JP6086169B2 - Information processing apparatus, program, information processing method, and information processing system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a program, an information processing method, and an information processing system.

  Due to the recent increase in the environment-oriented or energy-saving direction, consideration for the environment or energy-saving is becoming important with respect to image forming apparatuses (hereinafter referred to as “devices”) such as printers, copiers, and multifunction machines. For example, models with low power consumption are being favored in the market. Information on the power consumption of devices of major manufacturers is disclosed by a predetermined organization, and is considered as one of important judgment materials when selecting a device to be purchased by some users. In addition, even after purchasing a device, there are users (businesses) who are beginning to be interested in how much power is consumed by the device in their office.

  Therefore, conventionally, a technique capable of grasping the power consumption of the device has been studied (for example, Patent Document 1). For example, according to the technique described in Patent Document 1, the user can predict which model can be used to reduce power consumption.

  However, equipment installed in an office is expensive and cannot be easily replaced. Although it is considered that a user who uses a device with a lease contract can relatively easily replace the device, replacing the device during the lease contract may cause an increase in expenses.

  This invention is made | formed in view of said point, Comprising: It aims at showing the utilization form of the apparatus which can raise the possibility of reduction of power consumption.

  Therefore, in order to solve the above-described problem, the information processing apparatus, based on the calculation result of the power consumption amount using the information on the power consumption amount for each of the plurality of power supply states, in the power state, the function of the device is in the execution state. A calculation unit that determines when to shift to a second power supply state that consumes less power than a certain first power supply state, and information indicating the transition of the power consumption amount based on the order in which the information is acquired is output Output unit.

  It is possible to present a usage form of a device that can increase the possibility of reducing power consumption.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the power consumption monitoring system in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the hardware structural example of the management apparatus in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the hardware structural example of the apparatus in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the function structural example of the power consumption monitoring system in 1st embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an example of the process sequence which the management apparatus of 1st embodiment performs. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the monitoring parameter setting screen. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a log | history memory | storage part. It is a figure which shows an example of the calculation result of the power consumption of one analysis period. It is a figure which shows an example of the calculation result of the ratio of the power consumption of one analysis period. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the calculation result of the ratio of the power consumption amount for every power supply state. It is a figure which shows the function structural example of the power consumption monitoring system in 2nd embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an example of the process sequence which the management apparatus of 2nd Embodiment performs. It is a figure which shows the example of the calculation result of last time ratio. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of last time ratio. It is a figure which shows the function structural example of the power consumption monitoring system in 3rd embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an example of the process sequence which the management apparatus of 3rd Embodiment performs. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an example of the process sequence of the determination process of the recommendation time of transfer to an energy saving state. It is a figure which shows an example of transition of the ratio of each power supply state of power consumption. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a recommendation time notification screen. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a recommended time determination parameter setting screen.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a power consumption monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the power consumption monitoring system 1 shown in the figure, the management device 10 includes one or more devices 20 (not limited to wired or wireless) such as a LAN (Local Area Network). Devices 20a, 20b, and 20c). The management device 10 is also connected to one or more user terminals 30 via the network 40.

  The device 20 is a device that consumes power, such as an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copier, a facsimile machine, or a multifunction machine, or a projector. The management device 10 is a computer that monitors the power consumption of each device 20 and outputs a monitoring result. The user terminal 30 is an information processing device that functions as a user interface such as an input device and an output device in the power consumption monitoring system 1. That is, the user terminal 30 receives an instruction from the user and transmits a processing request corresponding to the instruction to the management apparatus 10. The user terminal 30 displays the processing result returned from the management device 10. Examples of the user terminal 30 include a PC (Personal Computer), a mobile phone, a smartphone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistance), or a tablet terminal.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the management apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. The management device 10 in FIG. 2 includes a drive device 100, an auxiliary storage device 102, a memory device 103, a CPU 104, an interface device 105, and the like that are mutually connected by a bus B.

  A program for realizing processing in the management apparatus 10 is provided by a recording medium 101 such as a CD-ROM. When the recording medium 101 storing the program is set in the drive device 100, the program is installed from the recording medium 101 to the auxiliary storage device 102 via the drive device 100. However, the program need not be installed from the recording medium 101 and may be downloaded from another computer via a network. The auxiliary storage device 102 stores the installed program and also stores necessary files and data.

