Interoperable system and interoperable control method

Abstract

To enable responding a plurality of cloud services with different specifications by configuring a simplified cooperation system.SOLUTION: In a cooperation system comprising a cooperation control device for executing cooperate control in a manner that a cooperation of prescribed functions among a device group including facility responding devices provided in a building management system and general devices executing functions corresponding to prescribed applications in the building is achieved, a plurality of cloud service servers each providing a cloud service with different specifications is connected to the cooperation control device, wherein the cooperation control device comprises a data conversion section which intervenes between the plurality of cloud service servers and the devices, converts data transmitted to the devices from the cloud service servers into common specifications, and converts data transmitted to the cloud service servers from the devices into the specifications which the cloud service servers as recipients correspond to.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an association system and an association control method.

Background Art

[0002] A data linkage support system configured to be able to exchange data between SaaS (Software as a Service) is known.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] For example, in a building that houses an office or commercial facility, etc., overall management of the building is carried out, including control and status monitoring of building equipment such as air conditioning and lighting, by a building management system operated by the building manager. 。 If the above building management system is connected to an external cloud service, it becomes an association system that can use the cloud service by the devices of the building management system. In this case, for example, companies or groups residing in the building may each have a desire to use a cloud service with a specification that is convenient for themselves. To meet such a desire, it is necessary to make the interface between the cloud service and the device in the association system correspond to each specification of the cloud server, and there is a possibility that the association system may become enlarged or complicated, for example.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to enable correspondence to a plurality of cloud services with different specifications by a simple configuration of the association system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention that solves the above-mentioned problems is a collaborative system comprising a collaborative control device that performs collaborative control so as to realize the collaboration of predetermined functions between a group of devices including an equipment-compatible device provided in a building management system for managing the equipment of a building that is under the management of a building manager and a general device that performs a function according to a predetermined application in the building, wherein the collaborative control device is connected to a plurality of cloud service servers, each providing cloud services with different specifications, and is a collaborative system comprising a data conversion unit that intervenes between the plurality of cloud service servers and the device to convert data transmitted from the cloud service server to the device into a common specification, and converts data transmitted from the device to the cloud service server into a specification corresponding to the destination cloud service server.

[0007] Furthermore, one aspect of the present invention is a cooperation control method in a cooperation system that includes a cooperation control device that performs cooperation control so as to realize the cooperation of predetermined functions between a group of devices including equipment-compatible devices provided in a building management system for managing the equipment of a building that a building manager is responsible for, and general devices that perform functions according to predetermined applications in the building, wherein the cooperation control device is connected to a plurality of cloud service servers, each providing cloud services with different specifications, and intervenes between the plurality of cloud service servers and the device to convert data transmitted from the cloud service server to the device into a common specification, and the data transmitted from the device to the cloud service server is converted into a specification corresponding to the destination cloud service server. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] As described above, the present invention offers the advantage of being able to support multiple cloud services with different specifications by configuring a simple collaborative system. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of the collaborative system in this embodiment. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of the functional configuration of each linked control device in this embodiment. [Figure 3] This flowchart shows an example of a processing procedure executed by the collaborative control device in this embodiment in relation to application collaboration. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example configuration of a collaborative system connected to multiple cloud services in this embodiment. [Figure 5] This flowchart shows an example of a processing procedure performed by the linked control device in this embodiment in relation to specification conversion. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Figure 1 shows an example of a collaborative system in the building IoT environment of this embodiment. The building IoT environment as a collaborative system in this embodiment includes a cloud environment 10 and a building environment 20.

[0011] The cloud environment 10 is an environment built to perform building management and control of IoT-enabled devices used in the building using cloud computing. The cloud environment 10 includes a building integrated management system 11 and a general IoT control system 12.

[0012] The building integrated management system 11 is an environment constructed to perform integrated management of building buildings (BLs) that are managed by a building manager. The building integrated management system 11 includes a building integrated management device SY1 and a linkage control device 100. The building buildings (BLs) integrated and managed by the building integrated management system 11 may be one building or multiple buildings. The building integrated management device SY1 includes, for example, a server, a database, etc., for integrated building management. Alternatively, the building integrated management device SY1 may be configured as a combination of multiple physically independent devices. In this case, the building integrated management device SY1 manages multiple building buildings (BLs) in an integrated manner via the linkage control device 100.

[0013] The SY1 building integrated management system functions by executing an application program that provides functions corresponding to building integrated management. In this respect, the SY1 building integrated management system can be considered as an application that has functions corresponding to building integrated management. Furthermore, the SY1 building integrated management system can be considered as a device (equipment-compatible device) on which an application that has functions corresponding to building integrated management is implemented.

