Information processing device, recruitment method, computer program, and storage medium

Abstract

This invention provides an information processing device, a recruitment method, a computer program, and a storage medium that can recruit participants for environmental contribution projects from users of home appliances. [Solution] The information processing device is for recruiting participants for an environmental contribution project from users of home appliances. The information processing device includes a communication unit or storage unit that can acquire user information including home appliance model information or energy efficiency, and a control unit that controls the communication unit or storage unit. The control unit acquires user information, determines whether the user is eligible to participate in the environmental contribution project based on the user information, and if it determines that the user is eligible to participate, outputs a first notification that includes information requesting participation in the environmental contribution project.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus, a recruitment method, a computer program, and a storage medium for recruiting participants in an environmental contribution project from users of home appliances.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, various measures have been taken to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide in order to prevent global warming. For example, there is a "J-Credit system" in which Japan certifies the amount of reduction or absorption of greenhouse gas emissions through measures such as the introduction of energy-saving equipment or efforts such as forest management as "credits".

[0003] In such measures, a generation device that generates a report on the effects on environmental contributions such as the amount of reduction of greenhouse gas emissions for participants in an environmental contribution project is known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an environmental contribution effect report generation device that generates a report on the environmental contribution effect by introducing equipment.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Patent Document 1 accepts a participation request from a user, but there is room for improvement in recruiting participants.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To address the aforementioned challenges, this disclosure provides an information processing device, a recruitment method, a computer program, and a storage medium that can recruit participants for an environmental contribution project from users of home appliances.

[0007] One embodiment of the information processing device relating to this disclosure is for recruiting participants for an environmental contribution project from users of home appliances. The information processing device includes a communication unit or storage unit capable of acquiring user information, including home appliance model information or energy efficiency, and a control unit that controls the communication unit or storage unit. The control unit acquires the user information, determines whether the user is eligible to participate in the environmental contribution project based on the user information, and if it determines that the user is eligible to participate, outputs a first notice containing information requesting participation in the environmental contribution project.

[0008] Another form of recruitment method relating to this disclosure is a method for recruiting participants for an environmental contribution project from users of home appliances. The recruitment method includes the steps of: obtaining user information including home appliance model information or energy efficiency; determining whether the user is eligible to participate in the environmental contribution project based on the user information; and, if it is determined that the user is eligible to participate, outputting a first notice including information requesting participation in the environmental contribution project.

[0009] Furthermore, another form of computer program relating to this disclosure is a computer program that causes an information processing device to execute a recruitment method.

[0010] Furthermore, other embodiments of non-temporary computer-readable storage media relating to this disclosure are non-temporary computer-readable storage media on which a computer program is stored, and the recruitment method described above is realized when the computer program is executed by a processor. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the information processing device, recruitment method, computer program, and storage medium related to this disclosure, participants in an environmental contribution project can be recruited from users of home appliances. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] Block diagram of an example of an information processing device according to Embodiment 1 [Figure 2] Flowchart of an example of a recruitment method according to Embodiment 1 [Figure 3] Flowchart of an example of step S200 according to Embodiment 1 [Figure 4] Flowchart of an example of step S200 according to Embodiment 1 [Figure 5] Flowchart of an example of step S200 according to Embodiment 1 [Figure 6] Flowchart of an example of a recruitment method according to Embodiment 1 [Figure 7] Flowchart of an example of a recruitment method according to Embodiment 2 [Figure 8] Sequence diagram of an example of the recruitment method according to Embodiment 2 [Figure 9] Block diagram of an example of an information processing device according to Embodiment 3 [Figure 10] Sequence diagram of an example of the recruitment method according to Embodiment 3 [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] 《Technical concept》 The information processing device, recruitment method, computer program, and storage medium disclosed herein can be used to recruit participants for environmental contribution projects from users of home appliances. Before describing specific embodiments of the information processing device, recruitment method, computer program, and storage medium relating to this disclosure, the technical concepts described herein will be explained using an example.

[0014] First, an environmental contribution project is a project related to the creation of environmental value. More specifically, an environmental contribution project is an activity to protect the global environment by participating in a system that certifies the amount of greenhouse gas emissions reduction, such as carbon dioxide, as carbon credits. In the present disclosure, as an environmental contribution project, mainly a project registered under the J-credit system will be exemplified and described, but it is not limited thereto. The environmental contribution project may be a project under other systems in Japan, or a project under a system related to environmental contributions in other countries. For example, users who use household appliances at home can participate in the environmental contribution project.

[0015] In this exemplification, a server that communicates and connects with household appliances via the Internet executes a recruitment method as an information processing device. After a user purchases a new household appliance, the new household appliance can be connected to the server and registered in order to exhibit functions related to IoT (Internet of Things).

[0016] The server acquires user information related to the household appliance or its user from various connected household appliances. The server connected to the household appliance can determine whether the user who purchased the household appliance can participate in the environmental contribution project. In this exemplification, the server acquires the energy efficiency of the new household appliance from the user information and determines whether the user can participate based on the energy efficiency. The energy efficiency may be, for example, the Annual Performance Factor (APF) defined by the J-credit system and Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) C9612.

[0017] When it is determined that the energy efficiency is equal to or higher than a predetermined reference value (baseline), the server determines that the user can participate and outputs a first notification including participation request information for an environmental contribution project. If the user wishes to participate in the environmental contribution project after seeing the first notification, the user can apply for the environmental contribution project based on the participation request information. That is, the server selects users who can participate in the environmental contribution project and solicits participation in the environmental contribution project from the selected users. In this way, participants can be actively solicited. By displaying a positive determination result of "eligible to participate" to the user, participation in the environmental contribution project can be further encouraged. In addition, since the applicants for the environmental contribution project consist of the selected users, there is no need to re-examine the eligibility for participation when receiving a participation request from the applicant, and the labor of examination can be saved or reduced.

[0018] Each of the embodiments described below shows an example of the present disclosure. The numerical values, shapes, configurations, steps, and order of steps shown in each of the following embodiments are merely examples and do not limit the present disclosure. Among the components in the following Embodiment 1, components not described in the independent claims indicating the most general concept are described as optional components.

[0019] In each of the embodiments described below, there may be shown variations regarding specific elements, and other elements include appropriately combining arbitrary configurations, and in the combined configurations, each has its respective effects. In the embodiments, by combining the configurations of each variation, the effects in each variation are achieved.

[0020] In the following detailed description, terms such as "first" and "second" are used for the purpose of explanation only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or ranking of technical features. Features limited to "first" and "second" explicitly or implicitly include one or more of such features.

[0021] Embodiment 1 Hereinafter, Embodiment 1 of the information processing device, recruitment method, computer program, and storage medium related to this disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate.

[0022] Figure 1 is a block diagram of an example of an information processing device according to Embodiment 1. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, a home appliance 12A and a home appliance 12B (hereinafter sometimes collectively referred to as home appliance 12) are installed in a house 10. The information processing device is a device that recruits participants for an environmental contribution project from the users of at least one home appliance 12, for example, from the users of multiple home appliances 12 installed in multiple houses 10. In Embodiment 1, a server 20 that can communicate with the home appliance 12 operates as an information processing device and executes the recruitment method.

[0023] The server 20 can communicate with at least one home appliance 12 in a house 10 and a terminal device 30 via the internet. The terminal device 30 can communicate with the home appliance 12 and may be, for example, the controller of the home appliance 12 or the user's smartphone. The terminal device 30 may further communicate with the server 20 via the internet.

[0024] The following is an overview of each component.

[0025] <Home appliances 12> Home appliances are an abbreviation for household electrical appliances. Examples of home appliances include electrical appliances used in homes such as televisions, refrigerators, air conditioners, washing machines, robotic vacuum cleaners, audio equipment, lighting, water heaters, and intercoms.

