Display methods, information processing systems, equipment management systems, and communication methods

Abstract

To provide a display method capable of displaying a display screen according to the presence or absence of an authority of users.SOLUTION: The display method is a display method executed by an information terminal 30 communicable with an equipment management system 20 managing equipment installed in one or more facilities 90. The display method includes a display step of displaying a display screen according to an authority of a user of the information terminal 30 on a display unit 32 of the information terminal 30. The presence or absence of the authority includes the presence or absence of an authority of an administrator and an authority to control the equipment.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a display method and the like related to a device management system.

Background Art

[0002] There is known a power management system that estimates the power consumption for each of various power systems such as an air conditioning system, a lighting system, and a power outlet system in a building (for example, a building) which is a facility to be managed and displays it in a recognizable manner to people. In the power management system, a PAC air conditioner, an entrance and exit management system, and a lighting control system are connected to a power monitoring device via a network line (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The present invention provides a display method and the like that can display a display screen according to the presence or absence of a user's authority.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] A display method according to one aspect of the present invention is a display method executed by an information terminal capable of communicating with a device management system that manages devices provided in one or more facilities, and includes a display step of displaying a display screen according to the presence or absence of the authority of a user of the information terminal on a display unit of the information terminal, and the presence or absence of the authority includes the presence or absence of an administrator authority and the presence or absence of a control authority for the device.

[0006] A program according to one aspect of the present invention is a program for causing the information terminal to execute the display method.

[0007] An information processing system according to one aspect of the present invention is an information processing system that can communicate with an equipment management system for managing equipment installed in one or more facilities, and comprises a display unit and an information processing unit that displays a display screen on the display unit according to whether or not the user of the information processing system has the necessary permissions, wherein the presence or absence of permissions includes the presence or absence of administrator privileges and the presence or absence of control privileges for the equipment.

[0008] An equipment management system according to one aspect of the present invention is an equipment management system for managing equipment installed in one or more facilities, comprising a communication unit that communicates with an information terminal having a display unit, the communication unit transmitting to the information terminal information for displaying a display screen on the display unit according to whether or not the user of the information terminal has the necessary permissions, and the presence or absence of such permissions includes the presence or absence of administrator privileges and the presence or absence of control privileges for the equipment.

[0009] A communication method according to one aspect of the present invention is a computer system for managing equipment installed in one or more facilities, and is performed by a computer system capable of communicating with an information terminal having a display unit, and includes the step of transmitting information to the information terminal for displaying a display screen on the display unit according to whether or not the user of the information terminal has the necessary permissions, and the presence or absence of such permissions includes the presence or absence of administrator privileges and the presence or absence of control privileges for the equipment.

[0010] A program according to one aspect of the present invention is a program for causing the computer system to execute the communication method. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] The display method of the present invention can display a screen that corresponds to whether or not the user has the necessary permissions. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the display system according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows an example of an alarm list screen. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows an example of registration information. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a sequence diagram of operation example 1 of the display system according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows an example of the location list screen. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a sequence diagram of operation example 2 of the display system according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows an example of a menu screen that appears when the user does not have administrator privileges. [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows an example of a menu screen that appears when a user has administrator privileges. [Figure 9] Figure 9 shows an example of an administration screen. [Figure 10] Figure 10 shows an example of an administration screen where a pop-up window is displayed indicating whether or not an individual has permissions. [Figure 11] Figure 11 shows an example of a device status display screen that appears when the user does not have control privileges. [Figure 12] Figure 12 shows an example of a device status display screen that appears when the user has control privileges. [Figure 13] Figure 13 shows an example of a settings screen for configuring site permissions for multiple users on a site-by-site basis. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a modified display system. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. Note that all of the embodiments described below show comprehensive or specific examples. Numerical values, shapes, materials, components, the arrangement positions and connection forms of the components, steps, the order of steps, etc. shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. In addition, among the components in the following embodiments, the components not described in the independent claims are described as optional components.

[0014] Note that each figure is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily drawn precisely. Also, in each figure, the same reference numerals are given to substantially the same configurations, and duplicate descriptions may be omitted or simplified.

[0015] (Embodiment) [Configuration] First, the configuration of the display system according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the display system according to the embodiment.

[0016] The display system 10 is a system capable of displaying information on equipment provided in each of a plurality of facilities 90 on an information terminal 30. The facility 90 is, for example, a large-scale building (non-residential facility) consisting of several floors used as a commercial facility or an office, etc. Note that the facility 90 may be other non-residential facilities such as a hospital or a factory, or may be a residence (detached house or apartment house). Specifically, the display system 10 includes a device management system 20 and a plurality of information terminals 30. Note that the number of the plurality of information terminals 30 is not particularly limited. The display system 10 may include at least one information terminal 30.

[0017] The equipment management system 20 is a system that controls and monitors equipment installed in each of the multiple facilities 90. Each of the multiple facilities 90 is equipped with multiple lighting fixtures 21, multiple air conditioning fixtures 22, multiple measuring instruments 23, a control device 24, and a gateway device 25. The equipment management system 20 also includes a server system 26 outside of the multiple facilities 90.