[0014] The linked control device 100 controls the integrated building management system 11, the building unit management system 21 of each building BL, and the general IoT environment 22 of each building BL, so that application linkage is performed so that applications cooperate among a predetermined number of devices to provide predetermined functions. Examples of the collaborative control functions provided by the collaborative control device 100 include implementing inter-device collaboration between the building integrated management system 11, the building unit management system 21 of a specific building BL, and the general IoT environment 22 of the same building BL. Alternatively, it may implement inter-device collaboration based on the conditions obtained by cross-sectionally comparing device information of building unit management systems 21 in multiple different building BLs.

[0015] In the figure, although illustration is omitted, the building integrated management device SY1 and the cooperation control device 100 may be connected to a predetermined network service IS. For example, the building integrated management device SY1 can formulate an air conditioning operation plan for each building BL based on the weather forecast information of the local area of the building BL obtained from a network service IS that provides weather-related information. Further, the network service IS may be an SNS (Social Networking Service) provided on the cloud or a cloud service for data provision / data cooperation.

[0016] The general IoT control system 12 controls so that various IoT functions used by general users are realized in each of the general IoT environments 22 of each building BL. The general users here include those engaged in enterprises, commercial facilities, etc. in the building BL. Further, the general users include those who visit as visitors to enterprises, etc. in the building BL and customers who visit commercial facilities, etc. in the building BL.

[0017] The general IoT control system 12 includes a cooperation control device 200. The cooperation control device 200 is connected to a general device DV in the general IoT environment 22 for each building BL via a router RT. Further, the cooperation control device 200 is connected to various network services IS. The network service IS may be, for example, an SNS, an email service, a notepad application service, etc. Such a general device DV can be regarded as one of the devices corresponding to the application cooperation of the present embodiment. Further, the network service IS is realized by implementing an application program in a device such as a server that provides the network service IS. In this regard, in the present embodiment, the network service IS can be regarded as one of the devices corresponding to the application cooperation of the present embodiment.

[0018] The cooperation control device 200 has a function of managing connections among general devices DV, network services IS, etc. corresponding to the general IoT environment 22 for each building BL. In addition, the cooperation control device 200 can execute predetermined application cooperation including applications corresponding to general devices DV, network services IS, etc. connected to the cooperation control device 200.

[0019] In the figure, the general device DV shows a mode of being connected to the network service IS via the cooperation control device 200 from the router RT, but the general device DV and the network service IS may be directly connected to each other without passing through the router RT or the cooperation control device 200.

[0020] The building environment 20 is an environment formed by including a plurality of buildings BL managed by the cloud environment 10. One building BL in the building environment 20 includes a building unit management system 21 and a general IoT environment 22.

[0021] The building unit management system 21 performs management in units of building BL under the building manager. The building unit management system 21 includes a building unit management device SY2, building facilities FC, and a cooperation control device 300 (an example of an auxiliary cooperation control device).

[0022] The functions of the building unit management device SY2 and the building facilities FC are realized by the building unit management device SY2 and the building facilities FC executing application programs corresponding to their respective functions. In this regard, the building unit management device SY2 and the building facilities FC can be regarded as applications installed in the building unit management system 21, respectively. Also, the building unit management device SY2 and the building facilities FC can be regarded as devices (devices corresponding to facilities) in which applications are installed. In addition, the building unit management device SY2 and the building facilities FC can be regarded as a general term for an integrated system including a plurality of devices having a certain function and a server function that manages and controls those devices.

[0023] The building unit management device SY2 includes, for example, a server, database, etc., for managing the corresponding building building line (BL). Alternatively, the building unit management device SY2 may be configured as a combination of multiple physically independent devices. The building unit management device SY2 is connected to various building equipment FCs. Building equipment FCs include, for example, air conditioning systems, lighting systems, various sensors, terminal devices used by building managers, and guidance robots in the building building line (BL). The building unit management device SY2 can manage the building BL as a basic, self-contained management system, for example, based on sensor outputs from building equipment FCs acting as sensors. For example, the building unit management device SY2 can control the dimming of lighting systems and the air conditioning system within the building BL based on the output of sensors installed to detect the presence or absence of people in the building BL. In this case, the sensors, lighting systems, air conditioning systems, etc., are each building equipment FCs installed in the building BL.

[0024] Although not shown in the diagram, the building unit management device SY2 may be connected to a predetermined network service IS. The building unit management device SY2 can control a predetermined building equipment FC based on information obtained from the network service IS.

[0025] Furthermore, the building integrated management device SY1 issues appropriate instructions to the building unit management device SY2 of each building BL in order to comprehensively control multiple building BLs. The building unit management device SY2 can control, for example, a predetermined building equipment FC in response to the instructions from the building integrated management device SY1. This enables integrated management of multiple building BLs.

[0026] The linkage control device 300 of the building unit management system 21 is connected to the linkage control device 100 of the building integrated management system 11.

[0027] The linked control device 300 can perform predetermined application linkages between devices (such as the building unit management device SY2 and building equipment FC) provided in the building unit management system 21 of the same building BL, and devices, network service IS, etc., provided in the building unit management system 21 of other building BLs, the general IoT control system 12.

