Method and apparatus for supporting mapping.

Abstract

Reduce the effort required to map equipment entities to equipment data models. [Solution] The mapping support method comprises a first step, a second step, a third step, a fourth step, a fifth step, a sixth step, and a seventh step. In the first step, multiple equipment entities E3 are obtained, each associated with the name of the equipment 10, area information relating to the area where the equipment 10 is installed, and tag information defining the characteristics of the equipment. In the second step, multiple equipment data models are obtained, each with defined data points and attribute information for each model number of the equipment 10. In the third step, mapping rules are obtained, associating area information or tag information with attribute information. In the fourth step, the selection of equipment entities E3 is accepted, and in the fifth step, area information or tag information is identified. In the sixth step, attribute information is identified based on the mapping rules. In the seventh step, an equipment data model having the identified attribute information is identified from among the multiple equipment data models.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an association support method and an association support device for assisting the association between equipment entities and equipment data models.

Background Art

[0002] A management system may be used for the management of a property where a plurality of devices are installed. Generally, data necessary for constructing such a management system is generated by associating property information regarding the property and installed devices with device information regarding the devices and data points. However, the property information and the device information are information of different categories, and often do not have unique identifiers.

[0003] Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent No. 5982805) describes a building management system in which, for BIM data and BEMS data, individual identifiers are provided for each device so that it can be understood that the devices are the same both on the BIM data and on the BEMS data.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Property information and device information are often independently managed by different servers, and it is difficult to provide individual identifiers for each device. For this reason, a large number of man-hours are required for associating the property information and the device information.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The first method of mapping support is a method for supporting the mapping between equipment entities and equipment data models. The mapping support method comprises the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh steps. In the first step, multiple equipment entities are obtained, each associated with the name of the equipment, area information regarding the area where the equipment is installed, and tag information defining the characteristics of the equipment. In the second step, multiple equipment data models are obtained, each with defined data points and attribute information for each equipment model number. In the third step, mapping rules are obtained, associating area information or tag information with attribute information. In the fourth step, the selection of equipment entities is accepted. In the fifth step, area information or tag information associated with the equipment entity selected in the fourth step is identified. In the sixth step, attribute information associated with the area information or tag information identified in the fifth step is identified based on the mapping rules. In the seventh step, an equipment data model having the attribute information identified in the sixth step is identified from among the multiple equipment data models.

[0006] In the first perspective of the mapping support method, the effort required to map equipment entities to equipment data models can be reduced by identifying equipment data models that have attribute information identified based on mapping rules.

[0007] The second perspective's mapping support method is the same as the first perspective's mapping support method, and the attribute information is the model of the equipment. The mapping rules associate area information with the models of equipment that can be installed in that area.

[0008] The second perspective's method of supporting mapping can further reduce the effort required to map equipment entities to equipment data models.

[0009] The third perspective mapping support method is a first or second perspective mapping support method, further comprising an eighth step and a ninth step. In the eighth step, the selection of an equipment data model to be mapped to an equipment entity is accepted. In the ninth step, data points and attribute information are mapped to the equipment entity.

[0010] The third perspective's mapping support method can further reduce the effort required to map equipment entities to equipment data models.

[0011] The fourth perspective mapping support method is a mapping support method for either the first or third perspective, further comprising a tenth step of informing the user of the device data model identified in the seventh step.

[0012] The fourth perspective's mapping support method reduces the possibility of incorrect equipment data models being mapped to equipment entities.

[0013] The fifth perspective mapping support method is the third perspective mapping support method, further comprising an eleventh step of informing the user of information regarding the device data model selected in the eighth step.

[0014] The fifth perspective's mapping support method reduces the possibility of incorrect equipment data models being mapped to equipment entities.

[0015] The sixth aspect of the mapping support device is a device that supports the mapping between equipment entities and equipment data models, and comprises a control unit and a storage unit. The storage unit stores multiple equipment entities, multiple equipment data models, and mapping rules. An equipment entity is information that associates the name of the equipment with area information relating to the area where the equipment is installed and tag information defining the characteristics of the equipment. An equipment data model is information that defines data points and attribute information for each equipment model number. A mapping rule is information that associates area information or tag information with attribute information. The control unit accepts the selection of an equipment entity. The control unit also identifies the area information or tag information associated with the selected equipment entity. The control unit also identifies the attribute information associated with the identified area information or tag information based on the mapping rule. The control unit also identifies the equipment data model that has the identified attribute information from among the multiple equipment data models.

[0016] The sixth perspective mapping support device can reduce the effort required to map equipment entities to equipment data models by identifying equipment data models that have attribute information identified based on mapping rules. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] [Figure 1] This is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of the management system. [Figure 2] This is a functional block diagram of the controller. [Figure 3] This diagram shows an example of the mapping between equipment entities and equipment data models. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of entities and tags. [Figure 5] This is a functional block diagram of the mapping support device. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of a mapping rule. [Figure 7] This is an example of a flowchart illustrating the flow of the mapping support process. [Figure 8]This is a diagram showing an example of an association support screen. [Figure 9] This is a diagram showing an example of an association support screen.

