Information analysis device, information analysis method, and program

Abstract

The present invention estimates the effect of a reduction of a load on the natural environment caused by a customer staying in a facility. A measurement unit (11) measures the time period that the customer has stayed in the facility. A determining unit (12) determines a reference discharge amount of a greenhouse effect gas pertaining to the customer. An estimating unit (13) estimates, from the time period that the customer has stayed in the facility and the reference discharge amount of the greenhouse effect gas pertaining to the customer, a reduction contribution amount of the greenhouse effect gas due to the customer having stayed in the facility. An output unit (14) outputs information indicating the estimated reduction contribution amount of the greenhouse effect gas.

Description

Information analysis device, information analysis method, and program recording medium

[0001] The present invention relates to an information analysis device, an information analysis method, and a program recording medium, and more particularly to an information analysis device, an information analysis method, and a program recording medium that estimate the effect of reducing the burden on the natural environment caused by the actions of individuals.

[0002] Currently, various organizations are working to reduce greenhouse gases (especially carbon dioxide) in order to prevent or curb global warming. For example, smart meters have been installed in factories, making it easy to track the amount of electricity used throughout the factory, enabling more efficient use of electricity.

[0003] There is also a system in place whereby national and other institutions certify the amount of greenhouse gas emissions reductions and absorptions achieved by companies through the introduction of energy-saving equipment, forest management, and other initiatives as "credits (emissions rights)." Companies can use the credits certified under this system for a variety of purposes, including emissions trading and carbon offsets.

[0004] The use of energy-saving household appliances also reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and individuals can receive credit certification. However, the procedures for receiving credit certification are complicated, and the amount of certified credits is small, so individuals do not apply for credits.

[0005] Instead, businesses collect the greenhouse gas emissions reduced by each household's use of energy-saving devices and apply for credits. Although the reduction effect of each household is small, the size of the credits increases when they are combined.

[0006] JP 2013-025487 A JP 2022-161604 A

[0007] It is said that when single people or families use public transportation such as trains and buses instead of their own cars, the burden on the natural environment is reduced. Similarly, when single people or families stay in facilities such as shopping malls or museums rather than at home, they can reduce the electricity consumption caused by their heating and cooling equipment. This is thought to have the effect of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, if such effects become clear, facility operators will be able to voluntarily attract environmentally conscious customers to their facilities and may even be able to receive credit certification.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a mechanism for estimating the effect of reducing the burden on the natural environment achieved by customers staying at a facility.

[0009] An information analysis device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a measurement means for measuring the amount of time a customer spends at a facility, a determination means for determining a standard greenhouse gas emission amount for the customer, an estimation means for estimating the amount of greenhouse gas avoidance contribution due to the customer's stay at the facility from the amount of time the customer spends at the facility and the standard greenhouse gas emission amount for the customer, and an output means for outputting information indicating the estimated amount of greenhouse gas avoidance contribution.

[0010] An information analysis method according to one aspect of the present invention measures the amount of time a customer spends at a facility, determines a baseline amount of greenhouse gas emissions for the customer, estimates the amount of greenhouse gas reduction contribution due to the customer's stay at the facility based on the amount of time the customer spent at the facility and the baseline amount of greenhouse gas emissions for the customer, and outputs information indicating the estimated amount of greenhouse gas reduction contribution.

[0011] A program recording medium according to one aspect of the present invention causes a computer to measure the amount of time a customer spends at a facility, determine a baseline amount of greenhouse gas emissions for the customer, estimate the amount of greenhouse gas avoidance contribution due to the customer's stay at the facility from the amount of time the customer spends at the facility and the baseline amount of greenhouse gas emissions for the customer, and output information indicating the estimated amount of greenhouse gas avoidance contribution.

[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to estimate the effect of reducing the burden on the natural environment that is achieved by a customer staying at a facility.

[0013] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system including an information analysis device according to embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the information analysis device according to embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the information analysis device according to embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating another example of a system including an information analysis device according to embodiment 1. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system including an information analysis device according to embodiment 2. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the information analysis device according to embodiment 2. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the information analysis device according to embodiment 2. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system including an information analysis device according to embodiment 3. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the information analysis device according to embodiment 3. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the information analysis device according to embodiment 3. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of an information analysis device according to any of embodiments 1 to 3.

[0014] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0015] First Embodiment A first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0016] (System 1) First, we will explain how the information analysis device 10 according to this embodiment 1 is used in a system for estimating the effect of reducing the burden on the natural environment achieved by a customer staying at a facility 100 (FIG. 1).

[0017] 1 shows an example of a system 1 that realizes the above-described mechanism. The system 1 includes a customer, a facility 100, and an information analysis device 10. A "customer" refers to a person staying at the facility 100, and may be a single person or a group such as a family.

[0018] The customer provides customer identification information at the entrance to or inside facility 100. The customer identification information may be information voluntarily provided by the customer, such as a membership card or a point card, or may be automatically collected via a wireless network from a smartphone carried by the customer or the customer's automobile. Alternatively, the customer identification information may be biometric information, such as an image of the customer.

[0019] The facility 100 may be any space where a large number of people can gather at the same time. As shown in FIG. 1 , the facility 100 is, for example, a shopping mall. In other examples, the facility 100 is a movie theater, an art gallery, a library, a museum, a swimming pool, a stadium, a square, or a building. The facility 100 acquires customer identification information. The facility 100 links the customer identification information with time information (proving the time when the customer identification information was acquired) and transmits the time information to the information analysis device 10. The functions of the facility 100 described here can be realized by a general computer program.

