Building management system and building management method

Abstract

To provide a building management system capable of more effectively performing a building management.SOLUTION: A building management system comprises: a plurality of types of facility equipment (an air conditioner, an illumination apparatus, a door, sensors such as a radio type sensor device or the like, switches, and the other electric devices) that is classified to any one of a plurality of management items (an air conditioning, an illumination, sanitation, a warning, and an energy, or the like); a radio type sensor device that can detect a plurality of types of a detection item (a temperature, a humidity, an illumination, an acceleration, and a contact or the like); and a first hierarchy device and a second hierarchy device at least from the first hierarchy device (a micro edge device 60 or the like) that becomes a higher layer in an ascending order, the second hierarchy device (an application edge device 62 or the like), a third hierarchy device (an integration edge device 64 or the like), and a fourth hierarchy device (an enterprise edge server 66 or the like).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to, for example, a building management system that manages a building via an information communication network. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1, listed below, discloses an invention relating to a network-distributed building management system. In the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1, as described in paragraph 0017 and Figure 1, building equipment is monitored from a communication terminal (1) such as a personal computer via an existing network (L1) such as the Internet and a building server (2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-134120 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Meanwhile, when a building is renovated, work is required to replace existing equipment (including sensors and switches) with new ones. Conventional network systems such as those disclosed in Patent Document 1 and conventional building management systems can manage equipment designed to comply with a common communication standard, but they are unable to accommodate a greater variety of equipment. For example, the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1 requires the selection of equipment control devices for each manufacturer (paragraph 0009). Furthermore, when considering the management of modern intelligent buildings or multi-building management, the number of monitoring points becomes enormous, and conventional technologies are unable to accommodate comprehensive building management.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a building management system that can more effectively manage a building. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the building management system according to the present invention comprises: Multiple types of equipment classified into multiple management items; a sensor device capable of detecting a plurality of types of detection items; The system includes at least a first tier device and a second tier device among a first tier device, a second tier device, a third tier device, and a fourth tier device, which are arranged in ascending order as higher tiers; It is possible to define a plurality of item systems, with at least one of the management items as one item system, A building management system, wherein the plurality of item systems include at least an air conditioning system, a lighting system, an alarm system, and an energy system, A plurality of the sensor devices are provided, A plurality of the sensor devices capable of outputting digital information to the first layer device according to at least one wireless communication standard; A sensor device group spanning a plurality of the item systems is configured, The first layer device transmits unified information based on a common communication standard to the second layer device, The second tier device, Prescribed application software Using The information from the first layer device can be compiled into a database. and predetermined information based on the information stored in the database is output from the second layer device to a public communication line; The facility equipment can be remotely controlled from a mobile information terminal via a browser and the public communication line. . [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the above invention, it is possible to provide a building management system that can perform building management more effectively. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic diagram of a building management system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a wireless sensor device. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of a procedure for creating a database. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an outline of information in a database. [Figure 5] 1 is a diagram showing an example of an SNVT correspondence table. [Figure 6] FIG. 1A is an explanatory diagram showing a conventional technique for mapping, and FIG. 1B is an explanatory diagram showing an example of mapping using the productivity tool of the embodiment. [Figure 7] 6A is an explanatory diagram showing a conventional technique related to mapping, similar to FIG. 6, and FIG. 6B is an explanatory diagram showing an example of mapping using the productivity tool of the embodiment, similar to FIG. 6. FIG. [Figure 8] (a) is an explanatory diagram using an image showing an example of the initial screen displayed when using the productivity tool, and (b) is an explanatory diagram using an image showing an example of a template for a specified protocol. [Figure 9] FIG. 10A is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a template for another predetermined protocol using an image, and FIG. 10B is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a template for a predetermined management system using an image. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] <Outline of the building management system according to the embodiment> The following describes a building management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The building management system according to this embodiment enables centralized management or decentralized control of various management items such as air conditioning, lighting, sanitation, warnings (security, alarms), energy, etc., from inside or outside the building, or from a remote location.

[0010] The building management system of this embodiment includes various equipment within a building. The equipment includes various equipment such as air conditioners, lighting equipment, doors, etc. The equipment also includes sensors such as temperature sensors that detect the temperature within a room, humidity sensors that detect humidity, illuminance sensors that detect the illuminance of lighting equipment, and contact sensors that detect whether a door is open or closed.

[0011] Facility equipment also includes air conditioner control panels and remote controls (remote controllers), lighting control panels and remote controls, various wall switches (switches), etc. Facility equipment can also include other electrical devices such as current transformers, power monitors, circuit protectors, power supply units, and compact gateways, which are used to understand power usage.

[0012] These are examples of facility equipment, and other equipment generally used for building management can also be included in the facility equipment of this embodiment.

[0013] In the building management system of this embodiment, the building is managed based on the information collected by each facility device. This allows building managers who monitor the equipment and general users of each equipment (such as employees of tenants who use the floor or section) to select equipment and enter instructions (commands) from their own personal mobile information terminals (such as smartphones or tablets).

[0014] Furthermore, in the building management system of this embodiment, the types of software (including application software) used for building management are kept to a minimum by integrating the system. Also, the building management system of this embodiment comes standard with a monitoring system that enables overall monitoring.

[0015] Although this may seem obvious, it was difficult for conventional building management systems to collect information across the board (horizontally across the board) and provide integrated services to building managers and general users of facility equipment, regardless of differences in the specifications of various information (signal standards, communication standards, OS (operating systems), programming languages, etc.) between manufacturers and vendors. The building management system of this embodiment makes this possible.

[0016] More specifically, the building management system of this embodiment aims to "liberate from the need for a monitoring room (central monitoring room) within the building." This means that it is possible to abolish the central monitoring room that was previously installed within the building, or to minimize the number of personnel involved in central monitoring, such as to one person.

[0017] In conventional building management systems, a central monitoring room was essential within the building. Moreover, each piece of equipment installed was independently managed for various management items, such as air conditioning, lighting, sanitation, alarms, and energy. As mentioned above, for example, the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1 requires the selection of equipment control devices from each manufacturer (paragraph 0009). Therefore, even if the control of devices could be integrated vertically (vertically) in the system configuration, it was fragmented and could not be integrated horizontally (cross-sectionally) regardless of differences in the specifications of various information between manufacturers and vendors.

[0018] Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a building management system 10 according to the present embodiment. The diagram shows an example of multiple systems (item systems) related to facility equipment. Shown in Fig. 1 are an air conditioning-related system 12, a lighting and outlet system 14, a sanitary and plumbing system 16, a status and alarm system 18, and an energy system 20.

[0019] The air conditioning-related system 12 represents a system (a collection, a group) of a plurality of equipment devices related to air conditioning, such as an air conditioner, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, and the like.

[0020] The lighting and outlet system 14 indicates a system of equipment related to lighting equipment, illuminance sensors, equipment for connecting to commercial power, etc. The sanitary and plumbing system 16 indicates a system of multiple equipment related to sanitary and plumbing, such as toilets, washrooms, hot water supply, etc.

[0021] The status / alarm system 18 represents a system of multiple equipment related to responding to door opening / closing, earthquakes, intrusion by unauthorized persons, etc. The energy system 20 represents a system of multiple equipment such as sensors and switches related to grasping the amount of electricity used (power consumption), the amount of solar power generated, the amount of fuel used, etc.

[0022] Here, the classification of the item system is not limited to the above example. For example, multiple systems may be integrated, such as "air conditioning, lighting, and outlet system." They may be separated into separate systems, such as "air conditioning system," "sanitary system," and "bathroom system." They may also be divided into systems such as "air conditioning 1," "air conditioning 2," "lighting 1," and "lighting 2."

[0023] In the various item systems described above (air conditioning system 12, lighting and outlet system 14, sanitary and plumbing system 16, status and alarm system 18, energy system 20, etc.), it is common for equipment from various manufacturers and vendors to be used. For this reason, in the past, each manufacturer and vendor in each item system had to hoard information and communications resources, and when renovating or constructing a building, it was necessary to order work from a contractor designated by the manufacturer or vendor.

