JP3812457B2 - Power contract change method and power contract change system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method and system for changing a contract between a power supplier and a power consumer.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a contract between a power supplier such as a power company and a power consumer is determined by the amount of power (VA) (actually, voltage V (volt) current A (ampere) conversion / example: 100V30A), Depending on the contract, a power breaker such as a breaker (wiring circuit breaker) corresponding to the contract power is installed in each unit of power usage of the consumer to limit the power supply beyond the contract power.
[0003]
Current power contracts are generally set so that the higher the contracted power, the higher the basic charge and the unit price of electricity (the amount of power used per 1 kW), and power consumers often make contracts with as little power as possible. .
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the above-described conventional configuration, the power consumer can use the electrical appliance beyond the contracted power, and can know only when the power breaker cuts off the power. In addition, when contract power is changed, it is necessary to apply to the power company, and then a person in charge of the power company re-installs a power breaker corresponding to the changed power.
[0005]
For this reason, traditionally, unexpected power supply interruptions have continued several times, at which point power consumers have made a contract change only after recognizing that the contract power is chronically insufficient, The contract power is changed only after the construction for the contract is changed.
[0006]
There are electrical appliances such as a clock mechanism that operates with the supply of power, and personal computers such as those that have the possibility of data destruction if the power is turned off except for a predetermined procedure. These appliances could cause fatal failures.
[0007]
In addition, it has been necessary to continue using the conventional contract power while being patient until the contract change work after realizing the shortage of the contract power charge due to the power cut.
[0008]
In view of the above-described conventional problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a contract power changing method and system capable of changing contract power without stopping power and without performing construction.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
It consists of a detection device that detects power consumption and a server that communicates with the detection device.
The detection device includes a detection unit that detects the amount of power consumed, a storage unit that stores information on the contract power, and an amount of power detected by the detection unit is calculated from the amount of contract power stored in the storage unit. A notification means for notifying the server when it exceeds, and an update means for updating the contract power information in the storage means when the contract power information is received from the server. Contract power storage means that stores the contract power information indicating that the contract power exceeds the contract power from the detection device, the contract power information indicating the amount of the contract power after update stored in the contract power storage means. And transmitting means for transmitting.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The power contract change system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
(System configuration)
FIG. 1 is a system diagram of a power supply system using a power contract change system according to the present invention.
[0011]
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a power consumer's house. In general, contracts with general households are made in units of houses. Also in the present embodiment, an example is shown in which a house is set as a unit of a contract for a power consumer. (In the present embodiment, hereinafter, a power consumer who makes a contract with an electric power company and receives power supply is referred to as a “contractor”, and a power consumer who will make a contract in the future is referred to as a “contract applicant”. In this house 1, electrical appliances such as a television 101, a microwave oven 102, an electric lamp 103, a personal computer 104, and a refrigerator 105 are installed. Further, a power consumption information LAN 106 is installed in this general house, and each electric appliance has a power consumption detecting means 111, a power consumption detecting means 112, and a power consumption detecting means 113 for detecting the power consumption of the corresponding electric appliance. A power consumption detection unit 114 and a power consumption detection unit 115 are connected to the power consumption information LAN 106.
[0012]
As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 2, the personal computer 104 includes an input control unit 120 that receives input from the keyboard 121 and the mouse 122, a mail information storage unit 123 that stores transmission / reception mails in the personal computer 104, and a network. 3, a communication control means 124 for performing communication with the communication device 3, a display control means 126 for displaying on the display 125, and a communication control means 124 for sending and receiving mails, and sending or receiving e-mail information at that time as mail information storage means 123, the mail transmission / reception means 127 stored in 123, the input content received by the input control means 120 is displayed on the display control means, the document creation means 128 for creating a mail document, and the input control means 120 accepts input of a document browsing instruction. When done, mail information storage means The target document is extracted from the 23, and a document reading unit 129 for displaying the document extracted in the display 125 by controlling the display control unit 126. In addition, the personal computer 104 is driven by a power source unit 130 by using a household AC power source that has been subjected to voltage and DC voltage conversion. The power supply unit 130 is connected to the power consumption detection unit 114, and the power consumption detection unit 114 detects the power consumption of the personal computer 104.
[0013]
In addition, as shown in the block diagram of FIG. 3, the power consumption detection units 111 to 115 include an electric appliance connection unit 151 that connects an electric power supply outlet of the electric power product, and a power supply line 152 that connects the electric power supply line. A power control switch 153 for conducting and shielding power between the electrical appliance connection unit 151 and the power supply line connection unit 152; a communication control unit 154 for performing communication using the power consumption information LAN 106; A power measuring unit 155 that measures the power consumption of the electrical appliance to be transmitted and transmits it to the communication control unit 154, and a power shielding unit 156 that controls the opening / closing of the power shielding switch 153 according to the signal received by the communication control unit 154 Has been.
