Remote control system, data collection device, program, and remote control method

Abstract

To provide a remote monitoring technique having a high degree of freedom in a network configuration and high security while restricting introduction and maintenance costs.SOLUTION: A remote monitoring system 100 includes: a data collection device 30 that collects output data output from one or more devices 10 to be monitored; and a server device 60 that is connected to the data collection device 30 via an Internet network. The data collection device 30 acquires the output data output from the device 10, converts the output data into text data in a predetermined format, and transmits the text data to the server device 60. The server device 60 updates, based on the text data obtained from the data collection device 30, display data for displaying a Web screen and distributes the Web screen via the Internet.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a system and method for remotely monitoring, for example, air conditioning equipment and measuring devices related thereto, and also to a data collection device included in the system and a computer program for data collection. [Background technology]

[0002] Various types of measuring instruments and control devices are installed in facilities such as buildings, factories, and commercial buildings. Measuring instruments include, for example, devices for measuring physical quantities related to the air conditioning of each facility (such as temperature, flow rate, voltage, and power consumption), and control devices include, for example, devices related to controlling the air conditioning equipment of each facility.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a browser-based air conditioning control system. In this system, a building management computer connected to a building management controller is provided with a function as a web server, and an environment is created in which this web server can be constantly connected to the Internet via a router and a provider. In addition, client terminals in remote locations are connected to this web server via the Internet, and are configured to be able to use a browser to view HTML files in this web server. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2002-071198 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, when a computer directly connected to a building management controller is made to function as a web server (WWW server) as in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to install a web server on-site in the building, etc., which not only requires cost and effort in constructing and maintaining the system, but also reduces the degree of freedom in network configuration. In addition, this system gives rise to security problems because an unspecified number of client terminals can directly access the web server constructed on-site.

[0006] Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide a remote monitoring technology that offers high flexibility in network configuration and high security while keeping down the introduction and maintenance costs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The inventor of the present invention has earnestly studied means for solving the problems of the conventional inventions, and has come to the knowledge that it is possible to provide a remote monitoring technology with high freedom of network configuration and high security while keeping down the introduction and maintenance costs by converting output data from the devices to be monitored within a local area network into text data in a predetermined format, transmitting this text data to a server device on a cloud via the Internet, and distributing a web screen from this server device to a client terminal on which the output data of each device can be viewed. Based on the above knowledge, the inventor has come to the conclusion that the problems of the conventional technology can be solved, and has completed the present invention. To be more specific, the present invention has the following configuration or steps.

[0008] A first aspect of the present invention relates to a remote monitoring system 100. The remote monitoring system 100 according to the present invention includes a data collection device 30 and a server device 60. The data collection device 30 is a device for collecting output data output by one or more devices 10 to be monitored. It is assumed that the data collection device 30 is basically placed in the same local network area network as the devices 10 to be monitored. The server device 60 is a web server on a cloud connected to the data collection device 30 via the Internet. The data collection device 30 includes a data acquisition unit 31b and a data conversion unit 31c. The data acquisition unit 31b acquires the output data output by the devices 10 to be monitored. The data acquisition unit 31b may acquire the output data directly from the devices 10 to be monitored, or may acquire the output data from another system that accumulates the output data. The data conversion unit 31c converts the acquired output data into text data in a predetermined format. Examples of text data include highly compatible data such as CSV, TSV, SSV, XML, and JSON. This text data is provided from the data collection device 30 to the server device 60 via the Internet using an arbitrary communication protocol. The server device 60 has a data update unit 61b and a distribution unit 61c. The data update unit 61b updates display data for displaying a Web screen based on the text data received from the data collection device 30. The display data refers to data constituting a Web screen such as HTML. The distribution unit 61c distributes the updated Web screen via the Internet. The Web screen distributed by the distribution unit 61c can be viewed by a client terminal 70 using an Internet browser or the like.

[0009] As configured above, in the remote monitoring system 100 according to the present invention, a data collection device 30 having a function of converting output data from each device 10 into text data and uploading it to a server device 60 is provided in the same local area network as the monitored device 10. In this system, the data collection device 30 itself does not function as a web server. In addition, it is relatively easy to introduce such a data collection device 30 into a building, factory, or other on-site location, and the flexibility of the network is not impaired. In addition, in this system, when viewing the output data of the monitored device 10 from outside, the client terminal 70 only needs to access the server device 60 on the cloud, and does not need to directly access the on-site data collection device 30 or other systems. Therefore, security issues can also be overcome.

