Signal conversion device and control method

Abstract

To provide a signal conversion device capable of improving safety when apparatuses installed within a facility are controlled from the outside of the facility.SOLUTION: A JEM-A conversion adapter 50 (signal conversion device) includes a first communication unit 51 that transmits a control signal to a controlled apparatus via wired communication, a second communication unit 52 that receives a first control command for controlling the controlled apparatus from outside a facility 90 via a server 30 installed outside the facility 90, and a control device 40 (EMS controller), and a control unit 53 that, after the first control command is received, performs regular communication with the server 30 via the control device 40 using the second communication unit 52, and, if the regular communication is disrupted, causes the first communication unit 51 to transmit a predetermined control signal to the controlled apparatus.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a signal conversion device and a control method. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, a technology has been proposed for remotely controlling devices installed in a home from outside the home using a home gateway such as a HEMS (Home Energy Management System) controller. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a management device that controls the operation of home appliances in the home by transmitting a control request sent from an operation terminal located outside the home network system (outside the home) to the home appliances. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-176235 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present invention provides a signal conversion device and the like that can improve safety when controlling equipment installed inside a facility from outside the facility. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A signal conversion device according to one embodiment of the present invention is a signal conversion device interposed between an EMS (Energy Management System) controller and a controlled device, wherein the EMS controller and the controlled device are installed in the same facility, and the signal conversion device includes a first communication unit that transmits a control signal to the controlled device via wired communication, a second communication unit that receives a first control command for controlling the controlled device from outside the facility via a computer installed outside the facility and the EMS controller, and a control unit that, after the first control command is received, performs periodic communication with the computer via the EMS controller using the second communication unit, and, if the periodic communication is interrupted, causes the first communication unit to transmit a predetermined control signal to the controlled device.

[0006] A control method according to one embodiment of the present invention is a control method executed by a signal conversion device interposed between an EMS controller and a controlled device, wherein the EMS controller and the controlled device are installed within the same facility, and the control method includes a receiving step of receiving a first control command for controlling the controlled device from outside the facility via a computer installed outside the facility and the EMS controller, a communication step of performing periodic communication with the computer via the EMS controller after the first control command is received, and a transmitting step of transmitting a predetermined control signal to the controlled device when the periodic communication is interrupted.

[0007] A program according to one aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute the control method. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The signal conversion device and the like of the present invention can improve safety when controlling equipment installed inside a facility from outside the facility. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a control system according to a comparative example. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a control system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the control system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a control system according to a modification of the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a control system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the control system according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are all comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, component placement and connection forms, steps, and step order shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. Furthermore, among the components in the following embodiments, components not recited in independent claims will be described as optional components.

[0011] It should be noted that the drawings are schematic diagrams and are not necessarily strict illustrations. In addition, in the drawings, substantially the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions may be omitted or simplified.

[0012] (Embodiment 1) [Schematic configuration] First, the schematic configuration of the control system according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the configuration of a control system according to a comparative example. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the control system according to the comparative example. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the control system according to the first embodiment.

[0013] First, a control system 10c according to a comparative example will be described, which is shown in Fig. 1. The control system 10c according to the comparative example is a system for controlling air conditioning equipment 60 from outside a facility 90. The facility 90 is a residence such as a detached house or an apartment building, but may also be a facility other than a residence.

[0014] The control system 10c includes a mobile terminal 20, a server 30, a control device 40, and air conditioning equipment 60. The mobile terminal 20 is located outside a facility 90, the server 30 is installed outside the facility 90, and the control device 40 and air conditioning equipment 60 are installed inside the facility 90. In this specification, controlling a controlled device (e.g., air conditioning equipment 60) from inside the facility 90 is referred to as in-home control, and controlling a controlled device from outside the facility 90 is referred to as out-of-home control.

[0015] In the control system 10c, when a user wishes to operate the air conditioning equipment 60 from within the facility 90, the user operates a user interface provided in the control device 40. As a result, as shown in FIG. 1(a), a control command is sent from the control device 40 to the air conditioning equipment 60. Upon receiving the control command, the air conditioning equipment 60 begins operation. In this specification, a control command that instructs such in-home control is also referred to as an in-home control command or a second control command.

