Information processing device, information processing method and information processing program

Abstract

To provide an information processing device capable of raising a user's motivation for improvement in energy usage.SOLUTION: An information processing device includes: a receiving unit for receiving input of a target amount of prescribed energy, the upper limit of energy usage in a prescribed period; an acquisition unit for acquiring a first usage of the prescribed energy at present in the prescribed period; an estimation unit for estimating a second usage of the prescribed energy at an end of the prescribed period on the basis of the usage acquired by the acquisition unit; a generating unit for generating an image representing at least one of a landscape, a character and an animation based on a relative relation between the second usage and the target amount; and an outputting unit for outputting the image.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and an information processing program for notifying information regarding the amount of energy used.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, smart homes that control home appliances according to the user's situation and the like have been disclosed. Patent Document 1 discloses a home appliance management server that can manage home appliances like a smart home.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, although such a smart home is highly convenient, its use requires power, gas, etc., and there is a problem that the cost increases the more it is used. Therefore, although it is desired to suppress the usage amount as much as possible, the technology described in Patent Document 1 has a problem that it cannot improve the motivation.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and an information processing program that can notify information regarding the amount of energy used and can improve the motivation for improving the user's energy usage amount.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, an information processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a reception unit that receives an input of a target amount as an upper limit of the usage amount of a predetermined energy during a predetermined period, an acquisition unit that acquires a first usage amount of the predetermined energy at the current time within the predetermined period, an estimation unit that estimates a second usage amount of the predetermined energy at the end of the predetermined period based on the usage amount acquired by the acquisition unit, a generation unit that generates an image showing at least one of a landscape, a character, and an animation based on the relative relationship between the second usage amount and the target amount, and an output unit that outputs the image.

[0007] Also, to solve the above problems, an information processing method according to an aspect of the present invention includes a reception step in which a computer receives an input of a target amount as an upper limit of the usage amount of a predetermined energy during a predetermined period, an acquisition step in which the computer acquires a first usage amount of the predetermined energy at the current time within the predetermined period, an estimation step in which the computer estimates a second usage amount of the predetermined energy at the end of the predetermined period based on the usage amount acquired in the acquisition step, a generation step in which the computer generates an image showing at least one of a landscape, a character, and an animation based on the relative relationship between the second usage amount and the target amount, and an output step in which the computer outputs the image.

[0008] Also, to solve the above problems, an information processing program according to an aspect of the present invention causes a computer to realize a reception function that receives an input of a target amount as an upper limit of the usage amount of a predetermined energy during a predetermined period, an acquisition function that acquires a first usage amount of the predetermined energy at the current time within the predetermined period, an estimation function that estimates a second usage amount of the predetermined energy at the end of the predetermined period based on the usage amount acquired by the acquisition function, a generation function that generates an image showing at least one of a landscape, a character, and an animation based on the relative relationship between the second usage amount and the target amount, and an output function that outputs the image.

[0009] Also, in the above information processing apparatus, the generation unit may generate an image with a relatively brighter color tone as the second usage amount is lower than the target amount, and may generate an image with a relatively darker color tone as the second usage amount is higher than the target amount.

[0010] Also, in the above information processing apparatus, the image is a landscape image showing a natural scene, and the generation unit may generate a relatively more natural landscape image as the second usage amount is lower than the target amount, and may generate a relatively less natural landscape image as the second usage amount is higher than the target amount.

[0011] Also, in the above information processing apparatus, the information processing apparatus includes a storage unit that stores a learning model that has learned the relationship between the second usage amount and the target amount and the image to be displayed in the case of the second usage amount and the target amount, and the generation unit may generate an image based on the learning model, the target amount received by the reception unit, and the second usage amount estimated by the estimation unit based on the first usage amount acquired by the acquisition unit.

[0012] Also, in the above information processing apparatus, the information processing apparatus includes a storage unit that stores a landscape image to be displayed according to the ratio of the second usage amount to the target amount, and the generation unit may generate a landscape image according to the ratio of the second usage amount to the target amount.

[0013] Also, in the above information processing apparatus, the predetermined energy may be electricity.

