Power supply control device and program

Abstract

Power supply control, which starts and stops the power supply to the target device at the appropriate timing, is achieved through simple setting input. [Solution] The power supply control device has a controller. The controller acquires business time information indicating the start and end times of business set for each day of the week, and performs power supply control by starting the power supply to the target device Y hours before the set start time of business for each day of the week, and stopping the power supply to the target device X hours after the set end time of business for each day of the week.

Description

Technical Field

[0005] , , ,

[0001] The disclosed technology relates to a power supply control device and a program.

Background Art

[0002] As technologies related to the control of beverage dispensers, the following technologies are known. For example, Patent Document 1 describes having a normal operation mode and a standby operation mode. In the normal operation mode, ice is generated in a water tank by operating a compressor at a predetermined operating frequency, and in the standby operation mode, the compressor is operated at a predetermined standby frequency lower than the operating frequency in the normal operation mode.

[0003] Patent Document 2 describes an operation method of a dispenser in which, immediately before use of the dispenser, a compressor and an agitation motor are turned on, the rotation speed of an agitator is set to a low speed, and cooling water is made into ice along a refrigerant evaporation pipe. Immediately after use of the dispenser, the rotation speed of the agitator is set to a low speed, and cooling water is made into ice along the refrigerant evaporation pipe. Then, the compressor and the agitation motor are turned off.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Commercial beverage dispensers used in restaurants and other food service establishments are equipped with a cooling mechanism to store ice. These dispensers are typically powered continuously, even outside of business hours. If the power supply to the dispenser is cut off, the cooling mechanism stops working, causing a decrease in the ice storage capacity. Therefore, the ice storage needs to be restored before the next business day. Since restoring the ice storage takes some time, power to the beverage dispenser must be restored before the next business day. Furthermore, the time required to restore the ice storage varies depending on the length of the power outage, and therefore the time when power should be restored also varies accordingly.

[0006] Furthermore, restaurants may not immediately stop serving beverages after their closing time. For example, they might continue serving beverages for about an hour after closing time.

[0007] Generally, program timers are known as a means of automating the start and stop of power supply to a target device. With a program timer, the start and stop times for power supply to the target device can be set. However, as mentioned above, in commercial beverage dispensers, the times when power supply should be started and stopped often differ from the operating hours. For this reason, existing program timers that require direct input of the start and stop times for power supply to the target device are cumbersome to set, and there is a risk of inappropriate time settings. Inappropriate time settings may result in problems such as insufficient energy saving effects and inability to fully restore the ice storage amount by the start of business hours.

[0008] The disclosed technology was developed in view of the above points, and aims to realize power supply control that starts and stops the power supply to the target device at appropriate timings, through simple setting input. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The power supply control device relating to the disclosed technology is a power supply control device having a controller, the controller acquires business time information indicating the start and end times of business set for each day of the week, and performs power supply control which starts supplying power to the target device Y hours before the set start time of business for each day of the week, and stops supplying power to the target device X hours after the set end time of business for each day of the week.

[0010] The controller may acquire temporary operating hours information indicating a temporary start time and temporary end time set for a specific day of the week. The controller may perform temporary power supply control only once, starting power supply to the target device Y hours before the temporary start time set for the specific day of the week, and stopping power supply to the target device X hours after the temporary end time set for the specific day of the week.

[0011] The controller may set the value of Y for the next start of business according to the period Z from the most recent power outage time to the next start of business. The controller may set the value of Y to Y1 if the period Z is shorter than a threshold, and set the value of Y to Y2, which is greater than Y1, if the period Z is longer than the threshold.

[0012] The controller may continuously supply power to the target device when the first operating mode is selected, and may perform the power supply control when the second operating mode is selected.

[0013] The power control device may further include a power plug that is inserted into a power outlet, a power connector that is connected to the power plug via wiring and into which the power plug of the target device is inserted, and a switch provided on the wiring that turns on and off in accordance with the power supply control.

[0014] The program according to the disclosed technology is a program for causing a computer to execute a process of acquiring business hour information indicating the business start time and business end time set for each day of the week, starting power supply to a target device Y hours before the set business start time for each day of the week, and stopping power supply to the target device X hours after the set business end time for each day of the week.

Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to the disclosed technology, it becomes possible to realize power supply control for starting and stopping power supply to a target device at appropriate timings by simple setting input.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of a power supply control device according to an embodiment of the disclosed technology. [Figure 2] It is a diagram showing a power supply control device and a beverage dispenser according to an embodiment of the disclosed technology. [Figure 3] It is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a power supply control device according to an embodiment of the disclosed technology. [Figure 4] It is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a controller according to an embodiment of the disclosed technology. [Figure 5] It is a diagram showing an example of a current time setting screen according to an embodiment of the disclosed technology. [Figure 6] It is a diagram showing an example of an operation mode selection screen according to an embodiment of the disclosed technology. [Figure 7] It is a diagram showing an example of a business hour management screen according to an embodiment of the disclosed technology. [Figure 8] It is a diagram showing an example of a business hour setting screen according to an embodiment of the disclosed technology. [Figure 9] It is a diagram showing an example of a one-time setting screen according to an embodiment of the disclosed technology. [Figure 10] It is a diagram showing an example of a business hour monitor screen according to an embodiment of the disclosed technology. [Figure 11]It is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a power supply management task according to an embodiment of the disclosed technology. [Figure 12] It is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of power supply control in a program operation mode according to an embodiment of the disclosed technology. [Figure 13A] It is a diagram showing an example of an aspect of power supply control according to an embodiment of the disclosed technology. [Figure 13B] It is a diagram showing an example of an aspect of power supply control according to an embodiment of the disclosed technology.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments of the disclosed technology will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, substantially the same or equivalent constituent elements or parts are given the same reference numerals.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of a power supply control device 10 according to an embodiment of the disclosed technology. The power supply control device 10 has a function of controlling the start and stop of power supply to a target device. As shown in FIG. 2, the target device is typically a business-use beverage dispenser 100. The power supply control device 10 is portable and can be installed near the beverage dispenser 100. The power supply control device 10 has a power plug 11 inserted into a power outlet and a power connector 12 into which the power plug 101 of the target device (beverage dispenser 100) is inserted.

[0019] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the power supply control device 10. The power supply control device 10 includes a power plug 11, a power connector 12, wiring 13, a switch 14, and a controller 20. The power plug 11 is connected to one end of the wiring 13, and the power connector 12 is connected to the other end of the wiring 13. The power plug 11 is inserted into a commercial power outlet. The power plug of the target device is inserted into the power connector 12. A switch 14 is provided in the middle of the wiring 13. The switch 14 may be, for example, a relay. When the switch 14 is turned ON, power is supplied to the power plug 11 and the power connector 12, enabling power supply to the target device connected to the power connector 12. The switch 14 turns ON and OFF in accordance with the power supply control by the controller 20. The AC / DC converter 15 converts the AC power supplied via the wiring 13 into DC power. The DC power output from the AC / DC converter 15 is supplied to the controller 20.

[0020] The controller 20 controls the start and stop of power supply to the target device by controlling the on / off state of the switch 14. A transistor (not shown) for driving the switch 14 may be provided between the switch 14 and the controller 20. In this case, the controller 20 controls the on / off state of the switch 14 via the transistor.

[0021] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the controller 20. The controller 20 is a microcomputer and includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21, RAM (Random Access Memory) 22, RTC (Real Time Clock) 23, non-volatile memory 24, and a touch panel display 25. These hardware components are connected to a bus 26.

[0022] The non-volatile memory 24 is a non-volatile storage medium such as flash memory. The power supply control program 30 is stored in the non-volatile memory 24. The RAM 22 is work memory for the CPU 21 to execute processing. The CPU 21 loads the power supply control program 30 stored in the non-volatile memory 24 into the RAM 22 and executes processing according to the power supply control program 30. The RTC 23 is hardware for realizing the clock function in the controller 20 and consists of a crystal oscillator, oscillation circuit, frequency divider circuit, counter, etc.

[0023] The touch panel display 25 combines the functions of both an input and an output device. That is, output from and input to the controller 20 are performed via the touch panel display 25. The user can use the touch panel display 25 to input settings related to business hours, as described later. The input device may consist of hardware independent of the display (e.g., hardware buttons).

[0024] Prior to power supply control by the controller 20, the current time, operating mode, and operating hours are set and input to the controller 20. Figure 5 shows an example of the current time setting screen 40 displayed on the touch panel display 25 when the current time is set and input to the controller 20. The user can set the current time by touching the current time setting screen 40. When setting the current time, the date (year, month, day), hour, and minute are set. The controller 20 may also acquire time information via Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or radio waves and set the current time automatically.

[0025] The power supply control device 10 operates in the operating mode selected by the user from among the continuous operation mode and the programmed operation mode. Figure 6 shows an example of the operating mode selection screen 41 displayed on the touch panel display 25. The user can select the operating mode by touching the operating mode selection screen 41.

