Information processing system and program

Abstract

This helps conserve fuel used to generate electricity in fuel cells. [Solution] An acquisition unit acquires remaining amount information, which is information about the remaining amount of fuel (step S101). The acquisition unit acquires remaining amount information, which is information about the remaining amount of fuel remaining in the cartridge, for each cartridge. In step S102, a generation unit generates benefit information, which is information about benefits to be granted to the user, based on the acquired remaining amount information (step S102). The generation unit generates this benefit information for each cartridge. Thereafter, an association unit associates the generated benefit information with the user who uses the fuel for which the remaining amount information was acquired (step S103).

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a fuel cell device that includes a fuel cell and a control unit that notifies a user and controls a first electronic device that, when operated by the user, dispenses hot water that utilizes the exhaust heat from the fuel cell. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2024-133311 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When a disaster such as an earthquake occurs, the supply of external power to devices is likely to be cut off. In such cases, if each home or business has a fuel cell power generation function, the chances of being able to supply power to devices increase. On the other hand, even if a fuel cell is installed, power cannot be generated unless the fuel used to generate power in the fuel cell is secured. In order to secure fuel, it is necessary to conserve fuel when using the fuel cell in daily life. An object of the present invention is to promote the conservation of fuel used in power generation in fuel cells. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The information processing system to which the present invention is applicable is an information processing system that includes an acquisition means for acquiring remaining amount information, which is information about the remaining amount of fuel supplied to a fuel cell, a generation means for generating bonus information, which is information about bonuses to be granted to users, based on the acquired remaining amount information, and an association means for associating the generated bonus information with users who use the fuel for which the remaining amount information was acquired.

[0006] Here, the generation means may be configured to generate, as the bonus information, information indicating that a bonus will be granted if the remaining amount identified by the acquired remaining amount information is greater than a predetermined threshold. In addition, the generation means may be configured to generate, as the bonus information, information indicating that no bonus will be granted if the remaining amount identified by the acquired remaining amount information is smaller than the predetermined threshold value. The device may further include a change unit that changes the threshold value used for comparison with the remaining amount. The change means may change the threshold value used for comparison with the remaining amount over time. The change means may decrease the threshold value used for comparison with the remaining amount as time passes. In addition, the acquisition means may acquire the remaining amount information each time a predetermined time period has elapsed, and the generation means may generate, as the bonus information, information indicating that a bonus will be granted if the absolute value of the difference between the remaining amount specified by the acquired remaining amount information and the remaining amount specified by remaining amount information acquired before the acquired remaining amount information is smaller than a predetermined threshold value. Furthermore, when the absolute value of the difference is greater than the predetermined threshold value, the generating means may generate, as the benefit information, information indicating that no benefit will be given. In addition, the acquisition means may acquire the remaining amount information each time a predetermined time has elapsed, and the generation means may generate the bonus information based on the remaining amount information acquired each time the predetermined time has elapsed. The device may further comprise a setting unit for setting the threshold value used for comparison with the remaining amount for each user. The setting means may set the threshold value used for comparison with the remaining amount based on a user's past fuel usage history. The setting means may set the threshold value so that the threshold value decreases as the average amount of fuel used in the past by the user increases. In addition, the generation means may be configured to generate, as the bonus information, information indicating that a greater number of bonuses will be granted than the number of bonuses that would be granted if the remaining amount identified by the acquired remaining amount information is greater than a predetermined threshold. In addition, the generation means may be configured to generate, when the remaining amount identified by the acquired remaining amount information is greater than a predetermined threshold, information indicating that more types of benefits will be granted than the types of benefits that would be granted if the remaining amount was less than the threshold, as the bonus information. In addition, the generation means may be configured to generate, when the remaining amount identified by the acquired remaining amount information is greater than a predetermined threshold, information indicating that a bonus will be granted having a monetary value greater than the monetary value of the bonus that would be granted if the remaining amount was less than the threshold, as the bonus information.

[0007] Furthermore, if the present invention is considered as a program, the program to which the present invention is applied is a program that causes a computer to realize an acquisition function for acquiring remaining amount information, which is information about the remaining amount of fuel supplied to a fuel cell, a generation function for generating bonus information, which is information about bonuses to be granted to users, based on the acquired remaining amount information, and an association function for associating the generated bonus information with users who use the fuel for which the remaining amount information was acquired. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to promote saving of fuel used for power generation in a fuel cell. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a fuel cell management system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a management server. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing functional blocks realized by a management server. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing executed by the management server. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a management table registered in an information storage device. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing performed by a generation unit and the like. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a change in the reference threshold value. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating generation of bonus information. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating generation of bonus information based on a difference. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a fuel cell management system 10. The management system 10 of this embodiment is provided with a fuel cell 11 that generates electricity. A plurality of fuel cells 11 are provided. The fuel cell 11 is installed in, for example, a house or a factory. There are also portable fuel cells 11. The portable fuel cell 11 is taken out to, for example, a campsite and used outdoors. The fuel cell 11 is also installed in, for example, a home appliance. Fuel is supplied to the fuel cell 11 by a cartridge 12 containing the fuel.

