Update device, indoor / outdoor unit, update system, update method, and program

Abstract

To provide an update device that can shorten the update time of programs for indoor / outdoor units.SOLUTION: An update device is a device connected to a communication line that connects a plurality of indoor / outdoor units, and includes: a reduction instruction section that transmits to the indoor / outdoor units an instruction to reduce a communication frequency of a control signal transmitted and received between the indoor / outdoor units via the communication line; an update processing section that performs a program update process for a target indoor / outdoor unit; and a restoration instruction section that transmits an instruction to restore the communication frequency of the control signal to the indoor / outdoor units.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an updating device, an indoor / outdoor unit, an updating system, an updating method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] In an air conditioner, the program may be updated to add or change functions. In this program update operation, a technique is known in which the program can be easily updated by using a communication line connecting an outdoor unit and an indoor unit (hereinafter, the outdoor unit and the indoor unit are collectively referred to as "indoor / outdoor units") that constitute the air conditioner (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Also, related to the above technique, Patent Document 2 discloses an air conditioner that executes an automatic update process of a program when conditions such as "no occupant is detected" and "no air conditioning operation is being performed" are satisfied.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The above communication line is originally used for the indoor / outdoor units in operation to exchange control signals with each other. Therefore, when an indoor / outdoor unit other than the indoor / outdoor unit to be updated is operating, it is assumed that the program update will take a long time due to the influence of the traffic of the control signals being exchanged using the same communication line.

[0006] This disclosure aims to provide an update device, indoor and outdoor units, an update system, an update method, and a program that can shorten the update time for the indoor and outdoor units. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The update device disclosed herein is a device connected to a communication line connecting a plurality of indoor and outdoor units, and comprises: a reduction instruction unit that transmits instructions to the plurality of indoor and outdoor units to reduce the communication frequency of control signals transmitted and received between the plurality of indoor and outdoor units via the communication line; an update processing unit that performs program update processing on the target indoor and outdoor units; and a recovery instruction unit that transmits instructions to the plurality of indoor and outdoor units to restore the communication frequency of the control signals.

[0008] Furthermore, the indoor / outdoor unit of this disclosure includes a control signal transmission / reception unit that transmits and receives control signals to and from an external indoor / outdoor unit or central controller via a communication line, and a communication frequency changing unit that reduces the communication frequency of the control signals when it receives an instruction to reduce the communication frequency of the control signals via the communication line, and restores the communication frequency of the control signals when it receives an instruction to restore the communication frequency of the control signals via the communication line.

[0009] Furthermore, the update system disclosed herein comprises the update device described above and the indoor and outdoor units described above.

[0010] Furthermore, the update method of the present disclosure is an update method for updating a program using an update device connected to a communication line connecting a plurality of indoor and outdoor units, comprising the steps of: transmitting instructions to the plurality of indoor and outdoor units to reduce the communication frequency of control signals transmitted and received between the plurality of indoor and outdoor units via the communication line; performing a program update process on the target indoor and outdoor unit; and transmitting instructions to the plurality of indoor and outdoor units to restore the communication frequency of the control signals.

[0011] Furthermore, the program of this disclosure causes an update device connected to a communication line connecting multiple indoor and outdoor units to execute the following steps: send instructions to the multiple indoor and outdoor units to reduce the communication frequency of control signals transmitted and received between the multiple indoor and outdoor units via the communication line; perform a program update process on the target indoor and outdoor unit; and send instructions to the multiple indoor and outdoor units to restore the communication frequency of the control signals. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the above-described update device, indoor and outdoor units, update system, update method, and program, the update time for the indoor and outdoor units can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the update system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is Figure 1, showing the functional configuration of the update device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 2 shows the functional configuration of the update device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] This diagram shows the functional configuration of the indoor and outdoor units according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] This figure shows the processing flow of the update device and indoor / outdoor unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a diagram illustrating the processing details of the renewal device and indoor / outdoor unit according to the first embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] <First Embodiment> The update system according to the first embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 1 to 6.

[0015] (Overall structure) Figure 1 shows the overall configuration of the update system according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the update system 9 is a system for updating the control programs of the outdoor units 11a, 11b and the indoor units 11c, 11d, 11e that constitute the air conditioning system 1. The update system 9 includes an air conditioning system 1 including a centralized controller 10 and a plurality of indoor / outdoor units 11 (outdoor units 11a, 11b and indoor units 11c, 11d, 11e), and an update device 2.

