Programs, systems, information processing devices, servers, and methods

Abstract

To provide programs, systems, information processing devices, servers, and methods that contribute to appropriate energy conservation and consumption. [Solution] A program is provided for causing a process to determine an electronic reward based on power consumption data, the program causing a processor to perform the following steps in response to user input: obtaining predicted usage data, which is the power consumption data that the user will need at a predetermined point in the future; obtaining actual usage data, which is the power consumption data that the user actually used at a predetermined point in time; and determining a reward that is less favorable to the user than when the difference between the predicted usage data and the actual usage data is positive or negative.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a program, a system, an information processing apparatus, a server, and a method. In particular, the present invention relates to a program, a system, an information processing apparatus, a server, and a method capable of determining a reward based on the difference between the predicted power consumption and the measured value.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a power demand management system including: a transmission unit that transmits inquiry information for inquiring a power consumer whether to cooperate in power saving during a target period to a terminal device installed on the consumer side; a response information acquisition unit that acquires response information indicating whether to cooperate in power saving during the target period from the terminal device; a recording unit that records identification information of consumers who achieved the power saving target among the consumers who cooperated in power saving during a past target period immediately before the target period; a first type of cooperator who is a consumer indicating an intention to cooperate in power saving during the target period based on the response information; and a registration unit that registers, as cooperators in power saving during the target period, a second type of cooperator who is a consumer who achieved the power saving target during the past target period among consumers who did not transmit the response information, and a reward giving unit that gives a reward to a cooperator who achieved the power saving target among the cooperators in power saving during the target period (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Non-Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Conventional technologies, including the power demand management system described in Patent Document 1, allow for initiatives such as providing predetermined rewards to household consumers who conserve electricity. However, since it is usually impossible to reduce electricity consumption to zero, and there are limits to electricity conservation, it can be difficult for consumers to maintain the motivation to continue such initiatives. Furthermore, even if consumers conserve electricity, power plants continue to generate electricity, and if the supply of electricity exceeds the demand, there is a surplus of electricity, which can lead to wasted electricity or an imbalance in the supply and demand of electricity.

[0005] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a program, system, information processing device, server, and method that contribute to appropriate power saving and consumption. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To achieve the above objective, the present invention provides a program for causing a computer, which includes a processor and memory, to perform a process of determining an electronic reward based on power consumption data, wherein the program causes the processor to perform the steps of: obtaining predicted usage data, which is power consumption data that the user will need at a predetermined point in the future, in response to user input; obtaining actual usage data, which is power consumption data that the user actually used at a predetermined point in time; and determining a reward that is less favorable to the user than when the difference between the predicted usage data and the actual usage data is positive or negative. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The program, system, information processing device, server, and method according to the present invention can provide a program, system, information processing device, server, and method that contribute to appropriate power saving and consumption. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1]This is a schematic diagram of the system according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a functional configuration diagram of the system according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a data configuration diagram of each storage section of the storage unit according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a flowchart of the processing in the system according to this embodiment. [Figure 5] This graph shows the time-dependent changes in predicted and actual electricity usage. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] [Embodiment] <Background of one embodiment> In some cases, electric power companies and electricity suppliers (retail electricity suppliers), etc. (hereinafter referred to as "suppliers"), have implemented policies that reward consumers (hereinafter referred to as "users") who purchase and use electricity from them, by awarding them predetermined rewards (points, etc.) when users conserve electricity. Suppliers can automatically grasp the details of each user's electricity usage and usage through smart meters, and can provide a service that rewards users based on the automatically obtained information. However, there are limits to electricity conservation, and for users who have exhausted all possible energy conservation efforts by continuing to use the service, the policy may become unattractive, or users may become tired of being encouraged to conserve electricity every day. Furthermore, even if electricity is conserved in the limited area of, for example, one user's household, in an area with many users (for example, a designated region), different users consume electricity through various actions, so the energy-saving actions of one user may not necessarily lead to energy conservation in that area. Furthermore, unlike other resources such as water, electricity, as long as power plants are operating, has a limit to the storage capacity if the generated electricity is not used, meaning that electricity can be wasted. Therefore, the energy-saving actions of a single user do not necessarily lead to an appropriate balance of electricity supply and demand.

[0010] Therefore, the inventors conceived the idea that if users could predict their own electricity consumption and receive rewards that are more favorable to them when their prediction matches their actual consumption, or when the difference between the two is small, it would be possible to balance appropriate electricity use with energy conservation, and thus created the present invention. In other words, while conventional methods only encouraged energy conservation, the inventors conceived the idea that if users were not only encouraged to conserve energy but also to use electricity within the range of their declared consumption, and if the discrepancy between their declared consumption and their actual consumption was small, it would be possible to optimize the electricity consumption of a single user and / or a region, and to improve the accuracy and precision of power generation predictions at power plants, and thus created the present invention.

[0011] <Overview of System 1 Configuration> Figure 1 shows an overview of the system according to this embodiment. Specifically, Figure 1(a) shows an overview of an example of the configuration of system 1 according to this embodiment, and Figure 1(b) shows an example of the processing concept in system 1.

[0012] System 1 according to this embodiment is a system that can award a predetermined reward (such as an electronic reward) to a user based on the difference (or degree of agreement or deviation) between the electricity usage data predicted by the user and the electricity usage data actually used by the user, or can execute a predetermined game based on said difference. As shown in Figure 1(a), System 1 includes user information terminals (for example, an information terminal 3 for one user, and information terminals 3n for other users; there may be one or more information terminals), and an operation server 9 of an operator that operates System 1. System 1 also receives predetermined information from a business operator server 7 of a power supply business operator (electricity company and / or retail electricity business operator, etc.), and / or smart meters installed in the user's house, etc. (for example, a smart meter 800 installed in one user's house, and smart meters 800n installed in other users' houses, etc.; if there are multiple users, each user's house, etc. may have a smart meter installed). The smart meter is an electricity meter with communication capabilities that automatically measures and records the amount of electricity used (power consumption) in various facilities such as houses, commercial facilities, and factories (hereinafter simply referred to as "houses, etc."), and supplies the recorded information to the service provider's server 7.

[0013] The service provider server 7 acquires and stores information (actual information) regarding the actual electricity usage of one or more users from the smart meter of each user. This allows the service provider to grasp the actual information. In System 1, the operation server 9, for each of the one or more users, grants a predetermined reward or advances a predetermined game based on predetermined instructions received from a user and the actual information of that user acquired from the service provider server 7. In this case, System 1 may be a server-client type system. Furthermore, if the program according to this embodiment is installed on the information terminal, System 1 may execute reward granting processing, game execution processing, etc., while the operation server 9 and the information terminal communicate as needed. Moreover, in System 1, if the program according to this embodiment is installed on the information terminal, reward granting processing, game execution processing, etc., may be executed on the information terminal without communicating with the operation server 9. In this case, the information terminal may directly acquire predetermined information used for reward granting processing, game execution processing, etc., from the service provider server 7 and / or smart meter.

[0014] Figure 1(a) shows an example where multiple information terminals used by different users (for example, information terminal 3, information terminal 3n) are each connected to the operation server 9 and / or the service provider server 7 via the communication network 5. In the following explanation, for the sake of simplicity, we will mainly describe an example where one information terminal 3 (the user's information terminal 3) is connected to the operation server 9 and / or the service provider server 7 via the communication network 5.

[0015] <Overview of processing in System 1> System 1 acquires data on the amount of electricity that a user plans to use in their home or other property at a predetermined time (hereinafter, electricity usage data may be simply referred to as "electricity usage," and predicted usage data may be simply referred to as "predicted usage"). System 1 acquires predicted usage data, for example, via the user's information terminal 3. In other words, System 1 acquires predicted usage data set by the user via the information terminal 3. Here, a smart meter 800 is installed in the home or other property, and the electricity usage data actually used in the home or other property is measured and recorded by the smart meter 800 as it occurs, and the recorded contents are supplied from the smart meter 800 to the service provider server 7 and stored. System 1 acquires data on the amount of electricity that the user actually used in the home or other property (actual usage) from the service provider server 7 (hereinafter, actual usage data may be simply referred to as "actual usage").

[0016] System 1 compares pre-set predicted usage data with actual usage data at a predetermined time point, and performs predetermined processing based on the degree of deviation between the predicted usage data and the actual usage data. Predetermined processing may include the granting of electronic rewards (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as "rewards") or game processing. For example, if the difference between the predicted usage data and the actual usage data is positive or negative, System 1 grants a reward that is less favorable to the user compared to the case where the difference is "zero (0)". In this case, System 1 maximizes the reward amount when the difference is "0" (for example, the reward may be predetermined points granted to the user, and the amount of these predetermined points is maximized when the difference is "0").

[0017] For example, when the actual usage data is less than the predicted usage data, and the degree of deviation between the two is smaller, System 1 provides a more favorable reward (the first reward) to the user or executes a game process (the first process) that is favorable to the user in a predetermined game. Also, when the actual usage data is more than the predicted usage data, System 1 gives the user a reward that is less favorable to the user than the first reward (the second reward) and / or a predetermined penalty, or executes a game process (the second process) that is less favorable to the user than the first process in a predetermined game.

[0018] As an example, assume that System 1 obtains from the user a predicted usage amount 700 (predicted usage amount: x (kWh)), which is a predicted value for a predetermined period including a predetermined time point T (shown by a dotted line in the graph of FIG. 1(b)). And assume that the result of System 1 obtaining the actual usage amount of the user during the predetermined period via the service provider server 7 is an actual usage amount 750 (actual usage amount: y (kWh)) (shown by a solid line in the graph of FIG. 1(b). Also assume that the actual usage amount 750 < the predicted usage amount 700). In this case, since the actual usage amount 750 is smaller than the predicted usage amount 700, the difference amount z (= x - y) obtained by subtracting the actual usage amount from the predicted usage amount is positive. When the difference amount z is positive, System 1 provides a more favorable reward to the user and / or executes a game process that is favorable to the user in a predetermined game as the difference amount is smaller (that is, the smaller the absolute value of the difference amount, or the smaller the deviation between the predicted value and the measured value, or the higher the prediction accuracy). Also, when the difference amount is zero (that is, when the predicted value and the measured value match), System 1 provides the most favorable reward to the user and / or executes the most favorable game process for the user in a predetermined game.

[0019] On the one hand, assume that system 1 has obtained from the user a predicted usage amount 702 (predicted usage amount: x´ (kWh)), which is a predicted value for a predetermined period including a predetermined time point T (shown by a dashed line in the graph of Fig. 1(b)). And assume that as a result of system 1 obtaining the actual usage amount of the user during the predetermined period via the operator server 7, the actual usage amount is 750, and the actual usage amount 750 > the predicted usage amount 702. In this case, since the actual usage amount 750 is greater than the predicted usage amount 702, the difference amount z´ (= x′ - y) obtained by subtracting the actual usage amount from the predicted usage amount is negative. When the difference amount z´ is negative, system 1 may impose a reward disadvantageous to the user and / or execute a game process disadvantageous to the user in a predetermined game, or impose a predetermined penalty on the user, compared with the case where the difference amount z is positive. Also, the greater the absolute value of the difference amount z´ (that is, the greater the deviation between the predicted value and the measured value or the lower the prediction accuracy), system 1 may impose a more disadvantageous reward on the user and / or execute a more disadvantageous game process on the user in a predetermined game, or impose a more disadvantageous penalty on the user. Note that system 1 may reduce the degree of disadvantage of the reward given to the user or reduce the degree of the penalty, the smaller the absolute value of the difference amount z′.

