Information processing device, program, and information processing method

Abstract

To provide an information processing device, a program and an information processing method capable of efficiently utilizing an electronic value acquired from produced energy.SOLUTION: In an energy conversion system, a settlement device 100 cooperative with a management device for energy produced and used by a user includes: an acquisition part of an energy production amount and use amount of the user from the management device; a reception part for receiving an instruction to convert the energy into an electronic value; a determination part of a conversion amount of the energy to be converted into the electronic value on the basis of energy information; an instruction part for instructing the management device to send the energy of the conversion amount to a prescribed apparatus; a deposit part of an electronic value of an amount corresponding to at least a portion of the conversion amount to a user account of the user in electronic settlement means in exchange for the energy sent to the prescribed apparatus; and a settlement processing part for reducing a transaction amount in a transaction from a balance of an electronic value of the user account when the user performs a transaction by the electronic settlement means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a technology that allows a user to provide energy such as electricity that he or she has produced to others and obtain electronic value such as virtual currency in return. The following Patent Document 1 discloses an energy management system that includes a mobile body equipped with a battery, a charging device capable of supplying power for charging the battery, a power receiving device capable of receiving the power stored in the battery, and a communication network for transmitting and receiving the amount of power supplied by the charging device and the amount of power demanded by the power receiving device between them. In this energy management system, it is described that the buying and selling of electricity between two or more parties, such as the owners of the battery, the charging device, and the power receiving device, can be settled by virtual currency managed by a blockchain. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-144626 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Meanwhile, there is a demand from users to efficiently use electronic value obtained as payment for the provision of produced energy. However, in the power management system of Patent Document 1, virtual currency cannot be used unless a buying and selling transaction is executed between the above two or more parties, so there is room for improvement in efficiently using electronic value obtained from produced energy.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing device, a program, and an information processing method that can efficiently utilize electronic value obtained from produced energy. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An information processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention is an information processing device that cooperates with a management device that manages energy produced and used by a user, and includes an acquisition unit that acquires energy information from the management device, including the amount of energy produced by the user in a first period and the amount of energy used by the user in the first period; a reception unit that accepts a conversion instruction from the user's user terminal to convert the energy into electronic value to be used in an electronic payment means usable by the user; an identification unit that, when the reception unit accepts the conversion instruction, identifies the conversion amount to convert the energy into electronic value based on the energy information; an instruction unit that instructs the management device to send the converted amount of energy to a specified device; a deposit unit that performs processing to deposit electronic value in an amount corresponding to at least a portion of the conversion amount into the user's user account in the electronic payment means in exchange for the energy sent to the specified device; and a payment processing unit that performs processing to deduct the transaction amount in the transaction from the balance of electronic value in the user account when the user performs a transaction using the electronic payment means.

[0007] A program according to one embodiment of the present invention enables a computer that cooperates with a management device that manages energy produced and used by a user to have the following functions: an acquisition function that acquires energy information from the management device, including the amount of energy produced by the user in a first period and the amount of energy used by the user in the first period; a reception function that accepts a conversion instruction from the user's user terminal to convert the energy into electronic value to be used in an electronic payment means available to the user; a determination function that, when the reception function accepts the conversion instruction, identifies the conversion amount to convert the energy into electronic value based on the energy information; an instruction function that instructs the management device to send the converted amount of energy to a specified device; a deposit function that performs processing to deposit electronic value in an amount corresponding to at least a portion of the conversion amount into the user's user account in the electronic payment means in exchange for the energy sent to the specified device; and a payment processing function that performs processing to deduct the transaction amount in the transaction from the electronic value balance in the user account when the user performs a transaction using the electronic payment means.

[0008] An information processing method according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a computer that cooperates with a management device that manages energy produced and used by a user, obtains energy information from the management device, including the amount of energy produced by the user in a first period and the amount of energy used by the user in the first period, receives a conversion instruction from the user's user terminal to convert the energy into electronic value to be used in an electronic payment means usable by the user, and, upon receiving the conversion instruction, identifies a conversion amount for converting the energy into electronic value based on the energy information, instructs the management device to send the converted amount of energy to a specified device, and performs processing to deposit electronic value in an amount corresponding to at least a portion of the conversion amount into the user's user account in the electronic payment means in exchange for the energy sent to the specified device, and, when the user performs a transaction using the electronic payment means, performs processing to deduct the transaction amount from the electronic value balance in the user account. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an information processing device, a program, and an information processing method that can efficiently utilize electronic value obtained from produced energy. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an example of a system configuration of an energy conversion system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an overview of an energy conversion system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the payment device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of the energy conversion system according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of the energy conversion system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the payment device according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the payment device according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] A preferred embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, referred to as "the present embodiment") will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each drawing, the same reference numerals denote the same or similar configurations.

[0012] In this embodiment, the terms "unit", "means", "apparatus", and "system" do not simply mean physical means, but also include cases where the functions of the "unit", "means", "apparatus", and "system" are realized by software. Furthermore, the functions of one "unit", "means", "apparatus", or "system" may be realized by two or more physical means or devices, and the functions of two or more "units", "means", "apparatus", or "system" may be realized by one physical means or device.

