Facility apparatus management system, packet preferential control method, network management apparatus, air-conditioning indoor apparatus, communication service providing method, and communication providing system

【0001】

[Technical field to which the invention belongs]

The present invention relates to an equipment management system, a packet priority control method, a network management device, an air conditioning indoor unit, a communication service providing method, and a communication service providing system.

【0002】

[Conventional technology]

In recent years, an air conditioner in which an air conditioner outdoor unit and an air conditioner indoor unit and a computer for controlling the air conditioner outdoor unit and the air conditioner indoor unit are connected to a LAN has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). By connecting OA equipment such as a personal computer to this LAN, the network of OA equipment in a certain building can be shared with the wiring of the air conditioner, and the wiring between the air conditioning indoor unit and the air conditioning outdoor unit is also simplified. To. Furthermore, if equipment other than air conditioners such as security equipment and power supply equipment is connected to this LAN, these equipment can also be managed from a computer on the network.

【0003】

[Patent Document 1]

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 9-79654 [0004]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

By using the air conditioner disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above, the network of OA equipment in a certain building can be integrated with the network of equipment equipment. However, in this case, since OA equipment and equipment are connected on the same network, communication by OA equipment and communication for management of equipment may be congested, which may hinder the management of equipment. There is.

【0005】

An object of the present invention is to provide an equipment management system capable of prioritizing communication for management of equipment from a certain network communication.

【0006】

[Means for solving problems]

The equipment management system according to claim 1 is an equipment management system that manages equipment connected to a network, and includes an equipment management device and a network management device. The equipment management device is connected to the equipment via the network, and at least a part of the management of the equipment is performed by the first communication via the network. In addition to the first communication, the network management device can perform the second communication for a purpose other than a part of the management of equipment and devices on the network. Then, the network management device performs priority control in which the first communication is prioritized over the second communication.

【0007】

Here, the first communication for performing at least a part of the management of the equipment by the equipment management device is prioritized over the second communication for the purpose other than a part of the management of the equipment by the priority control. Here, the equipment includes an air conditioner outdoor unit, an air conditioner indoor unit, an air conditioner, a power supply equipment, a security equipment, and the like. The equipment management device includes a remote center, a controller, a control device in the outdoor unit that controls the indoor unit, and the like. The first communication is communication for controlling equipment such as air conditioning control. The second communication may be communication for maintenance that is not control such as status confirmation such as air conditioning setting and air conditioning temperature monitoring, or communication for OA equipment. The network management device includes a switching hub, a router, and the like capable of performing known priority control.

【0008】

In this way, since the first communication has priority over the second communication here, part of the management by the first communication is hindered due to congestion between the first communication and the second communication, which hinders the management. It can be prevented from occurring. The equipment management system according to claim 2 is the equipment management system according to claim 1, wherein the first communication is equipment control communication.

【0009】

Here, the equipment control communication has priority over the second communication. Equipment control communication includes electric valve control from the air conditioner outdoor unit to the air conditioner indoor unit, energy saving control of the air conditioner by the center and the controller, and scheduled operation. As described above, since the equipment control communication is prioritized over the other communications here, it is possible to prevent the control communication from being disturbed by other communications and affecting the control of the equipment.

【0010】

The equipment management system according to claim 3 is the equipment management system according to claim 2, wherein the second communication is terminal communication by a communication terminal connected to the network management device. Here, equipment control communication is prioritized over terminal communication by a communication terminal. Here, the communication terminal includes a wired communication terminal such as a personal computer having an Ethernet card and a wireless communication terminal such as a personal computer having a wireless LAN interface. Further, the terminal communication includes, for example, band-guaranteed communication such as an IP phone, and non-bandwidth-guaranteed communication such as e-mail transmission / reception and Web page transmission / reception.

【0011】

As described above, since the equipment control communication is prioritized over the terminal communication here, it is possible to prevent the terminal communication from interfering with the equipment control communication and affecting the control of the equipment. In the equipment management system according to claim 4, the second communication is band-guaranteed communication in the equipment management system according to claim 3.

【0012】

Here, the equipment control communication is prioritized over the band-guaranteed communication of the communication terminal. Bandwidth-guaranteed communication is communication in which the communication speed or communication capacity is guaranteed. In this way, here, it is possible to prevent the band guarantee communication from congesting with the equipment control communication and affecting the control of the equipment. The packet priority control method according to claim 5 is the packet priority control method executed by the network management device according to claim 1, wherein the reception step, the input step, the order determination step, the output step, and the like. It has a transmission step. The receive step receives the packet of the first communication or the second communication. The input step adds the received packet to the input queue. The ordering step determines the order of the input packets in the output queue based on the type of input packet that is the packet in the input queue. The egress step adds input packets to the egress queue in order. The transmission step transmits an output packet, which is a packet of the output queue, based on a destination specified by the output packet.

【0013】

Here, the packet of the first communication or the second communication is received. The received packet is added to the input queue. The order of input packets in the output queue is determined based on the type of input packets that are packets in the input queue. Input packets are added to the egress queue in order. The output packet, which is a packet of the output queue, is transmitted based on the destination specified by the output packet.

【0014】

As described above, if the type of the packet of the first communication and the type of the packet of the second communication are set to be different here, the packet of the first communication can be prioritized. The packet priority control method according to claim 6 is the packet priority control method according to claim 5, wherein the order determination step is further based on information about a user of a communication terminal to be a source or destination of an input packet. Determines the order of input packets in the egress queue.

【0015】

Here, the order of the input packets in the output queue is determined based on the information about the user of the communication terminal to be the source or destination of the input packets. The information about the user of the communication terminal includes the login name and password of the user, the contract contents between the user and the communication connection provider (provider), and the like. In this way, since the order in the output queue of packets can be changed according to the packet type and the user's information, for example, the transmitted packet of the user who has a contract with the provider rather than the communication of the user who has not contracted with the provider. It is also possible to give priority to management communication packets and prevent the communication and management communication of those who have a contract with the provider from being hindered.

【0016】

The packet priority control method according to claim 7 further includes a permission step for permitting communication by a user of a communication terminal in the packet priority control method according to claim 6, and input steps include a storage step and a discard step. Has. The storage step stores the identification information of the communication terminal used by the authorized user. The discard step discards the unauthorized packet, which is an input packet transmitted from the communication terminal used by the unauthorized user, from the input queue based on the stored identification information of the communication terminal.

【0017】

Here, the user of the communication terminal is permitted. The permission can be given by a known firewall server or the like. The identification information of the communication terminal used by the authorized user is stored. Based on the stored identification information of the communication terminal, the unauthorized packet, which is an input packet transmitted from the communication terminal used by the unauthorized user, is discarded from the input queue. Here, the identification information of the communication terminal is, for example, a MAC (Media Access Control) address.

【0018】

In this way, security can be ensured by performing packet filtering while performing priority control here. The packet priority control method according to claim 8 is the packet priority control method according to claim 7, wherein the order determination step is the order of the input packets of the permitted communication and / or the route control communication for permitting the communication. Is determined to be higher than the order of the input packets of the second communication.

【0019】

Here, the order of the input packets of the permitted communication and / or the route control communication for permitting the communication is determined to be higher than the order of the input packets of the second communication. Here, the permitted communication is a communication performed by an authentication protocol such as SCEP (Simple Certificate Enrollment Protocol). Further, the route control communication is a communication performed by a protocol for route control such as RIP (Routing Information Protocol).

