JP2013098672A - Controller and controlled apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide controllers capable of power-saved control without caring about the types of controlled apparatuses such as consumer electronics and the states of the respective consumer electronics, in power shortages.SOLUTION: Controllers 110a, 110b, ..., and 110n which are connected via a network with plural controlled power-consuming apparatuses and control the power comprises: a receiver for receiving a request for reducing power consumption from the outside; and a transmitter for transmitting the request for reducing the power consumption to the controlled apparatuses. When the receiver receives the request for reducing the power consumption, the transmitter transmits the request for reducing the power consumption to the controlled apparatuses.

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for performing power saving control of devices installed in a home, a building, a store, or the like when power is insufficient.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that home appliances connected to a network control power from a controller via the network.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-23283

  Patent Document 1 discloses that a control device (controller) that controls home appliances controls home appliances such as an air conditioner and a television via a network. In such a system, if the power is insufficient, the control device issues an instruction to control the power to the home appliance, and if the home appliance executes this, the power consumption can be reduced.

  However, when a control device issues a power suppression instruction to the home appliance, it is necessary for the control device to recognize an interface for power saving of each device and to explicitly control the interface using the interface. For example, when it is necessary to reduce the power consumption of an air conditioner, the controller recognizes the temperature setting interface of the air conditioner, grasps the condition of the air conditioner using the interface, raises the set temperature if cooling, and can be used for heating. For example, it is necessary to perform control such as lowering the set temperature.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to enable a control device to perform power saving control without being aware of the type of control target device such as home appliances and the state of each device.

  In order to achieve the above object, for example, the configuration described in the claims is adopted.

  According to the present invention, the control device does not need to know the state of the device to be controlled and the detailed interface for control, and controls data requesting reduction in power consumption when power consumption reduction is necessary. It is only necessary to transmit to the target device, and power consumption can be easily reduced.

  Further, according to the present invention, by enabling the level to be set to the data that requests to reduce the power consumption, the control target device can reduce the power consumption according to the degree of the request for the power consumption reduction. . Thereby, it becomes possible to reduce power consumption, without impairing a user's comfort as much as possible.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, the control device manages the priority, so that it is possible to preferentially reduce the power consumption of the control target device having a high priority.

  In addition, the control device can notify the user that the control target device is requested to reduce power consumption or that the control target device is required to reduce power consumption.

It is explanatory drawing explaining the outline | summary of the system in the Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control apparatus in the Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control object apparatus in the Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control apparatus in the Example of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the data transmitted to the control apparatus from the server in the Example of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed the whole power consumption monitoring process in the Example of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the data transmitted / received between the control apparatus and the control object apparatus in the Example of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed the energy-saving request | requirement process in the Example of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed the energy-saving cancellation | release process in the Example of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed the energy saving request transmission process in the Example of this invention, and the energy saving request reception process. It is the flowchart which showed the energy-saving request | requirement cancellation | release process and energy-saving cancellation | release reception process in the Example of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the apparatus management table in the Example of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which showed the example of the screen which registers the apparatus information in the Example of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed the energy-saving request | requirement process in the Example of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed the energy-saving cancellation | release process in the Example of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed the energy saving request transmission process in the Example of this invention, and the energy saving request reception process. It is the flowchart which showed the energy-saving request | requirement cancellation | release process and energy-saving cancellation | release reception process in the Example of this invention. In the control apparatus in the Example of this invention, it is an example of the display for notifying a user of an operation state. It is an example of the display for notifying a user of an operation state in the control object apparatus in the Example of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to illustrated embodiments. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention. First, the outline of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the figure, reference numeral 100 denotes a control device. The control device 100 controls the control target devices 110 a to 110 n and receives data from the server 200 via the network 140.

  110a to 110n are control target devices. Examples of devices to be controlled include devices such as air conditioners, televisions, refrigerators, heat pump water heaters, and air purifiers.

