JP2014081731A - Power supply device and power supply system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a power supply device and power supply system capable of reducing the power consumption of an electronic apparatus by controlling the power consumption when information is acquired from the electronic apparatus and the power supplied from the power supply device side.SOLUTION: The power supply device 2 includes: a transformer 14 for applying voltage for information acquisition lower than the voltage for operation of an electronic apparatus 4A to an EEPROM41A when the electronic apparatus 4A for storing the EEPROM41A is connected; a control section 11 for acquiring information from the EEPROM41A; and a switch 21 that, after the information acquisition, stops the supply of the voltage for information acquisition.

Description

  The present invention relates to a power supply device and a power supply system.

  Conventionally, a system in which an AC adapter, a printer, and a digital camera are connected in series is known. In this system, the power control unit of the printer acquires these properties from the AC adapter and the digital camera, determines the optimal power distribution, and controls the power control unit of both the AC adapter and the digital camera (for example, Patent Document 1).

  An AC adapter that recognizes the power input specification of the electronic device based on the notification of impedance fluctuation from the connected electronic device, generates an operation power supply according to the power input specification, and outputs the power to the electronic device. It is known (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

JP-A-11-243651 JP 2000-134816 A

  By the way, in the techniques disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the power supply device (printer or AC adapter) acquires information from the electronic device, and supplies appropriate power to the electronic device based on the information.

  However, since the power supply device supplies power for operating the electronic device to the electronic device in order to acquire information from the electronic device, power more than that necessary for acquiring the information is consumed.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a power supply device and a power supply system that can reduce the power consumption of an electronic device by controlling the power consumption when acquiring information from the electronic device and the power supplied on the power supply device side. There is to do.

  To achieve the above object, the power supply device disclosed in the specification, when an electronic device storing a recording medium is connected, supplies a voltage for information acquisition smaller than a voltage for operation of the electronic device. A first supply means for supplying to the recording medium, an acquisition means for acquiring information from the recording medium, and a cutting means for cutting off the supply of the information acquisition voltage after acquiring the information. .

  A power supply system disclosed in the specification includes a connector connected to an electronic device that stores a recording medium, a communication circuit that reads information from the recording medium, and a cable connected between the connector and the power supply device A first power supply line for supplying a voltage for operating the electronic device to the electronic device, and a voltage for obtaining information smaller than a voltage for operating the electronic device in the recording medium and the communication circuit. When the electronic device is connected to a cable including a second power supply line to be supplied to the communication line, a communication line for transferring information read from the recording medium to the power supply apparatus, Supply means for supplying a voltage to the recording medium and the communication circuit via the second power line, acquisition means for obtaining the information from the communication circuit via the communication line, and after obtaining the information , Characterized in that it comprises a power supply device having a cutting means for cutting the supply of voltage for the information acquisition.

  The power supply system disclosed in the specification includes a connector to which an electronic device storing a recording medium and a first wireless module is connected, and a cable connected between the connector and the power supply device. A first power supply line for supplying a voltage for operating the electronic device to the device; and a first power line for supplying a voltage for obtaining information smaller than the voltage for operating the electronic device to the recording medium and the first wireless module. When the electronic device is connected to a cable including two power lines, the information acquisition voltage is supplied to the recording medium and the first wireless module via the second power line and the connector. Supply means, a second wireless module for obtaining the information from the first wireless module, and a cutting means for cutting off the supply of the information acquisition voltage after obtaining the information. Characterized in that it comprises a source supplying device.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the power consumption at the time of acquiring the power consumption of an electronic device and information from an electronic device can be reduced by controlling the power supply supplied by the power supply device side.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a power supply control system according to a first embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the light emission state of a display part. It is a figure which shows an example of the information which each EEPROM has. It is a flowchart which shows the process at the time of electronic device connection. It is a flowchart which shows the process regarding ON / OFF of the voltage for operation | movement. It is a schematic block diagram of the power supply control system concerning 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the modification of the process of FIG.

