Facility equipment management system

Abstract

To provide a facility equipment management system capable of updating software as quickly as possible while avoiding inconvenience to a user.SOLUTION: A facility-related information acquisition unit 16 that acquires facility-related information capable of estimating at least one of whether the facility device 20 is in use and whether the facility device 20 is in preparation for use, a facility state estimation process of estimating whether the facility device 20 is in use or in preparation for use based on the facility-related information, and a determination process of determining whether to start the update process with the update software when the facility device 20 is not in use or in preparation for use based on a result of the facility state estimation process; And an update processing part 11a for performing update propriety determination processing for determining the stop of the update processing at the update start time when the equipment 20 corresponds to either in use or in preparation for use based on the result of the equipment state estimation processing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an equipment management system. [Background technology]

[0002] The water heater (10) described in Patent Document 1 (JP 2022-97297 A) includes a water heater (11) and remote controllers (bathroom remote control 12, kitchen remote control 13). Hot water generated by the water heater (11) is supplied to a kitchen faucet, a bathtub, a faucet, a floor heating function, a bathroom heating function, a panel heater, etc.

[0003] In the water heating apparatus (10) described in Patent Document 1, a kitchen remote control (12) is configured to be able to communicate with a server (20) via a router (30) and an external communication network (40). It is also described that, when a defect is found in firmware installed in the water heating apparatus (10), the server (20) transmits update firmware for updating the firmware to the water heating apparatus (10) via the external communication network (40). Examples of update firmware described include firmware for the first control unit (111) or the second control unit (113) of the water heater (11), firmware for the control unit (123) of the bathroom remote control (12), and firmware for the control unit (133) of the kitchen remote control (13).

[0004] It is also described that the actual update work using the update firmware is performed when an operation to start the update is performed on the display input section (131) of the kitchen remote control (13) or when a preset late-night time period has arrived when hot water supply operation is not in progress. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-97297 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Generally, software updates such as those described above are intended to resolve defects or add functions, and therefore need to be performed as quickly as possible. However, software updates require the affected devices to be restarted, which can cause problems, such as the devices being unavailable during the update and restart. In particular, when updating software for remote controllers that control the operation of multiple equipment, such as hot water heaters and heating appliances, the larger the software capacity, the longer the time required for the update, which can result in longer periods during which users are unable to use the equipment, such as hot water heaters and heating appliances.

[0007] Therefore, to avoid software update work being performed while the user is using the equipment, or software update being performed automatically regardless of the user's wishes when the user is about to start using the equipment, it is preferable to obtain the user's approval in advance for software update work to be performed.

[0008] However, if user approval is required, software updates cannot be performed until user approval is obtained, which results in the problem that the operation of equipment may continue to be controlled by faulty software or software with limited functionality.

[0009] In the case of the water heater described in Patent Document 1, if the start condition for the software update is set to an operation to start the update on the display / input unit (131) of the kitchen remote control (13), the software will not be updated unless the operation to start the update is performed. As a result, the water heater, heating equipment, etc. will continue to be controlled by faulty software, which may cause inconvenience to users of the water heater.

[0010] Furthermore, in the case of the water heater described in Patent Document 1, if the start condition for the software update is set to a preset late-night time period when the water heater is not operating, the software update will be started without confirming the intention of the user of the water heater, which is undesirable. For example, since users may take a bath or use the heater even in the middle of the night, there is a possibility that the software update will be performed at a time when the user is about to use the device, which is undesirable.

