Management system and toilet equipment management apparatus
The management system addresses the challenge of diverse operational timescales in building equipment by separating toilet and electrical management, converting data, and using varied communication standards, ensuring comprehensive and efficient control.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024054980
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-03-28
- Publication Date
- 2025-10-10
AI Technical Summary
Existing management systems struggle to centrally manage electrical equipment across broader areas within a building, including toilet spaces, due to differing operational timescales of toilet and non-toilet equipment.
A management system with separate management means for toilet equipment and other electrical equipment, managing toilet devices for short periods and electrical equipment for longer periods, converting primary toilet management data into secondary data for centralized control, and using different communication standards for seamless integration.
Enables detailed and efficient centralized management of toilet and electrical equipment by aligning control schedules and data transmission, accommodating different operational timescales and communication protocols.
Smart Images

Figure 2025152844000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a management system and a toilet equipment management device. [Background technology]
[0002] Buildings are equipped with multiple electrical facilities. To maintain a comfortable and safe environment for users, these facilities must be managed by switching on and off depending on the user's behavior patterns, monitoring their operating status, and detecting any malfunctions.
[0003] Patent Document 1 proposes a management system for managing multiple pieces of electrical equipment in a building. The system is equipped with a management control device for each area in the building. To meet the needs of building users, owners, and contractors, the management control device centrally manages the operating status of multiple pieces of electrical equipment installed in each area. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5-324655 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0005] The management system described in Patent Document 1 manages air conditioning equipment, lighting equipment, and disaster prevention and crime prevention equipment (see claim 1 of Patent Document 1). In recent years, there has been a demand for a system that can centrally manage electrical equipment installed over a wider area within a building, not just in the office space where these equipment are primarily installed, and studies into this are underway.
[0006] In view of the above problems, the present disclosure aims to provide a management system and a toilet equipment management device that enable centralized management of multiple toilet equipment installed in toilet spaces within a building and electrical equipment installed in spaces other than the toilet spaces within the building. [Means for solving the problem]
[0007] In order to solve the above problem, the management system according to the first aspect of the present disclosure is a management system that manages multiple facilities installed in a building, and is equipped with a first management means that manages multiple toilet devices installed in toilet spaces in the building, and a second management means that manages electrical equipment installed in spaces other than the toilet spaces in the building, wherein the first management means manages the operating status of the multiple toilet devices for a first length of time based on signals received from the multiple toilet devices, the second management means manages the operating status of the electrical equipment for a second length of time that is longer than the first length of time based on signals received from the electrical equipment, and the second management means manages primary toilet management data indicating the operating status of the multiple toilet devices for the first length of time, or secondary toilet management data indicating the operating status of the multiple toilet devices for the second length of time.
[0008] Generally, electrical equipment installed in a building, such as air conditioning, lighting, disaster prevention, and security equipment, changes its operating state over a relatively long period of time, such as several hours to several days.On the other hand, the operating state of toilet equipment, such as toilets, urinals, heated toilet seats, automatic faucets, and hand dryers, changes over a relatively short period of time, such as several seconds to several minutes.
[0009] According to the configuration of the first aspect, the first management means manages the toilet equipment for a relatively short first period of time, while the second management means manages the electrical equipment for a relatively long second period of time, making it possible to manage the toilet equipment and electrical equipment for periods of time that correspond to the drive characteristics of each.
[0010] Furthermore, according to the configuration of the first aspect, the second management means manages primary toilet management data indicating the operating states of the plurality of toilet devices for a first length of time, or secondary toilet management data indicating the operating states of the plurality of toilet devices for a second length of time, thereby enabling the second management means to centrally manage the operating states of the toilet devices and the operating states of the electrical equipment.
[0011] In the management system according to the second aspect of the present disclosure, the first management means converts the primary toilet management data into secondary toilet management data and transmits the secondary toilet management data to the second management means.
[0012] Furthermore, in the management system according to the third aspect of the present disclosure, the second management means converts the primary toilet management data into secondary toilet management data.
[0013] According to these configurations, the second management means manages the operating status of the electrical equipment for the second length of time and also manages secondary toilet management data indicating the operating status of multiple toilet devices for the second length of time, making management by the second management means easier.
[0014] In the management system according to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, the primary toilet management data includes data indicating changes in the operating states of a plurality of toilet devices corresponding to time.
[0015] According to this configuration, it is possible to obtain the operating frequency of the toilet device during a specified time period based on data indicating changes in the operating state of the toilet device corresponding to the time.
[0016] In the management system according to the fifth aspect of the present disclosure, the number of management items included in the primary toilet management data is greater than the number of management items included in the secondary toilet management data.
[0017] This configuration makes it possible to grasp and manage the operating status of toilet equipment in detail based on the primary toilet management data.
[0018] In a management system according to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, the plurality of toilet equipment includes a toilet equipment group consisting of a combination of multiple toilets and / or urinals each having a toilet seat device for cleaning the user's private parts, or a toilet system consisting of a combination of a toilet equipment group and at least one washbasin device.
[0019] According to this configuration, the primary toilet management data can be based on the operating state of the toilet equipment associated with the user's excretion-related behavior.
[0020] In a management system according to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, the toilet system includes at least one of an automatic faucet, an electric water heater, and a hand dryer.
[0021] This configuration makes it possible to base the primary toilet management data on the operating state of the toilet equipment associated with the user's hand washing.
[0022] In a management system according to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, a first management means has a first management mode in which a plurality of toilet devices are controlled based on a first schedule managed by the first management means, and a second management mode in which a plurality of toilet devices are controlled based on a second schedule managed by a second management means.
[0023] According to this configuration, the first management means can control multiple toilet devices based on the schedule, regardless of whether the first management means or the second management means manages the schedule.
