Power supply system, power supply method, and power supply program

Abstract

Provided are a power supply system, a power supply method, and a power supply program which pertain to an RIC (RAN Intelligent Controller) and which, even when supplying power source voltages of a plurality of kinds, suppress the occurrence of imbalance in the power source voltages for use. The power supply system comprises: a connection determination part for determining whether a device is any of a first device operating at a first voltage, a second device operating at a second voltage that is higher than the first voltage, or a third device capable of operating at both of the first voltage and the second voltage; a voltage application part for applying, on the basis of a determination result by the connection determination part, a voltage that is either the first voltage or the second voltage and corresponds to the first device, the second device, or the third device; an acquisition part for acquiring operation information related to the operations of the first device, the second device, and the third device; and a switching control part for controlling, on the basis of the operation information acquired by the acquisition part, the voltage application part so that the voltage to be applied to the third device is switched between the first voltage and the second voltage.

Description

Power supply system, power supply method, and power supply program

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a power supply system, a power supply method, and a power supply program.

[0002] Conventionally, there are devices that operate using one of two power sources with different voltages. A method of determining the power source voltage described in Patent Document 1 measures a current value at two different times immediately after power is supplied to a device (heater) using one of the power sources, and determines which of the two voltages the power source is using based on the difference between the two current values.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-018296

[0004] Incidentally, among various devices, there are devices that operate on 100V, devices that operate on 200V, and devices that can operate on both 100V and 200V, and these types of devices may be mixed and configured as a single system device. In this case, depending on the operating status of each device, there may be cases where the 100V power supply voltage is used more frequently, or where the 200V power supply voltage is used more frequently. In other words, there may be cases where one of the two types of power supply voltages is used unevenly. The power supply voltage discrimination method described in Patent Document 1 cannot estimate the occurrence of an uneven use of one of the two types of power supply voltages, even if there is a case where one of the two types of power supply voltages is used unevenly.

[0005] The present disclosure relates to a RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC), and provides a power supply system, a power supply method, and a power supply program that can suppress the occurrence of imbalance in the power supply voltages used even when multiple types of power supply voltages are supplied.

[0006] One embodiment of the power supply system includes a connection determination unit that determines whether the device is a first device that operates at a first voltage, a second device that operates at a second voltage higher than the first voltage, or a third device that can operate at both the first voltage and the second voltage; a voltage application unit that applies a voltage from the first voltage and the second voltage corresponding to the first device, the second device, and the third device, respectively, based on the determination result of the connection determination unit; an acquisition unit that acquires operation information regarding the operation of each of the first device, the second device, and the third device; and a switching control unit that controls the voltage application unit to switch the voltage applied to the third device between the first voltage and the second voltage based on the operation information acquired by the acquisition unit.

[0007] The power supply system, power supply method, and power supply program disclosed herein can prevent imbalance in the power supply voltages used even when supplying multiple types of power supply voltages.

[0008] Fig. 1 is a diagram for explaining a power supply system according to an embodiment; Fig. 2 is a block diagram for explaining a power supply system according to an embodiment; Fig. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of a device for switching power (voltage); Fig. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a power supply method according to an embodiment;

[0009] An embodiment will be described below.

[0010] [Outline of Power Supply System 1] First, an outline of a power supply system 1 according to an embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is a diagram for explaining a power supply system 1 according to an embodiment.

[0011] The power supply system 1 relates to a RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC). The power supply system 1 supplies power to each of a plurality of devices 300 (a first device 301, a second device 302, and a third device 303). The first device 301, the second device 302, and the third device 303 are various devices that operate by receiving power supply, and as a specific example, may be server devices or the like. There may be one or more of each of the first device 301, the second device 302, and the third device 303. Alternatively, there may be zero of either the first device 301 or the device 302. The first device 301, the second device 302, and the third device 303 are arranged, for example, in a rack 310 or the like.

[0012] The first device 301, the second device 302, and the third device 303 are connected in parallel to the voltage application unit 200, for example. The first device 301 operates at a first voltage. The second device 302 operates at a second voltage higher than the first voltage. The third device 303 can operate at both the first voltage and the second voltage. The first voltage may be, for example, 100 V. As a more specific example, the first voltage may be, for example, a single-wire, three-phase 100 V. The second voltage may be, for example, 200 V. As a more specific example, the second voltage may be, for example, a three-wire, three-phase 200 V. The power supply system 1 applies voltages (power supply voltages) corresponding to the first voltage, the second voltage, and the third voltage, respectively.