Effect of the Invention

[0014] The information processing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention can display an image according to the relative relationship between the usage amount of energy predicted to be used in a predetermined period and the target amount set as the upper limit of the predetermined energy to be used. Therefore, in order to improve the image, the user of the information processing apparatus can maintain or improve the motivation to refrain from using energy.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Hereinafter, an information processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0017] <Embodiment> <System Configuration> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a management system according to the present invention.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the management system includes a server 200 that manages various home appliances and the like within a building, and an information processing apparatus 100 used by user 10. The information processing apparatus 100 is an information processing terminal held by user 10, and may be a computer system realized by a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a notebook PC, a PC, or the like. Further, the server 200 is an information processing apparatus that is communicably connected to electrical products such as various home appliances (for example, but not limited to, lighting 21, air conditioner 22, electric curtain 23, etc.) within the building 20 and manages them, and may be a computer system realized by a so-called server apparatus, a PC, or the like. The building 20 may be a house in which user 10 resides, or may be a facility, a building, or the like used by an organization to which user 10 belongs, or may be a predetermined range in an outdoor facility. In the management system according to the present embodiment, the information processing apparatus 100 exchanges information with the server 200 and notifies the information processing apparatus 100 of user 10 whether or not the target regarding the energy used in a predetermined period set by user 10 can be achieved. This notification may include an image showing at least any one of a landscape, a character, and an animation based on the relative relationship between the energy assumed to be used in the predetermined period and the target amount as the upper limit of the usage amount of the energy in the predetermined period. In the present embodiment, the image is described as a landscape image, but this is not limited to the landscape image. Further, in the present embodiment, electricity is described as an example of energy, but this is not limited to electricity, and any energy necessary for living may be used, such as gas, water, oil, heavy oil, coal, or the like. This will be described in detail below.

[0019] <Configuration of Information Processing Apparatus 100> FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the information processing apparatus 100 included in the management system. As described above, the information processing apparatus 100 is an information processing terminal used by the user 10 and may be a general smartphone. Therefore, the information processing apparatus 100 may similarly implement functions that a general smartphone can implement. As shown in FIG. 2, the information processing apparatus 100 includes a communication unit 110, an input unit 120, an output unit 130, a storage unit 140, and a control unit 150. Each functional unit included in the information processing apparatus 100 may be configured to be communicable with each other.

[0020] The communication unit 110 has a function of transmitting and receiving information to and from other devices by wired or wireless communication. The communication unit 110 may, for example, receive information indicating the amount of power used from the server 200 as an external device and transmit it to the control unit 150. Further, the communication unit 110 may also transmit specified information to a specified destination according to an instruction from the control unit 150. For example, the communication unit 110 may transmit setting information regarding the setting of home appliances to the server 200.

[0021] The input unit 120 has a function of receiving an input from a user of the information processing apparatus 100 and transmitting it to the control unit 150. The input unit 120 can be realized, for example, by a hardware key provided in the information processing apparatus 100, or a soft key such as a touch panel or a touch key. Note that the input to the input unit 120 may be an input by voice, and in this case, the input unit 120 is realized by a microphone. The input unit 120 may, for example, receive an input of a target amount of power usage in a predetermined period and transmit it to the control unit 150.

[0022] Here, the target amount of power usage is a target as the upper limit of the power to be used in a predetermined period, and the less the usage amount, the better. Also, the predetermined period may be an arbitrary period, for example, one month, but this is not limited to one month and may be one week, one day, three months, or one year.

[0023] The output unit 130 has a function of outputting the data instructed by the control unit 150. For example, the output unit 130 may output a landscape image based on the relative relationship between the amount of power used and the target amount of power used, which is generated by the control unit 150. The landscape image may be an image including a natural scene, and may also be an image including animals, plants, mountains, and rivers. The output by the output unit 130 may be realized by displaying characters and images on a monitor (display device) attached to or connected to the information processing apparatus 100, or may be realized by outputting sound from a speaker or earphone (audio output device) attached to or connected to the information processing apparatus 100. Alternatively, the output by the output unit 130 may be realized by transmitting information to an external device via the communication unit 110.

[0024] The storage unit 140 is a recording medium that stores various programs and various data required for the operation of the information processing apparatus 100. The storage unit 140 is realized by, for example, an HDD (Hard Disc Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), a flash memory, etc., but is not limited thereto. The storage unit 140 may store a management application 141 that generates a landscape image based on the relative relationship between the target amount of power used and the amount of power used during a predetermined period. The storage unit 140 may be realized by a cloud storage accessible to the information processing apparatus 100. Further, the storage unit 140 may constitute a ROM or a RAM as a working area for executing a program.

[0025] The management application 141 may be an application program for managing the power used by the user 10, and notifies the user 10 whether it is likely to achieve the target with respect to the target amount of power used, which indicates how much the amount of power used during a predetermined period should be suppressed. The management application 141 outputs information indicating whether the user 10 is likely to achieve the target by generating and outputting a landscape image based on the relative relationship between the predicted amount of power that is likely to be used during a predetermined period based on the current power usage situation and the target amount of power used.

