Contract plan selection device, contract plan selection method, and contract plan selection program

Abstract

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

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] In Japan, in recent years, the liberalization of electricity has been carried out, and in 2016, consumers such as ordinary households and stores have been able to freely contract with retail electricity providers.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses an electricity, gas, and water contract simplification system that executes a simulation of new charges when newly contracting for electricity, gas, or water (multiple services) and generates a new contract application form.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, when a user's circumstances change, such as moving or a change in family composition, the user may want to review the concluded contract. In particular, when the circumstances change, the user may want to review the contracts for a plurality of services (such as electricity, gas, and water).

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to facilitate the review of contracts accompanying changes in a user's circumstances for a plurality of services.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] To solve the above problems, a contract plan selection device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is used for a user to select a contract plan from a plurality of contract plans provided by a plurality of service providers for each of a plurality of services, and includes a contract plan selection criterion setting unit that sets contract plan selection criteria, a storage unit that stores user information, which is information about the user, in association with each of the plurality of services, a change reception unit that receives a change in the user information stored in the storage unit, and a contract plan selection unit that, when the change is received, selects the user's contract plan from the plurality of contract plans provided by the plurality of service providers for each of the plurality of services based on the changed user information and the contract plan selection criteria.

[0008] According to this disclosure, when the change reception unit receives a change in user information, the contract plan selection unit selects the user's contract plan from a plurality of contract plans provided by a plurality of service providers based on the changed user information and the contract plan selection criteria. Thereby, when a change in circumstances occurs to the user, such as a change of residence, the change reception unit receives the user information after the change in circumstances, and the contract plans for the plurality of services are each selected for the user. Therefore, it is possible to easily review the contracts for the plurality of services in accordance with the change in circumstances of the user.

[0009] Further, it may be further provided with an input reception unit that receives an input of the user information from the user.

[0010] According to this disclosure, when a change in circumstances occurs to the user, such as a change of residence, the change in the user information can be received from the user.

[0011] Further, the user information may include the user's attribute information.

[0012] According to this disclosure, by defining matters that trigger a user to consider contract review as the user's attribute information, when there is a change in the user's circumstances, the contract plan selection unit can automatically review the user's contract, thereby improving the user's convenience.

[0013] Further, the user's attribute information may include information regarding at least any one of the user's address, family composition, date of birth, age, and owned devices.

[0014] According to this disclosure, it is possible to respond to changes in the user's circumstances, such as the user's relocation, change in family composition, change in life stage, and change in owned devices.

[0015] Furthermore, it may further include a detection unit that detects the service usage amount for each service of the user, and the change reception unit changes the user's information based on the service usage amount.

[0016] According to this disclosure, the change reception unit changes the user's information based on the service usage amount for each service of the user. For example, when the family composition changes, the user's service usage amount changes. In this case, the user's attribute information is changed based on the changed service usage amount by the change reception unit, or the changed service usage amount itself is used as new user information, and the contract plan selection unit selects the user's contract plan based on the changed user information and the contract plan selection criteria. As a result, not only the input of user information but also the change in the service usage amount can cause the user's contract plan to be selected, thereby improving the user's convenience.

[0017] Further, the user information may include contract plan related information regarding the selected contract plan.

[0018] According to this disclosure, as contract plan-related information, for example, by setting data indicating the service content of the contract plan other than the usage fee of the service in the contract plan, the convenience of the user can be improved.

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

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

[0021] Also, the first service may be a service that provides at least one of power, gas, water supply, communication line, and insurance to the user, and the second service may be a service that provides at least one of banking services, web shopping, knowledge teaching, and advertising services to the user.

[0022] According to this disclosure, it is possible to handle the case where the first service is a service that provides at least one of power, gas, water supply, communication line, and insurance to the user, and the second service is a service that provides at least one of banking services, web shopping, knowledge teaching, and advertising services to the user.