  The memory device 103 reads the program from the auxiliary storage device 102 and stores it when there is an instruction to start the program. The CPU 104 executes a function related to the management device 10 according to a program stored in the memory device 103. The interface device 105 is used as an interface for connecting to a network.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the device according to the embodiment of this invention. In FIG. 3, the device 20a is described as being a multifunction device.

  In FIG. 3, the device 20 a includes hardware such as a controller 21, a scanner 22, a printer 23, a modem 24, an operation panel 25, a network interface 26, and an SD card slot 27.

  The controller 21 includes a CPU 211, RAM 212, ROM 213, HDD 214, NVRAM 215, and the like. The ROM 213 stores various programs and data used by the programs. The RAM 212 is used as a storage area for loading a program, a work area for the loaded program, and the like. The CPU 211 realizes various functions by processing a program loaded in the RAM 212. The HDD 214 stores a program and various data used by the program. The NVRAM 215 stores various setting information and the like.

  The scanner 22 is hardware (image reading means) for reading image data from a document. The printer 23 is hardware (printing means) for printing print data on printing paper. The modem 24 is hardware for connecting to a telephone line, and is used to execute transmission / reception of image data by FAX communication. The operation panel 25 is hardware including input means such as buttons for accepting input from a user, display means such as a liquid crystal panel, and the like. The liquid crystal panel may have a touch panel function. In this case, the liquid crystal panel also functions as an input unit. The network interface 26 is hardware for connecting to a network such as a LAN (whether wired or wireless). The SD card slot 17 is used for reading a program stored in the SD card 80. That is, in the device 20a, not only the program stored in the ROM 213 but also the program stored in the SD card 80 can be loaded into the RAM 212 and executed. The SD card 80 may be replaced by another recording medium (for example, a CD-ROM or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory). That is, the type of recording medium corresponding to the positioning of the SD card 80 is not limited to a predetermined one. In this case, the SD card slot 27 may be replaced by hardware corresponding to the type of recording medium.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the power consumption monitoring system according to the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 4, the device 20 includes a power consumption amount calculation unit 221 and a power consumption information storage unit 222. The power consumption calculation unit 221 measures the power consumption for each power supply state of the device 20 and stores the measured value in the power consumption information storage unit 222. The power consumption information storage unit 222 stores a cumulative value of power consumption for each power state.

  The power state refers to the state of the device 20 related to power consumption. In the present embodiment, the device 20 has four power states: an operating state, a standby state, an energy saving state, and a power OFF state. However, these power supply states are examples. Therefore, the classification of the power supply state may vary depending on the type of the device 20 and the like.

  The operating state refers to, for example, a state in which an engine part such as the scanner 22 or the printer 23 is operating, that is, a state in which the function of the device 20 is being executed. The standby state refers to a state where the engine portion is on standby, the power supplied to the engine portion is below a certain level, or the engine portion is in a silent state. The energy saving state refers to a state where not only the engine portion but also the controller 21 is in a standby state. The power OFF state refers to a state where the main power is OFF.

  Therefore, the relationship of power consumption in each power supply state is as follows.

Operation state> Standby state> Energy saving state> Power supply OFF state The power consumption amount calculation unit 221 is, for example, a period until the power supply state changes periodically or every time the power supply state of the device 20 changes (hereinafter referred to as “calculation period”). ”) Is calculated. The power consumption calculation unit 221 uses the power consumption in the calculation period with respect to the cumulative value of the power supply state corresponding to the calculation period among the cumulative values of the power consumption stored in the power consumption information storage unit for each power supply state. Add the amount calculation results.

  For example, the assumed power consumption of each power supply state is set for each model of the device 20. The power consumption amount calculation unit 221 calculates the power consumption amount in each calculation period using, for example, the following formula.

Power consumption [Wh] = assumed power consumption [W] in the power supply state during the calculation period × length of the calculation period [min] ÷ 60
Note that the power consumption amount calculation unit 221 is realized, for example, by a process executed by the CPU 211 by a program installed in the device 20. The power consumption information storage unit 222 can be realized using the HDD 214 or the like.

  The user terminal 30 includes a request reception unit 31, a result display unit 32, and the like. The request reception unit 31 receives a monitoring request for the power consumption amount of the device 20 from the user, and transmits the monitoring request to the management apparatus 10.