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

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a power supply control system according to the first embodiment. A power supply control system 100 in FIG. 1 includes an AC power supply 1, a power supply device 2, connectors 3A to 3D, and electronic devices 4A to 4D.

  The power supply device 2 is an AC adapter, for example. The power supply device 2 includes a control unit 11, a memory 12, a timer 13, a transformer 14, switches 15A to 15D, display units 16A to 16D, a power supply line 17, a communication line 18, connection terminals 19A to 19D, a communication port 20, and a switch. 21 is provided. The transformer 14 functions as a first supply means. The control unit 11 functions as an acquisition unit. The switch 21 and the control unit 11 function as a cutting unit. The switches 15A to 15D and the control unit 11 function as a second supply unit. The connection terminals 19A to 19D function as connection means. The display units 16A to 16D function as display means.

  The control unit 11 is configured by, for example, a CPU (Cetral Processing Unit), and controls power supply for operating the electronic devices 4A to 4D by controlling on / off of the switches 15A to 15D on the power line 17. Further, the control unit 11 monitors the total value of power supplied from the AC power source 1 to the electronic devices 4A to 4D. Furthermore, the control unit 11 controls the display states (for example, display color, blinking, or display content) of the display units 16A to 16D. The control unit 11 controls on / off of the switch 21 on the power supply line 17 to control information acquisition voltage supply to the connectors 3A to 3D and the electronic devices 4A to 4D.

  The memory 12 stores various data and information acquired from the electronic devices 4A to 4D. The timer 13 measures time and notifies the control unit 11 of time information. The timer 13 may be a software timer. The transformer 14 transforms the voltage supplied from the AC power source 1 to a predetermined voltage. The predetermined voltage is a voltage necessary for acquiring information from the EEPROMs 41A to 41D of the electronic devices 4A to 4D, and is a voltage smaller than an operation voltage supplied to the electronic devices 4A to 4D. Connection terminals 19A to 19D connect cables 25A to 25D, respectively. Further, the number of connection terminals, connectors, and electronic devices is not limited to the example of FIG.

  The communication port 20 is a port for connecting an external device (for example, a computer), stores new information in the memory 12, updates information stored in the memory 12, or sets the power supply device 2. Used when changing Note that a dip switch (not shown) for changing the setting of the power supply device 2 may be provided in the power supply device 2.

  Each display unit 16 </ b> A to 16 </ b> D displays the power supply state and power-off state of the corresponding electronic device, and the connectable state and non-connectable state of the electronic device in response to a command from the control unit 11. The power supply state is a state in which power is supplied to the corresponding electronic device, and the power-off state is a state in which power supply to the corresponding electronic device is not cut off. The connectable state is a state in which there is a margin in power that can be supplied from the power supply device 2, and a new electronic device can be connected to any one of the connection terminals 19A to 19D. The non-connectable state is a state in which there is no surplus power that can be supplied from the power supply device 2 and a new electronic device can be connected to any of the connection terminals 19A to 19D.

  Although display part 16A-16D is comprised by LED, a 7 segment display or a liquid crystal display may be sufficient. When each display part 16A-16D is comprised with LED, for example, a power supply state is shown by green light emission, a power-off state is shown by light extinction, a connectable state is shown by red light emission, and it cannot connect The state is indicated by orange emission. In FIG. 2, an example of the light emission state of the display parts 16A-16D is shown. Thus, each of the display units 16A to 16D changes the emission color according to the state. Note that the emission color is not limited to these. Further, the power supply state, the power-off state, the connectable state, and the non-connectable state may be indicated by different blinking speeds or different blinking times of the LEDs. When each display part 16A-16D is comprised by the 7 segment display or the liquid crystal display, a power supply state, a power-off state, a connectable state, and a connection impossible state may be shown with a character, a number, or a symbol. .

