JP3362127B2 - Power saving mode control system, server machine - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to power saving mode control.
The present invention relates to a system or a server machine , and more specifically, it is connected to a plurality of machines having a power saving mode function and connected to at least two or more same power supply groups, and the total power consumption does not exceed the capacity of the power supply. Power saving that controls the switching of the operation mode of each machine.
Power mode control system or its power saving mode control
The server machine connected to your system .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various machines such as personal computers, facsimiles, copiers, etc. are individually equipped with a power saving function, and are designed to shift from a normal use mode to a power saving mode after a certain period of time. ing.

[0003]

However, the conventional power saving function of various machines does not have the function of controlling the total power consumption when a plurality of machines are connected to one power source. In that respect, the improvement is required. In other words, the power saving function provided in various machines only operates independently even if a plurality of machines are connected to the same power source, so that these machines operate simultaneously. As a result, there is a problem that the capacity of the power supply is exceeded and the trouble of the breaker dropping cannot be avoided. Especially when working on a personal computer, etc., the work up to that point is lost,
There is a strong demand for means for effectively preventing such troubles.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to manage the total power consumption of a plurality of machines connected to at least two or more same power supply groups, and to prevent the total power consumption from exceeding the capacity of each power supply. An object of the present invention is to provide a power saving mode control device capable of controlling the power consumption of the device.

[0005]

According to the present invention, at least two same power supply groups are connected to a plurality of machines having a power saving mode function connected to the two or more same power supply groups. A storage device for storing the power consumption for each operation mode of the plurality of machines connected to the same power supply group, the priority of each machine, the current operation mode of each machine, and the capacity of the power supply. The operation mode information of the machine connected to the communication line and to be stored in the storage device is received from the electric communication line, the operation mode information is stored in the storage device, and based on the information stored in the storage device. In order to prevent the total power consumption of the multiple machines from exceeding the capacity of the power supply, a power-saving model consisting of a main control unit that controls the switching of the operation modes of the machines. At least one server machine having a control device is connected to each machine via an electric communication line, and the power consumption for each operation mode of all machines, the priority of each machine and the capacity of its power supply are stored in the storage device. And stores the current operation mode information of each machine in the storage device via the main control device through the telecommunication line, and based on the information stored in the storage device, the total information of the plurality of machines is stored. Provided is a power-saving mode control system characterized in that the main controller controls switching of operation modes of respective machines so that power consumption does not exceed the capacity of the same power supply group.

[0006]

According to the present invention, at least two or more same power supply groups are connected to a plurality of machines having a power saving mode function connected to the two or more same power supply groups. Power saving mode control system
In a plurality of power consumption in each operation mode of the machine to be connected, the priority of each machine, small for storing the current operating mode and capacity of the power source of the machine
Without even being connected to a single machine storage device in electrical communication line, it receives the operation mode information of the at least one Ma <br/> scene to be stored in the storage device from the telecommunication line,
The operation mode information causes stored in the storage device, based on the information stored in the storage device, the switching control of the operation mode of the machine such that the total power consumption of the plurality of machines does not exceed the power capacity the main control unit and at least one server machine having a power saving mode control unit comprising a via an electric communication line connected to each machine, the power consumption of each operation mode of all the machines, the priority of each machine to perform And the capacity of the power supply thereof are stored in the storage device, current operation mode information of each machine is stored in the storage device via the main control device through an electric communication line, and the information stored in the storage device is stored. Based on the above, the operation of each machine is controlled by its main controller so that the total power consumption of the plurality of machines does not exceed the capacity of the same power supply group. The power saving mode control system is provided which is characterized in that the switching control over de.
Further, a server machine (main controller) of a power saving mode control system having at least two or more same power supply groups and connected to a plurality of machines having a power saving mode function connected to the two or more same power supply groups. In the above-mentioned apparatus, the power consumption of each of the plurality of connected machines for each operation mode, the priority of each machine, the current operation mode of each machine, and the capacity of at least one machine for storing the capacity of the power supply. The storage device is connected to a storage device and a telecommunication line, receives operation mode information of at least one machine to be stored in the storage device from the telecommunication line, stores the operation mode information in the storage device, and the storage device. Based on the information stored in
At least one server machine having a power-saving mode controller including a main controller that controls the switching of the operation modes of the machines so that the total power consumption of the plurality of machines does not exceed the capacity of the power supply is connected to the telecommunication line. Connected to each machine through, the power consumption for each operation mode of all machines, the priority of each machine and the capacity of its power supply,
In the storage device, the current operation mode information of each machine is stored in the storage device via the main control device through an electric communication line, and based on the information stored in the storage device, Provided is a server machine characterized in that the main control unit controls the operation mode switching of each machine so that the total power consumption of the machines does not exceed the capacity of the same power supply group.