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0018] An association support method and an association support device 100 for supporting the association between an equipment entity E3 and a device data model according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the equipment entity E3 is information included in property information. The property information is a collection of data related to the property 2, such as the configuration of the property 2 and the arrangement of the devices 10 in the property 2, and details will be described later. Also, the device data model is a collection of data related to the device 10, such as data points and attribute information of the device 10, and details will be described later. Usually, the property information and the device data model are managed based on different rules by different administrators in different servers.

[0019] (1) Management System First, an example of the management system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 1. The management system 1 is a system that manages the device 10 to be managed based on the setting information in which the equipment entity E3 and the device data model are associated. Here, management means monitoring or controlling the device 10, etc. The management system 1 includes the device 10 to be managed and a controller 20 that manages the device 10.

[0020] The property 2 is, for example, an office building, a commercial building, and a condominium. And a plurality of devices 10 are installed in the property 2 as management targets. Although the types of the devices 10 are not limited, the plurality of devices 10 include various equipment devices such as power equipment, air conditioning equipment, lighting equipment, and disaster prevention equipment. Also, the device 10 may include a sensor that measures the temperature etc. at a predetermined location of the device 10 (for example, a temperature sensor that monitors overheating of the device 10) and various sensors installed in the property 2 (for example, a sensor that measures the temperature and humidity at a predetermined location of the property 2).

[0021] The device 10 installed in the object 2 is communicably connected via a communication line 60 (e.g., LAN) to, for example, the controller 20 installed in the object 2.

[0022] The controller 20 manages the device 10 that is communicably connected. Note that one controller 20 may be installed in one object 2, or a plurality of controllers 20 communicably connected to a part of the plurality of devices 10 installed in the object 2 may be installed. The controller 20 performs a process of acquiring predetermined operation data from the device 10 by executing a management program based on the setting information.

[0023] (1-1) Controller The controller 20 is a computer for managing the device 10 and is, for example, what is called a gateway or an edge. The controller 20 may be configured by connecting a plurality of computers and devices via a network. As shown in FIG. 2, the controller 20 has a storage unit 21, a communication unit 22, and a control unit 23.

[0024] The storage unit 21 stores various information and may include a ROM, a RAM, and / or a hard disk, etc. The storage unit 21 stores various programs for executing various functions of the controller 20 and various data for executing the programs. Specifically, the storage unit 21 stores a management program for managing the device 10 and setting information referred to in the management program. The management program may be provided via the communication unit 22 described later or may be possessed by the controller 20 in advance. The setting information is stored in the storage unit 21 via the communication unit 22 and the input unit 24 described later.

[0025] The communication unit 22 is a network interface that enables the controller 20 to be connected to a network such as the communication line 60 or the Internet. The controller 20 can transmit various commands to the device 10 and acquire operation data from the device 10 via the communication unit 22.

[0026] The control unit 23 is composed of a CPU and cache memory, etc. The control unit 23 controls the entire controller 20 by cooperating with other components of the controller 20. The control unit 23 performs various information processing in the controller 20 by reading and executing programs stored in the memory unit 21.

[0027] The control unit 23 acquires operating data from the managed equipment 10 by executing a management program for managing the equipment 10. The operating data to be acquired is defined as data points in the configuration information referenced in the management program. A data point is information that indicates the point at which data is acquired in the equipment 10, or in other words, information that indicates what kind of information to acquire from the equipment 10. The control unit 23 stores the acquired operating data in the storage unit 21.

[0028] Operating data refers to data related to the operating history and data related to the operating status. Although not limited to these, for example, if equipment 10 is an air conditioning unit, data related to the operating history refers to information regarding starting and stopping, thermostat on / off, operating mode, set temperature, intake temperature, etc. Also, for example, data related to the operating status refers to values ​​detected by various sensors attached to object 2 and equipment 10, such as room temperature, humidity, temperature and pressure of the refrigerant drawn into the compressor, temperature and pressure of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor, temperature of the refrigerant in the evaporator, and temperature of the refrigerant in the condenser.

[0029] Furthermore, the control unit 23 executes a management program to transmit various commands to the device 10 at predetermined timings. In this way, the control unit 23 controls the operation of the device 10.

[0030] The controller 20 further includes an input unit 24 and an output unit 25. The input unit 24 is an interface for inputting information to the controller 20. For example, the input unit 24 can be implemented by a keyboard, mouse, and / or touchscreen. The output unit 25 outputs various types of information and is composed of various displays and speakers.

[0031] The controller 20 is connected to other devices (for example, other computers or personal digital assistants) via a communication unit 22, and the communication unit 22 may function as an input unit 24 that receives information transmitted from other devices, and an output unit 25 that transmits information to other devices (outputs information).

