Facility management device, program, and facility management system

Abstract

The present invention reduces a workload related to association between data points. In the present disclosure, a facility management device capable of communicating with facility equipment via a network comprises: a communication module 51 that transmits data to or receives data from the facility equipment; and a control logic 62 that performs calculation using the data. The control logic has a data aggregation module 72 in which at least one data point is registered, and a first calculation module and a second calculation module in which at least one data point is registered. The data point in the data aggregation module has: input-side data point information that specifies the data point held by the communication module, as input; and output-side data point information that specifies the data point held by the first calculation module and output-side data point information that specifies the data point held by the second calculation module, as output.

Description

Equipment management device, program, and equipment management system

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an equipment management device, a program, and an equipment management system.

[0002] When introducing software into an equipment management system such as a BMS (Building Management System), operations are required to register equipment such as air conditioners and control logic in the software. Modules can be arranged in the software according to functions, and data points can be arranged in the modules. A data point is a node for inputting or outputting data related to equipment. When introducing software, an operation of associating data points is required.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for automatically detecting common properties among a plurality of modules constituting a program and generating aggregated properties using a visual programming tool.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-204373

[0005] However, in the prior art, since identification information such as properties is required for associating data points, it cannot be applied to data points for which identification information is not set. In addition, when attempting to set identification information for a data point, man-hours are required for formulating rules for setting the identification information.

[0006] The present disclosure provides a technique for reducing the workload related to associating data points.

[0007] A first aspect of the present disclosure is an equipment management device capable of communicating with equipment via a network, comprising: a communication module for transmitting or receiving data to or from the equipment; and a control logic for performing calculations using the data, wherein the control logic comprises: a data aggregation module with one or more data points registered; a first calculation module and a second calculation module, each with one or more data points registered, wherein the data points of the data aggregation module include: input-side data point information specifying a data point owned by the communication module as an input; and output-side data point information specifying a data point owned by the first calculation module and an output-side data point information specifying a data point owned by the second calculation module as outputs.

[0008] According to the first aspect of this disclosure, the workload related to associating data points can be reduced.

[0009] A second aspect of this disclosure is the equipment management device according to the first aspect, wherein the equipment management device comprises a first control logic and a second control logic corresponding to the type of equipment, as described in claim 1.

[0010] A third aspect of this disclosure is an equipment management device as described in the second aspect, wherein the second control logic is a copy of the first control logic by the control unit in response to an operator's operation.

[0011] A fourth aspect of this disclosure is the equipment management device described in the third aspect, wherein the input data point information and output data point information of the data aggregation module in the first control logic are generated by the control unit in response to connection work between data points performed by an operator, and the output data point information of the data aggregation module in the second control logic is generated by the control unit in response to an operation by an operator by copying the first control logic.

[0012] A fifth aspect of the present disclosure is an equipment management device according to any of the second to fourth aspects, wherein in the first control logic, the data aggregation module has a first data point and a second data point, the first calculation module has a third data point and a fourth data point, the second calculation module has a fifth data point and a sixth data point, the first data point is connected to the third data point and the fifth data point, the second data point is connected to the fourth data point and the sixth data point, and the equipment management device has a second control logic generated by a control unit that copies the first control logic in response to an operator's operation.

[0013] A sixth aspect of the present disclosure is an equipment management device according to any of the second to fifth aspects, wherein the communication module acquires the data from the first air conditioning equipment and the second air conditioning equipment respectively, the first and second calculation modules of the first control logic perform calculations on the data of the first air conditioning equipment acquired via the first data aggregation module of the first control logic, and the third and fourth calculation modules of the second control logic perform calculations on the data of the second air conditioning equipment acquired via the second data aggregation module of the second control logic.

[0014] A seventh aspect of this disclosure is an equipment management device according to any of the second to sixth aspects, wherein the data aggregation module transmits data to the first and second calculation modules, which are connected to the data points of the data aggregation module, when the data input from the communication module changes.

[0015] An eighth aspect of the present disclosure is a program that operates on an equipment management device capable of communicating with equipment via a network, wherein the equipment management device includes a communication module for transmitting or receiving data to and from the equipment, and a control logic for performing calculations using the data, wherein the control logic includes a data aggregation module with one or more data points registered, and a first calculation module and a second calculation module with one or more data points registered, wherein the data points of the data aggregation module include input-side data point information specifying a data point owned by the communication module as input, and output-side data point information specifying a data point owned by the first calculation module and an output-side data point information specifying a data point owned by the second calculation module as output, and the equipment management device is instructed to transmit the data transmitted by the data points of the communication module to the data points owned by the first calculation module and the data points owned by the second calculation module based on the input-side data point information and the output-side data point information.

[0016] According to the eighth aspect of this disclosure, the workload related to associating data points can be reduced.

[0017] A ninth aspect of the present disclosure is an equipment management system in which equipment and an equipment management device can communicate via a network, wherein the equipment management device includes a communication module for transmitting or receiving data to and from the equipment, and a control logic for performing calculations using the data, wherein the control logic includes a data aggregation module in which one or more data points are registered, and a first calculation module and a second calculation module in which one or more data points are registered, wherein the data points of the data aggregation module include input-side data point information specifying a data point owned by the communication module as an input, and output-side data point information specifying a data point owned by the first calculation module and an output-side data point information specifying a data point owned by the second calculation module as outputs, wherein the control logic transmits the data calculated by the first calculation module or the second calculation module to the communication module, and the communication module transmits the calculated data to the equipment.

[0018] According to the ninth aspect of this disclosure, the workload related to associating data points can be reduced.

