Contract plan selecting apparatus, contract plan selecting method, and contract plan selecting program

Abstract

To facilitate reconsideration of contracts of a plurality of services due to change of situation of a user.SOLUTION: A contract plan selecting system according to the present invention has a contract plan selection reference setting unit 131 for setting a contract plan selection reference for use in selection of a contract plan by a user from a plurality of contract plans by a plurality of service providing companies with respect to each of a plurality of services, a storage unit 12 for storing user information which is information relating to the user in association with the plurality of services, a change reception unit 132 for receiving change of the user information stored in the storage unit 12, and a contract plan selecting unit 133 for, based on the changed user information and the contract plan selection reference, selecting the contract plan for the user from the plurality of contract plans provided by the plurality of service providing companies with respect to each of the plurality of services associated with the user information if the change of the user information is received.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a contract plan selection device, a contract plan selection method, and a contract plan selection program that select a contract plan suitable for a user for a plurality of services. [Background technology]

[0002] In Japan, the electricity market has been liberalized in recent years, and in 2016, consumers such as ordinary households and stores were able to freely enter into contracts with retail electricity providers.

[0003] Patent document 1 discloses a system for simplifying electricity, gas, and water contracts that runs a simulation of new rates when signing a new contract for electricity, gas, or water (multiple services) and generates a new contract application form. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-098551 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, users may wish to review their contracts if their circumstances change, such as moving, changing their family structure, etc. In particular, users may wish to review contracts for multiple services (electricity, gas, water, etc.) if their circumstances change.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to facilitate review of contracts for multiple services in response to changes in a user's circumstances. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, a contract plan selection device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a contract plan selection criteria setting unit that sets contract plan selection criteria used by a user to select a contract plan from a plurality of contract plans offered by a plurality of service provider companies for each of a plurality of services; a memory unit that stores user information, which is information about the user, in association with each of the plurality of services; a change acceptance unit that accepts changes to the user information stored in the memory unit; and a contract plan selection unit that, when the change is accepted, selects a contract plan for the user from the plurality of contract plans offered by the plurality of service provider companies for each of the plurality of services associated with the user information in the memory unit based on the changed user information and the contract plan selection criteria.

[0008] According to this disclosure, when a change acceptance unit accepts a change to user information, the contract plan selection unit selects a contract plan for the user from multiple contract plans offered by multiple service providers based on the changed user information and contract plan selection criteria. As a result, if a change occurs in the user's circumstances, such as moving, the change acceptance unit accepts the user information after the change, and contract plans for the user are selected for each of the multiple services. Therefore, it is possible to easily review contracts for multiple services in response to changes in the user's circumstances.

[0009] The information processing device may further include an input receiving unit that receives input of the user information from the user.

[0010] According to this disclosure, if a user's circumstances change, such as moving, changes to user information can be accepted from the user.

[0011] The user information may also include attribute information of the user.

[0012] According to this disclosure, by specifying as user attribute information the matters that would trigger a user to consider reviewing their contract, if the user's circumstances change, the contract plan selection unit will automatically review the user's contract, thereby improving user convenience.

[0013] The user attribute information may include information on at least one of the user's address, family structure, date of birth, age, and owned devices.

[0014] According to this disclosure, it is possible to accommodate changes in the user's circumstances, such as the user moving, changes in family structure, changes in life stage, and changes in owned devices.

[0015] The system may further include a detection unit that detects the amount of service usage of the user for each of the services, and the change acceptance unit may change the information about the user based on the amount of service usage.

[0016] According to this disclosure, the change acceptance unit changes user information based on the user's service usage amount for each service. For example, if the user's family composition changes, the user's service usage amount changes. In this case, the change acceptance unit changes the user's attribute information based on the changed service usage amount, or the changed service usage amount itself is used as new user information, and the contract plan selection unit selects a contract plan for the user based on the changed user information and contract plan selection criteria. This improves user convenience because the user's contract plan is selected not only based on the input of user information but also on changes in service usage amount.

[0017] The user information may also include contract plan related information about the selected contract plan.

[0018] According to this disclosure, by setting, as the contract plan related information, for example, data indicating the service content of the contract plan other than the service usage fee in the contract plan, it is possible to improve convenience for the user.