[0024] Furthermore, each manufacturer and vendor often uses common signaling and communication standards. For this reason, it is possible to build a management system using common signaling standards, communication standards, operating systems, programming languages, etc. for each manufacturer and vendor. Furthermore, if equipment is used that is predetermined to support multi-protocol communication standards, it is possible to handle only that equipment in an integrated manner. However, in these cases, it is necessary to install a server compatible with the manufacturer or vendor and build a management system.

[0025] For example, if equipment from multiple manufacturers or vendors is used in one item system (such as air conditioning-related system 12), it was necessary to install multiple servers for each item system and build multiple management systems.

[0026] In addition, for example, if the manufacturers and vendors were uniform for each item system (air conditioning-related system 12, lighting and outlet system 14, sanitation and plumbing system 16, status and alarm system 18, energy system 20, etc.), it was necessary to install a server for each item system and build a management system.

[0027] In this way, integration by manufacturer or vendor (vertical integration in system configuration) is relatively easy, but integration across each item system (air conditioning-related system 12, lighting and outlet system 14, sanitary and plumbing system 16, status and alarm system 18, energy system 20, etc.) (horizontal integration in system configuration) is not easy. Furthermore, in conventional building management systems, IT (information technology) and OT (operational technology) are separated.

[0028] The building management system 10 of this embodiment shown in Figure 1 integrates the equipment items related to various management items and appropriately cloud-based them, making it possible to eliminate the need for a central monitoring room. The building management system 10 of this embodiment allows various management items to be remotely monitored from the building manager's mobile information terminal 22, such as a smartphone or tablet, without the need to install multiple application software. As a result, there is no longer a need to tie people down in the central monitoring room, making it possible to reduce the number of personnel required for management and labor costs.

[0029] In addition, the building management system 10 of this embodiment allows general users such as tenant employees to remotely operate specified management items from a mobile information terminal 24 such as a smartphone or tablet without having to install a large number of application software.

[0030] <Hierarchical structure> As shown in FIG. 1, the building management system 10 according to this embodiment has a hierarchical structure broadly divided into five levels, Level 0 to Level 4. Level 0 is the sensor level, Level 1 is the sensor controller (micro edge device) level, Level 2 is the application edge device level, and Level 3 is the integrated controller (integrated edge device) level. Level 4 is the enterprise edge server level. Each level is explained below.

[0031] <Level 0: Sensor> The lowest level hierarchy of the building management system 10 is the sensor. Conventionally, in order to convert various types of analog information such as temperature and humidity into digital information, it was necessary to provide a sequencer and set and manage thresholds for each type of information.

[0032] The data sent from the sensor is formed as a single block, with various elements added, such as threshold values, current values, range conversion, etc. In other words, the data is processed in the sequencer, threshold values ​​are set by designers or workers, and only a portion of the output data is used for building management.

[0033] One characteristic of conventional building management systems is that they simply physically connect devices together using a specific serial bus (RS485). Communication is carried out using the serial bus (RS485) interface, and signal processing is performed using a communication chip that does not have a CPU. As a result, conventional building management systems only have limited functionality and lack intelligence.

[0034] In the building management system 10 according to this embodiment, a wireless intelligent sensor device (hereinafter referred to as a "wireless sensor device") 30 is used as a Level 0 sensor, as shown in Fig. 2. The wireless sensor device 30 is capable of detecting multiple types of detection items (physical quantities) (for example, five types: temperature, humidity, illuminance, acceleration, and contact).

[0035] The wireless sensor device 30 is used in multiple item systems (for example, an air conditioning system 12, a lighting and outlet system 14, a sanitary and plumbing system 16, a status and alarm system 18, and an energy system 20). Furthermore, there are multiple models of the wireless sensor device 30, each of which performs wireless communication using its own communication standard. Therefore, the wireless sensor device 30 includes devices that perform wireless communication using different communication standards. Furthermore, it does not matter whether the wireless sensor device 30 is designed to be multi-protocol compatible.

[0036] The wireless sensor devices 30 are installed, for example, on the walls, ceilings, doors, etc. of a building, and wirelessly transmit detected information to a Level 1 sensor controller (described later). As the wireless sensor devices 30, it is possible to use a mixture of various types provided by multiple manufacturers and vendors.

[0037] 2, the wireless sensor device 30 internally includes a temperature sensor unit 32, a humidity sensor unit 34, an illuminance sensor unit 36, an acceleration sensor unit 38, and a contact sensor unit 40. The wireless sensor device 30 further includes a CPU 42, a memory unit 44, an information format conversion unit 46, an information input unit 48, a wireless communication unit 50, and a power generation unit 52.

[0038] The temperature sensor unit 32 includes a temperature sensor and can detect, for example, the temperature of the air in a room. The humidity sensor unit 34 includes a humidity sensor and can detect, for example, the humidity of the air in a room. The illuminance sensor unit 36 ​​includes an illuminance sensor and can detect, for example, the brightness of a room.

[0039] The acceleration sensor unit 38 includes an acceleration sensor and can detect, for example, an impact on a wall, etc. The contact sensor unit 40 includes a contact sensor (magnetic contact sensor) and can detect, for example, the opening and closing of a door, etc.

[0040] Various common sensors are used as the temperature sensor, humidity sensor, illuminance sensor, acceleration sensor, and contact sensor provided in the wireless sensor device 30. It is possible.

[0041] The wireless sensor device 30 uses a communication standard (EnOcean) that uses energy harvesting technology to generate power and transmit it wirelessly. In the wireless sensor device 30, the power required for the normal operation of the CPU 42 and sensor units 32, 34, 36, 38, and 40 is supplied by the power generation unit 52 (photovoltaic power generation in this case).

[0042] The wireless sensor device 30 can select which detection function to use for which detection item, and can also use all detection functions simultaneously.

[0043] The detection function to be used is set by storing information identifying the selected detection function (detection function identification information) in the storage unit 44. The detection function identification information can be stored using an external communication device capable of wireless communication.

[0044] Examples of the external communication device include mobile information terminals such as smartphones and tablet terminals (mobile information terminals 22, 24, etc.). In this case, predetermined application software can be installed on the mobile information terminal and the communication can be performed by operating this application software. Examples of predetermined application software include a device management app for building managers and a device management app for general users.

[0045] In the wireless sensor device 30, signals from the sensor units being used (at least some of the sensor units 32, 34, 36, 38, and 40) are converted into information in industrial units through information processing by the CPU 42, and digital data is generated. In the wireless sensor device 30, wireless packets are created using the generated digital data, and the wireless packets are sent to a level 1 sensor controller (micro edge device) described below.

[0046] Sensors that detect continuous quantities, such as the temperature sensor 32, humidity sensor 34, and illuminance sensor 36, transmit information at predetermined intervals (e.g., every few tens of seconds to three minutes). Information related to signals from the acceleration sensor 38 and contact sensor 40 is transmitted when acceleration or contact (such as contact pressure) large enough to reach a predetermined threshold is detected.

[0047] The amount of information transmitted can be reduced by increasing the intervals between transmissions of information from the temperature sensor unit 32, humidity sensor unit 34, illuminance sensor unit 36, etc. Information related to the temperature sensor unit 32, humidity sensor unit 34, and illuminance sensor unit 36 ​​may be transmitted within the above-mentioned predetermined time period, or information related to the temperature sensor unit 32, humidity sensor unit 34, and illuminance sensor unit 36 ​​may be transmitted in sequence at each of the above-mentioned predetermined time periods.

[0048] In conventional building management systems, wireless information communication has often been avoided due to problems such as the need for frequent battery replacement and the interruption of wireless signals. The building management system 10 of this embodiment solves these battery issues associated with wireless communication by using energy harvesting technology.

[0049] The power generation unit 52 used in the energy harvesting technology is not limited to photovoltaic power generation, but may also be, for example, thermoelectric power generation, electromagnetic wave power generation, vibration power generation, or the like.

