Information processing system, information processing program, information processing method, method for producing fertilizer, and method for producing water treatment agent

Abstract

To provide a more useful information processing system, an information processing program, an information processing method, a method for producing fertilizer, and a method for producing water treatment agent for a disposable warmer collection device and a collection system.SOLUTION: According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing system. The information processing system is provided with a processor capable of executing a program to perform the following steps. In a first acquisition step, inputting information indicating that a warmer is inputted into a collection box and identification information of the warmer is acquired. In a grant step, a reward, when it is determined that the warmer is a predetermined warmer on the basis of the identification information, is granted to a user who inputs the collection box.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing system, an information processing program, an information processing method, a method for producing a fertilizer, and a method for producing a water treatment agent. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes the provision of a collection device and its management system that can grasp the amount of collected used PET bottles. For example, the document describes a collection device for used PET bottles that includes a plurality of insertion ports provided on the device body according to the size of the collected PET bottles, counters that count the number of PET bottles inserted into each of the insertion ports, and a calculation device that calculates the total weight of the PET bottles inserted into the insertion ports based on the counts of each counter. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2003-182805 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, no device or system for collecting disposable hand warmers is known.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, the present invention aims to provide a more useful information processing system and the like. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing system. The information processing system includes a processor capable of executing a program to perform the following steps: In a first acquisition step, deposit information indicating that a hand warmer has been deposited in a collection box and identification information of the hand warmer are acquired; In a granting step, if it is determined based on the identification information that the hand warmer is a predetermined hand warmer, a reward is granted to the user who deposited the hand warmer in the collection box.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, a more beneficial information processing system and the like can be provided. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an information processing system 1. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the server 2. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the payment server 3. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a user terminal 4. [Diagram 5] 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a collection device 5. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a recovery device 5. [Figure 7] 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the inside of a recovery device 5. FIG. [Figure 8] 2 is an activity diagram showing an example of the flow of information processing executed by the information processing system 1. FIG. [Figure 9] 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an insertion port 56. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a disposable warmer C. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is an activity diagram showing an example of a flow for determining the reward P. [Figure 12] 13 is an activity diagram showing another example of the flow of information processing executed by the information processing system 1. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Various characteristic features shown in the following embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0010] Incidentally, the program for realizing the software appearing in this embodiment may be provided as a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium, or may be provided so as to be downloadable from an external server, or may be provided so that the program is started on an external computer and its functions are realized on a client terminal (so-called cloud computing).

[0011] In addition, in this embodiment, the term "unit" may include, for example, a combination of hardware resources implemented by a circuit in the broad sense and software information processing that can be specifically realized by these hardware resources. In addition, in this embodiment, various information is handled, and this information is represented, for example, by physical values ​​of signal values ​​representing voltage and current, high and low signal values ​​as a binary bit collection consisting of 0 or 1, or quantum superposition (so-called quantum bits), and communication and calculation can be performed on the circuit in the broad sense.

[0012] In addition, a circuit in the broad sense is a circuit realized by at least appropriately combining a circuit, circuitry, a processor, a memory, etc. In other words, it includes an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (e.g., a simple programmable logic device (SPLD), a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), and a field programmable gate array (FPGA)), etc.

[0013] 1. Hardware Configuration This section describes the hardware configuration.

[0014] <Information Processing System 1> FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an information processing system 1. The information processing system 1 includes a server 2, a payment server 3, a user terminal 4, and a collection device 5. The server 2, the payment server 3, the user terminal 4, and the collection device 5 are configured to be able to communicate with each other via a telecommunication line. The information processing system 1 is made up of one or more devices or components. In one embodiment, the information processing system 1 may be made up of an information processing device exemplified by the user terminal 4, and a collection box exemplified by the collection device 5. These components will be described below.

[0015] <Server 2> 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the server 2. The server 2 includes a communication unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a control unit 23, and these components are electrically connected via a communication bus 20 inside the server 2. Each component will be further described.

[0016] The communication unit 21 is preferably a wired communication means such as USB, IEEE1394, Thunderbolt (registered trademark), wired LAN network communication, etc., but may also include wireless LAN network communication, mobile communication such as 3G / LTE / 5G, BLUETOOTH (registered trademark) communication, etc. as necessary. In other words, it is more preferable to implement it as a collection of multiple communication means. In other words, the server 2 may communicate various information from the outside via the communication unit 21 and the network.