[0026] When continuous operation mode is selected, the controller 20 continuously supplies power to the target device by keeping the switch 14 in the ON state. On the other hand, when program operation mode is selected, the controller 20 supplies power to the target device based on the set operating hours. Note that continuous operation mode is an example of the "first mode" in the disclosed technology, and program operation mode is an example of the "second mode" in the disclosed technology.

[0027] Figure 7 shows an example of the business hours management screen 42 displayed on the touch panel display 25. Users can set the start and end times of business for each day of the week on the business hours management screen 42 and the business hours setting screen described later. When one of the seven day buttons 50 displayed on the business hours management screen 42 is touched, the user is taken to a settings screen for setting the start and end times of business for that day of the week.

[0028] Figure 8 shows an example of the business hours setting screen 43. Figure 8 shows an example where the business start time is set to 17:00 and the business end time is set to 22:00 for Monday. When the user touches the confirmation button 51, the input of the business hours setting for that day of the week is completed. The user inputs the business hours for each day of the week from Monday to Sunday for normal business operations. It is also possible to set regular closing days on the business hours setting screen 43. Business hours information, showing the start and end times set for each day of the week, is stored in RAM 22 or non-volatile memory 24.

[0029] In restaurants, business hours may change from normal due to irregular circumstances (for example, public holidays and temporary closures). According to the power supply control device 10 of this embodiment, in addition to setting normal business hours, it is possible to set temporary business hours for specified days of the week, anticipating such cases. Power supply control based on the input of temporary business hours is executed only once. In this specification, setting temporary business hours is referred to as "one-time setting". When the one-time setting button 52 displayed on the business hours setting screen 43 is touched, the system transitions to a one-time setting screen for setting temporary start and end times for that day of the week.

[0030] Figure 9 shows an example of the one-time setting screen 44. Figure 9 illustrates a case where the temporary opening time for Tuesday is set to 16:00 and the temporary closing time for Tuesday is set to 21:00. When the user touches the confirmation button 53, the input of the temporary business hours setting for that day is completed. Temporary business hours information, indicating the temporary opening and closing times set for a specific day of the week, is stored in RAM 22 or non-volatile memory 24 along with the normal business hours information.

[0031] Figure 10 shows an example of the business hours monitor screen 45. The business hours monitor screen 45 displays the set start and end times for business on each day of the week. For days on which a one-time setting is applied, the temporary start and end times are displayed in a different manner than on other days. Figure 10 shows an example where Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are set to a normal start time of 17:00 and a normal end time of 22:00, Tuesday is set to a temporary start time of 16:00 and a temporary end time of 21:00, and Wednesday is set as a holiday. For Tuesday, when temporary business hours are set (one-time setting), a different text color or background color may be used compared to other days to make it clear that the start and end times are temporary.

[0032] Figure 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a power supply management task performed by the CPU 21 of the controller 20 executing the power supply control program 30.

[0033] In step S1, the CPU 21 obtains the current time. In step S2, the CPU 21 obtains type information indicating the type of operating mode selected by the user through the operating mode selection screen 41 illustrated in Figure 6. If the operating mode indicated by the type information is a continuous operating mode, that is, if the user has selected a continuous operating mode, the process proceeds to step S3. On the other hand, if the operating mode indicated by the type information is a programmed operating mode, that is, if the user has selected a programmed operating mode, the process proceeds to step S4.

[0034] In step S3, the CPU 21 performs power supply control in continuous operation mode. In continuous operation mode, the controller 20 continuously supplies power to the target device by keeping the switch 14 in the ON state. In continuous operation mode, the CPU 21 keeps the power supply setting always ON.

[0035] In step S4, the CPU 21 performs power supply control in program operation mode. In program operation mode, the controller 20 supplies power to the target device based on the set operating hours. In program operation mode, the CPU 21 sets the power supply setting to "on" or "off" according to the process described later. Details of power supply control in program operation mode will be described later.

[0036] In step S5, the CPU 21 obtains the power supply settings configured for each operating mode. In step S6, the CPU 21 determines whether the power supply settings obtained in step S5 have changed from the previous settings. If it is determined that the power supply settings have changed, the process proceeds to step S7; if it is determined that the power supply settings have not changed, the process proceeds to step S11.

[0037] In step S7, the CPU 21 saves the power supply setting obtained in step S5 to the RAM 22. In step S8, the CPU 21 determines whether the power supply setting saved in the RAM 22 in step S7 is "on". If it is determined that the power supply setting is "on", the process proceeds to step S9; if it is determined that the power supply setting is "off", the process proceeds to step S10.

