Relay device and power supply system

Abstract

To provide a relay device and the like capable of suitably supplying power to a connected device.SOLUTION: A relay device 1 includes a connection unit connected to a PoE hub 2 via a LAN (Local Area Network) cable 3 that complies with the PoE (Power over Ethernet) standard, a first output port that supplies power to a first connected device, a second output port that transmits power and signals to a second connected device, and a control unit that controls the supply of power to the first connected device connected to the first output port depending on the connection state or power supply state of the second connected device at the second output port.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a relay device and a power supply system. [Background technology]

[0002] The use of PoE (Power over Ethernet), which transmits communication signals and supplies power via LAN (Local Area Network) cables, is increasing. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a lighting control system that can be powered by PoE and is compatible with different communication methods. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-147900 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In one aspect, an object is to provide a relay device or the like that can suitably supply power to a connected device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In one aspect, the relay device includes a connection unit connected to a PoE hub via a LAN cable conforming to the PoE standard, a first output port that supplies power to a first connected device, a second output port that transmits power and signals to a second connected device, and a control unit that controls the supply of power to the first connected device connected to the first output port depending on the connection state or power supply state of the second connected device at the second output port. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] In one aspect, power can be supplied to connected devices in a suitable manner. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration example of a power supply system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a relay device. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure executed by a relay device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings showing embodiments thereof. (Embodiment) 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of a power supply system. In this embodiment, a power supply system is described that supplies power to each device in an office via a PoE-compatible LAN cable 3. The power supply system includes a relay device 1, a PoE hub 2, a task light 4, a PC (Personal Computer) 5, an external device 6, an access point 7, and a management device 8.

[0009] The PoE hub 2 is a PoE-compatible power supply device (hub) that supplies power to connected devices and transmits communication signals. The PoE hub 2 is communicatively connected to a network N such as the Internet. The PoE hub 2 is also connected to a power source 9 and receives power from the power source 9.

[0010] The relay device 1 is a device that relays between a PoE hub 2 and connected devices. The relay device 1 and the PoE hub 2 are connected via a LAN cable 3 that complies with the PoE standard. The relay device 1 also transmits power and signals to connected devices such as a task light 4 and a PC 5. For example, the relay device 1 is installed corresponding to a desk in an office, and supplies power to the task light 4 on the desk and to the PC 5 on which a user (employee) works.

[0011] Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of the relay device 1. The relay device 1 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, a connection unit 13, a power supply circuit 14, a first output port 15, a second output port 16, a transmission unit 17, and a switch 18. In Fig. 2, communication lines (buses) are shown with solid lines, and power supply paths are shown with dotted lines.

[0012] The control unit 11 is a processor such as one or more CPUs (Central Processing Units), and controls the operation of each unit of the relay device 1. The storage unit 12 is a storage area such as RAM (Random Access Memory) or ROM (Read Only Memory), and temporarily stores data necessary for the control unit 11 to execute processing, as well as stores data such as programs necessary for the control unit 11 to execute processing.

[0013] The connection unit 13 is an input port to which a LAN cable 3 can be connected. In this embodiment, the connection unit 13 has a plurality of input ports, and is capable of connecting a plurality of LAN cables 3. By being able to connect a plurality of LAN cables 3, it is possible to preferably receive the supply of power and the transmission of communication signals.

[0014] The power supply circuit 14 is an electric circuit that controls the output power. The power supply circuit 14 controls the output power to the connected device in accordance with the control by the control unit 11.

[0015] The first output port 15 is an output port that supplies power to a first connected device. In this embodiment, the first output port 15 is an output port (output terminal) that outputs DC 24V, and supplies power to the task light 4 (see FIG. 1) as the first connected device.

[0016] The task light 4 is a task light system installed corresponding to a desk in an office, etc., and is a lighting device that illuminates the desk. In this embodiment, by using a task light system for lighting in an office, etc. and supplying power via PoE, lighting switching work can be performed even by someone who is not qualified to perform power supply work, and the cost of lighting work associated with changing the layout of an office, etc. can be significantly reduced. In addition, by placing the minimum number of fixtures with the minimum illuminance for ceiling lighting, a lighting system with a low environmental impact can be achieved.

