Information processing method, information processing system, and computer program

Abstract

To provide an information processing method, an information processing system, and a computer program by which information about a power storage element and / or a power supply-related device can be visually presented.SOLUTION: In an information processing method, a server device stores, in a storage medium, configuration data describing a hierarchical structure of a power supply-related device and / or a power storage element, and receives, for each hierarchy, a graphic setting of indicating the condition of the power supply-related device and / or the power storage element on a condition screen in each hierarchy, on the basis of the configuration data, and the condition screen includes a layout image indicating the arrangement of the power supply-related device and / or the power storage element in each hierarchy, and the server device creates screen data on the condition screen from data including the conditions of the power storage element and the power supply-related device on the basis of the graphic setting of the condition screen, and transmits the screen data to a client device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing method, an information processing system, and a computer program for presenting information on a power storage element and / or a power supply related device. [Background technology]

[0002] As the Internet of Things (IoT) becomes more prevalent in society, there are growing expectations for the realization of remote monitoring of energy storage elements and power supply related devices, as well as for the realization of convenient value-added services based on remote monitoring.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses an information processing device that creates and provides a status screen that allows the status to be easily and visually grasped in a remote monitoring system for storage elements and power supply related devices. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6822624 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] It is expected that energy storage systems including energy storage elements and energy storage systems (ESS: Energy Storage Systems) including energy storage elements and power conditioners are to be installed in many locations. System providers and service providers require remote monitoring technology that allows them to quickly and visually grasp whether these energy storage systems are operating without problems or, if a problem occurs, the cause of the problem.

[0006] The present invention provides an information processing method, an information processing system, and a computer program capable of visually presenting information about a power storage element and / or a power supply related device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An information processing method according to one embodiment is an information processing method for displaying information on a power supply-related device, which is at least one of a power conditioner, an uninterruptible power supply, and a rectifier, and / or information on a storage element on a display unit provided in a client device, the information processing method including: a server device storing configuration data describing a hierarchical structure of the power supply-related device and / or the storage element in a storage medium; receiving settings for graphics to be displayed on a status screen showing a status of the power supply-related device and / or the storage element by hierarchy based on the configuration data; and the status screen displaying the status of the power supply-related device, and / or a screen including layout images showing the arrangement of the storage elements in a hierarchical order, data including the status of the storage elements and the power supply related devices is obtained by communication from a communication device provided in each of them, the obtained data is stored in a storage medium in association with identification data that respectively identifies the power supply related devices and / or the storage elements, screen data for the status screen is created based on the data including the status of the power supply related devices and / or the storage elements stored in the storage medium and the graphic settings of the status screen, and the screen data is transmitted to the client device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of a remote monitoring system. [Diagram 2] 1 is a diagram showing an example of a hierarchical structure of energy storage elements and a connection form of communication devices; [Diagram 3] 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of a device included in the remote monitoring system. FIG. [Figure 4] 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating examples of measurement data and status data stored in a storage unit. [Diagram 5] 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of a device included in the remote monitoring system. FIG. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure in which the server device accepts settings for screen data. [Figure 7]10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure in which the server device accepts settings for screen data. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system selection screen. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a layer selection screen. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a layer selection screen. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen. [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen. [Figure 19] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen. [Figure 20] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display example of a status screen to be created. [Figure 21] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display example of a status screen to be created. [Figure 22] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display example of a status screen to be created. [Diagram 23] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display example of a status screen to be created. [Figure 24] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display example of a status screen to be created. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] (1) The information processing method is an information processing method for displaying information about a power supply-related device, which is at least one of a power conditioner, an uninterruptible power supply, and a rectifier, and / or information about a storage element, on a display unit provided in a client device. In the information processing method, a server device stores configuration data describing a hierarchical structure of the power supply related devices and / or the storage elements in a storage medium, accepts settings for graphics to be displayed in a status screen showing the status of the power supply related devices and / or the storage elements by hierarchy based on the configuration data, the status screen is a screen including layout images showing the arrangement of the power supply related devices and / or the storage elements by hierarchy, obtains data including the status of the storage elements and the power supply related devices by communication from communication devices provided in each of them, stores the obtained data in a storage medium in association with identification data that respectively identifies the power supply related devices and / or the storage elements, creates screen data for the status screen based on the data including the status of the power supply related devices and / or the storage elements stored in the storage medium and the graphic settings for the status screen, and transmits the screen data to the client device.

[0010] The power storage element may be a lithium ion battery or a lead battery, but is not limited to these, and may be another secondary battery, a primary battery, or a capacitor.

[0011] The energy storage element may be an energy storage cell, or may be an energy storage module in which a plurality of energy storage cells are connected in series and / or in parallel. The energy storage element may be an energy storage unit (hereinafter also referred to as a "bank") in which a plurality of energy storage modules are connected in series. The energy storage element may be an energy storage unit (hereinafter also referred to as a "domain") in which a plurality of energy storage modules or banks are connected in parallel.

[0012] The power supply-related device may be any one of a power conditioner, an uninterruptible power supply, a rectifier, a DC power supply, a charger, and a charger / discharger.

[0013] In the information processing method, the display target of information may be a system including a plurality of power storage elements or power supply related devices, or the display target may be a power storage system including only power storage elements. In the server device, the display target of information may be only the power supply related devices, or the display target may be a system including a plurality of power storage elements and power supply related devices.

[0014] With the above configuration, an administrator or maintenance worker of a power supply-related device and / or a storage element having a hierarchical structure can set the graphic settings on a status screen for visually presenting information including the status of the power supply-related device and / or the storage element differently for each hierarchy.

[0015] The server device can automatically create screen data of a status screen including different layout images for each layer based on different graphic settings for each layer using data including the status collected via the communication device. By executing graphic settings of the status screen including different layout images for each layer as well as characters such as numbers or alphabets, the server device can visually present information on the power supply-related devices and / or storage elements in an appropriate manner for each system or device.

[0016] (2) In the information processing method of (1) above, the server device may output options for the hierarchy to be set, starting from the top of the hierarchy, based on the configuration data, accept a selection of a hierarchy from the options, and accept the setting of the graphic within a status screen corresponding to the selected hierarchy.

[0017] With the above configuration, the server device automatically presents options from the top of the hierarchy based on the configuration data. The options for the lower hierarchy are automatically narrowed down according to the hierarchical structure described in the configuration data, so that the administrator or maintenance worker can specify the hierarchy with a simple operation. This allows the server device to visually present information on power-related devices and / or storage elements in a manner appropriate for each system or device.

[0018] (3) In the information processing method of (2) above, the server device may display options for the hierarchy to be set on a display unit provided in the client device, and accept a selection of a hierarchy from the displayed options.

[0019] With the above configuration, the configuration data can be selected on a screen displayed on the display unit of a client device used by an administrator or maintenance worker. This enables remote setting, reduces the burden on the administrator or maintenance worker, and visually presents information on the power supply-related devices and / or storage elements.

[0020] (4) In the information processing methods (1) to (3) above, the server device may display a preview screen of a layout image in a status screen corresponding to a selected hierarchical level on a display unit provided in the client device, and may accept placement of graphics corresponding to the power supply-related devices and / or storage elements in the preview screen.

