AIR-CONDITIONING MANAGEMENT DEVICE, AND PROGRAM

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to technology for supporting maintenance work of air conditioners that are installed in a building or the like.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, various technology has been proposed (for example Patent Literature 1, 2 and the like) in which in an air-conditioning system that is used in a building or the like, the efficiency of maintenance work is improved by a controller (air-conditioning management device) that performs centralized management of plural air conditioners displaying the installation location of each air conditioner and providing a worker or the like therewith.

Typically, this kind of maintenance worker has to be able to actually remember what kind of air conditioners are installed, how the air conditioners are installed and in what kind of locations in the building the air conditioners are installed. In this case, when there are only a few installed air conditioners, remembering the installation locations and the actual installation state of each air conditioner is comparatively easy. In the case of a worker that is in charge of the air-conditioning system in the same building for a long continuous period of time, it is most likely that the installation locations and actual installation state of each is known.

However, in the case of a new worker that has little experience in managing the air-conditioning system of that building, and in the case where there is a large number of air conditioners to be managed, it is very difficult to learn within a short time all of the installation locations and actual installation state of each.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent No. 4,466,776

Patent Literature 2: Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Kokai Publication No. 2010-7887

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

In regards to this point, Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2 above propose technology for providing a worker or the like with the installation locations of all of the air conditioners; however, there is absolutely no mention of providing the worker with the actual installation state.

In order to solve the problems with the conventional technology described above, the objective of the present invention is to provide an air-conditioning management device and the like that is able to provide a user such as a worker with the installation location and actual installation state of each air conditioner in an air-conditioning system.

Solution to the Problem

In order to accomplish the objective above, the air-conditioning management device according to the present invention is

- an air-conditioning management device that is connected to plural air conditioners so that data communication is possible, and manages the operating state of each air conditioner, comprising:
- an operation receiver that receives input operation from a user;
- a display that displays various information for managing the air conditioners;
- a device display controller that, together with displaying on the display a floor plan of a building in which the air conditioners are installed, displays icons on the display, the icons representing the air conditioners on portions on the floor plan that correspond to the actual installation locations of the air conditioners;
- a data storage that stores image data that was taken of the air conditioners; and
- an image data setter that associates the image data with the air conditioners according to a specified operation from the user;
- wherein
- the device display controller, when the user selects an icon, displays an image on the display based on the image data that is associated with the air conditioner that is represented by the icon.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

With the present invention, an image of each air conditioner is provided to the user together with the installation location, so that the user is able to easily know the actual installation state of each air conditioner, and thus it is possible to improve the efficiency of work such as maintenance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an entire configuration of an air-conditioning system that has an air-conditioning management device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the air-conditioning management device that is illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a controller that is illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a drawing illustrating an example of a monitoring screen;

FIG. 5 is a drawing for explaining the operation for displaying such as an image of an air conditioner;

FIG. 6 is a drawing that illustrates the displayed state of such as an image of an air conditioner that is displayed by the operation in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a drawing for explaining a data storage that is illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a drawing illustrating a configuration of a floor plan management table that is illustrated in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a drawing illustrating a configuration of a device information table that is illustrated in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a drawing illustrating a configuration of a registered image information table that is illustrated in FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure in an image data registration mode;

FIG. 12 is a drawing illustrating an example of an image name entry screen;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure in an image data setting mode;

FIG. 14 is a drawing for explaining about an image data list display; and

FIG. 15 is a drawing for explaining about an image association operation.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In the following, an air-conditioning management device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating an entire configuration of an air-conditioning system that has an air-conditioning management device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. This air-conditioning system, for example, is a system for controlling and managing air conditioners that are located inside an office building. As illustrated in FIG. 1, this air-conditioning system has an air-conditioning management device 1, an outdoor device 2, plural indoor devices 3 (3A, 3B, . . . ), and plural remote controls 4 (4A, 4B, . . . ). The air-conditioning management device 1, the outdoor device 2 and the indoor devices 3 are connected by way of communication lines 5 so as to be able to communicate with each other. It is not illustrated in the figure; however, the outdoor device 2 and each of the indoor devices 3 are connected by refrigerant piping in order to circulate refrigerant.

