JP2007233596A - Power controller, information communication equipment, and remote power control system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a power controller capable of remote power control which is highly secure. <P>SOLUTION: The power controller is provided with: a power circuit part for turning on/off a power supply by supplying power for information communication equipment which performs communication via a first communication path, such as the Internet; a communication part for performing communication via a second communication path, such as an ISDN line; and a control unit which temporarily turns off the power supply for the power circuit part and controls so as to perform power reset operation for turning on the power supply again in a prescribed period of time when there is an incoming call to the communication party from a specific communication party via the second communication path. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a power supply control device, an information communication device, and a remote power supply control system that resets the power supply of an information communication device such as a router from a remote location to restore normal operation.

  When an abnormality occurs in an information communication device such as a router, it is often performed to return the operation to a normal state by performing a power reset to temporarily turn off and restart the power. As a power reset operation method, a staff member pulls out the power plug or turns off / on the switch manually, or operates a personal computer connected to the power supply to temporarily stop the power supply of the power supply. Operation via a personal computer is conventionally known.

  However, because information communication devices such as routers have a function to remotely send and receive information, there are cases where personnel are installed in places where maintenance is not immediately available, and information installed in such places When an abnormality occurs in the communication device, the staff cannot manually operate or operate the personal computer connected to the power supply device, and the information communication device cannot be restored.

Thus, the following system is proposed in Patent Document 1 and the like. A power supply control device that supplies power to the information communication device has a communication function, and is connected to a communication path (for example, a network) together with the information communication device. When the communication partner device communicates with the information communication device and an abnormality occurs in this communication, the communication partner device transmits a power reset instruction to the power control device.
JP 2001-184145 A

  In the system of Patent Document 1, a communication path for performing normal information communication is also used as a communication path for instructing the power supply control device to reset the power supply. Therefore, the security level is low, and a third party maliciously manages the power supply control device. There is a risk that the power supply is reset and the information communication device is reset (restarted).

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a power supply control device, an information communication device, and a remote power supply control system that enable remote power control with high security.

  According to the present invention, a power supply circuit unit having a function of supplying power to an information communication device that performs communication via a first communication path and turning on / off the power supply, and a second communication path. When there is an incoming call from a specific communication partner (to the communication unit) via the second communication path and the communication unit that performs the communication, the power supply circuit unit is temporarily turned off, And a control unit that controls to perform a power reset operation for turning on the power supply again after time.

  According to the present invention, in the above invention, the first communication path is the Internet, the second communication path is a public switched telephone network, and the control unit (the communication unit) It is characterized in that it is determined whether or not this communication partner is the specific communication partner based on the calling telephone number received from the network and the personal identification number received from the communication partner.

  The present invention includes a first communication unit that performs communication via a first communication path, and a power supply circuit unit that has a function of supplying power to the first communication unit and turning on / off the power supply. A second communication unit that performs communication via the second communication path, and when there is an incoming call (from the communication unit) via a second communication path to the power supply circuit unit And a control unit that controls to perform a power reset operation for turning off the power supply and turning on the power supply again after a predetermined time.

The present invention is a power supply control system comprising an information communication device, a monitoring device, and a power supply control device for supplying power to the information communication device, which communicate with each other via a first communication path,
The power supply control device supplies power to the information communication device, and a power supply circuit unit having a function of turning on / off the power supply, a communication unit that performs communication through a second communication path, When an incoming call is received from a specific communication partner (to the communication unit) via the second communication path, the power supply is temporarily turned off to the power supply circuit unit, and the power supply is turned on again after a predetermined time. A control unit that controls to perform a power reset operation,
The monitoring device monitors a communication state while communicating with the information communication device and a monitoring communication unit that performs communication via the second communication path, and when the communication state becomes abnormal, the monitoring communication And a monitoring unit that transmits to the power control device to perform a power reset operation.

  According to this invention, it is possible to cause the power supply circuit unit to perform the power supply reset operation using the second communication circuit different from the first communication path in which the information communication device and the monitoring device perform information communication. It becomes possible to perform power control from a remote at a high security level.

