KR20160109498A - Network system and a method controlling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a network system and a control method thereof. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the network system includes: one or more electric products provided to operate by using power supplied from an energy supplier; an energy managing apparatus connected to the electric product to communicate with the electric product, and monitoring power use information of the electric product; and a display device predicting a power use amount or power rate information according to the use of the electric product, on the basis of past power use information and current power use information of the electric product.

Description

The present invention relates to a network system and a control method thereof,

The present invention relates to a network system and a control method thereof.

BACKGROUND ART [0002] Generally, home appliances include a washing machine, a refrigerator, a cooking appliance or a vacuum cleaner. 2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, communication technologies have developed and a large number of electrical products provided in a home can be network-connected.

Also, the user can monitor the operation states of the plurality of networked electrical appliances or control the operation of the electrical appliances by using a predetermined terminal even at home and abroad. By implementing the network system of such electric appliances, a smart home can be constructed which enables easy living by adding IT technology to the residential environment.

The present applicant has filed a patent application (hereinafter referred to as the prior art) in connection with the smart home technology.

1. Prior Application No. (filing date): 10-2003-0093196 (December 18, 2003)

2. Name of invention: Control method of smart washing machine using home network

On the other hand, when the user selects whether to purchase the electric appliance, the electric power consumption or electric charge of the electric appliance takes a large proportion. At this time, the power saving capability of the electrical product itself is important, but whether or not a device capable of effectively managing the power used in the home is provided can be an important selection criterion.

However, according to the above-described related art, there is a problem that monitoring of electric power use of the electric appliance is limited, and it is difficult to provide guide information for saving power to the user.

In order to solve such a problem, the present embodiment aims at providing a network system and a control method thereof that can guide power reduction of an electrical product.

The control method of the network system according to the present embodiment includes: a step of recognizing a target usage amount of an electrical product with respect to a set period; Monitoring the usage power of the appliance based on the target usage amount; Recognizing whether the used electric power amount exceeds a reference electric power amount in the process of using the electric product within the set period; And a step of providing guide information for power reduction or performing an automatic power saving control operation when the used power amount exceeds the reference power amount.

Also, the reference power amount may include a first reference power amount determined as a set ratio value with respect to the target usage amount; And a second reference power amount determined to be an amount of power greater than the first reference power amount.

Further, when the amount of power used exceeds a first reference power amount, guide information for power reduction is provided.

It is further characterized in that, when the amount of power to be used exceeds the second reference power amount, it is determined whether or not there is a possibility of meeting the target amount of usage based on the amount of power to be used and the remaining period.

Whether or not the possibility of meeting the target consumption amount is determined based on whether or not the amount of power consumed when all the intermittently driven electric products are turned off exceeds the target consumption amount except for the always driven electric product .

Further, the automatic power saving control operation of the electrical product is performed when it is determined that there is a possibility of meeting the target usage amount.

Also, the automatic power saving control operation of the electrical product is an operation based on a power saving level of the electrical product, and the power saving level includes two or more levels in which the power savings are different from each other.

Also, if it is determined that there is no possibility of meeting the target usage amount, guide information for re-setting the target usage amount is provided.

Also, the step of recognizing the target usage amount of the electronic product may include inputting the target usage amount; Learning the amount of electric power used by the electric appliance during a preset learning period; And a step in which external information is collected during the predetermined learning period.

Further, the external information includes information on power cost, information on stability of power supply and demand, or weather information.

Further, the step of recognizing the target usage amount of the electronic product may include recognizing whether or not the usage amount of the electronic product satisfies the target usage amount after the learning period has elapsed; And a step of recommending a new target power usage amount based on whether or not the target usage amount is satisfied.

Further, the electric product may further include a plurality of electric products, and performing the energy saving operation by integrating the plurality of electric products. When the energy saving operation is performed, The power saving time is set.