[0013] The power supply system 1 includes a voltage application unit 200 and a processing unit 100. The processing unit 100 may be a computer (information processing device) such as a server, a desktop, a laptop, a tablet, or a smartphone.

[0014] The processing unit 100 determines whether each of the multiple devices 300 is a first device 301, a second device 302, or a third device 303. The processing unit 100 may determine whether each of the multiple devices 300 connected to the voltage application unit 200 is a first device 301, a second device 302, or a third device 303 based on the first resistance value and the second resistance value. The first device 301 operates at a first voltage and has a known first resistance value. The second device 302 operates at a second voltage and has a known second resistance value. The third device 303 has a known first resistance value when operating at the first voltage and a known second resistance value when operating at the second voltage. Note that the first resistance value of the first device and the first resistance value of the third device may be different values ​​or may be the same value. Furthermore, the second resistance value of the second device and the second resistance value of the third device may be different values ​​or may be the same value.

[0015] That is, for example, when the voltage application unit 200 applies a first voltage (input voltage value) to each of the first device 301, the second device 302, and the third device 303, the processing unit 100 acquires the voltages (output voltage values) output from each of the first device 301, the second device 302, and the third device 303 to acquire the voltage drops. Furthermore, when the voltage application unit 200 applies a third voltage (input voltage value) to each of the first device 301, the second device 302, and the third device 303, the processing unit 100 acquires the voltages (output voltage values) output from each of the first device 301, the second device 302, and the third device 303 to acquire the voltage drops. The third voltage is a voltage value that is higher than the first voltage and lower than the second voltage, and may be, for example, 150 V.

[0016] For example, because the first resistance value of first device 301 is known, processing unit 100 can estimate in advance the output voltage (value of voltage drop) when the first voltage is applied to first device 301. For example, when processing unit 100 applies a third voltage to first device 301, the output voltage (voltage drop) value differs from the value estimated when the first voltage is applied, as described above.

[0017] For example, since the second resistance value of the second device 302 is known, the processing unit 100 can estimate in advance the output voltage (value of voltage drop) when the third voltage is applied to the second device 302. For example, when the processing unit 100 applies the first voltage to the second device 302, the output voltage (value of voltage drop) differs from the value estimated when the third voltage is applied, as described above.

[0018] For example, since the first resistance value of the third device 303 is known, the processing unit 100 can estimate in advance the output voltage (value of voltage drop) when the first voltage is applied to the third device 303. Similarly, since the second resistance value of the third device 303 is known, for example, the processing unit 100 can estimate in advance the output voltage (value of voltage drop) when the third voltage is applied to the third device 303.

[0019] The processing unit 100 may, for example, apply a first voltage and a third voltage to the first device 301, the second device 302, and the third device 303 using the voltage application unit 200, and determine whether the output voltage from each device 300 is an estimated value, thereby determining whether each device 300 is the first device 301, the second device 302, or the third device 303.

[0020] The processing unit 100 acquires operation information related to the operation of each of the first device 301, the second device 302, and the third device 303. The operation information may be, for example, information on the balance of applied voltages (load balance) and power consumption. The balance of applied voltages may be the balance of the application of the first voltage and the second voltage when applying the first voltage or the second voltage to each of the first device 301, the second device 302, and the third device 303. That is, the balance of applied voltages may be the balance between power supplied via single-wire three-phase 100V and power supplied via three-wire three-phase 200V (balance of supplied power). Alternatively, the balance of applied voltages may be, for example, the balance between the consumption of power supplied via single-wire three-phase 100V and the consumption of power supplied via three-wire three-phase 200V (balance of power consumption). The power consumption may be the individual or total power consumption of the first device 301, the second device 302, and the third device 303. That is, the power consumption may be the consumption of power supplied by a single-wire three-phase 100V system and the consumption of power supplied by a three-wire three-phase 200V system.

[0021] The processing unit 100 may, for example, use AI (trained model) or the like to control the voltage application unit 200 to switch the voltage applied by the voltage application unit 200 to the third device 303 between the first voltage and the second voltage based on the operation information.

[0022] [Details of Power Supply System 1] Next, the power supply system 1 according to one embodiment will be described in detail. Fig. 2 is a block diagram for explaining the power supply system 1 according to one embodiment.

