Power Saving Evaluation System

Abstract

The present invention easily and appropriately evaluates power saving behavior of a user.　A power-saving evaluation system 10 evaluates power saving behavior of a user with respect to a power consuming device 20 that is operated by consuming power and for which power consumption can be adjusted by an operation by the user. The power-saving evaluation system 10 comprises: a radio wave strength information acquisition unit 11 that acquires radio wave strength information indicating the strength of radio waves related to near field communication originating from the power consuming device 20 and detected by a device 30 carried by the user; an operation estimation unit 12 that estimates, on the basis of the radio wave strength information, whether the user is operating the power consuming device 20; a power consumption information acquisition unit 13 that acquires power consumption information indicating the power consumption of the power consuming device 20; and an evaluation unit 14 that evaluates the power saving behavior of the user with respect to the power consuming device 20 on the basis of the estimation made by the operation estimation unit 12 and the power consumption information.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a power saving evaluation system that evaluates a user's power saving behavior. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a system that encourages users to save energy and allows them to enjoy benefits. In this system, a card company server acquires the amount of electricity used in the user's home and records it as home appliance power information. When the user purchases a product or service using the card, purchase information including the purchase date and time and place is acquired and recorded as a purchase history. Based on this purchase history, the user's card purchase behavior is estimated on a daily basis and recorded as a user behavior record. The card company server then evaluates the amount of energy saved in the home and the user's card purchase behavior based on the home appliance power information and the user behavior record, and determines an incentive to grant to the user based on this evaluation. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-157472 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In order to encourage a user to take energy-saving actions, it is very important to determine and evaluate which specific energy-saving actions the user has taken and to have the user recognize them. The system described in Patent Document 1 evaluates the amount of energy saved, but only evaluates the amount of energy saved throughout the household. Furthermore, the amount of energy saved shown in Patent Document 1 is not necessarily evaluated from the perspective of whether it is the result of the user taking energy-saving actions. Therefore, the system described in Patent Document 1 is not necessarily sufficient from the perspective of determining and evaluating which specific energy-saving actions the user has taken.

[0005] Additionally, there is the Home Energy Management System (HEMS), a system designed to support energy conservation within the home. Using a HEMS allows for detailed monitoring of trends in home power consumption. However, using a HEMS requires the installation of expensive power measurement devices and monitors within the home. Furthermore, efficient operation of a HEMS requires the installation of storage batteries and solar panels. This creates a significant burden due to the high installation costs for average households. Even if a HEMS can measure power consumption, it is difficult to clearly determine whether the reduction in power consumption is intentional, i.e., whether it is the result of the user's energy-saving actions, or whether it is accidental. Therefore, a HEMS is not necessarily sufficient for determining and evaluating the specific energy-saving actions that the user has taken.

[0006] An embodiment of the present invention has been made in view of the above, and has an object to provide a power-saving evaluation system that can easily and appropriately evaluate a user's power-saving behavior. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a power saving evaluation system according to one embodiment of the present invention is a power saving evaluation system that evaluates a user's power saving behavior with respect to a power consumption device that consumes power to operate and whose power consumption can be adjusted by user operation, and includes: a radio wave intensity information acquisition unit that acquires radio wave intensity information indicating the intensity of radio waves related to short-range wireless communication transmitted from the power consumption device as detected on a device carried by the user; an operation estimation unit that estimates whether the user is operating the power consumption device based on the radio wave intensity information acquired by the radio wave intensity information acquisition unit; a power consumption information acquisition unit that acquires power consumption information indicating the power consumption of the power consumption device; and an evaluation unit that evaluates the user's power saving behavior with respect to the power consumption device based on the estimation by the operation estimation unit and the power consumption information acquired by the power consumption information acquisition unit.

[0008] In a power-saving evaluation system according to one embodiment of the present invention, a user's power-saving behavior with respect to a power consuming device is evaluated based on an estimation of whether the user is operating the power consuming device and power consumption information. Furthermore, since the estimation uses radio waves related to short-range wireless communication transmitted from the power consuming device, as long as the power consuming device has the capability to use the radio waves, there is no need to provide the power consuming device with additional equipment or functionality for evaluating the power-saving behavior. Thus, the power-saving evaluation system according to one embodiment of the present invention can easily and appropriately evaluate a user's power-saving behavior. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to easily and appropriately evaluate a user's energy-saving behavior. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a power saving evaluation system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 10 is a diagram showing an example of TxPower values ​​(RSSI) that are the strength of radio waves used to estimate the distance between a mobile terminal (or a user carrying the mobile terminal) and a power consuming device, for each power consuming device; FIG. [Figure 3] 10 is an example of a table for each power consuming device that stores TxPower values ​​(RSSI) that are the strength of radio waves used to estimate the distance between a mobile terminal (or a user carrying the mobile terminal) and the power consuming device. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining estimation of the distance between a mobile terminal (or a user carrying the mobile terminal) and a power consuming device. [Figure 5] 10 is an example of a table that stores information indicating power consumption devices that are closest to users in chronological order. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a technique that can be used to estimate the positional relationship between a mobile terminal (or a user carrying the mobile terminal) and a power consuming device. [Figure 7] 10 is an example of a table for storing power consumption information. [Figure 8] 10 is a graph showing an example of power consumption indicated by power consumption information. [Figure 9] 10 is a display example of an evaluation result output from the power saving evaluation system. [Figure 10] 1 is a flowchart showing processing executed in a recommendation system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a recommendation system according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a power-saving evaluation system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0012] FIG. 1 shows a power-saving evaluation system 10 according to this embodiment. The power-saving evaluation system 10 is a system (device) that evaluates a user's power-saving behavior with respect to a power consuming device 20. The power consuming device 20 is a device that consumes power to operate and is capable of adjusting the amount of power consumed by a user's operation. The power consuming device 20 operates by consuming power, such as commercial power, input from an external source. The power consumption of the power consuming device 20 depends on the user's operation, such as turning the power on and off or changing the operating state.

