KR20180024446A - Power consumption monitoring system using smart multi-tap - Google Patents

Abstract

The disclosed technology relates to a power usage amount monitoring system using a smart multi-tab, which comprises: a power supply unit provided at one side of a multi-tab, and transmitting power supplied from the outside to a plurality of sockets of the multi-tab; an input/output unit mounted on an electronic device connected to the multi-tab, and storing an initial value for a power usage amount of the electronic device; a control unit for detecting connection of the electronic device, transmitting a control signal to the input/output unit, receiving the initial value, and comparing the power usage amount of the electronic device on the basis of the initial value; and a communications module wirelessly communicating with a smart terminal, and transmitting information on the power usage amount of the electronic device to the smart terminal in accordance with the signal transmitted from the control unit. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a fire or malfunction of an electronic device, to intuitively confirm a power usage amount through an LED of a multi-tab, and to easily check which socket is powered off through a smart terminal.

Description

[0001] POWER CONSUMPTION MONITORING SYSTEM USING SMART MULTI-TAP [0002]

The disclosed technology relates to a system for monitoring the power usage of an electronic device using a smart multi-tap.

The multi-tap is provided with sockets for plugging a plurality of plugs in order to simultaneously use a plurality of electronic devices in a home or office. And the power supplied through the building's switchboard to the plugs connected to each socket. Meanwhile, power saving type multi-tap products are widely used in order to reduce power consumption due to the use of the multi-tab, and power-supply buttons are provided for each socket to supply power to only some electronic devices to be used.

At present, there is a product developed by a conventional power saving type multi tap, in which a user does not manually turn on / off a specific socket but automatically calculates each standby power or consumed power to shut off the power. Korean Patent Laid-Open No. 10-2014-0099354 (titled "Multitap device with power saving function and control method thereof"), it calculates the amount of power consumed in the appliance connected to the outlet, compares it with the standby power amount, And the power consumption is reduced by shutting down the power source. However, since the control unit of the multi-tap performs the operation according to the power saving according to the control command transmitted from the smart terminal, the cost is somewhat higher than that of the multi-tap itself, . In addition, since the user receives information on the power saving through the smart terminal, there is a problem that it is difficult to intuitively recognize the current state through the multi-tap.

The disclosed technology intuitively confirms the information on the power consumption of the smart multi-tap and provides a system that can monitor the power consumption through the smart terminal.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a power supply unit, which is provided at one side of a multi-tap and transfers power supplied from the outside to a plurality of sockets of the multi-tap, An input / output unit for storing an initial value for a power consumption; a control unit for detecting a connection of the electronic equipment and transmitting a control signal to the input / output unit to receive the initial value, A control unit for comparing the power consumption of the electronic device based on the initial value, and a communication module for wirelessly communicating with the smart terminal and transmitting information on the power consumption of the electronic device to the smart terminal according to a signal transmitted from the control unit And a power consumption monitoring system using the smart multi-tap.

Embodiments of the disclosed technique may have effects that include the following advantages. It should be understood, however, that the scope of the disclosed technology is not to be construed as limited thereby, since the embodiments of the disclosed technology are not meant to include all such embodiments.

According to an embodiment of the disclosed technology, a power consumption monitoring system using a smart multi-tap has an effect of providing intuitiveness by displaying power consumption of an electronic device connected to a socket on an LED.

In addition, there is an advantage in that the power supplied to a specific socket is cut off according to the power consumption, and the power of a certain socket is checked through the smart terminal.

Further, there is an effect of preventing malfunction or fire by detecting malfunction of the connected electronic device.

1 is a diagram of a power usage monitoring system using a smart multi-tap according to an embodiment of the disclosed technology.
2 is a block diagram of a power usage monitoring system using a smart multi-tap according to an embodiment of the disclosed technology.
3 is a diagram illustrating power control of a smart multi-tap socket in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosed technique.
4 is a diagram of an LED included in a smart multi-tap according to an embodiment of the disclosed technique.
5 is a flow diagram illustrating controlling power of a socket according to standby power in an embodiment of the disclosed technique.
6 is a flow diagram illustrating controlling power of a socket in accordance with consumed power in an embodiment of the disclosed technique.
7 is a diagram illustrating monitoring power usage in a smart terminal in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosed technique.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments, but includes all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.

The terms first, second, A, B, etc., may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by the terms, but may be used to distinguish one component from another . For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the first component may be referred to as a second component, and similarly, the second component may also be referred to as a first component. And / or < / RTI > includes any combination of a plurality of related listed items or any of a plurality of related listed items.

It is to be understood that the singular < RTI ID = 0.0 > terms < / RTI > used herein should be interpreted to include a plurality of representations unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. And "comprises ", when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, parts, or combinations thereof, Or combinations thereof, as a matter of course.

