JP4244738B2 - Equipment monitoring and control system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device monitoring control master device that monitors and / or controls one or more devices , a device monitoring control slave device, and a device monitoring control master device and a device monitoring control slave device of a device monitoring control system. The present invention relates to a device monitoring control system including a setting information management server that manages setting information related to communication.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a device monitoring control system that includes devices such as lighting fixtures and air conditioning equipment, and a device monitoring control master unit that is connected to these devices via a communication line and centrally monitors and controls the operating state of these devices. Are known. In recent years, with the development of communication technologies represented by the Internet, control information for controlling the operation state of devices from a communication terminal that can be connected to the Internet to the device monitoring control parent device, Receiving monitoring information related to the operating state of the device from the machine is also incorporated in the device monitoring control system as disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the configuration of the remote control system described in Patent Document 1. As shown in FIG. In FIG. 13, Patent Document 1 discloses a terminal device 310 (substantially corresponding to the above-described device monitoring control slave device) having a function of transmitting / receiving e-mail, and a host device 320 connected to the terminal device 310 via a communication network 300. A monitoring device 350 (substantially corresponding to the device monitoring control master unit) connected to the host device 320 and monitoring the operating state of a plurality of controlled devices 360 (substantially corresponding to the devices). Discloses a remote control system (substantially corresponding to the device monitoring control system) that controls the operating states of a plurality of controlled devices 360 monitored by a monitoring device 350 based on an operation control mail transmitted from the device.

Here, in order to transmit / receive control information and monitoring information between the device monitoring control master unit and the device monitoring control slave unit via the communication network, the device monitoring control master unit communicates with any device monitoring control slave unit. Since it depends on those users (users), it is necessary to set in advance the setting information related to communication with the device monitoring control slave unit in the device monitoring control master unit. Therefore, conventionally, the device monitoring control parent device has an input unit for inputting setting information, or an interface for connecting to a terminal device (console or portable computer) for inputting setting information. I was preparing for the machine. When the device monitoring control master unit is installed using the input unit or the terminal device, the installer inputs the setting information for each item of the setting information.
JP 2003-018666 A

  By the way, there is a problem that the setting information setting method in which the installer inputs the setting information one by one for each item is troublesome. Further, in the case of using a terminal device, it is necessary to connect the terminal device to an interface, and since it is necessary to establish communication between the terminal device and the device monitoring control master unit, there is a problem that trouble may occur. In particular, it is sufficient if the installer is a person who is familiar with the technology of the device monitoring control master unit. However, in the case of ordinary people, these problems are serious.

  Moreover, since it is necessary to provide an input part and an interface, the problem that size reduction and cost reduction of an apparatus monitoring control main machine also arises. A program for operating the input unit and the interface is also necessary. In particular, the setting information is not of the nature of frequently changing the contents, and is usually set only when the device monitoring control master unit is installed or when the setting information changes, and can be set once or several times. Providing an input unit, an interface, and its program just for this purpose is not very cost effective.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a device monitoring control system including a device monitoring control parent device that sets setting information via a setting information management server that manages setting information. With the goal.

In order to achieve the above object, in the first means according to the present invention, the device monitoring control system transmits monitoring information related to the operating state of the device and / or receives control information for controlling the operating state of the device. by performing via the communication network, one or a device monitoring control master unit to monitor and / or control a plurality of devices, information in which set information regarding the reception of information and / or the control information related to transmission of the monitor information A setting information management server managed in association with an identifier that is a code for identifying the device monitoring control master device, and a device that receives the monitoring information and / or transmits the control information via the communication network A monitoring control slave unit, wherein the device monitoring control slave unit stores the identifier and the setting information in the setting information management server in order to register the setting information in the setting information management server. The device monitoring control master device includes a first interface unit for communicating with the setting information management server, a second communication interface unit for communicating with the one or more devices, and the device. A storage unit that stores the identifier of the monitoring control parent device in advance and can store the setting information, and the setting information set by the device monitoring control slave device from the setting information management server using the identifier of the storage unit And the acquired setting information is stored in the storage unit .

Then, the equipment monitoring control system according to the first aspect described above, the equipment monitoring control master unit, the setting information which the equipment monitoring control handset in the storage unit is configured to determine whether it is stored, the When the setting information set by the device monitoring control slave is not stored, the setting information set by the device monitoring control slave is acquired from the setting information management server, and the acquired setting information is stored in the storage unit. A control unit is provided.

Further, in these device monitoring control systems described above, the device monitoring control master unit further includes a trigger input unit for starting processing for acquiring setting information set by the device monitoring control slave unit, and the control unit includes: When a trigger is input from the trigger input unit, the setting information set by the device monitoring control slave unit is acquired from the setting information management server using the first communication interface unit using the identifier of the storage unit. The acquired setting information is stored in the storage unit.

In the device monitoring control system described above, the identifier is a MAC address (Media Access Control Address). Communication between the device monitoring control master and the setting information monitoring server uses an e-mail protocol or a web protocol.

In such an arrangement the equipment monitoring control system, transmit device monitoring control slave unit setting information to the setting information managing server, equipment monitoring control master unit may acquire the setting information automatically from the setting information management server Set. For this reason, the installer does not need to directly input the setting information to the device monitoring control master unit, and can improve the workability. Since the device monitoring control master unit does not need to include an input unit, an interface, and a program for operating them, the cost can be reduced and the size can be reduced.

Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, the structure which attached | subjected the same code | symbol in each figure shows that it is the same structure, The description is abbreviate | omitted. First, the configuration of the present embodiment will be described.
(Configuration of the embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a remote device monitoring control system. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the device monitoring control master unit. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a setting information database. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a monitoring control information database.

  1, the remote device monitoring control system monitors and / or monitors the setting information management server 11, one or a plurality of devices 21 (in this embodiment, a plurality of devices 21-A, 21-B,...). The device monitoring control master device 12, the device monitoring control slave device 13 and the monitoring control information server 14 to be controlled are configured, and the setting information management server 11, the device monitoring control master device 12, the device monitoring control slave device 13 and the monitoring control are configured. The information servers 14 are connected by a communication network 15 so that they can communicate with each other.

  The device monitoring control parent device (hereinafter abbreviated as “parent device”) 12 transmits the monitoring information related to the operation state of the device 21 and / or receives control information for controlling the operation state of the device 21 through the communication network 15. The setting information, which is information related to transmission of monitoring information and / or information related to reception of control information, is acquired from the setting information management server 11 and set. .

  The device 21 is a device to be monitored and controlled by the parent device 12 and operates using electricity as an energy source. For example, an adjustment device that adjusts an office environment and a dwelling environment such as a lighting fixture and an air conditioner, a monitoring camera, an interphone, Housing equipment such as housing information panels and electric lock devices, security sensors, fire sensors, gas leak sensors, humidity sensors and other sensors (detectors), metering equipment such as wattmeters, gas meters and water meters, televisions, videotapes Home appliances such as recorders, DVD recorders, hard disk recorders and washing machines, information processing devices such as computers, communication devices such as telephones and facsimile machines, medical devices such as pulse meters, thermometers, blood oximeters and electrocardiographs, and These are switches for making emergency calls. One or a plurality of devices 21 are installed in the building 1 and transmit and receive communication signals to and from the parent device 12 via the communication line 20. The building 1 is, for example, a detached house, an apartment house, an office building, a warehouse, and a factory.

  The master unit 12, the communication line 20, and the device 21 constitute a local area network in the building 1 and configure a centralized monitoring control system in which the device 21 is centrally monitored and / or controlled by the master unit 12. To do. In FIG. 1, one centralized monitoring control system is shown, but actually there are a plurality. The master unit 12 also has a gateway function for mutually converting the communication protocol of the centralized monitoring control system and the communication protocol of the communication network 15 between the centralized monitoring control system and the communication network 15. The configuration of base unit 12 will be described later.

  The setting information management server 11 is a server computer that manages setting information in association with an identifier (parent device identification ID) that is a code for identifying the parent device 12. In the present embodiment, the setting information management server 11 includes a setting information database (hereinafter, abbreviated as “setting information DB”) 100 that registers a master device identification ID and setting information in association with each other, and includes a device monitoring controller. While registering the setting information received from the machine 13 in the setting information DB 100, when receiving a communication signal (setting information request signal) requesting transmission of the setting information from the parent machine 12, the setting information corresponding to the parent machine 12 is returned. . For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the setting information DB 100 includes fields of a parent device identification ID field 101 for registering a parent device identification ID and a setting information field 102 for registering setting information. (That is, for each device monitoring control device 12). In FIG. 3, “Infoa” is registered in the setting information when the parent device identification ID is IDpa, “Infob” is registered as the setting information when the parent device identification ID is IDpb, and “Infoc” is set as the setting information when the parent device identification ID is IDpc. It is shown that it is registered.

  The setting information field 102 includes a control information receiving destination field for registering the receiving destination of the control information and the monitoring information so that a case where the receiving destination of the control information is different from the transmitting destination of the monitoring information can be dealt with. May be configured with a monitoring information transmission destination field for registering the transmission destination.

  The device monitoring control slave unit (hereinafter abbreviated as “slave unit”) 13 is a device that can communicate with the setting information management server 11 and the monitoring control information server using the communication network 15. In the present embodiment, since the Internet is used for the communication network 15 and control information is transmitted and monitoring information is received using e-mail, the slave unit 13 is further equipped with a mailer and can send and receive e-mail. Device. The subunit | mobile_unit 13 is a mobile communication terminal (for example, mobile telephone), PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), a portable personal computer, a desktop computer etc. which were provided with such a function, for example.

  The monitoring control information server 14 is a server computer that accumulates control information from the child device 13 and event information from the parent device 12, and is a server computer that manages operation state value information related to the operation state value of the device 21. In the present embodiment, the monitoring information related to the operation state of the device 21 is divided into two types of operation state value information and event information according to the type of the device 21. The operation state value information is information indicating the operation state itself of the device 21, and includes on / off of the device 21, a target value of the operation, a value detected by the device 21, and the like. The event information is information indicating what the detection output of the device 21 means, such as a fire report, a gas leak report, and an intruder report.