Network systems according to other aspects include at least one electrical appliance operatively provided using power supplied from an energy supplier; An energy management device communicably connected to the electrical product and monitoring power usage information of the electrical product; And a display device for displaying guide information capable of reducing power when the electric power consumption of the electric appliance exceeds a first reference electric energy amount. When the electric power consumption of the electric appliance exceeds the second reference electric energy, And the second reference power amount is an amount of power greater than the first reference power amount.

In addition, the first reference power amount is determined as a value of a predetermined ratio of the target usage amount.

Further, the automatic power saving control operation is performed when it is determined that the electric power consumption amount of the electric product exceeds the second reference electric energy amount and can satisfy the target consumption amount, And the power saving level includes two or more levels in which power savings are different from each other.

According to the proposed embodiment, since the user can set the target power consumption amount and the electric power consumption amount of the electric appliance can be guided to be kept within the target electric power consumption amount, the power management of the electric appliance can be efficiently performed.

Further, since the target power consumption amount can be recommended based on the actually used power amount generated according to the usage pattern of the electric product, the user has an advantage that a plan for the target power consumption amount can be established within a reasonable range.

Further, even if the user sets the target power usage amount, if the actual used power amount exceeds or exceeds the target power usage amount, such information can be fed back to guide reduction in power use or to reset the target power usage amount, There is an advantage that a user can raise a warning for saving power.

In addition, since the electric power consumption amount information of the electric appliance can be stored or learned during the setting period and the level control for reducing the electric power consumption amount can be performed based on the stored information when the electric power consumption amount exceeds the reference electric energy amount, There is an effect that the amount of power can be guided to be maintained within the target amount of power.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a network system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a network system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a flow chart illustrating a method for setting a target power usage of an electrical product, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
Figures 4 and 5 are flow charts illustrating a power saving control method based on target power usage, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of performing an integrated energy saving mode according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to exemplary drawings. It should be noted that, in adding reference numerals to the constituent elements of the drawings, the same constituent elements are denoted by the same reference symbols as possible even if they are shown in different drawings. In the following description of the embodiments of the present invention, a detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when it may make the difference that the embodiments of the present invention are not conclusive.

In describing the components of the embodiment of the present invention, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), and (b) may be used. These terms are intended to distinguish the constituent elements from other constituent elements, and the terms do not limit the nature, order or order of the constituent elements. When a component is described as being "connected", "coupled", or "connected" to another component, the component may be directly connected or connected to the other component, Quot; may be "connected," "coupled," or "connected. &Quot;

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a network system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a network system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1 and 2, a network system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of electrical products 60 provided in a household (or home) and a plurality of electrical products 60 And an energy management device 50 capable of monitoring information or controlling the operation of the plurality of appliances 60. [

For example, the plurality of electric appliances 60 may include a refrigerator 61, a washing machine 62, an air conditioner 63, a TV 64 or a cooking device 65.

The energy management device 50 may be provided as an independent device separately from the plurality of electrical products 60 or may be configured to be installed in any one of the plurality of electrical products 60. For example, the energy management device 50 may be mounted on the TV 64.

The network system 10 further includes an energy supplier 20 communicable with the energy management device 50 and supplying power to a plurality of electric appliances 60 provided in the furniture.

The energy supplier 20 can transmit information on electric power, that is, information on electric power supply and demand or information on electric power cost to the energy management device 50. For example, the energy supplier 20 may send information to the energy management device 50 (e.g., the energy management device 50) that the information is that the supply is unstable due to a high demand for the current power, ).

The energy supplier 20 and the energy management device 50 may be capable of transmitting or receiving information through the first communication interface 81. [ For example, the first communication interface 81 may include Ethernet or Internet, which is a local area network.

The network system 10 further includes an external database 30 communicably connected to the energy management device 50. The energy management device 50 and the external database 30 may be capable of transmitting or receiving information through the second communication interface 82. For example, the second communication interface 82 may include Ethernet or the Internet.