[0021] With the above configuration, the administrator or maintenance worker can intuitively arrange, for each hierarchical level, graphics corresponding to the power supply-related devices and / or the power storage elements on the preview screen displayed on the display unit of the client device. The administrator or maintenance worker can set, for each hierarchical level, the settings of the status screen that allows transitions between hierarchical levels according to the hierarchical level on the screen.

[0022] (5) In the information processing method of (4) above, the server device may accept settings for a hierarchy lower than the selected hierarchy for a graphic arranged in a preview screen of a layout image in a status screen corresponding to the selected hierarchy.

[0023] With the above configuration, an administrator or maintenance worker can set a power supply-related device and / or a power storage element of a lower hierarchical level in a layout image of the power supply-related device and / or a power storage element of a selected hierarchical level on a preview screen displayed on a display unit of a client device. It is possible to set a correspondence relationship between a graphic on a layout image in a status screen of each hierarchical level that allows transitions between hierarchical levels and a lower hierarchical level. This makes it easy to create a status screen that allows transitions to a lower hierarchical level that displays the status of the power supply-related device and / or a power storage element in detail by selecting one of the graphics corresponding to each different power supply-related device and / or a power storage element arranged on the layout image in the status screen.

[0024] (6) In the information processing method of (5) above, when multiple graphics are arranged on a preview screen of a layout image in a status screen corresponding to a selected hierarchical level, the server device may assign identification data of multiple power-related devices and / or storage elements included in a hierarchical level lower than the selected hierarchical level to the identification data of the multiple graphics in a predetermined order.

[0025] With the above configuration, when graphics corresponding to a plurality of power-related devices and / or storage elements are displayed in a group on a layout image in a status screen, the identification data of the graphics is automatically associated with the identification data of the power-related devices and / or storage elements to which each graphic corresponds. For example, when graphics corresponding to hundreds of storage elements are arranged, manually assigning the identification data of the plurality of storage elements to each of the hundreds of graphics is cumbersome and prone to errors. If an administrator or maintenance worker arranges the graphics in a regular manner and assigns the identification data in a regular manner, the server device assigns the identification data of the plurality of storage elements to the identification data of each graphic in order. This reduces the workload of the administrator or maintenance worker.

[0026] (7) The information processing system includes a client device having a display unit that displays information about a power supply-related device, which is at least one of a power conditioner, an uninterruptible power supply, and a rectifier, and / or information about a storage element, and a server device that transmits screen data for displaying the information to the client device. The server device in the information processing system stores configuration data describing a hierarchical structure of the power supply related devices and / or the storage elements in a storage medium, accepts settings for graphics to be displayed in a status screen showing the status of the power supply related devices and / or the storage elements by hierarchy based on the configuration data, the status screen is a screen including layout images showing the arrangement of the power supply related devices and / or the storage elements by hierarchy, acquires data including the status of the storage elements and the power supply related devices by communication from communication devices provided in each of them, stores the acquired data in a storage medium in association with identification data that respectively identifies the power supply related devices and / or the storage elements, creates screen data for the status screen based on the data including the status of the power supply related devices and / or the storage elements stored in the storage medium and the graphic settings for the status screen, transmits the screen data to the client device, and the client device displays the status screen on the display unit.

[0027] (8) The computer program causes a computer that displays information about a power supply-related device, which is at least one of a power conditioner, an uninterruptible power supply, and a rectifier, and / or information about a storage element, on a display unit provided in a client device, to perform the following processing. The computer stores configuration data describing a hierarchical structure of the power supply related devices and / or the storage elements in a storage medium, accepts settings for graphics to be displayed in a status screen showing the status of the power supply related devices and / or the storage elements by hierarchy based on the configuration data, the status screen being a screen including layout images showing the arrangement of the power supply related devices and / or the storage elements by hierarchy, acquires data including the status of the storage elements and the power supply related devices by communication from communication devices provided in each of them, stores the acquired data in a storage medium in association with identification data that respectively identifies the power supply related devices and / or the storage elements, creates screen data for the status screen based on the data including the status of the power supply related devices and / or the storage elements stored in the storage medium and the graphic settings for the status screen, and transmits the screen data to the client device.

[0028] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings showing embodiments thereof.

[0029] 1 shows an overview of a remote monitoring system 100. The remote monitoring system 100 enables remote access to information relating to the power storage elements and power supply related devices included in a mega solar power generation system S, a thermal power generation system F, and a wind power generation system W. Power supply related devices such as an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) U, a rectifier (DC power supply device) D arranged in a stabilized power supply system, etc. may be remotely monitored individually.

[0030] A power conditioner (PCS: Power Conditioning System) P and a power storage system 101 are arranged in parallel in the mega solar power generation system S, the thermal power generation system F, and the wind power generation system W. The power storage system 101 may be configured by arranging a plurality of containers C accommodating a power storage module group L in parallel. The power storage system 101, the power storage module group L, and the power conditioner P may be arranged in a building (power storage room). The power storage module group L includes a plurality of power storage elements. The power storage elements are preferably rechargeable, such as secondary batteries such as lead-acid batteries and lithium-ion batteries, or capacitors, or an assembly of rechargeable elements. Some of the power storage elements may be non-rechargeable primary batteries. The power conditioner includes a V2X system, a V2H system, and the like.

[0031] In the remote monitoring system 100, a communication device 1 is mounted on or connected to each of the power storage systems 101 or power supply related devices (P, U, D and a management device M described below) in the systems S, F, W to be monitored. The remote monitoring system 100 includes the communication device 1, a server device 2 that collects information from the communication device 1, a client device 3 for viewing the collected information, and a network N that is a communication medium between the devices.

[0032] The communication device 1 may be a terminal device (measurement monitor) that communicates with a battery management unit (BMU) provided in the energy storage element to receive information about the energy storage element, or may be a controller compatible with ECHONET / ECHONETLite (registered trademark). The communication device 1 may be an independent device, or may be a network card type device that can be mounted on a power conditioner P or a group of energy storage modules L. The communication device 1 is, for example, an independent communication device that is installed to collect measurement data by wireless communication from a slave unit that measures the internal resistance, voltage, current, temperature, etc. of the energy storage element, which is a lead-acid battery. The communication device 1 is, for example, a network card type device that is incorporated in an energy storage device (energy storage module) in which lithium-ion batteries are connected in series, and is connected to a control board of the energy storage device.

[0033] The communication device 1 is provided for each group consisting of a plurality of power storage modules in order to acquire information on the power storage module group L in the power storage system 101. The communication device 1 may be connected to a control unit of a representative power conditioner P of the group of a plurality of power conditioners P. In this case, the multiple power conditioners P are connected in a ring shape to enable serial communication. The communication device 1 may acquire information on each of the multiple power conditioners P, such as abnormal / normal status and status including output.

[0034] The server device 2 includes a web server function, and presents information on the energy storage elements and each of the power supply related devices P, U, D to be monitored in response to access from the client device 3. The server device 2 may actively output information to the client device 3. Information on the energy storage elements and each of the power supply related devices P, U, D to be monitored is obtained from a management device M for the energy storage elements and a communication device 1 mounted on or connected to each device.

