Air-conditioning system and air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus

Abstract

 When a plurality of air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatuses are connected to a client terminal, multiple monitoring screens displayed on a display device of the client terminal are switched as required on the basis of information from the air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatuses. The invention provides an air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus including an air-conditioning monitoring-information storage unit for storing the operating status of each air conditioner; a monitoring-screen creating unit for creating a monitoring screen on the basis of the operating status stored in the air-conditioning monitoring-information storage unit; a link setting unit for setting link information related to the next monitoring screen to be displayed on a display device of the client terminal; and a management-network communication unit for sending the monitoring screen created by the monitoring-screen creating unit and the link information set by the link setting unit to the client terminal.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an air-conditioning system in which a plurality of air conditioners installed in a building, for example, are centrally controlled, and to an air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus used in such an air-conditioning system.

[0002] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-043621, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

2. DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

[0003] A known air-conditioning system in the related art performs central control of a plurality of air conditioners installed in a building. For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, Publication No. 2005-291610 discloses an air-conditioning system in which a client terminal is connected to an air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus via a building-management communication network, and the air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus is connected to a plurality of air conditioners via an air-conditioning control network. The air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus can control each air conditioner on the basis of operating control commands from the client terminal.

[0004] Because the number of air conditioners that can be controlled in the above-described air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus is limited, when many air conditioners are installed in a building, it is necessary to provide a plurality of air-conditioning communication devices. In such a case, the client terminal is connected to the plurality of air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatuses via the building-management communication network.

[0005] There are known methods of displaying air-conditioner operating status information reported to the client terminal from each air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus on a display device of the client terminal as a single-window monitoring screen, for example, a web-based method. In this method, when a plurality of air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatuses are connected, switching between each monitoring screen is achieved by switching between a plurality of windows displayed on the display device of the client terminal. In such a case, the selection of which monitoring screen to make active and which monitoring screen to update is performed manually by the user performing an input operation via an input unit of the client terminal. Therefore, this approach is problematic because the burden placed on the user is large.

[0006] In the event of a malfunction in an air conditioner, the user will not be informed of the malfunction unless he or she selects the monitoring screen for the malfunctioning air conditioner. This is problematic because there is a delay in notifying the user of the air-conditioner malfunction, and therefore, appropriate measures cannot be taken quickly.

[0007] One possible method of automatically changing the monitoring screen displayed on the client terminal involves, for example, downloading software such as a JAVA (registered trademark) applet or the like, containing a monitoring-screen switching procedure, into the client terminal and executing this software in the client terminal, to switch the monitoring screen automatically. This screen switching method, however, is just for switching the monitoring screen according to a predefined procedure; for example, it is not possible to freely adjust the display sequence or the display time of the monitoring screen as required, according to the operating status of the air conditioners.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention has been conceived in light of the above circumstances. An object of the present invention, which is used when a plurality of air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatuses are connected to a client terminal, is to provide an air-conditioning system and an air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus which can switch between a plurality of monitoring screens displayed on a display device of a client terminal as required, based on information from the air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatuses.

[0009] To solve the problems described above, the present invention employs the following solutions.

[0010] The present invention provides an air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus which is connected to at least one air conditioner via an air-conditioning control network and which is connected to a client terminal, configured to centrally control the at least one air conditioner, via a communication network to supply operating status information of the at least one air conditioner to the client terminal, the air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus including an air-conditioning monitoring-information storage unit configured to store the operating status of each air conditioner; a monitoring-screen creating unit configured to create a monitoring screen on the basis of the operating status stored in the air-conditioning monitoring-information storage unit; a link setting unit configured to set link information related to a monitoring screen to be displayed next on a display device of the client terminal; and a communication unit configured to send the monitoring screen created by the monitoring-screen creating unit and the link information set by the link setting unit to the client terminal.

[0011] With this configuration, the operating status of at least one air conditioner connected via the air-conditioning control network is sequentially stored in the air-conditioning monitoring-information storage unit. Then, based on the information stored in this air-conditioning monitoring-information storage unit, a monitoring screen showing the operating status of the air conditioner is created by the monitoring-screen creating unit. By the link setting unit, Link information related to the monitoring screen to be displayed next on the display device of the client terminal is set, and this monitoring screen and link information are sent to the client terminal via the communication unit.