The energy management device 50 is capable of communicating information that is not stored in the energy management device 50 or a plurality of electrical products 60, i.e., external information, via the communication link with the external database 30, (30). For example, the external information may include weather or temperature information.

The network system 10 further includes a mobile device 100 that can be operated by a user. The user can be communicatively connected to the energy management device 50 using the mobile device 100 and can monitor the operation information of the plurality of appliances 60 or control the operation thereof. The mobile device 100 may include a display device for displaying operation information of the electrical product 60. [

In detail, the mobile device 100 and the energy management device 83 can be communicatively connected through the third communication interface 83. [ For example, the third communication interface 83 may include the Internet.

The network system 10 may further include a gateway 70 for communicatively connecting the energy management device 50 to a plurality of electrical products 60. For example, the gateway 70 may include an access point (AP). The energy management device 50 and the gateway 70 may be communicatively connected through the fourth communication interface 84. [ The fourth communication interface 84 includes a Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi).

The energy management device 50 may be communicatively coupled to the plurality of appliances 60 through the gateway 70 to receive operational information of the plurality of appliances 60, . Meanwhile, the mobile device 100 may be connected to the energy management device 50 or the plurality of appliances 60 through the gateway 70. [

As described above, various communication methods have been proposed as the first to fourth communication interfaces 81, 82, 83 and 84, but the present invention is not limited thereto. , Bluetooth, Ad-hoc or Zigbee may be used as long as they can be networked.

The energy management device 50 includes a first communication module 51 that can be communicably connected to the energy provider 20, the external database 30, the mobile device 100, or the gateway 70. The first communication module 51 may include one or more devices that can be connected to the first to the interfaces 81, 82, 83, and 84.

The energy management apparatus 50 further includes a first memory unit 52 for storing information related to the operation of the plurality of electrical products 60. [ For example, in the first memory unit 52, information on the usage pattern of the electrical product 60 can be stored, as described in [Table 1] below. The information on the usage pattern of the electric product 60 may include information on the use time of the electric product, energy consumption, a controllable factor, or energy saving amount.

Air conditioner Refrigerator washer usage time 13:00 - 18:00 always 07:00 - 11:00
18:00 - 21:00 Energy usage versus versus small Control factor Temperature Defrost and Add-ons Laundry cycle Energy saving versus medium small

In detail, the first memory unit 52 of the energy management apparatus 50 can store information on the usage times of the plurality of electrical products 60. [0050] For example, the use time of the air conditioner is 13:00 to 18:00, the refrigerator is always operated, and the use time of the washing machine can be stored from 07:00 to 11:00 and 18:00 to 21:00 have.

The use time of the electric product 60 can be determined based on the operation time used within the set period. For example, the setting period may be one month or one week. The start time and end time of the use time may be determined based on the earliest time value and the earliest time value of the plurality of time intervals used in the setting period.

In the first memory unit 52, information on energy consumption of each electric appliance 60, that is, information on the amount of power consumption can be stored. For example, the energy consumption of the air conditioner and the refrigerator may be relatively large, and the energy consumption of the washing machine may be relatively small. The large and small energy usage can be determined on the basis of the set power amount.

In the first memory unit 52, information on an adjustable control factor of each electrical product 60 can be stored. The adjustable control factor is understood as a factor that can be adjusted manually by the user or in the electrical product 60 itself to adjust the amount of power of the electrical product 60. [ For example, the control factor of the air conditioner is "temperature ", the control factor of the refrigerator is" defrost and supplementary function ", and the control factor of the washing machine may be a "washing cycle ".

The first memory unit 52 may store information on energy savings (power savings) that can be saved by adjusting the control factor. For example, the amount of energy savings can be relatively large by adjusting the temperature, which is the control factor of the air conditioner, and the amount of energy savings can be relatively moderate by adjusting "defrost and supplementary functions " And the energy saving amount can be relatively small by adjusting the "washing cycle " which is a control factor of the washing machine.

