JP2010268185A - Power management system and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a power management system capable of presenting an effect in the case of performing power control of an apparatus that has not been subjected to power control yet, and an image forming apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: In the image forming apparatus, when a UI device or a communication control part receives an instruction to calculate an energy saving effect from a user (S101), a control part reads various tables stored in a storage part and acquires information necessary to calculate an energy saving effect (S102). The control part transfers the acquired information to an operation part and instructs the operation part to perform a predetermined operation (S103). An operation expression to be used when the operation part performs an operation is stored beforehand in the storage part, and the operation part reads the operation expression. When the operation part transfers an operation result to the control part, the control part displays the operation result (S104). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a power management system and an image forming apparatus.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a device that consumes power, a power monitoring terminal that monitors power consumption of the device, a device that controls the device, and a device based on control information for the device in a power monitoring system that uses a network. And a control device that calculates the estimated power consumption amount and transmits the estimated power consumption amount to the power monitoring terminal via the network.

JP 2007-33138 A

  Here, if it is not possible to grasp the effect of power control for a device that has not yet been subjected to power control, it is difficult to promote the construction or reconfiguration of the power control for that device. is there.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a power management system and an image forming apparatus capable of presenting an effect when power control is performed on a device for which power control is not yet performed.

The first aspect of the present invention is in charge of power management in the area where the first device is located, and is connected to be communicable with the first device, and receives an image formation instruction to form an image. An image forming apparatus, and a second image forming apparatus that is communicably connected to the first image forming apparatus and forms an image, wherein the first image forming apparatus has a time for the number of persons in the area. The storage means for storing the power fluctuation information that is information related to the power consumption of the first device that is determined in correspondence with the information on the fluctuation of the number of persons is stored. Power control means for performing power control of the first device by communication with the first device based on the information on the change in the number of persons, and the second image forming apparatus includes the storage device. The stored power consumption information is A second power unit that is located in another area other than the area and is not subjected to power control using the acquisition unit acquired by communication with the first image forming apparatus and the power consumption information acquired by the acquisition unit. And a calculating means for calculating a change amount of power consumption when power control is performed on the device.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, the acquisition unit of the second image forming apparatus communicates the number variation information and the power consumption information stored in the storage unit with the first image forming apparatus. 2. The acquisition unit according to claim 1, wherein the calculation unit of the second image forming apparatus calculates the amount of change using the number variation information and the power consumption information acquired by the acquisition unit. The power management system described in 1.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the computing unit of the second image forming apparatus is caused by the power control when the second image forming apparatus performs power control of the second device. The power management system according to claim 1, wherein an increase in power consumption of the second image forming apparatus is calculated.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first image forming apparatus, when the power control by the power control unit is performed, an evaluation unit that evaluates a change amount of the power consumption when the power control is not performed; The determination unit according to claim 1, further comprising: a determination unit that determines whether to perform power control by the power control unit according to an evaluation result by the evaluation unit. It is a power management system.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming unit that receives an image forming instruction and forms an image, and another power control unit that has an area in charge of power management and that is located in the area. Via the communication means, communication means for communicating with the image forming apparatus and power consumption information that is information related to the power consumption of the first device determined in correspondence with the number of people in the area are acquired. Consumption when performing power control of a second device that is located in another area other than the area and is not subjected to power control, using the acquisition unit that performs the acquisition and the power consumption information acquired by the acquisition unit And an arithmetic unit that calculates an amount of change in electric power.
The invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that the acquisition means acquires number fluctuation information indicating fluctuations of the number of persons in the area with the passage of time, and the calculation means includes the power consumption information acquired by the acquisition means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the change amount is calculated using the number variation information.
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, when the calculation unit performs power control of the second device, the calculation unit calculates an increase in power consumption of the image forming apparatus due to the power control. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus.
The invention according to claim 8 obtains information indicating fluctuations of the number of persons in the other area over time, and performs power control of a third device located in the other area based on the information. A power control unit, an evaluation unit that evaluates a change amount of power consumption of the third device when power control is performed by the power control unit, and an evaluation result by the evaluation unit; 8. The image according to claim 5, further comprising: a determination unit that determines whether to perform power control of the third device by the power control unit. Forming device.

According to the first aspect, compared with the case where the present invention is not adopted, it is possible to easily present the amount of change as an effect when power control is performed on a device that has not yet been subjected to power control.
According to claim 2, as compared with the case where the present invention is not adopted, the power consumption amount in the case of performing power control can be easily calculated without actually measuring the fluctuation of the number of people in other areas with the passage of time. It becomes possible.
According to the third aspect, it is possible to increase the accuracy of the amount of change to be presented as compared with the case where the present invention is not adopted.
According to the fourth aspect, compared with the case where the present invention is not adopted, it is possible to reduce the amount of power consumption that is increased by performing power control when there is no power control effect.
According to the fifth aspect, compared to the case where the present invention is not adopted, it is possible to easily present the amount of change as an effect when the power control is performed on a device that has not yet been subjected to the power control.
According to the sixth aspect, compared with the case where the present invention is not adopted, the power consumption amount in the case of performing the power control can be easily calculated without actually measuring the variation of the number of persons in other areas with the passage of time. It becomes possible.
According to the seventh aspect, it is possible to increase the accuracy of the amount of change to be presented as compared with the case where the present invention is not adopted.
According to the eighth aspect, compared to the case where the present invention is not adopted, it is possible to reduce the amount of power consumption that is increased by performing power control when there is no power control effect.

