JP7494233B2 - Management device, management method, management program, and management system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a management device, a management method, a management program, and a management system.

Conventionally, there is known technology for collecting absorbent articles used by users according to a collection plan.

JP 2002-53202 A

However, the above conventional technology merely collects used absorbent articles according to a collection plan, and there is room for improvement in terms of being able to carry out appropriate recycling processing of the collected absorbent articles.

This application was made in consideration of the above, and aims to promote efficient recycling of used absorbent articles.

The management device according to the present application is a specific device installed in a facility, and is characterized by having an acquisition unit that acquires collection information regarding the collection of used absorbent articles from a specific device that performs pre-processing for recycling the absorbent articles used by users, a management unit that manages recycling information regarding the items to be recycled based on the collection information, and a provision unit that provides work information to be used for work on the items to be recycled based on the recycling information.

According to one aspect of the embodiment, it is possible to encourage efficient recycling of used absorbent articles.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a management process executed by a management device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a management system according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the recovery device according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a management device according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a facility information storage unit according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a collection device information storage unit according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a management process executed by the management device according to the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a management process executed by a management device according to a modified example. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration.

The present specification and accompanying drawings make clear at least the following:

A management device comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires collection information regarding the collection of used absorbent articles from a specified device installed in a facility that performs pre-processing for recycling used absorbent articles used by users; a management unit that manages recycling information regarding items to be recycled based on the collection information; and a provision unit that provides work information to be used for work on the items to be recycled based on the recycling information.

Such a management device obtains collection information regarding the collection of used absorbent articles from collection devices installed in facilities such as kindergartens, nursery schools, nursing homes, hospitals, private homes, apartment buildings, shopping malls, etc. Here, the collection devices perform pre-processing (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as recycling pre-processing) for carrying out a recycling process on the used absorbent articles used by users. In addition, recycling here refers to recycling for recovering the pulp material that constitutes the absorbent articles.

For example, the management device acquires collection information from a collection device installed in the facility, such as information regarding the number of used absorbent articles collected by the collection device and information regarding the type of used absorbent articles.

The management device then manages the recycling information based on the collection information. For example, the management device manages information related to the results of pre-recycling processing of used absorbent articles performed by the collection device, and processing agents that are supplied to the collection device and are used when processing used absorbent articles.

The management device then provides work information for the items to be recycled based on the recycling information. For example, the management device provides information on a collection schedule for collecting the items to be recycled, which is a collection schedule according to the recycling information, to the collection company that collects the items to be recycled. This allows the management device to encourage efficient recycling of used absorbent articles.

In this way, the management device can properly process used absorbent articles in the facility. The management device can also properly collect used absorbent articles and promote recycling. In this way, the management device can contribute to reducing _CO2 , which is one of the factors of global warming. The management device can also popularize collection devices that perform pre-recycling treatment to effectively carry out recycling that leads to _CO2 reduction, to each facility.

The management device also manages equipment information related to the specified devices installed in the facility as the recycling information.

This type of management device manages equipment information related to specific devices installed in the facility as recycling information, which can encourage efficient recycling of used absorbent articles.

The management device also manages the results of processing used absorbent articles in the specified device as the recycling information.

This type of management device manages the results of processing used absorbent articles in a specified device as recycling information, thereby encouraging efficient recycling of used absorbent articles.

In addition, the management device manages, as the recycling information, information on the treatment agent that is supplied to the specified device and is used when treating the used absorbent articles.

This type of management device manages, as recycling information, information about the treatment agent that is supplied to a specific device and is used when treating used absorbent articles, thereby encouraging efficient recycling of used absorbent articles.

The management device also manages the amount of used absorbent articles.

This type of management device manages the amount of used absorbent articles, thereby encouraging efficient recycling of used absorbent articles.

The management device also manages the number of users of the absorbent articles for each facility.

This type of management device allows the number of users of absorbent articles to be managed for each facility, encouraging efficient recycling of used absorbent articles.

The management device also manages the costs associated with collecting the used absorbent articles for each facility.

This type of management device allows the costs associated with collecting used absorbent articles to be managed for each facility, encouraging efficient recycling of used absorbent articles.

The management device also manages inventory information regarding the stock of absorbent articles used by the user.

This type of management device manages inventory information regarding the stock of absorbent articles used by users, thereby encouraging efficient recycling of used absorbent articles.

The management device also provides the work information based on the characteristics of the used absorbent article.

This type of management device provides work information based on the characteristics of used absorbent articles, thereby encouraging efficient recycling of used absorbent articles.

The management device also provides information regarding a collection schedule for collecting the items to be recycled, which is a collection schedule corresponding to the recycling information.

This type of management device provides a collection schedule based on the recycling information, and information on the collection schedule for collecting items to be recycled, thereby encouraging efficient recycling of used absorbent articles.

The management device also provides information regarding a supply schedule for the treatment agent to be supplied to the specified device, the supply schedule being based on the recycling information.

This type of management device provides information on the supply schedule of the treatment agent to be supplied to a specific device, which is a supply schedule based on the recycling information, and thus encourages efficient recycling of used absorbent articles.

The management device also provides the specified device with information regarding instructions for reprocessing according to the recycling information, which instructs the specified device to perform the preprocessing again on the recycling item.

This type of management device provides instructions for reprocessing according to the recycling information, and provides information to a specified device instructing it to re-preprocess the item to be recycled, thereby encouraging efficient recycling of used absorbent articles.

The management device also provides information regarding the failure of the specified device based on the recycling information.

This type of management device provides information about failures of specific devices based on the recycling information, thereby encouraging efficient recycling of used absorbent articles.

The management device also acquires the collection information from the specified device that performs pre-processing for recycling absorbent articles used by users at the facility.

This type of management device can obtain collection information from a specific device that performs pre-processing for recycling absorbent articles used by users at the facility, making it possible to obtain various information for efficiently recycling used absorbent articles.

In addition, the management device acquires the collection information from a collection device that performs pretreatment of the used absorbent articles using a specified treatment agent in order to perform the recycling process, as the specified device.

This type of management device obtains collection information from a collection device that uses a specified treatment agent to pre-treat used absorbent articles for recycling, making it possible to obtain various types of information for efficiently recycling used absorbent articles.

The management device also acquires the collection information from a carbonization device that performs a carbonization process on the used absorbent articles as the specified device.

With such a management device, collection information is obtained from a carbonization device that performs a carbonization process on used absorbent articles as a specified device, making it possible to obtain various information for efficiently recycling used absorbent articles.

The management device also calculates a score indicating the degree of contribution to recycling based on the collection information.

This type of management device calculates a score indicating the degree of contribution to recycling based on the collection information, thereby encouraging efficient recycling of used absorbent articles.

A management system having a collection device and a management device, the collection device having a recycling pre-processing section that performs pre-processing for recycling absorbent articles used by users, a recycling pre-processing control section that controls the recycling pre-processing section, and a transmission section that transmits collection information regarding the collection of the used absorbent articles, including information regarding the used absorbent articles that have been pre-processed, to the management device, the management device having an acquisition section that acquires the collection information from the collection device installed in a facility, a management section that manages recycling information regarding the items to be recycled based on the collection information, and a provision section that provides work information to be used for work on the items to be recycled based on the recycling information.