[0020] The information analysis device 10 uses the customer identification information and time information received from the facility 100 to estimate the effect of reducing the burden on the natural environment achieved by the customer's stay at the facility 100. The information analysis device 10 can use the estimation results in various ways.

[0021] 1 , the information analyzing device 10 transmits, to an address associated with the customer, information indicating the greenhouse gas emission reduction contribution resulting from the customer's stay at the facility 100. Although not shown, the information analyzing device 10 can provide a benefit to the customer based on the estimated greenhouse gas emission reduction contribution (Embodiment 2), or can apply for emission credits to the certification body 300 ( FIG. 8 ) (Embodiment 3) based on the estimated greenhouse gas emission reduction contribution.

[0022] The configuration and operation of the information analysis device 10 will be described in detail below.

[0023] (Information Analysis Apparatus 10) The configuration of the information analysis apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the information analysis apparatus 10.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2, the information analyzing device 10 includes a measuring unit 11, a determining unit 12, an estimating unit 13, and an output unit 14.

[0025] The measurement unit 11 measures the time that a customer stays in the facility 100. The measurement unit 11 is an example of a measurement means.

[0026] For example, the measurement unit 11 measures the time a customer stays at the facility. If the facility 100 only allows entry and exit through a gate, the measurement unit 11 acquires first time data recorded when the customer passes through the gate to enter and second time data recorded when the customer leaves. The first time data and second time data are examples of time information linked to the customer's identification information. The measurement unit 11 acquires the first time data and the second time data, respectively. Then, the measurement unit 11 determines that the customer's stay at the facility 100 is from the first time when the customer enters the facility 100 to the second time when the customer leaves.

[0027] In another example, the measurement unit 11 measures the time that a customer stays in the facility 100 based on the time that a photograph of the customer is taken at the entrance to or inside the facility 100. The measurement unit 11 acquires data on the time of photographing from metadata included in image data of the customer (which is an example of customer identification information). The measurement unit 11 then determines that a certain period of time including the time of photographing (e.g., one hour before and after the time of photographing) is the time that the customer stays in the facility 100. Alternatively, the measurement unit 11 determines that the time that the customer stays in the facility 100 is the period from a first photographing time at which the customer is photographed at the entrance to a second photographing time at which the customer is photographed at the exit.

[0028] In yet another example, the measurement unit 11 measures the time a customer stays in the facility 100 based on customer identification information submitted by the customer at an entrance or exit to the facility 100 or within the facility 100 .

[0029] For example, the identification information is a membership card or a point card of a customer at facility 100. In another example, the identification information is a credit card linked to information about the customer, or a vehicle identifier transmitted from a wireless communication device such as an on-board ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) device installed in a vehicle when the customer uses the parking lot of facility 100.

[0030] The measurement unit 11 outputs information indicating the time that the customer stayed in the facility 100 to the estimation unit 13. The measurement unit 11 also outputs identification information of the customer to the determination unit 12. Alternatively, the measurement unit 11 may output image data of a photograph of the customer to the determination unit 12 as the identification information of the customer.

[0031] The determination unit 12 determines a baseline greenhouse gas emission amount for the customer. The determination unit 12 is an example of a determination means.

[0032] For example, the determination unit 12 receives customer identification information or image data of a customer from the measurement unit 11. The determination unit 12 identifies the customer or the customer's attributes using the customer identification information or the image data of the customer. The customer attributes include, for example, the customer's age, gender, or family structure (such as the number of people in the household or the number of children). The determination unit 12 then determines the standard greenhouse gas emissions amount according to the identified customer or its attributes.

[0033] In this case, the determination unit 12 may identify the customer or their attributes based on an image taken of the customer when the customer enters or leaves the facility 100. Alternatively, the determination unit 12 may identify the customer or their attributes based on identification information used by the customer when the customer enters or leaves the facility 100.

[0034] Alternatively, the determination unit 12 may determine the baseline greenhouse gas emission amount using data on electricity consumption in a household including the customer. The determination unit 12 may obtain data on electricity consumption in a household including the customer from a customer database of the electric power company 200 ( FIG. 4 ) using the customer's identification information. This configuration can be realized when the customer has previously authorized the electric power company 200 to provide data on electricity consumption in a household including the customer to a third party. The determination unit 12 may determine the baseline greenhouse gas emission amount using data on the same season, the same day of the week, or the same weather as the time the customer stayed at the facility 100.

[0035] Alternatively, the standard greenhouse gas emissions may be the greenhouse gas emissions per unit time for an average household. The standard greenhouse gas emissions may be predefined for each customer attribute or each family structure. Information indicating the standard greenhouse gas emissions defined for each customer attribute or each family structure may be stored in a storage unit (not shown). In this case, the determination unit 12 predicts the customer's attributes or family structure using the customer's identification information or image data of the customer. Then, the determination unit 12 acquires information indicating the corresponding standard greenhouse gas emissions according to the predicted customer attributes or family structure.

[0036] The determination unit 12 outputs data on the standard greenhouse gas emissions amount for the customer, determined by any of the above methods or by other methods, to the estimation unit 13 .