[0035] The network N includes a public communication network N1, which is the so-called Internet, and a carrier network N2 that realizes wireless communication according to a predetermined mobile communication standard. The public communication network N1 includes a general optical line, and the network N includes a dedicated line to which the server device 2 is connected. The network N may include a network compatible with ECHONET / ECHONETLite. The carrier network N2 includes a base station BS. If the client device 3 is a communication terminal, the client device 3 can communicate with the server device 2 from the base station BS via the network N. An access point AP is connected to the public communication network N1. If the client device 3 is a communication terminal, the client device 3 can transmit and receive information to and from the server device 2 from the access point AP via the network N. The communication device 1 mounted on or connected to the system S, F, W, or independent power supply related device P, U, D can be connected to the server device 2 or the client device 3 from the network in the system via the public communication network N1 and the network N.

[0036] The energy storage elements of this embodiment have a hierarchical structure. The energy storage module group L of the energy storage system 101 has a hierarchical structure. The communication device 1 acquires information on the energy storage module group L and / or information on the energy storage cells (also referred to as cells) included in each energy storage module from a management device M provided in the energy storage module group L. FIG. 2 shows an example of the hierarchical structure of the energy storage elements and a connection form of the communication device 1. The energy storage module group L of the energy storage system 101 in FIG. 2 is configured in a hierarchical structure of banks in which a plurality of energy storage cells are connected in series, and domains in which a plurality of banks are connected in parallel.

[0037] In the example of FIG. 2, one management device M is provided for each of the banks numbered 1 to N and for each domain in which the banks are connected in parallel. The management device M provided for each bank communicates with a control board (CMU: Cell Monitoring Unit) with a communication function built into each storage module by serial communication. The management device M of the bank acquires measurement data (current, voltage, temperature, internal resistance, etc.) of the storage cells in the storage module from the CMU. The management device M of the bank executes management processing such as detection of communication abnormality with the CMU in the storage module and detection of voltage abnormality of each storage cell. The management device M of the bank transmits measurement data obtained from the storage modules in the bank to the management device M provided in the higher domain. The management device M of the domain aggregates information such as measurement data obtained from the management device M of the lower bank belonging to the domain and detected abnormality. In the example of FIG. 2, the communication device 1 is connected to the management device M of the domain. Alternatively, the communication device 1 may be connected to each of the management device M of the domain and the management device M of the bank.

[0038] In the remote monitoring system 100, the server device 2 uses the communication device 1 mounted on / connected to each device to collect status information such as SOC and SOH (State Of Health) of the power storage elements in each hierarchical level in the power storage system 101. The server device 2 also collects status information such as abnormalities detected by the power supply related devices themselves included in the power storage system 101 and abnormalities detected by the communication device 1. The server device 2 can present the status of the detected abnormality, etc. based on the collected status information. The server device 2 can derive and present the status of SOC, SOH, abnormality, etc. in each hierarchical level of the power storage elements and the status of abnormality, etc. of the power supply related devices to be monitored based on the accumulated measurement data using an algorithm suitable for each system or device.

[0039] Even when the power conditioner P, the uninterruptible power supply U, and the DC power supply D are monitored individually, the server device 2 can present the status of the entire power conditioner P and the status of the circuits and components contained in the power conditioner P according to the hierarchy.

[0040] Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the devices included in the remote monitoring system 100. Fig. 3 shows the internal configuration of the communication device 1 and the server device 2. The communication device 1 includes a control unit 10, a storage unit 11, a first communication unit 12, and a second communication unit 13. The control unit 10 is a processor using a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and uses built-in memories such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory) to control each component and execute processing.

[0041] The storage unit 11 uses a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory. The storage unit 11 stores a device program 1P that is read and executed by the control unit 10. The device program P1 includes a communication program conforming to SSH (Secure Shell), SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol), and the like. The storage unit 11 stores information collected by the processing of the control unit 10, information such as an event log, and the like. The information stored in the storage unit 11 can also be read out via a communication interface such as a USB, the terminal of which is exposed on the housing of the communication device 1. The device program P1 stored in the storage unit 11 may be a device program P4 stored in the recording medium 4 that is read out by the control unit 10 and copied to the storage unit 11.

[0042] The first communication unit 12 is a communication interface that realizes communication with a monitored apparatus in which the communication device 1 is mounted / connected. The first communication unit 12 is, for example, a serial communication interface conforming to RS232C or RS485. For example, a power supply-related apparatus such as a power conditioner P includes a control unit having a serial communication function conforming to RS485, and the first communication unit 12 communicates with the control unit. When the control boards included in the power storage module group L are connected to each other by a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus and communication between the control boards is realized by CAN communication, the first communication unit 12 is a communication interface based on the CAN protocol. The first communication unit 12 may be a communication interface conforming to the ECHONET / ECHONETLite standard.

[0043] The second communication unit 13 is an interface that realizes communication via the network N. The second communication unit 13 is a communication interface such as Ethernet (registered trademark) or an antenna for wireless communication. The control unit 10 can be communicatively connected to the server device 2 via the second communication unit 13. The second communication unit 13 may be a communication interface that complies with the ECHONET / ECHONETLite standard.

[0044] In the communication device 1 configured in this manner, the control unit 10 acquires, via the first communication unit 12, measurement data of the energy storage element obtained by the apparatus in which the communication device 1 is mounted / connected. When an abnormal state of the device, the SOC of the energy storage element, an abnormality, or other state is detected in the apparatus in which the communication device 1 is mounted / connected, the control unit 10 acquires the state data. The control unit 10 functions as an SNMP agent by reading and executing an SNMP program, and can transmit the measurement data by responding to an information request from the server device 2. The control unit 10 may transmit the state data to the server device 2 in response to a request from the server device 2 or autonomously when an abnormality or a caution state is detected.

[0045] A server computer is used as the server device 2. The server device 2 includes a control unit 20, a storage unit 21, and a communication unit 22. In this embodiment, the server device 2 is described as one server computer, but the processing may be distributed among multiple server computers.

[0046] The control unit 20 is a processor using a CPU or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). The control unit 20 uses built-in memories such as ROM and RAM to control each component and execute processing. The control unit 20 executes communication and information processing based on a server program P21 stored in the storage unit 21. The server program P21 includes a Web server program, and the control unit 20 functions as a Web server that executes providing Web pages to the client device 3. Based on the server program P21, the control unit 20 collects information from the communication device 1 as an SNMP server.

[0047] The communication unit 22 is a device that realizes communication connection and transmission and reception of information via the network N. Specifically, the communication unit 22 is a network card compatible with the network N.

[0048] The memory unit 21 stores measurement data and status data for the storage elements included in the storage system 101 to be monitored, which are collected by the processing of the control unit 20. If the system to be monitored includes power supply related devices (power conditioner P, rectifier D, uninterruptible power supply U, etc.), the memory unit 21 also stores the measurement data for those devices. The memory unit 21 stores the measurement data in association with identification information that identifies the system or device to be monitored. The memory unit 21 stores the measurement data of the storage elements according to the hierarchical structure. For example, the memory unit 21 stores the measurement data of the storage module group L according to a hierarchical structure such as domain, bank, module, or cell (see FIG. 4). The memory unit 21 also stores the measurement data of the power supply related devices according to the hierarchical structure.

