JP5515912B2 - Pegging program, tying device, and tying method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a linking program, a linking device, and a linking method for linking the relationship between a power source outlet and an electrical device that are connected to each other for power supply.

  In recent years, environmental measures such as global warming have become indispensable for companies and individuals, and it is necessary to raise awareness of energy conservation by visualizing the power consumption for each electrical device and for each person. Has been.

  Previously, power consumption could only be measured in units of distribution boards for the entire building or floor. However, in recent years, it has become possible to measure the power consumption of each electrical device connected to the outlet using an outlet or tap that can measure the power consumption. If the power consumption can be measured for each outlet, by managing the electrical equipment connected to the outlet and the individuals who use the electrical equipment in association with the outlet, which and which electrical equipment has how much power Can be measured.

  A technique is known in which a template of a power consumption pattern for each electric device is stored, a similarity with measured power consumption data is calculated, and an electric device in a power-on state is detected. In addition, a technique is known in which a voltage / current sensor is provided at an outlet, and power consumption and time information of an electrical device connected to the outlet are sent to a monitoring computer via a LAN.

JP 2005-354794 A JP 2001-83193 A

  Since electric devices that are fixedly used in the same place are usually connected to the same outlet and used continuously, it is not so difficult to manually connect electric appliances or their users to outlets. However, some electrical devices such as notebook PCs (Personal Computers) are not only used at their own seats, but also moved to a conference room and used frequently, for example. Exists.

  In such a case, since the connection of the electrical equipment to the outlet frequently occurs, it is necessary to change the connection between the electrical equipment and the user and the outlet each time. When this type of change is made manually, a person must perform a time-consuming work such as checking the identification information of the connected outlet each time the connection between the electrical equipment and the outlet is changed. . In addition, there is a problem that a person forgets to change the tying and cannot measure the power consumption.

  For example, by using the above-described technology for detecting an electric device in a power-on state from the power consumption pattern for each electric device, when the electric device is connected to an outlet, the connected electric device is identified from the power consumption pattern of the outlet. , It is also possible to link the outlet to the electrical equipment. However, with this technology, when there are multiple electrical devices that are connected to the outlet at approximately the same time, there may be a difference between the time on the outlet side and the time on the electrical device side. There is a problem that is difficult. For example, at the start of a company or at the start of a meeting, the same type of electrical equipment such as a notebook PC is turned on at almost the same time, so the outlets connected to those electrical equipment are uniquely identified by the above technology. It is difficult to tie it to.

  The present invention provides a technique for solving the above-described problems and capable of automatically associating an electrical device and an electrical outlet without human intervention even when the electrical outlet to which the electrical device is connected dynamically changes. The purpose is to do.

  The disclosed program causes the computer to function as follows.

An electrical appliance said program causes a computer to the program is installed and run, a notification indicating the power connection to the electrical equipment to be controlled and power supply outlet is monitored object to be controlled A procedure for receiving a control instruction for causing the electrical device to execute a predetermined operation for changing the amount of power supplied to the electrical device from the power supply outlet, A monitoring target status information storage unit that obtains information related to the power consumption transmitted from the power supply outlet that is the monitoring target after transmission of the control instruction, and that can be accessed by the computer using the acquired information as monitoring target status information a step of storing in the stored reference to the monitored status information, a predetermined condition is satisfied monitoring corresponding to the operation to be executed by the electrical equipment to be controlled by the control instruction If there is one procedure for detecting the power supply outlet that is the monitoring target corresponding to the image status information and one power supply outlet that is detected, it is detected that the electric device is the control target. And a procedure for registering the association information relating to the power supply outlet to be monitored in the association information storage unit accessible by the computer.

  With the above technology, even when the outlet to which the electric device is connected dynamically changes, the electric device and the outlet can be automatically linked. This eliminates the need for manual work, thus improving the convenience of power sensing for each electric device and for each person.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the tied system by this Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the function structural example of the stringing system by this Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the data memorize | stored in the monitoring object condition information storage part by this Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the data memorize | stored in the detection condition information storage part by this Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the data memorize | stored in the tied target information storage part by this Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the data memorize | stored in the control command information storage part by this Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the data memorize | stored in the tied information storage part by this Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the power connection notification transmitted to the tied | linking server from the control object by this Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the control command transmitted to the control object from the tied server by this Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the power consumption data after control command transmission with respect to notebook PC of electric equipment identifier "PC-A" by this Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a transition of the link target data by this Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a linking process flowchart (1) by the linking server of the first embodiment. It is a linking process flowchart (2) by the linking server of the first embodiment. It is a linking target detection process flowchart by the linking target detection unit of the first embodiment. It is a figure explaining the process of the cancellation | release of stringing by this Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the power-off notification transmitted to the tied | linking server from the control object by this Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the tied data by which the cancellation | release of the tied by this Embodiment 1 was recorded. It is a tie release processing flowchart by the tie server of the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the command execution notification transmitted to the tied | linking server from the control object by this Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the tied system by this Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a figure which shows the function structural example of the tied | linking system by this Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the data memorize | stored in the monitoring object condition information storage part by this Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the data memorize | stored in the detection condition information storage part by this Embodiment 2. It is a figure which shows the example of the data memorize | stored in the tied target information storage part by this Embodiment 2. It is a figure which shows the example of the data memorize | stored in the control command information storage part by this Embodiment 2. It is a figure which shows the example of the event data after the control command transmission with respect to the outlet of the outlet identifier "Outlet A" by this Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a transition of the link target data by this Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a figure which shows the hardware structural example of a tied server.

  Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Embodiment 1]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a tying system according to the first embodiment.

  In the associating system shown in FIG. 1, the associating server 100 is a computer that performs processing for associating the relationship between the power supply outlets connected to each other and the electric power source. An electric device refers to a device that operates using electricity, such as the notebook PC 200 shown in FIG. Also, the power supply outlet refers to a power distribution connector that receives a plug of an electric device such as the outlet 300 shown in FIG.

  In the first embodiment, an example will be described in which the power supply connection between the outlet 300 that is a power supply outlet and the notebook PC 200 that is an electrical device is associated. In the first embodiment, each of the electrical device and the power supply outlet has a communication function. That is, the notebook PC 200 and the outlet 300 shown in FIG. 1 each have a communication function, and the tying server 100 and the notebook PC 200, and the tying server 100 and the outlet 300 are connected to each other via a wired or wireless LAN. . The outlet 300 includes a power sensor 301 that measures the amount of power consumption.

  In the first embodiment, a notebook PC 200 that is an electrical device is a control target, and an outlet 300 that is a power source outlet is a monitoring target. The control target refers to an object for which the associating server 100 controls the amount of power supplied from the power supply outlet to the electrical device. The monitoring target indicates an object that the associating server 100 monitors the power consumption status, the power connection status, and the like.

  The associating server 100 acquires information on the power consumption measured at the outlet 300 to be monitored and accumulates it as information indicating the status of the monitoring target. The association server 100 receives power connection information from the notebook PC 200 to be controlled. The associating server 100 sends a control command for executing a predetermined operation to the notebook PC 200 that has transmitted the power connection information. The associating server 100 associates the notebook PC 200 that has executed a predetermined operation with the outlet 300 whose power consumption pattern matches a condition corresponding to the predetermined operation.

  In FIG. 1, only one outlet 300 to be monitored and one notebook PC 200 to be controlled are illustrated. However, in the example described below, it is assumed that there are a plurality of each.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the tying system according to the first embodiment.

  The linking server 100 includes a monitoring target status information acquisition unit 101, a linking control unit 102, a power connection information receiving unit 103, a linking target detection unit 104, a control command acquisition unit 105, a control command transmission unit 106, and a linking registration unit. 107. The linking server 100 includes a monitoring target status information storage unit 110, a detection condition information storage unit 120, a linking target information storage unit 130, a control command information storage unit 140, and a linking information storage unit 150. Each functional unit included in the linking server 100 is realized by hardware such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory, and a disk included in the computer of the linking server 100, and a software program.

