JP2014179721A - Electric apparatus and electric apparatus system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electric apparatus which facilitates realization of power saving in a situation where power saving is important, while suppressing a burden on a user etc.SOLUTION: The electric apparatus for performing a predetermined operation by using externally supplied power comprises: an information acquisition unit for acquiring information on a power usage for plural electric apparatuses including the electric apparatus; and a discrimination unit for discriminating whether the power usage has exceeded a predetermined reference value.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electric device that operates using electric power supplied from the outside, and an electric device system including the electric device.

  From the viewpoint of stable supply of electric power and consideration for the environment, efforts for power saving by each consumer are desired. Particularly in summer and winter, the amount of power used is likely to increase, and power saving tends to be more important in order to prevent a situation where power supply is tight and a power failure occurs. As described above, the importance of power saving depends on the season, time zone, and other various factors.

  In addition, information such as real-time power usage status (information indicating the importance of power saving) is provided by an electric power company or an information provider through the Internet or the like. As a result, the user of the electric device can know the current power supply margin (importance of power saving) and try to save power when the power supply is tight (for example, the electric device is manually saved). Switch to power mode).

JP 2008-79076 A

  However, in many cases, it takes much time and effort for a user of an electric device to confirm information such as a power usage state and manually set the electric device to a power saving mode. As a result, the burden on the user increases, and the willingness to save power may be impaired.

  In view of the above-described problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an electrical device and an electrical device system that can easily realize power saving in an important state of power saving while suppressing a burden on a user or the like.

  An electrical device according to the present invention is an electrical device that performs a predetermined operation using power supplied from the outside, and an information acquisition unit that acquires information on power used for a plurality of electrical devices including the electrical device, and the use And a determination unit that determines whether or not the power exceeds a predetermined reference value.

  According to this configuration, it is easy to realize power saving in an important state of power saving while suppressing the burden on the user or the like. More specifically, the above configuration may be a configuration in which a power saving mode in which power consumption is reduced when the determination unit determines that the reference value has been exceeded is possible.

  An electrical device according to the present invention is an electrical device that is connected to an electric power system and performs a predetermined operation using electric power supplied from the electric power system, and acquires information indicating a power supply margin in the electric power system. An information acquisition unit; a determination unit that determines whether the margin is smaller than a predetermined reference value; and a power saving mode in which power consumption is reduced when the determination unit determines that the margin is smaller than the reference value. It becomes the composition which becomes. According to this configuration, it is easy to realize power saving in an important state of power saving while suppressing the burden on the user or the like.

  More specifically, the above configuration may be a configuration that accepts designation of operation contents in the power saving mode. According to this configuration, it is possible to realize power saving in a desired form.

  Further, as an electric device having the above-described configuration for performing image display or audio output, more specifically, as a configuration for performing an operation for decreasing the brightness of the image display or an operation for decreasing the volume of the audio output in the power saving mode. Also good.

  More specifically, the reference value may be set based on the past power consumption.

  More specifically, as the above configuration, when the determination unit determines that the reference value has been exceeded, an OSD screen is displayed that allows the user to select whether or not to execute the power saving mode. It is good also as a structure which will be in the said power saving mode, when the direction to perform is selected.

  Moreover, the electrical equipment system according to the present invention is an electrical equipment system including one or a plurality of electrical equipments according to the above-described configuration and an information acquisition device that acquires information on the power used, wherein the information acquisition unit includes: The information on the used power is acquired by sequentially receiving the information on the used power from the information acquisition device. According to this configuration, it is easy to realize power saving in an important state of power saving while suppressing the burden on the user or the like.

  More specifically, the above-described configuration includes a plurality of the electric devices, and each of the electric devices has a larger amount of reduction in power consumption due to the power saving mode, and the reference value becomes larger. It is good also as a structure set low.

  According to the electric device of the present invention, it is easy to realize power saving in an important situation of power saving while suppressing the burden on the user or the like. In addition, according to the electric device system of the present invention, it is easy to realize power saving in the electric device in an important state of power saving while suppressing the burden on the user or the like.

