JPH11301065A - Power source control device and network power source management system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a heat generation due to power consumption at a stand-by condition of a device by a method wherein when an instruction of on or off of a power source of the device connected to a network is received via a communication means from the network, the on or off of the supplying of the power source of the device is controlled. SOLUTION: A power source control device 3 provided in each of network printers 2-comprises a power source condition monitoring section, monitors the corresponding printer 2 and outputs a detected value to a built-in CPU. The CPU records the power source information to a non-volatile memory. When the power source control device 3 receives a request of the power source information from a management PC 1 through a network 4, the power source information recorded in the non-volatile memory is returned to the management PC 1. The management PC 1 refers to the received power source information and judges a using condition of the power source of the printer 2, then it transmits the instruction of power-off to the printer 2 connected to the power source control device 3 via the network 4.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a power supply control device and a network power supply management system, and more particularly to a power supply control device and a network power supply management system capable of remotely controlling a power supply connected to a network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, global warming has become a problem. There are various causes, one of the causes is home appliances and O
The power consumption of the device A during standby is included. Home appliances and O
The device A is in a standby mode when it is not used in the power-on state, and generates heat in the standby mode. In other words, electric devices and OA devices are simply heating elements when they are not used at all when the power is on,
It has a negative impact on global warming.

[0003] For example, in the case of an office, personal computers have become popular, and the number of network printers tends to increase. It is common sense to turn off equipment when leaving the company, but it is not always followed. Especially,
In many cases, printers are not dedicated to oneself, and management consciousness tends to be low. When the printer is on standby, it is often not apparent at first glance whether the power is on, and it is quite possible that the printer remains on standby until the next morning. In addition, a method of determining an administrator and making a round trip on the way home for confirmation can be considered, but it is extremely inefficient.

[0004] Conventionally, as a method of controlling ON / OFF of a power supply of a device via a network, for example, "LA" described in JP-A-6-334699 is disclosed.
N automatic power control device and its remote power control method "
Also, a "printer power management system" described in JP-A-6-183102 is known.

The "LAN automatic power control device" described in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-334699 is provided with a means for receiving and processing a message via a LAN, and a means for controlling power-on of the LAN processing device. Clock and LAN
A power-on permission time of the processing device is set, and a means for controlling the remote power-on is provided based on the set time and the information of the calendar clock, and reception of a message addressed to the own MAC address is permitted only in a predetermined time period. The configuration is such that the LAN processing device is powered on only when a message is received in the band, so that when the LAN processing device is remotely powered on, the power can be turned on only during the designated time period.

Further, the printer management system described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-183,026 has a communication unit for notifying a printer connected to a communication cable of an on / off state of the power of the printing unit. A display control unit for controlling the display of the on / off state of the printer device,
A power control management unit capable of individually controlling the power of the printing unit of the printer device to be turned on and off; and if necessary, the power supply of the printing unit of the printer device is turned on / off by the printer power management device side. To control.

[0007]

