temperature sensor" and the content of the emergency operation is "substitute with internal temperature sensor", the sensor that has failed is substituted with a sensor that has not failed. This is one mode of the emergency operation as shown in Figure 16A , called sensor substitution. The sensor can be a sensor that can be substituted, such as a temperature sensor disposed near the place of the temperature sensor that has failed. In the mode of sensor substitution, such a sensor is set in the emergency operation information. In Figure 15 , the limitation matter is "time limitation, compressor upper limit limitation". The time limitation is the time during which the emergency operation can be continued, and the compressor upper limit limitation is a limitation for an overheating countermeasure.

[0214] Further, in Figure 15 , in a case where the function that has failed is "FAN2" and the content of the emergency operation is "FAN1 only", the component is supplemented by another component. This is one mode of the emergency operation as shown in Figure 16B , called component supplementation. The component can be a component having the same or similar function. In the mode of component supplementation, such a component is set in the emergency operation information. In Figure 15 , the limitation matter is "compressor upper limit limitation". The compressor upper limit limitation is a limitation for an overheating countermeasure.

[0215] Further, in Figure 15 , in a case where the function that has failed is "supercooling temperature sensor" and the content of the emergency operation is "supercooling control shield", the function of supercooling control is shielded (not used). This is one mode of the emergency operation as shown in Figure 16C , called function shielding. Depending on the component that has failed, only a specific function is used, but the device can operate even without the function. In the mode of function shielding, the shielding of such a function is set in the emergency operation information. In Figure 15In the present embodiment, the limitation is "compressor upper limit limitation". The compressor upper limit limitation is a limitation for overheat countermeasures.

[0216] Figure 15 The malfunctioning function or the like shown is only an example, and various methods of emergency operation by sensor substitution, component supplementation, or function shielding are stored in the emergency operation information storage section 16. Figure 15 The emergency operation information storage section 16 of the present embodiment is referred to by the instruction switching section 12 in a case where emergency operation is instructed to the second model 30b.

[0217] The instruction switching section 12 switches the content of the instruction according to the model of the device 30 that transmitted the abnormal code. In a case where the device 30 is the first model, the instruction switching section 12 instructs to stop the outdoor unit in which a malfunction occurred in the multi-system and to continue the operation of the outdoor unit in which no malfunction occurred. In a case where the device 30 is the second model, the instruction switching section 12 determines the malfunctioning function based on the abnormal code and instructs the content of the emergency operation acquired from the emergency operation information storage section 16.

[0218] <Server Apparatus>

[0219] Return Figure 14 An explanation will be given. The server apparatus 60 newly has an emergency operation instruction section 67. When the communication section 61 receives an abnormal code from the device 30 via the edge device 10, the emergency operation instruction section 67 instructs emergency operation to the edge device 10 according to the abnormal code storage section 66 in the following cases.

[0220] • A case where a microcomputer reset was instructed but an abnormal code was transmitted again

[0221] • A case where a microcomputer reset cannot be performed but emergency operation can be performed

[0222] More specifically, for the abnormal code, it is determined whether emergency operation can be performed, and for the abnormal code for which emergency operation can be performed, the emergency operation instruction section 67 instructs emergency operation to the edge device 10.

[0223] <About Actions or Processes>

[0224] Next, reference will be made to Figure 17 An explanation will be given of the process in which the edge device 10 transmits an emergency operation instruction to the device 30. Figure 17 is a sequence chart that explains the process in which the edge device 10 switches the emergency operation instruction from the server apparatus 60 to an instruction corresponding to the model of the device 30 and transmits it to the device 30. First, a case where an abnormality has occurred in the first model 30a will be explained.

[0225] S41: An abnormality has occurred in the first model 30a during operation. The abnormality detection section 32 detects the abnormality.

[0226] S42: When the abnormality detection section 32 detects an abnormality, the communication section 21 promptly transmits an abnormality code to the edge device 10. The abnormality code is attached with the identification information of the device 30. The operation section 34 stops the operation.

[0227] S43: When the communication section 15 of the edge device 10 receives the abnormality code, the communication section 11 transmits the abnormality code to the server device 60.

[0228] S44: The communication section 61 of the server device 60 receives the abnormality code, and the emergency operation instruction section 67 acquires the emergency operation possibility associated with the abnormality code from the abnormality code storage section 66.

[0229] S45: Next, the emergency operation instruction section 67 judges whether or not the microcomputer reset instruction has been transmitted. The instruction of the emergency operation is the case where the microcomputer reset has been transmitted and the emergency operation is possible, or the case where the microcomputer reset has not been transmitted due to the impossibility of the microcomputer reset but the emergency operation is possible. Here, it is assumed that these conditions are satisfied.

[0230] S46: The emergency operation instruction section 67 transmits the emergency operation instruction to the edge device 10 regardless of the model of the device 30.

[0231] S47: The communication section 11 of the edge device 10 receives the emergency operation instruction, and the instruction switching section 12 refers to the model judgment information storage section 13 to judge the model of the device 30 that transmitted the abnormality code. It is also possible to transmit the model name to the edge device 10 together with the abnormality code, and it is also possible to newly inquire the model name from the first model 30a by the instruction switching section 12.

[0232] S48: For the first model 30a, the instruction switching section 12 instructs the stop of the outdoor unit in which the failure occurred and the operation of the outdoor unit in which the failure did not occur.

[0233] S49: The communication section 31 of the first model 30a receives the instruction, and thus the operation section 34 stops the outdoor unit in which the failure occurred and starts the operation of the outdoor unit in which the failure did not occur. In the case where the operation has been stopped by the detection of the failure, the outdoor unit in which the failure occurred can be kept in the stopped state. Further, in the first model 30a, which outdoor unit in the multiple systems has failed is obvious.

