Information processing program, terminal device, information processing method, server, rotary machine, wireless communication board, and information processing system

Abstract

The present invention makes it easy to identify a communication target.　Provided is an information processing program that causes a terminal device to function as: a first means for receiving, through wireless communication with a wireless communication board mounted on a rotary machine, identification information for identifying the wireless communication board; a second means for transmitting the identification information to a server capable of accessing a storage unit in which the identification information and rotary machine information are stored in association with each other; a third means for receiving, from the server, the rotary machine information associated with the identification information; and a fourth means for displaying the received rotary machine information on a display.

Description

Information processing program, terminal device, information processing method, server, rotating machine, wireless communication board, and information processing system

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing program, a terminal device, an information processing method, a server, a rotating machine, a wireless communication board, and an information processing system.

[0002] A technique for checking the operating status of a pump using a smartphone by using NFC communication is known (for example, Non-Patent Document 1).

[0003] https: / / www.ebara.co.jp / corporate / newsroom / release / products / detail / 1190354_1685.html

[0004] When there are multiple pumps, it is necessary to identify the pump with which communication is being made. This is not limited to cases where the communication target is a pump. An object of the present invention is to make it easier to identify the communication target.

[0005] As an example, the following solutions are provided: [1] An information processing program that causes a terminal device to function as: first means for receiving identification information for identifying a wireless communication board mounted on a rotating machine by wireless communication with the wireless communication board, second means for transmitting the identification information to a server that can access a storage unit that stores the identification information and rotating machine information in association with each other, third means for receiving the rotating machine information associated with the identification information from the server, and fourth means for displaying the received rotating machine information on a display.

[0006] [2] The information processing program according to [1], wherein the rotating machine information is at least one of a serial number, equipment, use, and item number of the rotating machine.

[0007] [3] The information processing program according to [1] or [2], wherein the identification information is transmitted from the wireless communication board by one-way wireless communication before starting two-way wireless communication between the terminal device and the wireless communication board.

[0008] [4] An information processing program described in any one of [1] to [3], which causes the terminal device to function as a fifth means for accepting a selection of a rotating machine corresponding to the rotating machine information displayed on the display, and a sixth means for starting two-way wireless communication with the wireless communication board of the accepted rotating machine.

[0009] [5] The information processing program according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the first means receives control information in addition to the identification information, and the second means transmits the identification information to the server only if the control information satisfies a predetermined condition.

[0010] [6] The information processing program according to [5], wherein the control information indicates a manufacturer of the rotating machine.

[0011] [7] An information processing program described in any of [1] to [6], wherein the wireless communication between the terminal device and the wireless communication board complies with a predetermined standard, and the predetermined standard has an upper limit on the amount of data that can be transmitted by one-way wireless communication before starting two-way wireless communication between the terminal device and the wireless communication board, the amount of data of the identification information is smaller than the upper limit and is transmitted from the wireless communication board by the one-way wireless communication, and the amount of data of the rotating machine information is larger than the upper limit.

[0012] [8] The information processing program according to any one of [1] to [7], wherein the rotary machine is a pump.

[0013] [9] The information processing program according to any one of [1] to [8], wherein the identification information is a MAC address.

[0014]

[10] A terminal device comprising: a first means for receiving identification information for identifying a wireless communication board mounted on a rotating machine by wireless communication with the wireless communication board; a second means for transmitting the identification information to a server that can access a memory unit that stores the identification information and rotating machine information in association with each other; a third means for receiving rotating machine information associated with the identification information from the server; and a fourth means for displaying the received rotating machine information on a display.

[0015]

[11] An information processing method including: a terminal device receiving identification information for identifying a wireless communication board mounted on a rotating machine by wireless communication with the wireless communication board; transmitting the identification information to a server that can access a memory unit that stores the identification information and rotating machine information in association with each other; receiving the rotating machine information associated with the identification information from the server; and displaying the received rotating machine information on a display.

