Utility-related equipment systems

Abstract

To provide utility-related device system which can minimize disadvantages given to users of a facility in which utility-related devices are installed.SOLUTION: A utility-related equipment system includes a plurality of utility-related devices 4 installed in a same facility 2. When one utility-related device 4 of the plurality of utility-related devices 4 satisfies a communication abnormal condition indicating that it cannot normally perform information communication with another utility-related device 4 of the plurality of utility-related device 4, and when the other utility-related device 4 is not in a communication interruption scheduled period in which the other utility-related device 4 cannot perform information communication with the one utility-related device 4, the one utility-related device 4 performs an abnormality occurrence time action corresponding to the fact that the other utility-related device cannot normally perform information communication, When the communication abnormal condition is satisfied and the other utility-related device is in the communication interruption scheduled period, the one utility-related device does not perform the abnormality occurrence time action.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a utility-related equipment system including a plurality of utility-related devices installed in the same facility and related to the use of utilities supplied to the facility.

Background Art

[0002] With the spread of IoT (Internet of Things) devices, communication modules are incorporated into fuel cell devices, heat source machines, and remote control devices that communicate with them to communicate with a server and exchange various data. Also, the latest software is distributed from the server to remote control devices and other devices to update the software of the remote control devices and other devices.

[0003] For example, in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2015-185352), a fuel cell unit, a hot water storage tank, a heat source machine, a remote control device, etc. are described as a plurality of utility-related devices related to the use of gas as a utility supplied to the facility installed in the same facility. And, the control software of the fuel cell unit, the hot water storage tank, and the heat source machine is updated to the latest one received from the control software management server.

[0004] However, although not described in Patent Document 1, a device during software update cannot perform information communication with other devices. Therefore, if there is a device during software update, that is, a device that cannot perform information communication, there is a possibility that an abnormality such as a failure is determined by other devices in that device.

[0005] For example, in Patent Document 2 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2019-46572), it is described to determine whether an abnormality has occurred in information communication between a fuel cell and a remote control. And, when it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in information communication, power supply to the outside is stopped from a power conditioner connected to the fuel cell.

Prior Art Documents

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2015-185352 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2019-46572 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] The software installed on utility-related devices, as described above, tends to be large in size. For example, if the software installed on a remote control device includes image files for display on the remote control device's screen and audio files for output from the speaker, its size will be large. As a result, the time required to update the software on utility-related devices will be longer. This will also increase the period during which the utility-related device will be unable to communicate with other devices, that is, the period during which it will be unable to cooperate with other utility-related devices properly. Consequently, the likelihood of malfunctions occurring, such as the power supply from the power conditioner connected to the fuel cell to the outside being stopped, as in the system described in Patent Document 2, that is, the utility-related device ceasing to operate, will increase.

[0008] Thus, in a system like the one described in Patent Document 2, software updates on utility-related equipment installed in a facility may cause inconvenience to facility users, such as the shutdown of other utility-related equipment.

[0009] This invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a utility-related equipment system that can minimize the disadvantages caused to users of facilities where utility-related equipment is installed. In this application, "utility" refers to energy or goods supplied to a facility and consumed by its users, such as gas, electricity, and water. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] A characteristic configuration of the utility-related equipment system according to the present invention for achieving the above objective is a utility-related equipment system that is installed in the same facility and comprises a plurality of utility-related devices related to the use of utilities in said facility, One of the aforementioned utility-related devices is ,before If a communication error condition is met indicating that information communication cannot be performed normally between one of the multiple utility-related devices, and the other utility-related device is not within a scheduled communication interruption period in which information communication with the one utility-related device is expected to be impossible, the other utility-related device will perform an error-causing action corresponding to its inability to perform information communication normally. ,before If the communication abnormality conditions are met and it is within the scheduled period for communication interruption, the abnormality occurrence operation will be performed. figure, If one of the aforementioned utility-related devices satisfies a communication abnormality condition indicating that it cannot communicate information normally with one of the aforementioned utility-related devices, and it is not within the scheduled communication interruption period during which the one utility-related device is expected to be unable to communicate information with the other utility-related devices, then the utility-related device performs an abnormality operation corresponding to the inability to communicate information normally. If the communication abnormality condition is met and it is within the scheduled communication interruption period, then the utility-related device does not perform the abnormality operation. When the aforementioned other utility-related device initiates software installation, it transmits information to the aforementioned utility-related device indicating that it is initiating the software installation. After one utility-related device receives information from the other utility-related device indicating that it will start installing the software, it determines that the scheduled communication interruption period has begun. When one of the utility-related devices initiates the installation of software, it transmits information to the other utility-related device indicating that it is initiating the installation of the software. The other utility-related device determines that the scheduled communication interruption period has begun after receiving information from the one utility-related device indicating that it will start installing the software. It's at a single point. Here, the combination of one utility-related device and the other utility-related device may be a combination of two of the following: a heat source unit that burns gas as a utility to produce hot water, a gas-consuming power generation device that generates electricity using gas as a utility, and a remote control device that communicates information with at least one of the heat source unit and the gas-consuming power generation device. Alternatively, the combination of one utility-related device and the other utility-related device may be a combination of two of the following: an electric heat pump unit that consumes electricity as a utility to generate hot water, a hot water storage tank that stores the hot water generated by the electric heat pump unit, and a remote control device that communicates information with at least one of the electric heat pump unit and the hot water storage tank.

