Makeup port control device, recovery device, makeup port control method

Abstract

To reduce foreign matter entering into a recovery box.SOLUTION: A makeup port control device has: an imaging part that images an object; a proximity detection part that detects the presence of the object in an area that can be imaged by the imaging part; a determination part that determines whether the object is a container to be recovered based on image data imaged by the imaging part when the proximity detection part detects the approaching of the object; and an opening / closing control part that opens a lid of the makeup port through which the container can be put into a storage part when a determination result of the determination part shows that the container is a container to be recovered.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a deposit port control device, a recovery device, and a deposit port control method. [Background technology]

[0002] Beverage containers such as plastic bottles and aluminum cans are collected and reused as resources. When collecting such containers, local governments may collect containers that have been collected at collection points on designated days of the week, or collection boxes (sometimes called recycling boxes) may be set up in train stations or near vending machines, where consumers may place their containers and the accumulated containers may be collected. There are collection boxes that are provided with two openings, allowing plastic bottles to be put in one and cans to be put in the other, allowing the items to be separated and stored (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-098570 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, although containers can be inserted through the insertion opening, if the insertion opening is open during the period when no containers are being inserted, items other than the containers to be collected may be inserted. In this case, items that are not to be collected are stored, making it difficult to use the contents as resources.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a deposit port control device, a collection device, and a deposit port control method that can reduce the entry of foreign objects into the collection box. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, one aspect of the present invention is an inlet control device having an imaging unit that images an object, a proximity detection unit that detects that the object is present in an area that can be imaged by the imaging unit, a judgment unit that judges whether the object is a container to be collected from image data captured by the imaging unit when the proximity detection unit detects that the object has come close, and an opening / closing control unit that opens a lid of an inlet through which the container can be inserted into a storage unit when the judgment result of the judgment unit determines that the object is a container to be collected.

[0007] Another aspect of the present invention is an input port control method executed by a computer, which includes detecting that an object is present in an area that can be imaged by an imaging unit, determining whether or not the object is a container to be collected from image data captured by the imaging unit when it is detected that the object has approached, and if the determined result is that the object is a container to be collected, opening a lid of an input port through which the container can be inserted into a storage unit. Effect of the Invention

[0008] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the ingress of foreign matter into the collection box. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an outline of a recovery device 1 using an insertion port control device. [Diagram 2] 2 is a front view showing an outline of the panel portion P. FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an outline of an imaging unit 11. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an outline of the imaging unit as viewed from the side. [Diagram 5] 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an outline of an imaging unit as viewed from above. FIG. [Figure 6] 2 is a schematic functional block diagram showing the functions of the recovery device 1. FIG. [Figure 7]FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of product data. [Figure 8] 4 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the recovery device 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an inlet control device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an outline of a recovery device 1 using an insertion port control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The collection device 1 according to this embodiment shown in FIG. 1 receives and accumulates inserted containers. The containers accumulated in the collection device 1 are collected by a collection staff member. The containers are, for example, containers for holding beverages, etc. There are types of containers for holding beverages, etc., classified according to the material of the container, such as PET bottles, aluminum cans, steel cans, etc. The containers may be, for example, tubular (cylindrical, rectangular).

[0011] The recovery device 1 has a box 3 with a space inside. A panel unit P is provided on the upper part of the box 3. The panel unit P is equipped with a number of functions. The panel section P is provided with an insertion section 10. The insertion section 10 has an insertion port 10a. A person, such as a consumer, who uses the collection device 1 inserts a container into the insertion port 10a. The shape of the insertion port 10a may be arbitrary, but in this embodiment, it is substantially circular. The size of the insertion port 10a is set to a size that allows containers to be inserted according to the diameters of PET bottles, aluminum cans, and steel cans that are commonly distributed. This allows various containers, such as PET bottles, aluminum cans, and steel cans, to be inserted into the insertion port 10a. Specifically, a cylindrical container can be inserted into the insertion port 10a so that its axial direction faces the insertion direction of the container into the insertion port 10a.