  The monitoring target status information acquisition unit 101 acquires information indicating the power consumption from each power source outlet to be monitored. The monitoring target status information acquisition unit 101 accumulates and stores information indicating the acquired power consumption in the monitoring target in the monitoring target status information storage unit 110 as monitoring target status information.

  The monitoring target status information is information indicating the status of the monitoring target. In the first embodiment, the monitoring target status information is information on the power consumption measured at the power supply outlet. The monitoring target status information storage unit 110 is a storage unit that stores monitoring target status information and is accessible by a computer.

  The linking control unit 102 controls the entire linking process in the linking server 100.

  The power connection information receiving unit 103 receives a notification indicating the power connection between the power inlet and the electric device from the electric device to be controlled. Hereinafter, the notification indicating the power connection between the power supply outlet and the electric device is referred to as a power connection notification.

  The association target detection unit 104 refers to the monitoring target status information storage unit 110 that stores the monitoring target status information, and the operation of the electric device that is the control target or the operation that is executed by the control target electric device. A power supply outlet to be monitored that satisfies a predetermined condition according to the condition is detected.

  The associating target detecting unit 104 detects the detection condition information stored in the detection condition information storage unit 120 according to a predetermined condition according to the operation of the control target or a predetermined condition according to the operation executed by the control target by the control command. Get from. The detection condition information is information indicating the correspondence between the operation to be controlled or the operation to be executed by the control object by the control command and the condition for detecting the monitoring target. In the first embodiment, the detection condition information is information indicating the correspondence between the operation of the electric device or the operation executed by the electric device by the control command and the condition for detecting the power supply outlet. The detection condition information storage unit 120 is a storage unit that stores detection condition information and is accessible by a computer.

  The linking target information storage unit 130 is a storage unit that stores the linking target information and is accessible by a computer. The association target information is list information of control targets to be associated with a monitoring target connected to a power source. In the first embodiment, the association target information is list information of an electrical device that is associated with the power supply outlet connected to the power supply.

  The control command acquisition unit 105 acquires from the control command information stored in the control command information storage unit 140 a control command for instructing an operation to be performed by the electrical device to be controlled. The control command information is information indicating a correspondence between a control target and a control command that instructs an operation to be executed by the control target. In the first embodiment, the control command information is information indicating the correspondence between an electric device and a control command that instructs an operation to be executed by the electric device. The control command information storage unit 140 is a storage device that stores control command information and is accessible by a computer.

  Note that the operation to be executed by the electric device to be controlled by the control command is an operation for changing the amount of electric power supplied to the electric device from the power supply outlet, for example, power off.

  The control command transmission unit 106 transmits the control command acquired by the control command acquisition unit 105 to the electrical device that is a control target.

  When there is one power source outlet that is the monitoring target detected by the linking target detection unit 104, the linking registration unit 107 detects the electrical device that is the control target and the power source that is the detected monitoring target. Information relating the insertion port is registered in the linking information storage unit 150 as linking information. The association information storage unit 150 is a storage unit that stores association information and is accessible by a computer.

  A notebook PC 200 that is an electric device to be controlled includes a power connection information notification unit 201 and a control command execution unit 202.

  The power connection information notification unit 201 transmits a power connection notification to the association server 100. The timing at which the power connection information notification unit 201 transmits the power connection notification to the associating server 100 is, as a general rule, that the own electric device is connected to one of the power supply outlets and is supplied with electric power. This is when the power connection information notifying unit 201 is ready to transmit a power connection notification. For example, when the electrical device is a desktop PC, the timing at which the power connection notification is transmitted to the linking server 100 is the OS after the desktop PC and the outlet 300 are connected to the power source and the desktop PC is turned on. After starting (Operating System).

  However, an exception is made when the electric device has a built-in rechargeable battery like the notebook PC 200. For example, when the notebook PC 200 is turned on while the notebook PC 200 and the outlet 300 are connected to the power supply, the notebook PC 200 transmits a power connection notification to the linking server 100 at a timing after the OS is started. When the notebook PC 200 and the outlet 300 are not connected to a power source and the notebook PC 200 is turned on with a built-in rechargeable battery, the notebook PC 200 does not transmit a power connection notification to the association server 100. However, when the notebook PC 200 and the outlet 300 are connected to power while the notebook PC 200 is being used thereafter, the notebook PC 200 transmits a power connection notification to the association server 100 at that time.

  The control command execution unit 202 executes an operation instructed by the control command received from the association server 100.

  The outlet 300 that is a power supply outlet to be monitored includes a power consumption amount information transmission unit 302. The power consumption amount information transmission unit 302 transmits the information on the power consumption amount measured by the power sensor 301 to the association server 100.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of data stored in the monitoring target situation information storage unit according to the first embodiment.

  The power consumption amount data 111 illustrated in FIG. 3 is an example of monitoring target status information stored in the monitoring target status information storage unit 110. The power consumption data 111 has information on the outlet identifier, time, and power consumption.

  The outlet identifier in the power consumption data 111 is identification information for uniquely identifying the outlet to be monitored. The time in the power consumption data 111 is the time when the power consumption is measured at the outlet 300, for example. The time in the power consumption data 111 may be the time when the association server 100 acquires the information on the power consumption from the outlet 300. The power consumption in the power consumption data 111 is the power consumption measured at the outlet 300.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of data stored in the detection condition information storage unit according to the first embodiment.

  The detection condition data 121 illustrated in FIG. 4 is an example of detection condition information stored in the detection condition information storage unit 120. The detection condition data 121 has information on electrical device operation and detection conditions.

  The electric device operation in the detection condition data 121 is an operation of the electric device that is the control target or an operation that is executed by the electric device that is the control target by the control command. The detection condition in the detection condition data 121 is the condition of the outlet 300 to be detected. In the detection condition data 121 shown in FIG. 4, the detection conditions are abbreviated as “condition A” and “condition B”. Actually, as the detection condition in the detection condition data 121, the condition of the outlet 300 to be detected such as “the power consumption within the past 10 seconds from the current time has increased from 0 to 20” is recorded.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of data stored in the association target information storage unit according to the first embodiment.

  The association target data 131 illustrated in FIG. 5 is an example of association target information stored in the association target information storage unit 130. The association target data 131 has information on an electric device identifier, connection time, address, and type.

  The electric device identifier in the association target data 131 is identification information for uniquely identifying the electric device to be controlled. The connection time in the association target data 131 is, for example, the time when a power connection notification is received from an electric device that is a control target. The address in the association target data 131 is the IP address of the electrical device that is the control target. The type in the association target data 131 indicates the type of electrical device that is a control target, such as “notebook PC” or “printer”.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of data stored in the control command information storage unit according to the first embodiment.

  Control command data 141 illustrated in FIG. 6 is an example of control command information stored in the control command information storage unit 140. The control command data 141 has type and control command information.

  The type in the control command data 141 indicates the type of the electrical device that is the control target, similar to the type in the association target data 131. The control command in the control command data 141 indicates an operation to be executed by the electric device to be controlled.

  In the control command, a control instruction is set to such an extent that a failure does not occur in the electric device to be controlled. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, “power off” may be set as a control command for an electric device such as a notebook PC 200 that has a built-in rechargeable battery and is not affected by sudden power off. "Power off" cannot be set for control commands for electrical devices such as desktop PCs that do not have a built-in rechargeable battery and are affected by sudden power off. For an electrical device such as a desktop PC that is affected by sudden power-off, a control command such as “increase brightness” that changes the power consumption without turning off the power is set.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of data stored in the association information storage unit according to the first embodiment.

  The linking data 151 illustrated in FIG. 7 is an example of linking information stored in the linking information storage unit 150. The association data 151 includes information on an electric device identifier, an outlet identifier, a connection time, and a disconnection time.