[0011] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide an equipment management system that can update software as quickly as possible while avoiding inconvenience to users. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] A characteristic configuration of the facility equipment management system according to the present invention for achieving the above object is an facility equipment management system that updates software used in an equipment control unit that controls the operation of facility equipment installed in a facility, comprising: an information storage unit that stores update software for updating the software used in the equipment control unit; an equipment-related information acquisition unit that acquires equipment-related information that can be used to estimate at least one of whether the user is using the equipment and whether the user is preparing to use the equipment; The present invention is characterized in that it comprises an equipment status estimation process that, when a predetermined update start time within a day, estimates whether the equipment device is in use or in preparation for use based on the equipment-related information, and an update processing unit that performs an update feasibility determination process that, if the equipment device is not in use or in preparation for use based on the result of the equipment status estimation process, decides to start the update process using the update software, and, if the equipment device is in use or in preparation for use based on the result of the equipment status estimation process, decides to cancel the update process at the update start time. Here, the update processing unit may estimate, in the equipment status estimation process, whether the equipment device is in use or in preparation for use based on the equipment-related information currently acquired. Alternatively, in the equipment status estimation process, the update processing unit may estimate whether the equipment device is in use or in preparation for use based on the equipment-related information previously acquired.

[0013] According to the above characteristic configuration, the equipment-related information acquisition unit acquires equipment-related information from which it can be inferred that the user is at least one of using the equipment and preparing to use it, and the update processing unit, in the equipment status estimation process, estimates whether the equipment is in use or preparing to use based on the equipment-related information acquired by the equipment-related information acquisition unit, and in the update feasibility determination process, if the equipment is neither in use nor preparing to use based on the result of the equipment status estimation process, it decides to start the update process using the update software, and if the equipment is either in use or preparing to use based on the result of the equipment status estimation process, it decides to cancel the update process. In other words, based on the equipment-related information acquired by the equipment-related information acquisition unit, the update processing unit performs update processing using the update software at times when the equipment is neither in use nor being prepared for use, i.e., at times when performing update processing using the update software will not cause inconvenience to the user even if the equipment becomes temporarily unusable, and does not perform update processing using the update software at times when the equipment is either in use or being prepared for use, i.e., at times when performing update processing using the update software will cause inconvenience to the user. Therefore, it is possible to provide an equipment management system that can update software as quickly as possible while avoiding inconvenience to users.

[0014] Another characteristic configuration of the facility equipment management system according to the present invention is that, if the update processing unit determines to cancel the update processing in the update feasibility determination processing, it performs the facility status estimation processing and the update feasibility determination processing at the update start time on the following day.

[0015] According to the above characteristic configuration, even if the update processing unit determines to cancel the update process in the update feasibility determination process, the equipment status estimation process and the update feasibility determination process are performed at the update start time on the following day. In other words, even if the update process using the update software is temporarily canceled, the equipment status estimation process and the update feasibility determination process are repeatedly performed until the update process is executed, so that the software can be updated as quickly as possible.

[0016] Another characteristic configuration of the facility device management system according to the present invention is that the update processing unit When it is determined in the update permission determination process that the update process is to be canceled, an update start time change process is performed to determine a new update start time by shifting the update start time by a set time; The facility status estimation process and the update possibility determination process are performed at the update start time of the next day, which is determined in the update start time change process.

[0017] According to the above characteristic configuration, even if the update processing unit determines to cancel the update process in the update feasibility determination process, an update start time change process is performed to determine a new update start time by shifting the update start time by a set time, and then the equipment status estimation process and the update feasibility determination process are performed at the update start time on the following day. In other words, even if the update process using the update software is temporarily canceled, the equipment status estimation process and the update feasibility determination process are repeatedly performed while changing the update start time until the update process is executed, so that the software can be updated as quickly as possible.

[0018] Furthermore, each time the update permission determination process determines that the update process should be canceled, that is, each time the facility device is estimated to be in use or preparing for use at the update start time, the update start time is changed by the set time. Therefore, it is expected that the facility device will not be in use or preparing for use at the new update start time after the change. It is also expected that the update process using the update software will be performed at the new update start time after the change.