[0038] In step S9, the CPU 21 turns on the switch 14 to start supplying power to the target device. In step S10, the CPU 21 turns off the switch 14 to stop supplying power to the target device. In step S11, after waiting for 1 second, the process returns to step S1.

[0039] Figure 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the power supply control flow in program operation mode.

[0040] In step S21, the CPU 21 determines the current day of the week from the current time obtained in step S1 of the power supply management task described above.

[0041] In step S22, it is determined whether a one-time setting is configured for the current day of the week. If it is determined that a one-time setting is configured, the process proceeds to step S23; if it is determined that a one-time setting is not configured, the process proceeds to step S24.

[0042] In step S23, the CPU 21 obtains temporary business hours information indicating the temporary start time and temporary end time of business in the one-time setting made for the current day of the week. The CPU 21 obtains the temporary business hours information stored in RAM 22 or non-volatile memory 24.

[0043] In step S24, the CPU 21 obtains normal business hours information, which indicates the normal start time and normal end time of business in the normal business hours setting made for the current day of the week. The CPU 21 obtains normal business hours information stored in RAM 22 or non-volatile memory 24.

[0044] In step S25, the CPU 21 determines whether the business hours information obtained in step S23 or step S24 indicates a holiday. That is, it determines whether a holiday is set for the current day of the week. If it is determined that the current day of the week is set as a holiday, the process proceeds to step S35; if it is determined that the current day of the week is not set as a holiday, the process proceeds to step S26.

[0045] In step S26, the CPU 21 obtains the most recent power supply termination time. The power supply termination time is the time when the power supply to the target device was stopped. The time when the power supply to the target device was last stopped is recorded in RAM 22.

[0046] In step S27, the CPU 21 calculates period Z based on the operating hours information obtained in step S23 or step S24 and the most recent power outage time obtained in step S26. Period Z is the period from the most recent power outage time to the next start of business.

[0047] In step S28, the CPU 21 determines whether the period Z calculated in step S27 is shorter than a predetermined threshold T. If it is determined that the period Z is shorter than the threshold T, the process proceeds to step S29. If it is determined that the period Z is longer than the threshold T, the process proceeds to step S30.

[0048] In step S29, the CPU 21 sets the power supply start time to Y1 hours before the next business start time. The power supply start time is the time when power is supplied to the target device. Y1 may be a fixed value or it may be set arbitrarily by the user. If the value of Y1 is, for example, 5, the power supply start time is set to 5 hours before the next business start time.

[0049] In step S30, the CPU 21 sets the power supply start time to Y2 hours before the next business start time. Y2 is set to a value greater than Y1 (Y2 > Y1). Y2 may be a fixed value, or it may be set arbitrarily by the user as long as Y2 > Y1 is satisfied. If the value of Y2 is, for example, 7, the power supply start time will be set to 7 hours before the next business start time.

[0050] In step S31, the CPU 21 sets the power supply shutdown time to X hours after the next closing time. X may be a fixed value or it may be set arbitrarily by the user. If X is, for example, 1, the power supply shutdown time is set to 1 hour after the closing time.

[0051] In step S32, the CPU 21 determines whether the current time has passed the power supply start time set in step S29 or step S30. If it is determined that the current time has passed the power supply start time, the process proceeds to step S33. If it is determined that the current time has not passed the power supply start time, the process proceeds to step S35.

[0052] In step S33, the CPU 21 determines whether the current time has not exceeded the power supply shutdown time set in step S31. If it is determined that the current time has not exceeded the power supply shutdown time, the process proceeds to step S34. If it is determined that the current time has exceeded the power supply shutdown time, the process proceeds to step S35.

[0053] In step S34, the CPU 21 turns the power supply setting "on". This starts the power supply to the target device in step S9 of the power supply management task described above. In step S35, the CPU 21 turns the power supply setting "off". This stops the power supply to the target device in step S10 of the power supply management task described above.

[0054] After the power supply control based on the one-time setting is completed, the one-time setting is canceled. In other words, for that day of the week, unless a new one-time setting is made, power supply control will be performed based on the normal opening and closing times. The temporary business hours information for that day of the week stored in RAM22 or non-volatile memory24 will be deleted. Therefore, power supply control based on temporary opening and closing times will be performed only once per one-time setting.