[0019] The services may also include a first service that provides infrastructure necessary for the user's life, and a second service that improves the user's life.

[0020] According to this disclosure, it is possible to accommodate cases where the service is a first service that provides infrastructure necessary for the user's life and a second service that improves the user's life.

[0021] The first service may be a service that provides the user with at least one of electricity, gas, water, communication lines, and insurance, and the second service may be a service that provides the user with at least one of banking services, web shopping, knowledge teaching, and advertising services.

[0022] According to this disclosure, it is possible to cope with a case where the first service is a service that provides users with at least one of electricity, gas, water, communication lines, and insurance, and the second service is a service that provides users with at least one of banking services, web shopping, knowledge teaching, and advertising services.

[0023] In order to solve the above problem, a contract plan selection method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure includes the steps of: a server device setting contract plan selection criteria used for a user to select a contract plan from a plurality of contract plans offered by a plurality of service provider companies for each of a plurality of services; storing user information, which is information about the user, in association with each of the plurality of services; accepting changes to the user information stored in the storage unit; and, if the changes are accepted, selecting the contract plan for the user from the plurality of contract plans offered by the plurality of service provider companies for each of the plurality of services associated with the user information in the storage unit based on the changed user information and the contract plan selection criteria.

[0024] According to this disclosure, when a server device receives a change in user information, it selects a contract plan for the user from multiple contract plans offered by multiple service providers based on the changed user information and contract plan selection criteria. As a result, if a change occurs in the user's circumstances, such as moving, the change acceptance unit accepts the user information after the change in circumstances, and a contract plan for the user is selected for multiple services. Therefore, it is possible to easily review contracts for multiple services in response to changes in the user's circumstances.

[0025] Furthermore, a contract plan selection program according to another embodiment of the present disclosure causes a computer to execute the contract plan selection method.

[0026] According to this disclosure, it is possible to cause a computer to execute the above-mentioned contract plan selection method. [Effects of the Invention]

[0027] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to easily review contracts for multiple services in response to changes in a user's circumstances. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a contract plan selection system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of an electricity rate plan DB stored in the electricity rate plan management server according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of a gas rate plan DB stored in the gas rate plan management server according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram of a user DB stored in a storage unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the contract plan selection system according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following description of the preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present invention, its applications, or uses.

[0030] The contract plan selection device and contract plan selection method according to the present disclosure are realized as a contract plan selection system according to this embodiment.

[0031] In the following embodiments, an example will be described in which a user enters into a contract with an electricity retailer and a gas retailer (multiple service providers) and receives (is provided with) electricity and gas (multiple services) from each of them. The electricity retailer and the gas retailer measure (read) the electricity and gas usage of the consumer under contract, and bill the user for electricity and gas at predetermined intervals (for example, one month).

[0032] (Embodiment) Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a contract plan selection system according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, this contract plan selection system includes a server device 1. The server device 1 is configured to be able to communicate with a mobile terminal P, an electricity rate plan management server F1, an electricity retailer server R1, a gas rate plan management server F2, and a gas retailer server R2 via a communication network N.

[0033] The mobile terminal P (input receiving unit) is a communication device such as a smartphone, and is a terminal operated by a user who wishes to change their electricity rate plan and gas rate plan. The mobile terminal P is connected to a communication network N, for example, by wireless communication.

[0034] Specifically, the mobile terminal P accepts input of contract plan selection criteria from the user. The contract plan selection criteria refer to the items that serve as the criteria when the user reviews (contracts or cancels) their contract plans (here, electricity rate plan and gas rate plan). By operating the mobile terminal P, the user can set the contract plan selection criteria to, for example, a contract plan with the lowest price (lowest price plan), a contract plan that selects an electricity retailer and a gas retailer that are close to the user's address (local production and local consumption plan), or a contract plan that provides gifts and other benefits from the electricity retailer and the gas retailer when the user signs a contract (benefit plan).