[0023] To solve the above problems, a contract plan selection method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure includes steps where a server device sets contract plan selection criteria for a user to select a contract plan from multiple contract plans provided by multiple service providers for each of multiple services; associates and stores user information, which is information about the user, with each of the multiple services; accepts changes to the user information stored in the storage unit; and when the change is accepted, for each of the multiple services associated with the user information in the storage unit, selects the user's contract plan from the multiple contract plans provided by the multiple service providers based on the changed user information and the contract plan selection criteria.

[0024] According to this disclosure, when the server device accepts a change in user information, it selects the user's contract plan from multiple contract plans provided by multiple service providers based on the changed user information and the contract plan selection criteria. Thus, when a change in circumstances occurs to the user, such as moving to a new residence, the change acceptance unit accepts the user information after the change in circumstances, and the user's contract plan is selected for multiple services. Therefore, it is possible to easily review the contracts associated with the change in circumstances of the user for multiple services.

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

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

Advantages of the Invention

[0027] According to this disclosure, it is possible to easily review the contracts associated with the change in circumstances of the user for multiple services.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0028]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

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

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

[0031] Further, in the following embodiments, the case where the user has contracted with a retail electricity provider and a gas retail provider (a plurality of service providers) and is supplied (provided) with electricity and gas (a plurality of services) from each of them will be described as an example. The retail electricity provider and the gas retail provider measure (meter) the electricity consumption and gas consumption of the customers under contract, respectively, and bill the user for the electricity bill and the gas bill every predetermined period (for example, one month).

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

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

[0034] Specifically, the mobile terminal P receives an input of selection criteria for a contract plan from the user. The selection criteria for the contract plan refer to the matters that serve as the criteria when the user reviews (concludes and cancels) the contract plan (here, the electricity rate plan and the gas rate plan). By operating the mobile terminal P, the user can set the selection criteria for the contract plan, for example, to a contract plan with the lowest price (the lowest price plan), a contract plan that selects a retail electricity provider and a gas retail provider close to the user's residence (local production and local consumption plan), a contract plan that gives goods, etc. from the retail electricity provider and the gas retail provider when contracting (privilege-giving plan), and the like.

[0035] In addition, the mobile terminal P receives changes to user information, which is information about the user, from the user. Although details will be described later, user information is stored in advance in the storage unit 12 of the server device 1. This user information indicates, for example, the user's attribute information. Examples of the user's attribute information include information such as the user's address, family composition, date of birth, age, and owned devices. Here, devices include home appliances and electrical equipment. Examples of devices include home appliances that are particularly used when a person is in a building, such as air conditioners and lighting fixtures, home appliances that are particularly used when a person is absent from the building, such as security devices like surveillance cameras and cleaning robots, home appliances that are used regardless of the person's presence or absence, such as refrigerators, as well as solar power generation facilities, all-electric facilities, storage batteries, and electrical-related facilities and vehicles such as electric vehicles.

[0036] The electricity tariff plan management server F1 manages the electricity tariff plans provided by retail electricity providers.

[0037] The electricity tariff plan management server F1 is configured with an electricity tariff plan DB (database) as shown in FIG. 2. This electricity tariff plan DB stores the electricity tariff plans provided by each retail electricity provider, and data related to the electricity tariff plans is associated for each retail electricity provider.

[0038] In the example of FIG. 2, one retail electricity provider offers one electricity tariff plan. Specifically, in FIG. 2, for each retail electricity provider, the basic tariff, daytime / nighttime electricity usage tariff, buyback tariff, location, and contract benefits in the electricity tariff plan are associated. The buyback tariff indicates the electricity buyback tariff when a consumer sells surplus electricity to the power company. The contract benefits indicate the benefits granted to the user when the user contracts with the retail electricity provider.

[0039] In FIG. 2, one retail electricity provider offers one electricity rate plan, but one retail electricity provider may offer multiple electricity rate plans. Also, the electricity rate plan may include charge items other than the above-mentioned items (basic charge, etc.).

[0040] The electricity rate plan management server F1 is connected, for example, to a plurality of retail electricity provider servers R1 via a communication network N. When receiving a notification of an update to the electricity rate plan from each retail electricity provider server R1, it updates the electricity rate plan DB. Note that the electricity rate plan management server F1 may update the electricity rate plan in response to an input from a terminal managed by the retail electricity provider. The electricity rate plan management server F1 provides various information regarding the electricity rate plan stored in the electricity rate plan DB in response to a request from the server device 1.

