Information processing device and information processing method

Abstract

This information processing device comprises: a power saving action determination unit that determines power saving actions to be recommended to a user on the basis of at least the amount of power consumed by the user; a proposal unit that outputs recommendations for the user regarding the power saving actions via a virtual character selected by the user; a power saving information acquisition unit that acquires power saving information indicating a change in the amount of power consumed after the output of a first recommendation among the recommendations, such change being with respect to the amount of power consumed before the output of the first recommendation; and an incentive determination unit that determines, on the basis of the power saving information, an incentive regarding the recommendations. The proposal unit outputs a second recommendation among the recommendations in accordance with the determined incentive.

Description

Information Processing Apparatus and Information Processing Method

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and an information processing method.

[0002] For power saving in households, it is required to promote various power saving behaviors that reduce QoL while maintaining users' motivation. To promote power saving behaviors, for example, incentives are provided to users in accordance with the reduction in power consumption, and systems that return incentives to users who have implemented power saving behaviors are known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2015-143914

[0004] In cases where the provision of an incentive is used as the motivation for power saving behavior, if the incentive is not desired by the user, the effect of promoting power saving behavior may be low. That is, providing an incentive desired by the user is effective in promoting power saving behavior.

[0005] Accordingly, an object of the present disclosure is to promote power saving behavior of users.

[0006] To solve the above problem, an information processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes: a power saving behavior determination unit that determines a power saving behavior to be recommended to a user based at least on the power consumption of the user; a suggestion unit that outputs a recommendation regarding the power saving behavior to the user via a virtual character selected by the user; a power saving information acquisition unit that acquires power saving information indicating a change in power consumption after output of a first recommendation among the recommendations with respect to power consumption before output of the first recommendation; and an incentive determination unit that determines an incentive related to the recommendation based on the power saving information, wherein the suggestion unit outputs a second recommendation among the recommendations in accordance with the determined incentive.

[0007] Based on the above aspects, users can receive recommendations regarding energy-saving actions through a selected virtual character, thereby providing them with an incentive to conserve energy. Furthermore, based on energy-saving information showing actual energy-saving performance based on the amount of energy consumed after the output of the first recommendation, an incentive related to the recommendation is determined, and this determined incentive is given to the user through the output of the second recommendation, thus providing the user with further motivation to conserve energy. Consequently, it becomes possible to promote energy-saving behavior among users.

[0008] This will make it possible to encourage energy-saving behavior among users.

[0009] This is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the information processing device of this embodiment. This is a schematic diagram showing the recommendations provided from the information processing device to the user terminal. This is a diagram showing an example of a data table referenced for determining energy-saving actions. This is a diagram showing an example of a data table referenced for determining incentives. This is a flowchart showing the processing content of the information processing method in the information processing system. This is a diagram showing the configuration of the information processing program. This is a hard block diagram of the information processing device.

[0010] Embodiments of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Where possible, the same parts will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions will be omitted.

[0011] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the device configuration and functional configuration of an information processing system including an information processing device according to this embodiment. The information processing system 1 is a system that provides users with recommendations regarding energy-saving actions.

[0012] As shown in Figure 1, the information processing system 1 may consist of an information processing device 10. The information processing device 10 may be configured to communicate with a user terminal T held by the user. Functionally, the information processing device 10 includes a selection reception unit 11, a power consumption acquisition unit 12, a power saving action decision unit 13, a proposal unit 14, a power saving information acquisition unit 15, and an incentive decision unit 16.

[0013] The power consumption acquisition unit 12 is configured to acquire information on the user's power consumption in their home from a system that manages power supply. The power saving action decision unit 13 and the suggestion unit 14 constitute the AI ​​agent ag.

[0014] An AI agent (ag) generally refers to software or a system that autonomously performs specific tasks using artificial intelligence technology. The AI ​​agent (ag) interacts with the user through a virtual character as the user interface. The virtual character realized by the AI ​​agent (ag) has conversational capabilities and is configured to evolve (grow) in appearance (visual elements) and speech content. The virtual character can be customized according to the user's preferences, and its appearance, speech content, and personality can be changed. In this embodiment, the AI ​​agent (ag) determines the energy-saving actions to recommend to the user and provides recommendations regarding the determined energy-saving actions to the user through the virtual character.

