JP5301702B2 - Controller, power consumption control method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a home controller capable of controlling the demand by household appliances with a simple configuration. A home controller stores electric power data (CP) representing the power consumption for each of a plurality of household appliances (300) and electric power data (RP) representing the reducible power consumption for each of the household appliances. The home controller receives a reduction instruction (DRa) from an external electric power system instructing the home controller to reduce power consumption within the home by a first rate of reduction or no less than the first rate. The home controller calculates a second rate of reduction required for reducing the power consumption within the home by the first rate of reduction using the first rate of reduction, the electric power data (CP), and the electric power data (RP) on the basis of receiving the reduction instruction (DRa). The home controller transmits to each of the household appliances a reduction instruction (DRß) instructing said household appliances to reduce power consumption by the second rate of reduction.

Description

The present invention relates to a controller, a power consumption control method, and a program. In particular, the present invention relates to a controller for controlling a plurality of home appliances in a home, a power consumption control method, and a program.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an apparatus that performs demand control of electric energy is known.
For example, in Patent Document 1, a demand priority setting unit that sets the priority of demand control and a priority notification unit that notifies the controller of the set priority are installed on the home appliance side as the above devices. A configuration is disclosed in which the controller determines the order of household appliances subject to demand control according to the priority from the priority notification means.

Further, Patent Document 2, if the user is likely to exceed the consumption current value contract, the user, a radio wave remote control, with respect to radio remote control receiving unit of the air conditioner, the process proceeds to the operation of lowering the shutdown and power consumption The structure which transmits such a message | telegram is disclosed.

JP 2010-75015 A JP 2010-74591 A

  However, a conventional device that performs demand control has a complicated configuration because the controller is configured to individually control a plurality of home appliances to be controlled.

The present application has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a controller, a power consumption control method, and a program capable of performing demand control of home appliances with a simple configuration. It is in.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the controller controls a plurality of home appliances in the house. The controller stores the processor, the first power amount data representing the power consumption amount of each of the plurality of home appliances, and the second power amount data representing the power consumption amount that can be reduced in each home appliance. A memory and a communication interface connected to the processor. The processor receives a first reduction instruction instructing to reduce the power consumption amount in the house by the first ratio reduction or the first ratio or more from the power system outside the house using the communication interface. The processor is based on the reception of the first decrease command, using the first reduction ratio and the first power amount data and the second power amount data, first rate reduction in power consumption of home The second reduction ratio, which is the same reduction ratio that is instructed to a plurality of household appliances, is calculated. A processor transmits the 2nd reduction instruction | indication which instruct | indicates to reduce a power consumption amount to the 2nd ratio with respect to each household appliance using a communication interface.

Preferably, the processor calculates a power consumption amount to be reduced in the house based on the first reduction ratio and the first power amount data. Processor, whether the first reduction ratio to reduce power consumption amount to be reduced, which is calculated when transmitted to each home, the first reduction ratio, a first power amount data, the second Judgment is made based on the electric energy data. Processor, if it can reduce the power consumption to be reduced the calculated, using the communication interface, with respect to each home, a third instructing a reduction in power consumption of the same ratio as the first reduction ratio Send reduction instructions. When the calculated power consumption to be reduced cannot be reduced, the processor transmits a second reduction instruction to each home appliance using the communication interface.

Preferably, the processor is based on it from the power system has received the first decrease command, using the communication interface, from each of a plurality of home appliances, the first element data showing the power consumption of the home appliance, receiving a second element data showing the power consumption can be reduced in the home appliance. The processor generates first power amount data based on the first element data. The processor generates second power amount data based on the second element data. The processor stores the generated first power amount data and second power amount data in the memory.

  Preferably, the controller is communicably connected to the plurality of communication control devices. Each of the communication control devices is communicably connected to one home appliance corresponding to the communication control device among the plurality of home appliances. A processor receives 1st element data and 2nd element data from each household appliance via a communication control apparatus. The processor transmits a second reduction instruction to each home appliance via the communication control device.

Preferably, a processor acquires the output from the sensor installed in the room in which the some household appliance was installed. Second power amount data includes power amount data corresponding to the first output, and a power amount data corresponding to the second output. The processor, when the output of the sensor of the first output, based on the reception of the first reduction instruction, and the power amount data corresponding to the first reduction ratio and the first power amount data and the first output It is used to calculate a second reduction ratio needed to reduce the proportion of the power consumption first in-home. The processor, when the output of the sensor of the second output, based on the reception of the first reduction instruction, and the power amount data first reduction ratio and the first power amount data and corresponding to the second output It is used to calculate a second reduction ratio needed to reduce the proportion of the power consumption first in-home.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the power consumption control method, in the controller for controlling a plurality of home appliances in the home, a power consumption control method for a respective home. Power consumption control method comprises the controller, the out-of-home power system, receiving a first reduced instruction instructs to reduce the power consumption of the home first rate reduction or the first ratio or more Based on the fact that the controller has received the first reduction instruction, the first reduction ratio, the first power amount data representing the power consumption amount of each of the plurality of home appliances, and the reduction in each home appliance Using the second power amount data representing the power consumption amount , the second reduction rate that is the same reduction rate that instructs a plurality of home appliances that is required to reduce the power consumption amount in the home by the first rate A step of calculating a reduction ratio, and a step of transmitting a second reduction instruction instructing the controller to reduce the power consumption amount by a second ratio to each home appliance.

When the further another situation of this invention is followed, a program is a program for controlling the controller which controls the some household appliances in a house. Program, receiving from the home outside the power system, the first decrease command that instructs to reduce the power consumption of the home first rate reduction or the first ratio or more, the first decrease command The first power reduction data, the first power amount data representing the power consumption amount of each of the plurality of home appliances, and the second power representing the power consumption amount that can be reduced in each home appliance. using the amount data, the power consumption of the home is required to reduce a first rate, calculating a second reduction ratio is the same reduction ratio which instructs the plurality of home appliances, each home In response to this, the controller processor is caused to execute a step of transmitting a second reduction instruction instructing to reduce the power consumption amount by the second ratio.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to perform demand control of home appliances with a simple configuration.

It is a figure for demonstrating schematic structure of a communication system. It is a figure for demonstrating the outline | summary of a process of a home controller. It is a figure showing the hardware constitutions of the smart meter. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of a home controller. Is a diagram showing the measurement result of the power consumption of the air conditioner. Is a diagram showing the measurement result of the power consumption of the refrigerator. Is a diagram showing the measurement result of the power consumption of the lighting device. Is a diagram showing the measurement result of the power consumption of the television. It is the figure which showed the sequence chart in a communication system. It is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the home controller. It is a figure for demonstrating another communication system. It is a figure for demonstrating schematic structure of another communication system. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of a communication adapter, and the structure of a household appliance. It is a figure showing the hardware constitutions of the communication adapter. It is the figure which showed the sequence chart in the said communication system. It is a figure for demonstrating another communication system. It is a figure for demonstrating another communication system. It is a figure for demonstrating schematic structure of another communication system. It is a figure for demonstrating the correspondence of a sensor and household appliances. It is a figure showing the data table which a home controller uses.

    Hereinafter, a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

<A. System configuration>
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a schematic configuration of the communication system 1. With reference to FIG. 1, the communication system 1 includes a smart meter 10, a home controller 20, and a household appliance group 30. Home appliance group 30 includes a plurality of home appliances. Home appliance group 30 includes, for example, an air conditioner 301, a refrigerator 302, a lighting device 303, a television 304, a washing machine 305, and a microwave oven 306. The smart meter 10 is installed outside the building 9 (outside the house). The home controller 20 and the household appliance group 30 are installed in the building 9 (home). In the following, for convenience of explanation, when each of the home appliances 301 to 306 included in the home appliance group 30 is expressed without being distinguished, it is expressed as “home appliance 300”.

  In addition, although the household appliance group 30 contains the air conditioner 301, the refrigerator 302, the illuminating device 303, the television 304, the washing machine 305, and the microwave oven 306, it is not specifically limited to this. For example, the household appliance group 30 may include electrical equipment such as an IH (Induction Heating) cooker, a rice cooker, an electric heater, an electronic blind, floor heating, and an electric water heater.

  The smart meter 10 is a watt-hour meter having a communication function. The smart meter 10 is communicably connected to the home controller 20. The smart meter 10 is connected to each home appliance 300 through a power line so as to be able to supply power. The smart meter 10 receives the power generated by the power plant 80 of the power company 8 via the power system 81.

The smart meter 10 calculates the power consumption of home appliances 300 each. The smart meter 10, the calculated amount of power consumption, in association with the identifier of the home appliance 300 each, and sends the home controller 20.

The smart meter 10, electric power company 8, consumption in the building 9 (used) the amount of power (hereinafter, simply referred to as "power consumption") for receiving the reduction instruction DRα to reduce. Typically, the smart meter 10, electric power company 8, consumption per predetermined time in the building 9 (used) the amount of power (hereinafter, simply referred to as "power consumption") decrease command for reducing the Receives DRα. More precisely, the smart meter 10 receives from the electric power company 8 a reduction instruction DRα for reducing the power consumption per unit time (electric power × time) in the building 9.