It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the power management system comprised using the image forming apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a block diagram explaining the structural example of a power line communication apparatus. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the structure of a unit part. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image forming apparatus. 6 is a graph illustrating power consumption associated with power management of peripheral devices by the image forming apparatus. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for energy saving effect calculation in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. It is a table | surface about the peripheral device arrange | positioned in an electric power management area. It is a table | surface about the peripheral device arrange | positioned in an electric power management area. It is a table | surface about the peripheral device arrange | positioned in an electric power management area. It is a table | surface about the peripheral device arrange | positioned in an electric power management area. It is a table | surface about the peripheral device arrange | positioned in an electric power management area. It is a table | surface about the peripheral device arrange | positioned in an electric power management area. It is a flowchart explaining an example of the control in the power management area which employ | adopts power management mode.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a power management system PS configured using the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.
As shown in the figure, the power management system PS is configured to perform power management for power management areas MA, MB, and MC. More specifically, each of the power management areas MA, MB, and MC is connected to each other via a communication network NW, and power management is performed by the image forming apparatuses 1A, 1B, and 1C that are supplied with power and form an image. .
As described above, in the power management system PS, the power management area MA is managed by the image forming apparatus 1A, and the power management area MB is managed by the image forming apparatus 1B. The power management of the MC is performed by the image forming apparatus 1C. That is, the image forming apparatuses 1A, 1B, and 1C also function as a power management apparatus.
The image forming apparatuses 1A, 1B, and 1C referred to here are apparatuses that print an image on a medium and output it as a printed document. The image forming apparatuses 1A, 1B, and 1C have basic functions such as a printer function, a copy function, a scanner function, and a communication function.
As an image forming method in the image forming apparatuses 1A, 1B, and 1C, for example, an electrophotographic method may be used, but other methods may be used.

Here, the image forming apparatuses 1A, 1B, and 1C are all connected to the communication network NW. That is, data can be transmitted and received between the image forming apparatuses 1A, 1B, and 1C through the communication network NW. The communication network NW mentioned here can be constituted by, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) based on Ethernet (registered trademark). The communication network NW is configured to be able to transmit and receive data by power line communications (PLC) using a power line (not shown). Such power line communication is performed by the power line communication device 7.
When data is transmitted from the transmission source to the transmission destination via the communication network NW, negotiation for establishing data communication between the two is performed. The term “negotiation” can also be said to mean that hardware devices exchange information regarding communication (communication conditions).

In the power management area MA, the above-described image forming apparatus 1A and a plurality of devices or peripheral devices in which power management is performed by the image forming apparatus 1A via the communication network NW are arranged. More specifically, the power management system PS recognizes the user's entry and exit as a room in the power management area MA as a device arranged in the power management area MA, for example, by an ID card owned by the user, An entry / exit management device 21 is provided for managing the number of people entering / leaving (entrance / exit information history).
In addition, the power management system PS includes a plurality of air conditioners or air conditioners 31 and 32 that consume power and adjust the air in the power management area MA as devices disposed in the power management area MA. A plurality of lights 41, 42, and 43 are installed on the ceiling in the power management area MA as lighting fixtures that consume light and emit light. In addition, the power management system PS is a device arranged in the power management area MA, and includes a printer 51 that consumes power when printing is accepted and a plurality of printers that consume power and perform arithmetic processing and the like. Terminal devices 61, 62, and 63.
Note that the terminal devices 61, 62, and 63 referred to here are devices that create image data and output them to the outside. For example, an input device for inputting data is used. As the terminal devices 61, 62, and 63, for example, personal computers and other computers are used.

In the power management area MA, each of the entrance / exit management device 21, air conditioners 31, 32, lighting 41, 42, 43, printer 51, and terminal devices 61, 62, 63 establishes a communication network NW with the image forming apparatus 1A. Via a communicable connection. More specifically, the power line communication device 7 is attached to the air conditioners 31 and 32 and the lights 41, 42 and 43. That is, the air conditioners 31 and 32 and the lights 41, 42 and 43 are configured to be communicable via the communication network NW by using the power line communication device 7. The configuration of the power line communication device 7 will be described later.
In addition, although illustration is abbreviate | omitted, electric power is supplied to the air conditioners 31 and 32 and the illuminations 41, 42, and 43 from the power line wired in the office from the electric power company. The power line communication device 7 transmits / receives data via the communication network NW using a power line (not shown) as a communication medium. A communication module necessary for power line communication may be arbitrarily added. Moreover, you may comprise by another communication method instead of power line communication.

In the power management area MB, in addition to the image forming apparatus 1B described above, an authentication device 24, air conditioners 34 and 35, lights 44 and 45, a printer 54, and terminal devices 64 and 65 are disposed. The authentication device 24 here is directly connected to the image forming apparatus 1B. And the authentication apparatus 24 recognizes the user who makes the inside of the power management area MB a room by an ID card, and sends the recognition result to the image forming apparatus 1B.
Each of the air conditioners 34 and 35, the printer 54, and the terminal devices 64 and 65 is connected to the communication network NW. Therefore, each of the air conditioners 34 and 35, the printer 54, and the terminal devices 64 and 65 can communicate with the image forming apparatus 1B via the communication network NW. More specifically, the power line communication device 7 is attached to the air conditioners 34 and 35. That is, the air conditioners 34 and 35 are configured to be communicable via the communication network NW by using the power line communication device 7.
The lights 44 and 45 are not connected to the communication network NW. For this reason, the illuminations 44 and 45 cannot communicate with the image forming apparatus 1B via the communication network NW.

