JP2011129026A - Management device and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a management device capable of improving the convenience of a user by dispensing with manual setting by the user in association of a power feeding device and communication equipment with each other. <P>SOLUTION: The management device 4 includes an acquiring part 421 for acquiring information regarding power consumption of the communication equipment 3 from the power feeding device 2, an extracting part 423 for extracting a communication packet transmitted from the communication equipment 3 from a communication network 6, an electric power variation detecting part 426 for detecting variation in power consumption in the communication equipment 3 based on the information acquired by the acquiring part 421, a mode shifting detection part 427 for detecting shifting of an operation mode in the communication equipment 3 based on the communication packet extracted by the extracting part 423, and an associating part 428 for associating the power feeding device 2 with identification information of the communication equipment 3 connected to the power feeding device 2 based on the detection result by the electric power variation detection part 426 and the detection result by the mode shifting detection part 427. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a management apparatus and a program for managing communication devices having a plurality of operation modes.

  With the recent increase in environmental awareness, there is an increasing demand for further lower power consumption in communication devices such as personal computers.

  Patent Document 1 below discloses a network system designed to improve the power saving efficiency of a printer. In the network system, a printer having an activation control unit, a client device, and a power saving management device are connected to each other via a network. When the printer does not continuously receive a print request from the client device for a predetermined time or longer, the printer stops power supply to the main body unit other than the activation control unit, shifts to the power saving mode, and notifies the power saving transition indicating that. Broadcast to the network. The power saving management apparatus records information indicating that the printer has shifted to the power saving mode by receiving the power saving shift notification. Thereafter, when a print request is transmitted from the client device to the printer, the power saving management device detects the print request flowing on the network, and transmits an activation request notification to the printer. The activation control unit resumes power supply to the main body unit by receiving the activation request notification, and the printer is ready for printing.

JP 2001-75687 A

  Appropriate in a power management system including a power supply device such as a power strip connected to a communication device to be managed (hereinafter also referred to as “power supply device”) and a management device that controls power supply from the power supply device to the communication device. In order to perform efficient power management, it is necessary to accurately associate the power supply apparatus with the communication device connected to the power supply apparatus and to teach the management apparatus information regarding the association. When this association is performed by a user's manual setting, setting work is complicated when there are a plurality of communication devices, and it is necessary to change the setting every time the communication device is moved. There is a problem that the nature is bad.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and management that can improve user convenience by eliminating the need for manual setting by the user in association between the power supply apparatus and the communication device. The object is to obtain a device.

A management device according to a first aspect of the present invention is a management device that manages a communication device having a plurality of operation modes connected to a power supply device and a communication network, and stores information related to power consumption of the communication device. An acquisition unit that acquires from a power supply apparatus, an extraction unit that extracts a communication packet transmitted from the communication device from the communication network, and a change in power consumption in the communication device based on information acquired by the acquisition unit A first detection means for detecting the operation mode, a second detection means for detecting a transition of the operation mode in the communication device based on the communication packet extracted by the extraction means, and a detection result by the first detection means And a detection result of the second detection means based on a power supply device and a communication device connected to the power supply device. And associating means for associating the different information and it is characterized in that it comprises.

  According to the management device according to the first aspect, the acquisition unit acquires information on the power consumption of the communication device from the power supply device, and the extraction unit extracts the communication packet transmitted from the communication device from the communication network. Further, the first detection means detects a change in power consumption in the communication device based on the information acquired by the acquisition means, and the second detection means is based on the communication packet extracted by the extraction means, The transition of the operation mode in the communication device is detected. Then, the associating means obtains the power supply device and the identification information of the communication device connected to the power supply device based on the detection result by the first detection means and the detection result by the second detection means. Associate. As described above, since the power supply apparatus and the communication device are automatically associated with each other based on the power consumption change state and the operation mode transition state in the communication device, the user's manual setting becomes unnecessary. It becomes possible to improve the convenience.

  The management device according to a second aspect of the present invention is the management device according to the first aspect, in particular, the power supply device has a plurality of ports each capable of connecting a communication device, and the acquisition means Obtains information related to power consumption of the communication device by distinguishing the ports, the first detection means detects a change in power consumption of the communication device by distinguishing the ports, and the association means Each port of the power supply apparatus is associated with identification information of a communication device connected to each port.

  According to the management device according to the second aspect, the associating unit associates each port of the power supply device with the identification information of the communication device connected to each port. Therefore, even when a plurality of communication devices are connected to one power supply device, it is possible to perform appropriate power management for each communication device connected to each port.

  The management apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention is the management apparatus according to the first or second aspect, in particular, in the plurality of operation modes, the communication apparatus is powered on and the communication apparatus The communication unit includes an active mode in which transmission / reception of communication packets is being performed and an inactive mode in which the power of the communication device is off. Along with the transition from the inactive mode to the active mode within a predetermined period after the power supply device connected to the communication device detected by the first detection means and the change in which the power consumption increases The identification information of the communication device detected by the second detection means is associated as a transmission source of a predetermined communication packet to be transmitted.

  According to the management device according to the third aspect, the associating unit increases the power consumption and the power supply device connected to the communication device in which the change in which the power consumption increases is detected by the first detection unit. In the predetermined period after the change, the identification information of the communication device detected by the second detection unit as the transmission source of the predetermined communication packet transmitted with the transition from the inactive mode to the active mode is associated . When the communication device shifts from the inactive mode to the active mode, the power consumption of the communication device increases and a predetermined communication packet is transmitted from the communication device along with the shift to the active mode. Therefore, by associating the power supply apparatus connected to the communication apparatus whose power consumption has increased with the communication apparatus that has transmitted a predetermined communication packet in accordance with the transition to the active mode, the power supply apparatus and the power supply apparatus It is possible to accurately associate the communication device connected to the.

The management device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention is the management device according to the first or second aspect, in particular, in the plurality of operation modes, the communication device is powered on and the communication device The communication unit includes an active mode in which transmission / reception of communication packets is being performed and an inactive mode in which the power of the communication device is in an off state, and the association unit includes a change in which power consumption decreases. With the transition from the active mode to the inactive mode within a predetermined period before the change in which the power consumption decreases and the power supply device connected to the communication device detected by the first detecting means The identification information of the communication device detected by the second detection means is associated as a transmission source of a predetermined communication packet to be transmitted.

  According to the management device according to the fourth aspect, the associating unit includes a power supply device connected to the communication device in which a change in which power consumption decreases is detected by the first detection unit, and the power consumption decreases. Associating with the identification information of the communication device detected by the second detection means as the transmission source of the predetermined communication packet transmitted with the transition from the active mode to the non-active mode within the predetermined period before the change . When the communication device shifts from the active mode to the inactive mode, the power consumption of the communication device decreases, and a predetermined communication packet is transmitted from the communication device along with the shift to the inactive mode. Therefore, by associating the power supply device connected to the communication device with reduced power consumption and the communication device that has transmitted a predetermined communication packet in accordance with the transition to the inactive mode, the power supply device and the power supply It is possible to accurately associate with a communication device connected to the apparatus.

  The management device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention is the management device according to the first or second aspect, in particular, in the plurality of operation modes, the communication device is powered on and the communication device An active mode in which transmission and reception of communication packets are being performed, and a power saving mode in which the communication device is powered on and some functions of the communication device are not operating, The association unit includes a power supply device connected to the communication device in which a change in which power consumption increases is detected by the first detection unit, and a predetermined period before and after the change in which the power consumption increases. The identification information of the communication device detected by the second detection means as a transmission source of a predetermined communication packet transmitted with the transition from the power saving mode to the active mode. The one in which the features.

  According to the management device according to the fifth aspect, the associating unit increases the power consumption and the power supply device connected to the communication device in which the change in which the power consumption increases is detected by the first detection unit. In a predetermined period before and after the change, the identification information of the communication device detected by the second detection unit as the transmission source of the predetermined communication packet transmitted with the transition from the power saving mode to the active mode is associated . When the communication device shifts from the power saving mode to the active mode, the power consumption of the communication device increases, and a predetermined communication packet is transmitted from the communication device along with the shift to the active mode. Therefore, by associating the power supply apparatus connected to the communication apparatus whose power consumption has increased with the communication apparatus that has transmitted a predetermined communication packet in accordance with the transition to the active mode, the power supply apparatus and the power supply apparatus It is possible to accurately associate the communication device connected to the.

