Display device and incentive granting device

Abstract

To provide a display device which can improve willingness to use an energy source derived from carbon dioxide.SOLUTION: A display device 10 promoting use of recycle energy in a prescribed device that can be operated with the recycle energy generated by using carbon dioxide-derived fuel produced by recycling carbon dioxide as fuel comprises: a controller 12 having a data acquisition unit 13 which acquires a use amount of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel for generating the recycle energy consumed by the prescribed device and an image data creation unit 14 which creates image data in which the use amount of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel acquired by the data acquisition unit 13 and a use amount of general fuel different from the carbon dioxide-derived fuel can be recognized in a distinguished manner; and a display unit 11 which displays an image according to the image data created by the image data creation unit 14.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a display device and an incentive granting device that recycles recovered carbon dioxide (CO2) as fuel and encourages the use of the recycled carbon dioxide-derived fuel. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a device that displays the amount of carbon dioxide captured by a CO2 capture device installed in a vehicle. This CO2 capture device captures carbon dioxide contained in the exhaust gas of an engine, and by displaying the amount of carbon dioxide captured on a display device, it increases motivation to frequently use a vehicle equipped with a CO2 capture device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-24365 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] By displaying an image related to the amount of captured carbon dioxide on the display unit, as in the display device described in Patent Document 1, the passengers and owners of the vehicle can recognize the amount of captured carbon dioxide. As a result, the passengers and owners of the vehicle are motivated and motivated to use the CO2 capture device effectively, and the amount of carbon dioxide emitted from the vehicle can be reduced. However, although the display device described in Patent Document 1 can increase the motivation to capture carbon dioxide, it cannot increase the motivation to reuse carbon dioxide. Therefore, even if the amount of carbon dioxide emissions can be reduced, if a large amount of carbon dioxide is emitted in the process of generating energy sources such as gasoline and electricity to run the vehicle, it may not be possible to sufficiently reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

[0005] The present invention has been devised in light of the technical problems described above, and aims to provide a display device and an incentive granting device that can increase motivation to use energy sources derived from carbon dioxide. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a display device for promoting the use of recycled energy in a specified device that can be operated with recycled energy generated by using or mixing carbon dioxide-derived fuel recycled as fuel, the display device comprising: a data acquisition unit that acquires data on the amount or ratio of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel in the recycled energy received from a recycled energy generation facility and consumed by the specified device, and the amount or ratio of a general fuel different from the carbon dioxide-derived fuel in the consumed recycled energy; a controller having an image data creation unit that creates image data that enables distinguishing and recognizing the amount or ratio of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel acquired by the data acquisition unit from the amount or ratio of the general fuel, as well as image data that creates different images when the amount or ratio of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel is a predetermined amount or ratio and an image when the amount or ratio of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel is greater than the predetermined amount or ratio; and a display unit that displays an image according to the image data created by the image data creation unit. The recycled energy includes electricity obtained by converting thermal energy obtained by burning the carbon dioxide-derived fuel and the general fuel into electrical energy. The present invention is characterized by the following:

[0007] In addition, in this invention, the data acquisition unit may include a calculation unit that calculates each of data on the usage amount or usage rate of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel to generate the recycled energy consumed by the specified device, and the usage amount or usage rate of the general fuel.

[0008] In addition, in this invention, the data acquisition unit may include a receiving unit that receives from an external source each of data on the usage amount or usage rate of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel to generate the recycled energy consumed by the specified device, and the usage amount or usage rate of the general fuel.

[0009] In addition, in this invention, the display unit may be configured to display image data encouraging the use of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel more frequently or for a longer period of time the lower the amount or rate of use of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel acquired by the data acquisition unit.

[0010] In the present invention, the image data creation unit may be configured to create image data of the grown plant the greater the usage amount or usage rate of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel acquired by the data acquisition unit.

[0011] In addition, in this invention, the controller may further include a data receiving unit that receives data related to the amount or usage rate of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel by other devices different from the specified device, and the image data creation unit may be configured to create image data that displays the other devices received by the data receiving unit and the specified device in order of the amount or usage rate of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel used.