Whether the energy saving amount is large, medium or small can be determined based on the first set power amount and the second set power amount.

The first memory unit 52 may further store information on the power saving level in the course of operation of the electrical product 60 for power saving. The information on the power saving level may include information on the power saving level for each electric appliance, as shown in [Table 2] to [Table 4] below.

Air conditioner Level control level Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Power saving 20% 25% 30% 45% function Optimal Control Indoor unit control Outdoor unit control Indoor / outdoor control

Referring to [Table 2], in the case of the air conditioner, the leveled power saving control can be performed corresponding to the power saving amount. That is, the first memory unit 52 may store a predetermined level of the air conditioner and a corresponding power saving amount.

For example, level 1 is determined so that operation to perform a predetermined function can be performed in order to reduce power by 20% of maximum power consumption, and level 2, level 3, and level 4 are determined to be 25% , 30%, and 45%, respectively, in order to reduce power consumption.

In order to reduce power according to the levels 1 to 4, the air conditioner can perform the operation according to the set function. For example, the air conditioner can perform an "optimum control" operation in order to reduce the power according to the level 1. In the optimum control, the optimum set temperature is determined based on the room temperature and the outdoor temperature information, .

In order to reduce the power according to the level 2, the air conditioner can perform "indoor unit control ". For example, the indoor unit control may include a function of controlling the number of revolutions of the indoor fan to a first predetermined number of revolutions or less, or keeping the display illuminance at or below the setting illuminance.

In order to reduce power according to the level 3, the air conditioner can perform "outdoor unit control ". For example, the outdoor unit control may include a function of controlling the operation frequency of the compressor to be equal to or lower than the set number of operations, or keeping the number of revolutions of the outdoor fan equal to or lower than the first set number of revolutions.

In order to reduce power according to the level 4, the air conditioner can perform the functions according to the "indoor unit control" and the "outdoor unit control".

Refrigerator Level control level Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Savings 5% 10% 20% time 8 hours 4 hours 2 hours function Lighting / heater off Defrost delay Ice maker off

Referring to Table 3, in the case of the refrigerator, the leveled power saving control can be performed corresponding to the power saving amount. That is, the first memory unit 52 may be mapped with a preset level of the refrigerator and a corresponding power saving amount.

For example, level 1 is determined to allow operation to perform a predetermined function in order to reduce power consumption by 5% of maximum power consumption, and level 2 and level 3 are determined to be 10% and 20% It is determined that operation for performing a predetermined function can be performed.

In order to reduce power according to the levels 1 to 3, the refrigerator can perform the operation according to the set function. For example, in order to reduce the power according to the level 1, the refrigerator can be operated to stop the driving of the lighting and the heater for a predetermined time. Here, the lighting may be at least one lighting device among a plurality of lighting devices provided on a storage room side of a refrigerator, and the heater may be at least one heater device among a plurality of heater devices for preventing dew formation provided in a refrigerator. The predetermined time may be 8 hours, for example.

In order to reduce the power according to the level 2, the refrigerator can perform the "defrost delay" operation for a preset time. The defrost delay operation is understood as an operation for restricting the defrost operation for a predetermined time. Here, the defrosting operation period of the refrigerator may be a value smaller than the predetermined time. The predetermined time may be 4 hours, for example.

In order to reduce the power according to the level 3, the refrigerator can control the "Icemaker Off" for a predetermined time. As the ice making device, the ice maker can be driven to produce ice when the ice storage amount of the ice storage container (ice bank) is less than the set amount. However, if the "ice maker off" is performed as the operation of the refrigerator according to the level 3, it can be understood that the operation of the ice maker is stopped irrespective of the ice storage amount of the ice storage container.

washer Level control level Level 1 Level 2 Savings 50% 100% function Heater off / administrative reduction Load delay

Referring to Table 4, in the case of the washing machine, the leveled power saving control can be performed corresponding to the power saving amount. That is, the first memory 52 may be mapped with a predetermined level of the washing machine and the corresponding power saving amount.