[0011] According to the above characteristic configuration, one utility-related device (Other utility-related equipment) If the communication abnormality conditions are met during a period other than the predetermined scheduled communication interruption period, other utility-related equipment will be affected. (One utility-related device) It performs an abnormal operation in response to the inability to perform information communication normally. In other words, one utility-related device (Other utility-related equipment) This includes other utility-related equipment (One utility-related device) In situations where an unforeseen problem occurs in the communication between the two, the emergency response operation will be performed, and one utility-related device will be activated. (Other utility-related equipment) This will ensure that it is driven safely. In contrast, one utility-related device (Other utility-related equipment) This occurs when the conditions for a communication anomaly are met during the predetermined period of planned communication interruption, i.e., when other utility-related equipment... (One utility-related device) If the operation is assumed to be normal, the abnormal operation will not be performed. In other words, one utility-related device (Other utility-related equipment) This includes other utility-related equipment (One utility-related device) If the system is assumed to be operating normally, it will not perform any abnormality detection actions, such as stopping its own operation. In addition, one utility device (another utility device) can determine that it is a scheduled communication interruption period after receiving information from the other utility device (one utility device) indicating that it will start installing software, and if a communication abnormality condition is met during that scheduled communication interruption period, that is, if the operation of the other utility device (one utility device) is assumed to be normal, it can refrain from performing abnormal operation. Therefore, we can provide a utility-related equipment system that minimizes the disadvantages caused to users of facilities where utility-related equipment is installed.

[0014] Still another characteristic configuration of the utility-related device system according to the present invention is that when the installation of the software is completed by the other utility-related device, information indicating the completion of the installation of the software is transmitted to the one utility-related device, After the one utility-related device receives information indicating the completion of the installation of the software from the other utility-related device, it determines that it is not within the communication interruption scheduled period, When one of the utility-related devices finishes installing the software, it transmits information to the other utility-related devices indicating that the installation of the software has been completed. The other utility-related device determines that the scheduled communication interruption period has not yet begun after receiving information from the one utility-related device indicating that the software installation has been completed. which is as follows.

[0015] According to the above characteristic configuration, one utility-related device (Other utility-related equipment) determines that it is not within the communication interruption scheduled period after receiving information indicating the completion of the installation of the software from another utility-related device, and if communication abnormal conditions are satisfied during the period that is not within the communication interruption scheduled period, it can perform an operation at the time of occurrence of an abnormality. (One utility-related device) which is as follows.

[0016] Still another characteristic configuration of the utility-related device system according to the present invention is that when the other utility-related device starts the installation of the software, information indicating the start of the installation of the software is transmitted to the one utility-related device, After the one utility-related device receives a notification indicating the start of the installation of the software from the other utility-related device, it determines that it is within the communication interruption scheduled period for a predetermined period, and determines that it is not within the communication interruption scheduled period after the elapse of the predetermined period death, When one of the utility-related devices initiates the installation of software, it transmits information to the other utility-related device indicating that it is initiating the installation of the software. The other utility-related device determines that the period from the time it receives a notification from one of the utility-related devices indicating that it will start installing the software is the scheduled communication interruption period, and determines that after the expiration of the said scheduled communication interruption period it is no longer the scheduled communication interruption period. which is as follows.

[0017] According to the above characteristic configuration, one utility-related device (Other utility-related equipment) determines that it is within the communication interruption scheduled period for a predetermined period after receiving a notification indicating the start of the installation of the software from another utility-related device, and determines that it is not within the communication interruption scheduled period after the elapse of the predetermined period [[ID=If a notification is received indicating that software installation will begin, and a predetermined period is determined to be a scheduled communication interruption period, and if the conditions for a communication failure are met during that scheduled communication interruption period, i.e., other utility-related equipment (One utility-related device) If the system is expected to be functioning normally, it can be configured not to perform the abnormal operation. Also, one utility-related device (Other utility-related equipment) This includes other utility-related equipment (One utility-related device) After receiving a notification indicating that software installation will begin, if a predetermined period has elapsed, it can be determined that the period is no longer a scheduled communication interruption period. If the conditions for a communication anomaly are met during this period, the system can be configured to perform an anomaly detection action.

[0018] A further characteristic configuration of the utility-related equipment system according to the present invention is that, when the other utility-related equipment initiates software installation, it transmits to the one utility-related equipment information indicating that it is initiating the software installation and the capacity of the software. One utility-related device, upon receiving a notification from the other utility-related device indicating the start of the software installation, determines that the installation period, determined according to the software's capacity, is the scheduled communication interruption period, and determines that after the installation period has elapsed, it is no longer the scheduled communication interruption period. death, When one utility-related device initiates software installation, it transmits to the other utility-related device information indicating that it is initiating software installation and the size of the software. The other utility-related device, upon receiving a notification from one of the utility-related devices indicating that it will begin installing the software, determines that the installation period, which is determined according to the size of the software, is the scheduled communication interruption period, and determines that after the installation period has elapsed, it is no longer the scheduled communication interruption period. It's at a single point.