[0016]

[12] An information processing program that causes a server to function as: first means for receiving, from a terminal device, identification information for identifying a wireless communication board mounted on a rotating machine; second means for accessing a storage unit that stores the identification information and rotating machine information in association with each other, and acquiring the rotating machine information associated with the identification information; and third means for transmitting the acquired rotating machine information to the terminal device.

[0017]

[13] A server comprising: first means for receiving, from a terminal device, identification information for identifying a wireless communication board mounted on a rotating machine; second means for accessing a memory unit that stores the identification information and rotating machine information in association with each other, and acquiring the rotating machine information associated with the identification information; and third means for transmitting the acquired rotating machine information to the terminal device.

[0018]

[14] An information processing method including: a server receiving, from a terminal device, identification information for identifying a wireless communication board mounted on a rotating machine; accessing a storage unit that stores the identification information and rotating machine information in association with each other, and acquiring the rotating machine information associated with the identification information; and transmitting the acquired rotating machine information to the terminal device.

[0019]

[15] A rotating machine equipped with a wireless communication board and capable of wireless communication with a terminal device, wherein the wireless communication board has means for transmitting to the terminal device, by one-way wireless communication before starting two-way wireless communication with the terminal device, identification information for identifying the wireless communication board and control information indicating the manufacturer of the rotating machine.

[0020]

[16] A wireless communication board mounted on a rotating machine capable of wireless communication with a terminal device, the wireless communication board having means for transmitting to the terminal device, by one-way wireless communication before starting two-way wireless communication with the terminal device, identification information for identifying the wireless communication board and control information indicating the manufacturer of the rotating machine.

[0021]

[17] An information processing method including a wireless communication board mounted on a rotating machine capable of wireless communication with a terminal device transmitting, to the terminal device, identification information for identifying the wireless communication board and control information indicating a manufacturer of the rotating machine by one-way wireless communication before starting two-way wireless communication with the terminal device.

[0022]

[18] A rotating machine control system comprising: a rotating machine according to

[15] ; a terminal device according to

[10] ; and a server according to

[13] .

[0023]

[19] An information processing method including: a wireless communication board mounted on a rotating machine transmitting identification information for identifying the wireless communication board to a terminal device via wireless communication; the terminal device receiving the identification information from the wireless communication board via wireless communication; the terminal device transmitting the identification information to a server that can access a memory unit that stores the identification information and rotating machine information in association with each other; the server receiving the identification information from the terminal device; the server accessing the memory unit to acquire rotating machine information associated with the identification information; the server transmitting the acquired rotating machine information to the terminal device; the terminal device receiving the rotating machine information from the server; and the terminal device displaying the received rotating machine information on a display.

[0024] This makes it easier to identify the communication target.

[0025] A block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a pump control system according to a first embodiment. A diagram schematically showing a screen displayed on a display 21. A diagram schematically showing a screen displayed on the display 21. A diagram showing information stored in a storage unit 33. A sequence diagram showing an example of processing operations of the pump control system according to the first embodiment. A sequence diagram showing an example of processing operations of a pump control system according to a second embodiment.

[0026] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0027] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a pump control system according to a first embodiment. The pump control system includes a plurality of pumps 1A and 1B (two pumps in the example of FIG. 1), a terminal device 2, and a server 3.

[0028] The user has assigned the serial number "123ABC" to the pump 1A, the equipment use "first floor circulation use," and the item number "AB-100" to the pump 1A, and these numbers are preferably printed on the pump 1A body. The pump 1A is also equipped with a wireless communication board 11A to which a MAC address "12:34:56:78:9A:BC" is assigned, and wireless communication (hereinafter, assumed to be Bluetooth-compliant wireless communication) with the terminal device 2 is possible. Note that "equipped" may mean that the wireless communication board 11A is built into the pump 1A, or that the wireless communication board 11A is externally attached to the pump 1A.

[0029] The user has assigned the serial number "456EFG" to the pump 1B, the facility use "second floor circulation use," and the item number "AB-101" to the pump 1B, preferably printed on the pump 1B body. The pump 1B is also equipped with a wireless communication board 11B to which the MAC address "FE:DC:BA:98:76:54" is assigned, and is capable of wireless communication (hereinafter, assumed to be wireless communication via Bluetooth) with the terminal device 2. Note that "equipped" may mean that the wireless communication board 11B is built into the pump 1B, or that the wireless communication board 11B is externally attached to the pump 1B.