[0026] The control unit 150 is a processor that executes the processes to be realized by the information processing apparatus 100 by using various programs and various data stored in the storage unit 140. That is, the control unit 150 may generate and output a landscape image based on the relative relationship between the target amount of power usage set by the user 10 and the amount of power usage by executing the management application 141.

[0027] The control unit 150 includes a reception unit 151, an acquisition unit 152, an estimation unit 153, a generation unit 154, and an output unit 155.

[0028] The reception unit 151 receives an input of a target amount as the upper limit of the usage amount of a predetermined energy during a predetermined period. In the present embodiment, the predetermined energy is power, but it is not limited thereto. Also, the predetermined period is one month, but it is not limited to one month. Also, the target amount as the upper limit of the usage amount is a target amount for suppressing the amount of energy used below that target amount, and it is preferable that the actual usage amount used is as small as possible compared to this target amount. The reception unit 151 may receive from the user 10, via the input unit 120, the target amount of power usage as a numerical value indicating the power amount (kWh) itself, or as the electricity usage fee to be paid to an electric power company or the like that supplies power when using that target amount of usage. This is because using the electricity usage fee as the target amount of usage is a unit that is easier for the user 10 to recognize. The target amount of power usage received by the reception unit 151 is set in the management application 141.

[0029] The acquisition unit 152 acquires the power consumption (first consumption) as the current power as a predetermined energy within a predetermined period. The acquisition unit 152 may, for example, acquire the power consumption from the start time to the present of a predetermined period from a smart meter of the power provided in the building 20. Alternatively, the acquisition unit 152 may, for example, analyze an image captured by a camera that captures the smart meter to acquire the power consumption. Or, alternatively, the acquisition unit 152 may acquire the power consumption by measuring the amount of power supplied to each home appliance per unit time from the distribution board. Or, alternatively, the acquisition unit 152 may acquire the power consumption reported by each home appliance or smart device via the network. Or, alternatively, the acquisition unit 152 may acquire the power consumption acquired by the server 200 using the above-described method from the server 200. Here, the power consumption may basically be the consumption of the entire building 20, but may be divided into predetermined units (for example, for each room).

[0030] The acquisition unit 152 transmits the acquired power consumption (first consumption) to the estimation unit 153.

[0031] The estimation unit 153 estimates the power consumption (second consumption) of a predetermined energy (power) at the end of a predetermined period based on the power consumption (first consumption) transmitted from the acquisition unit 152. As an example, the estimation unit 153 may estimate the second consumption by dividing the power consumption transmitted from the acquisition unit 152 by the number of days elapsed in the predetermined period and multiplying the obtained value by the number of days in the predetermined period. For example, assuming that the predetermined period is one month (30 days), the current date and time is the 10th, and the current consumption (first consumption) is 120 kWh. In this case, the estimation unit may estimate that 120 / 10×30 = 360 kWh is the power consumption (second consumption) in the predetermined period.

[0032] Alternatively, the estimation unit 153 may estimate the second usage amount by using a learning model that estimates the power usage amount at the end of a predetermined period with the power usage amount (first usage amount) transmitted from the acquisition unit 152 as an input. That is, in the building 20 of the user 10 of the information processing apparatus 100, a learning model that learns the relationship between the power usage amount at a certain timing during a predetermined period and the power amount actually used at the end of the predetermined period is prepared, and the first usage amount is input to this learning model, whereby the second usage amount may be estimated. This learning model may be stored in the storage unit 140 in advance, or the management application 141 may learn and generate it and store it in the storage unit 140. When using the learning model, the power usage amount (second usage amount) can be estimated in consideration of the power usage tendency of the user 10 during a predetermined period.

[0033] The estimation unit 153 transmits the estimated power usage amount (second usage amount) to the generation unit 154.

[0034] The generation unit 154 generates a landscape image based on the relative relationship between the power consumption amount (second consumption amount) during a predetermined period transmitted from the estimation unit 153 and the power usage target amount received by the reception unit 151. The generation unit 154 may generate a relatively natural-rich landscape image as the power consumption amount (second consumption amount) is lower than the power usage target amount, and may generate a relatively nature-poor landscape image as the power consumption amount (second consumption amount) is higher than the power usage target amount. A natural-rich landscape image may be a landscape image with a relatively large number of depicted animals and plants or a relatively large variety of animal and plant species, or both. Also, a natural-rich landscape image may be an image (video) with animations of animals moving vividly, flowers blooming, or flowers swaying in the wind, and may be a landscape image with a relatively large number of moving animals, or a relatively large amount of movement of animals (relatively long movement distance within the image, or relatively many times of movement within a predetermined time in the image), or a relatively large number of blooming flowers. Also, a nature-poor landscape image may be a landscape image with a relatively small number of depicted animals and plants or a relatively small variety of animal and plant species, or both. A nature-poor landscape image may be an image (video) with few animations of animals moving or with animations of only a few flowers blooming, and may be a landscape image with a relatively small number of moving animals, or a relatively small amount of movement of animals (relatively short movement distance within the image, or relatively few times of movement within a predetermined time in the image), or a relatively small number of blooming flowers.