[0018] Thus, the multiple lighting fixtures 21, multiple air conditioning fixtures 22, multiple measuring instruments 23, control device 24, and gateway device 25 are installed in facility 90, while the server system 26 is installed outside facility 90. "Installed in facility 90" can be rephrased as "installed on the premises of facility 90." If facility 90 is considered as a building, the equipment installed in facility 90 may include not only equipment installed inside the building but also equipment installed outside the building.

[0019] Lighting equipment 21, air conditioning equipment 22, and measuring equipment 23 are each examples of equipment installed in facility 90. Lighting equipment 21 is equipment that illuminates the space within facility 90, and air conditioning equipment 22 is equipment that adjusts the temperature of the space within facility 90 by supplying temperature-controlled air. Measuring equipment 23 is equipment that measures the energy consumption (electricity) within facility 90. Measuring equipment 23 may also be a sensor (sensing device). Specifically, measuring equipment 23 may be equipment that senses the state of the space within facility 90, such as the presence or absence of people, the number of people, and the state of the environment, such as temperature, humidity, and brightness. The number of lighting equipment 21, air conditioning equipment 22, and measuring equipment 23 provided by the equipment management system 20 is not particularly limited.

[0020] The control device 24 is a device that controls and monitors equipment installed in facility 90, and can communicate with the server system 26 via the gateway device 25. Equipment control includes turning equipment on and off, and changing equipment settings. The control device 24 can also notify the server system 26 via the gateway device 25 of any abnormalities (hereinafter also referred to as alarm occurrences) in equipment installed in facility 90.

[0021] For convenience, the following description assumes that one control device 24 in the equipment management system 20 manages three types of equipment: lighting equipment 21, air conditioning equipment 22, and measuring equipment 23. However, the equipment management system 20 may have multiple control devices 24. For example, the equipment management system 20 may have a separate control device 24 for each type of equipment.

[0022] The gateway device 25 is a communication device that allows the control device 24 to communicate with the server system 26 via a wide-area communication network such as the Internet.

[0023] The server system 26 is a system that performs information processing to display a list of alarms related to equipment installed in each of the multiple facilities 90 on the information terminal 30, and is implemented by one or more web servers (cloud servers). Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of the alarm list screen. Specifically, the server system 26 comprises a communication unit 27, an information processing unit 28, and a storage unit 29.

[0024] The communication unit 27 is a communication circuit for the server system 26 to communicate with the control device 24 and the information terminal 30. The communication unit 27 performs communication using, for example, a wide-area communication network. This communication may be wired or wireless.

[0025] The information processing unit 28 performs information processing to display the above-mentioned list of alarms on the information terminal 30. This information processing includes, for example, providing (transmitting) the display screen information to the information terminal 30. The information processing unit 28 is implemented by, for example, a microcomputer, but may also be implemented by a processor. The functions of the information processing unit 28 are realized, for example, by the microcomputer or processor constituting the information processing unit 28 executing a computer program stored in the storage unit 29.

[0026] The memory unit 29 is a storage device that stores information necessary for information processing performed by the information processing unit 28, as well as computer programs executed by the information processing unit 28. The memory unit 29 is implemented by, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), but may also be implemented by semiconductor memory or the like.

[0027] Information terminal 30 is an information terminal that displays the above-mentioned list of alarms. Information terminal 30 is a portable information terminal such as a smartphone or tablet, but it may also be a stationary information terminal such as a personal computer. The user of information terminal 30 is assumed to be a field worker who goes to the location of the equipment that is the subject of the alarm when an alarm occurs regarding equipment installed in facility 90 and performs on-site work. Information terminal 30 comprises an operation reception unit 31, a display unit 32, a communication unit 33, an information processing unit 34, and a storage unit 35.

[0028] The operation reception unit 31 receives user input. The operation reception unit 31 is implemented, for example, by a touch panel. If the information terminal 30 is a stationary information terminal, the operation reception unit 31 is implemented by a mouse or keyboard, etc.

[0029] The display unit 32 displays various screens, such as the alarm list screen mentioned above. The display unit 32 is implemented by a display panel such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel.

[0030] The communication unit 33 is a communication circuit for the information terminal 30 to communicate with the server system 26. The communication unit 33 performs wireless communication, for example, using a mobile communication network.

[0031] The information processing unit 34 performs display processing, such as displaying various display screens in response to user operations. The information processing unit 34 is implemented by, for example, a microcomputer, but may also be implemented by a processor. The functions of the information processing unit 34 are realized, for example, by the microcomputer or processor constituting the information processing unit 34 executing a computer program stored in the storage unit 35.

[0032] The storage unit 35 is a storage device that stores the information necessary for the display processing described above. The information stored in the storage unit 35 includes a computer program executed by the information processing unit 34. The computer program is, for example, a dedicated application program for the display system 10 that is pre-installed in the storage unit 35 by the user. The storage unit 35 is implemented, for example, by semiconductor memory.

