JP2021006945A - Authentication method, authentication system and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an authentication method, an authentication system and a program that facilitate consumer authentication at a service provider.SOLUTION: An authentication method is a method for performing authentication of a customer 2 in a case a service provider 1 that provides the customer 2 with a service and a sponsor 3 are separately present, and includes an authentication step. The sponsor 3 provides a relevant service for causing the customer 2 to implement one or more relevant actions related to the service. The authentication step is a step, at the time of providing the service, to perform authentication of the customer 2 at the service provider 1 through the sponsor 3 based on certification information indicating that the customer 2 has implemented the one or more relevant actions.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present disclosure relates generally to authentication methods, authentication systems and programs, and more specifically to authentication methods, authentication systems and programs for authenticating customers who receive services from service providers.

Patent Document 1 describes a charge / discharge control device for suppressing electricity charges in response to diversifying electricity rate plans.

In Patent Document 1, due to the diversification of electricity rate plans, the unit price of system power purchased from the grid (electricity rate) and the unit price of surplus generated power sold are changed, for example, daily. Is supposed to be.

JP-A-2019-004529

For example, in the case where electric power (electrical energy) is bought and sold as described above, in order for the service provider to provide a service such as the purchase of electric energy, the service provider needs to authenticate the customer. However, in a situation where the service provider does not have the customer information, such as in the case of a new customer, it is difficult for the service provider to authenticate the customer.

This disclosure is made in view of the above reasons, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide an authentication method, an authentication system and a program that facilitates authentication of a customer by a service provider.

The authentication method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a method for authenticating the customer when the service provider who provides the service to the customer and the sponsor exist separately, and has an authentication step. .. The sponsor provides a related service for causing the customer to perform one or more related actions related to the service. The authentication step is a step of authenticating the customer at the service provider through the sponsor based on the proof information indicating that the customer has performed the one or more related actions when providing the service. is there.

In the authentication system according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the service provider who provides the service to the customer and the sponsor are separate and include an authentication unit. The sponsor provides a related service for causing the customer to perform one or more related actions related to the service. At the start of providing the service, the certification unit authenticates the implementation status of the related action by the customer between the service provider and the sponsor.

The program according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a program for causing one or more processors to execute the authentication method.

According to the present disclosure, there is an advantage that the service provider can easily authenticate the customer.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram schematically showing the relationship between a service provider, a customer, a sponsor, and a consumer, which is a premise of the consideration setting method and the authentication method according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configurations of the consideration setting system and the authentication system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of candidate values that can be registered in the registration step in the same consideration setting method. FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the consideration that can be determined in the determination step in the same consideration setting method. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the above-mentioned consideration setting method. FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a procedure when a customer performs a related action with respect to the above-mentioned certification method. FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a procedure for performing authentication of a customer who has performed a related action regarding the above-mentioned certification method. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the above-mentioned certification method.

(Embodiment 1)
(1) Overview First, an outline of the consideration setting method, the authentication method, the consideration setting system 10 and the authentication system 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

As shown in FIG. 1, the consideration setting method according to the present embodiment is a method for setting the consideration for the service provided by the service provider 1 to the customer 2. Further, the authentication method according to the present embodiment is a method for authenticating the customer 2 who receives the service from the service provider 1.

The consideration setting system 10 (see FIG. 2) is an aspect that embodies the consideration setting method according to the present embodiment. The authentication system 100 (see FIG. 2) is an aspect that embodies the authentication method according to the present embodiment. That is, the consideration setting system 10 sets the consideration for the service provided by the service provider 1 to the customer 2. The authentication system 100 authenticates the customer 2 who receives the service from the service provider 1.

That is, both the consideration setting method and the authentication method are premised on the mode in which the service provider 1 provides the "service" to the customer 2. In other words, it is assumed that there is a service provider 1 that provides the "service" and a customer 2 that provides the "service". Based on such a premise, the consideration setting method can set the consideration for the service, and the authentication method can authenticate the customer 2. Therefore, according to the consideration setting method and the authentication method, the service provider 1 provides the service to the customer 2 by authenticating the customer 2 by the authentication method and then setting the service consideration by the consideration setting method. Can help provide.

By the way, the consideration setting method according to the present embodiment is a method of setting the consideration for the service provided by the service provider 1 to the customer 2, and has a registration step and a determination step. The registration step is a step of registering a candidate value corresponding to each of one or more related actions related to the service. The determination step is a step of determining the consideration for the customer 2 who has executed this related action from the candidate values corresponding to the executed related action when the customer 2 executes any one or more related actions.

That is, according to the consideration setting method according to the present embodiment, the consideration for the customer 2 can be determined in the determination step by using the correspondence between the related action registered in the registration step and the candidate value. .. That is, when the customer 2 executes any of the related actions related to the service, the consideration for the customer 2 is determined from the candidate value associated with the related action. Therefore, for the customer 2, the consideration for the service received by the customer 2 is determined according to the related actions taken by the customer 2, and the appropriate consideration is obtained even when compared with the consideration applied to other customers. It will be easier to set. Further, since the service provider 1 can set various consideration for each customer 2, it becomes easy to set an appropriate consideration. As a result, there is an advantage that it is easy to set the price for the service.

Further, the authentication method according to the present embodiment is a method for authenticating the customer 2 when the service provider 1 and the sponsor 3 exist separately, and has an authentication step. The service provider 1 provides the service to the customer 2. The sponsor 3 provides a related service for causing the customer 2 to perform one or more related actions related to the service. The authentication step is a step of authenticating the customer 2 by the service provider 1 through the sponsor 3 based on the proof information when the service is provided (by the service provider 1). The proof information is information indicating that the customer 2 has performed one or more related actions.

That is, according to the authentication method according to the present embodiment, the service provider 1 can authenticate the customer 2 based on the proof information in the authentication step. That is, when the customer 2 performs any of the related actions related to the service, the service provider 1 can authenticate the customer 2 based on the proof information indicating that. Moreover, in the authentication step, the service provider 1 authenticates the customer 2 through the sponsor 3, so that the customer 2 is surely related by matching with the record that the sponsor 3 provided the related service to the customer 2. You can prove that you have performed the action, and the reliability of the proof information is improved. As a result, there is an advantage that the service provider 1 can easily authenticate the customer 2.

(2) Details Hereinafter, the details of the consideration setting method, the authentication method, the consideration setting system 10 and the authentication system 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8.

(2.1) Premise The “service” referred to in the present disclosure is a service provided by the service provider 1 to the customer 2, and as an example, purchase of electric energy, sale of electric energy, sale of goods, rental of goods. Includes various services such as distribution of information (data) or purchase of information (data). When the service provider 1 provides such a service to the customer 2, a consideration for the service is generated. In the present embodiment, as an example, the case where the "service" is the purchase of electric energy, that is, the purchase of electric energy will be described.

That is, conventionally, a corporation or an individual does not consume the electric power (electrical energy) output from a distributed power source (for example, a solar power generation facility or a wind power generation facility) in-house, but flows it back to the power system. "Selling electricity" that sells electrical energy is known. Such a mechanism of "selling electricity" is established only when a service provider 1 who provides a service of purchasing electric energy to the customer 2 exists when the subject who sells the electricity is the customer 2. Therefore, in the present embodiment, as an example, it is assumed that the service provider 1 provides the customer 2 with the service of purchasing electric energy in order to realize such a mechanism of "selling electricity".

The "service provider" referred to in the present disclosure is a person who provides services to customer 2, and may be either a corporation or an individual, and is an organization (organization) consisting of a plurality of corporations or individuals. ) May be. As an example in the present embodiment, the service provider 1 is an electric power company such as an electric power company (including a retail electric power company, a general power transmission and distribution business operator, a power transmission business operator, a specific power transmission and distribution business operator, and a power generation business operator). Imagine a case.

