U.S. patent application number 14/591999 was filed with the patent office on 2015-05-07 for power supply device.
The applicant listed for this patent is Sony Corporation. Invention is credited to Shin Hotta, Masanobu Katagi, Kentaro Marutani, Tsuyoshi Masato, Shiho Moriai, Kazuo Nakamura, Tomoyuki Ono, Atsushi Ozawa, Kazuhito Tsuchida, Shinichi Uesaka.
Application Number | 20150127186 14/591999 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44719054 |
Filed Date | 2015-05-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150127186 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Moriai; Shiho ; et
al. |
May 7, 2015 |
POWER SUPPLY DEVICE
Abstract
A power supply device including: (a) a power supply unit group
composed of a plurality of power supply units and connected with a
power consuming appliance; and (b) a control device configured to
control the power supply unit group, wherein the control device and
each of the power supply units are connected to each other by a
communicating circuit.
Inventors: |
Moriai; Shiho; (Kanagawa,
JP) ; Masato; Tsuyoshi; (Kanagawa, JP) ;
Uesaka; Shinichi; (Kanagawa, JP) ; Ozawa;
Atsushi; (Kanagawa, JP) ; Katagi; Masanobu;
(Kanagawa, JP) ; Ono; Tomoyuki; (Saitama, JP)
; Tsuchida; Kazuhito; (Tokyo, JP) ; Hotta;
Shin; (Tokyo, JP) ; Nakamura; Kazuo;
(Kanagawa, JP) ; Marutani; Kentaro; (Kanagawa,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Sony Corporation |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
44719054 |
Appl. No.: |
14/591999 |
Filed: |
January 8, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13230148 |
Sep 12, 2011 |
|
|
|
14591999 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
700/297 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 9/0891 20130101;
H02J 7/34 20130101; G05F 1/66 20130101; Y02E 60/10 20130101; H02J
7/0013 20130101; H01M 10/482 20130101; G05B 15/02 20130101; H04L
9/0833 20130101; H01M 10/441 20130101; Y04S 40/20 20130101; H02J
7/0042 20130101; G06F 21/70 20130101; G06F 21/445 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
700/297 |
International
Class: |
G05F 1/66 20060101
G05F001/66; G05B 15/02 20060101 G05B015/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 16, 2010 |
JP |
2010-207713 |
Claims
1. A power supply device comprising: (a) a power supply unit group
composed of a plurality of power supply units and connected to a
power generating device; and (b) a control device configured to
control the power supply unit group, the control device having a
display device and a selecting device, wherein the display device
displays a state of power generation of the power generating device
and a state of charge and discharge of each of the power supply
units, and on a basis of a selection from the selecting device, the
control device selects a power supply unit to supply power from the
power generating device to the selected power supply unit and
charge the power supply unit.
2. The power supply device according to claim 1, wherein the power
generating device and the power supply unit group are connected to
each other via a radio power transmission circuit.
3. A power supply device comprising: (a) a power supply unit group
composed of a plurality of power supply units and connected with a
power consuming appliance; and (b) a control device configured to
control the power supply unit group, the control device having a
display device and a selecting device, wherein the display device
displays a state of power consumption of the power consuming
appliance and a state of charge and discharge of each of the power
supply units, and on a basis of a selection from the selecting
device, the control device selects a power supply unit to supply
power from the selected power supply unit to the power consuming
appliance.
4. The power supply device according to claim 3, further comprising
a power generating device connected to the power supply unit group,
wherein the display device displays a state of power generation of
the power generating device, and the control device selects a power
supply unit on a basis of a selection from the selecting device to
supply power from the power generating device to the selected power
supply unit and charge the power supply unit.
5. The power supply device according to claim 4, wherein the power
generating device and the power supply unit group are connected to
each other via a radio power transmission circuit.
6. A power supply device comprising: (a) a power supply unit group
composed of a plurality of power supply units; and (b) a control
device configured to control the power supply unit group, the
control device having a display device and a selecting device,
wherein the display device displays a state of charge and discharge
of each of the power supply units, and on a basis of a selection
from the selecting device, the control device selects a power
supply unit to output power and a power supply unit to receive
power, and makes power transferred from the selected power supply
unit to output power to the selected power supply unit to receive
power.
7. The power supply device according to claim 1, further comprising
a portable terminal including a display device, wherein the control
device and the portable terminal are connected to each other by a
communicating circuit.
8. The power supply device according to claim 7, wherein mutual
authentication is performed between the control device and the
portable terminal at a time of connection, a cryptographic key is
shared between the control device and the portable terminal, and
communication encrypted by the cryptographic key is performed
between the control device and the portable terminal.
Description
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a divisional of U.S. application
Ser. No. 13/230,148, filed on Sep. 12, 2011, which claims priority
to Japanese Priority Patent Application JP 2010-207713 filed in the
Japan Patent Office on Sep. 16, 2010, the entire content of which
is hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present application relates to a power supply
device.
[0003] A power supply device in which a solar battery and a
secondary battery are combined with each other and which controls
the operation of these batteries by a control device is well known
from Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-023879, for example. In
addition, a remote device including a secondary battery, a solar
battery, and a control device is well known from Japanese Patent
Laid-Open No. 2002-010519. Further, a decentralized power supply
system including a decentralized power supply and a secondary
battery is well known from Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei
8-308104.
SUMMARY
[0004] However, in the techniques disclosed in these patent
laid-open publications, when the solar battery, the power supply,
or the secondary battery (which may hereinafter be referred to
collectively as a "secondary battery or the like") is removed from
the power supply device, the remote device, or the decentralized
power supply system (which may hereinafter be referred to
collectively as a "power supply device or the like"), and the
secondary battery or the like is incorporated into the power supply
device or the like again, no verification is performed as to
whether the secondary battery or the like is a regular or
authorized product. In a case where the secondary battery or the
like is a non-regular or unauthorized product, various problems and
inconveniences may occur when the non-regular or unauthorized
product is incorporated into the power supply device or the
like.
[0005] In addition, these patent laid-open publications include no
references to:
[0006] (1) how to select a secondary battery that needs charging
depending on the state of power generation of a power generating
device and the states of charge and discharge in secondary
batteries;
[0007] (2) which secondary battery to use depending on the states
of power consumption of power consuming appliances connected to the
secondary batteries and the states of charge and discharge in the
secondary batteries; and
[0008] (3) to which secondary battery to transfer power to achieve
averaging depending on the states of charge and discharge in the
secondary batteries.
[0009] Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a power supply
device that makes it possible to incorporate a secondary battery or
the like into the power supply device or the like safely. In
addition, it is desirable to provide a power supply device that can
easily select a power supply unit that needs charging depending on
the state of power generation of a power generating device and the
states of charge and discharge in power supply units. Further, it
is desirable to provide a power supply device that can easily
select which power supply unit to use depending on the states of
power consumption of power consuming appliances connected to the
power supply units and the states of charge and discharge in the
power supply units. In addition, it is desirable to provide a power
supply device that can easily select to which power supply unit to
transfer power to achieve averaging depending on the states of
charge and discharge in the power supply units.
[0010] According to a first mode, there is provided a power supply
device including: (a) a power supply unit group composed of a
plurality of power supply units and connected with a power
consuming appliance; and (b) a control device configured to control
the power supply unit group. In the power supply device, the
control device and each of the power supply units are connected to
each other by a communicating circuit, when a power supply unit is
removed from the power supply unit group, the control device
updates a cryptographic key shared to perform communication between
the control device and each of the power supply units, and when the
power supply unit is returned to the power supply unit group, the
control device checks whether the power supply unit in question is
the power supply unit removed from the power supply unit group, and
when the power supply unit in question is the power supply unit
removed from the power supply unit group, the control device sends
the cryptographic key to the power supply unit in question.
[0011] According to a second mode, there is provided a power supply
device including: (a) a power supply unit group composed of a
plurality of power supply units and connected to a power generating
device; and (b) a control device configured to control the power
supply unit group, the control device having a display device and a
selecting device. In the power supply device, the display device
displays a state of power generation of the power generating device
and a state of charge and discharge of each of the power supply
units, and on a basis of a selection from the selecting device, the
control device selects a power supply unit to supply power from the
power generating device to the selected power supply unit and
charge the power supply unit.
[0012] According to a third mode, there is provided a power supply
device including: (a) a power supply unit group composed of a
plurality of power supply units and connected with a power
consuming appliance; and (b) a control device configured to control
the power supply unit group, the control device having a display
device and a selecting device. In the power supply device, the
display device displays a state of power consumption of the power
consuming appliance and a state of charge and discharge of each of
the power supply units, and on a basis of a selection from the
selecting device, the control device selects a power supply unit to
supply power from the selected power supply unit to the power
consuming appliance.
[0013] According to a fourth mode, there is provided a power supply
device including: (a) a power supply unit group composed of a
plurality of power supply units; and (b) a control device
configured to control the power supply unit group, the control
device having a display device and a selecting device. In the power
supply device, the display device displays a state of charge and
discharge of each of the power supply units, and on a basis of a
selection from the selecting device, the control device selects a
power supply unit to output power and a power supply unit to
receive (be supplied with) power, and makes power transferred from
the selected power supply unit to output power to the selected
power supply unit to receive (be supplied with) power.
[0014] In the power supply device according to the first mode, when
a power supply unit is removed from the power supply unit group,
the control device updates a cryptographic key shared to perform
communication between the control device and each of the power
supply units. Thus, even in a case where the cryptographic key is
extracted by analyzing the power supply unit removed from the power
supply unit group, and the cryptographic key is incorporated into
another power supply unit, or in a case where an attempt is made to
incorporate a different power supply unit into the power supply
unit group, the cryptographic key does not coincide when an attempt
is made to incorporate these power supply units into the power
supply unit group. Thereby, the operation of these power supply
units is prohibited, and these power supply units do not
function.
[0015] In the power supply device according to the second mode, the
display device displays a state of power generation of the power
generating device and a state of charge and discharge of each of
the power supply units, and on a basis of a selection from the
selecting device, the control device selects a power supply unit.
It is therefore possible to easily select a power supply unit that
needs charging depending on the state of power generation of the
power generating device and the states of charge and discharge of
the power supply units. In addition, in the power supply device
according to the third mode, the display device displays a state of
power consumption of the power consuming appliance and a state of
charge and discharge of each of the power supply units, and on a
basis of a selection from the selecting device, the control device
selects a power supply unit. It is therefore possible to easily
select which power supply unit to use depending on the states of
power consumption of power consuming appliances connected to the
power supply units and the states of charge and discharge of the
power supply units. Further, in the power supply device according
to the fourth mode, the display device displays a state of charge
and discharge of each of the power supply units, and on a basis of
a selection from the selecting device, the control device selects a
power supply unit to output power and a power supply unit to
receive (be supplied with) power. It is therefore possible to
easily select to which power supply unit to transfer power to
achieve averaging, for example, depending on the states of charge
and discharge of the power supply units.
[0016] Additional features and advantages are described herein, and
will be apparent from the following Detailed Description and the
figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0017] FIGS. 1A and 1B are conceptual diagrams of power supply
devices according to a first embodiment and a second
embodiment;
[0018] FIGS. 2A and 2B are conceptual diagrams of power supply
devices according to a third embodiment and a fourth
embodiment;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a flow of operation in the power
supply device according to the first embodiment;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a
screen of a display device in a control device forming a power
supply device according to a fifth embodiment;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a
screen of a display device in a control device forming a power
supply device according to a sixth embodiment;
[0022] FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a
screen of a display device in a control device forming a power
supply device according to a seventh embodiment;
[0023] FIG. 7A, FIG. 7B, and FIG. 7C are respectively a schematic
perspective view of a power supply unit group formed by combining
three power supply units according to an eighth embodiment with
each other, a schematic diagram of the power supply unit group as
viewed from above, and a schematic diagram of the inside of a power
supply unit;
[0024] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a charge and discharge
controlling device in a power supply unit according to the eighth
embodiment;
[0025] FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B are respectively a schematic diagram of
a power supply unit group as viewed from above, the power supply
unit group being formed by combining six power supply units in one
embodiment with each other, and a schematic perspective view of a
power supply unit having a casing in the shape of a regular
triangular prism; and
[0026] FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B are respectively a schematic
perspective view of a power supply unit having a casing in the
shape of a quadratic prism and a conceptual diagram of a power
supply unit group as viewed from a bottom surface side, the power
supply unit group being formed by combining three such power supply
units with each other.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] Embodiments of the present application will be described
below in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0028] However, the present technology is not limited to the
embodiments, and various numerical values and materials in the
embodiments are illustrative. Incidentally, description will be
made in the following order.
