JP2011103034A - Control device, system, method and program for supplying power - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a power supply control device, and a power supply system, method and program, which copes with increase of power consumption and failure of a power supply device, and suppresses power consumption of the whole of several power supply devices. <P>SOLUTION: A power supply receiving means 12 of the power supply control device 10 receives power supply from a predetermined number of power supply devices through a network. A power receiving device connecting means 14 connects to the arbitrary number of power receiving devices, and distributes power to these power receiving devices, based on communication about the power supply with the power supply device of the communication means 13. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a power supply control device, a power supply system, a power supply method, and a power supply program for supplying power to a plurality of power receiving devices via a network.

  Various devices connected to communication terminals and communication networks are often driven by DC voltage. Conventionally, each of these power receiving devices (Power Device) is provided with a power supply circuit for obtaining a desired DC voltage from a commercial power supply, or connected with an AC (Alternating Current) adapter to supply power.

  However, when the number of power receiving devices used in the communication network increases, there is a problem that each power receiving device needs to be connected to a commercial power source, and wiring is congested. Further, when these power receiving devices themselves have a built-in power supply circuit for converting from alternating current to direct current, there is a problem that the devices are enlarged. When the AC adapter is used, the problem of increasing the size of the apparatus itself is solved. However, the overall size and weight including the AC adapter often increase, and the problem has not been solved.

  Accordingly, it has been proposed as an IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers) 802.3af standard to connect a power supply device to a LAN (Local Area Network) cable and supply power to the power receiving device via this cable. . When this standard as the first related technology of the present invention is adopted, a small communication device can be supplied with power via its own port. In addition, for example, when a plurality of power receiving devices of 1U size power receiving devices defined by the American Electronics Industry Association are used, these can be neatly accommodated in a rack, and neat wiring is possible. The 1U size specifically refers to a size having a height of 4.45 cm, a width of 48.26 cm, and a depth of 54 cm.

FIG. 14 shows a power supply system as a second related technique for supplying power to a plurality of power receiving apparatuses using the IEEE 802.3af standard (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The power supply system 400 includes a power supply device 402 connected to the LAN cable 401 and first to K-th PoE (Power Over Ethernet (registered trademark)) power reception destinations of power supplies connected to the LAN cable 401. device 403 _1, ......, 103 _K (although, K is a positive integer.) has.

JP 2006-195663 A (paragraph 0001)

The first to K-th PoE power receiving devices 403 ₁ ,..., 403 _K are assumed to have a maximum power consumption of 15.4 W (watts) based on the standard for PoE in the IEEE 802.3af standard. Here, it is assumed that the integer K is “48” as an example. Then, first to 48 PoE power receiving device 403 _1, ..., in the state in which all the 103 ₄₈ is consuming power of each 15.4W, would require power of approximately 740W in total.

  For this reason, the power supply device 402 needs to output power such as 800 W or 1000 W, for example. Therefore, conventionally, it is necessary to prepare a power supply device 402 that outputs such large power as a special device. For this reason, the cost of the power supply device 402 is high, and the reliability at the time of failure is lacking in that a substitute cannot be immediately prepared when such a special power supply device 402 fails. There was a problem.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a power supply control device, a power supply system, a power supply method, and a power supply program that can cope with an increase in power consumption and a failure of a power supply device and can suppress the power consumption of the entire plurality of power supply devices. Is to provide.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a power supply control device, a power supply system, a power supply method, and a power supply program that can quickly cope with an increase in the number of PoE power receiving devices and a failure of a power supply device as a general-purpose device. is there.

  In the present invention, (a) a cable connection means for connecting to a predetermined network cable, and (b) a power supply for receiving power supplied from a predetermined number of power supply devices connected to the communication network via the cable connection means. Receiving means; (c) communication means for communicating with the predetermined number of power supply devices via the cable connection means; and (d) power reception device connection means for connecting any number of power reception devices, respectively. (E) A power distribution means for distributing the power received by the power receiving means to at least a part of the power receiving apparatus connected to the power receiving apparatus connecting means based on the information relating to the power feeding of the communication means. A supply control device is provided.

  In the present invention, (a) a power supply status determining means for determining whether or not each power supply device that supplies power to an arbitrary number of power receiving devices via a communication network is capable of supplying power; Total power amount determining means for determining the power consumed by the entire power receiving apparatus connected for power supply; and (c) the total power amount determined by the total power amount determining means is the power supply status determining means. (D) When the power shortage determining means determines that the power supply is insufficient, the current power that can be supplied is determined. The power supply control device includes priority distribution means for distributing the required amount of power to each power receiving device in accordance with a predetermined priority according to the amount.