The "customer" referred to in the present disclosure is a person who receives the service provided by the service provider 1, and may be either a corporation or an individual, and is an organization (organization) consisting of a plurality of corporations or individuals. It may be. In the present embodiment, as an example, it is assumed that the customer 2 is an individual living in a detached house.

The "compensation" referred to in the present disclosure is an incentive or penalty incurred for the provision of services. The "compensation" is realized by, for example, benefits including services such as money (including credits and virtual currency), points (points), goods, or equipment maintenance. In the present embodiment, since the "service" is the purchase of electric energy, as an example, the "compensation" will be described assuming that the unit price is the purchase unit price of the electric energy. Here, the "purchase unit price" means the amount of electricity required for electric energy per unit amount (for example, 1 kWh). Therefore, when the service provider 1 purchases the electric energy from the customer 2, the service provider 1 pays the customer 2 the amount of money obtained by multiplying the amount of the purchased electric energy by the consideration (purchase unit price). become.

The "related action" referred to in the present disclosure is an action that can be performed by the customer 2 in relation to the service. That is, when the customer 2 executes the related action, the service provided by the service provider 1 to the customer 2 is not a little affected. In the present embodiment, since the "service" is the purchase of electric energy, the "related action" is also an action related to the purchase of electric energy. As an example in the present embodiment, the related behavior includes at least one of the purchase and the borrowing of the specific device 5 (see FIG. 1) related to the service (purchase of electrical energy). Here, in particular, it is assumed that the related action is the purchase of the specific device 5. The specific device 5 is, for example, a device (including a stationary or portable facility, device, system, etc.) such as a heat pump type water heater 51, a power storage facility 52, or a power measuring device 53.

The "related service" referred to in the present disclosure is a service (service) provided to the customer 2 by the sponsor 3 in order for the customer 2 to carry out the related action. That is, the customer 2 can carry out the related action by using the related service provided by the sponsor 3. In the present embodiment, since the related behavior includes at least one of the purchase and the borrowing of the specific device 5, the related service includes at least one of the sale and the loan of the specific device 5 as an example. Here, in particular, it is assumed that the related service is the sale of the specific device 5.

The "sponsor" referred to in the present disclosure is a person who exists separately from the service provider 1 and provides related services to the customer 2, and may be a corporation or an individual, or a plurality of them. It may be a corporation or an organization consisting of a group of individuals. The sponsor 3 provides related services for the purpose of cooperating with the service provider 1, for example, after supporting the provision of the service by the service provider 1. In the present embodiment, as an example, it is assumed that the sponsor 3 is a company (corporation) that sells and rents the specific device 5.

The "candidate value" referred to in the present disclosure is a value used for determining the consideration, and may be the consideration itself or a value for which the consideration can be obtained through some calculation. In the present embodiment, the consideration is the purchase unit price of electric energy, so the candidate value is used to determine the purchase unit price of electric energy as an example. Specifically, when the consideration is the purchase unit price obtained by adding the premium value to the base basic charge, the "candidate value" is the value corresponding to the purchase unit price itself obtained by adding the premium value to the basic charge. It may be a value corresponding to a premium value. In the present embodiment, as an example, the case where the value corresponding to the purchase unit price itself obtained by adding the premium value to the basic charge is the “candidate value” will be described.

"Authentication" as used in this disclosure means confirming the legitimacy and authenticity of an object. That is, according to the authentication method, the legitimacy and authenticity of the customer 2 can be confirmed by confirming the identity of the customer 2 who is the target of the authentication. In the present embodiment, as an example, the case where authentication is performed by collating the information (certification information) held by the service provider 1 and the information (certification information) held by the sponsor 3 will be described. ..

Further, in reality, a large number of customers 2 are associated with one service provider 1 so that a large number of customers 2 are provided with services from one service provider 1. However, in order to simplify the explanation, the following description assumes that one service provider 1 to one customer 2 receive the service unless otherwise specified.

(2.2) Overall Configuration Next, FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of the system for the service provider 1 to provide the “service” to the customer 2, which is the premise of the consideration setting method and the authentication method according to the present embodiment. Will be described with reference to. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram schematically showing the relationship between the service provider 1, the customer 2, the sponsor 3, and the customer 4.

That is, in the present embodiment, the electric energy E1 as a service is bought and sold between the service provider 1 and the customer 2. Specifically, the service provider 1 purchases (purchases) the electric energy E1 from the customer 2, and pays the customer 2 a consideration commensurate with the electric energy E1. Of course, the method (mode) of payment of consideration can be appropriately selected, for example, transfer, collection of money, or credit card payment.

Here, the solar power generation facility 50 is installed in the house H1 (see FIG. 1) owned by the customer 2. A part of the electric energy generated by the distributed power source such as the photovoltaic power generation facility 50 is consumed by various facilities in the house H1 (self-consumption), but the electric energy E1 that cannot be consumed by the self is, for example, It is reverse power flowed to the power system and sent to the service provider 1 via the power system. That is, the surplus (surplus power) of the electric energy generated by the solar power generation facility 50 is the target of purchase by the service provider 1. As described above, in the present embodiment, at least a part of the electric energy generated by the solar power generation facility 50 of the customer 2 is sent (transmitted) from the customer 2 to the service provider 1, so that the service provider It is possible to purchase the electric energy E1 by 1.

Here, the electric energy generated by the solar power generation facility 50 is renewable energy (RE). The term "renewable energy" as used in the present disclosure means all energy that naturally regenerates at a speed higher than that used, and is synonymous with (or similar to) green power or new energy. Alternatively, "renewable energy" means all energies that are not depleted, exist anywhere on earth, and do not emit (increase) CO ₂ . Renewable energies include, for example, solar power, wind power, hydropower, geothermal power, solar heat and biomass, and electrical energy generated from these energies.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the electric energy E1 purchased by the service provider 1 from the customer 2 is a renewable energy. The service provider 1 may use the electric energy E1 acquired (purchased) from the customer 2 by himself / herself, but in the present embodiment, the service provider 1 sells the electric energy E1 to the customer 4. That is, as described above, in reality, a large number of customers 2 are associated with one service provider 1 so that a large number of customers 2 receive services from one service provider 1. Therefore, the service provider 1 can actually acquire a large amount of electric energy E1 as a whole by purchasing the electric energy E1 from a large number of customers 2 little by little. Therefore, the service provider 1 can make a profit by selling such a large amount of electric energy E1 to a large consumer 4. In other words, the service provider 1 supplies the electric energy E1 acquired from the customer 2 to the customer 4, and in return, obtains the consideration (reward) for the sales amount from the customer 4.

The "customer" referred to here is a person who receives electrical energy from the service provider 1 and uses the electrical energy, and may be either a corporation or an individual, or a plurality of corporations or individuals. It may be an organization consisting of a group. As an example in this embodiment, the consumer 4 is a member company of an environmental initiative (RE100), for example, which aims to carry out 100% of business operations with renewable energy. In such a consumer 4, instead of the electric energy from the power supply source using fossil fuel or the like, the electric energy E1 from the power supply source by the renewable energy such as solar power and wind power is used. It will be easier to achieve the goal of "RE100".

In addition, the service provider 1 cooperates with the sponsor 3 to carry out a business with the customer 2. Here, the service provider 1 purchases the electric energy E1 as a "service" to the customer 2, and the sponsor 3 sells and rents the specific device 5 as a "related service" to the customer 2. Do at least one with.

In short, the sponsor 3 provides the customer 2 with a related service for causing the customer 2 to perform the related action. As described above, the related action is the action of the customer 2 related to the service provided by the service provider 1, and in the present embodiment, the purchase and borrowing of the specific device 5 related to the service (purchase of electric energy). Includes at least one of. Here, in particular, it is assumed that the related action is the purchase of the specific device 5. Therefore, the sponsor 3 sells (and / or rents) the specific device 5 as a "related service" to the customer 2 in order to cause the customer 2 to carry out the related action. As described above, the specific device 5 sold by the sponsor 3 is a service-related device, and as an example, is a device such as a heat pump type water heater 51, a power storage facility 52, or a power measuring device 53. In the present embodiment, when each of the water heater 51, the power storage equipment 52, or the power measuring instrument 53 is not particularly distinguished, each of the water heater 51, the power storage equipment 52, or the power measuring instrument 53 is simply referred to as “specific device 5”.