[0013] The power consuming devices 20 are, for example, home appliances (household electrical products) used in the user's home, specifically, air conditioners, washing machines, lights, and refrigerators as shown in FIG. 1. However, the power consuming devices 20 may be devices other than home appliances. There may be multiple power consuming devices 20 as shown in FIG. 1, or there may be only one power consuming device 20. Furthermore, the power consuming device 20 related to the user's energy-saving behavior may be registered in advance in the database of the energy-saving evaluation system 10.

[0014] In this embodiment, the user's power-saving behavior is a behavior that can be operated by the user to reduce the power consumption of the power consumption device 20. For example, the user's power-saving behavior is a behavior that reduces power consumption by turning the power consumption device 20 from an on state to an off state. Alternatively, the user's power-saving behavior may be a behavior that reduces power consumption while maintaining the power on state, such as changing the temperature setting or operation mode of an air conditioner.

[0015] In this embodiment, the evaluation of a user's power-saving behavior is, for example, an evaluation of the user's behavior (operation) to reduce power consumption and to what extent for which power consumption device 20. In this embodiment, the power-saving evaluation system 10 evaluates the user's power-saving behavior for power consumption devices 20 installed in the home. However, the target power consumption devices 20 may be other than power consumption devices 20 installed in the home.

[0016] The evaluation result of the power-saving behavior by the power-saving evaluation system 10 is notified to the user as described below. The notified evaluation result is a clear indicator of the user's own contribution to the power-saving behavior and can also serve as an indicator of the user's future power-saving behavior. In this way, the power-saving evaluation system 10 evaluates and presents the user's power-saving behavior, thereby raising the user's awareness of power-saving behavior.

[0017] The power-saving evaluation system 10 is configured by a computer such as a PC (personal computer) or a server device having a communication function. The power-saving evaluation system 10 may be configured by a plurality of computers. The power-saving evaluation system 10 can transmit and receive information to and from other devices described later.

[0018] As a function required for this embodiment, the power consuming device 20 has a short-range wireless communication function. The short-range wireless communication is, for example, communication by BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy). BLE is one of the standards of Bluetooth (registered trademark) and is a standard that enables communication with low power consumption. Recently, with the advancement of IoT (Internet of Things) in home appliances, home appliances with built-in BLE functions have been released. As shown in FIG. 1, each power consuming device 20 constantly emits radio waves related to BLE during operation.

[0019] The short-range wireless communication function of the power consuming device 20 may be other than BLE. For example, the short-range wireless communication function of the power consuming device 20 may be a communication function based on Zigbee (registered trademark) or a short-range wireless communication method (for example, wireless LAN (Local Area Network)).

[0020] The devices used in this embodiment include a mobile terminal 30 and an energy metering device 40. The mobile terminal 30 is a terminal carried by a user whose energy-saving behavior is to be evaluated. Specifically, the mobile terminal 30 is, for example, a mobile communication terminal such as a smartphone, a smart watch, or a tablet terminal. Any conventional device may be used as the mobile terminal 30.

[0021] The mobile terminal 30 has a function to detect the strength of radio waves related to short-range wireless communication transmitted from the power consuming device 20, and a function to identify the power consuming device 20 that is the source of the radio waves. For example, the mobile terminal 30 detects the strength of the radio waves as a received signal strength indicator (RSSI), and acquires a universally unique identifier (UUID) from the radio waves as information for identifying the power consuming device 20. The UUID is an identifier that is set in advance for each power consuming device 20, and is included in the radio waves transmitted from the power consuming device 20. The measurement of the radio wave strength and the identification of the power consuming device 20 that is the source of the radio waves may be performed by a conventional method. For example, the above may be performed by installing software with source code that is freely available on the web on the mobile terminal 30.

[0022] The mobile terminal 30, for example, periodically (for example, every one to several tens of seconds or every few minutes) acquires the RSSI and UUID of each power consuming device 20 as radio wave intensity information. The radio wave intensity information may also include the time at which the RSSI was detected, so that the time at which the RSSI was detected can be determined from the radio wave intensity information. The mobile terminal 30 has a communication function, and can transmit and receive information to and from the power saving evaluation system 10 using this communication function. The mobile terminal 30 transmits the acquired radio wave intensity information to the power saving evaluation system 10. The mobile terminal 30 may also transmit the radio wave intensity information in real time every time an RSSI is detected.

[0023] The power metering device 40 is a device (system) that measures the power consumption of the power consuming devices 20. The power metering device 40 measures the power consumption of each power consuming device 20, for example, periodically (for example, every one to several tens of seconds or every few minutes). The power consumption is measured, for example, by supplying power from an external power source to the power consuming device 20 via the power metering device 40 (for example, by inserting a plug into the outlet of each power consuming device 20 into the power metering device 40), and measuring the amount of power input from the external power source to the power consuming device 20. The power metering device 40 may also measure the power consumption of the power consuming device 20 using any method other than those described above.

[0024] The power metering device 40 has a communication function, and can transmit and receive information to and from the power saving evaluation system 10 using this communication function. The power metering device 40 transmits power consumption information indicating the power consumption of the power consuming device 20 obtained by measurement to the power saving evaluation system 10. A conventional device may be used as the power metering device 40.