[0013] The energy conversion system 1 according to this embodiment is a system for converting energy produced by a user from natural energy (renewable energy) (hereinafter also referred to as "produced energy") into electronic value that can be used with electronic payment means. In other words, produced energy is energy converted from natural energy.

[0014] In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the natural energy is sunlight, but the invention is not limited to this. Other examples of natural energy include geothermal energy and biomass. In addition, in this embodiment, an example will be described in which the production energy is electricity (electrical energy), but the invention is not limited to this. Other examples of the production energy include heat.

[0015] In this embodiment, the electronic payment means is provided by a business operator (hereinafter, also referred to as a "payment business operator") that owns the payment device 100, but the present invention is not limited to this. Hereinafter, this electronic payment means is also referred to as "Energy Pay". Energy Pay is a payment means that can be used by users. With Energy Pay, users can deposit (charge) electronic value into their own user account in exchange for cash or other electronic value, and can withdraw electronic value from their user account for use in commercial transactions.

[0016] "Electronic value" refers to something that has monetary value and can be settled electronically. Examples of electronic value include electronic money, virtual currency, and corporate currency (common points). In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the unit of electronic value used in Energy Pay (hereinafter also simply referred to as "electronic value") is "points," and 1 point is converted to 1 yen.

[0017] In this embodiment, for simplicity of explanation, it is assumed that the user has applied to the payment service provider to use Energy Pay, registered a user account, and been authenticated in advance for using Energy Pay (logged in to the user account).

[0018] <1. System configuration> An example of the system configuration of an energy conversion system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the energy conversion system 1 includes a payment device 100 of a payment business operator, a management device 200, a user terminal 300 of a user, a first business operator device 400 of a first business operator, and a second business operator device 500 of a second business operator.

[0019] The first business operator is a business operator that supplies energy to a user. In this embodiment, the first business operator is an electric power business operator, but the present invention is not limited to this. The second business operator is a business operator that provides a credit card payment service to a user. In this embodiment, the second business operator is an issuer, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0020] The settlement device 100, the management device 200, the user terminal 300, the first business operator device 400, and the second business operator device 500 are connected to each other via a network N so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0021] The network N is composed of a wireless network or a wired network. Examples of the network include a mobile phone network, a PHS (Personal Handy-phone System) network, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network), 3G (3rd Generation), LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G (4th Generation), 5G (5th Generation), WiMax (registered trademark), infrared communication, Bluetooth (registered trademark), a wired LAN, a telephone line, a power line network, and a network conforming to IEEE1394, etc.

[0022] The payment device 100 is an information processing device that cooperates with various devices in the energy conversion system 1 in order to convert the electricity produced by the user into electronic value. For example, in this cooperation, the payment device 100 acquires information from the management device 200 and the first business operator device 400 and issues instructions to the management device 200. In addition, the payment device 100 performs processing for settling the payment by electronic payment means using electronic value when the user makes a payment to an electric power business operator or an issuer.

[0023] The management device 200 is an information processing device that manages the production energy. For example, when the production energy is electricity, the management device 200 collects data related to electricity from power equipment installed in the user's house, vehicle, etc., and controls the power equipment based on the collected data. The "power equipment" referred to here is equipment for producing (generating) electricity and using the electricity for home appliances, etc. Examples of power equipment include solar cell modules, junction boxes, power conditioners, power distributors, watt-hour meters (including watt-hour meters for selling electricity), power monitors (display devices), etc.

[0024] The user terminal 300 is a terminal device such as a smartphone or laptop that is capable of inputting instructions to the payment device 100, outputting energy-related information on a screen, and communicating with the payment device 100. The user terminal 300 executes a predetermined program, for example, to transmit and receive information related to electricity as described above, display a screen related to payment, and accept user requests. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the predetermined program is a native application (hereinafter also referred to as "Energy Pay app") dedicated to the energy conversion system 1. The Energy Pay app is installed in the user terminal 300 and operates.

[0025] The first business operator device 400 is an information processing device used by an electric power company. The second business operator device 500 is an information processing device used by an issuer.

[0026] <2. Overview> An overview of the energy conversion system 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. In this example, an example will be described in which generated power is converted into electronic value based on a conversion instruction from a user and used for various purposes.

[0027] A "conversion instruction" is an instruction to convert electricity produced by a user into electronic value to be used in Energy Pay. In addition to converting electricity into electronic value, the conversion instruction may also include, for example, (a) a designation of a method for identifying the amount of conversion, (b) a designation of the use of the converted electronic value, etc. Furthermore, the "use of electronic value" referred to here is, for example, (a) depositing electronic value into a user account, (b) payment for credit card usage, (c) payment for supplied electricity, etc.

[0028] (1) As shown in Figure 2, a user generates electricity using power equipment and solar light energy (performs solar power generation).

[0029] (2) The payment device 100 acquires from the management device 200 the production amount of electricity that the user has produced in the first period and the usage amount of electricity that the user has used in the first period. Then, the payment device 100 specifies the conversion amount based on the acquired production amount and usage amount in response to a conversion instruction from the user. Here, the "first period" is the period during which the produced electricity is to be converted into electronic value. Here, the "conversion amount" refers to the amount of electricity produced by the user that is to be converted into electronic value. The conversion amount may be, for example, the amount obtained by subtracting the usage amount from the production amount (such as the so-called surplus electricity amount). As another example, the conversion amount may be the total amount of production.

