JP2008245441A - Power supply system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a power supply system which can specify a plug socket to which an electronic device is connected in response to an inquiry for which the plug socket the electronic device is connected to. <P>SOLUTION: In the power supply system, when the network control unit 19 of a plug socket box 1 receives a message inquiring for the connection from an electronic device 2, a CPU 18 acquires device information corresponding to a device ID included in the message inquiring for the connection, in device information stored in a device information storage part 110, and specifies the plug socket 12 displayed by the plug socket ID corresponded to the device ID as the plug socket to which the electronic device 2 corresponding to the device ID is connected. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a power supply system, and more particularly, to a power supply system that identifies an outlet among a plurality of outlets to which an electronic device is connected.

As a power supply system, there is a system that supplies power to the device based on the authentication result of the user of the device. For example, a user ID that identifies a user of an electronic device is acquired, and it is determined whether the acquired user ID matches a user ID that is registered in advance as a power supply permitted user. A power supply system that supplies power to an electronic device has been proposed (see Patent Document 1).
JP 2006-94655 A

  In the prior art, when one of the electronic devices is connected to a plurality of outlets provided in the power supply system, the electronic device is in response to an inquiry about which outlet is connected to a certain electronic device. We do not identify the connected outlet. Therefore, depending on the prior art, when a large number of electronic devices are connected to a large number of outlets in, for example, an office, the user of the electronic device recognizes to which outlet the electronic device is connected. It is difficult.

  In the conventional technology, the power supply system receives an instruction from an external device and responds to a delay time corresponding to an electronic device connected to the power supply system that needs to be started or stopped. The power supply to the electronic device is not started or stopped at the timing.

  In the present invention, when any one of the electronic devices is connected to a plurality of outlets included in the power supply system, the electronic device is connected in response to an inquiry about which outlet is connected to the certain electronic device. The purpose is to provide a power supply system that identifies the outlets that are present.

  In addition, the present invention receives an instruction from an external device of the power supply system, and at the timing corresponding to the delay time corresponding to the electronic device connected to the power supply system that needs to be started or stopped. An object of the present invention is to provide a power supply system that starts or stops power supply to a device.

  The power supply system of the present invention includes an outlet connected to an electronic device to supply power, and identification information of the electronic device stored in a wireless tag attached to a power plug of the electronic device connected to the outlet. Device information acquisition means for storing correspondence information between the acquired identification information of the electronic device and the identification information of the outlet to which the electronic device is connected, and a connection inquiry message about the electronic device via the network. If received, based on the identification information of the electronic device included in the connection inquiry message and the stored correspondence information, the outlet to which the electronic device is connected is identified and associated with the identified outlet. Control means for causing the light emitting means provided to emit light.

  In addition, the power supply system of the present invention is further connected via a network to a server that instructs the electronic device to start or stop. Based on device information collection means for collecting the device information from the power supply system via the network, the collected device information, and electronic device management information stored in advance in the storage means. Setting information generating means for generating correspondence information between the device identification information, the outlet identification information, and the stop delay time and the start delay time of the electronic device as setting information, and storing the setting information in the setting information storage means; It is determined whether or not a stop is necessary, and generates a start command or a stop command for an electronic device that is determined to be required to be started or stopped, and setting information corresponding to the electronic device is stored in the setting information storage unit And setting the setting information in the start command or stop command, the start command or stop command set by the setting information via the network And a command transmitting means for transmitting the force supply system. The control means included in the power supply system further provides power to the electronic device from an outlet connected to the electronic device determined to be necessary to start or stop according to the start command or the stop command transmitted from the server. Start or stop feeding.

  The power supply system of the present invention receives the connection inquiry message about the electronic device, and the identification information of the electronic device, the identification information of the electronic device and the identification information of the outlet stored in the device information storage means included in the message And the corresponding information, the outlet to which the electronic device is connected is specified, and the light emitting means provided in association with the specified outlet is caused to emit light. Thus, for example, even when a large number of electronic devices are connected to a large number of outlets in an office or the like, the user of the electronic device can easily recognize which outlet the electronic device is connected to. be able to.