  Further, in the present invention, (a) a predetermined number of power supply devices connected to the communication network, (b) power receiving means for receiving the power output from the predetermined number of power supply devices via the communication network, A communication means for communicating with the predetermined number of power supply devices using the communication network, a power reception device connection means for connecting an arbitrary number of power reception devices, and at least a power reception device connected to the power reception device connection means A power supply control device comprising a power distribution means for distributing the power received by the power receiving means to a part based on information relating to the power supply of the communication means, and (c) the power receiving device connection The power supply system includes an arbitrary number of power receiving devices connected to the means.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, (b) a power supply status determination step for determining whether or not each power supply device that supplies power to an arbitrary number of power receiving devices via a communication network is capable of supplying power; And (c) the total power amount determined in the total power amount determining step is the above-described power supply state determination. A power shortage determination step for determining whether the power supply amount is within the range of the possible power supply amount determined in the step, and (d) when it is determined that the power amount is insufficient in this power shortage determination step, the current supply is possible The power supply method includes a priority distribution step of distributing a required amount of power to each power receiving device according to a predetermined priority according to the amount of power.

  Further, in the present invention, as a power supply program for the computer, (a) a power supply status determination process for determining whether or not each power supply device that supplies power to an arbitrary number of power receiving devices via a communication network can be supplied. And (b) a total power amount determination process for determining the power consumed by the entire power receiving apparatus connected to the own device for power supply, and (c) a total power amount determined by the total power amount determination process. A power shortage determination process for determining whether the power supply amount determined by the power supply state determination process is within a range of a possible power supply amount; and (d) the power shortage determination process determined that the power amount is insufficient. At this time, the power distribution apparatus is configured to cause each power receiving apparatus to execute a priority distribution process that distributes the required power according to a predetermined priority.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the power supply device connected to the network cable is configured to connect an arbitrary number of power receiving devices. Thereby, a plurality of power supply devices can be connected to the communication network, and the power supplied from these can be distributed to the power receiving devices. Therefore, it is possible to support the expansion of power receiving devices without using a special power supply device with a large power capacity, and the number of power supply devices can be adjusted according to the number of power receiving devices. An economic system for can be built.

  In addition, according to the present invention, by connecting a plurality of power supply devices to the communication network, even if a failure occurs in some power supply devices, the reliability of power supply to the power receiving device can be improved by using other power supply devices. be able to. In addition, a general-purpose device can be used as a power supply device without using a special power supply device with a large power supply capacity. Time can be shortened.

It is a claim corresponding | compatible figure of the power supply control apparatus of this invention. It is a claim corresponding | compatible figure of the other power supply control apparatus of this invention. It is a claim corresponding | compatible figure of the power supply system of this invention. It is a claim corresponding | compatible figure of the power supply method of this invention. It is a claim corresponding | compatible figure of the power supply program of this invention. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a power supply system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram showing the structure of the power supply control apparatus used by this Embodiment. It is a block diagram showing the structure of the 1st power supply device used by this Embodiment. It is a block diagram showing the principal part of the 1st PoE power receiving apparatus used by this Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which showed an example of the memory | storage state of the power status storage part in the power supply control apparatus in this Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which showed an example of the content of the apparatus priority order table in the power supply control apparatus in this Embodiment. It is a flowchart showing the mode of the update process of the power supply status memory | storage part in the power supply control apparatus of this Embodiment. It is a flowchart showing the mode of the power supply process with respect to each PoE power receiving apparatus by the power supply control apparatus in this Embodiment. It is a system block diagram showing the power supply system as 2nd related technology.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram corresponding to the claims of the power supply control device of the present invention. The power supply control device 10 according to the present invention includes a cable connection unit 11, a power reception unit 12, a communication unit 13, a power reception unit connection unit 14, and a power distribution unit 15. Here, the cable connecting means 11 is connected to a predetermined network cable. The power receiving unit 12 receives power supplied from a predetermined number of power supply devices connected to the communication network via the cable connecting unit 11. The communication unit 13 communicates with the predetermined number of power supply devices via the cable connection unit 11 regarding power feeding. The power receiving device connection unit 14 connects an arbitrary number of power receiving devices. The power distribution unit 15 distributes the power received by the power reception unit 12 to at least a part of the power reception device connected to the power reception device connection unit 14 based on information regarding the power supply of the communication unit 13.

  FIG. 2 shows a claim correspondence diagram of another power supply control device of the present invention. Another power supply control device 20 of the present invention includes a power supply status determination unit 21, a total power amount determination unit 22, a power shortage determination unit 23, and a priority distribution unit 24. Here, the power supply status determination unit 21 determines whether power can be supplied to each of the power supply devices that supply power to an arbitrary number of power receiving devices via the communication network. The total power amount discriminating means 22 discriminates the power consumed by the entire power receiving apparatus connected to the own apparatus for power feeding. The power shortage determining unit 23 determines whether the total power amount determined by the total power amount determining unit 22 is within a range of possible power supply amounts according to the power status determined by the power supply status determining unit 21. The priority distribution unit 24, when the power shortage determination unit 23 determines that the amount of power is insufficient, according to the current amount of power that can be supplied, the amount of power required for each power receiving device in accordance with the priority order predetermined. Distribute

