Association support method and association support device

Abstract

This reduces the amount of work required to associate facility entities with equipment data models. [Solution] The association support method includes 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, a plurality of equipment entities E3 are acquired, each of which associates the name of a device 10 with area information about the area where the device 10 is installed and tag information that defines the device's characteristics. In the second step, a plurality of equipment data models are acquired, each of which defines data points and attribute information for each model number of the device 10. In the third step, an association rule is acquired that associates area information or tag information with attribute information. In the fourth step, a selection of an equipment entity E3 is accepted, and in the fifth step, the area information or tag information is identified. In the sixth step, the attribute information is identified based on the association rule. In the seventh step, an equipment data model having the identified attribute information is identified from the plurality of equipment data models.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an association support method and an association support device that support association between facility entities and equipment data models. [Background technology]

[0002] Management systems are sometimes used to manage properties where multiple devices are installed. Generally, the data required to build such management systems is generated by associating property information about the property and the installed devices with device information about the devices and data points. However, property information and device information are in different categories of information, and often no unique identifier exists.

[0003] Patent document 1 (Patent Publication No. 5982805) describes a building management system that assigns individual identifiers to each piece of equipment in BIM data and BEMS data, making it clear that the equipment is the same in both BIM data and BEMS data. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Property information and device information are often managed independently on separate servers, making it difficult to assign individual identifiers to each piece of equipment. As a result, associating property information with device information requires a significant amount of work. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The association support method according to a first aspect is a method for supporting association between equipment entities and equipment data models. The association support method includes 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, a plurality of equipment entities are acquired, each of which associates a name of equipment with area information about an area where the equipment is installed and tag information that defines the characteristics of the equipment. In the second step, a plurality of equipment data models are acquired, each of which defines data points and attribute information for each equipment model number. In the third step, an association rule that associates area information or tag information with attribute information is acquired. In the fourth step, a selection of an equipment entity 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 association rule. In the seventh step, an equipment data model having the attribute information identified in the sixth step is identified from the plurality of equipment data models.

[0006] In the association support method according to the first aspect, by identifying an equipment data model having attribute information identified based on an association rule, it is possible to reduce the number of steps involved in associating a facility entity with an equipment data model.

[0007] The association support method according to the second aspect is the association support method according to the first aspect, in which the attribute information is the model of the device, and the association rule associates the area information with the model of the device that can be installed in the area.

[0008] The association support method according to the second aspect can further reduce the number of steps required to associate facility entities with device data models.

[0009] The association support method according to the third aspect is the association support method according to the first or second aspect, and further includes an eighth step and a ninth step. In the eighth step, a selection of an equipment data model to be associated with an equipment entity is accepted. In the ninth step, data points and attribute information are associated with the equipment entity.

[0010] The association support method according to the third aspect can further reduce the number of steps required to associate facility entities with device data models.

[0011] An association support method according to a fourth aspect is the association support method according to any one of the first to third aspects, further comprising a tenth step of notifying a user of the device data model identified in the seventh step.

[0012] The association support method according to the fourth aspect reduces the possibility that an incorrect device data model is associated with a facility entity.

[0013] The association support method according to a fifth aspect is the association support method according to the third aspect, further comprising an eleventh step of notifying the user of information relating to the device data model selected in the eighth step.

[0014] The association support method according to the fifth aspect reduces the possibility that an incorrect device data model is associated with a facility entity.

[0015] An association support device according to a sixth aspect is a device that supports association between equipment entities and equipment data models, and includes a control unit and a storage unit. The storage unit stores a plurality of equipment entities, a plurality of equipment data models, and an association rule. The equipment entity is information that associates the name of an equipment with area information about an area where the equipment is installed and tag information that defines the characteristics of the equipment. The equipment data model is information that defines data points and attribute information for each equipment model number. The association rule is information that associates the area information or tag information with the attribute information. The control unit accepts 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 association rule. The control unit also identifies an equipment data model having the identified attribute information from among the plurality of equipment data models.