[0014]
Reference numeral 2 denotes a power consumption management device that is installed in the house 1 and manages the power consumed by each electrical appliance in the house 1. The power consumption management apparatus 2 includes a communication control unit 201 that performs communication via the power consumption information LAN 106, a power consumption information reception unit 202 that receives power consumption information detected by each of the power consumption detection units 111 to 115, and power consumption information. Based on the power consumption information received by the receiving means 202, the power consumption adding means 203 for adding the power consumption of each electrical appliance, and the communication control means 204 for performing communication with the power company server 4 described later via the network 3. When the addition result of the contract power storage unit 205 storing the contract power and the power consumption adding unit 203 exceeds the contract power amount stored in the contract power storage unit 205, the power is supplied to the power company server 4 through the network 3. The excessive power notification transmission means 206 for transmitting the excessive power notification, and the contract power information transmitted from the power company server 4 are received. About power information receiving unit 207, and a contract power information updating means 208 based on contract power information contracted power information receiving unit 207 has received the contract power storage unit 205 updates the contract power information stored.
[0015]
Reference numeral 4 denotes an electric power company server for communication with contractor storage means 401 for storing contractor information, communication control means 402 for communication with the network 3, the personal computer 104 or the management computer 5 of the electric power company server 4. Based on this, the contractor registration unit 403 for registering the contractor information in the contractor storage unit 401, the excess power notification reception unit 405 for storing the excess power notification received by the communication control unit 402 in the excess power information storage unit 404, the excess power information An excess power user extracting unit 407 for extracting information on a contractor supplying excess power from the information stored in the storage unit 404 and storing it in the excess power use contractor information storage unit 406, and an excess power use contractor storage unit Based on the information stored in 406, an input form for prompting contract renewal is extracted from the input form storage means 408. Based on the notification received by the contract update notifying unit 409 for transmitting a notification mail to the corresponding contractor, the contract update receiving unit 410 for receiving the contract update notification from the contractor through the communication control unit 402, and the notification received by the contract update receiving unit 410. Contract contents updating means 411 for updating the contract contents in the contractor storage means 401 and transmitting the contract power information to the power consumption management device 2, and a contract for notifying the contract contents updated by the contract contents updating means 411 to the corresponding contractor by e-mail Content update notification means 412.
[0016]
The operation of the power contract supply system configured as described above will be described below.
[0017]
(New contract processing)
First, a new contract with an electric power company will be described.
[0018]
The contract procedure
1. The contract applicant delivers the contract documents to the power company by non-on-line means such as mailing or going to the sales office of the power company, and based on the documents, the person in charge of the power company uses the management computer 5 to send it to the power company server 4 Register information.
2. Using the personal computer 104 owned by the contract applicant, the contract information is sent to the power company via the network, and the power company server 4 registers the information.
Two types of methods are possible.
[0019]
The procedure will be described for each.
[0020]
First, the above 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. It is assumed that the documents have been sent from the contract applicant to the electric power company by some non-online means. In the electric power company server 4, the contractor registration means 403 performs processing related to the new registration of the contractor.
[0021]
First, when the person in charge of the power company starts up the management computer 5 and selects the contractor information registration screen, the contractor information input screen is displayed as shown in the screen 501 of FIG. 5 (step 1001). ).
[0022]
Here, the items to be entered are
(1) “Name” of the contractor
(2) Contractor's “address”
(3) Contractor's "phone number"
(4) Initial contract power (displayed as “contract power” on screen 501)
(5) Selection of whether or not to perform an automatic renewal contract of the contract, which is a feature of the present invention (in the screen 501, whether or not “automatic renewal contract” is permitted is input in Y / N)
(6) Contract power after contract change by automatic renewal
(7) Email address
It is.
[0023]
The person in charge of the electric power company inputs these items based on the contract document sent from the electric power consumer (step 1002).
[0024]
When this information input is completed, the person in charge of the electric power company selects the “contract transmission” button provided on the screen 501 to instruct the transmission of contract information (step 1003).
[0025]
The management computer 5 receiving the information transmits the contractor information input to the electric power company server 4 (step 1004).
[0026]
Receiving this information (step 1005), the electric power company server 4 assigns a unique customer number that does not overlap with other customers to this contractor information. In this case, it is assumed that the number “012-333-4567” is assigned (step 1006).
[0027]
Thereafter, the received contract information is associated with the customer number and stored in the contractor storage unit 401 (step 1007). As shown in the contractor information table 601 of FIG. 6, the contents stored in this way are the contractor number 6001, name 6002, address 6003, telephone number 6004, e-mail 6005, initial contract power 6006 (table 601 Is simply indicated as “contract power”) • Automatic contract change permission / inhibition 6007 (simply indicated as “automatic contract change” in table 601) • Contract power 6008 after automatic change (in table 601 simply indicated as “power after automatic change”) In addition to the above-described content, a change flag 6009 is provided. This item is a column for checking whether or not the automatic contract change has already been performed. If any information is added, this item indicates that the automatic contract change process has already been performed. In the case of a new contract, no change is made, so this field is registered blank. If the “Basic increase” information is added here, the subsequent collection process will be based on a contract with an increased basic charge, and if “Unit increase” information is added. The collection process based on the contract with the increased unit fee will be performed.