  FIG. 3 is a diagram corresponding to claims of the power supply system of the present invention. The power supply system 30 of the present invention includes a power supply device 31, a power supply control device 32, and an arbitrary number of power reception devices 33. Here, the power supply device 31 is a predetermined number of devices connected to the communication network. The power supply control device 32 includes power receiving means 32a, communication means 32b, power receiving device connection means 32c, and power distribution means 32d. The power receiving means 32a receives the power output from the predetermined number of power supply devices 31 via the communication network described above. The communication unit 32b communicates with the predetermined number of power supply devices using the communication network. The power receiving device connection unit 32c connects an arbitrary number of power receiving devices. The power distribution unit 32d distributes the power received by the power reception unit 31a to at least a part of the power reception device connected to the power reception device connection unit 32c based on the information regarding the power supply of the communication unit 32b. The arbitrary number of power receiving devices 33 are connected to the power receiving device connecting means 32c.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram corresponding to claims of the power supply method of the present invention. The power supply method 40 of the present invention includes a power supply status determination step 41, a total power amount determination step 42, a power shortage determination step 43, and a priority distribution step 44. Here, in the power supply status determination step 41, it is determined whether or not each power supply device that supplies power to an arbitrary number of power receiving devices via the communication network can be supplied with power. In the total power amount determination step 42, the power consumed by the entire power receiving apparatus connected to the own apparatus for power feeding is determined. In the power shortage determination step 43, it is determined whether the total power amount determined in the total power amount determination step 42 is within a range of possible power supply amounts according to the power status determined in the power supply status determination step 41. In the priority distribution step 44, when it is determined that the power amount is insufficient in the power shortage determination step 43, the power amount required for each power receiving device in accordance with the priority order determined in advance according to the current power supply amount Distribute

  FIG. 5 shows a claim correspondence diagram of the power supply program of the present invention. The power supply program 50 of the present invention causes a computer to execute a power supply status determination process 51, a total power amount determination process 52, a power shortage determination process 53, and a priority distribution process 54 as a power supply program. ing. Here, in the power supply status determination processing 51, it is determined whether or not each power supply device that supplies power to an arbitrary number of power receiving devices via the communication network can be supplied with power. In the total power amount determining process 52, the power consumed by the entire power receiving apparatus connected to the self apparatus for power feeding is determined. In the power shortage determination process 53, it is determined whether the total power determined in the total power determination process 52 is within the range of possible power supply according to the power status determined in the power supply status determination process 51. In the priority distribution process 54, when it is determined that the amount of power is insufficient in the power shortage determination process 53, the amount of power required for each power receiving device according to the priority order determined in advance according to the current amount of power that can be supplied Distribute

  <Embodiment of the Invention>

  Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 6 shows a power supply system according to the embodiment of the present invention. The power supply system 100 of the present embodiment includes a first to Jth power supply devices 102 ₁ ,..., 102 _J (where J is a positive integer) connected to the LAN cable 101 and a power supply control device 103. It has. The power supply control device 103 includes first to K-th PoE (Power over Ethernet (registered trademark)) power receiving devices 104 ₁ ,..., 104 _K (where K is a positive integer) as power supply destinations. Connected. Power unit 102 ₁ of the first to J, ......, 102 _J is, PoE power receiving apparatus 104 ₁ of the first to K, ......, a main power supply for the 104 _K. The power supply control device 103 controls power supply to the first to Kth PoE power receiving devices 104 ₁ ,..., 104 _K.

  FIG. 7 shows the configuration of the power supply control device. This will be described with reference to FIG.

  The power supply control device 103 includes a main control unit 113 including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 111 and a memory 112 such as a ROM (Read Only Memory). The CPU 111 controls the entire power supply control device 103 by executing a control program stored in the memory 112. Therefore, the main control unit 113 is connected to the communication control unit 115, the power consumption detection unit 116, the power failure detection unit 117, the power supply activation control unit 118, the LAN side connection unit 119, the power reception side connection unit 120, and the power supply via the bus 114. The status storage unit 121 and the device priority table 122 are connected.

Here, the communication control unit 115 is connected to the LAN cable 101 through the LAN connection unit 119, the power supply apparatus 102 ₁ of the first to J, ......, make the necessary communications and 102 _J. The power consumption detection unit 116 is the sum of the power consumption of each of the first to K-th PoE power receiving devices 104 ₁ ,..., 104 _K that is currently supplying power via the LAN side connection unit 119. Is to ask for. Power failure detecting section 117, the power supply apparatus 102 ₁ of the first to J, ......, 102 when the trouble can not be powered by either _J is generated, so as to detect a power supply 102 the failed It has become. Power activation control unit 118, PoE power receiving apparatus 104 ₁ of the first to K, ......, to supply the necessary power to that of running of 104 _K, the power supply of the first to J Controls the activation of the devices 102 ₁ ,..., 102 _J. Further, when the power failure detection unit 117 detects a failure in a part of the first to Jth power supply devices 102 ₁ ,..., 102 _J , the power activation control unit 118 prevents the failure from affecting the first. power unit 102 ₁ to the J, ......, it switches the activation of 102 _J.