[0026] Appliance 12 consumes electricity to perform specific functions such as cooling, heating, washing, freezing, and lighting. The ability of appliance 12 to perform its specific functions can be calculated as energy efficiency. In this disclosure, the energy efficiency of appliance 12 is an index (numerical value) that represents the ability of appliance 12 to perform its specific functions and is related to the power consumption of appliance 12 during a first period. In other words, energy efficiency represents the energy-saving performance of appliance 12. Examples of energy efficiency include Annual Performance Factor (APF), Integrated Part Load Value (IPLV), or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). The first period used in defining energy efficiency may vary depending on the type of index, for example, it may be 1 year, 6 months, 3 months, 1 month, 1 day, or 1 hour. Different indexes may be adopted as energy efficiency for different types of appliance 12. In the following explanation, energy efficiency will primarily be explained using APF as an example, but energy efficiency is not limited to APF.

[0027] Generally, the energy efficiency of an appliance 12 is a fixed value for its specific function. For example, an appliance 12 that is an air conditioner may have an APF representing its energy-saving performance during cooling and an APF representing its energy-saving performance during heating. The energy efficiency of an appliance 12 can be determined from its model and identification information.

[0028] <Server 20> Server 20 communicates with the home appliance 12, or a terminal device 30 that can communicate with the home appliance 12, in order to recruit participants for an environmental contribution project from the users of the home appliance 12. Server 20 may also be a server for managing the home appliance 12, and may be a management server or application server for the manufacturer of the home appliance 12 or the terminal device 30 in order to collect data from the home appliance 12.

[0029] The server 20 can transfer user information and control commands received from the terminal device 30 to the home appliance 12 via the internet, and can also transfer operating information received from the home appliance 12 to the terminal device 30. In addition, the server 20 can output notifications related to the environmental contribution project to the home appliance 12 or the terminal device 30, and can display these notifications to the user on the home appliance 12 or the terminal device 30. The server 20 includes a communication unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a control unit 23.

[0030] <Communications Department 21> The communication unit 21 can also communicate with at least one of the home appliance 12 and the terminal device 30 via the network, and can, for example, send and receive internet packets. The communication unit 21 of the server 20 may communicate between the server 20, the home appliance 12, and the terminal device 30 in accordance with standards such as Wi-Fi®, IEEE802.2, IEEE802.3, 3G, LTE, intranet, extranet, LAN, ISDN, VAN, CATV communication network, virtual private network, telephone line network, mobile communication network, satellite communication network, infrared, Bluetooth®, etc., and send and receive data.

[0031] <Storage section 22> The storage unit 22 is a recording medium for recording various information and control programs, and may also be a memory that functions as a work area for the control unit 23. The storage unit 22 can be implemented as, for example, flash memory, RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), other storage devices, or a combination thereof as appropriate.

[0032] The memory unit 22 may store at least one criterion for determining eligibility to participate in an environmental contribution project. For example, the memory unit 22 stores the first to fourth criteria, as described later, and the reference values ​​or thresholds used for the criteria. When registering for linkage with the home appliance 12 or terminal device 30, the memory unit 22 may store user information related to the home appliance 12, the terminal device 30, or their user. In one example, the user information includes model information or energy efficiency of the home appliance 12. In another example, the user information further includes user identification information and home appliance identification information.

[0033] Furthermore, the memory unit 22 may store participant information related to participants in the environmental contribution project. The participant information may include at least a portion of the user information of the participants in the environmental contribution project. User information and participant information can be stored in a database. Information such as the selection criteria and user information can be read by the control unit 23 when the control unit 23 performs the recruitment method.

[0034] Furthermore, the storage unit 22 may store a computer program that causes the control unit 23 to execute the recruitment method of this disclosure. The storage unit 22 may also be a non-temporary computer-readable storage medium on which the computer program is stored.

[0035] <Control Unit 23> The control unit 23 is a controller that oversees the control of at least some of the functions of the server 20, and controls the communication unit 21 and the storage unit 22. The control unit 23 includes a general-purpose processor such as a CPU, MPU, MCU, FPGA, DSP, or ASIC that realizes predetermined functions by executing a program. The control unit 23 can realize various controls in the home appliance 12 by calling and executing a control program stored in the storage unit 22. The control unit 23 can also work with the storage unit 22 to read and write data stored in the storage unit 22. The control unit 23 is not limited to realizing predetermined functions through the cooperation of hardware and software, but may also be a hardware circuit specifically designed to realize predetermined functions. The server 20 (or its control unit 23) can be implemented as the information processing device of this disclosure and can execute the solicitation method of this disclosure.

[0036] <Terminal device 30> The terminal device 30 is a device related to the home appliance 12. The terminal device 30 may be, for example, a controller for a single home appliance 12, or a controller capable of managing and controlling multiple types of home appliances 12. Alternatively, the terminal device 30 may be an information terminal capable of data communication with the server 20, such as a smartphone, mobile phone, tablet, wearable device, or computer with a dedicated related application 36 installed.

[0037] The terminal device 30 includes a communication unit 31, a storage unit 32, a control unit 33, an input unit 34, and a display unit 35. If the terminal device 30 is an information terminal such as a smartphone, the terminal device 30 may further include a related application 36 used for managing the home appliance 12.

[0038] The communication unit 31 of the terminal device 30 can communicate with the home appliance 12 or the server 20 in accordance with various communication standards, similar to the communication unit 21 of the server 20, and can send and receive data. For example, the communication unit 31 may connect directly to the home appliance 12 via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, or it may connect to the home appliance 12 and the server 20 via the internet.

[0039] The storage unit 32 of the terminal device 30 is a recording medium that stores various information and control programs, similar to the storage unit 22 of the server 20, and may also be a memory that functions as a work area for the control unit 33 of the terminal device 30. The control unit 33 of the terminal device 30 is a controller that is responsible for controlling at least some of the functions of the terminal device 30, and includes a general-purpose processor that realizes predetermined functions by executing a program.

[0040] The input unit 34 is a device for acquiring user information, such as user identification information, and allows the user to input user information into the terminal device 30 via the input unit 34. The input unit 34 may include at least one of a button, a keyboard, and a touch panel.

[0041] The display unit 35 is for displaying information using at least one of numbers, characters, and images. The display unit 35 may also include a display for presenting a graphical user interface (GUI). The terminal device 30 can receive notifications related to the environmental contribution project from the server 20 and display such notifications to the user via the display unit 35.

[0042] Up to this point, we have provided a general overview of the configuration of the server 20 (information processing device), home appliance 12, and terminal device 30 according to Embodiment 1. Below, we will describe the recruitment method executed by the server 20 as an information processing device.

[0043] <Recruitment method> The recruitment method described in this disclosure is a method for recruiting participants for an environmental contribution project from users of home appliances 12. In one example, the recruitment method is executed when the server 20 connects to a new home appliance 12 and registers the new home appliance 12. Here, "new home appliance 12" may include not only home appliances newly purchased by the user, but also all home appliances that have been purchased but have not been registered with the server 20. In another example, the recruitment method is executed periodically for home appliances 12 that are not registered for the environmental contribution project.

[0044] Figure 2 is a flowchart of the recruitment method according to Embodiment 1, which includes steps S100 to S300.

[0045] First, the control unit 23 of the server 20, which acts as an information processing device, acquires user information (step S100). The user information includes model information or energy efficiency of the home appliance 12. The control unit 23 can acquire user information from the home appliance 12 or terminal device 30 via the communication unit 21. If user information is already stored in the storage unit 22, the control unit 23 can acquire user information by reading it from the storage unit 22.