  In the power supply system of the present invention, the server collects device information from the power supply system, and based on the device information and the management information of the electronic device, the electronic device identification information, the outlet identification information, and the electronic device The correspondence information between the stop delay time and the start delay time of the device is generated and stored as setting information, and the start command or the stop command of the electronic device that is determined to be required to start or stop is generated. Start or stop power supply to the electronic device. As a result, the power supply system receives an instruction from an external device, and the electronic device is connected to the power supply system at a timing corresponding to the delay time corresponding to the electronic device that needs to be activated or stopped. The power supply to can be started or stopped. As a result, for example, in the situation where the client device, file server, and mail server are receiving power supply from the power supply system, if it is necessary to stop the entire system such as an emergency, in order to stop the entire system safely, The client device can be stopped immediately, the file server can be stopped a little later than the client device, and the mail server can be stopped last.

  FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a computer network system to which the power supply system of the present invention is applied.

  The power supply system or the outlet box 1 supplies power from the commercial power supply 6 to the electronic device 2 connected thereto via the outlet 12. The outlet box 1 is connected to the electronic device 2, the proxy computer 3, and the management server 4 via the network 5. The electronic device 2 is connected to the proxy computer 3 and the management server 4 via the network 5.

  The electronic device 2 includes a computer 21 and a power plug 22 that is associated with the computer 21 on a one-to-one basis. The power plug 22 is a power supply interface to the computer 21. A radio tag 23 such as an RFID (Radio frequency identification) tag storing an apparatus ID that is identification information for uniquely identifying the electronic apparatus 2 (that is, the computer 21) is attached to the power plug 22. As will be described later, this device ID is used as an identifier of the corresponding computer 21 (that is, the electronic device 2). Therefore, the computer 21 and its power plug 22 (and the wireless tag 23) are provided inseparably (not separable).

  In this example, a plurality of electronic devices 2 (computers 21) are connected to any of a plurality of outlets 12. Therefore, this computer network system includes a plurality of electronic devices 2 and a plurality of outlets 12. The plurality of outlets 12 may be realized by one or a plurality of outlet boxes 1 including a plurality of outlets 12, or may be realized by a plurality of outlet boxes 1 including a single outlet 12.

  The computer 21 stores, in a connection inquiry message, the device ID of the electronic device 2 that is inquired about which outlet 12 the outlet box 1 is connected to, and sends the connection inquiry message to the outlet box 1 via the network 5. Send. The connection inquiry message is a message for inquiring to which outlet 12 the electronic device 2 is connected to the outlet box 1.

  The proxy computer 3 has the same configuration as the computer 21, and instead of the electronic device 2, the proxy computer 3 sends a connection inquiry message as to which outlet 12 the electronic device 2 is connected to the outlet box 1 via the network 5. Send to. The proxy computer 3 may be omitted.

  The outlet box 1 includes an outlet unit 11, a CPU 18, a network control unit 19, a device information storage unit 110, a first option circuit 111, a second option circuit 112, and a network connection unit (connector) 113. Although only one outlet portion 11 is shown in FIG. 1, the outlet box 1 includes a plurality of outlet portions 11 (four in this example, see FIG. 4A). The CPU 18, the network control unit 19, the device information storage unit 110, the first option circuit 111, the second option circuit 112, and the network connection unit 113 are provided in common in, for example, the four outlet units 11.

  The outlet unit 11 includes an outlet 12, an attachment / detachment detection switch (SW) 13, an output control unit 14, a power measurement unit 15, a light emitting unit 16, and a device information reading unit 17. The outlet unit 11 is controlled by the CPU 18.

  The outlet 12 is a well-known outlet, is configured such that the power plug 22 included in the electronic device 2 can be attached and detached, and includes an attachment / detachment detection SW 13 therein. The attachment / detachment detection SW 13 has a known configuration, and detects attachment / detachment of the power plug 22 to / from the outlet 12 (that the power plug 22 has been inserted into the outlet 12 and removed from the outlet 12). That is, the attachment / detachment detection SW 13 is turned on when it is detected that the power plug 22 is inserted into the outlet 12, and is turned off when it is detected that the power plug 22 is removed from the outlet 12. The detection output of the attachment / detachment detection SW 13 is input to the CPU 18.