The remote controls 4A, 4B, . . . are respectively connected with the indoor devices 3A, 3B, . . . such that communication is possible, and are remote controls that are used by a user in order to operate the corresponding indoor devices 3 at desired set conditions. The hardware of the remote controls 4 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a readable/writable non-volatile semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, a display device such as a liquid-crystal display, and an input device such as a keypad, a touch pad, a touch panel or the like. A remote control 4 receives input operation from a user by way of an input device, and transmits a signal related to the received input operation (operation signal) to a corresponding indoor device 3.

The indoor device 3 performs operation based on the operation signal from the corresponding remote control 4. More specifically, the indoor device 3 switches the operating mode such as cooling, heating, dehumidifying, fan and the like, and performs operation to blow out a set amount of air at a set temperature, according to the operation signal. Moreover, when an indoor device 3 receives control data from the air-conditioning management device 1, the indoor device 3 performs operation based on that control data. Furthermore, an indoor device 3 transmits data related to the indoor device's own operating state that was changed based on an operation signal from a remote control 4 (state change data) to the outdoor device 2.

When the outdoor device 2 receives state change data from an indoor device 3, the outdoor device 2 saves the data in a memory not illustrated in the figure, and in order for the indoor device 3 to operate under the operating conditions indicated by the state change data, the outdoor device 2 adjusts the operating state of the outdoor device's own components (compressor, condenser, expansion valve, evaporator and the like).

Moreover, when the outdoor device 2 receives control data from the air-conditioning management device 1, the outdoor device 2 performs operation based on that control data.

The outdoor device 2 also transmits state change data from an indoor device 3 to the air-conditioning management device 1. Furthermore, the outdoor device 2 transmits data that is related to the outside air temperature, which is measured by a temperature sensor that is not illustrated in the figure, and the operating state of the outdoor device 2 (outdoor device data) to the air-conditioning device I at specified timing.

The air-conditioning management device 1 is a device for performing overall control and management of the air-conditioning system. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the air-conditioning management device 1 has a display 10, an operation receiver 20, a communicator 30, a controller 40, an external inputter/outputter 50, and a data storage 60.

The display 10 has a CRT or a liquid-crystal display, and under the control of the controller 40, displays a user operation screen or various information related to the air conditioners (outdoor device 2, indoor devices 3). The operation receiver 20 includes, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a keypad, a touch pad, a touch panel and/or the like, receives input operation from a user, and transmits a signal related to the received input operation (operation signal) to the controller 40.

The communicator 30, includes, for example, a communication interface such as a network card, and under the control of the controller 40, performs communication according to a specified communication method with the outdoor device 2 and each of the indoor devices 3 by way of communication lines 5. The controller 40 includes a CPU, a ROM and a RAM, and/or the like, and controls all of the components of the air-conditioning management device 1. The functions of the controller 40 will be explained in detail later.

The external inputter/outputter 50, has, for example, an interface such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus), for connecting with an external device such as a hard disk drive (HDD). The data storage 60 has, for example, a readable/writable non-volatile semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, or a HDD, and stores various data related to the air-conditioning system (this data will be described in detail later).

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the controller 40. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the controller 40 includes an air-conditioning controller 401, an image data registrator 402, an image data setter 403 and an device display controller 404. The functions of these components are achieved by the CPU or the like executing one or more specified programs that are stored in ROM or the like.

The air-conditioning controller 401 monitors the state of the outdoor device 2 and each of the indoor devices 3, and controls the operation of these devices according to operation from the user. For example, the air-conditioning controller 401 saves the state change data and the outdoor device data described above that are transmitted from the outdoor device 2 in the data storage 60. Moreover, when the user performs an operation by way of the operation receiver 20 related to the operation of the outdoor device 2 or indoor devices 3, the air-conditioning controller 401 generates data (control data) for controlling the outdoor device 2 or indoor devices 3 based on the contents of that operation, and transmits the control data to the outdoor device 2 or indoor devices 3.