[0015] In the example shown in Figure 1, the functional units 11 to 16 are configured in a single information processing device 10, but they may be distributed across multiple devices. Furthermore, the information processing device 10 may be integrated with the terminal T. Next, each functional unit of the information processing device 10 will be described. The selection reception unit 11 accepts the user's selection of a virtual character that constitutes the AI ​​agent ag. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the recommendations provided from the information processing device 10 to the user terminal T.

[0016] As shown in Figure 2, the AI ​​agent ag provides recommendations to the user by having the virtual character vc, displayed on the user terminal T, speak the content of the recommendations R, using the virtual character vc as the user interface. The virtual character vc is an entity set up virtually as a user interface, and may be a person, an animal, or a fictional character. Specifically, multiple virtual character vcs, each with a set appearance (visual elements) and voice quality, are stored in the system in advance, and the selection reception unit 11 receives user input to select one or more of the multiple virtual character vcs.

[0017] The power consumption acquisition unit 12 acquires the user's power consumption data. Specifically, as described above, the power consumption acquisition unit 12 acquires the user's power consumption data from the system that manages the power supply within the user's home.

[0018] The power saving action determination unit 13 determines power saving actions to recommend to the user based on at least the user's power consumption pc. Figure 3 shows an example of a data table referenced for determining power saving actions. The data table for determining power saving actions exemplified in Figure 3 is stored in advance in the information processing device 10 or other device and is configured to be referenced by the power saving action determination unit 13.

[0019] Specifically, the power saving action decision unit 13 may refer to the data table illustrated in Figure 3 and acquire power saving actions to propose to the user based on the power consumption amount acquired by the power consumption amount acquisition unit 12.

[0020] The power saving action decision unit 13 is configured as part of an AI agent ag based on artificial intelligence technology, and may be configured as a model that reads the data table shown in Figure 3 as knowledge and outputs power saving actions based on information such as power consumption, time of day, and consideration of past consumption data. The consideration of past consumption data as input information to the model indicates the extent to which the user's past power consumption and power saving actions are considered.

[0021] If the acquired amount of power consumed is 5 kWh, the power saving action decision unit 13 may decide on a power saving action such as "change the set temperature of the air conditioner / heater by 1°C".

[0022] Furthermore, the power saving action decision unit 13 may predict future power consumption (at a given predetermined time) based on past power consumption and decide on power saving actions using the predicted power consumption. Specifically, the power saving action decision unit 13 may predict the predicted power consumption using a power consumption prediction model configured by machine learning. The power consumption prediction model may be, for example, LSTM (Long Short Term Memory), ARIMA model (AR Integrated MA model), etc. The power consumption prediction model takes past power consumption, day of the week, time of day, user's work style, weather data, and household power usage patterns as input to predict future power consumption. The power saving action decision unit 13 may further use the predicted power consumption as input information to the model to obtain power saving actions for recommendation.

[0023] The suggestion unit 14 outputs recommendations to the user regarding energy-saving actions via a virtual character vc selected by the user. Specifically, as explained with reference to Figure 2, the suggestion unit 14 provides recommendations R to the user via the virtual character vc. More specifically, the suggestion unit 14 provides recommendations R regarding energy-saving actions to the user by having the virtual character vc speak the content of the recommendations R on the user terminal T.

[0024] If the decision to perform an energy-saving action is made as explained with reference to Figure 3, the suggestion unit 14 will have the virtual character vc speak a "notification of change in set temperature" when the energy-saving action "change the set temperature of the heating and cooling system by 1°C" is decided.

