Communication system, communication method, management server, and program

Abstract

This invention provides a communication system, communication method, management server, local terminal, and program that suppress the amount of communication between a local terminal and a management server that collects and manages data from the local terminal. [Solution] In the communication system 1, the management server 5 sends a first request to the local terminal 4 at a second time point, which is after the first time point when the target data, the first data, is transmitted. The local terminal calculates the update index value of the target data, the second data, that it has stored at the second time point, as the second index value, and sends it to the management server. The update index value is a value that, if it does not change, indicates that the target data has not been updated. The management server determines whether the first index value, which is the update index value of the first data, matches the second index value. If they do not match, it sends a second request to the local terminal; if they match, it skips sending the second request. When the local terminal receives the second request, it sends the second data to the management server.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a communication system, a communication method, a management server, a local terminal, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a communication system. This communication system includes a server and an electronic device. The electronic device operates according to an operation signal received from the server and transmits information of the electronic device itself to the server.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a communication system such as Patent Document 1, especially when there are a large number of electronic devices connected to the server, the communication volume between the server and the electronic devices may increase. As a result, the communication cost and the processing load on the server and the electronic devices may increase.

[0005] The present disclosure relates to the solution of such problems. The present disclosure provides a communication system, a communication method, a management server, a local terminal, and a program that suppress the communication volume between a local terminal and a management server that collects and manages data of the local terminal.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The communication system relating to this disclosure includes a local terminal that stores target data that is updated over time, and calculates an update index value that determines that the target data has not been updated if the amount of information in the update index value is smaller than that of the target data and the value does not change, and a management server that collects and manages the target data from the local terminal, wherein the management server sends a first request to the local terminal at a second time point after the first time point in time when the local terminal sends the first data, which is the target data, to the management server, and when the local terminal receives the first request from the management server, it calculates the update index value for the second data, which is the target data, that it has stored at the second time point in time. The local terminal calculates the second index value as an index value and transmits the calculated second index value to the management server as a response to the first request. When the management server receives the response to the first request from the local terminal, it determines whether the first index value and the second index value, which are the updated index values ​​calculated for the first data, match. If the first index value and the second index value do not match, the management server transmits a second request to the local terminal. If the first index value and the second index value match, the management server skips transmitting the second request to the local terminal. When the local terminal receives the second request from the management server, it transmits the second data to the management server. The management server stores a management table containing one or more determination times in a set period that is repeated at a predetermined interval, the management server sends the first request to the local terminal with each of the one or more determination times in the management table as the second time point, and the management server changes the determination time in the management table for which the transmission of the second data from the local terminal to the management server did not occur to a later time. . The communication system relating to this disclosure includes a local terminal that stores target data that is updated over time, and calculates an update index value that determines that the target data has not been updated if the amount of information is smaller than the target data and the value does not change, and a management server that collects and manages the target data from the local terminal, wherein the management server sends a first request to the local terminal at a second time point after the first time point in time when the local terminal sends the first data, which is the target data, to the management server, and when the local terminal receives the first request from the management server, it calculates the update index value as the second index value for the second data, which is the target data, that it has stored at the second time point, and the local terminal sends the calculated second index value to the management server as a response to the first request, and when the management server receives the response to the first request from the local terminal, it calculates the update index value as the second index value for the first data The management server determines whether the first index value and the second index value, which are the update index values ​​calculated by the management server, match. If the first index value and the second index value do not match, the management server sends a second request to the local terminal. If the first index value and the second index value match, the management server skips sending the second request to the local terminal. When the local terminal receives the second request from the management server, it sends the second data to the management server. The management server stores a management table containing one or more determination times in a set period that is repeated at a predetermined interval. The management server sends the first request to the local terminal using each of the one or more determination times in the management table as the second time point. The management server changes the determination time in the management table in which the second data was sent from the local terminal to the management server from among the one or more determination times to an earlier time. The communication system relating to this disclosure includes a local terminal that stores target data that is updated over time and calculates an update index value that determines that the target data has not been updated if the amount of information is less than that of the target data and the value does not change; and a management server that collects and manages the target data from the local terminal. The management server sends a second request to the local terminal at a second time point after the first time point in time when the local terminal sends the first data, which is the target data, to the management server, which includes a first index value, which is the update index value calculated for the first data. When the local terminal receives the second request from the management server, it calculates the update index value as the second index value for the second data, which is the target data stored at the second time point. The local terminal determines whether the first index value and the second index value included in the second request match. If the first index value and the second index value do not match, the local terminal sends the second data to the management server. If the first index value and the second index value match, the local terminal skips sending the second data to the management server. The management server stores a management table containing one or more determination times in a set period that is repeated at a predetermined interval, the management server sends the second request to the local terminal with each of the one or more determination times in the management table as the second time point, and the management server changes the determination time in the management table for which the second data was not transmitted from the local terminal to the management server to a later time. . The communication system relating to this disclosure includes a local terminal that stores target data that is updated over time, and calculates an update index value that can determine if the target data has not been updated if the amount of information is smaller than the target data and the value does not change, and a management server that collects and manages the target data from the local terminal, wherein the management server sends a second request to the local terminal at a second time point after the first time point in which the local terminal transmits the first data, which is the target data, to the management server, and when the local terminal receives the second request from the management server, it calculates the update index value as the second index value for the second data, which is the target data, that it has stored at the second time point, and the local terminal The end determines whether the first index value and the second index value included in the second request match. The local terminal sends the second data to the management server if the first index value and the second index value do not match. If the first index value and the second index value match, it skips sending the second data to the management server. The management server stores a management table containing one or more determination times in a set period that is repeated at a predetermined interval. The management server sends the second request to the local terminal, using each of the one or more determination times in the management table as the second time point. The management server changes the determination time in the management table in which the second data was sent from the local terminal to the management server to an earlier time.

[0007] The communication method relating to this disclosure is a communication system including a local terminal that stores target data that is updated over time, and calculates an update index value which determines that the target data has not been updated if the amount of information is smaller than the target data and the value does not change, and a management server that collects and manages the target data from the local terminal, wherein the management server sends a first request to the local terminal at a second time point after the first time point in time when the local terminal sends the first data, which is the target data, to the management server, and when the local terminal receives the first request from the management server, it calculates the update index value for the second data, which is the target data, that it has stored at the second time point. The method involves calculating two index values, the local terminal sending the calculated second index value to the management server as a response to the first request, the management server determining whether the first index value and the second index value, which are the updated index values ​​calculated for the first data, match when it receives the response to the first request from the local terminal, the management server sending a second request to the local terminal if the first index value and the second index value do not match, skipping the transmission of the second request to the local terminal if the first index value and the second index value match, and the local terminal sending the second data to the management server when it receives the second request from the management server. The method involves the management server storing a management table containing one or more determination times in a set period that is repeated at a predetermined interval, the management server sending the first request to the local terminal with each of the one or more determination times in the management table as the second time point, and the management server changing in the management table any determination time among the one or more determination times for which the transmission of the second data from the local terminal to the management server did not occur to a later time. . The communication method relating to this disclosure is a communication system including a local terminal that stores target data that is updated over time, and calculates an update index value which determines that the target data has not been updated if the amount of information is smaller than that of the target data and the value does not change, and a management server that collects and manages the target data from the local terminal, wherein the management server sends a first request to the local terminal at a second time point after the first time point in time when the local terminal sends the first data, which is the target data, to the management server, and when the local terminal receives the first request from the management server, it calculates the update index value as the second index value for the second data, which is the target data, that it has stored at the second time point, and the local terminal sends the calculated second index value to the management server as a response to the first request, and when the management server receives the response to the first request from the local terminal, it calculates the update index value as the second index value for the first data The method involves determining whether the calculated update indicator values, namely the first indicator value and the second indicator value, match, and the management server sending a second request to the local terminal when the first indicator value and the second indicator value do not match, and skipping the transmission of the second request to the local terminal when the first indicator value and the second indicator value match, and the local terminal transmitting the second data to the management server when it receives the second request from the management server. The method also involves the management server storing a management table that includes one or more determination times in a set period that is repeated at a predetermined interval, the management server sending the first request to the local terminal with each of the one or more determination times in the management table as the second time point, and the management server changing the determination time in the management table in which the second data was transmitted from the local terminal to the management server to an earlier time among the one or more determination times. A communication method relating to this disclosure is a communication system including a local terminal that stores target data that is updated over time and calculates an update index value that can determine if the target data has not been updated if the amount of information is less than that of the target data and the value does not change, and a management server that collects and manages the target data from the local terminal, wherein the management server sends a second request to the local terminal at a second time point after the first time point in time when the local terminal sends the first data, which is the target data, to the management server, which includes a first index value that is the update index value calculated for the first data; when the local terminal receives the second request from the management server, it calculates the update index value as the second index value for the second data, which is the target data stored at the second time point; the local terminal determines whether the first index value and the second index value included in the second request match; the local terminal sends the second data to the management server when the first index value and the second index value do not match, and skips sending the second data to the management server when the first index value and the second index value match. The method involves the management server storing a management table containing one or more determination times in a set period that is repeated at a predetermined interval, the management server sending the second request to the local terminal with each of the one or more determination times in the management table as the second time point, and the management server changing in the management table any determination time among the one or more determination times for which the transmission of the second data from the local terminal to the management server did not occur to a later time. . The communication method relating to this disclosure is a communication system including a local terminal that stores target data that is updated over time, and calculates an update index value that can determine that the target data has not been updated if the amount of information is smaller than the target data and the value does not change, and a management server that collects and manages the target data from the local terminal, wherein the management server, at a second time point after the first time point in time when the local terminal transmits the first data, which is the target data, to the local terminal, sends a second request to the local terminal that includes a first index value, which is the update index value calculated for the first data, and when the local terminal receives the second request from the management server, it calculates the update index value as the second index value for the second data, which is the target data, that it has stored at the second time point, and the local terminal The method involves determining whether the first index value and the second index value included in the second request match, and the local terminal sending the second data to the management server when the first index value and the second index value do not match, and skipping the transmission of the second data to the management server when the first index value and the second index value match, wherein the management server stores a management table containing one or more determination times in a set period that is repeated at a predetermined interval, the management server sends the second request to the local terminal with each of the one or more determination times in the management table as the second time point, and the management server changes the determination time in the management table in which the second data was transmitted from the local terminal to the management server to an earlier time among the one or more determination times.

