Maintenance management system, maintenance management device, and maintenance management method

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a maintenance management system in which a terminal device and a maintenance management device are connected via a network. The terminal device stores identification information pertaining thereto, collects state-of-use information indicating the state of use of equipment to be subjected to maintenance, and reports the state-of-use information to the maintenance management device. On the basis of the state-of-use information, the maintenance management device provides the user equipment of the user of the equipment to be subjected to maintenance with maintenance information pertaining to the equipment to be subjected to maintenance, manages the remaining communication quantity available to the terminal device in association with the identification information, and communicates with the terminal device when there is a remaining communication quantity.

Description

Maintenance management system, maintenance management device, and maintenance management method

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a maintenance management system, a maintenance management device, and a maintenance management method.

[0002] Maintenance management systems for remotely managing the usage status of devices have been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a method for controlling a device that includes multiple communication modules, including a long-distance communication module that is a communication module for long-distance wireless communication and a short-distance communication module that is a communication module for short-distance wireless communication, and that can be connected to a server that manages the device via each of the multiple communication modules. The method includes a receiving step for receiving information necessary for short-distance wireless communication by the short-distance communication module when the long-distance communication module and the short-distance communication module are not operating, a determining step for determining whether the information received in the receiving step satisfies a condition indicating that the information is sufficient for a first connection with the server using the short-distance communication module, and a control step for controlling the long-distance communication module to start when it is determined in the determining step that the information does not satisfy the condition.

[0003] Patent document 2 describes a remote control system that includes a system server having a connection means for communicating with a remote control device that has an interface with a terminal device and a communication means for a communication line, and a CPU that, when receiving an operation instruction for the terminal device via the Internet, instructs the remote control device to send an operation signal via the remote control device communication means and controls the terminal device to operate via the interface of the remote control device.

[0004] When the target equipment is installed outside a human activity space, short-range wireless communication may not be available for maintenance management. For example, a short-range wireless communication base station may be installed indoors and have a relatively low antenna output. An outdoor unit of an air conditioner may be installed outdoors, and radio waves from the base station may not reach the outdoor unit. A public wireless communication network may be used for maintenance management of such equipment. Users who receive communication services using a public wireless communication network are typically charged by a telecommunications carrier according to the amount of communication. This requires effort and cost management to handle the charges. For example, Patent Document 3 describes a usage fee management device that manages the usage fees of a processing device that processes operating data obtained by operating an air conditioning / refrigeration equipment, charging according to the amount of data processed. The usage fee management device includes a usage fee prediction processing unit that predicts the usage fee for a second set period that is longer than the first set period based on the usage fee charged for the first set period, and a judgment processing unit that determines whether the usage fee for the second set period predicted by the usage fee prediction processing unit exceeds a predetermined upper limit value, and if it determines that the upper limit value has been exceeded, sets the collection period for operating data of the air conditioning and refrigeration equipment to be longer than the current collection period.

[0005] International Publication No. 2019 / 172044 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-271506 International Publication No. 2019 / 116523

[0006] On the other hand, the duration, frequency, and type of use of equipment subject to maintenance may vary from user to user. As a result, periodic billing may not be reasonable for the user's actual situation. For example, charges may be incurred even when the equipment is not in use, or unexpected expenses may occur if the equipment is used more frequently than expected. This tendency can also be seen in commercial air conditioning systems.

[0007] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a maintenance management system, a maintenance management device, and a maintenance management method that solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0008] A first aspect is a maintenance management system comprising a terminal device and a maintenance management device, the terminal device and the maintenance management device being connected via a network, wherein the terminal device stores its own identification information, collects usage status information indicating the usage status of the equipment to be maintained and notifies the maintenance management device, the maintenance management device provides maintenance information of the equipment to be maintained to a user device of the user of the equipment to be maintained based on the usage status information, manages the remaining communication capacity available to the terminal device in association with the identification information, and when the remaining communication capacity exists, executes communication with the terminal device.

[0009] The second aspect is a maintenance management device that connects to a terminal device via a network, collects usage status information indicating the usage status of the equipment to be maintained from the terminal device, provides maintenance information for the equipment to be maintained to the user device of the user of the equipment to be maintained based on the usage status information, manages the remaining communication capacity that the terminal device can use by associating it with the identification information of the terminal device, and when the remaining communication capacity exists, executes communication with the terminal device.

[0010] A third aspect is a method in a maintenance management system that includes a terminal device and a maintenance management device, the terminal device and the maintenance management device being connected via a network, and the terminal device storing its own device's identification information, wherein the terminal device collects usage status information indicating the usage status of a maintenance target device and notifies the maintenance management device, the maintenance management device provides maintenance information of the maintenance target device to a user device of a user of the maintenance target device based on the usage status information, manages the remaining communication capacity that the terminal device can use in association with the identification information, and when the remaining communication capacity exists, executes communication with the terminal device.

[0011] According to the present disclosure, the user can use the equipment to be maintained safely within the range of communication volume agreed to in advance.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a first configuration example of a maintenance management system according to the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing a functional configuration example of a terminal device according to the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram showing a functional configuration example of a maintenance management device according to the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram showing a functional configuration example of a user equipment according to the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration example of user information according to the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration example of communication management information according to the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of communication volume management according to the present disclosure. FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram showing a second configuration example of a maintenance management system according to the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram showing a third configuration example of a maintenance management system according to the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram showing a configuration example of a computer system according to the present disclosure.

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Elements common to or corresponding to each drawing are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be incorporated unless otherwise specified. FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing an example configuration of a maintenance management system S1 according to the present disclosure. In the example of FIG. 1, the equipment to be maintained is an air conditioning system 10. The maintenance management system S1 includes the air conditioning system 10, a maintenance management device 20, and a user device 30. The air conditioning system 10 includes a terminal device 12, an outdoor unit 14, and an indoor unit 18. The terminal device 12, the maintenance management device 20, and the user device 30 are each connected to a network NW so as to be able to send and receive various data.

[0014] The network NW includes a public wireless communication network PN (PLMN: Public Land Mobile Network). The public wireless communication network PN may be a wireless communication network that complies with, for example, any one or any combination of the following standards: IMT-2000 (International Mobile Telecommunication 2000), LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE-Advanced, and 5G (5th Generation mobile Communication System). The IMT-2000 standard corresponds to the 3G standard. LTE corresponds to an intermediate transition technology from the 3G standard to the 4G standard. The LTE-Advanced standard corresponds to the 4G standard.