[0017] The storage unit 22 stores various information defined by the above description. This can be implemented, for example, as a storage device such as a solid state drive (SSD) that stores various programs and the like related to the server 2 executed by the control unit 23, or as a memory such as a random access memory (RAM) that stores temporarily required information (arguments, arrays, etc.) related to the calculation of the program. The storage unit 22 stores various programs, variables, etc. related to the server 2 executed by the control unit 23.

[0018] The control unit 23 performs processing and control of the overall operation related to the server 2. The control unit 23 is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) not shown. The control unit 23 realizes various functions related to the server 2 by reading out a predetermined program stored in the storage unit 22. That is, information processing by the software stored in the storage unit 22 can be specifically realized by the control unit 23, which is an example of hardware, and executed as each functional unit included in the control unit 23. These will be described in more detail in the next section. Note that the control unit 23 is not limited to being single, and may be implemented with multiple control units 23 for each function. Also, a combination of these may be used.

[0019] <Payment Server 3> 3 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the payment server 3. The payment server 3 includes a communication unit 31, a storage unit 32, and a control unit 33, and these components are electrically connected via a communication bus 30 inside the payment server 3. The description of each component is omitted because it is similar to the description of each unit in the server 2.

[0020] <User terminal 4> 4 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the user terminal 4. The user terminal 4 includes a communication unit 41, a storage unit 42, a control unit 43, a display unit 44, and an input unit 45, and these components are electrically connected via a communication bus 40 inside the user terminal 4. Descriptions of the communication unit 41, the storage unit 42, and the control unit 43 will be omitted because they are similar to the descriptions of the respective units in the server 2.

[0021] The display unit 44 may be included in the housing of the user terminal 4 or may be externally attached. The display unit 44 displays a screen of a graphical user interface (GUI) that can be operated by the user. This is preferably implemented by using display devices such as a CRT display, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, and a plasma display according to the type of the user terminal 4.

[0022] The input unit 45 may be included in the housing of the user terminal 4, or may be externally attached. For example, the input unit 45 may be implemented as a touch panel integrated with the display unit 44. If it is a touch panel, the user can input a tap operation, a swipe operation, or the like. Of course, a switch button, a mouse, a QWERTY keyboard, or the like may be adopted instead of the touch panel. That is, the input unit 45 accepts an operation input made by the user. The input is transferred as a command signal to the control unit 43 via the communication bus 40, and the control unit 43 can execute a predetermined control or calculation as necessary.

[0023] <Recovery Device 5> 5 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the collection device 5. The collection device 5 includes a communication unit 51, a storage unit 52, a control unit 53, a display unit 54, and a sensor unit 55, and these components are electrically connected via a communication bus 50 inside the collection device 5. The explanation of the communication unit 51, the storage unit 52, the control unit 53, and the display unit 54 will be omitted because they are the same as the explanation of each unit in the user terminal 4.

[0024] The sensor unit 55 may be included in the housing of the collection device 5 or may be externally attached. The sensor unit 55 includes, for example, an image sensor, an infrared sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, and a temperature sensor. The image sensor may be a digital camera or a barcode reader. That is, the sensor unit 55 detects and acquires information about a specific hand warmer using various sensors. The information acquired by the sensor unit 55 is transferred to the control unit 53 via the communication bus 50, and the control unit 53 can execute a specific control or calculation as necessary. Details will be described later.

[0025] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the collection device 5. The collection device 5 is a device that collects disposable warmers C. The collection device 5 includes an insertion slot 56 for the disposable warmers C, a screen 54a, a payment screen 54b, an insertion number counter 54c, and a barcode reader 55a. The screen 54a, the payment screen 54b, and the insertion number counter 54c are an example of the display unit 54. The screen 54a is provided on the front of the collection device 5, and displays information on the collection operation method and the reward P to the user. For example, the screen 54a includes an area Rg and a button Bt. The control unit 23 can display the work to be performed next by the user in the area Rg. In addition, the word "START" is drawn on the button Bt, and the control unit 23 accepts an instruction from the user by pressing the button Bt. The payment screen 54b is a screen that displays a two-dimensional code and the like used when granting the reward P. The insertion number counter 54c displays the total number of predetermined warmers that have been inserted into the collection device 5. The barcode reader 55a is an example of the sensor unit 55, and reads, for example, a barcode attached to the warmer. Details will be described later.

