JP7550379B2 - Information processing system, control method for information processing system, information processing device, and program - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to an information processing system, a control method for an information processing system, an information processing device, and a program.

Patent document 1 discloses a refrigerator that performs power-saving operation to consume less power than during normal operation in order to conserve energy.

JP 2014-088987 A

The present disclosure provides an information processing system, a control method for the information processing system, an information processing device, and a program that allow a refrigerator user to check the electricity bill that has been reduced by operating the refrigerator in energy saving mode.

The information processing system of the present disclosure includes a refrigerator that transitions an operation mode to an energy saving mode when transition instruction information transmitted from an information processing device is received from a refrigerator control server, a calculation unit that calculates a reduction amount, which is an electricity bill that has been reduced by the refrigerator operating in the energy saving mode, based on an operating time during which the refrigerator operates in the energy saving mode or a number of times the refrigerator has transitioned to the energy saving mode, and a provision unit that provides a user of the refrigerator with the reduction amount calculated by the calculation unit , wherein the energy saving mode includes a second mode, the second mode being an operation mode to which the refrigerator can be transitioned when the user is located at a food acquisition destination where food can be acquired, and which has an internal temperature of the refrigerator lower than that in a normal mode, and the calculation unit calculates the reduction amount for the second mode based on the number of times the refrigerator has transitioned to the second mode .

Further, a control method for an information processing system according to the present disclosure includes calculating an amount of reduction in electricity bills that can be reduced by operating the refrigerator in an energy saving mode when transition instruction information transmitted from an information processing device is received from a refrigerator control server, based on an operating time during which a refrigerator has operated in the energy saving mode or a number of times the refrigerator has transitioned to the energy saving mode, and providing the calculated amount of reduction in electricity bills that can be reduced by operating the refrigerator in the energy saving mode, and providing the calculated amount of reduction in electricity bills to a user of the refrigerator , the energy saving mode including a second mode, the second mode being an operating mode to which the user can transition when located at a food acquisition destination where food can be acquired, the second mode being an operating mode in which the refrigerator has an internal temperature that is lower than that in a normal mode, and the calculation of the amount of reduction in electricity bills includes calculating the amount of reduction in electricity bills that can be reduced by operating the refrigerator in the energy saving mode when the refrigerator has transitioned to the energy saving mode based on a number of times the refrigerator has transitioned to the second mode.

Furthermore, the information processing device of the present disclosure includes a providing unit that provides a user of the refrigerator with an amount of reduction, which is the electricity bill that can be reduced by the refrigerator switching its operation mode to an energy saving mode when transition instruction information transmitted from the information processing device is received from a refrigerator control server, the amount of reduction being calculated based on an operating time that the refrigerator operated in the energy saving mode or the number of times the refrigerator has switched to the energy saving mode, the energy saving mode including a second mode, the second mode being an operation mode to which the user can switch when located at a food acquisition destination where food can be acquired, and which has an internal temperature of the refrigerator lower than that in a normal mode, and the providing unit provides the amount of reduction for the second mode calculated based on the number of times the refrigerator has switched to the second mode.

Further, a program in the present disclosure causes a computer of an information processing device to function as a providing unit that provides a user of the refrigerator with an amount of reduction, which is the electricity bill that has been reduced by the refrigerator switching its operation mode to an energy saving mode when transition instruction information transmitted from the information processing device is received from a refrigerator control server, the amount of reduction being calculated based on an operating time that the refrigerator operated in the energy saving mode or the number of times the refrigerator has switched to the energy saving mode, the energy saving mode including a second mode, the second mode being an operation mode to which the user can switch when located at a food acquisition destination where food can be acquired, and which has an internal temperature of the refrigerator lower than that in a normal mode, and the providing unit provides the amount of reduction for the second mode calculated based on the number of times the refrigerator has switched to the second mode.

The information processing system, the control method for the information processing system, the information processing device, and the program disclosed herein can provide the refrigerator user with the electricity bill that has been reduced by the refrigerator operating in energy saving mode. Therefore, the refrigerator user can check the electricity bill that has been reduced by the refrigerator operating in energy saving mode.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a refrigerator control system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a refrigerator, a terminal device, and a refrigerator control server according to a first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a user-related information management DB according to the first embodiment; FIG. 1 shows an example of a home screen in the first embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a reduction amount screen in the first embodiment. Flowchart showing the operation of the refrigerator control system in the first embodiment Flowchart showing the operation of the refrigerator control system in the first embodiment Flowchart showing the operation of the refrigerator control system in the first embodiment FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a reduction amount screen in Modification 1. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a reduction amount screen in Modification Example 2. FIG. 13 shows the configuration of a refrigerator, a terminal device, and a refrigerator control server in Modification 3. FIG. 13 shows the configuration of a refrigerator, a terminal device, and a refrigerator control server according to a second embodiment. Flowchart showing the operation of the refrigerator control system in embodiment 2 FIG. 13 shows the configuration of a refrigerator, a terminal device, and a refrigerator control server according to a third embodiment. Flowchart showing the operation of the refrigerator control system in the third embodiment

(Knowledge and other information that forms the basis of this disclosure)
At the time when the inventors came up with the present disclosure, there was a technology for operating a refrigerator in an energy saving mode. However, the inventors discovered a problem with the conventional technology in that it was difficult for a refrigerator user to confirm how much electricity costs were reduced by operating the refrigerator in the energy saving mode. In order to solve this problem, the inventors came up with the subject matter of the present disclosure.
In view of this, the present disclosure provides an information processing system, a control method for the information processing system, an information processing device, and a program that enable a refrigerator user to check the electricity bill that has been reduced by operating the refrigerator in an energy saving mode.

Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, in some cases, more detailed explanations than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed explanations of already well-known matters or duplicate explanations of substantially the same configurations may be omitted.
It should be noted that the accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

(Embodiment 1)
A first embodiment will be described.
[1-1. Configuration]
[1-1-1. Configuration of refrigerator control system]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a refrigerator control system 1000.
The refrigerator control system 1000 corresponds to an example of an information processing system of the present disclosure.

The refrigerator control system 1000 is a system in which a terminal device 2 used by a user P of the refrigerator 1 controls the refrigerator 1 via a global network GN. The global network GN includes the Internet, a telephone network, and other communication networks.
In the present embodiment, the terminal device 2 corresponds to an example of an information processing device of the present disclosure.

The refrigerator control system 1000 includes a refrigerator 1. In FIG. 1, the refrigerator 1 is installed in the home H of a user P. The refrigerator 1 includes a main box 10 with an open front, in which a refrigerator compartment 11, an ice-making compartment 12, a fresh-freezing compartment 13, a freezer compartment 14, and a vegetable compartment 15 are formed. A rotating left door 11A and a right door 11B are provided at the opening at the front of the refrigerator compartment 11. The ice-making compartment 12, the fresh-freezing compartment 13, the freezer compartment 14, and the vegetable compartment 15 are each provided with drawers 12A, 13A, 14A, and 15A for storing food.

In this embodiment, the refrigerator 1 is connected to a communication device 4 installed in the home H of the user P, and communicates with the refrigerator control server 3 via the communication device 4.

The communication device 4 connects to the global network GN and communicates with the refrigerator control server 3 connected to the global network GN. The communication device 4 transfers data exchanged between the refrigerator 1 and the refrigerator control server 3. The communication device 4 also transfers data exchanged between the refrigerator control server 3 and the terminal device 2 that has established a communication connection with the communication device 4.

The refrigerator control system 1000 includes a terminal device 2 having a touch panel 22. The terminal device 2 is, for example, a smartphone or a tablet device, and is used by a user P of the refrigerator 1. An application program for controlling the refrigerator 1 is installed in the terminal device 2. In the following description, the application program for controlling the refrigerator 1 is referred to as a "refrigerator control app" and is denoted by the reference number "212."
In the present embodiment, the refrigerator control application 212 corresponds to an example of a program and an application program of the present disclosure.

In FIG. 1, a user P who is at home is indicated by a dotted line, and a user P who has left home H is indicated by a solid line. When the terminal device 2 is used by a user P who is at home, the terminal device 2 controls the refrigerator 1 by communicating with the refrigerator control server 3 via the communication device 4 or without the communication device 4 using the function of the refrigerator control app 212. When the terminal device 2 is used by a user P who has left home H and a communication connection with the communication device 4 cannot be established, the terminal device 2 controls the refrigerator 1 by communicating with the refrigerator control server 3 without the communication device 4 using the function of the refrigerator control app 212.

The refrigerator control system 1000 includes a refrigerator control server 3. The refrigerator control server 3 is a server device that controls the refrigerator 1 and is connected to the global network GN.

The refrigerator control system 1000 includes a weather server 5. The weather server 5 is a server device that provides weather data related to the weather in the area including the installation location of the refrigerator 1. In this disclosure, the weather data provided by the weather server 5 is exemplified as temperature data in the area including the installation location of the refrigerator 1, but the weather data provided by the weather server 5 only needs to include at least temperature data, and may also include other data such as humidity data. In this disclosure, the temperature data provided by the weather server 5 indicates at least the daily minimum temperature.

In each figure, the refrigerator control server 3 and the weather server 5 are each represented by a single block, but this does not necessarily mean that the refrigerator control server 3 and the weather server 5 are each configured as a single server device. For example, the refrigerator control server 3 and the weather server 5 may each be configured to include multiple server devices with different processing contents. Also, although each figure illustrates the refrigerator control server 3 and the weather server 5 as separate server devices, these server devices may be configured as the same server device.

Next, the configurations of the refrigerator 1, the terminal device 2, and the refrigerator control server 3 will be described.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configurations of the refrigerator 1, the terminal device 2, and the refrigerator control server 3.

[1-1-2. Configuration of refrigerator]
First, the configuration of the refrigerator 1 will be described.
The refrigerator 1 includes a refrigerator control unit 16, a refrigerator communication unit 17, a cooling unit 18, and a sensor unit 19.

The refrigerator control unit 16 includes a refrigerator processor 160, which is a processor that executes programs such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and an MPU (Micro-processing unit), and a refrigerator memory unit 161. The refrigerator control unit 16 controls each part of the refrigerator 1 by the refrigerator processor 160 reading and executing a control program 1611 stored in the refrigerator memory unit 161. The refrigerator processor 160 executes the control program 1611, thereby functioning as a refrigerator communication control unit 1601 and an operation mode execution unit 1602.