  The result display unit 32 displays the processing result of the process executed in the management apparatus 10 in response to the monitoring request. In addition, the request reception part 31 and the result display part 32 are implement | achieved by the process which the program installed in the user terminal 30 makes the user terminal 30 perform, for example.

  The management apparatus 10 includes a monitoring request reception unit 11, a time measurement unit 12, a power consumption information acquisition unit 13, a period power consumption amount calculation unit 14, an analysis unit 15, a monitoring result output unit 16, and the like. Each of these units is realized, for example, by processing that the program installed in the management device 10 causes the CPU 104 to execute. The management device 10 also uses the history storage unit 17. The history storage unit 17 can be realized using the auxiliary storage device 102 or a storage device connected to the management device 10 via a network.

  The monitoring request receiving unit 11 receives a monitoring request transmitted from the user terminal 30. The time measurement unit 12 measures the progress of a time interval (hereinafter referred to as “acquisition interval”) for acquiring information stored in the power consumption information storage unit 222 of the device 20. Each time the acquisition interval elapses, the time measurement unit 12 notifies the power consumption information acquisition unit 13 to that effect. The time measuring unit 12 also measures the progress of a unit time for analyzing information acquired from the device 20 (hereinafter referred to as “analysis period”). Each time the analysis period elapses, the time measurement unit 12 notifies the analysis unit 15 to that effect.

  The power consumption information acquisition unit 13 acquires information stored in the power consumption information storage unit 222 of the device 20 in response to the notification of the elapse of the acquisition interval from the time measurement unit 12. That is, the cumulative value of the power consumption for each power supply state of the device 20 at that time is acquired. The power consumption information acquisition unit 13 stores the acquired information in the history storage unit 17.

  The history storage unit 17 stores a history of information acquired by the power consumption information acquisition unit 13.

  The period power consumption calculating unit 14 calculates the power consumption for each power supply state in the analysis period. The analysis unit 15 calculates the ratio of the power consumption amount in each power supply state during the analysis period. The ratio is normalized to a ratio when the total power consumption in the analysis period (the total value of power consumption in each power supply state) is 100.

  The monitoring result output unit 16 transmits the calculation result by the analysis unit 15 to the user terminal 30.

  Hereinafter, a processing procedure executed mainly by the management apparatus 10 will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a processing procedure executed by the management apparatus according to the first embodiment.

  In step S <b> 110, the monitoring request receiving unit 11 receives a monitoring request for the power consumption of the device 20. For example, the monitoring request is transmitted from the monitoring request receiving unit 31 in response to an input to the monitoring parameter setting screen displayed on the user terminal 30 by the monitoring request receiving unit 31 of the user terminal 30.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the monitoring parameter setting screen. In FIG. 6, the monitoring parameter setting screen 510 includes a setting area 511, a setting area 512, and the like.

  The setting area 511 is an area for setting an acquisition interval of power consumption information (“acquisition interval” in the above). FIG. 6 shows an example in which 2 hours is set as the acquisition interval.

  The setting area 512 is an area for setting an analysis period of power consumption information (“analysis period” in the above). FIG. 6 shows an example in which one day (= 24 hours) is set as the analysis period. Each acquisition time or each analysis time may be set for the acquisition interval and the analysis period.

  When the acquisition interval and the analysis period are set on the monitoring parameter setting screen 510 and the OK button 513 is pressed, the request reception unit 31 of the user terminal 30 sends a monitoring request including the acquisition interval and the analysis period to the management device 10. Send to. In step S110, such a monitoring request is received.

  Subsequently, the monitoring request receiving unit 11 stores, for example, the acquisition interval and the analysis period included in the received monitoring request in the memory device 103 (S120).

  Subsequently, the time measurement unit 12 starts measuring the acquisition interval and the analysis period, for example, starting from the current time (S130). When the acquisition interval elapses from the start of measurement or when the previous acquisition interval elapses, the power consumption information acquisition unit 13 acquires the power consumption information from the power consumption information storage unit 222 of each device 20 (S140). The power consumption information acquisition unit 13 stores the acquired power consumption information in the history storage unit 17.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the history storage unit. In FIG. 7, each record stored in the history storage unit 17 includes items of date and time, device name, and power consumption of each power state. One record is generated by one acquisition of power consumption information. One record is a record having a common date and time. The reason why a plurality of device names are included for the same date and time (that is, one record) is that power consumption information is acquired from a plurality of devices 20 at the same time.