[0050] In thermoelectric power generation, for example, a thermoelectric conversion element (an element that converts heat and electricity) that utilizes the Seebeck effect (a phenomenon in which a temperature difference is converted into a voltage) is used, and the temperature difference of an object is converted into a voltage. For example, heat generated by air conditioning units and piping in buildings is converted into electrical energy.

[0051] In electromagnetic wave power generation, for example, the energy of radio waves emitted by a wireless LAN within a building is converted into direct current by a rectifying antenna, thereby generating power.

[0052] In vibration power generation, pressure generated by vibration is converted into electricity via piezoelectric elements, etc. For example, pressure sensors are installed on the floors of a building, and the pressure generated when people walk down the aisle or due to vibration is converted into electrical energy.

[0053] In the building management system 10 of this embodiment, a wireless switch (not shown) is used as a switch for turning lights on and off. The wireless switch has a built-in switch mechanism and a wireless communication unit, and uses energy harvesting technology to wirelessly transmit information indicating the state of the switch mechanism to the outside.

[0054] When an administrator or general user operates the wireless switch with their finger, on / off information is transmitted wirelessly using induced electromotive force.Wireless switches can be installed on walls by using screws or by attaching a magnetic sheet.

[0055] By using a wireless switch, it is possible to turn lights on and off without the need for wiring. Because no wiring is required, there are no restrictions on where switches can be placed, giving you greater freedom in arranging the switches. In addition, no batteries are required, which also eliminates the need for battery replacement, which was previously a very time-consuming task.

[0056] As described above, by using as many wireless sensor devices 30 and wireless switches as possible for the necessary sensors and switches, it is no longer necessary to run wires to connect the sensors and switches that make up the end of the system to the sequencer, which makes it easier to install the sensors and switches.

[0057] Many sensors and switches are included in the aforementioned items 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20. The number of sensors and switches used in a single building will vary depending on factors such as the number of rooms on each floor, but the more intelligent a building becomes, the greater the number of sensors and switches will be.

[0058] For this reason, when renovating or constructing a building with many rooms or a highly intelligent building, the man-hours (number of personnel x time) required for wiring sensors and switches can be considerable. Therefore, by using the wireless sensor device 30 and wireless switches, much of the wiring work can be eliminated, making it possible to significantly reduce the man-hours required.

[0059] Traditionally, the work content and man-hours required for wiring work tended to be left to the discretion of the work site, which was a major factor in inaccurate construction time and labor cost estimates. For example, the wiring between sensor devices and programmable controllers, or the wiring between programmable controllers and the other devices, was often determined by the work site. Furthermore, the number of sensor devices installed can reach hundreds to hundreds of thousands, depending on the building's configuration and size. Furthermore, labor costs account for a large portion of the cost of building renovations and new construction. Therefore, reducing the man-hours required for wiring significantly contributes to cost reduction.

[0060] In the building management system 10 according to this embodiment, not all sensors and switches are limited to being wireless, and some sensors and switches may be wired to send signals to a sequencer, etc. Furthermore, the other electrical devices mentioned above may include those that communicate wirelessly and those that communicate via wires.

[0061] <Level 1: Sensor Controller (Micro Edge Device)> The digital data transmitted from each wireless sensor device 30 is received by a sensor controller (micro edge device 60) at level 1. The sensor controller is configured by the micro edge device 60.

[0062] The building management system 10 of this embodiment uses multiple micro edge devices 60 depending on conditions such as the size and number of buildings to be managed. FIG. 1 shows three micro edge devices 60 as an example. One micro edge device 60 can be associated with, for example, 100 or more (up to approximately 200) wireless sensor devices 30, or with sequencers connected to wired sensors and switches (not shown). One micro edge device 60 can process data for approximately 100 to 200 monitoring points.

[0063] In the past, for example, to control the blinds installed on the windows of a building, a dedicated controller for the blinds was used. The dedicated controller executed a blind control program and performed the processing related to the control of the blinds. In other words, the control of the controlled object (here, the blinds) was completed within the control system consisting of the blinds and the dedicated controller.

[0064] Building management systems have traditionally monitored and controlled many management items related to air conditioning, lighting, sanitation, security, energy, etc. As mentioned above, the control (monitoring control) related to these management items has generally been carried out using a variety of signal standards, communication standards, operating systems, programming languages, etc., depending on the equipment used, the manufacturer of the equipment, the model, etc.

[0065] Furthermore, in the technical field of building management, there are various standards related to IT (information technology) and OT (operational technology), and because the content of these standards differs, it was not possible to connect a variety of existing sensors, sensors selected by the building's construction company, and other such sensors to a single controller in a manner that would allow them to communicate.

[0066] In contrast, in the building management system 10 of this embodiment, the analog data (data collected by the wireless sensor devices 30), which is the starting point of all information, is digitized by the Level 0 wireless sensor devices 30 themselves. For one micro edge device 60, digital information from multiple wireless sensor devices 30 is aggregated in the micro edge device 60.

[0067] The wireless sensor devices 30 include those that communicate information using the same digital wireless communication standard and those that communicate information using different digital wireless communication standards. The micro edge device 60 is configured to be able to handle a large number of communication standards (communication protocols) (for example, 150 or more).

[0068] The micro edge device 60 can handle information from multiple wireless sensor devices 30 by converting it into a common communication standard (here, IP (Internet Protocol)) for each communication standard adopted by the wireless sensor devices 30. In other words, the micro edge device 60 inputs signals of different communication standards and outputs signals of a unified common standard. The micro edge device 60 assigns IP addresses to the associated equipment and identifies them using the IP addresses.

[0069] The micro edge devices 60 individually aggregate signals of different communication standards and convert them into signals of a common standard. The micro edge device 60 functions as a gateway that outputs a signal similar to that of the micro edge device 60. By providing a large number of micro edge devices 60 according to the size and number of buildings to be managed, it is possible to form a large-scale gateway group consisting of multiple gateways. Note that there may be other gateways (subdivided gateways) between each item system 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 and the micro edge device 60. The gateway group here also includes gateways that exist as separate devices from the micro edge device 60. The relationship (positioning) between the micro edge device 60 and the gateway is that the micro edge device is at the higher level and the gateway is at the lower level.

[0070] The micro edge device 60 collects information from the wireless sensor device 30, organizes the necessary information, and transmits it to the upper layer application edge device 62 (level 2). At the micro edge device 60 hierarchy (level 1), for example, a micro edge device group 60A is made up of a large number of micro edge devices 60. Conceptually, the micro edge device group 60A can be included in the aforementioned gateway group.

[0071] The micro edge device group 60A performs the function of a gateway to convert data and transmits information of a unified specification (information in a patterned format) to the associated application edge device 62 at the upper layer.

[0072] In this way, the analog data digitized by the wireless sensor devices 30 and sequencers undergoes preliminary processing in the micro edge device 60, becomes information with standardized specifications, and is sent to the upper layer. In the micro edge device 60, the information digitized by the terminal wireless sensor devices 30 undergoes preliminary processing for database creation at Level 2.

[0073] Although not shown in the figure, the micro edge device 60 may be, for example, equipped with a CPU, a memory unit, a wireless communication unit, etc., and convert multi-protocol digital information into a common communication standard through processing such as time division or information conversion processing.

[0074] <Level 2: Application Edge Devices> The layer above the micro edge device 60 (level 2) is the application edge device 62. The application edge device 62 is responsible for collecting data for each management item (application) such as the building's air conditioning, electricity, sanitation, and central monitoring.

[0075] As mentioned above, the micro edge device 60 (Level 1) aggregates data from the sensors (Level 0), and the data digitized by the sensors (Level 0) is sent from the micro edge device 60 (Level 1) to the application edge device 62 (Level 2).

[0076] Although it depends on the size of the building to be managed, for example, one application edge device 62 is installed for approximately 100 micro edge devices 60. In the case of a so-called small to medium-sized building, the entire building can be managed with one application edge device 62. In this case, levels 3 and 4, which will be described later, can be omitted.