[0025] Next, the functions of the power saving evaluation system 10 according to this embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the power saving evaluation system 10 includes a radio wave intensity information acquisition unit 11, an operation estimation unit 12, a power consumption information acquisition unit 13, and an evaluation unit 14.

[0026] The radio wave intensity information acquiring unit 11 is a functional unit that acquires radio wave intensity information that indicates the intensity of radio waves related to short-range wireless communication transmitted from the power consuming device 20, and that is detected in the mobile terminal 30 that is a device carried by the user. The radio wave intensity information acquiring unit 11 may acquire radio wave intensity information related to a plurality of power consuming devices 20.

[0027] The radio wave intensity information acquisition unit 11 receives and acquires radio wave intensity information transmitted from the mobile terminal 30. For example, the radio wave intensity information is information indicating a time-series RSSI for each power consuming device 20 (for each UUID), as described above. The radio wave intensity information acquisition unit 11 outputs the acquired radio wave intensity information to the operation estimation unit 12. Alternatively, the radio wave intensity information acquisition unit 11 may store the acquired radio wave intensity information in a database of the power saving evaluation system 10 so that the radio wave intensity information can be referenced by other functional units. Note that the radio wave intensity information may be acquired by a method other than the above. Furthermore, the radio wave intensity information may be information other than the above, as long as it indicates the intensity of radio waves related to short-range wireless communication transmitted from the power consuming device 20, which is detected in a device carried by the user, and is information that can be used for the following functions of the power saving evaluation system 10.

[0028] The operation estimation unit 12 is a functional unit that estimates whether or not the user is operating the power consumption device 20 based on the radio wave intensity information acquired by the radio wave intensity information acquisition unit 11. The operation estimation unit 12 may estimate a positional relationship between the user and the power consumption device 20 based on the radio wave intensity information acquired by the radio wave intensity information acquisition unit 11, and estimate whether or not the user is operating the power consumption device 20 based on the estimated positional relationship. The operation estimation unit 12 may estimate which power consumption device the user is operating based on the radio wave intensity information acquired by the radio wave intensity information acquisition unit 11.

[0029] The operation estimation unit 12 performs estimation, for example, as follows. The operation estimation unit 12 receives radio wave intensity information from the radio wave intensity information acquisition unit 11. Based on the RSSI of the received radio wave intensity information, the operation estimation unit 12 estimates the distance between the user (the user's current location at that time) and the power consuming device 20 for each time the radio wave intensity is detected by the mobile terminal 30 and for each power consuming device 20. Because the mobile terminal 30 is carried by the user, the location of the mobile terminal 30 can be considered to be the user's location. The operation estimation unit 12 estimates the distance between the mobile terminal 30 and the power consuming device 20 as the distance between the user and the power consuming device 20. The intensity of the radio wave from the power consuming device 20 detected by the mobile terminal 30 corresponds to the distance between the mobile terminal 30 and the power consuming device 20. The shorter the distance between the mobile terminal 30 and the power consuming device 20, the stronger the detected radio wave intensity, and the greater the distance between the mobile terminal 30 and the power consuming device 20, the weaker the detected radio wave intensity.

[0030] For the above estimation by the operation estimation unit 12, as shown in FIG. 2, the database of the power saving evaluation system 10 pre-stores a TxPower value (RSSI), which is the strength of radio waves detected at the mobile terminal 30 when the distance between the mobile terminal 30 and the power consuming device 20 is a preset distance (e.g., 1 m). The strength of radio waves emitted from the power consuming device 20 may vary depending on the power consuming device 20. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the TxPower value stored in the operation estimation unit 12 may be a value depending on the power consuming device 20. The TxPower value can be obtained, for example, by prior measurement. FIG. 3 shows an example of TxPower values ​​stored in the database of the power saving evaluation system 10. As shown in FIG. 3, the TxPower value is stored for each power consuming device 20 (air conditioner, washing machine, lighting, television) in association with the UUID and ID of the power consuming device 20. The ID is an identifier that is pre-set for each power consuming device 20. In the power saving evaluation system 10, the power consuming device 20 may be identified by the ID.

[0031] As shown in Fig. 4, the operation estimation unit 12 estimates the distance between the user and the power consumption device 20 (the distance shown as unknown in Fig. 4) using the RSSI of the radio wave intensity information and the pre-stored TxPower value. For example, the operation estimation unit 12 stores in advance an equation for estimating the distance from the RSSI of the radio wave intensity information and the pre-stored TxPower value, and estimates the distance from the equation. The equation for estimating the distance Distance (m) is, for example, the following equation:

number

number

[0032] The operation estimation unit 12 compares the distances of the power consumption devices 20 for each time and estimates the power consumption device 20 that is closest to the user for each time. For example, when the distances at the same time are television < air conditioner < washing machine < lighting, the television is estimated to be the power consumption device 20 that is closest to the user at that time. Furthermore, when the distances between the user and all power consumption devices 20 are equal to or greater than a preset threshold, the operation estimation unit 12 may estimate that there is no power consumption device 20 that is closest to the user.

[0033] The operation estimation unit 12 stores the power consuming devices 20 that are closest to the user in time series for a certain period of time in the database of the power saving evaluation system 10. Figures 5(a) and 5(b) show examples of information stored in the operation estimation unit 12.