The LAN side connection unit 119 includes one power connection terminal (not shown) for connection to the _first to Jth power supply devices 102 ₁ ,..., 102 _J via the LAN cable 101. The power receiving side connection unit 120 connects the first to K-th PoE power receiving devices 104 ₁ ,..., 104 _K and supplies power to these power receiving connections for J or more PoE power receiving devices (not shown). It has a terminal. The power status storage unit 121 stores the power status of each of the _first to Jth power supply devices 102 ₁ ,..., 102 _J. The device priority order table 122 is a table that defines priorities for power supply of the _first to K-th PoE power receiving devices 104 ₁ ,..., 104 _K.

By the way, the first to Jth power supply devices 102 ₁ ,..., 102 _{J all} have a 1U size defined by the American Electronics Industry Association. By unifying the 1st to Jth power supply devices 102 ₁ ,..., 102 _J into a 1U size, it is neatly accommodated in a rack (not shown) having a width of 48.26 cm (19 inches) together with other network devices. Is possible.

These first to Jth power supply devices 102 ₁ ,..., 102 _J have a standard capacity as a power source. In other words, it is not only small in size but also manufactured in large quantities as a standard product compared to a custom-made large-capacity large-sized PoE power receiving device that was previously prepared when feeding power to multiple PoE power receiving devices collectively. Therefore, one unit can be manufactured at a low cost.

FIG. 8 shows the configuration of the first power supply device. This will be described with reference to FIG. The first to Jth power supply devices 102 ₁ ,..., 102 _J shown in FIG. 6 may have some differences in power supply capacity, but they basically have the same configuration. Therefore, only a specific configuration of the first power supply device 102 ₁ will be shown.

The first power supply apparatus 102 ₁ includes a CPU 131 and a main control unit 133 including a memory 132 such as a ROM. The CPU 131 controls the entire _first power supply apparatus 1021 by executing a control program stored in the memory 132. Therefore, the main control unit 133 is connected to the communication control unit 135, the failure detection unit 136, the power supply control unit 137, and the LAN side connection unit 138 via the bus 134.

Further, the first power supply apparatus 102 _1, the power supply unit 139 for supplying a DC power source of standard capacity is provided. The power supply unit 139 is connected to the power supply control unit 137 with a power supply control line 141 for controlling on / off of the output of the power supply. The power supply unit 139 connects the output line 142 to the LAN side connection unit 138. The output line 142 is connected to a predetermined power output pin (not shown) of the LAN side connection unit 138.

  Here, the communication control unit 135 communicates with the power supply control device 103 via the LAN cable 101 shown in FIG. The failure detection unit 136 detects when an abnormality has occurred in the power supply output from the power supply unit 139 and when the failure has been recovered. The power supply control unit 137 controls the power supply output of the power supply unit 139 according to the instruction on the power supply control device 103 side obtained from the communication control unit 135 and the detection result of the failure detection unit 136. As a result, when the power control unit 137 instructs the power supply unit 139 to output power, the power is supplied from the LAN side connection unit 138 to the LAN cable 101. When the failure detection unit 136 detects an abnormality in the power supply of the power supply unit 139, the power supply from the LAN side connection unit 138 to the LAN cable 101 is stopped.

FIG. 9 illustrates a main part of the first PoE power receiving apparatus. The configurations of the second to K-th PoE power receiving devices 104 ₂ ,..., 104 _K are substantially the same as the configuration of the first PoE power receiving device 104 ₁ . Therefore, only the configuration of the first PoE power receiving apparatus 104 ₁ will be shown.

First PoE power receiving apparatus 104 ₁ includes a CPU 151, a main control unit 153 having a memory 152 such as a ROM. The CPU 151 controls the entire _first PoE power receiving device 104 ₁ by executing a control program stored in the memory 152. Therefore, the main control unit 153 is connected to the communication control unit 155, the power on / off control unit 156, and the unique function unit 157 via the bus 154.

Here, the communication control unit 155 is connected to one of the power receiving connection terminals of the power receiving side connection unit 120 illustrated in FIG. 7 and communicates with the power supply control device 103. The power on / off control unit 156 turns on / off the supply of power to the unique function unit 157. The unique function unit 157 is a general term for circuit portions that realize the function of the _first PoE power receiving apparatus 1041 itself. If for example a first PoE power receiving device 104 ₁ is a terminal adapter or the external storage device, the circuit portion excluding the communication control unit 155 and the main control unit 153 from the circuit device for realizing these functions.

In the power supply system 100 having the above configuration, the power supply apparatus 102 ₁ of the first to J shown in FIG. 6, ..., the power supply capacity of the power supply unit 139 of the 102 _J, respectively P _1, ..., P _J And In the nonvolatile memory area in the memory 132 of the first power supply device 102 ₁ shown in FIG. 8, the power supply capacity P ₁ of the power supply unit 139 of the own device is written at the time of factory shipment. The same applies to the _second to Jth power supply devices 102 ₂ ,..., 102 _J.