For example, level 1 is determined so that operation to perform a predetermined function can be performed in order to reduce power by 50% of the maximum amount of power consumption. Level 2 is determined to be 100% Is performed so that the operation of performing the function of FIG.

In order to reduce power according to the levels 1 and 3, the washing machine can perform the operation according to the set function. For example, in order to reduce the power according to the level 1, the washing machine can be operated to "heater off and reduce administration". Here, the heater off is an operation for turning off the heater to restrict the use of hot water, and the reduction in the number of strokes can be understood as an operation for reducing the number of times (time), the number of times of rinsing (time), or the drying time.

In order to reduce the power according to the level 2, the washing machine can perform a "load delay" operation. The load delay operation can be understood as an operation for limiting the operation of the washing machine in a specific time period. For example, the specific time interval may include an "on peak time interval" in which the power cost is set to a set value or more.

The energy management apparatus 50 is provided with a first display unit 53 capable of displaying information on power consumption based on the information stored in the first memory unit 50 or the operation information of the electrical product 60 ).

The electric appliance 60 includes a second communication module 61 communicable with the gateway 70, a second memory 62 storing information related to the operation of each appliance 60, A second display unit 63 for displaying information related to the operation of each of the electrical products 60 and a second control unit 65 for controlling the operation of the respective electrical products 60. [

3 is a flow chart illustrating a method for setting a target power usage of an electrical product, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 3, a method for setting a target amount of power consumption of an electrical product according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

Target power consumption can be recognized. The target power usage amount can be recognized through the energy management device 50 or a plurality of electric products 60. [

For example, the user can manually input the target power usage amount. The input device may be connected to the input device of the energy management device 50, the electrical product 60, or the input device of the mobile device 100. As another example, the basic target power consumption can be determined in advance, and the basic target power consumption can be recognized even if the user does not input it (S11).

Then, a plurality of electric products 60 can be operated. The plurality of electric appliances 60 can be operated during a set period and the power consumption of each electric appliance 60 during the set period is learned and stored in the first memory 52 of the energy management device 50 . Here, the setting period may be called a "learning period ".

In detail, in the second memory portion 62 of each electric product 60, the electric power consumption of each electric product 60 is stored, and the electric power consumption of each electric product is collected in the first memory portion 52 Lt; / RTI > For example, the setting period may be daily, weekly, or monthly (S12, S13).

Meanwhile, external information may be collected during the setting period. The external information may be information transmitted from the energy provider 20 or the external database 30. The external information may include information on power cost, information on stability of power supply and demand, or weather information (S14).

After the lapse of the setting period, whether or not the recognized target power consumption amount is satisfied can be recognized. That is, it can be recognized whether or not the amount of power used during the setting period recognized by the energy management device 50 is less than the target amount of power used.

The recognition result may be displayed through the display device, the first display unit 53, or the second display unit 63 of the mobile device 100. [ The displayed recognition result may include analysis information that associates the external information with the electric power consumption of the electric appliance 60. [ For example, the analysis information may include analysis information that the weather (temperature) of a specific day is very hot, and that the amount of power input to the air conditioner and the refrigerator is much higher than other days. In this case, the display device, the first display unit 53, or the second display unit 63 of the mobile device 100 displays a message saying "the weather on July 23 was five times higher than the normal temperature, . "May be output.

Based on the satisfaction of the target power usage amount, a clear target power usage amount can be recommended or guided. For example, if the target power usage amount is satisfied, a new target power usage amount having a power value lower than the target power usage amount recognized in step S11 may be recommended. For example, the setting ratio may be 10%.

On the other hand, if the target power usage amount is not satisfied, the target power usage amount recognized in the step S11 may be once again recommended as the new target power usage amount (S16).

