Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To reduce a probability that a response required for processing of a task is not satisfied.SOLUTION: The information processing apparatus 1 includes a receiving unit 131 that receives a task processing request, a task specifying unit 132 that specifies whether the requested task is a first type task or a second type task, a power amount specifying unit 135 that specifies a surplus power amount that is a surplus power amount derived from renewable energy of each of a plurality of data centers, a selecting unit 133 that selects a data center from the plurality of data centers based on the surplus power amount when the task specifying unit 132 specifies that the requested task is the second type task, and an instructing unit 136 that instructs the data center selected by the selecting unit 133 to process the requested task.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, tasks have been processed using electricity derived from renewable energy. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a system that calculates the amount of surplus electricity derived from renewable energy in each of a plurality of data centers based on the amount of electricity generated from renewable energy corresponding to each of the data centers and the amount of electricity used at the data centers, and assigns a task to one of the plurality of data centers based on the calculated amount of surplus electricity. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-189845 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, if a task is assigned to a data center without considering the response required for processing the task, there is a high probability that the response required for processing the task will not be met.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of these points, and has as its object to reduce the probability that the response required for task processing will not be satisfied. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An information processing device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a reception unit that receives a task processing request that requests the processing of a task; a task identification unit that identifies whether the requested task, which is the task indicated by the task processing request received by the reception unit, is either a first-class task or a second-class task that is tolerant of a slower response than the first-class task; an energy amount identification unit that identifies surplus energy amounts that are surplus energy derived from renewable energy in each of a plurality of data centers that are capable of processing the task using electricity derived from renewable energy; a selection unit that, when the task identification unit identifies the requested task as the second-class task, selects a data center from the plurality of data centers based on the surplus energy amounts; and an instruction unit that instructs the data center selected by the selection unit to process the requested task.

[0007] The power amount determination unit may acquire, as information for determining the amount of surplus power, information indicating the amount of power generated, information indicating the amount of power used in the data center, and information indicating the amount of power stored in the data center, and determine the amount of surplus power by calculating the amount of surplus power based on the amount of power generated, the amount of power used, and the amount of power stored.

[0008] When the task identification unit identifies that the requested task is the second type task, the selection unit may select, from the plurality of data centers, the data center with a relatively large amount of surplus power.

[0009] The power amount identification unit may further identify the amount of power consumption required to process the requested task, and when the task identification unit identifies the requested task as the second type task, the selection unit may select one or more data centers from the plurality of data centers whose surplus power amount is greater than the amount of power consumption, and select the data center with the least amount of surplus power from the one or more selected data centers.

[0010] The selection unit may suspend the process of selecting the data center when there is no data center among the plurality of data centers whose amount of surplus power is equal to or greater than a power amount threshold.

[0011] The power amount specifying unit may specify the surplus power amount corresponding to a specified data center, which is the data center to which processing of the requested task is instructed, after processing of the requested task is instructed, and the instruction unit may specify the surplus power amount corresponding to the specified data center to suspend processing of the requested task if the surplus power amount specified by the power amount specifying unit after processing of the requested task is instructed is less than a power amount threshold.

[0012] After being instructed to process the requested task, the power amount determination unit may identify the surplus power amount corresponding to the specified data center, which is a time transition of the surplus power amount from the present until a predetermined period of time has elapsed, and if there is no future point in the surplus power amount transition at which the surplus power amount will be greater than or equal to the power amount threshold, the instruction unit may cause the specified data center to execute the processing of the requested task without instructing it to suspend processing of the requested task.

[0013] If the surplus power corresponding to the specified data center is less than the power threshold, the selection unit may select a data center other than the specified data center from among the multiple data centers, and the instruction unit may instruct a change in processing of the requested task from the specified data center to the other data center selected by the selection unit.

[0014] The instruction unit may cancel the instruction to change the processing of the requested task to the other data center when the amount of data to be transferred to change the processing of the requested task from the specified data center to the other data center is equal to or greater than a transfer amount threshold, even if the amount of surplus power corresponding to the specified data center is less than the power amount threshold.

[0015] The information processing device may further have a communication identification unit that identifies the communication status between the specified data center and the other data center, and the instruction unit may, if the transfer period required to transfer data used for processing the requested task from the specified data center to the other data center, and the transfer period identified based on the communication status and the amount of data, is equal to or greater than a period threshold, cause the specified data center to continue processing the requested task without instructing the specified data center to change the processing of the requested task from the specified data center to the other data center selected by the selection unit.

[0016] After being instructed to process the requested task, the power amount determination unit may identify a surplus power amount trend, which is the surplus power amount corresponding to the specified data center, and which is the time change of the surplus power amount from the present until a predetermined period of time has elapsed, and if, in the surplus power amount trend, the current surplus power amount is less than the power amount threshold and there is a future time point at which the surplus power amount will be equal to or greater than the power amount threshold, the instruction unit may cause the specified data center to continue processing the requested task without instructing a change in processing of the requested task from the specified data center to the other data center selected by the selection unit.

[0017] The information processing device may further have a memory unit that stores information regarding each of the multiple data centers, and when the task identification unit identifies that the requested task is the first type task, the selection unit may select the data center from the multiple data centers based on at least one of the processing performance of the data center identified by the information regarding the data center and the communication speed or communication delay between the terminal that sent the task processing request or the information processing device and the data center.

