JP2017117061A - Power management system, power relay apparatus, power management program, and power management method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a power management system for preventing, so called, power theft by appropriately managing power that each user has used, and for enabling an authorized user to use public power as for all electronic equipment without limiting to specific electronic equipment.SOLUTION: A power management system for managing power to be supplied from a power supply source to a mobile PC that each user uses comprises: a management server which authenticates propriety of power supply to the mobile PC that the user uses; and a conduction regulation part 33 having a plug receptacle 31 to which the mobile PC is connected for supplying power to the mobile PC, which disconnects or connects conduction in the plug receptacle 31; and a conduction measurement part 34 which measures electric energy conducted via the conduction regulation part 33 to the mobile PC of the user authenticated by the management server, therein the electric energy supplied to the user or the mobile PC is managed on the basis of a measurement result of the conduction measurement part 34.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a power management system, a power relay device, and a power management that regulate and manage power supplied from a power supply source such as commercial power to a power supply target such as a PC or smartphone charger used by a user. The present invention relates to a program and a power management method.

  In recent years, portable electronic devices such as mobile PCs and smartphones have been developed, and there is a demand for users to receive power supply even when they are away from home. In general, this power supply is performed through a power outlet from a power supply source such as commercial power, and this power outlet is a store or public facility regardless of whether it is a so-called public power service that provides power to the public. It is also installed in places with public access.

  A user who needs to supply power, if there is a power outlet in the store, etc., sees that the power supply through this is also a public power supply service for the store, etc., and uses the power outlet without permission. "Stolen" may occur. Since power supply can be one of the means of attracting customers at the store side, there is a situation where it is necessary to tolerate such theft, but the electricity charge is charged to the store side that is the contractor of the power outlet. Since it is charged, the burden is also large. On the other hand, on the user side, if there is a mechanism that charges itself for the amount of power used by itself, there is no concern that it may be seen as “theft” as described above. There is also a desire to use a power outlet on the go.

  Conventionally, in order to prevent the above-described theft, a system capable of preventing theft by an unauthorized portable electronic device has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1). In the system disclosed in Patent Document 1, when a mobile phone terminal to be charged with a specific commercial power source is connected to a power outlet, the charging function of the mobile phone terminal is stopped and the charging function is stopped. When the settlement process is completed, the suspension of the charging function is released. For this reason, the charge of the electric power charged in the mobile phone terminal is not illegally charged to the contractor of the commercial power source, and the power theft by the user of the mobile phone terminal can be prevented.

JP 2008-293173 A

  However, since the system disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above is a mechanism that prevents only power theft by a special mobile phone terminal having a charging function stop function, an electronic device that does not have such a stop function. Theft cannot be prevented, and even on the user side, public power supply cannot be received only for charging the special mobile phone terminal, and there is a problem that the versatility is poor.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and is not limited to a specific electronic device. For all electronic devices, the power used by each user is properly managed to prevent so-called theft. In addition, it is an object of the present invention to provide a power management system, a power relay device, a power management program, and a power management method that allow a legitimate user to use public power.

(Invention of power management system and power method)
The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and is a power management system for managing power supplied from a power supply source to a power supply target used by a user,
An authentication unit for authenticating whether or not power can be supplied to the power supply target used by the user;
The power supply target is connected, has a connection terminal for a user for supplying the power to the power supply target, and an energization regulation unit that cuts off or connects energization in the connection terminal for user,
An energization measurement unit that measures the amount of power energized through the energization restriction unit for the power supply target used by the user authenticated by the authentication unit;
Based on the measurement result of the energization measurement unit, a management unit that manages the amount of power supplied to the user or the power supply target;
It is characterized by providing.

The present invention is a power management method for managing power supplied from a power supply source to a power supply target used by a user,
(1) An authentication step in which an authentication unit authenticates whether power can be supplied to the power supply target used by the user;
(2) The energization regulating unit has a user connection terminal for supplying the power to the power supply target to which the power supply target is connected, and disconnects or connects the energization in the user connection terminal. Energization regulation step,
(3) An energization measurement step in which an energization measurement unit measures the amount of power energized via the energization restriction unit with respect to the power supply target used by the user authenticated by the authentication unit;
(4) a management step in which the management unit manages the amount of power supplied to the user or the power supply target based on the measurement result of the energization measurement unit;
It is characterized by providing.

  According to these inventions, the power supply source side is provided with an energization regulating unit that cuts off or connects energization, and energization is possible only for users who have been authenticated through the authentication unit, and the amount of energized power is managed by the management unit Therefore, it is possible to regulate and manage power supply to all electronic devices of the user without providing special energization regulation means for the electronic device on the user side.

  The “authentication unit” is a function for executing a process of identifying a user or a power supply target used by the user by using authentication information such as an ID and a password, and confirming an authority to receive power supply. Power supply side equipment, server devices on a communication network, power supply targets used by users, other information processing devices used by users, power from power supply sources, etc. It can be distributed and arranged in a relay device such as an adapter device for relaying, an information processing terminal installed on the store side, or the like.

  In addition, as the “management unit”, for example, a facility on the power supply side or a server on a communication network can be used as long as it is a function capable of recording the amount of power used and its usage history for each user or for each power supply target. Placed on devices, power supply targets used by users, other information processing devices used by users, relay devices such as adapter devices that relay power from power supply sources, information processing terminals installed at stores, etc. can do.

  In the said invention, you may further use the user terminal device which has the terminal side authentication part which the said user uses and performs the said authentication by communication with the said authentication part. In this case, a smartphone or wearable terminal carried by the user himself / herself, a power adapter device, or other portable information terminal can be caused to execute a part of the authentication process, thereby improving the convenience of the user and the authentication process. Can be diversified.

In the above invention, the user terminal device further includes a position information acquisition unit that acquires position information including the current position or direction of the own device,
The authentication unit may execute the authentication based on the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit.

  In this case, the degree of coincidence with the position of the user connection terminal (power outlet) can be measured by using the current position of the user terminal device and the direction in which the user terminal device is facing. In addition, it is possible to collect data such as the usage frequency and distribution of the user connection terminals that are used, and the usage time zone, which can be applied to marketing and the like.

  In the said invention, the said electricity supply control part can be made into the adapter apparatus attached with respect to the general purpose connection terminal which supplies electric power from the said electric power supply source. In this case, the present invention is introduced without making any special construction to the general power outlet by making the energization regulating section for regulating the power source detachable from the general power outlet and portable. be able to. In addition, this makes it possible for the user to use it as an adapter device dedicated to himself / herself, or to provide a service that the owner of a store or the like lends to the user, and to develop various usage forms, thereby diversifying the service. be able to.

  In the above invention, in the adapter device, the user connection terminal and the general-purpose connection terminal may have different shapes. In this case, the connection terminal for the user on the output side of the adapter device should have a special shape so that the service provided by this system can only be received if the plug shape is compatible with this special shape. Can do. Thus, for example, by attaching the adapter device of the present invention to a power outlet in a store, it is possible to prevent theft by a person other than the service user while reducing the installation cost of the construction of the power outlet.

In the above invention, the adapter device has a detection unit that detects a detachable state with respect to the general-purpose connection terminal;
You may further provide the alerting | reporting part which alert | reports the said attachment / detachment state which the said detection part detected.

  In this case, for example, in a store or the like where only the use of power through the adapter device is permitted, the adapter device is removed without permission and the adapter device is used directly from a general-purpose power outlet. It is possible to notify the fact that has been removed and to prevent theft of electricity.

In the above invention, the adapter device includes:
A storage unit for storing and holding a device identifier for identifying the own device;
An identifier notification unit for transmitting the device identifier stored in the storage unit to the authentication unit;
The management unit associates and manages the device identifier of the adapter device and position information that identifies a place where the adapter device is installed,
In the authentication, the authentication unit can acquire the device identifier from the adapter device related to the authentication and notify the management unit through the identifier notification unit.

  In this case, at the time of authentication, the adapter device that provides the service related to this system is identified and the accuracy of the authentication is improved by confirming the relationship with the place where the adapter device should be originally installed. Can be made.