[0026] 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the inside of the recovery device 5. The recovery device 5 includes a storage container 561 that stores the disposable warmer C inserted through the insertion port 56. When the control unit 53 of the recovery device 5 receives a determination result that the disposable warmer C placed at the insertion port 56 is a predetermined warmer, it controls the storage container 561 to store the disposable warmer C placed at the insertion port 56. Specifically, the disposable warmer C is transported and stored in the storage container 561 by appropriately driving a drive mechanism such as a belt conveyor (not shown).

[0027] 2. Functional configuration of Server 2 The control unit 23 is configured to execute an obtaining step, an assigning step, and a specifying step.

[0028] The first acquisition step is a step of acquiring insertion information indicating that the warmer has been inserted into the collection box and identification information of the warmer. The second acquisition step is a step of acquiring user information. Details will be described later.

[0029] The awarding step is a step of awarding a reward to the user, which will be described in detail later.

[0030] The identifying step is a step of identifying a user account corresponding to the user information, which will be described in detail later. 3. Information processing flow This section provides an overview of the flow of the information processing method executed by the information processing system 1. As shown below, the information processing method includes the following steps (activities). Note that the order of the processes can be changed as appropriate, multiple processes may be executed simultaneously, and some processes may be omitted.

[0031] 3.1 Condition examples The disposable warmer C is a warmer that utilizes the oxidation of iron powder. The body of the disposable warmer C is covered with a nonwoven bag, and the contents thereof include iron powder, activated carbon, a water-retaining material (e.g., vermiculite or a highly absorbent polymer), water, salts, etc. The body of the disposable warmer C is stored in an outer bag that does not allow oxygen to pass through. When the outer bag of the disposable warmer C is opened, oxygen in the air combines with the iron in the disposable warmer C to cause an oxidation reaction, which causes the body of the disposable warmer C to heat up. Once the heat-generating reaction has ended, the disposable warmer C will not heat up again. Most disposable warmers C are discarded as burnable or non-burnable garbage after one use and are not reused. However, the contents of the disposable warmer C can be reused as raw materials for fertilizers, water treatment agents, etc. By collecting the disposable warmers C with the collection device 5, the contents of the collected disposable warmers C can be recycled.

[0032] As an example, assume that a collection device 5 is installed in a facility where a large amount of disposable warmers C are distributed or sold, and the collection device 5 collects the disposable warmers C. When a user inserts a disposable warmer C into the collection device 5, the user is given electronic money as a reward P. This embodiment promotes the collection of disposable warmers C. Below, a flow of inserting a disposable warmer C into the collection device 5 and giving electronic money to the user will be described.

[0033] 3.2 Overview of the process 8 is an activity diagram showing an example of the flow of information processing executed by the information processing system 1. Below, an explanation will be given along with each activity of this activity diagram.

[0034] First, the control unit 53 displays a button Bt for starting the process on a predetermined screen 54a. When the button Bt is pressed by the user, the control unit 53 accepts it as an instruction to start the process (activity A001). The button Bt is an example, and any form is acceptable as long as it is an object having visual information that can be operated by the user. The button Bt may also be physically provided on the collection device 5. The user may be prompted to operate by displaying an operation instruction to the user in the area Rg of the screen 54a. For example, the user may be prompted to press the button Bt by displaying "If you want to insert a hand warmer, press the start button" in the area Rg.

[0035] Next, the control unit 53 controls the insertion port 56 to allow the insertion of the disposable warmer C (activity A002). Specifically, the control unit 53 drives the lid of the insertion port 56 to open, allowing the insertion of the disposable warmer C into the insertion port 56.

[0036] 9 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an insertion slot 56. A disposable warmer C is inserted into the insertion slot 56. The insertion slot 56 is equipped with a reading device 55b and a sensor 55c. The reading device 55b is, for example, a camera, a scanner, or a reader. The reading device 55b captures an image of the exterior of the disposable warmer C. The sensor 55c is, for example, a weight sensor, a temperature sensor, a magnetic sensor, or the like.

[0037] Next, the control unit 53 receives a signal that the disposable warmer C has been placed in the insertion port 56 (activity A003). That is, when the disposable warmer C is placed in the insertion port 56, the sensor 55c detects that the disposable warmer C has been placed. The control unit 53 receives a signal from the sensor 55c.