[0020] In System 1, users set their own predicted electricity usage data to match their lifestyle, and by actually consuming electricity to reach the set predicted value, they can earn rewards that can be used in games, etc. In other words, System 1 does not aim to reduce electricity usage data as in conventional systems, but aims to match the predicted value (minimize the deviation / difference from the predicted value) as users use electricity every day. Therefore, unlike simple energy saving, System 1 can provide users with a lifestyle in which they can enjoy saving and consuming electricity. In addition, in System 1, users set their own predicted value and try to consume electricity to match the set predicted value, so for example, businesses can more easily predict how much electricity will be needed at a given time or for a given period (this makes it easier to optimize the balance of electricity supply and demand and to optimize the amount of electricity purchased by retail electricity businesses). In short, System 1 can change users' behavior regarding energy saving and consumption to match the predicted value that the user sets themselves, so businesses can also optimize electricity consumption based on that predicted value.

[0021] Therefore, System 1 can raise user awareness regarding energy conservation and usage, and by encouraging users to act in a way that matches their own predicted values ​​with actual values, it can suppress unnecessary energy consumption (i.e., as a result, achieve long-term energy savings). Furthermore, System 1 can also contribute to the needs of businesses (e.g., retail electricity providers) to improve the accuracy of their electricity consumption predictions.

[0022] The information terminal is a device that can be operated by the user. The information terminal may be, for example, a portable information terminal such as a mobile phone, smartphone, or tablet that is compatible with a mobile communication system. The information terminal may also be, for example, a stationary Personal Computer (PC), laptop PC, notebook PC, portable game console, home game console (stationary game device), and / or a dedicated game console, or an information terminal / head-mounted display / AR glasses with Augmented Reality (AR) functionality. Furthermore, the communication network 5 is a mobile phone network and / or a communication network such as the Internet. The communication network 5 may also include communication networks such as wired LAN and wireless LAN. The details of System 1 according to this embodiment will be described below, but it should be noted that the names and numerical values ​​in the above and below descriptions are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to these proper names and numerical values, and these proper names and numerical values ​​are not necessarily related to actual proper names and numerical values.

[0023] <Details of System 1> Figure 2 shows an example of the functional configuration of the system according to this embodiment. Figure 3 shows an example of the data configuration of each storage section in the storage unit according to this embodiment.

[0024] [Overview of System 1 Configuration] The system 1 according to this embodiment includes an output unit 100 that outputs various information, an input unit 102 that receives input such as instructions from the user, a prediction acquisition unit 108 that acquires predicted usage data, a usage acquisition unit 110 that acquires actual usage data, an information acquisition unit 112 that acquires various information, a control unit 114 that performs various controls and game processing in the system 1, an input assistance unit 116 that assists in inputting predicted usage data, a reward unit 118 that provides rewards to the user, an event generation unit 120 that generates predetermined events, a notification unit 122 that notifies the user of predetermined information, a communication unit 124 that communicates with various external devices, and a storage unit 126 having a storage unit for storing various information. The storage unit 126 has a user information storage unit 128 that stores user information, an auxiliary information storage unit 130 that stores information related to input assistance, and a game information storage unit 132 that stores information related to games.

[0025] System 1 may not only have the above-mentioned multiple components and / or multiple functions physically in the same device or location, but may also install some of the above-mentioned multiple components and / or multiple functions in physically separate locations (which may be within Japan or outside Japan). In this case, each component may be connected by a communication network such as the Internet. For example, System 1 may have some of the functions of its components handled by an external server. System 1 may also be configured as one or more servers. In this case, System 1 is configured by combining an information terminal, and the components of one server and the components of other servers. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a set of predetermined components can be understood as a single "information processing device," and System 1 may be formed as a set of multiple information processing devices. The method of distributing the multiple functions required to realize System 1 according to this embodiment to one or more hardware can be appropriately determined in consideration of the processing capacity of each hardware and / or the specifications required for System 1. Furthermore, information terminal 3 may have some or all of the configuration and functions of operating server 9, and operating server 9 may have some of the configuration and functions of information terminal 3. Furthermore, the various types of information stored in each storage compartment of the storage unit 126 may be updated based on user instructions and information received via the input unit 102, or they may be updated as needed by obtaining predetermined information from a predetermined server located outside the system 1.

[0026] [Details of System 1 configuration] In the following description, we will use as an example a case in which a user sets predicted usage data via the information terminal 3, and based on a comparison between the set predicted usage data and actual usage data, the information terminal 3 executes a predetermined game or grants the user a predetermined electronic reward or other reward. The information terminal 3 is configured to have at least an output unit 100 as a display unit, an input unit 102, and a communication unit for the information terminal. Note that the configuration and / or functions of the control unit 114 and / or storage unit 126 in the following description may be possessed by the information terminal 3 or by the operation server 9. The information terminal 3 can also connect to the operation server 9, the business server 7, other servers (servers different from the business server 7 and the operation server 9; not shown), and / or other information terminals via the communication network 5 using wired and / or wireless communication, enabling bidirectional communication and the transmission and reception of predetermined data. The same applies to the business server 7 and the operation server 9.

[0027] (Storage unit 126) The storage unit 126 stores various programs executed on the information terminal 3 and / or the operation server 9, and / or various data used in those programs. Specifically, the storage unit 126 stores programs that award rewards based on power usage data executed in System 1, game programs, various information supplied from each component of System 1, and / or various information related to games executed in System 1. The storage unit 126 supplies predetermined information to predetermined components in response to requests from other components of System 1. In the various IDs described below, if one ID is associated with another ID, and yet another ID is associated with yet another ID, the predetermined information can be made available by tracing the IDs. Furthermore, each storage section of the storage unit 126 may store the information it stores in association with the date and time the information was stored and / or the date and time the information was acquired or generated.

[0028] (Storage unit 126: User information storage unit 128) The user information storage unit 128 stores user information, prediction information, actual measurement information, prediction result information, equipment information, possession information, and / or event-related information, etc., associated with a user ID that identifies the user.

[0029] User information may include, for example, the user's name / gender / date of birth, address / residence, telephone number, username (nickname) which is a name the user can choose to set, login ID, password, and / or information about the user's household (such as household composition).

[0030] Prediction information is information about predicted usage data set by the user. Prediction information may be, for example, information about predicted usage data associated with a predetermined future point in time set by the user. This predetermined future point in time is a time after the time when the user sets the predicted usage data, and may be identifiable using the year, month, day and / or hour and minute. Furthermore, there may be multiple pieces of prediction information depending on the user's settings. For example, there may be multiple pieces of prediction information such as first prediction information (first predicted usage data associated with the first point in time), second prediction information (second predicted usage data associated with the second point in time), and / or nth prediction information (nth predicted usage data associated with the nth point in time) (where n is an integer of 3 or greater).

[0031] Actual measurement information refers to information about the amount of electricity actually used in the user's home, etc. (actual usage data). Actual measurement information is, for example, information about the amount of electricity actually used, which is measured in real time and continuously by a smart meter 800, and is information about the amount of electricity that is associated with the time of measurement. Actual measurement information may be associated with the actual date and time of measurement. Therefore, actual measurement information includes information about the user's past actual usage data. In addition, based on user input, actual measurement information may include information that identifies the equipment (home appliances, etc.) that the user was using at a particular date and time of measurement, associated with that date and time (identification information).

[0032] The forecast result information is information about forecast result parameters determined based on forecast usage data and actual usage data. The forecast result information may be associated with the date and time (year, month, day, hour, minute) when the actual usage data was measured.

[0033] Equipment information refers to information about various types of equipment used by the user in their home or other premises. There are no particular limitations on the types of equipment, as long as they use electricity. For example, the equipment may be household appliances. Equipment information may include the equipment name, the equipment's power consumption, and the number of such appliances present in the home or premises. If the equipment is a household appliance, the equipment information will be household appliance information, and may include the household appliance name, power consumption, and the number of such appliances present in the home or premises. Equipment information may be associated with an equipment ID that identifies the equipment.

[0034] Possession information refers to reward information relating to electronic rewards granted to the user, and / or information relating to game elements (characters, items, etc.) that the user has come to possess in the game. Examples of possession information include information relating to predetermined points, information relating to in-game virtual currency held by the user (information relating to the amount of virtual currency held and the amount of virtual currency consumed; for example, information relating to the amount of virtual currency granted to the user free of charge and information relating to the amount of virtual currency granted to the user for a fee), and / or information relating to game elements (for example, the name and description of the game element). Possession information may be associated with a possession ID that identifies the rewards, game elements, etc.

[0035] Event-related information is information about a predetermined event to be executed in System 1. Examples of event-related information include the date of the event, the event name, the event details, and / or information indicating whether or not a user participated in the event. Event-related information may be associated with an event ID that identifies the event.

[0036] (Storage unit 126: Auxiliary information storage unit 130) The auxiliary information storage unit 130 stores auxiliary information in association with an auxiliary ID that identifies the auxiliary information. Auxiliary information is information that the user refers to when setting predicted usage data in order to determine the value of the predicted usage data. Auxiliary information may include, for example, information on electricity usage in general users or households (which may be statistical data from the country or prefecture), equipment information (which may include equipment not owned by the user), household composition information (for example, information showing the relationship between a given household composition and power consumption), and / or environmental information in a given region. Household composition may include various patterns of household composition such as single-person households, households with only a married couple, households with a married couple and children, households with a single parent and children, and households living with a parent.

[0037] For example, if the auxiliary information is equipment information, the auxiliary information storage unit 130 stores the name, image, and power consumption information of the equipment, associated with an equipment ID that identifies the equipment indicated by the equipment information. If the auxiliary information is household composition information, the auxiliary information storage unit 130 stores the name and image of the household composition, and power consumption information for that household composition (for example, information on the average amount of electricity consumed by households with that household composition over a predetermined period), associated with a household composition ID that identifies the household composition. Furthermore, if the auxiliary information is environmental information for a predetermined region, the auxiliary information storage unit 130 stores the name of the predetermined region, as well as information such as the average temperature at a predetermined time in the past (for example, a past month and day, a past season, etc.), the probability of the weather at that predetermined time, and the average power consumption of the predetermined region at a given average temperature, associated with a region ID that identifies the predetermined region.

[0038] (Storage unit 126: Game information storage unit 132) The game information storage unit 132 stores game information related to the game, associated with a game ID that identifies the game. Game information includes the game program, game name, game content, and / or information about game elements that appear in the game (such as characters and items).

[0039] (Output control unit, output unit 100) The output control unit is controlled by the control unit 114 and outputs various information such as power usage data and game-related information to the output unit 100. The output unit 100 outputs various processing results in system 1 and various information stored in the storage unit 126 in a way that is perceptible to the user. Specifically, the output control unit causes the output unit 100 to output various processing results in each component and information stored in the storage unit 126 as data in a predetermined format, still images, moving images, and / or text and audio. The output control unit may also cause the output unit 100 to output information received from an external server (for example, a service provider server 7). Note that if the information terminal 3 is a smartphone, the output unit 100 is the display unit of the information terminal 3. The output unit 100 may also include elements such as an audio output unit that outputs sound, a vibration unit that emits vibrations, and / or a light-emitting unit that emits light.