[0019] This is an example of a system configuration diagram for an equipment management system in which an equipment management device controls various equipment via a network. It is a diagram illustrating various templates, data points, and connections between data points. It is a diagram illustrating an example of a data aggregation module. This is a hardware configuration diagram of an example of an equipment management device and corresponding information generation device. This is a functional block diagram of an example of an equipment management device on which tool software operates. This is a diagram illustrating an example of device data point information. This is a diagram illustrating an example of model data point information. This is a diagram illustrating an example of application data point information. This is a diagram illustrating an example of data aggregation module information. This is a diagram illustrating how to set up links using a data aggregation module. This is a diagram illustrating an example of an energy-saving application including outdoor unit 2 control logic. This is an example of a diagram showing an energy-saving application where, in addition to outdoor unit 1 module, the data source data point of the data aggregation module is connected to outdoor unit 2 module. This is an example of a diagram showing an energy-saving application when multiple data points of a data aggregation module are connected to multiple arithmetic modules. This is an example flowchart illustrating the work mainly performed by the installation worker. This is an example of a sequence diagram illustrating the data transmission procedure using a data aggregation module.

[0020] The following describes an example of how to implement this disclosure, specifically the method by which the equipment management system performs the association.

[0021] <About Facility Management Systems> Facility management systems are installed in many properties such as office buildings, commercial facilities, convenience stores, schools, and hospitals. Facility management systems are called BAS (Building Automation System), BEMS (Building Energy Management System), BMS (Building Management System), BACS (Building Automation and Control System), etc. There are no strict definitions for these, but we will briefly explain each of them.

[0022] BAS is a system that automatically controls the equipment in a property. It allows for the centralized control and monitoring of all equipment, such as air conditioning, lighting, security systems, and electricity meters, which were previously managed manually by the administrator, via a network.

[0023] BEMS is a system for managing the energy consumption of a property. While BAS can also manage energy, BEMS is a system that focuses more on "visualizing energy consumption." Visualizing energy consumption with BEMS not only shows current energy consumption in real time, but also displays it in comparison with data from the previous day, month, and year, making it easy to determine whether the current energy consumption is appropriate.

[0024] A Building Management System (BMS) is a system that monitors and controls various equipment in a property, such as power, air conditioning, lighting, fire prevention, and security. In properties such as office buildings, these various pieces of equipment are in operation. To maintain them in a safe state and ensure they function properly, it is necessary to monitor their status and immediately detect any abnormalities. Furthermore, if administrators can operate the equipment remotely and change settings without directly operating it, the workload can be reduced.

[0025] BACS, while not strictly defined, refers to a system that combines BAS, BMS, and BEMS, and is registered under ISO 16484-5.

[0026] In the following, BAS, BEMS, BMS, BACS, or similar systems for equipment and properties will be described as equipment management systems without any particular distinction.

[0027] <About the terminology> A data point is a software node that holds data that is input to or output by equipment. Data points are connected to other data points to transmit data to functions that require it (such as control logic and modules, which will be described later).

[0028] A template is a pre-built system with basic settings and data processing pre-configured for specific uses. There are several types of templates depending on their purpose. Templates allow installers to assign appropriate data points (data storage locations) to equipment. Templates include device templates, model templates, application templates, and data conversion templates. Device templates provide data input or output functions for equipment, model templates provide user interface functions such as data display, and application templates provide functions such as data processing logic.

[0029] A communication module is a function placed in a device template and is a logical piece of equipment implemented by software. Because a communication module is a logical piece of equipment, it can communicate with actual equipment and hold data in the same way as the actual equipment. In this embodiment, Outdoor Unit 1 Module and Outdoor Unit 2 Module are examples of communication modules.

[0030] Control logic is a function that performs calculations on data input to or output to equipment. The calculation results are often used to control the equipment, but they are not necessarily used for control. Control logic often differs depending on the type of equipment, so a separate logic is provided for each type of equipment. Types of equipment include showcases, outdoor units, indoor units, or ventilation systems—equipment with different functionalities. Because control logic performs various calculations according to the equipment, it has multiple calculation modules.

[0031] A data aggregation module is a module that aggregates data points common to multiple arithmetic modules within the control logic. One data point in the data aggregation module is connected to data points in multiple arithmetic modules (one-to-many connection).

[0032] A copy is the act of making a duplicate or reproduction. Copies are sometimes referred to as reproductions, imitations, or transcriptions.

[0033] <System Configuration Example> Figure 1 is an example of a system configuration diagram of an equipment management system 100 in which an equipment management device 10 controls various equipment devices 20 via a network. As shown in Figure 1, the equipment management device 10 and the various equipment devices 20 are connected in a way that allows communication via a network N1. This network N1 could be Modbus or BACnet, for example. Modbus is a communication protocol that allows equipment devices 20 to communicate via various communication lines such as serial lines and LANs. BACnet is a network in which the equipment management system 100 communicates with various equipment devices 20 using the BACnet protocol. Network N1 may use a dedicated cable, or it may use an Ethernet cable (registered trademark) like a normal LAN. The equipment management system 100 is not required to use the Modbus or BACnet protocol for network communication; these are just examples.

[0034] Examples of equipment 20 include air conditioners, lighting fixtures, security devices, disaster prevention devices, power supply devices, and elevators, but these are just examples. Multiple units of the same device, such as air conditioners, may be connected. Equipment 20 that provides air conditioning to a target space, such as air conditioners, is called air conditioning-related equipment. Air conditioners also include refrigerators or freezers capable of refrigerating or freezing goods. Refrigerators or freezers that can display goods are specifically called showcases.

[0035] In some cases, a gateway device called a BACnet gateway may be placed between the equipment 20 and BACnet. The BACnet gateway converts communication data compatible with the BACnet protocol into communication data for the communication protocol supported by each piece of equipment 20, and then converts the communication data for the communication protocol supported by each piece of equipment 20 back into communication data compatible with the BACnet protocol. The communication protocol supported by each piece of equipment 20 is a proprietary communication protocol defined by the company that manufactured the equipment 20. Therefore, the equipment 20 may be manufactured by different companies or brands.