[0019] Another characteristic configuration of the facility device management system according to the present invention is that the update processing unit If it is determined in the update permission determination process that the update process is to be canceled, an update start time change process is performed to determine a new update start time to be a time when the facility device is neither in use nor being prepared for use, based on the facility-related information previously acquired; The facility status estimation process and the update possibility determination process are performed at the update start time of the next day, which is determined in the update start time change process.

[0020] According to the above characteristic configuration, even if the update processing unit determines to cancel the update process in the update feasibility determination process, an update start time change process is performed to set a new update start time to a time when it can be estimated that the facility device is neither in use nor being prepared for use based on previously acquired facility-related information, and then the equipment status estimation process and the update feasibility determination process are performed at the update start time on the following day. In other words, even if the update process using the update software is temporarily canceled, the equipment status estimation process and the update feasibility determination process are repeatedly performed while changing the update start time until the update process is executed, so that the software can be updated as quickly as possible.

[0021] Furthermore, each time the update permission determination process determines that the update process should be canceled, that is, each time the facility device is estimated to be in use or preparing for use at the update start time, the update start time is changed to a time at which it can be estimated that the facility device is neither in use nor preparing for use based on previously acquired facility-related information. Therefore, it is expected that the facility device will be neither in use nor preparing for use at the new update start time after the change. Then, it is expected that the update process using the update software will be performed at the new update start time after the change. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a facility in which an equipment device management system according to a first embodiment is installed. [Figure 2] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an update possibility determination process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an update possibility determination process according to the second embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing time periods when a user is estimated to be using or preparing to use facility equipment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of a facility in which an equipment device management system according to a fourth embodiment is installed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] First Embodiment An equipment device management system according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a facility 3 in which an equipment management system according to a first embodiment is installed. As shown in the figure, the facility 3, such as a residence or a business office, is configured to be able to communicate with a server 1 via an information communication line 2. The facility 3 is equipped with equipment 20, remote controls 10 (10A, 10B), and a router 4. For example, the remote control 10A is a kitchen remote control installed in the kitchen of a residence serving as the facility 3, and the remote control 10B is a bathroom remote control installed in the bathroom of the residence serving as the facility 3. The number of remote controls installed in the facility 3 can be changed as appropriate.

[0024] In the facility 3, the remote control 10A and the router 4 are connected using a private network 5 inside the facility 3. A terminal device 6 used by a user of the facility 3 can also be connected to this private network 5. The remote control 10A and the terminal device 6 can communicate with each other, and can also communicate with a server 1 outside the facility 3 via the router 4. Although this embodiment shows a configuration in which the remote control 10A communicates with the server 1, a configuration in which the remote control 10B communicates with the server 1 may also be used.

[0025] The facility equipment 20 is, for example, a water heater that generates hot water, a power generator that generates power, or a heating equipment that provides heating. The facility equipment 20 includes an operating unit 21, a control unit 22, and an information storage unit 23. When the facility equipment 20 is a water heater, the operating unit 21 includes a heater that generates hot water, etc. When the facility equipment 20 is a power generator, the operating unit 21 includes a power generator, etc. When the facility equipment 20 is a heating equipment, the operating unit 21 includes a heater that heats a heat medium, etc.

[0026] The remote control 10A is a device that can issue operation commands to facility equipment 20, such as the water heater, and display the operating status of the facility equipment 20. The remote control 10A of this embodiment includes a control unit 11 that processes information handled by the remote control 10A, a facility-related information acquisition unit 16, an information storage unit 12 that stores information handled by the remote control 10A, an information output unit 13 that outputs information handled by the remote control 10A to the user, an input acceptance unit 14 that accepts information input from the user, and an information communication unit 15 that communicates information between the remote control 10A and other devices. The control unit 11 has the functions of a facility control unit G and an update processing unit 11a, as will be described later.