[0023] The power supply system 1 includes, for example, a plurality of devices 300 (a first device 301, a second device 302, and a third device 303), a voltage application unit 200 (automatic power supply unit), and a processing unit 100. The plurality of devices 300 are arranged, for example, in a rack 310 or the like. The processing unit 100 includes, for example, a communication unit 121, a storage unit 122, a display unit 123, and a control unit 110. The communication unit 121, the storage unit 122, and the display unit 123 may be an embodiment of the output unit. The control unit 110 includes, for example, a connection determination unit 111, an acquisition unit 112, and a switching control unit 113. The control unit 110 may be configured, for example, by an arithmetic processing device of the processing unit 100. The control unit 110 (e.g., an arithmetic processing device, etc.) may realize the functions of each unit (e.g., the connection determination unit 111, the voltage application unit 200, the acquisition unit 112, and the switching control unit 113, etc.) by, for example, appropriately reading and executing various programs, etc. stored in the storage unit 122, etc. In other words, the functions of each unit may be realized by computer implementation.

[0024] The communication unit 121 is, for example, a communication interface that can transmit and receive various information to and from devices (external devices) outside the power supply device.

[0025] The storage unit 122 may store, for example, various information and programs. Examples of the storage unit 122 may be a memory, a solid state drive, a hard disk drive, etc. Note that the storage unit 122 may be, for example, a storage area or a server on a cloud.

[0026] The display unit 123 is a display capable of displaying, for example, various characters, symbols, images, and the like.

[0027] The connection determination unit 111 determines whether the multiple servers (first device 301, second device 302, and third device 303) constituting the server device are servers (devices) that operate at a first voltage or a second voltage. The first device 301 operates at a first voltage. The second device 302 operates at a second voltage that is higher than the first voltage. The third device 303 can operate at both the first voltage and the second voltage. The first voltage may be, for example, 100 V. The second voltage may be, for example, 200 V. In other words, the connection determination unit 111 determines whether the device is the first device 301 that operates at the first voltage, the second device 302 that operates at a second voltage that is higher than the first voltage, or the third device 303 that can operate at both the first voltage and the second voltage.

[0028] Specifically, the connection determination unit 111 may determine which of the multiple devices 300 connected to the voltage application unit 200 (described later) is the first device 301, the second device 302, or the third device 303, based on a resistance value (first resistance value) obtained by applying a first voltage to each of the first device 301, the second device 302, and the third device 303, and a resistance value (second resistance value) obtained by applying a third voltage (described later) that is higher than the first voltage and lower than the second voltage. The third voltage may be, for example, 150 V. Here, assuming that applying a second voltage (e.g., 200 V) to the first device 301 may cause a malfunction, a third voltage (e.g., 150 V) lower than the second voltage is applied to each device 300. The first device 301 operates at the first voltage and has a known first resistance value. The second device 302 operates at the second voltage and has a known second resistance value. The third device 303 has a first known resistance value when operated at a first voltage and a second known resistance value when operated at a second voltage.

[0029] As a first example of connection determination, the connection determination unit 111 applies a first voltage to each of the multiple servers (devices 300) constituting the server apparatus, acquires the voltage (output voltage value) output from each of the devices 300, and acquires the value of the voltage drop. The connection determination unit 111 also applies a third voltage to each of the multiple servers (devices 300), acquires the voltage (output voltage value) output from each of the devices 300, and acquires the value of the voltage drop. The connection determination unit 111 may acquire the value of the voltage drop using a voltage measurement device or the like that has the same functions as a tester.

[0030] Because the first resistance value of first device 301 is known, connection determination unit 111 can estimate in advance the output voltage (voltage drop value) when the first voltage is applied to first device 301. On the other hand, when the third voltage is applied to first device 301, connection determination unit 111 acquires an output voltage (voltage drop value) that is different from the output voltage estimated when the first voltage is applied, as described above.

[0031] Because the second resistance value of the second device 302 is known, the connection determination unit 111 can estimate in advance the output voltage (value of voltage drop) when the third voltage is applied to the second device 302. When the first voltage is applied to the second device 302, the connection determination unit 111 obtains an output voltage (value of voltage drop) that is different from the output voltage estimated when the third voltage is applied, as described above.

[0032] Because the first resistance value of the third device 303 is known, the connection determination unit 111 can estimate in advance the output voltage (value of voltage drop) when the first voltage is applied to the third device 303. Because the second resistance value of the third device 303 is known, the connection determination unit 111 can estimate in advance the output voltage (value of voltage drop) when the third voltage is applied to the third device 303.