[0016] The air conditioning system 1 will be described. The air conditioning system 1 is, for example, a commercial package air conditioner installed in a building or the like. The air conditioning system 1 has a centralized controller 10 and a plurality of outdoor units 11a, 11b and indoor units 11c, 11d, 11e. Hereinafter, the plurality of outdoor units 11a, 11b and indoor units 11c, 11d, 11e are also collectively referred to as the indoor / outdoor units 11.

[0017] The centralized controller 10 is a control panel that comprehensively controls the operation of the plurality of indoor / outdoor units 11. The indoor / outdoor units 11 are connected through a common refrigerant pipe (not shown), and realize indoor air conditioning through heat exchange via the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant pipe. The indoor / outdoor units 11 operate according to the operation commands (heating / cooling operation, set temperature, etc.) given by the centralized controller 10.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, each component device (centralized controller 10 and indoor / outdoor unit 11) of the air conditioning system 1 is connected to a single communication line L and can communicate with each other. Normally, the centralized controller 10 and the operating indoor / outdoor units 11 exchange control signals with each other at regular intervals (for example, at intervals of 1 second) via the communication line L. Specifically, the control signal is an operation command (heating / cooling operation, set temperature, etc.) for each indoor / outdoor unit 11 or a signal indicating the individual state of the indoor / outdoor unit 11 (abnormality detection signal, etc.). The air conditioning system 1 can immediately reflect changes in, for example, the set temperature in the operation by constantly transmitting and receiving such control signals between the component devices, and can immediately execute a protection operation (emergency stop, etc.) when an abnormality occurs.

[0019] Next, we will describe the update device 2. The update device 2 is a terminal device used when updating the control programs of the indoor and outdoor units 11 that make up the air conditioning system 1. The update device 2 may be, for example, a portable notebook PC or tablet terminal. When updating the control programs of each indoor and outdoor unit 11, the worker (service technician) in charge of the air conditioning system 1 connects the update device 2 to the communication line L. The worker then specifies one indoor or outdoor unit 11 to be updated via the update device 2 and executes the update process to the new control program.

[0020] Note that the control program of an indoor / outdoor unit 11 cannot be updated while it is in operation. Therefore, the operator designates an indoor / outdoor unit 11 that is not in operation (inactive) as the target for the control program update. In the example in Figure 1, for example, if indoor unit 11c is inactive and other indoor / outdoor units 11 are in operation, the operator designates indoor unit 11c as the target for the control program update. In this case, even while the control program update process for indoor unit 11c is underway, control signals are exchanged between indoor / outdoor units 11 other than indoor unit 11c, or between indoor / outdoor units 11 other than indoor unit 11c and the central controller 10 via the communication line L.

[0021] (Functional configuration of the update device) Figures 2 and 3 show the functional configuration of the update device according to the first embodiment. As shown in Figure 2, the update device 2 has the configuration of a typical terminal device. Specifically, the update device 2 comprises a CPU 20, memory 21, output means 22 such as a display, input means 23 such as a mouse, keyboard, or touchpad, a communication interface 24, and a recording medium 25. In this embodiment, the communication interface 24 of the update device 2 is connectable to an external connection terminal of the communication line L (Figure 1). Furthermore, the recording medium 25 stores the update control program and the like.

[0022] Next, we will explain the functions of CPU20 with reference to Figure 3. The CPU 20 functions as a reduction instruction unit 200, an update processing unit 201, and a recovery instruction unit 202 by operating according to a predetermined program prepared in advance.

[0023] The reduction instruction unit 200 transmits instructions (hereinafter also referred to as reduction instructions) to the multiple indoor and outdoor units 11 and the central controller 10 to reduce the communication frequency of control signals transmitted and received between the multiple indoor and outdoor units via the communication line L.

[0024] The update processing unit 201 performs an update process for the control program of the target indoor and outdoor unit 11.

[0025] The recovery instruction unit 202 transmits instructions (hereinafter also referred to as recovery instructions) to the multiple indoor and outdoor units 11 and the central controller 10 to restore the communication frequency of control signals transmitted and received between the multiple indoor and outdoor units via the communication line L.