Before describing the drawings in detail, it is to be clarified that the division of constituent parts in this specification is merely a division by main functions of each constituent part. That is, two or more constituent parts to be described below may be combined into one constituent part, or one constituent part may be divided into two or more functions according to functions that are more subdivided.

In addition, each of the constituent units described below may additionally perform some or all of the functions of other constituent units in addition to the main functions of the constituent units themselves, and that some of the main functions, And may be carried out in a dedicated manner. Accordingly, the presence or absence of each component described in this specification should be interpreted as a function.

1 is a diagram of a power usage monitoring system using a smart multi-tap according to an embodiment of the disclosed technology. And FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a power usage monitoring system using a smart multi-tap according to an embodiment of the disclosed technology. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a power consumption monitoring system 100 using a smart multi-tap includes a smart multi-tap 110, an input / output unit 120, and a smart terminal 130. The smart multi-tap 110 includes a power supply unit 111, a control unit 112, a communication module 113, and an LED 114.

The smart multi-tap 110 receives an initial power consumption amount for each electronic device from the input / output unit 120 mounted on each of the plurality of electronic devices. For example, the input / output unit 120 may store standby power, consumed power, and power consumption rating of each electronic device as an initial value for the power consumption of the electronic device, and may transmit the initial value to the smart multi-tap 110. The smart multi-tap 110 receives a power consumption initial value for each electronic device through the communication module 113, and sets a reference value for the power consumption for each electronic device. Then, the amount of power that the electronic device exits from the socket to which the electronic device is connected is measured and compared with a reference value, whereby an abnormal state of the electronic device can be detected. If it is determined that any one of the plurality of electronic devices is in an overcurrent or a malfunction state, the smart multi-tap 110 interrupts the power supplied to the socket to which the corresponding electronic device is connected and transmits information about the power cut to the smart terminal 130, To perform monitoring.

The smart multi-tap 110 controls the power supply unit 111 and the communication module 113 through the control unit 112 to determine a reference value for power consumption of the electronic equipment and whether to cut off the power supply.

The power supply unit 111 receives the external power and supplies it to the multi-tap 110. In one embodiment, the power supplied from the building switchboard can be supplied to the sockets of the multi-tap 110. Like the conventional multi-tabs, the power supply unit 111 is preferably provided in the form of a button that operates on or off.

Meanwhile, the power supply unit 111 cuts off the power supplied to the specific socket according to the power control signal transmitted from the control unit 112 in supplying external power to the multi-tap 110. In one embodiment, when the control unit 112 determines that a problem has occurred with a specific electronic device and transmits a power control signal, the power supply unit 111 may cut off the power of the socket to which the specific electronic device is connected according to the power control signal . 3, the power supply unit 111 is turned on by a user to supply external power to the multi-tap, and the controller 112 performs a predetermined operation of measuring the power consumption of the smart multi-tap 110 When the power control signal is transmitted, the power controller 110a is used to connect the switch so that power is supplied to only the second one of the first to third sockets provided in the multi-tap 110, The switch can release the connection.

The controller 112 is disposed inside the housing corresponding to the body of the multi-tap 110. For example, a board may be provided in a space inside a multi-tap such as a computer main body, and a controller 112 may be disposed on the board. The board may include a PLC board including the controller 112 as well as the communication module 113. The controller 112 operates using a part of the external power supplied in the multi-tap 110. In order to receive information on the power consumption of the electronic devices connected to the multi-tap 110, a control signal is transmitted to the input / output unit 120 mounted on each electronic device.

The input / output unit 120 transmits an initial value of the power consumption of the electronic device according to a control signal transmitted from the control unit 112. [ When the input / output unit 120 is mounted on the electronic apparatus, the information about the standby power, the consumed power, and the power consumption class of the electronic apparatus is stored in advance. In one embodiment, the input / output unit 120 may store the standby power, the consumed power, and the power consumption rating as initial values by using information according to the energy consumption efficiency grade calculated when the electronic equipment is produced. Here, the initial value of the power consumption stored in the input / output unit 120 may be inputted mechanically when the electronic apparatus is mounted on the electronic apparatus, or may be input by the user to store the information.

On the other hand, the control unit 112 and the input / output unit 120 can exchange control signals and data with each other using the communication module 113. In one embodiment, the communication module 113 can perform signal processing or exchange data in a PLC manner. The multi-tap 110 and the input / output unit 120 are electrically connected to each other through the wires of the electronic device. Therefore, it is possible to perform PLC communication via the wire. Of course, it is also possible to mount a Bluetooth receiver in the input / output unit 120 and exchange data wirelessly. It is also possible to use zigbee or other communication methods.