[0027] Information output unit 13 can be realized using a display device capable of displaying and outputting text and images, or a device capable of outputting sound. Input reception unit 14 can be realized using a physical operation unit or an operation unit set as an image on the screen of a touch-panel display device. Input reception unit 14 receives from the user an input of the target temperature of the hot water to be supplied from the hot water heater as facility equipment 20, and receives from the user a command to start filling the bath. Information output unit 13 then outputs the target temperature as text, an image, a sound, or the like, and outputs a command to start filling the bath as text, an image, a sound, or the like.

[0028] The control unit 11 of the remote control 10A has the function of an equipment control unit G that controls the operation of the equipment 20. For example, when a user inputs an instruction to start filling a bathtub into the input receiving unit 14, the equipment control unit G performs control in response to the input, such as instructing the control unit 22 of the equipment 20, which is a hot water heater, to start the operation of filling the bathtub. Then, in the equipment 20, the control unit 22 controls the operation of the operating unit 21.

[0029] The facility-related information acquisition unit 16 acquires facility-related information that can infer at least one of whether a user is using or preparing to use facility device 20. For example, facility 3 is provided with sensors 7, which include a human presence sensor that detects the presence of a person in a specific location inside facility 3, a water temperature sensor that measures the temperature of water (hot water) flowing in a specific location inside facility 3, a water level sensor that measures the level of water (hot water) stored in a bathtub, a water usage sensor (e.g., a water meter, etc.) that measures the amount of water (hot water) used per unit time in facility 3, an electricity usage sensor (e.g., an electricity meter, etc.) that measures the amount of electricity used per unit time in facility 3, and a gas usage sensor (e.g., a gas meter, etc.) that measures the amount of gas (e.g., city gas, propane gas, etc.) used per unit time in facility 3.

[0030] The measurement value of the sensor 7 is then acquired by the facility-related information acquisition unit 16 as facility-related information that can be used to infer at least one of whether the user is using the facility device 20 or preparing to use it.

[0031] For example, if a human presence sensor installed in a bathroom or changing room of facility 3 detects the presence of a person, it can be inferred that a user is using or preparing to use the hot water heater as facility equipment 20. Also, if a water temperature sensor that measures the temperature of water (hot water) flowing through a hot water tap of facility 3 or a specific location inside facility 3 measures a temperature that is a predetermined temperature or higher than the tap water, it can be inferred that a user is using the hot water heater as facility equipment 20. Furthermore, if a water level sensor that measures the water level of water (hot water) stored in a bathtub measures a water level that is a predetermined value or higher, it can be inferred that a user is using or preparing to use the hot water heater as facility equipment 20. Additionally, it can be inferred that a user is using or preparing to use the hot water heater as facility equipment 20 by referring to one or more measurement results of sensor 7.

[0032] The information storage unit 12 of the remote control 10A stores software for properly operating the equipment control unit G. Such software may be updated to resolve malfunctions, add functions, or the like. For example, the update software is stored at a predetermined update software installation URL, such as on the server 1. The control unit 11 accesses the update software installation URL at predetermined times, such as once or several times a day. If the version information and update date and time of the software for the equipment control unit G stored in the information storage unit 12 of the remote control 10A differ from the version information and update date and time of the update software stored at the update software installation URL, the control unit 11 determines that new software has been installed, downloads the update software from the server 1, and stores it in the information storage unit 12. Then, the control unit 11 performs an update process to update the software used by the equipment control unit G using the update software, as described below.

[0033] The facility equipment management system of this embodiment is a system that can update software used in the facility control unit G of the remote control 10A that controls the operation of the facility equipment 20 installed in the facility 3. To this end, in this embodiment, the information storage unit 12 stores update software for updating the software used in the facility control unit G.

[0034] 1, in this embodiment, the equipment control unit G and the update processing unit 11a are provided in the remote control 10A. That is, in this embodiment, an example will be described in which software used by the equipment control unit G of the remote control 10A, which controls the operation of the facility equipment 20, is updated with update software. In addition, the information storage unit 12 and the facility-related information acquisition unit 16 are provided in the remote control 10A, which is connected to the facility equipment 20 so as to be able to communicate information.

