Policy creation system and policy creation method

Abstract

To facilitate creating a management policy that conforms to the condition of a building.SOLUTION: A policy creation system of a building management system for managing building equipment includes: a policy DB storing a plurality of selection policies defined in advance; a policy selection receiving unit which receives a selection of a policy out of the selection policies stored in the policy DB; a policy generation unit which generates a correction policy based on the selection policy received in the policy selection receiving unit; and a policy application unit which applies the correction policy generated by the policy generation unit to the building equipment.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a policy creation system and a policy creation method for a building management system that manages building facilities.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an energy-saving control device including a device state collection unit that acquires an operating state from a device to be energy-saving controlled, a device state prediction unit that predicts a future operating state of the device according to a predetermined prediction method based on the operating state, an energy-saving effect optimization unit that determines a future control state of the device based on the predicted future operating state of the device, an organizational policy compliance determination unit that determines whether the future control state for the determined device conforms to the organizational energy-saving policy of the organization that uses the device, and a device state control unit that controls the device according to the future control state determined to conform to the organizational energy-saving policy by the organizational policy compliance determination unit.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Although an organizational energy-saving policy exists and Patent Document 1 discloses that devices should be controlled to conform to the organizational energy-saving policy, there are buildings where a management policy that determines how to control building facilities such as elevators, air conditioners, toilets, etc. installed in buildings such as buildings, and facilities such as conference rooms, parking lots, restaurants, etc. has not been determined.

[0005] In such cases, there is a problem that the building manager has to create a building management policy by trial and error and apply it to the building facilities and facilities.

[0006] An object of the present invention is for a building manager to create a management policy that conforms to the situation of the building managed by the building manager based on the existing management policy.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The above problems are solved by a policy creation system of a building management system that manages building facilities, a policy DB that stores a plurality of predetermined selection policies, a policy selection reception unit that receives selection of a policy from among the selection policies stored in the policy DB, a policy generation unit that generates a modified policy based on the selection policy received by the policy selection reception unit, and a policy application unit that applies the modified policy generated by the policy generation unit to the building facilities.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] The present invention can facilitate the creation of a management policy that conforms to the situation of the building managed by the building manager.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each of the drawings for explaining the embodiments, the same components are given the same names and reference numerals as much as possible, and the repeated explanations thereof are omitted.

[0011] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below, and includes various modifications and equivalent configurations within the scope of the appended claims. For example, the above-described embodiments have been described in detail for easy understanding of the present invention, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to those having all the configurations described.

[0012] In addition, the processing units and processing modules described in the embodiments may be realized in hardware by designing part or all of them, for example, by using an integrated circuit, or may be realized in software by a processor interpreting and executing programs for realizing their respective functions.

[0013] The information described in the embodiments may be a table, a database (DB), or data stored in the main memory.

Embodiment

[0014] FIG. 1 is an example of a system configuration diagram in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] The policy created by the policy creation system 1 is sent via the network to the building 2 that uses the policy, and is referred to by the building management system 6. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, the created policy may also be referred to as a modified policy.

[0016] The building management system 6 controls the building facilities 7 installed in the building, and performs control to realize the data metric of the received policy. Hereinafter, the data metric may sometimes be simply described as a metric.

[0017] The building facilities 7 are facilities such as air conditioners, elevators, and toilets, and the facilities also include facilities such as conference rooms, restaurants, and parking lots.

[0018] In addition, some of the sensors 9 are provided in the building facilities 7, but there are also sensors installed independently of the building facilities.

[0019] The types of sensors include not only sensors such as temperature, humidity, and CO2 concentration, but also sensors that use images such as surveillance cameras to determine the presence or number of people.

[0020] FIG. 2 is an example of a block diagram of the policy creation system in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] In this embodiment, an example in which the policy creation system 1 is realized by a stand-alone computer will be described, but it may also be realized by a cloud system that provides computer resources.

[0022] The policy creation system 1 of the present invention can be realized by a computer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21, a main memory device 22, an external memory device 23, and an input / output unit 24.

[0023] The main memory device 22 is realized by memory elements such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory).

[0024] The policy creation system 1 includes a policy selection reception unit 30 that receives selection of a policy that is the basis of the policy to be created in the main memory device 22, a feedback reception unit that receives responses from building users, a policy generation unit 32 that generates a policy, a policy application determination unit 35 that determines whether the generated policy can be applied to a specific building, and a policy application unit 48 that applies the policy determined to be applicable to the building.