[0010] In the remote monitoring system 100 according to the present invention, the data acquisition unit 31b preferably acquires a plurality of types of output data output by the device 10 to be monitored. In addition to the case where different types of output data are output from different types of devices 10, there are also cases where different types of output data can be output from the same type of device 10, and also cases where the same type of output data can be output from different types of devices 10. In this case, it is preferable that the data collection device 30 further includes a data classification unit 31a. The data classification unit 31a holds classification information that defines the frequency of acquiring output data for each type of output data of the device 10 to be monitored. It is preferable that the data conversion unit 31c refers to this classification information and integrates output data acquired at the same frequency to generate text data. In this way, by combining output data acquired at the same frequency into one text data, the frequency of transmitting text data from the data collection device 30 to the server device 60 and the amount of communication can be reduced.

[0011] In the remote monitoring system 100 according to the present invention, it is preferable that the data acquisition unit 31b acquires output data for each type of output data at a predetermined frequency with reference to the classification information. In this case, the data conversion unit 31c converts the output data acquired by the data acquisition unit 31b into text data in real time. As a result, output data from the monitored device 10 is acquired at a predetermined frequency according to the classification information, and the output data is immediately converted into text data and uploaded to the server device 60. As a result, the web screen distributed by the server device 60 is also updated in real time at a predetermined frequency. Therefore, the output data of the monitored device 10 can be viewed in real time from a remote location.

[0012] A second aspect of the present invention relates to a data collection device 30. The data collection device 30 collects output data output by the device 10 to be monitored, and is connected to a server device 60 via the Internet. The data collection device 30 has a data acquisition unit 31b that acquires the output data output by the device 10, and a data conversion unit 31c that converts the output data into text data in a predetermined format. This text data is provided from the data collection device 30 to the server device 60, and is used as information for updating display data for displaying a Web screen distributed by the server device 60 via the Internet.

[0013] A third aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to function as the data collection device 30 according to the second aspect described above. Alternatively, the program of the present invention may be a program for causing a computer to function as the data collection device 30 in the remote monitoring system 100 according to the first aspect described above. The program according to the present invention may be downloadable to a computer via the Internet, or may be stored in a non-transitory recording medium such as a CD-ROM.

[0014] A fourth aspect of the present invention relates to a remote monitoring method. In the remote monitoring method according to the present invention, first, the data collection device 30 acquires output data output by the device 10 to be monitored (data acquisition step). The data collection device 30 also converts the output data into text data in a predetermined format (data conversion step). The server device 60 also updates display data for displaying a Web screen based on the text data converted by the data collection device 30 (data update step). The server device 60 also distributes this Web screen via the Internet (distribution step). Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a remote monitoring system and the like that has high freedom in network configuration and high security while keeping down the introduction and maintenance costs. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an overall view showing an embodiment of a remote monitoring system according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a remote monitoring system according to the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram showing an embodiment of a remote monitoring method according to the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a method for acquiring output data from a monitored device at a predetermined period by referring to classification information. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below, and includes appropriate modifications of the embodiments described below within the scope obvious to those skilled in the art.

[0018] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a remote monitoring system 100 according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, in the remote monitoring system 100, a local network (LAN) is constructed in a facility such as a building or a factory in which a device 10 to be monitored is installed. In addition to the multiple devices 10 to be monitored, a central monitoring device 20 and a data collecting device 30 are provided in this LAN, and these devices 10, 20, and 30 are connected to each other via a gateway 40. The data collecting device 30 is connected to the Internet via a router 50 in the LAN, and various data such as measurement data and control data acquired from the device 10 to be monitored can be uploaded to a server device 60 on the cloud. The server device 60 generates a Web screen for displaying the various data acquired from the device 10 to be monitored on a computer display or the like, and distributes this on the Internet. Multiple users can view this Web screen using a client terminal 70 from a remote location. This makes it possible for users to grasp various data output from the devices 10 to be monitored without going to the site where the devices 10 are installed.