Such a management device can encourage efficient recycling of used absorbent articles.

Below, an example of a form for implementing a management device, a management method, a management program, and a management system (hereinafter, referred to as an "embodiment") will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the management device, management method, management program, and management system are not limited to this embodiment. Also, in the following embodiments, the same parts are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[Embodiment]
1. An example of management processing performed by the management device
An example of a management process executed by the management device 100 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a management process executed by the management device 100 according to the embodiment. For convenience, the steps shown in Fig. 1 include the actions of natural persons, etc.

Figure 1 illustrates an example in which used diapers (an example of an absorbent article) used by a child CH1 at a nursery school FC1 (an example of a facility) are collected by a collection device 10, and the used diapers collected by the collection device 10 and pre-processed for recycling are collected by a collection company RC1.

First, as shown in FIG. 1, used diapers used by a child CH1 at a nursery school FC1 are placed in a collection device 10 by a childcare worker TE1. Next, the collection device 10 performs pre-recycling treatment on the used diapers. For example, the collection device 10 performs pre-recycling treatment on the used diapers using a treatment agent such as calcium chloride to separate urine from the superabsorbent resin that constitutes the diapers.

Then, the management device 100 acquires collection information from the collection device 10 (step S1). For example, the management device 100 acquires information regarding the number of used diapers that have been pre-processed for recycling by the collection device 10, information regarding the type of used diapers, and information regarding the size of used diapers. Here, the type of diaper refers to tape-type diapers and pants-type diapers.

The management device 100 may also acquire processing results for used absorbent articles and processing agent information regarding the processing agent that is supplied to the collection device 10 and is used when processing used absorbent articles.

The results of processing used absorbent articles include information on whether the processing of used absorbent articles was performed normally, information on whether the processing of used absorbent articles was completed, information on a specified pre-recycling process, the amount of used absorbent articles, etc.

Next, the management device 100 manages various types of recycling information based on the collection information (step S2). For example, the management device 100 manages, as recycling information, equipment information on the collection device 10 installed in the nursery school FC1, processing results for used absorbent articles, and processing agent information on a processing agent that is supplied to the collection device 10 and is used when processing used absorbent articles.

Then, the management device 100 provides the work information to the collection company server 20 based on the recycling information (step S3). For example, the management device 100 provides the collection company server 20 with information on a collection schedule according to the recycling information for collecting the recycling items, which are used diapers that have been pre-processed for recycling by the collection device 10, as work information.

To give a more specific example, when the amount of used absorbent articles that have been pre-recycled is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, the management device 100 provides the collection company server 20 with information on a collection schedule, such as collecting the used absorbent articles that have been pre-recycled in one week, as work information.

The recycling company referred to here may be any recycling company, such as a recycling company designated by a local government or a recycling company designated by the business entity that manages the management device 100.

Then, the collector RC1 collects the items to be recycled (step S4). For example, the collector RC1 goes to the nursery school FC1 to collect the items to be recycled according to information on the collection schedule provided to the collector server 20. The collector RC1 then collects the used diapers that have been pre-processed for recycling from the collection device 10 at the nursery school FC1 as items to be recycled.

Next, the collector RC1 transports the used diapers that have been pre-recycled to the recycling factory FO1. The recycler who performs the recycling process at the recycling factory FO1 then performs the recycling process on the used diapers that have been pre-recycled. In this way, the collected used diapers that have been pre-recycled are recycled at the recycling factory FO1.

The recycler referred to here may be any recycler, such as a recycler designated by a local government, a recycler designated by the business entity that manages the management device 100, or a recycler designated by a collection company.

In the prior art, it is assumed that used absorbent articles are collected outside the facility, and in order to perform recycling processing on used absorbent articles, it is not possible to properly manage the implementation of recycling pre-processing at the facility, the collection device 10 required for the recycling pre-processing, and the processing agent used during the recycling pre-processing. Therefore, the management device 100 according to the embodiment is a predetermined device installed in the facility, and acquires collection information regarding the collection of used absorbent articles from a predetermined device that performs pre-processing for recycling the used absorbent articles used by the user. Then, the management device 100 manages the recycling information based on the collection information. Furthermore, the management device 100 provides work information for the recycling target based on the recycling information. In this way, the management device 100 solves the conventional problems. In this way, the management device 100 can encourage efficient recycling of used absorbent articles.

[2. Management System Configuration]
Next, the configuration of the management system 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the management system 1 according to the embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, the management system 1 includes a collection device 10, a collection agent server 20, a facility server 30, a settlement server 40, and a management device 100. The collection device 10, the collection agent server 20, the facility server 30, the settlement server 40, and the management device 100 are connected to each other via a network N so as to be able to communicate with each other by wire or wirelessly. Note that the management system 1 shown in Fig. 2 may include a plurality of collection devices 10, a plurality of collection agent servers 20, a plurality of facility servers 30, a plurality of settlement servers 40, and a plurality of management devices 100.

The collection device 10 according to the embodiment is a device for collecting used absorbent articles, and is a recycling box that can be used in various facilities. The collection device 10 also has a communication function and may be connected to various other devices so that it can communicate with them.

Specifically, the recovery device 10 performs pre-recycling treatment (primary treatment for recycling) on used absorbent articles by using various conventional technologies. For example, the recovery device 10 performs pre-recycling treatment using treatment agents such as calcium chloride for separating excrement (particularly urine and feces) from the superabsorbent resin that constitutes the absorbent article, alcohol for cleaning, and chemicals for reducing the odor of excrement.

The collection device 10 also reduces the volume of used absorbent articles by performing pre-recycling treatment on the used absorbent articles using a treatment agent. This allows the collection company to transport more used absorbent articles at once when transporting the used absorbent articles to a recycling plant. The collection device 10 also allows the collection company to transport the used absorbent articles more hygienically when transporting the used absorbent articles to a recycling plant. In this way, the collection device 10 can reduce the effort required for collection companies to transport items to be recycled.

The collector server 20 according to the embodiment is an information processing device managed by a collector that collects used absorbent articles that have been pre-processed for recycling, and is realized, for example, by a server device or a cloud system. For example, the collector server 20 accepts work information provided by the management device 100. Then, the collector collects used absorbent articles from the facility that have been pre-processed for recycling, in accordance with the work information.

The facility server 30 according to the embodiment has a function of a data server that stores various information and is an information processing device that provides such various information, and is realized, for example, by a server device or a cloud system. For example, the facility server 30 stores user information about users who use absorbent articles at the facility in a specified storage unit. The facility server 30 also manages the inventory number of absorbent articles used by users who use absorbent articles at the facility.

The facility server 30 may obtain collection information from the collection device 10 and store it in a specified storage unit. The facility server 30 may then provide the collection information to the management device 100 via the network N.