[0025] The policy generation unit 32 includes a conflict determination unit 33 that determines whether a conflict occurs in the data metrics included in the policy, and a conflict avoidance unit 34 that avoids a conflict when it is determined that there is a conflict.

[0026] The policy application determination unit 35 includes an environmental information determination unit 36 that determines whether adjustment can be made to satisfy the metrics specified in the policy within the parameter setting range of the building facilities, a facility parameter correction unit 37 that corrects the parameters of the building facilities necessary to realize the values of the data metrics included in the policy, a facility capacity change unit 38 that changes the capacity of the facilities when the values of the data metrics cannot be realized by the correction of the facility parameters, and a modified policy approval reception unit 39 that receives approval from the building administrator when applying the created policy to the building.

[0027] The external memory device 23 is realized by a non-volatile memory device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive).

[0028] The external storage device 23 stores a policy DB 40 that stores policies serving as the basis for creating policies, a feedback table 43 that stores responses from building users, a sensor table 45 that stores information on sensors installed in the building, a policy usage history table 44 that stores the usage history of policies, a building facility capacity table 46 that stores the capacity of building facilities, and a text table 47 that stores texts to be displayed on building facilities.

[0029] The policy DB 40 stores a selected policy 41 that stores the policy serving as the basis when creating a new policy, and a modified policy 42 created using the selected policy. The modified policy may be used as a selected policy.

[0030] The selected policy 41 includes a standard policy that is typically used when managing a building. Based on the standard policy, the building administrator can create a modified policy by making necessary modifications such as changing the way the building is used and responding to events held in the building.

[0031] The input / output unit 24 is hardware such as an interface card and is used for input / output with a network.

[0032] Figure 3 is an example of a policy DB in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] The policy DB 40 stores metrics 51 - 65 of policies with policy names such as infectious disease, heat stroke, dryness, freezing, and standard. The metrics include numerical metrics represented by numerical values such as the number of people per square meter 52, boolean metrics represented by Yes / No such as mask required 54, and text metrics represented by text data such as personal terminal notification text 62. This makes it possible to create a management policy that conforms to the building situation even when the management policy applied to the building does not satisfy the safety and comfort of users due to, for example, the prevalence of infectious diseases or seasonal changes.

[0034] For each policy metric, a density (not shown) can be set, and a priority for using the metric is specified. If a density is set for a metric, when creating a new policy, it is also possible to create a policy that adopts the metric based on the density, which is the priority of the metric rather than the priority of the entire policy.

[0035] The policy with policy name 50 is a policy that sets metric values that are generally likely to be acceptable.

[0036] These policies are the original policies when creating a new policy, and the newly created policy can also be registered in the policy DB 40 as the modified policy 42.

[0037] When selected as the original policy when creating a policy, the priority of the policy may be specified. When creating a modified policy, the metric of the original policy with a higher priority is preferentially used.

[0038] If the priority of the original policy is not specified, or if there are multiple policies with the same specified priority and the metrics conflict, an intermediate value or the like will be used.

[0039] Figure 4 is an example of a text table in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] The text 73 of the text metric used for each policy is stored in association with the article ID 71, the policy name 70, and the article destination 72.

[0041] The article 73 may be an article in which the value of the selected data metric related to distance or frequency is set.

[0042] Figure 5 is an example of a policy usage history table in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] The policy name 80, the latest usage date 81 when the policy was used, and the usage building 82 where the policy was used are stored in association with each other.

[0044] Using the information in the policy usage history table 44, it becomes possible to create a policy that preferentially adopts the metrics of policies used in many usage buildings.

[0045] Also, it becomes possible to create a policy that preferentially adopts the metrics of the policy that has been recently used based on the usage date 81.

[0046] Furthermore, register the attributes of usage buildings such as office buildings, commercial buildings, and condominiums. For example, if the use of the building changes and the building that was used as an office is changed to a retail store or a restaurant, even if the management policy of the building used as an office is not suitable as the management policy of the building used as a retail store or a restaurant, it becomes possible to create a policy that matches the attributes of the building to which the created policy is to be applied.

[0047] When asking the policy creator to select the original policy, by displaying the contents of the policy usage history table 44 on the policy creator's screen, it also becomes possible to have the policy creator select a policy that conforms to the intention.