[0029] 1. Description of Power Supply Devices according to First to
Fourth Mode of Present Application and Generals
[0030] 2. First Embodiment (Power Supply Device according to First
Mode of Present Application)
[0031] 3. Second Embodiment (Modification of First Embodiment)
[0032] 4. Third Embodiment (Modification of First Embodiment and
Power Supply Device according to 1A Mode of Present
Application)
[0033] 5. Fourth Embodiment (Modification of First Embodiment and
Power Supply Device according to 1B Mode of Present
Application)
[0034] 6. Fifth Embodiment (Power Supply Device according to Second
Mode of Present Application)
[0035] 7. Sixth Embodiment (Power Supply Device according to Third
Mode of Present Application)
[0036] 8. Seventh Embodiment (Power Supply Device according to
Fourth Mode of Present Application)
[0037] 9. Eighth Embodiment (One Concrete Example of Power Supply
Unit)
[0038] 10. Ninth Embodiment (Modifications of First to Seventh
Embodiments) and Others
[0039] A power supply device according to a first mode can take a
form in which when a power supply unit is returned to a power
supply unit group, a control device checks whether the power supply
unit in question is a power supply unit removed from the power
supply unit group, and when the power supply unit in question is
not a power supply unit removed from the power supply unit group,
the control device does not send a cryptographic key to the power
supply unit in question and blocks communication between the
control device and the power supply unit in question. The power
supply device according to the first mode including such a form can
take a form in which when an authorized power supply unit (regular
power supply unit, the same being true in the following), the
authorized power supply unit not being a power supply unit removed
from the power supply unit group, is incorporated into the power
supply unit group, the control device checks whether the power
supply unit in question is an authorized power supply unit, and
when the power supply unit in question is an authorized power
supply unit, the control device sends the cryptographic key to the
power supply unit in question. Further, the power supply device
according to the first mode including these preferable forms can
take a form in which when an unauthorized power supply unit
(non-regular power supply unit, the same being true in the
following) is incorporated into the power supply unit group, the
control device checks whether the power supply unit in question is
an authorized power supply unit, and when the power supply unit in
question is an unauthorized power supply unit, the control device
does not send the cryptographic key to the power supply unit in
question and blocks communication between the control device and
the power supply unit in question.
[0040] Further, the power supply device according to the first mode
including the various preferable forms described above can have a
configuration further including a power generating device, wherein
the control device and the power generating device are connected to
each other by a communicating circuit, when communication between
the power generating device and the control device is blocked, the
control device updates the cryptographic key, and when the
communication between the power generating device and the control
device is restored, the control device checks whether the power
generating device in question is the power generating device when
the communication between the power generating device and the
control device was blocked, and when the power generating device in
question is the power generating device when the communication
between the power generating device and the control device was
blocked, the control device sends the cryptographic key to the
power generating device in question. Incidentally, the power supply
device of such a configuration will be referred to as a "power
supply device according to a 1A mode" for convenience. The power
supply device according to the 1A mode can take a form in which
when an authorized power generating device (regular power
generating device, the same being true in the following), though
the authorized power generating device is not the power generating
device when the communication between the power generating device
and the control device was blocked, is connected to the control
device by a communicating circuit, the control device checks
whether the power generating device in question is an authorized
power generating device, and when the power generating device in
question is an authorized power generating device, the control
device sends the cryptographic key to the power generating device
in question. The power supply device according to the 1A mode
including such a form can take a form in which when an unauthorized
power generating device (non-regular power generating device, the
same being true in the following) is connected to the control
device by a communicating circuit, the control device checks
whether the power generating device in question is an authorized
power generating device, and when the power generating device in
question is an unauthorized power generating device, the control
device does not send the cryptographic key to the power generating
device in question and blocks communication between the control
device and the power generating device in question.
[0041] Further, the power supply device according to the first mode
including the various preferable forms described above and the
power supply device according to the 1A mode can have a
configuration in which the control device and a power consuming
appliance are connected to each other by a communicating circuit,
when communication between the power consuming appliance and the
control device is blocked, the control device updates the
cryptographic key, and when the communication between the power
consuming appliance and the control device is restored, the control
device checks whether the power consuming appliance in question is
the power consuming appliance when the communication between the
power consuming appliance and the control device was blocked, and
when the power consuming appliance in question is the power
consuming appliance when the communication between the power
consuming appliance and the control device was blocked, the control
device sends the cryptographic key to the power consuming appliance
in question. Incidentally, the power supply device of such a
configuration will be referred to as a "power supply device
according to a 1B mode" for convenience. The power supply device
according to the 1B mode can take a form in which when an
authorized power consuming appliance (regular power consuming
appliance, the same being true in the following), though the
authorized power consuming appliance is not the power consuming
appliance when the communication between the power consuming
appliance and the control device was blocked, is connected to the
control device by a communicating circuit, the control device
checks whether the power consuming appliance in question is an
authorized power consuming appliance, and when the power consuming
appliance in question is an authorized power consuming appliance,
the control device sends the cryptographic key to the power
consuming appliance in question. The power supply device according
to the 1B mode including such a form can take a form in which when
an unauthorized power consuming appliance (non-regular power
consuming appliance, the same being true in the following) is
connected to the control device by a communicating circuit, the
control device checks whether the power consuming appliance in
question is an authorized power consuming appliance, and when the
power consuming appliance in question is an unauthorized power
consuming appliance, the control device does not send the
cryptographic key to the power consuming appliance in question and
blocks communication between the control device and the power
consuming appliance in question.
[0042] A power supply device according to a third mode can take a
form of further including a power generating device connected to a
power supply unit group, wherein a display device displays a state
of power generation of the power generating device, and a control
device selects a power supply unit on a basis of a selection from a
selecting device to supply power from the power generating device
to the selected power supply unit and charge the power supply
unit.
[0043] The power supply device according to the third mode
including such a preferable form or a power supply device according
to a second mode can have a configuration in which the power
generating device and the power supply unit group are connected to
each other via a radio power transmission circuit. Concrete
examples of the radio power transmission circuit (radio power
transmission system) in this case include radio power transmission
circuits of an electromagnetic induction system, a magnetic
resonance system and the like. For example, power generated by a
photovoltaic power generation system installed outdoors can be
transmitted indoors without passing through wiring, and stored in
the power supply unit group. This entirely eliminates a need for
interior wiring work and the like that have been necessary in the
past, and can therefore provide an optimum system for power
transmission between a veranda and the inside of a room in
collective housing, in particular. However, the radio power
transmission circuit is not limited to these examples.
[0044] Further, the power supply devices according to the first to
fourth modes including the various preferable forms and
configurations described above can have a configuration further
including a portable terminal including a display device, wherein
the control device and the portable terminal are connected to each
other by a communicating circuit. Thereby, a state of operation of
the power supply devices can be checked even at a remote place.
Further, a configuration can be formed in which mutual
authentication is performed between the control device and the
portable terminal at a time of connection, a cryptographic key is
shared between the control device and the portable terminal, and
communication encrypted by the cryptographic key is performed
between the control device and the portable terminal. Examples of
the portable terminal in this case include a portable telephone, a
PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a smart phone, a notebook
personal computer, and a tablet computer. However, the portable
terminal is not limited to these examples.
[0045] Further, the power supply devices according to the first to
fourth modes including the various preferable forms and
configurations described above can have, though not limited to, a
configuration in which the power supply units include: (A) a casing
having a shape of a prism; (B) a secondary battery cell housed
within the casing; (C) a charge and discharge controlling device
housed within the casing and connected to the secondary battery
cell; (D) at least one power input section disposed in the casing
and connected to the charge and discharge controlling device; and
(E) at least one power output section disposed in the casing and
connected to the charge and discharge controlling device.
Incidentally, a power supply unit of such a configuration will be
referred to as a "power supply unit in one embodiment" for
convenience.
[0046] The shape of the casing of a power supply unit in one
embodiment is a prism, and a plurality of power supply units can be
combined with each other. In addition, because at least one power
input section and at least one power output section are disposed in
the casing, the plurality of power supply units can be combined
with each other easily by connecting power input sections and power
output sections of the power supply units adjacent to each other.
In addition, for example, a plurality of various power supply units
different in capacity can be combined with each other and used as
one power supply unit group as a whole, that is, can be used as one
power supply unit group as a whole in a state of being mixed with
each other. Thus, fields of application of power supply units can
be expanded, and flexible provision can be made for various
requests in the fields of application. Further, for example, a
plurality of various power supply units different in degree of
degradation, use time, the number of charges or the like can be
combined with each other and used as one power supply unit group as
a whole, that is, can be used as one power supply unit group as a
whole in a state of being mixed with each other, and secondary
battery cells different in capacity, voltage or the like can be
used as a whole to construct one power supply unit group.
[0047] In the power supply devices according to the first to fourth
modes including the various preferable forms and configurations
described above (these power supply devices may be collectively
referred to simply as a power supply device according to one
embodiment), a minimum number of power supply units is two, and
there is no particular upper limit to the number of power supply
units.
[0048] In the power supply device according to one embodiment, the
power consuming appliance is connected to the power supply unit
group. However, one or a plurality of power consuming appliances
may be connected to one part of the power supply unit group, or one
or a plurality of power consuming appliances may be connected to a
plurality of parts of the power supply unit group. The power supply
unit group and the power consuming appliance may be connected to
each other by using wiring or by adopting a radio power
transmission system such as an electromagnetic induction system or
a magnetic resonance system, for example. Examples of the power
consuming appliance include a personal computer, a television
receiver, various display devices, a portable telephone, a PDA, a
digital still camera or a video camera, a camcorder, an electronic
device such as a music player or the like, a power tool such as an
electric drill or the like, a lighting fixture such as an interior
light or the like, a power supply unit or a home energy server
(storage device for household use), a medical device, a toy or the
like, a portable device, a DC amplifier, an audio-visual device
such as a speaker or the like, various household electric
appliances, a (wireless) feeding pad, an electric motorcycle, and
the like. However, the power consuming appliance is not limited to
these examples. In some cases, a power supply unit and a power
consuming appliance may be integral with each other. In addition, a
power supply in the power supply device according to one embodiment
includes a commercial power supply and a power generating device.
Examples of the power generating device in the power supply device
according to one embodiment include various solar batteries, a fuel
cell, a bio battery, a wind power generating device, a micro
hydroelectric power generating device, a geothermal power
generating device and the like, and various energy harvesting
devices. However, the power generating device is not limited to
these examples. The power generating device may be connected to one
part of the power supply unit group, or may be connected to a
plurality of parts of the power supply unit group. In addition, the
power generating device is not limited to one power generating
device, but a plurality of power generating devices may be
used.
[0049] Examples of the communicating circuit (communicating means)
for connecting the control device to each power supply unit, the
communicating circuit for connecting the control device to the
power generating device, the communicating circuit for connecting
the control device to the power consuming appliance, and the
communicating circuit for connecting the control device to the
portable terminal include a normal telephone line and an optical
fiber line including an Internet communication network, ZigBee,
radio, a LAN (Local Area Network), RC232, USB (Universal Serial
Bus), infrared rays including IrDA (Infrared Data Association),
Bluetooth and HomeRF (Home Radio Frequency) as one protocol of
wireless LANs, power line communication, or combinations thereof.
However, the communicating circuit is not limited to these
examples. Incidentally, in the power supply device according to the
first mode, the control device and each of the power supply units
may be connected to each other by a communicating circuit.
Alternatively, the control device and the power supply units may be
connected to each other by a communicating circuit via a
transmitting and receiving device, and another means (for example
the transmitting and receiving device) may detect that a power
supply unit is removed from the power supply unit group and that a
power supply unit is returned to the power supply unit group.
[0050] In the power supply device according to the first mode, a
cryptographic key is shared to perform communication between the
control device and each power supply unit. Cryptographic technology
itself and technology itself relating to the sharing of the
cryptographic key can be well known technology. It is desirable
that the cryptographic key be stored in the control device and each
power supply unit, or further stored in a storage device (for
example an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only
Memory)) provided to all devices included in the power supply
device according to the first mode. In updating the cryptographic
key, a new (updated) cryptographic key can be generated from the
present cryptographic key by a predetermined function (referred to
as a "transition function" for convenience) on the basis of
encrypting operation (for example block cipher processing).