  In the above invention, an electrical waveform that identifies the type of the adapter device or power supply target installed on the general-purpose connection terminal side and connected to the general-purpose connection terminal is acquired through the general-purpose connection terminal, and the electrical waveform is An owner-side authentication unit that notifies the management unit may be further provided.

  In this case, for example, by identifying the type of adapter device or power supply target (smartphone charger, etc.) connected to a power outlet on the store side or the like by the electric waveform at the time of power supply, Can be distinguished from the use of the store itself and the use according to the present invention, and the charge for the amount of electricity used can be distributed between the store side and the user side. With this, for example, a charger or adapter device for smartphones has a function to output a special electric waveform, rent it with a monthly fee, etc., and use the electricity fee used by the user with a monthly rental fee, etc. Service can be deployed.

(Invention of each device)
In the power management system and the power management method, the inventions of the power relay device and the power management program as described below can be used.

That is, the power relay apparatus according to the present invention is a power relay apparatus that is attached to a general-purpose connection terminal that supplies power from a power supply source and relays power supplied to a power supply target used by a user. ,
The power supply target is connected, has a connection terminal for a user for supplying the power to the power supply target, and an energization regulation unit that cuts off or connects energization in the connection terminal for user,
An energization measuring unit that measures the amount of power energized through the energization restriction unit for the power supply target used by the user authenticated by the authentication unit;
A notification unit that notifies a measurement result of the energization measurement unit to a management unit that manages the amount of power supplied to the user or the power supply target;
The energization regulation unit can execute the disconnection or connection of the energization according to an authentication result by an authentication unit that authenticates whether or not the power supply target used by the user can be supplied.

Moreover, the power management program according to the present invention can be an application for a smartphone, for example, and a user terminal device used by a user is
It is made to function as a terminal side authentication part which performs the said authentication by communication with the said authentication part.

The power management program according to the present invention further causes the user terminal device to function as a position information acquisition unit that acquires position information including the current position or direction of the own device,
The terminal-side authentication unit performs the authentication based on the location information acquired by the location information acquisition unit through communication with the authentication unit.

In the power management program according to the present invention, when the energization restriction unit is an adapter device attached to a general-purpose connection terminal that supplies power from the power supply source,
In the authentication, the terminal-side authentication unit acquires the device identifier through communication with the identifier notification unit, and executes the authentication based on the acquired device identifier through communication with the authentication unit.

  As described above, according to the present invention, by providing a mechanism for regulating and managing power supply on the power outlet side that supplies power, it is not limited to a specific electronic device, but for all electronic devices. , It is possible to properly charge the amount of electricity used by each user. As a result, according to the present invention, so-called theft can be prevented and a legitimate user can use public power imposingly.

It is a conceptual diagram which shows the whole structure of the power management system which concerns on 1st Embodiment. (A) is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the adapter apparatus which concerns on 1st and 2nd embodiment, (b) is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the shop equipment which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the smart phone which concerns on 1st and 2nd embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the management server which concerns on 1st and 2nd embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows the procedure of the power management method which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the whole structure of the power management system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows the procedure of the power management method which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the external appearance of the adapter apparatus which concerns on the example of a change. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the shop installation which concerns on the example of a change.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present embodiment, a case where the user owns the power adapter device and receives the power supply service by the present system at an arbitrary place (here, in the store 7) will be described as an example.

(Overall system configuration)
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an overall configuration of a power management system 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the power management system 1 according to the present embodiment is disposed on a power adapter device 3 attached to a power outlet 41, a smartphone 11 used by a user 10, and the Internet 5 such as the Internet. The management server 6 is generally configured. In the present embodiment, store equipment 71 having an access point function for performing wireless communication and a position detection function for specifying the position of the user is installed in the store 7 as necessary.

  The smartphone 11 is a mobile phone using wireless communication, and is also an arithmetic processing device that executes information processing by executing a predetermined computer program. The smartphone 11 wirelessly communicates with a relay point such as a general base station, Communication services such as data communication can be received while moving, and various functions can be realized by executing predetermined applications. Examples of this communication system include 3G, FDMA system, TDMA system, CDMA system, W-CDMA, PHS (Personal Handyphone System) system, etc., and a standard such as WiFi (wireless LAN) as a wireless communication interface. Etc., and a function corresponding to a communication method based on transmission / reception of IP packets. Further, the smartphone 11 is equipped with a digital camera function or a GPS function.

  The management server 6 is a server device arranged on the Internet 5, and in this embodiment, functions as a management unit that manages the amount of power supplied to the user 10 or the PC 12 that is the power supply target. At the same time, it functions as an authentication unit that authenticates the user's authority. In this embodiment, the management server 6 is realized by a single server device or a plurality of server device groups, and a plurality of functional modules are virtually constructed on the CPU, and the respective functional modules cooperate with each other. Yes. The management server 6 can perform data transmission / reception via the Internet 5 by a communication function, and can also present a web page through browser software by a web server function.

  The power adapter device 3 is a power relay device that relays power from a power outlet 41, which is a general-purpose connection terminal, to a user's power supply target. Here, the power adapter device 3 is configured to be detachable from the power outlet 41 and is portable. It is possible. The power outlet 41 is a connection terminal of a power line 42 for supplying power from a commercial power supply source 4 and has a general structure and shape standardized in JIS C 8303-1993 in Japan. Yes. The power outlet 41 is installed on the wall surface of the guest room of the store 7.

(Configuration of each device)
(1) Power adapter device 3
FIG. 2A is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the adapter device.

  The power adapter device 3 is a power relay device that relays the power supplied from the power supply source 4 to the power supply target used by the user 10, and includes a control unit 36 and a memory 37 as basic components. A communication interface 38 and an output interface 39. In the present embodiment, a code image such as a QR code (registered trademark) or a barcode encoded with the adapter ID is printed on the front surface of the power adapter device 3 or attached as a seal. The code image is pasted on the front surface parallel to the wall to which the power adapter device 3 is attached. When the camera is pointed at the code image, the camera is vertical (the shooting direction is horizontal). It is supposed to be.

  The control unit 36 is an arithmetic processing unit of a CPU, and various function modules are virtually constructed by executing firmware and the like stored in the memory 37, and the function server mainly uses the management server 6. Alternatively, the energization restriction by the energization restriction unit 33 is controlled according to the authentication result by the smartphone 11. The memory 37 is a nonvolatile storage device, and stores the energization measurement information, the adapter ID, and the attachment / detachment notification history in addition to the firmware and various setting data.

  The communication interface 38 is a module that transmits and receives data to and from other communication devices. In addition to a wireless LAN such as WiFi, a short-range communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), a wireless communication such as a 3G system, a wired LAN or the like. Power line communication via power lines such as wired communication using PLC protocols, PLC (Power Line Communication), and PLT (Power Line Telecommunication) are also included.

  In this embodiment, the output interface 39 is a module that outputs signals, signs, and sounds to the outside. The output interface 39 includes a speaker 39a that outputs sound and an LED 39b that emits light, and sounds such as buzzers and messages. In addition, it can be notified by signs such as lighting, blinking, and color change. The other output interface 39 includes means for sending data to other devices such as a USB terminal.

  As a configuration related to energization of the power adapter device 3, a general plug 32 that is a general-purpose connection terminal and a plug receiver 31 that is a user connection terminal provided toward the power supply target of the user 10 are provided. And. The insertion plug 32 and the plug receptacle 31 are connected by a power line 31a, and an energization restricting portion 33 that switches ON / OFF of the power line 31a is provided in the middle of the power line 31a.

  The plug receptacle 31 is a connection terminal for a user into which a plug of a power cable connected to a power supply target such as a power adapter of a mobile PC or tablet PC used by the user 10 or a charger such as a smartphone is inserted. In the present embodiment, the power adapter device 3 is disposed on the front surface. On the other hand, the plug 32 has a shape and structure suitable for the power outlet 41, and has a general structure and shape standardized in JIS C 8303-1993 in Japan. Then, it is arranged on the back side of the power adapter device 3. Further, the shape and structure of the plug receiver 31 can be freely determined depending on the usage form of the power adapter device 3, and can be the same standard as the power outlet 41 or a different standard.