Similarly, in the power management area MC, in addition to the image forming apparatus 1C described above, an air conditioner 37, lights 47, 48, and 49, a printer 57, and terminal devices 67, 68, and 69 are disposed.
In addition, each of the printer 57 and the terminal devices 67, 68, and 69 is connected to a communication network NW. Therefore, each of the printer 57 and the terminal devices 67, 68, and 69 can communicate with the image forming apparatus 1C via the communication network NW. Note that the air conditioner 37 and the lights 47, 48, and 49 are not connected to the communication network NW. Therefore, these devices can communicate with the image forming apparatus 1C via the communication network NW. Can not.

Here, the image forming apparatus 1A is in charge of power management in the area where the first device is located, is connected to be communicable with the first device, and receives an image formation instruction to form an image. When functioning as an example of a forming apparatus, image forming apparatus 1B or image forming apparatus 1C is communicably connected to the first image forming apparatus and functions as an example of a second image forming apparatus that forms an image. In that case, an example of the area where the first device is located is the power management area MA, and an example of the area other than the area is the power management area MB or the power management area MC. Examples of the first device include air-conditioners 31 and 32 and illuminations 41, 42, and 43 that are power-controlled by the image forming apparatus 1A, and examples of the second device are power-controlled. There is no illumination 44,45.
Further, when the image forming apparatus 1B functions as an example of the first image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus 1C functions as an example of the second image forming apparatus. In that case, an example of the area where the first device is located is the power management area MB, and an example of the area other than the area is the power management area MC. An example of the first device is an air conditioner 34 or 35 that is power-controlled by the image forming apparatus 1B. An example of the second device is an air-conditioner 37 or an illumination 47 that is not power-controlled. 48, 49.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the power line communication device 7. FIG. 4A is an external perspective view, and FIG.
As shown in the figure, the power line communication device 7 is connected to the apparatus main body 71, a power supply path 72 (see (b) in the figure) disposed inside the apparatus main body 71, and the power supply path 72. And a power cord 73 extending outward from the apparatus main body 71. In addition, the power line communication device 7 is provided at the tip of the power cord 73 and is provided on the outer surface of the power source plug (commercial power input unit, inlet) 74 and the device main body 71 connected to a power line outlet (not shown). And an outlet (output unit, outlet) 75 that outputs power from the path 72 to various devices (power monitored devices). The power supply path 72, the power cord 73, the power plug 74, and the outlet 75 can constitute power supply means.

  In addition, the power line communication device 7 includes a unit portion (see FIG. 2B) 76 between the power cord 73 and the outlet 75. The unit 76 can be called a power line communication unit, a power information detection unit, and the like. That is, the unit unit 76 as a power line communication unit transmits and receives a power line superimposed signal through a power line with another power line communication device connected by a power line (not shown). Further, the unit section 76 as power information detection means detects power consumption input through a power cord 73 from a power line (not shown). Thus, it can be said that the power line communication apparatus 7 is what added various intelligence functions to what is called a table tap.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the unit section 76.
As shown in the figure, the unit unit 76 includes a clamp coil 76a for detecting the current flowing in the power supply path 72, and a control unit (CPU for controlling power line communication while controlling based on the detection result of the clamp coil 76a. ) 76b.
The control unit 76b will be further described. The control unit 76b includes a power detection function unit 76b1 and a power line communication function unit 76b2. The power detection function unit 76b1 detects the power value by receiving the calculation result of the clamp coil 76a and performing calculation. The power line communication function unit 76b2 transmits and receives signals to and from the power supply path 72 according to a predetermined procedure.

  Further, the unit 76 converts the current of the power supply path 72 from alternating current to direct current, and transmits and receives between the direct current power supply section 76c that supplies a direct current to the control section 76b, and between the power supply path 72 and the control section 76b. And a power line communication filter 76d that cuts off signals other than the signal for use.

The unit section 76 includes a number setting section (setting means) 76e for setting a unit number of the unit section 76, a number of the apparatus main body 71, an identification number or a unique ID number (hereinafter abbreviated as a unit number). Yes. Further, the unit section 76 includes a storage section (storage means) 76g as a non-volatile memory (NVM (Non Volatile Memory)) for storing the unit number set by the number setting section 76e. Accordingly, the unit unit 76 stores, for example, a unit number preset in the manual setting by the number setting unit 76e at the time of shipment in the storage unit 76g.
Note that the storage unit 76g as a non-volatile memory here refers to a unit that can rewrite data and retain data after the power is turned off, for example, flash memory, EEPROM (Electronically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory). Etc. can be used.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the image forming apparatuses 1A, 1B, and 1C (also collectively referred to as the image forming apparatus 1).
As shown in the figure, the image forming apparatuses 1A, 1B, and 1C according to the present embodiment process a acquired image and print it on a sheet, and a display screen that displays a predetermined image. And a UI device 82 having an operation panel operated by a user.
The image forming apparatuses 1A, 1B, and 1C include an image reading apparatus 83 that includes a scanner that reads an image to be processed, and a control unit 84 that controls various processes performed by the image forming apparatuses 1A, 1B, and 1C. And.
The control unit 84 includes a device control unit 85 that controls the entire device, a communication control unit 86 that controls data communication via the communication network NW, and a device power control unit 87 that performs power control of devices in its own management area. And is composed of.

A configuration example of the control unit 84 will be additionally described. As the control unit 84, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (not shown) that executes digital arithmetic processing according to a predetermined operation control program (firmware), a processing program that functions as a working memory of the CPU, and is executed by the CPU And a memory (not shown) in which data such as setting values used in the processing program are stored. This memory can be composed of, for example, a flash memory or an EEPROM.
As another example of the configuration of the control unit 84, an integrated circuit for power control using an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) can be considered. With this configuration, the circuit can be operated alone without using the CPU, memory, or the like included in the image forming apparatus 1.