[0035] Further, the generation unit 154 may generate a landscape image that is relatively brighter as the power consumption (second consumption) is lower than the target power consumption, and generate a landscape image that is relatively darker as the power consumption (second consumption) is higher than the target power consumption. Here, the bright landscape image may be a landscape image with an overall bright color tone, and the dark landscape image may be a landscape image with an overall dark color tone. That the color tone is bright may mean that the saturation of the colors used in the image is relatively high overall. Also, that the color tone is bright may mean that the brightness of the colors used in the image is relatively high overall. Conversely, that the color tone is dark may mean that the saturation of the colors used in the image is relatively low overall. Also, that the color tone is dark may mean that the brightness of the colors used in the image is relatively low overall. In the present embodiment, the color tone may be either the brightness or the saturation, or both. Also, the bright landscape image may be a landscape image with a relatively bright color scheme, or an image that uses relatively more warm colors as the colors used in the image. Also, the dark landscape image may be a landscape image with a relatively dark color scheme, or an image that uses relatively more cool colors as the colors used in the image.

[0036] Examples of landscape images generated by the generation unit 154 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0037] FIGS. 4 and 5 show examples of the app screen of the management app 141 including the landscape images generated by the generation unit 154. For the sake of comparison, it is assumed that the current time points during the predetermined period in FIGS. 4 and 5 are the same.

[0038] The application screen 401 shown in Fig. 4(a) is a diagram showing an example of a screen generated by the management application 141 and output by the output unit 130 of the information processing apparatus 100. As shown in Fig. 4(a), the application screen 401 includes a landscape image 410, a comment column 420 for displaying comments according to the power usage situation, and a power information column 430. The landscape image 410 is an image generated by the generation unit 154. The power information column 430 includes the current month's usage situation 4301, the current month's usage prediction 4302, and the current month's target 4303. The current month's usage situation 4301 is the amount of electricity usage (first usage amount) acquired by the acquisition unit 152. The current month's usage prediction 4302 is the amount of power usage (second usage amount) estimated to be used at the end of a predetermined period by the estimation unit 153. And the current month's target 4303 is the target as the upper limit of the amount of power usage in a predetermined period received by the reception unit 151 from the user 10.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 4(a), the current month's usage prediction 4302 is much lower than the current month's target 4303. As a result, the generation unit 154 generates an image of birds, rabbits, squirrels, and butterflies dancing as a natural and rich landscape image 410 and displays it as shown. Also, a comment indicating that the power usage state is quite good is displayed in the comment column 420.

[0040] Fig. 4(b) is an example of an application screen 402 generated by the management application 141, showing an example where the power usage situation is different from that in Fig. 4(a). As shown in Fig. 4(b), similar to the application screen 401, the application screen 402 includes a landscape image 411, a comment column 421, and a power information column 431. As can be understood by comparing the current month's usage situation 4301 in Fig. 4(a) with the current month's usage situation 4311 in Fig. 4(b), the power usage amount in Fig. 4(b) is larger. However, the current month's usage prediction 4312 estimated based on this power usage amount is lower than the current month's target 4313. As a result, the generation unit 154 generates a natural and rich landscape image 411 with fewer animals and plants than the landscape image 410. The landscape image 411 may be an image with a darker color tone than the landscape image 410.

[0041] Figure 5(a) is an example of the app screen 402 generated by the management app 141, and is a diagram showing an example where the power usage status is different from that in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b). As shown in Figure 5(a), similar to the app screen 401 and the app screen 402, the app screen 501 includes a landscape image 510, a comment column 520, and a power information column 530.

[0042] As can be understood by comparing the current month's usage status 5301 in Figure 5(a) with the current month's usage status 4311 in Figure 4(b), the power usage in Figure 5(a) is higher. The predicted usage for this month 5302 estimated based on this power usage exceeds the target for this month 5303. As a result, the generation unit 154 generates a landscape image 510 with slightly fewer animals and plants and less natural scenery than the landscape image 411. The landscape image 510 may be an image with a darker color tone than the landscape image 411.

[0043] Figure 5(b) is an example of the app screen 402 generated by the management app 141, and is a diagram showing an example where the power usage status is different from that in FIGS. 4(a), 4(b), and 5(a). As shown in Figure 5(b), similar to the app screens 401, 402, and 510, the app screen 501 includes a landscape image 511, a comment column 521, and a power information column 531.

