JP2011086174A - Information processor and power consumption measuring device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To actualize power consumption including the conversion loss of an AC adapter. <P>SOLUTION: An information processor has a power consumption acquisition unit, a power consumption correction unit, and a power consumption recording unit. The power consumption acquisition unit measures the value of electric power supplied from an AC adapter through an AC adapter connection terminal. The power consumption correction unit acquires a real power consumption value which is a power value including a conversion loss in the AC adapter from the power value measured by the power consumption acquisition unit, on the basis of the power conversion efficiency in the AC adapter. The power consumption recording unit records the real power consumption value acquired by the power consumption correction unit. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present application relates to an apparatus for measuring power consumption in an operation using electric power converted from alternating current to direct current, and a computer program for realizing the apparatus.

  It is considered to make the state of power consumption by electric equipment visible. For example, there is a method of providing a means for detecting the amount of power consumption in each of a plurality of electric devices and displaying the amount of power consumption of each electric device or an electric charge corresponding thereto in a device separate from the electric device (Patent Literature) 1). In addition, there is a technique in which a circuit for measuring power consumption is provided in an electric device having a display unit, and the power consumption level is displayed using the display unit of the electric device (see Patent Document 2).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-40065 JP-A-7-212666

  When an electrical device connected to an AC power source via an AC adapter (alternating current adapter) that converts AC power to DC power consumes power supplied from the AC adapter, the conversion loss corresponding to the power consumption is AC adapter. Occurs in. However, the power consumption measured inside the electrical equipment does not include the power for the conversion loss of the AC adapter.

  Generally used AC adapters have a conversion characteristic that depends on output power such that the conversion efficiency increases so as to draw an exponential curve as the output voltage increases, and the maximum value of the conversion efficiency is about 80%. . A conversion efficiency of 80% means that, according to a simple calculation, 1.25 times or more of the power consumption measured inside the electric device is supplied from the AC power source. Further, from the above consideration of the conversion characteristics, it can be seen that when the power consumption at which the conversion efficiency is less than 50% is relatively small, the conversion loss in the AC adapter is larger than the measured power consumption.

  In other words, the problem to be solved regarding the electric device using the AC adapter is to realize the actualization of the power actually consumed when the AC adapter supplies power.

  The information processing apparatus includes a power consumption acquisition unit, a power consumption correction unit, and a power consumption recording unit. The power consumption acquisition unit measures the power value of the power supplied from the AC adapter via the AC adapter connection terminal. The power consumption correction unit acquires an actual power consumption value, which is a power value including conversion loss in the AC adapter, from the power value measured by the power consumption acquisition unit, based on the power conversion efficiency in the AC adapter. The power consumption recording unit records the actual power consumption value acquired by the power consumption correcting unit.

  When the AC adapter supplies power, it is possible to record an actual power consumption value that is closer to the value of power actually consumed than the power value that can be measured on the output side of the AC adapter.

It is a figure which shows schematic structure of information processing apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the flow of a process of the power consumption measurement program performed in EC. It is a figure which shows the example of the content of a measurement log. It is a figure which shows an example of the flow of another process of the power consumption measurement program performed in EC. It is a figure which shows the example of the relationship between the operating state of information processing apparatus, and an electric power grid | system. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of an electric power grid | system and a power supply destination. It is a figure which shows an example of the flow of a power consumption acquisition process. It is a figure which shows the example of the content of an efficiency conversion table. It is a figure which shows an example of the flow of a power consumption notification process. It is a figure which shows an example of the flow of a process of the power consumption management program performed in CPU of information processing apparatus. It is a figure which shows the example of the content of an electric energy management table. It is a figure which shows an example of the flow of the power consumption notification process which concerns on 2nd Example. It is a figure which shows an example of the flow of a process of the power consumption management program which concerns on 2nd Example. It is a figure which shows the example of the content of the display screen of the electric energy management information which concerns on 2nd Example. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of an electric energy management system. It is a figure which shows the example of the relationship between the operating state of the information processing apparatus which concerns on Example 3, and a power grid. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing flow of a power consumption measurement program executed in an EC of the information processing apparatus according to the third embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the flow of the power consumption notification process which concerns on Example 3. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the data structure of measurement information. It is a figure which shows an example of the flow of a process of an electric energy management apparatus.

  FIG. 1 illustrates a configuration of an information processing apparatus 1 having a function as a power consumption measuring apparatus according to the first embodiment.

  The information processing apparatus 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 10, a bridge unit 12, a main storage device 14, an auxiliary storage device 16, a display device 18, and a wireless communication device 20. Further, the information processing apparatus 1 includes a start button 22, an EC (Embedded Controller) 24, a BIOS-ROM (Basic Input Output System Read Only Memory) 26, a power supply circuit 28, an AC adapter connection terminal 30, and a battery 40.

  The CPU 10 is an arithmetic processing device that controls the entire information processing apparatus 1 and executes a program stored in the main storage device 14. The programs to be executed include a basic input output system (BIOS), an operating system (OS), an application program (Application Program), and a device driver (Device Driver). The application program includes a power consumption management program 50. A typical CPU includes an instruction register, an instruction decoder, an arithmetic logic unit, an accumulator, an address register, a program counter, and the like. . In such a CPU, a machine language instruction (binary number) read from the main storage device 14 is temporarily stored in an instruction register and decoded by an instruction decoding circuit. In accordance with the decoded instruction, operations such as addition / subtraction / numerical comparison are performed in the arithmetic circuit. The data to be calculated and the result of the calculation are temporarily stored in the accumulator. The address of the storage area in the main storage device 14 is stored in the address register, and the address of the storage area in which the instruction to be executed next is stored is indicated by the program counter. The CPU 10 is connected to the main storage device 14, the auxiliary storage device 16, the display device 18, the EC 24, the BIOS-ROM 26, and the wireless communication device 20 as a WLAN (Wireless LAN) interface via the bridge unit 12.

  The bridge unit 12 has a function of executing transmission / reception of signals between the CPU and various mechanisms or between various mechanisms in accordance with the procedure according to the specifications of the connection interface for each mechanism. For example, there are a memory controller function for controlling an access operation to the main storage device and a data buffer function for absorbing a difference in data transfer speed. The bridge unit 12 includes, for example, a GMCH (Graphics Memory Controller Hub), an ICH (I / O Controller Hub), or the like when the chip set employed by the information processing apparatus is MobileIntel (registered trademark) 4Series ExpressChipset of Intel Corporation.

  The main storage device 14 is a main storage mechanism such as an SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory) or an SRAM (Static Random Access Memory). In the example of FIG. 1, the main storage device 14 is connected to the GMCH in the bridge unit 12. Further, FIG. 1 shows a state where the main storage device 14 stores a BIOS program, an OS program, and a power consumption management program 50. The BIOS program is read from the BIOS-ROM 26, and the OS program and the power consumption management program 50 are read from the auxiliary storage device 16 and stored in the main storage device 14, respectively.