The refrigerator storage unit 161 includes a memory that stores programs executed by the refrigerator processor 160 and data processed by the refrigerator processor 160. The refrigerator storage unit 161 stores a control program 1611 executed by the refrigerator processor 160 and various other data. The refrigerator storage unit 161 includes a non-volatile storage area. The refrigerator storage unit 161 includes a volatile storage area and may constitute a work area for the refrigerator processor 160.

The refrigerator communication unit 17 is a communication interface equipped with a configuration related to communication, such as a wireless circuit and an antenna, that conforms to a specific communication standard, and communicates with the refrigerator control server 3 according to the specific communication standard. The communication standard used by the refrigerator communication unit 17 may be a wireless communication standard (e.g., IEEE802.11a/11b/11g/11n/11ac, Bluetooth (registered trademark)) or a wired communication standard.

The cooling unit 18 includes mechanisms for cooling each storage compartment of the refrigerator 1, such as a compressor 181, a condenser 182, a capillary tube 183, a cooler 184, a cooling fan 185 that sends the cold air generated by the cooler 184 to each storage compartment, and a damper 186 that divides the cold air sent by the cooling fan 185, and cools each storage compartment of the refrigerator 1 according to the control of the refrigerator control unit 16.

The sensor unit 19 includes various sensors such as an illuminance sensor 191, and outputs detection values for each sensor to the refrigerator control unit 16. The illuminance sensor 191 is provided at a predetermined position on the refrigerator 1 and detects the illuminance of the location where the refrigerator 1 is placed. In the present disclosure, the greater the detection value of the illuminance sensor 191, the brighter the location where the refrigerator 1 is placed.

As described above, the refrigerator control unit 16 functions as a refrigerator communication control unit 1601 and an operation mode execution unit 1602.

The refrigerator communication control unit 1601 communicates with devices connected to the global network GN via the refrigerator communication unit 17. In this disclosure, the refrigerator communication control unit 1601 communicates with the refrigerator control server 3 via the refrigerator communication unit 17.

The operation mode execution unit 1602 switches the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to any one of the normal mode, going out mode, shopping preparation mode, winter mode, and automatic power saving mode, and executes processing corresponding to the operation mode.
The outing mode corresponds to an example of a first mode of the present disclosure. The shopping preparation mode corresponds to an example of a second mode of the present disclosure. The winter mode corresponds to an example of a third mode of the present disclosure. The automatic power saving mode corresponds to an example of a fourth mode of the present disclosure.

In the following description, when there is no distinction between the going out mode, the shopping preparation mode, the winter mode, and the automatic power saving mode, they will be referred to as "energy saving mode." The energy saving mode is an operating mode that consumes less power than the normal mode. Note that the normal mode is an operating mode that consumes more power than the energy saving mode.

[1-1-2-1. Going out mode]
The away mode is an operation mode to which the refrigerator can be switched when the user P goes out from the home H in which the refrigerator 1 is installed.
When the refrigerator communication control unit 1601 receives first transition instruction information indicating an instruction to transition to the away mode from the refrigerator control server 3, the operation mode execution unit 1602 transitions the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 from an operation mode other than the away mode to the away mode.

For example, in the away mode, the operation mode execution unit 1602 reduces at least one of the rotation speed of the compressor 181 and the rotation speed of the cooling fan 185 below the rotation speed in the normal mode. As a result, in the away mode, the operation mode execution unit 1602 reduces at least one of the cooling amount of each storage compartment of the refrigerator 1 and the amount of cold air circulating in the refrigerator 1. In the away mode, the temperature inside the refrigerator 1 increases by, for example, 1°C compared to the normal mode.

After the operation mode execution unit 1602 transitions the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to the away mode, if an end trigger for the away mode occurs, it ends the away mode and transitions the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 from the away mode to an operation mode other than the away mode.

For example, when the operation mode execution unit 1602 detects the opening or closing of at least one of the left door 11A, right door 11B, and drawers 12A, 13A, 14A, and 15A by an opening/closing sensor (not shown) or the like, it determines that an end trigger has occurred and ends the going out mode. In addition, when a predetermined time (e.g., 8 hours) has elapsed since the operation mode execution unit 1602 switched to the going out mode, it determines that an end trigger has occurred and ends the going out mode. In addition, when an instruction to switch to another operation mode is received, the operation mode execution unit 1602 determines that an end trigger has occurred and ends the going out mode.

[1-1-2-2. Shopping preparation mode]
The shopping preparation mode is an operation mode to which the refrigerator can be switched when the user P is located at a shopping destination, and increases the amount of cooling inside the refrigerator 1 compared to the normal mode.
A shopping destination is, for example, a store that sells food, and corresponds to an example of a food acquisition destination of the present disclosure.

By switching the operating mode of refrigerator 1 to shopping preparation mode before storing food items purchased by user P in refrigerator 1, the temperature inside refrigerator 1 can be lowered below that in normal mode. This prevents the temperature inside refrigerator 1 from temporarily increasing due to user P storing food items in refrigerator 1, and also allows the temperature of newly stored food items to quickly reach the optimal storage temperature.

The reason why the shopping preparation mode consumes less power than the normal mode is because the interior of the refrigerator does not cool rapidly due to a temporary increase in the capacity of the refrigerator.

When the refrigerator communication control unit 1601 receives second transition instruction information indicating an instruction to transition to the shopping preparation mode from the refrigerator control server 3, the operation mode execution unit 1602 transitions the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 from an operation mode other than the shopping preparation mode to the shopping preparation mode.

For example, in the shopping preparation mode, the operation mode execution unit 1602 increases at least one of the rotation speed of the compressor 181 and the rotation speed of the cooling fan 185 to a value higher than the rotation speed in the normal mode. As a result, in the shopping preparation mode, the operation mode execution unit 1602 increases at least one of the cooling amount of each storage compartment of the refrigerator 1 and the circulation amount of cool air in the refrigerator 1.
As a result, in the shopping preparation mode, the temperature inside the refrigerator 1 is lowered by, for example, 2° C. compared to the normal mode.

After the operation mode execution unit 1602 transitions the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to the shopping preparation mode, if a trigger for terminating the shopping preparation mode occurs, the operation mode execution unit 1602 terminates the shopping preparation mode and transitions the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 from the shopping preparation mode to an operation mode other than the shopping preparation mode.

For example, when the operation mode execution unit 1602 detects the opening or closing of at least one of the left door 11A, the right door 11B, or the drawers 12A, 13A, 14A, and 15A, it determines that an end trigger has occurred and ends the shopping preparation mode. Also, when a predetermined time (e.g., two hours) has elapsed since the operation mode execution unit 1602 transitioned to the shopping preparation mode, it determines that an end trigger has occurred and ends the shopping preparation mode. Also, when an instruction to transition to another operation mode is received, the operation mode execution unit 1602 determines that an end trigger has occurred and ends the going out mode.

[1-1-2-3. Winter mode]
The winter mode is an operating mode that can be switched to when the current season is winter, and the internal temperature of the refrigerator 1 is, for example, 1°C to 2°C higher than in the normal mode. Since some people tend to dislike cold foods in winter, it is desirable to be able to set the internal temperature of the refrigerator to a temperature suitable for winter. Therefore, by operating in the winter mode, the refrigerator 1 can set the internal temperature of the refrigerator 1 to a temperature suitable for winter.

When the refrigerator communication control unit 1601 receives third transition instruction information indicating an instruction to transition to winter mode from the refrigerator control server 3, the operation mode execution unit 1602 transitions the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 from an operation mode other than winter mode to winter mode.

For example, in the winter mode, the operation mode execution unit 1602 reduces at least one of the rotation speed of the compressor 181 and the rotation speed of the cooling fan 185 below the rotation speed in the normal mode. As a result, the operation mode execution unit 1602 reduces at least one of the cooling amount of each storage compartment of the refrigerator 1 and the amount of cold air circulating in the refrigerator 1.

After the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 is shifted to the winter mode, if a trigger for ending the winter mode occurs, the operation mode execution unit 1602 ends the winter mode.
For example, when a refrigerator operation unit (not shown) provided on the door or in refrigerator compartment 11 receives an operation to end the winter mode or to change the inside temperature from user P, operation mode execution unit 1602 determines that an end trigger has occurred and ends the winter mode. Also, when operation mode execution unit 1602 receives end instruction information indicating an instruction to end the winter mode from refrigerator control server 3, operation mode execution unit 1602 determines that an end trigger has occurred and ends the winter mode.

[1-1-2-4. Automatic power saving mode]
The automatic power saving mode is an operation mode to which the refrigerator 1 automatically shifts, unlike the going out mode, the shopping preparation mode, and the winter mode.

When the detection value of the illuminance sensor 191 remains below a predetermined value for a predetermined time or more (e.g., 5 minutes or more), the operation mode execution unit 1602 transitions the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 from an operation mode other than the automatic power saving mode to the automatic power saving mode.

For example, in the automatic power saving mode, the operation mode execution unit 1602 reduces at least one of the rotation speed of the compressor 181 and the rotation speed of the cooling fan 185 to a value lower than the rotation speed in the normal mode. As a result, in the automatic power saving mode, the operation mode execution unit 1602 reduces at least one of the cooling amount of each storage compartment of the refrigerator 1 and the circulation amount of cold air in the refrigerator 1.

After the operation mode execution unit 1602 transitions the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to the automatic power saving mode, if the detection value of the illuminance sensor 191 exceeds a predetermined value, it determines that an end trigger for the automatic power saving mode has occurred, and transitions from the automatic power saving mode to an operation mode other than the automatic power saving mode.

[1-1-3. Configuration of refrigerator control server]
Next, the configuration of the refrigerator control server 3 will be described.
The refrigerator control server 3 includes a server control unit 30 and a server communication unit 31.

The server control unit 30 includes a server processor 300, which is a processor that executes programs such as a CPU or MPU, and a server memory unit 310. The server control unit 30 controls each unit of the refrigerator control server 3 by the server processor 300 reading and executing a control program 311 stored in the server memory unit 310. The server processor 300 executes the control program stored in the server memory unit 310, thereby functioning as a server communication control unit 301, a calculation unit 302, a database processing unit 303, and a current sundial time unit 304.