[0011] Each user attaches the cartridge 12 to a housing in which the fuel cell 11 is installed. This causes fuel to be supplied from the cartridge 12 to the fuel cell 11. The fuel cell 11 generates electricity. When the fuel cell 11 is installed in a house, a factory, or outdoors, the electric power generated by the fuel cell 11 is supplied to devices installed around the fuel cell 11. Furthermore, when the fuel cell 11 is installed in a home appliance, the electric power generated by the fuel cell 11 is supplied to the home appliance.

[0012] Furthermore, the management system 10 of this embodiment is provided with a management server 20 . As will be described later, the management server 20 acquires information about the remaining amount of fuel in the cartridge 12. Then, based on this acquired information, the management server 20 generates information about the benefit to be given to the user.

[0013] The fuel cell 11 generates electricity through a redox reaction between a fuel such as hydrogen and an oxidant. Oxygen in the air is often used as the oxidant. The fuel is supplied to the fuel cell 11 from the cartridge 12. In this embodiment, hydrogen is supplied as fuel to the fuel cell 11 from a cartridge 12. Air around the fuel cell 11 is also supplied to the fuel cell 11. In the fuel cell 11, gaseous hydrogen and oxygen contained in the air are used to generate electricity.

[0014] Two electrodes are installed in the fuel cell 11. An electrolyte is provided between the two electrodes. Furthermore, an electric wire is provided to connect the two electrodes. In the fuel cell 11, hydrogen is split into hydrogen ions and electrons at one electrode. The hydrogen ions travel through the electrolyte to the other electrode. The electrons travel through the wire to the other electrode. This electron movement generates electricity. At the other pole, oxygen contained in the air, hydrogen ions that have passed through the electrolyte, and electrons that have passed through the electric wire react to produce water, which is an example of a product.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the management server 20. As shown in FIG. The management server 20 is provided with a processing unit 901 and an information storage device 902 for storing information. The processing unit 901 is configured by a computer. The processing unit 901 has a CPU (=Central Processing Unit) 911 as an example of a processor. The processing unit 901 also has a ROM (=Read Only Memory) 912 in which a program is stored. The processing unit 901 also has a RAM (=Random Access Memory) 913 used as a work area. The information storage device 902 is realized by an existing device such as a hard disk drive, a semiconductor memory, or a magnetic tape. The processing unit 901 and the information storage device 902 are connected via a bus 906 and a signal line (not shown).

[0016] The program executed by the CPU 911 can be provided to the management server 20 via a recording medium. Examples of recording media include magnetic recording media such as magnetic tapes and magnetic disks. Other examples of recording media include optical recording media such as optical disks. Other examples of recording media include magneto-optical recording media. Other examples of recording media include semiconductor memories. The program executed by the CPU 911 may be provided to the management server 20 using a communication means such as the Internet. In this embodiment, the CPU 911 executes programs stored in the ROM 912 and the information storage device 902 .

[0017] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing functional blocks realized by the management server 20. As shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the CPU 911 provided in the management server 20 executes a program stored in the ROM 912, thereby realizing each of the functional units shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the management server 20 functions as an information processing system. The management server 20 processes information about the fuel cell 11. In this embodiment, the information processing system is realized by one device, the management server 20. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the information processing system may be configured by a plurality of information processing devices.

[0018] In this embodiment, an acquisition unit 21, a generation unit 22, an association unit 23, a change unit 24, and a setting unit 25 are provided as functional units. The acquisition unit 21 acquires remaining amount information, which is information about the remaining amount of fuel in the cartridge 12. The generating unit 22 generates benefit information, which is information about a benefit to be given to the user, based on the acquired remaining amount information.

[0019] The associating unit 23 associates the generated bonus information with a user who uses the fuel for which the remaining amount information is to be obtained. In other words, the associating unit 23 associates the generated bonus information with a user who is associated with the cartridge 12 for which the remaining amount information is to be obtained. The change unit 24 changes the threshold value used for comparison with the remaining amount. The setting unit 25 sets the threshold value used for comparison with the remaining amount. In other words, the setting unit 25 initially sets the threshold value used for comparison with the remaining amount.

[0020] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing executed by the management server 20 of this embodiment. In this embodiment, the acquisition unit 21, which is an example of an acquisition means, acquires remaining amount information, which is information about the remaining amount of fuel (step S101). The acquisition unit 21 acquires, for each cartridge 12, remaining amount information that is information about the amount of fuel remaining in the cartridge 12.

[0021] Although not described above, in this embodiment, each cartridge 12 is provided with a communication section for communicating with an external device. The communication unit outputs the remaining amount information, which is information about the amount of fuel remaining in the cartridge 12. In this embodiment, the remaining amount information is output every time a predetermined time period elapses. The remaining amount information includes not only information about the remaining amount itself but also date and time information that indicates the date and time when the remaining amount was acquired.

[0022] Furthermore, when use of the cartridge 12 begins, start information indicating that use of the cartridge 12 has begun is output from the communication unit. A sensor that detects the discharge of fuel is provided in the cartridge 12. When the sensor detects the discharge of fuel, the cartridge 12 detects that use of the cartridge 12 has started. In response to this, start information is output from the communication unit of the cartridge 12. The cartridge 12 is also provided with a control board that controls each part of the cartridge 12 . The remaining amount information and start information output from the communication unit are output to nearby communication devices such as the user's smartphone or PC (Personal Computer) via wired or wireless communication. The start information and remaining amount information are then transmitted via this communication device to the management server 20. A communication line (not shown) is provided between this communication device and the management server 20 to connect them.

