JP2008079410A - Power line communication device, feeding system, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a power line communication device, etc. which enable power management of a plurality of apparatuses without using a server device. <P>SOLUTION: The power of a power line is supplied to a power supply path 12 through a power plug 14 and a power cord 13, and it is fed to power consumption equipment connected to a plug socket 15. A unit part 16 is arranged in the middle of the power supply path 12. This unit part 16 has a functional part for performing power line communication with other power line communication device 10 through the power line, a functional part which detects the power supplied to the power consumption equipment, and a memory where information peculiar to itself is stored. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a power line communication device, a power feeding system, and a program.

  A technique that can realize stable operation of the entire system by managing the power consumption of devices connected to a network has been conventionally proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this patent document 1, while detecting the power consumption of the whole network system, the network system is controlled so that the power consumption does not exceed a certain level, and a stable system operation is realized. A control method is disclosed.

JP 2002-142385 A

  An object of this invention is to provide the power line communication apparatus etc. which enable the electric power monitoring of an apparatus.

  Under such an object, a power line communication apparatus to which the present invention is applied includes a power supply unit that supplies power from a power line to a device, a power information detection unit that detects power information related to a device supplied by the power supply unit, Storage means for storing information related to the device fed by the power supply means; power line communication means for power line communication of the power information detected by the power information detection means and the information stored in the storage means using a power line; Is included.

  Here, the information processing apparatus may further include a setting unit that sets identification information used in communication by the power line communication unit, and the storage unit stores the identification information set by the setting unit. . The setting unit includes a manual setting unit configured to be able to set identification information, and an automatic setting unit that sets identification information using information acquired from another power line communication device by the power line communication unit. The storage means may replace the already stored identification information with new identification information set by the automatic setting unit.

  In addition, the power information detection unit may detect power information for each preset time and store the result in the storage unit. In addition, it is possible to manage the state of the device fed from the feeding unit, and the power information detection unit detects the state of the device corresponding to the power fed from the feeding unit as power information. be able to.

The power supply unit further includes a switching unit that switches whether power is supplied to the device, and the switching unit includes power information detected by the power information detection unit or information acquired from another power line communication device by the power line communication unit. The switching can be performed based on the above.
Further, based on the power information acquired from the other power line communication device by the power line communication means, the power line communication is instructed to the other power line communication device to instruct the power supply to the device to be fed by the other power line communication device. It can be characterized by transmitting by means. In addition, when receiving a power supply cutoff instruction from another power line communication device via the power line communication unit, the power supply to the device is cut off based on the power information by the power information detection unit of the device to which power is supplied. Can be a feature.

  From another point of view, a power line communication apparatus to which the present invention is applied includes a power supply unit that supplies power from the power line to a device, and a power information detection unit that detects power information related to the device supplied by the power supply unit. A first communication unit that uses a power line as a communication medium, a second communication unit that performs communication with a device fed by the power supply unit using a communication medium different from the first communication unit, and the power supply unit. And storage means for storing information relating to the device to be supplied with power.

  Here, according to the instruction | indication which the said 1st communication means received from the other power line communication apparatus provided with the power line communication means, it is comprised so that it can control regarding the power supply of the apparatus which communicates by the said 2nd communication means. It can be characterized by being. Moreover, the information regarding the apparatus memorize | stored in the said memory | storage means can be further characterized by including the setting means comprised so that the information input through a said 2nd communication means may be set.

  Further, taking another aspect of the present invention, a power supply system to which the present invention is applied is connected to a power line, and a plurality of power supply apparatuses that supply power from the power line to a device and each of the plurality of power supply apparatuses. A power information detecting unit configured to detect power information relating to a power-supplied device; a storage unit provided in each of the plurality of power supply devices; Power line communication means for performing power line communication using the power line as a communication medium for the power information detected by the power information detection means and the information stored in the storage means.

  Here, each of the plurality of power supply devices may be characterized in that the power information detected by the power information detection unit communicates with another power supply device via the power line by the power line communication unit. In addition, each of the plurality of power supply apparatuses may transmit a power supply cutoff instruction to the device to the other power supply apparatus based on the power information acquired from the other power supply apparatus. . Further, when each of the plurality of power supply devices receives a power supply cutoff instruction from another power supply device, the plurality of power supply devices cut off the power supply to the device based on the power information by the power information detection unit of the device to which power is supplied. Can be characterized.

  In addition, each of the plurality of power supply apparatuses may further include another communication unit that performs communication with a device that supplies power using a communication medium different from the power line communication unit. In this case, among the plurality of power feeding devices, devices that are fed by different power feeding devices can communicate with each other by the power line communication unit and the other communication unit.

  Further, from another viewpoint, the power supply system to which the present invention is applied uses a power line communication unit that performs power line communication using the power line as a communication medium, so that the power supply device connected to the power line is connected to the power line. The power information about the device fed by another power feeding device connected to is acquired and stored, and the power of the device is controlled so as to control the power consumption.