However, in the above prior art, no measures are taken to prevent heat generation due to power consumption during standby of the apparatus, and heat is generated due to power consumption during standby of the apparatus. There is a problem that.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and remotely monitors the power usage state of a device connected to a network, and turns on / off the power of the device as necessary.
An object of the present invention is to provide a power supply control device and a network power supply management system that can be turned off to contribute to prevention of global warming.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a power supply control apparatus for monitoring a power supply use state of a power supply of a device connected to a network; Communication means for sending the use state of the power supply of the connected device to the network, and receiving an ON / OFF instruction of the power supply of the device connected to the network from the network; and the network received by the communication means Power supply control means for turning on / off the power supply of the devices connected to the network based on the ON / OFF instruction of the power of the devices connected to the network.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a power supply control unit, comprising: a power supply state detection unit for detecting a use state of a power supply of a printer connected to a network; a timekeeping unit for clocking a current time; Referring to the information, storing means for storing the detection result of the power use state of the printer connected to the network of the power supply state detection means as power supply information at regular intervals, and transmitting the power supply information to the network. And power ON / O of the printer device connected to the network from the network.
Based on a communication unit that receives an FF instruction and a power ON / OFF instruction of a printer connected to the network received by the communication unit, power supply of the printer connected to the network is turned ON / OFF. Power control means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the power supply control device according to the second aspect, the power supply information includes:
The current value or the power value of the power supply of the printer connected to the network.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a network power management system including a power control device and a management device connected to each other via a network, wherein the power control device is connected to the network. Power status monitoring means for monitoring the usage status of the power supply of the device; transmitting the usage status of the power source of the device connected to the network to the network; Based on a communication means for receiving an ON / OFF instruction and an ON / OFF instruction for a power supply of a device connected to the network received by the communication means, power supply of a device connected to the network is turned ON / OFF. Power management means, the management device, via the network Based on the power use state of the device connected to the network to the power supply control device for signal, power of the ON / OFF instruction apparatus connected to the network is intended to be sent to the network.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a network power management system including a power control device and a management device connected to each other via a network, wherein the power control device is connected to the network. A power supply state detecting means for detecting a use state of a power supply of the printer apparatus; a time measuring means for measuring the current time; and a power supply of the connected printer apparatus of the power supply state detecting means by referring to time information of the time measuring means. Storage means for storing the use state of the power supply information as power information at fixed time intervals, sending the power information to the network,
Communication means for receiving a power ON / OFF instruction for a printer connected to the network from the network, and power ON / OFF instructions for the printer connected to the network received by the communication means; Power supply control means for turning on / off the supply of power to the printer device connected to the network, wherein the management device is configured to control the printer connected to the network based on the power information received via the network. The ON / OFF instruction of the power supply of the apparatus is transmitted to the network.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of a network power management system and a power management apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration example of a network power management system according to the present invention. The network power management system shown in FIG.
SNMP (Simple network management)
protocol) to centrally manage network conditions.

The network power management system shown in FIG. 1 manages a network, for example, by designating a power control device 3 to request information on the use state of power supplied to the network printer 2 or obtain the acquired network. Based on the information on the use state of the power supplied to the printer 2, the network controller 2
A management PC (management device) 1 for instructing ON / OFF of power supply to the network, and a network printer 2 for printing based on print data received via the network 4.
And monitors the use state of the power supply supplied to the network printer 2 from the power supply line 5 and, in response to a request from the management PC 1, transmits information on the use state of the power supply to the network 4.
Via the power supply line 5 to the network printer 2 in accordance with an instruction from the management PC 1.
And a power supply line 5 for supplying power to the network printer 2.

The management PC 1, the network printer 2, and the power supply controller 3 are connected to a network 4. Further, the power supply control device 3 includes the network printer 2
And the power supply line 5.

The management PC 1 includes a CPU (not shown) and an R
It has an OM, a RAM, a communication unit, etc., and monitors the status of the network in a unified manner.
. And the power control devices 3. Specifically, the management PC 1 manages, for example, the power status of each network printer 2..., Specifies the power control device 3, and supplies it to the network printer 2 connected to the power control device 3. The power supply control unit 3 requests the network printer 2 based on the information on the power supply state supplied to the network printer 2 and requests the information on the power supply use state received from the network printer 2 in response to the request.
ON / OFF of power supply to the power supply.

The network printer 2 is composed of, for example, a laser printer or an ink jet printer, and performs printing based on print data received via the network 4. Further, the network printer 2 has a network I / F, and can perform printing in a network environment. The network printer 2 is, for example,
It is composed of a TCP / IP printer or the like.

The power control device 3 turns on / off the power supplied from the power line 5 to the network printer 2.
F has a function of controlling F. The ON / OFF control of the power is performed in response to an instruction from the management PC 1. Also,
The power supply control device 3 monitors the use state of the power supply supplied to the network printer 2 from the power supply line 5 and sends out the request to the management PC 1 via the network 4 in response to a request.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the power supply control device 3. As shown in FIG. The power control device 3 illustrated in FIG. 2 includes a micro CPU 31 that controls each unit of the power control device 3,
A network I / F chip 32 connected to the network 4 for performing data communication, a power switch unit 33 for turning on / off the power supplied from the power line 5 to the network printer 2 under the control of the micro CPU 31,
A power status monitor 34 for detecting the use status of the power supplied to the network printer 2 from the power line 5 and outputting the detected status to the micro CPU 31, a calendar element 35 for measuring the current time, and a detection result of the power status monitor 34 The nonvolatile memory 36 includes a nonvolatile memory 36 to be stored and an internal power supply generating element 37 that is a power supply for an internal circuit.