  In this embodiment, since the power adapter device 3 is directly attached to the power outlet 41, the plug receiver 31 and the insertion plug 32 are arranged on the front and back of the power adapter device 3. Depending on the type of the power adapter device 3 such that either or both of the plugs 32 are cable-type, the arrangement position can be freely adopted.

  The energization restricting unit 33 is a module that cuts off or connects the energization in the plug receiver 31, and restricts energization based on control by the control unit 36. Further, the amount of power energized by the energization regulating unit 33 is measured by the energization measuring unit 34, and the amount of power measured by the energization measuring unit 34 is input to the energization measurement information notifying unit 36c. The energization measuring unit 34 is a module that measures the amount of power energized via the energization regulating unit 33 for the power supply target used by the authenticated user.

  The energization measurement information notification unit 36c is a module that notifies the management server 6 of the measurement result obtained by the energization measurement information notification unit 36c as the energization measurement information in association with the user or the power supply target. Specifically, the energization measurement information notification unit 36c transmits the energization measurement information directly to the management server 6 when communication with the management server 6 is possible through the communication interface 38 of the own device, and in an environment where direct transmission is not possible. If there is, the management server 6 is notified via the user's smartphone 11. This energization measurement information includes at least an adapter ID that identifies the power adapter device 3 itself, the amount of energized energy, and its start / end time. By communication with the user, the user ID of the user or a smartphone Can be included when the terminal ID, the identifier of the device that is the power supply target, the store ID, and the like are known.

  In addition, the power adapter device 3 includes, as modules relating to the power theft notification function, an attachment / detachment detection unit 35 that detects the attachment / detachment state with respect to the power outlet 41 and an attachment / detachment notification unit 36b that notifies the attachment / detachment state detected by the attachment / detachment detection unit 35. ing.

  The attachment / detachment detection unit 35 is a sensor that detects contact / separation of the plug plug 32 with respect to the power outlet 41. For example, the attachment / detachment detection unit 35 may detect an electrical state change caused by being connected to the power outlet 41. Further, it may be physically detected that it is in contact with the wall surface in the vicinity thereof. The detection result by the attachment / detachment detection unit 35 is input as a signal to the attachment / detachment notification unit 36b. Depending on how the power adapter device 3 is used, the attachment / detachment detection unit 35 detects the attachment / detachment on the plug receiver 31 side, and the attachment / detachment notification unit 36b notifies the attachment / detachment state on the plug receiver 31 side. Also good.

  The attachment / detachment notification unit 36b is a module that notifies the detection contents based on the detection result by the attachment / detachment detection unit 35, and also has a function of controlling the notification method and timing. As the notification by the attachment / detachment notification unit 36b, a method of appealing to the perception of surrounding humans such as the user 10 and a store clerk through the output interface 39, and data and signals related to the notification information are transmitted to other devices through the communication interface 38. And a method of recording in the memory 37. In this embodiment, the output interface 39 includes a speaker 39a that outputs sound and an LED 39b that emits light. The output interface 39 is notified by a sound such as a buzzer or a message, or a sign such as lighting, blinking, or color change. Can do. As notification by the output interface 39, notification information data is transmitted to, for example, a management device (smart phone, PC, or other device used by a person concerned in the store 7) installed in the store 7 in addition to the smartphone 11 or the management server 6. and so on.

  Note that various settings are possible for the timing of notification by the attachment / detachment notification unit 36b according to the usage mode of the power adapter device 3, and this setting can be set by the user himself or changed by the user. Can be forcibly set by the service provider. For example, when the power adapter device 3 adopts a form owned by the store 7, a notification is made immediately when it is removed at all times during business hours when the store 7 is open so that the user does not remove it without permission. Or can be set not to notify after closing (after the end of business hours). In addition, when the power adapter device 3 is owned by the user, for example, notification is made only during energization so as not to be inadvertently notified during movement while others do not use it without permission. It may be set as follows. At this time, the notification timing and the notification method by the attachment / detachment notification unit 36b may be set so as to be switched in a time zone, or a remote operation signal may be received from another device through the communication interface 38 and switched remotely.

  In addition, the power adapter device 3 includes a memory 37 that stores and holds an adapter ID, which is a device identifier for identifying the device itself, as an authentication module, and an identifier notification unit that transmits the adapter ID to an authentication unit of another device. 36a. The adapter ID is an identifier unique to each adapter device. In this embodiment, the adapter ID is recorded in the memory 37 at the time of factory shipment, and cannot be changed.

  The identifier notification unit 36a reads the adapter ID stored in the memory 37 in response to a request from another external device or in accordance with the state of the own device, and communicates with the communication interface 38 to a necessary notification destination. It is a module that transmits through. Specifically, in the identifier notifying unit 36a, when the communication interface 38 of the own device can communicate with the management server 6, the adapter ID can be directly transmitted to the management server 6, and if the environment cannot be directly transmitted, The management server 6 can be notified via the user's smartphone 11. At the time of transmitting this adapter ID, at least the adapter ID of the own device, the user ID of the user by communication with the user, the terminal ID of the smartphone, the identifier of the device to which power is supplied, the store ID Such information can be included when it is understood.

(2) Smartphone 11
Next, the internal configuration of the smartphone 11 will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the smartphone 11.

  The smartphone 11 is a mobile phone using wireless communication, and is also an arithmetic processing device that executes information processing by executing a predetermined computer program. The smartphone 11 wirelessly communicates with a relay point such as a general base station, Communication services such as data communication can be received while moving, and various functions can be realized by executing predetermined applications. Specifically, the smartphone 11 includes a control unit 111, a memory 115, a communication interface 114, an output interface 113, and an input interface 112 as basic components.

  The control unit 111 is an arithmetic processing unit of a CPU, and various function modules are virtually constructed by executing an OS, application programs, other firmware, and the like stored in the memory 117. The memory 117 is a nonvolatile storage device, and stores the OS, application program, firmware, various setting data, application data, and user data.

  The communication interface 114 is a module that transmits and receives data to and from other communication devices. As a communication method, for example, 3G, FDMA method, TDMA method, CDMA method, W-CDMA, PHS (Personal Handyphone System) method In addition to wireless communication such as WiFi, wireless communication such as near field communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), wired communication using a predetermined protocol such as USB connection and wired LAN is also included.

  The output interface 113 has a display unit 113a such as a liquid crystal display of a touch panel, and displays images and moving images generated by the display data generation unit 111d. The output interface 113 includes a speaker that outputs sound, an LED that emits light, and the like, and also includes means for sending data and signals to other devices such as a USB terminal and an audio / video terminal. The input interface 112 includes a camera 112a for capturing images / videos, an acoustic microphone, and the like in addition to a touch panel, a keyboard, and operation buttons.

  The smartphone 11 includes an adapter control unit 111e, a terminal-side authentication unit 111a, a device identifier acquisition unit 111b, and a position information acquisition unit 111c as modules related to adapter control.

  The adapter controller 111e is a module that communicates with the power adapter device 3 through the communication interface 114 to remotely operate and control the power adapter device 3, and performs authentication processing for receiving power supply to the power adapter device 3. Request, control on / off of energization in the power adapter device 3, obtain and display the energization state (energization amount, energization time) from the power adapter device 3, and store in the memory 117. Etc. are executed.

  The terminal-side authentication unit 111a is a module that executes a part of authentication processing for receiving power supply, and includes a device identifier acquisition unit 111b and a position information acquisition unit 111c.

  The device identifier acquisition unit 111b communicates with the power adapter device 3 through the communication interface 114 and analyzes a code image such as a QR code (registered trademark) or a bar code photographed by the camera 112a. This is a module for acquiring the adapter ID of the adapter device. Specifically, the position information acquisition unit 111c acquires the current position and direction of the own device from the latitude / longitude and direction acquired by the GPS 115 and the gyro sensor 116, or is acquired through the communication interface 114. The current position of the own device is specified by acquiring the communication area in which the own device is located from the communication base station, the access point, the type and intensity of the radio signal of each surrounding frequency band.

