JP2020135048A - Information processing apparatus and waste management system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an information processing apparatus that allows a user to easily acquire reuse component information before the user discards a product to be discarded.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus 10 processes information on a waste. The information processing apparatus 10 comprises: a storage unit 12; an inquiry destination searching unit 131; and a communication unit 11. The storage unit 12 stores product information 121 and inquiry destination information 122. The product information 121 indicates a product to be discarded. The inquiry destination information 122 indicates an inquiry destination. The inquiry destination searching unit 131 searches for an inquiry destination in the inquiry destination information 122 based on the product information 121. The communication unit 11 sends the product information 121 to the inquiry destination searched for by the inquiry destination searching unit 131. The communication unit 11 receives reuse component information 124 from the inquiry destination. The reuse component information 124 indicates a component in the product that may be reusable.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing device and a waste management system.

Wastes discarded from business establishments, etc. are sorted according to their type, collected and treated by local governments or waste disposal companies.

Patent Document 1 discloses a waste management system for treating waste appropriately and efficiently. Specifically, the waste management device disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a user terminal device, a processor terminal device, and a waste management device. These are each connected via a communication network. The user accesses the homepage established by the waste management device by using the user terminal device, and registers the waste information and the area information. Waste information indicates information about waste that is desired to be disposed of. Area information indicates information about the area to be discarded. The waste management device stores a database in which waste treatment method information is classified according to an address and a type of waste. The waste management device searches the database for waste treatment method information corresponding to the waste information and area information registered by the user. The waste treatment method information includes information indicating how the waste should be decomposed and separated, and information indicating where the waste treatment should be requested. The waste management device creates an estimate request information based on the waste treatment method information and transmits it to the terminal device for the treatment company. The terminal device for the processor creates the estimate information based on the estimate request information and transmits it to the waste management device. The waste management device transmits the waste processing information to the user terminal device. The disposal processing information includes disposal processing method information and estimation information.

Waste, on the other hand, may include reusable parts. Specifically, the multifunction device (MFP) includes a toner container. When the remaining amount of toner in the toner container is equal to or more than a predetermined amount, the toner container of the multifunction device to be discarded can be reused. If reusable parts are reused, the amount of waste discharged will be reduced. Therefore, the reuse of reusable parts contributes to environmental protection.

JP-A-2002-215767

However, the waste management device disclosed in Patent Document 1 does not transmit the reused part information to the user terminal device. Reusable parts information indicates information about reusable parts. Therefore, the user may hand over the product to be disposed of to the disposal company without knowing the existence of the reusable parts.

Therefore, in view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing device and a waste management system that allow a user to easily acquire information on reused parts before disposing of a product to be disposed of. To do.

The information processing device of the present invention processes information about waste. The information processing device includes a storage unit, a contact search unit, and a communication unit. The storage unit stores product information and contact information. The product information indicates a product to be disposed of. The contact information indicates a contact. The contact search unit searches for the contact from the contact information based on the product information. The communication unit transmits the product information to the inquiry destination searched by the inquiry destination search unit. The communication unit receives reused component information from the contact. The reusable part information indicates a part of the product that may be reusable.

The waste management system of the present invention includes the information processing device, a user terminal device used by the user, and a contact terminal device for inquiries. The information processing device, the user terminal device, and the contact terminal device are connected via a network. The user terminal device has a user communication unit. The inquiry terminal device has a communication unit for inquiry and an acquisition unit for inquiry. The user communication unit transmits the product information to the information processing device. The contact communication unit receives the product information from the information processing device. The contact acquisition unit acquires the reused part information based on the product information. The contact communication unit transmits the reused component information to the information processing device. The user communication unit receives reuse information from the information processing device. The reuse information indicates reusable parts of the product.

According to the information processing device and the waste management system of the present invention, the user can easily acquire the reused parts information before disposing of the product to be disposed of.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the waste management system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the information processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the user terminal apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the terminal apparatus for product makers which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image forming apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of the sales destination information provision processing of embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the information processing apparatus and the waste management system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals and the description is not repeated.