  The electronic devices 4A to 4D include EEPROMs (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) 41A to 41D, respectively. FIG. 3 shows an example of information held by each EEPROM. As shown in FIG. 3, each of the EEPROMs 41 </ b> A to 41 </ b> D includes a voltage required for operation of the corresponding electronic device, a maximum power consumption of the corresponding electronic device, a power-on time of the corresponding electronic device, and a power-off of the corresponding electronic device. Stores information about time. The information regarding the power-on time and the power-off time is power saving information that the control unit 11 refers to when the power supply device 2 supplies power to the electronic device or stops power supply. Each EEPROM may store information other than information related to the voltage required for the operation of the electronic device, the maximum power consumption of the electronic device, the power-on time of the electronic device, and the power-off time of the electronic device.

  The connectors 3A to 3D are attached to the electronic devices 4A to 4D, respectively, and are connected to the connection terminals 19A to 19D via the cables 25A to 25D. The connectors 3A to 3D include RS232C driver circuits 31A to 31D as data communication circuits, respectively. The RS232C driver circuits 31A to 31D perform serial communication with the EEPROMs 41A to 41D using an SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) or an I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) interface.

  Each of the cables 25A to 25D includes a power line 26 (26A to 26D) and a power line 27 (27A to 27D) that supply voltages (DC +, DC−) for operation of each electronic device to each connector, and information acquisition Power supply line 28 (28A to 28D) for supplying the voltage (VDD) to the RS232C driver circuit in each connector, and communication line 29 (29A to 29D) for transmitting information read from each EEPROM to the control unit 11. It has. The power supply line 26 (26A to 26D) and the power supply line 27 (27A to 27D) function as a first power supply line. The power supply line 28 (28A to 28D) functions as a second power supply line.

  When the connectors 3A to 3D are connected to the connection terminals 19A to 19D via the cables 25A to 25D, respectively, the voltage for acquiring information from the AC power source 1 is supplied to the RS232C driver via the power lines 28A to 28D of the cables 25A to 25D. The signals are supplied to the circuits 31A to 31D. Each of the RS232C driver circuits 31A to 31D stores information related to the voltage necessary for the operation of the electronic device, the maximum power consumption of the electronic device, the power-on time of the electronic device, and the power-off time of the electronic device, which are stored in the corresponding EEPROM. , And the read information is output to the control unit 11. The control unit 11 stores in the memory 12 information related to the voltage required for the operation of the electronic device, the maximum power consumption of the electronic device, the power-on time of the electronic device, and the power-off time of the electronic device.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating processing when an electronic device is connected. Here, the processing when the electronic device 4A is connected to the power supply device 2 will be described, but the same processing is executed when the electronic devices 4B to 4D are connected to the power supply device 2.

  First, when the cable 25A and the connector 3A are connected between the power supply device 2 and the electronic device 4A (step S1), the information acquisition voltage (VDD) is supplied to the RS232C driver circuit in the connector 3A via the cable 25A. 31A and the EEPROM 41A in the electronic device 4A are supplied (step S2). Here, the information acquisition voltage (VDD) is a voltage supplied to the RS232C driver circuit 31A and the EEPROM 41A in order to read information from the EEPROM 41A. Is also small.

  Next, the RS232C driver circuit 31A reads the information stored in the EEPROM 41A regarding the voltage necessary for the operation of the electronic device, the maximum power consumption of the electronic device, the power-on time of the electronic device, and the power-off time of the electronic device, The read information is output to the control unit 11 (step S3).

  The control unit 11 acquires information related to the voltage necessary for the operation of the electronic device, the maximum power consumption of the electronic device, the power-on time of the electronic device, and the power-off time of the electronic device, and stores the information in the memory 12 (step S4). Thereafter, the control unit 11 turns off the switch 21 and disconnects the information acquisition voltage (VDD) (step S5).

  The control unit 11 determines whether power can be supplied to the electronic device 4A based on the acquired information on the maximum power consumption of the electronic device (step S6). Here, when there is another electronic device already connected to the power supply device 2, the control unit 11 determines that the total value of the maximum power consumption of the electronic device 4A and the maximum power consumption of the connected electronic device is the power supply. Whether or not power can be supplied to the electronic device 4A is determined based on whether or not the supply capacity of the supply device 2 (that is, the maximum power that can be supplied) is exceeded.