Here, the control unit 112 sets a reference value using the initial value of the power consumption received by the input / output unit 120. [ In one embodiment, the controller 112 may set the first reference value using the standby power of the electronic device included in the initial value of the power consumption, and may set the second reference value using the consumed power of the electronic device. Here, each reference value may be set to have a predetermined range. For example, if the standby power of the electronic device is 10 watts, the first reference value for standby power can be set to 9 to 11 watts, and if the consumed power is 100 kilowatt, the second reference value can be set to 90 to 110 kilowatts.

Conventionally, since a user connects a plurality of outlets to a multi-tap and does not use an electronic device, the user does not unplug the outlet, so that standby power is generated in a plurality of sockets, Each socket is equipped with a separate power button to turn off the power of a specific socket connected to an electronic device that the user does not want to use or automatically turn off only the corresponding socket.

However, there is a problem that it is difficult to confirm whether the power of the socket is blocked for a certain reason or when it has been blocked, and there is a problem that it is difficult to intuitively confirm which product has a high power consumption value while using the electronic device . Accordingly, in order to solve this problem, the controller 120 sets a reference value for the standby power and the consumed power and compares the amount of power output from the socket to which the electronic apparatus is connected.

In one embodiment, the control unit 112 can set the first reference value using the standby power of the electronic device among the power consumption initial value information transmitted from the input / output unit 120, and compare the power consumption of the electronic device Do. 5, it can be confirmed that the controller 112 controls the power of the socket according to the standby power.

When the electronic device is connected to a specific socket of the multi-tap 110 through the plug, the controller 112 can detect whether the electronic device is connected through the electrically connected path according to step S501. The control unit 112 may measure the amount of power output from the socket to which the electronic device is connected using the connected path. That is, it is possible to detect the state of the electronic device by sensing the flow or amount of current flowing out through the socket. The control unit 112 further includes a power sensing unit connected to each socket (not shown), and it is possible to sense the amount of power output by each socket using the power sensing unit.

On the other hand, if it is detected in step S501 that the electronic device is connected, the control unit 112 receives an initial value of the power consumption from the input / output unit 112 of the electronic device. Since the multi-tap 110 and the input / output unit 120 are electrically connected in step S501, the control unit 112 can transmit a control signal to the input / output unit 120, Lt; / RTI > In step S503, the first reference value is set using the standby power included in the initial value.

In step S504, the controller 112 compares the power value sensed by the electronic device using the previously stored standby time and the first reference value after setting the first reference value. If the standby power of the electronic device exceeds the first reference value in step S504, it is compared with the second reference value, which is a reference value for consumed power, to determine that the consumed power is not standby power in step S505. If it is detected that the standby power lower than the first reference value exceeds the standby time, the power control unit 111 transmits a power control signal to the power supply unit 111 so as to shut off the power of the socket to which the electronic device is connected according to step S506a. Here, the standby time can be set to a default value so that standby power is consumed for a long time and power is not wasted. Alternatively, the waiting time may be directly input according to the user's living environment. Accordingly, the control unit 112 has an advantage of reducing the electricity price or the progressive tax due to standby power.

In step S506a, the controller 112 transmits the power control signal to the smart terminal 130 in step S506b. The control unit 112 may perform the steps S506a and S506b at the same time or may perform the step S506b immediately after performing the step S506a. Meanwhile, the information about the power consumption transmitted to the smart terminal 130 in step S506b includes information on the order of the socket to which the electronic appliance is connected and information on the time when the electronic appliance is turned off. The control unit 112 can transmit this information to the smart terminal 130 using the communication module 113.

On the other hand, the control unit 112 can control the power consumption by measuring the consumed power of the electronic apparatus. As shown in FIG. 6, the controller 112 detects connection of the electronic device in step S601. The control unit 112 may receive the initial value of the power consumption of the electronic device for setting the second reference value from the input / output unit 120 of the connected electronic device. In step S602, it is possible to check the power consumption of the electronic device based on the initial value. In step S602, the controller sets a second reference value based on the consumed power. Here, the controller 112 can set the second reference value to have a predetermined range in consideration of a slight variation range as described above, rather than setting the second reference value to the same value as the consumed power. For example, if the received power consumption is 200 amperes, the second reference value can be set to about 190 to 210 amperes.

In step S604, the control unit 112 compares the second reference value set in advance with the amount of power output from the socket to which the electronic device is connected. If the amount of power output from the socket does not reach the second reference value, the socket is continuously detected. Conversely, if the amount of power consumed in the socket exceeds the second reference value, it is determined that the electronic device is malfunctioning or overcurrent is supplied. In step S605a, And transmits the power control signal to the controller 110. Here, the power control signal means a signal for shutting off the power of the socket connected to the electronic device.

Meanwhile, when the controller 112 transmits the power control signal in step S605a, the controller 112 transmits information on the power consumption to the smart terminal 2130. As in the case of transmitting the power control signal and the power usage information according to the standby power, step S605b may be performed at the same time as step S605a, or may be performed immediately after step S605a. The user can monitor information about the power consumption of the smart multi-tap 110 through the smart terminal 130 so that the user can easily check whether there is no problem or how much power consumption is occurring in the electronic device.