[0017] In this embodiment, the device (first connected device) connected to the first output port 15 is assumed to be a task light 4 (lighting device), but the device connected to the first output port 15 may be a device other than lighting.

[0018] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the relay device 1 is provided with one first output port 15, but the relay device 1 may be provided with two or more first output ports 15.

[0019] The second output port 16 is an output port that transmits power and signals to a second connected device. In this embodiment, the second output port 16 is an output port that complies with the USB (Universal Serial Bus)-C standard, and transmits power and signals to a general-purpose computer, specifically, a PC 5 (see FIG. 1), as the second connected device. The relay device 1 has a plurality of second output ports 16, 16, 16..., and supplies power to the PC 5 connected to each second output port 16 and transmits communication signals thereto.

[0020] In this embodiment, the device connected to the second output port 16 (second connected device) is assumed to be a PC 5, but the device connected to the second output port 16 may be a device other than a PC 5 (for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, etc.).

[0021] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the relay device 1 is provided with a plurality of second output ports 16, but the number of second output ports 16 may be one.

[0022] The transmitter 17 is a communication module that transmits a signal to an external device 6 (see FIG. 1) that is connected wirelessly or by wire to the relay device 1. The external device 6 is, for example, an air conditioner installed in an office or the like. As will be described later, the transmitter 17 transmits an operation control signal for controlling the operation of the external device 6, and controls the external device 6 to be turned on, off, etc.

[0023] The switch 18 is a physical switch provided in the relay device 1. As will be described later, the relay device 1 has functions to control the supply of power to the task light 4 and the operation of the external device 6, and to limit the power consumption of the PoE hub 2 and the access point 7. The switch 18 is a switch for enabling and disabling these functions.

[0024] Continuing the explanation, returning to Figure 1, the access point 7 is, for example, an access point that performs Wi-fi (registered trademark) communication, and is a communication relay device that relays wireless communication within the office. The access point 7 is connected to the PoE hub 2, receives power from the PoE hub 2, and is able to access the network N.

[0025] The management device 8 is an information processing device such as a personal computer or a server computer, and is a computer that manages this system. The management device 8 can remotely monitor the connection status and power supply status of devices at each output port (first output port 15 and second output port 16) of the relay device 1, and transmits an instruction to the relay device 1 to stop the supply of power to each connected device.

[0026] This system has the following functions to optimize power supply to each connected device and power consumption in communication devices (PoE hub 2 and / or access point 7).

[0027] As a first function, the relay device 1 has a function of automatically controlling the supply of power to the task light 4 connected to the first output port 15 according to the connection state or power supply state of the PC 5 at the second output port 16. Specifically, when the PC 5 is connected to the second output port 16 or when power is being supplied to the PC 5, the relay device 1 supplies power to the task light 4 connected to the first output port 15.

[0028] That is, when a user connects the PC 5 to the second output port 16 to perform work, the relay device 1 supplies power to the task light 4 and turns on the illumination. This allows the task light 4 to be suitably controlled to be turned on and off.

[0029] The relay device 1 may determine whether to supply power to the task light 4 by referring to the communication status (communication volume) of the PC 5 in addition to the connection status and power supply status of the PC 5 at the second output port 16. For example, when the PC 5 is connected to the second output port 16 or when power is being supplied to the PC 5, the relay device 1 supplies power to the task light 4 if the communication volume is equal to or greater than a threshold. On the other hand, when the communication volume is equal to or less than the threshold (e.g., when the communication volume is zero), the relay device 1 stops supplying power to the task light 4 even when the PC 5 is connected to the second output port 16 or when power is being supplied to the PC 5. This allows the task light 4 to be appropriately turned off, for example, when the PC 5 is shut down or in sleep mode to charge (when the user is not working).

[0030] When the PC 5 is disconnected from the second output port 16, the relay device 1 stops supplying power to the task light 4 connected to the first output port 15. Here, the relay device 1 continues supplying power to the task light 4 for a predetermined time after the PC 5 is disconnected, and stops supplying power after the predetermined time has elapsed. The time for which power supply to the task light 4 continues can be individually set for each relay device 1 via the management device 8. By preventing the task light 4 from being turned off immediately when the PC 5 is disconnected, it is possible to more appropriately control the on / off of the task light 4.