[0035] The facility equipment management system also includes an information communication unit 15 that communicates information with the server 1 connected to the remote control 10A via the information communication line 2, and as described above, the information storage unit 12 stores the update software that the information communication unit 15 receives from the server 1.

[0036] Specifically, the update processing unit 11a of the control unit 11 performs an equipment status estimation process, when a predetermined update start time within a day is reached, to estimate whether the equipment 20 is in use or in preparation for use based on the equipment-related information, and an update feasibility determination process, including an update feasibility determination process, which determines to start the update process using update software if the equipment 20 is neither in use nor in preparation for use based on the result of the equipment status estimation process, and determines to cancel the update process at the update start time if the equipment 20 is neither in use nor in preparation for use based on the result of the equipment status estimation process.

[0037] 2 is a flowchart illustrating the update permission determination process according to the first embodiment. The update processing unit 11a starts this update permission determination process when update software is downloaded.

[0038] In step #10, the update processing unit 11a waits until a predetermined update start time in a day. The update start time is a time stored in advance in the information storage unit 12, and is set, for example, to a time period in a day when it is expected that typical users will not be using the facility device 20 (for example, 2:00 a.m.).

[0039] Then, when the update start time arrives, the update processing unit 11a performs an equipment status estimation process in step #11. Specifically, in the equipment status estimation process, the update processing unit 11a estimates whether the equipment device 20 is in use or being prepared for use based on the currently acquired equipment-related information. For example, when the detection result of the human presence sensor acquired by the equipment-related information acquisition unit 16 as described above indicates the presence of a person in the bathroom or the changing room, the update processing unit 11a can estimate that the user is using or preparing to use the hot water heater as the equipment device 20. On the other hand, when the detection result of the human presence sensor acquired by the equipment-related information acquisition unit 16 as described above does not indicate the presence of a person in the bathroom or the changing room, the update processing unit 11a can estimate that the user is not using or preparing to use the hot water heater as the equipment device 20.

[0040] Next, in step #12, the update processing unit 11a determines whether it can be estimated that the facility device 20 is neither in use nor being prepared for use based on the result of the facility status estimation process. If it can be estimated that the facility device 20 is neither in use nor being prepared for use, the update processing unit 11a proceeds to step #13 and starts the update process using the update software, and if it can be estimated that the facility device 20 is either in use or being prepared for use, the update processing unit 11a proceeds to step #14 and stops the update process.

[0041] In addition, if the update processing unit 11a determines to cancel the update processing in the update feasibility determination processing, it performs the equipment status estimation processing and the update feasibility determination processing at the update start time of the next day. In other words, the update processing unit 11a does not perform the update processing on the day, but attempts to perform the update processing at the same update start time of the next day.

[0042] As described above, the update processing unit 11a performs update processing using the update software at a time when it is estimated, based on the equipment-related information acquired by the equipment-related information acquisition unit 16, that the equipment 20 is neither in use nor being prepared for use, i.e., at a time when performing the update processing using the update software will not cause inconvenience to the user even if the equipment 20 becomes temporarily unusable, and does not perform update processing using the update software at a time when it is estimated that the equipment 20 is either in use or being prepared for use, i.e., at a time when performing the update processing using the update software will cause inconvenience to the user.

[0043] In addition, even if the update processing unit 11a decides to cancel the update process in the update feasibility determination process, the equipment status estimation process and the update feasibility determination process are performed at the update start time on the following day. In other words, even if the update process using the update software is temporarily canceled, the equipment status estimation process and the update feasibility determination process are repeatedly performed until the update process is executed, so that the software can be updated as quickly as possible.

[0044] Second Embodiment The facility equipment management system of the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the method for determining the update start time for the day after the update process is stopped. The facility equipment management system of the second embodiment will be described below, but a description of the same configuration as the above embodiment will be omitted.