[0033] The connection determination unit 111 may apply the first voltage and the third voltage to each of multiple servers (each device 300) and determine whether the output voltage from each device 300 is an estimated value, thereby determining whether each device 300 is the first device 301, the second device 302, or the third device 303.

[0034] That is, for example, for a certain device, if the output voltage when the first voltage is applied corresponds to the value of the output voltage estimated for the first device 301, and the output voltage when the third voltage is applied does not correspond to the value of the output voltage estimated for the second device 302, the connection determination unit 111 may estimate that the device is the first device 301.

[0035] Furthermore, for example, if the output voltage when the first voltage is applied to a certain device does not correspond to the value of the output voltage estimated for the first device 301, and the output voltage when the third voltage is applied to the device corresponds to the value of the output voltage estimated for the second device 302, the connection determination unit 111 may estimate that the device is the second device 302.

[0036] Furthermore, for example, if the output voltage when the first voltage is applied to a certain device corresponds to the value of the output voltage estimated for the first device 301, and the output voltage when the third voltage is applied to the device corresponds to the value of the output voltage estimated for the second device 302, the connection determination unit 111 may estimate that the device is the third device 303.

[0037] As a second example of connection determination (voltage specification check), the connection determination unit 111 may apply a first voltage (e.g., 100 V) to each of the multiple devices 300 (first device 301, second device 302, and third device 303) and measure the current flowing through each device 300, thereby acquiring a resistance value of each device 300. Based on the resistance value acquired for each of the multiple devices 300, the connection determination unit 111 may determine whether the first device 301 operates at the first voltage, the second device 302 operates at the second voltage, or the third device 303 can operate at both the first and second voltages.

[0038] The connection determination unit 111 may store the result of the above-mentioned determination in the storage unit 122 as learning information when generating a trained model.

[0039] Based on the determination result of connection determination unit 111, voltage application unit 200 applies one of the first voltage and the second voltage corresponding to first device 301, second device 302, and third device 303. Voltage application unit 200 applies the first voltage to first device 301. Voltage application unit 200 applies the second voltage to second device 302. Voltage application unit 200 applies one of the first voltage and the second voltage to third device 303.

[0040] The acquisition unit 112 acquires operation information related to the operation of each of the first device 301, the second device 302, and the third device 303. The operation information may be, for example, information on the balance of voltage application (load balance) and power consumption. The voltage application balance may be the balance of application of the first voltage and the second voltage when applying the first voltage or the second voltage to each of the first device 301, the second device 302, and the third device 303. That is, the voltage application balance may be, for example, the ratio of the number of devices (the first device 301 and the third device 303) that apply the first voltage to the number of devices (the second device 302 and the third device 303) that apply the second voltage among all the multiple servers (each device 300) that make up the server device. In other words, the voltage application balance may be the balance of application of the first voltage and the second voltage when applying the first voltage or the second voltage to each of the first device 301, the second device 302, and the third device 303. The power consumption may be the power consumption of each of the first device 301, the second device 302, and the third device 303.

[0041] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a device for switching power (voltage).

[0042] The switching control unit 113 determines the power supply balance (balance of voltage application) to optimize the power supply (voltage application) to each device 300 based on the operation information (transition of usage), and supplies the power accordingly. The switching control unit 113 may make this determination using AI or the like. As an example, the switching control unit 113 controls automatic configuration of a three-phase wiring connection to automatically switch between 100V and 200V specifications based on the usage situation. That is, the switching control unit 113 controls to connect the optimal connection points (switches 210, 320) based on the voltage specifications, power consumption, and voltage application balance (balance of voltage (power) consumption for each of multiple voltage values) of each of the multiple devices 300. 3 , when the voltage application unit 200 can supply 100 V (first voltage) and 200 V (second voltage), the switching control unit 113 controls the switch 210 of the voltage application unit 200 (and the switch 320 of the rack 310) to switch, and applies the first voltage or the second voltage to the third device 303. In this case, the switching control unit 113 may control the switch 210 of the voltage application unit 200 (and the switch 320 of the rack 310) to be turned on so as to apply a voltage of 100 V to the first device 301, and the switch 210 of the voltage application unit 200 (and the switch 320 of the rack 310) to be turned on so as to apply a voltage of 200 V to the second device 302.