[0037] The estimation unit 13 estimates the greenhouse gas emission reduction contribution due to the customer's stay at the facility 100, based on the time the customer spent at the facility 100 and the baseline greenhouse gas emission amount related to the customer. The estimation unit 13 is an example of an estimation means.

[0038] The "avoided greenhouse gas amount" is a quantification of how much a business's products, services, etc. contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions of others. Here, it represents how much welcoming customers into facility 100 contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by the customers.

[0039] For example, the estimation unit 13 receives, from the measurement unit 11, information indicating the time that the customer stayed in the facility 100. The estimation unit 13 also receives, from the determination unit 12, data on the standard greenhouse gas emissions related to the customer.

[0040] The estimation unit 13 estimates the greenhouse gas reduction contribution of the customer's stay at the facility 100 by multiplying the standard greenhouse gas emissions for the customer by the time the customer spent at the facility 100.

[0041] Alternatively, the estimation unit 13 may estimate the amount of greenhouse gas reduction contribution made by the customer's stay at the facility 100 by multiplying the difference between the standard greenhouse gas emission amount for the customer and the greenhouse gas emission amount per customer per unit time emitted by the facility 100 by the time the customer stayed at the facility 100.

[0042] The estimation unit 13 can obtain, from the facility 100, data on the amount of electricity consumed by the air conditioning equipment, lighting, etc. that the facility 100 previously provided for customers, and data on the number of customers who previously stayed at the facility 100. The amount of greenhouse gas emissions per customer per unit time emitted by the facility 100 can be roughly estimated from the data on the amount of electricity consumed by the air conditioning equipment, lighting, etc. that the facility 100 previously provided for customers, and data on the total number of customers who previously stayed at the facility 100. Note that the accuracy of the estimation by the estimation unit 13 can be improved by using data on the same season, the same day of the week, or the same weather as the time the customer stayed at the facility 100.

[0043] The estimation unit 13 outputs data on the greenhouse gas reduction contribution due to the customer's stay at the facility 100, determined by any of the above methods or by other methods, to the output unit 14.

[0044] The output unit 14 outputs information indicating the estimated greenhouse gas reduction contribution. The output unit 14 is an example of an output means.

[0045] For example, the output unit 14 receives data on the greenhouse gas emission reduction contribution resulting from the customer's stay at the facility 100 from the estimation unit 13. The output unit 14 generates information indicating the greenhouse gas emission reduction contribution based on the received data.

[0046] For example, the information indicating the greenhouse gas avoidance contribution may be something that conceptually indicates the magnitude of the greenhouse gas avoidance contribution (for example, value), or something that indicates the amount of electricity consumption equivalent to the greenhouse gas avoidance contribution (for example, operating time or calories of an air conditioning appliance). However, the information indicating the greenhouse gas avoidance contribution is not limited to these examples.

[0047] The output unit 14 outputs the generated information indicating the greenhouse gas avoidance contribution. For example, the output unit 14 may display the information indicating the greenhouse gas avoidance contribution on a large display of the facility 100, or may send the information to an address linked to the customer. By checking the information indicating the greenhouse gas avoidance contribution, the customer can know that their stay at the facility 100 has helped to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, the customer can be motivated to stay at the facility 100. The information indicating the greenhouse gas avoidance contribution can be used, for example, in the retail industry, to attract customers to facilities.

[0048] (Operation of Information Analysis Apparatus 10) The operation of the information analysis apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing executed by each unit of the information analysis apparatus 10.

[0049] 3, the measurement unit 11 measures the time that a customer stays in the facility (S101). In one example, the measurement unit 11 acquires data on a first time when the customer enters the facility 100 and data on a second time when the customer leaves the facility 100, along with the customer's identification information.

[0050] The measurement unit 11 then determines that the period from the first time when the customer enters the facility 100 to the second time when the customer leaves is the time the customer spent in the facility 100. The measurement unit 11 outputs measurement data of the time the customer spent in the facility 100 to the estimation unit 13. The measurement unit 11 also outputs the customer's identification information to the determination unit 12.

[0051] The determination unit 12 receives the customer's identification information from the measurement unit 11. The determination unit 12 determines the standard greenhouse gas emission amount for the customer (S102). The determination unit 12 outputs the standard greenhouse gas emission amount data for the customer to the estimation unit 13.

[0052] The estimation unit 13 receives measurement data on the time that the customer stayed at the facility from the measurement unit 11. The estimation unit 13 also receives standard greenhouse gas emission data on the customer from the determination unit 12. The estimation unit 13 estimates the greenhouse gas avoidance contribution due to the customer's stay at the facility 100 (S103). Specifically, the estimation unit 13 estimates the greenhouse gas avoidance contribution due to the customer's stay at the facility 100 from the time that the customer stayed at the facility and the standard greenhouse gas emission data on the customer.

[0053] The estimation unit 13 outputs data on the greenhouse gas reduction contribution due to the customer's stay at the facility 100 to the output unit 14 .

[0054] The output unit 14 receives from the estimation unit 13 the data on the greenhouse gas emission reduction contribution due to the customer's stay at the facility 100. The output unit 14 outputs information indicating the estimated greenhouse gas emission reduction contribution (S104).

[0055] This completes the operation of the information analyzing device 10 according to the first embodiment.

