JP2013066141A - Management device, control method thereof, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To manage power consumption in the entire system even if the system includes an apparatus in which power consumption cannot be predicted.SOLUTION: A management device predicts power consumption in the entire system from power consumption and a time for execution which are stored in storage means, processing scheduled to be executed hereafter, and obtained power consumption of the entire system at the present time. If the predicted power consumption exceeds a set upper limit, the start time of the processing scheduled to be executed is changed so as to prevent the upper limit from being exceeded.

Description

  The present invention relates to a management apparatus, a control method thereof, and a program, and more particularly, to a management apparatus that manages power consumption of the entire system, a control method thereof, and a program.

  In recent years, using a high-function power meter (hereinafter referred to as a “high-function watt meter”) that has a function of measuring power usage in real time called smart meters and transmitting power consumption data to other devices via communication. It is considered to grasp and utilize the power consumption of the entire building.

  On the other hand, if a plurality of devices are operated at the same time from a power consumption prediction based on the operation schedule of each of a plurality of devices connected to the network, whether or not the predetermined power consumption upper limit is exceeded. Determine whether. And when it is judged that it exceeds, the technique which makes it not exceed the upper limit of predetermined power consumption by shifting the operation timing of a some apparatus is disclosed (for example, refer patent document 1).

JP 2007-28036 A

  However, in the power consumption control described in Patent Document 1, it is possible to control only devices connected to a network and capable of predicting power consumption. In the case of a power system in which a device that performs power consumption control described in Patent Document 1 and a device that does not perform power consumption control are mixed, there are the following problems.

  That is, even if control is performed so that the total power consumption of a plurality of devices performing power consumption control described in Patent Document 1 does not exceed a preset upper limit, a plurality of devices that are not performing power consumption control are controlled. Power consumption cannot be controlled. As a result, there is a problem that the power consumption of the entire power system exceeds the upper limit value.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a management apparatus capable of managing the power consumption of the entire system, a control method thereof, and a program, even in a system where there is a device whose power consumption cannot be predicted. .

  In order to achieve the above object, the management apparatus according to claim 1 includes a storage unit that stores power consumption and time required for execution of each process executed by a plurality of devices. A management device capable of communicating with the plurality of devices and managing the power consumption of the entire system composed of the plurality of devices, the acquisition unit acquiring the power consumption of the entire system at the present time; and Setting means for setting an upper limit value of power that can be consumed by the entire system, power consumption stored in the storage means and time required for execution, processing scheduled to be executed from now, and current time acquired by the acquisition means Prediction means for predicting power consumption in the entire system from the power consumption of the entire system, and power consumption predicted by the prediction means are set by the setting means When exceeding the upper limit value, the start time of processing the execution is scheduled, characterized by comprising a changing means for changing so as not to exceed the upper limit.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a management apparatus capable of managing the power consumption of the entire system, a control method therefor, and a program, even in a system where there is a device whose power consumption cannot be predicted. .

1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printer system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the power management server in FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the multifunction peripheral in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an unprocessed job table showing unprocessed jobs managed by the power management server in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a power upper limit setting table of the printer system in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a job reschedule according to a power upper limit setting of the printer system in FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows the job schedule at the time of changing the job scheduling in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the power management process performed by the power management server in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the schedule management process performed by the power management server in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the schedule adjustment process which shows the detail of step S605 in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the schedule adjustment process which shows other embodiment of FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of job execution control processing executed by the multifunction peripheral in FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the printer system which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, and a management apparatus. It is a figure which shows the setting value memorize | stored in the setting memory | storage part in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the simultaneous permission job number process performed by CPU in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the job permission process performed by CPU in FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a start request and end notification process executed by the multifunction peripheral in FIG. 13. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating a state of communication between the management apparatus and the multifunction peripheral. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a job execution power value for each MFP.

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

  In the present embodiment, a printer system is taken as an example of a system in which there is a device whose power cannot be predicted by the device itself, and a multifunction device is used as the device.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printer system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, the printer system 100 includes a power management server 10 (management device), a multi-function machine A20, a multi-function machine B30, a multi-function machine C40, a multi-function machine D50, a host PC 60, and a high function wattmeter 70. These can communicate via the network 80 or wirelessly. In the following description, when a description that applies to any of the multifunction device A20, the multifunction device B30, the multifunction device C40, and the multifunction device D50 is given, it is simply expressed as a multifunction device.

  The network 80 is a network using a known technology for connecting devices, and in this embodiment, the use of Ethernet (registered trademark) using the TCP / IP protocol is assumed.

  The power management server 10 is a printer server according to the present embodiment. The power management server 10 includes a network interface and is connected to each device via the network 80.

  Further, the high-performance power meter 70 has a wireless communication interface capable of measuring power consumption and wirelessly communicating with the power management server 10. The high function wattmeter 70 notifies the current power consumption in response to a request from the power management server 10. The communication in the present embodiment is wireless communication, but may be wired communication or may be connected to the network 80.

  Each MFP is connected to the power management server 10 and the host PC 60 via the network 80, and can communicate with them.

  The host PC 60 is a host of the multifunction machine, has a network interface, and is connected to each device via the network 80. Therefore, the power management server 10 can communicate with a plurality of multifunction peripherals.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the power management server 10 in FIG.