  The output control unit 14 controls output of the power supplied from the commercial power supply 6 to the power plug 22 inserted into the outlet 12 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 18. For example, when receiving a control signal instructing the supply of power from the CPU 18, the output control unit 14 outputs the power supplied from the commercial power supply 6 to the power plug 22 accordingly. On the other hand, when receiving a control signal that instructs the CPU 18 to stop supplying power, the output control unit 14 stops outputting power from the commercial power supply 6 to the power plug 22 accordingly.

  A so-called power switch (not shown) may be provided separately from the output control unit 14. In this case, the supply of the commercial power supply 6 is controlled not only by the power switch (ie, manual operation) but also by the output control unit 14.

  The power measuring unit 15 sequentially measures the power supplied from the commercial power source 6 to the power plug 22 through the outlet 12. The measurement output of the power measurement unit 15 is converted into a digital signal, for example, and then input to the CPU 18.

  The light emitting unit 16 is formed of, for example, an LED and emits light according to an instruction from the CPU 18. The light emitting unit 16 is provided in association with each outlet 12.

  The device information reading unit 17 is a wireless tag reading unit such as an RFID tag reader, for example, and reads the wireless tag 23 attached to the power plug 22 inserted into the outlet 12, for example, the RFID tag 23, and is stored in advance in the RFID tag. Read the device ID. Accordingly, the outlet unit 11 or the CPU 18 can obtain the device ID of the electronic device 2 connected from the RFID tag 23. As is well known, the device information reading unit 17 transmits, for example, an electromotive wave to the RFID tag 23, receives a response signal from the RFID tag 23 in response to the electromotive wave, and is included in the response signal. Get the device ID.

  The CPU 18 controls power supply to the electronic device 2 connected to the outlet unit 11 by inserting the power plug 22 into the outlet 12. That is, the CPU 18 is an outlet control unit (control means) realized by this and the outlet control program. The outlet control program exists on a main memory (not shown) provided in the CPU 18 and is executed by the CPU 18. Specifically, the CPU 18 authenticates (device authentication) whether the device ID read by the device information reading unit 17 is valid when the power plug 22 of the electronic device 2 is inserted into the outlet 12, and the device Based on the authentication result, the output control unit 14 is instructed to start or stop the output of power to the power plug 22 inserted into the outlet 12. That is, when the CPU 18 instructs the output control unit 14 to match the device ID previously registered in the CPU 18 (device information storage unit 110) (when the device ID is authenticated), When power output to the power plug 22 is started and the device ID does not match the device ID registered in advance (when the device ID is authenticated as invalid), the CPU 18 instructs the output control unit 14 to The output of power to the plug 22 is stopped.

  Further, the CPU 18 stores correspondence information between the device ID that has been authenticated as valid and the outlet ID of the outlet 12 to which the electronic device 2 corresponding to the device ID is connected in the device information storage unit 110 as device information. . The outlet ID is identification information for uniquely identifying the outlet 12. As the device information, in addition to the device ID and the outlet ID, the device type of the electronic device, the time when the electronic device 2 was connected to the outlet unit 11, and the like may be stored in the device information storage unit 110.

  That is, the CPU 18 and the device information reading unit 17 described above are device information acquisition means, and read a wireless tag (RFID tag) 23 attached to the electronic device 2 connected to any of the plurality of outlets 12, The identification information (device ID) of the electronic device 2 stored in the RFID tag 23 is acquired, and the correspondence between the acquired device ID and the identification information (outlet ID) of the outlet 12 to which the electronic device 2 is connected Information is stored in the device information storage unit 110 as device information.

  FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating an example of device information stored in the device information storage unit 110. The device information includes data items such as a device ID, an outlet ID associated with the device ID, a device type, and a connection time. The device ID is identification information of the electronic device 2, the outlet ID is an outlet ID connected to the electronic device 2, the device type is the type of the electronic device 2, and the connection time is the outlet 12 with which the electronic device 2 has the outlet ID. Is the time of connection.

  The CPU 18 acquires the device ID included in the connection inquiry message transmitted from the computer 21 or the proxy computer 3 of the electronic device 2 and received by the network control unit 19, and stores the acquired device ID and the device information storage unit 110. Based on the correspondence information between the device ID and the outlet ID, the outlet 12 to which the electronic device 2 corresponding to the device ID is connected is specified, and the light emitting unit 16 is caused to emit light. As described above, the light emitting unit 16 is provided in association with each outlet 12. Therefore, when the light emitting unit 16 emits light, the computer 21 of the electronic device 2 or the operator of the proxy computer 3 can recognize which outlet 12 the electronic device 2 corresponding to the device ID is connected to.