[0028] Furthermore, the linked control device 300 can perform predetermined application linkages between devices (such as the building unit management device SY2 and the building equipment FC) provided in the building unit management system 21 of the same building BL. In other words, the linked control device 300 can execute application linkages that are completed within the building unit management system 21. For example, the linked control device 300 can control multiple building equipment FCs in the same building BL to cooperate and perform predetermined operations. Alternatively, the linked control device 300 can control multiple building equipment FCs in different building BLs to cooperate and perform predetermined operations. Communication failures or other issues may prevent communication between the building unit management system 21's linkage control device 300 and the building integrated management system 11's linkage control device 100. In this case, application linkage between the building unit management system 21 and the building integrated management system 11, as well as application linkage between the building unit management system 21 and the general IoT environment 22, will cease to function. However, even in such cases, the presence of the linkage control device 300 allows application linkage that is completed within the building unit management system 21 to function as a supplement to the overall linkage system, thus preventing a significant impairment of comfort and convenience in the building building line.

[0029] The general IoT environment 22 is an environment in a building building line (BL) where general IoT functions are implemented. The general IoT environment 22 is equipped with multiple general device DVs. General device DVs are a general term that includes various IoT devices used by general users within the building BL and server functions that manage and control those IoT devices. General device DVs include, for example, personal computers, smartphones, and tablet terminals used individually by general users within the building BL. They also include general household appliances used within the building BL. Furthermore, general device DVs may include AI speakers, digital signage compatible display devices, and navigation devices for vehicles entering and leaving the building BL. In addition, general device DVs may include IoT sensing devices such as temperature sensors, motion sensors, and vibration sensors.

[0030] A general device DV is connected wirelessly or via wired communication to other general devices DV in the same general IoT environment 22 via a router RT. Multiple router RTs may be placed in the building BL as appropriate. The router RT is connected to the interoperability control device 200 in the general IoT control system 12. This connects the general device DV to the network service IS. Furthermore, the general device DV is also connected to other general devices DV in the general IoT environment 22.

[0031] Referring to Figure 2, examples of the functional configurations of the linked control device 100 in the building integrated management system 11, the linked control device 200 in the general IoT control system 12, and the linked control device 300 in the building unit management system 21 will be described. Note that parts identical to those in Figure 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted. The functions of the linked control devices 100, 200, and 300 shown in the figure are realized by the execution of programs by the CPUs (Central Processing Units) provided in the linked control devices 100, 200, and 300.

[0032] The interoperability control device 100 in the building integrated management system 11 includes a communication unit 101, a control unit 102, and a storage unit 103.

[0033] The communication unit 101 is connected to the building integrated management device SY1 in the same building integrated management system 11 that is equipped with the interoperability control device 100, enabling communication. The communication unit 101 may also be connected to a predetermined network service IS. If other devices other than the building integrated management device SY1 are provided in the same building integrated management system 11, the communication unit 101 may also be connected to these other devices, enabling communication.

[0034] The control unit 102 performs control in the interoperability control device 100. The control unit 102 includes an interoperability control unit 121. The interoperability control unit 121 controls the operation of multiple devices connected to the interoperability control device 100 so that operations according to predetermined application interoperability functions are performed. A concrete example of "operation in accordance with a predetermined application linkage function between multiple devices" here is to control the operation or state of one or more other devices using predetermined logic when the state, measured values, calculated values, etc., of one or more devices meet pre-set conditions. Here, the devices connected to the linkage control device 100 include devices directly connected to the linkage control device 100 in the same building integrated management system 11 (e.g., building integrated management device SY1). Furthermore, the devices connected to the linkage control device 100 also include devices indirectly connected, for example, via the linkage control device 200 (e.g., general device DV, network service IS). Additionally, the devices connected to the linkage control device 100 include devices indirectly connected via the linkage control device 300 in the building unit management system 21 of a certain building BL (e.g., building unit management device SY2, building equipment FC).

[0035] The memory unit 103 stores various types of information corresponding to the interoperability control device 100. As shown in the figure, the memory unit 103 stores N (where N is a natural number greater than or equal to 1) interoperability procedure information 131 (131-1 to 131-N). One piece of integration procedure information 131 is information that shows the procedure (rules) for achieving a predetermined application integration. The collaboration control unit 121, for example, refers to collaboration procedure information corresponding to an application collaboration request received from an application of a predetermined device, and performs control such as outputting commands so that the procedure for realizing the requested application collaboration function is executed. For example, the cooperation procedure information 131 may contain content that, in accordance with an IF-THEN statement, instructs one or more applications on other devices to perform a predetermined procedure if certain conditions are met based on a request from an application on one or more devices. The same applies to the cooperation procedure information 231 and 331 described later.

[0036] The collaborative control device 200 in the general IoT control system 12 comprises a communication unit 201, a control unit 202, and a storage unit 203.