[0030] The terminal device 2 transmits control signals to the pumps 1A, 1B and receives predetermined data from the pumps 1A, 1B via wireless communication with the pumps 1A, 1B. The pumps 1A, 1B are often installed in difficult-to-access locations such as suspended from the ceiling or above the attic, but being able to communicate wirelessly with the terminal device 2 makes it easier to manage the pumps 1A, 1B.

[0031] Here, the terminal device 2 can communicate with multiple pumps 1A, 1B, and in order to start two-way communication, the pumps 1A, 1B must be displayed as selectable communication destinations on the terminal device 2. Using the fact that Bluetooth transmits the MAC address of the wireless communication boards 11A, 11B that are the senders, it is conceivable to display the MAC address on the display 21 of the terminal device 2 (see FIG. 2A).

[0032] However, since the MAC address is a string of alphanumeric characters that is automatically assigned, it is difficult for a user of terminal device 2 to intuitively tell which pump 1A or 1B the MAC address displayed on terminal device 2 corresponds to.

[0033] Therefore, it is also possible to transmit the above-mentioned serial number, equipment use or item number (for example, "first floor circulation use" for pump 1A) set by the user to pumps 1A and 1B via wireless communication to terminal device 2 and display it on display 21.

[0034] However, in Bluetooth wireless communication, one-way wireless communication (so-called advertising communication) in which data is sent without specifying the destination before starting two-way communication has a limit to the amount of data that can be sent, making it difficult to send serial numbers, equipment use, or item numbers using this one-way communication.

[0035] Therefore, this embodiment solves this problem as follows. The terminal device 2 in Fig. 1 is typically a smartphone and has a display 21, a communication unit 22, and a control unit 23. The display 21 displays pump information, etc., which will be described later, under the control of the control unit 23. The communication unit 22 communicates wirelessly with the pumps 1A and 1B via Bluetooth and communicates with the server 3 via the Internet. The control unit 23 performs the processing, which will be described later, by, for example, having a processor execute a predetermined program.

[0036] The server 3 also has a communication unit 31, a control unit 32, and a storage unit 33. The communication unit 31 communicates with the terminal device 2 via the Internet. The control unit 32 performs the processing described below, for example, by having a processor execute a predetermined program. As shown in Fig. 3, the storage unit 33 stores pump identification information and pump information associated with each other at the time of shipment of the pumps 1A, 1B.

[0037] The pump identification information may be the MAC address of the wireless communication board 11A, 11B of each pump 1A, 1B. The pump information may be a serial number, facility use (the "facility" and the "use" may be separate), or item number. The pump information may also be a management name set by the user.

[0038] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a processing operation of the pump control system according to the first embodiment.

[0039] The wireless communication board 11A of the pump 1A transmits the MAC address "12:34:56:78:9A:BC", which is the identification information of the wireless communication board 11A, without specifying a destination, through one-way wireless communication (advertising communication) periodically (e.g., every second) before starting two-way wireless communication with the terminal device 2. Similarly, the wireless communication board 11B of the pump 1B transmits the MAC address "FE:DC:BA:98:76:54", which is the identification information of the wireless communication board 11B, without specifying a destination, through one-way wireless communication periodically (e.g., every second) before starting two-way wireless communication with the terminal device 2 (step S1).

[0040] The amount of data for the MAC address is not so large, and is smaller than the upper limit of the amount of data that can be transmitted in advertising communication.

[0041] The communication unit 22 of the terminal device 2 receives the MAC address "12:34:56:78:9A:BC" from the wireless communication board 11A and the MAC address "FE:DC:BA:98:76:54" from the wireless communication board 11B (step S11).The communication unit 22 then transmits the MAC addresses "12:34:56:78:9A:BC" and "FE:DC:BA:98:76:54" to the server 3 (step S12).