[0077] The application edge device 62 is equipped with a central monitoring function. The central monitoring function performs processing for monitoring and controlling the energy management system (EMS) and provides the obtained information to external devices. This allows information such as the amount of power to be processed in real time based on the information collected by each wireless sensor device 30, and the information is statistically visualized and output as displayable information. In other words, the monitoring and control system of the energy management system (EMS) is incorporated into the application edge device 62.

[0078] In the application edge device 62, as shown in Figure 3, the information sent from the micro edge device 60 is read into the database creation software (S (step) 11), and a database is automatically created (S12). Furthermore, a productivity tool is used to set individual recognition data (parameter settings, etc.).

[0079] The productivity tool was developed as one of the application software used in the building management system 10 of this embodiment. The productivity tool will be described later. Various general software can be used as software for creating the database.

[0080] The created database records various attributes (including properties) of the collected data, as shown in Figure 4. The recorded attributes include information such as IP address, building name, floor, area, management item, information type, information acquisition date, and information acquisition time. In addition, in the case of sensor information, information such as the detected values ​​of each sensor (detection value information) and on / off information is also included.

[0081] Conventionally, setting data had to be manually entered one by one into an intelligent sensor or a micro edge device 60. This type of work not only required a lot of time and effort, but also required an understanding of the characteristics and mechanisms of the data. With the building management system 10 of this embodiment, a database is automatically created, making it possible to register data without manual work or the need to understand the mechanisms.

[0082] Furthermore, the application edge device 62 can use the central monitoring function unit to output information for statistically visualizing and displaying information such as temperature, humidity, and power consumption collected from each facility device in real time based on the databased information. The output information is displayed on a display device or mobile information terminal connected to the building manager's personal computer (PC) via an Internet line (public wireless communication line and public wired communication line) 68. The building manager's PC or mobile information terminal connects to the central monitoring application software via a browser installed on it.

[0083] The aforementioned EMS (Energy Management System) visualizes information. In other words, the information collected from sensors and various devices such as lighting, air conditioning, sanitation, and energy does not create value by simply existing. Value is created only when this data (information) is classified by type, only the necessary parts and times are compiled, statistically processed, and then displayed on a screen.

[0084] The EMS in the building management system 10 of this embodiment is configured so that the amount of electricity used can be viewed in various graphs. Of course, it is also possible to view the amount of electricity used for each of the various pieces of equipment being used.

[0085] Generally, 65% of the energy consumed in a building is for air conditioning and lighting. If the air conditioning and lighting, which are left on all the time, could be controlled according to the surrounding environmental conditions such as the outside temperature and sunlight, and the presence or absence of people in the room, it would be possible to significantly reduce energy consumption. Cut.

[0086] To analyze power usage, it is necessary to analyze multiple factors such as the operating status of equipment, temperature, and outside air temperature. The building management system 10 in this embodiment is capable of displaying trend data for energy management. Trend data can capture a large amount of data in units of as little as one second, making it ideal for energy analysis.

[0087] Using such an EMS, it is possible to analyze energy consumption by type and energy consumption over time. Furthermore, it is possible to select equipment and perform settings and display the status in real time.

[0088] The productivity tool mentioned above automatically collects information from sensors, switches, and other equipment installed on the same network and stores it in a database (Figure 4). Each piece of setting information can then be efficiently registered in the created database.

[0089] Previously, in order to collect information from each device and sensor in a building, such as lighting fixtures, air conditioning, and sanitary equipment, and to display and control current usage status, it was necessary to configure each device and its functions one by one.

[0090] For example, not only in huge buildings with hundreds of thousands of contact points (monitoring points), but even for just a few hundred points, the settings had to be manually configured one by one, which took a lot of time.In addition, it took a lot of time to manage the status of the information to check its current state.

[0091] To solve these problems, the building management system 10 of this embodiment uses the productivity tools described above. By using the productivity tools, work that previously took tens of days just to set up can now be completed in a matter of minutes. Moreover, the data to be registered can be set up by downloading it from a remote location. The productivity tools not only greatly simplify the construction work but also significantly reduce construction costs.

[0092] <Level 3: Integrated Controller (Integrated Edge Device)> Many application-specific systems (application-specific systems) are installed within a building, such as air conditioning, electricity, sanitation, and central monitoring. The integrated controller (integrated edge device 64) in the building management system 10 of this embodiment integrates these application-specific systems and sequentially transmits the received information to higher-level systems via Internet lines (public wireless communication lines and public wired communication lines) 68. A LAN (local area network, internal network) is also used as appropriate for transmitting information.

[0093] In the building management system 10 of this embodiment, the hardware and software of the integrated controller (integrated edge device 64) are configured so that one unit has the processing power to manage a building with a floor area of ​​100,000 square meters. 100,000 square meters is 10 hectares, which is equivalent to a 316 m x 316 m floor, or a 40-story building with each floor being 50 m x 50 m. In this way, a single integrated controller (integrated edge device 64) can manage a considerable scale of building.

[0094] <Level 4: Enterprise Edge Server> In the building management system 10 of this embodiment, a micro edge device 60 ( The hierarchy of enterprise edge servers 66 (Level 4) is built on top of the edge devices 62 (Level 1), application edge devices 62 (Level 2), and integrated edge devices 64 (Level 3). All of these devices and servers are configured using computer equipment, but the major differences between them are their performance as computer equipment (processing capacity, processing speed, etc.) and the way memory space is used.

[0095] Conventionally, there were significant limitations on the number of monitoring points, but the enterprise edge server 66 in the building management system 10 of this embodiment can use unused slots and increase the number of CPUs to deal with insufficient performance due to an increase in the size or number of buildings to be managed. Performance can also be improved by replacing the board with one equipped with a CPU with higher processing power.

[0096] Furthermore, a computer device capable of configuring a VM (Virtual Machine) is used as the Enterprise Edge Server 66. By configuring a VM, it is possible to multiplex (in this case, duplicate) the management system.

[0097] VMs are isolated from the rest of the system and are built to coexist on the same hardware. VMs allow multiple different operating systems to run simultaneously on a single computer device.

[0098] For example, when upgrading a building management system, it may be necessary to continue using an old operating system (OS) such as Windows NT (registered trademark) or XP, which is no longer being introduced these days.

[0099] In conventional building management systems, the monitoring server is dependent on the OS, so if a higher-level device is changed, all lower-level devices must also be changed to match the higher-level device. As a result, even if you try to update the system while maintaining at least some of the lower-level devices, you are still dragged down by the legacy system and have to keep the old OS.

[0100] In the building management system 10 of this embodiment, the enterprise edge server 66 can be configured as a virtual server. Therefore, when a new enterprise edge server 66 is installed, it is possible to run a variety of operating systems in parallel on the enterprise edge server 66. For example, it is possible to run Linux (registered trademark) and Windows NT (registered trademark) in parallel.

[0101] Therefore, when upgrading a building management system, it is possible to leave the lower-level devices and replace only the upper-level devices with new ones. Moreover, it is possible to build systems that support multiple operating systems. This concept itself represents a new approach that differs from the past. Furthermore, because the old OS can be left on the VM, replacing server equipment when upgrading the system is much easier than before.

[0102] The benefits of using the Enterprise Edge Server 66 are significant. Not only has the size of the equipment been reduced, but it also makes it easier to carry out repairs that occur every specified period (about every seven years).

[0103] Previously, repairing a large-scale system required a full day to back up, save, reload, etc. Furthermore, because the work had to be done for each server, the entire repair process took several days.

[0104] In the building management system 10 of this embodiment, the enterprise edge server 66 By using this technology, these problems have been solved, and equipment modifications (replacement, addition, etc.) can be made possible by hot swapping (with the power still on) without shutting down the system. To enable equipment modifications by hot swapping, it is possible to create redundancy by configuring the Enterprise Edge Server 66 in a duplicated configuration. In this case, one Enterprise Edge Server 66 is kept running while the other Enterprise Edge Server 66 is modified.