[0046] Next, the control unit 23 determines whether or not the user is eligible to participate in the environmental contribution project based on the user information (step S200). The control unit 23 can determine whether or not the user is eligible to participate using at least one criterion.

[0047] For example, the control unit 23 identifies the energy efficiency of the home appliance 12 from the user information and determines eligibility to participate based at least on the energy efficiency. In order to participate in the environmental contribution project, the energy efficiency, which represents energy-saving performance, must be equal to or above a predetermined standard value (baseline). The baseline is a value that indicates the energy efficiency used as a standard for calculating the amount of carbon dioxide emission reduction, and is defined by the system that the environmental contribution project follows (for example, the J-Credit Scheme). In one example, if the control unit 23 determines that the energy efficiency of the home appliance 12 is equal to or above the defined baseline, it determines that the user of the home appliance 12 is eligible to participate in the environmental contribution project.

[0048] If the control unit 23 determines that the user is eligible to participate, it outputs a first notification containing information requesting participation in the environmental contribution project (step S300). For example, if the user information includes the user's identification information and the identification information of the user's terminal device 30, the control unit 23 may use the user information to identify the user and the terminal device 30 and send the first notification to the terminal device 30. Alternatively, the control unit 23 may send the first notification to the home appliance 12, or send the first notification to the terminal device 30 via the home appliance 12. The terminal device 30 or the home appliance 12 displays the received first notification to the user.

[0049] Furthermore, if the home appliance 12 is associated with multiple users, the control unit 23 may send the first notification to all users associated with the home appliance 12. In this case, the storage unit 22 stores the association of each home appliance 12 with its respective user. In other words, the storage unit 22 can store information about the home appliance 12 in association with all users of that home appliance 12. In step S300, the control unit 23 may identify all users of the home appliance 12 and their terminal devices 30 by matching the storage unit 22 with the identification information of the home appliance 12, and send the first notification to all identified terminal devices 30.

[0050] The participation request information is information for applying to participate in the environmental contribution project, and may include, for example, a URL (Uniform Resource Locator), a form, or a QR code (registered trademark) for application. The first notice may further include an explanation of the environmental contribution project and the systems it follows to encourage participation. The first notice may also include a determination result indicating whether the user is eligible to participate to encourage participation.

[0051] On the other hand, if step S200 determines that the energy efficiency of the home appliance 12 is lower than the baseline, the control unit 23 determines that the user of the home appliance 12 is ineligible to participate in the environmental contribution project. If the user is ineligible to participate, the control unit 23 completes the recruitment process without outputting the first notification.

[0052] <Criteria for determining eligibility to participate> The following provides a more detailed explanation of the criteria used to determine eligibility for participation in Step S200. Note that the content of the criteria can be determined by the environmental contribution project or the system it follows, and is not limited to the examples below.

[0053] In one embodiment, the criteria include a first criterion and a second criterion related to energy efficiency. The first and second criteria define different baselines for energy efficiency. However, the server 20 may use one baseline or three or more baselines to determine eligibility.

[0054] In this embodiment, the first criterion is that, if the appliance 12 is newly installed, its energy efficiency is equal to or greater than the energy efficiency standard value. In other words, the first criterion corresponds to the case where the appliance 12 is not installed in the house 10 and is a newly installed appliance. The baseline specified in the first criterion is the energy efficiency standard value predetermined within the environmental contribution project. The energy efficiency standard value may be, for example, a predetermined APF set by the operator of the environmental contribution project in accordance with Japan's Top Runner Program.

[0055] On the other hand, the second criterion is that, if the appliance 12 is being replaced, its energy efficiency must be equal to or greater than the energy efficiency of the appliance before replacement. In other words, the second criterion applies when the appliance 12 is a new appliance of the same type that was installed in the house 10 and has been replaced. The baseline specified in the second criterion is the energy efficiency of the appliance before replacement installed in the house 10, and may be, for example, the APF of the appliance before replacement.

[0056] In step S200, the control unit 23 of the server 20 determines whether participation is permitted using such a first or second criterion. Figure 3 is a flowchart of an example of step S200 according to Embodiment 1. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, step S200 includes steps S210 to S230.

[0057] In step S200, the control unit 23 determines whether the user information includes energy efficiency (step S210). If the user information includes model information for the home appliance 12 but does not include the energy efficiency of the home appliance 12, the control unit 23 identifies the energy efficiency of the home appliance 12 based on the model information (step S220). The model information may be, for example, the name or model number of the model. In this case, the storage unit 22 stores a comparison table or database containing model information and the energy efficiency corresponding to the model information for various home appliances. The control unit 23 can identify the energy efficiency of the home appliance 12 by comparing the comparison table or database with the model information.

[0058] Once the energy efficiency is identified from the user information, the control unit 23 determines whether the first or second criterion is met based on the energy efficiency (step S230). That is, the control unit 23 determines whether the energy efficiency of the home appliance 12 is equal to or greater than the energy efficiency standard value, or equal to or greater than the energy efficiency of the home appliance before replacement.

[0059] In one example, the user information includes category information indicating whether the home appliance 12 is newly installed or being updated. If the category information indicates a new installation, the control unit 23 determines in step S230 whether the first criterion is met. Similarly, if the category information indicates an update, the control unit 23 determines in step S230 whether the second criterion is met. If the control unit 23 determines that the criteria corresponding to the category information are met, it determines that the user of the home appliance 12 is eligible to participate in the environmental contribution project. On the other hand, if the control unit 23 determines that the criteria corresponding to the category information are not met, it determines that the user of the home appliance 12 is not eligible to participate in the environmental contribution project.

[0060] In another example, in step S230, the control unit 23 determines whether at least one of the first criterion and the second criterion is met. If it determines that at least one of the first criterion and the second criterion is met, the control unit 23 determines that the user of the home appliance 12 is eligible to participate in the environmental contribution project. On the other hand, if it determines in step S230 that neither the first criterion nor the second criterion is met, it determines that the user of the home appliance 12 is ineligible to participate in the environmental contribution project. If it determines that the user is ineligible to participate, the control unit 23 completes the recruitment process without outputting the first notification.

[0061] As described above, the server 20 can determine eligibility to participate in the environmental contribution project using the energy efficiency of the home appliance 12 and the first and / or second criteria. In this way, eligibility can be determined based on criteria that define different baselines.

[0062] In one embodiment, according to the system followed by the environmental contribution project, relatively new home appliances can participate in the project. In this embodiment, the criteria further include a third criterion. The third criterion is that two periods have not elapsed since the start of operation of home appliance 12.

[0063] In this embodiment, user information includes the start date of operation of the home appliance 12. The start date of operation may be, for example, the day on which the installation of the home appliance 12 in the house 10 is completed, or it may be the day on which it actually starts operating after the installation is completed. The start date of operation may be entered by the user when the home appliance 12 is registered with the server 20, or it may be obtained by the server 20 by querying the user via the terminal device 30. Alternatively, for example, the user may send a "completion report" or "contract" regarding the installation of the home appliance 12 to the server 20 via the terminal device 30. The server 20 can extract the start date of operation of the home appliance 12 from this data and store the extracted start date of operation in the storage unit 22 as part of the user information.

[0064] Figure 4 is a flowchart of an example of step S200 according to Embodiment 1. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, step S200 includes steps S210 to S240. Steps S210 to S230 in Figure 4 are the same as steps S210 to S230 in Figure 3, and the details are omitted here.

[0065] In step S200, the control unit 23 obtains the start date of operation of the home appliance 12 from the user information and determines whether the third criterion is met based on the start date of operation (step S240). Here, the control unit 23 determines whether the second period has not elapsed since the start date of operation of the home appliance 12, that is, whether the period from the start date of operation of the home appliance 12 to the present is shorter than the second period. The second period may be, for example, 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, 5 years, or 6 years.