  The date and time is the date and time when the power consumption information is acquired. The device name is an identification name of the device 20 from which the power consumption is acquired. The identification name may be information such as a host name, an IP address, or a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) that can identify each device 20 in order to acquire power consumption information. Note that the identification name of each device 20 from which the power consumption is acquired is stored in the auxiliary storage device 102, for example.

  By executing step S140 once, a record including the cumulative value of the power consumption for each power supply state of each device is added to the history storage unit 17. The accumulation period of the accumulated value may be the current time after the introduction of the device 20 or may be the current time since the device 20 is activated.

  Steps S130 and S140 are repeatedly executed until the analysis period elapses from the start of measurement or from the elapse of the previous analysis period (S150). As a result, the power consumption information acquired every time the acquisition interval elapses is accumulated in the history storage unit 17.

  When the analysis period elapses from the starting point (YES in S150), the period power consumption calculation unit 14 calculates from the accumulated power consumption amount included in the record stored in the history storage unit 17 last in the analysis period, The difference in the accumulated value of the power consumption amount stored first in the history storage unit 17 in the analysis period is calculated for each device 20 and for each power state (S160). As a result, the power consumption for each device 20 and for each power supply state in the analysis period is calculated. The period power consumption calculation unit 14 also calculates the total value of the power consumption for each device 20 during the analysis period. The total value can be calculated by obtaining the total amount of power consumption for each power supply state.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a calculation result of power consumption during one analysis period. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the calculation result in step S <b> 160 includes, for each device 20, the power consumption amount in each power supply state in the analysis period and the total power consumption amount.

  Subsequently, based on the calculation result of step S160, the analysis unit 15 calculates, for each device 20, a ratio with respect to the total value regarding the power consumption in each power supply state in the analysis period (S170). Specifically, for each device 20, the power consumption amount in each power supply state is calculated by dividing the power consumption amount in each power supply state by the total value.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a calculation result of the ratio of the power consumption amount in one analysis period. FIG. 9 shows a calculation result of the ratio of the power consumption amount in each power supply state for each device 20 based on the example of FIG.

  Subsequently, the monitoring result output unit 16 returns a response including the calculation result of the ratio of the power consumption amount for each device 20 and for each power supply state shown in FIG. 9 to the user terminal 30 that is the monitoring request source ( S180).

  The result display unit 32 of the user terminal 30 displays the calculation result included in the response in a manner as shown in FIG. 10, for example.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the calculation result of the ratio of the power consumption amount for each power supply state. In FIG. 10, the calculation result of the ratio of the power consumption amount in each power supply state for the device 20 whose device name is “A” in FIG. 9 is represented by a pie chart. Note that the calculation result may be expressed by an aspect other than a pie chart, such as a bar graph.

  By referring to the pie chart, the user can easily grasp the ratio of the power consumption amount in each power supply state in the analysis period (for example, one day). Therefore, for example, the user can easily grasp which power consumption amount in which power state is relatively large in the analysis period.

  Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be described. Therefore, the points not particularly mentioned may be the same as those in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the power consumption monitoring system according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 11, the same parts as those of FIG.

  In FIG. 11, an analysis result storage unit 18 is further added. The analysis result storage unit 18 stores a history of calculation results for each analysis period by the analysis unit 15. The analysis result storage unit 18 can be realized by using, for example, a storage device connected to the auxiliary storage device 102 or the management device 10 via a network.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a processing procedure executed by the management apparatus according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 12, the same steps as those in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same step numbers, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In FIG. 12, steps S171 and S172 are added. In step S171, the analysis unit 15 stores the calculation result of step S170 in the analysis result storage unit 18. Therefore, the analysis result storage unit 18 stores the ratio of each power state calculated in each analysis period for each device 20.

  Subsequently, the analysis unit 15 compares the calculation result in step S170 regarding the current analysis period with the calculation result in step S170 regarding the past analysis period (S172). Calculation results relating to past analysis periods are acquired from the analysis result storage unit 18. For example, the ratio of the calculation result related to the current analysis period to the calculation result related to the previous analysis period is calculated as the previous ratio.

  Specifically, the previous ratio is calculated by the following equation for each device 20 and each power state.