The server storage unit 310 has a memory that stores programs executed by the server processor 300 and data processed by the server processor 300. The server storage unit 310 stores the control program 311 executed by the server processor 300, setting data related to the settings of the refrigerator control server 3, a user-related information management DB 312, and various other data. The server storage unit 310 has a non-volatile storage area that stores programs and data in a non-volatile manner. The server storage unit 310 has a volatile storage area, and may constitute a work area that temporarily stores programs executed by the server processor 300 and data to be processed.

Figure 3 shows an example of a user-related information management DB312.

The user-related information management DB312 is a database that stores various information related to the user of the refrigerator 1. Each record R stored in the user-related information management DB312 has a user ID3121, refrigerator communication information3122, terminal device communication information3123, reduction amount information3124, and actual performance information3125. Each record R stored in the user-related information management DB312 may further have one or more other types of information.

The user ID 3121 is identification information that identifies the user P who uses the refrigerator control app 212.

Refrigerator communication information 3122 is information for communicating with refrigerator 1. Refrigerator communication information 3122 includes, for example, address information and security information.

The terminal device communication information 3123 is information for communicating with a terminal device 2 in which the refrigerator control app 212 used by a user P with a user ID 3121 associated with the same record R is installed. The terminal device communication information 3123 includes, for example, address information and security information.

The reduction amount information 3124 is information indicating the reduction amount. The reduction amount is the electricity bill of refrigerator 1 that has been reduced by refrigerator 1 operating in energy saving mode. The reduction amount information 3124 indicates the reduction amount for the past 13 months, including this month, with the current month being the current month. The reduction amounts for months other than this month indicated by the reduction amount information 3124 are the reduction amounts for the most recent 12 months, with this month as the base month. Hereinafter, the current month will be referred to as "this month".

The performance information 3125 is information that indicates the operation performance in the energy saving mode. The performance information 3125 includes the going out mode performance information 3126, the shopping preparation mode performance information 3127, the winter mode performance information 3128, and the automatic power saving mode performance information 3129.

The away mode performance information 3126 indicates the operation time during which the device is operated in the away mode.
Shopping preparation mode record information 3127 indicates the number of times the mode has been changed to shopping preparation mode.
Winter mode performance information 3128 indicates the operating time during which the device has operated in winter mode.
The automatic power saving mode result information 3129 indicates the operation time during which the device has operated in the automatic power saving mode.

The server communication unit 31 is a communication interface equipped with a configuration related to communication, such as a wireless circuit and an antenna, that conforms to a specific communication standard, and communicates with devices connected to the global network GN according to the specific communication standard. In this embodiment, the server communication unit 31 communicates with the refrigerator 1 and the terminal device 2.

As described above, the server control unit 30 functions as a server communication control unit 301, a calculation unit 302, a database processing unit 303, and a current date and time unit 304.

The server communication control unit 301 communicates with the refrigerator 1 and the terminal device 2 via the server communication unit 31.

The calculation unit 302 calculates the reduction amount. The calculation method of the calculation unit 302 for calculating the reduction amount will be described later.

The database processing unit 303 performs information processing related to the user-related information management DB 312, such as generating record R, storing record R, and updating record R.

The current date and time unit 304 measures the current date and time (current year, month, day, and time).

[1-1-4. Configuration of terminal device]
Next, the configuration of the terminal device 2 will be described.
The terminal device 2 includes a terminal control unit 20 , a terminal communication unit 21 , a touch panel 22 , and a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) 23 .

The terminal control unit 20 includes a terminal processor 200, which is a processor that executes programs such as a CPU or an MPU, and a terminal storage unit 210. The terminal control unit 20 controls each unit of the terminal device 2 by the terminal processor 200 reading and executing a control program 211 stored in the terminal storage unit 210. A refrigerator control app 212 is pre-installed in the terminal device 2. The terminal processor 200 reads and executes the refrigerator control app 212, thereby functioning as a first terminal communication control unit 201, a second terminal communication control unit 202, a setting unit 203, a detection unit 204, a determination unit 205, a display control unit 206, and an operation control unit 207. Details of these functional units will be described later.
In this embodiment, the terminal processor 200 corresponds to an example of a computer of the present disclosure.

The terminal storage unit 210 has a memory for storing programs executed by the terminal processor 200 and data processed by the terminal processor 200. The terminal storage unit 210 stores a control program 211 executed by the terminal processor 200, setting data relating to the settings of the terminal device 2, a refrigerator control app 212, a user ID 3121, installation location information 213, and various other data. The terminal storage unit 210 has a non-volatile storage area for non-volatilely storing programs and data. The terminal storage unit 210 has a volatile storage area and may constitute a work area for the terminal processor 200.
The installation location information 213 is information indicating the installation location of the refrigerator 1. The installation location information 213 indicates, for example, the address and postal code of the home H.

The terminal communication unit 21 is a communication interface that includes a wireless circuit, an antenna, and other components that comply with a specific communication standard, and communicates with devices connected to the global network GN in accordance with the specific communication standard. In this disclosure, a wireless communication standard is given as an example of the communication standard used by the terminal communication unit 21.

The touch panel 22 includes a display panel such as a liquid crystal display panel and a touch sensor that is layered on or integrated with the display panel.

The GNSS 23 measures the current position of the terminal device 2. The GNSS 23 generates position data indicating the current position of the terminal device 2 and outputs the data to the terminal control unit 20.

As described above, the terminal control unit 20 functions as a first terminal communication control unit 201, a second terminal communication control unit 202, a setting unit 203, a detection unit 204, a determination unit 205, a display control unit 206, and an operation control unit 207.
In the present embodiment, the display control unit 206 corresponds to an example of a providing unit of the present disclosure.

The first terminal communication control unit 201 communicates with the refrigerator control server 3 via the terminal communication unit 21.

The second terminal communication control unit 202 communicates with the weather server 5 via the terminal communication unit 21. More specifically, the second terminal communication control unit 202 transmits temperature data request information to the weather server 5. The temperature data request information includes the installation location information 213 stored in the terminal storage unit 210. When the weather server 5 receives the temperature data request information, it transmits temperature data for an area including the set location indicated by the installation location information 213 included in the temperature data request information to the terminal device 2. The second terminal communication control unit 202 receives temperature data from the weather server 5 in response to the temperature data request information. The second terminal communication control unit 202 outputs the received temperature data to the determination unit 205. In this embodiment, the second terminal communication control unit 202 outputs a plurality of temperature data for a period up to a predetermined number of days prior to the present to the determination unit 205.

The setting unit 203 performs various settings related to the functions of the refrigerator control app 212. For example, the setting unit 203 performs various settings related to the functions of the refrigerator control app 212 by setting a setting value to a corresponding setting item in the app setting data. Note that the app setting data is data related to the settings of the functions of the refrigerator control app 212 and includes various setting items. The app setting data is stored in a predetermined storage area accessible by the refrigerator control app 212.

The setting unit 203 sets the position of the home H of the user P, which is used as a reference for detection by the detection unit 204. In the following description, the position of the home H of the user P is referred to as the "home position".
Furthermore, based on the set home position, the setting unit 203 sets a range within which the user P is deemed not to have left home in detection by the detection unit 204, that is, a range to be regarded as home H. In the following description, the range set by the setting unit 203 as home H will be referred to as a "home range."

Furthermore, the setting unit 203 sets a location of a shopping destination that is to be a reference for detection by the detection unit 204. In the following description, the location of a shopping destination is referred to as a "shopping destination location." In this embodiment, the setting unit 203 can set a plurality of shopping destination locations.
Furthermore, for each set shopping destination, the setting unit 203 sets a range to be regarded as a shopping destination in detection by the detection unit 204. In the following description, the range that the setting unit 203 has set as a shopping destination will be referred to as a "shopping destination range."

The setting unit 203 also sets the installation location of the refrigerator 1. Installation location information 213 indicating the installation location of the refrigerator 1 set by the setting unit 203 is stored in the terminal storage unit 210.

The detection unit 204 detects whether the user P has gone out from the home H by detecting whether the terminal device 2 is located outside the home range set by the setting unit 203. More specifically, the detection unit 204 detects whether the user P has gone out from the home H by detecting whether the position of the terminal device 2 indicated by the position data output from the GNSS 23 is outside the home range. The detection unit 204 may detect that the user P has gone out from the home H when a predetermined time (e.g., 5 minutes) has elapsed since the terminal device 2 went out from the home range without returning to the range. This makes it possible to prevent the display/non-display of the going out mode notification card described later on the touch panel 22 many times in a short period of time when the user P is coming and going on the boundary line of the home range.
The detection unit 204 outputs the detection result to the display control unit 206 .

The detection unit 204 detects whether or not the user P is located at the shopping destination based on the position of the terminal device 2 indicated by the position data output from the GNSS 23. The detection unit 204 detects that the user P is located at the shopping destination when the terminal device 2 is located within the shopping destination range set by the setting unit 203 for a predetermined continuous time (e.g., 10 minutes) or more.
The detection unit 204 outputs the detection result to the display control unit 206 .

The determination unit 205 determines whether the current season is winter or not based on the temperature data output from the second terminal communication control unit 202. The determination unit 205 calculates the average of the daily minimum temperatures indicated by the multiple temperature data received by the second terminal communication control unit 202, and determines whether the calculated average of the daily minimum temperatures is below a predetermined temperature (e.g., 6°C). If the determination unit 205 determines that the calculated average of the daily minimum temperatures is equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature, it determines that the current season is a season other than winter. On the other hand, if the determination unit 205 determines that the calculated average of the daily minimum temperatures is below the predetermined temperature, it determines that the current season is winter.
The determination unit 205 outputs the determination result to the display control unit 206 .

The display control unit 206 displays a user interface on the touch panel 22. Hereinafter, this user interface will be referred to as an "app UI" and denoted by the reference numeral "2060". The display control unit 203 provides various information to the user P by displaying the app UI 2060 on the touch panel 22, and also accepts various inputs from the user P. Details of the app UI 2060 will be described later. In this embodiment, the display control unit 206 accepts an instruction from the user P via the app UI 2060 to switch the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to any one of an outing mode, a shopping preparation mode, and a winter mode.

When the display control unit 206 receives an instruction from the user P via the app UI 2060 to change the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to the away mode, the operation control unit 207 changes the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to the away mode. Also, when the display control unit 206 receives an instruction from the user P via the app UI 2060 to change the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to the shopping preparation mode, the operation control unit 207 changes the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to the shopping preparation mode. Also, when the display control unit 206 receives an instruction from the user P via the app UI 2060 to change the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to the winter mode, the operation control unit 207 changes the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to the winter mode.