[0234] Next, the case where an abnormality has occurred in the second model 30b will be described.

[0235] S51: An abnormality has occurred in the second model 30b during the operation. The abnormality detection section 32 detects the abnormality.

[0236] S52: When the abnormality detection section 32 detects an abnormality, the communication section 31 promptly transmits an abnormality code to the edge device 10. The abnormality code is attached with the identification information of the device 30. The processes of steps S53 to S57 hereafter can be the same as those of steps S43 to S47.

[0237] S58: For the second model 30b, the instruction switching section 12 judges the function that has failed based on the abnormality code, and acquires the contents of emergency operation from the emergency operation information storage section 16. The instruction switching section 12 transmits the emergency operation instruction together with the contents of emergency operation via the communication section 15.

[0238] S59: The communication section 31 of the second model 30b receives the emergency operation instruction, so the emergency operation section 41 starts the emergency operation of the instructed contents based on the final user's emergency operation start operation.

[0239] Thus, the edge device 10 of the present application switches the emergency operation instruction from the server device 60 according to the model and instructs it to the device. Therefore, it is sufficient for the server device 60 to transmit one emergency operation instruction to the edge device 10, so in the present application, it is possible to reduce the communication amount between the server device 60 and the edge device 10. Further, the emergency operation instruction is not switched according to the model in the server device 60 either, so it is possible to reduce the processing load.

[0240] <Other Application Examples>

[0241] The above describes the best mode for implementing the present application using the embodiments, but the present application is not limited to any of these embodiments, and various modifications and substitutions can be made within the scope of the gist of the present application.

[0242] For example, in Modification Example 3, the edge device 10 judges the contents of emergency operation for the second model 30b, but the contents of emergency operation can also be decided by the second model 30b.

[0243] Further, in order to facilitate understanding of the processes of the device 30, the edge device 10, and the server device 60, Figure 6 the structural examples of the like are divided according to the main functions. The present application is not limited by the division method or the name of the processing unit. The processes of the device 30, the edge device 10, and the server device 60 can also be divided into more processing units according to the processing contents. Further, one processing unit can also be divided into a plurality of processes.

[0244] Further, the device group described in the embodiments only shows one of a plurality of computing environments for implementing the embodiments disclosed in the present specification. In some embodiments, the server device 60 includes a plurality of computing devices, such as a server cluster. The plurality of computing devices are configured to communicate with each other via any type of communication link including a network, shared memory, and the like, implementing the processes disclosed in the present specification.

[0245] Each function of the present application described in the above description can be realized not only by a software process based on the execution of a program but also by one or a plurality of processing circuits. Here, the "processing circuit" in the present specification includes a processor programmed to execute each function by software like a processor realized by an electronic circuit, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) designed to execute each function described in the above description, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and a device of a conventional circuit module, and the like.

[0246] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-118659 filed on July 26, 2022, with the Japan Patent Office, and the entire contents of Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-118659 are hereby incorporated by reference into the present application.

[0247] Symbol Explanation

[0248] 10: Edge device

[0249] 30: Equipment

[0250] 60: Server device

[0251] 100: Management system

Claims

1. A management system for an air conditioner, comprising: The controller is capable of communicating with a first air conditioner and a second air conditioner of a different model than the first air conditioner; and A server device capable of communicating with the controller. Upon receiving an instruction from the server device, the control unit of the controller sends an instruction corresponding to the model of the first air conditioner or the second air conditioner. The first air conditioner has a program stored corresponding to the first control, while the second air conditioner does not store the program. When the control unit of the controller receives an instruction associated with the first control from the server device, it instructs the first control on the first air conditioner and instructs the second control on the second air conditioner to replace the first control.

2. The management system according to claim 1, wherein, The second control is the operation setting of the second air conditioner set by the control unit of the controller.

3. The management system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, When the control unit of the controller receives an inspection instruction from the server device as an instruction associated with the first control, it instructs the first air conditioner to execute the program as the first control.

4. The management system according to claim 3, wherein, The procedure is a pre-season inspection procedure used to confirm whether the air conditioner will malfunction when it is stopped for a certain period of time.

5. The management system according to claim 3, wherein, The program performs pre-determined controls to predict malfunctions of the various components of the first air conditioner.

6. The management system according to claim 1, wherein, When the controller receives a restart instruction from the server device as an instruction associated with the first control, the control unit instructs the first air conditioner to restart the control unit, and instructs the second air conditioner to stop and restart operation based on remote control.

7. The management system according to claim 1, wherein, When the control unit of the controller receives an emergency operation instruction from the server device as an instruction associated with the first control, it instructs the first air conditioner to operate in an emergency and instructs the second air conditioner to stop the faulty outdoor unit.

8. An indication method, performed by a management system for an air conditioner, the management system comprising: a controller capable of communicating with a first air conditioner and a second air conditioner of a different model than the first air conditioner; and a server device capable of communicating with the controller. Upon receiving an instruction from the server device, the control unit of the controller sends an instruction corresponding to the model of the first air conditioner or the second air conditioner. The first air conditioner has a program stored corresponding to the first control, while the second air conditioner does not store the program. When the control unit of the controller receives an instruction associated with the first control from the server device, it instructs the first control on the first air conditioner and instructs the second control on the second air conditioner to replace the first control.

9. A controller for an air conditioner, which communicates with a server device, a first air conditioner storing a program corresponding to a first control, and a second air conditioner of a different model than the first air conditioner and which does not store the program. When the control unit of the controller receives an instruction associated with the first control from the server device, it instructs the first control on the first air conditioner and instructs the second control on the second air conditioner to replace the first control.

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