【0020】

In this way, since the permitted communication and the route control communication are prioritized over the second communication here, the permitted communication and the route control communication may be congested with the second communication, which may interfere with the communication permission and the route control. Can be prevented. The network management device according to claim 9 includes a connection unit and a control unit. The connection unit connects the network and a predetermined wired communication terminal. The control unit executes the packet priority control method according to claim 5 for communication from a predetermined wired communication terminal to the network by the connection unit.

【0021】

Here, the network and a predetermined wired communication terminal are connected. The packet priority control method according to claim 5 is executed for communication from a predetermined wired communication terminal to the network by the connection unit. Here, the wired communication terminal includes a personal computer or a printer having an Ethernet card or the like. In this way, priority control can be performed here according to the type of input packet transmitted from the wired communication terminal.

【0022】

The network management device according to claim 10 is the network management device according to claim 9, further including and connected to a wireless transmission / reception device built in or near the equipment and connecting a predetermined wireless communication terminal. The unit further connects the wireless transmission / reception device, and the control unit further executes the packet priority control method according to claim 5 for the communication from the predetermined wireless communication terminal to the network by the connection unit.

【0023】

Here, the packet priority control method according to claim 5 is executed for communication from a predetermined wireless communication terminal to the network. Here, the wireless transmission / reception device includes a known wireless LAN access point or the like. Further, the wireless communication terminal includes, for example, a personal computer having a known wireless LAN interface. In this way, here, the wireless communication device can be connected to the network, and priority control can be performed according to the type of the input packet transmitted from the wireless communication device.

【0024】

The network management device according to claim 11 is the network management device according to claim 10, wherein an identifier of a predetermined wireless communication terminal or a predetermined wired communication terminal and an identifier of a user of the predetermined wireless communication terminal or the predetermined wired communication terminal. A first storage means for storing a table corresponding to the above and a second storage means for storing a table corresponding to the order of input packets and a packet type are further provided, and the control unit uses the first storage means. The packet priority control method according to claim 7 is executed based on the table of the above, the table of the second storage means, and the table in which the user's identifier and the information about the user are associated with each other.

【0025】

Here, priority control of packets transmitted from a wireless communication terminal or a wired communication terminal is performed according to a table accumulating information on packet types and users. The air-conditioning indoor unit according to claim 12 includes the network management device according to claim 9, and connects a predetermined wireless communication terminal to the network based on the mode information.

【0026】

Here, a predetermined wireless communication terminal connects to the network based on the mode information. The mode information is information that defines a mode for limiting the wireless communication terminals that can be connected to the air conditioning indoor unit. In this way, since the wireless communication terminals that can be connected to the air conditioner can be switched depending on the mode, the wireless communication terminals that can be connected are limited according to the position where the air conditioner indoor unit is installed, such as the entrance, lobby, and tenant occupancy area. it can.

【0027】

The communication service providing method according to claim 13 is a first user group contracted with a system administrator who is an administrator of the equipment management system by using the equipment management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4. It is a communication service providing method for providing a communication service using the second communication, and includes an installation step, a contract step, and a payment step. The installation step installs the equipment management system in the building. The contract step concludes a contract with the first group of users for the use and payment of the second communication. The payment step pays at least a portion of the fee in return for the building owner of the building that has the equipment management system installed.

【0028】

Here, an equipment management system is installed in the building. A contract is signed with the first group of users for the use of the second communication and payment of fees. At least a part of the usage fee of the first user group and the second communication is paid as compensation to the building owner of the building where the equipment management system is installed. In this way, here, by paying a part of the fee from the contractor from the administrator to the building owner, the building owner actively solicits the use of the second communication and increases the number of contractors. , You can get a part of the usage fee. On the other hand, the system administrator can expect a further increase in the number of contractors and recovery of the installation cost of the equipment management system by soliciting the building owner.

【0029】

The communication service providing method according to claim 14 further includes a sales and lending step of selling or renting an equipment management system to a building owner in the communication service providing method according to claim 13. Here, the equipment management system is sold or rented to the building owner. In this way, here, the building owner purchases the equipment management system, the building owner himself becomes the system administrator, contracts with the first user group, and uses the second communication from the first user group. You can collect a fee. Alternatively, the purchased equipment management system can be lent to a third party such as a system administrator to obtain a borrowing fee. In particular, if you lend it to the system administrator, the building owner will actively solicit the use of the second communication and acquire a contractor, so that part of the usage fee for the second communication will be sent to the building owner. Paid and the building owner can benefit further. On the other hand, the system administrator can make a profit by selling the equipment management system. Here, the system administrator can appeal that the building owner obtains the above-mentioned benefits by installing the equipment management system when selling the equipment management system, and is a material for sales promotion of the equipment management system. Can be.

【0030】

The communication service providing method according to claim 15 further includes a first connection step of connecting the network to the wide area network in the communication service providing method according to claim 14. Here, the network is connected to a wide area network such as the Internet or WAN (Wide Area Network).

【0031】

In this way, if the first user group connects to the equipment management system, it can connect to a wide area network such as the Internet. The communication service providing method according to claim 16 includes a second connection step and a collection step in the communication service providing method according to claim 15. In the second connection step, the wireless communication terminal used by the second user group who has a contract for using the wide area network with the connection operator to the wide area network is connected to the equipment management system. The collection step collects compensation for the connection of the wireless communication terminal used by the second user group to the equipment management system from the connection provider.

【0032】

Here, the wireless communication terminal used by the second user group who has a contract for using the wide area network with the connection operator to the wide area network is connected to the equipment management system. Compensation for connecting the wireless communication terminal used by the second user group to the equipment management system is collected from the connection provider. In this way, here, the second user group, which is the contractor of the connection operator to the wide area network, can connect to the wide area network such as the Internet via the equipment management system. At that time, consideration can be collected as a facility equipment management system usage fee from the provider connecting to the wide area network.

【0033】

The communication service providing system according to claim 17 is a communication service providing system that provides communication services to the first user group contracted with the system administrator, and is installed in a building and managed by the system administrator. It is equipped with the equipment management system described in any of items 1 to 4, a storage unit, and a charge calculation unit. The storage unit stores the contract clauses between the first user group and the system administrator regarding the use of the second communication by the equipment management system and the payment of fees. The charge calculation unit calculates at least a part of the charge paid to the owner of the building based on the contract clause stored in the storage unit.

【0034】

Here, the contract terms regarding the use of the second communication by the equipment management system and the payment of fees between the first user group and the system administrator are stored. Based on the memorized contract terms, at least part of the fee paid to the owner of the building is calculated. In this way, here, at least a part of the fee to be paid to the owner of the building in which the equipment management system is installed can be calculated according to the contract clause between the system administrator and the first user group.

【0035】

The communication service providing system according to claim 18 further includes a connection permission unit in the communication service providing system according to claim 17. The connection permission unit permits the wireless communication terminal used by the first user group to be connected to the wide area network via the network management device. Here, it is permitted to connect the wireless communication terminal used by the first user group to the wide area network via the network management device.

【0036】

In this way, the connection to the wide area network is permitted here via the equipment management system. The communication service providing system according to claim 19 is the communication service providing system according to claim 18, in which the connection permission unit is a second user group having a wide area network usage contract with a connection operator to the wide area network. Further permits the wireless communication terminal used by the company to be connected to the wide area network via the network management device, and the charge calculation unit transfers the wireless communication terminal used by the connection operator to the equipment management system of the wireless communication terminal used by the second user group. Further calculate the charge for the connection.

【0037】

Here, it is permitted to connect the wireless communication terminal used by the second user group who has a contract for using the wide area network with the connection operator to the wide area network to the wide area network via the network management device. The charge for connecting the wireless communication terminal used by the second user group to the equipment management system from the connection provider is calculated.