[0024] In addition, in a management system according to a ninth aspect of the present disclosure, a first management means has a first schedule and controls a plurality of toilet devices based on the first schedule, a second management means has a second schedule and controls electrical equipment based on the second schedule, and the first management means changes the first schedule based on the second schedule.
[0025] According to this configuration, the first schedule is changed based on the second schedule, so that it becomes possible to control multiple toilet devices installed in the toilet space so as to correspond to the control of electrical equipment installed in spaces other than the toilet space.
[0026] In addition, in the management system according to a tenth aspect of the present disclosure, the first management means switches between driving and stopping some of the plurality of toilet devices.
[0027] According to this configuration, when the frequency of use of each of a plurality of toilet devices differs, it becomes possible to switch between driving and stopping according to the frequency of use.
[0028] In addition, in the management system according to an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, the first management means has a display means for displaying the secondary toilet management data.
[0029] According to this configuration, the manager of the toilet space or the like can check the operating states of the plurality of toilet devices during the second length of time using the display means.
[0030] In addition, in the management system according to a twelfth aspect of the present disclosure, the second management means has a display means for displaying the primary toilet management data.
[0031] According to this configuration, the building manager or the like can check the operating states of the plurality of toilet devices during the first length of time using the display means.
[0032] In addition, in the management system according to a thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure, the electrical equipment includes at least one of air conditioning equipment, lighting equipment, security equipment, elevator equipment, and a sensor connected to non-electrical equipment.
[0033] This configuration makes it possible to perform management based on the main equipment installed in a typical building.
[0034] In addition, a management system relating to a fourteenth aspect of the present disclosure includes one repeater, a first management means connected to the repeater via a network of a first communication standard, and a second management means connected to the repeater via a network of a second communication standard different from the first communication standard.
[0035] Furthermore, a management system relating to a fifteenth aspect of the present disclosure has a first repeater and a second repeater that can communicate with each other, wherein the first management means is connected to the first repeater via a network of a first communication standard, and the second management means is connected to the second repeater via a network of a second communication standard that is different from the first communication standard.
[0036] According to these configurations, even if the first management means and the second management means use different communication standards, they can communicate with each other via a repeater, making it possible to centrally manage toilet equipment and electrical facilities.
[0037] In addition, in order to solve the above problem, a toilet equipment management device according to a 16th aspect of the present disclosure is a toilet equipment management device that manages multiple toilet equipment installed in a toilet space within a building, and manages the operating status of the multiple toilet equipment for a first length of time based on signals received from the multiple toilet equipment, and transmits primary toilet management data indicating the operating status of the multiple toilet equipment for the first length of time, or secondary toilet management data indicating the operating status of the multiple toilet equipment for a second length of time longer than the first length of time, to another management device that manages the operating status of electrical equipment installed in a space other than the toilet space within the building.
[0038] According to this configuration, the other management device manages primary toilet management data indicating the operating states of the plurality of toilet devices for a first length of time, or secondary toilet management data indicating the operating states of the plurality of toilet devices for a second length of time, thereby enabling the other management device to centrally manage the toilet devices and electrical equipment. [Effects of the Invention]
[0039] According to the present disclosure, a management system and a toilet equipment management device can be provided that enable centralized management of multiple toilet equipment installed in toilet spaces within a building and electrical equipment installed in spaces other than toilet spaces within the building. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0040] [Figure 1] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a building in which a management system according to a first embodiment is installed. [Figure 2] 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a communication method between a central management device, a toilet equipment management device, and toilet equipment according to a first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating primary toilet management data and secondary toilet management data according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart showing processing executed by the toilet equipment management device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] 5 is a flowchart showing a process executed by a central management device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a communication method according to a second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating primary toilet management data and secondary toilet management data according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing a process executed by a toilet equipment management device according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0041] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. To facilitate understanding of the description, the same elements in the drawings will be denoted by the same reference numerals as much as possible, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted.
[0042] [First embodiment] First, the configuration of a management system 1 according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a building 9 in which the management system 1 is installed. Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram explaining a communication method between a central management device 10, a toilet equipment management device 27, and toilet equipment 3.
[0043] As shown in FIG. 1, the management system 1 includes a central management device 10 and a plurality of equipment management devices 2.
[0044] The central management device 10 is an example of a "second management means" and an "other management device," and manages the equipment management device 2 by transmitting and receiving signals to and from the equipment management device 2. The central management device 10 has a memory 101 and a monitor 102. The memory 101 is a device that stores various data, such as a non-volatile memory. The memory 101 stores schedules used by the central management device 10 to control the equipment management device 2, data acquired from the equipment management device 2, and the like. The monitor 102 is an example of a "display means," such as an LCD panel. The monitor 102 displays various information based on control signals received from outside. While FIG. 1 shows the central management device 10 located inside the building 9, the "second management means" and the "other management device" may be located outside the building 9.
[0045] The plurality of facility management devices 2 include, for example, a power supply management device 21, an air conditioning management device 22, a lighting management device 23, a disaster prevention management device 24, a crime prevention management device 25, an elevator management device 26, and a toilet equipment management device 27.
[0046] The power management device 21 manages the power supplied from the power company. The power management device 21 is configured to monitor the amount of power consumed by the electrical equipment installed in the building 9, and also adjust the amount of power supplied to the electrical equipment from the viewpoint of energy conservation and check the effect of adjusting the amount of power supplied to the electrical equipment.