[0018] An information processing method according to a second aspect of the present invention includes the steps of receiving a task processing request executed by a computer, the task processing request requesting processing of a task; identifying whether the requested task indicated by the received task processing request is either a first-type task or a second-type task that is tolerant of a slower response than the first-type task; identifying surplus power amounts that are surplus power amounts derived from renewable energy at each of a plurality of data centers that are capable of processing the task using power derived from renewable energy; when the requested task is identified as the second-type task, selecting a data center from the plurality of data centers based on the surplus power amounts; and instructing the selected data center to process the requested task.

[0019] A program according to a third aspect of the present invention causes a computer to function as: a receiving unit that receives a task processing request that requests the processing of a task; a task identification unit that identifies whether the requested task, which is the task indicated by the task processing request received by the receiving unit, is either a first-class task or a second-class task that is tolerant of a slower response than the first-class task; an energy amount identification unit that identifies surplus energy that is surplus energy derived from renewable energy in each of a plurality of data centers that are capable of processing the task using electricity derived from renewable energy; a selection unit that, when the task identification unit identifies the requested task as the second-class task, selects a data center from the plurality of data centers based on the surplus energy; and an instruction unit that instructs the data center selected by the selection unit to process the requested task. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] The present invention has the effect of reducing the probability that the response required for task processing will not be satisfied. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of an information processing system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an information processing device. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a task management database. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing until an information processing device instructs a data center to process a requested task. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] [Outline of Information Processing System S] 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of an information processing system S. The information processing system S is a system having an information processing device 1 and multiple data centers 2, and is a system that processes a requested task, which is a task corresponding to a task processing request, in response to receiving the task processing request from a terminal 3. The terminal 3 is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, an in-vehicle device, or the like.

[0023] The information processing device 1 is, for example, a computer connected to a plurality of data centers 2 and terminals 3 via a communication network such as the Internet. The information processing device 1 receives a task processing request from the terminal 3 and selects, from the plurality of data centers 2, a data center 2 that will process a requested task corresponding to the task processing request.

[0024] The multiple data centers 2 are distributed across multiple areas. In this embodiment, the information processing system S has data centers 2A to 2D as the data centers 2. In the following description, when there is no need to distinguish between the data centers 2A to 2D, these data centers will be referred to as data center 2.

[0025] Each of the multiple data centers 2 is connected to a power generation device (not shown) that generates power using renewable energy such as solar power generation, and a power storage device (not shown) that stores the power generated by the power generation device. Each of the multiple data centers 2 can process tasks using power derived from renewable energy generated by the power generation device and power derived from renewable energy stored in the power storage device. Furthermore, each of the multiple data centers 2 is connected to a commercial power source, and can process tasks using power supplied from the commercial power source when it is not possible to process tasks using power derived from renewable energy. Note that, in this embodiment, the renewable energy will be described as being solar power generation, but the renewable energy may also be wind power generation, hydroelectric power generation, geothermal power generation, or the like.

[0026] In this embodiment, first, the information processing device 1 receives a task processing request from the terminal 3 to request task processing ((1) in FIG. 1). Upon receiving the task processing request, the information processing device 1 identifies the type of requested task corresponding to the task processing request ((2) in FIG. 1).

[0027] The types of required tasks include first-class tasks and second-class tasks. First-class tasks are tasks that require a high-speed response, such as dialogue processing with an AI agent using LLMs (Large Language Models). Second-class tasks are tasks that allow a slower response than first-class tasks, such as AI (Artificial Intelligence) learning processing, such as learning a model that identifies obstacles that appear in captured images of the vehicle's surroundings collected by the vehicle, or mosaic processing of vehicle license plates that appear in captured images collected by the vehicle.

[0028] The information processing device 1 receives, from each of the multiple data centers 2, predetermined information according to the type of the identified requested task ((3) in FIG. 1). When the type of requested task is a first-class task, the predetermined information is, for example, information other than the amount of surplus power. The information other than the amount of surplus power is, for example, the processing performance of the data center 2, the communication status (for example, communication speed or communication delay) between the terminal 3 that sent the task processing request or the information processing device 1 and the data center 2, etc. When the type of requested task is a second-class task, the predetermined information is, for example, the amount of surplus power, which is the current amount of surplus power derived from renewable energy at the data center 2.

[0029] The information processing device 1 selects a data center 2 to process the requested task from among a plurality of data centers 2 based on predetermined information ((4) in FIG. 1). For example, when the type of the requested task is a second-class task, the information processing device 1 selects, from among the plurality of data centers 2, the data center 2 with the largest amount of surplus power as the data center 2 to process the requested task. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the information processing device 1 selects data center 2A as the data center 2 to process the requested task.

[0030] Then, the information processing device 1 instructs the selected data center 2A to process the requested task ((5) in FIG. 1). Thereafter, the data center 2A executes the processing of the requested task based on the data acquired from the terminal 3 via the information processing device 1 or the data acquired directly from the terminal 3. In this way, the information processing device 1 can reduce the probability of not meeting the response required for processing the requested task by selecting the data center 2 to process the requested task depending on the type of the requested task.

[0031] [Functional configuration of information processing device 1] Next, a description will be given of the functional configuration of the information processing device 1. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the information processing device 1. As shown in Fig. 2, the information processing device 1 has a communication unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a control unit 13.

[0032] The communication unit 11 is a communication interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from a plurality of data centers 2, terminals 3, etc. via a communication network.

[0033] The storage unit 12 is a storage medium that stores various types of data, and includes a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a hard disk, a solid-state drive (SSD), a flash memory, etc. The storage unit 12 stores programs that are executed by the control unit 13. The storage unit 12 stores programs that cause the control unit 13 to function as a reception unit 131, a task identification unit 132, a selection unit 133, a non-power amount identification unit 134, a power amount identification unit 135, and an instruction unit 136.