[0028]
When this storage processing is completed, the power management server 4 transmits the contract content information stored in the contractor information storage unit 401 to the management computer 5 (step 1008).
[0029]
The management computer 5 that has received this information (step 1009) displays the contents of the contract (step 1010). As this display content is displayed on the screen 503, information in which the contractor number is added to the information input by the person in charge of the electric power company is displayed.
[0030]
Next, the second contract procedure will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. Note that the exchange of electronic mail is generally performed via a mail server that manages mail, but the description thereof is omitted in the present embodiment.
[0031]
First, the contract applicant operates the keyboard 121 and mouse 122 of the personal computer 104 to instruct a contract request to the electric power company.
[0032]
Upon receiving this input, the mail transmission / reception means 127 controls the communication control means 124 to transmit this request information to the power company server 4 via the network 3 (step 1101). Receiving this information (step 1102), the electric power company server 4 extracts an input form for a new contract from the input form storage means 408 (step 1103), and transmits it as an e-mail to the personal computer 104 (step 1104).
[0033]
The personal computer 104 that has received the electronic mail by the communication control means 124 (step 1105) stores it in the mail storage means 123 by the mail transmission / reception means 127 (step 1106).
[0034]
Thereafter, when the contract applicant uses the keyboard 121 or mouse 122 of the personal computer 104 to instruct to browse the received mail (step 1107, the input control means 120 that receives it activates the document browsing means 129). The document browsing unit 129 takes out the received e-mail from the mail information storage unit 123 and controls the display control unit 126 to display the content of the received e-mail on the display 125.
[0035]
The screen 901 in FIG. 9 is the screen. As you can see on this screen,
(1) “Name” of the contractor
(2) Contractor's “address”
(3) Contractor's "phone number"
(4) Initial contract power (displayed as “contract power” on screen 901)
(5) Selection of whether or not to perform an automatic renewal contract of the contract, which is a feature of the present invention (in the screen 901, whether or not “automatic renewal contract” is permitted is input in Y / N)
(6) Contract power after contract change by automatic renewal
(7) Email address
It is. The contract applicant uses the keyboard 121 and the mouse 122 to perform an operation of inputting a predetermined item in a predetermined frame of the display content.
When this operation is received by the input control means 120, the operation information is transmitted to the document creation means 128, and information is input to the electronic mail according to the operation information (step 1109).
[0036]
When this operation is completed, the contract applicant using the mouse 122 performs an operation of pressing a “send” button 902 on the screen 901, that is, an operation of a transmission instruction (step 1110). When the input control unit 120 detects this operation, the mail transmission / reception unit 127 controls the communication control unit 124 to transmit an e-mail in which this predetermined item is input to the power company server 4 (step 1111).
[0037]
Receiving this information (step 1112), the electric power company server 4 assigns a unique customer number that does not overlap with other customers to this contractor information. In this case, it is assumed that the number “012-333-4567” is given (step 1113).
[0038]
Thereafter, the received contract information is associated with the customer number and stored in the contractor storage unit 401 (step 1114). As shown in the contractor information table 601 of FIG. 6, the contents stored in this way are the contractor number 6001, name 6002, address 6003, telephone number 6004, e-mail 6005, initial contract power 6006 (table 601 Is simply indicated as “contract power”) • Automatic contract change permission / inhibition 6007 (simply indicated as “automatic contract change” in table 601) • Contract power 6008 after automatic change (in table 601 simply indicated as “power after automatic change”) In addition to the above-described content, a change flag 6009 is provided. This item is a column for checking whether or not the automatic contract change has already been performed. If any information is added, this item indicates that the automatic contract change process has already been performed. In the case of a new contract, no change is made, so this field is registered blank.
[0039]
When this storage process is completed, the power management server 4 transmits the contract content information stored in the contractor information storage unit 401 to the personal computer as an e-mail (step 1115).
[0040]
The personal computer 104 that has received the electronic mail by the communication control means 124 (step 1116) stores it in the mail storage means 123 by the mail transmission / reception means 127 (step 1117).
[0041]
Thereafter, when the contract applicant uses the keyboard 121 and mouse 122 of the personal computer 104 to instruct to browse the received mail (step 1118, the input control means 120 that receives it activates the document browsing means 129). The document browsing unit 129 takes out the received e-mail from the mail information storage unit 123 and controls the display control unit 126 to display the content of the received e-mail on the display 125 (1119).
[0042]
A screen 903 in FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the screen. As this display content is displayed on the screen 903, information in which the contractor number is added to the information input by the person in charge of the electric power company is displayed.
[0043]
When the contract is completed by the above-described 1 or 2 new contract procedure, the contract power information 6006 of the contract applicant is extracted from the contractor storage unit 401 and transmitted to the power consumption management apparatus 2.
[0044]
The power consumption management device 2 that has received this information stores this information in the contract power storage unit 205.
[0045]
This completes the new contract procedure.