[0023] As a result, the management server 20 acquires start information, which is information indicating that use of the cartridge 12 has started. The start information includes information on the date and time when use of the cartridge 12 started. Furthermore, the management server 20 acquires remaining amount information, which is information about the fuel remaining in the cartridge 12 . The management server 20 acquires the start information and remaining amount information for each cartridge 12 .

[0024] Each cartridge 12 is provided with a memory (not shown), which stores identification information used to distinguish each cartridge 12 from other cartridges 12. In addition to the start information and remaining amount information, this identification information is also output from each cartridge 12. As a result, the acquisition unit 21 of the management server 20 acquires the start information, remaining amount information, and identification information for each cartridge 12.

[0025] The start information and remaining amount information acquired by the management server 20 are registered in the management table stored in the information storage device 902 shown in Fig. 2. This registration is performed using the identification information as a key. The management table has registered therein in advance the identification information assigned to each cartridge 12. The remaining amount information and start information transmitted from the cartridge 12 together with the identification information are registered in the management table in association with the identification information already registered in the management table.

[0026] The remaining amount information is transmitted from the cartridge 12 to the management server 20 in association with the identification information every time a predetermined time period has elapsed. This remaining amount information sequentially sent from the cartridges 12 is registered in the management table in association with the identification information already registered in the management table. The management table will be described in detail later.

[0027] A method for acquiring information about the remaining amount of fuel in the cartridge 12 will now be described. The cartridge 12 may obtain information about the remaining amount of fuel by a known method. In the cartridge 12, information about the remaining amount of fuel is obtained based on, for example, the pressure inside the cartridge 12. Additionally, information about the remaining amount of fuel is acquired based on the amount of fuel discharged from the inside of the cartridge 12 to the outside, for example. Additionally, information about the remaining amount of fuel may be obtained based on the amount of power generated by the fuel cell 11. Additionally, information about the remaining amount of fuel may be obtained based on the operating status of the device to which the power generated by the fuel cell 11 is supplied.

[0028] Further explanation will be given with reference to FIG. After the process of step S101, the process of step S102 is performed. In step S102, the generating unit 22, which is a generating means, generates benefit information, which is information about a benefit to be given to the user, based on the acquired remaining amount information (step S102). The generating unit 22 generates this benefit information for each cartridge 12.

[0029] The generating unit 22 reads out and acquires the remaining amount information that has been temporarily registered in the management table from the management table. More specifically, the generating unit 22 reads and acquires, from this management table, remaining amount information at a specific time lapse timing, which is timing when a specific time has elapsed since the reference time. It is also possible that the remaining amount information has not been acquired at the specific time point. In this case, the remaining amount information having a specific relationship with the specific time point is read and acquired from the management table.

[0030] Specifically, for example, the remaining amount information acquired after the specific time has elapsed and at the timing closest to this specific time has elapsed is read and acquired from the management table. Then, the generating unit 22 generates benefit information, which is information about a benefit to be given to the user, based on the acquired remaining amount information.

[0031] In this embodiment, the time when the cartridge 12 starts to be used is set as the reference time. The acquisition unit 21 acquires, as remaining amount information, information on the remaining amount at a specific time lapse timing, which is timing when a predetermined specific time has elapsed from this reference time. The reference time may be a time other than the start of use of the cartridge 12, such as when the cartridge 12 is opened.

[0032] The generating unit 22 identifies the timing at which the specific time has elapsed based on the start information registered in the management table. Then, the generating unit 22 reads and acquires the remaining amount information obtained at the timing when the specific time has elapsed from the management table. As described above, it is also possible that the remaining amount information is not available at the time when the specific time has elapsed. In this case, the generating unit 22 reads and acquires the remaining amount information having a specific relationship with the specific time from the management table.

[0033] Thereafter, the generating unit 22 generates benefit information, which is information about a benefit to be given to the user, based on the acquired remaining amount information. The generating unit 22 generates bonus information based on the acquired remaining amount information and a predetermined reference threshold value. Thereafter, the association unit 23, which is an example of an association means, associates the generated benefit information with the user who uses the fuel for which the remaining amount information is obtained (step S103).

[0034] More specifically, the association unit 23 associates the generated benefit information with the user associated with the cartridge 12 from which the remaining amount information is obtained. More specifically, the association unit 23 registers the bonus information in the management table in such a manner that the bonus information is associated with identification information that is pre-registered in the management table and matches the identification information transmitted together with the remaining amount information. As a result, the benefit information is associated with the user associated with the cartridge 12 from which the remaining amount information is obtained. This allows the user to receive a special benefit.

[0035] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a management table registered in the information storage device 902. As shown in FIG. In this embodiment, information about each cartridge 12 is registered in a management table shown in Fig. 5. The management table is stored in the information storage device 902 shown in Fig. 2. In the management table, identification information, user information for identifying the user, and a reference threshold value are registered in a form corresponding to each cartridge 12.