[0030] (3) The payment device 100 instructs the management device 200 to send the generated electricity through the power grid to a specified device based on a conversion instruction from the user. The payment device 100 performs processing to deposit at least a part of electronic value, an amount corresponding to the conversion amount, into the user's user account in Energy Pay in exchange for the electricity sent to the specified device.

[0031] The "specific device" may be, for example, a device owned by an electric power company or a payment company, and may be a device for receiving electricity sent from a user (for example, a power purchasing electricity meter or a high-voltage receiving board).

[0032] (4) The settlement device 100 issues electronic value in exchange for the power transmitted to a specific device based on a conversion instruction from the user, and allocates the electronic value to various uses shown in the following (4)-1 to 3.

[0033] (4)-1 The settlement device 100 may, for example, carry out a process for settling the payment for the electricity supplied by the electric power company by allocating electronic value to at least a part of the payment amount.

[0034] (4)-2 The payment device 100 may perform processing to settle a payment for credit card usage to an issuer (hereinafter simply referred to as a “credit usage payment”), for example, by allocating electronic value to at least a portion of the payment amount.

[0035] (4)-3 The payment device 100 may, for example, deposit electronic value into a user account of Energy Pay.

[0036] (5) When electronic value is deposited in Energy Pay, users can conduct transactions using Energy Pay. (6) For example, users can purchase products at Energy Pay member stores using the electronic value deposited in Energy Pay.

[0037] According to the above configuration, the payment device 100 can convert the electricity produced by the user into electronic value based on the user's conversion instruction, and use the converted electronic value for various purposes. For example, the payment device 100 can deposit the electronic value into a user account of Energy Pay, or use it to pay the user's electricity bill or credit usage. Therefore, according to the above configuration, the payment device 100 can allow the user to efficiently use the electronic value obtained from the produced electricity.

[0038] <3. Functional configuration> The functional configuration of the payment device 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. As shown in Fig. 3, the payment device 100 includes a control unit 110, a communication unit 120, and a storage unit .

[0039] The control unit 110 includes an acquisition unit 111, a reception unit 112, a specification unit 113, an instruction unit 114, a deposit unit 115, and a payment processing unit 116. The control unit 110 may also include, for example, a prediction unit 117, an adjustment unit 118, or a generation unit 119.

[0040] The acquisition unit 111 acquires the energy information from the management device 200 .

[0041] "Energy information" refers to information about energy produced and used by a user. The energy information includes, for example, the amount of energy produced by a user in a first period (hereinafter also simply referred to as "production amount") and the amount of energy used by a user in a first period (hereinafter also simply referred to as "usage amount").

[0042] The energy information may include, for example, the supply amount (hereinafter also simply referred to as "supply amount") of energy (hereinafter also simply referred to as "supplied energy") supplied to a user during a first period from a first energy supplying business operator.

[0043] The energy information may include, for example, production information. "Production information" is information indicating the production capacity of the user's energy production. The production information may be, for example, information regarding the power generation capacity of the power equipment owned by the user. "Information regarding the power generation capacity of the power equipment" may include, for example, the system rated output, loss rate, panel / DC circuit loss rate, and total design number of the power equipment.

[0044] The acquiring unit 111 may acquire various information including energy information in any manner, and may, for example, receive a data file of energy information transmitted from the management device 200. As another example of an aspect of acquiring energy information, the acquiring unit 111 may acquire a data file of energy information by remotely accessing the management device 200. As yet another example, the acquiring unit 111 may instruct an API implemented in the management device 200 to refer to energy information, and acquire the energy information as a result.

[0045] The acquisition unit 111 may acquire payment information from the second business device 500. Here, "payment information" refers to information related to payment for credit card usage. The payment information includes, for example, a scheduled payment amount and a payee account for payment for credit card usage of the user.

[0046] The scheduled payment amount may be, for example, the scheduled monthly billing amount from the issuer for the use of the credit card by the user. For example, when a revolving payment method is adopted for the use of the credit card by the user, the scheduled payment amount may be a fixed amount to be paid every certain period (for example, every month), that is, a so-called revolving payment amount.

[0047] The payment information may include, for example, credit card information. Here, "credit card information" refers to information related to a credit card, and may include, for example, a credit card number, a name, an expiration date, or a security code.

[0048] The acquisition unit 111 may acquire weather information indicating a weather forecast for the second period from, for example, an external device of a third-party system. The weather information may include, for example, a weather forecast (forecast of sunny, cloudy, rainy, etc. for a certain period), the amount of solar radiation (actual value or predicted value) for the second period or for the year, etc.

[0049] The reception unit 112 receives a conversion instruction to convert energy into electronic value used in an electronic payment means that can be used by the user from the user terminal 300. The reception unit 112 may receive the conversion instruction by, for example, an operation input by the user to the user terminal 300.

[0050] The accepting unit 112 may accept, for example, a payment request from the user terminal 300 for settling a payment in a transaction.

[0051] When the receiving unit 112 receives a conversion instruction, the specifying unit 113 specifies a conversion amount for converting energy into electronic value based on the energy information.