It is a block diagram regarding the television broadcast receiver of 1st Embodiment and its periphery. It is a flowchart regarding operation | movement of the said television broadcast receiver. It is a block diagram regarding the television broadcast receiver of 2nd Embodiment and its periphery. It is a flowchart regarding operation | movement of the said television broadcast receiver. It is a block diagram regarding the electric equipment system of 3rd Embodiment, and its periphery. It is a flowchart regarding operation | movement of each electric equipment in the said electric equipment system.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, taking the first to third embodiments as examples.

1. First Embodiment First, a first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram relating to a television broadcast receiver (one form of electrical equipment) 1 according to the present embodiment and its periphery. As shown in the figure, the television broadcast receiver 1 includes a broadcast receiving unit 11, a broadcast signal processing unit 12, an audio signal processing unit 13, a speaker 14, an image signal processing unit 15, a display 16, a control unit 18, an operation unit 19, A power supply unit 20 and a communication unit 22 are provided.

  The broadcast receiving unit 11 has an antenna, a tuner device, and the like, and continuously receives a broadcast signal transmitted from a television broadcast station. The broadcast channel to be selected is controlled by the control unit 18. The received broadcast signal is sent to the broadcast signal processing unit 12.

  The broadcast signal processing unit 12 extracts an image signal and an audio signal from the broadcast signal, sends the image signal to the image signal processing unit 15, and sends the audio signal to the audio signal processing unit 13. The audio signal processing unit 13 performs necessary processing on the received audio signal and sends it to the speaker 14. The speaker 14 operates so as to produce sound based on the sound signal received from the sound signal processing unit 13. The volume of the speaker 14 can be controlled by the control unit 18.

  The image signal processing unit 15 performs necessary processing on the received image signal and sends it to the display 16. The image signal sent to the display 16 is composed of, for example, a luminance signal for each pixel of RGB (red, green, and blue), a synchronization signal that determines the timing of image display (scanning), a clock signal, and the like. It is a signal showing the image of each frame which comprises the image (moving image) of a broadcast program.

  The display 16 operates to display an image based on the image signal received from the image signal processing unit 15. The brightness of image display on the display 16 can be controlled by the control unit 18. The type of the display 16 is not particularly limited, and the brightness control of the image display is realized by a predetermined method adapted to the type of the display 16. Regardless of the type of the display 16, the power consumption required for the display increases as the image is displayed brighter.

  As an example, when the display 16 is a liquid crystal display, the display 16 includes a liquid crystal panel, a panel driver, a backlight unit, and the like. The liquid crystal panel includes a plurality of pixels (having pixel electrodes arranged opposite to each other with the liquid crystal interposed therebetween), RGB color filters corresponding to the respective pixels, and the like.

  The panel driver adjusts the voltage of each pixel electrode in the liquid crystal panel based on the image signal received from the image signal processing unit 15. The liquid crystal panel adjusts the transmittance of the supplied backlight for each pixel by adjusting the voltage of each pixel electrode. Thus, when the backlight is illuminated from the back side of the liquid crystal panel, an image is displayed in the display area of the liquid crystal panel.

  Further, the backlight unit has a light source (for example, a fluorescent tube or an LED) whose brightness can be adjusted by the control unit 18 and emits light with brightness according to an instruction from the control unit 18. The light emitted from the light source is supplied to the back side of the liquid crystal panel as a backlight.

  The control unit 18 controls each unit of the television broadcast receiver 1 and executes various processes necessary for exhibiting the functions of the television broadcast receiver 1. The operation unit 19 includes a switch operated by the user, and transmits the operation content to the control unit 18. Thereby, it is possible to reflect a user's intention in various operations of the television broadcast receiver 1.

  The control unit 18 includes an information acquisition unit 18a and a determination unit 18b. The information acquisition unit 18a acquires information on the power usage Ea and the target value Ta. When the information acquisition unit 18a acquires the information on the power consumption Ea, operations in steps S1 and S4 described later are realized. The used power Ea is used power (currently used power) in the consumer D who uses the television broadcast receiver 1. Since the consumer D uses a plurality of electrical devices at the same time, the power consumption of these electrical devices is added to the power consumption Ea. Further, in a situation where the television broadcast receiver 1 is used, the power usage Ea is power usage for a plurality of electric devices including the television broadcast receiver 1. The information acquisition unit 18a may have a function of monitoring the used power Ea, and may acquire information on the used power Ea by receiving information from an external device that monitors the used power Ea.