[0019] In this way, in the remote monitoring system 100 of the present invention, the site where the monitored device 10 is installed and the remote monitoring base where the user is located are connected via the server device 60 on the cloud, and the site can be connected to multiple remote monitoring bases at the same time. In addition, although there are multiple connection paths between the remote monitoring base and the server device 60 on the cloud, the connection path between the site and the server device 60 is limited to one, so that the security of the LAN on the site can be maintained at a high level. In particular, in this embodiment, the central monitoring device 20 has the function of aggregating and storing data obtained from the monitored device 10 within the LAN, but the central monitoring device 20 is not directly connected to the router 50 and is isolated from the Internet. For this reason, leakage of information stored in the central monitoring device 20 can be avoided. In addition, by narrowing down the connection path between the site and the server device 60 to one, the device 10 can be remotely monitored simultaneously from multiple remote monitoring bases without putting a burden on the LAN on the site. The remote monitoring system 10 of the present invention will be described in more detail below.

[0020] Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the main functional configuration of the remote monitoring system 100 according to the present invention. As shown in Fig. 2, the remote monitoring system 100 mainly includes a device 10 to be monitored, a central monitoring device 20, a data collecting device 30, a server device 60, and a client terminal 70. As described with reference to Fig. 1, the device 10, the central monitoring device 20, and the data collecting device 30 are connected to each other via a gateway 40 to construct a LAN, and the data collecting device 30 in this LAN is connected to the Internet via a router 50.

[0021] The device 10 is a machine or instrument to be monitored by the remote monitoring system 100, and has a function of outputting output data such as measurement data and control data. The type of device 10 is not particularly limited, and examples of the device 10 include various measuring instruments such as a thermometer, a hygrometer, a pressure gauge, a flow meter, and a power consumption meter (a circuit meter, an ammeter, and a voltmeter). The device 10 may also be various sensors that detect an abnormal / normal state and output a control signal such as an alarm signal or a start / stop signal. The output data from the device 10 may be an analog value or a digital value.

[0022] The central monitoring device 20 is a device for aggregating and storing output data output from the devices 10. The devices 10 constantly output output data such as measurement data and control data, and these output data are aggregated once in the central monitoring device 20. The central monitoring device 20 has a storage device for holding the output data from each device 10. The storage device of the central monitoring device 20 preferably functions as a database for storing the output data by type while maintaining the chronological order. The central monitoring device 20 can be realized by a general computer having such a storage device and a processing device (processor such as a CPU) for processing the output data. Note that the central monitoring device 20 in the remote monitoring system 100 according to the present invention is optional, and the data collecting device 30 may directly acquire the output data from each device 10 without going through the central monitoring device 20. In addition, since the function of the central monitoring device 20 can be a known one, a detailed description of its structure is omitted in this specification.

[0023] The data collection device 30 is a device for acquiring output data from the device 10 at a predetermined period (predetermined frequency), converting the data into text data, and transmitting the text data to a server device 60 on the cloud. As shown in FIG. 2, the data collection device 30 mainly includes a processing unit 31, a storage unit 32, an input unit 33, and a communication unit 34. The processing unit 31 includes, for example, a processor and a main memory. The processor executes a predetermined arithmetic processing according to a program deployed in the main memory. The main memory is used for writing or reading the progress of the arithmetic processing by the processor, the arithmetic results, and the like. As the processor, a known CPU (Central Processing Unit) or GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) may be used. As the main memory, a known volatile memory such as a RAM or DRAM may be used. The storage unit 32 temporarily stores, for example, the output data acquired from the device 10 and the text data obtained by converting the output data. In this case, the processing unit 31 reads the output data from the storage unit 32, performs a process of converting the output data into text data, and temporarily stores the obtained text data in the storage unit 32. The storage unit 32 may also store programs that cause the processing unit 31 to execute various arithmetic processing. As the storage unit 32, for example, a non-volatile memory such as a known HDD or SDD may be used. The input unit 33 is a known interface for inputting data from the central monitoring device 20 or various devices 10 to the processing unit 31. The communication unit 34 is a communication device connected to the Internet via the router 50. The communication unit 34 may be connected to the router 50 in a wired manner or in a wireless manner.