FIG. 10 shows an example of the storage state of the power supply status storage unit in the power supply control device. The power status storage unit 121, the power supply apparatus 102 ₁ of the first to J, ......, 102 respectively of the power capacity P ₁ of _J, ......, P _J is stored.

FIG. 11 shows an example of the contents of the device priority order table in the power supply control device. In the device priority order table 122, priorities for the power supply of the _first to K-th PoE power receiving devices 104 ₁ ,..., 104 _K are stored. Here, the priority of the first PoE power receiving device 104 ₁ marked “1” is the highest, and the priority of the Kth PoE power receiving device 104 _K marked “K” is the lowest.

  FIG. 12 shows a state of the update process of the power status storage unit in the power supply control device. This will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The power supply control apparatus 103 monitors the arrival of the check timing of the power supply apparatus 102 connected to the LAN cable 101 (step S201). This check timing may be generated at predetermined intervals in addition to when the power supply control device 103 is turned on.

  When the check timing of the power supply apparatus 102 has arrived (step S201: Y), the communication control unit 115 broadcasts a response of power supply information to all the power supply apparatuses 102 connected to the LAN cable 101 (step S202). Since the request is made by broadcast, even when the power supply apparatus 102 newly connected to the LAN cable 101 exists, a response of power supply information is requested.

Thereafter, the communication control unit 115 waits for reception of a reply (step S203). Whenever power information is returned from any of the power supply devices 102 (Y), the identification information representing the power supply device 102 and the power supply capacity P are stored in the buffer area of the memory 112 (step S204). Then, it waits for the response of the power supply information again until a predetermined waiting time t ₁ elapses (step S203: N, step S205: N). The waiting time t ₁ takes into account retransmission when a collision occurs in a packet transmitted by each of the _first to Jth power supply devices 102 ₁ ,..., 102 _J , and the numerical value “J” has increased or decreased. It is set considering the case.

After the waiting time t ₁ has elapsed (step S205: Y), and updates the contents of the power supply status storage unit 121 by using the identification information and power capacity P representing the power supply 102 as the power source information stored until then in the buffer area (Step S206). As a result, for example, if there is no notification of power supply information from the second power supply device 102 ₂ shown in FIG. 10, it is deleted from the stored contents of the power supply status storage unit 121 that some failure has occurred in the _second power supply device 102 _2. The On the contrary, if the power supply device 102 _X is newly added to the LAN cable 101, the power supply capacity P _X is added to the stored contents of the power status storage unit 121.

In order to make the operation of the power supply system 100 of this embodiment easy to understand, consider the following specific example. First, the numerical value “K” in the _first to K-th PoE power receiving devices 104 ₁ ,..., 104 _K is “48”. That is, the power supply control device 103 is provided with 48 pieces of connection port for the power receiving device, up to the first to 48 PoE power receiving apparatus 104 _1, ..., and can be connected to 104 _48.

Next, the numerical value “J” in the _first to Jth power supply devices 102 ₁ ,..., 102 _J is “3”. That is, it is assumed that the first to third power supply devices 102 _{1 to} 102 ₃ are connected to the power supply control device 103 via the LAN cable 101. The first to third power supply apparatuses 102 _{1 to} 102 ₃ each have a power capacity of 500 W (watts). Therefore, the total of the _first to third power supply devices 102 _{1 to} 102 ₃ can cover power consumption of 1500 W. Here, the first to third power supply apparatus 102 ₁ to 102 ₃ has a power capacity of each 500 W, either a standard power supply, thereby, upon cost and the power supply control unit 103 of the production Reliability can be achieved.

Now, it is assumed that each of the _first to 48th PoE power receiving devices 104 ₁ ,..., 104 ₄₈ has a maximum power consumption of 15.4 W based on the PoE in the IEEE 802.3af standard. In this case, first to 48 PoE power receiving device 104 _1, ..., 104 ₄₈ Overall, the state where all 48 units is consuming power, it is necessary to power a total of about 740W. In addition, if the power consumption of the power supply control device 103 itself is 200 W, the total of these is about 940 W. Even if a failure occurs in one of the first to _third power supply devices 102 _{1 to} 102 ₃ , a power capacity of 1000 W can be secured. Therefore, even when such a failure occurs, the demand of about 940 W is satisfied.

  FIG. 13 shows a state of power supply processing for each PoE power receiving device by the power supply control device. This will be described with reference to FIGS.

The power supply control device 103 waits for the timing to scan the port of the power receiving side connection unit 120 (step S221) and waits for a report on the occurrence and recovery of any PoE power receiving device (step S221). Step S222). When the scan timing of the port of the power receiving side connecting portion 120 comes (step S221: Y), then perform a scan, PoE power receiving apparatus 104 ₁ of the first to 48th, ..., a connection state among the 104 ₄₈ The number is determined (step S223). Then, the number of determined PoE power receiving devices 104 is multiplied by the maximum power consumption per unit to obtain the sum of these powers, and the power amount obtained by adding the power consumption of the power supply control device 103 to this is calculated (step S224). ).