The waste management system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a waste management system 1 according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the waste management system 1 includes an information processing device 10, a user terminal device 20, a product manufacturer terminal device 30, and an image forming device 40. The information processing device 10, the user terminal device 20, the product manufacturer terminal device 30, and the image forming device 40 are connected to each other through the network 2. The network 2 includes, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) and a public communication network such as the Internet. The product manufacturer terminal device 30 is an example of a contact terminal device. The image forming apparatus 40 is an example of a product to be discarded.

The information processing device 10 opens a waste management site. The user terminal device 20 is used by the user. The user registers the product information 121 on the waste management site by using the user terminal device 20. When the product information 121 is registered, the information processing device 10 inquires the terminal device 30 for the product manufacturer for the reused part information 124. The information processing device 10 generates the reuse information 125 based on the reuse component information 124 received from the product manufacturer terminal device 30. The information processing device 10 transmits the reuse information 125 to the user terminal device 20. The user terminal device 20 receives the reuse information 125 transmitted from the information processing device 10.

Product information 121 indicates a product to be disposed of. The product information 121 indicates, for example, the product type of the product to be disposed of, the product name of the product to be disposed of, and the model number of the product to be disposed of. The reused part information 124 indicates a part of the product to be discarded that may be reused. Reuse information 125 indicates a reusable part. The reuse information 125 further indicates a method of reusing the reusable parts shown in the reuse part information 124. The reuse method indicates a method for the user to reuse the reusable parts by himself / herself. The reusable method further indicates that reusable parts can be bought and sold. Hereinafter, the reusable parts shown in the reusable parts information 124 will be referred to as "reuse proposal parts".

Hereinafter, the case where the product to be discarded is the image forming apparatus 40 will be specifically described. The reuse proposal component of the image forming apparatus 40 includes a toner container.

The information processing device 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the information processing device 10 according to the present embodiment.

The information processing device 10 processes information about waste. In the present embodiment, the information processing apparatus 10 is a web server that has a waste management site. The user can browse the waste management site by using the user terminal device 20. The management company that manages the information processing device 10 is different from the product manufacturer of the image forming device 40 and the disposal company of the image forming device 40.

As shown in FIG. 2, the information processing device 10 includes a communication unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a control device 13.

The communication unit 11 transmits / receives data to / from the user terminal device 20, the product manufacturer terminal device 30, and the image forming device 40 through the network 2. The communication unit 11 is a communication interface.

The storage unit 12 stores various types of data. The storage unit 12 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory), a main storage device (for example, a semiconductor memory) such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), and an auxiliary storage device (for example, a hard disk drive). The storage unit 12 stores various computer programs executed by the control device 13. In addition, various computer programs include firmware and control programs. The storage unit 12 further stores product information 121, contact information 122, location information 123, reused part information 124, reuse information 125, and user registration table 126.

In the inquiry information 122, the inquiry of the reused part information 124 and the product name of the product are registered in association with each other. The contact information for the reused part information 124 indicates the address of the terminal device 30 for the product manufacturer. The address of the product manufacturer terminal device 30 is an example of a contact. The address is, for example, an IP (Internet Protocol) address.

The position information 123 indicates the position of the product to be discarded. The location of the product to be discarded indicates, for example, the address of the user of the image forming apparatus 40. The position information 123 is used, for example, when the information processing apparatus 10 creates sales destination information.

Data of other users are registered in the user registration table 126. Specifically, in the user registration table 126, information indicating a product used by another user is registered in association with the contact information of the other user. Other users, for example, are owners who own an image forming apparatus of the same model as the image forming apparatus 40, a purchaser who purchases reusable parts of the image forming apparatus 40, or mediate between individuals through an auction. Includes auction agents. The contact includes, for example, a name, address, telephone number, or email address. The purchaser may include the product manufacturer.

The control device 13 is a hardware circuit including a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control device 13 controls the communication unit 11 and the storage unit 12 by executing the control program stored in the storage unit 12.