[0035] The mobile terminal P also accepts changes to user information, which is information about the user, from the user. As will be described in detail later, user information is pre-stored in the storage unit 12 of the server device 1. This user information indicates, for example, user attribute information. User attribute information includes, for example, the user's address, family structure, date of birth, age, and owned devices. Here, devices include home appliances and electrical equipment. Examples of devices include home appliances that are used particularly when a person is in a building, such as air conditioners and lighting fixtures; home appliances that are used particularly when a person is not in a building, such as security devices like surveillance cameras and cleaning robots; home appliances that are used regardless of whether a person is present or not, such as refrigerators; and electrical equipment and vehicles, such as solar power generation equipment, all-electric equipment, storage batteries, and electric vehicles.

[0036] The electricity rate plan management server F1 manages the electricity rate plans offered by electricity retailers.

[0037] The electricity rate plan management server F1 has an electricity rate plan DB (database) configured as shown in Fig. 2. This electricity rate plan DB stores electricity rate plans provided by each electricity retailer, and data related to the electricity rate plan is associated with each electricity retailer.

[0038] In the example of Figure 2, one electricity retailer offers one electricity rate plan. Specifically, in Figure 2, each electricity retailer is associated with a basic charge, daytime and nighttime electricity usage charges, purchase price, location, and contract benefits in the electricity rate plan. The purchase price indicates the purchase price for electricity when a consumer sells surplus electricity to an electric power company. The contract benefits indicate the benefits granted to a user when the user has a contract with an electricity retailer.

[0039] 2, one electricity retailer offers one electricity rate plan, but one electricity retailer may offer multiple electricity rate plans. Furthermore, an electricity rate plan may include fee items other than the items described above (basic fee, etc.).

[0040] The electricity rate plan management server F1 is connected to, for example, multiple electricity retailer servers R1 via a communication network N, and updates the electricity rate plan DB when it receives notification of an update to the electricity rate plan from each electricity retailer server R1. The electricity rate plan management server F1 may also update the electricity rate plan in response to input from a terminal managed by the electricity retailer. In response to a request from the server device 1, the electricity rate plan management server F1 provides various information related to the electricity rate plans stored in the electricity rate plan DB.

[0041] The electricity retailer server R1 is a server managed by the electricity retailer. Note that the electricity retailer server R1 may be a terminal such as a PC managed by the electricity retailer.

[0042] The electricity retailer server R1 receives the change information from the server device 1. This change information includes information about the user, such as the user's name and address, which is necessary when carrying out procedures to switch electricity retailers (to conclude or terminate a contract).

[0043] When the electricity retailer server R1 receives the change information, the electricity retailer performs the procedures required for switching the electricity retailer. Specifically, the electricity retailer inputs information about the user included in the change information into a switching support system (not shown).

[0044] The Switching Support System (https: / / www.occto.or.jp / system / sw_system / ) is operated by the Organization for Cross-regional Coordination of Transmission Operators, and handles various procedures when users switch retail electricity suppliers.

[0045] Specifically, when a user switches retail electricity suppliers, the retail electricity supplier with which the user has a contract must notify the retail electricity supplier with which the user has a contract that the contract with the user will be terminated, and must notify the general electricity transmission and distribution utility that the retail electricity supplier will be switched. The switching support system acts as an intermediary between retail electricity suppliers and between retail electricity suppliers and general electricity transmission and distribution utilities. The retail electricity supplier inputs information about the user contained in the change information into the switching support system, thereby switching the retail electricity supplier.

[0046] The gas rate plan management server F2 manages gas rate plans offered by gas retailers.

[0047] The gas rate plan management server F2 has a gas rate plan DB (database) configured as shown in Fig. 3. This gas rate plan DB stores gas rate plans provided by each gas retailer, and data related to the gas rate plan is associated with each gas retailer.

[0048] In the example of Figure 3, one gas and electricity supplier offers one gas rate plan. Specifically, in Figure 3, each gas retailer is associated with a basic rate, metered rate, location, and contract benefits in the gas rate plan. The contract benefits indicate the benefits granted to a user when the user enters into a contract with a gas retailer.

[0049] 3, one gas retailer offers one gas rate plan, but one gas retailer may offer multiple gas rate plans. Also, a gas rate plan may include fee items other than the items described above (basic fee, etc.).