[0025] The proposal unit 14 may output recommendations using a user behavior prediction and optimization model constructed using machine learning. The user behavior prediction and optimization model learns the user's behavior patterns by taking the user's past responses (implementation rate for suggested energy-saving actions), behavior history, and responses to suggestions by the AI ​​agent ag, as well as energy-saving actions, as input, and outputs recommendations for energy-saving actions at the optimal timing and content. The user behavior prediction and optimization model may also be a model constructed using reinforcement learning and multi-armed bandits, etc.

[0026] The power saving information acquisition unit 15 acquires power saving (actual) information showing the change in power consumption before and after the output of Recommend R (the first recommendation). Specifically, the power saving information acquisition unit 15 acquires the user's power consumption before the output of Recommend R, which is acquired by the power consumption acquisition unit 12. In addition, the power saving information acquisition unit 15 acquires the user's power consumption at a predetermined timing after the output of Recommend R, via the power consumption acquisition unit 12.

[0027] The power saving information acquisition unit 15 then acquires the change in power consumption after the output of Recommend R relative to the power consumption before the output of Recommend R. The power saving information acquisition unit 15 may also acquire a power saving rate as power saving information, which is the ratio of the decrease in power consumption after the output of Recommend R relative to the power consumption before the output of Recommend R.

[0028] The incentive determination unit 16 determines incentives related to recommendations based on power saving information. Figure 4 shows an example of a data table referenced for determining incentives. Specifically, the incentive determination unit 16 may refer to the data table illustrated in Figure 4 and determine incentives based on power saving information acquired by the power saving information acquisition unit 15.

[0029] Furthermore, the incentive determination unit 16 may include an agent growth model that controls the growth of the AI ​​agent ag in order to provide the growth of the AI ​​agent ag as an incentive to the user. The agent growth model is a machine learning model that determines and controls the growth of the AI ​​agent ag based on data such as the user's power saving rate and data showing the interaction between the user and the AI ​​agent ag.

[0030] The agent growth model may be configured, for example, as a rule-based model, using the data table exemplified in Figure 4 as a rule, and may be configured to output incentives related to the agent's growth content in accordance with power saving information (power saving rate). Alternatively, the agent growth model may be a model with a dynamic growth algorithm.

[0031] The agent growth model may be configured to take power saving rates, the rate at which users implement power saving actions related to recommendations, and user engagement (information such as the frequency of system logins and the number of message exchanges) as inputs, and output the growth status of the agent.

[0032] As illustrated in Figure 4, the incentive may relate to a change in the nature of the recommendation output by the virtual character vc.

[0033] Specifically, the incentive may relate to the visual elements of the virtual character, for example, "unlocking appearance customization" (30% power saving). Specifically, this incentive involves changing the color of the virtual character (vc) and equipping new items.

[0034] Furthermore, the incentive may specifically relate to the content of the virtual character's speech, for example, "additional lines" (10% power saving rate). Specifically, this incentive would add encouraging lines such as "You did a great job" spoken by the virtual character VC.

[0035] Furthermore, the incentive may specifically relate to the processing for deciding on energy-saving actions. In this embodiment, the incentive may be an addition to the functions of the energy-saving action decision unit 13, such as "improvement of the energy-saving action suggestion system" (20% energy saving rate) or "addition of new functions" (40% energy saving rate). Specific examples of these incentives include "proposing optimal energy-saving actions for each individual user" and "unlocking advanced energy-saving prediction functions," respectively.

[0036] The suggestion unit 14 then outputs a recommendation (second recommendation) according to the incentive determined by the incentive determination unit 16. Specifically, for example, if the system is set to provide recommendations to the user at predetermined time intervals, an incentive is determined based on the power saving information (power saving rate) obtained after the output of a recommendation (first recommendation) at a certain timing, and at the next predetermined timing, a recommendation (second recommendation) corresponding to the determined incentive is output. In other words, since this recommendation reflects an incentive for the user, it is possible to provide the user with motivation for power saving behavior.

[0037] Furthermore, the incentive determination unit 16 may, based on the power saving information (power saving rate) acquired by the power saving information acquisition unit 15, provide the user with an incentive selected by the user, separate from the recommendation-related incentive. The incentive provided to the user may be points, prizes, etc. In this way, since the incentive selected by the user is provided as an incentive for power saving behavior, the user can be motivated to take power saving actions.