A power supply control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an installation form of the power supply control device, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the power supply control device.
In FIG. 1, a power supply control device 1 is a device that supplies power to a router 2 that is an information communication device. The power supply control device 1 acquires power from the commercial power supply 7, stabilizes it, and supplies it to the router 2. The router 2 is connected to an information processing device 6 that transmits / receives information to / from the center device 3. The router 2 communicates with the center device 3 that is a monitoring device via the Internet 4. This communication content is mainly information exchange between the information processing device 6 and the center device 3.

  The center device 3 includes a control unit 30, a network communication unit 31, and a telephone communication unit 32. The network communication unit 31 is a circuit unit that communicates with the router 2 via the Internet 4. The telephone communication unit 32 is connected to the ISDN line 5 which is a public telephone exchange network. The control unit 30 transmits / receives information to / from the information processing apparatus 6 via the network communication unit 31-Internet 4-router 2. Furthermore, the control unit 30 constantly monitors the state of communication with the information processing apparatus 6 (that is, communication via the router 2), and uses the telephone communication unit 32 when detecting that the communication state is abnormal. Then, a telephone call is made to the power control device 1 to reset the power supplied to the router 2.

In FIG. 2, the power supply control device 1 includes a control unit 10, a telephone communication unit 11, a power supply circuit unit 12, a display / operation unit 13, a commercial power supply connection unit 14, and a power supply unit 15.
The telephone communication unit 11 is connected to the ISDN line 5. The telephone communication unit 11 receives a telephone number notification when an incoming call is received and recognizes the incoming telephone number, and hook-off for turning on / off the connection to the telephone line according to an instruction from the control unit 10 In addition to a / on function, it also has a function of recognizing a DTMF signal sent from a call partner during a call and / or a modem function for performing data communication by handshaking with a communication partner.

  The control unit 10 is a microcomputer that controls the overall operation of the power supply control device 1. That is, the control unit 10 controls the response to the incoming call of the telephone communication unit 11 and also temporarily turns off the power supply to the router 2 (about several seconds) and then turns on again. A control operation such as instructing a reset is executed.

  As described above, the center device 3 calls the power supply control device 1 via the ISDN line 5 when communication with the information processing device 6 via the router 2 is not normally performed. The power supply control device 1 temporarily turns off the power supply to the router 2 in response to the incoming call from the center device 3. When the supply of power is temporarily stopped, the router 2 restarts, performs a startup operation such as a self-diagnosis operation, returns to a normal communication state, and restarts the operation.

  The display / operation unit 13 displays a current operation state and the like, and includes a reset switch and the like for resetting the power supply by manual operation.

  The power supply circuit unit 12 stabilizes and supplies the commercial power supplied via the commercial power supply connection unit 14 to the power supply unit (outlet) 15 and outputs it to the power supply unit 15 in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 10. The power supply to be turned on / off is turned on / off.

  The control unit 30 of the center device 3 has a telephone number storage area 30A and a password storage area 30B. In order to instruct the power supply control device 1 to reset the power supply, the telephone number (30A) of the power supply control device 1 is provided. And a password (30B) for authenticating the center device. The control unit 10 of the power supply control device 1 has a telephone number storage area 10A and a password storage area 10B, and stores the telephone number (10A) of the center device 3 and the password for authentication of the tip device (10B). is doing. When the center apparatus 3 monitors a plurality of routers, the telephone number and the password of the power control apparatus 1 that supplies power to each router are stored.

With reference to the flowchart of FIG. 3, the power reset processing operation will be described.
FIG. 3A is a flowchart showing the operation of the center apparatus 3. The center device 3 monitors the router 2 and the information processing device 6 which are terminal devices, and executes this operation when an abnormality occurs in communication. When an abnormality occurs in communication with the information processing apparatus 6 via the router 2 (S1), the telephone number and authentication code corresponding to the router 2 are read (S2), and power control is performed using the read telephone number. A telephone call is made to the apparatus 1 (S3). This call is made in a telephone number notification mode in which the telephone number is notified to the communication partner. When the power supply control device 1 responds to this call (S4), the personal identification number corresponding to the power supply control device 1 is transmitted as a DTMF signal (S5).