  The auxiliary storage device 16 is a nonvolatile storage mechanism. A mechanism for mounting a magnetic recording such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and a semiconductor memory such as an SSD (Solid State Disk) can be used as the auxiliary storage device 16. In the example of FIG. 1, the auxiliary storage device 16 is connected to the ICH in the bridge unit 12.

  The display device 18 displays a still image or a moving image by a flat panel display typified by a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube).

  The wireless communication device 20 performs data communication with a wireless network such as a WAN (Wide Area Network) or a LAN (Local Area Network) via an antenna. The wireless communication device 20 is suitable for wireless communication conforming to, for example, IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers) 802.11n. In the illustration of FIG. 1, the wireless communication device 20 is connected to the bridge unit 12 via a PCI (Peripheral Components Interconnect) Express bus.

  The BIOS-ROM 26 is a non-volatile storage mechanism that can electrically rewrite stored contents. BIOS, which is a basic program used for starting and managing the system, and POST (Power-On Self Test), which is a program for performing an operation test and initialization of various mechanisms when the information processing apparatus 1 is started, are stored in the BIOS-ROM 26. Is done.

  The power supply circuit 28 includes a power consumption measuring unit 80, a charging unit 82, and a DC-DC converter 84. The power supply circuit 28 is configured to be connectable to the AC adapter 40 via the AC adapter connection terminal 30 and can receive power supply from the AC adapter 40. Further, the power supply circuit 28 is configured to be connectable to the battery 32, and can receive power supply from the battery 32. In the power supply circuit 28, the other end of the power consumption measuring resistor 86 having one end connected to the AC adapter connection terminal 30 is connected to the DC-DC converter 84 via a rectifying / backflow preventing diode 88.

  The power consumption measuring unit 80 is connected to both terminals of the power consumption measuring resistor 86, detects a current value and a voltage value in the resistor 86, and outputs the detected value to the EC 24.

  The charging unit 82 is connected to the power supply line from the AC adapter connection terminal 30, and when the power is supplied from the AC adapter 40, the battery unit 32 uses a part of the power supplied from the AC adapter 40. To charge.

  The DC-DC converter 84 supplies electric power required for a predetermined supply destination using electric power supplied from the AC adapter 40 or the battery 32. The DC-DC converter 84 supplies power to the power system defined for each operation state classification of the information processing apparatus 1 according to the control signal from the EC 24.

  The AC adapter 40 is an AC / DC (Direct Current) converter for operating the information processing apparatus 1 using a commercial power supply or an AC power supply (for example, a private power generation system) that outputs electric power equivalent to the commercial power supply. The AC adapter 40 has a transformation function and converts the input AC power into DC power having a predetermined voltage.

  The battery 32 is a rechargeable secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery, and is detachably connected to the power supply circuit 28. As the battery 32, a battery other than a secondary battery such as a primary battery or a fuel cell may be used. When only a battery other than the secondary battery is used as the battery 32, the charging unit 82 can be omitted in the power supply circuit 28.

  The EC 24 has a function of managing the operating environment of the information processing apparatus 1, and controls the power supply destination in the information processing apparatus 1 in cooperation with the power supply circuit 28. The EC 24 is connected to the bridge unit 12 via an LPC (Low Pin Count) bus, and gives an instruction to a control target including the wireless communication device 20 as necessary. When receiving an interrupt signal indicating depression of the start button 22 from the start button 22 connected to the EC 24, the EC 24 executes processing for starting the information processing apparatus 1. The configuration of the EC 24 only needs to be able to execute a program related to management of the operating environment independently of the CPU 10 of the information processing apparatus 1. For example, the functions of the EC 24 are realized by a microcomputer (CPU) (not shown), ROM (not shown), RAM (not shown), a timer (not shown) that measures time, and the like. Is done.

  The EC 24 according to the present embodiment executes a power consumption measurement program 60 for measuring the power consumption consumed in the information processing apparatus 1. Thus, the functions of the power consumption acquisition unit 62, the power consumption correction unit 64, the power consumption recording unit 66, and the power consumption notification unit 68 are realized. For example, the power consumption measurement program 60 is read from the ROM of the EC 24 and executed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the power consumption measurement program 60 may be stored in the BIOS-ROM 26 and read via the LPC bus. The functions of the power consumption acquisition unit 62, the power consumption correction unit 64, the power consumption recording unit 66, and the power consumption notification unit 68 may be realized by incorporating a circuit as hardware in the EC 24.

  The power consumption acquisition unit 62 is a component that operates the EC 24 so as to measure the power value of the power supplied from the AC adapter 40 via the AC adapter connection terminal 30, and is realized by a program module or a circuit.

  The power consumption correction unit 64 is a component that operates the EC 24 so as to acquire the actual power consumption value from the power value acquired by the power consumption acquisition unit 62 based on the power conversion efficiency in the AC adapter 40. Alternatively, it is realized by a circuit. The actual power consumption value is a power value including conversion loss in the AC adapter 40.

  The power consumption recording unit 66 is a component that operates the EC 24 so as to record the actual power consumption value acquired by the power consumption correction unit 64, and is realized by a program module or a circuit.

  The power consumption notification unit 68 is a component that operates the EC 24 so as to notify the CPU 10 of the actual power consumption value via the bridge unit 12, and is realized by a program module or a circuit.

  Next, processing of the power consumption measurement program 60 executed in the EC 24 will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing flow of the power consumption measurement program 60 executed in the EC 24.

  The processing of the power consumption measurement program 60 shown in FIG. 2 is started by receiving power supply from the AC adapter 40 via the AC adapter connection terminal 30, for example.

  The EC 24 records a measurement log indicating the start of recording in a storage area inside or outside the EC 24 (OP104). The recording start log has a recording start date and time indicating a recording start date and a set value of a sampling interval indicating a power consumption measurement interval. The EC 24 can use the current date and time set in the information processing apparatus 1 as the recording start date and time. For example, the EC 24 can acquire the current date and time from a real-time clock (not shown) in the information processing apparatus 1. The set value of the sampling interval is set in advance in a storage area inside or outside the EC 24. Information indicating the operation state of the information processing apparatus 1 may be added to the recording start log.