[0038] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the processing details of the information processing method in the information processing system 1 and the information processing device 10.

[0039] In step S1, the selection reception unit 11 accepts the user's selection of a virtual character that constitutes the AI ​​agent ag.

[0040] In step S2, the power consumption acquisition unit 12 acquires the user's power consumption pc. In subsequent step S3, the power saving action determination unit 13 determines a power saving action to be recommended to the user based at least on the user's power consumption pc.

[0041] In step S4, the proposing unit 14 outputs a recommendation R (first recommendation) for the user regarding the power saving action via the virtual character vc selected by the user.

[0042] In step S5, the power consumption acquisition unit 12 acquires the user's power consumption after the output of the recommendation R. Then, in step S6, the power saving information acquisition unit 15 acquires power saving (actual result) information indicating a change in power consumption before and after the output of the recommendation R (first recommendation). Specifically, the power saving information acquisition unit 15 may acquire a power saving rate.

[0043] In step S7, the incentive determination unit 16 determines an incentive related to the recommendation based on the power saving information. Then, in step S8, the proposing unit 14 outputs a recommendation (second recommendation) based on the determined incentive and the power consumption. The processes of steps S5 to S8 may be performed at any timing and time interval.

[0044] Next, with reference to FIG. 6, an information processing program for causing a computer to function as the information processing device 10 of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of the information processing program. The information processing program P1 is configured to include a main module m10 that comprehensively controls information processing in the information processing device 10, a selection reception module m11, a power consumption acquisition module m12, a power saving action determination module m13, a proposing module m14, a power saving information acquisition module m15, and an incentive determination module m16. Each of the modules m11 to m16 implements the respective functions for the respective functional units 11 to 16.

[0045] The information processing program P1 may be transmitted via a transmission medium such as a communication line, or may be stored in a recording medium M1 as shown in FIG. 6.

[0046] According to the information processing system 1, the information processing apparatus 10, the information processing method, and the information processing program P1 of the present embodiment described above, a recommendation can be received via an interface that matches the user's preferences by allowing the user to select a virtual character, thereby providing the user with motivation for power saving behavior. Furthermore, an incentive related to the recommendation is determined based on power saving information indicating the actual power saving performance based on the power consumption after the output of the first recommendation, and the determined incentive is provided to the user via the output of the second recommendation, so that further motivation for power saving behavior can be given to the user. Accordingly, it is possible to promote power saving behavior by the user.

[0047] The information processing apparatus and the information processing method according to the present disclosure may have the following configurations. Further, the actions and effects of each configuration are explained as follows.

[0048] An information processing apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: a power saving behavior determination unit that determines a power saving behavior to be recommended to a user based at least on the user's power consumption; a proposing unit that outputs a recommendation regarding the power saving behavior to the user via a virtual character selected by the user; a power saving information acquisition unit that acquires power saving information indicating a change in power consumption after the output of the first recommendation among the recommendations with respect to the power consumption before the output of the first recommendation; and an incentive determination unit that determines an incentive related to the recommendation based on the power saving information, wherein the proposing unit outputs a second recommendation among the recommendations in accordance with the determined incentive.

[0049] An information processing method relating to one aspect of this disclosure is executed by a processor and includes: a power saving action determination step that determines power saving actions to recommend to a user based on at least the user's power consumption; a suggestion step that outputs recommendations to the user regarding power saving actions via a virtual character selected by the user; a power saving information acquisition step that acquires power saving information showing the change in power consumption after outputting the first recommendation compared to the power consumption before outputting the first recommendation; an incentive determination step that determines an incentive related to the recommendation based on the power saving information; and a second suggestion step that outputs a second recommendation among the recommendations according to the determined incentive.