However, since these specific devices 5 need to be installed and constructed when used, in the present embodiment, the sponsor 3 does not directly sell the specific devices 5, but the intermediary 6 (FIG. 2). The specific device 5 is indirectly sold through (see). That is, for example, an intermediary 6 such as a store or a contractor acts as an intermediary between the customer 2 and the sponsor 3, and the work related to the installation and construction of the specific device 5 is carried out by the intermediary 6.

In this way, the related service provided by the sponsor 3 is a service (service) for causing the customer 2 to perform the related action, and the related action is the service (service) of the customer 2 related to the service provided by the service provider 1. It is an action. Therefore, for the sponsor 3, a profit can be generated by the customer 2 using the related service. Further, for the service provider 1, the sponsor 3 provides the related service and the customer 2 is promoted to carry out the related action, which may lead to an increase in the number of users of the service and generate a profit.

However, it is not essential for the service provider 1 to sell the electric energy E1 acquired (purchased) from the customer 2 to the customer 4, and in embodying the consideration setting method and the authentication method according to the present embodiment. The existence of customer 4 is not essential. Therefore, in the following explanation, the consumer 4 will not be touched on in depth. For example, the service provider 1 may use the electric energy E1 acquired (purchased) from the customer 2 by himself / herself, or may accommodate another customer 2.

(2.3) Configuration of Consideration Setting System and Authentication System Next, the configurations of the consideration setting system 10 and the authentication system 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

As an example in the present embodiment, the consideration setting system 10 is a system owned by the service provider 1. The consideration setting system 10 constitutes the authentication system 100 together with the sponsor side system 30 owned by the sponsor 3. In other words, the authentication system 100 according to the present embodiment includes a consideration setting system 10 and a sponsor side system 30. Further, the customer 2 has a user terminal 20, and the intermediary 6 has an intermediary terminal 60.

Here, the consideration setting system 10, the sponsor side system 30, the user terminal 20, and the intermediary terminal 60 are configured to be able to communicate with each other. The term "communicable" as used in the present disclosure means that information can be exchanged directly or indirectly via a network NT1 or a repeater by an appropriate communication method of wired communication or wireless communication. In the present embodiment, the consideration setting system 10, the sponsor side system 30, the user terminal 20, and the intermediary terminal 60 are all directly or indirectly connected to the network NT1 such as the Internet via a router or the like. The consideration setting system 10, the sponsor system 30, the user terminal 20, and the intermediary terminal 60 are connected to the network NT1 via, for example, a mobile phone network (carrier network) or a public wireless LAN (Local Area Network) provided by a telecommunications carrier. May be connected to.

The user terminal 20 is, for example, a personal computer owned by the customer 2 or a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal. Similarly, the intermediary terminal 60 is, for example, a personal computer owned by the intermediary company 6 or a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal. Each of the user terminal 20 and the intermediary terminal 60 has an operation input function for receiving an input signal from a touch panel display or an external operation device (keyboard, pointing device, etc.) as a function for receiving a person's operation. There is. Further, the user terminal 20 and the intermediary terminal 60 each have a display function of displaying information on a display as a function of presenting information to a person.

In the present embodiment, as an example, the consideration setting system 10 and the sponsor side system 30 each mainly include a computer system (including a server) having one or more processors and one or more memories. The processor realizes the functions of the consideration setting system 10 and the sponsor side system 30 by executing the program recorded in the memory. The program may be pre-recorded in memory, provided by being recorded on a non-temporary recording medium such as a memory card, or provided through a telecommunication line. In other words, the above program is a program for making the computer system function as the consideration setting system 10 and the sponsor side system 30.

As shown in FIG. 2, the consideration setting system 10 includes a registration unit 11, a determination unit 12, an authentication unit 13, a provider-side storage unit 14, and a calculation unit 15. Of these configurations, particularly the registration unit 11, the determination unit 12, the authentication unit 13, and the calculation unit 15 are realized with one or more processors as the main configuration.

The registration unit 11 has a function of registering candidate values corresponding to each of one or more related actions related to the service. That is, the registration unit 11 executes a process corresponding to the registration step in the consideration setting method.

The determination unit 12 has a function of determining consideration. Here, when the customer 2 executes any one or more related actions, the decision unit 12 associates the candidate values registered in the registration unit 11 based on the candidate values corresponding to the executed related actions. Determine the consideration for the customer 2 who carried out the action. That is, the determination unit 12 executes a process corresponding to the determination step in the consideration setting method.

In the present embodiment, as an example, since the premium value added to the basic charge of the consideration (purchase unit price) differs depending on the related action, the determination unit 12 executes the related action based on the candidate value corresponding to the related action. Determine the consideration for the customer 2. Details will be explained in the column of "(2.5) Consideration setting method", but basically, the consideration is determined so that the consideration will be higher when the customer 2 carries out the related action. That is, when the customer 2 purchases the specific device 5, the purchase unit price in the purchase of electric energy by the service provider 1 becomes high.

The authentication unit 13 has a function of authenticating the customer 2 by the service provider 1 through the sponsor 3 based on the proof information indicating that the customer 2 has performed one or more related actions when providing the service. ing. That is, the authentication unit 13 executes a process corresponding to the authentication step in the authentication method.

The provider side storage unit 14 stores at least the candidate values registered in the registration unit 11 in a state of being associated with each of one or more related actions. Further, the provider side storage unit 14 stores the consideration for the customer 2 determined by the determination unit 12. In reality, since a large number of customers 2 are provided with services from one service provider 1, the provider side storage unit 14 stores the consideration for the plurality (many) customers 2 for each customer 2. .. Further, the provider side storage unit 14 further stores information and the like necessary for authentication by the authentication unit 13. The provider side storage unit 14 may be realized by a rewritable non-volatile memory such as EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), or may be realized by a database.

The calculation unit 15 calculates the purchase price using the consideration determined by the determination unit 12, that is, the purchase unit price. That is, the calculation unit 15 calculates the product of the amount of electric energy purchased from the customer 2 by the service provider 1 and the consideration (purchase unit price) as the purchase amount within the settlement period.

As shown in FIG. 2, the sponsor side system 30 includes a history management unit 31, a issuing unit 32, an external authentication unit 33, a sponsor side storage unit 34, and a transfer unit 35. Of these configurations, the history management unit 31, the issuing unit 32, the external authentication unit 33, and the transfer unit 35 are realized with one or more processors as the main configuration.

The history management unit 31 has a function of managing the history of related services provided by the sponsor 3 to the customer 2. In the present embodiment, since the related service is the sale of the specific device 5, the history management unit 31 manages the history of the sale of the specific device 5. The "history" referred to here includes the date and time of sale, information on the customer 2, information on the specific device 5 sold, and the like. The customer 2 information includes the customer 2's name (or name), address, contact information, and the like. Information on the specific device 5 includes the number, type (water heater / power storage equipment / power measuring device, etc.), product number, performance (coefficient of performance, etc.), specifications (rated power, rated output, etc.) and installation location of the specific device 5. including.

The issuing unit 32 has a function of issuing a certificate to the customer 2 in exchange for performing one or more related actions. Details will be explained in the column of "(2.6) Authentication method", but the issuing unit 32 issues a certificate upon application from the customer 2.

The external authentication unit 33 has a function of authenticating the customer 2 based on the proof information indicating that the customer 2 has performed one or more related actions when providing the service. That is, the external authentication unit 33 cooperates with the authentication unit 13 of the consideration setting system 10 to execute a process corresponding to the authentication step in the authentication method.

