JP5107320B2 - Environmental management method, environmental management system, program for environmental management system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an environmental management method, an environmental management system, and a program for an environmental management system that reduce power consumption of an electronic device connected to a network and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The present invention relates to a technique for controlling the power consumption and carbon dioxide emission of each electronic device in a network that manages a large number of electronic devices.

  In recent years, as the types and number of electronic devices connected to a small network such as a home network increase, it has become difficult for a user to manage all electronic devices alone. For example, after a user turns on the power of one computer and searches for information, etc., the user starts using another computer, leaving the one computer for a long time, and wasting power. May end up.

  Therefore, it is known to turn off the power of the monitor of the personal computer or stop the power supply to the hard disk under the control of the OS (Operating System) according to the fact that the electronic device such as the personal computer is not used. (See “Non-Patent Document 1” below.)

  Also, it is determined that the printer has not been used for a predetermined time by checking the use status of the printer by the client PC in the network or by checking a predetermined packet such as PING or ICMP. If it is determined that the printer power is not present, a printer that shuts off the power source of the printer (including the shared device (hard disk device) in Patent Document 2) is known (hereinafter, “Patent Document 1”, “Patent Document 2”, (See Patent Document 3).

  Further, it is disclosed that a network administrator centrally manages power control such as power on / off and sleep mode for electronic devices such as IP phones, network cameras, and wireless LAN access points connected to the network. (See “Non-Patent Document 2” below).

JP 2004-206332 A JP 2000-293272 A JP 2000-172474 A Microsoft Corporation, “Power Management of Windows (registered trademark) XP”, [online], March 25, 2002, [Search July 28, 2009], Internet <URL: http://www.microsoft.com /japan/windowsxp/using/setup/learnmore/russel_02march25.mspx> Cisco Systems, “Cisco Energy Wise Induction”, [online], [searched August 3, 2009], Internet <URL: http://www.cico.com/web/JP/product/hs/switches/energy/energy index.html>

  However, in the method of Non-Patent Document 1, the range in which the consumed power can be managed is limited to the electronic device in which the OS is installed, and a plurality of electronic devices in the network cannot be managed. .

  Further, in the methods of Patent Documents 1 to 3, the power consumption of a shared device such as a printer in the network can be managed, but a plurality of electronic devices connected to the network can be comprehensively managed. I can't.

  Thus, as disclosed in Non-Patent Document 2, it is disclosed that a device such as a router manages power consumption of a plurality of electronic devices such as IP phones connected to a network. However, Non-Patent Document 2 does not disclose how individual power consumption settings of a plurality of types of electronic devices are automatically set suitable for the electronic devices. Therefore, it becomes necessary for the administrator to manually perform power supply settings suitable for each electronic device for each type of electronic device.

  The present invention relates to an environmental management method, an environment for automatically performing a setting for reducing power consumption suitable for an electronic device and reducing carbon dioxide emission for a plurality of types of electronic devices connected in a network. An object is to provide a program for a management system and an environment management system.

(1) An environment management system including an environment management device to which an electronic device is communicably connected, and an environment management server that is communicably connected to the environment management device.
The environmental management device is
Receiving a packet for determining the type of the electronic device from the electronic device, and including a type information transmitting means for transmitting the packet to the environment management server,
The environmental management server is
Storage means for storing a definition file defined for each electronic device;
In response to reception of the packet transmitted from the environment management device, the packet and the definition file for each electronic device are compared, and scoring means for scoring for each definition file;
As a result of scoring by the scoring means, a definition file having a high score is extracted, the electronic device type of the definition file is determined as the electronic device type of the electronic device, and the electronic device type is determined based on the electronic device type. An environment management system comprising: selection means for selecting an agent program for managing power consumption of an electronic device.

  According to the invention of (1), the environmental management device receives a packet for determining the type of the electronic device from the electronic device, transmits the packet to the environmental management server, and the environmental management server In accordance with the packet transmission from the environment management device, the packet and the definition file for each electronic device are compared and scored, and as a result of scoring by the scoring means, a score is obtained. A high definition file is extracted, the electronic device type of the definition file is set as the electronic device type of the electronic device, and an agent program for managing the power consumption of the electronic device is selected based on the electronic device type.

  Therefore, by simply connecting an electronic device to the environment management apparatus, it is possible to determine the type of the electronic device and select an agent program for managing the power consumption according to the type. This is advantageous because the administrator does not need to individually select an agent program for power consumption management corresponding to the electronic device.

(2) The environmental management system according to (1),
The environmental management server is
The electronic device that has selected the agent program comprises transmission means for transmitting the agent program,
The electronic device to which the agent program is transmitted is
Installation means for receiving the agent program and installing the agent program;
Power consumption reduction time transmitting means for transmitting to the environment management server the time when the electronic device has reduced power consumption by executing the agent program,
The environmental management server is
An environment management system comprising: calculation means for receiving a power reduction time calculated by the agent program from the electronic device and calculating a power consumption reduction amount of the electronic device.

  According to the invention of (2), the environment management server transmits the agent program to the electronic device that has selected the agent program, the electronic device to which the agent program is transmitted installs the agent program, and the electronic device The time when the power consumption is reduced by executing the agent program is transmitted to the environment management server, and the environment management server receives the power reduction time calculated by the agent program from the electronic device, and calculates the power consumption reduction amount of the electronic device.

(3) The environmental management system according to (2),
The calculation means is an environment management system that further calculates a reduction amount of carbon dioxide emissions resulting from a reduction in power consumption of the electronic device.

  According to the invention according to (3), the environmental management server calculates a reduction amount of carbon dioxide emissions resulting from reduction of power consumption of the electronic device. Therefore, it is possible to make the user recognize the effect of reducing the carbon dioxide emission of the electronic device.

  (4) The environmental management system according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the environmental management device is a multifunction peripheral device.

  According to the invention according to (4), since the environmental management device is a multifunction peripheral device (MFP), it is a device that is always used in an office or a SOHO office, and for use of a printer or the like. This is useful because the above-described functions can be realized using devices that are already network-connected to a plurality of electronic devices.

