KR20250012359A - Device for storage of reusable container - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a multi-use container storage device. The multi-use container storage device comprises: a body unit; an accommodation unit provided in an inner space of the body unit and capable of accommodating a plurality of multi-use containers; a dispensing unit provided in one area of the body unit and dispensing at least one multi-use container among the plurality of multi-use containers accommodated in the accommodation unit to the outside; and a control unit for controlling the operation of the multi-use container storage device.

Description

{Device for storage of reusable container}

The present invention relates to a device for storing reusable containers.

As environmental pollution caused by the use of plastics and disposable products becomes increasingly serious, the Ministry of Environment has introduced a plan to reduce plastic waste by 50% by 2030 and a policy to ban the provision of disposable cups in indoor stores in accordance with the Resource Recycling Act.

Accordingly, stores are indirectly reducing the use of disposable cups by providing customers with drinks in glasses or mugs, or by placing tumblers in the store to encourage purchases. However, fixed costs such as labor and water costs for washing and managing mugs have increased, and there has been an increase in hygiene complaints from customers due to cases where mugs are not washed properly. In addition, to reduce the use of disposable cups, stores provide services such as discounts for customers who use their own tumblers, but most consumers give up the discounts due to the inconvenience of carrying and washing tumblers.

Meanwhile, although there have been several proposals for devices for storing (accommodating) or recovering (collecting) reusable containers such as beverage cups, most of them are limited to the functions of simply loading and recovering reusable containers, and since they are managed in an analog manner, they are treated as simple separation and collection devices that are difficult to manage systematically and are therefore not actively used in the field.

Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a device for storing and returning reusable containers, which can be actively introduced and used by institutions such as stores that previously handled a lot of disposable cups, and which can improve the convenience of use and recovery, thereby enabling efficient and systematic management of reusable containers.

The technology that serves as the background for the present invention is disclosed in Korean Utility Model Publication No. 20-1999-0033107.

The present invention is intended to solve the problems of the prior art as described above, and to provide a device for storing and returning reusable containers, which can be actively introduced and used by institutions such as stores that handle a lot of disposable cups, and which improves the convenience of use and recovery, thereby enabling efficient and systematic management of reusable containers.

However, the technical problems to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the technical problems described above, and other technical problems may exist.

As a technical means for achieving the above-mentioned technical task, a multi-container storage device according to one embodiment of the present invention may include: a body part; a receiving part provided in an internal space of the body part and capable of receiving a plurality of multi-containers; an ejection part provided in one area of the body part and ejecting at least one multi-container among the plurality of multi-containers received in the receiving part to the outside; and a control part controlling the operation of the multi-container storage device.

In addition, the device for storing multi-containers according to one embodiment of the present invention further includes a monitor section provided in one area of the body section and displaying status information of the device for storing multi-containers, wherein the status information includes rental status information for multi-containers accommodated in the receiving section, and the rental status information may include inventory quantity information of multi-containers accommodated in the receiving section and rental quantity information, which is the quantity of multi-containers dispensed by the dispensing section.

In addition, when the control unit detects that the number of reusable containers desired to be rented by the user has been entered through the monitor unit, the control unit can control the operation of the dispensing unit to dispense reusable containers corresponding to the entered number of reusable containers desired to be rented.

In addition, the control unit may perform a user authentication procedure before the desired rental quantity is input, and when the user completes the user authentication procedure, display a screen for selecting the desired rental quantity on the monitor unit so that the user can input the desired rental quantity.

In addition, if the control unit detects that a reusable container corresponding to the number of refills desired to be rented input by the user has been dispensed from the dispenser after the user authentication procedure is completed, the control unit can record and manage, in the memory unit, user rental information including user information of the user for whom the user authentication procedure is completed and information on the number of refills desired to be rented.

In addition, each of the plurality of reusable containers accommodated in the receiving unit is provided with an identification tag having a unique number of each reusable container recorded thereon, and the dispensing unit further includes an identification tag reader that recognizes the identification tag provided on the reusable container being dispensed to the outside from the receiving space of the receiving unit, and the control unit can record and manage, in a memory unit, information on the identification tag of the reusable container being dispensed recognized by the identification tag reader when the reusable container is dispensed from the dispensing unit.

In addition, the control unit may provide a reward including carbon points to the user terminal when it is detected that a reusable container corresponding to the number of rental requests entered by the user has been dispensed from the dispenser after the user authentication procedure is completed.

In addition, the control unit can transmit status information of the multi-container storage device to a registered administrator terminal through a network.

Meanwhile, a multi-container management system including a multi-container storage device according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a supplier terminal that manufactures and supplies the multi-container storage device; an administrator terminal that purchases at least one multi-container storage device and uploads administrator information including device information of the purchased multi-container storage device to a multi-container management server; and an information management unit that registers and manages the administrator information uploaded from the administrator terminal in an integrated DB, an acquisition unit that acquires status information of each of at least one multi-container storage devices previously registered in the integrated DB, and an integrated control unit that provides at least some of the acquired status information to the administrator terminal.

The above-described problem solving means are merely exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. In addition to the above-described exemplary embodiments, additional embodiments may exist in the drawings and detailed description of the invention.

According to the problem solving means of the present invention described above, by providing a device for storing a reusable container and a device for returning a reusable container, it is possible to enable active introduction and use by institutions such as stores that handle a lot of disposable cups, and to provide the effect of improving the convenience of use and recovery, thereby enabling efficient and systematic management of reusable containers.

However, the effects obtainable from the present invention are not limited to the effects described above, and other effects may exist.

FIG. 1 is a drawing showing a schematic configuration of a multi-use container management system according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 2 and 3 are schematic block diagrams and drawings showing examples of shapes of a multi-container storage device according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 4 and 5 are schematic block diagrams and drawings showing examples of shapes of a multi-use container return device according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a drawing for explaining a loading induction member included in a multi-use container return device (50) according to one embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 7 is a flow chart of an operation for a multi-use container management method according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, with reference to the attached drawings, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail so that those skilled in the art can easily practice the present invention. However, the present invention may be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. In addition, in order to clearly describe the present invention in the drawings, parts that are not related to the description are omitted, and similar parts are assigned similar drawing reference numerals throughout the specification.

Throughout the specification of the present invention, when a part is said to be "connected" to another part, this includes not only cases where it is "directly connected," but also cases where it is "electrically connected" or "indirectly connected" with another element in between.

Throughout the specification of the present invention, when it is said that a member is located “on,” “above,” “upper,” “below,” “lower,” or “below” another member, this includes not only cases where a member is in contact with another member, but also cases where another member exists between the two members.

Throughout the specification of the present invention, whenever a part is said to "include" a certain component, this does not exclude other components, but rather may include other components, unless otherwise specifically stated.

Throughout the specification of the present invention, some of the operations or functions described as being performed by a terminal, apparatus or device may instead be performed by a server connected to the terminal, apparatus or device. Similarly, some of the operations or functions described as being performed by a server may also be performed by a terminal, apparatus or device connected to the server.

Throughout the specification of the present invention, the term 'at least one' can be defined as a term including the singular and the plural, and it will be clear that even if the term 'at least one' does not exist, each component can exist in the singular or the plural, and can mean the singular or the plural. In addition, whether each component is provided in the singular or the plural may be changed depending on the embodiment.

FIG. 1 is a drawing showing a schematic configuration of a multi-container management system (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are drawings showing a schematic block diagram and an example of a shape of a multi-container storage device (40) according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are drawings showing a schematic block diagram and an example of a shape of a multi-container return device (50) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, a multi-container management system (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention will be referred to as the present system (100), a multi-container storage device (40) according to one embodiment of the present invention will be referred to as the present storage device (40), and a multi-container return device (50) according to one embodiment of the present invention will be referred to as the present return device (50).

In addition, in explaining the storage device (40) and the return device (50) below, for example, the 2 o'clock-8 o'clock direction is referred to as the left-right direction, the 4 o'clock-10 o'clock direction is referred to as the front-back direction, and the 12 o'clock-6 o'clock direction is referred to as the up-down direction based on the drawings of FIGS. 3 and 5. However, such direction settings are only examples to help understanding of the present invention, and are not limited thereto.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, the system (100) may include a multi-container management server (10), a supplier terminal (31), an administrator terminal (33), a user terminal (35), a multi-container storage device (40), a multi-container return device (50), and a multi-container (60). Here, the multi-container management server (10) is a multi-container management server (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention, and for convenience of explanation, it will be referred to as the server (10) hereinafter.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the system (100) includes, as an example, one each of a multi-container storage device (40), a multi-container return device (50), a multi-container (60), an administrator terminal (33), and a user terminal (35). However, this is merely an example to help understand the present invention and is not limited thereto, and each of the above-described components may be provided in the system (100) in at least one or more (i.e., multiple) units. Accordingly, the content described for each of the above-described components may be equally applied to the description of each of the at least one or more (i.e., multiple) components, even if the content is omitted below. For example, the system (100) may include a plurality of main storage devices, and the content described for the main storage device (40) in FIG. 1 may be equally applied to the description of each of the multiple main storage devices.

This server (10) may mean an integrated management device or integrated management server that comprehensively manages this system (100). In particular, this server (10) may be a device or server that comprehensively manages at least one main storage device (40), at least one main return device (50), at least one reusable container (60), etc. considered in this system (100).

This server (10) can provide a web page, app page, program or application related to multi-use container management (or multi-use container management service) to a terminal possessed by a user using this server (10). At this time, the program or application related to multi-use container management provided by this server (10) may be referred to as this program or this application hereinafter, for example. In addition, this server (10) can provide a multi-use container management service, which may be referred to as this service. A user using this server (10) can use this service by installing, or without installing, this program or this application on a terminal possessed by the user.

Users (users) using this server (10) may include suppliers (32), administrators (34), and users (36).

The supplier terminal (31) may refer to a terminal possessed by the supplier (32). The supplier terminal (31) may be a terminal possessed by the supplier (32) who manufactures and supplies a multi-use container storage device (40, this storage device). In addition, the supplier terminal (31) may be a terminal possessed by the supplier (32) who manufactures and supplies a multi-use container return device (50, this return device). In particular, the supplier terminal (31) may be a terminal possessed by the supplier (32) who manufactures and supplies (for example, sells and provides) at least one main storage device (40) and at least one main return device (50). In addition, the supplier (32) may be, for example, a server administrator who manages the main server (10). The supplier (32) may directly manufacture and supply the two devices (40, 50) including the main storage device (40) and the main return device (50), or may request an external manufacturer to manufacture the two devices (40, 50) and then supply them by receiving them from the external manufacturer.

The administrator terminal (33) may refer to a terminal possessed by an administrator (34). The administrator terminal (33) may be a terminal possessed by an administrator (34) who purchases at least one multi-container storage device among the storage devices (40) provided by the supplier terminal (31) and uploads administrator information including device information of the purchased multi-container storage device to a multi-container management server (10, this server).

That is, the manager (34) may be a user who purchases and uses at least one main storage device (40) from the supplier (32). The manager (34) may mean, for example, a user belonging to an institution such as a store that uses a lot of disposable products such as disposable cups and disposable containers (i.e., handles disposable products), a user belonging to an institution such as a store that participates in reducing the use of disposable products, etc. Here, the institution such as a store may include, for example, a store that sells beverages such as coffee, a store that sells or delivers food such as soup or stew, a government office that uses disposable cups, etc., a bank, etc., and the like, but is not limited thereto, and may include various institutions (stores) that use disposable cups or disposable containers, etc.

The administrator terminal (33) can upload administrator information including device information of the purchased storage device (40) to the server (10) after purchasing at least one storage device (40) and register it in the integrated DB (12). Here, the device information of the storage device (40) can include storage device identification information of the storage device (40) and installation location information (location/address information of the installation location) where the storage device (40) is installed (placed). In addition, the administrator information can include the name of the organization to which the administrator (34) belongs, the mobile phone number of the administrator terminal (33) possessed by the administrator (34), the name of the administrator (34), etc.

In addition, similarly, the administrator terminal (33) may be a terminal possessed by an administrator (34) who purchases at least one multi-container return device among the return devices (50) provided by the supplier terminal (31) and uploads administrator information including device information of the purchased multi-container return device to the multi-container management server (10, this server).

The administrator (34) may be a user who purchases and uses at least one original return device (50) from the supplier (32). After purchasing at least one original return device (50), the administrator terminal (33) may upload administrator information including device information of the purchased original return device (50) to the server (10) and register it in the integrated DB (12). Here, the device information of the original return device (50) may include return device identification information of the original return device (50) and installation location information (location/address information of the installation location) where the original return device (50) is installed (deployed). In addition, the administrator information may include the name of the organization to which the administrator (34) belongs, the mobile phone number of the administrator terminal (33) possessed by the administrator (34), the name of the administrator (34), etc.

According to this, the manager (34) may mean a user who purchases at least one of two types of devices (40, 50) and performs storage management and return management for reusable containers using the two purchased devices (40, 50) (in particular, inventory management, rental/return/collection management, etc. for reusable containers accommodated in each of the two devices (40, 50)), and a user belonging to an institution that provides services to users (36) using reusable containers.

The user terminal (35) may refer to a terminal possessed by a user (36). The user (36) may be a user who uses a reusable container provided from at least one main storage device (40). In addition, the user (36) may be a user who returns the reusable container provided from the main storage device (40) to at least one main return device (50) after using it. The user (36) is a user who uses a service provided by the manager (34), and may be a general user, and may be anyone, regardless of age or gender.

