JP6903330B2 - Goods collection device and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an article collection device and a program.

There is known an empty bottle collector that is designed to issue a receipt corresponding to the payment of the return deposit for the contained bottle in response to the acceptance of the containment in the empty bottle (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Special Table 2000-515801 Gazette

As the collection of containers progresses, the storage area that houses the containers will eventually fill up. However, the technique shown in Patent Document 1 does not have a function of efficiently assisting the replacement of the replacement member such as the storage bag of the storage portion filled with the collected container, and the replacement member such as the storage bag. A function that can efficiently replace the bag has been desired.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to efficiently assist the replacement of a replacement member of a housing portion filled with articles collected by an article collection device.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the article collecting device of the present invention has at least the following configurations. That is, the switching process between the volume reducing means for reducing the volume of the container, the container accommodating portion for accommodating the container after the volume reduction, and the normal mode for accepting the container to be put in by the customer and the maintenance mode for collecting the container is performed. Control means to be performed, display means for displaying information confirming whether or not the replacement of the bag attached to the container accommodating portion is completed in the maintenance mode, and whether or not the replacement of the bag is completed. The control means includes a reception means for accepting selection, and the control means maintains the maintenance mode when it receives that the reception means has not completed the process.

According to the present invention, it is possible to efficiently assist the replacement of the replacement member of the accommodating portion filled with the articles collected by the article collection device.

It is a figure which shows the configuration example of the PET bottle collection system in 1st Embodiment. It is a front view and the side view of the PET bottle collection device in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the content example of the collection history information table in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the aspect example of the collection result web page in 1st Embodiment. In the second embodiment, it is a figure explaining an operation example with respect to a PET bottle collection device when a clerk exchanges a storage bag. It is a figure which shows an example of the member group rank information table in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the individual member rank information table in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the display mode of the guide screen in this embodiment in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the functional configuration example of the PET bottle collection apparatus in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the configuration example of the collection management server in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the processing procedure which the PET bottle collection apparatus and the collection management server in 2nd Embodiment execute corresponding to one collection operation. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the processing procedure which the PET bottle collection apparatus and the collection management server in 2nd Embodiment execute corresponding to one storage article collection work. It is a figure which shows the aspect example of the apparatus main body part of the PET bottle collection apparatus in 3rd Embodiment.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a PET bottle collection system (an example of an article collection device) in the present embodiment.
In the present embodiment, the PET bottle collection device 100 is installed in each of the plurality of store STs. The PET bottle collection device 100 may be installed in the building of the store ST, or may be installed in a place facing the outdoors, for example, in the premises of the store ST, such as under the eaves.

The store ST in the figure is, for example, an affiliated store in the same series. As a specific example, the store ST in the figure is a convenience store in the same series.

The PET bottle collection device 100 functions as a collection facility for PET bottles as recycled products. The customer C who has gone to the store ST, for example, puts an empty PET bottle into the PET bottle collection device 100 after drinking a beverage or the like. The PET bottle collecting device 100 of the present embodiment stores the inserted PET bottle after reducing the volume.

Further, the PET bottle collection device 100 is connected so as to be able to communicate with the collection management server 200 via the network NT. The PET bottle collection device 100 may be configured to communicate with the network NT via, for example, a mobile phone communication network. As a result, the PET bottle collection device 100 can communicate wirelessly, and since it is not necessary to connect a network cable, for example, the degree of freedom of installation is increased.
Although the figure shows an example in which one PET bottle collection device 100 is installed in one store ST, the number of PET bottle collection devices 100 installed in one store ST is not particularly limited.

The collection management server 200 is a server that processes information regarding the collection of PET bottles by the PET bottle collection device 100. The collection management server 200 is operated by, for example, a company that provides a PET bottle collection device 100.
Specifically, the collection management server 200 manages collection history information indicating a history of collection of PET bottles in the PET bottle collection device 100 of each store ST. Then, the collection management server 200 derives the result (collection record) of the customer C regarding the cooperation of collecting the PET bottle by using the PET bottle collection device 100, and notifies the customer C of the derived collection result. The notification of the collection record to the customer C is performed by displaying the information on the collection record on the customer terminal device 300 of the customer C.

The customer terminal device 300 is a terminal device owned by the customer C. The customer terminal device 300 may be, for example, a stationary or notebook type personal computer, or a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a mobile phone.
The customer terminal device 300 can communicate with the collection management server 200 via the network NT.

In addition, customer C in the figure is registered as a member of store ST. Customer C, who is a member of the store ST, owns a membership card CD.
The card information recorded on the membership card CD includes a membership identifier. The member identifier is also a card identifier assigned to be unique to each member card CD. Since one membership card CD is provided for each customer C as a member, the card identifier unique to each membership card CD is the customer C as a member who is the owner of the membership card CD. It is treated as a unique member identifier.

The membership card CD can be used as a prepaid card when paying at the store ST. The membership card CD can also be used as a point card. For example, when paying at the store ST, the customer who is a member presents the membership card CD to the store clerk.
When the clerk operates the POS register 400 installed in the store ST to perform accounting according to the product purchased by the customer, the clerk causes the card reader of the POS register 400 to read the card information recorded on the membership card CD. Perform the operation.

The POS register 400 executes an accounting process including a product registration process for registering a product purchased by a customer and a settlement process according to the registered product.
When the POS register 400 reads the card information from the membership card CD in the accounting process, the POS register 400 transmits the read card information to the store management server 500. As a result, the store management server 500 performs processing corresponding to, for example, payment from the prepaid balance, addition of points according to the payment amount, conversion of points to the prepaid balance, charging of the prepaid amount, and the like.
Although the figure shows an example in which one POS register 400 is installed in one store ST, the number of POS registers 400 installed in one store ST is not particularly limited.

The store management server 500 is a server that controls and manages the store ST. The store management server 500 is operated by the store ST.
Specifically, the store management server 500 manages the prepaid balance, the point balance, and the like for each member identifier. Further, the store management server 500 may be configured to manage information about products for each store ST, for example.

Next, an outline of the operation of the PET bottle collecting device 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2A is a front view of the PET bottle collecting device 100 as viewed from the front. FIG. 2B is a side view of the PET bottle collecting device 100 as viewed from the side.

In the standby state of the PET bottle collection device 100, the outer door of the article loading section is closed, and the inner door that is openably and closably provided between the article loading section and the accommodating section is closed.
On the other hand, the PET bottle collecting device 100 determines whether or not the outer door of the article charging section is opened and the article placed on the loading section of the article loading section can be collected when the article is collected. That is, the PET bottle collecting device 100 determines whether or not the inserted article is a resin container such as a PET bottle and the container is in an empty state. When it is determined that the container can be collected, the outer door is closed, the inner door provided between the article loading portion and the accommodating portion is opened, and the container is collected by the accommodating portion.
Further, the PET bottle collecting device 100 of the present embodiment is provided with a volume reduction mechanism. By reducing the volume of the container by the volume reduction mechanism, the PET bottle collection device 100 can collect a large amount of the reduced volume empty container in the collection unit having a specified capacity.

As shown in FIG. 2, the PET bottle collection device 100 is provided with a container loading section 110 at the top of the device main body 100B, and an outer door 111 provided outside the opening of the container loading section 110. There is. The apparatus main body 100B is provided with a touch panel display unit 1400 and a card reader 1500 on the front side near the upper part of the outer door 111. Further, a luggage hook 100f is provided on the front side of the device main body 100B.
The container loading unit 110 is provided with various sensors for determining whether or not the loaded article can be collected. Examples of the sensor include an optical sensor, a metal sensor, a measuring instrument, an imaging device, and the like. The PET bottle collection device 100 uses, for example, the outputs of these sensors to determine whether or not the loaded article can be collected. If it is determined that the bottle can be collected, the PET bottle that has been put in is reduced in volume by the volume reduction mechanism and then stored. On the other hand, when it is determined that the articles cannot be collected, the volume of the loaded articles is not reduced and the storage is not performed, and the customer is notified, and the loaded articles are taken out from the container loading section 110. Prompted.

Further, a passage 71 communicating with the container accommodating portion 140 is provided below the container charging portion 110. Further, the inner door 112 is provided at a position communicating with the container accommodating portion 140 from the mounting portion 116 of the container charging portion 110 of the passage 71.

Further, the PET bottle collecting device 100 is provided with a volume reducing portion 120 (volume reducing mechanism) between the inner door 112 and the container accommodating portion 140. When the inner door 112 is in the open state, the volume reducing unit 120 crushes the empty container A from the container charging unit 110 to reduce the volume, and outputs the reduced volume container RA to the lower container accommodating unit 140.
Further, the device main body 100B of the PET bottle collection device 100 has a drawer 100C on which the container storage unit 140 is placed, and a drawer handle 100e and a key hole 100r are provided on the front side, and the key is keyed. It is configured so that it can be locked and unlocked by inserting it into the hole 100r.