[0046]
Until the contract in the above procedure is completed, the power consumption management device 2 transmits information for instructing power shielding to the power consumption detection means 111 to 115, and the power consumption detection means that receives the information. The communication control units 154 of 111 to 115 keep the power shielding switch 153 in a shielded state under the control of the power shielding unit 156, and release the shielding when contract power information is sent from the power company server 4. If the power consumption detecting means 111 to 115 that has received the notification switch the power shielding switch to the energized state under the control of the power shielding unit 156, the power company server 4 It is now possible to carry out the power activation process only by communication from the power station, and the time and effort required for the person in charge of the power company to go to the contract applicant and perform the construction work. Camphor so that it is possible.
(Excessive power information storage process)
As described in the above system configuration, the power consumption management device 2 is a device for notifying the power company when the power consumption of the contractor exceeds the contract power (excess power consumption).
[0047]
Hereinafter, processing when the power consumption management device 2 detects excessive power consumption will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG.
[0048]
First, the power consumption management device 2 acquires the power consumption information consumed by each electrical appliance from the power consumption detection means 111 to 115 via the power consumption information LAN 106 by the processing of the power consumption information receiving means 202 (step) 1201, 1202). The procedure for the power consumption management device 2 to acquire power consumption from the respective power consumption detection means 111 to 115 at this time is as follows.
[0049]
The procedure will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In this flowchart, communication with the power consumption detection unit 111 is described for convenience, but communication with the other power consumption detection units 112 to 115 is performed in the same procedure.
[0050]
In the power consumption unit 155, the power measuring unit 155 detects the power consumed by the electrical appliance (step 1301). Further, the communication control unit 154 checks whether a signal requesting power consumption information is received from the power consumption management apparatus 2 (steps 1302 and 1303). If reception has not been performed at this time, the process returns to step 1301 to continue the power consumption detection process. That is, if there is no signal from the power consumption management device, the power consumption is continuously detected.
[0051]
In this situation, when the power consumption information receiving unit 202 of the power consumption management apparatus 2 requests a signal requesting power consumption information (step 1304), the communication control unit 154 of the power consumption detection unit 111 receives the signal, and step 1301 The power consumption information detected in step 1 is transmitted to the power consumption management apparatus 2 (step 1305). The power consumption management apparatus 2 that has received this information (step 1306) stores this information in the contract power storage means 404 (step 1307).
[0052]
When the acquisition of the power consumption information detected by each of the power consumption detection units 111 to 115 is completed according to the above procedure, the power consumption addition unit 203 of the power consumption management device 2 stores the power consumption information stored in the contract power storage unit 404. To calculate the power consumption of all household electrical appliances (step 1203).
[0053]
After that, the power consumption notification transmission unit 206 compares the calculated power consumption with the contract power information stored in the contract power storage unit 205 (step 1204), and the power consumption calculated by the power consumption addition unit 203 Is larger than the contract power information stored in the contract power storage means 205 (step 1205), it is confirmed whether excess power information has been transmitted within one hour (step 1206). Information on the total power consumption calculated by the power information adding means 203 is sent to the power company server 4 via the network 3 by controlling the communication control means 204 (step 1207).
[0054]
The excess power notification receiving means 405 of the power company server 4 that has received this information via the communication control means 402 (step 1208), the excess power information storage means 404 sends the information to the power consumption management device 2 that has transmitted it. The contractor number of the installed contractor and the received date / time information are added and stored (step 1209). In this way, excess power information is sent from the power consumption management device 2 installed in each contractor's house, so the excess power information storage means 404 stores excess power as shown in the table of FIG. The date and time 701 when the power information is received, the reception date and time contractor number 702, and the power amount 703 are stored in an associated state.
[0055]
If the contract power information stored in the contract power storage unit 205 in step 1205 is larger than the total power consumption calculated by the power consumption addition unit, it is not necessary to transmit excess power information, so go to step 1201. Return.
[0056]
Also, if excess power information has already been transmitted within one hour in step 1206, the process returns to step 1201, but this is detected many times in a short time, so once excess power is detected. This is to prevent the same information from being sent to the power company server 4 many times in a short time.
[0057]
In this way, information on excess power consumed in each contractor's house is accumulated in the excess power information storage unit 404 of the power company server 4.
(Contract change processing)
The contract update process is performed using the excess power information accumulated in the “excess power information accumulation process” described above. This process is performed once a day or once a week.
[0058]
This process will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
[0059]
First, the excess power user extraction unit 407 of the power company server 4 extracts information stored in the excess power information 404. (Step 1401)
Here, the three pieces of information of the reception date / time information 701, the contractor number 702, and the electric energy shown in the table of FIG. 12 are extracted.