[0019] According to the above characteristic configuration, one utility-related device (Other utility-related equipment) This includes other utility-related equipment (One utility-related device) After receiving a notification indicating that the software installation will begin, the installation period, which is determined according to the software size, is determined to be a scheduled communication interruption period, and if the communication abnormality conditions are met during that scheduled communication interruption period, i.e., other utility-related equipment (One utility-related device)If the system is expected to be functioning normally, it can be configured not to perform the abnormal operation. Also, one utility-related device (Other utility-related equipment) This includes other utility-related equipment (One utility-related device) After receiving a notification indicating that software installation will begin, and after the above installation period has elapsed, it can be determined that the period is not a scheduled communication interruption period. If the communication abnormality conditions are met during this period, the system can be configured to perform the abnormality detection action.

[0020] A further characteristic configuration of the utility-related equipment system according to the present invention is that, when the other utility-related equipment initiates software installation, it transmits information to the one utility-related equipment indicating that it is initiating the software installation and the required installation period for the software. The aforementioned utility-related device, upon receiving a notification from the other utility-related device indicating the start of the software installation, determines that the installation period is the scheduled communication interruption period, and determines that after the installation period has elapsed, it is no longer the scheduled communication interruption period. death, When one of the utility-related devices initiates software installation, it transmits information to the other utility-related devices indicating that it is initiating the software installation and the required installation period. The other utility-related device, upon receiving a notification from one of the utility-related devices indicating that it will begin installing the software, determines that the installation period is the scheduled communication interruption period, and determines that after the installation period has elapsed, it is no longer the scheduled communication interruption period. It's at a single point.

[0021] According to the above characteristic configuration, one utility-related device (Other utility-related equipment) This includes other utility-related equipment (One utility-related device) If, after receiving a notification indicating that the software installation will begin, the installation period is determined to be a period of scheduled communication interruption, and if the conditions for communication failure are met during that scheduled communication interruption period, i.e., other utility-related devices (One utility-related device) If the system is expected to be functioning normally, it can be configured not to perform the abnormal operation. Also, one utility-related device (Other utility-related equipment) This includes other utility-related equipment (One utility-related device)After receiving a notification indicating that software installation will begin, and after the above-mentioned installation period has elapsed, it can be determined that the period is not a scheduled communication interruption period. If the communication abnormality conditions are met during this period, the system can be configured to perform the abnormality detection action. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0022] [Figure 1] This diagram shows the configuration of the management server device and the utility-related equipment systems installed at each facility. [Figure 2] This is a flowchart explaining the abnormality detection process. [Figure 3] This diagram shows the configuration of the management server device and the utility-related equipment systems installed at each facility. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0023] <First Embodiment> A utility-related equipment system according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 shows the configuration of the management server device 10 and the utility-related equipment system installed in each facility 2. In the example shown in Figure 1, two facilities 2A and 2B(2) are depicted, but the number of facilities 2 connected to the management server device 10 can be changed as appropriate. Each facility 2 where the utility-related equipment system is installed is connected to the management server device 10 via an information communication line 1 so that they can communicate with each other. In this application, "utility" refers to energy or goods supplied to the facility 2 and consumed by its users, such as gas, electricity, and water. In the first embodiment, gas will be used as an example of a utility. In other words, the utility-related equipment 4 described in the first embodiment is gas-related equipment.

[0024] Facility 2 is supplied with gas, such as city gas, as a utility via a gas supply line 3. The utility-related equipment system is installed in the same facility 2 and includes multiple utility-related devices 4 related to the use of gas in facility 2. In the example shown in Figure 1, each facility 2 is equipped with a heat source unit 30, a fuel cell unit 40, and a remote control device 20 as utility-related devices 4.

[0025] The heat source unit 30 is a device that generates heat (for example, by burning gas supplied through the gas supply passage 3) to produce hot water. In the example shown in Figure 1, the heat source unit 30 includes a combustion unit 31 that burns the supplied gas, a control unit 32 that controls the operation of the combustion unit 31, a storage unit 33 that stores information handled by the heat source unit 30, and a communication unit 34 for communicating information with other devices.

[0026] The fuel cell device 40 includes a reforming unit 41 that reforms the supplied gas to produce a fuel gas such as hydrogen, a fuel cell unit 42 that generates electricity using the fuel gas produced in the reforming unit 41, a control unit 43 that controls the operation of the reforming unit 41 and the fuel cell unit 42, a storage unit 44 that stores information handled by the fuel cell device 40, and a communication unit 45 for communicating information with other devices.