[0033] After the application program is installed on the information terminal 30, user registration is performed. As a result of user registration, the server system 26 stores information about one or more users who share the alarm list screen shown in Figure 2 as registration information. Figure 3 shows an example of registration information stored in the storage unit 29 of the server system 26. In the registration information, the ID of the installed application program and the username are associated. In the following embodiments, the application program is abbreviated as "app" and the ID of the application program is abbreviated as "app ID". In the registration information, permissions may also be associated, and in the example in Figure 3, the presence or absence of administrator privileges, the presence or absence of device control privileges, and the presence or absence of access privileges to information about the base (facility 90) are associated.

[0034] [Example of operation 1: Displaying the alarm list screen] The following describes an example of operation 1 for displaying the alarm list screen (Figure 2) by the display system 10. Figure 4 is a sequence diagram of operation example 1 of the display system 10. In the following description, the server system 26 communicates with one control device 24 installed in a certain facility 90, but the server system 26 can perform similar operations with control devices 24 installed in other facilities 90. Also, the gateway device 25 is not shown in the sequence diagram of Figure 4.

[0035] The control device 24 manages the status of equipment such as lighting equipment 21, air conditioning equipment 22, and measuring equipment 23 that are connected to the control device 24 via communication. When it determines that an abnormality has occurred in the equipment (hereinafter also referred to as an alarm occurring), it sends an alarm notification to the server system 26 (via the gateway device 25) (S11).

[0036] The conditions for determining what state of the equipment triggers an alarm are pre-registered in the control device 24. Examples of these conditions include the lighting equipment 21 not turning on despite a lighting command being sent, the internal temperature of the air conditioning equipment 22 exceeding a predetermined temperature (the air conditioning equipment 22 is overheating), or the measured value of the measuring instrument 23 being outside a predetermined range (an abnormal value).

[0037] The communication unit 27 of the server system 26 receives an alarm notification. The alarm notification includes the ID of facility 90, the ID of the equipment that caused the alarm, information indicating the specific content of the alarm (abnormality), and time information indicating the time the alarm occurred. Based on the received alarm notification, the information processing unit 28 updates the management information of the equipment installed in facility 90, which is stored in the storage unit 29 (S12). The management information is information that aggregates the alarm notification.

[0038] The processes described in steps S11 and S12 above are performed each time the control device 24 determines that an alarm has been generated in the equipment.

[0039] Furthermore, when the control device 24 determines that the equipment that caused the alarm has recovered, it sends a recovery notification (via the gateway device 25) to the server system 26 (S13).

[0040] The communication unit 27 of the server system 26 receives a recovery notification. The recovery notification includes the ID of facility 90, the ID of the recovered equipment, and time information indicating the time of recovery. Based on the received recovery notification, the information processing unit 28 updates the management information of the equipment installed in facility 90, which is stored in the storage unit 29 (S14).

[0041] The processes described above in steps S13 and S14 are performed each time the control device 24 determines that the equipment has been restored.

[0042] In this way, the server system 26 manages whether an alarm has occurred in equipment installed in facility 90 and whether or not that equipment has been restored, using management information. This management information also includes information on whether an alarm has occurred in equipment installed in other facilities 90 and whether or not that equipment has been restored. The information terminal 30 on which the above application is installed can visualize the management information and present it to the user as an alarm list screen (Figure 2).

[0043] For example, the user performs a predetermined operation to instruct the information terminal 30 to run the above application, and the operation reception unit 31 receives the predetermined operation (S15). Once the operation reception unit 31 receives the predetermined operation, the information processing unit 34 sends a request to display the list screen to the server system 26 using the communication unit 33 (S16). In other words, the communication unit 33 sends a display request to the server system 26. The display request includes the application ID of the application installed on the information terminal 30.

[0044] The communication unit 27 of the server system 26 receives a display request. Based on the received display request, the information processing unit 28 transmits display screen information, which visualizes management information and displays it as an alarm list screen, to the information terminal 30 using the communication unit 27 (S17). In other words, the communication unit 27 transmits display screen information to the information terminal 30. When generating the display screen information, the information processing unit 28 performs processes such as converting the facility ID 90 in the management information to a pre-registered facility name 90 (such as "Tokyo Building" in the alarm list screen in Figure 2), and converting the equipment ID to a pre-registered equipment name (such as "Lighting Equipment 2F West Side" in the alarm list screen in Figure 2).

[0045] The communication unit 33 of the information terminal 30 receives display screen information. The information processing unit 34 displays the alarm list screen (Figure 2) on the display unit 32 based on the received display screen information (S18). The same processing as in steps S15 to S18 is performed when the alarm list screen is updated, and when various display screens described later are displayed or updated in response to user operations.

[0046] On the alarm list screen, alarm information for an alarm generated by a single device is displayed in predetermined units. These predetermined units are for each type of alarm, and include alarms related to device malfunctions and alarms related to abnormal device measurements. These units for each type of alarm can also be considered as units for each type of device.