  The acquisition of the adapter ID by the device identifier acquisition unit 111b and the acquisition of the position information by the position information acquisition unit 111c may be linked. In this embodiment, a code image such as a QR code (registered trademark) or a barcode encoded with the adapter ID is printed or pasted as a sticker on the front surface of the adapter device. The adapter ID is obtained by analyzing the code image, and the current position of the own device and the direction in which it is facing are automatically obtained at the time of shooting. When the front surface of the adapter device is photographed, it is in a state of approaching the adapter device and facing the front surface of the adapter device, so that a more accurate coordinate position and direction to be automatically acquired. Authentication accuracy can be improved. In this example, the case where the seal with the adapter ID coded is pasted on the front surface of the adapter device has been described. However, the seal is placed in a place where the position and direction are fixed, such as a wall near the adapter device or a seating table. You may make it stick. In this case, a database in which the sticking position of the sticker and the adapter ID of the adapter device related to the sticker are linked is prepared, and for each authentication, the database is referred to by the position information acquisition unit 111c, Data stored in the database may be acquired as position information.

  Further, in the authentication process, the terminal side authentication unit 111 a receives the input of the user ID and password of the user as authentication information, and transmits the authentication information to the management server 6 to execute the authentication process. The authentication information may be requested to be input to the user every time authentication is performed, or may be stored in the memory 117 in a secure state in advance and read each time authentication is performed. When transmitting the authentication information, the device identifier for identifying the smartphone itself, the current position acquired by the position information acquisition unit 111c, the direction in which the own device is facing, and the device rejoicing as necessary. The adapter ID acquired by the identifier acquisition unit 111b can be included.

  Then, the terminal-side authentication unit 111a specifies the adapter device that is the object of authentication by the device identifier acquisition unit 111b, requests the management server 6 for the authority to use the adapter device, and the authentication The processing according to the result is notified to the adapter device side through the adapter control unit 111e. For example, when the authentication process is successful, the power supply adapter device 3 is requested to permit energization through the adapter control unit 111e, and when the authentication process is unsuccessful, an error is displayed through 113a.

(3) Management server 6
Next, the internal configuration of the management server 6 will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the management server 6.

  The management server 6 is a server device disposed on the Internet 5, and transmits data to and from the smartphone 11, the power adapter device 3, and other devices such as communication devices and management devices installed in the store 7 through the Internet 5. You can send and receive.

  The management server 6 includes a communication interface 61 that performs data communication through the Internet 5, an authentication unit 63 that authenticates the authority of the user and the user terminal, and a position information management unit 62 that manages the position information of the user terminal and the adapter device. And the electricity supply measurement information management part 64 which manages the electric power which the user utilized, the electricity supply management part 65, and various database groups are provided.

  The database group includes a user database 65b that stores information about users, a device database 65a that stores information about each device, and a power usage database 65c that stores information about power used by each user or each adapter device. Is included. Each of these databases may be a single database, or can be divided into a plurality of databases, and a relational database in which the respective data are linked by setting relations with each other.

  The information stored in the user database 65b includes authentication information that associates an identifier (user ID, terminal ID) that identifies a user or a user terminal used by the user with a password, etc. The personal information of the user associated with the ID, the model of the terminal device, the adapter ID of the power adapter device, and the like are also included. Further, the user database 65b includes an authentication history (access history) for each user or each user terminal, a history of power used for each user and each used terminal by the relation with the used power database, and settlement for the used power. Information etc. are also accumulated.

  Furthermore, the users managed in the user database 65b include the user who is the power supply destination, and the store, the facility, the store owner, etc., when the power adapter or the installation facility of the equipment is determined. It is. Information relating to these stores includes a store ID for identifying the store / facility, etc., and an identifier for identifying a device (power adapter, communication device, management device, etc.) installed in each store.

  Information stored in the device database 65a includes device IDs for specifying devices such as adapter devices and store facilities, model of each device, firmware version, and location information (latitude / longitude, Range, store / facility ID, installation position in the store, etc.), and time information (time, date / time, time zone, etc.) when the use time is determined. These pieces of information can be associated with user information, store information, and power usage information through relations with other databases.

  The information accumulated in the power usage database 65c includes the current measurement information acquired by the current measurement information management unit 64. The current measurement information includes the amount of power used and the time used (start time, end time). Time, etc.), usage location (latitude / longitude, range, store / facility ID, installation location in the store, etc.), and power consumption. Each energization measurement information is associated with a user ID that identifies the user, a store ID, etc., and stored.

  The authentication unit 63 establishes a communication session with the user, the user terminal, the adapter device, and other store devices through the communication interface 61, and performs an authentication process for each established communication session. In this authentication process, authentication information is obtained from the user who is the accessor, the user terminal, the adapter device, and other store equipment, and the user is identified by referring to the user database 65b and the equipment database 65a. Authenticate those rights. The authentication result (user ID, authentication time, session ID, etc.) by the authentication unit 63 is sent to the position information management unit 62 and the energization measurement information management unit 64 and is stored as an authentication history in the user database 65b.

  The location information management unit 62 is a module that acquires the location information acquired on the user terminal device side and transmitted to the management server 6 and sends it to the authentication unit 63. Using the position information including the current position or direction of the device that is the subject of authentication processing, the user or user terminal device that is the authentication target is authenticated. Specifically, the current location of the authentication target is acquired, and the current location is properly used by referring to the area, place, etc. where the use of the device subject to authentication stored in the device database 65a is permitted. Check if it is a place. Thereby, for example, even a legitimate user or terminal device can perform processing such as not permitting authentication in a place where power supply is not permitted.

  In addition, the location information management unit 62 associates the identifier (user ID, adapter ID, etc.) of the user or user terminal device specified by the authentication processing by the authentication unit 63 with the location information, and the device database 65a and the user database 65b. As authentication history.

  The energization management unit 65 energizes the power adapter device 3 when the authentication unit 63 confirms that the user associated with the authentication request is a legitimate user and the power supply is permitted. A process for instructing the release of the restriction is executed. Here, for example, when the energization management unit 65 can directly communicate with the power adapter device 3, the energization regulation release data is transmitted directly to the control unit 36 and the energization regulation unit 33 of the power adapter device 3. And when controlling the power adapter apparatus 3 via the smart phone 11, electricity supply regulation cancellation | release data are transmitted to the adapter control part 111e of a smart phone. At this time, when a time restriction is set for the energization permission, the energization management unit 65 instructs the energization to be permitted or disconnected according to the time restriction.

  The energization measurement information management unit 64 acquires the measurement result by the energization measurement unit on the user terminal side as the energization measurement information, and is supplied to the user or the power supply target based on the acquired energization measurement information. It is a module that manages the amount of electric power, and is specified by the authentication process in the authentication unit 63 for the user terminal or the like that has received the energization measurement information from the energization measurement information notification unit 36c of the user terminal and has transmitted the energization measurement information. The data is stored in the power usage database 65c and the user database 65b in association with the user ID and the user terminal ID.

(4) Store facilities In the present embodiment, store facilities 71 having an access point function for performing wireless communication and a position detection function for specifying the position of the user are installed in the store 7 as necessary. Has been. FIG. 2B is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the store facility. The store facility 71 has a function of performing wireless communication in a predetermined area such as in the store 7 and relaying communication to the Internet 5 by general wireless communication such as WiFi. Data can be transmitted / received to / from the smartphone 11 through the function of relaying this communication, and the identifier of the own device can be transmitted through the relay function. As a function for relaying this communication, in addition to WiFi communication, for example, short-range / non-contact communication using radio waves such as BLEBeacon and RFID (NFC) by Bluetooth (registered trademark), sound wave, infrared communication, etc. Furthermore, they may be combined and relayed by performing bridge communication between different communication protocols.

  More specifically, the store facility 71 is a relay device that relays wireless communication between the Internet 5 and an electronic device having a communication function such as the smartphone 11, and includes a control unit 712 as a basic component. A memory 711, a communication interface 713, and an output interface 714.

  The control unit 712 is an arithmetic processing unit of the CPU, and various function modules are virtually constructed by executing firmware or the like stored in the memory 711. The function notification module mainly uses the identifier notification unit. 712a, a router function 712b, and a beacon transmission function 712c are provided.