[0036] The identification information is registered in an identification information registration field 31. The user information is registered in a user information registration field 32. The reference threshold is registered in a threshold registration field 33. In this embodiment, each cartridge 12 is registered in the management table in association with its identification information, user information, and reference threshold value.

[0037] In this embodiment, before the process shown in FIG. 4 is started, the identification information, user information, and reference threshold value are registered in advance in the management table. Examples of user information include the user's name and address, information about the destination of information, such as an email address, and the user's gender and age. The user inputs this information in advance by operating a device such as his / her own smartphone or PC, and the information is then transmitted from the device to the management server 20 and registered in the management table of the management server 20.

[0038] The management table further includes a start information registration column 34 for registering start information, and a remaining amount information registration column 35 for registering remaining amount information. In this embodiment, the acquired start information is registered in the start information registration field 34 . Furthermore, the remaining amount information that is sequentially acquired and sequentially transmitted to the management server 20 is registered in a remaining amount information registration field 35 . In this embodiment, the identification information, start information, and remaining amount information are transmitted from the cartridge 12 to the management server 20. As described above, the management server 20 registers the start information and remaining amount information in the management table using the identification information as a key. Furthermore, the management table also has a history information registration field 36 for registering history information, which is information about the usage history of the cartridge 12 that the user has used in the past.

[0039] In this embodiment, information about the amount of fuel used in the cartridge 12 that the user has used in the past is registered in this history information registration field . Specifically, in this embodiment, the history information registration field 36 registers remaining amount information about the cartridges 12 that the user has used in the past. The remaining amount information is registered as time-series data. In addition to the information on the remaining amount of fuel itself, the history information registration field 36 also registers date and time information indicating the date and time when the remaining amount was acquired. In the history information registration field 36, information on the remaining amount itself and date and time information are registered in a state where they are associated with each other. In this embodiment, the remaining amount information about the cartridge 12 that the user has used in the past is not discarded but is registered in the history information registration field 36 .

[0040] The management table further includes a special benefit information registration field 37 in which the special benefit information generated by the generation unit 22 is registered. In this embodiment, the association unit 23 registers the bonus information in the bonus information registration field 37. The association unit 23 registers the bonus information generated by the generation unit 22 in the bonus information registration field 37. When registering the benefit information, the association unit 23 registers the benefit information in a form associated with the user information.

[0041] The association unit 23 registers this special information in the management table using the transmitted identification information, which is the identification information transmitted from the cartridge 12, as a key. The association unit 23 registers the special benefit information in the management table in such a manner that the special benefit information is associated with identification information that matches the transmission identification information among the identification information registered in the management table. The identification information already registered in the management table is associated with the user information. When the privilege information is registered in such a manner that the privilege information is associated with the identification information already registered in the management table, the result is that the privilege information is associated with the user information.

[0042] Here, the benefit may be either tangible or intangible. An example of an intangible benefit is electronic points. More specifically, an example of an intangible benefit is electronic points that have the same value as money. Furthermore, examples of tangible benefits include physical goods and the like. In the case of a tangible benefit, information indicating this tangible benefit is registered in the benefit information registration field 37 of the management table.

[0043] In this embodiment, either information indicating that a benefit will be given or information indicating that a benefit will not be given is registered as benefit information in the benefit information registration field 37 of the management table. Furthermore, in this embodiment, when information indicating that a benefit will be given is registered in the benefit information registration field 37, information indicating the content of the benefit is registered in the benefit information registration field 37.

[0044] If the information indicating the content of the benefit is predetermined, the predetermined benefit information is read from the information storage device 902. Then, this predetermined benefit information is registered in the benefit information registration field 37. In other words, if the content of the benefit is determined as a default, information on the content of the benefit determined as a default is registered in the benefit information registration field 37 . On the other hand, if the content of the benefit has not been determined in advance, the generation unit 22 executes a process of determining information indicating the content of the benefit. Then, the information indicating the content of the benefit obtained through this process is registered in the benefit information registration field 37.

[0045] [Processing by the generation unit 22, etc.] The processing performed by the generating unit 22 and the like will now be described in detail. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing performed by the generating unit 22 and the like. The generating unit 22 determines whether or not the remaining amount specified by the remaining amount information acquired by the acquiring unit 21 and registered in the management table is greater than a predetermined reference threshold value (step S201). Then, when it is determined in step S201 that the remaining amount is greater than the predetermined reference threshold, the generating unit 22 generates, as benefit information, information indicating that a benefit will be given (step S202).

[0046] Then, the association unit 23 registers this information indicating that a benefit will be given in the benefit information registration field 37 of the management table (step S203). In the process of step S201, the generating unit 22 obtains remaining amount information at a specific time elapsed timing from the management table. The generating unit 22 reads and obtains this remaining amount information from the remaining amount information registration field 35 of the management table. Furthermore, the generating unit 22 reads and acquires the reference threshold value from the threshold value registration column 33 of the management table. Then, in the process of step S201, the generation unit 22 determines whether or not the remaining amount specified by the obtained remaining amount information is greater than the obtained reference threshold value. If the generating unit 22 determines that the remaining amount is greater than the reference threshold, then in step S202, the generating unit 22 generates, as benefit information, information indicating that a benefit will be given.