The smart meter 10 transmits the received reduction instruction DRα to the home controller 20. Examples of the reduction instruction DRα include an instruction for reducing the power consumption by a certain ratio (for example, 20% (20%)) and an instruction for reducing the power consumption by a certain ratio or more. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, a case where the smart meter 10 receives an instruction for reducing the power consumption by a certain ratio will be described as an example of the reduction instruction DRα.

The home controller 20 is a controller for controlling each home appliance 300. The home controller 20 is communicably connected to the smart meter 10 and each home appliance 300. The home controller 20 generates a reduction instruction DRβ usable by the home appliance group 30 by performing a predetermined protocol conversion on the reduction instruction DRα received from the smart meter 10. Specifically, the home controller 20 generates a reduction instruction DRβ based on the reduction instruction DRα and power amount data CP and RP described later. Home controller 20 reduces as indicated DR beta, decrease command same proportion as reduction percentage shown in DR.alpha. (E.g. 20%), or proportion greater than the reduction ratio (e.g. 30%) to reduce the power consumption of Generate instructions. A method for generating the reduction instruction DRβ will be described later (FIG. 2 and the like). Home controller 20 transmits reduction instruction DRβ to each home appliance 300. That is, the home controller 20 instructs each home appliance 300 to reduce the same amount of power consumption.

The home controller 20 receives power amount data representing the power consumption amount of the home appliance from each home appliance 300 via the smart meter 10. Specifically, the home controller 20 receives power amount data CP- 1 representing the power consumption amount of the air conditioner 301 from the air conditioner 301. In addition, the home controller 20 receives power amount data CP-2 representing the power consumption amount of the refrigerator 302 from the refrigerator 302. Similarly, the home controller 20, from the home appliances 303, 304, 305 and 306, respectively, the power amount data CP-3 was expressed power consumption of the home appliance 303, 304, 305 and 306, CP-4, CP- 5, CP-6 is received.

In addition, the home controller 20 receives power amount data representing the amount of power that can be reduced for each home appliance from each home appliance 300. Specifically, the home controller 20 receives from the air conditioner 301 the power amount data RP-1 representing the amount of power that can be reduced by the air conditioner 301. In addition, the home controller 20 receives power amount data RP-2 representing the amount of power that can be reduced by the refrigerator 302 from the refrigerator 302. Similarly, the home controller 20 receives from the home appliances 303, 304, 305, and 306 the power amount data RP-3, RP-4, and RP representing the reducible power amounts of the home appliances 303, 304, 305, and 306, respectively. -5 and RP-6 are received.

The above-described power amount data CP is data representing the power consumption amount of each of the plurality of home appliances 300. The home controller 20 generates power amount data CP using the power amount data CP-1 to CP-6. That is, each of the power amount data CP-1~CP-6 is an element data constituting the power amount data CP. Home controller 20 stores electric energy data CP-1 to CP-6 in association with the identifier of each home appliance. For example, the home controller 20 stores the electric energy data CP-1 in association with the identifier of the air conditioner 301.

The power amount data RP described above is data representing the power consumption can be reduced in each home 300. The home controller 20 generates power amount data RP using the power amount data RP-1 to RP-6. That is, each of the power amount data RP-1~RP-6 is an element data constituting the power amount data RP. Home controller 20 stores electric energy data RP-1 to RP-6 in association with the identifier of each home appliance. For example, the home controller 20 stores the electric energy data RP-1 in association with the identifier of the air conditioner 301.

As described above, the reason why the home controller 20 generates, as the reduction instruction DRβ, an instruction for reducing the amount of power consumption that is larger than the reduction ratio indicated in the reduction instruction DRα is as follows. For example, an air conditioner 301, in the cooling operation, switching to the blowing operation, such as by shutdown, it is possible to reduce the indicated proportion or more of power consumption. On the other hand, the refrigerator 302 can raise the set temperature in the refrigerator, but there is a limit to the rise range. Further, since the washing machine 305 is not appropriate also abandoning the operation, there is a limit to the reduction of power consumption. For this reason, a state occurs in which the amount of power consumption is not reduced by the ratio instructed by the power company 8. Therefore, in order to have a household appliance with a large amount of power consumption that can be reduced perform a reduction in the amount of power consumption, the home controller 20 may reduce the reduction rate indicated in the reduction instruction DRα as described above. An instruction for reducing a large amount of power consumption is generated.

  Each home appliance 300 receives power via the smart meter 10. Each home appliance 300 receives the reduction instruction DRβ from the home controller 20. Each home appliance 300 changes the operation state based on the reduction instruction DRβ. As an example, the air conditioner 301 increases the set temperature during the cooling operation and decreases the set temperature during the heating operation.

<B. Overview>
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an outline of processing of the home controller 20. The home controller 20 acquires the reduction instruction DRα from the power company 8 via the smart meter 10 (see block 281). In the following, as an example, reduction instruction DRα is described as being for instructing to reduce the power consumption of the in-home 20%.

The home controller 20 stores a data table 291. Specifically, the home controller 20 includes power amount data CP that represents the power consumption amount of each of the plurality of home appliances 301 to 306 and power amount data RP that represents the power consumption amount that can be reduced in each of the home appliances 301 to 306. I remember it. As described above, the power amount data CP is composed of the power amount data CP-1 to CP6 which are element data. The power amount data RP is composed of power amount data RP-1 to RP6 which are element data.

Home controller 20, the sum of the power consumption of each home 301 to 306 (hereinafter, also referred to as the "total power consumption") is determined. Specifically, the total amount of power in the power amount data CP-1 to CP-6 is obtained . In the case of the data table 291 is a 1800W h (= 800W h + 50W h + 100W h + 200W h + 150W h + 500W h) ( see block 282).

Home controller 20, by obtaining a 20% of the amount of power indicated on reducing instruction DRα in the total power consumption to determine the amount of power to be reduced. Specifically, the home controller 20 obtains the amount of power (360 W h ) to be reduced by multiplying 1800 W h by 0.2 (see block 283).

Next, the data table 292 will be described. The data table 292 is a table including data generated by the home controller 20 based on the power amount data CP and RP.

(B1. When the reduction ratio is 20%)
The home controller 20 calculates the amount of power reduced in each home appliance when the 20% power consumption is instructed to each home appliance 301 to 306 using the power amount data CP and the power amount data RP. . In the case of the air conditioner 301, the home controller 20 has a power consumption of 800 W h (power amount data CP-1) and a reducible power amount of 300 W h (power amount data RP-1). It is determined that the power consumption amount of h (= 800 W h × 0.2) is reduced. The home controller 20 writes the numerical value (160 W h ) in the column corresponding to the air conditioner and 20% in the data table 292.

Home controller 20, when the refrigerator 302, the power consumption is 50 W h, and reducible power amount for a 5W h, it is determined that only the power consumption of 5W h not reduced. In this case, even while transmitting an instruction to the home controller 20 to reduce the power consumption of 20% in the refrigerator 302, so that not only can reduce power consumption of 10% in the refrigerator. The home controller 20 writes the numerical value (5 W h ) in the column corresponding to the refrigerator and 20% in the data table 292. The numerical values in parentheses in the data table 292 "()" represents that has reached the upper limit value of the reducible power amount.

Similarly, the home controller 20 writes 20 W h (= 100 W h × 0.2) in the column corresponding to the lighting device and 20% in the data table 292 regarding the lighting device 303. The home controller 20 writes 40 W h (= 200 W h × 0.2) in the column corresponding to the TV and 20% in the data table 292 regarding the TV 304. The home controller 20 writes 15 W h (the upper limit value of the reducible power amount ) in the column corresponding to the washing machine and 20% in the data table 292 regarding the washing machine 305. The home controller 20 writes 15 W h (the upper limit value of the reducible power amount ) in the column corresponding to the washing machine and 20% in the data table 292 regarding the washing machine 305. Home controller 20 relates to an electronic oven 306, written in the column corresponding 50 W h a (upper limit value of the reducible power amount) in the microwave and 20% in the data table 292.

The home controller 20 also calculates the sum of the numerical values in the 20% column in the data table 292. Thus, the home controller 20, the amount of power reduction at each home when tentatively indicated the power consumption of 20% with respect to each home 301 to 306, calculated as a 290W h.

The home controller 20, calculated power amount, determines whether or exceeds the amount of power to be reduced. In this case, the home controller 20, calculated power amount is a 290W h, the amount of power to be reduced because it is 360 W h (see block 283), it is determined that not above. For this reason, even if the home controller 20 instructs each of the home appliances 301 to 306 to reduce the amount of power consumption by 20%, the home controller 20 determines that the reduction ratio instructed by the power company 8 cannot be achieved.

Therefore, the home controller 20 performs the above-described calculation again after adding a certain ratio to 20%. As an example, a description will be given below of a configuration for determining whether or not the power consumption (360 W h ) to be reduced can be achieved when 25% is obtained by adding 5% to 20%.

(B2. When the reduction ratio is 25%)
The home controller 20 calculates, using the power amount data CP and the power amount data RP, the amount of power that is reduced in each home appliance when a 25% power consumption amount is temporarily instructed to each of the home appliances 301 to 306. .