Compared to previous time (%) = Current power consumption ratio (%) / Previous power consumption (%) x 100
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the calculation result of the previous ratio. In FIG. 13, it is assumed that (A) is a calculation result in the previous analysis period. The content of (A) is the same as the content of FIG. (B) is a calculation result in the current analysis period. In this case, the calculation result of step S172 is as shown in (C), for example.

  In (C), for the device name “A”, the operating state value is “80”. This is a calculation result obtained by performing the following calculation.

80 = 40 ÷ 50 × 100
40 is the value of the operating state of the device name “A” in (B). 50 is the value of the operating state of the device name “A” in (A).

  In step S180, a response including the calculation result ((A) and (C) in FIG. 13) in step S172 is returned to the user terminal 30 in addition to the calculation result ((B) in FIG. 13) regarding the current analysis period. Is done.

  The result display unit 32 of the user terminal 30 displays the calculation result included in the response in a manner as shown in FIG. 14, for example.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the previous ratio. In FIG. 14, the information regarding the apparatus A among the contents of (A), (B), and (C) of FIG. 13 is expressed by a bar graph. That is, the previous ratio in FIG. 13C is shown between the bar graph based on FIG. 13A and the bar graph based on FIG.

  By referring to such a graph, the user can easily grasp the change in power consumption in each power supply state between the previous analysis period and the current analysis period.

  The analysis result storage unit 18 may store the calculation result of step S160 (see FIG. 8). In this case, the ratio of the power consumption may be calculated for each device 20 and for each power supply state over a plurality of analysis periods.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, the user can easily grasp the transition of the ratio of the power consumption amount in each power supply state for each analysis period.

  Next, a third embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be described. Therefore, the points not particularly mentioned may be the same as those in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the power consumption monitoring system according to the third embodiment. 15, the same parts as those in FIG. 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In FIG. 15, an energy saving transition time determination unit 19 is added. The energy saving transition time determination unit 19 determines a recommended time for shifting to the energy saving state based on the information stored in the history storage unit 17. The energy saving transition time determination unit 19 is realized by, for example, a process that the program installed in the management device 10 causes the CPU 104 to execute.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a processing procedure executed by the management apparatus according to the third embodiment.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a processing procedure executed by the management apparatus according to the third embodiment. In FIG. 16, the same steps as those in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same step numbers, and the description thereof is omitted. In FIG. 16, steps S173 and S174 are added.

  In step S173, the energy saving transition time determination unit 19 determines whether N days have elapsed since the start of measurement or since the previous N days have elapsed. For example, it is determined whether or not records for N days are stored in the history storage unit 17 (FIG. 7) for each time. Alternatively, the progress of N days may be measured by the time measuring unit 12. The value of N may be set as a parameter, for example.

  When N days have passed (YES in S173), the energy saving transition time determination unit 19 performs a determination process of the recommended time for shifting to the energy saving state (S174). In the subsequent step S180, a response including the determination result in step S174 is returned to the user terminal 30 in addition to the calculation result ((B) in FIG. 13) regarding the current analysis period.

  Next, details of step S174 will be described. FIG. 17 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the processing procedure of the determination process of the recommended time for shifting to the energy saving state. Note that the processing shown in FIG. 17 is executed for each device 20. Hereinafter, the device 20 to be processed is referred to as “target device”.

  In step S <b> 201, the energy saving transition timing determination unit 19 acquires a setting value necessary for the determination process from, for example, the auxiliary storage device 102. N described above is also one of set values.

  Subsequently, the energy saving transition time determination unit 19 calculates a total value of the power consumption amounts of the respective power supply states for the target device at the same time in the past N days (S202). Specifically, the power consumption amount of each power state at each time of the target device is calculated from the power consumption amount of the record of the target device related to the time in the history storage unit 17 (FIG. 7) immediately before the record. The value obtained by subtracting the power consumption amount of the record of the target device at the time can be obtained by calculating for each power supply state. The total value is calculated by summing the power consumption amount for each power supply state calculated for each time for the same time for N days. Note that the value of N may be 1. In this case, the sum value need not be calculated.

  Subsequently, the energy saving transition time determination unit 19 calculates the ratio of each power supply state for each time with respect to the total power consumption amount for each power supply state at each time in the past N days calculated in step S202 (S203). ). The ratio is normalized to a ratio when the total is 100.