[0045] Fig. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the update feasibility determination process of the second embodiment. In Fig. 3, steps #10 to #14 are the same as steps #10 to #14 shown in Fig. 2. As shown in the figure, in this embodiment, when it is determined in the update feasibility determination process that the update process is to be stopped, the update processing unit 11a performs an update start time change process to determine a new update start time by shifting the update start time by a set time (for example, one hour), and performs the equipment status estimation process and the update feasibility determination process at the update start time of the following day determined in the update start time change process. For example, a value stored in the information storage unit 12 is used for the set time.

[0046] The fact that the update process was stopped in step #14 means that the update processing unit 11a estimated that the facility device 20 was either in use or being prepared for use at the update start time. In other words, in the lifestyle pattern of the user of the facility device 20, the update start time may fall within the time period during which the facility device 20 is used. Therefore, it is considered necessary to set the update start time outside of that time period.

[0047] Therefore, in step #15, the update processing unit 11a performs update start time change processing to set the update start time for the next day to a time different from the previous time. As a result, it becomes more likely that the facility device 20 will not be in use or being prepared for use at the update start time for the next day. Then, it is expected that the update processing will be executed.

[0048] In this embodiment, the update start time is changed by the set time each time the update permission determination process determines that the update process should be canceled, i.e., each time the facility device 20 is estimated to be in use or preparing for use at the update start time. Therefore, it is expected that the facility device 20 will not be in use or preparing for use at the new update start time after the change. It is then expected that the update process using the update software will be performed at the new update start time after the change.

[0049] <Third embodiment> The facility device management system of the third embodiment differs from that of the second embodiment in the content of the update start time change process. The facility device management system of the third embodiment will be described below, but a description of the same configuration as the above embodiment will be omitted.

[0050] In this embodiment, if the update processing unit 11a determines to cancel the update processing in the update feasibility determination processing, it performs update start time change processing to determine a new update start time to be a time when it can be estimated that the facility device 20 is neither in use nor being prepared for use, based on the facility-related information acquired in the past, and then performs the facility status estimation processing and the update feasibility determination processing at the update start time on the next day determined in the update start time change processing.

[0051] 4 is a diagram showing time periods when a user is estimated to be using or preparing to use facility equipment 20, determined based on facility-related information previously acquired by facility-related information acquisition unit 16. Note that the time periods when a user is estimated to be using or preparing to use facility equipment 20 as shown in the figure are shown for illustrative purposes only and may differ from the actual estimated time periods.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 4, on Mondays, the time period from midnight to 6 a.m. is the time period during which the user is estimated to be using or preparing to use the facility device 20. On Tuesdays, the time period from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. is the time period during which the user is estimated to be using or preparing to use the facility device 20. On Wednesdays, the time period from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. is the time period during which the user is estimated to be using or preparing to use the facility device 20. On Thursdays, the time period from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. is the time period during which the user is estimated to be using or preparing to use the facility device 20. On Fridays, the time period from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. is the time period during which the user is estimated to be using or preparing to use the facility device 20. On Saturdays, the time period from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. is the time period during which the user is estimated to be using or preparing to use the facility device 20. On Sundays, the time period from 5:00 to 11:00 is the time period during which it is estimated that the user is using or preparing to use the facility device 20.

[0053] In the example shown in Fig. 4, it is estimated that the facility device 20 is neither in use nor being prepared for use at the time of 11 PM on any day of the week. Therefore, even if the update processing is stopped in step #14 shown in Fig. 3, if the update processing unit 11a sets the update start time for the next day to the time of 11 PM in step #15 shown in Fig. 3, it is more likely that the update processing unit 11a will be able to estimate that the facility device 20 is neither in use nor being prepared for use at the update start time for the next day. It is then expected that the update processing unit 11a will be able to execute the update processing.