Next, the power supply control apparatus 103 determines the minimum possible configuration of the power supply apparatus 102 that satisfies the calculated amount of power (step S225). The determination consults the respective capacity of the power supply of the first to third power supply apparatus 102 ₁ to 102 ₃ stored in the power status storage unit 121. This is because even if the first to third power supply devices 102 _{1 to} 102 ₃ both have standard capacities, there may be some types of standard capacities.

For example PoE power receiving apparatus 104 ₁ of the first to 48th, ..., and 104 ₄₈ 19 units of was connected to the port. Then, the maximum value of the power consumption regarding the PoE power receiving apparatus 104 is 19 times as large as 15.4 W, and the total is 292.6 W. If 200 W of the power consumption of the power supply control apparatus 103 is added to this, it will be 492.6W. Here, it is assumed that the first to third power supply devices 102 _{1 to} 102 ₃ are devices of the same type capable of supplying 500 W of power. In the case of this example, it is sufficient that only one of them is operating.

Once the minimum possible configuration that is actually used for power supply is determined, it is determined whether it is the one that uses all currently available devices among the _first to third power supply devices 102 _{1 to} 102 _3. Is performed (step S226). In this example, only one unit is used. Therefore, in this case (N), supply of power is instructed to the power supply apparatus 102 having the minimum configuration determined in step S225, and the power supply unit 139 is operated (step S227). It is assumed that the first power supply 102 ₁ as a power source of the minimum configuration. In this case, only the first power supply controller 137 of the power supply device 102 ₁ corresponding to instruct the power supply. The remaining second and third power supply devices 102 ₂ and 102 ₃ are not instructed to supply power. As a result, the power consumption of the second and third power supply devices 102 ₂ and 102 ₃ themselves can be maintained in a minimum state, and the power consumption of the entire power supply system 100 can be reduced. When the instruction in step S227 is performed, the process returns to step S221 (return).

As another example, PoE power receiving apparatus 104 ₁ of the first to 48 in step S223, ......, every 104 ₄₈ and to distinguish between being used were conducted. In this case, the total power consumption by the PoE power receiving apparatus 104 is 739.2W. Therefore, if 200 W of the power consumption of the power supply control device 103 is added, the power consumption becomes 939.2 W. In the case of this example, the minimum possible configuration of the power supply apparatus 102 in step S225 uses two of the three power supply apparatuses 102 ₁ and 102 ₂ , for example.

Even in the case of the second example, all the power supply devices 102 _{1 to} 102 ₃ are not used (step S226: N). Therefore, in step S227, for example, the first and second power supply devices 102 ₁ and 102 ₂ are instructed to supply power, and the process returns to step S221 (return).

Next, a case where a failure occurs in a part of the _first to third power supply apparatuses 102 _{1 to} 102 ₃ will be described. As an example, it is assumed that a failure in which power cannot be supplied from the _first power supply apparatus 1021 occurs. In this case, the failure detection unit 136 sends a failure report to the LAN cable 101 via the communication control unit 135.

In the power supply control device 103, the communication control unit 115 receives this failure report (step S221: N, step S222: Y). Then, the power failure detection unit 117 detects that a power failure has occurred in the _first power supply device 102 ₁ . Then, the contents of the power status storage unit 121 are updated to the state after the occurrence of the failure (step S228). Specifically, the power capacity of the _first power supply device 102 ₁ is P ₁ (500 W in this example) is rewritten as 0 W or an unusable state. Then, the minimum configuration of the power supply apparatus 102 that satisfies the currently required power amount calculated in step S224 is determined again (step S225). At this time, the current status of the power status storage unit 121 is the basis. Therefore, the first power supply 102 ₁ is out of the target of selection.

Here, consider two examples of the case where the power consumption is 492.6 W and 939.2 W. If power consumption of 492.6W the minimum configuration of the apparatus is determined in step S225 may be a second power supply device 102 ₂ may be a third power supply 102 _3. Assuming that the priority of use is set from the younger of the _first to third power supply devices 102 _{1 to} 102 ₃ , the second power supply device 102 ₂ is the minimum configuration of the device. In this case, in the next step S226, the main control unit 113 determines that a part of the currently available power supply device 102 is to be used (N). Therefore, already progressed to step S227 in the same manner as described, so that the second power supply 102 ₂ supplies power to all PoE power receiving device 104 corresponding.

Next, consider the case where the power consumption is 939.2W. In this case, the minimum configuration of the devices determined in step S225 is the second power supply device 102 ₂ and the third power supply device 102 ₃ . In the next step S226, the main control unit 113 determines that all of the power supply devices 102 that are currently available are used (Y). Therefore, the main control unit 113 checks whether or not all the power necessary for the system is satisfied by using all the power supply devices 102 that can be used at present (step S229). In the case of this example, the required power is 939.2W, which is 1000W or less. Therefore, since all necessary power is satisfied (N), it is deterministically the same as when the power consumption is 492.6 W. That is, the process proceeds to step S227, and power is supplied to all the PoE power receiving devices 104 to which the second power supply device 102 ₂ and the third power supply device 102 ₃ correspond.