[0050] The gas rate plan management server F2 is connected to, for example, multiple gas retailer servers R2 via a communication network N, and updates the gas rate plan DB when it receives a notification of an update to the gas rate plan from each gas retailer server R2. The gas rate plan management server F2 may also update the gas rate plan in response to input from a terminal managed by the gas retailer.

[0051] Furthermore, in response to a request from the server device 1, the gas rate plan management server F2 provides various information related to the gas rate plans stored in the gas rate plan DB.

[0052] The gas retailer server R2 is a server managed by the gas retailer. Note that the gas retailer server R2 may be a terminal such as a PC managed by the gas retailer.

[0053] The server device 1 transmits change information to the gas retailer server R2. This change information includes information about the user, such as the user's name and address, which is necessary when carrying out the procedure to switch the gas retailer. The gas retailer concludes and terminates a contract with the user based on the change information received by the gas retailer server R2.

[0054] (Configuration of server device 1) As shown in FIG. 1, the server device 1 includes a communication unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a control unit 13.

[0055] The communication unit 11 is composed of, for example, an electrical circuit, and communicates with a mobile terminal P, an electricity rate plan management server F1, an electricity retailer server R1, a gas rate plan management server F2, and a gas retailer server R2 via a communication network N.

[0056] The storage unit 12 is a storage medium configured by a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), etc. The storage unit 12 stores various programs executed by the control unit 13.

[0057] Furthermore, a user DB (database) showing user information of each user who uses this contract plan selection system is stored in the storage unit 12. As shown in Fig. 4, the user DB stores information such as each user's address, family structure, date of birth, age, owned devices, contract plan selection criteria, contracted electricity retailer, contracted gas retailer, etc.

[0058] The user DB also stores the electricity and gas usage of each user. Although not shown in the figure, the server device 1 is communicably connected to electricity and gas smart meters installed in each user's building, and detects each user's electricity and gas usage from these smart meters and stores the detected amounts in the user DB. The server device 1 may also obtain the user's electricity and gas usage amounts through input by the user to a mobile terminal P. The server device 1 may also obtain the user's electricity and gas usage amounts from a server that manages each user's electricity and gas usage amounts.

[0059] The server device 1 communicates with the electricity rate plan management server F1 and the gas rate plan management server F2 as needed, acquires information contained in the electricity rate plan DB and the gas rate plan DB, and stores it in the memory unit 12. That is, the memory unit 12 stores the rate plans offered by each electricity retailer and the rate plans offered by each gas retailer.

[0060] The control unit 13 is configured by, for example, a microcomputer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a semiconductor memory, etc. The control unit 13 controls each part of the server device 1 by executing programs stored in the storage unit 12, etc.

[0061] The control unit 13 also includes a contract plan selection criteria setting unit 131 , a change acceptance unit 132 , and a contract plan selection unit 133 .

[0062] The contract plan selection criteria setting unit 131 sets the selection criteria for the rate plan received from the user by the mobile terminal P as the selection criteria for the rate plan of the user. Note that in Fig. 4, the selection criteria for the rate plan for electricity and gas are set in common, but it is also possible to set the selection criteria for the rate plan for each service (for electricity and gas).

[0063] The change receiving unit 132 changes the user information stored in the user DB of the storage unit 12 based on the user information received by the mobile terminal P from the user.

[0064] When the user information is changed by the change receiving unit 132, the contract plan selection unit 133 selects the most suitable electricity rate plan for the user from among the electricity rate plans offered by each electricity retailer, in accordance with the contract plan selection criteria set by the user.

[0065] In addition, when the user information is changed by the change acceptance unit 132, the contract plan selection unit 133 selects the gas rate plan that is most suitable for the user from among the gas rate plans offered by each gas and electricity supplier, in accordance with the contract plan selection criteria set by the user.

[0066] When an electricity rate plan and a gas rate plan are selected, the contract plan selection unit 133 transmits change information to the electricity retailer server R1 and the gas retailer server R2. As described above, the change information includes information about the user (such as address) that is necessary when the user switches electricity retailers and gas retailers. The electricity retailers and gas retailers change (conclude or terminate) their contracts with the user in accordance with the change information received by the electricity retailer server R1 and the gas retailer server R2, respectively.