[0015] A subscriber identity module (SIM) 13 is installed in the terminal device 12, and the terminal device 12 directly connects wirelessly to the public wireless communication network PN using a valid identification number stored in the SIM 13. For example, an international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) is used as the identification number. The IMSI is an identification number uniquely assigned to each subscriber. The SIM 13 may be a physical medium (i.e., a SIM card) or electronic information (eSIM: Embedded-SIM). The terminal device 12 may be an Internet of Things (IoT) device connectable to the Internet. As illustrated in FIG. 1 , the terminal device 12 may be configured as an edge device separate from the outdoor unit 14, or as a device module integrated and housed within the outdoor unit 14.

[0016] The outdoor unit 14 is installed outside the target space. The target space is a space whose air condition is to be regulated by the air conditioning system 10. The outdoor unit 14 may be installed outdoors. The outdoor unit 14 includes a compressor, a heat exchanger, a blower (sometimes referred to herein as an "outdoor blower"), a temperature sensor (sometimes referred to herein as an "outdoor temperature sensor"), and a main controller. The heat exchanger in the outdoor unit 14 is connected to the heat exchanger in the indoor unit 18 via a series of piping. A refrigerant is sealed in the piping. The heat exchanger radiates heat contained in the refrigerant to the outside or absorbs heat from the outside into the refrigerant. The outdoor blower, under the control of the main controller, blows air around the heat exchanger, expelling air with a temperature change to promote heat radiation or heat absorption.

[0017] The compressor, under the control of the main controller, compresses a refrigerant and circulates it through the piping. The refrigerant is, for example, a fluorocarbon. A valve is provided in the piping. The piping has a refrigerant flow path, and is configured so that opening and closing the valve switches between a flow path where the compressor is located upstream of the heat exchanger and a flow path where the compressor is located downstream of the heat exchanger. Under the control of the main controller, the valve sets the flow path where the compressor is located upstream of the heat exchanger during cooling or dehumidifying operation, and sets the flow path where the compressor is located downstream of the heat exchanger during heating operation.

[0018] The outdoor temperature sensor measures the outdoor temperature and notifies the main controller of the measured outdoor temperature. The outdoor unit 14 may be equipped with a compressor output sensor, an outdoor fan output sensor, and an acceleration sensor. The compressor output sensor detects the rotation speed of the motor provided in the compressor as the compressor output and notifies the main controller. The outdoor fan output sensor detects the rotation speed of the motor provided in the outdoor fan as the outdoor fan output and notifies the main controller. The acceleration sensor detects acceleration related to vibrations occurring in the outdoor unit 14 and notifies the main controller of the detected acceleration.

[0019] The main controller controls the operation of the compressor, outdoor blower, and indoor blower based on the indoor temperature from the indoor temperature sensor, the outdoor temperature from the outdoor temperature sensor, and the humidity from the humidity sensor. During cooling operation, operation is controlled so that the indoor temperature approaches a lower set temperature. During heating operation, operation is controlled so that the indoor temperature approaches a higher set temperature. During dehumidification operation, operation of the compressor is controlled so that the indoor temperature is lowered, and the air blown from the indoor blower is heated by a heater provided in the indoor unit 18 so that the indoor temperature approaches the set temperature. The main controller notifies the terminal device 12 of usage status information indicating the usage status of the air conditioner system 10 at predetermined intervals (e.g., 1 to 10 minutes).

[0020] The usage information includes the operating status and usage environment of the air conditioning system 10. The operating status includes, for example, the operation mode, the power consumption of the air conditioning system 10, the compressor output, the indoor fan output, and the outdoor fan output. The operating mode includes, for example, cooling, heating, or dehumidification. The operating status may include one or both of the set temperature and the set humidity. The usage environment includes, for example, the indoor temperature, the outdoor temperature, and the indoor humidity. The operating status may also include the acceleration notified from the acceleration sensor of the outdoor unit 14.

[0021] The main controller controls the operation of the air conditioner system 10 in accordance with operation information notified from the remote controller 15 (FIG. 8) or the user device 30 via the terminal device 12. The operation information instructs the start of operation (power on), stop of operation (power off), operation mode, set temperature, or set humidity. The main controller may be provided in the indoor unit 18 instead of the outdoor unit 14, or may be configured as a device separate from the outdoor unit 14 or the indoor unit 18.

[0022] The indoor unit 18 adjusts the air condition in the target space. The conditions to be adjusted include one or both of the temperature (i.e., indoor temperature) and humidity (i.e., indoor humidity) in the target space. The indoor unit 18 includes a heat exchanger, a temperature sensor (sometimes referred to herein as the "indoor temperature sensor"), a humidity sensor (sometimes referred to herein as the "indoor temperature sensor"), and a blower (sometimes referred to herein as the "indoor blower"). The indoor temperature sensor measures the indoor temperature and notifies the main controller of the measured indoor temperature. The humidity sensor measures the indoor humidity and notifies the main controller of the measured indoor humidity.

[0023] The heat exchanger of the indoor unit 18 is connected to piping and causes the refrigerant to absorb heat from the room during cooling or dehumidifying operation, and dissipates heat from the refrigerant into the room during heating operation. The indoor fan blows air around the heat exchanger under the control of the main controller, and releases the air into the room with its temperature increased due to heat dissipation or decreased due to heat absorption. The indoor fan may be equipped with an indoor fan output sensor. The indoor fan output sensor detects the rotation speed of the motor provided in the indoor fan as the indoor fan output and notifies the main controller of the detected indoor fan output.

[0024] The maintenance management device 20 may be directly connected to the public wireless communication network PN or may be connected via another communication transmission path. The maintenance management device 20 may be configured as a so-called cloud server. The cloud server constitutes one server device or part of multiple server devices, which are connected to each other via the Internet.

[0025] The user equipment 30 is equipment used by a user of the air conditioning system 10, and the maintenance target equipment is primarily used for business purposes. The user of the air conditioning system 10 is not limited to the person who actually uses the air conditioning system 10, but may also include the owner or manager or representative of the air conditioning system 10. The user equipment 30 may be directly connected to the public wireless communication network PN or may be connected via another communication transmission path. The user equipment 30 may be, for example, a multi-function mobile phone, a tablet terminal device, a personal computer (PC), or the like. The other communication transmission path may be, for example, the Internet, a wireless local area network (WLAN), a dedicated line, or the like. The other communication transmission path may be wireless, or may be partially or entirely wired.