  Reference numeral 120 denotes a GW apparatus. The GW apparatus 120 transfers communication data between the internal network 140 and the Internet 160.

  Reference numeral 130 denotes a power meter. The power meter is installed in a distribution board or outlet, and measures power consumption of the entire house and power consumption of each control target device. Note that current consumption may be used instead of power consumption. In that case, the power consumption may be the current consumption. The measured value is transmitted to the control device 100 via the measuring device network 150. In the present invention, the power meter 130 is not essential.

  Reference numeral 140 denotes an internal network. The internal network is configured using, for example, Ethernet (registered trademark), wireless LAN, 802.15.4, or the like. The internal network is set up in a range such as a home or a store.

  Reference numeral 150 denotes a measurement device network. The measurement device network is configured using RS-485, 802.15.4, Ethernet (registered trademark), or the like. The measuring instrument network 150 may be shared with the internal network 140.

  160 is, for example, the Internet or AMI (Advanced Metering Infrastructure).

  Reference numeral 170 denotes a solar power generation facility. The power generation amount of the solar power generation facility 170 can be measured by the power meter 130. In the present invention, the solar power generation facility 170 is not essential.

  Reference numeral 180 denotes a power storage facility, which is charged with a lead storage battery or a lithium ion battery. The power storage facility may have a communication function, and in that case, the power storage amount can be monitored from the control device. In the present invention, the power storage facility 180 is not essential.

  Reference numeral 200 denotes a server. The server 200 monitors the power consumption and power generation in the area, and transmits an energy saving request described later to the control device 100 as necessary.

  Next, the configuration of the control device will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the figure, reference numeral 101 denotes a control unit, which executes various processes related to control of peripheral parts, data processing, communication processing, and the like.

  Reference numeral 102 denotes a recording unit, such as a ROM, a RAM, or a flash memory. The recording unit 102 stores programs and data, and is used in a work area when executing the programs.

  Reference numeral 103 denotes a power measurement unit, which is, for example, communication hardware and control software such as RS-485, 802.15.4, and Ethernet. The power measuring unit 103 performs processing for receiving power consumption data from the power measuring instrument 130 and passing it to the control unit 101. In the case of a configuration that does not use the power meter 130, the power measuring unit 103 is not necessary.

  A communication processing unit 104 is, for example, communication hardware and control software such as Ethernet, wireless LAN, and 802.15.4. The communication processing unit 104 transmits / receives data to / from the server 200 and transmits / receives data to / from the control target device 110.

  Reference numerals 101 to 104 denote buses for connecting the respective units.

  Next, the configuration of the control target device 110 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the figure, reference numeral 112 denotes a communication processing unit, which is, for example, communication hardware and control software such as Ethernet, wireless LAN, and 802.15.4. The communication processing unit 112 transmits / receives data to / from the control device 100.

  Reference numeral 111 denotes a device control unit. The configuration of the device control unit 111 varies depending on devices such as an air conditioner, a television, a refrigerator, a heat pump water heater, and an air purifier. The device control unit 111 performs overall device control such as device state setting, device operation control, and user interface control.

  About the structure of another apparatus, since it is a well-known structure, description here is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the example of the system configuration in FIG. 1, the example in which the control device 100 and the GW device 120 are configured as different devices has been described, but the control device 100 and the GW device 120 may be in the same casing. FIG. 4 shows an example in which the control device 100 and the GW device 120 are the same casing.

  A control device 100b in which the control device 100 and the GW device 120 are integrated has a configuration in which an external communication processing unit 106 and a routing processing unit 107 are added to the control device 100.

  The external communication processing unit 106 is, for example, communication hardware such as Ethernet and control software. The external communication processing unit 106 connects to the Internet 160 and transmits / receives data to / from the server.

  The routing processing unit 107 performs data transfer control between the internal network 140 and the Internet 160.