  The electric device identifier in the association data 151 is identification information for uniquely identifying the electric device to be controlled. The outlet identifier in the association data 151 is identification information for uniquely identifying the outlet 300 to be controlled. The connection time in the association data 151 is, for example, the time when a power connection notification is received from an electric device that is a control target. The disconnection time in the association data 151 is, for example, the time when the power disconnection notification is received from the electrical device that is the control target. The disconnection time is not recorded until a power-off notification is received from the electric device to be controlled. Details of the power-off notification will be described later.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the power connection notification transmitted from the control target to the tying server according to the first embodiment.

  A power connection notification message 160 illustrated in FIG. 8 is an example of a power connection notification transmitted to the association server 100 by the power connection information notification unit 201 of the notebook PC 200 that is an electric device to be controlled. The power connection notification message 160 has information on a message type, a control target identifier, a control target type, and a control command transmission destination.

  The message type indicates the type of the message, and the power connection notification message 160 indicates that the message is a power connection notification. The control target identifier in the power connection notification message 160 indicates the identifier of the control target that has transmitted the power connection notification. The control target identifier in the power connection notification message 160 illustrated in FIG. 8 corresponds to the electrical device identifier in the association target data 131 illustrated in FIG. The control target type in the power connection notification message 160 indicates the type of the control target that has transmitted the power connection notification. The control target type in the power connection notification message 160 shown in FIG. 8 corresponds to the type in the linking target data 131 in FIG. The transmission destination of the control command in the power connection notification message 160 indicates the address of the transmission destination of the control command, that is, the address of the control target that transmitted the power connection notification. The transmission destination of the control command in the power connection notification message 160 shown in FIG. 8 corresponds to the address in the association target data 131 in FIG.

  Note that correspondence information between the control target identifier, the control target type, and the transmission destination of the control command is prepared in advance in the association server 100, and the power connection information notification unit 201 of the notebook PC 200 determines the message type and the control target identifier. Only the power connection notification message 160 may be transmitted.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a control command transmitted from the association server according to the first embodiment to a control target.

  The control command message 161 illustrated in FIG. 9 is an example of a control command that the control command transmission unit 106 of the association server 100 transmits to the control target. The control command message 161 has message type and control command information.

  The message type indicates the type of the message, and the control command message 161 indicates that the message is a control command. The control command in the control command message 161 indicates an operation to be executed by the control target.

  In the following, with reference to FIG. 2, three notebook PCs 200 whose electrical device identifiers are “PC-A”, “PC-B”, and “PC-C” are almost at the same time “9: 00: 00: 00”. An example of linking by the linking server 100 when connected to the outlet 300 will be described. Here, it is assumed that each notebook PC 200 is already connected to the outlet 300 in a state where it is already activated when the power is turned on.

<Procedure: P100>
The power consumption amount information transmission unit 302 of each outlet 300 transmits the information of the power consumption amount measured by the power sensor 301 to the associating server 100 at regular time intervals. Here, it is assumed that the power consumption amount information transmission unit 302 of each outlet 300 transmits the power consumption amount information at intervals of 5 seconds. The monitoring target status information acquisition unit 101 of the association server 100 acquires information on the power consumption transmitted from each outlet 300.

<Procedure: P101>
The monitoring target status information acquisition unit 101 accumulates and stores the acquired power consumption information of each outlet 300 in the monitoring target status information storage unit 110.

  The processing up to this step: P100 and the processing of procedure: P101 is executed independently of the following processing: the processing after P102.

<Procedure: P102>
The power connection information notification unit 201 of the notebook PC 200 that is connected to a certain outlet 300 by power supply transmits a power connection notification to the association server 100. For example, when the notebook PC 200 with the electrical device identifier “PC-A” is connected to a power outlet 300, the power connection information notification unit 201 of the notebook PC 200 notifies the linking server 100 of the power connection notification shown in FIG. A message 160 is transmitted. The power connection information receiving unit 103 of the association server 100 receives the power connection notification from the notebook PC 200.

<Procedure: P103>
The association control unit 102 checks whether a timer has already been generated. If the timer has been generated, the process proceeds to step P108. When the timer is not generated, the linking control unit 102 causes the linking target detection unit 104 to perform a linking target detection process (procedure: P104, P105).

  Note that, depending on the acquisition interval of the power consumption information from the outlet 300, the information on the power consumption changed from the outlet 300 at the time when the association server 100 receives the power connection notification from the notebook PC 200 may be the association server. 100 may not have been acquired. At this time, the linking control unit 102 delays the linking target detection unit 104 from performing the linking target detection process (procedure: P104, P105) for a certain time.

<Procedure: P104>
The association target detection unit 104 refers to the detection condition data 121 stored in the detection condition information storage unit 120 and acquires a detection condition corresponding to the electronic device operation, that is, the operation of the notebook PC 200. For example, the linking object detection unit 104 refers to the detection condition data 121 shown in FIG. 4 and corresponds to “power connection” that is the operation of the notebook PC 200 with the electrical device identifier “PC-A” that transmitted the power connection notification. The detection condition “condition A” is acquired. Here, it is assumed that “condition A” is “the amount of power consumption within the past 10 seconds from the current time has increased from 0 to 20”.

<Procedure: P105>
The association target detection unit 104 refers to the power consumption data 111 stored in the monitoring target status information storage unit 110, and detects the outlet 300 that satisfies the detection condition acquired in the procedure: P104. For example, the linking target detection unit 104 refers to the power consumption data 111 shown in FIG. 3 and detects the outlet 300 that satisfies the “condition A” acquired in the procedure P104. Assuming that the current time is “9:00:05”, three outlets 300 whose outlet identifiers are “outlet A”, “outlet B”, and “outlet C” from the power consumption data 111 shown in FIG. Is detected.

  When the number of outlets 300 detected by the linking target detection unit 104 is one, the process proceeds to step P106. When the number of outlets 300 detected by the linking target detection unit 104 is plural or zero, the process proceeds to step P107.

<Procedure: P106>
Procedure: When there is one outlet 300 detected in P105, the linking registration unit 107 sets the linking information for associating the notebook PC 200 that has transmitted the power connection notification with the detected outlet 300 into the linking information. Register in the storage unit 150. In this example, since three outlets 300 are detected in the procedure: P105, the processing in the procedure: P106 is not performed.

<Procedure: P107>
Procedure: When the number of outlets 300 detected in P105 is plural or zero, the linking control unit 102 generates a timer and starts it.

<Procedure: P108>
The information of the notebook PC 200 that is the control target that has transmitted the power connection notification is registered in the link target data 131 of the link target information storage unit 130. For example, the linking control unit 102 obtains information on the control target identifier, control target type, and control command transmission destination of the power connection notification message 160 shown in FIG. 8 transmitted from the notebook PC 200 with the electrical device identifier “PC-A”. , Respectively, are registered in the association target data 131 as information on the electric device identifier, type, and address. Also, the association control unit 102 registers the reception time of the power connection notification message 160 shown in FIG. 8 transmitted from the notebook PC 200 with the electric device identifier “PC-A” in the association target data 131 as the connection time.

  When the association server 100 is prepared with correspondence information between each control target electric device identifier, address, and type, the association target data 131 manages only the electronic device identifier and the connection time. It may be.

  For the notebook PC 200 with the electrical device identifiers “PC-B” and “PC-C”, the process of steps: P102 to P108 is executed in the same manner as the notebook PC 200 with the electrical device identifier “PC-A”. However, since the timer has already been generated and started in the process for the notebook PC 200 with the electrical equipment identifier “PC-A”, the procedure is performed in the process for the notebook PC 200 with the electrical equipment identifiers “PC-B” and “PC-C”. : Proceed from the process in P103 to the process in P108.

  When the processing of the notebook PC 200 with the electrical device identifiers “PC-B” and “PC-C” is completed, the association target data 131 is stored in the electrical device identifiers “PC-A”, “PC-B”, “PC-”. The information of the three notebook PCs “C” is recorded.