  The CPU 101 is a controller that controls the entire power management server, and performs various calculations. A ROM 102 is a boot ROM, and stores a boot program for the power management server. A RAM 103 is a system work memory for the CPU 101 to operate, and stores arithmetic data of the CPU 101 and various programs.

  The LAN I / F control unit 104 is connected to the network 80 via the LAN I / F connector 11 to transmit and receive data. The wireless communication I / F control unit 105 performs wireless communication via the wireless communication antenna 12 using an IF for performing communication with the high function wattmeter 70. The HDD 110 is a non-volatile secondary storage device that stores large-sized programs and data. The stored data and programs are expanded in the RAM 103 and used. These are connected to each other via a system bus 111.

  The RAM 103 described above is provided with various storage areas. The job power calculation program storage area 108 is an area for storing a program for predicting and calculating the power consumed by a job (process) to be processed by each MFP. The job power calculation program storage area 108 is also an area for storing a program for calculating the job processing time.

  The printer system power summation program storage area 106 stores a program that predicts the power consumption required for job processing of each multifunction peripheral and performs the summation processing in consideration of the calculated result in consideration of the job execution start time and job end time. It is an area to keep. This printer system power summation program corresponds to prediction means for predicting power consumption in the entire system from power consumption and time required for execution, processing scheduled to be executed from now on, and power consumption of the entire system at the present time.

  The printer system power upper limit setting program storage area 109 is an area for storing a program for setting a power consumption upper limit that can be used by the printer system from the current power consumption calculated from the high function wattmeter 70.

  The job scheduling change program storage area 107 is an area for storing a program for changing the job processing timing of each multifunction device so as not to exceed the power consumption upper limit usable by the printer system set by the printer system power upper limit setting program.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the multifunction peripheral in FIG.

  The printer controller 200 is connected to a printer 201 that is an image output device, an operation unit 202 that is an operation unit, and a scanner 212 that is a reading device. The printer controller 200 is a network controller that performs communication control by connecting to the network via the LAN I / F connector 21 of the multifunction peripheral. Further, the printer controller 200 is also a FAX controller that performs FAX communication control via the modular jack 22.

  A CPU 203 is a controller that controls the entire multifunction peripheral system. A ROM 204 is a boot ROM, and stores a boot program for the multifunction machine system. A RAM 205 is a system work memory for the CPU 203 to operate. The RAM 205 is also used as an image memory for storing print data sent from the host PC 60 in the order received, and a job queue storage area 211 is secured.

  A printer I / F 206 is connected to the printer 201, communicates with a CPU of the printer 201 (not shown), and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data. An operation unit I / F 207 is connected to the operation unit 202 and serves to transmit information input by the user from the operation unit 202 to the CPU 203.

  The LAN I / F control unit 208 is connected to the network 80 via the LAN I / F connector 21 to transmit and receive data. A scanner I / F 213 is connected to the scanner 212 and plays a role of loading image data read from the scanner 212 into the RAM 205. The FAX receiving unit 214 is connected to the telephone network via the modular jack 22 and performs FAX transmission / reception.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an unprocessed job table showing unprocessed jobs managed by the power management server 10 in FIG.

  This unprocessed job table is stored in the RAM 103 of the power management server 10.

  In FIG. 4, the job input order 301 indicates the order input to the printer system 100. A job order 302 indicates a multifunction machine that performs job processing and an order in which the multifunction machine performs processing.

  An operation 303 shows the contents of a job such as print or send. The power consumption 304 is calculated by a program in the job power calculation program storage area 108 of the power management server 10 in consideration of the multifunction peripheral indicated by the job order 302 and the job content indicated by the operation 303.

  Further, the execution time 305 is required from the start to the end of the job calculated by the job power calculation program of the power management server 10 in consideration of the multifunction device indicated by the job order 302 and the job content indicated by the operation 303. It's time.

  When executing a job for scanning such as Send or Copy, the number of pages to be scanned is set in advance, and in the case of copying, the number of pages to be printed is also set in advance, so that the time from the start to the end of the job by the power management server 10 Is calculated.

  These jobs are input to each multifunction device from a host PC or the like and stored in the job queue storage area 211 of each multifunction device. Then, each multifunction device communicates the contents of the job to the power management server 10 for power management. The server 10 may create an unprocessed job table.

  In this case, each multifunction device requests job execution permission from the power management server 10 when each job starts, and the job is executed after the power management server 10 permits permission.

  A method may be used in which all jobs executed by each multifunction device are once input to the power management server 10 and jobs are sent to each multifunction device when the job is executed. In either method, the unprocessed job table of FIG. 4 is managed by the power management server 10 and notifies the MFPs of the job execution start timing.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a power upper limit setting table of the printer system 100 in FIG.

  In FIG. 5, a high-function wattmeter value 601 is a power consumption value read from the high-function wattmeter 70 immediately before the printer executes a job, and indicates the power consumption value of the entire building.

  The building upper limit value 602 indicates a power value that can be used in the building, and may be a user set value or an acquired value from the high-function wattmeter 70.