The control device 13 includes an inquiry destination search unit 131, a command generation unit 132, a reuse information generation unit 133, a sales destination search unit 134, and a sales destination information generation unit 135. Specifically, the processor of the control device 13 executes the control program stored in the storage unit 12, so that the inquiry destination search unit 131, the command generation unit 132, the reuse information generation unit 133, and the sales destination search unit 134 , And functions as a sales destination information generation unit 135.

The inquiry search unit 131 searches for the inquiry of the reused part information 124 based on the product information 121. Specifically, the contact search unit 131 searches the contact information 122 for the contact of the reused part information 124 corresponding to the product information 121.

The command generation unit 132 generates a state information acquisition command based on the reused part information 124. The state information acquisition command indicates a command for causing the image forming apparatus 40 to acquire the state information. The state information indicates the state of the reusable parts of the image forming apparatus 40. In the present embodiment, the state information includes information regarding the remaining amount of toner stored in the toner container.

The reuse information generation unit 133 generates the reuse information 125 based on the reuse part information 124 and the state information. Specifically, the reuse information generation unit 133 determines whether or not the reuse proposal component is in a reusable state based on the state information. Among the reuse proposal parts, the reuse information generation unit 133 generates the reuse information 125 for the parts determined by the reuse information generation unit 133 to be in a reusable state. Hereinafter, among the reusable proposed parts, the parts determined by the reusable information generation unit 133 to be in a reusable state will be referred to as “reusable parts”.

The sales destination search unit 134 searches the user registration table 126 for the sales destination of the reusable parts of the image forming apparatus 40 based on the selection information received from the user terminal device 20 and the position information 123. The selection information indicates information on the parts selected by the user based on the reuse information 125. The selection information further indicates the reuse method selected by the user. Reuse methods include buying and selling or self-use. Specifically, the sales destination search unit 134 searches the sales destination of the reusable parts selected by the user from the user registration table 126. The sales destination search unit 134 generates sales destination information based on the search result. The sales destination information indicates the sales destination searched by the sales destination search unit 134. Specifically, the sales destination information indicates the contact information of the sales destination of the reusable parts selected by the user.

Next, the user terminal device 20 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the user terminal device 20 according to the present embodiment.

The user terminal device 20 is used by the user of the image forming device 40. As shown in FIG. 3, the user terminal device 20 includes a communication unit 21, a storage unit 22, an input unit 23, an output unit 24, and a control device 25.

The communication unit 21 transmits / receives data to / from the information processing device 10 through the network 2. The communication unit 21 is a communication interface.

The storage unit 22 stores various data. The storage unit 22 includes a ROM, a main storage device such as a RAM, and an auxiliary storage device. The storage unit 22 stores various computer programs executed by the control device 25. In addition, various computer programs include firmware and control programs.

The input unit 23 inputs various data. The input unit 23 includes, for example, a keyboard, a numeric keypad, or a mouse.

The output unit 24 outputs various data. The output unit 24 includes, for example, a display.

The control device 25 is a hardware circuit including a processor such as a CPU. The control device 25 controls the communication unit 21, the storage unit 22, the input unit 23, and the output unit 24 by executing the control program stored in the storage unit 22.

Next, the product manufacturer terminal device 30 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the product manufacturer terminal device 30 according to the present embodiment.

The product maker terminal device 30 is used by an employee of the product maker of the image forming apparatus 40. As shown in FIG. 4, the product manufacturer terminal device 30 includes a communication unit 31, a storage unit 32, an input unit 33, an output unit 34, and a control device 35.

The communication unit 31 transmits / receives data to / from the information processing device 10 through the network 2. The communication unit 31 is a communication interface.

The storage unit 32 stores various data. The storage unit 32 includes a ROM, a main storage device such as a RAM, and an auxiliary storage device. The storage unit 32 stores various computer programs executed by the control device 35. In addition, various computer programs include firmware and control programs. The storage unit 32 further stores the reused parts database 321.

In the reused parts database 321, the product name of the product handled by the product manufacturer and the reused parts information 124 are associated and registered.

The input unit 33 inputs various data. The input unit 33 includes, for example, a keyboard, a numeric keypad, or a mouse.

The output unit 34 outputs various data. The output unit 34 includes a display.