[0031] As a second function, the relay device 1 has a function of limiting the power consumption of the PoE hub 2 and / or the access point 7 by outputting the connection status or power supply status of the PC 5 at the second output port 16 to the PoE hub 2. Specifically, when the connection of the PC 5 at the second output port 16 is disconnected or the power supply to the PC 5 is stopped (terminated), the relay device 1 outputs (notifies) the PoE hub 2 that the connection of the PC 5 has been disconnected or that the power supply to the PC 5 has been stopped. When the relay device 1 receives this notification from the relay device 1, the PoE hub 2 switches its state to a standby state, which limits power consumption more than the normal state (a state in which power consumption is not limited). The PoE hub 2 also limits the power supply to the access point 7, changing the access point 7 from the normal state to the standby state. This makes it possible to optimize the power consumption of each communication relay device (PoE hub 2, access point 7).

[0032] As a third function, the relay device 1 has a relay function that automatically controls the on / off of an external device 6 that is connected to the task light 4 wirelessly or via a wired connection. Specifically, the relay device 1 transmits an operation control signal for controlling the on / off of the external device 6 according to the connection state or power supply state of the PC 5 at the second output port 16.

[0033] The external device 6 is an electrical device installed in the office, such as an air conditioner. Similar to when the relay device 1 controls the supply of power to the task light 4, when the PC 5 is connected to the second output port 16 or when the relay device 1 starts supplying power to the PC 5, the relay device 1 transmits an operation control signal to turn on the external device 6. For example, when the PC 5 is disconnected from the second output port 16, the relay device 1 waits for a predetermined time to elapse and then transmits an operation control signal to turn off the external device 6. In this way, the relay device 1 can automatically control the on / off of external devices 6 other than the task light 4 (first connected device).

[0034] As a fourth function, the management device 8 has the function of remotely monitoring the operating status of devices (task light 4 and PC 5) connected to each output port (first output port 15 and second output port 16) of the relay device 1 via the network N. For example, an individual number that can identify each individual relay device 1 is assigned to the relay device 1. The management device 8 sequentially acquires the connection status, power supply status, communication status, etc. of the connected devices at each output port from the relay device 1 along with the individual number via the network N, and records the information in a database in association with the individual number. The management device 8 reads this data from the database in response to a request from the administrator and displays the operating status of the connected devices at each output port. This makes it possible to visualize the usage status of this system.

[0035] As a fifth function, the management device 8 has the function of remotely stopping the supply of power to each connected device in the relay device 1 via the network N. The management device 8 sends an instruction to the relay device 1 to stop the supply of power to each output port in accordance with an operation from an administrator. When the management device 8 receives the instruction, the relay device 1 stops the supply of power to each output port. This makes it possible to take measures such as simultaneously stopping the power supply in an office on holidays or at night.

[0036] This system has the above functions, which can be stopped by the user operating the switch 18 of the relay device 1.

[0037] As described above, according to this embodiment, a power supply system using PoE, particularly a lighting system, can be suitably constructed.

[0038] 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure executed by the relay device 1. The processing contents executed by the relay device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The control unit 11 of the relay device 1 determines whether or not the PC 5 (second connection device) is connected to the second output port 16, or whether or not the supply of power to the PC 5 has started (step S11). If it is determined that the PC 5 is not connected, or that the supply of power to the PC 5 has not started (S11: NO), the control unit 11 waits for processing.

[0039] If it is determined that PC5 has been connected to the second output port 16 or that power supply to PC5 has started (S11: YES), the control unit 11 outputs (notifies) to the PoE hub 2 that PC5 has been connected or that power supply to PC5 has started, and changes the PoE hub 2 and / or the access point 7 from a standby state in which power consumption is limited to a normal state in which power consumption is not limited (step S12).

[0040] The control unit 11 starts supplying power to the task light 4 (first connected device) through the first output port 15 (step S13). The control unit 11 also transmits an operation control signal to instruct the external device 6 to start operating (step S14).