  The printer system power 603 is a predicted value of power consumption consumed by the entire current printer system, and is a value calculated by the power management server 10. The printer system upper limit value 604 indicates the upper limit value of the power value that can be consumed by the printer system 100 calculated from the high-function wattmeter value 601, the building upper limit value 602, and the printer system power 603.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a job reschedule by the power upper limit setting of the printer system 100 in FIG.

  The graph shown in FIG. 6 shows the state when the power management server 10 schedules an unprocessed job when the job to be executed is shown in the unprocessed job table of FIG. Each time is shown. In FIG. 6, for the sake of simplicity, the standby state is also expressed as a job for convenience.

  This graph is graphed by the printer power calculation program based on the information calculated by the job power calculation program that calculates the start time and end time of the target job and the consumed power from the information input to the printer system 100. Is. This graph is created by the power management server 10 as a prediction of power consumption when a job is input to the printer system.

  A job 401 is a first job in the job input order 301 of FIG. 4 and is the first job processed by the MFP A20. The horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents the predicted power consumption. In each of the following jobs, the horizontal axis indicates the time required for the job, and the vertical axis indicates the predicted power consumption.

  Similarly, the job 402 indicates the processing time and the predicted value for the second job in the job input order 301, the job 403 for the third job in the job input order 301, and the job 404 for the fourth job in the job input order 301. A predicted value in the standby state when the job 405 does not perform job processing in the multifunction peripheral A is shown.

  Further, the processing time and the predicted value are shown for job 406, job 5 in job input order 301, job 407, job 6 in job input order 301, and job 408, job 7 in job input order 301.

  Further, the predicted value in the standby state when the job 409 does not perform job processing of the multifunction machine B30 is shown. This power consumption continues to be the same power value unless a state change such as job input or sleep transition occurs.

  A job 410 indicates the job processing time and the predicted value in the job input order 301, job 413 indicates the job input order 301, job 9 and the job 411 indicates the job input time 301 in 10.

  The predicted value of the standby state when the job 412 does not perform job processing of the multifunction device C40 is shown. This predicted value continues to have the same power value unless a state change such as job input or sleep transition occurs.

  Similarly, the job 414 indicates a predicted value in a standby state when job processing of the multi-function device D50 is not performed, and this predicted value continues with the same power value unless a state change such as job input or sleep transition occurs.

  Timing 417 indicates the start timing of the job 413, and timing 418 indicates the start timing of the job 414.

  A timing 419 indicates the end timing of the job 413. The upper limit value 415 indicates the power value that can be consumed by the printer system calculated by the printer system power upper limit setting program of the power management server 10 at the timing indicated by the timing 417.

  An upper limit value 416 indicates a power value that can be consumed by the printer system 100 recalculated by the printer system power upper limit setting program of the power management server 10 at the timing indicated by the timing 418.

  In FIG. 6, since the power consumption is predicted to exceed the upper limit value 416 recalculated at the timing 418, the job scheduling change program of the power management server 10 changes the job schedule.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a job schedule when the job scheduling in FIG. 6 is changed.

  In FIG. 7, among jobs processed with power exceeding the upper limit 416, the upper limit 416 is not exceeded by delaying the start time of the job whose order is late in the job input order 301 shown in FIG. 4. The job schedule has been changed.

  The job 502 has a different execution time from the job 411 in FIG. 6 so that the power consumption does not exceed the upper limit value 416. Since the job 501 has delayed the start time of the job 502, the job 501 is on standby from the end of the job 410 to the start of the job 502.

  As described above, by delaying the start time of the job with the latest order input in the job input order 301 shown in FIG. 4, the job schedule is changed so as not to exceed the power that can be consumed by the printer system 100.

  As another method, a rescheduling method of delaying a job with the latest execution start time in a schedule before rescheduling the job among jobs that are executed at a timing exceeding the power that can be consumed by the printer system 100 may be used.

  Further, when job execution is delayed, a rescheduling method may be used in which the job with the shortest time for delaying job execution is delayed.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a procedure of power management processing executed by the power management server 10 in FIG. This process is executed by the CPU 101.

  In FIG. 8, it is determined whether each multi-function peripheral executes a job (step S601). Specifically, in step S601, determination is made based on whether or not a job execution permission application requesting permission for job execution has been received from each MFP.

  As a result of the determination in step S601, when a job execution permission application is received (YES in step S601), information such as the current power consumption value of the entire building is acquired from the high-function wattmeter 70 (step S602). This step S602 corresponds to an acquisition unit that acquires the current power consumption of the entire system.

  Next, the upper limit power that can be consumed by the printer system 100 is reset (step S603). This step S603 corresponds to setting means for setting an upper limit value of power that can be consumed by the entire system.

  The predicted value of power consumption of the printer system as shown in FIG. 6 is compared with the upper limit power calculated in step S603. That is, referring to the power transition prediction, it is determined whether or not the power consumption of the printer system 100 exceeds the upper limit power (step S604).

  As a result of the determination in step S604, when the power consumption of the printer system 100 exceeds the upper limit power (YES in step S604), the job execution schedule is adjusted so that the power consumption of the printer system does not exceed the upper limit power (step S605). ), This process is terminated. This step S605 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS.

  On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S604 is that the power consumption of the printer system 100 does not exceed the upper limit power (NO in step S604), job execution permission is issued to the multifunction peripheral (step S606), and this process is terminated.