[0036] The equipment management device 10 has the functionality of a web server and creates a screen for managing the equipment 20 using HTML or the like, and sends it to the terminal device 50 via the network N2. The network N2 is, for example, the internet. Users can monitor the equipment 20 by connecting the terminal device 50 to the equipment management device 10 from any location. Even without a terminal device 50, users can monitor the equipment 20 by directly operating the console (display and keyboard) of the equipment management device 10.

[0037] Furthermore, the corresponding information generation device 60 is connected to network N2 in a communicative manner. The corresponding information generation device 60 only needs to be able to communicate with the equipment management device 10 via network N2, and does not need to be constantly connected to network N2. When connecting the device data points (hereinafter referred to as D data points), model data points (hereinafter referred to as M data points), and application data points (hereinafter referred to as APP data points) as described in this disclosure, the corresponding information generation device 60 can process them independently (details of the data points will be described later). In this embodiment, the connection between data points may be performed by either the equipment management device 10 or the corresponding information generation device 60.

[0038] The equipment management device 10 or the corresponding information generation device 60 may be any information processing device with an OS such as Windows® installed. The equipment management device 10 or the corresponding information generation device 60 has the tool software described later installed and performs the process of connecting (or associating) APP data points, M data points, and D data points. Hereafter, the term "connect" will be used in this disclosure. In addition, the act of connecting may be referred to as "creating a link". The corresponding information generation device 60 may be a PC (Personal Computer), tablet terminal, smartphone, etc., as long as the tool software can run on it.

[0039] In BACnet, the functions of equipment 20 are treated as objects. An object is a representation of various pieces of information grouped together, and the information associated with an object is called a property in BACnet. For example, if an air conditioner is an object, the control options available to the air conditioner (temperature, airflow, etc.) correspond to properties. In BACnet, reading or writing objects or associated properties is called a service. For the sake of clarity, in the following description of this disclosure, objects and properties are not distinguished and are simply referred to as "data points."

[0040] <Software Structure within the Information Processing System> Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating various templates, data points, and connections between data points. Tool software 8 operates in the equipment management device 10. First, the tool software 8 has a station template 9, an application template (hereinafter sometimes referred to as APP template 11), a device template 19 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as D template 19), a model template 14 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as M template 14), and a data conversion template 13. Developers develop the tool software 8 using these templates. Not all four of these templates are necessary; in this embodiment, mainly D template 19 and APP template 11 are used.

[0041] Tool software 8 is an installation tool for installers to implement a system for managing equipment 20. Tool software 8 supports visual programming and allows programming in low-code or no-code by arranging components with frequently used functions. Station template 9 is a software abstraction of the equipment management system 100.

[0042] APP template 11 is a template that defines control logics 12A to 12C and APP data points 17 used by the control logics 12A to 12C. Any one of the control logics 12A to 12C is referred to as "control logic 12". A control logic is various operations according to data. APP template 11 is a template in which control logic 12 can be arranged.

[0043] D template 19 is a template that defines all D data points 16 held by a device for each equipment model number. M template 14 is a template that defines standard M data points 15 for each category of building equipment. D template 19 has D data points 16 that depend on the equipment model number, and M template 14 has M data points 15 that are common to the category of building equipment even if the model numbers are different. Therefore, it is general that the number of D data points 16 is larger than the number of M data points 15.

[0044] Note that M template 14 is not essential, and there are cases where the data points of APP template 11 and the data points of device template 19 are directly connected (for example, connection example No. 5).

[0045] The round numbers 1 to 6 represent data points. As shown in FIG. 2, by connecting the data points with the same number on different templates, the data from the building equipment can be appropriately processed by each template, and the building equipment can be appropriately controlled.

[0046] Conventionally, the installer manually connected APP data point 17, D data point 16, and M data point 15. However, since this work was complicated, the man-hours increased and mistakes were likely to occur.

[0047] Therefore, in the present embodiment, a data aggregation module is arranged in the control logic 12. The same control logic may occur within the control logic 12. For example, if the facility equipment is an outdoor unit, the control logic will be the same. The data aggregation module aggregates the connections to data points within the control logic. When the control logic C and the control logic D (not shown) are the same, the installer connects the data aggregation module within the control logic C and the circled number 6. The control logic D may be generated by copying the control logic C.

[0048] Therefore, when the installer performs the operation of connecting data points within the control logic 12 and there is another control logic 12 with the same connection state, the control logic 12 is copied. Since the operation of connecting data points can be reduced in the second and subsequent control logics, the man-hours for the operation of connecting data points can be reduced.

[0049] <Data Aggregation Module> An example of the data aggregation module will be described together with a specific example. In the present disclosure, although the description is made assuming a showcase installed in a convenience store, supermarket, etc., it is merely an example, and it can be suitably applied to a facility management system 100 that requires connection between data points in the tool software 8.

[0050] When developing and introducing a system for managing air-conditioning related equipment such as a showcase arranged in a convenience store, supermarket, etc., a visual programming tool (corresponding to the tool software 8) may be used. The present disclosure supports the operation of the installer in this tool.

[0051] Figure 3 illustrates data aggregation modules 64 and 65. In Figure 3, data points of D template 19 and APP template 11 are connected. This is because one control logic may have multiple arithmetic modules, and the data points of multiple arithmetic modules may be the same. In this case, it is highly effective to place the data aggregation modules of this disclosure in the control logic. Therefore, if M template 14 has multiple modules corresponding to multiple arithmetic modules, the data aggregation modules may be placed in M ​​template 14.