(5) A method executed by a system that includes an environment management device to which an electronic device is communicably connected and an environment management server that is communicably connected to the environment management device.
The environmental management device is
Receiving a packet for determining the type of the electronic device from the electronic device, and executing a type information transmission step of transmitting the packet to the environment management server;
The environmental management server is
A storage step of storing a definition file defined for each electronic device;
In accordance with reception of the packet transmitted from the environment management device, the packet and the definition file for each electronic device are compared and scored,
As a result of the scoring step, a definition file with a high score is extracted, and the electronic device type of the definition file is set as the electronic device type of the electronic device, and the power consumption of the electronic device is based on the electronic device type. And a selection step of selecting an agent program for managing the method.

  According to the invention of (5), the environment management apparatus receives a packet for determining the type of the electronic device from the electronic device, transmits the packet to the environment management server, and the environment management server In response to receiving the packet transmission from the environmental management device, the packet is compared with the definition file for each electronic device, and scored, and the scoring step is scored. As a result, an agent for extracting a definition file with a high score, managing the power consumption of the electronic device based on the electronic device type, using the electronic device type of the definition file as the electronic device type of the electronic device Select a program.

  Therefore, by simply connecting an electronic device to the environment management apparatus, it is possible to determine the type of the electronic device and select an agent program for managing the power consumption according to the type. This is advantageous because the administrator does not need to individually select an agent program for power consumption management corresponding to the electronic device.

(6) An environment management system program for controlling an environment management system including an environment management device to which an electronic device is communicably connected and an environment management server that is communicably connected to the environment management device. And
For an environment management apparatus that operates an environment management apparatus that is a computer as a type information transmission unit that receives a packet for determining the type of the electronic apparatus from the electronic apparatus and transmits the packet to the environment management server Program and
Storage means for storing a definition file defined for each electronic device;
In accordance with the reception of the packet transmitted from the environment management device, the packet and the definition file for each electronic device are compared and scored,
As a result of scoring by the scoring means, a definition file with a high score is extracted, and the electronic device type of the definition file is set as the electronic device type of the electronic device, based on the electronic device type. An environment management system program comprising: an environment management server program for operating an environment management server, which is a computer, as selection means for selecting an agent program for managing power consumption.

  According to the invention of (6), the environmental management device receives a packet for determining the type of the electronic device from the electronic device, transmits the packet to the environmental management server, and the environmental management server As a result of scoring by the scoring means, the packet is compared with the definition file for each electronic device according to the reception of the packet transmitted from the environmental management device. An agent program for extracting a definition file with a high score, setting the electronic device type of the definition file as the electronic device type of the electronic device, and managing the power consumption of the electronic device based on the electronic device type select.

  Therefore, by simply connecting an electronic device to the environment management apparatus, it is possible to determine the type of the electronic device and select an agent program for managing the power consumption according to the type. This is advantageous because the administrator does not need to individually select an agent program for power consumption management corresponding to the electronic device.

(7) An environment management system including an environment management device to which an electronic device is communicably connected, and an environment management server that is communicably connected to the environment management device,
The environmental management device is
Receiving a packet for determining the type of the electronic device from the electronic device, and including a type information transmitting means for transmitting the packet to the environment management server,
The environmental management server is
Storage means for storing a definition file defined for each electronic device;
In accordance with the reception of the packet transmitted from the environment management device, the packet and the definition file for each electronic device are compared and scored,
As a result of scoring by the scoring means, a definition file with a high score is extracted, and the electronic device type of the definition file is set as the electronic device type of the electronic device, based on the electronic device type. An environmental management system comprising: calculation means for calculating power consumption.

  According to the invention of (7), the environment management device receives a packet for determining the type of the electronic device from the electronic device, transmits the packet to the environment management server, and the environment management server As a result of scoring by the scoring means, the packet is compared with the definition file for each electronic device according to the reception of the packet transmitted from the environmental management device. Then, a definition file with a high score is extracted, and the electronic device type of the definition file is set as the electronic device type of the electronic device, and the power consumption of the electronic device is calculated based on the electronic device type.

  Therefore, by simply connecting the electronic device to the environment management apparatus, the type of the electronic device can be determined, and the power consumption corresponding to the type can be calculated on the environment management server side. The user does not need to download an agent program or the like for power consumption management corresponding to the electronic device, and can be calculated in a Saas (Software As A Service) type, which is beneficial.

(8) A method that is executed by an environment management system that includes an environment management device that is communicatively connected to an electronic device and an environment management server that is communicatively connected to the environment management device.
The environmental management device is
Receiving a packet for determining the type of the electronic device from the electronic device, and executing a type information transmission step of transmitting the packet to the environment management server;
The environmental management server is
A storage step of storing a definition file defined for each electronic device;
In accordance with reception of the packet transmitted from the environment management device, the packet and the definition file for each electronic device are compared and scored,
As a result of scoring in the scoring step, a definition file having a high score is extracted, and the electronic device type of the definition file is set as the electronic device type of the electronic device based on the electronic device type. And a calculation step of calculating power consumption.

  According to the invention of (8), the environment management apparatus receives a packet for determining the type of the electronic device from the electronic device, transmits the packet to the environment management server, and the environment management server As a result of scoring in the scoring step, the definition file for each electronic device is compared and scored according to the reception of the packet transmitted from the environmental management device. Then, a definition file with a high score is extracted, and the electronic device type of the definition file is set as the electronic device type of the electronic device, and the power consumption of the electronic device is calculated based on the electronic device type.

  Therefore, by simply connecting the electronic device to the environment management apparatus, the type of the electronic device can be determined, and the power consumption corresponding to the type can be calculated on the environment management server side. The user does not need to download an agent program or the like for power consumption management corresponding to the electronic device, and can be calculated in a SaaS (Software As A Service) type, which is beneficial.

(9) An environment management apparatus to which an electronic device is communicably connected, an environment management server that is communicably connected to the environment management apparatus, and an access that is communicably connected to the environment management apparatus and the environment management server A method executed by an environment management system composed of servers,
The environmental management device is
Receiving a packet for determining the type of the electronic device from the electronic device, and executing a type information transmission step of transmitting the packet to the environment management server;
The environmental management server is
A storage step of storing a definition file defined for each electronic device;
In accordance with reception of the packet transmitted from the environment management device, the packet and the definition file for each electronic device are compared and scored,
As a result of scoring in the scoring step, a definition file with a high score is extracted, and an electronic device type of the definition file is determined;
A calculation step of calculating a power consumption amount of the electronic device based on the electronic device type in response to the electronic device accessing the access server.