[0052] For example, when the surplus amount is the conversion amount, the specifying unit 113 may specify the amount obtained by subtracting the usage amount from the production amount as the conversion amount. For example, when a supply amount exists, the specifying unit 113 may specify the amount obtained by subtracting the usage amount from the total amount of the production amount and the supply amount as the conversion amount.

[0053] The amount to be determined as the conversion amount by the determination unit 113 may depend on a user's specification of the method for determining the conversion amount on the setting screen 700 described below, or a setting common to all users (for example, a setting that sets the surplus amount as the default) may be applied.

[0054] The instruction unit 114 instructs the management device 200 to send the converted amount of energy identified by the identification unit 113 to a predetermined device. The instruction unit 114 may instruct the management device 200 in any manner, and may, for example, transmit to the management device 200 a message or a data file indicating an instruction to send to the predetermined device.

[0055] The deposit unit 115 performs processing for depositing electronic value in an amount corresponding to the conversion amount into the user's user account in the electronic payment means in exchange for the energy sent to the specified device. For example, the deposit unit 115 receives a response from the management device 200 to the effect that electricity has been transmitted to the specified device as a response to the instruction from the instruction unit 114. When the deposit unit 115 receives this response to the effect that electricity has been transmitted, it issues electronic value in an amount corresponding to the conversion amount and deposits the issued electronic value into the user account of Energy Pay.

[0056] The deposit unit 115 may perform processing for depositing electronic value into the user account in an amount obtained by subtracting the amount appropriated for payment for the supplied energy from the amount according to the conversion amount, for example.

[0057] According to the above configuration, the deposit unit 115 can allocate electronic value to the payment of energy supply that requires payment, such as electricity bills, with priority, and deposit the remainder into the user account. Therefore, according to the above configuration, the deposit unit 115 can prevent a situation in which the user is unable to pay the electricity bill due to overusing the electronic value deposited in the user account, and can provide the user with an easy-to-use electronic payment method.

[0058] The deposit unit 115 may perform processing for depositing electronic value into the user account in an amount obtained by subtracting the amount appropriated for payment from the amount according to the conversion amount, for example.

[0059] According to the above configuration, the deposit unit 115 can allocate electronic value to the payment for credit card usage with priority, and deposit the remainder into the user account. Therefore, according to the above configuration, the deposit unit 115 can prevent a situation in which the electronic value deposited in the user account is used up too much and the payment for credit card usage cannot be made, and can provide the user with an easy-to-use electronic payment method.

[0060] The deposit unit 115 may perform processing to deposit electronic value into a user account according to the set use (a) of the aforementioned uses, which are, for example, (a) depositing electronic value into a user account, (b) payment for credit card usage, and (c) payment for supplied electricity.

[0061] When a user performs a transaction using electronic payment means, the payment processing unit 116 performs processing to deduct the transaction amount from the balance of electronic value in the user account.

[0062] For example, when a user uses Energy Pay to purchase a product at an affiliated store, the payment processing unit 116 accepts a payment request to settle this commercial transaction using the Energy Pay user account from the affiliated store's POS system or the user terminal 300. When the payment processing unit 116 accepts this payment request, it performs a debit process to deduct the transaction amount from the balance of the user account, with the user account as the payment source account. The payment processing unit 116 also performs a process to deposit the transaction amount into the payment destination account specified in the processing request.

[0063] According to the above configuration, the energy produced by the user can be converted into electronic value based on a conversion instruction from the user, and the converted electronic value can be deposited into the user's account of the electronic payment means. Furthermore, according to the above configuration, the deposited electronic value can be used for transactions by the electronic payment means. Therefore, according to the above configuration, the electronic value obtained from the produced energy can be efficiently used by the user.

[0064] The payment processor 116 may, for example, perform processing to settle a payment using a payment method registered in the electronic payment means based on a payment request received from a user. For example, if a payment by bank transfer is registered in the electronic payment means, the payment processor 116 instructs the bank server of the destination bank to perform bank transfer processing. Also, for example, if a payment by credit card is registered in the electronic payment means, the payment processor 116 instructs the corresponding credit card system to perform credit card payment processing.

[0065] The payment processing unit 116 may perform processing for settling a payment using electronic value in accordance with the set usage (b) and / or (c) of the above-mentioned usages (a) depositing electronic value into a user account, (b) payment for credit card usage, and (c) payment for supplied power. When there are multiple usages set, the deposit unit 115 and the payment processing unit 116 may perform processing for depositing or settling a payment using electronic value in accordance with the priority set for each usage.

[0066] If there is a supply amount, the settlement processing unit 116 may carry out a process for settling the payment for the supplied energy by applying at least a part of the electronic value exchanged for the energy.

[0067] For example, when there is an amount of electricity supply, that is, when the amount of electricity supply is not "0", the payment processing unit 116 appropriates electronic value (1,000 points converted to 1,000 yen) to at least a portion (1,000 yen) of the planned payment amount (2,000 yen) for the amount of electricity supply in the second period. The payment processing unit 116 deposits the appropriated electronic value into the account of the electric power company, with the account of the electric power company as the payment destination account. Furthermore, the payment processing unit 116 performs processing to settle the payment for the remaining amount after deducting the appropriated amount from the payment amount, using the payment method registered in the electronic payment means, with the account of the electric power company as the payment destination account.

