JP2010039734A - Communication system, line concentrator and connection equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication system, a line concentrator and connection equipment for properly ending the supply of an auxiliary power to be supplied from an auxiliary power source without making it necessary to manage connection equipment connected to the auxiliary power source. <P>SOLUTION: The line concentrator 20 is provided with: a communication part 26 for performing data communication with connection equipment 30 through a communication line 60; a power supply part 25 for supplying a power to the connection equipment 30 through the communication line 60; a modulation part 23 for, when a main power is switched to an auxiliary power, modulating a power to be supplied from the power supply part 25 to the connection equipment 30 into a prescribed pattern; a detection part 28 for detecting whether or not a link for performing data communication is set to the connection equipment 30 through the communication line 60; and a UPS interface 22 for, when any link set to the connection equipment 30 does not exist, instructing an UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) 10 to end the supply of the auxiliary power. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication system, a line concentrator, and a connection device that are operated by main power supplied from a main power source and include a line concentrator connected to an auxiliary power source and a connection device connected to the line concentrator.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a connection device such as a personal computer that operates with main power (for example, AC power) supplied from a main power source (for example, AC power) is known. There are cases where the supply of AC power stops due to disasters or construction. An auxiliary power supply that supplies auxiliary power to a connected device when an AC power supply stop (that is, a power failure) occurs is also known. The auxiliary power supply is a UPS (Uninterruptable Power Supply) that supplies auxiliary power without requiring continuous supply of AC power.

  The auxiliary power is used for a preparation operation (hereinafter referred to as a shutdown operation) for stopping the operation of the connected device. The auxiliary power supply ends the supply of auxiliary power when the shutdown operation ends (for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3).

Here, a case where a plurality of connected devices are connected to an auxiliary power source via a concentrator such as a hub is also conceivable. In such a case, the auxiliary power supply ends the supply of the auxiliary power after the shutdown operation of all the connected devices is completed.
JP 2005-4379 A JP 2007-148781 A JP-A-2005-34518

  By the way, the auxiliary power source needs to detect the end of the shutdown operation of all the connected devices. Therefore, the auxiliary power source needs to grasp in advance all the connected devices connected to the auxiliary power source. That is, all connected devices connected to the auxiliary power source must be registered in the auxiliary power source.

  In cases where connection / disconnection of connected devices occurs, management of the connected devices connected to the auxiliary power supply is complicated.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and appropriately supplies auxiliary power supplied from the auxiliary power supply without requiring management of the connected device connected to the auxiliary power supply. It is an object of the present invention to provide a communication system, a line concentrator, and a connection device that can be terminated.

  A communication system according to a first feature operates by main power supplied from a main power source, and includes a line concentrator connected to an auxiliary power source, and a connection device connected to the line concentrator via a communication line. The line concentrator includes a first communication unit (communication unit 26) that performs data communication with the connection device via the communication line, and a power supply unit (power supply unit 25) that supplies power to the connection device via the communication line. And a modulation unit (modulation) that modulates power supplied from the power supply unit to the connected device into a predetermined pattern when the main power supplied from the main power source is switched to auxiliary power supplied from the auxiliary power source. Unit 23), a first detection unit (detection unit 28) for detecting whether or not a link for performing the data communication is set with the connection device via the communication line, and supplying to the connection device An instruction unit (UPS interface 2) for instructing the auxiliary power supply to end the supply of the auxiliary power when the link set with the connected device does not exist after the power is modulated into the predetermined pattern. ) And a. The connection device includes a second communication unit (communication unit 32) that performs data communication with the line concentrator via the communication line, and a power reception unit (power reception unit) that receives power supply from the line concentrator via the communication line. 31), a second detection unit (detection unit 33) for detecting whether or not the power supplied from the line concentrator via the communication line is modulated in the predetermined pattern, and is supplied from the line concentrator And a control unit (control unit 34) that performs a shutdown operation that is a preparatory operation for stopping the operation of the connected device when power is modulated in a predetermined pattern. The second communication unit releases a link for performing the data communication when the shutdown operation is finished.

  According to such a feature, the main power is switched to the auxiliary power depending on whether or not the power supplied from the concentrator is modulated in a predetermined pattern, not the data communication that requires designation of the destination. Is detected. Therefore, the line concentrator can notify the connected device that the main power has been switched to the auxiliary power without knowing the connected device connected to the own device.