Based on the recommended or guided information, the user can determine whether to set a new target power usage amount. At this time, the user may directly adopt the recommended or guided power usage amount in step S16, or manually set a different value from the recommended or guided power usage amount (S17).

If the user determines a new target power usage amount, the determined target power usage amount may be stored in the first memory unit 52 or the second memory unit 62 (S18). Then, when a new cycle relating to the operation of the electrical product is started, the method of learning the electric power consumption of the electric product 60 and recognizing the target usage amount of the electric appliance 60 described in the steps S12 to S15 is performed based on the stored new target electric power consumption .

Figures 4 and 5 are flow charts illustrating a power saving control method based on target power usage, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

The target amount-based power saving control mode can be started. In one example, a user may execute a predetermined program, for example an application, stored in the mobile device 100. [ The application may include an operation mode for reducing power consumption of a plurality of electric appliances 60 based on a set target electric power consumption amount, that is, an application for performing a power saving control mode (S21).

A plurality of electrical appliances 60 can be operated. The consumed electric power consumed by the operation of the plurality of electric appliances 60 may be monitored by the energy management device 50. [ At this time, the used power may be a power used for a predetermined period. Then, the target amount of power used for the predetermined period may be predetermined (S22), as described above with reference to Fig.

The information on the monitored usage power may be displayed on the display device of the mobile device 100, the first display portion 53 of the energy management device 50 or the second display portion 53 of each electric product 60, (63). These display devices and display units are collectively called a "display device" provided in the present network system 10 (S23).

Within the predetermined period, the amount of power used increases with time. In this process, it can be recognized whether or not the used power amount exceeds the first reference power amount. For example, the first reference power amount may be an amount of power corresponding to 50% of the target power consumption amount (S24).

When the amount of used power exceeds the first reference amount of power, information on the energy saving guide may be provided to the user. Information on the energy saving guide can be displayed through the display device. For example, the information on the energy saving guide may include information on the total power consumption during the past period or the electric power consumption by each electric appliance and the current power consumption. And, the information on the energy saving guide may include a message such as a note for energy saving, for example, "Please unplug the cord of the unused electric appliance" and "Please reduce the opening frequency of the refrigerator door" S25).

Then, in the process of continuously increasing the used power amount, it can be recognized whether or not the used power amount exceeds the second reference power amount. For example, the second reference power amount may be an amount of power corresponding to 80% of the target power consumption amount (S26).

It is possible to recognize whether there is a possibility of meeting the target usage amount when the predetermined period of time has elapsed based on the amount of power to be used and the remaining period when the used power amount exceeds the first reference power amount.

For example, when the electric power consumption of the electric product 60 intermittently driven for a remaining period of time is turned off, except for the always-driven product such as a refrigerator, if the used electric power amount exceeds the target electric power consumption amount, (S27).

If it is determined that there is a possibility of meeting the target usage amount as a result of the recognition, whether the power saving control of the electrical product is to be performed can be recognized (S28, S29).

It can be recognized whether an input for performing automatic power saving control has occurred or not. For example, a message asking whether to perform automatic power saving control may be output to the user through the display device, and the user may input an input for performing automatic power saving control (S31). When the above input is made, the leveled electric appliance operation can be performed.

Specifically, the energy management device 50 determines, based on the information mapped in [Table 2] to [Table 4], a level level that can satisfy the target usage amount when considering the power consumption for the remaining period, 1, level 2, level 3 or level 4 can be determined.

The energy management device 50 may recommend one or more pieces of information regarding a combination of power saving levels for each appliance, which can satisfy the target usage amount, to the user.

For example, it is possible to recommend an air conditioner (level 2), a refrigerator (level 1) and a washing machine (level 2), or recommend an air conditioner (level 1), a refrigerator (level 2) . Of course, such a combination of power saving levels for each electrical product can be understood as a combination that can satisfy the target usage amount. Then, the user can select any combination of the information on the combination of the recommended power saving levels.