[0010] The program relating to this disclosure stores target data that is updated over time and calculates an update index value that determines that the target data has not been updated if the amount of information is less than that of the target data and the value does not change. The program then sends a first request to a management server that collects and manages the target data from a local terminal at a second time point after the first time point in time when the local terminal sends the first data, which is the target data, to the management server. The management server receives a response to the first request from the local terminal that includes the update index value calculated for the second data, which is the target data stored by the local terminal at the second time point, as the second index value. When the response to the first request is received from the local terminal, the management server determines whether the first index value and the second index value, which are the update index values ​​calculated for the first data, match. The management server then sends a second request to the local terminal requesting the transmission of the second data if the first index value and the second index value do not match, and skips sending the second request to the local terminal if the first index value and the second index value match. The management server stores a management table containing one or more determination times in a set period that is repeated at a predetermined interval; the management server sends the first request to the local terminal with each of the one or more determination times in the management table as the second time point; and the management server changes the determination time in the management table for any of the one or more determination times for which the transmission of the second data from the local terminal to the management server did not occur to a later time. . The program relating to this disclosure stores target data that is updated over time, and calculates an update index value that determines that the target data has not been updated if the amount of information is less than that of the target data and the value does not change. The program sends a first request to a management server that collects and manages the target data at a second time point after the first time point in time when the local terminal sends the first data, which is the target data, to the local terminal; receives a response to the first request from the local terminal that includes the update index value calculated for the second data, which is the target data stored by the local terminal at the second time point, as the second index value; and when receiving the response to the first request from the local terminal, the update index value calculated for the first data is the second index value. The system is configured to: determine whether the first indicator value and the second indicator value match; send a second request to the local terminal requesting the transmission of the second data if the first indicator value and the second indicator value do not match; and skip sending the second request to the local terminal if the first indicator value and the second indicator value match; store a management table containing one or more determination times in a set period that is repeated at a predetermined interval; send the first request to the local terminal with each of the one or more determination times in the management table as the second time point; and change the determination time in the management table in which the second data was transmitted from the local terminal to the management server to an earlier time among the one or more determination times. The management server related to this disclosure will execute processing according to the program described above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] The communication system, communication method, management server, local terminal, or program related to this disclosure can reduce the amount of communication between the local terminal and the management server. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a diagram showing the configuration of the communication system according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] This table illustrates an example of data managed on a local terminal according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 3] This table illustrates an example of data managed by the management server according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 4]It is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the communication system according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 5] It is a hardware configuration diagram of the main part of the communication system according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 6] It is a configuration diagram of the communication system according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 7] It is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the communication system according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 8] It is a configuration diagram of the communication system according to Embodiment 3. [Figure 9] It is a table explaining an example of data managed in the management server according to Embodiment 3. [Figure 10] It is a table explaining an example of adjustment of the management table by the control unit according to Embodiment 3. [Figure 11] It is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the management server according to Embodiment 3. [Figure 12] It is a table explaining an example of the integration process of the management table by the control unit according to Embodiment 4. [Figure 13] It is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the management server according to Embodiment 4.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] The embodiments for implementing the subject of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each figure, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicate descriptions will be simplified or omitted as appropriate. Note that the subject of the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments, and within the scope not departing from the gist of the present disclosure, deformation of any component of the embodiment or omission of any component of the embodiment is possible.

[0014] Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a communication system 1 according to Embodiment 1.

[0015] In communication system 1, information is communicated between multiple devices or systems. Communication system 1 is, for example, an equipment management system that manages information about multiple pieces of equipment installed in multiple buildings 2. Communication system 1 may also be other systems in which information is communicated between multiple devices.

[0016] Figure 1 shows equipment 3a, equipment 3b, and equipment 3c installed in building 2. Here, when individual pieces of equipment such as equipment 3a, equipment 3b, and equipment 3c are not specifically distinguished, they are simply referred to as equipment 3. Equipment 3 includes, for example, equipment such as air conditioning equipment, lighting equipment, and hot water supply equipment located inside building 2, and equipment such as lighting equipment, thermometers, and hygrometers located outside building 2. Building 2 may be equipped with four or more, or two or fewer, pieces of equipment 3.

[0017] The communication system 1 comprises multiple local terminals 4 and a management server 5.

[0018] In this example, each local terminal 4 corresponds to one of the buildings 2 where the equipment 3 is installed. The local terminal 4 is located in the corresponding building 2, for example. The local terminal 4 is, for example, an edge server. The local terminal 4 may also be other communication terminal devices. The local terminal 4 may correspond to multiple buildings. Alternatively, multiple local terminals 4 may correspond to a single building.

[0019] In this example, the local terminal 4 manages information about some or all of the equipment 3 installed in the corresponding building 2. The information about the equipment 3 includes an identifier that identifies the equipment 3, and operational information about the equipment 3. The operational information about the equipment 3 includes, for example, whether the equipment 3 is operational, the duration of operation if the equipment 3 is operational, the operating mode if the equipment 3 is operational, or information about other states of the equipment 3. The local terminal 4 comprises a first storage unit 6, a first management unit 7, a first calculation unit 8, and a first communication unit 9.

[0020] The first storage unit 6 is the part that stores information. The first storage unit 6 acts as a database (DB) for storing information and stores the information of the first DB. The first DB stores operational information of equipment 3, associated with the identifier of the equipment 3 managed by the local terminal 4.

[0021] The first management unit 7 is responsible for managing information about the equipment 3 managed by the local terminal 4. The first management unit 7 collects current operational information from each of the equipment 3 managed by the local terminal 4. Each piece of equipment 3 transmits its current operational information to the first management unit 7, for example, as a response to polling sent from the first management unit 7 at pre-set periodic or irregular intervals. Alternatively, each piece of equipment 3 may voluntarily transmit its current operational information to the first management unit 7, for example, at pre-set periodic or irregular intervals. The timing at which equipment 3 transmits operational information may be based on time, for example, or it may be the timing at which a pre-set event occurs in that piece of equipment 3. Based on the information collected from equipment 3, the first management unit 7 updates the current operational information of equipment 3 stored in the first database. The operational information of equipment 3 stored in the first database is updated by the first management unit 7 over time. The operational information of equipment 3 stored in the first database is an example of target data.

[0022] The first calculation unit 8 is responsible for calculating the update index value. The update index value is calculated based on the operational information of equipment 3 stored in the first database. The first calculation unit 8 calculates the update index value as a constant value that does not change if the operational information of equipment 3 has not been updated. The first calculation unit 8 calculates the update index value as a different value before and after the update if the operational information of equipment 3 has been updated. The update index value corresponds to the update status of the operational information of equipment 3 stored in the first database. The amount of information in the update index value is smaller than the amount of information in the target data. The update index value is a value that, if its value does not change, allows for the determination that the operational information has not been updated. For example, the first calculation unit 8 calculates the hash value of the operational information of equipment 3 stored in the first database as the update index value. The hash value calculated based on the operational status itself changes when the operational status is updated, and therefore corresponds to an update index value that allows for the determination of whether or not the operational status has been updated based on the change in value. Alternatively, the first calculation unit 8 may calculate the update index value as the time of the last update of the information on the current state of equipment 3 stored in the first database. The "Last Updated" information is a numerical value, string, or other information representing the last updated date or time. Since the "Last Updated" information is updated in conjunction with updates to the operating status, it corresponds to an update indicator value that allows determination of whether or not the operating status has been updated based on the change in its value. The update indicator value may be a numerical value such as the update count, which is incremented by 1 each time the current status of equipment 3 stored in the first database is updated. The update indicator value may be a numerical value, string, binary data, or other data format, as long as it is a value that allows determination that the operating information has not been updated when its value does not change.