[0105] <The role of edge devices> <<Distributed Systems>> One of the major features of the building management system 10 according to this embodiment is that it allows for an easy increase in the number of monitoring points by appropriately combining wireless communication and internet communication. Conventional building management systems have a limit on the number of monitoring points, ranging from a few thousand to tens of thousands at most. When attempting to advance intelligent building management or multi-building management that manages multiple buildings, management capacity easily reaches its limits. With conventional building management systems, when introducing a system that exceeds the limit on the number of monitoring points, it was necessary to create a special program and bridge multiple servers.

[0106] In the building management system 10 of this embodiment, the enterprise edge server 66 constitutes a virtual server, so it is possible to easily increase processing power by increasing the number of CPUs. This makes it possible to build a huge building management system by utilizing hard disks (storage means), which are considered to be an infinite resource.

[0107] Another major feature of the building management system 10 is that it is a distributed system. For example, one server can be distributed to two servers. Although the servers are divided, it is not necessary to collect all data in one place; the data is distributed and can be retrieved as needed (collected on demand). In other words, there is no need to connect all the servers.

[0108] By performing the necessary operations when necessary, it is possible to collect the necessary data from multiple servers. In the building management system 10 of this embodiment, for example, when a command to the effect that "I only want data A, data B, and data C" is entered into a PC or mobile information terminal, the necessary data is output. The building management system 10 of this embodiment operates as if it were being processed by a single computer.

[0109] Most conventional building management systems are client-server type and are not capable of this type of operation. Conventional building management systems cannot be distributed and have had to be large systems. One of the features of the building management system 10 of this embodiment is that it has constructed a mechanism that overcomes this limitation.

[0110] <<Utilizing Edge Servers>> Conventional building management systems aggregate data in a single server and manage it centrally. This makes the system itself large. However, the building management system 10 of this embodiment decentralizes the system by using edge servers. And although the system is decentralized, by entering a command such as "I want to see specific data from the micro edge device 60," the data can be viewed on demand.

[0111] <<Unified Data Format>> Another feature of the building management system 10 of this embodiment is that all information management is performed in a unified format. As mentioned above, by using the wireless sensor devices 30, data is automatically collected in a unified format. Moreover, this format is used for the four types of edge devices mentioned above (micro edge devices 60, application devices, etc.). It is common to all edge devices 62, integrated edge devices 64, and enterprise edge servers 66).

[0112] The data format structure handled by the micro edge device 60 (level 1) is the same as that of the higher-level application edge device 62 (level 2), integrated edge device 64 (level 3), and enterprise edge server 66 (level 4). Therefore, higher-level edge devices can take over data from higher-level edge devices.

[0113] In this way, data in a unified format is created and utilized for a variety of management items (various applications such as air conditioning, electricity, sanitation, central monitoring, etc.) By utilizing data in a unified format, it becomes possible to construct an overall integrated building management system 10, just as if combining toy blocks with a common connection structure to create a desired structure.

[0114] <Utilizing the cloud> <<Remote monitoring>> The building management system 10 of this embodiment utilizes the cloud. This allows building supervisors and general users to receive building management services using public communication networks without having to have their own servers or storage devices. One of the reasons for using the cloud in this way is to enable remote monitoring.

[0115] However, if digitized data from multiple lower-level devices is simply sent to a higher-level device, the amount of communication traffic will increase on the higher-level device receiving the data, which could result in a decrease in data processing speed.

[0116] According to the inventors' knowledge, when using the cloud for building management, of the data collected from the site (end of the building management system 10) by sensors and switches, the data that should be uploaded to the cloud is actually only a few percent (for example, about 3%) of the total collected data. This few percent includes, for example, EMS (energy management system), energy data, and FMS (facility management system). Even if this data is collected only once every 30 minutes or once an hour, it is possible to perform sufficient building management.

[0117] The data required for building management is static data, rather than data that changes dynamically from moment to moment. For static data, simply collecting and accumulating it at regular intervals is sufficient for building management. For this reason, as will be described later, building management is carried out using a combination of on-premise and cloud data collection. Considering what should be uploaded to the cloud to maximize overall performance, a decision is made as to what data should be uploaded to the cloud as static data and what should remain in the application, edge device, or as dynamic data.

[0118] <<On-premise / Cloud>> Cloud services are currently the mainstream of information processing services. When it comes to cloud services, it is often thought that simply collecting large amounts of data and accumulating big data is sufficient, but when applied to building management systems, it has been difficult to build an effective building management system even if a huge amount of data is actually collected.

[0119] One of the reasons why it was difficult to build an effective building management system was that it was difficult to know how to handle the information collected, and more than 90% of the data that was collected was not used. In some cases, it wasn't even necessary.

[0120] Even if 100% of the data collected on-site (at the end of the building management system 10) is uploaded to the cloud, more than 90% of that data will not be used unless some kind of trouble occurs.

[0121] Uploading data to the cloud incurs communication costs, CPU usage fees, and requires storage space (also called "usage space") to store the information uploaded to the cloud. If you were to secure storage space large enough to store all the generated data, the size of the storage space would likely exceed the gigabyte or terabyte mark, reaching petabytes or more. Furthermore, the huge storage capacity of the cloud naturally requires enormous costs for maintaining and managing the cloud.

[0122] Therefore, the building management system 10 of this embodiment makes it possible to build an effective building management system by utilizing edge devices (systems that perform preprocessing on-site) and appropriately using on-premise data processing and cloud services.

[0123] In the building management system 10 of this embodiment, not all data is uploaded to the cloud, but selected data is uploaded to the cloud. Under normal circumstances, only static data is selectively uploaded, and only when a predetermined condition is met (for example, when an alarm is issued), other data (for example, historical data) is used from the on-premise data.

[0124] By doing this, for example, when an alarm is issued, it becomes possible to execute a processing program to investigate the cause by referencing on-premise data from the time period when the event that caused the alarm occurred. This also reduces communication volume and storage space, and improves communication speed and response speed.

[0125] <<Technology Integration>> In the building management system 10 of this embodiment, various devices and tools (application software) are provided to utilize the collected data in the cloud or on-premises. These devices and tools do not exist individually but are interconnected. And these devices and tools are essential to maximize the performance of the system.

[0126] <Central monitoring function> <<Achieving diverse visualization through the integration of IT and OT>> A major objective of the building management system is the unified status monitoring and control of the devices installed in the building. Conventionally, such overall management has been difficult. However, the building management system 10 of this embodiment realizes overall management by combining various ideas. For example, regarding the power consumption, visualization (making it visible) is performed for the total amount over a predetermined period (specified period) and the total amount for each device. And it has become possible to confirm matters such as when, where, which device is using how much power.

[0127] <<Visualization of lighting, temperature, humidity, etc.>> In the building management system 10 of this embodiment, regarding lighting, in addition to the lighting on / off status, it is possible to display on the screen in a specific manner the on / off and dimming control status, etc. Also, regarding the indoor environment, it is possible to display on the screen in a specific manner (such as a heat map) the indoor CO2 concentration, temperature, humidity, etc.

[0128] <<Visualization of the environment - Trend graph>> In the building management system 10 of this embodiment, it is also possible to display on the screen temperature, humidity, illuminance, etc. by means of a trend graph.

[0129] <<Usage status and linked applications>> In the building management system 10 of this embodiment, it is also possible to display on the screen schedules, operation histories, forms, earthquake warning systems, cloud applications, etc.

[0130] <Remote monitoring function> <<Cloud monitoring system enabling multi-building management>> In the building management system 10 of this embodiment, various devices related to air conditioning, lighting, sanitation, alarms, and energy in the building can be monitored and controlled via a portable information terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet. Also, monitoring and control can be performed from a remote location away from the building via the portable information terminal.

[0131] <​​​​​​​​​​​​​​If an abnormality is detected based on the data collected periodically, an alarm is sent to a mobile information terminal. Furthermore, by specifying the building where the alarm occurred and drilling down, it is possible to grasp the situation in more detail even from a remote location. When drilling down, data linked to the attributes of the building where the alarm occurred is selected and various predetermined analyses are performed.