[0049] FIG. 4 shows an example of measurement data and status data stored in the storage unit 21. The data in FIG. 4 corresponds to the example of the power storage module group L shown in FIG. 2. Based on configuration data described below, directories "B0001", "B0002", ..., "B000N" corresponding to banks #1 to #N are included under a directory (path, folder name) "00N5B" corresponding to the first domain. When each bank includes 16 power storage modules, the directory corresponding to each bank includes data names "M001", "M002", ..., "M016" corresponding to the power storage modules. The directory corresponding to each power storage module includes measurement data of the cells included in the module. The data of each cell is assigned a data name, for example, 00N5B / B0001 / M003 / C001_V.dat for the voltage data of cell #1, 00N5B / B0001 / M003 / C001_A.dat for the current data, and 00N5B / B0001 / M003 / C001_T.dat for the temperature data, and is stored in the storage unit 21. A time stamp may be added to the name of the measurement data.

[0050] The storage unit 21 stores configuration data indicating a hierarchical structure of the power storage module group L (domain, bank, module, cell) and / or the power supply related devices P, U, D in the system to be monitored. The system to be monitored by the remote monitoring system 100 or the device to be monitored is configured by one or more of the power storage system 101 including a large number of power storage elements, the power conditioner P, the uninterruptible power supply device U, and the rectifier D. The storage unit 21 may store configuration data indicating the hierarchical structure in advance for each system or device. The configuration data may be data created by the server device 2 from data transmitted from the communication device 1 in association with a parent-child relationship, that is, a hierarchical hierarchical relationship. When the monitoring target is the power supply related devices P, U, D used alone, the storage unit 21 stores configuration data indicating that the device to be monitored is used alone.

[0051] The configuration data stored in the storage unit 21 is, for example, as follows. The configuration data shown below corresponds to the example shown in FIG. 2. The configuration data is data that represents a tree structure. For example, the configuration data is data in which the identification data of each layer is arranged in the order of cell, module, bank, and domain, as shown below, so that it can be traced back. As shown in FIG. 2, when one domain (00N5B) includes banks #1 to #N, the identification data for identifying each bank is, for example, 00N5B-B0001 to 00N5B-B000N (N is a number). When bank #1 includes 16 modules, the identification data for each module is, for example, 00N5B-B0001-M001 to 00N5B-B0001-M016. When bank #2 includes 16 modules, the identification data for each module is, for example, 00N5B-B0002-M001 to 00N5B-B0002-M016. If the first module of bank #1 contains 12 cells, the identification data of each cell is 00N5B-B0001-M001-C001 to 00N5B-B0001-M001-C012. The identification data of the cells of the third module of bank #1 is 00N5B-B0001-M003-C001 to 00N5B-B0001-M003-C012. A collection of such identification data is an example of configuration data. Another example of configuration data may be in the form of 00N5B / B0001 / M003 / C001, which describes a directory. In the case of a format that describes a directory, the storage unit 21 can actually store data describing numerical values ​​in a file name based on the directory and time stamp, such as 00N5B / B0001 / M003 / C001 / 202212010900V.dat (see FIG. 4). The root side of the directory may be identification data of the system or device. The configuration data may be in a format that uses a structure that indicates a tree structure.

[0052] The configuration data stored in the storage unit 21 is described by only device identification data when the monitoring target is a power supply related device P, U, D used alone and there is no hierarchy. Even if the monitoring target is a power supply related device P, U, D used alone, if it is necessary to display the status according to a hierarchy such as the whole and the inverter and storage battery included in the whole, the storage unit 21 stores identification data according to the hierarchy, similar to the above-mentioned power storage system 101.

[0053] The storage unit 21 stores image data for displaying a graphic showing the status of the monitored power storage module group L or power supply related devices P, U, D, and setting data for displaying an image. The image data is material data drawn in a specific shape, specific pattern, specific design, or specific color. The image data may be, for example, an icon, a mark, an illustration, a photograph, a map, or a line drawing. The image data may include an animation image. The setting data includes coordinate data showing the arrangement position of the material data, as described below. The setting data includes a scaling factor when the image is scaled.

[0054] The storage unit 21 stores screen data for displaying a status screen created by a process described below in association with identification data of the monitored system or device. The status screen is created in a structure corresponding to the hierarchical structure of the monitored system or device, as described below. The storage unit 21 stores screen data for displaying graphics at each hierarchical level of the status screen. A method for creating the screen data and details of the screen data will be described below.

[0055] Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the devices included in the remote monitoring system 100. Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the client device 3. The client device 3 is a computer used by an operator such as a manager or maintenance worker of the power storage system 101 of the power generation systems S, F, and W. The client device 3 may be a desktop or laptop personal computer, or may be a so-called smartphone or tablet communication terminal. The client device 3 includes a control unit 30, a storage unit 31, a communication unit 32, a display unit 33, and an operation unit 34.

[0056] The control unit 30 is a processor using a CPU or a GPU. The control unit 30 causes the display unit 33 to display a Web page provided by the server device 2 based on a client program P3 stored in the storage unit 31. The client program P3 may include a script and a Web browser program that are incorporated into a Web page provided by a Web server function of the server device 2 and temporarily stored in the client device 3. The Web browser program and the script are programs for displaying a Web-based screen based on the operation of the server device 2 and an operator's operation on the Web page.

[0057] The storage unit 31 uses a non-volatile memory such as a hard disk or a flash memory. Various programs including a client program P3 are stored in the storage unit 31. The client program P3 may be a client program P6 stored in the recording medium 6 that is read by the control unit 30 and copied to the storage unit 31.

[0058] The communication unit 32 uses a network card for wired communication and a wireless communication device for mobile communication that connects to a base station BS (see FIG. 1). The communication unit 32 may use a wireless communication device that supports connection to an access point AP (see FIG. 1). The control unit 30 can communicate with the server device 2 or a communication device 1 mounted / connected to each device via the network N, or can transmit and receive information, using the communication unit 32.

[0059] The display unit 33 uses a display such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display. The display unit 33 displays an image of a Web page provided by the server device 2 through processing based on the client program P3 of the control unit 30. The display unit 33 may be a display with a built-in touch panel or a display without a built-in touch panel.

[0060] The operation unit 34 is a user interface such as a keyboard and a pointing device capable of inputting and outputting data to and from the control unit 30, or a voice input unit. The operation unit 34 may be a touch panel of the display unit 33, or physical buttons provided on the housing. The operation unit 34 notifies the control unit 30 of operation information by the user.

[0061] In the remote monitoring system 100 configured as above, the server device 2 periodically acquires status data and measurement data of the monitored system or monitored device from the communication device 1 based on the data processing program P22, and stores the data in the storage unit 21. The storage of the status data and measurement data according to the hierarchical structure is as described above. The server device 2 creates screen data of a status screen that visually shows the status of each layer according to the hierarchical structure of the power storage module group L (domain, bank, module, cell) and / or the power supply related devices P, U, D in the monitored system. The screen data can be set so that the system administrator or maintenance worker can easily understand the screen data visually. In response to a request from the client device 3, the server device 2 transmits the screen data created based on the settings to the client device 3, and the client device 3 can present information.