[0043] That is, the switching control unit 113 controls the voltage application unit 200 to switch the voltage to be applied to the third device 303 between the first voltage and the second voltage, based on the operation information acquired by the acquisition unit 112. The switching control unit 113 may control the voltage application unit 200 to switch the voltage to be applied to the third device 303 between the first voltage and the second voltage, based on the balance of applied voltages and the amount of power consumption, which are the operation information acquired by the acquisition unit 112.

[0044] The switching control unit 113 may control the voltage application unit 200 to switch the voltage to be applied to the third device 303 between the first voltage and the second voltage, based on the balance of applied voltages as the operation information acquired by the acquisition unit 112. The switching control unit 113 may also control the voltage application unit 200 to switch the voltage to be applied to the third device 303 between the first voltage and the second voltage, based on the amount of power consumption as the operation information acquired by the acquisition unit 112. In other words, the switching control unit 113 may control the voltage application unit 200 to switch the voltage to be applied to the third device 303 between the first voltage and the second voltage, based on at least one of the balance of applied voltages and the amount of power consumption as the operation information acquired by the acquisition unit 112.

[0045] As an example, if there are more devices applying the first voltage (first device 301 and third device 303) than devices applying the second voltage, and the power consumption of first device 301 (first device 301 and third device 303 applying the first voltage) is greater than the power consumption of second device 302 (second device 302 and third device 303 applying the second voltage), switching control unit 113 may control voltage application unit 200 to apply the second voltage to third device 303. As another example, if there are more devices applying the second voltage (first device 301 and third device 303) than devices applying the first voltage, and the power consumption of second device 302 (second device 302 and third device 303 applying the second voltage) is greater than the power consumption of first device 301 (first device 301 and third device 303 applying the first voltage), switching control unit 113 may control voltage application unit 200 to apply the first voltage to third device 303.

[0046] The switching control unit 113 may store the calculation results when switching the voltage to be applied to the third device 303 between the first voltage and the second voltage based on the operation information in the memory unit 122 as learning information when generating a trained model.

[0047] In addition, the switching control unit 113 may control the voltage application unit 200 to switch the voltage to be applied to the third device 303 between the first voltage and the second voltage based on the learned model and the balance of voltage application and power consumption as operating information acquired by the acquisition unit 112.

[0048] The trained model may be a model generated by learning the operating states of the first device 301, the second device 302, and the third device 303, the balance of the voltage application to be learned of the first voltage and the second voltage when applying the first voltage or the second voltage to the first device 301, the second device 302, and the third device 303, the power consumption to be learned of the first device 301, the second device 302, and the third device 303, and the voltage (first voltage or second voltage) to be applied to the third device 303.

[0049] That is, the trained model may be, for example, a model trained to apply the second voltage from the voltage application unit 200 to the third device 303 when the number of devices applying the first voltage (first device 301 and third device 303) is greater than the number of devices applying the second voltage and the power consumption of the first device 301 is greater than the power consumption of the second device 302. In other words, the trained model may be, for example, a model trained to apply the first voltage from the voltage application unit 200 to the third device 303 when the number of devices applying the second voltage (first device 301 and third device 303) is greater than the number of devices applying the first voltage and the power consumption of the second device 302 is greater than the power consumption of the first device 301.

[0050] The switching control unit 113 may store a history (log) of the above-described switching in the storage unit 122, and may transmit the history (log) to an external device (not shown) via the communication unit 121. The switching control unit 113 may also display on the display unit 123 the current connection state (whether the voltage applied to the third device 303 is the first voltage or the second voltage) when the switching is performed.

[0051] [Power Supply Method] Next, a power supply method according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4, which is a flowchart illustrating the power supply method according to an embodiment.

[0052] In step ST101, connection determination unit 111 determines whether a first device 301 operates at a first voltage, second device 302 operates at a second voltage higher than the first voltage, or third device 303 can operate at both the first and second voltages. Connection determination unit 111 may determine whether a plurality of devices 300 connected to voltage application unit 200 (described later) is first device 301, second device 302, or third device 303, based on, for example, a resistance value (first resistance value) obtained by applying a first voltage to first device 301, second device 302, and third device 303, and a resistance value (second resistance value) obtained by applying a third voltage higher than the first voltage and lower than the second voltage to each of first device 301, second device 302, and third device 303.