【0038】

In this way, it is possible to allow the second user group to connect to the wide area network and calculate the connection fee.

【0039】

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

<First Embodiment> (1) Schematic configuration FIG. 1 is an air provided with an air conditioner outdoor unit (hereinafter referred to as an outdoor unit) 1 and an air conditioner indoor unit (hereinafter referred to as an indoor unit) 7 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is the outline of the structure of the conditioner 30 and the outline of the air conditioner communication network formed by the air conditioner 30. In this air conditioner communication network, the indoor unit communication network (described later) formed by the indoor units 7a, 7b, 7c, ... is formed by the outdoor unit wireless communication between the outdoor units 1a, 1b, 1c, ... It is connected to each other via a communication network, and is also connected to the Internet 4 via an outdoor unit 1a and a firewall 20.

【0040】

The outdoor unit 1 includes an antenna 10 for wirelessly communicating with another outdoor unit 1. The antenna 10 can be configured by a diversity antenna or the like. Since the outdoor unit 1 is installed in a place with good visibility such as the roof of a building 2 such as a building or a school, the antenna 10 can secure a good wireless communication environment. The outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 7 are connected to the first LAN5. Here, the first LAN 5 is a network laid by wire or wirelessly for connecting the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 7. Normally, the first LAN 5 is laid by the person who installs and maintains the air conditioner 30. As will be described later, the indoor unit 7 is connected to the outdoor unit wireless communication network via the first LAN 5 and the outdoor unit 1.

【0041】

The indoor unit 7 includes an antenna 73 for performing wireless communication such as a diversity antenna, and wirelessly communicates with a wireless LAN client 8 described later to form a wireless LAN network (hereinafter referred to as an indoor unit wireless network). Since the indoor unit 7 is installed in a place with good visibility such as the ceiling of the building 2, the antenna 73 can secure a good wireless communication environment. On the other hand, the indoor unit 7 is also connected to the second LAN 6. The second LAN6 is a network laid by the tenants of the building 2 separately from the first LAN5.

【0042】

Center 3 is connected to Internet 4. Center 3 is operated by a person who installs and manages the air conditioner 30, and remotely controls and monitors the air conditioner 30. Center 3 is equipped with a communication permission server 40. The communication permission server 40 permits the user who requests the connection to the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 7 to connect based on the management information and the mode information described later, and authenticates the connection to the Internet 4 as necessary. The communication permission server 40 is operated by a so-called Internet service provider (ISP) that connects the local network of the building 2 in which the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 7 are installed to the Internet 4. It is assumed that this operator is the same as the person who installs and manages the air conditioner 30. The communication permission server 40 can also be provided in the firewall 20. The detailed configuration and functions of the communication permission server 40 will be described later.

【0043】

(2) Detailed configuration diagram 2 shows the configuration of the outdoor unit 1, indoor unit 7, etc. installed in the building 2. The outdoor unit 1 includes a wireless communication unit 11, a wired communication unit 12, an outdoor air conditioning unit 13, and a firewall 20. The indoor unit 7 includes a network management device 79 having a wired LAN communication unit 70 and a wireless LAN access point (hereinafter referred to as a wireless LAN AP) 71, and an indoor air conditioning unit 72.

【0044】

The outdoor air conditioner 13 includes a compressor (not shown), a four-way switching valve, an outdoor heat exchanger, and an outdoor blower. The indoor air conditioner 72 includes an indoor heat exchanger (not shown), an indoor blower, and an electric valve. Then, the compressor, the four-way switching valve, the outdoor heat exchanger, the electric valve, the indoor heat exchanger, and the compressor are sequentially connected in a ring shape by the refrigerant pipe to form a cooling cycle in which the refrigerant is circulated. Further, a compressor, a four-way switching valve, an indoor heat exchanger, an electric valve, an outdoor heat exchanger, and a compressor are sequentially connected in a ring shape by a refrigerant pipe to form a heating cycle in which the refrigerant is circulated.

【0045】

The wired communication unit 12 of the outdoor unit 1 is connected to the first LAN5. The wired communication unit 12 is connected to the wireless communication unit 11 via the firewall 20 in order to ensure the security of the first LAN 5. The wired communication unit 12 sends an IP packet (hereinafter, simply referred to as a packet) transmitted from the wireless communication unit 11, the outdoor air conditioning unit 13, or the network 5 to information indicating a destination such as a destination IP address included in the packet (hereinafter, simply referred to as a packet). It transmits to the wireless communication unit 11, the outdoor air conditioning unit 13, or the first LAN 5 based on the destination information).

【0046】

On the other hand, the wired communication unit 12 is further connected to the Internet 4 via the firewall 20. Then, the wired communication unit 12 transmits the packet to a predetermined destination on the Internet 4 based on the destination information included in the packet transmitted from the first LAN 5, the wireless communication unit 11, or the outdoor air conditioning unit 13. Alternatively, a packet transmitted from a predetermined source on the Internet 4 is transmitted to the first LAN 5, the wireless communication unit 11, or the outdoor air conditioning unit 13 based on the destination information. Hereinafter, the packet transmission process based on this destination information by the wired communication unit 12 is referred to as routing. The wired communication unit 12 can be configured by a known router, switching hub, bridge, or the like. In this figure, the outdoor unit 1a is connected to the Internet 4 via the firewall 20, but the outdoor units 1b, 1c ... May be connected to the Internet 4 via the firewall 20.

【0047】

The wireless communication unit 11 of the outdoor unit 1 wirelessly transmits the packet transmitted from the wired communication unit 12 to another outdoor unit 1 by the antenna 10 based on the destination information. Further, the wireless communication unit 11 receives a packet wirelessly transmitted from a certain outdoor unit 1 and transmits this packet to the wired communication unit 12 based on the destination information included in the received packet, or another outdoor unit. Wirelessly transmit to machine 1. That is, the outdoor unit 1 can wirelessly relay packets. The wireless communication unit 11 can be configured by a wireless LAN interface or the like conforming to IEEE802.11b. The wireless communication unit 11 is provided with a known roaming function, and can directly wirelessly communicate with the wireless LAN client 8 described later. Roaming refers to a function in which a moving wireless LAN client 8 (described later) switches a wireless connection to another outdoor unit 1 while maintaining a wireless connection to one outdoor unit 1.

【0048】

As a result, all the first LANs 5a, 5b, 5c ... Are wirelessly connected to each other via the outdoor unit 1. Further, if at least one outdoor unit 1 is connected to the Internet 4, all the first LANs 5a, 5b, 5c ... And all the outdoor air conditioners 13a, b, c ... Are connected to the Internet 4. The wireless LAN AP71 of the indoor unit 7 can be configured by, for example, a wireless LAN interface compliant with IEEE802.11b. Then, the wireless LAN AP71 constitutes an indoor unit wireless LAN network by performing wireless LAN communication with a wireless LAN client 8 having a wireless LAN card (not shown) compatible with IEEE802.11b via the antenna 73.

【0049】

The wired LAN communication unit 70 of the indoor unit 7 is connected to the wireless LAN AP71, the indoor air conditioning unit 72, the first LAN5, and the second LAN6. The wired LAN communication unit 70 transmits packets transmitted from the indoor air-conditioning unit 72, the first LAN5, and the second LAN6 to the wireless LAN AP71, the indoor air-conditioning unit 72, the first LAN5, or the second LAN6 based on the destination information. Here, a wired LAN client 9 such as a personal computer or a PDA is connected to the second LAN6. The wired LAN communication unit 70 can be configured by a known router, switching hub, bridge, or the like.