Further, a translucent portion 100A (translucent window) is provided on the front side of the device main body portion 100B, specifically, on the front side of the drawer 100C, and an empty container accommodated in the container accommodating portion 140 from the outside. Is configured to be visible.

Further, a moving handle 100 g used at the time of transportation is provided on the side surface portion of the apparatus main body 100B.

Further, the apparatus main body 100B is provided with a cap insertion portion 108 on the front side, a cap passage 72 is provided downward from the cap insertion portion 108 in the apparatus main body, and the cap inserted into the cap insertion portion 108 is a cap. It is configured to be accommodated in the cap accommodating portion 145 via the passage 72.

Further, the PET bottle collecting device 100 of the present embodiment is provided with a card reader 1500 capable of reading the card information recorded on the membership card CD.

When the customer who is a member starts to use the PET bottle collection device 100, he / she performs an operation of causing the card reader 1500 to read his / her membership card CD. When the membership card CD is read by the card reader 1500, the operation of the PET bottle collection device 100 corresponding to one collection operation is started. The collection operation means having the PET bottle collection device 100 collect one or more PET bottles brought by the customer. In the case of a customer who does not have a membership card CD, for example, one collection operation may be started in response to an operation instructing the touch panel display unit 1400 to start.
In one collection operation, the customer puts one PET bottle into the container charging unit 110 of the PET bottle collecting device 100, and when the put-in PET bottle is reduced in volume and accommodated, the next one is used. The PET bottles are thrown in, and the PET bottles are housed in the PET bottle collection device 100 one by one.
Then, when the customer finishes accommodating all the PET bottles brought in this time in the PET bottle collection device 100, for example, the operation for termination may be performed on the touch panel display unit 1400. As a result, one collection operation is completed.

In response to the completion of one collection operation as described above, the PET bottle collection device 100 generates collection history information reflecting the result of the collection operation, and collects the generated collection history information in the collection management server 200. Send to. That is, the transmission of the collection history information from the PET bottle collection device 100 to the collection management server 200 is performed corresponding to each collection operation.
The collection management server 200 stores the collection history information received from each PET bottle collection device 100 so as to be stored in, for example, a collection history information table.

In addition, the PET bottle collection device 100 stores the collection history information generated each time the collection operation is completed. As a result, the PET bottle collection device 100 accumulates collection history information each time the collection operation is performed.
Then, the PET bottle collection device 100 may transmit the collection history information accumulated since the previous transmission of the collection history information to the store management server 500 at a predetermined collection history information transmission timing. That is, the collection history information may be transmitted from the PET bottle collection device 100 to the store management server 500 at predetermined timings, not at each collection operation. Since the store management server 500 frequently communicates with, for example, the POS register 400 of the store ST, the communication load may become heavy depending on the time zone and the situation. Therefore, the collection history information is transmitted from the PET bottle collection device 100 to the store management server 500 at a timing such as a time zone when the amount of communication with the POS register 400 is relatively small, so that the store management server can be transmitted. The communication load of 500 can be leveled.
Alternatively, the collection history information may be transmitted from the PET bottle collection device 100 to the store management server 500 for each collection operation. In this case, the PET bottle collection device 100 can acquire collection history information each time the collection operation is performed. That is, in this case, the real-time property can be improved with respect to the acquisition of the collection history information of the PET bottle collection device 100.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the contents of the collection history information table. One record (one line) in the collection history information table of the figure is the collection history information transmitted from the PET bottle collection device 100 in response to one collection operation.
One collection history information includes each area of the device identifier, the store identifier, the member identifier, the collection date and time, the number of collections (an example of the collection amount), and the collection weight (an example of the collection amount).

The device identifier area stores a device identifier that uniquely indicates the PET bottle collection device 100 from which the collection history information is transmitted. The device identifier is information stored in the PET bottle collecting device 100.

The store identifier area stores a store identifier that uniquely indicates the store ST in which the PET bottle collection device 100 from which the collection history information is transmitted is installed. The device identifier is information stored in the PET bottle collecting device 100. For example, in response to the determination of the store ST in which the PET bottle collection device 100 should be installed, the store identifier indicating the store ST to be installed is written in the PET bottle collection device 100.

The member identifier area stores the member identifier included in the card information read from the member card CD by the PET bottle collection device 100, which is the transmission source of the collection history information, at the start of the corresponding collection operation.
In the case of collection history information corresponding to the collection operation performed by a customer who is not a member, for example, a predetermined value (null value) indicating that a significant value as a member identifier is not stored in the member identifier area. May be stored.

The collection date and time area stores the collection date and time, which is the date and time when the corresponding collection operation was performed. The collection date and time may be, for example, the time when the collection operation is started or the time when the collection operation is finished. Alternatively, the collection date and time may include both the time when the collection operation is started and the time when the collection operation is ended. The collection date and time may be set by, for example, the PET bottle collection device 100, and may be included in the collection history information transmitted by the PET bottle collection device 100.
Alternatively, for example, the collection management server 200 may set the date and time corresponding to the reception of the collection history information as the collection date and time. When the collection management server 200 sets the collection date and time in this way, the collection history information transmitted by the PET bottle collection device 100 does not have to include the collection date and time.

The area of the number of collected bottles stores the number of PET bottles (number of collected bottles) collected by the PET bottle collecting device 100 in the corresponding collection operation. The number of collected bottles is obtained by counting the number of PET bottles whose volume has been reduced and stored by the PET bottle collection device 100 during the collection operation.
The area of the collected weight stores the total weight (recovered weight) of the PET bottles collected by the PET bottle collecting device 100 in the corresponding collection operation. The recovered weight is obtained by measuring the weight of each PET bottle whose volume has been reduced and accommodated by the PET bottle collecting device 100 during the collecting operation and integrating the measured weights.

Similar to the collection management server 200, the store management server 500 may also store the collection history information received from each PET bottle collection device 100 by the structure of the collection history information table in the figure.

The explanation is returned to FIG. In the PET bottle collection system of the present embodiment, the points of the membership card are given to the use of the PET bottle collection device 100 by the member C, with the intention of giving a privilege for cooperating in the collection of PET bottles. Perform a service to add (point addition service). The point addition service for the use of the PET bottle collection device 100 is realized by the store management server 500 that manages the points of the members.
The store management server 500 executes the following processing corresponding to one member as a point addition service. Among the collection history information stored by the store management server 500, the PET bottles collected by one member are predetermined by using the collection history information about one member transmitted from each PET bottle collection device 100. Each time the number of bottles increases, a predetermined number of points are added (for example, 1 point is added for every 5 PET bottles).
In this way, by allowing the member C to add points to the membership card CD according to the use of the PET bottle collection device 100 by the member C, a practical merit is obtained for the member C. Therefore, the use (collection operation) of the PET bottle collection device 100 by the customer is activated.

Further, the PET bottle collection system of the present embodiment can notify the customer C of the collection results to the customer C as a member using the PET bottle collection device 100. The mode of notifying the customer C of the collection record is, for example, as follows.

Customer C as a member using the PET bottle collection device 100 accesses the customer terminal device 300 to the collection record notification web page (collection record web page), for example, by using the network connection function of the customer terminal device 300. Let me.
In the following description, an example will be given in which the collection management server 200 is configured to have a function as a web server that provides a collection record web page.

FIG. 4A shows an example of the initial display of the collection record web page that is first displayed on the customer terminal device 300 when the customer terminal device 300 is accessed to the collection record web page.
On the web page shown in the figure, an input box BX for inputting a member identifier and a search button BT are arranged. Customer C performs an operation of inputting his / her member identifier in the input box BX. In the present embodiment, the member identifier is, for example, a number string having a predetermined number of digits. Customer C can confirm his / her membership identifier by checking the number string of the membership identifier written on the membership card CD owned by him / her.

Customer C inputs the member identifier in the input box BX and then operates the search button BT. In response to the operation of the search button BT, the customer terminal device 300 transmits a collection record request including the member identifier input in the input box BX to the collection management server 200.
In response to the reception of the collection record request, the collection management server 200 uses the collection history information stored in the collection history information table to derive the collection record for the member indicated by the member identifier included in the collection record request.
In this case, the collection record includes, for example, the accumulation of the number of collections so far (cumulative collection number) for the member indicated by the member identifier in which the collection history information is stored in the collection history information table, and the ranking based on the cumulative collection number. ..
When the collection management server 200 derives the collection record for the customer C, the collection management server 200 transmits the collection record information indicating the derived collection record to the customer terminal device 300 of the collection record request transmission source.
The customer terminal device 300 that has received the collection record information updates and displays the collection record web page so that the contents of the received collection record information are reflected according to the description on the collection record web page.