  Next, the EC 24 executes a power consumption acquisition process described later (OP105). Thereby, the EC 24 records a measurement log having measured values acquired from the power consumption measuring unit 80 of the power supply circuit 28 at a predetermined interval and actual power consumption values that are correction values considering the conversion efficiency in the AC adapter 40. can do. In the process OP105 of the present embodiment, the measurement value acquired from the power consumption measurement unit 80 of the power supply circuit 28 is corrected in consideration of the conversion efficiency in the AC adapter 40. Details of the processing will be described later with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the contents of a measurement log. In the example of FIG. 3, the recording start date “2009.07.18, 10:30:40” and the sampling interval “1 (minutes)” are indicated by the measurement log C31. Further, the measurement logs C32 to C37 indicate information related to power consumption acquired in the power consumption acquisition process. Specifically, the information regarding the power consumption is an actual power consumption value P ′ that is a correction value considering the conversion efficiency in the AC adapter 40, and a measurement value P acquired by the power consumption measurement unit 80. In each of the measurement logs C32 to C37, data is stored in a format in which the actual power consumption value P ′ is the front (left side of the figure), the measurement value P is the back (right side of the figure), and both are separated by “,”. Yes. For example, in the measurement log C32, the actual power consumption value P ′ is “30.0 (W)”, and the measurement value P is “13.5 (W)”. In the measurement log C33, the actual power consumption value P ′ is “31.3 (W)”, and the measurement value P is “13.8 (W)”. Each time a measurement log having the actual power consumption value P ′ and the measurement value P is recorded in step OP105, a new measurement log is added to the end of the already stored measurement log. In the example shown in FIG. 3, a new measurement log is added next to the measurement log C37. Therefore, the closer to the end, the newer the measurement log.

  Returning to FIG. 2, when the power supply from the AC adapter 40 continues (YES in OP1051), the EC 24 executes the process OP105 and subsequent steps again. On the other hand, when the power supply from the AC adapter 40 is stopped (NO in OP1051), the EC 24 ends the process of the power consumption measurement program 60 shown in FIG. For example, when the power value based on the measurement value acquired from the power consumption measurement unit 80 is 0, the EC 24 determines that the power supply from the AC adapter 40 is stopped as the external power detection unit. Further, the EC 24 determines that the power supply from the AC adapter 40 is continued when the power value based on the measurement value acquired from the power consumption measurement unit 80 is larger than a predetermined threshold (for example, 0).

  The above is the process flow path of the power consumption measurement program 60 shown in FIG.

  Next, another processing flow of the power consumption measurement program 60 executed in the EC 24 will be described with reference to FIG.

  Other processes of the power consumption measurement program shown in FIG. 4 are started when the EC 24 receives an interrupt signal indicating an instruction to change the operating state of the information processing apparatus 1 to the activated state. The interrupt signal is, for example, a signal indicating that the start button 22 output from the start button 22 has been pressed, or a signal indicating return from the hibernate state.

  First, the EC 24 gives a control signal instructing switching of the power system to the power supply circuit 28 according to the type of the received interrupt signal (OP101).

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the relationship between the operation state of the information processing apparatus 1 and the power system. In the example of FIG. 5, power is supplied to all of the first to fourth systems in the activated state, and power is supplied to the first and third systems in the suspended state. Thus, no power is supplied to the second and fourth systems. Further, in the hibernate state or the stopped state, it indicates that power is supplied to the first system and power is not supplied to the second, third, and fourth systems.

  In step OP101 shown in FIG. 2, for example, when the type of the received interrupt signal indicates a change to the activated state, the EC 24 supplies power to all the first to fourth systems. Is switched to the power supply circuit 28.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a correspondence between the power system and main power supply destinations. In the example of FIG. 6, the EC 24 and the power supply circuit 28 are set as the power supply destination of the first system, and the ICH of the bridge unit 12 and the wireless communication device 20 are set as the power supply destination of the second system. Has been. The main storage device 14 is set as the power supply destination of the third system, and the CPU 10, the GMCH of the bridge unit 12, the auxiliary storage device 16, and the display device 18 are the power supply destination of the fourth system. Is set.

  Next, the EC 24 instructs the CPU 10 to change the operation state according to the type of the received interrupt signal (OP102 in FIG. 4). At this time, when the operation state of the information processing apparatus 1 is changed from the stopped state to the activated state, the CPU 10 reads the BIOS program from the BIOS-ROM 26 into the main storage device 14 and executes the activation process according to the procedure of the BIOS program. If an interrupt signal that triggers the execution of this process is transmitted from the CPU 10, the process OP102 may be omitted.

  The EC 24 changes the value of the register indicating the operation state of the information processing apparatus 1 included in the EC 24 according to the type of the received interrupt signal (OP103). Thereby, EC24 can grasp | ascertain the operation state of the information processing apparatus 1 also in each process after process OP103.

  Next, the EC 24 determines whether or not a change event indicating that the operation state of the information processing apparatus 1 is changed (shifted) from the activated state to another state has occurred (OP106). For example, when the OS 24 executed by the CPU 10 of the information processing apparatus 1 receives a change event indicating a transition from the startup state to the suspend state, the EC 24 determines that the change event has occurred (in OP106). YES). On the other hand, if no change event has been received, the EC 24 determines that no change event has occurred (NO in OP106).

  If the EC 24 determines that a change event has occurred in step OP106 (YES in OP106), the EC 24 changes the value of the register indicating the operation state of the information processing apparatus 1 included in the EC 24 according to the type of the received change event ( OP108). Thereby, EC24 can grasp | ascertain the operation state of the information processing apparatus 1 also in each process after process OP108.

  In step OP109, the EC 24 inputs, to the power supply circuit 28, a control signal instructing switching of the power system according to the type of the received change event, similarly to the step OP101. For example, when shifting to the suspended state, the EC 24 supplies a control signal for switching the power system so as to supply power to the first and third systems and not to supply power to the second and fourth systems. Input to the power supply circuit 28.

  Next, the process flow when it is determined that no change event has occurred in step OP106 (NO in OP106) will be described.

  If the EC 24 determines in step OP106 that a change event has not occurred (NO in OP106), the EC 24 determines whether a notification request event indicating that a notification request for requesting a measurement value has been received has occurred ( OP110). When receiving a notification request from the CPU 10, the EC 24 determines that a notification request event has occurred (YES in OP110). On the other hand, when the notification request is not received from the CPU 10, the EC 24 determines that a notification request event has not occurred (NO in OP110).

  If the EC 24 determines that a notification request event has occurred (YES in OP110), the EC 24 executes a power consumption notification process, which will be described later with reference to FIG. 9 (OP111), and re-executes steps OP105 and thereafter. In the power consumption notification process (OP111), the EC 24 transmits the power consumption value acquired by the power consumption acquisition process (OP105) to the CPU 10.

  When the EC 24 determines that the notification request event has not occurred (NO in OP110), the EC 24 skips the process OP111 and executes the process OP105 and subsequent steps again.

  The above is the path of the other processing flow of the power consumption measurement program shown in FIG.

  Next, power consumption acquisition processing executed in the EC 24 will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the flow of power consumption acquisition processing executed in the EC.