As another example, the energy management device 50 can determine and automatically control the optimum combination among the combinations of the power saving levels for each appliance. At this time, the optimal combination may be a combination consuming the lowest power consumption or a combination according to the priority. The priority may be determined in advance so that the level of the normally operated product (refrigerator) is determined to be a lower level and the level of the intermittently operated products (air conditioner and washing machine) is determined to be a higher level.

Then, the plurality of electric appliances 60 can be operated in the automatic power saving control operation (S33).

On the other hand, if the automatic power saving control input is not made in step S31, the energy management device 50 does not perform the automatic power saving control operation. If the power usage ratio until the current period is maintained for the remaining period, The usage amount and the charge information may be calculated and provided to the user (S32).

If it is recognized in step S28 that there is no possibility of meeting the target usage amount, a message indicating that it is difficult to meet the target usage amount in consideration of the state information of the electric power consumption amount, that is, the electric power consumption amount up to the present can be outputted. Then, guide information indicating that the target usage amount can be reset can be output. Of course, the target usage amount to be reset can be determined to be a value larger than the previously set target usage amount, so that the user can reset the target usage amount. Then, the steps S26 and subsequent steps can be continued (S30).

After the execution of step S33, if the set period has elapsed, whether or not the target usage amount is satisfied can be recognized (S34).

When the target usage amount is satisfied, the user can provide a report on the total power usage amount, the electricity usage amount per day, and the electric power usage amount according to the electric appliance during the setting period. Then, information on the degree of achievement of the target or a report on the amount of charge saved in comparison with the average usage amount of each electric appliance may be provided. Information on the average usage amount of each of the electrical appliances may be stored in advance in the energy management device 50 (S36).

If the target usage amount is not satisfied, information on the excessive use amount with respect to the target usage amount and information on the cause thereof may be provided to the user (S37). However, since it is determined that the target usage amount can be met in step S33 and the automatic power saving control is performed, the step S37 will not be performed in general and may occur due to a malfunction of the electric appliance or an unexpected increase in the electric power cost will be.

According to such a control method, the target usage amount is set, and guide information is provided to the user step by step as the power consumption increases, so that power saving can be induced, so that power management of the electric appliance can be efficiently performed.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of performing an integrated energy saving mode according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, a plurality of electrical appliances 60 according to another embodiment of the present invention may perform an integrated energy saving mode (S41). The plurality of appliances 60 may be configured to selectively perform the energy saving mode. Since the convenience of use of the electric appliance may be emphasized depending on the user, even if a large amount of electric power is generated, the plurality of electric appliances 60 may perform the energy saving mode or the general non- .

However, since the present embodiment is not easy for the user to determine which of the plurality of electric products 60 the energy saving mode is set for and which general electric non-power saving mode is set for the electric product, Mode can be set.

In one example, the user may execute an integrated energy saving mode through the application of the mobile device 100. [ When the integrated energy saving mode is executed, the energy management device 50 can recognize whether or not the power saving information for each product is set. The power save information may include a power save level and a power save time for each product (S42).

If the power saving level and the power saving time for each electric appliance are set, the energy saving operation can be performed according to the set power saving level and the power saving time (S43).

On the other hand, if the power saving level and the power saving time of at least one of the plurality of appliances 60 are not set, the power saving guide information can be provided through the display device.

For example, the power saving guide information may include a plurality of pieces of information related to a combination of a power saving level, a power saving time, or a power saving amount as well as information mapped to [Table 2] to [Table 4]. The user can set information about the predetermined power saving level and the power saving time based on the provided power saving guide information. In particular, the user may arbitrarily set or modify the power save time (S44, S45).

When the power saving information is set by the above-described method, the plurality of electric appliances 60 performs the energy saving operation based on the set power saving information (S46).