  By arranging the ratios in time order (order in which power consumption information is acquired from the device 20), information as shown in FIG. 18 is obtained. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of the transition of the ratio of the power consumption to each power state. In FIG. 18, the transition of the ratio of each power state of the power consumption for N days in a certain device 20 from 13:00 to 19:00 is shown.

  The energy saving transition time determination unit 19 determines the recommended time based on such a transition, for example. Specifically, the energy saving transition time determination unit 19 sets one time (time zone) of information as shown in FIG. 18 as a processing target (S204). Note that the order of the times to be processed is the order from the earliest time. Hereinafter, the time set as the processing target is referred to as “target time”.

  Subsequently, the energy saving transition time determination unit 19 determines whether or not the ratio of the power consumption amount in the operating state at the target time is equal to or less than the threshold value (S205). The threshold value is one of the setting values acquired in step S201.

  When the ratio of the power consumption in the operating state at the target time is equal to or less than the threshold (YES in S205), the energy saving transition timing determination unit 19 determines that the state in which the ratio of the power consumption in the operating state is equal to or less than the threshold It is determined whether or not it continues for a predetermined period (hereinafter referred to as “necessary continuation period”) (S206). The necessary duration is also one of the setting values acquired in step S201.

  When the state where the ratio of the power consumption amount in the operating state is equal to or less than the threshold continues for the necessary duration or longer (YES in S206), the energy saving transition timing determination unit 19 determines the time before the acquisition interval for one target time. (Hereinafter, referred to as “immediate time”) is determined as the recommended time for the energy saving state (S207).

  For example, if the threshold is 40% and the required duration is 2 hours, in the example of FIG. 18, the percentage of the operating state is 40% or less at 17:00 and exceeds 40% for the subsequent 2 hours. Absent. Therefore, 16:00, which is the time immediately before 17:00, is determined as the recommended timing for shifting to the energy saving state. Note that 17:00, which is the time when the time is equal to or less than the threshold, may be determined as the recommended time for shifting to the energy saving state.

  That is, after the time (16:00 or 17:00) that meets the above conditions, the ratio of the power consumption in the operating state of the target device is small, so it is considered that the target device is unlikely to be used. . Therefore, even if the target device is shifted to the energy saving state, inconvenience to the user is considered to be small. Note that the target device takes some time to return from the energy-saving state. The inconvenience for the user when using the target device in the energy saving state is caused by the waiting time until the return time elapses.

  Subsequently, the energy saving transition time determination unit 19 sets a time obtained by adding the necessary duration to the target time as a new target time (S208). This is to prevent the recommended time for transition to the energy saving state from being selected repeatedly within the period of transition to the energy saving state.

  On the other hand, if the ratio of the power consumption in the active state at the target time exceeds the threshold (NO in S205), or the duration in which the ratio of the power consumption in the active state is equal to or less than the threshold is necessary duration If it is less than (NO in S206), the time immediately before the target time is not determined as the recommended time for shifting to the energy saving state.

  In step S209, when the target time is not the final time of the time in the history storage unit 17 (NO in S209), the next time is set as the target time, and step S204 and subsequent steps are executed. On the other hand, when the target time is the final time of the time in the history storage unit 17 (YES in S209), the process related to the target device ends. Therefore, when there is an unprocessed device 20, the unprocessed device 20 is set as a target device, and the process of FIG. 17 is executed.

  When a response including the determination result by the above processing is returned to the user terminal 30, the result display unit 32 of the user terminal 30 displays a recommended time notification screen as shown in FIG. 19, for example.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a recommended time notification screen. The recommended time notification screen 520 shown in FIG. 19 indicates that the recommended time for shifting to the energy saving state is 16:00 for device A, 17:00 for device B, and 11:00 and 17:00 for device C. Has been.

  The user who refers to such a recommended time notification screen 520, for example, operates the operation panel 15 of each device 20 at the recommended time of each device 20, and forcibly shifts each device 20 to the energy saving state. By doing so, it is possible to expect an effective reduction in power consumption.

  Note that the setting value acquired in step S201 in FIG. 17 may be input on the user terminal 30 or the like via, for example, a recommended time determination parameter setting screen as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a recommended time determination parameter setting screen. 20, the recommended time determination parameter setting screen 530 includes a determination period setting area 531, a power consumption rate threshold setting area 532, a necessary duration setting area 533, and the like.