[0023] The first communication unit 9 is the part that communicates information with external devices or systems of the local terminal 4 via the communication network 10. The communication network 10 includes, for example, the Internet or a wide-area network such as a telephone network. The first communication unit 9 transmits, for example, operational information of the equipment 3 stored in the first DB of the first storage unit 6 to the management server 5. The first communication unit 9 may also transmit to the management server 5 a combination of the operational information of the equipment 3 and an update index value calculated by the first calculation unit 8 based on the operational information at that time.

[0024] The management server 5 is a device that collects and manages data from multiple local terminals 4. The management server 5 collects information on the current status of the equipment 3 from the multiple local terminals 4. The management server 5 is, for example, a computer system including one or more computers. The management server 5 is composed of, for example, one or more server devices. When the management server 5 is composed of multiple server devices, some or all of the multiple server devices may be installed in different locations. Some or all of the functions of the management server 5 may be implemented on a virtual computer on a cloud service, or by processing, storage, or other resources on a cloud service. In this example, the management server 5 is located in a remote location from the perspective of each local terminal 4. The management server 5 comprises a second communication unit 11, a second storage unit 12, a second management unit 13, a determination unit 14, and a control unit 15.

[0025] The second communication unit 11 is the part that communicates information with external devices or systems of the management server 5 via the communication network 10. The second communication unit 11 receives, for example, operational information of the equipment 3 transmitted from each local terminal 4.

[0026] The second storage unit 12 is the part that stores information. The second storage unit 12 stores the information of the second DB as a database for storing information. The second DB stores information collected from each local terminal 4 through the second communication unit 11. For each local terminal 4, the second DB stores operational information of the equipment 3, associated with the identifier of the equipment 3 managed by that local terminal 4.

[0027] The second management unit 13 is responsible for managing information on multiple pieces of equipment 3 located in multiple buildings 2. The second management unit 13 collects operational information of the equipment 3 managed by each of the multiple local terminals 4. Based on the collected information, the second management unit 13 updates the current operational information of the equipment 3 stored in the second database.

[0028] The determination unit 14 is responsible for determining the consistency between the first DB and the second DB. The determination unit 14 determines, for example, whether the operational information of the first DB has been updated relative to the operational information of the second DB, based on an update index value. The determination unit 14 may also be equipped with a function to calculate an update index value, such as a hash value, in the same manner as the first calculation unit 8.

[0029] The control unit 15 is the part that controls the communication of information between the local terminal 4 and the management server 5. The control unit 15 controls the collection of information from the local terminal 4 by, for example, sending a request signal to the local terminal 4 through the second communication unit 11.

[0030] Next, we will explain an example of data managed in communication system 1. Figure 2 is a table illustrating an example of data managed in the local terminal 4 according to Embodiment 1.

[0031] The first database stored in the first storage unit 6 of the local terminal 4 stores operational information of equipment 3, associated with the identifier of the equipment 3 managed by the local terminal 4. The operational information of equipment 3 includes, for example, information such as whether or not equipment 3 is operational.

[0032] Figure 3 is a table illustrating an example of data managed by the management server 5 according to Embodiment 1.

[0033] The second database (DB) stored in the second storage unit 12 of the management server 5 stores information about each of the local terminals 4. The second DB stores operational information of the equipment 3 managed by each local terminal 4, associated with the identifier of the equipment 3. The operational information of the equipment 3 includes, for example, information such as whether the equipment 3 is operational. The second DB stores information on update index values ​​corresponding to the update status of the operational information of the equipment 3 managed by each local terminal 4. In this example, the update index value is a hash value calculated from the operational information. The update index value stored in the second DB may be, for example, one transmitted from the local terminal 4 along with the operational information, or one calculated from the operational information by the determination unit 14 of the management server 5.

[0034] Next, we will explain an example of processing in communication system 1. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the communication system 1 according to Embodiment 1.

[0035] The first management unit 7 collects operational information from each piece of equipment 3 asynchronously with the processing shown in the flowchart in Figure 4. The first management unit 7 stores the collected operational information of the equipment 3 in the first database of the first storage unit 6.

[0036] The first communication unit 9 transmits the first data, which is the operational information of the equipment 3 stored in the first DB at a certain point in time, to the management server 5. The point in time when the first data is transmitted is an example of the first point in time. In this example, the first communication unit 9 transmits the first index value, which is the update index value calculated by the first calculation unit 8 for the first data, to the management server 5. The first data and the first index value may be transmitted individually or simultaneously. The second management unit 13 stores the first data and the first index value transmitted from the local terminal 4 in the second DB of the second storage unit 12. The processing in Figure 4 starts after the first point in time. The processing in Figure 4 is performed individually for each local terminal 4, for example.

[0037] In step S11 of the management server 5, the control unit 15 determines whether the current time corresponds to the determination time. The determination time is a time at a pre-set periodic or irregular timing. In this example, the determination time is a time at a pre-set periodic timing. The determination time is an example of a second time point. If the current time is not the determination time, the management server 5 proceeds to step S11 again after, for example, a pre-set time has elapsed. On the other hand, if the current time is the determination time, the management server 5 proceeds to step S12.

[0038] In step S12 of the management server 5, the second communication unit 11 sends a first request to the local terminal 4. The first request is information requesting the local terminal 4 to send update index values ​​for the operational information currently stored. After that, the management server 5 proceeds to step S13.

[0039] In step S21 of local terminal 4, local terminal 4 determines whether the first communication unit 9 has received the first request. If the first request has not been received, the processing of local terminal 4 proceeds to step S21 again, for example, after a predetermined time has elapsed. On the other hand, if the first request has been received, the processing of local terminal 4 proceeds to step S22.

[0040] In step S22 of local terminal 4, the first calculation unit 8 calculates an update index value for the second data, which is the operational information of equipment 3 currently stored in the first DB. The update index value calculated for the second data is the second index value. After that, the processing of local terminal 4 proceeds to step S23.

[0041] In step S23 of local terminal 4, the first communication unit 9 sends the second index value, which is the update index value calculated by the first calculation unit 8, to the management server 5 as a response to the first request. After that, the processing of local terminal 4 proceeds to step S24.

[0042] In step S13 of the management server 5, the management server 5 determines whether the second communication unit 11 has received a response to the first request from the local terminal 4. If a response to the first request has not been received, the management server 5 proceeds to step S13 again, for example, after a predetermined time has elapsed. On the other hand, if a response to the first request has been received, the management server 5 proceeds to step S14.

[0043] In step S14 of the management server 5, the determination unit 14 determines whether the first index value for the first data and the second index value for the second data match. The determination unit 14 reads the first index value from the second DB of the second storage unit 12, for example. The determination unit 14 reads the second index value from the response to the first request from the local terminal 4. When the first index value and the second index value match, the second data stored in the first DB has not been updated compared to the first data stored in the second DB, so the second DB is determined to be consistent with the current first DB. On the other hand, when the first index value and the second index value do not match, the second data stored in the first DB has been updated compared to the first data stored in the second DB, so the second DB is determined to be inconsistent with the current first DB. When the first index value and the second index value do not match, the management server 5 proceeds to step S15. At this time, the second management unit 13 updates the first indicator value stored in the second DB as an update indicator value for this local terminal 4 with the second indicator value. On the other hand, when the first indicator value and the second indicator value match, the management server 5 terminates its processing for this local terminal 4.

[0044] In step S15 of the management server 5, the second communication unit 11 sends a second request to the local terminal 4. The second request is a request to the local terminal 4 to send the operational information currently stored. After that, the management server 5 proceeds to step S16.

[0045] In step S24 of local terminal 4, local terminal 4 determines whether the first communication unit 9 has received the second request. If the second request is received, local terminal 4 proceeds to step S25. On the other hand, if the second request is not received, local terminal 4 terminates its processing for communication of operational information.

[0046] In step S25 of local terminal 4, the first communication unit 9 sends the second data, which is the operational information of equipment 3 currently stored in the first DB, to the management server 5. After that, the processing of the operational information communication by local terminal 4 is completed.