  Further, the target value Ta is a value that is a target of the power consumption Ea with respect to power saving or the like in the customer D. For example, the consumer D can try to save power with the aim of keeping the power consumption Ea below the target value Ta. The target value Ta may be a predetermined fixed value, for example, or may be a value set by the user to an arbitrary value. Further, the target value Ta may be set based on history information (past used power Ea) of the used power Ea. For example, the target value Ta can be set to the power usage Ea in the same time zone on the same day of the same month of the previous year.

  The determination unit 18b receives the information on the used power Ea and the target value Ta from the information acquisition unit 18a, and determines whether the used power Ea exceeds the target value Ta or whether the used power Ea falls below the target value Ta. I do. Thereby, the operations of steps S2 and S5 described later are realized.

  In addition, the control unit 18 accepts designation of operation contents (designation by the user) at any time in the power saving mode (see the operation in step S3 described later). This designation may be, for example, a designation that either one of the operation of lowering the volume of the speaker 14 (volume changing operation) or the operation of lowering the brightness of the display 16 (luminance changing operation) is executed. It may be specified that both of these operations are executed. This designation may be a designation that preferentially executes either the volume changing operation or the luminance changing operation.

  If the volume change operation is designated to be preferentially executed, for example, if the volume of the speaker 14 is first lowered by a predetermined degree and the power consumption Ea does not fall below the target value Ta, the display 16 is further increased. Is reduced by a predetermined amount. Further, when it is specified that the brightness changing operation is preferentially executed, for example, if the brightness of the display 16 is first lowered by a predetermined degree and the power consumption Ea does not fall below the target value Ta, the speaker is further reduced. The volume of 14 is lowered by a predetermined degree. However, how to specify the operation content in the power saving mode may be other than the above.

  The power supply unit 20 has an insertion plug that can be connected to, for example, a household power outlet, and receives power supply from the power system 2 (system power supply). The power supply unit 20 performs necessary processing (AC-DC conversion or the like) on the power supplied from the power system 2 and supplies the power to each unit of the television broadcast receiver 1 as drive power. Note that the brighter the image displayed on the display 16, the more power is supplied from the power system 2. In addition, as the volume of the speaker 14 increases, more power is supplied from the power system 2.

  The communication unit 22 transmits various types of information such as a determination result by the determination unit 18b to an external communication device (for example, a portable communication terminal). Thereby, the user can easily grasp various information such as the determination result by using the communication device.

  The television broadcast receiver 1 has the above-described configuration, and operates to perform image display and audio output of a television broadcast program using power supplied from the power system 2 when the power is on. Also, the television broadcast receiver 1 operates so as to automatically enter the power saving mode when the power consumption Ea is larger than the target value Ta (the importance of power saving is relatively high). The flow of this operation will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  At normal times (when the power consumption Ea is smaller than the target value Ta), the display 16 displays an image with a preset normal brightness (predetermined brightness), and the speaker 14 is preset. Audio output is performed at a normal volume (predetermined volume). Under such circumstances, the control unit 18 acquires information on the power consumption Ea periodically (for example, every 15 minutes) (step S1).

  The control unit 18 determines whether or not the used power Ea exceeds the target value Ta based on the acquired information every time information on the used power Ea is acquired (step S2). In this way, the control unit 18 monitors whether or not the power consumption Ea exceeds the target value Ta.

  When the power consumption Ea exceeds the target value Ta (Y in step S2), the control unit 18 implements a power saving mode in which the operation mode of the television broadcast receiver 1 is more power saving than normal (step S3). The control unit 18 decreases the volume of the speaker 14 and the brightness of the display 16 in accordance with the contents of the currently set power saving mode.