[0047] In the example in Figure 2, one unit of alarm information includes an icon 32a indicating whether the alarm is active or has been resolved, time information 32b, the name of the equipment 32c, a responder display area 32d, an icon 32e indicating the response status, a setting icon 32f, and the name of the facility 90 32g. Multiple units of alarm information (multiple alarm information units) are sorted and displayed in a list, for example, based on the time information.

[0048] In the above-mentioned predetermined units (unit classifications), the occurrence of an alarm and the recovery from the occurrence of said alarm are considered as one unit (the same unit). Therefore, when the server system 26 receives an alarm notification, one unit of alarm information is generated, and the generated alarm information is updated when the server system 26 receives a recovery notification corresponding to said alarm notification. Specifically, the icon 32a is updated from "alarm occurring" to "recovered," and the time information 32b is updated from the time the alarm occurred to the time the alarm was recovered.

[0049] In addition, within the above-mentioned predetermined units, the occurrence of an alarm and the recovery from the occurrence of said alarm may be treated as separate units. That is, when the server system 26 receives an alarm notification, one unit of alarm information may be generated, and when the server system 26 receives a recovery notification corresponding to said alarm notification, another unit of alarm information may be generated.

[0050] As described above, the display system 10 (communication unit 27 of the server system 26) can transmit (output) information for displaying alarm information of alarms generated in the equipment on the information terminal 30 (display unit 32) in predetermined units.

[0051] In Operation Example 1, the determination of whether an abnormality occurred in the equipment (an alarm was triggered) was made by the control device 24, but this determination may also be made by the server system 26 based on data collected from the control device 24, etc.

[0052] [Display of the person in charge and the status of the response] Incidentally, the user viewing the alarm list screen in Figure 2 (i.e., the user of the information terminal 30) is assumed to be a field worker who, when an alarm related to equipment installed in facility 90 occurs, goes to the location of the equipment that is the subject of the alarm and performs on-site work. Therefore, the alarm information in the alarm list screen in Figure 2 includes a responder display area 32d that shows the responder (the person in charge of on-site work) corresponding to the alarm information. The responder displayed in the responder display area 32d can be specified by any user (any of the multiple users corresponding to multiple information terminals 30; the same applies hereinafter). Specifically, the specification of the responder is done by operating the setting icon 32f.

[0053] In this way, the display system 10 can help multiple users corresponding to multiple information terminals 30 to understand who is responsible for responding to each alarm by displaying the person responsible for each alarm on the alarm list screen.

[0054] Furthermore, the alarm information in the alarm list screen shown in Figure 2 includes an icon 32e indicating the status of on-site work. In other words, the alarm list screen displays the status of response to the alarm information. The icon 32e indicating the response status can be changed by any user, but it is basically assumed that the user designated as the responder will change it. Specifically, the response status is changed by operating the settings icon 32f. The response status can be selected from options such as "Not Responded," "In Progress," "Completed," and "No Action Required." Immediately after an alarm occurs, the icon 32e indicating the response status will be "Not Responded."

[0055] In this way, the display system 10 can support multiple users corresponding to multiple information terminals 30 in sharing the response status by displaying the response status for each alarm on the alarm list screen.

[0056] [Displaying the list of locations screen] The alarm list screen includes a tab 32h labeled "Location List". Tab 32h is an operation area for transitioning from the alarm list screen to the location list screen. When tab 32h is selected, the location list screen is displayed on the display unit 32. Figure 5 shows an example of the location list screen.

[0057] As shown in Figure 5, the site list screen displays alarm information for equipment installed at each of the 90 facilities on a facility-by-facility basis. Hereafter, the alarm information on the site list screen will be referred to as the first alarm information to distinguish it from the alarm information on the alarm list screen (hereinafter referred to as the second alarm information).

[0058] In the example in Figure 5, four rounded square icons corresponding to four first alarm information items are displayed. Specifically, the first alarm information indicates whether or not an alarm has occurred in at least one of the devices installed in the facility 90 corresponding to the first alarm information item. In the example in Figure 5, since an alarm has occurred in at least one device installed in the Tokyo Building (an example of facility 90), the icon corresponding to the Tokyo Building displays "Alarm in progress." On the other hand, since no alarm has occurred in the devices installed in the Osaka Building (an example of facility 90), the icon corresponding to the Osaka Building displays "No alarms."

[0059] Please note that the Nagoya Building (an example of facility 90) does not support the display of alarm information because the building's manager or other relevant parties have not contracted for (or do not wish to use) an alarm service. Therefore, the icon corresponding to the Nagoya Building displays "No alarm linkage."

[0060] The server system 26 can display such a list of locations on the display unit 32 of the information terminal 30 based on a sequence similar to the sequence in Figure 4. In other words, the display system 10 (communication unit 27 of the server system 26) can transmit (output) information to the information terminal 30 for displaying a list of locations screen on the display unit 32 that shows the first alarm information for equipment installed in multiple facilities 90 on a facility-by-facility basis, based on the management information described above.

[0061] The site list screen also includes a tab 32i labeled "Alarm List." Tab 32i is an operation area for transitioning from the site list screen to the alarm list screen. When tab 32i is selected, the alarm list screen shown in Figure 2 is displayed on the display unit 32.