[0052] Template D 19 contains an outdoor unit module 1 51 and a showcase module 1 52. The outdoor unit module 1 51 is a communication module that communicates data with the outdoor unit 1 (the actual equipment 20), and the showcase module 1 52 is a communication module that communicates data with the showcase 1 (the actual equipment 20). Note that the outdoor unit module 1 51 is a logical outdoor unit 1, and the showcase module 1 52 is a logical showcase 1. From the energy-saving application 66, the outdoor unit module 1 51 can be considered as the outdoor unit 1, and the showcase module 1 52 can be considered as the showcase 1.

[0053] In Figure 3, the control logic 12 in Figure 2 is shown to include the showcase 1 control logic 63 and the outdoor unit 1 control logic 62. That is, the APP template 11 contains the outdoor unit 1 control logic 62 and the showcase 1 control logic 63. The application generated by the APP template 11 is, for example, an energy-saving application 66 that efficiently controls the temperature of the showcase and the room temperature of a space such as a store.

[0054] Each control logic 12 has multiple calculation modules. Each calculation module uses data input to or output to the equipment 20 to perform calculations predetermined for that module. Therefore, the installer needs to link the data points in the D template with the data points in the calculation modules. By creating these links, a data communication path is generated.

[0055] In this embodiment, data aggregation modules 64 and 65 are used to establish this link. Specifically, data aggregation modules 64 and 65 are provided in the outdoor unit 1 control logic 62 and the showcase 1 control logic 63, respectively. Data aggregation module 64 is a module that aggregates data points common to each calculation module of the showcase 1 control logic 63. Data aggregation module 65 is a module that aggregates data points common to each calculation module of the outdoor unit 1 control logic 62.

[0056] For example, the showcase 1 control logic 63 has a primary calculation module group 101 (internal temperature trend judgment module 53, showcase state judgment module 54, defrost detection module 55) and a secondary calculation module (thermodifferential calculation module 56). Each calculation module is an example. The data aggregation module 64 associates the data points (not shown) of the showcase 1 module 52 of the D template 19 with the data points (not shown) of the primary calculation module group 101.

[0057] Similarly, the outdoor unit 1 control logic 62 has a primary calculation module group 102 (energy saving mode switching module 57, outdoor unit communication error detection module 58, Temp up determination module 59) and a secondary calculation module (Temp / thermo off LP calculation module 61). The data aggregation module 65 associates the data points (not shown) of the outdoor unit 1 module 51 of the D template 19 with the data points (not shown) of the primary calculation module group 102.

[0058] These associations are performed by the installation worker, but the installation worker can copy the control logic 12, which includes the data aggregation modules 64 and 65. The data aggregation modules 64 and 65 can also be copied individually. For example, suppose the showcase 2 module is in template D 19. If the installation worker copies the showcase 1 control logic 63 to generate the showcase 2 control logic, the showcase 2 control logic will be copied with the links already established. Therefore, the equipment management device 10 of this disclosure can significantly reduce the workload of the installation worker.

[0059] The installer connects the secondary calculation module (thermo-differential calculation module 56) to the showcase module 52 and the secondary calculation module (Temp / thermo-off LP calculation module 61) to the outdoor unit module 51. In this way, the control logic 12 can process the data input from the D template 19 and output it back to the D template 19.

[0060] <Hardware Configuration Example> Figure 4 is a hardware configuration diagram of the equipment management device 10 and the corresponding information generation device 60. As shown in Figure 4, the equipment management device 10 and the corresponding information generation device 60 are built on a computer 500 and include a CPU 501, ROM 502, RAM 503, HD 504, HDD (Hard Disk Drive) controller 505, display 506, external device connection I / F (Interface) 508, network I / F 509, bus line 510, keyboard 511, pointing device 512, optical drive 514, and media I / F 516.

[0061] Of these, the CPU 501 controls the operation of the entire computer 500. The CPU 501 corresponds to the control unit 200 that controls the entire computer 500.

[0062] ROM 502 stores programs used to drive the CPU 501, such as IPL. RAM 503 is used as the work area for the CPU 501. HD 504 stores various data such as programs. HDD controller 505 controls the reading or writing of various data to HD 504 according to the control of the CPU 501. Display 506 displays various information such as cursors, menus, windows, characters, or images. External device connection I / F 508 is an interface for connecting various external devices. External devices in this case include, for example, USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory and printers. Network I / F 509 is an interface for data communication using networks N1 and N2. Bus line 510 is an address bus, data bus, etc., for electrically connecting each component such as the CPU 501 shown in Figure 4.

[0063] The keyboard 511 is a type of input means equipped with multiple keys for inputting characters, numbers, and various instructions. The pointing device 512 is a type of input means for selecting and executing various instructions, selecting processing targets, and moving the cursor. The optical drive 514 controls the reading or writing of various data to the optical storage medium 513, which is an example of a removable recording medium. The optical storage medium may be a CD, DVD, Blu-ray (registered trademark), etc. The media interface 516 controls the reading or writing (storage) of data to the recording medium 515, such as flash memory.

[0064] <About the Functions> Figure 5 is a functional block diagram of the equipment management device 10 on which the tool software 8 operates. The equipment management device 10 has a display control unit 31, an operation reception unit 32, a connection information generation unit 33, and a data transmission unit 34. Each of these functional units of the equipment management device 10 is a function of the control unit 200. Each functional unit is a function or means realized by the CPU 501 shown in Figure 4 executing instructions contained in one or more programs installed in the equipment management device 10. This program may be, for example, the tool software 8.

[0065] Furthermore, the equipment management device 10 includes a data aggregation module information storage unit 41, a device data point information storage unit 42, a model data point information storage unit 43, and an application data point information storage unit 44. Each of these storage units is constructed using the HD 504 and RAM 503 shown in Figure 4.

[0066] The display control unit 31 displays various screens for the operator to use when installing the tool software 8 (APP template 11, M template 14, D template 19, data conversion template 13, etc.).

[0067] The operation reception unit 32 receives various operations from the installation operator for the tool software 8 that operates on the corresponding information generation device 60.