[0050] Based on the above aspects, since a virtual character is selected by the user, recommendations can be received through an interface tailored to the user's preferences, thus motivating the user to take energy-saving actions. Furthermore, based on energy-saving information showing the actual energy-saving performance based on the amount of power consumed after the output of the first recommendation, an incentive related to the recommendation is determined, and the determined incentive is given to the user through the output of the second recommendation, thus providing the user with further motivation to take energy-saving actions. Therefore, it becomes possible to promote energy-saving behavior among users.

[0051] Furthermore, in information processing devices relating to other aspects, the incentive may relate to the manner in which recommendations are output by virtual characters.

[0052] Based on the above aspects, changes in the nature of recommendation output can be used as a motivator for energy-saving behavior among users.

[0053] Furthermore, in information processing devices relating to other aspects, the incentive may relate to the visual elements of the virtual character.

[0054] Based on the aspects described above, changes in the visual elements of a virtual character can motivate users to engage in energy-saving behavior.

[0055] Furthermore, in information processing devices relating to other aspects, the incentive may relate to the content of the virtual character's speech.

[0056] Based on the above aspects, it is possible to motivate users to take energy-saving actions by changing the content of the virtual character's speech.

[0057] Furthermore, in information processing devices relating to other aspects, the incentive may relate to the processing for deciding on energy-saving actions.

[0058] Based on the aspects described above, by changing the processing of decisions regarding energy-saving behavior, it becomes possible to recommend more suitable energy-saving behaviors.

[0059] Furthermore, in information processing devices relating to other aspects, the power saving action decision unit may predict future power consumption based on past power consumption and decide on power saving actions based at least on the predicted power consumption.

[0060] Based on the above aspects, using predicted power consumption to decide on energy-saving actions allows for situation-appropriate recommendations.

[0061] Furthermore, in information processing devices relating to other aspects, the incentive determination unit may provide the user with an incentive selected by the user based on the power saving information.

[0062] Based on the above aspects, since the incentives selected by the user are provided as incentives for energy-saving behavior, it is possible to motivate users to take energy-saving actions.

[0063] The block diagram shown in Figure 1 represents functional units. These functional blocks (components) are realized by any combination of at least one of hardware and software. Furthermore, the method of realizing each functional block is not particularly limited. That is, each functional block may be realized using one device that is physically or logically coupled, or it may be realized using two or more physically or logically separated devices that are directly or indirectly connected (for example, using wired or wireless connections). A functional block may also be realized by combining software with the one or more devices described above.

[0064] Functions include, but are not limited to, judgment, decision, determination, calculation, calculation, processing, derivation, investigation, exploration, confirmation, reception, transmission, output, access, resolution, selection, selection, establishment, comparison, assumption, expectation, assumption, broadcasting, notifying, communicating, forwarding, configuring, reconfiguring, allocating (mapping), and assigning. For example, a functional block (configuration part) that enables transmission is called a transmitting unit or transmitter. In all cases, as mentioned above, the method of implementation is not particularly limited.

[0065] For example, the information processing device 10 in one embodiment of the present invention may function as a computer. Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device 10 according to this embodiment. Physically, the information processing device 10 may be configured as a computer device including a processor 1001, memory 1002, storage 1003, communication device 1004, input device 1005, output device 1006, bus 1007, etc.

[0066] In the following explanation, the term "device" can be replaced with "circuit," "device," "unit," etc. The hardware configuration of the information processing device 10 may include one or more of the devices shown in Figure 7, or it may be configured to omit some of the devices.

[0067] Each function in the information processing device 10 is realized by loading predetermined software (programs) onto hardware such as the processor 1001 and memory 1002, allowing the processor 1001 to perform calculations and control communication by the communication device 1004, as well as the reading and / or writing of data in the memory 1002 and storage 1003.

[0068] The processor 1001 controls the entire computer, for example, by running an operating system. The processor 1001 may consist of a central processing unit (CPU) that includes interfaces with peripheral devices, control devices, arithmetic units, registers, etc. For example, the various functional units 11 to 16 shown in Figure 1 may be implemented by the processor 1001.