【0050】

As described above, the wireless LAN client 8, the indoor air conditioner 72, the first LAN 5 and the second LAN 6 in the same building 2 are connected to each other via the indoor unit 7. The network consisting of the wireless LAN client 8, the indoor air conditioner 72, the first LAN5, and the second LAN6 in the same building 2 connected to each other is called an in-building network. The intra-building network in one building 2 is interconnected with the intra-building network in another building 2 via the outdoor unit 1. Further, if at least one outdoor unit 1 is connected to the Internet 4, all the intra-building networks are connected to the Internet 4.

【0051】

The outdoor air-conditioning unit 13 and the indoor air-conditioning unit 72 are connected to the first LAN 5 and the second LAN 6. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the first LAN 5 is a controller 24 for controlling, monitoring, setting, etc. of the air conditioner 30 and the electrical equipment and other equipment 23, and a management terminal 25 for operating the controller 24. Or by connecting to the 2nd LAN6, it is possible to manage the operation schedule control, room temperature setting, abnormality monitoring, etc. of the air conditioner 30. On the other hand, if at least one outdoor unit 1 is connected to the Internet 4, all the outdoor air conditioners 13 and the indoor air conditioners 72 are connected to the Internet 4, so that the management of all the air conditioners 30 is managed by the center 3. It is also possible to concentrate on such things.

【0052】

FIG. 3 is a detailed configuration diagram of the wired LAN communication unit 70 included in the indoor unit 7. The wired LAN communication unit 70 has a communication control unit 80, a memory 74, and a priority DB 75. The communication control unit 80 is connected to the memory 74 and the priority DB 75. The communication control unit 80 performs the above-mentioned routing. At that time, the communication control unit 80 refers to the information stored in the priority DB 70 and outputs packets sequentially buffered in the input queue stored in the memory 74 according to the priority also stored in the memory 74. Buffer into one of the queues. Then, priority control processing is performed in which packets in the output queue having the highest priority are routed in order. Details of the priority control process will be described later.

【0053】

The priority DB 70 has a maintenance table 76, a private table 77, and a non-private table 78. FIG. 5 is a conceptual explanatory diagram showing an example of the information stored in these tables. In the maintenance table 76, the priority and the TCP port are associated and stored. Each of the TCP ports is a protocol number included in a packet transmitted for management of the air conditioner 30 from the management terminal 25, the center 3, the controller 24, the outdoor unit 1, the indoor unit 7, and the like. Here, in the priority control process, it is assumed that packets including the TCP port to which the lower priority number is associated are buffered at the head of the output queue in order. In this figure, TCP port "49512" is a process that requires quick response and real-time performance, such as remote control of the air conditioner 30 from the center 3 and updating of the management information of the center 3 from the management terminal 25. The protocol number used for. Therefore, the TCP port "49512" is associated with the priority "1". In addition, the TCP port "49513" periodically acquires and monitors the status of the air conditioner 30 from the equipment management device 24, and sets the air conditioner 30 from the management terminal. It is a protocol number of SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol), which is a protocol used for management of. Since quick response is not strictly required for the management of the air conditioner 30, priority "3" is associated with it. Furthermore, TCP ports "20", "21", ... Are FTP (File Transfer) used when, for example, data for upgrading the control program of the air conditioner 30 is transmitted from the center 3 or the management terminal 25. Protocol) is a protocol number. Since data transmission occupies network bandwidth, TCP ports "20", "21", ... are associated with a priority of "4". Note that the maintenance table 76 may store a protocol for authentication such as SCEP (Simple Certificate Enrollment Protocol) or a protocol for route control such as RIP (Routing Information Protocol) in association with a priority. Hereinafter, the protocol specified by the protocol number stored in the "TCP port" of the maintenance table 76 is referred to as a maintenance protocol, and packet communication by the maintenance protocol is referred to as maintenance communication. In addition, packet communication using a protocol other than the maintenance protocol is called non-maintenance communication. Similarly, in the private table 77 and the non-private table 78, the TCP ports are prioritized according to the required response and real-time performance. For example, in the private table 77, the TCP port of SIP (Session Initial Protocol), which is a protocol used when wireless LAN client 8 and wired LAN client 9 make voice calls with other personal computers via the Internet 4, " The 1071 is associated with a priority 2 from the viewpoint of guaranteeing the communication band and preventing the delay of the voice call. On the other hand, it is used when the TCP port "25" of SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol), which is the protocol used by wireless LAN client 8 and wired LAN client 9 to send e-mail, and when receiving the transmission of Web pages. HTTP (Hypertext Transfer) which is a protocol The TCP port "80" of Protocol) is associated with a priority of "4" from the viewpoint that real-time communication is not required. The table referenced by the communication control unit 80 in the priority control process is determined by the mode information of the indoor unit 7 stored in the communication permission server 40. The details of the mode information will be described later.

【0054】

FIG. 4 is a detailed configuration diagram of the communication permission server 40. The communication permission server 40 includes a permission unit 41, a billing unit 45, and a management database (DB) 42. The permission unit 41 permits the connection of the user who requests the connection to the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 7, and connects the permitted user (hereinafter referred to as the connection permission user) to the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 7. The management DB 42 has a contractor table 43 and a mode table 44. The contractor table 43 stores information necessary for the permission unit 41 to permit the user to connect to the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 7. The mode table 44 stores the mode information of the indoor unit 7, which will be described later. The billing unit 45 is based on the information accumulated in the management DB 42 and the number of times the private contractor, the normal contractor or the contractor of another company is permitted to connect to the indoor unit 7, which will be described later, and the private contractor and the normal contract described later. Calculate the connection fee to the indoor unit 7 paid by the contractor or the contractor of another company to the administrator of the air conditioner 30. In addition, the billing unit 45 calculates the installation fee of the air conditioner 30 paid by the manager of the air conditioner 30 to the owner of the building 2 by multiplying the connection fee by a predetermined coefficient.

【0055】

FIG. 6 is a conceptual explanatory diagram of the information stored in the contractor table 43. This table has "user ID", "password", "contract information" and "status" as fields. "Contract information" further has "private contract", "normal contract" and "other company's contract" as subfields. The "user ID" is an identifier of a connection-permitted user who can connect to the indoor unit 7 using a wireless LAN client 8 or a wired LAN client 9. The "password" is included in the connection request reception described later, and is used together with the "user ID" to identify the user who sent the connection request. The "contract information" is the contractual relationship between the connection permission user and the administrator of the air conditioner 30 (hereinafter, simply referred to as the administrator), which is the operator of the communication permission server 4, for the outdoor unit 1, the indoor unit 7, or the Internet 4. Information indicating (hereinafter referred to as contract information) is accumulated, and if there is no contract, "-" is accumulated by default. The administrator inputs, adds, deletes, and updates contract information from Center 3. Of these, the "private contract" is a contract that allows the wireless LAN client 8 or the wired LAN client 9 to connect to a specific indoor unit 7 (hereinafter referred to as "private login"). Here, the air-conditioning indoor unit ID is accumulated in the "private contract" subfield for the connection-permitted user who has made a private contract, for example, the user ID "u001". Here, the air-conditioning indoor unit ID is an identifier given to all indoor units 7.