[0068] The settlement processing unit 116 may, for example, perform processing for settling the payment for the supplied energy by applying at least a portion of the electronic value exchanged for the energy to the payment based on the payment information.

[0069] For example, the payment processing unit 116 appropriates the electronic value (1,000 points converted to 1,000 yen) to at least a portion (1,000 yen) of the next month's planned payment amount (2,000 yen). The payment processing unit 116 deposits the appropriated electronic value into the issuer's account, with the issuer's account as the payment destination account. The payment processing unit 116 also instructs the second business operator device 500 to debit the remaining amount, which is obtained by subtracting the appropriated amount from the planned payment amount, from the user's account (bank account) associated with the credit card.

[0070] The payment processing unit 116 may perform processing to settle the payment by applying at least a portion of the electronic value exchanged for energy to the payment based on the planned payment amount adjusted by the adjustment unit 118, for example.

[0071] According to the above configuration, the payment processing unit 116 can settle the payment at an amount adjusted based on the predicted energy production amount. Therefore, according to the above configuration, the payment processing unit 116 can settle the payment after automatically optimizing the planned payment amount based on the energy production forecast.

[0072] The prediction unit 117 refers to the first storage unit 131 that stores production information indicating the energy production capacity of the user, and predicts the expected production amount of energy produced by the user in the second period based on the weather information. Here, the "second period" is a future period that is the period to be predicted. The second period may be, for example, the next month or the month after that.

[0073] The prediction unit 117 may, for example, refer to the second storage unit 132 that stores the user's actual energy usage in the third period to predict the predicted amount of energy usage used by the user in the second period. Here, the "third period" is the same period as the second period in the previous year. The prediction unit 117 may, for example, predict the energy usage in the third period as the predicted amount of energy usage in the second period as it is. In addition, the prediction unit 117 may, for example, predict the predicted amount of energy usage by multiplying the energy usage in the third period by a coefficient according to the weather forecast indicated by the meteorological information or the amount of solar radiation for the year.

[0074] The adjustment unit 118 adjusts the scheduled payment amount based on, for example, the predicted production volume predicted by the prediction unit 117. For example, when the predicted production volume for the next month is greater than the statistical values ​​(for example, the average, median, mode, etc.) of the past months including the current month, the adjustment unit 118 adjusts the scheduled payment amount for the month after next to be increased. For example, when the predicted production volume for the next month is less than the past months such as this month, the adjustment unit 118 adjusts the scheduled payment amount for the month after next to be decreased. For example, when the predicted production volume for the next month is 1.5 times greater than the current month, the adjustment unit 118 may adjust the revolving payment amount for the month after next to be increased by 1.5 times.

[0075] The adjustment unit 118 may adjust the planned payment amount based on, for example, the predicted production amount predicted by the prediction unit 117 as well as the predicted usage amount predicted by the prediction unit 117. For example, when the difference obtained by subtracting the predicted usage amount from the predicted production amount is negative, the adjustment unit 118 may adjust the planned payment amount to decrease. For example, when the difference obtained by subtracting the predicted usage amount from the predicted production amount is positive, the adjustment unit 118 may adjust the planned payment amount to increase.

[0076] According to the above configuration, the adjustment unit 118 can adjust the estimated payment amount based on not only the production forecast but also the usage forecast based on the past usage record. Therefore, according to the above configuration, it is possible to more precisely optimize the estimated payment amount.

[0077] The generation unit 119 generates display information for displaying the top screen 600 and the setting screen 700 on the user terminal 300. The generation unit 119 transmits the generated display information to the user terminal 300 via the communication unit 120.

[0078] The communication unit 120 transmits and receives various information to and from the management device 200 and the user terminal 300 via the network N. For example, the communication unit 120 may receive energy information from the management device 200 and may receive a conversion instruction or a payment request from the user terminal 300 via the network N. The communication unit 120 may also transmit, for example, information indicating a processing result of the payment based on the payment request to the user terminal 300.

[0079] The storage unit 130 may store, for example, energy information, payment information, and / or display information. The storage unit 130 may store each piece of information using a database management system (DBMS), or may store the above information using a file system. When using a DBMS, the storage unit 130 may provide a table for each piece of information, and the above information may be managed by associating the tables with each other.

[0080] The storage unit 130 may include a first storage unit 131 or a second storage unit 132. The first storage unit 131 stores production information. The second storage unit 132 stores performance information.

[0081] <4. Screen> 4 and 5, an example of a screen displayed in the energy conversion system 1 will be described. Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a top screen 600 of the Energy Pay app displayed on the user terminal 300. Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a setting screen 700 of the Energy Pay app.

[0082] The top screen 600 is the screen that is first displayed when a user logs in to the Energy Pay application after user authentication. As shown in Fig. 4, the top screen 600 includes a balance display 601 of electronic value deposited in the user account, a code display 602 including a QR code (registered trademark) and a barcode for code payment, a credit card revolving payment amount (scheduled payment amount) display 603, a deposit button 604 for depositing money into the user account, and a setting change button 605 for transitioning to a setting screen 700.