  Even during the power saving mode, the control unit 18 acquires information on the power consumption Ea periodically (for example, every 15 minutes) (step S4). Each time the control unit 18 acquires the information on the used power Ea, the control unit 18 determines whether the used power Ea is less than the target value Ta based on the acquired information (step S5). In this way, the control unit 18 monitors whether or not the power consumption Ea has fallen below the target value Ta.

  When the power consumption Ea falls below the target value Ta (Y in step S5), the control unit 18 cancels the power saving mode so that the operation mode of the television broadcast receiver 1 returns to normal (step S6). . Thereby, the volume of the speaker 14 and the brightness of the display 16 are returned to the state before the power saving mode is implemented. Thereafter, the operation of step S1 is repeated in the television broadcast receiver 1.

  By performing the series of operations in steps S1 to S6 described above, the television broadcast receiver 1 automatically enters the power saving mode in a situation where the importance of power saving is relatively high from the viewpoint of power saving and the like. In addition, about the operation | movement content of step S1-S6 mentioned above, unless it deviates from the meaning, it is possible to add various deformation | transformation.

  For example, the specific contents of the power saving mode are not limited to those described above as long as power saving is achieved. As an example, the power saving mode may be a mode in which the television broadcast receiver 1 is in a power-off state (a state in which image display or audio output is not performed and the power is on).

  In addition, when the execution condition of the power saving mode is satisfied, an instruction regarding the permission of execution by the user or the like may be received, and the power saving mode may be executed when the instruction is given. For example, when the power consumption Ea exceeds the target value Ta (Y in step S2), an OSD screen that allows the user to select whether or not to implement the power saving mode is displayed on the display 16. Then, when the user selects the method to be executed by operating the operation unit 19, the power saving mode is performed. Thereby, it can prevent that a power saving mode is implemented contrary to a user's will.

  Further, when the power saving mode is implemented or canceled (when the power saving mode is switched on / off), an OSD screen indicating that may be displayed on the display 16. Thus, the user can more clearly recognize that the power saving mode has been implemented or has been canceled.

  Also, as the power saving mode, a plurality of modes having different power saving levels (for example, different degrees of reducing the brightness of the image display) are prepared, and these modes become more important as the power saving becomes more important. It may be implemented step by step. For example, when the power consumption Ea exceeds the target value Ta, the brightness of the image display is reduced by 20% from the normal time, and then the power consumption Ea exceeds 120% of the target value Ta. Alternatively, the brightness of the image display may be lowered by 50% from the normal time.

  As described above, the television broadcast receiver 1 performs a predetermined operation using power supplied from the outside. Then, the television broadcast receiver 1 is information on power consumption Ea (power consumption at the customer D who uses the television broadcast receiver 1 or the like in the example of the present embodiment) regarding a plurality of electric devices including the television broadcast receiver 1. And a determination unit that determines whether or not the power consumption Ea exceeds a target value Ta (predetermined reference value). Therefore, according to the television broadcast receiver 1, it is easy to realize power saving in an important situation of power saving while suppressing the burden on the user or the like.

  More specifically, the television broadcast receiver 1 enters a power saving mode in which the power consumption is reduced when the determination unit determines that the target value Ta has been exceeded. Note that when the determination unit determines that the target value Ta has been exceeded, the television broadcast receiver 1 may only display, for example, that effect. In this case, the user can know that the power consumption Ea has exceeded the target value Ta, and can make efforts to save power so as to suppress the power usage.

2. Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described. Note that the second embodiment is basically the same as the first embodiment except for the portion related to the implementation conditions and the like of the power saving mode. In the following description, emphasis is placed on the description of parts different from the first embodiment, and description of common parts may be omitted.

  FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram relating to a television broadcast receiver (one form of electrical equipment) 1 according to the present embodiment and its periphery. As shown in the figure, the television broadcast receiver 1 includes a broadcast receiving unit 11, a broadcast signal processing unit 12, an audio signal processing unit 13, a speaker 14, an image signal processing unit 15, a display 16, a control unit 18, an operation unit 19, A power supply unit 20 and an Internet connection unit 21 are provided. In addition, about the structure, role, etc. of each part (11-16) from a broadcast receiving part to a display, the operation part 19, the power supply part 20, and the communication part 22, it is equivalent to the case of 1st Embodiment.