As described above, the display control unit 206 displays the app UI 2060 on the touch panel 22. In the app UI 2060 of the present disclosure, a home screen HG and a reduction amount screen SG are displayed.

Figure 4 shows an example of the home screen HG.

The home screen HG has a mode display area HA1. The mode display area HA1 is an area that shows the current operation mode of the refrigerator 1, and displays a mode image G1 that is an image that shows the current operation mode of the refrigerator 1. In FIG. 4, the mode display area HA1 displays the mode image G1 that shows the normal mode, indicating that the current operation mode of the refrigerator 1 is the normal mode.

The home screen HG has a notification card display area HA2. The notification card display area HA2 is an area that displays one notification card TC. The notification card TC is a card-shaped icon that notifies the user P of specific information. The notification card display area HA2 displays one notification card TC according to a specific priority order. In FIG. 4, the notification card display area HA2 displays an outing mode notification card. In the notification card display area HA2, the type of notification card TC displayed can be switched by the user P performing a specific touch operation in the notification card display area HA2.

In this disclosure, one notification card TC displayed in the notification card display area HA2 is either an outing mode notification card, a shopping preparation notification card, or a winter mode notification card.

The away mode notification card is a notification card TC for changing the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to away mode. When the detection unit 204 detects that the user P has left the home H, the display control unit 206 displays the away mode notification card selectably on the home screen HG. When the away mode notification card displayed in the notification card display area HA2 is touched, the operation control unit 207 changes the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to away mode. Accordingly, in the app UI 2060, the mode image G1 displayed in the mode display area HA1 of the home screen HG indicates away mode.

The shopping preparation mode notification card is a notification card TC for changing the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to the shopping preparation mode. When the detection unit 204 detects that the user P is located at the shopping destination, the display control unit 206 displays the shopping preparation mode notification card selectably on the home screen HG. When the shopping preparation mode notification card displayed in the notification card display area HA2 is touched, the operation control unit 207 changes the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to the shopping preparation mode. Accordingly, in the app UI 2060, the mode image G1 displayed in the mode display area HA1 of the home screen HG indicates the shopping preparation mode.

The winter mode notification card is a notification card TC for changing the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to winter mode. When the determination unit 205 determines that the current season is winter, the display control unit 206 displays the winter mode notification card selectably on the home screen HG. When the winter mode notification card displayed in the notification card display area HA2 is touched, the operation control unit 207 changes the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to winter mode. Accordingly, in the app UI 2060, the mode image G1 displayed in the mode display area HA1 of the home screen HG indicates winter mode.

The types of notification cards TC displayed in the notification card display area HA2 are not limited to the three types mentioned above, and there may be other types of notification cards TC.

The home screen HG has a reduction amount display button B1. The reduction amount display button B1 is a software button for displaying the reduction amount screen SG. The reduction amount display button B1 is touch operable. When the reduction amount display button B1 is touch operated on the home screen HG, the app UI 2060 transitions to the reduction amount screen SG from the home screen HG.

Figure 5 shows an example of the reduction amount screen SG.

The reduction amount screen SG has a first reduction amount display area HA3. The first reduction amount display area HA3 is an area that displays the reduction amount for this month, the reduction amount for the previous month, which is the month before this month, and the reduction amount for this month and the same month one year ago.

The reduction amount screen SG has a second reduction amount display area HA4. The second reduction amount display area HA4 is an area that displays the reduction amount for the most recent year, from this month to this month and including this month, in a bar graph for each month. In the second reduction amount display area HA4, the reduction amount for the same year as this month and the reduction amount for a year other than this month, i.e., the previous year, are displayed in bar graphs of different colors. The second reduction amount display area HA4 shown in FIG. 5 shows the reduction amount for the most recent year, from June to June, in a bar graph for each month, with June as the current month. Also, in the second reduction amount display area HA4 shown in FIG. 5, the bar graphs for January to June and the bar graphs for July of the previous year to December of the previous year are displayed in different colors.

The vertical axis of the bar graph displayed in the second reduction amount display area HA4 varies depending on the largest reduction amount among the reduction amounts for one year displayed. In the present disclosure, if the largest reduction amount among the reduction amounts for one year displayed is 20 yen or less, the vertical axis of the bar graph displayed in the second reduction amount display area HA4 is set to a scale of 0 yen to 20 yen. Also, in the present disclosure, if the largest reduction amount among the reduction amounts for the 12 months displayed is 21 yen or more and 50 yen or less, the vertical axis of the bar graph displayed in the second reduction amount display area HA4 is set to a scale of 0 yen to 50 yen. Also, in the present disclosure, if the largest reduction amount among the reduction amounts for the 12 months displayed is 51 yen or more and 100 yen or less, the vertical axis of the bar graph displayed in the second reduction amount display area HA4 is set to a scale of 0 yen to 100 yen.

Note that the scale of the vertical axis of the bar graph displayed in the second reduction amount display area HA4 is merely an example and is not limited to the above three types. The scale of the vertical axis of the bar graph displayed in the second reduction amount display area HA4 may be set more finely depending on the largest reduction amount.

The reduction amount screen SG has a back button B2. The back button B2 is a software button for transitioning the screen to the home screen HG. When the back button B2 is touched on the reduction amount screen SG, the app UI 2060 transitions from the reduction amount screen SG to the home screen HG.

[1-2. Operation]
Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

[1-2-1. Operations related to transition of operation modes]
First, the operation of the refrigerator control system 1000 related to the transition of the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 will be described.

Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the refrigerator control system 1000. In Figure 6, flowchart FA shows the operation of the terminal device 2, flowchart FB shows the operation of the refrigerator control server 3, and flowchart FC shows the operation of the refrigerator 1.

As shown in the flowchart FA, the display control unit 206 of the terminal device 2 determines whether the notification card TC has been touched (step SA1).

If the display control unit 206 determines that the notification card TC has not been touched (step SA1: NO), it performs the process of step SA1 again.

On the other hand, if the display control unit 206 determines that the notification card TC has been touched (step SA1: YES), the driving control unit 207 generates transition instruction information corresponding to the touched notification card TC (step SA2).

In step SA2, if the touched notification card TC is the going out mode notification card, the driving control unit 207 generates first transition instruction information.
Furthermore, in step SA2, if the touched notification card TC is a shopping preparation mode notification card, the operation control unit 207 generates second transition instruction information.
Also, in step SA2, if the touched notification card TC is a winter mode notification card, the driving control unit 207 generates third transition instruction information.

The first terminal communication control unit 201 adds the user ID 3121 stored in the terminal memory unit 210 and sends the transition instruction information generated by the operation control unit 207 to the refrigerator control server 3 (step SA3).

As shown in flowchart FB, the server communication control unit 301 of the refrigerator control server 3 determines whether or not migration instruction information has been received from the terminal device 2 (step SB1).

If the server communication control unit 301 determines that migration instruction information has not been received from the terminal device 2 (step SB1: NO), it performs the process of step SB1 again.

On the other hand, if the server communication control unit 301 determines that migration instruction information has been received from the terminal device 2 (step SB1: NO), it refers to the user-related information management DB 312 to identify the record R that includes the user ID 3121 added to the migration instruction information (step SB2).

Next, the server communication control unit 301 transmits the transition instruction information received from the terminal device 2 to the refrigerator 1 based on the refrigerator communication information 3122 contained in the identified record R (step SB3).

As shown in flow chart FC, the operation mode execution unit 1602 of the refrigerator 1 determines whether a transition trigger has occurred to transition the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to the energy saving mode (step SC1).

In this embodiment, there are four types of transition triggers: a first transition trigger, a second transition trigger, a third transition trigger, and a fourth transition trigger.

The first transition trigger is the receipt of first transition instruction information by refrigerator 1.
The second transition trigger is the receipt of second transition instruction information by refrigerator 1.
The third transition trigger is the refrigerator 1 receiving the third transition instruction information.
The fourth transition trigger is when the state in which the detection value of the illuminance sensor 191 is equal to or lower than a predetermined value continues for a predetermined time or more (for example, five minutes or more).

If the operation mode execution unit 1602 determines that a transition trigger has not occurred (step SC1: NO), it performs the process of step SC1 again.

On the other hand, if the operation mode execution unit 1602 determines that a transition trigger has occurred (step SC1: YES), it transitions the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to the energy saving mode corresponding to the type of transition trigger that has occurred (step SC2).

When the first transition trigger occurs, the operation mode execution unit 1602 transitions the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 from an operation mode other than the away mode to the away mode in step SC2.
If the second transition trigger occurs, the operation mode execution unit 1602 transitions the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 from an operation mode other than the shopping preparation mode to the shopping preparation mode in step SC2.
When the third transition trigger occurs, the operation mode execution unit 1602 transitions the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 from an operation mode other than the winter mode to the winter mode in step SC2.
When the fourth transition trigger occurs, the operation mode execution unit 1602 transitions the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 from an operation mode other than the automatic power saving mode to the automatic power saving mode in step SC2.

The operation mode execution unit 1602 determines whether an end trigger corresponding to the operation mode transitioned to in step SC2 has occurred (step SC3).

If the operation mode execution unit 1602 determines that an end trigger has not occurred (step SC3: NO), it continues the operation mode transitioned to in step SC2 and performs the determination in step SC3 again.

On the other hand, if the operation mode execution unit 1602 determines that an end trigger has occurred (step SC3: YES), it transitions the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to an operation mode other than the operation mode transitioned to in step SC2 (step SC4).

[1-2-2. Actions related to reduction amount]
Next, the operation of the refrigerator control system 1000 related to the reduction amount will be described.

Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the refrigerator control system 1000. In Figure 7, flowchart FD shows the operation of refrigerator 1, and flowchart FE shows the operation of refrigerator control server 3. Flowchart FE in Figure 7 is based on the assumption that refrigerator control server 3 is properly processing record R corresponding to refrigerator 1, with which it is communicating.

Note that the operation of the refrigerator control system 1000 shown in FIG. 7 is performed in parallel with the operation of the refrigerator control system 1000 shown in FIG. 6.

As shown in flow chart FD, the operation mode execution unit 1602 of refrigerator 1 determines whether the operation mode of refrigerator 1 has been changed (step SD1).

If the operation mode execution unit 1602 determines that the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 has not been changed (step SD1: NO), it performs the determination in step SD1 again.

