Energy-saving action management device

Abstract

The present invention encourages a user to perform a power-saving action by appropriately detecting a power-saving action performed by the user.　A management device 10, which is a power-saving action management device, comprises: an information input unit 11 that acquires information related to a change over time in power consumption of a power consumption device for which the power consumption can be adjusted by a user, and information indicating that an intention display operation, which is an operation indicating the user's intention to voluntarily perform power saving, has been performed; an analysis unit 12 that analyzes an association between a change in the power consumption of the power consumption device and the intention display operation performed by the user; and a display unit 13 that displays an analysis result obtained by the analysis unit. The analysis unit 12 specifies whether the user has performed a power-saving action on the power consumption device before and after the intention display operation performed by the user. The display unit 13 displays the result if it was specified by the analysis unit 12 that the user has performed the power-saving action.

Description

【Technical Field】 【0004】 , , , , , , , , , , 【0005】 , , 【0001】 The present disclosure relates to an electricity-saving behavior management device. 【Background Art】 【0002】 In the current situation where environmental protection and energy issues are emphasized, efforts are being promoted to raise awareness of energy-saving activities such as electricity saving. As a method for monitoring power consumption in a household, for example, the HEMS (Home Energy Management System) described in Non-Patent Document 1 can be cited. However, since the introduction cost of this system for ordinary households is high and the burden is large, it is considered to have many problems for actual use. 【0003】 On the other hand, in Patent Document 1, a technique is described in which a credit card company server acquires the amount of power consumption of a user's household and records it as home appliance power-on information in order to promote electricity-saving behavior in the household. Further, in Patent Document 1, when a user purchases a service or a product using a card, purchase information including the date and time and the location is recorded, and based on the action record of the user estimated from this purchase information, the power-saving amount and purchase behavior of the household are evaluated, and an incentive to be given to the user is determined according to the evaluation. 【Prior Art Documents】 【Patent Documents】 【0004】 【Patent Document 1】 Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2016-157472 【Non-Patent Documents】 【0005】 【Non-Patent Document 1】 Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, "Chapter 4: Survey and Study on Creating Energy-Saving and Other Service Businesses for Homeowners Utilizing IoT and Big Data" [ONLINE], [Retrieved September 21, 2021], Internet<URL: https: / / www.meti.go.jp / policy / mono_info_service / mono / jyutaku / images / H27FY_houkokusyo.pdf> [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve] 【0006】 However, the method described in Patent Document 1 makes it difficult to evaluate whether the user intentionally performed power-saving actions, and there was room for improvement in terms of encouraging power-saving behavior by users. 【0007】 This disclosure is made in light of the above, and aims to provide a technology that can encourage energy-saving behavior by users by appropriately detecting their own energy-saving actions. [Means for solving the problem] 【0008】 A power-saving behavior management device relating to one aspect of this disclosure includes: an information input unit that acquires information relating to the change in power consumption over time in a power consumption device in which the user can adjust the power consumption, and information indicating that the user has performed an action indicating an intention to voluntarily conserve power; an analysis unit that analyzes the relationship between the change in power consumption in the power consumption device and the action indicating an intention by the user; and a display unit that displays the analysis results by the analysis unit. The analysis unit identifies whether the user has taken power-saving action toward the power consumption device before and after the action indicating an intention by the user, and the display unit displays the result when the analysis unit has identified that the user has taken power-saving action. 【0009】 In this regard, the analysis unit determines whether the user actually took energy-saving action based on information indicating that the user has made an action to express their intention to voluntarily conserve energy, and information regarding the change in power consumption of the power consumption device over time. The result is then displayed on the display unit. With this configuration, it is possible to more appropriately determine whether the change in power consumption of the power consumption device is due to the user's intentional energy-saving action. In other words, it becomes possible to more accurately detect energy-saving actions taken by the user themselves. Furthermore, by displaying that energy-saving actions have been taken on the display unit, the user is notified that their energy-saving actions have been appropriately detected, thereby encouraging the user to take energy-saving action. [Effects of the Invention] 【0010】 According to this disclosure, a technology is provided that can encourage users to conserve energy by appropriately detecting their own energy-saving actions. [Brief explanation of the drawing] 【0011】 [Figure 1] This is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an energy-saving behavior management system. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of the information acquired and stored by the management device. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of how the power consumption of power-consuming devices changes depending on whether or not energy-saving measures are taken. [Figure 4] This diagram illustrates an example of how electricity consumption can be reduced through energy-saving measures. [Figure 5] This diagram illustrates an example of a display on the control device's display unit. [Figure 6] This is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a method for managing energy-saving behavior. [Figure 7] This is a block diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration related to a modified example. [Figure 8] This is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a power-saving action management method related to a modified example. [Figure 9]It is a diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the management device according to the modification example. [Figure 10] It is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the management device. 【Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention】 【0012】 Hereinafter, embodiments for implementing the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same elements, and overlapping descriptions are omitted. 【0013】 (Power Saving Behavior Management System) FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a power saving behavior management system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, the power saving behavior management system 1 includes a management device 10 (power saving behavior management device), a meaning notification member 20, and an external power consumption measuring device 30. 【0014】 The power saving behavior management system 1 is a system that detects power saving behaviors based on the intentions of users and notifies users of the effects of those power saving behaviors, thereby promoting power saving behaviors by users. A meaning notification member 20 is used as a member for detecting the intentions of users, and an external power consumption measuring device 30 is used as a device for obtaining information related to the actual power saving effect due to power saving behaviors. In the present embodiment, the power saving behavior is defined as an action in which a user turns off the power supply of an electric power consuming device (e.g., home appliance) that the user can use from the on (ON) state to the off (OFF) state to reduce power consumption. However, the action of reducing power consumption is not limited to the on-off switching of the power supply, and may include actions such as changing the set temperature or operation mode of air conditioning equipment to reduce power consumption while maintaining the on state of the power supply. 