  That is, the CPU 18 is a control unit of the light emitting unit 16, receives a connection inquiry message about the electronic device 2 via the network 5, acquires a device ID of the electronic device 2 included in the connection inquiry message, Based on the acquired device ID and the correspondence information between the device ID and the outlet ID stored in the device information storage unit 110, the outlet to which the electronic device 2 is connected is identified and associated with the identified outlet. The light emitting unit 16 provided is emitted.

  According to the present invention, the CPU 18 is connected to the electronic device 2 that needs to be started or stopped in accordance with a start command with a start delay time or a stop command with a stop delay time transmitted from the management server 4 described later. The power supply from 12 to the electronic device 2 may be started or stopped.

  The network control unit 19 controls transmission / reception of information via the network 5 between the outlet box 1 and devices outside the outlet box 1 (electronic device 2, proxy computer 3, management server 4). For example, the network control unit 19 receives a connection request message from the electronic device 2 or the proxy computer 3. The network control unit 19 is connected to the network 5 via the network connection unit 113.

  The first option circuit 111 determines whether power is supplied to the electronic device 2 from any outlet 12 provided in the outlet box 1. The second option circuit 112 measures the temperature in the outlet box 1.

  The management server 4 instructs the outlet box 1 to start or stop any of the electronic devices 2. Specifically, the management server 4 determines whether it is necessary to start or stop the electronic device 2, and based on the determination result, the start command with the start delay time corresponding to the electronic device 2 or the electronic device 2 A stop command with a stop delay time corresponding to the device 2 is transmitted to the outlet box 1 via the network 5.

  The activation delay time is a delay time from when the CPU 18 of the outlet box 1 instructs the output control unit 14 to output power to the electronic device 2 until the power is actually output. The start command is a command for instructing the outlet box 1 to supply power to the electronic device 2. The activation instruction with the activation delay time instructs the outlet box 1 to start power supply to the electronic device 2 at a timing corresponding to the activation delay time corresponding to the electronic device 2 that needs to be activated. Specifically, it is an activation command in which setting information to be described later is set (including).

  The stop delay time is a delay time from when the CPU 18 of the outlet box 1 instructs the output control unit 14 to stop outputting power to the electronic device 2 until the power output is actually stopped. The stop command is a command that instructs the outlet box 1 to stop power supply to the electronic device 2. The stop instruction with the stop delay time is an instruction to stop the power supply to the electronic device 2 at a timing corresponding to the stop delay time corresponding to the electronic device 2 that needs to be stopped. Specifically, it is a stop command in which setting information to be described later is set (including).

  The management server 4 includes a device information collection unit 40, a setting information generation unit 41, a command transmission unit 42, a management information storage unit 43, and a setting information storage unit 44. The device information collection unit 40 collects device information stored in the device information storage unit 110 from the outlet box 1 via the network 5. This collection of device information is periodically executed at predetermined time intervals. Thereby, the device information is set to a state (latest state) indicating the latest connection state of the system. The setting information generation unit 41 generates setting information based on the collected device information and management information stored in advance in the management information storage unit 43 and stores the setting information in the setting information storage unit 44. The management information is information on a start delay time and a stop delay time corresponding to the electronic device 2 (or the type of the electronic device 2). The setting information is correspondence information between the device ID and outlet ID of the electronic device 2, the stop delay time and the start delay time of the electronic device 2.

  FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating an example of management information stored in advance in the management information storage unit 43. The management information includes data items such as a device type and a stop delay and a start delay associated with the device type. The management information may have a data configuration such as a device ID, a stop delay associated with the device ID, and a start delay. The device type is the type of the electronic device 2, the stop delay is the stop delay time corresponding to the electronic device 2, and the start delay is the start delay time corresponding to the electronic device 2.

  FIG. 2C is a diagram illustrating an example of setting information stored in the setting information storage unit 44. The setting information includes data items such as a device ID, an outlet ID associated with the device ID, a device type, a stop delay, and a start delay. Since the content of each data item is the same as the content of the data item described above with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B, description of the content of the data item is omitted.