The control device 35 is a hardware circuit including a processor such as a CPU. The control device 35 controls the communication unit 31, the storage unit 32, the input unit 33, and the output unit 34 by executing the control program stored in the storage unit 32.

The control device 35 has an acquisition unit 351. Specifically, the processor of the control device 35 functions as the acquisition unit 351 by executing the control program stored in the storage unit 32.

The acquisition unit 351 acquires the reused part information 124 based on the product information 121 received from the information processing device 10. Specifically, the acquisition unit 351 acquires the reused part information 124 corresponding to the product information 121 from the reused parts database 321.

Next, the image forming apparatus 40 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus 40 according to the present embodiment.

The image forming apparatus 40 is used by the user. As shown in FIG. 5, the image forming apparatus 40 includes a communication unit 41, a storage unit 42, an image forming unit 43, a state detecting unit 44, and a control device 45.

The communication unit 41 transmits / receives data to / from the information processing device 10 through the network 2. The communication unit 41 is a communication interface.

The storage unit 42 stores various types of data. The storage unit 42 includes a ROM, a main storage device such as a RAM, and an auxiliary storage device. The storage unit 42 stores various computer programs executed by the control device 45.

The image forming unit 43 is an electrophotographic type. The image forming unit 43 forms a toner image on the sheet. The image forming unit 43 includes an exposure device, a charging device, a photoconductor drum, a developing device, a toner container, a cleaning device, a transfer device, and the like. The developing device supplies toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum. The toner container replenishes the developing device with toner.

The state detection unit 44 detects the state of the reuse proposal component based on the state information acquisition command received from the information processing device 10. In the present embodiment, the state detection unit 44 includes a toner remaining amount sensor. The toner remaining amount sensor is, for example, a magnetic permeability sensor. The magnetic permeability sensor detects the magnetic permeability of the toner stored in the toner container. The control device 45 detects the remaining amount of toner based on the magnetic permeability of the toner.

The control device 45 is a hardware circuit including a processor such as a CPU. The control device 45 controls the communication unit 41, the storage unit 42, the image forming unit 43, and the state detection unit 44 by executing the control program stored in the storage unit 42.

The control device 45 has a state information generation unit 451. Specifically, the processor of the control device 45 functions as the state information generation unit 451 by executing the control program stored in the storage unit 42.

The state information generation unit 451 generates state information according to the output of the state detection unit 44. In the present embodiment, the state information generation unit 451 generates state information indicating the remaining amount of toner in the toner container based on the output of the toner remaining amount sensor.

The image forming apparatus 40 further includes an apparatus included in a general printer, for example, a paper feeding device, a conveying device, a fixing device, and an discharging device. The paper feed device feeds the sheet to the transport device. The transport device transports the sheet fed from the paper feed device to the discharge device. The fixing device has a pressurizing member and a heating member. The fixing device fixes the toner image on the sheet.

Next, the sales destination information providing process for providing the sales destination information to the user will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the sales destination information providing process of the present embodiment.

The process shown in FIG. 6 starts in response to the user terminal device 20 receiving the registration screen from the information processing device 10. More specifically, the user uses his / her own user terminal device 20 to access the waste management site established by the information processing device 10. In response to this, the information processing device 10 transmits a registration screen to the user terminal device 20. The user terminal device 20 receives the registration screen. The output unit 24 outputs the registration screen. The registration screen includes, for example, a name entry field, a product information entry field, a location information entry field, and a send button. The user's name is entered in the name entry field. Product information 121 is entered in the product information entry field. The position information 123 is entered in the position information entry field. The send button is used to transmit the information entered in each entry field to the information processing apparatus 10.

Step S101: The user uses the input unit 23 to input information in each of the name entry field, the product information entry field, and the location information entry field on the registration screen. Next, the user presses the send button using the input unit 23. As a result, the product information 121 and the location information 123 are registered in the waste management site. In other words, the communication unit 21 of the user terminal device 20 transmits the product information 121 and the position information 123 to the information processing device 10. The communication unit 11 of the information processing device 10 receives the product information 121 and the position information 123 from the user terminal device 20. The storage unit 12 of the information processing device 10 stores the received product information 121 and position information 123. The process proceeds to step S102.