[0032] The controller 20 is configured to display information about property 2 on the display, which acts as an output unit 25, in response to operations on the input unit 24, in order to enable monitoring of the environmental status of property 2 and the status of the managed equipment 10 installed in property 2.

[0033] For example, the control unit 23 displays a monitoring screen showing the status of the equipment 10 installed in property 2 on the display, which acts as the output unit 25. For example, the monitoring screen showing the status of the equipment 10 includes a floor layout diagram showing the installation status of the equipment 10 on each floor of property 2, a screen showing the status of the equipment 10, and a screen showing the environmental status of property 2. When the control unit 23 displays the floor layout diagram on the display, for example, it simultaneously displays the screen showing the status of the equipment 10 and the screen showing the environmental status of property 2 on the display. Here, the status of the equipment 10 and the environmental status of property 2 are information stored in the storage unit 21 as operating data. For example, if the equipment 10 is an indoor unit, the information showing the status of the equipment 10 includes information indicating whether the indoor unit is operating or stopped, information indicating whether the indoor unit is in cooling mode or heating mode, and information on the set temperature of the indoor unit. The information showing the environmental status of property 2 includes, for example, information on the room temperature and humidity of the space in which the indoor unit is installed.

[0034] As described above, the controller 20 displays information about property 2 on the display and causes the equipment 10 in property 2 to perform desired operations. At this time, the controller 20 refers to the configuration information to identify which equipment 10 the transmitted information is from, and further identifies the location of that equipment 10 within property 2. In order to create such configuration information, it is necessary to associate the information about the equipment 10 installed in property 2 (equipment entity E3, described later) included in the property information with the equipment data model in which data points and attribute information of the equipment 10 are defined. Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of associating the equipment entity E3 with the equipment data model. The mapping support device 100 of this disclosure supports the mapping work between the equipment entity E3 and the equipment data model.

[0035] (2) Property Information Property information is a collection of data related to property 2. Property information includes information that constitutes property 2, such as information about the building of property 2, information about the area, and information about the equipment 10 installed in property 2. As shown in Figure 3, property information uses a data model composed of a hierarchical structure with multiple levels, and each level has one or more entities. Property information includes, in order from the top level to the bottom level, a level of information about the building (building entity E1), a level of information about the area (area entity E2), and a level of information about the equipment (equipment entity E3). The level of information about the area may be further divided into a level of information about floors (e.g., rooftop, 1F, basement, etc.) (floor entity E21) and a sub-level of information about rooms (e.g., conference room, living room, machine room, etc.) which are lower levels of each floor (room entity E22). The level of information about the equipment may be further divided into a level of information about higher-level equipment (e.g., chiller plant, etc.) and a level of information about lower-level equipment (e.g., AHU, VAV, etc.).

[0036] Each entity is assigned a tag that indicates its name, location, characteristics, etc. The tag itself may be information that describes the characteristics of the entity, or it may be associated with information about the entity.

[0037] Specifically, each entity is assigned a tag associated with its name (e.g., #dis) and a tag associated with its identification information (e.g., #id). In addition, each entity in area entity E2 and equipment entity E3 is assigned a first tag T1 (e.g., #spaceRef) to represent the physical location (arrangement) of the area or equipment 10 that the entity represents. Note that the top-level entity does not necessarily need to be assigned the first tag T1. The first tag T1 is associated with information indicating a higher hierarchy level than the one in which the entity is located.

[0038] Furthermore, each entity is assigned a second tag T2 indicating the characteristics of the entity's location, and a third tag T3 indicating the characteristics of the entity. For example, the area entity E2 is assigned a second tag T2 indicating the characteristics of its location, such as a tag indicating a rooftop (e.g., #roof), a tag indicating an indoor area (e.g., #room), and a tag indicating an outdoor area (e.g., #ground). Similarly, the equipment entity E3 is assigned a third tag T3 indicating the characteristics of the equipment 10, such as a tag indicating cooling water (e.g., #condenserWaterRef), a tag indicating air cooling (e.g., #airRef), and a tag indicating a chiller (e.g., #chiller). The information of the third tag T3 assigned to the equipment entity E3 corresponds to the tag information in the claims. The tags (including the first tag T1, the second tag T2, and the third tag T3) are predetermined, and by combining and assigning these tags, information indicating the meaning and characteristics of the entity is created.

[0039] Figure 4 shows examples of entities and tags. For example, the tag "#dis", which indicates the name of building entity E1, is associated with the building name "Building A" of property 2. Also, the tag "#id", which indicates identification information, is associated with the identification information "B001" of property 2.