  By transmitting the DTMF signal, the power control device 1 can perform a power reset operation. This power reset operation should cause the router 2 to restart and return to normal operation, so it waits for a certain time (S6) and resumes communication with the router 2 (information processing device 6) (S7).

  FIG. 5B is a flowchart showing the operation of the control unit 10 of the power supply control device 1. When incoming call information is input from the telephone communication unit 11 (S10), the telephone number of the caller is notified along with the incoming call, and the telephone number registered in the telephone number storage area 10A Is determined (S11). If the telephone number is not notified, or if the notified telephone number is not a registered telephone number, this call is ignored.

  If the notified telephone number is a registered telephone number, it is determined that the incoming call is from the center apparatus 3, and a hook-off instruction is given to the telephone communication unit 11 to respond to this (S12). After that, the telephone communication unit 11 receives the personal identification number sent from the center device 3 by the DTMF signal and transfers it to the control unit 10 (S13). The control unit 10 determines whether or not the received personal identification number matches the personal identification number stored in the personal identification number storage area 10B (S14). If they match, the power supply circuit unit 12 is instructed to temporarily stop power supply to the power supply unit 15 (S16), and a message indicating that the power supply has been reset is transmitted to the center device 3 ( S17), hook on and return to the standby state (S10).

  If the received security code does not match the stored security code, or if the security code is not sent even after a certain period of time has elapsed after hooking off, the process is canceled and hooked on and in standby mode. Return.

  Since the restart operation of the router 2 after the power supply is temporarily interrupted is well known, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In the above embodiment, the power supply control device 1 responds to an incoming call from the center device 3 and authenticates the center device 3 with the PIN code of the DTMF signal sent thereafter. Only the center device 3 may be authenticated and the power supply may be reset. In order to ensure higher security, the telephone communication unit 11 is equipped with a modem function, and after hook-off, establishes a handshake with the telephone communication unit 30 of the center device 3 to communicate with each other. May be authenticated. In the case of an ISDN line, a personal identification number may be transmitted / received and mutual communication may be performed by digital communication.

  In the above embodiment, the power supply control device 1 is provided as a separate device from the router 2 having the network communication function. However, the power supply control device 1 is a power supply unit of the router 2 (information communication device) having the network communication unit. The power supply control device 1 may be incorporated.

<< Second Embodiment >>
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an installation form of a power supply control apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 and 5, components having the same functions as those in the first embodiment (FIGS. 1 and 2) are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In FIG. 4, the power supply control device 1 ′ has a function of an uninterruptible power supply (UPS). The power supply control device 1 ′ supplies power to the router 2 and also supplies power to the information processing device 6. The information processing apparatus 6 is connected with a communication cable 20. The communication cable 20 is used by the power supply control device 1 ′ to transmit a control command for shutting down (and booting) the information processing device 6.

  The command code storage area 30C of the center device 3 stores a plurality of types of command codes for causing the power supply control device 1 'to perform a plurality of types of control operations. The plurality of types of command codes will be described later.

  In FIG. 5, the power supply circuit unit 12 ′ is composed of an uninterruptible power supply circuit as described above, and a battery is incorporated so that power can be supplied to the load for a certain period of time even in a power failure state. Further, from the power supply circuit section 12 ′, a router power supply section 15 A for supplying power to the router 2 and an information processing apparatus power supply section 15 B for supplying power to the information processing apparatus 6 are taken out. . The power supply circuit unit 12 ′ can independently turn on / off power supply to the router power supply unit 15A and the information processing device power supply unit 15B.