[0056] (Modification) Another example of a system including the information analysis device 10 according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0057] A modification of the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 shows a system 1A according to this modification.

[0058] 1 , system 1A realizes a mechanism for estimating the effect of reducing the burden on the natural environment achieved by a customer's stay at facility 100. System 1A shown in FIG. 4 differs from system 1 shown in FIG. 1 in that it includes a power company 200 and a smart meter 210.

[0059] In this modification, customer identification information at the electric power company 200 is associated in advance with customer identification information at the facility 100. A customer database (not shown) of the electric power company 200 stores the customer identification information and power consumption data transmitted from the smart meter 210. The determination unit 12 ( FIG. 2 ) of the information analysis device 10 uses the customer identification information to acquire power consumption data for a household including the customer from the customer database of the electric power company 200.

[0060] The determination unit 12 determines a baseline amount of greenhouse gas emissions for the customer using data on the amount of electricity consumption in a household including the customer.

[0061] For example, the determination unit 12 first calculates how much electricity a household including the customer consumes per unit time using statistical values ​​such as the monthly average, weekly average, or daily average of electricity consumption. Then, the determination unit 12 converts the electricity consumption per unit time into the amount of greenhouse gas emissions per unit time using a predetermined conversion formula. The determination unit 12 sets the amount of greenhouse gas emissions per unit time obtained in this way as the reference greenhouse gas emissions for the customer.

[0062] Alternatively, the determination unit 12 may use the electricity consumption data to infer customer attributes (e.g., age, gender, family composition) and determine the standard greenhouse gas emissions amount based on the inferred customer attributes.

[0063] The estimation unit 13 estimates the greenhouse gas reduction contribution resulting from the customer's stay at the facility 100 based on the length of time the customer stayed at the facility 100 and the standard greenhouse gas emissions related to the customer.

[0064] According to the configuration of this modified example, the baseline greenhouse gas emissions for a customer are determined using data on the amount of electricity consumed by a household including the customer. Therefore, the configuration of this modified example makes it possible to more accurately estimate the greenhouse gas reduction contribution resulting from the customer's stay at facility 100 than when the greenhouse gas emissions per unit time for an average household are used as the baseline greenhouse gas emissions for the customer.

[0065] (Effects of this embodiment) According to the configuration of this embodiment, the measurement unit 11 measures the time that a customer stays at the facility 100. The determination unit 12 determines the standard greenhouse gas emission amount for the customer. The estimation unit 13 estimates the greenhouse gas avoidance contribution due to the customer's stay at the facility 100, based on the time that the customer stayed at the facility 100 and the standard greenhouse gas emission amount for the customer. The output unit 14 outputs information indicating the estimated greenhouse gas avoidance contribution.

[0066] The estimated greenhouse gas avoidance contribution is the amount of greenhouse gas emissions generated during the time the customer stayed at the facility 100, and therefore represents the effect of reducing the load on the natural environment achieved by the customer staying at the facility 100. In this way, it is possible to estimate the effect of reducing the load on the natural environment achieved by the customer staying at the facility 100.

[0067] [Embodiment 2] Embodiment 2 will be described with reference to Figures 5 to 7. In this embodiment 2, a configuration will be described in which a benefit is given to customers who stay at the facility 100 in order to attract more customers to the facility 100. In this embodiment 2, the symbols and terms described in the embodiment 1 will be quoted from the description in the embodiment 1, and duplicate description will be omitted.

[0068] (System 2) First, we will explain how the information analysis device 20 according to this embodiment 2 is used in a system for estimating the effect of reducing the burden on the natural environment achieved by a customer staying at the facility 100 (FIG. 1).

[0069] 5 shows an example of a system 2 that realizes the above-described mechanism. The system 2 includes a customer, a facility 100, and an information analysis device 20.

[0070] At the entrance to or within facility 100, the customer provides customer identification information.

[0071] 5, the facility 100 is, for example, a shopping mall. The facility 100 associates time information (proving the time when the customer's identification information was acquired) with the customer's identification information and transmits the time information to the information analysis device 20.

[0072] The information analysis device 20 uses the customer identification information and time information received from the facility 100 to estimate the effect of reducing the burden on the natural environment achieved by the customer's stay at the facility 100. The information analysis device 20 can use the estimation results in various ways.

[0073] 5 , the information analysis device 20 provides a benefit to a customer according to the amount of greenhouse gas reduction contributed by the customer's stay at the facility 100. Specifically, the benefit is at least one of benefits, rights, goods, and services related to the facility 100. The benefit may be a tangible item such as a gift, or an intangible item such as the award of eco points or special treatment.

[0074] The configuration and operation of the information analysis device 20 will be described in detail below.

[0075] (Information Analysis Apparatus 20) The configuration of the information analysis apparatus 20 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the information analysis apparatus 20.

[0076] 6 , the information analyzing device 20 includes a measuring unit 11, a determining unit 12, an estimating unit 13, and an output unit 14. The information analyzing device 20 further includes an assigning unit 25.

[0077] The granting unit 25 grants a benefit to the customer according to the length of time the customer stays at the facility 100 or the amount of greenhouse gas reduction contributed by the customer's stay at the facility 100. The granting unit 25 is an example of a granting means.