【0056】

A "normal contract" is a contract that allows you to connect to the Internet 4 by logging in to the communication permission server 40 (hereinafter referred to as "Internet login"). The connection to the Internet 4 is, for example, an arbitrary outdoor unit 1 wirelessly connected from the street, an indoor unit 7 set to all terminal modes described later, or a contractor mode described later to connect. This can be done through the licensed indoor unit 7. Here, for a connection-permitted user who has a normal contract such as the user ID "u005", "" is accumulated in the "normal contract" subfield. If there is a normal contract such as user ID "u003" and connection to a certain indoor unit 7 is permitted, "" and the indoor unit ID of the indoor unit 7 are displayed in the "normal contract" subfield. And are accumulated. Alternatively, if there is a private contract and a normal contract such as user ID "u004", the air conditioning indoor unit ID is accumulated in the "private contract" subfield and "" is displayed in the "normal contract" subfield. Accumulate. If there is a private contract, "" may be automatically accumulated. In this way, those who have a private contract will be able to seamlessly connect to the Internet 4 indoors and outdoors.

【0057】

In the "Contract with other companies" field, the administrator is affiliated with another ISP (hereinafter referred to as "affiliated ISP"), and the user of the affiliated ISP is allowed to connect to any outdoor unit 1 or the administrator. It is a contract that allows you to log in to the communication permission server 40 via 7 and connect to the Internet 4. For example, for a connection-permitted user who has a contract with another company (hereinafter referred to as a contractor of another company) such as the user ID "u002", the identifier of the affiliated ISP contracted by the connection-permitted user is accumulated. When the user of the affiliated ISP makes the above connection, the administrator shall collect the prescribed equipment usage fee from the affiliated ISP. Here, if there is a contract with another company, the identifier of the affiliated ISP is accumulated in this subfield.

【0058】

The "Status" field indicates whether the user is currently logged in or out of the communication permission server 40, and is updated by the permission unit 41. Hereinafter, packet communication by the wireless LAN client 8 used by the user who has a private contract is referred to as private communication. In addition, packet communication by the wireless LAN client 8 used by a user who has a normal contract or a contract with another company is called non-private communication.

【0059】

In addition, the operator pays the above installation fee to install the air conditioner 30 in the building 2 such as a rental office building or own building, and the owner of this building 2 uses the tenant, trader and other buildings 2. The operator will provide a mechanism to solicit the operator to use the Internet and give the owner a predetermined fee when a private contract or a regular contract is concluded through the mediation of the owner. In this way, it is expected that the owner will actively introduce the air conditioner 30. If the number of such owners increases, the operator can expect to recover the installation and operation costs of the air conditioner 30 by increasing the number of private contracts or regular contracts, and in an office district where the wireless network communication range by the outdoor unit 1 is, for example. You can expect to cover the whole. In this case, the user of the wireless LAN client 8 who has made a private contract can seamlessly connect to the Internet 4 inside and outside the building 2 in this office district, which increases the convenience of the private user and the operator in the office district. Further increase in private contracts can be expected. In addition, those who have made regular contracts or contracts with other companies can also enjoy the connection to the Internet 4 via the outdoor unit 1 anywhere in this office district, which leads to an increase in regular contracts and contracts with affiliated ISPs. On the other hand, the owner can get the installation fee of the air conditioner 30, and after the introduction of the air conditioner 30, the owner can get the reward by actively soliciting. In addition, if the operator sells the air conditioner 30 to the owner, the owner makes a contract with the user of the building 2 such as the tenant to allow the tenant to connect the wireless LAN client 8 to the air conditioner 30. You can collect the fee yourself. Alternatively, the air conditioner 30 purchased by the owner is lent to the operator to collect the borrowing fee, and the rented operator implements the above mechanism, so that the owner receives a predetermined reward from the operator. You can also do it. Therefore, when the operator sells the air conditioner 30 to the owner, he explains this and installs the air conditioner 30.

【0060】

FIG. 7 is a conceptual explanatory diagram of the mode information stored in the mode table 44. This table has "air conditioner indoor unit ID" and "mode" as fields. The "air-conditioning indoor unit ID" is an identifier such as an identification number or IP address given to all indoor units 7. The "mode" is information for setting what kind of wireless LAN client 8 or wired LAN client 9 user is allowed to connect to the Internet 4 by the indoor unit 7. Here, when "private" is accumulated in the "mode" field, only a user who has a private contract (hereinafter referred to as a private contractor) can connect to the indoor unit 7 (hereinafter referred to as a private mode). In addition, when "contractors" are accumulated, the administrator permits the connection to the indoor unit 7 which is a private contractor or a user who has a regular contract or a contract with another company (hereinafter referred to as a contractor). The user can connect to the indoor unit 7 (hereinafter referred to as contractor mode). When "all terminals" are accumulated, in addition to the contractor, all users who are not contractors (hereinafter referred to as non-contractors) can connect to the indoor unit 7 (hereinafter referred to as all terminal mode).

【0061】

(3) Processing performed in the air conditioner communication network (3-1) Processing performed in the communication permission server The communication permission server 40 performs indoor unit connection permission processing and connection disconnection processing. The indoor unit communication permission process permits or disallows the connection of the wireless LAN client 8 that requests the connection to the indoor unit 7, and connects the permitted connection user to the first LAN 5, the second LAN 6, or the Internet 4. The connection disconnection process is performed when the connection authorized user disconnects the connection to the indoor unit 7.

【0062】

(3-1-1) Indoor unit connection permission processing FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of the indoor unit connection permission processing. Hereinafter, the flow of the indoor unit connection permission process will be described according to this flowchart.

[Processing flow]

Step S11: The permission unit 41 determines whether or not a connection request has been received from the wireless LAN client 8 via the indoor unit 7. When the connection request is received, the process proceeds to step S12. If it has not been received, this step is repeated to wait for reception. Here, the connection request includes the user ID and password input from the wireless LAN client 8 and the air-conditioning indoor unit ID of the indoor unit 7 for which the wireless LAN client 8 is requesting connection (hereinafter referred to as connection request indoor unit ID). ) And shall be included.

【0063】

Step S12: The permission unit 41 determines whether or not the indoor unit 7 specified by the connection request indoor unit ID is in the all terminal mode. That is, the permission unit 41 refers to the mode table 44 and determines whether or not the "mode" field of the record specified by the connection request indoor unit ID is "all terminals". In the case of all terminal mode, the process proceeds to step S20. If it is not in all terminal mode, the process proceeds to step 13.

【0064】

Step S13: The permission unit 41 determines whether or not the indoor unit 7 specified by the connection request indoor unit ID is in the contractor mode. That is, the permission unit 41 refers to the mode table 44 and determines whether or not the "mode" field of the record specified by the connection request indoor unit ID is "contractor". In the case of the contractor mode, the process proceeds to step S14. If it is not in the contractor mode, the process proceeds to step S18.

【0065】

Step S14: The permission unit 41 determines whether the user who sent the connection request (hereinafter referred to as the connection request user) is a private contractor or a normal contractor (hereinafter referred to as the company contractor) who has contracted with the administrator. To do. That is, the permission unit 41 refers to the contractor table 43 and puts it in the "private contract" subfield of the "contract information" field of the record specified by the user ID and password included in the connection request (hereinafter referred to as the current record). It is determined whether the indoor unit ID is accumulated or the contract information "" is accumulated in the "normal contract" subfield. If the connection requesting user is a company contractor, the process proceeds to step S17. If the connection requesting user is not the company contractor, the process proceeds to step S15.

【0066】

Step S15: The permission unit 41 requests the authentication of the connection requesting user to a known authentication server (not shown) owned by the affiliated ISP. Step S16: The permission unit 41 determines whether or not the connection requesting user has been authenticated by the authentication server of the affiliated ISP. If authenticated, the process proceeds to step S17. If not authenticated, the process proceeds to step S24.