[0047] In step S16 of the management server 5, the second management unit 13 updates the first data stored in the second DB as operational information for the equipment 3 related to the local terminal 4 with the second data received by the second communication unit 11 from the local terminal 4. After that, the management server 5's processing for the local terminal 4 is completed.

[0048] After the series of processes shown in Figure 4, the communication system 1 uses the operational information and its update indicator value stored in the second DB of the second storage unit 12 as the first data and first indicator value, respectively, and repeats the series of processes shown in Figure 4. In this way, data is collected from the local terminal 4 by the management server 5.

[0049] As described above, the communication system 1 according to Embodiment 1 comprises a local terminal 4 and a management server 5. The local terminal 4 stores target data that is updated over time. The local terminal 4 calculates an update index value. The update index value is a value that, if it is smaller in information than the target data and does not change, indicates that the target data has not been updated. The management server 5 collects and manages the target data from the local terminal 4. At a second time point, after the first time point, the management server 5 sends a first request to the local terminal 4. The first time point is when the local terminal 4 sends the first data, which is the target data, to the management server 5. When the local terminal 4 receives the first request from the management server 5, it calculates an update index value as the second index value for the second data, which is the target data stored at the second time point. The local terminal 4 sends the calculated second index value to the management server 5 as a response to the first request. When the management server 5 receives a response to the first request from the local terminal 4, it determines whether the first index value and the second index value, which are update index values ​​calculated for the first data, match. If the first index value and the second index value do not match, the management server 5 sends the second request to the local terminal 4. On the other hand, if the first index value and the second index value match, the management server 5 skips sending the second request to the local terminal 4. When the local terminal 4 receives the second request from the management server 5, it sends the second data to the management server 5.

[0050] With this configuration, when the target data on the management server 5 is not consistent with the target data on the local terminal 4 at the moment, the target data is sent from the local terminal 4 to the management server 5. On the other hand, when the target data on the management server 5 is consistent with the target data on the local terminal 4 at the moment, the transmission of the target data from the local terminal 4 to the management server 5 is skipped. This reduces the amount of communication between the local terminal 4 and the management server 5 while maintaining the consistency of the target data on both terminals. Furthermore, the local terminal 4 only needs to perform relatively simple processing such as calculating update index values, and does not need to perform complex processing that requires high processing performance. Therefore, even when it is not possible to install advanced equipment as the local terminal 4, the amount of communication between the local terminal 4 and the management server 5 is reduced.

[0051] Furthermore, the update index value is a hash value calculated from the target data. This means that the update index value is calculated based on the target data itself that is communicated between the local terminal 4 and the management server 5, ensuring that updates to the target data are reflected more reliably.

[0052] Furthermore, the update index value may also represent the time of the last update of the target data. This allows the update index value to be calculated using a simpler process involving the update time, thereby further reducing the processing load on local terminals such as terminal 4.

[0053] Furthermore, some or all of the local terminals 4 do not need to maintain operational information of the equipment 3 they manage as a database. The first management unit 7 may collect operational information from each piece of equipment 3 each time, for example, when the first calculation unit 8 calculates an update indicator value, or when the first communication unit 9 transmits operational information to the management server 5.

[0054] Next, we will explain an example of the hardware configuration of communication system 1 using Figure 5. Figure 5 is a hardware configuration diagram of the main parts of the communication system 1 according to Embodiment 1. The main components of the communication system 1 include, for example, a management server 5 and each local terminal 4.

[0055] Each function of the communication system 1 can be realized by a processing circuit. The processing circuit comprises at least one processor 100a and at least one memory 100b. The processing circuit may also include at least one dedicated hardware 200 together with the processor 100a and memory 100b, or as a substitute for them.

[0056] When the processing circuit includes a processor 100a and a memory 100b, each function of the communication system 1 is realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. At least one of the software and firmware is written as a program. This program is stored in the memory 100b. The processor 100a realizes each function of the communication system 1 by reading and executing the program stored in the memory 100b. The program may be a program package that includes multiple subprograms, modules, or libraries. The program may be the product itself, such as a program product, or something included in such a product.

[0057] The processor 100a is also called a CPU (Central Processing Unit), processing unit, arithmetic unit, microprocessor, microcomputer, or DSP. The memory 100b is composed of non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as RAM, ROM, flash memory, EPROM, or EEPROM.

[0058] If the processing circuit includes dedicated hardware 200, the processing circuit may be implemented as, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a combination thereof.

[0059] Each function of the communication system 1 can be implemented by a separate processing circuit. Alternatively, each function of the communication system 1 can be implemented collectively by a processing circuit. For each function of the communication system 1, some may be implemented by dedicated hardware 200, and others by software or firmware. In this way, the processing circuit implements each function of the communication system 1 using dedicated hardware 200, software, firmware, or a combination thereof.

[0060] Embodiment 2. In Embodiment 2, the differences from the example disclosed in Embodiment 1 will be explained in particular detail. For features not described in Embodiment 2, any of the features from the example disclosed in Embodiment 1 may be adopted.

[0061] Figure 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of the communication system 1 according to Embodiment 2.

[0062] The management server 5 includes a second calculation unit 16. The second calculation unit 16 is the part that calculates the update index value. The update index value is calculated based on the operating information of the equipment 3 stored in the second DB.

[0063] The determination unit 14 of the communication system 1 is provided in each local terminal 4. The determination unit 14 determines the consistency of the first DB and the second DB. For example, the determination unit 14 determines whether the operational information of the first DB has been updated relative to the operational information of the second DB, based on the update index value.

[0064] Next, we will explain an example of processing in communication system 1. Figure 7 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the communication system 1 according to Embodiment 2.

[0065] The first communication unit 9 transmits the first data, which is the operational information of the equipment 3 stored in the first DB at a certain point in time, to the management server 5. The point in time when the first data is transmitted is an example of the first point in time. In this example, the first communication unit 9 transmits the first indicator value, which is the update indicator value calculated by the first calculation unit 8 for the first data, to the management server 5. The first data and the first indicator value may be transmitted individually or simultaneously. The second management unit 13 stores the first data and the first indicator value transmitted from the local terminal 4 in the second DB of the second storage unit 12. The processing in Figure 7 starts after the first point in time. The processing in Figure 7 is performed individually for each local terminal 4, for example.

[0066] In step S31 of the management server 5, the control unit 15 determines whether the current time corresponds to a predetermined determination time. If the current time is not the determination time, the management server 5 proceeds to step S31 again after, for example, a predetermined time has elapsed. On the other hand, if the current time is the determination time, the management server 5 proceeds to step S32.

[0067] In step S32 of the management server 5, the second calculation unit 16 calculates an update index value as the first index value for the first data, which is the operational information of the equipment 3 stored in the second DB at the first time point. After that, the management server 5 proceeds to step S33.

[0068] In step S33 of the management server 5, the second communication unit 11 sends a second request to the local terminal 4. The second request includes a first indicator value, which is the update indicator value for the first data. The first indicator value may be calculated by the second calculation unit 16, or it may be a value read from the second DB that was sent from the local terminal 4 at the first point in time. After that, the management server 5 proceeds to step S34.

[0069] In step S41 of the local terminal 4, the local terminal 4 determines whether the first communication unit 9 has received the second request. If the second request has not been received, the processing of the local terminal 4 proceeds to step S41 again, for example, after a predetermined time has elapsed. On the other hand, if the second request has been received, the processing of the local terminal 4 proceeds to step S42.

[0070] In step S42 of the local terminal 4, the first calculation unit 8 calculates an update index value for the second data, which is the operational information of the equipment 3 currently stored in the first DB. The update index value calculated for the second data is the second index value. After that, the processing of the local terminal 4 proceeds to step S43.

[0071] In step S43 of local terminal 4, the determination unit 14 determines whether the first index value for the first data and the second index value for the second data match. The determination unit 14 reads the first index value from the second request received from the management server 5, for example. The determination unit 14 also obtains the second index value calculated by the first calculation unit 8, for example. If the first index value and the second index value do not match, the processing of local terminal 4 proceeds to step S44. On the other hand, if the first index value and the second index value match, the processing of local terminal 4 regarding the communication of operational information ends.

[0072] In step S44 of local terminal 4, the first communication unit 9 transmits the second data, which is the operational information of equipment 3 currently stored in the first DB, to the management server 5. After that, the processing of the operational information communication by local terminal 4 is completed.

[0073] In step S34 of the management server 5, the second management unit 13 updates the first data stored in the second DB as operational information for the equipment 3 related to the local terminal 4 with the second data received by the second communication unit 11 from the local terminal 4. After that, the management server 5's processing for the local terminal 4 is completed.