  The control device 100 consumes the control target device 110 when there is a request for energy saving from the server 200, or when the power consumption within the range managed by the control device 100 (hereinafter referred to as total power consumption) exceeds a certain threshold. Require operation (energy saving operation) to reduce power consumption. Further, when there is a request for energy saving from the server 200 and when the power consumption within the range managed by the control device 100 is below a certain threshold, the cancellation of the energy saving operation is transmitted to the control target device 110. Note that the determination based on the total power consumption may or may not be used.

  Hereinafter, the realization method will be described.

  First, the energy saving request data and the energy saving cancellation data received by the control device 100 from the server 200 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the figure, 300a to c are energy saving request data, and 310 is energy saving cancellation data. There are several patterns in the energy saving request data 300. 300a is simply an example of transmitting a request to reduce power consumption. Reference numeral 300b is an example of a request for suppressing the power consumption in the range managed by the control device 100 to a predetermined value (4 KW in the figure) or less. 300c is an example of a request for reducing the power consumption within a range managed by the control device 100 by a certain ratio (10% in the figure).

  The energy saving cancellation data 310 notifies the control device 100 that the energy saving request is canceled.

  Next, the overall power consumption monitoring process 400 for determining whether or not the power consumption within the range managed by the control device 100 has exceeded a certain threshold will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The overall power consumption monitoring process 400 is periodically activated by, for example, a timer. The range managed by the control device 100 is, for example, power consumption of the entire house, power consumption of the entire store, and the entire building.

  In the total power consumption monitoring process 400, first, the total power consumption is measured using the data measured by the power meter 130 (step 401). Next, it is determined whether the current state is the “normal state” or the “energy saving state” (step 402). In the normal state, it is determined whether or not the total power consumption measured in step 401 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value (step 403). If the total power consumption is less than the upper threshold, the process is terminated. If the total power consumption is greater than or equal to a certain threshold (upper limit threshold), an “energy saving event” is issued (step 404). Then, the state is changed to “energy saving state” (step 405), and the process is terminated. In the case of “energy saving state” in step 402, it is determined whether or not the total power consumption measured in step 401 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (lower threshold) (step 403). If the total power consumption is greater than or equal to the lower threshold value, the process ends. If the total power consumption is less than the lower limit threshold value, an “energy saving cancellation event” is issued (step 407). Then, the state is changed to “normal state” (step 405), and the process is terminated.

  Next, communication data exchanged between the control device 100 and the control target device 110 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the figure, reference numeral 500 denotes communication data exchanged with the control target device 110. The communication data 500 includes a transmission destination 501, a transmission source 502, and a command / response 503.

  The transmission destination 501 is an identifier for identifying the transmission destination of the communication data 500. In the case of an IP network using Ethernet, the transmission destination stores the IP address of the transmission destination device (the control device 100 or the control target device 110). When broadcasting to a plurality of control target devices 110 at the same time, a broadcast address (IP multicast address in the case of an IP network) is designated as the transmission destination 501. In the following description, the internal network 140 is an IP network using Ethernet, but the internal network used in the present invention is not limited to this.

  The transmission source 502 is an identifier for identifying the transmission source of the communication data 500. In the case of an IP network using Ethernet, the transmission source stores the IP address of the transmission source device (the control device 100 or the control target device 110).

  The command / response 503 is a response to an energy saving request or an energy saving request. When transmitting from the control device 100 to the control target device 110, the command / response 503 stores 503a to 503c. When transmitting from the control target device 110 to the control device 100, a response 503d is stored.

  The command / response 503a is used when the control target device 110 is requested to save energy. In the case of the command / response 503a, information on how much energy is required is not included and depends on each device.

  The command / response 503b is used to transmit a request and level of energy saving operation to the control target device 110. The level is set to 1 to 3, for example, and as it becomes 1 to 3, it is assumed that the demand for energy saving is strong. That is, the control target device 110 operates so that the power consumption is lower at the level 3 than at the level 1 and the level 3. Specifically, how much power consumption is reduced depends on the device. Thereby, finer energy saving control becomes possible.