  The line concentrator detects the end of the shutdown operation of the connected device based on whether or not there is a link set with the connected device, not data communication that requires designation of a destination. Therefore, the line concentrator can instruct the auxiliary power supply to end the supply of the auxiliary power without knowing the connected device connected to the own apparatus.

  The line concentrator according to the second feature is operated by main power supplied from the main power source, is connected to the connection device via the communication line, and is connected to the auxiliary power source. The line concentrator includes a first communication unit (communication unit 26) that performs data communication with the connection device via the communication line, and a power supply unit (power supply unit 25) that supplies power to the connection device via the communication line. And a modulation unit (modulation unit) that modulates the power supplied from the power supply unit to the connected device into a predetermined pattern when the main power supplied from the main power source is switched to auxiliary power supplied from the auxiliary power source. 23), a first detection unit (detection unit 28) for detecting whether or not a link for performing the data communication is set with the connected device via the communication line, and power supplied to the connected device After the signal is modulated into the predetermined pattern, an instruction unit (UPS interface 22) for instructing the auxiliary power supply to end the supply of the auxiliary power when the link set with the connected device does not exist Equipped with a.

  The connection device according to the third feature is connected to the line concentrator via a communication line. The connected device includes a second communication unit (communication unit 32) that performs data communication with the line concentrator via the communication line, and a power receiving unit (power reception unit 31) that receives power supply from the line concentrator via the communication line. ), A second detector (detector 33) for detecting whether or not the power supplied from the line concentrator via the communication line is modulated into a predetermined pattern, and the power supplied from the line concentrator And a control unit (control unit 34) that performs a shutdown operation that is a preparatory operation for stopping the operation of the connected device when modulated in a predetermined pattern. The second communication unit releases a link for performing the data communication when the shutdown operation is finished.

  According to the present invention, a communication system, a concentrator, and a connection that can appropriately terminate the supply of auxiliary power supplied from the auxiliary power supply without requiring management of connection devices connected to the auxiliary power supply Provide equipment.

  Hereinafter, a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals.

  However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic and ratios of dimensions and the like are different from actual ones. Therefore, specific dimensions and the like should be determined in consideration of the following description. Moreover, it is a matter of course that portions having different dimensional relationships and ratios are included between the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
(Configuration of communication system)
The communication system according to the first embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a communication system according to the first embodiment.

  The communication system includes a UPS 10, a line concentrator 20, and a plurality of connection devices 30 (connection devices 30a to 30c).

  A UPS 10 (Uninterruptable Power Supply) is an uninterruptible power supply connected to an AC power supply. The AC power source is an example of a commercial power source. It should be noted that AC power supplied from the AC power supply may stop due to a disaster or construction (power failure). Details of the UPS 10 will be described later (see FIG. 2).

  The line concentrator 20 is connected to the UPS 10 and is connected to a plurality of connected devices 30. The line concentrator 20 is, for example, a device such as a hub or a router. The line concentrator 20 is operated by the main power supplied from the UPS 10 when no power failure occurs. The line concentrator 20 operates with auxiliary power supplied from the UPS 10 when a power failure occurs.

  The line concentrator 20 is connected to the line concentrator 20 via the power line 40 and the communication line 50. The line concentrator 20 is supplied with power from the UPS 10 via the power line 40. The line concentrator 20 performs data communication with the UPS 10 via the communication line 50.

  The line concentrator 20 is connected to each connection device 30 via the communication line 60. The line concentrator 20 is connected to the connection device 30a via the communication line 60a. Similarly, the line concentrator 20 is connected to the connection device 30b and the connection device 30c via the communication line 60b and the communication line 60c.

  The line concentrator 20 performs data communication with each connection device 30 via each communication line 60. The line concentrator 20 supplies power to each connection device 30 via each communication line 60. Thus, each communication line 60 is used not only for data communication but also for power supply. Details of the concentrator 20 will be described later (see FIG. 3).

  The connection device 30 is connected to the line concentrator 20 via the communication line 60. The connection device 30 is, for example, a personal computer or an external HDD (Hard Disk Drive). In the first embodiment, the connection device 30a to the connection device 30c have the same configuration. Therefore, it should be noted that these are collectively referred to as the connected device 30 as necessary.

  Each connection device 30 performs data communication with the line concentrator 20 via each communication line 60. Each connection device 30 is supplied with electric power from the line concentrator 20 via each communication line 60. Details of the connection device 30 will be described later (see FIG. 4).

