JP2014007869A - Power supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a power supply device capable of authenticating an operator of power supply means in a linkage operation state, at rational timing.SOLUTION: A power supply device 10 includes: power supply means 11 operable by being switched between a linkage operation state in which feeding power to a power consumption device 3 is possible while being electrically connected to an external power system 1 and a self-sustained operation state in which feeding power to the power consumption device 3 is possible while being electrically disconnected from the external power system 1; and authentication processing means 14 for, at a timing of user authentication, authenticating an operator of the power supply means in the linkage operation state. The authentication processing means 14 stops the authentication processing at the timing of user authentication when in the self-sustained operation state.

Description

  The present invention relates to a connected operation state in which power can be supplied to the power consuming device while being electrically connected to an external power system, and to the power consuming device in a state where the power system is electrically disconnected. Power supply means that can be operated by switching between a self-sustainable operation state that can supply power, and an authentication process that determines whether or not the user is authorized to operate the power supply means in the connected operation state at the user authentication timing It is related with a power supply device provided with the authentication process means to perform.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a connected operation state in which power can be supplied to a power consuming device while being electrically connected to an external power system, and a power consuming device in a state where the power system is electrically disconnected. On the other hand, a power supply device is described that includes power supply means that can operate by switching between a self-sustaining operation state in which power can be supplied. By providing such a power supply device, while the power supply from the external power system is normally performed, at least one of the external power system and the power supply device is switched by switching the power supply device to the connected operation state. Power can be supplied to the power consuming device from one side. Even when power supply from an external power system is not performed normally (for example, during a power failure), the power supply device can be switched to the self-sustaining operation state to supply power from the power supply device to the power consuming device. Yes.

  In addition, when operating a power supply unit connected to an external power system, it is required to perform a grid connection procedure for obtaining permission from an electric power company managing the power system, that is, a user authentication process. It is done. Patent Document 2 describes an example of a power supply device that performs such user authentication processing. Specifically, in Patent Document 2, when it is time to authenticate the user, an inquiry is made to the user as to whether or not the grid interconnection procedure has been completed, and the user is authenticated from the response information for the inquiry. A power supply device is disclosed that prevents the power supply means from entering an operating state when it is identified that the person is not. Moreover, in patent document 2, as the example of the user authentication timing, the timing for every fixed period and the timing which switched from the power failure state to the interconnection state are described.

JP 2008-223559 A JP 2006-158068 A

  When the user authentication timing has arrived and authentication processing is performed to determine whether or not the user is authorized to operate the power supply means in the interconnected operation state, the user is advised to respond to the authentication processing. It will ask for. In addition, when the user authentication timing has arrived while the power supply means is operating in the autonomous operation state, the power supply from the external power system is not normally performed (for example, a power failure state). Therefore, it is not always possible to supply power from the power supply means to all the power consuming devices. For example, there may be a state in which power is not supplied to some lighting devices and the room is dark. In this way, the state where the power supply means is operated in the self-sustaining operation state is an emergency that a power outage is occurring, so that the user cannot appropriately respond to the authentication process or the room is dark and is authenticated. You may not be able to find documents related to processing.

  Further, since the power supply means is not linked to the power system as long as the power supply means is operated in the autonomous operation state, there is no problem in operating the power supply means in the autonomous operation state. As a result, the user authentication process does not need to be performed quickly.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its purpose is to rationalize the authentication process as to whether or not the user is authorized to operate the power supply means in the connected operation state. It is in providing a power supply device that can be performed at timing.

The characteristic configuration of the power supply device according to the present invention for achieving the above object includes a connected operation state in which power can be supplied to the power consuming device while being electrically connected to an external power system, and the power system. Is a power supply means operable by switching between a self-sustained operation state in which power can be supplied to the power consuming device in an electrically disconnected state,
When it comes to user authentication timing, a power supply device comprising an authentication processing means for executing an authentication process as to whether or not the user is authorized to operate the power supply means in the connected operation state,
The authentication processing means is configured to perform an authentication stop process for stopping the authentication process when the user authentication timing is reached while being switched to the independent operation state.