The image data registrator 402 performs processing related to registration of air conditioner (outdoor device 2, indoor devices 3) image data that is newly inputted or updated from the external inputter/outputter 50. The image data registrator 402 associates an inputted image data with an image ID, an image name and/or the like that will be described later, and saves the result in the data storage 60.

The image data setter 403 executes processing according to an operation from the user that associates registered image data with air conditioners.

The device display controller 404, based on various data that is stored in the data storage 60, displays various information related to each air conditioner (outdoor device 2 and indoor devices 3) by way of the display 10. For example, the device display controller 404 displays a monitoring screen as illustrated in FIG. 4. As illustrated in FIG. 4, on this monitoring screen, together with a floor plan 101 of the building being displayed, icons 102 indicating each of the air conditioners on the floor plan 101 are displayed. From this monitoring screen it is possible for the user to easily know the installation locations of all of the air conditioners.

On the monitoring screen, the device display controller 404 can display on the icons 102 information related to the operating state of the corresponding air conditioners (for example, device ID, running/stopped/error, cooling/heating/fan/dehumidifying, outside temperature, room temperature, temperature setting, air flow setting (high/medium/low), and the like). In the example in FIG. 4, on each of the icons 102, the state “running” or “stopped” is displayed, and in the case of the state being “running”, the temperature setting is also displayed.

Moreover, the device display controller 404 may also indicate the operating state of air conditioners that correspond to the icons 102 as being either one of running/stopped/error by changing the display state of the icons 102 (for example, color, marks, appearance, and the like).

By pressing one of the buttons 103, 104, which are GUI (Graphical User Interface) buttons, on the monitoring screen, it is possible for the user to switch to a monitoring screen that corresponds to a desired floor. For example, when button 103 is pressed, the device display controller 404, together with displaying the floor plan 101 of one floor below the currently displayed floor, displays icons 102 that correspond to the air conditioners that are located on that floor. On the other hand, when the button 104 is pressed, the device display controller 404, together with displaying the floor plan 101 of one floor above the currently displayed floor, displays icons 102 that correspond to the air conditioners that are located on that floor.

Moreover, as illustrated in FIG. 5, when the user performs an operation of selecting an icon 102, the device display controller 404 displays specified information for the air conditioner that corresponds to that icon 102. More specifically, as illustrated in

FIG. 6, the device display controller 404, together with displaying the photographed image of the air conditioner that corresponds to that icon 102, displays information (maintenance information) related to the maintenance of that air conditioner. This maintenance information includes, for example, the photographed date and time of the image of the air conditioner, the date and time that the air conditioner was installed or replaced, the date and time of the previous maintenance, the name of the worker who performed the previous maintenance, and the like.

The window in which this maintenance information is displayed is displayed in a form such that text can be entered. Therefore, the user is able to suitably edit the maintenance information of the air conditioner by way of this window.

Continuing, the various data that is stored in the data storage 60 will be explained. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the data storage 60 stores a floor plan management table 601, an device information table 602, a registered image information table 603, mode state data 604, floor plan data 605, image data 606 and the like.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the floor plan management table 601 is a data table in which records that include a floor plan ID 6010, a location name 6011, and a data pointer 6012 are entered for each floor plan. An ID that was assigned in advance for uniquely identifying a floor plan 101 is set for the floor plan ID 6010. A location name (text data) of a location that is indicated in the floor plan 101 is set for the location name 6011. In this example, the location name indicates the floor number and is “floor 1”, “floor 2” or the like. Information (a pointer) that indicates the storage destination (memory address) for floor plan data 605 (real data) that corresponds to the floor plan 101 is set as the data pointer 6012.