[0060]
Next, a list of applicable contractors is extracted (step 1402). In this list, the duplicated contractor number information is deleted from the information extracted from the excess power information storage unit 404, and then the contractor information of the corresponding contractor number is extracted from the contractor storage unit 401. As described above, since the contractor information shown in the table of FIG. 6 is stored in the contractor storage unit 401, this information and the information of the excess power information storage unit 404 excluding duplicate contractor numbers are used. Collation is performed, and information on the contractor is extracted. As shown in the table of FIG. 12, the excess power information storage unit 404 has two contractor numbers “012-333-4567” and “014-345-3258”. Is extracted from the contractor information contractor storage unit 401 corresponding to. In the present embodiment, since the information is extracted from the information shown in the contractor information table of FIG. 6, the extracted information is the contractor information related to “Fujitsu Taro” and “Saburo Torizaki” shown in the table of FIG. It will be extracted. The contractor information extracted in this way is stored in the excess power contractor information storage unit 405. That is, the information shown in the table of FIG. 14 is stored in the excess power contractor information storage unit 405.
[0061]
Next, the contractor information to be actually switched automatically is extracted from the contractor information stored in the excess contractor information storage unit 405 (step 1403).
[0062]
This procedure will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0063]
First, the contractor information stored in the excess power usage contractor information 405 is extracted (step 1501). Thereafter, the automatic contract update information of the extracted contractor information is referred to, and the corresponding contractor is extracted as the contractor of the automatic contract update. (Step 1502) In the contractor information shown in the table of FIG. 14, since both pieces of contractor information correspond, both are extracted.
[0064]
Further, among the contractors, users who have not yet switched automatically are extracted, and a warning is notified to the contractors who have already switched automatically (step 1503). This process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0065]
First, it is checked from the contractor information whether the automatic contract has already been switched (step 1601). This is done by checking the change flag of the contractor information. In the case of the present embodiment, nothing before the change flag attached to the contractor information is before the automatic contract switching.
[0066]
Here, if it is before the automatic contract, it is confirmed whether or not this check has been completed for all the extracted contractors, and if not completed, the process returns to step 1601, and if completed, the process returns to the original process (step 1602).
[0067]
In step 16011, after automatic contract switching, that is, in the case where some information is added to the change flag, the processing of step 1603 is performed. In the case of the present embodiment, the contractor information of “Saburo Torizaki” shown in FIG. 14 corresponds to this processing because there is information of “basic increase” in the change flag. The following explanation is based on the contract information of “Saburo Torizaki”.
[0068]
In step 1603, first, “saburo@++*.ne.jp” which is E-mail information included in the contractor information is extracted, and an e-mail indicating that the contract is over is transmitted to this address (step 1603). ). This information is received by the personal computer 104 of the contractor via the network 3.
[0069]
Thereafter, when the user instructs the personal computer 104 to display the mail (step 1605), the mail is displayed on the display of the personal computer 104 (step 1606).
[0070]
In addition, after the transmission process in step 1603, the power company server 4 deletes the corresponding contractor information, that is, the contractor information of “Saburo Torizaki” from the excess power usage information storage unit 406 (step 1607), and goes to step 1602 move on.
[0071]
By processing in this way, information on only the corresponding contractor before the automatic contract switching is stored in the excess power usage information storage means 406, and for the contractor who continues to consume excessive power even after the automatic switching. In this way, it is possible to automatically make a warning or prompt a contract switching procedure.
[0072]
In the case of the present embodiment, the contractor information stored in the storage means is stored in the storage means because the contractor information of “Saburo Torizaki” is deleted from the excess power use contractor information storage means 405 by the processing in step 1403. As shown in FIG. 17, only the information of “Fujitsu Taro” is accumulated.
[0073]
In this state, the electric power company server 4 then transmits an email for prompting automatic contract switching based on the contractor information stored in the excess power use contractor information storage unit 405 (step 1404). This process will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. This process is performed by the contract update notification means 410 of the power company server 4.
[0074]
First, the contractor information is extracted from the excess power use contractor information storage unit 406, and the E-Mail address included in the information is extracted. Further, the input form is extracted from the input form storage unit 408. As shown in FIG. 19, this input form uses the power exceeding the current contract, notifies that automatic switching is performed, and contracts that increase the basic charge by increasing the charge after automatic switching. An input frame is provided for selecting whether to increase the unit fee or not.
[0075]
The e-mail of the extracted input form is transmitted to the extracted E-Mail address (step 1701). The mail transmission / reception means 127 of the personal computer 104 of the corresponding contractor who has received this electronic mail stores the mail in the mail information storage means 123 (step 1702). Thereafter, when the contractor operates the keyboard 121 or the mouse 122 of the personal computer 104 to give an instruction to display the mail (step 1703), the input control means 120 that receives this information activates the document browsing means 129. . The document browsing unit 129 extracts the mail information from the mail information storage unit 123 and controls the display control unit 126 to display on the display 125. By such a procedure, the mail to the effect shown in FIG. 19 is displayed on the display 125 (step 1704). Here, when the contractor further operates the keyboard 121 and the mouse 122 to input whether to increase the unit charge or the basic charge (in FIG. 19, enter the number in parentheses), Upon receiving this operation, the input control means 120 controls the document creation means 128 and inputs information corresponding to the investigation into the displayed mail information (step 1705). Here, when the contractor operates the keyboard 121 or mouse 122 to instruct transmission, the displayed mail information is sent back to the power company server 4 (step 1706). The power company server 4 receives this information via the network 3 (step 1707).