[0062] The following describes a procedure for an administrator or maintenance worker to accept settings for creating screen data using the client device 3. Figures 6 and 7 are flowcharts showing an example of a procedure for the server device 2 to accept settings for screen data. When a user logs in to the client device 3 using a Web browser and selects a settings menu, the server device 2 starts the following process.

[0063] The control unit 20 of the server device 2 transmits a system selection screen for selecting a setting target from a list of systems or devices to the client device 3 (step S201). The system selection screen includes a list of systems or devices for which an administrator or maintenance worker who uses the client device 3 that is connected for communication by logging in has authority.

[0064] The control unit 30 of the client device 3 receives the system selection screen transmitted from the server device 2 based on the client program P3 (step S301), and displays the system selection screen on the display unit 33 (step S302). The control unit 30 accepts the selection of the system or device to be set on the system selection screen (step S303). Identification data of the selected system or device is transmitted to the server device 2 by the processing of the control unit 30 (step S304). The data transmission and reception processing between the client device 3 and the server device 2, including step S304, is executed by a script running on a web browser included in the client program P3 in the background while the system selection screen is displayed.

[0065] The control unit 20 of the server device 2 receives the identification data of the selected system or device (step S202), and reads the configuration data of the target system or device stored in association with the identification data (step S203). The control unit 20 transmits the read configuration data to the client device 3 (step S204).

[0066] The control unit 30 of the client device 3 receives the configuration data (step S305) and temporarily stores it (step S306). The control unit 30 displays a hierarchical selection screen based on the configuration data of the system or device to be set (step S307). The control unit 30 accepts the selection of a hierarchical level for which the arrangement (MAP) is to be set, among the hierarchical levels in the target system or device, on the hierarchical selection screen (step S308). In step S308, the control unit 30 accepts the selection in order from the highest hierarchical level of the configuration data of the system or device (see FIG. 9). The control unit 30 transmits identification data indicating the selected hierarchical level to the server device 2 (step S309).

[0067] The control unit 20 of the server device 2 receives the identification data indicating the selected hierarchical level (step S205), and reads out the settings for the status screen of the target hierarchical level stored in association with the identification data from the setting data (step S206). In step S206, if no settings have been made, the control unit 20 reads out that the settings have not been made, that there is no setting, etc. The control unit 20 transmits the read settings and the material data of the image data stored in the storage unit 21 to the client device 3 (step S207).

[0068] The control unit 30 of the client device 3 receives the setting and material data for the selected layer (step S310), and displays a setting screen reflecting the setting contents based on the received data (step S311). The control unit 30 accepts graphic settings for the status screen on the setting screen (step S312).

[0069] In step S312, the control unit 30 accepts creation and editing of image layout (MAP) on the setting screen by dragging and dropping from the list of material data. The control unit 30 stores, as settings, identification data for identifying each piece of material data and the position on the screen where the material data is arranged (relative position within the screen) in association with the identification data of the selected layer. The material data may include data uploaded from the client device 3 by an administrator or maintenance agent, in addition to data previously stored in the storage unit 21 of the server device 2. The material data may be grouped and modularized and stored, as described later. The setting procedure in step S312 will be described later.

[0070] The control unit 30 transmits the accepted settings to the server device 2 in association with the identification data of the selected layer (step S313).

[0071] The control unit 20 of the server device 2 receives the setting and the layer identification data (step S208), and stores them in the storage unit 21 (step S209).

[0072] The control unit 30 judges whether or not an operation to end the settings for the selected system or device has been performed (step S314). If it is judged that an operation to end the settings has been performed (S314: YES), the control unit 30 notifies the server device 2 of the end of the settings (step S315) and ends the setting process. In this case, a screen other than the setting menu is displayed on the client device 3.

[0073] If it is determined that the end operation has not been performed (S314: NO), the control unit 30 returns the process to step S307.

[0074] The control unit 20 of the server device 2 determines whether or not a notification of the end of the setting has been received (step S210). If the control unit 20 determines that the notification of the end of the setting has not been received (S210: NO), the process returns to step S205. If the control unit 20 determines that the notification of the end of the setting has been received (S210: YES), the control unit 20 ends the setting process.

[0075] 8 to 18 show examples of screens displayed on the client device 3. Fig. 8 shows an example of a system selection screen 330. The system selection screen 330 is displayed on a Web browser by processing based on the client program P3 of the control unit 30 of the client device 3.

[0076] The system selection screen 330 includes a selectable list of systems or devices for which the administrator or maintenance worker using the client device 3 has authority. The system selection screen 330 in Fig. 8 includes in the list the name of the mega solar power generation system S shown in Fig. 1, "XY City Mega Solar System," the name of the wind power generation system W, "WZ Power Plant System," and other systems, "K Railway System," "X Factory UPS," "W Factory Power Storage System," and the like.

[0077] 8 includes a "settings" item for each of the monitored systems and monitored devices. The system selection screen 330 includes a "screen settings" icon 331 for the "settings" item. The "screen settings" icon 331 is an interface for setting the arrangement (MAP) of the system or device on the status screen. In addition to the "screen settings" icon 331, the system selection screen 330 may include interfaces for setting graph display settings and for setting the configuration data described above.

[0078] 8 includes a "reflect" icon 332 for each system or device. Icon 332 is an interface for reflecting the setting contents so that a customer who uses remote monitoring, other than the administrator or maintenance worker, can confirm the settings.

[0079] 9 and 10 show examples of the hierarchical selection screen 333. The hierarchical selection screen 333 is displayed on a web browser, similar to the system selection screen 330. The hierarchical selection screen 333 is displayed when an icon 331 corresponding to a target system or device in the system selection screen 330 is selected. The hierarchical selection screen 333 shown in FIG. 9 is displayed when the icon 331 of "Screen Settings" for "XY City Mega Solar System" in the system selection screen 330 of FIG. 8 is selected.

[0080] The hierarchical level selection screen 333 includes a selection menu 334 of the name or identification data of the target system or device. The control unit 30 accepts the selection of a hierarchical level from a higher level on the hierarchical level selection screen 333 based on the configuration data of the target system or device. When a hierarchical level is selected on the hierarchical level selection screen 333, the control unit 30 displays a selection screen (selection menu 334) of a lower hierarchical level belonging to the selected hierarchical level. In the example of the hierarchical level selection screen 333 shown in FIG. 9, "Entire level" is selected for the top level "Hierarchical level 1". When "Entire level" is selected, the selection screen for "Hierarchical level 2" on the hierarchical level selection screen 333 displays options for buildings in which the energy storage system 101 constituting the "XY City Mega Solar System" is installed, based on the configuration data.