Facility server 30 is not limited to the above examples, and may be a terminal device used by the facility operator instead of a server device or cloud system. Here, the terminal device is an information processing device that accesses content such as web pages displayed in a browser or content for applications.

For example, the terminal device may be a desktop PC (Personal Computer), a notebook PC, a tablet terminal, a mobile phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), or a wearable device such as a smart watch.

The payment server 40 according to the embodiment is an information processing device that performs payment processing, and is realized, for example, by a server device or a cloud system. For example, when various payment processes are performed for an amount set by the management device 100, the payment server 40 cooperates with the management device 100 to perform the payment process.

The management device 100 according to the embodiment is a management device capable of communicating with various devices via a network N such as the Internet, and is realized, for example, by a server device or a cloud system. For example, the management device 100 is connected to various other devices via the network N so as to be able to communicate with them.

3. Configuration of the recovery device
Next, the configuration of the recovery device 10 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the recovery device 10 according to the embodiment. As shown in Fig. 3, the recovery device 10 has a communication unit 11, a storage unit 12, an input/output unit 13, a recycling pre-processing unit 14, and a control unit 15.

(Regarding communication unit 11)
The communication unit 11 is realized by, for example, a network interface card (NIC), etc. The communication unit 11 is connected to a network N by wire or wirelessly, and transmits and receives information to and from various other devices.

(Regarding the storage unit 12)
The storage unit 12 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as a random access memory (RAM) or a flash memory, or a storage device such as a hard disk or an optical disk.

For example, the memory unit 12 stores information related to a specific recycling pre-processing step. The memory unit 12 also stores information related to the results of the recycling pre-processing. The memory unit 12 may also store work information provided by the management device 100.

(Regarding the input/output unit 13)
The input/output unit 13 receives various operations from a user who uses a service provided by the management device 100 in a facility, the service including the management process executed by the management device 100. For example, the input/output unit 13 receives various operations from a user via a display screen using a touch panel function. The input/output unit 13 may also receive various operations from a button or the like provided on the collection device 10.

The input/output unit 13 also displays various types of information. For example, the input/output unit 13 is a display screen provided on the recovery device 10. To give a more specific example, the input/output unit 13 is a display screen realized by a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, or the like. In this way, the input/output unit 13 accepts various operations from the user via the display screen or buttons, etc., and displays various types of information on the display screen.

(Regarding the recycle pre-treatment section 14)
The recycling pre-treatment unit 14 performs recycling pre-treatment on used absorbent articles. For example, the recycling pre-treatment unit 14 has a storage unit of a predetermined size. The storage unit is a portion in which used absorbent articles are stored. The recycling pre-treatment unit 14 also has a container for supplying a treatment agent for pre-treating the used absorbent articles.

For example, the pre-recycle treatment unit 14 performs pre-recycle treatment on the used absorbent articles by carrying out processes such as stirring, vibration, and dehydration using calcium chloride, which is used to separate urine and feces from the highly absorbent resin that constitutes the absorbent articles.

(Regarding the control unit 15)
The control unit 15 is a controller, and is realized, for example, by a central processing unit (CPU) or a micro processing unit (MPU) executing various programs stored in a storage device inside the collection device 10 using a RAM as a working area. The control unit 15 is also a controller, and is realized, for example, by an integrated circuit such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a field programmable gate array (FPGA).

As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 15 has a receiving unit 16, a pre-recycling processing control unit 17, and a transmitting unit 18, and realizes or executes the functions and actions of the information processing described below. Note that the internal configuration of the control unit 15 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 3, and may be other configurations as long as they perform the information processing described below. Also, the connection relationships between the processing units of the control unit 15 are not limited to the connection relationships shown in FIG. 3, and may be other connection relationships.

(Regarding the receiving unit 16)
The receiving unit 16 receives various information. Specifically, the receiving unit 16 receives a request to obtain collection information. The receiving unit 16 may also receive work information provided by the management device 100.

(Regarding the recycle pre-treatment control unit 17)
The recycle pre-treatment control unit 17 controls the recycle pre-treatment unit 14. For example, the recycle pre-treatment control unit 17 sets, for the recycle pre-treatment unit 14, the amount of treatment agent to be injected, the timing of injection of the treatment agent, the time to execute a process such as stirring, vibration or dehydration, and the number of times to execute a process such as stirring, vibration or dehydration. In this way, the recycle pre-treatment control unit 17 causes the recycle pre-treatment unit 14 to perform recycle pre-treatment.

(Regarding the transmitting unit 18)
The transmission unit 18 transmits various information. Specifically, the transmission unit 18 transmits collection information related to collection of used absorbent articles to the management device 100. For example, the transmission unit 18 transmits information related to the number of used diapers that have been pre-recycled, information related to the types of used diapers, and information related to the sizes of used diapers to the management device 100.

In addition, the transmission unit 18 transmits to the management device 100 the results of processing the used absorbent articles and information about the processing agent that is supplied to the recycling pre-processing unit 14 and is used when processing the used absorbent articles.

4. Configuration of the Management Device
Next, the configuration of the management device 100 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the management device 100 according to the embodiment. As shown in Fig. 4, the management device 100 includes a communication unit 110, a storage unit 120, and a control unit 130.

(Regarding communication unit 110)
The communication unit 110 is realized by, for example, a NIC etc. The communication unit 110 is connected to a network N by wire or wirelessly, and transmits and receives information to and from various other devices.

(Regarding the storage unit 120)
The storage unit 120 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as a RAM or a flash memory, or a storage device such as a hard disk or an optical disk. The storage unit 120 has a facility information storage unit 121 and a collection device information storage unit 122.

(Regarding the facility information storage unit 121)
The facility information storage unit 121 according to the embodiment stores various information related to the facility. An example of the facility information storage unit 121 according to the embodiment is shown in Fig. 5. In the example shown in Fig. 5, the facility information storage unit 121 has items such as "facility ID (identifier)", "municipality", "recycling company ID", "number of users", "cost", "item ID", "type", "size", "item", "inventory quantity", and "recycling device ID".

"Facility ID" is an identifier that identifies a facility. "Municipality" is information about the municipality in the area in which the facility associated with the "Facility ID" is located. Note that "Municipality" may include information indicating the address of the facility in association with the information about the municipality.

The "recycling company ID" is an identifier that identifies the recycling company. Here, the recycling company is a recycling company designated by a local government, a recycling company that has a contract with the business that manages the management device 100, etc.

"Number of users" is the number of users who use absorbent articles in the facility associated with the "facility ID." "Cost" is information regarding the cost incurred by using the collection device 10 associated with the "facility ID." Note that the cost does not need to be limited to the above example, and may be the sum of the cost for collecting the items to be recycled and the cost incurred by using the collection device 10.

"Item ID" is an identifier that identifies an item. "Type" is information about the type of item associated with the "Item ID". "Size" is information about the size of the item associated with the "Item ID". "Item" is information about the item associated with the "Item ID". "Quantity in stock" is information about the number of items in stock associated with the "Item ID". "Recovery device ID" is an identifier that identifies the recovery device 10.