The user (36) may be a user who receives a reward including carbon points from the server (10) or the storage device (40) by using the reusable container provided from the storage device (40). In addition, the user (36) may be a user who receives a reward including carbon points from the server (10) or the return device (50) by returning the reusable container that has been used to the return device (50). In the present invention, for the convenience of explanation, it is exemplified that the user receives carbon points as a reward, but it is not limited thereto, and various types of rewards (compensation) such as cash, points available on the platform where the service is provided (i.e., platform money), gifts, cashback points, and bitcoins may be considered as rewards. In the following description of the present invention, carbon points may mean any one type of reward among multiple types of rewards that are considered in the present invention and can be provided to the user, and the description of carbon points may be equally applied to the description of rewards.

The server (10) can provide carbon points to a user terminal (35) according to the amount of use (number of uses) of the reusable container to a user (36) who uses the reusable container (particularly, use upon receipt or return) through the storage device (40) or the return device (50). A carbon point system is currently in operation, and the carbon point system may refer to a system that encourages the reduction of greenhouse gases (carbon) in order to respond to the climate crisis. The server (10) can provide carbon points (rewards) to a user (36) who uses the reusable container through the two devices (40, 50).

The user (36) may use the carbon points (rewards) provided by the server (10) in various ways according to the user's interests. For example, the user (36) may use the carbon points provided in various ways, such as making donations, paying local taxes, purchasing eco-friendly products, converting them into card points, or using them to pay apartment management fees.

In addition, in explaining the present invention, some of the contents described for the storage device (40) or the return device (50), for example, may be equally applied to the explanation of the server (10) as needed, or vice versa. In other words, some of the functions of the storage device (40) or the return device (50) may be performed in the server (10), and some of the functions of the server (10) may be performed in both devices (40, 50).

The supplier terminal (31), administrator terminal (33), and user terminal (35) are all terminals possessed by users using this server (10), and may be collectively referred to as terminals hereinafter.

In the present invention, the terminals (i.e., the provider terminal (31), the administrator terminal (33), and the user terminal (35) respectively) may include, but are not limited to, all types of wired and wireless communication devices, such as, for example, a PCS (Personal Communication System), a GSM (Global System for Mobile communication), a PDC (Personal Digital Cellular), a PHS (Personal Handyphone System), a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), an IMT (International Mobile Telecommunication)-2000, a CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access)-2000, a W-CDMA (WCode Division Multiple Access), a Wibro (Wireless Broadband Internet) terminal, a smartphone, a SmartPad, a tablet PC, a laptop, a wearable device, a desktop PC, and the like.

In addition, the server (10) can be linked to each of the components within the system (100) (i.e., each of the supplier terminal (31), the administrator terminal (33), the user terminal (35), the storage device (40), the return device (50), and the reusable container (60)) through a network (20) to transmit and receive data.

Here, the network (20) may include, but is not limited to, a 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) network, an LTE (Long Term Evolution) network, a WIMAX (World Interoperability for Microwave Access) network, the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), a Wireless LAN (Wireless Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), a PAN (Personal Area Network), a Bluetooth network, an NFC (Near Field Communication) network, a satellite broadcasting network, an analog broadcasting network, a DMB (Digital Multimedia Broadcasting) network, etc., and may include various wired/wireless communication networks.

In addition, each of the storage device (40) and the return device (50) may be linked to, for example, a reusable container (60) via wireless communication to transmit and receive data. Here, the wireless communication may be, for example, RF (Radio Frequency) communication, NFC (Near Field Communication) communication, Bluetooth communication, Beacon communication, etc., but is not limited thereto. In addition, each of the storage device (40) and the return device (50) may provide various data (for example, status information, etc.) generated in each device to the administrator terminal (33) or the server (10) via the network (20).

The server (10) may be a device or server that can be implemented in the form of a program or application (app, app) installed on a terminal, for example. In other words, the method for managing a multi-use container provided through the server (10) may be implemented in the form of a program or application and provided to users (32, 34, 36) through a terminal. At this time, the method for managing a multi-use container provided through the server (10) may include, for example, a method for controlling a multi-use container storage device (40) and a method for controlling a multi-use container return device (50).

Accordingly, the manager (34) can remotely control and manage the storage device (40) and return device (50) he or she purchased through the program or app by installing the program or app on the manager terminal (33), for example.

This server (10) can enable a supplier (32) to manage the production and supply (sale, provision) of two types of devices (40, 50) through the provision of this program or this app, can enable an administrator (34) to manage two types of devices (40, 50) purchased by the administrator (34), and can enable a user (36) to receive and use carbon points.

After purchasing the storage device (40), the manager (34) can install (place) the storage device (40) in a location desired for use so that users (36) can use it.

A storage device (40, this storage device) for a reusable container stores (accommodates) at least one reusable container (60), and may be a device provided to provide the user (36) with as many reusable containers as the user (36) requests to rent when the user (36) requests to rent a reusable container. At least one reusable container (60) stored (accommodated) in this storage device (40) may be a new reusable container that has been cleaned, and may be supplied and stored by a manager (34) or a supplier (32). This storage device (40) may be referred to in other ways as a reusable container dispenser, etc.

In addition, after purchasing the return device (50), the manager (34) can install (place) the return device (50) at a location desired for use so that users (36) can use it.

A device for returning a reusable container (50, the return device) may be a device that stores (accommodates) at least one reusable container (60), and, for example, when a user (36) requests to return a reusable container, obtains (provides) from the user (36) as many reusable containers as the user (36) wishes to return, and stores (accommodates) them in a receiving member (53). At least one reusable container (60) stored (accommodated) in the return device (50) may be a used (used) reusable container that has been used by the user (36).

For example, when the integrated control unit (14) in the server (10) detects that a washing request has been made from the administrator terminal (33), the integrated control unit (14) in the server (10) can provide a washing service in which, in response to the washing request, at least one reusable container (i.e., a used reusable container) accommodated in the return device (50) corresponding to the washing request is collected, the collected reusable container is washed in a prepared washing area, and then the collected reusable container is provided to the administrator (34).

The reusable container (60) included in the present system (100) may refer to a container that is not a container that is used once and thrown away, but a container that can be used multiple times (twice or more) through a washing process. Such reusable containers (60) may include containers of various uses (shapes) such as cups, rice bowls, soup bowls, and plates. In the present invention, the reusable container (60) is exemplified as a cup, but is not limited thereto, and the uses, shapes, etc. of the reusable container (60) applied to the present invention may be applied and changed in various ways. The reusable container (60) considered in the present invention may also be referred to as an E-cup, a reusable cup, a reusable container, an eco-cup (ECO cup), etc., for example.

The server (10) may include a manufacturing unit (not shown) that manufactures and supplies (provides) at least one reusable container (60), for example. The manufacturing unit (not shown) may manufacture and supply not only at least one reusable container (60), but also at least one main storage device (40) and at least one main return device (50). In addition, as an example, a supplier terminal (31) may manufacture and supply a reusable container (60), a main storage device (40), and a main return device (50).

A reusable container (60) manufactured and supplied by the server (10) or the supplier terminal (31) may be provided with an identification tag (61) having a unique number (unique identification number) of the reusable container (60) recorded therein. That is, the reusable container (60) may include an identification tag (61) provided in one area of the reusable container (60). The unique number of the reusable container (60) may be recorded (stored) in the identification tag (61). The server (10) or the supplier terminal (31) may manufacture and supply a plurality of reusable containers (60), and at this time, an identification tag having a unique number of each reusable container (60) recorded therein may be provided for each of the plurality of reusable containers (60). That is, in the present invention, the reusable container (60) and the identification tag (61) may be provided to correspond 1:1 to each other.

When the identification tag (61) is recognized by the identification tag reader (47) in the storage device (40), the identification tag (61) can transmit the unique number of the reusable container (60) recorded in the storage device (40) to the storage device (40) via wireless communication in response.

When a reusable container (60) accommodated in a receiving portion (42) is taken out, the storage device (40) recognizes the identification tag (61) of the reusable container (60) being taken out using the identification tag reader portion (47), and records and manages the unique number of the taken out reusable container (60) obtained through the tag recognition in the memory portion (46). Through this, it is possible to identify, track, and manage information such as the take-out history of the taken out reusable container (60), the use (rental) history of the reusable container (60) by the user (36), and the inventory status of the reusable container in the storage device (40).

In addition, when the identification tag (61) is recognized by the identification tag reader (57) in the return device (50), the identification tag (61) can transmit the unique number of the reusable container (60) recorded in the return device (50) to the return device (50) via wireless communication in response.

For example, when a user (36) attempts to return a used reusable container (60) into the return device (50), the identification tag (61) of the reusable container (60) that the user (36) intends to return is recognized by the identification tag reader (57) and then the user (36) can return the reusable container (60) by inserting it into the insertion port (52) through the opening and closing control of the insertion port (52). At this time, the return device (50) records and manages the unique number of the inserted multi-use container (i.e., the multi-use container inserted into the insertion slot member (52) for return) obtained through tag recognition in the identification tag reader member (57) in the memory member (56), thereby enabling the identification, tracking, and management of information such as the insertion history of the multi-use container (60) inserted into the insertion slot member (52) for return, the return history of the multi-use container (60) of the user (36), and the inventory status of the returned multi-use container, such as the number of multi-use containers accommodated in the return device (50) (i.e., the number of returned multi-use containers).

The identification tag reader unit (47) and the identification tag reader member (57) may refer to an identification tag reader. The identification tag (61) may be linked to the identification tag reader via wireless communication to transmit and receive data. The identification tag (61) may be provided in the form of at least one of a QR code, a barcode, an RFID tag, an NFC tag, an RFID token, and a UHF (microwave) chip. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various forms of tags capable of transmitting and receiving data via wireless communication may be applied. Here, the RFID token may refer to a medium in the form of a card, tag, or chip, for example, such as a transportation card, which may be provided in the form of a card, etc., and which may be used by charging money therefor.

In addition, when the manufacturing unit (not shown) or the supplier terminal (31) manufactures and supplies at least one reusable container (60) including an identification tag (61), the identification tag (61) provided in the form of a sticker may be attached to an outer surface area of the reusable container (60), or the identification tag (61) may be engraved on an outer surface area of the reusable container (60) by laser or printing, thereby manufacturing the reusable container (60) including the identification tag (61). That is, the identification tag (61) inside the reusable container (60) may be provided on the reusable container (60) by means of a sticker, engraving by laser or printing, etc., but is not limited thereto, and various methods may be applied.

In addition, the manufacturing department (not shown) or the supplier terminal (31) may, after manufacturing the multi-use container (60) and before supplying the manufactured multi-use container (60), register the unique number of each manufactured multi-use container (i.e., the unique number of the multi-use container recorded on the identification tag as information on the identification tag provided for each of the manufactured multi-use containers) in the integrated DB (12) and then supply the multi-use container. According to this, the unique number (or information on the identification tag) of each multi-use container manufactured by the manufacturing department (not shown) or the supplier terminal (31) may be registered (stored) in the integrated DB (12), and the multi-use container corresponding to each unique number of each multi-use container registered (stored) in the integrated DB (12) may be referred to differently as a certified multi-use container that has been certified as having been manufactured by the server (10) or the manufacturing department (not shown). A more specific description of the system (100) is as follows.

This server (10) may include an information management unit (11), an integrated DB (12), an acquisition unit (13), and an integrated control unit (14).

The information management unit (11) can register and manage administrator information uploaded from the administrator terminal (33) in the integrated DB (12). Here, the administrator information may include, as mentioned above, the device information of the storage device (40) and the device information of the return device (50). That is, the administrator information may include, for example, the device information of the storage device (40), the device information of the return device (50), the name of the institution to which the administrator (34) belongs, the mobile phone number of the administrator terminal (33) possessed by the administrator (34), the name of the administrator (34), etc.

The acquisition unit (13) can acquire status information of each of at least one multi-container storage devices (40) pre-registered in the integrated DB (12), and store and manage the acquired status information in the integrated DB (12). In addition, the acquisition unit (13) can acquire status information of each of at least one multi-container return devices (50) pre-registered in the integrated DB (12), and store and manage the acquired status information in the integrated DB (12).

For example, after the administrator information of the administrator (34) is registered in the integrated DB (12), the acquisition unit (13) can acquire status information of each device from at least one main storage device or main return device (i.e., a main storage device or main return device purchased by the administrator and registered in the main server (10)) included in the registered administrator information, and store and manage the acquired status information of each device in the integrated DB (12) by linking it with the administrator information.

The integrated control unit (14) can provide at least some of the status information acquired from the acquisition unit (13) to the administrator terminal (33). At this time, at least some of the status information provided to the administrator terminal (33) may mean at least some of the status information of each device acquired from at least one of the main storage devices or main return devices included in the administrator information that the administrator (34) has registered in the integrated DB (12). In other words, the integrated control unit (14) can provide at least some of the status information for each of the main storage devices or main return devices (i.e., devices managed by the administrator (34)) registered by the administrator (34) to the administrator terminal (33), thereby enabling the administrator (34) to remotely check and control the status information for each of the devices that he or she manages through the administrator terminal (33). Here, the status information of the main storage device (40) may include rental status information for the multi-use container accommodated in the accommodation unit (42) in the main storage device (40). In addition, the status information of the return device (50) may include return status information for a multi-use container accommodated in a receiving member (53) within the return device (50). A more detailed description of this will be described later.

Hereinafter, the storage device (40) will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the storage device (40) may include a body portion (41), a receiving portion (42), a dispensing portion (43), a control portion (44), a monitor portion (45), a memory portion (46), and an identification tag reader portion (47). As mentioned above, the storage device (40) may be referred to differently, for example, as a multi-use container dispenser.