  The control unit 18 controls each unit of the television broadcast receiver 1 and executes various processes necessary for exhibiting the functions of the television broadcast receiver 1. In the second embodiment, the information acquisition unit 18 a acquires information on the power usage status from the Internet connection unit 21. Further, the determination unit 18b receives information on the power usage status from the information acquisition unit 18a, and performs the determination operation in steps S12 and S15 described later.

  The Internet connection unit 21 has various functions for connecting to the Internet, and enables Internet communication by the television broadcast receiver 1. The Internet connection unit 21 operates to access a specific server 3 via the Internet and send the information acquired from the server 3 to the control unit 18.

  Note that a server that is managed by an electric power company or an information provider, for example, and that provides information on power usage status in real time (for example, every few minutes) is connected to the Internet. The power usage status is expressed, for example, as a ratio between the power used and the maximum supply power in a pipe of a certain power system. Therefore, it can be said that the higher the value of the power usage status, the tighter the power supply in the pipe (the power supply margin is small, and thus the importance of power saving is high for consumers).

  The server 3 accessed by the Internet connection unit 21 is a server that provides information on real-time power usage in the pipe to which the power system 2 (the power system to which the power supply unit 20 receives power supply) belongs. Note that the Internet connection unit 21 determines which server's power system is receiving power by automatically detecting the current position of the own device, for example, and specifies the server 3 to be accessed. good.

  As an example, in the Internet connection unit 21, address information of a server that provides a power usage status is registered for each power company. When the Internet connection unit 21 detects that the current location of the aircraft is “Osaka Prefecture”, the server that provides information on the power usage status in the “Kansai Electric Power” jurisdiction with Osaka Prefecture as the supply area Is specified as the server 3 to be accessed.

  The method for specifying the server 3 to be accessed is not limited to such a method. For example, the Internet connection unit 21 may be accessible to the server 3 by inputting information such as the current position of the own device or the address of the server 3 by a user or the like.

  The television broadcast receiver 1 has the above-described configuration, and operates to perform image display and audio output of a television broadcast program using power supplied from the power system 2 when the power is on. The television broadcast receiver 1 operates so as to automatically enter the power saving mode in a situation where the margin of power supply is relatively small (the importance of power saving is relatively high). The flow of this operation will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  At normal time (before the power usage status exceeds a first reference value C1 described later), the display 16 displays an image with a preset normal brightness (predetermined brightness), and the speaker 14 Audio output is performed at the set normal volume (predetermined volume). Under such circumstances, the Internet connection unit 21 receives information on the latest power usage status from the server 3 periodically (for example, every 15 minutes) (step S11).

  The control unit 18 determines whether or not the power usage status exceeds a predetermined first reference value C1 (for example, 90%) based on the received information every time the power usage status information is received (step S12). ). In this way, the control unit 18 monitors whether or not the power usage state exceeds the first reference value C1.

  When the power usage status exceeds the first reference value C1 (Y in Step S12), the control unit 18 implements a power saving mode in which the operation mode of the television broadcast receiver 1 is more power saving than normal (Step S13). ). Note that the operation contents and the like in the power saving mode are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  Even during the power saving mode, the Internet connection unit 21 receives information on the latest power usage status from the server 3 periodically (for example, every 15 minutes) (step S14). Each time the control unit 18 receives the information on the power usage status, it determines whether or not the power usage status is below a predetermined second reference value C2 based on the received information (step S15).

  In this way, the control unit 18 monitors whether or not the power usage state has fallen below the second reference value C2. The second reference value C2 may be the same value as the first reference value C1, or may be a value (for example, 85%) lower than the first reference value C1.

  When the power usage state falls below the second reference value C2 (Y in step S15), the control unit 18 cancels the power saving mode so that the operation mode of the television broadcast receiver 1 returns to normal (step). S16). Thereafter, the operation of step S11 is repeated in the television broadcast receiver 1.