[0034] The storage unit 12 also stores information about each of the multiple data centers 2. The information about the data center 2 includes, for example, performance identification information for identifying task processing performance. The performance identification information is information indicating, for example, the type of CPU (Central Processing Unit) of each server (not shown) present in the data center 2, performance values ​​such as the clock speed and number of cores of the CPU of each server (for example, the sum or average value of the performance values ​​of the CPU of each server), the score of the CPU of each server (for example, the sum or average value of the CPU scores of each server), or a rank indicating an evaluation of the performance of the CPU of each server (for example, the average value of the ranks of each server). The storage unit 12 also stores a task management database that manages task types.

[0035] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a task management database. In the example shown in Fig. 3, the task management database stores task types and task identification information in association with each other. The task type is information indicating either a first-class task or a second-class task. The task identification information is information for identifying a task, such as a task ID or task name. In the example shown in Fig. 3, the task ID is stored as task identification information in the task management database.

[0036] 2, the control unit 13 is, for example, a CPU. The control unit 13 executes the programs stored in the storage unit 12 to function as a reception unit 131, a task identification unit 132, a selection unit 133, a non-power amount identification unit 134, a power amount identification unit 135, and an instruction unit 136.

[0037] [Select Data Center 2 to process the request task] First, a process for selecting a data center 2 that processes a requested task, which is a task corresponding to a task processing request, will be described.

[0038] The receiving unit 131 receives a task processing request for requesting task processing. Specifically, the receiving unit 131 receives a task processing request from the terminal 3. The receiving unit 131 may further receive data used in task processing from the terminal 3.

[0039] The task identification unit 132 identifies the type of the requested task accepted by the acceptance unit 131. Specifically, the task identification unit 132 identifies whether the requested task, which is a task indicated by the task processing request accepted by the acceptance unit 131, is a first-type task or a second-type task.

[0040] For example, the task processing request includes task identification information corresponding to the requested task. In this case, the task identifying unit 132 identifies, as the type of the requested task, the task type stored in the task management database in association with the task identification information included in the task processing request received by the receiving unit 131.

[0041] The task processing request may include type information indicating the type of the requested task. In this case, if the type information included in the task processing request received by the receiving unit 131 indicates a first-type task, the task identifying unit 132 identifies the type of the requested task as a first-type task. Also, if the type information included in the task processing request received by the receiving unit 131 indicates a second-type task, the task identifying unit 132 identifies the type of the requested task as a second-type task.

[0042] The selection unit 133 selects a data center 2 to process the requested task from among the multiple data centers 2, according to the type of requested task identified by the task identification unit 132. When the task identification unit 132 identifies that the type of requested task is a first-class task, the selection unit 133 selects a data center 2 to process the requested task from among the multiple data centers 2, based on information other than the amount of power.

[0043] Specifically, when the task identification unit identifies that the type of the requested task is a first-class task, the selection unit 133 selects a data center 2 from among the multiple data centers 2 based on, as information other than the amount of power, at least one of the processing performance of the data center 2 and the communication state between the terminal 3 that sent the task processing request or the information processing device 1 and the data center 2. For example, the information processing device 1 selects, from among the multiple data centers 2, the data center 2 that will process the requested task based on information other than the amount of power, by performing the following two steps.

[0044] As a first step, when the task identification unit 132 identifies that the requested task is a first-class task, the non-power amount identifying unit 134 identifies the processing performance of each of the multiple data centers 2 and at least one of the communication speed or communication delay between the terminal 3 or the information processing device 1 and each of the multiple data centers 2. For example, when identifying the processing performance of each of the multiple data centers 2, the non-power amount identifying unit 134 refers to performance identification information included in the information related to each of the multiple data centers 2 stored in the storage unit 12, and identifies the processing performance of each of the multiple data centers 2.

[0045] Furthermore, for example, when identifying the communication state between the terminal 3 or the information processing device 1 and each of the multiple data centers 2, the non-power amount identifying unit 134 refers to network topology information to identify the communication state between the terminal 3 or the information processing device 1 and each of the multiple data centers 2. The network topology information may be stored in the storage unit 12 or may be acquired from a server (not shown) that manages the network. For example, the non-power amount identifying unit 134 identifies the throughput as the communication state between the terminal 3 or the information processing device 1 and each of the multiple data centers 2, thereby identifying the communication speed between the terminal 3 or the information processing device 1 and each of the multiple data centers 2. For example, the non-power amount identifying unit 134 identifies the number of network hops as the communication state between the terminal 3 or the information processing device 1 and each of the multiple data centers 2, thereby identifying the communication delay between the terminal 3 or the information processing device 1 and each of the multiple data centers 2.

[0046] Furthermore, for example, the storage unit 12 stores a communication history of past communication states between the terminal 3 or the information processing device 1 and each of the multiple data centers 2. In this case, the non-power amount specifying unit 134 specifies, as the communication state between the terminal 3 or the information processing device 1 and each of the multiple data centers 2, the communication state included in the communication history stored in the storage unit 12, which is the communication state between the terminal 3 or the information processing device 1 and each of the multiple data centers 2 during the same past time period as a predetermined time period including the current time (for example, a time period such as morning, afternoon, or night). Note that the non-power amount specifying unit 134 can specify the communication state between the terminal 3 or the information processing device 1 and each of the multiple data centers 2 using known technology.

