JP4966182B2 - Management system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a management system for managing electrical equipment.

As a conventional management system, Patent Document 1 discloses a monitoring target facility having a monitoring sensor for measuring a physical quantity for monitoring an operating state, and an abnormality in the monitoring target facility by receiving the physical quantity measured by the monitoring sensor. What is provided with the monitoring server which performs determination is disclosed. The monitoring server of Patent Document 1 extracts a measurement value included in measurement data transmitted from a monitoring sensor, compares the measurement value with an upper limit value, a lower limit value, and the like, and an abnormality occurs when these boundary values are exceeded. Is determined to have occurred.
JP 2006-209594 A

  However, although the conventional management system can determine the abnormality of the monitoring target facility (electrical device) based on the change of the physical quantity, it cannot determine whether the abnormality is due to the life and inform the user. There was a problem.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points. The purpose of the present invention is, for example, management that can notify a user as a life determination result that the electrical equipment is at the end of its life or that the electrical equipment is nearing the end of its life. To provide a system.

The invention of claim 1 comprises an electrical device having individual device identification information and driven by DC power supply, and a management device connected to the electrical device via a communication network, the management device comprising a wide area network. A management system that is communicable with a center server , wherein the electrical device and the management device are provided in a building, the center server is provided in a location different from the building, and the center server is connected to the device. Storing a lifetime-related threshold value associated with the lifetime of the electrical device having the device identification information in association with the identification information, and the electrical device measures its own usage status; A transmission unit that superimposes a communication signal including the use status on a DC voltage and transmits the signal to the management device, and the management device transmits the device identification information and the use status from the electrical device Receiving means for receiving, storing means for the lifetime associated threshold is obtained from the center server stores the electrical device having the device identification information received by the receiving unit, the device identification information and by said receiving means Determination means for determining whether the usage status has reached the lifetime-related threshold of the device identification information when the usage status is received, and the usage status is set to the lifetime-related threshold by the determination means. When it is determined that the communication network has arrived, the communication network includes notification means for notifying the determination result of the determination means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the management device includes an input unit that receives warning information from the center server to stop using the electrical device before the end of its life, and the notification unit includes: The warning information is notified when the warning information is received by the input means.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the usage state is a cumulative energization time of the electric device, and the life-related threshold value includes a life time of the electric device, The prediction means for predicting the life date and time of the electric device from the measured cumulative power-on time, the cumulative power-on time and the life time in a preset period, and the notification means is predicted by the prediction means It is characterized by notifying the life and date of the electrical equipment.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to third aspects, the measuring means includes an elapsed time from the time of manufacturing the device and an elapsed time from the time of connection to the communication network. And measuring at least two or more of the usage statuses from the elapsed time from the start of use of the user, the accumulated energization time of the user, and the number of times of use of the user, and the determination unit is measured by the measurement unit. Further, for at least two or more of the usage situations, it is determined whether or not the usage status has reached the life-related threshold value, and the notification means determines whether any of the at least two or more usage situations is provided by the determination means. When it is determined that the life-related threshold value has been reached, the determination result of the determination unit is notified.

  The invention of claim 5 comprises, in the invention of claim 4, a notification content storage unit that stores at least two or more usage situations measured by the measurement unit in association with notification contents, and the notification unit includes: When it is determined by the determination means that any one of the at least two usage conditions has reached the life-related threshold value, the notification content is associated with the usage condition determined to have reached the life-related threshold value. The notification content stored in the storage means is notified.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the management device determines whether or not the usage status of the electrical equipment has reached the life-related threshold value, for example, that the electrical equipment is at the end of its life or the electrical equipment is nearing the end of its life. It is possible to notify the user as a determination result. Further, it is not necessary to provide a communication line separate from the power feeding path. In addition, since the communication signal is superimposed on the DC voltage, the electrical device can always measure its own usage status when it is energized, and the management device can accurately grasp the usage status of the electrical device. can do.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, when a malfunction or the like occurs in a certain electrical device, even if the usage status of the electrical device does not reach the lifetime-related threshold, the usage is stopped before the lifetime of the electrical device. Warning information can be notified to the user.

  According to the invention of claim 3, it is possible to inform the user of the expected life before the electric device actually reaches the end of its life.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the determination accuracy can be improved as compared with the case where the determination is made using one usage situation. For example, if the cumulative energization time of an electrical device is short but the number of uses is large, there are many on-offs in a short period, and as a result, the life may be shortened, so the life may be shortened . At this time, if the determination unit determines using only the cumulative energization time, the determination that the electrical device is at the end of its life is delayed, but if the determination unit determines using the cumulative energization time and the number of times of use, the electrical device has a lifetime. It can be determined with high accuracy.