[0026] The public wireless communication network PN includes a subscriber information management device 40. The subscriber information management device 40 manages subscriber information for each subscriber. The subscriber information management device 40 is, for example, an HRL / HSS (Home Location Register / Home Subscriber Server). The subscriber information includes, for example, an identification number for each subscriber, contract details for a communication service provided using the public wireless communication network PN, and the usage status of the communication service. The contract details may specify a prepayment method as the payment method. The contract details related to the prepayment method may include information on the amount of communication traffic permitted to be used in the communication service. The usage status information may include information on the amount of communication traffic used in the communication service.

[0027] In the following description, a communication service provided using the public wireless communication network PN may be simply referred to as a "communication service." Furthermore, the amount of communication used in the communication service may be referred to as a "used communication amount." When the subscriber information management device 40 receives a setting notification indicating the setting of a new valid SIM 13 from the terminal device 12, the subscriber information management device 40 validates the available communication amount previously allocated to the terminal device 12 in accordance with the contract details. In the following description, the allocated communication amount may be referred to as an "allocated communication amount."

[0028] The subscriber information management device 40 sets the allocated communication amount allocated to the terminal device 12 as the initial value of the remaining communication amount available for use in the communication service provided to the terminal device 12. The subscriber information management device 40 configures subscriber notification information by associating the allocated communication amount with the identification number of the terminal device 12 indicated in the setting notification, and transmits the configured subscriber notification information to the maintenance management device 20. The subscriber information management device 40 detects the amount of communication used by utilizing the communication service provided to the terminal device 12, and updates the remaining communication amount by subtracting the detected amount of communication used from the remaining communication amount of the terminal device 12. The subscriber information management device 40 configures remaining amount notification information by associating the updated remaining communication amount with the ISMI of the terminal device 12, and transmits the configured remaining amount notification information to the maintenance management device 20. The subscriber information management device 40 may transmit the remaining amount notification information each time the remaining communication amount is updated, or may transmit the remaining amount notification information every time a predetermined period (e.g., one day to one month) is reached.

[0029] The terminal device 12 collects usage status information indicating the usage status of the air conditioning system 10 from the outdoor unit 14. When communication with the maintenance management device 20 is active, the terminal device 12 transmits the collected usage status information to the maintenance management device 20 via the network NW. The terminal device 12 may receive operation information for the air conditioning system 10 from the user equipment 30 via the maintenance management device 20. In this case, the terminal device 12 may control the operation of the air conditioning system 10 based on the received operation information.

[0030] The maintenance management device 20 is a server device that provides maintenance information to the user equipment 30 of the user based on usage information of the air conditioning system 10. The maintenance management device 20 receives usage information from the terminal device 12 and accumulates the received usage information for each air conditioning system 10 that is the equipment to be maintained. The accumulated usage information constitutes log information. The maintenance management device 20 generates maintenance information for the air conditioning system 10 based on the accumulated log information. The maintenance management device 20 transmits the generated maintenance information to the user equipment 30 of the user of the air conditioning system 10.

[0031] The maintenance management device 20 may receive operation information for the air conditioning system 10 from the user device 30. The maintenance management device 20 transmits the received operation information to the terminal device 12 associated with that air conditioning system 10. In response to a request from the user device 30, the maintenance management device 20 may respond with various information related to the maintenance management of the air conditioning system 10. The requested information may include, for example, usage status information for the air conditioning system 10, maintenance information, or the remaining communication capacity available on the terminal device 12.

[0032] The maintenance management device 20 manages the remaining communication capacity that the terminal device 12 can use in the communication service provided by the public wireless communication network PN. The maintenance management device 20 monitors the remaining communication capacity indicated by the remaining communication capacity information notified from the subscriber information management device 40. When there is remaining communication capacity, the maintenance management device 20 communicates with the terminal device 12. When the remaining communication capacity is exhausted, the maintenance management device 20 stops communication with the terminal device 12.

[0033] The user device 30 acquires maintenance information for the air conditioning system 10 from the maintenance management device 20. The user device 30 presents the maintenance information received from the maintenance management device 20. The user device 30 may accept a user operation and request various types of information related to maintenance management from the maintenance management device 20. The user device 30 may receive the requested information from the maintenance management device 20 and present the received information. The user device 30 may transmit operation information for the air conditioning system 10 via the maintenance management device 20 in response to a user operation.

[0034] Next, an example of the functional configuration of the terminal device 12 according to the present disclosure will be described. Fig. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the terminal device 12 according to the present disclosure. The terminal device 12 includes a usage information collection unit 121, a usage information provision unit 122, an operation control unit 123, a subscriber information setting unit 125, a communication unit 126, and an input / output unit 127.

[0035] The usage information collection unit 121 collects usage information indicating usage status from the controller of the air conditioning system 10 using the input / output unit 127. The usage information collection unit 121 outputs the collected usage information to the usage information provision unit 122. The usage information provision unit 122 transmits the usage information input from the usage information collection unit 121 to the maintenance management device 20 using the communication unit 126. The usage information is collected while the air conditioning system 10 is in operation and is not collected when it is not in operation. Therefore, usage information is not transmitted when the air conditioning system 10 is not in operation. The operation control unit 123 receives operation information from the user device 30 via the maintenance management device 20 using the communication unit 126. The operation control unit 123 controls the operation of the air conditioning system 10 based on the received operation information. Here, the operation control unit 123 outputs the received operation information to the controller of the air conditioning system 10.

[0036] The subscriber information setting unit 125 acquires and stores the acquired subscriber information. The subscriber information includes the IMEI of the terminal device 12. The subscriber information setting unit 125 is configured to include, for example, a card socket. The card socket is configured to allow a SIM card on which valid subscriber information is recorded to be inserted or removed by external force. The subscriber information is stored with the SIM card inserted in the card socket.

[0037] The subscriber information setting unit 125 may be realized using general-purpose hardware resources rather than dedicated hardware. The subscriber information setting unit 125 may access a predetermined download server and download an eSIM profile in which valid subscriber information is recorded. The download server permits the download on the condition that the user pays a fee. The subscriber information setting unit 125 saves the acquired eSIM profile. When the subscriber information setting unit 125 detects a new valid SIM setting, it transmits a setting notification indicating the setting to the subscriber information management device 40 of the public wireless communication network PN that provides the communication service related to the SIM, using the communication unit 126. This enables the communication service provided to the terminal device 12.

[0038] The communication unit 126 is wirelessly connected to the network NW and transmits and receives various information to and from the maintenance management device 20. The communication unit 126 connects to the public wireless communication network PN constituting the network NW using the IMEI set in the subscriber information setting unit 125 according to a predetermined wireless communication method. The communication unit 126 enables communication using the public wireless communication network PN while there is a remaining communication capacity allocated to the terminal device 12. The communication unit 126 includes, for example, a wireless communication interface. The communication unit 126 may receive an invalidation notice indicating invalidation of communication from the maintenance management device 20. At this time, the communication unit 126 may stop transmission and reception with the maintenance management device 20. Therefore, communication is stopped under the control of the maintenance management device 20 before the remaining communication capacity is completely depleted.

