Information processing apparatus, method for generating electric power price list, information processing system, and display device

• US 10,354,297 B2
• Filed: 12/10/2012
• Issued: 07/16/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd. (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd. (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Takayama, Hisashi, Waki, Yuki, Kouda, Tetsuya, Yoshimura, Yasuo, Ikeda, Toshihisa
• Primary Examiner(s): Harrington, Michael P
• Application Number:
  US14/127,330
• Publication Number:
  US 20140136448A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,409 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0206 Price or cost determination based on market factors
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0283 Price estimation or determination
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/06 Energy or water supply
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00001 characterised by the display of information or by user interaction, e.g. supervisory control and data acquisition systems [SCADA] or graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/64 The condition being economic, e.g. tariff based load management
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/28 Arrangements for balancing of the load in a network by storage of energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/30 Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/3225 Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 10/40 Display of information, e.g. of data or controls
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/222 Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/242 Home appliances
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 50/10 Energy trading, including energy flowing from end-user application to grid
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 50/14 Marketing, i.e. market research and analysis, surveying, promotions, advertising, buyer profiling, customer management or rewards

Abstract

An electric power price information acquisition unit (114) acquires information related to an electric power purchase price, which is an electricity cost when an electronic device is operated using electric power supplied from a commercial power source, a price determination unit (100) determines, for each time block, a generated power price which is an electricity cost when an electronic device is operated using generated power of a power generator for generating power using natural energy, and a stored power price which is an electricity cost when an electronic device is operated using electric power stored in an electric storage device, and a user price list generation unit (107) generates an electric power price list capable of displaying, with regard to an arbitrary time block, the electric power purchase price, the generated power price and the stored power price.

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus, comprising:

an acquisition unit for acquiring information related to an electric power purchase price, which is an electricity cost when an electronic device is operated using electric power supplied from a commercial power source and a use history of electric power used by the electronic device in a user'"'"'s home;

a demand prediction unit for predicting an electric power demand of the electronic device in the user'"'"'s home by using the use history acquired by the acquisition unit;

a price determination unit for determining, for each time block, a generated power price which is an electricity cost when an electronic device is operated using generated power of a power generator for generating power using natural energy, and a stored power price which is an electricity cost when an electronic device is operated using electric power stored in an electric storage device;

an electric power price list generation unit for generating an electric power price list capable of displaying, with regard to an arbitrary time block, the electric power purchase price, the generated power price and the stored power price;

a control unit for sending a control signal that controls the operation of the electronic device; and

a display unit that displays the electric power price list generated by the electric power price list generation unit,

wherein the electric power price list including a plurality of time blocks along a lateral axis which represents a predetermined time period, a plurality of electric energy intervals along a vertical axis which represents a predetermined electric power usage, and a plurality of prices of power usage for each of the time blocks, the plurality of prices being among the electric power purchase prices acquired by the acquisition unit, the generated power prices determined by the price determination unit and the stored power prices determined by the price determination unit, and each of the plurality of prices being assigned a position in each time block and corresponding to one of the plurality of electric energy intervals on the electric power price list,

the electric power price list generation unit superimposes, on the electric power price list, a prediction result of the electric power demand of the electronic device in the user'"'"'s home predicted by the demand prediction unit,

the electric power price list generation unit superimposes, on the electric power price list, together with the prediction result of the electric power demand, an operating change region that indicates an operating time and an electric power usage of the electronic device for which the operating time is changeable and which is among a plurality of electronic devices in the user'"'"'s home,

when the operating change region corresponding to the electronic device for which the operating time is to be changed is selected by the user and the selected operating change region is moved on the display unit to an intended position by the user, the electric power price list generation unit moves the operating change region along a line indicating the prediction result of the electric power demand and superimposes, on the electric power price list, the moved operating change region together with an updated prediction result of the electric power demand based on the movement of the operating change region, and

when the operating change region corresponding to the electronic device for which the operating time is to be changed is selected by the user and the selected operating change region is moved to the intended position by the user, the control unit outputs a control signal to the electronic device for changing an operating time of the electronic device based on the movement of the operating change region.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the acquisition unit additionally acquires an operating history of the power generator, and an operating history of the electric storage device,

the information processing apparatus further comprises:

an electric power generation prediction unit for predicting an electric power generation of the power generator by using the operating history of the power generator acquired by the acquisition unit; and

an operation plan generation unit for generating an operation plan of the electric storage device by using the operating history of the electric storage device acquired by the acquisition unit, and

the price determination unit includes;

a power generation price prediction unit for predicting the generated power price by using a predicted value of the electric power generation predicted by the electric power generation prediction unit; and

a power storage price prediction unit for predicting the stored power price based on the electric power purchase price acquired by the acquisition unit, the generated power price predicted by the power generation price prediction unit, and the operation plan of the electric storage device generated by the operation plan generation unit.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein

the electric power price list generation unit indicates the electric power purchase price on the electric power price list with regard to a time block in which the power generator does not generate power and a time block in which the electric storage device does not discharge, and indicates, on the electric power price list and with regard to a time block in which either the power generator or the electric storage device operates, a least expensive electric power price of either the electric power of the operating device or the electric power supplied from the commercial power source, based on the electric power generation of the power generator predicted by the electric power generation prediction unit and the operation plan of the electric storage device generated by the operation plan generation unit.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the electric power price list generation unit generates an electric power price list which indicates, for each predetermined time block, an electric power price in a case of preferentially using a less expensive electric power among the electric power supplied from the commercial power source, the electric power generated by the power generator, and the electric power stored in the electric storage device.