[0135] <Smart Palm (trademark registration pending) that allows monitoring and control from the palm of your hand> The building management system 10 of this embodiment utilizes the latest technology to realize an intelligent tool for controlling lighting and air conditioning that is suitable for the new era. Smart Palm (trademark registration pending), which is provided to building managers and general users via a browser, realizes remote control (remote operation) for both lighting and air conditioning on a mobile information terminal, making it possible to control and monitor lighting and air conditioning in an office. Smart Palm (trademark registration pending) is a tool that provides operability that makes it seem as if the palm of your hand were a switch. <<Remote monitoring across networks possible>> In the building management system 10 of this embodiment, by using a mobile information terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet, it is possible to manage the building from anywhere without being bound by restrictions such as location and time. It is possible to control the system.

[0136] <<Lighting and air conditioning control>> In the building management system 10 of this embodiment, air conditioning, lighting, etc. can be directly controlled using a mobile information terminal. This eliminates the need for office personnel to go to a wall switch to change the temperature of office lighting or air conditioning (air conditioner), for example.

[0137] For example, the lighting system has been designed to allow all lights on a floor to be turned on or off simultaneously or in groups, and the brightness control system can also be controlled from the comfort of your own hand.

[0138] In addition, SmartPalm (trademark registration pending), which is provided via a browser, has a function that displays electricity usage by floor, group, and lighting, for example. This allows users to check the amount of electricity usage within a given area via a mobile information terminal.

[0139] <<Settings and QR Code Generation>> In the building management system 10 of this embodiment, once a lighting or air conditioning group has been set, it can be changed using a mobile information terminal. This eliminates the need to ask an air conditioning contractor or system installer to change the group on a weekend when the tenants in the building are closed.

[0140] When performing such work, in order to control lighting and air conditioning (air conditioners), for example, a QR code (registered trademark) is distributed to a predetermined group administrator in a group of general users for setting management. The QR code (registered trademark) is then distributed by the group administrator to other group members. The group is made up of a predetermined range of general users (which may include building managers and other managers) whose settings are permitted. The range of lighting whose settings are permitted is determined using a lighting design tool, which will be described later.

[0141] The distributed QR code (registered trademark) is displayed on a display device or mobile information terminal connected to the group member's PC. The QR code (registered trademark) is read by the camera on another group member's mobile information terminal, and a URL or the like is displayed. The URL or the like links to a setting change site related to the corresponding application edge device 62.

[0142] When a group member selects a URL or the like, a settings change site related to the corresponding application edge device 62 is displayed on the group member's mobile information terminal. On the settings change site, the group member operates the settings of the facility device whose settings he or she wishes to change.

[0143] In this way, general users can change the groups of lights and air conditioners via a browser without having to install application software for changing the settings.

[0144] <<Multiple projects can be set up>> Settings made via a mobile information terminal can be saved as a project. Multiple projects can be saved. This makes it possible to change settings for different time periods, or to change lighting or air conditioning groups between weekdays and weekends. This eliminates the need to install new switches or control panels on the wall to change groups. There is also no need to connect wires to switches or control panels and run them inside walls or under floors. Furthermore, users can change the settings in-house without having to ask a contractor to do the work.

[0145] <<Lighting design tool>> When installing lighting fixtures, important considerations include how many devices should be installed on each floor and how to group the installed lights with the switches that turn the power on and off. If the design is overly detailed, the control will become complicated and many control devices will be required. Conversely, if the design is overly coarse, waste will occur, for example, with lights being turned on in places where no one is present.

[0146] For this reason, a lighting design tool has been developed as one of the application software for the building management system 10 of this embodiment. The lighting design tool is used by, for example, a building supervisor who connects to the application edge device 62 (level 2) and performs design operations within the displayed lighting design tool site.

[0147] <Productivity Tools Details> So far, we have explained the overall picture of the building management system 10 according to this embodiment. In the following, we will focus on the productivity tools mentioned above and explain the background to the development of the productivity tools and the details of the productivity tools.

[0148] <<History of Building Management Systems>> The history of building management systems is surprisingly long, with the concept dating back to the 1950s. Computer-controlled systems have been established as intelligent buildings since the mid-1980s. Because it is an industry with such a long history, the procedures for establishing building management systems have traditionally been rational. The scope of a building management system includes lighting, air conditioning, sanitation, energy, facility management, etc. These are planned from the building design stage, including where they will be placed, what information they will collect, and how they will function. For example, if it is temperature, you define the minimum and maximum temperatures to be set, as well as the intervals at which notifications should be sent. These detailed regulations are set for each type of device.

[0149] <Existence of design documents> The design documents detail what equipment is used in a building, where it is located, on which floor, and how it is configured. Each piece of equipment is configured based on the design documents, and it is also registered in the building management system. Obviously, the larger the building, the more equipment is installed and the more settings need to be configured. Naturally, this configuration work had to be done manually, one by one, which was extremely time-consuming. It's this hassle that productivity tools are designed to solve.

[0150] <Differences in protocols> Building management systems have another challenge: the interconnection of devices. There are various devices used in building management, but when connecting these devices, there are rules for them to communicate with each other. Previously, each device manufacturer used its own protocol for connecting to its own network, but did not make it public. As a result, devices from different manufacturers could not connect to each other. . As a solution to this problem, in the name of openness, several protocols have been established for the purpose of connecting devices made by different manufacturers, such as Modbus (product name), LonWorks (product name), and BACnet (product name). LonWorks is a network technology aimed at openness and provided by ECHELON, an American company. BACnet is registered as an international standard based on the standards established by ASHRAE (American Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Equipment Manufacturers Association).

[0151] <Impact of different protocols> The aim of this openness was to achieve interconnectivity, but one issue that remained was that even though it was openness, it was only within the limited scope of each company's own area. In other words, devices that use the LonWorks or BACnet protocols could be managed with BACnet-compatible or LonWorks-compatible building management systems, but it was difficult to use them in a building management system that simultaneously mixed LonWorks and BACnet. What made it difficult was that the attributes were different for each protocol, so common data had to be configured, which was a lot of work. For example, when LonWorks and BACnet protocols were mixed, converting and handling data between the two was difficult, resulting in numerous problems. Furthermore, it was necessary to process data in an integrated manner, including sequencers and Modbus. The mixture of these elements posed a challenge for the building management system.

[0152] <<Difficulty of setting up>> <<<Difficulties in creating a building management system>>> A building management system is a system that obtains information from various sensors, such as those for lighting, air conditioning, and energy, and displays and controls the status and past trends on a monitoring system. The analog information coming from the sensor is digitized via a sequencer or the sensor itself, which is equipped with an analog / digital conversion function, and sent to a host system. When the information from a single sensor is received by a host system, it is necessary to assign a unique name to each piece of information possessed by that sensor to distinguish them. This is where the need to register various settings arises.

[0153] <<<Understanding the protocol itself>>> Previously, there were the following issues with setting up the sensors and higher-level devices used: (a) Data must be structured per protocol. (b) It was necessary to understand the characteristics of the equipment and the protocols. (c) Moreover, it was extremely complex and difficult to handle and understand. (d) If you use it without understanding it or if you follow the rules incorrectly, it will not work. (e) As a result, there were many mistakes due to lack of understanding.

[0154] <<<Existence of dedicated tools>>> Each protocol has its own dedicated tool for configuration, and there are multiple dedicated tools, as well as plugins. For example, LonWorks has a tool called LonMaker, but LonMaker can only configure LonWorks. This is difficult to learn, and you have to switch between each protocol one by one.

[0155] <<<Large amount of settings>>> Each protocol has many settings, and you have to enter the settings for each one. The LonWorks SNVT (Standard Network Variable Type) configuration has 219 setting items. The settings were done manually, and registering them took a considerable amount of time. BACnet also has a large number of settings. FIG. 5 shows an example of the SNVT correspondence table.

[0156] <<Structured body as a solution>> <<<Means to achieve this>>> To solve these issues and problems, we have prepared a structured body as a function to convert the data to be handled. This is a function that has not been available in the past. The term "structured entity" used here refers to data (information) that is predefined and formatted into a certain structure before being placed in data storage. In essence, a database is constructed based on the data handled within the building management system, allowing it to be used in an integrated manner within the building management system.