【0015】 The management device 10 is a device that can be used by a user and has a function of notifying the user of the power-saving actions taken by the user and the results thereof. As an example, the management device 10 may be realized as a terminal device carried by the user. Specifically, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, etc. may be assumed. Note that the management device 10 may be realized by, for example, a desktop computer or the like. 【0016】 The intention notification member 20 is a member used when indicating the user's intention to save power. As an example, it may be a button-type device. When the user intends to perform a power-saving action of their own will, for example, it is determined that an operation of pressing a button is to be performed. That is, an operation for indicating the user's own intention to save power is determined in advance. Then, when the user performs an operation (intention display operation) for indicating the intention to save power, the intention notification member 20 notifies the management device 10 that the operation has been performed. 【0017】 The external power consumption measuring device 30 has a function of measuring the power consumption of a power-consuming device that can be operated by the user. When the power-saving action management system 1 is used at home, examples of the power-consuming devices for which the external power consumption measuring device 30 measures the power consumption include home appliances. As an example, it includes, but is not limited to, household appliances such as residential equipment home appliances, cooking home appliances, housework home appliances, communication home appliances, information home appliances, AV home appliances, etc. The power-consuming device is a device capable of adjusting the power consumption by the user's operation. The external power consumption measuring device 30, for example, records the change over time of the power consumption for each home appliance and transmits the result to the management device 10. Thereby, when there is a change in the power consumption of a power-consuming device such as a home appliance, the management device 10 can also grasp the change. 【0018】 Based on the information from the above-mentioned intention notification member 20 and external power consumption measuring device 30, the management device 10 has a function of determining whether the user has performed a power-saving action of their own will and displaying the result. The management device 10 includes an information input unit 11, an analysis unit 12, a display unit 13, and an information holding unit 14. 【0019】 The information input unit 11 acquires data that associates the power consumption [W] data from the external power meter 30 at regular intervals with information related to the intention expression operation from the intention notification member 20 at that time. The acquired data may be stored in the information holding unit 14 for a certain period of time in the past, or it may be stored in the information input unit 11. 【0020】 Figure 2 shows an example of data acquired by the information input unit 11 and stored in the information holding unit 14. In the example shown in Figure 2, for "lighting," power consumption [W] and information indicating whether or not a button was pressed as an expression of intent are associated for each date and time. In this example, this information is acquired every second, but the acquisition interval for power consumption data can be wider, for example, it can be set in the range of 1 second to several minutes. Power consumption data is collected for each power-consuming device such as a home appliance. 【0021】 Furthermore, when the intention notification member 20 notifies that an action indicating intent (in this case, pressing a button) has been performed, information indicating that the action was performed (in this case, "Yes") is entered in the row corresponding to the date and time the action was performed. By collecting such data, the management device 10 can obtain information showing the relationship between the action indicating intent and the fluctuations in power consumption in each power consumption device. 【0022】 The analysis unit 12 determines, based on the information acquired by the information input unit 11, whether or not power-saving actions were actually taken before and after the user's declaration of intent. One method of determination is to determine whether or not the power consumption of a particular home appliance after the declaration of intent (after pressing the button) is clearly lower than the power consumption before the declaration of intent (before pressing the button). 【0023】 Figure 3(a) shows an example of fluctuations in the power consumption of an air conditioning unit when no energy-saving actions are taken. Assume that the user makes an action to indicate their intention (presses down a button) at a certain timing based on a notification from the intention notification member 20. At this time, the predetermined time after the user makes the action to indicate their intention is defined as the waiting period T1. At this time, the predetermined time before the action to indicate the intention is defined as the comparison period T2, and the predetermined period after the waiting period T1 is defined as the comparison period T3. In addition, for each power consumption device, a threshold interval H is set based on the power consumption fluctuations during normal operation, which represents the range of power fluctuations that can be tolerated during normal operation. 【0024】 The analysis unit 12 refers to the fluctuations in power consumption of each power-consuming device during the standby period T1, which is set in response to the declaration of intent action, and determines whether or not they fall outside the threshold interval H. At this time, as shown in Figure 3(a), the analysis unit 12 determines that power-consuming devices whose power fluctuations do not fall outside the threshold interval H are not power-consuming devices that may have been targeted by the user's energy-saving actions. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 3(b), if the power consumption of a power-consuming device changes to the extent that it falls outside the threshold interval H during the standby period T1, the analysis unit 12 compares the power consumption during comparison periods T2 and T3 to confirm whether the power consumption has changed. As shown in Figure 3(b), if the power consumption changes significantly between comparison periods T2 and T3 and satisfies the relationship T2 power consumption > T3 power consumption, it is determined that the power-consuming device is presumed to have undergone energy-saving actions by the user. According to the above procedure, it is possible to identify devices whose power consumption actually decreased after the declaration of intent action, and therefore it is possible to identify power-consuming devices that are presumed to have undergone energy-saving actions. 【0025】 Furthermore, the power-consuming devices subject to the above analysis are not all power-consuming devices from which power consumption data is collected by the external power meter 30. For example, only devices that are already operating during a certain period before an action indicating intent (button pressing) is performed (for example, devices consuming power within threshold interval H) may be included. This configuration reduces the possibility of misrecognizing power fluctuations resulting from actions other than power-saving actions as power-saving actions. Specifically, if a user turns on the power of a power-consuming device immediately before an action indicating intent and then turns it off immediately after the action indicating intent, this prevents the system from misrecognizing that action as a power-saving action. 