According to the above characteristic configuration, the authentication processing means executes an authentication process as to whether or not the user is an authorized user permitted to operate the power supply means in the connected operation state at the user authentication timing. That is, every time the user authentication timing arrives, it can be ensured that the power supply means is operated in a state where the operation in the connected operation state is permitted. For example, even if the user of the power supply device is changed midway, when the user authentication timing is reached, the new user is permitted to operate the power supply means in the connected operation state. By obtaining a response to the authentication process for determining whether or not the user is a user, it is possible to ensure that the power supply means is operated in a state where the operation in the connected operation state is permitted.
In addition, the authentication processing means performs an authentication stop process for stopping the authentication process when the user authentication timing is reached while being switched to the self-sustaining operation state. In other words, in a state where the power supply means is switched to the self-sustaining operation state, that is, in a state where the power supply means is not linked to the power system, the power supply is not required to cope with user authentication processing which can be said to be unnecessary. The means can continue to operate autonomously.
Therefore, it is possible to provide a power supply apparatus that can perform authentication processing at a reasonable timing as to whether or not the user is authorized to operate the power supply means in the interconnected operation state.

According to another characteristic configuration of the power supply device according to the present invention, the authentication processing unit executes the authentication process.
An authentication timing determination unit that determines whether it is the user authentication timing;
When the authentication timing determination unit determines that it is the user authentication timing, an information input request unit that requests the user to input authentication information;
An information receiving unit for receiving information input by a user in response to a request from the information input requesting unit;
If the information received by the information receiving unit is valid information for authentication, the information receiving unit has an information determining unit that authenticates a user.

  According to the above characteristic configuration, in the authentication process, the information input request unit requests the user to input authentication information, and the information determination unit determines that the information received by the information reception unit is valid authentication information. If there is, authenticate the user. In this way, in the authentication process, the information input request unit can make the user clearly recognize that the input of authentication information is being requested. In addition, the information determination unit can wait for accurate information to be input from a user who is requested to input authentication information. As a result, the user authentication process can proceed smoothly.

  Still another characteristic configuration of the power supply device according to the present invention is such that the authentication processing unit is configured to be able to accept a change request for the authentication information from a user, and when accepting the change of the authentication information, Requesting the user to input information and new authentication information after the change, and if the current authentication information input by the user is the valid authentication information, the new information input by the user The authentication information is set as the valid authentication information.

  According to the above characteristic configuration, a user who has entered valid authentication information is permitted to change the authentication information. That is, since the information that the user must input in the authentication process can be information set by the user's intention (for example, information that can be easily remembered by the user), the authentication process proceeds smoothly. I can expect that.

  Yet another characteristic configuration of the power supply device according to the present invention is that the authentication processing means ends the authentication stop processing when the authentication processing means is switched to the interconnected operation state during the authentication stop processing. .

  According to the above characteristic configuration, the authorized user who is permitted to operate the power supply means in the interconnected operation state at the user authentication timing by switching to the interconnected operation state and completing the authentication suspension process. An authentication process for determining whether or not is is performed.

It is a figure explaining the structure of the electric power supply system with which the power supply device of 1st Embodiment is provided. It is a figure explaining the flowchart of an authentication process.

The power supply apparatus 10 according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a power supply system in which a power supply device 10 is provided. The power supply system is configured to be able to supply power to the power consuming device 3 from at least one of the external power system 1 and the power supply device 10.
The configuration of the power supply system will be specifically described below.

The power supply device 10 is connected to the external power system 1 and is connected to the power consumption device 3 while being electrically connected. The power supply device 10 consumes power while being electrically disconnected from the power system 1. Power supply means 11 is provided that is operable by switching between a self-sustaining operation state in which power can be supplied to the device 3.
The power supply means 11 included in the power supply device 10 is various power generation devices, power storage devices, or the like. For example, as the power supply means 11, an engine and a generator driven by the engine, a fuel cell, a solar power generation device, or the like can be used. Further, a power storage device such as a storage battery (for example, a chemical battery) or an electric double layer capacitor can be used as the power supply means 11.

  The distribution board 2 is connected to an external power system 1, a power supply means 11 included in the power supply device 10A, and a power consuming device 3A (3). When power is normally supplied from the power system 1, power is supplied to the power consuming device 3A via the distribution board 2. Further, when the power supply means 11 is connected to the distribution board 2, the power of the power supply means 11 can be supplied to the distribution board 2. As described above, in the connected operation state in which the power supply means 11 is connected to the power system 1, power can be supplied to the distribution board 2 from both the power system 1 and the power supply means 11. . The distribution board 2 is electrically connected to a power consuming device 3 </ b> A and an interconnection electrical outlet 4. A power consuming device 3B (3) can be connected to the electrical outlet 4 for interconnection. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, a power consuming device 3 </ b> B is illustrated as the power consuming device 3 that can be connected to the interconnection electrical outlet 4. The power consuming device 3B is electrically connected to the electrical plug 6 and can be supplied with power via the distribution board 2 by attaching the electrical plug 6 to the interconnection electrical outlet 4. .

