Device management apparatus, device management system, device management method, and storage medium

Abstract

To provide an apparatus management device, an apparatus management system, an apparatus management method, and a program capable of appropriately managing a plurality of apparatuses.SOLUTION: The cloud servers 1 each include the mismatch judging unit 113 that judges, for each of the groups, whether or not the setting parameter of at least one of the air conditioners 3 stored in the device state storage unit 131 mismatches the designated setting details designated for all of the plurality of air conditioners 3 belonging to the group, and the mismatch notifying unit 114 that, when it is judged that the setting parameter of at least one of the plurality of air conditioners 3 belonging to the group mismatches the designated setting details, generates the mismatch notifying information for notifying that the setting parameter of at least one of the plurality of air conditioners 3 belonging to the group mismatches the designated setting details and transmits the mismatch notifying information to the terminal 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an equipment management device, an equipment management system, an equipment management method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] There has been proposed an air conditioner monitoring equipment management device that divides a plurality of individual air conditioners into groups composed of the plurality of individual air conditioners and centrally monitors and controls the plurality of individual air conditioners for each group (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in a system composed of a plurality of individual air conditioners as described in Patent Document 1, operating devices for operating each individual air conditioner separately are connected to the individual air conditioners, and a system is provided that can be controlled by an air conditioner monitoring equipment management device and can also be operated by the operating devices. In such a system, when any one of the individual air conditioners is operated via the operating device, the states of the plurality of individual air conditioners managed by the air conditioner monitoring equipment management device may not match the actual states of the individual air conditioners. On the other hand, for example, for an administrator who collectively manages a plurality of individual air conditioners, it is desired to operate the plurality of individual air conditioners efficiently by operating them with the same setting contents as much as possible. Therefore, there is a demand to efficiently operate the entire plurality of individual air conditioners by grasping in real time that the states of some of the plurality of individual air conditioners have changed and appropriately managing the states of the plurality of individual air conditioners.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to provide a device management device, a device management system, a device management method, and a program that are capable of appropriately managing multiple devices. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, a device management device according to the present disclosure includes: a device status storage unit that stores device status information indicating setting parameters of each of a plurality of devices; a device status acquisition unit that, when status update notification information notifying that the setting parameters of at least one of the plurality of devices have been updated, including device status information indicating the updated setting parameters, is acquired from the at least one of the plurality of devices, and updates the device status information stored in the device status storage unit using the device status information included in the acquired status update notification information; a mismatch determination unit that determines whether the setting parameters of at least one of the plurality of devices stored in the device status storage unit are inconsistent with designated setting contents that are designated for all of the plurality of devices; and a mismatch notification unit that, when it is determined that the setting parameters of at least one of the plurality of devices are inconsistent with the specified setting content, generates mismatch notification information notifying the terminal device that the setting parameters of at least one of the plurality of devices are inconsistent with the specified setting content and transmits the mismatch notification information to the terminal device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, the mismatch determination unit determines whether at least one setting parameter of a plurality of devices stored in the device status storage unit is inconsistent with the designated setting content specified for all of the plurality of devices. Then, when the mismatch notification unit determines that at least one setting parameter of the plurality of devices is inconsistent with the designated setting content, it generates the above-mentioned mismatch notification information and transmits it to the terminal device. This allows, for example, an administrator managing the plurality of devices to quickly grasp the state via the terminal device when at least one setting parameter of the plurality of devices is inconsistent with the designated setting content, thereby enabling appropriate management of the plurality of devices. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a device management system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a device management system according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a device management system according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] 1A is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a device status storage unit according to an embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a group setting storage unit according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of a device management system according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a device list display image displayed on a display unit of a terminal device according to an embodiment; [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of a device management system according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of a device management system according to an embodiment. [Figure 9] 1A and 1B show a part of a device list display image displayed on a display unit of a terminal device according to an embodiment, in which FIG. 1A shows an example of a display state before a group collective operation, and FIG. 1B shows an example of a display state after a group collective operation. [Figure 10]1A and 1B show a part of a device list display image displayed on a display unit of a terminal device according to an embodiment, in which FIG. 1A shows an example of a display state before a group collective operation, and FIG. 1B shows an example of a display state after a group collective operation. [Figure 11] 1A and 1B show a part of a device list display image displayed on a display unit of a terminal device according to an embodiment, in which FIG. 1A shows an example of a display state before a group collective operation, and FIG. 1B shows an example of a display state after a group collective operation. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of a device management system according to an embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of a device management system according to an embodiment. [Figure 14] 1A and 1B show a mismatch notification image displayed on a display unit of a terminal device according to an embodiment, in which FIG. 1A shows an example of a display state before a mismatch processing selection operation is performed, and FIG. 1B shows an example of a display state after a mismatch processing selection operation is performed. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a mismatch notification image displayed on the display unit of the terminal device according to the embodiment after a mismatch selection operation; [Figure 16] FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of a device management system according to an embodiment. [Figure 17] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of a device management process executed by a cloud server according to an embodiment. [Figure 18] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of a device management process executed by a cloud server according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] A device management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The device management device according to the embodiment includes a device status storage unit that stores device status information indicating setting parameters of each of a plurality of devices, and a device status acquisition unit that, upon receiving status update notification information notifying that setting parameters have been updated, the status update notification information includes device status information indicating the updated setting parameters and is transmitted from at least one of the plurality of devices when the setting parameters of the plurality of devices are updated. The status update notification information includes device status information indicating the updated setting parameters. The device management device also includes a mismatch determination unit that determines whether at least one setting parameter of the plurality of devices stored in the device status storage unit is inconsistent with specified settings specified for all of the plurality of devices, and a mismatch notification unit that, upon determining that at least one setting parameter of the plurality of devices is inconsistent with the specified settings, generates mismatch notification information notifying that at least one setting parameter of the plurality of devices is inconsistent with the specified settings and transmits the mismatch notification information to a terminal device.

[0010] As shown in Fig. 1, the device management system according to this embodiment includes a cloud server 1 and a terminal device 2, and manages the setting parameters of each of multiple air conditioners 3 installed in a building. The cloud server 1 is capable of communicating with each of the multiple air conditioners 3 via a wide area network NW1 such as the Internet and a broadband router (hereinafter referred to as "BBR") 8. The air conditioners 3 and the BBR 8 are also capable of communicating with each other via a local area network NW2. The local area network NW2 is, for example, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network). Furthermore, the cloud server 1 is capable of communicating with terminal devices 2 carried by users via the wide area network NW1.

[0011] Each air conditioner 3 is, for example, a device equipped with a wireless module and communicates with the BBR 8 via the local network NW2. The air conditioner 3 is also capable of communicating with a dedicated operating device 31 for operating the air conditioner itself. The air conditioner 3 has a setting information storage unit (not shown) that stores setting information indicating its own setting parameters. When a user operates the operating device 31 and updates the setting parameters set in the air conditioner, the setting information indicating the updated setting parameters is stored in the setting information storage unit. Here, the setting parameters include, for example, the power on / off state, an operating mode such as cooling mode, heating mode, or fan mode, and a set temperature that is the target temperature for the air-conditioned area. The air conditioner 3 then generates and transmits status update notification information to the cloud server 1 to notify the cloud server 1 that the setting parameters have been updated. This status update notification information includes device status information, which is the updated setting information stored in the setting information storage unit. Furthermore, the air conditioners 3 are managed in multiple groups. These groups are set, for example, based on the installation locations of the air conditioners 3. For example, at least one air conditioner installed in each of the "living-dining-kitchen," "children's room," "study," and "places other than the living-dining-kitchen, children's room, and study" is managed as one group. Furthermore, when the air conditioner 3 acquires setting notification information sent from the cloud server 1, it extracts the setting information included in the acquired setting notification information and stores it in the setting information storage unit. The air conditioner 3 then begins operation based on the updated setting information stored in the setting information storage unit.

[0012] The terminal device 2 is, for example, a smartphone, and as shown in FIG. 2, includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, a main memory 202, an auxiliary memory 203, a display 204, an input unit 205, a communication unit 206, and a bus 209 connecting these units to one another. The main memory 202 has a volatile memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) and is used as a work area for the CPU 201. The auxiliary memory 203 is a non-volatile memory such as a semiconductor flash memory and stores programs for the CPU 201 to execute various processes. The display 204 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display. The input unit 205 is, for example, a transparent touchpad placed on top of the display 204. The communication unit 206 is connected to the wide area network NW1 and transmits information transferred from the CPU 201 to the cloud server 1 via the wide area network NW1, and transfers information obtained from the cloud server 1 via the wide area network NW1 to the CPU 201.

[0013] 3, the CPU 201 functions as an appliance status acquisition unit 211, a display control unit 212, a mismatch notification acquisition unit 213, a setting notification unit 214, a mismatch processing notification unit 215, an updated setting acquisition unit 216, a notification availability information notification unit 217, and a display end notification unit 218. The auxiliary storage unit 203 also has an appliance status storage unit 231 and a mismatch information storage unit 232. The appliance status storage unit 231 stores appliance status information indicating the setting parameters of each air conditioner 3 in association with appliance identification information that identifies the air conditioner 3 and group identification information that identifies the group to which the air conditioner 3 belongs.

[0014] The mismatch information storage unit 232 stores mismatch information indicating the combination of the equipment identification information of at least one air conditioner 3 belonging to at least one group, the air conditioner 3 having setting parameters that differ from the specified setting contents described below, and the group identification information of the group to which the air conditioner 3 belongs.

[0015] When a user performs an equipment list display operation on the input unit 205 to display on the display unit 204 an equipment list display image showing a list of setting parameters for each of the multiple air conditioners 3 installed in the building, the equipment status acquisition unit 211 accepts the equipment list display operation and generates equipment status request information requesting the cloud server 1 to transmit equipment status information for each of the multiple air conditioners 3. The equipment status acquisition unit 211 also transmits the generated equipment status request information to the cloud server 1 to acquire equipment status notification information (described below) transmitted from the cloud server 1. At this time, the equipment status acquisition unit 211 establishes communication with the cloud server 1 using, for example, the WebSocket protocol before acquiring the equipment status notification information. The equipment status acquisition unit 211 then extracts the equipment status information, equipment identification information, and group identification information included in the acquired equipment status notification information, associates these pieces of information with each other, and stores them in the equipment status storage unit 231. Furthermore, if the equipment status notification information includes the aforementioned inconsistency information, the equipment status acquisition unit 211 stores the inconsistency information in the inconsistency information storage unit 232. Furthermore, after receiving the above-mentioned device list display device, the device status acquisition unit 211 acquires device status notification information once, and when it acquires further device status notification information, it extracts the device status information, device identification information, and group identification information contained in the acquired device status notification information, and updates the device status information stored in the device status storage unit 231 using this information.

[0016] When the post-update setting acquisition unit 216 acquires the post-update setting content notification information described below sent from the cloud server 1, it extracts the group identification information and setting policy information contained in the acquired post-update setting content notification information and notifies the display control unit 212.