[0083] The setting screen 700 is a screen for setting the conversion from power to electronic value and the use of electronic value. As shown in Fig. 5, the setting screen 700 displays a power status / forecast display 701, a conversion amount display 702, a conversion setting form 703 (drop-down list), a group of usage setting forms 704 (drop-down list), and an execute button 705 (indicated as "Reflect settings").

[0084] The conversion setting form 703 is a form for setting a method for specifying the conversion amount. The list in the conversion setting form 703 includes, for example, specification methods such as "convert surplus amount," "convert entire amount (not shown)," and "convert xx% of production amount (not shown)."

[0085] The usage setting form group 704 is a form for setting the usage of electronic value exchanged for production energy. A usage corresponding to each of the priorities 1 to 3 of the usage setting form group 704 can be selected from a list. The list includes usages such as "electricity bill payment," "credit payment," and "charging," for example.

[0086] When the user makes a specification in the conversion setting form 703 or the usage setting form group 704 and presses the execute button 705, the user terminal 300 transmits a conversion instruction including the result of this specification to the payment device 100. The reception unit 112 receives this transmitted conversion instruction. Based on the change instruction received by the reception unit 112, the specification unit 113 and the payment processing unit 116 are each set to perform processing.

[0087] <5.Operation> With reference to FIG. 6, this is a flow diagram showing an example of the flow of processing in the payment device 100 from acquisition of energy information to use of electronic value exchanged for production energy. As a premise, it is assumed that multiple uses of electronic value are set with priorities 1 to N. The default for the priority "N" is "1 (natural number)". Note that the order of processing shown below is an example and may be changed as appropriate.

[0088] 6, the acquisition unit 111 acquires energy information from the management device 200 (S10). The acceptance unit 112 accepts a conversion instruction from the user terminal 300 to convert energy into electronic value used in an electronic payment method that can be used by the user (S11).

[0089] If there is a surplus amount of energy, or if the entire amount of energy is to be converted (Yes in S12), the specifying unit 113 specifies the conversion amount for converting the energy into electronic value based on the energy information (S13). The instruction unit 114 instructs the management device 200 to send the specified conversion amount of energy to a predetermined device (S14).

[0090] When the use of the electronic value set as the Nth priority is payment for supplied energy ("Payment for supplied energy" in S15), if there is a supply, the payment processing unit 116 performs processing to settle the payment for the supplied energy by applying at least a portion of the electronic value exchanged for energy (S16).

[0091] When the use of the electronic value set as the Nth priority is to deposit electronic money into an Energy Pay user account ("Charge" in S15), a process is performed to deposit an amount of electronic value corresponding to at least a portion of the conversion amount or the remaining amount into the user's user account in exchange for the energy sent to the specified device (S17).

[0092] When the use of the electronic value set as the Nth priority is payment for credit card usage ("Payment for credit card usage" in S15), the payment processing unit 1116 performs processing to settle the payment by applying at least a portion of the electronic value exchanged for energy to the payment based on the payment information (S18).

[0093] If there is a balance of electronic value exchanged for energy and if a usage with the (N-1)th priority has been set (Yes in S19), the control unit 110 increments N, and the flow returns to before step S15.

[0094] If there is no remaining balance of the electronic value exchanged for energy, or if the usage purpose with the (N-1)th priority has not been set (No in S19), the process is terminated.

[0095] <5. Hardware configuration> 7, an example of a hardware configuration for implementing the above-mentioned payment device 100 using a computer 800 will be described. Note that the functions of each device can also be implemented by dividing them into a plurality of devices.

[0096] As shown in FIG. 7, a computer 800 includes a processor 801, a memory 803, a storage device 805, an input I / F unit 807, a data I / F unit 809, a communication I / F unit 811, and a display device 813.

[0097] Processor 801 controls various processes in computer 800 by executing programs stored in memory 803. For example, each functional unit of control unit 110 of payment device 100 can be realized by processor 801 executing programs temporarily stored in memory 803.

[0098] The memory 803 is a storage medium such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The memory 803 temporarily stores the program code of the program executed by the processor 801 and data required when the program is executed.

[0099] The storage device 805 is a non-volatile storage medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a flash memory. The storage device 805 stores an operating system and various programs for implementing the above-mentioned configurations. In addition, the storage device 805 can also store tables for registering energy information, payment information, and the like, and a DB for managing these tables. Such programs and data are loaded into the memory 803 as necessary, and are referred to by the processor 801.

[0100] The input I / F unit 807 is a device for receiving input from a user. Specific examples of the input I / F unit 807 include a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, various sensors, a wearable device, etc. The input I / F unit 807 may be connected to the computer 800 via an interface such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus).

[0101] The data I / F unit 809 is a device for inputting data from outside the computer 800. A specific example of the data I / F unit 809 is a drive device for reading data stored in various storage media. The data I / F unit 809 may be provided outside the computer 800. In that case, the data I / F unit 809 is connected to the computer 800 via an interface such as a USB.

[0102] The communication I / F unit 811 is a device for performing data communication via the Internet N, either wired or wirelessly, with an external device of the computer 800. The communication I / F unit 811 may be provided outside the computer 800. In that case, the communication I / F unit 811 is connected to the computer 800 via an interface such as a USB.