<Procedure: P109>
The associating control unit 102 confirms that the timer generated in the procedure: P107 has expired. The expiration of the timer means that the timer has passed a predetermined time. Here, it is assumed that the predetermined time for timer expiration is 1 minute. Note that the timer continues even after the timer expires.

<Procedure: P110>
After confirming the expiration of the timer, the linking control unit 102 selects one control target notebook PC 200 from the linking target data 131 stored in the linking target information storage unit 130, and acquires the data. For example, the associating control unit 102 obtains the data of the notebook PC 200 with the electric device identifier “PC-A” from the associating target data 131 (electric device identifier “PC-A, connection time“ 9:00: 00 ”, address“ X.X.X.X ", type" notebook PC ").

<Procedure: P111>
The control command acquisition unit 105 refers to the control command data 141 stored in the control command information storage unit 140 and acquires a control command corresponding to the type to be controlled. For example, the control command acquisition unit 105 refers to the control command data 141 shown in FIG. 6 and acquires the control command “power off” corresponding to the type “notebook PC” of the notebook PC 200 with the electrical device identifier “PC-A”. .

<Procedure: P112>
The control command transmission unit 106 transmits the control command acquired in the procedure: P111 to the notebook PC 200. For example, the control command transmission unit 106 designates the address “XX.X.X” of the notebook PC 200 of the electric equipment identifier “PC-A” acquired in the procedure: P110 as the transmission destination, and the result is shown in FIG. A control command message 161 is transmitted.

  The control command execution unit 202 of the notebook PC 200 with the electric device identifier “PC-A” executes an operation instructed by the control command, that is, “power off”. In the “power-off” processing here, the control command execution unit 202 of the notebook PC 200 internally performs control for cutting off the power connection with the outlet 300 for a predetermined time.

  After the transmission of the control command by the control command transmission unit 106, the linking control unit 102 causes the linking target detection unit 104 to perform a linking target detection process (procedure: P113, P114).

<Procedure: P113>
The association target detection unit 104 refers to the detection condition data 121 stored in the detection condition information storage unit 120, and acquires a detection condition corresponding to an electronic device operation, that is, an operation executed by the notebook PC 200 by a control command. For example, the association target detection unit 104 refers to the detection condition data 121 shown in FIG. 4 and corresponds to “power off” that is an operation executed by the notebook PC 200 with the electrical device identifier “PC-A” by the control command. The detection condition “condition B” is acquired. Here, it is assumed that “Condition B” is “the power consumption within the past 10 seconds from the current time has decreased from 15 or more to 0”.

  If the control target is a desktop PC, the control command “increase brightness” is acquired in step P111. At this time, in the procedure: P113, the detection condition “condition C” corresponding to “increase brightness” is acquired. “Condition C” is, for example, “the power consumption within the past 10 seconds from the current time has increased by 20 or more from a value of 10 or more”.

<Procedure: P114>
The association target detection unit 104 refers to the power consumption amount data 111 stored in the monitoring target state information storage unit 110, and detects the outlet 300 that satisfies the detection condition acquired in step P113.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of power consumption data after transmission of a control command to the notebook PC having the electrical device identifier “PC-A” according to the first embodiment.

  Here, the power consumption data 111 stored in the monitoring target status information storage unit 110 after the “power off” instructed by the control command is executed on the notebook PC 200 with the electrical device identifier “PC-A”. Suppose that it is as shown in FIG.

  In the procedure: P114, for example, the linking object detection unit 104 refers to the power consumption data 111 shown in FIG. 10 and detects the outlet 300 that satisfies the “condition B” acquired in the procedure: P113. Assuming that the current time is “9:01:10”, only the outlet 300 whose outlet identifier is “Outlet A” is detected from the power consumption data 111 shown in FIG.

  When the number of outlets 300 detected by the linking target detection unit 104 is one, the process proceeds to step P115. When the number of outlets 300 detected by the linking target detection unit 104 is plural or zero, the process proceeds to step P110 and proceeds to processing of the next notebook PC 200. For the notebook PC 200 for which the linked partner could not be specified, the procedure is re-executed from P110 when the next order comes.

<Procedure: P115>
Procedure: When there is one outlet 300 detected in P114, the linking registration unit 107 stores linking information for associating the notebook PC 200 that has transmitted the control command with the detected outlet 300 into the linking information storage. The data is registered in the association data 151 stored in the unit 150. For example, the association registration unit 107 associates association information that associates the notebook PC 200 with the electric device identifier “PC-A” with the outlet 300 with the outlet identifier “outlet A” detected in the procedure: P114. 151 is registered.

<Procedure: P116>
The association control unit 102 deletes the data of the notebook PC 200 associated with the outlet 300 from the association target data 131 stored in the association target information storage unit 130. For example, the linking control unit 102 deletes the data of the notebook PC 200 with the electrical device identifier “PC-A” linked to the outlet 300 with the outlet identifier “Outlet A” in the procedure: P115 from the linking target data 131. .

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the transition of the association target data according to the first embodiment.

  The transition of the linking target data 131 stored in the linking target information storage unit 130 by the processing so far will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, as shown in FIG. 11A, the procedure for the notebook PC 200 with the electrical device identifier “PC-A”: the processing of P108, the data to be linked 131 of the notebook PC 200 with the electrical device identifier “PC-A”. Data is recorded.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 11B, the procedure for the notebook PC 200 with the electrical equipment identifier “PC-B”: the processing of P108, the linking target data 131 is stored in the notebook PC 200 with the electrical equipment identifier “PC-B”. Data is added.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 11C, the procedure for the notebook PC 200 with the electrical device identifier “PC-C”: the process of P108, the data to be linked 131 of the notebook PC 200 with the electrical device identifier “PC-C”. Data is added.

  Procedure: When the notebook PC 200 with the electric device identifier “PC-A” is linked in the process of P115, as shown in FIG. 11 (D), in the process of P116, from the linked target data 131, The data of the notebook PC 200 having the electric equipment identifier “PC-A” is deleted.

  As for the notebook PC 200 with the electric device identifiers “PC-B” and “PC-C”, the processing: P110 to P116 is performed in the same manner as the notebook PC 200 with the electric device identifier “PC-A” while shifting the processing execution timing. Is executed. When the linking process for all the notebook PCs 200 is finished and the linking target data 131 has no control target data, the linking control unit 102 deletes the timer.

  Hereinafter, the flow of processing by the tying server 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 12 is a linking process flowchart (1) by the linking server according to the first embodiment.

  The flowchart shown in FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the process corresponding to the procedure P102 to P108 described with reference to FIG.

  In the associating server 100, the power connection information receiving unit 103 receives a power connection notification from the electrical device (step S10). The association control unit 102 determines whether a timer has already been generated (step S11).

  If the timer has already been generated (YES in step S11), the associating control unit 102 registers the data of the electrical device that transmitted the power connection notification in the associating target information storage unit 130 (step S16), and the processing Exit.

  If a timer has not yet been generated (NO in step S11), the linking target detection unit 104 executes a linking target detection process (step S12). Details of the association target detection process will be described later. The linking control unit 102 determines whether a detection result is obtained by the linking target detection process (step S13).

  If the detection result is obtained (YES in step S13), the linking registration unit 107 associates the linking information that associates the electrical device that has transmitted the power connection notification with the power source outlet obtained as the detection result. Registration is made in the linking information storage unit 150 (step S14), and the process is terminated.

  If the detection result is not obtained (NO in step S13), the linking control unit 102 generates a timer and starts it (step S15). The association control unit 102 registers the data of the electrical device that has transmitted the power connection notification in the association target information storage unit 130 (step S16), and ends the process.

  FIG. 13 is a linking process flowchart (2) by the linking server according to the first embodiment.

  The flowchart shown in FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a process corresponding to the procedure P109 to P116 described with reference to FIG.

  In the linking server 100, the linking control unit 102 determines whether the timer has expired (step S20).

  When the timer expires (YES in step S20), the associating control unit 102 selects one of the electrical devices registered in the associating target information storage unit 130 (step S21), and acquires data of the electrical device. To do.