[0076]
As described above, when the e-mail for confirming that the contract is to be made and the process for selecting the increased power charge has been performed, the power company server 4 performs the process for changing the contract in accordance with the received e-mail information. . This process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This process is performed by the contract content update unit 411 of the power company server 4.
[0077]
First, it is checked in the content of the received e-mail whether it is selected to increase the basic fee (step 1801). If the basic charge increase is checked, “basic increase” is added to the change flag of the corresponding contractor stored in the contractor storage unit 401, and the process proceeds to step 1804. If the basic charge increase is not checked in step 1801, the information indicating the step unit charge increase is updated, and the “unit increase” is added to the change flag of the corresponding contractor information, and the process proceeds to step 1804. To do.
[0078]
Thereafter, contract change processing for the contractor is performed (step 1805). This process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0079]
First, the power company server 4 transmits the contract power information after automatic switching to the contract power management apparatus of the contractor (step 1901). In the case of “Fujitsu Taro”, the contract power after the automatic change contract is “50”, so the information “contract power = 50” is sent.
[0080]
Receiving this information, the contract power information update unit 208 of the power consumption management apparatus 2 (step 1902) changes the contract power information in the contract power information storage unit 205 based on the received information. In the case of “Fujitsu Taro”, it is changed to “50”. Due to this change, the transition and excess power information will not be sent up to “50” VA.
[0081]
When this change is completed, the contract power information update unit 208 controls the communication control unit 204 to transmit information indicating that this change is completed to the power company server 4 (step 1904).
[0082]
When this information is received by the power company server 4 (step 1905), a notification that the automatic change is completed is transmitted to the contractor's personal computer 104 (step 1906). As described above, the notification procedure is performed by extracting a corresponding form from the input form storage unit 408 and transmitting an e-mail to the E-Mail information included in the corresponding contractor information. In the case of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 22, a message indicating completion and a mail with a contract change point after the automatic contract are sent to the contractor.
[0083]
The mail transmission / reception means 127 of the personal computer 104 of the corresponding contractor who has received the electronic mail stores the mail in the mail information storage means 123 (step 1907). Thereafter, when the contractor operates the keyboard 121 or the mouse 122 of the personal computer 104 to give an instruction to display the mail (step 1908), the input control means 120 that receives this information activates the document browsing means 129. . The document browsing unit 129 extracts the mail information from the mail information storage unit 123 and controls the display control unit 126 to display on the display 125. By such a procedure, a mail to the effect shown in FIG. 22 is displayed on the display 125 (step 1909).
[0084]
In addition, the power company server 4 erases all the information on the contractors stored in the excess power information storage unit 404 and the excess power usage contractor information 406 after the transmission processing in step 1906 (step 1804).
[0085]
The automatic contract update process is completed by the above steps.
[0086]
According to this embodiment, if the automatic renewal contract is made at the beginning of the contract, the power company server 4 automatically performs the renewal process. Therefore, the power company can switch the contract without any trouble. it can.
[0087]
In addition, since the contract change process is performed automatically after allowing power consumption due to excess power for the time being without using a power breaker as in the past, it is necessary for contractors who are in an excessive power consumption state before automatic switching. There is no interruption of power due to excessive power, and there is no interruption of power during contract switching.
[0088]
However, the power breaker also has the meaning of limiting contract power, but it also plays a role in preventing fires caused by overheating of the wires due to excess power. For this reason, when a contract is made, if a power breaker for contract power after automatic contract is installed in the contractor's house 1, automatic switching can be performed while ensuring safety. It becomes possible.
[0089]
In addition, in this embodiment, before the automatic switching, the contractor is notified so that the contract will be switched in the future. This is because, in general, when the contract power of the power charge increases, the unit charge or basic charge of the power is increased, so that the contractor can be recognized by notifying the contractor in advance.
[0090]
Further, at this time, the contractor is allowed to select the payment of the charge after the automatic contract switching (increase in basic charge / increase in unit charge). As a result, automatic switching is performed in a contract with a fee structure desired by the contractor.
[0091]
Also, after the automatic switchover, the contractor who consumes more power than the contracted power will be warned so that it is dangerous and the contract must be renewed. Will be able to.
[0092]
In this embodiment, the power consumption management device 2 installed in the house detects that the contracted power has been exceeded. However, the power consumption management device 2 periodically transmits information to the power company server 4. If the power company server 4 determines whether the contractor is consuming more power than the contract power based on the information sent, the redundant power management apparatus 2 installed in the contractor's house 1 The configuration can be simplified. Since the consumer power management apparatus 2 is installed for each contractor, the number thereof is large. If the configuration of the power consumption management device is simplified and can be manufactured at low cost, the installation cost of the power company can be reduced.