The home controller 20 writes 200 W h (= 800 W h × 0.25) in the column corresponding to the air conditioner and 25% in the data table 292 regarding the air conditioner 301. The home controller 20 writes 5 W h (upper limit value of reducible electric energy ) in the column corresponding to the refrigerator and 25% in the data table 292 regarding the refrigerator 302. The home controller 20 writes 25 W h (= 100 W h × 0.25) in the column corresponding to the lighting device and 25% in the data table 292 regarding the lighting device 303.

Home controller 20 relates TV 304 writes 50 W h a (upper limit value of the reducible power amount) in the column corresponding to the TV and 25% in the data table 292. The home controller 20 writes 15 W h (upper limit value) in the column corresponding to the washing machine and 25% in the data table 292 regarding the washing machine 305. Home controller 20 relates washing machine 305 is written to the column corresponding to 15W h (the upper limit of the reducible power amount) to the washing machine and 25% and in the data table 292. The home controller 20 writes 50 W h (the upper limit value of the reducible power amount ) in the column corresponding to the microwave oven and 25% in the data table 292 regarding the microwave oven 306.

The home controller 20 also calculates the sum of the numerical values in the 25% column in the data table 292. Thus, the home controller 20, the amount of power reduction at each home when tentatively indicated the power consumption of 25% with respect to each home 301 to 306, calculated as a 345W h.

The home controller 20, calculated power amount, determines whether or exceeds the amount of power to be reduced. In this case, the home controller 20, calculated power amount is a 345W h, the amount of power to be reduced because it is 360 W h (see block 283), it is determined that not above. Therefore, the home controller 20 also instructs the reduction of 25% of power consumption for each consumer electronics 301 to 306, determines that it is unable to achieve the reduction rate instructed by the power company 8.

Therefore, the home controller 20 adds 5% to 25% in the same manner as described above, and then executes the above-described calculation again. In other words, the home controller 20, when the tentatively indicated the power consumption of 30% each home 301 to 306, it is determined whether the power consumption should be reduced (360 W h) can be achieved.

(B3. When the reduction ratio is 30%)
The home controller 20 calculates the amount of power that is reduced in each home appliance when the 30% power consumption is instructed to each home appliance 301 to 306 using the power amount data CP and the power amount data RP. .

Home controller 20 relates the air conditioner 301 is written to the column corresponding to the air-conditioned and 30% in 240W h (= 800W h × 0.3 ) to the data table 292. The home controller 20 writes 5 W h (the upper limit value of the reducible power amount ) in the column corresponding to the refrigerator and 30% in the data table 292 regarding the refrigerator 302. The home controller 20 writes 30 W h (= 100 W h × 0.3) in the column corresponding to the lighting device and 30% in the data table 292 regarding the lighting device 303.

Home controller 20 relates TV 304 writes 50 W h a (upper limit value of the reducible power amount) in the column corresponding to the TV and 30% in the data table 292. The home controller 20 writes 15 W h (upper limit) in the column corresponding to the washing machine and 30% in the data table 292 regarding the washing machine 305. The home controller 20 writes 15 W h (the upper limit value of the reducible power amount ) in the column corresponding to the washing machine and 30% in the data table 292 regarding the washing machine 305. The home controller 20 writes 50 W h (the upper limit value of the reducible power amount ) in the column corresponding to the microwave oven and 30% in the data table 292 regarding the microwave oven 306.

The home controller 20 also calculates the sum of the numerical values in the 30% column in the data table 292. Thus, the home controller 20, the amount of power reduction at each home when tentatively indicated the power consumption of 30% each home 301 to 306, calculated as a 390 W h.

The home controller 20, calculated power amount, determines whether or exceeds the amount of power to be reduced. In this case, the home controller 20, calculated power amount is a 390 W h, the amount of power to be reduced because it is 360 W h (see block 283), it is determined that the above. For this reason, the home controller 20 determines that the reduction rate instructed by the electric power company 8 can be achieved by instructing the home appliances 301 to 306 to reduce the amount of power consumption by 30%.

Home controller 20 generates signals to reduce instruction DRβ showing possible to reduce power consumption by 30% (see block 284). The home controller 20 transmits the generated reduction instruction DRβ to the home appliances 301 to 306. As a result, the home controller 20 can achieve a reduction in the amount of power consumption instructed by the power company 8.

As described above, the home controller 20 relates the reduction of power consumption, is configured to control collectively. Therefore, the home controller 20 can perform demand control of home appliances with a simple configuration compared to a configuration in which a plurality of home appliances are individually controlled (that is, different reduction instructions are transmitted using different parameters for each home appliance). It becomes possible.

  In the above, in the reduction instruction DRβ, the reduction ratio is increased by 5%, but is not limited to 5%. If the reduction ratio is increased by a value smaller than 5% (for example, 1%), finer control is possible compared to the case of 5%. On the other hand, if the value is increased by a value larger than 5% (for example, 10%), the data processing amount in the home controller 20 becomes smaller than in the case of 5%. Further, the home controller 20 may be configured so that the user can appropriately set the rate of increase.

Hereinafter, a specific configuration of the communication system 1 for realizing the above processing will be described.
<C. Hardware configuration>
(C1. Smart meter)
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of the smart meter 10. Referring to FIG. 3, smart meter 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a memory 12, a system communication interface 15, a watt-hour meter 16, and a home communication interface 17.

  The memory 12 is realized by various types of RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), flash memory, hard disk, and the like. The memory 12 stores an OS (Operation System) executed by the CPU 201, various control programs, and various data read by the CPU 201.

  The system communication interface 15 is an interface used for communication with the electric power company 8. The smart meter 10 receives the reduction instruction DRα using the system communication interface 15.

The watt-hour meter 16 transmits the power received from the power company 8 to the home appliance group 30. The power meter 16 measures the amount of power consumption in the building 9. Specifically, the power meter 16 measures the power consumption of home appliances 300 each. Thereby, the smart meter 10 obtains the electric energy data CP1 to CP6.

The in-home communication interface 17 transmits a reduction instruction DRα and power amount data CP1 to CP6 to the home controller 20.

(C2. Home controller)
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the home controller 20. FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating the appearance of the home controller 20. FIG. 4B is a block diagram illustrating an aspect of the hardware configuration of the home controller 20.

  4A, the home controller 20 includes a CPU 201, a button 204, a communication interface 205, a touch panel display 206, a speaker 207, a clock 208, and a memory 209. A display 206 with a touch panel includes a display 202 and a tablet 203, and the tablet 203 is laid on the surface of the display 202. However, the home controller 20 may not have the tablet 203.

  The memory 209 is realized by various RAMs, ROMs, flash memories, hard disks, and the like. For example, the memory 209 is a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, a CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory), a DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disk-Read Only Memory), which is used via an interface for reading. Memory card, FD (Flexible Disk), hard disk, magnetic tape, cassette tape, MO (Magnetic Optical Disc), MD (Mini Disc), IC (Integrated Circuit) card (excluding memory card), optical card, mask ROM, EPROM It is also realized by a medium for storing a program in a nonvolatile manner such as an EEPROM (Electronically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory).

  The memory 209 stores an OS, various control programs executed by the CPU 201, and various data tables such as data tables 291 and 292 read and written by the CPU 201.

The display 202 displays the state of each home appliance 300 by being controlled by the CPU 201. More specifically, the display 202, the power consumption of each home appliance 300, the power consumption of the sum of home appliances group 30, displays various information such as the contents of the decrease command from the power company 8. The tablet 203 detects a touch operation by a user's finger and inputs touch coordinates and the like to the CPU 201. The CPU 201 receives a command from the user via the tablet 203.

  The button 204 is disposed on the surface of the home controller 20. A plurality of buttons such as a determination key, a direction key, and a numeric keypad may be arranged on the home controller 20. The button 204 receives a command from the user. The button 204 inputs a command from the user to the CPU 201.

The communication interface 205 transmits / receives data to / from each home appliance 300 of the home appliance group 30 through the network by being controlled by the CPU 201. The communication interface 205 transmits / receives data to / from each home appliance 300 by using, for example, a wireless LAN, ZigBee (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), a wired LAN, or a PLC. The communication interface 205 communicates with the smart meter 10 for data such as the reduction instruction DRα and the power amount data CP-1 to CP-6.

  The speaker 207 outputs sound based on a command from the CPU 201. For example, the CPU 201 causes the speaker 207 to output sound based on the sound data.

  The clock 208 inputs the current date and time to the CPU 201 based on a command from the CPU 201.

  The CPU 201 executes various kinds of information processing by executing various programs stored in the memory 209. In other words, the processing in the home controller 20 is realized by each hardware and software executed by the CPU 201. Such software may be stored in the memory 209 in advance. The software may be stored in a storage medium and distributed as a program product. Alternatively, the software may be provided as a program product that can be downloaded by an information provider connected to the so-called Internet.

  Such software is read from the storage medium by using a reading device (not shown), or downloaded by using the communication interface 205 and temporarily stored in the memory 209. The CPU 201 stores the software in an executable program format in the memory 209 and then executes the program.