[0048] Figure 6A is an example of a feedback table in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] Feedback transmitted from a terminal such as a smartphone possessed by a user of the building is stored in association with the location 9, the terminal ID 91, the comfort index 92 represented by 1 - 10, and the comment 93. The comment 93 may be text freely described by the user or may be a selection of pre-prepared text.

[0050] The value obtained from the comfort index 92 is averaged for each area and stored in association with the location 90 as the comfort index 95 and the weight 94 indicating the importance of comfort.

[0051] Figure 6B is an example of a feedback table in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] In this example, the feedback table for area 2 is receiving and storing input of information specifically showing it. Area 2, as shown in Figure 6A, has an average comfort index of 8.5, indicating that it is not comfortable.

[0053] However, what is causing the discomfort is not shown. Therefore, the user using area 2 inputs values evaluated for items such as temperature 131, humidity 132, and congestion 133 from a terminal 130 such as a smartphone. In this example, when it is very uncomfortable, 3 is input, when it is uncomfortable, 2 is input, and when it is slightly uncomfortable, 1 is input by the users of terminals P1 and P2.

[0054] Figure 7 is an example of a sensor table in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0055] The location 90 where the building equipment is installed, the sensor ID 96, the type 97 of the sensor, and the sensor value 98 are stored in association with each other.

[0056] The sensor type 97 may be not only sensor values such as temperature, humidity, and CO2 concentration, but also information such as the number of users obtained from a camera image and the number of elevator calls obtained from an elevator control device.

[0057] Figure 8 is an example of a building equipment capacity table in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0058] The building equipment capacity table 46 is a table prepared for each building, and the equipment type 100, the setting range 101 indicating the settable range of the control parameter, and the current set value 102 of the control parameter are stored in association with each other.

[0059] In this example, the air conditioning temperature can be set within the range of a maximum of 32°C and a minimum of 18°C, and it is currently set to 20°C. The original capacity of the conference room can be reserved for a maximum of 8 people and a minimum of 4 people, but it can be seen that the capacity has been changed to accommodate 10 people, giving priority to the convenience of the users.

[0060] Figure 9 is an example of a building management terminal screen in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0061] The building management terminal screen 110 includes the name 112 of the building using the policy, a display 111 indicating that it is a screen for approving the use of the policy, the name 113 of the policy that was the basis for creating the policy, and an approval button 119. The screen also displays the data metric name 114, the currently used metric value 115, the metric value 116 of the modified policy created based on the policy indicated by 113, the difference 117 between the current metric value and the metric value of the modified policy, and the adopted policy 118, which is the policy in which the adopted metric was described, in association with each other. The adopted policy 118 also includes information indicating whether there was a conflict with the data metric of the original policy when creating the data metric of the modified policy.

[0062] When the policy based on 113 is selected, the metric value of the selected policy is displayed in the metric value field 116 of the modified policy.

[0063] When the approval button 119 is pressed while the metric value of the modified policy is displayed on this screen, the modified policy is used. When the back button is pressed, the modified policy is not used.

[0064] If the priority selected for the name 113 of the original policy is displayed, it becomes possible to understand the reason for the data metric selected in the modified policy. Also, if the density for each data metric is displayed when the data metric of the original policy is displayed, it becomes possible to understand the reason for the data metric selected in the modified policy.

[0065] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining how to obtain the intermediate facility capacity table in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0066] When the metric value is a numerical metric and the priorities of the selected policies are the same, the median value is used. In this example, for the temperature case among the metric values of Policy 1, Policy 2, and Policy 3 described in the table, 23.5°C Pm, which is the median value between the maximum value of 27°C and the minimum value of 20°C, is adopted as the metric of the merged policy. An example is shown.

[0067] Also, for humidity, an example is shown where 55.0%, which is the median value between the maximum value of 70% and the minimum value of 40%, is adopted.

[0068] In addition to this, methods such as selecting the maximum value of the metric shown in the original policy, selecting the minimum value, and selecting the average value may also be used.

[0069] Furthermore, it is possible to expect that by determining in advance which of the above methods to use for each type of metric and adopting a method that conforms to the characteristics of the metric, a policy that is more acceptable to the building administrator can be obtained.

[0070] FIG. 11 is an example of a flowchart showing the processing of the policy creation system in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0071] The policy selection reception unit 30 displays a list of policies stored in the policy DB 40 on the policy selection screen, and receives the policy that is the basis for the policy to be created, the priority of the selected policy, and the selection of the target building (S1).