  The command transmission unit 42 determines whether or not the electronic device 2 needs to be started or stopped, generates a start command or a stop command for the electronic device 2 that is determined to be required to start or stop, and Setting information corresponding to the device 2 is acquired from the setting information storage unit 44, the setting information is set in the start command or stop command, and the start command or stop command set by the setting information is connected to the outlet via the network 5. Send to box 1. The start or stop of the electronic device 2 is necessary in the case of, for example, a power failure, start or stop of the computer system, or down of the computer system.

  The command transmission unit 42 determines whether or not the electronic device 2 needs to be started or stopped, and acquires setting information of the electronic device 2 that is determined to be required to start or stop from the setting information storage unit 44. Then, the setting information is set as a start command or a stop command for the electronic device 2, and the start command or the stop command set by the setting information is transmitted to the outlet box 1 via the network 5. Management information is stored in the management information storage unit 43 in advance. The setting information storage unit 44 stores setting information.

  Each function of the outlet box 1 and the management server 4 described above is realized by each CPU and a program executed on the CPU. The program for realizing the present invention can be stored in a computer-readable recording medium such as a semiconductor memory, a hard disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD, or the like, provided by being recorded in these recording media, or communication. It is provided by transmission / reception using a network via an interface.

  The system configuration of the present invention is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. For example, FIG. 1 shows a configuration in which one outlet box 1 includes a plurality of outlet portions 11, but according to an embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of outlet boxes each including a single outlet portion 11. 1 may be configured to be connected to the electronic device 2 via the outlet 11.

  3 and 4 are external views showing the external appearance of the outlet box 1. 3 is a perspective view of the outlet box 1, FIG. 4A is a top view of the outlet box 1, FIG. 4B is a front view of the outlet box 1, and FIG. 4C is a side view of the outlet box 1. It is.

  The outlet box 1 includes a first casing 121, a second casing 122, and a third casing 123. The first casing 121 is a casing of a power supply unit, and includes a power line 124 and a first option circuit 111. The power supply line 124 is a power supply line for supplying power (for example, commercial power supply 6) to the outlet box 1 from the outside, and is connected to, for example, a wall outlet. The second casing 122 is a casing of the main body of the outlet box 1, and is a casing of components other than the first option circuit 111 and the network controller 19 among the components included in the outlet box 1. Accordingly, the four outlets 12 are provided in the second housing. The third casing 123 is a casing of the communication unit, and is a casing of the network control unit 19. Accordingly, the network connection unit 113 is provided in the third housing 123.

  The first casing 121, the second casing 122, and the third casing 123 are detachably provided. The first housing 121, the second housing 122, and the third housing 123 are provided to be connected to each other by a shaft 100, and can rotate independently of each other around the shaft 100. For example, when the network control unit 19 is unnecessary, the third housing 123 can be omitted.

  The lamp 125 provided in the third housing 123 displays the communication state and operation state of the third housing 123 (that is, the network control unit 19, the same applies hereinafter) by emitting light. The dip switch 126 switches the communication of the third housing 123 to a different communication. The reset switch 127 is used to reset the operation of the third housing 123. Jacks 128 and 129 are insertion ports for communication cables. The jack 128 is a serial communication connector for setting and maintenance of the third housing 123. The jack 129 is a connector for connecting various sensors such as a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor connected to the second option circuit 112 built in the outlet box 1.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the outlet box 1 of the present invention.

  When the power plug 22 of the electronic device 2 is inserted into the outlet 12 (step S11), the attachment / detachment detection SW 13 is turned on (step S12). In response to the ON / OFF of the attachment / detachment detection SW 13, the CPU 18 (its outlet control unit) transmits a device ID reading control signal to the device information reading unit 17. In response to this read control signal, the device information reading unit 17 reads the device ID from the RFID tag 23 attached to the power plug 22 (step S13). The CPU 18 determines whether or not the read device ID matches a previously registered device ID (device authentication) (step S14). If it is determined that they do not match, the CPU 18 ends the process. If it is determined that they match, the CPU 18 transmits an output control signal to the output control unit 14, and the output control unit 14 supplies power from the commercial power supply 6 to the outlet 12 in response to reception of the output control signal. Start (step S15).