[0038] When a signal indicating that the disposable warmer C has been placed in activity A003 is received, the control unit 53 then causes the reading device 55b to capture an image of the exterior of the disposable warmer C. The control unit 53 transmits the captured image data to the server 2 as information on the exterior of the disposable warmer C (activity A004). In other words, the control unit 53 may transmit information on the exterior of the disposable warmer C as identification information for the disposable warmer C.

[0039] Here, Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a disposable warmer C. The disposable warmer C has an area 71 and a barcode 72. The event name is written in area 71, such as "XXX event". Alternatively, an image such as a mark or character may be written. Area 71 and barcode 72 may be an area or barcode that is originally present in a commercially available product, or may be an area or barcode that is added by a facility, event organizer, etc.

[0040] Next, the control unit 23 acquires imaging data or the like as appearance information (activity A005).

[0041] Next, the control unit 23 compares the appearance information of the specified warmer stored in advance in the storage unit 22 with the appearance information acquired in activity A005, and determines whether the inserted disposable warmer C is the specified warmer. The control unit 23 transmits the determination result to the collection device 5 (activity A006).

[0042] If the control unit 53 receives a determination result that the disposable warmer C is not the specified one, the control unit 53 then returns the disposable warmer C from the insertion port 56 (activity A007) and ends the process.

[0043] When the control unit 53 receives a determination result that the disposable warmer C is a predetermined warmer, the control unit 53 then acquires the disposable warmer C into the storage container 561 (activity A008). For example, the disposable warmer C is transported and stored in the storage container 561 by appropriately driving a driving mechanism such as a belt conveyor (not shown).

[0044] When the disposable warmer C is stored in the storage container 561, the control unit 53 then transmits insertion information to the server 2 (activity A009). The insertion information is information indicating that the disposable warmer C has been inserted. For example, a sensor (not shown) may be provided between the insertion port 56 and the storage container 561, and when the sensor detects the movement of the disposable warmer C, the control unit 53 may transmit the insertion information.

[0045] Next, the control unit 23 of the server 2 acquires input information (activity A010). Next, the control unit 23 determines a reward P to be given to the user based on a predetermined rule (activity A011). Details of the processing of activities A010 to A011 will be described later with reference to FIG. 11.

[0046] Next, the control unit 23 generates a two-dimensional code based on the determined reward P (activity A012). For example, the control unit 23 may receive the two-dimensional code from the payment server 3 after making a payment of the amount to be given to the user to the payment server 3. Here, the two-dimensional code includes an electronic money giving instruction to give electronic money to the user. The electronic money giving instruction includes amount information indicating the amount of electronic money to be given to the user, and account information of the facility or the like that gives the reward P. Note that a two-dimensional code is a code that has information in both vertical and horizontal directions, such as a QR code (registered trademark).

[0047] Next, the control unit 23 transmits the generated two-dimensional code to the collection device 5, and the control unit 53 causes the two-dimensional code to be displayed on the payment screen 54b (activity A013).

[0048] Next, the user terminal 4 reads the two-dimensional code displayed on the payment screen 54b (activity A014). For example, a predetermined payment application is installed in advance in the user terminal 4. The user terminal 4 starts the payment application and reads the two-dimensional code displayed on the payment screen 54b via the payment application.

[0049] Next, when the user terminal 4 reads the two-dimensional code from the payment screen 54b, the payment server 3 acquires an electronic money providing instruction and user information (activity A015). That is, the user terminal 4 transmits the electronic money providing instruction and the user information, and the payment server 3 acquires them. In other words, when the user terminal 4 reads the authentication code or authentication tag attached to the collection device 5, the control unit 33 acquires the user information as a second acquisition step.

[0050] Next, the control unit 33 identifies a user account (activity A016). That is, the control unit 33 identifies a user account based on the user information acquired in activity A015 and the information stored in the storage unit 32. In other words, the control unit 33 identifies a user account corresponding to the user information as an identification step.

[0051] Next, the control unit 33 grants electronic money to the user account (activity A017). That is, the control unit 33 transfers a predetermined amount of electronic money described in the electronic money grant instruction from the facility account to the user account. In other words, the control unit 33 grants a reward P to the user account as a granting step. The reward P is electronic money. In this manner, electronic money can be granted to the user account.