[0042] The communication unit 31 of the server 3 receives the MAC addresses "12:34:56:78:9A:BC" and "FE:DC:BA:98:76:54" from the terminal device 2 (step S21). The control unit 32 of the server 3 then accesses the storage unit 33 ( FIG. 3 ) to acquire pump information associated with the MAC addresses "12:34:56:78:9A:BC" and "FE:DC:BA:98:76:54" (step S22). The control unit 32 may acquire all of the pump information, including the serial number, facility use, and item number, or only a portion of the information set by the user in advance. The communication unit 31 then transmits the acquired pump information to the terminal device 2 (step S23).

[0043] The amount of data that can be transmitted from the server 3 to the terminal device 2 is significantly larger than the upper limit of the amount of data that can be transmitted in Advertising communication. Therefore, even if the amount of pump information data is larger than the upper limit of the amount of data that can be transmitted in Advertising communication, transmission from the server 3 to the terminal device 2 can be performed without difficulty.

[0044] The communication unit 22 of the terminal device 2 receives the pump information from the server 3 (step S13). Then, the control unit 23 displays the pump information on the display 21 (step S14).

[0045] An example of the displayed screen is shown in Fig. 2B. In the example shown in Fig. 2B, the facility use is displayed as pump information. Comparing Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B, it is clear at a glance that even if the MAC address is displayed as in Fig. 2A, it is difficult to tell whether it is pump 1A or 1B. However, by displaying the pump information set by the user as in Fig. 2B, the user can intuitively know whether it is pump 1A or 1B.

[0046] The user then selects which of the pumps 1A and 1B to communicate with using the terminal device 2. As an example, the user selects one of the pumps 1A and 1B displayed on the display 21 via a touch panel (not shown). In other words, the control unit 23 of the terminal device 2 accepts from the user a selection of either the pump 1A or 1B corresponding to the pump information displayed on the display 21 (step S15 in FIG. 4).

[0047] For example, if the pump 1A is selected, the communication unit 22 of the terminal device 2 establishes two-way communication with the wireless communication board 11A of the pump 1A and starts communication (step S2).

[0048] In this manner, in this embodiment, pump information, rather than MAC addresses, is displayed on the display 21 of the terminal device 2. This allows the user to intuitively recognize the pumps 1A and 1B corresponding to the displayed pump information.

[0049] The wireless communication boards 11A and 11B may be replaced due to a malfunction, etc. In this case, the MAC address of the replaced wireless communication board may be registered as pump identification information in the storage unit 33 of the server 3.

[0050] Second Embodiment In the second embodiment described below, predetermined control information is also transmitted from the wireless communication boards 11A and 11B in addition to the MAC address. Below, the description of the points in common with the first embodiment will be omitted or simplified, and the description will focus on the points of difference.

[0051] FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a processing operation of the pump control system according to the second embodiment.

[0052] The wireless communication board 11A of the pump 1A transmits the MAC address "12:34:56:78:9A:BC" and control information to the terminal device 2 by one-way wireless communication (advertising communication) before starting the two-way wireless communication with the terminal device 2. The wireless communication board 11B of the pump 1B transmits the MAC address "FE:DC:BA:98:76:54" and control information to the terminal device 2 by one-way wireless communication before starting the two-way wireless communication with the terminal device 2 (step S1').

[0053] The amount of control information data is not so large that even if the MAC address and the control information are combined, the amount is smaller than the upper limit of the amount of data that can be transmitted in advertising communication.

[0054] The communication unit 22 of the terminal device 2 receives the MAC address "12:34:56:78:9A:BC" and the control information from the wireless communication board 11A (step S11'). The control unit 23 then determines whether the control information satisfies a predetermined condition (step S110). Only if the control information satisfies the predetermined condition (YES in step S110), the communication unit 22 transmits the MAC address "12:34:56:78:9A:BC" to the server 3 (step S12).

[0055] Similarly, the communication unit 22 of the terminal device 2 receives the MAC address "FE:DC:BA:98:76:54" and control information from the wireless communication board 11B (step S11'). Then, the control unit 23 determines whether the control information satisfies a predetermined condition (step S110). Only if the condition is satisfied (YES in step S110), the control unit 23 transmits the MAC address "FE:DC:BA:98:76:54" to the server 3 (step S12).