[0017] When the user performs the above-mentioned device list display operation on the input unit 205, the display control unit 212 accepts the device list display operation and forms a device list display image based on the device status information stored in the device status storage unit 231 and the inconsistency information stored in the inconsistency information storage unit 232, and displays it on the display unit 204. Here, the display control unit 212 forms a device list display image in which the setting parameters of air conditioners 3 with setting parameters different from the specified setting contents designated for each group are displayed in a different display mode from air conditioners 3 with setting parameters identical to the specified setting contents. Furthermore, after the display control unit 212 has once displayed a device list display image on the display unit 204, when the device status information stored in the device status storage unit 231 is updated, the display control unit 212 forms a new device list display image based on the updated device status information and updates the device list display image displayed on the display unit 204. Furthermore, when the user performs a device list display end operation on the input unit 205 to end the display of the aforementioned device list display image, the display control unit 212 accepts the device list display end operation and ends the display of the device list display image on the display unit 204. Furthermore, when the display control unit 212 acquires inconsistency notification information (described below) transmitted from the cloud server 1 while the device list display image is not being displayed on the display unit 204, the display control unit 212 forms an inconsistency notification image notifying the group to which the air conditioner 3 whose setting parameters differ from the specified setting contents belongs, based on the inconsistency information included in the inconsistency notification information, and displays the image on the display unit 204. Furthermore, when the display control unit 212 is notified of the above-mentioned group identification information and setting policy information from the updated setting acquisition unit 216 while the display unit 204 is not displaying the device list display image, the display control unit 212 forms an updated setting content notification image notifying the updated setting contents for the air conditioner 3, based on the notified information, and displays the image on the display unit 204.

[0018] When the display of the device list display image on the display unit 204 is terminated, the display end notification unit 218 generates list display end notification information including terminal device identification information that identifies the terminal device 2 and transmits it to the cloud server 1.

[0019] It is assumed that the mismatch notification acquisition unit 213 has acquired mismatch notification information sent from the cloud server 1, notifying that the setting parameters of at least one of the air conditioners 3 belonging to a group do not match the specified setting content designated for the entire group. In this case, the mismatch notification acquisition unit 213 extracts mismatch information that indicates the combination of the device identification information of the air conditioner 3 whose setting parameters differ from the specified setting content and the group identification information of the group to which the air conditioner 3 belongs, from the acquired mismatch notification information, and stores this in the mismatch information storage unit 232.

[0020] When a user performs a group batch operation on the input unit 205 to simultaneously update the setting parameters of at least one air conditioner 3 belonging to a group, the setting notification unit 214 accepts the group batch operation and generates group setting notification information indicating the setting contents of all of the at least one air conditioner 3 specified by the group batch operation. Here, it is assumed that the group batch operation performed by the user is a so-called relative operation that changes the setting parameters of each of the at least one air conditioner 3 belonging to the group by the same amount specified by the group batch operation. For example, if the setting parameter is a set temperature, an example of this relative operation is an operation that increases or decreases the set temperature of all the air conditioners 3 by the same amount while maintaining different set temperatures for the multiple air conditioners 3. In this case, the setting notification unit 214 generates group setting notification information that includes change amount information indicating the amount of change when changing the setting parameters of each of the at least one air conditioner 3 belonging to the group by the same amount specified by the relative operation, and group batch operation content identification information indicating that it is a relative operation. Furthermore, it is assumed that the group collective operation performed by the user is a so-called absolute operation that updates the setting parameters of at least one air conditioner 3 belonging to a group to the same setting parameters specified by the group collective operation. For example, if the setting parameters are operating modes, an example of this absolute operation is an operation in which the operating mode of multiple air conditioners 3 belonging to the group is switched from cooling mode to fan mode all at once. In this case, the setting notification unit 214 generates group setting notification information that includes designated setting information indicating the updated setting parameters of all at least one air conditioner 3 belonging to the group, group identification information that identifies the group, and group collective operation content identification information indicating that this is an absolute operation. Furthermore, it is assumed that the group collective operation performed by the user is a so-called inconsistency resolution operation that, when any setting parameter of at least one air conditioner 3 belonging to the group differs from the setting parameter indicated by the designated setting information specified for the group, unifies the setting parameters of all at least one air conditioner 3 belonging to the group to the setting parameter indicated by the designated setting information, thereby resolving the inconsistency.An example of this mismatch resolution operation is, for example, when the setting parameter is a set temperature, and the set temperature of one of the air conditioners 3 belonging to a group differs from the set temperature indicated by the designated setting information specified for the group, updating the set temperature of that air conditioner 3 to the set temperature indicated by the designated setting information. In this case, the setting notification unit 214 generates group setting notification information including group identification information identifying the group to which the air conditioner 3 whose setting parameter differs from the set parameter indicated by the designated setting information belongs, and group collective operation content identification information indicating that this is a mismatch resolution operation. The setting notification unit 214 then transmits the generated group setting notification information to the cloud server 1. Furthermore, when a user performs a single-device operation on the input unit 205 to update the setting parameters of one air conditioner 3, the setting notification unit 214 accepts the single-device operation and generates single-device setting notification information including designated setting information indicating the updated setting parameters of the one air conditioner 3 specified by the single-device operation and the device identification information of the air conditioner 3. The setting notification unit 214 then transmits the generated single-device setting notification information to the cloud server 1.

[0021] When the user performs a mismatch process selection operation on the input unit 205 to select the process to be performed when, among the air conditioners 3 belonging to at least one group, there is an air conditioner 3 whose setting parameters differ from the setting parameters indicated by the designated setting information specified for that group, the mismatch process notification unit 215 accepts the mismatch process selection operation, generates mismatch process notification information, and sends it to the cloud server 1. This mismatch process notification information includes setting policy information indicating the setting policy used when setting the setting parameters selected in the mismatch process selection operation described above, and setting policy re-application information indicating whether or not to apply the setting policy specified by the setting policy information the next time a situation arises in which an air conditioner 3 whose setting parameters differ from the setting parameters indicated by the designated setting information specified for that group is present.

[0022] When the user performs a notification permission setting operation on the input unit 205 to set whether or not to permit transmission of the above-mentioned mismatch notification information to the terminal device 2 when, among the air conditioners 3 belonging to at least one group, there is an air conditioner 3 whose setting parameters differ from the setting parameters indicated by the designated setting information designated for that group, the notification permission information notifying unit 217 accepts the notification permission setting operation and generates notification permission notification information that includes notification permission information indicating whether or not to permit transmission of the mismatch notification information and terminal device identification information of the terminal device 2. Then, the notification permission information notifying unit 217 transmits the generated notification permission notification information to the cloud server 1.

[0023] Returning to FIG. 2, the cloud server 1 includes a CPU 101, a main memory unit 102, an auxiliary memory unit 103, a communication unit 106, and a bus 109 connecting the various units. The CPU 101 is, for example, a multi-core processor. The main memory unit 102 is made up of a volatile memory and is used as a work area for the CPU 101. The auxiliary memory unit 103 is made up of a large-capacity non-volatile memory and stores programs for realizing various functions of the cloud server 1. The communication unit 106 is connected to a wide area network NW1.

[0024] 3, the CPU 101 loads a program stored in the auxiliary storage unit 103 into the main storage unit 102 and executes it, thereby functioning as a device status acquisition unit 111, a device status notification unit 112, a mismatch determination unit 113, a mismatch notification unit 114, a setting acquisition unit 115, a device control unit 116, a mismatch processing information acquisition unit 117, a post-update setting notification unit 118, a notification availability information acquisition unit 119, and a display end notification acquisition unit 120. Also, as shown in FIG. 3, the auxiliary storage unit 103 shown in FIG. 2 has a device status storage unit 131, a group setting storage unit 132, a setting policy storage unit 133, a notification availability information storage unit 134, and a display status flag storage unit 135. The device status storage unit 131 stores device status information in association with device identification information, group identification information, and terminal device identification information, as shown in FIG. 4(A), for example. Figure 4(A) shows that the set temperature and operating state are used as setting parameters indicated by the equipment status information. Figure 4(A) also shows that one group is made up of air conditioners 3 installed in the living / dining / kitchen room and identified by equipment identification information IDE[0], IDE[1], IDE[2], and IDE[3], and that group is assigned group identification information IDG[0].

[0025] The group setting storage unit 132 stores designated setting information indicating setting parameters designated for a group in association with group identification information that identifies the group, as shown in Fig. 4(B), for example. Fig. 4(B) shows that the set temperature and operating state are adopted as the setting parameters designated for each group. Fig. 4(A) also shows that the designated set temperature is "27°C" and the designated operating state is "cooling mode" for the group identified by group identification information IDG[0] consisting of air conditioners 3 identified by device identification information IDE[0], IDE[1], IDE[2], and IDE[3] installed in the living-dining-kitchen area.

[0026] The setting policy storage unit 133 stores setting policy information and the above-mentioned setting policy re-application information in association with group identification information. Here, the setting policy information indicates, for each group of air conditioners 3, a setting policy for setting the setting parameters of air conditioners 3 belonging to that group when there is an air conditioner 3 whose setting parameters differ from the setting parameters specified for the group stored in the group setting storage unit 132. Specifically, the setting policy storage unit 133 stores either designated setting maintenance policy information, designated setting update policy information, or inconsistency maintenance policy information. Here, the designated setting maintenance policy information indicates a policy for controlling at least one air conditioner 3 belonging to a group so that, when the setting parameters of at least one of the air conditioners 3 belonging to the group do not match the designated setting contents, the at least one setting parameter matches the designated setting contents. Furthermore, the designated setting update policy information indicates a policy for controlling the air conditioners 3 so that, if the setting parameters of at least one of the air conditioners 3 belonging to the group do not match the designated setting contents, the designated setting information is updated so that the designated setting contents match the setting parameters of at least one of the air conditioners 3 belonging to the group, and the setting parameters of all air conditioners 3 other than at least one of the air conditioners 3 belonging to the group match the designated setting contents indicated by the updated designated setting information. Furthermore, the mismatch maintenance policy information indicates a policy for maintaining the setting parameters of the air conditioners 3 in a state that does not match the designated setting contents. Furthermore, the setting policy storage unit 133 stores the designated setting maintenance policy information, designated setting update policy information, or mismatch maintenance policy information together with policy identification information that identifies each of them.

[0027] The notification availability information storage unit 134 stores the notification availability information in association with terminal device identification information that identifies the terminal device 2 that is the destination of the mismatch notification information. The display status flag storage unit 135 stores the display status flag information for the terminal device 2 that is the destination of the device status notification information in association with the terminal device identification information of the terminal device 2 that is the destination of the device status notification information.

[0028] When the device status acquisition unit 111 acquires the status update notification information transmitted from the air conditioner 3, it extracts the device status information and device identification information contained in the acquired status update notification information, and stores the extracted device status information and device identification information in the device status storage unit 131 in association with the group identification information and terminal device identification information that have been previously associated with the device identification information.

[0029] When the device status notification unit 112 acquires device status request information transmitted from the terminal device 2, it extracts terminal device identification information included in the acquired device status request information and updates the display status flag information stored in the display status flag storage unit 135 corresponding to the extracted terminal device identification information to display status flag information indicating "list displaying." The device status notification unit 112 then generates device status notification information including the device status information, device identification information, and group identification information associated with the extracted terminal identification information stored in the device status storage unit 131. Furthermore, when the device status notification unit 112 receives notification from the mismatch determination unit 113 of the group identification information and device identification information of an air conditioner 3 whose setting parameters differ from the setting parameters specified for the group stored in the group setting storage unit 132, the device status notification unit 112 generates device status notification information further including mismatch information indicating the combination of the group identification information and the device identification information. The device status notification unit 112 then transmits the generated device status notification information to the terminal device 2 identified by the terminal identification information corresponding to the device identification information.