[0047] In a second step, the selection unit 133 selects a data center 2 to process the requested task from among the multiple data centers 2, based on the information identified by the non-power amount identification unit 134. The selection unit 133 selects, for example, from among the multiple data centers 2, a data center 2 with relatively high processing performance (for example, the highest processing performance).

[0048] Furthermore, the selection unit 133 selects, for example, from among the multiple data centers 2, a data center 2 that has a relatively good communication state between the terminal 3 or the information processing device 1 and each of the multiple data centers 2. A relatively good communication state is, for example, one in which the throughput value is relatively high or the number of hops is relatively small.

[0049] The selection unit 133 may identify the allowable period allowed for the requested task and the processing period required to process the requested task at the data center 2, and select a data center 2 from multiple data centers 2 that satisfies the subtraction period obtained by subtracting the processing period from the allowable period. The allowable period for a task may be a period determined for each task, or may be a period included in the task processing request. The processing period for a task may be a period determined for each task, or may be a period determined for each range of data volume.

[0050] Furthermore, the selection unit 133 may add up, for each data center 2, the numerical value of the ranking of the processing performance of the data center 2 and the numerical value of the ranking of the communication state (at least one of the numerical value of the throughput and the number of hops) between the terminal 3 or the information processing device 1 and the data center 2, and select the data center 2 with the smallest total value of the numerical values ​​from among the multiple data centers 2. In this way, the information processing device 1 can have the data center 2 process the requested task with priority given to responsiveness.

[0051] When the task identification unit 132 identifies that the requested task is a second-class task, the selection unit 133 selects a data center 2 from among the multiple data centers 2 based on the identified amount of surplus power. For example, the information processing device 1 selects a data center 2 to process the requested task from among the multiple data centers 2 based on the amount of surplus power by performing the following two steps.

[0052] As a first step, when the task identification unit 132 identifies that the requested task is a type 2 task, the power amount identifying unit 135 identifies the amount of surplus power, which is the current amount of surplus power derived from renewable energy in each of the multiple data centers 2 that can process the task using power derived from renewable energy. The power amount identifying unit 135 identifies the amount of surplus power in each of the multiple data centers 2, for example, by receiving surplus power information indicating the amount of surplus power from each of the multiple data centers 2.

[0053] Although the power amount specifying unit 135 specifies the amount of surplus power in each of the multiple data centers 2 by receiving the surplus power information, the present invention is not limited to this. The power amount specifying unit 135 may specify the amount of surplus power based on the amount of power generated by renewable energy corresponding to the data center 2, the amount of power used in the data center 2, and the amount of stored renewable energy corresponding to the data center 2.

[0054] For example, the power amount specifying unit 135 specifies the amount of power generated from renewable energy in each of the multiple data centers 2. For example, the power amount specifying unit 135 specifies the amount of power generated from renewable energy by acquiring power generation amount information indicating the amount of power generated from renewable energy from each of the multiple data centers 2. Furthermore, for example, the storage unit 12 stores location information indicating the location of a power generation device that supplies power generated from renewable energy to each of the multiple data centers 2, and power generation amount information indicating the amount of power generated by the power generation device in each of multiple weather conditions. In this case, the power amount specifying unit 135 acquires hourly weather information corresponding to the location of the power generation facility from an external device via the Internet, and specifies the amount of power generated from renewable energy based on the weather information and the amount of power generated by the power generation device in each weather condition indicated by the power generation amount information stored in the storage unit 12.

[0055] The power amount specifying unit 135 also specifies the amount of power used in each of the multiple data centers 2 by acquiring, from each of the multiple data centers 2, power usage information indicating the amount of power used in the data center 2. The power amount specifying unit 135 also specifies the amount of stored power of renewable energy corresponding to each of the multiple data centers 2 by acquiring, from each of the multiple data centers 2, power storage amount information indicating the amount of stored power of renewable energy stored in the power storage device corresponding to the data center 2. The power amount specifying unit 135 specifies the amount of surplus power by calculating the amount of surplus power based on the amount of power generated by renewable energy, the amount of power used, and the amount of stored power of renewable energy specified for each of the multiple data centers 2.

[0056] In a second step, the selection unit 133 selects a data center 2 from among the multiple data centers 2 based on the amount of surplus power identified by the power amount specifying unit 135. Specifically, the selection unit 133 selects a data center 2 from among the multiple data centers 2 that has a relatively large amount of surplus power identified by the power amount specifying unit 135. For example, the selection unit 133 selects, from among the multiple data centers 2, the data center 2 that has the largest amount of surplus power identified by the power amount specifying unit 135. In this way, the information processing device 1 can increase the probability that the processing of the requested task will be executed within the amount of surplus power.

[0057] When the task identification unit 132 identifies that the requested task is a second-class task, the selection unit 133 may select a data center 2 from among the multiple data centers 2 based on the amount of power consumption required to process the requested task. Specifically, the information processing device 1 selects a data center 2 from among the multiple data centers 2 based on the amount of surplus power and the amount of power consumption by performing the following steps.

[0058] In a first step, when the task identifying unit 132 identifies the requested task as a type 2 task, the power amount identifying unit 135 further identifies the amount of power consumption required to process the requested task. For example, the storage unit 12 stores, for each task, task identification information corresponding to the task and the amount of power consumption corresponding to the task in association with each other. In this case, the power amount identifying unit 135 identifies the amount of power consumption stored in the storage unit 12 in association with the task identification information corresponding to the requested task as the amount of power consumption required to process the requested task.