[0069] Furthermore, the processor 1001 reads programs (program code), software modules, and data from the storage 1003 and / or communication device 1004 into the memory 1002, and executes various processes accordingly. The program used is one that causes the computer to execute at least a part of the operations described in the above embodiment. For example, each of the functional units 11 to 16 of the information processing device 10 may be stored in the memory 1002 and implemented by a control program that runs on the processor 1001. Although the above-described processes have been explained as being executed by one processor 1001, they may be executed simultaneously or sequentially by two or more processors 1001. The processor 1001 may be implemented on one or more chips. The program may also be transmitted from a network via a telecommunications line.

[0070] The memory 1002 is a computer-readable recording medium and may consist of at least one of the following: ROM (Read Only Memory), EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The memory 1002 may also be called a register, cache, main memory, etc. The memory 1002 can store executable programs (program code), software modules, etc., for carrying out an information processing method according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0071] The storage 1003 is a computer-readable recording medium and may consist of at least one of the following: an optical disc such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc ROM), a hard disk drive, a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk (e.g., a compact disc, a digital multipurpose disc, a Blu-ray® disc), a smart card, flash memory (e.g., a card, a stick, a key drive), a floppy® disk, a magnetic strip, etc. The storage 1003 may also be called an auxiliary storage device. The above-mentioned storage medium may be, for example, a database, server, or other suitable medium including memory 1002 and / or storage 1003.

[0072] The communication device 1004 is hardware (transceiver / receiver device) for communicating between computers via a wired and / or wireless network, and is also referred to as a network device, network controller, network card, communication module, etc.

[0073] The input device 1005 is an input device that accepts input from an external source (e.g., a keyboard, mouse, microphone, switch, button, sensor, etc.). The output device 1006 is an output device that outputs to an external source (e.g., a display, speaker, LED lamp, etc.). The input device 1005 and the output device 1006 may be configured as an integrated unit (e.g., a touch panel).

[0074] Furthermore, each device, such as the processor 1001 and the memory 1002, is connected by a bus 1007 for communicating information. The bus 1007 may consist of a single bus, or different buses may be used for communication between devices.

[0075] Furthermore, the information processing device 10 may be configured to include hardware such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a PLD (Programmable Logic Device), and an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and some or all of each functional block may be realized by such hardware. For example, the processor 1001 may be implemented using at least one of these hardware components.

[0076] The notification of information is not limited to the embodiments described herein and may be carried out by other means. For example, the notification of information may be carried out by physical layer signaling (e.g., DCI (Downlink Control Information), UCI (Uplink Control Information)), upper layer signaling (e.g., RRC (Radio Resource Control) signaling, MAC (Medium Access Control) signaling, broadcast information (MIB (Master Information Block), SIB (System Information Block))), other signals, or combinations thereof. RRC signaling may also be called RRC messages, and may be, for example, RRC Connection Setup messages, RRC Connection Reconfiguration messages, etc.

[0077] Each aspect / embodiment described in this disclosure may be applied to at least one of the following systems: LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE-A (LTE-Advanced), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4G (4th generation mobile communication system), 5G (5th generation mobile communication system), FRA (Future Radio Access), NR (new Radio), W-CDMA®, GSM®, CDMA2000, UMB (Ultra Mobile Broadband), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi®), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX®), IEEE 802.20, UWB (Ultra-WideBand), Bluetooth®, and other appropriate systems, as well as next-generation systems extended based thereon. Furthermore, multiple systems may be applied in combination (for example, a combination of at least one of LTE and LTE-A with 5G).

[0078] The processing procedures, sequences, flowcharts, etc., of each aspect / embodiment described in this disclosure may be reordered, provided they do not contradict each other. For example, the methods described in this disclosure present various step elements using exemplary order and are not limited to the specific order presented.

[0079] The specific operations described in this disclosure as being performed by a base station may, in some cases, be performed by its upper node. In a network consisting of one or more network nodes having a base station, it is clear that various operations performed for communication with a terminal can be performed by the base station and at least one other network node (for example, an MME or S-GW, but not limited to these). Although the above example illustrates the case where there is one other network node besides the base station, it may also be a combination of multiple other network nodes (for example, an MME and an S-GW).