  The management device according to the sixth aspect of the present invention is the management device according to the first or second aspect, in particular, in the plurality of operation modes, the communication device is powered on and the communication device An active mode in which transmission and reception of communication packets are being performed, and a power saving mode in which the communication device is powered on and some functions of the communication device are not operating, The association unit includes a power supply device connected to the communication device in which a change in which power consumption is reduced is detected by the first detection unit, and a predetermined period before and after the change in which the power consumption is reduced. The communication device identification information detected by the second detection means as a transmission source of a predetermined communication packet transmitted with the transition from the active mode to the power saving mode. The one in which the features.

According to the management device according to the sixth aspect, the associating unit includes a power supply device connected to the communication device in which a change in which power consumption decreases is detected by the first detection unit, and the power consumption decreases. In a predetermined period before and after the change, the identification information of the communication device detected by the second detection unit as the transmission source of the predetermined communication packet transmitted with the transition from the active mode to the power saving mode is associated . When the communication device shifts from the active mode to the power saving mode, the power consumption of the communication device decreases, and a predetermined communication packet is transmitted from the communication device along with the shift to the power saving mode. Accordingly, by associating the power supply device connected to the communication device with reduced power consumption and the communication device that has transmitted a predetermined communication packet in accordance with the shift to the power saving mode, the power supply device and the power supply It is possible to accurately associate with a communication device connected to the apparatus.

  The management device according to the seventh aspect of the present invention associates the power supply device and the identification information of the communication device based on the result of association by the association means in the management device according to the third to sixth aspects. It is characterized by this.

  According to the management device according to the seventh aspect, the association between the power supply device and the identification information of the communication device is performed based on the result of association by the association unit in the management device according to the third to sixth aspects. Done. Therefore, even when there are a plurality of candidates for the combination of association between the power supply device and the communication device because a plurality of communication devices have performed a similar operation mode transition almost simultaneously at a certain timing, By associating again when the operation mode of one communication device shifts at the timing, it becomes possible to accurately identify one combination from a plurality of candidates.

  The management device according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the management device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, and the identification information includes a MAC address of the communication device. It is.

  According to the management device according to the eighth aspect, the identification information of the communication device includes the MAC address of the communication device. By using the MAC address, it is possible to accurately specify the communication device.

  The management device according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the management device according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, the identification information includes information related to the type of the communication device. Is.

  Here, the “type” of the communication device includes information that can distinguish the type of the communication device such as “personal computer” and “printer”.

  According to the management device of the ninth aspect, the communication device identification information includes information related to the type of the communication device. Therefore, when the management device provides the user with the power management status of the communication device, it is possible to specify the communication device by the type of communication device that is easy for the user to understand. It becomes.

  The management apparatus according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the management apparatus according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, the identification information includes information related to a manufacturer of the communication device. To do.

  According to the management device of the tenth aspect, the communication device identification information includes information related to the manufacturer of the communication device. Therefore, when the management device provides the user with the power management status of the communication device, etc., it is possible to specify the communication device by a manufacturer that is easy for the user to understand, so it is possible to improve user convenience. .

A program according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention provides a computer mounted on a management apparatus that manages a communication apparatus having a plurality of operation modes connected to a power supply apparatus and a communication network, and information related to power consumption of the communication apparatus. Based on the information acquired by the acquisition means, the extraction means for extracting the communication packet transmitted from the communication device from the communication network, and the information acquired by the acquisition means. A first detection unit that detects a change in the level, a second detection unit that detects a transition of an operation mode in the communication device based on the communication packet extracted by the extraction unit, and a first detection unit Based on the detection result and the detection result by the second detection means, the power supply device and the power supply device are connected. It is characterized in that to function as, an association means for associating the identification information of the communication devices that are.

  According to the program according to the eleventh aspect, the acquisition unit acquires information on the power consumption of the communication device from the power supply device, and the extraction unit extracts the communication packet transmitted from the communication device from the communication network. Further, the first detection means detects a change in power consumption in the communication device based on the information acquired by the acquisition means, and the second detection means is based on the communication packet extracted by the extraction means, The transition of the operation mode in the communication device is detected. Then, the associating means obtains the power supply device and the identification information of the communication device connected to the power supply device based on the detection result by the first detection means and the detection result by the second detection means. Associate. As described above, since the power supply apparatus and the communication device are automatically associated with each other based on the power consumption change state and the operation mode transition state in the communication device, the user's manual setting becomes unnecessary. It becomes possible to improve the convenience.

  According to the present invention, the user's manual setting is not required in the association between the power supply apparatus and the communication device, and the convenience for the user can be improved.

It is a figure showing the whole power management system composition concerning an embodiment of the invention. It is a figure which shows the other example of the whole structure of the power management system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of an electric power feeder. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a management apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the function which a process part implement | achieves by running a program. It is a timing chart which shows the 1st example regarding the association method by an association part. It is a timing chart which shows the 2nd example regarding the correlation method by an correlation part. It is a timing chart which shows the 3rd example regarding the correlation method by an correlation part. It is a timing chart which shows the 4th example regarding the association method by an association part. It is a timing chart which shows the 5th example regarding the correlation method by an correlation part. It is a state transition diagram which a mode specific | specification part refers in order to specify the operation mode of a communication apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the management data produced by the electric power management part. It is a figure which shows an example of the statistical data produced by the electric power management part. It is a figure which shows the process which an electric power control part performs when a predetermined condition is satisfied. It is a figure which shows the process which an electric power control part performs when a predetermined condition is satisfied.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, the element which attached | subjected the same code | symbol in different drawing shall show the same or corresponding element.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a power management system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. A power feeding device 2, a communication device 3 (reference numerals 3A and 3B in FIG. 1), a management device 4, and a termination device 7 are disposed indoors such as an office or a user's house. The power supply device 2 is a power tap or the like that supplies power to the communication device 3. The power feeding device 2 has a plurality (two in the following example) of ports 2A and 2B, and the ports 2A and 2B are connected to the communication devices 3A and 3B, respectively. The communication device 3 is any type of device having a communication function, such as a personal computer, a printer, a set-top box, a game device with a communication function, a home server, a home gateway, a hub, a router, etc. A personal computer (netbook) whose main purpose is to use services on the Internet such as browsing and sending / receiving e-mails. Note that different types of communication devices 3A and 3B may be connected to the ports 2A and 2B, respectively.

  The communication device 3 has a plurality of operation modes. In the following example, the active mode is a state in which the communication device 3 is powered on and communication packets are transmitted to and received from the communication device 3. (Active mode), the idle mode (standby mode) in which the communication device 3 is turned on and no communication packet is transmitted to or received from the communication device 3, and the communication device 3 is turned on. A power saving mode in which some functions of the communication device 3 are not operating (including a state in which the operation is restricted), and an off mode in which the communication device 3 is powered off (non- Active mode).

  The management device 4 is a power management device for performing power management and power control for the communication device 3. The termination device 7 is, for example, an ONU (Optical Network Unit).

  The communication device 3, the management device 4, and the termination device 7 are connected to a communication network 6 such as a LAN (Local Area Network). The power feeding device 2 and the management device 4 are connected to a power line 5 and can transmit and receive signals to each other by power line communication (PLC). The communication device 3 is connected to the power supply device 2, and driving power for operating the communication device 3 is supplied from the power line 5 to the communication device 3 via the power supply device 2. Specifically, drive power for operating the communication device 3A is supplied from the power line 5 to the communication device 3A via the port 2A of the power supply apparatus 2, and drive power for operating the communication device 3B is supplied from the power line 5. The power is supplied to the communication device 3B through the port 2B of the power feeding device 2. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, only one power feeding device 2 is connected to the power line 5, but a plurality of power feeding devices 2 may be connected.