The body part (41) refers to the outer housing of the storage device (40), and may be provided in the shape of, for example, a square pillar, but is not limited thereto, and may be provided in various shapes (shapes). The material of the body part (41) may be provided in a material such as plastic or iron, but is not limited thereto, and may be provided in various materials. The body part (41) may be provided to have an internal space.

The receiving portion (42) is provided in the internal space of the body portion (41) and can accommodate a plurality of reusable containers (60). That is, the receiving portion (42) can be provided in the internal space of the body portion (41) so as to have a receiving space for accommodating a plurality of reusable containers (60). Each of the plurality of reusable containers (60) accommodated in the receiving space of the receiving portion (42) can be a new reusable container (a washed reusable container) that has been cleaned as described above.

One side member (for example, the front member, which is the front side member) of the body part (41) may be provided to be openable, for example. For example, the administrator (34) may purchase the storage device (40) and at least one reusable container (60) from the server (10) by accessing the app or the program through the administrator terminal (33), and may open the front member of the body part (41) to accommodate (introduce, store, load) at least one reusable container (60) purchased in the accommodation space of the accommodation part (42).

The discharge unit (43) is provided in one area of the body (41) and is connected (linked) with the receiving unit (42) to discharge at least one multi-use container (60) among multiple multi-use containers (60) received in the receiving unit (42) to the outside. When discharging the multi-use containers, the discharge unit (43) can discharge the multi-use containers one at a time, for example, but is not limited thereto, and can discharge a number (for example, 2, 3, etc.) set by the manager (34) at a time.

That is, the manager (34) can pre-register the maximum number of reusable containers that can be dispensed at one time (i.e., the maximum number of dispensed at one time) in relation to the storage device (40) through the manager terminal (33) in the storage device (40). At this time, the maximum value of the maximum number of dispensed at one time that the manager (34) can input may be, for example, 5, and this maximum value may be a value preset by the supplier (32).

For example, when the maximum number of refills per time is pre-registered as 5 in the administrator terminal (33), if it is detected that a user (36) has requested to rent 7 reusable containers, the refill unit (43) may, in response to a control signal from the control unit (44), refill 5 reusable containers at once for the first time, for example, and then, when the user (36) withdraws the 5 reusable containers located in the refill unit (43), if it is determined that no reusable containers exist in the refill unit (43), 2 reusable containers may be refilled at once for the second time. At this time, the determination of whether or not there is a reusable container (at least one reusable container) in the refill unit (43) may be made by analyzing a sensing value using, for example, a camera sensor or a weight detection sensor provided in one area of the refill unit (43).

In other words, the control unit (44) controls the dispensing unit (43) to dispense reusable containers at once as many as the maximum number of reusable containers ... It can be controlled to dispense as many reusable containers as possible at once.

In this way, the control unit (44) can repeat the processes of i) to iv) described above, considering the number of reusable containers desired to be rented and the maximum number of reusable containers to be dispensed at a time, until all of the reusable containers are dispensed to the outside, considering the number of reusable containers desired to be rented and the maximum number of reusable containers to be dispensed at a time. That is, the control unit (44) controls the number of reusable containers desired to be rented to the outside, considering the number of reusable containers desired to be rented and the maximum number of reusable containers to be dispensed at a time, and through this, when the user (36) wants to rent a large number of reusable containers, the reusable containers can be rented more quickly and conveniently than when they are rented one at a time.

The dispensing unit (43) can discharge at least one of the reusable containers accommodated in the receiving space of the receiving unit (42) to the outside. At this time, if the number of reusable containers desired to be rented is input by the user (36) through the monitor unit (45), the dispensing unit (43) can discharge the number of reusable containers corresponding to the number of reusable containers desired to be rented by the user (36). In other words, the dispensing unit (43) can discharge the number of reusable containers desired to be rented by the user (36) to the outside.

The control unit (44) may be built into the body unit (41). The control unit (44) may control the operation of the storage device (40), and in particular, may control the operation of each unit within the storage device (40). In addition, the control unit (44) may control the operation of the storage device (40) according to a control signal from the administrator terminal (33). In addition, the control unit (44) may also control the operation of the storage device (40) according to a control signal from the integrated control unit (14) within the server (10).

The monitor unit (45) is provided in one area of the body unit (41) and can display status information of the multi-use container storage device (40, this storage device) on the screen. The monitor unit (45) may be, for example, an LCD monitor, but is not limited thereto, and may be a member capable of displaying data (information). The monitor unit (45) may be provided in one area of the body unit (41), and for example, may be provided in one area on the front side of the body unit (41).

Here, the status information of the storage device (40) may include rental status information for the multi-use containers accommodated in the receiving unit (42). At this time, the rental status information may include inventory quantity information of the multi-use containers accommodated in the receiving unit (42) and rental quantity information, which is the quantity of multi-use containers dispensed by the dispensing unit (43).

Here, the inventory quantity information refers to information on the quantity (number) of reusable containers accommodated (remaining) in the receiving unit (42), and may be referred to differently by terms such as available number, remaining number, etc.

The rental quantity information may include at least one of the following information: i) first information, which is information about the number of multi-use containers issued thereafter (the total number of issued multi-use containers, for example, the total number of multi-use containers issued per day) based on the time at which the manager (34) inserted (loaded) the multi-use containers into the receiving unit (42); ii) second information, which is information about the rental quantity of multi-use containers per user (i.e., information about how many multi-use containers each user rented) in the case where a user (36) rents a multi-use container after user authentication, and iii) third information, which is information about the rental quantity of multi-use containers per department in the case where a user (36) rents a multi-use container after user authentication, but the user information of the user (36) who has been authenticated is pre-registered in the memory unit (46) and the user information includes information about the department to which the user (36) belongs.

For example, the control unit (44) can derive the rental quantity information described above by considering (counting) the number of reusable containers withdrawn from the storage device (40). Accordingly, the monitor unit (45) can display the rental quantity information derived from the control unit (44) on the screen.

In addition, the rental status information may include the entry/exit status information for the multi-use containers being entered/exited into the storage device (40) (in particular, the status information regarding the number of multi-use containers being inserted into the receiving unit (42) and the status information regarding the number of multi-use containers being issued through the issuing unit (43) due to the rental of the multi-use containers). For example, the control unit (44) may record (store) and manage the rental status information in the memory unit (46) whenever a rental event (for example, an event in which a user (36) requests a rental of a multi-use container) occurs in the storage device (40) and at least one multi-use container is issued through the issuing unit (43) in response to the rental event that has occurred.

In addition, the status information of the storage device (40) may include various information related to the storage device (40), such as rental status information as well as remaining battery level information of the storage device (40).

In addition, if the control unit (44) detects that the desired rental number, which is the number of reusable containers that the user (36) wishes to rent, has been input through the monitor unit (45), the control unit (44) can control the operation of the dispensing unit (43) to dispense reusable containers corresponding to the input desired rental number. At this time, before the desired rental number is input by the user (36), the control unit (44) can perform a user authentication procedure for the user (36) who wishes to rent a reusable container (60) from the storage device (40), and if the user (36) completes the user authentication procedure through the user authentication procedure, display a screen for selecting the desired rental number on the monitor unit (45) so that the user can input the desired rental number through the desired rental number selection screen.

Accordingly, the control unit (44) may enable the rental of at least one reusable container (60) from the storage device (40) when, for example, the user (36) completes the user authentication procedure. However, this is only an example to help understand the present invention and is not limited thereto. In another example, the control unit (44) may enable the rental of at least one reusable container (60) from the storage device (40) without the user (36) completing the user authentication procedure. That is, the setting of whether or not to perform the user authentication procedure in the storage device (40) may be selectively performed by the administrator (34) or the supplier (32).

At this time, the user authentication procedure is a procedure for authenticating the user (36), and may include, for example, a first procedure for entering (entering number) the mobile phone number of the user terminal (35) possessed by the user (36) into the monitor unit (45), or a second procedure for recognizing the user terminal (35) to the identification tag reader unit (47), thereby allowing the identification tag reader unit (47) to obtain identification information (for example, mobile phone number) of the user terminal (35) through NFC communication.

If the control unit (44) detects that a reusable container corresponding to the desired number of rentals entered by the user (36) has been taken out from the dispenser (43) after the user authentication procedure is completed, the control unit (44) can record and manage user rental information including user information of the user (36) for whom the user authentication procedure is completed and information on the desired number of rentals (in particular, information on the number of reusable containers taken out from the dispenser (43) as the user rents them) in the memory unit (46). Here, the user information of the user (36) can include at least one of the user's name, mobile phone number, and department name information to which the user (36) belongs. The user rental information can mean rental history information in which the user (36) has rented at least one reusable container through the storage device (40).

In addition, each of the plurality of reusable containers (60) accommodated in the receiving portion (42) may be provided with an identification tag (61) having a unique number of each reusable container recorded thereon. The dispensing portion (43) may include an identification tag reader portion (47) that recognizes (tag recognition) an identification tag provided on a reusable container that is discharged from the internal space of the receiving portion (42) to the outside.

That is, the dispensing unit (43) may include an identification tag reader unit (47), and the identification tag reader unit (47) is located in the receiving space of the receiving unit (42) and recognizes (tag recognition) the identification tag of each multi-use container discharged to the outside through the dispensing unit (43), thereby obtaining a unique number for each multi-use container discharged to the outside.

The control unit (44) can record and manage, in the memory unit (46), the information of the identification tag of the issued multi-use container recognized by the identification tag reader unit (47) when the multi-use container is issued from the issuing unit (43) (i.e., the unique number of the issued multi-use container). In particular, the control unit (44) can include the information of the identification tag of the recognized multi-use container in the user rental information and record and manage them in the memory unit (46) by linking them.

Accordingly, if the control unit (44) detects that a reusable container corresponding to the desired rental number previously entered by the user (36) has been withdrawn from the withdrawal unit (43) after the user authentication procedure for the user (36) is completed, the control unit (44) can link the user information, the information on the desired rental number, and the information on the identification tag of each reusable container withdrawn from the withdrawal unit (43) corresponding to the desired rental number (i.e., the unique number of each reusable container withdrawn) to each other as user rental information and record and manage it in the memory unit (46). That is, the user rental information recorded (stored) in the memory unit (46) may be information in which [user information - information on the desired rental number - information on the identification tag of each reusable container rented] are linked to each other. In addition, the user rental information may further include information on the rental date on which the reusable container was rented, information on the device of the storage device (40) where the rental was made, etc.

In this way, the control unit (44) can, by recording the user rental information in the memory unit (46), derive rental quantity information (i.e., information on the total number of issued reusable containers, rental quantity information for each user, rental quantity information for each department, etc.) related to the storage device (40) through analysis of the user rental information for multiple users recorded in the memory unit (46), for example. The control unit (44) can, by analyzing the user rental information and the status information of the storage device (40), data-ize rental quantity information for each user or rental quantity information for each department, record (store) and manage it in the memory unit (46).

The control unit (44) can derive inventory quantity information based on the rental quantity information derived as an example, and can derive status information of the storage device (40) including rental status information as a result. The control unit (44) can control the derived status information of the storage device (40) to be displayed on the monitor unit (45), provide it to the administrator terminal (33) so that the administrator (34) can check it, or provide it to the server (10) so that the administrator (34) can check it through the server (10).

For example, the manager (34) can register the manager's mobile phone number in advance in the memory unit (46) of the storage device (40) after purchasing the storage device (40). The control unit (44) can record and manage various information generated in the storage device (40) in real time in the memory unit (46) (for example, various information related to the storage device (40), such as status information of the storage device (40), etc.), and can also provide information related to the storage device (40) recorded in the memory unit (46) to the manager terminal (33) in real time through the network (20).

That is, the control unit (44) can transmit (provide) status information of the storage device (40) to an administrator terminal (33) registered in the storage device (40) via the network (20), and through this, the administrator (34) can check status information on the storage device (40) that he or she has purchased and managed in real time, regardless of location and time, through the administrator terminal (33) that he or she possesses.

In addition, if the control unit (44) detects that a multi-use container corresponding to the number of reusable containers desired to be rented input by the user (36) after the user authentication procedure is completed for the user (36) who wishes to rent at least one reusable container from the storage device (40) has been dispensed from the dispenser (43), carbon points can be provided to the user terminal (35). At this time, if the control unit (44) detects that a multi-use container corresponding to the number of reusable containers desired to be rented has been dispensed from the dispenser (43) after the user authentication procedure is completed, the control unit (44) recognizes (judges) that the multi-use container dispensed from the dispenser (43) is a reusable container rented by the user (36), and then differentially provides a reward including carbon points to the user terminal (35) in proportion to the number of reusable containers desired to be rented. Here, as mentioned above, the reward may include various types of rewards such as not only carbon points but also cash and bitcoin. For example, the control unit (44) can provide 100 carbon points for each reusable container rented, and 500 carbon points when the user (36) rents five reusable containers. As mentioned above, the carbon points can be used for donations, local tax payments, purchases of eco-friendly products, conversion to card points, apartment management fees, etc.

This storage device (40) may be referred to by other terms such as a multi-container dispenser, a multi-container rental device, a multi-container rental box, a pre-use multi-container storage box, etc. The options, specifications, and shapes of this storage device (40) may be variously set and changed by, for example, a supplier (32) that manufactures and provides this storage device (40).

In addition, although not shown in the drawing, the storage device (40) may include a sterilizing unit (not shown) provided in one area of the internal space of the body part (41). The sterilizing unit (not shown) may perform sterilization treatment on at least one reusable container (60) accommodated in the accommodation space of the accommodation part (42).