  According to the invention according to (9), the environment management device receives a packet for determining the type of the electronic device from the electronic device, transmits the packet to the environment management server, and the environment management server receives the electronic device. The definition file defined for each is stored, the packet and the definition file for each electronic device are compared and scored according to the reception of the packet transmitted from the environmental management device, and the result of scoring in the scoring step Then, a definition file with a high score is extracted, and the power consumption of the electronic device is calculated based on the electronic device type in response to the electronic device accessing the access server.

  Therefore, by connecting an electronic device to the environmental management device and simply accessing the access server (such as a server that provides a portal site) from the electronic device at any time, the type of the electronic device is determined and the environmental management is performed. The power consumption corresponding to the type can be calculated on the server side. The user does not need to download an agent program or the like for power consumption management corresponding to the electronic device, and can be calculated in a SaaS (Software As A Service) type, which is beneficial.

  According to the present invention, an environment management method for automatically performing power setting for a plurality of types of electronic devices connected to a network to reduce power consumption suitable for the electronic devices and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. An environment management system and a program for the environment management system can be provided.

1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an environment management system 1. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the multifunction peripheral device 50 in 1st embodiment, the electronic device 20, and the environment management server 500. FIG. It is a figure which shows the processing flow of 1st embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a MAC address. It is a figure which shows an example of a MAC address maker table. It is a figure which shows an example of a MAC address model table. It is a table figure which shows a port use condition. It is a figure which shows an example of a port number table. It is a conceptual diagram for demonstrating the scoring process which the environment management server 500 performs. It is a figure which shows an example of a network management table. It is a figure which shows an example of an agent program selection table. It is a figure which shows an example of the data of the kind of power saving mode, and starting time. It is a figure which shows an example of an electric power correspondence table. 4 is a diagram illustrating a screen display example displayed on the electronic device 10. FIG. It is a figure which shows the processing flow of 2nd embodiment. It is a figure which shows the processing flow of 3rd embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen display in case the electronic device 10 is managed for every local network. It is a figure which shows an example of the network management table in case the electronic device 10 is managed for every local network.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Overview]
The outline of the environment management system 1 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the environment management system 1.

  The environment management system 1 includes a multi-function peripheral device 50 (MFP: Multi Function Peripheral) corresponding to an environment management device and electronic devices 10a to 10c (hereinafter, “electronic device 10”). Each electronic device 10 is connected to be communicable by wire or wireless. The environment management system 1 is a system that can communicate over a network realized by a local area network, a home network, or the like. The multifunction peripheral device 50 is connected to a WAN (Wide Area Network), and is connected to the environment management server 500 via the public line network 3 so as to be communicable.

  The electronic devices 10a to 10c and the multi-functional peripheral device 50 are communicably connected via the local network 2. Note that the multi-function peripheral device 50 may be connected to the electronic device 10 via the WAN, and the environmental management of the electronic device 10 may be executed by processing to be described later.

  The multi-function peripheral device 50 is an information processing device that is communicably connected to the electronic device 10 and is an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral), a computer, a router, a gateway, an STB (Set Top Box), a home server, or a personal computer. It's okay. A plurality of functions when the multifunction peripheral device 50 is an MFP includes a printer function, a fax function, a scanner function, a copy function, and the like.

  The multi-function peripheral device 50 includes a central processing unit (CPU), a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), and the like as a control unit, and either a hard disk or an SSD (Solid State Drive) as a storage unit. Alternatively, the communication unit includes a wired / wireless compatible Ethernet (registered trademark) board, Bluetooth (registered trademark), or the like.

  The multi-function peripheral device 50 is based on an OSGi (Open Services Gateway initiative) platform that runs on a Java (registered trademark) VM (Virtual Machine), and implements each means described below as a module executed on the OSGi (Open Services Gateway initiative) platform. Good.

  The electronic device 10 is a home / business electronic device that has a wired or wireless network function capable of communicating with the multi-function peripheral device 50 and the environment management server 500, and operates by power supply. Playback / recording players, notebook computers, TVs, audio components, printers, telephones, fax machines, copiers, scanners, MFPs and other information appliances, refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers / dryers, fans, air conditioners, electricity Includes white goods such as stoves, rice cookers, and microwave ovens, and electric lighting.

  The electronic device 10 includes a central processing unit (CPU), a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), and the like as a control unit, and a hard disk, an SSD (Solid State Drive), or both as a storage unit. Etc., and a communication unit including a wired / wireless compatible Ethernet board, Bluetooth (registered trademark), and the like.

  The electronic device 10 includes an output unit such as a display unit having a display output function such as a display, and a voice output unit having a voice output function such as a speaker. The input unit includes a keyboard, a mouse, an input button, remote control operation transmission / reception. At least one of the sections.

  The environment management server 500 is a computer, and is connected to the multifunction peripheral device 50 and the electronic device 10 via the public network 3 so as to be communicable. The environment management server 500 includes a central processing unit (CPU), a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), and the like as a control unit, and either a hard disk or an SSD (Solid State Drive) as a storage unit. The communication unit includes a wired / wireless compatible Ethernet board, Bluetooth (registered trademark), and the like. All the means to be described later of the environment management server 500 do not have to be realized by a single hardware (computer). The system is constituted by a plurality of servers, and one or more means is constituted by one server constituting the system. By realizing the plurality of servers so that they can communicate with each other, all means may be realized as a system of the plurality of servers as a whole.

  The environment management server 500 has a Web server function, and transmits a Web page in response to a request from the browser of the electronic device 10.

[First embodiment: functional configuration and processing steps]
2 and 3, the functional configuration of multifunction peripheral device 50, electronic device 10 (electronic devices 10-a, 10-b, and 10-c), environment management server 500 and processing executed by each unit. Will be described. Each of these means to be described later is realized by the cooperation of the corresponding electronic device 10, the multi-functional peripheral device 50, the control unit, the communication unit, and the storage unit of the environment management server 500.