The sponsor side storage unit 34 stores at least the history of related services managed by the history management unit 31. Further, the sponsor side storage unit 34 also stores the information of the certificate issued by the issuing unit 32. In addition, the sponsor side storage unit 34 further stores information and the like necessary for authentication by the external authentication unit 33. The sponsor side storage unit 34 may be realized by a rewritable non-volatile memory such as EEPROM, or may be realized by a database.

The transfer unit 35 has a function of delivering at least a part of the reward obtained by the sponsor 3 from one or more related actions from the sponsor 3 to the service provider 1 when providing the service. The function of the transfer unit 35, that is, the transfer step will be described in detail in the column of "(2.6) Authentication method".

Further, each of the consideration setting system 10 and the sponsor side system 30 further has various functions such as a communication module and a user interface in addition to the above-described configuration.

In the present embodiment, the sponsor side system 30, the user terminal 20, and the intermediary terminal 60 are not included in the components of the consideration setting system 10. However, at least one of the sponsor side system 30, the user terminal 20, and the intermediary terminal 60 may be included in the components of the consideration setting system 10. Similarly, in the present embodiment, the user terminal 20 and the intermediary terminal 60 are not included in the components of the authentication system 100, but at least one of the user terminal 20 and the intermediary terminal 60 is included in the components of the authentication system 100. It may be.

(2.4) Specific device Next, the specific device 5 will be briefly described. As described above, in the present embodiment, the specific device 5 includes a heat pump type water heater 51, a power storage facility 52, a power measuring device 53, and the like.

The act of the customer 2 purchasing these specific devices 5 is included in the related actions related to the service (purchase of electric energy) in the present embodiment. Then, the sponsor 3 sells the specific device 5 as a related service for carrying out such a related action. In short, the sponsor 3 sells the specific device 5 to the customer 2 as a related service. In the customer 2, the related action is carried out by purchasing the specific device 5 from the sponsor 3.

When the customer 2 purchases the specific device 5 as a related action, the customer 2 indirectly purchases the specific device 5 from the sponsor 3 through the intermediary 6. When the customer 2 purchases the specific device 5, the intermediary 6 performs the work related to the installation and construction of the specific device 5. That is, the specific device 5 purchased by the customer 2 is installed in the house H1 of the customer 2 by the intermediary company 6, and the necessary electrical wiring and the like are further installed.

Here, the specific device 5 includes a device that reduces the burden related to the service of the service provider 1. In the present embodiment, of the plurality of specific devices 5, at least the heat pump type water heater 51 and the power storage facility 52 correspond to the devices that reduce the burden related to the service of the service provider 1. In particular, in the present embodiment, as described above, the service provider 1 provides the customer 2 with a service in which the service provider 1 purchases electric energy from the customer 2. Therefore, the specific device 5 includes at least energy storage devices (water heater 51 and power storage facility 52) having a function of storing energy related to the service, and these energy storage devices relate to the service of the service provider 1. It corresponds to the equipment that reduces the burden.

For example, the heat pump type water heater 51 is a hot water storage type water heater that has a hot water storage tank that stores hot water and a heating device that heats the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank, and supplies hot water by the hot water in the hot water storage tank. The heating device is a heat pump type and is installed outdoors.

The hot water storage tank has a heat insulating structure so that the heat of the hot water inside is not easily released. The inside of the hot water storage tank is filled with hot water, and the hot water supplied from the water supply port and heated is returned from the upper part, so that the hot water becomes hotter in the upper part. Here, a plurality of temperature sensors arranged in the vertical direction are provided in the hot water storage tank, and the specific device 5 uses the output of the temperature sensor to make the hot water from the upper end of the hot water storage tank to any position at a predetermined temperature (for example, 90 ° C.). Detect whether it is, and judge the amount of hot water. If the amount of hot water in the hot water storage tank reaches a predetermined amount of boiling water, the specific device 5 determines that the boiling is completed and stops the operation of the heating device. The "hot water amount" here means the amount of hot water above a predetermined temperature among the hot water in the hot water storage tank.

The heating device collects heat in the atmosphere (air heat) in a refrigerant (for example, a natural refrigerant), compresses the refrigerant with a compressor to raise the temperature, and then transfers the heat of the refrigerant to hot water through a heat exchanger. This heats the hot water.

That is, the heat pump type water heater 51 has a hot water storage tank, and has a function of converting electric energy into heat energy and storing it in the hot water storage tank as the heat energy of the heated hot water. Therefore, the water heater 51 is an energy storage device having a function of accumulating energy (heat energy) related to a service (purchase of electric energy).

On the other hand, the power storage facility 52 has a storage battery and a power conversion device. The power storage facility 52 is installed indoors or outdoors. That is, the power storage facility 52 has a function of storing electric energy in the storage battery. Therefore, the power storage facility 52 is an energy storage device having a function of storing energy (electrical energy) related to a service (purchase of electric energy).

According to these energy storage devices (heat pump type water heater 51 and power storage facility 52), the surplus (surplus power) of the electric energy generated by the photovoltaic power generation facility 50 can be used as heat energy or as electric energy. Can be accumulated. Therefore, the energy storage device can reduce the amount of surplus (surplus power) of the electric energy generated by the photovoltaic power generation facility 50, and as a result, the amount of electric energy purchased by the service provider 1 can be reduced. It can be kept low.

Then, for the service provider 1 who provides the service of purchasing electric energy, if the purchase amount of electric energy is small, the payment amount to the customer 2 (the product of the purchase amount and the purchase unit price) can be kept small. .. Therefore, according to these energy storage devices (heat pump type water heater 51 and power storage equipment 52), the service provider 1 can reduce the expenditure and the burden (expenditure) related to the service.

However, the specific device 5 is not limited to the energy storage device (heat pump type water heater 51 and power storage facility 52), and may include a power measuring device 53 or the like, or may further include other devices. As an example, the specific device 5 may include a smart meter, a fuel cell, a power conversion device, an electric vehicle, an air conditioner, a lighting fixture, a home electric appliance (refrigerator, a washing machine, etc.) and the like.

(2.5) Consideration Setting Method Next, the consideration setting method according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5.

As described above, the consideration setting method according to the present embodiment is a method for setting the consideration for the service on the premise that the service provider 1 provides the "service" to the customer 2. In the present embodiment, as an example, the service provided by the service provider 1 is the purchase of electric energy, and the consideration is the purchase unit price. In the present embodiment, the consideration setting method is implemented in the consideration setting system 10.

As described above, the consideration setting method includes a registration step and a determination step. In the present embodiment, the consideration setting method further includes an authentication step and a transfer step in addition to the registration step and the determination step.

The authentication step is a step of authenticating the customer 2 by the service provider 1 through the sponsor 3 based on the proof information indicating that the customer 2 has performed one or more related actions when providing the service. Further, the transfer step is a step of transferring at least a part of the reward obtained by the sponsor 3 from one or more related actions from the sponsor 3 to the service provider 1 when providing the service. However, since the authentication step and the transfer step are processes closely related to the authentication method, the authentication step and the transfer step will be described in detail in the column of "(2.6) Authentication method".

The registration step is performed by the registration unit 11 of the consideration setting system 10. That is, the registration step is a step of registering a candidate value corresponding to each of one or more related actions related to the service. Specifically, in the registration step, as shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of candidate values are registered in a mode corresponding to each of one or more related actions related to the service. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of candidate values that can be registered in the registration step. In FIG. 3, a candidate value corresponding to the purchase unit price itself, which is the basic charge plus the premium value, is conceptually shown in association with the related behavior (purchased specific device 5).

That is, in FIG. 3, six types of plans "Plan A" to "Plan F" are registered. Of these, the plan A is a plan when the related action is not implemented, that is, when the customer 2 does not purchase the specific device 5 from the sponsor 3. Therefore, the candidate value (purchase unit price) in Plan A is the basic charge of the purchase unit price secured regardless of whether or not the customer 2 is implementing the related action. Here, as an example, the candidate value of Plan A, that is, the basic charge of the purchase unit price is 8 [yen / kWh]. In other words, a candidate value of 8 [yen / kWh] is registered in association with no related action.