[0030] The mismatch determination unit 113 determines whether or not at least one setting parameter of the air conditioners 3 belonging to each group, which is stored in the equipment status storage unit 131, is inconsistent with the designated setting content specified for all of the air conditioners 3 belonging to that group. Specifically, the mismatch determination unit 113 determines whether or not at least one setting parameter of the at least one air conditioner 3 belonging to each group, which is stored in the equipment status storage unit 131, is inconsistent with the setting parameter indicated by the designated setting information associated with the group identification information of each group, which is stored in the group setting storage unit 132. When the mismatch determination unit 113 determines that at least one setting parameter of an air conditioner 3 belonging to at least one group does not match the setting parameter indicated by the designated setting information associated with the group identification information of the group stored in the group setting memory unit 132, the mismatch determination unit 113 notifies the equipment status notification unit 112, the mismatch notification unit 114, and the equipment control unit 116 of the equipment identification information of the air conditioner 3 whose setting parameter differs from the setting parameter indicated by the designated setting information stored in the group setting memory unit 132, and the group identification information of the group to which the air conditioner 3 belongs.

[0031] When the mismatch determination unit 113 determines that at least one setting parameter of the air conditioners 3 belonging to the group does not match the specified setting content specified for all of the air conditioners 3 belonging to the group, the mismatch notification unit 114 generates the mismatch notification information described above and transmits it to the terminal device 2. Specifically, when the mismatch determination unit 113 notifies the mismatch notification unit 114 of the device identification information and group identification information described above, the mismatch notification unit 114 references the notification permission information stored in the notification permission information storage unit 134 and determines whether or not notification of the mismatch notification information to the terminal device 2 is permitted. Then, when the mismatch notification unit 114 determines that notification of the mismatch notification information to the terminal device 2 is permitted, it generates mismatch notification information including mismatch information indicating the combination of the device identification information and group identification information notified by the mismatch determination unit 113 and transmits it to the terminal device 2.

[0032] When the setting acquisition unit 115 acquires the group setting notification information transmitted from the terminal device 2, if the acquired group setting notification information includes group identification information, change amount information indicating the change amount, and group collective operation content identification information indicating a relative operation, the setting acquisition unit 115 extracts the group identification information, change amount information, and group collective operation identification information, and updates the setting parameters indicated by the designated setting information corresponding to the extracted group identification information, which are stored in the group setting storage unit 132, to setting parameters changed by the change amount indicated by the extracted change amount information. The setting acquisition unit 115 then notifies the device control unit 116 of the extracted group identification information, change amount information, and group collective operation identification information. Furthermore, if the acquired group setting notification information includes the designated setting information, the group identification information, and the group collective operation content identification information indicating an absolute operation, the setting acquisition unit 115 extracts the designated setting information, the group identification information, and the group collective operation identification information, and updates the setting parameters indicated by the designated setting information corresponding to the extracted group identification information, which are stored in the group setting storage unit 132, to setting parameters indicated by the extracted designated setting information. Then, the setting acquisition unit 115 notifies the device control unit 116 of the extracted group identification information and group collective operation identification information. Furthermore, if the acquired group setting notification information includes the above-mentioned group identification information and group collective operation content identification information indicating that the operation is a mismatch resolution operation, the setting acquisition unit 115 extracts the group identification information and the group collective operation identification information, and notifies the device control unit 116 of the extracted group identification information and group collective operation identification information. Furthermore, when the setting acquisition unit 115 acquires the above-mentioned single device setting notification information transmitted from the terminal device 2, the setting acquisition unit 115 extracts the designated setting information and device identification information included in the acquired single device setting notification information, and notifies the device control unit 116 of the extracted designated setting information and device identification information.

[0033] When the device control unit 116 is notified by the setting acquisition unit 115 of the group identification information, the change amount information, and the group collective operation identification information indicating the relative operation, the device control unit 116 generates setting notification information indicating the setting parameters when the setting parameters of each of the air conditioners 3 belonging to the group identified by the notified group identification information are changed by the change amount indicated by the notified change amount information. Furthermore, when the device control unit 116 is notified by the setting acquisition unit 115 of the group identification information and the group collective operation identification information indicating the absolute operation, the device control unit 116 generates setting notification information including updated designated setting information corresponding to the notified group identification information, which is stored in the group setting storage unit 132. Furthermore, when the device control unit 116 is notified by the setting acquisition unit 115 of the group identification information and the group collective operation identification information indicating the inconsistency resolution operation, the device control unit 116 generates setting notification information including the designated setting information corresponding to the notified group identification information, which is stored in the group setting storage unit 132. The device control unit 116 then transmits the generated setting notification information to the air conditioners 3 belonging to the group identified by the notified group identification information. In addition, when the device control unit 116 is notified of the aforementioned designated setting information and device identification information from the setting acquisition unit 115, it generates setting notification information including the notified designated setting information and transmits the generated setting notification information to the air conditioner 3 identified by the notified device identification information.

[0034] Furthermore, when the display status flag information stored in the display status flag storage unit 135 indicates "list displaying" and the setting policy storage unit 133 stores the above-mentioned inconsistency maintenance policy information, the device control unit 116 does not generate setting notification information. Furthermore, when the display status flag information stored in the display status flag storage unit 135 indicates "list displaying" and the setting policy storage unit 133 stores the above-mentioned designated setting update policy information, the device control unit 116 updates the designated setting information stored in the group setting storage unit 132 for the group to which the air conditioner 3 belongs, which corresponds to the most recently updated device status information stored in the device status storage unit 131, to designated setting information indicating the setting parameters indicated by the most recently updated device status information stored in the device status storage unit 131, and generates setting notification information including the updated designated setting information and transmits it to the air conditioners 3 belonging to the group. Furthermore, when the display status flag information stored in the display status flag memory unit 135 indicates "list displaying," and the setting policy memory unit 133 stores the aforementioned designated setting maintenance policy information, the equipment control unit 116 generates setting notification information including designated setting information of the group to which the air conditioner 3 corresponding to the most recently updated equipment status information stored in the equipment status memory unit 131 belongs, which is stored in the group setting memory unit 132, and transmits this information to the air conditioner 3 corresponding to the most recently updated equipment status information stored in the equipment status memory unit 131.

[0035] Furthermore, when the display status flag information stored in the display status flag storage unit 135 indicates "list display ended," and when the device identification information and group identification information are notified from the mismatch determination unit 113, the device control unit 116 references the setting policy reapplication propriety information stored in the setting policy storage unit 133 and determines whether the setting policy information stored in the setting policy storage unit 133 can be reapplied. If the device control unit 116 determines that the setting policy information stored in the setting policy storage unit 133 can be reapplied, the device control unit 116 generates the above-mentioned setting notification information as appropriate based on the setting policy information stored in the setting policy storage unit 133 and transmits it to the air conditioner 3. On the other hand, if the device control unit 116 determines that the setting policy information stored in the setting policy storage unit 133 cannot be reapplied, the device control unit 116 generates the above-mentioned setting notification information as appropriate based on the setting policy information stored in the setting policy storage unit 133 and updated after the mismatch processing information acquisition unit 117 acquired the mismatch processing notification information, and transmits it to the air conditioner 3.

[0036] When the mismatch processing information acquisition unit 117 acquires the above-mentioned mismatch processing notification information transmitted from the terminal device 2, it extracts the above-mentioned setting policy information and the setting policy re-application information included in the acquired mismatch processing notification information, and stores the extracted information in association with the above-mentioned setting policy identification information. When the setting policy re-application information stored in the setting policy storage unit 133 indicates that the setting policy can be re-applied, and the device control unit 116 generates setting notification information based on the setting policy information and transmits it to the air conditioner 3, the updated setting notification unit 118 generates updated setting content notification information including the setting policy identification information stored in the setting policy storage unit 133 and group identification information to which the air conditioner 3 to which the setting notification information is sent belongs, and transmits this information to the terminal device 2.

[0037] When the notification availability information acquisition unit 119 acquires the above-mentioned notification availability information transmitted from the terminal device 2, it extracts the notification availability information and the terminal device identification information included in the acquired notification availability information, and stores the extracted information in association with each other in the notification availability information storage unit 134. When the display end notification acquisition unit 120 acquires the above-mentioned list display end notification information transmitted from the terminal device 2, it extracts the terminal device identification information included in the acquired list display end notification information, and updates the display status flag information stored in the display status flag storage unit 135 and corresponding to the extracted terminal device identification information to display status flag information indicating "list display end".

[0038] Next, the operation of the device management system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 16. Here, the device status storage unit 131 stores device status information for each of a plurality of air conditioners 3 in association with device identification information and group identification information. The group setting storage unit 132 stores designated setting information indicating setting parameters designated for at least one group of air conditioners 3. Furthermore, the display status flag storage unit 135 stores display status flag information indicating "end list display" in its initial state. First, as shown in FIG. 5, assume that a user performs the device list display operation described above using the input unit 205 of the terminal device 2. In this case, the terminal device 2 accepts the device list display operation and generates the device status request information described above (step S1), and the generated device status request information is transmitted from the terminal device 2 to the cloud server 1 (step S2). On the other hand, when the cloud server 1 acquires the device status request information, it updates the display status flag information stored in the display status flag storage unit 135 and corresponding to the terminal device identification information included in the acquired device status request information to display status flag information indicating "list displaying" (step S3). Next, the cloud server 1 generates device status notification information including the device status information, device identification information, and group identification information stored in the device status storage unit 131 (step S4). Here, if there is an air conditioner 3 in at least one group whose setting parameters differ from the setting parameters indicated by the designated setting information stored in the group setting storage unit 132, the cloud server 1 generates device status notification information including the above-mentioned mismatch information. Next, the cloud server 1 transmits the generated device status notification information from the cloud server 1 to the terminal device 2 (step S5). On the other hand, when the terminal device 2 acquires the device status notification information, it extracts the device status information, device identification information, and group identification information included in the acquired device status notification information, associates these pieces of information with each other, and stores them in the device status storage unit 231 (step S6). Here, if the device status notification information includes inconsistency information, the terminal device 2 extracts the inconsistency information and stores it in the inconsistency information storage unit 232.Thereafter, the terminal device 2 forms a device list display image based on the device status information stored in the device status memory unit 231 and the inconsistency information stored in the inconsistency information memory unit 232, and displays it on the display unit 204 (step S7).

[0039] Here, the terminal device 2 displays, for example, a device list display image GA1 as shown in Fig. 6 on the display unit 204. The device list display image GA1 includes message images M111, M112, M113, and M114 indicating the name of the group to which the air conditioner 3 belongs, message images M131, M132, M133, and M134 indicating the set temperature specified for each group, button images BU131, BU132, BU133, and BU134 that indicate the operating mode specified for each group and that are selected when changing the operating mode specified for each group, and button images BU121, BU122, BU123, and BU124 that are selected when raising or lowering the set temperature specified for each group. The device list display image GA1 also includes message images M121, M122, and M123 that display the name and set temperature of each air conditioner 3 belonging to each group, and a mark image MK111 that indicates that there is an air conditioner 3 with a set temperature different from the set temperature specified for the group. Furthermore, the device list display image GA1 also includes button images BU111 and BU113 that are selected when performing the aforementioned imbalance resolution operation. Furthermore, in the device list display image GA1, the set temperatures of air conditioners 3 with a set temperature different from the set temperature specified for each group are displayed in a different display mode from the set temperatures of air conditioners 3 with the same set temperature as the specified set temperature. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the set temperature specified for the group "LDK (living-dining-kitchen)" is "27°C," while the set temperature of the air conditioner 3 named "Living 1" that belongs to the same group is "26°C," which is different from the specified set temperature. Meanwhile, the set temperatures of the air conditioners 3 named "Living 2," "Dining," and "Kitchen" are all "27°C," which is the same as the specified set temperature. In this case, the name "Living Room 1" and the set temperature of the air conditioner 3 with that name, "26°C," are displayed in red letters, and the names "Living Room 2," "Dining Room," and "Kitchen" and the set temperatures of the air conditioner 3 with those names are displayed in black, with the two being displayed in different ways.