The image forming apparatuses 1A, 1B, and 1C include a storage unit 88 that stores acquired data and the like. The storage unit 88 stores information necessary for power management of the device. More specifically, the storage unit 88 includes various tables 91A, 92A, 93A, 91B, 92B, 93B, 95B, 96B, 91C, 92C, 93C, 94C, 95C, and 96C (described later with reference to FIGS. 7 to 12). ). These tables 91A to 93A, 91B to 93B, 95B to 96B, 91C to 96C are shared among the image forming apparatuses 1A, 1B, and 1C, and other image forming apparatuses 1A, 1B, and 1C are used. It is possible to utilize the information of.
The storage unit 88 reads various stored tables 91A to 93A, 91B to 93B, 95B to 96B, and 91C to 96C in accordance with instructions from the control unit 84.
In addition, the storage unit 88 is a non-volatile memory (NVM (Non Volatile Memory)) and can rewrite data and retain data after the power is turned off. As the storage unit 88, for example, a flash memory, an EEPROM (Electronically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory), or the like can be used.

  More specifically, the device control unit 85 controls a mode (operation mode) related to the operation state of the device body. Examples of this operation mode include a warm-up mode when the power of the image forming apparatuses 1A, 1B, and 1C is turned on, a run mode that executes a generated job, and a standby mode that waits for the occurrence of a job, Low power mode (low power mode) that shifts to reduce power consumption when standby mode is continued for a predetermined time, and further reduces power consumption when low power mode is continued for a predetermined time Therefore, there is a sleep mode (CPU-OFF mode) that is shifted to. Note that the run mode and the standby mode can be referred to as a normal mode that operates in a normal operation state, and the low power mode and the sleep mode can be referred to as a power saving mode (power saving mode, power saving state). . The power consumption in the power saving mode is lower than the power consumption in the normal mode, and in the power saving mode, the power consumption in the sleep mode (sleep power) is lower than the power consumption in the low power mode. That is, the power consumption in the sleep mode is the lowest among these modes.

Here, FIG. 5 is a graph illustrating power consumption associated with power management of peripheral devices by the image forming apparatuses 1A, 1B, and 1C. (A) of the figure is a graph showing power consumption when the image forming apparatuses 1A, 1B, and 1C perform power management when in the power saving mode, and (b) shows power management when in the normal mode. It is a graph which shows the power consumption in the case of performing. In both (a) and (b), the vertical axis represents power consumption and the horizontal axis represents elapsed time.
As shown in the figure, the power management mode M1 for performing power management is executed every time a predetermined time T elapses. As shown in FIG. 5A, when the power management mode M1 is executed when the image forming apparatuses 1A, 1B, and 1C are in the energy saving mode or the energy saving mode M2, the power management mode M1 is being executed. The power consumption temporarily increases by an increase Q. That is, the management power amount or the increased power amount (Wh) corresponding to the increase Q is added to the power consumption amount (Wh) of the image forming apparatuses 1A, 1B, and 1C. If it demonstrates with a specific example, if the power consumption in the energy-saving mode M2 is 2W and the power consumption in the power management mode M1 is 42W, the increase Q will be 40W.
In addition, in the power management mode here, for example, in addition to detecting the number of people entering and leaving the room and the power consumption of the peripheral devices, energy saving management operations such as energy saving judgment and energy saving instruction (power control) for the peripheral devices are performed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, even when the power management mode is executed when the image forming apparatuses 1A, 1B, and 1C are in the normal mode, the power consumption in the normal mode is higher than that in the power management mode M1. There are many.
More specifically, when the image forming apparatuses 1A, 1B, and 1C are in the standby mode M3, if there is a print instruction, the mode is shifted to the run mode (copy mode) M4, and when the printing is completed, the mode is shifted to the standby mode M3. . The power consumption in the standby mode M3 and the run mode M4 is larger than that in the power management mode M1. Therefore, even if the power management mode M1 is executed in the standby mode M3 or the run mode M4 (normal mode, operation mode), the power consumption (Wh) of the image forming apparatuses 1A, 1B, 1C does not increase.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for energy saving effect calculation in the image forming apparatuses 1B and 1C according to the present embodiment. The energy saving effect calculation here refers to how much power consumption is reduced when a peripheral device that is not the target of the energy saving management operation in the power management mode M1 is the target of the energy saving management operation. It is for calculating the standard. In the case of the present embodiment, the peripheral devices referred to here include lightings 44 and 45 (see FIG. 1) in the power management area MB, air conditioning 37 and lightings 47, 48, and 49 (see FIG. 1) in the power management area MC. This corresponds to FIG.
To explain in more detail, when judging whether or not new energy-saving management should be performed for peripheral devices that have not been energy-saving managed until now, the amount of power consumption can be reduced by introducing energy-saving management. It is useful to understand the effects of such introduction. However, it is generally not easy to calculate such an introduction effect due to circumstances such as different usage environments. In the present embodiment, a processing procedure that easily calculates such an introduction effect is adopted.