[0157] <<>> Specifically, the system determines where data is stored for each type of device used in the building, such as lighting, sensors, gateways, and controllers, making it easier to configure the devices and also easier to handle the collected data. In order to be able to handle various data other than protocols such as LonWorks and BACnet, 150 protocols have also been prepared. In this way, we were able to handle a variety of information in a centralized manner.

[0158] <<<Productivity tools for data registration>>> In addition, as mentioned above, we have prepared productivity tools that support various protocols and allow you to enter various settings. Productivity tools are tools that make configuration easier. <<<Productivity Tool Features>>> Productivity tools include: (a) Both LonWorks and BACnet can be registered with one tool. (b) Using a gateway eliminates the need for external conversion. (c) It takes less time to register the setting data. (d) Similar data can be registered by copying the data.

[0159] <<<Configuration diagram example>>> Here, a diagram (FIG. 7(b)) showing the relationship between the devices, protocols, and productivity tools used in a building management system (for example, the building management system 10) is shown. The Application Edge Device 62 is connected to gateways, sequencers, and sensors that use various protocols such as LonWorks and BACnet. The application edge device 62 has a mechanism for displaying the monitoring system.

[0160] <<<Database innovations>>> To solve the above-mentioned problems, one thing we did was to devise a way to hold the database. Specifically, we solved the difference in protocols by using a structured body. We then built a database to store data according to that structured body. The database includes analog input and output, digital input and output, and integrated energy data. We have consolidated the counters into six types, which contain a large database of around 200 items, including upper and lower limits.

[0161] <<<Register linking>>> Productivity tools automate tasks that previously required manual configuration, such as binding controller registers to application edge devices 62. Various pieces of information are registered in the objects used in the LonWorks protocol. For example, there are strict rules for when something is sent every second, every so many seconds, or every so many minutes. This information is read and the data is registered in a predetermined location.

[0162] <<<Data Mapping>>> The controller has a register that specifies which object number is used in the code. This mapping is the most important part. When I need a specific piece of data, I read the register and it automatically maps it to my database using web access. The productivity tool eliminates the need to understand addresses when mapping LonWorks or BACnet data to web access.

[0163] <<<Extensibility>>> For new building management devices, a function will be added to enable command transmission using REST (Representational State Transfer) and REST API (REST Application Programming Interface) command operations (for example, command input operations previously performed by the building manager using the mobile information terminal 22) so that data can be registered using productivity tools. This will make it easier to set up new products. The important thing is to be able to exchange data with devices using commands. There are five main protocols that can exchange data: Modbus, LonWorks, BACnet, and others.

[0164] FIGS. 6(a), 6(b) and 7(a), 7(b) show data mapping in the building management system 10 of this embodiment so that it can be compared with a conventional example. For example, as shown in Figure 6(a), in the past, information received from each sensor on a SCADA (Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition) register was manually assigned an address one by one via a protocol, and the data was mapped to web access. In contrast, in the mapping according to this embodiment, as shown in Figure 6(b), the productivity tool converts data from structured entities for each protocol (here, Modbus structured entities, LonWorks structured entities, BACnet structured entities, etc.) and creates an integrated structure (here, NWC structured entities, database).The integrated structure is then formatted so that it can be passed to SCADA.

[0165] In conventional building management systems, for example, as shown in Figure 7(a), information from various sensors and other sources is collected by SCADA via various protocols and displayed on a screen. This meant that information sent via each protocol had to be addressed and mapped directly to SCADA items manually. In particular, it was necessary to register information for each connected device, and the amount of manual registration work was enormous. Here, "HMI" in Figure 7(a) is an abbreviation for Human Machine Interface. In contrast, with the mapping according to this embodiment, as shown in Figure 7(b), the productivity tool uses structured entities for each protocol (here, Modbus structured entity, LonWorks structured entity, BACnet structured entity, etc.) to create an integrated structure (here, NWC structured entity), and makes it possible to pass the integrated structure to a higher-level system (here, SCADA). In other words, data is registered in structured entities for each protocol, then aggregated into NMC structured entities, and this structured entity is passed to SCADA, eliminating the need to understand addresses. Therefore, it has become possible to significantly reduce the labor required for data registration. The database can be created not only on the application edge device 62 but also on the integration edge device 64 or enterprise edge server 66.

[0166] <<Productivity Tool Effects (Visual Effects)>> What would happen if productivity tools were not available? First, the setup process would take an incredibly long time. Second, it would be easier to make mistakes in the setup, increasing the likelihood of errors. One of the features of the Productivity Tool is that mapping can be done without understanding various structures. Until now, mapping required human judgment. For example, when someone said "space temp" (room temperature), they had to remember what it actually stood for. The Productivity Tool has solved this problem. Furthermore, by creating patterns for settings, it is now possible to set things up without a deep understanding of the protocol. This has made it possible to free people from the difficulty of setting things up. Furthermore, the settings were made into templates so that it was not necessary to input each setting manually. Data that had been set once could be used without rewriting or adding anything, such as copying data for each floor. This also freed us from the need to make a large number of settings. In addition, by preparing 150 different protocols, such as Modbus, LonWorks, and BACnet, and constructing the setting data as a structured entity, and absorbing the differences between protocols, it has become possible to interconnect different protocols (absorbing the differences between protocols via a structured entity). Additionally, items that previously had to be set manually can now be automatically linked to the controller's register (register linking). Items that previously had to be set manually include, for example, how to set the processing timing and the data registration location. Furthermore, when reading data from BACnet, LonWorks, etc., by accessing the web and mapping the data, it is now possible to read the data without understanding the addresses. This means that while all data settings previously had to be created through analog work, they can now be processed digitally. To summarize these points, the following can be said about the building management system 10 of this embodiment. (a) We have established a centralized management system under multi-vendor. (b) Both BACnet and LonWorks can be configured using the same tool. (c) You can configure it without knowing the protocol in detail. (d) It supports over 150 protocols. (e) Various settings can be used as templates. (f) By copying and using the settings you have already made, you can avoid having to set things up from scratch. (g) By assigning attributes, a screen can be created, and dashboards can also be created one-to-one. (h) Setup is easy. (i) The number of cases where the system does not function due to incorrect settings has decreased dramatically. (j) Setup time, which previously took days, now takes just a few hours.

[0167] <<Other effects>> While productivity tools have the visual benefits listed above, their greatest benefit is that they free us from the need to understand multiple protocols. In the past, it took a considerable amount of time to understand the LonWorks protocol, and on top of that, people often hesitated to understand BACnet and other protocols. This invention also solves this problem.

[0168] <<<Improvement of Engineering Work>>> Traditionally, when trying to build a building management system, intermediate tasks such as required specifications, design, equipment selection, ladder creation, operation confirmation, and delivery and construction work (processes) were required. By using productivity tools, however, there is no need for intermediate steps such as creating ladders.

[0169] <<Examples>> One building project involves the use of 84 packaged air conditioners. Each packaged air conditioner has 16 monitoring points. This means that a total of 16 points x 84 units = 1,344 points must be registered. Previously, these 1,344 points would have been registered manually, which would have taken days to configure. However, with productivity tools, the configuration can be completed in just 5 to 10 minutes. What's more, the process of configuring one item and then creating multiple copies is extremely fast.

[0170] If you are okay with using the names automatically assigned by the productivity tool for the names of the monitored points, the setup will be completed in no time. In reality, this part takes a little more time, as people often create their own names in Japanese to make them easier to understand. However, this part is only ancillary to the information setup. The important part is the configuration of the information that defines the sensors attached to the device itself. Productivity tools make this task easy.

[0171] <<Digitalization of analog work>> As mentioned above, productivity tools have digitized what was previously an analog process, and this is a major advantage of using productivity tools.

[0172] Figures 8 and 9 show examples of screens that are displayed when using the productivity tool. These screens can be displayed on a display device connected to the building manager's PC or on a mobile information terminal.