[0039] The input / output unit 127 inputs and outputs various types of information to and from the controller of the air conditioning system 10. The input / output unit 127 includes, for example, an input / output interface. The input / output unit 127 may be connected to the controller of the air conditioning system 10 via a wired connection or wirelessly.

[0040] Next, an example of the functional configuration of the maintenance management device 20 according to the present disclosure will be described. Fig. 3 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the maintenance management device 20 according to the present disclosure. The maintenance management device 20 includes a usage information storage unit 201, a maintenance information notification unit 202, an operation information processing unit 203, a user information management unit 205, and a communication unit 207.

[0041] When communication with the terminal device 12 is active, the usage information accumulation unit 201 receives usage information for the air conditioning system 10 from the terminal device 12 using the communication unit 207. The usage information accumulation unit 201 stores the usage information received for each air conditioning system 10 that is the maintenance target, in association with the date and time at that time. The usage information accumulation unit 201 accumulates the usage information to form log information. The usage information accumulation unit 201 includes, for example, an auxiliary storage medium.

[0042] The maintenance information notification unit 202 refers to the log information stored in the usage status information accumulation unit 201 and attempts to acquire maintenance information for each air conditioning system 10 that is the maintenance target. The maintenance information notification unit 202 transmits the acquired maintenance information to the user device 30 using the communication unit 207. The maintenance information notification unit 202, for example, refers to the user management information stored in the user information management unit 205 and identifies the user device 30 indicated by the user device ID that corresponds to the maintenance target device ID of the air conditioning system 10 related to the newly acquired maintenance information. The maintenance information notification unit 202 transmits the acquired maintenance information to the identified user device 30 using the communication unit 207. The maintenance information notification unit 202 may save the acquired maintenance information by including it in the log information of the air conditioning system 10.

[0043] The maintenance information notification unit 202 generates maintenance information of each type according to predetermined rules for each type of maintenance information. More specifically, each time the operating state changes, the maintenance information notification unit 202 extracts information indicating the operating state after the change as first-type maintenance information. The maintenance information notification unit 202 may also extract, as second-type maintenance information, changes in the operating environment over a predetermined period up to that point. The maintenance information notification unit 202 may also detect information indicating a predetermined abnormality or a sign of such an abnormality as third-type maintenance information. For example, during cooling or heating operation, the maintenance information notification unit 202 may detect a decrease in air conditioning efficiency as fourth-type maintenance information when the rate of change of temperature over time relative to the compressor output, indoor fan output, or outdoor fan output is equal to or less than a predetermined reference value for air conditioning efficiency. For example, the maintenance information notification unit 202 may detect a malfunction in the compression ratio as fourth-type maintenance information when the ratio of the compressor output to the power consumption is equal to or less than a predetermined output judgment value. For example, when the ratio of the indoor fan output to the power consumption is equal to or less than a predetermined output judgment value, the maintenance information notification unit 202 can detect a malfunction of the indoor fan as fifth-type maintenance information. For example, when the ratio of the outdoor fan output to the power consumption is equal to or less than a predetermined output judgment value, the maintenance information notification unit 202 can detect a malfunction of the outdoor fan as sixth-type maintenance information. For example, the maintenance information notification unit 202 can perform frequency analysis on the acceleration of the outdoor unit 14, and when the ratio of a specific frequency component to other frequency components is greater than a predetermined ratio, can detect abnormal vibration as seventh-type maintenance information.

[0044] When receiving a maintenance information request from the user device 30, the maintenance information notification unit 202 may refer to the log information and acquire the maintenance information of the type indicated in the maintenance information request information. The maintenance information notification unit 202 transmits the acquired maintenance information to the user device 30 using the communication unit 207 as a response to the maintenance information request information.

[0045] The operation information processing unit 203 transfers operation information received from the user equipment 30 to the terminal device 12 of the air conditioning system 10 that is the maintenance target for that user when communication with that terminal device 12 is active. The operation information includes control information that instructs the operating state of the air conditioning system 10. The operation information processing unit 203, for example, references user management information stored in the user information management unit 205, and identifies the air conditioning system 10 indicated by the maintenance target device ID attached to the operation information. The operation information processing unit 203 transmits the operation information to the terminal device 12 of the identified air conditioning system 10 using the communication unit 207.

[0046] The user information management unit 205 stores user information for each user to whom the maintenance management service is provided. The user information may be set by input by the maintenance management company during user registration, or may be set in accordance with a user registration request from the user device 30. The user information management unit 205 issues a new user ID to the user to be registered that is different from other users during user registration. The user information management unit 205 may issue a new maintenance target device ID to the maintenance target device to be registered that is different from other maintenance target devices.

[0047] In the example of FIG. 5 , the user information includes information on a user ID, a terminal device ID, a maintenance target device ID, an installation location, a user device ID, a user name, and user contact information, and is configured by associating these. The user ID is identification information indicating a user receiving the maintenance management service. The terminal device ID is identification information indicating the terminal device 12. The terminal device ID does not necessarily have to be uniquely issued identification information; the IMSI or ICCID of the terminal device 12 may be used. The ICCID corresponds to a telephone number assigned to the terminal device 12. The maintenance target device ID is identification information indicating the air conditioning system 10, which is the maintenance target device. The maintenance target device ID may be, for example, the serial number of the air conditioning system 10. The user device ID is identification information indicating the user device 30. The user device ID does not necessarily have to be uniquely issued identification information; the ICCID or email address of the user device 30 may be used.

[0048] Returning to FIG. 3 , the user information management unit 205 includes a communication management unit 205c. The communication management unit 205c stores communication management information for each terminal device 12 related to the equipment to be maintained. In the example of FIG. 6 , the communication management information includes a user ID, a terminal device ID, an IMSI, an ICCID, remaining communication capacity, predicted time, and validity information, and is configured by associating these. The IMSI and ICCID are the IMSI and ICCID assigned to the terminal device 12, respectively. The remaining communication capacity is the remaining communication capacity available for use by the terminal device 12 in the communication service provided to the terminal device 12. The predicted time is the time when the remaining communication capacity of the terminal device 12 is expected to run out. The validity information is information indicating whether the communication service using the public wireless communication network PN with the terminal device 12 is valid.