[0066] If the second period has not elapsed since the start date of operation of the home appliance 12, that is, if the third criterion is determined to be met, the control unit 23 determines that the user of the home appliance 12 is eligible to participate in the environmental contribution project. On the other hand, if the control unit 23 determines in step S240 that the third criterion is not met, it determines that the user of the home appliance 12 is not eligible to participate in the environmental contribution project. If the control unit 23 determines that the user is not eligible to participate, it completes the recruitment process without outputting the first notification.

[0067] As described above, the server 20 can determine eligibility to participate in the environmental contribution project using the start date of operation of the home appliance 12 and the third criterion. In this way, eligibility can be determined based on the criterion related to the start date of operation of the home appliance 12.

[0068] In one implementation, according to the system followed by the environmental contribution project, one household appliance 12 can participate in one environmental contribution project only once. For example, even if different users in the same house 10 apply to participate in an environmental contribution project separately using the same household appliance 12, only one application (generally the earlier one) will be permitted. Furthermore, even if a user applies to participate in different environmental contribution projects separately using the same household appliance 12, only one application will be permitted. In other words, duplicate participation using the same household appliance 12 is not permitted.

[0069] In this embodiment, the judgment criteria further include a fourth criterion. The fourth criterion is that the identification information of the home appliance 12 is not registered in the participant information. Furthermore, the user information further includes the identification information of the home appliance 12, and the participant information includes the identification information of the home appliance that participated in the environmental contribution project. In one example, the storage unit 22 maintains a database of participant information for each environmental contribution project.

[0070] Figure 5 is a flowchart of an example of step S200 according to Embodiment 1. In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, step S200 includes steps S210 to S250. Steps S210 to S240 in Figure 5 are the same as steps S210 to S240 in Figure 4, and the details are omitted here.

[0071] In step S200, the control unit 23 obtains identification information for the home appliance 12 from the user information and determines whether the fourth criterion is met based on the identification information for the home appliance 12 (step S250). Here, the control unit 23 can determine whether the identification information for the home appliance 12 is registered by comparing the identification information for the home appliance 12 with the participant information database.

[0072] If the identification information of home appliance 12 is not registered in the participant information, that is, if the control unit 23 determines that the fourth criterion is met, the control unit 23 determines that the user of home appliance 12 is eligible to participate in the environmental contribution project. On the other hand, if the control unit 23 determines in step S250 that the fourth criterion is not met, the control unit 23 determines that the user of home appliance 12 is ineligible to participate in the environmental contribution project. If the control unit 23 determines that the user is ineligible to participate, it completes the recruitment process without outputting the first notification.

[0073] In step S200, the control unit 23 may make a determination on the fourth criterion without making a determination on the third criterion. In other words, step S240 in Figure 5 may not be performed.

[0074] As described above, the server 20 can determine whether or not a home appliance 12 can participate in the environmental contribution project using its identification information and the fourth criterion. In this way, duplicate participation by the same home appliance 12 can be avoided.

[0075] <Contents of the First Notification> As described above, in step S300, the control unit 23 outputs a first notification containing participation request information to the terminal device 30 or home appliance 12 of a user that it has determined is eligible to participate. The first notification may include an explanation of the environmental contribution project and the system that the environmental contribution project follows, and may also include the determination result that participation is possible. Furthermore, the first notification may include information to encourage participation in the environmental contribution project and suggestions for participation.

[0076] In one embodiment, the first notification includes reduction estimates related to environmental contribution information generated by the home appliance 12 over a third period.

[0077] Environmental contribution information refers to information that shows the extent to which carbon dioxide emissions have been reduced through environmental contribution projects. In other words, environmental contribution information represents the actual contribution created by home appliances that participated in environmental contribution projects. In contrast, the reduction estimate is an estimate that shows how much carbon dioxide emissions could be reduced by environmental contribution projects if home appliances 12 that have not yet participated in environmental contribution projects were to participate in them.

[0078] In this embodiment, if the control unit 23 determines that the user is able to participate, it calculates an estimated reduction value based on the energy efficiency of the home appliance 12 and adds the estimated reduction value to the first notification. The estimated reduction value can be calculated using the same calculation method as the environmental contribution information. The third period for calculating the estimated reduction value may be the same as the first period, or it may differ depending on the type of energy efficiency. For example, the third period may be 1 year, 6 months, 3 months, 1 month, 1 day, or 1 hour.

[0079] More specifically, if the user information does not include energy efficiency, the control unit 23 identifies the energy efficiency of the appliance 12 based on the model information of the appliance 12. The calculation criteria for calculating the reduction estimate may be the same as the predetermined baseline used to determine eligibility to participate in the environmental contribution project. In this case, the control unit 23 calculates the reduction estimate using the same baseline as the first and second criteria mentioned above as the calculation criteria. For example, the control unit 23 calculates the reduction estimate based on the energy efficiency of the appliance 12 and the energy efficiency standard value, or the energy efficiency of the appliance before replacement.

[0080] To calculate the reduction estimate, the control unit 23 assumes operating information for the appliance 12 over a third period. For example, the assumed operating information may include assumed power consumption over the third period. Based on the energy efficiency of the appliance 12, the baseline, and the assumed operating information, the control unit 23 calculates the reduction estimate.

[0081] In one example, the assumed power consumption is the average power consumption of appliance 12. The average power consumption of appliance 12 may be obtained through experiments conducted by the manufacturer of appliance 12, or it may be an average value calculated from the power consumption values ​​of other users using the same appliance.

[0082] In another example, the assumed power consumption is the actual power consumption measured by the user of appliance 12 in the past. For example, if appliance 12 is to be replaced, the assumed power consumption may be the average value calculated from the actual power consumption when the appliance before replacement was being used.

[0083] In the following example, the control unit 23 calculates a first environmental contribution value based on assumed operating information, and then calculates a second environmental contribution value based on the assumed operating information, the energy efficiency (APF) of the home appliance 12, and the baseline. The control unit 23 calculates an estimated reduction value for the home appliance 12 by subtracting the first environmental contribution value from the second environmental contribution value.

[0084] The control unit 23 obtains the assumed power consumption based on the assumed operating information and calculates the first environmental contribution value by multiplying the assumed power consumption by a predetermined carbon dioxide emission factor. Specifically, based on the assumed power consumption EL and carbon dioxide emission factor CEF for the third period, the first environmental contribution value EM1 can be calculated using the formula EM1 = EL × CEF. The carbon dioxide emission factor (CO2 emission factor) is an index that shows the amount of carbon dioxide emitted to supply 1 kWh of electricity, and its unit is "kg-CO2 / kWh". If the home appliance 12 uses electricity supplied by an electric utility, for example, the carbon dioxide emission factor determined by each electric utility is used.

[0085] Next, the control unit 23 calculates a second environmental contribution value by multiplying the calculated first environmental contribution value by a predetermined coefficient representing the ratio of the APF of the home appliance 12 (APF1) to the baseline APF (APF2). Based on the APF1 of the home appliance 12 and the baseline APF2, the predetermined coefficient ε can be calculated by the formula ε = APF1 / APF2. Based on the first environmental contribution value EM1 and the predetermined coefficient ε, the second environmental contribution value EM2 can be calculated by the formula EM2 = EM1 × ε. In this example, the control unit 23 calculates the second environmental contribution value EM2 by multiplying the first environmental contribution value EM1 by the predetermined coefficient ε, using the predetermined coefficient ε as the ratio of the APF1 of the home appliance 12 to the baseline APF2.