  The monitoring control information server 14 accumulates the control information received from the child device 13 and transmits the control information to the parent device 12 in response to a request from the parent device 12, while accumulating the event information received from the parent device 12. Event information is transmitted to the slave unit 13 in response to a request from the slave unit 13. The base unit 12 controls the operation of the device 21 according to the content of the received control information. The monitoring control information server 14 includes an operation state value information database (hereinafter abbreviated as “operation state information DB”) 120 that registers and associates a master unit identification ID and operation state value information. The operation state value information received from 12 is registered in the operation state value information DB 120. On the other hand, when a communication signal (operation state value information request signal) requesting transmission of the operation state value information is received from the child device 13, The operation state value information corresponding to the parent device 12 to be paired is returned.

  In this embodiment, the monitoring control information server 14 performs transmission / reception of control information and transmission / reception of monitoring information using electronic mail, so that electronic mail of control information from the slave unit 13 and electronic information of event information from the parent unit 12 are transmitted. It is a mail server computer that stores mail, and is a server computer that manages operation state value information related to the operation state value of the device 21. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the operation state value information DB 120 includes fields of a parent device identification ID field 121 for registering a parent device identification ID and an operation state information field 122 for registering operation state value information. Created for each parent machine identification ID. In FIG. 4, Data is registered as the operation state value information when the parent device identification ID is IDpa, Data is registered as the operation state value information when the parent device identification ID is IDpb, and the operation state when the parent device identification ID is IDpc. The value information indicates that Dataac is registered.

  The communication network 15 is a transmission line such as a telephone network, a digital communication network, and a wireless communication network, and data is transmitted using a predetermined communication protocol. The communication network 15 includes, for example, HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol), FTP (File Transfer Protocol), SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol), POP3 (Post Office Protocol ver. 3), and TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol). Internet protocol is used to configure the Internet.

  Next, the configuration of the device monitoring control master device 12 will be described. In FIG. 2, the parent device 12 includes a network communication interface unit 31, a control unit 32, a device communication interface unit 33, and a storage unit 34.

  The network communication interface unit 31 is a circuit for communicating with the communication network 15, generates a communication signal according to the communication protocol of the communication network 15 from the data from the control unit 32, and transmits the communication signal from the communication network 15. The data is converted into a format that can be processed by the control unit 32. The device communication interface unit 33 is a circuit for communicating with the device 21, and generates a communication signal according to the communication protocol of the centralized monitoring control system from the data from the control unit 32 and a communication signal from the centralized monitoring control system. Is converted into data in a format that can be processed by the control unit 32.

  The control unit 32 includes, for example, a microprocessor, and includes a device monitoring control processing unit 321 that monitors and / or controls the device 21, a setting status determination processing unit 322 that determines the presence or absence of setting information in the storage unit 34, The control unit 32 includes a setting information management processing unit 323 that stores setting information in the storage unit 34, and the control unit 32 sets the network communication interface unit 31, the device communication interface unit 33, and the storage unit 34 according to the function according to a program. Control.

  The storage unit 34 includes a semiconductor memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) and an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), for example, and includes a setting information management server information storage unit 341, a setting An information storage unit 342, a monitoring control information storage unit 343, an event information storage unit 344, and a parent device identification ID storage unit 345, each program such as a program for operating the device monitoring control parent device 12 (not shown) ), Data during execution of each program (not shown), data after execution of each program (not shown), and the like are stored.

  The setting information management server information storage unit 341 stores information necessary for the parent device 12 to access the setting information management server 11 in advance. For example, it is stored in the manufacturing stage and the shipping stage. In the present embodiment, the setting information management server information storage unit 341 stores the domain name of the setting information management server 11 in order to enable access even when the IP address of the setting information management server 11 is changed, for example. . Note that the configuration information management server information storage unit 341 may be configured to store the IP address of the configuration information management server 11.

  The setting information storage unit 342 stores setting information that is information related to transmission of monitoring information and / or information related to reception of control information. In this embodiment, since the Internet is used as the communication network 15 and an electronic mail is used for transmission / reception of monitoring information and transmission / reception of control information, information relating to transmission of monitoring information includes, for example, the transmission destination of the monitoring information It is a mail address, and information related to reception of control information is a mail address of a reception destination of control information. In this embodiment, since the monitoring information transmission / reception and the control information transmission / reception use a common mail server on the monitoring control information server 14, the monitoring information transmission destination mail address and the control information receiving destination The email address is the same.

  The monitoring control information storage unit 343 stores the operation state value information of the device 21 and the control information of the device 21. The event information storage unit 344 stores an event database in which an event corresponding to the detection output of the device 21 is associated with a message indicating the content of the event.

  The base unit identification ID storage unit 345 stores the base unit identification ID of the base unit 12 in advance. For example, it is stored in the manufacturing stage and the shipping stage. The base unit identification ID may be any code as long as the base unit 12 can be uniquely identified. However, in the present embodiment, since the base unit ID is normally stored in the network connection device, the MAC address (Media Access Control Address) is used. As is well known, the MAC address is represented by 48 bits, and is composed of a first half allocated by IEEE for each manufacturer and a latter half allocated by the manufacturer for each device. As described above, by using the MAC address as the master unit identification ID, it is not necessary to set a code as the master unit identification ID separately, and the storage capacity of the storage unit 34 can be saved. Further, there is no need to execute a process for generating a master unit identification ID, and there is no need for a process for managing the master unit identification ID.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
(Operation of the embodiment)
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a sequence for setting setting information in the device monitoring control master unit. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the device monitoring control parent device when setting information is set in the device monitoring control parent device. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the setting information management server when setting information is returned in response to a request for setting information. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the setting information management server when setting information is registered in the setting information database.