  The control unit 10 ′ stores the same command code as the plurality of command codes (30C) stored in the center device 3 in the storage area 10C. In response to the command code received from the center device 3, the control unit 10 ′ resets the power of the router 2, resets the information processing device 6 (restart: shutdown + power reset + boot), resets both (the router 2 Three types of operations of power supply reset + information processing device 6 reset are executed.

  The power supply control device 1 ′ includes a remote control communication unit 16. The control unit 10 ′ transmits shutdown and boot commands to the information processing apparatus 6 via the remote control communication unit 16. If the information processing device 6 is a device that supports wake on lan, the remote control communication unit 16 may be configured with a LAN board, and the information processing device 6 may be activated using a magic packet.

  The power supply control device 1 ′ performs substantially the same processing as that of the power supply control device 1 of the first embodiment. However, since any one of the above three types of reset operations is executed according to the command of the center device 3, the authentication operation of S14 in FIG. 3B is replaced with the processing operation of S16 instead of the processing operation of S16. The operation shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation executed by the control unit 10 ′ of the power supply control device 1 ′ in place of S16 of FIG.

  If it is determined in S14 of FIG. 3B that the received personal identification number is correct (matches the stored personal identification number), the process proceeds to S20 in FIG. The telephone communication unit 11 receives the command code sent from the center device 3 following the password, and inputs this command code to the control unit 10 '. The control unit 10 ′ discriminates this command code (S 21), and if it is a command for instructing the power reset of the router 2, executes the processes of S 22 and S 23. If it is a command for instructing reset of the information processing device 6, the processing of S24 to S27 is executed. If the command is an instruction to reset both the router 2 and the information processing apparatus 6, the processing of S28 to S31 is executed.

  The power reset operation (S22, S23) of the router 2 is as follows. An instruction to turn off the power supply of the power supply unit 15A is output to the power supply circuit unit 12 (S22), and after waiting for a predetermined time, an instruction to turn on the power supply of the power supply unit 15A is output to the power supply circuit unit 12. (S23). As a result, the router 2 restarts with its own function and returns to normal operation. The reset operation (S16) in FIG. 3B is substantially the same as the operations in S22 and S23.

  The restart operation (S24 to S28) of the information processing apparatus 6 is as follows. First, the control unit 10 ′ outputs a shutdown command to the information processing apparatus 6 via the remote control communication unit 16 (S24). Thereafter, after a sufficient time has elapsed for the information processing apparatus 6 to shut down, an instruction to turn off the power supply of the power supply unit 15B is output to the power supply circuit unit 12 (S25), and after waiting for a predetermined time, An instruction to turn on the power supply of the power supply unit 15B is output to the power supply circuit unit 12 (S26). This power reset operation is an operation for completely resetting the state of the information processing apparatus 6, but is not essential. Thereafter, a boot command is output to the information processing apparatus 6 via the remote control communication unit 16 (S27). Thereby, the abnormal operation of the information processing apparatus 6 can be corrected by restarting.

  On the other hand, the reset operation (S28 to S31) of both the router 2 and the information processing apparatus 6 is as follows. First, the control unit 10 ′ outputs a shutdown command to the information processing device 6 via the remote control communication unit 16 (S28). Thereafter, after a sufficient time has passed for the information processing apparatus 6 to shut down, an instruction to turn off the power supply of both the power supply units 15A and 15B is output to the power supply circuit unit 12 (S29), and after waiting for a certain time Next, an instruction to turn on the power supply of both the power supply units 15A and 15B is output to the power supply circuit unit 12 (S30). Thereafter, a boot command is output to the information processing device 6 via the remote control communication unit 16 (S31).

  Although not described in the above flowchart, the power supply control device 1 '(control unit 10' and power supply circuit unit 12 ') also operates as a normal uninterruptible power supply (UPS). When the power supply from the commercial power supply connection unit 14 is cut off, the power source is switched to the built-in battery to continue the power supply to the information processing device 6 and to the information processing device 6 via the remote control communication unit 16. In response to this, a shutdown command is sent to terminate normally promptly. When the power supply from the commercial power supply connection unit 14 is restored, the operation of the power supply circuit unit 12 ′ is resumed and a boot command is transmitted via the remote control communication unit 16 to activate the information processing apparatus 6. .