In the flowchart shown in the figure, in the image forming apparatuses 1B and 1C (see FIG. 1), when the UI device 82 or the communication control unit 86 (see FIG. 4) receives an instruction for calculating the energy saving effect from the user (step 101), the control is performed. The unit 84 (see FIG. 4) reads various tables 91A to 93A, 91B to 93B, 95B to 96B, 91C to 96C stored in the storage unit 88 (see FIG. 4), and is necessary for calculating the energy saving effect. Information is acquired (step 102).
The necessary information mentioned here may include information on power consumption and operating time of the air conditioners 34, 35, and 37 and the lights 44, 45, 47, 48, and 49. In addition, the air-conditioners 34 and 35 that are power-controlled by the image forming apparatus 1B are power-controlled by the image forming apparatus 1B so that the operation state changes according to the number of people in the power management section MB. That is, if the number of people in the power management section MB is large, the power consumption of the air conditioners 34 and 35 is large. Conversely, if the number of people is small, the power consumption is small.
Information indicating the number of people in the power management section MB is acquired by the image forming apparatus 1B through the authentication device 24 (see FIG. 1).
More specifically, if the image forming apparatuses 1B and 1C can acquire the necessary information described above by using the tables 91B, 92B, 93B, 91C, 92C, and 93C for the power management areas MB and MC managed by the image forming apparatuses 1B and 1C, There is no need to refer to. If necessary information cannot be acquired, another table 91A or the like is referred to.

Then, the control unit 84 passes the acquired information to the calculation unit 89 (see FIG. 4), and instructs to perform a predetermined calculation (step 103). Note that the arithmetic expression used when the arithmetic unit 89 calculates is stored in the storage unit 88 in advance, and the arithmetic unit 89 reads out the arithmetic expression.
When the calculation unit 89 passes the calculation result to the control unit 84, the control unit 84 displays the calculation result (step 104). For example, the device control unit 85 displays the calculation result on the UI device 82, the communication control unit 86 transmits the data via the communication network NW, and the transmission destination displays the calculation result.

Next, the tables 91A to 93A, 91B to 93B, 95B to 96B, 91C to 96C and calculation contents will be described.
Here, “time of entering room ratio” in the tables 93A, 93B, 93C is an example of the number fluctuation information indicating the fluctuation of the number of persons in the power management areas MA, MB, MC with the passage of time, and the tables 91A, 92A. , 91B, 95B, 94C, 95C is an example of power consumption information, which is information related to the power consumption of the first device, which is determined in accordance with the number of people variation information.
More specifically, the storage unit 88 (see FIG. 4) of the image forming apparatuses 1A and 1B functions as an example of a storage unit that stores the number change information and the power consumption information. In addition, the device power control unit 87 (see FIG. 4) of the image forming apparatuses 1A and 1B performs power control of the first device by communication with the first device based on the number of people fluctuation information stored by the storage unit. It functions as an example of power control means to be performed.
More specifically, the communication control unit 86 (see FIG. 4) of the image forming apparatuses 1B and 1C is an example of an acquisition unit that acquires power consumption information stored by the storage unit through communication with the first image forming apparatus. Function. In addition, the arithmetic unit 89 (see FIG. 4) of the image forming apparatuses 1B and 1C uses the power consumption information acquired by the acquisition unit to locate power in a region other than the region where the first device is located. It functions as an example of a computing unit that computes the amount of change in power consumption when power control is performed on a second device that is not being controlled. The energy saving effects ΔA, ΔB, and ΔC are examples of the amount of change in power consumption when power control is performed on the second device.
In addition, the arithmetic unit 89 (see FIG. 4) of the image forming apparatuses 1B and 1C allows the second image forming apparatus resulting from power control when the second image forming apparatus performs power control of the second device. It also functions as an example of a calculation means for calculating an increase in power consumption.

7 and 8 are tables for the peripheral devices arranged in the power management area MA, and FIGS. 9 and 10 are tables for the peripheral devices arranged in the power management area MB. 11 and 12 are tables of peripheral devices disposed in the power management area MC.
First, the power management area MA will be described with reference to FIGS.
The table 91A shown in FIG. 7A has information on energy saving conditions, levels, and reduced power for each of the air conditioners 31 and 32 (see FIG. 1). In addition, the table 92A shown in FIG. 7B has information on energy saving conditions, levels, and reduced power for each of the illuminations 41, 42, and 43 (see FIG. 1). Power control by the image forming apparatus 1A is performed on the air conditioners 31 and 32 and the lights 41, 42, and 43. That is, the operating states of the air conditioners 31 and 32 and the lights 41, 42, and 43 are changed according to the ratio of the number of people in the power management section MA. This room attendance ratio is the ratio of the number of people entering the room to the number of people. Information on the number of people entering the power management section MA is grasped by the entrance / exit management device 21 (see FIG. 1).

This will be described more specifically. Referring to the table 91A (see FIG. 7A), the air conditioning 31, 32 is "OFF" when the occupancy ratio is 0%, and is "weak" when it is 1% to 30%. When it is 31% or more, it becomes “medium”.
When the occupancy ratio is 0%, the reduced power of the air conditioner 31 is 200 W, and the reduced power of the air conditioner 32 is 180 W. Moreover, when the occupancy ratio is 1% to 30%, the reduced power of the air conditioner 31 is 50 W, and the reduced power of the air conditioner 32 is 45 W. Moreover, when the occupancy ratio is 31% or more, the reduced power of the air conditioners 31 and 32 is 0 W. The reduced power can be calculated from the power detected by the power detection function unit 76b1.

Further, referring to the table 92A (see FIG. 7B), the lighting 41, 42, 43 is “OFF” when the occupancy ratio is 0%, and “ON” when the ratio is 1% to 30%. ", And when it is 31% or more, it is" ON ". More specifically, the lighting 41 is shared by users in the power management section MA, and the lights 42 and 43 are for individual users in the power management section MA. Items shared by users are “half OFF” when the ratio is 1% to 30%.
When the occupancy ratio is 0%, the reduced power of the illumination 41 is 160 W, the reduced power of the illumination 42 is 160 W, and the reduced power of the illumination 43 is 160 W. Further, when the occupancy ratio is 1% to 30%, the reduced power of the illumination 41 is 80 W, and the reduced power of the illuminations 42 and 43 is 0 W. When the occupancy ratio is 31% or more, the reduced power of the lights 41, 42, and 43 are all 0W.