  First, the EC 24 acquires a count value from a timer in the EC 24 (OP201), and determines whether a preset sampling time has elapsed based on the acquired count value (OP202). When the EC 24 determines that the sampling time has elapsed (YES in OP201), the EC 24 executes steps from OP203 to OP210. On the other hand, if the EC 24 determines that the sampling time has not elapsed (NO in OP201), it skips the steps from OP203 to OP210 and ends. That is, the EC 24 executes the processes from OP203 to OP210 at a preset sampling interval.

  In step OP203, the EC 24 acquires the voltage value V and the current value I from the power consumption measuring unit 80 (OP203), and calculates a power value (power measurement value) P based on the acquired voltage value V and current value I. (OP204).

  The EC 24 refers to the efficiency conversion table shown in FIG. 8 and acquires power values P1 and P2 having values approximate to the power measurement value P from the efficiency conversion table (OP205). Here, the power value P1 is the power value of the largest value that is equal to or less than the power measurement value P among the power values registered in the efficiency conversion table. The power value P2 is the smallest power value that is equal to or greater than the power measurement value P among the power values registered in the efficiency conversion table. In the example of FIG. 8, when the power measurement value P is, for example, 7 (W), the power value P1 is 5 (W), and the power value P2 is 10 (W).

  Next, the EC 24 acquires conversion coefficients K1 and K2 from the conversion efficiency table (OP206). Here, the conversion coefficient K1 is a conversion coefficient set in the conversion efficiency table in association with the power value P1. The conversion coefficient K2 is a conversion coefficient set in the conversion efficiency table in association with the power value P2. In the example of FIG. 8, when the power value P1 is 5 (W), the conversion coefficient K1 is 2.33. That is, in the example of FIG. 8, the power value (power consumption) required to output DC power (output power) of 5 W in the AC adapter 40 is 11.65 W (= P1 × K1). Is shown. In the example of FIG. 8, when the power value P2 is 10 (W), the conversion coefficient K2 is 1.69. That is, it is indicated that the power value required to output DC power having a power value of 10 W in the AC adapter 40 is 16.9 W (= P2 × K2).

The EC 24 acquires the conversion coefficient K for the power measurement value P based on the power values P1 and P2, the conversion coefficients K1 and K2, and the power measurement value P (OP207). For example, the EC 24 can acquire the conversion coefficient K using the following equation.
K = [K2 * (P-P1) + K1 * (P2-P)] / (P2-P1)
When this equation is applied, when the power value P1 is 5 W, the conversion coefficient K1 is 2.33, the power value P2 is 10 W, the conversion coefficient K2 is 1.69, and the power measurement value P is 7 W, the conversion with respect to the power measurement value P is performed. The coefficient K is 1.608.

  The above formula describes an example of linear interpolation as a method for obtaining the conversion coefficient K. However, the method for obtaining the conversion coefficient K in the present embodiment is not limited to this. For example, nearest neighbor interpolation can be used as a method for obtaining the conversion coefficient K. When using nearest neighbor interpolation, the process OP205 and the process OP206 may be omitted, the power value P3 that is closest to the power measurement value P may be specified, and the conversion coefficient K3 corresponding to the power value P3 may be used as the conversion coefficient K.

Based on the power measurement value P and the conversion coefficient K, the EC 24 acquires an actual power consumption value P ′ that is a power value considering the conversion efficiency in the AC adapter 40 (OP208). For example, the EC 24 can acquire the actual power consumption value P ′ using the following equation.
P ′ = K × P
When this formula is applied, when the power measurement value P is 7 W and the conversion coefficient K is 1.608, the actual power consumption value P ′ is 11.256 W.

  The EC 24 records a measurement log indicating the actual power consumption value P ′ in a storage area inside or outside the EC 24 (OP209).

  The above is the flow path of the power consumption acquisition process.

  Next, the power consumption notification process executed in the EC 24 will be described. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the flow of the power consumption notification process executed in the EC 24.

  First, the EC 24 refers to a preset number of measurement logs from an internal or external storage area of the EC 24, and acquires the actual power consumption value P ′ indicated in the measurement log (OP301). Here, the EC 24 may refer to a predetermined number of measurement logs from the latest measurement log stored in a storage area inside or outside the EC 24.

  The EC 24 acquires an average power consumption value Pa 'that is an average value of the actual power consumption values P' based on the acquired predetermined number of actual power consumption values P '(OP302).

  The EC 24 transmits the acquired power consumption average value Pa ′ to the CPU 10 connected via the bridge unit 12 (OP303).

  The above is the flow of the power consumption notification process.

  Next, processing of the power consumption management program 50 executed in the CPU 10 of the information processing apparatus 1 will be described. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of processing of a power consumption management program executed in the CPU.

  The processing of the power consumption management program 50 illustrated in FIG. 10 is started, for example, when the power consumption management program 50 is started on the OS executed by the CPU 10 of the information processing apparatus 1.

  First, the CPU 10 transmits to the EC 24 an acquisition request signal indicating that acquisition of the average power consumption value Pa 'is requested (OP401), and receives the average power consumption value Pa' from the EC24 (OP402).

  Then, the CPU 10 updates the display content based on the acquired power consumption average value Pa ′ (OP403). Thereby, the latest power value in consideration of the conversion efficiency of the AC adapter 40 can be notified to the user of the information processing apparatus 1.

  The CPU 10 acquires a count value of a timer that is internal or external to the CPU 10 (OP405), and whether or not a preset display update interval that is an interval for updating display content based on the average power consumption value Pa ′ has elapsed. Is determined (OP405). For example, when the count value acquired from the timer is equal to or greater than the display update interval, the CPU 10 can determine that the display update interval has elapsed (YES in OP405). In this case (YES in OP405), step OP401 and subsequent steps are executed again. On the other hand, when the count value acquired from the timer is less than the display update interval, it is determined that the display update interval has not elapsed (NO in OP405), and the process from OP404 is executed again. That is, the CPU only needs to execute the process OP401 to the process OP403 every time the display update interval elapses.

  The above is the process flow path of the power consumption management program.

  Next, Example 2 will be described. The information processing apparatus according to the second embodiment stores and manages the electric energy for each predetermined unit time based on the measurement value acquired from the power consumption measurement unit. Since the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the second embodiment is the same as that of FIG. 1 described above, illustration and overlapping description are omitted. And the function of the component of the information processing apparatus which concerns on Example 2 is demonstrated with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 11 shows an example of the contents of a power amount management table, which is a storage area for storing and managing the power amount per predetermined unit time. The power amount management table shown in FIG. 11 includes, as items, a time zone, an actual power consumption amount [Wh], a power amount before correction [Wh], a difference amount [Wh], and a power amount by category [Wh]. Have The time zone indicates a unit of time for collecting the electric energy. The actual power consumption [Wh] indicates the amount of power obtained by totaling the power consumption average value Pa ′. The power amount [Wh] before correction indicates the power amount obtained by summing up the measurement average value Pa. The difference amount [Wh] indicates a difference between the actual power consumption amount and the power amount before correction. Then, the power consumption by category [Wh] indicates the power amount obtained by totaling the actual power consumption amount indicated for each time zone in a predetermined time range. Note that the time range to be aggregated in the divided power amount may be any, and may be a continuous time range or a set of discrete time ranges. For example, it is also possible to define the divisions for each time zone, and obtain the amount of power by category by totaling the actual power consumption in the time zones having a common division.