  Thereafter, the CPU 18 monitors the state of the attachment / detachment detection SW13 and periodically determines the state of the attachment / detachment detection SW13 (step S16). That is, when the state of the attachment / detachment detection SW 13 remains ON, step S16 and subsequent steps are repeated. On the other hand, when the state of the attachment / detachment detection SW 13 is in the OFF state, the CPU 18 stops transmitting the output control signal to the output control unit 14, and the output control unit 14 responds to the stop of the output control signal. The power supply to the outlet 12 is stopped (step S17). The OFF state of the attachment / detachment detection SW 13 means a state in which the power plug 22 of the electronic device 2 is removed from the outlet 12.

  FIG. 6A is a flowchart showing an example of the specifying process of the outlet 12 connected to the electronic device 2 executed by the outlet box 1 of the present invention.

  The network control unit 19 receives a connection inquiry message from the electronic device 2 or the proxy computer 3 via the network 5 (step S21) and sends it to the CPU 18. This message is transmitted in step S51 of FIG. The CPU 18 that has received the connection inquiry message determines whether or not there is a device ID that matches the device ID included in the connection inquiry message among the device IDs in the device information stored in the device information storage unit 110. Judgment is made (step S22). If there is no matching device ID, the CPU 18 repeats step S22. If there is a matching device ID, the CPU 18 sends the electronic device 2 corresponding to the device ID included in the message to the outlet 12 with respect to the electronic device 2 or the proxy computer 3 that is the transmission source of the connection inquiry message. A response notifying that it is connected is returned (step S23). Thereafter, the CPU 18 specifies (extracts) the outlet 12 having the outlet ID associated with the device ID included in the connection inquiry message and stored in the device information storage unit 110, and specifies the specified outlet 12. A light emission control signal is transmitted to the light emitting unit 16 provided in correspondence with the light emitting unit 16, and in response to this, the light emitting unit 16 emits light (step S24), and the process ends. Steps S23 and S24 may be executed in parallel. The user (operator) of the electronic device 2 or the proxy computer 3 can easily recognize which outlet is connected to the electronic device 2 corresponding to the device ID by watching the light emission of the light emitting unit 16. Can do.

  FIG. 6B is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process of stopping power supply to the electronic device 2 executed by the outlet box 1 of the present invention.

  The network control unit 19 of the outlet box 1 receives a stop command from the management server 4 (step S31) and sends it to the CPU 18. CPU18 which received the stop command stops the electric power supply to the electronic device 2 according to the said stop command (step S32). Specifically, the CPU 18 refers to the setting information set in the stop instruction, and specifies the outlet ID having the device ID and the stop delay time included in the setting information. Then, the CPU 18 outputs a control signal for stopping the power supply to the outlet 12 having the specified outlet ID to the output control unit 14 at a timing according to the stop delay time. In response to this, the output control unit 14 stops the power supply to the outlet 12 at the timing. According to this stop process, the outlet box 1 receives an instruction from the management server 4 and corresponds to the electronic device 2 that needs to be stopped connected to the outlet box 1. The power supply to the electronic device 2 can be stopped at a timing according to the delay time.

  FIG. 6C is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process for starting power supply to the electronic device executed by the outlet box 1 of the present invention.

  The network control unit 19 of the outlet box 1 receives an activation command from the management server 4 (step S41) and sends it to the CPU 18. CPU18 which received the starting command starts the electric power supply to the electronic device 2 according to the said starting command (step S42). Specifically, the CPU 18 refers to the setting information set in the activation command and identifies the outlet ID having the device ID and the activation delay time included in the setting information. Then, the CPU 18 outputs a control signal for starting power supply to the outlet 12 having the specified outlet ID to the output control unit 14 at a timing according to the activation delay time. In response to this, the output control unit 14 starts supplying power to the outlet 12 at this timing. According to this starting process, the outlet box 1 receives an instruction from the management server 4 and corresponds to the electronic device 2 connected to the outlet box 1 that needs to be activated. Power supply to the electronic device 2 can be started at a timing according to the delay time.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of transmission processing of a stop command or a start command in the management server.