[0016] In the association support device of the sixth aspect, by identifying an equipment data model having attribute information identified based on the association rule, it is possible to reduce the number of steps involved in associating a facility entity with an equipment data model. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a configuration of a management system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a controller. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of correspondence between facility entities and equipment data models. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an entity and a tag. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the association support device. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an association rule. [Figure 7] 10 is an example of a flowchart illustrating the flow of an association support process. [Figure 8]FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an association support screen. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an association support screen. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

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

[0019] (1) Management system First, an example of a management system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The management system 1 is a system that manages devices 10, which are objects of management, based on setting information that associates equipment entities E3 with device data models. Here, "management" means monitoring or controlling the devices 10. The management system 1 includes the devices 10, which are objects of management, and a controller 20 that manages the devices 10.

[0020] The property 2 is, for example, an office building, a commercial building, or a condominium. A plurality of devices 10 are installed in the property 2 as objects to be managed. The types of the devices 10 are not limited, but the plurality of devices 10 may include various types of facility equipment such as power supply equipment, air conditioning equipment, lighting equipment, and disaster prevention equipment. The devices 10 may also include sensors that measure the temperature and the like at predetermined locations on the devices 10 (for example, temperature sensors that monitor overheating of the devices 10), and various sensors installed in the property 2 (for example, sensors that measure the temperature and humidity at predetermined locations on the property 2).

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

[0022] The controller 20 manages the devices 10 to be managed that are communicatively connected. Note that one controller 20 may be installed in one property 2, or multiple controllers 20 may be installed that are communicatively connected to some of the devices 10 installed in the property 2. The controller 20 executes a management program based on setting information to perform processing to acquire predetermined operating data from the devices 10.

[0023] (1-1) Controller The controller 20 is a computer for managing the device 10, and is called, for example, 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 includes a storage unit 21, a communication unit 22, and a control unit 23.

[0024] The storage unit 21 stores various types of information and may include a ROM, a RAM, and / or a hard disk. 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 referenced by the management program. The management program may be provided via the communication unit 22 described below, or may be stored in the controller 20 in advance. The setting information is stored in the storage unit 21 via the communication unit 22 and input unit 24 described below.

[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 obtain operating data from the device 10 via the communication unit 22.

[0026] The control unit 23 is configured with a CPU, a 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 reads and executes programs stored in the storage unit 21, thereby performing various information processing in the controller 20.

[0027] The control unit 23 executes a management program for managing the device 10 to acquire operating data from the device 10 that is the object of management. The acquired operating data is defined as a data point in the setting information referenced in the management program. Note that a data point is information indicating the point at which data is acquired in the device 10, in other words, information indicating what information is to be acquired from the device 10. The control unit 23 stores the acquired operating data in the memory unit 21.

[0028] The operating data refers to data related to the operating history and data related to the operating state. For example, if the device 10 is an air conditioning device, the operating history data refers to information related to start / stop, thermostat on / off, operating mode, set temperature, intake temperature, etc. Furthermore, for example, the operating state data refers to values ​​detected by various sensors attached to the property 2 and the device 10, such as room temperature, humidity, the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant drawn into the compressor, the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor, the temperature of the refrigerant in the evaporator, and the temperature of the refrigerant in the condenser.

[0029] Furthermore, the control unit 23 executes the management program to transmit various commands to the device 10 at predetermined timings, thereby controlling the operation of the device 10.

[0030] The controller 20 further has 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 is realized by a keyboard, a mouse, and / or a touch screen. The output unit 25 outputs various types of information and is composed of various displays, speakers, etc.

[0031] The controller 20 may be connected to other devices (e.g., other computers or mobile information terminals) via a communication unit 22, and the communication unit 22 may function as an input unit 24 that accepts input of information sent from other devices, and as an output unit 25 that transmits information to other devices (outputs information).