[0037] The communication unit 201 connects to the network service IS and also communicates with general devices DV, etc., in each of the general IoT environments 22 under its control via the router RT. For the sake of simplicity in the diagram, the router RT is not shown, and the diagram shows the general devices DV and the communication unit 201 connected.

[0038] The control unit 202 performs control in the interoperation control device 200. The control unit 202 includes an interoperation control unit 221. The interoperation control unit 221 controls the operation of multiple devices connected to the interoperation control device 200 so that operations corresponding to predetermined application interoperation are performed. A concrete example of "operation in accordance with a predetermined application linkage function between multiple devices" here is to control the operation or state of one or more other devices using predetermined logic when the state, measured values, calculated values, etc., of one or more devices meet pre-set conditions. The devices connected to the linked control device 200 include network service IS, devices in the general IoT environment 22 (general device DV, etc.), devices in the building integrated management system 11 (building integrated management device SY1, network service IS (not shown), etc.), and devices in the building unit management system 21 (building unit management device SY2, building equipment FC, network service IS (not shown), etc.).

[0039] The memory unit 203 stores various types of information corresponding to the interoperability control device 200. The memory unit 203 stores n (where n is a natural number greater than or equal to 1) interoperability procedure information 231 (231-1 to 231-n). One linkage procedure information 131 is information indicating the procedure for realizing a predetermined application linkage function. The linkage control unit 221, for example, refers to the linkage procedure information corresponding to the application linkage request received from the application of a predetermined device, and performs control such as outputting commands so that the procedure for realizing the requested application linkage function is executed.

[0040] The interoperability control device 300 in the building unit management system 21 comprises a communication unit 301, a control unit 302, and a storage unit 303.

[0041] The communication unit 301 is connected to communicate with the building unit management device SY2 and building equipment FC in the same building unit management system 21 in which the interoperability control device 300 is installed. The communication unit 301 may also be connected to a predetermined network service IS. Furthermore, if other devices other than the building unit management device SY2 and building equipment FC are installed in the same building integrated management system 11, the communication unit 301 may also be connected to communicate with these other devices.

[0042] The control unit 302 performs control in the interoperability control device 300. The control unit 302 includes an interoperability control unit 321. The interoperability control unit 321 controls the operation of multiple devices connected to the interoperability control device 300 so that operations according to predetermined application interoperability functions are performed. A concrete example of "operation in accordance with a predetermined application linkage function between multiple devices" here is to control the operation or state of one or more other devices using predetermined logic when the state, measured values, calculated values, etc., of one or more devices meet pre-set conditions. The devices connected to the interoperability control device 300 include devices directly connected in the same building unit management system 21 (such as the building unit management device SY2 and building equipment FC). Furthermore, the devices connected to the interoperability control device 300 include devices of the building integrated management system 11 (such as the building integrated management device SY1) and devices in the building unit management system 21 of other building BLs (such as the building unit management device SY2 and building equipment FC), which are indirectly connected via the interoperability control device 100. Additionally, the devices connected to the interoperability control device 300 include devices indirectly connected via the interoperability control device 100 and the interoperability control device 200 (such as the network service IS and general device DV).

[0043] The memory unit 303 stores various types of information corresponding to the interoperability control device 300. The memory unit 303 stores M (where M is a natural number greater than or equal to 1) interoperability procedure information 331 (331-1 to 331-M). One set of integration procedure information 331 is information that indicates the procedure for realizing a predetermined application integration. One set of integration procedure information includes information that indicates a command (application integration request (integration command)) that requests the corresponding application integration (corresponding command information) and information that instructs the procedure for realizing the corresponding application integration (procedure instruction information). The collaboration control unit 321, for example, refers to collaboration procedure information corresponding to a collaboration command received from an application of a predetermined device, and performs control such as command output so that the procedure to realize the requested application collaboration is executed.

[0044] The collaborative system of this embodiment, with the above configuration, is capable of the following application collaborations. First, the collaborative system can trigger application collaboration between a device in the building integrated management system 11 (such as the building integrated management device SY1) and one or more devices in one or more building unit management systems 21 (such as the building unit management device SY2, building equipment FC, etc.) using a collaboration command sent from a device in the building integrated management system 11 as a trigger. In this case, the linkage control device 100 receives a linkage command sent by a device in the building integrated management system 11, and based on the procedure instruction information indicated by the linkage procedure information 131 corresponding to the received linkage command, it may send a procedure instruction command to the linked device instructing it to execute the procedure indicated by the procedure instruction information. At this time, the procedure instruction command is forwarded to the linked device via the linkage control device 300. The linked device that receives the procedure instruction command executes the processing in response to the procedure instruction command. In this way, application linkage is performed between a device in the building integrated management system 11 and one or more devices in the building unit management system 21.