However, such a transition function is desirably a unique function
different for each power supply device. Further, such a transition
function is desirably a secret function determined depending on a
secret key. Such a transition function can be implemented by using
a block cipher, for example. The transition function is desired to
make uniform transition between values in a space (for example a
space of {0, 1} 128 in the case of a cryptographic key of 128 bits)
that can be taken as values of the cryptographic key, not to have a
short closed loop (not to make transition in only a set of fixed
points), and not to have a fixed point (not to continue assuming a
same value after coming to a certain point), for example. Block
ciphers known to have sufficient strength such as AES (Advanced
Encryption Standard), CLEFIA and the like can be expected to
satisfy such requirements. Thereby, unless the transition function
or the secret key used in the transition function is leaked, a
cryptographic key in the past or in the future cannot be obtained
from a cryptographic key at a certain point in time, and security
can be ensured even if the cryptographic key at the certain point
in time is leaked. In addition, because the transition function is
different for each power supply device, a leakage of a
cryptographic key from a certain power supply unit does not affect
the security of another power supply device. A cryptographic key
updating technique itself can be a well known technique. The
removal of a power supply unit from a power supply unit group
includes not only a case where the power supply unit is physically
removed (detached) from the power supply unit group but also a case
where communication between the power supply unit and the control
device is blocked (including stoppage, disconnection, and the like,
the same being true in the following). The control device can
detect that a power supply unit is removed from the power supply
unit group by well known techniques. Specifically, the control
device can for example detect that a power supply unit is removed
from the power supply unit group by the following methods.
[0051] (1) A physical and electric device such as a switch or the
like senses that a power supply unit is physically removed
(detached) from the power supply unit group, and the control device
obtains a result of the sensing via the communicating circuit.
[0052] (2) A power supply unit remaining in the power supply unit
group senses a blockage of mutual communication between power
supply units, and the control device obtains a result of the
sensing via the communicating circuit.
[0053] (3) The control device detects that communication between a
power supply unit and the control device is blocked.
[0054] A power supply unit being returned to the power supply unit
group means that the power supply unit is physically incorporated
into the power supply unit group and that the power supply unit and
the control device are connected to each other by the communicating
circuit again.
[0055] In the power supply device according to the first mode, at a
time of manufacturing or the like, data obtained by connecting an
identifying mark (ID) unique to a power supply unit to an initial
value of the cryptographic key common to power supply units is
stored in the EEPROM of the power supply unit in advance, with a
digital signature given to the data. When the power supply unit is
returned to the power supply unit group, the control device checks
whether the power supply unit is a power supply unit removed from
the power supply unit group. Specifically, the control device
repeatedly obtains the cryptographic key updated on the basis of
the transition function from the cryptographic key stored in the
power supply unit when the power supply unit was removed from the
power supply unit group, and when the updated cryptographic key
coincides with the present cryptographic key, the control device
can determine that the power supply unit is a power supply unit
removed from the power supply unit group. Alternatively, the
control device repeatedly obtains the cryptographic key in the past
on the basis of an inverse function of the transition function from
the cryptographic key stored in the power supply unit when the
power supply unit was removed from the power supply unit group, and
when the obtained cryptographic key coincides with the
cryptographic key in the past which cryptographic key in the past
is stored in the control device, the control device can determine
that the power supply unit is a power supply unit removed from the
power supply unit group. Alternatively, an identifying mark (for
example a random number) generated by the control device when a
power supply unit is removed from the power supply unit group may
be stored in the storage device provided to the power supply unit
and the control device. Thereby, it can be determined that the
power supply unit is a power supply unit removed from the power
supply unit group on the basis of such an identifying mark.
Alternatively, a time when a power supply unit is removed from the
power supply unit group may be stored in the storage device
provided to the power supply unit and the control device. Thereby,
it can be determined that the power supply unit is a power supply
unit removed from the power supply unit group on the basis of such
a stored time. Alternatively, the digital signature given in
advance may be used. Alternatively, these methods may be combined
as appropriate. When the power supply unit is a power supply unit
removed from the power supply unit group, the cryptographic key is
sent to the power supply unit. The cryptographic key is the newest
(present) cryptographic key. The cryptographic key is stored in the
storage device provided to the power supply unit. Thereby the
incorporation of the power supply unit into the power supply unit
group is completed.
[0056] In the power supply device according to the first mode, when
an authorized power supply unit is incorporated into the power
supply unit group, the control device checks whether the power
supply unit is an authorized power supply unit. Specifically, in a
similar manner to that described above, the control device can
determine that the power supply unit is an authorized power supply
unit on the basis of the initial value of the cryptographic key and
the identifying mark (ID) given the digital signature, the initial
value of the cryptographic key and the identifying mark being given
in advance. When the power supply unit does not have the initial
value of the cryptographic key and the identifying mark given the
digital signature, it is determined that this power supply unit is
an unauthorized power supply unit. When the power supply unit is an
authorized power supply unit, the control device sends the
cryptographic key to the power supply unit. The cryptographic key
is the newest (present) cryptographic key. The cryptographic key is
stored in the storage device provided to the power supply unit.
Thereby the incorporation of the power supply unit into the power
supply unit group is completed. When the power supply unit is an
unauthorized power supply unit, on the other hand, the control
device does not send the cryptographic key to the power supply
unit, and blocks communication between the control device and the
power supply unit. Thereby, the operation of the power supply unit
is prohibited, and the power supply unit does not function.
[0057] In addition, in the power supply device according to the
first mode, the initial value of the cryptographic key and an
identifying mark (ID) given a digital signature is desirably given
also to a power generating device and a power consuming appliance
(the power generating device and the power consuming appliance may
hereinafter be referred to collectively as a "power generating
device and the like") in advance. When communication between the
power generating device and the like and the control device is
restored, the control device checks whether the power generating
device and the like are the power generating device and the like
when the communication was blocked. Specifically, the control
device repeatedly obtains the cryptographic key updated on the
basis of the transition function from the cryptographic key stored
in the power generating device and the like when the power
generating device and the like were removed from the power supply
unit group, and when the updated cryptographic key coincides with
the present cryptographic key, the control device can determine
that the power generating device and the like are the power
generating device and the like when the communication was blocked.
Alternatively, the control device repeatedly obtains the
cryptographic key in the past on the basis of an inverse function
of the transition function from the cryptographic key stored in the
power generating device and the like when the power generating
device and the like were removed from the power supply unit group,
and when the obtained cryptographic key coincides with the
cryptographic key in the past which cryptographic key in the past
is stored in the control device, the control device can determine
that the power generating device and the like are a power
generating device and the like removed from the power supply unit
group. Alternatively, an identifying mark (for example a random
number) generated by the control device when the communication was
blocked may be stored in the storage device provided to the power
generating device and the like. Thereby, it can be determined that
the power generating device and the like are the power generating
device and the like when the communication was blocked on the basis
of such an identifying mark. Alternatively, a time when the
communication was blocked may be stored in the storage device
provided to the power generating device and the like and the
control device. Thereby, it can be determined that the power
generating device and the like are the power generating device and
the like when the communication was blocked on the basis of such a
stored time. Alternatively, the initial value of the cryptographic
key and the identifying mark given the digital signature, the
initial value of the cryptographic key and the identifying mark
being given in advance, may be used. Alternatively, these methods
may be combined as appropriate. When the power generating device
and the like are the power generating device and the like when the
communication was blocked, the cryptographic key is sent to the
power generating device and the like. The cryptographic key is the
newest (present) cryptographic key. The cryptographic key is stored
in the storage device provided to the power generating device and
the like. Thereby the incorporation of the power generating device
and the like is completed.
[0058] In the power supply device according to the first mode, when
an authorized power generating device and the like are connected to
the control device by the communicating circuit, the control device
checks whether the power generating device and the like are an
authorized power generating device and the like. Specifically, as
described above, the control device can determine that the power
generating device and the like are an authorized power generating
device and the like on the basis of the initial value of the
cryptographic key and the identifying mark (ID) given the digital
signature, the initial value of the cryptographic key and the
identifying mark being given in advance. When the power generating
device and the like do not have the initial value of the
cryptographic key and the identifying mark given the digital
signature, it is determined that the power generating device and
the like are an unauthorized power generating device and the like.
When the power generating device and the like are an authorized
power generating device and the like, the control device sends the
cryptographic key to the power generating device and the like. The
cryptographic key is the newest (present) cryptographic key. The
cryptographic key is stored in the storage device provided to the
power generating device and the like. Thereby the incorporation of
the power generating device and the like is completed. When the
power generating device and the like are an unauthorized power
generating device and the like, on the other hand, the control
device does not send the cryptographic key to the power generating
device and the like, and blocks communication between the control
device and the power generating device and the like. Thereby, the
operation of the power generating device and the like is
prohibited, and the power generating device and the like do not
function.
[0059] A personal computer can be cited as the control device
having a display device and a selecting device in the power supply
devices according to the second to fourth modes, the control device
in the power supply device according to the first mode, or a part
of the control device. The display device can be any display
device. A pointing device and a keyboard can be cited as the
selecting device. Incidentally, examples of the pointing device
include a joystick, a pointing stick (trackpoint), a touch pad, a
touch panel, a stylus pen, a data glove, a trackball, a graphics
tablet, a mouse, a light pen, and a joy pad.
[0060] In the power supply device according to the second mode or a
preferable form of the power supply device according to the third
mode, the display device displays a state of power generation of
the power generating device and a state of charge and discharge of
each power supply unit. The control device and the power generating
device as well as the control device and each power supply unit are
connected to each other by the above-described communicating
circuit, for example. Then, it suffices for the control device to
receive the state of power generation of the power generating
device which state is obtained by a power generating device control
device provided in the power generating device on the basis of a
well known method via the communicating circuit, and display the
state of power generation of the power generating device on the
display device. Similarly, it suffices for the control device to
receive the states of charge and discharge of the power supply
units which states are obtained by power supply unit control
devices provided in the power supply units on the basis of a well
known method via the communicating circuit, and display the states
of charge and discharge of the power supply units on the display
device. The control device selects a power supply unit on the basis
of a selection from the selecting device. However, the selection of
a power supply unit from the selecting device may be made by an
operator. Alternatively, the operator inputs an instruction to
start the selection of a power supply unit from the selecting
device, and the control device orders the states of charge and
discharge of the power supply units (for example arranges the
states of charge and discharge of the power supply units in
decreasing order of discharge time, in decreasing order of
discharged power, or in increasing order of remaining amounts),
considers the state of power generation of the power generating
device, that is, determines the number of power supply units that
can be charged by the power generating device, and selects a power
supply unit. Then, in these cases, the control device establishes a
power supply line between the selected power supply unit and the
power generating device to supply power from the power generating
device to the selected power supply unit and charge the power
supply unit by a well known method under control of the power
supply unit control device.
[0061] In the power supply device according to the third mode, the
display device displays a state of power consumption of a power
consuming appliance and a state of charge and discharge of each
power supply unit. The control device and the power consuming
appliance as well as the control device and each power supply unit
are connected to each other by the above-described communicating
circuit, for example. Then, it suffices for the control device to
receive the power consumption state obtained by a power consuming
appliance control device provided in the power consuming appliance
on the basis of a well known method via the communicating circuit,
and display the power consumption state on the display device.
Similarly, it suffices for the control device to receive the states
of charge and discharge of the power supply units which states are
obtained by power supply unit control devices provided in the power
supply units on the basis of a well known method via the
communicating circuit, and display the states of charge and
discharge of the power supply units on the display device. The
control device selects a power supply unit on the basis of a
selection from the selecting device. However, the selection of a
power supply unit from the selecting device may be made by an
operator. Alternatively, the operator inputs an instruction to
start the selection of a power supply unit from the selecting
device, and the control device orders the states of charge and
discharge of the power supply units (for example arranges the
states of charge and discharge of the power supply units in
decreasing order of discharge time, in decreasing order of
discharged power, or in increasing order of remaining amounts),
considers the state of power consumption of the power consuming
appliance, that is, determines the number of power supply units
that can supply power to the power consuming appliance, and selects
a power supply unit. Then, in these cases, the control device
establishes a power supply line between the selected power supply
unit and the power consuming appliance to supply power from the
selected power supply unit to the power consuming appliance.