[0034] In this embodiment, a user operates a power consuming device 20 by approaching the power consuming device 20 to be operated. Based on this premise, the operation estimation unit 12 refers to the stored information and estimates that the power consuming device 20 that is the closest to the user for a preset consecutive time period (for example, four seconds or more) is the power consuming device 20 that the user is operating during that time period. In the example shown in FIG. 5(a), the television is the power consuming device 20 that is the closest to the user for four consecutive seconds or more (the part surrounded by a thick line in the table), so it is estimated that the television is the power consuming device 20 that the user is operating. In the example shown in FIG. 5(b), there is no power consuming device 20 that is the closest to the user for four consecutive seconds or more, so it is estimated that there is no power consuming device 20 that the user is operating (the user is not operating any power consuming device 20).

[0035] The operation estimation unit 12 outputs information indicating the estimation result, specifically, information indicating the power consuming device 20 estimated to be operated by the user for each time period (time), to the evaluation unit 14. Alternatively, the operation estimation unit 12 may store the information indicating the power consuming device 20 estimated to be operated by the user for each time period (time) in a database of the power saving evaluation system 10, so that the information can be referenced by other functional units.

[0036] The distance between the user and the power consuming device 20 does not necessarily have to be estimated by the above method, but may be estimated based on radio wave intensity information. Alternatively, the positional relationship between the user and the power consuming device 20, other than the distance between the user and the power consuming device 20, may be estimated based on radio wave intensity information, and whether the user is operating the power consuming device 20 may be estimated based on the estimated positional relationship.

[0037] For example, the positional relationship between the user and the power consuming device 20 may be estimated using an estimation technique that uses radio waves transmitted from a conventional beacon (corresponding to the power consuming device 20 of this embodiment) and detected by the mobile terminal 30. For example, a technique (proximity method) that estimates which of installed beacons is closest to the mobile terminal 30, as shown in Fig. 6(a) and also shown in the above-mentioned embodiment, may be used. Alternatively, a technique (triangulation method) that installs multiple beacons with defined coordinates, measures the radio wave intensities of the beacons, and calculates the relative position of the mobile terminal 30 with respect to the beacons, as shown in Fig. 6(b), may be used.

[0038] 6(c), a technique (fingerprinting method) may be used in which a plurality of beacons with fixed coordinates are installed, and the radio wave strength (corresponding to the numerical value in each square) from the beacons detected in each of a plurality of sections (corresponding to each square in the figure) is measured in advance. With this technique, the location where the radio wave strength from the plurality of beacons measured in advance is most similar to the radio wave strength from the plurality of beacons at the time of estimation is estimated as the location of the mobile terminal 30. Note that, depending on the technique used, it may be necessary to store (pre-register) the location of the power consuming device 20 in the power saving evaluation system 10 in advance.

[0039] Furthermore, if there is only one power consumption device 20 in question, the operation estimation unit 12 may estimate whether or not the user is operating that one power consumption device 20 based on the radio wave intensity information related to that one power consumption device 20.

[0040] The power consumption information acquiring unit 13 is a functional unit that acquires power consumption information indicating the power consumption of the power consumption device 20. The power consumption information acquiring unit 13 may acquire power consumption information indicating the power consumption of a plurality of power consumption devices 20.

[0041] The power consumption information acquiring unit 13 receives and acquires the power consumption information transmitted from the power amount measuring device 40. For example, the power consumption information is information indicating the time-series power consumption amount (for example, in units of [W]) for each power consumption device 20 as described above. An example of the power consumption information is shown in FIG. 7. The power consumption information acquiring unit 13 outputs the acquired power consumption information to the evaluation unit 14. Alternatively, the power consumption information acquiring unit 13 may store the acquired power consumption information in a database of the power saving evaluation system 10 so that the power consumption information can be referenced by other functional units. Note that the power consumption information may be acquired by a method other than the above. Furthermore, the power consumption information may be information other than the above as long as it indicates the power consumption of the power consumption device 20 and is information that can be used for the following functions in the power saving evaluation system 10.

[0042] The evaluation unit 14 is a functional unit that evaluates the user's power-saving behavior with respect to the power consumption device 20, based on the estimation by the operation estimation unit 12 and the power consumption information acquired by the power consumption information acquisition unit 13. The evaluation unit 14 may estimate the power consumption device 20 on which the user performed an operation related to the power-saving behavior, based on the estimation by the operation estimation unit 12 and the power consumption information acquired by the power consumption information acquisition unit 13. The evaluation unit 14 may estimate the amount of power consumption reduced by the user's power-saving behavior with respect to the power consumption device 20.

[0043] In this embodiment, for example, if the power consumption of a power consuming device 20 that is (presumably) operated by the user has dropped significantly since the time the user operated it, the user's power-saving behavior is evaluated based on the idea that the user has performed a power-saving behavior on the power consuming device 20. The evaluation unit 14 evaluates the user's power-saving behavior on the power consuming device 20, for example, as follows. Specifically, to evaluate the user's power-saving behavior, the evaluation unit 14 determines whether the user has performed an operation on the power consuming device 20 that constitutes a power-saving behavior, the power consuming device 20 that is the target of the power-saving behavior, and the amount of power consumption reduced by the power-saving behavior.

[0044] The evaluation unit 14 receives information indicating the estimation result from the operation estimation unit 12. The evaluation unit 14 receives power consumption information from the power consumption information acquisition unit 13. The evaluation unit 14 sets a standby period to be used for evaluating a power-saving behavior, based on a time period during which the user, indicated in the estimation result by the operation estimation unit 12, is estimated to be operating the power consuming device 20. The standby period is a period during which it is determined whether the user is performing an operation on the power consuming device 20 that constitutes a power-saving behavior. For example, the standby period is a time period during which the user, indicated in the estimation result by the operation estimation unit 12, is estimated to be operating the power consuming device 20, and a certain length of time period following the time period.