[0049] Returning to FIG. 3 , the communication management unit 205c constructs communication management information based on the subscriber information and user registration information notified from the subscriber information management device 40. For example, the communication management unit 205c can compare the IMSI included in the subscriber information notified from the subscriber information management device 40 with the IMSI of the SIM 13 acquired during user registration and set in the terminal device 12, and identify the user ID of the user for whom the IMSI and IMSI match, or the terminal device ID of the user's terminal device 12. The communication management unit 205c can extract the identified user ID and terminal device ID by referencing the user information, and construct communication management information including the IMSI, ICCID, remaining communication volume, a predetermined initial value of the predicted time, and an initial value of the validity information included in the subscriber information. The initial value of the predicted time is set to a time a sufficiently long period of time from the present time. The initial value of the predicted time is, for example, the expiration date of the maintenance management service contract. The initial value of the validity information is set to a value (e.g., 1) indicating that communication using the communication service is valid. In addition, when IMSI or ICCID is used as the terminal device ID, the item for the terminal device ID may be omitted from the communication management information.

[0050] The communication management unit 205c associates the initial remaining communication amount with the setting date and time and the terminal device ID of the terminal device 12 and stores them as remaining communication amount log information. The communication management unit 205c updates the remaining communication amount indicated in the communication management information based on the remaining amount information notified by the subscriber information management device 40. The communication management unit 205c references the communication management information, identifies the ISMI of the terminal device 12 indicated in the remaining amount information, and updates the remaining communication amount corresponding to the identified ISMI to the remaining communication amount indicated in the notified remaining amount information. The communication management unit 205c associates the updated remaining communication amount with the update date and time and the terminal device ID of the terminal device 12 and stores them in the remaining communication amount log information.

[0051] The communication management unit 205c may respond with the remaining communication amount available to the terminal device 12 in response to receiving a remaining communication amount inquiry from the user device 30. When receiving a remaining communication amount inquiry from the user device 30, the communication management unit 205c refers to the communication management information and identifies the remaining communication amount corresponding to the user device ID included in the remaining communication amount inquiry. The communication management unit 205c transmits the identified remaining communication amount as a response to the remaining communication amount inquiry to the user device 30, which is the sender of the inquiry.

[0052] The communication management unit 205c may refer to the remaining communication amount log information and determine whether the remaining communication amount for each terminal device 12 has fallen below a predetermined reference remaining amount. The reference remaining amount is set to a communication amount sufficiently smaller than the allocated communication amount (for example, 10 to 20% of the allocated communication amount). For a terminal device 12 whose remaining communication amount falls below the predetermined reference remaining amount, the communication management unit 205c may configure guidance information regarding the continuation of communication services using the public wireless communication network PN for the terminal device 12. The guidance information may include, for example, a predicted timing and guidance on setting up a new SIM. The communication management unit 205c refers to the user information and identifies the user device 30 corresponding to the terminal device 12. The communication management unit 205c transmits the guidance information to the identified user device 30.

[0053] The communication management unit 205c may refer to the remaining communication amount log information and calculate the predicted time when the remaining communication amount will be depleted to zero for each terminal device 12 based on a time series of the remaining communication amount by date and time. The communication management unit 205c may estimate the predicted time using a predetermined mathematical model. The mathematical model may be, for example, a linear prediction model or a nonlinear prediction model. When a linear prediction model is used, the predicted time is estimated as the time after the number of periods obtained by dividing the remaining communication amount at that time by the average usage amount per certain period. The communication management unit 205c may notify the user equipment 30 of the estimated predicted time together with or instead of the remaining communication amount.

[0054] The communication management unit 205c may also configure guidance information regarding the continuation of communication services using the public wireless communication network for a terminal device 12 for which the predicted period from the present time to the predicted time has reached a predetermined reference period (for example, one week to one month). The communication management unit 205c refers to the user information and identifies the user device 30 corresponding to the terminal device 12. The communication management unit 205c transmits the guidance information to the identified user device 30.

[0055] For a terminal device 12 whose remaining communication volume received from the subscriber information management device 40 reaches a predetermined lower limit, the communication management unit 205c changes the value of the validity information included in the communication management information to a value (e.g., zero) indicating that communication using the communication service via the public wireless communication network PN is disabled. The lower limit is a value at which the remaining communication volume allocated to the terminal device 12 is considered to have been exhausted. The lower limit may be zero, or a positive value greater than zero and less than a reference remaining volume (e.g., 2 to 5% of the allocated communication volume). At this time, the communication management unit 205c may transmit an invalidation notice to the user equipment 30 indicating that communication with the terminal device 12 has been invalidated. Furthermore, the communication management unit 205c may transmit the invalidation notice to the terminal device 12 before the terminal device 12's use of the public wireless network PN is restricted.

[0056] The communication unit 207 is connected to the network NW via a wired or wireless connection, and transmits and receives various information to and from the terminal device 12 and the user equipment 30. The communication unit 207 includes, for example, a communication interface. However, the communication unit 207 executes communication with the terminal device 12 when the validity information indicates that communication using a communication service via the public wireless communication network PN is valid, and does not communicate with the terminal device 12 when the validity information indicates that the communication is invalid.

[0057] Next, an example of the functional configuration of the user device 30 according to the present disclosure will be described. Fig. 4 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the user device 30 according to the present disclosure. The user device 30 includes an output processing unit 301, a setting processing unit 302, an operation information setting unit 303, a display unit 305, an operation input unit 306, and a communication unit 307.

[0058] The output processing unit 301 outputs various types of information related to the maintenance management service. The output processing unit 301, for example, configures a display screen that displays maintenance information sent from the maintenance management device 20. The output processing unit 301 may also cause the display unit 305 to display a guide screen that displays the types of information that can be queried from the maintenance management device 20. The output processing unit 301, for example, identifies the type of maintenance information based on operation information input from the operation input unit 306, and configures maintenance information request information for requesting maintenance information of the identified type. The output processing unit 301 transmits the configured maintenance information request information to the maintenance management device 20. When the output processing unit 301 receives maintenance information from the maintenance management device 20 as a response to the maintenance information request information, it configures a display screen that displays the received maintenance information.

[0059] The output processing unit 301 may configure a remaining communication amount inquiry for inquiring about the remaining communication amount of the terminal device 12 related to the equipment to be maintained, based on operation information input from the operation input unit 306. The output processing unit 301 transmits the configured remaining communication amount inquiry to the maintenance management device 20. When receiving the remaining communication amount from the maintenance management device 20 in response to the remaining communication amount inquiry, the output processing unit 301 may configure a display screen showing the received remaining communication amount.