[0026] (Functional configuration of indoor and outdoor units) Figure 4 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the indoor and outdoor units according to the first embodiment. Next, the functions of the indoor and outdoor unit 11 will be explained with reference to Figure 4. As shown in Figure 4, the CPU 110 of the indoor / outdoor unit 11 functions as a control signal transmission / reception unit 1100, an instruction reception unit 1101, and a communication frequency changing unit 1102.

[0027] During operation, the control signal transmission / reception unit 1100 transmits and receives control signals to and from an external indoor / outdoor unit 11 or central controller 10 via the communication line L at a predetermined communication frequency. The instruction receiving unit 1101 receives the reduction instruction or recovery instruction from the update device 2 via the communication line L. The communication frequency changing unit 1102 changes the communication frequency of the control signal in response to a reduction instruction or a recovery instruction received from the update device 2 via the communication line L. Specifically, when the communication frequency changing unit 1102 receives a reduction instruction from the update device 2, it reduces the communication frequency of the control signal. When it receives a recovery instruction from the update device 2, it restores the communication frequency of the control signal to the communication frequency before the reduction.

[0028] (Processing flow for replacement equipment and indoor / outdoor units) Figure 5 shows the processing flow of the update device and indoor / outdoor unit according to the first embodiment. Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating the processing details of the renewal device and indoor / outdoor unit according to the first embodiment. The following will explain in detail the processing flow of the update device 2 and the indoor / outdoor unit 11, with reference to Figures 5 and 6.

[0029] First, referring to Figure 6, we will explain the communication frequency of control signals exchanged between the central controller 10 and each indoor / outdoor unit 11 during the stage before executing the processing flow shown in Figure 5 (under normal conditions). The upper part of Figure 6 shows that, under normal circumstances, the central controller 10 or each of the multiple indoor and outdoor units 11 (control signal transmission / reception units 1100) transmits control signals via the same communication line L using a time division multiplexing method at time intervals of t1. As shown in the upper part of Figure 6, under normal circumstances, the central controller 10 and each indoor and outdoor unit 11 continuously transmit control signals at time intervals of t1 (for example, 1 second). The lower part of Figure 6 shows that when the control program is updated, the central controller 10 or each of the indoor and outdoor units 11 (control signal transmission / reception units 1100) transmits control signals via the same communication line L using a time division multiplexing method at time intervals of t2. As shown in the lower part of Figure 6, when the control program is updated, the central controller 10 and each indoor and outdoor unit 11 continuously transmit control signals at time intervals t2 (e.g., 5 seconds) that are longer than time t1.

[0030] Here, refer to FIG. 5. The processing flow shown in FIG. 5 is executed when the updating device 2 starts the update process of the control program for the target indoor / outdoor unit 11 (the indoor unit 11c during operation suspension).

[0031] First, the reduction instruction unit 200 of the updating device 2 transmits a reduction instruction to the central controller 10 and all the indoor / outdoor units 11 via the communication line L (step S01). At this time, the central controller 10 and each indoor / outdoor unit 11 receive the reduction instruction (step S11). The central controller 10 and each indoor / outdoor unit 11 reduce the communication frequency of the control signal upon receiving the reduction instruction (step S12). As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, during the control program update of the indoor unit 11c, the communication frequency of the control signal transmitted via the communication line L is changed from time t1 to time t2 (t1 < t2 (for example, 5 seconds)). That is, during the control program update of the indoor unit 11c, the communication frequency of the control signal transmitted via the communication line L is reduced.

[0032] Next, the update processing unit 201 of the updating device 2 executes a program update process for the indoor unit 11c via the communication line L (step S02). Thereby, the control program of the indoor unit 11c is updated.

[0033] When the program update process for the indoor unit 11c is completed, next, the recovery instruction unit 202 of the updating device 2 transmits a recovery instruction to the central controller 10 and all the indoor / outdoor units 11 via the communication line L (step S03). At this time, the central controller 10 and each indoor / outdoor unit 11 receive the recovery instruction (step S13). The central controller 10 and each indoor / outdoor unit 11 restore the communication frequency of the control signal to the original state (the state before reduction) upon receiving the recovery instruction (step S14).