[0047] The air conditioning management device 22 manages multiple air conditioning devices (air conditioners, ventilation devices, etc.) installed in the building 9. The air conditioning devices are an example of "electrical equipment." The air conditioning management device 22 transmits control signals to each air conditioning device based on the values of temperature sensors (not shown) installed in each space in the building 9, supplies power to each air conditioning device, and activates and deactivates each air conditioning device based on user operation, and adjusts its operating state. Furthermore, upon receiving a signal corresponding to a schedule stored in the memory 101 from the central management device 10, the air conditioning management device 22 can also control each air conditioning device according to the schedule. Furthermore, the air conditioning management device 22 transmits a signal corresponding to the operating state and time information of each air conditioning device to the central management device 10. Based on the signal, the central management device 10 can acquire data such as the time when each air conditioning device started operating, the operating state of each air conditioning device, and the time when each air conditioning device stopped.
[0048] The lighting management device 23 manages multiple lighting fixtures (fluorescent lamps, LEDs, etc.) installed in the building 9. Lighting fixtures are an example of "electrical equipment." The lighting management device 23 transmits control signals to lighting fixtures installed in each space in the building 9, supplies power to each lighting fixture, and activates each lighting fixture based on user operation, turns each lighting fixture on and off, and adjusts its lighting state. Furthermore, upon receiving a signal corresponding to a schedule stored in the memory 101 from the central management device 10, the lighting management device 23 can also control each lighting fixture according to the schedule. Furthermore, the lighting management device 23 transmits signals corresponding to the operating state and time information of each lighting fixture to the central management device 10. Based on the signals, the central management device 10 can acquire data such as the time each lighting fixture was turned on, the lighting state of each lighting fixture, and the time each lighting fixture was turned off.
[0049] The disaster prevention management device 24 manages multiple disaster prevention equipment (fire shutters, sprinklers, fire hydrants, emergency bells, emergency lights, smoke exhaust windows, etc.) installed in the building 9. Disaster prevention equipment is an example of "electrical equipment." The disaster prevention management device 24 transmits control signals to the disaster prevention equipment installed in each space in the building 9, supplies power to each disaster prevention equipment, and activates and deactivates each disaster prevention equipment based on user operation, activates and deactivates each disaster prevention equipment, and adjusts its activation status. Furthermore, upon receiving a signal corresponding to a schedule stored in the memory 101 from the central management device 10, the disaster prevention management device 24 can also control each disaster prevention equipment according to the schedule. Furthermore, the disaster prevention management device 24 transmits a signal corresponding to the activation status and time information of each disaster prevention equipment to the central management device 10. Based on the signal, the central management device 10 can acquire data such as the time when each disaster prevention equipment started activation, the activation status of each disaster prevention equipment, and the time when each disaster prevention equipment stopped.
[0050] The security management device 25 manages multiple security devices (surveillance cameras, sensors, security buzzers, etc.) installed within the building 9. Security devices are an example of "electrical equipment." The security management device 25 sends control signals to the security devices installed in each space within the building 9, supplies power to each security device, and activates and deactivates each security device based on user operation, as well as adjusting its operating status. Furthermore, upon receiving a signal corresponding to a schedule stored in the memory 101 from the central management device 10, the security management device 25 can control each security device according to the schedule. Furthermore, the security management device 25 transmits signals corresponding to the operating status and time information of each security device to the central management device 10. Based on the signals, the central management device 10 can acquire data such as the time each security device started operating, its operating status, and the time each security device stopped.
[0051] The elevator management device 26 manages multiple elevator equipment (e.g., elevators, escalators, stairlifts, etc.) installed in the building 9. The elevator equipment is an example of "electrical equipment." The elevator management device 26 transmits control signals to the elevator equipment installed in each space in the building 9, supplies power to each elevator equipment, enables operation based on user operations, starts and stops each elevator equipment, and adjusts its operation status. Furthermore, upon receiving a signal corresponding to a schedule stored in the memory 101 from the central management device 10, the elevator management device 26 can control each elevator equipment according to the schedule. Furthermore, the elevator management device 26 transmits a signal corresponding to the operation status and time information of each elevator equipment to the central management device 10. Based on the signal, the central management device 10 can acquire data such as the time when each elevator equipment started operation, the operation status of each elevator equipment, and the time when each elevator equipment stopped.
[0052] The toilet equipment management device 27 is an example of a "first management means" and manages a plurality of toilet equipment 3 installed in a toilet space 91 in a building 9. The toilet equipment management device 27 has a memory 271 and a monitor 272. The memory 271 is a device that stores various data, and is, for example, a non-volatile memory. The memory 271 stores schedules for the toilet equipment management device 27 to control the toilet equipment 3, data acquired from the toilet equipment 3, etc. The monitor 102 is an example of a "display means" and is, for example, a liquid crystal panel.
[0053] The toilet equipment management device 27 also transmits control signals to each toilet device 3, supplies power to each toilet device 3 to enable it to operate based on the user's operation, activates and stops each toilet device 3, and adjusts the operation state collectively. The toilet equipment management device 27 also transmits signals corresponding to the operation state and time information of each toilet device 3 to the central management device 10. Based on these signals, the central management device 10 can acquire data such as the time when each toilet device 3 started operating, the operation state of each toilet device 3, and the time when each toilet device 3 stopped.
[0054] In addition, the toilet equipment management device 27 can access a cloud server 4 outside the building 9. The toilet equipment management device 27 can upload data to the cloud server 4 and download data from the cloud server 4. The toilet equipment management device 27 may be installed outside the building 9, and in that case, may be integrated with the cloud server 4.
[0055] Furthermore, the toilet equipment management device 27 has a first management mode and a second management mode. In the first management mode, the toilet equipment management device 27 controls each toilet device 3 based on a schedule stored in memory 271. This schedule stored in memory 271 is an example of a "first schedule." On the other hand, in the second management mode, the toilet equipment management device 27 controls each toilet device 3 based on a schedule stored in memory 101 of the central management device 10. This schedule stored in memory 101 is an example of a "second schedule."