[0062] [Example of operation 2: Display of screens according to permissions] The following describes Example 2 of the operation performed by the display system 10 to display screens according to user permissions. Figure 6 is a sequence diagram of Example 2 of the operation of the display system 10. Example 2 describes the operation to display a menu screen.

[0063] For example, the user performs a predetermined operation to display a menu screen on the information terminal 30 running the above application, and the operation reception unit 31 receives the predetermined operation (S21). Once the operation reception unit 31 receives the predetermined operation, the information processing unit 34 sends a menu screen display request to the server system 26 using the communication unit 33 (S22). In other words, the communication unit 33 sends a display request to the server system 26. The display request includes the application ID of the application installed on the information terminal 30.

[0064] The communication unit 27 of the server system 26 receives a display request. The information processing unit 28 compares the application ID included in the received display request with the registration information stored in the storage unit 29 to determine whether the user has administrator privileges (S23), and then uses the communication unit 27 to send display screen information for displaying a menu screen corresponding to whether the user has administrator privileges to the information terminal 30 (S24). In other words, the communication unit 27 sends display screen information to the information terminal 30.

[0065] The communication unit 33 of the information terminal 30 receives display screen information. Based on the received display screen information, the information processing unit 34 displays a menu screen on the display unit 32 according to whether the user has administrator privileges or not (S25).

[0066] For example, if it is determined in step S23 that the user does not have administrator privileges, then in step S25, a menu screen like the one in Figure 7 will be displayed. Figure 7 is an example of a menu screen that is displayed when the user does not have administrator privileges. As shown in Figure 7, the menu screen is equipped with menus such as "Alarm List," "Graphics," and "Point Search."

[0067] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S23 that the user has administrator privileges, then in step S25, a menu screen like the one shown in Figure 8 is displayed. Figure 8 is an example of a menu screen that is displayed when the user has administrator privileges. As shown in Figure 8, the menu screen when the user has administrator privileges includes a "Management Screen" menu 32j that is not displayed on the menu screen when the user does not have administrator privileges.

[0068] When "Administration Screen" is selected, the administration screen is displayed. In other words, the administration screen is displayed if the user has administrator privileges, but it is not displayed if the user does not have administrator privileges. Figure 9 shows an example of the administration screen.

[0069] The management screen shown in Figure 9 displays a list of permissions for multiple users (the user themselves and other users). Specifically, the permissions here refer to whether the user has administrator privileges and whether they have device control privileges.

[0070] When a user is selected in the administration screen, a pop-up screen appears showing whether the selected user has the necessary permissions. Figure 10 shows an example of the administration screen with a pop-up screen showing the permissions of an individual (selected user). In addition to administrator privileges and device control privileges, site privileges are also displayed on the screen showing the permissions of the individual.

[0071] Location permissions refer to access rights (viewing rights) to information related to multiple facilities 90 (locations). In the example in Figure 10, the names of the facilities 90 to which the selected user has access rights are listed. The names of facilities 90 to which the selected user does not have access rights are not displayed.

[0072] Furthermore, the screen showing individual user permissions includes a settings change icon 32k. Users with administrator privileges can use the settings change icon 32k to change the administrator privileges, device control privileges, and site privileges for multiple users. Thus, the screen showing individual user permissions in Figure 10 also serves as a settings screen for configuring user permissions on a per-user basis.

[0073] It should be noted that the inclusion of the settings change icon 32k is not mandatory. For example, if the permission settings for multiple users can only be changed by the operator of the device management system 20, and users are not permitted to make changes, then the settings change icon 32k does not need to be provided.

[0074] As explained above, the display system 10 (communication unit 27 of the server system 26) can transmit (output) information for displaying a screen according to whether the user of the information terminal 30 has administrator privileges. Upon receiving this information, the information terminal 30 can display a screen according to whether the user has administrator privileges.

[0075] [Examples of display screens depending on whether control privileges are present or not] In the above operation example 2, an example of displaying a screen depending on whether or not the user has administrator privileges was described. However, the display system 10 can also display a screen depending on whether or not the user has control privileges, following a sequence similar to that in Figure 6. Figure 11 is an example of a device status display screen that is displayed when the user does not have control privileges, and Figure 12 is an example of a device status display screen that is displayed when the user has control privileges.

[0076] As shown in Figure 11, when the user does not have administrator privileges, the device status display screen only shows the device status, and there is no operation area for controlling the device. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 12, when the user has administrator privileges, the device status display screen includes an operation area 32l for controlling the device in addition to the device status. In other words, the device status display screen in Figure 12 is also a control screen for controlling the device, and the device can only be controlled if the user has control privileges. Device control is achieved, for example, by sending a control request from the information terminal 30 (via the server system 26 and gateway device 25) to the control device 24 based on the user's operation in the operation area 32l.

[0077] In this way, the display system 10 (communication unit 27 of the server system 26) can transmit (output) information for displaying a screen according to whether or not the user of the information terminal 30 has control privileges. By receiving this information, the information terminal 30 can display a screen according to whether or not the user has control privileges.