[0086] The control unit 23 can calculate the estimated reduction value for the home appliance 12 by subtracting the first environmental contribution calculation value from the second environmental contribution calculation value. Specifically, based on the first environmental contribution calculation value EM1 and the second environmental contribution calculation value EM2, the environmental contribution information ER can be calculated using the formula ER = EM2 - EM1. The difference between the first environmental contribution calculation value when using the home appliance 12 and the baseline second environmental contribution calculation value indicates the amount of carbon dioxide emissions that can be reduced if the home appliance 12 participates in the environmental contribution project.

[0087] In another example, the control unit 23 calculates multiple reduction estimates based on multiple baselines, and adds the largest of the calculated reduction estimates as the final reduction estimate to the first notification.

[0088] For example, the control unit 23 uses the first estimated reduction value calculated based on the baseline (energy efficiency standard value) corresponding to the first criterion, and the second estimated reduction value calculated based on the baseline (energy efficiency of the appliance before replacement) corresponding to the second criterion. That is, the control unit 23 calculates the first estimated value based on the energy efficiency of the appliance 12 and the energy efficiency standard value, and calculates the second estimated value based on the energy efficiency of the appliance 12 and the energy efficiency of the appliance before replacement. Then, the control unit 23 uses the larger of the first estimated value and the second estimated value as the final estimated reduction value.

[0089] By displaying reduction estimates to users through the first notification, it is possible to pique their interest in participating in environmental contribution projects and encourage their participation.

[0090] In one embodiment, the first notification includes a first proposal relating to the categories of participation in the environmental contribution project. The participation categories include a first category and a second category different from the first category, with each category corresponding to a different calculation standard (baseline). For example, the first category represents that the appliance 12 is newly installed and corresponds to the baseline of the energy efficiency standard value. The second category represents that the appliance 12 is being replaced and corresponds to the baseline of the energy efficiency of the appliance before replacement.

[0091] In this embodiment, the first estimate and the second estimate correspond to the first category and the second category, respectively. That is, the first estimate is the estimated reduction when home appliance 12 participates in the environmental contribution project in the first category (newly established), and the second estimate is the estimated reduction when home appliance 12 participates in the environmental contribution project in the second category (renewal).

[0092] The control unit 23 sets the first category as the first proposal if the first estimate is greater than the second estimate, and sets the second category as the first proposal if the second estimate is greater than the first estimate. For example, if the first estimate is greater than the second estimate, the first notification may include a first proposal to the effect of, "We recommend that you participate in the project in the newly established category."

[0093] If the first estimate and the second estimate are the same, the control unit 23 does not need to suggest a reference category, and may suggest either the first category or the second category.

[0094] In this way, it is possible to determine the calculation criteria that result in a relatively large reduction estimate and propose participation categories that are advantageous to the user.

[0095] In one embodiment, the first notice includes at least one option for how the profits generated by the environmental contribution information from the home appliance 12 can be used.

[0096] As mentioned above, the environmental contribution information indicates the extent to which carbon dioxide emissions could be reduced by the environmental contribution project if the home appliance 12 participated in the project. In other words, the environmental contribution information represents the contribution created by the home appliance that participated in the environmental contribution project.

[0097] The profits generated by environmental contribution information refer to the profits earned by environmental contribution projects by selling the carbon dioxide emissions reduced in those projects as credits. The use of profits refers to how the profits will be invested in the environmental contribution project. For example, possible uses of profits include tree planting activities, donations to environmental organizations, development of more efficient energy-saving products, product recycling activities, and promotion of the expansion of zero-carbon factories.

[0098] The options available to the user may be defined by the operator of the environmental contribution project. The storage unit 22 may store the options available for each environmental contribution project. The control unit 23 may retrieve at least one option from the storage unit 22 and add it to the first notification.

[0099] By displaying options for how the generated profits can be used to users through the first notification, it is possible to pique users' interest in participating in environmental contribution projects and encourage their participation.

[0100] As described above, the first notice may include various other pieces of information in addition to the information requesting participation, such as information to encourage participation and suggestions for participation.

[0101] <Processing of participation requests> After the server 20 outputs the first notification, users who are deemed eligible to participate can apply to join the environmental contribution project. For example, a user can send a request to participate in the environmental contribution project to the server 20 via the terminal device 30. In this case, the recruitment method and the server 20 further process the participation request.

[0102] Figure 6 is a flowchart of an example of the recruitment method according to Embodiment 1. In the embodiment shown in Figure 6, the recruitment method includes steps S100 to S500. Steps S100 to S300 in Figure 6 are the same as steps S100 to S300 in Figure 2, and the details are omitted here.

[0103] After outputting the first notification (step S300), the control unit 23 of the server 20 receives a participation request (step S400). For example, the control unit 23 receives a participation request from a terminal device 30 of a user that it has determined is eligible to participate. Based on the identification information of the terminal device 30 that sent the participation request, or the identification information of the user of the terminal device 30 that sent the request, the control unit 23 can determine whether the sending user is a user that it has determined is eligible to participate. Alternatively, the control unit 23 can determine whether the sending user is a user that it has determined is eligible to participate by determining whether the participation request was sent via the URL of the participation request information in the first notification.

[0104] In the embodiment shown in Figure 6, if the control unit 23 determines that the user who sent the participation request is a user who has been determined to be eligible to participate, it grants permission for the participation request to the user and the home appliance 12 without further review. The control unit 23 then makes the user who requested participation a participant in the environmental contribution project (step S500).

[0105] However, the day on which server 20 sends the first notification to the user and the day on which the user sends a participation request to server 20 via terminal device 30 may differ. Therefore, although the second period has not yet elapsed since the start date of operation of home appliance 12 at the time of determining eligibility for participation in step S200, the second period may have elapsed by the time the participation request is received in step S400. To guarantee the eligibility of participants in the environmental contribution project, control unit 23 may re-determine whether the start date of operation of home appliance 12 meets the third criterion when it receives the participation request. If the third criterion is met at the time of the participation request, control unit 23 permits the participation request and makes the user a participant in the environmental contribution project.

[0106] When a user who requested to participate in step S500 is designated as a participant in the environmental contribution project, the control unit 23 registers the user information of the user who requested to participate in the participant information. For example, the control unit 23 stores the identification information of the user who requested to participate, the identification information of the home appliance 12, the model information of the home appliance 12, or energy efficiency as participant information in the database of participant information for the environmental contribution project to which participation is requested.

[0107] In one embodiment, when a user applies to participate in an environmental contribution project, they select a participation category for the project. In this case, the participation request includes the participation category selected by the user, and the control unit 23 registers the participation category in the participant information. Different participation categories correspond to different calculation criteria when calculating environmental contribution information. For example, similar to the calculation criteria for calculating reduction estimates, the first participation category represents that the home appliance 12 is newly installed and corresponds to the baseline energy efficiency standard value. The second participation category represents that the home appliance 12 is being replaced and corresponds to the baseline energy efficiency of the home appliance before replacement. After participating in the environmental contribution project, the server 20 can select a baseline based on the registered participation category and calculate environmental contribution information.

[0108] This completes the process of recruiting participants for the environmental contribution project. According to the recruitment method and information processing device (server 20) described above, it is possible to determine in advance whether or not a user of home appliances is eligible to participate in the environmental contribution project using various criteria. Users who are determined to be eligible can be encouraged to participate in the environmental contribution project by outputting a first notification. In addition, by determining eligibility in advance, the effort required to review applications when a participation request is received from a user can be reduced or eliminated.

[0109] In one embodiment, before determining eligibility to participate in the environmental contribution project, the information processing device (server 20) outputs an informational notification regarding the environmental contribution project to all users of the type of home appliance 12 specified by the environmental contribution project. The informational notification includes an explanation of the environmental contribution project and the system that the environmental contribution project follows. The informational notification may further include at least one option for how the benefits generated by the environmental contribution information from the home appliance 12 can be used.