The micro CPU 31 controls each unit of the power supply control device 3, and controls ON / OFF of a power supply switch unit 33, control of writing / reading of a detection result of a power supply state monitoring unit 34 to / from a nonvolatile memory 36, The communication control of data communication by the network I / F chip 32 is performed.

The network I / F chip 32 is composed of, for example, a network card and is used for data communication with the network 4. The network I / F chip 32 notifies the management PC 1 of information recorded in the nonvolatile memory 36 via the network 4. , Receives a command from the network 4. This network card is a normal network card (P
This can be realized with the same configuration as the card (optionally added to C).

The power switch section 33 is composed of a TTL controllable switch element using a semiconductor switch or the like. The power switch section 33 is provided with a power supply supplied from the power supply line 5 in response to a control signal from the micro CPU 31. (Eg, AC100V) network printer 2
ON / OFF the supply to

The power supply status monitor 34 is provided with a line power supply 5
For monitoring the use state of the power supplied to the network printer 2 from the printer, and includes, for example, a current detection sensor. As the current detection sensor, a coil or an element that shunts part of the power supply current and converts the voltage can be used. The power supply state monitoring unit 34 outputs a voltage value corresponding to a power supply current supplied from the line power supply 5 to the network printer 2 to the micro CPU 31 as a detection value.

The calendar element 35 is for measuring the current time, and a calendar element described on a PC or the like can be used (some types include a transmitter). The micro CPU 31 accesses this calendar element to recognize the time.

The non-volatile memory 36 is, for example, a non-volatile RAM, and the micro CPU 31 stores the detection result of the power supply state monitoring unit 34 at each preset time as power supply information. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of data stored in the nonvolatile memory 36. As shown in FIG.
Power supply information (current value / power value) is stored in the nonvolatile memory 36 corresponding to each time. In the example shown in FIG.
Power supply information (current / power) is stored at 10 minute intervals.

The built-in power supply generating element 37 is for generating power for the built-in circuit, and always supplies power to the power control device 3. The power consumption of the micro CPU 31 is equivalent to that of a digital clock, and is negligibly small as compared with the heat generation of the device.

In the above-mentioned configuration, the micro CPU 31 and the power state monitoring unit 34 function as power state monitoring means, the network I / F chip 32 functions as communication means, and the micro CPU 31
The power switch 31 and the power switch 33 function as power control means, the power state monitor 34 functions as power state detector, and the calendar element 3.
Numeral 5 implements a clock unit, and the nonvolatile memory 36 implements a storage unit.

Next, the outline of the power control operation of the network power management system will be described. In each power supply control device 3, the power supply state monitoring unit 34 monitors the power supply state of each connected network printer 2 and outputs a sensor detection value to the micro CPU 31. The micro CPU 31 keeps recording this sensor detection value in the nonvolatile memory 36 as power supply information.

When each of the power control sections 3 receives a request for power information from the management PC 1 via the network 4, the power control section 3 returns the power information recorded in the nonvolatile memory 36 to the management PC 1. Then, the management PC 1 refers to the received power information, determines the use state of the power of the network printer 2, and notifies a power-off command of the network printer 2 connected to the power control device 3 via the network 4. I do. In response to this command, the power control device 3
Turns off the power supplied to the connected network printer 2. Specifically, for example, when the state in which the current value or the power value of the received power information is small continues for a predetermined time, the management PC 1 determines that the network printer is in the standby mode and sends the power control device 3 Then, the power-off instruction of the connected network printer 2 is notified. This makes it possible to prevent the network printer 2 from generating heat during standby. On the other hand, when a power-on command is notified from the management PC 1, the power control device 3 turns on the power according to the command.