[0040] (Input section 102) The input unit 102 receives input such as predetermined instructions or operations from the user. The input unit 102 supplies the instructions to predetermined components of the system 1. Each component that receives the instructions performs a predetermined function. For example, the input unit 102 is an input device for receiving operation input from the user (e.g., a touch panel, touchpad, pointing device such as a mouse, keyboard, motion sensor, controller, microphone, etc.). In this embodiment, an example is described in which the input unit 102 is a touch panel provided by the information terminal 3. The touch panel may be capable of multi-touch detection. Specifically, the touch panel as the input unit 102 has an input surface 104 into which user operations are input and an input control unit 106 that acquires information about the operations input to the input surface 104. The touch panel is placed on top of the display unit of the information terminal 3, and the surface of the touch panel corresponds to the input surface 104. For example, the display unit of the information terminal 3 displays an area that accepts a predetermined instruction, and the input surface 104 detects the predetermined instruction at a specified location based on the user's operation on that area of ​​the input surface 104 (e.g., touch operation, tap operation, swipe operation, etc.). The input surface 104 supplies the detected information, that is, information indicating the predetermined instruction at the detected location, to the input control unit 106. The input control unit 106 acquires the information indicating the predetermined instruction from the input surface 104 and supplies this information to a predetermined component of the system 1.

[0041] In this embodiment, unless otherwise specified, descriptions such as "responding to user input / instructions / selections," "based on user input / instructions / selections," or "accepting user input / instructions / selections" refer to the input / instructions / selections being made through the user's predetermined operations / actions.

[0042] (Prediction acquisition unit 108) The prediction acquisition unit 108 acquires predicted usage data (i.e., predicted value data) (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as "predicted usage" or "predicted value"), which is the amount of electricity usage the user will need at a predetermined point in the future, in response to user input. Specifically, the prediction acquisition unit 108 acquires a predetermined time and predicted usage data at that time, which are received from the user via the input unit 102. The prediction acquisition unit 108 acquires the predicted usage data in association with the predetermined time entered by the user.

[0043] Here, a predetermined future time is a time after the time when the prediction acquisition unit 108 acquires the predicted usage data. This predetermined time may be a specific time on a specific date. The prediction acquisition unit 108 may also acquire predicted usage data for a predetermined time period or duration that includes the predetermined future time. For example, the prediction acquisition unit 108 accepts input from the user of a specific time and another time after that time, as well as input of the power to be used from that time to the other time, that is, the power value that serves as the basis for calculating the predicted usage data required by the user. The prediction acquisition unit 108 accepts input in the form of a time range, such as "use 1 kWh from 13:00 to 14:00," or in the form of a specific time (pinpoint format), such as "use 0.5 kWh from 13:00" or "use 0.8 kWh from 14:00." In other words, in this embodiment, the user sets the timing for using the predicted amount of power. The prediction acquisition unit 108 supplies the acquired prediction usage data to the control unit 114 and the user information storage unit 128, associating it with a predetermined time point and / or a time period or period including that predetermined time point in which the electricity corresponding to the prediction usage data is scheduled to be used.

[0044] The specified time period may be a division of time from one time on a given date to another time on the same date (a time after the first time), or a division of time on the same date divided by predetermined times (for example, a division of time such as defining 0:00 to 3:00 as "pre-dawn," 3:00 to 6:00 as "early morning," 6:00 to 9:00 as "morning," 9:00 to 12:00 as "before noon," 12:00 to 15:00 as "afternoon," 15:00 to 18:00 as "evening," and 18:00 to 24:00 as "night"). The specified period may be a period defined on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis, for example. In System 1, a specified time period or a specified period may be used as the specified point in time. In other words, the "specified point in time" in this embodiment may encompass not only a single time but also a specified time period or a specified period. For the sake of simplicity, the following explanation will primarily describe an example where the predicted usage data acquired by the prediction acquisition unit 108 is associated with a predetermined time point specified by the user (this predetermined time point may be a single time, a predetermined time period, or a predetermined period).

[0045] The prediction acquisition unit 108 may also supply information regarding the acquired prediction usage data to the business operator server 7. The business operator server 7 receives information regarding the prediction usage data acquired by the prediction acquisition unit 108 via the information terminals of one or more users in a predetermined region. Based on the information regarding the received prediction usage data, the business operator server 7 can estimate the total amount of electricity that needs to be supplied to the region during a predetermined period (if the business operator operating the business operator server 7 is a retail electricity business operator, this total amount will be the total amount of electricity purchased from the power company). For example, the prediction acquisition unit 108 acquires prediction usage data for a period (for example, a predetermined week) from one or more users in a predetermined region. The business operator server 7 calculates the total amount of prediction usage data for one or more users during that period acquired by the prediction acquisition unit 108, and based on the calculated total amount, can determine the total amount of electricity that needs to be supplied to the region during that period. In this case, the business operator server 7 may add a predetermined margin to the calculated total amount to determine the total amount of electricity.

[0046] (Usage amount acquisition unit 110) The usage acquisition unit 110 acquires actual usage data (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as "actual usage"), which is the amount of electricity actually used by the user at a predetermined point in time, at least as acquired by the prediction acquisition unit 108 from the user. Specifically, a smart meter 800 is installed in the user's house, etc., and the amount of electricity used by the user in the house, etc. is measured and recorded in real time by the smart meter 800. The information regarding the user's electricity usage recorded by the smart meter 800 is then supplied to and recorded by the service provider server 7. The usage acquisition unit 110 acquires the information regarding the user's electricity usage recorded by the service provider server 7 and acquires actual usage data for a point in time that includes at least a predetermined point in time associated with the prediction usage data set by the user. The usage acquisition unit 110 supplies the acquired actual usage data to the control unit 114 and the user information storage unit 128.

[0047] (Information acquisition unit 112) The information acquisition unit 112 acquires various information about the user and the user's address (place of residence) or domicile by receiving input from the user or by obtaining information from various external servers. Information about the user includes, for example, information about the electricity usage data of a typical user or household, information about the user's household composition, information about the user's planned activities, and / or information about home appliances (including electronic devices) owned by the user. Information about the user's address or domicile includes, for example, information about the environment (weather, temperature, humidity, etc.) in a predetermined area including the address or domicile. The information acquisition unit 112 supplies the acquired information to the input assistance unit 116, the reward unit 118, the user information storage unit 128, and the auxiliary information storage unit 130. The control unit 114 may have the information acquisition unit 112 acquire information about home appliances owned by the user when the user first logs into system 1 or at any time. The information acquisition unit 112 stores the acquired information about home appliances in the user information storage unit 128.

[0048] (Control Unit 114) The control unit 114 controls various processes that are executed based on the predicted power usage data and the actual power usage data set by the user. The control unit 114 also controls the granting of rewards and / or various processes in the game that are executed in System 1 based on information about the user, information about the user's place of residence, information about the game, and instructions received from the user. Various processes may include, but are not limited to, the following: • Login / logout processing for System 1. • Setting / switching between predetermined modes in System 1 (Tutorial mode for running the tutorial, Mode for directly setting predicted usage data without a tutorial, Pause mode for pausing the setting of predicted usage data, Game mode, etc.). • Tutorial process for setting up predicted usage data. • Calculation process for the difference between predicted usage data and actual usage data. • Calculation process for the sum of predicted usage data for one or more users in a specified area, and / or the sum of actual usage data for one or more users. • Determination / calculation process of prediction result parameters. • Predetermined game processing. • Processing of the prescribed lottery. • Processing sales and billing for specified items and objects. • Various data communication processes between the information terminal 3 and the operation server 9 and / or the service provider server 7. • Other various processes.

[0049] Furthermore, the control unit 114 communicates with the information terminal 3 and the operation server 9, and controls and advances the user's gameplay based on various information received from the information terminal 3. The control unit 114 can also control the operation of each component of the system 1 (that is, the control unit 114 may have some or all of the functions of other components of the system 1). For example, the control unit 114 uses a prediction result parameter determined based on the difference between predicted usage data and actual usage data to control processes such as predetermined game progression processing, predetermined lottery processing, and / or granting predetermined characters, items, and other game elements to the user.

[0050] Furthermore, the control unit 114 executes various processes, including game processing, in response to user operation input received via the input unit 102. For example, the control unit 114 executes processes such as storing the user's own information in the storage unit 126, storing information about rewards acquired by the user (e.g., predetermined points or characters / items usable in the game) in the storage unit 126, processing the acquisition of items and / or characters by the user for a fee or free of charge, processing the acquisition of in-game virtual currency, processing the consumption of items held by the user, and issuing instructions to the output control unit to output predetermined information to the output unit 100.

[0051] (Control unit 114: Process for determining prediction result parameters) The control unit 114 compares the predicted usage data at a predetermined point in time (a predetermined future point in time) acquired by the prediction acquisition unit 108 with the actual usage data at that predetermined point in time (the point in time when it actually occurs). For example, the control unit 114 calculates the difference between the predicted usage data at a predetermined point in time acquired by the prediction acquisition unit 108 and the actual usage data at that predetermined point in time, determines whether the calculated difference is positive, negative, or zero, and the reward unit 118 determines a predetermined reward based on this determination. As an example, the smaller the absolute value of the difference (closer to zero), the more favorable the reward given to the user (that is, the larger the absolute value of the difference, the less favorable the reward given to the user, and the maximum reward given when the difference is zero), the control unit 114 determines / calculates the prediction result parameter based on the comparison result. In other words, the control unit 114 determines the prediction result parameter that fluctuates based on the difference (or degree of deviation) obtained by subtracting the actual usage data from the predicted usage data, and the smaller the difference, the closer it approaches a predetermined value. The control unit 114 can determine the predicted result parameters in real time using the actual usage data acquired by the usage acquisition unit 110 when the predetermined time point actually arrives. The control unit 114 supplies information regarding the determined / calculated predicted result parameters (including information regarding the difference amount) to the reward unit 118, the notification unit 122, and the user information storage unit 128. The reward unit 118 determines the reward based on this information.

[0052] Here, the prediction result parameter may be a parameter that is larger when the difference is positive compared to when the difference is negative, and approaches a predetermined value as the absolute value of the difference decreases. In this embodiment, the highest evaluation may be given when the parameter matches a predetermined value, and the evaluation may decrease as it moves away from the predetermined value. For example, the value of the prediction result parameter may be a value calculated using the following equation (1), where x is the predicted usage data and y is the actual usage data.

[0053] f1(x,y)=e x-y (Formula 1)

[0054] Equation 1 is a prediction result parameter in which the difference between predicted usage data x and actual usage data y is larger when the difference is positive compared to when it is negative, and approaches a predetermined value (1 in the case of Equation 1) as the absolute value of the difference decreases. In Equation 1, when the difference is positive, the smaller the difference, the closer it approaches the predetermined value. In other words, in Equation 1, when the difference (i.e., "xy") is positive, the value of f1(x,y) increases exponentially as the difference increases. On the other hand, when the difference is negative, the value of f1(x,y) decreases exponentially as the absolute value of the difference increases. And the smaller the absolute value of the difference, the closer it approaches the predetermined value (1 in this case). Note that Equation 1 is, for example, f1(x,y) = Ae B(x-y) The function can also be transformed into the desired function by appropriately adjusting the constants A, B, and C, as shown by +C.

[0055] Furthermore, the prediction result parameters may be values ​​calculated using, for example, the following equations (Equation 2) or (Equation 3).

[0056] f2(x,y)=1 / (xy) (Equation 2)

[0057] However, in this case, the evaluation of the prediction result parameter is maximized when x = y. When the difference is positive, the value of f2(x,y) increases as the difference decreases and approaches a predetermined first value (e.g., +∞). On the other hand, when the difference is negative, the value of f2(x,y) decreases as the absolute value of the difference decreases and approaches a predetermined second value (e.g., -∞). In (Equation 2), the evaluation may be set to increase as the value of the prediction result parameter approaches the first value. Note that in (Equation 2), when the difference is positive, the value of f2(x,y) decreases as the difference increases, and when the difference is negative, the value of f2(x,y) decreases in the negative region as the absolute value of the difference increases.