[0040] Returning to FIG. 5, it is assumed that the user then operates the operating device 31 to change the setting parameters of the air conditioner 3. In this case, the air conditioner 3 starts operating with the updated setting contents (step S8). Next, the air conditioner 3 generates the above-mentioned status update notification information (step S9), and the generated status update notification information is transmitted from the air conditioner 3 to the cloud server 1 (step S10). Meanwhile, upon acquiring the status update notification information, the cloud server 1 extracts the device status information and device identification information included in the acquired status update notification information, and stores the extracted device status information and device identification information in the device status storage unit 131 in association with the group identification information and terminal device identification information that have been previously associated with the device identification information (step S11). Thereafter, it is assumed that the cloud server 1 determines that the setting policy storage unit 133 stores the above-mentioned inconsistency maintenance policy information (step S12). In this case, the cloud server 1 generates device status notification information including the device status information, device identification information, and group identification information stored in the device status storage unit 231 and associated with the terminal identification information included in the acquired device status request information, as well as the aforementioned inconsistency information (step S13). Then, the cloud server 1 transmits the generated device status notification information to the terminal device 2 (step S14). Meanwhile, upon acquiring the device status notification information, the terminal device 2 extracts the device status information, device identification information, group identification information, and inconsistency information included in the acquired device status notification information, and updates the device status information stored in the device status storage unit 231 and the inconsistency information stored in the inconsistency information storage unit 232 using this information (step S15). Thereafter, the terminal device 2 forms a device list display image based on the updated device status information stored in the device status storage unit 231 and the updated inconsistency information stored in the inconsistency information storage unit 232, and displays the image on the display unit 204 (step S16).

[0041] Furthermore, suppose that a user operates the operating device 31 to change the setting parameters of, for example, the air conditioner 3A, and after the series of processes from steps S8 to S11 described above are executed, the cloud server 1 determines that the setting policy storage unit 133 stores the designated setting update policy information described above (step S17), as shown in FIG. 7. In this case, the cloud server 1 updates the designated setting information of the group to which the air conditioner 3A, whose setting parameters have been changed, stored in the group setting storage unit 132, to designated setting information indicating the changed setting parameters of the air conditioner 3A (step S18). Next, the cloud server 1 generates setting notification information including the updated designated setting information stored in the group setting storage unit 132 (step S19), and the generated setting notification information is transmitted from the cloud server 1 to another air conditioner 3B belonging to the same group as the air conditioner 3A (step S20). Meanwhile, upon acquiring the setting notification information, the air conditioner 3B extracts the setting information included in the acquired setting notification information and stores it in the setting information storage unit (step S21). The air conditioner 3B then begins operating based on the updated setting information stored in the setting information storage unit (step S22). Subsequently, the air conditioner 3B generates the aforementioned status update notification information (step S23), and the generated status update notification information is transmitted from the air conditioner 3B to the cloud server 1 (step S24). Meanwhile, upon acquiring the status update notification information, the cloud server 1 extracts the device status information and device identification information included in the acquired status update notification information, and stores the extracted device status information and device identification information in the device status storage unit 131 in association with the group identification information and terminal device identification information previously associated with the device identification information (step S25). The cloud server 1 then generates device status notification information including the updated device status information, device identification information, and group identification information stored in the device status storage unit 131, as well as the aforementioned inconsistency information (step S26). The generated device status notification information is then transmitted from the cloud server 1 to the terminal device 2 (step S27).On the other hand, when the terminal device 2 acquires the device status notification information, it extracts the device status information, device identification information, group identification information, and mismatch information included in the acquired device status notification information, and uses this information to update the device status information stored in the device status storage unit 231 and the mismatch information stored in the mismatch information storage unit 232 (step S28). Thereafter, the terminal device 2 forms a device list display image based on the updated device status information stored in the device status storage unit 231 and the updated mismatch information stored in the mismatch information storage unit 232, and displays the image on the display unit 204 (step S29).

[0042] Furthermore, suppose that a user operates the operating device 31 to change, for example, the setting parameters of the air conditioner 3, and after the series of processes from Steps S8 to S11 described above are executed, the cloud server 1 determines that the setting policy storage unit 133 stores the designated setting maintenance policy information described above (Step S30). In this case, the cloud server 1 generates setting notification information including the designated setting information of the group to which the air conditioner 3 whose setting parameters have been changed belongs (Step S31), and the generated setting notification information is sent from the cloud server 1 to the air conditioner 3 whose setting parameters have been updated (Step S32). Meanwhile, upon acquiring the setting notification information, the air conditioner 3 extracts the setting information included in the acquired setting notification information and stores it in the setting information storage unit (Step S33). The air conditioner 3 then starts operating based on the updated setting information stored in the setting information storage unit (Step S34).

[0043] Also, as shown in FIG. 8, it is assumed that a user performs the aforementioned group bulk operation on the input unit 205 of the terminal device 2. In this case, the terminal device 2 accepts the group bulk operation and generates group setting notification information indicating the setting contents of all of the air conditioners 3 belonging to the group specified by the group bulk operation (step S35). Here, if the group bulk operation is the aforementioned relative operation, the terminal device 2 generates group setting notification information including the aforementioned change amount information and group bulk operation content identification information that identifies the relative operation. Furthermore, if the group bulk operation is the aforementioned absolute operation, the terminal device 2 generates group setting notification information including designated setting information that indicates the updated setting parameters of all of the air conditioners 3 belonging to the group, group identification information that identifies the group, and group bulk operation content identification information that indicates the absolute operation. Furthermore, if the group bulk operation is the aforementioned inconsistency resolution operation, the terminal device 2 generates group setting notification information including group identification information that identifies the group to which the air conditioners 3 belong whose setting parameters differ from the setting parameters indicated by the designated setting information belong, and group bulk operation content identification information that indicates the inconsistency resolution operation. Then, the generated group setting notification information is transmitted from the terminal device 2 to the cloud server 1 (step S36). On the other hand, when the cloud server 1 acquires the group setting notification information, if the acquired group setting notification information includes group identification information, change amount information indicating the above-mentioned amount of change, and group collective operation content identification information indicating that it is a relative operation, the cloud server 1 extracts the group identification information, change amount information, and group collective operation identification information, and updates the setting parameters indicated by the designated setting information corresponding to the extracted group identification information, which are stored in the group setting storage unit 132, to setting parameters changed by the change amount indicated by the extracted change amount information.Furthermore, if the acquired group setting notification information includes designated setting information, group identification information, and the above-mentioned group collective operation content identification information indicating an absolute operation, the cloud server 1 extracts the designated setting information, group identification information, and group collective operation identification information, and updates the setting parameters indicated by the designated setting information corresponding to the extracted group identification information, which are stored in the group setting storage unit 132, to the setting parameters indicated by the extracted designated setting information. Furthermore, if the acquired group setting notification information includes the above-mentioned group identification information and the group collective operation content identification information indicating an inconsistency resolution operation, the cloud server 1 extracts the group identification information and the group collective operation identification information (step S37).

[0044] Next, when the cloud server 1 extracts group collective operation content identification information indicating a relative operation, it generates setting notification information indicating the setting parameters when the setting parameters of each of the air conditioners 3 belonging to the group identified by the extracted group identification information are changed by the change amount indicated by the notified change amount information. Furthermore, when the cloud server 1 extracts group collective operation identification information indicating an absolute operation, it generates setting notification information stored in the group setting storage unit 132, including updated designated setting information corresponding to the extracted group identification information. Furthermore, when the cloud server 1 extracts group collective operation identification information indicating a mismatch resolution operation, it generates setting notification information stored in the group setting storage unit 132, including designated setting information corresponding to the notified group identification information (step S38). The generated setting notification information is then transmitted from the cloud server 1 to the air conditioner 3 (step S39). Meanwhile, when the air conditioner 3 acquires the setting notification information, it extracts the setting information included in the acquired setting notification information and stores it in the setting information storage unit (step S40). The air conditioner 3 then begins operating based on the updated setting information stored in the setting information storage unit (step S41). Subsequently, the air conditioner 3 generates the aforementioned status update notification information (step S42), and the generated status update notification information is transmitted from the air conditioner 3 to the cloud server 1 (step S43). Meanwhile, upon acquiring the status update notification information, the cloud server 1 extracts the device status information and device identification information contained in the acquired status update notification information, and stores the extracted device status information and device identification information in the device status storage unit 131 in association with the group identification information and terminal device identification information previously associated with the device identification information (step S44). The cloud server 1 then generates device status notification information including the updated device status information, device identification information, and group identification information stored in the device status storage unit 131, as well as the aforementioned inconsistency information (step S45). The generated device status notification information is then transmitted from the cloud server 1 to the terminal device 2 (step S46).On the other hand, when the terminal device 2 acquires the device status notification information, it extracts the device status information, device identification information, group identification information, and mismatch information included in the acquired device status notification information, and uses this information to update the device status information stored in the device status storage unit 231 and the mismatch information stored in the mismatch information storage unit 232 (step S47). Thereafter, the terminal device 2 forms a device list display image based on the updated device status information stored in the device status storage unit 231 and the updated mismatch information stored in the mismatch information storage unit 232, and displays the image on the display unit 204 (step S48).

[0045] For example, as shown in FIG. 9(A), suppose that there is an air conditioner 3 whose set temperature differs from the set temperature specified for the group, and the aforementioned relative operation is performed with a change in set temperature of 1°C. In this case, as shown in FIG. 9(B), the set temperature specified for the group changes by 1°C, and the set temperature of each air conditioner 3 changes by 1°C relative to the other air conditioners 3. Also, as shown in FIG. 10(A), suppose there is an air conditioner 3 whose set temperature differs from the set parameter specified for the group, and all air conditioners 3 belonging to the same group are set to cooling mode, and the aforementioned absolute operation is performed to change the operating mode of all air conditioners 3 belonging to the same group from cooling mode to fan mode. In this case, as shown in FIG. 10(B), the set temperature of each air conditioner 3 is maintained, and the operating mode of all air conditioners 3 belonging to the same group is changed to fan mode. Furthermore, suppose that, for example, as shown in Figure 11(A), there is an air conditioner 3 whose set temperature differs from the set temperature specified for the group, and the above-mentioned inconsistency resolution operation is performed to unify the set temperatures of all air conditioners 3 belonging to the same group to the set temperature specified for that group. In this case, for example, as shown in Figure 11(B), the set temperatures of the air conditioners 3 belonging to the same group will be unified to the set temperature specified for that group.