[0103] The display device 813 is a device for displaying various types of information. Specific examples of the display device 813 include a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, a display of a wearable device, and the like. The display device 813 may be provided outside the computer 800. In that case, the display device 813 is connected to the computer 800 via, for example, a display cable. In addition, when a touch panel is adopted as the input I / F unit 807, the display device 813 can be configured integrally with the input I / F unit 807.

[0104] It should be noted that the present embodiment is an example for explaining the present invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention to the embodiment. In addition, the present invention can be modified in various ways without departing from the gist of the invention. Furthermore, a person skilled in the art can adopt an embodiment in which each element described below is replaced with an equivalent, and such an embodiment is also included in the scope of the present invention.

[0105] The components of the payment device 100 described in the above embodiment are realized in cooperation with other hardware by the processor 801 executing a program stored in the storage device 805. In other words, these components are assumed to be software or firmware, and also corresponding hardware, and in both concepts, they are also described as "functions," "means," "parts," "processing circuits," "units," or "modules," and can be interpreted as such.

[0106] [Variations] Although the present invention has been described based on the above embodiment, the following cases are also included in the present invention.

[0107] (1) Although not shown in the above embodiment, the payment processing unit 116 may compare the amount according to the conversion amount with the planned payment amount, and determine the purpose and method of use of the electronic value exchanged for the production energy based on the result of the comparison.

[0108] For example, when the amount according to the conversion amount is equal to or greater than the planned payment amount for credit card usage, the settlement processing unit 116 may carry out a process for settling the payment by applying the electronic value exchanged for the production energy to the entire payment for credit card usage. The remaining amount of the electronic value at this time may be credited to the user account, or may be applied to the next payment for credit card usage.

[0109] (2) Although not shown in the above embodiment, the payment processing unit 116 may determine the purpose and usage of the electronic value based on the predicted production amount and the predicted usage amount.

[0110] For example, when there is a supply amount and the predicted usage amount in the second period is equal to or greater than the predicted production amount, the payment processing unit 116 may prioritize payment of the supplied energy and allocate the electronic value. On the other hand, when there is a supply amount and the predicted usage amount in the second period is less than the predicted production amount, the payment processing unit 116 may prioritize depositing the electronic value into the user account.

[0111] (3) At least a part of each component of the payment device 100 according to the above embodiment may be provided in the management device 200, the user terminal 300, or an external device. For example, in the energy conversion system 1, the management device 200 may include the prediction unit 117 of the payment device 100, and the payment device 100 may acquire from the management device 200 the predicted usage amount or predicted production amount predicted by the management device 200.

[0112] (4) In the above embodiment, the first storage unit that stores the production information and the second storage unit that stores the performance information are the storage units of the settlement device 100. However, this is not intended to be limiting. For example, the first storage unit may be the storage unit of the management device 200 or the storage unit of the user terminal 300.

[0113] (5) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the adjustment unit 118 adjusts the planned payment amount based on the predicted usage amount and / or the predicted production amount, but this is not limiting. The adjustment unit 118 may adjust the payment method (lump sum payment, revolving payment, or installment payment) for credit card use in payments from the month after next based on, for example, the predicted usage amount and / or the predicted production amount for the next month. The adjustment unit 118 may also adjust the number of installments for the month after next based on, for example, the predicted usage amount and / or the predicted production amount for the next month.

[0114] (6) Although not shown in the above embodiment, the payment processing unit 116 may restrict the use of the electronic value exchanged for electricity depending on the location where the user produced the electricity or the location under the jurisdiction of the electric power company that provided the electricity in exchange for the electronic value. For example, if the user produced the electricity in the Tokyo area, the payment processing unit 116 may allow only affiliated stores in the Tokyo area to make payments with the electronic value exchanged for the produced electricity. As another example, if the jurisdiction of the electric power company that provides the electricity produced by the user is the Kansai area, the payment processing unit 116 may allow only affiliated stores in the Kansai area to make payments with the electronic value exchanged for the produced electricity.

[0115] In converting electricity into electronic value, the conversion rate may differ depending on the area under the jurisdiction of the electric power company. According to the above configuration, in such a case, the settlement processing unit 116 can match the area to which electricity is provided with the area to which the electronic value obtained in exchange for the provided electricity is used by restricting the use of the electronic value. Therefore, according to the above configuration, the user can use the electronic value in a manner that does not differ from the conversion rate when electricity is converted into electronic value. [Explanation of symbols]

[0116] 1...Energy conversion system 100...Payment device, 110...Control unit, 111...Acquisition unit, 112...Reception unit, 113...Identification unit, 114...Instruction unit, 115...Deposit unit, 116...Payment processing unit, 117...Prediction unit, 118...Adjustment unit, 119...Generation unit, 120...Communication unit, 130...Memory unit, 200...Management device, 300...User terminal, 400...First business operator device, 500...Second business operator device.