[0058] f3(x,y)=xy (Equation 3)

[0059] In f3(x, y), as the difference amount increases positively, the value of f3(x, y) increases; as the difference amount is negative and the absolute value of the difference amount increases, the value of f3(x, y) decreases; and the smaller the absolute value of the difference amount, the closer the value of f3(x, y) approaches "0".

[0060] Note that the prediction result parameter is not limited to the parameters defined by (Equation 1) to (Equation 3) as long as it is a parameter such that the prediction result parameter becomes a larger value when the difference amount is a positive value compared to when the difference amount is a negative value, and the smaller the absolute value of the difference amount, the closer it approaches a predetermined value. For example, a table associating a predetermined value of the prediction result parameter with the difference amount may be set in advance, and the control unit 114 may calculate the difference amount and determine the prediction result parameter based on the calculated difference amount and the table.

[0061] (Control Unit 114: Game Processing) The control unit 114 executes a predetermined game process based on the positive or negative of the difference amount, the absence of the difference amount (that is, the difference amount being zero), and / or the value of the prediction result parameter. The control unit 114 executes a predetermined process using the positive or negative of the difference amount, the absence of the difference amount, and / or the value of the prediction result parameter based on a predetermined input by the user, and advances the game process. For example, the control unit 114 may use the reward determined by the reward unit 118 based on the positive or negative of the difference amount, the absence of the difference amount, and / or the value of the prediction result parameter to determine the actions and movements of the characters in the game. Note that the reward may be a predetermined virtual point determined by the reward unit 118 to be given to the user based on the positive or negative of the difference amount, the absence of the difference amount, and / or the value of the prediction result parameter.

[0062] Note that the type of game executed in the system 1 is not particularly limited. For example, various games such as a breeding game, a card game, a racing game, a role-playing game, a simulation game, a strategy game, a puzzle game, a shooting game, an action game, a battle game, a sleep game, a health game, a sports game, a location information game, and a idle game can be executed.

[0063] (Control Unit 114: Game Processing Example 1) For example, the control unit 114 can run a game in which characters are raised in a virtual space (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "raising game"). This raising game involves an egg that hatches when a character acts in the virtual space, a user character that acts in the virtual space, and a customer character that entrusts the egg to the user character and requests that the egg hatch. The egg has a set hatching time, which is the time it takes for a character to hatch from the egg. The user character can, for example, ride a bicycle to various areas in the virtual space (for example, areas such as rivers, lakes, mountains, and the sea). Specifically, in the raising game, after the prediction acquisition unit 108 acquires predicted usage data and the usage acquisition unit 110 acquires actual usage data, the control unit 114 determines the prediction result parameters based on this acquired data. Then, the reward unit 118 determines the egg hatching time as a reward based on the prediction result parameters determined by the control unit 114.

[0064] The control unit 114 associates the determined hatching time with the egg entrusted to the user character. Then, when the egg is entrusted to the user character, or in response to a predetermined instruction (hatching start instruction) from the user character who has received the egg, the hatching time countdown begins, and when the count reaches zero, the character hatches from the egg. In the breeding game, the user character possessing the egg rides a bicycle that can move around in the virtual space from the time the egg is entrusted until the character hatches (i.e., from the start of the hatching time countdown until hatching), and a game effect occurs in which the hatching time increases or decreases based on the sign of the difference, whether the difference is zero, and / or the value of the prediction result parameter. When the character hatches from the egg, various information about the hatched character is associated with the user, and the hatched character is either handed over to the customer character or possessed by the user (for example, the user information storage unit 128 stores information about the hatched character as possessed information).

[0065] Specifically, the control unit 114 receives the user's login instruction to the game via the input unit 102 and enables the user to play the game. The control unit 114 controls the output control unit to output the virtual space to the output unit 100. Furthermore, the control unit 114 outputs to the output unit 100 the appearance of the user character and customer character in the virtual space, and the scene in which the customer character entrusts an egg to the user character. The control unit 114 also stores information about the egg entrusted to the user character (for example, the type of egg, the incubation time of the egg, the character that will hatch from the egg, etc.) as possession information in the user information storage unit 128.

[0066] Next, the control unit 114 outputs a slope in the virtual space on which the user character's bicycle travels. The control unit 114 outputs to the output unit 100 the image of the user character's bicycle traveling down this slope. Then, the control unit 114 performs the following processing, for example, to increase or decrease the incubation time.

[0067] If the difference is positive, the incubation time is varied according to the value of the prediction parameter or the difference. Here, the closer the value of the prediction result parameter is to a predetermined value, or the smaller the difference, the shorter the incubation time. The further the value of the prediction result parameter is from the predetermined value, or the larger the difference, the longer the incubation time. If the difference is negative, the incubation time is varied according to the value of the prediction parameter or the difference. Here, the closer the value of the prediction result parameter is to a predetermined value, or the smaller the absolute value of the difference, the shorter the incubation time is, and the further the value of the prediction result parameter is from the predetermined value, or the larger the absolute value of the difference, the longer the incubation time is. • If the difference is zero, the incubation time may be set to zero, for example, to minimize the incubation time. Even if the difference is not zero, if the difference falls within a predetermined range (error range) from zero (for example, if the difference is "0±a", where a is a predetermined number), the incubation time may be set to the shortest possible value (for example, by setting the incubation time to zero), similar to the case where the difference is zero.

[0068] The control unit 114 then causes the output unit 100 to output the process of the character hatching from the egg and / or the hatched character appearing in the virtual space after the hatching time has elapsed since the hatching start instruction. The control unit 114 then registers information about the hatched character in the possession information of the user information storage unit 128 and causes the output unit 100 to output the process of handing over the character to the customer character.

[0069] (Control Unit 114: Game Processing Example 2) In Game Processing Example 2, when running the breeding game from Game Processing Example 1, instead of or along with the hatching time, hatching points are set for the character to hatch from the egg, and the same breeding game as in Game Processing Example 1 is executed. Below, detailed explanations are omitted except for the differences from Game Processing Example 1. In the following explanation, an example is described in which a character hatches from an egg based on the consumption of hatching points instructed by the user.

[0070] In Game Processing Example 2, eggs are assigned hatching points, which are the points required for a character to hatch from the egg. In the breeding game related to Game Processing Example 2, after the prediction acquisition unit 108 acquires predicted usage data and the usage acquisition unit 110 acquires actual usage data, the control unit 114 determines the prediction result parameters. The reward unit 118 then determines a predetermined amount of hatching points, determined based on the prediction result parameters determined by the control unit 114, as a reward for the user.

[0071] Here, an egg deposited with the user character is pre-assigned a predetermined amount of hatching points. After the egg is deposited with the user character, the user consumes hatching points according to their instructions (all or part of the total amount of hatching points assigned to the user, determined according to the user's instructions). If the amount of hatching points consumed is equal to or greater than the amount of hatching points assigned to the egg, a character hatches from the egg. In the breeding game, the user character rides a bicycle that can move around in the virtual space from the time the egg is deposited until the character hatches, and game effects occur where the hatching points increase or decrease based on the sign of the difference, whether the difference is zero, and / or the value of the prediction result parameter. When a character hatches from the egg, various information about the hatched character is assigned to the user, and the hatched character is either handed over to the customer character or kept by the user.

[0072] The control unit 114 then performs the following processes, for example, to increase or decrease the hatching points awarded to the user.

[0073] If the difference is positive, the hatching points are varied according to the value of the predicted parameter or the difference. Here, the closer the value of the predicted result parameter is to a predetermined value, or the smaller the difference, the more the hatching points are increased. The further the value of the predicted result parameter is from the predetermined value, or the larger the difference, the more the hatching points are decreased. If the difference is negative, the hatching points are adjusted according to the value of the prediction parameter or the difference. Here, the closer the value of the prediction result parameter is to a predetermined value, or the smaller the absolute value of the difference, the more the hatching points are increased. The further the value of the prediction result parameter is from the predetermined value, or the larger the absolute value of the difference, the more the hatching points are decreased. If the difference is zero, the hatching points may be maximized by matching them to the hatching points associated with the egg the user possesses. Even if the difference is not zero, if the difference falls within a predetermined range (error range) from zero (for example, if the difference is "0±a", where a is a predetermined number), the hatching points may be maximized in the same way as when the difference is zero.

[0074] The control unit 114 then causes the output unit 100 to output a sequence of events showing a character hatching from an egg and / or the hatched character appearing in the virtual space, after the user has consumed hatching points equal to or greater than the hatching points associated with the egg. The control unit 114 then registers information about the hatched character in the user information storage unit 128's possession information and causes the output unit 100 to output a sequence of events showing the character being handed over to the customer character.

[0075] (A variation of Example 2 of game processing) In the above explanation, hatching points are awarded to the user, but in a modified version of Game Processing Example 2, hatching points may not be assigned to the egg in advance, and the hatching points awarded as a reward may be assigned to the egg. In this case, the control unit 114 responds to the user's instruction to use predetermined points or predetermined items, etc. (a predetermined amount of points is assigned to the predetermined items, etc.), and if the predetermined points consumed in response to the user's instruction are equal to or greater than the hatching points assigned to the egg, the control unit 114 hatches a character from the egg. In this case, the control unit 114 then performs the following processing, for example, to increase or decrease the hatching points awarded to the egg.

[0076] If the difference is positive, the hatching points are varied according to the value of the predicted parameter or the difference. Here, the closer the value of the predicted result parameter is to a predetermined value, or the smaller the difference, the lower the hatching points are, and the further the value of the predicted result parameter is from the predetermined value, or the larger the difference, the higher the hatching points are. If the difference is negative, the hatching points are adjusted according to the value of the prediction parameter or the difference. Here, the closer the predicted result parameter value is to a predetermined value, or the smaller the absolute value of the difference, the lower the hatching points are. The further the predicted result parameter value is from the predetermined value, or the larger the absolute value of the difference, the higher the hatching points are. • If the difference is zero, the hatching points may be set to zero, for example, to minimize them. Even if the difference is not zero, if the difference falls within a predetermined range (error range) from zero (for example, if the difference is "0±a", where a is a predetermined number), the hatching points may be minimized, similar to the case where the difference is zero.

[0077] (Input assistance unit 116) The input assistance unit 116 assists the user in inputting predicted usage data. The input assistance unit 116 can perform various input assistance operations, which are described below with examples.

[0078] (Input assistance unit 116: Assistance based on past performance) The input assistance unit 116 refers to the user's actual usage data acquired before the prediction acquisition unit 108 acquires the predicted usage data, that is, the user's past actual usage data. The input assistance unit 116 refers to the user's past actual usage data from the measured information stored in the user information storage unit 128. Then, based on the user's past actual usage data, the input assistance unit 116 determines one or more candidates for predicted usage data at a predetermined future time set by the user. Then, the control unit 114 causes the determined one or more candidates to be output to the output unit 100. For example, the input assistance unit 116 refers to the user's past actual usage data and acquires actual usage data for predetermined time points on multiple past days that are the same as a predetermined future time (for example, a predetermined time in the future) (that is, predetermined time points on multiple days prior to a predetermined time on a future day). Then, the control unit 114 causes each of the multiple actual usage data acquired by the input assistance unit 116 to be output to the output unit 100 as a candidate for predicted usage data. Next, the prediction acquisition unit 108 acquires the candidate selected by the user from one or more candidates as predicted usage data. As a result, System 1 can present candidates for predicted usage data based on the user's past electricity usage history, making it easy for even users unfamiliar with electricity to set the predicted usage data.