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

[0042] The retail electricity provider server R1 receives change information from the server device 1. This change information includes information about the user that is required when performing procedures for switching (concluding and canceling contracts) the retail electricity provider, such as the user's name and address.

[0043] When the retail electricity provider server R1 receives the change information, the retail electricity provider performs the procedures required for switching the retail electricity provider. Specifically, information about the user included in the change information is input to a switching support system (not shown).

[0044] The switching support system (https: / / www.occto.or.jp / system / sw_system / ) is operated by the power wide-area operation promotion organization and relays various procedures when a user switches the retail electricity provider.

[0045] Specifically, when a user switches retail electricity providers, the retail electricity provider that concludes the contract shall notify the retail electricity provider with which the user has a contract of the cancellation of the contract with the user, and shall notify the general transmission and distribution provider of the switching of the retail electricity provider. The switching support system intermediates between retail electricity providers and between retail electricity providers and general transmission and distribution providers. When a retail electricity provider inputs information about the user included in the change information to the switching support system, the switching of the retail electricity provider is performed.

[0046] The gas fee plan management server F2 manages the gas fee plans provided by gas retail providers.

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

[0048] In the example of FIG. 3, one gas and electricity provider provides one gas fee plan. Specifically, in FIG. 3, for each gas retail provider, the basic fee, the per-unit fee, the location, and the contract privilege in the gas fee plan are associated. The contract privilege indicates the privilege given to the user when the user has a contract with the gas retail provider.

[0049] Note that in FIG. 3, one gas retail provider provides one gas fee plan, but one gas retail provider may provide multiple gas fee plans. Also, the gas fee plan may include fee items other than the above-mentioned items (basic fee, etc.).

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

[0051] In addition, the gas fee plan management server F2 provides various types of information regarding the gas fee plan stored in the gas fee plan DB in response to a request from the server device 1.

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

[0053] The server device 1 transmits change information to the gas retailer server R2. This change information includes information regarding the user, which is necessary when performing procedures to switch the changing business operator, such as the user's name and address. The gas retailer enters into a contract (concluding and canceling the contract) with the user based on the change information received by the gas retailer server R2.

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

[0055] The communication unit 11 is composed of, for example, an electric circuit and communicates with the mobile terminal P, the electricity fee plan management server F1, the retail electricity business operator server R1, the gas fee plan management server F2, and the gas retailer server R2 via the communication network N.

[0056] The storage unit 12 is a storage medium composed of a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), and the like. Various programs executed by the control unit 13 are stored in the storage unit 12.

[0057] In addition, a user DB (database) indicating user information of each user using the contract plan selection system is stored in the storage unit 12. As shown in FIG. 4, the user DB stores information such as, for example, the address, family composition, date of birth, age, owned devices, contract plan selection criteria, retail electricity provider during the contract, and retail gas provider during the contract of each user.

[0058] In addition, the electricity consumption and gas consumption of each user are stored in the user DB. Although not shown in the figure, the server device 1 is communicably connected to smart meters for electricity and gas provided in the buildings of each user, detects the electricity consumption and gas consumption of each user from these smart meters, and stores them in the user DB. Note that the server device 1 may acquire the electricity consumption and gas consumption of the user based on an input to the mobile terminal P by the user. Also, the server device 1 may acquire the electricity consumption and gas consumption of the user from a server that manages the electricity consumption and gas consumption of each user.

[0059] Note that the server device 1 communicates with the electricity tariff plan management server F1 and the gas tariff plan management server F2 at any time, acquires the information included in the electricity tariff plan DB and the gas tariff plan DB, and stores it in the storage unit 12. That is, the storage unit 12 stores the tariff plans provided by each retail electricity provider and the tariff plans provided by each retail gas provider.

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

[0061] Also, the control unit 13 includes a contract plan selection criterion setting unit 131, a change reception unit 132, and a contract plan selection unit 133.