  By performing the series of operations in steps S11 to S16 described above, the television broadcast receiver 1 automatically enters the power saving mode in a situation where the power supply margin is relatively small. In addition, about the operation | movement content of step S1-S6 mentioned above, unless it deviates from the meaning, it is possible to add various deformation | transformation.

  For example, the specific contents of the power saving mode are not limited to those described above as long as power saving is achieved. As an example, the power saving mode may be a mode in which the television broadcast receiver 1 is in a power-off state (a state in which image display or audio output is not performed and the power is on).

  In addition, when the execution condition of the power saving mode is satisfied, an instruction regarding the permission of execution by the user or the like may be received, and the power saving mode may be executed when the instruction is given. As an example, when the power usage status exceeds the first reference value C1 (Y in step S12), an OSD screen that allows the user to select whether or not to implement the power saving mode is displayed on the display 16. The Then, when the user selects the method to be executed by operating the operation unit 19, the power saving mode is performed. Thereby, it can prevent that a power saving mode is implemented contrary to a user's will.

  Further, when the power saving mode is implemented or canceled (when the power saving mode is switched on / off), an OSD screen indicating that may be displayed on the display 16. Thus, the user can more clearly recognize that the power saving mode has been implemented or has been canceled.

  In addition, as the power saving mode, a plurality of modes having different power saving levels (for example, different degrees of reducing the brightness of the image display) are prepared, and these modes are changed as the power supply margin decreases. It may be implemented step by step. As an example, when the power usage status exceeds 90%, the brightness of the image display is lowered by 20% from the normal time, and when the power usage status exceeds 95% after that, the brightness of the image display is increased. The thickness may be lowered by 50% from the normal time.

  As described above, the television broadcast receiver 1 according to the second embodiment is connected to the power system and performs a predetermined operation using the power supplied from the power system. In addition, the television broadcast receiver 1 includes an information acquisition unit that acquires information indicating a margin of power supply in the power system, a determination unit that determines whether the margin is smaller than a predetermined reference value, and the determination unit When it is determined that the value is smaller than the reference value, the power saving mode is achieved in which the power consumption is reduced. Therefore, according to the television broadcast receiver 1, it is easy to realize power saving in an important situation of power saving while suppressing the burden on the user or the like.

3. Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram relating to the electrical device system 40 and its periphery according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the electric device system 40 includes electric devices 41 (electric device A, electric device B, electric device C) and a system management device 42.

  Each electric device 41 is a load in the power system 30. The electric power system 30 is a system related to supply and consumption of electric power used in a consumer D (business establishment, house, home, etc.). The power system 30 has a configuration in which a solar cell 31, a PCS (power conditioner) 32, a power system 33, each electric device 41, and the like are connected via a power transmission line.

  The solar cell 31 generates electric power by photoelectric conversion of sunlight, and sends the generated electric power to the PCS 32. The PCS 32 performs predetermined processing (DC-AC conversion or the like) on the electric power received from the solar battery 31 and sends it to each electric device 41. The electric power generated by the solar cell 31 is used as driving electric power for each electric device 41, but the surplus electric power may be reversely flowed (sold) to the electric power system 33 and charged to a storage battery (not shown). May be.

  The power system 33 supplies driving power to each electrical device 41. When a part of the driving power of each electric device 41 is supplied from the solar battery 31 side, the deficient driving power is supplied to each electric device 41 from the power system 33.

  Each electric device 41 is used in the consumer D, and operates using the power supplied from the power supply means of the power system 30 (in this embodiment, the solar cell 31 and the power system 33). For simplification of explanation, it is assumed that loads other than the electric devices 41 are not considered as loads in the power system 30.

  The system management device 42 has means for monitoring each piece of information of the power system 30 (supplied power, used power, etc. in the power system 30), and manages the power system 30. The power used in the power system 30 (hereinafter simply referred to as “power used”) is the total power consumed by each electrical device 41 (in other words, the power supplied to each electrical device 41). Corresponds to the power used. The system management device 42 may be a controller for HEMS [Home Energy Management System] in the customer D.