[0045] Furthermore, the collaborative system can initiate application collaboration with devices in the building integrated management system 11 (such as the building integrated management device SY1) by triggering a collaboration command sent from a device in a particular building unit management system 21 (such as the building unit management device SY2 or building equipment FC). In this case, the linkage command sent from a device in the building unit management system 21 is transmitted to the linkage control device 100 via the linkage control device 300. Based on the procedure instruction information indicated by the linkage procedure information 131 corresponding to the received linkage command, the linkage control device 100 sends a procedure instruction command to the device in the building integrated management system 11 that is the linking destination, instructing it to execute the procedure indicated by the procedure instruction information. The linking destination device that receives the procedure instruction command executes the processing in response to the procedure instruction command. In this way, application linkage is performed between the device in the building unit management system 21 and the device in the building integrated management system 11.

[0046] Furthermore, the cooperation system of this embodiment can, for example, trigger an application cooperation between other devices in one or more general IoT environments 22 (which may include a general IoT environment 22 equipped with the device that sent the cooperation command) or a network service IS, etc., by receiving a cooperation command transmitted from a device such as a general device DV in a certain one general IoT environment 22. In this case, for example, a cooperation command sent from a device in a general IoT environment 22 is received by the cooperation control device 200 of the general IoT control system 12. Based on the procedure instruction information indicated by the cooperation procedure information 231 corresponding to the received cooperation command, the cooperation control device 200 sends a procedure instruction command to the destination device (a general device DV in the general IoT environment 22, or a network service IS, etc.) instructing it to execute the procedure indicated by the procedure instruction information. The destination device that receives the procedure instruction command executes the processing in response to the procedure instruction command. In this way, application cooperation is performed between devices in one or more general IoT environments 22.

[0047] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the linked system connects the linked control device 100 of the building integrated management system 11 with the linked control device 200 of the general IoT control system 12. As a result, this embodiment enables application linkage between devices of the building management system (building integrated management system 11, building unit management system 21) that supports building management and devices of the general IoT environment 22.

[0048] One way in which devices can be linked to the building management system and the general IoT environment 22 is that a linkage command sent from a device of the building integrated management system 11 can be used as a trigger to link an application between the device of the building integrated management system 11 and one or more predetermined devices in each of the one or more general IoT environments 22. In this case, the linkage control device 100 of the building integrated management system 11 may send a procedure instruction command to a device in the linked general IoT environment 22 based on the linkage procedure information 131 corresponding to the received linkage command. Alternatively, the linkage control device 100 of the building integrated management system 11 may forward the linkage command transmitted from the device of the building unit management system 21 to the linkage control device 200 of the general IoT control system 12. The linkage control device 200 may then send a procedure instruction command to the device of the linked general IoT environment 22 based on the linkage procedure information 231 corresponding to the forwarded linkage command.

[0049] Furthermore, as another form of application linkage between the building management environment and the general IoT environment 22, an application linkage is possible between the device of a certain building unit management system 21 and one or more predetermined devices in each of the one or more general IoT environments 22, triggered by a linkage command sent from the device of that building unit management system 21. In this case, the linkage control device 100 of the building integrated management system 11 may send a procedure instruction command to a device in the linked general IoT environment 22 based on the linkage procedure information 131 corresponding to the linkage command sent from the device of the building unit management system 21. Alternatively, the linkage control device 100 of the building integrated management system 11 may forward the linkage command sent from the device of the building unit management system 21 to the linkage control device 200 of the general IoT control system 12. The linkage control device 200 may then send a procedure instruction command to the device of the linked general IoT environment 22 based on the linkage procedure information 231 corresponding to the forwarded linkage command.

[0050] Furthermore, as another form of application linkage between the building management system and the general IoT environment 22, an application linkage is possible between the device in the general IoT environment 22 and a device in the building integrated management system 11, or one or more predetermined devices in one or more building integrated management systems 11, triggered by a linkage command sent from one device in the general IoT environment 22.

[0051] Furthermore, as a form of application linkage between the building management environment and the general IoT environment 22, it is also possible to link applications to a predetermined device in the other two systems or environments, triggered by a linkage command sent from a device in any of the building integrated management system 11, the building unit management system 21, or the general IoT environment 22.

[0052] Referring to the flowchart in Figure 3, an example of the processing procedure performed by the linked control devices (100, 200, 300) in relation to application linkage will be described. In the following explanation, the case where the linked control device 100 is the main unit of processing will be used as an example.

[0053] Step S101: In the linkage control device 100, the linkage control unit 121 is waiting for a linkage command to be received. Step S102: When a linkage command is received, the linkage control unit 121 determines whether the received linkage command is one that it should handle. The linkage control unit 121 may make the determination in step S102 by, for example, whether specific information (e.g., a command identifier, etc.) described in the received linkage command is included in the linkage command that it should process. Alternatively, the linkage control unit 121 may perform a process to search for linkage procedure information 131 associated with the linkage command received from the storage unit 103, and make the determination in step S102 based on whether it was found. Alternatively, if the linkage command includes device information indicating a linkage control device that should process it, the linkage control unit 121 may make the determination in step S102 by determining whether the device information indicates itself. Alternatively, the linkage control unit 121 may make the determination in step S102 by, for example, comparing the address of the linked device indicated in the linkage command with its own address.