[0067] In this embodiment, the user DB stores information such as the user's address, family structure, date of birth, age, and owned devices as user attribute information. By specifying, as user attribute information, items that may prompt the user to consider reviewing the contract, if the user's circumstances change, the contract plan selection unit 133 automatically reviews the user's contract. This improves user convenience.

[0068] (About the operation of the contract plan selection system) 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the contract plan selection system according to the first embodiment. Specifically, FIG. 4 shows the operation of the server device 1 in FIG.

[0069] When the mobile terminal P receives selection criteria for a contract plan from the user in response to the user's operation, it transmits information indicating the selection criteria to the server device 1. When the contract plan selection criteria setting unit 131 of the server device 1 receives the information indicating the selection criteria (step S1), it stores the information indicating the selection criteria in the user DB (step S2).

[0070] When the mobile terminal P receives a change to the user information from the user, it transmits information indicating the change to the server device 1. When the change receiving unit 132 of the server device 1 receives the information indicating the change (step S3), it stores the information in the user DB (step S4).

[0071] When the user information is changed by the change receiving unit 132, the contract plan selection unit 133 selects the electricity rate plan that is most suitable for the user from among the electricity rate plans offered by each retail electricity supplier, in accordance with the contract plan selection criteria set by the user (step S5).

[0072] When the user information (user DB) is changed by the change acceptance unit 132, the contract plan selection unit 133 selects the gas rate plan that is most suitable for the user from the gas rate plans offered by each gas and electricity supplier in accordance with the contract plan selection criteria set by the user (step S6).

[0073] For example, suppose that user U003 in Figure 4 moves from Kansai (Hyogo Prefecture) to Kanto (Tokyo). In this case, the address of user U003 in the user DB is changed to Kanto. In Figure 4, user U003 has contracts with electricity retailer C and gas retailer G, both of which are located in Kansai. However, due to the move, user U003 can no longer sign contracts with electricity retailer C and gas retailer G, and must now sign new contracts with electricity retailers and gas retailers located in Kanto.

[0074] In this case, in step S5, the contract plan selection unit 133 refers to the selection criteria (cheapest plan) for the contract plans in the user DB and the amount of electricity usage, and selects the electricity rate plan that is optimal for the user U003. For example, if the user's electricity usage is high, the contract plan selection unit 133 selects the electricity rate plan offered by electricity retailer B, and if the user's electricity usage is low, the contract plan selection unit 133 selects the electricity rate plan offered by electricity retailer D.

[0075] In step S6, the contract plan selection unit 133 refers to the contract plan selection criteria (cheapest plan) and gas usage amount in the user DB to select the optimal gas rate plan for the user U003. For example, if the user's gas usage amount is large, the contract plan selection unit 133 selects a gas rate plan offered by gas retailer F, and if the user's gas usage amount is small, the contract plan selection unit 133 selects a gas rate plan offered by gas retailer H.

[0076] After selecting an electricity rate plan and a gas rate plan, the contract plan selection unit 133 transmits change information to the electricity retailer server R1 and the gas retailer server R2 (step S7). After step S7, the electricity retailer and the gas retailer change (conclude or terminate) the contract with the user in accordance with the change information received by the electricity retailer server R1 and the gas retailer server R2, respectively.

[0077] As described above, the contract plan selection system of this embodiment includes a contract plan selection criteria setting unit 131 that sets contract plan selection criteria for each of electricity and gas (multiple services) used by a user to select an electricity rate plan and a gas rate plan from multiple electricity rate plans and multiple gas rate plans (multiple contract plans) offered by multiple electricity retailers and multiple gas retailers (multiple service provider companies); a memory unit 12 that stores user information, which is information about the user, in association with each of electricity and gas; a change accepting unit 132 that accepts changes to the user information stored in the memory unit 12; and a contract plan selection unit 133 that, when a change to the user information is accepted, selects an electricity rate plan and a gas rate plan for the user from multiple electricity rate plans and multiple gas rate plans offered by electricity retailers and gas retailers for each of electricity and gas associated with the user information in the memory unit 12, based on the changed user information and contract plan selection criteria.