The sterilization unit (not shown) may include a lamp unit (not shown) that irradiates ultraviolet rays to at least one reusable container (60) accommodated in the accommodation space of the accommodation unit (42), for example, for sterilization treatment. At this time, the ultraviolet rays irradiated by the lamp unit (not shown) are ultraviolet rays with a sterilizing effect, and may be ultraviolet rays corresponding to UV-C having a wavelength range of 100 to 280 nm, for example.

The control unit (44) controls the sterilization unit (not shown) to be turned ON during the sterilization operation time (for example, 9 hours) registered by the manager (34), so that ultraviolet rays are irradiated to at least one reusable container (60) accommodated in the receiving space, and automatically turns the sterilization unit OFF when the registered sterilization operation time has elapsed (i.e., when 9 hours or more have elapsed). The control unit (44) controls the sterilization unit to be turned ON all the time when the sterilization operation time registered by the manager (34) does not exist, or controls the sterilization unit to be turned ON in response to a request for ON control of the sterilization unit from the manager (34).

As described above, the monitor unit (45) in the storage device (40) may be an LCD monitor, for example, and may display inventory quantity information (i.e., information on the number of reusable containers currently available, i.e., current inventory quantity information) on the screen.

At this time, the monitor unit (45) may, for example, display inventory quantity information on the screen as a number (quantity) in relation to the rental status information, but is not limited thereto, and may also display inventory quantity information on the screen as percentage (%) information. At this time, the percentage information of the inventory quantity information may mean information indicating the ratio of the current number of multi-use containers accommodated in the current accommodation space (i.e., the number of new multi-use containers accommodated in the accommodation space) to the maximum number of multi-use containers that can be accommodated in the accommodation space of the accommodation unit (42) as a percentage. For example, if the maximum number of multi-use containers accommodated is 100 and the current number of multi-use containers accommodated is 60, the monitor unit (45) may display the inventory quantity information of multi-use containers accommodated in the accommodation space of the accommodation unit (42) as 60 and/or as 60%.

In addition, as an example, if the control unit (44) determines that the stock quantity information of the reusable containers accommodated in the receiving space of the receiving unit (42) is less than or equal to a preset threshold percentage (e.g., 20), the control unit (44) may control the manager (34) to supply (replenish) new reusable containers to the receiving space of the receiving unit (42) by transmitting a container replenishment notification message to the manager terminal (33). Here, the container replenishment notification message may mean a notification message requesting the addition of new reusable containers because there are only a few new reusable containers left in the receiving space of the receiving unit (42), and may be, for example, as follows: 'There are only 20 new reusable containers left. Please replenish them.'

In addition, the monitor unit (45) can display a screen for selecting the number of reusable containers that the user wishes to rent on the screen of the monitor unit (45) when it detects that the user authentication procedure has been performed (completed) for the user (36), thereby allowing the user to select (input) the number of reusable containers that the user wishes to rent. In addition, the monitor unit (45) can display information on the operating status of the sterilization unit (not shown), and can display information on the operating status of the sterilization unit as, for example, 'sterilization in operation' or 'sterilization not in operation'. At this time, the operating time of the sterilization unit can be, for example, preset by the manager (34), and can be set to a time desired by the manager (34), and the operating time (operation maintenance time of the sterilization unit) can be set in units of seconds, minutes, hours, days, etc.

In addition, the control unit (44) of the storage device (40) can record (store) and manage the user rental information described above in the memory unit (46) whenever at least one reusable container is dispensed from the dispenser (43) after the user authentication procedure is completed.

In addition, as an example, the storage device (40) may include a speaker section (not shown) provided in one area of the body section (41), and the speaker section (not shown) may output guidance voice information related to the operating status of the storage device (40) as a voice. As an example, the guidance voice information may include usage guidance information guiding how to use the storage device (40), rental status information, rental status information, etc.

The manager (34) can preset whether to use the speaker unit (not shown) of the storage device (40) through the manager terminal (33). If the manager (34) presets whether to use the speaker unit (not shown) to NO, the control unit (44) can control the speaker unit to be OFF. On the other hand, if the manager (34) presets whether to use the speaker unit to YES, the control unit (44) can control the speaker unit to be ON. In this way, the manager (34) can perform ON/OFF setting for the speaker unit (not shown), i.e., ON/OFF setting of guidance voice information provided through the speaker unit (not shown).

In addition, the monitor unit (45) can display on the screen at least one advertisement content among the plurality of advertisement contents registered in the integrated DB (12) or the memory unit (46), for example. In addition, the monitor unit (45) can display on the screen the rental status information (i.e., inventory quantity information and rental quantity information) as mentioned above. The monitor unit (45) can also display on the screen the rental quantity information of the department-specific reusable containers derived by the control unit (44) in relation to the rental quantity information.

In addition, as mentioned above, the identification tag reader unit (47) can obtain a unique number of each of the multi-use containers discharged from the discharge unit (43) by recognizing the identification tag of each of the multi-use containers discharged, and record (store) the unique number in the memory unit (46). In addition, the control unit (44) can transmit at least some of the information recorded in the memory unit (46) to the server (10) so that it can be stored in the integrated DB (12), and can also provide at least some of the information to the administrator terminal (33) so that the administrator (34) can check it. That is, the control unit (44) can be linked with the administrator terminal (33) and the server (10) through the network (20) to transmit and receive data.

Conventionally known multi-use container storage boxes, etc., are mostly limited to the function of simply loading and retrieving multi-use containers, and since management is done in an analog manner, there are problems in that the convenience of use and retrieval is low and systematic management is difficult. Accordingly, the present invention can provide the storage device (40) as a digitalized multi-use container storage box by changing the conventional analog-type multi-use container storage box to a digital one.

This storage device (40) can automatically determine (identify) status information on multi-use containers accommodated in the receiving space of the receiving portion (42) and multi-use containers taken out from the receiving space through the taking-out portion (43) (i.e., status information on the entering and leaving of multi-use containers entering and leaving the storage device (40)), and can provide status information of this storage device (40) including such determined status information to an administrator terminal (33) such as a smart phone or to this server (10).

That is, the storage device (40) can derive rental status information including information on whether the receiving space of the receiving unit (42) is filled with reusable containers, information on the number (quantity) of reusable containers received in the receiving space, and the number of reusable containers remaining in the receiving space due to the withdrawal of reusable containers through the withdrawal unit (43) (remaining quantity, inventory quantity information), and can provide status information of the storage device (40) including the derived rental status information to the administrator terminal (33) or the server (10).

At this time, for example, a camera sensor may be provided in one area of the receiving space, and the camera sensor may obtain a photographed image of the receiving space of the receiving portion (42). The control portion (44) performs image analysis on the photographed image obtained from the camera sensor provided in one area of the receiving space, thereby deriving, for example, information on whether the receiving space of the receiving portion (42) is filled with reusable containers, information on the number (quantity) of reusable containers accommodated in the receiving space, information on the number of reusable containers remaining in the receiving space due to the removability of the reusable containers through the dispensing portion (43), etc., through the image analysis. At this time, various image analysis techniques (such as object recognition techniques) that have been previously known or will be developed in the future may be applied during the image analysis.

In addition, a weight detection sensor for measuring the weight of at least one reusable container accommodated in the accommodation space of the receiving unit (42) may be provided in one area. The control unit (44) may be able to derive information on whether the accommodation space is filled with reusable containers, information on the number of reusable containers accommodated in the accommodation space, information on the number of reusable containers remaining in the accommodation space, etc., through analysis of the weight value measured by the weight detection sensor.

That is, the storage device (40) can be connected to an administrator terminal (33), such as a smartphone, for example, and can identify status information (e.g., inventory status information) on reusable containers in the storage device (40) and provide the identified status information to the administrator terminal (33) so that the administrator (34) can check it. In addition, the storage device (40) can provide carbon points (i.e., carbon reduction points) to users (36) who use reusable containers provided (issued) by the storage device (40), thereby inducing users (36) to participate more in the use of reusable containers.

Hereinafter, the return device (50) will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. In describing the return device (50) below, some of the functions described for the storage device (40) (for example, tag recognition function for the identification tag (61) of the reusable container (60), etc.) may be applied to the return device (50) in the same or similar manner. Therefore, even if the contents are omitted below, some of the contents described for the storage device (40) may be applied equally to the description for the return device (50).

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the return device (50) may include a body member (51), an inlet member (52), a receiving member (53), a control member (54), a monitor member (55), a memory member (56), an identification tag reader member (57), and an object detection sensor (58). The return device (50) may be referred to by other terms, such as an E-cup return box, a reusable container return box, a reusable container collection box, etc.

The body member (51) refers to the outer housing of the return device (50), and may be provided in the shape of, for example, a square pillar, but is not limited thereto, and may be provided in various shapes (shapes). The material of the body member (51) may be provided from a material such as plastic or iron, but is not limited thereto, and may be provided from various materials. The body member (51) may be provided to have an internal space.

The inlet member (52) may be provided in one area of the body member (51) and may be a member into which at least one reusable container (60) is inserted. That is, the inlet member (52) may be provided so that at least one reusable container (60) may be inserted (passed through). The inlet member (52) may be linked (connected) with the receiving member (53) so that at least one reusable container (60) inserted from the outside may be received (stored, loaded) in the receiving space of the receiving member (53).

The shape and size (hole diameter, etc.) of the insertion port member (52) may be determined (set) differently depending on the shape (or type) and size of the reusable container to be accommodated in the receiving port member (53) of the return device (50). The shape and size of the insertion port member (52) may be variously set, changed, and determined and applied by, for example, the supplier (32) that manufactures and supplies the return device (50).

The receiving member (53) is provided in the internal space of the body member (51) and can receive at least one reusable container inserted through the inlet member (52). That is, the receiving member (53) can be provided in the internal space of the body member (51) to have a receiving space for receiving a plurality of reusable containers (60). Each of the plurality of reusable containers (60) received in the receiving space of the receiving member (53) can be, for example, a used reusable container that has been used by a user as described above, and the user here can mean any user, including a supplier (32), a manager (34), a user (36), etc.

One side of the body member (for example, the front member, which is the front-side member) may be provided to be openable, for example. For example, the administrator (34) may purchase the return device (50) from the server (10) by accessing the app or the program through the administrator terminal (33), and may then install (place) the purchased return device (50) at a desired installation location. Accordingly, a user (36) who has rented a reusable container through the storage device (40) may return the used reusable container to the return device (50) by inserting the used reusable container into the insertion port member (52) of the return device (50) when he or she wishes to return the rented reusable container after using it.

At this time, the control member (54) may provide carbon points to the user (36) who returned the used reusable container to the return device (50), for example, in proportion to the number of reusable containers returned, similar to when the user (36) previously rented the storage device (40). However, this is not limited to this, and for example, control may be provided so that carbon points are not paid when the reusable container is returned.

The control member (54) may be built into the body member (51). The control member (54) may control the operation of the multi-use container return device (50, this return device), and in particular, may control the operation of each part in the return device (50). In addition, the control member (54) may control the operation of the return device (50) according to a control signal from the administrator terminal (33). In addition, the control member (54) may also control the operation of the return device (50) according to a control signal from the integrated control unit (14) in the server (10).

The monitor member (55) is provided in one area of the body member (51) and can display status information of the device (50) for returning a reusable container on the screen. The monitor member (55) may be, for example, an LCD monitor, but is not limited thereto, and may be a member capable of displaying data (information). The monitor member (55) may be provided in one area of the body member (51) and, for example, may be provided on the upper side of the body member (51).

Here, the status information of the return device (50) may include return status information for the multi-use container accommodated in the receiving member (53). At this time, the return status information may include inventory quantity information of the multi-use container accommodated in the receiving member (53) (returned multi-use container) and carbon reduction information due to the return of the multi-use container.

Here, the inventory quantity information refers to information on the quantity (number) of reusable containers accommodated in the receiving member (53) by return, and may be referred to differently by terms such as the number of returns.

The carbon reduction information may represent information on the amount of carbon reduced (i.e., carbon reduction numerical value information, carbon reduction amount) due to the return of a reusable container to the return device (50). For example, the return device (50) may have information on the amount of carbon reduced per reusable container set in advance, and accordingly, for example, the control member (54) may derive carbon reduction information, which is information on the amount of carbon reduced due to the return of the reusable container, by considering (counting) the number of returned reusable containers. Accordingly, the monitor member (55) may display the carbon reduction information derived from the control member (54) on the screen.

Each of the storage device (40) and the return device (50) can automatically calculate in real time carbon reduction information (carbon reduction amount) according to the rental or return of the multi-use container whenever an event occurs in which the user takes out (rents) the multi-use container and uses it, or whenever an event occurs in which the user returns the used multi-use container, and can then display the automatically calculated carbon reduction information on a monitor provided therein (i.e., the monitor section (45) of the storage device (40) and the monitor member (55) of the return device (50)) and/or display it on the app. Through this, each of the storage device (40) and the return device (50) can enable the user (36) to check the carbon reduction information according to the rental or return of the multi-use container in real time through the monitor, or can enable the user to check it in real time through the app by accessing the app through the user terminal (35) that the user carries.

Here, the carbon reduction information may include information on at least one of, for example, i) the first type of carbon reduction information, which is daily reduced carbon amount information (daily total reduced carbon amount information), ii) the second type of carbon reduction information, which is user-specific reduced carbon amount information when the user (36) returns the reusable container after user authentication, and iii) the third type of carbon reduction information, which is department-specific reduced carbon amount information when the user (36) returns the container after user authentication, but the user information of the user (36) who has been authenticated is pre-registered in the memory member (56) and the user information includes information on the department name to which the user (36) belongs.