[0062] In the power supply device according to the fourth mode, the
display device displays a state of charge and discharge of each
power supply unit. The control device and each power supply unit
are connected to each other by the above-described communicating
circuit, for example. Then, it suffices for the control device to
receive the states of charge and discharge of the power supply
units which states are obtained by power supply unit control
devices provided in the power supply units on the basis of a well
known method via the communicating circuit, and display the states
of charge and discharge of the power supply units on the display
device. The control device selects power supply units on the basis
of a selection from the selecting device. However, the selection of
power supply units from the selecting device may be made by an
operator. Alternatively, the operator inputs an instruction to
start the selection of power supply units from the selecting
device, and the control device orders the states of charge and
discharge of the power supply units (for example arranges the
states of charge and discharge of the power supply units in
decreasing order of discharge time, in decreasing order of
discharged power, or in increasing order of remaining amounts). It
suffices for the control device to for example set a power supply
unit having a large remaining amount as a selected power supply
unit to output power and set a power supply unit having a small
remaining amount as a selected power supply unit to receive (to be
supplied with) power, and establish a power supply line between the
selected power supply unit to output power and the selected power
supply unit to receive (to be supplied with) power to transfer
power from the selected power supply unit to output power to the
selected power supply unit to receive (to be supplied with)
power.
[0063] In a power supply unit in an embodiment, charge and
discharge controlling device can take a form including an
integrated circuit for charge and discharge control and a DC-to-DC
converter. When the charge and discharge controlling device
includes the DC-to-DC converter, the output voltage of the power
supply unit can be made to be constant voltage, and output to the
outside stably. Incidentally, the integrated circuit for charge and
discharge control and the DC-to-DC converter themselves can be
formed by a well known integrated circuit for charge and discharge
control and a well known DC-to-DC converter.
[0064] The power supply unit in one embodiment including the
above-described preferable forms can have a configuration further
including:
[0065] (F) at least one information input section disposed in a
casing and connected to the charge and discharge controlling
device; and
[0066] (G) at least one information output section disposed in the
casing and connected to the charge and discharge controlling
device. When such a configuration is employed, and the whole of a
plurality of power supply units is connected to the control device
by a communicating circuit, control of the plurality of power
supply units by the control device, sending and receiving,
exchanges and the like of information in the plurality of power
supply units, checks of states of operation of the plurality of
power supply units, and display of the states of operation of the
plurality of power supply units, for example, are made possible.
Incidentally, the power input section may double as the information
input section, and the power output section may double as the
information output section.
[0067] The power supply unit in one embodiment including the
above-described preferable forms and configurations can take a form
in which the power input section is formed by a USB terminal
section and the power output section is formed by a USB terminal
section fitted to the power input section formed by the USB
terminal section. Alternatively, the power supply unit in one
embodiment including the above-described preferable form including
the configuration having at least one information input section and
at least one information output section described above can take a
form in which the power input section and the power output section
are formed by a radio power transmission circuit. Concrete examples
of the radio power transmission circuit (radio power transmission
system) in this case include radio power transmission circuits of
the various systems described above. However, the radio power
transmission circuit is not limited to these examples.
[0068] The shape of the casing of the power supply unit in one
embodiment including the various preferable forms and
configurations described above is desirably a configuration having
a shape such that a plurality of casings can be arranged without a
space between the plurality of casings. Concrete examples of a
sectional shape when the casing is sectioned in an imaginary plane
orthogonal to the axis of the casing having the shape of a prism
include: triangles including a regular triangular prism;
quadrangles including a square, a rectangle, and a parallelogram; a
regular hexagon; and arbitrary shapes enclosed by segments and
curves. Incidentally, the shape of the casing when the sectional
shape is a square or a rectangle can also be said to be a cube or a
rectangular parallelepiped. It suffices to fabricate the casing
from a plastic material, for example a thermoplastic resin, or
specifically, for example: a polyolefin base resin such as a
polyethylene resin, a polypropylene resin or the like; a polyamide
base resin such as polyamide 6, polyamide 66, polyamide MXD6, or
the like; a polyoxymethylene (polyacetal, POM) resin; a polyester
base resin such as a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin, a
polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) resin, or the like; a
polyphenylene sulfide resin; a styrene base resin such as a
polystyrene resin, an ABS resin, an AES resin, an AS resin, or the
like; a methacrylic base resin; a polycarbonate resin; a modified
polyphenylene ether (PPE) resin; a polysulfone resin; a
polyethersulfone resin; a polyarylate resin; a polyetherimide
resin; a polyamide-imide resin; a polyimide base resin; a polyether
ketone resin; a polyether ether ketone resin; a polyester carbonate
resin; or a liquid crystal polymer or the like. However, the casing
is not limited to this.
[0069] Alternatively, the casing of the power supply unit in one
embodiment including the various preferable forms and
configurations described above desirably has the shape of a regular
hexagonal prism. In this case, the power input section can be
provided in an odd-numbered side face of the casing having the
shape of the regular hexagonal prism, and the power output section
can be provided in an even-numbered side face of the casing having
the shape of the regular hexagonal prism. Incidentally, the power
input section may be provided in all odd-numbered side faces of the
casing having the shape of the regular hexagonal prism, or may be
provided in a part of the side faces. Similarly, the power output
section may be provided in all even-numbered side faces of the
casing having the shape of the regular hexagonal prism, or may be
provided in a part of the side faces.
[0070] Further, the power supply unit in one embodiment including
the various preferable forms and configurations described above can
have a configuration in which an input display device for
displaying the presence or absence of power input, the input
display device being connected to the charge and discharge
controlling device, is disposed in the vicinity of the power input
section, and an output display device for displaying the presence
or absence of power output, the output display device being
connected to the charge and discharge controlling device, is
disposed in the vicinity of the power output section. In this case,
the input display device and the output display device can have a
configuration including a display section formed of a member
transmitting light in the shape of an arrow and a light emitting
element disposed on the inside of the display section. Further, the
input display device and the output display device can be disposed
in a top face of the casing.
[0071] In the power supply unit in one embodiment including the
various preferable forms and configurations described above, a form
in which a plurality of power supply units are combined with each
other by connecting power input sections and power output sections
of the power supply units adjacent to each other can be cited as a
form of arrangement of the power supply units, and thereby a power
supply unit group is formed. Incidentally, as described above, a
minimum number of power supply units in the power supply unit group
is two, and there is no particular upper limit to the number of
power supply units. The plurality of power supply units may be
combined with each other two-dimensionally to form the power supply
unit group, or the plurality of power supply units may be combined
with each other three-dimensionally or in a state of being
laminated to thereby form the power supply unit group.
Alternatively, the plurality of power supply units may be combined
with each other two-dimensionally, and further combined with each
other three-dimensionally (in a state of being laminated). The
capacity and dimensions (size) of the power supply units forming
the power supply unit group and the number, output voltage,
capacity and the like of secondary battery cells forming the power
supply units may be the same in the power supply units, or may be
different between the power supply units.
First Embodiment
[0072] A first embodiment relates to a power supply device
according to a first mode. FIG. 1A is a conceptual diagram of the
power supply device according to the first embodiment. In addition,
FIG. 3 shows a flow of operation in the power supply device
according to the first embodiment.
[0073] The power supply device 100A according to the first
embodiment includes:
[0074] (a) a power supply unit group 10 composed of a plurality of
power supply units 11 and connected with a power consuming
appliance 13; and
[0075] (b) a control device 110 for controlling the power supply
unit group 10.
[0076] The control device 110 and each of the power supply units 11
are connected to each other by a communicating circuit 113. The
control device 110 is for example formed by a personal computer
including a liquid crystal display as a display device 111 and
including a keyboard and a mouse as a selecting device 112.
[0077] In this case, a commercial power supply 12 as a power supply
in the power supply device 100A may be connected to one part of the
power supply unit group 10, or may be connected to a plurality of
parts of the power supply unit group 10. In addition, one or a
plurality of power consuming appliances 13 may be connected to one
part of the power supply unit group 10, or one or a plurality of
power consuming appliances 13 may be connected to a plurality of
parts of the power supply unit group 10. FIG. 1A shows a form in
which the commercial power supply 12 is connected to one part of
the power supply unit group 10, and a plurality of power consuming
appliances 13 are connected to a plurality of parts of the power
supply unit group 10. The power supply unit group 10 and the power
consuming appliances 13 are connected to each other by using wiring
14. Alternatively, however, the power supply unit group 10 and the
power consuming appliances 13 may be connected to each other on the
basis of a radio power transmission system such as an
electromagnetic induction system or a magnetic resonance system,
for example. Incidentally, the wiring 14 for connecting the power
supply unit group 10 to the power consuming appliances 13 is
indicated by dotted lines, which represent a state in which the
power supply unit group 10 and the power consuming appliances 13
are already connected to each other by the wiring 14 or a state in
which the power supply unit group 10 and the power consuming
appliances 13 will be connected to each other by the wiring 14 in
the future. The same is also true in embodiments to be described in
the following. In some cases, a power supply unit 11 and a power
consuming appliance 13 may be integral with each other.
[0078] Incidentally, FIG. 1A shows only one system of the power
supply unit group 10, the power supply units 11, and the power
consuming appliances 13. However, there may be a plurality of
systems. The control device 110 and each of the power supply units
11 share a cryptographic key to perform communication between the
control device 110 and each of the power supply units 11. In this
case, the cryptographic key (network key) is denoted by "nki,"
which represents an ith cryptographic key and a state of the
cryptographic key having been updated i times. The initial value of
the cryptographic key is denoted by nk0. A digital signature is
performed by a secret key of a manufacturer and authorizer, and
attached to the initial value nk0 of the cryptographic key and the
individual IDs of the power supply units 11. This is to prevent the
initial value of the cryptographic key from being illegally copied
in an unauthorized product and misused. The control device 110
verifies the attached signature on the basis of a public key of the
manufacturer and authorizer, and confirms that the power supply
units 11 are authorized regular products. In the first embodiment,
the cryptographic key nki is stored in a storage device provided to
the control device 110 and a storage device provided to all devices
included in the power supply device 100A and connected to the
control device 110 by the communicating circuit 113.
[0079] The first embodiment uses ZigBee for the communicating
circuit 113 for connecting the control device 110 to each of the
power supply units 11. However, the communicating circuit 113 is
not limited to this. The same is also true in embodiments to be
described in the following. The control device 110 checks a state
of connection to each of the power supply units 11 periodically,
that is, at predetermined time intervals, and can easily detect
detachment or the like of each of the power supply units 11. That
is, the control device 110 detects that a power supply unit 11 is
removed from the power supply unit group 10, and detects that a
power supply unit 11 is returned to the power supply unit group.
Specifically, for example, a physical and electric device such as a
switch, for example, provided in a power supply unit 11 detects
that the power supply unit 11 is physically removed (detached) from
the power supply unit group 10, and this information is sent from
the power supply unit 11 to the control device 110, whereby the
control device 110 can detect that the power supply unit 11 is
removed from the power supply unit group 10. Alternatively, a power
supply unit 11 in the power supply unit group 10 sends information
indicating that mutual communication between power supply units 11
is blocked, for example, to the control device 110, whereby the
control device 110 can detect that a power supply unit 11 is
removed from the power supply unit group 10. Alternatively, when
communication between a power supply unit 11 and the control device
110 is blocked, the control device 110 can detect that the power
supply unit 11 is removed from the power supply unit group 10.
[0080] The control device 110 and each of the power supply units 11
share the cryptographic key nk.sub.i to perform communication
between the control device 110 and each of the power supply units
11. When a power supply unit is taken out to the outside or a power
supply unit is replaced, the power supply unit 11 is removed from
the power supply unit group 10. In the first embodiment, detecting
that the power supply unit 11 is removed from the power supply unit
group 10, the control device 110 updates the cryptographic key
nk.sub.i to a cryptographic key nk.sub.i+1. In updating the
cryptographic key, the new (updated) cryptographic key nk.sub.i+1
is generated from the present cryptographic key nk.sub.i on the
basis of a predetermined transition function Ek. For example,
[0081] nk.sub.1=Ek(nk.sub.0)
[0082] nk.sub.2=Ek(nk.sub.1) . . .
[0083] nk.sub.i+1=Ek(nk.sub.i)
[0084] nk.sub.1+2=Ek(nk.sub.i+1)
[0085] The transition function Ek is retained by the .sub.control
device 110, and the cryptographic key is updated by the control
device 110.
[0086] Thus, the updated new cryptographic key nk.sub.i+1 is sent
to each of the power supply units 11 connected to the control
device .sub.110 by the communicating circuit 113, and stored in the
storage device provided to each of the power supply units 11.