[0012] Accordingly, the monitoring screen created by the monitoring-screen creating unit is displayed on the display device of the client terminal. Also, because the link information related to the monitoring screen to be displayed next on the display device is sent to the client terminal, by accessing this link, it is possible to display the next monitoring screen on the display device of the client terminal in the same way. Because the next link information is sent to the client terminal in this way together with the information about the monitoring screen, it is possible to automatically switch the monitoring screen displayed on the client terminal without user input. Also, with the air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus, by manipulating the link information sent to the client terminal, it is possible to specify the monitoring screen to be displayed on the display device of the client terminal, as required.

[0013] The air-conditioner control and monitoring apparatus described above may further include an air-conditioning operating schedule storage unit configured to store air-conditioning operating-schedule information in which time information is associated with the link information, wherein the link setting unit reads out the link information corresponding to the current time from the air-conditioning operating schedule storage unit and sets the read link information.

[0014] In this way, because the apparatus holds air-conditioning operating schedule information in which the time information is associated with the link information, it is possible to selectively change the monitoring screen displayed on the display device of the client terminal or to change the display order of the monitoring screens according to, for example, the day of the week or the time period.

[0015] In the air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus described above, the link setting unit may set a waiting time determining a time for which the monitoring screen created by the monitoring screen creating unit is displayed on the display device of the client terminal; and the communication unit may send the waiting time to the client terminal together with the monitoring screen and the link information.

[0016] By sending the waiting time information to the client terminal in this way, it is possible to determine the time for which the monitoring screen is displayed. Thus, if there is important information, it is possible to set a long waiting time etc., and to freely change the display time.

[0017] The air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus described above may further include a malfunction detector configured to detect a malfunction on the basis of the operating status of the at least one air conditioner, wherein, when a malfunction is detected by the malfunction detector, the link setting unit sets the apparatus's own link information as a link.

[0018] With this configuration, when a malfunction is detected by the malfunction detector, the apparatus's own link is set as the link information. Therefore, it can continue to display its own monitoring screen on the display device of the client terminal, in other words, a monitoring screen showing that a malfunction has occurred. Thus, it is possible to reliably and quickly notify the user that a malfunction has occurred.

[0019] The air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus described above may further include a malfunction detector configured to detect a malfunction on the basis of the operating status of the at least one air conditioner, wherein, when a malfunction is detected by the malfunction detector, the link setting unit sets a malfunction waiting time, which is set to be longer than a normal waiting time, as the waiting time.

[0020] With this configuration, when a malfunction is detected by the malfunction detector, it is possible to display the apparatus's own monitoring screen, in other words, a monitoring screen showing that a malfunction has occurred, on the display device of the client terminal for a long period of time. Thus, it is possible to reliably and quickly inform the user that a malfunction has occurred. Also, because the client terminal accesses the next link after the waiting time has elapsed, it is possible to automatically switch the monitoring screen displayed on the display device of the client terminal.

[0021] The present invention also provides an air-conditioning system including a plurality of the air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatuses described above; a plurality of air conditioners connected to each of the air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatuses via an air-conditioning control network; and a client terminal connected to the plurality of air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatuses via a communication network.

[0022] According to the present invention, when a plurality of air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatuses are connected to a client terminal, an advantage is afforded in that it is possible to switch between a plurality of monitoring screens displayed on the display device of the client terminal as required, based on information from the air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatuses.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Fig. 1 is a view showing the overall configuration of an air-conditioning system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Fig. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the functions provided in an air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Fig. 3 is a functional block diagram showing the functions provided in an air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Fig. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the functions provided in an air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] An air-conditioning system and an air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment

[0028] Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of an air-conditioning system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1, the air-conditioning system according to this embodiment includes a client terminal 1; a plurality of air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatuses 3a, 3b, ..., 3n (hereinafter, when referring to all air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatuses, they are assigned the single reference numeral "3", and when referring to the individual air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatuses, they are assigned the reference numerals "3a", "3b", etc.) connected to the client terminal 1 via a building-management communication network (communication network) 2; and a plurality of air conditioners 5 connected to the air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatuses 3a, 3b, ..., 3n via air-conditioning control network 4s.