Then, when the set period elapses, information on the amount of power consumption or power cost saved as a result of performing the energy saving operation may be provided as a report (S47).

According to the above-described control method, there is an effect that a user can easily perform the energy saving mode for a plurality of electric products.

10: Network system 20: Energy provider
30: external database 50: energy management device
51: first communication module 52: first memory part
53: first display section 55: first control section
60: electrical product 61: second communication module
62: second memory section 63: second display section
65: second control unit 70: gate way
81 ~ 84: Communication interface

Claims (15)

The target usage amount of the electric appliance is recognized for the set period;
Monitoring the usage power of the appliance based on the target usage amount;
Recognizing whether the used electric power amount exceeds a reference electric power amount in the process of using the electric product within the set period; And
And a step of providing guide information for power reduction or performing an automatic power saving control operation when the used power amount exceeds a reference power amount. The method according to claim 1,
In the reference power amount,
A first reference power amount determined as a set ratio value with respect to the target usage amount; And
And a second reference power amount determined to be an amount of power greater than the first reference power amount. 3. The method of claim 2,
And when the amount of power used exceeds a first reference power amount, guide information for power reduction is provided. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein it is determined whether or not there is a possibility that the target usage amount can be satisfied based on the amount of power used up to the present and the remaining time period when the used electric power amount exceeds the second reference electric power amount. 5. The method of claim 4,
Whether or not the possibility of meeting the target usage amount is determined,
Wherein the power consumption is determined on the basis of whether or not the amount of power consumed when all of the intermittently driven electrical products are turned off, excluding the normally driven electrical product, exceeding the target usage amount. 5. The method of claim 4,
If it is determined that there is a possibility of meeting the target usage amount,
And performing an automatic power saving control operation of the electrical product. The method according to claim 6,
Wherein the automatic power saving control operation of the electrical product is an operation based on a power saving level of the electrical product,
Wherein the power saving level includes two or more levels in which power savings are different from each other. 5. The method of claim 4,
If it is determined that there is no possibility of meeting the target usage amount,
Wherein guidance information for re-setting the target usage amount is provided. The method according to claim 1,
In the step of recognizing the target usage amount of the electric appliance,
Inputting the target usage amount;
Learning the amount of electric power used by the electric appliance during a preset learning period; And
Wherein the external information is collected during the predetermined learning period. 10. The method of claim 9,
In the external information,
Information about electric power costs, information on electric power supply stability, or weather information. 10. The method of claim 9,
In the step of recognizing the target usage amount of the electric appliance,
After the lapse of the learning period, whether or not the amount of electric power used by the electric appliance satisfies the target usage amount; And
Further comprising a step of recommending a new target power usage amount based on whether or not the target usage amount is satisfied. The method according to claim 1,
The electrical product includes a plurality of electrical products,
Further comprising the step of integrating the plurality of electrical products to perform an energy saving operation,
Wherein when the energy saving operation is performed, a power saving level and a power saving time for each electric appliance are set. At least one electrical product operatively provided using electrical power supplied from an energy supplier;
An energy management device communicably connected to the electrical product and monitoring power usage information of the electrical product; And
And a display device for displaying guide information for reducing power when the electric power consumption of the electric appliance exceeds the first reference electric energy,
Wherein the automatic power saving control operation is selectively performed based on whether or not the target usage amount can be satisfied if the electric power consumption amount of the electric appliance exceeds the second reference electric energy amount,
Wherein the second reference power amount is an amount of power greater than the first reference power amount. 14. The method of claim 13,
Wherein the first reference power amount is determined as a value of a predetermined ratio of the target usage amount. 14. The method of claim 13,
And performs the automatic power saving control operation if it is determined that the electric power consumption amount of the electric appliance exceeds the second reference electric energy amount and can satisfy the target consumption amount,
Wherein the automatic power saving control operation is an operation based on a power saving level of the electric product,
Wherein the power saving level includes two or more levels in which power savings are different from each other.

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