[0012] The present invention also provides a display device for promoting the use of recycled energy in a specified device that can be operated with recycled energy generated by using or mixing carbon dioxide-derived fuel recycled as fuel, the display device comprising: a data acquisition unit that acquires data on the amount or ratio of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel in the recycled energy received from a recycled energy generation facility and consumed by the specified device, and the amount or ratio of a general fuel other than the carbon dioxide-derived fuel in the consumed recycled energy; a data receiving unit that receives data related to the amount or ratio of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel in the recycled energy consumed in another device other than the specified device; and an image data creation unit that creates image data displayed by arranging the other device and the specified device in descending order of the amount or ratio of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel in the recycled energy consumed, the image data received by the data receiving unit; and a display unit that displays an image according to the image data created by the image data creation unit. and the recycled energy includes electricity obtained by converting thermal energy obtained by burning the carbon dioxide-derived fuel and the general fuel into electrical energy. The present invention is characterized by the following:

[0013] In the present invention, the controller receives the Before receiving The carbon dioxide-derived fuel produced by the above-mentioned other device The amount or percentage of the recycled energy consumed by The carbon dioxide-derived fuel acquired by the data acquisition unit and a comparison unit for comparing the carbon dioxide derived fuel compared by the comparison unit; The amount or ratio of The carbon dioxide-derived fuels listed above in descending order The amount or ratio of The image data generating unit may be configured to generate image data based on the carbon dioxide-derived fuel rearranged by the sorting unit.

[0015] The present invention also provides an incentive granting device for promoting the use of recycled energy in a specified device that can be operated with recycled energy generated by using or mixing carbon dioxide-derived fuel recycled as a fuel, the device comprising a controller having a data acquisition unit that acquires data on the amount or ratio of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel in the recycled energy received from a recycled energy generation facility and consumed by the specified device, and the amount or ratio of a general fuel different from the carbon dioxide-derived fuel in the consumed recycled energy, and an incentive granting unit that grants a larger incentive to a user or owner of the specified device the larger the amount or ratio of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel acquired by the data acquisition unit is. and the recycled energy includes electricity obtained by converting thermal energy obtained by burning the carbon dioxide-derived fuel and the general fuel into electrical energy. The present invention is characterized by the following:

[0016] In the present invention, the data acquisition unit is configured to acquire the recycled energy consumed by the predetermined device. In front of Carbon dioxide-derived fuel and , the general fuel and The signal processing unit may include a calculation unit that calculates each of the data.

[0017] In the present invention, the data acquisition unit is configured to acquire the recycled energy consumed by the predetermined device. In front of Carbon dioxide-derived fuel and , the general fuel and The data may include a receiving unit that receives each of the data from an external device. Effect of the Invention

[0019] The display device of the present invention creates image data that allows the user to distinguish between the amount and rate of carbon dioxide-derived fuel used to generate recycled energy consumed by a specific device and the amount and rate of general fuel used, and displays an image corresponding to the created image data on the display unit. Thus, the user of the specific device can know the amount or amount of carbon dioxide-derived fuel used, and the user's motivation or will to use carbon dioxide-derived fuel is stimulated according to the results of this knowledge. As a result, the user is motivated to use more carbon dioxide-derived fuel, which can contribute to curbing the increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

[0020] The display device also displays the amount and rate of use of carbon dioxide-derived fuel by other devices and the amount and rate of use of the specified device in descending order. In other words, it displays a ranking of the amount and rate of use of carbon dioxide-derived fuel. By displaying the amount and rate of use of carbon dioxide-derived fuel in this way, it is possible to stimulate the competitive spirit of users of the specified device and to stimulate their willingness to use carbon dioxide-derived fuel. As a result, it becomes a motivation to use carbon dioxide-derived fuel more, which can ultimately contribute to suppressing the increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

[0021] Furthermore, the incentive granting device of the present invention grants an incentive to a user or owner of a specified device according to the amount and rate of use of carbon dioxide-derived fuel used to generate recycled energy consumed by the specified device. Therefore, the user or owner of the specified device is motivated to use carbon dioxide-derived fuel in order to receive the incentive. As a result, this motivates the user or owner to use carbon dioxide-derived fuel more, which in turn contributes to suppressing the increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining a system for supplying recycled energy to vehicles and electrical equipment. [Diagram 2]FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 10 is a flowchart for explaining an example of control executed by a controller in a recycling energy generation plant. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of control executed by a server. [Diagram 5] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of control for transmitting data to a predetermined device based on a signal received from the predetermined device. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of control executed by the display device. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on a display unit. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another example of an image displayed on the display unit. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing yet another example of an image displayed on the display unit. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a display device that displays a ranking of the usage amount or usage rate of carbon dioxide-derived fuel. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a ranking displayed on a display unit. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining an example of an incentive granting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of control executed by the incentive granting device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiment is merely an example of a specific embodiment of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention.

[0024] The display device and the incentive granting device in the embodiment of the present invention are configured to promote the use of recycled carbon dioxide-derived fuel. Specifically, the display device and the incentive granting device are configured to promote the use of liquid fuel mixed with carbon dioxide-derived fuel as vehicle fuel, and the use of electricity generated by burning carbon dioxide-derived fuel as electricity for home electrical appliances.