Step S102: The inquiry contact search unit 131 searches the inquiry contact information 122 for the inquiry destination of the reused part information 124 corresponding to the product information 121. From this search result, the inquiry destination search unit 131 identifies the address of the product manufacturer terminal device 30 indicating the inquiry destination of the reused part information 124. The communication unit 11 of the information processing device 10 transmits the product information 121 to the address of the product manufacturer terminal device 30 specified by the inquiry destination search unit 131. The communication unit 31 of the product manufacturer terminal device 30 receives the product information 121 from the information processing device 10. The process proceeds to step S103.

Step S103: The acquisition unit 351 searches the reused parts database 321 for the reused parts information 124 corresponding to the product information 121. From this search result, the acquisition unit 351 acquires the reused part information 124 of the image forming apparatus 40. In the present embodiment, the reused part information 124 regarding the toner container of the image forming apparatus 40 is acquired. The communication unit 31 of the product manufacturer terminal device 30 transmits the reused component information 124 to the information processing device 10. The communication unit 11 of the information processing device 10 receives the reused component information 124 from the product manufacturer terminal device 30. The storage unit 12 of the information processing device 10 stores the reused component information 124. The process proceeds to step S104.

Step S104: The command generation unit 132 generates a state information acquisition command based on the reused part information 124. In the present embodiment, the command generation unit 132 generates a command for causing the image forming apparatus 40 to acquire the state information regarding the remaining amount of the toner stored in the toner container. The communication unit 11 of the information processing device 10 transmits a state information acquisition command to the image forming device 40. The communication unit 41 of the image forming apparatus 40 receives a state information acquisition command from the information processing apparatus 10. The process proceeds to step S105.

Step S105: The state information generation unit 451 generates state information based on the output of the state detection unit 44. In the present embodiment, the state information generation unit 451 generates state information indicating the remaining amount of the toner container of the image forming apparatus 40 based on the output of the toner remaining amount sensor. The communication unit 41 of the image forming apparatus 40 transmits the state information to the information processing apparatus 10. The communication unit 11 of the information processing device 10 receives the state information from the image forming device 40. The process proceeds to step S106.

Step S106: The reuse information generation unit 133 generates the reuse information 125 based on the reuse part information 124 and the state information. In the present embodiment, the reuse information generation unit 133 determines that the toner container is in a reusable state based on the state information. The reuse information generation unit 133 generates reuse information 125 for the toner container. The storage unit 12 of the information processing device 10 stores the reuse information 125. The communication unit 11 of the information processing device 10 transmits the reuse information 125 to the user terminal device 20. The user terminal device 20 receives the reuse information 125 from the information processing device 10. The process proceeds to step S107.

Step S107: The output unit 24 of the user terminal device 20 outputs the reuse information 125. The control device 25 of the user terminal device 20 generates selection information based on the input information input by the user using the input unit 23. In this embodiment, the user chooses to buy or sell the toner container. The communication unit 21 of the user terminal device 20 transmits selection information to the information processing device 10. The communication unit 11 of the information processing device 10 receives selection information from the user terminal device 20. The process proceeds to step S108.

Step S108: The sales destination search unit 134 searches the sales destination of the reusable parts from the user registration table 126 based on the selection information and the location information 123. Specifically, the sales destination search unit 134 searches the user registration table 126 for the sales destination of the reusable parts selected by the user. From this search result, the sales destination search unit 134 acquires the contact information of the sales destination and generates the sales destination information. In the present embodiment, the sales destination search unit 134 generates sales destination information regarding the toner container. The communication unit 11 of the information processing device 10 transmits the sales destination information to the user terminal device 20. The communication unit 21 of the user terminal device 20 receives the sales destination information from the information processing device 10. The process ends.