【0067】

Step S17: The permission unit 41 determines whether or not the connection requesting user is permitted to connect to the indoor unit 7. That is, whether or not the connection request indoor unit ID matches the indoor unit ID stored in the "private contract" subfield, "normal contract" subfield, or "other company contract" subfield of the current record. To judge. If they match, the process proceeds to step S20. If they do not match, the process proceeds to step S24.

【0068】

Step S18: The permission unit 41 determines whether or not the connection requesting user is a private contractor. That is, the permission unit 41 determines whether or not the air-conditioning indoor unit ID stored in the "private contract" subfield of the current record matches the connection request air-conditioning indoor unit ID. If the connection requesting user is a private contractor, the process proceeds to step S19. If the connection requesting user is not a private contractor, the process proceeds to step S24.

【0069】

Step S19: The permission unit 41 registers "private login" in the status field of the contractor table 43 based on the user ID of the connection requesting user, and enables the connection requesting user to access the first LAN5 and the second LAN6. Step S20: The permission unit 41 determines whether the connection requesting user is a normal contractor or a contractor of another company. That is, the permission unit 41 refers to the contractor table 43, and the contract information "" is accumulated in the "normal contract" subfield of the "contract information" field of the current record, or the connection requesting user is in step S16. Determine if you have been authenticated. If the connection requesting user is a regular contractor or a contractor of another company, the process proceeds to step S21. If the connection requesting user is neither a regular contractor nor a contractor of another company, the process proceeds to step S22.

【0070】

Step S21: The permission unit 41 registers "Internet login" in the status field of the contractor table 43 based on the user ID of the connection requesting user, and enables the connection requesting user to access the Internet 4. If the connection requesting user is the user authenticated in step S16, that is, the contractor of another company, the identifier of the partner ISP shall be stored in the "contract of other company" subfield.

【0071】

Step S22: The permission unit 41 connects to the communication control unit 80 of the indoor unit 7 specified by the air conditioning indoor unit ID included in the connection request with the MAC address of the wireless LAN client 8 that sent the connection request. It is instructed to store the management information, which is the information associated with the contract information of the requesting user, in the memory 74. Step S23: The permission unit 41 connects the connection request client to the network management device 79 of the indoor unit 7.

【0072】

Step S24: Authorization unit 41 sends a message to the connection request client stating that the connection cannot be authorized. As described above, the private contractor can connect to the specific network management device 79 and access the first LAN and the second LAN. Alternatively, when the mode of the indoor unit 7 is the contractor mode, a private user, a normal contractor who is permitted to connect to the network management device 79 by the administrator, or a contractor of another company connects to the network management device 79 and connects to the first LAN. You can access the second LAN. Alternatively, when the mode of the indoor unit 7 is the all terminal mode, all users can connect to the network management device 79 and access the first LAN and the second LAN. Further, a normal contractor or a contractor of another company connected to the network management device 79 can access the Internet 4. Therefore, if the mode is set according to the position where the indoor unit 7 is installed, such as the lobby of the building 2 such as a hotel or office building, or the tenant occupancy area, in the vicinity of the indoor unit 7 installed in the tenant occupancy area. Private communication by a private contractor who is a tenant resident, or LAN communication and Internet communication of contract users and all users in the vicinity of the indoor unit 7 installed in the hotel lobby can be enabled, and the building 2 User convenience is improved. Therefore, it is expected that the owner of the building 2 will be willing to install the air conditioner 30. As the number of air conditioners 30 installed increases, the number of contractors also increases, and operators can expect to recover the installation and operation costs of the air conditioners 30.

【0073】

(3-1-2) Connection disconnection process FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of the connection disconnection process. Hereinafter, the flow of the connection disconnection process will be described according to this flowchart. Step S61: The permission unit 41 determines whether or not a connection disconnection request has been received from the wireless LAN client 8 connected to the network management device 79. When the connection disconnection request is received, the process proceeds to step S62. If the disconnection request is not received, this step is repeated to wait for reception. Here, it is assumed that the connection disconnection request includes the user ID of the connected user and the air-conditioning indoor unit ID of the indoor unit 7 to which the wireless LAN client 8 is connected.

【0074】

Step S62: The permission unit 41 manages the communication control unit 80 of the indoor unit 7 specified by the air conditioning indoor unit ID included in the connection disconnection request, which is specified by the MACadin of the wireless LAN client 8 that sent the connection disconnection request. Command the information to be deleted from memory 74. Step S63: The permission unit 41 disconnects the wireless LAN client 8 from the network management device 79. If the disconnection request user is a normal contractor or a contractor of another company, the status field of the contractor table 43 shall be updated to "log out" based on the user ID of the connection disconnection request user.

【0075】

As a result, the wireless LAN client 8 that has requested the connection disconnection is disconnected from the network management device 79, and the management information is deleted. In order to respond to sudden disconnection due to the wireless LAN client 8 running out of battery, shifting to standby mode, sudden radio interference, moving out of the communication area, etc., communication within a certain period of time is performed by the communication permission server 40. Monitor the presence or absence of radio waves and the signal strength. Then, if there is no communication within a certain period of time or the radio wave strength falls below a predetermined level, the communication permission server 40 sends a ping or the like to the wireless LAN client 8, and if there is no response for a certain period of time, the above connection disconnection process is executed. You just have to do it.

【0076】

(3-2) Processing performed by the air conditioner indoor unit The indoor unit 7 performs priority control processing. In this process, the communication control unit 80 of the wired LAN communication unit 70 buffers the packets sequentially buffered in the input queue into one of the output queues corresponding to the order of the packets.

[Processing flow]

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of priority control processing. Hereinafter, the flow of the priority control process will be described according to this flowchart.

【0077】

Step S31: The communication control unit 80 determines whether or not a packet has been received. When the packet is received, the process proceeds to step S32. If the packet is not received, this step is repeated to wait for reception. Step S32: The communication control unit 80 buffers the received packet (hereinafter referred to as a received packet) in the input queue of the memory 74.

【0078】

Step S33: The communication control unit 80 determines whether the packet source MAC address or the packet destination MAC address (hereinafter referred to as MACads) included in the received packet matches either the MACadin of the management information stored in the memory 74. To judge. If they match, the process proceeds to step S34. If they do not match, the process proceeds to step S40.

【0079】

Step S34: The communication control unit 80 refers to the TCP port of the received packet and the maintenance table 76, and determines whether or not the received packet is a maintenance packet. In the case of a maintenance packet, the process proceeds to step S38. If it is not a maintenance packet, the process proceeds to step S35. Step S35: The communication control unit 80 determines whether or not the contract information included in the management information specified by MACads in the memory 74 includes the private contract information. If the private contract information is included, the process proceeds to step S37. If the private contract information is not included, the process proceeds to step S36.

【0080】

Step S36: The communication control unit 80 determines that the reference table, which is the table referenced by the communication control unit 80, is the non-private table 78 in step S39 described later, and proceeds to step S39. Step S37: The communication control unit 80 determines the reference table, which is the table referenced by the communication control unit 80, as the private table 77 in step S39 described later, and proceeds to step S39.

【0081】

Step S38: The communication control unit 80 determines the reference table, which is the table referenced by the communication control unit 80, as the maintenance table 76 in step S39 described later, and proceeds to step S39. Step S39: The communication control unit 80 refers to the reference table, determines the order of the received packets in the output queue based on the priority corresponding to the TCP port of the received packets, and outputs the received packets according to the determined order. Buffer in a queue. Then, the received packet is deleted from the input buffer, and the process returns to step S31. The buffer of the received packet to the output queue is the same as the known priority queuing. That is, here, the received packet is buffered in one of the four output queues corresponding to the four priorities. Then, the received packets of the output queue having the highest priority are output in order, and the received packets of the output queue having the lower priority are output after the output queue having the higher priority is emptied.