  The termination device 7 is connected to an outdoor communication network 8 such as an IP network. A server 9 owned by a contract service company such as a provider is connected to the communication network 8.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing another example of the overall configuration of the power management system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The power feeding device 2 has an antenna 10, and the management device 4 has an antenna 11. The power feeding device 2 and the management device 4 can transmit and receive signals to each other by wireless communication using the antennas 10 and 11. Other configurations are the same as those in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the power feeding device 2. As shown in the connection relationship of FIG. 3, the power feeding device 2 includes a communication unit 21, power feeding control units 22A and 22B, and measuring units 23A and 23B. The power supply control unit 22A communicates whether or not the drive power from the power line 5 is supplied to the communication device 3A via the port 2A (that is, whether the power supply path from the power line 5 to the communication device 3A is connected or disconnected). This is selectively controlled by the signal S11A input from the unit 21. Similarly, the power supply control unit 22B determines whether to supply the drive power from the power line 5 to the communication device 3B via the port 2B (that is, whether to connect or disconnect the power supply path from the power line 5 to the communication device 3B). Is selectively controlled by a signal S11B input from the communication unit 21. The measurement unit 23A measures the power consumption of the communication device 3A by periodically measuring the power supplied from the power supply control unit 22A to the communication device 3A at predetermined time intervals. And the information regarding the measured power consumption of 3 A of communication apparatuses is input into the communication part 21 as signal S12A. Similarly, the measurement unit 23B measures the power consumption of the communication device 3B by periodically measuring the power supplied from the power supply control unit 22B to the communication device 3B at predetermined time intervals. And the information regarding the power consumption of the measured communication apparatus 3B is input into the communication part 21 as signal S12B. The communication unit 21 receives signals S11A and S11B for controlling the power supply control units 22A and 22B from the management device 4 by power line communication (FIG. 1) or wireless communication (FIG. 2). The communication unit 21 transmits the signals S12A and S12B input from the measurement units 23A and 23B to the management device 4 by power line communication (FIG. 1) or wireless communication (FIG. 2), respectively.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the management apparatus 4. As shown by the connection relationship in FIG. 4, the management device 4 includes a communication unit 41, a processing unit 42, a display unit 43, and a storage unit 44. The communication unit 41 is connected to the communication network 6 shown in FIGS. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the communication unit 41 is connected to the power line 5, and in the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the communication unit 41 is connected to the antenna 11. The processing unit 42 is a signal processing device such as a CPU. The display unit 43 is an arbitrary display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The storage unit 44 is an arbitrary storage device such as a semiconductor memory or a hard disk. The storage unit 44 stores a program 45 for operating the processing unit 42.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating functions realized by the processing unit 42 by executing the program 45. The processing unit 42 includes an acquisition unit 421, a mode specification unit 422, an extraction unit 423, a power management unit 424, a power control unit 425, a power change detection unit 426, a mode transition detection unit 427, and an association unit 428. In other words, the program 45 includes a computer installed in the management apparatus 4 as an acquisition unit 421, a mode identification unit 422, an extraction unit 423, a power management unit 424, a power control unit 425, a power change detection unit 426, and a mode transition detection. This is a program for causing the unit 427 and the association unit 428 to function.

  The acquisition unit 421 performs communication based on the signal S12A received by the communication unit 41 by power line communication (FIG. 1) or wireless communication (FIG. 2) from the communication device (communication device 3A in this example) connected to the port 2A. Information on the power consumption of the device 3A is acquired. Then, the signal S21A related to the information is input to the mode identification unit 422, the power management unit 424, and the power change detection unit 426. Similarly, the acquisition unit 421 is based on the signal S12B received by the communication unit 41 by power line communication (FIG. 1) or wireless communication (FIG. 2) from the communication device (communication device 3B in this example) connected to the port 2B. Thus, information on the power consumption of the communication device 3B is acquired. Then, the signal S21B related to the information is input to the mode specifying unit 422, the power management unit 424, and the power change detection unit 426.

The extraction unit 423 monitors all communication packets flowing on the communication network 6 via the communication unit 41, and includes a predetermined communication packet transmitted from the communication device 3 along with the transition of the operation mode. A communication packet transmitted / received to / from the communication network 6 (that is, a communication packet whose communication device 3 is a transmission source or a transmission destination) is extracted from the communication network 6 and analyzed. Then, a signal S22 related to the analysis result (typically, in FIG. 5, the signal S22A related to the communication device 3A and the signal S22B related to the communication device 3B) are input to the mode specifying unit 422 and the mode transition detection unit 427. Note that the extraction unit 423 is previously taught information specifying the type of communication packet to be transmitted along with the transition of the operation mode, and the extraction unit 423 is based on the information and moves with the transition of the operation mode. A communication packet transmitted from the communication device 3 is extracted and analyzed. However, instead of previously teaching the information to the extraction unit 423, the extraction unit 423 may extract all necessary communication information by analyzing all communication packets.

  The power change detection unit 426 uses the information (signal S21A) regarding the power consumption of the communication device (in this example, the communication device 3A) connected to the port 2A, acquired by the acquisition unit 421. A change in power is detected, and a signal S24A relating to the detection result is output. Similarly, the power change detection unit 426 is based on the information (signal S21B) related to the power consumption of the communication device (in this example, the communication device 3B) connected to the port 2B, acquired by the acquisition unit 421. A change in power consumption in 3B is detected, and a signal S24B relating to the detection result is output.

  The mode transition detection unit 427 detects the transition of the operation mode in the communication devices 3A and 3B based on the information (signals S22A and S22B) related to the communication packet analyzed by the extraction unit 423, and signals S25A and S25A related to the detection result. S25B is output.

  The associating unit 428 is connected to the power feeding device 2 and the power feeding device 2 based on the signals S24A and S24B input from the power change detection unit 426 and the signals S25A and S25B input from the mode transition detection unit 427. It associates with the identification information of the communication devices 3A and 3B. In the example of the present embodiment, the associating unit 428 associates which communication devices 3A and 3B are connected to which ports 2A and 2B of the power supply apparatus 2. When there are a plurality of power supply apparatuses having a plurality of ports, the associating unit 428 associates which communication device is connected to which port of which power supply apparatus. The association method by the association unit 428 will be described in detail later. The result of association by the associating unit 428 is taught to the mode specifying unit 422, the power management unit 424, and the power control unit 425.

  The mode specifying unit 422 specifies the operation mode in the communication devices 3A and 3B based on the information (signals S22A and S22B) regarding the communication packet analyzed by the extraction unit 423. That is, the extraction unit 423 extracts and analyzes a predetermined communication packet transmitted from the communication devices 3A and 3B when the operation mode is changed or when the operation mode is changed, and the mode specifying unit 422 is the extraction unit 423. Based on the signals S22A and S22B relating to the analysis result of the above, the current operation mode of the communication devices 3A and 3B is specified. The mode identifying unit 422 inputs information regarding the identified operation modes of the communication devices 3A and 3B to the power management unit 424 and the power control unit 425 as signals S23A and S23B.

  As another method, the mode specifying unit 422 includes information (signals S21A and S21B) regarding the power consumption of the communication devices 3A and 3B acquired by the acquisition unit 421 and information regarding the communication packet analyzed by the extraction unit 423. Based on (signals S22A and S22B), the current operation mode of the communication devices 3A and 3B can also be specified. The method of specifying the operation mode by the mode specifying unit 422 according to this method will be described in detail later.

The power management unit 424 consumes the communication devices 3A and 3B acquired by the acquisition unit 421 based on the signals S21A and S21B input from the acquisition unit 421 and the signals S23A and S23B input from the mode specifying unit 422. By associating the information regarding power with the operation modes of the communication devices 3A and 3B specified by the mode specifying unit 422, the power consumption in each operation mode of the communication devices 3A and 3B is obtained. An example of using information indicating the power consumption in each operation mode of the communication devices 3A and 3B obtained by the power management unit 424 will be described in detail later.

  Based on the operation modes (signals S23A and S23B) of the communication devices 3A and 3B specified by the mode specifying unit 422, the power control unit 425 performs power control of contents corresponding to each operation mode on the communication devices 3A and 3B. To execute each. A specific example of power control executed by the power control unit 425 in accordance with each operation mode will be described in detail later.