[0078] [Example of display screen depending on whether or not site permissions are available] The display system 10 can also display screens according to the user's site permissions (hereinafter also referred to as access permissions) according to a sequence similar to that in Figure 6. For example, the first alarm information displayed on the site list screen in Figure 5 and the second alarm information displayed on the alarm list screen in Figure 2 are changed according to the site permissions.

[0079] For example, if a user has permission to access information for four facilities 90: Tokyo Building, Osaka Building, Nagoya Building, and Fukuoka Building, the location list screen will display four primary alarm information entries (four icons) corresponding to the four facilities 90, as shown in Figure 5. Additionally, the alarm list screen will display a list of secondary alarm information entries for equipment installed in the four facilities 90.

[0080] In contrast, if a user only has permission to access information for the Osaka Building, the location list screen will only display one primary alarm (one icon) corresponding to the Osaka Building, and the alarm list screen will only display secondary alarm information for equipment installed in the Osaka Building.

[0081] In this way, the display system 10 (communication unit 27 of the server system 26) can transmit (output) information for displaying a screen according to whether or not the user of the information terminal 30 has location authority. By receiving this information, the information terminal 30 can display a screen according to whether or not the user has location authority.

[0082] Furthermore, on the location list screen, the first alarm information for at least some of the facilities 90, according to the user's access rights on the information terminal 30, is displayed on a facility-by-facility basis. In other words, the location list screen is also a list screen of the facilities 90 that the user has access rights to.

[0083] By the way, the menu screens in Figures 7 and 8, such as "Alarm List," "Point Search," and "History," are menus for displaying single-site screens that show information about equipment installed at a single facility 90 (location). For example, when "Alarm List" is selected, a screen displaying a list of alarms for equipment installed at a particular facility 90 is shown.

[0084] In contrast, the alarm list screen in Figure 2 and the site list screen in Figure 5 are multi-site screens that are displayed when "Multi-site Monitoring" is selected in the menu screens of Figures 7 and 8.

[0085] Therefore, the menu screen of a user who only has access rights to one facility 90 as a site privilege does not need to display the "Multi-site Monitoring" menu. In other words, the menu screen of a user who has access rights to multiple facilities 90 as a site privilege may only display the "Multi-site Monitoring" menu. In this way, the information terminal 30 may display different menu screens depending on the strength of the user's site privileges (the number of sites to which they have access rights).

[0086] [Example of a settings screen] In the above embodiment, the screen in Figure 10 showing whether an individual has permissions was explained as a settings screen for setting permissions (administrator permissions, control permissions, and site permissions) for multiple users on a per-user basis. Here, regarding site permissions, permissions for multiple users may be set for each site. Figure 13 is a diagram showing an example of a settings screen for setting site permissions (access permissions) for multiple users for each site (facility 90), and specifically, it is a settings screen for setting access permissions for information related to the Tokyo Building.

[0087] According to this settings screen, a user with administrator privileges can set site permissions for multiple users on a site-by-site basis.

[0088] [Variations in the structure] In the above embodiment, the equipment management system 20 controlled and monitored equipment installed in each of the multiple facilities 90, but it may also control and monitor equipment installed in a single facility 90. In this case, the display system 10 is an on-premise system installed within a single facility 90, and the control device 24, server system 26, and information terminal 30 may communicate using a local communication network. Figure 14 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a display system according to such a modified example. The display system 10a shown in Figure 14 can perform the same operations as the display system 10.

[0089] [Other variations] In the above embodiment, the display of various screens on the display unit 32 of the information terminal 30 was achieved by the information terminal 30 (information processing unit 34) executing an application, but it may also be achieved by executing a general-purpose browser. In other words, the display system 10 may be implemented as an open system that does not require the installation of an application or the like.

[0090] Some or all of the processes described as being permitted to any user in the above embodiment may be permitted only to specific users. For example, if a rule is established that only users with administrator privileges can designate a responder, then some or all of the processes described as being permitted to any user can be permitted only to specific users with the necessary privileges.

[0091] Furthermore, although the above embodiment mainly describes a display screen assuming that the information terminal 30 is a portable terminal, the display screen may also be a screen that assumes the information terminal 30 is a relatively large screen such as a personal computer. For example, it is possible to display the alarm list screen in Figure 2 and the location list screen in Figure 5 side by side on a single display screen, in which case tabs 32h and 32i can be omitted.

[0092] [Effects, etc.] The following describes examples of inventions that can be obtained from the disclosures in this specification, and explains the effects and other benefits that can be obtained from these examples.

[0093] Invention 1 is a display method performed by an information terminal 30 that can communicate with an equipment management system 20 that manages equipment installed in one or more facilities 90, and includes a display step of displaying a display screen on a display unit 32 of the information terminal 30 according to whether or not the user of the information terminal 30 has the necessary permissions, wherein the presence or absence of permissions includes the presence or absence of administrator permissions and the presence or absence of equipment control permissions.