[0062] The contract plan selection criterion setting unit 131 sets the selection criteria of the tariff plan received by the mobile terminal P from the user as the selection criteria of the tariff plan of the said user. In FIG. 4, although the selection criteria of the tariff plans for electricity and gas are set in common, the selection criteria of the tariff plans may be set for each service (for each of electricity and gas).

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

[0064] When the user information is changed by the change reception unit 132, the contract plan selection unit 133 selects the most suitable electricity tariff plan for the user from among the electricity tariff plans provided by each retail electricity provider according to the selection criteria of the contract plan set by the user.

[0065] Also, when the user information is changed by the change reception unit 132, the contract plan selection unit 133 selects the most suitable gas tariff plan for the user from among the gas tariff plans provided by each gas provider according to the selection criteria of the contract plan set by the user.

[0066] When the contract plan selection unit 133 selects an electricity rate plan and a gas rate plan, it transmits change information to the retail electricity supplier server R1 and the gas retail supplier server R2. As described above, the change information includes information about the user (such as address) required when the user switches the retail electricity supplier and the gas retail supplier. The retail electricity supplier and the gas retail supplier change the contract with the user (conclude and cancel the contract) according to the change information received by the retail electricity supplier server R1 and the gas retail supplier server R2, respectively.

[0067] In this embodiment, the user DB stores information such as the user's address, family composition, date of birth, age, and owned devices as the user's attribute information. By defining the matters that trigger the user to consider contract review as the user's attribute information, when there is a change in the user's circumstances, the contract plan selection unit 133 automatically reviews the user's contract. Thereby, the convenience of the user can be improved.

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

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

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

[0071] When the user information is changed by the change reception unit 132, the contract plan selection unit 133 selects the most suitable electricity rate plan for the user from the electricity rate plans provided by each retail electricity provider according to the selection criteria of the contract plan set by the user (step S5).

[0072] When the user information (user DB) is changed by the change reception unit 132, the contract plan selection unit 133 selects the most suitable gas rate plan for the user from the gas rate plans provided by each gas and electricity provider according to the selection criteria of the contract plan set by the user (step S6).

[0073] For example, assume that user U003 in Fig. 4 moves from Kansai (Hyogo Prefecture) to Kanto (Tokyo). In this case, the address of user U003 in the user DB is changed to Kanto. In Fig. 4, user U003 has contracts with retail electricity provider C and gas retailer G whose location is in Kansai. However, due to the move, user U003 can no longer contract with retail electricity provider C and gas retailer G, and has to newly contract with retail electricity providers and gas retailers whose location is in Kanto.

[0074] In this case, in step S5, the contract plan selection unit 133 refers to the selection criteria (cheapest plan) of the contract plan and the electricity consumption in the user DB, and selects the most suitable electricity rate plan for user U003. For example, when the user's electricity consumption is high, the contract plan selection unit 133 selects the electricity rate plan provided by retail electricity provider B, and when the user's electricity consumption is low, the contract plan selection unit 133 selects the electricity rate plan provided by retail electricity provider D.

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

[0076] When the contract plan selection unit 133 selects the electricity rate plan and the gas rate plan, it transmits the change information to the retail electricity provider server R1 and the gas retailer server R2 (step S7). After step S7, the retail electricity provider and the gas retailer change the contract with the user (conclude and cancel the contract) according to the change information received by the retail electricity provider server R1 and the gas retailer server R2, respectively.

[0077] As described above, the contract plan selection system according to the present embodiment includes a contract plan selection criterion setting unit 131 that sets contract plan selection criteria for a user to select an electricity rate plan and a gas rate plan from a plurality of electricity rate plans and a plurality of gas rate plans (a plurality of contract plans) provided by a plurality of retail electricity providers and a plurality of gas retailers (a plurality of service providers) for each of electricity and gas (a plurality of services), a storage unit 12 that stores user information, which is information about the user, in association with each of electricity and gas, a change reception unit 132 that receives a change in the user information stored in the storage unit 12, and a contract plan selection unit 133 that, when receiving a change in the user information, selects the user's electricity rate plan and gas rate plan from a plurality of electricity rate plans and a plurality of gas rate plans provided by the retail electricity provider and the gas retailer based on the changed user information and the contract plan selection criteria for each of electricity and gas associated with the user information in the storage unit 12.