  According to the invention of claim 5, since different notification contents can be notified for each usage situation, the user can be made to respond differently for each usage situation.

(Embodiment 1)
First, the structure of the power distribution system (management system) of Embodiment 1 is demonstrated using FIGS. The embodiments described below are described assuming a detached house as a building to which the present invention is applied, but this does not preclude the application of the technical idea of the present invention to an apartment house. As shown in FIG. 1, the house H is provided with a DC power supply unit 101 that outputs DC power and a DC device 102 as a load driven by the DC power, and an output end of the DC power supply unit 101. DC power is supplied to the DC device 102 through the DC supply line Wdc connected to the. A current flowing through the DC supply line Wdc is monitored between the DC power supply unit 101 and the DC device 102. When an abnormality is detected, power is supplied from the DC power supply unit 101 to the DC device 102 on the DC supply line Wdc. A DC breaker 114 is provided for limiting or blocking the current.

  The DC supply line Wdc is used as both a DC power supply path and a communication path, and is connected to the DC supply line Wdc by superimposing a communication signal for transmitting data on a DC voltage using a high-frequency carrier wave. Enables communication between devices. This technique is similar to a power line carrier technique in which a communication signal is superimposed on an AC voltage in a power line that supplies AC power.

  When the power supply path and the communication path are combined as described above, it is not necessary to provide a separate communication path from the power supply path in order to perform communication between the devices. It can be carried out.

  The DC supply line Wdc is connected to the home server 116 via the DC power supply unit 101. The in-home server 116 is a main device for constructing a home communication network (hereinafter referred to as “home network”), and communicates with a subsystem constructed by the DC device 102 in the home network.

  In the example shown in the drawing, as an subsystem, an illumination system comprising an information equipment system K101 comprising an information-system DC device 102 such as a personal computer, a wireless access point, a router, and an IP telephone, and an illumination system DC equipment 102 such as a lighting fixture. K102, K105, intercom system K103 consisting of DC device 102 for dealing with visitors and monitoring intruders (not shown, but not limited to the entrance, between intrusion monitoring crime prevention system for monitoring window opening / closing and window destruction) ), And a residential alarm system K104 including an alarm DC device 102 such as a fire detector. Each subsystem constitutes a self-supporting distributed system, and can operate even with the subsystem alone.

  The above-described DC breaker 114 is provided in association with a subsystem. In the illustrated example, five DCs are associated with the information equipment system K101, the lighting system K102 and the intercom system K103, the house alarm system K104, and the lighting system K105. A breaker 114 is provided. When a plurality of subsystems are associated with one DC breaker 114, a connection box 121 for dividing the system of the DC supply line Wdc is provided for each subsystem. In the illustrated example, a connection box 121 is provided between the illumination system K102 and the intercom system K103.

  As the information equipment system K101, there is provided an information equipment system K101 composed of a DC equipment 102 connected to a DC outlet 131 arranged in advance in the house H (constructed when the house H is constructed) in the form of a wall outlet or a floor outlet.

  The lighting systems K102 and K105 include a lighting system K102 composed of a lighting device (DC device 102) arranged in advance in the house H and a lighting device (DC device 102) connected to a hook ceiling 132 arranged in advance on the ceiling. An illumination system K105 is provided. At the time of interior construction of the house H, the contractor attaches the lighting fixture to the hook ceiling 132, or the householder himself attaches the lighting fixture.

  In addition to using an infrared remote control device, a control instruction for the lighting apparatus that is the DC device 102 constituting the lighting system K102 can be given using a communication signal from the switch 141 connected to the DC supply line Wdc. That is, the switch 141 has a communication function together with the DC device 102. In addition, a control instruction may be given by a communication signal from another DC device 102 in the home network or the home server 116 regardless of the operation of the switch 141. The instructions to the lighting fixture include lighting, extinguishing, dimming, and blinking lighting.

  Since any DC device 102 can be connected to the DC outlet 131 and the hooking ceiling 132 described above and DC power is output to the connected DC device 102, the DC outlet 131 and the hooking ceiling 132 are distinguished below. When it is not necessary, it is called “DC outlet”.