【0026】 If a power-consuming device is identified as having undergone energy-saving measures, the analysis unit 12 continues to perform an analysis to determine how much energy was saved by those measures. Specifically, it measures the time it takes for the measured power consumption to return from a state where it has changed (outside the threshold interval H) to its original state (inside the threshold interval H), and the amount of power consumed during that period. Then, when the measured power consumption returns to the threshold interval H, it calculates the amount of energy saved by the energy-saving measures. 【0027】 Figure 4 shows an example of how to calculate the amount of electricity saved through energy-saving actions. In the example shown in Figure 4, after expressing an intention to save electricity, the actual power consumption p is reduced for a certain period (between t11 and t12). In this case, the amount of electricity saved is the sum of the differences r between the amount of electricity consumed during the time when energy-saving actions were taken (actual power consumption p) and the expected power consumption for the same time assuming that energy-saving actions were not taken (expected power consumption q). In this way, the amount of electricity saved can be identified based on the actual power consumption p and the expected power consumption q. Furthermore, by determining the amount of electricity saved, it is also possible to calculate the electricity bill saved. 【0028】 The reduced amount of electricity (power consumption), shown as the difference sum r in Figure 4, can be calculated, for example, based on the following formula (1). Furthermore, the reduced electricity bill corresponding to the reduced amount of electricity can be calculated based on the following formula (2). 【0029】 【number】 【0030】 【number】 【0031】 In equations (1) and (2), q is the average power consumption [W] over a certain period prior to the button press, and p is the actual power consumption [W] per second. α is the start time [s] of the power consumption change, and β is the end time [s] of the power consumption change. Furthermore, k is the electricity rate per kWh (yen / kWh). 【0032】 The results of the analysis performed by the analysis unit 12 may be stored in the information storage unit 14. In particular, information indicating the results of an estimated power-saving action (information showing the relationship between an action indicating intent and the fluctuation in power consumption before and after it) is stored in the information storage unit 14. Furthermore, when the analysis unit 12 has accumulated information indicating the results of an estimated power-saving action, it may use this information to change the method for determining whether or not a power-saving action has been taken. This point will be discussed later. 【0033】 Returning to Figure 1, the display unit 13 displays various information based on the results of the analysis performed by the analysis unit 12. The display unit 13 can be implemented, for example, by a monitor included in the management device 10. However, if the management device 10 does not have a display screen such as a monitor, the display unit 13 may have a function to transmit display content to an external device, for example, as a function that controls the display of various information on an external device having a display screen. 【0034】 Figure 5 shows examples of screen displays by the display unit 13 in the management device 10. The example shown in Figure 5(a) is a display that notifies the user that an energy-saving action based on the user's intention has been taken when the analysis unit 12 estimates that such an action has been taken. The example shown in Figure 5(b) is a display that shows the type of energy-saving action (in this case, turning off the TV), the amount of power consumed and the amount of electricity charges reduced as a result of the action, when the analysis unit 12 estimates that an energy-saving action based on the user's intention has been taken. In this way, the display unit 13 may display various information for purposes such as notifying the user that the device has detected an energy-saving action taken by the user, and notifying the user of the energy-saving effect of the action. 【0035】 As described above, the information holding unit 14 has the function of holding information acquired from the intention notification member 20, information acquired from the external power meter 30, and information related to the results of the analysis performed by the analysis unit 12. Furthermore, the information holding unit 14 may also hold information necessary for the analysis performed by the analysis unit 12. 【0036】 (Power saving behavior management method) Referring to Figure 6, the power saving behavior management method using the power saving behavior management system 1 will be explained. As a prerequisite, power consumption is constantly notified from the external power meter 30 to the management device 10 at predetermined intervals and acquired by the information input unit 11, but this point is omitted in Figure 6. 【0037】 First, if the user intends to take power-saving action, the user performs an action related to expressing that intention (step S01). For example, the user presses down a button on the intention notification member 20. When the user performs an action to express their intention using the intention notification member 20, the management device 10 is notified via the intention notification member 20 that the user has performed an action to express their intention, and the information input unit 11 acquires this information. 【0038】 On the other hand, suppose the user actually takes energy-saving actions to reduce the power consumption of the power consumption device (step S03). At this time, the external power meter 30 detects the change in power consumption due to the user's actions (step S04), and this information is sent from the external power meter 30 to the management device 10 (step S05). In the management device 10, the analysis unit 12 determines whether or not the user took energy-saving actions based on the relationship between the declaration of intent and the change in power consumption (step S06). If the determination is made and it is determined that the user did not take energy-saving actions (i.e., it was not possible to identify that the power consumption changed after the declaration of intent), no further processing is performed. On the other hand, if the determination is made and it is determined that the user took energy-saving actions, the reduced amount of power consumption and the reduced electricity bill are calculated as an evaluation of the energy-saving effect of the energy-saving action, and the results are displayed by the display unit 13 (step S07). By displaying this on the display unit 13, the evaluation result of the effect of the energy-saving action calculated by the management device 10 is notified to the user. Meanwhile, in the management device 10, data used in the series of processes is stored in the information storage unit 14. Information showing the relationship between the change in power consumption and the declaration of intent when it is determined that power-saving action has been taken may be stored separately from other information. 【0039】 According to the procedure described above, it is possible to distinguish between the psychological aspect of "whether the user considered taking energy-saving action" and the behavioral aspect of "whether the user actually took energy-saving action." The psychological aspect of "whether the user considered taking energy-saving action" can be grasped, for example, by an action indicating intent. On the other hand, the behavioral aspect of "whether the user actually took energy-saving action" can be estimated from the change in power consumption of the power consumption device after the action indicating intent. In this way, the energy-saving action management system 1 appropriately grasps the user's actions from both the psychological and behavioral aspects related to energy-saving action, appropriately evaluates the energy-saving action taken by the user of their own volition, and further notifies the user. As a result, the awareness of energy saving among users handling the management device 10 can be increased, and energy-saving action can be promoted. 