[0045] The evaluation unit 14 refers to the power consumption during the standby period indicated by the power consumption information for the power consumption device 20 operated by the user indicated by the estimation result by the operation estimation unit 12. The evaluation unit 14 determines whether the power consumption during the standby period has significantly decreased, and determines whether the user is performing an operation on the power consumption device 20 that constitutes a power-saving behavior.

[0046] For example, the evaluation unit 14 makes the following determination: The evaluation unit 14 calculates the average power consumption for a period of a predetermined length immediately before the standby period. The evaluation unit 14 compares the power consumption for each time during the standby period with a reference value based on the average value (e.g., a value that is a certain percentage of the average value that is smaller than the average value, or a value obtained by subtracting a certain value from the average value). If any power consumption during the standby period is equal to or less than the reference value, the evaluation unit 14 determines that the user is performing an operation on the power consuming device 20 that constitutes a power-saving behavior. Otherwise, the evaluation unit 14 determines that the user is not performing an operation on the power consuming device 20 that constitutes a power-saving behavior. Alternatively, the evaluation unit 14 may determine that the user is performing an operation on the power consuming device 20 that constitutes a power-saving behavior if any power consumption during the standby period is equal to or less than the reference value for a predetermined consecutive period. Alternatively, the evaluation unit 14 may estimate the type of power-saving behavior performed by the user (e.g., powering off) based on the amount of power consumption reduction or the manner in which the power consumption reduction occurs, based on a previously stored determination criterion.

[0047] FIG. 8 shows a graph of an example of power consumption indicated by the power consumption information. In the graph of FIG. 8, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents power consumption of the power consuming device 20. As shown in the graph of FIG. 8(a), if the fluctuation in power consumption during the standby period is small, it is determined, according to the above criteria, that the user has not performed an operation on the power consuming device 20 that constitutes a power-saving behavior. As shown in the graph of FIG. 8(b), if the power consumption during the standby period drops significantly, it is determined, according to the above criteria, that the user has performed an operation on the power consuming device 20 that constitutes a power-saving behavior.

[0048] If it is determined that the user is performing an operation that constitutes a power-saving action on the power consumption device 20, the evaluation unit 14 then estimates the amount of power consumption reduced by the power-saving action. The evaluation unit 14 sets a power-saving action possibility section, which is a period for estimating the amount of power consumption, based on the time when the power consumption during the standby period fell below a reference value. The power-saving action possibility section is, for example, a period from a time (the start time of change) that is a preset short time before the time when the power consumption during the standby period fell below the reference value, until a preset length has elapsed. An example of a power-saving action possibility section is shown in the graph of FIG. 8(b).

[0049] The evaluation unit 14 estimates the amount of power consumption reduced by the power-saving action, for example, based on the case where a reference value of power is used in the power-saving action possible section. The evaluation unit 14 calculates the difference in power by subtracting the power consumption indicated by the power consumption information from the reference value of power for each time period in the power-saving action possible section, and determines the total of the power differences for each time period in the power-saving action possible section as the amount of reduced power consumption. The evaluation unit 14 may also calculate the reduced electricity bill based on the reduced amount of power consumption, for example, by using a calculation formula stored in advance.

[0050] The evaluation unit 14 outputs information indicating an evaluation result of the user's power-saving behavior with respect to the power consuming device 20. For example, the evaluation unit 14 may output information indicating the evaluation result when it is determined that the user is performing an operation on the power consuming device 20 that constitutes a power-saving behavior. The information indicating the evaluation result is output, for example, by transmitting the information to the mobile terminal 30. The mobile terminal 30 receives the information and notifies the user by displaying or the like. This notification allows the user to recognize what kind of power-saving behavior he or she is performing.

[0051] 9 shows an example of a display on the mobile terminal 30 for notifying the user of the evaluation result. First, as shown in FIG. 9(a), the user is notified that they have taken a power-saving action, and then, as shown in FIG. 9(b), a notification is given indicating the details of the power-saving action. The details of the power-saving action may include the power consuming device 20 that is the target of the power-saving action, the type of the power-saving action, and the amount of power consumption and electricity charges reduced by the power-saving action. The evaluation result by the evaluation unit 14 may be output to an output destination other than those described above and by a method other than those described above.

[0052] The evaluation unit 14 performs the evaluation, for example, at a predetermined timing after the timing when the information for the evaluation can be acquired. The evaluation unit 14 performs the evaluation, for example, at regular intervals for a time period going back a predetermined time from the timing. The processes by the radio wave intensity information acquisition unit 11, the operation estimation unit 12, and the power consumption information acquisition unit 13 may be performed at any timing before the evaluation unit 14 performs the evaluation.

[0053] The evaluation unit 14 may evaluate the user's power-saving behavior with respect to the power consuming device 20 using a method other than the above, as long as the evaluation is based on the estimation by the operation estimation unit 12 and the power consumption information acquired by the power consumption information acquisition unit 13. Furthermore, the evaluation unit 14 may evaluate the user's power-saving behavior with respect to the power consuming device 20 using items other than the above, in addition to or instead of the above items. The above are the functions of the power-saving evaluation system 10 according to this embodiment.