[0040] For example, the tag "#dis" which indicates the name of floor entity E21 is associated with the floor name "1F". Also, the tag "#id" which indicates identification information is associated with the identification information "A001" for floor "1F". Furthermore, floor entity E21 is assigned a first tag T1 which indicates the location where the floor is located, and the identification information of building entity E1 is associated with this tag. Specifically, for example, the first tag T1 "#spaceRef" which indicates the location where floor "1F" of floor entity E21 is located is associated with the identification information "B001" for building "Building A" of property 2. This indicates that floor "1F" is a space that constitutes building "Building A".

[0041] For example, the tag "#dis" which indicates the name of room entity E22 is associated with the room name "Living Room". Also, the tag "#id" which indicates identification information is associated with the identification information "A101" for room "Living Room". Furthermore, room entity E22 is assigned a first tag T1 which indicates the floor on which the room is located, and the identification information of floor entity E21 is associated with it. Specifically, for example, the first tag T1 "#spaceRef" which indicates the location where room entity E22's room "Living Room" is located is associated with the identification information "A001" for floor "1F". This indicates that room "Living Room" is located on floor "1F".

[0042] Furthermore, the area entity E2 is assigned a second tag T2 that indicates the characteristics of the location where the floor or room is located. For example, the floor "1F" of the floor entity E21 is an indoor space, so it is assigned the second tag T2 "#room" which indicates indoors. Also, for example, if the area indicated by the area entity E2 is a rooftop space, it is assigned the second tag T2 "#roof" which indicates a rooftop. Also, for example, if the area indicated by the area entity E2 is an outdoor space, it is assigned the second tag T2 "#ground" which indicates an outdoor. Note that the second tag T2 indicating the characteristics of the location, such as indoors, rooftop, and outdoors, may be assigned to the room entity E22 instead of the floor entity E21, or it may be assigned to both the floor entity E21 and the room entity E22.

[0043] For example, the tag "#dis" which indicates the name of equipment entity E3 is associated with the name of equipment 10 installed in property 2, "Equip_1". Also, the tag "#id" which indicates identification information is associated with the identification information "D001" of equipment 10 "Equip_1". Furthermore, equipment entity E3 is assigned a first tag T1 which indicates the location where equipment 10 will be installed, and the identification information of area entity E2 is associated with this tag. Specifically, for example, the first tag T1 "#spaceRef" which indicates the location where equipment 10 "Equip_1" of equipment entity E3 will be installed is associated with the identification information "A101" for the room "living room". This indicates that equipment 10 "Equip_1" is installed in the room "living room". Also, the room entity E22 which indicates the room "living room" is assigned a second tag T2 "#room" which indicates indoors. This indicates that equipment 10 "Equip_1" is installed indoors. Thus, the information of the second tag T2 indicating the characteristics of the location where the equipment 10 is installed (e.g., indoors, outdoors, rooftop) corresponds to the area information in the claims. The second tag T2 indicating the characteristics of the location where the equipment 10 is installed may also be assigned to the equipment entity E3.

[0044] Furthermore, the equipment entity E3 is assigned a third tag T3 related to the characteristics of the equipment 10. The characteristics of the equipment 10 refer to information about the type, performance, and characteristics of the equipment 10. For example, if equipment 10 "Equip_3" is an air-cooled chiller, it is assigned the third tag T3 "#airRef" indicating air cooling and the third tag T3 "#chiller" indicating chiller.

[0045] In other words, in the equipment entity E3, the name of the equipment 10 is associated with area information regarding the area where the equipment 10 is installed and tag information that defines the characteristics of the equipment 10.

[0046] (3) Equipment data model The equipment data model is a collection of data for each model number of equipment 10. If the equipment 10 installed in property 2 is an air conditioning unit, then each model number of equipment 10 refers to each model number of the outdoor unit or indoor unit, and different model numbers are assigned if the horsepower, capacity, etc. of the outdoor unit or indoor unit differ. As shown in Figure 3, the equipment data model defines data points and attribute information for each model number of equipment 10.

[0047] A data point is information indicating the point at which data is acquired in the device 10. If the device 10 is an indoor unit, the data point includes information indicating operating data such as start / stop, set temperature, and intake temperature. Each data point is associated with items such as "Input / Output," "DataType," and "Property," which provide more detailed information about the device 10. Specifically, "Input / Output" indicates whether the data is an input value or an output value. "DataType" indicates whether the data is analog data or binary data. "Property" indicates whether the data is the current value, minimum / maximum value, initial value, etc.

[0048] Attribute information refers to information about the type (model), performance, and characteristics of the equipment 10. In the equipment data model, each model number of equipment 10 is assigned tags indicating the model of equipment 10, tags indicating the performance of equipment 10 such as horsepower (capacity) and capacity, and tags indicating the characteristics of equipment 10. Tags indicating the model of equipment 10 include tags indicating chillers (e.g., #chiller) and tags indicating VAVs (e.g., #vav). Tags indicating the characteristics of equipment 10 include tags indicating chilled water cooling (e.g., #chilledWaterCooling) and tags indicating hot water heating (e.g., #hotWaterHeating). For example, if equipment 10 is an AHU (Air Handling Unit), attribute information such as tags indicating chilled water cooling (e.g., #chilledWaterCooling), hot water heating (e.g., #hotWaterHeating), air conditioning control system (e.g., #hvac), single duct (e.g., #singleDuct), and device (e.g., #eqiup) will be assigned.