[0060] When receiving guidance information indicating the predicted timing and guidance for setting a new SIM from the maintenance management device 20, the output processing unit 301 may configure a display screen showing the received guidance information. When receiving a deactivation notification from the maintenance management device 20, the output processing unit 301 may configure a display screen showing deactivation notification information indicating that communication in the terminal device 12 has been deactivated. The output processing unit 301 outputs display data showing the configured display screen to the display unit 305, and causes the display screen to be displayed.

[0061] The setting processing unit 302 displays a predetermined setting screen on the display unit 305 and sets various setting information related to the maintenance management service in accordance with operation information input from the operation input unit 306. The setting processing unit 302, for example, sets element information of user information based on the operation information and generates a user registration request including the set element information. The element information includes the maintenance target device ID, the installation location of the air conditioning system 10 that is the maintenance target device, the user device ID, the user name, and the user's contact information. The setting processing unit 302 transmits the generated user registration request to the maintenance management device 20. The setting processing unit 302 may set element information of user information that should be changed based on the operation information and generate a user information change request including the set element information. The setting processing unit 302 transmits the generated user information change request to the maintenance management device 20.

[0062] The operation information setting unit 303 displays an operation screen on the display unit 305 to guide the air conditioning system 10 that is the maintenance target about the operating states that can be instructed. The operating states that can be instructed about the air conditioning system 10 include, for example, the operation mode, the set temperature, or the set humidity. When operation information indicating the operating state is input from the operation input unit 306, the operation information setting unit 303 transmits the input operation information to the maintenance management device 20. The operating state of the air conditioning system 10 is controlled in accordance with the operation information transmitted via the maintenance management device 20.

[0063] The display unit 305 displays a display screen in accordance with display data input thereto. The display unit 305 includes, for example, a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic light emission diode (OLED) display. The operation input unit 306 accepts user operations and generates operation information in accordance with the accepted operations. The operation input unit 306 includes, for example, input devices such as a mouse, a touch sensor, and a button. The communication unit 307 connects to the network NW and transmits and receives various information to and from the maintenance management device 20. The communication unit 307 includes, for example, a communication interface.

[0064] Next, an example of communication traffic management according to the present disclosure will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of communication traffic management according to the present disclosure. (Step S102) When detecting the setting of a new SIM, the subscriber information setting unit 125 of the terminal device 12 notifies the subscriber information management device 40 of a setting notification indicating the SIM setting. (Step S104) The subscriber information management device 40 activates a predetermined communication traffic allocation for the terminal device 12 in accordance with the contract details related to the notified setting information, and sets the allocated communication traffic as the initial value of the remaining communication traffic. At this time, a communication service using a public wireless communication network in the terminal device 12 is activated.

[0065] (Step S106) The terminal device 12 communicates with the maintenance management device 20 regarding the maintenance management service. During this communication, the terminal device 12 transmits usage status information to the maintenance management device 20, and the terminal device 12 receives operation information from the maintenance management device 20. (Step S108) The subscriber information management device 40 detects the amount of communication traffic used in the communication between the terminal device 12 and the maintenance management device 20. (Step S110) The subscriber information management device 40 updates the remaining communication traffic of the terminal device 12 by subtracting the detected amount of communication traffic. The subscriber information management device 40 notifies the maintenance management device 20 of the updated remaining communication traffic.

[0066] (Step S112) The communication management unit 205c of the maintenance management device 20 monitors the remaining communication amount notified from the subscriber information management device 40. The communication management unit 205c determines whether the remaining communication amount has become equal to or less than a predetermined reference remaining amount. If it is determined that the remaining communication amount has become equal to or less than the reference remaining amount (YES in step S112), the process proceeds to step S118. If it is determined that the remaining communication amount will exceed the reference remaining amount (NO in step S112), the process proceeds to step S114.

[0067] (Step S114) The communication management unit 205c estimates the predicted time when the remaining communication capacity will be depleted based on the remaining communication capacity at each point in time up to that point in time. (Step S116) The communication management unit 205c determines whether the period from the current point in time to the predicted time is within a predetermined reference period. If it is determined that it is within the reference period (YES in step S116), the process proceeds to step S118. If it is determined that it will exceed the reference period (NO in step S116), the process returns to step S106.

[0068] (Step S118) The communication management unit 205c transmits guidance information for setting up a new SIM to the user device 30 of the user corresponding to the terminal device 12. The output processing unit 301 of the user device 30 displays the guidance information notified by the maintenance management device 20. (Step S120) The communication management unit 205c determines whether the remaining communication amount has fallen below a predetermined lower limit. If it is determined that it has fallen below the lower limit (YES in step S120), the process proceeds to step S122. If it is determined that it has exceeded the lower limit (NO in step S120), the process returns to step S106.

[0069] (Step S122) The communication service using the public wireless network PN in the terminal device 12 is disabled. The communication management unit 205c may transmit a disablement notice to the user device 30, indicating that communication has been disabled in the terminal device 12. Upon receiving the disablement notice, the output processing unit 301 of the user device 30 may display a display screen indicating that communication has been disabled in the terminal device 12 on the display unit 305. Thereafter, the processing in FIG. 7 ends.

[0070] The processes of steps S114 and S116 illustrated in Fig. 7 may precede the process of step S112. In this case, if it is determined in step S116 that the remaining amount is within the reference period (YES in step S116), the process proceeds to step S118. If it is determined that the remaining amount will exceed the reference period (NO in step S116), the process proceeds to step S112. If it is determined in step S112 that the remaining amount is equal to or less than the reference remaining amount (YES in step S112), the process proceeds to step S118. If it is determined that the remaining amount will exceed the reference remaining amount (NO in step S112), the process returns to step S106.

[0071] 7 illustrates an example in which the subscriber information management device 40 notifies the maintenance management device 20 of the remaining communication amount updated by subtracting the communication amount used by the terminal device 12, but this is not limiting. The subscriber information management device 40 may also notify the maintenance management device 20 of the cumulative communication amount updated by adding the communication amount used by the terminal device 12. In this case, instead of monitoring the remaining communication amount notified by the subscriber information management device 40, the communication management unit 205c of the maintenance management device 20 calculates the remaining communication amount by subtracting the cumulative communication amount from the allocated communication amount for the terminal device 12 each time the cumulative communication amount is notified by the subscriber information management device 40.