[0056] The toilet equipment management device 27 can also change the schedule stored in the memory 271 based on the schedule stored in the memory 101 of the central management device 10.
[0057] The plurality of toilet equipment 3 includes a toilet bowl 31, a toilet seat device 32, a door sensor 33, a urinal 34, a washbasin device 35, and a hand dryer 36.
[0058] The toilet bowls 31 are installed in multiple stalls 92 provided within the toilet space 91 (Fig. 1 shows only one stall 92). The toilet bowl 31 has a bowl portion with an open top, a solenoid valve that opens and closes a flow path based on a control signal, a communication device that sends and receives signals to external devices, and memory that stores various data (all not shown). When the solenoid valve receives the control signal and opens the flow path, water for flushing is supplied to the bowl portion. The communication device sends a signal corresponding to the operating state of the solenoid valve and time information to the external device.
[0059] The toilet seat device 32 is positioned above the bowl of the toilet 31. The toilet seat device 32 has a toilet seat on which the user sits, a nozzle that dispenses water, an operating device that is operated by the user and sends control signals, a solenoid valve that opens and closes the flow path based on the control signal, a communication device that sends and receives signals to external devices, and a memory that stores various data (all not shown). When the solenoid valve opens the flow path based on the control signal sent by the operating device, water is supplied to the nozzle, which then dispenses water toward the user's private parts, cleansing them. The communication device sends signals corresponding to the operating status of the operating device and solenoid valve, as well as time information, to external devices.
[0060] The door sensor 33 is connected to the door of the private room 92 and is provided to detect whether the door is open or closed. The door of the private room 92 is an example of "non-electrical equipment," and the door sensor 33 is an example of "sensor." The door sensor 33 transmits a signal corresponding to door open / close information and time information to an external device.
[0061] The urinal 34 is installed on the wall of the toilet space 91. The urinal 34 has a bowl with an open front, a solenoid valve that opens and closes a flow path based on a control signal, a sensor that detects the presence of a user in front of the bowl, a communication device that sends and receives signals to and from external devices, and a memory that stores various data (all not shown). When the sensor detects that a user who has been relieving themselves in front of the urinal 34 has left, the solenoid valve opens the flow path and flushing water is supplied to the bowl. The communication device transmits signals corresponding to the sensor's detection information, the operating state of the solenoid valve, and time information to the external device.
[0062] The washbasin device 35 is installed on the wall of the toilet space 91. The washbasin device 35 has a bowl portion (not shown) with an open top, an automatic faucet 351, an electric water heater 352, a communication device (not shown) that sends and receives signals to external devices, and a memory that stores various data. The automatic faucet 351 is configured to discharge water toward the user's hand when it detects the user's hand being held out in the bowl portion, and to stop discharging water when the detection ends. The electric water heater 352 heats water to make it hot and supplies it to the automatic faucet 351. The communication device transmits signals corresponding to the operating status of the automatic faucet 351 and the electric water heater 352, as well as time information, to external devices.
[0063] Hand dryer 36 is installed on a wall surface of toilet space 91. Hand dryer 36 has a fan, a sensor that detects the presence of a user's hand inserted into an opening, and memory that stores various data (all not shown). When the sensor detects the presence of a user's hand, the fan is activated to blow air onto the hand, and when the detection ends, the fan stops and the blowing of air is discontinued.
[0064] As shown in FIG. 2, the management system 1 includes one repeater 5. The central management device 10 is wired to the repeater 5 via a BACnet (registered trademark) network. The toilet equipment management device 27 is wired to the repeater 5 via an Ethernet (registered trademark) network. The repeater 5 also wirelessly communicates with the toilet equipment 3 using ZigBee (registered trademark). The central management device 10, the toilet equipment management device 27, and the toilet equipment 3 can communicate with each other via the repeater 5. Here, BACnet is an example of a "first communication standard," and Ethernet is an example of a "second communication standard." The wireless communication between the toilet equipment 3 and the repeater 5 may be other wireless communication such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) instead of ZigBee. A repeater that performs wireless communication with the toilet equipment 5 may be installed that is different from the repeater 5 that is wired to the toilet equipment management device 27.
[0065] Next, the data managed by the central management device 10 and the toilet equipment management device 27 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the primary toilet management data and the secondary toilet management data.
[0066] In Figure 3, an example of the operating state of the toilet equipment 3 installed in the toilet space 91 is shown in the lower part. In detail, the operating times T11a, T11b, ... T11k of the toilet bowls 31 and toilet seat devices 32 installed in three stalls between times t1 and t5 are shown by pictograms. Because the users of the toilet bowls 31 and toilet seat devices 32 change frequently, the operating times T11a, T11b, ... T11k differ for each user, but are generally relatively short, such as a few seconds to a few minutes. This relatively short period of time (a few seconds to a few minutes) during which the toilet equipment 3 operates is an example of a "first period of time."
[0067] When the operating state of each toilet device 3 changes, it transmits a signal indicating that operating state to the toilet device management device 27. Based on the received signal, the toilet device management device 27 monitors the operating states of the toilet bowl 31 and toilet seat device 32, and stores data indicating the operating states in memory 271 (see FIG. 1) in association with time information. The data indicating the operating states of the toilet devices 3 over the relatively short operating times T11a, T11b, ... T11k are referred to as "primary toilet management data."