  The control command acquisition unit 105 acquires a control command corresponding to the type of the selected electrical device from the control command information storage unit 140 (step S22). The control command transmission unit 106 transmits the acquired control command to the selected electrical device (step S23).

  The linking target detection unit 104 executes a linking target detection process (step S24). Details of the association target detection process will be described later. The linking control unit 102 determines whether a detection result is obtained by the linking target detection process (step S25).

  If the detection result is not obtained (NO in step S25), the associating control unit 102 returns to the process in step S21 and moves to the process for the next electrical device.

  If the detection result is obtained (YES in step S25), the linking registration unit 107 associates the linking information that associates the selected electrical device with the power source outlet that is obtained as the detection result. Register in the storage unit 150 (step S26). The association control unit 102 deletes the data of the selected electrical device from the association target information storage unit 130 (step S27). The linking control unit 102 determines whether the processing has been completed for all the electrical devices registered in the linking target information storage unit 130 (step S28).

  If the processing has not been completed for all the electrical devices (NO in step S28), the associating control unit 102 returns to the processing in step S21 and proceeds to the processing for the next electrical device.

  If the process has been completed for all the electrical devices (YES in step S28), the linking control unit 102 deletes the timer (step S29) and ends the process.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a linking object detection process performed by the linking object detection unit according to the first embodiment.

  The flowchart shown in FIG. 14 is a flowchart of processing corresponding to the procedures: P104 and P105 and the procedures: P113 and P114 described with reference to FIG.

  The association target detection unit 104 acquires a detection condition corresponding to the operation of the electrical device that has transmitted the power connection notification or the operation executed by the electrical device according to the control command from the detection condition information storage unit 120 (step S30).

  The associating target detection unit 104 refers to the monitoring target status information storage unit 110 and detects the power supply outlet that satisfies the acquired detection condition (step S31). The associating target detection unit 104 determines whether there is one power source outlet obtained as a detection result (step S32).

  If the number of power outlets obtained as a detection result is one (YES in step S32), the linking object detection unit 104 returns the detection result to the linking control unit 102 (step S33).

  If the number of power outlets obtained as a detection result is not one (NO in step S32), the linking target detection unit 104 returns a detection error result to the linking control unit 102 (step S34).

  As a result of the linking process performed by the linking server 100 described so far, it is possible to automatically link an outlet connected to a power source, such as a notebook PC 200, with a power outlet that dynamically changes. Become. Since there is no need for manual tying, the convenience of power sensing for each electric device and for each person is improved.

  Next, in the first embodiment, the association release processing by the association server 100 when the power connection between the notebook PC 200 and the outlet 300 is disconnected will be described.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining the association release processing according to the first embodiment.

  The functional configuration of the tying system shown in FIG. 15 is the same as the functional configuration of the tying system shown in FIG. Here, it is assumed that the power connection between the notebook PC 200 and the outlet 300 is disconnected while the notebook PC 200 is in the power-on state.

<Procedure: P120>
The power connection information notifying unit 201 of the notebook PC 200 that has been disconnected from the power outlet 300 transmits a power disconnection notification to the associating server 100.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a power-off notification transmitted from the control target to the tying server according to the first embodiment.

  A power-off notification message 162 illustrated in FIG. 16 is an example of a power-off notification transmitted to the association server 100 by the power connection information notification unit 201 of the notebook PC 200 that is an electric device to be controlled. The power-off notification message 162 has message type and control target identifier information.

  The message type indicates the type of the message, and the power-off notification message 162 indicates that the message is a power-off notification. The control target identifier in the power-off notification message 162 indicates the identifier of the control target that transmitted the power-off notification. The control target identifier in the power-off notification message 162 shown in FIG. 16 corresponds to the electrical device identifier in the association data 151 in FIG.

  Procedure: For example, in P120, when the power connection between the notebook PC 200 having the electrical device identifier “PC-A” and the outlet 300 is disconnected, the power connection information notifying unit 201 of the notebook PC 200 notifies the linking server 100. A power-off notification message 162 shown in FIG. 16 is transmitted. The power connection information receiving unit 103 of the association server 100 receives the power-off notification from the notebook PC 200.

<Procedure: P121>
The association registration unit 107 records the association release for the notebook PC 200 that transmitted the power-off notification in the association data 151 stored in the association information storage unit 150. For example, if the electrical device identifier “PC-A” of the notebook PC 200 that transmitted the power-off notification is received, the association registration unit 107 will disconnect the record whose electrical device identifier of the association data 151 is “PC-A”. Record the power-off notification reception time.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of linking data in which linking cancellation according to the first embodiment is recorded.

  As illustrated in FIG. 17, when a power-off notification is transmitted from the notebook PC 200 with the electrical device identifier “PC-A”, the association registration unit 107 indicates that the electrical device identifier of the association data 151 is “PC-A”. The tie is released by recording the disconnection time in the record.

  Note that the association registration unit 107 performs association release only by a power-off notification from the notebook PC 200 that is a control target. When power-off is executed in accordance with an instruction of a control command, the notebook PC 200 that is a control target does not transmit a power-off notification to the association server 100.

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart of the association release process by the association server according to the first embodiment.

  The flowchart shown in FIG. 18 is a flowchart of processing corresponding to the procedures described with reference to FIG. 15: P120 and P121.

  In the associating server 100, the power connection information receiving unit 103 receives a power-off notification from the electrical device (step S40). The association registration unit 107 registers the association release of the electrical device that has transmitted the power-off notification in the association information storage unit 150 (step S41).

  As described above, the linking server 100 performs the linking cancellation only by the power-off notification from the electric device that is the control target. In addition, the electric device to be controlled does not transmit a power-off notification when the power-off is executed by the control command. As a result, the linking server 100 can perform appropriate linking cancellation.

  Here, in the processing procedure of the tying server 100 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the processing of procedures: P104 to P106 can be skipped. In this case, in the procedure: P103, the association control unit 102 checks whether a timer has already been generated. When the timer is generated, the linking control unit 102 proceeds to procedure: P108. If the timer has not been generated, the associating control unit 102 proceeds to procedure: P107.

  Procedure: By skipping the processes of P104 to P106, the linking process of procedures: P110 to P116 is executed for all electric devices to be controlled that have transmitted the power connection notification. As a result, the processing load of the tying server 100 is increased, but the tying accuracy between the power supply outlet and the electric device is increased.

  In the processing procedure of the tying server 100 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the following procedure: P112-2 may be added between the procedures: P112 and P113.

<Procedure: P112-2>
The control command execution unit 202 of the notebook PC 200 transmits a command execution notification to the associating server 100 after executing the operation instructed by the control command.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of a command execution notification transmitted from the control target to the linking server according to the first embodiment.

  A command execution notification message 163 illustrated in FIG. 19 is an example of a command execution notification transmitted to the association server 100 by the control command execution unit 202 of the notebook PC 200 that is the electric device to be controlled. The command execution notification message 163 has message type, control target identifier, and control command information.

  The message type indicates the type of the message, and the command execution notification message 163 indicates that the message is a command execution notification. The control target identifier in the command execution notification message 163 indicates the identifier of the control target that transmitted the command execution notification. The control target identifier in the command execution notification message 163 illustrated in FIG. 19 corresponds to the electrical device identifier in the association data 151 illustrated in FIG. The control command in the command execution notification message 163 indicates an operation executed by the control target by the control command.

  Procedure: In P112-2, the power connection information receiving unit 103 of the associating server 100 receives a command execution notification from the notebook PC 200. The linking control unit 102 waits for reception of a command execution notification from the notebook PC 200, and then causes the linking target detection unit 104 to perform a linking target detection process (procedure: P113, P114).

  There may be a case where the notebook PC 200 to be controlled is in an overload state when receiving the control command. In this case, there is a possibility that the control command execution unit 202 of the notebook PC 200 to be controlled cannot execute the operation instructed by the control command immediately after receiving the control command.