FIG. 4B shows an example of the display mode of the updated web page for the customer C on the customer terminal device 300.
In the web page of the figure, the cumulative number of collections of customer C is shown in the cumulative number of collections area AR1.
Further, in the ranking area AR2, the ranking of customer C is shown. In the ranking area AR2 of the figure, the number of all members who have a history of using the PET bottle collecting device 100 is indicated by the denominator, and the ranking of the customer C is indicated by the numerator. That is, in the ranking area AR2, the number of the customer C among all the members who have a history of using the PET bottle collection device 100 is shown.
In order to display the ranking in the manner shown in the figure, for example, the collection record information may include the ranking of the customer C and the total number of members who have used the PET bottle collection device 100.

By looking at the screen of the web page displayed in this way, the customer C can grasp how many PET bottles he / she has collected by the PET bottle collection device 100 so far. In addition, customer C can grasp his / her ranking based on the cumulative number of PET bottles collected.
In this way, by allowing the customer C as a member who uses the PET bottle collection device 100 to grasp his / her own achievements regarding the collection of PET bottles, the customer C is aware of the ranking of the PET bottle collection device. 100 can be used. In this case, since the customer C is more likely to be conscious of raising the ranking, it is expected that the customer C will be more active in using the PET bottle collection device 100.

In the above-described collection record notification mode, the customer C operates a web browser or the like of the customer terminal device 300 to access the collection record web page and then inputs a member identifier. Depending on the customer, such an operation may be regarded as troublesome. Considering such a thing, it is preferable to inform the customer C of the collection result more easily.
Therefore, in the present embodiment, the collection result is notified to the customer C by the following aspects as well.

The PET bottle collection device 100 causes the touch panel display unit 1400 to display a two-dimensional code used for accessing the collection record web page, for example, at the timing when one collection operation is completed. The displayed two-dimensional code is obtained from the URL of the collection record web page (Uniform Resource Locator: an example of the notification location) and the member information of the membership card CD read by the customer C by the card reader 1500 at the start of the collection operation. The member identifier that was created is included. Acquisition of a member identifier from the member information of the member card CD is an example of specifying the identification information.

When the customer wants to check his / her own collection record on the spot, the two-dimensional code displayed on the touch panel display unit 1400 by the code reader function of the customer terminal device 300 that he / she owns. Is read by the customer terminal device 300.
The customer terminal device 300 that has read the two-dimensional code analyzes the read two-dimensional code and acquires the URL and the member identifier. The customer terminal device 300 accesses the acquired URL. The accessed web page is, for example, the collection record web page of the initial display shown in FIG. 4 (a). The customer terminal device 300 inputs the member identifier obtained from the two-dimensional code to the accessed web page, and generates an operation (click) on the search button BT.
In response to the occurrence of an operation on the search button BT, the collection record request is transmitted from the customer terminal device 300 to the collection management server 200. The collection management server 200 derives the collection record and transmits the collection record information in response to the collection record request. The customer terminal device 300 updates the collection record web page so as to reflect the contents of the received collection record, and displays the updated collection record web page.
As a result, in the customer terminal device 300, the operation of displaying the collection record web page showing the collection record of the customer C so far is obtained as shown in FIG. 4B in response to the reading of the two-dimensional code. Be done.
In this case, the customer C causes the customer terminal device 300 to display the collection result by simply performing a simple operation of having the customer terminal device 300 read the two-dimensional code on the spot where the collection operation is performed. You can check.

<Second Embodiment>
Subsequently, the second embodiment will be described. When collecting PET bottles, a certain quality level is required as the goods to be collected (collected goods). Specifically, it is required that there is no residue in the PET bottle and that the cap and the label are removed.
However, not all customers put PET bottles that meet the quality standards as described above into the PET bottle collection device 100. PET bottles whose quality level is not maintained are not preferable because, for example, it takes time and effort to recycle. For this reason, it is required that as many customers as possible maintain the quality standard.
Therefore, in the present embodiment, as described below, the number of customers who put PET bottles into the PET bottle collection device 100 while maintaining the quality level of PET bottles is increased.

For example, when the PET bottles contained in the container storage unit 140 are almost full, the clerk takes out the PET bottles from the container storage unit 140 and empties the container storage unit 140 (collection of stored goods). Work) is done.
Specifically, the stored article collection work is performed as follows, for example.
When the PET bottle collecting device 100 detects that the container accommodating unit 140 is full of PET bottles, the PET bottle collecting device 100 notifies that the container accommodating unit 140 is full.
The PET bottle collection device 100 counts, for example, the number of bottles stored in the container storage unit 140, and determines that the container storage unit 140 is full of PET bottles when the counted number reaches a certain value. You can do it.
Alternatively, the PET bottle collection device 100 may detect a state in which the container storage unit 140 is full of PET bottles, for example, based on the output of a sensor provided corresponding to the container storage unit 140. The sensor has a configuration in which the presence of the PET bottle is detected by a photocoupler at a position where the PET bottle will be present when the container storage portion 140 is full (if the PET bottle is present, the diffused reflection by the PET bottle is used). The amount of light received is reduced). Alternatively, the sensor may be, for example, a switch that detects contact with the PET bottle at a position where the PET bottle exists corresponding to a state in which the container accommodating portion 140 is full.

The PET bottle collection device 100 may detect that the container storage unit 140 is in a predetermined state where it is said to be near full, and notify that the container storage unit 140 is near full. Good.

In detecting that the container accommodating portion 140 is full or the container accommodating portion 140 is approaching full as described above, the PET bottle collecting device 100 uses the capacity of the inserted PET bottle ( That is, it may be configured so that the size of the PET bottle) can be detected. In order to obtain such a configuration, for example, a sensor may be provided so as to be able to detect the size of the inserted PET bottle. Alternatively, the PET bottle collecting device 100 may be configured so that the weight of the inserted PET bottle can be measured. The size of the PET bottle can be estimated based on the weight of the PET bottle put in. Alternatively, the PET bottle collecting device 100 may detect the size based on an image obtained by imaging the inserted PET bottle with an imaging device. The PET bottle collection device 100 uses, for example, the number of bottles stored in the container storage unit 140 and the information on the size of the PET bottle together to improve the detection accuracy when the container storage unit 140 is full. be able to.

The PET bottle collection device 100 may be configured to notify even when it is detected that a certain number or more of PET bottles corresponding to a large amount of PET bottles have been input in one collection operation. .. Even when a large number of PET bottles are put into the PET bottle collection device 100 at one time, the PET bottles may be full.
Further, for example, the touch panel display unit 1400 of the PET bottle collecting device 100 may notify that a large number of PET bottles have been loaded.
Alternatively, the notification that a large number of PET bottles have been put in may be made so that the lighting or lighting device provided in the PET bottle collecting device 100 is lit in a predetermined pattern.
Alternatively, the notification that a large number of PET bottles have been put in is sent to the clerk at the POS register 400 by communicating with the PET bottle collection device 100 and the POS register 400 installed in the store ST or a higher-level device. May be done. Alternatively, the notification that a large amount of PET bottles have been thrown in may be made at the terminal owned by the clerk by communicating with the PET bottle collecting device 100 and the terminal possessed by the clerk. If the notification is performed by the POS register 400 or the terminal possessed by the clerk, the clerk can grasp the timing when the stored article collection work should be performed without going to the PET bottle collection device 100.

The clerk of the store ST takes out the storage bag containing the PET bottle from the container storage unit 140 and sets a new empty storage bag in the container storage unit 140 in response to the notification performed as described above. Do the work. Such work is the work of collecting the contained goods. For the PET bottles put in the removed storage bags, a collection company (recycling company) regularly goes to the store ST by a transport vehicle, for example, to pick them up.
In this way, the store clerk of the store ST appropriately performs the stored goods collection work as a business. Therefore, the clerk can visually check the quality of the PET bottle contained in the storage bag when collecting the stored goods.
Therefore, the PET bottle collection device 100 of the present embodiment requires the store clerk to input the quality rank of the PET bottle (an example of quality-related information) when the store clerk collects the contained goods. Entering a quality rank is equivalent to classifying for quality.

An example of an operation performed by a clerk on the PET bottle collecting device 100 when exchanging the storage bag will be described with reference to FIG.
The clerk who intends to replace the storage bag performs a predetermined operation on the touch panel display unit 1400 of the PET bottle collection device 100 to display the work start confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 5 (A).
On the work start confirmation screen shown in the figure, a dialog message is displayed asking the clerk whether or not to start the stored article collection work, and the "Yes" button BT11 and the "No" button BT12 are arranged. There is.
The clerk operates the "Yes" button BT11 when he / she intends to collect the contained goods. For example, if you did not intend to collect the stored items, but you unintentionally displayed the work start confirmation screen due to an operation error, the clerk should operate the "No" button BT12. Just do it.