[0078] When the change accepting unit 132 accepts a change to the user information, the contract plan selecting unit selects a contract plan for the user from a plurality of electricity rate plans and a plurality of gas rate plans offered by a plurality of electricity retailers and a plurality of gas retailers based on the changed user information and the contract plan selection criteria. As a result, if a change in circumstances occurs, such as moving, the change accepting unit accepts the user information after the change in circumstances, and the user's contract plans for electricity and gas are selected. This makes it easy to review contracts for a plurality of services, such as electricity and gas, in response to changes in the user's circumstances.

[0079] The contract plan selection system also includes a mobile terminal P (input receiving unit) that receives user information input from the user. This allows the system to receive changes to the user information from the user when the user's circumstances change, such as when the user moves.

[0080] The user information also includes user attribute information. By specifying, as user attribute information, matters that may prompt a user to consider reviewing the contract, the contract plan selection unit 133 automatically reviews the user's contract when the user's circumstances change, thereby improving user convenience.

[0081] (Other embodiments) As described above, the embodiments have been described as examples of the technology disclosed in the present application. However, the technology in the present disclosure is not limited to these, and can be applied to embodiments in which modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. are made as appropriate.

[0082] In the above embodiment, the contract plan selection unit 133 has been described as selecting a contract plan based on a change in the user's address in the user information, but the contract plan may also be selected based on user attribute information included in the user information other than the user's address (such as the user's family structure, date of birth, age, and owned devices).

[0083] Although the above embodiment describes the case where the multiple services are electricity and gas, the multiple services are not limited to these. For example, the multiple services may include two or more of a first service that provides infrastructure necessary for the user's life and a second service that improves the user's life. Examples of the first service include electricity, gas, water, communication lines, and insurance. Examples of the second service include banking, online shopping, teaching knowledge such as education, and advertising. In this case, the contract plan selection system may include a contract plan management server that manages the contract plans offered by each service provider and a server managed by each service provider, as appropriate.

[0084] In the above embodiment, examples of contract plan selection criteria include the lowest price plan, the local production and consumption plan, and the bonus plan. However, other criteria may also be used. For example, the contract plan selection criteria may include the lowest price plan that takes into account whether or not each contract plan has a campaign discount. In this contract plan selection criteria, the lowest price plan that is even cheaper due to a campaign discount may be selected compared to the lowest price plan without considering the presence or absence of a campaign discount. Furthermore, the contract plan selection criteria may include a social issue contribution plan. In this contract plan selection criteria, for example, a contract plan that can most effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions or invest in offset projects as part of climate change countermeasures may be selected. Furthermore, the contract plan selection criteria may be a combination of two or more of the above contract plan selection criteria. For example, in the case of a contract plan selection criteria that combines the local production and consumption plan and the lowest price plan, in that order of priority, the lowest price plan among the local production and consumption plans according to the address may be selected.

[0085] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, when the user information is changed by the change accepting unit 132, the contract plan selecting unit 133 selects from each contract plan in accordance with the contract plan selection criteria set by the user, but it may also be configured to select a contract plan for a predetermined service from among multiple services when predetermined user information is changed. As a result, for example, when the amount of electricity usage exceeds a certain threshold, the amount of electricity usage can be accepted as a change in user information, and an electricity rate plan can be selected only for electricity from among multiple services, thereby reducing calculation costs by not selecting all of the multiple services.

[0086] Below, examples (1) to (3) for when user information has been changed will be explained.

[0087] (1) If the address in the user information is changed If the address in the user information is changed, the user can select the contract plan with the lowest price (cheapest plan) as a selection criterion for the contract plan. Also, if the service provider is a business that provides at least one service such as electricity, gas, water, or communication lines, the user can select a contract plan that selects a business that is close to the user's address (local production for local consumption plan). Also, if the service provider is a business that provides at least one service such as insurance and a second service, the user can select a contract plan that provides products specific to the area near the user's address upon signing a contract.

[0088] (2) If the family structure or age in the user information is changed When the family composition in the user information is changed, the user can select, as a selection criterion for the contract plan, the contract plan with the lowest price (lowest price plan), or a contract plan with a discount rate determined according to the family composition (family support plan), etc. Also, if the service provider is a business that provides insurance and secondary services, the user can select a contract plan that provides unique products according to the user's family composition when signing a contract.