[0052] Next, the control unit 33 notifies the user terminal 4 of the fact that the electronic money has been added to the user account, and the user terminal 4 receives the electronic money (activity A018).

[0053] In summary, the information processing system includes a processor capable of executing a program to perform the following steps: In a first acquisition step, input information indicating that a disposable warmer C has been input into the collection device 5 and identification information of the disposable warmer C are acquired. In a granting step, if it is determined based on the identification information that the disposable warmer C is a predetermined warmer, a reward P is granted to the user who input the warmer into the collection box.

[0054] In this manner, a reward P is given to a user who deposits a predetermined heating pad into the collection device 5.

[0055] The contents of the disposable warmers C recovered by the recovery device 5 may be used as a raw material for fertilizer to produce fertilizer, or the contents of the disposable warmers C may be used as a raw material for a water treatment agent to produce a water treatment agent. In such an embodiment, the contents of the recovered disposable warmers C are effectively reused.

[0056] 4. Details of data processing This section provides additional details about the information processing outlined above.

[0057] Fig. 11 is an activity diagram showing an example of a flow for determining the reward P. When the control unit 23 of the server 2 acquires input information, it determines the reward P to be given to the user based on a predetermined rule. Below, an explanation will be given along with each activity of this activity diagram.

[0058] First, the control unit 23 of the server 2 acquires input information (activity A101). Here, the input information is information indicating that the collection device 5 has received a predetermined warmer.

[0059] When the input information is received, the control unit 23 then grants a reward P according to the predetermined warmer (activity A102). Here, the reward P according to the predetermined warmer is an initial value of the reward P. The initial value of the reward P is stored in the server 2 in advance.

[0060] Next, the control unit 23 determines whether or not to change the reward P according to the input information (activity A103). For example, when the last two digits of the total number of input information pieces received by the collection device 5 are zero, the control unit 23 determines that the total number of input information pieces is a round number.

[0061] When it is determined that the total number of pieces of input information is a round number, the control unit 23 then doubles the reward P (activity A104). In other words, the control unit 23 may variably provide the reward P in accordance with the number of pieces of input information received by the collection device 5 as a providing step. This embodiment allows the user to cooperate in the collection of the disposable warmers C in a more enjoyable manner, and promotes the collection of the disposable warmers C.

[0062] Next, the control unit 23 acquires temperature information of the disposable warmer C from the collection device 5 (activity A105). For example, the control unit 53 accepts the temperature information of the disposable warmer C detected by the sensor 55c, and transmits it to the server 2. In other words, the identification information may include information on the temperature of the disposable warmer C when it is inserted into the collection box.

[0063] Next, the control unit 23 judges whether or not the identification information satisfies a predetermined condition (activity A106). For example, it judges whether or not the temperature of the disposable warmer C is 20° C. or higher.

[0064] If it is determined that the temperature of the disposable warmer C is 20° C. or higher, the control unit 23 then doubles the reward P (activity A107). If it is determined that the temperature of the disposable warmer C is not 20° C. or higher, the control unit 23 does not change the reward P. In other words, the control unit 23 may variably grant the reward P based on the identification information as a granting step. In this manner, the control unit 23 can variably grant the reward P based on the information on the temperature of the disposable warmer C. Note that, normally, the temperature of the disposable warmer C is 20° C. or higher (40° C. or higher in most cases) for 5 hours or more (10 hours or more in most cases) from the start of use. If the temperature of the disposable warmer C is high, it is highly likely that the disposable warmer C was used on the same day. Therefore, the control unit 23 can determine whether the disposable warmer C is a disposable warmer C used in a facility on the same day based on the temperature information of the disposable warmer C.

[0065] When all the predetermined rules are applied, the reward P is determined (activity A108). If electronic money is to be given to the user according to the reward P, the control unit 23 determines how much 1 point of the reward P should be. For example, the amount according to the reward P may be determined by setting 1 point as 1 yen.

[0066] The information processing system 1 according to the above embodiment may be configured as follows.

[0067] In activity A013, if the two-dimensional code is not read by the user terminal 4 within a predetermined time after the control unit 23 displays the two-dimensional code on the payment screen 54b, the control unit 53 may end the series of information processing. In other words, the information processing system 1 may be configured to provide a reward to a user account when user information is acquired within a predetermined time after a predetermined warmer is inserted. In this manner, the control unit 33 can provide a reward to the user who inserted the disposable warmer C. Also, in this manner, if the code or tag is not read within a predetermined time by the user who inserted the disposable warmer C, the control unit 53 can end the series of information processing.