  In the power management process, the upper limit value is set at the timing of step S603, but the following timing may be used. That is, the timing for setting the upper limit value is at least one of the timing immediately before the MFP executes the job, the timing immediately after the MFP ends the job, and the timing at which the execution of the job scheduled to be executed disappears. There may be one timing. The disappearance of execution of the job means cancellation of the job.

  Furthermore, an upper limit value may be set when a smart meter or the like notifies that the power supply amount from the power supply source to the printer system 100 is lower than a predetermined power amount. In addition, when the absolute value of the difference between the amount of power that can be used by the printer system 100 and the amount of power consumed by the entire printer system 100 becomes smaller than a predetermined value, an upper limit value is set. May be. Examples of the amount of power that can be used by the printer system 100 include a contract upper limit value with an electric power company. Furthermore, an upper limit value may be set when the average amount of power consumed by the printer system 100 within a predetermined period exceeds the amount of power permitted by the printer system 100. The predetermined period includes, for example, the latest 30 minutes.

  In addition, when the amount of power allowed for the printer system 100 is exceeded, among the processes scheduled to be executed, a process that consumes less power than the other processes is preferentially executed. As described above, the start time of the process may be changed.

  As another method, the job schedule may be changed when the job is input to the printer system 100. Alternatively, the schedule of the remaining jobs that are not executed at the end of the job may be changed. Further, when the device can operate in the energy saving mode, the device may be operated in the energy saving mode. In the case of the present embodiment, since the device is a multifunction device, an example of the energy saving mode is to reduce the printing speed.

  According to the processing of FIG. 8, the power consumption in the entire system is predicted from the stored power consumption and the time required for execution, the job scheduled to be executed from now, and the acquired power consumption of the entire system at the present time. Then, when the predicted power consumption exceeds the set upper limit value, the start time of the job scheduled to be executed is changed so as not to exceed the upper limit value. As a result, the power consumption of the entire system can be managed even in a system where there is a device whose power cannot be predicted.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a procedure of schedule management processing executed by the power management server 10 in FIG. This process is executed by the CPU 101.

  In FIG. 9, it is determined whether or not a job has been input to the power management server 10 (step S701). As another method, the time when the multifunction device transfers the job input to each multifunction device to the power management server 10 may be input. Further, information such as the job processing time and power consumption information of the multifunction peripheral necessary for the power management server 10 to create a job schedule may be transferred.

  As a result of the determination in step S701, when no job is input (NO in step S701), since the job is not executed, power consumption is calculated as a standby state or sleep (step S702), and the process returns to step S701. If the power of the multifunction device is turned off, the power is calculated as the power is turned off.

  As a result of the determination in step S701, when a job is input (YES in step S701), the power management server 10 calculates the power consumption and job execution time of the input job (step S703). The power management server 10 is provided with basic data for calculating power consumption and job execution time of a job in advance, for example, in the HDD 110 by setting the data from the user or by acquiring data from the multifunction peripheral. Accordingly, the power management server 10 includes a storage unit that stores power consumption and time required for execution of each job executed by a plurality of multifunction peripherals.

  Next, it is determined whether or not there is an unprocessed job in the job queue of the MFP that executes the job (step S704). This can be determined from the unprocessed job table shown in FIG.

  If the result of determination in step S704 is that there is no unprocessed job (NO in step S704), the start time of the job is set to the first time at which the job can be executed (step S706), and this process ends. That is, if execution is possible immediately, the current time is set as the job execution start time, and the flow for job execution is executed immediately.

  On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S704 is that there is an unprocessed job (YES in step S704), the job start time is set after the time when the job being executed ends (step S705), and this process ends. . The case of step S705 is a case where several jobs for the MFP are set first. In this case, the end time of the job immediately before the input job is set as the execution start time of the input job. Will be.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the schedule adjustment process showing details of step S605 in FIG. This process is executed by the CPU 101.

  The latest start time of the job input to the printer system 100 among the jobs that execute the job when the power consumption of the entire printer system 100 exceeds the upper limit due to the execution of the job is the time when the job of another multifunction device ends. (Step S801).

  Specifically, in the example of FIG. 6, when the job to be executed in step S 801 is 411, the job of another multifunction device executed at the timing when the power consumption of the entire printer system 100 exceeds the upper limit is the job 402. , 407, 413.

  Of these three jobs, the job with the earliest end time is the job 413, and the latest job input to the printer system 100 is the job 411. Accordingly, the start time of the job 411 is set immediately after the job 413 is completed. When the execution of the job 411 is permitted at the timing 418 in FIG. 6, the total power from the timing 418 to the timing 419 is 500 W for the job 402, 500 W for the job 407, 400 W for the job 413, 500 W for the job 411, and 1900 W in total. Become. Accordingly, it is determined that the upper limit value 1500 W set in step S603 is exceeded, and the start time of the job 411 is set as the timing 419. The job whose start timing has been moved is adjusted to the start timing of the job again by the power management processing shown in FIG.

  Next, power is calculated in the standby state until the start of execution of the target job (step S802), and this process ends.

  Specifically, in the example of FIG. 7, as shown in the job 501, the product power of the multifunction machine C is calculated as a standby state from the end of the job 401 to the start of the job 502. Of course, if the power consumption is lower than that in the standby state, the power may be calculated using the power.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of schedule adjustment processing according to another embodiment of FIG. This process is executed by the CPU 101.