[0024] 2, the processing unit 31 of the data collection device 30 has function blocks such as a data classification unit 31a, a data acquisition unit 31b, a data conversion unit 31c, and an upload unit 31d. These function blocks are functions obtained by the processing unit 31 executing a predetermined program, and are actually realized by cooperation between a processor and a main memory. Details of these function blocks will be described later with reference to the flow of the remote monitoring process shown in FIG. 3.

[0025] The server device 60 is employed in this system mainly for updating a Web screen based on text data obtained from the data collecting device 30 and distributing the Web screen on the Internet. The server device 60 is configured by one or more Web servers on the cloud, and all functions may be realized by one Web server, or the functions may be shared among multiple Web servers. The server device 60 mainly includes a processing unit 61, a storage unit 62, and a communication unit 63. The processing unit 61 of the server device 60 includes, for example, a processor (CPU or GPU) and a main memory (RAM or DRAM) like the processing unit 31 of the data collecting device 30. In addition, the storage unit 62 may be a non-volatile memory such as a known HDD or SDD. The storage unit 62 preferably functions as a database that accumulates the text data obtained from the data collecting device 30. Specifically, the database preferably accumulates measurement data and control data included in the text data while maintaining the chronological order for each type of output data.

[0026] 2, the processing unit 61 of the server device 60 has functional blocks such as a Web screen generating unit 61a, a data updating unit 61b, and a distribution unit 61c. These functional blocks are functions obtained by the processing unit 61 executing a predetermined program, and are actually realized by cooperation between a processor and a main memory. Details of these functional blocks will also be described later with reference to the remote monitoring process shown in FIG. 3.

[0027] The client terminal 70 is used by a user, and in this system, is used to view the Web screen distributed by the server device 60. The client terminal 70 may be installed with a known browser 71 (application program) for viewing the Web screen via the Internet. The type of the client terminal 70 is not particularly limited, and a smartphone, tablet terminal, desktop terminal, laptop terminal, or the like may be used as appropriate.

[0028] Next, the flow of the remote monitoring process will be described with reference to Fig. 3. As shown in Fig. 3, various devices 10 installed in the LAN basically output output data at all times (step S1). As described above, this output data includes measurement data from measuring devices and control data from sensors and the like. The output data from each device 10 is transmitted to the central monitoring device 20 and stored in the central monitoring device 20 (step S2). At this time, the central monitoring device 20 may store the output data for each device 10 that output it and / or for each type of output data while maintaining the chronological order of the data.

[0029] Next, a description will be given of the processing in the data collecting device 30. As shown in Fig. 3, the data collecting device 30 creates and stores in advance classification information that defines the period (frequency) for acquiring output data from the central monitoring device 20 (or the device 10) (step S3). The processing for creating and storing such classification information is performed by the data classifying unit 31a in the processing unit 31 of the data collecting device 30.

[0030] An example of classification information held by the data classification unit 31a is shown in FIG. 4. The classification information specifies a period for acquiring output data for each type of output data. The classification information may include classification information for identifying whether the output data is a digital value or an analog value, and information for specifying a value that the output data can take and its maximum value. The type of output data is not particularly limited, but includes types of output data obtained from multiple devices 10 present in the LAN, such as "alarm," "on / off," "control method," "season," "chilled water flow rate," "supply air temperature," "room temperature," and "power consumption," in the example shown in FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 4, multiple types of output data of different types may be obtained from one device 10 (e.g., device A).