[0012] Furthermore, the insertion port 10a opens in a direction inclined with respect to the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). Therefore, a cylindrical container can be inserted into the insertion port 10a with its axial direction facing in a direction inclined with respect to the vertical direction. The inclination angle at which the axial direction of the container inserted into the insertion port 10a is inclined with respect to the vertical direction may be greater than 0 degrees and equal to or less than 90 degrees, but may be set to an angle that makes it easy for the person inserting the container to insert it.

[0013] The panel section P is provided with an imaging unit 11. The imaging unit 11 images a container to be inserted into the insertion port 10a. The imaging unit 11 may, for example, image a barcode attached to the outer surface of the container, or may image the outer surface of the container. The imaging section 13 also has an illumination section 13a. In this case, the imaging section 13 may image with the light source of the illumination section 13a turned on when the brightness around the collection device 1 is below a certain level. In FIG. 1, the imaging units 13 are arranged in the left-right direction (X-axis direction) with respect to the slot 10a when viewed from the front of the slot 10a, but this is not limited thereto.

[0014] In addition, a display unit 193 is provided on the panel unit P. The display unit 193 can display various types of information.

[0015] In the recovery device 1, a storage section 20 for storing containers inserted through the insertion port 10a is disposed below the insertion section 10. The storage section 20 is disposed inside the box body 3 and opens upward. The storage section 20 is disposed below the insertion port 10a. Therefore, the container inserted into the insertion port 10a falls toward the storage section 20 and is stored therein.

[0016] A door 3a is provided at the bottom of the box 3. By opening the door 3a, the storage section 20 arranged inside the box 3 is exposed. This allows the containers accumulated in the storage section 20 to be collected.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a front view showing an outline of the panel portion P. As shown in FIG. As illustrated in Fig. 2, the insertion unit 10 may have a lid unit 12 that opens and closes an insertion port 10a. When the lid unit 12 is in an open state, a container can be inserted through the insertion port 10a, and when the lid unit 12 is in a closed state, a container cannot be inserted through the insertion port 10a. In addition, in the closed state, it is possible to prevent foreign objects other than the container to be collected from being inserted through the insertion port 10a. That is, by opening the lid unit 12 during the period when a container can be inserted and closing the lid unit 12 during the other period, it is possible to prevent foreign objects from being inserted except at the timing when the container is to be collected.

[0018] The imaging unit 11 also includes an imaging section 13. The imaging section 13 captures an image of an object to be imaged. For example, the imaging section 13 captures an image of a container 100 to be inserted into the insertion port 10a.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an outline of the imaging unit 11. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the imaging unit 11 includes a pressed portion 112, an imaging section 13, an illumination section 13a, and an attachment frame 114. The pressed portion 112 is an example of a contact portion against which an object that is brought close to the pressed portion 112 contacts. The object may be anything that can be contacted by the pressed portion 112, and the object is, for example, a container 100. A container 100 to be inserted is pressed against the pressed portion 112 by a person who is inserting a container. The pressed portion 112 is made of a transparent member and has a contact surface 112a with which the container 100 comes into contact. The contact surface 112a may be flat, for example. In this embodiment, the contact surface 112a is curved concavely in a first direction D1 along the contact surface 112a, and is not curved in a second direction D2 perpendicular to the first direction D1 along the contact surface 112a. That is, the contact surface 112a is formed in a concavely curved arc shape as viewed from the second direction D2, or a shape similar thereto. It can also be said that the contact surface 112a has a shape corresponding to a part of the circumferential direction of the inner surface of a cylinder. In Figs. 3 to 5, the first direction D1 is oriented in the left-right direction, and the second direction D2 is oriented in the up-down direction. The first direction D1 may be oriented in the left-right direction, or in a direction inclined with respect to the up-down direction and the left-right direction, for example.

[0020] The imaging unit 13 images the container 100 pressed against the pressed portion 112. The imaging unit 13 may, for example, image a barcode attached to the outer surface of the container 100, or may image the outer surface of the container 100. The imaging unit 13 is disposed on the rear surface 112b side of the pressed portion 112 facing the opposite side to the contact surface 112a, and images the container 100 pressed against the contact surface 112a of the pressed portion 112. The imaging range (angle of view) of the imaging unit 13 may be, for example, a part of the contact surface 112a, but more preferably includes the entire contact surface 112a.