  In the first embodiment, the line concentrator 20 and the connection device 30 have a PoE (Power Over Ethernet (registered trademark)) function defined by IEEE 802.3-2005 and IEEE 802.3at. That is, the line concentrator 20 functions as a power feeding device (PSE) having a PoE function. The connected device 30 functions as a power receiving device (PD; Powered Device) having a PoE function.

(Configuration of auxiliary power supply)
Hereinafter, the auxiliary power supply according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the UPS 10 according to the first embodiment.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, the UPS 10 includes a main power supply unit 11, an auxiliary power supply unit 12, a power failure detection unit 13, and a switch 14.

  The main power supply unit 11 is connected to an AC power supply and receives AC power. The main power supply unit 11 supplies main power to the line concentrator 20 by AC power. For example, the main power supply unit 11 includes an AC / DC converter.

  The auxiliary power supply unit 12 is configured to be able to supply power without requiring continuous supply of AC power. The auxiliary power supply unit 12 supplies auxiliary power to the line concentrator 20 when a situation (power failure) occurs in which the supply of AC power stops. For example, the auxiliary power supply unit 12 includes a capacitor, a generator, and the like.

  As will be described later, when there is no link for data communication between the line concentrator 20 and the connection device 30, the line concentrator 20 transmits a signal indicating that no link exists to the UPS 10. The auxiliary power supply unit 12 ends the supply of auxiliary power when there is no link for performing data communication between the line concentrator 20 and the connection device 30.

  The power failure detection unit 13 detects whether or not a situation (power failure) has occurred in which the supply of AC power stops. When detecting a power failure, the power failure detection unit 13 notifies the switch 14 that a power failure has been detected. Similarly, when a power failure is detected, the power failure detection unit 13 transmits a signal indicating that a power failure has been detected to the line concentrator 20 via the communication line 50.

  The switch 14 switches the power supplied to the line concentrator 20 via the power line 40. Specifically, the switch 14 supplies main power supplied from the main power supply unit 11 to the line concentrator 20 when a power failure is not detected. The switch 14 supplies auxiliary power supplied from the auxiliary power supply unit 12 to the line concentrator 20 when a power failure is detected.

(Configuration of concentrator)
Hereinafter, the concentrator according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the concentrator 20 according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the concentrator 20 includes a power supply unit 21, a UPS interface 22, a modulation unit 23, a superposition unit 24, a power feeding unit 25, a communication unit 26, a superposition unit 27, and a detection unit 28. And have.

  The power supply unit 21 is connected to the UPS 10 via the power line 40. The power supply unit 21 receives power from the UPS 10. The power received by the power supply unit 21 is main power or auxiliary power. The power supply unit 21 supplies power to each component provided in the concentrator 20. For example, the power supply unit 21 supplies power to the power supply unit 25.

  The UPS interface 22 is connected to the UPS 10 via the communication line 50. The UPS interface 22 receives various signals from the UPS 10. For example, the UPS interface 22 receives a signal indicating that a power failure has been detected.

  The UPS interface 22 transmits various signals to the UPS 10. The UPS interface 22 transmits a signal indicating that there is no link for performing data communication between the line concentrator 20 and the connection device 30 to the UPS 10. That is, the UPS interface 22 instructs the UPS 10 to end the supply of auxiliary power.

  The modulation unit 23 modulates power supplied from the power supply unit 21 to the power supply unit 25. That is, the modulation unit 23 modulates the power supplied from the power supply unit 25 to the connection device 30 via the communication line 60.

  Specifically, the modulation unit 23 modulates the power supplied from the power supply unit 21 to the power supply unit 25 into a predetermined pattern in accordance with a signal indicating that a power failure has been detected. That is, the modulation unit 23 modulates the power supplied from the power supply unit 25 to the connected device 30 into a predetermined pattern when the main power is switched to the auxiliary power.

  For example, the predetermined pattern is a pattern in which the polarity of the power in the case where the main power is supplied is reversed. The modulation unit 23 outputs a signal for modulating the power to a predetermined pattern to the superposition unit 24.

  The superimposing unit 24 superimposes the signal acquired from the modulation unit 23 on the power supplied from the power supply unit 21 to the power supply unit 25.

  The power supply unit 25 supplies power to the connection device 30 via the communication line 60. Specifically, the power supply unit 25 supplies the power supplied from the power supply unit 21 to the connected device 30. Note that the power feeding unit 25 is provided for each connected device 30.

  The communication unit 26 performs data communication with the connection device 30 via the communication line 60. Specifically, the communication unit 26 sets a link for performing data communication with the connection device 30, and then performs data communication via the link. Note that the communication unit 26 is provided for each connected device 30.