For example, in FIG. 5, "F1" identified by the facility ID has a local government of "PR1", a recycling company ID of "RM1", a number of users of "NU1", and a cost of "CS1". "F1" has an item ID of "M1", a type of "type", a size of "SZ1", an item of "MA1", a stock quantity of "PM1", and a recycling device ID of "R1". Note that in the example shown in FIG. 5, the local government, etc. is expressed by an abstract code such as "PR1", but the local government, etc. may also be expressed as a numerical value, a character string, or a file format containing information about the local government, etc.

(Regarding the collection device information storage unit 122)
The collection device information storage unit 122 according to the embodiment stores various information related to the collection device 10. An example of the collection device information storage unit 122 according to the embodiment is shown in Fig. 6. In the example shown in Fig. 6, the collection device information storage unit 122 has items such as "collection device ID", "treatment result", "collection amount", "treatment agent", "amount of treatment agent", and "work information".

"Collection device ID" is an identifier that identifies the collection device 10. "Processing result" is information related to various results of pre-recycling processing associated with the "collection device ID". "Collection amount" is information related to the amount of used absorbent articles collected by the collection device 10 associated with the "collection device ID". "Treatment agent" is various information related to the treatment agent used for the used absorbent articles associated with the "collection device ID". For example, the information related to the treatment agent is information related to the product name of the treatment agent, the ingredients of the treatment agent, the type of treatment agent, etc.

"Amount of treatment agent" is the amount of treatment agent associated with the "recovery device ID," and is information related to the amount of treatment agent associated with the treatment agent to be used on used absorbent articles. "Work information" is work information associated with the "recovery device ID."

For example, in FIG. 6, "R1" identified by the recovery device ID has a processing result of "UA1", a recovery amount of "AR1", a processing agent of "PD1", an amount of processing agent of "AP1", and work information of "IP1". Note that in the example shown in FIG. 6, the processing results are expressed by abstract codes such as "UA1", but the processing results may be in the form of a number, a character string, or a file format of a file containing information indicating the processing results.

(Regarding the control unit 130)
The control unit 130 is a controller, and is realized, for example, by a CPU, an MPU, or the like, executing various programs (corresponding to an example of a management program) stored in a storage device inside the management device 100 using a RAM as a working area. The control unit 130 is also a controller, and is realized, for example, by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or an FPGA.

As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 130 has an acquisition unit 131, a management unit 132, a calculation unit 133, a provision unit 134, and a setting unit 135, and realizes or executes the functions and actions of the information processing described below. Note that the internal configuration of the control unit 130 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 4, and may be other configurations as long as they perform the information processing described below. Also, the connection relationship between each processing unit of the control unit 130 is not limited to the connection relationship shown in FIG. 4, and may be other connection relationships.

(Regarding the Acquisition Unit 131)
The acquisition unit 131 acquires various information. Specifically, the acquisition unit 131 acquires collection information related to the collection of used absorbent articles from the collection device 10 that is installed in the facility and performs pre-processing for recycling absorbent articles used by users.

The acquisition unit 131 may also acquire processing results for used absorbent articles and processing agent information regarding the processing agent that is supplied to the collection device 10 and is used when processing used absorbent articles.

For example, the acquisition unit 131 acquires information regarding the number of used diapers collected by the collection device 10. Then, the acquisition unit 131 stores such information in the collection device information storage unit 122.

The acquisition unit 131 may also acquire various information related to the facility from the facility server 30. For example, the acquisition unit 131 may acquire information related to the local government in the area where the facility is located, information related to the collection company, the number of users of absorbent articles at the facility, information related to costs incurred by using the collection device 10, etc. Furthermore, the acquisition unit 131 may acquire information related to absorbent articles, information related to the number of absorbent articles in stock, information related to the collection device 10 installed at the facility, etc. as various information related to the facility. The acquisition unit 131 then stores the various information related to the facility in the facility information storage unit 121.

(Regarding the management unit 132)
The management unit 132 manages various types of information. Specifically, the management unit 132 manages various types of recycling information related to the recycling target based on the collection information. For example, the management unit 132 refers to the facility information storage unit 121 and the collection device information storage unit 122 to manage equipment information related to the collection device 10 installed in the nursery school FC1, processing results for used absorbent articles, and processing agent information related to a processing agent that is supplied to the collection device 10 and is used when processing used absorbent articles.

As another example, the management unit 132 refers to the collection device information storage unit 122 to manage the amount of absorbent articles used. The management unit 132 also refers to the facility information storage unit 121 to manage the number of users who use absorbent articles for each facility. The management unit 132 also refers to the facility information storage unit 121 to manage the costs related to the collection of used absorbent articles for each facility. The management unit 132 also refers to the facility information storage unit 121 to manage inventory information related to the inventory of absorbent articles used by users.

(Regarding the calculation unit 133)
The calculation unit 133 calculates a score indicating the degree of contribution to recycling based on the collection information. For example, the calculation unit 133 calculates the score based on the amount of used absorbent articles included in the information on the processing result, among the information included in the collection device information storage unit 122.

To give a more specific example, when the amount of absorbent articles used is "20 kg", the calculation unit 133 calculates the score to be "0.5". When the amount of absorbent articles used is "60 kg", the calculation unit 133 calculates the score to be "0.8". In this way, the calculation unit 133 calculates the score based on a calculation method in which the score value increases as the amount of absorbent articles used increases. Note that such a calculation method can be realized by using conventional techniques relating to various score calculation methods.

(Regarding the providing unit 134)
The providing unit 134 provides various information. Specifically, the providing unit 134 provides work information to be used for work on the recycling items based on the recycling information. For example, the providing unit 134 provides information on a collection schedule for collecting the recycling items according to the recycling information to the collection company server 20 as work information.

As a more specific example, the providing unit 134 provides the collector server 20 with information regarding a collection schedule, such as collecting the used absorbent articles that have been pre-processed for recycling one week later, when the amount of used absorbent articles that have been pre-processed for recycling is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount.

As another example, the providing unit 134 may provide information on a supply schedule of the treatment agent to be supplied to the recovery device 10, which is a supply schedule according to the recycling information. As a more specific example, the providing unit 134 may provide a supplier of the treatment agent with information on a supply schedule, such as supplying a predetermined amount of treatment agent one week later when the number of times pre-recycling processing has been performed is equal to or greater than a predetermined number.

Note that the supplier referred to here may be any supplier, for example, a supplier designated by the business operator that manages the management device 100.

The providing unit 134 may also provide the collection device 10 with information regarding instructions for reprocessing according to the recycling information, the information being an instruction to perform preprocessing again on the recycling target. As a more specific example, the providing unit 134 may provide the collection device 10 with information regarding an instruction to perform preprocessing again on the recycling target if the number of times preprocessing has been performed is less than a predetermined number.

The providing unit 134 may also provide information regarding a malfunction of the collection device 10 based on the recycling information. As a more specific example, when the providing unit 134 acquires various information regarding a malfunction of the collection device 10, the providing unit 134 may provide the various information regarding the malfunction of the collection device 10 to a repair company that repairs the collection device 10, and may also provide the repair company with information regarding a repair request to repair the collection device 10.