  As storage media, CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory), DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disk-Read Only Memory), USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, memory card, FD (Flexible Disk), hard disk , Magnetic tape, cassette tape, MO (Magnetic Optical Disc), MD (Mini Disc), IC (Integrated Circuit) card (excluding memory card), optical card, mask ROM, EPROM, EEPROM (Electronically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) ) And the like (non-temporary medium) for storing the program in a nonvolatile manner.

  The program here includes not only a program directly executable by the CPU but also a program in a source program format, a compressed program, an encrypted program, and the like.

<D. Data>
Hereinafter, an air conditioner 301, a refrigerator 302, an illumination apparatus 303, and the measurement result of the power consumption in the television 304 will be described.

Figure 5 is a diagram showing the measurement result of the power consumption of the air conditioner 301. Specifically, FIG. 5, outside air sound is a 12 ° C., a power consumption measurement results when the air conditioner 301 is a heating operation. In addition, a measurement result is an example and is not limited to this.

Referring to FIG 5, if a high temperature setting, the power consumption is increased. The numerical values in parentheses are when the set temperature is the power consumption when the 22 ° C. and 100% represents the power consumption of each setting temperature. In the case of the air conditioner 301, if the set temperature exceeds the control capability of the air conditioner 301 due to the environment of the installed room (area and heat leakage) and the outside temperature, the continuous operation mode (capacity over) is entered. . In this case, power consumption in the air conditioner 301 rises rapidly (see the set temperature 28 ° C.).

Figure 6 is a diagram showing the power consumption of the measurement results for the refrigerator 302. Specifically, FIG. 6, for the freezing chamber and the refrigerating chamber, a diagram showing the measurement results of the power consumption when changing the control operation. In addition, a measurement result is an example and is not limited to this.

As the control operation, the minimum power consumption, cited standard power consumption, and three of the maximum power consumption as an example. Note that there are nine levels of temperature control from −4 to −1, 0, +1 to +4 in both the freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment. The temperature setting of level “−4” has the lowest cooling capacity. Therefore, the temperature setting of the level "4" is the minimum power consumption. Temperature setting of level "0" (normal) becomes the standard energy consumption. The temperature setting of level “+4” has the highest cooling capacity. Therefore, the temperature setting of the level "+4" is the maximum power consumption.

For the freezing compartment, a minimum power consumption, the standard consumed energy, and the maximum power consumption, respectively, 29.4W h, 35W h, the 40.3W h. Note that parentheses is the numerical value of 100% the value of the standard energy consumption. For the refrigerating compartment, a minimum power consumption, the standard consumed energy, and the maximum power consumption, respectively, 27.3W h, 35W h, the 37.5 W h. Note that parentheses is the numerical value of 100% the value of the standard energy consumption. Thus, in the refrigerator 302, the amount of power corresponding to the level is consumed.

Figure 7 is a diagram showing the power consumption of the measurement results of the lighting device 303. Specifically, FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the measurement results of the power consumption when changing the control operation. More specifically, FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a measurement result when an LED (Light Emitting Diode) is used as the light source of the lighting device 303. In addition, a measurement result and Formula (1) mentioned later are examples, Comprising: It is not limited to this.

As the control operation, the minimum power consumption, cited standard power consumption, and three of the maximum power consumption as an example. There are 10 levels of dimming control from 1 to 10. The light control setting of level “1” has the lowest illuminance. Therefore, the dimming setting of the level "1" is the minimum power consumption. Level "6" (standard) of the dimming setting, the standard energy consumption. The light control setting of level “10” has the highest illuminance. Therefore, the dimming setting of the level "10" is the maximum power consumption. In this case, the minimum power consumption, the standard consumed energy, and the maximum power consumption, respectively, 15W h, 40W h, the 86W h. Note that the parentheses are numerical values with the maximum power consumption amount being 100%.

Note that the relationship between the power consumption amount and the level in the lighting device 303 has a relationship represented by the following formula (1), where y is the power consumption amount and x is the level. As described above, also in the lighting device 303, the amount of power corresponding to the level is consumed.

y = 12.392e0.1941x (1)
Figure 8 is a diagram showing the measurement result of the power consumption of the television 304. Specifically, FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a measurement result when a liquid crystal television is used as the television 304. More specifically, FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the measurement results of the power consumption when changing the control operation of the backlight. In addition, a measurement result is an example and is not limited to this.

As the control operation, the minimum power consumption, cited standard power consumption, and three of the maximum power consumption as an example. Note that there are 33 levels from -16 to -1, 0, +1 to +16 for setting the luminance of the backlight. A luminance setting of level “−16” has the lowest illumination capability. Therefore, the brightness setting of the level "-16" is the minimum power consumption. Brightness setting of level "0" (normal) becomes the standard energy consumption. A temperature setting of level “+16” has the highest illumination capability. Therefore, the temperature setting of the level "+16" is the maximum power consumption. Minimum power consumption, the standard consumed energy, and the maximum power consumption, respectively, 115W h, 161W h, the 230 W h. Note that the parentheses are numerical values with the maximum power consumption amount being 100%. Thus, the television 304 also consumes an amount of power corresponding to the level.

<E. Data processing flow>
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a sequence chart in the communication system 1. Referring to FIG. 9, in step S <b> 2, smart meter 10 transmits reduction instruction DRα received from power company 8 to home controller 20. In step S <b> 4, the smart meter 10 transmits to the home controller 20 electricity amount data CP <b> 1 to CP <b> 6 representing the power consumption amounts of the home appliances 300 (301 to 306). In step S6, each home 300 home appliance group 30 transmits the power amount data RP-1~RP-6 to reduce power amount were expressed respectively in each home 300 to home controller 20.

In step S8, the home controller 20 generates power amount data CP based on the power amount data CP-1 to CP6, and generates power amount data RP based on the power amount data RP-1 to RP-6. In step S10, the home controller 20 uses the reduction ratio designated by the reduction instruction DRα, the electric energy data CP, and the electric energy data RP to reduce the in-home power consumption by the designated ratio. Calculate the required reduction rate. Note that the processing in step S10 corresponds to the processing for obtaining the value (30%) shown in the block 284 in FIG.

In step S12, the home controller 20 generates a reduced instruction DRβ to tell each home 300 to reduce the power consumption reduction ratio calculated. In step S <b> 14, the home controller 20 transmits a reduction instruction DRβ to each home appliance 300 in the home appliance group 30.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the home controller 20. Referring to FIG. 10, in step S102, home controller 20 receives reduction instruction DRα from smart meter 10. In step S <b> 104, power amount data CP-1 to CP-6 representing the power consumption amount of each home appliance 300 is received from each home appliance 300 via the smart meter 10. In step S <b> 106, the home controller 20 receives power amount data RP-1 to RP-6 representing the amount of power that can be reduced in each home appliance 300 from each home appliance 300.

In step S108, the home controller 20, the power amount data CP-1~CP-6 and the power amount data RP-1~RP-6 received, respectively, to generate electric power amount data CP and power amount data RP, memory The generated electric energy data CP and electric energy data RP are stored in 209. In step S110, the home controller 20, based on the reduction rate specified and the power amount data CP by reducing instruction DR.alpha., Calculates the power consumption to be reduced in the home. The processing in step S110 corresponds to block 283 in FIG.

In step S112, the home controller 20, when the reduction rate specified by the decrease command DRα tentatively sent to each home 300, determines whether it is possible to reduce the calculated amount of power consumption to be reduced was. If home controller 20 determines that reduction is not possible (NO in step S112), in step S114, using reduction ratio indicated in reduction instruction DRα, power amount data CP, and power amount data RP. , and it calculates the reduction ratio required to reduce only the indicated ratio to decrease command DRα power consumption of home. In step S116, the home controller 20 generates a reduced instruction DRβ to tell each home 300 to reduce the power consumption reduction ratio calculated.

Home controller 20, when it is determined that the possible reduction (YES in step S112), in step S120, reduced instruction DR beta (third reduction of instructing a reduction in power consumption of the same proportion as the reduction ratio in the reduction instruction DRα Instruction). In step S118, the home controller 20 transmits the generated reduction instruction DRβ to each home appliance 300.

<F. Modification>
(F1. Smart meter built-in home controller)
FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a communication system 1 </ b> A that is a modification of the communication system 1. Referring to FIG. 11, communication system 1 </ b> A includes a home controller 20 </ b> A incorporating a smart meter, and home appliances 300 (301 to 306) in home appliance group 30. In other words, the home controller 20 is provided with a measuring device for measuring the power consumption of the home.

  The communication system 1A is different from the communication system 1 in which the smart meter 10 and the home controller 20 are separated in that the smart meter and the home controller are integrated. The home controller 20 </ b> A has functions of the home controller 20 and the smart meter 10.

  The home controller 20A is not different from the configuration including the smart meter 10 and the home controller 20 except that the home controller 20A is integrated. Therefore, the details of the processing in home controller 20A will not be repeated here. The communication system 1 </ b> A can achieve the same effects as the communication system 1.