[0074] After the series of processes shown in Figure 7, the communication system 1 uses the operational information and its update indicator value stored in the second DB of the second storage unit 12 as the first data and first indicator value, and repeats the series of processes shown in Figure 7. In this way, data is collected from the local terminal 4 by the management server 5.

[0075] As described above, the communication system 1 according to Embodiment 2 comprises a local terminal 4 and a management server 5. The management server 5 transmits a second request to the local terminal 4 at a second time point, which is after the first time point. The second request includes a first index value, which is an update index value calculated for the first data. The first time point is when the local terminal 4 transmits the first data, which is the target data, to the management server 5. When the local terminal 4 receives the second request from the management server 5, it calculates an update index value as the second index value for the second data, which is the target data, that it has stored at the second time point. The local terminal 4 determines whether the first index value and the second index value included in the second request match. If the first index value and the second index value do not match, the local terminal 4 transmits the second data to the management server 5. On the other hand, if the first index value and the second index value match, the local terminal 4 skips transmitting the second data to the management server 5.

[0076] With this configuration, when the target data on the management server 5 is not consistent with the target data on the local terminal 4 at the moment, the target data is sent from the local terminal 4 to the management server 5. On the other hand, when the target data on the management server 5 is consistent with the target data on the local terminal 4 at the moment, the transmission of the target data from the local terminal 4 to the management server 5 is skipped. This reduces the amount of communication between the local terminal 4 and the management server 5 while maintaining the consistency of the target data on both terminals. The local terminal 4 may also notify the management server 5 when it skips sending the target data to the management server 5.

[0077] Embodiment 3. In Embodiment 3, the differences from the examples disclosed in Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2 will be described in particular detail. For features not described in Embodiment 3, any of the features from the examples disclosed in Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2 may be adopted.

[0078] Figure 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of the communication system 1 according to Embodiment 3.

[0079] In the management server 5, the control unit 15 refers to a management table containing one or more determination times within a set period to determine whether the current time corresponds to a determination time. The management table is stored, for example, in the second DB. The set period is a period that repeats at a predetermined cycle. For example, the set period is a one-day or 24-hour period that repeats at a daily or 24-hour cycle. In this example, the set period is set to one day. The control unit 15 adjusts the determination time in the next set period according to the communication status of operational information with the local terminal 4 during a given set period.

[0080] Figure 9 is a table illustrating an example of data managed by the management server 5 according to Embodiment 3.

[0081] The second database, stored in the second storage unit 12 of the management server 5, stores information about each of the local terminals 4. The second database stores information from the management table, associated with the identifier of the equipment 3 managed by each local terminal 4. The management table stores one or more determination times during a set period of one day. For example, on the Nth day since the management server 5 started operating, the management table includes multiple determination times such as 8:00, 9:00, and 10:00.

[0082] The control unit 15 of the management server 5 determines whether the current time corresponds to each determination time in the management table. In this example, the control unit 15 determines that the current time corresponds to each determination time, such as 8:00, 9:00, and 10:00. At this time, the second communication unit 11 transmits a request signal, such as the first request or the second request, to the local terminal 4.

[0083] The management table may include information such as the consistency determination results of the determination unit 14 at each determination time when the Nth day of operation ends. The consistency determination results may include, for example, whether the first index value and the second index value match. The determination results included in the management table may also include information on whether the second communication unit 11 sent the second request at each determination time. The determination results included in the management table may also include information on whether the second data was sent from the first communication unit 9 or whether the second data was received from the first communication unit 9 at each determination time. The determination results included in the management table correspond to the determination results regarding whether the operational information of equipment 3 in the second database needs to be updated. The determination results included in the management table are stored in the management table in association with the determination time each time the determination unit 14 makes a determination at that determination time.

[0084] Figure 10 is a table illustrating an example of adjustment of the management table by the control unit 15 according to Embodiment 3.

[0085] In this example, an example of the management table at the end of the Nth day since the management server 5 started operating is shown. At judgment times such as 8:00, 11:00, and 12:00, the second database is consistent with the first database at that time, and it is determined that updating the second database is unnecessary. On the other hand, at judgment times such as 9:00 and 10:00, the second database is not consistent with the first database at that time, and it is determined that updating the second database is necessary. Here, at judgment times such as 9:00 and 10:00, when it is determined that an update is necessary, the second data, which is the operational information at that time, is sent from the local terminal 4 to the management server 5. On the other hand, at judgment times such as 8:00, 11:00, and 12:00, when it is determined that an update is unnecessary, no operational information is sent from the local terminal 4 to the management server 5.

[0086] The control unit 15 configures the management table for the following day, day (N+1), based on the information in the management table at the end of day N. The control unit 15 adjusts each judgment time in the management table. The control unit 15 changes the judgment time for day N where no operational information was sent from the local terminal 4 to the management server 5 to a later time on day (N+1). In this example, the control unit 15 changes the judgment times on day N, such as 8:00, 11:00, and 12:00, to times on day (N+1) that are later by a predetermined amount of time, such as 5 minutes, to times like 8:05, 11:05, and 12:05. The control unit 15 changes the judgment time for day N where operational information was sent from the local terminal 4 to the management server 5 to an earlier time on day (N+1). In this example, the control unit 15 changes the determination times on day N, such as 9:00 and 10:00, to earlier times on day (N+1), such as 8:55 and 9:55, by a predetermined amount of time, for example, 5 minutes.

[0087] Next, we will explain an example of the process for adjusting the management table in communication system 1. Figure 11 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the management server 5 according to Embodiment 3. The process shown in Figure 11 is performed individually for each local terminal 4 at the end of each configuration period.

[0088] In step S51, the control unit 15 selects one determination time from the management table. The control unit 15 then makes a selection from the unselected determination times. After that, the management server 5 proceeds to step S52.

[0089] In step S52, the control unit 15 determines whether the operation information of the equipment 3 was communicated from the local terminal 4 to the management server 5 at the selected determination time. If the operation information was communicated at the determination time, the management server 5 proceeds to step S53. On the other hand, if the operation information was not communicated at the determination time, the management server 5 proceeds to step S54.

[0090] In step S53, the control unit 15 changes the selected decision time on the management table to an earlier time by a predetermined amount. After that, the management server 5 proceeds to step S55.

[0091] In step S54, the control unit 15 changes the selected decision time on the management table to a time later by a predetermined amount of time. After that, the management server 5 proceeds to step S55.

[0092] In step S55, the control unit 15 determines whether it has completed the adjustment process to advance or delay the time for all determination times on the management table. If the adjustment process is not completed, the management server 5 proceeds to step S51. On the other hand, if the adjustment process is completed, the management server 5 terminates.

[0093] Furthermore, the control unit 15 may, for example, perform adjustment processing to advance or delay the determination time each time the determination unit 14 makes a determination at the determination time. The control unit 15 may also aggregate the number of times that operational information of the equipment 3 has been communicated from the local terminal 4 to the management server 5 at the same determination time for multiple selected periods. In this case, the control unit 15 may perform adjustment processing to advance the determination time when the number of such occurrences for a certain determination time exceeds a preset threshold. The control unit 15 may also perform adjustment processing to delay the determination time when the number of such occurrences for a certain determination time falls below a preset threshold. Furthermore, the control unit 15 may perform adjustment processing to advance or delay the determination time for only some of the multiple determination times on the management table. For example, the control unit 15 may keep the hourly determination times constant without adjustment and adjust the other determination times as adjustable determination times.

[0094] Furthermore, the time range for adjusting the judgment time does not have to be 5 minutes. The time range for adjusting the judgment time may be, for example, minutes, seconds, or hours. The set period does not have to be one day. The set period may be, for example, one week or one month. In this case, the judgment time includes information such as the day of the week. The time range for adjusting the judgment time may differ depending on whether the judgment time is advanced or delayed. Also, the control unit 15 may set a lower limit on the time interval between consecutive judgment times. For example, if the control unit 15 adjusts one of the judgment times to be delayed and the interval between that and the immediately following judgment time becomes shorter than a preset lower limit interval, it may refrain from adjusting the judgment time.

[0095] As described above, in the communication system 1 according to Embodiment 3, the management server 5 stores a management table. The management table includes one or more determination times in a set period that is repeated at a predetermined interval. The management server 5 sends a request, such as a first request or a second request, to the local terminal 4, with each of the one or more determination times in the management table as a second time point. The management server 5 changes the determination time in the management table to a later time for any of the one or more determination times for which the second data was not transmitted from the local terminal 4 to the management server 5. The management server 5 changes the determination time in the management table to an earlier time for any of the one or more determination times for which the second data was transmitted from the local terminal 4 to the management server 5.