[0054] Next, a process executed by the power saving evaluation system 10 according to this embodiment (an operation method performed by the power saving evaluation system 10) will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 10. In this process, first, the radio wave intensity information acquisition unit 11 acquires radio wave intensity information (S01). Next, the operation estimation unit 12 estimates whether or not the user is operating the power consuming device 20 based on the radio wave intensity information (S02).

[0055] Further, the power consumption information acquiring unit 13 acquires power consumption information indicating the power consumption of the power consumption device 20 (S03). Note that the processes (S01, S02) by the radio wave intensity information acquiring unit 11 and the operation estimation unit 12 and the process (S03) by the power consumption information acquiring unit 13 are independent of each other, and therefore do not necessarily have to be performed in the above order.

[0056] Next, after processing by the radio wave intensity information acquisition unit 11 and the operation estimation unit 12 (S01, S02) and processing by the power consumption information acquisition unit 13 (S03), the evaluation unit 14 evaluates the user's power-saving behavior with respect to the power consumption device 20 based on the estimation by the operation estimation unit 12 and the power consumption information (S04). Next, the evaluation unit 14 outputs information indicating the evaluation result (S05). The above is the processing executed by the power-saving evaluation system 10 according to this embodiment.

[0057] In this embodiment, a user's energy-saving behavior with respect to the energy consuming device 20 is evaluated based on an estimation of whether the user is operating the energy consuming device 20 and power consumption information. Furthermore, since the estimation uses radio waves related to short-range wireless communication, such as BLE, transmitted from the energy consuming device 20, as long as the energy consuming device 20 has the capability to use the radio waves, there is no need to provide the energy consuming device 20 with new equipment or functionality for evaluating the energy-saving behavior. Therefore, this embodiment allows for inexpensive estimation of the user's detailed energy-saving behavior and its effects, which previously could only be measured with high implementation costs. In this way, this embodiment allows for a simple and appropriate evaluation of the user's energy-saving behavior. As a result, for example, by presenting the user with an explicit indicator of the contribution of the user's own energy-saving behavior, which was previously unclear, the contribution can be used as an indicator of the user's future energy-saving behavior.

[0058] Furthermore, as in this embodiment, the operation estimation unit 12 may estimate the positional relationship between the user and the power consuming device 20 (for example, the distance between the user and the power consuming device 20 as described above) based on the radio wave intensity information, and estimate whether or not the user is operating the power consuming device 20 based on the estimated positional relationship. With this configuration, it is possible to appropriately and reliably estimate whether or not the user is operating the power consuming device 20 based on the radio wave intensity information. However, the operation estimation unit 12 does not necessarily need to estimate the positional relationship between the user and the power consuming device 20, and it is sufficient to estimate whether or not the user is operating the power consuming device 20 based on the radio wave intensity information.

[0059] Furthermore, as in the present embodiment, a plurality of power consuming devices 20 may be evaluated (for example, the evaluation in a home where a plurality of power consuming devices 20 exist), and the evaluation unit 14 may estimate the power consuming device 20 on which the user performed an operation related to a power-saving behavior. With this configuration, even when a plurality of power consuming devices 20 are evaluated, the user's power-saving behavior can be easily and appropriately evaluated. However, the power-saving evaluation system 10 does not need to be premised on a plurality of power consuming devices 20, and may evaluate the user's power-saving behavior with respect to one power consuming device 20.

[0060] Furthermore, as in the present embodiment, the evaluation unit 14 may estimate the amount of power consumption reduced by the user's power-saving behavior with respect to the power consumption device 20. With this configuration, for example, it is possible to notify the user of information useful for raising the user's awareness of power-saving behavior, such as the amount of power consumption reduced by the power-saving behavior. However, it is not always necessary for the power-saving evaluation system 10 to estimate the amount of power consumption.

[0061] The block diagrams used to explain the above embodiments show functional blocks. These functional blocks (components) are realized by any combination of at least one of hardware and software. Furthermore, the method for realizing each functional block is not particularly limited. That is, each functional block may be realized using a single device that is physically or logically coupled, or may be realized using two or more physically or logically separated devices that are directly or indirectly connected (for example, using wires, wirelessly, etc.) and these multiple devices. The functional block may also be realized by combining the single device or multiple devices with software.

[0062] Functions include, but are not limited to, judgment, determination, judgment, calculation, computation, processing, derivation, investigation, search, confirmation, reception, transmission, output, access, resolution, selection, election, establishment, comparison, assumption, expectation, regard, broadcasting, notifying, communicating, forwarding, configuring, reconfiguring, allocating, mapping, and assignment. For example, a functional block (component) that performs transmission is called a transmitting unit or transmitter. As mentioned above, there are no particular limitations on how these functions are implemented.

[0063] For example, the power-saving evaluation system 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may function as a computer that performs information processing according to the present disclosure. Fig. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the power-saving evaluation system 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The above-described power-saving evaluation system 10 may be physically configured as a computer device including a processor 1001, a memory 1002, a storage 1003, a communication device 1004, an input device 1005, an output device 1006, a bus 1007, and the like. Furthermore, the mobile terminal 30 and the power amount measuring device 40 may also be configured to include the hardware described herein.

[0064] In the following description, the term "apparatus" may be interpreted as a circuit, a device, a unit, etc. The hardware configuration of the power saving evaluation system 10 may be configured to include one or more of the apparatuses shown in the drawings, or may be configured to exclude some of the apparatuses.

[0065] Each function in the power saving evaluation system 10 is realized by loading specified software (programs) onto hardware such as a processor 1001 and a memory 1002, causing the processor 1001 to perform calculations, control communication via a communication device 1004, and control at least one of reading and writing data in the memory 1002 and the storage 1003.