[0027] The remote control device 20 can communicate with the heat source unit 30 and the fuel cell device 40. The remote control device 20 includes a control unit 21 that controls the operation of the remote control device 20, a storage unit 22 that stores information handled by the remote control device 20, an information output unit 23 that outputs information to the user, an input receiving unit 24 that receives information input from the user, and a communication unit 25 for communicating information with other devices.

[0028] The input receiving unit 24 of the remote control device 20 can receive information from the user, such as the operating settings of the heat source unit 30 and the fuel cell device 40. Examples of operating settings for the heat source unit 30 include the temperature of the water generated by the heat source unit 30. Examples of operating settings for the fuel cell device 40 include instructions to start power generation or instructions to stop power generation. The control unit 21 of the remote control device 20 can transmit the operating settings received from the user by the input receiving unit 24 to the heat source unit 30, the fuel cell device 40 and the management server device 10 via the communication unit 25.

[0029] The remote control device 20 communicates with the heat source unit 30 and the fuel cell device 40 at predetermined timings via its communication unit 25, receiving information about the operating status of the heat source unit 30 and the fuel cell device 40 from each. The information output unit 23 of the remote control device 20 can then output information such as the operating status of the heat source unit 30 and the fuel cell device 40 to the user in the form of voice information, text information, image information, etc. Information about the operating status of the heat source unit 30 may include, for example, whether the heat source unit 30 is in a gas combustion state or not, and error information regarding malfunctions. Information about the operating status of the fuel cell device 40 may include, for example, whether the fuel cell device 40 is generating power or not, the current power generation, and error information regarding malfunctions.

[0030] The management server device 10 comprises an information processing unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a communication unit 13, and can communicate information with utility-related equipment 4 in each facility 2. For example, the information processing unit 11 can store information regarding the operating status received from each utility-related equipment 4 by the communication unit 13 in the storage unit 12. In addition, the information processing unit 11 can transmit software programs for each utility-related equipment 4 stored in the storage unit 12 to each utility-related equipment 4 from the communication unit 13 at an appropriate time.

[0031] As described above, multiple utility-related devices that make up the utility-related device system communicate with each other, but there are cases where communication errors occur that prevent this communication from happening properly. For example, if utility-related device 4 malfunctions, it will not be able to communicate properly with other devices. In addition, while utility-related device 4 is installing software received from the management server device 10, it will not be able to communicate properly with other devices.

[0032] Furthermore, even if a communication error occurs that prevents multiple utility-related devices from communicating information normally, the appropriate response will vary depending on the cause of the error. For example, if one utility-related device 4 fails and prevents normal information communication between that device 4 and other utility-related devices 4, it may be preferable to perform an error-causing action such as stopping the operation of the other utility-related devices 4. On the other hand, if, as mentioned above, one utility-related device 4 is performing software installation and prevents normal information communication between that device 4 and other utility-related devices 4, that is, if one utility-related device 4 is functioning normally, there is no need to stop the operation of the other utility-related devices 4. In other words, even if a communication error occurs that prevents multiple utility-related devices from communicating information normally, if the communication error is due to a planned software installation, there is no need to perform an error-causing action such as stopping the operation of the other utility-related devices 4.

[0033] Next, the abnormality detection process performed by the utility-related device 4 will be described. In this embodiment, if one of the multiple utility-related devices 4 satisfies a communication abnormality condition indicating that it cannot communicate information normally with the other utility-related devices 4, and it is not within the scheduled communication interruption period during which the other utility-related devices 4 are expected to be unable to communicate information with the one utility-related device 4, then the utility-related device 4 performs an abnormality occurrence operation corresponding to the other utility-related devices 4 being unable to communicate information normally. If the communication abnormality condition is met and it is within the scheduled communication interruption period, then no abnormality occurrence operation is performed. In this embodiment, the combination of one utility-related device 4 and the other utility-related devices 4 is a combination of two of the following: a heat source unit 30 that burns gas as a utility to produce hot water, a fuel cell unit 40 as a gas-consuming power generation device that generates electricity using gas as a utility, and a remote control device 20 that communicates information with at least one of the heat source unit 30 and the fuel cell unit 40.

[0034] The following description will explain an example of abnormality detection processing performed by the control unit 43 of the fuel cell device 40, where one of the utility-related devices 4 is a fuel cell device 40 and the other utility-related device 4 is a remote control device 20.

[0035] Figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating the anomaly detection process. In step #10, the control unit 43 of the fuel cell device 40 determines whether or not the communication abnormality condition is met. If the communication abnormality condition is not met (if the result is "No" in step #10), the control unit 43 of the fuel cell device 40 terminates this flowchart; if the communication abnormality condition is met (if the result is "Yes" in step #10), it proceeds to step #11.

[0036] For example, the fuel cell device 40 periodically transmits information about the power generated by the fuel cell device 40 to the remote control device 20. In this case, the control unit 43 of the fuel cell device 40 determines that it can communicate information with the remote control device 20 normally if it receives information from the remote control device 20 indicating that the transmitted information has been successfully received by the remote control device 20. If it does not receive information from the remote control device 20 indicating that the transmitted information has been successfully received by the remote control device 20, it determines that it cannot communicate information with the remote control device 20 normally (i.e., it determines that the communication abnormality condition is met).