[0080] Information can be output from a higher layer (or lower layer) to a lower layer (or higher layer). Input and output may also occur via multiple network nodes.

[0081] Input and output information may be stored in a specific location (e.g., memory) or managed in a management table. Input and output information may be overwritten, updated, or appended to. Output information may be deleted. Input information may be sent to other devices.

[0082] The determination may be made by a value represented by one bit (0 or 1), by a boolean value (true or false), or by a numerical comparison (for example, a comparison with a predetermined value).

[0083] Each aspect / embodiment described in this disclosure may be used individually, in combination, or switched between as needed during implementation. Furthermore, notification of specific information (e.g., notification that "X is") is not limited to explicit notification, but may also be implicit (e.g., by not providing such notification).

[0084] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail above, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The present disclosure can be implemented in modified and altered forms without departing from the intent and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims. Therefore, the descriptions in the present disclosure are illustrative and not intended to be restrictive in any way.

[0085] Software should be broadly interpreted to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, execution threads, procedures, functions, and so on, whether they are called software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description languages, or by any other name.

[0086] Furthermore, software, instructions, etc., may be transmitted and received via a transmission medium. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using wired technologies such as coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, and digital subscriber lines (DSL) and / or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, these wired and / or wireless technologies are included in the definition of a transmission medium.

[0087] The information, signals, etc. described in this disclosure may be represented using any of the various different techniques. For example, the data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, chips, etc. that may be referred to throughout the above description may be represented by voltage, current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or photons, or any combination thereof.

[0088] In addition, terms described in this disclosure and / or terms necessary for understanding this specification may be replaced with terms having the same or similar meaning.

[0089] The terms “system” and “network” as used in this disclosure are interchangeable.

[0090] Furthermore, the information, parameters, etc., described in this disclosure may be expressed as absolute values, relative values ​​from a given value, or by corresponding other information. For example, wireless resources may be indicated by an index.

[0091] The names used for the parameters described above are not restrictive in any way. Furthermore, the formulas and other expressions using these parameters may differ from those expressly disclosed in this disclosure. Various channels (e.g., PUCCH, PDCCH, etc.) and information elements can be identified by any suitable name, and therefore, the various names assigned to these various channels and information elements are not restrictive in any way.

[0092] As used in this disclosure, the terms “determining” and “determining” may encompass a wide variety of actions. “Determining” may include, for example, judging, calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up, searching, or inquiring (e.g., searching in a table, database, or other data structure), or ascertaining. “Determining” may also include receiving (e.g., receiving information), transmitting (e.g., sending information), inputting, outputting, or accessing (e.g., accessing data in memory). Furthermore, "judgment" and "decision" can include considering something as having been "judged" or "decided" after resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, comparing, etc. In other words, "judgment" and "decision" can include considering something as having been "judged" or "decided" after some action. Also, "judgment (decision)" can be reinterpreted as "assuming," "expecting," or "considering."

[0093] As used in this disclosure, the phrase "based on" does not mean "based solely on" unless otherwise specified. In other words, the phrase "based on" means both "based solely on" and "based on at least."

[0094] Where the terms “first,” “second,” etc., are used in this disclosure, no reference to those elements shall generally limit the quantity or order of those elements. These terms may be used herein as a convenient way to distinguish between two or more elements. Accordingly, references to the first and second elements shall not imply that only two elements may be employed therein, or that the first element must precede the second element in any way.

[0095] In the configuration of each of the above devices, "means" may be replaced with "part," "circuit," "device," etc.

[0096] To the extent that “include,” “including,” and their variations are used herein or in the claims, these terms are intended to be inclusive, as is the term “comprising.” Furthermore, the term “or” as used herein or in the claims is not intended to be exclusive OR.

[0097] In this disclosure, if articles are added through translation, such as a, an, and the in English, this disclosure may include the fact that the noun following these articles is plural.

[0098] In this disclosure, the term "A and B are different" may mean "A and B are different from each other." The term may also mean "A and B are each different from C." Terms such as "separate" and "combine" may be interpreted similarly to "different."