5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the electric power price list generation unit indicates, for each time block that is more detailed than the predetermined time block, an electric power price of a portion of the electric power price list corresponding to the prediction result of the electric power demand.

6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the electric power price list generation unit generates the electric power price list that classifies the electric power purchase price, the generated power price, and the stored power price with different colors, respectively.

7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a sending unit for sending, to a device including a display unit, the electric power price list generated by the electric power price list generation unit.

8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the price determination unit determines the stored power price in accordance with the electric power purchase price, the generated power price, electric energy based on the electric power supplied from the commercial power source and stored in the storage device, and another electric energy based on the generated power of the power generator that is stored in the storage device.

9. A method for generating an electric power price list, comprising:

acquiring information related to an electric power purchase price, which is an electricity cost when an electronic device is operated using electric power supplied from a commercial power source and a use history of electric power used by the electronic device in a user'"'"'s home;

predicting an electric power demand of the electronic device in the user'"'"'s home by using the use history acquired;

determining, for each time block, a generated power price which is an electricity cost when an electronic device is operated using generated power of a power generator for generating power using natural energy, and a stored power price which is an electricity cost when an electronic device is operated using electric power stored in an electric storage device; and

generating an electric power price list capable of displaying, with regard to an arbitrary time block, the electric power purchase price, the generated power price and the stored power price,

wherein the electric power price list including a plurality of time blocks along a lateral axis which represents a predetermined time period, a plurality of electric energy intervals along a vertical axis which represents a predetermined electric power usage, and a plurality of prices of power usage for each of the time blocks, the plurality of prices being among the electric power purchase prices acquired by the acquisition unit, the generated power prices determined by the price determination unit and the stored power prices determined by the price determination unit, and each of the plurality of prices being assigned a position in each time block and corresponding to one of the plurality of electric energy intervals on the electric power price list,

in the generating of electric power price list, a prediction result of the electric power demand of the electronic device in the user'"'"'s home predicted is superimposed on the electric power price list,

in the generating of electric power price list, an operating change region that indicates an operating time and an electric power usage of the electronic device for which the operating time is changeable and which is among a plurality of electronic devices in the user'"'"'s home is superimposed on the electric power price list together with the prediction result of the electric power demand,

when the operating change region corresponding to the electronic device for which the operating time is to be changed is selected by the user and the selected operating change region is moved to an intended position by the user, the operating change region is moved along a line indicating the prediction result of the electric power demand and the moved operating change region together with an updated prediction result of the electric power demand based on the movement of the operating change region is superimposed on the electric power price list together with an updated prediction result of the electric power demand based on the movement of the operating change region, and

when the operating change region corresponding to the electronic device for which the operating time is to be changed is selected by the user and the selected operating change region is moved to the intended position by the user, a control signal is output to the electronic device for changing an operating time of the electronic device based on the movement of the operating change region.

10. An information processing system comprising an information processing apparatus, and a display device communicably connected to the information processing apparatus via a network, wherein

the information processing apparatus includes:

an acquisition unit for acquiring information related to an electric power purchase price, which is an electricity cost when an electronic device is operated using electric power supplied from a commercial power source and a use history of electric power used by the electronic device in a user'"'"'s home;

a demand prediction unit for predicting an electric power demand of the electronic device in the user'"'"'s home by using the use history acquired by the acquisition unit;

a price determination unit for determining, for each time block, a generated power price which is an electricity cost when an electronic device is operated using generated power of a power generator for generating power using natural energy, and a stored power price which is an electricity cost when an electronic device is operated using electric power stored in an electric storage device;

an electric power price list generation unit for generating an electric power price list capable of displaying, with regard to an arbitrary time block, the electric power purchase price, the generated power price and the stored power price;

a control unit for sending a control signal that controls the operation of the electronic device,

the electric power price list including a plurality of time blocks along a lateral axis which represents a predetermined time period, a plurality of electric energy intervals along a vertical axis which represents a predetermined electric power usage, and a plurality of prices of power usage for each of the time blocks, the plurality of prices being among the electric power purchase prices acquired by the acquisition unit, the generated power prices determined by the price determination unit and the stored power prices determined by the price determination unit, and each of the plurality of prices being assigned a position in each time block and corresponding to one of the plurality of electric energy intervals on the electric power price list; and

a sending unit for sending, to the display device and via the network, the electric power price list generated by the electric power price list generation unit,