[0021] The pressed portion 112, the imaging portion 13, and the illumination portion 13a are attached to the mounting frame 114. Here, the mounting frame 114 is attached so that the pressed portion 112 is located at a position corresponding to the focal point at which the imaging portion 13 captures an image of the imaging target. Therefore, the relative positional relationship between the pressed portion 112 (particularly the contact surface 12a) and the imaging portion 13 does not change. In this embodiment, the mounting frame 114 is configured to cover the space between the pressed portion 112 and the imaging unit 13. This makes it possible to suppress or prevent light other than the light transmitted through the pressed portion 112 from reaching the imaging unit 13.

[0022] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the imaging unit 11 as viewed from above. 4 and 5, in the imaging unit 11 of this embodiment, when a container 100 is pressed against the pressed portion 112, the entire imaging unit 11 including the pressed portion 112, imaging section 13, lighting section 13a, and mounting frame 114 moves from an initial position P1 to a pressed-in position P2 by the pressing force. In addition, in the imaging unit 11, when the unit body 11a reaches the pressed-in position P2, the switch 18 detects that the unit body 11a has reached the pressed-in position P2, and in response to the detection, the imaging section 13 captures an image of the container 100 pressed against the pressed portion 112.

[0023] Here, even when the container 100 is abutted against the pressed portion 112 (particularly the contact surface 112a), the relative positional relationship (e.g., distance) between the pressed portion 112 (particularly the contact surface 112a) and the imaging unit 13 is maintained. Furthermore, even if the container 100 is pressed against the pressed portion 112 (particularly the contact surface 112a) and moves from the initial position P1 to the pressed position P2 due to the pressing force, the relative positional relationship between the pressed portion 112 (particularly the contact surface 112a) and the imaging unit 13 is maintained. Therefore, even when the container 100 abuts against or is pressed against the pressed portion 112, or even when the imaging unit 13 images the object (here, the container 100), the container 100 can be maintained in a position of focus, so that the object can be imaged with the focus on it. The timing for the imaging section 13 to release the shutter may be when it is detected that the object has come into contact with the pressed portion 112 (described later), or when it is detected that the object has been pressed against the pressed portion 112 and the imaging unit 11 (or the mounting frame 114) has reached the pressed-in position P2 from the initial position P1 (described later).

[0024] Specifically, the imaging unit 11 includes a unit body 11a, a biasing member 17, and a switch . The unit body 11a is movable between an initial position P1 and a push-in position P2 relative to the panel portion P. In Figs. 4 and 5, the unit body 11a rotates about a rotation shaft 16 between the initial position P1 and the push-in position P2. The rotation shaft 16 extends in a direction along the outer surface of the panel portion P (a direction perpendicular to the paper surface in Fig. 2). In Fig. 4, the rotation shaft 16 is located in a portion of the unit body 11a that is away from the panel portion P on the inside, but it may be located in a portion close to the panel portion P, for example. The unit body 11a may move linearly between the initial position P1 and the push-in position P2, for example.

[0025] The biasing member 17 biases the unit body 11a in a direction from the pushed-in position P2 toward the initial position P1. The biasing member 17 may be any elastic body such as a coil spring or rubber. The switch 18 detects that the unit body 11a (or the mounting frame 114) has reached the push-in position P2. When the switch 18 detects that the unit body 11a (or the mounting frame 114) has reached the push-in position P2, the switch 18 sends a detection signal to the imaging unit 13 to cause the imaging unit 13 to capture an image based on the detection. This makes it possible to capture an image of the container 100 pressed against the pressed portion 112 by the imaging unit 13 when the unit body 11a has reached the push-in position P2.

[0026] 3 to 5, the lighting unit 13a irradiates light onto the container 100 pressed against the contact surface 112a of the pressed portion 112, for example. The lighting unit 13a may be turned on when the container 100 is pressed against or in contact with the pressed portion 112, for example, based on a detection signal from the switch 18, and may be turned off when the container 100 is separated from the pressed portion 112. In this case, even if the surroundings are dark, for example, at night, it is possible to suppress or prevent a shortage of light when the imaging unit 13 images the container 100.