[0029] The client terminal 1 is, for example, a building management computer including a central processing unit (CPU), a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), and input device, a display device 11, and so forth, for controlling the operation of equipment provided in the building. Software for controlling/monitoring packaged air conditioners on the basis of a communication standard used in building air conditioning management is installed in this client terminal 1. In addition, the client terminal 1 is provided with a web browser and has a function for obtaining data from a specified URL and displaying it on the display device 11.

[0030] The building-management communication network 2 is a network using a standard communication protocol used in building management (for example, TCP/IP); for instance, it is a local area network (LAN), an intranet, the internet, or the like.

[0031] The air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatuses 3a, 3b, ..., 3n are apparatuses for performing operating control and operating management of the air conditioners 5 provided in each room in the building; they monitor the operating status of each air conditioner 5 and supply the resulting operating status information to the client terminal 1.

[0032] The air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatuses 3a, 3b, ..., 3n each have built-in web servers and are assigned unique URLs. The client terminal 1 can obtain monitoring screens for the air conditioners 5 from the air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatuses 3a, 3b, ..., 3n by accessing the URLs assigned to the air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatuses 3a, 3b, ..., 3n. In this embodiment, URL 1 is assigned to the air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus 3a, URL 2 is assigned to the air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus 3b, and URL n is assigned to the air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus 3n.

[0033] The air-conditioning control networks 4 use a standard communication protocol for the control and monitoring of air conditioners.

[0034] Next, the air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatuses 3 according to this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 2.

[0035] Fig. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the functions provided in each air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus 3. As shown in Fig. 2, each air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus 3 includes an operation control unit 31, an air-conditioning monitoring-information storage unit 32, an air-conditioning control communication unit 33, a link setting unit 34, a monitoring-screen creating unit 35, and a management-network communication unit (communication unit 36).

[0036] The operating control unit 31 generates a control signal for performing operation control of each air conditioner 5 (see Fig. 1) on the basis of, for example, an operation control command received from the client terminal 1, and sends the control signal to each air conditioner 5 via the air-conditioning control communication unit 33, thus performing operation control of each air conditioner 5 under management.

[0037] The air-conditioning monitoring-information storage unit 32 obtains operating status information from the air conditioners 5 at predetermined intervals of time and accumulates this operating status information. The operating status information includes, for example, information about the operating mode, such as cooling mode, heating mode, stopped mode etc., as well as information about the set temperature, the room temperature, etc.

[0038] The air-conditioning control communication unit 33 includes an interface or the like for performing communication with each air conditioner 5 via the air-conditioning control network 4 and sends the control signal generated by the operating control unit 31 to a prescribed air conditioner 5 via the air-conditioning control network 4. It also receives the operating status information from each air conditioner 5 and outputs the received operating status information to the air-conditioning monitoring-information storage unit 32.

[0039] The link setting unit 34 holds link information for the next monitoring screen to be displayed on the display device 11 of the client terminal 1, sets this link information, and outputs it to the monitoring-screen creating unit 35. In this embodiment, the link information is a URL assigned to each of the air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatuses 3a, 3b, ... 3n. For example, as link information, the link setting unit 34 of the air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus 3a holds the "URL 2" of the air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus 3b, the link setting unit 34 of the air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus 3b holds "URL 3" of the air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus 3c (not shown in the drawing), and the link setting unit 34 of the air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus 3n holds "URL1" of the air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus 3a.

[0040] As a waiting time, the link setting unit 34 sets the period for which the monitoring screen generated by the monitoring-screen creating unit 35 provided in the same air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus is displayed on the display device 11 of the client terminal 1. Therefore, the link setting unit 34 holds the above-described link information as well as the waiting time. For example, the air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatuses 3a, 3b, ..., 3n each hold "waiting time α" as the waiting time.

[0041] The monitoring-screen creating unit 35 creates monitoring screen data for notifying the user of the operating status of each air conditioner 5 on the basis of the latest operating status information, or operating status information for a preceding period of predetermined duration, which is stored in the air-conditioning monitoring information storage unit 32. The monitoring screen data is generated, for example, using a markup language such as HTML or XML, which are languages used for web page creation. In this embodiment, it is assumed that HTML is used to create the monitoring screen data.