[0079] (Input assistance unit 116: Assistance provided by input assistance information) The input assistance unit 116 determines one or more input assistance pieces of information to assist in acquiring predicted usage data. The control unit 114 then causes the one or more input assistance pieces of information determined by the input assistance unit 116 to be output to the output unit 100. The prediction acquisition unit 108 acquires predicted usage data based on one or more input assistance pieces of information specified by the user.

[0080] (Input assistance unit 116: Assistance using input assistance information - Home appliances) For example, the input assistance information may be appliance information that identifies one or more home appliances owned by the user. The input assistance unit 116 determines candidate predicted usage data based on the home appliances that the user has selected as devices to be used from among the home appliances present in the user's house, etc. For example, the input assistance unit 116 refers to the equipment information stored in the user information storage unit 128 and obtains appliance information for one or more home appliances owned by the user. Then, the control unit 114 causes each appliance information to be output to the output unit 100. For example, for each of the one or more appliance information, the control unit 114 causes the output unit 100 to output an image of the home appliance corresponding to the appliance information and / or power consumption information. Subsequently, the prediction acquisition unit 108 acquires predicted usage data based on one or more appliance information specified by the user. For example, the prediction acquisition unit 108 acquires a value as predicted usage data by multiplying the power consumption of one home appliance corresponding to one appliance information selected by the user by the usage time of that appliance (the usage time is the usage time entered by the user). When the user selects multiple home appliance information, the prediction acquisition unit 108 similarly calculates predicted usage data for each home appliance corresponding to each piece of home appliance information, and acquires the value obtained by summing up the predicted usage data as the final predicted usage data.

[0081] As an example, first, the information acquisition unit 112 acquires information about the home appliances owned by the user when the user first logs into system 1, or at any time, and stores it in the user information storage unit 128. Then, the input assistance unit 116 acquires the equipment information stored in the user information storage unit 128 in response to the user's instruction to set predicted usage data. Based on the equipment information acquired by the input assistance unit 116, the control unit 114 outputs information about one or more home appliances (i.e., images of the home appliances, power consumption, etc.) to the output unit 100. Subsequently, the prediction acquisition unit 108 acquires the amount of power calculated based on the power consumption of the appliance and the specified usage time as predicted usage data when the user specifies a predetermined future time and the usage time of the home appliance (for example, a time can be specified as "from 12 to 17"), along with the specification of a single home appliance (for example, an air conditioner, etc.) (for example, when the user selects a single home appliance from multiple home appliances output to the output unit 100). If the user specifies multiple home appliances, the prediction acquisition unit 108 similarly acquires predicted usage data for each of the appliances and obtains the sum of the acquired predicted usage data as the final predicted usage data. In other words, in this case, the user can set the predicted usage data simply by specifying the home appliances to be used from a certain point in the future and the duration for which those appliances will be operated.

[0082] Furthermore, the control unit 114 may output to the output unit 100 the total power consumption of each appliance corresponding to one or more appliances selected by the user, and / or a value obtained by multiplying the power consumption of each appliance by the usage time of each appliance. The control unit 114 may also output a predetermined character to the output unit 100 when the user selects an appliance. When the user selects one or more appliances, the control unit 114 may output to the output unit 100 a predetermined exchange between the user and the predetermined character regarding the use of the one or more appliances at a predetermined time in the future. The control unit 114 outputs the content of the predetermined exchange (for example, content such as an agreement between the user and the character to use the appliances at a predetermined time in the future) to the output unit 100 as, for example, text, images (still images and / or videos), and / or audio information.

[0083] (Input assistance section 116: Assistance based on input assistance information - household, region, equipment) Furthermore, the input assistance information may include information about household composition and / or information about a predetermined region including the user's place of residence. For example, the input assistance information may be based on at least one of the following: information about household composition identical or similar to the user's household composition, and information about a predetermined region including the user's place of residence.

[0084] For example, the input assistance unit 116 acquires information about the user's household stored in the user information storage unit 128, or information about the user's household received via the input unit 102 (user household information). The input assistance unit 116 acquires power consumption information that is associated with household configuration information that is the same as or similar to the user household information, which is stored in the auxiliary information storage unit 130. The input assistance unit 116 uses the acquired power consumption information as a candidate for predicted usage data. The control unit 114 then outputs the candidate predicted usage data to the output unit 100, either together with the household configuration information or separately. Subsequently, the prediction acquisition unit 108 acquires the candidate specified by the user as predicted usage data. Note that a similar household configuration may mean, for example, that a certain number of predetermined elements such as the number of people in the household, or the age / gender / relationship of one or more people included in the household, match (for example, that a predetermined percentage or more of multiple predetermined elements match).

[0085] Furthermore, the input assistance unit 116 refers to the information regarding the user's place of residence, indicated by the user's address or domicile, stored in the user information storage unit 128, and obtains information regarding a predetermined region including the user's place of residence (for example, environmental information). Specifically, the input assistance unit 116 obtains the environmental information for the predetermined region stored in the auxiliary information storage unit 130. For example, the input assistance unit 116 obtains information on the predicted temperature at a predetermined point in time (a predetermined point in the future) specified by the user when setting the predicted usage data (the information acquisition unit 112 can acquire this predicted temperature information), and the average value of power consumption stored in the auxiliary information storage unit 130, which is associated with the average temperature corresponding to the predicted temperature. The input assistance unit 116 then uses the acquired average value of power consumption as a candidate for predicted usage data. The control unit 114 outputs the candidate predicted usage data to the output unit 100, either together with the predicted temperature information or separately. Subsequently, the prediction acquisition unit 108 acquires the candidate specified by the user as predicted usage data.

[0086] Furthermore, the control unit 114 may refer to the user's equipment information stored in the user information storage unit 128 and output to the output unit 100, along with an image of each piece of equipment, the amount of power consumed when one or more pieces of equipment corresponding to each piece of equipment is used for a predetermined time. In other words, the amount of power consumed when one piece of equipment is used for a predetermined time is output. The input assistance unit 116 then refers to information acquired by the information acquisition unit 112, which includes information about a predetermined region including the user's place of residence at a predetermined future time when the user sets the predicted usage data (for example, information such as predicted temperature and predicted weather as environmental information), and generates a predetermined message. For example, the input assistance unit 116 generates a predetermined message based on the predicted temperature and predicted weather at a predetermined future time. The predetermined messages may be messages that help the user decide whether or not to use the predetermined equipment, such as a message when the predicted temperature is lower than the predetermined temperature (e.g., "The temperature is low, so heating will be used more"), a message when the predicted temperature is higher than the predetermined temperature (e.g., "The temperature is high, so air conditioning will be used more"), or a message when the predicted temperature is the same as the predetermined temperature (e.g., "The temperature is normal, so air conditioning is not needed"). The control unit 114 causes the output unit 100 to output the messages generated by the input assistance unit 116. The input assistance unit 116 then selects each of the power consumption data for when one or more pieces of equipment are used for a predetermined time as candidates for predicted usage data. The control unit 114 causes the output unit 100 to output these candidates, and the prediction acquisition unit 108 acquires the candidates specified by the user as predicted usage data.

[0087] (Compensation Section 118) The reward unit 118 determines the reward to be given to the user based on the predicted result parameters determined / calculated by the control unit 114, and gives the determined reward to the user. The reward unit 118 can give the reward to the user by storing information about the reward in the user information storage unit 128, associated with the user's user ID. Specifically, the reward unit 118 determines the reward to be given to the user based on the positive or negative sign of the difference amount calculated by the control unit 114, whether the difference amount is zero, and / or the predicted result parameters determined / calculated by the control unit 114. For example, the reward unit 118 determines a reward that is advantageous to the user if the difference amount is positive and the predicted result parameter is close to a predetermined value, or if the predicted result parameter is the predetermined value. The reward unit 118 can also use various parameters used in a predetermined game as rewards. For example, the reward unit 118 can determine the hatching time of eggs or the hatching points required to hatch eggs in a breeding game as rewards. The reward unit 118 supplies information regarding the determined and / or granted rewards to the user information storage unit 128 and the notification unit 122.

[0088] Furthermore, the reward unit 118 may determine rewards that are more favorable to the user the smaller the absolute value of the difference (i.e., the rewards that are more unfavorable to the user the larger the absolute value of the difference), and may differentiate the content of the rewards depending on whether the difference is positive or negative. For example, the reward unit 118 may determine rewards that are more favorable to the user for results that contribute to energy saving from an energy-saving perspective. As an example, the reward unit 118 may make the reward determined by a negative difference less favorable to the user than the reward determined by a positive difference (i.e., it may reduce the reward when the difference is negative compared to when the difference is positive, or impose a predetermined penalty when the difference is negative). In other words, the reward unit 118 may evaluate the difference between the predicted usage data and the actual usage data differently depending on whether the difference is positive or negative, and determine the reward based on that evaluation. As an example, the reward unit 118 may give a higher evaluation when the difference is positive than when the difference is negative. Next, the reward unit 118 may determine and grant a reward that is more favorable to the user the smaller the difference amount (for example, the absolute value of the difference amount) (that is, it may determine the reward that is most favorable to the user when the difference amount is zero). Therefore, in this case, the more favorable the reward is for the user the smaller the difference amount is when it is positive, and the more unfavorable the reward is for the user the larger the absolute value of the negative difference amount is when it is negative, the more unfavorable the reward may be for the user the larger the absolute value of the negative difference amount is when it is negative.

[0089] Furthermore, the reward unit 118 may change the reward content based on information about a predetermined region, including the user's place of residence (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "regional information"), acquired by the information acquisition unit 112. For example, if the regional information is weather information, and the weather information indicates that a sudden change in weather (e.g., a sudden downpour) or a sudden change in temperature has occurred when a predetermined time has arrived that the user has associated with the predicted usage data, the reward unit 118 will apply a predetermined calculation process (e.g., multiplying by a predetermined coefficient) to the difference amount calculated by the control unit 114, thereby changing the reward given to the user to a reward that is more favorable to the user (new reward) compared to the reward without the calculation process (old reward).

[0090] Furthermore, when a predetermined time point associated with the predicted usage data for each user and one or more other users (one or more other users in a predetermined region including the user's place of residence) actually arrives, the information acquisition unit 112 indicates that the acquired regional information (e.g., weather information) has changed abruptly (e.g., an external factor such as a sudden change in weather or temperature has occurred), and the difference amount at that time for each user and one or more other users is greater than or equal to a predetermined amount, the reward unit 118 may perform a predetermined calculation process (adjustment process) on the difference amount for each user to adjust the value of the difference amount so that the reward is favorable or not unfavorable to each user (for example, by performing a predetermined calculation process to reduce the difference amount). As a result, the reward unit 118 can adjust the acceptable range of the difference amount based on the regional information so that users are not given unfavorable rewards in each predetermined region, so that even if a situation occurs at the arrival of the predetermined time point that each user did not anticipate when setting their predicted usage data (predicted usage data for a predetermined future time point), the reward will not be unfavorable to the user. Furthermore, in this case, the reward unit 118 may use the user and one or more other users as the population, and if the difference amount for each user in a predetermined proportion (e.g., 50% or more) included in the population is greater than or equal to a predetermined amount, it may perform an adjustment process. This makes it possible to prevent the granting of unfavorable rewards to users when external factors prevent many users from bringing their actual usage data closer to their predicted usage data.