  The communication interface 713 is a module that transmits / receives data to / from other communication devices. In addition to wireless LAN such as WiFi, short-range communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), wireless communication such as 3G method, a wired LAN or the like Power line communication via power lines such as wired communication using PLC protocols, PLC (Power Line Communication), and PLT (Power Line Telecommunication) are also included. Furthermore, the communication interface 713 includes non-contact communication using radio waves such as RFID (NFC) as well as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth (registered trademark), and a method of performing communication only in a narrow area such as sound wave and infrared communication. . The communication interface 713 has a function of relaying communication, such as sending and receiving authentication information between the smartphone 11 and the power adapter device 3 through WiFi communication, or using Bluetooth (registered trademark), RFID (NFC), A combination of sound waves, infrared communication, and the like may be used for relaying by performing bridge communication between different communication protocols.

The communication interface 713 also provides a function of distributing global WAN side communication to a local LAN or setting a protocol with other communication devices by the router function 712b.

  The memory 711 is a non-volatile storage device, and stores various identifiers such as the store ID of the store and the equipment ID that identifies the device itself, in addition to the firmware and various setting data. The identifier notification unit 712a is a module that reads various identifiers (store ID, equipment ID, etc.) stored in the memory 711 and notifies the read identifiers to surrounding devices through a beacon transmission function. The beacon transmission function 712c is periodically transmitted via the communication interface 713 by WiFi communication, short-range / non-contact communication using radio waves such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) and RFID (NFC), sound waves, and infrared communication. This module sends an identifier.

  In this embodiment, the output interface 714 is a module that outputs signals, signs, and sounds to the outside. The output interface 714 includes a speaker 714a that outputs sound and an LED 714b that emits light, and sounds such as buzzers and messages. In addition, communication status and operation status can be notified by signs such as lighting, blinking, and color change.

(Power management method)
A procedure of a power management method using the power management system described above will be described. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing a procedure of the power management method according to the present embodiment. Here, a case where the user himself owns the power adapter device 3 and receives the power supply service at the store 7 at the destination will be described as an example.

  First, the user inserts the power adapter device 3 into the power outlet 41 of the store 7. At this time, the power adapter device 3 has been de-energized (S101) and is in a state where it cannot receive power. The user activates the power supply application on the smartphone 11 and executes a use start operation for obtaining authorization of the authentication process and the power supply service through the power supply application (S201).

  In the authentication processing according to the present embodiment, after specifying the power adapter device 3 and the power outlet 41, the use permission of the power outlet 41 at this place and time is acquired. Specifically, at the start of use, the QR code (registered trademark) attached to the surface of the power adapter device 3 is photographed with the power adapter device 3 attached to the power outlet 41. The power supply application of the smartphone 11 analyzes the image of the QR code (registered trademark) acquired by photographing the QR code (registered trademark), acquires the adapter ID embedded in the QR code (registered trademark), and The current position of the smartphone 11 and the direction in which the smartphone 11 is facing at the moment when the photographing process is executed are acquired as position information (S202).

  When the smartphone 11 has positioning means such as GPS, the position information can be acquired by using the latitude / longitude measured by the GPS, and the orientation such as a gyro sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, or an acceleration sensor. When there is provided a means for measuring the orientation and orientation, the orientation / orientation information measured by those sensors is used. When a terminal that does not have such a GPS or gyro sensor or the like and wants to further improve the accuracy of position information, a beacon transmitted from the store equipment 71 is acquired, and the store ID and store equipment included in the beacon are acquired. The radio field intensity of the ID, the beacon, and the radio field intensity from the communication interface 38 of the adapter device 3 are measured, and the latitude and the smartphone 11 are determined based on the distance and direction with respect to the store equipment 71 and the distance and direction with respect to the adapter device. You may make it acquire positional information, such as a longitude, an azimuth | direction, and an attitude | position.

  Here, the adapter ID of the power adapter device 3 is obtained by photographing a QR code (registered trademark). However, for example, WiFi communication or Bluetooth (registered) is obtained through the communication interface 38 of the power adapter device 3. (Trademark), acoustic wave, infrared, etc., the usage request data is transmitted from the power supply application to the power adapter device 3 (S103), and the identifier notification unit 36a of the power adapter device 3 responds accordingly. An adapter ID may be acquired (S102). Acquisition of the adapter ID through the communication interface 38 may be triggered by a user operation, and automatically starts by communicating with the adapter device having the strongest radio wave intensity when the power supply application is activated. You may do it. When the connection with the adapter device is automatically started, the position information at the time when the connection process is successful is automatically acquired.

  Next, the power supply application accesses the management server 6 to establish a communication session, and uses the adapter ID, the user ID and the password analyzed from the QR code (registered trademark), and the position information as authentication information to the management server 6. Transmit (S203). This user ID and password may request the user to input when starting a communication session, or may be set in advance in the power supply application and stored in the smartphone 11 as application data for automatic authentication. You may make it add to information.

  The management server 6 receives authentication information from the smartphone 11 (S301) and executes an authentication process (S302). Specifically, the authentication unit 63 of the management server 6 establishes a communication session with the smartphone 11 through the communication interface 61, and performs an authentication process for each established communication session. In this authentication process, the authentication information received from the user terminal that is the accessor is analyzed, the adapter ID, user ID, and password included in the authentication information are referred to the user database 65b and the device database 65a, and the user etc. And the use authority of the user, the user terminal device, and the adapter device is authenticated according to the match / mismatch of the password and the like.

  In the authentication process in step S302, the management server 6 acquires the position information included in the authentication information by the position information management unit 62, and uses the position information including the current position or direction of the device that is the object of the authentication process. The position of the user or user terminal device to be authenticated is confirmed. Specifically, the current location of the authentication target is extracted from the authentication information, and the current location is determined by referring to the area, location, etc. where the use of the device that is the authentication target stored in the device database 65a is permitted. Check if it is a regular place of use. Thereby, for example, even a legitimate user or terminal device can perform processing such as not permitting authentication in a place where power supply is not permitted.

  The authentication result (user ID, authentication time, session ID, etc.) by the authentication unit 63 is sent to the energization management unit 65, and the energization management unit 65 executes processing according to the authentication result (S303). If the authentication fails ("N" in S303), the fact is notified to the smartphone 11 side, and error processing is executed on the smartphone 11 side (S204). As this error process, for example, a message indicating that the authentication has failed is output to the power supply application, a request for a second authentication process is performed, or an end process is executed. On the other hand, when the authentication unit 63 confirms that the user related to the authentication request is a legitimate user and the power supply is permitted ("Y" in S303), the energization management unit 65 Execute the process to allow energization.

  As a process for permitting energization, the energization management unit 65 of the management server 6 transmits energization restriction release data to the adapter control unit 111e of the smartphone. At this time, when the time limit or the upper limit of the power supply amount is set in the energization permission, the energization management unit 65 adds an instruction to permit energization or disconnection according to the setting to the energization restriction release data. Here, a case where the power adapter device 3 is controlled via the smartphone 11 will be described as an example. For example, when the power adapter device 3 itself has a communication function and can receive the energization restriction release data, The energization management unit 65 may directly execute a process of instructing cancellation of energization regulation by transmitting an energization regulation release signal directly to the control unit 36 and the energization regulation unit 33 of the power adapter device 3.

  Next, on the management server 6 side, after the energization restriction cancellation by the energization management unit 65 is executed, the authentication result (user ID, authentication time, session ID, etc.) by the authentication unit 63 is sent to the energization measurement information management unit 64. At the same time, it is recorded in the user database 65b as an authentication history (S305). At the same time, the location information management unit 62 associates the identifier (user ID, adapter ID, etc.) of the user or user terminal device identified by the authentication process by the authentication unit 63 with the location information, and stores the device database 65a or Accumulated as an authentication history in the user database 65b.

  On the other hand, the power supply application that has received the energization restriction release data in step S205 executes energization permission processing on the power adapter device 3 (S206). Specifically, when the adapter control unit 111e of the smartphone 11 receives the energization restriction release data from the energization management unit 65 of the management server 6 (S205), the adapter control unit 111e passes through the communication interface 114 and the power adapter device 3 Communication is started, and an energization permission process is remotely executed on the power adapter device 3 (S206).