  These DC outlets are plug-in connection ports into which contacts (plugs) (not shown) provided directly on the DC device 102 or contacts (plugs) (not shown) provided via connecting wires are inserted. Has a structure in which the container body holds a contact receiver that directly opens contact with the contact element inserted into the connection port. That is, the direct current outlet supplies power in a contact manner. When the DC device 102 connected to the DC outlet has a communication function, a communication signal can be transmitted through the DC supply line Wdc. A communication function is provided not only in the DC device 102 but also in the DC outlet. Note that the contact (plug) provided directly on the DC device 102 or the contact (plug) provided via the connection line is not only detachably connectable to the DC outlet 131 but also attached to the hooking ceiling 132. The thing which can be connected freely is also included.

  The home server 116 not only is connected to the home network, but also has a connection port connected to the wide area network NT that constructs the Internet. When the in-home server 116 is connected to the wide area network NT, it is possible to receive services from the center server 200 that is a computer server connected to the wide area network NT.

  The service provided by the center server 200 includes a service that enables monitoring and control of equipment (including mainly the DC equipment 102 but also other equipment having a communication function) connected to the home network through the wide area network NT. is there. This service makes it possible to monitor and control devices connected to the home network using a communication terminal (not shown) having a browser function such as a personal computer, Internet TV, or mobile phone.

  The in-home server 116 has both functions of communication with the center server 200 connected to the wide area network NT and communication with equipment connected to the home network, and identification information about equipment in the home network ( Here, it is assumed that an IP address is used).

  The home server 116 enables monitoring and control of home devices through the center server 200 from a communication terminal connected to the wide area network NT by using a communication function with the center server 200. The center server 200 mediates between home devices and communication terminals on the wide area network NT.

If the communication terminal to monitor or control the home device, stores the monitoring and control request to the center server 200, home device is compatible configured to periodic polling monitoring, migraine direction poll By performing communication, a request for monitoring or control from a communication terminal is received. With this operation, it is possible to monitor and control devices in the house from the communication terminal.

  Further, when an event that should be notified to the communication terminal, such as a fire detection, occurs in the home device, the home device notifies the center server 200, and the center server 200 notifies the communication terminal by e-mail.

  An important function among the communication functions with the home network in the home server 116 is the detection and management of the devices constituting the home network. The home server 116 automatically detects devices connected to the home network by applying UPnP (Universal Plug and Play). The home server 116 includes a display device 117 having a browser function, and displays a list of detected devices on the display device 117. The display device 117 has a configuration with a touch panel type or an operation unit, and can perform an operation of selecting desired contents from options displayed on the screen of the display device 117. Therefore, the user (contractor or householder) of the home server 116 can monitor or control the device on the screen of the display device 117. The display device 117 may be provided separately from the home server 116.

  The in-home server 116 manages information related to device connection, and grasps the type, function, and address of the device connected to the home network. Accordingly, the devices in the home network can be operated in conjunction with each other. Information on the connection of the device is automatically detected as described above. In order to operate the device in an interlocking manner, the device itself is automatically associated with the attribute held by the device itself, and the home server 116 is configured as a personal computer. It is also possible to connect various information terminals and use the browser function of the information terminals to associate devices.

  Each device holds the relationship of the interlocking operation of the devices. Therefore, the device can operate in an interlocked manner without passing through the home server 116. By associating the linked operations for each device, for example, by operating a switch that is a device, it is possible to turn on or off the lighting fixture that is the device. In many cases, the association of the interlocking operations is performed within the subsystem, but the association beyond the subsystem is also possible.

  By the way, the DC power supply unit 101 basically generates DC power by power conversion of an AC power supply AC supplied from outside the house like a commercial power supply. In the configuration shown in the figure, the AC power source AC is input to an AC / DC converter 112 including a switching power source through a main circuit breaker 111 attached to the distribution board 110 as an internal unit. The DC power output from the AC / DC converter 112 is connected to each DC breaker 114 through the cooperative control unit 113.

  The DC power supply unit 101 is provided with a secondary battery 162 in preparation for a period in which power is not supplied from the AC power supply AC (for example, a power failure period of the commercial power supply AC). It is also possible to use a solar cell 161 or a fuel cell 163 that generates DC power. The solar battery 161, the secondary battery 162, and the fuel battery 163 are distributed power supplies with respect to the main power supply including the AC / DC converter 112 that generates DC power from the AC power supply AC. In the illustrated example, the solar cell 161, the secondary battery 162, and the fuel cell 163 include a circuit unit that controls the output voltage, and the secondary battery 162 includes a circuit unit that controls charging as well as discharging.