  The command / response 503c is used to notify the control target device 110 that the energy saving request is cancelled. Upon receiving the command / response 503c, the control target device 110 cancels the energy saving control and enters a normal operation state.

  The response 503d stores how the control target device 110 received the energy saving request and the energy saving release request and responded. For example, OK, NG, etc.

  Next, an energy saving control process 600 in which the control device 100 requests the control target device 110 to reduce power consumption will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The energy saving request process 600 is activated when an “energy saving event” occurs in the overall power consumption monitoring process 400 or when the control apparatus 100 receives the energy saving request data 300 received from the server 200.

  In the energy saving control process 600, an energy saving request transmission process 610 is executed.

  Before executing the energy saving request transmission process 610, the user may confirm whether or not to execute the energy saving request transmission process 610. In that case, a screen for confirming whether or not to execute the energy saving request is displayed to the user, and when the user selects to execute the energy saving request transmission process 610, the energy saving request process 610 is executed and the execution is not selected. In such a case, the energy saving request transmission process 610 is not executed. As a method of displaying a screen to be confirmed by the user, there is a method of mounting a WWW server function in the control device 100 and confirming using a browser function such as a PC.

  Next, the energy saving cancellation process 620 in which the control device 100 cancels the power consumption reduction request requested of the control target device 110 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 9. The energy saving cancellation process 620 is activated when an “energy saving cancellation event” occurs in the overall power consumption monitoring process 400 or when the control apparatus 100 receives the energy saving cancellation data 310 received from the server 200.

  In the energy saving control process 620, an energy saving request transmission process 630 is executed.

  Next, energy saving request transmission processing 610 and processing related to the control target device 110 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In the energy saving request transmission process 610, communication data 500 is created and transmitted to the control target device 110 via the internal network 140 (step 611). At this time, the destination 501 stores an IP multicast address, the source 503 stores the IP address of the control device 100, and the command / response 503 stores a command / response 503a for requesting reduction of power consumption.

The communication data 500 broadcasted in step 611 is received by the control target devices 110a to 110n. In the control target device 110 that has received the communication data 500, the energy saving request reception process 650 is activated. In the energy saving request reception process 650, the device control unit 111 of the control target device 110 changes settings such as the operation mode so that the power consumption of the control target device 110 is reduced (step 651). The operation that reduces power consumption differs depending on the type of device, and includes the following operations. In addition to reducing power consumption, there is a method of controlling in a direction to reduce reactive power. If the power consumption is already sufficiently low, there is a case where nothing is changed. Also, the operation mode in step 651 may be determined in advance and the same operation may always be performed. A display example is shown in FIG.
・ For TV: Decrease screen brightness ・ For air conditioner: Increase the set temperature for cooling. In the case of heating, lower the set temperature. Or stop.
・ Refrigerator: weaken the operation mode.
-Heat pump water heater: Stops boiling.-EV charger: Reduces charging power to EV or stops charging to EV.

  In step 651, it may be determined that the control target device 110 should be controlled to minimize the power consumption. In this case, if the communication data 500 including the command / response 503a for requesting the reduction of power consumption is transmitted in step 611, the power consumption can be minimized.

  In the energy saving release transmission process 630 shown in FIG. 11, communication data 500 is created and transmitted to the control target device 110 via the internal network 140 (step 631). At this time, an IP multicast address is stored in the transmission destination 501, an IP address of the control device 100 is stored in the transmission source 503, and a command / response 503 c for instructing energy saving cancellation is stored in the command / response 503.

  The communication data 500 broadcasted in step 631 is received by the control target devices 110a to 110n. In the control target device 110 that has received the communication data 500, the energy saving cancellation receiving process 660 is activated. In the energy saving release reception process 660, the device control unit 111 of the device to be controlled 110 returns the setting of the operation state set in step 651 to the original state (step 661).