[0068] The connection information generation unit 33 generates data aggregation module information in accordance with the installation worker's task of connecting data points. The connection information generation unit 33 also copies the data aggregation module information when the installation worker performs the task of copying the control logic 12.

[0069] The data transmission unit 34 notifies the data points of the control logic 12 of the data input from the data points of the D template 19 to the data aggregation module based on the data aggregation module information. The data transmission unit 34 also has the function of detecting when the data input from the data points of the D template 19 has changed and notifying the data points of the control logic 12 of the changed data. The functions of the data transmission unit 34 may be implemented by the data aggregation module. The data transmission unit 34 also transmits the data output by the control logic 12 to the data points of the D template 19.

[0070] <<Data Point Information for Each Template>> Refer to Figures 6 to 9 to explain the data point information generated for each template. Figure 6 is an example of device data point information. Device data point information includes the fields for module name, data point name, and destination data point.

[0071] The module name field stores the name of the module placed in template D 19. Since modules in template D 19 are placed for each piece of equipment, one module corresponds to one piece of equipment 20. In other words, a module is placed for each outdoor unit, such as outdoor unit 1, 2, etc.

[0072] The "Data Point Name" field contains the data point names of the modules placed in template D 19. Note that data point names can be assigned arbitrarily.

[0073] - The "Destination Data Point" field registers the data point to which the installer has created a link. In this disclosure, the linked data point is the data point of the data aggregation module located in APP template 11. A link to M template 14 may also be created.

[0074] Figure 7 shows an example of model data point information. Model data point information includes the module name, data point name, and destination data point.

[0075] The module name field stores the name of the module placed in M ​​template 14. Since modules in M ​​template 14 are prepared for each type of equipment, the module can be common to all types of equipment. Therefore, for example, a module common to outdoor units 1 and 2 (outdoor unit module in the diagram) is registered.

[0076] The "Data Point Name" field contains the data point names of the modules placed in M ​​Template 14. Note that data point names can be assigned arbitrarily.

[0077] - The "Destination Data Point" field registers the data point to which the installer has created a link. In this disclosure, the destination data point is the data point of the data aggregation module located in APP template 11. When M template 14 is used in this way, M template 14 and the data aggregation module are connected. In this case, the M data point is connected to the D data point, but the source D data point is omitted in Figure 7.

[0078] Figure 8 shows an example of application data point information. Application data point information includes the following items: module name, data point name, source data point, and destination data point. Figure 8 shows information related to the outdoor unit 1 control logic.

[0079] The module name field stores the name of the arithmetic module placed in the control logic 12. The arithmetic modules in APP template 11 may be prepared for each type of equipment, similar to D template 19.

[0080] The data point name field contains the data point names of the arithmetic modules located in the control logic 12. Note that data point names can be assigned arbitrarily.

[0081] The "Source Data Point" field registers which data point the arithmetic module's data point is connected to as input. In this disclosure, the source data point is the data point of the data aggregation module. Even if a data aggregation module exists, the arithmetic module's data point may be directly connected to the data point of the D template 19. The "Source Data Point" field indicates that data is input to the control logic 12 from this source. The control logic 12 may also have a destination data point set for output to the D template 19.

[0082] The "Connected Data Point" field registers which data point the arithmetic module's data point is connected to as an output. The data points of the control logic are often connected to the data points of the same or another control logic, or to D data points. A single arithmetic module may have multiple connection destinations. In this way, the data points of the control logic can control the equipment 20 by outputting the calculation results to the D data point (equipment 20).

[0083] Figure 9 shows an example of data aggregation module information. The data aggregation module information includes a data point name, a source data point, and multiple destination data points. The source data point indicates that data is input to the data aggregation module, and the destination data points indicate that data is output to the APP template (control logic). In addition, the source data point and the multiple destination data points are generated by the installation worker through connections and by copying the control logic 12.

[0084] The "Data Point Name" field contains the data point name set in the data aggregation module by the implementation operator. Note that the data point name can be assigned arbitrarily.

[0085] The "Source Data Point" field is the data point of template D 19, which inputs data into the data aggregation module (an example of input-side data point information).

[0086] The "Destination Data Point" field refers to the data point of the arithmetic module from which the data aggregation module outputs data (an example of output-side data point information).

[0087] As shown in Figure 9, the data aggregation module has a configuration in which each data point has one input (source) and multiple outputs (destinations).

[0088] <Link Setting Method> Figure 10 is a diagram illustrating the method for setting links using the data aggregation module 72. For the sake of clarity, Figure 10 simplifies the configuration of the D template 19 and the APP template 11 compared to Figure 3.

[0089] Template D 19 has an outdoor unit 1 module 51 and an outdoor unit 2 module 77. Outdoor unit 1 module 51 is a communication module that communicates with outdoor unit 1 (an example of a first air conditioning-related device), and outdoor unit 2 module 77 is a communication module that communicates with outdoor unit 2 (an example of a second air conditioning-related device).

[0090] The energy-saving application 66 is built using the APP template 11. The energy-saving application 66 has an outdoor unit 1 control logic 62. The outdoor unit 1 control logic 62 is the control logic 12 that controls the outdoor unit 1. The outdoor unit 1 control logic 62 has the following calculation modules, and each calculation module has the following data points. Note that there may be one or three or more calculation modules.

[0091] ● Outdoor unit 1 control logic 62 (an example of the first control logic) - Data points of calculation module 1 (an example of the first calculation module): compressor rotation speed, evaporation temperature, ... (an example of the third and fourth data points) - Data points of calculation module 2 (an example of the second calculation module): compressor rotation speed, solenoid valve opening, refrigerant information, ... (an example of the fifth and sixth data points) - Data points of calculation module 3: compressor rotation speed, operating mode, refrigerant information, ... The data point connection procedure using the data aggregation module 72 will be explained.