[0056] As an example, the control information indicates the manufacturer of the pumps 1A and 1B. The predetermined condition is that the manufacturer of the pumps 1A and 1B is a predetermined manufacturer. The subsequent steps are the same as those in the first embodiment described with reference to FIG.

[0057] In this embodiment, only when the control information satisfies a predetermined condition, the MAC address is transmitted to the server 3. Therefore, when the condition is not satisfied, the MAC address is not transmitted to the server 3, and the communication volume and processing load on the terminal device 2 can be reduced.

[0058] The MAC addresses in the above-described embodiments are examples of identification information for the wireless communication boards 11A and 11B (in other words, identification information for the pumps 1A and 1B), and other identification information may be used. Furthermore, the embodiments are not limited to the pumps 1A and 1B, and may be applied to any industrial equipment (for example, a rotating machine having a motor).

[0059] Any part or all of the functional units described in this specification may be realized by a program. The program mentioned in this specification may be distributed by being non-temporarily recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, or may be distributed via a communication line (including wireless communication) such as the Internet, or may be distributed in a state where it is installed on any terminal.

[0060] Based on the above description, a person skilled in the art may be able to conceive additional effects and various modifications of the present invention, but the aspects of the present invention are not limited to the individual embodiments described above. For example, inventions that extract only a part of each embodiment or inventions that combine multiple embodiments are naturally envisioned. Various additions, modifications, and partial deletions are possible within the scope of the conceptual idea and spirit of the present invention, which can be derived from the content defined in the claims and their equivalents.

[0061] For example, what is described in this specification as a single device (or component, the same applies hereinafter) (including what is depicted as a single device in the drawings) may be realized by multiple devices. Conversely, what is described in this specification as multiple devices (including what is depicted as multiple devices in the drawings) may be realized by a single device. Alternatively, some or all of the means or functions included in a certain device (e.g., a server) may be included in another device (e.g., a terminal device). Furthermore, a "system" may be composed of a single device, or may be composed of two or more devices (e.g., a server and a terminal device, or multiple terminal devices).

[0062] Furthermore, not all of the features described in this specification are essential requirements. In particular, features described in this specification but not included in the claims can be considered optional additional features.

[0063] Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the term "means" in this specification and claims refers to hardware itself (or a function realized by hardware) and does not include a human being (or human mental activity).

[0064] It should be noted that the applicant is merely aware of the inventions disclosed in the documents listed in the "Prior Art Documents" section of this specification, and the present invention does not necessarily aim to solve the problems of the disclosed inventions. The problem that the present invention aims to solve should be determined by taking into consideration the entire specification. For example, if this specification states that a specific configuration achieves a certain effect, it can also be said that the present invention solves a problem that is the reverse of that effect. However, it is not necessarily intended that such a specific configuration be an essential requirement.

[0065] 1A, 1B Pump 11A, 11B Wireless communication board 2 Terminal device 21 Display 22 Communication unit 23 Control unit 3 Server 31 Communication unit 32 Control unit 33 Storage unit

Claims

1. An information processing program that causes a terminal device to function as: a first means for receiving identification information for identifying a wireless communication board mounted on a rotating machine via wireless communication with the wireless communication board; a second means for transmitting the identification information to a server that can access a memory unit that stores the identification information and rotating machine information in association with each other; a third means for receiving rotating machine information associated with the identification information from the server; and a fourth means for displaying the received rotating machine information on a display.

2. The information processing program according to claim 1, wherein the rotating machine information is at least one of a serial number, equipment, use, and item number of the rotating machine.

3. An information processing program according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the identification information is transmitted from the wireless communication board by one-way wireless communication before starting two-way wireless communication between the terminal device and the wireless communication board.

4. An information processing program as described in claim 1 or 2, causing the terminal device to function as: a fifth means for accepting a selection of a rotating machine corresponding to the rotating machine information displayed on the display; and a sixth means for initiating two-way wireless communication with the wireless communication board of the accepted rotating machine.