[0007]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The principle of the present invention will be described below with reference to specific examples shown in the accompanying drawings. In FIG. 1, which shows an example of switching control of operation modes of a machine using the power saving mode control device of the present invention, in this example, a power source having a maximum capacity of 15 A has three machines (first
Machine 1, second machine 2, third machine 3)
Are connected. The control devices 11, 12 and 13 of the present invention are connected to the respective machines, and these control devices are connected to each other via a network.

First, the priorities are set for the machines 1 to 3, and in the example of FIG. 1, the first machine has a priority of 1, the second machine 2 has a priority of 2, and a third. Machine 3 has a priority of 3. The priority may be fixedly designated by the user, or may be changed according to the operation status of each machine. For example, in the case of a machine such as a facsimile, the highest priority can be set in the operating state, and the lowest priority can be set in the non-operating state. Further, each of the machines 1 to 3 has a power saving mode function, and can switch between the power saving mode (several kinds of modes may be set depending on the power saving amount, performance, etc.) and the normal mode. ing. For example, when there is no access from the user for a certain period, the power saving mode is automatically set. Further, as is apparent from FIG. 1, the operation modes and power consumptions of the machines 1 to 3 are as follows. Machine 1 (Priority 1): Normal mode 6A (Maximum power consumption 6A) Power saving mode 0.4A Machine 2 (Priority 2): Normal mode 6A (Maximum power consumption 8A) Power saving A mode 0.5A Power saving B mode 2A Machine 3 (Priority 3): Normal mode 6A (maximum power consumption 8A) Power saving mode Information above 0.1A, that is, the maximum capacity of the power supply (15A), the operation mode of each machine 1 to 3 and the power consumption in the operation mode The information regarding is stored in the storage device of the control device of the present invention connected to each machine.

As is clear from the above information, the machine 1
When all of 3 to 3 operate in the normal mode, the total power consumption becomes at least 18A, and the maximum capacity of the power source is 1A.
It exceeds 5A. Therefore, the control devices 11 to 11 of the present invention
Therefore, it is necessary to control the switching of the operation modes of the respective machines 1 to 3 by means of 13.

That is, the control devices 11 to 13 described above cause the machines having lower priorities to shift to the power saving mode. For example, in the example of FIG. 1, the machine 3 having the priority order of 3 is shifted to the power saving mode (power consumption 0.1A) by the control device 13. By such control, the total power consumption of the machines 1 to 3 can be adjusted to 12.1A or less, and the trouble that the total power consumption exceeds the maximum capacity (15A) of the power supply and the breaker falls is effectively prevented. It is possible. In addition, the control device 13
The change of the operation mode of the machine 3 by the above is stored in the control device 13 and transmitted to the other control devices 11 and 12 through the network, and the information is also stored in these control devices 11 and 12. That is, the current operation mode of each machine 1 to 3 is
13 is stored, and switching control of the operation mode of each machine is performed based on these pieces of information.

In FIG. 2, which shows the structure of each of the control devices 11 to 13 for controlling the switching of the above-mentioned operation modes, this control device generally designated by 20 comprises a main control device 21 and a storage device 22. Further, it has a transceiver (information transmitting / receiving device) 23 connected to the network. That is, the control device 20 (each control device 1 described above) provided in each machine is connected via a network.
(Corresponding to 1 to 13) are connected to each other. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 30 denotes a machine body (corresponding to the machines 1 to 3 in FIG. 1, to which the control device 20 is connected,
For example, a personal computer, a facsimile, a copying machine).

As shown in FIG. 2, a server machine 10 having a storage device, a main controller, and a machine body 30.
0 is shown. The main control device 21 issues a transmission command of the current operation mode (power consumption in the mode, if necessary) to the machine body 30, further determines whether the operation mode can be changed by a user operation, and an operation mode change command. It is supposed to emit. Also, the machine body 30
Notifies the main controller 21 of the current operation mode (and, if necessary, power consumption in the operation mode), an inquiry about operation mode change by user operation, availability of operation mode change, and the like. .

Further, the main control unit 21 includes the transceiver 2
3 transmits predetermined information on the network and receives predetermined information from the network. That is, the main controller 21 connects the current operation mode of the machine body 30 (and power consumption in the operation mode as necessary) and the priority order of the machine body 30 to other machines through the transceiver 23 and the network. All the control devices (hereinafter simply referred to as other control devices) provided to other machines connected to at least two or more same power sources, and periodically issuing such machine information to the control device being operated. (Sometimes referred to as a device) through the network and transceiver 23.

At least two storage devices 22 are provided with the same operation mode together with the operation modes of the machine body 30, the power consumption for each operation mode, the priority and the current operation mode.
It stores information about other machines connected to the source, i.e. the operating modes of the other machines, the power consumption for each operating mode and the current operating mode,
Based on these pieces of information, the main controller 21 controls the change of the operation mode of the machine body 30. That is, the machine information transmitted from the machine body 30 and other control devices provided in other machines to the main control device 21 is stored in the storage device 22. Where before
Machine information is the consumption of each operating mode of the machine.
Power , priority of each machine, current of each machine
Operation mode This is information including the capacity of the power supply . In this case, if the basic information (operation mode, power consumption for each operation mode, priority) of all connected machines is stored in the storage device 22 in advance, the main control of the machine body 30 and other control devices is performed. It is also possible to omit the transmission of power consumption and priority information among the machine information transmitted to the device 21. That is, it is possible to send the information of only the current operation mode of each machine to the main control device 21 and update the information stored in the storage device 22. For example, when changing the priority order for each operation mode of each machine, if all combinations of the priority orders for each operation mode are stored in advance, transmission and reception of information on such priority order is omitted. It can be done.

Based on the information about all the machines stored in the storage device 22 described above, the operation of the machine main body is controlled so that the total power consumption of the plurality of machines connected to the same power supply does not exceed the capacity of the power supply. A server machine 10 having a main controller 21 for controlling the mode.
0 has the following functions.

That is, the main control device 21 allows the machine body 3 to be accessed by a user accessing the machine body 30.
In response to an operation mode change inquiry issued from 0, a cyclic token-like mode change permission request right is acquired. A mode change permission request is issued based on this mode change permission request right, whether mode change is possible or not is determined, and according to the result, a mode change request is issued to another machine through the transceiver 23 and the network by another control. It is sent to the device and receives a mode change request response from another control device. The switching of the operation mode of the machine body 30 is controlled according to the mode change availability and the mode change request response. Therefore, as a matter of course, the main control device 21 also has a function of receiving a mode change request from another control device and issuing a mode change request response to the other control device. The flow of the operation mode switching control by the main controller 21 is shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 3 and 4.

First, when the main controller 21 receives an inquiry about the change of the operation mode by the user accessing the machine body 30, the control flow by the main controller 21 is as shown in FIG. That is, the main controller 2
1 acquires a mode change permission request right, issues a mode change permission request, and determines whether or not the mode can be changed. Whether or not the mode can be changed is determined by the operation mode of the machine body 30 after the change, the power consumption in the operation mode, the current operation mode of other machines, and the priority of each machine (these information is stored in the storage device 22). ), So that the total power consumption does not exceed the capacity of the power supply.

If the operation mode of the machine body 30 can be changed unconditionally depending on whether or not the mode can be changed, the machine body 30 is notified that the operation mode can be changed, and the operation mode of the machine body 30 is changed (for example, power saving). Switching from the mode to the normal use mode) is performed. Further, after the mode is changed and before the mode change permission is released, the changed state of the own machine 30 is transmitted to each machine.

If the operation mode cannot be changed even considering the priority of each machine, the machine body 3
0 indicates that the operation mode cannot be changed, and the operation mode of the machine body 30 is not changed.

Further, when the operation mode can be changed conditionally, that is, when the operation mode of the machine body 30 can be changed by changing the operation modes of other machines based on the priority order, the operation is performed. A mode change request is issued to a control device provided in another machine whose mode should be changed. In this case, when the power saving modes of other machines are set to a plurality of stages, the mode change request includes the changed operation mode. Main controller 21
Receives a response to such a mode change request from the control device of the other machine, and if the response is acceptable, the machine body 30 is informed that the mode can be changed, and the operation mode of the machine body 30 is changed. If this response is not possible, tell the machine body 30 that the mode cannot be changed,
The operation mode of the machine body 30 is not changed.

After the mode change permission / prohibition is completed, main controller 21 releases the mode change permission request right. Also, depending on whether the mode can be changed, the machine body 3
When the operation mode of 0 is changed, the changed operation mode is transmitted to the control devices of all the other machines.

On the other hand, when the main control unit 21 receives a mode change request from the control unit of another machine, control is performed according to the flowchart of FIG. That is, when the main controller 21 receives a mode change request, the machine body 3
A mode change command is issued to 0. Next, the machine body 3
A response to the mode change command from 0, that is, whether or not the mode can be changed is received from the machine body 30, and according to this response, a mode change request response is sent to the control device of the other machine that has issued the mode change request. In this case, when the operation mode of the machine body 30 is changed according to the mode change request, the mode change request response includes the changed operation mode of the machine body 30 (power consumption in that mode if necessary). In addition, a mode change command to the machine body 30 by a mode change request can be forced.

When a user inquires to change the operation mode by accessing the machine body 30 or another machine, the control or mode change request response is made by the main controller as described above, and the same operation is performed. The operation switching control of each machine is performed so that the total power consumption of the plurality of machines connected to the power supply does not exceed the capacity of the power supply. Note that, for example, when the machine body 30 is not accessed by the user and a certain period of time has passed, the machine body 30 is automatically switched from the normal use mode to the power saving mode without performing the operation mode switching control by the above-described control device. Is switched to. In this case, the main controller 21 is informed of the changed operation mode (that is, the current operation mode) from the machine body 30, and this information is transmitted to the storage device 22 to update the data. It is also transmitted to the control devices of other machines through the transceiver 23 and the network, and the data in the storage device of the other control devices is also updated.

In the above-mentioned explanation of the principle of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the control device of the present invention is attached to each of a plurality of machines connected to the same power supply group to explain the switching control of the operation mode of each machine. did. Further, the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

Here, the same power supply group is the group shown in FIG. That is, in FIG. 5, a plurality of machines 1 to 3 having a power saving mode function are connected to one same power supply group 1, and these machines 1 to 3 are connected to a power saving system of the present invention via a network. The mode control device 40 is connected. Further, a plurality of machines 4 to 5 having a power saving mode function are connected to another one power source group 2, and the power saving mode control of the present invention is also applied to these machines 4 to 5 via a network. The device 40 is connected. And the machine server 2
The (100) has basically the same structure as that shown in FIG. 2, and includes a main control device 41, a storage device 42 and a transceiver 43.

That is, each of the machines 1 to 1 is stored in the storage device 42.
5 basic information (operation mode, power saving and priority order for each operation mode) is stored, and each of the current machines 1 to 1 is stored.
All the current operation modes of 5 are transmitted to and stored in the storage device 42 through the main control device 41 via the network and the transceiver 43. The main control device 41 controls the operation modes of all the machines 1 to 3 based on the information stored in the storage device 42.