On the other hand, if the operation mode execution unit 1602 determines that the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 has been changed (step SD1: YES), it generates operation mode change information (step SD2).

The transition operation mode information is information that indicates the operation mode to which the operation mode execution unit 1602 has transitioned.
When the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 is shifted to the normal mode, the operation mode execution unit 1602 generates shift operation mode information indicating the normal mode in step SD2.
When the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 is shifted to the away mode, the operation mode execution unit 1602 generates transition operation mode information indicating the away mode in step SD2.
When the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 is shifted to the shopping preparation mode, the operation mode execution unit 1602 generates, in step SD2, transition operation mode information indicating the shopping preparation mode.
When the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 is shifted to the winter mode, the operation mode execution unit 1602 generates transition operation mode information indicating the winter mode in step SD2.
When the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 is shifted to the automatic power saving mode, the operation mode execution unit 1602 generates shift operation mode information indicating the automatic power saving mode in step SD2.

When the operation mode execution unit 1602 generates the transition operation mode information, the refrigerator communication control unit 1601 transmits the transition operation mode information generated by the operation mode execution unit 1602 to the refrigerator control server 3 (step SD3).

As shown in the flowchart FE, the database processing unit 303 of the refrigerator control server 3 determines whether the month indicated by the current date and time measured by the current sundial time unit 304 has changed (step SE1). In other words, the database processing unit 303 determines whether the calendar month has changed based on the current date and time measured by the current sundial time unit 304.

If the database processing unit 303 determines that the month has changed (step SE1: YES), it updates the reduction amount information 3124 of record R in the user-related information management DB 312 (step SE2).

To explain step SE2 in detail, the database processing unit 303 erases the reduction amount 12 months ago held by the reduction amount information 3124. Then, the database processing unit 303 shifts each of the reduction amounts from 11 months ago to this month by one month. That is, the database processing unit 303 updates the reduction amount information 3124 so that the reduction amount 11 months ago is the reduction amount 12 months ago, the reduction amount 10 months ago is the reduction amount 11 months ago, the reduction amount 9 months ago is the reduction amount 10 months ago, the reduction amount 8 months ago is the reduction amount 9 months ago, the reduction amount 7 months ago is the reduction amount 8 months ago, the reduction amount 6 months ago is the reduction amount 7 months ago, the reduction amount 5 months ago is the reduction amount 6 months ago, the reduction amount 4 months ago is the reduction amount 3 months ago, the reduction amount 3 months ago is the reduction amount 4 months ago, the reduction amount 2 months ago is the reduction amount 3 months ago, the reduction amount 1 month ago is the reduction amount 2 months ago, and the reduction amount this month is the reduction amount 1 month ago. The database processing unit 303 then sets the reduction amount for this month to zero.

Returning to the explanation of step SE1, if the database processing unit 303 determines that the month has not changed (step SE1: NO), the calculation unit 302 determines whether the calculation timing for calculating the reduction amount has arrived (step SE3). For example, the calculation unit 302 determines that the calculation timing has arrived when the current date and time measured by the current date and time unit 304 has changed.

If the calculation unit 302 determines that the calculation timing has not arrived (step SE3: NO), the server communication control unit 301 determines whether or not transition operation mode information has been received from the refrigerator 1 (step SE4).

If the server communication control unit 301 determines that it has not received transition operation mode information from the refrigerator 1 (step SE4: NO), the database processing unit 303 performs the process of step SE1 again.

On the other hand, if the server communication control unit 301 determines that it has received transition operation mode information from the refrigerator 1 (step SE4: YES), the database processing unit 303 determines whether the previous operation mode of the refrigerator 1 was normal mode or energy saving mode (step SE5). The database processing unit 303 performs the determination in step SE5 based on whether the previously received transition operation mode information indicates normal mode or energy saving mode.

If the database processing unit 303 determines that the previous operating mode of the refrigerator 1 was normal mode (step SE5: normal mode), it performs the process of step SE1 again.

On the other hand, if the database processing unit 303 determines that the previous operating mode of the refrigerator 1 was energy saving mode (step SE5: energy saving mode), it updates the performance information 3125 (step SE6).

Step SE6 will now be described in detail.
If the previous operation mode of the refrigerator 1 was the away mode, the database processing unit 303 calculates the operation time during which the refrigerator 1 operated in the away mode last time. For example, the database processing unit 303 calculates the time from the date and time of receipt of the transition operation mode information received last time to the date and time of receipt of the transition operation mode information received this time as the operation time. Also, for example, if date and time information of the transition to the operation mode is added to the transition operation mode information, the database processing unit 303 calculates the time from the date and time indicated by the date and time information added to the transition operation mode information received last time to the date and time indicated by the date and time information added to the transition operation mode information received this time as the operation time. Then, the database processing unit 303 updates the operation time indicated by the away mode result information 3126 to the operation time obtained by adding the calculated operation time to the operation time before the addition. The database processing unit 303 updates both the winter mode and the automatic power saving mode in the same way.
If the previous operating mode of refrigerator 1 was the shopping preparation mode, database processing unit 303 increments the value of the number of transitions indicated by shopping preparation mode record information 3127 by one.

Returning to the explanation of step SE3, if the calculation unit 302 determines that the calculation timing has arrived (step SE3: YES), it calculates the amount of savings that can be achieved in the outing mode (step SE7).

In step SE7, the calculation unit 302 calculates the amount of reduction achieved in the outing mode by multiplying the operation time indicated by the outing mode performance information 3126 by α yen. The amount multiplied by the operation time indicated by the outing mode performance information 3126 is the amount of electricity cost that can be reduced per hour by the outing mode compared to normal mode. This α yen is appropriately determined by prior testing and simulation. α yen is, for example, 0.08 yen.

Next, the calculation unit 302 calculates the amount of savings that can be achieved in the shopping preparation mode (step SE8).

In step SE8, the calculation unit 302 calculates the amount of savings achieved in the shopping preparation mode by multiplying the number of transitions indicated by the shopping preparation mode performance information 3127 by β yen. The β yen multiplied by the number of transitions indicated by the shopping preparation mode performance information 3127 is the electricity cost that can be reduced by the shopping preparation mode per transition compared to normal mode. This β yen is appropriately determined through prior testing and simulation. β yen is, for example, 0.5 yen.

Next, the calculation unit 302 calculates the amount of reduction achieved in winter mode (step SE9).

In step SE9, the calculation unit 302 calculates the amount of reduction achieved in winter mode by multiplying the operation time indicated by the winter mode actual result information 3128 by γ yen. The γ yen multiplied by the operation time indicated by the winter mode actual result information 3128 is the electricity cost reduction that can be achieved in winter mode per hour compared to normal mode. This γ yen is appropriately determined by prior testing and simulation. The γ yen is, for example, 0.05 yen.

Next, the calculation unit 302 calculates the amount of reduction achieved in the automatic power saving mode (step SE10).

In step SE10, the calculation unit 302 calculates the amount of reduction achieved by the automatic power-saving mode by multiplying the operation time indicated by the automatic power-saving mode performance information 3129 by δ yen. The δ yen multiplied by the operation time indicated by the automatic power-saving mode performance information 3129 is the amount of electricity cost that can be reduced per hour by the automatic power-saving mode compared to normal mode. This δ yen is appropriately determined by prior testing and simulation. δ yen is, for example, 0.05 yen.

Next, the calculation unit 302 calculates the total reduction amount calculated in steps SE7, SE8, SE9, and SE10 (step SE11).

Then, the database processing unit 303 updates the reduction amount for this month indicated by the reduction amount information 3124 to the reduction amount calculated in step SE11 (step SE12). In other words, the database processing unit 303 sets the reduction amount for this month indicated by the reduction amount information 3124 to the reduction amount before the processing of step SE12 plus the reduction amount calculated in step SE11.

Next, the database processing unit 303 sets the operation time and number of transitions indicated in the performance information 3125 to zero (step SE13).

[1-2-3. Actions related to the reduction amount screen]
Next, the operation of the refrigerator control system 1000 related to the reduction amount screen SG will be described.

Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the refrigerator control system 1000. In Figure 8, flowchart FF shows the operation of the terminal device 2, and flowchart FG shows the operation of the refrigerator control server 3.

At the start of flowchart FF in Figure 8, it is assumed that the home screen HG is displayed in the app UI 2060.

As shown in flowchart FF, the display control unit 206 of the terminal device 2 determines whether the reduction amount display button B1 has been touched (step SF1).

If the display control unit 206 determines that the reduction amount display button B1 has been touched (step SF1: YES), the first terminal communication control unit 201 adds the user ID 3121 stored in the terminal storage unit 210 and sends reduction amount information request information to the refrigerator control server 3 (step SF2). The reduction amount information request information is information that requests the reduction amount information 3124.

As shown in flowchart FG, the server communication control unit 301 of the refrigerator control server 3 receives reduction amount information request information (step SG1).

Next, the database processing unit 303 retrieves the reduction amount information 3124 of record R having the user ID 3121 added to the reduction amount information request information received by the server communication control unit 301 from the user-related information management DB 312 (step SG2).

Then, the server communication control unit 301 transmits the reduction amount information 3124 acquired in step SG2 to the terminal device 2 as a response to the reduction amount information request information (step SG3).

As shown in flowchart FF, the first terminal communication control unit 201 receives the reduction amount information 3124 from the refrigerator control server 3 (step SF3).

Next, the display control unit 206 generates a reduction amount screen SG based on the reduction amount information 3124 received by the first terminal communication control unit 201 (step SF4).

Step SF4 will now be described in detail.
The display control unit 206 generates the display content to be displayed in the first reduction amount display area HA3. The display control unit 206 acquires the reduction amounts for the current month, one month ago, and 13 months ago from the reduction amounts indicated in the reduction amount information 3124 received by the first terminal communication control unit 201. Then, the display control unit 206 generates the display content in which the acquired three reduction amounts are arranged as shown in FIG.

Next, step SF4 will be described in detail.
The display control unit 206 generates a graph to be displayed in the second reduction amount display area HA4. The display control unit 206 determines the scale of the vertical axis of the graph based on the largest reduction amount among the reduction amounts indicated by the reduction amount information 3124 received by the first terminal communication control unit 201. Next, the display control unit 206 generates a bar graph of a size that is defined by the determined scale and corresponds to the reduction amount for each of the reduction amounts for the most recent 12 months including the current month. Next, the display control unit 206 makes the color of the bar graph of the same year as the current month different from the color of the bar graph of the previous year. Then, the display control unit 206 arranges the portion indicating the current month for the bar graph indicating the reduction amount for this month on the horizontal axis, and appropriately arranges the bar graphs indicating the reduction amounts for other months so that they correspond to the months indicated by the horizontal axis based on the bar graph of this month.