[0054] Step S103: If, in step S102, the cooperation control unit 121 determines that it is not responsible for handling the received cooperation command, it forwards the received cooperation command to another cooperation control unit (200, 300). In this case, the cooperation control unit 121 may forward the cooperation command to each of the other cooperation control units (200, 300) via multicast. Alternatively, the cooperation control unit 121 may identify the cooperation control unit to which the command should be forwarded based on predetermined information indicated in the received cooperation command, and forward the cooperation command to the identified cooperation control unit.

[0055] Step S104: If it is determined in step S102 that the received cooperation command is something that it should respond to, the cooperation control unit 121 obtains procedure instruction information from the cooperation procedure information 131 corresponding to the received cooperation command.

[0056] Step S105: The linkage control unit 121 generates a procedure instruction command based on the procedure instruction information obtained in step S104, and sends the generated procedure instruction command to the linked device.

[0057] In the collaborative system of this embodiment, new application collaborative functions can be easily and flexibly added by storing collaborative procedure information corresponding to a certain application collaborative function in the collaborative control devices 100, 200, and 300.

[0058] Furthermore, in order to realize the operation of a single application collaboration, multiple collaboration procedure information may be used between collaboration control devices. For example, while the collaboration control device 100 is executing processing according to predetermined collaboration procedure information 131 corresponding to a collaboration command from a predetermined device, it sends a predetermined collaboration command to the collaboration control device 200. The collaboration control device 200 then executes processing according to predetermined collaboration procedure information 131 corresponding to the received collaboration command. In this way, the operation of a single application collaboration may be obtained.

[0059] [Regarding Cloud Service Support] By connecting the building unit management system 21 for each building BL in the above-described linked system to an external cloud service, the devices in the building unit management system 21 can be made able to use the external cloud service. In this case, for example, each user, such as a company that occupies all or part of the building's building line (BL) as a tenant, has a desire to "use" or "use different cloud services depending on their purpose" that are convenient for them. Such desires exist not only for building tenants but also for building owners and building operators. Considering this, it is preferable that the cloud services connected to the collaborative system of this embodiment are not limited to one specific cloud service, but rather consist of multiple cloud services that meet the needs of each user. To achieve this, multiple building integrated management systems 11 in the linked system should be provided, each corresponding to the specifications of the cloud service. However, such a configuration would result in a bloated and complex cloud environment 10. Therefore, the collaborative system of this embodiment is designed to support multiple cloud services with a simple configuration, as will be described below.

[0060] Figure 4 shows an example configuration of the collaborative system of this embodiment connected to multiple cloud services. This figure simplifies the configuration of the collaborative system of this embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, and shows the external cloud service servers that are connected to the collaborative system of this embodiment, corresponding to each of the multiple cloud services. In this figure, the same reference numerals are used for parts that are the same as those in Figures 1 and 2.

[0061] The diagram shows an example where three cloud service servers 500 (500-1, 500-2, and 500-3) are connected to the linked system. The number of cloud service servers 500 connected to the linked system is not limited.

[0062] Each of the 500 cloud service servers will have different specifications. These specifications encompass various elements such as the functions (services) provided, function names, command formats, programming languages, and various protocols. It also includes the fact that the cloud service providers are different for each server.

[0063] Each of the cloud service servers 500 is connected to the linked control device 100 of the building integrated management system 11 in the cloud environment 10 of the linked system. As a result, each of the cloud service servers 500 can connect to various devices (an example of a group of devices) in the building unit management system 21 of each building BL in the building environment 20 via the interoperation control device 100.

[0064] In this embodiment, the procedures and conventions for communication, control, etc., for functional cooperation between the linked control device 100 in the building integrated management system 11 and each device in the lower-level building unit management system 21 are performed under predetermined standard specifications (i.e., standard protocols (an example of common specifications)). Furthermore, communication between the linked control device 200 in the general IoT control system 12 and each device (an example of a group of devices) in the lower-level general IoT environment 22 is also performed under predetermined standard specifications (standard protocols).

[0065] As a specific example, in a building unit management system 21 of a certain building BL, a user performed an operation on their device so that the function of service A provided by the cloud service server 500-1 would be executed on the device they owned. In response to this operation, the device sends a command corresponding to its function as Service A (a Service A-compatible command) to the cloud service server 500-1. Since the device conforms to the standard specifications, the sent Service A-compatible command conforms to the standard specifications.