The table 93A shown in FIG. 8 includes the time (h) of the ratio of the number of people in each time zone, the reduced electric energy (Wh) for air conditioning, the reduced electric energy (Wh) for lighting (for individuals), and the reduced electric power for lighting (shared). Information on the amount (Wh), the decrease amount ΔA1 (Wh), the time (h) and the increase amount ΔA2 (Wh) in the power management mode, and the energy saving effect ΔA (Wh). These pieces of information are actually measured values obtained by actual measurement.
This will be described more specifically. Referring to the table 93A (see FIG. 8), the time zones are 3 from 8 o'clock to 12 o'clock (4 hours), 12 o'clock to 17 o'clock (5 hours), and 17 o'clock to 22 o'clock (5 hours). It is divided into two. And in the time zone from 8:00 to 12:00, the time of the occupancy ratio 0% is 0.5 hours, the time of the occupancy ratio 1-30% is 0.5 hours, and the time of the occupancy ratio 31% is 3 hours. Also, in the time zone from 12:00 to 17:00, the time when the occupancy ratio is 0% is 0 hour, the time when the occupancy ratio is 1-30% is 1 hour, and the time when the occupancy ratio is 31% is 4 hours. . In addition, in the time zone from 17:00 to 22:00, the time of the occupancy ratio 0% is 0.5 hours, the time of the occupancy ratio 1-30% is 2.5 hours, and the time of the occupancy ratio 31% is 2 hours.
In addition, the above-mentioned time slot | zone is a weekday (from Monday to Friday), Therefore, a power management mode is performed in the time slot | zone from 8:00 to 22:00 on a weekday. Further, the time zone other than this time zone, that is, the time zone from 22:00 to 8:00 on the next day can be considered in the same manner as the weekend (from Saturday to Sunday).

Based on the information described in each column of the tables 91A and 92A and the time column of the occupancy ratio of the table 93A, it is possible to calculate a numerical value to be entered in each column such as the amount of reduced air conditioning power. As a part of the table 93A, the time zone from 8:00 to 12:00 will be described with specific numerical values. It is possible to calculate similarly for other time zones.
When the occupancy ratio is 0%, the power consumption of the air conditioner 31 is 200 W × 0.5 h = 100 Wh, and the power consumption of the air conditioner 32 is 180 W × 0.5 h = 90 Wh. In addition, the power consumption of the air conditioner 31 when the occupancy ratio is 1 to 30% is 50 W × 0.5 h = 25 Wh, and the power consumption of the air conditioner 32 is 45 W × 0.5 h = 22.5 Wh. Therefore, the subtotal of the air conditioners 31 and 32 in this time zone is 100 Wh + 90 Wh + 25 Wh + 22.5 Wh = 237.5 Wh.
Further, the reduced electric energy for lighting (for personal use) and lighting (for common use) is calculated in the same manner, and a value of 160 Wh as the former subtotal and 120 Wh as the latter subtotal can be obtained.

The reduction amount ΔA1 is 237.5 Wh which is a subtotal of the reduced power amount column for air conditioning, 160 Wh which is a subtotal of the reduced power amount column for lighting (for personal use), and a reduced power amount column for lighting (shared). It is 517.5 Wh obtained by adding 120 Wh which is a subtotal (ΔA1 = 517.5 Wh). In other words, the power consumption amount of 517.5 Wh is reduced by the power control in the power management mode M1 by the image forming apparatus 1A.
On the other hand, when the image forming apparatus 1A performs such a power management mode M1, an increase in power consumption may occur. The power management mode M1 for performing power management is executed every time a predetermined time T (for example, 3 minutes) elapses (see FIG. 5). Referring to the table 93A (see FIG. 8), the total time in the power management mode M1 is 0.8 hours, and the increase amount ΔA2 is 40W × 0.8h = 32Wh (ΔA2 = 32Wh). The increase Q in FIG. 5 is 40W. These are all actually measured values.
Therefore, the energy saving effect ΔA (= ΔA1−ΔA2) in the time zone from 8:00 to 12:00 is 517.5 Wh−32 Wh = 485.5 Wh (ΔA = 485.5 Wh).

Next, the power management area MB will be described with reference to FIGS.
Tables 91B, 92B, and 95B shown in FIG. 9 have the same columns as the above-described table 91A (see FIG. 7). That is, the table 91B shown in FIG. 9A has information on energy saving conditions, levels, and reduced power for each of the air conditioners 34 and 35 (see FIG. 1).
Further, the table 92B shown in FIG. 9B has columns in which information on device attributes, energy saving conditions, levels, and reduced power can be written, but all are blank. That is, the lightings 44 and 45 (see FIG. 1) correspond to peripheral devices that do not perform energy saving management, and therefore have no information. Also for the power management area MB, in order to calculate the energy saving effect as in the power management area MA, necessary information is obtained by referring to other tables stored in the storage unit 88 for necessary information. More specifically, a table 95B shown in (c) of FIG. 9 is acquired as information necessary for calculating the energy saving effect. This table 95B is configured by utilizing actually measured values of the lights 41 and 42 located in the power management area MA. The increase Q varies depending on the image forming apparatus, and in this case is 50 W.