[0066] The processor 1001, for example, runs an operating system to control the entire computer. The processor 1001 may be configured by a central processing unit (CPU) including an interface with peripheral devices, a control device, an arithmetic unit, a register, etc. For example, each function in the above-described power saving evaluation system 10 may be realized by the processor 1001.

[0067] Furthermore, the processor 1001 reads programs (program codes), software modules, data, etc. from at least one of the storage 1003 and the communication device 1004 into the memory 1002, and executes various processes in accordance with these. The programs used are those that cause a computer to execute at least some of the operations described in the above-described embodiments. For example, each function of the power saving evaluation system 10 may be realized by a control program stored in the memory 1002 and running on the processor 1001. While the above-described various processes have been described as being executed by one processor 1001, they may also be executed simultaneously or sequentially by two or more processors 1001. The processor 1001 may be implemented by one or more chips. The programs may also be transmitted from a network via a telecommunications line.

[0068] The memory 1002 is a computer-readable recording medium and may be configured, for example, by at least one of a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a random access memory (RAM), etc. The memory 1002 may also be called a register, a cache, a main memory (primary storage device), etc. The memory 1002 can store executable programs (program codes), software modules, etc. for performing information processing according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0069] Storage 1003 is a computer-readable recording medium, and may be composed of at least one of, for example, an optical disk such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc ROM), a hard disk drive, a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk (e.g., a compact disk, a digital versatile disk, a Blu-ray (registered trademark) disc), a smart card, a flash memory (e.g., a card, a stick, a key drive), a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a magnetic strip, etc. Storage 1003 may also be referred to as an auxiliary storage device. The storage medium provided in power saving evaluation system 10 may be, for example, a database, a server, or other appropriate medium including at least one of memory 1002 and storage 1003.

[0070] The communication device 1004 is hardware (transmission / reception device) for communicating between computers via at least one of a wired network and a wireless network, and is also called, for example, a network device, a network controller, a network card, or a communication module.

[0071] The input device 1005 is an input device (for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, a switch, a button, a sensor, etc.) that receives input from the outside. The output device 1006 is an output device (for example, a display, a speaker, an LED lamp, etc.) that outputs to the outside. The input device 1005 and the output device 1006 may be integrated into one device (for example, a touch panel).

[0072] Furthermore, each device, such as the processor 1001 and the memory 1002, is connected by a bus 1007 for communicating information. The bus 1007 may be configured using a single bus, or may be configured using different buses between each device.

[0073] The power saving evaluation system 10 may also be configured to include hardware such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), or a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and some or all of the functional blocks may be realized by the hardware. For example, the processor 1001 may be implemented using at least one of these pieces of hardware.

[0074] The order of the procedures, sequences, flowcharts, etc. of each aspect / embodiment described in this disclosure may be changed unless it is consistent. For example, the methods described in this disclosure present elements of various steps using an example order, and are not limited to the particular order presented.

[0075] Input and output information may be stored in a specific location (for example, memory) or may be managed using a management table. Input and output information may be overwritten, updated, or added to. Output information may be deleted. Input information may be sent to another device.

[0076] The determination may be made based on a value represented by one bit (0 or 1), a Boolean value (true or false), or a numerical comparison (e.g., comparison with a predetermined value).

[0077] Each aspect / embodiment described in this disclosure may be used alone, in combination, or switched depending on the implementation. Furthermore, notification of predetermined information (e.g., notification that "X is true") is not limited to being done explicitly, but may be done implicitly (e.g., by not notifying the predetermined information).

[0078] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail above, it is clear to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The present disclosure can be implemented in modified and altered forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims. Therefore, the description of the present disclosure is intended to be illustrative and does not have any limiting meaning on the present disclosure.

[0079] Software shall be construed broadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc., whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise.

[0080] Software, instructions, information, etc. may also be transmitted or received over a transmission medium. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using wired technologies (such as coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)), and / or wireless technologies (such as infrared, microwave), then these wired and / or wireless technologies are included within the definition of transmission media.

[0081] As used in this disclosure, the terms "system" and "network" are used interchangeably.

[0082] Furthermore, the information, parameters, etc. described in this disclosure may be expressed using absolute values, may be expressed using relative values ​​from a predetermined value, or may be expressed using other corresponding information.

[0083] As used in this disclosure, the terms "determining" and "determining" may encompass a wide variety of actions. "Determining" and "determining" may include, for example, judging, calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up, searching, inquiring (e.g., searching in a table, database, or other data structure), ascertaining, and the like. "Determining" and "determining" may also include receiving (e.g., receiving information), transmitting (e.g., sending information), input, output, accessing (e.g., accessing data in memory), and the like. Furthermore, "judgment" and "decision" can include regarding resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, comparing, etc. as having been "judged" or "decided." In other words, "judgment" and "decision" can include regarding some action as having been "judged" or "decided." Furthermore, "judgment (decision)" can be interpreted as "assuming," "expecting," "considering," etc.

[0084] The terms "connected," "coupled," or any variation thereof, refer to any direct or indirect connection or coupling between two or more elements, and may include the presence of one or more intermediate elements between two elements that are "connected" or "coupled" to each other. The coupling or connection between elements may be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. For example, "connected" may be read as "access." As used in this disclosure, two elements may be considered to be "connected" or "coupled" to each other using one or more wires, cables, and / or printed electrical connections, as well as electromagnetic energy having wavelengths in the radio frequency range, microwave range, and optical (both visible and invisible) range, as some non-limiting and non-exhaustive examples.