[0078] When the change reception unit 132 receives a change in user information, the contract plan selection unit selects the user's contract plan from among multiple electricity rate plans and multiple gas rate plans offered by multiple retail electricity providers and multiple gas retail providers based on the changed user information and the contract plan selection criteria. As a result, when a change in circumstances such as a change of residence occurs, the change reception unit receives the user information after the change in circumstances, and the user's contract plan for electricity and gas is selected. Therefore, it is possible to easily review the contract accompanying the change in circumstances of the user for multiple services such as electricity and gas.

[0079] In addition, this contract plan selection system includes a mobile terminal P (input reception unit) that receives input of user information from the user. Thereby, when a change in circumstances occurs to the user, such as a change of residence, the change in user information can be received from the user.

[0080] Also, the user information includes the user's attribute information. By defining, as the user's attribute information, the matters that trigger the user to consider contract review, when there is a change in the user's circumstances, the contract plan selection unit 133 can automatically review the user's contract, thereby improving the user's convenience.

[0081] (Other Embodiments) As described above, embodiments have been described as examples of the technology disclosed in this application. However, the technology in this disclosure is not limited to this, and is also applicable to embodiments in which appropriate changes, replacements, additions, omissions, etc. are made.

[0082] In the above embodiment, the contract plan selection unit 133 is described by taking as an example the case of selecting a contract plan based on a change in the user's address in the user information. However, based on the user's attribute information (such as the user's family composition, date of birth, age, and owned devices) included in the user information other than the user's address, the contract plan may be selected.

[0083] In the above-described embodiment, a plurality of services have been described by taking electricity and gas as examples, but the plurality of services are not limited to these. For example, the plurality of services may include two or more services selected from a first service that provides infrastructure necessary for a user's life and a second service that improves the user's life. Examples of the first service include, for example, electricity, gas, water supply, communication lines, and insurance. Examples of the second service include, for example, banking services, web shopping, teaching of knowledge such as education, and advertising services. In this case, the contract plan selection system is appropriately provided with a contract plan management server that manages the contract plans provided by each service provider and a server managed by each service provider.

[0084] In the above-described embodiment, examples of the selection criteria for the contract plan include the lowest-price plan, the local production for local consumption plan, the plan with benefits, etc., but other criteria may also be used as the selection criteria for the contract plan. For example, the selection criteria for the contract plan may include the lowest-price plan considering the presence or absence of a campaign discount for each contract plan. In the case of such selection criteria for the contract plan, a lowest-price plan with a campaign discount applied and a lower price compared to the lowest-price plan without considering the presence or absence of a campaign discount may be selected. Also, the selection criteria for the contract plan may include a social issue contribution plan. In the case of such selection criteria for the contract plan, for example, a contract plan that can reduce the greenhouse gas emissions or invest in an offset project the most in climate change countermeasures may be selected. Furthermore, the selection criteria for the contract plan may be a combination of two or more of the above-described selection criteria for the contract plan. For example, in the case of selection criteria for a contract plan that combines the local production for local consumption plan and the lowest-price plan in this order of priority, the lowest-price plan among the local production for local consumption plans according to the address can be selected.

[0085] In the above-described embodiment, when the user information is changed by the change reception unit 132, the contract plan selection unit 133 makes a selection from each contract plan according to the selection criteria of the contract plan set by the user. However, when the predefined user information is changed, the contract plan for a predetermined service among a plurality of services may be selected. As a result, for example, when the electricity consumption exceeds a certain threshold, the electricity consumption can be accepted as a change in user information, and the electricity rate plan can be selected only for electricity among a plurality of services, reducing the calculation cost by not making all the selections for the plurality of services.

[0086] Hereinafter, Examples (1) to (3) when the user information is changed will be described.