[0027] FIG. 6 is a schematic functional block diagram showing the functions of the recovery device 1. In this figure, the function of the recovery device 1 that exchanges electrical signals is mainly illustrated. The collection device 1 has an insertion port control unit 15, a lid section 12, a memory section 191, a control section 192, and a display section 193. The slot control unit 15 has a proximity detection unit 151 , an imaging unit 13 , an illumination unit 13 a , a determination unit 152 , and an opening / closing control unit 153 .

[0028] The proximity detection unit 151 detects that an object is present in an area that can be imaged by the imaging unit 13. The proximity detection unit 151 includes a switch 18, for example. The switch 18 detects that the object is pressed against the abutment portion (e.g., the pressed portion 112) and the mounting frame 114 has reached the pressing position P2, and outputs a detection signal to the imaging unit 13 and the lighting unit 13a.

[0029] The proximity detection unit 151 detects that an object is present in an area that can be imaged by the imaging unit 13, based on the fact that the switch 18 detects that the mounting frame 114 has reached the push-in position P2. That is, the proximity detection unit 151 can detect that an object is present in an area that can be imaged by the imaging unit 13, and that the focus of the imaging unit 13 is on the object in contact with the pressed portion 112.

[0030] In addition, when the object is pressed against the pressed portion 112 and the mounting frame 114 reaches the pressing position P2, the switch 18 can transmit a sensation of pressing the switch (a clicking sensation) to the user who pressed the object. This allows the user to understand from the clicking sensation that the object has been pressed to the required degree. In addition, it is easy to understand the flow of the series of operations, in which the switch is activated by pressing the container and the lid portion 12 opens accordingly. The switch 18 may be, for example, a microswitch.

[0031] The imaging unit 13 captures an image of the object when the proximity detection unit 151 detects that the object is present in an area that can be captured by the imaging unit 13. For example, the imaging unit 13 releases a shutter at the timing when the proximity detection unit 151 detects the object, and outputs image data.

[0032] The illumination unit 13a has a light source and illuminates an object captured by the imaging unit 13. The illumination unit 13a may turn on the light source in accordance with the timing at which the imaging unit 13 captures an image of the object. For example, the illumination unit 13a may obtain a detection signal indicating that the object has been detected by the proximity detection unit 151, and turn on the light source based on this detection signal.

[0033] The determination unit 152 determines whether or not the object is a container to be collected, from image data captured by the imaging unit 13 when the proximity detection unit 151 detects that the object has approached.

[0034] When performing this determination process, the determination unit 152 may refer to the product data stored in the storage unit 191 to determine whether or not the target object is a container to be collected.

[0035] When the determination unit 152 determines that the container is a container to be collected, the opening / closing control unit 153 opens the lid unit 12 of the insertion port through which the container can be inserted into the storage unit 20. The opening / closing control unit 153 opens the lid unit 12, and closes the lid unit 12 after a certain time has elapsed. Furthermore, after opening the lid unit 12, the opening / closing control unit 153 may close the lid unit 12 in response to detection of the container 100 being inserted through the insertion port 10a. The insertion of the container 100 through the insertion port 10a may be detected by, for example, a sensor.

[0036] The lid unit 12 is controlled to be in either an open state or a closed state by the opening / closing control unit 153. For example, an opening / closing lid having an iris diaphragm structure can be used as the lid unit 12. When the lid unit 12 is a lid having an iris diaphragm structure, the lid unit 12 can be in the open state by increasing the opening diameter, and in the closed state by decreasing the opening diameter. When the lid 12 is in the open state, the container 100 can be inserted through the insertion port 10a, and when the lid 12 is in the closed state, the container 100 cannot be inserted through the insertion port 10a. In addition, when the lid 12 is in the closed state, it is possible to prevent foreign objects other than the container from being inserted through the insertion port 10a. That is, by opening the lid 12 during the period when the container can be inserted and closing the lid 12 during the other period, it is possible to prevent foreign objects from being inserted except at the timing when the container is collected (inserted).

[0037] The storage unit 191 stores various data. For example, the storage unit 191 stores product data. The product data includes barcode data and product information. The memory unit 191 is configured with a storage medium, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD), a flash memory, an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), a random access read / write memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), or any combination of these storage media.