(Regarding the setting unit 135)
The setting unit 135 sets a predetermined fee for a user who uses a service provided by the management device 100 in a facility and including a management process executed by the management device 100. For example, the setting unit 135 refers to the facility information storage unit 121 and sets a fee "CS1" incurred by using the collection device 10 for "F1" identified by a facility ID. Then, when a payment process is executed for the fee set by the setting unit 135, the payment server 40 executes the payment process in cooperation with the setting unit 135.

5. Processing Procedure
Next, a procedure of a management process executed by the management device 100 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the management process executed by the management device 100 according to the embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 7, the acquisition unit 131 acquires collection information (step S101). Then, the management unit 132 manages various information based on the collection information (step S102). Then, the provision unit 134 provides work information (step S103).

6. Modifications
The above-described management device 100 may be implemented in various different forms other than the above embodiment. Therefore, other embodiments of the management device 100 will be described below.

[6-1. Places where absorbent articles are used]
In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the acquisition unit 131 of the management device 100 according to the embodiment acquires collection information from the collection device 10 that performs pre-recycling processing on absorbent articles used by users in a facility, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the collection device 10 performs pre-recycling processing on absorbent articles used by users outside a facility. In this case, the acquisition unit 131 may acquire collection information from the collection device 10.

6-2. Location information of recovery device
The collection device 10 described in the above embodiment may further have a function such as a GPS (Global Positioning System) sensor to detect position information of the collection device 10. In addition, the collection device 10 may estimate position information of the collection device 10 using position information of a base station with which the collection device 10 is communicating or radio waves of Wi-Fi (registered trademark) (Wireless Fidelity).

In this case, the acquisition unit 131 of the management device 100 according to the embodiment may acquire location information of the collection device 10. This allows the management device 100 to grasp the location of the collection device 10 without associating it with a facility. For example, when the collection device 10 is located in a garbage collection area that is not located near a specific facility, the management device 100 can acquire location information from the collection device 10.

[6-3. Granting points to users]
In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the setting unit 135 of the management device 100 according to the embodiment sets a fee for a facility, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the setting unit 135 may further set a predetermined reward for a user of the collection device 10 who has put used absorbent articles into the collection device 10. Here, the reward is a coupon that can be used as a gift certificate, electronic money, points that can be used instead of cash, or the like.

As a more specific example, the setting unit 135 may set points for the user of the collection device 10 according to the amount of used absorbent articles, with the amount indicating a higher amount being set as the amount increases. In this way, the setting unit 135 of the management device 100 according to the embodiment can motivate the user to recycle.

[6-4. Characteristics of used absorbent articles]
In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the providing unit 134 of the management device 100 according to the embodiment provides work information to be used for work on a recycling target based on recycling information, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the providing unit 134 provides work information based on the characteristics of a used absorbent article.

As a more specific example, assume that absorbent articles are composed of recyclable and non-recyclable materials. In this case, when the amount of used absorbent articles that have undergone recycling pre-processing is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, the providing unit 134 may provide the collector server 20 with information regarding a collection schedule for collecting recyclable items containing recyclable materials after one week and collecting recyclable items containing non-recyclable materials after two weeks.

As another example, recycling targets containing recyclable materials and recycling targets containing non-recyclable materials may be collected by different collection companies. For example, when the amount of used absorbent articles that have been pre-processed for recycling is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, the providing unit 134 may provide the first collection company with information on a collection schedule for collecting recycling targets containing recyclable materials one week later. Also, when the amount of used absorbent articles that have been pre-processed for recycling is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, the providing unit 134 may provide the second collection company with information on a collection schedule for collecting recycling targets containing non-recyclable materials two weeks later.

The collection schedule may also differ depending on the treatment agent. For example, when the amount of used absorbent articles that have been pre-treated for recycling using a first treatment agent is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, the providing unit 134 may provide the collection company server 20 with information regarding a collection schedule for collecting the items to be recycled one week later. Also, when the amount of used absorbent articles that have been pre-treated for recycling using a second treatment agent is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, the providing unit 134 may provide the collection company server 20 with information regarding a collection schedule for collecting the items to be recycled two weeks later.

In this way, the provision unit 134 of the management device 100 according to the embodiment provides work information based on the characteristics of used absorbent articles, thereby encouraging efficient recycling of used absorbent articles.

[6-5. Delivery of absorbent articles]
In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the providing unit 134 of the management device 100 according to the embodiment provides work information to be used for work on a recycling target based on the recycling information, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the providing unit 134 may further provide delivery information regarding the delivery of the absorbent article to a delivery company that delivers the absorbent article based on the recycling information.

For example, the delivery information includes information indicating whether the absorbent article uses recycled pulp material, the type of absorbent article (for example, in the case of diapers, tape-type diapers or pants-type diapers), and information regarding the sizes of the absorbent article by gender, etc.

For example, assume that a predetermined number of tape-type diapers have been pre-processed for recycling. In this case, it is estimated that the inventory of tape-type diapers has decreased. For this reason, the provision unit 134 may further provide the delivery company with delivery information for delivering a predetermined number of tape-type diapers. In this way, the provision unit 134 of the management device 100 according to the embodiment can appropriately deliver absorbent articles to the facility in accordance with the recycling information.

The provision unit 134 may also provide work information to be used for work on the items to be recycled and delivery information regarding the delivery of the absorbent articles to the delivery company that delivers the absorbent articles, based on the recycling information. In this case, the delivery company that delivers the absorbent articles collects used absorbent articles and replenishes the absorbent articles to be delivered to the facility that delivers the absorbent articles, based on the work information and delivery information.

This allows the delivery company to deliver new absorbent articles needed at each facility while simultaneously collecting absorbent articles that have already been used at the facility. In this way, the provision unit 134 can reduce the workload of facility operators, etc.

In addition, the providing unit 134 provides the work information and delivery information to the delivery company that delivers the absorbent articles, so that the business entity managing the management device 100 can know information such as from which facility the used absorbent articles were collected. In addition, the providing unit 134 can allow the business entity managing the management device 100 to know information such as from which facility the used absorbent articles were collected and transported to a recycling plant. In this way, the providing unit 134 can allow the business entity managing the management device 100 to know the entire logistics process from delivery to collection of the absorbent articles.

[6-6. Providing scores]
In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the providing unit 134 of the management device 100 according to the embodiment provides work information to be used for work on a recycling target based on the recycling information, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the providing unit 134 may further provide the score calculated by the calculation unit 133 to a user of the facility or a facility operator.

The providing unit 134 may also provide information regarding the difference between the past score calculated by the calculating unit 133 and the current score to users of absorbent articles in the facility and facility operators. For example, the calculating unit 133 calculates a first score based on the amount of absorbent articles used in the past. The calculating unit 133 also calculates a second score based on the amount of absorbent articles used currently. The calculating unit 133 then compares the first score with the second score to calculate the difference between the first score and the second score. The providing unit 134 may then provide information regarding the difference between the first score and the second score to users of absorbent articles in the facility and facility operators.