[0078] For example, the assigning unit 25 acquires, from the measurement unit 11, customer identification information and information indicating the time that the customer stayed in the facility 100. In addition, the assigning unit 25 acquires, from the estimation unit 13, data on the amount of greenhouse gas reduction contribution due to the customer's stay in the facility 100.

[0079] The granting unit 25 grants a benefit to the customer according to the length of time the customer stays at the facility 100 or the amount of greenhouse gas reduction contributed by the customer's stay at the facility 100. In one example, the granting unit 25 grants eco points according to the length of time the customer stays at the facility 100 to a point card linked to the customer's identification information.

[0080] Alternatively, the granting unit 25 cashes back to the credit card linked to the customer's identification information an amount corresponding to the amount of greenhouse gas reduction contribution made by the customer through their stay at the facility 100. Alternatively, the granting unit 25 issues to the customer a discount coupon for an amount corresponding to the amount of greenhouse gas reduction contribution made by the customer through their stay at the facility 100. The granting unit 25 can also grant to the customer tangible or intangible incentives other than the above examples.

[0081] Furthermore, the granting unit 25 may identify a customer or an attribute of the customer and select a benefit to grant to the customer in consideration of the identified customer or the attribute. The method for identifying a customer or an attribute of the customer is not important. For example, the granting unit 25 may identify a customer or an attribute of the customer using the customer's identification information or an image of the customer.

[0082] (Operation of Information Analysis Apparatus 20) The operation of the information analysis apparatus 20 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing executed by each unit of the information analysis apparatus 20.

[0083] 7, the measurement unit 11 measures the time that a customer stays at the facility (S201). In one example, the measurement unit 11 acquires data on a first time when the customer enters the facility 100 and data on a second time when the customer leaves the facility 100, along with the customer's identification information.

[0084] Then, the measurement unit 11 determines that the period from the first time when the customer enters the facility 100 to the second time when the customer leaves is the time the customer spent in the facility 100. The measurement unit 11 outputs measurement data of the time the customer spent in the facility 100 to the estimation unit 13. The measurement unit 11 outputs the customer's identification information to the determination unit 12. The measurement unit 11 also outputs the customer's identification information and information indicating the time the customer spent in the facility 100 to the assignment unit 25.

[0085] The determination unit 12 receives the customer's identification information from the measurement unit 11. The determination unit 12 determines the standard greenhouse gas emission amount for the customer (S202). The determination unit 12 outputs the standard greenhouse gas emission amount data for the customer to the estimation unit 13.

[0086] The estimation unit 13 receives measurement data on the time that the customer stayed at the facility from the measurement unit 11. The estimation unit 13 also receives standard greenhouse gas emission data on the customer from the determination unit 12. The estimation unit 13 estimates the greenhouse gas emission reduction contribution due to the customer's stay at the facility 100 (S203).

[0087] Specifically, the estimation unit 13 estimates the amount of greenhouse gas reduction contribution due to the customer's stay at the facility 100 based on the length of time the customer stays at the facility and the standard greenhouse gas emissions for the customer.

[0088] The estimation unit 13 outputs data on the greenhouse gas emission reduction contribution due to the customer's stay at the facility 100 to the output unit 14. The estimation unit 13 also outputs data on the greenhouse gas emission reduction contribution due to the customer's stay at the facility 100 to the assignment unit 25.

[0089] The output unit 14 receives, from the estimation unit 13, data on the greenhouse gas emission reduction contribution due to the customer's stay at the facility 100. The output unit 14 outputs information indicating the estimated greenhouse gas emission reduction contribution (S204).

[0090] The granting unit 25 receives data on the greenhouse gas emission reduction contribution due to the customer's stay at the facility 100 from the estimation unit 13. The granting unit 25 grants a benefit to the customer according to the length of time the customer stayed at the facility 100 or the greenhouse gas emission reduction contribution due to the customer's stay at the facility 100 (S205).

[0091] This completes the operation of the information analyzing device 20 according to the second embodiment.

[0092] (Modification) In one modification, the system 2 includes a power company 200 and a smart meter 210, as in the system 1A shown in FIG.

[0093] In this modification, customer identification information at the electric power company 200 is associated in advance with customer identification information at the facility 100. A customer database (not shown) of the electric power company 200 stores the customer identification information and the power consumption data transmitted from the smart meter 210. The assigning unit 25 ( FIG. 6 ) of the information analysis device 20 uses the customer identification information to acquire power consumption data for a household including the customer from the customer database of the electric power company 200.

[0094] The granting unit 25 estimates the family structure and lifestyle rhythm of the customer using data on the amount of electricity consumed in a household including the customer, and selects a benefit to be granted to the customer according to the estimated family structure and lifestyle rhythm of the customer.

[0095] For example, if it is estimated that the customer's family structure includes children, the granting unit 25 grants the customer a special benefit for the family. Alternatively, the granting unit 25 grants the customer a special benefit that can be used during the time period when the customer is likely to be at home, in accordance with the estimated lifestyle rhythm of the customer.

[0096] According to the configuration of this modified example, it is possible to provide benefits that are of great value and benefit to customers, thereby attracting even more customers to the facility 100 voluntarily.

[0097] (Effects of this embodiment) According to the configuration of this embodiment, the measurement unit 11 measures the time that a customer stays at the facility 100. The determination unit 12 determines the standard greenhouse gas emission amount for the customer. The estimation unit 13 estimates the greenhouse gas avoidance contribution due to the customer's stay at the facility 100, based on the time that the customer stayed at the facility 100 and the standard greenhouse gas emission amount for the customer. The output unit 14 outputs information indicating the estimated greenhouse gas avoidance contribution.