  5 to 8, when the base unit 12 is installed in the building 1 and, for example, a power switch (not shown) is turned on, each part of the base unit 12 is activated (S11, time TP1). When the control unit 32 is activated, the setting status determination processing unit 322 of the control unit 32 determines whether the setting information is stored in the setting information storage unit 342 of the storage unit 34 (S12, time TP2). The determination of the presence / absence of storage in the setting information storage unit 342 is performed, for example, by checking that the setting information is not stored in the setting information storage unit 342. Further, for example, a code (for example, NONE) determined in advance as a code indicating that the setting information is not stored is stored in the setting information storage unit 342 at the manufacturing stage or the factory shipping stage, and this code is stored in the setting information storage. This is done by checking whether it is stored in the unit 342 or not. Further, for example, the setting information storage unit 342 is provided with a storage area for storing a flag indicating whether or not the setting information is stored, and the flag of the storage area is checked. This flag is, for example, “1” or “ON” when the setting information is “present”, and “0” or “OFF” when the setting information is “not present”. Further, for example, the storage contents stored in the setting information storage unit 342 are transmitted on the assumption that the monitoring information is transmitted, and it is determined whether or not the connection with the transmission destination can be established.

  If the setting information is stored in the setting information storage unit 342 as a result of the determination (Yes), the setting status determination processing unit 322 notifies the device monitoring control processing unit 321 of a message indicating that the setting information exists, Upon receiving this message, the device monitoring control processing unit 321 performs the process of S16 described later. On the other hand, if the setting information is not stored in the setting information storage unit 342 as a result of the determination (none), the setting status determination processing unit 322 notifies the setting information management processing unit 323 that there is no setting information. When receiving this message, the setting information management processing unit 323 performs the process of S13.

  That is, in S13, the setting information management processing unit 323 performs dial-up connection and receives an IP address assignment from a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server (not shown). The setting information management processing unit 323 is stored in the base unit identification ID storage unit 345 having the storage contents stored in the setting information management server information storage unit 341 as the transmission destination and the assigned IP address as the transmission source. A communication signal (setting information request signal) is generated that accommodates the own base unit identification ID and information requesting transmission of the setting information. Then, the setting information management processing unit 323 transmits the generated setting information request signal via the network communication interface unit 31 (S13, time TP3). Here, in this embodiment, since the domain name of the setting information management server 11 is stored in the setting information management server information storage unit 341, first, a domain (DNS) server (not shown) uses a domain name. Domain name resolution for converting a name into an IP address is performed, and this IP address is accommodated in the setting information request signal as a transmission destination. Note that an IP address (global IP address) may be assigned to the parent device 12 in advance, and communication may be performed using this IP address directly. Moreover, although the main | base station 12 transmits / receives via the network communication interface part 31 with the exterior, this description is abbreviate | omitted in the following description.

  In FIG. 7, the setting information management server 11 is in a state of waiting for a setting information request signal when its operation is started. When the setting information request signal is received (S21), the setting information management server 11 receives the setting information request signal. The setting information DB 100 is searched based on the parent device identification ID accommodated in the setting information request signal, and it is searched whether there is a record storing the parent device identification ID in the parent device identification ID field 101 ( S22).

  As a result of the search, if there is no record storing the parent machine identification ID in the parent machine identification ID field 101 (none), the setting information management server 11 returns the process to S21 and again sets the request for the setting information request signal. Waiting to receive. On the other hand, as a result of the search, if there is a record storing the parent device identification ID in the parent device identification ID field 101 (Yes), the setting information management server 11 sets the transmission source of the setting information request signal as the transmission destination. Then, a communication signal (setting information signal) accommodating the searched setting information is returned (S23), the process is returned to S21, and the setting information request signal reception waiting state is entered again. In addition, you may comprise so that the main | base station identification ID accommodated in the setting information request signal may be further accommodated in the setting information signal and returned. With this configuration, the base unit 12 that has received the setting information signal collates the base unit identification ID of the setting information signal with the base unit identification ID of the base unit identification ID storage unit 345, so that the base unit 12 uses its own setting information. It can be reliably determined whether or not there is.

  5 and 6, when the setting information request signal is transmitted in S13 (time TP3), the setting information management processing unit 323 determines whether there is a response to the setting information signal (S14). This determination is made based on, for example, whether or not a setting information signal is returned within a certain time. This fixed time is determined in consideration of, for example, the communication speed between the parent device 12 and the setting information management server 11.