[0087] When a power supply unit 11 is returned to the power supply
unit group 10, or specifically, when the power supply unit 11 is
physically incorporated into the power supply unit group 10, and
the power supply unit 11 and the control device 110 are connected
to each other by the communicating circuit 113 again, the control
device 110 checks whether the power supply unit 11 is a power
supply unit 11 removed from the power supply unit group 10.
[0088] Specifically, the control device 110 repeatedly obtains the
cryptographic key updated on the basis of the transition function
Ek from the cryptographic key nk.sub.j stored in the power supply
unit 11 when the power supply unit 11 was removed from the power
supply unit group 10, and when the updated cryptographic key
coincides with the present cryptographic key nk.sub.j+k, the
control device 110 can determine that the power supply unit 11 is a
power supply unit removed from the power supply unit group 10.
Alternatively, the control device repeatedly obtains the
cryptographic key in the past on the basis of an inverse function
Ek.sup.-1 of the transition function from the cryptographic key
stored in the power supply unit 11 when the power supply unit 11
was removed from the power supply unit group 10, and when the
obtained cryptographic key coincides with the cryptographic key in
the past which cryptographic key in the past is stored in the
control device 110, the control device 110 can determine that the
power supply unit 11 is a power supply unit removed from the power
supply unit group 10. Alternatively, an identifying mark (for
example a random number) generated by the control device 110 when a
power supply unit 11 is removed from the power supply unit group 10
may be stored in the power supply unit 11 and the control device
110. Thereby, it can be determined that the power supply unit 11 is
a power supply unit removed from the power supply unit group 10 on
the basis of such an identifying mark. Alternatively, a time when a
power supply unit 11 is removed from the power supply unit group 10
may be stored in the power supply unit 11 and the control device
110. Thereby, it can be determined that the power supply unit 11 is
a power supply unit removed from the power supply unit group 10 on
the basis of such a stored time. Alternatively, the identifying
mark and the initial value nk.sub.0 of the cryptographic key given
a digital signature, the identifying mark and the initial value
nk.sub.0 of the cryptographic key being given in advance, may be
used. Alternatively, these methods may be combined as
appropriate.
[0089] When the power supply unit 11 is a power supply unit removed
from the power supply unit group 10, the cryptographic key
nk.sub.j+k is sent to the power supply unit 11. The power supply
unit 11 stores the cryptographic key nk.sub.j+k in the storage
device of the power supply unit 11. Thereby the incorporation of
the power supply unit 11 into the power supply unit group 10 is
completed.
[0090] When a power supply unit 11 is returned to the power supply
unit group 10, the control device 110 checks whether the power
supply unit 11 is a power supply unit removed from the power supply
unit group 10, as described above. When the power supply unit 11 is
not a power supply unit removed from the power supply unit group
10, and the power supply unit 11 has been incorporated into another
power supply unit group once, that is, for example when the control
device 110 has repeatedly obtained the cryptographic key a
predetermined number of times on the basis of the transition
function Ek from the cryptographic key nk'.sub.j stored in the
power supply unit 11, but the cryptographic key does not coincide
with the present cryptographic key nk.sub.j+k, the control device
110 determines that the power supply unit 11 is not a power supply
unit removed from the power supply unit group 10. Then, the control
device 110 does not send the cryptographic key to the power supply
unit, and blocks communication between the control device 110 and
the power supply unit. Thereby, the operation of the power supply
unit is prohibited, and the power supply unit does not
function.
[0091] Suppose that a new power supply unit 11 is incorporated into
the power supply unit group 10 in the first embodiment. The newly
incorporated power supply unit 11 is not a power supply unit
removed from the power supply unit group 10 but is a power supply
unit that has not been incorporated into the power supply unit
group 10 once. When the power supply unit 11 is an authorized power
supply unit, an identifying mark and the initial value nk.sub.0 of
the cryptographic key given a digital signature, the identifying
mark and the initial value nk.sub.0 of the cryptographic key being
given in advance, are stored in the power supply unit 11. When the
power supply unit 11 is incorporated into the power supply unit
group 10, the control device 110 checks whether the power supply
unit 11 is an authorized power supply unit. Specifically, the
control device 110 determines that the power supply unit 11 is an
authorized power supply unit on the basis of the identifying mark
and the initial value nk.sub.0 of the cryptographic key given the
digital signature, the identifying mark and the initial value
nk.sub.0 of the cryptographic key being given in advance. When the
power supply unit is an authorized power supply unit, the control
device 110 sends the cryptographic key nk.sub.i to the power supply
unit, and the cryptographic key nk.sub.i is stored in the power
supply unit. Thus, the incorporation of the new power supply unit
into the power supply unit group is completed.
[0092] When the power supply unit does not have the identifying
mark and the initial value nk.sub.0 of the cryptographic key given
the digital signature, on the other hand, it is determined that the
power supply unit is an unauthorized power supply unit. Then, in
this case, the control device 110 does not send the cryptographic
key to the power supply unit, and blocks communication between the
control device 110 and the power supply unit. Thereby, the
operation of the power supply unit is prohibited, and the power
supply unit does not function.
[0093] Thus, in the power supply device 100A according to the first
embodiment, when a power supply unit 11 is removed from the power
supply unit group 10, the control device 110 updates the
cryptographic key nk.sub.i shared to perform communication between
the control device 110 and each of the power supply units 11 to a
cryptographic key nk.sub.i+1 on the basis of the transition
function Ek. Thus, even in a case where the cryptographic key
nk.sub.i is extracted by analyzing a power supply unit 11 removed
from the power supply unit group 10, and the cryptographic key
nk.sub.i is incorporated into another power supply unit, or in a
case where an attempt is made to incorporate a different power
supply unit into the power supply unit group 10, the cryptographic
key does not coincide when an attempt is made to incorporate these
power supply units into the power supply unit group 10. Thereby,
the operation of these power supply unit is prohibited, and these
power supply unit do not function. Thus, the power supply device
100A can be provided with high levels of security and
reliability.
Second Embodiment
[0094] A second embodiment is a modification of the first
embodiment. FIG. 1B is a conceptual diagram of a power supply
device according to the second embodiment.
[0095] In the power supply device 100B according to the second
embodiment, a control device 110 and power supply units 11 are
connected to each other by a communicating circuit 113 via a
transmitting and receiving device 114, and power is supplied to
each of the power supply units 11 by a radio power transmission
circuit 115 of an electromagnetic induction system which circuit is
included in the transmitting and receiving device 114. That is, the
transmitting and receiving device 114 also functions as a so-called
battery stand. The transmitting and receiving device 114 is
supplied with power from a commercial power supply 12. The control
device 110 detects via the transmitting and receiving device 114
that a power supply unit 11 is removed from a power supply unit
group 10 and that a power supply unit 11 is returned to the power
supply unit group.
[0096] Incidentally, FIG. 1B shows only one system of the
transmitting and receiving device 114, the radio power transmission
circuit 115, the power supply unit group 10, the power supply units
11, and power consuming appliances 13. However, there may be a
plurality of systems.
[0097] Except for the above points, the configuration, structure,
cryptographic key processing and the like of the power supply
device 100B according to the second embodiment can be made similar
to the configuration, structure, cryptographic key processing and
the like of the power supply device 100A according to the first
embodiment, and therefore detailed description thereof will be
omitted.
Third Embodiment
[0098] A third embodiment is also a modification of the first
embodiment, but relates to a power supply device according to a 1A
mode. FIG. 2A is a conceptual diagram of a power supply device
according to the third embodiment.
[0099] In the third embodiment, the power supply device 100C
further includes a power generating device 15, and a control device
110 and the power generating device 15 are connected to each other
by a communicating circuit 116. The third embodiment uses ZigBee
for the communicating circuit 116 for connecting the control device
110 to the power generating device 15. However, the communicating
circuit 116 is not limited to this. In addition, the power
generating device 15 is specifically formed by a solar battery. In
this case, the power generating device 15 may be connected to one
part of a power supply unit group 10, or may be connected to a
plurality of parts of the power supply unit group 10. In addition,
the power generating device 15 is not limited to one power
generating device, but may be a plurality of power generating
devices. FIG. 2A shows a form in which one power generating device
15 is connected to one part of the power supply unit group 10, and
a plurality of power consuming appliances 13 are connected to a
plurality of parts of the power supply unit group 10. In addition,
an identifying mark and the initial value nk.sub.0 of a
cryptographic key given a digital signature is given to the power
generating device 15 in advance. The power supply unit group 10 and
the power generating device 15 are connected to each other by using
wiring 16. Alternatively, however, the power supply unit group 10
and the power generating device 15 may be connected to each other
on the basis of a radio power transmission system such as an
electromagnetic induction system or a magnetic resonance system,
for example.
[0100] When communication between the power generating device 15
and the control device 110 is blocked, or specifically, when the
power generating device 15 is removed or when the operation of the
power generating device 15 is stopped, the control device 110
updates a present cryptographic key nk.sub.i to a new cryptographic
key nk.sub.i+1. Then, when the communication between the power
generating device 15 and the control device 110 is restored, the
control device 110 checks whether the power generating device 15 is
the power generating device when the communication between the
power generating device 15 and the control device 110 was
blocked.
[0101] Specifically, the control device 110 repeatedly obtains the
cryptographic key updated on the basis of the transition function
Ek from the cryptographic key nk.sub.j stored in the power
generating device 15 when the power generating device 15 was
removed from the power supply unit group 10, and when the updated
cryptographic key coincides with the present cryptographic key
nk.sub.j+k, the control device 110 can determine that the power
generating device 15 is the power generating device 15 when the
communication was blocked. Alternatively, the control device
repeatedly obtains the cryptographic key in the past on the basis
of an inverse function Ek.sup.-1 of the transition function from
the cryptographic key stored in the power generating device 15 when
the power generating device 15 was removed from the power supply
unit group, and when the obtained cryptographic key coincides with
the cryptographic key in the past which cryptographic key in the
past is stored in the control device, the control device 110 can
determine that the power generating device 15 is the power
generating device 15 removed from the power supply unit group.
Alternatively, an identifying mark (for example a random number)
generated by the control device 110 when the communication was
blocked may be stored in the storage device provided to the power
generating device 15. Thereby, it can be determined that the power
generating device 15 is the power generating device 15 when the
communication was blocked on the basis of such an identifying mark.
Alternatively, a time when the communication was blocked may be
stored in the storage device provided to the power generating
device 15 and the control device 110. Thereby, it can be determined
that the power generating device 15 is the power generating device
15 when the communication was blocked on the basis of such a stored
time. Alternatively, the identifying mark and the initial value
nk.sub.0 of the cryptographic key given the digital signature, the
identifying mark and the initial value nk.sub.0 of the
cryptographic key being given in advance, may be used.
Alternatively, these methods may be combined as appropriate.
[0102] When the power generating device 15 is the power generating
device 15 when the communication between the power generating
device 15 and the control device 110 was blocked, the cryptographic
key nk.sub.j+k is sent to the power generating device. The
cryptographic key nk.sub.j+k is stored in the storage device
provided to the power generating device 15. Thereby the
incorporation of the power generating device 15 into the power
supply unit group 10 is completed.
[0103] The above operation can be made essentially similar to the
cryptographic key processing method described in the first
embodiment, and therefore detailed description thereof will be
omitted.
[0104] In addition, when a power generating device that is not the
power generating device when the communication between the power
generating device 15 and the control device 110 was blocked but is
an authorized power generating device is connected to the control
device 110 by the communicating circuit 116, the control device 110
checks whether the power generating device is an authorized power
generating device. When the power generating device is an
authorized power generating device, the control device 110 sends
the cryptographic key to the power generating device. Such an
operation can also be made similar to the operation described in
the first embodiment, and therefore detailed description thereof
will be omitted. Further, when an unauthorized power generating
device is connected to the control device 110 by the communicating
circuit 116, the control device 110 checks whether the power
generating device is an authorized power generating device. When
the power generating device is an unauthorized power generating
device, the control device 110 does not send the cryptographic key
to the power generating device, and blocks communication between
the control device 110 and the power generating device. Such an
operation can also be made similar to the operation described in
the first embodiment, and therefore detailed description thereof
will be omitted. Incidentally, the power supply device according to
the third embodiment and the power supply device according to the
second embodiment may be combined with each other.
Fourth Embodiment
[0105] A fourth embodiment is also a modification of the first
embodiment, but relates to a power supply device according to a 1B
mode. FIG. 2B is a conceptual diagram of a power supply device
according to the fourth embodiment.