[0098] The estimated greenhouse gas avoidance contribution is the amount of greenhouse gas emissions generated during the time the customer stayed at the facility 100, and therefore represents the effect of reducing the load on the natural environment achieved by the customer staying at the facility 100. In this way, it is possible to estimate the effect of reducing the load on the natural environment achieved by the customer staying at the facility 100.

[0099] Furthermore, according to the configuration of this embodiment, the awarding unit 25 awards a benefit to the customer based on the length of time the customer stays at the facility 100 or the amount of greenhouse gas reduction contributed by the customer's stay at the facility 100.

[0100] The operator of facility 100 can not only attract environmentally conscious customers to facility 100 on their own initiative, but also allow the customers to enjoy the benefits of staying at facility 100. This allows even more customers to be attracted to facility 100 on their own initiative.

[0101] [Embodiment 3] Embodiment 3 will be described with reference to Figures 8 to 10. In this embodiment, a configuration for converting the estimated greenhouse gas reduction contribution into emission rights (credits) will be described. In this embodiment, the symbols and terms described in the first and second embodiments will be referred to and overlapping descriptions will be omitted.

[0102] (System 3) First, we will explain how the information analysis device 30 according to this embodiment 3 is used in a system for estimating the effect of reducing the burden on the natural environment achieved by a customer staying at the facility 100 (FIG. 1).

[0103] 8 shows an example of a system 3 that realizes the above-described mechanism. The system 3 includes a customer, a facility 100, a certification authority 300, and an information analysis device 30.

[0104] At the entrance to or within facility 100, the customer provides customer identification information.

[0105] 8, the facility 100 is, for example, a shopping mall. The facility 100 associates time information (proving the time when the customer's identification information was acquired) with the customer's identification information and transmits the time information to the information analysis device 30.

[0106] The information analysis device 30 uses the customer identification information and time information received from the facility 100 to estimate the effect of reducing the burden on the natural environment achieved by the customer's stay at the facility 100. The information analysis device 30 can use the estimation results in various ways.

[0107] As shown in FIG. 8 , the information analysis device 30 applies to a certification body 300 for certification of emission credits based on the greenhouse gas reduction contribution achieved by the customer's stay at the facility 100. The certification body 300 is an organization or group, such as a country, that has the authority to grant emission credits to be traded between companies, etc., in accordance with the greenhouse gas reduction contribution achieved by the company, etc. Emission credits are the right of a company, etc., to emit a certain amount of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, and are traded between companies, etc. If the operator of the facility 100 is able to obtain emission credits from the certification body 300 based on the greenhouse gas reduction contribution achieved by the customer's stay at the facility 100, the operator of the facility 100 can make a profit by selling the acquired emission credits to other companies, etc.

[0108] In the third embodiment, it is assumed that the reliability of the estimation result of greenhouse gas avoidance contributions obtained by the information analysis device 30 is guaranteed in advance by the certification body 300 or other organization or group.

[0109] The configuration and operation of the information analysis device 30 will be described in detail below.

[0110] (Information Analysis Apparatus 30) The configuration of the information analysis apparatus 30 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the information analysis apparatus 30.

[0111] 9, the information analyzing device 30 includes a measuring unit 11, a determining unit 12, an estimating unit 13, and an output unit 14. The information analyzing device 30 further includes an application unit 35.

[0112] The application unit 35 applies to the certification body 300 to certify the greenhouse gas avoidance contribution estimated by the estimation unit 13 as an emission credit. The application unit 35 is an example of an application means.

[0113] In one example, the application unit 35 obtains data on the greenhouse gas avoidance contribution resulting from the customer's stay at the facility 100 from the estimation unit 13. The application unit 35 applies to the certification body 300 for certification of emission credits based on the greenhouse gas avoidance contribution estimated by the estimation unit 13.

[0114] (Operation of Information Analysis Apparatus 30) The operation of the information analysis apparatus 30 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing executed by each unit of the information analysis apparatus 30.

[0115] 10 , the measurement unit 11 measures the time that a customer stays at the facility (S301). In one example, the measurement unit 11 acquires data on a first time when the customer enters the facility 100 and data on a second time when the customer leaves the facility 100, along with the customer's identification information.

[0116] Then, the measurement unit 11 determines that the period from the first time when the customer enters the facility 100 to the second time when the customer leaves is the time the customer spent in the facility 100. The measurement unit 11 outputs measurement data of the time the customer spent in the facility 100 to the estimation unit 13. The measurement unit 11 outputs the customer's identification information to the determination unit 12.

[0117] The determination unit 12 receives the customer identification information from the measurement unit 11. The determination unit 12 determines the standard greenhouse gas emission amount for the customer (S302). The determination unit 12 outputs the standard greenhouse gas emission amount data for the customer to the estimation unit 13.

[0118] The estimation unit 13 receives measurement data on the time that the customer stayed at the facility from the measurement unit 11. The estimation unit 13 also receives standard greenhouse gas emission data on the customer from the determination unit 12. The estimation unit 13 estimates the greenhouse gas avoidance contribution due to the customer's stay at the facility 100 (S303). Specifically, the estimation unit 13 estimates the greenhouse gas avoidance contribution due to the customer's stay at the facility 100 from the time that the customer stayed at the facility and the standard greenhouse gas emission data on the customer.