[0085] As used in this disclosure, the phrase "based on" does not mean "based only on," unless expressly stated otherwise. In other words, the phrase "based on" means both "based only on" and "based at least on."

[0086] As used in this disclosure, any reference to an element using a designation such as "first," "second," etc. does not generally limit the quantity or order of those elements. These designations may be used in this disclosure as a convenient method of distinguishing between two or more elements. Thus, a reference to a first and a second element does not imply that only two elements may be employed or that the first element must in some way precede the second element.

[0087] When used in this disclosure, the terms "include," "including," and variations thereof are intended to be inclusive, similar to the term "comprising." Furthermore, when used in this disclosure, the term "or" is not intended to be an exclusive or.

[0088] In this disclosure, where articles are added by translation, such as a, an, and the in English, the disclosure may include that the nouns following these articles are in the plural form.

[0089] In the present disclosure, the term "A and B are different" may mean "A and B are different from each other." The term may also mean "A and B are each different from C." Terms such as "separate" and "coupled" may also be interpreted in the same way as "different."

[0090] The power saving evaluation system of the present disclosure has the following configuration. [1] A power-saving evaluation system that evaluates a user's power-saving behavior with respect to a power-consuming device that consumes power and whose power consumption can be adjusted by a user's operation, a radio wave intensity information acquisition unit that acquires radio wave intensity information that indicates the intensity of radio waves related to short-range wireless communication transmitted from the power consumption device, the radio wave intensity information being detected in a device carried by a user; an operation estimation unit that estimates whether a user is operating the power consuming device based on the radio wave intensity information acquired by the radio wave intensity information acquisition unit; a power consumption information acquisition unit that acquires power consumption information indicating power consumption of the power consumption device; an evaluation unit that evaluates a user's power-saving behavior with respect to the power consumption device based on the estimation by the operation estimation unit and the power consumption information acquired by the power consumption information acquisition unit; A power saving evaluation system comprising: [2] The power saving evaluation system described in [1], wherein the operation estimation unit estimates the positional relationship between the user and the power consumption device based on the radio wave strength information acquired by the radio wave strength information acquisition unit, and estimates whether the user is operating the power consumption device based on the estimated positional relationship. [3] the radio wave intensity information acquisition unit acquires radio wave intensity information relating to the plurality of power consumption devices; the operation estimation unit estimates the power consumption device being operated by the user based on the radio wave intensity information acquired by the radio wave intensity information acquisition unit; the power consumption information acquisition unit acquires power consumption information indicating power consumption of the plurality of power consumption devices; The energy-saving evaluation system according to [1] or [2], wherein the evaluation unit estimates the energy-consuming device on which the user performed an operation related to energy-saving behavior based on the estimation by the operation estimation unit and the power consumption information acquired by the power consumption information acquisition unit. [4] The power saving evaluation system according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the evaluation unit estimates the amount of power consumption reduced by the user's power saving behavior with respect to the power consumption device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 10...power saving evaluation system, 11...radio wave intensity information acquisition unit, 12...operation estimation unit, 13...power consumption information acquisition unit, 14...evaluation unit, 20...power consumption device, 30...mobile terminal, 40...power amount measuring device, 1001...processor, 1002...memory, 1003...storage, 1004...communication device, 1005...input device, 1006...output device, 1007...bus.

Claims

1. 1. A power-saving evaluation system for evaluating a user's power-saving behavior with respect to a power consumption device that consumes power to operate and whose power consumption can be adjusted by a user's operation, comprising: a radio wave intensity information acquisition unit that acquires radio wave intensity information that indicates the intensity of radio waves related to short-range wireless communication transmitted from the power consumption device, the radio wave intensity information being detected in a device carried by a user; an operation estimation unit that estimates whether a user is operating the power consuming device based on the radio wave intensity information acquired by the radio wave intensity information acquisition unit; a power consumption information acquisition unit that acquires power consumption information indicating power consumption of the power consumption device; an evaluation unit that evaluates a user's power-saving behavior with respect to the power consumption device based on the estimation by the operation estimation unit and the power consumption information acquired by the power consumption information acquisition unit; Equipped with the operation estimation unit estimates a time period during which a user operates the power consuming device; The evaluation unit sets a standby period during which it is determined whether the user is performing an operation that constitutes a power-saving behavior based on the time period during which the operation estimation unit estimates that the user is operating the power consumption device, and determines whether the user is performing an operation that constitutes a power-saving behavior with respect to the power consumption device by referring to the power consumption indicated by the power consumption information during the set standby period.

2. The power saving evaluation system of claim 1, wherein the operation estimation unit estimates a positional relationship between the user and the power consumption device based on the radio wave intensity information acquired by the radio wave intensity information acquisition unit, and estimates whether the user is operating the power consumption device based on the estimated positional relationship.

3. the radio wave intensity information acquisition unit acquires radio wave intensity information relating to the plurality of power consuming devices; the operation estimation unit estimates the power consumption device being operated by the user based on the radio wave intensity information acquired by the radio wave intensity information acquisition unit; the power consumption information acquisition unit acquires power consumption information indicating power consumption of the plurality of power consumption devices; The energy-saving evaluation system according to claim 1 , wherein the evaluation unit estimates the energy-consuming device on which the user performed an operation related to an energy-saving behavior based on the estimation by the operation estimation unit and the power consumption information acquired by the power consumption information acquisition unit.

4. The power saving evaluation system according to claim 1 , wherein the evaluation unit estimates an amount of power consumption reduced by a user's power saving behavior with respect to the power consuming device.

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