[0044] As can be understood by comparing the current month's usage status 5311 in Figure 5(b) with the current month's usage status 5301 in Figure 5(a), the power usage in Figure 5(b) is higher. The predicted usage for this month 5312 estimated based on this power usage greatly exceeds the target for this month 5313. As a result, the generation unit 154 generates a landscape image 511 with even fewer animals and plants and less natural scenery (no animals and plants) than the landscape image 511. The landscape image 511 may be an image with a darker color tone than the landscape image 410.

[0045] In this way, the generation unit 154 generates a landscape image based on the relative relationship between the power usage amount (the second usage amount, the predicted usage for this month) and the target amount (the target for this month).

[0046] In the landscape images in FIGS. 4 and 5, the darkness of the images is represented by vertical hatching, and it is assumed that the color tones of the images become darker in the order of FIGS. 4(a), 4(b), 5(a), and 5(b).

[0047] As an example, the generation unit 154 may generate a landscape image using a learning model.

[0048] The learning model may be a model that has learned the correspondence between the target amount of power usage and the amount of power usage (second usage amount) and the landscape image that should be generated in the case of the target amount of power usage and the amount of power usage (second usage amount). At this time, the landscape image to be learned is an image that is richer in nature as the amount of power usage is lower with respect to the target usage amount, and an image that is less natural as the amount of power usage is higher with respect to the target usage amount. The learning model may be generated using a VAE, a flow-based model, an autoregressive model, etc., but is not limited thereto. The generation unit 154 may generate a landscape image by a so-called image generation AI.

[0049] Alternatively, as an example, the generation unit 154 may be configured to generate a landscape image based on the difference obtained by subtracting the power consumption amount (second consumption amount) from the target power consumption amount. Specifically, points required for displaying each of the animals and plants included in the landscape image may be allocated in advance, and using the calculated difference, points for displaying each animal and plant may be consumed to generate the landscape image. This landscape image may be generated by adding animals and plants corresponding to the consumed points based on the difference to a basic image (an image in which certain animals and plants are displayed) that serves as a basis when the target power consumption amount and the power consumption amount match. For example, points may be allocated to each of the animals and plants to be displayed, such as 10 points for displaying a rabbit and 2 points for displaying a butterfly. When the difference obtained by subtracting the power consumption amount from the target power consumption amount is 20, the landscape image may be generated in such a manner that two rabbits are added to the landscape image. Here, this difference may be the ratio of the power consumption amount (second consumption amount) to the target power consumption amount, and the points may be determined from the ratio. For example, if the ratio is 5%, 10 points may be assigned, if it is 10%, 15 points may be assigned, and if it is 105%, -10 points may be assigned. The landscape image may be generated by appropriating these points as points for displaying animals and plants. Also, when the power consumption amount is greater than the target power consumption amount, the landscape image may be generated by deleting animals and plants corresponding to the difference from the animals and plants displayed in the basic image.

[0050] Further, the generation unit 154 may prepare a plurality of landscape images in advance and set a range of ratios of the second consumption amount to the target amount for those landscape images. Then, the landscape image to be displayed may be generated (selected) by selecting the landscape image corresponding to the range to which the ratio calculated at the generation timing of the landscape image applies.

[0051] In addition, when animating the landscape image, the generation unit 154 may generate a landscape image in which the amount of movement or the number of movements of animals or the like displayed in the landscape image is greater as the difference obtained by subtracting the power consumption amount (second consumption amount) from the target power consumption amount is greater, or as the ratio of the power consumption amount (second consumption amount) to the target power consumption amount is smaller. Further, the generation unit 154 may generate a landscape image in which the amount of movement or the number of movements of animals or the like displayed in the landscape image is smaller as the difference obtained by subtracting the power consumption amount (second consumption amount) from the target power consumption amount is smaller or negative, or as the ratio of the power consumption amount (second consumption amount) to the target power consumption amount is greater. The animation of each animal may be performed by storing several motion patterns in advance and appropriately setting parameters defining the amount of motion in each motion pattern.

[0052] In addition to the landscape image, the generation unit 154 may generate a comment regarding the power consumption amount. Similar to the landscape image, the comment may be generated by a learning model that has learned the relationship between the electricity consumption amount and the target amount used during a predetermined period and the comment to be displayed at that time.

[0053] The output unit 155 outputs the landscape image generated by the generation unit 154. That is, the output unit 155 causes the output unit 130 to output an application screen including the landscape image as the application screen of the management application 141 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0054] The above is the description of the configuration of the information processing apparatus 100.