  In the case of YES in step S6, the control unit 11 turns on the switch 15A, and supplies the operation voltage (DC +, DC−) corresponding to the voltage information necessary for the operation of the electronic device 4A to the electronic device 4A. At the same time, the display unit 16A is controlled to indicate the power supply state (step S7). For example, the control unit 11 turns on an LED (display unit 16A) of a color indicating the power supply state or displays information indicating the power supply state on the liquid crystal display (display unit 16A).

  As shown in step S7, the control unit 11 supplies operating voltages (DC +, DC−) corresponding to information on voltages necessary for the operation of each electronic device to the corresponding electronic device, that is, for each electronic device. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide the connector with a mechanism for preventing erroneous attachment to the electronic device (for example, the shape of the connector changed for each electronic device).

  In the case of NO in step S6, the control unit 11 turns off the switch 15A and controls the display unit 16A so as to indicate the power-off state (step S8). For example, the control unit 11 turns off the LED (display unit 16A) so as to indicate the power-off state or displays information indicating the power-off state on the liquid crystal display (display unit 16A).

  The control unit 11 can supply power to another telegraph device other than the electronic device 4A based on the information on the supply capability of the power supply device 2 (that is, the maximum power that can be supplied) and the maximum power consumption of the electronic device 4A. That is, it is determined whether or not another electronic device can be connected to any one of the connection terminals 19B to 19D (step S9). Specifically, the control unit 11 subtracts the maximum power consumption of the electronic device 4A from the supply capability of the power supply device 2 (that is, the total value of the maximum power consumption of the electronic devices connected to the power supply device 2), If the subtraction value exceeds a predetermined value, it is determined that power can be supplied to another telegraph device other than the electronic device 4A.

  If YES in step S9, the control unit 11 controls the display unit 16A so as to indicate a connectable state (step S10). For example, the control unit 11 turns on an LED (display unit 16A) of a color indicating the connectable state or displays information indicating the connectable state on the liquid crystal display (display unit 16A).

  In the case of NO in step S9, the control unit 11 controls the display unit 16A so as to indicate a connection impossible state (step S11). For example, the control unit 11 turns on an LED (display unit 16A) of a color indicating a connection disabled state or displays information indicating the connection disabled state on a liquid crystal display (display unit 16A).

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing relating to on / off of the operating voltages (DC +, DC−). Here, the processing when the electronic device 4A is connected to the power supply device 2 will be described, but the same processing is executed when the electronic devices 4B to 4D are connected to the power supply device 2. Further, as shown in step S4 of FIG. 4, the control unit 11 has already obtained information on the voltage necessary for the operation of the electronic device, the maximum power consumption of the electronic device, the power-on time of the electronic device, and the power-off time of the electronic device. It shall be acquired.

  First, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the power-on time of the electronic device 4A has elapsed based on the time information from the timer 13 and the acquired power-on time information (step S21). If NO in step S21, the determination is repeated. On the other hand, in the case of YES in step S21, the control unit 11 turns on the switch 15A, supplies the operating voltage (DC +, DC-) to the electronic device 4A, and displays the power supply state. 16A is controlled (step S22). For example, the control unit 11 turns on an LED (display unit 16A) of a color indicating the power supply state or displays information indicating the power supply state on the liquid crystal display (display unit 16A).

  Next, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the power-off time of the electronic device 4A has elapsed based on the time information from the timer 13 and the acquired power-off time information (step S23). If NO in step S23, the determination is repeated. On the other hand, in the case of YES in step S23, the control unit 11 turns off the switch 15A and controls the display unit 16A to indicate the power-off state (step S24). For example, the control unit 11 turns off the LED (display unit 16A) so as to indicate the power-off state or displays information indicating the power-off state on the liquid crystal display (display unit 16A).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the power supply device 2 is configured such that when the electronic device 4A storing the EEPROM 41A is connected, the information acquisition voltage is smaller than the voltage for operating the electronic device 4A. Is provided to the EEPROM 41A, the control unit 11 that acquires information from the EEPROM 41A, and the switch 21 that cuts off the supply of information acquisition voltage after the information is acquired. Accordingly, since the power supply device 2 does not need to supply the operation voltage of the electronic device 4A to the electronic device 4A when acquiring information from the electronic device 4A, power consumption when acquiring information from the electronic device 4A The amount can be reduced.