  In response to the energization permission process, the power adapter device 3 starts energization and starts measuring the energization amount (S104). Specifically, the energization restriction unit 33 of the power adapter device 3 connects the energization in the plug receiver 31 based on the control by the control unit 36 and starts energization, and the amount of power energized in the energization restriction unit 33 Is measured by the energization measuring unit 34, and the amount of power measured by the energization measuring unit 34 is input to the energization measurement information notifying unit 36c.

  When energization is started in the power adapter device 3, power can be used, and monitoring is performed during this time to prevent theft (S207). As the power theft monitoring, the attachment / detachment detection unit 35 of the power adapter device 3 detects contact / separation of the plug 32 with respect to the power outlet 41 or detects attachment / detachment of the plug receiver 31 side. Thereby, when the insertion plug 32 is pulled out or the power plug 12a on the plug receiver 31 side is pulled out, it can be notified by the attachment / detachment notification unit 36b.

  As the notification by the attachment / detachment notification unit 36b, a method of appealing to the perception of surrounding humans such as the user 10 and a store clerk through the output interface 39, and data and signals related to the notification information are transmitted to other devices through the communication interface 38. And a method of recording in the memory 37. Note that various settings can be made for the timing of notification by the attachment / detachment notification unit 36b according to the usage mode of the power adapter device 3, and this setting can be set by the user himself / herself and used without permission by others. In order not to inadvertently notify the user while moving, for example, the alarm may be set to notify only during energization. At this time, the notification timing and the notification method by the attachment / detachment notification unit 36b can be set to be switched in a time zone, or a remote operation signal can be received from another device through the communication interface 38 and switched remotely.

  Then, when the user performs an end operation of power use (S208), or when an end event process such as time-up of power supply or reaching the upper limit of the power supply amount occurs, power-off is executed (S105). . In the energization disconnection process, upon the occurrence of the end operation or the end event, the energization restricting unit 33 of the power adapter device 3 disconnects the energization in the plug receiver 31 based on the control by the control unit 36 and ends the energization. At the same time, the measurement of the energization amount in the energization measurement unit 34 is also terminated. The final electric energy, usage time, usage history, and the like measured by the energization measuring unit 34 are input to the energization measurement information notifying unit 36c as energization measurement information, and the energization measurement information notifying unit 36c measures the energization of the smartphone 11. Information is transmitted (S106). The smartphone 11 that has received the energization measurement information transmits it as an end report to the energization measurement information management unit 64 of the management server 6 (S209). Note that this end report or energization measurement information may also be transmitted directly from the power adapter device 3 to the management server 6 when the power adapter device 3 has a communication function.

  Upon receipt of this end report, on the management server 6 side, the energization measurement information management unit 64 acquires the measurement result by the energization measurement unit 34 on the user terminal side as the energization measurement information, and based on the acquired energization measurement information. The amount of power supplied to the user or power supply target is managed as a usage history. Specifically, the energization measurement information management unit 64 receives the energization measurement information from the energization measurement information notification unit 36c through the smartphone 11, and at the authentication unit 63 authenticates the user terminal or the like that has transmitted the energization measurement information. The user ID and user terminal ID specified by the process are linked and stored as a usage history in the power usage database 65c and the user database 65b. This usage history is aggregated for each user or adapter device, and can be used for payment of power charges. Also, the usage distribution of power is aggregated to determine the usage time, usage time, and power usage of the user. Can be used for marketing. Regarding the payment of power charges related to adapter devices, set the power charges through the adapter devices higher than the normal power charges, distribute the difference between them to the owner of the power outlet, and pay the burden on the power supply side. You may make it reduce.

(Action / Effect)
According to the present embodiment as described above, the adapter device used by the user is provided with the energization restriction unit that cuts off or connects the energization, and only the user who has been authenticated through the authentication unit can be energized. Since the amount of electric power can be managed by the management unit, it is possible to regulate and manage the power supply to all electronic devices of the user without providing special energization restriction means for the electronic device on the user side. As a result, there is no need to pay for the electricity used by the user. On the other hand, on the user side, the user is charged for the amount of power used by the user, so it can be seen as “theft”. There is no worry and you can use the power outlet on the go.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the degree of coincidence with the position of the user connection terminal (power outlet) can be measured by using the current position of the user terminal device and the direction in which the user terminal device is facing during authentication. In addition to improving the accuracy of authentication, it is possible to collect data such as the usage frequency and distribution of the user connection terminals that are being used, and the usage time zone, which can be applied to marketing and the like.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. In the present embodiment, a case where the store side owns the power adapter device and the power adapter is lent out in the store will be described as an example. In the present embodiment, the same components as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the functions and the like are the same unless otherwise specified, and the description thereof is omitted.

(Overall system configuration)
FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing the overall configuration of the power management system 1 ′ according to the present embodiment. In the power management system 1 ′ according to the present embodiment, the store equipment 71 is omitted as compared with the power management system 1 in the first embodiment described above, and instead, the adapter device is installed anywhere in the store. The management server 6 holds an in-store map 72 that describes whether or not there is a store.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the power management system 1 ′ according to the present embodiment is used by the user 10 and the power adapter device 3 managed on the store 7 side and attached to the power outlet 41 in the store 7. It is schematically composed of a smartphone 11 and a mobile PC 12 and a management server 6 arranged on the Internet 5 such as the Internet.

  In this embodiment, the store 7 owns and manages the power adapter device 3, and the installation location of each power adapter device 3 in the store 7 is recorded in the in-store map 72. This in-store map 72 is data recorded by associating position information such as latitude / longitude and direction with the adapter ID of each adapter device attached to the power outlet 41. In the illustrated example, For convenience, the form of a plan view showing the inside of the store is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this, and table data in which position information is associated with an adapter ID may be used. In this embodiment, the in-store map 72 is stored in the device database 65a of the management server 6 and is referred to during the authentication process in the authentication unit 63 of the management server 6. Moreover, as long as this in-store map 72 can be referred to when acquiring position information, the storage location may be any device, may be downloaded to the smartphone 11 and stored, and the power adapter The device 3 itself may be held as position information of the own device.

  The smartphone 11 can have the same configuration as that of the first embodiment described above, but the location information can be confirmed with reference to the in-store map 72 by acquiring the adapter ID of the adapter device to be authenticated. Therefore, a device (GPS or direction sensor) or a module (position information acquisition unit or the like) for acquiring position information can be omitted as appropriate.

  The management server 6 can also have the same configuration as that of the above-described first embodiment. However, since the in-store map 72 stored in the device database 65a can be used, the location information management unit 62 has the first configuration. In addition to the functions described in the embodiment, a function of acquiring the adapter ID of the adapter device to be authenticated and referring to the in-store map 72 to acquire the position information of the adapter device and the smartphone 11 is also provided.

  The power adapter device 3 according to the present embodiment is managed in the store 7, and its installation location needs to be specified by the in-store map 72. In the present embodiment, the power adapter device 3 is provided with the above-described attachment / detachment detection unit 35 to prevent the power adapter device 3 from being removed without permission, and special construction or the like is performed on the power outlet 41 in the store 7. This service can be introduced without any problems.

(Power management method)
The procedure of the power management method using the power management system according to this embodiment described above will be described. FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram illustrating a procedure of the power management method according to the second embodiment. Here, a case where the store 7 side owns the power adapter device and lends the power adapter in the store 7 will be described as an example.

  First, the power adapter device 3 is attached to a predetermined outlet in the store 7, and the installation location and the adapter ID of each power adapter device 3 are linked and managed by the in-store map 72. At this time, the power adapter device 3 has been de-energized (S501), and cannot be supplied with power. During this time, monitoring is also carried out to prevent theft. As for the power theft monitoring, the attachment / detachment detection unit 35 of the power adapter device 3 detects contact / separation of the plug plug 32 with respect to the power outlet 41, and when the plug plug 32 is pulled out without notice, the attachment / detachment notification unit 36b notifies it. can do.