Here, by changing the assumption, without providing the first to third power supply apparatus 102 ₁ to 102 ₃ to the power supply system 100, a first power supply device 102 ₁ and the second power supply 102 ₁ only prepared Suppose that Even in this case, if a failure occurs in either the first power supply apparatus 102 ₁ and the second power supply device 102 _1, PoE power receiving apparatus 104 ₁ of the first to 48th, ..., 104 ₄₈ Even if all of them are used, there is no shortage of power.

Under this modified assumption, and it received from the first power supply 102 ₁ to a point in time a fault report (step S222: Y). The contents of the power supply status storage unit 121 is updated in step S228, a configuration of a power supply system 100 is changed only to the second power supply 102 ₂ in step S229. Then, the main control unit 113 determines whether all of the power supply devices 102 that can be used at present are used (step S226). Since the only power supply device in which the second power supply unit 102 ₂ is available (Y), the process proceeds to the determination of step S229.

Here, first to 48 PoE power receiving apparatus 104 _1, ..., and 19 units of 104 ₄₈ was in a state of being used by being connected to the port. In this case, the power consumption of the 19 PoE power receiving devices 104 plus the power supply control device 103 is 492.6 W. Therefore, all of these can be covered with 500 W of the amount of electric power output from the _second power supply device 102 ₂ (step S229: N), and the same control as before is provided in that the _second power supply device 1022 supplies power. (Step S227).

On the other hand, first to 48 PoE power receiving device 104 _1, ..., when 104 ₄₈ 20 or more units of was used, the power consumption by adding them and the power supply control unit 103 is more than 500W . Therefore, in this case, the power required by the power supply system 100 cannot be satisfied (step S229: Y). In this case, the main control unit 113 refers to the device priority order table 122, selects 19 units from the higher priority order of the currently used power receiving devices 104, and supplies power to these PoE power receiving devices 104. The on / off control unit 156 is notified of power-on. The other PoE power receiving devices 104 are notified of power off (step S230). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S227. The PoE power receiving apparatus 104 that has been notified of power-off stops power supply to the unique function unit 157.

When the first power supply device 102 ₁ and the second power supply device 102 ₁ are prepared as power sources in the power supply system 100 as described above, the number of PoE power receiving devices 104 used is determined when a failure occurs in one of them. There may be restrictions. Even when the first to third power supply devices 102 _{1 to} 102 ₃ are used, a PoE power receiving device 104 is added so that one of them fails, and the total number of the power supply devices is 52 or more before recovery. In such a case, use restrictions corresponding to the priority order are added similarly.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the power supply apparatus 102 can be selected from general-purpose apparatuses, the power supply system 100 can be configured at low cost. Further, by providing a margin for the number of power supply devices 102, even if a failure occurs in a part of them, the PoE power receiving device 104 that is currently in use can be used as it is. Even when the PoE power receiving device 104 is added and power is insufficient, the power receiving device 104 having a higher priority can be continuously used. Furthermore, since the minimum configuration of the power supply apparatus 102 required is determined from the number of PoE power receiving apparatuses 104 in use and the minimum necessary number of power supply apparatuses 102 are put into operation, the power supply apparatus 102 itself Waste of power consumption can be minimized.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to realize both price reduction and reliability improvement of a small communication device device corresponding to supplying power to the PoE power receiving device 104. Further, in the present embodiment, when the number of power supply devices 102 that supply power to the PoE power receiving device 104 is small enough to support the power supply to the PoE power receiving device 104, the power can be supplied by one unit. Can operate only one power supply 102. Further, when the number of power supplies to the PoE power receiving device 104 increases and the power cannot be covered by one of the power supply devices 102, a plurality of power supply devices 102 can be operated.

In the embodiment described above, the minimum configuration of the power supply apparatus 102 required is determined from the number of PoE power receiving apparatuses 104 in use. However, this control may not be performed. In this case, the power output from all of the _first to Jth power supply devices 102 ₁ ,..., 102 _J is transmitted via the LAN cable 101 to the first to Kth PoE power receiving devices 104 ₁ ,. It is supplied to the apparatus in use in the 104 _K. Therefore, PoE power receiving apparatus 104 ₁ of the first to K, ......, 104 device in use or increase in _K, the power supply apparatus 102 ₁ of the first to J, ......, a portion of 102 _J When a failure occurs, the load per unit of these power supply devices 102 increases. The first to J-th power supply devices 102 ₁ ,..., 102 _J have a part of the PoE power receiving device 104 at the time when the output of all devices except the device in which the failure has occurred exceeds the maximum. Use will be limited.

Incidentally, if agreement is assumed that the priority of the connection to the ascending order of the port number of the power receiving side connecting portion 120 shown in FIG. 7 increases, PoE power receiving apparatus 104 ₁ of the first to K, ......, 104 _K priority Order control is simplified. The administrator of the power supply system 100 can easily change the priority order of each of the _{first to} Kth PoE power receiving devices 104 ₁ ,..., 104 _K by simply changing the port number. In this case, the device priority table 122 is not particularly required.