[0068] Moreover, in FIG. 3, the operating state of the air conditioning equipment installed in building 9 is shown in the upper part. In detail, the operating times T21a and T21b of the air conditioning equipment are shown. The operating state of the air conditioning equipment changes depending on the weather, etc., but is generally switched over for a relatively long period of time, such as several hours to several days. This relatively long period of time (several hours to several days) during which the air conditioning equipment operates is an example of the "second period of time."
[0069] When changing its operating state, the air conditioning equipment transmits a signal indicating the operating state to the air conditioning management device 22. The air conditioning management device 22 monitors the operating state of the air conditioning equipment based on the signal received from the air conditioning equipment, and transmits data indicating the operating state in association with time information to the central management device 10. The central management device 10 stores the received data in memory 101 and uses it for analyzing the operating state of the air conditioning equipment, etc.
[0070] The toilet equipment management device 27 also transmits data indicating the operating status of the toilet equipment 3 to the central management device 10 in association with time information. As described above, the primary toilet management data is data indicating the operating status of the toilet equipment 3 over a relatively short period of time, and is based on a different period of time than data indicating the operating status of air conditioning equipment over a period of several hours to several days. When considering the management of the equipment in the building 9, it is sufficient for the manager who operates and manages the central management device 10 to understand the overall operating status of the toilet equipment 3, and in many cases it is not necessary to understand the operating status of each individual toilet equipment 3.
[0071] Therefore, the toilet equipment management device 27 converts the primary toilet management data into data of a relatively long time length. Specifically, as an example, the toilet equipment management device 27 converts the primary toilet management data into toilet equipment operation rate data that indicates the operation state of all the toilet equipment 3 over time T22 (several hours to several days) as a percentage. This data that indicates the operation state of all the toilet equipment 3 over the relatively long time length of time T22 is referred to as "secondary toilet management data."
[0072] The toilet equipment management device 27 associates this secondary toilet management data with time information and transmits it to the central management device 10. The central management device 10 stores the received secondary toilet management data in memory 101, and also uses it for analyzing the operating status of the entire toilet equipment 3, or displays it on the monitor 102.
[0073] Next, the processing executed in the toilet equipment management device 27 and the central management device 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 4 and Fig. 5. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing executed by the toilet equipment management device 27, and Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing executed by the central management device 10.
[0074] The toilet equipment management device 27 starts measuring time in step SP11 shown in FIG.
[0075] In step SP12, the toilet equipment management device 27 determines whether or not it has received, from each toilet equipment 3, a signal indicating the operating state of that toilet equipment 3. If it is determined that it has received a signal from the toilet equipment 3 (SP12: YES), the toilet equipment management device 27 proceeds to processing of step SP13. On the other hand, if it is determined that it has not received a signal from the toilet equipment 3 (SP12: NO), the toilet equipment management device 27 proceeds to processing of step SP14.
[0076] In step SP13, the toilet equipment management device 27 stores toilet equipment operating status data corresponding to the signal received from the toilet equipment 3 in the memory 271. The toilet equipment operating status data indicates the operating status and time information of the toilet equipment 3 for a relatively short period of time (several seconds to several minutes), and corresponds to the above-mentioned "primary toilet management data."
[0077] In step SP14, the toilet equipment management device 27 determines whether or not time T22 has elapsed since the start of time measurement in step SP11. If it is determined that time T22 has elapsed (SP14: YES), the toilet equipment management device 27 proceeds to the processing of step SP15, where it resets the time measurement. On the other hand, if it is determined that time T22 has not elapsed (SP14: NO), the toilet equipment management device 27 returns to the processing of step SP12.
[0078] That is, the toilet equipment management device 27 accumulates toilet equipment operating state data in the memory 271 every time it receives a signal from the toilet equipment 3 during the period from the start of time measurement in step SP11 until time T22 has elapsed.
[0079] In step SP16, the toilet equipment management device 27 converts the toilet equipment operation state data accumulated in the memory 271 into toilet equipment operation rate data. That is, based on the toilet equipment operation state data (primary toilet management data) that indicates the operation state of the toilet equipment 3 over a relatively short period of time (several seconds to several minutes), it generates toilet equipment operation rate data (secondary toilet management data) that indicates the operation state of the entire toilet equipment 3 over a relatively long period of time (several hours to several days) as a percentage.
[0080] In step SP17, the toilet equipment management device 27 stores in the memory 271 the toilet equipment operation rate data generated in step SP16.
[0081] Meanwhile, the central management device 10 executes the process shown in Fig. 5 to update the entire building data. The entire building data indicates the operating status of each piece of equipment in the building 9, and includes toilet equipment operating rate data.
[0082] 5, the central management unit 10 transmits a request signal to the equipment management device 2. The request signal may be transmitted to all of the equipment management devices 2 shown in FIG. 1, or to a selected portion of the equipment management devices 2. Upon receiving the request signal from the central management unit 10, the equipment management device 2 transmits data indicating the operating status and time information of the equipment it manages to the central management unit 10 as a signal.
[0083] For example, upon receiving the request signal, the air conditioning control device 22 transmits data indicating the operating status and time information of each air conditioning device in the building 9 as a signal to the central control device 10. As described above, the data indicates the operating status of each air conditioning device over a relatively long period of time (several hours to several days).
[0084] Furthermore, the toilet equipment management device 27 that has received the request signal transmits the toilet equipment operation rate data stored in the memory 271 to the central management device 10 as a signal.
[0085] In step SP22, the central management unit 10 determines whether or not a signal has been received from the equipment management device 2. If it is determined that a signal has not been received from the equipment management device 2 (SP22: NO), the central management unit 10 waits for reception of a signal. If it is determined that a signal has been received from the equipment management device 2 (SP22: YES), the central management unit 10 proceeds to the processing of step SP22.