  Procedure: When performing the process of P112-2, the control command execution unit 202 can execute the operation instructed by the control command after waiting for the overload state to be resolved.

[Embodiment 2]
FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a tying system according to the second embodiment.

  In the tying system shown in FIG. 20, the tying server 400 corresponds to the tying server 100 shown in FIG. 1, the outlet 500 corresponds to the outlet 300 shown in FIG. 1, and the notebook PC 600 corresponds to the notebook PC 200 shown in FIG. To do. The outlet 500 includes a power sensor 501 that measures power consumption.

  The difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment is that, in the second embodiment, the outlet 500 of the power supply outlet is the control target, and the notebook PC 600 of the electric device is the monitoring target. Part.

  The association server 400 acquires event information, which is information related to the power connection status in the monitored notebook PC 600, and accumulates it as information indicating the status of the monitoring target. The association server 400 receives power connection information from the outlet 500 to be controlled. The associating server 400 sends a control command for executing a predetermined operation to the outlet 500 that has transmitted the power connection information. The associating server 400 associates the outlet 500 that has executed the predetermined operation with the notebook PC 600 whose power connection status matches the condition corresponding to the predetermined operation.

  In FIG. 20, only one notebook PC 600 to be monitored and one outlet 500 to be controlled are illustrated, but in the example described below, it is assumed that there are a plurality of each.

  FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the associating system according to the second embodiment.

  The linking server 400 includes a monitoring target status information acquisition unit 401, a linking control unit 402, a power connection information receiving unit 403, a linking target detection unit 404, a control command acquisition unit 405, a control command transmission unit 406, and a linking registration unit. 407. The linking server 400 includes a monitoring target status information storage unit 410, a detection condition information storage unit 420, a linking target information storage unit 430, a control command information storage unit 440, and a linking information storage unit 450. Each functional unit included in the linking server 400 is realized by hardware such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory included in the computer of the linking server 400, and a software program.

  The monitoring target status information acquisition unit 401 acquires event information indicating the power connection status from each electrical device to be monitored. The monitoring target status information acquisition unit 401 accumulates and stores the acquired event information in the monitoring target as monitoring target status information in the monitoring target status information storage unit 410. In the second embodiment, the monitoring target status information is event information indicating the power supply connection status generated in the electrical device. The monitoring target status information storage unit 410 is a storage unit that stores monitoring target status information and is accessible by a computer.

  Association control unit 402, power connection information reception unit 403, association target detection unit 404, control command acquisition unit 405, control command transmission unit 406, association registration unit 407, detection condition information storage unit 420, association target information storage The unit 430, the control command information storage unit 440, and the linking information storage unit 450 are the same as those in the above-described first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted. However, in the second embodiment, the power supply outlet in the description of the first embodiment is replaced with an electric device, and the electric apparatus in the description of the first embodiment is replaced with a power supply outlet.

  The outlet 500, which is a power supply outlet to be controlled, includes a power connection information notification unit 502 and a control command execution unit 503.

  The power connection information notification unit 502 transmits a power connection notification to the association server 400. The timing at which the power connection information notification unit 502 transmits the power connection notification to the associating server 400 is, for example, that the power source connection port is connected to one of the electric devices and the supply of power to the electric device is started. When

  The control command execution unit 503 executes an operation instructed by the control command received from the association server 400.

  A notebook PC 600 that is an electrical device to be monitored includes an event information transmission unit 601. The event information transmission unit 601 transmits event information indicating the power connection status of the notebook PC 600 such as power connection and power disconnection to the association server 400.

  FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example of data stored in the monitoring target situation information storage unit according to the second embodiment.

  The event data 411 illustrated in FIG. 22 is an example of monitoring target situation information stored in the monitoring target situation information storage unit 410. The event data 411 includes information on an electric device identifier, time, and event.

  The electric device identifier in the event data 411 is identification information for uniquely identifying the electric device to be monitored. The time in the event data 411 is, for example, the time at which an event related to the power connection status occurs in the notebook PC 600. The time in the event data 411 may be the time when the association server 400 acquires event information from the notebook PC 600. The event in the event data 411 is an event related to the power connection state that has occurred in the notebook PC 600.

  FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of data stored in the detection condition information storage unit according to the second embodiment.

  Detection condition data 421 illustrated in FIG. 23 is an example of detection condition information stored in the detection condition information storage unit 420. The detection condition data 421 has information on outlet operation and detection conditions.

  The outlet operation in the detection condition data 421 is an operation of an outlet that is a control target or an operation that is executed by an outlet that is a control target by a control command. The detection condition in the detection condition data 421 is a condition of the electric device to be detected. In the detection condition data 421 shown in FIG. 23, the detection conditions are abbreviated as “condition C” and “condition D”. Actually, as a detection condition in the detection condition data 421, a condition of the electric device to be detected, such as “a power connection event has occurred within the past 10 seconds from the current time” is recorded.

  FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an example of data stored in the association target information storage unit according to the second embodiment.

  The linking target data 431 illustrated in FIG. 24 is an example of linking target information stored in the linking target information storage unit 430. The association target data 431 includes outlet identifier, connection time, address, and type information.

  The outlet identifier in the association target data 431 is identification information for uniquely identifying the outlet 500 to be controlled. The connection time in the association target data 431 is, for example, the time when the power connection notification from the outlet 500 that is the control target is received. The address in the association target data 431 is the IP address of the outlet 500 that is the control target. The type in the association target data 431 indicates the type of the power source outlet to be controlled, such as “outlet” or “multi-tap”.

  FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating an example of data stored in the control command information storage unit according to the second embodiment.

  The control command data 441 illustrated in FIG. 25 is an example of control command information stored in the control command information storage unit 440. The control command data 441 has type and control command information.

  The type in the control command data 441 indicates the type of the power source outlet to be controlled, as in the type in the association target data 431. The control command in the control command data 441 indicates an operation to be executed by the outlet 500 that is a control target.

  The linking data stored in the linking information storage unit 450 according to the second embodiment has substantially the same configuration as the linking data 151 stored in the linking information storage unit 150 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. Since there is, explanation is omitted here. Further, the power connection notification message and the control command message according to the second embodiment are substantially the same as the power connection notification message 160 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 8 and the control command message 161 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. Therefore, the description is omitted here.

  In the following, referring to FIG. 21, three outlets 500 whose outlet identifiers are “outlet A”, “outlet B”, and “outlet C” are respectively connected to the notebook PC 600 at the same time “9: 00: 00: 00”. An example of linking by the linking server 400 when connected will be described. In this case, it is assumed that the notebook PC 600 is already connected to the outlet 500 in a state where the notebook PC 600 is already activated when the power is turned on.

<Procedure: P200>
When an event relating to the power connection status occurs, the event information transmission unit 601 of each notebook PC 600 transmits the event information to the association server 400. Here, the monitoring target situation information acquisition unit 401 of the association server 400 acquires event information transmitted from each notebook PC 600.

<Procedure: P201>
The monitoring target situation information acquisition unit 401 accumulates and stores the acquired event information of each notebook PC 600 in the monitoring target situation information storage unit 410.

  The processing up to this step: P200 and the processing of procedure: P201 is executed independently of the processing of the following procedure: P202 and subsequent steps.

<Procedure: P202>
The power connection information notifying unit 502 of the outlet 500 connected to a power source of a notebook PC 600 transmits a power connection notification to the associating server 400. For example, when the power supply is connected to the notebook PC 600 having the outlet 500 with the outlet identifier “Outlet A”, the power connection information notification unit 502 of the outlet 500 transmits a power connection notification message to the association server 400. The power connection information receiving unit 403 of the association server 400 receives the power connection notification from the outlet 500.

<Procedure: P203>
The association control unit 402 checks whether a timer has already been generated. If the timer has been generated, the process proceeds to step P208. When the timer is not generated, the linking control unit 402 causes the linking target detection unit 404 to perform a linking target detection process (procedure: P204, P205).