  The packet transmission unit 11 of the electronic device 10 transmits a packet to the multi-function peripheral device 50 (step S01). This packet may be a response packet transmitted in response to a request packet transmitted from the multi-function peripheral device 50, or may be a broadcast packet transmitted without receiving a request packet.

  The packet receiving unit 52 of the multifunction peripheral device 50 receives a packet transmitted from the electronic device 10, and the device information transmitting unit 53 uses one or more packets received from one electronic device 10 as one packet group. It transmits to the management server 500 (step S02).

  Upon receiving device information, the scoring unit 502 of the environment management server 500 performs scoring processing (step S03) based on the device information. That is, the definition file stored in advance in the definition file database 503 is compared with the received device information, and a score is obtained for each definition file of each electronic device 10.

  Next, the electronic device type determination unit 504 of the environment management server 500 extracts the definition file having the highest score from the scoring definition files, and sets the electronic device type of the definition file to the electronic device 10's electronic device type. The device type is determined (step S04).

  The electronic device type is information including at least a manufacturer name, a device name, and a model name for determining the type of electronic device.

  The multifunction peripheral device 50 generates and stores the unique ID of the electronic device 10 determined as the electronic device type (step S05), and transmits and stores the unique ID to the electronic device 10 to which the unique ID is assigned (step S05). Step S06).

  The unique ID is a unique identification code for the environment management server 500 to distinguish the electronic device 10 and is a unique identification code for each electronic device 10 for which the electronic device type is determined. An identification code may be generated by sequentially assigning numbers to the electronic device 10 in the order in which the electronic device types are determined.

  The electronic device 10 receives and stores the unique ID from the environment management server 500 (step S06).

  Next, the electronic device 10 accesses the portal site provided by the environment management server 500 using an access unit such as a Web browser (step S07). At this time, the electronic device 10 transmits a unique ID to the environment management server 500.

  The agent program selection unit 505 of the environment management server 500 selects an agent program based on the received electronic device type of the unique ID, and selects an agent program A suitable for the electronic device 10 from the agent program storage unit 506. Then, it is transmitted to the electronic device 10 (step S08). For example, the environment management server 500 selects a program (program A) based on the electronic device type (AB-01) based on the agent program selection table shown in FIG.

  The agent program is a program that measures the start-up time of the power saving mode operated in the electronic device 10 and transmits it to the environment management server 500 and executes the power saving mode of the electronic device 10. That is, the electronic device 10 executes the installed agent program to execute the power saving mode for the electronic device 10, measures the execution time, and transmits the execution time to the environment management server 500.

  If the OS (Operating System) or an installed application program already has a function for executing the power saving mode, the power saving mode is executed without executing the agent program. In this case, the agent program is a program that measures the startup time of the power saving mode operated in the electronic device 10 and executes only the function of transmitting to the environment management server 500, and has the function of executing the power saving mode. May not be included.

  The power saving mode is a power consumption mode in which the power used by each device of the electronic device 10 is reduced under a predetermined condition in order to suppress the power consumption of the electronic device 10. For example, if the electronic device 10 is in the power saving mode 1 and the USB port as a device is not used for 15 minutes, the connection of the USB port is disconnected until the user requests use (the bus connection is disconnected). ) To reduce power consumption. In the power saving mode 2, when the state where there is no input from the keyboard, mouse, etc. (input device) in addition to disconnection of the USB port continues for 30 minutes, the liquid crystal monitor is turned off. As power saving mode 3, if the USB port is disconnected and the LCD monitor is turned off and no input from the keyboard, mouse, etc. continues for 60 minutes, the hard disk (storage device) is turned off. To do.

  The agent program installation means 12 of the electronic device 10 receives one agent program A, and installs the received agent program A according to a user instruction (step S09). The electronic device 10 executes the installed agent program and executes the power saving mode.

  The environment management server 500 that transmits the agent program may be an arbitrary software providing server instead of the environment management server 500.

  Next, at an arbitrary timing, the power saving mode activation time transmitting unit 13 of the electronic device 10 transmits the power saving mode activation time to the environment management server 500 (step S10). The timing for transmitting the power saving mode activation time is, for example, the timing when the user of the electronic device 10 requests the environment management server 500 to calculate the power consumption of the electronic device 10 or the environment management server 500 It may be the timing of accessing.

  The power consumption is the power consumption for a predetermined time in the predetermined electronic device 10. The power consumption reduction amount is a difference in power consumption between when the power saving function such as the power saving mode is executed and when it is not used. The power consumption reduction rate is calculated from the power consumption when the power saving mode is not used and the power consumption reduction ratio when the power saving mode is used, and the power usage when the power consumption reduction is not used. It may be a number divided by the amount.

  The power saving mode activation time is a time during which the electronic device 10 has been operating as the power saving mode. For example, the power saving mode activation time is data including the type of the power saving mode and the activation time (reduction time) as illustrated in FIG. is there. When the power saving mode activation time is transmitted to the environment management server 500, the power consumption calculation means 507 of the environment management server 500 calculates the power consumption based on the power saving mode activation time (step S11).

  The power (W) for each electronic device 10 is stored in association with the type of the electronic device 10 in the power correspondence table shown in FIG. Since the power varies depending on the type of the electronic device 10, there is any power saving mode for each type of the electronic device 10, and the power is stored in the environment management server 500 for each power saving mode. . As shown in FIG. 13, the type “AB-01” of the electronic device 10 has three power saving modes, the power saving mode 1 has a power of 83 W, and the power saving mode 2 has a correspondence with 63 W. ing.

  Based on the power correspondence table and the power saving mode activation time, the power consumption, the power consumption reduction rate, the power consumption reduction, and the carbon dioxide emission reduction are calculated. In the following description, a calculation result when the power saving mode is executed for 3 hours and 20 minutes in one day (9 hours) will be described.

  For example, the power consumption when the power saving mode is not used is 882 Wh (power consumption is 98 W, power consumption for 9 hours: the same applies hereinafter). From FIG. 12, since the reduction time in the power saving mode 1 is 20 minutes, the power consumption in the power saving mode 1 is 42 Wh. Since the reduction time in the power saving mode 2 is 1 hour, the power consumption in the power saving mode 2 is 63 Wh. Since the reduction time in the power saving mode 3 is 2 hours, the power consumption in the power saving mode 3 is 104 Wh. Therefore, the power consumption of all the power saving modes 1 to 3 is 209 Wh.