  In the above embodiment, in step 611, the command / response 503 stores the energy saving request 503a. However, the command / response 503b for instructing the power consumption reduction request and the request level is used. You can also. The method for determining the level at that time is, for example, as follows (level determination method).

  When the energy saving request process 300a is received from the server 200 and the energy saving control process 600 is activated, a predetermined level is entered. When the energy saving request data 300b is received from the server 200 and the energy saving control process 600 is started, the level is set by comparing the total power consumption measured by the power meter 130 with the request value in the energy saving request data 300b. To do. For example, the level is 1 if the difference between the total power consumption and the required value is less than 1 kW, the level 2 if it is 1 kW or more and less than 1.5 kW, and the level 3 if it is 1.5 kW or more.

  When the energy saving request process 300c is received from the server 200 and the energy saving control process 600 is started, the level is set according to the instructed reduction rate. For example, if the reduction amount is less than 10%, the level is 1; if the reduction amount is 10% or more and less than 20%, the level is 2;

  Further, when the energy saving control process 600 is activated by an “energy saving event”, a predetermined level is set.

In step 651, the control target device 110 that has received the command / response 503b performs energy-saving control according to the level. Hereinafter, an example of the operation according to the level is shown. Each device may perform different control depending on the level, or may perform the same control. In the case of TV-Level 1: Decrease screen brightness by 10%-Level 2: Increase screen brightness by 20 % Reduce-Level 3: Reduce screen brightness by 30%. For air conditioners:
-Level 1: In the case of cooling, raise the set temperature once. In the case of heating, the set temperature is lowered once.
-Level 2: In the case of cooling, the set temperature is raised twice. In the case of heating, the set temperature is lowered twice.
-Level 3: Stops air conditioner operation.
・ Refrigerator:
-Level 1: Set the operation mode in the middle-Level 2: Decrease the operation mode-Level 3: Decrease the operation mode-Heat pump water heater-Level 1: Stop boiling-Level 2: Boiling Stop leveling-Level 3: Stop boiling-EV charger-Level 1: Reduce charging power by 10%-Level 2: Reduce charging power by 50%-Level 3: Stop charging As a result of the above processing, when the control device 100 receives the energy saving request data 300 from the server 200 (that is, when there is not enough power in the area) or when the overall power consumption increases and an “energy saving event” occurs (that is, When the power consumption amount at home or in the store approaches the contracted power consumption amount), the power consumption in the control target device 110 can be reduced, and stable power supply or The breaker can be prevented from falling.

  In the above embodiment, when the “energy saving event” occurs in the overall power consumption monitoring process 400 or when the control device 100 receives the energy saving request data 300 received from the server 200, all of the controlled devices 110 are controlled. However, it is also possible to request power saving only for a high-priority device. In addition, when there is a power generation facility such as solar power generation or a power storage facility such as a storage battery, the control target device 110 can be requested to save power or not depending on the power generation status or the power storage status. Thereby, it becomes possible to save power without impairing the user's comfort.

  Examples will be described below.

  First, a device management table 700 for managing the control target device 110 will be described with reference to FIG. The device management table 700 is recorded in the storage unit 102 of the control device 100.

  The device management table 700 is composed of one or more device management records 710a-n. The device management record 710 includes an address 711, a name 712, a priority 713, an energy saving correspondence 714, and a state 715.

  The address 711 is an identifier for identifying the control target device, and is, for example, the IP address of the device. The name 712 is the name of the device identified by the address 711. The priority 713 is a priority when performing energy saving control, and is a numerical value of 1 to 3, for example. The energy saving response 714 is a flag indicating whether or not the device specified by the address 711 is compatible with the energy saving request, and is, for example, “corresponding” or “not supporting”. A state 715 is a state of the device. Examples of the state of the device include “normal state” and “energy saving state”.

  Registration of data in the device management table 700 can be performed using a protocol such as UPnP (Universal Plug & Play). In this case, the control target device 110 transmits information necessary for registration to the control device 100 using UPnP.