[0059] Furthermore, for example, for each range of data amount used in processing a task, the range is associated with the amount of power consumption corresponding to the task using the amount of data in the range and stored in the storage unit 12. In this case, the power amount specifying unit 135 specifies the amount of power consumption stored in the storage unit 12 in association with the range including the amount of data accepted by the accepting unit 131 as the amount of power consumption required to process the requested task.

[0060] In a second step, the selection unit 133 selects a data center 2 from the plurality of data centers 2 based on the amount of surplus power and the amount of power consumption identified by the power amount identification unit 135. Specifically, the selection unit 133 selects one or more data centers 2 from the plurality of data centers 2 in which the amount of surplus power is greater than the amount of power consumption. In this way, the information processing device 1 can reduce the occurrence of an actual situation in which the amount of power consumption used to process a requested task exceeds the amount of surplus power.

[0061] Note that when the selection unit 133 selects multiple data centers 2 from multiple data centers 2 based on the amount of surplus power and the amount of power consumption, the selection unit 133 may further select the data center 2 with the least amount of surplus power from the selected multiple data centers 2. In this way, when the information processing device 1 receives a request to process another task that consumes a large amount of power, the information processing device 1 can allocate the task to the data center 2 with the largest amount of surplus power, thereby optimizing task allocation.

[0062] Here, in bad weather, at night, or the like, the amount of power generated by the power generation equipment of the data center 2 may be low, resulting in a small amount of surplus power in all of the multiple data centers 2. In this case, if a requested task is processed in one of the multiple data centers 2, the amount of power consumed by the requested task may exceed the amount of surplus power, and a situation may arise in which it is necessary to use power supplied from a commercial power source. Therefore, when the amount of surplus power in all of the multiple data centers 2 is low, the information processing device 1 may suspend the process of selecting a data center 2 to process the requested task.

[0063] Specifically, if there is no data center 2 whose surplus power amount is equal to or greater than the power amount threshold among the multiple data centers 2, the selection unit 133 suspends the process of selecting a data center 2. The power amount threshold is, for example, a predetermined numerical value as the average amount of power consumed in processing a task. In this case, the selection unit 133 suspends the process of selecting a data center 2 until there is a data center 2 whose surplus power amount is equal to or greater than the power amount threshold among the multiple data centers 2.

[0064] For example, first, the power amount specifying unit 135 specifies the amount of surplus power of each of the multiple data centers 2 at predetermined intervals (for example, one-minute intervals, one-hour intervals, etc.). Each time the power amount specifying unit 135 specifies the amount of surplus power of each of the multiple data centers 2, the selection unit 133 determines whether the amount of surplus power is equal to or greater than the power amount threshold, and if it determines that the amount of surplus power of each of the multiple data centers 2 is less than the power amount threshold, it suspends the process of selecting a data center 2. On the other hand, if the selection unit 133 determines that the amount of surplus power of any of the multiple data centers 2 is equal to or greater than the power amount threshold, it selects a data center 2 whose amount of surplus power is equal to or greater than the power amount threshold. In this way, the information processing device 1 can reduce the occurrence of situations where it has to use power supplied from a commercial power source.

[0065] The instruction unit 136 instructs the data center 2 selected by the selection unit 133 to process the requested task. For example, the instruction unit 136 instructs the data center 2 selected by the selection unit 133 to process the requested task by transmitting data to be used in processing the requested task and instruction information instructing the data center 2 to process the requested task to the data center 2 selected by the selection unit 133. When learning a model, the instruction unit 136 may transmit the model to be learned to the data center 2 selected by the selection unit 133.

[0066] When communication is performed between the terminal 3 and the data center 2 without going through the information processing device 1, the instruction unit 136 may transmit information indicating the data center 2 that processes the requested task to the terminal 3. In this case, upon acquiring information indicating the data center 2 that processes the requested task from the information processing device 1, the terminal 3 transmits data used in processing the requested task and instruction information to the data center 2.

[0067] [Processing of information processing device 1 after issuing an instruction to process a requested task] After the data center 2 selected by the selection unit 133 is instructed to process the requested task, the amount of power generated by the power generation device that supplies power to the data center 2 may fall below the expected amount of power generated, and the actual amount of surplus power may fall below the amount of surplus power indicated by the surplus power trend. In response to this, the information processing device 1 can change the data center 2 that processes the requested task. Below, the processing of the information processing device 1 after instructing to process the requested task will be described.

[0068] After being instructed to process the requested task, the power amount specifying unit 135 specifies the amount of surplus power corresponding to the specified data center, which is the data center 2 instructed to process the requested task. Then, if the amount of surplus power specified by the power amount specifying unit 135 after being instructed to process the requested task is less than the power amount threshold, the instructing unit 136 instructs the specified data center to suspend processing of the requested task.

[0069] In this case, the instruction unit 136 causes the instruction data center to suspend processing of the requested task until the surplus power amount of the instruction data center identified at predetermined intervals by the power amount identifying unit 135 becomes equal to or greater than the power amount threshold. In this way, the information processing device 1 can prevent a situation from occurring in which the processing of the requested task is executed using power supplied from a commercial power source because the surplus power amount of the instruction data center is small.

[0070] If the amount of surplus power is unlikely to be equal to or greater than the power threshold, the instruction unit 136 may cause the instruction data center to execute the processing of the requested task without instructing the instruction data center to suspend the processing of the requested task. Specifically, the information processing device 1 executes the following two steps to cause the instruction data center to execute the processing of the requested task without instructing the instruction data center to suspend the processing of the requested task.