[0037] Here, the content of the communication failure condition can be set as appropriate. For example, the fuel cell device 40 may determine that the communication failure condition is met if it fails to receive information from the remote control device 20 indicating that the transmitted information has been successfully received, even once. Alternatively, it may determine that the communication failure condition is met if it fails to receive information from the remote control device 20 indicating that the transmitted information has been successfully received multiple times (a predetermined number of times). Or, the fuel cell device 40 may determine that the communication failure condition is met if it fails to receive information from the remote control device 20 indicating that the transmitted information has been successfully received, for a predetermined period of time.

[0038] If the above-mentioned communication abnormality conditions are met due to a malfunction of the remote control device 20, it is preferable for the fuel cell device 40 to perform an abnormality operation such as stopping power generation. However, if the above-mentioned communication abnormality conditions are met for a reason other than a malfunction of the remote control device 20, the fuel cell device 40 may not need to perform an abnormality operation such as stopping power generation. For example, if the above-mentioned communication abnormality conditions are met because, for example, a software update process is being performed on the remote control device 20, the fuel cell device 40 may not need to perform an abnormality operation.

[0039] Therefore, in step #11, the control unit 43 of the fuel cell device 40 determines whether the current time is within the scheduled communication interruption period during which information communication with the remote control device 20 is not possible. If the current time is within the scheduled communication interruption period, the control unit 43 of the fuel cell device 40 terminates this flowchart; otherwise, it proceeds to step #12.

[0040] For example, when the remote control device 20 starts installing software, it sends information to the fuel cell device 40 indicating that it is starting the software installation. The control unit 43 of the fuel cell device 40 then determines that it is a scheduled communication interruption period after receiving the information from the remote control device 20 indicating that it is starting the software installation. Also, when the remote control device 20 finishes installing the software, it sends information to the fuel cell device 40 indicating that it has finished installing the software. The control unit 43 of the fuel cell device 40 then determines that it is no longer a scheduled communication interruption period after receiving the information from the remote control device 20 indicating that it has finished installing the software. In this way, the control unit 43 of the fuel cell device 40 determines whether the current time is within a scheduled communication interruption period during which information communication with the remote control device 20 is not possible.

[0041] In step #12, the control unit 43 of the fuel cell device 40 performs an abnormality detection operation, such as stopping the output of power generated from the fuel cell unit 42.

[0042] As described above, if the fuel cell unit 40 experiences a communication abnormality condition during a period other than the predetermined communication interruption period, it will perform an abnormality operation (for example, stopping power generation of the fuel cell unit 40) corresponding to the fact that the remote control device 20 is unable to communicate information normally. In other words, the fuel cell unit 40 will perform an abnormality operation when there is an unexpected problem in the communication with the remote control device 20, so that the fuel cell unit 40 can be operated safely. On the other hand, if the communication abnormality condition is met during the predetermined communication interruption period, that is, if the operation of the remote control device 20 is assumed to be normal, the fuel cell unit 40 will not perform an abnormality operation. In other words, if the operation of the remote control device 20 is assumed to be normal, the fuel cell unit 40 will not perform an abnormality operation such as stopping its own operation. Therefore, it is possible to provide a utility-related equipment system that minimizes the disadvantages to users of the facility 2 where the utility-related equipment 4 is installed.

[0043] <Second Embodiment> The utility-related equipment system of the second embodiment differs from the above embodiment in its method for determining the scheduled period of communication interruption. The utility-related equipment system of the second embodiment will be described below, but the same configuration as in the above embodiment will not be described. In this embodiment as well, we will describe the case in which one of the utility-related devices 4 is a fuel cell device 40 and the other utility-related device 4 is a remote control device 20.

[0044] When the control unit 21 of the remote control device 20 decides to start installing software, it sends information to the fuel cell device 40 indicating that it is starting the software installation. The control unit 43 of the fuel cell device 40 then determines that a predetermined period is a scheduled communication interruption period after receiving the notification from the remote control device 20 indicating that it is starting the software installation, and determines that after the predetermined period has elapsed, it is no longer a scheduled communication interruption period. This predetermined period is a value that is pre-stored in the memory unit 44 of the fuel cell device 40.

[0045] Thus, in the utility-related equipment system of this embodiment, the control unit 43 of the fuel cell device 40 determines that a predetermined period is a scheduled communication interruption period after receiving a notification from the remote control device 20 indicating that software installation will begin, and if a communication abnormality condition is met during that scheduled communication interruption period, that is, if the operation of the remote control device 20 is assumed to be normal, it can prevent the abnormality detection operation from being performed. Furthermore, the control unit 43 of the fuel cell device 40 determines that after a predetermined period has elapsed since receiving a notification from the remote control device 20 indicating that software installation will begin, it is no longer a scheduled communication interruption period, and if a communication abnormality condition is met during that period, it can perform the abnormality detection operation.