[0031] In addition, in the classification information, the acquisition cycle of the output data is specified for each type of output data. For example, output data with high urgency such as "alarm" needs to be acquired early, so the acquisition cycle is set to "10 seconds" (shorter). Output data of "start / stop" (start or stop) is not highly urgent but is important information for controlling the equipment, so the acquisition cycle is set to "1 minute" (medium). Output data of "chilled water flow rate" does not change frequently and changes slowly, so the acquisition cycle is set to "10 minutes" (longer). In this way, the acquisition cycle can be freely set for each type of output data according to its properties. However, if the acquisition cycle is different for each output data, it becomes difficult to convert the output data into text data for each acquisition cycle as described later. For this reason, as in the example shown in FIG. 4, it is preferable that the acquisition cycle is divided into a number of groups fewer than the number of types of output data. The number of groups can be set arbitrarily, such as three (10 seconds, 1 minute, 10 minutes) as in the example of FIG. 4.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 3, the data collecting device 30 acquires output data from the central monitoring device 20 (or the device 10) at a predetermined cycle (step S4). This output data acquisition process is performed by the data acquiring unit 31b in the processing unit 31 of the data collecting device 30. Note that, the acquisition of output data here means that the data collecting device 30 accesses the central monitoring device 20, reads the output data accumulated in the central monitoring device 20, and stores it in the main memory or the storage unit 32 of the data collecting device 30. When acquiring output data from the central monitoring device 20, the data acquiring unit 31b refers to the classification information held by the data classification unit 31a described above. For example, in the example of classification information shown in FIG. 4, the acquisition cycle for "alarm" and "supply air temperature" is set to 10 seconds, so the data acquiring unit 31b acquires these output data from the central monitoring device 20 at 10-second cycles. Moreover, since the acquisition cycle for "On / Off", "Control method", and "Indoor temperature" is set to one minute, the data acquisition unit 31b acquires these output data from the central monitoring device 20 at one-minute intervals. Moreover, since the acquisition cycle for "Season", "Chilled water flow rate", and "Power consumption" is set to ten minutes, the data acquisition unit 31b acquires these output data from the central monitoring device 20 at ten-minute intervals.

[0033] Next, the data collection device 30 converts the output data acquired from the central monitoring device 20 into text data in a predetermined format (step S5). This conversion process is performed by the data conversion unit 31c in the processing unit 31 of the data collection device 30. A representative example of text data is CSV (Comma Separated Values). However, examples of text data are not limited to this, and text-based data such as TSV (Tab Separated Values), SSV (Space Separated Values), XML (Extensible Markup Language), and JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) can be adopted instead of CSV. Note that while XML files and JSON files are convenient formats for Web applications, they have a problem in that malicious code can be inserted, whereas delimited text data such as CSV, TSV, and SSV are unlikely to be executed and cause infection even if malicious code is described, and thus adopting these improves security. Furthermore, character-format text data is suitable for handling table-format data, and it is relatively easy to integrate the output data for "Start / Stop," "Control Method," and "Indoor Temperature" into one text data as shown in Fig. 4. Furthermore, it is preferable for the data conversion unit 31c to convert the output data acquired by the data acquisition unit 31b from the central monitoring device 20 into text data in real time. In other words, it is preferable that the frequency at which the data acquisition unit 31b outputs the output data and the frequency at which the data conversion unit 31c converts the output data into text data match, and that these processes are performed continuously.

[0034] As described with reference to FIG. 4, the data acquisition unit 31b divides the acquisition period into a plurality of groups (for example, 10 seconds, 1 minute, 10 minutes), and acquires the output data from the device 10 for each group in a lump. In this case, the data conversion unit 31c may integrate the plurality of output data acquired in a lump by the data acquisition unit 31b into one text data. That is, the data conversion unit 31c integrates a plurality of types of output data acquired at the same frequency to generate one text data. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 4, the acquisition period of the output data of "alarm" and "supply air temperature" is set to 10 seconds, so the data conversion unit 31c integrates the output data of "alarm" and "supply air temperature" and converts them into one text data. Similarly, the acquisition period of the output data of "on / off", "control method", and "room temperature" is set to 1 minute, so the data conversion unit 31c integrates the output data of "on / off", "control method", and "room temperature" and converts them into one text data. The same applies to the output data of "season", "chilled water flow rate", and "power consumption". In this way, one piece of text data may include multiple types of output data acquired at the same cycle.

[0035] Next, the data collecting device 30 uploads the text data generated by the data converting unit 31c to the server device 60 via the Internet (step S6). This uploading process is performed by the uploading unit 31d in the processing unit 31 of the data collecting device 30. There is no particular limit to the method or protocol for uploading the text data, and any known method can be used. For example, a folder in the data collecting device 30 and a folder in the server device 60 may be synchronized by a folder sharing program, and when text data is stored in a shared folder in the data collecting device 30, the same text data may be automatically copied to the shared folder in the server device 60. Also, known file transfer protocols such as FTP, FTPS, and SCP can be used to upload the text data. For example, when FTP is used, an FTP client may be constructed in the data collecting device 30 and an FTP server may be constructed in the server device 60, and the text data may be uploaded to the server. That is, the uploading process in this case may be performed by an uploading unit provided in the server device 60 instead of the uploading unit 31d in the data collecting device 30, and the uploading unit of the server device 60 may perform the uploading process.