[0110] In this embodiment, when a user receives such a mass-transmitted notification via the home appliance 12 or terminal device 30, they can input user information, including the model of the home appliance 12 or its energy efficiency, and send it to the server 20. The server 20 obtains the user information input by the user from the terminal device 30, etc. (step S100 in Figure 2), and determines whether the user is eligible to participate in the environmental contribution project based on the user information (step S200 in Figure 2). If it determines that the user is eligible to participate, the server 20 outputs a first notification containing information requesting participation in the environmental contribution project (step S300 in Figure 2). Subsequently, if the server 20 receives a participation request from a user who was determined to be eligible to participate, the server 20 designates the user as a participant in the environmental contribution project and registers the user's information in the participant information.

[0111] In one embodiment, the server 20 has a program used to execute the recruitment method of the present disclosure. The program causes the control unit 23 of the server 20, which acts as an information processing device, to execute the recruitment method. The server 20 also has a non-temporary computer-readable storage medium in which a computer program is stored. The control method of the present disclosure is realized when the computer program is executed by the processor (control unit 23). The storage medium may be the same as the storage unit 22 of the server 20, may be included in the storage unit 22, or may be a different component from the storage unit 22.

[0112] Embodiment 2 <Second notification to users who are unable to participate> In Embodiment 2, the recruitment method and information processing device output a second notification to users who are determined to be ineligible to participate in the environmental contribution project (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as "ineligible users"). Also in Embodiment 2, a server 20 that can communicate with the home appliance 12 operates as an information processing device and executes the recruitment method.

[0113] Figure 7 is a flowchart of an example of a recruitment method according to Embodiment 2. In the embodiment shown in Figure 7, the recruitment method includes steps S100 to S300 and step S600. Steps S100 to S300 in Figure 7 are the same as steps S100 to S300 in Figure 2, and the details are omitted here.

[0114] As described above, the control unit 23 of the server 20, which acts as an information processing device, determines whether or not a user can participate in the environmental contribution project based on various criteria (step S200). If it is determined that the user cannot participate, the control unit 23 outputs a second notification including the determination result (step S600). For example, the control unit 23 may identify the user and terminal device 30 using the identification information of the user who cannot participate or the identification information of the user's terminal device 30, and send the second notification to the terminal device 30. The control unit 23 may also send the second notification to the home appliance 12, or send the second notification to the terminal device 30 via the home appliance 12. The terminal device 30 or the home appliance 12 displays the received second notification to the user who cannot participate.

[0115] Furthermore, in order to pique users' interest in participating in environmental contribution projects, the second notice may include further explanations of environmental contribution projects, the systems they follow, and the criteria for determining eligibility to participate.

[0116] If the home appliance 12 is associated with multiple users, the control unit 23 may send a second notification to all users associated with the home appliance 12, i.e., all users who are unable to participate.

[0117] By issuing a second notification, the likelihood of receiving participation requests for environmental contribution projects from ineligible users can be reduced, and the cost of processing participation requests from ineligible users can be lowered.

[0118] In one embodiment, in order to increase the number of participants in the environmental contribution project, server 20 can propose that users who are ineligible to participate meet the criteria that those criteria do not meet.

[0119] For example, if step S200 determines that the home appliance 12 does not meet either the first or second criterion, the control unit 23 of the server 20 can propose candidate models to the user that can meet either the first or second criterion. In this case, the second notification includes a second proposal related to candidate models that can participate in the environmental contribution project. The control unit 23 may, for example, select as candidate models home appliances that have an energy efficiency equal to or greater than the energy efficiency of the home appliance 12 currently in use.

[0120] In one example, the memory unit 22 stores a comparison table or database containing model information and corresponding energy efficiency for various home appliances. The control unit 23 can select candidate models by comparing the comparison table or database with baseline energy efficiency corresponding to a first or second criterion. In another example, the memory unit 22 stores a list of candidate models that can participate in each environmental contribution project. The control unit 23 adds at least one of the candidate models included in this list to the second notification.

[0121] Furthermore, if a user purchases a new home appliance based on the proposed model, the start date of operation for the new appliance will be after the time of the proposal, so criterion 3 does not need to be considered. Similarly, since the new appliance has not yet been registered in the participant information, criterion 4 does not need to be considered.

[0122] By proposing candidate models to users who are unable to participate, it is possible to encourage those users to take part in environmental contribution projects.

[0123] In one embodiment, the second notification includes reduction estimates related to environmental contribution information generated over a third period by the candidate model. The control unit 23 may calculate the reduction estimates using the calculation method described in Embodiment 1. When calculating, the energy efficiency of the candidate model is used instead of the energy efficiency of the appliance 12, and the energy efficiency of the appliance 12 is used instead of the energy efficiency of the appliance before replacement.

[0124] For example, the control unit 23 calculates a first estimated value based on the assumed power consumption, the energy efficiency of the candidate model, and the energy efficiency standard value. Furthermore, the control unit 23 calculates a second estimated value based on the assumed power consumption, the energy efficiency of the candidate model, and the energy efficiency of the home appliance 12. The control unit 23 adds the larger of the first and second estimated values ​​as the reduction estimate to the second notification.

[0125] By displaying reduction estimates to users through the second notification, it is possible to pique their interest in participating in environmental contribution projects and encourage their participation.

[0126] Figure 8 is a sequence diagram of an example of the recruitment method according to Embodiment 2. In the embodiment shown in Figure 8, terminal device 30A and home appliance 12A belong to one user, and terminal device 30B and home appliance 12B belong to another user. The server 20 executing the recruitment method receives user information related to terminal device 30A, home appliance 12A and their user from terminal device 30A (and home appliance 12A). Similarly, the server 20 receives user information related to terminal device 30B, home appliance 12B and their user from terminal device 30B (and home appliance 12B).

[0127] Next, the server 20 determines, based on the acquired user information, whether the user of home appliance 12A and the user of home appliance 12B are eligible to participate in the environmental contribution project. If the server determines that the user of home appliance 12A is eligible to participate and the user of home appliance 12B is not, the server 20 outputs a first notification to the user of home appliance 12A and a second notification to the user of home appliance 12B.

[0128] In other words, before receiving a participation request from a user of home appliance 12A or a user of home appliance 12B, the server 20 predetermines whether or not these users are eligible to participate, and sends a first or second notification to the user based on the determination result.

[0129] The user of home appliance 12A sees the participation request information included in the first notification and sends a participation request to the server 20 via the terminal device 30A. The server 20 receives and approves the participation request and registers the user of home appliance 12A as a participant in the environmental contribution project.

[0130] This completes the processing of the recruitment method, which outputs either the first or second notification. In this way, even users who are determined to be ineligible to participate can be encouraged to take part in the environmental contribution project by receiving the second notification related to the project.

[0131] Embodiment 3 <Terminal device is an information processing device> In the embodiment of Embodiment 3, the terminal device 30 is executed as an information processing device that determines whether a user can participate and outputs a first notification or a second notification. That is, the terminal device 30 as an information processing device executes the recruitment method of this disclosure.

[0132] Figure 9 is a block diagram of an example of an information processing device according to Embodiment 3, and Figure 10 is a sequence diagram of an example of a recruitment method according to Embodiment 3. In Embodiment 3, the terminal device 30 acquires user information from user input, home appliances 12, and the server 20.

[0133] The terminal device 30 can obtain the criteria, reference values, baseline, and second period used to determine eligibility for participation from the storage unit 32, or by querying the server 20. When determining duplicate participation (fourth criterion), the terminal device 30 can determine whether the fourth criterion is met by querying the server 20 with the identification information of the home appliance 12.