  Further, from another viewpoint, the power supply system to which the present invention is applied uses a power line communication unit that performs power line communication using the power line as a communication medium, so that the power supply device connected to the power line is connected to the power line. Power information about a device fed by another power feeding device connected to the device is acquired and stored, the power of the device is controlled so as to control power consumption, and the control result is displayed on the device. .

  Further, from another point of view of the present invention, a program to which the present invention is applied is a power for detecting power information related to a power supply device in a computer device mounted on a power supply device that supplies power from the power line to the device. A detection function, a power line communication function for performing power line communication with another power supply apparatus using the power line as a communication medium, and a storage function for storing information unique to the power supply apparatus in a storage unit are realized.

  Here, it is possible to further realize a setting function for setting identification information using information acquired from another power supply device by the power line communication function. In addition, a switching function for switching the presence / absence of power supply to the device may be further realized.

According to claim 1, power monitoring using power line communication is possible.
According to claim 2, it is possible to monitor power using the identification information.
According to the third aspect, a setting method adapted to the connected device is possible.
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to grasp the power consumption for each hour and appropriately perform power management compared to the case where the present invention is not adopted.
According to claim 5, it becomes possible to manage the state of the device from the power information of the device.
According to the sixth aspect, it is possible to appropriately control the power of the device as compared with the case where the present invention is not adopted.
According to the seventh aspect, it is possible to transmit a power supply cutoff instruction to another power supply apparatus using power line communication.
According to the eighth aspect, it is possible to receive a power supply cutoff instruction from another power supply apparatus using power line communication.
According to claim 9, it is possible to monitor power using power line communication. In addition, communication between the power line communication devices and a device to be fed can be performed by a plurality of communication means.
According to the tenth aspect, power control of another power line communication device can be performed using power line communication.
According to the eleventh aspect, it is possible to obtain the connected device information without providing the device with setting means.
According to the twelfth aspect, it is possible to monitor the power of a plurality of devices using power line communication.
According to the thirteenth aspect, power information can be shared with other power supply apparatuses.
According to the fourteenth aspect, it is possible to transmit a power supply cutoff instruction to another power supply apparatus using power line communication.
According to the fifteenth aspect, it is possible to receive a power supply cutoff instruction from another power supply apparatus using power line communication.
According to the sixteenth aspect, it is possible to communicate with the power feeding apparatus even if the power feeding device does not support power line communication.
According to the seventeenth aspect, it is possible to communicate between devices fed by different power feeding devices, and to monitor each other's power.
According to the eighteenth aspect, it is possible to suppress power consumption of devices connected in the system using power line communication.
According to the nineteenth aspect, it is possible to display the status of power monitoring in the system using power line communication.
According to the twentieth aspect, power monitoring can be performed using power line communication.
According to the twenty-first aspect, the identification information can be set even if the user does not set the identification information.
According to the twenty-second aspect, the power of the device can be monitored using the power line communication.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a system (power feeding system) using the power line communication device according to the first embodiment.
The system shown in FIG. 1 is, for example, a system for energy saving management of the entire office equipment. As shown in FIG. 1, multifunction devices 1A and 1B, personal computers 2 and shredders as power consuming devices are connected to a power line PL wired in an office from a power company via power line communication devices (power feeding devices) 10 and 20. 3 is connected. That is, the power of the power line PL is supplied to the multifunction peripherals 1A and 1B, the personal computer 2 and the shredder 3 through the power line communication devices 10 and 20. In other words, the multifunction peripherals 1A and 1B, the personal computer 2 and the shredder 3 are connected via the power line communication devices 10 and 20 and the power line PL.

  A power line communication device 10 is attached to the personal computer 2. The power line communication device 20 is attached to the multifunction peripherals 1A and 1B and the shredder 3. Although these power line communication apparatuses 10 and 20 have the same basic configuration, they have different parts as described later.

  Here, the multifunction peripherals 1A and 1B are image devices having functions such as a scanner, a printer, a facsimile, and a copying machine, and operate by being supplied with power from the power line PL. The personal computer 2 is a device that is loaded with various application software and that receives various types of application processing such as document creation upon receiving power supply from the power line PL. The shredder 3 is a device for shredding paper to be discarded with the power of the power line PL.

2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating the power line communication device 10, where FIG. 2A is an external perspective view, and FIG. 2B is a configuration diagram.
As shown in FIG. 2, the power line communication apparatus 10 is connected to the apparatus main body 11, a power supply path 12 (see FIG. 2B) disposed inside the apparatus main body 11, and the power supply path 12. And a power cord 13 extending outward from the apparatus main body 11. In addition, the power line communication device 10 is provided at the tip of the power cord 13 and connected to a power outlet (not shown) of the power line PL (see FIG. 1) 14 and an outer surface of the device main body 11. And an outlet (output unit, outlet) 15 for outputting power from the power supply path 12 to various devices (power monitored devices). The power supply path 12, the power cord 13, the power plug 14, and the outlet 15 can constitute power supply means.