[0047] If the content of the benefit has not been determined as a default, the generating unit 22 also generates information indicating the content of the benefit at this time. If the content of the benefit is predetermined as a default, it is not necessary to generate information indicating the content of the benefit. In this case, the predetermined content is registered in the benefit information registration field 37. On the other hand, if the content of the benefit has not been determined in advance, the generating unit 22 also generates information indicating the content of the benefit.

[0048] When generating information indicating the content of the benefit, the generation unit 22 generates the information indicating the content of the benefit based on the user information. The generation unit 22 generates the information indicating the content of the benefit based on the user's gender, age, etc., which are specified based on the user information. Additionally, the generating unit 22 generates information indicating the content of the benefit based on the remaining amount and a threshold value for determining the content, as will be described later.

[0049] In step S203, when information indicating that a benefit will be given is registered in the benefit information registration field 37, the process proceeds to step S204. In step S204, a notification process is performed to notify the user. In step S204, a notification process is performed to the user using the user's email address, etc., included in the user information. In this notification process, information indicating that a special benefit will be granted is sent to the user.

[0050] As a result, the user is notified of information indicating that the benefit has been granted via the user's terminal device. In this case, the user recognizes that a special benefit has been granted to him / her. When a reward is given to a user as in this embodiment, the user is motivated to save fuel, which reduces wasteful consumption of fuel.

[0051] On the other hand, if it is not determined in step S201 that the remaining amount is greater than the reference threshold, the process proceeds to step S205. In step S205, the generation unit 22 generates, as the benefit information, information indicating that no benefit will be given. Then, the association unit 23 registers this information indicating that no benefit will be given in the benefit information registration field 37 of the management table (step S206). In this case, the user is not notified, or the user is notified of information indicating that the benefit has not been granted.

[0052] In the present embodiment, as described above, first, the generation unit 22 generates information indicating that a benefit will be provided. Alternatively, the generation unit 22 generates information indicating that a benefit will not be provided. Then, the associating unit 23 associates this information with the user. The association unit 23 registers this information in the management table in a form in which this information is associated with the user. Specifically, this information is registered in the benefit information registration field 37 of the management table.

[0053] [Processing for Changing the Reference Threshold Value] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the change of the reference threshold value. The reference threshold value used for comparison with the remaining amount may be changed. In this embodiment, the reference threshold value is changed by a change unit 24, which is an example of a change unit, The change unit 24 changes the reference threshold value used for comparison with the remaining amount of fuel. The change unit 24 changes the reference threshold used for comparison with the remaining amount, for example, in accordance with the passage of time. More specifically, the change unit 24 decreases the reference threshold in accordance with the passage of time.

[0054] The change unit 24 decreases the reference threshold value by a predetermined value each time a predetermined time elapses. For example, the change unit 24 decreases the reference threshold value by a predetermined value each time a predetermined time elapses after a specific time has elapsed. In other words, after the specific time has elapsed, each time a predetermined time has elapsed, the change unit 24 subtracts a predetermined subtraction value from the reference threshold set at that time to generate a new reference threshold. The new reference threshold thus generated is registered in the threshold registration field 33 of the management table.

[0055] Here, the generation unit 22 may generate the benefit information not at the specific time elapsed timing but at a timing after the specific time elapsed timing. In this case, it is assumed that the reference threshold value is constant and the value of the reference threshold value does not decrease. In this case, even if the user is conserving fuel, the remaining amount is likely to become smaller than the reference threshold value. On the other hand, if the reference threshold is set small, the remaining amount is more likely to become larger than the reference threshold.

[0056] Generally, fuel is gradually consumed, and the remaining amount of fuel decreases over time. If the reference threshold remains constant, the remaining amount will fall below the reference threshold over time. After a specific time has elapsed, the possibility that the remaining amount will fall below the reference threshold increases. In contrast to this, if the reference threshold value is reduced as time passes as described above, the remaining amount is likely to exceed the reference threshold value even after the specific time has elapsed. If the reference threshold value is reduced over time, the remaining amount is more likely to exceed the reference threshold value if the user is conserving fuel.

[0057] After the specific time has elapsed, the generating unit 22 compares the remaining amount at that time with the latest reference threshold registered in the threshold registration field 33 . In other words, in this case, the generation unit 22 compares the remaining amount at that time with the reference threshold value after the subtraction process of the subtraction value has been performed. Then, the generation unit 22 generates information indicating that a special benefit will be granted if the remaining amount is greater than the latest reference threshold value, whereas the generation unit 22 generates information indicating that a special benefit will not be granted if the remaining amount is less than the latest reference threshold value.

[0058] In the above, the case where the special information is generated at one specific timing has been described. Specifically, in the above description, the case where the special information is generated at a specific time lapse or at a time after the specific time lapse has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the generation of the benefit information may be performed multiple times. In this case, the user has more opportunities to receive special benefits, which encourages the user to save fuel.

[0059] When the generation of the bonus information is performed multiple times, for example, as shown by the symbol 8A in Figure 8 (a diagram explaining the generation of the bonus information), the generation unit 22 obtains the latest remaining amount information from the management table each time a predetermined time has elapsed. In this case, the change unit 24 performs the subtraction process of the subtraction value described above each time a predetermined time elapses after the specific time has elapsed, as indicated by the reference symbol 8B, to reduce the reference threshold value.