[0086] In step SP23, the central management unit 10 generates data for the entire building. Specifically, the central management unit 10 acquires data indicating the operating status of each piece of equipment in the building 9 based on the signal received from the equipment management device 2 in step SP22, and generates data for the entire building composed of that data.
[0087] In step SP24, the central management device 10 stores the entire building data generated in step SP23 in the memory 101. The administrator who operates and manages the central management device 10 can visually check the entire building data displayed on the monitor 102 to confirm the operating status of each piece of equipment in the building 9.
[0088] <Effects of the First Embodiment> The toilet equipment 3 is managed for a relatively short period of time by the toilet equipment management device 27, while the electrical equipment is managed for a relatively long period of time by the central management device 10. This makes it possible to manage the toilet equipment 3 and the electrical equipment for a period of time according to the driving characteristics of each.
[0089] Furthermore, the central management device 10 manages toilet device operation rate data, which is secondary toilet management data that indicates the operation states of multiple toilet devices 3 over a relatively long period of time. This makes it possible for the central management device 10 to centrally manage the operation states of the toilet devices 3 and the operation states of the electrical equipment.
[0090] Furthermore, the toilet equipment management device 27 converts the toilet equipment operation status data, which is primary toilet management data, into toilet equipment operation rate data, which is secondary toilet management data, and transmits the toilet equipment operation rate data to the central management device 10. With this configuration, the central management device 10 manages the operation state of the electrical equipment over a relatively long period of time, and also manages the toilet equipment operation rate data that indicates the operation state of multiple toilet devices 3 over a similarly relatively long period of time, making management in the central management device 10 easier.
[0091] Furthermore, the number of management items included in the toilet device operation status data, which is the primary toilet management data, is greater than the number of management items included in the toilet device operation rate data, which is the secondary toilet management data. In other words, the toilet device operation status data includes data indicating the operation status of multiple toilet devices 3, and therefore has a greater number of management items than the toilet device operation rate data, which is data indicating the operation status of all the toilet devices 3. This configuration makes it possible to grasp and manage the operation status of the toilet devices 3 in detail based on the toilet device operation status data.
[0092] The plurality of toilet devices 3 may also include a toilet device group consisting of a combination of a plurality of toilet bowls 31 and / or urinals 34 each having a toilet seat device 32 for cleaning the user's private parts, or a toilet system consisting of a combination of a toilet device group and at least one washbasin device 35. This configuration makes it possible to base the primary toilet management data on the operating state of the toilet devices 3 associated with the user's excretion-related behavior.
[0093] The toilet system may also include at least one of an automatic faucet 351, an electric water heater 352, and a hand dryer 36. This configuration allows the primary toilet management data to be based on the operating state of the toilet equipment 3 as the user washes their hands.
[0094] Furthermore, the toilet equipment management device 27 has a first management mode in which the toilet equipment 3 is controlled based on a schedule managed by the toilet equipment management device 27, and a second management mode in which the toilet equipment 3 is controlled based on a schedule managed by the central management device 10. With this configuration, the toilet equipment management device 27 can control the toilet equipment 3 based on the schedule, regardless of whether the schedule is managed by the toilet equipment management device 27 or the central management device 10.
[0095] Furthermore, the toilet equipment management device 27 has a schedule and controls the plurality of toilet equipment 3 based on this schedule. The central management device 10 has a schedule and controls the electrical equipment based on this schedule. The toilet equipment management device 27 changes the schedule that the toilet equipment management device 27 has based on the schedule that the central management device 10 has. According to this configuration, the schedule that the toilet equipment management device 27 has is changed based on the schedule that the central management device 10 has, so it becomes possible to control the plurality of toilet equipment 3 installed in the toilet space 91 so as to correspond to the control of electrical equipment installed in spaces other than the toilet space 91.
[0096] Furthermore, the toilet equipment management device 27 switches between driving and stopping some of the multiple toilet equipment 3. With this configuration, when the frequency of use of each of the multiple toilet equipment 3 differs, it becomes possible to switch between driving and stopping according to the frequency of use.
[0097] The toilet equipment management device 27 also has a monitor 272 that displays toilet equipment operation rate data, which is secondary toilet management data. This configuration allows the manager of the toilet space 91, etc., to use the monitor 272 to check the operation status of multiple toilet equipment 3 over a relatively long period of time.
[0098] The central management device 10 also has a monitor 102 that displays toilet device operation status data, which is primary toilet management data. This configuration allows the manager of the building 9, etc., to use the monitor 102 to check the operation status of multiple toilet devices 3 over a relatively short period of time.
[0099] The electrical equipment also includes air conditioning equipment, lighting equipment, security equipment, elevator equipment, and non-electrical equipment such as door sensors 33 connected to the doors of private rooms 92. This configuration makes it possible to perform management based on the main equipment installed in a typical building 9.
[0100] Furthermore, the management system 1 includes one repeater 5, the toilet equipment management device 27 is connected to the repeater 5 via an Ethernet network, and the central management device 10 is connected to the repeater 5 via a BACnet network. With this configuration, even if the toilet equipment management device 27 and the central management device 10 use different communication standards, they can communicate with each other via the repeater 5, enabling centralized management of the toilet equipment 3 and electrical equipment.
[0101] [Second embodiment] Next, a management system according to a second embodiment will be described. Similar to the management system 1 according to the first embodiment, this management system is configured to manage a plurality of facilities installed in a building 9. Of the management system according to the second embodiment, the same elements and operations as those of the management system 1 according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate.
[0102] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a communication method between a central management device 10A, a toilet equipment management device 27A, and a toilet equipment 3 according to the second embodiment.