[0106] In the power supply device 100D according to the fourth
embodiment, a control device 110 and power consuming appliances 13A
are connected to each other by a communicating circuit 117. The
fourth embodiment also uses ZigBee for the communicating circuit
117 for connecting the control device 110 to the power consuming
appliances 13A. However, the communicating circuit 117 is not
limited to this. The power consuming appliances 13A may be
connected to one part of a power supply unit group 10, or may be
connected to a plurality of parts of the power supply unit group
10. An identifying mark and the initial value nk.sub.0 of a
cryptographic key given a digital signature is given also to the
power consuming appliances 13A in advance. The power supply unit
group 10 and the power consuming appliances 13A are connected to
each other by using wiring 14, as in the first embodiment.
Alternatively, however, the power supply unit group 10 and the
power consuming appliances 13A may be connected to each other on
the basis of a radio power transmission system such as an
electromagnetic induction system or a magnetic resonance system,
for example.
[0107] When communication between a power consuming appliance 13A
and the control device 110 is blocked, or specifically, when a
power consuming appliance 13A is removed or when the operation of a
power consuming appliance 13A is stopped, the control device 110
updates a present cryptographic key nk.sub.i to a new cryptographic
key nk.sub.i+1. Then, when the communication between the power
consuming appliance 13A and the control device 110 is restored, the
control device 110 checks whether the power consuming appliance 13A
is the power consuming appliance when the communication between the
power consuming appliance 13A and the control device 110 was
blocked.
[0108] Specifically, the control device 110 repeatedly obtains the
cryptographic key updated on the basis of the transition function
Ek from the cryptographic key nk.sub.j stored in the power
consuming appliance 13A when the power consuming appliance 13A was
removed from the power supply unit group 10, and when the updated
cryptographic key coincides with the present cryptographic key
nk.sub.j+k, the control device 110 can determine that the power
consuming appliance 13A is the power consuming appliance 13A when
the communication was blocked. Alternatively, the control device
repeatedly obtains the cryptographic key in the past on the basis
of an inverse function Ek.sup.-1 of the transition function from
the cryptographic key stored in the power consuming appliance 13A
when the power consuming appliance 13A was removed from the power
supply unit group, and when the obtained cryptographic key
coincides with the cryptographic key in the past which
cryptographic key in the past is stored in the control device, the
control device 110 can determine that the power consuming appliance
13A is the power consuming appliance removed from the power supply
unit group. Alternatively, an identifying mark (for example a
random number) generated by the control device 110 when the
communication was blocked may be stored in the storage device
provided to the power consuming appliance 13A. Thereby, it can be
determined that the power consuming appliance 13A is the power
consuming appliance 13A when the communication was blocked on the
basis of such an identifying mark. Alternatively, a time when the
communication was blocked may be stored in the storage device
provided to the power consuming appliance 13A and the control
device 110. Thereby, it can be determined that the power consuming
appliance 13A is the power consuming appliance 13A when the
communication was blocked on the basis of such a stored time.
Alternatively, it can be determined that the power consuming
appliance 13A is the power consuming appliance 13A when the
communication was blocked from the identifying mark and the initial
value nk.sub.0 of the cryptographic key given the digital
signature, the identifying mark and the initial value nk.sub.0 of
the cryptographic key being given in advance. Alternatively, these
methods may be combined as appropriate.
[0109] When the power consuming appliance 13A is the power
consuming appliance when the communication between the power
consuming appliance 13A and the control device 110 was blocked, the
cryptographic key nk.sub.j+k is sent to the power consuming
appliance. The cryptographic key nk.sub.j+k is stored in the
storage device provided to the power consuming appliance 13A.
Thereby the incorporation of the power consuming appliance 13A into
the power supply unit group 10 is completed.
[0110] The above operation can be made essentially similar to the
cryptographic key processing method described in the first
embodiment, and therefore detailed description thereof will be
omitted.
[0111] In addition, when a power consuming appliance that is not
the power consuming appliance when the communication between the
power consuming appliance 13A and the control device 110 was
blocked but is an authorized power consuming appliance is connected
to the control device 110 by the communicating circuit 117, the
control device 110 checks whether the power consuming appliance is
an authorized power consuming appliance. When the power consuming
appliance is an authorized power consuming appliance, the control
device 110 sends the cryptographic key to the power consuming
appliance. Such an operation can also be made similar to the
operation described in the first embodiment, and therefore detailed
description thereof will be omitted. Further, when an unauthorized
power consuming appliance is connected to the control device 110 by
the communicating circuit 117, the control device 110 checks
whether the power consuming appliance is an authorized power
consuming appliance. When the power consuming appliance is an
unauthorized power consuming appliance, the control device 110 does
not send the cryptographic key to the power consuming appliance,
and blocks communication between the control device 110 and the
power consuming appliance. Such an operation can also be made
similar to the operation described in the first embodiment, and
therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.
[0112] Incidentally, the power supply device according to the
fourth embodiment and the power supply device according to the
second embodiment may be combined with each other. The power supply
device according to the fourth embodiment and the power supply
device according to the third embodiment may be combined with each
other. The power supply device according to the fourth embodiment,
the power supply device according to the first embodiment, and the
power supply device according to the third embodiment may be
combined with each other. The power supply device according to the
fourth embodiment, the power supply device according to the second
embodiment, and the power supply device according to the third
embodiment may be combined with each other.
Fifth Embodiment
[0113] A fifth embodiment relates to a power supply device
according to a second mode. FIG. 4 schematically shows an example
of a screen of a display device 111 in a control device 110 forming
a power supply device 100C according to the fifth embodiment.
[0114] As with the power supply device 100C according to the third
embodiment, the power supply device 100C according to the fifth
embodiment includes:
[0115] (a) a power supply unit group 10 composed of a plurality of
power supply units 11 and connected to a power generating device
15; and
[0116] (b) a control device 110 for controlling the power supply
unit group 10, the control device 110 having a display device 111
and a selecting device 112.
[0117] In the power supply device 100C according to the fifth
embodiment, the control device 110 and the power generating device
15 as well as the control device 110 and each of the power supply
units 11 are connected to each other by a communicating circuits
116 and 113. The display device 111 displays a state of power
generation of the power generating device 15 and a state of charge
and discharge of each of the power supply units 11. Specifically,
the control device 110 receives the state of power generation of
the power generating device which state is obtained by a power
generating device control device (not shown) provided in the power
generating device 15 on the basis of a well known method via the
communicating circuit 116, and displays the state of power
generation of the power generating device on the display device
111. Similarly, the control device 110 receives the states of
charge and discharge of the power supply units 11 which states are
obtained by power supply unit control devices (not shown) provided
in the power supply units 11 on the basis of a well known method
via the communicating circuit 113, and displays the states of
charge and discharge of the power supply units on the display
device 111.
[0118] In the fifth embodiment, the control device 110 selects a
power supply unit 11 on the basis of a selection from the selecting
device 112, and supplies power from the power generating device 15
to the selected power supply unit 11 to charge the power supply
unit 11. Specifically, while the control device 110 selects a power
supply unit 11 on the basis of a selection from the selecting
device 112, the selection of a power supply unit 11 from the
selecting device 112 may be made by an operator. Alternatively, the
operator inputs an instruction to start the selection of a power
supply unit 11 from the selecting device 112. Then, the control
device 110 orders the states of charge and discharge of the power
supply units 11. Specifically, the control device 110 for example
arranges the states of charge and discharge of the power supply
units in decreasing order of discharge time, in decreasing order of
discharged power, or in increasing order of remaining amounts. The
control device 110 considers the state of power generation of the
power generating device 15, or specifically, determines the number
of power supply units 11 that can be charged by the power
generating device 15, and selects a power supply unit 11. Then, the
control device 110 establishes a power supply line between the
selected power supply unit 11 and the power generating device 15,
or specifically, establishes conduction between the selected power
supply unit 11 and the power generating device 15 by controlling a
switch group (not shown) provided to the power supply unit group
10, to supply power from the power generating device 15 to the
selected power supply unit 11 and charge the power supply unit 11
by a well known method under control of the power supply unit
control device.
[0119] In the power supply device 100C according to the fifth
embodiment, the display device 111 displays a state of power
generation of the power generating device 15 and a state of charge
and discharge of each of the power supply units 11, and the control
device 110 selects a power supply unit 11 on the basis of a
selection from the selecting device 112. Therefore, a power supply
unit 11 that needs charging can be selected easily depending on the
state of power generation of the power generating device 15 and the
states of charge and discharge of the power supply units 11.
[0120] Incidentally, the power supply device according to the fifth
embodiment and the power supply device according to the second
embodiment may be combined with each other. The power supply device
according to the fifth embodiment and the power supply device
according to the third embodiment may be combined with each other.
The power supply device according to the fifth embodiment and the
power supply device according to the fourth embodiment may be
combined with each other. The power supply device according to the
fifth embodiment, the power supply device according to the first
embodiment, and the power supply device according to the third
embodiment may be combined with each other. The power supply device
according to the fifth embodiment, the power supply device
according to the first embodiment, and the power supply device
according to the fourth embodiment may be combined with each other.
The power supply device according to the fifth embodiment, the
power supply device according to the second embodiment, and the
power supply device according to the third embodiment may be
combined with each other. The power supply device according to the
fifth embodiment, the power supply device according to the second
embodiment, and the power supply device according to the fourth
embodiment may be combined with each other. The power supply device
according to the fifth embodiment, the power supply device
according to the third embodiment, and the power supply device
according to the fourth embodiment may be combined with each other.
The power supply device according to the fifth embodiment, the
power supply device according to the first embodiment, the power
supply device according to the third embodiment, and the power
supply device according to the fourth embodiment may be combined
with each other. The power supply device according to the fifth
embodiment, the power supply device according to the second
embodiment, the power supply device according to the third
embodiment, and the power supply device according to the fourth
embodiment may be combined with each other.
Sixth Embodiment
[0121] A sixth embodiment relates to a power supply device
according to a third mode. FIG. 5 schematically shows an example of
a screen of a display device 111 in a control device 110 forming a
power supply device 100D according to the sixth embodiment.
[0122] As with the power supply device 100D according to the fourth
embodiment, the power supply device 100D according to the sixth
embodiment includes:
[0123] (a) a power supply unit group 10 composed of a plurality of
power supply units 11 and connected with power consuming appliances
13A; and
[0124] (b) a control device 110 for controlling the power supply
unit group 10, the control device 110 having a display device 111
and a selecting device 112.
[0125] In the power supply device 100D according to the sixth
embodiment, the control device 110 and each of the power supply
units 11 as well as the control device 110 and the power consuming
appliances 13A are connected to each other by communicating
circuits 113 and 117. The display device 111 displays states of
power consumption of the power consuming appliances 13A and a state
of charge and discharge of each of the power supply units 11.
Specifically, the control device 110 receives the power consumption
states obtained by power consuming appliance control devices (not
shown) provided in the power consuming appliances 13A on the basis
of a well known method via the communicating circuit 117, and
displays the power consumption states on the display device 111.
Similarly, the control device 110 receives the states of charge and
discharge of the power supply units 11 which states are obtained by
power supply unit control devices (not shown) provided in the power
supply units 11 on the basis of a well known method via the
communicating circuit 113, and displays the states of charge and
discharge of the power supply units 11 on the display device
111.
[0126] In the sixth embodiment, the control device 110 selects a
power supply unit 11 on the basis of a selection from the selecting
device 112, and supplies power from the selected power supply unit
11 to a power consuming appliance 13A. Specifically, the selection
of a power supply unit 11 from the selecting device 112 may be made
by an operator. Alternatively, the operator inputs an instruction
to start the selection of a power supply unit 11 from the selecting
device 112. Then, the control device 110 orders the states of
charge and discharge of the power supply units 11. Specifically,
the control device 110 for example arranges the states of charge
and discharge of the power supply units in decreasing order of
discharge time, in decreasing order of discharged power, or in
increasing order of remaining amounts. The control device 110
considers the state of power consumption of a power consuming
appliance 13A, or specifically, determines the number of power
supply units 11 that can supply power to the power consuming
appliance 13A, and selects a power supply unit. Then, the control
device 110 establishes a power supply line between the selected
power supply unit 11 and the power consuming appliance 13A, or
specifically, establishes conduction between the selected power
supply unit 11 and the power consuming appliance 13A by controlling
a switch group (not shown) provided to the power supply unit group
10, to supply power from the selected power supply unit 11 to the
power consuming appliance 13A.