  The system management device 42 is configured to sequentially transmit information on the latest power usage to each electrical device 41. In addition, since the consumer D tends to use too much electric power, so that the value of electric power used is high, the importance of power saving is high for the consumer D. From this, it can be said that the information on the power used is information indicating the importance of power saving when the power supplied from the power system 30 is used. Each electric device 41 can receive information on power usage from the system management device 42 sequentially (for example, every 15 minutes).

  Each electrical device 41 is configured to perform a predetermined operation including the first operation using the power supplied from the power supply unit of the power system 30. And each electric equipment 41 implements a power saving mode, when used electric power exceeds predetermined 3rd standard value C3 based on the information on the newest used electric power. In the power saving mode, a second operation with lower power consumption than the first operation is performed instead of the first operation.

  Note that the contents of the first operation and the second operation can be appropriately determined in accordance with the above-described purpose according to the type of each electric device 41 and the like. As an example, in the case of an image display device (an electric device that displays an image on a display), the first operation is “an operation for displaying an image with a preset brightness”, and the second operation is “from the first operation. The operation of displaying an image with reduced brightness can be performed. As another example, in the case of a cooling machine (an electric device that performs cooling), the first operation is “an operation that performs cooling at a target temperature that is currently set”, and the second operation is “a target temperature that is higher than the first operation. The operation of raising the air conditioner and performing the cooling ”can be performed.

  The flow of such operations performed by each electrical device 41 will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  In normal time (before the power used exceeds the third reference value C3), each electric device 41 performs a normal predetermined operation. Under such circumstances, each electrical device 41 sequentially receives information on the latest power usage from the system management device 42 (step S21).

  Each time the electric equipment 41 receives the information on the power used, it determines whether or not the power used exceeds the third reference value C3 based on the received information (step S22). Thus, it is monitored whether each electric equipment 41 and the electric power used exceeded 3rd reference value C3.

  When the power consumption exceeds the third reference value C3 (Y in step S22), each electric device 41 implements a power saving mode in which the operation mode of each electric device 41 is lower than usual (step S23). . More specifically, each electrical device 41 performs a second operation with lower power consumption than the first operation, instead of the first operation included in the normal predetermined operation.

  Even during the power saving mode, each electrical device 41 sequentially receives the latest information on the power usage status from the system management device 42 (step S24). Each time the electrical equipment 41 receives the information on the power usage status, it determines whether or not the power usage status is below a predetermined fourth reference value C4 based on the received information (step S25).

  In this way, each electrical device 41 monitors whether or not the power used has fallen below the fourth reference value C4. The fourth reference value C4 may be the same value as the third reference value C3, or may be a value lower than the third reference value C3.

  When the power consumption falls below the fourth reference value C4 (Y in step S25), each electric device 41 releases the power saving mode so that the operation mode of each electric device 41 returns to normal (step S26). ). Thereafter, the operation of step S21 is repeated in each electrical device 41.

  As a result of the series of operations in steps S21 to S26 described above, each electric device 41 has a relatively large amount of power used by the consumer D, that is, a situation where the importance of power saving is relatively high for the consumer D. Then, the power saving mode is automatically set. In addition, about the operation | movement content of step S21-S26 mentioned above, it is possible to add various deformation | transformation, unless it deviates from the meaning similarly to the case of 1st Embodiment.

  Further, the system management device 42 may sequentially transmit, for example, information representing the difference between the used power and the generated power of the solar battery 31 to each electric device 41 instead of the used power information. In this case, each electrical device 41 sequentially receives information representing the difference between the used power and the generated power of the solar cell 31 instead of the used power information, and when this difference exceeds the third reference value C3. Implement power saving mode. In addition, it can be said that the greater the difference between the power used and the power generated by the solar battery 31, the greater the power supplied from the power system 33 (charged power purchased from the power company), and the higher the importance of power saving for the consumer D.

  As described above, the electrical device system 40 includes the system management device 42 (information acquisition device) that acquires information about the power used by the consumer D and the electrical devices 41 that are used by the consumer D. Each electric device 41 has a configuration as described above. Therefore, according to the electric device system 40, it is possible to realize power saving of each electric device 41 in an important state of power saving while suppressing the burden on the user or the like.