[0093]
On the contrary, in the present embodiment, as shown in the figure, by transmitting the information only when the power consumption management device detects the power exceeding the contract power, the information sent to the power company server 4 can be reduced. In addition, since it is not necessary to perform excessive power determination for each large number of contractors, it is possible to reduce the impossibility of the power company server 4. This produces the effect.
[0094]
Further, as in the present embodiment, each electrical appliance has a power consumption detection means, and the power consumption information is managed by the power consumption management means 2 so that which electrical appliance has the higher power consumption. Etc. can be determined.
[0095]
Further, in the case of the present invention, as in the present embodiment, each appliance has a power consumption detection means, and the power consumption information is consumed by the house 1 by adding the power consumption information by the power consumption management means 2. Although the sum total of the electric power to be obtained is obtained, the power consumption detection means may be installed on the power supply trunk line to the house 1 to detect the total power consumption.
[0096]
【The invention's effect】
The present invention includes a detection device that detects power consumption and a server that communicates with the detection device. The detection device detects detection of the amount of power consumed, and storage means that stores contract power information. And a notification means for notifying the server when the amount of power detected by the detection means exceeds the amount of contract power stored in the storage means, and receiving the contract power information from the server, An update unit that updates the information on the contract power, and the server notifies the detection device that the contract power storage unit stores the amount of the contract power after the update, and the detection device indicates that the contract power is exceeded. On the other hand, it has a transmission means for transmitting the contract power information indicating the amount of the contract power after the update stored in the contract power storage means. Without using machine The contract change process is performed automatically after allowing power consumption due to excess power for the time being. Therefore, before automatic switching, there is no interruption of power due to excess power to subscribers in an excessive power consumption state. And there is no power interruption during contract switching.
[0097]
(Appendix)
(Supplementary note 1) A power contract change method in a system comprising a power consumption detection device having storage means for storing information on contract power and a server having contract power storage means for storing the amount of contract power after update. ,
The power consumption detection device detects the amount of power consumed, and notifies the server when the amount of detected power exceeds the amount of contract power stored in the storage means. ,
Upon receiving this notification, the server transmits contract power information indicating the amount of contract power after update stored in the contract power storage unit to the power consumption detection device,
When receiving the contract power information, the power consumption detection device updates the contract power information in the storage means.
Power contract change method characterized by things.
[0098]
(Supplementary Note 2) When the server transmits contract power information indicating the amount of contract power after update stored in the contract power storage unit, the server changes the contract to the contractor who has made the contract. Send information indicating what to do
The method of changing a power contract according to appendix 1, characterized by:
[0099]
(Additional remark 3) When the said server transmits the contract electric power information which shows the amount of the contract electric power after the update memorize | stored in the said contract electric power memory | storage means, it changes with respect to the terminal of the contractor who has performed this contract The power contract change method according to appendix 1, wherein notification for prompting selection of a type of contract to be performed is performed, and thereafter the contract is changed based on contract type information transmitted from the terminal.
[0100]
(Additional remark 4) It consists of the detection apparatus which detects power consumption, and the server which communicates with the said detection apparatus,
The detection device includes:
Detection means for detecting the amount of power consumed;
Storage means for storing contract power information;
Notification means for notifying the server when the amount of power detected by the detection means exceeds the amount of contract power stored in the storage means;
When contract power information is received from the server, update means for updating the contract power information in the storage means;
Have
The server
Contract power storage means for storing the amount of contract power after the update,
A transmission means for transmitting contract power information indicating the amount of the updated contract power stored in the contract power storage means to the detection apparatus when there is a notification that the detection power exceeds the detection power from the detection apparatus;
Power contract change system characterized by having
[0101]
(Supplementary Note 5) The server
When the transmission means transmits contract power information indicating the amount of contract power after update stored in the contract power storage means, the contract type to be changed is selected for the contractor who has made the contract. A contract change means for making a change to the contract based on the contract type information sent from the terminal.
The power contract change system according to supplementary note 4, characterized by comprising:
[0102]
(Supplementary Note 6) In the automatic contract change method performed by the power contract change device that stores contract power storage means for storing the amount of contract power after update
The power ray approximately changing device is
A power contract characterized by transmitting contract power information indicating the amount of contract power after update stored in the contract power storage means when there is a notification that power consumption exceeds preset power. Modification method.
[0103]
(Appendix 7)
Contract power storage means for storing the amount of contract power after the update,
When there is a notification that the power consumption exceeds the preset power, the contract change unit that transmits the contract power information indicating the amount of the contract power after update stored in the contract power storage unit,
A power contract change device characterized by having
[0104]
(Supplementary Note 8) Detection means for detecting the amount of power consumed,
Storage means for storing contract power information;
Notification means for notifying the server when the amount of power detected by the detection means exceeds the amount of contract power stored in the storage means;
When contract power information is received from the server, update means for updating the contract power information in the storage means;
A power consumption detection device characterized by comprising:
[0105]
(Additional remark 9) In the automatic contract change method which the power consumption detection apparatus which has a detection means to detect the amount of power consumed, and a storage means to memorize contract power information performs
The power consumption detection device is
When the amount of power detected by the detection means exceeds the amount of contract power stored in the storage means, a notification is given to the server,
Thereafter, when the contract power information is received from the server, the contract power information in the storage means is updated.