[0068] In this embodiment, electronic money is awarded as the reward P, but a deposit may also be added to the selling price of the disposable hand warmer C, and when the disposable hand warmer C is inserted into the collection device 5, the electronic money equivalent to the deposit is returned to the user.

[0069] The information on the appearance of the disposable warmer C may include information that appears as a result of using the disposable warmer C. For example, if text or objects are printed on the body of the disposable warmer C with heat-sensitive ink, the text or objects will appear when the disposable warmer C heats up. The text or objects that appear when the disposable warmer C heats up in this way may be used as identification information. In this manner, it is possible to determine whether the disposable warmer C has been used. The reward P may be variably awarded depending on whether the disposable warmer C has been used.

[0070] In this embodiment, in activity A004, the reader 55b at the insertion slot 56 captures an image of the external appearance of the disposable warmer C, but the reader 55b may be an RFID reader. The RFID reader may read the IC tag or RF tag attached to the disposable warmer C, and the control unit 53 may transmit the read result to the server 2.

[0071] 5. Variations A modified example of the information processing system 1 will be described.

[0072] 12 is an activity diagram showing another example of the flow of information processing executed by the information processing system 1. Below, an explanation will be given along with each activity of this activity diagram.

[0073] First, it is assumed that the disposable warmers C are distributed as follows. The user has installed an application related to the event in advance on the user terminal 4. The user terminal 4 has received a coupon via the application in advance that allows the user to receive the disposable warmer C at the event venue. When the user presents the coupon at the entrance to the event venue, the disposable warmer C is distributed. When the disposable warmers C are distributed, the control unit 23 generates warmer distribution information indicating that the specified warmer has been distributed, and transmits it to the user terminal 4. The barcode of the warmer distribution information can be displayed on the user terminal 4.

[0074] First, when the button Bt of the collection device 5 is pressed, the control unit 53 accepts it as an instruction to start processing (activity A201).

[0075] Next, the control unit 53 reads the barcode displayed on the display unit 44 and transmits it to the server 2 (activity A202). Specifically, the user starts an application related to the event on the user terminal 4. The control unit 43 causes the display unit 44 to display a barcode of the hand warmer distribution information. The barcode reader 55a reads the barcode displayed on the display unit 44 and transmits it to the server 2.

[0076] Next, the control unit 23 of the server 2 acquires barcode information of the disposable warmer C from the control unit 53 (activity A203).

[0077] Next, the control unit 23 judges whether the acquired barcode information relates to a predetermined warmer (activity A204). That is, the information of the predetermined warmer previously stored in the storage unit 22 is compared with the information obtained from the barcode of the acquired disposable warmer C, and it is judged whether the acquired barcode information relates to the predetermined warmer. If the control unit 23 judges that the information does not belong to the predetermined warmer, the process is terminated. If the control unit 23 judges that the information belongs to the predetermined warmer, the control unit 23 transmits the judgment result to the collection device 5.

[0078] When the controller 53 receives a determination result that the collection device 5 is a predetermined warmer, the controller 53 then opens the insertion port 56 of the collection device 5 (activity A205).

[0079] Next, the control unit 53 acquires a disposable warmer C through the insertion port 56 (activity A206).

[0080] Next, the control unit 53 transmits insertion information indicating that the disposable warmer C has been inserted to the control unit 23 (activity A207).

[0081] Here, if a disposable warmer C of a preset size is not inserted into the insertion slot 56, the control unit 53 may end the process without transmitting insertion information to the server 2. For example, if a disposable warmer C is not inserted into the insertion slot 56 or if a warmer other than the preset size is inserted, the control unit 53 may refrain from transmitting insertion information to the server 2. In this manner, the control unit 23 can grant the reward P only when a specified warmer is physically inserted.

[0082] Next, the control unit 23 acquires insertion information (activity A208). Here, the control unit 23, as the first acquisition unit, may acquire insertion information when the disposable warmer C is within a preset size range.

[0083] Next, the control unit 23 determines a reward P to be given to the user based on a predetermined rule (activity A209).