  In the example of FIG. 11, in the time zone “0” from 0:00 to 1:00, the actual power consumption is “8.4 Wh”, the power before correction is “0.6 Wh”, and the difference is “7”. .8 Wh ”. Further, the example of FIG. 11 shows the power by category indicating the amount of power obtained by totaling the actual power consumption in the time zone “0” to the time zone “6”, that is, in the time zone from 0:00 to 7:00. The amount is “58.8 Wh”. Further, in the example of FIG. 11, in the time zones “20” and “21” (that is, in the time zone from 20:00 to 22:00), the actual power consumption and the power before correction are “0 Wh”. It shows that there is. This indicates that power is not supplied from the AC adapter 40 in the time zones “20” and “21”.

  In addition, the amount of electric power classified by category in FIG. 11 includes a range of time zone “0” to time zone “6”, a range of time zone “7” to time zone “21”, and a time zone “22” to time zone “ In the range of “23”, an example is shown in which the actual power consumption is divided and aggregated. By having the power consumption by category, for example, the actual power consumption can be totaled by classifying the time zone in which the discount of the electricity rate is applied and the time zone in which the normal rate is applied. In the example of FIG. 11, the discount fee is applied from the time zone “0” to “6” and the time zone “22” to “23”, and the normal fee is applied from the time zone “7” to “21”. This is assumed. Note that the information processing apparatus according to the second embodiment can manage a plurality of power amount management tables by identifying a power amount management table as illustrated in FIG.

  Next, processing in the information processing apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of the flow of power consumption notification processing according to the second embodiment. The power consumption notification process illustrated in FIG. 12 is started when the process OP illustrated in the process flow illustrated in FIG. 4 is YES.

  First, the EC 24 refers to a preset number of measurement logs from an internal or external storage area of the EC 24, and acquires the actual power consumption value P 'and the measurement value P indicated in the measurement log (OP3011). Here, the EC 24 may refer to a predetermined number of measurement logs from the latest measurement log stored in a storage area inside or outside the EC 24. In the example shown in FIG. 3, when the predetermined number is five, the actual power consumption value P ′ and the measurement value P are acquired from the measurement logs C33 to C37, which are five measurement logs, from the last measurement log C37. . In the measurement log C33 illustrated in FIG. 3, the actual power consumption value P ′ is “31.3 W”, and the measurement value P is “13.8 W”.

  The EC 24 is a measurement average that is an average value of the power consumption average value Pa ′ that is an average value of the actual power consumption value P ′ and the measurement value P based on the predetermined number of actual power consumption values P ′ and measurement values P that are acquired. The value Pa is acquired (OP3021).

  The EC 24 transmits the acquired power consumption average value Pa ′ and measurement average value Pa to the CPU 10 connected via the bridge unit 12 (OP3031).

  The above is the flow path of the power consumption notification process.

  Next, a processing flow of the power consumption management program according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a processing flow of the power consumption management program according to the second embodiment. The processing of the power consumption management program shown in FIG. 13 is started, for example, when the power consumption management program is started on the OS executed by the CPU 10 of the information processing apparatus 1.

  First, the CPU 10 sets an initial setting such that the current time is set to a totaling start time t1 indicating the time when the power amount has been started, and 0 is set to the total number N indicating the number of power values used for the power amount. Is executed (OP501).

  The CPU 10 transmits an acquisition request signal indicating that acquisition of the average power consumption value Pa ′ and the measurement average value Pa is requested to the EC 24 (OP502), and receives the average power consumption value Pa ′ and the measurement average value Pa from the EC 24. (OP503).

  Then, the CPU 10 acquires a current time t2 indicating the current time from a timer inside the information processing apparatus 1, and determines whether the current time t2 belongs to the same time zone as the counting start time t1 (OP504). For example, when the aggregation start time t1 is “10:00”, the aggregation start time t1 belongs to the time zone “10” in the power amount management table shown in FIG. When the current time t2 is “10:31”, the current time t2 belongs to the time zone “10” in the power amount management table shown in FIG. Therefore, when the counting start time t1 is “10:00” and the current time t2 is “10:31”, it is determined that the current time t2 belongs to the same time zone “10” as the counting start time t1. On the other hand, for example, when the counting start time t1 is “10:00” and the current time t2 is “11:00”, the current time t2 belongs to the time zone “11” in the power amount management table shown in FIG. It is determined that the current time t2 belongs to a time zone different from the counting start time t1.

  If the CPU determines that the counting start time t1 and the current time t2 belong to the same time zone (YES in OP504), the CPU executes step OP505 and the subsequent steps. On the other hand, when the CPU 10 determines that the counting start time t1 and the current time t2 belong to different time zones (NO in OP504), the CPU 10 executes the process OP511 and the subsequent steps.

  The CPU 10 adds the power consumption average value Pa ′ acquired in step OP503 to the first total value SUM (Pa ′) indicating the total power consumption average value (OP505), and the measurement average value Pa acquired in step OP503 is the first value. 2 is added to the total value SUM (Pa) (OP506), and 1 is added to the total number N (OP507).

The CPU 10 calculates the actual power consumption amount W ′ and the pre-correction power amount W by the following formula (OP508).
W ′ = (SUM (Pa ′) / N) × T
W = (SUM (Pa) / N) × T
T in the formula represents an elapsed time from the total disclosure time t1 to the current time t2.

  The CPU 10 updates the power amount management table based on the calculated actual power consumption amount W ′ and the pre-correction power amount W (OP509). In step OP509, the CPU 10 stores the difference between the actual power consumption amount W ′ and the power amount before correction in the difference amount of the power amount management table. In addition, the CPU 10 calculates the power consumption for each category in the time zone belonging to the common time zone and the time zone to which the current time t2 belongs, thereby calculating the power consumption for each category, and the power amount for each category is calculated as the power amount. Store in the management table.

  Then, the CPU 10 displays the power amount management information using the display device 18 based on the contents of the power amount management table (OP5091). FIG. 14 is a display example of the electric energy management information displayed in step OP5091. The example of FIG. 14 is an example of a screen that displays the same contents as the power amount management table shown in FIG. 11 as the power amount management information. In addition, for example, the contents of the power amount management table expressed as a bar graph or a pie chart may be displayed as the power management information.

  Thereafter, the CPU 10 waits until a predetermined time elapses (NO in OP510), and after the predetermined time elapses (YES in OP510), executes the processes after step OP502 again. The above is the flow from step OP501 to step OP510 in FIG.