[0089] Furthermore, the server device 1 may automatically change the user's age by referring to the date of birth included in the user information. In this case, if the service provider is a business that provides insurance and secondary services, the user can select, as selection criteria for the contract plan, a contract plan in which discount rates and the like are determined according to the user's life stage (kindergarten, elementary, junior high, high school, university, adult, senior, etc.), or a contract plan that prioritizes contract plans specific to the user's life stage.

[0090] In the case of (2), in addition to the user himself, the date of birth and age of each member of the user's family may be stored in the user DB, and if the age in the user information is changed, the contract plan selection unit 133 may select a contract plan.

[0091] (3) When information about owned devices (device information) in user information is changed When the device information in the user information is changed, the user can select a contract plan (cheapest plan) that offers the lowest electricity, gas, and communication fees for the device they own. The user can also select a contract plan (eco plan) that reduces the consumption of electricity, gas, and other amounts used by the device they own. Furthermore, the user can select a contract plan that offers the lowest electricity fees, taking into account fluctuations in electricity fees due to at least one of the power generation and storage functions of the device they own.

[0092] The server device 1 may further include a detection unit that detects the user's service usage for each service. In the above embodiment, the detection unit detects the electricity usage and gas usage from the user DB as needed. In this case, the change acceptance unit 132 may change the user's information based on the service usage (here, electricity usage and gas usage) detected by the detection unit. For example, if the electricity usage or gas usage exceeds a predetermined threshold, the change acceptance unit 132 may assume that the user's family structure has changed and change the user information (user attribute information) stored in the storage unit 12. Alternatively, the user information may include service usage (here, electricity usage and gas usage). In this case, for example, if the electricity usage or gas usage exceeds a predetermined threshold, the change acceptance unit 132 changes the user information stored in the storage unit 12 to include the electricity usage or gas usage as new user information. Here, if the service usage detected by the detection unit exceeds the predetermined threshold for a predetermined consecutive period, the change acceptance unit 132 may change the user's information based on the most recent service usage. As a result, the contract plan selection unit 133 selects a contract plan for the user based on the changed user information and contract plan selection criteria, so that the contract plan for the user is selected not only based on the input of user information but also based on changes in the amount of service usage, thereby improving user convenience.

[0093] The user information may also include contract plan-related information for the selected contract plan. This contract plan-related information is data indicating the service content of the contract plan other than the service usage fee, such as the discount rate when the contract is made in conjunction with other services, or the guarantee content at the time of the contract. For example, if a service provider offers electricity and gas and a discount is offered when the electricity and gas are contracted as a set, the contract plan selection unit 133 selects a contract plan taking this discount into consideration. Furthermore, if the service provider offers insurance, a contract plan with comprehensive guarantee content (for example, a high compensation amount) may be preferentially selected.

[0094] In the above embodiment, when the contract plan selection unit 133 selects a contract plan for the user, it automatically notifies each service provider of the conclusion or cancellation of the contract for the contract plan (sends change information), but this is not limited to this. For example, the contract plan selection unit 133 may notify the user (mobile terminal P) of the selected contract plan and, after obtaining the user's consent, automatically notify each service provider. In this case, the contract plan selection unit 133 may select multiple contract plans and allow the user to select a contract plan to conclude a contract with.

[0095] Furthermore, the server device 1, the mobile terminal P, the electricity rate plan management server F1, the electricity retailer server R1, the gas rate plan management server F2, and the gas retailer server R2 may each be a single device or multiple devices. One server device may be provided for each function of the server device 1.

[0096] The contract plan selection system according to this embodiment may be linked to a credit card payment system, an account transfer system, or the like. In this case, for example, payment information such as the user's credit card number or account number may be accepted by the mobile terminal P, and the payment information may be registered in the credit card payment system or the account transfer system. This allows the contract plan selection system to manage the user's payment information.