(Second Embodiment)
The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that information stored in the EEPROM of each electronic device is sent to the control unit 11 by wireless communication.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of a power supply control system 101 according to the second embodiment. Here, a configuration of a power supply control system different from the power supply control system 100 of FIG. 1 will be described.

  In FIG. 6, in addition to the configuration of the power supply device 2 in FIG. 1, the power supply device 2 includes information stored in the EEPROM of each electronic device (that is, the voltage necessary for the operation of the electronic device, the maximum of the electronic device). The wireless module 22 is provided for acquiring power consumption, information on the power-on time of the electronic device and the power-off time of the electronic device. The electronic devices 4A to 4D include wireless modules 42A to 42D, respectively.

  On the other hand, compared with FIG. 1, the connectors 3A to 3D do not include the RS232C driver circuits 31A to 31D, respectively. Further, the cables 25A to 25D do not include the communication lines 29A to 29D, respectively. This is because the information stored in the EEPROM of each electronic device is sent to the control unit 11 by wireless communication, so that each RS232C driver circuit for reading information and each communication line for transmitting the information to the control unit 11 This is because the need is eliminated.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a modification of the process of FIG. Here, the processing when the electronic device 4A is connected to the power supply device 2 will be described, but the same processing is executed when the electronic devices 4B to 4D are connected to the power supply device 2.

  First, when the cable 25A and the connector 3A are connected between the power supply device 2 and the electronic device 4A (step S1), the information acquisition voltage (VDD) is generated in the electronic device 4A via the cable 25A and the connector 3A. Is supplied to the EEPROM 41A and the wireless module 42A (step S2A). The wireless module 42A reads information stored in the EEPROM 41A (that is, information related to the voltage necessary for the operation of the electronic device, the maximum power consumption of the electronic device, the power-on time of the electronic device, and the power-off time of the electronic device) (step) (S3A), the information is wirelessly transmitted to the control unit 11 via the wireless module 22 (step S4A). Steps S5 to S11 are the same as steps S5 to S11 in FIG. Note that the processing of FIG. 5 is also executed in the present embodiment.

  According to the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the power supply device 2 supplies the voltage for operation of the electronic device 4A to the electronic device 4A when acquiring information from the electronic device 4A. Therefore, it is possible to reduce power consumption when acquiring information from the electronic device 4A.

  In the first and second embodiments, for example, a plurality of electronic devices 4A to 4D are connected to the power supply device 2, and the total value of the maximum power consumption of the electronic devices 4A to 4D is the supply capability of the power supply device 2 ( That is, when exceeding the maximum suppliable power), the control unit 11 may cause the display units 16A to 16D to display combinations of electronic devices that do not exceed the supply capability of the power supply device 2. For example, when the combination of the electronic devices 4A to 4C does not exceed the supply capability of the power supply device 2, the control unit 11 causes the display units 16A to 16C corresponding to the electronic devices 4A to 4C to emit light or blink in the same color. . When the display units 16A to 16D are liquid crystal displays, information indicating combinations of electronic devices that do not exceed the supply capability of the power supply device 2 may be displayed. The user selects a desired combination of electronic devices using an external device connected to the communication port 20 or a dip switch (not shown).

  In addition, when there are a plurality of combinations of electronic devices that do not exceed the supply capability of the power supply device 2, the control unit 11 switches the plurality of combinations of electronic devices that do not exceed the supply capability of the power supply device 2 to display the display unit. You may display on 16A-16D. In this case, the user uses an external device connected to the communication port 20 or a dip switch (not shown) to select a desired combination of electronic devices.

  For example, when the combination of the electronic devices 4A and 4B and the combination of the electronic devices 4A and 4C do not exceed the supply capability of the power supply device 2, the control unit 11 sets the display units 16A and 16B in the same color. After the light is emitted or blinked for a time, the display units 16A and 16C are caused to emit light or blink in the same color for a predetermined time. When the display units 16A to 16D are liquid crystal displays, information indicating combinations of electronic devices that do not exceed the supply capability of the power supply device 2 may be displayed.