[0025] This carbon dioxide-derived fuel includes, for example, fuel that uses hydrocarbon compounds produced within algae cells as a result of photosynthesis by algae. In other words, carbon dioxide-derived fuel can be produced by supplying carbon dioxide captured by a conventional CO2 capture device that captures carbon dioxide from the atmosphere or vehicle exhaust to algae in an environment where photosynthesis can take place.

[0026] In addition, carbon dioxide-derived fuels are not limited to fuels produced from the above-mentioned hydrocarbon compounds, but also include fuels produced by applying various methods and technologies, such as liquid synthetic fuels produced by synthesizing carbon dioxide and hydrogen.

[0027] The carbon dioxide-derived fuel described above can be used by mixing it with conventional fuels (general fuels) different from the carbon dioxide-derived fuel, such as petroleum, coal, and natural gas. Specifically, a liquid fuel obtained by mixing gasoline with the carbon dioxide-derived fuel can be supplied to an engine to drive a vehicle, or petroleum or coal can be mixed with the carbon dioxide-derived fuel and burned, the thermal energy generated by the combustion can be converted into electrical energy, and the electrical energy (i.e., generated power) can be supplied to a home to operate electrical appliances and the like. That is, the vehicle or electrical appliance corresponds to the "predetermined device" in the embodiment of the present invention, and the liquid fuel obtained by mixing gasoline with the carbon dioxide-derived fuel, or the power generated by mixing petroleum or coal with the carbon dioxide-derived fuel and burning it, corresponds to the "recycled energy" in the embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining a system for supplying recycled energy to the above-mentioned vehicles and electric devices. The example shown in Fig. 1 is composed of a carbon dioxide resource recovery device 1, a recycled energy generation plant 2, and a predetermined device 3 that operates using recycled energy.

[0029] Carbon dioxide is supplied to the carbon dioxide resource device 1 from a CO2 capture device that captures carbon dioxide installed in a home or the like via a pipeline (not shown). Alternatively, carbon dioxide captured by a CO2 capture device installed in a vehicle is brought in.

[0030] The carbon dioxide supplied to the carbon dioxide resource recovery device 1 as described above is recycled into carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 by utilizing the photosynthesis of algae as described above, or by synthesizing carbon dioxide with hydrogen.

[0031] The carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 generated by the carbon dioxide resource recovery apparatus 1 is supplied to a recycling energy generation facility 2. This recycling energy generation facility 2 converts the carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 into energy to be used in a predetermined device 3, and in the example shown in Fig. 1, a gas station 5 and a thermal power plant 6 are given as examples. Therefore, a portion of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 generated by the carbon dioxide resource recovery apparatus 1 is supplied to the gas station 5, and another portion is supplied to the thermal power plant 6.

[0032] The carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 supplied to the gas station 5 is mixed with fuel stored in a tank at the gas station 5. The fuel stored in this tank is a mixture of a conventionally known general fuel such as gasoline and the carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 that has been supplied in advance, and the remaining amount of fuel in the tank and the concentration of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 in that fuel are stored, for example, in a server 7 on a network. Therefore, the data stored in the server 7 is updated to data such as the remaining amount of fuel in the tank that has increased by adding the carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 and its concentration.

[0033] The carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 supplied to the thermal power plant 6 is mixed with general fuels such as oil and coal that are used in conventional thermal power plants 6, and electricity is generated by burning the mixture of the general fuel and the carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4. In other words, the thermal energy generated by burning the above-mentioned mixed fuel is converted into electrical energy (power). Therefore, when the electricity generated using the carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 as fuel is used, the use Use (consumption) The amount of carbon dioxide-derived fuel4 used corresponds to the amount of electricity generated. Use (consumption) It can be said that the Two of the electricity of carbon dioxide-derived fuel4 or electricity generated Two of the power The usage rate (proportion) of the carbon oxide derived fuel 4 used is stored in a server 7 or the like provided on the network.

[0034] The fuel and electricity as recycled energy generated by the above-mentioned recycling energy generation plant 2 are supplied to vehicles 8 and home electric appliances 9. Specifically, a liquid fuel obtained by mixing general fuel and carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 is supplied to a vehicle 8 equipped with an internal combustion engine at a gas station 5, and in the case of an electric vehicle, electricity generated at a thermal power plant 6 is supplied via a home or a charging station. Similarly, electricity generated at a thermal power plant 6 is supplied to home electric appliances 9. Note that the vehicle 8 and the electric appliance 9 can be operated using not only recycled energy but also general fuel not containing carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 or electricity generated by burning only general fuel as an energy source.