  In addition, since the time zone in which the power saving mode is not activated is 9 hours− (20 minutes + 1 hour + 2 hours) = 5 hours and 40 minutes, the power consumption during this time is 555 Wh as a product of 98 W. Therefore, the power consumption for 9 hours when the power saving mode is executed is 209 Wh + 555 Wh = 764 Wh. Therefore, since the power consumption amount for 9 hours when the power saving mode is used is 764 Wh, the power consumption reduction amount is 118 Wh, and the power consumption reduction rate is 24%. The reduction amount of carbon dioxide emission is calculated from the power consumption when the power saving mode is not used and the reduction rate of the power consumption when the power saving mode is used. For example, if the power consumption when the power saving mode is not used is 882 Wh, the carbon dioxide emission is 341 kg (power emission coefficient: 0.425), and the power consumption when the power saving mode is used. When the amount is 764 Wh, the carbon dioxide emission is 325 kg. Therefore, the reduction amount of carbon dioxide emission is 16 kg.

  Further, a reduced power charge is calculated based on the calculated power consumption reduction amount. For example, if the electricity bill is 22 yen / kwh, a saving of 2.6 yen is achieved with respect to the power consumption reduction amount 118 Wh.

  The power consumption, the power consumption reduction amount, the power consumption reduction rate, the saved electricity bill, and the carbon dioxide emission reduction amount thus calculated are transmitted to the electronic device 10 and displayed on the electronic device 10. (Step S12). For example, as shown in the screen example of the electronic device 10 ("AB-01") in FIG. 14, the power consumption reduction rate, the saved electricity bill, and the carbon dioxide (CO2) emission reduction amount of the electronic device 10 are displayed. Visible to the user. Here, the power consumption for each power saving mode is displayed in a tabular form so that the user can easily recognize it.

  The calculation result may be displayed for each user as shown in FIG. In this case, the willingness of the user who uses the electronic device 10 can be improved. That is, when the user accesses the portal site provided by the environment management server 500 with the electronic device 10 (step S07), the user ID input is received from the user, the user is authenticated, and the accessed electronic The calculation result may be displayed for each user only when the unique ID and the user ID of the device 10 are compared with the network management table stored in the environment management server 500 and match.

[Type determination process]
Hereinafter, the type determination process from the above-described steps S01 to S04 will be described.
First, the multi-function peripheral device 50 transmits a request packet. Here, the request packet is packet data that the multi-function peripheral device 50 transmits to the electronic device 10 in order to receive a response packet for determining the type of the electronic device 10.

  The request packet may be, for example, a command such as ARP (Address Resolution Protocol), ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol), BootP, and SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol), and uPnP (Dugen lig lig ligl uni ligl uni ligl uni ligl uni lig lig uni lig lig uni ligl uni ligl uni ligl p A network compliant protocol may be used.

  Next, the packet receiving unit 52 of the multifunction peripheral device 50 receives a response packet from the predetermined electronic device 10.

  The response packet is a packet transmitted from the electronic device 10 and is packet data for determining the type of the electronic device 10 or as a clue for determining the type of the electronic device 10.

  Here, the multi-function peripheral device 50 does not transmit the request packet to the electronic device 10, and the broadcast packet and the multicast packet (which the electronic device 10 transmits to the multi-function peripheral device 50 at a predetermined timing) (Passive packet) may be processed as a response packet. In this case, the response packet is not a response packet of the request packet but a broadcast packet, a multicast packet, or the like received from the electronic device 10 by the multi-function peripheral device 50.

  Next, the device information transmission means 53 of the multi-function peripheral device 50 transmits one or more received response packets as a packet group, and transmits them to the environment management server 500 as device information.

  The environment management server 500 performs definition file reference processing. The environment management server 500 refers to and compares the definition files stored in the definition file database 503, and performs the following scoring process.

  The definition file is data predetermined for each electronic device 10 and is necessary for determining the type of the electronic device 10. Referring to FIG. 9, the definition file (electronic device A definition file) is composed of one or more definition items (X5, Y2, Z3). Each definition item is scored, and the definition is similarly scored. Compared with files (electronic device B definition file, electronic device C definition file), a definition file having a high overall score for each definition item is determined as the type of electronic device 10. Therefore, in the case of this electronic device 10, the definition item is an item that is defined in advance when a request packet A is received and a packet B is transmitted as a response packet.

  When receiving the device information, the environment management server 500 compares the definition file with the response packet of the device information, and for each definition file (for each electronic device A definition file, electronic device B definition file, and electronic device C definition file). Perform scoring.

  The scoring will be described with reference to FIG. The environment management server 500 refers to the response packet (X5, Y8, Z9) and the definition items of the definition files (electronic device A definition file, electronic device B definition file, electronic device C definition file) for each electronic device, Compare with packet.

  For example, the case where the multi-function peripheral device 50 transmits an ARP command as a request packet and receives this response from an electronic device 10 will be described. The multi-function peripheral device 50 transmits an ARP command to the target electronic device 10 to receive a packet including information on the MAC address of the target electronic device 10 as a response packet.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the MAC address is composed of a 48-bit code, the upper 24 bits are assigned as a vendor ID, a vendor-specific ID is given, and the next 8 bits is a model ID.

  The definition file database 503 may store a table for configuring a definition file for each electronic device. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, as a MAC address maker table, the code of the upper 24 bits and the maker name of the electronic device 10 (not necessarily the vendor name of the manufacturer, the entire electronic device 10 having a communication I / F). Vendor (manufacturer) name), points for scoring, and ID are associated with each other. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6, as the MAC address model table, the upper 24 bits code, the model name of the electronic device 10, the points for scoring, and the ID are associated with each other.