[0081] The energy storage system 101 constituting the exemplary "XY City Mega Solar System" includes a group of energy storage modules L separated into two buildings, "Building A" and "Building B." In the "XY City Mega Solar System," "Building A" and "Building B" each have four "energy storage rooms." Each "energy storage room" includes several hundred "battery panels" which correspond to domains. The battery panels are made up of multiple groups to form "units." The battery panels include three banks. Each bank includes 16 modules, and each module includes 16 cells. The configuration data that is set in advance or automatically created is described, for example, as follows: Whole / Building / Storage room / Unit / Battery panel / Module / Cell 12345 / A / A1 / 00N1 / A01 / B0001 / M001 / C001~12345 / A / A1 / 00N1 / A01 / B0001 / M001 / C016 12345 / A / A1 / 00N1 / A01 / B0001 / M002 / C001~12345 / A / A1 / 00N1 / A01 / B0001 / M002 / C016 … 12345 / B / B4 / 00S8 / B18 / B0003 / M015 / C001~12345 / B / B4 / 00S8 / B18 / B0003 / M015 / C016 12345 / B / B4 / 00S8 / B18 / B0003 / M016 / C001~12345 / B / B4 / 00S8 / B18 / B0003 / M016 / C016

[0082] Based on the configuration data, the control unit 30 of the client device 3 can identify that the hierarchy immediately below the top identification data "12345" includes two data, "A" and "B" (12345 / A, 12345 / B). The identification data "12345" for each hierarchy is preregistered with hierarchy names such as "whole", "A" with the name of "Building A", "B" with the name of "Building B", etc. As shown in FIG. 9, hierarchy names are used for hierarchy options. The method of describing the configuration data is not limited to the above-mentioned method, and there are multiple methods. For example, the building and the storage room may be on the same hierarchy, and the unit and the storage battery may be on the same hierarchy.

[0083] The hierarchical selection screen 333 shown in FIG. 10 shows an updated result in response to the selection of a building called "Building B" in the selection menu 334 of "Level 2" on the hierarchical selection screen 333 of FIG. 9. The hierarchical selection screen 333 of FIG. 10 displays an option of "storage room" included in "Building B" of "Level 2". The hierarchical selection screen 333 shown in FIG. 10 includes a selection screen that accepts the selection of which of four storage rooms to select. The hierarchical selection screen 333 includes a "setting" icon 335 for transitioning to a setting screen of a screen (MAP) showing the arrangement of the hierarchical levels corresponding to each option. The hierarchical selection screen 333 displays a minor ID assigned to the system or device. The hierarchical selection screen 333 includes an interface for setting configuration data.

[0084] 11 to 19 show examples of setting screen 336. Setting screen 336 includes an edit screen 337 for a status screen in which the settings for the target hierarchical level are reflected, and a list 339 of graphics 338 to be arranged on the status screen. Setting screen 336 includes a selection menu 340 for a lower hierarchical level to be associated with graphic 338. Setting screen 336 includes a setting button 341 for accepting settings for a background (sketch), and a setting button 342 for accepting addition of a graphic to list 339.

[0085] The setting screen 336 in Fig. 11 is displayed when the "settings" icon 335 for the power storage room "B2" in "Building B" of the "XY City Mega Solar System" is selected on the level selection screen 333 in Fig. 10. The editing screen 337 also functions as a preview screen. As shown in Fig. 11, the editing screen 337 is blank for the level of the power storage room "B2" in "Building B". In other words, the setting screen 336 in Fig. 11 shows a state in which no graphics have been set for the level of the power storage room "B2".

[0086] Edit screen 337 accepts drag and drop from list 339 of graphic 338 included in list 339 beside it. Figure 12 shows with dashed lines the process of graphic 338 being dragged from list 339 on setting screen 336 for the hierarchy of the storage compartment "B2" shown in Figure 11. Figure 12 shows with solid lines the state after the dragged graphic 338 has been dropped.

[0087] The control unit 30 of the client device 3 determines the relative position in the editing screen 337 where the graphic 338 is arranged, based on the client program P3. The control unit 30 stores identification data (e.g., 12345 / B / B2 / G01, etc.) for identifying the dropped graphic 338 in the hierarchy, in association with the identification data (12345 / B / B2) of the selected hierarchy (storage compartment "B2"). The control unit 30 stores type identification data (e.g., icon_1) for identifying the type of the graphic 338, and coordinate data of the relative position of the graphic 338 (e.g., x: 30%, y: 22%, w: 11%, h: 18% in FIG. 12), in association with the identification data of the graphic 338. The control unit 30 sequentially transmits the setting contents, including the results of the association between the graphic 338 and the identification data of each layer and the association with the coordinate data, to the server device 2 (S313), and the control unit 20 of the server device 2 stores it in the memory unit 21.

[0088] The control unit 30 accepts the setting of the correspondence between the graphic 338 and a device or a set of devices that corresponds to a lower level in the target level. For example, the control unit 30 accepts that the graphic 338 corresponds to the identification data (e.g., 12345 / B / B2 / G01) of the graphic 338 and that the graphic 338 is one of the units that is a set of battery panels that corresponds to a lower level in the target level (storage room "B2"). The control unit 30 accepts the graphic 338 that is selected to be surrounded by a thick line in the editing screen 337 of FIG. 12 and the selection of the name of the lower level in the selection menu 340. The control unit 30 accepts a selection from the identification data (12345 / B / B2 / 00N1-12345 / B / B2 / 00N8, 12345 / B / B2 / 00S1-12345 / B / B2 / 00S8) of the "unit" of the lower level for the identification data (12345 / B / B2 / 00N1 / A01-12345 / B / B2 / 00N8 / B18, 12345 / B / B2 / 00S1 / A01-12345 / B / B2 / 00S8 / B18) of the battery panels constituting the "unit" for each graphic 338.

[0089] The setting screen 336 may be configured such that, when a graphic 338 is selected in the editing screen 337, a selection menu 340 is displayed for selecting the name or identification data of the corresponding lower level.

[0090] For example, the control unit 30 stores the identification data of the unit corresponding to the arrangement of the graphic 338 (e.g., 12345 / B / B2 / G01) in association with the identification data of the graphic 338 enclosed in a thick line in Fig. 12 (e.g., 12345 / B / B2 / 00N1: the unit in the first row on the north side). Based on the correspondence, when the graphic 338 identified by "12345 / B / B2 / G01" is selected within the status screen, the control unit 30 can transition to a screen showing the status of the unit "12345 / B / B2 / 00N1" which is a lower hierarchical level.

[0091] When a setting button 341 for accepting background settings is selected on the setting screen 336, the control unit 30 accepts the setting of a background image for the status screen of the target floor (electricity storage room "B2") (not shown). The control unit 30 may accept image data of the graphic 338 included in the list 339 in advance as the background image, or may accept uploading from image data stored in the storage unit 31 of the client device 3. The control unit 30 stores, for the background image, identification data (ABC.JPG, ABC.PNG, etc.) of the arranged image data and coordinate data (data indicating the relative position and range) on the status screen. The control unit 30 sequentially transmits the setting contents including the identification data of the image data and the coordinate data to the server device 2 (S313), and the control unit 20 of the server device 2 stores them in the storage unit 21.