<Association method by association unit>
FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing a first example related to the association method by the association unit 428. Here, the power supply of the communication device (in this example, the communication device 3A) connected to the port 2A of the power supply apparatus 2 is turned on, that is, the operation mode of the communication device is changed from the off mode to the active mode. Is shown.

  The power consumption of the communication device exceeds a predetermined threshold value K due to the operation mode of the communication device shifting from the off mode to the active mode. This threshold value K is set to an arbitrary value larger than the power consumption in the off mode and smaller than the power consumption in the active mode. The association unit 428 receives from the power change detection unit 426 a signal S24A indicating that “the power consumption of the communication device connected to the port 2A of the power supply apparatus 2 has exceeded the threshold value K at time T11”. The

  In addition, due to the operation mode of the communication device shifting from the off mode to the active mode, a predetermined communication packet X1 (SSDP (Simple Service) indicating the start of connection to the communication network 6 from which the communication device is the transmission source. Discovery Protocol (alive packet or IGMP (Internet Group Management Protocol) alive packet) is extracted by the extraction unit 423. The predetermined area of the communication packet X1 includes identification information (MAC address, device type, manufacturer, etc.) of the communication device. The association unit 428 receives from the mode transition detection unit 427 a signal S25A indicating that “the operation mode of the communication device 3A has transitioned from the off mode to the active mode at time T12”. The signal S25A includes identification information of the communication device 3A.

  The associating unit 428, based on the signals S24A and S25A, when the time T12 is included in the period P11 from the time T11 to the time T13 immediately after (for example, several minutes later), the port 2A of the power feeding device 2 Is determined to be connected to the communication device 3A, and the port 2A is associated with the identification information of the communication device 3A.

  FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing a second example regarding the association method by the association unit 428. Here, the power of the communication device (in this example, the communication device 3A) connected to the port 2A of the power supply apparatus 2 is turned off, that is, the operation mode of the communication device is changed from the active mode to the off mode. Is shown.

  Due to the operation mode of the communication device shifting from the active mode to the off mode, the power consumption of the communication device is less than the threshold value K. The association unit 428 receives from the power change detection unit 426 a signal S24A indicating that “the power consumption of the communication device connected to the port 2A of the power supply device 2 has become less than the threshold value K at time T21”. Is done.

Further, because the operation mode of the communication device has shifted from the active mode to the off mode, a predetermined communication packet X2 (SSDP leave packet or SSDP) indicating that the communication device has left the communication network 6 as a transmission source. The IGMP leave packet) is extracted by the extraction unit 423. The predetermined area of the communication packet X2 includes identification information (MAC address, device type, manufacturer, etc.) of the communication device. A signal S25A indicating that “the operation mode of the communication device 3A has shifted from the active mode to the off mode at time T22” is input from the mode transition detection unit 427 to the associating unit 428. The signal S25A includes identification information of the communication device 3A.

  The associating unit 428, based on the signals S24A and S25A, when the time T22 is included in the period P21 from the time T21 to the time T23 immediately before (for example, several minutes before), the port 2A of the power feeding device 2 Is determined to be connected to the communication device 3A, and the port 2A is associated with the identification information of the communication device 3A.

  FIG. 8 is a timing chart illustrating a third example relating to the association technique by the association unit 428. Here, a state is shown in which the operation mode of the communication device (in this example, the communication device 3A) connected to the port 2A of the power supply apparatus 2 has shifted from the power saving mode to the active mode.

  The power consumption of the communication device exceeds the threshold value L because the operation mode of the communication device has shifted from the power saving mode to the active mode. The threshold value L is set to an arbitrary value that is larger than the power consumption in the power saving mode and smaller than the power consumption in the active mode. The threshold value L may be set to the same value as the above threshold value K, or may be set to a different value. The association unit 428 receives from the power change detection unit 426 a signal S24A indicating that “the power consumption of the communication device connected to the port 2A of the power supply device 2 has exceeded the threshold value L at time T31”. The

  In addition, the communication device 3 is provided with a function of transmitting a predetermined communication packet X3 to the communication network 6 when the mode is shifted (or shifted) from the power saving mode to the active mode. Accordingly, the extraction unit 423 extracts the communication packet X3 due to the operation mode of the communication device shifting from the power saving mode to the active mode. The predetermined area of the communication packet X3 includes identification information (MAC address, device type, manufacturer, etc.) of the communication device. A signal S25A indicating that “the operation mode of the communication device 3A has shifted from the power saving mode to the active mode at time T32” is input from the mode transition detection unit 427 to the associating unit 428. The signal S25A includes identification information of the communication device 3A.

  Based on the signals S24A and S25A, the associating unit 428 has a time T32 within a period P31 from time T33 immediately before (for example, several minutes before) time T31 to time T34 immediately after (for example, several minutes after) time T31. The communication device 3A is determined to be connected to the port 2A of the power supply apparatus 2, and the port 2A and the identification information of the communication device 3A are associated with each other.

  FIG. 9 is a timing chart illustrating a fourth example related to the association method by the association unit 428. Here, a state is shown in which the operation mode of the communication device (communication device 3A in this example) connected to the port 2A of the power supply apparatus 2 has shifted from the active mode to the power saving mode.

  The power consumption of the communication device becomes less than the threshold L due to the operation mode of the communication device shifting from the active mode to the power saving mode. The association unit 428 receives from the power change detection unit 426 a signal S24A indicating that “the power consumption of the communication device connected to the port 2A of the power supply apparatus 2 has become less than the threshold L at time T41”. Is done.

The communication device 3 is also provided with a function of transmitting a predetermined communication packet X4 to the communication network 6 when the mode is shifted (or shifted) from the active mode to the power saving mode. Therefore, the communication packet X4 is extracted by the extraction unit 423 due to the operation mode of the communication device shifting from the active mode to the power saving mode. The predetermined area of the communication packet X4 includes identification information (MAC address, device type, manufacturer, etc.) of the communication device. A signal S25A indicating that “the operation mode of the communication device 3A has shifted from the active mode to the power saving mode at time T42” is input from the mode transition detection unit 427 to the associating unit 428. The signal S25A includes identification information of the communication device 3A.

  Based on the signals S24A and S25A, the associating unit 428 has a time T42 within a period P41 from a time T43 immediately before the time T41 (for example, several minutes before) to a time T44 immediately after the time T41 (for example, several minutes after). The communication device 3A is determined to be connected to the port 2A of the power supply apparatus 2, and the port 2A and the identification information of the communication device 3A are associated with each other.

  FIG. 10 is a timing chart showing a fifth example regarding the association method by the association unit 428. Here, the communication devices connected to the ports 2A and 2B of the power supply device 2 (communication devices 3A and 3B in this example) are turned on almost simultaneously, that is, the operation mode of the communication device is changed from the off mode. It shows the situation where the active mode is shifted almost simultaneously.

  The power consumption of the communication device exceeds the threshold value K due to the operation mode of the communication device shifting from the off mode to the active mode. The associating unit 428 includes a signal S24A indicating that “the power consumption of the communication device connected to the port 2A of the power feeding apparatus 2 has exceeded the threshold value K at time T51”, and “to the port 2B of the power feeding apparatus 2 A signal S24B indicating that the power consumption of the connected communication device has exceeded the threshold value K at time T52 is input from the power change detection unit 426 almost simultaneously.

  In addition, due to the operation mode of the communication device 3A shifting from the off mode to the active mode, a predetermined communication packet X1A (an SSDP alive packet) indicating the start of connection to the communication network 6 from which the communication device 3A is a transmission source. (Or an IGMP alive packet) is extracted by the extraction unit 423. Similarly, when the operation mode of the communication device 3B shifts from the off mode to the active mode, a predetermined communication packet X1B (SSDP alive) indicating the start of connection to the communication network 6 from which the communication device 3B is the transmission source. Packet or IGMP alive packet) is extracted by the extraction unit 423. The predetermined areas of these communication packets X1A and X1B include identification information (MAC address, device type, manufacturer, etc.) of the communication devices 3A and 3B, respectively. The associating unit 428 includes a signal S25A indicating that “the operation mode of the communication device 3A has shifted from the off mode to the active mode at time T53”, and “the operation mode of the communication device 3B is changed from the off mode to the active mode at time T54”. A signal S25B indicating that “transition has occurred” is input from the mode transition detection unit 427 almost simultaneously. These signals S25A and S25B include identification information of the communication devices 3A and 3B, respectively.