[0092] (1) The data aggregation module 72 is manually placed in the outdoor unit 1 control logic 62 of the APP template 11 by the installation worker. The data aggregation module 72 has data points such as compressor rotation speed and refrigerant information (examples of first and second data points, respectively). In some cases, the outdoor unit 1 control logic 62 may be placed in the APP template 11 with the data aggregation module 72 already placed in the outdoor unit 1 control logic 62.

[0093] (2) The installation operator manually establishes links 74-76 between the data points (compressor rotation speed) of the data aggregation module 72 and the data points (compressor rotation speed) of the calculation module (multiple times). Thus, the compressor rotation speed of the data aggregation module 72 is connected to the compressor rotation speed of the calculation module 1, the compressor rotation speed of the data aggregation module 72 is connected to the compressor rotation speed of the calculation module 2, and the compressor rotation speed of the data aggregation module 72 is connected to the compressor rotation speed of the calculation module 3. In this way, the data points are connected in a one-to-many relationship.

[0094] Next, we will explain the copying of the data aggregation module. In Figure 10, template D 19 has outdoor unit module 1 51 and outdoor unit module 2 77, which are of the same type of equipment. It is not uncommon for multiple outdoor units or showcases to be installed in a single store. The installer thought that a control logic 12 corresponding to outdoor unit module 2 77 was necessary. Since the type of equipment is the same, the control logic 12 corresponding to outdoor unit module 2 77 can be the same as the control logic for outdoor unit module 1 51.

[0095] Therefore, as shown in Figure 11, the installation worker copied the outdoor unit 1 control logic 62 to generate the outdoor unit 2 control logic 81. Figure 11 shows the energy-saving application 66 including the outdoor unit 2 control logic 81. Since the outdoor unit 2 control logic 81 is a copy of the outdoor unit 1 control logic 62 (an example of the first data aggregation module), it has a data aggregation module 82 (an example of the second data aggregation module) and the following calculation modules and data points. ● Outdoor unit 2 control logic (an example of the second control logic) ・Data points of calculation module 1 (an example of the third calculation module): compressor rotation speed, evaporation temperature, ... ・Data points of calculation module 2 (an example of the fourth calculation module): compressor rotation speed, solenoid valve opening, ... ・Data points of calculation module 3: compressor rotation speed, operating mode, ... Also, since the outdoor unit 2 control logic 81 is a copy of the outdoor unit 1 control logic 62, the connection state of the data aggregation module 82 is the same as that of the outdoor unit 1 control logic 62. Therefore, links 83-86, which are generated by copying links 74-76, are pre-configured. In this way, the installer only needs to connect the data points of data aggregation module 72 and the data points of calculation modules 1-3 once, eliminating the need for connection work in other control logic. If the equipment is of the same type, such as showcases, outdoor units, indoor units, and ventilation systems, the control logic can be reused, reducing the workload.

[0096] Figure 12 illustrates the source data points for the data aggregation modules 72 and 82. After copying the outdoor unit 1 control logic 62, the installer manually establishes links 73 between the data point (compressor speed) of the outdoor unit 1 module and the data point (compressor speed) of the data aggregation module 72. The installer can, for example, connect data points with the same data point name. Thus, the compressor speed of template D 19 and the compressor speed of data aggregation module 72 are connected.

[0097] Similarly, the installation worker manually establishes links 88 between the data points (compressor rotation speed) of the outdoor unit 2 module and the data points (compressor rotation speed) of the data aggregation module 82. In this way, connection work is required for the data points of the outdoor unit 1 control logic 62, the outdoor unit 2 control logic 81, and the data aggregation modules 72 and 82.

[0098] Figures 10 to 12 illustrate the case where only the compressor rotation speed is connected to the calculation modules 1 to 3. However, data points present in the data aggregation module 72 can be connected to the data points of each of the calculation modules 1 to 3. Therefore, the greater the number of data points, calculation modules, and control logic 12 present in the data aggregation module 72, the greater the effect of the link setting method of this disclosure in reducing man-hours.

[0099] Figure 13 shows an energy-saving application 66 when multiple data points of a data aggregation module are connected to calculation modules 1 to 3. In Figure 13, in addition to the compressor rotation speed data point in the data aggregation module 72, the refrigerant information data point is connected to the data points of calculation modules 2 and 3 by links 91 and 92. The installer copies the outdoor unit 1 control logic 62 in this state to generate the outdoor unit 2 control logic 81. In the outdoor unit 2 control logic 81, the refrigerant information is connected to the refrigerant information of calculation modules 2 and 3 by links 93 and 94 without any connection work by the installer. The installer manually creates a link 78 between the data point (number of refrigerant information points) of the outdoor unit 1 module and the data point (refrigerant information) of the data aggregation module 72. The installer manually creates a link 79 between the data point (number of refrigerant information points) of the outdoor unit 2 module and the data point (refrigerant information) of the data aggregation module 82.

[0100] Since the installer only needs to connect one data aggregation module 72 to the calculation modules 1-3, assuming that each calculation module has the same data points, the following reduction in man-hours can be achieved. Let N1 be the number of data points in data aggregation modules 72 and 82, and N2 be the number of data points in the calculation modules. Total number of conventional connection tasks = "N1 × N2 × number of control logics" Number of connection tasks in this disclosure = "N1 × N2" <Operation or Processing> Figure 14 is a flowchart illustrating the tasks mainly performed by the installer. The installer starts the tasks in Figure 14, for example, when generating an energy-saving application 66 in the APP template 11.

[0101] First, the implementation worker generates the data aggregation module components (S1). A component is the data aggregation module before it is placed in the APP template 11.

[0102] The installer registers data points in the data aggregation module (S2). The installer takes into account the data points in the source D template 19 and the data points in the destination calculation module, and registers data points with the same data point names as these as an example in the data aggregation module. The data point names do not necessarily have to be the same; it is sufficient if the installer can distinguish them.