  Of the distributed power sources, the solar cell 161 and the fuel cell 163 are not necessarily provided, but the secondary battery 162 is preferably provided. The secondary battery 162 is charged in a timely manner by a main power source or other distributed power source, and the secondary battery 162 is discharged not only in a period in which power is not supplied from the AC power source AC but also in a timely manner as necessary. The coordination control unit 113 performs charge / discharge of the secondary battery 162 and coordination between the main power source and the distributed power source. That is, the cooperative control unit 113 functions as a DC power control unit that controls the distribution of power from the main power source and the distributed power source constituting the DC power supply unit 101 to the DC device 102. Note that a configuration may be adopted in which the outputs of the solar cell 161, the secondary battery 162, and the fuel cell 163 are converted into AC power and used as input power of the AC / DC converter 112.

  Since the driving voltage of the DC device 102 is selected from a plurality of types of voltages according to the device, the cooperative control unit 113 is provided with a DC / DC converter to convert the DC voltage obtained from the main power source and the distributed power source into the necessary voltage. Is desirable. Normally, one type of voltage is supplied to one subsystem (or DC device 102 connected to one DC breaker 114), but three or more wires are used for one subsystem. A plurality of types of voltages may be supplied. Alternatively, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which the DC supply line Wdc is of a two-wire type and the voltage applied between the lines is changed with time. The DC / DC converter may be provided in a plurality of dispersed manners like the DC breaker.

  In the above configuration example, only one AC / DC converter 112 is illustrated, but a plurality of AC / DC converters 112 can be arranged in parallel, and when a plurality of AC / DC converters 112 are provided. It is desirable to increase or decrease the number of AC / DC converters 112 that are operated according to the magnitude of the load.

  The AC / DC converter 112, the cooperative control unit 113, the DC breaker 114, the solar cell 161, the secondary battery 162, and the fuel cell 163 described above are provided with communication functions, and include a main power source, a distributed power source, and a DC device 102. It is possible to perform cooperative operations that deal with the load status. The communication signal used for this communication is transmitted in the form of being superimposed on the DC voltage in the same manner as the communication signal used for the DC device 102.

  In the above example, the AC / DC converter 112 is arranged in the distribution board 110 in order to convert the AC power output from the main breaker 111 into DC power by the AC / DC converter 112. On the output side, a branch breaker (not shown) provided in the distribution board 110 branches the AC supply line into a plurality of systems, and an AC / DC converter is provided on the AC supply line of each system to convert it into DC power for each system. You may employ | adopt the structure to do.

  In this case, since the DC power supply unit 101 can be provided for each floor or room of the house H, the DC power supply unit 101 can be managed for each system, and the DC device 102 that uses DC power and Since the distance of the DC supply line Wdc between the two is reduced, the power loss due to the voltage drop in the DC supply line Wdc can be reduced. The main breaker 111 and the branch breaker are housed in the distribution board 110, and the AC / DC converter 112, the cooperative control unit 113, the DC breaker 114, and the home server 116 are housed in a separate board from the distribution board 110. Also good.

  Next, the configuration of each DC device 102, the configuration of the DC outlet 131, and the configuration of the home server 116 will be described. Each of the DC devices 102 is driven by the DC power supply from the DC power supply unit 101, has individual device identification information in advance, and stores the device identification information as shown in FIG. Unit 30, a timer unit (measurement unit) 31 that measures its own usage time, a communication unit (transmission unit) 32 that transmits its own device identification information and usage time to the home server 116, a display screen 330, and a speaker 331 And a processing unit 34 that controls each of the units 30 to 33.

  The processing unit 34 performs control so that the usage time measured by the timer unit 31 is periodically transmitted to the home server 116.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the DC outlet 131 includes a device connection unit 40 that connects to the DC device 102, a communication unit 43 that communicates with the home server 116, and a processing unit 45 that controls the units 40 and 43. It has.

  The home server 116 manages the DC devices 102 in units of home networks, and as shown in FIG. 4, a communication unit (receiving means) 50 that receives device identification information and usage time from each DC device 102, A communication unit 51 that communicates with the center server 200 via the wide area network NT, a storage unit 52 that stores the lifetime related time of the DC device 102 having the device identification information received by the communication unit 50, and each unit 50 And a processing unit 54 for controlling .about.52. Note that the life-related time includes a life time of the DC device 102, a time shorter than this life time, and a near-life time for predicting that the life will soon be reached.

  As shown in Table 1, the storage unit 52 stores the DC device 102 and the life related time (life time in Table 1) in association with each device identification information received by the communication unit 50.