  Then, the user selects an arbitrary adapter device, activates a power supply application on the smartphone 11, and obtains authorization for the authentication processing and power supply service for the selected adapter device through the power supply application. A use start operation is executed (S601). Also in the authentication processing according to the present embodiment, after specifying the power adapter device 3 and the power outlet 41, permission to use the power outlet 41 at this location and time is acquired. Specifically, at the time of starting the use operation, with the power adapter device 3 attached to the power outlet 41, the short distance such as WiFi communication, Bluetooth (registered trademark), sound wave, infrared ray, etc. through the communication interface 38 of the power adapter device 3 Using the communication method, usage request data is transmitted from the power supply application to the power adapter device 3 (S601), and in response thereto, the adapter ID is acquired from the identifier notification unit 36a of the power adapter device 3 (S602). Acquisition of the adapter ID through the communication interface 38 may be triggered by a user operation, and automatically starts by communicating with the adapter device having the strongest radio wave intensity when the power supply application is activated. You may do it. When the connection with the adapter device is automatically started, the position information at the time when the connection process is successful is automatically acquired.

  Next, the power supply application accesses the management server 6 to establish a communication session, and transmits the adapter ID, user ID, and password analyzed from the QR code (registered trademark) to the management server 6 as authentication information (S603). ). This user ID and password may request the user to input when starting a communication session, or may be set in advance in the power supply application and stored in the smartphone 11 as application data for automatic authentication. You may make it add to information.

  The management server 6 receives the authentication information from the smartphone 11 (S701) and executes an authentication process (S702). Specifically, the authentication unit 63 of the management server 6 establishes a communication session with the smartphone 11 through the communication interface 61, and performs an authentication process for each established communication session. In this authentication process, the authentication information received from the user terminal that is the accessor is analyzed, the adapter ID, user ID, and password included in the authentication information are referred to the user database 65b and the device database 65a, and the user etc. And the use authority of the user, the user terminal device, and the adapter device is authenticated according to the match / mismatch of the password and the like. In the authentication process in step S702, the management server 6 can use the in-store map 72 stored in the device database 65a. Therefore, the location information management unit 62 stores the in-store map for the adapter ID of the adapter device to be authenticated. 72, the position information of the adapter device and the smartphone 11 is acquired.

  The location information is acquired by the location information management unit 62, and the location information including the current location or direction of the device that is the subject of authentication processing is used to confirm the location of the user or user terminal device that is the subject of authentication. Do. Specifically, the current location of the authentication target is extracted from the authentication information, and the current location is determined by referring to the area, location, etc. where the use of the device that is the authentication target stored in the device database 65a is permitted. Check if it is a regular place of use. Thereby, for example, even a legitimate user or a terminal device can perform processing such as not permitting authentication at a place where power supply is not permitted (adapter device).

  The authentication result (user ID, authentication time, session ID, etc.) by the authentication unit 63 is sent to the energization management unit 65, and the energization management unit 65 performs processing according to the authentication result (S703). When the authentication fails ("N" in S703), the fact is notified to the smartphone 11 side, and error processing is executed on the smartphone 11 side (S604). As this error process, for example, a message indicating that the authentication has failed is output to the power supply application, a request for a second authentication process is performed, or an end process is executed. On the other hand, when it is confirmed by the authentication unit 63 that the user related to the authentication request is a legitimate user and the power supply is permitted ("Y" in S703), the energization management unit 65 Execute the process to allow energization.

  As a process for permitting energization, the energization management unit 65 of the management server 6 transmits energization restriction release data to the adapter control unit 111e of the smartphone. At this time, when the time limit or the upper limit of the power supply amount is set in the energization permission, the energization management unit 65 adds an instruction to permit energization or disconnection according to the setting to the energization restriction release data. Here, a case where the power adapter device 3 is controlled via the smartphone 11 will be described as an example. For example, when the power adapter device 3 itself has a communication function and can receive the energization restriction release data, The energization management unit 65 may directly execute a process of instructing cancellation of energization regulation by transmitting an energization regulation release signal directly to the control unit 36 and the energization regulation unit 33 of the power adapter device 3.

  Next, on the management server 6 side, after the energization restriction cancellation by the energization management unit 65 is executed, the authentication result (user ID, authentication time, session ID, etc.) by the authentication unit 63 is sent to the energization measurement information management unit 64. At the same time, it is recorded as an authentication history in the user database 65b (S705). At the same time, the location information management unit 62 associates the identifier (user ID, adapter ID, etc.) of the user or user terminal device identified by the authentication process by the authentication unit 63 with the location information, and stores the device database 65a or Accumulated as an authentication history in the user database 65b.

  On the other hand, the power supply application that has received the energization restriction release data in step S605 executes energization permission processing on the power adapter device 3 (S606). Specifically, when the adapter control unit 111e of the smartphone 11 receives the energization restriction release data from the energization management unit 65 of the management server 6 (S605), the adapter control unit 111e passes through the communication interface 114 and the power adapter device 3 Communication is started, and energization permission processing is remotely executed for the power adapter device 3 (S606).

  In response to the energization permission process, the power adapter device 3 starts energization and starts measuring the energization amount (S504). Specifically, the energization restriction unit 33 of the power adapter device 3 connects the energization in the plug receiver 31 based on the control by the control unit 36 and starts energization, and the amount of power energized in the energization restriction unit 33 Is measured by the energization measuring unit 34, and the amount of power measured by the energization measuring unit 34 is input to the energization measurement information notifying unit 36c.

  When energization is started in the power adapter device 3, power can be used, and monitoring is performed during this time to prevent theft (S607). As the power theft monitoring, the attachment / detachment detection unit 35 of the power adapter device 3 detects contact / separation of the plug 32 with respect to the power outlet 41 or detects attachment / detachment of the plug receiver 31 side. Thereby, when the insertion plug 32 is pulled out or the power plug 12a on the plug receiver 31 side is pulled out, it can be notified by the attachment / detachment notification unit 36b.

  As the notification by the attachment / detachment notification unit 36b, a method of appealing to the perception of surrounding humans such as the user 10 and a store clerk through the output interface 39, and data and signals related to the notification information are transmitted to other devices through the communication interface 38. And a method of recording in the memory 37. Note that various settings can be made for the timing of notification by the attachment / detachment notification unit 36b according to the usage mode of the power adapter device 3, and this setting can be set by the user himself / herself and used without permission by others. In order not to inadvertently notify the user while moving, for example, the alarm may be set to notify only during energization. At this time, the notification timing and the notification method by the attachment / detachment notification unit 36b can be set to be switched in a time zone, or a remote operation signal can be received from another device through the communication interface 38 and switched remotely.

  Then, when the user performs an operation to end the use of power (S608), or when an end event process such as time-up of power supply or reaching the upper limit of the power supply amount occurs, the power-off is executed (S505). . In the energization disconnection process, upon the occurrence of the end operation or the end event, the energization restricting unit 33 of the power adapter device 3 disconnects the energization in the plug receiver 31 based on the control by the control unit 36 and ends the energization. At the same time, the measurement of the energization amount in the energization measurement unit 34 is also terminated. The final electric energy, usage time, usage history, and the like measured by the energization measuring unit 34 are input to the energization measurement information notifying unit 36c as energization measurement information, and the energization measurement information notifying unit 36c measures the energization of the smartphone 11. Information is transmitted (S506). The smartphone 11 that has received the energization measurement information transmits the end report to the energization measurement information management unit 64 of the management server 6 (S609). Note that this end report or energization measurement information may also be transmitted directly from the power adapter device 3 to the management server 6 when the power adapter device 3 has a communication function.

  Upon receipt of this end report, on the management server 6 side, the energization measurement information management unit 64 acquires the measurement result by the energization measurement unit 34 on the user terminal side as the energization measurement information, and based on the acquired energization measurement information. The amount of power supplied to the user or power supply target is managed as a usage history. Specifically, the energization measurement information management unit 64 receives the energization measurement information from the energization measurement information notification unit 36c through the smartphone 11, and at the authentication unit 63 authenticates the user terminal or the like that has transmitted the energization measurement information. The user ID and user terminal ID specified by the process are linked and stored as a usage history in the power usage database 65c and the user database 65b. This usage history is aggregated for each user or adapter device, and can be used for payment of power charges. Also, the usage distribution of power is aggregated to determine the usage time, usage time, and power usage of the user. Can be used for marketing.