[0034] (Function and effect) According to the update system 9 described above, when updating the control program for one indoor / outdoor unit 11 that is currently idle, the communication frequency of control signals exchanged between the other operating indoor / outdoor units 11 and the central controller 10 is reduced. As a result, as shown in Figure 6, the time allocated to the exchange of control signals on the communication line L decreases, and the time allocated to the communication required for the control program update process increases accordingly. In other words, the time required for the control program update process, which is performed via the same communication line L, can be shortened by reducing the traffic of control signals on the communication line L. On the other hand, if no control signals are exchanged between the indoor / outdoor unit 11 and the central controller 10 during the control program update process, the controllability of the indoor / outdoor unit 11 during operation will be impaired. However, according to this embodiment, although the frequency of control signal communication is reduced, control signal exchange is maintained at a certain communication frequency, so that the impairment of controllability of the indoor / outdoor unit 11 during operation can be suppressed during the control program update process.

[0035] As described above, according to the update system 9 of the first embodiment, the update time for the control program of the indoor / outdoor unit 11 can be shortened.

[0036] (modified version) Although the update system 9 according to the first embodiment was described as reducing the communication frequency of all control signals exchanged via the communication line L, other embodiments are not limited to this configuration. For example, in another embodiment, certain control signals among the multiple control signals exchanged via the communication line L may be exchanged at the normal communication frequency even while the control program is being updated. Specifically, in the update system 9 according to the other embodiment, while the control program update process is being performed, the communication frequency of abnormal detection signals indicating malfunctions requiring prompt action (protective operation) may be maintained at the normal frequency, while the communication frequency of other control signals may be reduced. In other words, even if the communication frequency changing unit 1102 according to the other embodiment receives a reduction instruction from the update device 2, it may not reduce the communication frequency of abnormal detection signals (control signals indicating the presence or absence of abnormalities) among the control signals transmitted by the control signal transmitting / receiving unit 1100.

[0037] Furthermore, although the update device 2 according to the first embodiment was described as transmitting reduction and recovery instructions to the central controller 10, other embodiments are not limited to this configuration. In other words, the update device 2 according to another embodiment may be configured to transmit reduction instructions and recovery instructions only to the indoor and outdoor units 11 connected to the communication line L.

[0038] In the above-described embodiment, the various processing steps of the update device 2 and the indoor / outdoor unit 11 are stored in program form on a computer-readable recording medium, and the various processing steps are performed by reading and executing this program on a computer. The computer-readable recording medium refers to magnetic disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, semiconductor memory, etc. Alternatively, this computer program may be distributed to a computer via a communication line, and the computer that receives the program may execute it.

[0039] The above program may be intended to implement some of the functions described above. Furthermore, it may be a so-called differential file (differential program) that can implement the above functions in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system.

[0040] As described above, several embodiments relating to this disclosure have been explained, but all of these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be carried out in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims and their equivalents.

[0041] <Note> The update device 2, indoor / outdoor unit 11, update system 9, update method, and program described in each embodiment can be understood, for example, as follows:

[0042] (1) The update device 2 according to the first embodiment is a device connected to a communication line L that connects a plurality of indoor and outdoor units 11, and comprises a reduction instruction unit 200 that transmits instructions to the plurality of indoor and outdoor units 11 to reduce the communication frequency of control signals transmitted and received between the plurality of indoor and outdoor units 11 via the communication line L, an update processing unit 201 that performs program update processing on the target indoor and outdoor unit 11, and a recovery instruction unit 202 that transmits instructions to the plurality of indoor and outdoor units 11 to restore the communication frequency of the control signals.

[0043] (2) The update device 2 according to the second embodiment is the update device 2 of (1), wherein the reduction instruction unit 200 further transmits an instruction to the central controller 10 connected to the communication line L to reduce the communication frequency.

[0044] (3) The update device 2 according to the third embodiment is the update device 2 of (1) or (2), wherein the recovery instruction unit 202 further transmits an instruction to the central controller 10 connected to the communication line L to restore the communication frequency.

[0045] (4) The indoor / outdoor unit 11 according to the fourth embodiment includes a control signal transmission / reception unit 1100 that transmits and receives control signals at a predetermined communication frequency with an external indoor / outdoor unit 11 or central controller 10 via a communication line L, and a communication frequency changing unit 1102 that reduces the communication frequency of the control signals when it receives an instruction to reduce the communication frequency of the control signals via the communication line L, and restores the communication frequency of the control signals when it receives an instruction to restore the communication frequency of the control signals via the communication line.