  The start time of the job that executes the job the latest among the jobs that execute the job when the power consumption of the entire printer system 100 exceeds the upper limit due to the execution of the job is after the time when the job of the other multifunction device ends. Setting is performed (step S901).

  Specifically, in the example of FIG. 7, when it is determined that the upper limit value is exceeded at the timing when the job 404, the job 408, the job 502, and the job 414 operate when the job 502 is executed, the following is performed. In other words, the job 404 having the slowest job execution is set to be executed after the job 502 ends.

  Next, the MFP calculates power in a standby state until the job start time (step S902), and the process ends. Of course, the power in that state may be calculated if the state can be changed to a state where the power consumption is smaller than that in the standby state.

  In the schedule adjustment processing of FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 described above, when the predicted power consumption exceeds the set upper limit value, the start time of the job scheduled to be executed is not exceeded. Corresponds to the changing means to be changed.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a procedure of job execution control processing executed by the multifunction machine in FIG. This process is executed by the CPU 203.

  First, when the currently executed job is completed (YES in step S1001), the next job execution indicated in the job queue storage area 211 is applied to the power management server 10 through the LAN I / F control unit 208 (step S1002). ).

  Next, it is determined whether or not job execution is permitted (step S1003). If the execution of the job is not permitted as a result of the determination in step S1003 (NO in step S1003), the multifunction device is set in the standby state (step S1005), and the process returns to step S1003. Note that when the job execution from the power management server 10 is permitted, as long as the job can be executed immediately, it is not limited to the standby state but may be in the sleep state or the power-off state.

  On the other hand, if the execution of the job is permitted as a result of the determination in step S1003 (YES in step S1003), the job is executed (step S1004), and the process ends.

  When the power management server 10 performs job management, the MFP may not have a job queue, but may input a job from the power management server 10 instead of permitting execution.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printer system 1001 and a management apparatus 1000 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  13, the printer system 1001 includes a management apparatus 1000, a high-performance power meter 1080, and a plurality (three in the figure) of multifunction machines 1091, 1092, and 1093.

  The management apparatus 1000 includes a CPU 1010, a RAM 1030, a panel control unit 1050, an operation unit 1070, a communication unit 1060, a setting storage unit 1040, and a ROM 1020.

  The CPU 1010 controls each unit of the management apparatus 1000. The ROM 1020 stores a control program.

  The RAM 1030 is a control program execution area and a work data area. The wait queue 1031 in the RAM 1030 is a FIFO (first-in first-out memory) type queue. The number of active jobs 1032 indicates the number of jobs currently being executed. The number of simultaneously permitted jobs 1033 indicates the number of jobs that can be executed simultaneously.

  The setting storage unit 1040 stores the maximum value, the minimum value, and the number of job steps of the simultaneously executed jobs managed by the management apparatus 1000. The panel control unit 1050 controls display on the operation unit 1070 and stores information input from the operation unit 1070 in the RAM 1030 and the setting storage unit 1040. The operation unit 1070 displays information to the user or receives an instruction from the user.

  The high-performance power meter 1080 has a communication function typified by a smart meter and the management apparatus 1000 receives a load reduction request signal for requesting the power company to lower the power load and a load return permission signal for permitting the power load to be increased. With the ability to send to.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram showing setting values stored in the setting storage unit 1040 in FIG.

  In FIG. 14, the maximum job number 1200 indicates the maximum number of jobs that can be executed simultaneously. The minimum number of jobs 1201 indicates the minimum number of jobs that can be executed simultaneously. The number of job steps 1202 indicates the number of jobs to be increased or decreased each time the management apparatus 1000 receives a load control signal from the power company via the high-performance power meter 1080.

  These set values are input by the user in advance using the operation unit 1070 before performing load control according to the present embodiment, and these are set by the CPU 1010 via the panel control unit 1050 in the setting storage unit 1040. Remember.

  In the following description, it is assumed that the maximum number of jobs 1200 is 3, which is the number of multifunction peripherals, the minimum number of jobs 1201 is 1, and the number of job steps 1202 is 1.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the simultaneous permission job number process executed by the CPU 1010 in FIG.

  This simultaneous permission job number processing is executed by the CPU 1010 according to a program stored in the ROM 1020 or a program expanded in the RAM 1030.

  In FIG. 15, first, the maximum number 1200 of simultaneously executable jobs stored in the setting storage unit 1040 is set as the number of simultaneously permitted jobs 1033 (step S1101).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the number of simultaneously permitted jobs is equal to the job number minimum value 1201 (step S1102).

  As a result of the determination in step S1102, when the number of simultaneously permitted jobs is equal to the minimum job number 1201 (YES in step S1102), the process proceeds to step S1106. On the other hand, when the number of simultaneously permitted jobs is not equal to the minimum job number 1201 (NO in step S1102), it is determined whether or not a load reduction request signal is received from the high-function power meter 1080 via the communication unit 1060 (step S1102). S1103).