In addition, the return status information may include entry/exit status information for multi-use containers entering/exiting the return device (50) (in particular, status information regarding the number of multi-use containers entering/exiting the insertion port member (52) and status information regarding the number of multi-use containers entering/exiting the receiving port member (53). For example, the control member (54) may record (store) and manage the return status information in the memory member (56) whenever a return event (for example, an event in which a user (36) requests the return of a multi-use container) occurs in the return device (50) and at least one multi-use container is entered through the insertion port member (52) in response to the generated return event.

In addition, the status information of the return device (50) may include various information related to the return device (50), such as information on the remaining battery capacity of the return device (50), as well as return status information.

In addition, if the control member (54) detects that the desired return number, which is the number of reusable containers that the user (36) wishes to return, has been input through the monitor member (55), the control member (54) can control the opening and closing (opening and closing) of the door of the inlet member (52) so that the reusable containers corresponding to the input desired return number can be received in the receiving member (53). At this time, the control member (54) can perform a user authentication procedure before the desired return number is input, and if the user (36) completes the user authentication procedure through the user authentication procedure, display a screen for selecting the desired return number on the monitor member (55) so that the user (36) can input the desired return number.

Accordingly, the control member (54) may enable the return of at least one reusable container (60) to the return device (50) when, for example, the user (36) completes the user authentication procedure. However, this is only an example to help understand the present invention and is not limited thereto. In another example, the return of at least one reusable container (60) to the return device (50) may be enabled without the user (36) completing the user authentication procedure. That is, the setting of whether or not to perform the user authentication procedure in the return device (50) may be selectively performed by the administrator (34) or the supplier (32).

At this time, the user authentication procedure is a procedure for authenticating the user (36), and may include, for example, a first procedure for entering (entering number) the mobile phone number of the user terminal (35) possessed by the user (36) into the monitor (55), or a second procedure for recognizing the user terminal (35) to the identification tag reader (57), thereby allowing the identification tag reader (57) to obtain identification information (for example, a mobile phone number) of the user terminal (35) through NFC communication.

If the control member (54) detects that a reusable container corresponding to the desired return number previously input by the user (36) has been accommodated in the accommodation space of the accommodation member (53) through the inlet member (52) after the user authentication procedure is completed, the control member (54) can record and manage user return information including user information of the user for whom the user authentication procedure is completed and information on the desired return number (particularly, information on the number of reusable containers returned in the accommodation space as a result of the return by the user) in the memory member (56). Here, the user information of the user (36) may include, as described above, at least one of the user's name, mobile phone number, and department name information to which the user (36) belongs. The user return information may mean return history information in which the user (36) has returned at least one reusable container through the return device (50). At this time, the determination of whether a number of reusable containers corresponding to the number of containers desired to be returned are accommodated in the receiving space can be made by using at least one of an object detection sensor (58), a camera sensor, and a weight detection sensor provided in the return device (50), for example, and can be made in real time through real-time measurement.

The multi-use containers that can be inserted into the insertion port member (52) of the present return device (50) and the multi-use containers that can be accommodated in the accommodation space of the accommodation port member (53) may only be inserted and accommodated if they are manufactured and supplied (provided) by the manufacturing department (not shown) of the present server (10), for example. At this time, as mentioned above, each multi-use container manufactured and supplied by the manufacturing department (not shown) of the present server (10) may be provided with an identification tag in which a unique number of the multi-use container is recorded. That is, the control member (54) may control the opening and closing of the insertion port member (52) (opening and closing of the door) so that only multi-use containers manufactured and supplied by the manufacturing department (not shown) (in particular, multi-use containers to which an identification code is assigned) can be inserted through the insertion port member (52). Accordingly, the control member (54) can control so that only reusable containers manufactured and supplied by the manufacturing unit (not shown) can be accommodated in the accommodation space of the accommodation member (53), and can control the opening and closing of the inlet member (52) so that reusable containers other than those manufactured and supplied by the manufacturing unit (not shown) cannot be accommodated in the accommodation space.

Specifically, the identification tag reader member (57) may be a member provided in one area (for example, one area on the front) of the body member (51) and may be a member that recognizes (recognizes tags) an identification tag provided on a reusable container. As mentioned above, the identification tag reader member (57) may be a member that performs recognition (recognizes tags) of an identification tag (61) provided on a reusable container (60) via wireless communication, thereby obtaining information on the recognized identification tag (i.e., a unique number of the reusable container corresponding to the recognized identification tag).

The memory absence (56) may have information on the identification tag for each authenticated multi-use container already stored. Here, the authenticated multi-use container may mean a multi-use container that has been authenticated as having been manufactured by a manufacturing unit (not shown). To this end, as an example, the manufacturing unit (not shown) of the server (10) or the supplier terminal (31) may, after manufacturing at least one multi-use container (60) as mentioned above, register in advance the unique number of each manufactured multi-use container (i.e., the unique number of the multi-use container recorded in the identification tag as information on the identification tag provided for each manufactured multi-use container) assigned to each manufactured multi-use container in the integrated DB (12) before supplying (providing, selling) the multi-use container to the managers. That is, the integrated DB (12) may have information on the identification tag for each certified multi-use container (unique number for each certified multi-use container) registered (stored) in advance.

At this time, the control member (54) can cause the identification tag provided on the multi-use container (i.e., the multi-use container desired to be returned) to be recognized by the identification tag reader member (57) when the user (36) wishes to return the multi-use container to the return device (50). At this time, if the control member (54) detects that a return event (i.e., an event in which the user (36) requests the return of the multi-use container) has occurred, for example, by the user (36) clicking the return button displayed on the monitor member (55), the control member (54) can control the operation of the monitor member (55) so that a tag recognition request phrase for causing the identification tag provided on the multi-use container desired to be returned to be recognized by the identification tag reader member (57) is displayed on the monitor member (55). Here, the tag recognition request phrase may be, for example, 'Please recognize the identification tag of the reusable container you have that you wish to return in the absence of an identification tag reader.'

Thereafter, the control member (54) can determine whether the information of the identification tag recognized by the identification tag reader member (57) corresponds to any one of the information of the identification tag for each authentication multi-container that is stored in the memory member (56), if the recognition (tag recognition) of the identification tag is performed by the identification tag reader member (57). If the information of the recognized identification tag corresponds to any one of the information of the identification tag for each authentication multi-container, the control member (54) can determine that the multi-container whose tag the user (36) has recognized by the identification tag reader member (57) is an authentication multi-container (i.e., the multi-container whose tag has been recognized is a multi-container manufactured and supplied by the manufacturing department or the supplier terminal), and can then control the insertion port member (52) to open and close (in particular, to be in the open state).

That is, the control member (54) can control the insertion port member (52) to open and close (in particular, to be in the open state) only when the multi-use container whose tag has been recognized by the identification tag reader member (57) by the user (36) is an authenticated multi-use container, and can control the insertion port member (52) not to open and close (in other words, to be kept in the closed state) when the multi-use container whose tag has been recognized is not an authenticated multi-use container, thereby preventing a multi-use container other than an authenticated multi-use container from being returned to or discarded in the return device (50).

The control member (54) controls the opening and closing of the insertion port member (52) so that, when it is determined that the information of the identification tag recognized by the identification tag reader member (57) corresponds to any one of the information of the identification tag of each authentication multi-container stored in the memory member (56) (thereby, it is determined that the multi-container corresponding to the information of the recognized identification tag is an authentication multi-container), the insertion port member (52) is controlled to be open, thereby allowing the user (36) to insert the multi-container (i.e., the multi-container to be returned, in particular, the multi-container whose tag has been recognized by the identification tag reader member (57)) into the insertion port member (52). Thereafter, if the control member (54) detects that a multi-use container (a multi-use container to be returned) has been inserted into the open-state insertion member (52) after the insertion member (52) is controlled to be in an open state, the control member (54) can recognize that the return of the multi-use container (a multi-use container to be returned) has been completed (i.e., the return of the multi-use container has been completed) and control the insertion member (52) to be in a closed state.

The control member (54) can record and manage the information of the identification tag of the completed reusable container in the memory member (56) when the reusable container (returnable container) is completely inserted into the insertion port member (52).

At this time, whether a multi-use container (a multi-use container to be returned) has been inserted into the open insertion port (52) or whether the insertion of the multi-use container has been completed (i.e., whether the multi-use container has been normally inserted into the receiving space through the insertion port (52)) can be determined by using, for example, at least one of an object detection sensor (58), a camera sensor (not shown), and a weight detection sensor (not shown) provided in the return device (50).

Specifically, the return device (50) may include an object detection sensor (58) provided in a region of the inner surface corresponding to the hollow portion of the inlet member (52). The object detection sensor (58) may be, for example, a distance measuring sensor or an infrared sensor. The object detection sensor (58) is provided in a region of the inner surface corresponding to the hollow portion, and can measure the distance from a region of the inner surface to another region of the inner surface opposite to the region.

The control member (54) can determine whether an object (e.g., a reusable container) exists in the hollow portion of the insertion port member (52) by analyzing the distance value measured by the object detection sensor (58). For example, let's say that the distance value measured by the object detection sensor (58) when no object exists in the hollow portion (i.e., the basic distance value measured from the position of one area of the inner surface to the position of the other area) is a first value (e.g., 10 cm). In this case, the control member (54) determines that no object exists in the hollow portion when the distance value measured by the object detection sensor (58) is the first value, and in this case, it can determine that the reusable container is not inserted into the insertion port member (52). On the other hand, the control member (54) determines that an object exists in the hollow portion when the distance value measured by the object detection sensor (58) is less than the first value (for example, when the measured distance value is 3 cm, etc.), and in this case, it can be determined that the reusable container is inserted into the insertion port member (52).

At this time, if it is determined that the reusable container (returnable container) is immediately inserted into the insertion port (52) simply because the distance value measured by the object detection sensor (58) is less than the first value, an error may occur in counting the number of returned reusable containers. Specifically, when the user (36) uses the return device (50), for example, when the insertion port (52) is in the open state, the user (36) may pretend to insert the reusable container (returnable container) into the insertion port (52) by mistake or intention and then take it out again.

In this way, when the user (36) pretends to put the reusable container into the insertion port member (52) and then takes it out again, if the object detection sensor (58) measures a distance value less than the first value at the time when the user (36) put the reusable container into the insertion port member (52) (i.e., before taking the reusable container out again), the control member (54) may determine that the reusable container is put into the insertion port member (52) (i.e., count the number of returned reusable containers as 1). However, in reality, since the user (36) only pretends to put the reusable container into the insertion port member (52) and then takes the reusable container out again, the reusable container additionally accommodated in the receiving space of the receiving member (53) (i.e., the returned reusable container) may not actually exist. In other words, the counting can be said to be performed properly only when the number of returned reusable containers is actually counted as 0. In this way, simply using the analysis of the distance value of the object detection sensor (58) to determine whether a reusable container has been inserted (whether insertion has been completed) or to count the number of reusable containers inserted (returned) may result in errors.

Therefore, to solve this problem, the return device (50) as an example may include at least one of a weight detection sensor (not shown), a camera sensor (not shown), and a built-in identification tag reader (not shown), and by using at least one of these, it is possible to detect in real time whether the insertion into the insertion port (52) has been completed (detect whether the return has been completed).

Here, the weight detection sensor may be a sensor provided in one area of the receiving space of the receiving member (53) to measure the weight of at least one reusable container received (loaded) in the receiving space of the receiving member (53). The camera sensor may be a sensor provided in one area of the receiving space of the receiving member (53) to obtain a photographic image of the receiving space. The built-in identification tag reader member may be an identification tag reader provided in one area of the receiving space (i.e., built-in in the internal space of the body member (51)) to obtain (recognize) information on the identification tag of the falling reusable container (i.e., the unique number of the falling reusable container) by recognizing the identification tag provided on the reusable container that has passed through the hollow portion of the inlet member (52) and fallen into the receiving space.

At this time, if the control member (54) determines that an object has been detected by the object detection sensor (58) provided on the inner surface of the insertion member (52) while the insertion member (52) is controlled to an open state (in particular, it is determined that an object exists/object detection has been performed because the distance value measured by the object detection sensor (58) is less than the first value), instead of immediately determining that the insertion of the multi-use container into the insertion member (52) is complete (i.e., the return of the multi-use container to the return device (50) is complete), it can temporarily determine (primarily determine) that the insertion of the multi-use container into the insertion member (52) is complete.

After the provisional judgment (first judgment) is made, the control member (54) performs: i) a first judgment process for judging whether a change has occurred in a weight measurement value measured by a weight detection sensor provided in an area of the receiving space of the receiving member (53) within a preset time (e.g., 3 seconds) from the time point of object detection by the object detection sensor (58); ii) a second judgment process for judging whether a multi-use container that has fallen from the inlet member (52) into the receiving space exists within a preset time (e.g., 3 seconds) from the time point of object detection by analyzing a photographed image acquired by a camera sensor provided in an area of the receiving space of the receiving member (53); and iii) whether recognition (tag recognition) of information on an identification tag for a multi-use container (particularly, a multi-use container that has passed through the hollow portion of the inlet member (52) and fallen into the receiving space) has occurred within a preset time (e.g., 3 seconds) from the time point of object detection by the built-in identification tag reader member. A third judgment process for determining whether or not at least one judgment process can be performed.

At this time, if the control member (54) determines that a change has occurred in the weight measurement value through the performance of the first judgment process, determines that a dropped reusable container exists through the performance of the second judgment process, or determines that tag recognition has occurred in the built-in identification tag reader member through the performance of the third judgment process, the control member (54) can secondarily determine that the reusable container has been inserted into the receiving space of the receiving member (53) (secondary judgment).