(F2. Use of communication adapter)
(F2-1)
FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a schematic configuration of the communication system 1B. Referring to FIG. 12, communication system 1 </ b> B includes smart meter 10, home controller 20 </ b> B, home appliance group 30, and communication adapter group 40. The communication adapter group 40 includes a plurality of communication adapters 401 to 406. The home controller 20, the household appliance group 30, and the communication adapter group 40 are installed in the building 9 (home). In the following, for convenience of explanation, when the communication adapters 401 to 406 included in the communication adapter group 40 are expressed without distinction, they are expressed as “communication adapter 400”.

The smart meter 10 transmits the received reduction instruction DRα and power amount data CP-1 to CP-6 to the home controller 20B.

  The home controller 20B is connected to the smart meter 10 and each communication adapter 400 so as to be communicable. The home controller 20B generates a reduction instruction DRβ usable by the communication adapter group 40 by performing a predetermined protocol conversion on the reduction instruction DRα received from the smart meter 10. Home controller 20B transmits a reduction instruction DRβ to each communication adapter 400.

  Each communication adapter 400 receives the reduction instruction DRβ from the home controller 20B. Communication adapters 401 to 406 in the communication adapter group are communicably connected to one home appliance 301 to 306, respectively. For example, the communication adapter 401 is communicably connected to the air conditioner 301.

Each communication adapter 400 controls the operation of home appliances connected thereto. Specifically, each communication adapter 400 controls the operation of home appliances connected thereto by transmitting a control signal (command) for controlling the operation of the home appliances to the home appliances. As an example, the communication adapter 400, when receiving the decrease command DR beta, a control signal for reducing the power consumption reduction rate shown in the decrease command DR beta, and transmits the home appliance connected to each.

  Each home appliance 300 receives power via the smart meter 10 and the communication adapter 400. Each home appliance 300 receives a control signal from each communication adapter 400. Each household appliance 300 changes an operation state based on a control signal. As an example, the air conditioner 301 increases the set temperature during the cooling operation and decreases the set temperature during the heating operation.

Each communication adapter 400, at a predetermined timing, acquires the power consumption of the home appliance from the home appliance 300 connected to each. For example, the communication adapter 401 acquires the amount of power consumption in the air conditioner 301 from the air conditioner 301.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the communication adapter 400 and the configuration of the home appliance 300. Referring to FIG. 13, communication adapter 400 relays communication performed between home appliance 300 and home controller 20B. The communication format of communication performed between home appliance 300 and communication adapter 400 is different from the communication format of communication performed between communication adapter 400 and home controller 20B. Communication adapter 400 converts data received from one of home appliance 300 and home controller 20B into a communication format in which communication with the other is possible.

  Home appliance 300 includes a device communication control unit 320, a communication interface unit 310, and a plug 330. The device communication control unit 320 executes a device communication program for performing communication with the communication adapter 400 via the communication interface unit 310.

  The device communication control unit 320 includes a device information response unit 322. The device information response unit 322 transmits device information to the communication adapter 400 in response to a request from the communication adapter 400 (specifically, the device information acquisition unit 418).

  The device communication control unit 320 communicates with the communication adapter 400 using a simple communication function such as a UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter). The communication interface unit 310 and the communication adapter 400 may be connected so that they can communicate with each other by wired communication. Alternatively, the communication interface unit 310 and the communication adapter 400 may be connected so as to communicate with each other by wireless communication. The wireless communication may be, for example, short-range wireless communication such as RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) or infrared communication.

  A device communication program for performing communication between the home appliance 300 and the communication adapter 400 exchanges a minimum amount of data with a communication specification unique to each home appliance so that the development burden on the home appliance 300 does not increase.

  The communication adapter 400 includes a home appliance communication interface 408 for connecting to the home appliance 300, a home communication interface 416 for connecting to the home controller 20B, a control unit 440 for controlling the entire device, and a memory 446. , A power meter 480 and a socket 490. The control unit 440 is, for example, a microcomputer. The control unit 440 converts the data received from the home appliance 300 via the home appliance communication interface 408 into data in a communication format corresponding to communication between the communication adapter 400 and the home controller 20B, and sets the home communication interface 416. To the home controller 20B. Alternatively, the control unit 440 converts the data received from the home controller 20B via the in-home communication interface 416 into data in a communication format corresponding to communication between the communication adapter 400 and the home appliance 300, and the home appliance communication interface It transmits to home appliance 300 via 408.

  The control unit 440 includes a device communication control unit 410, a data conversion unit 412, a conversion data rewrite control unit 424, and a network communication control unit 414.

  The home appliance communication interface 408 is an interface for transmitting and receiving data between the home appliance 300 and the communication adapter 400. For example, data may be transmitted / received between the communication interface unit 310 and the home appliance communication interface 408 using wired communication, or data may be transmitted / received using wireless communication. When physically connected to the home appliance 300 using a cable or the like, a connector conforming to a predetermined standard such as USB (Universal Serial Bus) is used as the home appliance communication interface 408.

  The device communication control unit 410 controls communication with the home appliance 300. Specifically, device communication control unit 410 transmits the data whose communication format has been converted by data conversion unit 412 to home appliance 300 via home appliance communication interface 408. Alternatively, the device communication control unit 410 transmits data received from the home appliance 300 via the home appliance communication interface 408 to the data conversion unit 412.

  The device communication control unit 410 includes a device information acquisition unit 418 and a device information request unit 438. The device information request unit 438 requests the home appliance 300 to transmit the device information of the home appliance 300. The device information acquisition unit 418 acquires device information from the home appliance 300. Specifically, when device information is received from home appliance 300, device information acquisition unit 418 transmits the device information to conversion data rewrite control unit 424 or stores it in a storage medium such as a memory.

  The device information of the home appliance 300 is unique information of the home appliance 300 including manufacturer information of the home appliance 300, model information, and model information such as a function, a model number, a manufacturing year, or a version. The device information of the home appliance 300 is stored in advance in a storage medium such as a memory in the home appliance 300.

  The data conversion unit 412 converts data in a communication format that enables communication with either the home appliance 300 or the home controller 20B into data in a communication format that enables communication with the other.

  Specifically, the data conversion unit 412 converts the data received from the device communication control unit 410 into data in a communication format that enables communication with the home controller 20B, and transmits the data to the network communication control unit 414.

  The data conversion unit 412 converts the data received from the network communication control unit 414 into data in a communication format that enables communication with the home appliance 300 and transmits the data to the device communication control unit 410.

  The data conversion unit 412 includes a basic data conversion unit 442 and an additional data conversion unit 444. The basic data conversion unit 442 performs basic data when data received from either the home appliance 300 or the home controller 20B is basic data based on information such as a data header (for example, a property code described later). Is converted into data in a communication format that enables communication with the other. The basic data includes information that is common among a plurality of electrical devices that share the same model of home appliance 300.

  Additional data conversion unit 444 can communicate additional data with the other data when the data received from either home appliance 300 or home controller 20B is additional data based on information such as the header of the data. Convert the data to the communication format to be used. The additional data is information that is not common among a plurality of electrical devices that share the same model of the home appliance 300, and includes information that depends on the model of the home appliance 300.

  The basic data conversion unit 442 and the additional data conversion unit 444 are realized by software. That is, the basic data conversion unit 442 performs basic data conversion by causing the control unit 440 to execute a program (hereinafter also referred to as a basic data conversion program). Further, the additional data conversion unit 444 performs data conversion of the additional data when the control unit 440 executes a program (hereinafter also referred to as an additional data conversion program). Each of the basic data conversion program and the additional data conversion program is stored in a memory 446 that is a rewritable storage medium in the communication adapter 400. Note that the memory 446 may be provided in the control unit 440. The memory 446 is, for example, a nonvolatile memory.

  The network communication control unit 414 controls communication with the home controller 20B. The network communication control unit 414 executes a communication program for performing communication using a communication method according to the network 50 standard such as TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) / IP (Internet Protocol). The network 50 may be, for example, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), or the Internet.

  The network communication control unit 414 transmits the data whose communication format has been converted by the data conversion unit 412 to the home controller 20B via the in-home communication interface 416. Alternatively, the network communication control unit 414 transmits the data from the home controller 20B received via the in-home communication interface 416 to the data conversion unit 412.

  The in-home communication interface 416 is an interface for connecting to the home controller 20B. For example, when the home controller 20B performs communication using a wired cable such as a communication cable, a telephone line, or a power line, a connector conforming to a predetermined standard such as a USB is used as the in-home communication interface 416.

  Further, for example, when communication is performed with an access point connected to the home controller 20B using wireless communication (for example, wireless LAN), the home communication interface 416 is a wireless for transmitting and receiving radio waves from the access point. Units are used.

  The conversion data rewrite control unit 424 controls the rewriting operation of the basic data conversion program or the additional data conversion program. The conversion data rewrite control unit 424 includes a conversion data comparison unit 426.