[0054] If there are multiple time periods among the 24 time periods shown in FIG. 4 during which it is estimated that the facility device 20 is neither in use nor being prepared for use, the update start time for the next day can be set to any one of the multiple time periods. Furthermore, if there is no time period among the 24 time periods as shown in FIG. 4 in which it is estimated that the facility device 20 is neither in use nor being prepared for use, the good time update start time can also be set to any one of the time periods in which the time periods in which it is estimated that the facility device 20 is either in use or being prepared for use do not overlap on multiple days of the week (for example, in the example shown in FIG. 4, between the time of 12:00 and the time of 4:00, between the time of 8:00 and the time of 10:00, etc.).

[0055] As described above, in this embodiment, even if the update process using the update software is temporarily stopped, the equipment status estimation process and the update feasibility determination process are repeatedly performed while changing the update start time until the update process is executed, so that the software can be updated as quickly as possible. Furthermore, each time it is determined in the update feasibility determination process that the update process is stopped, that is, each time it is estimated that the equipment device 20 is in use or preparing for use at the update start time, the update start time is changed to a time at which it can be estimated that the equipment device 20 is neither in use nor preparing for use based on previously acquired equipment-related information. Therefore, it is expected that the equipment device 20 will not be in use or preparing for use at the new update start time after the change. It is then expected that the update process using the update software will be performed at the new update start time after the change.

[0056] <Fourth embodiment> The facility equipment management system of the fourth embodiment differs from the above embodiments in that it uses update software to update the software used in the facility control unit G of the control unit 22 of the facility equipment 20. The facility equipment management system of the fourth embodiment will be described below, but a description of the same configuration as the above embodiments will be omitted.

[0057] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of a facility 3 in which an equipment device management system according to a second embodiment is installed. As shown in the figure, in this embodiment, an update processing unit 11a is provided in a remote control 10A. In the equipment device management system shown in FIG. 5, software used by an equipment control unit G of a control unit 22 of an equipment device 20 is updated with update software. As described in the above embodiment, the equipment control unit G of the control unit 22 provided in the equipment device 20 controls an operating unit 21, such as a heater that generates hot water, and therefore cannot control the operation of the operating unit 21 while an update process for the software used by the equipment control unit G is being performed. Therefore, in this embodiment, the update processing unit 11a of the control unit 11 of the remote control 10A also performs the same update feasibility determination process (equipment status estimation process and update feasibility determination process, or equipment status estimation process, update feasibility determination process, and update start time change process) as described in the above embodiment.

[0058] Specifically, the information storage unit 12 of the remote control 10A stores information such as version information and update date and time of the software for the equipment control unit G of the facility device 20, which is stored in the information storage unit 23 of the facility device 20. The control unit 11 of the remote control 10A then accesses the update software installation URL at a predetermined timing, for example, once to several times a day. If the version information and update date and time of the software for the equipment control unit G stored in the information storage unit 23 of the facility device 20 differ from the version information and update date and time of the update software stored in the update software installation URL, the control unit 11 determines that new software has been installed, downloads the update software from the server 1, and stores it in the information storage unit 12 of the remote control 10A. Furthermore, the control unit 11 of the remote control 10A transmits the update software downloaded from the server 1 to the facility device 20, and stores it in the information storage unit 23 of the facility device 20. This prepares the facility device 20 to perform a software update process for the equipment control unit G of the control unit 22.

[0059] 2 and 3, the update processing unit 11a of the control unit 11 of the remote control 10A performs an equipment status estimation process in step #11 when a predetermined update start time of the day arrives, and also performs other processes similar to those described in the above embodiment, thereby appropriately starting the update process. For example, the update processing unit 11a of the remote control 10A instructs the control unit 22 of the facility device 20 to perform an update process of the software used by the equipment control unit G using update software stored in the information storage unit 23 of the facility device 20. As a result, the facility device 20 performs an update process of the software used by the equipment control unit G.

[0060] <Another embodiment> In the above embodiment, a specific example of the configuration of the facility 3 in which the facility device management system is installed has been described, but the configuration can be changed as appropriate.

