JP2002279570A - Remote monitoring system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the number of calls for alarming in a freezer for improving user's confidence in the freezer and a remote monitoring system. SOLUTION: When an alarm is given from a gas heat pump air condition, a CPU 11 in the remote monitoring device 1 determines whether the type of the alarm is above a calling level (set to be intermediate level) or not. If the level is above the intermediate level, a call is given to a host computer 4 in a monitoring center via a public communication line 3. If the level is below the intermediate level, an alarm is reset if resetting is allowed according to a decision by each switch part for resetting an alarm of the gas heat pump air conditioner, while if resetting is not allowed according to the decision, operation is returned and repeated in the same way.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an absorption type water heater / cooler,
The present invention relates to a remote monitoring system for an air conditioner such as a gas heat pump air conditioner and a package air conditioner, a refrigeration showcase, and a refrigerator such as a refrigerator.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional remote monitoring system of this type, when an alarm or the like is generated from the refrigerating apparatus, the system is immediately notified to a host computer via a remote monitoring adapter.

[0003]

For this reason, processing (communication traffic) on the host computer side becomes busy or a call (call) occurs due to an alarm or the like (for example, a communication error) that frequently occurs in a property (for example, a building). There is a problem that the communication cost increases due to the large number of times. Also, if an alarm is frequently issued from the refrigerator,
Customers are distrusted by the refrigeration equipment and remote monitoring system.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to eliminate the above-mentioned disadvantages by reducing the number of calls made at the time of warning of the refrigerating apparatus and performing reset processing of the warning in some cases.

[0005]

Means for Solving the Problems For this reason, the first invention provides
A remote monitoring system including a refrigerating device such as an air conditioner, a refrigerated showcase, a refrigerator, a remote monitoring device for remotely monitoring the refrigerating device, and a host computer for receiving information from the remote monitoring device via a communication line. A switch for setting a level of an alarm issued from the refrigeration apparatus, and a control device that controls the host computer to transmit the alarm only when the level is equal to or higher than the level set on the switch. It is characterized by having been provided.

A second invention is the remote monitoring system, wherein the setting switches for setting the levels of a communication system, a refrigerant system, and a drive system alarm issued from the refrigerating apparatus, respectively, and setting of these setting switches. A transmission level switch for setting the remote monitoring device to transmit the alarm to the host computer only when the level is higher than a predetermined level.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the remote monitoring system, further comprising a control device for controlling an alarm issued from the refrigerating device to be transmitted to the host computer at predetermined time intervals. .

A fourth aspect of the present invention is the remote monitoring system, wherein the interval time setting switch for setting an interval for transmitting an alarm from the refrigeration apparatus is provided to the host computer at intervals set by the setting switch. And a control device for controlling the transmission of the alarm.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the remote monitoring system, wherein the control device controls the transmission of the alarm to the host computer when the number of alarms issued from the refrigerating device reaches a certain number. Is provided.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the remote monitoring system, wherein a setting switch for setting the number of times of the communication system, the refrigerant system, and the drive system alarm issued from the refrigeration system, and a setting switch for these setting switches. A control device that controls the host computer to transmit the alarm when the number of times has been reached.

A seventh aspect of the present invention is the remote monitoring system, wherein the setting switch is provided for setting the number of communication system, refrigerant system and drive system alarms issued from the refrigeration system, respectively, and the setting switch is set to the setting switch. A reset permission switch for setting whether or not to reset the alarm if the number of times is less than the number of times set in accordance with each setting switch; and And a control device for controlling the transmission of the control signal.

An eighth invention is the remote monitoring system, wherein the setting switch for setting the number of alarms issued from the refrigerating device, and the host when the number set in the setting switch is reached. And a control device for controlling the computer to transmit the alarm.

A ninth invention is the remote monitoring system, comprising: a setting switch for setting the number of alarms issued from the refrigeration apparatus; and the alarm when the number of alarms is less than the number set in the setting switch. A reset permission switch for setting whether or not to reset, and a control device that controls the host computer to transmit the alarm when the number of times set in the setting switch has been reached. And

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment applied to an air conditioner among refrigeration systems such as an air conditioner, a refrigerated showcase, and a refrigerator will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, FIG.
The configuration of the remote monitoring system of FIG. 1 and the remote monitoring device 1 of FIG. 2 will be described. The remote monitoring device 1 is connected to an outdoor unit 2 of a gas heat pump air conditioner, which is one of a plurality of refrigeration systems, for example, a plurality of (two in this embodiment) air conditioners for conditioning air in each room. And
It is also connected via a public communication line 3 to a host computer 4 at a remote monitoring center at a remote location. 5 is an indoor unit of the gas heat pump air conditioner, and there are four indoor units 5 corresponding to the outdoor unit 2 on the left in FIG.
There are two indoor units 5 corresponding to the outdoor unit 2 on the right. The remote monitoring device 1 and the outdoor unit 2 are connected to the outdoor unit 2 again.
The two are connected by a communication line 6.