  The conversion data rewrite control unit 424 uses the update information corresponding to the home appliance 300 acquired via at least one of the home appliance communication interface 408 and the home communication interface 416 and the basic data conversion unit 442 and the additional data The data conversion unit 444 is individually updated. The conversion data rewrite control unit 424 is a case where the basic data conversion unit 442 can convert the communication format of the basic data and the additional data conversion unit 444 cannot convert the communication format of the additional data. The additional data conversion unit 444 is updated using the update information. Furthermore, the conversion data rewrite control unit 424 updates the first conversion unit and the second conversion unit using the update information when the basic data conversion unit 442 cannot convert the communication format of the first data. Furthermore, the conversion data rewrite control unit 424 is a case where the basic data conversion unit 442 can convert the communication format of basic data, and the additional data conversion unit 444 can convert the communication format of additional data. In some cases, neither the basic data conversion unit 442 nor the additional data conversion unit 444 is updated.

  The conversion data comparison unit 426 determines whether the device information of the home appliance 300 received from the device information acquisition unit 418 corresponds to the basic data conversion unit 442. That is, the conversion data comparison unit 426 can convert the communication format of the basic data by the model of the home appliance 300 acquired from the home appliance 300 via the home appliance communication interface 408 and the basic data conversion program stored in the memory 446. It is determined that the communication format of the basic data can be converted if it matches a different model, and it is determined that the communication format of the basic data cannot be converted if they do not match.

  Further, the conversion data comparison unit 426 can convert the communication format of the additional data using the model of the home appliance 300 acquired from the home appliance 300 via the home appliance communication interface 408 and the additional data conversion program stored in the memory 446. If the data type matches, it is determined that conversion of the communication format of the impossible data is possible, and if it does not match, it is determined that the communication format of the additional data cannot be converted.

  Note that the conversion data comparison unit 426 determines whether the manufacturer information and model information in the device information of the home appliance 300 match the manufacturer information and model information corresponding to the basic data conversion program stored in the memory 446. judge.

  The conversion data rewrite control unit 424 rewrites both the basic data conversion program and the additional data conversion program when the conversion data comparison unit 426 determines that the device information of the home appliance 300 and the basic data conversion unit 442 do not correspond to each other. Run.

  When it is determined that the device information of the home appliance 300 corresponds to the basic data conversion unit 442, the conversion data comparison unit 426 determines whether the device information of the home appliance 300 corresponds to the additional data conversion unit 444. Specifically, the conversion data comparison unit 426 determines whether or not the model information in the device information of the home appliance 300 matches the model information corresponding to the additional data conversion program stored in the memory 446.

  When the conversion data comparison unit 426 determines that the device information of the home appliance 300 does not correspond to the additional data conversion unit 444, the conversion data rewrite control unit 424 executes rewriting of only the additional data conversion program.

  Note that the conversion data rewrite control unit 424 rewrites the program when the conversion data comparison unit 426 determines that the device information of the home appliance 300 corresponds to each of the basic data conversion unit 442 and the additional data conversion unit 444, for example. Do not execute.

  The conversion data rewrite control unit 424 requests the network communication control unit 414 to acquire a rewrite program when rewriting the program. The network communication control unit 414 includes a conversion data acquisition unit 428 and a control signal generation unit 450.

  The conversion data acquisition unit 428 requests the home controller 20B to acquire a rewrite program in response to a request from the conversion data rewrite control unit 424, and downloads the rewrite program from the home controller 20B. The conversion data acquisition unit 428 acquires an appropriate rewriting program by transmitting device information of the home appliance 300 to the home controller 20B, for example.

  For example, when rewriting both the basic data conversion program and the additional data conversion program, conversion data acquisition unit 428 acquires a rewriting program for one of the programs. The conversion data acquisition unit 428 stores the acquired rewriting program in the temporary storage area of the memory 446. The conversion data rewrite control unit 424 executes rewriting of one program by reading the rewriting program from the temporary storage area and overwriting a predetermined storage area in which one program to be rewritten is stored. After the rewriting of one program is completed, the conversion data acquisition unit 428 requests acquisition of the rewriting program for the other program. The conversion data acquisition unit 428 acquires the rewriting program of the other program transmitted in response to the request from the home controller 20B, and overwrites the temporary storage area of the memory 446. The conversion data rewrite control unit 424 reads the rewrite program from the overwritten temporary storage area, and rewrites the other program by overwriting a predetermined storage area in which the other program is stored.

  If the storage capacity of the temporary data storage area is sufficiently larger than the data size of the basic data conversion program and the additional data conversion program, the conversion data acquisition unit 428 sequentially or after acquiring both rewrite programs Rewriting may be executed in parallel.

  Further, when rewriting only the additional data conversion program, conversion data acquisition unit 428 acquires only the rewriting program of the additional data conversion program.

  Next, the watt-hour meter 480, the socket 490, the plug 330, and the control signal generator 450 will be described.

  The socket 490 is an outlet for connecting to the plug 330 of the home appliance 300. By inserting the plug 330 into the socket 490, power is supplied to the home appliance 300 via the communication adapter 400.

  The watt-hour meter 480 is a device that measures the amount of power supplied to the home appliance 300. The watt-hour meter 480 notifies the control unit 440 of the measured power amount.

  Control signal generation unit 450 converts reduction instruction DRβ into a control signal for controlling home appliance 300.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the communication adapter 400. Referring to FIG. 14, communication adapter 400 includes CPU 41, memory 42, watt-hour meter 480, socket 490, home communication interface 416, and home appliance communication interface 408.

  The memory 42 includes the memory 446 shown in FIG. The memory 42 is realized by various types of RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), flash memory, hard disk, and the like. The memory 42 stores an OS (Operation System) executed by the CPU 41, various control programs, and various data read by the CPU 41.

  The CPU 41 executes various types of information processing by executing various programs stored in the memory 42. In other words, the processing in the communication adapter 400 is realized by each hardware and software executed by the CPU 41. Such software may be stored in the memory 42 in advance. The software may be stored in a storage medium and distributed as a program product. Alternatively, the software may be provided as a program product that can be downloaded by an information provider connected to the so-called Internet.

  Such software is read from the storage medium by using a reading device (not shown), or downloaded by using the communication interface 416 and temporarily stored in the memory 42. The CPU 41 stores the software in an executable program format in the memory 42 and then executes the program.

  As storage media, CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory), DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disk-Read Only Memory), USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, memory card, FD (Flexible Disk), hard disk , Magnetic tape, cassette tape, MO (Magnetic Optical Disc), MD (Mini Disc), IC (Integrated Circuit) card (excluding memory card), optical card, mask ROM, EPROM, EEPROM (Electronically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) ) And the like (non-temporary medium) for storing the program in a nonvolatile manner.

  The program here includes not only a program directly executable by the CPU but also a program in a source program format, a compressed program, an encrypted program, and the like.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a sequence chart in the communication system 1B. Referring to FIG. 15, in step S202, smart meter 10 transmits reduction instruction DRα received from power company 8 to home controller 20B. In step S204, the smart meter 10 transmits the power data CP1 to CP6 representing the power consumption amounts of the home appliances 300 (301 to 306) to the home controller 20B. In step S206, each home 300 home appliance group 30 transmits reducible power amount in the corresponding communication adapter 400 in the power amount data RP-1~RP-6 communications adapter group 40 representing, respectively, in each home 300. In step S208, each communication adapter 400 of the communication adapter group 40 transmits power amount data RP-1 to RP-6 to the home controller 20B.

In step S210, the home controller 20B generates power amount data CP based on the power amount data CP-1 to CP6, and generates power amount data RP based on the power amount data RP-1 to RP-6. In step S212, the home controller 20B uses the reduction ratio designated by the reduction instruction DRα, the electric energy data CP, and the electric energy data RP to reduce the in-home power consumption by the designated ratio. Calculate the required reduction rate. Note that the processing in step S10 corresponds to the processing for obtaining the value (30%) shown in the block 284 in FIG.

In step S214, the home controller 20B generates a reduction instruction DRβ that instructs each home appliance 300 to reduce the power consumption amount of the calculated reduction ratio. In step S216, the home controller 20B transmits a reduction instruction DRβ to each communication adapter 400 of the communication adapter group 40. In step S218, each communication adapter 400 in the communication adapter group 40 transmits a reduction instruction DRβ to each home appliance 300 in the corresponding home appliance group 30.

(F2-2)
FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining a communication system 1C which is a modification of the communication system 1B. In the communication system 1B, as illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 14, the home appliance 300 is supplied with power via the communication adapter 400. Referring to FIG. 16, in communication system 1 </ b> C, home appliances 301 to 306 are fed via smart meter 10 without passing through communication adapters 401 </ b> A, 402 </ b> A, 403 </ b> A, 404 </ b> A, 405 </ b> A, 406 </ b> A, respectively. Although not shown, the communication adapters 401 </ b> A to 406 </ b> A are supplied with power via the smart meter 10.

  Other configurations of the communication system 1C are the same as those of the communication system 1B, and thus description thereof will not be repeated here.

(F2-3)
FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining a communication system 1D which is another modification of the communication system 1B. Referring to FIG. 17, the communication system 1 </ b> D includes a home controller 20 </ b> D incorporating a smart meter, and each home appliance 300 (301 to 306) of the home appliance group 30. In other words, the home controller 20D is provided with a measuring device for measuring the power consumption of the home.