[0071] As a first step, after receiving an instruction to process a requested task, the power amount specifying unit 135 specifies a transition of the amount of surplus power corresponding to the specified data center, which is a time transition of the amount of surplus power from the present until a predetermined period has elapsed. The predetermined period is, for example, a predetermined period that is common to all tasks, or a predetermined period that differs for each task.

[0072] For example, the power amount specifying unit 135 receives surplus power amount transition information indicating the transition of the surplus power amount from the specified data center, thereby specifying the transition of the surplus power amount of the specified data center.

[0073] Although the power amount specifying unit 135 specifies the transition of the amount of surplus power of the specified data center by receiving the surplus power amount transition information, the present invention is not limited to this. The power amount specifying unit 135 may specify the transition of the amount of surplus power based on the transition over time of the amount of power generated by the renewable energy corresponding to the specified data center, the transition over time of the amount of power used at the specified data center, and the transition over time of the amount of stored power of the renewable energy corresponding to the specified data center.

[0074] For example, the power amount specifying unit 135 specifies the time transition of the amount of power generated by renewable energy at the specified data center. For example, the storage unit 12 stores location information indicating the location of a power generation device that supplies power derived from renewable energy to the data center 2, and power generation amount information indicating the amount of power generated by the power generation device under each of a plurality of weather conditions. The power amount specifying unit 135 acquires, for example, hourly weather information corresponding to the location of the power generation facility from an external device via the Internet, and specifies the time transition of the amount of power generated by renewable energy based on the weather information and the amount of power generated by the power generation device under each weather condition indicated by the power generation amount information stored in the storage unit 12.

[0075] The power amount specifying unit 135 also specifies the time transition of the amount of power used at the specified data center by acquiring, from the specified data center, power usage amount change information indicating the time transition of the amount of power used at the specified data center. The power amount specifying unit 135 also specifies the time transition of the amount of stored power of the renewable energy corresponding to the specified data center by acquiring, from the specified data center, power storage amount change information indicating the time transition of the amount of stored power of the renewable energy stored in the power storage device corresponding to the specified data center. The power amount specifying unit 135 specifies the time transition of the amount of surplus power based on the time transition of the amount of power generated by the renewable energy, the time transition of the amount of power used, and the time transition of the amount of stored power of the renewable energy specified for the specified data center.

[0076] As a second step, if, in the transition of the surplus power amount of the specified data center, the current surplus power amount is less than the power amount threshold and there is no future time when the surplus power amount will be equal to or greater than the power amount threshold, the instruction unit 136 causes the specified data center to continue processing the requested task without instructing the specified data center to suspend processing of the requested task. In this case, the instruction unit 136 causes the specified data center to continue processing the requested task using power supplied from a commercial power source. In this way, the information processing device 1 can prevent excessive delays in processing the requested task, even if the type of the requested task is a type 2 task.

[0077] If the surplus power amount of the instruction data center after instructing the processing of the requested task is less than the power amount threshold, the instruction unit 136 may cause the requested task being processed by the instruction data center to be processed by another data center 2 other than the instruction data center among the multiple data centers 2. Specifically, the information processing device 1 changes the processing of the requested task from the instruction data center to another data center 2 by executing the following three steps.

[0078] As a first step, after the instruction to process the requested task is given, the power amount specifying unit 135 further specifies the amount of surplus power corresponding to each of a plurality of other data centers 2 different from the instruction data center.

[0079] As a second step, when the amount of surplus power corresponding to the specified data center is less than the power amount threshold, the selection unit 133 selects another data center 2 other than the specified data center from among the multiple data centers 2. Specifically, when the amount of surplus power corresponding to the specified data center is less than the power amount threshold, the selection unit 133 selects another data center 2 other than the specified data center from among the multiple data centers 2, the other data center 2 having an amount of surplus power equal to or greater than the power amount threshold.

[0080] As a third step, the instruction unit 136 instructs the instruction data center 2 to change the processing of the requested task from the instruction data center to another data center 2 selected by the selection unit 133. For example, the instruction unit 136 causes the instruction data center to stop processing of the requested task by transmitting instruction information to the instruction data center to stop processing of the requested task. The instruction unit 136 also acquires data to be used for unexecuted processing of the requested task from the instruction data center, transmits the acquired data to the other data center 2 selected by the selection unit 133, and transmits instruction information to the other data center 2 to instruct processing of the requested task. When the requested task is a task related to model learning, the instruction unit 136 may acquire a model to be learned from the instruction data center and transmit the acquired model to the other data center 2 selected by the selection unit 133. In this way, the information processing device 1 can prevent a situation in which processing of the requested task is executed using power supplied from a commercial power source.

[0081] In addition, even if the surplus power amount of the specified data center after instructing the processing of the requested task is less than the power amount threshold, the instruction unit 136 may cause the specified data center to continue processing the requested task if there is a prospect that the surplus power amount of the specified data center will be equal to or greater than the power amount threshold in the future.

[0082] Specifically, if, in the transition of the surplus power amount of the specified data center, the current surplus power amount is less than the power amount threshold and there is a future time when the surplus power amount will be equal to or greater than the power amount threshold, the instruction unit 136 causes the specified data center to execute the processing of the requested task without instructing the data center to suspend the processing of the requested task. In this way, the information processing device 1 can achieve a balance between reducing the amount of power supplied from the commercial power source used for processing the requested task and reducing delays in processing the requested task.