  Next, the flow of processing in the case where the above-described step OP504 is YES will be described. If the CPU 10 determines that the aggregation start time t1 and the current time t2 belong to different time zones (NO in OP504), the CPU 10 updates the aggregation start time t1 to the current time t2 (OP511). Subsequently, the CPU 10 initializes the total value SUM (Pa ′) by setting the average power consumption value Pa ′ received in step OP503 to the total value SUM (Pa ′) of the average power consumption value (OP512). . Further, the CPU 10 initializes the total value SUM (Pa) by setting the measurement average value Pa received in step OP503 to the total value SUM (Pa) of the measurement average value (OP513). Further, the CPU 10 initializes the total number N by setting the total number N to 0 (OP514).

  Thereafter, the CPU 10 displays power amount management information based on the contents of the power amount management table (OP5091), waits until a predetermined time elapses (NO in OP510), and after a predetermined time elapses (YES in OP510), the process OP502 and subsequent steps are executed again.

  The above is the processing flow path shown in FIG.

  According to the second embodiment, the user of the information processing apparatus 1 can be notified of the amount of power based on the power value considering the conversion efficiency of the AC adapter 40.

  Next, Example 3 will be described. The third embodiment relates to a power amount management system having a power amount management apparatus having the same function as the power consumption management program according to the second embodiment. FIG. 15 shows a schematic configuration of the power management system 8.

  The power amount management system 8 illustrated in FIG. 15 includes at least one information processing apparatus 3 including the power consumption measurement program according to the first or second embodiment, and a power amount management apparatus that manages power consumption in the information processing apparatus 3. 5. The information processing apparatus 3 and the power amount management apparatus 5 are connected via a network 9 for data communication. In the power amount management system 8, various power values acquired by the power consumption measurement program in the information processing device 3 are transmitted to the power amount management device 5 at every set time or at a set time. In the present embodiment, as long as the information processing apparatus 3 is supplied with power from the AC adapter 40, various power values can be used regardless of whether the operation state of the information processing apparatus 3 is in the activated state. It is sent to the management device 5.

  As illustrated in FIG. 15, the information processing apparatus 3 includes a power consumption acquisition unit 63, a power consumption correction unit 65, a power consumption recording unit 67, and a power consumption notification unit 69.

  The power consumption acquisition unit 63 is a component that operates the EC 25 so as to measure the power value of the power supplied from the AC adapter 40 via the AC adapter connection terminal 30, and is realized by a program module or a circuit.

  The power consumption correction unit 65 is a component that operates the EC 25 so as to acquire the actual power consumption value from the power value acquired by the power consumption acquisition unit 63 based on the power conversion efficiency in the AC adapter 40, and is a program module. Alternatively, it is realized by a circuit. The actual power consumption value is a power value including conversion loss in the AC adapter 40.

  The power consumption recording unit 67 is a component that operates the EC 25 so as to record the actual power consumption value acquired by the power consumption correction unit 65, and is realized by a program module or a circuit.

  The power consumption notification unit 69 is a component that operates the EC 25 so as to notify the actual power consumption value to the power amount management device 5 via the network 9, and is realized by a program module or a circuit. When the operation state of the information processing device 3 is not the activated state, the power consumption notification unit 69 supplies power to send power from the AC adapter 40 to the communication device 21 prior to notification to the power amount management device 5. The circuit 28 is started. Then, the communication device 21 is used to notify the actual power consumption value.

  FIG. 16 illustrates an example of the relationship between the operating state of the information processing apparatus 3 according to the third embodiment and the power system. The example of FIG. 16 indicates that power is supplied to all the systems from the first to the fourth in the activated state. In addition, when power is supplied from the AC adapter 40 in the suspended state, power is supplied to the first to third systems, and power is not supplied to the fourth system. Indicates. In the suspended state, when power is not supplied from the AC adapter 40, power is supplied to the first and third systems, and power is supplied to the second and fourth systems. Indicates not to. In the hibernation state, when power is supplied from the AC adapter 40, power is supplied to the first and second systems, and power is supplied to the third and fourth systems. Indicates not to. In the hibernation state, when power is not supplied from the AC adapter 40, power is supplied to the first system, and power is not supplied to the second to fourth systems. . In addition, when power is supplied from the AC adapter 40 in the stopped state, power is supplied to the first and second systems, and power is supplied to the third and fourth systems. Indicates that no. When the power supply from the AC adapter 40 is not received in the stop state, the power is supplied to the first system and the power is not supplied to the second to fourth systems. ing. In the example of FIG. 16, the power supply destinations of the first to fourth systems are the same as in the example of FIG. That is, the information processing apparatus 3 according to the present embodiment starts up the operation state of the information processing apparatus 3 by supplying power to the second system when receiving power from the AC adapter 40. Even if it is not in a state, information can be transmitted to the electric energy management device 5 using the communication device 21.

  Returning to FIG. 15, the power amount management apparatus 5 includes a power value acquisition unit 72, a power amount calculation unit 74, a power amount recording unit 76, and a power amount output unit 78.

  The power value acquisition unit 72 is a component that operates the power amount management device 5 so as to acquire the actual power consumption value from the information processing device 3, and is realized by a program module or a circuit.

  The power amount calculation unit 74 is a component that operates the power amount management device 5 so as to calculate the power amount in a predetermined time range based on the actual power consumption value acquired by the power value acquisition unit 72. Realized by the circuit.

  The power amount recording unit 76 is a component that operates the power amount management device 5 so as to manage, for each information processing device 3, a power amount management table that stores a power amount in association with a time range for each predetermined time range. Yes, realized by program modules or circuits.

  The power amount output unit 78 uses the display device 19 included in the power amount management device 5 or the display device (not shown) of the information processing device 3 to store the contents of the power amount management table managed by the power amount recording unit 76. The electric energy management device 5 is operated so as to output. The electric energy output unit 78 is realized by a program module or a circuit.

  Next, an example of processing of the information processing apparatus 3 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 17 illustrates an example of a processing flow of a power consumption measurement program executed in the EC 25 of the information processing apparatus 3 according to the third embodiment. The processing of the power consumption measurement program shown in FIG. 17 is started by receiving power supply from the AC adapter 40 via the AC adapter connection terminal 30, for example, as in the first embodiment.

  The process of the power consumption measurement program according to the third embodiment illustrated in FIG. 17 is common to the first embodiment in that the power consumption acquisition process is executed (OP105) while the power supply from the AC adapter 40 is continued.