【0082】

Step S40: The communication control unit 80 discards the received packet from the input queue and returns to step S31. Based on the above, if maintenance packets are assigned a high priority in the maintenance table 76, maintenance communication by the center 3, air conditioner 30, equipment 23, equipment management device 24, management terminal 25, etc. will not be possible. It is possible to prevent a situation in which the maintenance of the air conditioner 30 and the equipment 23 is hindered due to congestion with the maintenance communication. Also, if the TCP port of private table 77 has a higher priority than the TCP port of non-private table 78, private communication and non-private communication will be congested, and bandwidth-guaranteed communication of private communication will not be possible. Bandwidth guarantee of private communication It is also possible to prevent problems with private communication such as interruption of IP phone calls due to pressure from communication. Further, since the packet transmitted from the wireless LAN client 8 for which the connection to the network management device 79 is not permitted is discarded, security can be ensured at the same time.

【0083】

(4) Features of the air conditioner outdoor unit and the air conditioner indoor unit according to the present embodiment (A) The air conditioner indoor unit 7 can be set to a private mode, a contractor mode, or an all terminal mode. Depending on the setting of this mode, private users, contract users, or all users are permitted to connect to the network management device 79 by the communication permission server 40, and the first LAN 5 via the air conditioning indoor unit 7 equipped with the network management device 79, Can connect to 2nd LAN 6 and Internet 4. Therefore, if the mode is set according to the position where the indoor unit 7 is installed, such as the entrance, lobby, and tenant occupancy area of the building 2 such as a hotel or office building, the mode is set according to the position where the indoor unit 7 is installed. It is possible to enable private communication and Internet communication for all by services, and it is expected that the number of users of Building 2 will increase, the number of contractors of the operator will increase, and the number of air conditioners 30 installed by the owners of Building 2 will increase. ..

【0084】

(B) If the maintenance packets are assigned high priority in the maintenance table 76, maintenance communication by the center 3, air conditioner 30, equipment 23, equipment management device 24, management terminal 25, etc. is not possible. It is possible to prevent a situation in which the maintenance of the air conditioner 30 and the equipment 23 is hindered due to congestion with the maintenance communication. In addition, if the TCP port of private table 77 has a higher priority than the TCP port of non-private table 78, private communication and non-private communication will be congested, which will hinder private communication. Can also be prevented. Furthermore, since packets transmitted from devices that are not permitted to connect to the network management device 79 are discarded, security can be ensured at the same time.

【0085】

(C) The operator installs the air conditioner 30 in a building 2 such as a rental office building or own building to manage and operate the air conditioner 30, or the operator sells the air conditioner 30 to the owner. If the operator borrows this air conditioner 30 and then manages and operates the air conditioner 30, the operator can expect an increase in private contracts, regular contracts, or contracts with affiliated ISPs through the mediation of the owner. It is also expected that the installation and operation costs of the air conditioner 30 will be recovered.

【0086】

The indoor unit connection permission process in the communication permission server 40 of the first embodiment processes the connection request transmitted from the indoor unit 7. However, the communication permission server 40 allows the wireless LAN terminal 8 to request connection to the outdoor unit 1, and can access the Internet 4 or the indoor unit 7 which is the target of the private contract via the outdoor unit 1 to which the connection is permitted. You may do so. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of the outdoor unit connection permission process in which the communication permission server 40 processes the connection request from the outdoor unit 1. In this process, the connection to the Internet 4 is permitted based on the contract information of the connection requesting user. Steps S51, S53, S54, S56, and 58 are the same as steps S11, S15, S16, S21, and S24 of the indoor unit connection permission process, respectively. Here, the connection request includes a user ID and password, and an air conditioner outdoor unit ID that uniquely identifies the outdoor unit 1 such as an identification number and an IP address of the outdoor unit 1. In step S52, the authorization unit 41 refers to the contractor table 43 and is a "normal contract" sub in the "contract information" field of the record (hereinafter referred to as the current record) specified by the user ID and password included in the connection request. Judge whether the contract information "" is accumulated in the field. In step S55, the permission unit 41 contracts with MACadin, which is the MAC address of the wireless LAN client 8 that sent the connection request, to the outdoor unit 1 specified by the air conditioner outdoor unit ID included in the connection request, and the connection request user. It is instructed to store the management information, which is the information associated with the information, in the memory 62 of the wired communication unit 12, which will be described later. In S57, the permission unit 41 connects the wireless LAN client 8 that has transmitted the connection request to the wireless communication unit 11. When the wireless LAN client 8 connected to the outdoor unit 1 transmits a connection disconnection request, the same process as the connection disconnection process of the first embodiment is performed. By the above processing, the management information of the wireless LAN client 8 connected to the outdoor unit 1 is stored in the memory 62 of the outdoor unit 1, and when the connection is disconnected, the management information stored in the memory 62 is deleted.

【0087】

Then, if the outdoor unit connection permission process is performed, the outdoor unit 1 can perform the same process as the priority control process of the first embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the wired communication unit 12 of the outdoor unit 1 is provided with a communication control unit 61, a memory 62, and a priority DB 63. Then, the maintenance table 64, the private table 65, and the non-private table 66 are stored in the priority DB 63. Here, the communication control unit 61, the memory 62, the priority DB 63, the maintenance table 64, the private table 65, and the non-private table 66 are the communication control unit 80 and the memory 74 in the indoor unit 7 of the first embodiment, respectively. , Priority DB75, maintenance table 76, private table 77, non-private table 78. Then, the communication control unit 61 is made to execute the same processing as the priority control processing of the first embodiment. In this process, unlike the priority control process of the first embodiment, the management information stored in the memory 62 is used.

【0088】

If the maintenance packets are assigned a high priority in the maintenance table 64 by the above processing, maintenance communication by the center 3, the air conditioner 30, the equipment 23, the equipment management device 24, the management terminal 25, etc. It is possible to prevent a situation in which maintenance of the air conditioner 30 and the equipment 23 is hindered due to congestion of non-maintenance communication by the wireless LAN client 8 connected to the outdoor unit 1. In addition, if the TCP port of private table 65 has a higher priority than the TCP port of non-private table 66, private communication will be congested with non-private communication, which will hinder private communication. It can also be prevented. Furthermore, since packets sent from the wireless LAN client 8 for which connection permission is not permitted are discarded, security can be ensured at the same time.

【0089】

<Other Embodiments> (A) The communication permission server 40 of the first embodiment may be provided inside the outdoor unit 1 or the indoor unit 7 as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. In this way, the user can be permitted to connect with the outdoor unit 1 or the indoor unit 7. (B) The network management device 79 of the first embodiment may be provided outside the air-conditioning indoor unit 7 as shown in FIG. 15, and the indoor air-conditioning unit 72 may be connected thereto. In this way, the network management device 79 can be installed and operated independently of the air conditioning indoor unit 7. For example, the manager sells the air conditioner 30 to the owner of the building 2 and installs it in the building 2, while the network management device is not sold to the owner of the building 2 and is installed in the building 2. In this way, the administrator can charge for the connection to the network management device 79 from the private contractor, the normal contractor, and the contractor of another company, and can make a profit.