In response to the operation of the "Yes" button BT11 on the work start confirmation screen, the display on the touch panel display unit 1400 changes from the display of the work start confirmation screen of FIG. 5 (A) to the open / close operation screen of FIG. 5 (B). Transition to. The clerk can open the door (drawer 100C) of the container storage unit 140 by operating the opening / closing operation screen. Note that FIG. 2 shows an example in which a key is inserted into the key hole 100r to lock and unlock the drawer 100C. In the configuration in which the lock is released and the drawer 100C is opened by operating the opening / closing operation screen as shown in the figure, for example, the locking / unlocking mechanism by the keyhole 100r may be omitted.

In response to the fact that the door of the container accommodating unit 140 is opened by the operation on the opening / closing operation screen, the display on the touch panel display unit 1400 is changed from the opening / closing operation screen of FIG. Transition to the input screen.
In the rank input screen of the figure, the A rank selection button BT21-1, the B rank selection button BT21-2, and the C rank selection button BT22-3 are arranged. In the following description, when the A rank selection button BT21-1, the B rank selection button BT21-2, and the C rank selection button BT22-3 are not particularly distinguished, they are described as the rank selection button BT21.
In the present embodiment, a case where three stages of A rank, B rank, and C rank are set as the quality of the PET bottle will be taken as an example. Rank A corresponds to the quality of all PET bottles contained in the storage bag, for example, a state in which the quality level is observed. The B rank corresponds to, for example, a state in which labels, caps, etc. are not removed from at least a part of the PET bottles contained in the storage bag. The C rank corresponds to, for example, a state in which at least a part of the PET bottles contained in the storage bag has a residue such as leftover liquid, cigarette butts, and other garbage. It should be noted that such a rank based on three stages is an example, and the number of rank stages is not particularly limited.
The clerk opens the drawer 100C of the PET bottle collection device 100, takes out the storage bag from the container storage unit 140, checks the condition of the PET bottle contained in the storage bag, and ranks A, B, or C. Determine if this is the case. The clerk operates the rank selection button BT21 according to the determined rank.

In response to the operation of the rank selection button BT21, the display on the touch panel display unit 1400 transitions from the rank input screen of FIG. 5 (C) to the work completion confirmation screen of FIG. 5 (D).
On the work completion confirmation screen shown in the figure, a dialog message is displayed asking the clerk whether or not the stored goods collection work may be completed, and the "Yes" button BT31 and the "No" button BT32 are arranged. ing.
The clerk operates the "Yes" button BT31 when the stored article collection work may be completed. As a result, the PET bottle collection device 100 returns from the maintenance mode corresponding to the collection of the contained articles to the normal operation mode, for example.
If the storage item collection work should not be completed, for example, if you forget to insert a new storage bag, the clerk operates the "No" button BT12 to maintain the maintenance mode and then perform the necessary work. Just do it.

The PET bottle collection device 100 for which the stored article collection work has been completed as described above generates member group rank information (an example of user group correspondence information) corresponding to the current stored item collection work, and the generated member group rank. The information is transmitted to the collection management server 200.
The member group rank information includes the member identifier of the member who put the PET bottle as the collected item in the storage bag taken out from the container storage unit 140 by the current stored item collection work and the rank in the current stored item collection work. Includes information indicating the rank input by the operation on the input screen.

When the collection management server 200 receives the member group rank information transmitted from the PET bottle collection device 100 of each store ST, the collection management server 200 stores the received member group rank information by adding it to the member group rank information table.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the member group rank information table stored in the collection management server 200. One record in the member group rank information table is the member group rank information corresponding to one collection of contained goods.
One member group rank information includes a device identifier, a store identifier, a work date and time, a member list within the group, and rank areas.

The device identifier area stores a device identifier that uniquely indicates the PET bottle collection device 100 that is the source of the member group rank information.
The store identifier area stores a store identifier that uniquely indicates the store ST in which the PET bottle collection device 100 from which the member group rank information is transmitted is installed.

The work date / time area stores the date / time (work date / time) when the stored article collection work was performed this time. The work date and time may be, for example, the date and time when the PET bottle collection device 100 transitions to the maintenance mode in response to the operation of the “Yes” button BT11 on the work start confirmation screen (FIG. 5 (A)). Alternatively, the work date and time may be the date and time when the PET bottle collection device 100 inputs the rank in response to the operation of the rank selection button BT21 on the rank input screen (FIG. 5 (C)) during the current storage article collection work. ..

The area of the member list in the group stores the member identifier (member list) for each member belonging to the user member group. In the present embodiment, the member who puts in the PET bottle contained in the storage bag taken out from the container storage unit 140 in response to the current storage article collection work (that is, the member who uses the PET bottle collection device 100). Treat the set as one user group.
The PET bottle collection device 100 is used from the membership card CD for each collection operation performed by the PET bottle collection device 100 during the period from the completion of the previous storage article collection work to the start of the current storage article collection work. The read member identifier is stored as user member information. The PET bottle collection device 100 generates a member list in the group based on the member identifier that has been stored since the end of the previous storage article collection work in response to the current storage article collection work.

The rank area indicates the rank input by the operation of the rank selection button BT21 on the rank input screen (FIG. 5 (C)) in the current stored article collection work.

Such member group rank information is information in which the rank of the state of the PET bottle contained in the storage bag taken out by the current storage article collection operation is associated with the user member group.
Further, such member group rank information corresponds to which rank the member using the PET bottle collection device 100 corresponds to when viewed as a set unit according to one storage bag to be collected. It also shows that it is a group of members who tend to throw in PET bottles that are in a state of being bagged. That is, the member group rank information also shows the result of evaluating the superiority of the PET bottle collection device 100 as a user of the group unit of members according to one storage bag targeted for collection.

The collection management server 200 accumulates member group rank information corresponding to the storage bag taken out in the storage goods collection work each time the storage goods collection work is performed by the PET bottle collection device 100 of each store ST. I will go.
Therefore, the collection management server 200 determines the corresponding rank for each member based on the accumulated member group rank information. For this purpose, the collection management server 200 extracts the rank associated with the same one member identifier from the accumulated member group rank information. Based on the extracted rank, the collection management server 200 determines one of the three ranks as the rank of the member indicated by the corresponding member identifier. In determining the rank, for example, the result of statistics on the extracted rank according to a predetermined statistical method may be used.

In the PET bottle collection device 100, the same member may throw in PET bottles a plurality of times in response to one storage bag. In such a case, the same member identifier is included more than once in the group member list of the member group rank information. In such a case, the collection management server 200 may extract the same number of ranks as the member identifier included in the member list in the group from one member group rank information when determining the rank of the member.
As a specific example, when three member identifiers of a certain member are included in the group member list of the member group rank information storing "B" in the rank area, the collection management server 200 uses this. From the member group rank information, three B ranks are extracted corresponding to one member identifier.
Alternatively, the same plurality of member identifiers included in the group member list of the member group rank information may be treated as one, and one rank may be extracted from the member group rank information.
In this way, when the same plurality of member identifiers are included in the group member list of the member group rank information, whether to extract a plurality of ranks according to the number of member identifiers or to extract one rank is determined. It may be determined in consideration of the determination accuracy of the member's rank, the processing load, and the like.

The member group rank information may include information on the number of collected items. For example, the member group rank information may include information indicating the total number of PET bottles collected by the corresponding contained goods collection operation. In addition, the member group rank information may include, for example, information indicating the number of PET bottles collected by the corresponding stored goods collection work for each member.

The collection management server 200 manages individual member rank information (an example of individual user correspondence information) in which the determined rank is associated with each member identifier based on the determination result of the rank corresponding to each member. The collection management server 200 stores the individual member rank information by the structure of the individual member rank information table including one or more individual member rank information for each member.

FIG. 7 shows an example of the individual member rank information table stored in the collection management server 200. As shown in the figure, one individual member rank information is information in which ranks are associated with each member identifier.
Further, as shown in the figure, the rank may be "not set" in addition to the A rank, the B rank, and the C rank. For example, in the case of a member whose PET bottle collection device 100 has been used less than a certain number of times, it may be difficult to obtain an appropriate rank determination result because the number of extracted ranks is small. Therefore, when the number of extracted ranks is less than a certain number, the rank in the individual member rank information is set to "unset" without performing the rank determination process.

The collection management server 200 updates the individual member rank information table at a predetermined timing. For example, each time the collection management server 200 receives the member group rank information from the PET bottle collection device 100 of a certain store ST, the collection management server 200 uses the member group rank information accumulated at the present time to collect the individual member rank information. You may update. The update changes the rank of a member in the individual member rank information. Further, by the update, the individual member rank information corresponding to the new member is newly generated corresponding to the use of the PET bottle collection device 100 for the first time, and is added to the individual member rank information table.