[0046] (5) The indoor / outdoor unit 11 according to the fifth embodiment is the indoor / outdoor unit 11 of (4), wherein even when the communication frequency changing unit 1102 receives an instruction to reduce the communication frequency of the control signal, it does not reduce the communication frequency of the abnormality detection signal, which is a control signal indicating the presence or absence of an abnormality among the control signals.

[0047] (6) The update system 9 according to the sixth embodiment comprises one of the update devices 2 from (1) to (3) and an indoor or outdoor unit 11 from (4) or (5).

[0048] (7) The update method according to the seventh embodiment is an update method for updating a program using an update device 2 connected to a communication line L that connects a plurality of indoor and outdoor units 11, comprising the steps of: sending instructions to the plurality of indoor and outdoor units 11 to reduce the communication frequency of control signals transmitted and received between the plurality of indoor and outdoor units 11 via the communication line L; performing a program update process on the target indoor and outdoor unit 11; and sending instructions to the plurality of indoor and outdoor units 11 to restore the communication frequency of the control signals.

[0049] (8) The program according to the eighth aspect causes the update device 2 connected to the communication line L connecting the multiple indoor and outdoor units 11 to perform the following steps: send an instruction to the multiple indoor and outdoor units 11 to reduce the communication frequency of control signals transmitted and received between the multiple indoor and outdoor units 11 via the communication line L; perform a program update process on the target indoor and outdoor unit 11; and send an instruction to the multiple indoor and outdoor units 11 to restore the communication frequency of the control signals. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1. Air conditioning system 10. Centralized controller 11 Indoor / outdoor unit 11a, 11b outdoor unit 11c, 11d, 11e indoor unit 110 CPU 1100 Control signal transmission / reception unit 1101 Instruction receiving unit 1102 Communication frequency change unit 2 Update device 20 CPU 200 Reduction indicator 201 Update Processing Unit 202 Recovery instruction section 21 memory 22 Output means 23 Input means 24 Communication Interfaces 25 Recording media 9 Update system

Claims

1. A device connected to a communication line connecting multiple indoor and outdoor units, a reduction instruction unit that transmits to a plurality of indoor and outdoor units an instruction to reduce the communication frequency of control signals transmitted and received between the plurality of indoor and outdoor units via the communication line; an update processing unit that performs program update processing on the target indoor and outdoor units; a recovery instruction unit that transmits an instruction to the indoor and outdoor units to recover the communication frequency of the control signal; An update device comprising:

2. The reduction instruction unit further transmits an instruction to reduce the communication frequency to a central controller connected to the communication line. The update device according to claim 1 .

3. The recovery instruction unit further transmits an instruction to a central controller connected to the communication line to recover the communication frequency.

3. The update device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. a control signal transmitting / receiving unit that transmits and receives control signals at a predetermined communication frequency between the indoor / outdoor unit and the central controller via a communication line; reducing the communication frequency of the control signal when an instruction to reduce the communication frequency of the control signal is received via the communication line; and a communication frequency change unit that restores the communication frequency of the control signal when an instruction to restore the communication frequency of the control signal is received via the communication line; An indoor / outdoor unit equipped with:

5. The communication frequency change unit Even when an instruction to reduce the communication frequency of the control signals is received, the communication frequency of the abnormality detection signal, which is a control signal indicating the presence or absence of an abnormality, is not reduced. The indoor / outdoor unit according to claim 4.

6. An update device according to any one of claims 1 to 3; The indoor / outdoor unit according to claim 4 or claim 5; An update system comprising:

7. An update method for updating a program using an update device connected to a communication line connecting multiple indoor and outdoor units, transmitting an instruction to a plurality of indoor and outdoor units to reduce the communication frequency of control signals transmitted and received between the plurality of indoor and outdoor units via the communication line; performing a program update process on the target indoor and outdoor units; transmitting an instruction to restore the communication frequency of the control signal to the plurality of indoor and outdoor units; An update method having:

8. An update device connected to a communication line connecting multiple indoor and outdoor units, transmitting an instruction to a plurality of indoor and outdoor units to reduce the communication frequency of control signals transmitted and received between the plurality of indoor and outdoor units via the communication line; performing a program update process on the target indoor and outdoor units; transmitting an instruction to restore the communication frequency of the control signal to the plurality of indoor and outdoor units; A program that executes the following.

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