[0091] Furthermore, the reward unit 118 compares the regional information at the time the prediction acquisition unit 108 acquires information on predicted usage data from the user (acquisition time) (regional information at a predetermined time associated with the predicted usage data by the user, and regional information for that predetermined time that was predicted at an acquisition time prior to that predetermined time; hereinafter sometimes referred to as "old regional information") with the regional information at the time the usage acquisition unit 110 acquires actual usage data (regional information at the time when the predetermined time actually arrives, and the actual regional information at that predetermined time that actually arrived; hereinafter sometimes referred to as "new regional information"), and if the difference between the old regional information and the new regional information exceeds a predetermined threshold, the reward unit 118 may determine that a sudden change in regional information has occurred. For example, if the reward unit 118 compares the predicted temperature at a predetermined time included in the old regional information (this predetermined time is a future time at the time the old regional information is acquired) with the actual temperature (observed temperature) at the actual predetermined time included in the new regional information, and the difference between the predicted temperature and the observed temperature exceeds a predetermined difference, the reward unit 118 may determine that a sudden change in temperature information as regional information has occurred.

[0092] Furthermore, the control unit 114 may, along with or separately from the rewarding of the reward unit 118, output to the output unit 100 an image of the character whose display mode has been changed based on the difference amount and the predicted result parameters. For example, the control unit 114 may output to the output unit 100 a character with different display modes depending on whether the difference amount is positive or negative. As an example, the control unit 114 may output to the output unit 100 a character that looks happy when the difference amount is positive, and a character that looks sad when the difference amount is negative. Also, the control unit 114 may change the display mode more significantly the closer the predicted result parameters are to a predetermined value. For example, when the difference amount is positive, the control unit 114 may output to the output unit 100 an image of the character that looks happier the smaller the absolute value of the difference amount (or the closer the difference amount is to a predetermined value). Also, when the difference amount is negative, the control unit 114 may output to the output unit 100 an image of the character that looks sadder the larger the absolute value of the difference amount.

[0093] Examples of rewards given to users include electronic money, points usable in games, items usable in games, characters appearing in games, in-game virtual currency, points exchangeable for various goods and products / services, items issued as Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) (for example, specific characters or cards), and / or points that can reduce electricity charges, etc.

[0094] Thus, the reward unit 118 determines the reward based on whether the difference is positive or negative, whether the difference is zero, and / or whether the predicted result parameter is close to or equal to a predetermined value. In other words, the reward is not determined based on whether the user's actual usage is low (i.e., the more power they conserve), but rather the reward unit 118 determines the reward based on the difference between the predicted usage data and the actual usage data, and / or the predicted result parameter determined based on the difference. This prevents, for example, the granting of rewards to users who deliberately set their predicted usage data to be very high and then reduce their actual usage data or use it at a normal level. In other words, the reward given to the user can be determined based on the degree of deviation between the user's declaration (setting of predicted usage data) and the actual usage data (the smaller the degree of deviation, the more favorable the reward given to the user). Furthermore, the control unit 114 can also use the value of the predicted result parameter to advance the game. Furthermore, while it is preferable for predicted usage data to be lower than actual usage data, in System 1, if the difference is positive and the absolute value of the difference is small, users can receive better rewards, thus effectively suppressing power shortages. Also, if the difference is positive, users can be encouraged to use power up to the predicted usage, which helps to prevent wasted generated power and contributes to the optimization of power generation.

[0095] (Event generation unit 120) The event generation unit 120 generates events that encourage users to conserve power or consume electricity. For example, the event generation unit 120 generates a predetermined event based on the difference between the user's predicted usage data and the user's actual usage data. The event generation unit 120 may also generate a predetermined event in response to an execution instruction for a predetermined event by the operator or management company of System 1, or an instruction to set a predetermined event by the operator or management company (for example, the setting instruction sets the event content, event start date and time, event duration, and the region in which the event will be executed). The event generation unit 120 supplies information about the generated event to the reward unit 118, the notification unit 122, and the user information storage unit 128.

[0096] Furthermore, the events generated by the event generation unit 120 may differ in content depending on whether the difference is positive or negative. If the difference is positive, the event generation unit 120 generates an event that prompts the user to consume more electricity. On the other hand, if the difference is negative, the event generation unit 120 generates an event that prompts the user to conserve electricity so that the actual usage data is less than or equal to the predicted usage data (for example, an event that prompts the user to turn off the power to home appliances to allow them to rest). As an example, if the difference is positive, the event generation unit 120 refers to the equipment information stored in the user information storage unit 128, selects one piece of equipment that can consume the amount of electricity corresponding to the difference, and generates an event that prompts the user to use that piece of equipment from a predetermined point in time onward, corresponding to the predicted usage data (for example, an event that prompts the user to charge an electric vehicle or an emergency battery).

[0097] Furthermore, if the prediction acquisition unit 108 has acquired multiple predicted usage data, the event generation unit 120 can also generate an event prompting the user to consume an amount of electricity equivalent to or less than the second predicted usage data if the difference amount at a predetermined time (first time point) associated with one predicted usage data (first predicted usage data) is positive, and the other predicted usage data (however, the predicted usage data (second predicted usage data) associated with a predetermined time point (second time point) that is later than the predetermined time point associated with the first predicted usage data) is less than or equal to that difference amount. In other words, the event generation unit 120 can cause the user to perform peak shifting of power consumption by generating an event. For example, suppose the first and second predicted usage data are set with the assumption that the user operates only one appliance (e.g., a microwave oven) at the first time point and only one appliance (e.g., a dishwasher; here, the amount of electricity consumed by the dishwasher over a predetermined period is assumed to be less than the amount of electricity consumed by the microwave oven over the same period) at the second time point. If the user does not operate the first appliance when the first time point arrives, the difference amount calculated by the control unit 114 (which includes at least the amount of electricity corresponding to the first predicted usage data) will be positive. In this case, the event generation unit 120 determines that it is possible to operate the second appliance at the second time point with the amount of electricity corresponding to the difference amount at the first time point, and generates an event prompting the user to operate the second appliance. This allows for a shift in the peak of electricity consumption.

[0098] Furthermore, the event generation unit 120 may generate events based on the sum of the differences between multiple users. Specifically, the event generation unit 120 generates a predetermined event based on the difference between the sum of predicted usage data for one user and one or more other users in a predetermined region including the place of residence of that user, and the sum of actual usage data for that user and one or more other users (hereinafter, the value obtained by subtracting the sum of actual usage data from the sum of predicted usage data is referred to as the "total difference"). The events generated by the event generation unit 120 may, for example, be different depending on whether the total difference is positive or negative. If the total difference is positive, the event generation unit 120 generates an event to encourage power consumption for one user and at least one of the one or more other users. On the other hand, if the total difference is negative, the event generation unit 120 generates an event to encourage power saving for one user and at least one of the one or more other users so that the sum of actual usage data is less than or equal to the sum of predicted usage data.

[0099] In other words, System 1 can prompt the event generation unit 120 to bring the sum of actual usage data in a predetermined region to match the sum of predicted usage data. This helps prevent surplus power generation and power shortages in that region. Thus, the event generation unit 120 can generate predetermined events at any time based on macro-level information such as the total difference in the predetermined region. Therefore, according to System 1, by increasing or decreasing the amount of electricity consumed in the entire predetermined region through events generated for one or more users in that region, the total amount of electricity consumed in the entire predetermined region can be brought closer to the total amount of electricity supplied to the entire predetermined region. In other words, in System 1, the actions of each individual user contribute to the balance of electricity supply and demand in the macro-level area of ​​the predetermined region.

[0100] Furthermore, if the difference amount for a particular user at a given point in time is negative, and the total difference amount at that point in time is positive, even if that particular user makes their difference amount positive, the total difference amount will remain positive. Therefore, the event generation unit 120 may either not generate an event, or it may generate an event for all users except that particular user. Since the difference amount for that particular user is negative, the reward unit 118 will either grant that user a reward that is unfavorable to them, or impose a predetermined penalty. That particular user can recognize that their difference amount was negative by referring to the unfavorable reward they received or the penalty that was imposed on them.

[0101] Furthermore, regardless of whether the difference amount for a particular user at a given point in time is positive or negative, if the total difference amount at that point in time is negative, the event generation unit 120 generates an event that brings the total difference amount closer to positive, and in which one or more other users, including that user, can participate. In this case, by participating in the event, that user can participate not only in saving their own power but also in saving power for the entire designated area.

[0102] Furthermore, the event generation unit 120 may generate events (reduction events) that reduce each user's predicted usage data for one or more users in a predetermined region who have been using System 1 for a predetermined period of time or longer. For example, the event generation unit 120 refers to environmental information (e.g., predicted temperature information) for a predetermined future time obtained by the information acquisition unit 112, and if an increase in power usage data is expected, it generates an event that reduces the predicted usage data for that predetermined time. In other words, users who have continued to set predicted usage data for a predetermined period of time or longer and have been referring to the difference between predicted usage data and actual usage data are often highly conscious of power consumption. By generating such reduction events for these users, it becomes easier to achieve power saving in a predetermined region and balance power supply and demand. The event generation unit 120 may also generate events that increase the user's predicted usage data (increase events) instead of reduction events. For example, the event generation unit 120 may generate an increase event if the forecast for the amount of electricity supplied at a predetermined point in the future is expected to significantly exceed the expected amount of electricity demand in a predetermined area.

[0103] The reward unit 118 then grants a predetermined reward to a user (participating user) if the user participates in an event generated by the event generation unit 120 and changes their actual usage data in response to the event's request. For example, after the event generation unit 120 generates an event, the control unit 114 confirms that it has received participation from a participating user via the input unit 102. If the actual usage data of the participating user acquired by the usage acquisition unit 110 changes after the time of such acceptance, the reward unit 118 grants a predetermined reward to the participating user. This change may be, for example, a decrease in actual usage data if the event calls for energy conservation, or an increase in actual usage data if the event calls for increased power consumption.

[0104] (Notification section 122) The notification unit 122 notifies the user of various information. The notification unit 122 notifies the user of various information in a perceptible manner via the output unit of the user's information terminal 3. For example, the notification unit 122 notifies the user of different information depending on whether the difference amount calculated by the control unit 114 is positive or negative. As an example, if the difference amount is positive (i.e., the actual usage data is less than the predicted usage data), the notification unit 122 notifies the user that there is surplus power available up to the predicted usage data and that it is OK to consume power. If the difference amount is negative (i.e., the actual usage data is more than the predicted usage data), the notification unit 122 notifies the user that there is no such surplus power and provides information encouraging power saving. Furthermore, the notification unit 122 can also notify the user that an event has occurred when the event generation unit 120 generates a predetermined event, and can also notify the user that a reward has been given when the reward unit 118 gives a reward to the user.

[0105] Here, we will explain, for example, the case where the predicted usage data is set on a weekly basis. First, the control unit 114 calculates the difference amount for one day of the week (for example, the middle day of the week). The control unit 114 also estimates the actual usage data for the last day of the week (the estimated actual usage amount for the entire week; hereinafter referred to as "estimated actual usage amount") based on the trend of the user's actual usage data from the start of the week to that day. Then, the control unit 114 compares the difference amount for that day with the estimated actual usage amount, and if it determines that the difference amount for the last day of the week may be "negative", it notifies the user of that fact via the notification unit 122 (first notification). Also, if the control unit 114 determines, based on the comparison result, that the difference amount for the last day of the week may be "positive", it notifies the user of that fact via the notification unit 122 (second notification).