  As a result of the determination, if the setting information signal is not returned (the setting information signal addressed to itself is not received) (none), the setting information management processing unit 323 waits for a certain time (wait) (S17), and performs processing To S13. The process of waiting for a certain time in S17 is that if the setting information signal is not returned, even if the setting information request signal is transmitted immediately, the setting information signal cannot be expected to be returned. For example, it is set to 3 minutes or 5 minutes, for example. Further, the predetermined time may be set to be gradually shortened every time the setting information request signal is transmitted and the setting information signal is not returned. This is because the probability that the setting information is registered in the setting information management server 11 increases as time elapses after the startup, so that the setting information is quickly acquired by the parent device 12 after the setting information is registered.

  In the example shown in FIG. 5, the setting information signal is not returned in response to the transmission of the setting information request signal performed at time TP3, and after waiting for a certain time, the setting information request signal is transmitted again at time TP4. Even when the setting information request signal is transmitted, the setting information signal is not returned, and after waiting for a predetermined time, the setting information request signal is transmitted again at time TP5.

  Between this time TP4 and time TP5, in order to register the setting information in the setting information management server 11, the user uses the handset 13 to transmit a communication signal (setting information registration) containing the parent device identification ID and the setting information. Signal) is transmitted to the setting information management server 11 (time TC1). In addition, what is necessary is just to let it notify a user by describing base unit identification ID, for example on the housing | casing surface of the base unit 12, a package (packing), or an instruction manual.

  In FIG. 8, when the operation is started, the setting information management server 11 is in a state of waiting for the setting information registration signal. When receiving the setting information registration signal (S31), the setting information management server 11 receives the setting information registration signal. The parent device identification ID and the setting information accommodated in the setting information registration signal are associated with each other and registered in the setting information DB 100, and the setting information DB 100 is updated (S22). As a result, the setting information is registered in the setting information management server 11.

  5 and FIG. 6, when the setting information is registered in the setting information management server 11 in this way, the setting information management server 11 receives the setting information request signal in S21 of FIG. The presence / absence of information is determined as “present”, and a setting information signal is returned to the parent device 12 in S23 (time TS1).

  As a result, when the setting information management processing unit 323 transmits the setting information request signal again at time TP5, the setting information management processing unit 323 determines “Yes” in the determination of whether or not the setting information signal is returned in S14, and performs setting information setting processing. More specifically, the setting information management processing unit 323 extracts setting information from the setting information signal, and stores the extracted setting information in the setting information storage unit 342 separately for the control information receiving destination and the monitoring information sending destination. Let Note that the transmission destination of the monitoring information may be divided into the transmission destination of the event information and the transmission destination of the operation state value information, or may be plural. In particular, since event information often requires an emergency response, it is preferable that event information is notified promptly to the relevant parties. When there are a plurality of monitoring information transmission destinations, a plurality of monitoring information transmission destination fields are provided accordingly. Then, the setting information management processing unit 323 notifies the device monitoring control processing unit 321 of a message indicating that the setting information has been stored (message indicating that there is setting information) (S15, time TP6).

  Upon receiving this message, the device monitoring control processing unit 321 performs device monitoring control processing as the device monitoring control parent device (S16, time TP7).

  For example, in the device monitoring control process, the operation state value of the device 21 is received from the device 21 at a constant first time interval, and the received operation state value is stored in the monitoring control information storage unit 343. Then, the operation state values of the devices 21 stored in the monitoring control information storage unit 343 at the second time interval longer than the first time interval are collected and the transmission destination of the monitoring information stored in the setting information storage unit 342 is collected. Send to. In addition, when it memorize | stores separately, it transmits to the transmission destination of operation state value information. The operation state value of the device 21 is, for example, an on / off state, a set temperature, an air volume, or the like when the device 21 is an adjustment device such as a lighting fixture or an air conditioner. In the case of a metering device such as a gas meter and a water meter, the values include electric power, gas flow rate, and water flow rate.

  In addition, when the device 21 is a sensor that notifies danger such as a security sensor, a fire sensor, and a gas leak sensor, the device 21 outputs a detection signal to the device monitoring control processing unit 321. When the output from the device 21 is input, the device monitoring control processing unit 321 interprets that an event has occurred. The device monitoring control processing unit 321 searches the event database of the event information storage unit 344 for a message according to the type of the device 21 that has received the detection signal, creates an e-mail including the searched message, and sends the monitoring information to (Or event information transmission destination). If it is stored separately, it is transmitted to the event information transmission destination. For example, when the device 21 is a fire sensor and detects the occurrence of a fire, the device 21 transmits a detection signal to the device monitoring control processing unit 321, and the device monitoring control processing unit 321 detects from the device 21 that is a fire sensor. Because it is a signal, it is interpreted that a fire has occurred, and a message corresponding to the fire sensor, for example, “It seems that a fire has occurred. Please call 119 and immediately return to your home.” Search and create an e-mail with this message as the body, and send it to the monitoring information destination. For example, when the device 21 is an emergency call switch and detects that the switch is turned on, the device 21 transmits a detection signal to the device monitoring control processing unit 321, and the device monitoring control processing unit 321 is an emergency call switch. Because it is a detection signal from the device 21, it is interpreted as an emergency occurrence, and a message corresponding to an emergency call switch, for example, “It seems that an abnormal situation has occurred in a home-based person. Please search ", create an e-mail with this message as the body, and send it to the monitoring information destination.