[0035] A display device is provided to enable a user of the vehicle 8 or the electrical appliance 9 to recognize the amount and rate of use of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 for generating recycled energy consumed by the vehicle 8 or the electrical appliance 9. A block diagram for explaining an example of the display device is shown in Fig. 2. The display device 10 shown in Fig. 2 includes a display unit 11 that displays information for a user of the vehicle 8 or the electrical appliance 9, and a controller 12 that creates image data to be displayed on the display unit 11.

[0036] The display unit 11 is provided in a location that can be recognized by a user of the vehicle 8 or the electric device 9. For example, when the display device 10 is provided in the vehicle 8, a display panel of a conventional navigation system can be used as the display unit 11. A display panel may be provided in the electric device 9 and used as the display unit 11, or a display panel may be provided on a wall surface in the home independently of the electric device 9 and used as the display unit 11. Alternatively, a display panel of a portable device such as a smartphone may be used as the display unit 11. That is, the display device in the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to one integrated with a specific device that operates by being supplied with recycled energy, and may be provided in a device that can operate independently of the specific device.

[0037] The controller 12 is used to create images to be displayed by the display unit 11, and in the example shown in FIG. 2, is equipped with a data acquisition unit 13 that acquires data related to the usage amount and usage rate of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4, and an image data creation unit 14 that creates image data based on the data acquired by the data acquisition unit 13.

[0038] The data acquisition unit 13 acquires data necessary for creating image data in the image data creation unit 14, or performs calculations using the acquired data to acquire at least one of the usage amount and usage rate of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4.

[0039] For example, when obtaining the amount of carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 used by vehicle 8, the amount of carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 used is calculated by multiplying the concentration of carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 contained in the consumed fuel by the amount of fuel consumed in an ECU provided in vehicle 8, and the amount of carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 used is obtained by reading the signal from the ECU in data acquisition unit 13.

[0040] Furthermore, when obtaining the amount of carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 used by electrical appliances 9 in the home, the amount of electricity supplied from thermal power plant 6 and the amount of carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 used per unit of electricity at the time that electricity was generated are obtained from server 7. The amount of carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 used is then calculated by multiplying the amount of electricity supplied by the amount of carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 used per unit of electricity. In other words, data acquisition unit 13 includes a receiving unit 13a that receives data from outside controller 12, and a calculation unit 13b that calculates the amount of carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 used.

[0041] The data acquisition unit 13 is configured to acquire data on the usage amount and usage rate of general fuels in addition to the usage amount and usage rate of the carbon dioxide derived fuel 4.

[0042] In the example shown in FIG. 2, the recycled energy generation plant 2 is provided with a controller 2c having a calculation unit 2a that calculates the amount of recycled energy supplied to a specified device 3, the amount of carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 used to generate the recycled energy supplied to the specified device 3, or mixed with the recycled energy, and the like, and a data output unit 2b that outputs the data calculated by the calculation unit 2a to a server 7.

[0043] The server 7 is provided with a receiver 7a for receiving data output from the recycled energy generation plant 2. That is, data such as the amount of recycled energy supplied to the specified device 3 and the amount of carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 used to generate the recycled energy supplied to the specified device 3 or mixed with the recycled energy is input.

[0044] The server 7 is also provided with a management unit 7b that manages data such as the amount of recycled energy supplied to the specified device 3 and the amount of carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 used to generate the recycled energy in association with the specified device 3. The server 7 is also provided with a data output unit 7c that, when recycled energy is supplied from the recycled energy generation plant 2 to the specified device 3, outputs data on the amount of recycled energy supplied to the specified device 3 and the amount of carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 used to generate the recycled energy supplied to the specified device 3 or mixed with the recycled energy.

[0045] Next, an example of control executed by the recycle energy generation facility 2, the server 7, and the display device 10 will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an example of control executed by the controller 2c in the recycle energy generation facility 2. In the example shown in FIG. 3, first, it is determined whether fuel or electricity has been supplied to the predetermined device 3 (step S1). In the case where the recycle energy generation facility 2 is a gas station 5, this step S1 is determined to be affirmative not only when the recycle energy mixed with the carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 and general fuel is supplied to the vehicle 8, but also when one of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 and general fuel is supplied to the vehicle 8. Similarly, in the case where the recycle energy generation facility 2 is a thermal power plant 6, it is determined to be affirmative not only when the electricity generated using the carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 and general fuel is supplied to the home electrical appliance 9, but also when the electricity generated using one of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 and general fuel is supplied to the electrical appliance 9.