[0055] <Configuration example of server 200> FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the server 200. As described above, the server 200 is a computer system realized as a so-called server device, and in the present embodiment, it acquires the amount of power used in the building 20 and transmits it to the information processing device 100. Note that the server 200 may have a function of managing and controlling various household appliances (electrical devices) arranged in the building 20.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 3, the server 200 includes a communication unit 210, an input unit 220, an output unit 230, a storage unit 240, and a control unit 250.

[0057] The communication unit 210 has a function of transmitting and receiving information to and from other devices by wired or wireless communication. For example, the communication unit 210 may receive information requesting the amount of power used from the information processing device 100 as an external device and transmit it to the control unit 250. Further, the communication unit 210 may transmit specified information to a specified destination according to an instruction from the control unit 250. For example, the communication unit 210 may transmit information indicating the current power consumption in a predetermined period to the information processing device 100.

[0058] The input unit 220 has a function of receiving an input from a user of the server 200 and transmitting it to the control unit 250. The input unit 220 can be realized by, for example, a hardware key provided in the server 200, or a soft key such as a touch panel or a touch key. Note that the input to the input unit 220 may be an input by voice, and in this case, the input unit 220 is realized by a microphone. The server 200 may not include the input unit 220.

[0059] The output unit 230 has a function of outputting the data instructed by the control unit 250. The output by the output unit 230 may be realized by displaying characters and images on a monitor (display device) attached to or connected to the server 200, or may be realized by outputting sound from a speaker or earphone (audio output device) attached to or connected to the server 200. Alternatively, the output by the output unit 230 may be realized by transmitting information to an external device via the communication unit 210. For example, the output unit 230 may output (transmit) information indicating the current power consumption to the information processing device 100 via the communication unit 110 according to an instruction from the control unit 250.

[0060] The storage unit 240 is a recording medium that stores various programs and various data required for the operation of the server 200. The storage unit 240 is realized by, for example, an HDD (Hard Disc Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), a flash memory, etc., but is not limited thereto. The storage unit 240 may store a control program 241 that acquires the current power consumption in the building 20 and transmits it to the information processing device 100. The storage unit 240 may be realized by a cloud storage accessible by the server 200. Further, the storage unit 240 may constitute a ROM or a RAM as a working area for executing a program. The control program 241 may have a function of controlling various electrical devices provided in the building 20.

[0061] The control unit 250 is a processor that executes the processing to be realized by the server 200 by using various programs and various data stored in the storage unit 240. That is, the control unit 250 acquires the current power consumption from the information processing device 100 by executing the control program 241 and transmits the information indicating the acquired power consumption.

[0062] The control unit 250 includes a management unit 251. Further, the control unit 250 may include a home appliance control unit 252.

[0063] The management unit 251 manages the amount of power consumed in the building 20, and in response to a request from the information processing apparatus 100, transmits information on the amount of power used at the current time within a predetermined period to the information processing apparatus 100 via the communication unit 110.

[0064] The home appliance control unit 252 has a function of controlling each electric device connected to the server 200. The control of the electric devices by the home appliance control unit 252 may be automatic control according to the situation of the building 20, or may be control according to an instruction from the user 10 of the building 20. Note that the situation of the building 20 may be, for example, whether the user 10 is in the building 20 or not, where in the building 20 the user 10 is located if the user 10 is in the building 20, whether the current time is day or night, the level of the outside air temperature and the indoor temperature, the brightness or darkness inside the room, etc. These pieces of information may be obtained from various sensors (which may be, but are not limited to, a human sensor, a temperature sensor, an illuminance sensor, etc.) installed in the building 20 and communicably connected to the server 200.

[0065] The above is a configuration example of the server 200.

[0066] <Operation> FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the information processing apparatus 100. As shown in FIG. 6, the reception unit 151 of the information processing apparatus 100 receives, via the input unit 120, an input of a target amount as the upper limit of the amount of power used within a predetermined period from the user 10 (step S601). The control unit 150 sets the received target amount in the management application 141 (step S602).

[0067] The acquisition unit 152 of the information processing apparatus 100 acquires the amount of power used at the current time within a predetermined period (step S603). For example, at the end of each day, the acquisition unit 152 requests the server 200 for information indicating the current amount of power used. Then, the acquisition unit 152 receives the information indicating the amount of power used transmitted from the server 200. Thereby, the acquisition unit 152 acquires the information indicating the amount of power used (the first amount of use). The acquisition unit 152 transmits the acquired amount of power used to the estimation unit 153.

[0068] When the estimation unit 153 is transmitted the power consumption (first consumption amount), it estimates the total electricity consumption (second consumption amount) used in a predetermined period (step S604). The estimation unit 153 transmits the estimated total electricity consumption (second consumption amount) to the generation unit 154.