  When the communication unit 50 receives the device identification information and the usage time, the processing unit 54 compares the usage time with the lifetime related time, and determines whether the usage time has reached the lifetime related time. is there. When the processing unit 54 determines that the usage time has reached the near-life time, the processing unit 54 outputs a near-life notification signal to the display 117 for informing the life determination result that the DC device 102 is nearing the lifetime. The communication unit 50 is controlled to transmit the near-life notification signal to the DC device 102, and the communication unit 51 is controlled to transmit to the center server 200. On the other hand, when it is determined that the usage time has reached the lifetime, the processing unit 54 outputs a lifetime notification signal for notifying the lifetime determination result that the DC device 102 is at the lifetime to the display 117, and The communication unit 50 is controlled to transmit the life notification signal to the DC device 102, and the communication unit 51 is controlled to transmit to the center server 200.

  By the way, the usage time is one of the usage statuses of the DC device 102. As shown in FIG. 5, the elapsed time from the start of use (when the DC device 102 is first connected), and the start of use. It means at least one of the cumulative energization time (accumulation time of energization time (on time)) from. When the usage time is the elapsed time from the start of use, the lifetime due to aging can be determined regardless of whether or not the DC device 102 is actually used. In particular, it is used as a usage time in the case of the DC device 102 that needs to improve safety. As the above-mentioned aging deterioration, for example, deterioration of a part that is not an electrical part such as a material of parts and packing used in the current device 102 can be considered.

  On the other hand, when the usage time is the cumulative energization time from the start of use, the lifetime can be determined based on the performance deterioration of the DC device 102 caused by the energization (for example, the illuminance reduction of the illumination load). That is, the lifetime is determined based on the deterioration of the electrical part that deteriorates due to the current flowing. In this case, the DC device 102 is originally highly safe, and is used as a usage time when the DC device 102 is desired to be used for as long as possible without feeling uncomfortable.

  Note that it is desirable that both the elapsed time from the start of use and the cumulative energization time from the start of use be the use time from the viewpoint of satisfying both safety and device performance. In this case, in the DC device 102, the timer unit 31 measures both of two types of usage time (elapsed time from the start of use, accumulated lighting time from the start of use) under the control of the processing unit 34, and the communication unit 32 transmits the two types of usage time measured by the timer unit 31 to the home server 116. In the in-home server 116, the processing unit 54 determines whether or not the two types of usage time from the DC device 102 have reached the corresponding lifetimes, and either usage time has reached the lifetime. When determined, a notification signal is transmitted.

  Further, the lifetime of the DC device 102 corresponding to the device identification information may be stored in advance when the home server 116 is manufactured in the case of the DC device 102 that is frequently used. Alternatively, when the center server 200 stores the lifetime corresponding to the device identification information, and the home server 116 receives the device identification information from the DC device 102 for the first time, the center server 200 calculates the lifetime corresponding to the received device identification information as the center. It may be acquired from the server 200 and stored in the storage unit 52.

  When the processing unit 54 of the home server 116 determines that the usage time has reached the lifetime related time, the display device 117 notifies the determination result of the processing unit 54. Specifically, when the processing unit 54 of the home server 116 determines that the usage time has reached the near-life time, the display device 117 receives the near-life notification signal from the processing unit 54, and the DC device 102 has the lifetime. The fact that it is close is displayed as a determination result on a display screen (not shown), or a voice is output from a speaker (not shown). On the other hand, when the processing unit 54 of the home server 116 determines that the usage time has reached the lifetime, the lifetime notification signal is received from the processing unit 54, and the determination result indicates that the DC device 102 is at the lifetime. Display on the display screen or output sound from the speaker. From the above, it is possible to notify a person near the display device 117 that the DC device 102 is nearing the end of its life or is near the end of its life.

  When the DC device 102 receives the near-life notification signal or the life notification signal from the in-home server 116 via the communication unit 32, the notification unit 33 displays that the DC device 102 is nearing or at the end of its life under the control of the processing unit 34. It is displayed on the screen 330, or the sound is output from the speaker 331. From the above, it is possible to notify a person near the notification unit 33 that the DC device 102 is nearing the end of its life or that the life is about to end.

  When the processing unit 54 of the home server 116 determines that the usage time has reached the life-related time, the notification unit 33 of the DC device 102 notifies the determination result of the processing unit 54. Specifically, when the processing unit 54 of the home server 116 determines that the usage time has reached the near-life time, the DC unit 102 receives the near-life notification signal from the home server 116, and It is displayed on the display screen 330 of the notification unit 33 as a determination result that the device 102 is approaching the end of its life, or a sound is output from the speaker 331. On the other hand, when the processing unit 54 of the home server 116 determines that the usage time has reached the lifetime, the communication unit 32 receives the lifetime notification signal from the home server 116 and the DC device 102 has the lifetime. Is displayed on the display screen 330 of the notification unit 33 as a determination result, or voice output is performed from the speaker 331. From the above, it is possible to notify a person near the DC device 102 that the DC device 102 is nearing the end of its life or that the DC device 102 is near the end of its life.