[0127] In the power supply device 100D according to the sixth
embodiment, the display device 111 displays states of power
consumption of the power consuming appliances 13A and a state of
charge and discharge of each of the power supply units 11, and the
control device 110 selects a power supply unit 11 on the basis of a
selection from the selecting device 112. Therefore, a power supply
unit 11 to be used can be selected easily depending on the states
of power consumption of the power consuming appliances 13A
connected to the power supply units 11 and the states of charge and
discharge of the power supply units 11.
[0128] Incidentally, the power supply device according to the sixth
embodiment and the power supply device described in the fifth
embodiment can be combined with each other. Specifically, the power
supply device according to the sixth embodiment further includes a
power generating device 15 connected to the power supply unit group
10. The display device 111 displays a state of power generation of
the power generating device 15. The control device 110 selects a
power supply unit 11 on the basis of a selection from the selecting
device 112. Power is supplied from the power generating device 15
to the selected power supply unit 11 to charge the power supply
unit 11.
[0129] Alternatively, the power supply device according to the
sixth embodiment and the power supply device according to the
second embodiment may be combined with each other. The power supply
device according to the sixth embodiment and the power supply
device according to the third embodiment may be combined with each
other. The power supply device according to the sixth embodiment
and the power supply device according to the fourth embodiment may
be combined with each other. The power supply device according to
the sixth embodiment, the power supply device according to the
first embodiment, and the power supply device according to the
third embodiment may be combined with each other. The power supply
device according to the sixth embodiment, the power supply device
according to the first embodiment, and the power supply device
according to the fourth embodiment may be combined with each other.
The power supply device according to the sixth embodiment, the
power supply device according to the first embodiment, and the
power supply device according to the fifth embodiment may be
combined with each other. The power supply device according to the
sixth embodiment, the power supply device according to the second
embodiment, and the power supply device according to the third
embodiment may be combined with each other. The power supply device
according to the sixth embodiment, the power supply device
according to the second embodiment, and the power supply device
according to the fourth embodiment may be combined with each other.
The power supply device according to the sixth embodiment, the
power supply device according to the second embodiment, and the
power supply device according to the fifth embodiment may be
combined with each other. The power supply device according to the
sixth embodiment, the power supply device according to the third
embodiment, and the power supply device according to the fourth
embodiment may be combined with each other. The power supply device
according to the sixth embodiment, the power supply device
according to the third embodiment, and the power supply device
according to the fifth embodiment may be combined with each other.
The power supply device according to the sixth embodiment, the
power supply device according to the fourth embodiment, and the
power supply device according to the fifth embodiment may be
combined with each other. The power supply device according to the
sixth embodiment, the power supply device according to the first
embodiment, the power supply device according to the third
embodiment, and the power supply device according to the fourth
embodiment may be combined with each other. The power supply device
according to the sixth embodiment, the power supply device
according to the first embodiment, the power supply device
according to the third embodiment, and the power supply device
according to the fifth embodiment may be combined with each other.
The power supply device according to the sixth embodiment, the
power supply device according to the first embodiment, the power
supply device according to the fourth embodiment, and the power
supply device according to the fifth embodiment may be combined
with each other. The power supply device according to the sixth
embodiment, the power supply device according to the second
embodiment, the power supply device according to the third
embodiment, and the power supply device according to the fourth
embodiment may be combined with each other. The power supply device
according to the sixth embodiment, the power supply device
according to the second embodiment, the power supply device
according to the third embodiment, and the power supply device
according to the fifth embodiment may be combined with each other.
The power supply device according to the sixth embodiment, the
power supply device according to the second embodiment, the power
supply device according to the fourth embodiment, and the power
supply device according to the fifth embodiment may be combined
with each other. The power supply device according to the sixth
embodiment, the power supply device according to the third
embodiment, the power supply device according to the fourth
embodiment, and the power supply device according to the fifth
embodiment may be combined with each other. The power supply device
according to the sixth embodiment, the power supply device
according to the first embodiment, the power supply device
according to the third embodiment, the power supply device
according to the fourth embodiment, and the power supply device
according to the fifth embodiment may be combined with each other.
The power supply device according to the sixth embodiment, the
power supply device according to the second embodiment, the power
supply device according to the third embodiment, the power supply
device according to the fourth embodiment, and the power supply
device according to the fifth embodiment may be combined with each
other.
Seventh Embodiment
[0130] A seventh embodiment relates to a power supply device
according to a fourth mode. FIG. 6 schematically shows an example
of a screen of a display device 111 in a control device 110 forming
a power supply device 100A according to the seventh embodiment.
[0131] As with the power supply device 100A according to the first
embodiment, the power supply device 100A according to the seventh
embodiment includes:
[0132] (a) a power supply unit group 10 composed of a plurality of
power supply units 11; and
[0133] (b) a control device 110 for controlling the power supply
unit group 10, the control device 110 having a display device 111
and a selecting device 112.
[0134] In the power supply device 100A according to the seventh
embodiment, the control device 110 and each of the power supply
units 11 are connected to each other by a communicating circuit
113. The display device 111 displays a state of charge and
discharge of each of the power supply units 11. Specifically, the
control device 110 receives the states of charge and discharge of
the power supply units 11 which states are obtained by power supply
unit control devices (not shown) provided in the power supply units
11 on the basis of a well known method via the communicating
circuit 113, and displays the states of charge and discharge of the
power supply units 11 on the display device 111.
[0135] In the seventh embodiment, the control device 110 selects a
power supply unit to output power and a power supply unit to
receive (be supplied with) power on the basis of a selection from
the selecting device 112, and makes power transferred from the
selected power supply unit to output power to the selected power
supply unit to receive (be supplied with) power. Specifically, the
control device 110 receives the states of charge and discharge of
the power supply units 11 which states are obtained by power supply
unit control devices (not shown) provided in the power supply units
11 on the basis of a well known method via the communicating
circuit 113, and displays the states of charge and discharge of the
power supply units 11 on the display device 111. Then, the
selection of a power supply unit 11 from the selecting device 112
may be made by an operator. Alternatively, the operator inputs an
instruction to start the selection of a power supply unit 11 from
the selecting device 112. Then, the control device 110 orders the
states of charge and discharge of the power supply units 11.
Specifically, the control device 110 for example arranges the
states of charge and discharge of the power supply units in
decreasing order of discharge time, in decreasing order of
discharged power, or in increasing order of remaining amounts. The
control device 110 for example sets a power supply unit having a
large remaining amount as the selected power supply unit to output
power and a power supply unit having a small remaining amount as
the selected power supply unit to receive (be supplied with) power,
establishes a power supply line between the selected power supply
unit to output power and the selected power supply unit to receive
(be supplied with) power, and makes power transferred from the
selected power supply unit to output power to the selected power
supply unit to receive (be supplied with) power. At this time, none
of the power supply units 11 are supplied with power from the
outside.
[0136] In the power supply device 100A according to the seventh
embodiment, the display device 111 displays the state of charge and
discharge of each of the power supply units 11, and the control
device 110 selects a power supply unit to output power and a power
supply unit to receive (be supplied with) power on the basis of a
selection from the selecting device 112. Therefore, a power supply
unit to which to transfer power to achieve averaging can be
selected easily depending on the states of charge and discharge of
the power supply units 11.
[0137] The power supply device according to the seventh embodiment
and the power supply device according to the fifth embodiment can
be combined with each other. The power supply device according to
the seventh embodiment and the power supply device according to the
sixth embodiment can be combined with each other. The power supply
device according to the seventh embodiment, the power supply device
according to the fifth embodiment, and the power supply device
according to the sixth embodiment can be combined with each other.
Further, the power supply device according to the seventh
embodiment and power supply devices formed by the above
combinations can be combined with the power supply devices
described in the first to fourth embodiments as appropriate.
Incidentally, when a combination of the power supply device
according to the first embodiment and the power supply device
according to the second embodiment is excluded, there are six
combinations of the power supply device according to the seventh
embodiment and one kind of power supply device among the power
supply devices according to the first to sixth embodiments, there
are 14 combinations of the power supply device according to the
seventh embodiment and two kinds of power supply devices among the
power supply devices according to the first to sixth embodiments,
there are 16 combinations of the power supply device according to
the seventh embodiment and three kinds of power supply devices
among the power supply devices according to the first to sixth
embodiments, there are nine combinations of the power supply device
according to the seventh embodiment and four kinds of power supply
devices among the power supply devices according to the first to
sixth embodiments, and there are two combinations of the power
supply device according to the seventh embodiment and five kinds of
power supply devices among the power supply devices according to
the first to sixth embodiments.
Eighth Embodiment
[0138] An eighth embodiment is a modification of the first to
seventh embodiments, and relates to a power supply unit in one
embodiment. FIG. 7A is a schematic perspective view of a power
supply unit group formed by combining power supply units according
to the eighth embodiment with each other. FIG. 7B is a schematic
diagram of the power supply unit group as viewed from above. FIG.
7C is a schematic diagram of the inside of a power supply unit. In
addition, FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a charge and discharge
controlling device.
[0139] A power supply unit 11 according to the eighth embodiment
includes:
[0140] (A) a casing 20 having a shape of a prism;
[0141] (B) a secondary battery cell 30 housed within the casing
20;
[0142] (C) a charge and discharge controlling device 40 housed
within the casing 20 and connected to the secondary battery cell
30;
[0143] (D) at least one power input section 51 disposed in the
casing 20 and connected to the charge and discharge controlling
device 40; and
[0144] (E) at least one power output section 53 disposed in the
casing 20 and connected to the charge and discharge controlling
device 40.
[0145] Incidentally, the charge and discharge controlling device 40
doubles as a power supply unit control device and a transmitting
and receiving device. In the eighth embodiment, the power supply
unit group 10 is formed by combining three power supply units 11A,
11B, and 11C. However, the number of power supply units 11 is not
limited to this.
[0146] The casing 20 of the power supply unit 11 according to the
eight embodiment has a shape such that a plurality of casings 20
can be arranged without a space between the plurality of casings
20. Specifically, the casing 20 has the shape of a regular
hexagonal prism. Specifically, a sectional shape when the casing 20
is sectioned in an imaginary plane orthogonal to the axis of the
casing 20 is a regular hexagonal prism. Then, the power input
section 51 is provided in an odd-numbered side face of the casing
20 having the shape of the regular hexagonal prism, and the power
output section 53 is provided in an even-numbered side face of the
casing 20 having the shape of the regular hexagonal prism.
Incidentally, while the illustrated example is a configuration
including one power input section 51 and three power output
sections 53, the power supply unit 11 according to the eighth
embodiment is not limited to this. The power input section 51 and
the power output sections 53 are connected to the charge and
discharge controlling device 40 via wiring not shown in the
figures. In FIG. 7A, the three power supply units 11 are different
from each other in height. This is because the three power supply
units 11 are different from each other in capacity, that is,
different from each other in the number of secondary battery cells
30 housed within the casing 20. The casing 20 is molded of a
plastic material such as an ABS resin or the like.
[0147] The power supply unit 11 according to the eighth embodiment
further includes:
[0148] (F) at least one information input section disposed in the
casing 20 and connected to the charge and discharge controlling
device 40; and
[0149] (G) at least one information output section disposed in the
casing 20 and connected to the charge and discharge controlling
device 40.
[0150] The information input section and the information output
section are specifically formed by a USB terminal section 55. More
specifically, for example, the information input section is formed
by a USB terminal, and the information output section is formed by
a USB socket. The USB terminal section 55 is connected to the
charge and discharge controlling device 40 via wiring not shown in
the figures. When the information input sections and the
information output sections of a plurality of power supply units 11
are connected to each other by a USB cable, information can be
exchanged between the plurality of power supply units 11. In
addition, when the information output section of one of the power
supply units 11 is connected to a control device (not shown) formed
by a personal computer, for example, by a USB cable, control of the
plurality of power supply units 11 by the control device, sending
and receiving, exchanges and the like of information in the
plurality of power supply units 11, checks of states of operation
of the plurality of power supply units 11, and display of the
states of operation of the plurality of power supply units 11, for
example, are made possible. Incidentally, the control device and
each of the power supply units 11 are connected to each other via
ZigBee, for example, as described above.
[0151] In some cases, the power input section 51 may be formed by a
USB terminal section and the power output section 53 may be formed
by a USB terminal section fitted to the power input section 51
formed by the USB terminal section. Specifically, for example, it
suffices to form the power input section 51 and the power output
section 53 of a micro USB terminal and a micro USB socket,
respectively, or form the power output section 53 and the power
input section 51 of a micro USB terminal and a micro USB socket,
respectively.