In this way, the control member (54) first determines (detects) that the multi-use container has been inserted into the inlet member (52) in the first judgment, and then, secondarily, determines (detects) that the multi-use container has been inserted into the receiving space of the receiving member (53). Only then can it be finally determined that the insertion of the multi-use container into the inlet member (52) has been completed (i.e., the return of the multi-use container to the return device (50) has been completed).

The control member (54) can process that the user (36) has normally returned the multi-use container (multi-use container to be returned) to the return device (50) only when it is determined through the first and second judgments that the insertion of the multi-use container into the inlet member (52) has been completed (i.e., the multi-use container to be returned by the user (36) has passed through the hollow portion of the inlet member (52) and has been normally accommodated/settled/loaded into the receiving space of the receiving member (53). The control member (54) can detect an abnormal action of the user (36) attempting to return the multi-use container (i.e., more accurately detect a non-returned state in which the user (36) has not actually returned the multi-use container) through the first and second judgments, and based on this, the return status information can be derived as a more accurate value.

At this time, when the control member (54) determines that the insertion of the reusable container is completed (final), the control member (54) can control the insertion port member (52) to a closed state. At this time, when the number of reusable containers desired to be returned inputted by the user (36) is plural (for example, 3), the control member (54) controls the insertion port member (52) to an open state once, and then maintains the insertion port member (52) in an open state until it is determined that all reusable containers corresponding to the number of reusable containers desired to be returned inputted by the user (36) (i.e., 3 reusable containers) are completed, and when it is determined that all reusable containers are completed, the insertion port member (52) can be controlled to a closed state at the determined point in time. At this time, the user (36) may insert multiple reusable containers into the insertion port member (52) one by one, or may insert multiple reusable containers to be returned into the insertion port member (52) at once while overlapping each other.

However, it is not limited to this, and as another example, when the number of reusable containers to be returned input by the user (36) is plural (for example, 3), the control member (54) may repeatedly perform the control of the opening and closing states of the insertion port member (52) a number of times corresponding to the number of reusable containers, whenever it is determined that the insertion of one reusable container has been completed. For example, the control member (54) may control the insertion port member (52) to be opened once, and then when the user inserts one (first) of multiple reusable containers into the insertion port member (52), the insertion port member (52) may be controlled to be closed. If it is determined that the insertion of the inserted single reusable container is complete, the insertion port member (52) may be controlled to be open for the second time. If the user inserts the second (second) reusable container into the insertion port member (52), the insertion port member (52) may be controlled to be closed again. If it is determined that the insertion of the second reusable container is complete, the insertion port member (52) may be controlled to be open for the third time. If the user inserts the third (third) reusable container into the insertion port member (52), the insertion port member (52) may be controlled to be closed again. It is possible to determine whether the third reusable container that was inserted has been completed.

According to the above, the control member (54) can i) cause the identification tag reader member (57) to recognize the reusable container to be returned by the user (36), and then ii) when the inlet member (52) is controlled to an open state, the user (36) inserts the reusable container into the inlet member (52), and in the first judgment, it is determined (detected) that the reusable container has been inserted into the inlet member (52), and then iii) in the second judgment, it is determined that the reusable container has been inserted into the receiving space, and then it can be determined that the return of the reusable container has been completed by the user (36) (return has been completed) and normal return completion processing can be performed. At this time, before or after the process of recognizing the tag of the reusable container to be returned by the identification tag reader member (57) is performed, for example, a process of performing a user authentication procedure and a process of receiving a desired number of returns from the user (36) after the user authentication procedure is performed can be performed.

The control member (54) may, for example, record and manage user return information in the memory member (56) when normal return completion processing is performed. Here, the user return information recorded in the memory member (56) may include user information of the user (36) and information on the number of desired returns as described above. In addition, the user return information may further include return date information, device information of the return device (50) where the return was performed, information on the number of returned reusable containers (i.e., information on the number of reusable containers for which normal return completion processing is performed), information on the identification tag of each reusable container (i.e., returned reusable container) corresponding to the number of returned reusable containers (i.e., information on the identification tag of each dropped returned reusable container recognized by the built-in identification tag reader member), etc. In other words, the user return information recorded (stored) in the memory absence (56) may be information in which [user information - information on the number of desired returns - information on the return date - information on the device of this return device - information on the number of returned reusable containers - information on the identification tag of each returned reusable container returned by the user] is linked to each other.

In this way, the control member (54) can record user return information in the memory member (56) whenever normal return completion processing is performed. The control member (54) can derive return status information including, for example, inventory quantity information (this is information about the quantity of reusable containers returned to the return device (50), such as information about the number of reusable containers returned per day, information about the number of reusable containers returned per user, information about the number of reusable containers returned per department, etc.) and carbon reduction information (i.e., information about the amount of carbon reduced per day, information about the amount of carbon reduced per user, information about the amount of carbon reduced per department, etc.) through analysis of the user return information for a plurality of users recorded in the memory member (56), and can record and manage such derived return status information in the memory member (56). The control unit (54) can record (store) and manage the aforementioned inventory quantity information or carbon reduction information as data by analyzing the user return information and the status information of the return device (50) and analyzing the user rental information and the status information in the memory unit (56).

The control member (54) can derive return status information such as inventory quantity information and carbon reduction information through analysis of user return information, and can derive status information of the return device (50) including the return status information as a result. The control member (54) can control the derived status information of the return device (50) to be displayed on the monitor member (55), provide it to the administrator terminal (33) so that the administrator (34) can check it, or provide it to the server (10) so that the administrator (34) can check it through the server (10).

For example, the manager (34) can register the manager's mobile phone number in advance in the memory member (56) of the return device (50) after purchasing the return device (50). The control member (54) can record and manage various information generated in the return device (50) (for example, various information related to the return device (50), such as status information of the return device (50)) in real time in the memory member (56), and can also provide information related to the return device (50) recorded in the memory member (56) to the manager terminal (33) in real time through the network (20).

That is, the control absence (54) can transmit (provide) status information of the return device (50) to the administrator terminal (33) registered in the return device (50) via the network (20), and through this, the administrator (34) can check status information on the return device (50) that he/she purchased and managed in real time, regardless of location and time, through the administrator terminal (33) that he/she possesses.

In the above description, the control unit (44) in the storage device (40) may, for example, allow a user to pay a deposit of a preset amount when attempting to rent a multi-use container from the storage device (40), and may allow the rental of the multi-use container only when the deposit of the preset amount has been paid. That is, the control unit (44) may allow the number of multi-use containers to be issued from the issuance unit (43) as many as the number of rentals that the user (36) has inputted, only when it is determined that the deposit has been paid. In the above description, it has been exemplified that the rental of the multi-use container is possible only when the deposit is paid, but this is only one example to help understanding of the present invention, and is not limited thereto, and the rental of the multi-use container may be possible even without the payment of the deposit. That is, whether or not to apply the deposit payment function to the storage device (40) can be set (determined), changed, and applied by, for example, the manager (34) or supplier (32) who manages the storage device (40).

The control member (54) in the return device (50) determines whether, for example, a deposit already paid (paid) exists when the user (36) rents the multi-use container (the multi-use container to be returned) to the return device (50) (i.e., when normal return completion processing has been performed), and if it is determined that a deposit already paid exists, a refund (refund) process can be performed for the deposit already paid by the user (36) (i.e., control to pay the deposit already paid to the user terminal (35)). At this time, the control member (54) may perform a refund process for the deposit immediately at the time when the normal return process is completed, or may perform a refund process for the deposit after a preset period of time (e.g., 1 day) has elapsed from the time when the normal return process is completed.

Meanwhile, the server (10) may include a washing service provider (not shown) that provides a washing service for a reusable container, although not shown in the drawing.

For example, when a washing service provider (not shown) detects that a washing request including device information for a multi-container return device (50) has been made from an administrator terminal (33), the provider may, in response to the washing request, collect multi-containers (i.e., used multi-containers) accommodated in the multi-container return device (50) corresponding to the washing request, wash the collected multi-containers in a prepared washing area, and then provide the washed multi-containers to the administrator terminal (33).

At this time, the prepared washroom may be equipped with a washroom identification tag reader that recognizes information on the identification tag of the reusable container.

The washing service provider (not shown) can measure the number of multi-use containers to be washed based on the number of pieces of information of the recognized identification tags by recognizing the information of each identification tag of the multi-use containers to be washed (tag recognition) using the identification tag reader for the washing facility when performing washing (performing the washing process) on the collected multi-use containers. Thereafter, the washing service provider (not shown) can obtain, at the time of the washing request (the time of the washing request), the inventory quantity information at the time of the washing request (i.e., information on the number of multi-use containers accommodated in the accommodation member (53) of the return device (50) at the time of the washing request) based on the return status information from the control member (54) of the multi-use container return device (50) corresponding to the washing request, and can then determine whether the first quantity information, which is the inventory quantity information at the time of the washing request that has been obtained, and the second quantity information, which is the measured number of multi-use containers to be washed, match each other.

At this time, if the washing service provider (not shown) determines that the first quantity information and the second quantity information match each other, the washing service provider can then provide (for example, delivery, etc.) the reusable containers that have been washed in the washing facility to the administrator terminal (33).

On the other hand, if the washing service provider (not shown) determines that the first quantity information and the second quantity information do not match each other, then i) from the control member (54) of the multi-use container return device (50) corresponding to the washing application request, the information on the identification tag of the multi-use container returned by each user, which is information on the identification tag of the multi-use container included in the user return information by each user among the user return information by each user recorded in the memory member (56), is extracted and obtained, and ii) the information on the identification tag of the multi-use container returned by each user obtained from the control member (54) is compared with the information on the identification tag of each of the multi-use containers to be washed recognized through the identification tag reader member for the washing area, so as to determine whether or not there is information on an unmatched identification tag that does not match each other. At this time, the cleaning service provider (not shown) can determine whether there is an issue with the refund (refund) details for the deposit provided (paid) to users by determining whether there is information on a mismatched identification tag.

At this time, for example, if the cleaning service provider (not shown) determines that the information of the identification tag of the first multi-use container (one multi-use container) returned by the first user, who is one of a plurality of users corresponding to each piece of information of the identification tag of the multi-use container returned by each user, is information of a mismatched identification tag, for example, the cleaning service provider determines (re-determines) that the first user has not normally returned the first multi-use container to the return device (50), and then controls the first user to re-pay an amount corresponding to the deposit due to non-return of the first multi-use container out of the refund amount for the deposit previously provided (paid) to the first user, or controls the amount corresponding to the deposit due to non-return to be automatically recovered.

For example, in the memory absence (56), it is recorded (stored) that the user (36) completed the normal return process for three reusable containers. However, when the information of the identification tags of each of the reusable containers being washed is compared based on the identification tag reader absence for the washing station, it is assumed that, among the three reusable containers for which the user (36) completed the normal return process, only the information of the identification tags for two reusable containers (for example, the first reusable container and the second reusable container) is recognized, and the information of the identification tag for the remaining one reusable container (for example, the third reusable container) is not recognized. In this case, the cleaning service provider (not shown) may control the user (36) to re-pay the deposit refund amount corresponding to the remaining one reusable container (e.g., the third reusable container) that the user (36) judged (re-judged) not to have completed normal return during cleaning among the refund amount for the deposit already provided to the user (36) (i.e., the refund amount of the deposit provided to the user by returning three reusable containers), or may control the automatic recovery of the deposit refund amount corresponding to the remaining one reusable container.

At this time, if the washing service provider (not shown) determines that there is information on mismatched identification tags that do not match each other during washing (when performing the washing process), it may provide the information on the mismatched identification tags and the user information of the user corresponding to the mismatched identification tags to the administrator terminal (33) that requested the washing application for the return device (50), thereby allowing the administrator (34) to recognize that there is information on the mismatched identification tags and take action accordingly.

In addition, although not shown in the drawing, the return device (50) may include a sterilizing member (not shown) provided in one area of the internal space of the body member (51). At this time, the sterilizing member (not shown) may have the same or corresponding configuration as the sterilizing section (not shown) provided in the storage device (40) described above. The sterilizing member (not shown) may perform sterilization treatment on at least one reusable container (60) accommodated in the accommodation space of the accommodation member (53).

The sterilizing member (not shown) may include a lamp member (not shown) that irradiates ultraviolet rays to at least one reusable container (60) accommodated in the accommodation space of the accommodation member (53), for example, for sterilization treatment. At this time, the ultraviolet rays irradiated by the lamp member (not shown) are ultraviolet rays with a sterilizing effect, and may be ultraviolet rays corresponding to UV-C having a wavelength range of 100 to 280 nm, for example.

The control member (54) controls the sterilizing member (not shown) to be turned ON during the sterilizing operation time (for example, 9 hours) registered by the manager (34), for example, so that ultraviolet rays are irradiated to at least one reusable container (60) accommodated in the receiving space, and automatically turns the sterilizing member OFF when the registered sterilizing operation time has elapsed (i.e., when 9 hours or more have elapsed). The control member (54) controls the sterilizing member to be turned ON all the time when the sterilizing operation time registered by the manager (34) does not exist, for example, or controls the sterilizing member to be turned ON in response to a request for ON control of the sterilizing member from the manager (34).