[0046] Returning to FIG. 8 , let us assume again that the user has performed a single-device operation on the input unit 205 of the terminal device 2 to update the setting parameters of one air conditioner 3. In this case, the terminal device 2 accepts the single-device operation and generates single-device setting notification information including designated setting information indicating the updated setting parameters of the one air conditioner 3 designated by the single-device operation and device identification information of the air conditioner 3 (step S49). The generated single-device setting notification information is then transmitted from the terminal device 2 to the cloud server 1 (step S50). Meanwhile, upon acquiring the single-device setting notification information, the cloud server 1 extracts the designated setting information and device identification information included in the acquired single-device setting notification information (step S51). The cloud server 1 then generates setting notification information including the extracted designated setting information (step S52), and transmits the generated designated setting notification information to the air conditioner 3 identified by the extracted device identification information from the cloud server 1 (step S53). On the other hand, when the air conditioner 3B acquires the setting notification information, it extracts the designated setting information included in the acquired setting notification information and stores it in the setting information storage unit (step S54). Then, as shown in Fig. 12, the air conditioner 3 starts operating based on the updated setting information stored in the setting information storage unit (step S55). Next, the series of processes from steps S42 to S48 described above are executed.

[0047] Assume that the user performs a device list display end operation on the input unit 205 of the terminal device 2 to end the display of the device list display image described above. In this case, the terminal device 2 accepts the device list display end operation and ends the display of the device list display image described above on the display unit 204 (step S56). Thereafter, the terminal device 2 generates list display end notification information including terminal device identification information that identifies the terminal device 2 (step S57), and the generated list display end notification information is transmitted from the terminal device 2 to the cloud server 1 (step S58). Meanwhile, upon acquiring the list display end notification information, the cloud server 1 extracts the terminal device identification information included in the acquired list display end notification information and updates the display state flag information corresponding to the extracted terminal device identification information, which is stored in the display state flag storage unit 135, to display state flag information indicating "list display end" (step S59).

[0048] Also, suppose that a user changes the setting parameters of the air conditioner 3 by operating the operating device 31 while the terminal device 2 is not displaying the above-mentioned device list display image on the display unit 204. In this case, the air conditioner 3 starts operating with the updated setting contents (step S60). Next, the air conditioner 3 generates the above-mentioned status update notification information (step S61), and the generated status update notification information is transmitted from the air conditioner 3 to the cloud server 1 (step S62). Meanwhile, upon acquiring the status update notification information, the cloud server 1 extracts the device status information and device identification information included in the acquired status update notification information, and stores the extracted device status information and device identification information in the device status storage unit 131 in association with the group identification information and terminal device identification information that have been previously associated with the device identification information (step S63). Next, it is assumed that the cloud server 1 determines that at least one setting parameter of at least one air conditioner 3 belonging to each group, which is stored in the device status storage unit 131, is inconsistent with the setting parameter indicated by the designated setting information associated with the group identification information of each group, which is stored in the group setting storage unit 132 (step S64). Then, it is assumed that the cloud server 1 references the above-mentioned setting policy re-application information stored in the setting policy storage unit 133 and determines that the setting policy re-application information indicates that the setting policy cannot be re-applied (step S65). It is also assumed that the cloud server 1 determines that the notification availability information stored in the notification availability information storage unit 134 indicates that notification is permitted (step S66). In this case, the cloud server 1 generates inconsistency notification information including inconsistency information indicating a combination of the device identification information of the air conditioner 3 whose setting parameter differs from the setting parameter indicated by the designated setting information stored in the group setting storage unit 132 and the group identification information of the group to which the air conditioner 3 belongs (step S67). Then, the generated mismatch notification information is transmitted from the cloud server 1 to the terminal device 2 (step S68). Meanwhile, upon acquiring the mismatch notification information, the terminal device 2 forms the above-mentioned mismatch notification image based on the mismatch information included in the acquired mismatch notification information and displays it on the display unit 204 (step S69).

[0049] Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 13, it is assumed that the user performs the above-mentioned mismatch process selection operation. In this mismatch process selection operation, first, while the terminal device 2 is displaying a mismatch notification image GA21, for example, as shown in FIG. 14(A), on the display unit 204, the user swipes the portion of the input unit 205 of the terminal device 2, which is a touchpad, corresponding to the mismatch notification image GA21, for example, in the direction indicated by the arrow AR21. This causes the terminal device 2 to display, on the display unit 204, a plurality of button images BU221, BU222, BU223, and BU224 representing the contents of setting policy information, for example, as shown in FIG. 14(B). Here, when the button image BU221 is selected, the above-mentioned designated setting maintenance policy information is selected. Furthermore, when the button image BU222 is selected, the above-mentioned designated setting update policy information is selected. Furthermore, when the button image BU223 is selected, the above-mentioned mismatch maintenance policy information is selected. When the button image BU224 is selected, the terminal device 2 causes the display unit 204 to display the above-mentioned device list display image.

[0050] Next, with the terminal device 2 displaying button images BU221, BU222, BU223, and BU224 on the display unit 204, the user performs an operation to select one of button images BU221, BU222, or BU223. In response, the terminal device 2 causes the display unit 204 to display, as shown in Fig. 15, for example, an updated setting content notification image GA23 indicating the updated state of the air conditioner 3 when the setting parameters of the air conditioner 3 are updated based on the selected setting policy information, button images BU231 and BU232 for selecting whether or not to reapply the currently specified setting policy information if an air conditioner 3 whose setting parameters differ from the setting parameters indicated by the designated setting information specified for the group is present next time, and button image BU233 selected when the aforementioned device list display image is displayed on the display unit 204. Here, when button image BU231 is selected, setting policy reapplication applicability information indicating that the currently specified setting policy information cannot be reapplied is selected. On the other hand, when button image BU231 is selected, setting policy re-application availability information indicating that the currently specified setting policy information can be re-applied is selected. Then, the user performs an operation to select either button image BU231 or BU232. Note that when button image BU233 is selected, the terminal device 2 causes the display unit 204 to display the above-mentioned device list display image.

[0051] In this case, the terminal device 2 accepts the above-mentioned mismatch process selection operation and generates mismatch process notification information including the selected setting policy information and setting policy re-application information (step S70), and the generated mismatch process notification information is transmitted from the terminal device 2 to the cloud server 1 (step S71). Meanwhile, upon acquiring the mismatch process notification information, the cloud server 1 extracts the above-mentioned setting policy information and setting policy re-application information included in the acquired mismatch process notification information, and updates the setting policy information and setting policy re-application information stored in the setting policy storage unit 133 by storing the extracted information in association with the above-mentioned setting policy identification information (step S72). Next, the cloud server 1 generates setting notification information as appropriate based on the updated setting policy information stored in the setting policy storage unit 133 (step S73), and the generated setting notification information is transmitted from the cloud server 1 to the air conditioner 3 (step S74). On the other hand, when the air conditioner 3 acquires the setting notification information, it extracts the setting information included in the acquired setting notification information and stores it in the setting information storage unit (step S75). The air conditioner 3 then starts operating based on the updated setting information stored in the setting information storage unit (step S76). Next, the air conditioner 3 generates the above-mentioned status update notification information (step S77), and the generated status update notification information is transmitted from the air conditioner 3 to the cloud server 1 (step S78). On the other hand, when the cloud server 1 acquires the status update notification information, it extracts the device status information and device identification information included in the acquired status update notification information, and stores the extracted device status information and device identification information in the device status storage unit 131 in association with the group identification information and terminal device identification information that have been previously associated with the device identification information (step S79).

[0052] Furthermore, suppose that, while the terminal device 2 is not displaying the above-mentioned device list display image on the display unit 204, the user operates the operation device 31 to change the setting parameters of the air conditioner 3, and the series of processes from step S60 to S64 described above is executed. Then, suppose that the cloud server 1 references the above-mentioned setting policy re-application propriety information stored in the setting policy storage unit 133 and determines that the setting policy re-application propriety information indicates that the setting policy cannot be re-applied (step S80). Also, suppose that the cloud server 1 determines that the notification propriety information stored in the notification propriety information storage unit 134 indicates that notification is prohibited (step S81). In this case, the process ends without transmitting mismatch notification information to the terminal device 2.

[0053] Furthermore, assume that, while the terminal device 2 is not displaying the aforementioned device list display image on the display unit 204, the user operates the operating device 31 to change the setting parameters of the air conditioner 3, and the series of processes from Steps S60 to S64 described above is executed. Then, as shown in FIG. 16 , assume that the cloud server 1 references the aforementioned setting policy re-application propriety information stored in the setting policy storage unit 133 and determines that the setting policy re-application propriety information indicates that the setting policy can be re-applied (Step S82). Also, assume that the cloud server 1 determines that the notification propriety information stored in the notification propriety information storage unit 134 indicates that notification is permitted (Step S66). In this case, the cloud server 1 generates post-update setting content notification information indicating the state of the air conditioner 3 after the update when the setting parameters of the air conditioner 3 are updated based on the setting policy information stored in the setting policy storage unit 133 (Step S83), and the generated post-update setting content notification information is transmitted from the cloud server 1 to the terminal device 2 (Step S84). On the other hand, when the terminal device 2 acquires the updated setting content notification information, it forms an updated setting content notification image based on the device identification information and group identification information included in the acquired updated setting content notification information, and displays it on the display unit 204 (step S85). Also, the cloud server 1 generates setting notification information as appropriate based on the updated setting policy information stored in the setting policy storage unit 133 (step S73), and the series of processes from steps S74 to S79 ​​described above are executed.

[0054] Furthermore, when the user performs an operation to display the device list display image on the display unit 204 of the terminal device 2 in the mismatch process selection operation, a series of processes from step S1 onwards are executed.

[0055] Next, the device management process executed by the cloud server 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18. This device management process is started, for example, when a program for executing the device management process is started in the cloud server 1. First, the device status notification unit 112 determines whether or not device status request information transmitted from the terminal device 2 has been acquired (step S101). If the device status notification unit 112 determines that the device status request information has not been acquired (step S101: No), the process of step S117, which will be described later, is executed. On the other hand, if the device status notification unit 112 determines that the device status request information has been acquired (step S101: Yes), the device status notification unit 112 extracts the terminal device identification information included in the device status request information, and updates the display status flag information corresponding to the extracted terminal device identification information, which is stored in the display status flag storage unit 135, to display status flag information indicating "list displaying" (step S102). Next, the device status notifying unit 112 generates device status notification information including the device status information, device identification information, and group identification information associated with the extracted terminal identification information stored in the device status storage unit 131. Here, if the device status notifying unit 112 has been notified by the mismatch determination unit 113 of the group identification information and device identification information of an air conditioner 3 whose setting parameters differ from the setting parameters specified for the group stored in the group setting storage unit 132, the device status notifying unit 112 generates device status notification information further including mismatch information indicating the combination of the group identification information and the device identification information. Then, the device status notifying unit 112 transmits the generated device status notification information to the terminal device 2 identified by the terminal identification information corresponding to the device identification information (step S103).

[0056] Next, the display end notification acquisition unit 120 determines whether or not it has acquired list display end notification information transmitted from the terminal device 2 (step S104). If the display end notification acquisition unit 120 determines that it has not acquired list display end notification information (step S104: No), the device status acquisition unit 111 determines whether or not it has acquired status update notification information transmitted from the air conditioner 3 (step S105). If the device status acquisition unit 111 determines that it has not acquired status update notification information (step S105: No), the process of step S110, which will be described later, is executed. On the other hand, if it determines that it has acquired status update notification information (step S105: Yes), the device status acquisition unit 111 extracts device status information and device identification information included in the acquired status update notification information, and stores the extracted device status information and device identification information in the device status storage unit 131 in association with group identification information and terminal device identification information that have been previously associated with the device identification information (step S106).