  As a result of the determination in step S1103, when the load reduction request signal is not received (NO in step S1103), the job step number 1202 is read (step S1104). Next, the job step number 1202 is subtracted from the simultaneous allowed job number 1033 (step S1105).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the number of simultaneously permitted jobs is equal to the job number maximum value 1200 (step S1106). As a result of the determination in step S1106, when the number of simultaneously permitted jobs is equal to the maximum job number 1200 (YES in step S1106), the process proceeds to step S1110.

  On the other hand, when the number of simultaneously permitted jobs is not equal to the job number maximum value 1200 (NO in step S1106), it is determined whether or not a load return permission signal is received from the high-function power meter 1080 via the communication unit 1060 (step S1106). S1107).

  If the result of determination in step S1107 is that a load return permission signal has not been received (NO in step S1107), the job step number 1202 is read (step S1108). Next, the job step number 1202 is added to the simultaneous permitted job number 1033 (step S1109).

  Thereafter, it is determined whether or not to end the simultaneous permission job number process (step S1110). As a result of the determination in step S1110, when the simultaneous permission job number process is ended (YES in step S1110), this process is ended. When the simultaneous permission job number process is not ended (NO in step S1110), the process proceeds to step S1102. Return to processing.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a procedure of job permission processing executed by the CPU 1010 in FIG.

  The job permission process in FIG. 16 uses the management apparatus 1000 and the multifunction machine 1091 as an example. The contents of the process are the same for the combination of the management apparatus 1000 and the multifunction machine 1092 or the multifunction machine 1093.

  In FIG. 16, first, the number of active jobs 1032 is set to 0 (step S1200). Next, it is determined whether or not a Req signal, which is a job execution permission request, has been received from the multifunction machine 1091 (step S1201).

  If it is determined in step S1201 that the Req signal has not been received (NO in step S1201), the process advances to step S1206. On the other hand, when the Req signal is received (YES in step S1201), it is determined whether the current number of active jobs 1032 is less than the number of simultaneously permitted jobs 1033 (step S1202).

  If it is determined in step S1201 that the number of active jobs 1032 is less than the number of simultaneously permitted jobs 1033 (YES in step S1201), an Ack signal indicating job execution permission is transmitted to the multifunction machine 1091 that transmitted the Req signal ( Step S1203). Then, 1 is added to the number of active jobs 1032 (step S1204).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1201 that the number of active jobs 1032 is equal to or greater than the number of simultaneously permitted jobs 1033 (NO in step S1201), the Ack signal for the multifunction machine 1091 is stored in the wait queue 1031 (step S1205).

  Next, it is determined whether or not an Ack signal for the MFP 1091 exists in the wait queue 1031 (step S1206). If it is determined in step S1206 that there is no Ack signal (NO in step S1206), the process advances to step S1211.

  On the other hand, when the Ack signal is present (YES in step S1206), it is determined whether the number of active jobs 1032 is less than the number of simultaneously permitted jobs 1033 (step S1207). If it is determined in step S1207 that the number of active jobs 1032 is equal to or greater than the number of simultaneously permitted jobs 1033 (NO in step S1207), the process advances to step S1211.

  On the other hand, when the number of active jobs 1032 is less than the number of simultaneously permitted jobs 1033 (YES in step S1207), the Ack signal is extracted from the wait queue 1031 (step S1208), and the extracted Ack signal is transmitted (step S1209). Then, 1 is added to the number of active jobs 1032 (step S1210).

  Next, it is determined whether an end notification End signal indicating completion of job execution is received from the multifunction machine 1091 (step S1211). If it is determined in step S1211 that the end notification End signal has not been received (NO in step S1211), the process advances to step S1213. On the other hand, when the end notification End signal is received (YES in step S1211), 1 is subtracted from the number of active jobs 1032 (step S1212).

  Thereafter, it is determined whether or not to end the job permission process (step S1213). As a result of the determination in step S1213, when the job permission process is terminated (YES in step S1213), this process is terminated. When the job permission process is not terminated (NO in step S1213), the process returns to step S1201.

  In the description relating to steps S1202 and 1207, the number of active jobs 1032 is expressed as the number of simultaneously permitted jobs 1033 or more.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a start request and end notification process executed by the multifunction machine 1091 in FIG.

  The start request and end notification process in FIG. 17 is the same in the MFPs 1092 and 1093.

  In FIG. 17, it is determined whether a print job is received from the communication unit 1060 via the network or a job instruction such as copying is received from the operation unit 1070 (step S1300).

  If it is determined in step S1300 that neither a print job nor a job instruction has been received (NO in step S1300), the process advances to step S1305. On the other hand, when either a print job or a job instruction is received (YES in step S1300), a Req signal is transmitted to the management apparatus 1000 (step S1301).

  Next, when an Ack signal is received from the management apparatus 1000 (YES in step S1302), execution of the job is started (step S1303). When a job is generated, an End signal is transmitted to the management apparatus 1000 (step S1304).

  Thereafter, it is determined whether or not to end the start request and end notification process (step S1305). As a result of the determination in step S1305, when the start request and end notification process is ended (YES in step S1305), this process is ended, and when the start request and end notification process is not ended (NO in step S1305), step The process returns to S1300.

  FIG. 18 is a sequence diagram illustrating a state of communication between the management apparatus 1000 and the multifunction peripherals 1091, 1092, and 1093.

  In FIG. 18, the steps in the simultaneous permission job number process, job permission process, start request, and end notification process described above are used.