[0016] In the control system 10c, when a user wishes to operate an air conditioning device 60 from outside the facility 90, the user performs a predetermined operation on the mobile terminal 20. As a result, as shown in FIG. 1(b), a control command is sent from the mobile terminal 20 to the control device 40 via the server 30. In this case, the control device 40 sends a control command including information indicating that the control is for outside home control to the air conditioning device 60. Upon receiving the control command, the air conditioning device 60 sets an outside home control flag to ON based on the information indicating that the control is for outside home control included in the received control command, and begins operation. In this specification, a control command that instructs such outside home control is also referred to as an outside home control command or a first control command.

[0017] 1(c), the air conditioning equipment 60 performs a predetermined process for outdoor control. For example, the air conditioning equipment 60 starts periodic communication with the server 30 via the control device 40. Specifically, the air conditioning equipment 60 periodically transmits a confirmation command and determines whether or not a response to the transmitted confirmation command is received from the server 30.

[0018] Each time the air conditioning equipment 60 receives a response from the server 30, it extends the operation end time of the air conditioning equipment 60 by a certain amount. On the other hand, if the air conditioning equipment 60 does not receive a response from the server 30, it does not extend the operation end time and stops operation at the operation end time. This prevents the air conditioning equipment 60 from continuing to operate when communication with the server 30 is cut off (which would make it impossible to stop the air conditioning equipment 60 by operating the mobile terminal 20), improving safety in outside control.

[0019] In the control system 10c, communication between the air conditioning equipment 60 and the control device 40 complies with ECHONET Lite (registered trademark). This allows the control device 40 to include information indicating whether the control command it sends to the air conditioning equipment 60 is an outside-home control command. This information allows the air conditioning equipment 60 to determine whether the received control command is an outside-home control command or an inside-home control command. In other words, the air conditioning equipment 60 can determine whether predetermined processing (periodic communication with the server 30) is necessary during outside-home control.

[0020] On the other hand, a system such as that shown in Fig. 2 may be adopted depending on the specifications of the controlled device (in this case, air conditioning equipment 60) or the user's request. The control system 10 according to the first embodiment shown in Fig. 2 is also a system for controlling air conditioning equipment 60 from outside a facility 90. The facility 90 is a residence such as a detached house or an apartment building, but may also be a facility other than a residence.

[0021] The control system 10 includes a mobile terminal 20, a server 30, a control device 40, and air conditioning equipment 60, as well as a JEM-A conversion adapter 50. The JEM-A conversion adapter 50 is installed in a facility 90 and is located between the control device 40 and the air conditioning equipment 60. The JEM-A conversion adapter 50 converts a control command compliant with ECHONET Lite (registered trademark) received from the control device 40 into a control signal compliant with JEM-A (specifically, JEM-A1427) and transmits the control signal to the air conditioning equipment 60. JEM-A is a communication standard for wired communication established by JEMA (Japan Electrical Manufacturers' Association).

[0022] In JEM-A, only two types of signals are transmitted: a control signal for turning the controlled device (in this case, air conditioner 60) on or off, and a monitor signal for monitoring the status of the controlled device; no signal indicating whether the controlled device is being controlled from outside the home is transmitted. Therefore, air conditioner 60 cannot distinguish whether the control signal received from JEM-A conversion adapter 50 is based on an outside-home control command or a control command instructing inside-home control. Therefore, there is room for improvement in how to implement the predetermined processing during the above-mentioned outside-home control.

[0023] Therefore, in the control system 10, the JEM-A conversion adapter 50 determines whether the control command received from the control device 40 is an outside-home control command. In this way, the JEM-A conversion adapter 50 has the function of determining whether the control command is an outside-home control command, so that the control system 10 can also realize predetermined processing during outside-home control similar to that of the control system 10c. Note that a system configuration including the JEM-A conversion adapter 50, such as the control system 10, has the advantage that, in cases where the air conditioning equipment 60 is JEM-A compatible but cannot communicate with the control device 40, such air conditioning equipment 60 can be controlled outside the home.