[0072] While the above description has focused on the case where the terminal device 12 is connected to the outdoor unit 14 as illustrated in FIG. 1 , this is not limiting. The terminal device 12 may be connected to a device capable of acquiring usage status information of the air conditioning system 10, or may be configured integrally with the device. For example, as shown in FIG. 8 , the terminal device 12 may be connected to a remote controller 15. The remote controller 15 includes its own operation input unit, display unit, input / output interface, and control unit. In the remote controller 15, the operation input unit receives user operations and generates operation information indicating the operating status of the air conditioning system 10 in response to the received operation, and outputs the operation information to the control unit. The control unit wirelessly outputs the operation information input from the operation input unit to the main controller of the air conditioning system 10 using the input / output interface.

[0073] The control unit causes the display unit to display an operation screen for guiding the user through the available operating states. The control unit may also display some elements of the usage status information input from the main controller of the air conditioning system 10 (e.g., the instructed operating state, the room temperature, etc.). The control unit outputs the input usage status information to the terminal device 12. The input / output interface wirelessly connects to the main controller and the terminal device 12 to input and output various types of data.

[0074] The air conditioning system 10 may be equipped with optional equipment 16. As illustrated in Fig. 9 , the terminal device 12 may be connected to the optional equipment 16. The optional equipment 16 is equipped with its own control unit and input / output interface. In the optional equipment 16, the control unit outputs usage status information input from the main controller of the air conditioning system 10 to the terminal device 12. The input / output interface is connected to the terminal device 12 and the main controller via a wired or wireless connection so that various types of data can be input and output.

[0075] The optional device 16 may include, for example, a motion sensor that detects the presence of a person. The control unit outputs detection information input from the motion sensor to the main controller. The main controller controls operation based on the detection information input from the motion sensor via the control unit. For example, the main controller starts the operation of the compressor, indoor fan, and outdoor fan when it detects a person entering the room, and stops the operation of the compressor, indoor fan, and outdoor fan when it detects a person leaving the room. The main controller may also adjust the direction of the airflow adjustment plate provided on the indoor unit 18 to match the direction of the detected person. The optional device 16 may also include a humidifier that disperses water stored in a container into fine particles and releases the dispersed fine particles into the air. For example, when the indoor temperature notified by the main controller is lower than a target humidity, the control unit controls the output of the humidifier so that the indoor temperature approaches the target humidity.

[0076] In the above description, the maintenance management system S1 mainly provides a maintenance management service to the user device 30 at a constant service level, but this is not limited to this. One or both of the maintenance information notification unit 202 and the operation information processing unit 203 of the maintenance management device 20 can provide maintenance management services at multiple service levels, and the service level may be set independently for each user or device to be maintained. The amount of communication sent and received by the terminal device 12 may differ for each of the multiple service levels. When the maintenance management system S1 provides maintenance management services with N service levels, the type of information sent and received may be set so that the higher the service level, the greater the communication volume.

[0077] For example, when the maintenance management device 20 provides maintenance management services with service levels ranging from the first level to the third level, the third level of service involves the transmission of all types of usage status information from the terminal device 12 to the maintenance management device 20 and the reception of all types of operation information from the maintenance management device 20 at the terminal device 12. The second level of service involves the transmission of some types of usage status information from the terminal device 12 to the maintenance management device 20 and the reception of some types of operation information from the maintenance management device 20 at the terminal device 12. In this case, some types of maintenance information and some types of operating status instructions are provided at the user device 30, but other types of maintenance information and other operating status instructions are not provided. The third level of service involves the transmission of some types of usage status information from the terminal device 12 to the maintenance management device 20, but not the reception of all types of operation information. In this case, some types of maintenance information are provided at the user device 30, but other types of maintenance information and operating status instructions are not provided.

[0078] If the maintenance management device 20 is capable of providing the user equipment 30 with maintenance management services at multiple service levels with different communication volumes in the terminal device 12, the communication management unit 205c may select a service level with a lower communication volume as the remaining communication volume decreases. For example, assume that the maintenance management device 20 is capable of providing N (N is an integer greater than 1) levels of service in which the information exchanged between the user equipment and the terminal device differs based on the communication volume with the terminal device. In this case, the communication management unit 205c may be preset with a second reference remaining volume through an Nth reference remaining volume. When the remaining communication volume of the terminal device 12 falls below the nth (n is an integer greater than 1 and equal to or less than N) reference remaining volume, the communication management unit 205c changes the service level of the maintenance management service currently provided to the user equipment 30 corresponding to the terminal device 12 from the nth level to the n-1th level.

[0079] In the above description, the case where the equipment to be maintained is the air conditioner system 10 has been taken as an example, but this is not limiting. The equipment to be maintained may be, for example, equipment installed in an environment where short-range wireless communication cannot be used or where its use is difficult.

[0080] Some or all of the above-described terminal device 12, remote controller 15, maintenance management device 20, and user equipment 30 may be configured to include dedicated hardware, or may be implemented using a general-purpose computer system 50. Fig. 10 is a schematic block diagram showing an example configuration of a computer system 50 according to the present disclosure. The computer system 50 includes, for example, a processor 502, an input device 504, an output device 506, a read-only memory (ROM) 508, a random access memory (RAM) 510, an auxiliary storage unit 512, and an interface unit 514. The processor 502, the input device 504, the output device 506, the ROM 508, the RAM 510, the auxiliary storage unit 512, and the interface unit 514 are connected to each other using a bus BS.

[0081] The processor 502 reads, for example, programs and various data stored in the ROM 508, executes the programs, and controls the operation of the computer system 50. In this application, "executing a program" or "executing a program" includes the meaning of executing processing instructed by instructions written in the program. The processor 502 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

[0082] The input device 504 receives a user operation, receives operation information corresponding to the received operation, and outputs operation data to the processor 502. The output device 506 outputs output data received from the processor 502 to various devices that are output destinations.

[0083] The ROM 508 non-temporarily stores, for example, programs to be executed by the processor 502. The RAM 510 is used as a main storage medium that functions as a work area for temporarily storing various data and programs used by the processor 502. The auxiliary storage unit 512 is an auxiliary storage medium such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or flash memory.

[0084] The interface unit 514 is connected to other devices and allows various data to be input and output wirelessly or via a wired connection. The interface unit 514 includes, for example, a communication module that connects to a network via a wired or wireless connection.