[0046] If the determination in step S1 is negative because fuel or electricity has not been supplied to the specified device 3, this routine is terminated. On the other hand, if the determination in step S1 is positive because fuel or electricity has been supplied to the specified device 3, the amount of carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 used is calculated (step S2). Specifically, if the recycling energy generation facility 2 is a gas station 5, the concentration of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 in the liquid fuel stored in the tank is read, and the amount of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 used is calculated by multiplying the concentration by the amount of liquid fuel supplied to the specified device 3. If the recycling energy generation facility 2 is a thermal power plant 6, the total amount of carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 used at the thermal power plant 6 at the time when electricity is supplied to the specified device 3 is divided by the electricity supplied to the specified device 3 to calculate the amount of carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 used. Note that if only general fuel is supplied to the vehicle 8, or if electricity generated using only general fuel is supplied to the electrical equipment 9, the amount of carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 used in step S2 is "0".

[0047] Next, the personal ID and data related to the amount of carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 used are output to the server 7 (step S3), and this routine is temporarily terminated. The personal ID in step S3 is an ID assigned to the user of the specified device 3, and the recycle energy generation facility 2 can obtain the personal ID by identifying the supply destination at the time of supplying recycled energy to the specified device 3. Note that in addition to the amount of carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 used, the amount of general fuel used may be transmitted to the server 7, and instead of the amount of carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 used, the usage rate of carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 or the usage rate of general fuel in the supplied recycled energy may be transmitted.

[0048] Fig. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an example of control executed by the server 7. In the control example shown in Fig. 4, first, it is determined whether or not the personal ID in step S3 above and data related to the usage amount (or usage rate) of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 and the like have been received from the recycle energy generation facility 2 (step S11), and if the data has not been received, this routine is terminated for the time being. On the other hand, if a positive determination is made in step S11 due to the reception of data such as the personal ID and the usage amount of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4, data such as the usage amount of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 stored corresponding to the received personal ID is updated (step S12), and this routine is terminated for the time being.

[0049] Moreover, the server 7 executes a control example shown in Fig. 5, independent of the control example shown in Fig. 4. This control example is for transmitting and receiving data with the display device 10, and first, step S32, which will be described later, is executed to determine whether or not the server 7 has received a personal ID and a signal requesting data transmission from the display device 10 (step S21).

[0050] If the personal ID and the signal requesting data transmission are not received and thus the result of step S21 is negative, the routine is terminated. On the other hand, if the personal ID and the signal requesting data transmission are received and thus the result of step S21 is positive, data corresponding to the received personal ID is read from the management unit 7b and transmitted to the display device 10 (step S22), and then the routine is terminated.

[0051] Fig. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an example of control executed by the display device 10. In the example shown in Fig. 6, first, it is determined whether or not there is a display request (step S31). This step S31 can be determined based on, for example, whether or not the display button has been clicked, or whether or not the power switch has been turned on.

[0052] If there is no display request and therefore the answer is negative in step S31, the routine is terminated. On the other hand, if there is a display request and therefore the answer is positive in step S31, the personal ID is transmitted to the server 7, and a request is made for the server 7 to transmit data corresponding to the personal ID to the display device 10 (step S32), and a timer count is started (step S33).

[0053] Next, it is determined whether data has been received from the server 7 (step S34), and if the determination in step S34 is negative because data has not been received, it is determined whether the timer value is greater than a predetermined value (step S35). This predetermined value is a value that is set in advance to determine whether the environment is such that data cannot be transmitted or received between the server 7 and the display device 10. Therefore, if the determination in step S35 is negative because the timer value is equal to or less than the predetermined value, the process returns to step S34. That is, steps S34 and S35 are repeatedly executed until data is received or the timer value exceeds the predetermined value. On the other hand, if the determination in step S35 is positive because the timer value is greater than the predetermined value, an error screen is displayed on the display unit 11 (step S36), the timer is reset (step S37), and this routine is temporarily terminated.

[0054] On the other hand, if the answer to step S34 is affirmative due to the reception of data from the server 7, image data to be displayed on the display unit 11 is created using the received data (step S38), and the image data is displayed on the display unit 11 (step S39). After the image data is displayed on the display unit 11 in step S39, the timer is reset (step S37), and this routine is temporarily terminated.

[0055] In the above step S38, for example, a pie chart showing the ratio of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 to general fuels is created as image data, as shown in Fig. 7. When creating image data of such a pie chart, in step S38, data on the respective usage amounts of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 and general fuels is received from the server 7, and the ratio of the usage amounts of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 to general fuels is calculated.