[0057] Thereafter, the device control unit 116 determines whether the setting policy storage unit 133 stores the above-mentioned inconsistency maintenance policy information (step S107). If the device control unit 116 determines that the setting policy storage unit 133 stores the above-mentioned inconsistency maintenance policy information (step S107: Yes), the device control unit 116 executes the processing of step S109, which will be described later. On the other hand, if the device control unit 116 determines that the setting policy storage unit 133 stores the above-mentioned designated setting maintenance policy information or designated setting update policy information (step S107: No), the device control unit 116 generates the above-mentioned setting notification information based on the designated setting maintenance policy information or designated setting update policy information, and transmits the generated setting notification information to the air conditioner 3 (step S108). Next, the device status notification unit 112 generates device status notification information that includes the device status information, device identification information, and group identification information that are associated with the extracted terminal identification information and are stored in the device status storage unit 131. Furthermore, when the device status notification unit 112 is notified by the mismatch determination unit 113 of the group identification information and device identification information of a group in which there is an air conditioner 3 whose setting parameters differ from the setting parameters specified for the group stored in the group setting storage unit 132, the device status notification unit 112 generates device status notification information that further includes mismatch information indicating the combination of the group identification information and the device identification information. Then, the device status notification unit 112 transmits the generated device status notification information to the terminal device 2 identified by the terminal identification information corresponding to the device identification information (step S109).

[0058] Next, the setting acquisition unit 115 determines whether or not the above-mentioned group setting notification information transmitted from the terminal device 2 has been acquired (step S110). If the setting acquisition unit 115 determines that the group setting notification information has not been acquired (step S110: No), the processing of step S113, which will be described later, is executed. On the other hand, if the setting acquisition unit 115 determines that the group setting notification information has been acquired (step S110: Yes), and the acquired group setting notification information includes group identification information, change amount information indicating the above-mentioned change amount, and group collective operation content identification information indicating that the operation is a relative operation, the setting acquisition unit 115 extracts the group identification information, change amount information, and group collective operation identification information, and updates the setting parameters indicated by the designated setting information corresponding to the extracted group identification information, which are stored in the group setting storage unit 132, to setting parameters changed by the change amount indicated by the extracted change amount information. Furthermore, if the acquired group setting notification information includes designated setting information, group identification information, and the above-mentioned group collective operation content identification information indicating an absolute operation, the setting acquisition unit 115 extracts the designated setting information, group identification information, and group collective operation identification information, and updates the setting parameters indicated by the designated setting information corresponding to the extracted group identification information stored in the group setting storage unit 132 to the setting parameters indicated by the extracted designated setting information. Furthermore, if the acquired group setting notification information includes the above-mentioned group identification information and group collective operation content identification information indicating an inconsistency resolution operation, the setting acquisition unit 115 extracts the group identification information and group collective operation identification information (step S111). Here, the setting acquisition unit 115 notifies the device control unit 116 of the extracted group identification information and group collective operation identification information.

[0059] Thereafter, when the device control unit 116 is notified by the setting acquisition unit 115 of the group identification information and the group collective operation identification information indicating the relative operation, the device control unit 116 generates setting notification information indicating the setting parameters when the setting parameters of each of the air conditioners 3 belonging to the group identified by the notified group identification information are changed by the amount of change specified in the group collective operation. Furthermore, when the device control unit 116 is notified by the setting acquisition unit 115 of the group identification information and the group collective operation identification information indicating the absolute operation, the device control unit 116 generates setting notification information including updated designated setting information corresponding to the notified group identification information, which is stored in the group setting storage unit 132. Furthermore, when the device control unit 116 is notified by the setting acquisition unit 115 of the group identification information and the group collective operation identification information indicating the inconsistency resolution operation, the device control unit 116 generates setting notification information including the designated setting information corresponding to the notified group identification information, which is stored in the group setting storage unit 132. The device control unit 116 then transmits the generated setting notification information to the air conditioners 3 belonging to the group identified by the notified group identification information (step S112).

[0060] Next, the setting acquisition unit 115 determines whether or not the above-mentioned single-device setting notification information transmitted from the terminal device 2 has been acquired (step S113). If the setting acquisition unit 115 determines that the single-device setting notification information has not been acquired (step S113: No), the processing of step S104 is executed again. On the other hand, if the setting acquisition unit 115 determines that the single-device setting notification information has been acquired (step S113: Yes), the setting acquisition unit 115 extracts the designated setting information and device identification information included in the acquired single-device setting notification information (step S114) and notifies the extracted designated setting information and device identification information to the device control unit 116. Then, when the device control unit 116 is notified of the designated setting information and device identification information from the setting acquisition unit 115, it generates setting notification information including the notified designated setting information and transmits the generated setting notification information to the air conditioner 3 identified by the notified device identification information (step S115). Subsequently, the processing of step S104 is executed again.

[0061] Furthermore, when the display end notification acquisition unit 120 determines in step S104 that it has acquired the above-mentioned list display end notification information (step S104: Yes), it extracts the terminal device identification information included in the acquired list display end notification information, and updates the display state flag information corresponding to the extracted terminal device identification information stored in the display state flag storage unit 135 to display state flag information indicating "list display end" (step 116).

[0062] 18, the device status acquisition unit 111 then determines whether or not it has acquired status update notification information transmitted from the air conditioner 3 (step S117). If the device status acquisition unit 111 determines that it has not acquired status update notification information (step S117: No), the process of step S101 is executed again. On the other hand, if the device status acquisition unit 111 determines that it has acquired status update notification information (step S117: Yes), it extracts the device status information and device identification information included in the acquired status update notification information, and stores the extracted device status information and device identification information in the device status storage unit 131 in association with the group identification information and terminal device identification information that have been previously associated with the device identification information (step S118).

[0063] Next, the mismatch determination unit 113 determines whether at least one setting parameter of the air conditioners 3 belonging to each group, which is stored in the appliance status storage unit 131, is inconsistent with the setting parameter indicated by the designated setting information associated with the group identification information of each group, which is stored in the group setting storage unit 132 (step S119). If the mismatch determination unit 113 determines that all setting parameters of the air conditioners 3 belonging to each group, which are stored in the appliance status storage unit 131, are inconsistent with the setting parameter indicated by the designated setting information associated with the group identification information of each group, which is stored in the group setting storage unit 132 (step S119: No), the processing of step S101 is executed again. On the other hand, it is assumed that the mismatch determination unit 113 determines that at least one setting parameter of the air conditioners 3 belonging to at least one group is inconsistent with the setting parameter indicated by the designated setting information associated with the group identification information of that group, which is stored in the group setting storage unit 132 (step S119: Yes). In this case, the mismatch determination unit 113 notifies the mismatch notification unit 114 and the device control unit 116 of the device identification information of the air conditioner 3 whose setting parameters differ from the setting parameters indicated by the designated setting information stored in the group setting storage unit 132, and the group identification information of the group to which the air conditioner 3 belongs. Then, when the device control unit 116 is notified of the device identification information and group identification information from the mismatch determination unit 113, it references the setting policy re-application propriety information stored in the setting policy storage unit 133 and determines whether the setting policy information stored in the setting policy storage unit 133 is re-applicable (step S120). Here, if the device control unit 116 determines that the setting policy information stored in the setting policy storage unit 133 is not re-applicable (step S120: No), the mismatch notification unit 114 references the notification propriety information stored in the notification propriety information storage unit 134 and determines whether notification of the mismatch notification information to the terminal device 2 is permitted (step S121). Here, if the mismatch notifier 114 determines that notification of the mismatch notification information to the terminal device 2 is prohibited (step S121: No), the process of step S101 is executed again.On the other hand, if the mismatch notification unit 114 determines that notification of the mismatch notification information to the terminal device 2 is permitted (step S121: Yes), it generates mismatch notification information including mismatch information indicating the combination of the device identification information and group identification information notified by the mismatch determination unit 113 and transmits it to the terminal device 2 (step S122).

[0064] Thereafter, the mismatch processing information acquisition unit 117 determines whether or not the mismatch processing information transmitted from the terminal device 2 has been acquired within a preset time after the mismatch notification information has been transmitted to the terminal device 2 (step S123). If the mismatch processing information acquisition unit 117 determines that the mismatch processing notification information has not been acquired within a preset time after the mismatch notification information has been transmitted to the terminal device 2 (step S123: No), the process of step S101 is executed again. On the other hand, if the mismatch processing information acquisition unit 117 acquires the mismatch processing notification information within a preset time after the mismatch notification information has been transmitted to the terminal device 2 (step S123: Yes), the mismatch processing information acquisition unit 117 extracts the setting policy information and the setting policy re-application information included in the acquired mismatch processing notification information, and stores the extracted information in association with the setting policy identification information (step S124). Next, the device control unit 116 generates the above-mentioned setting notification information as appropriate based on the setting policy information stored in the setting policy storage unit 133 and updated by the mismatch processing information acquisition unit 117, and transmits it to the air conditioner 3 (step S125). Subsequently, the processing of step S101 is executed again.

[0065] Furthermore, if the device control unit 116 determines that the setting policy information stored in the setting policy storage unit 133 is reapplicable (step S120: Yes), the updated setting notification unit 118 references the notification permission information stored in the notification permission information storage unit 134 and determines whether notification of the updated setting notification information to the terminal device 2 is permitted (step S126). If the updated setting notification unit 118 determines that notification of the updated setting notification information to the terminal device 2 is prohibited (step S126: No), the process of step S101 is executed again. On the other hand, if the updated setting notification unit 118 determines that notification of the updated setting notification information to the terminal device 2 is permitted (step S126: Yes), the updated setting notification unit 118 generates updated setting content notification information including the setting policy identification information stored in the setting policy storage unit 133 and the group identification information of the group to which the air conditioner 3 to which the setting notification information is to be sent belongs, and transmits the updated setting content notification information to the terminal device 2 (step S127). Thereafter, the process of step S125 is executed.

[0066] As described above, in the cloud server 1 according to the present embodiment, the mismatch determination unit 113 determines whether at least one setting parameter of the air conditioners 3 belonging to the same group, which is stored in the device status storage unit 131, is inconsistent with the designated setting content specified for that group. Then, when the mismatch notification unit 114 determines that at least one setting parameter of the air conditioners 3 belonging to the same group is inconsistent with the designated setting content, it generates mismatch notification information and transmits it to the terminal device 2. As a result, for example, an administrator managing the air conditioners 3 can quickly grasp via the terminal device 2 when at least one setting parameter of the air conditioners 3 belonging to the same group becomes inconsistent with the designated setting content, and can therefore manage the air conditioners 3 appropriately.

[0067] Furthermore, the group setting storage unit 132 according to this embodiment stores designated setting information indicating designated setting contents common to air conditioners 3 belonging to the same group, in association with group identification information that identifies the group. When the setting acquisition unit 115 acquires group setting notification information transmitted from the terminal device 2, it extracts the designated setting information included in the acquired group setting notification information and uses the extracted designated setting information to update the designated setting information stored in the group setting storage unit 132. The mismatch determination unit 113 determines, for each group, whether the setting parameters of the air conditioners 3 belonging to the same group, stored in the equipment status storage unit 131, are inconsistent with the designated setting contents indicated by the designated setting information of the corresponding group, stored in the group setting storage unit 132. This makes it possible to simultaneously change the setting parameters common to the air conditioners 3 belonging to the same group, and to manage the setting parameters of the air conditioners 3 belonging to the same group based on the changed common setting parameters.