  The device information collection unit 40 of the management server 4 transmits a connection inquiry message for requesting device information to the outlet box 1 (step S51), and receives device information from the outlet box 1 as a response thereto (step S51). S52). This device information is transmitted in step S23 of FIG. The device information collection unit 40 sends the received device information to the setting information generation unit 41. The setting information generation unit 41 acquires management information corresponding to the device information received in step S52 among the management information stored in advance in the management information storage unit 43 (step S53). Specifically, the setting information generation unit 41 searches the management information storage unit 43 shown in FIG. 2B using the device type included in the management information shown in FIG. 2A as a key, and corresponds to the device type. Acquire management information. Then, the setting information generation unit 41 generates setting information based on the device information received in step S52 and the management information acquired in step S53, and stores it in the setting information storage unit 44 (step S54). Actually, steps S51 to S54 are periodically executed, so that the setting information storage unit 44 is brought to the latest state.

  The command transmission unit 42 determines whether or not the electronic device 2 needs to be stopped or started in accordance with, for example, an operation input by an operator of the system (step S55). If it is not necessary to stop or start the electronic device 2, the command transmission unit 42 repeats Step S55. When the electronic device 2 needs to be stopped or started, the command transmission unit 42 generates a stop command or a start command (step S56). At this time, the command transmission unit 42 further acquires setting information corresponding to the electronic device 2 that is determined to be required to be stopped or started among the setting information stored in the setting information storage unit 44, and acquires the acquired setting. Set information to stop or start command. Thereafter, the command transmission unit 42 transmits the generated stop command or start command to the outlet box 1 (step S57), and then repeats step S51 and subsequent steps. This stop command is received in step S31 in FIG. 6B, and the start command is received in step S41 in FIG. 6C.

  As described above, according to the present invention, even when a large number of electronic devices are connected to a large number of outlets, for example, in an office or the like, the user of the electronic device can determine which outlet the electronic device is connected to. Can be recognized.

  Further, according to the present invention, the power supply system receives an instruction from an external device, and responds to a delay time corresponding to an electronic device connected to the power supply system that needs to be started or stopped. The power supply to the electronic device can be started or stopped at the determined timing. As a result, for example, in the situation where the client device, file server, and mail server are receiving power supply from the power supply system, if it is necessary to stop the entire system such as an emergency, in order to stop the entire system safely, The client device can be stopped immediately, the file server can be stopped a little later than the client device, and the mail server can be stopped last.

It is a figure which shows an example of the system configuration | structure of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of apparatus information, management information, and setting information. It is a perspective view of an outlet box. It is a figure which shows the upper side figure, front view, and side view of an outlet socket. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the basic operation | movement of an outlet box. It is a flowchart which shows the characteristic operation processing of an outlet box. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the transmission process of a stop command or a start command.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Outlet box 2 Electronic device 3 Proxy computer 4 Management server 5 Network 6 Commercial power supply 11 Outlet part 12 Outlet 13 Detachment detection switch 14 Output control part 15 Power measurement part 16 Light emission part 17 Equipment information reading part 18 CPU
19 Network control unit 21 Computer 22 Power plug 23 RFID tag

Claims (2)

An outlet connected to an electronic device and supplying power;
The identification information of the electronic device stored in the wireless tag attached to the power plug of the electronic device connected to the outlet is acquired, and the acquired identification information of the electronic device is connected to the electronic device. Device information acquisition means for storing correspondence information with outlet identification information;
When a connection inquiry message about an electronic device is received via a network, an outlet to which the electronic device is connected is based on the identification information of the electronic device included in the connection inquiry message and the stored correspondence information. And a control means for causing a light emitting means provided in association with the specified outlet to emit light. The power supply system is further connected via a network to a server that instructs to start or stop the electronic device;
The server is
Device information collecting means for collecting the device information from the power supply system via the network;
Based on the collected device information and the management information of the electronic device stored in advance in the storage means, correspondence information between the identification information of the electronic device, the identification information of the outlet, the stop delay time and the start delay time of the electronic device. Setting information generating means for generating as setting information and storing it in the setting information storage means;
It is determined whether the electronic device needs to be started or stopped, generates an electronic device start command or a stop command that is determined to be required to start or stop, and sets setting information corresponding to the electronic device. Instruction transmitting means for acquiring from the setting information storage means, setting the setting information in the start instruction or stop instruction, and transmitting the start instruction or stop instruction set by the setting information to the power supply system via the network And
The control means included in the power supply system further provides power to the electronic device from an outlet connected to the electronic device determined to be necessary to start or stop according to the start command or the stop command transmitted from the server. The power supply system according to claim 1, wherein the supply is started or stopped.

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