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

[0033] For example, the control unit 23 displays a monitoring screen showing the status of the device 10 installed in the property 2 on a display serving as the output unit 25. For example, the monitoring screen showing the status of the device 10 includes a floor layout diagram showing the installation status of the device 10 on each floor of the property 2, a screen showing the status of the device 10, and a screen showing the environmental state of the property 2. For example, when the control unit 23 displays the floor layout diagram on the display, it simultaneously displays a screen showing the status of the device 10 and a screen showing the environmental state of the property 2 on the display. Here, the status of the device 10 and the environmental state of the property 2 are information stored in the storage unit 21 as operation data. For example, if the device 10 is an indoor unit, the information showing the status of the device 10 includes information showing whether the indoor unit is operating or stopped, information showing whether the indoor unit is in a cooling operation mode or a heating operation mode, information on the set temperature of the indoor unit, etc. The information showing the environmental state of the 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 the property 2 on the display and causes the devices 10 in the property 2 to perform desired operations. At this time, the controller 20 refers to the setting information to identify which device 10 the transmitted information is from and further identifies the location within the property 2 where the device 10 is installed. To create such setting information, it is necessary to associate information about the devices 10 installed in the property 2 (equipment entity E3, described later) included in the property information with an equipment data model in which data points, attribute information, etc. of the devices 10 are defined. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of association between the equipment entity E3 and the equipment data model. The association support device 100 of the present disclosure supports the task of associating the equipment entity E3 with the equipment data model.

[0035] (2) Property information Property information is a collection of data related to the property 2. The property information includes information constituting the property 2, such as information about the building of the property 2, information about the area, and information about the equipment 10 installed in the property 2. As shown in FIG. 3 , the property information uses a data model configured with a hierarchical structure having multiple levels, and each level has one or more entities. From the highest level to the lowest level, the property information includes 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 (facility entity E3). The level of information about the area may be further divided into a level of information about floors (e.g., rooftop, first floor, basement, etc.) (floor entity E21) and a sub-level of information about rooms (e.g., conference rooms, rooms, machine rooms, etc.) below 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 plants, etc.) and a level of information about lower-level equipment (e.g., air conditioning units, variable air volume units, etc.).

[0036] Each entity is assigned a tag that indicates the entity's name, location, characteristics, etc. The tag itself may be information that indicates the characteristics of the entity, or may be linked to information about the entity.

[0037] Specifically, each entity is assigned a tag (e.g., #dis) to which the name of the entity is linked, and a tag (e.g., #id) to which the identification information of the entity is linked. Furthermore, each entity of the area entity E2 and the equipment entity E3 is assigned a first tag T1 (e.g., #spaceRef) to indicate the physical positional relationship (layout relationship) of the area and equipment 10 indicated by the entity. Note that the first tag T1 does not need to be assigned to the top-level entity. The first tag T1 is associated with information indicating a hierarchy higher than the hierarchy in which the entity is included.

[0038] Each entity is assigned a second tag T2 indicating the location characteristics of the entity and a third tag T3 indicating the characteristics of the entity. For example, an area entity E2 is assigned second tags T2 indicating location characteristics, such as a tag indicating a rooftop (e.g., #roof), a tag indicating an indoor location (e.g., #room), and a tag indicating an outdoor location (e.g., #ground). For example, an equipment entity E3 is assigned third tags 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 tag information in the claims. Tags (including the first tag T1, second tag T2, and third tag T3) are predetermined, and combining these tags to create information indicating the meaning and characteristics of the entity.

[0039] 4 is a diagram showing examples of entities and tags. For example, the tag "#dis" indicating the name of building entity E1 is linked to the building name "Building A" of property 2. Furthermore, the tag "#id" indicating identification information is linked to the identification information "B001" of property 2.

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

[0041] For example, the tag "#dis" indicating the name of the room entity E22 is linked to the name of the room "living room". Furthermore, the tag "#id" indicating the identification information is linked to the identification information "A101" of the room "living room". Furthermore, the room entity E22 is assigned a first tag T1 indicating the floor on which the room is located, and is linked to the identification information of the floor entity E21. Specifically, for example, the first tag T1 "#spaceRef" indicating the location where the room "living room" of the room entity E22 is located is linked to the identification information "A001" of the floor "1F". This indicates that the room "living room" is a room located on the floor "1F".

[0042] Furthermore, the area entity E2 is assigned a second tag T2 related to the characteristics of the location where the floor or room is located. For example, the floor "1F" of the floor entity E21 is a space inside a building, so the second tag T2 "#room" indicating indoors is assigned. For example, if the area indicated by the area entity E2 is a rooftop space, the second tag T2 "#roof" indicating rooftop is assigned. For example, if the area indicated by the area entity E2 is an outdoor space, the second tag T2 "#ground" indicating outdoors is assigned. 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 may be assigned to both the floor entity E21 and the room entity E22.