[0046] <Third Embodiment> The utility-related equipment system of the third embodiment differs from the above embodiment in its method for determining the scheduled period of communication interruption. The utility-related equipment system of the third embodiment will be described below, but the same configuration as in the above embodiment will not be described. In this embodiment as well, the case in which one of the utility-related devices 4 is a fuel cell device 40 and the other utility-related device 4 is a remote control device 20 will be described.

[0047] When the control unit 21 of the remote control device 20 starts installing software, it transmits information to the fuel cell device 40 indicating that it is starting the software installation and the size of the software. The control unit 43 of the fuel cell device 40 then receives a notification from the remote control device 20 indicating that it is starting the software installation, determines that the installation period, which is determined according to the size of the software, is a scheduled communication interruption period, and determines that after the installation period has elapsed, it is no longer a scheduled communication interruption period.

[0048] For example, the memory unit 44 of the fuel cell device 40 stores information about the installation period per unit of software capacity as a numerical value such as "a (minutes) / b (MB)". Therefore, when the control unit 43 of the fuel cell device 40 receives information indicating the software capacity from the remote control device 20, it can derive the above installation period based on that information and the information about the installation period per unit of software capacity that it stores (such as "a (minutes) / b (MB)").

[0049] Thus, in the utility-related equipment system of this embodiment, the control unit 43 of the fuel cell device 40, after receiving a notification from the remote control device 20 indicating that software installation should begin, determines that the installation period, which is determined according to the software capacity, is a scheduled communication interruption period. If the communication abnormality condition is met during this scheduled communication interruption period, i.e., if the operation of the remote control device 20 is assumed to be normal, the control unit 43 can choose not to perform the abnormality operation. Furthermore, the control unit 43 of the fuel cell device 40, after receiving a notification from the remote control device 20 indicating that software installation should begin, determines that the period after the above-mentioned installation period has elapsed is not a scheduled communication interruption period. If the communication abnormality condition is met during this period, the control unit 43 can choose to perform the abnormality operation.

[0050] <Another Embodiment> <1> In the above embodiment, the configuration of the utility-related equipment system and the configuration of multiple types of utility-related equipment 4 were described with specific examples, but the configuration can be changed as appropriate. In the above embodiment, a remote control device 20, a heat source unit 30, and a fuel cell device 40 were given as examples of utility-related equipment 4, but other equipment may be used as utility-related equipment 4. For example, equipment such as a bathroom dryer or a floor heating system may be used as utility-related equipment 4. In the above embodiment, a specific example of the operation performed by the utility-related device 4 when an abnormality occurs has been described, but the content of the operation when an abnormality occurs can be set as appropriate. For example, the utility-related device 4 may issue an error alert as an operation when an abnormality occurs.

[0051] <2> In the third embodiment described above, an example was explained in which the control unit 21 of the remote control device 20 transmits information indicating the software size when it starts installing the software. However, it is also possible to transmit information indicating the time required for software installation.

[0052] For example, when the control unit 21 of the remote control device 20 starts installing software, it transmits information to the fuel cell device 40 indicating that it is starting the software installation and the required installation period. The control unit 43 of the fuel cell device 40 then receives a notification from the remote control device 20 indicating that it is starting the software installation, determines that the required installation period is a scheduled communication interruption period, and determines that after the required installation period has elapsed, it is no longer a scheduled communication interruption period.

[0053] <3> In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the utility-related equipment 4 is gas-related equipment, but it is not necessary for it to be gas-related equipment. Figure 3 shows the configuration of the management server device 10 and the utility-related equipment system installed in facility 2. Facility 2 is supplied with electricity as a utility from the power grid 5. In the example shown in Figure 3, each facility 2 is equipped with a hot water storage tank 50, an electric heat pump unit 60, and a remote control device 20 as utility-related equipment 4. Although only one facility 2 is depicted in Figure 3, the management server device 10 can communicate with multiple facilities 2.

[0054] The electric heat pump unit 60 includes an electric heat pump section 61, a control unit 62 that controls the operation of the heat pump section 61, a storage unit 63 that stores information handled by the electric heat pump unit 60, and a communication unit 64 for communicating information with other devices.

[0055] Although a detailed explanation of the specific configuration of the heat pump unit 61 will be omitted, the heat pump unit 61 comprises a heat transfer medium circulation path through which the heat transfer medium circulates, an electric compressor that compresses the heat transfer medium flowing through the heat transfer medium circulation path, a condenser that releases heat from the heat transfer medium flowing through the heat transfer medium circulation path, an evaporator that causes the heat transfer medium flowing through the heat transfer medium circulation path to absorb heat, and an expansion valve that expands the heat transfer medium flowing into the evaporator.

[0056] The hot water storage tank 50 includes a hot water storage section 51 that stores hot water heated by the heat radiated from the heat transfer medium, a control unit 52 that controls the operation of the hot water storage tank 50, a storage unit 53 that stores information handled by the hot water storage tank 50, and a communication unit 54 for communicating information with other devices.