Next, step SF4 will be described in detail.
The display control unit 206 generates a reduction amount screen SG in which the generated display content is displayed in the first reduction amount display area HA3 and the generated graph is displayed in the second reduction amount display area HA4.

Next, the display control unit 206 displays the generated reduction amount screen SG on the app UI 2060 (step SF5).

[1-3. Modifications]
Several modifications of the above-mentioned first embodiment will now be described.
[1-3-1. Modification 1]
In the first modification, the graph displayed in the second reduction amount display area HA4 is different.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the reduction amount screen SG of the first modified example.
As is clear from a comparison between Fig. 5 and Fig. 9, the second reduction amount display area HA4 displays a bar graph showing the reduction amount for this year and a bar graph showing the reduction amount for the previous year side by side for each month. The second reduction amount display area HA4 shown in Fig. 9 displays a bar graph showing the reduction amount for this year and a bar graph showing the reduction amount for the previous year for the six months from June to January of the same year, with June as the current month.

In addition, in the first modification, the reduction amount for the same year as the current month and the reduction amount for the previous year are displayed in bar graphs of different colors, as in the first embodiment described above. Also, in the first modification, the vertical axis of the bar graph displayed in the second reduction amount display area HA4 is set to a scale corresponding to the largest reduction amount among the displayed reduction amounts, as in the first embodiment described above.

According to variant example 1, user P can check the amount of reduction from the previous year and the amount of reduction from this year, and user P can easily compare the amount of reduction from the previous year and the amount of reduction from this year on a monthly basis.

In the case of variant example 1, the reduction amount information 3124 in record R of the user-related information management DB 312 indicates the reduction amount for the past two years, from this month to this month. The reduction amounts for the past 23 months other than this month indicated by the reduction amount information 3124 are the reduction amounts for the most recent 23 months based on this month.

[1-3-2. Modification 2]
In the second modification, the bar graph displayed in the second reduction amount display area HA4 can be switched between the current year and the previous year.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the reduction amount screen SG in the second modified example.
As is clear from a comparison of FIG. 5, FIG. 9, and FIG. 10, the second reduction amount display area HA4 of the second modification example is provided with touch-operable switching buttons B3 and B4.

The switch button B3 is a software button for switching the bar graph displayed in the second reduction amount display area HA4 to include a bar graph for the current year. When the switch button B3 is touched, the second reduction amount display area HA4 in the second modification displays a bar graph for each month in the same manner as in the first embodiment described above. FIG. 10 shows the reduction amount screen SG in the second modification when the switch button B3 is touched. Note that in FIG. 10, June is set as the current month, and the monthly reduction amount for the past year from June to June inclusive is shown in a bar graph.

The switch button B4 is a software button for switching the bar graph displayed in the second reduction amount display area HA4 to only the bar graph for the previous year. When the switch button B4 is touched, the second reduction amount display area HA4 in the second variant example 2 displays a bar graph of the reduction amount for the previous year for each month.

In addition, in the second modification, similar to the first embodiment described above, the reduction amount for the same year as the current month and the reduction amount for the previous year are displayed in bar graphs of different colors. Also, in the second modification, similar to the first embodiment described above, the vertical axis of the bar graph displayed in the second reduction amount display area HA4 is set to a scale corresponding to the largest reduction amount among the displayed reduction amounts.

In addition to the same effects as those of variant 1, variant 2 has the effect of preventing the number of bar graphs displayed in the second reduction amount display area HA4 from increasing by one year's worth, thereby providing an easy-to-read graph for user P.

In the case of variant 2, the reduction amount information 3124 held by record R in the user-related information management DB 312 is the same as that in variant 1.

[1-3-3. Modification 3]
In the above-described first embodiment, the terminal device 2 is configured to display the reduction amount screen SG, thereby providing a graph of the reduction amount to the user P. In the third modification, the refrigerator 1 is also configured to be able to provide a graph of the reduction amount to the user P.

11 is a diagram showing the configuration of refrigerator 1, terminal device, and refrigerator control server 3 in Modification 3. In the explanation of Modification 3, the same components as those of refrigerator 1, terminal device 2, and refrigerator control server 3 in Embodiment 1 are given the same reference numerals and detailed explanations are omitted where appropriate.
In the third modification, the refrigerator 1 also corresponds to an example of an information processing device of the present disclosure.

In the third modification, the refrigerator 1 includes a display unit 24. The display unit 24 includes a display panel provided at a predetermined position, such as the front of the right door 11B, and displays information on the display panel according to the control of the refrigerator control unit 16. If the operating means included in the refrigerator 1 is a touch panel, the display panel included in the display unit 24 may function as a display panel for the touch panel.

In addition, in Modification 3, refrigerator processor 160 reads and executes control program 1611 to function as reduction amount display control unit 1603. Reduction amount display control unit 1603 displays a graph of the reduction amount on display unit 24. The graph of the reduction amount displayed by reduction amount display control unit 1603 may be the graph of embodiment 1, the graph of modification 1, or the graph of modification 2.
In addition, in the third modification, control program 1611 also corresponds to an example of a control program of the present disclosure. In addition, in the third modification, refrigerator processor 160 also corresponds to an example of a computer of the present disclosure. In addition, in the third modification, reduction amount display control unit 1603 also corresponds to an example of a providing unit of the present disclosure.

In the modified example, when an instruction to display a graph of the reduction amount is received by an operation means provided in the refrigerator 1, the refrigerator communication control unit 1601 sends reduction amount information request information to the refrigerator control server 3. When the refrigerator control server 3 receives the reduction amount information request information, it acquires reduction amount information 3124 from the user-related information management DB 312 based on the refrigerator communication information 3122 of the communication destination refrigerator 1, and returns the information to the refrigerator 1. Note that other information such as the user ID 3121 may be used to acquire the reduction amount information 3124. When the refrigerator communication control unit 1601 receives the reduction amount information 3124, the reduction amount display control unit 1603 generates a graph of the reduction amount in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and displays it on the display unit 24.

[1-4. Effects, etc.]
The refrigerator control system 1000 includes a calculation unit 302 that calculates an amount of reduction, which is an electricity bill that has been reduced by operating the refrigerator 1 in the energy saving mode, based on the operating time that the refrigerator 1 has operated in the energy saving mode or the number of times the refrigerator 1 has switched to the energy saving mode, and a display control unit 206 that provides the amount of reduction calculated by the calculation unit 302 to a user P of the refrigerator 1.

In addition, the control method of the refrigerator control system 1000 calculates the reduction amount, which is the electricity bill reduction achieved by the refrigerator 1 operating in the energy saving mode, based on the operating time that the refrigerator 1 operates in the energy saving mode or the number of times that the refrigerator 1 switches to the energy saving mode, and provides the calculated reduction amount to the user P of the refrigerator 1.

According to this refrigerator control system 1000 and the control method of the refrigerator control system 1000, the electricity bill that has been reduced by operating the refrigerator 1 in energy saving mode can be provided to the user P of the refrigerator 1. Therefore, the user P of the refrigerator 1 can confirm the electricity bill that has been reduced by operating the refrigerator 1 in energy saving mode.

The energy saving modes include an away mode. The away mode is an operation mode to which the refrigerator 1 can be switched when the user P leaves the home H in which the refrigerator 1 is installed, and is an operation mode in which the temperature inside the refrigerator 1 is set higher than in the normal mode. The calculation unit 302 calculates the reduction amount for the away mode based on the operating time that the refrigerator 1 operates in the away mode.

With this configuration, the electricity bill that has been reduced by operating the refrigerator 1 in the away mode can be calculated, so the user P of the refrigerator 1 can check the amount of reduction, including the electricity bill, that has been reduced by operating the refrigerator 1 in the away mode. In addition, if the user P knows that the refrigerator has been switched to the away mode, the user P can know that the away mode is effective in terms of saving electricity.

The energy saving mode includes a shopping preparation mode, which is an operation mode to which the refrigerator 1 can be switched when the user P is located at the shopping destination, and which keeps the temperature inside the refrigerator 1 lower than in the normal mode. The calculation unit 302 calculates the reduction amount for the shopping preparation mode based on the number of times the refrigerator 1 has switched to the shopping preparation mode.

According to this configuration, the electricity bill that has been reduced by operating refrigerator 1 in shopping preparation mode can be calculated, so user P of refrigerator 1 can check the amount of reduction, including the electricity bill, that has been reduced by operating refrigerator 1 in shopping preparation mode. Furthermore, if user P knows that refrigerator 1 has been switched to shopping preparation mode, user P can know that shopping preparation mode is effective in terms of saving electricity.

The energy saving mode includes a winter mode. The winter mode is an operation mode to which the refrigerator 1 can be switched when the current season is winter, and is an operation mode in which the temperature inside the refrigerator 1 is higher than in the normal mode. The calculation unit 302 calculates the reduction amount for the winter mode based on the operating time that the refrigerator 1 has operated in the winter mode.

With this configuration, the electricity bill that has been reduced by operating refrigerator 1 in winter mode can be calculated, so user P of refrigerator 1 can check the amount of reduction, including the electricity bill, that has been reduced by operating refrigerator 1 in winter mode. Furthermore, if user P knows that refrigerator 1 has been switched to winter mode, user P can know that winter mode is effective in terms of saving electricity.

The energy saving mode includes an automatic power saving mode. The automatic power saving mode is an operation mode to which the refrigerator 1 enters when the detection value of the illuminance sensor 191 provided in the refrigerator 1 is equal to or lower than a predetermined value, and is an operation mode in which the temperature inside the refrigerator 1 is higher than in the normal mode. The calculation unit 302 calculates the reduction amount for the automatic power saving mode based on the operating time that the refrigerator 1 operates in the automatic power saving mode.

With this configuration, the electricity bill that has been reduced by operating the refrigerator 1 in the automatic power-saving mode can be calculated, so the user P of the refrigerator 1 can check the amount of reduction, including the electricity bill, that has been reduced by operating the refrigerator 1 in the automatic power-saving mode. In addition, if the user P knows that the refrigerator 1 will automatically switch to the automatic power-saving mode, the user P can know that the automatic power-saving mode is effective in terms of saving electricity.