[0049] (4) Correspondence support device (4-1) Overview The mapping support device 100 is a device that assists in the mapping process between the equipment entity E3 of the property information and the equipment data model when the management system 1 is required to manage the equipment 10 installed in a new property 2.

[0050] Typically, property information and equipment data models are managed on different servers by different administrators and under different rules. Therefore, it is highly likely that there is no unique identifier between the equipment entity E3 in the property information and the equipment data model. Furthermore, even if the tag information assigned to the equipment entity E3 in the property information and the attribute information in the equipment data model have similar meanings, they are likely to be assigned different names.

[0051] The mapping support device 100 assists the mapping process by identifying candidate equipment data models to be mapped to the equipment entity E3, based on mapping rules that associate area information and tag information associated with the equipment entity E3 with attribute information possessed by the equipment data model.

[0052] (4-2) Physical configuration Figure 5 is a block diagram of the mapping support device 100. The mapping support device 100 is a computer having a control unit 110, a storage unit 140, an input unit 150, and an output unit 160.

[0053] The storage unit 140 stores various types of information and may include ROM, RAM, and / or a hard disk. The storage unit 140 stores various programs for executing various functions of the mapping support device 100 and various data for executing the programs. Specifically, the storage unit 140 stores mapping rules. The mapping rules are stored (registered) in the storage unit 140 via the input unit 150 (described later) or via the communication unit (described later).

[0054] The control unit 110 is composed of a CPU and cache memory, etc. The control unit 110 controls the entire mapping support device 100 by cooperating with other components of the mapping support device 100. The control unit 110 performs various information processing in the mapping support device 100 by reading and executing programs stored in the storage unit 140.

[0055] The input unit 150 is, for example, a keyboard or mouse. The output unit 160 is, for example, a display.

[0056] The mapping support device 100 may have a communication unit that can communicate with other devices (for example, other computers or personal digital assistants). This communication unit may also function as an input unit 150 that receives information transmitted from other devices, and an output unit 160 that transmits information to other devices (outputs information).

[0057] (4-3) Correspondence Rules Figure 6 shows an example of a mapping rule. The mapping rule defines whether it is appropriate to map a device data model having predetermined attribute information to a particular equipment entity E3 having area information and / or tag information. As mentioned above, attribute information includes, for example, information about the type (model), performance, and characteristics of the equipment 10. Therefore, it can be said that the mapping rule associates the area information associated with equipment entity E3 with the models that can be installed in the area indicated by that area information. Furthermore, it can be said that the mapping rule associates the area information associated with equipment entity E3 with the performance and characteristics of the equipment 10 that can be installed in the area indicated by that area information.

[0058] The mapping rules shown in Figure 6 indicate, for example, that it is appropriate to map a device data model with the attribute information tags "#chiller" indicating a chiller and "#airCooling" indicating air cooling to a device entity E3 associated with the area information "#ground" indicating outdoors or "#roof" indicating a rooftop, but it is inappropriate to map it to a device entity E3 associated with the area information "#room" indicating indoors. Furthermore, it indicates, for example, that it is inappropriate to map a device data model with the attribute information "#vav" to a device entity E3 associated with the tag information "#condenserWaterRef" indicating cooling water, but it is appropriate to map it to a device entity E3 associated with the tag information "#airRef" indicating air cooling.

[0059] (4-4) Methods for supporting mapping and the flow of processing for supporting mapping The mapping support method and the flow of the mapping support process by the mapping support device 100 will be explained below with reference to Figure 7.

[0060] First, the control unit 110 acquires property information and equipment data models from the storage unit 140 (step S1). The property information and equipment data models may be acquired from other devices via the communication unit and stored in the storage unit 140, or they may be stored in the storage unit 140 in advance.

[0061] The control unit 110 outputs a support screen to the display, which acts as the output unit 160, to assist in the mapping between property information and equipment data models (step S2). Figure 8 shows an example of the mapping support screen. The mapping support screen mainly consists of a first display unit D1 that displays property information and a second display unit D2 that displays equipment data models.

[0062] The first display unit D1 is further composed of the eleventh display unit D11, the twelfth display unit D12, and the thirteenth display unit D13. The eleventh display unit D11 displays selectable characters representing the building configuration. The twelfth display unit D12 displays selectable characters representing the equipment entity E3. The thirteenth display unit D13 displays area information and tag information associated with the equipment entity E3.