The associating unit 428, based on the signals S24A, S24B, S25A, S25B, when the times T53, T54 are included in the period P11 from the time T51 to the time T55 immediately after (for example, several minutes later). Then, it is determined that one of the communication devices 3A and 3B is connected to one of the ports 2A and 2B of the power supply apparatus 2, and the other of the communication devices 3A and 3B is connected to the other of the ports 2A and 2B. Then, the ports 2A and 2B and the identification information of the communication devices 3A and 3B are associated as a combination, and the result of the provisional association is held. That is, at this time, there are two communication devices 3A and 3B as communication device candidates connected to the port 2A, and similarly, two communication devices as communication device candidates connected to the port 2B. 3A and 3B exist.

  In the example shown in FIG. 10, the communication devices 3A and 3B are turned off with a certain time interval.

  The power consumption of the communication device 3A becomes less than the threshold value K because the operation mode of the communication device 3A has shifted from the active mode to the off mode. The association unit 428 receives from the power change detection unit 426 a signal S24A indicating that “the power consumption of the communication device connected to the port 2A of the power supply apparatus 2 has become less than the threshold value K at time T57”. Is done. Further, due to the fact that the operation mode of the communication device 3A has shifted from the active mode to the off mode, the associating unit 428 indicates that “the operation mode of the communication device 3A has shifted from the active mode to the off mode at time T56”. Is input from the mode transition detection unit 427. The associating unit 428 determines that the communication device 3A is connected to the port 2A of the power supply apparatus 2 based on the signals S24A and S25A, and positively associates the port 2A with the identification information of the communication device 3A. In other words, the communication device 3A is selected from the two communication devices 3A and 3B that are candidates for the communication device connected to the port 2A. Further, as a result of associating the port 2A with the identification information of the communication device 3A, the associating unit 428 determines that the other communication device 3B is connected to the other port 2B, and the port 2B and the communication device 3B are connected. Associate with identification information deterministically. In other words, the communication device 3B is selected from the two communication devices 3A and 3B that are candidates for the communication device connected to the port 2B.

  However, instead of associating the other port 2B with the identification information of the other communication device 3B when the port 2A is associated with the identification information of the communication device 3A, the following processing may be performed. That is, the power consumption of the communication device 3B becomes less than the threshold value K because the operation mode of the communication device 3B has shifted from the active mode to the off mode. The association unit 428 receives from the power change detection unit 426 a signal S24B indicating that “the power consumption of the communication device connected to the port 2B of the power supply apparatus 2 has become less than the threshold value K at time T59”. Is done. Further, due to the fact that the operation mode of the communication device 3B has shifted from the active mode to the off mode, the associating unit 428 indicates that “the operation mode of the communication device 3B has shifted from the active mode to the off mode at time T58”. Is input from the mode transition detection unit 427. The associating unit 428 determines that the communication device 3B is connected to the port 2B of the power supply apparatus 2 based on the signals S24B and S25B, and positively associates the port 2B with the identification information of the communication device 3B. In other words, the communication device 3B is selected from the two communication devices 3A and 3B that are candidates for the communication device connected to the port 2B.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 10, the association method illustrated in FIG. 6 and the association method illustrated in FIG. 7 are executed at different timings, so that a plurality of candidates for the combination of association between the power supply apparatus and the communication device are obtained. An example in which one combination is specified from the above has been described. Not limited to this example, it is possible to specify one combination from a plurality of candidates by executing at least two of the association methods shown in FIGS.

As described above, according to the management device 4 according to the present embodiment, the acquisition unit 421 acquires information on the power consumption of the communication device 3 from the power supply device 2, and the extraction unit 423 transmits the communication transmitted from the communication device 3. The packet is extracted from the communication network 6 and analyzed. Further, the power change detection unit 426 detects a change in power consumption in the communication device 3 based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit 421, and the mode transition detection unit 427 detects the communication packet extracted by the extraction unit 423. Based on this, the transition of the operation mode in the communication device 3 is detected. Then, the associating unit 428 identifies the power supply device 2 and the identification information of the communication device 3 connected to the power supply device 2 based on the detection result by the power change detection unit 426 and the detection result by the mode transition detection unit 427. Associate with. As described above, since the power supply device 2 and the communication device 3 are automatically associated with each other based on the power consumption change state and the operation mode transition state in the communication device 3, manual setting by the user becomes unnecessary. It is possible to improve user convenience.

  In addition, the associating unit 428 associates each port 2A, 2B of the power supply device 2 with identification information of the communication devices 3A, 3B connected to each port 2A, 2B. Accordingly, even when a plurality of communication devices 3A and 3B are connected to one power supply device 2, appropriate power management can be performed for each of the communication devices 3A and 3B connected to the ports 2A and 2B. It becomes possible.

  Further, according to the example illustrated in FIG. 6, the associating unit 428 includes the power feeding device 2 (port in the above example) connected to the communication device 3A in which a change in power consumption is detected by the power change detecting unit 426. 2A) and detected by the mode transition detection unit 427 as the transmission source of the predetermined communication packet X1 transmitted with the transition from the off mode to the active mode within the predetermined period P11 after the change in which the power consumption increases. Is associated with the identification information of the communication device 3A. When the communication device 3A shifts from the off mode to the active mode, the power consumption of the communication device 3A increases, and the communication packet X1 is transmitted from the communication device 3A along with the shift to the active mode. Therefore, by associating the power supply device 2 (port 2A) connected to the communication device 3A whose power consumption has increased with the communication device 3A that transmitted the communication packet X1 in accordance with the shift to the active mode, the power supply device 2 (Port 2A) and the communication device 3A connected to the power supply apparatus 2 (port 2A) can be accurately associated with each other.

  Further, according to the example illustrated in FIG. 7, the associating unit 428 includes the power feeding device 2 (port in the above example) that is connected to the communication device 3A in which a change in power consumption is detected by the power change detecting unit 426. 2A) and within the predetermined period P21 before the change in which the power consumption decreases, the mode transition detection unit 427 detects the transmission source of the predetermined communication packet X2 transmitted in accordance with the transition from the active mode to the off mode. Is associated with the identification information of the communication device 3A. When the communication device 3A shifts from the active mode to the off mode, the power consumption of the communication device 3A decreases, and the communication packet X2 is transmitted from the communication device 3A along with the shift to the off mode. Therefore, by associating the power feeding device 2 (port 2A) connected to the communication device 3A with reduced power consumption with the communication device 3A that has transmitted the communication packet X2 in accordance with the shift to the off mode, the power feeding device 2 (Port 2A) and the communication device 3A connected to the power supply apparatus 2 (port 2A) can be accurately associated with each other.

  Further, according to the example illustrated in FIG. 8, the associating unit 428 includes the power feeding device 2 connected to the communication device 3 </ b> A in which a change in power consumption is detected by the power change detecting unit 426 (in the above example, the port 2A), and within a predetermined period P31 before and after the change in which the power consumption increases, by the mode transition detection unit 427 as a transmission source of the predetermined communication packet X3 transmitted along with the transition from the power saving mode to the active mode. The identification information of the detected communication device 3A is associated. When the communication device 3A shifts from the power saving mode to the active mode, the power consumption of the communication device 3A increases and a communication packet X3 is transmitted from the communication device 3A along with the shift to the active mode. Accordingly, by associating the power feeding device 2 (port 2A) connected to the communication device 3A whose power consumption has increased with the communication device 3A that has transmitted the communication packet X3 in accordance with the shift to the active mode, the power feeding device 2 (Port 2A) and the communication device 3A connected to the power supply apparatus 2 (port 2A) can be accurately associated with each other.

Further, according to the example illustrated in FIG. 9, the associating unit 428 includes the power feeding device 2 connected to the communication device 3 </ b> A in which a change in power consumption is detected by the power change detecting unit 426 (in the above example, the port 2A), and within a predetermined period P41 before and after the change in which the power consumption decreases, the mode transition detection unit 427 serves as a transmission source of the predetermined communication packet X4 transmitted along with the transition from the active mode to the power saving mode. The identification information of the detected communication device 3A is associated. When the communication device 3A shifts from the active mode to the power saving mode, the power consumption of the communication device 3A decreases, and the communication packet X4 is transmitted from the communication device 3A along with the shift to the active mode. Accordingly, by associating the power supply device 2 (port 2A) connected to the communication device 3A with reduced power consumption with the communication device 3A that has transmitted the communication packet X4 in accordance with the shift to the power saving mode, the power supply device 2 (port 2A) and the communication device 3A connected to the power supply apparatus 2 (port 2A) can be accurately associated with each other.

  Further, according to the example illustrated in FIG. 10, the power feeding device 2 and the identification information of the communication device 3 are associated with each other based on the result of at least two of the association methods illustrated in the sixth to ninth methods. . Therefore, when a plurality of communication devices 3A and 3B perform a similar operation mode transition almost simultaneously at a certain timing, there are a plurality of candidates for a combination of association between the power supply apparatus 2 and the communication device 3. However, by associating again when the operation mode of one communication device 3 shifts at another timing, it becomes possible to accurately identify one combination from a plurality of candidates.

  Further, the identification information of the communication device 3 includes the MAC address of the communication device 3. By using the MAC address, the communication device 3 can be accurately specified.

  Further, the identification information of the communication device 3 includes information regarding the type of the communication device 3. Therefore, when the management device 4 provides the user with the power management status of the communication device 3 (for example, management data 50 and statistical data 51 described later), the communication device 3 is specified by the type of communication device that is easy for the user to understand. Therefore, it is possible to improve user convenience.

  The identification information of the communication device 3 includes information related to the manufacturer of the communication device 3. Therefore, when the management device 4 provides the user with the power management status of the communication device 3 (for example, management data 50 and statistical data 51 described later), the communication device 3 can be specified by a manufacturer that is easy for the user to understand. Therefore, it is possible to improve user convenience.

<Operation mode identification method by mode identification unit>
FIG. 11 is a state transition diagram referred to by the mode specifying unit 422 to specify the operation mode of the communication device 3. The state transition diagram regarding the communication device 3 is taught in advance to the mode specifying unit 422, and which communication device is connected to which port of which power supply device is connected from the associating unit 428 to the mode specifying unit 422 in advance. Taught. Since the operation mode of the communication device and the transition condition between the operation modes differ depending on the type of the communication device, a state transition diagram corresponding to the communication device to be managed is created and taught to the management apparatus 4.

First, the mode specifying unit 422 specifies any one of an active mode, an idle mode, and an off mode as the operation mode of the communication device 3. Specifically, the mode specifying unit 422 is a communication packet in which the power consumption of the communication device 3 acquired by the acquisition unit 421 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (for example, 5 W) and is transmitted to and received from the communication device 3. The extraction unit 423 detects (TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) packet or UDP (User Datagram Protocol) packet) more than a predetermined number (for example, 10) within the most recent predetermined period (for example, 10 minutes). The operation mode 3 is identified as the active mode. As a result, the mode specifying unit 422 can accurately specify that the operation mode of the communication device 3 is the active mode. In addition, the numerical value described above is an example, and is not limited to this. Appropriate numerical values are individually set according to the type of communication device and the environment of the communication network (the same applies hereinafter).

  Further, the mode specifying unit 422 has a communication packet (TCP packet) transmitted to and received from the communication device 3 when the power consumption of the communication device 3 acquired by the acquisition unit 421 is equal to or greater than the threshold value (for example, 5 W). Alternatively, the extraction unit 423 does not detect a predetermined number (for example, 10) or more within the most recent predetermined period (for example, 10 minutes), thereby specifying the operation mode of the communication device 3 as the idle mode. As a result, the mode specifying unit 422 can accurately specify that the operation mode of the communication device 3 is the idle mode.

  Further, the mode specifying unit 422 specifies the operation mode of the communication device 3 as the off mode when none of the above conditions is satisfied and neither the active mode nor the idle mode is satisfied. Thereby, it can tentatively specify that the operation mode of the communication device 3 is the off mode, and the operation mode of the communication device 3 is accurately specified based on the subsequent state transition state of the communication device 3. It becomes possible.

  In addition, when the condition specifying unit 422 satisfies the condition K1 in the state where the operation mode of the communication device 3 is specified as the active mode, the operation mode of the communication device 3 has shifted from the active mode to the off mode. Identify. The condition K1 is a predetermined communication indicating that the power consumption of the communication device 3 acquired by the acquisition unit 421 is less than the threshold value (for example, 5 W) and that the communication device 3 is disconnected from the communication network 6 as a transmission source. That is, the extraction unit 423 has detected a packet (an SSDP leave packet or an IGMP leave packet). As a result, the mode specifying unit 422 can accurately specify that the operation mode of the communication device 3 has shifted from the active mode to the off mode.

  In addition, when the operation mode of the communication device 3 is specified as the off mode and the condition K2 or the condition K3 is satisfied, the mode specifying unit 422 changes the operation mode of the communication device 3 from the off mode to the active mode. Identify migrated. The condition K2 is that the power consumption of the communication device 3 acquired by the acquisition unit 421 is equal to or higher than the threshold value (for example, 5 W). The condition K3 is that the extraction unit 423 detects a predetermined communication packet (an SSDP alive packet or an IGMP alive packet) indicating the start of connection to the communication network 6 from which the communication device 3 is a transmission source. As a result, the mode specifying unit 422 can accurately specify that the operation mode of the communication device 3 has shifted from the off mode to the active mode.

  Further, the mode specifying unit 422 determines that the operation mode of the communication device 3 has shifted from the active mode to the idle mode when the condition K4 is satisfied in the state where the operation mode of the communication device 3 is specified as the active mode. Identify. Condition K4 is that the extraction unit 423 did not detect a predetermined number (for example, 10) or more of communication packets (TCP packet or UDP packet) transmitted / received to / from the communication device 3 within the most recent predetermined period (for example, 10 minutes). That is. As a result, the mode specifying unit 422 can accurately specify that the operation mode of the communication device 3 has shifted from the active mode to the idle mode.

In addition, in the state where the operation mode of the communication device 3 is specified as the active mode, the mode specifying unit 422 has shifted from the active mode to the power saving mode when the condition K5 is satisfied. Is identified. The condition K5 is a predetermined communication indicating that the power consumption of the communication device 3 acquired by the acquisition unit 421 is less than the threshold value (for example, 5 W) and that the communication device 3 is disconnected from the communication network 6 that is the transmission source. This is that the extraction unit 423 did not detect a packet (an SSDP leave packet or an IGMP leave packet). As a result, the mode specifying unit 422 can accurately specify that the operation mode of the communication device 3 has shifted from the active mode to the power saving mode.

  In addition, the mode specifying unit 422 shifts the operation mode of the communication device 3 from the power saving mode to the active mode when the condition K6 is satisfied while the operation mode of the communication device 3 is specified as the power saving mode. Identifies The condition K6 is that the power consumption of the communication device 3 acquired by the acquisition unit 421 is equal to or higher than the threshold value (for example, 5 W). As a result, the mode specifying unit 422 can accurately specify that the operation mode of the communication device 3 has shifted from the power saving mode to the active mode.

  In addition, when the condition specifying unit 422 satisfies the condition K7 in the state where the operation mode of the communication device 3 is specified as the idle mode, the operation mode of the communication device 3 is shifted from the idle mode to the off mode. Identify. The condition K7 is a predetermined communication indicating that the power consumption of the communication device 3 acquired by the acquisition unit 421 is less than the threshold value (for example, 5 W), and that the communication device 3 is disconnected from the communication network 6 that is the transmission source. That is, the extraction unit 423 has detected a packet (an SSDP leave packet or an IGMP leave packet). As a result, the mode specifying unit 422 can accurately specify that the operation mode of the communication device 3 has shifted from the idle mode to the off mode.