The LED 114 operates according to the LED control signal of the controller 112 to intuitively provide the user with information on the power consumption on one side of the multi-tap 110. As shown in FIG. 4, it is possible to display power consumption for each socket by disposing it on the side surface of the multi-tap 110 as an example. Here, the LED 114 may use numerical values or visual elements so that the user can intuitively check the power consumption. Of course, as shown in FIG. 4, it is possible to intuitively check the power consumption through the elements visually displayed by the user using both of them.

The communication module 113 wirelessly communicates with the smart terminal 130. In one embodiment, a short-range wireless communication method such as Bluetooth may be used to communicate with the smart terminal 130. Also, although not shown in the figure, the RFID tag and the NFC tag may be mounted to perform communication by receiving a signal transmitted from the smart terminal 200. Meanwhile, the communication module 113 receives information on the amount of power consumption transmitted from the controller 112, and transmits the information to the smart terminal 130. Here, the communication module 113 does not directly transmit the initial value of the power consumption received from the input / output unit 120 to the smart terminal 130 but receives the information subjected to the predetermined operation processing through the control unit 112 To the smart terminal (130). That is, the data processing itself is performed by the control unit 112, and the communication module 113 receives the initial value information about the power consumption in the input / output unit 120 according to the control signal transmitted from the control unit 112, And transmits the processed information to the terminal 130.

Meanwhile, the smart terminal 130 receives information on power consumption from the communication module 113 of the multi-tap 110. The smart terminal 130 includes an application for receiving data from the communication module 113 and displaying the received data on the screen.

Referring to FIG. 7, the smart terminal 130 can receive information on power consumption and display corresponding information on each screen on the screen. In one embodiment, the smart terminal 130 receives information on the amount of power usage from the communication module 113 and displays the information on the socket order of the multi-tap 110, the status of the electronic device, the power usage status, Can be displayed. Referring to FIG. 7, the user of the multi-tap 110 uses the smart terminal 130 of his / her own, and the electronic devices connected to the first socket are normally connected to maintain the standby power state. And the amount of power consumed is about 35%, and the electronic device connected to the third socket is kept in standby power state for a long time, or the power supply is cut off due to over current or device error, and it is checked when the power is cut off It is possible. Accordingly, the user can monitor the information on the power consumption of the multi-tap 110 displayed on the LED 114 through the smart terminal 130 as well.

Although the power consumption monitoring system using the smart multi-tap according to an embodiment of the disclosed technology has been described with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings in order to facilitate understanding, the present invention is not limited thereto. It will be understood that various modifications and equivalent embodiments are possible. Accordingly, the true scope of protection of the disclosed technology should be determined by the appended claims.

100: Smart Multi-Tap System 110: Smart Multi-Tap
111: Power supply unit 111a: Power supply controller
112: control unit 113: communication module
114: LED 120: input / output unit
130: Smart terminal

Claims (9)

A power supply unit provided at one side of the multi-tap and delivering external power to a plurality of sockets of the multi-tap;
An input / output unit mounted on an electronic device connected to the multi-tap for storing an initial value of a power consumption of the electronic device;
A control unit for detecting a connection of the electronic device, receiving a control signal to the input / output unit to receive the initial value, and comparing power consumption of the electronic device based on the initial value; And
And a communication module that wirelessly communicates with the smart terminal and transmits information on the power usage amount of the electronic device to the smart terminal according to a signal transmitted from the control unit. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the input / output unit stores information on consumed power, standby power, and power consumption class set as defaults in the electronic device. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the multi-tap includes an LED for displaying information on power consumption of each of a plurality of sockets on one side of the body. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the power unit blocks power to at least one of a plurality of sockets provided in the multi-tap according to a power control signal transmitted from the control unit. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the control unit sets a reference value having a predetermined range based on the initial value and compares the reference value with an amount of power output to a specific socket connected to the electronic device. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the controller sets the standby power included in the initial value as a first reference value for the electronic device and if the power consumption of the electronic device does not exceed the first reference value, And transmits a power control signal for shutting off the power of the connected socket to the power supply unit. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the control unit transmits the information on the order of the socket to which the electronic device is connected when the power control signal is transmitted and the time when the power of the electronic device is turned off to the smart terminal using the communication module, system. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the control unit sets the consumed power included in the initial value as a second reference value for the electronic device, and when the amount of power output from the socket to which the electronic device is connected exceeds the second reference value, And a power control signal is transmitted to the power unit. 9. The method of claim 8,
Wherein the control unit determines whether the power consumption of the electronic device converges to a category of standby power if the output power amount does not exceed the second reference value.

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