  When the center server 200 receives the near-life notification signal or the life notification signal from the in-home server 116, the center server 200 transmits the life determination result to the mobile phone 201 registered in advance by e-mail. The mobile phone 201 receives the e-mail from the center server 200 and displays that the DC device 102 is nearing the end of its life or is about to reach its end of life. From the above, it is possible to notify, for example, a mobile phone user who is out of the office that the DC device 102 is nearing the end of its life or is at the end of its life.

  Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Although the description is limited to one DC device 102 here, the same operation is performed for all DC devices 102 connected to the home network. First, the DC device 102 is connected to the home network (S1). When the DC device 102 connected to the home network is supplied with DC power from the DC power supply unit 101 and is turned on, the usage time (both continuous time from the beginning and accumulated time obtained by accumulating actual usage time) Measurement is started (S2). Further, the DC device 102 transmits device identification information to the home server 116, and the home server 116 acquires the device identification information. The in-home server 116 that has acquired the device identification information acquires lifetime information corresponding to the acquired device identification information from the center server 200 (S3).

  Thereafter, the DC device 102 transmits the usage time to the home server 116 based on a predetermined rule, and the home server 116 acquires the use time (S4). Then, the home server 116 determines whether or not the acquired usage time has reached the near-life time (S5). When it is determined that the usage time has reached the near-life time, the home server 116 determines that the DC device 102 is nearing the end of life, and displays that the DC device 102 is nearing the end of life, such as the display 117, the DC device 102, The mobile phone 201 is notified (S6). On the other hand, if it is not determined that the acquired usage time has reached the lifetime, the home server 116 does not perform notification control on the display device 117, the DC device 102, and the mobile phone 201, and returns to step S4.

  Thereafter, the home server 116 determines whether or not the usage time has reached the lifetime (S7). If it is not determined that the usage time has reached the lifetime, the process returns to step S4. On the other hand, if it is determined that the usage time has reached the life time, the home server 116 determines that the DC device 102 is at the end of life, and indicates that the DC device 102 is at the end of life, such as the display 117, the DC device 102, the portable device. The telephone 201 is informed (S8).

  In such an operation, when the DC device 102 is switched from the ON state to the OFF state, the DC device 102 continues to measure the continuous time from the beginning of the usage time and accumulates the actual usage time. Stop measuring. When the DC device 102 is turned on again, the home server 116 has already acquired the device identification information and the life information, so that it is not necessary to perform Steps S1, S3, and S4, but perform Step S2, and then perform Step S5 to S8 are performed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, each of the plurality of DC devices 102 connected to the home network measures its own usage time, and transmits the measured usage time to the home server 116 together with its own device identification information. The server 116 determines whether or not the usage time of the DC device 102 has reached the life-related time (life time approaching time, life time), for example, that the DC device 102 is at the end of life or the electrical device is nearing the end of life. It is possible to inform the user of the determination result as a determination result.

  In addition, before the DC device 102 actually reaches the end of its life, the user can be informed of when it will end.

  Furthermore, the determination accuracy can be improved as compared with the case where the determination is performed using one usage situation. For example, when the DC device 102 has a short cumulative energization time but is frequently used, there are many on-offs in a short period of time, and as a result, the life may be shortened, so the life may be shortened. is there. At this time, if the processing unit 54 determines using only the cumulative energization time, the determination that the DC device 102 is at the end of its life is delayed, but if the processing unit 54 determines using the cumulative energization time and the number of uses, the DC unit 102 It is possible to accurately determine that the device 102 has a lifetime.

  As a modification of the first embodiment, the center server 200 does not determine whether or not the usage time of the DC device 102 has reached the near-life time or the life time, but the center server 200 makes the above determination. It may be. In this way, the load on the home server 116 can be reduced. Since the center server 200 can generally withstand a large load, there is no problem even if the above determination is made. The same applies to the following embodiments.

  Further, in the first embodiment, the determination may be performed using not the elapsed time from the start of use but the elapsed time from the manufacture of the DC device 102 as the usage time. In this case, the DC device 102 is provided with a function for setting the date and time, and the date of manufacture related to its own DC device 102 is stored in the storage unit 30. As the manufacturing time, for example, when the DC device 102 is completed or after quality control is performed, the DC device 102 is shipped. The same applies to the following embodiments.