[0060] Then, every time a predetermined time has elapsed, and after the specific time has elapsed, the generating unit 22 compares the acquired latest remaining amount with the latest reference threshold value. Then, the generation unit 22 generates information indicating that a special benefit will be granted if the latest remaining amount is greater than the latest reference threshold value, whereas the generation unit 22 generates information indicating that a special benefit will not be granted if the latest remaining amount is less than the latest reference threshold value.

[0061] [Setting the standard threshold for each user] The reference threshold value used for comparison with the remaining amount information may be set for each user. In other words, the initial value of the reference threshold value registered in the threshold value registration column 33 of the management table shown in FIG. 5 may be set for each user. In this embodiment, as described above, the process of subtracting the subtraction value from the reference threshold value is performed as time passes. In this embodiment, the setting unit 25, which is an example of a setting means, sets an initial value of the reference threshold before the subtraction value is subtracted for each user.

[0062] The setting unit 25 sets the initial value of the reference threshold value based on, for example, the user's past fuel usage history. Specifically, the setting unit 25 sets the initial value of the reference threshold value so that, for example, the larger the average amount of fuel used in the past by the user, the smaller the initial value of the reference threshold value. In this embodiment, information about the fuel usage history is registered as time-series data in the history information registration field 36 (see FIG. 5) of the management table.

[0063] Specifically, in the history information registration field 36, information about the usage history of a used cartridge 12, which is a cartridge 12 that a user has used in the past, is registered as time-series data. Specifically, in this embodiment, information about the usage history of the used cartridge 12 includes information about the remaining amount of fuel and information about the date and time when this information was obtained.

[0064] The setting unit 25 calculates the amount of fuel used for each predetermined period of time for the used cartridge 12 based on the information about the remaining amount of fuel registered in the history information registration field 36. Furthermore, the setting unit 25 calculates the average value of the multiple amounts of fuel used for each predetermined period of time. Then, the setting unit 25 sets an initial value of the reference threshold based on this average value. More specifically, the setting unit 25 changes the value of the reference threshold that is set in advance as a default based on this average value, thereby setting the initial value.

[0065] The setting unit 25 sets the initial value of the reference threshold so that the larger the average value, the smaller the initial value of the reference threshold. In detail, if the average value is greater than a predetermined value, the setting unit 25 subtracts a predetermined specific value from the standard threshold value that is preset as a default, to set the initial value of the standard threshold value. Then, the setting unit 25 registers this initial value in the threshold registration field 33 of the management table.

[0066] In this case, the generating unit 22 compares the remaining amount of fuel with the initial value registered in the threshold registration field 33, for example, when a specific time has elapsed. In other words, in this case, the generation unit 22 compares the remaining amount of fuel with the initial value of the reference threshold set for each user when a specific time has elapsed. When this process is performed, even if the user uses a large amount of fuel, the remaining amount is likely to exceed the reference threshold value when the specific time has elapsed. In this case, a user who uses a large amount of fuel can also receive a special benefit, which motivates the user to save fuel.

[0067] Alternatively, the subtraction value to be subtracted from the initial value of the reference threshold may be set based on the average value. Specifically, the subtraction value is set so that the larger the average value, the larger the subtraction value becomes. More specifically, when the average value is larger than a predetermined threshold, the subtraction value is made larger by a specific value compared to when the average value is not larger than the predetermined threshold. In this case, there are more opportunities for users who use a large amount of fuel to receive special benefits.

[0068] [Generation of bonus information based on differences] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating generation of bonus information based on the difference. Benefit information may be generated based on the difference between the remaining amounts. In the above, the bonus information is generated based on a comparison between the remaining amount and the reference threshold value. However, the bonus information may be generated based on a comparison between the difference between the remaining amounts and a predetermined threshold value. In this case, the generation unit 22 generates information about the benefit based on, for example, the remaining amount identified by the latest remaining amount information and the remaining amount identified by past remaining amount information acquired by the acquisition unit 21 before acquiring this remaining amount information.

[0069] More specifically, in this case, as shown by the symbol 9A, the generation unit 22 calculates the difference between the remaining amount identified by the latest remaining amount information and the remaining amount identified by past remaining amount information obtained, for example, at a timing one step before the latest remaining amount information. Then, the generation unit 22 generates the bonus information based on this difference, as indicated by the reference numeral 9B. If the absolute value of the difference is smaller than a predetermined threshold, the generating unit 22 generates, as privilege information, information indicating that a privilege will be granted. On the other hand, when the absolute value of the difference is greater than the predetermined threshold, the generating unit 22 generates, as the benefit information, information indicating that no benefit will be given.

[0070] As described above, an example of the past remaining amount information is remaining amount information acquired immediately before the latest remaining amount information. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the past remaining amount information may be remaining amount information acquired two or more times before the latest remaining amount information.

[0071] Additionally, the difference threshold value used for comparison with the difference may also be set based on the average value. In this case, the difference threshold is set so that the larger the average value, the larger the difference threshold. More specifically, when the average value is larger than a predetermined threshold, the difference threshold is set larger by a specific value compared to when the average value is not larger than the predetermined threshold. In this case, there is a higher possibility that a special benefit will be given to a user who uses a large amount of fuel.