[0066] Service A-compatible commands sent from a device are relayed by the interoperation control device 100 and then forwarded to the cloud service server 500-1. The Service A-compatible commands received by the interoperation control device 100 conform to the standard specification (standard protocol), which differs from the specification of the cloud service server 500-1 (i.e., the protocol adopted by the cloud service server 500-1). Therefore, the interoperation control device 100 converts the specification of the received Service A-compatible command to the specification of the cloud service server 500-1 and then forwards it to the cloud service server 500-1.

[0067] When the cloud service server 500-1 receives a service A-compatible command corresponding to its own specifications, it sends data (function execution data) to the device that sent the service A-compatible command, so that the function corresponding to service A can be executed on the device. The transmitted function execution data is in accordance with the specifications of the cloud service server 500-1. The function execution data transmitted from the cloud service server 500-1 is relayed by the interoperation control device 100 and then forwarded to the destination device. The function execution data received by the interoperation control device 100 is based on the specifications of the cloud service server 500-1 and differs from the standard specifications. Therefore, the interoperation control device 100 converts the specifications of the received function execution data to the standard specifications and then forwards it to the destination device. As a result, a device that complies with the standard specifications can use the received function execution data to execute a predetermined function corresponding to service A.

[0068] In this way, when a device in the building unit management system 21 performs a function corresponding to a service provided by the cloud service server 500-1, the interoperation control device 100 relays the data exchanged between the device and the cloud service server 500-1. Furthermore, the interoperation control device 100 is configured to convert the relayed data between the standard specifications and the specifications corresponding to the cloud service server 500-1. Similarly, when a device in the building unit management system 21 performs a function corresponding to a service provided by the cloud service server 500-2, the interoperation control device 100 relays the data exchanged between the device and the cloud service server 500-2. The interoperation control device 100 converts the relayed data between the standard specifications and the specifications corresponding to the cloud service server 500-2. Similarly, when a device in the building unit management system 21 performs a function corresponding to a service provided by the cloud service server 500-3, the interoperation control device 100 relays the data exchanged between the device and the cloud service server 500-3. The interoperation control device 100 converts the relayed data between the standard specifications and the specifications corresponding to the cloud service server 500-3.

[0069] As can be understood from the above explanation, in the collaborative system of this embodiment, the devices in the collaborative control device 100 and the building unit management system 21 under its control are configured to exchange data between the building integrated management system 11 and the building unit management system 21 according to a unified standard specification. Furthermore, when exchanging data between devices in each of the building unit management systems 21 and the cloud service servers 500, the interoperation control device 100 performs specification conversion between the standard specifications and the specifications corresponding to each cloud service server 500 to relay the data. As a result, in this embodiment of the collaborative system, there is no need to individually construct a building integrated management system 11 for each cloud service server 500, and it is possible to support multiple cloud services with a simple configuration.

[0070] When performing specification conversion as described above, the linked control device 100 may store a specification conversion table in, for example, the storage unit 103. The storage unit 103 may store a specification conversion table corresponding to each cloud service server 500. A specification conversion table corresponding to a single cloud service server 500 shows the correspondence between each element between the standard specification and the specification of the corresponding cloud service server 500. For example, in the specification conversion table, the description of a certain command α defined in the standard specification (e.g., command name, arguments, order of variables, conventions for description method, etc.) is associated with the description of command β in the specification of the corresponding cloud service server 500 that has a relationship equivalent to command α (e.g., command name, arguments, order of variables, conventions for description method, etc.).

[0071] Referring to the flowchart in Figure 5, an example of a processing procedure performed by the linked control device 100 in relation to specification conversion will be explained. Step S201: In the linked control device 100, the control unit 102 (an example of a data conversion unit) determines whether or not data sent by a device in any of the subordinate building unit management systems 21 to the cloud service server 500 has been received.

[0072] Step S202: When data destined for the cloud service server 500 is received, the control unit 102 determines which cloud service server 500 is the destination of the received data.

[0073] Step S203: The control unit 102 converts the specifications of the data received in step S201 into specifications corresponding to the cloud service server 500 determined to be the destination. Step S204: The control unit 102 sends the data whose specifications have been converted in step S203 to the destination cloud service server 500. At this time, the device in one of the subordinate building unit management systems 21 may be notified that the message has been successfully sent to the destination cloud service server 500.

[0074] Step S205: After processing in step S204, or if it is determined in step S201 that no data has been received from the device, the control unit 102 determines whether or not data sent from the cloud service server 500 has been received.

[0075] Step S206: If it is determined that data sent from the cloud service server 500 has been received, the control unit 102 converts the specifications of the received data to the standard specifications. Step S207: The control unit 102 sends the data converted to the standard specification in step S206 to the destination device. At this point, the cloud service server 500 may be notified that the data has been successfully sent to the destination device.

[0076] Furthermore, the collaborative control device 200 in the general IoT control system 12 may be configured to have a function that can convert the specifications of data exchanged between the cloud service server 500 and devices (or network service IS) in the general IoT environment 22.