  In addition, the power line communication device 10 includes a unit portion (see FIG. 2B) 16 between the power cord 13 and the outlet 15. The unit 16 can be referred to as a power line communication unit and a power information detection unit. That is, the unit unit 16 as the power line communication means transmits / receives the power line superimposed signal through the power line PL to / from other power line communication devices connected by the power line PL (see FIG. 1). The unit unit 16 serving as a power information detection unit detects power consumption input from the power line PL through the power cord 13. Thus, it can be said that the power line communication device 10 is obtained by adding various intelligence functions to a so-called table tap.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the unit section 16.
As shown in FIG. 3, the unit unit 16 includes a clamp coil 16a for detecting a current flowing through the power supply path 12, and a control unit (CPU for controlling power line communication while controlling based on the detection result of the clamp coil 16a. 16b.
The control unit 16b will be further described. The control unit 16b includes a power detection function unit 16b1 and a power line communication function unit 16b2. The power detection function unit 16b1 detects a power value by receiving a detection result of the clamp coil 16a and performing a predetermined calculation. The power line communication function unit 16b2 transmits / receives a predetermined signal to / from the power supply path 12 according to a predetermined procedure.

  Further, the unit 16 converts the current of the power supply path 12 from alternating current to direct current, and transmits and receives between the power supply path 12 and the control section 16b, the direct current power supply section 16c supplying the direct current to the control section 16b. And a filter 16d for power line communication that cuts off signals other than the signal for use.

The unit unit 16 includes a number setting unit (setting unit) 16e for setting a unit number of the unit unit 16, a number of the apparatus main body 11, an identification number or a unique ID number (hereinafter abbreviated as a unit number). Yes. The unit unit 16 includes an automatic setting unit 16f for automatically setting a unit number. The unit section 16 includes a storage section (storage means) 16g as a non-volatile memory (NVM (Non Volatile Memory)) for storing the unit number set by the number setting section 16e and the automatic setting section 16f. Yes. Therefore, for example, at the time of shipment, the unit number is set in advance by manual setting by the number setting unit 16e and stored in the storage unit 16g, and then the unit number by manual setting is connected by the automatic setting unit 16f when connected to the power line PL. It can be used to automatically change and store in the storage unit 16g.
In the present embodiment, the number setting unit 16e and the automatic setting unit 16f are provided. However, it may be configured to include only one of them.
Further, the storage unit 16g as a non-volatile memory here refers to a memory that can rewrite data and retain data after the power is turned off, for example, flash memory, EEPROM (Electronically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory). Etc. can be used.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the storage unit 16g.
As shown in FIG. 4, the storage unit 16g includes a unit number storage unit 16g1 that stores the unit numbers set by the number setting unit 16e (see FIG. 3) and the automatic setting unit 16f (see FIG. 3). The storage unit 16g includes a power information storage unit 16g2 that stores various types of power information related to power control. Further, the storage unit 16g includes a shared information storage unit 16g3 that stores information shared with the other power line communication devices 10 and 20 by the power line communication function unit 16b2 (see FIG. 3).

  5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating the power line communication device 20, where FIG. 5A is an external perspective view, and FIG. 5B is a configuration diagram. The basic configuration of the power line communication device 20 shown in FIG. 5 is the same as that of the power line communication device 10 shown in FIG. That is, the power line communication device 20 includes a device main body 21, a power supply path 22 (see FIG. 5B), a power cord 23, a power plug 24, and an outlet 25. These can have the same configuration as the device main body 11, the power supply path 12, the power cord 13, the power plug 14, and the outlet 15 in the power line communication device 10, respectively.

  The power line communication apparatus 20 includes a unit unit 26 (see FIG. 5B). The configuration of the unit part 26 will be described later. In addition, the power line communication device 20 includes a power switch unit (switching unit) 27 disposed in the power supply path 22 of the device main body 21. The power switch unit 27 is located in the power supply path 22 between the unit unit 26 and the outlet 25. The power switch unit 27 is connected to the control unit 26b so that ON / OFF control is performed by the control unit 26b (see FIG. 6). That is, when the power switch unit 27 is turned off by the control unit 26b, power supply to the device connected to the outlet 25 is cut off.

  More specifically, the power switch unit 27 is located downstream of the unit unit 26 so that power is supplied to the unit unit 26 even when the power supply is interrupted by the power switch unit 27. ing. In other words, it is not necessary to energize the dedicated energy-saving management server device or the dedicated device that has the role of the power monitoring function, and it is only necessary to energize only the power communication function device of each individual device to be monitored. .