The individual member rank information managed by the collection management server 200 in this way indicates the superiority of each member as a user of the PET bottle collection device 100.
That is, when the individual member rank information indicates that the PET bottle is A rank, the corresponding member is the most excellent user who puts the PET bottle satisfying the quality level into the PET bottle collection device 100.
In addition, when the individual member rank information indicates that the rank is B, the corresponding member is a user who is in the middle in terms of excellence, for example, who tends not to remove caps and labels.
In addition, when the individual member rank information indicates that the rank is C, the corresponding member is, for example, a poor user who throws in the residue with the residue inside the PET bottle.

The PET bottle collection system of the present embodiment utilizes the individual member rank information managed by the collection management server 200 as described above, and is excellently used by the members who use the PET bottle collection device 100 as described below. Take measures to get people to become people (that is, to have PET bottles that meet the quality standards as much as possible).
As described above, when the member starts using the PET bottle collection device 100, the PET bottle collection device 100 is made to acquire the member identifier by performing an operation of causing the card reader 1500 to read the member card CD of the member. ..
Therefore, the PET bottle collection device 100 that has acquired the member identifier transmits an inquiry about the rank associated with the member identifier acquired from the membership card CD to the collection management server 200. The inquiry transmitted by the PET bottle collection device 100 includes a member identifier obtained from the membership card CD. The collection management server 200 acquires the rank associated with the member identifier included in the received inquiry from the individual member rank information, and transmits a rank notification indicating the acquired rank to the PET bottle collection device 100.

At the start of the collection operation, the PET bottle collection device 100 of the present embodiment displays a guidance screen for guiding the usage procedure to the members on the touch panel display unit 1400. Then, the PET bottle collecting device 100 changes the content of the guidance screen displayed on the touch panel display unit 1400 according to the rank indicated by the received rank notification.

An example of the display mode of the guidance screen in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
The PET bottle collection device 100 displays the first guidance screen as shown in FIG. 8A at the timing when the collection operation starts in response to reading the member identifier from the membership card CD. The first guidance screen is an initial guidance screen that is first displayed to a member who is a user of the PET bottle collection device 100.
If the rank indicated by the rank notification received in response to this collection operation is A rank, the member who uses the PET bottle collection device 100 in response to this collection operation is said to be the best member. It will be. It is presumed that such members will voluntarily introduce PET bottles that meet the quality standards without having to confirm the quality level of the PET bottles. Therefore, the PET bottle collecting device 100 in this case opens the outer door 111 without transitioning to the guidance screens of FIGS. 8 (B) and 8 (C) described below, and causes the container loading unit 110 to pet. The bottle is ready to be put in.

In addition, if the rank indicated by the rank notification received in response to the current collection operation is B rank, the member who uses the PET bottle collection device 100 in response to the current collection operation removes the label and cap. It is a member who tends to throw in PET bottles without a hat. Therefore, the PET bottle collecting device 100 in this case displays the first guide screen of FIG. 8 (A) for a certain period of time, and then sends a message urging the user to satisfy the quality level as shown in FIG. 8 (B). Display the second guidance screen including.
A "Next" button BT41 is arranged on the second guidance screen in the figure. When the second guidance screen is displayed, the second guidance screen is erased and the outer door 111 is not opened unless the "Next" button BT41 is operated. Therefore, the member operates the "Next" button BT41 in order to insert the PET bottle. When operating the "Next" button BT41, the member sees the message displayed on the second guidance screen. As a result, the members become aware that PET bottles satisfying the quality standard should be put in, and it is expected that the superiority of the PET bottle collection device 100 as a user will be enhanced.

In addition, if the rank indicated by the rank notification received in response to the current collection operation is C rank, the member who uses the PET bottle collection device 100 in response to the current collection operation has a residue. It is a poor member who throws in a plastic bottle in a state. Therefore, in this case, the PET bottle collecting device 100 is used to display the first guide screen of FIG. 8A for a certain period of time, and then to obtain a PET bottle satisfying the quality level as shown in FIG. 8C. A third guidance screen including a message for giving a specific instruction is displayed.
A "Next" button BT42 is arranged on the third guidance screen in the figure. Even when the third guidance screen is displayed, the third guidance screen is not erased and the outer door 111 is not opened unless the "Next" button BT42 is operated.
Therefore, the member will operate the "Next" button BT42 in order to insert the PET bottle, and will see the message displayed on the third guidance screen. As a result, the members will be presented with what is required to meet the quality level of the PET bottles, so that the superiority of the PET bottle collection device 100 as a user can be enhanced. There is expected.

An example of the functional configuration of the PET bottle collecting device 100 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The PET bottle collection device 100 shown in the figure includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1100, a storage unit 1200, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 1300, a touch panel display unit 1400, a card reader 1500, a communication unit 1600, and a collection mechanism unit 1700. .. Each of these parts is connected via an internal bus.

The CPU 1100 executes various processes in the PET bottle collecting device 100 by executing the program. Various functions as the PET bottle collecting device 100 are realized by the processing of the CPU 1100.

The storage unit 1200 is an auxiliary storage device that stores various data used by the CPU 1100. The storage unit 1200 stores, for example, a program to be executed by the CPU 1100, image data to be displayed on the touch panel display unit 1400, and the like.

The RAM 1300 is a main storage device in which programs and data read from the storage unit 1200 are developed.

As shown in FIG. 2, the touch panel display unit 1400 is provided with a display surface exposed on the device main body unit 100B. The touch panel display unit 1400 displays an image under the control of the CPU 1100. The touch panel display unit 1400 receives an operation performed on the display surface by an operating body such as a finger.

The card reader 1500 is provided in the device main body 100B as shown in FIG. The card reader 1500 communicates with the member card CD in the communication range by, for example, a non-contact predetermined communication method, and reads the member information from the member card CD of the communication destination.

The communication unit 1600 communicates via the network NT. As described above, the communication unit 1600 of the present embodiment communicates so as to be wirelessly connected to the network NT.

The collection mechanism unit 1700 is a mechanism unit that performs operations related to volume reduction, storage, and the like of PET bottles as collection of PET bottles according to the control of the CPU 1100. In correspondence with FIG. 2, the collection mechanism unit 1700 includes a container charging unit 110, an outer door 111, an inner door 112, a volume reducing unit 120, a container accommodating unit 140, and the like.

A configuration example of the collection management server 200 will be described with reference to FIG. The collection management server 200 in the figure includes a communication unit 201, a control unit 202, and a storage unit 203.

The communication unit 201 communicates via the network NT.
The control unit 202 executes various controls on the collection management server 200. The function as the control unit 202 is realized by the CPU included in the collection management server 200 executing the program.

The storage unit 203 stores various types of information used by the control unit 202. The storage unit 203 in the figure stores the collection history information table 231, the member group rank information table 232, and the individual member rank information table 233.
The collection history information table 231 has the structure illustrated in FIG. The member group rank information table 232 has the structure illustrated in FIG. The individual member rank information table 233 has the structure illustrated in FIG. 7.

With reference to the flowchart of FIG. 11, an example of a processing procedure executed by the PET bottle collection device 100 and the collection management server 200 of the present embodiment corresponding to one collection operation will be described.
First, an example of a processing procedure executed by the PET bottle collecting device 100 will be described.
Step S101: The PET bottle collection device 100 waits for the collection operation instruction operation to be performed. The collection operation instruction operation is an operation in which the member causes the card reader 1500 to read the member identifier recorded on the membership card CD at the start of the collection operation.

Step S102: In response to the collection operation instruction operation, the PET bottle collection device 100 acquires the member identifier read from the membership card CD by the card reader 1500.

Step S103: The PET bottle collection device 100 transmits a rank inquiry including the member identifier acquired in step S102 to the collection management server 200.
Step S104: The PET bottle collection device 100 receives the rank notification transmitted from the collection management server 200 as a response to the transmission of the rank inquiry in step S103. As described with reference to FIG. 8, the PET bottle collecting device 100 displays a guidance screen according to the rank indicated by the received rank notification.

Step S105: As described above, when the first guide screen is displayed according to the A rank, the PET bottle collecting device 100 opens the outer door 111 at a predetermined timing together with the display of the first guide screen, for example. And. By opening the outer door 111, the PET bottle collection device 100 starts an operation corresponding to the current collection operation.
Further, when the PET bottle collection device 100 displays the second guide screen or the third guide screen according to the B rank or the C rank, the "Next" button BT41 or the third guide screen of the second guide screen is displayed. The PET bottle collection device 100 opens the outer door 111 in response to the operation of the "Next" button BT41 or the "Next" button BT42, which waits for the operation of the "Next" button BT42. As a result, the operation corresponding to this collection operation will be started.

Step S106: The PET bottle collection device 100 is waiting for the operation corresponding to the collection operation started in step S105 to be completed. For example, when all the PET bottles brought by the customer are housed in the PET bottle collection device 100, they are displayed on the touch panel display unit 1400 according to the guidance displayed on the touch panel display unit 1400. Operate the end button. In response to the operation on the end button, the operation corresponding to the one collection operation performed so far is terminated.