[0063] The control unit 110 displays a list of information regarding the building configuration on the 11th display unit D11, based on the building entity E1 and area entity E2 of the property information acquired in step S1. The control unit 110 may also display the information regarding the building configuration for each floor. The control unit 110 switches the display contents of the 12th display unit D12 and the 13th display unit D13 based on user operation.

[0064] For example, when a user selects a character representing an area in the 11th display unit D11, the control unit 110 identifies the equipment entity E3 to which the identification information indicating the selected area is linked to the first tag T1. The control unit 110 displays a list of characters representing the identified equipment entity E3 in the 12th display unit D12. In the example shown in Figure 8, the equipment entity E3 representing the equipment 10 installed on the "rooftop" selected in the 11th display unit D11 is displayed in a list in the 12th display unit D12.

[0065] Next, for example, if a user selects a character representing any of the equipment entities E3 in the 12th display unit D12, the control unit 110 displays a list of area information and tag information associated with the selected equipment entity E3 in the 13th display unit D13. In the example shown in Figure 8, the area information and tag information of the equipment entity E3 "Equip_3" selected in the 12th display unit D12 are displayed in the 13th display unit D13. Here, the area information displays the area identification information "A901" associated with the first tag T1 of the equipment entity E3 "Equip_3", along with the second tag T2 "#roof" indicating a rooftop, which is attached to the area entity E2 that represents the area.

[0066] The second display unit D2 is further composed of the 21st display unit D21, the 22nd display unit D22, and the 23rd display unit D23. The 21st display unit D21 displays selectable characters representing the equipment data model (equipment model number). The 22nd display unit D22 displays data points. The 23rd display unit D23 displays attribute information.

[0067] The control unit 110 displays a list of characters representing multiple device data models acquired in step S1 on the 21st display unit D21. Based on user operation, the control unit 110 switches the display contents of the 22nd display unit D22 and the 23rd display unit D23.

[0068] For example, if a user selects a character representing any device data model in the 21st display unit D21, the control unit 110 displays a list of data points and attribute information defined for the selected device data model in the 22nd display unit D22 and the 23rd display unit D23.

[0069] The control unit 110 accepts the user's selection for the character representing equipment entity E3 displayed on the 12th display unit D12 (step S3). The user selects equipment entity E3 by operating the input unit 150 (for example, by clicking on the character representing equipment entity E3 displayed on the 12th display unit D12). In the example shown in Figure 8, the user has selected equipment entity E3 "Equip_3" on the 12th display unit D12.

[0070] The control unit 110 identifies area information and tag information associated with the selected equipment entity E3 (step S4).

[0071] The control unit 110 identifies attribute information based on the identified area information and tag information and the mapping rules pre-stored in the storage unit 140 (step S5). Specifically, the control unit 110 obtains the mapping rules from the storage unit 140 and identifies attribute information of the equipment data model that is appropriate to be mapped to the equipment entity E3 to which the identified area information and tag information are associated.

[0072] The control unit 110 identifies the device data model having the specified attribute information from among the multiple device data models stored in the storage unit 140 and notifies the user (step S6). Specifically, the control unit 110 displays the characters representing the specified device data model on the 21st display unit D21 in a different display format. Differentiating the display format means changing the color of the characters, highlighting them, changing the font, etc. In the example shown in Figure 8, the characters "CHILLER #1" and "CHILLER #2" representing the specified device data models are highlighted.

[0073] The control unit 110 accepts the user's selection of an equipment data model displayed on the 21st display unit D21 (step S7). The user selects an equipment data model by operating the input unit 150 (for example, by clicking on the characters representing the equipment data model displayed on the 21st display unit D21).

[0074] The control unit 110 determines whether the device data model selected by the user is appropriate (step S8). If the selected device data model is the same as the device data model identified in step S6, the control unit 110 determines that the selected device data model is appropriate (Yes in step S8) and proceeds to step S12.

[0075] The control unit 110 stores information in the storage unit 140 as setting information, which associates the data points and attribute information of the equipment data model selected in step S7 with the equipment entity E3 selected in step S3, and then proceeds to step S13 (step S12).

[0076] The control unit 110 repeatedly executes steps S3 to S12 until the user completes the mapping operation.

[0077] On the other hand, if the selected device data model is not the same as the device data model identified in step S6, the control unit 110 determines that the selected device data model is inappropriate (No in step S8).

[0078] The control unit 110 displays cautionary information regarding the selected equipment data model on the display, which serves as the output unit 160, to inform the user (step S9). Figure 9 shows an example of the cautionary information displayed by the control unit 110. The control unit 110 displays the area information and tag information displayed on the 13th display unit D13 in a different format to indicate inappropriate area information and / or tag information. Differentiating the display format means changing the color of the characters, highlighting them, changing the font, etc. In the example shown in Figure 9, the control unit 110 is attempting to associate an equipment data model with attribute information "#vav" with equipment entity E3 associated with area information "#roof", so the characters representing the inappropriate area information "#roof" are displayed in red (see the matching rule in Figure 6). The control unit 110 also displays a warning message as cautionary information on the matching support screen, or overlaid on the matching support screen.