  The determination period setting area 531 is an area for setting the value of N described above. The power consumption rate threshold setting area 532 is an area for setting the above-described threshold. The necessary duration setting area 533 is an area for setting the above-described necessary duration.

  The set value on the recommended time determination parameter setting screen 530 may be received together with the monitoring request in step S110, for example, or may be received at another opportunity.

  The energy saving transition time determination unit 19 may notify the device 20 of the recommended time. The device 20 may automatically start shifting to the energy saving state at the notified recommended time.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, it is possible to present to the user the recommended timing for shifting to the energy saving state in which the power consumption is smaller than the operating state. That is, the management apparatus 10 according to the third embodiment can present a usage pattern of the device 20 that can increase the possibility of reducing the power consumption. The user can reduce the power consumption by operating the device 20 in accordance with such presentation.

  Note that the information shown in FIG. 18 (the calculation result of step S203) may be returned to the user terminal 30. The user terminal 30 may cause the user to determine the transition time to the energy saving state by displaying a screen as shown in FIG. Even in such a form, the usage form of the device 20 that can increase the possibility of reducing the power consumption can be presented to the user.

  In the present embodiment, the management device 10 is an example of an information processing device. The power consumption information acquisition unit 13 is an example of an acquisition unit. The post-energy saving time determination unit 19 is an example of a calculation unit. The monitoring result output unit 16 is an example of an output unit.

  As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention is not limited to such specific embodiment, In the range of the summary of this invention described in the claim, various deformation | transformation・ Change is possible.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Power consumption monitoring system 10 Management apparatus 11 Monitoring request receiving part 12 Time measurement part 13 Power consumption information acquisition part 14 Period power consumption calculation part 15 Analysis part 16 Monitoring result output part 17 History storage part 18 Analysis result storage part 19 Energy saving Transition time determination unit 20 Device 21 Controller 22 Scanner 23 Printer 24 Modem 25 Operation panel 26 Network interface 27 SD card slot 30 User terminal 31 Request reception unit 32 Result display unit 100 Drive device 101 Recording medium 102 Auxiliary storage device 103 Memory device 104 CPU
105 Interface device 80 SD card 211 CPU
212 RAM
213 ROM
214 HDD
215 NVRAM
221 Power consumption calculation unit 222 Power consumption information storage unit B bus

JP 2010-72253 A

Claims (8)

Based on the calculation result of the power consumption amount using the power consumption amount information for each of the plurality of power supply states, the power consumption is smaller than the first power supply state in which the function of the device is in the execution state. A calculation unit for determining when to shift to the second power state;
An information processing apparatus comprising: an output unit that outputs information indicating a transition of the power consumption based on an order in which the information is acquired.   The calculation unit calculates, for each piece of information acquired in the same time zone on a plurality of days, a total value of power consumption for each power supply state included in the information, and a ratio of the total value for each power supply state The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information is calculated.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the calculation unit calculates a ratio of the power consumption.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the output unit outputs information indicating a transition of the ratio based on an order of time when the information on the power consumption amount is acquired.   The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the ratio of the power consumption is a ratio based on a total value of power consumption in each power supply state in an analysis period. Based on the calculation result of the power consumption amount using the power consumption amount information for each of the plurality of power supply states, the power consumption is smaller than the first power supply state in which the function of the device is in the execution state. A calculation procedure for determining when to shift to the second power state;
The program which makes a computer perform the output procedure which outputs the information which shows transition of the said power consumption based on the order from which the said information was acquired. Based on the calculation result of the power consumption amount using the power consumption amount information for each of the plurality of power supply states, the power consumption is smaller than the first power supply state in which the function of the device is in the execution state. A calculation procedure for determining when to shift to the second power state;
An information processing method in which a computer executes an output procedure for outputting information indicating a transition of the power consumption based on an order in which the information is acquired. Based on the calculation result of the power consumption amount using the power consumption amount information for each of the plurality of power supply states, the power consumption is smaller than the first power supply state in which the function of the device is in the execution state. A calculation unit for determining when to shift to the second power state;
An information processing apparatus having an output unit that outputs information indicating transition of the power consumption based on the order in which the information is acquired;
The device connected to the information processing apparatus via a network;
An information processing system.

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