Claims

1. An information processing device that cooperates with a management device that manages energy produced and used by a user, acquire, from the management device, energy information including a production amount of the energy produced by the user during a first period and a usage amount of the energy used by the user during the first period; an acquisition unit that acquires payment information including a planned payment amount of the user to the payment service provider for a second period that is future than the first period from a payment service provider device of a payment service provider that provides a predetermined payment service; a reception unit that receives, from a user terminal of the user, a conversion instruction for converting the energy into electronic value that is used for an electronic payment means that can be used by the user; a specification unit that specifies a conversion amount for converting the energy into the electronic value based on the energy information when the reception unit receives the conversion instruction; An instruction unit that instructs the management device to send the converted amount of energy to a predetermined device; a deposit unit that performs processing for depositing the electronic value in an amount corresponding to at least a part of the conversion amount into a user account of the user in the electronic payment means in exchange for the energy sent to the predetermined device; When the user performs a transaction using the electronic payment means, a process is performed to deduct the transaction amount from the balance of the electronic value in the user account; a payment processing unit that performs processing for allocating at least a portion of the electronic value exchanged for the energy to the payment in the second period based on the scheduled payment amount, to settle the payment; Equipped with the depositing unit performs processing for depositing the electronic value into the user account in an amount obtained by subtracting the amount appropriated for the payment in the second period from an amount corresponding to the conversion amount. Information processing device.

2. The energy information includes a supply amount of the energy supplied from a first business entity that supplies the energy to the user during the first period, the payment processing unit, when the supply amount exists, performs a process for settling a payment for the supplied energy by applying at least a part of the electronic value exchanged for the energy; The determination unit, when the supply amount exists, determines, as the conversion amount, an amount obtained by subtracting the usage amount from the sum of the production amount and the supply amount; the depositing unit performs processing for depositing the electronic value into the user account in an amount obtained by subtracting the amount appropriated for the payment from an amount corresponding to the conversion amount. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. The acquisition unit acquires payment information including the scheduled payment amount and a payment destination account in payment for the use of the user's credit card from a payment service provider device of the payment service provider that provides a credit card payment service to the user. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

4. The energy is energy converted from natural energy, The scheduled payment amount is a fixed amount to be paid at regular intervals, The acquisition unit acquires meteorological information indicating a weather forecast for the second time period from an external device, The information processing device includes: a prediction unit that predicts a production forecast amount of the energy produced by the user in the second time period based on the weather information by referring to a first storage unit that stores production information indicating a production capacity of the energy of the user; an adjustment unit that adjusts the planned payment amount based on the production forecast amount; the payment processing unit performs processing for settling the payment by applying at least a part of the electronic value exchanged for the energy to the payment based on the adjusted scheduled payment amount. The information processing device according to claim 3 .

5. the prediction unit predicts a predicted amount of the energy usage to be used by the user in the second period by referring to a second storage unit that stores performance information indicating a performance of the energy usage amount of the user in a third period that is the same period as the second period and a third period of the previous year; The adjustment unit adjusts the planned payment amount based on the predicted usage amount in addition to the predicted production amount. The information processing device according to claim 4.

6. A computer that cooperates with a management device that manages the energy produced and used by a user, acquire, from the management device, energy information including a production amount of the energy produced by the user during a first period and a usage amount of the energy used by the user during the first period; an acquisition function for acquiring payment information including a planned payment amount of the user to the payment service provider for a second period that is later than the first period from a payment service provider device of a payment service provider that provides a predetermined payment service; a reception function for receiving, from a user terminal of the user, a conversion instruction for converting the energy into electronic value to be used for an electronic payment means that can be used by the user; a specifying function that specifies a conversion amount for converting the energy into the electronic value based on the energy information when the receiving function receives the conversion instruction; An instruction function for instructing the management device to send the converted amount of energy to a predetermined device; a deposit function for depositing the electronic value in an amount corresponding to at least a part of the conversion amount into a user account of the user in the electronic payment means in exchange for the energy sent to the predetermined device; When the user performs a transaction using the electronic payment means, a process is performed to deduct the transaction amount from the balance of the electronic value in the user account; a payment processing function for performing a process for settling the payment by allocating at least a part of the electronic value exchanged for the energy to the payment in the second period based on the payment information, the deposit function performs processing for depositing the electronic value into the user account in an amount obtained by subtracting the amount appropriated for the payment in the second period from an amount corresponding to the conversion amount. program.

7. A computer that cooperates with a management device that manages the energy produced and used by a user, acquire, from the management device, energy information including a production amount of the energy produced by the user during a first period and a usage amount of the energy used by the user during the first period; obtaining payment information including a planned payment amount to be paid by the user to the payment service provider in a second period that is future than the first period from a payment service provider device of a payment service provider that provides a predetermined payment service; receiving, from a user terminal of the user, a conversion instruction for converting the energy into electronic value to be used for an electronic payment means available to the user; When the conversion instruction is received, a conversion amount for converting the energy into the electronic value is specified based on the energy information; Instructing the management device to send the converted amount of energy to a predetermined device; performing a process for depositing the electronic value in an amount corresponding to at least a part of the conversion amount into a user account of the user in the electronic payment means in exchange for the energy transmitted to the predetermined device; When the user performs a transaction using the electronic payment means, a process is performed to deduct the transaction amount from the balance of the electronic value in the user account; performing a process for settling the payment for the second period by applying at least a part of the electronic value exchanged for the energy to the payment based on the payment information; performing a process for depositing the electronic value into the user account in an amount corresponding to the conversion amount minus the amount appropriated for the payment in the second period; Information processing methods.

Images