[0042] The management-network communication unit 36 includes a communication interface or the like for performing communication with the client terminal 1 via the building-management communication network 2 and sends the link information and waiting time set by the link setting unit 34, as well as the monitoring screen data generated by the monitoring-screen creating unit 35, to the client terminal 1 via the building-management communication network 2. It also receives data update requests, operating control commands etc. from the client terminal 1 and outputs these received requests and commands to each unit in the air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus 3.

[0043] Next, the operation of the air-conditioning system provided with the above configuration will be described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2.

[0044] In the following description, it is assumed that the client terminal 1 receives the monitoring screen data from each of the air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatuses 3a, 3b, ..., 3n, and the monitoring screen related to the operating status of the air conditioners monitored by the air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatuses 3a, 3b, ..., 3n are already displayed on the display device 11 of the client terminal 1.

[0045] In this state, for example, the client terminal 1 sends a data update request intended for the air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus 3a. Accordingly, the data update request is sent to the air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus 3a via the building-management communication network 2, and it is received by the management-network communication unit 36 of the air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus 3a. The management-network communication unit 36 outputs this data update request to the monitoring-screen creating unit 35 and the link setting unit 34.

[0046] The monitoring-screen creating unit 35 creates the monitoring screen data by obtaining the latest operating status information, or the operating status information for the preceding period of predetermined duration, from the air-conditioning monitoring-information storage unit 32. As the link information, the link setting unit 34 sets the "URL 2" of the air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus 3b, which is set in advance. It also sets the preset "waiting time α" as the waiting time and outputs these settings to the monitoring-screen creating unit 35.

[0047] The monitoring-screen creating unit 35 outputs the "URL 2" and "waiting time α" information input from the link setting unit 34, as well as the latest monitoring screen data, to the management-network communication unit 36. Accordingly, the latest monitoring screen data and the "URL 2" and "waiting time α" information are sent to the client terminal 1 via the building-management communication network 2.

[0048] When the client terminal 1 receives this information, the monitoring screen data of the air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus 3a displayed on the display device 11 is updated to the latest monitoring screen data received on this occasion. Then, the elapsed time from the point at which this monitoring screen data is updated is measured, and once the "waiting time α" has elapsed, a data update request is sent to the air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus 3b, identified by the received link "URL 2".

[0049] Accordingly, by performing the same processing as in the air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus 3a, the latest monitoring screen data for the air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus 3b is generated in the air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus 3b, which receives the data update request. Additionally, "URL 3" is set as the link information, and "waiting time α" is set as the waiting time. Then, this information is sent to the client terminal 1 via the building-management communication network 2. Accordingly, in the client terminal 1, the monitoring screen data of the air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus 3b displayed on the display device 11 is updated to the latest monitoring screen data received on this occasion. Then, the elapsed time from the point at which this monitoring screen data is updated is measured, and once the "waiting time α" has elapsed, a data update request is sent to the air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus 3c (not shown in the drawing), identified by the received link "URL 3".

[0050] By repeating the processing described above, the monitoring screen displayed on the display device 11 of the client terminal 1 is updated sequentially and automatically.

[0051] As described above, with the air-conditioning system and air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatuses 3 according to this embodiment, the monitoring screen data and the next link information and waiting time are sent to the client terminal 1 from each air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus 3. Therefore, the client terminal 1 can access the next link after the waiting time has elapsed from the point when the monitoring screen is updated, and can obtain the latest monitoring screen data from this link.

[0052] By sending the next link and the waiting time to the client terminal 1 in this way, it is possible to automatically update the monitoring screen displayed on the client terminal 1. Thus, it is possible to repeatedly activate the monitoring screens created by the air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatuses 3a, 3b, ..., 3n at prescribed intervals. Therefore, when a malfunction occurs in an air-conditioner, for instance, it is possible to quickly report the malfunction. In addition, by automatically updating the monitoring screen, it is possible to substantially alleviate the burden placed on the operator.

Second embodiment

[0053] Next, an air-conditioning system and an air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 3.

[0054] In the air-conditioning system according to this embodiment, the configuration of the air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus differs from that in the first embodiment described above. In the following, a description of aspects of the air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus of this embodiment that are the same as those in the first embodiment are omitted, and only the differences are mainly described.