[0134] The terminal device 30 can also obtain information used to create the first or second notification, such as explanations of environmental contribution projects, assumed power consumption and baselines for calculating reduction estimates, options for how generated profits can be used, and candidate models, by reading them from the storage unit 32 or by querying the server 20. Furthermore, the terminal device 30 can output the first or second notification so that it can be displayed on the display unit 35 or related application 36.

[0135] In the embodiment shown in Figure 10, just like in the embodiment shown in Figure 8, users of terminal device 30A and home appliance 12A are determined to be able to participate, while users of terminal device 30B and home appliance 12B are determined to be unable to participate.

[0136] As shown in Figure 10, terminal devices 30A and 30B acquire user information from user input or home appliances 12A and 12B, and determine whether the user of terminal devices 30A and 30B can participate. Terminal device 30A determines that the user can participate and displays a first notification including participation request information to the user via the display unit 35 of terminal device 30A. On the other hand, terminal device 30B may determine that the user cannot participate and display a second notification including candidate models to the user via the display unit 35 of terminal device 30B.

[0137] The user of home appliance 12A sees the participation request information included in the first notification and sends a participation request to the server 20 via the terminal device 30A. The server 20 receives and approves the participation request from home appliance 12A and registers the user of home appliance 12A as a participant in the environmental contribution project.

[0138] In other words, each of the terminal devices 30A and 30B determines in advance whether the user is eligible to participate before sending a participation request, and displays a first or second notification to the user based on the determination result.

[0139] Furthermore, when the terminal device 30 (specifically its control unit 33) is implemented as an information processing device, the storage unit 32 stores a computer program that causes the control unit 33 to execute the recruitment method of this disclosure, and the storage unit 32 is a non-temporary computer-readable storage medium on which the computer program is stored. The recruitment method is implemented when the computer program is executed by the processor of the control unit 33.

[0140] As described above, the user's terminal device can execute the recruitment method as an information processing device. With such a terminal device and recruitment method, it is possible to proactively recruit participants for environmental contribution projects from users of home appliances.

[0141] The configurations of embodiments 1 to 3 described above can be combined.

[0142] (Other embodiments) (Note) Based on the above description of embodiments, the following technologies are disclosed.

[0143] (Technical 1) The information processing device is for recruiting participants for an environmental contribution project from users of home appliances. The information processing device includes a communication unit or storage unit that can acquire user information including home appliance model information or energy efficiency, and a control unit that controls the communication unit or storage unit. The control unit acquires user information, determines whether the user is eligible to participate in the environmental contribution project based on the user information, and if it determines that the user is eligible to participate, outputs a first notification that includes information requesting participation in the environmental contribution project.

[0144] Such an information processing device makes it possible to proactively recruit participants for environmental contribution projects from among the users of home appliances.

[0145] (Technology 2) The information processing device described in Technology 1, wherein the environmental contribution project is a project related to the creation of environmental value, the energy efficiency is a numerical value representing the ability of the home appliance to perform its inherent function, and the power consumption of the home appliance during the first period is related to the power consumption of the home appliance.

[0146] According to such an information processing device, it is possible to recruit participants for projects related to creating environmental value based on the energy efficiency related to the power consumption of home appliances.

[0147] (Technology 3) The information processing apparatus according to Technology 1 or 2, wherein the control unit further receives a participation request from a user that has been determined to be eligible to participate, grants the participation request, and makes the user who requested participation a participant in the environmental contribution project.

[0148] With such an information processing device, there is no need to re-examine the eligibility requirements for participation when receiving a request to participate, thus saving or reducing the effort involved in the review process.

[0149] (Technical 4) The information processing apparatus according to Technical 3, wherein the participation request includes a participation category for the environmental contribution project, the participation category includes a first category and a second category different from the first category, and the first category and the second category correspond to different calculation criteria when calculating environmental contribution information.

[0150] Such an information processing device can recruit users to participate in participation categories using different calculation criteria.

[0151] (Technical 5) The information processing apparatus according to Technical 3 or 4, wherein the user information further includes user identification information and home appliance identification information, and when the control unit makes a user who has requested to participate a participant in the environmental contribution project, it registers the user information of the user who has requested to participate in the participant information, and the participant information includes user information of the participants in the environmental contribution project.

[0152] This type of information processing device can acquire and register participant information of participants in environmental contribution projects.

[0153] (Technology 6) When the control unit determines whether the user is eligible to participate in the environmental contribution project, if the user information does not include the energy efficiency, it identifies the energy efficiency of the appliance based on the model information of the appliance, and determines whether a first criterion or a second criterion is met based on the energy efficiency, wherein the first criterion is that the energy efficiency is equal to or greater than the energy efficiency standard value if the appliance is newly installed, and the second criterion is that the energy efficiency is equal to or greater than the energy efficiency of the appliance before replacement if the appliance is being replaced, as described in any one of Technologies 1 to 5.

[0154] According to this type of information processing device, it is possible to determine eligibility for participation for each participation category corresponding to different criteria, based on different criteria.

[0155] (Technical 7) The information processing apparatus according to Technical 6, wherein the user information includes the start date of operation of the home appliance, and when the control unit determines whether the user is eligible to participate in the environmental contribution project, it further determines whether a third criterion is met based on the start date of operation, the third criterion being that a second period has not elapsed since the start date of operation.

[0156] According to this type of information processing device, eligibility for participation can be determined based on criteria related to the start date of operation of the home appliance.

[0157] (Technical 8) The information processing apparatus according to Technical 7, wherein the user information further includes identification information of a home appliance, and when the control unit determines whether the user is eligible to participate in the environmental contribution project, it further determines whether a fourth criterion is met based on the identification information of the home appliance, the fourth criterion being that the identification information of the home appliance is not registered in the participant information, and the participant information is the user information of a participant in the environmental contribution project.

[0158] This type of information processing device can prevent duplicate participation by the same home appliance.

[0159] (Technical 9) The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first notification includes an estimated reduction value related to environmental contribution information generated by the home appliance over a third period, and the control unit calculates the estimated reduction value based on the energy efficiency of the home appliance if the user determines that participation is possible.

[0160] Such an information processing device can encourage participation in environmental contribution projects by informing users of estimated reductions in emissions from home appliances.

[0161] (Technical 10) The information processing apparatus according to Technical 9, wherein, when calculating the reduction estimate, the control unit identifies the energy efficiency of the appliance based on the model information of the appliance, and calculates the reduction estimate based on the energy efficiency and the energy efficiency standard value or the energy efficiency of the appliance before replacement.

[0162] Such an information processing device can calculate an estimated reduction based on the model information of home appliances.

[0163] (Technical 11) The information processing apparatus according to Technical 10, wherein the control unit, when calculating the reduction estimate, calculates a first estimate based on the energy efficiency and the energy efficiency reference value, calculates a second estimate based on the energy efficiency and the energy efficiency of the home appliance before replacement, and takes the larger of the first estimate and the second estimate as the reduction estimate.

[0164] Such an information processing device can determine a calculation criterion that results in a relatively large reduction estimate.

[0165] (Technical 12) The information processing apparatus according to Technical 11, wherein the first notification includes a first proposal relating to the categories of participation in the environmental contribution project, the categories of participation include a first category and a second category different from the first category, the first estimate and the second estimate correspond to the first category and the second category, and the control unit sets the first category as the first proposal if the first estimate is greater than the second estimate, and sets the second category as the first proposal if the second estimate is greater than the first estimate.

[0166] Such an information processing device can determine calculation criteria that result in relatively large reduction estimates and propose participation categories that are advantageous to the user.

[0167] (Technical 13) The information processing device according to any one of Technical 1 to 12, wherein the first notification includes at least one option for how to use the profits generated by the environmental contribution information of the home appliance.