  The type of link depends on the function of the line concentrator 20. For example, when the line concentrator 20 is a hub, the type of link is a link corresponding to the data link layer (second layer).

  The superimposing unit 27 superimposes the signal transmitted from the communication unit 26 to the connected device 30 on the power supplied from the power supply unit 25 to the connected device 30. The superimposing unit 27 outputs the power on which the signal is superimposed on the communication line 60. The superimposing unit 27 outputs a signal received from the connection device 30 via the communication line 60 to the communication unit 26.

  The detection unit 28 detects whether or not a link for performing data communication is set. The detection unit 28 detects whether or not a link is set for each communication unit 26 (connected device 30). The detection unit 28 notifies the UPS interface 22 that no link exists when the links of all the communication units 26 (connected devices 30) are not set.

  Whether or not the link is set can be detected by, for example, a signal periodically transmitted from the connection device 30 to the connection device 30. For example, the detection unit 28 can detect whether or not a link is set based on an “Idle signal (Idle code)” defined in IEEE 802.3. The “Idle signal (Idle code)” is a signal transmitted from the connected device 30 to the connected device 30 at a predetermined interval.

(Configuration of connected devices)
Hereinafter, the connection device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the connection device 30 according to the first embodiment.

  As illustrated in FIG. 4, the connection device 30 includes a power reception unit 31, a communication unit 32, a detection unit 33, a control unit 34, and a storage unit 35.

  The power receiving unit 31 receives power supply from the line concentrator 20 through the communication line 60. The power receiving unit 31 supplies power to each component configuring the connection device 30.

  The communication unit 32 performs data communication with the line concentrator 20 via the communication line 60. Specifically, the communication unit 32 sets a link for performing data communication with the line concentrator 20, and then performs data communication via the link. The communication unit 32 outputs a signal received from the line concentrator 20 to the control unit 34.

  As will be described later, the communication unit 32 releases the link set with the line concentrator 20 in accordance with the end of the shutdown operation. For example, the communication unit 32 stops transmission of the “Idle signal (Idle code)” defined in IEEE 802.3.

  The detection unit 33 detects whether or not the power supplied via the communication line 60 is modulated into a predetermined pattern. The detection unit 33 notifies the control unit 34 that power is modulated in a predetermined pattern.

  The control unit 34 controls each component configuring the connection device 30. The control unit 34 performs a preparatory operation (hereinafter, a shutdown operation) for stopping the operation of the connected device 30 in accordance with the fact that the power is modulated in a predetermined pattern. The shutdown operation is, for example, an operation of saving data stored in a volatile memory (not shown) to the storage unit 35. The shutdown operation is, for example, an operation of returning the position of a mechanical configuration (for example, a read head in the HDD) to an initial position.

  The control unit 34 instructs the communication unit 32 to release the link set with the line concentrator 20 in response to the end of the shutdown operation.

  The storage unit 35 is configured by a nonvolatile memory. The storage unit 35 stores, for example, a program for operating the control unit 34.

(Operation of communication system)
Hereinafter, the operation of the communication system according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the communication system according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in step 10, the UPS 10 detects a situation (power failure) in which the supply of AC power stops.

  In step 20, the UPS 10 transmits a signal indicating that a power failure has been detected to the line concentrator 20.

  In step 30, the line concentrator 20 modulates the power supplied to each connected device 30 into a predetermined pattern.

  In Step 40a to Step 40c, each connection device 30 detects that the power supplied from the line concentrator 20 is modulated into a predetermined pattern.

  In Step 50a to Step 50c, each connected device 30 performs a preparatory operation (hereinafter, a shutdown operation) for stopping the operation of the own device.

  In step 60a to step 60c, each connection device 30 releases the link set with the line concentrator 20.

  In step 70, the line concentrator 20 detects that there is no link for data communication with each connected device 30. That is, the concentrator 20 detects that all links have been released.

  In step 80, the line concentrator 20 instructs the UPS 10 to end the supply of auxiliary power.

  Here, it should be noted that the processing of step 30 and steps 40a to 40c is not performed in data communication that requires designation of a destination. Similarly, it should be noted that the processing in steps 60a to 60c and step 70 is not performed in data communication that requires designation of a destination.

(Function and effect)
In the first embodiment, the connected device 30 switches the main power to auxiliary power depending on whether or not the power supplied from the line concentrator 20 is modulated in a predetermined pattern, not data communication that requires designation of a destination. Detect that. Therefore, the line concentrator 20 can notify the connected device 30 that the main power has been switched to the auxiliary power without knowing the connected device 30 connected to the own device.