  The communication system 1D is different from the communication system 1B (see FIG. 12) in which the smart meter 10 and the home controller 20B are separated in that the smart meter and the home controller are integrated. The home controller 20D has functions of the home controller 20B and the smart meter 10.

  The home controller 20D is not different from the configuration including the smart meter 10 and the home controller 20B except that the home controller 20D is integrated. Therefore, the details of the processing in home controller 20D will not be repeated here. The communication system 1D can achieve the same effects as the communication system 1B.

(F3. Use of sensor)
Next, the structure which provides a sensor in the building 9 and a controller controls each household appliance based on the output from the said sensor is demonstrated.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining a schematic configuration of the communication system 1E. Referring to FIG. 18, communication system 1 </ b> E includes smart meter 10, home controller 20 </ b> E, home appliance group 30, and sensor group 60. The sensor group 60 includes a sensor 601 and a sensor 602. The smart meter 10 is installed outside the building 9 as described above. Home controller 20 </ b> E, home appliance group 30, and sensor group 60 are installed in building 9. In addition, when each sensor 601 and 602 included in the sensor group 60 is expressed without being distinguished, it is expressed as “sensor 600”.

The smart meter 10 is connected so as to be communicable with the home controller 20E.
The home controller 20E is a controller for controlling each home appliance 300. The home controller 20E is connected to the smart meter 10, each home appliance 300, and each sensor 600 so as to be communicable.

  The home controller 20E is different from the home controller 20 in the following points. That is, the home controller 20E differs from the home controller 20 that does not use the sensor output in that the sensor output from the sensor 600 is used when generating the reduction instruction DRβ. The home controller 20E and the home controller 20 have the same configuration except that the generation method of the reduction instruction DRβ is different. Therefore, description of details of home controller 20E other than generation of reduction instruction DRβ will not be repeated here.

  For example, home controller 20E changes the content of reduction instruction DRβ depending on whether the first output is acquired from sensor 600 or the second output is acquired. Details of generation of the reduction instruction DRβ will be described later.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining a correspondence relationship between the sensor 600 and the home appliance 300. FIG. 19A is a sketch of the inside of the building 9 (home). FIG. 19B is a table showing the correspondence between the sensor 600 and the home appliance 300 shown in FIG.

  Referring to FIGS. 19A and 19B, the building 9 includes a room A and a room B. In the room A, an air conditioner 301, a lighting device 303, and a television 304 are installed as the home appliance 300. The lighting device 303 is provided on the ceiling of the room A. In the room A, a sensor 601 is installed. The sensor 601 is installed near the lighting device 303, for example. In the room B, as the home appliance 300, a refrigerator 302, a washing machine 305, and a microwave oven 306 are installed. In the room A, a sensor 601 is installed.

  The sensor 600 detects a home state (environment). The sensor 601 detects the state of the room A. The sensor 602 detects the state of the room B. The sensors 601 and 602 are, for example, human sensors. The human sensor may be configured not only to detect the presence / absence of a person but also to detect the number of persons by image recognition. Further, the sensors 601 and 602 may be illuminance sensors.

  FIG. 20 shows a data table used by the home controller 20E. That is, FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a data table used by the home controller 20E instead of the data table 291 in FIG. FIG. 20A shows a data table 291A used by the home controller 20E when the sensors 601 and 602 are human sensors. FIG. 20B is a diagram showing a data table 291B used by the home controller 20E when the sensors 601 and 602 are illuminance sensors.

Referring to FIG. 20 (a), the home controller 20E table, the power amount data CP representing the power consumption of each of the plurality of home appliances 301 to 306, the power consumption can be reduced in each home 301 to 306 The stored electric energy data RP is stored. Here, the power amount data RP includes power amount data RP-1 when a person is detected and power amount data RP-2 when a person is not detected.

When the output of the sensor 600 is an output indicating that a person has been detected, the home controller 20E uses the reduction ratio DRα, the power amount data CP, and the power amount data RP-1 based on the reception of the reduction instruction DRα. , and it calculates the reduction ratio required to percentage reductions shown in decrease command DRα power consumption of home. Then, the home controller 20E transmits using the communication interface 205 for each home, the decrease command DRβ was instructed to rate reductions calculated power consumption.

Specifically, when the output of the sensor 601 indicates that the person has been detected, the home controller 20E receives the reduction instruction DRα, the reduction ratio DRα, the power amount data CP, and the power amount data RP-1 based on the reception of the reduction instruction DRα. It is used to calculate the reduction ratio required to percentage reductions shown in decrease command DRα power consumption of home. Then, the home controller 20E, using the communication interface 205, an air conditioner 301 which is installed in the same room as the sensor 601, the illumination device 303, and television 304, the ratio reduced the calculated power consumption The reduction instruction DRβ instructing this is transmitted.

Further, when the output of the sensor 602 is an output indicating that a person has been detected, the home controller 20E obtains the reduction ratio DRα, the power amount data CP, and the power amount data RP-1 based on the reception of the reduction instruction DRα. used to calculate the reduction ratio required to percentage reductions shown in decrease command DRα power consumption of home. Then, the home controller 20E, using the communication interface 205, a refrigerator 302 is installed in the same room as the sensor 602, with respect to the washing machine 305 and the microwave oven 306, it is the ratio reduced the calculated power consumption A reduction instruction DRβ is transmitted.

When the output of the sensor 600 is an output indicating that no person is detected, the home controller 20E obtains the reduction ratio DRα, the power amount data CP, and the power amount data RP-2 based on the reception of the reduction instruction DRα. used to calculate the reduction ratio required to percentage reductions shown in decrease command DRα power consumption of home. Then, the home controller 20E transmits using the communication interface 205 for each home, the decrease command DRβ was instructed to rate reductions calculated power consumption.

Specifically, when the output of the sensor 601 is an output indicating that no person is detected, the home controller 20E receives the reduction instruction DRα, receives the reduction ratio DRα, the power amount data CP, and the power amount data RP−. by using the 2, it calculates the reduction ratio required to percentage reductions shown in decrease command DRα power consumption of home. Then, the home controller 20E, using the communication interface 205, an air conditioner 301 which is installed in the same room as the sensor 601, the illumination device 303, and television 304, the ratio reduced the calculated power consumption The reduction instruction DRβ instructing this is transmitted.

Further, when the output of the sensor 602 indicates that the person has been detected, the home controller 20E obtains the reduction ratio DRα, the power amount data CP, and the power amount data RP-2 based on the reception of the reduction instruction DRα. used to calculate the reduction ratio required to percentage reductions shown in decrease command DRα power consumption of home. Then, the home controller 20E, using the communication interface 205, a refrigerator 302 is installed in the same room as the sensor 602, with respect to the washing machine 305 and the microwave oven 306, it is the ratio reduced the calculated power consumption A reduction instruction DRβ is transmitted.

For example, when the sensor 601 does not detect a person, even if the operations of the air conditioner 301, the lighting device 303, and the television 304 are stopped, user convenience is not impaired. Therefore, in this case, the home controller 20E, compared with the case where the output of the sensor 601 indicates that detects a human, performs significant reduction control of power consumption.

Further, when the sensor 602 does not detect a person, the door of the refrigerator 302 is not opened or closed. Therefore, in this case, the home controller 20E increases the reduction amount of the power consumption of the refrigerator 302 compared to the case where the output of the sensor 602 indicates that a person is detected.

Incidentally, the home controller 20E, for the washing machine 305 and the microwave oven 306, does not perform the control of changing the reduction amount of power consumption in accordance with the presence or absence of a person.

With reference to FIG.20 (b), the home controller 20 represents the electric energy data CP showing the electric energy consumption of each of the some household appliances 301-306, and the electric energy consumption which can be reduced in each household appliance 301-306. The stored electric energy data RP is stored. Here, the power amount data RP includes power amount data RP-3 when the illuminance is 100 lx or more and power amount data RP-4 when the illuminance is less than 100 lx.

When the output of the sensor 600 is an output indicating that a person has been detected, the home controller 20E uses the reduction ratio DRα, the power amount data CP, and the power amount data RP-3 based on the reception of the reduction instruction DRα. , and it calculates the reduction ratio required to percentage reductions shown in decrease command DRα power consumption of home. Then, the home controller 20E transmits using the communication interface 205 for each home, the decrease command DRβ was instructed to rate reductions calculated power consumption.

Specifically, when the output of the sensor 601 is an output indicating that the illuminance is 100 lx or more, the home controller 20E receives the reduction instruction DRα based on the reception of the reduction instruction DRα, the power amount data CP, and the power amount data RP−. 3 and is used to calculate the reduction ratio required to percentage reductions shown in decrease command DRα power consumption of home. Then, the home controller 20E, using the communication interface 205, an air conditioner 301 which is installed in the same room as the sensor 601, the illumination device 303, and television 304, the ratio reduced the calculated power consumption The reduction instruction DRβ instructing this is transmitted.

In addition, when the output of the sensor 602 is an output indicating that the illuminance is 100 lx or more, the home controller 20E receives the reduction instruction DRα, the reduction ratio DRα, the power amount data CP, and the power amount data RP-3. with bets, it calculates the reduction ratio required to percentage reductions shown in decrease command DRα power consumption of home. Then, the home controller 20E, using the communication interface 205, a refrigerator 302 is installed in the same room as the sensor 602, with respect to the washing machine 305 and the microwave oven 306, it is the ratio reduced the calculated power consumption A reduction instruction DRβ is transmitted.