  By extracting each element of the MAC address maker table and the MAC address model table, it becomes a definition item and constitutes a definition file for each electronic device. For example, ID001 in the MAC address maker table corresponds to X5 (see FIG. 9) (definition item X5) of the electronic device A definition file, and ID010 in the MAC address device table corresponds to Y2 (definition item Y2) in the electronic device A definition file. )

  Upon receiving the A1 packet transmitted as the request packet, the electronic device 10 transmits a response packet. The response packet (X5) is compared with the definition items in the definition file of the electronic device A. If they are the same, points are given with reference to each table.

  For example, in the above example, the case where the response packet X5 is a packet including information on the target MAC address and the 48-bit code is “04-A3-43-5F-43-23” will be described. Since the upper 24 bits are the same as the definition item X5 (ID001), 0.3 points are given. Further, in the next 8 bits, since it is the same as the definition item (ID010), 0.3 points are given. Therefore, the electronic device A definition file can obtain a total of 0.6 points.

  In the above example, one request packet (A1) is scored for two definition items (ID001, ID010) by a response packet (X5). A plurality of definition items may be scored from the packet.

  Next, the environment management server 500 compares the response packet Y8 with Y2 of the electronic device A definition file, compares the response packet Z9 with Z3 of the electronic device A definition file, and acquires each point (FIG. 9). The total score of the electronic device A definition file is the sum of all the points thus obtained. This is obtained for the electronic device A definition file, the electronic device B definition file, the electronic device C definition file, and the definition files for all the electronic devices.

  In the above description, the case where the response packet X5 and the definition item X5 are the same has been described.

  As an example of judging by similarity, a mode in which 0.2 points are given if the upper 16 bits of the upper 24 bits of the response packet X5 are the same, and 0.1 points are given if the upper 8 bits are the same (packet) It may be determined by the degree of similarity of the character string. In this way, the point value can be adjusted such that the point is increased when the similarity between the response packet and the definition item is high.

  Next, the electronic device type determining unit 504 of the environment management server 500 determines the type of the electronic device 10. That is, scoring as described above is performed on the definition files of all the electronic devices 10, and the types of the electronic devices 10 are determined by comparing the acquired scores and extracting a definition file having a high score.

  For example, as described above, the electronic device A definition file, the electronic device B definition file, the electronic device C definition file,... The definition file of the high electronic device is extracted, and the type of the electronic device 10 is determined.

  Referring to FIG. 9, for example, since the response packet (X5, Y8, Z9) and X5 of the electronic device A definition file (X5, Y2, Z3) are the same, the electronic device A definition file has 0.6. Suppose you get points. On the other hand, each definition item (X1, Y7, Z1) of the electronic device B definition file is not the same as the response packet (X5, Y8, Z9), but considering the similarity, 0. Suppose you have 3 points.

  The electronic device C definition file (X5, Y8, Z8) has 0.9 points in the electronic device A definition file because the response packet (X5, Y8, Z9) and the definition item Y8 are the same. And In this case, among the definition files for electronic devices A to C, the definition file for electronic device C is determined to be the highest overall point (0.9 points), and the definition file C is extracted. Is determined as electronic device C.

  As an example, the electronic device A definition file is defined as a definition file up to the manufacturer name A company, and the electronic device B definition file is one of the device types in addition to the manufacturer name company A (AB-01). The definition file can be specified up to. In this case, when a certain electronic device 10 is manufactured by Company A and has the type AB-01, the electronic device B definition file has a higher point than the electronic device A definition file. Therefore, the electronic device 10 is determined to be the electronic device B (AB-01 of company A) that has a high overall score.

  Conversely, when a certain electronic device 10 is manufactured by Company A and is of the type BC-03, it can be specified by the definition file of Electronic Device A or Electronic Device B up to that manufactured by Company A. Therefore, although the device name cannot be specified, at least the manufacturer name can be specified, and the type of electronic device can be determined step by step.

  As an example of a determination element for scoring other than the MAC address, an example in which determination is made based on a TCP / IP port will be described with reference to FIGS. Electronic device 10 well-known port The type of the electronic device 10 is determined according to the usage status of the port number specially used (bound) in the electronic device 10.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in the electronic device X, port numbers 5000 and 5002 are in use, and port 5001 is not used. For example, this status is detected by a NETSTAT command. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, referring to the port number table stored in the definition file database 503, the port numbers in use (binding) are compared, and the same as the definition item of ID100 is determined, Give points. Port numbers 5000 and 5002 are in use, and if number 5001 is not used, 0.2 points are given.

  When the NETSTAT command is used, the NETSTAT command may transmit a packet to the electronic device 10 as a request packet as the request packet. However, the multifunction peripheral device 50 transmits a broadcast or multicast packet from the electronic device 10. The NETSTAT command result may be obtained by using these received packets in advance.

  That is, even if the multi-function peripheral device 50 does not transmit a NETSTAT command serving as a request packet to the electronic device 10, a broadcast or multicast packet (port) transmitted from the electronic device 10 that has been received so far. The scoring process may be performed based on a packet that notifies the number binding state.

  Note that points are assigned not only when the port numbers in the port number table and the binding status are completely the same, but also what percentage of existing ports are in use and what percentage is not in use. The points may be given according to the degree of use (the degree of use is not completely the same but is similar). For example, it is assumed that the usage degree of a port and points are stored in advance as a table. In this case, port numbers 5000 and 5002 are in use, and when port 5001 is not in use, 66% of the ports are in use. Therefore, when 66% of the ports are in use, the processing is such that a predetermined point is given with reference to the table.

  Further, the OS (Operating System) version may be determined and the point may be assigned. For example, an nbns (Net BIOS Name Server) packet is received as a response packet transmitted in broadcast, OS version information is acquired, the OS is identified based on this, and the OS version is identified. Points may also be awarded.

  For example, it is assumed that “if the OS version uses“ X type ”, 0.5 is added as a point” is registered as a definition item in the definition file of the electronic device AB-01. At this time, if the OS version is specified as “X type” by the nbns packet, 0.5 is added to the point of the electronic device AB-01.

[Second embodiment: SaaS type]
Next, as a second embodiment, based on FIG. 15, without installing an agent program in the electronic device 10, the SaaS type environment management server 500 executes the power saving mode and calculates power consumption. The case will be described.