  The number of electrical devices 41 may be plural as in the present embodiment, or may be only one. Further, when the electrical device system 40 includes a plurality of electrical devices 41, the third reference value C3 is set lower as each electrical device 41 has a larger power consumption reduction amount due to the power saving mode. May be.

  For example, it is assumed that the amount of reduction in power consumption due to the power saving mode is 20 W for the electric device A, 30 W for the electric device B, and 50 W for the electric device C. In this case, the third reference value C3 is 5 kW for the electric device A, 4 kW for the electric device B, and 3 kW for the electric device C. If it does in this way, it will become possible to reduce the electric equipment used as a power saving mode as much as possible, realizing power saving according to the importance of power saving.

  In addition, any one of the electric devices 41 controls the other electric device 41 so that the power saving according to the importance of the power saving is realized also in the other electric device 41. Also good. In this way, even if the function of performing the operations of steps S21 to S26 is not provided in the other electric device 41, an effect equivalent to the case where the function is provided can be obtained.

  As an example, it is assumed that the electric device B does not have a function of performing the operations of steps S21 to S26, and the electric device A controls the electric device B. In this case, when the electric power used exceeds the third reference value C3 (Y in step S22), the electric device A performs the operation in step S23 and controls the electric device B so that the power saving mode is performed. . Furthermore, when the electric power used is below the fourth reference value C3 (Y in step S25), the electric device A performs the operation in step S23 and controls the electric device B so that the power saving mode is canceled.

4). Others Each embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the configuration of the present invention can be variously modified within the scope of the present invention in addition to the above-described embodiment. That is, the above-described embodiment is an example in all respects, and should be considered not restrictive.

  The technical scope of the present invention is shown not by the description of the above embodiment but by the scope of claims, and it is understood that all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims are included. Should be. Further, the present invention can be used for various electric devices.

1 Television broadcast receiver (electrical equipment)
2 Power system 3 Server 11 Broadcast receiving unit 12 Broadcast signal processing unit 13 Audio signal processing unit 14 Speaker 15 Image signal processing unit 16 Display 18 Control unit 18a Information acquisition unit 18b Discriminating unit 19 Operation unit 20 Power supply unit 21 Internet connection unit 22 Communication Part 30 Power system 31 Solar cell 32 PCS
33 Electric Power System 40 Electric Equipment System 41 Electric Equipment 42 System Management Device (Information Acquisition Device)

Claims (9)

An electrical device that performs a predetermined operation using externally supplied power,
An information acquisition unit that acquires information on power consumption for a plurality of electrical devices including the electrical device;
A discriminator for discriminating whether or not the used electric power exceeds a predetermined reference value;
Electrical equipment characterized by comprising   The electrical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the determination unit determines that the reference value is exceeded, the power saving mode is set to reduce power consumption. An electrical device connected to a power system and performing a predetermined operation using power supplied from the power system,
An information acquisition unit for acquiring information indicating a margin of power supply in the power system;
A determination unit for determining whether the margin is smaller than a predetermined reference value;
An electric apparatus characterized by being in a power saving mode in which power consumption is reduced when it is determined by the determination unit that the value is smaller than the reference value.   The electric device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein designation of operation contents in the power saving mode is accepted. The electric device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, which performs image display or audio output,
In the power saving mode,
An electrical apparatus that performs an operation of reducing the brightness of the image display or an operation of reducing the volume of the audio output.   The electrical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reference value is set based on the past power consumption. When it is determined by the determination unit that the reference value has been exceeded, an OSD screen is displayed that allows the user to select whether to execute the power saving mode.
The electric device according to claim 2, wherein the power saving mode is set when the method to be executed is selected. One or more electrical appliances according to claim 2;
An information acquisition device for acquiring information of the power consumption;
An electrical equipment system comprising:
The information acquisition unit
The information on the used power is acquired by sequentially receiving the information on the used power from the information acquisition device. A plurality of the electrical devices,
The electrical device system according to claim 8, wherein each of the electrical devices has the reference value set to be lower as the amount of reduction in power consumption due to entering the power saving mode is larger.

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