  In FIG. 18, the management apparatus 1000 sets the maximum job count value 1200 to the simultaneous allowed job count 1033 in step S101. In this case, it is assumed that the number of simultaneously permitted jobs is set to 3.

  Upon receiving the job request 3011 (step S1300), the multifunction machine 1091 transmits a Req signal 3012 to the management apparatus 1000 (step S301).

  The management apparatus 1000 that has received the Req signal 3012 from the multifunction machine 1091 (step S1201) compares 3 of the simultaneous permitted job number 1033 and 0 of the number of active jobs 1032 (step S1202).

  As a result, it is determined that the number of simultaneously permitted jobs 1033 is larger, and an Ack signal 3013 is transmitted to the multifunction machine 1091 (step S1203).

  Upon receiving the Ack signal 3013 from the management apparatus 1000, the multifunction machine 1091 starts executing the job 3014 (step S3003).

  When the job 3014 ends, the multifunction machine 1091 transmits an End signal 3015 to the management apparatus 1000 (step S3004). The management apparatus 1000 that has received the End signal 3015 subtracts 1 from the number of active jobs (S1212).

  Similarly, the job request 3021 and the job request 3031 are processed using the Req signal, the Ack signal, and the End signal in each multifunction device and the management apparatus 1000. At the time when each Req signal according to the job requests 3011, 3021, and 3031 is transmitted to the management apparatus 1000, the number of simultaneously permitted jobs 1033 is three. Accordingly, an Ack signal for each of the multifunction devices 1091, 1092, and 1093 is immediately transmitted. As a result, jobs in each of the multifunction machines 1091, 1092, and 1093 are executed substantially in parallel.

  Next, a load reduction request signal 308 is transmitted from the power company 3000 to the management apparatus 1000 via the high-function power meter 1080. The management apparatus 1000 that has received the load reduction request signal 308 subtracts the job step number 1202 from the simultaneous permission job number 1033, and the simultaneous permission job number 1033 becomes two.

  For this reason, the number of active jobs 1032 of the management apparatus 1000 is equal to the number of simultaneously permitted jobs 1033 when the job 3055 is started following the job 3044.

  In this state, the management apparatus 1000 that has received the Req signal 3062 from the multifunction peripheral 1093 that has received the job request 3061 determines that the number of simultaneously permitted jobs 1033 and the number of active jobs 1032 are equal. As a result, the Ack signal is stored in the wait queue 1031 (step S1205).

  Next, the management apparatus 1000 that has received the End signal 3045 due to the completion of the job 3044 subtracts 1 from the number of active jobs 1032 (step S1212). Accordingly, the management apparatus 1000 determines that the number of active jobs 1032 is less than the number of simultaneously permitted jobs 1033. The management apparatus 1000 transmits an Ack signal 3063 to the multifunction machine 1093 in the wait queue 1031 to the multifunction machine 1093 (step S1209). Upon receiving the Ack signal 3063, the multifunction machine 1093 starts executing the job 3064.

  In the management apparatus 1000, the number of simultaneously permitted jobs becomes 1 by a further load reduction request signal. The management apparatus 1000 receives the Req signal 3082 by the job request 3081 at the time when the job 3074 is being executed.

  The management apparatus 1000 stores the Ack signal for the multifunction machine 1091 in the wait queue 1031 because the number of active jobs 1032 is not less than the number of simultaneously permitted jobs 1033.

  The management apparatus 1000 that has received the load recovery permission signal 3089 transmitted by the power company 3000 adds the job step number 1202 to the simultaneous permission job number 1033, and the simultaneous permission job number 1033 becomes two.

  At this time, since there is an Ack signal to the multifunction machine 1091 in the wait queue 1031 (step S1206), the simultaneous permitted job number 1033 and the active job number 1032 are compared (step S1207).

  As a result of the increase in the number of simultaneously permitted jobs 1033 due to the reception of the load recovery permission signal 3089, it is determined that the number of active jobs 1032 is less than the number of simultaneously permitted jobs 1033.

  Thereafter, the extracted Ack signal 3083 is transmitted to the multifunction machine 1091. Upon receiving the Ack signal 3083, the multifunction machine 1091 starts executing the job 3084.

  In this way, the management apparatus 1000 increases / decreases the number of simultaneously permitted jobs 1033 according to the load reduction request signal and load recovery permission signal from the power company 3000, and the number of jobs simultaneously executed in a plurality of multifunction peripherals. Control is performed.

  In the second embodiment described above, a value set by the user is used in advance as the value of the job step number 1202, but the management apparatus 1000 may calculate the job step number 1202. For example, a method for calculating the number of job steps 1202 when the load reduction request signal is designated as a percentage as a load reduction amount will be described below.

When the load reduction amount x [%] is designated by the load reduction request signal, a value obtained by rounding up the value obtained by multiplying the total number of multifunction devices by x [%] is set as the job step number 1202. That is, the formula for calculating the number of job steps 1202 is as follows.
Number of job steps = (Number of multifunction devices x N [%]) Decimal point advance value For example, when the load reduction amount 60 [%] is specified by the load reduction request signal and the number of multifunction devices is three, the following It becomes like this.