  Steps S20 to S26 are the same as the processes from step S01 to step S07 in the first embodiment. Therefore, the packet receiving means 52, the device information transmitting means 53 in the multi-function peripheral device 50 of FIG. 2, the packet transmitting means 11 in the electronic device 10, the device information receiving means 501 in the environment management server 500, the scoring means 502, the definition file database The electronic device type determination unit 504 is also included in the configuration of each device in the second embodiment.

  In step S26, in response to the electronic device 10 accessing the portal site (power saving mode execution site) of the environment management server 500, the environment management server 500 determines the type of the electronic device 10 based on the unique ID. Then, the electronic device 10 is caused to execute a power saving mode (power saving mode execution module) suitable for the type of the electronic device 10 (step S27). That is, the power source of the device in the electronic device 10 that has not been used for a predetermined time is turned off, and the power saving mode activation time when the power source is turned off is transmitted to the environment management server 500.

  The environment management server 500 determines the type name of the type of the electronic device 10 from the unique ID based on the network management table as shown in FIG. Is identified. Here, the electronic device 10 determines from the model name of the electronic device 10 that the power saving mode 1 described in the first embodiment (if the USB port is unused for 15 minutes, the power of the unused USB port is turned off. Will be described.

  The environment management server 500 checks the usage status of the USB port of the electronic device 10 and sets the electronic device 10 to send a packet after 15 minutes if it is not used. If this USB port is not used for 15 minutes, the electronic device 10 transmits a power saving mode activation flag as a packet after 15 minutes. The environment management server 500 that has received the packet activates the power saving mode for this USB port. Thereafter, when the user requests the electronic device 10 to use the USB port that is in the power saving mode 1, the electronic device 10 cancels the power saving mode. Then, the power saving mode activation time transmission unit 13 of the electronic device 10 transmits the activation time of the power saving mode 1 to the environment management server 500.

  The power consumption calculation means 507 of the environment management server 500 stores the type and start time of the power saving mode shown in FIG. 12, and based on this data, as in the first embodiment, the power consumption and the power consumption reduction. The reduction rate of the rate, the power consumption reduction amount, and the carbon dioxide emission amount is calculated (step S29). The electronic device 10 that has received the calculation result displays the calculation result (step S30).

  According to the second embodiment, even when the electronic device 10 does not download and install the agent program, the electronic management device 10 controls the environment management server 500 to display a calculation result such as power consumption on the electronic device 10. Therefore, even a household electric appliance other than a personal computer or the like can execute the power saving mode and calculate the power consumption.

[Third embodiment: Access server]
Next, in the environmental management system 1, the electronic device 10 accesses the access server 700, and the power consumption, the power consumption reduction rate, the power consumption reduction amount, the carbon dioxide emission reduction amount, and the like are displayed on the electronic device 10. An embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the third embodiment, the environment management server 500 executes electronic device type determination processing and calculates power consumption, but the access server 700 accepts access from the electronic device 10.

  The access server 700 is a computer, and is connected to the multifunction peripheral device 50, the electronic device 10, and the environment management server 500 through the public network 3 so as to be communicable. The access server 700 includes a central processing unit (CPU), a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), and the like as a control unit, and either or both of a hard disk and an SSD (Solid State Drive) as a storage unit. Etc., and a communication unit including a wired / wireless compatible Ethernet board, Bluetooth (registered trademark), and the like.

  Steps S40 to S44 are the same as steps S01 to S05 in the first embodiment. Therefore, the packet receiving means 52, the device information transmitting means 53 in the multi-function peripheral device 50 of FIG. 2, the packet transmitting means 11 in the electronic device 10, the device information receiving means 501 in the environment management server 500, the scoring means 502, the definition file database The electronic device type determination unit 504 is also included in the configuration of each device in the third embodiment.

  When the environment management server 500 stores the unique ID in step S44, the unique ID is transmitted to the electronic device 10, and the electronic device 10 stores the unique ID (step S46). Similarly, the environment management server 500 transmits a unique ID to the access server 700, and the access server 700 receives and stores the unique ID (step S45).

  In step S47, in response to the electronic device 10 accessing the portal site (power saving mode execution site) of the access server 700 and transmitting the unique ID, the portal site access receiving process (step S48) is executed. . Here, the access acceptance process in the third embodiment may be that the access server 700 selects and transmits an agent program based on the received unique ID, as in the first embodiment. As in the form, the power saving mode may be executed by the electronic device 10.

  When the electronic device 10 receives the agent program, the electronic device 10 installs the agent program and executes the power saving mode as in the first embodiment. The executed power saving mode activation time (for each type of power saving mode) is transmitted to the access server 700, and the access server 700 transmits the unique ID and the power saving mode activation time to the environment management server 500 (or redirect). Thus, the electronic device 10 directly transmits the unique ID and the power saving mode activation time to the environment management server 500) (step S50).

  The power consumption calculation means 507 of the environmental management server 500 calculates the power consumption, the power consumption reduction rate, the power consumption reduction, the carbon dioxide emission reduction, etc. (step S51), and transmits the calculation result to the access server. (Step S51). Receiving the calculation result such as the power consumption, the access server 700 transmits the calculation result to the electronic device 10 and displays it (step S53).

[About power consumption management for each network]
Next, an embodiment in which the power consumption of a plurality of electronic devices 10 connected to the local network is managed for each local network will be described. Reduction of power consumption, power consumption reduction, power consumption reduction rate, saved electricity bill, carbon dioxide emissions based on the type of power saving mode received for each electronic device 10 and the power saving mode startup time The amount is calculated and stored.

  The environment management server 500 calculates all the electronic devices 10 connected to the local network, and the total power consumption, the power consumption reduction amount, and the power consumption in all the electronic devices 10 in the local network 2. Calculate reduction rates, saved electricity bills, and reductions in carbon dioxide emissions. When the administrator accesses the environment management server 500 or the access server 700 (the administrator is authenticated by the user ID), the calculated result is displayed as shown in FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 17, the administrator terminal or electronic device 10 accesses the environment management server 500 or access server 700 by the administrator of NW-01, so that the administrator terminal or electronic device 10 becomes local. The reduction effect of NW-01 calculated from all the electronic devices 10 connected to the network (NW-01) (electric charge, reduction amount of carbon dioxide emission) is displayed.