  In the above embodiment, the personal identification number and the command code are transmitted and received as a DTMF signal. However, in order to ensure higher security, the telephone communication unit 11 is equipped with a modem function, and after hook-off, the center device 3 A handshake may be established with the telephone communication unit 30 and a password and a command code may be transmitted / received.

  The power control devices 1, 1 ′ of the first and second embodiments execute a reset operation similar to the remote operation from the center device 32 by manual operation by the display / operation unit 13. In addition, the telephone number and password of an attendant's telephone (for example, a mobile phone) are registered in the control units 10 and 10 ', and the attendant resets the router 2 and / or the information processing apparatus manually from the remote. You may be able to.

  In the above-described embodiment, the router has been described as an example of the information communication device. However, the information communication device of the present invention is not limited to the router as long as it has an information communication function.

The figure which shows the connection form of the power supply control apparatus which is embodiment of this invention Block diagram of the power control device Flow chart showing operations of center device and power supply control device The figure which shows the connection form of the power supply control apparatus which is 2nd Embodiment of this invention Block diagram of the power control device Flow chart showing the operation of the power supply control device

Explanation of symbols

1, 1 '... power control device 2 ... router (information communication equipment)
3. Center device (monitoring device)
4 ... Internet 5 ... ISDN line 6 ... Information processing device 7 ... Commercial power supply 10, 10 '... Control unit 10A ... Telephone number storage area 10B ... PIN number storage area 10C ... Command code storage area 11 ... Telephone communication unit 12 , 12 'power supply circuit unit 13 ... operation / display unit 14 ... commercial power supply connection unit 15 ... power supply unit 15A ... power supply unit for router 15B ... power supply unit 16 for information processing device ... remote control communication unit 20 ... communication cable 30 ... Control part 30A (server apparatus) Telephone number storage area 30B of power supply control apparatus PIN code storage area 30C ... Command code storage area 31 ... Network communication part 32 (server apparatus) Telephone communication part (server apparatus)

Claims (4)

A power supply circuit unit having a function of supplying power to an information communication device that performs communication via the first communication path and turning on / off the power supply;
A communication unit for performing communication via the second communication path;
When an incoming call is received from a specific communication partner (to the communication unit) via the second communication path, the power supply is temporarily turned off to the power supply circuit unit, and the power supply is turned on again after a predetermined time. A control unit that controls to perform a power reset operation;
A power supply control device. The first communication path is the Internet, and the second communication path is a public switched telephone network;
The control unit determines whether or not the communication partner is the specific communication partner based on the originating telephone number received from the public switched telephone network and the personal identification number received from the communication partner. The power supply control device according to claim 1. A first communication unit that performs communication via the first communication path;
A power supply circuit unit having a function of supplying power to the first communication unit and turning on / off the power supply;
A second communication unit for performing communication via the second communication path;
When an incoming call is received from a specific communication partner (to the communication unit) via the second communication path, the power supply is temporarily turned off to the power supply circuit unit, and the power supply is turned on again after a predetermined time. A control unit that controls to perform a power reset operation;
Information communication equipment equipped with. A power control system comprising an information communication device, a monitoring device, and a power supply control device for supplying power to the information communication device, which communicate with each other via a first communication path,
The power supply control device
A power supply circuit unit having a function of supplying power to the information communication device and turning on / off the power supply;
A communication unit for performing communication via the second communication path;
When an incoming call is received from a specific communication partner (to the communication unit) via the second communication path, the power supply is temporarily turned off to the power supply circuit unit, and the power supply is turned on again after a predetermined time. A control unit that controls to perform a power reset operation;
With
The monitoring device
A monitoring communication unit for performing communication via the second communication path;
Monitoring the communication state while communicating with the information communication device, when the communication state becomes abnormal, using the monitoring communication unit, a monitoring unit that transmits to the power control device to perform a power reset operation,
With remote power control system.

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