[0057] The remote control device 20 can communicate with the hot water storage tank 50 and the electric heat pump unit 60. The remote control device 20 includes a control unit 21 that controls the operation of the remote control device 20, a storage unit 22 that stores information handled by the remote control device 20, an information output unit 23 that outputs information to the user, an input receiving unit 24 that receives information input from the user, and a communication unit 25 for communicating information with other devices. In the illustrated example, the remote control device 20 communicates information with the electric heat pump unit 60 via the hot water storage tank 50.

[0058] The input receiving unit 24 of the remote control device 20 can receive information from the user, such as the operation settings of the hot water storage tank 50 and the electric heat pump unit 60. Examples of operation settings for the hot water storage tank 50 and the electric heat pump unit 60 include setting the temperature of the hot water to be stored in the storage section 51 of the hot water storage tank 50, stopping the storage of hot water in the storage section 51, and issuing an instruction to heat the hot water stored in the storage section 51. The control unit 21 of the remote control device 20 can transmit the operation settings received from the user by the input receiving unit 24 to the hot water storage tank 50, the electric heat pump unit 60, and the management server device 10 via the communication unit 25. For example, if the control unit 52 of the hot water storage tank 50 receives an instruction to heat the hot water from the remote control device 20, it will instruct the heat pump unit 61 to start operation. The control unit 62 of the electric heat pump unit 60 will then operate the heat pump unit 61 to heat the hot water.

[0059] The remote control device 20 communicates with the hot water storage tank 50 and the electric heat pump unit 60 via the communication unit 25 at predetermined timings, receiving information about the operating status of the hot water storage tank 50 and the electric heat pump unit 60, respectively. The information output unit 23 of the remote control device 20 can then output information such as the operating status of the hot water storage tank 50 and the electric heat pump unit 60 to the user in the form of voice information, text information, image information, etc.

[0060] Information regarding the operating status of the hot water storage tank 50 includes, for example, information about the amount of hot water stored in the hot water storage unit 51 and error information regarding malfunctions. This information is transmitted by the control unit 52 of the hot water storage tank 50 via the communication unit 54. Alternatively, the control unit 52 of the hot water storage tank 50 may transmit information from the memory unit 53 of the hot water storage tank 50. Information regarding the operating status of the electric heat pump unit 60 includes, for example, information about whether the heat pump unit 61 is in hot water storage operation (heating operation) and error information regarding malfunctions. This information is transmitted by the control unit 62 of the electric heat pump unit 60 via the communication unit 64. Alternatively, the control unit 62 of the electric heat pump unit 60 may transmit information from the memory unit 63 of the electric heat pump unit 60.

[0061] The management server device 10 comprises an information processing unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a communication unit 13, and can communicate information with the utility-related equipment 4 of the facility 2. For example, the information processing unit 11 can store information regarding the operating status received from each utility-related equipment 4 by the communication unit 13 in the storage unit 12. In addition, the information processing unit 11 can transmit the software program for each utility-related equipment 4 stored in the storage unit 12 to each utility-related equipment 4 from the communication unit 13 at an appropriate time.

[0062] Thus, in the utility-related equipment system shown in Figure 3, the combination of one utility-related equipment 4 and another utility-related equipment 4 is a combination of two of the following: an electric heat pump unit 60 that consumes electricity as a utility to generate hot water, a hot water storage tank 50 that stores the hot water generated by the electric heat pump unit 60, and a remote control device 20 that communicates information with at least one of the electric heat pump unit 60 and the hot water storage tank 50.

[0063] In this alternative embodiment as well, the content of the operation performed by the utility-related equipment 4 when an abnormality occurs can be set as appropriate, such as stopping operation. For example, if the electric heat pump unit 60, as a utility-related equipment 4, satisfies a communication abnormality condition indicating that it cannot communicate information normally with other utility-related equipment 4 such as the hot water storage tank 50 and the remote control device 20, and the hot water storage tank 50 and the remote control device 20 are not within a scheduled communication interruption period in which they are expected to be unable to communicate information with the electric heat pump unit 60, then the electric heat pump unit 60 may be configured to stop operation as an abnormality operation corresponding to the inability of the hot water storage tank 50 and the remote control device 20 to communicate information normally.

[0064] <4> The configurations disclosed in the above embodiments (including other embodiments, the same applies hereinafter) can be applied in combination with configurations disclosed in other embodiments, as long as no inconsistencies arise. Furthermore, the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative, and the embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the purpose of the present invention. [Industrial applicability]

[0065] This invention can be used in utility-related equipment systems that minimize the inconvenience caused to users of facilities where utility-related equipment is installed. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0066] 2 facilities 4. Utility-related equipment 20 Remote control devices (utility-related equipment 4) 30 Heat source equipment (utility-related equipment 4) 40. Fuel cell equipment (Utility-related equipment 4) 50 Hot water storage tank (Utility-related equipment 4) 60 Electric heat pump unit (Utility-related equipment 4)