  The transmitted event information e-mail is stored in the mail server of the monitoring control information server 14. The monitoring control information server 14 notifies the device monitoring control slave unit 13 corresponding to the transmission destination of the monitoring information that there is an event information e-mail. Receiving this notification, the device monitoring control slave unit 13 presents a code indicating that there is an electronic mail and a sound or vibration indicating that there is an electronic mail. The user of the device monitoring control slave unit 13 knows that there is an e-mail by this presentation, receives the event information e-mail, and displays the content on the display unit of the device monitoring control slave unit 13 to display the content. know.

  Further, the device monitoring control processing unit 321 receives the control information at the third time interval at the receiving destination of the control information stored in the setting information storage unit 342. When the control information is received, the device monitoring control processing unit 321 outputs a control signal to the device 21 so that the device 21 becomes the control target value according to the content of the control information.

  Here, when the user controls the device 21, the user creates and transmits an e-mail of control information using the device monitoring control slave unit 13. In the control information e-mail, for example, the main unit identification ID of the main unit 12 is described in the first line of the main body, the information for specifying the device 21 to be controlled is described in the second line, and the third line The information for specifying the function of the device 21 to be controlled is described, and the control target value is described in the fourth row. More specifically, for example, when the base unit identification ID is “123456789ABC”, “123456789ABC” is described in the first line of the main text, and “living lighting equipment” is described in the second line. “Power” is described in the third line, and “Off” is described in the fourth line. Receiving this e-mail, base unit 12 turns off the lighting device in the living room. Also, for example, “123456789ABC” is described in the first line of the text, “living air conditioner” is described in the second line, “temperature setting” is described in the third line, and “temperature setting” is described in the fourth line. "25 ° C". Receiving this e-mail, master device 12 sets the temperature setting of the air conditioner in the living room to 25 ° C.

  As described above, when the base unit 12 according to the present embodiment is installed in a building, it automatically accesses the setting information management server 11 using the storage contents of the setting information management server storage unit 341, and the setting information And the acquired setting information is stored in the setting information storage unit 342. For this reason, the user does not need to directly input the setting information to the parent device 12 simply by registering the setting information in the setting information management server 11 using the child device 13, and the workability can be improved. And since the main | base station 12 does not need to provide an input part, an interface, and the program for operating them, it can aim at cost reduction and can be reduced in size.

  In the above description, transmission / reception of data between the setting information management server 11 and the parent device 12 and transmission / reception of data between the setting information management server 11 and the child device 13 are generally described. First, a case where the setting information management server 11 and the parent device 12 are performed using HTTP of the Web (World Wide Web) and the setting information management server 11 and the child device 13 are performed by e-mail. explain. In this case, since HTTP and electronic mail are used, the setting information management server 11 includes a mail server that transmits and receives electronic mail and a management server that manages the setting information DB 100. Hereinafter, although the case where HTTP is used as a web protocol will be described, a protocol such as HTTPS can also be used.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a sequence for setting setting information in a device monitoring control master device using HTTP.

  9, the transmission of the setting information request signal in S13 in FIG. 6 is performed by making an HTTP request with the parent machine identification ID added to the argument (time TP′3, TP′4, TP′5 in FIG. 9). . The setting information signal is transmitted in S23 of FIG. 7 by sending an HTTP response with the monitoring information transmission destination mail address and the control information reception destination mail address added to the arguments (TS′1 in FIG. 9). -4).

  On the other hand, as the setting information registration signal, the slave unit 13 sends a setting information registration mail in which the main unit identification ID, the monitoring information transmission destination mail address, and the control information reception destination mail address are described in the text. (Time TC′1 in FIG. 9). The setting information registration mail is stored in the mail server of the setting information management server 11. When the setting information registration mail is received by the mail server, the setting information management server 11 receives the master unit identification ID, the monitoring information transmission destination mail address and the control from the setting information registration mail as described with reference to FIG. The mail address of the information receiving destination is taken out, and the mail address of the monitoring information transmission destination and the mail address of the control information receiving address are associated with the master unit identification ID and registered in the setting information DB 100 (time TS′1 in FIG. 9). -1).

  When receiving the HTTP request corresponding to the setting information request signal, the setting information management server 11 searches the setting information DB 100 of the management server based on the parent device identification ID of the argument as described with reference to FIG. (Time TS′1-2 in FIG. 9), the search result is acquired (Time TS′1-3 in FIG. 9), and the above HTTP response is made (TS′1-4 in FIG. 9).

  Further, a case will be described in which the setting information management server 11 and the parent device 12 and the setting information management server 11 and the child device 13 are communicated by e-mail. In this case, since only the e-mail is used, the setting information management server 11 may be a mail server that transmits and receives e-mails, and the master device identification ID and the setting information are described in the setting information registration mail. Since the setting information is stored in the mail server in association with the master unit identification ID, the mail server corresponds to the setting information DB 100 as it is. Hereinafter, although the case where POP3 is used as an e-mail protocol will be described, IMAP4 (Internet Messaging Access Protocol 4) or the like can also be used.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a sequence for setting setting information in the device monitoring control master device using the e-mail protocol.