[0053] In step ST102, the voltage application section 200 applies the first voltage and the second voltage corresponding to the first device 301, the second device 302, and the third device 303, respectively, based on the determination result in step ST101.

[0054] In step ST103, the acquisition unit 112 acquires operation information relating to the operation of each of the first device 301, the second device 302, and the third device 303. The operation information may be, for example, information on the balance of applied voltage (load balance) and the amount of power consumption.

[0055] In step ST104, the switching control unit 113 controls the voltage application unit 200 to switch the voltage to be applied to the third device 303 between the first voltage and the second voltage, based on the operation information acquired in step ST103. Here, "controlling the voltage application unit 200" may include control of a switch 320 (such as a switch 320 for switching between devices to which the first voltage or the second voltage is supplied) disposed on the rack 310. That is, the switching control unit 113 may control the voltage application unit 200 to switch the voltage to be applied to the third device 303 between the first voltage and the second voltage, based on the balance of voltage application and the amount of power consumption, which are the operation information acquired in step ST103.

[0056] In step ST104 described above, the switching control unit 113 may control the voltage application unit 200 to switch the voltage to be applied to the third device 303 between the first voltage and the second voltage, based on the learned model and the balance of voltage application and the amount of power consumption as the operation information acquired in step ST103. The learned model may be a model generated by learning the operating states of the first device 301, the second device 302, and the third device 303, the balance of voltage application to be learned between the first voltage and the second voltage when the first voltage or the second voltage is applied to the first device 301, the second device 302, and the third device 303, the amount of power consumption to be learned of the first device 301, the second device 302, and the third device 303, and the voltage (first voltage or second voltage) to be applied to the third device 303.

[0057] [Regarding Functions and Circuits] Next, the functions and circuits of the above-described power supply system 1 will be described. Each unit of the power supply system 1 may be realized as a function of a computer's arithmetic processing unit or the like. That is, the connection determination unit 111, the voltage application unit 200, the acquisition unit 112, and the switching control unit 113 (control unit 110) of the power supply system 1 may be realized as a connection determination function, a voltage application function, an acquisition function, and a switching control function (control function) by a computer's arithmetic processing unit or the like. A power supply program can cause a computer to realize each of the above-described functions. The power supply program may be recorded on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, such as a memory, a solid-state drive, a hard disk drive, or an optical disk. The storage medium may also be referred to as a non-transitory computer-readable medium that stores the power supply program. The power supply program may also be transmitted online. As described above, each unit of the power supply system 1 may be realized by a computer's arithmetic processing unit or the like. The arithmetic processing unit or the like may be configured, for example, by an integrated circuit or the like. Therefore, each unit of the power supply system 1 may be realized as a circuit constituting the arithmetic processing unit or the like. That is, the connection determination unit 111, the voltage application unit 200, the acquisition unit 112, and the switching control unit 113 (control unit 110) of the power supply system 1 may be realized as a connection determination circuit, a voltage application circuit, an acquisition circuit, and a switching control circuit (control circuit) constituting an arithmetic processing unit of a computer, etc. Furthermore, the communication unit 121, the storage unit 122, and the display unit 123 (output unit) of the power supply system 1 may be realized as, for example, a communication function, a storage function, and a display function (output function) including the functions of an arithmetic processing unit, etc. Furthermore, the communication unit 121, the storage unit 122, and the display unit 123 (output unit) of the power supply system 1 may be realized as a communication circuit, a storage circuit, and a display circuit (output circuit) by being configured, for example, by an integrated circuit, etc. Furthermore, the communication unit 121, the storage unit 122, and the display unit 123 (output unit) of the power supply system 1 may be realized as, for example, a communication device, a storage device, and a display device (output device) by being configured, for example, by being configured by a plurality of devices.

[0058] The power supply system 1 can be configured by combining one or any combination of the above-described multiple units. In this disclosure, the term "information" is used, but the term "information" can be replaced with "data," and the term "data" can be replaced with "information."

[0059] [Aspects and Effects of the Present Embodiment] Next, one aspect of the present embodiment and the effects of each aspect will be described. Note that each aspect described below is an example at the time of filing, and the present embodiment is not limited to the aspects described below. In other words, the present embodiment is not limited to each aspect described below, and may be realized by appropriately combining each of the above-mentioned parts. Furthermore, a lower aspect may in some cases cite any of the higher aspects. Furthermore, the effects of the present embodiment described below are only examples, and the effects of each aspect are not limited to those described below. Furthermore, each aspect may, for example, achieve at least one of the effects described below.