[6-7. Post-recycling processing]
The recycler may also recycle used diapers that have been pre-recycled at the recycle factory FO1, and then provide the pulp material obtained by the recycling process to the business operator managing the management device 100. In this case, the recycler may receive a predetermined remuneration from the business operator managing the management device 100 in exchange for providing the pulp material.

[6-8. Collection request]
The facility server 30 may also receive the work information. For example, the facility server 30 may directly transmit a collection request to the collection agent server 20 in accordance with the received work information.

[6-9. Absorbent articles]
In the above embodiment, the absorbent article is described as a diaper, but is not limited thereto. For example, the absorbent article may be a sanitary product, a pad for mild incontinence, a urine pad, a wet wipe, a bed sheet, etc. Also, the absorbent article may be an absorbent article provided by a subscription service with which a user such as a parent, sibling, or relative who is taking care of the user has a contract in advance.

Here, the subscription service will be briefly explained. For example, suppose that the user is a parent, the user is a child, and the facility is a nursery school, and the parent sends the child to the nursery school. Also, suppose that the parent contracts with a subscription service provider for a subscription service for diapers to be used by the child. At this time, a server managed by the subscription service provider provides delivery information for a delivery company that delivers the diapers to a server managed by the delivery company, the delivery company managing the delivery information, which delivers a predetermined amount of diapers to a pre-registered nursery school. As a result, the delivery company delivers the predetermined amount of diapers to the pre-registered nursery school. In this way, the child can use the diapers at the nursery school. In such a case, the parent does not need to carry diapers with them when sending the child to the nursery school. Also, the parent pays a service fee to the subscription service provider. Therefore, no payment is made to the nursery school.

[6-10. Application of carbonization technology]
In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the recycling pre-treatment is performed by the recovery device 10, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a carbonization device capable of implementing carbonization technology as recycling pre-treatment may be used as the predetermined device.

The carbonization technology referred to here is a technology that can convert used diapers into carbon. For example, the carbonization technology is a technology implemented by conventional technology, publicly known technology, etc. The carbonization technology may also be a carbonization technology implemented in a temperature range that can reduce greenhouse gases such as _CO2 (for example, a temperature range lower than the temperature range implemented by conventional technology or publicly known technology). The carbonization technology may also be a carbonization technology that uses a treatment agent such as a known agent or accelerator for promoting carbonization. The carbonization technology may also be a carbonization technology that can carbonize in a shorter time than the time required for carbonization implemented by conventional technology or publicly known technology.

The carbonization technology may also simultaneously carry out additional processing depending on the items to be recycled. For example, the carbonization technology may carry out additional processing such as sterilization and deodorization on used diapers to be recycled, thereby reducing the volume of the used diapers while carbonizing them.

The carbonization device has the same configuration as the recovery device 10 shown in FIG. 3. For example, the carbonization device has a communication unit, a memory unit, an input/output unit, a pre-recycle processing unit, and a control unit. The control unit has a receiving unit, a pre-recycle processing control unit, and a transmitting unit. Here, the pre-recycle processing unit performs a carbonization process on used absorbent articles.

Below, an example of the management process executed by the management device 100 will be described, taking an example in which a carbonization device capable of implementing carbonization technology is introduced into a nursery school instead of the recovery device 10. The carbonization device is set up in a specified location inside or outside the nursery school facility. In this case, used diapers used by children at the nursery school are placed into the carbonization device by a nursery school teacher. The carbonization device then performs a carbonization process on the used diapers based on a specified operation by the nursery school teacher.

For example, the acquisition unit 131 of the management device 100 acquires collection information from the carbonization device. To give a more specific example, the acquisition unit 131 acquires, as collection information, information on the number of used diapers that have been carbonized by the carbonization device, information on the type of used diapers, and information on the size of used diapers.

The acquisition unit 131 may also acquire processing results for used diapers and processing agent information regarding the processing agent that is supplied to the carbonization device and is used when processing used diapers.

The results of processing used diapers include information on whether processing of used diapers was performed normally, information on whether processing of used diapers was completed, information on a specified carbonization process, the amount of used diapers, etc.

Then, the management unit 132 of the management device 100 manages various types of recycling information based on the collection information. For example, the management unit 132 manages, as recycling information, equipment information on the carbonization device installed in the nursery school, the processing results of used diapers, and processing agent information on the processing agent supplied to the carbonization device and used when processing used diapers.

Then, the providing unit 134 of the management device 100 provides the work information to the collection company server 20 based on the recycling information. For example, the providing unit 134 provides the collection company server 20 with information on a collection schedule according to the recycling information, for collecting the recycling items, which are used diapers that have been carbonized by a carbonization device, as work information.

To give a more specific example, if the amount of used diapers that have been carbonized is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, the providing unit 134 provides the collection schedule information, such as collecting the used diapers that have been carbonized one week later, to the collection company server 20 as work information.

The recycling company referred to here may be any recycling company, such as a recycling company designated by a local government or a recycling company designated by the business entity that manages the management device 100.

Then, the collection company collects the items to be recycled. For example, the collection company goes to the nursery school to collect the items to be recycled according to information on the collection schedule provided to the collection company server 20. The collection company then collects the used diapers that have been carbonized from the carbonization device at the nursery school as items to be recycled.

Then, the collector transports the used diapers that have been carbonized to a recycling plant. The recycler at the recycling plant then produces petroleum, polyethylene, polypropylene, polymer absorbent materials, pulp materials, etc. from the carbon converted from the used diapers. The recycler at the recycling plant may also produce diapers from the produced polymer absorbent materials, pulp materials, etc.

The recycler referred to here may be any recycler, such as a recycler designated by a local government, a recycler designated by the business entity that manages the management device 100, or a recycler designated by a collection company.

In this way, the carbonization device converts used diapers into carbon by utilizing the carbonization technology. The collector then collects the converted carbon. The collector then transports the converted carbon to a designated recycling plant. The recycler then reuses the converted carbon to produce various materials and products. In this way, the carbonization device can realize carbon recycling, which recycles the carbon that constitutes _CO2 , a greenhouse gas. As a result, the carbonization device can promote carbon recycling, thereby contributing to the reduction of _CO2 released into the atmosphere.

In the above modified example, an example was shown in which only the carbonization process by the carbonization device is carried out at the facility, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the recovery device 10 and the carbonization device may each carry out pre-processing on used diapers. In a more specific example, the recovery device 10 performs pre-recycling processing on used diapers using a processing agent such as calcium chloride for separating urine from the superabsorbent resin that constitutes the diapers. The carbonization device may then carry out carbonization processing on the recycling target that has been subjected to pre-recycling processing.

In addition, in the above modified example, the recovery device 10 and the carbonization device are different devices, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the recovery device 10 and the carbonization device may be a single device.

In the above modified example, the carbonization device performs the carbonization process on used diapers, but the carbonization device may perform the carbonization process on a portion of a used diaper. For example, it is assumed that a used diaper can be separated into a portion that is heavily soiled with excrement and a portion that is lightly soiled. In this case, the childcare worker separates the used diaper into a portion that is heavily soiled with excrement and a portion that is lightly soiled. The childcare worker then places the portion that is heavily soiled with excrement into the carbonization device. The carbonization device may then perform the carbonization process on the portion that is heavily soiled with excrement.