  In this case, the network management table of the environment management server 500 stores the network ID as shown in FIG. The network ID may be input from an administrator or a user, or the multi-function peripheral device 50 may be transmitted to the environment management server 500.

  The means and functions described above are realized by a computer (including a CPU, an information processing device, and various terminals) reading and executing a predetermined application program. The application program is provided in a form recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a flexible disk, CD (CD-ROM, etc.), DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, etc.), for example. In this case, the computer reads the application program from the recording medium, transfers it to the internal storage device or the external storage device, stores it, and executes it. The program may be recorded in advance in a storage device (recording medium) such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, or a magneto-optical disk, and provided from the storage device to a computer via a communication line.

  Further, part or all of the application program may be provided from the server via the public line network, and the above-described method may be provided as a SaaS (Software as a Service) type service. That is, in this case, a part of the program for executing the above-described processing is transmitted from the server, executed on the terminal side, and implemented in cooperation with the server-side program.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the present embodiment, and modifications, improvements, and the like within the scope that can achieve the object of the present invention are included in the present invention.

1 Environmental Management System 10 Multifunctional Peripheral Device 500 Environmental Management Server 700 Access Server

Claims (9)

An environment management system including an environment management device to which an electronic device is communicably connected, and an environment management server that is communicably connected to the environment management device,
The environmental management device is
Receiving a packet for determining the type of the electronic device from the electronic device, and including a type information transmitting means for transmitting the packet to the environment management server,
The environmental management server is
Storage means for storing a definition file defined for each electronic device;
In response to reception of the packet transmitted from the environment management device, the packet and the definition file for each electronic device are compared, and scoring means for scoring for each definition file;
As a result of scoring by the scoring means, a definition file having a high score is extracted, the electronic device type of the definition file is determined as the electronic device type of the electronic device, and the electronic device type is determined based on the electronic device type. An environment management system comprising: selection means for selecting an agent program for managing power consumption of an electronic device. The environment management system according to claim 1,
The environmental management server is
The electronic device that has selected the agent program comprises transmission means for transmitting the agent program,
The electronic device to which the agent program is transmitted is
Installation means for receiving the agent program and installing the agent program;
Power consumption reduction time transmitting means for transmitting to the environment management server the time when the electronic device has reduced power consumption by executing the agent program,
The environmental management server is
An environment management system comprising: calculation means for receiving a power reduction time calculated by the agent program from the electronic device and calculating a power consumption reduction amount of the electronic device. The environmental management system according to claim 2,
The calculation means is an environment management system that further calculates a reduction amount of carbon dioxide emissions resulting from a reduction in power consumption of the electronic device. The environment management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
An environmental management system in which the environmental management device is a multifunction peripheral device. A method that is executed by a system that includes an environment management device that is communicably connected to an electronic device, and an environment management server that is communicably connected to the environment management device.
The environmental management device is
Receiving a packet for determining the type of the electronic device from the electronic device, and executing a type information transmission step of transmitting the packet to the environment management server;
The environmental management server is
A storage step of storing a definition file defined for each electronic device;
In accordance with reception of the packet transmitted from the environment management device, the packet and the definition file for each electronic device are compared and scored,
As a result of the scoring step, a definition file with a high score is extracted, and the electronic device type of the definition file is set as the electronic device type of the electronic device, and the power consumption of the electronic device is based on the electronic device type. And a selection step of selecting an agent program for managing the method. An environment management system program that controls an environment management system that includes an environment management device that is communicably connected to an electronic device and an environment management server that is communicably connected to the environment management device.
For an environment management apparatus that operates an environment management apparatus that is a computer as a type information transmission unit that receives a packet for determining the type of the electronic apparatus from the electronic apparatus and transmits the packet to the environment management server Program and
Storage means for storing a definition file defined for each electronic device;
In accordance with the reception of the packet transmitted from the environment management device, the packet and the definition file for each electronic device are compared and scored,
As a result of scoring by the scoring means, a definition file with a high score is extracted, and the electronic device type of the definition file is set as the electronic device type of the electronic device, based on the electronic device type. An environment management system program comprising: an environment management server program for operating an environment management server, which is a computer, as selection means for selecting an agent program for managing power consumption. An environment management system including an environment management device to which an electronic device is communicably connected, and an environment management server that is communicably connected to the environment management device,
The environmental management device is
Receiving a packet for determining the type of the electronic device from the electronic device, and including a type information transmitting means for transmitting the packet to the environment management server,
The environmental management server is
Storage means for storing a definition file defined for each electronic device;
In accordance with the reception of the packet transmitted from the environment management device, the packet and the definition file for each electronic device are compared and scored,
As a result of scoring by the scoring means, a definition file with a high score is extracted, and the electronic device type of the definition file is set as the electronic device type of the electronic device, based on the electronic device type. An environmental management system comprising: calculation means for calculating power consumption. A method executed by an environment management system that includes an environment management device that is communicatively connected to an electronic device and an environment management server that is communicatively connected to the environment management device.
The environmental management device is
Receiving a packet for determining the type of the electronic device from the electronic device, and executing a type information transmission step of transmitting the packet to the environment management server;
The environmental management server is
A storage step of storing a definition file defined for each electronic device;
In accordance with reception of the packet transmitted from the environment management device, the packet and the definition file for each electronic device are compared and scored,
As a result of scoring in the scoring step, a definition file having a high score is extracted, and the electronic device type of the definition file is set as the electronic device type of the electronic device based on the electronic device type. And a calculation step of calculating power consumption. An environment management device to which an electronic device is communicably connected, an environment management server that is communicably connected to the environment management device, and an access server that is communicably connected to the environment management device and the environment management server A method performed by an environmental management system,
The environmental management device is
Receiving a packet for determining the type of the electronic device from the electronic device, and executing a type information transmission step of transmitting the packet to the environment management server;
The environmental management server is
A storage step of storing a definition file defined for each electronic device;
In accordance with reception of the packet transmitted from the environment management device, the packet and the definition file for each electronic device are compared and scored,
As a result of scoring in the scoring step, a definition file with a high score is extracted, and an electronic device type of the definition file is determined;
A calculation step of calculating a power consumption amount of the electronic device based on the electronic device type in response to the electronic device accessing the access server.

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