  In addition, when the condition specifying unit 422 satisfies the condition K8 in the state where the operation mode of the communication device 3 is specified as the idle mode, the operation mode of the communication device 3 is shifted from the idle mode to the active mode. Identify. Condition K8 is that the extraction unit 423 detects a predetermined number (for example, 10) or more of communication packets (TCP packet or UDP packet) transmitted / received to / from the communication device 3 within the most recent predetermined period (for example, 10 minutes). is there. As a result, the mode specifying unit 422 can accurately specify that the operation mode of the communication device 3 has shifted from the idle mode to the active mode.

  Further, in the state where the operation mode of the communication device 3 is specified as the idle mode, the mode specifying unit 422 has shifted from the idle mode to the power saving mode when the condition K9 is satisfied. Is identified. The condition K9 is a predetermined communication indicating that the power consumption of the communication device 3 acquired by the acquisition unit 421 is less than the threshold value (for example, 5 W) and that the communication device 3 is disconnected from the communication network 6 as a transmission source. This is that the extraction unit 423 did not detect a packet (an SSDP leave packet or an IGMP leave packet). As a result, the mode specifying unit 422 can accurately specify that the operation mode of the communication device 3 has shifted from the idle mode to the power saving mode.

  As described above, the mode identifying unit 422 first identifies one of the active mode, the idle mode, and the off mode as the operation mode of the communication device 3 and does not fall into any of the active mode and the idle mode. Specifies the operation mode of the communication device 3 temporarily as an off mode. In this way, when the off mode is provisionally specified, if the power consumption threshold value in the condition K2 is set to a value larger than the power consumption threshold value in the condition K6, the condition K2 As the power consumption threshold value, the power consumption threshold value in condition K6 (that is, a value smaller than the original value) is used. Thereafter, when the transition from the off mode to the active mode is specified, the power consumption value in the condition K2 is returned to the original value. As a result, even if the provisional specification of the off mode is erroneous and correctly the power saving mode, the transition from the power saving mode to the active mode can be specified, and thereafter the operation of the communication device 3 It becomes possible to specify the mode accurately.

As described above, according to the management device 4 according to the present embodiment, the acquisition unit 421 acquires information on the power consumption of the communication device 3, and the extraction unit 423 transmits communication packets transmitted to and received from the communication device 3. Extracted from the communication network 6 and analyzed. Then, the mode identifying unit 422 operates the communication device 3 based on the information regarding the power consumption acquired by the acquiring unit 421 (signal S21) and the information regarding the communication packet analyzed by the extracting unit 423 (signal S22). Specify the mode. As described above, the management device 4 specifies the operation mode of the communication device 3 by the mode specifying unit 422, so that notification of the operation mode from the communication device 3 to the management device 4 becomes unnecessary. As a result, it is not necessary to implement the operation mode notification function in the communication device 3, and an increase in traffic due to the operation mode notification can be avoided.

<Use example of information indicating power consumption in each operation mode>
As described above, the power management unit 424 includes the information regarding the power consumption of the communication device 3 acquired by the acquisition unit 421 (signal S21), and the operation mode of the communication device 3 specified by the mode specifying unit 422 (signal S23). Are associated with each other to determine the power consumption in each operation mode of the communication device 3.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of management data 50 created by the power management unit 424. The time when the measurement unit 23 measured the power consumption of the communication device 3, the value of the power consumption of the communication device 3 measured at that time, and the operation mode of the communication device 3 specified by the mode specifying unit 422 at that time Are stored in association with each other. For example, at time “000100”, the power consumption is “30.1 W” and the operation mode is “active mode”. For example, at time “000103”, the power consumption is “1.0 W” and the operation mode is “power saving mode”. The power management unit 424 stores the created management data 50 in the storage unit 44 (see FIG. 4). When a plurality of communication devices 3 are managed by the management device 4, the power management unit 424 individually creates management data 50 for each communication device 3 and stores it in the storage unit 44.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of statistical data 51 created by the power management unit 424. The power management unit 424 creates statistical data 51 by statistically processing the management data 50 in units of a predetermined period (one day in the example of FIG. 13) based on the management data 50 stored in the storage unit 44. . In the statistical data 51, the identification information of the communication device, the operation mode of each communication device, the average power consumption per day in each operation mode of each communication device, and the one in each operation mode of each communication device. The usage time in the day and the total power consumption per day of each communication device are described in association with each other. As the identification information of the communication device, information such as the MAC address of the communication device, the device type, and the manufacturer, which is taught from the associating unit 428 to the power management unit 424 shown in FIG. For example, in the communication device A, the power consumption is “30.0 W” and the usage time is “8.0 h” for the active mode, and the power consumption is “21.4 W” and the usage time is “3. 5h ", the power consumption is" 1.1W "and the usage time is" 0.5h "for the power saving mode, and the power consumption is" 0.1W "and the usage time is" 12.0h "for the off mode. The total power consumption per day is “100.65 Wh”. For example, in the communication device D, the power consumption is “15.0 W” for the active mode and the usage time is “1.5 h”, and the power consumption is “12.0 W” for the power saving mode. “22.5h”, and the total power consumption per day is “49.50 Wh”. The power management unit 424 stores the created statistical data 51 in the storage unit 44.

With reference to FIG. 4, the management device 4 can output management data 50 and statistical data 51 stored in the storage unit 44. Specifically, the management data 50 and statistical data 51 stored in the storage unit 44 can be displayed on the display unit 43 as output means, and the management data stored in the storage unit 44 50 and statistical data 51 can be transmitted from the communication unit 41 serving as output means to the server 9 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) via the terminal device 7 and the communication network 8.

  As described above, according to the management device 4 according to the present embodiment, the acquisition unit 421 acquires information on the power consumption of the communication device 3, and the mode specifying unit 422 specifies the operation mode of the communication device 3. Then, the power management unit 424 associates the information (signal S21) related to the power consumption acquired by the acquisition unit 421 with the operation mode (signal S23) specified by the mode specifying unit 422, so that each communication device 3 The power consumption in the operation mode is obtained. Thus, by calculating | requiring the power consumption in each operation mode of the communication apparatus 3, it becomes possible to calculate | require correctly the power consumption of the communication apparatus 3 which has a several operation mode.

  Further, the output unit outputs information (management data 50 and statistical data 51) regarding the power consumption in each operation mode of the communication device 3 obtained by the power management unit 424. By outputting the information, the user can use the information.

  The display unit 43 also displays information (management data 50 and statistical data 51) regarding power consumption in each operation mode of the communication device 3. Therefore, the information can be provided to the user, and as a result, the user's environmental awareness can be enhanced by realizing the power saving effect. In addition, when replacing communication devices, the user can compare the exact power consumption between communication devices. Therefore, by removing communication devices with large power consumption and introducing new power-saving communication devices, It is possible to contribute to the construction of a network system that takes into account.

  Further, the communication unit 41 transmits information (management data 50 and statistical data 51) regarding power consumption in each operation mode of the communication device 3. Therefore, the information is transmitted to the server 9 of the contract service company such as a provider, and the service company accumulates and analyzes the information, thereby giving advice to the user to further reduce power consumption. Service can be provided.

<Specific example of power control executed by power control unit in accordance with each operation mode>
As described above, based on the operation mode (signal S23) of the communication device 3 specified by the mode specification unit 422, the power control unit 425 performs power control on the communication device 3 according to each operation mode. To do.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a process executed by the power control unit 425 when a predetermined condition K10 is established. The condition K10 is that the extraction unit 423 extracts a communication packet (TCP packet or UDP packet) transmitted / received to / from the communication device 3 in a state where the operation mode of the communication device 3 is specified as the idle mode (for example, 10 minutes), a predetermined number (for example, one) or more was not detected. When the operation mode of the communication device 3 when the condition K10 is satisfied is the active mode, the power saving mode, or the off mode, the power control unit 425 performs no processing. On the other hand, when the operation mode of the communication device 3 when the condition K10 is satisfied is the idle mode, the power control unit 425 sends a remote shutdown execution command from the communication unit 41 to the communication device 3 via the communication network 6. While transmitting, the signal S11 which stops the electric power feeding to the communication apparatus 3 is transmitted to the electric power feeder 2 from the communication part 41 by power line communication (FIG. 1) or wireless communication (FIG. 2). The communication device 3 executes the shutdown by receiving the remote shutdown execution command, thereby reducing the power consumption. In addition, the power supply device 2 stops the power supply from the power line 5 to the communication device 3 by receiving the signal S11 for stopping the power supply to the communication device 3, thereby further reducing power consumption.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a process executed by the power control unit 425 when a predetermined condition K11 is satisfied. The condition K11 is that the state of the power saving mode has continued for a predetermined time (for example, 10 minutes) in a state where the operation mode of the communication device 3 is specified as the power saving mode. If the operation mode of the communication device 3 when the condition K11 is satisfied is the active mode, the idle mode, or the off mode, the power control unit 425 performs no processing. On the other hand, when the operation mode of the communication device 3 at the time when the condition K11 is satisfied is the power saving mode, the power control unit 425 activates the activation command (the command for resuming the operation of the function stopped by the power saving mode). ) And a remote shutdown execution command are transmitted from the communication unit 41 to the communication device 3 via the communication network 6, and a signal S11 for stopping power supply to the communication device 3 is transmitted from the communication unit 41 to the power line communication (FIG. 1) or by wireless communication (FIG. 2). The communication device 3 executes the shutdown by receiving the remote shutdown execution command after receiving the startup command, thereby reducing the power consumption. In addition, the power supply device 2 stops the power supply from the power line 5 to the communication device 3 by receiving the signal S11 for stopping the power supply to the communication device 3, thereby further reducing power consumption.

  As described above, according to the management device 4 according to the present embodiment, the mode specifying unit 422 specifies the operation mode of the communication device 3, and the power control unit 425 corresponds to each operation mode specified by the mode specifying unit 422. Control the power of the contents. As described above, the power control unit 425 performs power control according to each operation mode, thereby avoiding the occurrence of a failure due to power control not suitable for the operation mode, and switching to each operation mode. Accordingly, optimal power control can be performed.

  Further, as illustrated in FIG. 14, the power control unit 425 switches the communication device 3 when the mode specifying unit 422 satisfies the condition K10 in a state where the operation mode of the communication device 3 is specified as the idle mode. Perform power control to shut down. Since power is consumed even in the idle mode, in a situation where there is a low possibility of shifting from the idle mode to the active mode, by performing power control to shut down the communication device 3 instead of continuing the idle mode as it is, Compared with the case where the idle mode is continued as it is, the power consumption in the communication device 3 can be reduced.

  Further, as illustrated in FIG. 15, the power control unit 425, when the mode specifying unit 422 specifies the operation mode of the communication device 3 as the power saving mode, satisfies the condition K11, the communication device 3 Power control to shut down. Since power is consumed even in the power saving mode, in a situation where there is a low possibility of shifting from the power saving mode to the active mode, power control is performed to shut down the communication device 3 instead of continuing the power saving mode as it is. As a result, it is possible to reduce power consumption in the communication device 3 as compared with the case where the power saving mode is continued as it is.

  Further, the power control unit 425 performs power control for causing the power feeding device 2 to stop feeding power to the communication device 3 in addition to power control for shutting down the communication device 3. By stopping the power supply to the communication device 3, the power consumption in the communication device 3 can be further reduced.

In the above description, the mode specifying unit 422 is based on the information on the power consumption acquired by the acquiring unit 421 (signal S21) and the information on the communication packet analyzed by the extracting unit 423 (signal S22). The operation mode of the communication device 3 was specified. Instead, the mode specifying unit 422 acquires information indicating the current operation mode of the communication device 3 from the communication device 3 through power line communication (FIG. 1) or wireless communication (FIG. 2). The operation mode may be specified. By the communication device 3 notifying the management device 4 of information indicating its own operation mode, the mode specifying unit 422 can accurately specify the operation mode of the communication device 3.

  In addition, it should be considered that the embodiment disclosed this time is illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is defined not by the above-mentioned meaning but by the scope of claims for patent, and is intended to include all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the scope of claims for patent.

2 Power supply device 2A, 2B Port 3A, 3B Communication device 4 Management device 5 Power line 6 Communication network 9 Server 21 Communication unit 22 Power supply control unit 23 Measurement unit 41 Communication unit 42 Processing unit 43 Display unit 44 Storage unit 45 Program 50 Management data 51 Statistical data 421 acquisition unit 422 mode identification unit 423 extraction unit 424 power management unit 425 power control unit 426 power change detection unit 427 mode transition detection unit 428 association unit

Claims (11)

A management device for managing a communication device having a plurality of operation modes connected to a power supply device and a communication network,
Obtaining means for obtaining information on power consumption of the communication device from the power supply device;
Extraction means for extracting communication packets transmitted from the communication device from the communication network;
First detection means for detecting a change in power consumption in the communication device based on the information acquired by the acquisition means;
Second detection means for detecting a transition of an operation mode in the communication device based on the communication packet extracted by the extraction means;
Association means for associating the power supply device with identification information of a communication device connected to the power supply device based on the detection result by the first detection device and the detection result by the second detection device; ,
A management device comprising: The power supply device has a plurality of ports each capable of connecting a communication device,
The acquisition means acquires information on power consumption of the communication device by distinguishing the ports,
The first detection means detects a change in power consumption in the communication device by distinguishing the port,
The management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the association unit associates each port of the power supply apparatus with identification information of a communication device connected to each port. In the plurality of operation modes,
An active mode in which the power of the communication device is turned on and a communication packet is transmitted to and received from the communication device;
An inactive mode in which the power of the communication device is off;
Contains
The association means includes
A power supply device connected to a communication device in which a change in which power consumption increases is detected by the first detection means;
Detected by the second detection means as a transmission source of a predetermined communication packet transmitted with the transition from the inactive mode to the active mode within a predetermined period after the change in which the power consumption increases Communication device identification information,
The management device according to claim 1, wherein the management device is associated with each other. In the plurality of operation modes,
An active mode in which the power of the communication device is turned on and a communication packet is transmitted to and received from the communication device;
An inactive mode in which the power of the communication device is off;
Contains
The association means includes
A power supply device connected to a communication device in which a change in which power consumption decreases is detected by the first detection means;
Detected by the second detection means as a transmission source of a predetermined communication packet transmitted with the transition from the active mode to the inactive mode within a predetermined period before the change in which the power consumption decreases Communication device identification information,
The management device according to claim 1, wherein the management device is associated with each other. In the plurality of operation modes,
An active mode in which the power of the communication device is turned on and a communication packet is transmitted to and received from the communication device;
A power saving mode in which the power of the communication device is on and a part of the functions of the communication device is not operating;
Contains
The association means includes
A power supply device connected to a communication device in which a change in which power consumption increases is detected by the first detection means;
Detected by the second detection means as a transmission source of a predetermined communication packet transmitted with the transition from the power saving mode to the active mode within a predetermined period before and after the change in which the power consumption increases Communication device identification information,
The management device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein In the plurality of operation modes,
An active mode in which the power of the communication device is turned on and a communication packet is transmitted to and received from the communication device;
A power saving mode in which the power of the communication device is on and a part of the functions of the communication device is not operating;
Contains
The association means includes
A power supply device connected to a communication device in which a change in which power consumption decreases is detected by the first detection means;
Detected by the second detection means as a transmission source of a predetermined communication packet transmitted with the transition from the active mode to the power saving mode within a predetermined period before and after the change in which the power consumption decreases. Communication device identification information,
The management device according to claim 1, wherein the management device is associated with each other.   A management device that associates the power supply device with the identification information of the communication device based on the result of association by the association means according to claim 3.   The management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the identification information includes a MAC address of the communication device.   The management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the identification information includes information related to a type of the communication device.   The management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the identification information includes information related to a manufacturer of the communication device. A computer mounted on a management device that manages a communication device having a plurality of operation modes connected to a power supply device and a communication network,
Obtaining means for obtaining information on power consumption of the communication device from the power supply device;
Extraction means for extracting communication packets transmitted from the communication device from the communication network;
First detection means for detecting a change in power consumption in the communication device based on the information acquired by the acquisition means;
Second detection means for detecting a transition of an operation mode in the communication device based on the communication packet extracted by the extraction means;
Association means for associating the power supply device with identification information of a communication device connected to the power supply device based on the detection result by the first detection device and the detection result by the second detection device; ,
A program that functions as

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