[0056] The amount of carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 used to create the image data may be calculated on the assumption that the vehicle 8 has used the carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4, even though the vehicle 8 has not used the recycled energy (i.e., the carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4) at that time when the recycled energy is supplied from the gas station 5. The amount of carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 used may also be calculated from the fuel actually consumed by driving the vehicle 8. In this case, first, the amount of fuel remaining in the tank of the vehicle 8 immediately before the recycled energy is supplied and its concentration are read from the ECU of the vehicle 8, and the concentration (ratio) of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 in the fuel contained in the tank at the time of refueling is calculated based on the read fuel amount and concentration, the amount of recycled energy supplied to the vehicle 8 received from the server 7 and the amount of carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 contained in the recycled energy. Next, the amount of carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 used can be calculated by multiplying the amount of fuel consumed by the vehicle 8 by the concentration (ratio) of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 in the fuel contained in the tank at the time of refueling.

[0057] Furthermore, the image displayed by the display unit 11 may be an image that evokes the improvement of the global environment, such as a plant or a tree (hereinafter, simply referred to as a plant). When displaying an image that imitates a plant, the size or amount of the plant may increase as the amount of carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 used increases. FIG. 8 shows an example of this in schematic form, and when the amount of carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 used starts to increase, an image (a) of a plant with cotyledons, as shown on the leftmost side of FIG. 8, is displayed, and when the amount of carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 used has increased, an image (b) of the plant with more branches and adult leaves is displayed. When the amount of carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 used further increases, an image (c) of the plant that has grown large and has a crown is displayed, and when the amount of carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 used further increases, an image (d) of multiple trees with crowns is displayed. In this way, the more the amount of carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 used, the more grown the plant may be displayed. It should be noted that the example shown in FIG. 8 is an example showing four levels and is an example of an image of a tree, but it may also be an image showing five or more levels, or an image showing flowers, clouds, or air transparency, or an image reminiscent of the growth of glaciers or the increase in Arctic or Antarctic ice sheets.

[0058] As described above, by displaying an image related to the amount of carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 used on the display unit 11, the user of the predetermined device 3 can know the amount or amount of carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 used, and depending on the result of this knowledge, the desire or will to use the carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 is stimulated. As a result, this motivates the user to use more carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4, which in turn contributes to curbing the increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

[0059] Furthermore, when the amount of carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 used is small, in addition to displaying the amount or rate of carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 used and the amount or rate of general fuel used as described above, an image such as that shown in Fig. 9 that encourages the use of carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 may be displayed on the display unit 11. In this case, it is preferable that the smaller the amount of carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 used, the more frequently or for a longer period of time the image that encourages the use of carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 is displayed. Also, when it is possible to switch to recycled energy (e.g. electricity) that uses a large amount of carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4, it is preferable to display an image that encourages this.

[0060] In this way, when the amount of carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 used is small, an image encouraging the use of carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 can be displayed, and this image can be displayed frequently or for a long period of time, thereby stimulating the user of the specified device 3 to use carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4.

[0061] Furthermore, the display device in an embodiment of the present invention may be configured to display an image ranking the usage amount or usage rate of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 or general fuel described above, in addition to, or instead of, displaying the usage amount or usage rate of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 or general fuel, in comparison with the usage amount of other devices.

[0062] Fig. 10 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of a display device that displays ranked images. The controller 12 shown in Fig. 10 includes, in addition to the above-mentioned data acquisition unit 13, image data creation unit 14, and display unit 11, a data receiving unit 15 that receives data related to the usage amount or usage rate (proportion) of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 by other devices. This data receiving unit 15 is configured to be able to receive data related to the usage amount or usage rate corresponding to other IDs stored in the server 7.

[0063] The controller 12 shown in Fig. 10 further includes a comparison unit 16 that compares the usage amount and usage rate of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 by other devices received by the data receiving unit 15 with the usage amount and usage rate of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 by its own specified device 3, and a sorting unit 17 that sorts the usage amounts or usage rates of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 in descending order of the usage amount or usage rate of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 compared by the comparison unit 16. Note that if the server 7 has a function for comparing the usage amount and usage rate of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 and sorting the usage amount and usage rate of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4, the controller 12 may receive the data sorted by the server 7 at the data receiving unit 15, in which case the comparison unit 16 and the sorting unit 17 may not be included.

[0064] When displaying the ranking of the usage amount or usage rate of carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 as described above, in step S32 in Fig. 6, transmission of data relating to the usage amount or usage rate of carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 from another device is requested, and in step S38, the received data is used by the comparison unit 16 and the sorting unit 17 to rearrange the data in descending order of the usage amount or usage rate derived from carbon dioxide. Note that Fig. 11 shows an example of an image in which the usage amount or usage rate derived from carbon dioxide is ranked in descending order.