【0040】 (modified version) The configuration of the energy-saving behavior management system 1 described in the above embodiment is just one example, and various modifications can be made. Representative modifications are described below. 【0041】 (First variation of the analysis related to energy-saving behavior) In the procedure described above, once a certain amount of data has been accumulated indicating that energy-saving actions were successful (i.e., that energy-saving actions were taken by the user), the system may be configured to determine whether the user took energy-saving actions based on this information. Two variations are described below. 【0042】 In the first modified example, the configuration of the power saving behavior management system 1 and the management device 10 is the same as that shown in Figure 1. However, the criteria used by the analysis unit 12 to determine whether or not power saving behavior has been performed may be changed from the example above. 【0043】 Specifically, the analysis unit 12 determines whether an energy-saving action has been taken based on the data acquired by the information input unit 11 (information identifying the timing of the declaration of intent action and information regarding fluctuations in power consumption) and the information held in the information holding unit 14, which shows the relationship between changes in power consumption and declaration of intent actions when it is determined that an energy-saving action has been taken (past energy-saving action information). 【0044】 In this case, for example, if the analysis unit 12 confirms that power consumption fluctuates during the standby period T1, it determines whether the decrease in power consumption of the power consumption device after the declaration of intent action is similar to the information held in the information holding unit 14, that is, the information showing the relationship between the change in power consumption and the declaration of intent action when it is determined that power-saving action has been taken. As an example, the analysis unit 12 may calculate the similarity using existing similarity calculation methods such as DTW (Dynamic time warping) and CCF (cross-correlations function), and if the similarity is above a predetermined threshold, it may determine that power-saving action has been taken. 【0045】 Even when the analysis unit 12 determines whether or not power-saving actions were taken using the method described above, the power-saving action management method by the power-saving action management system 1 is the same as in the example above. That is, a series of processes can be carried out according to the procedure shown in Figure 6. 【0046】 When the method described in this first modified example is adopted, the management device 10 determines that the user has taken an energy-saving action if a power consumption fluctuation similar to one previously estimated to have been taken by the user of their own volition occurs. Therefore, for example, in cases where the power consumption of a power consumption device fluctuates due to unintended user operation, the possibility of incorrectly determining that the user has taken an energy-saving action can be reduced, and a more accurate determination can be made as to whether the user has taken an energy-saving action of their own volition. 【0047】 (Second variation of the analysis related to energy-saving behavior) As the above procedure accumulates more data indicating that energy-saving actions were successful (that users took energy-saving actions) (information showing the relationship between changes in power consumption and declarations of intent when energy-saving actions are determined to have been taken), the system may be configured to determine whether a user has taken energy-saving actions without being triggered by a declaration of intent by the user. The second modified example describes a case where it is estimated whether a user has taken energy-saving actions without monitoring the user's declaration of intent. 【0048】 In the second modified example, since user expression of intent is not used, the configuration of the power saving behavior management system 1 is different from the configuration shown in Figure 1 in that the intent notification member 20 is absent. In other words, the power saving behavior management system 1 is composed of an external power consumption meter 30 and a management device 10. Furthermore, the criteria for determining whether or not power saving action has been taken in the analysis unit 12 may be changed from the above example. 【0049】 Specifically, the analysis unit 12 determines whether or not an energy-saving action has been taken based on the data acquired by the information input unit 11 (in this case, information regarding fluctuations in power consumption) and information held in the information holding unit 14 that shows the relationship between changes in power consumption and declarations of intent when it is determined that an energy-saving action has been taken (past energy-saving action information). 【0050】 In this case, for example, if the analysis unit 12 confirms that power consumption fluctuates during the standby period T1, it uses a machine learning model trained on data input by the information input unit 11 (information related to changes in power consumption) as test data, for example, by using information held in the information holding unit 14, which shows the relationship between changes in power consumption and declaration actions when it is determined that power-saving actions have been taken, as training data. Through such analysis, it is possible to estimate whether a declaration action by the user should have been taken, that is, whether the user was trying to take power-saving actions. Machine learning models that can be used for this estimation include, for example, machine learning models effective for time-series data such as LSTM (Long Short Term Memory) networks or Convolutional LSTM networks as prediction methods. If, as a result of the above analysis, it is estimated that the user was trying to take power-saving actions, it may be determined that the user took power-saving actions of their own volition regarding the fluctuation in power consumption. 【0051】 Even when the analysis unit 12 determines whether or not power-saving actions have been taken using the method described above, the power-saving action management method by the power-saving action management system 1 is the same as in the example above. That is, a series of processes can be carried out according to the procedure shown in Figure 6. However, the processes related to the user's expression of intent (steps S01 to S02) are not performed. 【0052】 Even when the method described in this second modified example is adopted, the management device 10 determines that the user has taken an energy-saving action if a power consumption fluctuation similar to that observed in past energy-saving actions that were presumed to have been taken by the user of their own volition occurs. Furthermore, it is possible to presume whether the user has taken an energy-saving action of their own volition even without any actual verbal indication from the user. 【0053】 Furthermore, the analysis method for determining the presence or absence of energy-saving behavior based on a comparison of comparison periods T2 and T3, as described in the above embodiment (the basic method), the analysis method for determining the presence or absence of energy-saving behavior using similarity calculation based on past information, as described in the first modified example, and the analysis method for determining the presence or absence of energy-saving behavior that does not use expressive actions as a criterion, as described in the second modified example, may be used independently or in combination. For example, if switching from the basic method to the method based on the first modified example, there is a possibility that biased judgments may be made due to past information etc. held in the information holding unit 14. For this reason, for example, the management device 10 may operate the method based on the first modified example as an auxiliary to the basic method. If such operation is continued, the operation may be such that the judgment using the basic method is terminated when it is determined that sufficient accuracy can be ensured even with the judgment based on the first modified example. 