  In the present embodiment, the power consuming apparatus 3A is an apparatus (for example, in which the power supply may be cut off when the power supply via the distribution board 2 is interrupted (that is, when the power system 1 fails). , Some lighting devices, etc.). The power consuming device 3B is a device that requires power supply even when the power supply via the distribution board 2 is interrupted (for example, a TV, a mobile phone charger, a refrigerator, some lighting devices, etc.) It is. Note that the user can appropriately change which device is classified as the power consuming device 3A or the power consuming device 3B.

  The power supply device 10 includes a power supply unit 11 and an operation control unit 12 that controls the operation of the power supply unit 11. For example, when the power supply unit 11 is configured by the power generation device, the operation control unit 12 performs start control of power generation operation, stop control of power generation operation, control of generated power, and the like. Further, when the power supply unit 11 includes the power storage device, the operation control unit 12 performs switching control of charging operation and discharging operation of the power storage device, control of charging power or discharging power, and the like.

  Further, the power supply device 10 includes an interconnection / independent switching switch 13 on which the user performs a switching operation. The interconnection / independent switching switch 13 is a switch for switching which operation state of the interconnection operation state and the independent operation state is allowed for the power supply device 10. The power supply means 11 is provided with two systems of power terminals that can output power. One is an interconnection power terminal 11a used when power is supplied to the distribution board 2 during operation in the interconnection operation state, and the other is electric power for self-sustainment during operation in the autonomous operation state. This is a self-supporting power terminal 11 b used when supplying to the outlet 5.

  The operation control unit 12 can sequentially detect the switching state of the interconnection / independent switching switch 13, and an operation command corresponding to the switching state is transmitted from the operation control unit 12 to the power supply unit 11. Specifically, when the interconnection / independence changeover switch 13 is switched to the “interconnection operation state”, the operation control means 12 detects that the interconnection / independence changeover switch 13 has been changed, and supplies power to the power supply means 11. On the other hand, the operation in the connected operation mode is allowed. Therefore, when the interconnection / independent switching switch 13 is switched to the interconnection operation state, the power output from the power supply means 11 can be supplied to the distribution board 2 via the interconnection power terminal 11a. In addition, the electric power is not supplied to the electric outlet 5 for electric power supply through the electric power terminal 11b for electric power supply. On the other hand, when the interconnection / independence changeover switch 13 is switched to the “independent operation state”, the operation control means 12 detects that the interconnection / independence changeover switch 13 has been changed and detects the power supply means 11. To allow operation in the stand-alone operation mode. Therefore, when the interconnection / independent switching switch 13 is switched to the independent operation state, the power output from the power supply means 11 can be supplied to the independent electrical outlet 5 through the independent power terminal 11b. It is not supplied to the distribution board 2 via the interconnection power terminal 11a.

When the power supply from the power system 1 is not normally performed due to a power failure or the like of the power system 1, the user operates the interconnection / independent switching switch 13 to switch the power supply apparatus 10A to the independent operation state. As a result, as described above, power can be supplied from the power supply means 11 to the independent electric outlet 5 through the independent electric power terminal 11b. Further, the user connects the electric plug 6 to the self-supporting electric outlet 5 so that the electric power from the power supply means 11 is supplied to the power consuming apparatus 3B.
After that, when the power supply from the power system 1 is normally performed, the user operates the connection / independence changeover switch 13 to switch the power supply device 10 to the connected operation state. In addition, the user connects the electric plug 6 to the electrical outlet 4 for interconnection, and is supplied from the power and power supply means 11 to the power consuming device 3A and the power consuming device 3B. At least one of the electric power is supplied through the distribution board 2.

Next, the configuration of the power supply device 10 will be described more specifically.
When the power supply device 10 is connected to an external power system (for example, a power system managed by the power company) 1, a grid connection procedure for obtaining permission from the power company, that is, a user authentication procedure Need to do. Therefore, the power supply device 10 includes an authentication processing unit 14 that executes an authentication process as to whether or not the user is an authorized user who is permitted to operate the power supply unit 11 in the connected operation state at the user authentication timing. .