  In the processing of the power consumption measurement program according to the third embodiment shown in FIG. 17, a step (OP1054) of executing the power consumption notification processing is added after the power consumption acquisition processing is executed (OP105). In addition, a step (OP1053) for instructing the power supply circuit 28 to switch the power system is added at a time before the power consumption notification process is executed (OP1054). In step OP1053, the power system is switched so that power is supplied to the communication device 21. For example, when the information processing apparatus 3 is supplied with power from the AC adapter 40 in the suspended state, the EC 25 causes the power system to supply power to the first and second systems as shown in FIG. A control signal for instructing switching is input to the power supply circuit 28. In this example, the communication device 21 is supplied with power from the second system. Thereby, information can be transmitted to the energy management device 5 using the communication device 21 in the step of executing the power consumption notification process (OP1054).

  The process flow shown in FIG. 17 will be described below.

  First, similarly to the first embodiment, the EC 25 records a measurement log indicating the start of recording in an internal or external storage area of the EC 25 (OP104). The recording start log has a recording start date and time indicating a recording start date and a set value of a sampling interval indicating a power consumption measurement interval. Further, information indicating the operation state of the information processing apparatus 3 may be added to the recording start log.

  The EC 25 executes the power consumption acquisition process in the same manner as in the first embodiment (OP105). Thereby, EC25 can record the measured value acquired from the power consumption measurement part 80, and the actual power consumption value which is a correction value which considered the conversion efficiency in AC adapter 40 as a measurement log.

  The EC 25 refers to the number of records indicating the number of times the power consumption acquisition process has been executed, and determines whether or not the number of records has reached a predetermined number (OP1052).

  If the EC 25 determines that the number of records has reached the predetermined number (YES in OP1052), it instructs the power supply circuit 28 to switch the power system (OP1053), and executes the power consumption notification process shown in FIG. 18 (OP1054). ), The number of recordings is initialized to 0 (OP1055).

  In step OP1053, the EC 25 refers to information indicating the current operation state of the information processing apparatus 3, and inputs a control signal instructing switching of the power system to the power supply circuit 28 according to the relationship illustrated in FIG. For example, when the operation state of the information processing device 3 indicates a stop state, power is supplied to the first and second systems according to the relationship corresponding to the “stop state (with power supply from the AC adapter)” illustrated in FIG. The power system is instructed to be supplied.

  On the other hand, when the EC 25 determines that the number of recordings has not reached the predetermined number (NO in OP1052), the EC 25 updates the value of the number of recordings by adding 1 to the number of recordings indicating the number of times the power consumption acquisition process has been executed ( OP1057).

  Next, when the power supply from the AC adapter 25 is continued (YES in OP1051), the EC 25 executes the process OP105 and subsequent steps again. On the other hand, when the power supply from the AC adapter 40 is not continued (NO in OP1051), the power supply circuit 28 is instructed to switch the power system (OP1056), and the processing of the power consumption measurement program shown in FIG.

  In step OP1056, the EC 25 refers to information indicating the current operation state of the information processing apparatus 3, and inputs a control signal instructing switching of the power system to the power supply circuit unit according to the relationship illustrated in FIG. For example, when the operation state of the information processing device 3 indicates the stop state, power is supplied to the first system according to the relationship corresponding to the “stop state (no power supply from the AC adapter)” illustrated in FIG. Thus, power is not supplied to the second to fourth systems.

  The above is the process flow path of the power consumption measurement program executed in the EC 25 of the information processing apparatus 3 according to the third embodiment illustrated in FIG.

  Next, the process flow shown in FIG. 18 will be described. FIG. 18 illustrates an example of the flow of power consumption notification processing according to the third embodiment.

  First, the EC 25 refers to a preset number of measurement logs from an internal or external storage area of the EC 25, and acquires the actual power consumption value P ′ and the measurement value P indicated in the measurement log (OP3012). Here, the EC 25 may refer to a predetermined number of measurement logs from the latest measurement log stored in the storage area inside or outside the EC 25. In the example illustrated in FIG. 3, when the predetermined number is five, the actual power consumption value P ′ and the measurement value P are acquired from the measurement logs C33 to C37 which are five measurement logs from the measurement log C37 at the end. . In the measurement log C33 illustrated in FIG. 3, the actual power consumption value P ′ is “31.3 W”, and the measurement value P is “13.8 W”.

  The EC 25 is a measurement average that is an average value of the power consumption average value Pa ′ that is an average value of the actual power consumption value P ′ and the measurement value P based on the predetermined number of actual power consumption values P ′ and measurement values P that are acquired. The value Pa is acquired (OP3022).

  The EC 25 transmits the measurement information including the acquired power consumption average value Pa ′ and the measurement average value Pa to the power amount management device 5 using the communication device 21 (OP3032). FIG. 19 shows an example of the data structure of measurement information. The measurement information shown in FIG. 19 includes information processing device identification information indicating information for identifying the information processing device 3, a transmission time indicating a time at which the measurement information is transmitted, a power consumption average value Pa ′, and a measurement average value. Pa. The information processing apparatus identification information is, for example, communication identification information set in advance in the communication apparatus 21, identification information set in advance in the EC 25, or the like.

  The above is the flow path of the power consumption notification process according to the third embodiment illustrated in FIG.

  Next, the flow of processing of the power amount management apparatus shown in FIG. 20 will be described. FIG. 20 illustrates an example of a process flow of the power amount management apparatus according to the third embodiment.

  First, the CPU 15 (see FIG. 15) of the energy management device 5 receives the measurement information from the information processing device 3 (OP601), and acquires the current transmission time t2 by referring to the transmission time of the measurement information (OP602). ).

  The CPU 15 determines whether or not the elapsed time from the previous transmission time t1 indicating the previous transmission time to the current transmission time t2 exceeds a threshold (OP6021). The threshold value in step OP6021 is set to a time length that is several times the time interval at which measurement information is transmitted from the information processing apparatus. For example, when the measurement information is transmitted from the information processing device 3 at 1 minute intervals, the threshold value in the process OP6021 is 1 minute, 3 minutes, or the like. Since the previous transmission time t1 is a value indicating the previous transmission time, a value of 0 is set when the process 6021 is executed for the first time.

  When determining that the elapsed time from the previous transmission time t1 to the current transmission time t2 exceeds the threshold (YES in OP6021), the CPU 15 updates the previous transmission time t1 (OP6022). By updating, the value of the current transmission time t2 is set to the previous transmission time t1. After the update, the CPU 10 executes the process OP601 and subsequent steps again. When the process 6021 is executed for the first time, since the previous transmission time t1 is a zero value, it is determined that the elapsed time from the previous transmission time t1 to the current transmission time t2 exceeds the threshold (YES in OP6021).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the elapsed time from the previous transmission time t1 to the current transmission time t2 does not exceed the threshold (NO in OP6021), the CPU 10 determines the previous transmission time t1 and the current transmission time t2 as in the second embodiment. Are in the same time zone (OP603). For example, when the aggregation start time t1 is “10:00”, the aggregation start time t1 belongs to the time zone “10” in the power amount management table shown in FIG. When the current time t2 is “10:31”, the current time t2 belongs to the time zone “10” in the power amount management table shown in FIG. Therefore, when the counting start time t1 is “10:00” and the current time t2 is “10:31”, it is determined that the current time t2 belongs to the same time zone “10” as the counting start time t1. On the other hand, for example, when the counting start time t1 is “10:00” and the current time t2 is “11:00”, the current time t2 belongs to the time zone “11” in the power amount management table shown in FIG. In this case, it is determined that the current time t2 belongs to a time zone different from the counting start time t1.