In the above modified example, the providing unit 134 provides work information to the collection company server 20 based on the recycling information, but this is not limiting. For example, the providing unit 134 may provide information regarding instructions for the carbonization process to the facility server 30. In this case, the childcare worker may view the information regarding instructions for the carbonization process provided to the facility server 30, and perform a specified operation on the carbonization device to set the conditions, etc. indicated by the instructions.

The providing unit 134 may also provide the carbonization device with information regarding instructions regarding the carbonization process. In this case, the carbonization device may set various parameters to be set when performing the carbonization process based on the conditions, etc., indicated by such instructions.

In the above modified example, a collection company collects the recyclables that have been carbonized and transports them to a recycling plant, but this is not limiting. For example, the recyclables that have been carbonized may be consumed by a nursery school. To give a more specific example, assume that the nursery school owns a flower bed or the like. In this case, children attending the nursery school or nursery teachers may consume the recyclables that have been carbonized (for example, charcoal) by spreading them on the flower bed as fertilizer. In this way, children can experience how their own used diapers are recycled.

[6-11. Supply of treatment agent used in carbonization treatment]
In addition, if the nursery school is registered with a subscription service for diapers used by children, the provision unit 134 may provide the supplier of the treatment agent with information regarding a supply schedule, such as supplying a predetermined amount of treatment agent according to the number of diapers obtained from the facility server 30.

The above example will be explained using FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of management processing executed by the management device 100 according to a modified example. For convenience, the steps shown in FIG. 8 include the actions of natural persons, etc.

Figure 8 illustrates an example in which a carbonization device 10A performs a carbonization process (an example of recycling pre-processing) on used diapers used by a child CH1 at a nursery school FC1, and the resulting recycling items are collected by a collection company RC1. In addition, an example is illustrated in which a processing agent for the carbonization process is supplied to the carbonization device 10A by a supplier DE1.

Here, FIG. 8 includes a carbonization device 10A, a recovery company server 20, a supplier server 50, and a management device 100.

The carbonization device 10A of the modified example has a similar configuration to the recovery device 10 shown in FIG. 3, so a description thereof will be omitted.

The supplier server 50 in the modified example is an information processing device managed by a supplier that supplies the treatment agent, and is realized, for example, by a server device or a cloud system. For example, the supplier server 50 accepts work information provided by the management device 100. Then, the supplier DE1 supplies the treatment agent for carbonization processing to the carbonization device 10A installed in the nursery school FC1 in accordance with the work information.

Steps S1 to S4 shown in FIG. 8 are the same process as steps S1 to S4 shown in FIG. 1, so a description of steps S1 to S4 shown in FIG. 8 will be omitted. In FIG. 8, a childcare worker TE1 at a nursery school FC1 registered with the subscription service inputs the number of diapers used to the facility server 30. Then, the acquisition unit 131 of the management device 100 acquires information related to the input number of diapers.

Then, the providing unit 134 of the management device 100 provides the work information to the supplier server 50 based on the acquired number of diapers (step S11). For example, the providing unit 134 provides the supplier server 50 with information on a supply schedule, such as supplying a predetermined amount of treatment agent according to the acquired number of diapers, as work information.

To give a more specific example, the providing unit 134 calculates the amount of treatment agent to be supplied based on the number of diapers obtained. Next, when the calculated amount of treatment agent is a predetermined amount, the providing unit 134 provides the supplier server 50 with information on a supply schedule, such as supplying a predetermined amount of treatment agent, as work information.

Then, supplier DE1 delivers and replenishes the treatment agent for the carbonization process (step S12). For example, supplier DE1 delivers the treatment agent for the carbonization process to nursery school FC1 according to information on the supply schedule provided to supplier server 50. Next, supplier DE1 replenishes a predetermined amount of treatment agent to carbonization device 10A installed in nursery school FC1.

In such a case, the setting unit 135 of the management device 100 may set a predetermined fee for the user who uses the subscription service. Next, when a payment process is executed for the fee set by the setting unit 135, the payment server 40 may cooperate with the setting unit 135 to execute the payment process.

The providing unit 134 may also provide information on a supply schedule of the treatment agent to be supplied to the carbonization device 10A, which is a supply schedule according to the recycling information. As a more specific example, the providing unit 134 may provide the supplier DE1 that supplies the treatment agent with information on a supply schedule, such as supplying a predetermined amount of treatment agent after one week if the number of times the carbonization process has been performed is a predetermined number or more. The providing unit 134 may also provide the supplier DE1 that supplies the treatment agent with information on a supply schedule, such as supplying a predetermined amount of treatment agent after one week, based on the collection information.

The supply unit 134 may also calculate the number of days until the treatment agent is consumed and the amount of treatment agent to be supplied based on the amount of treatment agent used by the carbonization device 10A.

The providing unit 134 may also calculate the amount of treatment agent to be supplied based on various information, not just the number of diapers obtained. For example, the providing unit 134 may calculate the amount of treatment agent to be supplied based on the number of diapers obtained and the amount of treatment agent in stock. In such a case, if the calculated amount of treatment agent is less than a predetermined amount, the providing unit 134 may notify the supplier server 50 that supply is not necessary. On the other hand, if the calculated amount of treatment agent is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount, the providing unit 134 may notify the supplier server 50 that supply is necessary.

In addition, the providing unit 134 may further provide delivery information regarding the delivery of the diapers to the delivery company that delivers the diapers, based on the number of diapers obtained from the facility server 30.

[6-12. Other]
Among the above-mentioned processes, all or part of the processes described as being performed automatically may be performed manually. Also, all or part of the processes described as being performed manually may be performed automatically by a known method. In addition, the information including the processing procedures, specific names, various data and parameters shown in the above documents and drawings may be changed arbitrarily unless otherwise specified. For example, the various information shown in each drawing is not limited to the illustrated information.

In addition, each component of each device shown in the figure is a functional concept, and does not necessarily have to be physically configured as shown in the figure. In other words, the specific form of distribution and integration of each device is not limited to that shown in the figure. Furthermore, each component may be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit, in whole or in part, depending on various loads, usage conditions, etc.

The above processes may be combined as appropriate to the extent that no contradictions exist.

In addition, the above-mentioned "section, module, unit" can be read as "means" or "circuit." For example, the management section can be read as management means or management circuit.

7. Hardware Configuration
The recovery device 10, the carbonization device 10A, the recovery company server 20, the facility server 30, the settlement server 40, the supplier server 50, and the management device 100 according to the above-described embodiments are realized by a computer 1000 having a configuration as shown in Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration. The computer 1000 is connected to an output device 1010 and an input device 1020, and a calculation device 1030, a cache 1040, a memory 1050, an output IF (Interface) 1060, an input IF 1070, and a network IF 1080 are connected by a bus 1090.