[0103] Next, the installation operator connects each data point of the data aggregation module to the data points of each arithmetic module (S3). As a result, the connection information generation unit 33 generates data aggregation module information and stores it in the data aggregation module information storage unit 41. The installation operator also copies the control logic 12 with the data points connected to create a new control logic 12. The connection information generation unit 33 copies the data aggregation module information and stores it in the data aggregation module information storage unit 41.

[0104] The installation operator generates a control logic template, including each calculation module and data aggregation module, for the energy-saving application 66 (S4). That is, the control logic template is generated from the terminal device 50 or the corresponding information generation device 60 for the energy-saving application 66 running on the equipment management device 10.

[0105] The installer installs the control logic template into the APP template 11 (S5). Upon installation, the control logic template is incorporated into the energy-saving application 66 as control logic 12.

[0106] Next, the installer connects the data points of template D 19 to the data points of the data aggregation module (S6).

[0107] The installation worker determines whether all outdoor unit control logics 12 have been installed (S7), and if any control logics 12 have not been installed, the work is repeated from step S5.

[0108] Figure 15 is an example of a sequence diagram illustrating the data transfer procedure using a data aggregation module.

[0109] S10: The equipment management device 10 requests data from the equipment 20 at a predetermined interval. The equipment 20 transmits data to the equipment management device 10 in response to the request.

[0110] S11: The outdoor unit 1 module 51 and outdoor unit 2 module 77 of the energy-saving application 66 installed in the equipment management device 10 receive data transmitted by the equipment 20 for each data point. For example, the data point for compressor rotation speed receives the compressor rotation speed.

[0111] S12: Outdoor unit module 1 51 and outdoor unit module 2 77 transfer data to the data points of data aggregation modules 72 and 82 based on the destination data points of the device template information.

[0112] S13: The data points of data aggregation modules 72 and 82 receive data. Based on the data aggregation module information, data aggregation modules 72 and 82 identify the destination data point.

[0113] S14-S16: The data aggregation modules 72 and 82 transmit data to each data point of the specified number of arithmetic modules 1-3. Preferably, the data aggregation modules 72 and 82 transmit data to arithmetic modules 1-3 only when the previously input data and the currently input data are not equal in the current cycle. This reduces the processing load on the arithmetic modules.

[0114] S17-S19: Each calculation module 1-3 receives data, performs calculations on the data according to the calculation module 1-3, and transmits the calculation result to the calculation module closest to the equipment 20 (for example, the secondary calculation module in Figure 3). The calculation result may also be transmitted directly to the outdoor unit 1 module 51 and the outdoor unit 2 module 77. Alternatively, the calculation result may be output to another calculation module.

[0115] S20: The calculation module closest to the equipment 20 transmits the calculation results to the outdoor unit 1 module 51 and the outdoor unit 2 module 77. The data point to which the calculation module closest to the equipment 20 transmits data is set for each calculation module.

[0116] S21: Outdoor unit module 1 51 and outdoor unit module 2 77 transmit the calculation results to equipment 20. Equipment 20 controls itself based on the calculation results.

[0117] <Main Effects> In the equipment management device 10 of this embodiment, the installation worker places the data aggregation module in the control logic 12. The installation worker performs minimal work connecting the data points of the data aggregation module to multiple functional modules, but other control logics 12 with the same connection state are implemented by copying the control logic 12. The copied control logic 12 can transmit data between data points in the same way as the original. Therefore, the amount of work required for the installation worker to connect between data points is reduced, and errors are also reduced.

[0118] <Other Application Examples> While the best mode for implementing this disclosure has been described above using examples, this disclosure is not limited to these examples, and various modifications and substitutions can be made without departing from the gist of this disclosure.

[0119] For example, although this disclosure describes an equipment management system 100, it can be suitably applied when connecting one data point and another data point within the software.

[0120] Furthermore, although this embodiment describes a case where the installation worker directly operates the equipment management device 10 to connect data points, the installation worker may also connect data points using a web application. The installation worker simply needs to connect the corresponding information generation device 60 to the equipment management device 10, run the web application, and perform the work described in this embodiment.

[0121] Furthermore, if the data points of M template 14 are grouped into folders, and multiple folders with the same data point name exist, a data aggregation module can be placed in M ​​template 14. The installer connects the data points of the data aggregation module to one or more data points in the folders. The installer can reduce the workload of the connection work by copying the folders along with the data aggregation module.

[0122] Furthermore, the configuration examples in Figure 5 and other figures are divided according to their main functions to facilitate understanding of the processing performed by the equipment management device 10. This disclosure is not limited by the way the processing units are divided or their names. The processing of the equipment management device 10 can be further divided into many more processing units depending on the processing content. It can also be divided so that one processing unit includes even more processing.

[0123] Furthermore, the apparatus described in the examples represents only one of several computing environments for carrying out the embodiments disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the corresponding information generation apparatus 60 includes multiple computing devices, such as a server cluster. The multiple computing devices are configured to communicate with each other via any type of communication link, including a network or shared memory, and perform the processing disclosed herein.

[0124] Each of the functions of this disclosure described above can be implemented not only by software processing through program execution, but also by one or more processing circuits. Here, "processing circuit" as used herein includes processors programmed to execute each function by software, such as processors implemented by electronic circuits, as well as devices such as ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), DSPs (Digital Signal Processors), FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays), and conventional circuit modules designed to execute each of the functions described above.

[0125] <Reasons for the effect> In the first aspect of this disclosure, the data points of the data aggregation module have input-side data point information that specifies data points held by the communication module as input, and output-side data point information that specifies data points held by the first arithmetic module and output-side data point information that specifies data points held by the second arithmetic module as output, thus reducing the workload related to associating data points.