  The registration of data in the device management table 700 can also be performed manually. In this case, for example, the control device 100 is equipped with a WWW server function and is set via the internal network 140 using a browser function such as a PC. An example of a screen displayed on a browser function such as a PC is shown in FIG.

  In the figure, 750 is an example of a screen displayed by the browser. The user inputs a device name 751, an address 752, a priority level 753, and an energy saving response 754. Then, the registration button 760 is pressed. When the user presses the registration button 760, information is transmitted to the WWW server, and a new device management record 710 is created and registered in the device management table 700. At that time, the address 711 stores an address 752, the name 712 stores a device name 751, the priority 713 stores a priority 753, and the energy saving response 714 stores an energy saving response 754. The state 715 is a “normal state”.

  In the previous embodiment, when the “energy saving event” occurs or when the control device 100 receives the energy saving request data 300 from the server 200, the energy saving control processing 600 is started. Start 800.

  The energy saving control process 800 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In the energy-saving control processing 800, first, the power generation amount of the photovoltaic power generation facility is measured using the power meter 130 or the like, and the storage capacity of the power storage facility is acquired via the internal network 140, the measurement device network 150, or the like (step 801). Next, it is determined whether or not energy saving is necessary (step 802). The determination as to whether or not energy saving is necessary is made as follows, for example.
・ When an “energy-saving event” occurs: Judgment that energy-saving is necessary ・ When energy-saving request data 300a is received: Compare the power generation amount of the solar power generation facility with the total power consumption, and the power generation amount of the solar power generation facility is large If it is not necessary, it is necessary.
-When the energy saving request data 300b is received: The amount of power generated by the photovoltaic power generation facility-the total power consumption is calculated. Note that the threshold value is changed according to a certain value included in the energy saving request data 300b.
-When the energy saving request data 300c is received: the power generation amount of the solar power generation facility-the total power consumption amount is calculated, and if the difference is larger than a certain threshold value, it is unnecessary, and if it is smaller, it is determined to be necessary. The threshold value is changed according to the ratio included in the energy saving request data 300c.

  If it is determined in step 802 that energy saving is not necessary, the process ends. If it is determined in step 802 that energy saving is necessary, an energy saving level is determined (step 803). The energy saving level determination uses, for example, the level determination method described in the first embodiment.

Next, the priority of energy saving is determined (step 804). The priority of energy saving is determined as follows, for example.
When the power generation amount of the solar power generation facility and the storage capacity of the power storage facility are both higher than a predetermined threshold: the priority is set to 1 (that is, only the control target device 110 with the priority 1 is targeted) To do).
-When only one of the power generation amount of the solar power generation facility and the storage capacity of the power storage facility is higher than the determined threshold value: the priority is set to 2 (that is, the control target device 110 with the priority 1 or 2 is To be eligible).
When both the power generation amount of the solar power generation facility and the storage capacity of the power storage facility are equal to or less than the determined threshold value: the priority is set to 3 (that is, the control target device 110 having the priority levels 1 to 3 is targeted) To do).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the processing in step 806 and subsequent steps has been completed for all devices registered in the device management table 700 (step 805). If the process has been completed for all devices, the process ends. If not completed, the device management record 710 corresponding to the device for which processing has not been completed is selected from the device management table 700, and the energy saving response 714 is checked (step 806). If the energy saving response 714 is “not supported”, the process returns to step 805. If the energy saving response 714 is “response”, the priority 713 is checked (step 807). If the priority 713 is larger than the priority determined in step 804, the process returns to step 805. When the priority 713 is a value equal to or lower than the priority determined in step 804, an energy saving request transmission process 810 described later is executed.

  Next, the energy saving cancellation process 820 in which the control device 100 cancels the power consumption reduction request requested of the control target device 110 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The energy saving cancellation process 820 is activated when an “energy saving cancellation event” occurs or when the controller 100 receives the energy saving cancellation data 310 received from the server 200.

