JP3242342B2 - Power supply control apparatus and method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a power supply control device connected to an external communication line such as a LAN. In particular, the present invention relates to a power supply control device that can share a LAN connection address between the power supply control device and a controlled device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In order to actually operate controlled devices such as personal computers and workstations, it is necessary to supply power to these controlled devices. In recent years, the controlled devices have been controlled via communication lines very frequently. At the same time, the power supply control device that supplies power to the controlled devices in a controlled manner is configured in a manner that enables remote control. May be done. In order to remotely control the power control device, it is common to connect a power supply unit, which is a component of the power control device, with a power control unit, and connect an external communication line to this power control unit to perform remote control. It is a target.
Here, the power supply unit does not necessarily need to be physically separated from the power control unit, and generally, the power supply unit is provided as a part of the power supply unit.

FIG. 3 shows the relationship between a controlled device and a power supply control device. A controlled device 110 such as a personal computer / workstation can be remotely controlled by an external communication line 120. The power to the controlled device 110 is supplied to the power control device 100 via the power cord 112.
Supplied from The power supply control device 100 is connected to a general-purpose power supply 140. The power control device 100 is connected to an external communication line 130 and can be remotely controlled.

The operation of a system according to the prior art combining such a controlled device and a power supply control device will be described below. First, while the controlled device 110 is turned off, the communication line 120 (in general, a LAN is used, but not particularly limited) cannot operate at all. But,
Another communication line 130 connected to the power supply control device is operable, and can receive an ON command by remote control. The ON command is transmitted to the power supply control device 100 via the communication line 130, and the power supply control device 100 turns on the controlled device 110. On the other hand, a command to turn off the power is transmitted by a communication line 120 connected to the controlled device 110, and the controlled device 110 that has received this command is connected via an internal communication line 150 (generally, RS232C or the like). This command is transmitted to the power control device 100. Upon receiving the off command, the power supply control device 100 turns off the controlled device 110 during a certain period of time.

[0005] The power supply control device 100 is generally a composite of a power supply unit for supplying power to the controlled device 110 and a power supply control unit for controlling the power supply unit. It is also possible to use an uninterruptible power supply as needed. The uninterruptible power supply is a power supply having a function of supplying power to a controlled device even in an emergency such as an earthquake, and is an essential power supply for applications in which long-term operation of the controlled device must be guaranteed.

According to the combination of the controlled device and the power supply control device described with reference to FIG. 3, two communication lines with the outside are necessary, and therefore, two addresses to be allocated to the communication lines also need to be secured. is there. However, addresses such as LANs are chronically in short supply due to the rapid spread of device control and information exchange by computer communication. Addresses are reserved only for power control devices, and two addresses are consumed by one system. It is not practical to do so.

FIG. 4 shows a conventional system in which a controlled device and a power supply control device are operated in combination using one communication line / communication address. here,
The controlled device 110 is connected to the power supply control device 100, and power is supplied from a general-purpose power supply 140. Communication line 120
Are single and connected to a dedicated adapter card 160. The adapter card 160 controls on / off of the controlled device 110 in response to a special packet dedicated to on / off of the power transmitted via the communication line 120. According to such a special adapter card 160, the system of the controlled device and the power supply control device can be controlled collectively by the single communication line 120. However, since this function can be used only by a model corresponding to the adapter card, there is a problem in versatility.

Further, in this method, when an uninterruptible power supply is connected, a situation such as a power failure cannot be grasped. This is because, if a power failure occurs while the controlled device is operating, the uninterruptible power supply usually turns off the controlled device and at the same time
This is because 0 is also turned off, so that an external operation cannot be accepted.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A first object of the present invention is to provide a power supply control device which does not need to use an address different from the address of a controlled device. A second object of the present invention is to provide a power supply control device that has the above-mentioned first object and can be used for any controlled device.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to share a communication line from an external device connected to a power supply control device for supplying power to a controlled device such as a personal computer with the controlled device. This can be achieved by providing a switching mechanism for switching the connection of the communication line in the power supply control device to save the address.

Specifically, in one aspect, the present invention is a power supply control device that controls power supply to a controlled device by remote control according to a command sent via a transmission line. The power supply control device includes an uninterruptible power supply that supplies power to the controlled device, a power supply control unit connected to the uninterruptible power supply, and a communication line connected to the controlled device and the power supply. A switching mechanism including a switch for switching between the control unit and the control unit. The uninterruptible power supply issues a power-off command to the controlled device via the power control unit when detecting a power failure, and the switching mechanism disconnects the communication line after issuing the power-off command. The switch is switched to connect to the power supply control unit, and waits for a power-on command to be sent to the power supply control unit via the communication line.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an uninterruptible power supply for supplying power to a controlled device, a power control unit connected to the uninterruptible power supply, and a communication for transmitting an external command. A switching mechanism including a switch for switching a line connection between the controlled device and the power control unit, and remotely controlling power supply to the controlled device by a command sent through the communication line. This is a power control method by a power control device to be controlled. The method comprises the steps of: when the uninterruptible power supply detects a power failure, issuing a power-off command to the controlled device via the power control unit; and Switching a switch of the switching mechanism to connect to a power control unit, and waiting for a power-on command to be sent to the power control unit via the communication line.

[0013]

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention utilizes the fact that the need for external communication with a power supply control device and a controlled device is temporally exclusive, so that LAs connected to these devices are controlled.
A communication line from the outside such as N can be shared.

One embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 1, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in FIGS. 3 and 4 relating to the related art. That is, the power supply control device 100 and the controlled device 110
1 is shown in FIG. 1. The power supply control device 100 includes a power supply unit 104 and a power supply control unit 102 that controls the power supply unit 104. In FIG. 1, the power supply control unit 102 and the power supply unit 104 are drawn in one frame, but they may be physically separated. External communication line 1
Reference numeral 20 denotes a single system including the power supply control device 100 and the controlled device 110, which is connected to a switching mechanism 200 provided in the power supply control device 100.
The switching mechanism 200 is configured to be able to switch between a line 210 connected to the controlled device 110 and a line 220 connected to the power supply control unit 102. The external communication line 120 is the switching mechanism 2
00, the connection is made to either the line 210 connected to the controlled device 110 or the line 220 connected to the power supply control unit 102.

The operation of the power supply control device 100 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. While the controlled device 110 is off, the switching mechanism 200 connects the external communication line 120 to the power control unit 102. In this state, the power supply control unit 102 waits for an ON command by remote control. Next, upon detecting the ON command, the power control unit 102 controls the power supply unit 104 to supply power to the controlled device 110. After that, the switching mechanism 200 switches the switch to connect the external communication line 12.
0 is the line 210 connected to the controlled device 110
Connect to In this state, the controlled device 110 is connected to the communication line 1
Normal communication is performed via the control unit 20, and an off command by a remote operation is waited. When the controlled device 110 detects an off command by remote control, the controlled device 110 transmits the fact that the off command has been received to the power control unit 102 via the internal communication line 150. In response to this, the power control unit 102 controls the power supply unit 104 to turn off the power. Controlled device 1
After the power supply of the switching mechanism 10 is turned off, the switching mechanism 20
0 switches the switch again, and the communication line 12 from the outside.
0 is connected to the power supply control unit 102 to reset itself and return to the initial state. In this state, the power supply control unit 102 waits for an ON command by an external remote control.

FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the power supply unit is the uninterruptible power supply 106, and is provided outside the power supply control unit 102 independently. In the drawing, the switching mechanism 200 is also independent. Hereinafter, in this specification, the switching mechanism 200, the power supply unit 102, and the uninterruptible power supply 106 are referred to as a power control system 101.

The operation of the power supply control system 101 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. When a power failure is detected, the uninterruptible power supply 106 operates, and a power failure signal is sent to the power control unit 102 via a line 108 connecting the uninterruptible power supply 106 and the power control unit 102.
Issue for The power control unit 102 controls the controlled device 11
A power-off preparation signal is issued to the device 0 via the internal communication line 150. Thereafter, after the controlled device 110 is in a ready state to turn off the power, or after an appropriate time has elapsed, the power control unit 102 turns off the power of the controlled device 110. After the power is turned off, the switching mechanism 20
0 switches a switch to connect an external communication line 120 to the power supply control unit 102. Thus, it is possible to perform remote control on the power control unit 102 even after the power is cut off due to a power failure. In this state, it is possible to wait for restoration from a power failure, and after the restoration, turn on the power by remote control.

By the way, when the switching mechanism as in the present embodiment is not provided, the power supply control system and the controlled device are operated by remote control unless an external communication line connected to the controlled device is used. It can not be operated. Therefore, in order to enable remote operation after restoration, it is necessary to keep the uninterruptible power supply turned on until restoration, which places a heavy burden on the uninterruptible power supply.

[0020]

According to the present invention, a communication line from the outside of a power supply control device for supplying power to a controlled device such as a personal computer is shared with the controlled device, and power control is performed to save a communication address. By providing a switching mechanism for switching the connection of the communication line in the device, it is possible to provide a power supply control device that does not consume a new address of the communication line, thereby saving the line concentrator. Further, the present invention is applicable to all controlled devices.

The present invention has the above-mentioned effects by utilizing the fact that the necessity of external communication between the power supply control device and the controlled device is temporally exclusive,
This is because external communication lines such as a LAN connected thereto can be shared.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a power supply control device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a power supply control device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a power supply control device according to the related art.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a power supply control device according to the related art.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 power control device 102 power control unit 104 power supply unit 106 uninterruptible power supply device 110 controlled device 120, 130 external communication line 150 internal communication line 200 switching mechanism

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Tomohiro Funabashi 800 Miyake, Yasu-cho, Yasu-cho, Yasu-gun, Shiga Prefecture Inside the Yasu Office of IBM Japan, Ltd. Address IBM Japan, Ltd. Yasu Office (56) References JP-A-56-78261 (JP, A) JP-A-8-6679 (JP, A) (58) Fields studied (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H02J 9/00-11/00 G06F 1/26 H04L 29/00

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] An uninterruptible power supply for supplying power to a controlled device by remotely controlling power supply to a controlled device in accordance with a command sent via a communication line. A power control unit connected to the uninterruptible power supply; and a switching mechanism including a switch for switching connection of the communication line between the controlled device and the power control unit. Issues a power-off command to the controlled device via the power control unit when a power failure is detected, and the switching mechanism connects the communication line to the power control unit after issuing the power-off command. A power supply control device that switches the switch so as to wait for a power-on command to be sent to the power supply control unit via the communication line. 2. An uninterruptible power supply for supplying power to a controlled device, a power supply control unit connected to the uninterruptible power supply, and a communication line for transmitting an external command are connected to the controlled equipment. And a switching mechanism including a switch for switching between the power supply control unit and the power supply control unit. Power supply control by a power supply control device that remotely controls power supply to the controlled device by a command sent through the communication line A method comprising: when the uninterruptible power supply detects a power failure, issuing a power-off command to the controlled device via the power control unit; and Switching a switch of the switching mechanism to connect to the power control unit, and waiting for a power-on command to be sent to the power control unit via the communication line. Power control method.