On the other hand, the plan B is a plan when a certain related action is carried out, that is, when the customer 2 purchases the heat pump type water heater 51 which is the specific device 5 from the sponsor 3. Therefore, the candidate value (purchase unit price) in Plan B is a value obtained by adding the premium value given when the customer 2 purchases the heat pump type water heater 51 to the basic charge. Here, as an example, the premium value in the case of Plan B is 1 [yen / kWh], and the candidate value in Plan B in which this premium value is added to the basic charge is 9 [yen / kWh]. In other words, a candidate value of 9 [yen / kWh] is registered in association with the related action of purchasing the heat pump type water heater 51.

Further, the plan C is a plan when another related action is carried out, that is, when the customer 2 purchases the power storage equipment 52 which is the specific device 5 from the sponsor 3. Therefore, the candidate value (purchase unit price) in Plan C is a value obtained by adding the premium value given when the customer 2 purchases the power storage equipment 52 to the basic charge. Here, as an example, the premium value in the case of Plan C is 3 [yen / kWh], and the candidate value in Plan C in which this premium value is added to the basic charge is 11 [yen / kWh]. In other words, a candidate value of 11 [yen / kWh] is registered in association with the related behavior of purchasing the power storage equipment 52.

Further, the plan D is a plan when yet another related action is carried out, that is, when the customer 2 purchases the water heater 51 and the power storage equipment 52 which are the specific devices 5 from the sponsor 3. .. Therefore, the candidate value (purchase unit price) in Plan D is a value obtained by adding the premium value given when the customer 2 purchases the water heater 51 and the power storage equipment 52 to the basic charge. Here, as an example, the premium value when both the water heater 51 and the power storage equipment 52 are purchased is the total of the premium values when each of the water heater 51 and the power storage equipment 52 is purchased. Here, the premium value when only the water heater 51 is purchased is 1 [yen / kWh], and the premium value when only the power storage equipment 52 is purchased is 3 [yen / kWh], so that is the premium for Plan D. The value is 4 [yen / kWh]. Therefore, the candidate value in Plan D in which this premium value is added to the basic charge is 12 [yen / kWh]. In other words, a candidate value of 12 [yen / kWh] is registered in association with the related behavior of purchasing the water heater 51 and the power storage equipment 52.

Similarly, in the other plans E and F, candidate values are registered in association with related actions. In Plan E, the related behavior is that the customer 2 purchases the power storage equipment 52 and the power measuring instrument 53 from the sponsor 3, and in Plan F, the related behavior is that the customer 2 purchases the water heater 51 from the sponsor 3. It is to purchase the power storage equipment 52 and the power measuring instrument 53. Then, in Plan E and Plan F, candidate values of 14 [yen / kWh] and 15 [yen / kWh] are registered in association with each related action.

In the registration step, as described above, a plurality of candidate values are registered in a manner corresponding to each of the one or more related actions related to the service. Specifically, in the registration step, the candidate value is registered by being stored in the provider side storage unit 14 in a state of being associated with each of one or more related actions. The registration step may be performed automatically according to a certain determination condition or using artificial intelligence (AI) or the like, or may be manually performed by a person using a user interface or the like.

However, the candidate value is determined according to the contribution of the corresponding related behavior to the service. That is, the candidate value preferably depends on the contribution of the corresponding related behavior to the service (here, the purchase of electrical energy), that is, the contribution. For example, as described above, among the specific devices 5, the energy storage devices such as the water heater 51 and the power storage facility 52 reduce the burden related to the service of the service provider 1, and the service of the service provider 1 is reduced. Contribute (contribute) to. Comparing the water heater 51 and the power storage equipment 52, the power storage equipment 52 that directly stores the electric energy has a larger amount of the surplus (surplus power) of the electric energy generated by the photovoltaic power generation equipment 50. It can be used effectively. Therefore, when comparing the water heater 51 and the power storage equipment 52, the power storage equipment 52 that directly stores the electric energy can further reduce the amount of electric energy purchased by the service provider 1, and the degree of contribution to the service is higher. large. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the candidate value of Plan C corresponding to the related action of purchasing the power storage equipment 52 is set higher than the candidate value of Plan B corresponding to the related action of purchasing the water heater 51. Has been done.

The determination step is performed by the determination unit 12 of the consideration setting system 10. That is, the determination step is a step of determining the consideration for the customer 2 who has executed this related action from the candidate values corresponding to the executed related action when the customer 2 executes any one or more related actions. Specifically, in the determination step, as shown in FIG. 4, the corresponding related actions were carried out based on a plurality of candidate values registered in a mode corresponding to each of the one or more related actions in the registration step. Determine the consideration for customer 2. FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the consideration (purchase unit price) that can be determined in the determination step. In FIG. 4, the horizontal axis is the time axis and the vertical axis is the consideration (purchase unit price), and the consideration applied for each related action is conceptually shown.

Here, as an example, it is assumed that six types of plans "Plan A" to "Plan F" are registered. That is, in Plan A when the related action is not implemented, the basic charge of 8 [yen / kWh] is applied as the consideration (purchase unit price). On the other hand, in Plan B to Plan F when some related action is implemented, the consideration (purchase unit price) is the amount obtained by adding the premium value to the basic charge of 8 [yen / kWh]. Is applied.

That is, since the premium value added to the basic charge of the consideration (purchase unit price) differs depending on the related action, in the determination step, the consideration for the customer 2 who has performed the related action is calculated based on the candidate value corresponding to the related action. decide. Basically, when the customer 2 implements the related action, the consideration is determined so that the consideration is higher than that of the plan A in which the related action is not implemented. That is, when the customer 2 purchases the specific device 5, the purchase unit price in the purchase of electric energy by the service provider 1 becomes high.

In particular, in the present embodiment, when the customer 2 executes a plurality of related actions, the consideration for the customer 2 who has performed the plurality of related actions is determined from the plurality of candidate values corresponding to the plurality of related actions performed. can do. That is, for example, the premium value when both the water heater 51 and the power storage equipment 52 are purchased as in Plan D is the total of the premium values when each of the water heater 51 and the power storage equipment 52 is purchased. Therefore, even if the candidate values when a plurality of related actions are performed as in Plan D are not registered, if the candidate values corresponding to each related action (Plan B and Plan C) are registered, the candidate values are registered. From these combinations, candidate values can be calculated when a plurality of related actions are performed.

In other words, if each of the premium value corresponding to the related behavior of purchasing the water heater 51 and the premium value corresponding to the related behavior of purchasing the power storage equipment 52 is registered, when purchasing both of them. The premium value is calculated from the sum of both premium values. In this way, by setting the premium value when a plurality of related actions are performed to a simple total value when each of the plurality of related actions is performed, it is possible to set a wider variety of consideration.

By the way, in the present embodiment, as is clear from FIG. 4, the period to which the consideration determined in the determination step is applied is limited to the application period of a predetermined length (for example, one year). That is, the consideration set by the consideration setting method according to the present embodiment is not applied permanently, but is applied for a limited time. In this case, for example, even if the consideration is set by adding the premium value to the basic charge by the consideration setting method, this consideration is applied only to the applicable period, and when the applicable period elapses, the basic charge is applied. It will be applied as consideration.

In the example of FIG. 4, the applicable period is the period from the start of service provision (purchase start) by the service provider 1 to the elapse of a certain period (here, one year). Therefore, for example, in the plan C applied to the customer 2 who purchased the power storage equipment 52 which is the specific device 5 from the sponsor 3, only the applicable period from the start of providing the service to the lapse of one year is 11 [ The consideration (purchase unit price) of [yen / kWh] is applied. Then, after the application period has elapsed, that is, after one year has passed from the start of service provision, the consideration for customer 2 of plan C is 8 [yen / kWh], which is the same basic charge as plan A. Purchase unit price) is applied.