As described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6, the information processing apparatus 10 includes a storage unit 12, an inquiry destination search unit 131, and a communication unit 11. The information processing device 10 is communicably connected to the image forming device 40 through the network 2. The image forming apparatus 40 includes a communication unit 41, a state detection unit 44, and a state information generation unit 451. The communication unit 11 of the information processing device 10 transmits a state information acquisition command to the image forming device 40 based on the reused component information 124. The communication unit 41 of the image forming apparatus 40 receives a state information acquisition command from the information processing apparatus 10. The state detection unit 44 of the image forming apparatus 40 detects the state of the toner container based on the state information acquisition command. The state information generation unit 451 of the image forming apparatus 40 generates state information based on the output of the state detection unit 44. The communication unit 41 of the image forming apparatus 40 transmits the state information to the information processing apparatus 10. The communication unit 11 of the information processing device 10 receives state information from the image forming device 40. The reuse information generation unit 133 generates the reuse information 125 based on the reuse part information 124 and the state information. As a result, the user can easily acquire the reuse information 125 including the state information from the information processing device 10 for the product to be discarded.

The information processing device 10 is communicably connected to the user terminal device 20 through the network 2. The communication unit 11 of the information processing device 10 receives the product information 121 transmitted from the user terminal device 20. The communication unit 11 of the information processing device 10 transmits the reuse information 125 to the user terminal device 20 that has transmitted the product information 121. As a result, the user can easily acquire the reuse information 125 from the information processing device 10.

The information processing device 10 further includes a sales destination search unit 134 and a sales destination information generation unit 135. The storage unit 12 of the information processing device 10 further stores the user registration table 126. The communication unit 11 of the information processing device 10 receives selection information and position information 123 from the user terminal device 20. The sales destination search unit 134 searches the user registration table 126 for the sales destination of the reusable parts based on the selection information and the location information 123. The sales destination information generation unit 135 generates sales destination information indicating the sales destination searched by the sales destination search unit 134. The communication unit 11 of the information processing device 10 transmits the sales destination information to the user terminal device 20. As a result, the user can easily acquire the sales destination information from the information processing device 10.

The reuse information 125 includes trading information regarding the buying and selling of reusable parts. As a result, the user can easily acquire trading information from the information processing device 10.

The contact information indicates the address of the terminal device 30 for the product manufacturer. Therefore, the user can acquire the highly reliable reused component information 124 from the information processing device 10.

The products to be discarded include the image forming apparatus 40. Therefore, the reused part information 124 of the image forming apparatus 40 can be easily acquired. Therefore, the possibility that the user disposes of the image forming apparatus 40 without knowing the existence of reusable parts in the waste is reduced.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings (FIGS. 1 to 6). However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented in various embodiments without departing from the gist thereof (for example, (1) to (8) shown below). The drawings are schematically shown mainly for each component for easy understanding, and the thickness, length, number, etc. of each component shown are different from the actual ones for the convenience of drawing creation. .. Further, the material, shape, dimensions, etc. of each component shown in the above embodiment are merely examples, and are not particularly limited, and various changes can be made without substantially deviating from the effects of the present invention. is there.

(1) The information processing device 10 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6 is connected to and from the user terminal device 20 through a network 2, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The information processing device 10 does not have to be connected to the user terminal device 20 via the network 2. In this case, the product information 121 may be input to the information processing apparatus 10 using removable media. By inputting the product information 121 into the information processing apparatus 10 via the removable media, the user can easily obtain the reused part information 124 from the inquiries regarding the product to be discarded. This reduces the possibility that the user will dispose of the product to be disposed of without knowing the existence of the reused part.

(2) The waste management system 1 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6 includes a terminal device 30 for a product manufacturer, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The waste management system 1 may include an information manager terminal device used by an information manager who manages the reused part information 124, instead of the product manufacturer terminal device 30. The reused parts information 124 managed by the information manager includes original information of each region, information of the image forming apparatus 40 manufactured by an overseas manufacturer, and information of old products whose sales have been discontinued. In this case, the contact information includes the address of the information manager terminal device.

(3) The waste management system 1 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6 includes one user terminal device 20, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The waste management system 1 may include a plurality of user terminal devices 20.

(5) The waste management system 1 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6 includes an image forming apparatus 40, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The waste management system 1 does not have to include the image forming apparatus 40. That is, the image forming apparatus 40 does not have to be connected to the network 2. When the waste management system 1 does not include the image forming apparatus 40, the information processing apparatus 10 may generate the reuse information 125 without using the state information. Further, the information processing device 10 may transmit the reused component information 124 to the user terminal device 20 without generating the reuse information 125.