As described above, as an example, the monitor member (55) in the return device (50) may be an LCD monitor and may display stock quantity information (i.e., information on the number of reusable containers currently accommodated in the receiving member (53), i.e., current stock quantity information) on the screen. In addition, when the monitor member (55) detects that a user authentication procedure has been performed (completed) for the user (36), the monitor member (55) may display a screen for selecting the number of reusable containers desired to be returned on the screen of the monitor member (55), thereby allowing the user to select (input) the number of reusable containers desired to be returned. In addition, the monitor member (55) may display information on the operating status of the sterilizing member (not shown), and may display information on the operating status of the sterilizing member as, for example, 'sterilization in operation' or 'sterilization not in operation'. At this time, the operating time of the sterilization unit can be preset by the manager (34), for example, and can be set to a time desired by the manager (34), and the operating time (operation maintenance time of the sterilization unit) can be set in units of seconds, minutes, hours, days, etc.

In addition, the control member (54) of the return device (50) can record (store) and manage the user return information described above in the memory member (56) whenever at least one reusable container is inserted into the open insertion port member (52) after the user authentication procedure is completed.

In addition, as an example, the return device (50) may include a speaker member (not shown) provided in one area of the body member (51), and the speaker member (not shown) may output guidance voice information related to the operating status of the return device (50) as a voice. As an example, the guidance voice information may include usage guidance information guiding how to use the return device (50), return status information, return status information, etc.

The manager (34) can preset whether to use the speaker absence (not shown) for the return device (50) through the manager terminal (33). If the manager (34) presets whether to use the speaker absence to NO, the control member (54) can control the speaker absence to be turned OFF. On the other hand, if the manager (34) presets whether to use the speaker absence to YES, the control member (54) can control the speaker absence to be turned ON. In this way, the manager (34) can perform ON/OFF setting for the speaker absence (not shown), that is, ON/OFF setting of guidance voice information provided through the speaker absence (not shown).

In addition, the monitor member (55) can display on the screen at least one advertisement content among the plurality of advertisement contents registered in the integrated DB (12) or the memory member (56), for example. In addition, the monitor member (55) can display on the screen return status information (i.e., inventory quantity information and carbon reduction information), etc., as mentioned above. The monitor member (55) can also display on the screen, for example, information on the amount of carbon reduced by department derived by the control member (54) in relation to carbon reduction information.

In addition, the monitor member (55) may display the stock quantity information as a number (quantity) on the screen in relation to the return status information, but is not limited thereto, and may also display the stock quantity information as percentage (%) information on the screen. At this time, the percentage information of the stock quantity information may mean information indicating the ratio of the current number of multi-use containers accommodated in the current receiving space (i.e., the number of returned multi-use containers accommodated in the receiving space) to the maximum number of multi-use containers that can be accommodated in the receiving space of the receiving member (53) as a percentage. For example, if the maximum number of multi-use containers accommodated is 100 and the current number of multi-use containers accommodated is 60, the monitor member (55) may display the stock quantity information of the multi-use containers accommodated in the receiving space of the receiving member (53) as 60 and/or as 60%.

In addition, as an example, if the control member (54) determines that the stock quantity information of the reusable containers accommodated in the accommodation space of the receiving member (53) corresponds to a preset limit percentage (e.g., 85 units), the control member (54) may control the manager (34) to empty the reusable containers accommodated in the accommodation space of the receiving member (53) (i.e., returned reusable containers) by transmitting a container emptying notification message to the manager terminal (33). Here, the container emptying notification message may mean a notification message requesting to empty the reusable containers accommodated in the accommodation space because the accommodation space of the receiving member (53) is too full, and may be, for example, as follows: 'There is not much free space left in the current accommodation space. Please empty the reusable containers that are currently full.'

That is, the control member (54) can count the number of reusable containers accommodated in the accommodation space of the accommodation member (53), and when it is detected that a quantity corresponding to a preset limit percentage is accommodated in the accommodation space, it can transmit a container emptying notification message to the administrator terminal (33) so that the administrator (34) can recognize it and take action accordingly, and in addition, it can control information related thereto (e.g., return status information, etc.) to be transmitted to the server (10) or displayed on the screen of the monitor member (55), for example.

The return device (50) may have a function of recognizing (tag recognition) the information of the identification tag of the reusable container to be returned by using the identification tag reader member (57), and may control the opening and closing of the insertion port member (52) (in particular, control the insertion port member (52) to an open state) only when it is determined that the information of the identification tag recognized by the identification tag reader member (57) corresponds to the information of the identification tag of one of the identification tags of the previously authenticated reusable containers, thereby controlling only the certified reusable containers to be accommodated in the accommodation space of the receiving member (53). The return device (50) may automatically perform sterilization processing at all times, for example, and may provide various data generated by the return device (50) to the server (10) or to the administrator terminal (33).

In addition, the return device (50) sprays water on the receiving space of the receiving member (53).

This return device (50) can be connected to an administrator terminal (33), such as a smartphone, for example, and can identify status information (e.g., inventory status information) for reusable containers in this return device (50) and provide the identified status information to the administrator terminal (33) so that the administrator (34) can check it.

In addition, in order to prevent occurrences such as a case where a user (36) pretends to put the reusable container into the insertion port (52) and then takes it out again when attempting to return a reusable container without actually returning it, or a case where a user claims to have returned the reusable container when he or she did not put it into the insertion port (52), the return device (50) can perform a double judgment including a first judgment and a second judgment (performed in real time) using at least one of the object detection sensor (58), the camera sensor, and the weight detection sensor provided in the return device (50) described above, thereby more accurately detecting the non-returned state in which the user (36) has not actually returned the reusable container, and based on this, return status information can be derived as a more accurate value (i.e., more accurately counting the number of reusable containers that have been returned normally). This return device (50) can check in real time whether the returned reusable container is still in the receiving member (53). In addition, this system (100) can, in addition to the above-described double judgment, compare the information of the identification tags of each of the reusable containers being washed, which is recognized by the washing service provider (not shown) as the absence of the identification tag reader for the washing area, with the information of the identification tags of the reusable containers returned by each user, thereby confirming (checking) the number of reusable containers returned once more, thereby enabling a more accurate grasp of the return status.

The system (100) provides an identification tag (61) such as a QR code or UHF chip to a reusable container (60), so that the identification tag (61) is recognized (tag recognized) by the identification tag reader unit (47) provided in the storage device (40) or the identification tag reader member (57) provided in the return device (50), and information on the recognized identification tag is acquired and recorded (stored) in real time in the memory unit (46), the memory member (56), or the integrated DB (12). Based on the information recorded in real time, information such as the movement status of each reusable container and the entry/exit status can be grasped, tracked, and managed in real time, and the status of users who have rented or returned reusable containers can also be grasped, tracked, and managed in real time.

For example, in this system (100), an identification tag may be supplied in the form of a QR code or the like attached or engraved on a reusable container, and when a user wishes to rent a reusable container, the user may use the storage device (40) to rent the container. In this case, the storage device (40) may be installed in various places, such as cafes and government offices. In addition, in this system (100), when a user (36) wishes to return a used reusable container, the user may have the identification tag of the reusable container to be returned recognized by the identification tag reader member (57), and then, when the door of the insertion member (52) is opened, the user may have the user insert the reusable container into the insertion member (52). At this time, the system (100) can further perform recognition of an identification tag using a built-in identification tag reader (not shown) when inserting a multi-use container through the insertion port (52), thereby enabling identification of whether the user has actually completely inserted the multi-use container to be returned into the insertion port (52) and accommodated it in the receiving space of the receiving port (53) (i.e., whether the return has been made properly), or whether the user pretended to insert the multi-use container to be returned into the insertion port (52) but then took it out again without actually inserting it. That is, the system (100) can prevent occurrence of a situation in which a multi-use container is not returned by using a built-in identification tag reader (not shown). In addition, the system (100) can refund the deposit to the user after a certain period of time if the multi-use container is completely inserted and normal return is completed. In addition, as mentioned above, in the present system (100), for example, during the washing process or during the receipt process of the collected multi-use containers (returned multi-use containers) collected at the washing station, by recognizing the information of the identification tag for each collected multi-use container using the absence of a washing station identification tag reader, the number of returned multi-use containers can be counted more accurately, and whether there is an abnormality in the refund details for the deposit can be checked.

The administrator (34) can, for example, upload and register administrator information including device information of the purchased storage device (40) to the server (10) after purchasing the storage device (40), and at this time, the administrator information can include, as mentioned above, the name of the organization to which the user belongs, information on the installation location of the storage device (40), etc. After the storage device (40) is installed in a specific location, the storage device (40) can provide the user with at least one reusable container contained in the storage device (40) using a specific QR, RFID, token, password, etc., so that the user can rent it.

In addition, the manager (34), for example, can upload and register manager information including device information of the purchased return device (50) to the server (10) after purchasing the return device (50). After the return device (50) is installed in a specific location, the return device (50) recognizes an identification tag (61), such as a QR or RFID token, embedded (given) in a used reusable container, and, through matching with information of an identification tag for each authenticated reusable container, opens the door of the insertion port (52) only when a match is found. In addition, after the user (36) actually inserts the reusable container, the return device (50) automatically recognizes and determines whether the user has actually inserted and returned the reusable container, and processes it as a normal return completion process or not a normal return process accordingly. That is, the return device (50) can automatically recognize (judge, identify) whether the user has returned a reusable container to the return device (50).

The system (100) provides an identification tag (i.e., an identification tag such as a QR, RFID, or barcode) with a unique number of each multi-use container to each of the considered multi-use containers, and manages the multi-use containers taken out from the storage device (40) or put into (returned to) the return device (50) by recognizing the identification tag. Accordingly, by using the identification tag, the status of entry and exit of the multi-use containers to the storage device (40) or the return device (50), information on the identification tag of the entered and exited multi-use containers, etc. can be grasped, and thus, it is possible to grasp the inventory of the multi-use containers accommodated in the storage device (40) or the return device (50) (grasping the inventory status/current status). That is, in this system (100), by using a reusable container with a recognizable unique number such as QR, RFID, or barcode, the number of the reusable container (information on the identification tag) being entered and exited can be known through the unique number of the reusable container, and through this, the inventory status can be identified.

Meanwhile, cup collection bins generally used in cafes and the like have one slot for inserting cups, and when a cup is inserted into the slot, the cup falls down and is stored in a container provided underneath the slot. However, since this structure causes the cups to fall in different directions when dropped, a large number of cups are piled up in different directions in the container, which limits the number of cups that can be stored in the limited space of the container. In other words, since this structure quickly fills up the space in the container even with a small number of cups, the manager managing the cup collection bin must frequently empty the space, which causes inconvenience.

Accordingly, in the present invention, in order to collect and store (save) reusable containers, the return device (50) can be configured to have a configuration as illustrated in FIG. 6, for example, so that more reusable containers can be accommodated.

FIG. 6 is a drawing for explaining a loading guide member (59) included in a multi-use container return device (50) according to one embodiment of the present invention. In particular, (a) in FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an example of a receiving space of an receiving member (53) in the return device (50) as viewed from the front, and (b) in FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an example of a receiving space of an receiving member (53) as viewed from above (i.e., an inner bottom surface of the receiving member (53).

Referring to FIG. 6, the return device (50) may include a loading guide member (59) provided within the receiving space of the receiving member (53). The loading guide member (59) may be a member provided to guide the reusable containers (returned reusable containers) falling from the inlet member (52) to be in a state where multiple containers overlap within the receiving space (i.e., in a state where they are loaded as one).

The loading guide member (59) may be provided in the shape of a cylinder, for example, and may have a side surface that is open at one end. The loading guide member (59) may be provided so that the open ends of the side surface can be operated in a spread state or a closed state in the left-right direction by the control of the control member (54). The loading guide member (59) may be made of a material such as plastic or iron, but is not limited thereto, and the material is not particularly limited.

The diameter of the loading guide member (59) may be provided to correspond to the diameter of the inlet member (52), for example. Each of the loading guide member (59) and the inlet member (52) may be provided to a size (diameter) that can be accommodated (included) in the multi-use container (60). The upper end of the loading guide member (59) and the lower end of the inlet member (52) may be provided to be spaced apart by a preset distance (e.g., 3 cm, etc.).

A finish line may be indicated on an upper portion of the inner surface of the loading guide member (59). A laser sensor may be provided at a position corresponding to the finish line on an upper portion of the inner surface of the loading guide member (59). Here, the finish line may be information indicating an upper-side finish position of a multi-container that can be stacked to the maximum extent within the hollow portion of the loading guide member (59). In other words, the finish line may be information indicating a position up to the maximum height of a multi-container that can be accommodated within the hollow portion (the maximum height of multi-containers stacked to the maximum extent).

The laser sensor may be, for example, a distance measuring sensor that irradiates a laser toward the front and can measure the distance through the irradiated laser. The laser sensor may be configured to detect, through the irradiated laser, whether the maximum height of the multi-container loaded in the hollow portion of the loading guide member (59) has reached the finish line. For example, the control member (54) may determine that the multi-container loaded in the hollow portion has not reached the finish line if the distance value measured by the laser sensor provided at a position corresponding to the finish line exceeds a reference distance value (for example, 1 cm). On the other hand, the control member (54) may determine that the multi-container loaded in the hollow portion has reached the finish line if the distance value measured by the laser sensor is less than or equal to the reference distance value.

In addition, although not shown in the drawing, the return device (50) may include a movement control member (not shown) that is provided to enable control of the positional movement of the loading guide member (59) within the receiving space of the receiving member (53). The movement control member (not shown) may perform control to move the position of the loading guide member (59) within the receiving space.

On the inner bottom surface of the receiving member (53), as illustrated in (b) of FIG. 6, a plurality of spots (p1, p2, ..., p12) may be provided (displayed). The plurality of spots may be spaced apart from each other with equal intervals. As an example, FIG. 6 illustrates 12 spots including the first to twelfth spots as the plurality of spots, but this is only an example to help understand the present invention and is not limited thereto. The number of the plurality of spots and the intervals therebetween may be set (determined) differently depending on the size of the reusable container returned to the return device (50) (i.e., the returned reusable container accommodated in the receiving space) or the size of the receiving space.