[0055] Fig. 3 is a functional block diagram showing the functions provided in the air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus according to this embodiment. As shown in this drawing, the air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus according to this embodiment further includes a link-information storage unit 37 and an air-conditioning operating schedule storage unit 38.

[0056] The link-information storage unit 37 stores URL list information in which URLs are associated with IDs of the air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatuses to which those URLs are assigned. The air-conditioning operating schedule storage unit 38 stores air-conditioning operating schedule information in which time information is associated with link information.

[0057] In the air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus having such a configuration, when a data update request is received from the client terminal 1, a link setting unit 34-1 reads out link information corresponding to the current time from the air-conditioning operating schedule storage unit 38, and sets the read link information, in other words, the URL. When a waiting time is registered in the air-conditioning operating schedule information together with the link information, the link setting unit 34-1 reads out and sets that waiting time. If a waiting time is not registered, the link setting unit 34-1 sets a previously stored "waiting time α". Once the link information and the waiting time are set in this way, the set information is output to the monitoring-screen creating unit 35. Thus, similar to the first embodiment described above, the latest monitoring screen data, as well as the link information and waiting time information, is sent to the client terminal 1, and the monitoring screen on the display device 11 of the client terminal 1 is updated.

[0058] As described above, with the air-conditioning system and air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus according to this embodiment, the air-conditioning operating schedule information in which time information is associated with link information is stored. Therefore, the display sequence of the monitoring screens can be changed according to the day of the week, time period, etc., and it is possible to skip displaying the monitoring screen for a certain air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus.

[0059] By providing the link-information storage unit 37, if the URL of each air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus is unknown, for example, it is possible to obtain the URL of a desired air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus by referring to the URL list information stored in the link-information storage unit 37. Thus, even if a URL is not registered in the air-conditioning operating schedule information, it is possible to reliably obtain the URL of the desired air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus.

[0060] The air-conditioning operating schedule information stored in the air-conditioning operating schedule storage unit 38 and the URL list information stored in the link-information storage unit 37 can be freely overwritten, for example, by performing an input operation for changing the display via the client terminal 1. Also, if each air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus is provided with an input device, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the various types of information described above can be updated by the user operating these input devices. Third Embodiment

[0061] Next, an air-conditioning system and an air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 4.

[0062] In the air-conditioning system according to this embodiment, the configuration of the air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus differs from that in the second embodiment described above. In the following, a description of aspects of the air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus of this embodiment that are the same as those in the first embodiment are omitted, and only the differences are mainly described.

[0063] Fig. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the functions provided in the air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus according to this embodiment. As shown in this drawing, the air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus according to this embodiment further includes a malfunction detector 39.

[0064] The operating status information stored in the air-conditioning monitoring information storage unit 32 is input to the malfunction detector 39. The malfunction detector 39 has a function for determining whether there is a malfunctioning air conditioner by analyzing the input operating status information and, in the event of a malfunction, for notifying that fact to the link setting unit 34-2.

[0065] In the air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus having such a configuration, the operating status information of each air conditioner 5 is output to the air-conditioning monitoring information storage unit 32 and the malfunction detector 39 via the air-conditioning control communication unit 33. The malfunction detector 39 analyzes the input operating status information of each air conditioner 5 and determines whether there is a malfunctioning air conditioner 5. As a result, in the event of a malfunctioning air conditioner 5, a malfunction signal is output to the link setting unit 34-2.

[0066] When a data update request is received from the client terminal 1 in this state, the link setting unit 34-2 sets the apparatus's own URL as the link information. For example, in the case of the air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus 3a, it sets "URL 1" as the link information. The link setting unit 34-2 then sets the prestored "waiting time α" as the waiting time, and outputs this information to the monitoring-screen creating unit 35.

[0067] The monitoring-screen creating unit 35 creates the monitoring screen data on the basis of the latest operating status information stored in the air-conditioning monitoring-information storage unit 32. At this time, regarding the data of a malfunctioning air conditioner, the monitoring screen data may be created so as to have a different display format from another correctly functioning air conditioner.

[0068] The monitoring screen data created by the monitoring-screen creating unit 35 and the link information and the waiting time set by the link setting unit 34-2 are sent to the client terminal 1 via the management-network communication unit 36.