[0068] Furthermore, when at least one setting parameter of the air conditioners 3 belonging to the same group does not match the setting parameter indicated by the designated setting information stored in the group setting storage unit 132, the device control unit 116 of the cloud server 1 according to the present embodiment controls the air conditioners 3 belonging to the group based on the policy information stored in the setting policy storage unit 133. Here, the setting policy information includes designated setting maintenance policy information that controls the air conditioners 3 so that at least one setting parameter matches the setting parameter indicated by the designated setting information when at least one setting parameter of the air conditioners 3 belonging to the same group does not match the setting parameter indicated by the designated setting information stored in the group setting storage unit 132, and designated setting update policy information that updates the designated setting information stored in the group setting storage unit 132 so that the designated setting information matches the setting parameter of the at least one air conditioner 3 when at least one setting parameter of the air conditioners 3 belonging to the same group does not match the setting parameter indicated by the designated setting information. This allows the user more freedom to choose how to set the setting parameters of all air conditioners 3 belonging to the same group when a mismatch occurs in the setting parameters of air conditioners 3 belonging to the same group, thereby increasing convenience for the user.

[0069] Furthermore, when the terminal device 2 according to this embodiment acquires the above-mentioned device status notification information, it forms a device list display image on the display unit 204, based on the device status information and mismatch information included in the acquired device status notification information, in which the setting parameters of air conditioners 3 with setting parameters different from the specified settings are displayed in a different display mode from air conditioners 3 with setting parameters identical to the specified settings. This allows the user to easily identify the air conditioners 3 with setting parameters different from the specified settings through the device list display image displayed on the display unit 204 of the terminal device 2.

[0070] Furthermore, when the setting acquisition unit 115 according to this embodiment acquires group setting notification information including designated setting information for at least one group, transmitted from the terminal device 2, it uses the designated setting information included in the acquired group setting notification information to update the designated setting information stored in the group setting storage unit 132. This allows the user to update the setting parameters for all of the air conditioners 3 belonging to the corresponding group at once by performing the above-mentioned group collective operation on the input unit 205 of the terminal device 2, thereby improving the efficiency of the user's setting work for the air conditioners 3 compared to updating the setting parameters for each of the air conditioners 3 belonging to the group.

[0071] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, in the embodiment, when the display unit 204 of the terminal device 2 does not display a device list display image, if the cloud server 1 determines that at least one setting parameter of the air conditioners 3 belonging to each group stored in the device status storage unit 131 does not match the setting parameter indicated by the designated setting information associated with the group identification information of each group stored in the group setting storage unit 132, the cloud server 1 may generate appropriate setting notification information based on the setting policy information stored in advance in the setting policy storage unit 133 and transmit the setting notification information to the air conditioners 3 without transmitting the above-described mismatch notification information to the terminal device 2. In this case, the above-described mismatch notification information is not displayed on the display unit 204 of the terminal device 2, and the air conditioners 3 start operating based on the setting information included in the setting notification information transmitted from the cloud server 1.

[0072] In the embodiment, an example has been described in which the cloud server 1 functions as an equipment management device that manages the air conditioner 3, but the objects to be managed are not limited to the air conditioner 3, and the cloud server 1 may also manage other types of equipment other than the air conditioner 3.

[0073] Furthermore, the various functions of the cloud server 1 and terminal device 2 according to the present disclosure may be realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. In this case, the software or firmware may be written as a program, and the program may be stored and distributed on a computer-readable recording medium such as a flexible disk, CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), or MO (Magneto-Optical Disc), and the program may be read and installed on a computer to configure a computer capable of realizing each of the above-described functions. Furthermore, if each function is realized by sharing the work between an operating system (OS) and an application, or by cooperation between the OS and an application, only the parts other than the OS may be stored on the recording medium.

[0074] Furthermore, each program can be superimposed on a carrier wave and distributed via a communication network. For example, the program can be posted on a bulletin board system (BBS) on the communication network and distributed via the network. These programs can then be launched and run under the control of the OS in the same way as other application programs, thereby enabling the above-mentioned processing to be performed.

[0075] The present disclosure allows various embodiments and modifications without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments are intended to explain the present disclosure and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. In other words, the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, not the embodiments. Various modifications made within the scope of the claims and the meaning of equivalent disclosures are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0076] Various aspects of the present disclosure are summarized below as appendices.

[0077] (Appendix 1) a device status storage unit that stores device status information indicating setting parameters of each of a plurality of devices; a device status acquisition unit that, when status update notification information notifying that the setting parameters of at least one of the plurality of devices have been updated, including device status information indicating the updated setting parameters, is acquired from the at least one of the plurality of devices, and updates the device status information stored in the device status storage unit using the device status information included in the acquired status update notification information; a mismatch determination unit that determines whether the setting parameters of at least one of the plurality of devices stored in the device status storage unit are inconsistent with designated setting contents that are designated for all of the plurality of devices; a mismatch notification unit that, when it is determined that the setting parameters of at least one of the plurality of devices are inconsistent with the designated setting content, generates mismatch notification information notifying that the setting parameters of at least one of the plurality of devices are inconsistent with the designated setting content, and transmits the mismatch notification information to a terminal device. Equipment management device. (Appendix 2) a group setting storage unit that stores designated setting information indicating the designated setting content common to at least one device belonging to at least one group when the plurality of devices are divided into at least one group, in association with group identification information that identifies the at least one group; a setting acquisition unit that acquires the designated setting information for each of the at least one group transmitted from the terminal device and updates the designated setting information stored in the group setting storage unit using the acquired designated setting information; the device status storage unit stores the device status information of each of the plurality of devices in association with the group identification information of a group to which each of the plurality of devices belongs; the inconsistency determination unit determines, for each of the at least one group, whether or not the setting parameters of the at least one device belonging to the same group, which are stored in the device status storage unit, are inconsistent with the designated setting content indicated by the designated setting information of the corresponding group, which is stored in the group setting storage unit; 2. The device management device of claim 1. (Appendix 3) the mismatch notification unit generates the mismatch notification information including group identification information for identifying a group to which a device whose setting parameters do not match the designated setting content belongs, and transmits the mismatch notification information to the terminal device. 3. The device management device according to claim 2. (Appendix 4) a setting policy storage unit configured to store setting policy information indicating a policy of the designated setting content to be set for at least one of the plurality of devices when the setting parameters of at least one of the plurality of devices do not match the designated setting content; and a device control unit that, when it is determined that the setting parameters of at least one of the plurality of devices do not match the designated setting content, controls at least one of the plurality of devices based on the setting policy information stored in the setting policy storage unit. 4. The device management device according to claim 1, wherein the device management device is a device management device configured to manage a device. (Appendix 5) The setting policy information is designated setting maintenance policy information for controlling at least one of the plurality of devices so that the setting parameters of the at least one device match the designated setting content when the setting parameters of the at least one device do not match the designated setting content; and designated setting update policy information for, when the setting parameters of at least one of the plurality of devices do not match the designated setting content, updating the designated setting information so that the designated setting content matches the at least one setting parameter, and controlling the plurality of devices so that the setting parameters of devices other than the at least one of the plurality of devices match the designated setting content indicated by the updated designated setting information. 5. The device management device of claim 4. (Appendix 6) A terminal device; a device status storage unit that stores device status information indicating setting parameters of each of a plurality of devices; a device status acquisition unit that, when status update notification information notifying that the setting parameters of at least one of the plurality of devices have been updated, including device status information indicating the updated setting parameters, is acquired from the at least one of the plurality of devices, and updates the device status information stored in the device status storage unit using the device status information included in the acquired status update notification information; a mismatch determination unit that determines whether the setting parameters of at least one of the plurality of devices stored in the device status storage unit are inconsistent with designated setting contents that are designated for all of the plurality of devices; and a mismatch notification unit that, when it is determined that the setting parameters of at least one of the plurality of devices are inconsistent with the designated setting content, generates mismatch notification information notifying the terminal device that the setting parameters of at least one of the plurality of devices are inconsistent with the designated setting content, and transmits the mismatch notification information to the terminal device. Equipment management system. (Appendix 7) further comprising a device status notifying unit that, when the setting parameter of at least one of the plurality of devices does not match the designated setting content, generates and transmits to the terminal device device device status notification information including the device status information of each of the plurality of devices stored in the device status storage unit and mismatch information including device identification information that identifies the at least one device that does not match the designated setting content; The terminal device A display unit; a device status acquisition unit that acquires the device status notification information; a display control unit that, when the device status notification information is acquired, forms a device list display image showing a list of setting parameters of each of the plurality of devices based on the device status information included in the acquired device status notification information and the mismatch information, and displays the image on the display unit, in which setting parameters of devices having setting parameters different from the specified setting content are displayed in a display mode different from that of devices having setting parameters identical to the specified setting content. 10. The equipment management system described in Appendix 6. (Appendix 8) and a mismatch notification unit that, when it is determined that the setting parameters of at least one of the plurality of devices are inconsistent with the designated setting content, generates mismatch notification information notifying a user that the setting parameters of at least one of the plurality of devices, including the setting parameters of each of the plurality of devices, are inconsistent with the designated setting content, and transmits the mismatch notification information to the terminal device. 8. An equipment management system according to claim 6 or 7. (Appendix 9) The terminal device an input unit; a setting notification unit that, when receiving, via the input unit, a group collective operation that specifies setting contents for each of devices that belong to at least one group when the plurality of devices are divided into at least one group, generates and transmits group setting notification information that indicates the setting contents specified by the group collective operation, a group setting storage unit that stores designated setting information indicating the designated setting content common to devices belonging to the at least one group in association with group identification information that identifies each of the at least one group; a setting acquisition unit that, upon acquisition of group setting notification information including the designation setting information of the at least one group transmitted from the terminal device, updates the designation setting information stored in the group setting storage unit based on the acquired group setting notification information; a device control unit that controls the plurality of devices based on the designated setting information stored in the group setting storage unit, 9. The device management system of any one of appendixes 6 to 8. (Appendix 10) the group setting notification information includes change amount information indicating a change amount when the setting parameter of each of the at least one device is changed by the same change amount specified by the group collective operation, the device control unit controls the at least one device based on the change amount information so as to change the setting parameter of each of the at least one device by the same change amount specified by the group collective operation. The device management system according to claim 9. (Appendix 11) the group setting notification information includes the designated setting information indicating updated setting parameters when updating setting parameters of each of the at least one device to the same setting parameters designated by the group collective operation, the setting acquisition unit updates the designated setting information stored in the group setting storage unit using the designated setting information included in the group setting notification information; the device control unit controls the at least one device so that the setting parameters of each of the at least one device become the same setting parameters specified by the group collective operation, based on the updated designated setting information stored in the group setting storage unit. 11. The device management system of claim 9 or 10. (Appendix 12) the group setting notification information indicates that, when any setting parameter of at least one device belonging to each of the at least one group does not match a setting parameter indicated by the designated setting information, the setting parameters of all of the at least one device are to be set to the setting parameters indicated by the designated setting information; the device control unit controls, based on the designated setting information stored in the group setting storage unit, any one of the at least one device such that the setting parameter of the at least one device that does not match the setting parameter indicated by the designated setting information matches the setting parameter indicated by the designated setting information. 12. The device management system of any one of appendixes 9 to 11. (Appendix 13) a step of causing the device management device to store device status information indicating setting parameters of each of the plurality of devices in a device status storage unit; when the device management device receives status update notification information notifying that the setting parameters of at least one of the plurality of devices have been updated, the status update notification information including the device status information indicating the updated setting parameters, the status update notification information being transmitted from the at least one of the plurality of devices when the setting parameters of the at least one of the plurality of devices have been updated, the device management device updating the device status information stored in the device status storage unit using the device status information included in the received status update notification information; determining whether the setting parameters of at least one of the plurality of devices stored in the device status storage unit are inconsistent with designated setting contents designated for all of the plurality of devices; and when it is determined that the setting parameters of at least one of the plurality of devices are inconsistent with the designated setting content, generating inconsistency notification information notifying that the setting parameters of at least one of the plurality of devices are inconsistent with the designated setting content and transmitting the inconsistency notification information to a terminal device. Equipment management method. (Appendix 14) Computer, a device status storage unit that stores device status information indicating setting parameters of each of the plurality of devices; a device status acquisition unit that, when acquiring status update notification information notifying that the setting parameters of at least one of the plurality of devices have been updated, includes device status information indicating the updated setting parameters, and that updates the device status information stored in the device status storage unit using the device status information included in the acquired status update notification information; a mismatch determination unit that determines whether the setting parameters of at least one of the plurality of devices stored in the device status storage unit are inconsistent with designated setting contents that are designated for all of the plurality of devices; a mismatch notification unit that, when it is determined that the setting parameters of at least one of the plurality of devices are inconsistent with the designated setting content, generates mismatch notification information notifying that the setting parameters of at least one of the plurality of devices are inconsistent with the designated setting content, and transmits the mismatch notification information to a terminal device; A program to function as a [Industrial Applicability]