[0024] [Specific configuration] The specific configuration of each device included in the control system 10 will be described in detail below, continuing to refer to Fig. 2. As described above, the control system 10 includes the mobile terminal 20, the server 30, the control device 40, the JEM-A conversion adapter 50, and the air conditioning equipment 60.

[0025] The mobile terminal 20 is a portable information terminal that functions as a user interface in the control system 10, and is specifically a smartphone or tablet terminal. For example, a user operates the mobile terminal 20 when wanting to control the air conditioning equipment 60 from outside the facility 90. An application program for outside control is pre-installed on the mobile terminal 20. The mobile terminal 20 communicates with the server 30 using a mobile communication network and a wide area communication network including the Internet.

[0026] The server 30 is a cloud server used when a user remotely controls the air conditioning equipment 60 from outside the facility 90. The server 30 is an example of a computer installed outside the facility 90. The server 30 is operated and managed by, for example, a manufacturer and distributor of the control device 40.

[0027] The control device 40 is, for example, an EMS (Energy Management System) having an energy management function. The control device 40 is an Energy Management System (EMS) controller. The control device 40 is installed in the facility 90 and manages the power consumption of the equipment (such as the air conditioning equipment 60) installed in the facility 90 (or within the premises of the facility 90). The control device 40 also controls the equipment and acquires the status of the equipment. The control device 40 is not limited to an EMS controller, and may be another controller that does not have an energy management function, or a gateway device.

[0028] The control device 40 communicates with the server 30 using a wide area communication network such as the Internet, and communicates with the JEM-A conversion adapter 50 using a local communication network within the facility 90 .

[0029] The JEM-A conversion adapter 50 receives control commands from the control device 40 via communication based on ECHONET Lite (registered trademark), and transmits control signals via wired communication based on JEM-A. In other words, the JEM-A conversion adapter 50 converts control commands based on ECHONET Lite (registered trademark) into control signals based on JEM-A. The JEM-A conversion adapter 50 includes a first communication unit 51, a second communication unit 52, a control unit 53, and a storage unit 54. The JEM-A conversion adapter 50 houses these components in a housing provided for the JEM-A conversion adapter 50.

[0030] The first communication unit 51 is a communication circuit (communication module) that enables the JEM-A conversion adapter 50 to communicate with the air conditioning equipment 60. The first communication unit 51 is, for example, a wired communication circuit that performs wired communication using a local communication network. The communication between the first communication unit 51 and the air conditioning equipment 60 complies with, for example, JEM-A, but may also comply with other communication standards (communication protocols).

[0031] The second communication unit 52 is a communication circuit (communication module) that enables the JEM-A conversion adapter 50 to communicate with the control device 40. The second communication unit 52 is, for example, a wireless communication circuit that performs wireless communication using a local communication network within the facility 90. The communication between the second communication unit 52 and the control device 40 complies with, for example, ECHONET Lite (registered trademark), but may also comply with other communication standards (communication protocols).

[0032] The control unit 53 processes information related to the operation of the control device 40. The control unit 53 is realized by, for example, a microcomputer, but may also be realized by a processor or a dedicated circuit.

[0033] The storage unit 54 is a storage device that stores the control program executed by the control unit 53. The storage unit 54 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory.

[0034] The air conditioning equipment 60 is an example of a controlled device in the control system 10, and is installed in the facility 90. The air conditioning equipment 60 is, for example, an air conditioning equipment for general household use, and is an air conditioning equipment that can adjust the temperature of the air blown out from the air conditioning equipment 60 by having a heat exchanger (not shown) or the like. In other words, the air conditioning equipment 60 has a temperature adjustment function (air blowing function and heating / cooling function). The air conditioning equipment 60 is not limited to an air conditioning equipment for general household use, and may also be an air conditioning equipment for industrial use. The air conditioning equipment 60 has a JEMA standard HA (Home Automation) terminal-A (also called an HA terminal, JEM-A terminal, etc.), and this terminal is connected to the JEM-A conversion adapter 50 by wire.

[0035] The controlled device is not limited to the air conditioning device 60. Other controlled devices include lighting devices, electric locks, and electric shutters.

[0036] [Example of operation] Next, a description will be given of an example of the operation of the control system 10. FIG.