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of authentication processing performed by the authentication processing unit 14.
As shown in FIG. 1, the authentication processing means 14 includes an authentication timing determination unit 15 that determines whether or not it is a user authentication timing, and an authentication timing determination unit 15 that is used by the user as shown in FIG. When it is determined that it is the authentication timing, an information input request unit 16 that requests the user to input authentication information, and information reception that receives information input by the user in response to a request from the information input request unit 16 Unit 17 and an information determination unit 18 that authenticates the user if the information received by the information receiving unit 17 is valid authentication information.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in step # 10, the authentication timing determination unit 15 determines whether or not it is a user authentication timing. For example, the authentication timing determination unit 15 manages time information such as the date and time, and determines that it is the user authentication timing at regular intervals such as every month. When the authentication timing determination unit 15 determines that the user authentication timing has arrived (when it determines “Yes” in step # 10 of FIG. 2), the authentication timing determination unit 15 transmits the fact to the information input request unit 16 and proceeds to step # 12. To do.

  In step # 12, the information input request unit 16 requests the user to input authentication information when the authentication timing determination unit 15 determines that it is the user authentication timing. The information input request unit 16 can be realized by using a display that can output and present information in the form of characters and symbols, a speaker that can output and present information in the form of voice, and the like. Then, the information input request unit 16 displays an input request for authentication information such as an identification number that should have been transmitted to the user in advance (such as “please enter the identification number”) in text display or voice output. .

  Next, in step # 14, the information receiving unit 17 determines whether information input by the user in response to a request from the information input requesting unit 16 has been received. The information reception part 17 is realizable using the information input device etc. with which a user can input a character and a symbol. The information reception part 17 repeats process # 14 until the information input by the user is received. When the information receiving unit 17 receives information input by the user using the information input device or the like, the information receiving unit 17 transmits the information to the information determining unit 18 and proceeds to step # 16.

  In step # 16, the information determination unit 18 determines whether the information received by the information reception unit 17 is valid authentication information. If the received information is valid authentication information, the user is authenticated (step # 18). For example, the power supply device 10 includes a storage unit 19 that stores the authentication information that can identify the user. The information determination unit 18 stores the information received by the information reception unit in the storage unit 19. If it matches the authentication information, the user is authenticated by assuming that the information received by the information receiving unit 17 is valid.

On the other hand, when the received information is not valid authentication information, the information determination unit 18 does not authenticate the user and proceeds to step # 20 to prompt the grid interconnection procedure. For example, information related to the contact information to the electric power company and a message prompting to perform grid connection procedures are displayed on the display unit.
As described above, the authentication processing unit 14 performs an authentication process as to whether or not the user is an authorized user who is permitted to operate the power supply unit in the connected operation state at the user authentication timing.

  However, the authentication processing means 14 performs an authentication cancellation process for canceling the authentication process shown in FIG. 2 when the user authentication timing comes when the autonomous processing state is switched. Here, the authentication cancellation process means that all the processes of the authentication process are not started, and that the process is interrupted at an intermediate process even if the authentication process is started. For example, the authentication processing means 14 detects the switching state of the interconnection / independent switch 13 at the user authentication timing, and performs the above-described authentication processing if it is switched to the interconnection operation state. Note that the authentication timing determination unit 15, the information input request unit 16, the information reception unit 17, and the information determination unit 18 included in the authentication processing unit 14 can switch the connection / independence changeover switch 13 even during the authentication process. Is detected at each predetermined timing, and when the interconnection / independent switching switch 13 is switched to the autonomous operation state, the authentication timing determination unit 15, the information input request unit 16, the information reception unit 17, and the information determination unit 18 perform the above authentication process. The authentication cancellation process is canceled. Then, when the authentication processing is interrupted in the middle of the process, the authentication processing means 14 stores in the storage means 19 at which stage the authentication processing is interrupted.

  Further, the authentication timing determination unit 15, the information input request unit 16, the information reception unit 17, and the information determination unit 18 included in the authentication processing unit 14 cancel the authentication stop process and start the authentication process or stop the authentication process. Even if the operation is interrupted after the start of the operation, the switching state of the interconnection / independent switch 13 is detected at every predetermined timing. The authentication timing determination unit 15, the information input request unit 16, the information reception unit 17, and the information determination unit 18 included in the authentication processing unit 14 are connected to the connection / independence changeover switch 13 when the authentication stop process is performed. When the operation state is switched, the authentication cancellation process is terminated. That is, the authentication timing determination unit 15, the information input request unit 16, the information reception unit 17, and the information determination unit 18 included in the authentication processing unit 14 starts the authentication process when the authentication process has not been started. If the process is interrupted, the information about the process at the time of the interruption is read from the storage means 19 and the authentication process is resumed.