[0043] For example, the tag "#dis" indicating the name of the equipment entity E3 is linked to the name "Equip_1" of the equipment 10 installed in the property 2. Furthermore, the tag "#id" indicating identification information is linked to the identification information "D001" of the equipment 10 "Equip_1". Furthermore, the equipment entity E3 is assigned a first tag T1 indicating the location where the equipment 10 is installed, and is linked to the identification information of the area entity E2. Specifically, for example, the first tag T1 "#spaceRef" indicating the location where the equipment 10 "Equip_1" of the equipment entity E3 is installed is linked to the identification information "A101" of the room "occupied room". This indicates that the equipment 10 "Equip_1" is equipment installed in the room "occupied room". Furthermore, the room entity E22 indicating the room "occupied room" is assigned a second tag T2 "#room" indicating indoors. This indicates that the equipment 10 "Equip_1" is equipment installed indoors. In this way, the information of the second tag T2 indicating the characteristics of the place where the device 10 is installed (for example, indoors, outdoors, rooftop) corresponds to the area information in the claims. Note that the second tag T2 indicating the characteristics of the place where the device 10 is installed may be assigned to the facility 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 are information related to the type, performance, characteristics, etc. of the equipment 10. For example, if the equipment 10 "Equip_3" is an air-cooled chiller, a third tag T3 "#airRef" indicating air-cooling and a third tag T3 "#chiller" indicating a chiller are assigned.

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

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

[0047] A data point is information indicating a data acquisition point in the device 10. If the device 10 is an indoor unit, the data point includes information indicating operation data such as start / stop, set temperature, and intake temperature. Each piece of data is linked to items such as "Input / Output," "DataType," and "Property," which indicate the data related to the device 10 in more detail. Specifically, "Input / Output" indicates that 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 a current value, a minimum value / maximum value, an initial value, etc.

[0048] The attribute information is information relating to the type (model), performance, characteristics, etc. of the device 10. In the device data model, for each model number of the device 10, a tag indicating the model of the device 10, a tag indicating the performance of the device 10 such as horsepower (capacity), capacity, etc., and a tag indicating the characteristics of the device 10 are assigned. The tags indicating the model of the device 10 include a tag indicating a chiller (e.g., #chiller) and a tag indicating a VAV (e.g., #vav). The tags indicating the characteristics of the device 10 include a tag indicating chilled water cooling (e.g., #chilledWaterCooling) and a tag indicating hot water heating (e.g., #hotWaterHeating). For example, if the equipment 10 is an AHU (air handling unit), the attribute information may include a tag indicating chilled water cooling (e.g., #chilledWaterCooling), a tag indicating hot water heating (e.g., #hotWaterHeating), a tag indicating an air conditioning control system (e.g., #hvac), a tag indicating a single duct (e.g., #singleDuct), a tag indicating an apparatus (e.g., #eqiup), etc.

[0049] (4) Correspondence support device (4-1) Overview The correspondence support device 100 is a device that supports the work of matching the equipment entity E3 of the property information related to a new property 2 with the equipment data model when the management system 1 is to manage the equipment 10 installed in the property 2.

[0050] Typically, property information and equipment data models are managed on different servers by different administrators based on different rules. Therefore, there is a high possibility that unique identification information does not exist between the equipment entity E3 of the property information and the equipment data model. Furthermore, there is a high possibility that the tag information assigned to the equipment entity E3 of the property information and the attribute information of the equipment data model have different names, even if they have similar meanings.

[0051] The association support device 100 supports the association work by identifying candidates for equipment data models to be associated with the equipment entity E3 based on association 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 5 is a block diagram of association support apparatus 100. Association support apparatus 100 is a computer having control unit 110, storage unit 140, input unit 150, and output unit 160.

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

[0054] The control unit 110 is configured with a CPU, a cache memory, etc. The control unit 110 controls the entire association support device 100 by cooperating with other components of the association support device 100. The control unit 110 reads and executes programs stored in the storage unit 140, thereby performing various information processing in the association support device 100.

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

[0056] Association support device 100 may have a communication unit capable of communicating with other devices (e.g., other computers or mobile information terminals). This communication unit may also function as input unit 150 that receives input of information transmitted from other devices, and output unit 160 that transmits information to other devices (outputs information).