For example, the seventh spot (p7) among the plurality of spots refers to a point where the loading induction member (59) is basically located when in a normal state, and may be referred to as a reference spot (rp). The loading induction member (59) may be basically located on the reference spot (rp, p7) before separate movement control is performed. In addition, the inlet member (52) may also be provided at a position corresponding to the reference spot (rp).

For example, the control member (54) can position the load induction member (59) in a folded state on the reference spot (rp) in the initial setting of the present return device (50). Thereafter, the control member (54) can obtain a distance value measured in real time from a laser sensor when power is supplied to the present return device (50) (i.e., when the present return device (50) is in an on state), and can monitor whether the obtained distance value is less than or equal to the reference distance value (e.g., 1 cm) through analysis of the distance value obtained in real time.

At this time, if the control member (54) determines that the plurality of reusable containers are maximally loaded into the hollow portion of the loading guide member (59) located on the reference spot (rp) to a position corresponding to the finish line when the acquired distance value is lower than or equal to the reference distance value as a result of the monitoring, the control member (54) can control the operation of the movement control member (not shown) so that the loading guide member (59) moves to a position on a spot (for example, the fourth spot (p4)) corresponding to the first order in the preset spot movement order pattern while maintaining the state of maximally loading the plurality of reusable containers into the hollow portion. That is, the movement control member (not shown) can move the loading guide member (59) from the reference spot (rp) to the position of the fourth spot (p4) under the control of the control member (54).

Here, the preset spot movement order pattern may mean information defining the movement order (movement path) of the spots along which the loading guide member (59) must move whenever a plurality of reusable containers are maximally loaded within the hollow portion to a position corresponding to the finish line. For example, the spot movement order pattern may be set such that a spot located on the edge side of the receiving space among the plurality of spots (p1, p2, ..., p12) has priority, the position of the reference spot (rp) may be set as the last priority, and the remaining spots except for the edge-side spots and the reference spot (rp) among the plurality of spots may be set as middle priorities. For example, the preset spot movement order pattern may be information defined in the order of [p4-p3-p2-p1-p5-p9-p10-p11-p12-p8-p6-p7(rp)].

According to this, the spot corresponding to the first order in the preset spot movement order pattern in the above-described description may mean the fourth spot (p4).

Accordingly, the control member (54) controls the load inducing member (59) to move to a position on the spot corresponding to the first order (i.e., the fourth spot (p4)), and then controls the operation of the load inducing member (59) to change the load inducing member (59) from the closed state to the opened state, and then returns the load inducing member (59) in the opened state back to the reference spot (rp, p7) and then controls the load inducing member (59) to the closed state again. At this time, when the load inducing member (59) is in the opened state, the multi-use container loaded in the hollow portion can be ejected to the outside from the position on the hollow portion through the space between the open ends of the side of the load inducing member (59) in the opened state. That is, the loading guide member (59) can be in a spread state so that the distance between the open ends of the side when in the spread state has a value greater than the distance corresponding to the width (maximum width) of the reusable container (60). For example, if the maximum width (the length of the widest part of the reusable container) of the reusable container (60) is 10 cm, the loading guide member (59) can be controlled so that the distance between the open ends when in the spread state has a value exceeding 10 cm (for example, 11 cm). In this way, if the loading guide member (59) moves back to the reference spot (rp) while being controlled to the spread state, a plurality of reusable containers that were stacked one on top of the other in the hollow portion can be positioned at a position on the fourth spot (p4). In this way, when the load induction member (59) moves to the position of the fourth spot (p4) and then returns to the reference spot (rp), the movement control process (e.g., the first movement control process) of the load induction member (59) for the spot corresponding to the first order (i.e., the fourth spot) can be completed.

Thereafter, the control member (54) can repeatedly perform the above-described movement control process (first movement control process) for each of a plurality of spots (p1, p2, ..., p12) within the preset spot movement sequence pattern.

Specifically, after the first child control process is completed, the control member (54) can then perform the second movement control process as follows. That is, in order to perform the second movement control process, after the first child control process is completed, the control member (54) obtains a distance value measured in real time from a laser sensor in the loading guidance member (59) that has returned to its original position on the reference spot (rp), and through analysis of the distance value obtained in real time, monitors whether the obtained distance value is less than or equal to the reference distance value (for example, 1 cm).

At this time, if the control member (54) determines that the plurality of reusable containers are maximally loaded into the hollow portion of the loading guide member (59) located on the reference spot (rp) to a position corresponding to the finish line when the acquired distance value is shown as a result of the monitoring to be less than or equal to the reference distance value, the control member (54) can control the operation of the movement control member (not shown) so that the loading guide member (59) moves to a position on the spot (i.e., the third spot (p3)) corresponding to the second order in the preset spot movement order pattern while maintaining the state of maximally loading the plurality of reusable containers into the hollow portion. That is, the movement control member (not shown) can move the loading guide member (59) from the reference spot (rp) to the position of the third spot (p3) under the control of the control member (54).

Thereafter, the control member (54) controls the loading guide member (59) to move to a position on the spot corresponding to the second order (i.e., the third spot (p3)), and then controls the operation of the loading guide member (59) to change the loading guide member (59) from the closed state to the opened state, and then returns the loading guide member (59) in the opened state back to the reference spot (rp, p7) and then controls the loading guide member (59) to the closed state again. According to this, when the loading guide member (59) has completed moving from the third spot (p3) to the reference spot (rp) (i.e., returned to the original state), within the receiving space of the receiving member (53), a plurality of loaded reusable containers that were stacked one after another in the hollow portion can be positioned at positions corresponding to each of the third spot (p3) and the fourth spot (p4). In this way, once the load induction member (59) is restored to the reference spot (rp), the movement control process (e.g., the second movement control process) of the load induction member (59) for the spot corresponding to the second order (i.e., the third spot) can be completed.

In this way, the control member (54) can repeatedly perform the above-described movement control process for each of a plurality of spots (p1, p2, ..., p12) within the preset spot movement order pattern, taking into account the movement order within the preset spot movement order pattern.

At this time, if the control member (54) determines that all of the remaining spots except for the reference spot (rp) among the plurality of spots (p1, p2, ..., p12) in the preset spot movement order pattern have multiple reusable containers loaded (i.e., multiple reusable containers stacked in the maximum number of layers) (i.e., if it is determined that reusable containers (particularly, returned reusable containers) are stacked at all of the positions of the remaining spots except for the position of the reference spot (rp), for example, if it is determined that the stock quantity information of the reusable containers accommodated in the accommodation space of the accommodation member (53) is accommodated in a quantity corresponding to the preset limit percentage as described above, the control member (34) can control the management member (34) to empty the multiusable containers accommodated in the accommodation space of the accommodation member (53) (i.e., returned multiusable containers).

According to the above, the return device (50) can efficiently accommodate as many reusable containers (returned reusable containers) as possible within the accommodation space of the accommodation member (53) by providing a configuration of a loading guide member (59), a laser sensor, a movement control member (not shown), etc.

Below, based on the detailed description above, we will briefly review the operational flow of the present invention.

Figure 7 is a flow chart of an operation for a multi-use container management method according to one embodiment of the present invention.

The multi-use container management method illustrated in Fig. 7 can be performed by the server (10) described above. Therefore, even if the content is omitted below, the content described for the server (10) can be equally applied to the description of the multi-use container management method.

Referring to Fig. 7, in step S11, the information management unit (11) can register and manage administrator information uploaded from an administrator terminal in the integrated DB. In addition, the information management unit (11) can register and manage administrator information uploaded from an administrator terminal in the integrated DB.

Next, in step S12, the acquisition unit (13) can acquire status information of each of at least one multi-container storage devices previously registered in the integrated DB. In addition, the acquisition unit (13) can acquire status information of each of at least one multi-container return devices previously registered in the integrated DB.

Next, in step S13, the integrated control unit (14) can provide at least some of the status information acquired in step S12 to the administrator terminal.

In the above description, steps S11 to S13 may be further divided into additional steps or combined into fewer steps, depending on the implementation of the present invention. In addition, some steps may be omitted as needed, and the order between the steps may be changed.

In addition, although not shown in the drawing, the control method of the multi-container storage device according to one embodiment of the present invention can be performed by the storage device (40) described above. Therefore, even if the content is omitted below, the content described for the storage device (40) can be equally applied to the description of the control method of the multi-container storage device.

For example, a control method for a multi-use container storage device according to one embodiment of the present invention may include i) a control step in which a control unit (44) receives a control signal from an administrator terminal (33) or an integrated control unit (14) and controls the storage device (40) according to the received control signal, and ii) an ejection step in which a dispensing unit (43) ejects at least one multi-use container to the outside according to the control of the control unit (44).

In the above description, the control step and the release step may be further divided into additional steps or combined into fewer steps, depending on the implementation of the present invention. In addition, some steps may be omitted as needed, and the order between the steps may be changed.

In addition, although not shown in the drawing, the control method of the multi-container return device according to one embodiment of the present invention can be performed by the return device (50) described above. Therefore, even if the content is omitted below, the content described for the return device (50) can be equally applied to the description of the control method of the multi-container return device.

For example, a control method for a multi-use container return device according to one embodiment of the present invention may include i) a control step in which a control member (54) receives a control signal from an administrator terminal (33) or an integrated control unit (14) and controls the return device (50) according to the received control signal, and ii) an opening/closing operation step in which an inlet member (52) is opened/closed according to the control of the control member (54).

In the above description, the control step and the opening/closing operation step may be further divided into additional steps or combined into fewer steps, depending on the implementation of the present invention. In addition, some steps may be omitted as needed, and the order between the steps may be changed.

Each of the method for managing a multi-use container, the method for controlling a device for storing a multi-use container, and the method for controlling a device for returning a multi-use container according to an embodiment of the present invention described above may be implemented in the form of program commands that can be executed through various computer means and recorded on a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium may include program commands, data files, data structures, etc., singly or in combination. The program commands recorded on the medium may be those specially designed and configured for the present invention or may be those known to and usable by those skilled in the art of computer software. Examples of the computer-readable recording medium include magnetic media such as a hard disk, a floppy disk, and a magnetic tape, optical media such as a CD-ROM, a DVD, magneto-optical media such as a floptical disk, and hardware devices specially configured to store and execute program commands such as a ROM, a RAM, a flash memory, and the like. Examples of program instructions include not only machine language codes such as those produced by a compiler, but also high-level language codes that can be executed by a computer using an interpreter, etc. The above-described hardware devices may be configured to operate as one or more software modules to perform the operations of the present invention, and vice versa.

In addition, each of the multi-container management method, the control method of the multi-container storage device, and the control method of the multi-container return device according to the above-described embodiment of the present invention may also be implemented in the form of a computer program or application executed by a computer stored in a recording medium.

The above description of the present invention is for illustrative purposes, and those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention can be easily modified into other specific forms without changing the technical idea or essential characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described above are exemplary in all respects and not restrictive. For example, each component described as a single component may be implemented in a distributed manner, and likewise, components described as distributed may be implemented in a combined form.

The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims described below rather than the detailed description above, and all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalent concepts should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims (7)

As a device for storing reusable containers,
body part;
A receiving portion provided in the internal space of the above body portion and capable of receiving a plurality of reusable containers;
A discharging unit provided in one area of the above body part and discharging at least one of a plurality of reusable containers accommodated in the receiving unit to the outside; and
A control unit for controlling the operation of the above multi-use container storage device,
A device for storing reusable containers, comprising: In the first paragraph,
It further includes a monitor section provided in one area of the above body section and displaying status information of the multi-use container storage device,
A device for storing reusable containers, wherein the above status information includes rental status information for reusable containers accommodated in the receiving unit. In the first paragraph,
The above control unit,
A device for storing reusable containers, wherein when the number of reusable containers desired to be rented by a user is detected to have been entered through the monitor unit, the operation of the dispensing unit is controlled to dispense reusable containers corresponding to the entered number of reusable containers desired to be rented. In the first paragraph,
Each of the plurality of reusable containers accommodated in the above-mentioned receiving unit is provided with an identification tag having a unique number of each reusable container recorded thereon.
The above-mentioned discharge unit further includes an identification tag reader that recognizes an identification tag provided on a reusable container discharged to the outside from the receiving space of the receiving unit,
A device for storing reusable containers, wherein the control unit records and manages, in a memory unit, information on the identification tag of the reusable container being removed, recognized by the identification tag reader, when the reusable container is removed from the reusable container removal unit. In the first paragraph,
The above control unit,
A device for storing reusable containers, which provides a reward including carbon points to a user terminal when it is detected that a reusable container corresponding to the number of reusable containers desired to be rented entered by a user has been taken out of the dispenser. In the first paragraph,
The above control unit,
A multi-use container storage device that transmits status information of the multi-use container storage device through a network to a registered administrator terminal. A multi-use container management system including a multi-use container storage device according to Article 1,
Supplier terminal manufacturing and supplying the above multi-use container storage device;
An administrator terminal that purchases at least one multi-container storage device and uploads administrator information including device information of the purchased multi-container storage device to a multi-container management server; and
A multi-use container management server including an information management unit that registers and manages administrator information uploaded from the administrator terminal in an integrated DB, an acquisition unit that acquires status information of at least one multi-use container storage device already registered in the integrated DB, and an integrated control unit that provides at least some of the acquired status information to the administrator terminal.
A multi-use container management system including:

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