FIG. 6 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the unit section 26.
The basic configuration of the unit section 26 shown in FIG. 6 is the same as that of the unit section 16 shown in FIG. That is, the unit unit 26 includes a clamp coil 26a, a DC power supply unit 26c, a filter 26d, a number setting unit 26e, an automatic setting unit 26f, and a storage unit 26g. These may have the same configuration as the clamp coil 16a, DC power supply unit 16c, filter 16d, number setting unit 16e, automatic setting unit 16f, and storage unit 16g in the unit unit 16, respectively.
The unit unit 26 includes a control unit 26b having a power detection function unit 26b1, a power line communication function unit 26b2, and a power shut-off function unit 26b3. The power cutoff function unit 26b3 here shuts off power supply in response to an instruction from the power detection function unit 26b1 or the power line communication function unit 26b2.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for power shutdown using the power line communication device 20. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the setting and storage of the unit number.
In the processing procedure shown in FIG. 7, first, the unit number is set by the number setting unit 16e (see FIG. 3) for the power line communication device 10 (see FIG. 1), and the number is set for the power line communication device 20 (see FIG. 1). A unit number is set by the unit 26e (see FIG. 6) (step 101). Thereafter, the set unit numbers are stored in the storage units 16g and 26g (see FIGS. 3 and 6) by the control units 16b and 26b (see FIGS. 3 and 6) (step 102).

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, when the unit number of the power line communication device 10A connected to the personal computer 2 is set to “01” by the number setting unit 16e (see FIG. 3), as shown in FIG. The number “01” is stored in the storage unit 16g of the power line communication device 10A by the control unit 16b. Further, when the unit number of the power line communication device 20A connected to the multifunction peripheral 1A is set to “02” by the number setting unit 26e (see FIG. 6), the unit number “02” is assigned to the power line communication device 20A by the control unit 26b. It is stored in the storage unit 26f. When the unit number of the power line communication device 20B connected to the multifunction device 1B is set to “03” by the number setting unit 26e, the unit number “03” is stored in the storage unit 26g of the power line communication device 20A by the control unit 26b. Is done. When the unit number of the power line communication device 20C connected to the shredder 3 is set to “04” by the number setting unit 26e, the unit number “04” is stored in the storage unit 26g of the power line communication device 20C by the control unit 26b. The

After step 102, power detection is performed by the power detection function units 16b1, 26b1 (see FIG. 3 or FIG. 6) in each of the power line communication devices 10A, 20A, 20B, 20C (step 103). Then, in the power line communication devices 20A, 20B, and 20C having the power shutoff function unit 26b3, each power detection function unit 26b1 determines whether or not a condition for shutting off the power is satisfied (step 104). This condition will be described later.
When the power detection function unit 26b1 determines that the power-off condition is not satisfied, the process returns to step 103 to continue the power detection. On the other hand, when it is determined that the condition for shutting off the power source is satisfied, the power detection function unit 26b1 outputs an instruction to shut off the power source to the power shutoff function unit 26b3. Receiving the instruction, the power shut-off function unit 26b3 operates the power switch unit 27 (see FIG. 6) to shut off the power (step 105). Of the power line communication devices 20A, 20B, and 20C, the device that cuts off the power communicates to the other power line communication devices 10A, 20A, 20B, and 20C through the power line communication function unit 26b2 (step 106). A series of processing ends.

For example, even if there is a device that has been forgotten to turn off the power switch, the power is cut off according to the above-described procedure. That is, when all the devices are not used, for example, both power monitoring and energy saving can be achieved at night or during consecutive holidays when the amount of power consumption increases by integration over time. In addition, when installing power line communication, new local area network wiring work is not required, and not only can it be installed easily, but it is also necessary to add power line communication devices individually. It can be said that it is excellent. In addition, since power line communication is provided separately from the local area network that handles image information data, it is easy to ensure information security.
For example, when a personal computer is used as a server, the CPU is heavy because it is always operated, and there is a useless function. Therefore, the personal computer consumes extra power. Further, when a power monitoring server is used, the power of the power monitoring server itself cannot be ignored.

FIG. 9 is a graph for explaining conditions for power interruption, where the vertical axis represents the power consumption value detected by the power detection function unit 26b1, and the horizontal axis represents time.
As a condition for shutting off the power in step 104 described above, there is a reduction in power consumption of the multifunction peripherals 1A and 1B and the shredder 3 shown in FIG. For example, in the MFP 1A of FIG. 8, the power detection by the power detection function unit 26b1 (see FIG. 6) of the power line communication device 20A has been a predetermined power consumption value W12 until then, as shown in FIG. When the power consumption value decreases to a predetermined power consumption value W11 (W11 <W12) at a certain point in time, it can be determined that the job of the multifunction peripheral 1A has been completed. Therefore, when a power-off command is issued from the office system, it is possible to avoid the power interruption during the job, and the power can be interrupted when the job is completed. In the above-described example, the case of the multifunction machine 1A has been described, but the same applies to the case of the shredder 3.

As described above, in addition to setting the power cutoff condition by the power consumption monitor, it may be set on the condition that the personal computer 2 is turned off. More specifically, when the power detection function unit 16b1 (see FIG. 3) in the power line communication device 10A of the personal computer 2 detects that the power consumption has decreased, it is determined that the power of the personal computer 2 has been turned off. Can do. Therefore, the power line communication device 10A notifies the other power line communication devices 20A, 20B, and 20C that the power of the personal computer 2 has been turned off by the power line communication function unit 16b2 (see FIG. 3). When it is detected that all personal computers (not shown) in the office area are powered off, the power line communication devices 20B and 20C determine that the power shut-off condition is satisfied, and shut off the power. 1B and the shredder 3 are turned off. However, it is also conceivable that only the power line communication device 20A is maintained in a power-on state, for example, by setting a power cutoff condition. This is to enable nighttime facsimile reception by the multifunction peripheral 1A connected to the power line communication device 20A.