  Further, the DC device 102 may be provided with an ID tag or the like for storing the usage time. In this case, as the usage time, the elapsed time from the manufacture of the DC device 102 or the elapsed time from the sale of the DC device 102 can be used. The date of manufacture is input to the ID tag when the DC device 102 is manufactured, and the date of sale is input to the ID tag when the DC device 102 is sold.

  When the elapsed time from the manufacture of the DC device 102 or the elapsed time from the sale of the DC device 102 is used as the usage time, the DC device 102 is connected to the home network and supplied with power from the DC power supply unit 101. Later, when the current date and time are set, the elapsed time from the time of manufacture is calculated from the set current date and time and the date of manufacture, and the elapsed time from the time of sale is calculated from the date of sale. . Then, the elapsed time from the time of manufacture or the elapsed time from the time of sale is transmitted to the in-home server 116 as the usage time, and the in-home server 116 passes the elapsed time from the time of manufacture or the elapsed time from the time of sale close to the lifetime or the lifetime. Determine whether the time has been reached. As described above, when the elapsed time from the time of manufacture or the elapsed time from the time of sale is used as the usage time, the time from the manufacture (sale) of the DC device 102 to the start of use can be considered. Compared with the case where the elapsed time from the start of use is used, the lifetime based on the aging deterioration of the DC device 102 can be determined with higher accuracy.

  As a modification of the first embodiment, instead of determining whether the usage time reaches the life-related time, or together with the above determination, determining whether the number of uses of the DC device 102 reaches the life-related time. You may do it. The number of times of use is one of the usage situations of the DC device 102, and refers to the number of times that the DC device 102 changes from the off state to the on state and then turns off. Even if such a determination is used, it can be determined that the DC device 102 is near or at the end of its life, as in the first embodiment. The same applies to the following embodiments.

(Embodiment 2)
The power distribution system according to the second embodiment has a function in which the communication unit 51 of the in-home server 116 inputs warning information for stopping use of the DC device 102 from the center server 200 before the lifetime of the DC device 102. 102, the mobile phone 201 is different from the power distribution system of the first embodiment in that the warning information is notified when the warning information is input by the communication unit 51 of the home server 116. In addition, about the component similar to Embodiment 1, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted. The normal operation is the same as that of the first embodiment.

  For example, when a problem occurs in the DC device 102, the manufacturer side stores warning information for stopping use of the DC device 102 in the center server 200 before the lifetime of the DC device 102. The center server 200 transmits the warning information to the home server 116.

  On the other hand, in the in-home server 116, when the communication unit 51 receives the warning information from the center server 200, regardless of whether the usage time of the DC device 102 has reached the near-life time or the life time, the processing unit 54 A warning notification signal for notifying the warning information is output to the display device 117, and the communication unit 50 is controlled to transmit the warning notification signal to the DC device 102.

  When the display device 117 receives the warning notification signal from the processing unit 54 of the home server 116, the display device 117 displays warning information about the DC device 102 on a display screen (not shown) or outputs sound from a speaker (not shown). To do. From the above, warning information regarding the DC device 102 can be notified to a person near the display device 117.

  In addition, when the DC device 102 in which the warning information is generated also receives a warning notification signal from the home server 116 via the communication unit 32, the notification unit notifies that the DC device 102 is nearing the end of its life or has reached the end of life under the control of the processing unit 34. 33 is displayed on the display screen 330, or audio is output from the speaker 331. From the above, it is possible to notify warning information for stopping the use of the DC device 102 before its life to a person near the DC device 102.

  In addition, by the control from the home server 116 or the control by the center server 200, warning information for stopping the use of the DC device 102 before the lifetime of the DC device 102 is also transmitted to the mobile phone 201 by e-mail. When receiving the e-mail, the cellular phone 201 displays warning information for stopping the use of the DC device 102 before the end of its service life. Thereby, it is possible to notify the warning information for stopping the use of the DC device 102 before the life of the DC device 102 even to the mobile phone user who is out.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when a problem occurs in a certain DC device 102, even if the usage time of the DC device 102 does not reach the life-related time, the DC device 102 stops using before the lifetime. It is possible to notify the user of warning information for making it happen.

(Embodiment 3)
In the power distribution system according to the third embodiment, the processing unit 54 of the home server 116 predicts the life and date of the DC device 102 from the accumulated energization time measured by the timer unit 31, the accumulated energization time and the life time in a preset period. The display 117 is different from the power distribution system according to the first embodiment in that the life and date of the DC device 102 predicted by the processing unit 54 is notified.