FIG. 4 shows a micro CPU of the power supply control device 3.
4 is a flowchart showing recording processing of power supply information of the network printer 2 by the MFP 31. First, micro CPU
When the power-on command is received from the management PC 1, the control unit 31 transmits a control signal instructing "power-on" to the power switch unit 33 (step S1). In response, the power switch unit 33 is turned ON, and power is supplied from the power line 5 to the network printer 2.

Subsequently, the micro CPU 31 acquires a sensor detection value (voltage value) from the power supply state monitoring unit 34 (step S2). Next, the micro CPU 31 converts the voltage value into a current value (step S3). Then, the micro CPU 31 calculates a power value (voltage value × current value) from the current value and the voltage value (step S4). Subsequently, the micro CPU 31 converts the power information (current value and power value) into a predetermined recording format (Step S).
5). Then, the micro CPU 31 obtains time information from the calendar element 35 at set time intervals (step S6), and stores the obtained time information and power supply information corresponding to the obtained time information in the nonvolatile memory 36 (see FIG. 3) (step S6). S
7). Then, the processing of steps S2 to S7 is repeated until a power-off command is received from the management PC 1.

As described above, in the present embodiment, in the power supply control unit 3, the power supply state monitoring unit 34 detects the use state of the power supply of the connected network printer 2, and the micro CPU 31 With reference to the time information 35, the use state of the power supply of the connected network printer is stored in the nonvolatile memory 36 as power supply information at regular intervals, and is stored in the nonvolatile memory 36 in response to a request from the management PC 1. The power supply information is transmitted to the management PC 1 via the network I / F chip 32 at regular intervals, and the management PC 1 turns ON / OFF the power of the network printer 2 based on the received power supply information of the network printer 2. An OFF instruction is sent to the power control device 3 via the network 2 and the ON / OFF
Based on the instruction, the micro CPU 31 of the power control device 2
Is to turn on / off the power supply of the network printer 2 by turning on / off the power switch unit 33. Therefore, when the network printer 2 is on standby, the power of the network printer 2 is turned off by remote control.
It is possible to prevent heat generation during standby of the network printer 2.

In the network power management system according to the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the power of a network printer is controlled. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a facsimile connected to a network may be used. Power control can be similarly performed for OA equipment, personal computers, electrical equipment, and the like.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately changed without changing the gist of the present invention.

[0037]

As described above, according to the power supply control apparatus of the first aspect, the power supply state monitoring means monitors the use state of the power supply of the apparatus connected to the network, and the communication means performs the operation of the network. Sends the use status of the power supply of the device connected to the network to the network, and turns on the power supply of the device connected to the network from the network.
/ OFF instruction is received, and the power control unit turns on / off the power supply of the device connected to the network based on the ON / OFF instruction of the power of the device connected to the network received by the communication unit. Since the power supply of the device connected to the network can be turned on / off by remote control because the power supply is turned off, it is possible to prevent the heat generation of the device connected to the network while the device is on standby. It is possible to provide a power supply control device that can contribute to prevention of global warming.

According to the power supply control device of the second aspect, the power supply state detection means detects the use state of the power supply of the printer connected to the network, and the clock means measures the current time and stores the current time. The means refers to the time information of the clocking means, and stores the detection result of the power use state of the printer connected to the network of the power supply state detection means as power supply information at regular time intervals. The power supply information is transmitted to the network, and an ON / OFF instruction of the power supply of the printer connected to the network is received from the network. The power supply of the printer connected to the network is turned ON / OFF based on the ON / OFF instruction of the power of the apparatus.
Since the power is turned off, the power of the printer connected to the network can be turned on / off by remote control, and it is possible to prevent the heat of the printer connected to the network during standby. Thus, it is possible to provide a power supply control device that can contribute to prevention of global warming.

According to the power supply control device of the third aspect, in the power supply control device of the second aspect, the power supply information is a current value or a power value of the power supply of the printer device. The use state of the power supply of the printer device can be grasped.