[0078] The present disclosure is suitable as a system for centrally monitoring a plurality of air conditioners. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 1 Cloud server, 2 Terminal device, 3, 3A, 3B Air conditioner, 8 BBR, 31 Operation device, 101, 201 CPU, 102, 202 Main memory, 103, 203 Auxiliary memory, 106, 206 Communication unit, 109, 209 Bus, 111, 211 Device status acquisition unit, 112 Device status notification unit, 113 Mismatch determination unit, 114 Mismatch notification unit, 115 Setting acquisition unit, 116 Device control unit, 117 Mismatch processing information acquisition unit, 118 Updated setting notification unit, 119 Notification availability information acquisition unit, 120 Display end notification acquisition unit, 131, 231 Device status memory unit, 132 Group setting memory unit, 133 Setting policy memory unit, 134 Notification availability information memory unit, 135 Display status flag memory unit, 204 Display unit, 205 Input unit, 212 display control unit, 213 mismatch notification acquisition unit, 214 setting notification unit, 215 mismatch processing notification unit, 216 updated setting acquisition unit, 217 notification availability information notification unit, 218 display end notification unit, 232 mismatch information storage unit, BU111, BU113, BU121, BU122, BU123, BU124, BU221, BU131, BU132, BU133, BU134, BU222, BU223, BU224, BU231, BU232, BU233 button image, GA1 device list display image, GA21 mismatch notification image, GA23 Updated setting notification image, M111, M112, M113, M114, M121, M122, M123, M131, M132, M133, M134 message image, MK111 mark image, NW1 wide area network, NW2 local network

Claims

1. a device status storage unit that stores device status information indicating setting parameters of each of a plurality of devices; a device status acquisition unit that, when receiving status update notification information notifying that the setting parameters of at least one of the plurality of devices have been updated, and the status update notification information includes device status information indicating the updated setting parameters, updates the device status information stored in the device status storage unit using the device status information included in the received status update notification information; a mismatch determination unit that determines whether the setting parameters of at least one of the plurality of devices stored in the device status storage unit are inconsistent with designated setting contents that are designated for all of the plurality of devices; a mismatch notification unit that, when it is determined that the setting parameters of at least one of the plurality of devices are inconsistent with the designated setting content, generates mismatch notification information notifying that the setting parameters of at least one of the plurality of devices are inconsistent with the designated setting content, and transmits the mismatch notification information to a terminal device. Equipment management device.

2. a group setting storage unit that stores designated setting information indicating the designated setting content common to at least one device belonging to at least one group when the plurality of devices are divided into at least one group, in association with group identification information that identifies the at least one group; a setting acquisition unit that acquires the designated setting information for each of the at least one group transmitted from the terminal device and updates the designated setting information stored in the group setting storage unit using the acquired designated setting information; the device status storage unit stores the device status information of each of the plurality of devices in association with the group identification information of a group to which each of the plurality of devices belongs; the inconsistency determination unit determines, for each of the at least one group, whether or not the setting parameters of the at least one device belonging to the same group, which are stored in the device status storage unit, are inconsistent with the designated setting content indicated by the designated setting information of the corresponding group, which is stored in the group setting storage unit; The device management device according to claim 1 .

3. the mismatch notification unit generates the mismatch notification information including group identification information for identifying a group to which a device whose setting parameters do not match the designated setting content belongs, and transmits the mismatch notification information to the terminal device. The device management device according to claim 2 .

4. a setting policy storage unit configured to store setting policy information indicating a policy of the designated setting content to be set for at least one of the plurality of devices when the setting parameters of at least one of the plurality of devices do not match the designated setting content; a device control unit that, when it is determined that the setting parameters of at least one of the plurality of devices do not match the designated setting content, controls at least one of the plurality of devices based on the setting policy information stored in the setting policy storage unit. The device management device according to claim 1 .

5. The setting policy information is designated setting maintenance policy information for controlling at least one of the plurality of devices so that the setting parameters of the at least one device match the designated setting content when the setting parameters of the at least one device do not match the designated setting content; and designated setting update policy information for, when the setting parameters of at least one of the plurality of devices do not match the designated setting content, updating the designated setting information so that the designated setting content matches the at least one setting parameter, and controlling the plurality of devices so that the setting parameters of devices other than the at least one of the plurality of devices match the designated setting content indicated by the updated designated setting information. The device management device according to claim 4 .

6. A terminal device; a device status storage unit that stores device status information indicating setting parameters of each of a plurality of devices; a device status acquisition unit that, when receiving status update notification information notifying that the setting parameters of at least one of the plurality of devices have been updated, and the status update notification information includes device status information indicating the updated setting parameters, updates the device status information stored in the device status storage unit using the device status information included in the received status update notification information; a mismatch determination unit that determines whether the setting parameters of at least one of the plurality of devices stored in the device status storage unit are inconsistent with designated setting contents that are designated for all of the plurality of devices; a mismatch notification unit that, when it is determined that the setting parameters of at least one of the plurality of devices are inconsistent with the designated setting content, generates mismatch notification information notifying the terminal device that the setting parameters of at least one of the plurality of devices are inconsistent with the designated setting content, and transmits the mismatch notification information to the terminal device. Equipment management system.

7. further comprising a device status notifying unit that, when the setting parameter of at least one of the plurality of devices does not match the designated setting content, generates and transmits to the terminal device device device status notification information including the device status information of each of the plurality of devices stored in the device status storage unit and mismatch information including device identification information that identifies the at least one device that does not match the designated setting content; The terminal device A display unit; a device status acquisition unit that acquires the device status notification information; a display control unit that, when the device status notification information is acquired, forms a device list display image showing a list of setting parameters of each of the plurality of devices based on the device status information included in the acquired device status notification information and the mismatch information, and displays the image on the display unit, in which setting parameters of devices having setting parameters different from the specified setting content are displayed in a display mode different from that of devices having setting parameters identical to the specified setting content. The device management system according to claim 6 .

8. a mismatch notification unit that, when it is determined that the setting parameters of at least one of the plurality of devices are inconsistent with the designated setting content, generates mismatch notification information notifying a user that the setting parameters of at least one of the plurality of devices, including the setting parameters of each of the plurality of devices, are inconsistent with the designated setting content, and transmits the mismatch notification information to the terminal device. The device management system according to claim 6 or 7.

9. The terminal device an input unit; a setting notification unit that, when receiving, via the input unit, a group collective operation that specifies setting contents for each of devices that belong to at least one group when the plurality of devices are divided into at least one group, generates and transmits group setting notification information that indicates the setting contents specified by the group collective operation, a group setting storage unit that stores designated setting information indicating the designated setting content common to devices belonging to the at least one group in association with group identification information that identifies each of the at least one group; a setting acquisition unit that, upon acquisition of group setting notification information including the designation setting information of the at least one group transmitted from the terminal device, updates the designation setting information stored in the group setting storage unit based on the acquired group setting notification information; a device control unit that controls the plurality of devices based on the designated setting information stored in the group setting storage unit, The device management system according to claim 6 or 7.

10. the group setting notification information includes change amount information indicating a change amount when the setting parameter of each of the at least one device is changed by the same change amount specified by the group collective operation, the device control unit controls the at least one device based on the change amount information so as to change the setting parameter of each of the at least one device by the same change amount specified by the group collective operation. The device management system according to claim 9 .

11. the group setting notification information includes the designated setting information indicating updated setting parameters when updating setting parameters of each of the at least one device to the same setting parameters designated by the group collective operation, the setting acquisition unit updates the designated setting information stored in the group setting storage unit using the designated setting information included in the group setting notification information; the device control unit controls the at least one device so that the setting parameters of each of the at least one device become the same setting parameters specified by the group collective operation, based on the updated designated setting information stored in the group setting storage unit. The device management system according to claim 9 .

12. the group setting notification information indicates that, when any setting parameter of at least one device belonging to each of the at least one group does not match a setting parameter indicated by the designated setting information, the setting parameters of all of the at least one device are to be set to the setting parameters indicated by the designated setting information; the device control unit controls, based on the designated setting information stored in the group setting storage unit, any one of the at least one device such that the setting parameter of the at least one device that does not match the setting parameter indicated by the designated setting information matches the setting parameter indicated by the designated setting information. The device management system according to claim 9 .

13. a step of causing the device management device to store device status information indicating setting parameters of each of the plurality of devices in a device status storage unit; when the device management device receives status update notification information notifying that the setting parameters of at least one of the plurality of devices have been updated, the status update notification information including device status information indicating the updated setting parameters, the status update notification information being transmitted from at least one of the plurality of devices when the setting parameters of the at least one device have been updated, the device management device updating the device status information stored in the device status storage unit using the device status information included in the received status update notification information; determining whether the setting parameters of at least one of the plurality of devices stored in the device status storage unit are inconsistent with designated setting contents designated for all of the plurality of devices; and when it is determined that the setting parameters of at least one of the plurality of devices are inconsistent with the designated setting content, generating inconsistency notification information notifying that the setting parameters of at least one of the plurality of devices are inconsistent with the designated setting content and transmitting the inconsistency notification information to a terminal device. Equipment management method.

14. Computer, a device status storage unit that stores device status information indicating setting parameters of each of the plurality of devices; a device status acquisition unit that, when acquiring status update notification information notifying that the setting parameters of at least one of the plurality of devices have been updated, includes device status information indicating the updated setting parameters, and that updates the device status information stored in the device status storage unit using the device status information included in the acquired status update notification information; a mismatch determination unit that determines whether the setting parameters of at least one of the plurality of devices stored in the device state storage unit are inconsistent with designated setting contents that are designated for all of the plurality of devices; a mismatch notification unit that, when it is determined that the setting parameters of at least one of the plurality of devices are inconsistent with the designated setting content, generates mismatch notification information notifying that the setting parameters of at least one of the plurality of devices are inconsistent with the designated setting content, and transmits the mismatch notification information to a terminal device; A program to function as a

Images