[0092] When a setting button 342 for accepting the addition of a graphic is selected on the setting screen 336, the control unit 30 displays a graphic adding screen. Fig. 13 shows an example of a graphic adding screen 420. The graphic adding screen 420 is a screen for accepting registration of a collection of graphics 338 as a component. The graphic adding screen 420 includes an editing screen 421, a list 422 of graphics 338, and a setting button 423. The control unit 30 accepts drag-and-drop of the graphics 338 included in the list 422 on the editing screen 421. Fig. 14 shows a state after a plurality of graphics 338 have been dropped on the graphic adding screen 420 shown in Fig. 13.

[0093] When the setting button 423 is selected on the graphic addition screen 420, the control unit 30 stores the graphics 338 dropped into the editing screen 421 as a single graphic 338. This makes it possible to handle a group of graphics 338 as a single graphic 338. In the example of FIG. 14, 36 (18×2) graphics 338 can be used as a group. The control unit 30 also sequentially transmits image data, identification data, and the like of the graphics 338 of the added group to the server device 2 based on the script on the Web browser. The server device 2 stores the added graphics 338 in the storage unit 21 so that they can be used by other systems, other administrators, or maintenance workers.

[0094] 15 shows the setting screen 336 after a group of graphics 338 has been added on the graphic addition screen 420. The added graphics 338 are added to the list 339 in FIG. 15 with the identification name of "group 3". In FIG. 15, the added graphics 338 are arranged in an editing screen 337. The control unit 30 accepts the selection of a lower hierarchical unit "N1" from the selection menu 340 for the group of graphics 338 in "group 3" including the 18 graphics 338 arranged on the editing screen 337, and stores the unit in association with the group.

[0095] Based on the configuration data, the control unit 30 can recognize that there are 576 (=18 (01-18) x 2 (A and B) x 8 (1-8) x 2 (N and S)) battery panels as layers below the selected layer (storage room "B2"). When the unit "N1" is selected in the selection menu 340, the control unit 30 can extract groups of battery panels with identification data of 12345 / B / B2 / 00N1 / A01-12345 / B / B2 / 00N1 / A18, 12345 / B / B2 / 00N1 / B01-12345 / B / B2 / 00N1 / B18 based on the configuration data. The control unit 30 automatically associates the identification data of the extracted groups with the identification data of the graphics in ascending or descending order of the numbers and letters included in each identification data. As a result, the placed graphic 338 shown in Figure 15 corresponds to a lower level of the "unit" named "N1" (for example, a collection of battery panels 12345 / B / B2 / 00N1 / A01 to 12345 / B / B2 / 00N1 / A18, 12345 / B / B2 / 00N1 / B01 to 12345 / B / B2 / 00N1 / B18) for the selected level (storage room "B2").

[0096] In the graphic 338 shown on the setting screen 336 in Fig. 15, not only the "unit" immediately below the selected hierarchical level (storage room "B2") but also the graphic 338 of the battery panel at an even lower hierarchical level can be identified by small rectangles. The setting shown in Fig. 15 makes it possible for the status screen for the storage room hierarchical level to display the status of the entire battery panel (domain) with each graphic 338. Because a "unit" is a collection of battery panels, the configuration data may indicate that the hierarchical level immediately below the storage room hierarchical level is "battery panel".

[0097] By grouping the graphics 338 as shown in FIG. 15, it is possible to easily associate the graphics 338 with each other based on the configuration data even when a large number of storage elements are included, rather than setting the graphics 338 corresponding to each storage battery panel one by one.

[0098] FIG. 16 shows another example of the setting screen 336. FIG. 16 shows a state in which the graphic 338 is set for the floor of the storage room "B2" of the "Building B" of the "XY City Mega Solar System". As shown in FIG. 16, the editing screen 337 has arranged therein the graphic 338 corresponding to the "unit" which is a collection of storage battery panels installed in the storage room "B2" and the graphic 338 corresponding to the SOC icon for each unit. In the setting screen 336 of FIG. 16, the graphic 338 corresponding to the text box which expresses the state by character information is arranged in the editing screen 337. The graphic 338 arranged in large numbers in the editing screen 337 of FIG. 16 corresponds to the unit, storage battery panel, or other storage element or power supply related device P, U, B identified by which identification data in the selected storage room "B2".

[0099] FIG. 17 shows a method of setting the graphic 338 for a lower level. The setting screen 336 in FIG. 17 shows a preview of a status screen displayed when the level of the unit "N1" is selected. The setting screen 336 in FIG. 17 is displayed when the "setting" icon 335 of the unit "N1" of the storage room "B2" of the "Building B" of the "XY City Mega Solar System" is selected as the setting target of the graphic 338. In the setting screen 336 in FIG. 17, the correspondence between the graphic 338 corresponding to the storage battery panel constituting the unit and the identification data of each storage battery panel included in the unit can be confirmed. In the example in FIG. 17, the manager or maintenance worker can confirm that the graphic 338 corresponding to the storage battery panel surrounded by a thick line in the unit "N1" of the storage room "B2" corresponds to the identification name "B08".

[0100] In the example of "XY City Mega Solar System," the control unit 30 accepts the setting of the graphic 338 on the setting screen 336 for the status screen when "storage battery panel" in a lower hierarchical level is selected on the setting screen 336 in Fig. 17. The control unit 30 similarly accepts the setting of the graphic 338 on the setting screen 336 for the status screen when "storage module" or "storage cell" in an even lower hierarchical level is selected.

[0101] Fig. 18 shows another example of the setting screen 336. Fig. 18 shows the setting screen 336 when "X Factory UPS" is selected as the target on the system selection screen 330 shown in Fig. 8. Although the "X Factory UPS" has a built-in power storage element, it is a standalone power-related device as a monitoring target. On the setting screen 336 in Fig. 18, the whole (top layer) is selected as the setting target for the graphic 338. In Fig. 18, the system diagram accepted on the screen displayed by selecting the setting button 341 for setting the background is displayed as a background image.

[0102] A rectangular graphic 338 is arranged on the setting screen 336 in Fig. 18. The location where the graphic 338 is arranged corresponds to a storage battery in the system diagram in the background image. Based on preset configuration data, "Storage Battery 2" is selected in a selection menu 340 from among "Inverter," "Rectifier," "Storage Battery 1," and "Storage Battery 2," which correspond to a lower hierarchical level of the selected "X Factory UPS."

[0103] 19 shows a setting screen 336 in the case where the target is "X Factory UPS" and the lower hierarchy of "Storage battery 2" is selected. Graphics 338 corresponding to the storage modules included in storage battery 2 are arranged on the setting screen 336. The control unit 30 accepts the selection of identification data of the storage modules for these graphics 338 and associates them with the identification data of the graphics 338.

[0104] On the screens shown in Figs. 8 to 19, the administrator or maintenance worker sets the graphic 338 while selecting one of the hierarchical levels for one system or power-related device, and intuitively associates the identification data of the lower hierarchical level with the set graphic 338 through a simple operation. Even in an ESS including many storage elements, the control unit 30 can recognize the lower hierarchical levels in each hierarchical level based on the configuration data, so that the administrator or maintenance worker can easily perform a selection operation from the lower hierarchical level to create a status screen. The server device 2 creates screen data for displaying a status screen including the arrangement of the power-related devices or storage elements in each hierarchical level based on the settings, and transmits the created screen data to the client device 3. As a result, the client device 3 can display a status screen for each hierarchical level and present the status of the system or power-related device itself that is the remote monitoring target.