[0079] Based on the user's operation, the control unit 110 determines whether or not to associate the data points and attribute information of the equipment data model selected in step S7 with the equipment entity E3 selected in step S3 (step S10).

[0080] When a user performs an operation, for example, by operating the input unit 150, the control unit 110 determines that it will associate the data points and attribute information of the equipment data model selected in step S7 with the equipment entity E3 selected in step S3 (Yes in step S10).

[0081] The control unit 110 reviews the mapping rules (step S11). Specifically, the control unit 110 stores information regarding combinations of area information or tag information and attribute information that do not exist in the existing mapping rules in the storage unit 140 as candidate information for updating the mapping rules. If the control unit 110 determines that a predetermined number or more of similar combinations have been accumulated in the candidate information for updating, it adds the combinations to the mapping rules. The control unit 110 may also update the mapping rules if there are combinations that deviate from the existing mapping rules. After that, the control unit 110 proceeds to step S12.

[0082] On the other hand, if the user operates the input unit 150, for example, and performs an operation that would result in not associating the data points and attribute information of the equipment data model selected in step S7 with the equipment entity E3 selected in step S3, the control unit 110 determines (No in step S10) that it will not associate the data points and attribute information of the equipment data model selected in step S7 with the equipment entity E3 selected in step S3, and returns to step S3.

[0083] (5) Characteristics (5-1) The mapping support method of this embodiment is a method for supporting the mapping between equipment entities E3 and equipment data models. The mapping support method comprises a first step (step S1 in Figure 7), a second step (step S1 in Figure 7), a third step (step S5 in Figure 7), a fourth step (step S3 in Figure 7), a fifth step (step S4 in Figure 7), a sixth step (step S5 in Figure 7), and a seventh step (step S6 in Figure 7). In the first step, multiple equipment entities E3 are obtained, each associated with the name of the equipment 10, area information relating to the area where the equipment 10 is installed, and tag information defining the characteristics of the equipment 10. In the second step, multiple equipment data models are obtained, each with defined data points and attribute information for each model number of the equipment 10. In the third step, mapping rules are obtained, associating area information or tag information with attribute information. In the fourth step, the selection of equipment entities E3 is accepted. Step 5 identifies area information or tag information associated with the equipment entity E3 selected in Step 4. Step 6 identifies attribute information associated with the area information or tag information identified in Step 5, based on the mapping rules. Step 7 identifies the equipment data model that has the attribute information identified in Step 6 from among multiple equipment data models.

[0084] When constructing Management System 1, it is necessary to associate the equipment entities E3 contained in the property information with the equipment data models. Traditionally, this association work has been performed by the system builder, who has to check the contents of each equipment entity E3 and equipment data model. In the association support method of this embodiment, the amount of work required to associate equipment entities E3 with equipment data models can be reduced by identifying equipment data models that have attribute information identified based on the association rules.

[0085] (5-2) The attribute information is the model of device 10. The mapping rule associates area information with the models of device 10 that can be installed in that area.

[0086] This configuration further reduces the effort required to map equipment entities E3 to equipment data models.

[0087] (5-3) The mapping support method further comprises an eighth step (step S7 in Figure 7) and a ninth step (step S12 in Figure 7). In the eighth step, the selection of the equipment data model to be mapped to the equipment entity E3 is accepted. In the ninth step, data points and attribute information are mapped to the equipment entity E3.

[0088] This configuration further reduces the effort required to map equipment entities E3 to equipment data models.

[0089] (5-4) The mapping support method further includes a tenth step (step S6 in Figure 7) in which the user is notified of the device data model identified in step seven.

[0090] This configuration reduces the possibility of incorrect equipment data models being associated with equipment entity E3.

[0091] (5-5) The mapping support method further includes an eleventh step (step S9 in Figure 7) in which the user is informed of the device data model selected in step eight.

[0092] This configuration reduces the possibility of incorrect equipment data models being associated with equipment entity E3.

[0093] (5-6) The mapping support device 100 of this embodiment is a device that supports mapping between equipment entities E3 and equipment data models, and comprises a control unit 110 and a storage unit 140. The storage unit 140 stores a plurality of equipment entities E3, a plurality of equipment data models, and mapping rules. An equipment entity E3 is information that associates the name of equipment 10 with area information relating to the area where equipment 10 is installed and tag information defining the characteristics of equipment 10. An equipment data model is information that defines data points and attribute information for each model number of equipment 10. A mapping rule is information that associates area information or tag information with attribute information. The control unit 110 accepts the selection of an equipment entity E3. The control unit 110 also identifies the area information or tag information associated with the selected equipment entity E3. The control unit 110 also identifies attribute information associated with the identified area information or tag information based on the mapping rule. The control unit 110 also identifies an equipment data model having the identified attribute information from among the plurality of equipment data models.