[0036] Next, the process in the server device 60 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, a Web screen is generated in advance in the server device 60 (step S7). This upload process is performed by the Web screen generating unit 61a in the processing unit 61 of the server device 60. Specifically, display data for displaying this Web screen is described in a known configuration language such as HTML or CSS. The configuration of the Web screen can be set arbitrarily, and it is sufficient to set a layout that allows the user to easily view various output data output from the monitored device 10. In addition, the Web screen generating unit 61a can also accept an instruction to edit the Web screen from the client terminal 70 and modify the layout of the Web screen. In this way, the user can use the client terminal 70 to not only view the Web screen but also edit the Web screen.

[0037] When the server device 60 receives the text data uploaded from the data collecting device 30, the server device 60 automatically updates the display data for displaying the Web screen based on the text data (step S9). This update process is performed by the data update unit 61b in the processing unit 61 of the server device 60. The data update unit 61b updates the Web screen by adding measurement data and control data of various devices 10 contained in the text data to the display data of the Web screen described in a configuration language such as HTML or CSS, or by replacing the data. The data update unit 61b may update the display data of the Web screen in real time based on the text data uploaded from the data collecting device 30. This allows the user to grasp the measurement data and control data obtained from the monitored device 10 in real time.

[0038] Furthermore, the server device 60 constantly distributes a Web screen via the Internet (step S9). This distribution process is performed by a distribution unit 61c in the processing unit 61 of the server device 60. The Web screen distributed by the distribution unit 61c can be viewed by a client terminal 70 having a known Internet browser 71 (step S10). By viewing the Web screen using the client terminal 70, a user can check measurement data and control data of various devices 10 installed on-site, such as a building or a factory, at any time. Since the user can check these data in real time using such a simple method, any environment connected to the Internet can be used as a remote monitoring base.

[0039] In the above, in order to express the contents of the present invention, the present specification has described the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and includes modifications and improvements that are obvious to a person skilled in the art based on the matters described in the present specification. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 10…Equipment 20…Central monitoring device 30... data collection device 31... processing unit 31a... Data classification section 31b... Data acquisition section 31c...Data conversion section 31d...Upload section 32: Memory section 33: Input section 34...Communication unit 40...Gateway 50...Router 60...Server device 61: Processing section 61a: Web screen generating section 61b...Data update section 61c...Distribution section 62: memory unit 63: communication unit 70...Client terminal 71...Browser 100...Remote monitoring system

Claims

1. A remote monitoring system comprising: a data collection device that collects output data output by one or more devices to be monitored; and a server device connected to the data collection device via the Internet, The data collection device includes: A data acquisition unit that acquires the output data output by the device; a data conversion unit that converts the output data into text data in a predetermined format; The server device includes: a data updating unit that updates display data for displaying a Web screen based on the text data; A distribution unit that distributes the Web screen via the Internet. Remote monitoring system.

2. the data acquisition unit acquires a plurality of types of output data output by the device, The data collection device further includes a data classification unit that stores classification information that defines a frequency of acquiring the output data for each type of the output data of the device, The data conversion unit refers to the classification information, integrates the output data acquired with the same frequency, and generates the text data. The remote monitoring system of claim 1 .

3. the data acquisition unit acquires output data for each type of output data at a predetermined frequency with reference to the classification information; The data conversion unit converts the output data acquired by the data acquisition unit into the text data in real time. The remote monitoring system according to claim 2 .

4. A data collection device that collects output data output by a device to be monitored and is connected to a server device via the Internet, The data collection device includes: A data acquisition unit that acquires the output data output by the device; a data conversion unit that converts the output data into text data in a predetermined format; The text data is used by the server device as information for updating display data for displaying a Web screen distributed via the Internet. Data collection equipment.

5. A program for causing a computer to function as the data collection device according to claim 4.

6. A step of acquiring output data output by a device to be monitored by a data collection device; said data collection device converting said output data into text data in a predetermined format; a step of updating display data for displaying a Web screen by the server device based on the text data converted by the data collection device; The server device distributes the web screen via the Internet. Remote monitoring methods.

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