According to the network power management system of the fourth aspect, in the network power management system including the power control device and the management device connected to each other via a network, the power control device includes a power status monitoring means. Monitors the use status of the power supply of the device connected to the network, and the communication means sends out the use status of the power supply of the device connected to the network to the network. Power on / off instruction of a device connected to the network, based on the power on / off instruction for the device connected to the network received by the communication unit. The supply is turned on / off, while the management device is connected via the network. Since the ON / OFF instruction of the power supply of the device connected to the network is transmitted to the network based on the use state of the power supply of the device connected to the network to be transmitted, the power supply of the device connected to the network is transmitted. ON / OFF by remote control by the management device
It can be turned off, and it is possible to prevent heat generation during standby of devices connected to the network,
As a result, a network power management system that can contribute to the prevention of global warming can be provided.

According to the network power management system of the fifth aspect, in the network power management system including the power control device and the management device connected to each other via the network, the power control device includes The power usage state of the connected printer device is detected, and the storage unit refers to the time information of the clock unit in the storage unit, and the power usage state of the connected printer device of the power status detection unit is checked at regular intervals. The communication means sends the power information to the network, receives a power ON / OFF instruction of a printer connected to the network from the network, and the power control means Connect to the network based on the power ON / OFF instruction of the connected printer device received by ON the power supply of the device / OF
F. On the other hand, the management device sends an ON / OFF instruction to turn on the power of the printer device connected to the network to the network based on the power information received via the network. Power on the printer device to be turned on remotely by the management device
To provide a network power management system capable of turning on / off and preventing heat generation during standby of a printer device connected to a network, thereby contributing to prevention of global warming. Can be.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration example of a network power management system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a power supply control device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of data stored in a nonvolatile memory in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing recording processing of power supply information of a network printer by a micro CPU of the power supply control device of FIG. 2;

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 management PC (management device) 2 network printer 3 power supply control device 4 network 5 power supply line 31 micro CPU 32 network I / F chip 33 power supply switch unit 34 power supply state monitor unit 35 calendar element 36 nonvolatile memory 37 internal power supply generation element

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI H04L 13/00 T

Claims (5)

[Claims] A power status monitor for monitoring a power usage status of a device connected to the network; transmitting a power usage status of a device connected to the network to the network; Power ON / OFF of devices connected to the network
Communication means for receiving an OFF instruction; and power ON / OFF of a device connected to the network based on a power ON / OFF instruction for a device connected to the network received by the communication means.
And a power supply control means. 2. A power supply state detecting means for detecting a use state of a power supply of a printer device connected to a network; a time measuring means for measuring a current time; and a power state detecting means for referring to time information of the time measuring means. Means for storing, as power supply information, a detection result of a power use state of a printer connected to the network by the means at regular time intervals; and transmitting the power supply information to the network; A communication unit for receiving an ON / OFF instruction of the power supply of the printer device connected to the printer; and a power ON / OFF instruction of the printer device connected to the network received by the communication unit.
Turn on the power supply of the devices connected to the network
A power supply control device, comprising: power supply control means for turning on / off. 3. The power supply control device according to claim 2, wherein the power supply information is a current value or a power value of a power supply of a printer connected to the network. 4. A network power management system including a power control device and a management device connected to each other via a network, wherein the power control device monitors a use state of a power supply of a device connected to the network. Status monitoring means for transmitting the use status of the power supply of the device connected to the network to the network, and turning on / off the power supply of the device connected to the network from the network;
Communication means for receiving an OFF instruction; and power ON / OFF of a device connected to the network based on a power ON / OFF instruction for a device connected to the network received by the communication means.
And a power control unit that performs an ON / OFF instruction of power of a device connected to the network based on a use state of a power of a device connected to the network, which is received via the network. A network power management system for transmitting the network power to the network. 5. A network power management system including a power control device and a management device connected to each other via a network, wherein the power control device detects a power usage state of a printer device connected to the network. Status detecting means, clocking means for measuring the current time, and referring to the time information of the clocking means, the power status of the power supply of the printer connected to the network by the power status detecting means is supplied at regular intervals. A storage unit for storing information as information, a communication unit for sending the power information to the network, and receiving an ON / OFF instruction for a power supply of a printer connected to the network from the network; Based on the received power ON / OFF instruction of the connected printer device, the network ON / OF of the power supply of the printer connected to the network
And F based on the power supply information received via the network, wherein the management device sends an ON / OFF instruction to turn on the power of the printer device connected to the network to the network. A network power management system characterized by the following.