[0103] As shown in FIG. 6, the management system according to the second embodiment includes two repeaters 51 and 52. The central management device 10A is wired to the repeater 52 via a BACnet network. The toilet equipment management device 27A is wired to the repeater 51 via an Ethernet network. The repeaters 51 and 52 are wired to each other via the Ethernet network. The repeater 51 communicates wirelessly with the toilet equipment 3 using ZigBee. The central management device 10A, the toilet equipment management device 27A, and the toilet equipment 3 can communicate with each other via the repeaters 51 and 52. Here, BACnet is an example of a "first communication standard," and Ethernet is an example of a "second communication standard." The repeater 51 is an example of a "first repeater," and the repeater 52 is an example of a "second repeater." This management system may include a third repeater for wireless communication between the toilet equipment 5 and the repeater 51.
[0104] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating primary toilet management data and secondary toilet management data. A toilet equipment management device 27A of a management system according to a second embodiment divides time T22 (several hours to several days) into multiple terms of relatively short duration (several minutes to several hours), and manages data indicating the operating status of the toilet equipment 3. Specifically, the toilet equipment management device 27A divides time T22 into five terms of time T12 each, and manages data indicating the operating status of the toilet equipment 3 for each term. The operating time T12 is a relatively short time length, such as several minutes to several hours, and is set as appropriate by an administrator who operates and manages the toilet equipment management device 27A. This relatively short time length (several minutes to several hours) during which the toilet equipment 3 operates is an example of a "first time length."
[0105] The toilet equipment management device 27A accumulates data indicating the operating state of the toilet equipment 3 for each term of time T12. The data indicating the operating state of the toilet equipment 3 accumulated for each term is referred to as "primary toilet management data."
[0106] Then, the toilet equipment management device 27A converts the primary toilet management data into data of a relatively long time length. Specifically, as an example, the toilet equipment management device 27A converts the primary toilet management data into toilet equipment operation rate data that indicates the operation status of all of the toilet equipment 3 over time T22 (several hours to several days) as a percentage. This data that indicates the operation status of all of the toilet equipment 3 over the relatively long time length of time T22 is referred to as "secondary toilet management data."
[0107] The toilet equipment management device 27A associates this secondary toilet management data with time information and transmits it to the central management device 10A. The central management device 10A stores the received secondary toilet management data in memory 101, and also uses it for analyzing the operating status of the entire toilet equipment 3, or displays it on the monitor 102.
[0108] Next, the processing executed in the toilet equipment management device 27A will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing executed by the toilet equipment management device 27A.
[0109] In step SP31, the toilet equipment management device 27A starts measuring time.
[0110] In step SP32, the toilet equipment management device 27A determines whether time T12 has elapsed since the start of time measurement in step SP31. If it is determined that time T12 has elapsed (SP32: YES), that is, if it is determined that one term has ended, the toilet equipment management device 27A proceeds to the processing of step SP33, and resets the time measurement in step SP33. On the other hand, if it is determined that time T12 has not elapsed (SP32: NO), the toilet equipment management device 27A waits for time T12 to elapse.
[0111] In step SP34, the toilet equipment management device 27A transmits a request signal. The request signal may be transmitted to all of the toilet equipment 3 shown in Fig. 1, or to a selected portion of the toilet equipment 3. The toilet equipment 3 that has received the request signal from the toilet equipment management device 27A transmits data indicating its own operating state at time T12, i.e., data indicating its operating state for one term, as a signal to the toilet equipment management device 27A.
[0112] In step SP35, the toilet equipment management device 27A waits to receive signals from all the toilet equipment 3 that have transmitted the request signals.
[0113] In step SP36, the toilet equipment management device 27 stores toilet equipment operating status data corresponding to the signal received from the toilet equipment 3 in the memory 271. The toilet equipment operating status data indicates the operating status of the toilet equipment 3 at time T12, i.e., one term, and corresponds to the above-mentioned "primary toilet management data."
[0114] In step SP37, the toilet equipment management device 27A determines whether or not storage of five terms' worth of toilet equipment operating state data has been completed. If it is determined that storage of five terms' worth of toilet equipment operating state data has been completed (SP37: YES), the toilet equipment management device 27A proceeds to processing in step SP38. On the other hand, if it is determined that storage of the data has not been completed (SP37: NO), the toilet equipment management device 27A returns to processing in step SP32.
[0115] In step SP38, the toilet equipment management device 27A converts the five-term toilet equipment operation status data accumulated in the memory 271 into toilet equipment operation rate data. That is, based on the toilet equipment operation status data (primary toilet management data) that indicates the operation status of the toilet equipment 3 over a relatively short period of time (several minutes to several hours), it generates toilet equipment operation rate data (secondary toilet management data) that indicates the operation status of the entire toilet equipment 3 over a relatively long period of time (several hours to several days) as a percentage.
[0116] In step SP39, the toilet equipment management device 27 stores the toilet equipment operation rate data generated in step SP38 in the memory 271, and ends the process.
[0117] As described in the first embodiment, the central management device 10A of the second embodiment executes the processing shown in FIG. 5 to update the "entire building data" that indicates the operating status of each piece of equipment in the building 9. That is, the central management device 10A transmits an equipment information request signal to the equipment management device 2, and updates the entire building data based on the signal received from the equipment management device 2. The administrator who operates and manages the central management device 10A can check the operating status of each piece of equipment in the building 9 by visually checking the entire building data displayed on the monitor 102. Note that instead of step SP34 of transmitting the request signal, the toilet equipment management device 27A may transmit toilet equipment operating state data to the toilet equipment management device 27A every time the operating state of the toilet equipment 3 itself changes.