[0038] The storage unit 191 may be, for example, a non-volatile memory. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of product data. The product data is data in which barcode data and product information are associated with each other. Barcode data is identification information that is individually assigned to each different product. When this identification information is attached to a product, it is expressed as a one-dimensional barcode, printed on a film, and attached to the container as a label, or it is attached by being printed directly on the container. Product information is information about a product, for example, information about a beverage product in a container. More specifically, product information is information about a Japanese Article Number (JAN) or a product name. The product information includes a beverage product number code (corresponding to the identification information of a barcode), the name of the beverage (product name, etc.), the manufacturer, the material of the container, the content amount, etc. The product information may also include a product image showing the appearance of the container.

[0039] The control unit 192 controls each part of the recovery device 1 .

[0040] The display unit 193 displays various data based on a display signal from the control unit 192. The display unit 193 is, for example, a display having a liquid crystal panel.

[0041] The above-mentioned proximity detection unit 151, determination unit 152, opening / closing control unit 153, and control unit 192 may be configured by a processing unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a dedicated electronic circuit.

[0042] Next, the operation of the recovery device 1 will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the recovery device 1. In the initial state, the cover 12 is in a closed state. The proximity detection unit 151 monitors the detection signal of the switch 18 (step S101), and determines whether or not the detection signal is obtained (step S102). When the container 100 is not pressed against the pressed portion 112, the switch 18 is not turned on and no detection signal is output, so the proximity detection portion 151 determines that no detection signal has been obtained (step S102-NO). Here, the proximity detection portion 151 can detect that no container is present in the imageable area. On the other hand, when the container 100 is pressed against the pressed portion 112 and the unit body 11a reaches the pressed-in position P2, the switch 18 is turned on and a detection signal is output from the switch 18. The proximity detection unit 151 determines that the detection signal has been obtained (step S102-YES). This allows the proximity detection unit 151 to detect that the container is present in an area where it can be imaged.

[0043] When the proximity detection unit 151 detects that the container is present in an area that can be imaged by the imaging unit 13, the illumination unit 13a turns on the light source (step S103). Furthermore, when the proximity detection unit 151 detects that the container is present in an area that can be imaged by the imaging unit 13, the imaging unit 13 images the imaging area (step S104). Here, the imaging unit 13 can image the container 100 in a state where it is illuminated by the illumination unit 13a. Here, the illumination unit 13a and the imaging unit 13 may operate in response to obtaining the detection result of the proximity detection unit 151, or may operate based on the detection signal output from the switch .

[0044] When the image is captured by the imaging unit 13, the determination unit 152 determines whether or not the object is a container to be collected based on image data that is the image capture result (step S105). For example, when an image corresponding to the appearance of a container to be collected is extracted from the image data, the determination unit 152 determines that the object is a container to be collected (YES in step S106). The determination unit 152 may also extract a one-dimensional barcode from the image data, identify a product to which the extracted one-dimensional barcode is assigned, and determine that the object is a container to be collected when the identified product corresponds to a container to be collected.

[0045] On the other hand, when the one-dimensional barcode cannot be extracted from the image data, the determination unit 152 determines that the object is not a container to be collected (step S106-NO). When it is determined that the object is not a container to be collected, the control unit 192 shifts the process to step S101. This makes it possible to maintain the lid unit 12 in a closed state, and to prevent objects that are not to be collected from being inserted.

[0046] Here, for example, when the object is an object without a one-dimensional barcode, the determination unit 152 determines that it is not a container to be collected. Also, when a one-dimensional barcode is extracted and the product indicated by the one-dimensional barcode is not a product that corresponds to a container to be collected, the determination unit 152 determines that the object is not a container to be collected. For example, there may be a product that has a one-dimensional barcode but is not a container for beverages or the like. Here, a case is described in which a one-dimensional barcode is attached to the product, but a two-dimensional barcode may also be used as long as it can individually identify the product.

[0047] Furthermore, even if a one-dimensional barcode is not extracted, the determination unit 152 may perform image recognition processing and determine whether or not the target object is a container to be collected based on whether or not the image data includes an image corresponding to the product to be collected. For example, the determination unit 152 may perform character recognition processing (OCR: Optical Character Reader) from the image data to acquire character information from the image data, and determine whether or not the acquired character information corresponds to a product in which the container to be collected is used by referring to the product data in the storage unit 191. Here, the determination unit 152 may determine whether or not the product name indicated by the acquired character information matches any of the product data in the storage unit 191, and if there is a match, determine that the target object is a container to be collected, and if there is no match, determine that the target object is not a container to be collected.