[0069] Based on the relative relationship between the transmitted total electricity consumption (second consumption amount) and the set target electricity consumption amount, the generation unit 154 generates a landscape image related to the electricity consumption amount (step S605). The generation unit 154 transmits the generated landscape image to the output unit 155.

[0070] The output unit 155 outputs an app screen by the management app 141 including the transmitted landscape image (step S606) and ends the process.

[0071] The above is an operation example of the information processing apparatus 100.

[0072] In this embodiment, since the server 200 only acquires the amount of power being used and sequentially transmits it to the information processing apparatus 100, a detailed description using a flowchart is omitted.

[0073] <Summary> As shown in the above embodiment, the information processing apparatus 100 generates and displays a landscape image based on the relative relationship between the amount of energy finally planned to be used and the target amount in a predetermined period. The landscape image is such that the more favorable the energy usage state (the less the planned usage amount), the more natural and brighter the landscape image is generated and displayed. Therefore, by viewing the landscape image, the user 10 of the information processing apparatus 100 can maintain or improve the motivation to improve the energy usage state by himself / herself.

[0074] <Supplementary Note> The information processing apparatus according to the above embodiment is not limited to the above embodiment, and it goes without saying that it may be realized by other methods. Hereinafter, various modification examples will be described.

[0075] (1) In the above embodiment, the information processing apparatus 100 was configured to estimate a landscape image based on the relative relationship between the target amount of power usage and the amount of power usage that is expected to be used in a predetermined period. This estimation may be based on the relationship of the electricity charge corresponding to the amount of power usage instead of the relationship of power.

[0076] That is, the estimation unit 153 may estimate the electricity charge to be paid this month from the electricity charge paid for the current power usage amount, and the generation unit 154 may generate a landscape image based on the relative relationship between the estimated electricity charge and the target electricity charge set. In this case, when using a learning model to generate a landscape image, the learning model is a model that has learned the relationship between the electricity charge likely to be paid at the end of a predetermined period and the target amount as the upper limit of the electricity charge, and the landscape image to be generated in that case.

[0077] (2) In the above-described embodiment, the generation unit 154 is configured to generate a landscape image showing a natural scene, but this is not the only case. The generation unit 154 may generate any image that can maintain or improve the motivation for the user 10 to minimize the use of a predetermined energy. The less the amount of the predetermined energy used is compared to the target amount, the better (more magnificent or brighter) the image generated may be. As an example, the landscape image may be, for example, an image of an amusement park. The less the amount of energy used is compared to the target amount, the more attraction facilities, characters, and people enjoying them may be shown in the image. Also, these facilities or characters may be animated. The less the amount of energy used is compared to the target amount, the more animated (the more movement or the more times of movement) the image (video) may be. As an example of the animation of a facility, when the facility is an amusement park, the animation may include the merry-go-round moving, the electric decorations lighting up, or the fireworks going off. Also, as an example of the animation of a character, the character may move around in the image or move its hands and feet more greatly. The less the amount of energy used is compared to the target amount, the more positive emotional expressions such as the character being happy or enjoying itself may be shown. The more the amount of energy used is compared to the target amount, the more negative emotional expressions such as the character being sad or angry may be shown.

[0078] (3) In the above-described embodiment, the server 200 may receive control settings for various home appliances via the information processing apparatus 100 of the user 10.

[0079] The control setting may be a setting for controlling each electrical device, or may be a setting for generally controlling a plurality of electrical devices. Generally controlling a plurality of electrical devices may be, for example, setting a mode for controlling the electrical devices, such as a going-out mode or a sleep mode. In each mode, an operating state of the electrical devices determined in advance is set, and according to the setting, the server 200 may control each electrical device.

[0080] Further, the information processing apparatus 100 may function as a so-called remote controller for controlling various home appliances. In this case, the information processing apparatus 100 may instruct the server 200 as to which electrical device to control and how to control it, and the home appliance control unit 252 of the server 200 may control the electrical devices according to the received instruction.

[0081] (4) In the above embodiment, at the timing of switching of a predetermined period, there may be a possibility that information about the power usage situation cannot be obtained. In such a case, as the power usage prediction, it may be possible to use the information on the power usage prediction at the previous time point. In this case, the same landscape image may be used, and the generation unit 154 may not generate a landscape image.

[0082] (5) In the above embodiment, the function of the server 200 for controlling various home appliances is not an essential configuration, and it may be provided only with a function of obtaining the power used for each and transmitting it to the information processing apparatus 100.