[0083] The instruction unit 136 may instruct to change the processing of the requested task from the instruction data center to another data center 2 selected by the selection unit 133, depending on a transfer amount, which is the amount of data transferred to change the processing of the requested task from the instruction data center to another data center 2. The transfer amount is the amount of data used for unexecuted processing of the requested task.

[0084] Specifically, first, the non-power amount specifying unit 134 specifies the transfer amount before issuing an instruction to change the processing of the requested task. The non-power amount specifying unit 134 specifies the transfer amount, for example, by acquiring information indicating the transfer amount from the specified data center. Then, if the transfer amount specified by the non-power amount specifying unit 134 is equal to or greater than a transfer amount threshold, the instruction unit 136 cancels the instruction to change the processing of the requested task to another data center 2, even if the surplus power corresponding to the specified data center is less than the power amount threshold. The transfer amount threshold is, for example, a numerical value determined in advance as a boundary value of an allowable transfer amount.

[0085] On the other hand, if the transfer volume identified by the non-power amount identifying unit 134 is less than the transfer volume threshold and the surplus power corresponding to the specified data center is less than the power amount threshold, the instructing unit 136 instructs to change the processing of the requested task to another data center 2. In this way, when the data transfer volume is small and the power consumption related to the transfer is low, the requested task will be processed at another data center 2, so the information processing device 1 can suppress an increase in power consumption.

[0086] The instruction unit 136 may instruct to change the processing of the requested task from the instruction data center to another data center 2 selected by the selection unit 133, depending on the communication state between the instruction data center and the other data center 2 selected by the selection unit 133. Specifically, the information processing device 1 instructs to change the processing of the requested task from the instruction data center to another data center 2 selected by the selection unit 133, depending on the communication state, by executing the following three steps.

[0087] As a first step, the non-power amount specifying unit 134 specifies the communication state between the specified data center and the other data center 2 selected by the selecting unit 133. The non-power amount specifying unit 134 specifies, for example, the throughput when transmitting data from the specified data center to the other data center 2 as the communication state between the specified data center and the other data center 2 selected by the selecting unit 133.

[0088] As a second step, the non-power amount specifying unit 134 specifies a transfer period required to transfer data used to process the requested task from the instruction data center to the other data center 2. The non-power amount specifying unit 134 specifies the transfer period required to transfer the data based on, for example, the throughput as the communication state between the instruction data center and the other data center 2 and the transfer amount.

[0089] As a third step, if the identified transfer period is equal to or greater than the period threshold, the instruction unit 136 causes the specified data center 2 selected by the selection unit 133 to continue processing the requested task without instructing the specified data center to change the processing of the requested task from the specified data center to another data center 2 selected by the selection unit 133. The period threshold is, for example, a boundary value of an allowable transfer period. In this case, the instruction unit 136 causes the specified data center to process the requested task using commercial power supplied from a commercial power source. In this way, the information processing device 1 can prevent delays in task processing due to time taken to transfer data.

[0090] [Operation flow] Next, a description will be given of the flow of processing related to the information processing device 1. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing up to when the information processing device 1 instructs the data center 2 to process a requested task. First, the receiving unit 131 receives a task processing request from the terminal 3 (S1). The task identifying unit 132 identifies whether the type of the requested task corresponding to the task processing request received by the receiving unit 131 is a first-type task or a second-type task (S2).

[0091] If the task identifying unit 132 identifies that the type of the requested task is a first-class task (YES in S3), the non-power amount identifying unit 134 identifies at least one of the processing performance of each of the multiple data centers 2 and the communication state between the terminal 3 or information processing device 1 and each of the multiple data centers 2 (S4). The selecting unit 133 selects a data center 2 from the multiple data centers 2 based on at least one of the processing performance of the data center 2 and the communication state between the terminal 3 or information processing device 1 that sent the task processing request and the data center 2 (S5).

[0092] On the other hand, if the task identifying unit 132 identifies that the type of the requested task is not a first-class task, i.e., that the type of the requested task is a second-class task (NO in S3), the power amount identifying unit 135 identifies the amount of surplus power in each of the multiple data centers 2 (S6). The selection unit 133 selects a data center 2 from the multiple data centers 2 based on the amount of surplus power identified by the power amount identifying unit 135 (S7).

[0093] Then, the instruction unit 136 instructs the data center 2 selected by the selection unit 133 to process the requested task (S8).

[0094] [Effects of information processing device 1] As described above, when the type of requested task corresponding to the task processing request is a second-class task, the information processing device 1 according to this embodiment selects a data center 2 from among the multiple data centers 2 based on the amount of surplus power identified by the power amount identifying unit 135, and instructs the selected data center 2 to process the requested task. In this way, the information processing device 1 can reduce the likelihood that the response required for task processing will not be satisfied.

[0095] Furthermore, this invention will make it possible to contribute to Goal 9 of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which is "Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and promote innovation and resilience."

[0096] The present invention has been described above using embodiments, but the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention. For example, all or part of the device can be configured by functionally or physically distributing or integrating any unit. Furthermore, new embodiments resulting from any combination of multiple embodiments are also included in the embodiments of the present invention. The effects of the new embodiments resulting from the combination also have the effects of the original embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0097] 1. Information processing equipment 11 Communications Department 12 Storage section 13 Control Unit 131 Reception 132 Task Identification Unit 133 Selection Section 134 Non-power amount identification part 135 Electric energy specification section 136 Instruction section 2 Data Centers 3. Terminal S Information Processing System

Claims

1. a receiving unit that receives a task processing request that requests processing of a task; a task specifying unit that specifies whether a requested task, which is a task indicated by the task processing request received by the receiving unit, is a first-class task or a second-class task that is allowed to have a slower response than the first-class task; an electric power amount specifying unit that specifies an amount of surplus electric power that is an amount of surplus electric power derived from renewable energy in each of a plurality of data centers that are capable of processing tasks using electric power derived from renewable energy; a selection unit that selects a data center from among the plurality of data centers based on the amount of surplus power when the task identification unit identifies that the requested task is the second type task; an instruction unit that instructs the data center selected by the selection unit to process the requested task; An information processing device having the above.