The starting point of the application period is not limited to the time when the service is started to be provided, and may be, for example, the timing when the related action is executed, the timing when the authentication is successful, or the timing when the contract is concluded after the authentication.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the consideration setting method.

That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the consideration setting system 10 first executes a registration step for registering a candidate value in the registration unit 11 (S1). After that, the consideration setting system 10 performs an authentication step for authenticating the customer 2 in the authentication unit 13 (S2). The authentication step (S2) will be described in detail in the column of "(2.6) Authentication method".

If the authentication of the customer 2 in the authentication step S2 is successful (S3: YES), the consideration setting system 10 determines whether or not the customer 2 has performed the related action. (S4). At this time, if the customer 2 has not performed the related action (S4: NO), the consideration setting system 10 selects the plan A in the determination unit 12 (S5). On the other hand, if the customer 2 is performing the related action (S4: YES), the consideration setting system 10 selects any one of the plans B to the plan F according to the specific device 5 purchased by the customer 2 (S4: YES). S6).

Then, the consideration setting system 10 selects the candidate values corresponding to the selected plans A to F in the determination unit 12 (S7). Then, the consideration setting system 10 executes a determination step of determining the consideration to be applied to the customer 2 based on the selected candidate value in the determination unit 12 (S8). As a result, a series of processes related to the consideration setting method is completed.

If the authentication of the customer 2 in the authentication step S2 fails (S3: NO), the consideration setting system 10 skips the processes S4 to S8 and completes a series of processes related to the consideration setting method.

The consideration setting system 10 sets the consideration by repeatedly executing the processes S1 to S8. The consideration (purchase unit price) determined (set) in this way is presented to the customer 2 from the service provider 1 each time it is set. The flowchart of FIG. 5 is merely an example of the consideration setting method, and the processing may be omitted or added as appropriate, or the order of the processing may be changed as appropriate.

In short, the consideration setting method according to the present embodiment is a method of setting the consideration for the service in which the service provider 1 purchases electric energy from the customer 2. This consideration setting method includes a registration step and a determination step. The registration step is a step of registering a candidate value corresponding to each of one or more related actions related to the service. The determination step is a step of determining the consideration for the customer 2 who has performed the related action from the candidate values corresponding to the executed related action when the customer 2 executes any one or more related actions. Here, one or more related actions include at least one of purchase and borrowing of energy storage equipment (heat pump type water heater 51 and power storage equipment 52) having a function of storing energy related to services.

(2.6) Authentication Method Next, the authentication method according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8.

As described above, the authentication method according to the present embodiment is to authenticate the customer 2 who receives the service from the service provider 1 on the premise that the service provider 1 provides the "service" to the customer 2. This is the method. In this embodiment, the authentication method is implemented by the authentication system 100.

The authentication method has an authentication step as described above. In this embodiment, the authentication method further includes a transfer step and an issuance step in addition to the authentication step.

The authentication step is performed by the authentication unit 13 and the external authentication unit 33 of the authentication system 100. That is, the authentication step is the customer 2 at the service provider 1 through the sponsor 3 based on the proof information that the customer 2 has performed one or more related actions in providing the service (by the service provider 1). This is the step to authenticate. The proof information is information indicating that the customer 2 has performed one or more related actions.

Specifically, in the authentication step, proof that the authentication unit 13 of the consideration setting system 10 and the external authentication unit 33 of the sponsor side system 30 cooperate to show that the customer 2 has performed one or more related actions. Authenticate customer 2 based on the information. Here, in the authentication step, the customer 2 is authenticated based on the comparison result of the proof information performed by the service provider 1 with the sponsor 3. That is, the customer 2 uses the related service provided by the sponsor 3 to carry out the related action. In the present embodiment, since the related action is the purchase of the specific device 5, the sponsor 3 sells the specific device 5 as a related service. In short, since the implementation of the related action is carried out between the sponsor 3 and the customer 2, the sponsor 3 can accurately grasp the implementation status of the related action by the customer 2. Therefore, in the authentication step, the proof information grasped by the service provider 1 side and the proof information grasped by the sponsor 3 side are compared, and the customer 2 is authenticated based on the comparison result.

Here, in the authentication step, authentication is performed using the certificate as proof information. The "certificate" referred to in this disclosure is issued to Customer 2 in exchange for performing one or more related actions. In the present embodiment, since the related action is the purchase of the specific device 5, the certificate is, for example, a warranty card of the specific device 5. That is, when the customer 2 purchases the specific device 5 from the sponsor 3 as a related action, the sponsor 3 issues a warranty card or the like of the specific device 5 to the customer 2 in exchange for this related action. In the authentication method according to the present embodiment, the certificate such as the guarantee issued in this way is used as the certification information in the authentication step. The certificate may be an actually printed document or a document on data that can be viewed by the user terminal 20 or the like.

The issuing step is performed by the issuing unit 32 of the sponsor side system 30 in the authentication system 100. That is, the issuing step is a step of issuing a certificate by applying from the customer 2. In short, in the present embodiment, the certificate used in the authentication step is not actively issued by the sponsor 3, but is issued by the sponsor 3 only after receiving an application from the customer 2.

Further, the transfer step is performed by the transfer unit 35 of the sponsor side system 30 in the authentication system 100. That is, the transfer step is a step of transferring at least a part of the reward obtained by the sponsor 3 from one or more related actions from the sponsor 3 to the service provider 1 when providing the service. That is, when the customer 2 purchases the specific device 5 as a related action, the sponsor 3 who sells the specific device 5 receives a reward. Therefore, by handing over at least a part of the reward from the sponsor 3 to the service provider 1, the service provider 1 can recover the resources related to the service. That is, the service provider 1 needs a resource for raising (increasing) the consideration (purchase unit price) for the customer 2 who has performed the related action. As a source of this, at least a part of the reward delivered from the sponsor 3 to the service provider 1 in the transfer step is used.

6 and 7 show a specific example of the case where the customer 2 is authenticated by using the authentication method according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a procedure when the customer 2 carries out a related action. FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a procedure for authenticating the customer 2 who has performed the related action.

That is, when the customer 2 carries out the related action, as shown in FIG. 6, the sponsor 3 sells the specific device 5 through an intermediary 6 such as a store or a contractor (P1, P2). .. At this time, the intermediary 6 introduces and explains the specific device 5 to the customer 2, including the explanations of the above plans A to F showing the relationship between the related behavior and the consideration. Then, when the customer 2 purchases the specific device 5, the intermediary company 6 carries out the work related to the installation and construction of the specific device 5. At this time, the sponsor 3 records the sales history of the specific device 5 in the history management unit 31 of the sponsor side system 30.

After that, the customer 2 applies to the sponsor 3 for issuance of a certificate (guarantee) of purchase of the specific device 5 via the intermediary 6 (P3, P4). At this time, the customer 2 executes the issuance application by sending the date and time when the specific device 5 was purchased, the information of the customer 2 and the information of the purchased specific device 5 to the sponsor 3 as application information. As a result, the sponsor 3 is requested to issue a warranty card for the specific device 5 as a certificate.

The sponsor 3 who has received the application for issuing the certificate executes the issuing step of issuing the guarantee as a certificate through the intermediary 6 (P5, P6). At this time, at least identification information (for example, a guarantee number) that can identify the certificate is attached to the certificate (warranty card). The sponsor 3 records the identification information of the certificate (guarantee) in the history management unit 31 of the sponsor side system 30 in association with the application information from the customer 2.

After the customer 2 has performed the related action (purchase of the specific device 5) as described above, when the customer 2 is authenticated, as shown in FIG. 7, between the service provider 1 and the intermediary 6 , Service subscription request, etc. is made (P11). Specifically, the intermediary 6 requests the service provider 1 to issue a link and an ID of the application site. The application site referred to here is a website for applying for a service provided by the service provider 1, and is managed by, for example, the service provider 1. In response to this request, the service provider 1 issues a link and ID of the application site. The issued application site link and ID are notified from the intermediary 6 to the customer 2 (P12).