[0072] [Benefit details] In this embodiment, as described above, when the remaining amount is greater than a predetermined reference threshold, the generating unit 22 generates, as the benefit information, information indicating that a benefit will be given. In addition, in this embodiment, when the remaining amount is smaller than the predetermined reference threshold, the generating unit 22 generates, as the benefit information, information indicating that a benefit will not be given. In this embodiment, whether or not a special benefit is given is determined depending on whether or not the remaining amount exceeds a predetermined reference threshold.

[0073] The generation unit 22 may generate other information in addition to the information indicating that a special benefit will be provided and the information indicating that a special benefit will not be provided. The generating unit 22 also generates information indicating the content of the benefit if the information indicating the content of the benefit is not set in advance as a default. As described above, the generation unit 22 generates information indicating the content of the benefit based on, for example, the gender and age of the user specified based on the user information.

[0074] Alternatively, the generating unit 22 may vary the information indicating the content of the benefit based on, for example, the remaining amount and a threshold value for determining the content. When generating information indicating the content of the benefit, the generating unit 22 may change the content of the information indicating the content of the benefit, for example, depending on the amount of remaining fuel. The generating unit 22 compares the remaining amount with a content determination threshold, which is a predetermined threshold prepared for determining the content of the benefit. Note that this content determination threshold is greater than the above-mentioned reference threshold.

[0075] For example, the generation unit 22 may generate information indicating that when the remaining amount is greater than a content determination threshold, a greater number of benefits will be granted than the number of benefits that would be granted when the remaining amount is less than the content determination threshold. Specifically, in this case, the generation unit 22 may generate, as the bonus information, information indicating that more points will be awarded than the points that would be awarded if the remaining amount were smaller than the content determination threshold, for example.

[0076] Additionally, when the remaining amount is larger than the content determination threshold, the generating unit 22 may generate information indicating that a greater variety of benefits will be provided as information indicating the content of the benefits. In this case, the generating unit 22 generates information indicating that more types of benefits will be given than the types of benefits that are given when the remaining amount is smaller than the content determination threshold.

[0077] More specifically, in this case, the generating unit 22 generates, for example, information indicating that multiple types of products will be provided to the user. If the remaining amount is smaller than the content determination threshold, for example, information indicating that a single type of product will be provided to the user is generated as information about the content of the benefit. On the other hand, if the remaining amount is greater than the content determination threshold, for example, information indicating that multiple types of products will be provided to the user is generated.

[0078] Additionally, when the remaining amount is greater than the content determination threshold, the generation unit 22 may generate information indicating that a benefit with a greater monetary value will be granted as information indicating the content of the benefit. Specifically, the generating unit 22 generates information indicating that a benefit having a monetary value greater than the monetary value of the benefit that is granted when the remaining amount is smaller than the content determination threshold will be granted.

[0079] The privilege granted to the user may be a single default privilege, or, as described above, the content of the privilege granted to the user may be different depending on whether the remaining amount is greater or smaller than the content determination threshold.

[0080] 〔others〕 The user is charged as the fuel in the cartridge 12 is used. The fee charged to the user may be determined based on the remaining amount registered in the remaining amount information registration field 35 of the management table. Alternatively, the user may be charged based on a so-called subscription system. Even when billing is performed using a subscription system, the fee charged to the user may be determined based on the remaining amount registered in the remaining amount information registration field 35. [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 11 fuel cell, 12 cartridge, 20 management server, 21 acquisition unit, 22 generation unit, 23 association unit, 24 change unit, 25 setting unit

Claims

1. an acquisition means for acquiring remaining amount information, which is information about the remaining amount of fuel supplied to the fuel cell; a generating means for generating benefit information, which is information about a benefit to be given to the user, based on the acquired remaining amount information; an association means for associating the generated benefit information with a user who uses the fuel for which the remaining amount information is obtained; Equipped with the generating means generates, as the benefit information, information indicating that a benefit will be provided when the remaining amount specified by the acquired remaining amount information is greater than a predetermined threshold. Information processing system.

2. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the generating means generates, as the bonus information, information indicating that no bonus will be granted if the remaining amount specified by the acquired remaining amount information is smaller than the predetermined threshold.

3. The information processing system according to claim 1 , further comprising a change unit that changes the threshold value used for comparison with the remaining amount.

4. The information processing system according to claim 3 , wherein the change unit changes the threshold value used for comparison with the remaining amount over time.

5. The information processing system according to claim 4 , wherein the change unit decreases the threshold value used for comparison with the remaining amount as time passes.

6. an acquisition means for acquiring remaining amount information, which is information about the remaining amount of fuel supplied to the fuel cell; a generating means for generating benefit information, which is information about a benefit to be given to the user, based on the acquired remaining amount information; an association means for associating the generated benefit information with a user who uses the fuel for which the remaining amount information is obtained; Equipped with the acquiring means acquires the remaining amount information every time a predetermined time has elapsed, the generating means generates, as the benefit information, information indicating that a benefit will be granted when an absolute value of a difference between the remaining amount specified by the acquired remaining amount information and the remaining amount specified by remaining amount information acquired before the acquired remaining amount information is smaller than a predetermined threshold value. Information processing system.

7. The information processing system according to claim 6 , wherein the generating means generates, as the benefit information, information indicating that no benefit will be given if the absolute value of the difference is greater than the predetermined threshold value.