5. An information processing program as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the first means receives control information in addition to the identification information, and the second means transmits the identification information to the server only if the control information satisfies a predetermined condition.

6. The information processing program according to claim 5, wherein the control information indicates a manufacturer of the rotating machine.

7. An information processing program as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the wireless communication between the terminal device and the wireless communication board complies with a specified standard, and the specified standard has an upper limit on the amount of data that can be transmitted by one-way wireless communication before starting bidirectional wireless communication between the terminal device and the wireless communication board, the amount of data of the identification information is smaller than the upper limit and is transmitted from the wireless communication board by the one-way wireless communication, and the amount of data of the rotating machine information is greater than the upper limit.

8. The information processing program according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rotating machine is a pump.

9. The information processing program according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the identification information is a MAC address.

10. A terminal device comprising: a first means for receiving identification information for identifying a wireless communication board mounted on a rotating machine via wireless communication with the wireless communication board; a second means for transmitting the identification information to a server that can access a memory unit that stores the identification information and rotating machine information in association with each other; a third means for receiving rotating machine information associated with the identification information from the server; and a fourth means for displaying the received rotating machine information on a display.

11. An information processing method comprising: a terminal device receiving identification information for identifying a wireless communication board mounted on a rotating machine via wireless communication with the wireless communication board; transmitting the identification information to a server that can access a memory unit that stores the identification information and rotating machine information in association with each other; receiving rotating machine information associated with the identification information from the server; and displaying the received rotating machine information on a display.

12. An information processing program that causes a server to function as: a first means for receiving, from a terminal device, identification information for identifying a wireless communication board installed in a rotating machine; a second means for accessing a memory unit that stores the identification information and rotating machine information in association with each other, and acquiring the rotating machine information associated with the identification information; and a third means for transmitting the acquired rotating machine information to the terminal device.

13. A server comprising: a first means for receiving, from a terminal device, identification information for identifying a wireless communication board mounted on a rotating machine; a second means for accessing a memory unit that stores the identification information and rotating machine information in association with each other, and acquiring the rotating machine information associated with the identification information; and a third means for transmitting the acquired rotating machine information to the terminal device.

14. An information processing method including: a server receiving, from a terminal device, identification information for identifying a wireless communication board mounted on a rotating machine; accessing a memory unit that stores the identification information and rotating machine information in association with each other, and acquiring the rotating machine information associated with the identification information; and transmitting the acquired rotating machine information to the terminal device.

15. A rotating machine equipped with a wireless communication board and capable of wireless communication with a terminal device, wherein the wireless communication board has a means for transmitting, to the terminal device, identification information for identifying the wireless communication board and control information indicating the manufacturer of the rotating machine, by one-way wireless communication before starting two-way wireless communication with the terminal device.

16. A wireless communication board mounted on a rotating machine capable of wireless communication with a terminal device, the wireless communication board having a means for transmitting, to the terminal device, identification information for identifying the wireless communication board and control information indicating the manufacturer of the rotating machine, by one-way wireless communication before starting two-way wireless communication with the terminal device.

17. An information processing method including a wireless communication board mounted on a rotating machine capable of wireless communication with a terminal device, transmitting identification information for identifying the wireless communication board and control information indicating the manufacturer of the rotating machine to the terminal device via one-way wireless communication before starting two-way wireless communication with the terminal device.

18. An information processing system comprising: a rotating machine according to claim 15; a terminal device according to claim 10; and a server according to claim 13.

19. An information processing method comprising: a wireless communication board mounted on a rotating machine transmitting identification information for identifying the wireless communication board to a terminal device via wireless communication; the terminal device receiving the identification information from the wireless communication board via wireless communication; the terminal device transmitting the identification information to a server that can access a memory unit that stores the identification information and rotating machine information in association with each other; the server receiving the identification information from the terminal device; the server accessing the memory unit to acquire rotating machine information associated with the identification information; the server transmitting the acquired rotating machine information to the terminal device; the terminal device receiving the rotating machine information from the server; and the terminal device displaying the received rotating machine information on a display.

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