  10, the setting information request signal is transmitted in S13 of FIG. 6 by designating a mail number (message number) and making a POP3 request (for example, a RETE command) (time TP "3-1 in FIG. 10). , TP "4-1, TP" 5-1), and transmission of the setting information signal in S23 of FIG. 7 is performed by returning a setting information registration mail corresponding to the mail number (TS "of FIG. 10). 3-2, TS "4-2, TS" 5-2,). In this case, the setting information registration mail to be returned is determined only by the mail number regardless of whether or not it corresponds to the parent device 12 that has requested POP3. It is necessary to determine whether or not 323 is a setting information registration mail of its own based on the parent device identification ID described in the received setting information registration mail, and the setting information registration mail in which its own parent device identification ID is described Until the POP3 request is received, it is necessary to increment the mail number by 1 every time a POP3 request is made, and to make a POP3 request.

  On the other hand, as the setting information registration signal, the slave unit 13 sends a setting information registration mail in which the main unit identification ID, the monitoring information transmission destination mail address, and the control information reception destination mail address are described in the text. (Time TC "1 in FIG. 10). The setting information registration mail is stored in the mail server of the setting information management server 11.

  As described above, in the method of using the electronic mail, it is necessary to sequentially search the setting information registration mail stored in the setting information management server 11 until the setting information registration mail describing the setting information of the parent device 12 is received. For this reason, the number of transmissions / receptions between the parent device 12 and the setting information management server 11 increases, which causes an increase in communication traffic in the communication network 15. However, in this method of using e-mail, there is no need to specially construct the setting information DB 100 in which the base unit identification ID and the setting information are associated with each other. There is an advantage that it can be diverted to the setting information management server.

  In the above-described embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the case where the setting information is registered in the setting information management server 11 after the master device 12 is started, that is, after the master device 12 transmits the setting information request signal. As described above, of course, the setting information may be registered in the setting information management server 11 before the master unit 12 is activated. By doing in this way, transmission of a setting information request signal can be reduced and communication traffic can be reduced.

  Further, from the viewpoint of reliably reducing the transmission of the setting information request signal and reducing the communication traffic, the trigger input unit 35 for starting the processing for acquiring the setting information is provided in the base unit 12 as shown by the broken line in FIG. Further, it may be provided. The trigger input unit 35 is, for example, a push button switch. The control unit 32 is further provided with a trigger input detection unit 324 for notifying the setting information management processing unit 323 of a message indicating that the output from the trigger input unit 35 is detected.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a sequence for setting setting information in the device monitoring control master device by trigger input. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the device monitoring control parent device when setting information is set in the device monitoring control parent device by a trigger input.

  11 and 12, when the base unit 12 is installed in the building 1 and, for example, a power switch (not shown) is turned on, each unit of the base unit 12 is activated (S41, time TP11). When the control unit 32 is activated, the setting status determination processing unit 322 of the control unit 32 determines whether the setting information is stored in the setting information storage unit 342 (S42, time TP12).

  If the setting information is stored in the setting information storage unit 342 as a result of the determination (Yes), the setting status determination processing unit 322 notifies the device monitoring control processing unit 321 of a message indicating that the setting information exists, Upon receiving this message, the device monitoring control processing unit 321 performs device monitoring control processing similar to that described above in S47. On the other hand, if the setting information is not stored in the setting information storage unit 342 as a result of the determination (none), the setting status determination processing unit 322 notifies the setting information management processing unit 323 that there is no setting information. When receiving this message, the setting information management processing unit 323 waits for a message indicating that the trigger is detected from the trigger input detection unit 324 (S43).

  In order to register the setting information in the setting information management server 11, the user transmits a setting information registration signal to the setting information management server 11 (time TC11). Then, the user inputs a trigger using the trigger input unit 35. The trigger input detection unit 324 detects this input, and notifies the setting information management processing unit 323 of a message indicating that the trigger has been detected. Upon receiving this notification, the setting information management processing unit 323 transmits a setting information request signal (S44, time TP14) and receives a setting information signal reply from the setting information management server 11 as in S13 of FIG. (S45, time TS11). 6, the setting information management processing unit 323 performs setting information setting processing (S46), and performs device monitoring control processing (S47).

  In this manner, by further providing the trigger input unit 35 in the master unit 12, the number of transmissions of the setting information request signal can be reduced. For this reason, communication traffic can be reduced and the load of the setting information management server 11 can also be reduced.

  Note that an indicator 36 (broken line in FIG. 2) indicating the presence / absence of setting information in the setting information storage unit 342 may be further provided from the viewpoint of promptly prompting the user to set the setting information. The indicator 36 is, for example, an LED or a neon lamp, and is configured to indicate the presence / absence of setting information by turning on and off.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, when the slave unit 13 registers the setting information in the setting information management server 11, the master unit identification ID is used. In particular, when the MAC address is used for the master unit identification ID, 48 bits are used. And long. For this reason, since the input of the master unit identification ID to the slave unit 13 can be troublesome, a product number database indicating the correspondence between the product number and the master unit identification ID in the setting information management server 11 is given to the master unit 12. Is stored by the manufacturer, for example, and the user transmits a setting information registration signal containing the product number and setting information to the setting information management server 11, and the setting information management server 11 uses the product number database to identify the master unit from the product number. You may comprise so that it may convert into ID and setting information may be registered into setting information DB. Since the product number is at least half of the MAC address, that is, 24 bits or less, the number of digits input by the user is halved, and the convenience for the user is improved.