[0097] Furthermore, the server device 1 of the contract plan selection system according to this embodiment may be provided with a function for detecting information about a credit card from a photographed image of the credit card. For example, the server device 1 may be configured to be able to communicate with a mobile terminal P and a credit card payment system. The server device 1 may receive an image of the user's credit card from the user's communication terminal, read information such as the user's credit card number from the received image using a character reading technology such as OCR (Optical Character Recognition), and notify the credit card payment system of the read information. This eliminates the need to input payment information.

[0098] In the above embodiment, user information such as the user's address and power consumption is stored in the user DB configured in the storage unit 12. However, user information may also be stored in a server or the like external to the server device 1. Furthermore, for example, user information may be managed by multiple storage devices using distributed ledger technology such as blockchain. In this case, the multiple storage devices may be included in the server device 1, the mobile terminal P, the electricity rate plan management server F1, the electricity retailer server R1, the gas rate plan management server F2, the gas retailer server R2, and other terminal devices. For example, if one terminal generates a transaction according to a smart contract, and other terminals agree on it according to a consensus algorithm, the transaction is recorded in the blockchain (distributed ledger). This prevents information tampering and ensures information traceability.

[0099] Furthermore, a contract plan selection program for realizing the functions according to the above embodiment is installed in each of the server device 1, the mobile terminal P, the electricity rate plan management server F1, the electricity retailer server R1, the gas rate plan management server F2, and the gas utility server R2. The server device 1, the mobile terminal P, the electricity rate plan management server F1, the electricity retailer server R1, the gas rate plan management server F2, and the gas utility server R2 execute the installed contract plan selection program to realize the various functions according to the above embodiment. [Industrial Applicability]

[0100] The contract plan selection system according to this embodiment is useful because it can easily review contracts for multiple services in response to changes in the user's circumstances. [Explanation of symbols]

[0101] 1. Server device 12 Storage section 13 Control Unit 131 Contract plan selection criteria setting section 132 Change Reception Department 133 Contract Plan Selection Section C Customer information management server F1 Electricity rate plan management server F2 Gas rate plan management server R1 Retail Electricity Supplier Server R2 Gas Retailer Server P Mobile device

Claims

1. a contract plan selection criteria setting unit that sets contract plan selection criteria used by a user to select a contract plan from a plurality of contract plans offered by a plurality of service provider companies for each of a plurality of services; a storage unit that stores user information, which is information about the user, in association with each of the plurality of services; a change receiving unit that receives changes to the user information stored in the storage unit; a contract plan selection unit that, when the change is accepted, selects the contract plan for the user from the plurality of contract plans offered by the plurality of service provider companies based on the changed user information and the contract plan selection criteria for each of the plurality of services associated with the user information in the storage unit; A contract plan selection device comprising:

2. In claim 1, The contract plan selection device further comprises an input receiving unit that receives input of the user information from the user.

3. In claim 1 or 2, The user information includes attribute information of the user.

4. In claim 3, The user attribute information includes information on at least one of the user's address, family structure, date of birth, age, and owned devices.

5. In claim 3 or 4, a detection unit for detecting a service usage amount for each of the services of the user; The change acceptance unit changes the user information based on the service usage amount.

6. In any one of claims 1 to 5, The contract plan selection device, wherein the user information includes contract plan related information for the selected contract plan.

7. In any one of claims 1 to 6, The contract plan selection device, wherein the services include a first service that provides infrastructure necessary for the user's life and a second service that improves the user's life.

8. In claim 7, the first service is a service that provides at least one of electricity, gas, water, a communication line, and insurance to the user; The second service is a service that provides the user with at least one of banking services, web shopping, knowledge teaching, and advertising services.

9. The server device setting contract plan selection criteria used by a user to select a contract plan from a plurality of contract plans offered by a plurality of service providers for each of a plurality of services; storing user information, which is information about the user, in a storage unit in association with each of the plurality of services; accepting a change to the user information stored in the storage unit; when the change is accepted, selecting the contract plan for the user from the plurality of contract plans offered by the plurality of service provider companies based on the changed user information and the contract plan selection criteria for each of the plurality of services associated with the user information in the storage unit; A contract plan selection method that includes:

10. On the computer, A contract plan selection program for executing the contract plan selection method according to claim 9.

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