  When it is determined that the previous transmission time t1 and the current transmission time t2 belong to the same time zone (YES in OP603), the CPU 15 executes the process OP604 and subsequent steps. On the other hand, if the CPU 15 determines that the previous transmission time t1 and the current transmission time t2 belong to different time zones (NO in OP603), the CPU 15 executes the process OP608 and subsequent steps.

In step 604, the CPU 15 corrects the actual power consumption W ′ and the correction during the elapsed time from the previous transmission time t1 to the current transmission time t2 based on the average power consumption Pa ′ and the measurement average value Pa shown in the measurement information. The previous electric energy W is calculated. A known calculation method can be used for calculation of various electric energy. For example, the actual power consumption W ′ and the pre-correction power amount W can be calculated using the following equations.
W ′ = Pa ′ × (t2−t1) [Wh]
W = Pa × (t2-t1) [Wh]
For example, when the average power consumption Pa ′ is 30 W and the elapsed time (t2−t1) from the previous transmission time t1 to the current transmission time t2 is 1 minute, the actual power consumption W ′ is 0.5 Wh ( W ′ = 30W × (1 minute / 60 minutes)).

  The CPU 15 acquires various power amounts related to the time zone of the previous transmission time t1 from the power amount management table as shown in FIG. 11 (OP605). In this embodiment, the power amount management table is stored in the power amount management device 5 or a device accessible by the power amount management device 5 in association with each information processing device 3. That is, the CPU 15 uses the information processing apparatus identification information indicated by the measurement information received in step OP601 to identify the power amount management table managed in association with the information processing apparatus 34 that transmitted the measurement information (OP605). ). Then, the CPU 10 acquires various power amounts from the specified power amount management table (OP605). If the power amount management table associated with the information processing apparatus 3 that has transmitted the measurement information is not registered, the CPU 10 may newly add a power management table corresponding to the information processing apparatus 3 at this time. it can.

  The CPU 15 adds the various power amounts calculated in step OP604 to the various power amounts acquired from the power amount management table in step OP605, and updates the power amount management table (OP606). For example, the CPU 15 adds the actual power consumption W ′ calculated in step OP604 to the actual power consumption W ′ acquired from the power amount management table in step OP605, and uses the value after the addition to create the power consumption management table. Update.

  The CPU 15 updates the previous transmission time t1 by setting the current transmission time t2 to the previous transmission time t1 in the processing flow shown in FIG. 20 (OP607), and then executes the process OP601 and subsequent steps again.

  Next, the process flow in the case of NO in the above-described process OP603 will be described. If the CPU 15 determines that the previous transmission time t1 and the current transmission time t2 do not belong to the same time zone (NO in OP603), the process from the previous transmission time t1 to the current transmission time t2 is performed in the same manner as the process OP604. Various amounts of power in the elapsed time are calculated (OP608).

  The CPU 15 registers the various power amounts calculated in step OP608 in the power amount management table in association with the time zone of the current transmission time t2 in the same manner as in step OP606 (OP609).

  In the same manner as in step OP607, the CPU 10 sets the current transmission time t2 to the previous transmission time t1 and updates it (OP610).

  Thereafter, the CPU 15 executes the process OP601 and subsequent steps again.

  The above is the processing flow path of the power amount management apparatus shown in FIG.

  As described above, the power amount management table as shown in FIG. 11 can be managed in the power amount management device 5 in association with each of the plurality of information processing devices. Further, the contents of the power amount management table managed in this way can be displayed using a display device connected to the power amount management device 5. Thereby, the user of the power amount management device 5 can grasp the power consumption amount of each information processing device 3. Further, the power management apparatus 5 transmits the contents of the power amount management table to the information processing apparatus 3 that can access the power management apparatus 5 via the network 9 and causes the information processing apparatus 3 to display the contents of the power management table. be able to. As a result, the user of the information processing device 3 can grasp the power consumption.

  As a modification of the above-described third embodiment, the power management device 5 may perform the arithmetic processing for obtaining the actual power consumption value in consideration of the conversion efficiency of the AC adapter 40 instead of the information processing device 3. In such a case, the power consumption correction unit 65 may be omitted from the EC 25 of the information processing device 3 and the function of the power consumption correction unit 65 may be incorporated in the power management device 5.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,3 Information processing apparatus 30 AC adapter connection terminal 40 AC adapter 62,63 Power consumption acquisition part 64,65 Power consumption correction | amendment part 66,67 Power consumption recording part 68,69 Power consumption notification part 74 Power amount calculation part 76 Power amount Storage unit 28 Power supply circuit 24 EC (Power consumption measuring device)
80 Power consumption measurement unit (external power detection unit)

Claims (5)

A power consumption acquisition unit that measures the power value of power supplied from the AC adapter via the AC adapter connection terminal;
A power consumption correction unit that acquires an actual power consumption value that is a power value including a conversion loss in the AC adapter from the measured power value based on the power conversion efficiency in the AC adapter;
A power consumption recording unit for recording the acquired actual power consumption value;
An information processing apparatus. An electric energy calculation unit that calculates an electric energy consumed in a predetermined time range based on an actual electric power consumption value recorded in the electric power consumption recording unit;
An electric energy storage unit that stores electric energy in association with a time range;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. An external power detection unit for detecting the supply of power from the AC adapter via the AC adapter connection terminal;
The power consumption correction unit detects the actual power consumption value from the power value acquired by the power consumption acquisition unit based on the conversion efficiency when the supply of power from an AC adapter is detected in the external power detection. To get the
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is an information processing apparatus. A power consumption acquisition unit that acquires a power value of power supplied from the AC adapter via the AC adapter connection terminal from the power supply circuit;
A power consumption correction unit that acquires an actual power consumption value that is a power value including a conversion loss in the AC adapter from the measured power value based on the power conversion efficiency in the AC adapter;
A program executed by a computer for recording the acquired actual power consumption value and causing the computer to realize an operation as a power consumption recording unit. A power consumption acquisition unit that measures the power value of power supplied from the AC adapter via the AC adapter connection terminal;
A power consumption correction unit that acquires an actual power consumption value that is a power value including a conversion loss in the AC adapter from the measured power value based on the power conversion efficiency in the AC adapter;
A power consumption measuring device having a power consumption notification unit that notifies the host device of the acquired actual power consumption value.

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