[0094] This display method allows for the display of screens based on the user's permissions.

[0095] Invention 2 is a display method of Invention 1, wherein, if the user has administrator privileges, the display step displays an administration screen as the display screen that shows whether other users have privileges or not. The administration screen in Figure 9 is an example of the administration screen in Invention 2.

[0096] This display method allows for the display of an administration screen that shows whether other users have permissions or not.

[0097] Invention 3 is a display method according to Invention 1 or 2, wherein, if the user has administrator privileges, the display step displays a settings screen for setting the privileges of other users as the display screen. The screen showing whether an individual has privileges (a screen including the settings change icon 32k) in Figure 10 is an example of a settings screen in Invention 3.

[0098] This display method allows you to access an administration screen to set permissions for other users.

[0099] Invention 4 is a display method from Inventions 1 to 3, wherein the equipment management system 20 manages equipment installed in multiple facilities 90, and the presence or absence of authority includes the presence or absence of access rights to information related to the multiple facilities 90. The location authority in the above embodiment is an example of access rights in Invention 4.

[0100] This display method allows for the display of screens that vary depending on whether or not the user has access permissions to information related to multiple facilities 90.

[0101] Invention 5 is a display method of Invention 4, wherein, if the user has access rights, the display step displays a list screen of facilities 90 to which the user has access rights. The list screen of locations in Figure 5 and the screen showing whether an individual has access rights in Figure 10 are examples of the list screen of facilities 90 in Invention 5.

[0102] This display method allows the user to view a list of 90 facilities to which they have access rights.

[0103] Invention 6 is a display method of Invention 5, wherein, if the user has administrator privileges, the display step displays a settings screen for setting access rights for other users for each facility 90. The settings screen in Figure 13 is an example of the settings screen in Invention 6.

[0104] This display method allows you to show a settings screen for configuring access permissions for other users on a per-facility basis.

[0105] Invention 7 is a display method of Invention 5, wherein, if the user has administrator privileges, the display step displays a settings screen as the display screen for setting access permissions for other users on a per-user basis. The screen showing whether an individual has permissions (a screen including the settings change icon 32k) in Figure 10 is an example of a settings screen in Invention 7.

[0106] This display method allows you to show a settings screen that allows you to configure access permissions for other users on a per-user basis.

[0107] Invention 8 is a display method from Inventions 1 to 7, wherein, when the user has control authority, the display step displays the control screen of the device as the display screen. The device status display screen in Figure 12 is an example of the control screen of the device in Invention 8.

[0108] This display method allows for the display of screens based on whether or not control privileges are available.

[0109] Invention 9 is a program that causes the information terminal 30 to execute any of the display methods from Inventions 1 to 8.

[0110] Such programs can display screens that vary depending on whether the user has the necessary permissions.

[0111] Invention 10 is an information processing system that can communicate with an equipment management system 20 that manages equipment installed in one or more facilities 90, and comprises a display unit and an information processing unit that displays a display screen on the display unit according to whether or not the user of the information processing system has the necessary permissions, the permissions include whether or not the user has administrator privileges and whether or not the user has the authority to control equipment. Information terminal 30 is an example of the information processing system.

[0112] Such information processing systems can display screens that vary depending on whether the user has the necessary permissions.

[0113] Invention 11 is an equipment management system 20 for managing equipment installed in one or more facilities 90, comprising a communication unit 27 that communicates with an information terminal 30 having a display unit 32, wherein the communication unit 27 transmits information to the information terminal 30 for displaying a display screen on the display unit 32 according to whether or not the user of the information terminal 30 has authority, and the authority status includes whether or not the user has administrator authority and whether or not the user has authority to control equipment.

[0114] Such a device management system 20 can display screens according to whether or not the user has the necessary permissions.

[0115] Invention 12 is a computer system for managing equipment installed in one or more facilities 90, and is a communication method performed by a computer system capable of communicating with an information terminal 30 having a display unit 32, the method including the step of transmitting information to the information terminal 30 for displaying a display screen on the display unit 32 according to whether or not the user of the information terminal 30 has authority, the authority status includes whether or not the user has administrator authority and whether or not the user has authority to control equipment. The equipment management system 20 (server system 26) is an example of the computer system in Invention 12.

[0116] This type of communication method allows for the display of screens based on whether or not the user has the necessary permissions.

[0117] Invention 13 is a program for causing a computer system to execute the communication method of Invention 12.

[0118] Such programs can display screens that vary depending on whether the user has the necessary permissions.

[0119] (Other embodiments) Although embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above.

[0120] For example, in the above embodiment, various systems such as a display system, an equipment management system, or an information processing system may be implemented by one device or by multiple devices. When a system is implemented by multiple devices, the components of the system (especially the functional components) may be distributed among the multiple devices in any way.

[0121] Furthermore, the communication method between devices in the above embodiment is not particularly limited. In addition, a relay device (not shown) may be interposed in the communication between devices.

[0122] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a process executed by a specific processing unit may be executed by another processing unit. Also, the order of multiple processes may be changed, or multiple processes may be executed in parallel.