【0054】 Furthermore, although the method based on the second modification does not use the user's declaration of intent, it may be incorporated as a supplementary method under conditions where the basic method or the method based on the first modification is being used. For example, there may be cases where the user forgets to declare their intent and the management device 10 cannot obtain a notification from the intent notification member 20. Even under such conditions, if the analysis unit 12 can estimate that the user has taken power-saving action when applying the method of the second modification to the information related to the fluctuation of power consumption, it may determine that the user has taken power-saving action and present the user with information similar to the information that would be notified to the user when it is determined that power-saving action has been taken. 【0055】 Furthermore, the method in the second modified example has the potential to misinterpret fluctuations in power consumption that the user was not involved in as a result of energy-saving actions by the user. Therefore, for example, when making estimations using the method in the second modified example, it may be advisable to add a process of confirming with the user whether or not they took energy-saving actions before confirming that they did. 【0056】 (First variation to encourage users to conserve energy) Next, we will describe some modifications to further encourage users to conserve energy of their own volition. 【0057】 As a first modification, a management system 1X may be configured to simultaneously promote energy-saving behavior for multiple users, as shown in Figure 7, by providing a separate management server 90 that oversees multiple energy-saving behavior management systems 1. The management device 10 is basically a system (device) that manages the energy-saving behavior of a single user. Therefore, the management system 1X may be configured to encourage energy-saving behavior by providing incentives to multiple users who are managed by each of the multiple management devices 10, according to the users' energy-saving behavior. 【0058】 When configured as a management system 1X including a management server 90, the management server 90 can communicate with multiple management devices 10 (10A, 10B, etc.) via a wireless communication network NW. Furthermore, the management device 10 differs from the above-described example of management device 10 in that it has a communication unit 15 that enables communication with the management server 90. 【0059】 The communication unit 15 may have a function to communicate with the management server 90, for example, to notify the management server 90 of the results of power-saving actions. Alternatively, it may receive information provided by the management server 90 and display it on the display unit 13 to present information that promotes power-saving actions by the user. 【0060】 An example of the process for managing user energy-saving behavior in the management system 1X, which includes the management server 90, will be explained with reference to Figure 8. Figure 8 describes the procedure for when the management server 90 provides an SNS (Social Networking Service) that can be used by users of the management devices 10 under its control, and also provides points as an incentive to users who have taken energy-saving actions. 【0061】 First, if a user intends to take energy-saving action, the user performs an action related to expressing that intention (step S11). For example, the user may press down a button on the intention notification member 20. When a user performs an action related to expressing their intention using the intention notification member 20, the management device 10 is notified via the intention notification member 20 that the user has performed an action related to expressing their intention, and the information input unit 11 acquires this information (step S12). Furthermore, as an action related to expressing the user's intention, the user may operate the management device 10 to post an action related to expressing their intention to the SNS provided by the management server 90 (step S13). If the management server 90 provides an SNS, the user's post may be spread to other users. Therefore, it is conceivable that the post may encourage other users to take energy-saving action. 【0062】 After the above operations, a procedure is performed to evaluate whether the user actually took power-saving action, similar to the procedure shown in Figure 6. Specifically, it is assumed that the user actually took power-saving action to reduce the power consumption of the power consumption device (step S14). The external power meter 30 detects the change in power consumption due to the user's action (step S15), and this information is sent from the external power meter 30 to the management device 10 (step S16). In the management device 10, the analysis unit 12 determines whether the user took power-saving action based on the relationship between the declaration of intent action and the change in power consumption (step S17). If the determination is made that the user took power-saving action, the reduced amount of power consumption and the reduced electricity bill are calculated as an evaluation of the power-saving effect of the power-saving action, and the results are displayed by the display unit 13 (step S18). By displaying this on the display unit 13, the evaluation result of the effect of the power-saving action calculated by the management device 10 is notified to the user. 【0063】 Users may post a report of the results of their actual energy-saving actions to the SNS provided by the management server 90 (step S19). For example, a user may operate the management device 10 to post the results of their energy-saving actions (specific reductions in power consumption, electricity costs, etc.) to the SNS. This user's post can be spread to other users. Therefore, it is conceivable that it may encourage other users to take energy-saving actions. In addition, the management server 90 can obtain the user's energy-saving results from the user's post (step S20). 【0064】 The management server 90 may aggregate the results of each user's power-saving actions based on such user posts (step S21). Furthermore, depending on the aggregated results, the system may be configured to provide incentives to users who have reduced their power consumption significantly (step S22). 【0065】 Furthermore, the management server 90 may be configured to award points as an incentive if a user other than the user who made the post regarding the expression of intent and report of energy-saving actions takes energy-saving action after viewing the post. In this case, it is thought that the effect of promoting energy-saving actions among other users (users who view the post) will be increased. 【0066】 As described above, if the management server 90 provides a social networking service (SNS) for users of the management device 10, it is possible to use user posts to the SNS to encourage mutual support or competition among users. 【0067】 In the example shown in Figure 8, incentives are provided using social networking services (SNS), but the management server 90 may not provide SNS. For example, the management server 90 may have a function to collect the results of energy-saving actions from multiple management devices 10 and provide incentives to each user according to the aggregated results. In this way, the management server 90 may be used to collect the results of energy-saving actions from multiple users and use this to promote energy-saving actions by users. 【0068】 (Second variation to encourage users to conserve energy) Instead of providing a management server 90 as described above, a configuration that encourages users to take energy-saving actions may be implemented by modifying a part of the configuration of the energy-saving behavior management system 1 for a single user. 