[0096] This configuration maintains the consistency of the target data on both the local terminal 4 and the management server 5 while reducing the amount of communication between the two. Furthermore, the time at which consistency is determined is shifted to a later time. This widens the interval for consistency checks during periods when there are no changes to the target data and the need for consistency checks is low. Conversely, the time at which inconsistencies are determined is shifted to an earlier time. This shortens the time lag between changes to the target data and updates to the target data on the management server 5. In this way, the timing of consistency checks is optimized. Consequently, the time lag between information managed on the local terminal 4 and information managed on the management server 5 is reduced, and real-time remote access to information managed on the local terminal 4 becomes possible.

[0097] For example, in the case of Building 2, which houses a company that starts operations at 8:20, it is assumed that the building's equipment 3, such as lighting and air conditioning equipment, will start operating around 8:20, the start of operations. Let's assume that for Building 2, the management server 5 collects operational information of equipment 3 from the local terminal 4 every hour on the hour. At this time, the operational information of equipment 3 that started operating at 8:20, the start of operations, is reflected in the management server 5 through the collection process at 9:00. Let's assume that the consistency of the operational information of equipment 3 on the local terminal 4 and the management server 5 is determined to be maintained at the pre-operational check time of 8:00, but not at the post-operational check time of 9:00. At this time, the control unit 15 adjusts the check times for the next day on the management table from 8:00 and 9:00 to 8:05 and 8:55. By repeating this, the check times on the management table are adjusted to be around 8:20, when equipment 3 starts operating, and the time lag between the information managed by the local terminal 4 and the information managed by the management server 5 is suppressed.

[0098] Embodiment 4. In Embodiment 4, the differences from the examples disclosed in Embodiments 1 to 3 will be explained in particular detail. For features not described in Embodiment 4, any of the features from the examples disclosed in Embodiments 1 to 3 may be adopted.

[0099] In the management server 5, the control unit 15 performs an integrated process to change a pair of consecutive determination times on the management table into a single determination time.

[0100] Figure 12 is a table illustrating an example of the integration processing of the management table by the control unit 15 according to Embodiment 4.

[0101] In this example, an example of the management table at the end of the Nth day since the management server 5 started operating is shown. At judgment times such as 8:20, 9:10, 11:00, and 12:20, the second database is consistent with the first database at that time, and it is determined that updating the second database is unnecessary. On the other hand, at judgment time such as 9:30, the second database is not consistent with the first database at that time, and it is determined that updating the second database is necessary.

[0102] The control unit 15 configures the management table for the following day, day (N+1), based on the information in the management table at the end of day N. The control unit 15 adjusts each judgment time in the management table. The control unit 15 changes the judgment time for day N where no operational information was sent from the local terminal 4 to the management server 5 to a later time on day (N+1). In this example, the control unit 15 changes the judgment times for day N, such as 8:20, 9:10, 11:00, and 12:20, to times on day (N+1) that are later by a predetermined amount of time, such as 5 minutes, such as 8:25, 9:15, 11:05, and 12:25. The control unit 15 changes the judgment time for day N where operational information was sent from the local terminal 4 to the management server 5 to an earlier time on day (N+1). In this example, the control unit 15 changes the determination time on day N, such as 9:30, to 8:25 on day (N+1), which is earlier by a predetermined amount of time, such as 5 minutes.

[0103] Subsequently, the control unit 15 performs integration processing of the management table. The control unit 15 extracts a pair of consecutive judgment times from the management table that are at an interval shorter than a pre-set threshold. In this example, 15 minutes is set as the threshold. In the adjusted management table, the control unit 15 extracts consecutive judgment times 9:15 and 9:25 that are at an interval shorter than the threshold of 15 minutes. The control unit 15 performs integration processing to change these judgment times into a single judgment time of 9:20. The integrated judgment time may be an intermediate time between the original judgment times, or it may be either of the original judgment times.

[0104] Next, we will explain an example of the process for adjusting the management table in communication system 1. Figure 13 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the management server 5 according to Embodiment 4. The process shown in Figure 13 is performed individually for each local terminal 4 at the end of each configuration period.

[0105] The management server 5 according to Embodiment 4 performs the same processing as the management server 5 according to Embodiment 3 from step S51 to step S55. If it is determined in step S55 that the adjustment process is complete, the processing of the management server 5 of the communication system 1 according to Embodiment 4 proceeds to step S56.

[0106] In step S56, the control unit 15 selects one pair of consecutive determination times from the management table. The control unit 15 makes a selection from the unselected pairs of determination times. Here, even if either the earlier or later determination time is included in a selected pair, the control unit 15 may select the pair if neither the earlier nor the later determination time has been selected as a pair. For example, the control unit 15 selects pairs of determination times in ascending order. After that, the management server 5 proceeds to step S57.

[0107] In step S57, the control unit 15 determines whether the interval between the earlier and later determination times for the selected pair of determination times is shorter than a preset threshold, such as 15 minutes. If the interval between the pair is shorter than the threshold, the management server 5 proceeds to step S58. On the other hand, if the interval between the pair is not shorter than the threshold, the management server 5 proceeds to step S59.

[0108] In step S58, the control unit 15 performs an integration process to change the selected pair of determination times into a single determination time. After that, the management server 5 proceeds to step S59.

[0109] In step S59, the control unit 15 determines whether it has completed the process of deciding whether to integrate or not integrate for all consecutive pairs of determination times on the management table. If there are any pairs for which processing is not completed, the management server 5 proceeds to step S56. On the other hand, when processing is completed for all pairs, the management server 5 terminates.

[0110] The control unit 15 may perform the management table integration process at the end of each set period, or it may perform the management table integration process at the end of a predetermined number of set periods. In other words, the control unit 15 may perform the management table integration process daily, or it may perform it once every few days. For example, the control unit 15 may perform the management table integration process each time the judgment time adjustment process is performed, or it may perform the management table integration process each time the judgment time adjustment process is performed a predetermined number of times. The threshold for performing the integration process may differ depending on the time of day. For example, the threshold for performing the integration process may be set to different values ​​for a predetermined daytime period when the operating status of equipment 3 is likely to change, and for a predetermined nighttime period when the operating status of equipment 3 is unlikely to change.

[0111] As described above, in the communication system 1 according to Embodiment 4, the management server 5 changes a pair of determination times to a single determination time when the management table contains one or more determination times that are consecutive and have an interval shorter than a preset threshold.

[0112] This configuration maintains the consistency of the target data on the local terminal 4 and the management server 5 while suppressing the amount of communication between the local terminal 4 and the management server 5. Furthermore, by adjusting the judgment time, the time lag between the information managed on the local terminal 4 and the information managed on the management server 5 is suppressed. In addition, consistency judgments are not performed at an unnecessarily high frequency, so the increase in processing load on the local terminal 4 and the management server 5 is suppressed, and the increase in the amount of communication between the local terminal 4 and the management server 5 is suppressed.