[0069] Accordingly, a monitoring screen on which a malfunctioning air conditioner can be recognized is displayed on the display device 11 of the client terminal 1. Because the URL of the air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus which monitors the malfunctioning air conditioner 5 is set as the link information, the client terminal 1 accesses that air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus also on the next occasion, and obtains this same monitoring screen. By doing so, a monitoring screen that constantly notifies the user of a malfunction is displayed on the display device 11 of the client terminal 1 as an active window.

[0070] As described above, with the air-conditioning system and the air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus according to this embodiment, when a malfunction is detected by the malfunction detector 39, the URL of the air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus that monitors the air conditioner in which that malfunction is detected is set as the link information. Therefore, it is possible to keep displaying the monitoring screen for the detected malfunction on the display device 11 of the client terminal 1. Thus, it is possible to reliably and quickly notify the user of the occurrence of a malfunction.

[0071] In the third embodiment described above, instead of setting the apparatus's own URL as the link information, the link information may be set in the same way as in the first or second embodiment described above, and a malfunction waiting time which is set to be longer than the normal time may be set as the waiting time. For example, if the normal waiting time is assumed to be 1 minute, the malfunction waiting time is set, for example, to 30 minutes. Thus, it is possible to delay the switching time of the monitoring screen on the client terminal 1. As a result, it is possible to display a monitoring screen showing that a malfunction has occurred on the display device 11 of the client terminal 1 for a long period of time, and therefore, it is possible to reliably and quickly notify the user of the occurrence of a malfunction.

[0072] After the malfunction waiting time has elapsed, the client terminal 1 accesses the next link. Therefore, it is also possible to automatically switch the monitoring screen displayed on the display device 11 of the client terminal 1.

[0073] In each of the embodiments described above, the air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatuses 3 may include dedicated hardware for implementing the respective functions described above, or they may be configured to implement these functions by software and dedicated hardware. When implementing them by software, a program for realizing these functions is stored in a computer-readable memory (for example, a hard disk or the like), and a CPU realizes these functions by loading the program from this memory into RAM and executing it.

[0074] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments. Various modifications are also included so long as they do not depart from the spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. An air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus which is connected to at least one air conditioner via an air-conditioning control network and which is connected to a client terminal, configured to centrally control the at least one air conditioner, via a communication network to supply operating status information of the at least one air conditioner to the client terminal, the air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus comprising:

an air-conditioning monitoring-information storage unit configured to store the operating status of each air conditioner;

a monitoring-screen creating unit configured to create a monitoring screen on the basis of the operating status stored in the air-conditioning monitoring-information storage unit;

a link setting unit configured to set link information related to a monitoring screen to be displayed next on a display device of the client terminal; and

a communication unit configured to send the monitoring screen created by the monitoring-screen creating unit and the link information set by the link setting unit to the client terminal.

2. An air-conditioner control and monitoring apparatus according to Claim 1, further comprising:

an air-conditioning operating schedule storage unit configured to store air-conditioning operating-schedule information in which time information is associated with the link information,

wherein the link setting unit reads out the link information corresponding to the current time from the air-conditioning operating schedule storage unit and sets the read link information.

3. An air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein
the link setting unit sets a waiting time determining a time for which the monitoring screen created by the monitoring screen creating unit is displayed on the display device of the client terminal; and
the communication unit sends the waiting time to the client terminal together with the monitoring screen and the link information.

4. An air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 3, further comprising:

a malfunction detector configured to detect a malfunction on the basis of the operating status of the at least one air conditioner,

wherein, when a malfunction is detected by the malfunction detector, the link setting unit sets the apparatus's own link information as a link.

5. An air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatus according to Claim 3, further comprising:

a malfunction detector configured to detect a malfunction on the basis of the operating status information of the at least one air conditioner,

wherein, when a malfunction is detected by the malfunction detector, the link setting unit sets a malfunction waiting time, which is set to be longer than a normal waiting time, as the waiting time.

6. An air-conditioning system comprising:

a plurality of the air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatuses according to one of Claims 1 to 5;

a plurality of air conditioners connected to each of the air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatuses via an air-conditioning control network; and

a client terminal connected to the plurality of air-conditioning control and monitoring apparatuses via a communication network.

Drawing