【0069】 For example, in the above embodiment, the case where the target of the user's declaration of intent is the declaration notification member 20 was described, but the target of the declaration of intent and the management device 10 may be configured as an integral part. For example, if the management device 10 is configured as a terminal device that the user carries with them, the above function in the management device 10 (a function that grasps the user's power-saving behavior and controls the display of the evaluation results) may be implemented as a single application. In that case, for example, a button corresponding to the declaration of intent may be set in the application, and when the user touches the button, it may be treated as a declaration of intent. Furthermore, the user's launch of the application itself may be treated as a declaration of intent. 【0070】 Furthermore, as shown in the modified example above, instead of having users compete with each other, the management device 10 can be configured to change its operation according to the extent of the user's energy-saving actions, thereby encouraging users to take energy-saving actions. As an example, Figure 9 shows an example where the message to the user is changed when the user launches an application related to energy-saving action management. Figure 9 shows two examples of messages: Pattern A, a greeting message that is considerate of the user, "Good morning, Mr. / Ms. ○○! Let's do our best today!", and Pattern B, a greeting only, "Good morning." For example, the management device 10 may be configured to present Pattern A to the user if the result of the user's energy-saving actions the previous day (amount of power consumption reduced or electricity bill) is greater than a predetermined value, and to present Pattern B to the user otherwise. With such a configuration, it is possible to encourage users to actively take energy-saving actions so that they can refer to the greeting message of Pattern A. Although Figure 9 shows a simple example, in order to further encourage users to take energy-saving actions, the management device 10 may be configured to perform special actions when predetermined conditions are met. 【0071】 (action) In the power saving behavior management system 1 described above, the management device 10 (power saving behavior management device) analyzes the relationship between changes in power consumption in power-consuming devices and actions indicating intent by the user in the analysis unit 12. Specifically, the analysis unit 12 determines whether the user has actually taken power saving action based on information indicating that the user has taken an action indicating intent to voluntarily conserve power and information relating to changes in power consumption in power-consuming devices over time, and the result is displayed in the display unit 13. With this configuration, it is possible to more appropriately determine whether changes in power consumption in power-consuming devices are due to intentional power saving actions by the user. In other words, the management device 10 can more accurately detect power saving actions by the user themselves. In addition, by displaying that power saving actions have been taken in the display unit 13, the user is notified that their power saving actions have been appropriately detected, thereby encouraging power saving actions by the user. 【0072】 The information input unit 11 may acquire information relating to the time-dependent changes in power consumption of multiple power consumption devices from an external power meter 30 that manages information relating to the time-dependent changes in power consumption of multiple power consumption devices. The analysis unit 12 may also estimate which power consumption device the user has performed energy-saving actions on based on the information relating to the time-dependent changes in power consumption of multiple power consumption devices. In cases where a user may perform energy-saving actions on multiple power consumption devices, such as in a home, the management device 10 may acquire information relating to fluctuations in power consumption from multiple power consumption devices as described above and estimate which device the user has performed energy-saving actions on. In this case, by transmitting and receiving information via the external power meter 30, the management device 10 does not need to communicate with multiple power consumption devices individually, thus enabling more real-time and appropriate information exchange. In the above embodiment, the case where information relating to fluctuations in power consumption is acquired from multiple power consumption devices has been described, but the management device 10 may, for example, manage energy-saving actions targeting only one power consumption device. In this case, the configuration may be such that information relating to fluctuations in power consumption is acquired directly from the power consumption device. 【0073】 The analysis unit 12 may determine whether the user took energy-saving action with the power consumption device based on whether or not there was a change in power consumption with the power consumption device during a predetermined period before and after the user's declaration of intent action. By configuring the system to monitor changes in power consumption during a predetermined period before and after a declaration of intent action to determine whether or not energy-saving action was taken, it is possible to more accurately identify cases in which the user took energy-saving action of their own volition. 【0074】 The display unit 13 may, when it is determined that the user has taken the aforementioned power-saving action, display information identifying the power-consuming device for which the power-saving action was taken (for example, information indicating which power consumption was affected by the power-saving action) and information relating to the power consumption reduced as a result of the power-saving action (amount of power consumed or electricity cost). With this configuration, it is possible to specifically show the user that the results of the user's power-saving action have been confirmed by the management device 10. This allows the user to understand the results of their power-saving action more concretely, which may further encourage them to take power-saving actions in the future. 【0075】 The system may further include an information holding unit 14 that associates information identifying a user has made a declaration of intent action with information relating to the change in power consumption over time in a power consumption device when it is estimated that the user took power-saving actions before or after the action, and stores this information as past power-saving action information. The analysis unit 12 may also determine whether the user took power-saving actions with respect to the power consumption device before or after the user's declaration of intent action based on whether the information is similar to the past power-saving action information held in the information holding unit 14. With such a configuration, it is possible to more accurately determine whether the user took power-saving actions. 【0076】 The management device 10 described in the above embodiment is a management device that determines the psychological aspect of "whether the user considered taking power-saving action" and the behavioral aspect of "whether the user actually took power-saving action" based on measurement data from an external power consumption meter 30 and an external button press instruction (expression of intent action) before taking power-saving action. It is characterized by having power consumption data from the external power consumption meter 30 at regular intervals and an information input unit 11 that receives whether an external button has been pressed, an analysis unit 12 that determines whether power-saving action was taken before and after the external button was pressed based on the data input by the information input unit 11, an information holding unit 14 which serves as a database unit to store the data from the information input unit when power-saving action determined by the analysis unit 12 has been taken, and a display unit 13 that displays the information determined by the analysis unit 12. 