Step S107: The PET bottle collection device 100 adds the member identifier acquired in step S102 to the user member information stored in the storage unit 1200 in response to the completion of the operation corresponding to the collection operation. The member information used is the member identifier read from the membership card CD for each collection operation performed by the PET bottle collection device 100 from the completion of the last stored article collection work to the start of the next stored article collection work. This is information indicating.

Although not shown in the figure, the PET bottle collection device 100 reads the card information in response to the completion of the operation corresponding to the collection operation in accordance with the first embodiment. The collection history information including the member identifier acquired from may be transmitted to the collection management server 200. As described above, the collection history information has contents that reflect the result of the collection operation, and in addition to the member identifier, information such as the device identifier, the store identifier, the collection date and time, the number of collections, and the collection weight is included. included.
Further, in the PET bottle collection device 100, in correspondence with the first embodiment, a two-dimensional code in which the member identifier acquired from the read card information and the URL of the collection record web page are coded is transmitted to the touch panel display unit 1400. It may be displayed.

Subsequently, an example of the processing procedure executed by the collection management server 200 will be described with reference to the figure.
Step S201: When the collection management server 200 receives the rank inquiry transmitted from the PET bottle collection device 100, the collection management server 200 searches the individual member rank information table 233 for the rank associated with the member identifier included in the received rank inquiry. To do.
Step S202: The collection management server 200 transmits a rank notification indicating the rank searched in step S201 to the PET bottle collection device 100 from which the rank inquiry is transmitted.

With reference to the flowchart of FIG. 12, an example of a processing procedure executed by the PET bottle collection device 100 and the collection management server 200 in response to one storage article collection operation will be described.
First, an example of a processing procedure executed by the PET bottle collecting device 100 will be described.
Step S301: The PET bottle collection device 100 waits for the stored article collection declaration operation to be performed. The operation for declaring the collection of contained articles is, for example, an operation for the “Yes” button BT11 on the work start confirmation screen (FIG. 5 (A)) described in FIG. 5 (A).

Step S302: The PET bottle collection device 100 causes the touch panel display unit 1400 to display the opening / closing operation screen (FIG. 5 (B)) in response to the operation of declaring the collection of the contained articles. The PET bottle collecting device 100 controls to open the door (drawer 100C) of the container accommodating portion 140 in response to the operation on the opening / closing operation screen.

Step S303: After the process of step S302, the PET bottle collecting device 100 causes the touch panel display unit 1400 to display the rank input screen (FIG. 5 (C)).
Step S304: The PET bottle collecting device 100 accepts the rank input operation performed on the rank input screen, and inputs the rank corresponding to the operated rank selection button BT21.

Step S305: In response to the rank input operation, the PET bottle collection device 100 causes the touch panel display unit 1400 to display the work completion confirmation screen (FIG. 5 (D)).
Step S306: The PET bottle collection device 100 accepts an operation for declaring the end of work (operation for the “Yes” button BT31) performed on the work end confirmation screen.
Step S307: In response to the operation of the work completion declaration on the work completion confirmation screen, the PET bottle collection device 100 transmits the member group rank information corresponding to the collection of the contained goods this time to the collection management server 200. The member group rank information is information in which the rank input in step S304 is associated with the user member information stored in the PET bottle collection device 100 at the stage when the stored article collection work is started.
Step S308: The PET bottle collection device 100 clears the user member information stored so far. The user member information that has been stored so far may not be cleared, but may be stored as the history of the user of the PET bottle collection device 100.
After step S308, for example, the maintenance mode corresponding to the collection of the contained articles is returned to the normal operation mode.

Subsequently, an example of the processing procedure executed by the collection management server 200 will be described with reference to the figure.
Step S401: When the collection management server 200 receives the member group rank information transmitted from the PET bottle collection device 100, the collection management server 200 stores the received member group rank information so as to be added to the member group rank information table 232.

Step S402: The collection management server 200 updates the individual member rank information stored in the individual member rank information table 233 by using the member group rank information table 232 including the member group rank information added in step S401. ..

In the process of the figure, the individual member rank information is collected every time the member group rank information transmitted from the PET bottle collection device 100 is received, that is, every time the stored goods collection operation is performed by the PET bottle collection device 100. It is designed to be updated.
However, the collection management server 200 may be configured to update the individual member rank information at regular intervals. In this case, if the member group rank information is received while waiting for the collection management server 200 to reach the timing when a certain period of time has elapsed since the previous update of the individual member rank information, the received member group The rank information is stored in the member group rank information table 232. Then, the collection management server 200 updates the individual member rank information at the timing when a certain period of time elapses, using the member group rank information stored in the member group rank information table 232 at that time.
Alternatively, the collection management server 200 may update the individual member rank information every time the member group rank information added to the member group rank information table 232 reaches a predetermined number.

<Third Embodiment>
Subsequently, the third embodiment will be described.
For example, low-quality PET bottles containing leftovers or foreign substances in the PET bottles are a major obstacle to reuse. Members with lower ranks are more likely to introduce such low quality PET bottles.
From this point of view, it is possible to adopt the idea that the use of the PET bottle collection device 100 may be refused to the members whose rank is below a certain level.

Therefore, the PET bottle collection device 100 of the present embodiment is configured to refuse the use of members whose rank is below a certain level.
As a specific example, the PET bottle collection device 100 of the present embodiment executes the process as follows in step S104 of FIG. That is, when the rank indicated by the received rank notification is A rank or B rank, the PET bottle collection device 100 displays a guidance screen corresponding to each rank. On the other hand, if the rank indicated by the received rank notification is C rank, for example, a guidance screen including a message that the PET bottle can not be inserted is displayed, and the member inserts the PET bottle. Don't get sick. In this case, the operation corresponding to the collection operation after step S105 is not executed.
In the second embodiment, the rank input operation by the clerk in the stored article collection work is the operation for the rank selection button BT21 arranged on the rank input screen (FIG. 5 (C)) displayed on the touch panel display unit 1400. It had been.
On the other hand, the rank input operation as the present embodiment is not an operation for a button displayed on the touch panel display unit 1400, but an operation for a predetermined key (button) physically provided on the PET bottle collection device 100, for example. It is done as.

FIG. 13 shows an example of a mode of the device main body 100B of the PET bottle collecting device 100 corresponding to the present embodiment. In the figure, the rank input keys KY1-1, KY1-2, KY1-3 and the confirmation key KY2 are arranged above the position where the drawer 100C, the drawer handle 100e, etc. are arranged on the front surface of the device main body 100B. An example is shown.
The rank input keys KY1-1, KY1-2, and KY1-3 are keys for selecting A rank, B rank, and C rank, respectively. At the positions corresponding to the rank input keys KY1-1, KY1-2, KY1-3 itself, or the rank input keys KY1-1, KY1-2, KY1-3, for example, they are assigned according to the corresponding ranks. A predetermined color may be arranged.
When the rank input keys KY1-1, KY1-2, and KY1-3 are not particularly distinguished, they are described as the rank input keys KY1.
The confirmation key KY2 is a key for confirming the rank selected by the operation for the rank input key KY1.

In this case, the clerk first confirms the state of the PET bottle in the storage bag, determines the rank, and operates the rank input key KY1 corresponding to the determined rank to select the rank. Next, the clerk confirms the rank selection by operating the confirmation key KY2. Until the confirmation key KY2 is operated, the rank input operation KY can be operated as many times as necessary, and the rank selection can be changed.
In the case of such an operation, which rank is currently selected from the first operation of the rank input key KY1 to the confirmation of the rank selection by the operation of the confirmation key KY2. It is preferable that it is indicated in a predetermined embodiment. For example, the operated rank input key KY1 itself or the issuing unit arranged corresponding to the rank input key KY1 may emit light to indicate the selected rank. Alternatively, the touch panel display unit 1400 may display what the selected rank is.

In this way, when the key related to the rank input operation is physically provided, the clerk who is performing the stored article collection work may forget the rank input operation. Therefore, in the case of the present embodiment, the PET bottle collection device 100 may not end the maintenance mode corresponding to the collection of the contained articles unless the rank input operation is performed. At this time, the PET bottle collecting device 100 may have a controllable configuration so that the door (drawer 100C) of the container accommodating portion 140 cannot be closed unless the rank input operation is performed.

Even when a rank input operation is performed as an operation for the screen displayed on the touch panel display unit 1400 as in the second embodiment, the PET bottle collection device 100 accommodates the container unless the rank input operation is performed. The door (drawer 100C) of the unit 140 may be controlled so as not to be closed.

<Fourth Embodiment>
In the second embodiment described above, the rank input operation by the clerk at the time of collecting the contained goods is the operation for the rank selection button BT21 arranged on the rank input screen (FIG. 5 (C)) displayed on the touch panel display unit 1400. Was supposed to be.