[0118] <Effects of the Second Embodiment> The toilet equipment management device 27A manages the toilet equipment 3 for a relatively short period of time, while the central management device 10A manages the electrical equipment for a relatively long period of time. This makes it possible to manage the toilet equipment 3 and the electrical equipment for a period of time that suits the driving characteristics of each.
[0119] Moreover, the management system according to the second embodiment has repeaters 51 and 52 that can communicate with each other. The toilet equipment management device 27 is connected to the repeater 51 via a BACnet network, and the central management device 10 is connected to the toilet equipment management device 27 via an Ethernet network. With this configuration, even if the toilet equipment management device 27 and the central management device 10 use different communication standards, they can communicate with each other via the repeaters 51 and 52, enabling centralized management of the toilet equipment 3 and the electrical equipment.
[0120] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. In other words, designs obtained by appropriately modifying the above-described specific examples by a person skilled in the art are also included within the scope of the present disclosure as long as they include the features of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the elements of the above-described embodiments and the following modifications can be combined to the extent technically possible, and combinations of these can also be included within the scope of the present disclosure as long as they include the features of the present disclosure.
[0121] For example, in the first and second embodiments, the toilet equipment management device 27, which is the first management means, converts primary toilet management data (toilet equipment operation status data) into secondary toilet management data (toilet equipment operation rate data) and transmits this secondary toilet management data to the central management device 10, which is the second management means. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this embodiment. Instead of the toilet equipment management device 27, the central management device 10 may convert the primary toilet management data into secondary toilet management data. Even in this configuration, the central management device 10, which is the second management means, manages the operation status of the electrical equipment over a relatively long period of time, and also manages secondary toilet management data that indicates the operation status of multiple toilet devices 3 over a relatively long period of time, thereby facilitating management by the central management device 10. [Explanation of symbols]
[0122] 1 Management System 10 Central management device (second management means) 102 Monitor (display means) 27 Toilet equipment management device (first management means) 272 Monitor (display means) 31 Toilet bowl 32 Toilet seat device 33 Door sensor (sensor) 34 Urinal 35 Washroom equipment 351 Automatic Faucet 352 Electric water heater 36 Hand dryer 5 Repeater 51 Repeater (First Repeater) 52 Repeater (Second Repeater) 9 Building 91 Toilet space
Claims
1. A management system for managing a plurality of facilities installed in a building, a first management means for managing a plurality of toilet devices installed in a toilet space in a building; a second management means for managing electrical equipment installed in spaces other than the toilet space in the building; The first management means manages the operating states of the plurality of toilet devices for a first length of time based on signals received from the plurality of toilet devices; the second management means manages the driving state of the electrical equipment for a second time period longer than the first time period based on a signal received from the electrical equipment; A management system characterized in that the second management means manages primary toilet management data indicating the operating status of the plurality of toilet devices during the first time length, or secondary toilet management data indicating the operating status of the plurality of toilet devices during the second time length.
2. The management system according to claim 1, wherein the first management means converts the primary toilet management data into the secondary toilet management data and transmits the secondary toilet management data to the second management means.
3. The management system according to claim 1 , wherein the second management means converts the primary toilet management data into the secondary toilet management data.
4. The management system according to claim 1 , wherein the primary toilet management data includes data indicating changes in the operating status of the plurality of toilet devices corresponding to time.
5. The management system according to claim 1 , wherein the number of management items included in the primary toilet management data is greater than the number of management items included in the secondary toilet management data.
6. The management system according to claim 1, characterized in that the plurality of toilet equipment includes a toilet equipment group consisting of a combination of a plurality of toilets and / or urinals each having a toilet seat device for cleaning the user's private parts, or a toilet system consisting of a combination of the toilet equipment group and at least one washbasin device.
7. The management system according to claim 6, wherein the toilet system includes at least one of an automatic faucet, an electric water heater, and a hand dryer.
8. The management system described in claim 1, characterized in that the first management means has a first management mode in which the plurality of toilet devices are controlled based on a first schedule managed by the first management means, and a second management mode in which the plurality of toilet devices are controlled based on a second schedule managed by the second management means.
9. the first management means has a first schedule and controls the plurality of toilet devices based on the first schedule; the second management means has a second schedule and controls the electrical equipment based on the second schedule; 2. The management system according to claim 1, wherein the first management means changes the first schedule based on the second schedule.
10. The management system according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the first management means switches between driving and stopping some of the plurality of toilet devices.
11. 2. The management system according to claim 1, wherein the first management means has a display means for displaying the secondary toilet management data.
12. 2. The management system according to claim 1, wherein the second management means has a display means for displaying the primary toilet management data.
13. The management system according to claim 1 , wherein the electrical equipment includes at least one of an air conditioning equipment, a lighting equipment, a security equipment, an elevator equipment, and a sensor connected to a non-electrical equipment.
14. One repeater is provided, the first management means is connected to the repeater via a network conforming to a first communication standard, 2. The management system according to claim 1, wherein the second management means is connected to the repeater via a network conforming to a second communication standard different from the first communication standard.
15. a first repeater and a second repeater that can communicate with each other; the first management means is connected to the first relay via a network conforming to a first communication standard; 2. The management system according to claim 1, wherein the second management means is connected to the second repeater via a network of a second communication standard different from the first communication standard.
16. A toilet equipment management device that manages multiple toilet equipment installed in a toilet space in a building, managing the operating states of the plurality of toilet devices for a first length of time based on signals received from the plurality of toilet devices; A toilet equipment management device characterized by transmitting primary toilet management data indicating the operating status of the multiple toilet equipment during the first time length, or secondary toilet management data indicating the operating status of the multiple toilet equipment during a second time length longer than the first time length, to another management device that manages the operating status of electrical equipment installed in spaces other than the toilet space within the building.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Integrated control system for device in building
JP1993324655A