[0072] Receive the selection of the merging method, whether to perform merging based on the past policy usage history, whether to perform merging based on the priority of the policy, or whether to perform merging based on the strictness of the data metric (S2).

[0073] When multiple merging methods are selected in the merging method, multiple correction policies may be created and provided.

[0074] Next, if there is feedback from the building users, the feedback is reflected in the correction policy based on the information registered in the feedback table (S3).

[0075] Based on the comfort index 95 obtained by averaging the comfort indices 92 of the locations 90 received in step S3, the value of the data metric is corrected. A threshold value has been set in advance by the administrator for the comfort index 95. When the averaged comfort index 95 is below the threshold value, the value of the data metric is corrected according to the steps after S4.

[0076] For example, in the example of FIG. 6A, if the threshold value set for the comfort index is 8.8, in area 2, since the comfort index is below the threshold value, the value of the data metric is corrected.

[0077] Since the evaluation values of the users indicating discomfort are stored in FIG. 6B, the data metrics regarding the temperature, humidity, and congestion of the policy are changed one step in the direction of eliminating discomfort. Approval from the building administrator may be obtained for the change. However, when frequent changes to the data metric occur, approval may be obtained when exceeding a predetermined range. It is determined whether the selected policy is multiple (S4). If it is not multiple, the correction policy is confirmed to the building administrator terminal (S12). If it is multiple, the metric is selected based on the merging method (S5), and it is determined whether there is the same type of data metric in the policy or whether there is a priority in the policy (S6).

[0078] If there is the same type of data metric in the policy or there is no priority in the policy, the data metric value is corrected based on the data metric type (S7).

[0079] Determine whether there is a conflict in the data metrics of the selected policy (S8). If there is no conflict, register it in the policy DB40 as the modified policy (S11). If there is a conflict that cannot be resolved by the policy creation system, notify the policy management terminal 3 (S9). Determine whether the conflict has been resolved by the administrator (S10). If the conflict has been resolved, register it in the policy DB40 as the modified policy (S11). If the conflict has not been resolved, ask for the administrator's judgment again.

[0080] The building administrator terminal checks the modified policy (S12), determines whether the policy can be applied (S13). If it is determined that the policy can be applied based on the information indicating whether the policy can be applied from the building administrator terminal, apply the required parameters of the building facilities and the capacity of the building facilities (S14). If it is determined that the policy cannot be applied, notify the building management terminal 5 that the policy will not be applied to the building facilities (S15), and end the process.

[0081] FIG. 12 is an example of a flowchart showing the selection process of data metric values based on the merge method in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0082] The policy selection reception unit 30 reads a plurality of policies received from the policy DB40 (S20) and determines the specified merge method (S21).

[0083] If the merge method specified is based on the past history, refer to the policy usage history table 44 and preferentially select the data metric values used in the policies with high adoption frequencies. In addition, the values of the data metrics used in the recently adopted policies may be preferentially selected (S23).

[0084] If the merge method specified is the policy priority, preferentially select the metric values of the policies with high priority (S22).

[0085] When the strictness of the data metric is specified as a merging method, a metric value is selected based on the strictness in units of the data metric of the original policy (S24).

[0086] The merged metric value is displayed as the modified policy created by merging (S25). When the metric value is adopted from a specific original policy, information indicating from which policy it was adopted is associated with the metric value (S26) and output to a building management terminal screen or the like.

[0087] Also, when the intermediate value of the metric is adopted in the case of a metric conflict, information indicating that there was a conflict may be added and displayed.

[0088] FIG. 13 is an example of a flowchart showing a process for correcting a data metric value based on the data metric type in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0089] The conflict determination unit 33 of the policy generation unit 32 determines whether there is a conflict in the data metric (S30). If there is a conflict, the conflict avoidance unit 34 determines whether the data metric value is text, numeric, or boolean (S32). If the type of the data metric value is text, all the text of the metric value adopted by multiple policies is merged (S35). At this time, duplicate text is deleted.

[0090] If the data metric value is numeric, the intermediate value of the numeric values defined as the data metric of each policy is obtained (S34).

[0091] In this example, the intermediate value is obtained, but the average value, maximum value, or minimum value may be used. Also, if it is defined which value to adopt based on the type of the data metric, a value more suitable for the characteristics of the data metric can be selected.

[0092] If the type of the data metric value is boolean, the data metric value is adopted based on the strictness of the data metric (S36).

[0093] Output, with information indicating that there is a conflict in the metric value obtained in S32 - S34, the metric value (S37).