The operation mode control by the main controller 41 is basically the same as that of the main controller 21 shown in FIG. 2 described above, but in order to control the operation mode for all the machines 1-5. , Slightly different from the main controller 21. For example, the main control device 41 does not transmit the information about each of the machines 1 to 5 on the network, only receives the information from each of the machines 1 to 5, and changes the mode like a cyclic token. The permission request right is unnecessary, and neither a mode change request nor a mode change request response is issued. That is, in response to a mode change inquiry from each of the machines 1 to 5 received through the network, it is determined whether or not the mode can be changed, and if the mode can be changed based on the priority order, the other machines can be transmitted through the network. A mode change command is issued, and in response to the response, a mode change command is similarly issued through the network to the machine inquired of the mode change. By controlling the switching of such operation modes,
Even when using one power saving mode control device, in the same power supply group 1, the total power consumption of the machines 4 to 5 in the machines 1 to 3 and the other same power supply group 2 does not exceed the capacity of the power supply. can do. Server machine 10
0 may be at least one of each of the machines 1 to 5.

[0028]

According to the present invention, when a plurality of machines having a power saving mode function are connected to at least two or more same power supply groups, the total power consumption of the plurality of machines does not exceed the capacity of the power supply. , It becomes possible to control the switching of the operation mode of each machine.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of machine mode switching control using a power saving mode control device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a structure of a power saving mode control device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of control by the main controller when a machine operation mode change request is received by user access.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a control flow by the main control device when a mode change request is received.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another example of machine mode operation mode switching control using the power saving mode control device of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

20, 40: Power saving mode control device of the present invention 21, 41: Main controller 22, 42: storage device 23, 43: Transceiver 100: Server machine 110

Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP-A-11-231977 (JP, A) JP-A-7-219688 (JP, A) JP-A-9-69017 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int .Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G06F 1/26-1/32

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A has at least two or more identical power groups, saving connected to a plurality of machines having a power saving mode function, which is connected to the two or more identical power glue
In the mode control system, at least one for storing power consumption for each operation mode of the plurality of connected machines, priority of each machine, current operation mode of each machine, and capacity of the power supply.
One of which is connected to the storage device and the telecommunication line of machines, the upper
Serial receiving at least one operation mode information of the machine to be stored in the storage device from the electric communication line, the operation mode information causes stored in the storage device, based on the information stored in the storage device, the an electric communication line at least one server machine having a power saving mode control unit comprising a main control unit for performing switching control of the machine operation mode such that the total power consumption of the plurality of machines does not exceed the capacity of the power supply Connected to each machine via each machine, the power consumption of each machine in each operation mode, the priority of each machine and the capacity of its power supply are stored in the storage device, and the current operation mode information of each machine is communicated by telecommunications. The plurality of machines are stored in the storage device via the main control device through a line and based on the information stored in the storage device. The power saving mode control system is characterized in that the main controller controls the switching of the operation mode of each machine so that the total power consumption of the machines does not exceed the capacity of the same power supply group. 2. A server machine of a power saving mode control system connected to a plurality of machines having at least two or more same power supply groups and having a power saving mode function connected to the two or more same power supply groups. At least one for storing power consumption for each operation mode of the plurality of connected machines, priority of each machine, current operation mode of each machine, and capacity of the power supply.
Connected to a storage device of one machine and a telecommunication line, receives operation mode information of at least one machine to be stored in the storage device from the telecommunication line, and stores the operation mode information in the storage device, Based on the information stored in the storage device, a power saving mode control device comprising a main control device for controlling the switching of the operation modes of the machines so that the total power consumption of the plurality of machines does not exceed the capacity of the power supply. At least one server machine having it is connected to each machine via a telecommunication line, the power consumption for each operation mode of all machines, the priority of each machine and the capacity of its power source, are stored in the storage device, The current operation mode information of each machine is stored in the storage device via the main control device via an electric communication line, Based on the information stored in the device, the main control unit controls the switching of the operation mode of each machine so that the total power consumption of the plurality of machines does not exceed the capacity of the same power supply group. Server machine.