In addition, power information is detected every predetermined time, such detection is continuously performed for a predetermined period, data is collected and stored in the storage units 16g and 26g, and a condition for power cutoff is set based on the data collection. It is also possible. For example, it is conceivable to detect a variation in power consumption from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm and to perform such detection continuously for one week to grasp the power consumption pattern. In order to perform such detection, the power line communication devices 10 and 20 are provided with a clock function.
Further, as a condition for turning on the power, when the personal computer in the office, for example, the personal computer 2 is turned on, the personal computer 2 is turned off with respect to the other power line communication devices 20A, 20B, and 20C. To be notified. Then, the power line communication devices 20B and 20C that have been shut off are turned on. Alternatively, it may be turned on when a predetermined time comes depending on the time, or a switch (not shown) for resetting the power supply cutoff may be provided in the power line communication device, and the user may turn it on.

Here, an application example of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a system using a power line communication device according to an application example of the first embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 10, the multifunction machine 1A and the personal computer 2 are connected to an existing network NW. As described above, the present embodiment can also be applied to the case where the multifunction peripheral 1A is used as a network printer of the personal computer 2.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 11 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a system using the power line communication device according to the second embodiment.
The basic configuration of the system shown in FIG. 11 is the same as the configuration shown in FIG. 1 as the first embodiment. That is, the multifunction devices 1A and 1B, the personal computer 2, and the copying machine 4 are supplied with power from the power line PL. A power line communication device 40 is interposed between the multifunction device 1A and the power line PL and between the multifunction device 1B and the power line PL. A power line communication device 30 is interposed between the personal computer 2 and the power line PL. Further, a power line communication device 20 is interposed between the copying machine 4 and the power line PL. The copying machine 4 here is an analog single function copying machine having no network function.

In addition, the power line communication device 40 is connected to the multifunction peripherals 1A and 1B by a general-purpose communication line (a line indicated by a thick line in the drawing) in addition to the power supply line. Similarly, the power line communication device 30 and the personal computer 2 are connected not only by a power supply line but also by a general-purpose communication line (a line indicated by a bold line in the drawing). This general-purpose communication line will be described later. More specifically, it can be considered that the multifunction peripherals 1A and 1B and the personal computer 2 are indirectly connected by a general-purpose communication line and a power supply line. That is, the multifunction peripherals 1A and 1B and the personal computer 2 can communicate with each other through the general-purpose communication line and the power supply line.
Since the power line communication device 20 is the same as that used in the first embodiment, the description of the configuration is omitted.

12A and 12B are diagrams illustrating the power line communication device 30, where FIG. 12A is an external perspective view, and FIG. 12B is a configuration diagram.
The basic configuration of the power line communication device 30 shown in FIG. 12 is the same as that of the power line communication device 10 shown in FIG. That is, the power line communication device 30 includes a device main body 31, a power supply path 32 (see FIG. 12B), a power cord 33, a power plug 34, and an outlet 35. These can have the same configuration as the device main body 11, the power supply path 12, the power cord 13, the power plug 14, and the outlet 15 in the power line communication device 10, respectively.

  Further, the power line communication device 30 includes a unit unit 36 (see FIG. 12B). The configuration of the unit part 36 will be described later. Further, the power line communication device 30 includes an external interface (second communication means, another communication means) 38 provided on the outer surface of the apparatus main body 31. The external interface 38 can be constituted by, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface, a LAN (Local Area Network) interface, or the like. Therefore, the power line communication device 30 can exchange various information through the external interface 38.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the unit section 36.
The basic configuration of the unit section 36 shown in FIG. 13 is the same as that of the unit section 16 shown in FIG. That is, the unit unit 36 includes a clamp coil 36a, a DC power supply unit 36c, a filter 36d, a number setting unit 36e, an automatic setting unit 36f, and a storage unit 36g. These may have the same configuration as the clamp coil 16a, DC power supply unit 16c, filter 16d, number setting unit 16e, automatic setting unit 16f, and storage unit 16g in the unit unit 16, respectively.
The unit unit 36 includes a control unit 36b having a power detection function unit 36b1, a power line communication function unit 36b2, and a general-purpose communication function unit 36b4. The general-purpose communication function unit 36b4 here transmits and receives a predetermined signal to and from a device connected to the external interface 38 according to a predetermined protocol.

  14A and 14B are diagrams illustrating the power line communication device 40, where FIG. 14A is an external perspective view, and FIG. 14B is a configuration diagram. The basic configuration of the power line communication device 40 shown in FIG. 14 is the same as that of the power line communication device 10 shown in FIG. That is, the power line communication device 40 includes a device main body 41, a power supply path 42 (see FIG. 14B), a power cord 43, a power plug 44, and an outlet 45. These can have the same configuration as the device main body 11, the power supply path 12, the power cord 13, the power plug 14, and the outlet 15 in the power line communication device 10, respectively.