[0119] The estimation unit 13 outputs data on the greenhouse gas emission reduction contribution due to the customer's stay at the facility 100 to the output unit 14. The estimation unit 13 also outputs data on the greenhouse gas emission reduction contribution due to the customer's stay at the facility 100 to the application unit 35.

[0120] The output unit 14 receives, from the estimation unit 13, data on the greenhouse gas emission reduction contribution due to the customer's stay at the facility 100. The output unit 14 outputs information indicating the estimated greenhouse gas emission reduction contribution (S304).

[0121] The application unit 35 receives data on the greenhouse gas avoidance contribution due to the customer's stay at the facility 100 from the estimation unit 13. The application unit 35 applies to the certification body 300 to certify the greenhouse gas avoidance contribution estimated by the estimation unit 13 as an emission credit (S305). Thereafter, the application unit 35 may communicate the result of the application (i.e., whether or not the emission credit has been certified) to the operator of the facility 100.

[0122] This completes the operation of the information analyzing device 30 according to the third embodiment.

[0123] (Effects of this embodiment) According to the configuration of this embodiment, the measurement unit 11 measures the time that a customer stays at the facility 100. The determination unit 12 determines the standard greenhouse gas emission amount for the customer. The estimation unit 13 estimates the greenhouse gas avoidance contribution due to the customer's stay at the facility 100, based on the time that the customer stayed at the facility 100 and the standard greenhouse gas emission amount for the customer. The output unit 14 outputs information indicating the estimated greenhouse gas avoidance contribution.

[0124] The estimated greenhouse gas avoidance contribution is the amount of greenhouse gas emissions generated during the time the customer stayed at the facility 100, and therefore represents the effect of reducing the load on the natural environment achieved by the customer staying at the facility 100. In this way, it is possible to estimate the effect of reducing the load on the natural environment achieved by the customer staying at the facility 100.

[0125] Furthermore, according to the configuration of this embodiment, the application unit 35 applies for certification of the estimated greenhouse gas reduction contribution as emission credits. If the application is approved by the certification body 300 and the operator of the facility 100 is able to obtain the emission credits, the operator of the facility 100 can earn profits by selling the acquired emission credits to other companies, etc. Furthermore, the operator of the facility 100 can return a portion of the profits earned from selling the emission credits to customers, or use the profits as a source of funds to provide benefits to customers.

[0126] (Hardware Configuration) Each of the components of the information analysis devices 10, 20, and 30 described in the first to third embodiments represents a functional block. Some or all of these components are realized by an information processing device 900 as shown in Fig. 11. Fig. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device 900.

[0127] As shown in FIG. 11, the information processing device 900 includes, for example, the following configuration.

[0128] The components of the information analysis devices 10, 20, and 30 described in the first to third embodiments are realized by the CPU 901 reading and executing a program 904 that realizes the functions of the devices. The program 904 that realizes the functions of the components is stored in the storage device 905 or the ROM 902 in advance, for example, and is loaded into the RAM 903 and executed by the CPU 901 as needed. The program 904 may be supplied to the CPU 901 via the communication network 909 or may be stored in advance on the recording medium 906 , and the drive device 907 may read out the program and supply it to the CPU 901 .

[0129] According to the above configuration, the information analysis devices 10, 20, and 30 described in the first to third embodiments are realized as hardware, and therefore, the same effects as those described in any of the first to third embodiments can be achieved.

[0130] (Supplementary Note) One embodiment of the present invention is also described as in the following supplementary note, but is not limited to the following.

[0131] (Supplementary Note 1) An information analysis device comprising: a measuring means for measuring the length of time a customer stays at a facility; a determining means for determining a standard greenhouse gas emission amount for the customer; an estimating means for estimating a greenhouse gas avoidance contribution due to the customer's stay at the facility from the length of time the customer stays at the facility and the standard greenhouse gas emission amount for the customer; and an output means for outputting information indicating the estimated greenhouse gas avoidance contribution amount.

[0132] (Supplementary Note 2) The information analysis device according to Supplementary Note 1, further comprising a granting means for granting a reward to the customer according to the length of time the customer stays at the facility or the amount of greenhouse gas reduction contribution made by the customer's stay at the facility.

[0133] (Supplementary Note 3) The information analysis device according to Supplementary Note 2, wherein the benefit is at least one of treatment, rights, goods, and services related to the facility.

[0134] (Appendix 4) The information analysis device described in any one of Appendices 1 to 3, characterized in that the measurement means measures the time the customer spent at the facility from a first time when the customer entered the facility to a second time when the customer left.

[0135] (Supplementary Note 5) The information analysis device described in any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 3 is characterized in that the measurement means measures the amount of time the customer stayed at the facility based on the time the customer was photographed at the entrance or exit to the facility or inside the facility.

[0136] (Appendix 6) The information analysis device described in any one of Appendices 1 to 3, characterized in that the measurement means measures the amount of time the customer stays at the facility based on the customer's identification information submitted by the customer at the entrance / exit to the facility or within the facility.