  In the energy saving cancellation processing 820, it is determined whether or not the processing in step 821 and subsequent steps has been completed for all devices registered in the device management table 700 (step 801). If the process has been completed for all devices, the process ends. If not completed, the device management record 710 corresponding to the device for which processing has not been completed is selected from the device management table 700, and the status 715 is checked (step 822). When the state 715 is “normal state”, the process returns to step 821. The state 715 is “energy saving state”, and an energy saving cancellation process 830 described later is executed. Thereafter, the process returns to step 821.

  Next, energy saving request transmission processing 810 and processing related to the control target device 110 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In the energy saving request transmission processing 810, communication data 500 is created and transmitted to the control target device 110 via the internal network 140 (step 611). At this time, the destination 501 is the address 711 of the device management record 710 selected in step 822, the transmission source 503 is the IP address of the control device 100, and the command / response 503 is a command / response requesting power consumption reduction. 503b is stored. At that time, the level determined in step 803 is stored in the level.

  The communication data 500 transmitted in step 611 is received by the control target device 110 specified by the address 711. In the control target device 110 that has received the communication data 500, the energy saving request reception process 850 is activated. In the energy saving request receiving process 850, as in the energy saving request receiving process 650, the device control unit 111 of the control target device 110 changes the setting such as the operation mode so that the power consumption of the device is reduced (step 651). Next, the communication data 500 is created and transmitted to the control device 100 via the internal network 140 (step 853). At this time, the transmission destination 501 is the IP address of the control device 100, the transmission source 502 is the IP address of the control target device 110, and the command / response 503d is “OK” when the operation of the device is changed. In this case, “NG” is stored.

  The control device 100 receives the communication data 530 transmitted in step 853. The content of the command / response 503d is confirmed. If “OK”, the state 715 of the device management record 710 selected in step 822 is set to “energy saving state”, and if “NG”, the state is not changed (step 812).

  Next, energy saving request cancellation processing 830 and processing related to the control target device 110 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In the energy saving request transmission process 830, communication data 500 is created and transmitted to the control target device 110 via the internal network 140 (step 831). At this time, the destination 501 includes the address 711 of the device management record 710 selected in step 822, the transmission source 503 includes the IP address of the control device 100, and the command / response 503 includes a command / response 503c for canceling the energy saving request. Store.

  The communication data 500 transmitted in step 831 is received by the control target device 110 specified by the address 711. In the control target device 110 that has received the communication data 500, the energy saving cancellation receiving process 860 is activated. In the energy saving release reception process 860, the setting of the operation state set in step 651 is returned to the original state in the device control unit 111 of the control target device 110 as in the energy saving release reception process 660 (step 661). Next, the communication data 500 is created and transmitted to the control device 100 via the internal network 140 (step 853). At this time, the IP address of the control device 100 is stored in the transmission destination 501, the IP address of the control target device 110 is stored in the transmission source 502, and “OK” is stored in the command / response 503d.

  The control device 100 receives the communication data 530 transmitted in step 863. The contents of the command / response 503d are confirmed. If “OK”, the state 715 of the device management record 710 selected in step 822 is set to “normal state”, and if “NG”, the state is not changed (step 832).

  With the above processing, even when the control device 100 receives the energy saving request data 300 from the server 200 or when an “energy saving event” occurs, the control device 100 does not necessarily depend on the amount of power generated by the solar power generation facility or the amount of power stored in the storage battery. There is no need for the control target device 110 to perform a power saving operation, and the user can use the device more comfortably. Moreover, since it is possible to save power with priorities, it is possible to save power more flexibly. Furthermore, since unnecessary data is not sent to a device that cannot respond to the power saving request, network traffic can be reduced.

  In the above embodiment, the user is not notified of the operation with reduced power consumption. However, in the present invention, the user can be notified.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, in the control device 100, a variable (control device mode management variable) related to the energy saving mode for managing the state is provided. When the energy saving request transmission process 610 is executed, the control device mode management variable is set to “energy saving state”. When the energy saving release transmission process 610 is executed, the control device mode management variable is set to “normal state”. Then, the control device 100 is provided with a display function 900 such as an LED so that it is turned on when the control device mode management variable is in the “energy saving state” and turned off when in the normal state (FIG. 18A). .

  As a display method other than the above, when the control device 100 is equipped with a WWW server function and accessed via the internal network 140 using a browser function such as a PC, the content of the mode management variable is displayed on the browser screen 910. You may make it display (FIG.18 (b)).

In addition, in the control target device 110, a variable (control target device mode management variable) related to the energy saving mode for managing the state is provided. Then, when the energy saving request reception process 650 is executed in the control target device 110, the control target device mode management variable is set to the “energy saving state”. When the energy saving release transmission process 610 is executed, the control target device mode management variable is set to “normal state”. The control target device 110 is provided with a display function 950 such as an LED so that the control target device mode management variable is turned on when it is in the “energy saving state” and is turned off when it is in the normal state (FIG. 19A). ), Air conditioner example). In the case of the control target device 110 having a display function such as a television, the fact may be displayed on the screen 960 when the control target device mode management variable is “energy saving state”, and nothing may be displayed in the normal state. (FIG. 19 (b))
As described above, the user can be notified that the energy saving operation state is set. Thereby, even if operation | movement changes suddenly, there exists an effect that a user is not confused.

  In addition, although the above demonstrated in the case of Example 1, it cannot be overemphasized that the same process can be performed also in Example 2. FIG. In the above description, notification is performed by turning on an LED or a screen, but an e-mail may be transmitted. In that case, it is only necessary to store a mail address of the transmission destination and settings related to the transmission of the e-mail in advance in the control device, and transmit the mail at the timing of turning on and off.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Control apparatus 110 Control object apparatus 120 GW apparatus 130 Electric power meter 140 Internal network 150 Network for measurement apparatuses 160 Internet 170 Solar power generation equipment 180 Power storage equipment 200 Server

Claims (9)

A control device for controlling the power connected to a plurality of control target devices that consume power through a network,
A receiving unit that receives a request to reduce power consumption from the outside, and a transmission unit that transmits a request to reduce power consumption to the control target device,
A control apparatus that causes a request to reduce power consumption to be transmitted from the transmission unit to the control target device when a request to reduce power consumption is received by the reception unit. Furthermore, a power consumption monitoring unit that monitors power consumption within a predetermined range is provided,
2. The request for reducing the power consumption from the transmission unit to the control target device when the power consumption monitored by the power consumption monitoring unit is higher than a predetermined threshold. Control device.   The control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit causes the control target device to transmit a power consumption reduction level together with a request to reduce power consumption. Furthermore, a storage unit is provided for storing a priority for reducing power consumption in each of a plurality of control target devices,
3. The control device according to claim 1, wherein a request for reducing power consumption is transmitted from the transmission unit to the control target device in accordance with the priority of the storage unit. In addition, a power monitoring unit that monitors the status of power generated or stored,
3. The control device according to claim 1, wherein a request to reduce power consumption is transmitted from the transmission unit to the control target device according to a power state monitored by the power monitoring unit.   3. The control device according to claim 1, further comprising a notification unit that notifies the user when the request to reduce power consumption is transmitted from the transmission unit to the control target device. 4. . One control target device that is a control target of a control device that controls the power connected to a plurality of control target devices that consume power, and receives a request to reduce power consumption transmitted from the control device Including a receiving unit,
A control target device that performs an operation setting to reduce power consumption when a request to reduce power consumption is received by the receiving unit. The receiving unit receives a request to reduce power consumption and a power consumption reduction level transmitted from the control device,
The control target device according to claim 7, wherein when the reception unit receives a request to reduce power consumption, an operation setting for reducing power consumption is performed according to a power consumption reduction level.   The control target device according to claim 7, further comprising a notification unit that notifies a user of an operation setting for reducing power consumption.

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