[0037] First, the second communication unit 52 of the JEM-A conversion adapter 50 receives a control command from the control device 40 (S11). In this case, the control command is either an outside-home control command for controlling the air conditioning equipment 60 from outside the facility 90, or an inside-home control command for controlling the air conditioning equipment 60 from inside the facility 90.

[0038] 2(a), the outside-home control command is transmitted by a user's operation on the mobile terminal 20, and is received by the second communication unit 52 via the mobile terminal 20, the server 30 (computer) installed outside the facility 90, and the control device 40. As shown in FIG. 2(b), the inside-home control command is transmitted from the control device 40 by a user's operation on a user interface provided in the control device 40, and is received by the second communication unit 52.

[0039] The control command transmitted from the control device 40 to the JEM-A conversion adapter 50 is in a format that complies with ECHONET Lite (registered trademark). The control device 40 includes (adds) to the control command information indicating whether the control command is a remote control command.

[0040] Next, the control unit 53 determines whether or not the control command received in step S11 is a remote control command (S12). Specifically, the control unit 53 determines whether or not the control command includes information (such as a flag) indicating whether or not the control command is a remote control command.

[0041] When the control unit 53 determines in step S11 that the control command received is an in-home control command (in other words, not an out-of-home control command) (No in S12), it causes the first communication unit 51 to transmit a first control signal to the air conditioning equipment 60 to operate (turn on) the air conditioning equipment 60 based on the received in-home control command (S13). As a result, the air conditioning equipment 60 that is currently stopped starts operating.

[0042] When the control unit 53 determines in step S11 that the control command received is an outside control command (Yes in S12), it causes the first communication unit 51 to transmit a first control signal to the air conditioning device 60 to operate (turn on) the air conditioning device 60 based on the received outside control command (S14). As a result, the air conditioning device 60 that is currently stopped starts operating.

[0043] The control unit 53 uses the second communication unit 52 to send a confirmation command to the server 30 to confirm whether communication with the server 30 is maintained (S15), and determines whether a response to the sent confirmation command is received from the server 30 (S16).

[0044] When the control unit 53 determines that a response has been received from the server 30 (Yes in S16), it extends the operation end time of the air conditioning equipment 60 for a certain period of time (S17), and after the predetermined period has elapsed, it transmits the confirmation command (S15) and makes the determination (S16) again. In other words, the confirmation command is transmitted periodically while a response is received from the server 30, and the air conditioning equipment 60 remains in operation during this period.

[0045] On the other hand, if the control unit 53 determines that no response has been received from the server 30 (No in S16), it does not extend the operation end time, and causes the first communication unit 51 to send a second control signal (an example of a predetermined control signal) to the air conditioning equipment 60 to stop the operation when the operation end time arrives (S18). As a result, the air conditioning equipment 60 that is currently operating stops.

[0046] In this way, after receiving the outside-home control command, the control unit 53 performs periodic communication with the server 30 using the second communication unit 52, and if the periodic communication is interrupted, causes the first communication unit 51 to send a second control signal to stop the operation of the air conditioning equipment 60. This enables the control system 10 to prevent the air conditioning equipment 60 from continuing to operate when communication with the server 30 is interrupted (which would make it impossible to stop the air conditioning equipment 60 by operating the mobile terminal 20), thereby improving safety in outside-home control.

[0047] [Variations] The control system 10 may further include an intercom device. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of a control system according to a modified example.

[0048] The control system 10a according to the modified example includes a mobile terminal 20, a server 30, a control device 40, a JEM-A conversion adapter 50, an air conditioning device 60, and an intercom device .

[0049] The intercom device 70 is a master device in the intercom system, and together with a slave device (specifically, a door phone installed at the entrance), the intercom system is configured. If the facility 90 is an apartment building, the intercom device 70 is installed in a private area. The intercom device 70 communicates with the server 30 using a wide area communication network such as the Internet, and with the control device 40 using a local communication network within the facility 90.

[0050] Such a control system 10a also operates in the same manner as the control system 10. As a result, the control system 10a can prevent the air conditioning equipment 60 from continuing to operate (the air conditioning equipment 60 cannot be stopped by operating the mobile terminal 20) when communication with the server 30 is interrupted, thereby improving safety in outdoor control.