[0060] (Aspect 1) A power supply system according to one aspect includes a connection determination unit that determines whether a first device operates at a first voltage, a second device operates at a second voltage higher than the first voltage, or a third device that can operate at both the first and second voltages, a voltage application unit that applies a voltage corresponding to the first device, the second device, and the third device, from the first voltage and the second voltage, based on a determination result of the connection determination unit, an acquisition unit that acquires operation information related to the operation of each of the first device, the second device, and the third device, and a switching control unit that controls the voltage application unit to switch the voltage applied to the third device between the first voltage and the second voltage, based on the operation information acquired by the acquisition unit. This allows the power supply system to suppress imbalances in the power supply voltages used, even when multiple types of power supply voltages are supplied.

[0061] In the past, the power consumption of each device was calculated in advance, and appropriate load balancing was calculated manually based on live measurements of power consumption. While acquiring the current power consumption of each device, the power consumption of newly installed and additional devices is also acquired. In particular, in the case of redundant equipment, if load balancing shifts to one system due to a failure or other reason, power consumption simply doubles, posing a challenge for appropriate load balancing. Devices must be connected according to voltage specifications, which can lead to variations depending on the operational configuration, resulting in inefficient use. Therefore, in this embodiment, the voltage specifications of each device are checked, and the optimal power consumption is estimated based on operational information (power consumption and voltage application balance (load balance)). The voltage applied to the third device is automatically switched between the first and second voltages. This embodiment thereby reduces the burden on workers and reduces operational costs.

[0062] Furthermore, in the initial state of the server device, the number of first, second, and third devices housed in the rack is known, making it possible to set an appropriate power supply balance. However, as time passes after the server device is put into operation, new devices may be installed in the rack, or devices already housed in the rack may be replaced with new devices. In this case, the balance between the first and second voltages applied to the server device (each device) (voltage application balance) and the power consumption of the server device (each device) may become unknown. Therefore, the power supply system acquires operation information and switches the voltage applied to the third device between the first and second voltages based on the operation information, thereby preventing imbalances in the power supply voltages used.

[0063] (Aspect 2) In one aspect of the power supply system, the connection determination unit may determine whether the plurality of devices connected to the voltage application unit are the first device, the second device, or the third device, based on a resistance value obtained by applying a first voltage to each of the first device, the second device, and the third device, and a resistance value obtained by applying a third voltage higher than the first voltage and lower than the second voltage to each of the first device, the second device, and the third device. This allows the power supply system to determine (identify) the power supply voltage available for each device even when it is unknown which of multiple power supply voltages each device will operate on.

[0064] (Aspect 3) In one aspect of the power supply system, the switching control unit may control the voltage application unit to switch the voltage applied to the third device between the first voltage and the second voltage based on a balance between the application of the first voltage and the second voltage when applying the first voltage or the second voltage to each of the first device, the second device, and the third device, as operation information acquired by the acquisition unit, and the amounts of power consumed by the first device, the second device, and the third device. As a result, when there is an imbalance in usage of one of the first voltage and the second voltage among multiple types of power supply voltages used by the devices, the power supply system controls to supply the other voltage to the third device, thereby eliminating (reducing) the imbalance in usage of the power supply voltages.

[0065] (Aspect 4) In one aspect of the power supply system, the switching control unit may control the voltage application unit to switch between the first voltage and the second voltage to be applied to the third device based on a trained model generated by learning the operating states of the first device, the second device, and the third device, the balance of application of the first voltage and the second voltage to be learned when applying the first voltage or the second voltage to the first device, the second device, and the third device, and the power consumption to be learned of the first device, the second device, and the third device, and the balance and the power consumption as operation information acquired by the acquisition unit. As a result, when there is an imbalance in usage of one of the first voltage and the second voltage among multiple types of power supply voltages used by the devices, the power supply system uses the trained model (estimated by AI) to control the third device to supply the other voltage, thereby eliminating (reducing) the imbalance in usage of the power supply voltage.

[0066] (Aspect 5) In one aspect of the power supply method, a computer executes the following steps: a connection determination step of determining whether a first device operates at a first voltage, a second device operates at a second voltage higher than the first voltage, or a third device is operable at both the first and second voltages; a voltage application step of applying a voltage corresponding to each of the first, second, and third devices, out of the first and second voltages, based on a determination result of the connection determination step; an acquisition step of acquiring operation information related to the operation of each of the first, second, and third devices; and a switching control step of controlling the voltage applied to the third device to be switched between the first and second voltages based on the operation information acquired in the acquisition step. This allows the power supply method to achieve the same effects as the power supply system of the aspect described above.