(6) In the waste management system 1 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6, the communication unit 21 of the user terminal device 20 transmits the product information 121 and the location information 123 to the information processing device 10. The present invention is not limited to this. For example, the communication unit 21 of the user terminal device 20 does not have to transmit the position information 123 to the information processing device 10.

(7) In the waste management system 1 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6, the product to be disposed of is an electrophotographic image forming apparatus 40, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the product to be discarded may be an inkjet image forming apparatus or a PC (Personal Computer).

(8) In the waste management system 1 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6, the reusable component is a toner container, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The reusable component may include a photoconductor drum or a document processor.

The present invention is useful, for example, in the fields of information processing devices and waste management systems.

10 Information processing device 11 Communication unit 12 Storage unit 121 Product information 122 Inquiry information 124 Reused parts information 131 Inquiry search unit

Claims (10)

An information processing device that processes information about waste.
A storage unit that stores product information indicating the product to be discarded and inquiry information indicating the contact information,
A contact search unit that searches for the contact from the contact information based on the product information,
It is provided with a communication unit that transmits the product information to the inquiry destination searched by the inquiry contact search unit and receives reused parts information from the inquiry destination.
The reused part information is an information processing device indicating a part of the product that may be reused. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a reuse information generation unit that generates reuse information indicating reusable parts of the product based on the reused part information. The information processing device is communicably connected to the product through a network.
The product has a product communication unit, a product status detection unit, and a product status information generation unit.
The product state detection unit detects the state of the parts that may be reused, and detects the state of the parts.
The product status information generation unit generates status information based on the output of the product status detection unit.
The state information indicates the state of the part that may be reused.
The product communication unit transmits the state information to the information processing device, and the product communication unit transmits the state information to the information processing device.
The communication unit receives the status information from the product and receives the status information.
The information processing device according to claim 2, wherein the reuse information generation unit generates the reuse information based on the reuse component information and the state information. The information processing device is communicably connected to the user terminal device used by the user through a network.
The communication unit receives the product information transmitted from the user terminal device, and receives the product information.
The information processing device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the communication unit transmits the reuse information to the user terminal device that has transmitted the product information. It also has a sales destination search department and a sales destination information generation department.
The storage unit further stores a user registration table in which the contact information of another user is associated with the product owned by the other user.
The communication unit receives selection information and location information from the user terminal device, and receives the selection information and the location information.
The selection information indicates the reusable part selected by the user.
The location information indicates the address of the user and
Based on the selection information and the location information, the sales destination search unit searches the user registration table for sales destinations of the reusable parts.
The sales destination information generation unit generates sales destination information indicating the sales destination searched by the sales destination search unit, and generates the sales destination information.
The information processing device according to claim 4, wherein the communication unit transmits the sales destination information to the user terminal device. The information processing device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the reuse information includes sales information regarding the sale and purchase of the reusable parts. The contact indicates at least one of the address of the terminal device for the product manufacturer used by the manufacturer of the product and the address of the terminal device for the information manager used by the information manager who manages the reused part information. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the product includes an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus has an electrophotographic image forming unit.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the reusable component includes at least one of a toner container, a photoconductor drum, and a document processor. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, a user terminal device used by the user, and a contact terminal device for inquiries, the information processing device, and the user. A waste management system in which the terminal device for inquiries and the terminal device for inquiries are connected via a network.
The user terminal device has a user communication unit and has a user communication unit.
The contact terminal device has a contact communication unit and an inquiry acquisition unit.
The user communication unit transmits the product information to the information processing device, and the user communication unit transmits the product information to the information processing device.
The contact communication unit receives the product information from the information processing device, and receives the product information.
The contact acquisition unit acquires the reused part information based on the product information, and obtains the reused parts information.
The contact communication unit transmits the reused component information to the information processing device, and then sends the information to the reused parts.
The user communication unit receives reuse information from the information processing device and receives reuse information.
The reuse information is a waste management system indicating reusable parts of the product.

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