Number of job steps = 3 × 0.6 = 1.8
Accordingly, the job step number 1202 is calculated as 2 as an integer value obtained by rounding up the decimal places.

  Next, a method for calculating the number of job steps 1202 when the wattage is designated as the load reduction amount in the load reduction request signal will be described below.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a job execution power value for each MFP.

  The contents shown in FIG. 19 are stored in advance in the setting storage unit 1040 or the RAM 1030 of the management apparatus 1000.

  In FIG. 19, the job execution power values in the multifunction peripherals A, B, and C are the maximum power consumption values that have the largest estimated power consumption values when a job is executed. A total 1802 is a total power consumption value obtained by adding the power values when jobs of all multifunction peripherals are executed.

  When the load reduction amount y [W] is specified by the load reduction request signal, the management apparatus 1000 uses a value obtained by subtracting y [W] from the total 1802 as the maximum power value among the job execution power values. A quotient (integer part) divided by a certain power consumption maximum value 1801 is calculated. The calculated value is set as the job step number 1202.

That is, the formula for calculating the number of job steps 1202 is as follows.
Number of job steps = (total-y [W]) / (maximum power consumption value)
For example, when the load reduction amount 100 [W] is designated as the load reduction signal, the total 1802 in FIG. 8 is 212 [W], and the maximum power consumption value 1801 is 90 [W], so the number of job steps = (212− 100) /90=1.24
Since the quotient is 1, the job step number 1202 is calculated as 1.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention is also realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus reads the program code. To be executed. In this case, the program and the storage medium storing the program constitute the present invention.

10 Power management server 20 MFP A
30 MFP B
40 MFP C
50 MFP D
60 Host PC
70, 1080 High-performance power meter 100 Printer system 101, 203, 1010 CPU
102, 204, 1020 ROM
103, 205, 1030 RAM
104, 208 LAN I / F control unit 105 Wireless communication I / F control unit 106 Printer system power total program storage area 107 Job scheduling change program storage area 108 Job power calculation program storage area 109 Printer system power upper limit setting program storage area 211 Job Queue storage area 1000 Management device 1031 Wait queue 1032 Number of active jobs 1033 Number of simultaneous permitted jobs 1040 Setting storage unit

Claims (9)

Each of the processes executed by a plurality of devices has storage means for storing power consumption and time required for execution when the processing is executed, and can communicate with the plurality of devices. A management device that manages the power consumption of the entire configured system,
Obtaining means for obtaining power consumption of the entire system at the current time;
Setting means for setting an upper limit value of power that can be consumed by the entire system;
Predicting the power consumption of the entire system from the power consumption stored in the storage unit and the time required for execution, the process scheduled to be executed from now, and the current power consumption of the entire system acquired by the acquisition unit Prediction means to
Changing means for changing the start time of the process scheduled for execution so as not to exceed the upper limit value when the power consumption predicted by the prediction means exceeds the upper limit value set by the setting means And a management device comprising:   The timing when the setting means sets the upper limit value is the timing immediately before the device executes the process, the timing immediately after the device finishes the process, and the timing when the execution of the process scheduled to be performed disappears. The management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the timing is at least one timing.   The management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit sets an upper limit value when it is notified that the power supply amount to the system is lower than a predetermined power amount.   When the absolute value of the difference between the amount of power that can be used by the system and the amount of power consumed by the entire system becomes smaller than a predetermined value, the setting means sets the upper limit value. The management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:   2. The setting unit sets an upper limit value when the average amount of power consumed by the system within a predetermined period exceeds the amount of power permitted for the system. Management device.   When the average power amount exceeds the power amount allowed for the system, the changing unit is configured to compare the power consumption required for the processing among the processing scheduled to be executed compared to other processing. 6. The management apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the start time of the process is changed so that the small process is preferentially executed.   6. The management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the device is operable in an energy saving mode, the device is operated in an energy saving mode. It has a storage means for storing the power consumption and the time required for execution of each process executed by a plurality of devices, and manages the power consumption of the entire system composed of the plurality of devices. A method of controlling a management device,
An acquisition step of acquiring power consumption of the entire system at a current time;
A setting step for setting an upper limit value of power that can be consumed by the entire system;
Predicting the power consumption of the entire system from the power consumption stored in the storage means and the time required for execution, the process scheduled to be executed from now, and the current power consumption of the entire system acquired by the acquisition step A prediction step to
A change step of changing the start time of the process scheduled to be executed so as not to exceed the upper limit value when the power consumption predicted by the prediction step exceeds the upper limit value set by the setting step. And a control method comprising: It has a storage means for storing the power consumption and the time required for execution of each process executed by a plurality of devices, and manages the power consumption of the entire system composed of the plurality of devices. A program for causing a computer to execute a control method of a management device,
The control method is:
An acquisition step of acquiring power consumption of the entire system at a current time;
A setting step for setting an upper limit value of power that can be consumed by the entire system;
Predicting the power consumption of the entire system from the power consumption stored in the storage means and the time required for execution, the process scheduled to be executed from now, and the current power consumption of the entire system acquired by the acquisition step A prediction step to
A change step of changing the start time of the process scheduled to be executed so as not to exceed the upper limit value when the power consumption predicted by the prediction step exceeds the upper limit value set by the setting step. A program characterized by comprising and.

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