The customer 2 uses the notified application site link and ID to access the application site D1 on, for example, the user terminal 20 (P13). At this time, the customer 2 inputs the information of the customer 2 and the like on the application site D1. In response to this, the service provider 1 issues an application ID and a password to the customer 2 on the application site D1 (P14).

When the application ID and password are issued, the customer 2 notifies the intermediary 6 of the information of necessary documents such as a certificate (guarantee) together with the application ID and password (P15). As a result, the intermediary 6 applies for the service on the application site D1 on behalf of the customer 2 (P16).

When the service is applied, the service provider 1 notifies the intermediary 6 and the customer 2 that the contract has been applied (P17). Here, the service provider 1 applies to the sponsor 3 for confirmation of the certificate (guarantee) (P18). That is, since the sponsor 3 records the identification information of the certificate (guarantee) in the history management unit 31 of the sponsor side system 30 in association with the application information from the customer 2, the service provider 1 Upon receiving the confirmation application from, the identification information etc. will be matched. At this time, the authentication unit 13 on the service provider 1 side and the external authentication unit 33 on the sponsor 3 side cooperate to execute the authentication of the customer 2, that is, the authentication step.

Then, when the authentication of the customer 2 is successful, the sponsor 3 notifies the service provider 1 of the authentication result (P19). At this time, the sponsor 3 also carries out a transfer step of paying at least a part of the reward as a resource to the service provider 1. As a result, the service provider 1 completes all the processes for providing the service to the customer 2, and notifies the customer 2 of the start of the service (P20). The service start notification may include information on the consideration (purchase unit price) determined (set) by the consideration setting method.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the authentication method.

That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the authentication system 100 determines whether or not the related action is executed by the customer 2 (S11). When the related action is performed (S11: YES), the authentication system 100 determines whether or not there is an issuance application (S12). When the issuance application is made by the customer 2, the authentication system 100 executes an issuance step for issuing a certificate (guarantee) at the issuing unit 32 (S13). After that, the authentication system 100 stores the application information including the information of the customer 2 in the history management unit 31 (S14).

After that, the authentication system 100 determines whether or not there is a service application (S15). When the service is applied for, the authentication system 100 executes the authentication of the customer 2, that is, the authentication step in cooperation with the authentication unit 13 on the service provider 1 side and the external authentication unit 33 on the sponsor 3 side. (S16). At this time, the service provider 1 and the sponsor 3 collate the information (certificate information) regarding the certificate (guarantee), and it is determined whether or not the two match (S17). Customer 2 is authenticated.

If the proof information matches each other (S17: YES), the authentication system 100 determines that the authentication is successful (S18), and the sponsor 3 pays the service provider 1 at least a part of the compensation as a source of funds. The transfer step is carried out (S19). If the proof information does not match each other (S17: NO), the authentication system 100 determines that the authentication has failed (S20).

As a result, a series of processes related to the authentication method is completed. The authentication system 100 authenticates the customer 2 by repeatedly executing the processes S11 to S20. The flowchart of FIG. 8 is merely an example of the authentication method, and the processing may be omitted or added as appropriate, or the order of the processing may be changed as appropriate.

(3) Modified Example The first embodiment is only one of the various embodiments of the present disclosure. The first embodiment can be changed in various ways depending on the design and the like as long as the object of the present disclosure can be achieved. Each figure described in the present disclosure is a schematic view, and the ratio of the size and the thickness of each component in each figure does not necessarily reflect the actual dimensional ratio.

The same function as the consideration setting method according to the first embodiment may be realized by a computer program, a non-temporary recording medium on which the computer program is recorded, or the like. The (computer) program according to one aspect is a program for causing one or more processors to execute a consideration setting method.

Further, the same function as the authentication method according to the first embodiment may be realized by a computer program, a non-temporary recording medium on which the computer program is recorded, or the like. The (computer) program according to one aspect is a program for causing one or more processors to execute an authentication method.

Hereinafter, modifications of the first embodiment will be listed. The modifications described below can be applied in combination as appropriate.

The consideration setting system 10 or the authentication system 100 in the present disclosure includes a computer system. The main configuration of a computer system is a processor and memory as hardware. When the processor executes the program recorded in the memory of the computer system, the function as the consideration setting system 10 or the authentication system 100 in the present disclosure is realized. The program may be pre-recorded in the memory of the computer system, may be provided through a telecommunication line, and may be recorded on a non-temporary recording medium such as a memory card, optical disk, hard disk drive, etc. that can be read by the computer system. May be provided. A processor in a computer system is composed of one or more electronic circuits including a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) or a large scale integrated circuit (LSI). The integrated circuit such as IC or LSI referred to here has a different name depending on the degree of integration, and includes an integrated circuit called a system LSI, VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration), or ULSI (Ultra Large Scale Integration). Further, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) programmed after the LSI is manufactured, or a logical device capable of reconfiguring the junction relationship inside the LSI or reconfiguring the circuit partition inside the LSI should also be adopted as a processor. Can be done. A plurality of electronic circuits may be integrated on one chip, or may be distributed on a plurality of chips. The plurality of chips may be integrated in one device, or may be distributed in a plurality of devices. The computer system referred to here includes a microcontroller having one or more processors and one or more memories. Therefore, the microcontroller is also composed of one or more electronic circuits including a semiconductor integrated circuit or a large-scale integrated circuit.

Further, it is not an essential configuration for the consideration setting system 10 or the authentication system 100 that at least a part of the functions of the consideration setting system 10 or the authentication system 100 are integrated in one housing. The components of the consideration setting system 10 or the authentication system 100 may be distributed in a plurality of housings. For example, a part of the functions of the consideration setting system 10 may be provided in a housing different from the consideration setting system 10. Further, at least a part of the functions of the consideration setting system 10 or the authentication system 100 may be realized by a cloud (cloud computing) or the like.

On the contrary, in the first embodiment, at least a part of the functions of the consideration setting system 10 or the authentication system 100 distributed in a plurality of devices may be integrated in one housing. For example, the functions distributed in the consideration setting system 10 and the sponsor side system 30 may be integrated in one housing.

Further, the customer 2 is not limited to an individual living in a detached house (house H1), and may be, for example, an individual living in each dwelling unit of an apartment house, a manager of the apartment house, or the like. Further, not only the house H1 owned by the customer 2 but also a non-residential facility may be a service provision target (in the first embodiment, an electric energy purchase target). Examples of non-residential facilities include factories, buildings, stores, offices, schools, welfare facilities or hospitals.

Further, the period to which the consideration determined (set) by the consideration setting method is applied is not necessarily limited to the application period of a predetermined length, and may be limited to, for example, the variable length application period. However, it does not have to be restricted. When the application period is variable length, as an example, the length of the application period may change depending on the related behavior.

In addition, when the service provided by the service provider 1 is the sale of electric energy, the consideration is determined so as to discount the sales unit price, which is the consideration, to the customer 2 who has performed the related action. Is preferable. In this case, the candidate value may be, for example, a value corresponding to the purchase unit price itself obtained by subtracting the discount amount from the basic charge, or a value corresponding to the discount amount. Further, the candidate value may be an increase rate or a discount rate with respect to the basic charge.

Further, the provision of the related service to the customer 2 is not limited to the sponsor 3, but may be provided by the service provider 1. In this case, since the service provider 1 itself is the provider of the related service, no reward exchange (transfer) or the like occurs between the service provider 1 and the sponsor 3.

Further, it is not essential that the intermediary 6 intervenes between the sponsor 3 and the customer 2, and the sponsor 3 and the customer 2 may directly make a transaction. That is, for example, the sponsor 3 may sell the specific device 5 as a related service directly to the customer 2 without going through the intermediary 6.

Further, one customer 2 may be associated with a plurality of service providers 1 so that one customer 2 receives services from a plurality of service providers 1.