The calculation unit 302 calculates the reduction amount for each month.

According to this configuration, the electricity bill that has been reduced by operating the refrigerator 1 in energy saving mode can be provided to the user P for each month. Therefore, the user P of the refrigerator 1 can check the electricity bill that has been reduced by operating the refrigerator 1 in energy saving mode for each month.

The display control unit 206 provides at least one year's worth of savings.

With this configuration, user P can check how much savings were made in each month over the course of a year.

The display control unit 206 provides a graph showing the savings amount for at least one year.

This configuration allows user P to intuitively check how much savings were made in each month over the course of a year.

The savings graph is scaled according to the maximum savings.

This configuration allows the user P to easily see the difference in the amount of savings from month to month, so that the user P can easily and intuitively check how much of a savings there was for each month.

The terminal device 2 is equipped with a display control unit 206 that provides the user P of the refrigerator 1 with the amount of reduction, which is the amount of electricity bill that has been reduced by the refrigerator 1 operating in the energy saving mode, and is calculated based on the operating time that the refrigerator 1 operated in the energy saving mode or the number of times that the refrigerator 1 switched to the energy saving mode.

Refrigerator 1 is equipped with a reduction amount display control unit 1603 that provides user P of refrigerator 1 with the reduction amount, which is the electricity bill reduction that has been achieved by refrigerator 1 operating in energy saving mode, and is calculated based on the operating time that refrigerator 1 has operated in energy saving mode or the number of times refrigerator 1 has switched to the energy saving mode.

This terminal device 2 and refrigerator 1 provide the same effects as the refrigerator control system 1000 and the control method of the refrigerator control system 1000 described above.

The refrigerator control app 212 causes the terminal processor 200 to function as a display control unit 206 that provides the user P of the refrigerator 1 with the amount of reduction in electricity bills that can be reduced by the refrigerator 1 operating in energy saving mode, the amount of reduction being calculated based on the operating time that the refrigerator 1 operated in energy saving mode or the number of times that the refrigerator 1 switched to the energy saving mode.

The control program 1611 causes the refrigerator processor 160 to function as a reduction amount display control unit 1603 that provides the user P of the refrigerator 1 with the reduction amount, which is the electricity bill that has been reduced by the refrigerator 1 operating in the energy saving mode, and is calculated based on the operating time that the refrigerator 1 operated in the energy saving mode or the number of times that the refrigerator 1 switched to the energy saving mode.

This refrigerator control app 212 and control program 1611 achieve the same effects as the refrigerator control system 1000 and the control method for the refrigerator control system 1000 described above.

The refrigerator control app 212 is an application program that can be installed on the terminal device 2.

According to this configuration, a terminal device 2 that does not have the function of providing a reduction amount can be made into a terminal device 2 that can provide a reduction amount by installing the refrigerator control app 212.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, a description will be given of embodiment 2. In the description of embodiment 2, the same components as those of the refrigerator 1, the terminal device 2, and the refrigerator control server 3 of embodiment 1 will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted where appropriate.

[2-1. Configuration]
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the configurations of a refrigerator 1, a terminal device 2, and a refrigerator control server 3 in the second embodiment.
In the present embodiment, the terminal device 2 corresponds to an example of an information processing device of the present disclosure. Moreover, in the present embodiment, the terminal processor 200 corresponds to an example of a computer of the present disclosure. Moreover, in the present embodiment, the refrigerator control app 212 corresponds to an example of a program of the present disclosure. Moreover, in the present embodiment, the display control unit 206 corresponds to an example of a providing unit of the present disclosure.

As is clear from a comparison between FIG. 2 and FIG. 12, the terminal processor 200 of the second embodiment functions as a calculation unit 302, a current date and time unit 304, and a reduction amount information update unit 208. Furthermore, the terminal storage unit 210 of the second embodiment stores reduction amount information 3124. On the other hand, record R of the user-related information management DB 312 of the second embodiment does not have reduction amount information 3124.

The reduction amount information update unit 208 updates the reduction amount indicated by the reduction amount information 3124 stored in the device storage unit 210.

[2-2. Operation]
Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described.
In the second embodiment, the operation relating to the transition of the operation mode is similar to that in the first embodiment.

[2-2-1. Actions related to reduction amount]
Next, an operation related to the reduction amount in the second embodiment will be described.
In the second embodiment, the refrigerator 1 performs the operation of the flowchart FD in FIG.
In the second embodiment, the refrigerator control server 3 performs steps SE4, SE5, and SE6 other than steps SE1, SE2, SE3, and SE7-13 in the flowchart FE of Figure 7. After performing the process of step SE6, the refrigerator control server 3 repeats the processes from step SE4 onwards.

Steps SE1, SE2, SE3, and SE7-13 that are not performed by the refrigerator control server 3 are performed by the terminal device 2.
Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the refrigerator control system 1000. In Fig. 13, a flowchart FH shows the operation of the refrigerator control server 3, and a flowchart FI shows the operation of the terminal device 2.

In FIG. 13, the same steps as those in the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 are given the same step numbers, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted. Note that the processing of steps SE1 and SE2 is mainly performed by the reduction amount information update unit 208, targeting the reduction amount information 3124 stored in the terminal storage unit 210.

As shown in flow chart FI, when the calculation unit 302 determines that the calculation timing has arrived (step SE1: YES), the first terminal communication control unit 201 adds the user ID 3121 stored in the terminal storage unit 210 and sends performance information request information to the refrigerator control server 3 (step SI1). The performance information request information is information that requests performance information 3125.

As shown in flowchart FH, the server communication control unit 301 receives performance information request information (step SH1).

Next, the database processing unit 303 retrieves from the user-related information management DB 312 the performance information 3125 of record R having the user ID 3121 added to the performance information request information received by the server communication control unit 301 (step SH2).

Then, the server communication control unit 301 transmits the performance information 3125 acquired in step SH2 to the terminal device 2 as a response to the performance information request information (step SH3). Next, the database processing unit 303 performs the process of step SE13 on the performance information 3125 acquired in step SH2.

As shown in flow chart FI, the first terminal communication control unit 201 receives performance information 3125 from the refrigerator control server 3 (step SI2). The calculation unit 302 performs steps SE7-SE11 based on the received performance information 3125.

The reduction amount information update unit 208 updates the reduction amount for this month indicated by the reduction amount information 3124 stored in the device storage unit 210 to the reduction amount calculated in step SE12 (step SI3).

[2-2-2. Actions related to the reduction amount screen]
Next, the operation relating to the reduction amount screen SG in the second embodiment will be described.
In the second embodiment, the terminal device 2 does not perform any process other than steps SF2 and SF3 in the flowchart FF of FIG.

When the display control unit 206 judges in step SE1 to be positive, it acquires the reduction amount information 3124 from the device storage unit 210 and performs the processing of steps SF4 and SF5 based on the acquired reduction amount information 3124. The reduction amount screen SG generated in embodiment 2 may be the reduction amount screen SG of embodiment 1, the reduction amount screen SG of modification 1, or the reduction amount screen SG of modification 2.

[2-3. Effects, etc.]
According to the second embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be achieved.

(Embodiment 3)
Next, a description will be given of embodiment 3. In the description of embodiment 3, the same components as those of the refrigerator 1, the terminal device 2, and the refrigerator control server 3 of embodiment 1 will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted where appropriate.

[3-1. Configuration]
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the configurations of a refrigerator 1, a terminal device 2, and a refrigerator control server 3 in the second embodiment.
In the present embodiment, the terminal device 2 corresponds to an example of an information processing device of the present disclosure. Moreover, in the present embodiment, the terminal processor 200 corresponds to an example of a computer of the present disclosure. Moreover, in the present embodiment, the refrigerator control app 212 corresponds to an example of a program of the present disclosure. Moreover, in the present embodiment, the display control unit 206 corresponds to an example of a providing unit of the present disclosure.

As is clear from a comparison between FIG. 2 and FIG. 14, the refrigerator processor 160 of the third embodiment further functions as a calculation unit 302, a current date and time unit 304, and an information update unit 1604. Furthermore, the terminal storage unit 210 of the third embodiment stores the reduction amount information 3124 and the actual information 3125. On the other hand, the record R of the user-related information management DB 312 of the second embodiment does not have the actual information 3125.

The information update unit 1604 updates the reduction amount indicated by the reduction amount information 3124 stored in the device storage unit 210. The information update unit 1604 also updates various operation results indicated by the performance information 3125 stored in the device storage unit 210.

[3-2. Operation]
Next, the operation of the third embodiment will be described.
In the third embodiment, the operation relating to the transition of the operation mode is similar to that in the first embodiment.

[3-2-1. Actions related to reduction amount]
Next, an operation related to the reduction amount in the third embodiment will be described.
Fig. 15 is a flowchart showing the operation of refrigerator control system 1000. In Fig. 15, flowchart FJ shows the operation of refrigerator control server 3, and flowchart FK shows the operation of refrigerator 1. The operation in Fig. 15 is premised on the assumption that refrigerator control server 3 can appropriately process record R corresponding to refrigerator 1, with which it is communicating.

In Figure 15, steps that are the same as those in the flowchart shown in Figure 7 are given the same step numbers, and detailed descriptions of those steps are omitted.

The processing of steps SE1 and SE2 is mainly performed by the information update unit 1604, targeting the reduction amount information 3124 stored in the refrigerator storage unit 161. The processing of steps SE3, and SE7-SE11 is mainly performed by the calculation unit 302. The processing of steps SD1 and SE5 is mainly performed by the operation mode execution unit 1602. The processing of steps SE6, SE12, and SE13 is mainly performed by the information update unit 1604, targeting the performance information 3125 and reduction amount information 3124 stored in the refrigerator storage unit 161.

As shown in flow chart FK, when the information update unit 1604 performs the process of step SE13, the first terminal communication control unit 201 sends update request information to the refrigerator control server 3 (step SK1). The update request information is information requesting an update of the reduction amount information 3124, and includes the reduction amount information 3124 stored in the refrigerator storage unit 161 that was updated in step SE12.

As shown in flowchart FJ, when the server communication control unit 301 of the refrigerator control server 3 receives update request information from the refrigerator 1 (step SJ1), it updates the reduction amount information 3124 to the reduction amount information 3124 indicated by the update request information (step SJ2).