When the output of the sensor 600 is an output indicating that the illuminance is less than 100 lx, the home controller 20E obtains the reduction ratio DRα, the power amount data CP, and the power amount data RP-4 based on the reception of the reduction instruction DRα. used to calculate the reduction ratio required to percentage reductions shown in decrease command DRα power consumption of home. Then, the home controller 20E transmits using the communication interface 205 for each home, the decrease command DRβ was instructed to rate reductions calculated power consumption.

Specifically, when the output of the sensor 601 is an output indicating that a person indicating that the illuminance is less than 100 lx is not detected, the home controller 20E receives the reduction instruction DRα and receives the reduction ratio DRα and the power. Using the amount data CP and the amount -of-power data RP-4, a reduction ratio necessary for reducing the amount of power consumption in the house indicated by the reduction instruction DRα is calculated. Then, the home controller 20E, using the communication interface 205, an air conditioner 301 which is installed in the same room as the sensor 601, the illumination device 303, and television 304, the ratio reduced the calculated power consumption The reduction instruction DRβ instructing this is transmitted.

Further, when the output of the sensor 602 is an output indicating that the illuminance is less than 100 lx, the home controller 20E receives the reduction instruction DRα, the reduction ratio DRα, the power amount data CP, and the power amount data RP-4. with bets, it calculates the reduction ratio required to percentage reductions shown in decrease command DRα power consumption of home. Then, the home controller 20E, using the communication interface 205, a refrigerator 302 is installed in the same room as the sensor 602, with respect to the washing machine 305 and the microwave oven 306, it is the ratio reduced the calculated power consumption A reduction instruction DRβ is transmitted.

  For example, as an example of the case where the illuminance is less than 100 lx, there is a case where it is night instead of daytime (for example, the user is sleeping). In view of such a situation, the home controller 20E controls the air conditioner 301 to increase the set temperature during the cooling operation and to decrease the set temperature during the heating operation.

Further, when the user is sleeping, the door of the refrigerator 302 is not opened or closed. For this reason, the home controller 20E increases the amount of reduction in the power consumption of the refrigerator 302 when the illuminance is low (less than 100 lx), compared to when the illuminance is high (100 lx or more). That is, the home controller 20E controls the refrigerator 302 to increase the power consumption reduction amount when the room B is darker than when it is bright.

In addition, the lighting device 303 is consumed more than when the surroundings are dark (less than 100 lx) because the brightness of the room A is maintained by outside light or the like when the surroundings are bright (in the case of FIG. 20, 100 lx or more). Even if the amount of power is reduced (even if the dimming rate is lowered), the convenience for the user is not impaired. Therefore, the home controller 20E controls the lighting device 303 to increase the power consumption reduction amount when the room A is brighter than when it is dark.

Further, when the surroundings are dark (less than 100 lx in the case of FIG. 20), the images displayed on the television 304 can be easily seen even when the backlight of the television 304 is dark compared to when the surroundings are bright (100 lx or more). There is little influence on the height. Therefore, the home controller 20E controls the television 304 to increase the power consumption reduction amount when the room A is darker than when it is bright.

Incidentally, the home controller 20E, for the washing machine 305 and the microwave oven 306, does not perform the control of changing the reduction amount of power consumption in accordance with the illuminance.

  With the above configuration, home controller 20E can control home appliance 300 according to the sensor output. Further, the home controller 20E can perform different control for each room.

  Further, as described with reference to FIG. 11, the home controller 20E and the smart meter 10 may be integrated.

  Moreover, you may apply the structure using the output of the sensor 600 to the structure of the communication system 1B which has the communication adapters 401-406 as shown in FIG. That is, the communication adapters 401 to 406 may be configured to generate the reduction instruction DRβ using the outputs of the sensors 601 and 602.

  The embodiment disclosed this time is an exemplification, and the present invention is not limited to the above contents. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E Communication system, 301 to 306 Consumer electronics, 8 Electric power company, 9 Building, 10 Smart meter, 12, 42, 209, 446 Memory, Communication interface for 15 systems, 16,480 Electric energy Total, 17,416 Communication interface for home, 20, 20A, 20B, 20D, 20E Home controller, 30 Home appliance group, 40 Communication adapter group, 50 Network, 80 Power plant, 81 Power system, 202 Display, 203 Tablet, 204 button 205, 416 Communication interface, 206 Touch panel display, 291, 292 Data table, 301 Air conditioner, 302 Refrigerator, 303 Lighting device, 304 TV, 305 Washing machine, 306 Microwave oven, 401-406, 401A 406A communication adapter, 408 consumer electronics communication interface, CP, RP, CP1~CP6, RP1~RP6 power amount data, DR.alpha., DR beta decrease command.

Claims (7)

A controller for controlling a plurality of home appliances in a house,
A processor;
A memory for storing first power amount data representing the power consumption amount of each of the plurality of home appliances and second power amount data representing a power consumption amount that can be reduced in each of the home appliances;
A communication interface connected to the processor,
The processor is
Using said communication interface, the out-of-home power system, receiving a first reduced instruction instructs to reduce the power consumption of the home first rate reduction or the first ratio or more,
Based on the reception of the first decrease command, using the first of the reduction ratio and the first power amount data a second power amount data, the home the first power consumption of Calculating a second reduction ratio, which is the same reduction ratio instructing the plurality of home appliances, which is necessary to reduce the ratio of
Using said communication interface, it transmits to each said home appliance, second reduction instructing that the power consumption was instructed to reduce the second rate, the controller. The processor is
Based on the first reduction ratio and the first power amount data, the power consumption amount to be reduced in the home is calculated,
Whether the first reduction ratio to reduce power consumption amount to be reduced with the calculated when transmitting to each of said appliances and said first reduction ratio, said first power amount data, the Based on the second power amount data,
If you can reduce the power consumption to be reduced with the calculated, using the communication interface, a third that for each said home appliance, to instruct the reduction of power consumption of the same ratio as the first reduction ratio Send a reduction instruction,
If it can not reduce the power consumption to be reduced with the calculated, using the communication interface, transmitting the second reduction instruction to each of said home appliance controller of claim 1. The processor is
Based on the reception of the first reduction instruction from said electric power system, by using the communication interface, from each of said plurality of home, a first element data showing the power consumption of the home appliance, the home appliance receiving a second element data showing the power consumption can be reduced in,
Generating the first electric energy data based on the first element data;
Generating the second electric energy data based on the second element data;
The controller according to claim 1, wherein the generated first power amount data and second power amount data are stored in the memory. The controller is communicably connected to a plurality of communication control devices,
Each of the communication control devices is communicably connected to one home appliance corresponding to the communication control device among the plurality of home appliances,
The processor is
Receiving the first element data and the second element data from each of the home appliances via the communication control device;
The controller according to claim 3, wherein the second reduction instruction is transmitted to each home appliance via the communication control device. The processor acquires an output from a sensor installed in a room in which the plurality of home appliances are installed,
The second power amount data may include a power amount data corresponding to the first output, and a power amount data corresponding to the second output,
The processor is
When the output of the sensor is the first output, the power corresponding to the first reduction ratio, the first power amount data, and the first output is based on receiving the first reduction instruction. using the amount data, and calculates a second reduction ratio required power consumption of the home in order to reduce the first rate,
When the sensor output is the second output, the first reduction ratio, the first power amount data, and the power corresponding to the second output are based on the reception of the first reduction instruction. using the amount data, the calculating the second reduced ratio of power consumption required to reduce the first rate of the in-home, the controller according to any one of claims 1 4. In the controller for controlling a plurality of home appliances in the home, a power consumption control method of each of the appliances,
Receiving a first reduction instruction instructing to reduce the in-home power consumption by a first ratio reduction or the first ratio or more from an electric power system outside the house;
Based on the fact that the controller has received the first reduction instruction, the first reduction ratio, first power amount data representing the power consumption amount of each of the plurality of home appliances, and each home appliance by using the second power amount data representing that it can reduce power consumption, required power consumption of the home in order to reduce the first rate, the same reduction to instruct the plurality of home Calculating a second reduction ratio which is a ratio ;
It said controller, for each said home appliance, and transmitting the second reduction instruction instructs to reduce the second proportion of the power consumption, the power consumption control method. A program for controlling a controller that controls a plurality of home appliances in a house,
Receiving from the home outside the power system, the first decrease command that instructs to reduce the power consumption of the home first rate reduction or the first ratio or more,
Based on the reception of the first reduction instruction, the first reduction ratio, the first power amount data representing the power consumption amount of each of the plurality of home appliances, and the consumption that can be reduced in each home appliance the using a second power amount data representing the amount of power needed to power consumption of the home in order to reduce the first rate, the same reduction rate instructing said plurality of home Calculating a reduction ratio of 2;
A program that causes the processor of the controller to execute a step of transmitting a second reduction instruction instructing each of the household appliances to reduce the power consumption amount by the second ratio.

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