【0077】 According to the above configuration, it becomes possible to inexpensively estimate detailed energy-saving behaviors and their effects, which previously required high implementation costs to measure. Furthermore, the contribution of the user's own energy-saving behavior, which was previously unclear, is presented as an explicit indicator, making it possible to use it as a guide for the user's future energy-saving actions. 【0078】 As another aspect of the above-mentioned power saving behavior management system 1 and power saving behavior management method, the following management devices or management methods can be cited, respectively. 【0079】 [Item 1] A management device that distinguishes between the psychological aspect of "whether a user considered taking energy-saving action" and the behavioral aspect of "whether a user actually took energy-saving action," characterized by having an information input unit that receives power consumption data from an external energy meter at regular intervals and whether an external button has been pressed, a selection unit (analysis unit) that determines whether energy-saving action was taken before and after the external button was pressed based on the data input by the information input unit, a database unit (information holding unit) that stores the data from the information input unit when the energy-saving action determined by the selection unit has been taken, and a display unit that displays the information determined by the selection unit. 【0080】 [Item 2] The management device according to item 1, characterized in that the information input unit stores data for a certain period of time in the past, which links real-time power consumption data from an external power meter at regular intervals with the pressing status of an external button during those intervals. 【0081】 [Item 3] The management device according to items 1 and 2, characterized in that the sorting unit determines whether or not power-saving action was taken before and after the pressing of an external button based on the data input by the information input unit. 【0082】 [Item 4] The management device according to items 1, 2, and 3, characterized in that the database unit stores data for a certain period before and after a button press in the database unit when the selection unit determines that "the data from the information input unit is likely to be an energy-saving action." 【0083】 [Item 5] The management device according to items 1, 2, and 3, characterized in that the display unit is capable of calculating and displaying, based on the selection results from the selection unit, whether the user took an energy-saving action, and if so, the type of energy-saving action, the amount of energy consumed reduced, and the electricity bill. 【0084】 (others) The block diagram used in the description of the above embodiment shows functional units. These functional blocks (components) are realized by any combination of at least one of hardware and software. Furthermore, the method of realizing each functional block is not particularly limited. That is, each functional block may be realized using one device that is physically or logically coupled, or it may be realized using two or more physically or logically separated devices that are directly or indirectly connected (for example, using wired or wireless connections). A functional block may be realized by combining the above one device or the above multiple devices with software. Also, the term "device" as described in this embodiment can be read as a circuit, device, unit, etc. 【0085】 Functions include, but are not limited to, judgment, decision, determination, calculation, calculation, processing, derivation, investigation, exploration, confirmation, reception, transmission, output, access, resolution, selection, selection, establishment, comparison, assumption, expectation, assumption, broadcasting, notifying, communicating, forwarding, configuring, reconfiguring, allocating (mapping), and assigning. For example, a functional block (configuration part) that enables transmission is called a transmitting unit or transmitter. In all cases, as mentioned above, the method of implementation is not particularly limited. 【0086】 Figure 10 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the management device 10 included in the power saving behavior management system according to this embodiment. The management device 10, which functions as a power saving behavior management system, may be physically configured as a computer device including a processor C1, memory C2, storage C3, communication device C4, input device C5, output device C6, bus C7, etc. 【0087】 In the following explanation, the term "device" can be replaced with "circuit," "device," "unit," etc. The hardware configuration of the management device 10, which functions as a power saving behavior management device, may be configured to include one or more of the devices shown in Figure 10. Alternatively, it may be configured to omit some of the devices. 【0088】 Each function in the management device 10 is realized by loading predetermined software onto hardware such as the processor C1 and memory C2, which causes the processor C1 to perform calculations and control communication by the communication device C4, and the reading and / or writing of data to memory C2 and storage C3. 【0089】 Processor C1 controls the entire computer, for example, by running the operating system. Processor C1 may consist of a central processing unit (CPU) including interfaces with peripheral devices, control units, arithmetic units, registers, etc. Processor C1 may also include a graphics processing unit (GPU). For example, each functional part of the management device 10 may be implemented by processor C1. 【0090】 Furthermore, processor C1 reads programs (program code), software modules, and data from storage C3 and / or communication device C4 into memory C2, and executes various processes accordingly. The program used is one that causes a computer to execute at least a part of the operations described in the above embodiment. For example, each functional unit of the management device 10 may be stored in memory C2 and implemented by a control program that runs on processor C1. Although the above-described processes have been explained as being executed by one processor C1, they may be executed simultaneously or sequentially by two or more processors C1. Processor C1 may be implemented on one or more chips. The program may also be transmitted from a network via a telecommunications line. 【0091】 Memory C2 is a computer-readable recording medium and may consist of at least one of the following: ROM (Read Only Memory), EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. Memory C2 may also be called a register, cache, main memory, etc. Memory C2 can store executable programs (program code), software modules, etc., for implementing the power saving action management method according to one embodiment of the present invention. 【0092】 Storage C3 is a computer-readable recording medium and may consist of at least one of the following: an optical disc such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc ROM), a hard disk drive, a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk (e.g., a compact disc, a digital multipurpose disc, a Blu-ray® disc), a smart card, flash memory (e.g., a card, a stick, a key drive), a floppy® disk, a magnetic strip, etc. Storage C3 may also be called an auxiliary storage device. The above-mentioned storage medium may be, for example, a database, server, or other suitable medium including memory C2 and / or storage C3. 【0093】 Communication device C4 is hardware (transceiver / receiver device) for communicating between computers via wired and / or wireless networks, and is also called a network device, network controller, network card, communication module, etc. 【0094】 Input device C5 is an input device that accepts input from an external source (e.g., keyboard, mouse, microphone, switch, button, sensor, etc.). Output device C6 is an output device that outputs to an external source (e.g., display, speaker, LED lamp, etc.). Note that input device C5 and output device C6 may be configured as an integrated unit (e.g., a touch panel). 