[0152] In the power supply unit 11 according to the eighth
embodiment, the charge and discharge controlling device 40 includes
a well known integrated circuit for charge and discharge control
(charging circuit) 43 and a well known DC-to-DC converter (output
DC-to-DC converter) 44. The charge and discharge controlling device
40 further includes an MPU 41, a storage device 42 formed by an
EEROM, a control system DC-to-DC converter 45, and a USB DC-to-DC
converter 46. For example, the integrated circuit (charging
circuit) 43 is supplied with an input power with a voltage of 12
volts from an external power supply such as a commercial power
supply, a solar battery, or the like via the power input section
51. Then, the secondary battery cell 30 formed by a lithium-ion
secondary battery cell is charged by a well known operation of the
integrated circuit (charging circuit) 43. Power is supplied from
the secondary battery cell 30 to the MPU 41 and the storage device
42 via the control system DC-to-DC converter 45. In addition, power
is supplied from the secondary battery cell 30 to the outside via
the output DC-to-DC converter 44 and the power output section 53,
and also power is supplied to the USB terminal section 55 via the
USB DC-to-DC converter 46. Incidentally, the MPU 41 and the like
are mounted on a printed wiring board 47.
[0153] The power input section 51 and the power output section 53
have such a structure as to be fitted to each other. Specifically,
for example, the power input section 51 has a structure in the
shape of a projection, and the power output section 53 has a
structure in the shape of a depression. The power input sections 51
and the power output sections 53 of power supply units 11 adjacent
to each other are fitted to each other, whereby a power supply unit
group 10 can be obtained in which the plurality of power supply
units 11 are combined with each other. The charge and discharge
controlling device 40 has such a structure as to be able to detect
the fitted state of the power input section 51 and the power output
section 53 by a detecting device (for example a switch or the like)
not shown in the figures.
[0154] In addition, in the power supply unit 11, an input display
device 52 for displaying the presence or absence of power input,
the input display device 52 being connected to the charge and
discharge controlling device 40, is disposed in the vicinity of the
power input section 51, and an output display device 54 for
displaying the presence or absence of power output, the output
display device 54 being connected to the charge and discharge
controlling device 40, is disposed in the vicinity of the power
output section 53. The input display device 52 and the output
display device 54 include a display section formed of a member
transmitting light in the shape of an arrow and a light emitting
element (not shown) disposed on the inside of the display section.
The light emitting elements can be specifically formed by an LED,
for example. The input display device 52 and the output display
device 54 are disposed in a top face of the casing 20. The light
emitting elements are connected to the charge and discharge
controlling device 40 via wiring, and the turning on/off of the
light emitting elements is controlled by the charge and discharge
controlling device 40. More specifically, the charge and discharge
controlling device 40 checks states of fitting of the power input
section 51 and the power output section 53, and further detects a
flow of current between the power input section 51 and the power
output section 53. On the basis of a result of the detection, the
charge and discharge controlling device 40 controls the turning
on/off of the light emitting elements. In FIG. 7B, the input
display device 52 shown as black arrows indicate that power is
supplied (input) from an external power supply to the power input
sections 51 disposed in the vicinity of the input display device
52. In addition, the output display device 54 shown as black arrows
indicate that power is supplied (output) from the power output
sections 53 disposed in the vicinity of the output display device
54 to the outside or adjacent power supply units 11. The same is
also true in the following description. The casing 20 of the power
supply unit 11 may be provided with a charge state display device
(not shown) for displaying a charge state, the charge state display
device being formed by an LED, and a discharge state display device
or a remaining amount display device (not shown) for displaying a
discharge state, the discharge state display device or the
remaining amount display device being formed by an LED, the charge
state display device and the discharge state display device or the
remaining amount display device may be connected to the charge and
discharge controlling device 40, and the operation of the charge
state display device and the discharge state display device or the
remaining amount display device may be controlled by the charge and
discharge controlling device 40. Alternatively, the input display
device 52 and the output display device 54 may double as the charge
state display device and the discharge state display device or the
remaining amount display device. In this case, the functions of the
charge state display device and the discharge state display device
or the remaining amount display device can be performed by states
of blinking of the light emitting elements, for example.
[0155] In the power supply unit group 10 according to the eighth
embodiment, power is supplied from an external power supply via the
power input section 51 in one part to charge the secondary battery
cells 30 in the three power supply units 11. In addition, power is
supplied (output) to a power consuming appliance 13 via the power
output section 53 in one part or two parts to drive the power
consuming appliance 13.
[0156] In the eighth embodiment, the casings 20 of the power supply
units 11 have the shape of a prism (specifically a regular
hexagonal prism), and the plurality of power supply units 11 can be
combined with each other without any space between the plurality of
power supply units 11. In addition, the plurality of power supply
units 11 can be combined with each other easily by connecting power
input sections 51 and power output sections 53 of the power supply
units 11 adjacent to each other. In addition, for example, a
plurality of various power supply units 11 different in capacity
can be combined with each other and used as one power supply unit
group 10 as a whole, that is, can be used as one power supply unit
group 10 as a whole in a state of being mixed with each other.
Ninth Embodiment
[0157] A ninth embodiment is a modification of the power supply
devices according to the first to seventh embodiments. The power
supply device according to the ninth embodiment further includes a
portable terminal including a display device, and a control device
and the portable terminal are connected to each other by a
communicating circuit. Examples of the portable terminal in this
case include a portable telephone, a PDA, and a notebook personal
computer. Thereby, the state of operation of the power supply
device can be checked even at a remote place. Further, a
configuration can be formed in which mutual authentication is
performed between the control device and the portable terminal at a
time of connection, a cryptographic key is shared between the
control device and the portable terminal, and communication
encrypted by the cryptographic key is performed between the control
device and the portable terminal. Incidentally, concrete examples
of authentication include a combination of an ID and a password and
an authentication system defined in ISO/IEC 9798. When the
authentication has succeeded, a cryptographic key for a session
between the control device and the portable terminal is shared
between the control device and the portable terminal, and
encryption and authentication of communication data are
performed.
[0158] Because the control device thus authenticates the portable
terminal, it is possible to prevent unauthorized operation of the
control device from a remote place while an unauthorized portable
terminal is connected to the control device, or prevent the state
of each device controlled by the control device from being leaked
to a third party through an unauthorized portable terminal. On the
other hand, by authenticating the control device, the portable
terminal can confirm that the portable terminal is connected to the
authorized control device, and prevent (privacy) information
indicating control and operation from the portable terminal from
being leaked to a third party through a false control device. In
addition, because communication data is encrypted, the state of
each device controlled by the control device (for example the
states of devices within the house) and information on control and
operation from the portable terminal (for example a history of
action), which are exchanged between the control device and the
portable terminal, can be prevented from being wiretapped from the
communicating circuit. In addition, because communication data is
authenticated, manipulations and errors in the communication data
due to intentional acts, negligence, accidents and the like on the
communicating circuit can be detected.
[0159] While the present technology has been described on the basis
of preferred embodiments, the present technology is not limited to
these embodiments. The constitutions, structures, and casings of
the power supply devices, the power supply units, and the power
supply unit groups in the embodiments and the constitutions and
structures of the secondary battery cells, the charge and discharge
controlling device, the power input section, and the power output
section are illustrative, and can be changed as appropriate.
[0160] Incidentally, a configuration can be adopted in which a
power supply device includes a power generating device and a
control device configured to control the power generating device,
the control device and the power generating device are connected to
each other by a communicating circuit, when communication between
the power generating device and the control device is blocked, the
control device updates a cryptographic key shared to perform
communication between the control device and the power generating
device, and when the communication between the power generating
device and the control device is restored, the control device
checks whether the power generating device in question is the power
generating device when the communication between the power
generating device and the control device was blocked, and when the
power generating device in question is the power generating device
when the communication between the power generating device and the
control device was blocked, the control device sends the
cryptographic key to the power generating device in question.
Incidentally, in this case, the power supply device can take a form
in which when an authorized power generating device, the authorized
power generating device not being a power generating device removed
from a power supply unit group, is incorporated into the power
supply unit group, the control device checks whether the power
generating device in question is an authorized power generating
device, and when the power generating device in question is an
authorized power generating device, the control device sends the
cryptographic key to the power generating device in question. In
addition, in such a configuration or form, the power supply device
can take a form in which when an unauthorized power generating
device is incorporated into the power supply unit group, the
control device checks whether the power generating device in
question is an authorized power generating device, and when the
power generating device in question is an unauthorized power
generating device, the control device does not send the
cryptographic key to the power generating device in question, and
blocks communication between the control device and the power
generating device in question.
[0161] Alternatively, a configuration can be adopted in which a
power supply device includes a power consuming appliance and a
control device configured to control the power consuming appliance,
the control device and the power consuming appliance are connected
to each other by a communicating circuit, when communication
between the power consuming appliance and the control device is
blocked, the control device updates a cryptographic key shared to
perform communication between the control device and the power
consuming appliance, and when the communication between the power
consuming appliance and the control device is restored, the control
device checks whether the power consuming appliance in question is
the power consuming appliance when the communication between the
power consuming appliance and the control device was blocked, and
when the power consuming appliance in question is the power
consuming appliance when the communication between the power
consuming appliance and the control device was blocked, the control
device sends the cryptographic key to the power consuming appliance
in question. Incidentally, in this case, the power supply device
can take a form in which when an authorized power consuming
appliance, the authorized power consuming appliance not being the
power consuming appliance when the communication between the power
consuming appliance and the control device was blocked, is
connected to the control device by the communicating circuit, the
control device checks whether the power consuming appliance in
question is an authorized power consuming appliance, and when the
power consuming appliance in question is an authorized power
consuming appliance, the control device sends the cryptographic key
to the power consuming appliance in question. In addition, in such
a configuration or form, the power supply device can take a form in
which when an unauthorized power consuming appliance is connected
to the control device by the communicating circuit, the control
device checks whether the power consuming appliance in question is
an authorized power consuming appliance, and when the power
consuming appliance in question is an unauthorized power consuming
appliance, the control device does not send the cryptographic key
to the power consuming appliance in question, and blocks
communication between the control device and the power consuming
appliance in question.
[0162] In the power supply unit described in the eighth embodiment,
the at least one power input section and the at least one power
output section disposed in the casing 20 and connected to the
charge and discharge controlling device 40 can also be formed from
a magnetic resonance system, for example. Specifically, it suffices
to incorporate a power transmission apparatus such as a
high-frequency power supply circuit, a matching circuit or the like
and a power reception apparatus such as a matching circuit, a
high-speed rectifying circuit, a power converting circuit or the
like into the charge and discharge controlling device 40, and form
the power output section of a power transmission device connected
to the matching circuit forming the power transmission apparatus
and form the power input section of a power reception device
connected to the matching circuit forming the power reception
apparatus.
[0163] As shown in FIG. 9A, for example, a power supply unit group
can also be formed by combining six power supply units in one
embodiment with each other. Incidentally, FIG. 9A is a schematic
diagram of such a power supply unit group as viewed from above. In
the illustrated example, each power supply unit has three power
input sections and three power output sections.
[0164] In addition, as shown in FIG. 9B, a power supply unit 11D
having a casing 20D in the shape of a regular triangular prism can
also be formed. In this case, a reference 56A denotes a pin, and a
reference 56B denotes a hole part to be fitted to the pin 56A. Thus
fitting the pin 56A and the hole part 56B to each other can prevent
an excessive force from being applied to a power input section 51
and a power output section 53 when the power supply units 11 are
combined. In addition, a reference 57 denotes a knob for taking in
and out the power output section 53. Further, a reference 58
denotes a display device doubling as a charge state display device
and a discharge state display device or a remaining amount display
device. The display device is formed by arranging a plurality of
LEDs. The display device 58 is connected to a charge and discharge
controlling device 40.
[0165] Alternatively, as shown in a schematic perspective view of
FIG. 10A, a power supply unit 11E having a casing in the shape of a
quadratic prism (shape of a rectangular parallelepiped) can also be
formed. Incidentally, FIG. 10B is a conceptual diagram of a power
supply unit group 10E as viewed from a bottom surface side, the
power supply unit group 10E being formed by combining three such
power supply units 11E with each other.
[0166] It should be understood that various changes and
modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described
herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes
and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and
scope and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is
therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered
by the appended claims.
* * * * *