[0123] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, each component may be realized by executing a software program suitable for each component. Each component may also be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU or processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or semiconductor memory.

[0124] Furthermore, each component may be implemented by hardware. For example, each component may be a circuit (or integrated circuit). These circuits may form a single circuit as a whole, or they may be separate circuits. Also, each of these circuits may be a general-purpose circuit or a dedicated circuit.

[0125] Furthermore, general or specific embodiments of the present invention may be implemented as a system, apparatus, method, integrated circuit, computer program, or recording medium such as a computer-readable CD-ROM. Alternatively, they may be implemented as any combination of a system, apparatus, method, integrated circuit, computer program, and recording medium.

[0126] For example, the present invention may be implemented as a method executed by various systems (computers) such as the display system, device management system, or information processing system of the above embodiment, or as a program (computer program product) for causing a computer to execute the method. Furthermore, the present invention may be implemented as a computer-readable non-temporary recording medium on which such a program is recorded.

[0127] Furthermore, the present invention also includes forms obtained by applying various modifications to each embodiment that a person skilled in the art could conceive, or forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of each embodiment without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0128] 10, 10a Display System 20. Equipment Management System (Computer System) 21 Lighting equipment (equipment) 22 Air conditioning equipment (equipment) 23 Measuring Instruments (Equipment) 27 Communications Department 30. Information terminals (information processing systems) 32 Display section 34 Information Processing Section 90 facilities

Claims

1. A display method performed by an information terminal that can communicate with an equipment management system that manages equipment installed in one or more facilities, The process includes a display step in which a display screen corresponding to whether or not the user of the information terminal has permission is displayed on the display unit of the information terminal, The presence or absence of the aforementioned authority includes the presence or absence of administrator authority and the presence or absence of control authority for the aforementioned device. The aforementioned administrator privileges include the authority to change whether or not administrator privileges exist, and whether or not control privileges for the device exist. If the user has administrator privileges, the display step shall display a settings screen for setting the permissions of other users for each user, indicating whether or not they have administrator privileges and whether or not they have control rights over the device. Display method.

2. If the user has administrator privileges, the display step shall display an administration screen as the display screen, showing whether other users have permissions. The display method according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned equipment management system manages the equipment installed in multiple facilities, The presence or absence of the aforementioned authority includes whether or not there is access to information related to the aforementioned multiple facilities. The display method according to claim 1.

4. If the user has the access rights, the display step shall display a list of facilities for which the user has access rights as the display screen. The display method according to claim 3.

5. If the user has administrator privileges, the display step will show a settings screen for setting the access rights of other users for each facility. The display method according to claim 4.

6. If the user has administrator privileges, the display step displays a settings screen for setting the access rights of other users on a per-user basis. The display method according to claim 4.

7. If the user has the control authority, the display step shall display the control screen of the device as the display screen. The display method according to claim 1.

8. A program for causing the information terminal to execute the display method described in any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. An information processing system that can communicate with an equipment management system that manages equipment installed in one or more facilities, Display unit and The system includes an information processing unit that displays a display screen on the display unit according to whether or not the user of the information processing system has the necessary permissions, The presence or absence of the aforementioned authority includes the presence or absence of administrator authority and the presence or absence of control authority for the aforementioned device. The aforementioned administrator privileges include the authority to change whether or not administrator privileges exist, and whether or not control privileges for the device exist. If the user has administrator privileges, the information processing unit displays a settings screen on the display unit for setting the permissions of other users for each user, indicating whether or not they have administrator privileges and whether or not they have control privileges for the device. Information processing system.

10. A device management system for managing equipment installed in one or more facilities, It is equipped with a communication unit that communicates with an information terminal having a display unit, The communication unit transmits to the information terminal information for displaying a display screen on the display unit according to whether or not the user of the information terminal has permission. The presence or absence of the aforementioned authority includes the presence or absence of administrator authority and the presence or absence of control authority for the aforementioned device. The aforementioned administrator privileges include the authority to change whether or not administrator privileges exist, and whether or not control privileges for the device exist. If the user has administrator privileges, the communication unit transmits information to the information terminal, as the display screen, which includes information on whether the user has administrator privileges and whether the user has control privileges for the device, and a settings screen for setting the privileges of other users for each user. Equipment management system.

11. A computer system for managing equipment installed in one or more facilities, and a communication method performed by a computer system capable of communicating with an information terminal having a display unit, The transmission step includes sending information to the information terminal for displaying a display screen on the display unit according to whether or not the user of the information terminal has permission, The presence or absence of the aforementioned authority includes the presence or absence of administrator authority and the presence or absence of control authority for the aforementioned device. The aforementioned administrator privileges include the authority to change whether or not administrator privileges exist, and whether or not control privileges for the device exist. If the user has administrator privileges, in the transmission step, the information terminal is sent information to display a settings screen for setting the permissions of other users for each user, including whether or not the user has administrator privileges and whether or not the user has control privileges for the device. Communication method.

12. A program for causing the computer system to execute the communication method described in claim 11.

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