[0057] (4-3) Mapping rules FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an association rule. The association rule defines whether it is appropriate to associate an equipment data model having predetermined attribute information with an equipment entity E3 having certain area information and / or tag information. As described above, the attribute information is, for example, information about the type (model), performance, characteristics, etc. of the equipment 10. Therefore, it can be said that the association rule associates the area information associated with the equipment entity E3 with the model that can be installed in the area indicated by the area information. It can also be said that the association rule associates the area information associated with the equipment entity E3 with the performance and characteristics of the equipment 10 that can be installed in the area indicated by the area information.

[0058] 6 indicates that it is appropriate to associate an equipment data model having, as attribute information, a tag "#chiller" indicating a chiller and a tag "#airCooling" indicating air-cooling with an equipment entity E3 associated with area information "#ground" indicating outdoors or area information "#roof" indicating rooftop, but it is inappropriate to associate the equipment data model with an equipment entity E3 associated with area information "#room" indicating indoors. Also, for example, it indicates that it is inappropriate to associate an equipment data model having attribute information "#vav" with an equipment entity E3 associated with tag information "#condenserWaterRef" indicating cooling water, but it is appropriate to associate the equipment data model with an equipment entity E3 associated with tag information "#airRef" indicating air-cooling.

[0059] (4-4) Correspondence support method and correspondence support process flow Hereinafter, the flow of the association support method and association support process performed by association support apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0060] First, the control unit 110 acquires property information and an equipment data model from the storage unit 140 (step S1). The property information and the equipment data model may be acquired from another device via a communication unit and stored in the storage unit 140, or may be stored in the storage unit 140 in advance.

[0061] The control unit 110 outputs a support screen for supporting the association between the property information and the equipment data model to a display serving as the output unit 160 (step S2). Fig. 8 shows an example of the association support screen. The association support screen is mainly composed of a first display unit D1 that displays the property information and a second display unit D2 that displays the equipment data model.

[0062] The first display unit D1 is further composed of an eleventh display unit D11, a twelfth display unit D12, and a 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 about the building configuration on the eleventh 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 display a list of information about the building configuration for each floor. The control unit 110 switches the display content of the twelfth display unit D12 and the thirteenth display unit D13 based on a user operation.

[0064] For example, when the user selects a character representing one of the areas on the eleventh display unit D11, the control unit 110 identifies an equipment entity E3 for which 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 on the twelfth display unit D12. In the example shown in Fig. 8, the equipment entity E3 representing the device 10 installed on the "rooftop" selected on the eleventh display unit D11 is displayed in a list on the twelfth display unit D12.

[0065] Next, for example, when the user selects a character representing one of the equipment entities E3 in the twelfth display section D12, the control unit 110 displays a list of area information and tag information associated with the selected equipment entity E3 in the thirteenth display section D13. In the example shown in Fig. 8, the area information and tag information of the equipment entity E3 "Equip_3" selected in the twelfth display section D12 are displayed in a list in the thirteenth display section D13. Here, the area identification information "A901" linked to the first tag T1 of the equipment entity E3 "Equip_3" and the second tag T2 "#roof" indicating the roof and assigned to the area entity E2 representing the area are displayed as area information.

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

[0067] The control unit 110 displays a list of characters representing the multiple device data models acquired in step S1 on the twenty-first display unit D21. The control unit 110 switches the display contents of the twenty-second display unit D22 and the twenty-third display unit D23 based on a user operation.

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

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

[0070] The control unit 110 identifies the 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 association rule stored in advance in the storage unit 140 (step S5). Specifically, the control unit 110 acquires the association rule from the storage unit 140 and identifies attribute information of the equipment data model that is appropriate to be associated with the equipment entity E3 associated with the identified area information and tag information.

[0072] The control unit 110 identifies a device data model having the identified 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 identified device data model among the characters representing the multiple device data models displayed on the 21st display unit D21 in a different display form. Changing the display form means changing the color of the characters, highlighting them, changing the font, etc. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the characters "CHILLER #1" and "CHILLER #2" representing the identified device data models are highlighted.

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

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

[0075] The control unit 110 stores information in the memory unit 140 as setting information that 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 proceeds to step S13 (step S12).

[0076] Control unit 110 repeatedly executes steps S3 to S12 until the user completes the association operation.