Each of the tables 93B and 96B shown in FIG. 10 has the same column as the table 93A (see FIG. 8) described above. In table 93B shown in FIG. 10 (a), values as actual measurement values are described for the time of the occupancy ratio ascertained by the authentication device 24 and the air-conditioners 34 and 35 performing energy saving management. . On the other hand, in the table 93B, values as actual measurement values are not described for the lights 44 and 45 that are not subjected to energy saving management. In the table 93B, a decrease amount ΔB1, a power management mode time and increase amount ΔB2, and an energy saving effect ΔB are calculated based on these actually measured values. The increase Q varies depending on the image forming apparatus, and in this case is 50 W.
Referring to the table 93B, the energy saving effect ΔB in the time zone from 12:00 to 17:00 is −50 Wh, which is a negative value. That is, even if energy-saving management of the air conditioners 34 and 35 is performed, the power consumption of the entire power management area MB does not decrease, and conversely, the power consumption increases. In such a case, as will be described later, a control (see FIG. 13) of not executing the energy saving management in the corresponding time zone can be considered.

The image forming apparatus 1B uses the table 93B shown in FIG. 10A to calculate the energy saving effect ΔB of the entire power management area MB when the lights 44 and 45 are energy-saving managed. A table 96B shown in FIG.
More specifically, the table 96B is configured by utilizing measured values for the lights 41 and 42 located in the power management area MA. That is, the value of the illumination 44 in the table 96B is an actual measurement value of the illumination 41, and the value of the illumination 45 is an actual measurement value of the illumination 42. Thus, the values of the illuminations 44 and 45 in the table 96B are predicted values based on the actually measured values of the illuminations 41 and 42.

And in the table 96B, the calculation result of the energy-saving effect (DELTA) B including the predicted value in illumination 44,45 is described. The calculation method is the same as in the power management area MA described above.
Referring to the table 96B, the energy saving effect ΔB in the time zone from 8:00 to 12:00 is 320 Wh. Further, it is −50 Wh in the time zone from 12:00 to 17:00, and 2330 Wh in the time zone from 17:00 to 22:00. From this energy saving effect ΔB, it can be seen that, in the time zone from 8 o'clock to 12 o'clock and from 17:00 to 22:00, if the lights 44 and 45 are energy-saving managed, there is a high possibility of reducing the amount of power consumption. On the other hand, in the time zone from 12:00 to 17:00, it can be seen that if the lights 44 and 45 are energy-saving managed, the power consumption is likely to increase.
Note that the time in the power management mode and the increase ΔB2 in the table 96B are the same as those in the table 93B.

Next, the power management area MC will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12.
The tables 91C, 92C, 94C, and 95C shown in FIG. 11 have the same columns as the above-described tables 91A and 91B (see FIG. 7 or FIG. 9).
A table 91C shown in (a) of FIG. 11 and a table 92C shown in (b) have columns in which information on device attributes, energy saving conditions, levels, and reduced power can be written, but all are blank. That is, the air conditioner 37 and the lights 47, 48, and 49 (see FIG. 1) correspond to peripheral devices that do not perform energy saving management, and therefore have no information.
Then, in order to calculate the energy saving effect of the power management area MC, necessary information is acquired by referring to other tables stored in the storage unit 88. More specifically, a table 94C shown in FIG. 11C and a table 95C shown in FIG. 11D are acquired as information necessary for calculating the energy saving effect. The table 94C is configured by utilizing the actual measurement values of the air conditioner 34 located in the power management area MB, and the table 95C is configured by utilizing the actual measurement values of the lights 41, 42, and 43 located in the power management area MA. It is configured.

Further, each of the tables 93C and 96C shown in FIG. 12 has the same column as the above-described tables 93A and 93B (see FIG. 8 or FIG. 10).
In the table 93C (see FIG. 12A), the time zone column is described, but actual measurement values are not described in other columns such as the time of the occupancy ratio and the reduced power consumption of the air conditioning. The table 93C does not describe the time for the number of people entering the room, such as the entrance / exit management device 21 in the power management zone MA and the authentication device 24 in the power management zone MB (see FIG. 1). This is due to the fact that no device is installed to keep track of the number of people in the area. Further, the reason why the reduced power amount for air conditioning is not described in the table 93C is that neither the air conditioning 37 nor the lights 47 to 49 are subjected to energy saving management. Therefore, the energy saving effect ΔC is not calculated in the table 93C.

Here, in the table 96C (see FIG. 12B), the time of the number of people entering the room is described. This is an actually measured value obtained by temporarily installing the entry / exit management device 21 in the power management area MA or the authentication device 24 (see FIG. 1) in the power management area MB in the power management area MC. In the table 96C, the time and the increase amount in the power management mode are described as actual measurement values for the image forming apparatus 1C. The increase Q is 90 W in this case.
As described above, in the present embodiment, the table 96C is configured using the actually measured values of the power management area MC as the time of the occupancy ratio, but other modifications are possible. More specifically, it can be considered that the time of the occupancy ratio in the table 96C is used as a predicted value by utilizing the actual measurement value of the power management area MA or the actual measurement value of the power management area MB. With such a predicted value, it is difficult to maintain high accuracy of the energy saving effect ΔC, but it is possible to omit an additional effort spent calculating the energy saving effect ΔC.
Similarly, it is conceivable that the power management mode time and the amount of increase are also predicted values.

And in the table 96C, the calculation result of the energy-saving effect (DELTA) C including the predicted value in the air conditioning 37 and the illuminations 47-49 is described. The calculation method is the same as in the power management areas MA and MB described above.
Referring to the table 96C, the energy saving effect ΔC in the time zone from 8 o'clock to 12 o'clock is −67.5 Wh. Moreover, it is -135 Wh in the time zone from 12:00 to 17:00, and is 587.5 Wh in the time zone from 17:00 to 22:00. From these results, it is estimated that the image forming apparatus 1 </ b> C has a long time in the power saving mode.