[0099] The information processing apparatus 10 and information processing method of this disclosure may have the following configurations.

[0100] [1] An information processing device comprising: a power saving action determination unit that determines power saving actions to recommend to a user based on the user's power consumption; a suggestion unit that outputs recommendations to the user regarding the power saving actions via a virtual character selected by the user; a power saving information acquisition unit that acquires power saving information showing the change in power consumption after outputting the first recommendation compared to the power consumption before outputting the first recommendation; and an incentive determination unit that determines an incentive related to the recommendation based on the power saving information, wherein the suggestion unit outputs a second recommendation from the recommendations according to the determined incentive.

[0101] [2] The incentive relates to the mode of output of the recommendation by the virtual character, [the information processing apparatus according to 1.

[0102] [3] The incentive is an information processing device according to [2] relating to the visual elements of the virtual character.

[0103] [4] The incentive is an information processing device according to [2] or [3] relating to the content of speech of the virtual character.

[0104] [5] The incentive is an information processing device according to any one of paragraphs [2] to [4] relating to the processing for determining the power saving action.

[0105] [6] The power saving action determination unit predicts future power consumption based on past power consumption and determines the power saving action based at least on the predicted power consumption, which is the predicted power consumption, according to any one of [1] to [5].

[0106] [7] The information processing apparatus according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein the incentive determination unit grants the user an incentive selected by the user based on the power saving information.

[0107] [8] An information processing method executed by a processor, comprising: a power saving action determination step of determining power saving actions to recommend to a user based on the user's power consumption; a suggestion step of outputting recommendations to the user regarding the power saving actions via a virtual character selected by the user; a power saving information acquisition step of acquiring power saving information showing the change in power consumption after outputting the first recommendation with respect to the power consumption before outputting the first recommendation; an incentive determination step of determining an incentive related to the recommendation based on the power saving information; and a second suggestion step of outputting a second recommendation among the recommendations according to the determined incentive.

[0108] 1... Information processing system, 10... Information processing device, 11... Selection reception unit, 12... Power consumption acquisition unit, 13... Power saving action decision unit, 14... Proposal unit, 15... Power saving information acquisition unit, 16... Incentive decision unit, ag... AI agent, vc... Virtual character, M1... Recording medium, m10... Main module, m11... Selection reception module, m12... Power consumption acquisition module, m13... Power saving action decision module, m14... Proposal module, m15... Power saving information acquisition module, m16... Incentive decision module, P1... Information processing program, T... User terminal.

Claims

1. An information processing device comprising: a power saving action determination unit that determines power saving actions to recommend to a user based on at least the user's power consumption; a suggestion unit that outputs recommendations to the user regarding the power saving actions via a virtual character selected by the user; a power saving information acquisition unit that acquires power saving information showing the change in power consumption after outputting the first recommendation compared to the power consumption before outputting the first recommendation; and an incentive determination unit that determines an incentive related to the recommendation based on the power saving information, wherein the suggestion unit outputs a second recommendation from the recommendations according to the determined incentive.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, relating the incentive to the mode of output of the recommendation by the virtual character.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the incentive relates to the visual elements of the virtual character.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the incentive relates to the content of speech of the virtual character.

5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the incentive relates to processing for determining the power-saving action.

6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power saving action determination unit predicts future power consumption based on past power consumption and determines the power saving action at least based on the predicted power consumption.

7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the incentive determination unit grants the user an incentive selected by the user based on the power saving information.

8. An information processing method executed by a processor, comprising: a power saving action determination step of determining power saving actions to recommend to a user based on at least the user's power consumption; a suggestion step of outputting recommendations to the user regarding the power saving actions via a virtual character selected by the user; a power saving information acquisition step of acquiring power saving information showing the change in power consumption after outputting the first recommendation compared to the power consumption before outputting the first recommendation; an incentive determination step of determining an incentive related to the recommendation based on the power saving information; and a second suggestion step of outputting a second recommendation among the recommendations according to the determined incentive.

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