Moreover, the power line communication apparatus 40 is provided with the unit part 46 (refer FIG.14 (b)). The configuration of the unit part 46 will be described later. The power line communication device 40 also includes a power switch unit (switching means) 47 disposed in the power supply path 42 of the device main body 41. The power switch unit 47 is located in the power supply path 42 between the unit unit 46 and the outlet 45. The power switch unit 47 may have the same configuration as the power switch unit 27 shown in FIG.
In addition, the power line communication device 40 includes an external interface 48 provided on the outer surface of the device main body 41. As the external interface 48, one having the same configuration as the external interface 38 shown in FIG. 12 can be used.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the unit section 46.
The basic configuration of the unit section 46 shown in FIG. 15 is the same as that of the unit section 16 shown in FIG. That is, the unit unit 46 includes a clamp coil 46a, a DC power supply unit 46c, a filter 46d, a number setting unit 46e, an automatic setting unit 46f, and a storage unit 46g. These may have the same configuration as the clamp coil 16a, DC power supply unit 16c, filter 16d, number setting unit 16e, automatic setting unit 16f, and storage unit 16g in the unit unit 16, respectively.
The unit unit 46 includes a control unit 46b having a power detection function unit 46b1, a power line communication function unit 46b2, a power shut-off function unit 46b3, and a general-purpose communication function unit 46b4. As the power cutoff function unit 46b3 here, the same configuration as the power cutoff function unit 26b3 shown in FIG. 6 can be used. Further, the general-purpose communication function unit 46b4 described here can have the same configuration as the general-purpose communication function unit 36b4 shown in FIG.

FIG. 16 is a graph for explaining the relationship between the power consumption value and the mode. The vertical axis represents the power consumption value detected by the power detection function unit 46b1 (see FIG. 15), and the horizontal axis represents time. is there.
As shown in FIG. 16, for example, the multi-function device 1A (see FIG. 10) has three modes (states), that is, an operation mode (operation state), a stop mode (standby state), and an energy saving mode (energy saving state). Note that the energy saving mode here refers to a mode in which the MFP 1A is in a standby state with low power consumption.
The power consumption value is W23 in the operation mode, the power consumption value is W22 in the stop mode, and the power consumption value is W21 in the energy saving mode. W23>W22> W21. Note that W20 when the power is off. W21> W20.

  In such a case, when the power consumption value of the multifunction device 1A is detected by the power detection function unit 46b1, it is possible to determine what mode (state) the multifunction device 1A is currently in. In other words, the power consumption value detected by the power detection function unit 46b1 can be read as a mode by acquiring the power consumption value in each mode in advance.

  More specifically, when the power detection function unit 46b1 detects that the power consumption value of the multifunction device 1A is W23 from time t1 to time t2, the multifunction device 1A is in the operation mode during that time. Can be acquired. If the power detection function unit 46b1 detects that the power consumption value is W22 during the period from time t2 to time t3, information that the multifunction device 1A is in the stop mode can be acquired during that time. . Further, when it is detected that the power consumption value from time t3 to time t4 is W21, information that the multifunction device 1A is in the energy saving mode can be acquired during that time. Further, when it is detected that the power consumption value after time t4 is W20, it is possible to acquire information that the multifunction device 1A is in a power-off state.

  The mode information of the MFP 1A acquired in this way is stored in the storage unit 46g (see FIG. 15), or is stored in the other power line communication devices 20, 30, and 40 by the power line communication function unit 46b2 (see FIG. 15). Or sent. The reason that the configuration is managed not by the information of the power consumption value of the multifunction peripheral 1A but by the mode information is to facilitate the subsequent processing.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure for power shutdown using the power line communication device 20.
Here, the power cutoff command shown in FIG. 17 will be described. As an example, when a target value of power consumption in the system is determined and an integrated value obtained from communication results of a plurality of power line communication devices exceeds the target value, a power-off command is transmitted. . More specifically, in such a case, the power line communication device that has detected that the target value has been exceeded is transmitted to the power line communication device with a lower priority in accordance with a predetermined priority order for turning off the power. Is done. In addition, as a condition for canceling the power shutoff (starting power feeding), in the above case, when the integrated value enters the target, the power shutoff starts from the one with higher priority, contrary to the power shutoff command. If the level does not exceed the target even if the power is released, it can be considered to release the power shutdown.