wherein the electric power price list generation unit superimposes, on the electric power price list, a prediction result of the electric power demand of the electronic device in the user'"'"'s home predicted by the demand prediction unit,

the electric power price list generation unit superimposes, on the electric power price list, together with the prediction result of the electric power demand, an operating change region that indicates an operating time and an electric power usage of the electronic device for which the operating time is changeable and which is among a plurality of electronic devices in the user'"'"'s home,

when the operating change region corresponding to the electronic device for which the operating time is to be changed is selected by the user and the selected operating change region is moved on the display device to an intended position by the user, the electric power price list generation unit moves the operating change region along a line indicating the prediction result of the electric power demand and superimposes, on the electric power price list, the moved operating change region together with an updated prediction result of the electric power demand based on the movement of the operating change region,

when the operating change region corresponding to the electronic device for which the operating time is to be changed is selected by the user and the selected operating change region is moved to the intended position on the prediction result of the electric power demand by the user, the control unit sends a control signal to the electronic device for changing an operating time of the electronic device based on the movement of the operating change region, and

the display device includes;

a receiving unit for receiving the electric power price list via the network;

a display unit for displaying the electric power price list generated by the electric power price list generation unit; and

an operating time change acceptance unit for accepting the user'"'"'s selection of the operating change region corresponding to the electronic device for which the operating time is to be changed, accepting the user'"'"'s operation of moving the selected operating change region to the intended position on the prediction result of the electric power demand, and transmitting, to the information processing apparatus, operating schedule information that indicates an operating time having been changed according to the accepted user'"'"'s operation.

11. A display device communicably connected via a network to an information processing apparatus including:

an acquisition unit for acquiring information related to an electric power purchase price, which is an electricity cost when an electronic device is operated using electric power supplied from a commercial power source and a use history of electric power used by the electronic device in a user'"'"'s home;

a demand prediction unit for predicting an electric power demand of the electronic device in the user'"'"'s home by using the use history acquired by the acquisition unit;

a price determination unit for determining, for each time block, a generated power price which is an electricity cost when an electronic device is operated using generated power of a power generator for generating power using natural energy, and a stored power price which is an electricity cost when an electronic device is operated using electric power stored in an electric storage device; and

an electric power price list generation unit for generating an electric power price list capable of displaying, with regard to an arbitrary time block, the electric power purchase price, the generated power price and the stored power price,

the electric power price list including a plurality of time blocks along a lateral axis which represents a predetermined time period, a plurality of electric energy intervals along a vertical axis which represents a predetermined electric power usage, and a plurality of prices of power usage for each of the time blocks, the plurality of prices being among the electric power purchase prices acquired by the acquisition unit, the generated power prices determined by the price determination unit and the stored power prices determined by the price determination unit, and each of the plurality of prices being assigned a position in each time block and corresponding to one of the plurality of electric energy intervals on the electric power price list,

the electric power price list generation unit superimposes, on the electric power price list, a prediction result of the electric power demand of the electronic device in the user'"'"'s home predicted by the demand prediction unit,

the electric power price list generation unit superimposes, on the electric power price list, together with the prediction result of the electric power demand, an operating change region that indicates an operating time and an electric power usage of the electronic device for which the operating time is changeable and which is among a plurality of electronic devices in the user'"'"'s home,

when the operating change region corresponding to the electronic device for which the operating time is to be changed is selected by the user and the selected operating change region is moved on the display device to an intended position by the user, the electric power price list generation unit moves the operating change region along a line indicating the prediction result of the electric power demand and superimposes, on the electric power price list, the moved operating change region together with an updated prediction result of the electric power demand based on the movement of the operating change region,

when the operating change region corresponding to the electronic device for which the operating time is to be changed is selected by the user and the selected operating change region is moved to the intended position on the prediction result of the electric power demand by the user, a control signal is sent to the electronic device for changing an operating time of the electronic device based on the movement of the operating change region, and

the display device comprises;

a receiving unit for receiving the electric power price list via the network; and

a display unit for displaying the electric power price list received by the receiving unit; and

an operating time change acceptance unit for accepting the user'"'"'s

selection of the operating change region corresponding to the electronic device for which the operating time is to be changed, accepting the user'"'"'s operation of moving the selected operating change region to the intended position on the prediction result of the electric power demand, and transmitting, to the information processing apparatus, operating schedule information that indicates an operating time having been changed according to the accepted user'"'"'s operation.

12. The display device according to claim 11, further comprising:

an input unit for accepting an input on which electric power to use among the electric power from the commercial power source, the electric power of the power generator, and the electric power of the electric storage device with regard to each time block from the electric power price list displayed on the display unit; and

a sending unit for sending, via the network, a notification signal for notifying the information processing apparatus of use of the electric power designated with the input unit.

13. The display device according to claim 12, wherein

the input unit detects which electric power to use based on a user'"'"'s operation of a touch panel.

14. The display device according to claim 12, wherein

the input unit detects which electric power to use by receiving an external signal sent from an external remote controller.