  In the present embodiment, for example, when the lifetime of the DC device 102 is 5000 hours, the cumulative energization time so far is 1000 hours, and when the cumulative energization time per week is measured as 50 hours, the remaining lifetime Is 4000 hours (5000 hours-1000 hours). Therefore, the lifetime of the DC device 102 is 80 days (4000 hours / 50 hours every week). Note that the preset period is not limited to one week, and is appropriately set according to the usage mode.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to notify the user of the expected life before the DC device 102 actually reaches the life.

(Embodiment 4)
In the power distribution system according to the fourth embodiment, the display device 117 reaches the life-related threshold value when the processing unit 54 of the home server 116 determines that any of the first and second usage situations has reached the life-related threshold value. It differs from the power distribution system of Embodiment 1 in the point which alert | reports the alerting | reporting content matched with the usage condition determined. In addition, about the component similar to Embodiment 1, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted. The normal operation is the same as that of the first embodiment.

  In the storage unit 52 of the home server 116, notification contents are stored in association with each of the first and second usage situations in each DC device 102 (see Table 2). Note that Table 2 shows only the notification contents when the usage status has reached the end of its life. However, when the usage status is nearing the end of its life, that is, when it has reached the end of its lifetime, “(soon) + (the notification content at the end of the lifetime” ) "Is stored.

  The display device 117 according to the present embodiment receives the near-life notification signal or the life notification signal together with the notification content stored in the storage unit 52, displays the received notification content on a display screen (not shown), and a speaker. Audio is output from (not shown).

  Note that the DC device 102 and the mobile phone 201 also display the notification content and output the sound in the same manner as the display device 117.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, since different notification contents can be notified for each usage situation, the user can be made to respond differently for each usage situation.

It is a lineblock diagram of a power distribution system of Embodiments 1-4. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of DC apparatus same as the above. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a DC outlet same as the above. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a residential server same as the above. It is a figure explaining use time in a power distribution system same as the above. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of a power distribution system same as the above.

Explanation of symbols

101 DC Power Supply Unit 102 DC Device 116 Home Server 117 Display 200 Center Server

Claims (5)

An electrical device having individual device identification information and driven by DC power supply, and a management device connected to the electrical device via a communication network, and the management device can communicate with a center server via a wide area network A management system that is
The electrical device and the management device are provided in a building, and the center server is provided in a place different from the building,
The center server stores a lifetime-related threshold value associated with the lifetime of the electrical device having the device identification information in association with the device identification information,
The electrical device has a measuring unit that measures its own usage status, and a transmission unit that superimposes a communication signal including the device identification information and the usage status on the DC voltage to the management device,
The management apparatus includes a receiving means for receiving the device identification information and the usage of the electrical device, the lifetime associated threshold value of the electrical device with the device identification information received by said receiving means from said center server A storage unit that acquires and stores, and a determination unit that determines whether or not the usage status has reached the lifetime-related threshold value of the device identification information when the device identification information and the usage status are received by the reception unit. And
A management system comprising: a notification unit for notifying a determination result of the determination unit in the communication network when the determination unit determines that the usage status has reached the life-related threshold value. The management device includes an input unit that receives warning information from the center server for stopping use before the lifetime of the electrical equipment,
The management system according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit notifies the warning information when the warning information is received by the input unit. The usage status is a cumulative energization time of the electrical device,
The lifetime related threshold value includes a lifetime of the electrical device,
A predicting means for predicting a life date and time of the electric device from the accumulated energization time measured by the measuring means, the accumulated energization time and the life time in a preset period;
The management system according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit notifies a life date and time of the electric device predicted by the prediction unit. The measuring means includes an elapsed time from its own manufacture, an elapsed time from its own connection to the communication network, an elapsed time from its own start of use, its own cumulative energization time, its own Measure at least two or more of the usage counts from the usage count,
The determination unit determines whether or not the usage status has reached the lifetime-related threshold for at least two or more usage statuses measured by the measurement unit;
The said notification means notifies the determination result of the said determination means, when it determines with any one of the said at least 2 or more said usage condition having reached the said lifetime related threshold value by the said determination means. The management system according to any one of 1 to 3. A notification content storage unit that stores the notification content in association with at least two or more usage situations measured by the measurement unit;
When the determination unit determines that any one of the two or more usage situations has reached the life-related threshold value, the notification unit associates with the usage situation determined to have reached the life-related threshold value. The management system according to claim 4, wherein the notification content stored in the notification content storage means is notified.

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