[0087] (1) When the address in the user information is changed When the address in the user information is changed, the user can select a contract plan with the lowest price (the lowest price plan) as the selection criterion for the contract plan. In addition, when the service provider is a business operator that provides at least one service such as electricity, gas, water supply, or communication line, the user can select a contract plan (local production for local consumption plan) that selects a business operator close to the user's address. Also, when the service provider is a business operator that provides at least one service such as insurance and a second service, the user can select a contract plan to which specific products in the area near the user's address are given when contracting.

[0088] (2) When the family composition and age in the user information are changed When the family composition in the user information is changed, the user can select a contract plan with the lowest price (the lowest price plan) or a contract plan (family support plan) in which the discount rate of the price is determined according to the family composition as the selection criterion for the contract plan. In addition, when the service provider is a business operator that provides insurance and a second service, etc., the user can select a contract plan to which specific products are given according to the user's family composition when contracting.

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

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

[0091] (3) When the information regarding the owned devices (device information) in the user information is changed When the device information in the user information is changed, the user can select a contract plan (cheapest plan) in which the electricity bill, gas bill, communication bill, etc. of the owned devices become the cheapest. Also, the user can select a contract plan (eco plan) in which the consumption of electricity usage, gas usage, etc. of the owned devices is suppressed. Furthermore, the user can select a contract plan in which the electricity bill becomes the cheapest in consideration of the fluctuation of the electricity bill due to at least one of the power generation and power storage functions of the owned devices.

[0092] Further, the server device 1 may further include a detection unit that detects the usage amount of each service of the user. In the above embodiment, this detection unit detects the electricity usage amount and the gas usage amount from the user DB at any time. In this case, the change reception unit 132 may change the user's information based on the service usage amount (here, the electricity usage amount and the gas usage amount) detected by the detection unit. For example, when the electricity usage amount or the gas usage amount exceeds a predetermined threshold, the change reception unit 132 estimates that the family composition of the user has changed, and changes the user information (user attribute information) in the storage unit 12. Alternatively, the user information may include the service usage amount (here, the electricity usage amount and the gas usage amount). In this case, for example, when the electricity usage amount or the gas usage amount exceeds a predetermined threshold, the change reception unit 132 changes the user information in the storage unit 12 with the electricity usage amount or the gas usage amount as new user information. Here, when the service usage amount detected by the detection unit continuously exceeds a predetermined threshold for a predetermined period, the change reception unit 132 may change the user's information based on the most recent service usage amount. Thereby, since the contract plan selection unit 133 selects the user's contract plan based on the changed user information and the contract plan selection criteria, not only the input of the user information but also the change in the service usage amount can select the user's contract plan. Therefore, the convenience of the user can be improved.

[0093] Further, the user information may include contract plan related information about the selected contract plan. This contract plan related information is data indicating the service content of the contract plan other than the service usage fee in the contract plan, such as the discount rate when contracting with other services or the guarantee content at the time of contracting. For example, when the service provider provides electricity and gas and a discount is given when contracting electricity and gas together, the contract plan selection unit 133 makes the selection of the contract plan in consideration of this discount. Also, when the service provider provides insurance, those with a more substantial guarantee content in the contract plan (for example, a high compensation amount is set, etc.) may be preferentially selected.

[0094] In the above-described embodiment, when the contract plan selection unit 133 selects the user's contract plan, it automatically notifies (sends change information) each service provider company of the conclusion and cancellation of the contract for the contract plan. However, it is not limited to this. For example, the contract plan selection unit 133 may notify the selected contract plan to the user (mobile terminal P), obtain the user's consent, and then automatically notify each service provider company. In this case, the contract plan selection unit 133 may select a plurality of contract plans and let the user select the contract plan to conclude the contract.

[0095] Also, the server device 1, the mobile terminal P, the electricity fee plan management server F1, the retail electricity business operator server R1, the gas fee plan management server F2, and the gas retail business operator server R2 may each be a plurality of devices or may be one device. One server device may be provided for each function of the server device 1.