[0113] To summarize the above explanation, the possible configurations of the technology relating to this disclosure include the configurations listed below as appendices. (Note 1) A local terminal that stores target data that is updated over time, and calculates an update index value that determines that the target data has not been updated if the amount of information is smaller than the target data and the value does not change. A management server that collects and manages the target data from the local terminal, Equipped with, The management server sends the first request to the local terminal at a second time point in time, which is after the first time point in time when the local terminal sends the first data, which is the target data, to the management server. When the local terminal receives the first request from the management server, it calculates the update index value as the second index value for the second data, which is the target data stored at the second time point. The local terminal transmits the calculated second indicator value to the management server as a response to the first request. When the management server receives a response to the first request from the local terminal, it determines whether the first index value and the second index value, which are the update index values ​​calculated for the first data, match. The management server sends a second request to the local terminal when the first index value and the second index value do not match, and skips sending the second request to the local terminal when the first index value and the second index value match. When the local terminal receives the second request from the management server, it sends the second data to the management server. Communication system. (Note 2) A local terminal that stores target data that is updated over time, and calculates an update index value that determines that the target data has not been updated if the amount of information is smaller than the target data and the value does not change. A management server that collects and manages the target data from the local terminal, Equipped with, The management server, at a second time point following the first time point in which the local terminal transmits the target data, the first data, to the management server, transmits a second request to the local terminal that includes the first index value, which is the update index value calculated for the first data. When the local terminal receives the second request from the management server, it calculates the update index value as the second index value for the second data, which is the target data stored at the second time point. The local terminal determines whether the first index value and the second index value included in the second request match, The local terminal sends the second data to the management server when the first indicator value and the second indicator value do not match, and skips sending the second data to the management server when the first indicator value and the second indicator value match. Communication system. (Note 3) The management server stores a management table that includes one or more determination times in a set period that is repeated at a predetermined interval. The management server sends a request to the local terminal, with each of the one or more determination times in the management table as the second time point. The management server changes the management table to a later time for any of the one or more determination times in which the transmission of the second data from the local terminal to the management server did not occur. The communication system described in Appendix 1 or Appendix 2. (Note 4) The management server stores a management table that includes one or more determination times in a set period that is repeated at a predetermined interval. The management server sends a request to the local terminal, with each of the one or more determination times in the management table as the second time point. The management server changes the management table to an earlier time among the one or more determination times in which the transmission of the second data from the local terminal to the management server occurred. The communication system described in Appendix 1 or Appendix 2. (Note 5) The management server, when the management table contains one or more determination times that are consecutive and less than a predetermined threshold, changes the pair of determination times to a single determination time. The communication system described in Appendix 3 or Appendix 4. (Note 6) The aforementioned update index value is a hash value calculated from the aforementioned target data. A communication system as described in any one of the items from Appendix 1 to Appendix 5. (Note 7) The aforementioned update index value is a value that represents the time of the last update of the target data. A communication system as described in any one of the items from Appendix 1 to Appendix 5. (Note 8) A local terminal that stores target data that is updated over time, and calculates an update index value that determines that the target data has not been updated if the amount of information is smaller than the target data and the value does not change. A management server that collects and manages the target data from the local terminal, In a communication system including, The management server sends the first request to the local terminal at a second time point in time, which is after the first time point in time when the local terminal sends the first data, which is the target data, to the management server. When the local terminal receives the first request from the management server, it calculates the update index value as the second index value for the second data, which is the target data stored at the second time point. The local terminal sends the calculated second index value to the management server as a response to the first request. When the management server receives a response to the first request from the local terminal, it determines whether the first index value and the second index value, which are the update index values ​​calculated for the first data, match. The management server sends a second request to the local terminal when the first index value and the second index value do not match, and skips sending the second request to the local terminal when the first index value and the second index value match. When the local terminal receives the second request from the management server, it sends the second data to the management server. Communication method. (Note 9) A local terminal that stores target data that is updated over time, and calculates an update index value that determines that the target data has not been updated if the amount of information is smaller than the target data and the value does not change. A management server that collects and manages the target data from the local terminal, In a communication system including, The management server, at a second time point following the first time point in which the local terminal transmits the target data, the first data, to the management server, transmits a second request to the local terminal that includes the first index value, which is the update index value calculated for the first data. When the local terminal receives the second request from the management server, it calculates the update index value as the second index value for the second data, which is the target data stored at the second time point. The local terminal determines whether the first index value and the second index value included in the second request match, The local terminal sends the second data to the management server when the first indicator value and the second indicator value do not match, and skips sending the second data to the management server when the first indicator value and the second indicator value match. Communication method. (Note 10) A management server that collects and manages target data from a local terminal, which stores target data that is updated over time, and calculates an update index value that determines that the target data has not been updated if the amount of information is smaller than the target data and the value does not change. The first request is sent to the local terminal at a second time point after the first time point in time when the local terminal sends the first data, which is the target data, to the management server. The local terminal receives a response to the first request that includes the update index value calculated for the second data, which is the target data stored in the local terminal at the second time point, as the second index value, When receiving a response to the first request from the local terminal, determine whether the first index value and the second index value, which are the update index values ​​calculated for the first data, match. When the first index value and the second index value do not match, a second request is sent to the local terminal requesting the transmission of the second data; when the first index value and the second index value match, the transmission of the second request to the local terminal is skipped. The management server that executes the command. (Note 11) A local terminal that stores target data that is updated over time, and calculates an update index value that determines that the target data has not been updated if the amount of information is smaller than the target data and the value does not change. At a second time point following the first time point in which the first data, which is the target data, is transmitted to the management server that collects and manages the aforementioned target data, a second request is received from the management server, which includes the first index value, which is the update index value calculated for the first data. When the second request is received from the management server, the update index value is calculated as the second index value for the second data, which is the target data stored at the second time point, Determining whether the first index value and the second index value included in the second request match, When the first indicator value and the second indicator value do not match, the second data is sent to the management server, and when the first indicator value and the second indicator value match, the transmission of the second data to the management server is skipped. The local terminal to execute it. (Note 12) A local terminal stores target data that is updated over time, and calculates an update index value that determines if the target data has not been updated if the amount of information is smaller than the target data and the value does not change. From this local terminal, the target data is collected and managed by a management server. The first request is sent to the local terminal at a second time point after the first time point in time when the local terminal sends the first data, which is the target data, to the management server. The local terminal receives a response to the first request that includes the update index value calculated for the second data, which is the target data stored in the local terminal at the second time point, as the second index value, When receiving a response to the first request from the local terminal, determine whether the first index value and the second index value, which are the update index values ​​calculated for the first data, match. When the first index value and the second index value do not match, a second request is sent to the local terminal requesting the transmission of the second data; when the first index value and the second index value match, the transmission of the second request to the local terminal is skipped. A program that executes something. (Note 13) A local terminal that stores target data that is updated over time, and calculates an update index value that determines that the target data has not been updated if the amount of information is smaller than the target data and the value does not change, At a second time point following the first time point in which the first data, which is the target data, is transmitted to the management server that collects and manages the aforementioned target data, a second request is received from the management server, which includes the first index value, which is the update index value calculated for the first data. When the second request is received from the management server, the update index value is calculated as the second index value for the second data, which is the target data stored at the second time point, Determining whether the first index value and the second index value included in the second request match, When the first indicator value and the second indicator value do not match, the second data is sent to the management server, and when the first indicator value and the second indicator value match, the transmission of the second data to the management server is skipped. A program that executes something. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0114] 1 Communication system, 2 Building, 3, 3a, 3b, 3c Equipment, 4 Local terminal, 5 Management server, 6 First memory unit, 7 First management unit, 8 First calculation unit, 9 First communication unit, 10 Communication network, 11 Second communication unit, 12 Second memory unit, 13 Second management unit, 14 Judgment unit, 15 Control unit, 16 Second calculation unit, 100a Processor, 100b Memory, 200 Dedicated hardware

Claims

1. A local terminal that stores target data that is updated over time, and calculates an update index value that determines that the target data has not been updated if the amount of information is smaller than the target data and the value does not change. A management server that collects and manages the target data from the local terminal, Equipped with, The management server sends the first request to the local terminal at a second time point in time, which is after the first time point in time when the local terminal sends the first data, which is the target data, to the management server. When the local terminal receives the first request from the management server, it calculates the update index value as the second index value for the second data, which is the target data stored at the second time point. The local terminal transmits the calculated second indicator value to the management server as a response to the first request. When the management server receives a response to the first request from the local terminal, it determines whether the first index value and the second index value, which are the update index values ​​calculated for the first data, match. The management server sends a second request to the local terminal when the first indicator value and the second indicator value do not match, and skips sending the second request to the local terminal when the first indicator value and the second indicator value match. When the local terminal receives the second request from the management server, it sends the second data to the management server. The management server stores a management table that includes one or more determination times in a set period that is repeated at a predetermined interval. The management server sends the first request to the local terminal, with each of the one or more determination times in the management table as the second time point. The management server changes the management table to a later time for any of the one or more determination times in which the transmission of the second data from the local terminal to the management server did not occur. Communication system.

2. A local terminal that stores target data that is updated over time, and calculates an update index value that determines that the target data has not been updated if the amount of information is smaller than the target data and the value does not change. A management server that collects and manages the target data from the local terminal, Equipped with, The management server sends the first request to the local terminal at a second time point in time, which is after the first time point in time when the local terminal sends the first data, which is the target data, to the management server. When the local terminal receives the first request from the management server, it calculates the update index value as the second index value for the second data, which is the target data stored at the second time point. The local terminal transmits the calculated second indicator value to the management server as a response to the first request. When the management server receives a response to the first request from the local terminal, it determines whether the first index value and the second index value, which are the update index values ​​calculated for the first data, match. The management server sends a second request to the local terminal when the first indicator value and the second indicator value do not match, and skips sending the second request to the local terminal when the first indicator value and the second indicator value match. When the local terminal receives the second request from the management server, it sends the second data to the management server. The management server stores a management table that includes one or more determination times in a set period that is repeated at a predetermined interval. The management server sends the first request to the local terminal, with each of the one or more determination times in the management table as the second time point. The management server changes the management table to an earlier time among the one or more determination times in which the second data was transmitted from the local terminal to the management server. Communication system.