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

[0078] The control unit 110 displays warning information about the selected equipment data model on a display serving as the output unit 160 to notify the user (step S9). FIG. 9 shows an example of warning information displayed by the control unit 110. The control unit 110 displays characters representing inappropriate area information and / or tag information among the area information and tag information displayed on the thirteenth display unit D13 in a different display format. Changing the display format means changing the color of the characters, highlighting the characters, changing the font, etc. In the example shown in FIG. 9, an equipment data model having attribute information "#vav" is being associated with the facility entity E3 associated with area information "#roof," so the characters representing the inappropriate area information "#roof" are displayed in red (see the association rule in FIG. 6). Furthermore, the control unit 110 displays a warning message as warning information on the association support screen or by superimposing it on the association support screen.

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

[0080] When the user operates the input unit 150, for example, to perform an operation required for association, the control unit 110 determines that the equipment entity E3 selected in step S3 should be associated with the data points and attribute information of the equipment data model selected in step S7 (Yes in step S10).

[0081] The control unit 110 reviews the association rules (step S11). Specifically, the control unit 110 stores information about combinations of area information or tag information and attribute information that do not exist in the existing association rules in the storage unit 140 as update candidate information for the association rules. When the control unit 110 determines that a predetermined number or more of similar combinations have been accumulated in the update candidate information, the control unit 110 adds the combination to the association rules. Furthermore, the control unit 110 may update the association rules if there is a combination that deviates from the existing association rules. Thereafter, the control unit 110 proceeds to step S12.

[0082] On the other hand, if the user, for example, operates the input unit 150 to perform an operation that is performed when no association is to be made, the control unit 110 determines that the equipment entity E3 selected in step S3 will not be associated with the data points and attribute information of the equipment data model selected in step S7 (No in step S10), and returns to step S3.

[0083] (5) Features (5-1) The association support method of this embodiment is a method for supporting association between equipment entities E3 and equipment data models. The association support method includes a first step (step S1 in FIG. 7), a second step (step S1 in FIG. 7), a third step (step S5 in FIG. 7), a fourth step (step S3 in FIG. 7), a fifth step (step S4 in FIG. 7), a sixth step (step S5 in FIG. 7), and a seventh step (step S6 in FIG. 7). In the first step, multiple equipment entities E3 are acquired, each of which associates the name of the equipment 10 with area information about the area where the equipment 10 is installed and tag information that defines the characteristics of the equipment 10. In the second step, multiple equipment data models are acquired, each of which defines data points and attribute information for each model number of the equipment 10. In the third step, association rules are acquired that associate area information or tag information with attribute information. In the fourth step, a selection of an equipment entity E3 is accepted. In a fifth step, area information or tag information associated with the equipment entity E3 selected in the fourth step is identified. In a sixth step, attribute information associated with the area information or tag information identified in the fifth step is identified based on the association rule. In a seventh step, an equipment data model having the attribute information identified in the sixth step is identified from among multiple equipment data models.

[0084] When constructing the management system 1, it is necessary to associate the equipment entity E3 contained in the property information with the equipment data model. Conventionally, such association work is performed by a system builder by checking the contents of the equipment entity E3 and the equipment data model one by one. The association support method of this embodiment can reduce the man-hours involved in associating the equipment entity E3 with the equipment data model by identifying an equipment data model having attribute information identified based on the association rules.

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

[0086] This configuration can further reduce the number of steps required to associate the facility entity E3 with the device data model.

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

[0088] This configuration can further reduce the number of steps required to associate the facility entity E3 with the device data model.

[0089] (5-4) The association support method further includes a tenth step (step S6 in FIG. 7) of notifying the user of the device data model identified in the seventh step.

[0090] This configuration reduces the possibility that an incorrect equipment data model is associated with the equipment entity E3.

[0091] (5-5) The association support method further includes an eleventh step (step S9 in FIG. 7) of notifying the user of information related to the device data model selected in the eighth step.

[0092] This configuration reduces the possibility that an incorrect equipment data model is associated with the equipment entity E3.