Further, in the first embodiment, in the authentication step, the customer 2 is authenticated based on the comparison result of the proof information performed by the service provider 1 with the sponsor 3, but the present invention is not limited to this, for example, the sponsor 3. Customer 2 may be authenticated independently. That is, in the authentication step, the service provider 1 may authenticate the customer 2 through the sponsor 3 based on the proof information, and the certifying entity may be, for example, the sponsor 3. In this case, in the authentication step, the sponsor 3 authenticates the customer 2, and the service provider 1 authenticates the customer 2 based on the authentication result of the sponsor 3.

(Embodiment 2)
The consideration setting method according to the present embodiment is different from the consideration setting method according to the first embodiment in that the consideration differs depending on the time zone. Hereinafter, the same configurations as those in the first embodiment are designated by common reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

That is, in the present embodiment, for example, the consideration (purchase amount) is different between the morning (6:00 to 12:00) and the afternoon (12:00 to 19:00), and the consideration is set for each time zone. In this case, in the consideration setting method, the consideration for a plurality of time zones may be set (determined), or only the consideration for one of the time zones is set as the reference consideration, and the consideration for the other time zones is set. It may be calculated based on the standard consideration.

According to the configuration of the present embodiment, it is possible to set different consideration depending on the time zone instead of a uniform consideration, so that it becomes easier to set an appropriate consideration.

Further, as a modification of the second embodiment, the consideration may be different not only for a time zone in which one day (24 hours) is divided into a plurality of times, but also for each period such as a day of the week, a week, a month, or a season.

The various configurations (including the modified examples) described in the second embodiment can be appropriately combined with the various configurations (including the modified examples) described in the first embodiment.

(Summary)
As described above, the authentication method according to the first aspect is the case where the service provider (1) that provides the service to the customer (2) and the sponsor (3) exist separately, and the customer (2) ) Is a method for performing authentication, and has an authentication step. The sponsor (3) provides the related service for causing the customer (2) to perform one or more related actions related to the service. The authentication step of the customer (2) at the service provider (1) through the sponsor (3) is based on proof information that the customer (2) has performed one or more related actions in providing the service. This is the step of authentication.

According to this aspect, in the authentication step, the service provider (1) can authenticate the customer (2) based on the proof information. That is, when the customer (2) performs any of the related actions related to the service, the service provider (1) can authenticate the customer (2) based on the proof information indicating that. .. Moreover, in the authentication step, the service provider (1) authenticates the customer (2) through the sponsor (3), so that it is consistent with the record that the sponsor (3) provided the related service to the customer (2). By doing so, it is possible to prove that the customer (2) has performed the related action, and the reliability of the proof information is improved. As a result, there is an advantage that the service provider (1) can easily authenticate the customer (2).

The authentication method according to the second aspect further includes a transfer step in the first aspect. The transfer step is a step of transferring at least a part of the reward obtained by the sponsor (3) from one or more related actions from the sponsor (3) to the service provider (1) when providing the service.

According to this aspect, the service provider (1) can use at least a part of the reward received from the sponsor (3) to fund the service.

In the authentication method according to the third aspect, in the first or second aspect, one or more related actions include at least one of purchase and borrowing of the specific device (5) related to the service.

According to this aspect, it is possible to promote at least one of the purchase and borrowing of the specific device (5) by the customer (2).

In the authentication method according to the fourth aspect, in the third aspect, the specific device (5) includes a device that reduces the burden related to the service of the service provider (1).

According to this aspect, at least one of the purchase and the borrowing of the specific device (5) by the customer (2) is promoted, so that the burden on the service of the service provider (1) can be reduced.

The authentication method according to the fifth aspect, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, certifies the certificate issued to the customer (2) in exchange for the implementation of one or more related actions in the authentication step. Authenticate using it as information.

According to this aspect, since the certificate issued to the customer (2) is used for the authentication in exchange for the execution of one or more related actions, the reliability of the authentication is improved.

The authentication method according to the sixth aspect further includes an issuing step in the fifth aspect. The issuing step is a step of issuing a certificate upon application from the customer (2).

According to this aspect, since the certificate is issued by the application from the customer (2), it is possible to suppress the issuance of the certificate more than necessary.

The authentication method according to the seventh aspect is based on the comparison result of the proof information performed by the service provider (1) with the sponsor (3) in the authentication step in any one of the first to sixth aspects. Authenticate customer (2).

According to this aspect, the service provider (1) and the sponsor (3) can cooperate to authenticate the customer (2).

In the authentication method according to the eighth aspect, in any one of the first to seventh aspects, the service includes the purchase of electrical energy (E1) from the customer (2).

According to this aspect, the customer (2) can be easily authenticated regarding the purchase of the electric energy (E1).

In the authentication system according to the ninth aspect, the service provider (1) that provides the service to the customer (2) and the sponsor (3) are separate, and an authentication unit (13) is provided. The sponsor (3) provides the related service for causing the customer (2) to perform one or more related actions related to the service. At the start of service provision, the certification unit (13) certifies the implementation status of related actions by the customer (2) between the service provider (1) and the sponsor (3).

According to this aspect, the authentication unit (13) can authenticate the customer (2) by the service provider (1) based on the proof information. That is, when the customer (2) performs any of the related actions related to the service, the service provider (1) can authenticate the customer (2) based on the proof information indicating that. .. Moreover, in the certification unit (13), the service provider (1) authenticates the customer (2) through the sponsor (3), so that the sponsor (3) provides the related service to the customer (2). By matching with the record, it is possible to prove that the customer (2) has performed the related action, and the reliability of the proof information is improved. As a result, there is an advantage that the service provider (1) can easily authenticate the customer (2).

The program according to the tenth aspect is a program for causing one or more processors to execute the authentication method according to any one of the first to eighth aspects.

According to this aspect, in the authentication step, the service provider (1) can authenticate the customer (2) based on the proof information. That is, when the customer (2) performs any of the related actions related to the service, the service provider (1) can authenticate the customer (2) based on the proof information indicating that. .. Moreover, in the authentication step, the service provider (1) authenticates the customer (2) through the sponsor (3), so that it is consistent with the record that the sponsor (3) provided the related service to the customer (2). By doing so, it is possible to prove that the customer (2) has performed the related action, and the reliability of the proof information is improved. As a result, there is an advantage that the service provider (1) can easily authenticate the customer (2).

The configuration according to the second to eighth aspects is not an essential configuration for the authentication method and can be omitted as appropriate.

1 Service provider 2 Customer 3 Sponsor 5 Specified equipment 13 Authentication unit 100 Authentication system E1 Electrical energy

Claims (10)

With service providers who provide services to customers
A method for authenticating a customer when there is a separate sponsor who provides the related service for causing the customer to perform one or more related actions related to the service.
In providing the service, it has an authentication step of authenticating the customer at the service provider through the sponsor based on proof information indicating that the customer has performed one or more related actions.
Authentication method. Further comprising a transfer step of delivering at least a portion of the rewards earned by the sponsor from the one or more related actions from the sponsor to the service provider in providing the service.
The authentication method according to claim 1. The one or more related actions include at least one of the purchase and borrowing of a specific device related to the service.
The authentication method according to claim 1 or 2. The specific device includes a device that reduces the burden on the service of the service provider.
The authentication method according to claim 3. In the authentication step, authentication is performed using the certificate issued to the customer in exchange for performing the one or more related actions as the proof information.
The authentication method according to any one of claims 1 to 4. Further having an issuing step of issuing the certificate upon application from the customer.
The authentication method according to claim 5. In the authentication step, the customer is authenticated based on the result of comparison of the proof information performed by the service provider with the sponsor.
The authentication method according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The service includes the purchase of electrical energy from the customer.
The authentication method according to any one of claims 1 to 7. With service providers who provide services to customers
Apart from the sponsors who provide the related services to have the customer perform one or more related actions related to the service.
At the start of providing the service, an authentication unit is provided between the service provider and the sponsor to authenticate the implementation status of the related action by the customer.
Authentication system. A program for causing one or more processors to execute the authentication method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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