【0090】

(C) The indoor unit connection permission process and the connection disconnection process of the first embodiment are performed in response to the connection request and the connection disconnection request transmitted from the wireless LAN client 8. However, it is also possible to perform the above processing for the connection request and the connection disconnection request transmitted from the wired LAN client 9. In this case, for example, a user who is a private contractor can connect from the wired LAN client 9. Further, when the user of the wired LAN client 9 is permitted to connect, the priority control process of the first embodiment can be performed on the communication by the wired LAN client 9. By performing the above processing, it is possible to prevent a situation in which maintenance communication and private communication are hindered in the communication of the wired LAN client 9, and at the same time, security can be ensured.

【0091】

(D) Allows the private contractor or normal contractor of the first embodiment to connect to the Internet 4 after being authenticated by the authentication server of the partner ISP. In this case, the administrator charges the partner ISP a predetermined connection fee. May be paid. In this way, the private contractor sends a connection request to the air-conditioning indoor unit 7 which is the target of the private contract via the authentication server of the partner ISP and the Internet 4, connects to the air-conditioning indoor unit 7, and accesses the first LAN 5 or the second LAN 6. be able to.

【0092】

(E) In the first embodiment, the management information is stored in the memory 74 of the indoor unit 7 by the command of the permission unit 41 of the communication permission server 40, so that the connection to the indoor unit 7 becomes possible. However, the owner or administrator of the building 2 operates the indoor unit 7 or the management terminal 25 connected to the indoor unit 7, and the MAC address, IP address, etc. of a certain wireless LAN client 8 is stored in the memory 74 or the firewall 20. The wireless LAN client 8 may be able to connect to the indoor unit 7. In this way, even if a visitor suddenly visits the building 2, the wireless LAN client 8 owned by the visitor can access the Internet 4 and the like. For communication that attempts to access the 1st LAN 5 and 2nd LAN 6 from the Internet 4 via the indoor unit 7, the MAC address, IP address, etc. of the terminal performing the communication are transferred to the memory 74 and the firewall 20 in the same manner as above. It is also possible to remember and allow access through firewall 20.

【0093】

(F) In the first embodiment described above, another company's contract and a private contract may be made at the same time. In this way, contractors of other companies can also use the first LAN5 and the second LAN. (G) In the first embodiment described above, the private login may be performed only when the connection permission is given to the private contractor. That is, in step S18, if it is determined that the contractor is a private contractor and the connection is permitted, the process may proceed to step S19.

【0094】

[Effect of the invention]

In the invention according to claim 1, since the first communication has priority over the second communication, a part of the management by the first communication is obstructed due to congestion of the first communication and the second communication, and the management is performed. It is possible to prevent problems from occurring. In the invention according to claim 2, since the equipment control communication is prioritized over other communications, it is possible to prevent the control communication from being disturbed by other communications and affecting the control of the equipment.

【0095】

In the invention according to claim 3, since the equipment control communication has priority over the terminal communication, it is possible to prevent the terminal communication from interfering with the equipment control communication and affecting the control of the equipment. According to the invention of claim 4, it is possible to prevent the band guarantee communication from congesting with the equipment control communication and affecting the control of the equipment.

【0096】

In the invention according to claim 5, if the type of the packet of the first communication and the type of the packet of the second communication are defined to be different, the packet of the first communication can be prioritized. In the invention according to claim 6, since the order in the output queue of packets can be changed according to the packet type and the user's information, for example, the transmission packet of the user who has a contract with the provider rather than the communication of the user who has not contracted with the provider. It is also possible to give priority to the management communication packet and prevent the communication and management communication of the person who has a contract with the provider from being disturbed.

【0097】

In the invention according to claim 7, security can be ensured by performing packet filtering while performing priority control. In the invention according to claim 8, since the permitted communication and the route control communication are prioritized over the second communication, the permitted communication and the route control communication are congested with the second communication, which hinders the communication permission and the route control. You can prevent that.

【0098】

In the invention according to claim 9, priority control can be performed according to the type of input packet transmitted from the wired communication terminal. According to the invention of claim 10, the wireless communication device can be connected to the network and priority control can be performed according to the type of the input packet transmitted from the wireless communication device. In the invention according to claim 11, priority control of a packet transmitted from a wireless communication terminal or a wired communication terminal is performed according to a table accumulating information on a packet type and a user.

【0099】

In the invention according to claim 12, since the wireless communication terminal that can be connected to the air conditioner can be switched depending on the mode, the wireless communication terminal that can be connected according to the position where the air conditioner indoor unit is installed, such as the entrance, the lobby, and the tenant occupancy area. Can be restricted. In the invention of claim 13, the administrator pays a part of the fee from the contractor to the building owner, so that the building owner actively solicits the use of the second communication and makes the contractor. It can be increased and a part of the usage fee can be obtained. On the other hand, the system administrator can expect a further increase in the number of contractors and recovery of the installation cost of the equipment management system by soliciting the building owner.

【0100】

In the invention according to claim 14, the building owner purchases the equipment management system, the building owner becomes the system administrator himself, and contracts with the first user group, and the second communication is performed from the first user group. Usage fee can be collected. Alternatively, the purchased equipment management system can be lent to a third party such as a system administrator to obtain a borrowing fee. In particular, if you lend it to the system administrator, the building owner will actively solicit the use of the second communication and acquire a contractor, so that part of the usage fee for the second communication will be sent to the building owner. Paid and the building owner can benefit further. On the other hand, the system administrator can make a profit by selling the equipment management system. Here, the system administrator can appeal that the building owner obtains the above-mentioned benefits by installing the equipment management system when selling the equipment management system, and is a material for sales promotion of the equipment management system. Can be.

【0101】

In the invention according to claim 15, if the first user group connects to the equipment management system, it can connect to a wide area network such as the Internet. In the invention according to claim 16, the second user group, which is the contractor of the provider connecting to the wide area network, can connect to the wide area network such as the Internet via the equipment management system. At that time, consideration can be collected as a facility equipment management system usage fee from the provider connecting to the wide area network.

【0102】

In the invention according to claim 17, the installation fee to be paid to the owner of the building in which the equipment management system is installed can be calculated according to the contract clause between the system administrator and the first user group. In the invention of claim 18, connection to a wide area network via an equipment management system is permitted.

【0103】

In the invention of claim 19, it is possible to allow the second user group to connect to the wide area network and calculate the connection fee.

[Simple explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration of an air conditioner including an air conditioner outdoor unit and an air conditioner indoor unit according to the first embodiment, and an outline of an air conditioner communication network formed by the air conditioner.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an air conditioner outdoor unit, an air conditioner indoor unit, etc. installed in a building.

FIG. 3 is a detailed configuration diagram of an air-conditioning indoor unit and a wired LAN communication unit included in the air-conditioning indoor unit.

FIG. 4 is a detailed configuration diagram of a communication permission server.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual explanatory diagram of information stored in a maintenance table, a private table, and a non-private table.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual explanatory diagram of information stored in a contractor table.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual explanatory diagram of information stored in a mode table.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow of indoor unit connection permission processing.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a flow of connection disconnection processing.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of priority control processing.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a flow of outdoor unit connection permission processing according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a detailed configuration diagram of an outdoor unit according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a schematic configuration of an air conditioner outdoor unit having a communication permission server and an air conditioner including an air conditioner indoor unit according to another embodiment, and an outline of an air conditioner communication network formed by the air conditioner.

FIG. 14 is a schematic configuration of an air conditioner including an air conditioner outdoor unit and an air conditioner indoor unit having a communication permission server and an outline of an air conditioner communication network formed by the air conditioner according to another embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a configuration diagram of a network management device or the like according to another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1: Air conditioner outdoor unit 7: Air conditioner outdoor unit 30: Air conditioner 79: Network management device