[0061] In the above embodiment, the update process using update software for updating the software used in the equipment control unit G has been described, but the update software may also be used to update software that realizes other functions. For example, the update software may also be used to update software that realizes the function of the information communication unit 15 of the remote control 10A.

[0062] In the above embodiment, in step #11 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the update processing unit 11a performs an equipment status estimation process to estimate whether the equipment 20 is in use or being prepared for use based on currently acquired equipment-related information. However, other equipment status estimation processes may be performed. For example, in the equipment status estimation process, the update processing unit 11a may estimate whether the equipment 20 is in use or being prepared for use based on previously acquired equipment-related information. As a specific example, measurement results of a human presence sensor installed in a bathroom and a dressing room are used as the sensor 7, and data on past measurement results of the human presence sensor is pre-stored in the information storage unit 12 as equipment-related information. In step #11, if the current time falls within a time period in the past when the human presence sensor serving as the sensor 7 has not detected a human presence during a predetermined period of time (e.g., the most recent week), the update processing unit 11a may estimate that the hot water heater serving as the equipment 20 is not being used or prepared for use by a user.

[0063] In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the equipment-related information that can be estimated includes information on the measurement value of the sensor 7 and at least one of whether the user is using the equipment 20 or preparing to use it, but the type of information that is to be used as equipment-related information can be set as appropriate.

[0064] The configurations disclosed in the above embodiments (including other embodiments, the same applies below) can be applied in combination with configurations disclosed in other embodiments, as long as no contradictions arise. Furthermore, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are examples, and the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to these and can be modified as appropriate within the scope that does not deviate from the purpose of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0065] The present invention can be used in an equipment management system that can update software as quickly as possible while avoiding inconvenience to users. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 3: Facilities 11a: Update processing section 12: Information storage section 16: Facility-related information acquisition unit 20: Equipment 23: Information storage section G: Equipment control section

Claims

1. An equipment management system that updates software used in an equipment control unit that controls the operation of equipment installed in a facility, an information storage unit that stores update software for updating the software used in the equipment control unit; an equipment-related information acquisition unit that acquires equipment-related information that can be used to estimate at least one of whether the user is using the equipment and whether the user is preparing to use the equipment; an equipment status estimation process that, when a predetermined update start time within a day arrives, estimates whether the equipment is in use or preparing for use based on the equipment-related information; and an update processing unit that performs an update feasibility determination process that, if the equipment is not in use or preparing for use based on a result of the equipment status estimation process, decides to start an update process using the update software, and decides to cancel the update process at the update start time if the equipment is in use or preparing for use based on the result of the equipment status estimation process.

2. The facility equipment management system according to claim 1 , wherein, if the update processing unit determines to cancel the update process in the update feasibility determination process, the update processing unit performs the facility status estimation process and the update feasibility determination process at the update start time on the next day.

3. The update processing unit: When it is determined in the update permission determination process that the update process is to be canceled, an update start time change process is performed to determine a new update start time by shifting the update start time by a set time; The facility device management system according to claim 1 , wherein the facility status estimation process and the update feasibility determination process are performed at the update start time of the next day determined in the update start time change process.

4. The update processing unit: If it is determined in the update permission determination process that the update process is to be canceled, an update start time change process is performed to determine a new update start time to be a time when the facility device is neither in use nor being prepared for use, based on the facility-related information previously acquired; The facility device management system according to claim 1 , wherein the facility status estimation process and the update feasibility determination process are performed at the update start time of the next day determined in the update start time change process.

5. An equipment management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the update processing unit estimates whether the equipment falls into one of the states of being in use and being prepared for use based on the equipment-related information currently acquired during the equipment status estimation process.

6. An equipment management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the update processing unit estimates whether the equipment falls into the in-use or in-preparation-for-use state based on the equipment-related information previously acquired during the equipment status estimation process.

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