3. A local terminal that stores target data that is updated over time, and calculates an update index value that determines that the target data has not been updated if the amount of information is smaller than the target data and the value does not change. A management server that collects and manages the target data from the local terminal, Equipped with, The management server, at a second time point after the first time point in time when the local terminal transmits the target data, the first data, to the management server, transmits a second request to the local terminal that includes the first index value, which is the update index value calculated for the first data. When the local terminal receives the second request from the management server, it calculates the update index value as the second index value for the second data, which is the target data stored at the second time point. The local terminal determines whether the first index value and the second index value included in the second request match, The local terminal sends the second data to the management server when the first indicator value and the second indicator value do not match, and skips sending the second data to the management server when the first indicator value and the second indicator value match. The management server stores a management table that includes one or more determination times in a set period that is repeated at a predetermined interval. The management server sends the second request to the local terminal, with each of the one or more determination times in the management table as the second time point. The management server changes the management table to a later time for any of the one or more determination times in which the transmission of the second data from the local terminal to the management server did not occur. Communication system.

4. A local terminal that stores target data that is updated over time, and calculates an update index value that determines that the target data has not been updated if the amount of information is smaller than the target data and the value does not change. A management server that collects and manages the target data from the local terminal, Equipped with, The management server, at a second time point after the first time point in time when the local terminal transmits the target data, the first data, to the management server, transmits a second request to the local terminal that includes the first index value, which is the update index value calculated for the first data. When the local terminal receives the second request from the management server, it calculates the update index value as the second index value for the second data, which is the target data stored at the second time point. The local terminal determines whether the first index value and the second index value included in the second request match, The local terminal sends the second data to the management server when the first indicator value and the second indicator value do not match, and skips sending the second data to the management server when the first indicator value and the second indicator value match. The management server stores a management table that includes one or more determination times in a set period that is repeated at a predetermined interval. The management server sends the second request to the local terminal, with each of the one or more determination times in the management table as the second time point. The management server changes the management table to an earlier time among the one or more determination times in which the second data was transmitted from the local terminal to the management server. Communication system.

5. The management server, when the management table contains one or more determination times that are consecutive and less than a predetermined threshold, changes the pair of determination times to a single determination time. A communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The aforementioned update index value is a hash value calculated from the aforementioned target data. A communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

7. The aforementioned update index value is a value that represents the time of the last update of the target data. A communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

8. A local terminal that stores target data that is updated over time, and calculates an update index value that determines that the target data has not been updated if the amount of information is smaller than the target data and the value does not change. A management server that collects and manages the target data from the local terminal, In a communication system including, The management server sends the first request to the local terminal at a second time point in time, which is after the first time point in time when the local terminal sends the first data, which is the target data, to the management server. When the local terminal receives the first request from the management server, it calculates the update index value as the second index value for the second data, which is the target data stored at the second time point. The local terminal sends the calculated second indicator value to the management server as a response to the first request. When the management server receives a response to the first request from the local terminal, it determines whether the first index value and the second index value, which are the update index values ​​calculated for the first data, match. The management server sends a second request to the local terminal when the first indicator value and the second indicator value do not match, and skips sending the second request to the local terminal when the first indicator value and the second indicator value match. When the local terminal receives the second request from the management server, it transmits the second data to the management server. It is a method of communication, The management server stores a management table that includes one or more determination times within a set period that is repeated at a predetermined interval. The management server sends the first request to the local terminal, with each of the one or more determination times in the management table as the second time point. The management server changes the management table to a later time for any of the one or more determination times in which the transmission of the second data from the local terminal to the management server did not occur. Communication method.

9. A local terminal that stores target data that is updated over time, and calculates an update index value that determines that the target data has not been updated if the amount of information is smaller than the target data and the value does not change. A management server that collects and manages the target data from the local terminal, In a communication system including, The management server sends the first request to the local terminal at a second time point in time, which is after the first time point in time when the local terminal sends the first data, which is the target data, to the management server. When the local terminal receives the first request from the management server, it calculates the update index value as the second index value for the second data, which is the target data stored at the second time point. The local terminal sends the calculated second indicator value to the management server as a response to the first request. When the management server receives a response to the first request from the local terminal, it determines whether the first index value and the second index value, which are the update index values ​​calculated for the first data, match. The management server sends a second request to the local terminal when the first indicator value and the second indicator value do not match, and skips sending the second request to the local terminal when the first indicator value and the second indicator value match. When the local terminal receives the second request from the management server, it transmits the second data to the management server. It is a method of communication, The management server stores a management table that includes one or more determination times within a set period that is repeated at a predetermined interval. The management server sends the first request to the local terminal, with each of the one or more determination times in the management table as the second time point. The management server changes the management table to an earlier time among the one or more determination times in which the transmission of the second data from the local terminal to the management server occurred. Communication method.

10. A local terminal that stores target data that is updated over time, and calculates an update index value that determines that the target data has not been updated if the amount of information is smaller than the target data and the value does not change. A management server that collects and manages the target data from the local terminal, In a communication system including, The management server, at a second time point after the first time point in time when the local terminal transmits the target data, the first data, to the management server, transmits a second request to the local terminal that includes the first index value, which is the update index value calculated for the first data. When the local terminal receives the second request from the management server, it calculates the update index value as the second index value for the second data, which is the target data stored at the second time point. The local terminal determines whether the first index value and the second index value included in the second request match, The local terminal sends the second data to the management server when the first indicator value and the second indicator value do not match, and skips sending the second data to the management server when the first indicator value and the second indicator value match. It is a method of communication, The management server stores a management table that includes one or more determination times within a set period that is repeated at a predetermined interval. The management server sends the second request to the local terminal, with each of the one or more determination times in the management table as the second time point. The management server changes the management table to a later time for any of the one or more determination times in which the transmission of the second data from the local terminal to the management server did not occur. Communication method.

11. A local terminal that stores target data that is updated over time, and calculates an update index value that determines that the target data has not been updated if the amount of information is smaller than the target data and the value does not change. A management server that collects and manages the target data from the local terminal, In a communication system including, The management server, at a second time point after the first time point in time when the local terminal transmits the target data, the first data, to the management server, transmits a second request to the local terminal that includes the first index value, which is the update index value calculated for the first data. When the local terminal receives the second request from the management server, it calculates the update index value as the second index value for the second data, which is the target data stored at the second time point. The local terminal determines whether the first index value and the second index value included in the second request match, The local terminal sends the second data to the management server when the first indicator value and the second indicator value do not match, and skips sending the second data to the management server when the first indicator value and the second indicator value match. It is a method of communication, The management server stores a management table that includes one or more determination times within a set period that is repeated at a predetermined interval. The management server sends the second request to the local terminal, with each of the one or more determination times in the management table as the second time point. The management server changes the management table to an earlier time among the one or more determination times in which the transmission of the second data from the local terminal to the management server occurred. Communication method.

12. A local terminal stores target data that is updated over time, and calculates an update index value that determines if the target data has not been updated if the amount of information is smaller than the target data and the value does not change. From this local terminal, the target data is collected and managed by a management server. The first request is sent to the local terminal at a second time point after the first time point in time when the local terminal sends the first data, which is the target data, to the management server. The local terminal receives a response to the first request that includes the update index value calculated for the second data, which is the target data stored in the local terminal at the second time point, as the second index value, When receiving a response to the first request from the local terminal, determine whether the first index value and the second index value, which are the update index values ​​calculated for the first data, match. When the first index value and the second index value do not match, a second request is sent to the local terminal requesting the transmission of the second data; when the first index value and the second index value match, the transmission of the second request to the local terminal is skipped. It is a program that executes, The management server stores a management table containing one or more determination times within a set period that is repeated at a predetermined interval. The management server is instructed to send the first request to the local terminal, with each of the one or more determination times in the management table as the second time point. The management server is instructed to change the management table to a later time among the one or more determination times in which the transmission of the second data from the local terminal to the management server did not occur. program.

13. A local terminal stores target data that is updated over time, and calculates an update index value that determines if the target data has not been updated if the amount of information is smaller than the target data and the value does not change. From this local terminal, the target data is collected and managed by a management server. The first request is sent to the local terminal at a second time point after the first time point in time when the local terminal sends the first data, which is the target data, to the management server. The local terminal receives a response to the first request that includes the update index value calculated for the second data, which is the target data stored in the local terminal at the second time point, as the second index value, When receiving a response to the first request from the local terminal, determine whether the first index value and the second index value, which are the update index values ​​calculated for the first data, match. When the first index value and the second index value do not match, a second request is sent to the local terminal requesting the transmission of the second data; when the first index value and the second index value match, the transmission of the second request to the local terminal is skipped. It is a program that executes, The management server stores a management table containing one or more determination times within a set period that is repeated at a predetermined interval. The management server is instructed to send the first request to the local terminal, with each of the one or more determination times in the management table as the second time point. The management server is instructed to change the management table to an earlier time among the one or more determination times in which the second data was transmitted from the local terminal to the management server. program.

14. A program that performs processing according to the program described in claim 12 or claim 13. Management server.

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