[0055] As described above, in the power supply control device 10 according to this embodiment, the controller 20 acquires business time information indicating the start and end times of business set for each day of the week, and performs power supply control which starts supplying power to the target device Y hours before the set start time of business for each day of the week, and stops supplying power to the target device X hours after the set end time of business for each day of the week.

[0056] For example, if the start time on Monday is set to 17:00, the end time is set to 22:00, the value of Y is set to 5, and the value of X is set to 1, then power supply to the target device will start at 12:00 on Monday (5 hours before the start time) and power supply to the target device will stop at 23:00 on Monday (1 hour after the end time).

[0057] Generally, programmable timers are known as a means of automating the start and stop of power supply to a target device. With a programmable timer, the start and stop times for power supply to the target device can be set. However, in the case of commercial beverage dispensers, the times when power supply should be started and stopped often differ from the operating hours. Therefore, with existing programmable timers that require direct input of the start and stop times for power supply to the target device, setting the times is cumbersome and there is a risk of inappropriate time settings. Inappropriate time settings may result in problems such as insufficient energy saving effects and inability to fully restore the ice storage amount by the start of business hours.

[0058] According to the power supply control device 10 of this embodiment, the user can start and stop the power supply to the target device at the appropriate timing simply by setting the start time and end time of business for each day of the week. For example, by applying the time required to restore the amount of ice stored inside the beverage dispenser as the value of Y, it is possible to restore the amount of ice stored by the start time of business. The user does not need to consider the time required to restore the amount of ice stored when setting the time, thus avoiding the complexity that occurs when using existing program timers. Furthermore, by applying the time from the end time of business until the actual end of beverage service as the value of X, the power supply to the beverage dispenser can be stopped at a timing that is appropriate to the actual situation.

[0059] Furthermore, the controller 20 acquires temporary operating time information indicating the temporary start and end times set for specific days of the week, and performs temporary power supply control only once, starting power supply to the target device Y hours before the temporary start time set for the specific day of the week, and stopping power supply to the target device X hours after the temporary end time set for the specific day of the week.

[0060] Restaurants may have altered operating hours due to irregular circumstances (such as public holidays or temporary closures). According to existing programmed timers, the time settings need to be changed to reflect these changes. Furthermore, because these irregular changes are one-off occurrences, the time settings must be reset to reflect normal operating hours, which is time-consuming. If the time settings are not reset, the power supply to the affected equipment may be started and stopped at inappropriate times, resulting in insufficient energy savings and the inability to restore ice storage levels by the start of business.

[0061] According to the power supply control device 10 of this embodiment, not only can the normal start time and normal end time of business be set for each day of the week, but it is also possible to set temporary start time and temporary end time of business for specific days of the week. Temporary power supply control based on the temporary start time and temporary end time of business is executed only once, and thereafter, normal power supply control based on the normal start time and normal end time of business is executed. According to the power supply control device 10 of this embodiment, even if business hours are changed due to irregular reasons, it is not necessary to change the settings of the normal start time and normal end time of business, thus saving the user time and avoiding the risk of forgetting to revert the time settings.

[0062] Furthermore, the controller 20 sets the value of Y for the next start of business according to the period Z from the most recent power outage to the next start of business. More specifically, the controller 20 sets the value of Y to Y1 when the period Z is shorter than the threshold T, and sets the value of Y to Y2, which is greater than Y1, when the period Z is longer than the threshold T.

[0063] As an example, suppose the threshold T is 12 hours, the value of Y1 is 5 hours, and the value of Y2 is 7 hours. In this case, as shown in Figure 13A, for example, if the power outage time on Monday is 23:00 and the start time of business on the following Tuesday is 10:00, then the period Z is 11 hours, which is shorter than the threshold T (12 hours), so the value of Y related to the start time of business on Tuesday is set to Y1 (5 hours). That is, the power outage time on Tuesday is set to 5:00, which is 5 hours before the start time of business.

[0064] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 13B, for example, if the power outage on Monday is at 23:00 and the start time of business on the following Tuesday is at 17:00, then the period Z is 18 hours, which is longer than the threshold T (12 hours). Therefore, the value of Y related to the start time of business on Tuesday is set to Y2 (7 hours). In other words, the power outage on Tuesday is set to 10:00, which is 7 hours before the start time of business.

[0065] The amount of ice stored inside the beverage dispenser gradually decreases after a power outage, and the longer the power outage, the less ice there is. The less ice there is, the longer it takes to restore the ice level. Therefore, in order to restore the ice level by the start of business, the power-on start time must be determined considering the most recent power outage time and the next start of business.