  In the above-described embodiment, the monitoring control information server 14 serves as both a mail server that stores the control information electronic mail and the event information electronic mail and a server that stores the operation state value information of the device 21. A mail server that stores the control information electronic mail and the event information electronic mail may be provided separately from the server that stores the operation state value information of the device 21. Further, a mail server for storing control information electronic mail and a mail server for storing event information electronic mail may be provided separately.

  Further, by transmitting the monitoring information related to the operation state of the device 21 and / or receiving the control information for controlling the operation state of the device 21 through the communication network 15, the one or more devices 21 can be monitored and The setting information setting method of the device monitoring control master 12 for setting the setting information, which is information related to transmission of monitoring information and / or information related to reception of control information, to the device monitoring control master 12 to be controlled is set as the device monitoring control parent. In the program to be executed by the machine 12, a step of determining whether or not the setting information is stored in the storage unit 34, and if the setting information is not stored, the setting information is identified to identify the device monitoring control master unit 12. The setting information monitoring server 11 that is managed in association with the parent device identification ID, which is a code of, is used to request setting information using the parent device identification ID of the device monitoring control parent device 12. And a program comprising a step of storing the setting information acquired from the setting information monitoring server 11 in the storage unit 34 is not stored in the storage unit 34, for example, a program management for managing such a program The server may be configured to transmit to the device monitoring control master device 12 via the communication network 15 and to store in the storage unit 34 of the device monitoring control master device 12. Further, for example, the device monitoring control master device 12 is further provided with an interface capable of transmitting and receiving information from the drive device of the storage medium, and the program is installed in the device monitoring control master device 12 from the storage medium recording such a program. You may comprise as follows. Examples of the storage medium include a memory card, a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, an MO, and a DVD-RW.

It is a figure which shows the structure of an apparatus monitoring control system. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of an apparatus monitoring control main | base station. It is a figure which shows a setting information database. It is a figure which shows the monitoring control information database. It is a figure which shows the sequence which sets setting information to an apparatus monitoring control main | base station. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the apparatus monitoring control main unit in the case of setting setting information in the apparatus monitoring control main unit. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the setting information management server in the case of returning setting information according to the request | requirement of setting information. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the setting information management server in the case of registering setting information in a setting information database. It is a figure which shows the sequence which sets setting information in the apparatus monitoring control main | base station using HTTP. It is a figure which shows the sequence which sets setting information in the apparatus monitoring control main | base station using the protocol of an email. It is a figure which shows the sequence which sets setting information to apparatus monitoring control main | base station by trigger input. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the apparatus monitoring control main unit in the case of setting setting information in the apparatus monitoring control main unit by trigger input. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a remote control system described in Patent Literature 1. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

11 Setting Information Management Server 12 Device Monitoring Control Master Unit 13 Device Monitoring Control Slave Unit 14 Monitoring Control Information Server 32 Control Unit 34 Storage Unit 35 Trigger Input Unit 322 Setting Status Determination Processing Unit 323 Setting Information Management Processing Unit 324 Trigger Input Detection Unit 341 Setting information management server information storage unit 342 Setting information storage unit 345 Base unit identification ID storage unit

Claims (5)

A device monitoring control parent that monitors and / or controls one or more devices by transmitting monitoring information related to the device operating state and / or receiving control information for controlling the device operating state via a communication network. Machine ,
A setting information management server that manages setting information that is information related to transmission of the monitoring information and / or information related to reception of the control information in association with an identifier that is a code for identifying the device monitoring control master unit ;
A device monitoring control slave that performs reception of the monitoring information and / or transmission of the control information via the communication network,
The device monitoring control slave unit transmits the identifier and the setting information to the setting information management server in order to register the setting information in the setting information management server,
The device monitoring control parent device includes a first interface unit for communicating with the setting information management server, a second communication interface unit for communicating with the one or more devices, and the device monitoring control parent device. A storage unit that can store the setting information in advance and the setting information can be stored, and acquires setting information set by the device monitoring control slave unit from the setting information management server using the identifier of the storage unit, Storing the acquired setting information in the storage unit;
Equipment monitoring control system characterized by . The device monitoring control master unit is
It is determined whether or not the setting information set by the device monitoring control slave unit is stored in the storage unit, and when the setting information set by the device monitoring control slave unit is not stored, the setting information management server The apparatus monitoring control system according to claim 1, further comprising: a control unit that acquires setting information set by the apparatus monitoring control slave unit from the storage unit and stores the acquired setting information in the storage unit. The device monitoring control master device further includes a trigger input unit for starting processing for acquiring setting information set by the device monitoring control slave device ,
When the trigger is input from the trigger input unit, the control unit uses the identifier of the storage unit to set the device monitoring control slave unit using the first communication interface unit from the setting information management server The apparatus monitoring control system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein information is acquired, and the acquired setting information is stored in the storage unit. 4. The device monitoring control system according to claim 1, wherein the identifier is a MAC address (Media Access Control Address). 5. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein communication between the device monitoring control master device and the setting information monitoring server uses an e-mail protocol or a web protocol. Supervisory control system .

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