The remote monitoring device 1 is provided, for example, near the outdoor unit 2 of the gas heat pump air conditioner. Usually, the operation information is periodically read from the gas heat pump air conditioner and remotely monitored, and the operation information is transmitted to the public communication system. The operation data is transmitted to the host computer 4 via the line 3 and the operation data is periodically collected from the host computer 4 to check the operation state. Data (content data relating to an alarm) is transmitted (after transmission, that is, after calling, and then transmitted), and maintenance prediction / inspection information and data at the time of information transmission are transmitted from the outdoor unit 2 to the host computer 4.

[0016] The remote monitoring system described above monitors the operating status of a gas heat pump air conditioner, which is an air conditioner, by three times.
Monitoring is performed 24 hours a day, 65 days a year, and prompt and appropriate responses can be made based on the alarm and the data at the time of the alarm.

Next, the remote monitoring device 1 will be described in detail. A microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a "microcomputer") 10 as a main control unit includes a CPU 11 for overall control, a RAM 12 for storing various data, and a ROM 13 for storing program data. And And the microcomputer 10
Is connected to the host computer 4 via the public communication line 3 via the communication modem 14 and to each of the outdoor units 2 via the interface 15.
Note that the use of the modem 14 for communicating with the host computer 4 is not limited. Depending on the communication means, for example, wireless communication, Ethernet (registered trademark) communication, or the like is also conceivable.

The remote monitoring device 1 includes a microcomputer 10
A setting switch 16 connected thereto, a non-volatile memory 17 which does not lose its stored contents even when the power is turned off, a static RAM 18 for data storage, and a timing circuit 19 for periodically taking in operation information of the gas heat pump air conditioner. Built-in, the static RAM 18
The battery charging circuit and the battery switching circuit 20 connected to the battery 21 are connected to the time counting circuit 19. Therefore, the battery 21 is charged by the battery charging circuit during energization, and the battery 2 is charged during power failure.
In order to enable the clock circuit 19 and the static RAM 18 to operate for a certain period of time, the battery switching circuit switches the power of the clock circuit 19 and the static RAM 18 to the battery 21 in the event of a power failure.

The battery 21 may be a non-rechargeable primary battery. In that case, the battery charging circuit becomes unnecessary.

The microcomputer 1 of the remote monitoring device 1
0 uses the timing circuit 19 to read two pieces of periodic information from the gas heat pump air conditioner via the communication line 6 and store the information in the static RAM 18, and when necessary, for example, when an abnormality is detected. It is transmitted to the host computer 4.

Next, in order to reduce the number of calls by limiting the calling (calling) of the alarm of the gas heat pump air conditioner by the remote monitoring device 1, the degree of the alarm is first divided into a plurality of levels. A first embodiment in which a call is made by a call will be described. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the setting switch 16 has four switch sections, and the switch section 16A for communication system alarm is set to, for example, "0.0" and the level is set to "low", and the refrigerant The switch unit 16B for system warning is set to "1.0" and the level is set to "medium", and the switch unit 16C for engine system (drive system) warning is set to "0.1" and the level is "high". The calling level switch unit 16D is set to “1.0” and the level is set to “medium”.

Therefore, since the level is set to "medium" in the call level switch section 16D, the call is made only when the level of each of the switch sections 16A, 16B and 16C issues an alarm of "medium" or higher. The setting data is set in the static R
Stored in AM18.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, when an alarm is issued from the gas heat pump air conditioner, the CPU 11 of the remote monitoring device 1 sets the type of the alarm to the above-mentioned calling level (set to "medium"). It is determined whether or not this is the case. And
If it is "medium" or more, a call is made to the host computer 4 in the monitoring center through the public communication line 3 (alarm and content data relating to the alarm are transmitted). It resets if possible, resets the alarm of the gas heat pump air conditioner, or returns to the original if it cannot be reset with the same judgment, and so on.

The information received from the remote monitoring device 1 is stored in a server of the host computer 4.

Next, a description will be given of a second embodiment in which the remote monitoring device 1 sets a call interval in order to reduce the number of calls by limiting the number of calls for alarming the gas heat pump air conditioner. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, when the interval time setting switch section 16E of the setting switch 16 is set to, for example, "3" (call interval is 3 hours),
This setting data is stored in the static RAM 18.

Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the time counting circuit 19 starts time counting, an alarm is issued from the gas heat pump air conditioner, and the CPU 11 of the remote monitoring device 1 determines whether three hours of the calling interval have elapsed. Judge constantly. When three hours have passed, the information relating to the alarm stored in the monitoring center is transmitted to the host computer 4 through the public communication line 3 and a call is made (alarm and content data relating to the alarm are transmitted), and the time is cleared, Start timing again. If the elapsed time has not elapsed, the alarm is reset if the alarm can be reset by judging from the setting switch section 16E, or the alarm of the gas heat pump air conditioner is reset. It is a repetition.

Next, in order to reduce the number of calls by limiting the number of times the gas heat pump air conditioner generates an alarm, the remote monitoring device 1 manages the number of alarms to make a call. An embodiment will be described. First, a case where the number of alarms is set will be described. That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the setting switch 16 has three alarm frequency setting switches, and a switch 16F for a communication system alarm.
Is set to, for example, "4 times", the switch unit 16G for the refrigerant system alarm is set to "3 times", the switch unit 16H for the engine system alarm is set to "2 times", and the alarm is automatically reset. There are three permission switch units, the switch unit 16I for the communication system alarm is set to, for example, "ON", the switch unit 16J for the refrigerant system alarm is set to "OFF", and the switch for the engine system alarm is set. The section 16K is set to “OFF”, and these setting data are stored in the static RAM 18.

As shown in FIG. 8, when a communication-related alarm is generated, the counter of the microcomputer 10 is incremented by "1", and the number of times is set to the number-of-alarms setting switch unit 1.
The CPU 11 compares the set number of times “6 times” with 6F with “4 times”
Since it is still "one time", it is four times or less, and the CPU 11 determines whether the alarm can be automatically reset from the setting state of the reset permission switch 16I. Since the setting state is "ON", the alarm of the gas heat pump air conditioner is reset. In this way, when the value of the counter becomes “4”, the CPU 11
Makes a call to the host computer 4 and resets the counter.

The above is the operation in the case where the communication system alarm is generated. Similarly, when the refrigerant system alarm and the engine system alarm are issued and the set number of times reaches "3" and "2", respectively, the CPU 11 Is to send a call to the host computer 4 (to transmit an alarm and content data relating to the alarm) and reset the counter.

Next, in order to reduce the number of times of calling by limiting the number of times of alarming of the gas heat pump air conditioner in the remote monitoring device 1, the fourth case in which the number of alarming data is used to make a call.
An embodiment will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 9, the setting switch 16 has one alarm number setting switch unit 16L including a communication system alarm, a refrigerant system alarm, and an engine system alarm, and an alarm automatic reset permission switch unit 16M. There is one.

As shown in FIG. 10, when any of the alarms including the communication alarm, the refrigerant alarm, and the engine alarm occurs, the counter of the microcomputer 10 advances by "1". CPU 11 compares the number of times set by the number-of-alarms setting switch unit 16L with “5 times”, and the number is 5 or less because the number is still “one time”. Does not reset the alarm of the gas heat pump air conditioner because the setting state is “OFF”. Thus, when the value of the counter becomes “5”, the CP
U11 makes a call to the host computer 4 (transmits the alarm and the contents data relating to the alarm) and resets the counter.

The above switch units 16A to 16D,
16I to 16M are slide switches.

The remote control 22 (remote controller) for the user's operation of the gas heat pump air conditioner (operation such as start / stop and temperature setting) displays an alarm when an alarm is generated. It is not operating. Therefore, it is possible to forcibly reset the alarm by the alarm reset setting from the remote monitoring device 1 when an alarm occurs.

Furthermore, although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, various alternatives, modifications, or variations are possible for those skilled in the art based on the above description, and the above-described various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Inclusive of alternatives, modifications or variations of

[0035]

Conventionally, there has been a problem that the processing (communication traffic) on the host computer side becomes busy due to frequent alarms (for example, communication errors, etc.) and the communication cost increases due to the large number of calls. Also, if an alarm is frequently issued from the refrigeration system, the customer may be distrusted with the refrigeration system or the remote monitoring system.
In some cases, by performing an alarm reset process,
The above problem can be solved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a system configuration diagram of a remote monitoring system.

FIG. 2 shows a configuration diagram of a remote monitoring device.

FIG. 3 shows a setting switch according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 shows a setting switch according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 shows a setting switch according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of the third embodiment.