Claims

1. A utility-related equipment system comprising multiple utility-related devices installed in the same facility and related to the use of utilities in said facility, If one of the plurality of utility-related devices satisfies a communication failure condition indicating that it cannot communicate information normally with the other utility-related devices, and it is not during a scheduled communication interruption period in which the other utility-related devices are expected to be unable to communicate information with the one utility-related device, then the utility-related device performs an abnormality operation corresponding to the other utility-related devices being unable to communicate information normally. If the communication failure condition is met and it is during the scheduled communication interruption period, then the utility-related device does not perform the abnormality operation. If one of the aforementioned utility-related devices satisfies a communication abnormality condition indicating that it cannot communicate information normally with one of the aforementioned utility-related devices, and it is not within the scheduled communication interruption period during which the one utility-related device is expected to be unable to communicate information with the other utility-related devices, then the utility-related device performs an abnormality operation corresponding to the inability to communicate information normally. If the communication abnormality condition is met and it is within the scheduled communication interruption period, then the utility-related device does not perform the abnormality operation. When the aforementioned other utility-related device initiates software installation, it transmits information to the aforementioned utility-related device indicating that it is initiating the software installation. After one utility-related device receives information from the other utility-related device indicating that it will start installing the software, it determines that the scheduled communication interruption period has begun. When one of the utility-related devices initiates the installation of software, it transmits information to the other utility-related device indicating that it is initiating the installation of the software. A utility-related device system in which, after receiving information from one of the utility-related devices indicating that the installation of the software has begun, the other utility-related device determines that the scheduled communication interruption period has begun.

2. The utility-related equipment system according to claim 1, wherein the combination of one utility-related equipment and the other utility-related equipment is a combination of two of the following: a heat source unit that burns gas as a utility to produce hot water, a gas-consuming power generation device that generates electricity using gas as a utility, and a remote control device that communicates information with at least one of the heat source unit and the gas-consuming power generation device.

3. The utility-related equipment system according to claim 1, wherein the combination of the one utility-related equipment and the other utility-related equipment is a combination of two of the following: an electric heat pump unit that consumes electricity as a utility to generate hot water, a hot water storage tank that stores the hot water generated by the electric heat pump unit, and a remote control device that communicates information with at least one of the electric heat pump unit and the hot water storage tank.

4. When the aforementioned other utility-related device has finished installing the software, it transmits information to the aforementioned utility-related device indicating that the installation of the software has been completed. After one utility-related device receives information from the other utility-related device indicating that the software installation has been completed, it determines that the scheduled communication interruption period has not yet begun. When one of the utility-related devices finishes installing the software, it transmits information to the other utility-related devices indicating that the installation of the software has been completed. The utility-related device system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the other utility-related device determines that the period of scheduled communication interruption is not yet over after receiving information from one of the utility-related devices indicating that the installation of the software has been completed.

5. When the aforementioned other utility-related device initiates software installation, it transmits information to the aforementioned utility-related device indicating that it is initiating the software installation. The aforementioned utility-related device determines that the period from the time it receives a notification from the other utility-related device indicating that it will start installing the software is the scheduled communication interruption period, and determines that after the expiration of the said scheduled communication interruption period, When one of the utility-related devices initiates the installation of software, it transmits information to the other utility-related device indicating that it is initiating the installation of the software. The utility-related equipment system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the other utility-related equipment determines that the period from the time it receives a notification from one of the utility-related equipment indicating that it will start installing the software is the scheduled communication interruption period, and determines that after the expiration of the predetermined period it is no longer the scheduled communication interruption period.

6. When the aforementioned other utility-related device initiates software installation, it transmits to the aforementioned utility-related device information indicating that it is initiating the software installation and the size of the software. The aforementioned utility-related device, upon receiving a notification from the other utility-related device indicating the start of the software installation, determines that the installation period, determined according to the software's capacity, is the scheduled communication interruption period, and determines that after the installation period has elapsed, it is no longer the scheduled communication interruption period. When one utility-related device initiates software installation, it transmits to the other utility-related device information indicating that it is initiating software installation and the size of the software. The utility-related device system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the other utility-related device, upon receiving a notification from one of the utility-related devices indicating that it will start installing the software, determines that the installation period, which is determined according to the capacity of the software, is the scheduled communication interruption period, and determines that after the installation period has elapsed, it is no longer the scheduled communication interruption period.

7. When the aforementioned other utility-related device initiates software installation, it transmits information to the aforementioned utility-related device indicating that it is initiating the software installation and the required installation period. The aforementioned utility-related device, upon receiving a notification from the other utility-related device indicating that it will begin installing the software, determines that the installation period is the scheduled communication interruption period, and determines that after the installation period has elapsed, it is no longer the scheduled communication interruption period. When one of the utility-related devices initiates software installation, it transmits information to the other utility-related devices indicating that it is initiating the software installation and the required installation period. The utility-related device system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the other utility-related device, upon receiving a notification from one of the utility-related devices indicating that it will start installing the software, determines that the installation period is the scheduled communication interruption period, and determines that after the installation period has elapsed, it is no longer the scheduled communication interruption period.

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