8. the acquiring means acquires the remaining amount information every time a predetermined time has elapsed; The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the generating means generates the bonus information based on the remaining amount information acquired each time the predetermined time elapses.

9. The information processing system according to claim 1 , further comprising a setting unit that sets the threshold value used for comparison with the remaining amount for each user.

10. 10. The information processing system according to claim 9, wherein the setting means sets the threshold value used for comparison with the remaining amount based on a user's past fuel usage history.

11. The information processing system according to claim 10 , wherein the setting means sets the threshold value so that the threshold value decreases as the average amount of fuel used in the past by the user increases.

12. an acquisition means for acquiring remaining amount information, which is information about the remaining amount of fuel supplied to the fuel cell; a generating means for generating benefit information, which is information about a benefit to be given to the user, based on the acquired remaining amount information; an association means for associating the generated benefit information with a user who uses the fuel for which the remaining amount information is obtained; Equipped with When the remaining amount specified by the acquired remaining amount information is greater than a predetermined threshold, the generating means generates, as the benefit information, information indicating that a greater number of benefits will be granted than the number of benefits granted when the remaining amount is less than the threshold. Information processing system.

13. an acquisition means for acquiring remaining amount information, which is information about the remaining amount of fuel supplied to the fuel cell; a generating means for generating benefit information, which is information about a benefit to be given to the user, based on the acquired remaining amount information; an association means for associating the generated benefit information with a user who uses the fuel for which the remaining amount information is obtained; Equipped with When the remaining amount specified by the acquired remaining amount information is greater than a predetermined threshold, the generating means generates, as the benefit information, information indicating that more types of benefits will be granted than types of benefits that will be granted when the remaining amount is less than the threshold. Information processing system.

14. an acquisition means for acquiring remaining amount information, which is information about the remaining amount of fuel supplied to the fuel cell; a generating means for generating benefit information, which is information about a benefit to be given to the user, based on the acquired remaining amount information; an association means for associating the generated benefit information with a user who uses the fuel for which the remaining amount information is obtained; Equipped with The generation means generates, when the remaining amount identified by the acquired remaining amount information is greater than a predetermined threshold, information indicating that a bonus will be granted having a monetary value greater than the monetary value of the bonus that would be granted if the remaining amount were less than the threshold, in an information processing system.

15. an acquisition function for acquiring remaining amount information, which is information about the remaining amount of fuel supplied to the fuel cell; a generating function for generating benefit information, which is information about a benefit to be granted to the user, based on the acquired remaining amount information; an association function for associating the generated benefit information with a user who uses the fuel for which the remaining amount information is obtained; It is a program to make a computer realize The generating function generates, as the benefit information, information indicating that a benefit will be provided when the remaining amount specified by the acquired remaining amount information is greater than a predetermined threshold. program.

16. an acquisition function for acquiring remaining amount information, which is information about the remaining amount of fuel supplied to the fuel cell; a generating function for generating benefit information, which is information about a benefit to be granted to the user, based on the acquired remaining amount information; an association function for associating the generated benefit information with a user who uses the fuel for which the remaining amount information is obtained; It is a program to make a computer realize the acquiring function acquires the remaining amount information every time a predetermined time has elapsed, The generating function generates, as the benefit information, information indicating that a benefit will be granted when an absolute value of a difference between a remaining amount specified by the acquired remaining amount information and a remaining amount specified by remaining amount information acquired prior to the acquired remaining amount information is smaller than a predetermined threshold. program.

17. an acquisition function for acquiring remaining amount information, which is information about the remaining amount of fuel supplied to the fuel cell; a generating function for generating benefit information, which is information about a benefit to be granted to the user, based on the acquired remaining amount information; an association function for associating the generated benefit information with a user who uses the fuel for which the remaining amount information is obtained; It is a program to make a computer realize The generating function generates, when the remaining amount specified by the acquired remaining amount information is greater than a predetermined threshold, information indicating that a greater number of benefits will be granted than the number of benefits granted when the remaining amount is less than the threshold, as the benefit information. program.

18. an acquisition function for acquiring remaining amount information, which is information about the remaining amount of fuel supplied to the fuel cell; a generating function for generating benefit information, which is information about a benefit to be granted to the user, based on the acquired remaining amount information; an association function for associating the generated benefit information with a user who uses the fuel for which the remaining amount information is obtained; It is a program to make a computer realize The generating function generates, when the remaining amount specified by the acquired remaining amount information is greater than a predetermined threshold, information indicating that more types of benefits will be granted than types of benefits that will be granted when the remaining amount is less than the threshold, as the benefit information. program.

19. an acquisition function for acquiring remaining amount information, which is information about the remaining amount of fuel supplied to the fuel cell; a generating function for generating benefit information, which is information about a benefit to be granted to the user, based on the acquired remaining amount information; an association function for associating the generated benefit information with a user who uses the fuel for which the remaining amount information is obtained; It is a program to make a computer realize The generating function generates, when the remaining amount specified by the acquired remaining amount information is greater than a predetermined threshold, information indicating that a benefit having a monetary value greater than the monetary value of a benefit that would be granted when the remaining amount is less than the threshold, as the benefit information. program.

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