[0051] (Embodiment 2) [composition] The following describes the configuration of the control system according to embodiment 2. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of such a control system according to embodiment 2.

[0052] 5, the control system 10b includes a mobile terminal 20, a server 30, an intercom device 70, and an electric lock 80. The mobile terminal 20 and the server 30 have the same configuration as in the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0053] The intercom device 70 includes a first communication unit 71, a second communication unit 72, a control unit 73, and a storage unit 74.

[0054] The first communication unit 71 is a communication circuit (communication module) that enables the intercom device 70 to communicate with the electric lock 80. The first communication unit 71 is, for example, a wired communication circuit that performs wired communication using a local communication network. The communication between the first communication unit 71 and the electric lock 80 complies with, for example, JEM-A, but may also comply with other communication standards (communication protocols).

[0055] The second communication unit 72 is a communication circuit (communication module) that enables the intercom device 70 to communicate with the server 30. The second communication unit 72 is a communication circuit that performs communication using a wide area communication network such as the Internet, for example.

[0056] The control unit 73 processes information related to the operation of the intercom device 70. The control unit 73 is realized by, for example, a microcomputer, but may also be realized by a processor or a dedicated circuit.

[0057] The storage unit 74 is a storage device that stores the control program executed by the control unit 73. The storage unit 74 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory.

[0058] The electric lock 80 is a security device that controls the locking and unlocking of doors (or windows, etc.) in the facility 90. The electric lock 80 is equipped with, for example, an RFID reader that acquires key information from a card key or the like. The electric lock 80 may also be equipped with a biometric sensor that acquires biometric information such as a fingerprint as key information.

[0059] The intercom device 70 and the electric lock 80 each have a JEMA standard HA terminal, and the JEMA standard HA terminals are connected to each other by wire.

[0060] [Example of operation] A user of the control system 10b can not only directly lock or unlock the electric lock 80 using a card key or biometric information, but can also lock or unlock the electric lock 80 from outside the facility 90 by operating the mobile terminal 20. Here, if after locking or unlocking the electric lock 80 from outside the facility 90, it becomes impossible to lock the electric lock from the mobile terminal 20 due to a communication error or the like, the electric lock 80 will remain unlocked, which poses a security problem.

[0061] An example of the operation of the control system 10b that can improve safety (crime prevention) will now be described. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the control system 10b.

[0062] First, the second communication unit 72 of the intercom device 70 receives an outside-home control command from the server 30 (S21). In this case, the outside-home control command is a control command for unlocking the electric lock 80 from outside the facility 90. The outside-home control command is transmitted based on a user's operation on the mobile terminal 20, and is received by the second communication unit 72 from the mobile terminal 20 via the server 30 (computer) installed outside the facility 90.

[0063] Next, the control unit 73 causes the first communication unit 71 to transmit a first control signal for unlocking the electric lock 80 to the electric lock 80 based on the received outside control command (S22). As a result, the electric lock 80 that is currently locked is unlocked.

[0064] Thereafter, the control unit 73 uses the second communication unit 52 to send a confirmation command to the server 30 to confirm whether communication with the server 30 is maintained (S23), and determines whether a response to the sent confirmation command is received from the server 30 (S24).

[0065] When the control unit 73 determines that a response has been received from the server 30 (Yes in S24), it transmits the confirmation command (S23) and makes the determination (S24) again after a predetermined period of time has elapsed. In other words, as long as a response is received from the server 30, the electric lock 80 remains unlocked.

[0066] On the other hand, if the control unit 73 determines that no response has been received from the server 30 (No in S24), it causes the first communication unit 71 to send a second control signal (an example of a predetermined control signal) to the electric lock 80 to lock the electric lock 80 (S25). As a result, the electric lock 80 is locked.

[0067] In this way, after receiving the out-of-home control command, the control unit 73 performs periodic communication with the server 30 using the second communication unit 72, and if the periodic communication is interrupted, causes the first communication unit 71 to transmit a second control signal to the electric lock 80 as a predetermined control signal for unlocking the electric lock 80. This enables the control system 10b to prevent the electric lock 80 from remaining unlocked when communication with the server 30 is interrupted, improving safety in out-of-home control.