10, 20, 32, 103 Power supply control device 11 Cable connection means 12, 32a Power reception means 13, 32b Communication means 14, 32c Power reception device connection means 15, 32d Power distribution means 21 Power supply status determination means 22 Total power amount determination Means 23 Power shortage determination means 24 Priority distribution means 30, 100 Power supply system 31 Power supply device 33 Power receiving device 40 Power supply method 41 Power supply status determination step 42 Total power amount determination step 43 Power shortage determination step 44 Priority distribution step 50 Power supply program 51 Power supply status determination processing 52 Total power amount determination processing 53 Power shortage determination processing 54 Priority distribution processing 101 LAN cable 102 ₁ First power supply device 102 _J- th power supply device 104 ₁ First PoE power-receiving device 104 _K PoE power receiving of the K Location 111,131,151 CPU
112, 132, 152 Memory 113, 133, 153 Main control unit 115, 135, 155 Communication control unit 116 Power consumption detection unit 117 Power supply failure detection unit 118 Power supply start control unit 119 LAN side connection unit 120 Power reception side connection unit 121 Power supply status Storage unit 122 Device priority order table 136 Failure detection unit 137 Power supply control unit 139 Power supply unit 156 Power on / off control unit

Claims (8)

Cable connection means for connecting to a predetermined network cable;
Power receiving means for receiving power supplied from a predetermined number of power supply devices connected to a communication network via the cable connecting means;
Communication means for communicating with the predetermined number of power supply devices via the cable connection means;
A power receiving device connecting means for connecting an arbitrary number of power receiving devices;
A power distribution unit that distributes the power received by the power receiving unit to at least a part of the power receiving unit connected to the power receiving unit connection unit based on information about power supply of the communication unit. A power supply control device.   Necessary power consumption calculating means for calculating power consumption required by all of the power receiving apparatuses connected to the power receiving apparatus connecting means, and the predetermined number of power supply apparatuses according to the power consumption calculated by the required power consumption calculating means. The power supply control device according to claim 1, further comprising a power supply amount control unit that controls a power supply amount.   The power distribution means distributes the power received by the power receiving means to the power receiving apparatuses connected to the power receiving apparatus connection means in accordance with a predetermined priority order for each required amount of power. The power supply control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power supply control apparatus is a means.   When the communication means receives a power failure notification from a part of the predetermined number of power supply devices, whether the power received by the power receiving means after the failure satisfies the power consumption calculated by the required power calculation means Distributing power to a power receiving apparatus connected to the power receiving apparatus connecting means according to the priority distribution means when the failure power shortage determining means to determine and the failure power shortage determining means determine that the power consumption is not satisfied The power supply control device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: Power supply status determination means for determining whether or not each power supply device supplies power to an arbitrary number of power receiving devices via a communication network; and
Total power amount determining means for determining power consumed by the entire power receiving device connected to the device for power supply;
A power shortage determining means for determining whether the total power amount determined by the total power amount determining means is within a range of possible power supply amounts according to the power status determined by the power supply status determining means;
When this power shortage determining means determines that the amount of power is insufficient, priority order distribution means for distributing the required amount of power to each power receiving device in accordance with a predetermined priority order according to the current amount of power that can be supplied. A power supply control device comprising: A predetermined number of power supply units connected to a communication network;
Power receiving means for receiving the power output from the predetermined number of power supply devices via the communication network, communication means for communicating with the predetermined number of power supply devices using the communication network, and any number of power receiving devices And a power supply for distributing the power received by the power receiving means to at least a part of the power receiving device connected to the power receiving device connecting means based on information relating to power feeding of the communication means A power supply control device comprising a distribution means;
A power supply system comprising: an arbitrary number of power receiving devices connected to the power receiving device connecting means. A power supply status determination step for determining whether or not power supply of each power supply device that supplies power to an arbitrary number of power receiving devices via a communication network; and
A total power amount determining step for determining power consumed by the entire power receiving device connected to the device for power supply;
A power shortage determination step for determining whether the total power amount determined in the total power amount determination step is within a range of possible power supply amounts according to the power status determined in the power supply status determination step;
Priority distribution step for distributing the required amount of power to each power receiving device in accordance with a predetermined priority when it is determined that the amount of power is insufficient in this power shortage determination step A power supply method comprising: On the computer,
A power supply status determination process for determining whether or not each power supply device that supplies power to an arbitrary number of power receiving devices via a communication network can be supplied;
A total power amount determination process for determining power consumed by the entire power receiving device connected to the own device for power supply;
A power shortage determination process for determining whether the total power amount determined in the total power amount determination process is within a range of possible power supply amounts according to the power status determined in the power supply status determination process;
When it is determined that the amount of power is insufficient in this power shortage determination process, priority distribution processing that distributes the required amount of power to each power receiving device according to a predetermined priority according to the current amount of power that can be supplied And a power supply program.

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