[0065] As described above, by displaying the rankings of the usage amounts and usage rates of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 on the display unit 11, the competitive spirit of the user of the specified device 3 is stimulated, thereby further stimulating the desire to use the carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4.

[0066] Next, an example of an incentive granting device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. This incentive granting device encourages the use of recycled energy as an energy source for the above-mentioned specified device 3, and is configured to grant an incentive to the owner or user of the specified device 3 according to the amount or rate of use of recycled energy.

[0067] 12 is a block diagram for explaining an example of an incentive granting device, which is configured to be able to communicate with the server 7, similar to the display device 10. This incentive granting device 18 is equipped with a controller 21 having a data acquisition unit 19 that acquires data related to the usage amount and usage rate of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4, and an incentive granting unit 20 that grants an incentive to the owner or user of a predetermined device 3 based on the data acquired by the data acquisition unit 19.

[0068] The data acquisition unit 19 acquires data necessary for determining an incentive to be given to an owner or user of the predetermined device 3, or performs calculations using the acquired data to acquire at least one of the usage amount and usage rate of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4. That is, it is configured in the same manner as the data acquisition unit 13 in the above-mentioned display device 10. Therefore, the data acquisition unit 19 includes a receiving unit 19a that receives data from outside the controller 21, such as the ECU of the vehicle 8 or the server 7, and a calculation unit 19b that calculates the usage amount of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4.

[0069] The incentive granting unit 20 determines an incentive to be granted to the owner or user of the predetermined device 3 based on the usage amount and usage rate of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 acquired by the data acquisition unit 19, and outputs the determined incentive data to, for example, the server 7. The incentive to be granted may be an incentive that can be converted into money, such as a reduction in the cost of changing oil.

[0070] 13 is a flowchart for explaining an example of control executed by the incentive granting device 18. In the example shown in FIG. 13, first, a personal ID is transmitted to the server 7, and a request is made for data corresponding to the personal ID to be transmitted from the server 7 to the incentive granting device 18 (step S41), and a timer count is started (step S42). This personal ID may be the ID of the owner of the predetermined device 3, or may be the ID of the user of the predetermined device 3.

[0071] Next, it is determined whether data has been received from the server 7 (step S43). If the determination in step S43 is negative because no data has been received, it is determined whether the timer value is greater than a predetermined value (step S44). This predetermined value is a value that is set in advance to determine whether the environment is such that data cannot be transmitted or received between the server 7 and the incentive granting device 18. Therefore, if the determination in step S44 is negative because the timer value is equal to or less than the predetermined value, the process returns to step S43. That is, steps S43 and S44 are repeatedly executed until data is received or the timer value exceeds the predetermined value. On the other hand, if the determination in step S44 is positive because the timer value is greater than the predetermined value, the owner or user of the predetermined device 3 is notified that an error has occurred (step S45), the timer is reset (step S46), and this routine is temporarily terminated.

[0072] On the other hand, if the answer to step S43 is affirmative due to receipt of data from the server 7, the incentive to be provided is determined using the received data, and data relating to the determined incentive is output to the server 7 or the like (step S47). After outputting the data relating to the incentive in step S47, the timer is reset (step S46), and this routine is temporarily terminated.

[0073] The incentive determined in step S47 above is based on the amount and rate of use of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4, and the amount and rate of use of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 can be determined in the same manner as in step S38 in the control example shown in Figure 6.

[0074] As described above, by providing an incentive according to the amount of carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 used, the user of the specified device 3 is stimulated to have the desire or will to use the carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4 in order to receive the incentive. As a result, this motivates the user to use more of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel 4, which in turn contributes to curbing the increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 1 Carbon dioxide resource recovery equipment 2. Recycling Energy Generation Plant 2a,13b,19b calculation section 2b,7c Data output section 2c,12,21 Controller 3 Prescribed equipment 4 Carbon Dioxide-Derived Fuels 5. Gas Station 6. Thermal Power Plants 7 Server 7a, 13a, 19a Receiving section 7b Management Department 8. Vehicles 9. Electrical Equipment 10 Display device 11 Display section 13,19 Data Acquisition Section 14 Image data creation section 15 Data receiving section 16 Comparison section 17 Sorting section 18 Incentive granting device 20. Incentive Granting Department