[0048] The determination unit 152 may also determine whether or not the container is a collection target container based on whether or not the determined feature amount matches a feature amount obtained from a product image representing the appearance of the product stored in the product data in the storage unit 191, or whether or not the degree of match is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. In this case, the determination unit 152 may determine that the container is a collection target container when the feature amount of the captured image data matches a feature amount of the product image, or when the degree of match is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, and may determine that the container is not a collection target container when the feature amount of the captured image data does not match a feature amount of the product image, or when the degree of match is less than a predetermined threshold. In this way, when making a judgment using the image feature amount, if the container does not have a one-dimensional or two-dimensional barcode but is made of a material to be collected, it is possible to open the lid 12. Even if a one-dimensional or two-dimensional barcode is attached, or even if the printed portion of the barcode is damaged, it is possible to open the lid 12.

[0049] When the determination unit 152 determines that the target object is a container to be collected, the opening / closing control unit 153 opens the lid unit 12 (step S107). This allows the user to insert the container 100 that was pressed against the pressed portion 112 through the insertion port 10a. The opening / closing control unit 153 counts the elapsed time from the time when the lid unit 12 is opened, and judges whether the elapsed time has reached a predetermined time (step S108). Here, the case where the elapsed time is counted from the time when the lid unit 12 is opened will be described, but a passage sensor may be provided near the insertion port 10a, and the container 100 inserted from the insertion port 10a may be detected by this passage sensor, and the counting may be performed from the time when the container 100 is detected. This makes it possible to prevent the lid unit 12 from being closed before the container 100 is inserted. The passage sensor is provided near the insertion port 10a, on the path from the insertion port 10a through which the container 100 is inserted to the storage unit 20, on the inside of the recovery device 1, and detects whether the container 100 is inserted from the insertion port 10a. The passage sensor is, for example, an ultrasonic sensor that emits ultrasonic waves from one radial side of the insertion port 10a so as to pass through the radial center of the insertion port 10a, receives the reflected waves, and measures the time from when the ultrasonic waves are emitted until the reflected waves are received to detect whether or not a container has been inserted. The passage sensor detects that a container has been inserted when the measured time is shorter than the measured time when the container 100 is not inserted. When the opening / closing control unit 153 determines that the elapsed time has not reached the predetermined time (step S108-NO), it performs the determination of step S108 again after a certain wait time has elapsed. On the other hand, when the opening / closing control unit 153 determines that the elapsed time has reached the predetermined time (step S108-YES), it closes the lid unit 12 (step S109). Here, the time during which the lid portion 12 is in the open state may be determined according to the time during which the container 100 can be removed from the pressed portion 112 and inserted into the insertion port 10a. In addition, when a sensor detects that a container 100 has been inserted through the insertion port 10a, the opening / closing control unit 153 may close the lid unit 12 even if the elapsed time has not reached the predetermined time.

[0050] When the lid portion 12 is in the closed state, the control portion 192 determines whether an operation input to turn off the power has been performed (step S110), and if the power is not turned off, the process proceeds to step S101, and if the power is turned off, the process ends.

[0051] According to the embodiment described above, an image of the object that is brought close is captured, and if it is a container to be collected, the lid of the insertion port is opened. Therefore, after confirming that the object that is brought close is a container to be collected, the lid can be opened and the container can be received, and if the object is not to be collected, the lid can be closed, preventing foreign objects from being inserted. Furthermore, according to the embodiment described above, the pressed portion 112 and the imaging portion 13 are attached to the mounting frame 114. Therefore, it is possible to suppress changes in the relative positional relationship between the pressed portion 112 (particularly the contact surface 112a) and the imaging portion 13, and there is no need to consciously adjust the focal length.