  More specifically, when the energy-saving management of the air-conditioning 37 and the lights 47-49 in the power management area MC is adopted, the energy-saving management is executed in the time zone from 17:00 to 22:00, while from 8:00 to 12:00 In the time zone up to 12:00 and the time zone from 12:00 to 17:00, it can be considered that the energy saving management is not executed. That is, control is performed separately for a time zone during which energy saving management is executed and a time zone during which energy saving management is not executed.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of control in a power management area that employs a power management mode (energy saving management).
In the flowchart shown in the figure, the control unit 84 (see FIG. 4) of the image forming apparatuses 1A, 1B, and 1C determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the previous execution of the power management mode (step S1). 201), thereby, the arrival of the timing for executing the power management mode is determined.
If the control unit 84 determines that the time has elapsed (Yes in Step 201), it next determines whether or not to execute the power management mode (Step 202). This is to determine whether or not the current time is included in a time zone in which the energy saving effects ΔA, ΔB, and ΔC are negative values. More specifically, if the time zone is a negative value, it is determined not to execute the power management mode (No in step 202), and otherwise, it is determined to execute the power management mode (Yes in step 202). ).
The control unit 84 functions as an example of an evaluation unit that evaluates the amount of change in power consumption when power control is performed by the power control unit when power control is not performed. In addition, the control unit 84 functions as an example of a determination unit that determines whether to perform power control by the power control unit according to the evaluation result by the evaluation unit.

If the control unit 84 determines that the power management mode is to be executed, the device power control unit 87 executes the power management mode (step 203).
Here, as a modification of the present embodiment, the control unit 84 determines whether or not the current time is included in a time zone in which the energy saving effects ΔA, ΔB, and ΔC are negative values. Also, it is conceivable to increase the time interval for executing the power management mode. For example, although the time T (see FIG. 5) is normally 3 minutes, the time T is set to 10 minutes when the energy saving effects ΔA, ΔB, and ΔC are negative values.

1A, 1B, 1C ... Image forming device, 21 ... Entrance / exit management device, 24 ... Authentication device, 31, 32, 34, 35, 37 ... Air conditioning, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 47, 48, 49 ... Illumination, 84 ... control unit, 85 ... device control unit, 86 ... communication control unit, 87 ... equipment power control unit, 88 ... storage unit, 89 ... calculation unit, 91A, 92A, 93A, 91B, 92B, 93B, 95B, 96B, 91C, 92C, 93C, 94C, 95C, 96C ... table, MA, MB, MC ... power management area, NW ... communication network, PS ... power management system, [Delta] A, [Delta] B, [Delta] C ... energy saving effect

Claims (8)

A first image forming apparatus that is in charge of power management in an area where the first device is located, is communicably connected to the first device, and receives an image formation instruction to form an image;
A second image forming apparatus that is communicably connected to the first image forming apparatus and forms an image;
Including
The first image forming apparatus includes:
Storage means for storing the number fluctuation information indicating the fluctuation of the number of persons in the area with the passage of time, and storing power consumption information which is information relating to the power consumption of the first device determined in accordance with the number fluctuation information. When,
Power control means for performing power control of the first device by communication with the first device based on the number variation information stored by the storage means;
With
The second image forming apparatus includes:
Obtaining means for obtaining the power consumption information stored by the storage means by communication with the first image forming apparatus;
Using the power consumption information acquired by the acquisition means, the amount of change in power consumption when performing power control for a second device that is located in another area other than the area and is not subjected to power control Computing means for computing
A power management system comprising: The acquisition unit of the second image forming apparatus acquires the number variation information and the power consumption information stored by the storage unit through communication with the first image forming apparatus,
The calculation unit according to claim 1, wherein the calculation unit of the second image forming apparatus calculates the amount of change using the number-of-persons variation information and the power consumption information acquired by the acquisition unit. Power management system.   The computing unit of the second image forming apparatus consumes the second image forming apparatus due to the power control when the second image forming apparatus performs power control of the second device. The power management system according to claim 1, wherein an increase in the amount of electric power is calculated. The first image forming apparatus includes:
An evaluation unit that evaluates the amount of change in power consumption when not performing the power control when performing power control by the power control unit;
A determination unit that determines whether to perform power control by the power control unit according to an evaluation result by the evaluation unit;
The power management system according to claim 1, further comprising: Image forming means for receiving an image formation instruction and forming an image;
Communication means for communicating with another image forming apparatus that has an area in charge of power management and controls the power of the first device located in the area;
Obtaining means for obtaining power consumption information, which is information relating to power consumption of the first device determined in correspondence with the number of people in the area, via the communication means;
Using the power consumption information acquired by the acquisition means, the amount of change in power consumption when performing power control of a second device that is located in another area other than the area and is not subjected to power control Computing means for computing
An image forming apparatus including: The acquisition means acquires number variation information indicating variation with time of the number of people in the area,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the calculation unit calculates the amount of change using the power consumption information and the number-of-persons fluctuation information acquired by the acquisition unit.   7. The calculation unit according to claim 5 or 6, wherein when the power control of the second device is performed, the calculation unit calculates an increase in power consumption of the image forming apparatus due to the power control. The image forming apparatus described. Power control means for obtaining information indicating fluctuations of the number of persons in the other area over time, and performing power control of a third device located in the other area based on the information;
Evaluation means for evaluating the amount of change in power consumption of the third device when power control is performed by the power control means;
A determination unit that determines whether to perform power control of the third device by the power control unit according to an evaluation result by the evaluation unit;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising:

Images