[0084] Here, the barcode information acquired in activity A203 may include event information corresponding to a facility or event where disposable warmers C are distributed or sold. When the event information is included, the control unit 23 may determine a reward P related to the event information. For example, the reward P may be a coupon, a bonus video, a bonus message, or the like, related to the facility or event. Furthermore, when the event is a sports match, the reward P may be variably awarded based on the result of the match. For example, the content of the reward P may change depending on the outcome of the match. In this manner, the control unit 23 can award the reward P related to the event information.

[0085] Next, the control unit 23 generates a two-dimensional code based on the determined reward P (activity A210).

[0086] Next, the control unit 23 transmits the generated two-dimensional code to the control unit 53, and causes it to be displayed on the screen 54a (activity A211).

[0087] Next, the user terminal 4 reads the two-dimensional code displayed on the screen 54a (activity A212). Next, the user terminal 4 transmits user information to the server 2 (activity A213). When the control unit 23 receives the user information (activity A214), the control unit 23 transmits a reward P to the user terminal 4 (activity A215). Next, the user terminal 4 receives the reward P (activity A216).

[0088] If an event organizer distributes or sells disposable warmers C within a facility and installs a collection device 5 on a route leading to an exit of the facility, users can insert the disposable warmers C into the collection device 5 on the route leading to the exit within the facility. This embodiment can promote the collection of disposable warmers C. Furthermore, in this case, since the event organizer distributes or sells and collects the disposable warmers C themselves, the type of disposable warmers C can be freely selected. For example, the event organizer may distribute and collect disposable warmers C that are suitable as raw materials for fertilizers or water treatment agents.

[0089] The above-described information processing system 1 may be configured as follows.

[0090] Furthermore, the control unit 23 may variably grant the reward P depending on the length of stay at the event venue. For example, the control unit 23 can calculate the length of stay of the user at the event venue based on the time when the disposable warmers C were distributed to the user and the warmer distribution information was stored in the memory unit 22, and the time when the control unit 23 acquired the barcode information of the disposable warmer C in activity A203. The reward P may be variably granted based on the calculated length of stay. For example, a higher reward P may be granted if the length of stay is long (for example, 4 hours or more).

[0091] The reward P may be related to the location where the collection device 5 is installed. In other words, regardless of whether the code or tag attached to the disposable warmer C includes event information, the reward P related to the location where the collection device 5 is installed may be provided. For example, a coupon for a restaurant near the location where the collection device 5 is installed may be provided as the reward P.

[0092] The control unit 23 may variably give the reward P when a disposable warmer C suitable for use as a raw material for fertilizer is inserted. Generally, salts contained in the contents of the disposable warmer C include sodium chloride, potassium chloride, and the like. However, when the contents of the disposable warmer C are used as a raw material for fertilizer, it is preferable that the amount of sodium chloride is small. Therefore, the reward P may be variably given to disposable warmers C whose contents contain a predetermined amount or less of sodium chloride. There are also disposable warmers C in which a part of the sodium chloride is replaced with potassium chloride to reduce the amount of sodium chloride. Therefore, the reward P may be variably given to disposable warmers C whose contents contain a predetermined amount or more of potassium chloride. In other words, the identification information may include information on the components of the contents of the disposable warmer C, and the control unit 23 may variably give the reward P according to the information on the components of the contents. The amount of sodium chloride can be measured, for example, by fluorescent X-ray analysis, electrical conductivity method, silver nitrate titration method, ion electrode method, refractometer method, and the like. Also, an example of a disposable warmer C with a reduced amount of sodium chloride is Ecopokka (manufactured by Takara Sho Co., Ltd.). The identification information may include product information, and the control unit 23 may determine that the disposable warmer C has a predetermined amount of sodium chloride or less based on information on the ingredients of the product's contents. Furthermore, the control unit 23 may variably grant the reward P based on the determination result.

[0093] The recovered contents of the disposable warmer C may be used as a raw material for a water treatment agent. The contents of the disposable warmer C may be used as a raw material for a water treatment agent as a powder, may be made into pellets and used as a raw material for a water treatment agent, or may be formed into a honeycomb structure and used as a raw material for a water treatment agent. The contents of the disposable warmer C contribute to water purification. Since the contents of the disposable warmer C contain salts such as sodium chloride, it is reasonable to use the produced water treatment agent, for example, for water treatment in aquaculture farms using seawater or simulated seawater. Of course, it can also be used as a water treatment agent for the purpose of purifying freshwater.