[0052] In the above-described embodiment, when the container 100 is pressed against the pressed portion 112, the unit main body 11a including the pressed portion 112, the imaging section 13, and the mounting frame 114 of the imaging unit 11 moves from the initial position P1 to the pressed position P2 against the biasing force of the biasing member 17. When the unit main body 11a reaches the pressed position P2, the imaging section 13 captures an image of the container 100 pressed against the pressed portion 112. Therefore, when the user presses the container 100 against the pressed portion 112, the sensation of pressing the container 100 is transmitted to the user's fingers. This allows the user to obtain the sensation that the container 100 has been imaged by the imaging unit 11.

[0053] In addition, in the above-mentioned imaging unit 11, the relative positional relationship between the pressed portion 112 (particularly the contact surface 112a) and the imaging section 13 is fixed by the mounting frame 114. Therefore, even if the container 100 is pressed against the pressed portion 112 and the pressed portion 112 moves, the focus of the imaging section 13 can be maintained on the pressed portion 112 (contact surface 112a). Furthermore, imaging can be performed after the container is in contact with the pressed portion 112. This allows imaging to be performed while maintaining the state in which the container is in a position where the imaging section 13 is in focus. Therefore, it is possible to effectively suppress or prevent the image of the container 100 imaged by the imaging section 13 from becoming blurred.

[0054] In addition, in the above-described imaging unit 11, the contact surface 112a of the pressed portion 112 is curved in a concave shape in the first direction D1 along the contact surface 12a. Therefore, even if the container 100 is pressed against the contact surface 12a of the pressed portion 112 and the container is pressed to a position closer to the right or left side in the first direction D1, the container 100 can be guided to be positioned at the innermost side of the concave shape, and can be brought closer to the front side (the center side in the first direction D1) of the imaging unit 13. In addition, the container held by the user's hand can be prevented from moving in the first direction D1 during imaging. This effectively prevents the image of the container 100 captured by the imaging unit 13 from being blurred.

[0055] In addition, the contact surface 12a is curved concavely in a first direction D1 along the contact surface 12a, and is not curved in a second direction D2 perpendicular to the first direction D1 along the contact surface 12a, that is, is formed into a shape corresponding to a part of the circumferential direction of the cylindrical inner surface. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 3 to Fig. 5, it is possible for the user to intuitively understand that the cylindrical container 100 is pressed against the contact surface 12a of the pressed portion 112 with the axial direction of the cylindrical container 100 facing the second direction D2.

[0056] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the contact surface 112a is a concavely curved arc when viewed from the second direction D2, the user can be guided to press the container 100 against the contact surface 112a of the pressed portion 112 with the opening 100w of the container 100 facing upward. This makes it possible to prevent the contents (e.g., liquid) contained in the container 100 from accidentally leaking out of the opening 100w of the container 100 when the container 100 is pressed against the pressed portion 112, compared to when the contact surface 112a is formed in a concavely curved arc when viewed from the side.

[0057] In the above embodiment, the switch 18 detects that the entire imaging unit 11 has reached the push-in position P2. However, the contact of a container with the contact surface 112a may be detected by a touch panel instead of the switch 18. For example, a touch panel may be provided on the contact surface 112a, and when the touch panel detects that a container has been contacted with the contact surface 112a, a detection signal may be supplied from the touch panel to the imaging section 13 or the illumination section 13a. In this case, a movable mechanism that causes the imaging unit 11 to reach the push-in position P2 when the container is contacted with the contact surface 112a may not be provided. That is, the unit body 11a of the imaging unit 11 may be fixed to the panel section P so as to be immovable, for example. Even when a touch panel is used in this way, the relative positional relationship between the contact surface 112a and the imaging unit 13 is maintained, so that an image of the target object can be captured in a focused state.

[0058] In this case, the contact detection unit (e.g., a touch panel) is provided on the contact portion (e.g., pressed portion 112) and detects that the object is in contact with the contact portion. The proximity detection unit 151 detects that the object is present in an area that can be imaged by the imaging unit, based on the detection by the contact detection unit that the object is in contact with the contact portion.

[0059] Furthermore, according to the above-described collection device 1, the user can feel a clicking sensation by pressing the container 100 against the pressed portion 112, and the lid portion 12 opens accordingly. Therefore, compared to simply placing the container in a collection container, the user can be made more interested in putting the container 100 into the collection device 1. This makes it possible to raise the awareness of container recycling even among users who have a low awareness of container recycling.