When the power line communication function unit 26b2 (see FIG. 6) receives such a power-off command from another power line communication device 30 (see FIG. 11) (step 201), the power detection function unit 26b1 (see FIG. 6) The power consumption of the copying machine 4 is detected (step 202). As a result of detection, as described with reference to FIG. 16, a value obtained by replacing the power consumption value with the mode is acquired. Then, it is determined whether or not the copying machine 4 is in the operation mode (step 203). If it is an operation mode, it will return to step 202 and will perform electric power detection again. When not in the operation mode, for example, in the stop mode or the energy saving mode, the power shut-off function unit 26b3 (see FIG. 6) operates the power switch unit 27 (see FIG. 6) to shut off the power (step 204). Thereafter, the power line communication function unit 26b2 communicates to the other power line communication device 30 that the power supply has been shut off (step 205), and ends the series of processes.
As described above, when the power is cut off by the operation of the power switch unit 27, the copying machine 4 does not consume power. Even if the copying machine 4 has the energy saving mode, it is almost unused at night. When the copier 4 is left in an unused state without being turned off, the power consumption is reduced by shifting to the energy saving mode. However, even in the energy saving mode, a little power is consumed. . Therefore, when the time when the copying machine 4 is not used at all for a long time continues for a long time, it is important to turn off the power of the imaging device in order to save energy.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure for power shutdown using the power line communication device 40. 18 is the same as that described with reference to FIG. 17, and therefore the description thereof is omitted.
As shown in FIG. 18, when the power line communication function unit 46b2 (see FIG. 15) receives a power-off command from another power line communication device 30 (see FIG. 11) (step 301), the power detection function unit 46b1 (FIG. 15). (See) detects the power consumption of the multifunction peripheral 1A (see FIG. 11) (step 302). Then, it is determined whether or not the power consumption is zero, that is, whether or not the power is already turned off (step 303). When it is determined that the power is not already turned off, the general-purpose communication function unit 46b4 (see FIG. 15) turns off the power via the external interface 48 (see FIG. 14) for the multifunction device 1A that is a power consuming device. A command is transmitted (step 304). Thereafter, the power detection function unit 46b1 (see FIG. 15) detects the power consumption of the multifunction device 1A (step 305), and determines whether the power of the multifunction device 1A is turned off (step 306).

  Here, when the MFP 1A (see FIG. 11) receives the power-off command transmitted in step 304, if the print command (job) is being executed, the MFP 1A immediately turns off the power. Without waiting for the print command to end. That is, the multifunction device 1A performs power-off processing itself after the print command is completed, and turns off the power.

  On the other hand, when the power line communication device 40 determines in step 306 that the power of the multifunction peripheral 1A is not turned off, the power line communication device 40 returns to step 305 and continues the power detection. When it is determined that the power of the multifunction device 1A has been turned off, the power shut-off function unit 46b3 (see FIG. 15) operates the power switch unit 47 (see FIG. 14) to shut off the power (step 307). Thereafter, the power line communication function unit 46b2 communicates to the other power line communication device 30 that the power supply has been shut off (step 308), and ends the series of processes.

An application example of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 19 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a system using a power line communication device according to an application example of the second embodiment. Description of the contents already described in FIG. 10 is omitted.
As shown in FIG. 19, the multifunction peripherals 1A and 1B and the personal computer 2 are connected to an existing network NW. Therefore, the multifunction peripherals 1A and 1B can transmit various kinds of energy saving information to the personal computer 2 through the network NW. The personal computer 2 stores various received energy saving information. The personal computer 2 may be configured to display various received energy saving information on the screen.

  As described above, a configuration that provides a power management / control system for the entire office is adopted. The configuration described above can also be applied to energy saving / power saving management.

  Here, the various processes shown in the above-described embodiment are application programs executed by the control units 16b, 26b, 36b, and 46b using the storage units 16g, 26g, 36g, and 46g, which are working memories. Realized. This application program is provided in the state installed in the apparatus when the power line communication apparatus 10, 20, 30, 40 is provided to a customer (including a user). A form in which a program to be executed by 10, 20, 30, 40 is provided on a storage medium or the like stored in a readable manner by the power line communication devices 10, 20, 30, 40 is conceivable. As this storage medium, for example, a CD-ROM medium or the like corresponds, and a program is read and executed by a CD-ROM reader (not shown) or the like. These programs may be provided via the power line PL by a program transmission device (not shown), for example. Further, the power line communication devices 30 and 40 may be provided through the external interfaces 38 and 48.

It is a schematic block diagram explaining the system using the power line communication apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure explaining a power line communication apparatus. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the structure of the unit part in the power line communication apparatus of FIG. It is a block diagram of the memory | storage part in the unit part of FIG. It is a figure explaining a power line communication apparatus. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the structure of the unit part in the power line communication apparatus of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence about the power supply cutoff using a power line communication apparatus. It is a figure for demonstrating the setting and storage of a unit number. It is a graph for demonstrating the conditions of electric power interruption. It is a schematic block diagram explaining the system using the power line communication apparatus which concerns on the application example of 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram explaining the system using the power line communication apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure explaining a power line communication apparatus. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the structure of the unit part in the power line communication apparatus of FIG. It is a figure explaining a power line communication apparatus. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the structure of the unit part in the power line communication apparatus of FIG. It is a graph for demonstrating the relationship between a power consumption value and a mode. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence about the power supply cutoff using a power line communication apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence about the power supply cutoff using a power line communication apparatus. It is a schematic block diagram explaining the system using the power line communication apparatus which concerns on the application example of 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