[3-2-2. Actions related to the reduction amount screen]
The operation related to the mode transition related to the reduction amount screen SG is the same as that in embodiment 1. The reduction amount screen SG generated in embodiment 3 may be the reduction amount screen SG in embodiment 1, the reduction amount screen SG in modified example 1, or the reduction amount screen SG in modified example 2.

[3-3. Modifications]
A modification of the above-mentioned third embodiment will now be described. The modification described here is referred to as modification 4.
In the above-described third embodiment, the terminal device 2 is configured to display the reduction amount screen SG, thereby providing a graph of the reduction amount to the user P. In the fourth modification, similarly to the third modification, the refrigerator 1 is also configured to be able to provide a graph of the reduction amount to the user P.
In addition, in the fourth modification, the refrigerator 1 also corresponds to an example of an information processing device of the present disclosure.

In variant 4, the configuration is the same as variant 3. In variant 4, control program 1611 also corresponds to an example of a control program of the present disclosure. In variant 4, refrigerator processor 160 also corresponds to an example of a computer of the present disclosure. In variant 4, reduction amount display control unit 1603 also corresponds to an example of a provider of the present disclosure.

In variant 4, when an instruction to display a graph of the reduction amount is received by an operation means provided in refrigerator 1, refrigerator communication control unit 1601 sends reduction amount information request information to refrigerator control server 3. When refrigerator control server 3 receives the reduction amount information request information, it acquires reduction amount information from user-related information management DB 312 based on refrigerator communication information 3122 of refrigerator 1 with which it is communicating, and returns the information to refrigerator 1. Note that other information such as user ID 3121 may be used to acquire the reduction amount information. When refrigerator communication control unit 1601 receives reduction amount information 3124, reduction amount display control unit 1603 generates a graph of the reduction amount in the same manner as in embodiment 1, and displays it on display unit 24.

[3-4. Effects, etc.]
According to the third embodiment and the modified example of the third embodiment, the same effects as those of the above-mentioned embodiments and the modified examples are achieved.

Other Embodiments
As described above, the embodiment and the modified examples have been described as examples disclosed in this application. However, the technology in this disclosure is not limited to this, and can be applied to embodiments in which modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. are made. In addition, it is also possible to combine the components described in the above embodiment and modified examples to create a new embodiment.
Therefore, other embodiments will be exemplified below.

In the above-described embodiment and variant examples, a shopping destination is given as an example of a place where food can be obtained in the present disclosure, but the "place where food can be obtained" in the present invention is not limited to a shopping destination, and may be a place where user P can obtain food, such as a fishing spot.

For example, the determination unit 205 may determine whether the current season is winter or not based on the average daily maximum temperature, the average daily average temperature, the average temperature at a specific time, etc., instead of the average daily minimum temperature. In these configurations, the temperature data received from the weather server 5 indicates the temperature for which the averages of the daily maximum temperature, the daily average temperature, the temperature at a specific time, etc. are calculated.

In the above-described embodiment and modified example, the refrigerator 1 operating mode can be switched to any one of the normal mode, outing mode, shopping preparation mode, winter mode, and automatic power saving mode. However, there may be more different types of operating modes that can be switched to. In addition, there may be relationships between the operating modes of the refrigerator 1 that prevent switching between them.

In the above-described embodiment and variant examples, a bar graph is used as an example of a graph showing the amount of reduction, but the graph showing the amount of reduction is not limited to a bar graph and may be another type of graph, such as a line graph.

For example, the types of compartments formed in the main box 10 of the refrigerator 1 are not limited to the refrigerator compartment 11, ice-making compartment 12, fresh-freezing compartment 13, freezer compartment 14, and vegetable compartment 15, and there may be fewer or more types of compartments. Also, the number of doors provided at the opening on the front of the refrigerator compartment 11 may be one.

Furthermore, the functions of the refrigerator control unit 16, the terminal control unit 20, and the server control unit 30 may be realized by multiple processors or semiconductor chips.

The components shown in Figures 2, 11, 12, and 14 are merely examples, and the specific implementation form is not particularly limited. In other words, it is not necessary to implement hardware that corresponds to each component individually, and it is of course possible to implement a configuration in which one processor executes a program to realize the functions of each component. Also, some of the functions realized by software in the above-mentioned embodiments may be hardware, or some of the functions realized by hardware may be software. In addition, the specific detailed configurations of the other components of the refrigerator 1, the terminal device 2, and the refrigerator control server 3 may also be changed as desired without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

In addition, for example, the step units of the operations shown in Figures 6-8, 13, 10, and 15 are divided according to the main processing content in order to make it easier to understand the operation of each device in the refrigerator control system 1000, and the operation is not limited by the way in which the processing units are divided or the names of the processing units. Depending on the processing content, the operations may be divided into more step units. Also, one step unit may be divided so that it includes more processing. Also, the order of the steps may be changed as appropriate within the scope of the purpose of this disclosure.

As described above, the information processing system, the control method for the information processing system, the information processing device, and the program according to the present invention can be used to enable a refrigerator user to check the electricity bill that has been reduced by operating the refrigerator in energy saving mode.

1. Refrigerator (information processing device)
2. Terminal device (information processing device)
3 Refrigerator control server 160 Refrigerator processor (computer)
191 Illuminance sensor 200 Terminal processor (computer)
206 Display control unit (providing unit)
212 refrigerator control application (program, application program)
302 Calculation unit 1000 Refrigerator control system (information processing system)
1603 Reduction amount display control unit (providing unit)
1611 Control program (program)
H Home P User

Claims (12)

a refrigerator that switches an operation mode to an energy saving mode when switching instruction information transmitted from an information processing device is received from a refrigerator control server;
a calculation unit that calculates an amount of reduction that is an electricity bill that has been reduced by the refrigerator operating in the energy saving mode, based on an operating time during which the refrigerator operates in the energy saving mode or a number of times the refrigerator has switched to the energy saving mode;
a providing unit that provides the reduction amount calculated by the calculating unit to a user of the refrigerator ,
The energy saving mode includes a second mode,
the second mode is an operation mode to which the refrigerator can be switched when the user is located at a food acquisition location where food can be acquired, and is an operation mode in which an internal temperature of the refrigerator is lower than that in a normal mode;
The calculation unit calculates the reduction amount for the second mode based on the number of times the refrigerator has transitioned to the second mode.
Information processing system. The energy saving mode includes a first mode,
the first mode is an operation mode to which the refrigerator can be switched when the user goes out from a house in which the refrigerator is installed, and is an operation mode in which an internal temperature of the refrigerator is made higher than that in a normal mode;
The calculation unit calculates the reduction amount for the first mode based on an operation time during which the refrigerator operates in the first mode.
The information processing system according to claim 1 . The energy saving mode includes a third mode,
The third mode is an operation mode to which the refrigerator can be switched when the current season is winter, and is an operation mode in which the temperature inside the refrigerator is higher than that in a normal mode,
The calculation unit calculates the reduction amount for the third mode based on an operation time during which the refrigerator operates in the third mode.
3. The information processing system according to claim 1 or 2 . The energy saving mode includes a fourth mode,
the fourth mode is an operation mode to which the refrigerator is switched when a detection value of an illuminance sensor included in the refrigerator is equal to or lower than a predetermined value, and the fourth mode is an operation mode in which an internal temperature of the refrigerator is higher than that in a normal mode;
The calculation unit calculates the reduction amount for the fourth mode based on an operation time during which the refrigerator operates in the fourth mode.
The information processing system according to claim 1 . The calculation unit calculates the reduction amount for each month.
The information processing system according to claim 1 . The provision unit provides the reduction amount for at least one year.
6. The information processing system according to claim 5 . The providing unit provides the reduction amount for at least one year in the form of a graph.
7. The information processing system according to claim 6 . The vertical axis of the graph is a scale according to the maximum value of the reduction amount.
The information processing system according to claim 7 . a refrigerator that switches its operation mode to an energy saving mode when the refrigerator receives the switch instruction information transmitted from the information processing device from a refrigerator control server, calculates an amount of reduction that is an electricity bill that has been reduced by the refrigerator operating in the energy saving mode, based on an operating time during which the refrigerator has operated in the energy saving mode or a number of times the refrigerator has switched to the energy saving mode;
providing the calculated reduction amount to a user of the refrigerator ;
The energy saving mode includes a second mode,
the second mode is an operation mode to which the refrigerator can be switched when the user is located at a food acquisition location where food can be acquired, and is an operation mode in which an internal temperature of the refrigerator is lower than that in a normal mode;
In the calculation of the reduction amount, the reduction amount for the second mode is calculated based on the number of times the refrigerator has shifted to the second mode.
A method for controlling an information processing system. a providing unit that provides a user of the refrigerator with a reduction amount, which is an electricity bill that can be reduced by operating the refrigerator in the energy saving mode when the refrigerator switches its operation mode to the energy saving mode when the refrigerator receives switching instruction information transmitted from an information processing device from a refrigerator control server, and the reduction amount is calculated based on an operating time of the refrigerator that operates in the energy saving mode or a switching count of the refrigerator that switches to the energy saving mode ,
The energy saving mode includes a second mode,
the second mode is an operation mode to which the refrigerator can be switched when the user is located at a food acquisition location where food can be acquired, and is an operation mode in which an internal temperature of the refrigerator is lower than that in a normal mode;
the providing unit provides the reduction amount for the second mode calculated based on the number of times the refrigerator has transitioned to the second mode.
Information processing device. The computer of the information processing device,
a providing unit that provides a user of the refrigerator with an amount of reduction that is an electricity bill that can be reduced by the refrigerator switching the operation mode to the energy saving mode when the refrigerator receives switching instruction information transmitted from the information processing device from a refrigerator control server, the amount of reduction being calculated based on an operating time during which the refrigerator operated in the energy saving mode or a number of times the refrigerator switched to the energy saving mode ,
The energy saving mode includes a second mode,
the second mode is an operation mode to which the refrigerator can be switched when the user is located at a food acquisition location where food can be acquired, and is an operation mode in which an internal temperature of the refrigerator is lower than that in a normal mode;
the providing unit provides the reduction amount for the second mode calculated based on the number of times the refrigerator has transitioned to the second mode.
program. the information processing device is a terminal device used by the user,
The program is an application program that can be installed in the terminal device.
The program according to claim 11 .

Images