For example, when a certain floor plan is changed, the user only needs to rewrite the floor plan data 605 that corresponds to the updated floor plan over the original storage location in the data storage 60. In this case, it is not necessary to update the contents of the floor plan management table 601. When the floor plan data 605 that corresponds to the updated floor plan is stored in a different area that is not the original storage location in the data storage 60, the user can set a pointer that indicates the new storage destination as the data pointer 6012.

The device information table 602 is a data table in which information related to each air conditioner (outdoor device 2, indoor devices 3) is set. More specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 9, records that include a device ID 6020, a device name 6021, operating state information 6022, location information 6023, an image ID 6024, and maintenance information 6025 are entered in the device information table 602 for each air conditioner that is connected to the air-conditioning management device 1.

An ID that is assigned in advance for uniquely identifying each air conditioner is set for the device ID 6020. The name of the air conditioner (for example, text data such as “outdoor device”, “indoor device 01”, “indoor device 02” or the like) is set as the device name 6021. Information related to the operating state of the air conditioner (for example, running/stopped/error, cooling/heating/fan/dehumidifying, outside temperature, room temperature, temperature setting, air flow setting (high/medium/low) and the like) is set for the operating state information 6022.

When the air-conditioning controller 401 receives the state change data or outdoor device data above from the outdoor device 2 or indoor devices 3, the air-conditioning controller 401 sets the contents in the operating state information 6022 of a record that corresponds to that air conditioner in the device information table 602.

Moreover, when the air-conditioning controller 401 transmits the control data above to the outdoor device 2 or indoor devices 3, the air-conditioning controller 401 also sets the contents in the corresponding operating state information 6022.

The display location (for example, x, y coordinates) of an icon 102 that indicates the air conditioner on the floor plan 101 is set in the location information 6023.

An ID (image ID) that is assigned in advance in order to uniquely identify image data 606 that shows the air conditioner is set for the image ID 6024. This image ID is applied by the image data registrator 402 when image data 606 is inputted by way of the external inputter/outputter 50.

Information related to maintenance of the air conditioner is set in the maintenance information 6025. For example, the date and time that the image of the air conditioner was taken (in other words, the date and time that the corresponding image data 606 was created), the date and time that the air conditioner was installed or replaced, the date and time of the previous maintenance, the name of the worker who performed the previous maintenance, and the like is set in the maintenance information 6025.

The registered image information table 603 is a data table for managing image data 606 that is inputted by way of the external inputter/outputter 50. As illustrated in FIG. 10, records that include an image ID 6030, an image name 6031 and a data pointer 6032 are entered in the registered image information table 603 for each registered image data 606. The image ID described above is set for the image ID 6030. An arbitrary name given to the image data by the user is set for the image name 6031. Information (a pointer) that indicates the storage destination (memory address) of the image data 606 that corresponds to that image ID is set for the data pointer 6032.

The mode state data 604 is a variable that indicates the current processing mode of the air-conditioning management device 1. In this embodiment, the air-conditioning management device 1 has three processing modes: a normal mode, an image data registration mode, and an image data setting mode. In the normal mode, the air-conditioning management device 1 monitors the state of the outdoor device 2 and each of the indoor devices 3, and controls the operation of these air conditioners according to operation by the user.

Moreover, in the image data registration mode, the air-conditioning management device 1 performs processing related to registration of image data that was inputted from an external device.

Furthermore, in the image data setting mode, the air-conditioning management device 1 performs processing related to the association between the registered image data and the air conditioners.

In the mode state data 604, a numerical value that corresponds to each processing mode is set; for example, “0” is set in the normal mode, “1” is set in the image data registration mode, and “2” is set in the image data setting mode.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure by the air-conditioning management device 1 in the image data registration mode. When the user performs a specified operation by way of the operation receiver 20 in order to indicate switching to the image data registration mode, the controller 40 updates the setting value of the mode state data 604 to “1”, and changes the processing mode to the image data registration mode. As a result, the following processing is executed.