  In addition, the control unit 11 subtracts the total value of the maximum power consumption of the electronic device connected to the power supply device 2 from the supply capability of the power supply device 2, and the electronic device connects information on the remaining power that can be supplied. You may display on the display part corresponding to the connection terminal which is not carried out. Accordingly, the user can determine the maximum power consumption of the electronic device that can be connected to the connection terminal to which the electronic device is not connected.

  The configuration of the power supply device 2 in FIGS. 1 and 6 is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the switches 15A to 15D, the switch 21, the control unit 11, and the memory 12 may be configured by one ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented with various modifications within a range not departing from the gist thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100,101 Power supply control system 1 AC power supply 2 Power supply device 3A-3D connector 4A-4D Electronic device 11 Control part 12 Memory 13 Timer 14 Transformer 15A-15D, 21 Switch 16A-16D Display part 19A-19D Connection terminal

Claims (7)

A first supply means for supplying to the recording medium a voltage for obtaining information smaller than a voltage for operating the electronic device when an electronic device for storing the recording medium is connected;
Obtaining means for obtaining information from the recording medium;
A power supply apparatus comprising: cutting means for cutting off the supply of the information acquisition voltage after the acquisition of the information.   2. The information according to claim 1, wherein the information is information relating to a voltage required for operation of the electronic device, maximum power consumption of the electronic device, a power-on time of the electronic device, and a power-off time of the electronic device. The power supply device described.   3. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a second supply unit configured to supply a voltage for operating the electronic device to the electronic device according to information on a voltage necessary for the operation of the electronic device acquired by the acquiring unit. The power supply device described in 1.   The second supply means supplies a voltage for operating the electronic device to the electronic device based on information on the power-on time of the electronic device, and based on the information on the power-off time of the electronic device, The power supply apparatus according to claim 3, wherein supply of a voltage for operating the electronic device is stopped. A plurality of connection means capable of connecting a plurality of electronic devices;
A plurality of display means corresponding to the plurality of connection means,
The display unit corresponding to the connection unit to which at least one electronic device is connected determines whether the total value of the maximum power consumption of the electronic device connected to the power supply device exceeds the supply capability of the power supply device. Based on the power supply status or power-off status of the corresponding electronic device,
Display means corresponding to connection means to which no electronic device is connected is newly connected based on the result of subtracting the total value of the maximum power consumption of the connected electronic device from the supply capability of the power supply device. The power supply apparatus of any one of Claims 2 thru | or 4 which displays the connection possible state or connection impossible state of an electronic device. An electronic device for storing the recording medium, and a connector having a communication circuit for reading information from the recording medium;
A cable connected between the connector and a power supply device, the first power line supplying a voltage for operating the electronic device to the electronic device, and a voltage for operating the electronic device A cable including a second power supply line for supplying a small information acquisition voltage to the recording medium and the communication circuit, and a communication line for transferring information read from the recording medium to the power supply device;
Supply means for supplying the information acquisition voltage to the recording medium and the communication circuit via the second power line when the electronic device is connected;
An acquisition means for acquiring the information from the communication circuit via the communication line, and a power supply device having a cutting means for cutting off the supply of the information acquisition voltage after the acquisition of the information. Power supply system. A connector to which an electronic device storing the recording medium and the first wireless module is connected;
A cable connected between the connector and a power supply device, the first power line supplying a voltage for operating the electronic device to the electronic device, and a voltage for operating the electronic device A cable including a second power line for supplying a small information acquisition voltage to the recording medium and the first wireless module;
Supply means for supplying the information acquisition voltage to the recording medium and the first wireless module via the second power line and the connector when the electronic device is connected;
A power supply comprising: a second wireless module that acquires the information from the first wireless module; and a power supply device that includes a cutting unit that disconnects the supply of the information acquisition voltage after the information is acquired. Supply system.

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