  The line concentrator 20 detects the end of the shutdown operation of the connected device 30 depending on whether or not there is a link set with the connected device 30 instead of data communication that requires designation of a destination. Accordingly, the line concentrator 20 can instruct the UPS 10 to end the supply of auxiliary power without knowing the connection device 30 connected to the own apparatus.

[Other Embodiments]
Although the present invention has been described with reference to the above-described embodiments, it should not be understood that the descriptions and drawings constituting a part of this disclosure limit the present invention. From this disclosure, various alternative embodiments, examples and operational techniques will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

  For example, a program that causes a computer to execute the operation of the line concentrator 20 may be provided. A storage medium storing such a program may be provided.

  Similarly, a program for causing a computer to execute the operation of the connected device 30 may be provided. A storage medium storing such a program may be provided.

  The UPS 10 supplies main power and auxiliary power to the line concentrator 20. However, the embodiment is not limited to this. The auxiliary power source that supplies auxiliary power to the line concentrator 20 may be provided in a device different from the main power source that supplies main power to the line concentrator 20.

1 is a diagram illustrating a communication system according to a first embodiment. 1 is a block diagram showing a UPS 10 according to a first embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the concentrator 20 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the connection apparatus 30 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows operation | movement of the communication system which concerns on 1st Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... UPS, 11 ... Main power supply part, 12 ... Auxiliary power supply part, 13 ... Power failure detection part, 14 ... Switch, 20 ... Concentrator, 21 ... Power supply part, 22 ... UPS interface, 23 ... modulation unit, 24 ... superimposition unit, 25 ... power feeding unit, 26 ... communication unit, 27 ... superimposition unit, 28 ... detection unit, 30 ... connected device, 31 ... power receiving unit, 32 ... communication unit, 33 ... detection unit, 34 ... control unit, 35 ... storage unit, 40 ... power line, 50 ...・ Communication line, 60 ... communication line

Claims (3)

A communication system that operates with main power supplied from a main power supply and includes a line concentrator connected to an auxiliary power supply, and a connection device connected to the line concentrator via a communication line,
The concentrator is
A first communication unit that performs data communication with the connection device via the communication line;
A power supply unit that supplies power to the connection device via the communication line;
When the main power supplied from the main power source is switched to auxiliary power supplied from the auxiliary power source, a modulation unit that modulates power supplied from the power supply unit to the connected device into a predetermined pattern;
A first detection unit for detecting whether a link for performing the data communication is set with the connection device via the communication line;
An instruction unit for instructing the auxiliary power supply to end the supply of the auxiliary power when the link to be set with the connected device does not exist after the power supplied to the connected device is modulated into the predetermined pattern; Have
The connection device is
A second communication unit that performs data communication with the line concentrator via the communication line;
A power receiving unit that receives power supply from the line concentrator via the communication line;
A second detector that detects whether or not the power supplied from the line concentrator via the communication line is modulated in the predetermined pattern;
A controller that performs a shutdown operation that is a preparatory operation for stopping the operation of the connected device when the power supplied from the line concentrator is modulated in a predetermined pattern;
The second communication unit releases a link for performing the data communication when the shutdown operation is finished. Operated by the main power supplied from the main power supply, connected to the connected device via the communication line, and connected to the auxiliary power supply,
A first communication unit that performs data communication with the connection device via the communication line;
A power supply unit that supplies power to the connection device via the communication line;
When the main power supplied from the main power source is switched to auxiliary power supplied from the auxiliary power source, a modulation unit that modulates power supplied from the power supply unit to the connected device into a predetermined pattern;
A first detection unit for detecting whether a link for performing the data communication is set with the connection device via the communication line;
An instruction unit for instructing the auxiliary power supply to end the supply of the auxiliary power when the link to be set with the connected device does not exist after the power supplied to the connected device is modulated into the predetermined pattern; A line concentrator comprising: A connection device connected to a line concentrator via a communication line,
A second communication unit that performs data communication with the line concentrator via the communication line;
A power receiving unit that receives power supply from the line concentrator via the communication line;
A second detector for detecting whether or not the power supplied from the line concentrator via the communication line is modulated into a predetermined pattern;
A controller that performs a shutdown operation that is a preparatory operation for stopping the operation of the connected device when the power supplied from the line concentrator is modulated in a predetermined pattern;
The second communication unit releases the link for performing the data communication when the shutdown operation is finished.

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