[0066] According to the power supply control device 10 of this embodiment, the power supply start time is set according to the period Z from the most recent power supply stop time to the next business start time, so that the amount of stored ice can be reliably restored by the start of business while maintaining the power saving effect.

[0067] In the above explanation, the example given is that the target device subject to power supply control by the power supply control device 10 is a commercial beverage dispenser, but the disclosed technology is not limited to this embodiment. For example, various devices such as heaters, air conditioners, and lighting devices, which have their power supply started and stopped at predetermined times, can be used as target devices.

[0068] The following additional information is disclosed regarding the embodiments described above. (Note 1) A power supply control device having a controller, The aforementioned controller, We obtain business hours information that shows the start and end times of business set for each day of the week. Power supply control is performed to start supplying power to the target device Y hours before the set start time of business on each day of the week, and to stop supplying power to the target device X hours after the set end time of business on each day of the week. Power supply control device.

[0069] (Note 2) The aforementioned controller, We obtain temporary business hours information that indicates the temporary start and end times set for specific days of the week. A temporary power supply control is performed only once, in which power is supplied to the target device starting Y hours before the designated temporary opening time on the specified day of the week, and power is supplied to the target device stopping X hours after the designated temporary closing time on the specified day of the week. The power supply control device described in Appendix 1.

[0070] (Note 3) The controller sets the value of Y for the next business start time according to the period Z from the most recent power outage time to the next business start time. The power supply control device described in Appendix 1 or Appendix 2.

[0071] (Note 4) The controller sets the value of Y to Y1 when the period Z is shorter than the threshold, and sets the value of Y to Y2, which is greater than Y1, when the period Z is longer than the threshold. The power supply control device described in Appendix 3.

[0072] (Note 5) The aforementioned controller, When the first operating mode is selected, power is continuously supplied to the target device. When the second operating mode is selected, the power supply control is performed. A power supply control device as described in any one of the appendices 1 through 4.

[0073] (Note 6) A power plug that is inserted into a power outlet, A power connector connected to the aforementioned power plug via wiring, into which the power plug of the target device is inserted, A switch provided on the aforementioned wiring, which turns on and off in accordance with the power supply control, A power supply control device as described in any one of the appendices 1 to 5, further including the above.

[0074] (Note 7) We obtain business hours information that shows the start and end times of business set for each day of the week. Power supply to the target device is started Y hours before the set start time of business on each day of the week, and power supply to the target device is stopped X hours after the set end time of business on each day of the week. A program that causes a computer to perform a process. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0075] 10 Power supply control device 11 Power plug 12 Power connectors 13 Wiring 14 switches 15 AC / DC Converters 20 controllers 21 CPU 22 RAM 23 RTC 24 Non-volatile memory 25 Touch panel display 26 bus 30 Power supply control program 100 beverage dispensers

Claims

1. A power supply control device having a controller, The aforementioned controller, We obtain business hours information that shows the start and end times of business set for each day of the week. Power supply control is performed to start supplying power to the target device Y hours before the set start time of business on each day of the week, and to stop supplying power to the target device X hours after the set end time of business on each day of the week. Power supply control device.

2. The aforementioned controller, We obtain temporary business hours information that indicates the temporary start and end times set for specific days of the week. A temporary power supply control is performed only once, in which power is supplied to the target device starting Y hours before the designated temporary opening time on the specified day of the week, and power is supplied to the target device stopping X hours after the designated temporary closing time on the specified day of the week. The power supply control device according to claim 1.

3. The controller sets the value of Y for the next business start time according to the period Z from the most recent power outage time to the next business start time. The power supply control device according to claim 1.

4. The controller sets the value of Y to Y1 when the period Z is shorter than the threshold, and sets the value of Y to Y2, which is greater than Y1, when the period Z is longer than the threshold. The power supply control device according to claim 3.

5. The aforementioned controller, When the first operating mode is selected, power is continuously supplied to the target device. When the second operating mode is selected, the power supply control is performed. The power supply control device according to claim 1.

6. A power plug that is inserted into a power outlet, A power connector connected to the aforementioned power plug via wiring, into which the power plug of the target device is inserted, A switch provided on the aforementioned wiring, which turns on and off in accordance with the power supply control, A power supply control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising:

7. We obtain business hours information that shows the start and end times of business set for each day of the week. Power supply to the target device is started Y hours before the set start time of business on each day of the week, and power supply to the target device is stopped X hours after the set end time of business on each day of the week. A program that causes a computer to perform a process.

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