[0077] In the collaborative system of this embodiment, the collaborative control device that performs control for application collaboration on devices between the building management system and the general IoT environment 22 may be limited to only the collaborative control device 100 among the collaborative control devices 100, 200, and 300. In this case, the collaborative control device 300 may be configured to perform control limited to application collaboration in the building unit management system 21 in which it is included. Alternatively, in this case, the collaborative control device 300 may not be provided at all. Furthermore, in this case, the collaborative control device 200 may be limited to the function of managing connections to general devices DV, network services IS, etc.

[0078] Furthermore, the functions of the aforementioned interoperable control devices 100, 200, 300, etc. may be realized by recording a program for realizing these functions on a computer-readable recording medium, loading the program recorded on this recording medium into a computer system, and executing it to perform the processing of the aforementioned interoperable control devices 100, 200, 300, etc. Here, "loading the program recorded on the recording medium into a computer system and executing it" includes installing the program into the computer system. Here, "computer system" includes hardware such as the OS and peripheral devices. Also, "computer system" may include multiple computer devices connected via a network including communication lines. The recording medium also includes internal or external recording media accessible from a distribution server for distributing the program. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0079] 10 Cloud environment, 11 Integrated building management system, 12 General IoT control system, 20 Building environment, 21 Building unit management system, 22 General IoT environment, 100 Interlocking control device, 101 Communication unit, 102 Control unit, 103 Storage unit, 121 Interlocking control unit, 131 Interlocking procedure information, 200 Interlocking control device, 201 Communication unit, 202 Control unit, 203 Storage unit, 221 Interlocking control unit, 231 Interlocking procedure information, 300 Interlocking control device, 301 Communication unit, 302 Control unit, 303 Storage unit, 321 Interlocking control unit, 331 Interlocking procedure information, 500 (500-1, 500-2, 500-3) Cloud service server

Claims

1. A collaborative system comprising a building management system for managing the equipment of multiple buildings under the management of a building manager, and a collaborative control device that performs collaborative control so that a predetermined function is realized between a group of devices including equipment-compatible devices provided in the building management system for managing the equipment of multiple buildings and general devices that perform functions according to a predetermined application in the multiple buildings, In the aforementioned collaborative system, communication between each of the multiple devices in the device group and the collaborative control device is performed according to a common specification, and communication between each of the multiple cloud service servers, each with different specifications, and the collaborative control device is performed according to the specifications of the cloud service server. The aforementioned interoperability control device includes a control unit that converts data in a common specification transmitted from any of the multiple devices into data in a specification corresponding to the destination cloud service server and transmits it to the destination cloud service server, and converts data in a specification corresponding to the source cloud service server transmitted from any of the multiple cloud service servers into a common specification and transmits it to the destination device. Each of the aforementioned multiple cloud service servers corresponds to a different cloud service, and the aforementioned different specifications are handled for each of the aforementioned different cloud services. The control unit converts a command in a common specification sent from a source device in the multiple buildings to the first cloud service server among the multiple cloud service servers as the destination, into a specification corresponding to the first cloud service server, and sends it to the first cloud service server. The first cloud service server transmits function execution data, in a specification corresponding to itself, to the linkage control device, so that the cloud service function corresponding to the receipt of the command data is executed on the linkage source device located in one of the multiple buildings. The control unit receives the function execution data corresponding to the first cloud service server from the first cloud service server, converts it to a standardized specification, and transmits it to the source device. Integration system.

2. A cooperation control method in a cooperation system comprising a cooperation control device that performs cooperation control so that a predetermined function can be coordinated between a group of devices, including equipment-compatible devices provided in a building management system for managing the equipment of multiple buildings under the management of a building manager, and general devices that perform functions according to a predetermined application in the multiple buildings, In the aforementioned collaborative system, communication between each of the multiple devices in the device group and the collaborative control device is performed according to a common specification, and communication between each of the multiple cloud service servers, each with different specifications, and the collaborative control device is performed according to the specifications of the cloud service server. The control unit of the linked control device includes a control step of converting data of a common specification transmitted from any of the multiple devices into data of a specification corresponding to the destination cloud service server and transmitting it to the destination cloud service server, and converting data of a specification corresponding to the source cloud service server transmitted from any of the multiple cloud service servers into a common specification and transmitting it to the destination device. Each of the aforementioned multiple cloud service servers corresponds to a different cloud service, and the aforementioned different specifications are handled for each of the aforementioned different cloud services. The control step involves the first cloud service server converting a command in a common specification, sent from a source device in the multiple buildings to the first cloud service server among the multiple cloud service servers, into a specification corresponding to the first cloud service server, and sending it to the first cloud service server. The first cloud service server performs the step of sending function execution data, in a specification corresponding to itself, to the linkage control device, so that the cloud service function corresponding to the receipt of the command data is executed on the linkage source device located in one of the multiple buildings. The control step involves converting the function execution data corresponding to the first cloud service server, received from the first cloud service server, into a standardized specification and transmitting it to the cooperating device. Coordinated control method.

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