First, the image data registrator 402 determines whether or not image data has been inputted from an external device such as an HDD by way of the external inputter/outputter 50 (step S101). When image data has been inputted (step S101: YES), the image data registrator 402 applies an image ID to that image data (step S102). Then, the image data registrator 402 displays a screen such as illustrated in FIG. 12 (image name entry screen) on the display screen of the display 10 requesting that the user enters a name for the image data (step S103).

After the user has completed entering the name of the image data (step S104: YES), the image data registrator 402 creates a record in which the applied image ID, the entered image name, a pointer that indicates the storage destination of the image data, and the respective image ID 6030, image name 6031 and data pointer 6032 are set. The image data registrator 402 then adds the record that was created to the registered image information table 603 (step S105).

Next, the image data registrator 402 determines whether or not the user has performed an operation to complete this processing (step S106). For example, when the user, by way of the operation receiver 20, has performed a specified operation to change to the normal mode or the image data setting mode, it is determined that the an operation to end this processing has been performed.

When an operation to end this processing has been performed (step S106: YES), the image data registrator 402 changes the processing mode from the image data registration mode to the normal mode or to the image data setting mode (step S107), and this processing ends. On the other hand, when an operation to end this processing has not been performed (step S106: NO), the image data registrator 402 performs this processing again from step S101.

In this way, image data 606 that is externally inputted is registered.

Next, a processing procedure by the air-conditioning management device 1 in the image data setting mode will be explained using flowchart in FIG. 13. After the user, by way of the operation receiver 20, has performed a specified operation indicating switching to the image data setting mode, the controller 40 changes the setting value for the mode state data 604 to “2”, and changes the processing mode to the image data setting mode. As a result, the following processing is executed.

First, the image data setter 403 displays a list of registered image data on the display screen of the display 10 (step S201). In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 14, the image data setter 403 displays a window (image list window) for displaying a list of image data on one end side of the display screen (in this example, the left side).

The image data setter 403 references the registered image information table 603, reads the registered image data 606 in order from the data storage 60 and displays the read image data 606 in the image list window. When doing this, the image data setter 403 reduces the size of the read image data 606 using known technology, and displays image based on the reduced image data inside the image list window. The image data setter 403 also displays the corresponding name superposing each image.

The image name is the name acquired from the image name 6031 in the record that corresponds to that image in the registered image information table 603.

After displaying a list of image data, the image data setter 403 determines whether or not the user has performed a specified operation related to associating the image data 606 with an air conditioner (image association operation) (step S202). Here, as illustrated in FIG. 15, the image association operation is an operation in which the user, by way of the operation receiver 20 or the like, selects an image inside the image list window, and drags that image until the image is over an icon 102 that indicates an air conditioner.

When the user has performed the image association operation (step S202: YES), the image data setter 403 acquires the image ID that corresponds to the image that was selected by the user (in other words, an image based on the reduced image data of the image data 606) (step S203). The image data setter 403 also acquires the device ID of the air conditioner that corresponds to the selected icon 102 (step S204).

The image data setter 403 searches the device information table 602 for a record corresponding to the acquired device ID (step S205). Then the image data setter 403 stores the acquired image ID for the image ID 6024 of the record that was obtained in the search (step S206). As a result, one to one correspondence between one image data 606 and one air conditioner is completed.

The image data setter 403 determines whether or not the user has performed an operation ending this processing (step S207). For example, when the user, by way of the operation receiver 20, has performed a specified operation indicating switching to the normal mode or the image data registration mode, it is determined that an operation has been performed to end this processing.

When an operation has been performed to end this processing (step S207: YES), the image data setter 403 changes the processing mode from the image data setting mode to the normal mode or the image data registration mode (step S208), and ends this processing. On the other hand, when an operation to end this processing has not been performed (step S207: NO), the image data setter 403 performs processing from step S201 again.