[0168] Such information processing devices can encourage participation in environmental contribution projects by presenting users with options for how the generated profits can be used.

[0169] (Technical 14) The information processing device according to any one of Technical 1 to 13, wherein the control unit outputs a second notification including the determination result when it is determined that the user is unable to participate.

[0170] Such an information processing device can display notifications related to environmental contribution projects even to users who are deemed ineligible to participate.

[0171] (Technical 15) The information processing device according to Technical 14, wherein the second notification includes a second proposal relating to candidate models that can participate in the environmental contribution project, and the control unit selects models of home appliances having an energy efficiency of or greater than the energy efficiency of the home appliance as candidate models.

[0172] Such an information processing device can encourage participation in environmental contribution projects by providing users who are deemed ineligible to participate with suggestions for how to do so.

[0173] (Technical 16) The information processing apparatus according to Technical 15, wherein the second notification includes reduction estimates related to environmental contribution information generated over a third period by the candidate model, and the control unit calculates the reduction estimates based on the energy efficiency of the candidate model.

[0174] Such an information processing device can encourage participation in environmental contribution projects by informing users of estimated reductions achieved by candidate home appliance models.

[0175] (Technical 17) A method for recruiting participants for an environmental contribution project from users of home appliances, comprising the steps of: obtaining user information including home appliance model information or energy efficiency; determining whether the user is eligible to participate in the environmental contribution project based on the user information; and, if it is determined that the user is eligible to participate, outputting a first notification including information requesting participation in the environmental contribution project.

[0176] (Technical 18) A computer program for causing an information processing device to execute the recruitment method described in Technical 17.

[0177] (Technical 19) A non-temporary computer-readable storage medium in which a computer program is stored, wherein the recruitment method described in Technical 17 is implemented when the computer program is executed by a processor.

[0178] This recruitment method, computer program, and storage medium allows for the proactive recruitment of participants in environmental contribution projects from users of home appliances.

[0179] The above are merely specific embodiments of the Disclosure, and the scope of protection of the Disclosure is not limited thereto. The Disclosure includes, but is not limited to, the contents described in the drawings and the specific embodiments described above. Various embodiments or examples disclosed can be combined without departing from the scope or spirit of the Disclosure. Any modifications that do not depart from the functional and structural principles of the Disclosure are within the scope of the claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0180] 10 Housing 12A, 12B home appliances 20 servers 21 Communications Department 22 Memory section 23 Control Unit 30, 30A, 30B Terminal equipment 31 Communications Department 32 Storage section 33 Control Unit 34 Input section 35 Display section 36 Related Applications

Claims

1. An information processing device for recruiting participants for an environmental contribution project from home appliance users, A communication unit or storage unit capable of acquiring user information including model information or energy efficiency of the aforementioned home appliance, A control unit that controls the communication unit or the storage unit, Includes, The control unit, The user information is obtained, Based on the user information, it is determined whether the user is eligible to participate in the environmental contribution project. If it is determined that the user is eligible to participate, a first notification containing information requesting participation in the environmental contribution project will be output. Information processing device.

2. The aforementioned environmental contribution project is a project related to the creation of environmental value, The aforementioned energy efficiency is a numerical value representing the ability of the appliance to perform its inherent function, and is related to the power consumption of the appliance during the first period. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The control unit further, Upon receiving a participation request from a user who has been determined to be eligible to participate, The aforementioned participation request is approved, and the user who requested participation becomes a participant in the aforementioned environmental contribution project. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

4. The aforementioned participation request includes a category for participation in the aforementioned environmental contribution project, The aforementioned participation categories include a first category and a second category that is different from the first category. The first and second categories mentioned above correspond to different calculation criteria when calculating environmental contribution information. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3.

5. The user information further includes user identification information and home appliance identification information. When the control unit designates a user who has requested to participate as a participant in the environmental contribution project, it registers the user information of the user who has requested to participate in the participant information. The participant information includes user information of participants in the environmental contribution project. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3.

6. When the control unit determines whether the user is eligible to participate in the environmental contribution project, If the user information does not include the energy efficiency, the energy efficiency of the appliance is determined based on the model information of the appliance. Based on the aforementioned energy efficiency, it is determined whether the first or second criterion is met. The first criterion is that, if the appliance is newly installed, its energy efficiency is equal to or greater than the standard energy efficiency value. The second criterion is that, if the appliance is being replaced, the energy efficiency of the replacement appliance must be equal to or greater than the energy efficiency of the appliance before replacement. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

7. The user information includes the start date of operation of the home appliance, When the control unit determines whether the user is eligible to participate in the environmental contribution project, it further determines: Based on the aforementioned start date of operation, determine whether or not the third criterion is met. The third criterion is that the second period has not elapsed since the start date of operation. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6.

8. The user information further includes home appliance identification information, When the control unit determines whether the user is eligible to participate in the environmental contribution project, it further determines: Based on the identification information of the aforementioned home appliance, it is determined whether the fourth criterion is met. The fourth criterion is that the identification information of the home appliance is not registered in the participant information. The aforementioned participant information is the user information of the participants in the aforementioned environmental contribution project. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7.

9. The aforementioned first notice includes reduction estimates related to the environmental contribution information generated by the aforementioned home appliances over the third period, If the control unit determines that the user is able to participate, it calculates the estimated reduction value based on the energy efficiency of the home appliance. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

10. When the control unit calculates the reduction estimate, If the user information does not include the energy efficiency, the energy efficiency of the appliance is determined based on the model information of the appliance. Based on the aforementioned energy efficiency and the energy efficiency standard value, or the energy efficiency of the appliance before replacement, the estimated reduction value is calculated. The information processing apparatus according to claim 9.

11. When the control unit calculates the reduction estimate, Based on the aforementioned energy efficiency and the aforementioned energy efficiency reference value, a first estimated value is calculated. Based on the aforementioned energy efficiency and the energy efficiency of the appliance before replacement, a second estimated value is calculated. The larger of the first estimate and the second estimate is taken as the reduction estimate. The information processing apparatus according to claim 10.

12. The aforementioned first notice includes the first proposal relating to the categories of participation in the aforementioned environmental contribution projects, The aforementioned participation categories include a first category and a second category that is different from the first category. The first estimate and the second estimate correspond to the first category and the second category, respectively. The control unit, If the first estimate is greater than the second estimate, the first category is set as the first proposal. If the second estimate is greater than the first estimate, the second category is set as the first proposal. The information processing apparatus according to claim 11.

13. The first notification includes at least one option for how the profits generated from the environmental contribution information of the home appliances can be used. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

14. The control unit, If the user is determined to be ineligible to participate, a second notification including the determination result will be output. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

15. The aforementioned second notification includes a second proposal relating to candidate models eligible to participate in the aforementioned environmental contribution project, The control unit, Candidate models are home appliances that have an energy efficiency equal to or greater than the energy efficiency of the aforementioned home appliances. The information processing apparatus according to claim 14.

16. The second notification includes reduction estimates related to the environmental contribution information generated over the third period by the candidate models, The control unit calculates the estimated reduction value based on the energy efficiency of the candidate model. The information processing apparatus according to claim 15.

17. This is a method for recruiting participants for an environmental contribution project from home appliance users. The steps include obtaining user information including model information or energy efficiency of the aforementioned home appliance, A step of determining whether the user is eligible to participate in the environmental contribution project based on the user information, If it is determined that the user is eligible to participate, the first step is to output a notification containing information requesting participation in the environmental contribution project. including, Recruitment method.

18. A computer program that causes an information processing device to execute the recruitment method described in claim 17.

19. A non-temporary, computer-readable storage medium on which computer programs are stored, When the computer program is executed by the processor, the recruitment method described in claim 17 is realized. A non-temporary, computer-readable storage medium.

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