On the other hand, the rank input operation in the present embodiment is not an operation for a button displayed on the touch panel display unit 1400, but an operation for a predetermined key (button) physically provided on the PET bottle collection device 100, for example. Will be done.

FIG. 13 shows an example of a mode of the device main body 100B of the PET bottle collecting device 100 corresponding to the present embodiment. In the figure, the rank input keys KY1-1, KY1-2, KY1-3 and the confirmation key KY2 are arranged above the position where the drawer 100C, the drawer handle 100e, etc. are arranged on the front surface of the device main body 100B. An example is shown.
The rank input keys KY1-1, KY1-2, and KY1-3 are keys for selecting A rank, B rank, and C rank, respectively. At the positions corresponding to the rank input keys KY1-1, KY1-2, KY1-3 itself, or the rank input keys KY1-1, KY1-2, KY1-3, for example, they are assigned according to the corresponding ranks. A predetermined color may be arranged.
When the rank input keys KY1-1, KY1-2, and KY1-3 are not particularly distinguished, they are described as the rank input keys KY1.
The confirmation key KY2 is a key for confirming the rank selected by the operation for the rank input key KY1.

In this case, the clerk first confirms the state of the PET bottle in the storage bag, determines the rank, and operates the rank input key KY1 corresponding to the determined rank to select the rank. Next, the clerk confirms the rank selection by operating the confirmation key KY2. Until the confirmation key KY2 is operated, the rank input operation KY can be operated as many times as necessary, and the rank selection can be changed.

In the case of such an operation, which rank is currently selected from the first operation of the rank input key KY1 to the confirmation of the rank selection by the operation of the confirmation key KY2. It is preferable that it is indicated in a predetermined embodiment. For example, the operated rank input key KY1 itself or the issuing unit arranged corresponding to the rank input key KY1 may emit light to indicate the selected rank. Alternatively, the touch panel display unit 1400 may display what the selected rank is.

In this way, when the key related to the rank input operation is physically provided, the clerk who is performing the stored article collection work may forget the rank input operation. Therefore, in the case of the present embodiment, the PET bottle collection device 100 may not end the maintenance mode corresponding to the collection of the contained articles unless the rank input operation is performed. At this time, the PET bottle collecting device 100 may have a controllable configuration so that the door (drawer 100C) of the container accommodating portion 140 cannot be closed unless the rank input operation is performed.

Even when a rank input operation is performed as an operation for the screen displayed on the touch panel display unit 1400 as in the second embodiment, the PET bottle collecting device 100 has a container storage unit 140 unless the rank input operation is performed. The door (drawer 100C) may be controlled so as not to be closed.
That is, in either of the fourth embodiment and the second embodiment, the process according to the next procedure of the rank input operation may not be started in the state where the rank input operation is not performed.

<Modification example>
Subsequently, a modified example of the present embodiment will be described.
[First modification]
In the above example of the second embodiment, the rank input operation by the clerk is performed at the time of collecting the contained goods. In this modification, the rank input operation by the clerk is not limited to the case of the stored article collection work. The PET bottle collection device 100 may accept, for example, a rank input operation performed at an arbitrary timing. Since the translucent portion 100A (translucent window) is provided on the front side of the drawer 100C of the PET bottle collecting device 100, the state of the PET bottle contained in the storage bag can be visually recognized from the outside without opening the drawer 100C. It has become possible.
In addition, the PET bottle collection device 100 notifies the clerk when it is detected that a certain number of bottles have been charged so as to be treated as a large amount of PET bottles in one collection operation. It can be carried out. The clerk can perform the rank input operation after the completion of the collection operation corresponding to the large-scale injection of PET bottles in response to the notification regarding the large-scale injection of PET bottles (in this case, the container). If there is a margin in the storage unit 140, it is not necessary to perform the storage work for collecting the stored goods).
When the rank is input at such a timing, the PET bottles that are put in a large amount by one member will occupy a considerable proportion of the collected PET bottles, and the judgment of the rank of the clerk is also made in a large amount. The quality of PET bottles is easily reflected. As a result, the accuracy of rank setting for the member group can be improved.

In the case of this modification, the PET bottle collection device 100 is the user member information indicating the member who has used the PET bottle collection device 100 from the previous rank input operation to the present time at the timing when the rank input operation is performed. The member group rank information based on the above is transmitted to the collection management server 200.
Under such a configuration, for example, it is possible to perform an operation of performing a rank input operation every time a member uses the PET bottle collection device 100 to perform a collection operation.

If the rank can be input at any time, the number of times the member group rank information is sent and received becomes larger than necessary, the traffic on the communication network increases, the PET bottle collection device 100, the collection management server 200, etc. It may lead to an increase in processing load. Therefore, the PET bottle collection device 100 is used in a predetermined situation, for example, when the container storage unit 140 is full and the stored article collection work is performed, or when a large amount of PET bottles are loaded. The rank input operation may be accepted only for.

[Second modification]
In the above embodiment, the rank is input by the clerk visually observing the PET bottle contained in the storage bag and performing the rank input operation at the time of collecting the stored goods.
As an example of this modification, at least one of a sensor by an image pickup device that images the storage bag in the container storage unit 140 and a sensor that detects an odor is provided. Then, the PET bottle collection device 100 is, for example, in the maintenance mode corresponding to the storage article collection work, the PET contained in the storage bag based on the output of the sensor at the stage before the storage bag is taken out from the container storage unit 140. The quality of the bottle may be determined, and the rank input process may be performed according to the determined quality. In this case, the rank input operation by the clerk can be omitted.

[Third variant]
In this modification, the PET bottle collecting device 100 is provided with at least one of a sensor by an imaging device that images a PET bottle to be charged into the container charging unit 110, a sensor that detects an odor, and the like. The PET bottle collection device 100 determines the quality of the PET bottles charged into the container charging unit 110 based on the output of the sensor, and does not collect the PET bottles whose quality is determined to be below a certain level.
Then, the PET bottle collection device 100 of the present modification may also display a guidance screen at the time of the PET bottle collection operation according to the rank of the member. As described above, when it is determined that the quality of the PET bottle is below a certain level, the PET bottle collection device 100 sends a message, for example, that the PET bottle cannot be collected because the quality of the PET bottle is not good this time. The guidance screen including the guide screen is displayed on the touch panel display unit 1400.

[Fourth variant]
For example, if the customer who started using the PET bottle collection device 100 is of C rank and there is a clerk near the PET bottle collection device 100, the clerk will be displayed by the guidance screen displayed on the touch panel display unit 1400. , It can be grasped that the member is C rank. In this case, the clerk can instruct the member to put in a PET bottle that meets the quality standard if his / her hand is free.
In addition, as a result of the guidance of the clerk as described above, the PET bottles corresponding to the A rank were introduced instead of the PET bottles corresponding to the C rank. When the stored goods collection work is performed in response to such a situation, there is a possibility that a rank higher than the C rank, such as the A rank, is input even though the member is the C rank.
For example, it is unlikely that a C-rank member will become an A-rank member after that because he / she happens to receive guidance from a clerk. It becomes a state that does not match the rank managed by.
Therefore, for example, in such a case, the clerk may be able to perform an operation such as correcting the rank of the member group rank information to, for example, C rank or B rank by operating the PET bottle collecting device 100.
In other words, in case it is clear that the quality of the PET bottle in the storage bag and the quality of the member who put the PET bottle are inconsistent for some reason, the member is operated by the clerk. It may be possible to correct the rank in the group rank information.
Such correction of the rank in the member group rank information may also be performed by the clerk's operation on the POS register 400 in the store ST, the higher-level device, the terminal owned by the clerk, and the like.

[Fifth variant]
The PET bottle collection device 100 of the present modification may measure the required time required for the collection operation for each use of the member, and may store the user identifier and the required time as the user member information. The collection management server 200 determines the level of proficiency in the operation of the user's PET bottle collection device 100 based on the required time included in the received user member information, and the determined proficiency level is also the individual member rank of the member. Include in information.
The PET bottle collection device 100 may present a guidance screen having contents according to the rank of the member and display a different guidance screen according to the proficiency level at the time of the collection operation. For example, in the case of a member having a low level of proficiency, a guidance screen may be displayed that explains in detail the operation of the PET bottle collecting device 100.

[6th variant]
As described in the first embodiment, a point addition service is provided in which points are added to members according to the number of PET bottles collected using the PET bottle collection device 100.
As an example of this modification, in such a point addition service, the rank of the member indicated by the individual member rank information in the second embodiment is reflected in the point addition.
As a specific example, when 1 point is normally added for every 5 PET bottles collected, points are added to users with a certain rank or higher, for example, 1 point is added for every 3 bottles. The conditions may be relaxed.
Alternatively, when 1 point is normally added for every 5 PET bottles collected, points are added to users with a certain rank or higher, for example, 2 points are added for every 5 bottles. The conditions may be relaxed.
Further, for users whose rank is below a certain level, the conditions for point addition according to the use of the PET bottle collection device 100 may be strict so that points are difficult to be added (or not added).