  As described above, the authentication process performed by the authentication processing unit 14 has been described. However, the authentication information managed by the power supply device 10 may be changed according to the intention of the user. Specifically, the authentication processing means 14 is configured to be able to accept a change request for authentication information from the user, and upon receiving the change of the authentication information, the current authentication information and the new authentication information after the change If the current authentication information entered by the user is valid authentication information, the new authentication information entered by the user is set as valid authentication information. . For example, when the information receiving unit 17 receives a change of the authentication information from the user, the information input requesting unit 16 instructs the user “current authentication information” before the change and “new authentication after the change”. Request for "information". Then, when the information receiving unit 17 receives the input of the “current authentication information” before the change and the “new authentication information” after the change from the user, the information determination unit 18 inputs the “ When it is determined whether or not the “current authentication information” matches the legitimate authentication information stored in the storage unit 19, and the two match (that is, it is confirmed that the user is a legitimate user) ) Allows the user to update the authentication information, and stores the “new authentication information” input by the user in the storage unit 19 as the valid authentication information. In this way, for a legitimate user, by permitting the change of the authentication information, the information that the user must input in the authentication process is information set by the user's intention (for example, Therefore, the authentication process can be expected to proceed smoothly.

  Note that this change in authentication information may be received at the same time as the above-described authentication process performed when the above-described user authentication timing arrives, or separately from the user authentication timing. It may be executable. For example, when the authentication information change acceptance is configured to be executed at the same time as the authentication process performed when the above-described user authentication timing arrives, the information input request unit in step # 12 illustrated in FIG. 16 requests the input of authentication information when the authentication timing determination unit 15 determines that it is the user authentication timing, and inputs whether or not it is desired to simultaneously change the authentication information. You can request.

<Another embodiment>
<1>
In the above embodiment, the case where the user identification timing is a fixed period such as every month is exemplified, but the timing for setting the user identification timing can be appropriately changed.

<2>
In the above-described embodiment, the configuration of the power supply apparatus 10 has been described with specific examples. However, the specific examples have been described for illustrative purposes only, and the power supply apparatus 10 according to the present invention is limited to these specific examples. There is nothing. For example, if the power supply device 10 is configured by a combined heat and power supply device that generates heat in addition to electricity, the power supply device may further include a heat storage device that stores the heat.

<3>
In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the interconnection / independent switch 13 is a switch operated by the user has been described. However, a switch that is automatically switched regardless of the user's operation may be employed. For example, when the voltage value of the power system 1 is detected, and the voltage value is less than a predetermined voltage value, it is determined that a power failure has occurred in the power system 1, and the state is switched to the “self-sustaining operation state”. If it becomes above, it can determine that the electric power supply is normally performed from the electric power grid | system 1, and can employ | adopt the interconnection / independence changeover switch 13 which switches to a "interconnection operation state".

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used for a power supply apparatus that can perform authentication processing at a reasonable timing as to whether or not a valid user is permitted to operate the power supply means in the interconnected operation state.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Power system 3 Power consumption apparatus 3A Power consumption apparatus 3B Power consumption apparatus 10 Power supply apparatus 11 Power supply means 13 Connection / independence changeover switch 14 Authentication processing means 15 Authentication timing determination part 16 Information input request part 17 Information reception part 18 Information determination part

Claims (4)

An interconnection operation state in which power can be supplied to the power consuming device while being electrically connected to an external power system, and power can be supplied to the power consuming device in a state where the power system is electrically disconnected. Power supply means that can be operated by switching between the independent operation states,
When it comes to user authentication timing, a power supply device comprising an authentication processing means for executing an authentication process as to whether or not the user is authorized to operate the power supply means in the connected operation state,
The power supply device, wherein the authentication processing means is configured to perform an authentication stop process for stopping the authentication process when the user authentication timing is reached while being switched to the independent operation state. The authentication processing means executes the authentication process.
An authentication timing determination unit that determines whether it is the user authentication timing;
When the authentication timing determination unit determines that it is the user authentication timing, an information input request unit that requests the user to input authentication information;
An information receiving unit for receiving information input by a user in response to a request from the information input requesting unit;
The power supply device according to claim 1, further comprising: an information determination unit that authenticates a user if the information received by the information receiving unit is valid information for authentication.   The authentication processing means is configured to be able to accept a request to change the authentication information from a user, and uses the input of the current authentication information and the new authentication information after the change when accepting the change of the authentication information. If the current authentication information requested by the user and input by the user is the valid authentication information, the new authentication information input by the user is set as the valid authentication information. The power supply device according to claim 2.   The power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the authentication processing unit ends the authentication stop processing when the authentication processing means is switched to the interconnected operation state during the authentication stop processing.

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