[0060] In the embodiment described above, the inlet control unit 15 may be attached to an existing collection container as an inlet control device, and the opening / closing control unit 153 may open and close the lid provided on the collection container. Also, the inlet control unit 15 may be configured to include the lid portion 12, and may be attached to the collection container as an inlet control device. By configuring it as an inlet control device in this way, even for an existing collection container, the opening and closing of the lid can be controlled in response to the container being brought close to the container.

[0061] In the above-described embodiment, the imaging unit 11 may be provided in an existing collection container.

[0062] The proximity detection unit 151, the determination unit 152, the opening / closing control unit 153, and the control unit 192 in the above-mentioned embodiment may be realized by a computer. In that case, a program for realizing this function may be recorded in a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded in the recording medium may be read into a computer system and executed to realize the function. The term "computer system" as used herein includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. The term "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as flexible disks, optical magnetic disks, ROMs, and CD-ROMs, and storage devices such as hard disks built into a computer system. The term "computer-readable recording medium" may also include a medium that dynamically holds a program for a short period of time, such as a communication line when a program is transmitted via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line, and a medium that holds a program for a certain period of time, such as a volatile memory inside a computer system that is a server or client in that case. The above-mentioned program may be a program for realizing a part of the above-mentioned function, or may be a program that can realize the above-mentioned function in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system, or may be a program that is realized using a programmable logic device such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0063] Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and designs that do not deviate from the gist of the present invention are also included. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 1 Recovery device 3 box body 3a door 10 Input section 10a Inlet 11 Imaging unit 11a Unit body 12 Lid 12a Contact surface 13 Imaging unit 13a Lighting section 15 Inlet control unit 16 Rotation Axis 17 Pressing member 18 Switch 20 Storage unit 100 containers 100w aperture 112 Pressed part 112a Contact surface 112b Rear 114 Mounting frame 151 Proximity detection unit 152 Judgment section 153 Opening and closing control section 191 Storage section 192 Control section 193 Display section

Claims

1. An imaging unit that captures an image of an object; a proximity detection unit that detects whether the object is present in an area that can be imaged by the imaging unit; a determination unit that determines whether the object is a container to be collected based on image data captured by the imaging unit when the proximity detection unit detects that the object has approached; and an opening / closing control unit that opens a lid of an insertion port through which the container can be inserted into the storage unit when the determination result of the determination unit determines that the container is a collection target container; An inlet control device having

2. a contact portion to which the object to be approached comes into contact; a mounting frame to which the contact portion is attached so that the contact portion is located at a position corresponding to a focal point of the imaging unit; The input control device according to claim 1 , further comprising:

3. the mounting frame is movable in a pushing direction in response to the object being pressed against the abutment portion while a distance between the abutment portion and the imaging portion is maintained, The inlet control device is a switch unit that detects when the object is pressed against the contact portion and the mounting frame reaches a pressing position; The proximity detection unit detects that the object is present in an area that can be imaged by the imaging unit, based on the detection by the switch unit that the mounting frame has reached a push-in position. The inlet control device according to claim 2.

4. a contact detection unit that is provided at the contact portion and detects that the object is in contact with the contact portion; The proximity detection unit detects that the object is present in an area that can be imaged by the imaging unit, based on the detection by the contact detection unit that the object is in contact with the contact portion. The inlet control device according to claim 2.

5. The determination unit determines that the object is a container to be collected when an image corresponding to an appearance of the container to be collected is extracted from the image data. The inlet control device according to claim 1.

6. an illumination unit that illuminates the object captured by the imaging unit; The input control device according to claim 1 , further comprising:

7. An inlet control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6; A lid portion having a lid whose opening and closing is controlled by the insertion port control device; A recovery device having the above structure.

8. 1. A computer-implemented method for controlling an input port, comprising: Detecting that an object is present in an area that can be imaged by the imaging unit; determining whether the object is a container to be collected based on image data captured by an imaging unit when the proximity of the object is detected; When the result of the determination is that the container is a collection target container, a lid of an insertion port through which the container can be inserted into the storage unit is opened. The input port control method includes the steps of:

Images