<Procedure: P204>
The association target detection unit 404 refers to the detection condition data 421 stored in the detection condition information storage unit 420 and acquires a detection condition corresponding to the outlet operation, that is, the operation of the outlet 500. For example, the linking object detection unit 404 refers to the detection condition data 421 shown in FIG. 23 and detects the detection condition corresponding to “power connection” that is the operation of the outlet 500 of the outlet identifier “outlet A” that has transmitted the power connection notification. “Condition C” is acquired. Here, it is assumed that “condition C” is “a power connection event has occurred within the past 10 seconds from the current time”.

<Procedure: P205>
The association target detection unit 404 refers to the event data 411 stored in the monitoring target state information storage unit 410 and detects the notebook PC 600 that satisfies the detection condition acquired in the procedure: P204. For example, the association target detection unit 404 refers to the event data 411 illustrated in FIG. 22 and detects the notebook PC 600 that satisfies the “condition C” acquired in the procedure: P204. Assuming that the current time is “9:00:05”, the event data 411 shown in FIG. 22 indicates that the electrical device identifiers are “PC-A”, “PC-B”, and “PC-C”. The notebook PC 600 is detected.

  When the number of notebook PCs 600 detected by the linking target detection unit 404 is one, the process proceeds to step P206. If the number of notebook PCs 600 detected by the linking target detection unit 404 is zero or zero, the process proceeds to step P207.

<Procedure: P206>
Procedure: When there is one notebook PC 600 detected in P205, the linking registration unit 407 displays linking information for associating the outlet 500 that has transmitted the power connection notification with the detected notebook PC 600. Register in the storage unit 450. In this example, since three notebook PCs 600 are detected in the procedure: P205, the processing in the procedure: P206 is not performed.

<Procedure: P207>
Procedure: When the number of notebook PCs 600 detected in P205 is zero or more, the linking control unit 402 generates a timer and starts it.

<Procedure: P208>
Information on the outlet 500 that is the control target that transmitted the power connection notification is registered in the linking target data 431 of the linking target information storage unit 430. For example, the associating control unit 402 converts the control target identifier, control target type, and control command destination information of the power connection notification message transmitted from the outlet 500 of the outlet identifier “Outlet A” into the outlet identifier, type, The data is registered in the association target data 431 as address information. The association control unit 402 registers the reception time of the power connection notification message transmitted from the outlet 500 with the outlet identifier “Outlet A” in the association target data 431 as the connection time.

  If the association server 400 has correspondence information between each control target outlet identifier, address, and type, the association target data 431 manages only the outlet identifier and connection time. Also good.

  For the outlets 500 having the outlet identifiers “Outlet B” and “Outlet C”, similarly to the outlet 500 having the outlet identifier “Outlet A”, the processes of the steps P202 to P208 are executed. However, since the timer has already been generated and started in the process for the outlet 500 of the outlet identifier “Outlet A”, the process of the outlet: “Outlet B” and “Outlet C” is the process of P203. To Procedure: Proceed to processing of P208.

  When the processing of the outlets 500 of the outlet identifiers “Outlet B” and “Outlet C” is completed, the association target data 431 includes three outlets 500 of the outlet identifiers “Outlet A”, “Outlet B”, and “Outlet C”. Is recorded.

<Procedure: P209>
The associating control unit 402 confirms that the timer generated in the procedure: P207 has expired. The expiration of the timer means that the timer has passed a predetermined time. Here, it is assumed that the predetermined time for timer expiration is 1 minute. Note that the timer continues even after the timer expires.

<Procedure: P210>
After confirming the expiration of the timer, the linking control unit 402 selects one outlet 500 to be controlled from the linking target data 431 stored in the linking target information storage unit 430, and acquires the data. For example, the associating control unit 402 obtains the data of the outlet 500 of the outlet identifier “Outlet A” (the outlet identifier “Outlet A, connection time“ 9:00: 00 ”, the address“ Y.Y. Y.X ”, type“ outlet ”).

<Procedure: P211>
The control command acquisition unit 405 refers to the control command data 441 stored in the control command information storage unit 440 and acquires a control command corresponding to the type to be controlled. For example, the control command acquisition unit 405 refers to the control command data 441 shown in FIG. 25 and acquires the control command “power off” corresponding to the type “outlet” of the outlet 500 of the outlet identifier “outlet A”.

<Procedure: P212>
The control command transmission unit 406 transmits the control command acquired in the procedure: P211 to the outlet 500. For example, the control command transmission unit 406 transmits the control command message by specifying the address “YYYX” of the outlet 500 of the outlet identifier “Outlet A” acquired in the procedure: P210 as the transmission destination. .

  The control command execution unit 503 of the outlet 500 having the outlet identifier “Outlet A” executes an operation instructed by the control command, that is, “Power off”. At this time, a power-off event occurs in the notebook PC 600 connected to the outlet 500 of the outlet identifier “Outlet A”, and the event information is recorded in the event data 411 stored in the monitoring target status information storage unit 410. The

  After the transmission of the control command by the control command transmission unit 406, the linking control unit 402 causes the linking target detection unit 404 to perform a linking target detection process (procedure: P213, P214).

<Procedure: P213>
The association target detection unit 404 refers to the detection condition data 421 stored in the detection condition information storage unit 420, and acquires a detection condition corresponding to the outlet operation, that is, the operation executed by the outlet 500 by the control command. For example, the linking object detection unit 404 refers to the detection condition data 421 shown in FIG. 23, and detects the detection condition corresponding to “power off” that is the operation executed by the outlet 500 of the outlet identifier “Outlet A” by the control command. “Condition D” is acquired. Here, it is assumed that “condition D” is “a power-off event has occurred within the past 10 seconds from the current time”.

<Procedure: P214>
The association target detection unit 404 refers to the event data 411 stored in the monitoring target situation information storage unit 410 and detects the notebook PC 600 that satisfies the detection condition acquired in step P213.

  FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating an example of event data after transmission of a control command to the outlet with the outlet identifier “Outlet A” according to the second embodiment.

  Here, the event data 411 stored in the monitoring target status information storage unit 410 after the “power off” instructed by the control command is executed in the outlet 500 of the outlet identifier “outlet A” is shown in FIG. It shall be as shown.

  In the procedure: P214, for example, the linking target detection unit 404 refers to the event data 411 shown in FIG. 26 and detects the notebook PC 600 that satisfies the “condition D” acquired in the procedure: P213. Assuming that the current time is “9:01:10”, only the notebook PC 600 whose electrical device identifier is “PC-A” is detected from the event data 411 shown in FIG.

  When the number of notebook PCs 600 detected by the linking target detection unit 404 is one, the process proceeds to step P215. If the number of notebook PCs 600 detected by the linking object detection unit 404 is plural or zero, the process proceeds to step P210 and the process of the next outlet 500 is performed. For the outlet 500 for which the linking partner could not be specified, the procedure is re-executed from the step P210 when the next order comes.

<Procedure: P215>
Procedure: When there is one notebook PC 600 detected in P214, the linking registration unit 407 stores linking information for associating the outlet 500 that has transmitted the control command with the detected notebook PC 600 into the linking information storage. Registered in the association data stored in the unit 450. For example, the association registration unit 407 associates association information that associates the outlet 500 of the outlet identifier “Outlet A” with the notebook PC 600 of the electrical device identifier “PC-A” detected in the procedure: P214. Register with.

<Procedure: P216>
The association control unit 402 deletes the data of the outlet 500 associated with the notebook PC 600 from the association target data 431 stored in the association target information storage unit 430. For example, the linking control unit 402 deletes the data of the outlet 500 of the outlet identifier “Outlet A” linked to the notebook PC 600 of the electric device identifier “PC-A” in the procedure: P215 from the linking target data 431. .

  FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating an example of the transition of the association target data according to the second embodiment.