[7th variant]
In the configuration of the second embodiment described above, the collection management server 200 is set to set the rank for each member and manage the individual member rank information indicating the set rank. However, the configuration of the second embodiment may be configured to be completed by one PET bottle collection device 100, including setting a rank for each member and managing individual member rank information indicating the set rank. .. Alternatively, the configuration of the second embodiment is such that the plurality of PET bottle collection devices 100 are configured by communication between the plurality of PET bottle collection devices 100 installed in one store (or, for example, for each of a plurality of stores in a certain area). It may be made to be completed.

[8th modification]
The configuration of this embodiment is a system for collecting items that are required to be improved in quality, such as bottles, cans, plastic (styrofoam) food trays, and paper containers such as milk cartons. It may be applied to devices and the like.

<Summary of Embodiment>
(1) As described above, one aspect of the present embodiment depends on the quality of the collected article contained in the article collecting device (for example, the PET bottle collecting device 100) for collecting the article (for example, a PET bottle). It is an article collection system provided with a quality-related information input means for inputting quality-related information (for example, information indicating rank, classification, etc.).
According to the above configuration, it is possible to set a rank for quality corresponding to the PET bottles collected by the PET bottle collecting device 100 of the present embodiment and put in the storage bag by the PET bottle collecting device 100. That is, the quality of the PET bottles collected by the PET bottle collection device 100 can be evaluated. Then, by effectively using the result of such evaluation, for example, the quality of the PET bottle collected by the PET bottle collecting device 100 can be improved by using the setting result of the rank.

(2) One aspect of the present embodiment is the article collection system according to (1), in which the quality-related information is input by the quality-related information input means at the timing when the collected article is taken out from the article collection device. It is configured to be.
According to the above configuration, for example, when the PET bottles contained in the storage bag of the PET bottle collection device 100 are full, the PET bottles are taken out from the PET bottle collection device 100 at the timing of taking out the PET bottles. , It becomes possible to input the rank efficiently.

(3) One aspect of the present embodiment is the article collection system according to (1) or (2), and the quality-related information is not input by the quality-related information input means. It is configured so that the processing according to the next step of the input of is not started.
According to the above configuration, it is possible to prevent the next procedure from proceeding unless the rank input operation is performed. This prevents the clerk from forgetting the rank input operation.

(4) One aspect of the present embodiment is the article collection system according to any one of (1) to (3), and the quality-related information means is selected from a plurality of quality-related information candidates. Enter one quality-related information.
According to the above configuration, for example, when performing an operation of inputting a rank, the clerk may simply select one level from a plurality of predetermined levels and perform the operation.

(5) One aspect of the present embodiment is the article collection system according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the quality-related information input means is performed on the touch panel. Enter quality-related information according to the operation for input.
According to the above configuration, since the rank is input by the operation for the display on the touch panel, the operability regarding the rank input can be improved. Further, for example, in the flow of the guidance display for the storage article collection work of the storage bag, the operation screen corresponding to the rank input can be displayed, so that the rank input operation is appropriately guided according to the procedure of the storage article collection work, for example. it can.

(6) One aspect of the present embodiment is the article collection system according to any one of (1) to (5), and a user identifier indicating a user who has the article collection device collects the article. A user identifier acquisition means for acquiring (for example, a member identifier), quality-related information input by the quality-related information input means, and collected articles corresponding to the quality-related information input by the quality-related information input means. For each user, based on the user group correspondence information output unit that outputs the user group correspondence information associated with the user identifier of one or more users input, and the user group correspondence information of one or more. Further, an individual user correspondence information management means that determines the corresponding quality-related information and manages the individual user correspondence information that associates the user identifier of the judged user with the determined quality-related information. Be prepared.
According to the above configuration, based on the input result of the rank according to the quality of the PET bottle collected by the PET bottle collection device 100, the rank indicating the superiority of each member who is the user of the PET bottle collection device 100. Can be set.

(7) One aspect of the present embodiment is the article collection system according to (6), wherein when a user loads an article into the article collection device, the user throws the article. Further, a notification means for notifying the guidance regarding the introduction of goods corresponding to the quality-related information indicated by the individual user correspondence information is provided.
According to the above configuration, it is possible to provide appropriate guidance regarding the injection of PET bottles into the PET bottle collection device 100 according to the rank of the member. As a result, improvement in the quality of the PET bottles collected by the PET bottle collection device 100 can be expected.

(8) One aspect of the present embodiment is the article collection system according to (6) or (7), and the article collection is performed for a user associated with predetermined quality-related information in the individual user correspondence information. Further, a use refusal means for controlling the use of the device is provided.
According to the above configuration, the quality of the PET bottle collected by the PET bottle collection device 100 is made so that the PET bottle collection device 100 cannot be used by the members whose superiority as a user of the PET bottle collection device 100 is below a certain level. Can be improved.

(9) One aspect of the present embodiment is an article collection device including a quality-related information input means for inputting quality-related information according to the quality of the collected article housed in the article collection device for collecting the article.

(10) One aspect of the present embodiment is a quality-related information input means for inputting quality-related information according to the quality of the collected article housed in the article collecting device for collecting the article by using the computer provided in the article collecting system. It is a program to function as.

A computer-readable recording medium is used to record a program for realizing the functions of the above-mentioned PET bottle collection device 100, collection management server 200, customer terminal device 300, POS register 400, store management server 500, and the like. By loading the program recorded on this recording medium into a computer system and executing it, the above-mentioned processing as the PET bottle collection device 100, collection management server 200, customer terminal device 300, POS register 400, store management server 500, etc. is performed. You may go. Here, "loading and executing a program recorded on a recording medium into a computer system" includes installing the program in the computer system. The term "computer system" as used herein includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. Further, the "computer system" may include a plurality of computer devices connected via a network including a communication line such as the Internet, WAN, LAN, and a dedicated line. Further, the "computer-readable recording medium" refers to a portable medium such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, or a CD-ROM, or a storage device such as a hard disk built in a computer system. As described above, the recording medium in which the program is stored may be a non-transient recording medium such as a CD-ROM. The recording medium also includes an internal or external recording medium that can be accessed from the distribution server to distribute the program. The code of the program stored in the recording medium of the distribution server may be different from the code of the program in a format that can be executed by the terminal device. That is, the format stored in the distribution server does not matter as long as it can be downloaded from the distribution server and installed in a form that can be executed by the terminal device. The program may be divided into a plurality of parts, downloaded at different timings, and then combined by the terminal device, or the distribution server for distributing each of the divided programs may be different. Furthermore, a "computer-readable recording medium" is a volatile memory (RAM) inside a computer system that serves as a server or client when a program is transmitted via a network, and holds the program for a certain period of time. It shall also include things. Further, the above program may be for realizing a part of the above-mentioned functions. Further, a so-called difference file (difference program) may be used, which can realize the above-mentioned functions in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system.

100 PET bottle collection device, 110 container input unit, 111 outer door, 112 inner door, 116 mounting unit, 120 volume reduction unit, 140 container storage unit, 145 cap storage unit, 200 collection management server, 231 collection history information table, 232 Member group rank information table, 233 Individual member rank information table, 300 Customer terminal device, 301 CPU, 302 Storage unit, 303 RAM, 304 Display unit, 305 Operation unit, 306 Imaging unit, 307 Communication unit, 400 POS register, 500 Store management server, 1100 CPU, 1200 storage unit, 1300 RAM, 1400 touch panel display unit, 1500 card reader, 1600 communication unit, 1700 collection mechanism unit

Claims (3)

Volume reduction means to reduce the volume of the container,
A container storage unit that stores the container after volume reduction,
A control means for switching between a normal mode for accepting a container to be put in by a customer and a maintenance mode for collecting the container, and a control means for performing the switching process.
A display means for displaying information confirming whether or not the replacement of the bag attached to the container accommodating portion has been completed in the maintenance mode, and a display means for displaying information.
It is provided with a reception means for accepting the selection of whether or not the exchange of the bag is completed.
The control means is an article collecting device characterized in that the maintenance mode is maintained when the reception means receives that it has not been completed. The display means indicates that the label and cap of the container should be removed.
The article collection device according to claim 1. A computer having a volume reducing means for reducing the volume of the container, a container accommodating portion for accommodating the container after the volume reduction, a display means, and an article collecting device including an operation receiving means.
A control means for switching between a normal mode for accepting a container to be put in by a customer and a maintenance mode for collecting the container.
A display control means for displaying information for confirming whether or not the replacement of the bag attached to the container accommodating portion is completed in the maintenance mode.
A reception processing means that accepts selection of whether or not the exchange of the bag is completed via the operation reception means,
A control means for maintaining the maintenance mode when the reception processing means receives that it has not been completed.
A program characterized by functioning as.

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