(Action / Effect)
According to this embodiment, the user can receive the power supply service without carrying the adapter device because the management device can manage the amount of power supplied through the adapter device by lending the adapter device from the store. be able to. As a result, in this embodiment, it is not necessary for the store side to bear the electricity charge used by the user, while the user side charges itself for the amount of power used by the user. Therefore, there is no worry of being seen as “stolen power” and you can use the power outlet on the go.

  In the present embodiment, the power adapter device is fixedly arranged in the store for authentication, and the installation position is managed by the store map 72. Therefore, there is a special facility for acquiring the position of the power adapter. It is not necessary, and the facility cost on the store side can be reduced.

[Example of change]
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made.

(1) Modification 1
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the adapter device and the function of the smartphone 11 are provided separately. For example, the adapter device itself has a function of acquiring position information provided in the smartphone 11, and the adapter device itself has GPS and orientation. You may make it acquire the present position of an own machine by communication with a sensor and surrounding apparatuses.

(2) Modification example 2
In the above embodiment, the shape of the plug receiver 31 that is a user connection terminal of the adapter device is the same as that of the power outlet 41 that is a general-purpose connection terminal. For example, as shown in FIG. For example, three plugs 120a that can be used in the plug receptacle 310 are radially arranged so that a general plug cannot be used. In order to obtain a special plug shape, a cover-type adapter device that covers the entire power outlet 41 may be used. Moreover, what integrated the charge terminal of specific electronic devices, such as a smart phone, may be used, for example. Furthermore, when the power outlet 41 is in a place where it is difficult to use, an extension tap type adapter device may be used, and the burden on the store on the power outlet 41 is reduced in advance on the store side. In these cases, theft of electric power can be prevented because an electronic device corresponding to this special plug shape or an extension cord is required.

(3) Modification 3
In the second embodiment, since it is assumed that no special construction is performed on the power outlet 41, the power adapter device 3 can be attached to and detached from the power outlet 41. You may give the construction which fixes 41 so that it cannot remove. In addition, the power outlet 41 itself can be provided with the energization measurement function, the energization regulation function, and the communication interface 38 of the power adapter device 3 described above.

(4) Modification 4
As shown in FIG. 9, the waveform analysis unit 43 a may be installed in the distribution board 43 of the store 7 as an owner-side authentication unit on the store 7 side. The waveform analysis unit 43a is installed on the power outlet 41 side, acquires an electrical waveform for identifying the type of the power adapter device 3 or the mobile PC 12 connected to the power outlet 41 through the power outlet 41, and manages the electrical waveform. 6 is a device that notifies the user. In this case, the power adapter device 3 or the charger of the mobile PC 12 is provided with an electric signal transmission unit that transmits an electric signal for identifying the own device, and the waveform is analyzed by the waveform analysis unit 43a. Users can be identified and billing for electricity charges can be distributed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Power management system 3 ... Power supply adapter device 4 ... Power supply source 5 ... Internet 6 ... Management server 7 ... Store 10 ... User 11 ... Smartphone 12 ... Mobile PC
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 31 ... Plug receptacle 32 ... Insertion plug 33 ... Current supply control part 34 ... Current supply measurement part 35 ... Detachment detection part 36 ... Control part 37 ... Memory 38 ... Communication interface 39 ... Output interface 41 ... Power outlet 42 ... Power line 43 ... Power distribution Panel 43a ... Waveform analysis unit 61 ... Communication interface 62 ... Position information management unit 63 ... Authentication unit 64 ... Energization measurement information management unit 65 ... Energization management unit 71 ... Store equipment 72 ... In-store map 111 ... Control unit 112 ... Input interface 113 ... Output interface 114 ... Communication interface 115 ... GPS
116: Gyro sensor 310 ... Plug receptacle 711 ... Memory 712 ... Control unit 713 ... Communication interface 714 ... Output interface

Claims (11)

A power management system for managing power supplied from a power supply source to a power supply target used by a user,
An authentication unit for authenticating whether or not power can be supplied to the power supply target used by the user;
The power supply target is connected, has a connection terminal for a user for supplying the power to the power supply target, and an energization regulation unit that cuts off or connects energization in the connection terminal for user,
An energization measurement unit that measures the amount of power energized through the energization restriction unit for the power supply target used by the user authenticated by the authentication unit;
Based on the measurement result of the energization measurement unit, a management unit that manages the amount of power supplied to the user or the power supply target;
A power management system comprising:   The power management system according to claim 1, further comprising a user terminal device that is used by the user and includes a terminal-side authentication unit that performs the authentication through communication with the authentication unit. The user terminal device further includes a position information acquisition unit that acquires position information including the current position or direction of the own device,
The power management system according to claim 1, wherein the authentication unit performs the authentication based on the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit.   The power management system according to claim 1, wherein the energization restriction unit is an adapter device attached to a general-purpose connection terminal that supplies power from the power supply source.   The power management system according to claim 4, wherein in the adapter device, the connection terminal for a user and the general-purpose connection terminal have different shapes. The adapter device has a detection unit that detects a detachable state with respect to the general-purpose connection terminal;
The power management system according to claim 4, further comprising a notification unit that notifies the attachment / detachment state detected by the detection unit. The adapter device is
A storage unit for storing and holding a device identifier for identifying the own device;
An identifier notification unit that transmits the device identifier stored in the storage unit to the authentication unit;
The management unit associates and manages the device identifier of the adapter device and position information that identifies a place where the adapter device is installed,
The power management system according to claim 6, wherein the authentication unit acquires the device identifier from the adapter device related to the authentication and notifies the management unit through the identifier notification unit during the authentication.   An electrical waveform that is installed on the general-purpose connection terminal side and that identifies the type of the adapter device or power supply target connected to the general-purpose connection terminal is acquired through the general-purpose connection terminal, and the electrical waveform is notified to the management unit The power management system according to claim 4, further comprising an owner-side authentication unit that performs the operation. A power relay device that is attached to a general-purpose connection terminal that supplies power from a power supply source and relays power supplied to a power supply target used by a user,
The power supply target is connected, has a connection terminal for a user for supplying the power to the power supply target, and an energization regulation unit that cuts off or connects energization in the connection terminal for user,
An energization measuring unit that measures the amount of power energized through the energization restriction unit for the power supply target used by the user authenticated by the authentication unit;
A notification unit that notifies a measurement result of the energization measurement unit to a management unit that manages the amount of power supplied to the user or the power supply target;
The energization regulation unit executes disconnection or connection of the energization according to an authentication result by an authentication unit that authenticates whether power supply to the power supply target used by the user is permitted. . An authentication unit for authenticating whether power can be supplied to a power supply target used by the user;
The power supply target is connected, has a connection terminal for a user for supplying the power to the power supply target, and an energization regulation unit that cuts off or connects energization in the connection terminal for user,
An energization measurement unit that measures the amount of power energized through the energization restriction unit for the power supply target used by the user authenticated by the authentication unit;
Based on the measurement result of the energization measurement unit, a management unit that manages the amount of power supplied to the user or the power supply target;
A power management program used in a power management system for managing power supplied from a power supply source to a power supply target used by a user, wherein the user terminal device used by the user is
A power management program that functions as a terminal-side authentication unit that performs the authentication through communication with the authentication unit. A power management method for managing power supplied from a power supply source to a power supply target used by a user,
An authenticating step for authenticating whether or not power can be supplied to the power supply target used by the user;
An energization regulation unit, wherein the power supply target is connected, has a user connection terminal for supplying the power to the power supply target, and disconnects or connects the energization at the user connection terminal. When,
An energization measurement unit that measures the amount of power energized via the energization restriction unit for the power supply target used by the user authenticated by the authentication unit;
A management step in which the management unit manages the amount of power supplied to the user or the power supply target based on the measurement result of the energization measurement unit;
A power management method comprising: