U.S. patent application number 12/249768 was filed with the patent office on 2009-04-30 for remote power control system and power supply tap.
This patent application is currently assigned to KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA. Invention is credited to Takashi Minemura.
Application Number | 20090108680 12/249768 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40363032 |
Filed Date | 2009-04-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090108680 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Minemura; Takashi |
April 30, 2009 |
REMOTE POWER CONTROL SYSTEM AND POWER SUPPLY TAP
Abstract
According to one embodiment, a power supply tap includes a first
wireless reception module which receives a control request which is
transmitted from a remote-control terminal by a first wireless
signal, a power observation module which is activated in a case
where the received control request includes a power information
acquisition request, and observes a total amount of power including
power supplied to an electric apparatus from a power output module
and power consumed by a communication control module, a first
wireless transmission module which transmits the observed total
amount of power to the remote-control terminal by a second wireless
signal, and a switch control module which turns off a switch in a
case where the control request received by the first wireless
reception module includes a power-off request, thereby shutting off
power supply to the electric apparatus from the power output
module.
Inventors: |
Minemura; Takashi; (Ome-shi,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KNOBBE MARTENS OLSON & BEAR LLP
2040 MAIN STREET, FOURTEENTH FLOOR
IRVINE
CA
92614
US
|
Assignee: |
KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
40363032 |
Appl. No.: |
12/249768 |
Filed: |
October 10, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
307/104 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y04S 10/123 20130101;
Y04S 20/20 20130101; Y02B 70/3233 20130101; Y02E 40/70 20130101;
H02J 13/0075 20130101; H02J 7/35 20130101; Y04S 20/225 20130101;
H02J 9/005 20130101; H02J 13/00026 20200101; Y02B 70/30 20130101;
Y02E 40/72 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
307/104 |
International
Class: |
H02J 17/00 20060101
H02J017/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 31, 2007 |
JP |
2007-283847 |
Claims
1. A remote power control system comprising a power supply tap and
a remote-control terminal configured to remotely control the power
supply tap by a wireless signal, the power supply tap comprising: a
power input module configured to receive power; a power output
module configured to output the power to an electric apparatus; a
switch disposed between the power input module and the power output
module; and a communication control module configured to wirelessly
communicate with the remote-control terminal, the communication
control module comprising a first wireless reception module
configured to receive a control request transmitted from the
remote-control terminal by a first wireless signal, a power
observation module configured to be activated when the control
request received by the first wireless reception module comprises a
power information acquisition request and configured to observe a
total amount of power consumed via the power supply tap, the total
amount of power comprising power supplied to the electric apparatus
from the power output module and power consumed by the
communication control module, a first wireless transmission module
configured to transmit the total amount of power observed by the
power observation module to the remote-control terminal by a second
wireless signal, and a switch control module configured to turn off
the switch in order to shut off power supply to the electric
apparatus from the power output module when the control request
received by the first wireless reception module comprises a
power-off request, and the remote-control terminal comprising: an
input module; a second wireless transmission module configured to
transmit the control request comprising either the power
information acquisition request or the power-off request, to the
power supply tap by the first wireless signal in response to an
operation of the input module; a second wireless reception module
configured to receive the observed total amount of power
transmitted from the power supply tap by the second wireless
signal; and a display configured to display information relating to
the power consumed via the power supply tap based on the total
amount of power received by the second wireless reception
module.
2. The remote power control system of claim 1, wherein the power
observation module is configured to observe either a value
indicative of a difference between the total amounts of power
before and after turn-off of the switch or a value indicative of
the total amount of power after the turn-off of the switch, and the
first wireless transmission module is configured to transmit the
value observed by the power observation module to the
remote-control terminal by the second wireless signal as
information indicative of a power saving effect by the turn-off of
the switch, if the received control request comprises the power-off
request.
3. The remote power control system of claim 1, wherein the first
wireless transmission module is activated after the control request
is received by the first wireless reception module.
4. The remote power control system of claim 3, wherein a wireless
communication between the second wireless transmission module and
the first wireless reception module by using the first wireless
signal is slower than a wireless communication between the first
wireless transmission module and the second wireless reception
module by using the second wireless signal.
5. The remote power control system of claim 1, wherein the power
supply tap comprises a cell configured to supply power to the
communication control module.
6. The remote power control system of claim 1, wherein the
remote-control terminal comprises a solar cell module configured to
supply power to the input module, the second wireless transmission
module, the second wireless reception module and the display.
7. A power supply tap configured to wirelessly communicate with a
remote-control terminal, comprising: a power input module
configured to receive power; a power output module configured to
output the power to an electric apparatus; a switch disposed
between the power input module and the power output module; and a
communication control module configured to execute wireless
communication with the remote-control terminal, the communication
control module comprising a wireless reception module configured to
receive a control request transmitted from the remote-control
terminal by a first wireless signal, a power observation module
configured to be activated when the control request received by the
wireless reception module comprises a power information acquisition
request, and configured to observe a total amount of power consumed
via the power supply tap, the total amount of power comprising
power supplied to the electric apparatus from the power output
module and power consumed by the communication control module, a
wireless transmission module configured to transmit the total
amount of power observed by the power observation module to the
remote-control terminal by a second wireless signal, and a switch
control module configured to turn off the switch in order to shut
off power supply to the electric apparatus from the power output
module when the control request received by the wireless reception
module comprises a power-off request.
8. The power supply tap of claim 7, wherein the power observation
module is configured to observe either a value indicative of a
difference between the total amounts of power before and after the
turn-off of the switch or a value indicative of the total amount of
power after the turn-off of the switch, and the wireless
transmission module is configured to transmit the value observed by
the power observation module to the remote-control terminal by the
second wireless signal as information indicative of a power saving
effect by the turn-off of the switch, when the received control
request comprises the power-off request.
9. The power supply tap of claim 7, wherein the wireless
transmission module is activated after the control request is
received by the wireless reception module.
10. The power supply tap of claim 9, wherein a wireless
communication between the second wireless transmission module and
the first wireless reception module by using the first wireless
signal is slower than a wireless communication between the first
wireless transmission module and the second wireless reception
module by using the second wireless signal.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is based upon and claims the benefit of
priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-283847, filed
Oct. 31, 2007, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein
by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] One embodiment of the invention relates to a remote power
control system for remote-controlling, by a wireless signal, power
that is supplied to an electric apparatus, and a power supply tap
which is used in the remote power control system.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] In general, various electric apparatuses, such as
televisions and audio/video recorders, are used in homes. Even
while these electric apparatuses are in the power-off state, the
electric apparatuses consume power (standby power) in the standby
state in which the electric apparatuses stand by, for example, for
the reception of a signal which is sent from a remote-control
module. Thus, in order to reduce to zero the power including
standby power, which is consumed by the electric apparatuses, it is
necessary to disconnect power cables of the electric apparatuses
from plug sockets.
[0006] In usual cases, however, the plug sockets are disposed at
corners of rooms, and there are cases in which the plug sockets are
disposed at places which are hidden by electric equipment or
furniture. Thus, actually, it is not always easy for users to
frequently pull out power cables of electric apparatuses from plug
sockets.
[0007] Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. H10-282161 discloses
a power consumption monitor system which monitors the power that is
consumed by electric apparatuses.
[0008] This power consumption monitor system monitors the power
that is consumed by electric apparatuses so that the power consumed
by the electric apparatuses may not exceed a tolerable power
amount. In this power consumption monitor system, the power that is
consumed by the electric apparatuses is measured by a power meter
which is provided in a plug socket adapter which functions as a
power supply tap. The amount of power measured by the power meter
is transmitted to a plug socket monitor by a wireless communication
module which is provided in the plug socket adapter, and the
measured power amount is displayed on a display device of the plug
socket monitor. If the power consumed by the electric apparatuses
exceeds a predetermined value, the plug socket monitor informs the
user of this fact, or reports it to a center.
[0009] However, this power consumption monitor system, as described
above, is the system for monitoring the power that is consumed by
electric apparatuses so that the power consumed by the electric
apparatuses may not exceed a tolerable power amount. No
consideration is given to a scheme for power saving, which reduces,
e.g. standby power that is supplied to the electric
apparatuses.
[0010] In the above-described power consumption monitor system, the
power meter provided in the plug socket adapter is always in
operation for monitoring power. Consequently, the plug socket
adapter consumes a relatively large power at all times, for
example, owing to the operation of the power meter itself.
[0011] In order to achieve power saving, it is important not only
to reduce as much as possible the power consumed by the electric
apparatuses and the standby power thereof, but also to reduce the
power consumed by the power supply tap such as the plug socket
adapter.
[0012] Besides, in the above-described power consumption monitor
system, the power that is measured by the power meter is only the
power consumed when the electric apparatuses operate, and the
amount of power that is consumed by communication control circuits
(a current meter, a wireless transmission module), which are
provided in the plug socket adapter, is not measured. Thus, in this
power consumption monitor system, the user cannot exactly
understand the amount of power that is actually consumed. In order
to make the user conscious of power saving, it is necessary to
inform the user of the exact amount of power that is actually
consumed.
[0013] It is necessary, therefore, to realize a novel function
which can sufficiently support the operation relating to power
saving by the user, with low power consumption and a simple
operation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] A general architecture that implements the various feature
of the invention will now be described with reference to the
drawings. The drawings and the associated descriptions are provided
to illustrate embodiments of the invention and not to limit the
scope of the invention.
[0015] FIG. 1 is an exemplary block diagram showing the
configuration of a remote power control system according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is an exemplary block diagram showing the system
configurations of a power supply tap and a remote-control terminal,
which constitute the remote power control system according to the
embodiment;
[0017] FIG. 3 is an exemplary flow chart illustrating the procedure
of a power-off process which is executed by the remote power
control system according to the embodiment;
[0018] FIG. 4 is an exemplary flow chart illustrating the procedure
of a power-on process which is executed by the remote power control
system according to the embodiment; and
[0019] FIG. 5 is an exemplary flow chart illustrating the procedure
of a power information display process which is executed by the
remote power control system according to the embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] Various embodiments according to the invention will be
described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings.
In general, according to one embodiment of the invention, a remote
power control system including a power supply tap and a
remote-control terminal which remote-controls the power supply tap
by a wireless signal, the power supply tap comprises a power input
module configure to be inputted power, a power output module
configure to output the input power to an electric apparatus, a
switch disposed between the power input module and the power output
module, and a communication control module configure to execute
wireless communication with the remote-control terminal, the
communication control module including a first wireless reception
module which receives a control request which is transmitted from
the remote-control terminal by a first wireless signal, a power
observation module configure to be activated in a case where the
control request received by the first wireless reception module
includes a power information acquisition request, and to observe a
total amount of power consumed via the power supply tap, the total
amount of power including power supplied to the electric apparatus
from the power output module and power consumed by the
communication control module, a first wireless transmission module
configure to transmit the total amount of power, which is observed
by the power observation module, to the remote-control terminal by
a second wireless signal, and a switch control module configure to
turn off the switch in a case where the control request received by
the first wireless reception module includes a power-off request,
thereby shutting off power supply to the electric apparatus from
the power output module, and the remote-control terminal comprises
an input module, a second wireless transmission module configure to
transmit the control request, which includes one of the power
information acquisition request and the power-off request, to the
power supply tap by the first wireless signal in response to an
operation of the input module, a second wireless reception module
configure to receive the observed total amount of power which is
transmitted from the power supply tap by the second wireless
signal, and a display module configure to display information
relating to the power consumed via the power supply tap, on the
basis of the total amount of power which is received by the second
wireless reception module.
[0021] To begin with, with reference to FIG. 1, the configuration
of a remote power control system according to an embodiment of the
present invention is described.
[0022] This remote power control system is a system for
remote-controlling the power, which is supplied to an electric
apparatus, by a wireless signal (radio wave). The remote power
control system comprises a power supply tap 11 and a remote-control
terminal 21 which remote-controls the power supply tap 11 by a
wireless signal. The remote-control terminal 21 is, for instance, a
handheld remote controller.
[0023] The power supply tap 11 is a so-called power supply outlet
which supplies power, such as commercial power from a plug socket,
to one or more electric apparatuses. The power supply tap 11
includes a power input module to which power from the plug socket
is input, and at least one power output module which outputs the
power, which is input from the power input module, to at least one
electric apparatus. FIG. 1 shows, by way of example, a case in
which the power supply tap 11 is provided with two power output
modules 12 and 13. Each of the two power output modules 12 and 13
is composed of, for instance, a receptacle.
[0024] The power supply tap 11 has a zero-standby-power function.
The zero-standby-power function is realized by a communication
control module which is provided in the power supply tap 11. The
communication control module is configured to execute wireless
communication with the remote-control terminal 21 via an antenna 14
which is provided on the power supply tap 11. The antenna 14 may be
built in the casing of the power supply tap 11.
[0025] The communication control module has a power report
function. In the power report function, in response to a control
request including a power information acquisition request, which is
sent from the remote-control terminal 21, the communication control
module observes the amount of power that is consumed via the power
supply tap 11, and sends the observed power consumption amount to
the remote-control terminal 21.
[0026] The process of observing the amount of power is not executed
at all times, but is executed only when the control request from
the remote-control terminal 21 is received.
[0027] Specifically, the communication control module includes a
power observation module such as a current meter. The power
observation module is activated only when the control request from
the remote-control terminal 21 is received by the communication
control module, and executes power observation. Thereby, compared
to the structure in which the observation of power amount is always
executed, the power consumption of the communication control module
can greatly be reduced.
[0028] In the process of observing the amount of power, the power
observation module observes not only the power (the power consumed
by the electric apparatus and the standby power of the electric
apparatus) which is supplied from the power supply tap 11 to the
electric apparatus that is connected to the power supply tap 11
via, e.g. a power cable, but also the power consumed by the
communication control module. The power observation module measures
the total amount of power consumed by the power supply tap 11,
which includes the power supplied to the electric apparatus via the
power supply tap 11 and the power consumed by the communication
control module. Therefore, the amount of power consumed by the
power supply tap 11 can exactly be reported to the remote-control
terminal 21, with the amount of power consumed by the communication
control module being taken into account.
[0029] The zero-standby-power function also includes a power-off
function for shutting off power which is supplied from the power
output module 12, 13 to the electric apparatus connected to the
power output module 12, 13, in response to a control request
including a power-off request which is sent from the remote-control
terminal 21 by a wireless signal. This power-off function can
individually shut off power output from each of the power output
modules 12 and 13, and can shut off, at the same time, power output
from the power output modules 12 and 13. The power-off function
realizes the same power supply control as in the case of pulling
the power cable of the electric apparatus from the plug socket, by
remote-control from the remote-control terminal 21. By this
power-off function, the user can easily reduce to zero the power
(standby power), which is consumed by the electric apparatus at the
standby time of the electric apparatus, simply by operating the
remote-control terminal 21, without performing the operation of
pulling the power cable of the electric apparatus from the plug
socket.
[0030] By the above-described zero-standby-power function, the
operation relating to the power saving by the user can sufficiently
be supported with small power consumption and a simple
operation.
[0031] Further, when the power-off function is executed, the power
observation module observes, as information indicative of the power
saving effect by the power-off, the value of either the variation
of the total power amount before and after the power-off or the
total power amount after the power-off. The communication control
module transmits the value, which is observed by the power
observation module, to the remote-control terminal 21 by a wireless
signal as the information indicative of the power saving effect by
the power-off.
[0032] In this manner, at the time of the power-off, the
information indicative of the power saving effect by the power-off
is sent to the remote-control terminal 21, and thereby the user can
easily confirm the effect by the power-off. Hence, the user can be
made more conscious of energy saving.
[0033] The remote-control terminal 21 is a remote controller which
remote-controls the power supply tap 11. The remote-control
terminal 21 has, for example, a thin card-shaped main body. An
input module 22, a display module 23 and a light-receiving module
(solar panel) of a solar cell module 24 are disposed, for example,
on a top surface of the main body.
[0034] The input module 22 is an input device for a user operation,
and includes a plurality of operation buttons 221, 222, 223 and
224.
[0035] The operation button 221 is, for instance, an operation
button for inquiring of the power supply tap 11 about the present
amount of power consumed via the power supply tap 11. In the case
where the operation button 221 is pressed by the user, the
remote-control terminal 21 transmits a control request including a
power information acquisition request to the power supply tap
11.
[0036] The operation button 222 is an operation button for turning
on/off the power supply from the power output module 12 to the
electric apparatus which is connected to the power output module 12
via, e.g. the power cable. In the case where the operation button
222 is pressed by the user, the remote-control terminal 21
transmits to the power supply tap 11 a control request including a
power-on request or a power-off request to the power output module
12.
[0037] The operation button 223 is an operation button for turning
on/off the power supply from the power output module 13 to the
electric apparatus which is connected to the power output module 13
via, e.g. the power cable. In the case where the operation button
223 is pressed by the user, the remote-control terminal 21
transmits to the power supply tap 11 a control request including a
power-on request or a power-off request to the power output module
13.
[0038] The operation button 224 is an operation button for turning
on/off the power supply from all power output modules 12 and 13 at
the same time. In the case where the operation button 224 is
pressed by the user, the remote-control terminal 21 transmits to
the power supply tap 11 a control request including a power-on
request or a power-off request to each of the power output modules
12 and 13.
[0039] The display module 23 displays the information relating to
the power amount, on the basis of the power amount sent from the
power supply tap 11. For example, the display module 23 may display
the power amount itself which is sent from the power supply tap 11,
or may display an electricity charge corresponding to the power
amount which is sent from the power supply tap 11. In this way,
with the provision of the display module 23 on the remote-control
terminal 21, the user can easily confirm, at hand, the present
amount of power consumed via the power supply tap 11, and the
power-saving effect at the time of power-off.
[0040] The solar cell module 24 is a power supply module which
supplies power to each module in the remote-control terminal 21.
The solar cell module 24 can perform photoelectric conversion and
store electricity. Accordingly, the user can frequently perform,
without paying attention to the power consumption of the
remote-control terminal 21, the operation for confirming the amount
of power consumed via the power supply tap 11, and the operation
for turning on/off the power supply tap 11.
[0041] As described above, the communication between the
remote-control terminal 21 and the power supply tap 11 is executed
by using not infrared, but a wireless signal (radio wave).
Therefore, the power supply tap 11 can be remote-controlled from
the remote-control terminal 21 even in the case where an obstacle,
such as electric equipment or furniture, is present between the
remote-control terminal 21 and the power supply tap 11.
[0042] Next, referring to FIG. 2, structure examples of the power
supply tap 11 and remote-control terminal 21 are described.
[0043] The power supply tap 11 includes, in addition to the
above-described power output modules 12 and 13, a power input
module 401, switches 402 and 403, a power supply module 404 and a
communication control module 500.
[0044] The power input module 401 is an input module which receives
power that is output from the plug socket which outputs commercial
power. The power input module 401 is connected to the plug socket
via a power cable, or is directly connected to the plug socket.
[0045] The switch 402 is a first switch circuit which is disposed
between the power input module 401 and the power output module
(first power output module) 12, and connects or disconnects the
power input module 401 and the power output module (first power
output module) 12. The switch 402 is used in order to turn on/off
the supply of power from the power output module (first power
output module) 12 to the electric apparatus.
[0046] The switch 403 is a second switch circuit which is disposed
between the power input module 401 and the power output module
(second power output module) 13, and connects or disconnects the
power input module 401 and the power output module (second power
output module) 13. The switch 403 is used in order to turn on/off
the supply of power from the power output module (second power
output module) 13 to the electric apparatus.
[0047] The power supply module 404 generates power for driving the
communication control module 500. The power supply module 404 is
composed of a cell, such as a button cell or a dry cell, which
supplies power to the communication control module 500. Thereby,
power for driving the communication control module 500 can be
generated without providing a circuit with a relatively low power
conversion efficiency, such as an AC/DC converter, within the power
supply tap 11. Therefore, the power consumption of the power supply
tap 11 can be reduced. Needless to say, the power supply module 404
may be configured to generate, from the power (AC power) that is
input from the power input module 401, DC power for driving the
communication control module 500.
[0048] The communication control module 500 includes a wireless
communication module (first wireless reception module) 501, a
wireless communication module (first wireless transmission module)
502, a switch control module 503 and a power observation module
504.
[0049] The wireless communication module (first wireless reception
module) 501 receives a control request which is sent from the
remote-control terminal 21 by a first wireless signal. The wireless
communication module (first wireless reception module) 501 includes
a clock generator which generates a clock signal having a lower
frequency than a carrier wave frequency of the first wireless
signal. The carrier wave frequency of the first wireless signal is,
for example, on the order of several MHz to several GHz, and the
frequency of the clock signal of the clock generator is, for
example, on the order of several KHz. The wireless communication
module (first wireless reception module) 501 does not use the
carrier wave frequency of the first wireless signal in order to
demodulate the received first wireless signal, but uses the clock
signal, which is generated from the clock generator, thereby
executing the demodulation of the received first wireless signal.
In this manner, by executing the demodulation process in sync with
the low-frequency clock signal, the power consumed by each
transistor in the wireless communication module (first wireless
reception module) 501 can be reduced. Specifically, since the
communication speed (communication rate) of the wireless
communication, which is executed between the remote-control
terminal 21 and the wireless communication module (first wireless
reception module) 501 by using the first wireless signal, is set at
a low speed (low rate), the digital data string, which constitutes
the control request, can correctly be demodulated even in the case
of using the internal clock signal that is generated from the
internal clock generator as the sync signal for the demodulation
process, without generating a signal which is in sync with the
carrier wave frequency of the first wireless signal. In other
words, it should suffice if the communication speed (communication
rate) of the wireless communication, which is executed between the
remote-control terminal 21 and the wireless communication module
(first wireless reception module) 501 by using the first wireless
signal, is limited to the range of, e.g. several 100 bps to several
kbps, which is not higher than the communication rate with which
the demodulation can be executed by the internal clock signal that
is generated from the internal clock generator.
[0050] Normally, there is a relationship of a trade-off between the
reception sensitivity at the standby time of the wireless reception
module and the power consumption at the standby time of the
wireless reception module. In the present embodiment, since the
communication speed of wireless communication, which is executed
between the remote-control terminal 21 and the wireless
communication module (first wireless reception module) 501 by using
the first wireless signal, is low, even if the reception
sensitivity of the wireless communication module (first wireless
reception module) 501 is somewhat low, the control request that is
sent from the remote-control terminal 21 can be received and
demodulated.
[0051] The power observation module 504 is activated in the case
where the control request received by the wireless communication
module (first wireless reception module) 501 includes the power
information acquisition request, and the power observation module
504 observes the total amount of power consumed via the power
supply tap 11, which includes the power supplied to the electric
apparatus from the power output module 12, 13 and the power
consumed by the communication control module 500. In short, the
total amount of power, which is observed by the power observation
module 504, is the sum of the power supplied to the electric
apparatus from the power output module 12, 13 and the power
consumed by the communication control module 500.
[0052] Specifically, the power observation module 504 executes a
process of measuring a first current flowing from the power input
module 401 to the power output module 12, 13, and a process of
measuring a second current flowing from the power supply module 404
to the communication control module 500, and calculates the total
amount of power from the measurement result of the first current
and the measurement result of the second current.
[0053] The wireless communication module (first wireless
transmission module) 502 sends, as a response to the power
information acquisition request, the value that is observed by the
power observation module 504 to the remote-control terminal 21 by a
second wireless signal (radio wave). The wireless communication
module (first wireless transmission module) 502 is activated only
after the control request is received by the wireless communication
module (first wireless reception module) 501.
[0054] Accordingly, the communication speed of wireless
communication, which is executed between the wireless communication
module (first wireless transmission module) 502 and the
remote-control terminal 21 by using the second wireless signal,
does not need to be set at a low rate, and may be set to be higher
than the communication speed of wireless communication, which is
executed between the wireless communication module (first wireless
reception module) 501 and the remote-control terminal 21 by using
the first wireless signal. In other words, in the present
embodiment, the communication speed of wireless communication,
which is executed between the wireless communication module (first
wireless reception module) 501 and the remote-control terminal 21
by using the first wireless signal, is lower than the communication
speed of wireless communication, which is executed between the
wireless communication module (first wireless transmission module)
502 and the remote-control terminal 21 by using the second wireless
signal. With this structure, the delay amount of the response to
the control request can be minimized, while the power consumed at
the standby time for the control request from the remote-control
terminal 21 can be reduced.
[0055] In the case where the control request that is received by
the wireless communication module (first wireless reception module)
501 includes the power-off request, the switch control module 503
turns off one of the switches 402 and 403, or both switches 402 and
403, thereby shutting off the power supply from one of the power
output modules 12 and 13 to the electric apparatus which is
connected to this one of the power output modules 12 and 13, or the
power supply from both the power output modules 12 and 13 to the
electric apparatuses which are connected to the power output
modules 12 and 13. The power-off request includes identification
information (ID) which designates the power output module that is
to be powered off. For example, ID=1 designates the power output
module 12, ID=2 designates the power output module 13, and ID=ALL
designates all power output modules provided in the power supply
tap 11 (the two power output modules 12 and 13 in this embodiment).
The switch control module 503 determines the switch that is to be
turned off, in accordance with the identification information (ID)
that is included in the power-off request.
[0056] In addition, in the case where the control request that is
received by the wireless communication module (first wireless
reception module) 501 includes the power-on request, the switch
control module 503 executes a process of turning on one of the
switches 402 and 403, or both the switches 402 and 403. In this
power-on process, too, the switch control module 503 can determine
the switch that is to be turned on, in accordance with the
identification information (ID) included in the power-on
request.
[0057] The remote-control terminal 21 includes a wireless
communication module (second wireless transmission module) 301, a
wireless communication module (second wireless reception module)
302 and a conversion process module 303, in addition to the
above-described input module 22, display module 23 and solar cell
module 24 which are shown in FIG. 1.
[0058] The wireless communication module (second wireless
transmission module) 301 transmits to the power supply tap 11, by
the first wireless signal, the control request including the
above-described power information acquisition request, power-off
request or power-on request, in accordance with the user's
operation of the various operation buttons in the input module 22.
The wireless communication for transmitting the control request
from the wireless communication module (second wireless
transmission module) 301 to the wireless communication module
(first wireless reception module) 501 in the power supply tap 11 is
executed at a low rate, as described above.
[0059] The wireless communication module (second wireless reception
module) 302 executes the wireless communication with the wireless
transmission module (first wireless transmission module) 502 in the
power supply tap 11, and receives the power information (observed
power value, etc.) which is sent from the wireless transmission
module (first wireless transmission module) 502 by the second
wireless signal. The wireless communication for transmitting the
power information from the wireless transmission module (first
wireless transmission module) 502 to the wireless communication
module (second wireless reception module) 302 is executed, as
described above, at a higher rate than the wireless communication
for transmitting the control request from the wireless
communication module (second wireless transmission module) 301 to
the wireless communication module (first wireless reception module)
501 in the power supply tap 11.
[0060] For example, the wireless transmission for transmitting the
control request from the wireless communication module (second
wireless transmission module) 301 to the wireless communication
module (first wireless reception module) 501 may be realized by
using a one-way wireless communication method with a low
communication rate.
[0061] Besides, the wireless communication for transmitting the
power information from the wireless transmission module (first
wireless transmission module) 502 to the wireless communication
module (second wireless reception module) 302 may be realized by
using a two-way wireless communication method with a relatively
high rate. In this case, each of the wireless transmission module
(first wireless transmission module) 502 and the wireless
communication module (second wireless reception module) 302 can be
realized by a Bluetooth (trademark) module or a wireless LAN
module.
[0062] The wireless communication for transmitting the power
information from the wireless transmission module (first wireless
transmission module) 502 to the wireless communication module
(second wireless reception module) 302 may also be realized by
using a one-way wireless communication method with a low
communication rate.
[0063] The conversion process module 303 executes, where necessary,
a process of converting the value of power that is received by the
wireless communication module (second wireless reception module)
302. For example, in the case where the power value, which is sent
from the wireless transmission module (first wireless transmission
module) 502, is an instantaneous value, for instance, watt/second,
the conversion process module 303 executes a process of converting
the power value to a power value (watt/hour) indicative of power
that is consumed per hour, an amount of power consumed per day, or
an electricity charge per day or month.
[0064] Next, referring to a flow chart of FIG. 3, a description is
given of the process of shutting off power supply to the electric
apparatus by remote-control from the remote-control terminal
21.
[0065] If a power-off instruction is input from the input module 22
by the user's operation of the operation button (operation button
222, 223 or 224) (block S11), the wireless communication module
(second wireless transmission module) 301 in the remote-control
terminal 21 transmits the control request including the power-off
request to the power supply tap 11 by the first wireless signal
(block S12). The power-off request includes the ID for designating
the power output module that is to be powered off. The control
request including the power-off request is received by the wireless
communication module (first wireless reception module) 501 in the
power supply tap 11 (block S21).
[0066] In the power supply tap 11, in response to the reception of
the control request including the power-off request by the wireless
communication module (first wireless reception module) 501,
activation request signals are generated, for example, from the
wireless communication module (first wireless reception module) 501
to the switch control module 503, power observation module 504 and
wireless communication module (first wireless transmission module)
502. Thereby, the switch control module 503, power observation
module 504 and wireless communication module (first wireless
transmission module) 502 are activated.
[0067] The switch control module 503 turns off the switch
corresponding to the power output module which is designated by the
ID included in the power-off request, thereby shutting off power
supply to the electric apparatus from the power output module that
is designated by the ID included in the power-off request (block
S22). Thus, for example, in the case where the electric apparatus,
which is connected to the power output module designated by the ID,
is in the standby state, the standby power consumed by the electric
apparatus can be reduced to zero.
[0068] In order to obtain an index which is indicative of the
power-saving effect by the turn-off control process in block S22,
that is, the power-saving effect by the turn-off of the switch, the
power observation module 504 observes, for example, the variation
in total amount of power before and after the turn-off of the
switch, or the total amount of power after the turn-off of the
switch (block S23).
[0069] The wireless communication module (first wireless
transmission module) 502 sends, as a response to the power-off
control request, the power information indicative of the value,
which is observed by the power observation module 504, to the
remote-control terminal 21 by the second wireless signal (block
S24).
[0070] This power information is received by the wireless
communication module (second wireless reception module) 302 in the
remote-control terminal 21 (block S13). In the remote-control
terminal 21, the power information that is received by the wireless
communication module (second wireless reception module) 302 is
subjected to a predetermined conversion process by the conversion
process module 303, where necessary (block S14). On the basis of
the received power information, the information indicative of the
power-saving effect by the power-off control process (e.g. the
amount of power saved by the power-off control process, the amount
of power consumed after the power-off control process, an
electricity charge saved by the power-off control process, or an
electricity charge after the power-off control process) is
displayed on the display screen of the display module 23 (block
S15).
[0071] As has been described above, simply by inputting the
power-off instruction by operating the operation button of the
remote-control terminal 21, the user can shut off the power supply
to a desired electric apparatus, and can easily confirm the
power-saving effect resulting from the input of the power-off
instruction, by viewing the display module 23 of the remote-control
terminal 21. Therefore, the user's consciousness of energy saving
can be enhanced.
[0072] Next, referring to a flow chart of FIG. 4, a description is
given of the process of turning on power supply to the electric
apparatus by remote-control from the remote-control terminal
21.
[0073] If a power-on instruction is input from the input module 22
by the user's operation of the operation button (operation button
222, 223 or 224) (block S31), the wireless communication module
(second wireless transmission module) 301 in the remote-control
terminal 21 transmits the control request including the power-on
request to the power supply tap 11 by the first wireless signal
(block S32). The power-on request includes the ID for designating
the power output module that is to be powered on. The control
request including the power-on request is received by the wireless
communication module (first wireless reception module) 501 in the
power supply tap 11 (block S51).
[0074] In the power supply tap 11, in response to the reception of
the control request including the power-on request by the wireless
communication module (first wireless reception module) 501,
activation request signals are generated, for example, from the
wireless communication module (first wireless reception module) 501
to the switch control module 503, power observation module 504 and
wireless communication module (first wireless transmission module)
502. Thereby, the switch control module 503, power observation
module 504 and wireless communication module (first wireless
transmission module) 502 are activated.
[0075] The switch control module 503 turns on the switch
corresponding to the power output module which is designated by the
ID included in the power-on request, thereby resuming power supply
to the electric apparatus from the power output module that is
designated by the ID included in the power-on request (block S52).
Thus, for example, the electric apparatus, which is connected to
the power output module designated by the ID, transitions from the
power-off state to the standby state, thus being able to receive an
activation signal, for instance, from a remote-control module which
is associated with to this electric apparatus.
[0076] The power observation module 504 observes, for example, the
total amount of power after the turn-on of the switch (block S53).
The wireless communication module (first wireless transmission
module) 502 sends, as a response to the power-on control request,
the power information indicative of the value, which is observed by
the power observation module 504, to the remote-control terminal 21
by the second wireless signal (block S54).
[0077] This power information is received by the wireless
communication module (second wireless reception module) 302 in the
remote-control terminal 21 (block S33). In the remote-control
terminal 21, the power information that is received by the wireless
communication module (second wireless reception module) 302 is
subjected to a predetermined conversion process by the conversion
process module 303, where necessary (block S34). On the basis of
the received power information, the amount of power consumed after
the power-on control process, or an electricity charge after the
power-on control is displayed on the display screen of the display
module 23 (block S35).
[0078] Next, referring to a flow chart of FIG. 5, a description is
given of the process of displaying, on the remote-control terminal
21, the amount of power that is currently consumed via the power
supply tap 11, by remote-control from the remote-control terminal
21.
[0079] If a power information display instruction is input from the
input module 22 by the user's operation of the operation button
(operation button 221) (block S61), the wireless communication
module (second wireless transmission module) 301 in the
remote-control terminal 21 transmits the control request including
a power information acquisition request to the power supply tap 11
by the first wireless signal (block S62). The control request
including the power information acquisition request is received by
the wireless communication module (first wireless reception module)
501 in the power supply tap 11 (block S71).
[0080] In the power supply tap 11, in response to the reception of
the control request including the power information acquisition
request by the wireless communication module (first wireless
reception module) 501, activation request signals are generated,
for example, from the wireless communication module (first wireless
reception module) 501 to the power observation module 504 and
wireless communication module (first wireless transmission module)
502. Thereby, the power observation module 504 and wireless
communication module (first wireless transmission module) 502 are
activated.
[0081] The power observation module 504 measures the current
flowing from the power input module 401 to the power output module
12, 13 and the current flowing from the power supply module 404 to
the communication control module 500, thereby observing the total
amount of power consumed by the power supply tap 11, which includes
the power supplied to at least one electric apparatus via the power
supply tap 11 and the power consumed by the communication control
module 500 (block S72).
[0082] The wireless communication module (first wireless
transmission module) 502 sends, as a response to the power
information acquisition request, the power information indicative
of the value, which is observed by the power observation module
504, to the remote-control terminal 21 by the second wireless
signal (block S73).
[0083] This power information is received by the wireless
communication module (second wireless reception module) 302 in the
remote-control terminal 21 (block S63). In the remote-control
terminal 21, the power information that is received by the wireless
communication module (second wireless reception module) 302 is
subjected to a predetermined conversion process by the conversion
process module 303, where necessary (block S64). On the basis of
the received power information, the information indicative of the
power consumed via the power supply tap 11 (e.g. the amount of
power that is currently consumed via the power supply tap 11, or an
electricity charge corresponding to the amount of power that is
currently consumed via the power supply tap 11) is displayed on the
display screen of the display module 23 (block S65).
[0084] As has been described above, simply by inputting the power
information display instruction by operating the operation button
of the remote-control terminal 21, the user can easily confirm the
information relating to the amount of power, which is currently
consumed via the power supply tap 11, by viewing the display module
23 of the remote-control terminal 21. Therefore, the user can
understand, for example, how much power is consumed by the electric
apparatus and the communication control module 500 in the power
supply tap 11, and can, where necessary, perform operations for
setting the electric apparatus in the standby state by the
remote-control module that is associated with the electric
apparatus, shutting off the power supply to the electric apparatus
in the standby state by inputting the power-off instruction by
operating the input module 22, or pulling out the power supply tap
11 itself from the plug socket.
[0085] As has been described above, according to the present
embodiment, the power observation module 504 in the power supply
tap 11 operates only when the control request from the
remote-control terminal 21 is received by the wireless
communication module (first wireless reception module) 501.
Thereby, the power consumption by the communication control module
500 can be reduced, compared to the case in which the power
observation module 504 is always in operation. In addition, in the
present embodiment, the power consumed at the standby time for
waiting for the control request from the remote-control terminal 21
is, basically, only the standby power of the wireless communication
module (first wireless reception module) 501 in the communication
control module 500. Thus, the power (standby power of the
communication control module 500), which is consumed by the
communication control module 500 at the standby time for waiting
for the control request from the remote-control terminal 21, is
very small.
[0086] Moreover, in the present embodiment, the user is informed of
the amount of power consumed via the power supply tap 11, with
consideration given to the amount power consumed by the
communication control module 500. Therefore, the correct amount of
power which is consumed via the power supply tap 11, or a correct
electricity charge corresponding to this amount of power, can be
presented to the user. Furthermore, the power supply to the
electric apparatus can be shut off by remote-control from the
remote-control terminal 21, thereby reducing to zero the power
(standby power) which is consumed by the electric apparatus in the
standby state. Therefore, according to the present embodiment,
useless power consumption can be reduced, and the operation
relating to power saving by the user can sufficiently be
supported.
[0087] The present embodiment is configured to transmit, as a
response to the power-off request, the power information from the
power supply tap 11 to the remote-control terminal 21. However, it
is not always necessary to return the power information from the
power supply tap 11 to the remote-control terminal 21. The reason
for this is that if the user executes the operation for inputting
the power information display instruction after executing the
operation for inputting the power-off instruction, the user can
confirm the power-saving effect by the power-off. Thus, in the case
where the power information is not returned as a response to the
power-off request, the power observation module 504 may be
configured to be activated only when the received control request
includes the power information acquisition information.
[0088] In the present embodiment, the case in which the power
supply tap 11 is provided with two power output modules is
exemplified. Alternatively, the number of power output module s,
which are provided in the power supply tap 11, may be one.
[0089] In the present embodiment, the solar cell module 24 is
mounted in the remote-control terminal 22. Alternatively, a
charging system using a photocapacitor may be utilized.
[0090] The various modules of the systems described herein can be
implemented as software applications, hardware and/or software
modules, or components on one or more computers, such as servers.
While the various modules are illustrated separately, they may
share some or all of the same underlying logic or code.
[0091] While certain embodiments of the inventions have been
described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example
only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions.
Indeed, the novel methods and systems described herein may be
embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various
omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the methods and
systems described herein may be made without departing from the
spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their
equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as
would fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions.
* * * * *