[0105] The procedure for presenting information using the status screen set by the setting screen 336 shown in Fig. 8 to Fig. 19 will be described. Fig. 20 to Fig. 24 show display examples of the status screen to be created. Fig. 20 to Fig. 22 show examples of screen changes that occur in response to the "XY City Mega Solar System" hierarchical level. Fig. 23 and Fig. 24 show examples of screen changes that occur in response to the "X Factory UPS" hierarchical level.

[0106] FIG. 20 shows a status screen 345 of the whole (top layer) of the "XY City Mega Solar System". FIG. 21 shows a status screen 345 displayed when the graphic 338 corresponding to the power storage room "B2" of a specific building "Building B" is selected on the status screen 345 of FIG. 20. FIG. 22 shows a status screen 345 displayed when the graphic 338 corresponding to the unit "N1" in the power storage room "B2" is selected on the status screen 345 of FIG. 21. These status screens 345 are created by processing based on the settings of the server device 2, stored in the server device 2 based on the settings received on the setting screen 336 of the client device 3, and transmitted to the client device 3 and displayed. The status screens 345 are displayed by screen transitions according to the layers as shown in FIG. 20 to FIG. 22, so that a customer who views the status screens can check the status while grasping the configuration of the system including the power storage element and / or the power supply related device, and the device itself. By setting the graphics 338 for each hierarchy on the setting screen 336 described above, it becomes possible to create a status screen 345 for a system including a large number of storage elements and / or power-related devices, with reduced burden on the administrator or maintenance worker.

[0107] The embodiments disclosed above are illustrative in all respects and are not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, and includes all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0108] 100 Remote Monitoring System 1. Communication Devices 2. Server equipment 20 Control section 21 Memory section P2 Information Processing Program 3 Client Device 30 Control section 336 Settings screen 337 Editing screen 338 Graphics P3 Client Program

Claims

1. An information processing method for displaying information about a power supply-related device, which is at least one of a power conditioner, an uninterruptible power supply, and a rectifier, and / or information about an energy storage element, on a display unit provided by a client device, The server device Configuration data describing the hierarchical structure of the power supply-related device and / or the energy storage element is stored in a storage medium. The power supply-related devices and / or the energy storage elements are displayed in a status screen that shows the status of the power supply-related devices and / or the energy storage elements in a hierarchical order. The layout image that shows the arrangement of the power supply-related devices and / or the energy storage elements is configured to receive the settings for the arrangement of the graphics corresponding to each power supply-related device and / or the energy storage elements within the layout image, based on the configuration data, in a hierarchical order. The association between the identification data of the power supply-related device and / or the energy storage element and the identification data of the arranged graphic is set up based on the configuration data and accepted hierarchically. Data including the status of the energy storage element and the power supply-related device is acquired by communication from a communication device provided in each of them. The acquired data is stored in a storage medium in association with identification data that identifies the power supply-related device and / or the energy storage element, respectively. Based on the data including the status of the power supply-related device and / or the energy storage element stored in the storage medium and the graphic settings for the status screen, screen data for the status screen is created. An information processing method for transmitting the aforementioned screen data to the client device.

2. Based on the configuration data, the server device outputs the options for the hierarchy to be configured, starting from the highest level of the hierarchy. The system accepts a selection of hierarchy from the aforementioned options. The system accepts the graphic settings within the status screen corresponding to the selected hierarchy. The information processing method according to claim 1.

3. The server device is The options for the hierarchy to be configured are displayed on the display unit of the client device. The system accepts a selection of the hierarchy from the displayed options. The information processing method according to claim 2.

4. The server device is The client device displays a preview screen of the layout image within the status screen corresponding to the selected hierarchy on its display unit. Within the aforementioned preview screen, the arrangement of graphics corresponding to the power supply-related devices and / or energy storage elements is accepted. The information processing method according to claim 1.

5. The server device accepts settings for lower hierarchies for graphics placed on the preview screen of the layout image within the status screen corresponding to the selected hierarchy. The information processing method according to claim 4.

6. The server device is If multiple graphics are placed on the preview screen of the layout image within the status screen corresponding to the selected hierarchy, the identification data of multiple power supply-related devices and / or energy storage elements included in a hierarchy lower than the selected hierarchy shall be assigned to the identification data of the multiple graphics in a predetermined order. The information processing method according to claim 5.

7. A client device equipped with a display unit that displays information about power-related devices, which are at least one of a power conditioner, an uninterruptible power supply, and a rectifier, and / or information about an energy storage element, A server device that transmits screen data for displaying the information to the client device. Includes, The server device is Configuration data describing the hierarchical structure of the power supply-related device and / or the energy storage element is stored in a storage medium. The power supply-related devices and / or the energy storage elements are displayed in a status screen that shows the status of the power supply-related devices and / or the energy storage elements in a hierarchical order. The layout image that shows the arrangement of the power supply-related devices and / or the energy storage elements is configured to receive the settings for the arrangement of the graphics corresponding to each power supply-related device and / or the energy storage elements within the layout image, based on the configuration data, in a hierarchical order. The association between the identification data of the power supply-related device and / or the energy storage element and the identification data of the arranged graphic is set up based on the configuration data and accepted hierarchically. Data including the status of the energy storage element and the power supply-related device is acquired by communication from a communication device provided in each of them. The acquired data is stored in a storage medium in association with identification data that identifies the power supply-related device and / or the energy storage element, respectively. Based on the data including the status of the power supply-related device and / or the energy storage element stored in the storage medium and the graphic settings for the status screen, screen data for the status screen is created. The aforementioned screen data is transmitted to the client device. An information processing system in which the client device displays the status screen on the display unit.

8. A computer that displays information about power-related devices, which are at least one of a power conditioner, an uninterruptible power supply, and a rectifier, and / or information about energy storage elements, on the display unit of the client device, Configuration data describing the hierarchical structure of the power supply-related device and / or the energy storage element is stored in a storage medium. The power supply-related devices and / or the energy storage elements are displayed in a status screen that shows the status of the power supply-related devices and / or the energy storage elements in a hierarchical order. The layout image that shows the arrangement of the power supply-related devices and / or the energy storage elements is configured to receive the settings for the arrangement of the graphics corresponding to each power supply-related device and / or the energy storage elements within the layout image, based on the configuration data, in a hierarchical order. The association between the identification data of the power supply-related device and / or the energy storage element and the identification data of the arranged graphic is set up based on the configuration data and accepted hierarchically. Data including the status of the energy storage element and the power supply-related device is acquired by communication from a communication device provided in each of them. The acquired data is stored in a storage medium in association with identification data that identifies the power supply-related device and / or the energy storage element, respectively. Based on the data including the status of the power supply-related device and / or the energy storage element stored in the storage medium and the graphic settings for the status screen, screen data for the status screen is created. The aforementioned screen data is transmitted to the client device. A computer program that executes a process.

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