[0041] The control unit 11 determines whether the connection of the PC 5 to the second output port 16 has been disconnected or whether the supply of power to the PC 5 has been stopped (terminated) (step S15). If it is determined that the connection of the PC 5 has not been disconnected or the supply of power to the PC 5 has not been stopped (S15: NO), the control unit 11 waits for processing.

[0042] If it is determined that the PC 5 has been disconnected from the second output port 16 or that the power supply to the PC 5 has been stopped (S15: YES), the control unit 11 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the PC 5 was disconnected or the power supply to the PC 5 was stopped (step S16). If it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed (S16: NO), the control unit 11 waits for processing. As a result, the power supply to the task light 4 and the operation of the external device 6 continue for a predetermined time.

[0043] If it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed (S16: YES), the control unit 11 stops (ends) the supply of power to the task light 4 through the first output port 15 (step S17). In addition, the control unit 11 transmits an operation control signal to instruct the external device 6 to end operation (step S18).

[0044] The control unit 11 outputs (notifies) to the PoE hub 2 that the connection of the PC 5 has been released or that the supply of power to the PC 5 has been stopped, and changes the PoE hub 2 and / or the access point 7 from the normal state to the standby state (step S19). The control unit 11 ends the series of processes.

[0045] As described above, according to this embodiment, power can be suitably supplied to connected devices.

[0046] The embodiments disclosed herein are to be considered as illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the above meaning, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0047] The matters described in each embodiment can be combined with each other. Furthermore, the independent claims and dependent claims described in the claims can be combined with each other in any combination, regardless of the reference format. Furthermore, although the claims use a format in which a claim references two or more other claims (multi-claim format), this is not limited to this format. A format in which multiple claims (multi-multi-claims) that reference at least one other multiple claim may also be used. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1. Relay device 11 Control section 12 Storage section 13 Connection 14 Power supply circuit 15 First output port 16 Second output port 17. Communications Department 18 Switch 2 PoE Hubs 3 LAN cable 4. Task Light 5 PC 6 External equipment 7 Access Points 8 Management device 9 Power supply N Network

Claims

1. a connection section connected to a PoE hub via a LAN (Local Area Network) cable conforming to the PoE (Power over Ethernet) standard; a first output port for supplying power to a first connected device; a second output port for transmitting power and signals to a second connected device; a control unit that controls the supply of power to the first connected device connected to the first output port in accordance with a connection state or a power supply state of the second connected device at the second output port; A relay device comprising:

2. The control unit supplies power to the first connection device connected to the first output port when the second connection device is connected to the second output port or when power is being supplied to the second connection device. The relay device according to claim 1 .

3. When the second connected device is disconnected from the second output port, the control unit continues to supply power to the first connected device connected to the first output port for a predetermined time after the disconnection. The relay device according to claim 2 .

4. The first connected device is a lighting device. The relay device according to claim 1 .

5. The control unit outputs a connection state or a power supply state of the second connected device at the second output port to the PoE hub. The relay device according to claim 1 .

6. a transmitting unit that transmits an operation control signal for an external device in accordance with a connection state or a power supply state of the second connected device at the second output port; The relay device according to claim 1 .

7. The connection section can connect a plurality of LAN cables. The relay device according to claim 1 .

8. The control unit receives an instruction to stop supplying power to the first or second connected device via a network. The relay device according to claim 1 .

9. A power supply system including a PoE hub and a relay device that receives power and signals from the PoE hub, The relay device a connection section connected to the PoE hub via a LAN cable conforming to the PoE standard; a first output port for supplying power to a first connected device; a second output port for transmitting power and signals to a second connected device; a control unit that controls the supply of power to the first connected device connected to the first output port in accordance with a connection state or a power supply state of the second connected device at the second output port, the control unit outputs a connection state or a power supply state of the second connected device at the second output port to the PoE hub; The PoE hub limits power consumption of the PoE hub itself or a communication relay device connected to the PoE hub itself, depending on the connection state or power supply state of the second connected device at the second output port. Power supply system.

Images