[0126] A second aspect of this disclosure states that "the equipment management device comprises a first control logic and a second control logic corresponding to the type of equipment," so that the control logic can be common to units such as showcases, outdoor units, indoor units, and ventilation systems.

[0127] A third aspect of this disclosure is that "the second control logic is a copy of the first control logic made by the control unit in response to operator input," and therefore the workload of associating the data points of the data aggregation module and the data points of the calculation module in the second control logic can be reduced.

[0128] A fourth aspect of this disclosure is that, with respect to the "first control logic," the "control unit generates the data point information of the data aggregation module in the second control logic" by "receiving connection work between data points by an operator," and "the output data point information of the data aggregation module in the second control logic" is "generated by copying the first control logic," so the association between the data points of the data aggregation module and the data points of the calculation module in the second control logic can be the same as that of the first control logic.

[0129] A fifth aspect of this disclosure is that, in the first control logic, the data aggregation module has a first data point and a second data point, the first calculation module has a third data point and a fourth data point, the second calculation module has a fifth data point and a sixth data point, the first data point is connected to the third data point and the fifth data point, the second data point is connected to the fourth data point and the sixth data point, and the equipment management device has the second control logic generated by the control unit copying the first control logic in response to operator input. Thus, the more data points the data aggregation module and calculation module have, the more the workload related to associating data points can be reduced.

[0130] - A sixth aspect of this disclosure is that "the communication module acquires the data from the first air conditioning equipment and the second air conditioning equipment, the first and second calculation modules of the first control logic perform calculations on the data of the first air conditioning equipment acquired via the first data aggregation module of the first control logic, and the third and fourth calculation modules of the second control logic perform calculations on the data of the second air conditioning equipment acquired via the second data aggregation module of the second control logic." Therefore, when there are multiple air conditioning equipment, the second control logic generated by the copy can perform calculations on the data of the air conditioning equipment.

[0131] A seventh aspect of this disclosure states that "when the data input from the communication module changes, the data aggregation module transmits the data to the first and second arithmetic modules connected to the data points of the data aggregation module," thereby reducing the processing load on the arithmetic modules.

[0132] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-166737, filed with the Japan Patent Office on September 25, 2024, and the entire contents of Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-166737 are incorporated herein by reference.

[0133] 10 Equipment management device 14 Model template 15 Data point 16 Device data point 17 Application data point 20 Equipment 60 Corresponding information creation device 100 Equipment management system

Claims

1. An equipment management device capable of communicating with equipment via a network, comprising: a communication module for transmitting or receiving data to or from the equipment; and a control logic for performing calculations using the data, wherein the control logic comprises: a data aggregation module with one or more data points registered; a first calculation module and a second calculation module, each with one or more data points registered, and the data points of the data aggregation module comprising: input-side data point information specifying a data point owned by the communication module as input; and output-side data point information specifying a data point owned by the first calculation module and an output-side data point information specifying a data point owned by the second calculation module as output.

2. The equipment management device according to claim 1, wherein the equipment management device comprises a first control logic and a second control logic corresponding to the type of equipment.

3. The equipment management device according to claim 2, wherein the second control logic is obtained by the control unit receiving an operation from the operator and copying the first control logic.

4. The equipment management device according to claim 3, wherein the input data point information and output data point information of the data aggregation module in the first control logic are generated by the control unit in response to connection work between data points performed by an operator, and the output data point information of the data aggregation module in the second control logic is generated by the control unit in response to an operation by an operator by copying the first control logic.

5. The equipment management device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein in the first control logic, the data aggregation module has a first data point and a second data point, the first calculation module has a third data point and a fourth data point, the second calculation module has a fifth data point and a sixth data point, the first data point is connected to the third data point and the fifth data point, the second data point is connected to the fourth data point and the sixth data point, and the equipment management device has the second control logic generated by the control unit copying the first control logic in response to an operator's operation.

6. The equipment management device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the communication module acquires the data from the first air conditioning equipment and the second air conditioning equipment, the first and second calculation modules of the first control logic perform calculations on the data of the first air conditioning equipment acquired via the first data aggregation module of the first control logic, and the third and fourth calculation modules of the second control logic perform calculations on the data of the second air conditioning equipment acquired via the second data aggregation module of the second control logic.

7. The equipment management device according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the data aggregation module transmits data to the first calculation module and the second calculation module, which are connected to the data points of the data aggregation module, if the data previously input from the communication module is not equal to the data currently input.

8. A program that operates on an equipment management device capable of communicating with equipment via a network, wherein the equipment management device comprises a communication module for transmitting or receiving data to or from the equipment, and a control logic for performing calculations using the data, wherein the control logic comprises a data aggregation module with one or more data points registered, and a first calculation module and a second calculation module with one or more data points registered, wherein the data points of the data aggregation module comprise input-side data point information specifying a data point owned by the communication module as input, and output-side data point information specifying a data point owned by the first calculation module and an output-side data point information specifying a data point owned by the second calculation module as output, and the program causes the equipment management device to transmit data transmitted by the data points of the communication module to the data points owned by the first calculation module and the data points owned by the second calculation module based on the input-side data point information and the output-side data point information.

9. An equipment management system in which equipment and an equipment management device can communicate via a network, wherein the equipment management device comprises a communication module for transmitting or receiving data to or from the equipment, and a control logic for performing calculations using the data, wherein the control logic comprises a data aggregation module in which one or more data points are registered, and a first calculation module and a second calculation module in which one or more data points are registered, wherein the data points of the data aggregation module comprise input-side data point information specifying a data point held by the communication module as input, and output-side data point information specifying a data point held by the first calculation module and an output-side data point information specifying a data point held by the second calculation module as output, wherein the control logic transmits the data calculated by the first calculation module or the second calculation module to the communication module, and the communication module transmits the calculated data to the equipment.

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