[0068] (Effects, etc.) As described above, the control system 10 includes a first communication unit 51 that transmits a control signal via wired communication to a controlled device installed within the facility 90, a second communication unit 52 that receives a first control command for controlling the controlled device from outside the facility 90 via a server 30 installed outside the facility 90, and a control unit 53 that, after receiving the first control command, performs periodic communication with the server 30 using the second communication unit 52 and, if the periodic communication is interrupted, causes the first communication unit 51 to transmit a predetermined control signal to the controlled device. The server 30 is an example of a computer. In other words, the first control command is a remote control command.

[0069] Such a control system 10 can improve safety when communication with the server 30 is interrupted during out-of-home control by transmitting a predetermined control signal that causes the controlled device to enter a safe operating state.

[0070] Furthermore, for example, after receiving a first control command, the control unit 53 causes the first communication unit 51 to transmit a first control signal to the controlled device to start operation of the controlled device based on the received first control command, performs regular communication after the first control signal is transmitted, and when the regular communication is interrupted, causes the first communication unit 51 to transmit a second control signal as a predetermined control signal to stop operation of the controlled device.

[0071] Such a control system 10 can improve safety by stopping the controlled device when communication with the server 30 is interrupted during out-of-home control.

[0072] Furthermore, for example, the controlled equipment is an air conditioning equipment 60.

[0073] Such a control system 10 can improve safety by stopping the air conditioner 60 when communication with the server 30 is interrupted during outside control.

[0074] Also, for example, in the control system 10b, the controlled device is the electric lock 80. After receiving a first control command, the control unit 73 causes the first communication unit 71 to transmit a first control signal to the electric lock 80 for unlocking the electric lock 80 based on the received first control command, performs periodic communication after the first control signal is transmitted, and, if the periodic communication is interrupted, causes the first communication unit 71 to transmit a second control signal as a predetermined control signal for locking the electric lock 80.

[0075] Such a control system 10b can improve safety by stopping the electric lock 80 when communication with the server 30 is interrupted during out-of-home control.

[0076] Also, for example, the first communication unit 51 transmits a control signal via wired communication based on a first communication standard, and the second communication unit 52 receives a first control command via communication based on a second communication standard different from the first communication standard.

[0077] Such a control system 10 can convert a first control command based on the second communication standard into a control signal based on the first communication standard.

[0078] For example, the first communication standard is JEM-A, and the second communication standard is ECHONET. Lite (registered trademark).

[0079] Such a control system 10 can convert a first control command based on ECHONET Lite (registered trademark) into a control signal based on JEM-A.

[0080] Furthermore, for example, the second communication unit 52 receives control commands via the server 30 and an EMS controller (control device 40) installed within the facility 90. The control unit 53 determines whether the control command received by the second communication unit 52 is a first control command or a second control command for controlling the controlled device from within the facility 90, and if it determines that the control command is a first control command, performs periodic communication with a computer via the EMS controller using the second communication unit 52. In other words, the second control command is an in-home control command.

[0081] Such a control system 10 can determine whether a control command is an outside-home control command or an inside-home control command.

[0082] In addition, the control method executed by a computer such as the control system 10 includes a receiving step S11 of receiving a first control command via a server 30 installed outside the facility 90 to control a controlled device installed within the facility 90 from outside the facility 90, a communicating step S15 of performing regular communication with the server 30 after the first control command is received, and a transmitting step S18 of transmitting a predetermined control signal to the controlled device when the regular communication is interrupted.

[0083] Such a control method can improve safety when communication with the server 30 is interrupted during out-of-home control by transmitting a predetermined control signal that puts the controlled device into a safe operating state.

[0084] (Other embodiments) Although the embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

[0085] For example, in the above embodiment, the first communication unit, the second communication unit, and the control unit were provided by a JEM-A conversion adapter or an intercom device, but these components (substantially identical elements) may be provided by other devices included in the control system.

[0086] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the control system is realized by a plurality of devices, but it may also be realized as a single device. For example, the control system may be realized as a single device corresponding to the JEM-A conversion adapter, or as a single device corresponding to the intercom device of embodiment 2. When the control system is realized by a plurality of devices, the components of the control system may be distributed among the plurality of devices in any manner.