[0093] (5-6) The association support device 100 of this embodiment is a device that supports association between equipment entities E3 and equipment data models, and includes a control unit 110 and a storage unit 140. The storage unit 140 stores multiple equipment entities E3, multiple equipment data models, and association rules. The equipment entities E3 are information that associates the name of an equipment 10 with area information about the area where the equipment 10 is installed and tag information that defines the characteristics of the equipment 10. The equipment data models are information that define data points and attribute information for each model number of the equipment 10. The association rules are information that associates area information or tag information with attribute information. The control unit 110 accepts selection of an equipment entity E3. The control unit 110 then identifies area information or tag information associated with the selected equipment entity E3. The control unit 110 then identifies attribute information associated with the identified area information or tag information based on the association rules. The control unit 110 then identifies an equipment data model having the identified attribute information from among the multiple equipment data models.

[0094] In the association support device 100 of this embodiment, by identifying an equipment data model having attribute information identified based on the association rule, it is possible to reduce the number of steps involved in associating the facility entity E3 with the equipment data model.

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

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

[0097] (6-2) Variation B The association rules in the above embodiment define whether it is appropriate to associate an equipment data model having predetermined attribute information with an equipment entity E3 having what area information and / or tag information. However, the association rules may define only an appropriate combination of attribute information of the equipment data model and area information and / or tag information of the equipment entity E3.

[0098] (6-3) Variation C The association rule may define only inappropriate combinations of attribute information of the equipment data model and area information and / or tag information of the facility entity E3.

[0099] (6-4) Variation D 7 in the above embodiment, the control unit 110 changes the display form of the characters representing the identified equipment data model among the characters representing the multiple equipment data models displayed on the 21st display unit D21. However, the control unit 110 may first display only the characters representing the identified equipment data model on the 21st display unit D21. In this case, the control unit 110 may display characters representing equipment data models other than the identified equipment data model on the 21st display unit D21 based on a user operation.

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

[0101] (6-5) Variation E 7 in the above embodiment, the control unit 110 identifies appropriate attribute information based on the identified area information and tag information and the association rule. However, the control unit 110 may also identify inappropriate attribute information based on the identified area information and tag information and the association 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 the multiple device data models stored in the storage unit 140.

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

[0103] (6-7) Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it will be understood that various changes in form and details can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0104] 1 Management System 10 equipment 20 Controller 100 Correspondence support device 110 control section 140 Storage section E3 Equipment Entity [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

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

Claims

1. A computer-aided method for supporting association between an equipment entity (E3) and an equipment data model, comprising: The computer a first step of acquiring a plurality of equipment entities, each of which is associated with a name of a device (10), area information relating to an area where the device is installed, and tag information defining characteristics of the device; a second step of acquiring a plurality of the device data models, each of which defines data points and attribute information for each model number of the device; a third step of acquiring an association rule that associates the area information or the tag information with the attribute information; a fourth step of accepting a selection of the equipment entity; a fifth step of identifying the area information or the tag information associated with the equipment entity selected in the fourth step; a sixth step of identifying the attribute information associated with the area information or the tag information identified in the fifth step based on the association rule; a seventh step of identifying the equipment data model having the attribute information identified in the sixth step from among the plurality of equipment data models; To execute Matching support method.

2. the attribute information is the model of the device, The association rule associates the area information with the model of the device that can be installed in the area. The method of claim 1 .

3. The computer an eighth step of accepting a selection of the equipment data model to be associated with the facility entity; a ninth step of associating the data points and the attribute information with the equipment entities; Further implementation of The method for supporting association according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A tenth step in which the computer notifies a user of the equipment data model identified in the seventh step; Further implementation of The method for supporting association according to claim 1 or 2.

5. An eleventh step in which the computer notifies a user of information related to the equipment data model selected in the eighth step; Further implementation of The method of claim 3 .

6. An association support device (100) that supports association between a facility entity (E3) and an equipment data model, comprising: A control unit (110); A storage unit (140); Equipped with The storage unit A plurality of equipment entities, each of which has a name associated with area information relating to an area where the equipment is installed and tag information defining characteristics of the equipment; A plurality of the device data models defining data points and attribute information for each model number of the device; an association rule associating the area information or the tag information with the attribute information; Remember, The control unit Accepting a selection of the equipment entity; Identifying the area information or the tag information associated with the selected equipment entity; Identifying the attribute information associated with the identified area information or tag information based on the association rule; Identifying the equipment data model having the identified attribute information from among the plurality of equipment data models. An association support device (100).

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