[0067] (Aspect 6) A power supply program according to one aspect causes a computer to implement: a connection determination function that determines whether a device is a first device that operates at a first voltage, a second device that operates at a second voltage higher than the first voltage, or a third device that can operate at both the first and second voltages; a voltage application function that applies a voltage corresponding to the first device, the second device, and the third device, out of the first voltage and the second voltage, based on a determination result of the connection determination function; an acquisition function that acquires operation information related to the operation of the first device, the second device, and the third device; and a switching control function that controls the voltage application function to switch the voltage applied to the third device between the first voltage and the second voltage, based on the operation information acquired by the acquisition function. This allows the power supply program to achieve the same effects as the power supply system according to the aspect described above.

[0068] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Power supply system 100 Processing unit (information processing device) 110 Control unit 111 Connection determination unit 112 Acquisition unit 113 Switching control unit 121 Communication unit 122 Storage unit 123 Display unit 200 Voltage application unit (automatic power supply unit) 210 Switch 300 Multiple devices 301 First device 302 Second device 303 Third device 310 Rack 320 Switch

Claims

1. A power supply system comprising: a connection determination unit that determines whether a device is a first device that operates on a first voltage, a second device that operates on a second voltage higher than the first voltage, or a third device that can operate on both the first voltage and the second voltage; a voltage application unit that applies a voltage from the first voltage or the second voltage that corresponds to the first device, the second device, and the third device, respectively, based on the determination result of the connection determination unit; an acquisition unit that acquires operation information regarding the operation of each of the first device, the second device, and the third device; and a switching control unit that controls the voltage application unit to switch the voltage to be applied to the third device between the first voltage and the second voltage, based on the operation information acquired by the acquisition unit.

2. The power supply system of claim 1, wherein the connection determination unit determines whether a plurality of devices connected to the voltage application unit are the first device, the second device, or the third device, based on the resistance value obtained by applying the first voltage to each of the first device, the second device, and the third device, and the resistance value obtained by applying a third voltage higher than the first voltage and lower than the second voltage to each of the first device, the second device, and the third device.

3. The power supply system according to claim 1, wherein the switching control unit controls the voltage application unit to switch the voltage to be applied to the third device between the first voltage and the second voltage based on the operation information acquired by the acquisition unit, which is the balance between the application of the first voltage and the second voltage when the first voltage or the second voltage is applied to each of the first device, the second device, and the third device, and the power consumption of the first device, the second device, and the third device.

4. The power supply system described in claim 3, wherein the switching control unit controls the voltage application unit to switch the voltage to be applied to the third device between the first voltage and the second voltage based on a trained model generated by learning the operating states of the first device, the second device, and the third device, the application balance of the first voltage and the second voltage to be learned when the first voltage or the second voltage is applied to the first device, the second device, and the third device, and the power consumption to be learned of the first device, the second device, and the third device, and the balance and the power consumption as operating information acquired by the acquisition unit.

5. A power supply method in which a computer executes the following steps: a connection determination step of determining whether a device is a first device that operates on a first voltage, a second device that operates on a second voltage higher than the first voltage, or a third device that can operate on both the first voltage and the second voltage; a voltage application step of applying a voltage corresponding to each of the first device, the second device, and the third device out of the first voltage and the second voltage based on the determination result of the connection determination step; an acquisition step of acquiring operation information regarding the operation of each of the first device, the second device, and the third device; and a switching control step of controlling the voltage to be applied to the third device to be switched between the first voltage and the second voltage based on the operation information acquired by the acquisition step.

6. A power supply program that causes a computer to realize the following: a connection determination function that determines whether a device is a first device that operates on a first voltage, a second device that operates on a second voltage higher than the first voltage, or a third device that can operate on both the first voltage and the second voltage; a voltage application function that applies a voltage corresponding to the first device, the second device, and the third device, out of the first voltage and the second voltage, based on the determination result of the connection determination function; an acquisition function that acquires operation information regarding the operation of each of the first device, the second device, and the third device; and a switching control function that controls the voltage application function to switch the voltage applied to the third device between the first voltage and the second voltage, based on the operation information acquired by the acquisition function.

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