[0173] Figure 8(a) shows an example of the initial screen. When you launch the productivity tool, the initial screen shown in Figure 8(a) is displayed.

[0174] Figures 8(b), 9(a), and (b) show examples of the screens used when creating a template. Productivity tools have parameters that need to be set as templates, and templates can be called up and registered as needed. Additionally, once a template has been set, it can be used to set similar parameters.

[0175] Figures 8(b), 9(a), and 9(b) show examples of templates corresponding to various protocols and management systems. Figure 8(b) shows an example of a template for LonWorks (product name), and Figure 9(a) shows an example of a template for BACnet (product name). Figure 9(b) shows an example of a template for SCADA.

[0176] Productivity tools have parameters that need to be set as templates, and you can simply call up and register the template as needed (to set it up). Also, once you have set up a template, you can use it to set similar parameters.

[0177] The building management method performed by the building management system 10 according to this embodiment can be regarded as a building management method. Also, the computer program executed by the building management system 10 can be regarded as a building management program. Furthermore, the building management system 10 can be regarded as a building management device.

[0178] <Inventions that can be extracted from the embodiments> From the embodiments described above, the following inventions can be extracted. (1) Multiple types of equipment (air conditioners, lighting equipment, doors, sensors such as wireless sensor devices 30, switches, other electrical equipment, etc.) classified into multiple management items (air conditioning, lighting, sanitation, alarms, energy, etc.), a sensor device (such as a wireless sensor device 30) capable of detecting multiple types of detection items (such as temperature, humidity, illuminance, acceleration, and contact); The system includes at least a first tier device and a second tier device among a first tier device (such as a micro edge device 60), a second tier device (such as an application edge device 62), a third tier device (such as an integrated edge device 64), and a fourth tier device (such as an enterprise edge server 66), which are in ascending order of tiers; At least one of the management items can be defined as one item system, and multiple item systems (such as an air conditioning-related system 12, a lighting and outlet system 14, a sanitary and plumbing system 16, a status and alarm system 18, and an energy system 20) can be defined. A building management system, wherein the plurality of item systems include at least an air conditioning system, a lighting system, an alarm system, and an energy system, A plurality of the sensor devices are provided, A plurality of the sensor devices capable of outputting digital information to the first layer device according to at least one wireless communication standard; A sensor device group spanning a plurality of the item systems is configured, The first layer device transmits unified information based on a common communication standard to the second layer device, The second tier device, Prescribed application software Using The information from the first layer device can be compiled into a database. and Predetermined information (such as information related to air conditioning and lighting) based on the databased information is output from the second layer device to a public communication line, The facility equipment can be remotely controlled from a mobile information terminal via a browser and the public communication line. Building management system. (2) The database created by the database creation is: The building management system described in (1) above is an integrated database in which information on individual structured entities, which are databases for each type of communication standard, is aggregated in a predetermined structure. (3) When the third layer device is not provided, the second layer device When a request for a specific management item (such as air conditioning) is received from a user's terminal device (such as mobile information terminal 22 or 24) via at least a public wireless communication line (such as the Internet line 68), the system selects pre-processing information (such as the air conditioning temperature and room humidity information) necessary for responding to the user from the information stored in the database, (1) above, based on the pre-processing information, providing information (such as an air conditioning temperature setting screen that allows the user to set the air conditioning temperature by operating the mobile information terminal 22, 24) which is information about the specific management item, to the user's terminal device via the public wireless communication line in accordance with the common communication standard. or (2) The building management system described in (4) When a plurality of second-tier devices are provided, one third-tier device is provided for each of the plurality of second-tier devices; When the fourth layer device is not provided, the third layer device When a request for a specific management item (such as air conditioning) is received from a user's terminal device (such as mobile information terminal 22 or 24) via at least a public wireless communication line (such as the Internet line 68), the second layer device is requested to select and send pre-processing information (such as air conditioning temperature and room humidity information) necessary for responding to the user from the information stored in the database, (1) above, based on the pre-processing information sent from the second layer device via the public wireless communication line in accordance with the common communication standard, information to be provided (such as an air conditioning temperature setting screen on which the air conditioning temperature can be set by operating the mobile information terminal 22, 24), which is information about the specific management item, is provided to the user's terminal device via the public wireless communication line in accordance with the common communication standard. or (2) The building management system described in (5) When a plurality of second-tier devices are provided, one third-tier device is provided for each of the plurality of second-tier devices; When a plurality of third layer devices are provided, the fourth layer device is provided; The fourth layer device is When a request for a specific management item (such as air conditioning) is received from a user's terminal device (such as mobile information terminal 22 or 24) via at least a public wireless communication line (such as the Internet line 68), the system requests the second-level device via the third-level device to select and transmit pre-processing information (such as air conditioning temperature and room humidity information) necessary for responding to the user from the databased information; The third layer device is relaying the unprocessed information transmitted from the second layer device via at least the public wireless communication line according to the common communication standard to the fourth layer device; The fourth layer device is (1) above, based on the pre-processing information relayed by the third layer device, information to be provided (such as an air conditioning temperature setting screen that allows the user to set the air conditioning temperature by operating the mobile information terminal 22, 24) which is information about the specific management item, is provided to the user's terminal device via at least the public wireless communication line in accordance with the common communication standard. or (2) The building management system described in (6) (1) to (5) above Any one of the following items A building management method carried out by the building management system. (7) (1) to (5) above Any one of the following An invention that replaces the "building management system" with a "building management device."

[0179] <Other> It should be understood that those skilled in the art can make various changes, substitutions, and alterations thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0180] 10: Building management system 12: Air conditioning related systems 14: Outlet system 16: Plumbing 18: Alarm system 20: Energy 22, 24: Mobile information terminal 30: Wireless sensor device 60: Micro Edge Devices 60A: Device group 62: Application Edge Devices 64: Integrated Edge Devices 66: Enterprise Edge Server

Claims

1. Multiple types of equipment classified into multiple management items; A sensor device capable of detecting a plurality of detection items; a first hierarchical device, a second hierarchical device, a third hierarchical device, and a fourth hierarchical device, which are arranged in ascending order as upper hierarchical devices, at least the first hierarchical device and the second hierarchical device; It is possible to define a plurality of item systems, with at least one of the management items being one item system; A building management system, wherein the plurality of item systems include at least an air conditioning system, a lighting system, an alarm system, and an energy system, A plurality of the sensor devices are provided, A plurality of the sensor devices A digital information can be output to the first hierarchical device according to at least one wireless communication standard; A sensor device group is configured across a plurality of the item systems, The first layer device transmits unified information based on a common communication standard to the second layer device, The second tier device, The information from the first layer device can be compiled into a database using a specific application software; Predetermined information based on the information stored in the database is output from the second layer device to a public communication line, The facility equipment can be remotely controlled from a mobile information terminal via a browser and the public communication line.

2. The database created by the database creation includes: The building management system according to claim 1 , wherein the database is an integrated database in which information of individual structured entities, which are databases for each type of communication standard, is aggregated in a predetermined structure.

3. A system comprising: a plurality of types of equipment classified into any one of a plurality of management items; A sensor device capable of detecting a plurality of types of detection items; a first hierarchical device, a second hierarchical device, a third hierarchical device, and a fourth hierarchical device, which are arranged in ascending order as upper hierarchical devices, at least the first hierarchical device and the second hierarchical device; It is possible to define a plurality of item systems, with at least one of the management items being one item system; A building management method carried out in a building management system, wherein the plurality of item systems includes at least an air conditioning system, a lighting system, an alarm system, and an energy system, Using a plurality of the sensor devices, A plurality of the sensor devices A digital information can be output to the first hierarchical device according to at least one wireless communication standard; A sensor device group is configured across a plurality of the item systems, The first layer device transmits unified information based on a common communication standard to the second layer device, The second tier device, The information from the first layer device can be compiled into a database using a specific application software; Predetermined information based on the information stored in the database is output from the second layer device to a public communication line, The facility equipment can be remotely controlled from a mobile information terminal via a browser and the public communication line. A building management method that is possible.

Images