[0094] FIG. 14 is an example of a flowchart showing the modified policy confirmation process for the building management terminal in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0095] The policy application determination unit 35 acquires the modified policy (S40), and the environment information determination unit 36 acquires the current state of the building facilities from the building facility capacity table 46. Also, the current sensor value is acquired from the sensor table 45 (S41).

[0096] The policy application determination unit 35 compares the current sensor value obtained from the sensor table 45 with the current set value 102 obtained from the building facility capacity table 46, and determines whether the metric value of the modified policy can be satisfied by changing the parameters of the building facilities (S42). If it is possible to handle by parameter change, the facility parameter modification unit 37 changes the parameters of the building facilities (S45).

[0097] If the metric value of the modified policy cannot be satisfied by parameter change, it is determined whether the capacity of the building facilities can be changed (S43). If the facility capacity change unit 38 can change the capacity of the building facilities, it changes the capacity of the building facilities (S44). If the capacity of the building facilities cannot be changed, it notifies the building manager terminal (S46).

[0098] The building facilities include building facilities such as conference rooms, and the capacity includes the maximum number of people in the conference room displayed when reserving the conference room.

[0099] Output the changed parameters and capacity to the building manager terminal (S47), and receive information from the building manager terminal indicating whether the parameters and capacity can be changed (S48).

Explanation of Signs

[0100] 1 Policy creation system, 2 Building, 3 Policy management terminal, 4 Feedback terminal, 5 Building management terminal, 6 Building management system, 7 Building facilities, 8 Facilities, 9 Sensor 21 CPU, 22 Main memory device, 23 External memory device, 24 Input / output unit, 30 Policy selection reception unit, 31 Feedback reception unit, 32 Policy generation unit, 33 Conflict determination unit, 34 Conflict avoidance unit, 35 Policy application determination unit, 36 Environment information determination unit, 37 Facility parameter correction unit, 38 Facility capacity change unit, 39 Revised policy approval reception unit, 40 Policy DB, 41 Selected policy, 42 Revised policy, 43 Feedback table, 44 Policy usage history table, 45 Sensor table, 46 Building facility capacity table, 47 Text table

Claims

1. A policy creation system for a building management system that manages building facilities, comprising: a policy DB that stores a plurality of predefined selection policies; a policy selection reception unit that receives selection of a policy from among the selection policies stored in the policy DB; a policy generation unit that generates a modified policy based on the selection policy received by the policy selection reception unit; a policy creation system comprising a policy application unit that applies the modified policy generated by the policy generation unit to the building facilities.

2. In the policy creation system according to Claim 1, when the policy application unit applies a policy to the building facilities, if the policy can be applied by modifying the parameters of the building facilities, the parameters of the building facilities are modified; a policy creation system that, if the policy cannot be applied by modifying the parameters of the building facilities, applies the policy by changing the capacity of the area corresponding to the building facilities.

3. In the policy creation system according to Claim 2, the policy DB stores a standard policy for managing the building facilities; the policy generation unit generates the modified policy by merging the selection policy and the standard policy.

4. In the policy creation system according to Claim 2, comprising a feedback reception unit that receives feedback information from building users, modifying the policy applied to the building facilities based on the received feedback, and the policy application unit applies the modified policy to the building facilities.

5. In the policy creation system according to Claim 2, comprising a sensor corresponding to the building facilities, and a policy application determination unit that determines whether the applied policy is observed based on the current sensor data obtained from the sensor when applying the policy to the building facilities.

6. In the policy creation system according to Claim 4, when the policy application unit applies the modified policy to the building facilities, the policy application unit outputs the policy to be applied to an approval terminal and includes a policy approval reception unit that receives information indicating whether the policy application is possible, and determines whether to apply the policy based on the received information.

7. In the policy creation system according to Claim 4, A policy creation system in which the feedback information received by the feedback reception unit is a comfort index.

8. In the policy creation system according to claim 2, A policy creation system in which the capacity of the area is the number of people who can use the building facilities.

9. In the policy creation system according to claim 2, A policy creation system in which the capacity of the area is the energy that the building equipment can use.

10. A method for creating a policy of a building management system that manages building equipment, The policy selection reception unit receives a selection of a policy from among the selected policies stored in the policy DB, The policy generation unit generates a modified policy based on the selected policy received by the policy selection reception unit, A policy creation method in which the policy application unit applies the modified policy generated by the policy generation unit to the building equipment.

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