10, 20, 30, 40 ... power line communication device, 11, 21, 31, 41 ... device main body, 14, 24, 34, 44 ... power plug, PL ... power line, 15, 25, 35, 45 ... outlet, 16, 26, 36, 46 ... unit part, 16b, 26b, 36b, 46b ... control part, 16e, 26e, 36e, 46e ... number setting part, 16f, 26f, 36f, 46f ... automatic setting part, 16g, 26g, 36g, 46g: storage unit, 27, 47 ... power switch unit, 38, 48 ... external interface

Claims (22)

Power supply means for supplying power from the power line to the device;
Power information detecting means for detecting power information relating to the device fed by the power feeding means;
Storage means for storing information relating to equipment fed by the power feeding means;
Power line communication means for power line communication of power information detected by the power information detection means and information stored in the storage means using a power line;
A power line communication device. Further comprising setting means for setting identification information used in communication by the power line communication means,
The power line communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit stores identification information set by the setting unit. The setting unit includes a manual setting unit configured to be able to set identification information, and an automatic setting unit that sets identification information using information acquired from another power line communication device by the power line communication unit. ,
3. The power line communication apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the storage unit replaces the already stored identification information with new identification information set by the automatic setting unit.   2. The power line communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power information detection unit detects power information for each preset time and stores the result in the storage unit. The state of the equipment fed from the feeding means can be managed,
The power line communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power information detection unit detects a state of the device corresponding to power supplied from the power supply unit as power information. It further includes switching means for switching the presence or absence of power supply to the device by the power supply means,
The power line communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the switching means performs switching based on power information detected by the power information detection means or information acquired from another power line communication apparatus by the power line communication means. .   Based on the power information acquired from the other power line communication device by the power line communication device, the power line communication device instructs the other power line communication device to cut off the power supply to the device powered by the other power line communication device. The power line communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission is performed.   When a power supply cutoff instruction is received from another power line communication device via the power line communication unit, the power supply to the device is cut off based on the power information by the power information detection unit of the device to which power is supplied. The power line communication apparatus according to claim 1. Power supply means for supplying power from the power line to the device;
Power information detecting means for detecting power information relating to the device fed by the power feeding means;
First communication means using a power line as a communication medium;
Second communication means for performing communication with a device fed by the power supply means using a communication medium different from the first communication means;
Storage means for storing information relating to equipment fed by the power feeding means;
A power line communication device.   In accordance with an instruction received by the first communication means from another power line communication device provided with the power line communication means, the power supply of the device that communicates with the second communication means can be controlled. The power line communication apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the power line communication apparatus is a power line communication apparatus.   10. The power line communication according to claim 9, further comprising a setting unit configured to set information input through the second communication unit as the information related to the device stored in the storage unit. apparatus. A plurality of power supply devices connected to the power line and supplying power from the power line to the device;
A power information detection unit that is provided in each of the plurality of power supply devices and detects power information related to a device to be fed;
A storage unit that is provided in each of the plurality of power supply devices and stores information about a device to be supplied with power;
A power line communication unit that is provided in each of the plurality of power supply devices and performs power line communication using the power line as a communication medium for the power information detected by the power information detection unit and the information stored in the storage unit;
Including power supply system.   13. The power supply system according to claim 12, wherein each of the plurality of power supply apparatuses communicates with another power supply apparatus via a power line by the power line communication unit with respect to power information detected by the power information detection unit. .   The each of the plurality of power supply devices transmits an instruction to interrupt power supply to the device based on the power information acquired from the other power supply devices. Power supply system.   Each of the plurality of power supply devices, when receiving a power supply cutoff instruction from another power supply device, cuts off the power supply to the device based on power information by the power information detection unit of the device to which the power is supplied. The power feeding system according to claim 13.   The power feeding system according to claim 12, wherein each of the plurality of power feeding devices further includes another communication unit that performs communication with a device to be fed using a communication medium different from the power line communication unit.   The power feeding system according to claim 16, wherein devices fed by different power feeding devices among the plurality of power feeding devices can communicate with each other by the power line communication unit and the other communication unit.   By using power line communication means for performing power line communication using a power line as a communication medium, a power feeding device connected to the power line acquires and stores power information about a device fed by another power feeding device connected to the power line. A power supply system that performs power control of the device so as to control power consumption.   By using power line communication means for performing power line communication using a power line as a communication medium, a power feeding device connected to the power line acquires and stores power information about a device fed by another power feeding device connected to the power line. A power supply system that performs power control of the device so as to control power consumption and displays a control result on the device. In the computer device mounted on the power supply device that supplies power from the power line to the equipment,
A power detection function for detecting power information about a device to be fed;
A power line communication function for performing power line communication with other power supply devices using the power line as a communication medium;
A storage function for storing information unique to the power supply apparatus in a storage unit;
A program that realizes   21. The program according to claim 20, further comprising a setting function for setting identification information using information acquired from another power supply apparatus by the power line communication function.   21. The program according to claim 20, further realizing a switching function for switching presence / absence of power supply to the device.

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