[0087] For example, the communication method between the devices in the above-described embodiments is not particularly limited. Furthermore, a relay device (such as a broadband router) (not shown) may be involved in the communication between the devices.

[0088] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiments, the processing performed by a specific processing unit may be performed by another processing unit. Also, the order of multiple processing may be changed, or multiple processing may be performed in parallel. Furthermore, the above-mentioned first and second embodiments may be combined in any manner.

[0089] In the above-described embodiments, each component may be realized by executing a software program suitable for that component, or by a program execution unit such as a CPU or processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or semiconductor memory.

[0090] Furthermore, each component may be realized by hardware. For example, each component may be a circuit (or integrated circuit). These circuits may form a single circuit as a whole, or each may be a separate circuit. Furthermore, each of these circuits may be a general-purpose circuit or a dedicated circuit.

[0091] Furthermore, the general or specific aspects of the present invention may be realized as a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, or as any combination of a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium.

[0092] For example, the present invention may be realized as a control method executed by a computer such as a control system, or as a program for causing a computer to execute such a control method, or as a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium on which such a program is recorded.

[0093] In addition, the present invention also includes forms obtained by applying various modifications to each embodiment that a person skilled in the art would think of, or forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of each embodiment within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0094] 10, 10a, 10b Control System 30 Servers (computers) 40 Control device (EMS controller) 51, 71 First Communications Department 52, 72 Second Communications Department 53, 73 Control section 60 Air conditioning equipment 80 Electric Lock 90 facilities

Claims

1. A signal conversion device interposed between an EMS (Energy Management System) controller and a controlled device, the EMS controller and the controlled device are installed in the same facility; The signal conversion device a first communication unit that transmits a control signal to the controlled device by wired communication; a second communication unit that receives a first control command for controlling the controlled device from outside the facility via a computer installed outside the facility and the EMS controller; a control unit that, after receiving the first control command, performs periodic communication with the computer via the EMS controller using the second communication unit, and, when the periodic communication is interrupted, causes the first communication unit to transmit a predetermined control signal to the controlled device. Signal conversion device.

2. The control unit after the first control command is received, causing the first communication unit to transmit a first control signal to the controlled device to start an operation of the controlled device based on the received first control command; The periodic communication is performed after the first control signal is transmitted, and when the periodic communication is interrupted, the first communication unit transmits a second control signal for stopping the operation of the controlled device as the predetermined control signal.

2. The signal conversion device according to claim 1.

3. The controlled device is an air conditioning device.

3. The signal conversion device according to claim 2.

4. the controlled device is an electric lock, The control unit After the first control command is received, the previous control command is executed based on the received first control command. causing the first communication unit to transmit a first control signal for unlocking the electric lock to the electric lock; The periodic communication is performed after the first control signal is transmitted, and when the periodic communication is interrupted, the first communication unit transmits a second control signal for locking the electric lock as the predetermined control signal.

2. The signal conversion device according to claim 1.

5. the first communication unit transmits a control signal through the wired communication based on a first communication standard; The second communication unit receives the first control command through communication based on a second communication standard different from the first communication standard. The signal conversion device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. the first communication standard is JEM-A, The second communication standard is ECHONET Lite (registered trademark).

6. The signal conversion device according to claim 5.

7. The control unit determining whether the control command received by the second communication unit is the first control command or a second control command for controlling the controlled device from within the facility; When it is determined that the command is the first control command, the second communication unit performs the periodic communication with the computer via the EMS controller. The signal conversion device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The controlled device does not have a function to communicate with the EMS controller. The signal conversion device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A control method executed by a signal conversion device interposed between an EMS controller and a controlled device, the EMS controller and the controlled device are installed in the same facility; The control method includes: a receiving step of receiving a first control command for controlling the controlled device from outside the facility via a computer installed outside the facility and the EMS controller; a communication step of periodically communicating with the computer via the EMS controller after the first control command is received; a transmitting step of transmitting a predetermined control signal to the controlled device when the periodic communication is interrupted. Control method.

10. A program for causing a computer to execute the control method according to claim 9.

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