Power consumption detection device characterized by things.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a power contract change system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the personal computer 104 in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of power consumption detection means 111 to 115 in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for registering a new contract using the management computer 5 in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a contractor information input screen displayed on the management computer 5 in the embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a table showing contractor information stored in the contractor storage unit 401.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for registering a new contract using the personal computer 104 in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for registering a new contract using the personal computer 104 in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a contractor information input screen displayed on the personal computer 104 in the embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing processing when the power consumption management device 2 according to the embodiment of the present invention detects excessive power consumption.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a procedure for the power consumption management device 2 to acquire power consumption from the power consumption detection means 111 to 115 in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a table showing excess power information stored in excess power information storage means in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing contract update processing according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a table of contractor information stored in excess power contractor information storage means 405 in contract update processing according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a process of extracting information on a contractor who should actually perform automatic contract switching in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a process for extracting a user to be automatically switched from contractors and notifying a contractor of a warning after automatic switching in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 17 is a table of contractor information stored in the excess power contractor information storage unit 405 after the processing of step 1403 in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing mail transmission processing for prompting automatic contract switching in the embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 19 is a diagram showing the contents of an email sent to the contractor during the email sending process for prompting automatic contract switching in the embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing contract change processing performed based on an email from a contractor in the present embodiment;
FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing contract change processing for the contractor in the present embodiment;
FIG. 22 is a diagram showing the contents of an email notified to a contractor after automatic contract switching is performed in the present embodiment
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Houses of electricity consumers
2 Power consumption management device
3 network
4 Electric power company servers
101 TV
102 microwave oven
103 electric light
104 Personal computer
105 refrigerator
106 Power consumption information LAN
111 Power consumption detection means
112 Power consumption detection means
113 Power consumption detection means
114 Power consumption detection means
115 Power consumption detection means
201 Communication control means
202 Power consumption information receiving means
203 Power consumption addition means
204 Communication control means
205 Contract power storage means
206 Excess power notification transmission means
207 Contract power information receiving means
208 Contract power information update means
401 Contractor storage means
402 Communication control means
403 Contractor registration means
404 Excess power information storage means
405 Excess current notification receiving means 405
406 Excess power usage contractor information storage means
407 Excess power user extraction means
408 Input form storage means
409 Contract update notification means
410 Contract update receiving means
411 Contract content update means
412 Contract content update notification means

Claims (5)

A power contract change method in a system comprising a power consumption management device having storage means for storing contract power information and a server having contract power storage means for storing the amount of contract power after update,
The power management device, when the amount of consumed Ru power exceeds the amount of contract power, which is stored in the storage means, and notifies to the server,
The server, to said power management unit to receive this notification, performs transmission of the contract power information indicating the amount of contract demand after updating stored in the contracted power storage means,
When the contract power information is received, the power consumption management apparatus updates the contract power information in the storage means.   When the server transmits contract power information indicating the amount of updated contract power stored in the contract power storage unit, the server indicates that the contract is changed to the contractor who has made the contract. Information is transmitted, The power contract change method of Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned.   When the server transmits the contract power information indicating the amount of the contract power after update stored in the contract power storage unit, the type of contract to be changed to the terminal of the contractor making the contract 2. The method of changing a power contract according to claim 1, wherein a notification for prompting selection is made, and thereafter the contract is changed based on the contract type information sent from the terminal. A detection device for detecting power consumption, a power consumption management device having storage means for storing contract power information, and a server for communicating with the power consumption management device,
The detection device includes:
Detection means for detecting the amount of power consumed and transmitting it to the power consumption management device
Have
The power consumption management device includes:
Storage means for storing contract power information;
A notification unit for notifying the server when the received power amount exceeds the amount of contract power stored in the storage unit when the information on the power amount transmitted by the detection unit is received ;
When contract power information is received from the server, update means for updating the contract power information in the storage means;
Have
The server
Contract power storage means for storing the amount of contract power after the update,
Transmitting means for transmitting contract power information indicating the amount of updated contract power stored in the contract power storage means to the detecting device when there is a notification from the power consumption management apparatus that the contract power has been exceeded. A power contract change system characterized by having A power consumption management device having storage means for storing contract power information, and a server communicating with the power consumption management device,
The power consumption management device includes:
Storage means for storing contract power information;
When the amount of power consumed, exceeds the amount of contract power stored in said storage means, and notification means for performing notification to the server,
When contract power information is received from the server, update means for updating the contract power information in the storage means;
Have
The server
Contract power storage means for storing the amount of contract power after the update,
Transmitting means for transmitting contract power information indicating the amount of updated contract power stored in the contract power storage means to the detecting device when there is a notification from the power consumption management apparatus that the contract power has been exceeded. And a power contract change system characterized by comprising:

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