  The transition of the linking target data 431 stored in the linking target information storage unit 430 by the processing so far will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, as shown in FIG. 27A, the procedure for the outlet 500 of the outlet identifier “Outlet A”: Data of the outlet 500 of the outlet identifier “Outlet A” is recorded in the association target data 431 by the process of P208. The

  Next, as shown in FIG. 27B, the procedure for the outlet 500 of the outlet identifier “Outlet B”: The data of the outlet 500 of the outlet identifier “Outlet B” is added to the association target data 431 by the process of P208. Is done.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 27C, the procedure for the outlet 500 of the outlet identifier “Outlet C”: The data of the outlet 500 of the outlet identifier “Outlet C” is added to the association target data 431 by the process of P208. The

  Procedure: When the outlet 500 of the outlet identifier “Outlet A” is linked in the process of P215, as shown in FIG. 27D, the outlet identifier is obtained from the linked data 431 in the process of P216. The data of outlet 500 of “Outlet A” is deleted.

  For the outlets 500 of the outlet identifiers “Outlet B” and “Outlet C”, the processing of steps P210 to P216 is executed in the same manner as the outlet 500 of the outlet identifier “Outlet A” while shifting the processing execution timing. When the linking process for all the outlets 500 is completed and there is no control target data in the linking target data 431, the linking control unit 402 deletes the timer.

  In the case of the second embodiment, a power connection notification is transmitted from the outlet 500 to the associating server 400 even when an electrical device that performs only charging, such as the notebook PC 600 whose power is turned off, is connected to the power source. Is done. There is a possibility that such data of the outlet 500 cannot remain linked indefinitely and remains in the link target data 431. Data of the outlet 500 after a predetermined time may be deleted from the association target data 431.

  As shown in the second embodiment, even when the power supply inlet is a control target and the electrical device is a monitoring target, the power supply difference automatically connected to the power supply is the same as in the first embodiment. It is possible to link the slot with the electric device.

  The processing by the tying server 100 and the tying server 400 according to the present embodiment described above can be realized by hardware such as a CPU and memory provided in a computer and a software program, and the program can be read by a computer. It can be recorded on a medium or provided through a network.

  FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the association server.

  As shown in FIG. 28, the tying server 100 and the tying server 400 are realized by a computer 10 including a CPU 11, a memory 12 serving as a main memory, an input / output interface 13, a storage device 14, an input device 15, and an output device 16. The

  Programs that can be executed by the computer 10 of the linking server 100 and the linking server 400 are stored in the storage device 14, read out to the memory 12 at the time of execution, and executed by the CPU 11.

  The computer 10 can also read a program directly from a portable recording medium and execute processing according to the program. In addition, each time the program is transferred from the server computer, the computer 10 can sequentially execute processing according to the received program.

  Furthermore, this program can be recorded on a recording medium readable by the computer 10.

  Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present invention can naturally be modified in various ways within the scope of the gist thereof.

100,400 Linked server 101,401 Monitoring target status information acquisition unit 102,402 Linking control unit 103,403 Power connection information receiving unit 104,404 Linking target detection unit 105,405 Control command acquisition unit 106,406 Control command Transmission unit 107,407 Linking registration unit 110,410 Monitoring target status information storage unit 120,420 Detection condition information storage unit 130,430 Linking target information storage unit 140,440 Control command information storage unit 150,450 Linking information storage 200 notebook PC (control target)
201 Power connection information notification unit 202 Control command execution unit 300 Outlet (monitoring target)
301 Power Sensor 302 Power Consumption Information Transmitter 500 Outlet (Controlled)
501 Power sensor 502 Power connection information notification unit 503 Control command execution unit 600 Notebook PC (monitoring target)
601 Event information transmitter

Claims (6)

Computer
A notification indicating the power connection of the power supply outlet is monitored object and the electrical apparatus to be controlled, a step of receiving from the electrical equipment to be controlled,
A procedure for transmitting a control instruction for causing the electric device to execute a predetermined operation for changing the amount of power supplied to the electric device from the power supply outlet, to the electric device to be controlled;
After the transmission of the control instruction, information related to the power consumption transmitted from the power source outlet to be monitored is acquired, and the acquired information is used as monitoring target status information, and the monitoring target status information accessible by the computer A procedure for storing in the storage unit;
Referring monitored status information is the storage, power is a predetermined condition is satisfied that corresponds to the monitored status information monitored object corresponding to the operation to be executed by the electric device is the control target in the control instruction The procedure for detecting the outlet,
When there is one power source outlet that is the detected monitoring target, linking information that associates the electrical device that is the control target and the power source outlet that is the detected monitoring target. , A linking program for executing the procedure of registering in the linking information storage unit accessible by the computer. In the computer,
A procedure for receiving notification from the electrical device that is the control target that the power supply outlet that is the monitoring target and the electrical device that is the control target are turned off;
The association process according to claim 1, further comprising a step of recording in the association information storage unit the association release for the electrical device that is the control target that has transmitted the notification indicating the power-off. program. A control instruction execution notification indicating that the control target electrical device has performed the operation specified by the control command after the procedure of transmitting the control command to the control target electrical device to the computer; Further executing a procedure of receiving from the electric device to be controlled;
In the procedure of detecting the power supply outlet that is the monitoring target, the stored monitoring target status information is referred to, and the electrical instruction that is the control target is executed by the control instruction included in the control instruction execution notification. 3. The linking program according to claim 1, wherein a power supply outlet that is a monitoring target corresponding to monitoring target status information that satisfies a predetermined condition corresponding to the operation is detected. In place of the power source outlet to be monitored, an electrical device to be monitored;
Instead of the electrical device that is the control target, a power source outlet that is the control target,
The information indicating the power connection status transmitted from the electrical device to be monitored, instead of the information on the power consumption transmitted from the power source outlet to be monitored. The associating program according to claim 3. A tying device for tying a power source outlet connected to a power source to an electrical device,
A linking information storage unit for storing linking information for associating the power supply outlet and the electrical device connected to the power supply;
A monitoring status information acquisition unit that acquires information on the power consumption transmitted from the power supply outlet that is the monitoring target as monitoring status information;
A monitoring target status information storage unit for storing the acquired monitoring target status information;
A power connection information receiving unit that receives a notification indicating the power connection between the power source outlet to be monitored and the electric device to be controlled from the electric device to be controlled;
A control instruction transmission unit for transmitting a control instruction for causing the electric device to execute a predetermined operation for changing the amount of electric power supplied from the power source outlet to the electric device;
Referring to the obtained by the monitored status information acquisition unit and the monitored status information stored in the monitoring target status information storage unit after transmission of the control instruction, execute the electrical device is the control target in the control instruction A linking target detection unit that detects a power source outlet that is a monitoring target corresponding to monitoring target status information that satisfies a predetermined condition corresponding to the operation to be performed;
When there is one power source outlet that is the detected monitoring target, linking information that associates the electrical device that is the control target and the power source outlet that is the detected monitoring target. A linking registration unit registered in the linking information storage unit. Computer
A notification indicating the power connection of the power supply outlet is monitored object and the electrical apparatus to be controlled, a process of receiving from the electrical equipment to be controlled,
Transmitting a control instruction for causing the electric device to execute a predetermined operation for changing the amount of electric power supplied to the electric device from the power supply outlet, to the electric device to be controlled;
After the transmission of the control instruction, information related to the power consumption transmitted from the power source outlet to be monitored is acquired, and the acquired information is used as monitoring target status information, and the monitoring target status information accessible by the computer The process of storing in the storage unit;
The power supply plug-in that is the monitoring target corresponding to the monitoring target status information that satisfies the predetermined condition corresponding to the operation to be executed by the electric device that is the control target by referring to the stored monitoring target status information The process of detecting the mouth,
When there is one power source outlet that is the detected monitoring target, linking information that associates the electrical device that is the control target and the power source outlet that is the detected monitoring target. And a process of registering in a linking information storage unit accessible by the computer.

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