Claims

1. A display device that promotes the use of recycled energy in a predetermined device that can be operated by recycled energy generated by using or mixing carbon dioxide-derived fuel recycled as fuel, comprising: a controller having a data acquisition unit that acquires data on the amount or ratio of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel in the recycled energy supplied from a recycled energy generation facility and consumed by the specified device, and the amount or ratio of a general fuel other than the carbon dioxide-derived fuel in the consumed recycled energy, and an image data creation unit that creates image data that can distinguish and recognize the amount or ratio of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel acquired by the data acquisition unit from the amount or ratio of the general fuel, and creates image data that makes an image in which the amount or ratio of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel is a predetermined amount or ratio different from an image in which the amount or ratio of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel is greater than the predetermined amount or ratio; A display unit that displays an image corresponding to the image data created by the image data creation unit. and The recycled energy includes electricity obtained by converting thermal energy produced by burning the carbon dioxide-derived fuel and the general fuel into electrical energy. A display device comprising:

2. The display device according to claim 1 , The data acquisition unit includes a calculation unit that calculates data on the usage amount or usage rate of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel for generating the recycled energy consumed by the specified device and the usage amount or usage rate of the general fuel. A display device comprising:

3. The display device according to claim 1 , The data acquisition unit includes a receiving unit that receives data on the amount of use or the usage rate of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel for generating the recycled energy consumed by the specified device, and the amount of use or the usage rate of the general fuel from an external source. A display device comprising:

4. The display device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The display unit is configured to display image data encouraging the use of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel more frequently or for a longer period of time as the usage amount or usage rate of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel acquired by the data acquisition unit decreases. A display device comprising:

5. The display device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The image data creation unit is configured to create image data of a grown plant as the usage amount or usage rate of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel acquired by the data acquisition unit increases. A display device comprising:

6. The display device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The controller: A data receiving unit that receives data related to the amount of use or the usage rate of the carbon dioxide derived fuel by a device other than the specified device, The image data creation unit is configured to create image data that displays the other devices and the specified device received by the data receiving unit in order of the amount or rate of use of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel. A display device comprising:

7. A display device that promotes the use of recycled energy in a predetermined device that can be operated by recycled energy generated by using or mixing carbon dioxide-derived fuel recycled as fuel, comprising: a controller having a data acquisition unit that acquires data on the amount or ratio of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel in the recycled energy supplied from a recycled energy generation facility and consumed by the specified device, and the amount or ratio of a general fuel other than the carbon dioxide-derived fuel in the consumed recycled energy, a data receiving unit that receives data related to the amount or ratio of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel in the recycled energy consumed by another device other than the specified device, and an image data creation unit that creates image data displayed by arranging the other devices and the specified device in order of the amount or ratio of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel in the recycled energy consumed, the image data received by the data receiving unit; A display unit that displays an image corresponding to the image data created by the image data creation unit. and The recycled energy includes electricity obtained by converting thermal energy produced by burning the carbon dioxide-derived fuel and the general fuel into electrical energy. A display device comprising:

8. The display device according to claim 6 or 7, The controller: a comparison unit that compares the amount or the ratio of the recycled energy consumed by the carbon dioxide-derived fuel by the other device received by the data receiving unit with the amount or the ratio of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel acquired by the data acquiring unit; a sorting unit that sorts the amount or the ratio of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel compared by the comparison unit in descending order of the amount or the ratio of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel, The image data creation unit is configured to create image data based on the carbon dioxide-derived fuel sorted by the sorting unit. A display device comprising:

9. An incentive granting device for promoting the use of recycled energy in a specified device that can be operated by recycled energy produced by using or mixing carbon dioxide-derived fuel that is recycled from carbon dioxide as fuel, comprising: A data acquisition unit that acquires data on the amount or ratio of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel in the recycled energy supplied from a recycled energy generation facility and consumed by the specified device, and the amount or ratio of a general fuel other than the carbon dioxide-derived fuel in the consumed recycled energy; The larger the amount or the ratio of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel acquired by the data acquisition unit, the larger the incentive given to the user or owner of the specified device. and an incentive granting unit for granting an incentive to the user. The recycled energy includes electricity obtained by converting thermal energy produced by burning the carbon dioxide-derived fuel and the general fuel into electrical energy.

1. An incentive granting device comprising:

10. 10. The incentive granting device according to claim 9, The data acquisition unit includes a calculation unit that calculates data on the amount or the ratio of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel and the amount or the ratio of the general fuel in the recycled energy consumed by the specified device.

1. An incentive granting device comprising:

11. 10. The incentive granting device according to claim 9, The data acquisition unit includes a receiving unit that receives data on the amount or the ratio of the carbon dioxide-derived fuel and the amount or the ratio of the general fuel in the recycled energy consumed by the specified device from an external source.

1. An incentive granting device comprising:

Images