Power control method, communication device, and power control system

Abstract

Power control can be performed for electronic apparatuses that are unable to connect to a network. A user accesses the URL of a power supply center, and downloads an application (S 11 ). The application is downloaded for each individual electronic apparatus to be controlled. In S 12 , the user makes various settings. After the settings are complete, the power supply center 2 transmits a power-limiting signal (S 2 ), and a communication device receives the power-limiting signal (S 13 ). If it is determined in S 14 that the power-limiting function is set active, the application is started in S 16 . In S 17 , the kind of the communication that has been set is infrared. If the kind of the communication is infrared, in S 18 , a power-limiting signal is transmitted to a target electronic apparatus via infrared communication.

1 . A power control method comprising the steps of:
 transmitting a power control signal that controls electric power via a wireless network, by a power supply center provided on a power supply side;   receiving the power control signal, by a first communication section of a communication device provided on a demand side; and   transmitting a remote control signal that remote-controls power consumption of one or a plurality of electronic apparatuses in accordance with the received power control signal, by a second communication section of the communication device.   
     
     
         2 . The power control method according to  claim 1 , wherein application data for generating the remote control signal with respect to the electronic apparatus to be controlled is received and stored in advance. 
     
     
         3 . The power control method according to  claim 1 , wherein the communication device is a portable telephone that has a function of performing communication by an infrared ray or a radio wave. 
     
     
         4 . The power control method according to  claim 1 , wherein whether or not to perform power control is set in advance. 
     
     
         5 . A communication device comprising:
 a first communication section that receives a power control signal from a power supply side via a wireless network; and   a second communication section that transmits a remote control signal that remote-controls power consumption of one or a plurality of electronic apparatuses in accordance with the received power control signal.   
     
     
         6 . The communication device according to  claim 5 , wherein application data for generating the remote control signal with respect to the electronic apparatus to be controlled is received and stored in advance. 
     
     
         7 . The communication device according to  claim 5 , wherein the communication device is a portable telephone that has a function of performing communication by an infrared ray or a radio wave. 
     
     
         8 . The communication device according to  claim 5 , wherein whether or not to perform power control is set in advance. 
     
     
         9 . The communication device according to  claim 5 , wherein the first communication section receives the power control signal via an Internet. 
     
     
         10 . The communication device according to  claim 5 , wherein the remote control signal transmitted by the second communication section uses an infrared ray or a radio wave as a medium. 
     
     
         11 . A power control system comprising:
 a power supply center that is provided on a power supply side, and transmits a power control signal that controls electric power via a wireless network; and   a communication device that is provided on a demand side, and includes a first communication section that receives the power control signal, and a second communication section that transmits a remote control signal that remote-controls power consumption of one or a plurality of electronic apparatuses in accordance with the received power control signal.