[0106] This allows users to take actions that do not consume electricity on weekends (for example, going out) if they refer to the first notification, and to take actions that do consume electricity on weekends (for example, running certain home appliances such as washing machines and dryers on weekends) if they refer to the second notification.

[0107] Furthermore, if the difference amount at a predetermined time is positive, the notification unit 122 may also notify the user of information regarding the fact that power corresponding to the difference amount is not being used. For example, the notification unit 122 may include information encouraging the use of power in the information regarding the fact that power corresponding to the difference amount is not being used. As an example, the notification unit 122 may refer to the equipment information stored in the user information storage unit 128 and notify the user that equipment capable of consuming power equivalent to the difference amount (for example, electric vehicle charging devices or home appliances such as dryers) can be used. In this case, the reward unit 118 may also grant the user a predetermined reward if the user operates the predetermined equipment in response to the notification from the notification unit 122, and the sum of the power consumed by the operation and the power consumed up to the time of operation is less than or equal to the predicted usage data set by the user at the predetermined time.

[0108] (Communications Section 124) The communication unit 124 enables bidirectional communication between the information terminal 3 and predetermined components of the operation server 9 and / or the business server 7. The communication unit 124 supplies predetermined information from predetermined components of the operation server 9 and / or the business server 7 to predetermined components of the information terminal 3 via a communication network such as the Internet. Note that each of the information terminal 3, the business server 7, and the operation server 9 may have its own communication unit. Furthermore, when it is explained in this embodiment that one component acquires predetermined information from one server, etc., it means that the one component acquires the predetermined information by utilizing bidirectional communication performed between the communication unit of the component having that one component (such as an information terminal or server) and the communication unit of that server, etc.

[0109] [Processing flow of System 1] Figure 4 shows an example of the overview of the processing flow performed by the system according to this embodiment.

[0110] In the following description, various processes are primarily performed by the prediction acquisition unit 108, the usage acquisition unit 110, the information acquisition unit 112, the control unit 114, the input assistance unit 116, the reward unit 118, the event generation unit 120, and / or the notification unit 122. The processing results from the control unit 114, etc., are output to the output unit 100. The user can set predicted usage data based on the information output to the output unit 100 of their information terminal 3 (e.g., image information, text information, audio information, etc.), and can play the game while understanding the game's progress and current status. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the various instructions and operations accepted by the control unit 114, etc., may be the various instruction inputs accepted by the user to the input unit 102 of the information terminal 3.

[0111] <Example of reward processing> First, the prediction acquisition unit 108 acquires predicted usage data for a predetermined point in the future based on the user's input (step 10; hereafter, steps will be referred to as "S"). The user sets the time from one predetermined point in the future to another predetermined point in time after that predetermined point, and the amount of electricity that is planned to be used during that time. The prediction acquisition unit 108 associates the predetermined point in time and time set by the user with the amount of electricity set by the user, and sets the amount of electricity calculated from that time and amount of electricity as predicted usage data. The prediction acquisition unit 108 may acquire multiple predicted usage data based on the user's input. In this case, for example, an upper limit may be set on the number of predicted usage data that can be set within a predetermined period (for example, allowing five patterns of predicted usage data to be set in one day).

[0112] Subsequently, the usage acquisition unit 110 acquires the actual usage data of the user for a predetermined period including the timing when the predetermined time point actually arrives (S12). Specifically, the usage acquisition unit 110 acquires from the operator server 7 the record of the power consumption continuously measured in real time by the smart meter 800 installed in the user's house or the like. Then, the usage acquisition unit 110 acquires the power consumption of the user at the predetermined time point included in the acquired record as the actual usage data. Then, the control unit 114 determines a prediction result parameter based on the predicted usage data and the actual usage data (S14). Further, the control unit 114 calculates the difference amount obtained by subtracting the actual usage data from the predicted usage data, and checks the sign of the calculated difference amount (S16).

[0113] FIG. 5 shows an example of the time change of the predicted usage and the actual usage of the power consumption. In FIG. 5, the horizontal axis represents time (displayed in 24 hours), and the vertical axis represents the power consumption (unit: kWh).

[0114] For example, the control unit 114 can graph the time change of the predicted usage data based on one or more predicted usage data acquired by the prediction acquisition unit 108. In FIG. 5, based on one or more predicted usage data set by the user, the time change of the predicted usage 704 is shown by a dotted line. Also, the control unit 114 can graph the time change of the actual usage data based on the actual usage data acquired by the usage acquisition unit 110. In FIG. 5, based on the actual power consumption actually used in the user's house or the like, the time change of the actual usage 752 is shown by a solid line.

[0115] Here, assume that the predicted usage data, the actual usage data, and the difference amount at the predetermined time point are as follows. · 2:30: The predicted usage data and the actual usage data match (match point 608) · 5:00: Predicted usage data x1, actual usage data y1 (where x1 > y1), difference amount 600 · 12:00: Predicted usage data x2, actual usage data y2 (where x2 < y2), difference amount 602 · 20: Predicted usage data x3, actual usage data y3 (where x3 > y3), difference 604 · 21: Predicted usage data x4, actual usage data y4 (where x4 < y4), difference 606

[0116] The difference 602 at 12 o'clock and the difference 606 at 21 o'clock, where the predicted usage data is less than the actual usage data, are both negative values, and the difference 600 at 5 o'clock and the difference 604 at 20 o'clock, where the predicted usage data is more than the actual usage data, are both positive values. Also, assume that the relationship difference 600 > difference 604 and the absolute value of difference 606 > the absolute value of difference 602 is satisfied.

[0117] In this case, the control unit 114 may consider a positive difference value to be a higher evaluation than a negative difference value, and when the difference is positive, a smaller difference value may be a higher evaluation. Specifically, the control unit 114 may consider that the closer the value of the prediction result parameter is to a predetermined value when the difference is positive, the higher the evaluation. Also, when the difference is negative, the control unit 114 may consider it to be a lower evaluation than when the difference is positive, and the larger the absolute value of the difference, the lower the evaluation. Specifically, the control unit 114 may consider that the farther the value of the prediction result parameter is from the predetermined value when the difference is negative, the lower the evaluation. Also, when the difference is zero, that is, when the predicted usage data and the actual usage data match, the control unit 114 may give the highest evaluation. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 5, the evaluations at 2:30, 20:00, 5:00, 12:00, and 21:00 will decrease in this order. The control unit 114 associates the evaluation results with the values of the prediction result parameters at each of one or more predetermined time points set by the user and stores them in the user information storage unit 128.

[0118] Then, if the difference amount is positive (Yes in S16), the reward unit 118 determines a first reward to be given to the user (S18). On the other hand, if the difference amount is negative (No in S16), the reward unit 118 determines a second reward to be given to the user (S20). Then, the control unit 114 executes a predetermined game process based on the positive or negative value of the difference amount and / or the value of the prediction result parameter (S22). Note that the process in S22 may be executed at any timing between steps S14 and S20.

[0119] Here, the first reward is a reward that is more advantageous to the user than the second reward. A reward that is advantageous to the user may be, for example, a reward that is advantageous to the user in a game played in System 1, a reward that is advantageous to the user in their daily life, and / or a reward that helps reduce the electricity charges the user pays to the service provider. The reward unit 118 also determines the first reward to be one that is more advantageous to the user the smaller the difference or the closer the value of the predicted result parameter is to a predetermined value. On the other hand, the second reward may be a reward that is disadvantageous to the user or a predetermined penalty (negative reward). For example, the second reward may be a reward that is disadvantageous to the user in a game played in System 1. The reward unit 118 also determines the second reward to be one that is more disadvantageous to the user the larger the absolute value of the negative difference or the further the value of the predicted result parameter is from a predetermined value.

[0120] <Tutorial Processing Example 1> However, not all users can easily set the predicted usage data. Therefore, the control unit 114 can perform a predetermined tutorial process to support the user in setting the predicted usage data before or during the process of S10.

[0121] Specifically, before or during the acquisition of predicted usage data by the prediction acquisition unit 108, the control unit 114 outputs the user's past power usage data to the output unit 100 as a tutorial. For example, the control unit 114 refers to the measured information stored in the user information storage unit 128 and outputs to the output unit 100 information on the value of the amount of electricity used by the user over a predetermined period in the past, as well as a graph showing the trend of the amount of electricity used. The control unit 114 then obtains information (identification information) from the user via the input unit 102 that identifies the equipment (home appliances, etc.) that the user was using at a predetermined point in the past. The control unit 114 stores the identification information in conjunction with the measured information.

[0122] The control unit 114, in response to user input specifying a predetermined past time, outputs to the output unit 100 actual usage data for that predetermined past time, along with specific information about the equipment used by the user at that time (for example, the control unit 114 outputs to the output unit 100 information such as, "Two air conditioners were running from ○ to △, and the power consumption was ○○kWh."). This allows the user to objectively understand the amount of electricity used when a predetermined piece of equipment is running for a predetermined time.

[0123] This allows users to reflect on how much electricity their past actions have contributed to power consumption and learn how much electricity is consumed in their homes and other locations. Furthermore, the control unit 114 outputs the amount of electricity consumed by a predetermined piece of equipment that has been operating for a predetermined time to the output unit 100. By referring to this output, users can naturally become aware of their own power consumption in their homes and other locations. As a result, by continuing to use System 1, users can gradually set predicted usage data without the need for tutorial processing.

[0124] <Tutorial Processing Example 2> The control unit 114 can also output information (reference information) regarding electricity usage data for a typical user or household (general model) to the output unit 100 as a tutorial before or during the acquisition of predicted usage data by the prediction acquisition unit 108. For example, the control unit 114 outputs reference information to the output unit 100 based on information stored in the auxiliary information storage unit 130. The prediction acquisition unit 108 acquires predicted usage data in response to user input after referring to the reference information. The control unit 114 may terminate the tutorial in which it outputs reference information to the output unit 100 if the user sets the predicted usage data based on the reference information for a predetermined period, or based on the user's instruction to end the tutorial. After the tutorial ends, the user will set the predicted usage data without the reference information.

[0125] By completing the tutorial described above, for example, while the tutorial is ongoing, the user can practice energy conservation based on general model power usage data and become familiar with System 1. After the tutorial is completed, the user can then take action at their own discretion to bring the predicted usage data closer to the actual usage data. In other words, after the tutorial is completed, the user will be able to act not only with energy conservation in mind, but also with consideration for power consumption that brings the predicted usage data closer to the actual usage data.

[0126] [program] Each component of System 1 according to this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 to 5, can be realized by having a processing unit (processor), such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU), execute a program (for example, a program to perform the process of determining / granting electronic rewards based on power usage data), that is, by software processing. Alternatively, it can be realized by pre-writing a program to hardware as an electronic component, such as an Integrated Circuit (IC). The processor is hardware for executing the instruction set described in the program, and is composed of an arithmetic unit, registers, peripheral circuits, etc. Furthermore, software and hardware can be used in combination.

[0127] In other words, the program according to this embodiment is a program that causes a computer equipped with a processor and memory to perform a process that determines an electronic reward based on power consumption data. The program according to this embodiment can be pre-installed in, for example, an IC or ROM. The program can also be provided as a computer program by recording it on a computer-readable recording medium such as a magnetic recording medium, optical recording medium, or semiconductor recording medium in an installable or executable file format. The recording medium storing the program may be a non-transient recording medium such as a CD-ROM or DVD. Furthermore, the program can also be pre-stored on a computer connected to a communication network such as the Internet, and made available for download via the communication network.