FIG. 9 shows a setting switch according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of the fourth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Remote monitoring apparatus 2 Outdoor unit 3 Public communication line 4 Host computer 5 Indoor unit 10 Microcomputer 11 CPU 16 Setting switch 19 Timing circuit

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (Reference) H04Q 9/00 311 H04Q 9/00 311J (72) Inventor Satoru Suzuki 1 Otsukicho, Ashikaga-shi, Tochigi Sanyo Electric Air Conditioning Co., Ltd. F-term in the company (reference) 3L045 AA02 BA09 CA02 DA02 HA03 HA07 LA18 MA12 MA16 NA16 NA18 NA19 PA02 PA03 PA06 3L061 BA05 5C087 AA02 AA03 BB11 BB74 DD08 DD38 EE08 FF01 FF04 GG29 GG37 GG55 GG66 GG70 EB11 GG66 HA01 HA02 5K101 KK13 LL01

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A refrigerating device such as an air conditioner, a refrigerated showcase, or a refrigerator, a remote monitoring device for remotely monitoring the refrigerating device, and a host computer for receiving information from the remote monitoring device via a communication line. A switch for setting a level of an alarm issued from the refrigeration apparatus, and controlling to send the alarm to the host computer only when the level is equal to or higher than a level set on the switch. A remote monitoring system, comprising: 2. A refrigerating device such as an air conditioner, a refrigerated showcase, a refrigerator, a remote monitoring device for remotely monitoring the refrigerating device, and a host computer for receiving information from the remote monitoring device via a communication line. A setting switch for setting a level of a communication system, a refrigerant system, and a drive system alarm issued from the refrigerating device, respectively, and a level set to these setting switches is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. And a transmission level switch for setting the remote monitoring device to transmit the alarm to the host computer. 3. A refrigerating device such as an air conditioner, a refrigerated showcase or a refrigerator, a remote monitoring device for remotely monitoring the refrigerating device, and a host computer for receiving information from the remote monitoring device via a communication line. A remote monitoring system comprising: a control device that controls an alarm issued from the refrigerating device to be transmitted to the host computer at predetermined time intervals. 4. A refrigerating device such as an air conditioner, a refrigerated showcase, or a refrigerator, a remote monitoring device for remotely monitoring the refrigerating device, and a host computer for receiving information from the remote monitoring device via a communication line. An interval time setting switch for setting an interval for sending an alarm from the refrigeration apparatus, and controlling to send the alarm to the host computer at intervals set by the setting switch. A remote monitoring system, comprising: 5. A refrigerating device such as an air conditioner, a refrigerated showcase, a refrigerator, a remote monitoring device for remotely monitoring the refrigerating device, and a host computer for receiving information from the remote monitoring device via a communication line. A remote monitoring system comprising: a control device that controls the host computer to transmit the alarm when the number of alarms issued from the refrigerating device reaches a certain number. Remote monitoring system. 6. A refrigerating device such as an air conditioner, a refrigerated showcase, a refrigerator, a remote monitoring device for remotely monitoring the refrigerating device, and a host computer for receiving information from the remote monitoring device via a communication line. A remote monitoring system comprising: a communication system, a refrigerant system, and a setting switch for respectively setting the number of times of a drive system alarm issued from the refrigeration apparatus;
A remote control system comprising: a control device that controls the host computer to transmit the alarm when the number of times set by the setting switches has been reached. 7. A refrigerating device such as an air conditioner, a refrigerated showcase, a refrigerator, a remote monitoring device for remotely monitoring the refrigerating device, and a host computer for receiving information from the remote monitoring device via a communication line. A remote monitoring system comprising: a communication system, a refrigerant system, and a setting switch for respectively setting the number of times of a drive system alarm issued from the refrigeration apparatus;
A reset permission switch for setting whether or not to reset the alarm when the number of times set in the setting switch is less than the number of times set in the setting switch. And a control device for controlling the host computer to transmit the alarm. 8. A refrigerating device such as an air conditioner, a refrigerated showcase, or a refrigerator, a remote monitoring device for remotely monitoring the refrigerating device, and a host computer for receiving information from the remote monitoring device via a communication line. A setting switch for setting the number of alarms issued from the refrigeration apparatus, and transmitting the alarm to the host computer when the number of times set in the setting switch has been reached. And a control device for controlling the remote control. 9. A refrigerating device such as an air conditioner, a refrigerated showcase, a refrigerator, a remote monitoring device for remotely monitoring the refrigerating device, and a host computer for receiving information from the remote monitoring device via a communication line. A setting switch for setting the number of alarms issued from the refrigeration apparatus, and setting whether or not to reset the alarm when the number of times set in the setting switch is less than the setting switch. A remote monitoring system, comprising: a reset permission switch for controlling the transmission of the alarm to the host computer when the number of times set by the setting switch has been reached.