[0094] In this embodiment, the mapping support device 100 can reduce the effort required to map equipment entities E3 to equipment data models by identifying equipment data models that have attribute information identified based on mapping rules.

[0095] (6) Variant Modifications of the above embodiment will now be described. Note that the modifications may be combined with some or all of the other modifications as appropriate, as long as they do not contradict each other.

[0096] (6-1) Variation A The order and content of each process in the flowchart described above may be modified as appropriate, without departing from the gist of this disclosure.

[0097] (6-2) Variation B In the above embodiment, the mapping rule defined whether it was appropriate to map a device data model having predetermined attribute information to a particular equipment entity E3 having area information and / or tag information. However, the mapping rule may only define appropriate combinations of attribute information from the device data model and area information and / or tag information from the equipment entity E3.

[0098] (6-3) Modification C The mapping rules may define only inappropriate combinations of attribute information from the equipment data model and area information and / or tag information from the equipment entity E3.

[0099] (6-4) Modification D In step S6 of Figure 7 of the above embodiment, the control unit 110 displays the characters representing the specified device data model from among the multiple characters representing device data models displayed on the 21st display unit D21 in a different display form. However, the control unit 110 may first display only the characters representing the specified device data model on the 21st display unit D21. In this case, the control unit 110 may display characters representing device data models other than the specified device data model on the 21st display unit D21 based on user operation.

[0100] This modification further reduces the possibility of an incorrect equipment data model being associated with the equipment entity E3.

[0101] (6-5) Modification E In step S5 of Figure 7 of the above embodiment, the control unit 110 identifies appropriate attribute information based on the identified area information and tag information and the correspondence rule. However, the control unit 110 may also identify inappropriate attribute information based on the identified area information and tag information and the correspondence rule. In this case, in step S6, the control unit 110 may identify a device data model that does not have the identified inappropriate attribute information from among a plurality of device data models stored in the storage unit 140.

[0102] (6-6) Modification F The control unit 110 may further display device data models having appropriate attribute information and inappropriate attribute information in different display formats. Alternatively, device data models having appropriate attribute information and inappropriate attribute information may be displayed in the same way as device data models having inappropriate attribute information.

[0103] (6-7) While embodiments of this disclosure have been described above, it should be understood that various modifications to the form and details are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure as described in the claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0104] 1 Management System 10 Equipment 20 controllers 100 Correspondence support device 110 Control Unit 140 Storage section E3 Equipment Entity [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0105] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5982805

Claims

1. A mapping support method that assists in mapping equipment entities (E3) to equipment data models, A first step is to acquire multiple equipment entities, each associated with the name of the equipment (10), area information relating to the area where the equipment is installed, and tag information defining the characteristics of the equipment. A second step involves acquiring multiple device data models, each of which defines data points and attribute information for each device model number. A third step is to obtain a mapping rule that associates the area information or tag information with the attribute information, A fourth step involves accepting the selection of the aforementioned equipment entity, A fifth step involves identifying the area information or tag information associated with the equipment entity selected in the fourth step, A sixth step involves identifying the attribute information associated with the area information or tag information identified in the fifth step, based on the aforementioned correspondence rules. A seventh step involves identifying the device data model having the attribute information identified in the sixth step from among a plurality of device data models, Equipped with, Methods for providing support in matching items.

2. The attribute information is the model of the device, The aforementioned correspondence rule associates the area information with the model of the equipment that can be installed in the area. The correspondence support method according to claim 1.

3. An eighth step of accepting the selection of the equipment data model to be associated with the equipment entity, A ninth step involves associating the data points and attribute information with the equipment entity, Furthermore, The correspondence support method according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A tenth step in which the device data model identified in the seventh step is notified to the user, Furthermore, The correspondence support method according to claim 1 or 2.

5. An eleventh step in which the user is informed of the information regarding the equipment data model selected in the eighth step, Furthermore, The correspondence support method according to claim 3.

6. A mapping support device (100) that assists in mapping equipment entities (E3) to equipment data models, Control unit (110) and Memory unit (140), Equipped with, The aforementioned storage unit is Multiple equipment entities, each associated with the name of the equipment (10) with area information relating to the area where the equipment is installed and tag information defining the characteristics of the equipment, Multiple device data models, each defining data points and attribute information for each device model number, A mapping rule that associates the aforementioned area information or tag information with the aforementioned attribute information, Remember this, The control unit, The selection of the aforementioned equipment entity is accepted. Identify the area information or tag information associated with the selected equipment entity, Based on the aforementioned correspondence rules, the attribute information associated with the identified area information or tag information is identified, From among the multiple equipment data models, identify the equipment data model having the identified attribute information. Correspondence support device (100).

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