[0128] The program according to this embodiment interacts with the CPU and other components to cause the program to function as the output unit 100, input unit 102, prediction acquisition unit 108, usage acquisition unit 110, information acquisition unit 112, control unit 114, input assistance unit 116, reward unit 118, event generation unit 120, notification unit 122, communication unit 124, and storage unit 126, etc., as described in Figures 1 to 5.

[0129] [Effects of the embodiment] In System 1 according to this embodiment, the user sets predicted usage data for a predetermined time period including a predetermined future point in time (for example, the next day or the next week). The actual usage data for that predetermined time period is compared with the predicted usage data, and a predetermined electronic reward is given or a predetermined game process is executed based on the degree of agreement between the two. In this case, System 1 does not simply reduce the actual usage data, but rather, if the difference (amount of difference) between the predicted usage data and the actual usage data is positive or negative, it gives the user a reward that is less favorable than when the amount of difference is "0". Furthermore, System 1 may be configured to have a more favorable effect on the user the smaller the amount of difference between the predicted usage data and the actual usage data, and to have a more unfavorable effect on the user or impose a penalty the larger (or excessive) the amount of difference.

[0130] Specifically, System 1 rewards users with favorable rewards if the difference between the user's predicted electricity usage data and the user's actual electricity usage data is positive and the difference is small. In other words, according to System 1, users cannot receive favorable rewards simply by saving electricity. Furthermore, even if a user deliberately sets their predicted usage data high (for example, setting it to a usage amount significantly higher than what they normally consume in their daily life) and reduces their actual usage data, the predicted and actual usage data will not match and will diverge, resulting in a large difference, so the user will not receive favorable rewards in System 1 (in such cases, System 1 may impose a penalty. For example, a penalty may be imposed if electricity is excessively saved without matching the predicted usage data to the actual usage data). Therefore, users will challenge themselves to match their predicted and actual usage data (that is, they will aim for the predicted usage data and consume electricity in a way that matches the predicted and actual usage data). Therefore, according to System 1, users will consciously act in a way that ensures their actual electricity consumption matches the predicted usage data they themselves have set. As a result, it may become possible to adjust the amount of electricity generated at power plants to match the amount of electricity supplied in proportion to the sum of the usage predicted by each user. In such cases, System 1 can contribute to efficient power generation (which enables businesses to optimize the amount of electricity generated and improve the efficiency of electricity procurement). For example, if the accuracy of the user's predicted usage data setting improves, it will also contribute to improving the accuracy of electricity demand forecasts for businesses.

[0131] Furthermore, in System 1, the user sets their own predicted usage data. System 1 allows users to set predicted usage data based on information such as the home appliances they own and the area in which they live. This allows users to gradually accumulate knowledge about how much electricity their actions consume. Therefore, System 1 can improve users' awareness of electricity use and help them acquire various knowledge about electricity usage. In other words, by using System 1, users can learn which of their actions are linked to electricity consumption, and thus gradually acquire behaviors that contribute to saving electricity.

[0132] Furthermore, System 1 determines prediction result parameters based on the difference between predicted usage data and actual usage data, and can reward the user or execute predetermined game processes based on these prediction result parameters. This allows users to achieve and recognize energy conservation and appropriate power use, for example, by playing games provided by System 1, enabling them to use System 1 continuously without resistance (or without getting bored) in a game-like manner. Therefore, System 1 can, in the long term, improve users' awareness of energy conservation and reduce actual electricity costs.

[0133] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the embodiments described above do not limit the invention as defined in the claims. Furthermore, it should be noted that not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential for solving the problem of the invention. Moreover, the technical elements of the embodiments described above may be applied individually or may be divided into multiple parts, such as program components and hardware components, and applied accordingly.

[0134] Furthermore, the functions realized by the components described herein may be implemented in a circuit or processing circuitry, including general-purpose processors, application-specific processors, integrated circuits, Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), a Central Processing Unit (CPU), conventional circuits, and / or combinations thereof, programmed to realize the described functions. A processor, including transistors and other circuits, is considered a circuit or processing circuitry. A processor may be a programmed processor that executes a program stored in memory. In this specification, circuitry, unit, and means are hardware programmed to realize or perform the described functions. Such hardware may be any hardware disclosed herein, or any hardware known to be programmed to realize or perform the described functions. If such hardware is a processor that is considered a type of circuitry, then such circuitry, means, or unit is a combination of hardware and software used to constitute such hardware and / or processor.

[0135] Furthermore, the program according to this embodiment may also be referred to in the following supplementary information, which should not be confused with the claims.

[0136] (Additional note 1) A program for causing a computer, which includes a processor and memory, to perform a process of determining an electronic reward based on power consumption data, The program is provided to the processor: The steps include: acquiring predicted usage data in advance, which is the electricity usage data required by the user during a predetermined time period including a predetermined point in the future, in response to user input; The steps include: obtaining actual usage data, which is the amount of electricity used by the user at the predetermined time; The steps include determining different evaluations depending on whether the difference obtained by subtracting the actual usage data from the predicted usage data is positive or negative, The steps include determining the reward to be given to the user based on the evaluation, and A program that executes the command.

[0137] (Additional note 2) The program described in Appendix 1, wherein the step of determining the reward is based on the evaluation and the smaller the difference, the more favorable the reward is for the user.

[0138] (Additional note 3) A program for causing a computer, which includes a processor and memory, to perform a process of awarding electronic rewards based on power consumption data, The program is provided to the processor: The steps include: acquiring predicted usage data in advance, which is the electricity usage data required by the user during a predetermined time period including a predetermined point in the future, in response to user input; The steps include: obtaining actual usage data, which is the amount of electricity used by the user at the predetermined time; The steps include comparing the predicted usage data with the actual usage data and determining the prediction result parameters based on the degree of deviation of the actual usage data from the predicted usage data, A step of rewarding the user based on the predicted result parameters. A program that executes the command.

[0139] (Additional note 4) A program for causing a computer, which includes a processor and memory, to perform a process of determining an electronic reward based on power consumption data, The program is provided to the processor: The steps include: acquiring predicted usage data in advance, which is the electricity usage data that the user will need at a predetermined point in the future, based on user input; The steps include: obtaining actual usage data, which is the amount of electricity used by the user at the predetermined time; The steps include determining a prediction result parameter defined by one of the following functions (Equation a), (Equation b), and (Equation c), where x is the predicted usage data and y is the actual usage data, The steps include determining a reward that is more advantageous to the user the more positive the difference is and the closer the predicted result parameter is to the predetermined value, and A program that executes the command. (Formula a) f(x,y)=e x-y (Equation b) f(x,y)=1 / (xy) where x=y is the maximum value of the prediction result parameter, except for the case where x=y. (Equation c) f(x,y) = xy [Explanation of Symbols]

[0140] 1 System 3.3n information terminal 5. Communication Network 7. Service Provider Server 9. Operating Server 100 Output section 102 Input section 104 Input surface 106 Input Control Unit 108 Prediction Acquisition Unit 110 Usage amount acquisition part 112 Information Acquisition Department 114 Control Unit 116 Input Assistance Section 118 Compensation Section 120 Event Generation Section 122 Notification Department 124 Communications Department 126 Storage Unit 128 User Information Storage Unit 130 Auxiliary Information Storage Unit 132 Game Information Storage Unit 700, 702, 704 Predicted usage 750, 752 Actual usage 600, 602, 604, 606 Difference 608 Match points 800, 800n smart meter x, x′, x1, x2, x3, x4 expected usage Actual usage of y, y', y1, y2, y3, y4 z, z′ difference amount

Claims

1. A program for causing a computer, which includes a processor and memory, to perform a process of determining an electronic reward based on power consumption data, The program is provided to the processor: The steps include: obtaining predicted usage data, which is the amount of electricity usage that the user will need at a predetermined point in the future, based on user input and specified by the user themselves as the basis for calculation; The steps include: obtaining actual usage data, which is the amount of electricity used by the user at the predetermined time; The steps include determining the reward that is less favorable to the user than when the difference between the predicted usage data and the actual usage data is positive or negative, compared to when the difference is zero. Make it run, The aforementioned reward is points awarded to the user, The step of determining the aforementioned reward is, If the difference is zero, the amount of the point is set to the maximum value. A program in which the reduction in reward for the difference when the actual usage data exceeds the predicted usage data is greater than the reduction in reward for the difference when the actual usage data falls below the predicted usage data.

2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the step of determining the reward is to make the content of the reward different depending on whether the difference is positive or negative.

3. The step of outputting one or more candidates for the predicted usage data at a predetermined future point in time, based on the actual usage data of the user obtained before the timing of obtaining the predicted usage data. Let's execute this further, The program according to claim 1, wherein the step of acquiring the predicted usage data is to acquire a candidate selected by the user from the one or more candidates as the predicted usage data.

4. Step 1: Output input support information to assist in acquiring the predicted usage data. Let's execute this further, The program according to claim 1, wherein the step of acquiring the predicted usage data is to acquire the predicted usage data based on one or more input auxiliary information specified by the user.

5. The input assistance information is appliance information that identifies one or more of the user's home appliances. The program according to claim 4, wherein the step of acquiring the predicted usage data is to acquire the predicted usage data based on one or more pieces of appliance information specified by the user.

6. The program according to claim 4, wherein the input assistance information is information based on at least one of the following: information relating to a household composition identical or similar to the household composition of the user, and information relating to a predetermined area including the user's place of residence.

7. The program according to claim 1, wherein the step of determining the reward changes the content of the reward based on information about a predetermined region, including the user's place of residence.

8. A step of generating a predetermined event based on the difference between the sum of the predicted usage data for the user and one or more other users in a predetermined region including the user's place of residence, and the sum of the actual usage data for the user and one or more other users. The steps include: rewarding users who participate in the aforementioned predetermined event and change their actual usage data in response to the requirements of the aforementioned predetermined event; The program according to claim 1, which further executes the following.

9. If the difference is positive, the step of notifying information that power corresponding to that difference is not being used. The program according to claim 1, which further executes the following.

10. A program for causing a computer, which includes a processor and memory, to perform a process of determining an electronic reward based on power consumption data, The program is provided to the processor: The steps include: obtaining predicted usage data, which is the amount of electricity usage that the user will need at a predetermined point in the future, based on user input and specified by the user themselves as the basis for calculation; The steps include: obtaining actual usage data, which is the amount of electricity used by the user at the predetermined time; The steps include determining a prediction result parameter that fluctuates based on the difference obtained by subtracting the actual usage data from the predicted usage data, and which approaches a predetermined value as the difference is smaller, The step of determining a reward that is advantageous to the user, where the difference is positive and the predicted result parameter is close to the predetermined value, or where the predicted result parameter is the predetermined value. Make it run, The aforementioned reward is points awarded to the user, The step of determining the reward is to set the amount of points to the maximum value if the difference amount is 0. A program in which the reduction in reward for the difference when the actual usage data exceeds the predicted usage data is greater than the reduction in reward for the difference when the actual usage data falls below the predicted usage data.

11. The program according to claim 10, wherein the prediction result parameter becomes larger when the difference amount is positive compared to when the difference amount is negative, and approaches a predetermined value as the absolute value of the difference amount decreases.

12. A step of performing predetermined game processing based on the value of the prediction result parameter. The program according to claim 10, which further executes the following.

13. A system comprising means for performing all steps performed in the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. An information processing apparatus comprising a control unit and a storage unit, wherein the control unit performs all steps performed in the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

15. A server comprising a control unit and a storage unit, wherein the control unit performs all steps performed in the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

16. A method to be performed on a computer having a processor and memory, A method by which the processor performs all the steps performed in the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

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