The arithmetic device 1030 operates based on programs stored in the cache 1040 or memory 1050, or programs read from the input device 1020, and executes various processes. The cache 1040 is a cache such as a RAM that temporarily stores data used by the arithmetic device 1030 for various calculations. The memory 1050 is a storage device in which data used by the arithmetic device 1030 for various calculations and various databases are registered, and is a memory realized by a ROM (Read Only Memory), a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a flash memory, or the like.

The output IF 1060 is an interface for transmitting information to be output to an output device 1010 such as a monitor or printer, which outputs various types of information, and may be realized, for example, by a connector conforming to a standard such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), DVI (Digital Visual Interface), or HDMI (registered trademark) (High Definition Multimedia Interface). On the other hand, the input IF 1070 is an interface for receiving information from various input devices 1020 such as a mouse, keyboard, scanner, etc., and may be realized, for example, by a USB.

For example, the input device 1020 may be realized by a device that reads information from an optical recording medium such as a CD (Compact Disc), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), or a PD (Phase change rewritable Disk), a magneto-optical recording medium such as an MO (Magneto-Optical disk), a tape medium, a magnetic recording medium, or a semiconductor memory. The input device 1020 may also be realized by an external storage medium such as a USB memory.

The network IF 1080 has the function of receiving data from other devices via the network N and sending it to the computing device 1030, and also transmitting data generated by the computing device 1030 to other devices via the network N.

Here, the arithmetic device 1030 controls the output device 1010 and the input device 1020 via the output IF 1060 and the input IF 1070. For example, the arithmetic device 1030 loads a program from the input device 1020 or the memory 1050 onto the cache 1040 and executes the loaded program. For example, when the computer 1000 functions as the management device 100, the arithmetic device 1030 of the computer 1000 realizes the functions of the control unit 130 by executing the program loaded onto the cache 1040.

The above describes the embodiments of the present application in detail with reference to the drawings. However, these are merely examples, and the embodiments of the present application can be implemented in other forms that include various modifications and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, including the forms described in the disclosure of the invention.

N network 1 management system 10 collection device 11 communication unit 12 memory unit 13 input/output unit 14 recycling pre-processing unit 15 control unit 16 receiving unit 17 recycling pre-processing control unit 18 transmission unit 20 collection company server 30 facility server 40 settlement server 50 supplier server 10A carbonization device 100 management device 110 communication unit 120 memory unit 121 facility information storage unit 122 collection device information storage unit 130 control unit 131 acquisition unit 132 management unit 133 calculation unit 134 provision unit 135 setting unit

Claims (19)

an acquisition unit that acquires collection information regarding the collection of used absorbent articles from a predetermined device that is installed in the facility and performs pre-processing for recycling the absorbent articles used by users;
a management unit that manages recycling information related to the used absorbent articles that have been pretreated by the predetermined device and collected as recycling objects based on the collection information; and
a providing unit that provides work information to be used for work on the recycling object based on the recycling information ,
The management unit
The recycling information includes managing information on a treating agent that is supplied to the predetermined device and is used when treating the used absorbent article.
A management device comprising: The management unit
2. The management device according to claim 1, wherein the recycling information is equipment information relating to the predetermined device installed in the facility. The management unit
3. The management device according to claim 1, wherein the recycling information is managed by managing results of processing used absorbent articles in the predetermined device. The management unit
The management device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , characterized in that the management device manages the amount of the used absorbent articles. The management unit
The management device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , characterized in that the number of users of the absorbent articles is managed for each facility. The management unit
The management device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the cost relating to the collection of the used absorbent articles is managed for each facility. The management unit
The management device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , characterized in that it manages inventory information relating to an inventory of absorbent articles used by the user. The providing unit is
The management device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , characterized in that the management device provides the work information based on the characteristics of the used absorbent article. The providing unit is
9. The management device according to claim 1 , further comprising: a collection schedule corresponding to the recycling information, the collection schedule being information on a collection schedule for collecting the items to be recycled. The providing unit is
10. The management device according to claim 1 , further comprising: a supply schedule corresponding to the recycling information, the supply schedule being information regarding a supply schedule of the processing agent to be supplied to the predetermined device. The providing unit is
The management device according to any one of claims 1 to 10 , characterized in that it provides information regarding instructions for reprocessing according to the recycling information, the information being an instruction to the specified device to perform the preprocessing again on the recycling object. The providing unit is
12. The management device according to claim 1 , further comprising: providing information relating to a failure of the specified device to a repairer who repairs the specified device, based on the recycle information. The acquisition unit is
The management device described in any one of claims 1 to 12 , characterized in that the collection information is obtained from the specified device that performs pre-processing for recycling absorbent articles used by users at the facility. The acquisition unit is
The management device according to claim 13 , wherein the collection information is obtained from a collection device that performs a pretreatment for the recycling process on the used absorbent products using a predetermined treatment agent as the predetermined device. The acquisition unit is
The management device according to claim 13 or 14 , wherein the collection information is obtained from a carbonization device that performs a carbonization process on the used absorbent products as the predetermined device. The management device according to any one of claims 1 to 15 , further comprising a calculation unit that calculates a score indicating a degree of contribution to recycling based on the collection information. 1. A computer implemented management method comprising:
an acquisition step of acquiring collection information regarding the collection of used absorbent articles from a predetermined device installed in the facility, the predetermined device performing pre-processing for recycling the used absorbent articles used by users;
a management step of managing recycling information related to the used absorbent articles that have been pre-processed by the predetermined device and have been collected as recycling objects based on the collection information;
and providing work information to be used for work on the recycling object based on the recycling information ,
The management step includes:
The recycling information includes managing information on a treating agent that is supplied to the predetermined device and is used when treating the used absorbent article.
A management method comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring collection information regarding the collection of used absorbent articles from a predetermined device installed in the facility, the predetermined device performing pre-processing for recycling the used absorbent articles used by users;
a management procedure for managing recycling information related to the used absorbent articles that have been pre-processed by the predetermined device and have been collected as recycling objects based on the collection information; and
a provision step of providing, based on the recycling information, work information to be used for work on the recycling object ;
The management procedure includes:
The recycling information includes managing information on a treating agent that is supplied to the predetermined device and is used when treating the used absorbent article.
A management program comprising : A management system having a collection device and a management device,
The recovery device includes:
a recycling pre-treatment section that performs pre-treatment for recycling absorbent articles that have been used by a user;
A recycle pre-treatment control unit that controls the recycle pre-treatment unit;
a transmission unit that transmits collection information regarding the collection of the used absorbent articles, including information regarding the recycled products that have been pretreated with respect to the used absorbent articles, to the management device;
The management device includes:
an acquisition unit that acquires the collection information from the collection device installed in a facility;
a management unit that manages recycling information related to the used absorbent articles that have been pretreated by the recovery device and have been collected as recycling objects based on the collection information; and
a providing unit that provides work information to be used for work on the recycling object based on the recycling information ,
In the management device, the management unit
The recycling information includes information about a treating agent that is supplied to the recovery device and is used when treating the used absorbent articles.
13. A management system comprising:

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