【0095】 Furthermore, each device, such as the processor C1 and memory C2, is connected by a bus C7 for communicating information. Bus C7 may consist of a single bus or different buses may be used for communication between devices. 【0096】 The processing procedures, sequences, flowcharts, etc., of each aspect / embodiment described herein may be reordered, provided they are consistent with each other. For example, the methods described herein present various step elements in an exemplary order and are not limited to that specific order. 【0097】 Input and output information may be stored in a specific location (e.g., memory) or managed using a management table. Input and output information may be overwritten, updated, or appended to. Output information may be deleted. Input information may be transmitted to other devices. 【0098】 The determination may be made by a value represented by 1 bit (0 or 1), by a boolean value (true or false), or by a numerical comparison (for example, a comparison with a predetermined value). 【0099】 Each aspect / embodiment described herein may be used individually, in combination, or switched between as needed during implementation. Furthermore, notification of specific information (e.g., notification that "X is") is not limited to explicit notification, but may also be implicit (e.g., by not providing such notification). 【0100】 Software should be broadly interpreted to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, execution threads, procedures, functions, and so on, whether they are called software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description languages, or by any other name. 【0101】 Furthermore, software, instructions, information, etc., may be transmitted and received via a transmission medium. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using at least one of wired technology (such as coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, or digital subscriber line (DSL)) and wireless technology (such as infrared or microwave), then at least one of these wired and wireless technologies is included in the definition of a transmission medium. 【0102】 The information, signals, etc. described in this disclosure may be represented using any of the various different techniques. For example, the data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, chips, etc. that may be referred to throughout the above description may be represented by voltage, current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or photons, or any combination thereof. 【0103】 The terms “system” and “network” as used in this disclosure are interchangeable. 【0104】 As used in this disclosure, the terms “determining” and “determining” may encompass a wide variety of actions. “Determining” may include, for example, judging, calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up, searching, inquiry (e.g., searching in a table, database, or other data structure), and ascertaining. “Determining” may also include, for example, receiving (e.g., receiving information), transmitting (e.g., sending information), input, output, and accessing (e.g., accessing data in memory). Furthermore, "judgment" and "decision" can include considering something as having been "judged" or "decided" after resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, comparing, etc. In other words, "judgment" and "decision" can include considering something as having been "judged" or "decided" after some action. Also, "judgment (decision)" can be reinterpreted as "assuming," "expecting," or "considering." 【0105】 The terms “connected,” “coupled,” or any variation thereof, mean 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” with each other. The coupling or connection between elements may be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. For example, “connection” may be reinterpreted as “access.” As used in this disclosure, two elements may be considered to be “connected” or “coupled” with each other using at least one of one or more wires, cables, and printed electrical connections, and, in some non-limiting and non-exclusive examples, electromagnetic energy having wavelengths in the radio frequency domain, microwave domain, and optical (both visible and invisible) domain. 【0106】 In this disclosure, the phrase "based on" does not mean "based solely on" unless otherwise specified. In other words, the phrase "based on" means both "based solely on" and "based at least on." 【0107】 Where the terms “include,” “including,” and variations thereof are used in this disclosure, these terms are intended to be inclusive, as is the term “comprising.” Furthermore, the term “or” as used in this disclosure is not intended to mean exclusive OR. 【0108】 In this disclosure, if articles are added through translation, such as a, an, and the in English, this disclosure may include the fact that the noun following these articles is plural. 【0109】 In this 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 "combine" may be interpreted similarly to "different." [Explanation of Symbols] 【0110】 1...Power saving behavior management system, 10...Management device, 11...Information input unit, 12...Analysis unit, 13...Display unit, 14...Information storage unit, 15...Communication unit, 20...Notification of intent member, 30...External power consumption meter.

Claims

[Claim 1] An information input unit that acquires information relating to the change in power consumption over time in a power consumption device in which the user can adjust the power consumption, and information indicating that the user has performed an action to express their intention to voluntarily conserve power. An analysis unit that analyzes the relationship between the change in power consumption in the power consumption device and the user's expression of intent, A display unit that displays the analysis results from the aforementioned analysis unit, It has, The analysis unit identifies whether the user took any power-saving actions toward the power consumption device before or after the user made the declaration of intent. The display unit is a power-saving behavior management device that displays the results when the analysis unit identifies that the user has performed the power-saving action. [Claim 2] The information input unit acquires information relating to the time-dependent changes in power consumption of the multiple power consumption devices from an external power consumption meter that manages information relating to the time-dependent changes in power consumption of the multiple power consumption devices, The power saving behavior management device according to claim 1, wherein the analysis unit estimates the power consumption device on which the user performed the power saving action based on information relating to the change in power consumption over time in a plurality of power consumption devices. [Claim 3] The power saving behavior management device according to claim 1, wherein the analysis unit determines whether the user performed the power saving action on the power consumption device based on whether or not there was a change in the power consumption of the power consumption device during a predetermined period before and after the user's declaration of intent action. [Claim 4] The power saving action management device according to claim 1, wherein the display unit, when it is determined that the user has performed the power saving action, displays information identifying the power-consuming device on which the power saving action was performed, and information relating to the power consumption that was reduced as a result of the power saving action. [Claim 5] The system further includes an information holding unit that associates information identifying that the user performed an action to express intent with information relating to the change in power consumption over time in the power consumption device when it is estimated that the user performed the power-saving action before or after the action, and stores this information as past power-saving action information. The power saving action management device according to claim 1, wherein the analysis unit determines whether the user performed a power saving action toward the power consumption device before and after the user's declaration of intent action, based on whether the analysis unit is similar to the past power saving action information held in the information holding unit.