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

[0097] Also, the server device 1 of the contract plan selection system according to this embodiment may be provided with a function capable of detecting information regarding a credit card from an image of the credit card taken. For example, the server device 1 is configured to be communicable with the mobile terminal P and the credit card payment system. The server device 1 receives an image of the user's credit card from the user's communication terminal, and reads information such as the user's credit card number from the received image by, for example, a character reading technique such as OCR (Optical Character Recognition), and notifies the credit card payment system of the information. Thereby, the trouble of inputting payment information can be saved.

[0098] In the above embodiment, user information such as the user's address and power consumption is stored in the user DB configured in the storage unit 12. However, the user information may be stored in a server or the like provided outside the server device 1. Further, for example, using a distributed ledger technology such as blockchain, user information may be managed by a plurality of storage devices. In this case, the plurality of storage devices may be included in each of the server device 1, the mobile terminal P, the electricity rate plan management server F1, the retail electricity provider server R1, the gas rate plan management server F2, the gas retail provider server R2, and other terminal devices. For example, when one terminal generates a transaction according to a smart contract and another terminal reaches an agreement according to a consensus algorithm, the transaction is recorded in a blockchain (distributed ledger). Thereby, it is possible to prevent information falsification and ensure information traceability.

[0099] In addition, a contract plan selection program for realizing the functions according to the above embodiment is installed in each of the server device 1, the mobile terminal P, the electricity rate plan management server F1, the retail electricity provider server R1, the gas rate plan management server F2, and the gas provider server R2. The server device 1, the mobile terminal P, the electricity rate plan management server F1, the retail electricity provider server R1, the gas rate plan management server F2, and the gas provider server R2 realize various functions according to the above embodiment by executing the installed contract plan selection program.

Industrial Applicability

[0100] The contract plan selection system according to the present embodiment is useful because it can easily review contracts associated with changes in user circumstances for a plurality of services.

Explanation of Signs

[0101] 1 Server device 12 Storage unit 13 Control unit 131 Contract Plan Selection Criteria Setting Section 132 Change Reception Section 133 Contract Plan Selection Section C Customer Information Management Server F1 Electricity Tariff Plan Management Server F2 Gas Tariff Plan Management Server R1 Retail Electricity Supplier Server R2 Gas Retailer Server P Mobile Terminal

Claims

1. A contract plan selection criteria setting unit that sets contract plan selection criteria for a user to select a contract plan from a plurality of contract plans provided by a plurality of service providers for each of a plurality of services; A storage unit that stores user information, which is information about the user, in association with each of the plurality of services; After the contract plan selection criteria are set by the contract plan selection criteria setting unit and the user information is stored in the storage unit in association with each of the plurality of services, a change reception unit that receives a change to the user information stored in the storage unit; When the change is received, for each of the plurality of services associated with the user information in the storage unit, a contract plan selection unit that selects the user's contract plan from the plurality of contract plans provided by the plurality of service providers based on the changed user information and the contract plan selection criteria A contract plan selection device comprising:

2. In claim 1, A contract plan selection device that sets one common contract plan selection criteria for the plurality of services.

3. In claim 1 or 2, Further comprising a detection unit that detects the service usage amount of the user for each service, The change reception unit changes the user's information based on the service usage amount. A contract plan selection device.

4. In any one of claims 1 to 3, The user information includes contract plan related information about the selected contract plan. A contract plan selection device.

5. In any one of claims 1 to 4, The services include services that provide at least one of power, gas, water supply, communication lines, and insurance to the user. A contract plan selection device.

6. A server device includes: A step of setting contract plan selection criteria for a user to select a contract plan from a plurality of contract plans provided by a plurality of service providers for each of a plurality of services; A step of storing user information, which is information about the user, in a storage unit in association with each of the plurality of services; After the setting step and the storing step are executed, a step of receiving a change to the user information stored in the storage unit; When the change is accepted, for each of the plurality of services associated with the user information in the storage unit, based on the changed user information and the contract plan selection criteria, selecting the user's contract plan from the plurality of contract plans by the plurality of service providers A contract plan selection method comprising the steps of: **Claim 7** A computer, A contract plan selection program for causing the computer to execute the contract plan selection method according to claim 6.

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