[0137] (Supplementary Note 7) The information analysis device described in any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 6, characterized in that the determination means identifies the customer or its attributes using the customer's identification information or an image taken of the customer, and determines the standard greenhouse gas emission amount according to the identified customer or its attributes.

[0138] (Supplementary Note 8) The information analysis device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 6, wherein the determination means determines the standard greenhouse gas emission amount using data on electricity consumption in a household including the customer.

[0139] (Supplementary Note 9) The information analyzing device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 6, wherein the reference emission amount of greenhouse gas is the emission amount of greenhouse gas per unit time in an average household.

[0140] (Supplementary Note 10) The information analysis device described in Supplementary Note 7, characterized in that the determination means identifies the customer or their attributes based on an image taken of the customer when the customer enters or exits the facility.

[0141] (Supplementary Note 11) The information analysis device described in any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 8, characterized in that the determination means identifies the customer or their attributes based on identification information used by the customer when entering or exiting the facility.

[0142] (Supplementary Note 12) The information analysis device described in any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 11, characterized in that the estimation means estimates the greenhouse gas emission reduction contribution due to the customer's stay at the facility by multiplying the standard greenhouse gas emission amount by the time the customer stayed at the facility.

[0143] (Supplementary Note 13) The information analysis device described in any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 11, characterized in that the estimation means estimates the greenhouse gas emission reduction contribution due to the customer's stay at the facility by multiplying the difference between the standard greenhouse gas emission amount and the greenhouse gas emission amount per customer per unit time emitted by the facility by the time the customer stayed at the facility.

[0144] (Supplementary Note 14) The information analyzing device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 13, further comprising an application means for applying for certification of the estimated greenhouse gas avoidance amount as an emission credit.

[0145] (Supplementary Note 15) An information analysis method comprising: measuring the amount of time a customer stays at a facility; determining a baseline amount of greenhouse gas emissions for the customer; estimating a greenhouse gas avoidance contribution resulting from the customer's stay at the facility based on the amount of time the customer stays at the facility and the baseline amount of greenhouse gas emissions for the customer; and outputting information indicating the estimated greenhouse gas avoidance contribution.

[0146] (Supplementary Note 16) A non-transitory program recording medium for causing a computer to perform the following operations: measuring the time a customer stays at a facility; determining a baseline greenhouse gas emission amount for the customer; estimating the greenhouse gas avoidance contribution due to the customer's stay at the facility from the time the customer stays at the facility and the baseline greenhouse gas emission amount for the customer; and outputting information indicating the estimated greenhouse gas avoidance contribution amount.

[0147] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the embodiments within the scope of the present invention.

[0148] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1, 1A, 2, 3 System 10 Information analysis device 11 Measurement unit 12 Determination unit 13 Estimation unit 14 Output unit 20 Information analysis device 25 Assignment unit 30 Information analysis device 35 Application unit 100 Facility 200 Electric power company 210 Smart meter 300 Certification authority

Claims

1. a measurement means for measuring the time spent by customers at the facility; determining means for determining a baseline greenhouse gas emissions amount for said customer; an estimation means for estimating a greenhouse gas reduction contribution resulting from the customer's stay at the facility based on the length of time the customer stayed at the facility and the reference greenhouse gas emissions related to the customer; and an output means for outputting information indicating the estimated greenhouse gas reduction contribution. Information analysis device.

2. The facility further includes a granting means for granting a benefit to the customer according to the length of time the customer stays at the facility or the amount of greenhouse gas reduction contribution due to the customer's stay at the facility.

2. The information analysis device according to claim 1, wherein:

3. The benefit is at least one of treatment, rights, goods, and services associated with the facility.

3. The information analysis device according to claim 2.

4. The measuring means measures the time from a first time when the customer enters the facility to a second time when the customer leaves the facility as the time the customer stays at the facility.

4. The information analysis device according to claim 1, wherein the information analysis device is a computer.

5. The measuring means measures the time that the customer stayed at the facility based on the time when the customer was photographed at the entrance to the facility or inside the facility.

4. The information analysis device according to claim 1, wherein the information analysis device is a computer.

6. The measuring means measures the time the customer stays at the facility based on the customer's identification information submitted by the customer at the entrance to the facility or inside the facility.

4. The information analysis device according to claim 1, wherein the information analysis device is a computer.

7. The determination means identifies the customer or its attributes using the customer's identification information or an image of the customer, and determines the standard emission amount of greenhouse gases according to the identified customer or its attributes.

4. The information analysis device according to claim 1, wherein the information analysis device is a computer.

8. The system further includes an application means for applying for certification of the estimated greenhouse gas avoidance contribution as an emission credit.

4. The information analysis device according to claim 1, wherein the information analysis device is a computer.

9. Measure the time customers spend at the facility, determining a baseline greenhouse gas emissions amount for said customer; estimating a greenhouse gas reduction contribution resulting from the customer's stay at the facility based on the length of time the customer stayed at the facility and the baseline greenhouse gas emissions related to the customer; Output information indicating the estimated greenhouse gas reduction contribution. Information analysis method.

10. Measuring the time that customers spend at the facility; determining a baseline greenhouse gas emissions amount for said customer; estimating a greenhouse gas reduction contribution resulting from the customer's stay at the facility based on the length of time the customer stayed at the facility and the baseline greenhouse gas emissions related to the customer; outputting information indicating the estimated greenhouse gas avoidance contribution; A program that causes a computer to execute the following.