2. the power amount specifying unit acquires, as information for specifying the amount of surplus power, information indicating the amount of power generated, information indicating the amount of power used in the data center, and information indicating the amount of power stored in the data center, and specifies the amount of surplus power by calculating the amount of surplus power based on the amount of power generated, the amount of power used, and the amount of power stored; The information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. when the task identification unit identifies that the requested task is the second type task, the selection unit selects, from the plurality of data centers, the data center having a relatively large amount of surplus power; The information processing device according to claim 1 .

4. the power amount specifying unit further specifies the amount of power consumption required to process the requested task; when the task identification unit identifies that the requested task is the second-type task, the selection unit selects, from the plurality of data centers, one or more data centers in which the amount of surplus power is greater than the amount of power consumption, and selects, from the selected one or more data centers, the data center in which the amount of surplus power is the smallest; The information processing device according to claim 1 .

5. the selection unit suspends the process of selecting the data center when there is no data center among the plurality of data centers whose amount of surplus power is equal to or greater than a power amount threshold. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

6. the power amount specifying unit specifies the amount of surplus power corresponding to an instruction data center that is the data center that has been instructed to process the requested task after the instruction to process the requested task has been given; the instruction unit instructs the instruction data center to suspend processing of the requested task when the amount of surplus power specified by the power amount specifying unit after the instruction to process the requested task is less than an amount of power threshold. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

7. the power amount specifying unit, after receiving an instruction to process the requested task, specifies the surplus power amount corresponding to the specified data center, and specifies a surplus power amount transition that is a time transition of the surplus power amount from the present until a predetermined period has elapsed; the instruction unit, when there is no future time in the transition of the surplus power amount at which the surplus power amount will be equal to or greater than the power amount threshold, causes the instruction data center to execute the processing of the requested task without instructing the instruction data center to suspend the processing of the requested task. The information processing device according to claim 6 .

8. the selection unit, when the amount of surplus power corresponding to the specified data center is less than an amount of power threshold, selects another data center other than the specified data center from among the plurality of data centers; the instruction unit instructs a change of processing of the requested task from the instruction data center to the other data center selected by the selection unit; The information processing device according to claim 6 .

9. when the amount of data to be transferred in order to change the processing of the requested task from the specified data center to the other data center is equal to or greater than a transfer amount threshold, even if the amount of surplus power corresponding to the specified data center is less than the power amount threshold, the instruction unit cancels the instruction to change the processing of the requested task to the other data center. The information processing device according to claim 8 .

10. the information processing device further includes a communication identification unit that identifies a communication state between the instruction data center and the other data center; the instruction unit, when a transfer period required for transferring data used in processing the requested task from the instruction data center to the other data center, the transfer period being specified based on the communication state and the amount of data, is equal to or greater than a period threshold, causes the instruction data center to continue processing the requested task without instructing the instruction data center to change the processing of the requested task from the instruction data center to the other data center selected by the selection unit; The information processing device according to claim 8 .

11. the power amount specifying unit, after receiving an instruction to process the requested task, specifies the surplus power amount corresponding to the specified data center, and specifies a surplus power amount transition that is a time transition of the surplus power amount from the present until a predetermined period has elapsed; the instruction unit, when, in the transition of the surplus power amount, the current surplus power amount is less than the power amount threshold and there is a future time when the surplus power amount will be equal to or greater than the power amount threshold, causes the instruction data center to continue processing the requested task without instructing a change in processing of the requested task from the instruction data center to the other data center selected by the selection unit; The information processing device according to claim 8 .

12. the information processing device further includes a storage unit that stores information about each of the plurality of data centers; when the task identification unit identifies that the requested task is the first-class task, the selection unit selects the data center from among the plurality of data centers based on at least one of a processing performance of the data center identified by information related to the data center and a communication speed or a communication delay between the terminal that has transmitted the task processing request or the information processing device and the data center; The information processing device according to claim 1 .

13. The computer executes receiving a task processing request to request processing of a task; a step of identifying whether a requested task indicated by the received task processing request is a first-type task or a second-type task that is allowed to have a slower response than the first-type task; Identifying an amount of surplus power derived from renewable energy in each of a plurality of data centers each capable of processing tasks using power derived from renewable energy; selecting a data center from among the plurality of data centers based on the amount of surplus power when the requested task is identified as the second type task; instructing the selected data center to process the requested task; An information processing method comprising:

14. Computer, a reception unit that receives a task processing request that requests processing of a task; a task specifying unit that specifies whether a requested task, which is a task indicated by the task processing request received by the receiving unit, is a first-class task or a second-class task that is allowed to have a slower response than the first-class task; an electric power amount specifying unit that specifies an amount of surplus electric power that is an amount of surplus electric power derived from renewable energy in each of a plurality of data centers that are each capable of processing tasks using electric power derived from renewable energy; a selection unit that selects the data center from among the plurality of data centers based on the amount of surplus power when the task identification unit identifies that the requested task is the second-type task; and an instruction unit that instructs the data center selected by the selection unit to process the requested task; A program to function as a

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