As was explained above, the air-conditioning management device 1 according to this embodiment of the present invention displays a floor plan 101 of a building in which the air-conditioning system is employed, and on that floor plan 101, displays icons 102 that represent each air conditioner (outdoor device 2, indoor devices 3) in locations corresponding to the actual installation locations. Therefore, the user such as the manager of the air-conditioning system or the person in charge of maintenance can easily identify the installation location of each air conditioner, and thus the efficiency of work such as maintenance can be improved.

Moreover, the air-conditioning management device 1 according to this embodiment can display images that were taken of each air conditioner that is actually installed. Therefore, the user is able to easily check the installation state such as what kind of air conditioners are actually installed and how the air conditioners are installed on a monitoring screen that the air-conditioning management device 1 displays.

Therefore, for example, even when the person in charge of maintenance changes, the new person in charge is able to easily and surely know what type of air conditioners are installed in the air-conditioning system without going to each installation place and without having to visually check the actual air conditioners. In other words, even a worker who has not performed work such as maintenance of the air-conditioning system for a long period of time is able to easily know about the actual air conditioners in the air-conditioning system, so that the efficiency of work such as maintenance is further improved.

Various configurations such as described below can also be employed as a variation of this embodiment.

For example, it is also possible to allow execution of processing in the image data registration mode or the image data setting mode described above only when operation is performed by a specified user having prior authorization. For example, when performing operation to switch processing to the image data registration mode or the image data setting mode described above, it is possible to have the user enter a password, and to receive the operation only when the entered password and a pre-registered password match. In this way, by only receiving operation from a specified user having prior authorization, it is possible to prevent many unspecified and unauthorized persons from making improper changes to the association between image data and air conditioners.

Moreover, as was described above, it is also possible to only allow users having prior authorization to edit maintenance information.

It is also possible for the icons 102 that represent the air conditioners on the monitoring screen such as in FIG. 4 to be images of the air conditioners. In other words, the icons 102 may be images based on reduced image data of the image data 606 that corresponds to the air conditioners. In this way, it is possible for the user to check the installation state of each air conditioner on the monitoring screen without having to select the icon.

Moreover, by applying the program that is executed by the air-conditioning management device 1 according to this embodiment to an existing personal computer (PC) or the like, it is possible to cause such a PC to function as an air-conditioning management device according to the present invention. In other words, by applying a program such as that executed by the controller 40 described above to an existing PC or the like, and executing that program by a CPU or the like in the PC or the like, it is possible for the PC or the like to function as the air-conditioning management device according to the present invention.

The distribution method for this kind of program is arbitrary, and, for example, it is possible for the program to be stored and distributed on a computer-readable recording medium such as a flexible disk, a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read-Only Memory), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), a MO (Magneto Optical Disk, a memory card and the like. Alternatively, it is possible for the program to be stored on a disk drive of a server device on a communication network such as the Internet, and the program to be distributed on a carrier wave from the server device by way of that communication network.

In this case, when the functions described above are achieved by sharing between an OS (Operating System) and an application program, or when achieved by the OS working together with the application program, it is possible to store only the application program portion on a recording medium or the like.

Having described and illustrated the principles of this application by reference to one preferred embodiment, it should be apparent that the preferred embodiment may be modified in arrangement and detail without departing from the principles disclosed herein and that it is intended that the application be construed as including all such modifications and variations insofar as they come within the spirit and scope of the subject matter disclosed herein.

Industrial Applicability

The present invention is suitably applied to an air-conditioning system of a building, a factory or the like having many air conditioners.

Reference Signs List

1 Air-conditioning management device

10 Display

101 Floor plan

102 Icon

103, 104 Button

20 Operation receiver

30 Communicator

40 Controller

401 Air-conditioning controller

402 Image data registrator

403 Image data setter

404 Device display controller

50 External inputter/outputter

60 Data storage

601 Floor plan management table

602 Device information table

603 Registered image information table

604 Mode state data

605 Floor plan data

606 Image data

2 Outdoor device

3 (3A, 3B) Indoor device

4 (4A, 4B) Remote control

5 Communication line

AIR-CONDITIONING MANAGEMENT DEVICE, AND PROGRAM

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CPC

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