[0085] As described above, the maintenance management system S1 according to this embodiment includes a terminal device 12 and a maintenance management device 20. The terminal device 12 and the maintenance management device 20 are connected via a network NW. The terminal device 12 stores its own identification information (e.g., a SIM card), collects usage status information indicating the usage status of the equipment to be maintained (e.g., the air conditioning system 10), and notifies the maintenance management device. The maintenance management device 20 provides maintenance information for the equipment to be maintained to a user device 30 of the user of the equipment to be maintained based on the usage status information, manages the remaining communication capacity of the terminal device 12 in association with the identification information, and communicates with the terminal device 12 when there is remaining communication capacity. The network NW includes a public wireless communication network PN. The terminal device 12 can connect to the public wireless communication network PN when there is remaining communication capacity, but may not be able to connect to the public wireless communication network PN when there is no remaining communication capacity. With this configuration, maintenance management services are provided to user equipment using the public wireless communication network PN even in environments where a short-range wireless communication network is unavailable or difficult to use. Communications relating to the maintenance management service are carried out between the terminal device 12 and the maintenance management device 20 within the range of communication volume allocated in accordance with the setting of identification information to the terminal device 12. Since the maintenance management service can be received within the range of the pre-agreed communication volume regardless of the mode of use of the equipment to be maintained, the user can use the equipment to be maintained with peace of mind.

[0086] Furthermore, the maintenance management device 20 may acquire information on remaining communication capacity from a subscriber information management device 40 that manages subscriber information for a communication service using a network. With this configuration, the maintenance management device 20 does not need to be provided with a configuration for independently acquiring the communication capacity used by the terminal device 12. This makes it possible to provide maintenance management services more economically.

[0087] Furthermore, the maintenance management device 20 may notify the user device 30 of information on the remaining communication amount in response to an inquiry from the user device 30. According to this configuration, the remaining communication amount available for the terminal device 12 is notified to the user device 30. Therefore, by checking the remaining communication amount notified by the inquiry, the maintenance management device 20 can perform the maintenance with peace of mind.

[0088] Furthermore, the maintenance management device 20 may notify the user equipment 30 of guidance information regarding the continuation of the communication service when the remaining communication amount falls below a predetermined reference remaining amount or when the expected period until the remaining communication amount is depleted falls below a predetermined reference period. According to this configuration, guidance information regarding the continuation of the communication service is notified before the communication in the terminal device 12 is disabled due to depletion of the remaining communication amount. By encouraging the user to continue the communication service, it is possible to prevent the maintenance management service from being stopped due to the disabling of communication.

[0089] The maintenance management device 20 may also be capable of providing the user equipment with multiple levels of services with different communication volumes with the terminal device 12, and may select a service with a lower communication volume for the terminal device 12 with a lower remaining communication volume. With this configuration, the lower the remaining communication volume, the lower the communication volume used, thereby delaying the disabling of communication. Furthermore, since the service level changes as the communication volume decreases, this change can make the user aware of the decrease in remaining communication volume and encourage the user to continue using the communication service.

[0090] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments and their variations. Addition, omission, substitution, and other modifications of the configuration are possible without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. The direction of arrows shown in block diagrams and other drawings is for the convenience of explanation and does not limit the direction of the flow of information, data, signals, etc. during implementation. Furthermore, the present disclosure is not limited by the above description, but is limited only by the appended claims.

[0091] According to the maintenance management system, maintenance management device, and maintenance management method disclosed herein, the user can use the equipment to be maintained safely within the range of communication volume agreed upon in advance.

[0092] S1...maintenance management system, 10...air conditioning system, 12...terminal device, 13...SIM, 14...outdoor unit, 18...indoor unit, 20...maintenance management device, 30...user device, 40... subscriber information management device, 50... computer system, 121... usage status information collection unit, 122... usage status information provision unit, 123... operation control unit, 125... subscriber information setting unit, 126... communication unit, 127... input / output unit, 201... usage status information accumulation unit, 202... maintenance information notification unit, 203... operation information processing unit, 205... user information management unit, 205c... communication management unit, 207... communication unit, 301... output processing unit, 302... setting processing unit, 303... operation information setting unit, 305... display unit, 306... operation input unit, 307... communication unit, 502... processor, 504... input device, 506... output device, 508... ROM, 510... RAM, 512... auxiliary storage unit, 514... interface unit

Claims

1. A maintenance management system comprising a terminal device and a maintenance management device, wherein the terminal device and the maintenance management device are connected using a network, The aforementioned terminal device is Store the identification information of the device, The maintenance management device collects usage information indicating the usage status of the equipment to be maintained and notifies the maintenance management device. The aforementioned maintenance management device is Based on the usage information, maintenance information for the equipment to be maintained is provided to the user's equipment of the user of the equipment to be maintained. The remaining communication allowance that the terminal device can use is managed in association with the aforementioned identification information. When the aforementioned communication allowance exists, communication with the terminal device is performed. The remaining communication data is obtained from a subscriber information management device that manages subscriber information for communication services using the aforementioned network. In response to an inquiry from the user device, the system notifies the user device of the remaining communication data. Maintenance management system.

2. The aforementioned maintenance management device is When the remaining communication capacity falls below a predetermined standard amount, or when the estimated period until the remaining communication capacity is depleted falls below a predetermined standard period, the user device is notified of information regarding the continuation of the communication service. The maintenance management system according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned maintenance management device is This enables the provision of multiple levels of services with varying communication volumes to the user device, The terminal device with less remaining data allowance will select a service that requires less data. The maintenance management system according to claim 1.

4. The aforementioned network has a public wireless communication network, The terminal device can connect to the public wireless communication network when there is remaining communication data, and cannot connect to the public wireless communication network when there is no remaining communication data. The maintenance management system according to claim 1.

5. A maintenance and management device that connects to terminal devices using a network, The terminal device collects usage information indicating the usage status of the equipment to be maintained. Based on the usage information, maintenance information for the equipment to be maintained is provided to the user's equipment of the user of the equipment to be maintained. The remaining communication allowance that the terminal device can use is managed in association with the identification information of the terminal device. When the aforementioned communication allowance exists, communication with the terminal device is performed. The remaining communication data is obtained from a subscriber information management device that manages subscriber information for communication services using the aforementioned network. In response to an inquiry from the user device, the system notifies the user device of the remaining communication data. Maintenance management equipment.

6. A method for a maintenance management system comprising a terminal device and a maintenance management device, wherein the terminal device and the maintenance management device are connected using a network, and the terminal device stores identification information of its own device, The aforementioned terminal device is The maintenance management device collects usage information indicating the usage status of the equipment to be maintained and notifies the maintenance management device. The aforementioned maintenance management device is Based on the usage information, maintenance information for the equipment to be maintained is provided to the user's equipment of the user of the equipment to be maintained. The remaining communication allowance that the terminal device can use is managed in association with the aforementioned identification information. When the aforementioned communication allowance exists, communication with the terminal device is performed. The remaining communication data is obtained from a subscriber information management device that manages subscriber information for communication services using the aforementioned network. In response to an inquiry from the user device, the system notifies the user device of the remaining communication data. Maintenance management method.