[0083] (6) In the above embodiment, an example of obtaining the power used from each home appliance or a smart meter or the like has been described. However, in the case of gas, it may be configured to obtain the amount of energy used from a gas meter, and in the case of water, from a water meter. Also, in the same manner as described above, an imaging image of each meter may be analyzed to obtain the amount of water or gas used.

[0084] (7) In the above-described embodiment, regarding the method for generating a landscape image in the information processing apparatus, it is specified that the processor of the information processing apparatus executes a predetermined program (management application) or the like. However, this may also be realized by a logic circuit (hardware) formed in an integrated circuit (IC (Integrated Circuit) chip, LSI (Large Scale Integration)) or the like in the apparatus, or a dedicated circuit. Further, these circuits may be realized by one or a plurality of integrated circuits, and the functions of the plurality of functional units shown in the above-described embodiment may be realized by one integrated circuit. Depending on the degree of integration, LSI may also be referred to as VLSI, super LSI, ultra LSI, etc.

[0085] Also, the above program may be recorded on a recording medium readable by the processor. As the recording medium, a "non-transitory tangible medium", for example, a tape, a disk, a card, a semiconductor memory, a programmable logic circuit, etc. can be used. Further, the above program may be supplied to the above processor via any transmission medium (communication network, broadcast wave, etc.) capable of transmitting the program. That is, for example, a configuration may be adopted in which a program is downloaded and executed from a network using an information processing device such as a smartphone. The present invention can also be realized in the form of a data signal embedded in a carrier wave, in which the above program is embodied by electronic transmission.

[0086] Note that the above program can be implemented using, for example, a script language such as ActionScript or JavaScript (registered trademark), or an object-oriented programming language such as Objective-C, Java (registered trademark), C++, Python, R, etc. However, these languages are just examples.

[0087] (8) The various examples shown in the above-described embodiment may be combined as appropriate. For example, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, the process of step S601 may be executed at another timing prior to executing the processes after step S602.

Description of Symbols

[0088] 100 Information processing apparatus 110 Communication unit 120 Input unit 130 Output unit 140 Storage unit 150 Control unit 200 Server 210 Communication unit 220 Input unit 230 Output unit 240 Storage unit 250 Control unit

Claims

1. A receiving unit that receives an input of a target amount as an upper limit of the usage amount of a predetermined energy during a predetermined period; An acquisition unit that acquires a first usage amount of the predetermined energy at the current time within the predetermined period; An estimation unit that estimates a second usage amount of the predetermined energy at the end of the predetermined period based on the usage amount acquired by the acquisition unit; A generation unit that generates an image showing at least one of a landscape, a character, and an animation based on the relative relationship between the second usage amount and the target amount; An output unit that outputs the image; An information processing apparatus comprising:

2. The generation unit generates an image with a relatively brighter color tone as the second usage amount is lower than the target amount, and generates an image with a relatively darker color tone as the second usage amount is higher than the target amount. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that.

3. The image is a landscape image showing a natural scene, The generation unit generates a relatively more natural landscape image as the second usage amount is lower than the target amount, and generates a relatively less natural landscape image as the second usage amount is higher than the target amount. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that.

4. The information processing apparatus includes a storage unit that stores a learning model that has learned the relationship between the second usage amount and the target amount and the image to be displayed in the case of the second usage amount and the target amount, The generation unit generates the image based on the learning model, the target amount received by the reception unit, and the second usage amount estimated by the estimation unit based on the first usage amount acquired by the acquisition unit. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that.

5. The information processing apparatus includes a storage unit that stores a landscape image to be displayed according to a ratio of the second usage amount to the target amount. The generation unit generates a landscape image according to a ratio of the second usage amount to the target amount. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that.

6. The predetermined energy is electricity. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that.

7. A computer, a reception step of receiving an input of a target amount as an upper limit of the usage amount of the predetermined energy during a predetermined period; an acquisition step of acquiring a first usage amount of the predetermined energy at the current time within the predetermined period; an estimation step of estimating a second usage amount of the predetermined energy at the end of the predetermined period based on the usage amount acquired in the acquisition step; a generation step of generating an image showing at least any one of a landscape, a character, and an animation based on a relative relationship between the second usage amount and the target amount; an output step of outputting the image; An information processing method comprising:

8. In a computer, a reception function of receiving an input of a target amount as an upper limit of the usage amount of the predetermined energy during a predetermined period; an acquisition function of acquiring a first usage amount of the predetermined energy at the current time within the predetermined period; an estimation function of estimating a second usage amount of the predetermined energy at the end of the predetermined period based on the usage amount acquired by the acquisition function; a generation function of generating an image showing at least any one of a landscape, a character, and an animation based on a relative relationship between the second usage amount and the target amount; an output function of outputting the image; An information processing program for realizing

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