[0094] Although the embodiment and modified examples of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the technical concept of the invention.

[0095] The overall configuration shown in Fig. 1 is an example, and is not limited thereto. For example, the server 2 may be distributed to two or more devices, or may be replaced by a cloud computing system. In addition, all the processes that the collection device 5 and the server 2 have performed in a distributed manner may be performed by the collection device 5, or all the processes may be performed by the server 2. An application may be installed in the user terminal 4, and the user terminal 4 and the server 2 may cooperate to perform the above-mentioned processes.

[0096] Another aspect of the embodiment may be a program. The information processing program causes a computer to execute each step of the information processing method.

[0097] It may be provided in any of the following ways:

[0098] (1) An information processing system comprising a processor capable of executing a program to perform each of the following steps: in a first acquisition step, deposit information indicating that a hand warmer has been deposited in a collection box and identification information for the hand warmer are acquired; and in a granting step, if the identification information indicates that the hand warmer is a specified hand warmer, a reward is granted to the user who deposited the hand warmer in the collection box.

[0099] In this manner, a reward can be given to a user who places a designated heating pad in a collection box, thereby encouraging the collection of the designated heating pads.

[0100] (2) In the information processing system described in (1) above, further, in a second acquisition step, user information is acquired when the user's terminal reads an authentication code or authentication tag attached to the collection box, and in a determination step, a user account corresponding to the user information is identified, and in the granting step, the reward is granted to the user account.

[0101] In this manner, rewards can be awarded to user accounts.

[0102] (3) In the information processing system described in (2) above, in the granting step, the reward is granted to the user account if the user information is obtained within a specified time after the specified heating pad is inserted.

[0103] This embodiment can reduce the risk of mistakenly awarding a reward to a user other than the user who inserted the heating pad.

[0104] (4) In the information processing system described in (2) or (3) above, the reward is electronic money.

[0105] In this manner, electronic money can be given as a reward.

[0106] (5) In the information processing system described in any one of (1) to (4) above, in the first acquisition step, the insertion information is acquired when the warmer is within a preset size range.

[0107] By using this embodiment, it is possible to prevent the acquisition of insertion information for hand warmers that are not within a preset size range.

[0108] (6) In the information processing system described in any one of (1) to (5) above, in the granting step, the reward is variably granted depending on the number of pieces of deposit information accepted by the collection box.

[0109] This embodiment allows users to cooperate in collecting the hand warmers in a more enjoyable manner, and encourages the collection of designated hand warmers.

[0110] (7) In the information processing system according to any one of (1) to (6) above, in the granting step, the reward is variably granted based on the identification information.

[0111] In this manner, it is possible to motivate users to insert the warmers into the collection device 5, and to encourage the collection of desired warmers.

[0112] (8) In the information processing system described in any one of (1) to (7) above, the identification information is information read from a code or tag attached to the hand warmer.

[0113] In this manner, a higher reward can be set for a hand warmer that has a specific code or tag attached thereto.

[0114] (9) In the information processing system described in (8) above, the code or tag includes event information corresponding to a facility or event where the hand warmer is distributed or sold.

[0115] In this manner, when a hand warmer distributed or sold at a facility or event is collected, a reward related to the event information can be given.

[0116] (10) In the information processing system described in (9) above, the reward is related to the event information.

[0117] In this manner, a reward related to event information corresponding to a facility or event can be provided.

[0118] (11) In the information processing system described in any one of (1) to (10) above, the identification information is information about the appearance of the heating pad.

[0119] In this manner, it is possible to determine whether a particular warmer is a specific one based on its appearance. Furthermore, it is possible to variably award a reward based on the appearance of the warmer.

[0120] (12) In the information processing system described in any one of (1) to (11) above, the identification information includes information on the temperature of the hand warmer when it is inserted into the collection box.

[0121] In this manner, it is possible to determine whether the warmer is a specific type based on the temperature of the warmer. Furthermore, a reward can be variably awarded based on the temperature of the warmer.

[0122] (13) In the information processing system described in any one of (1) to (12) above, the identification information includes information on the ingredients of the contents of the hand warmer.

[0123] In this manner, it is possible to determine whether the warmer is a specific one based on the ingredients of the warmer's contents. Furthermore, it is possible to variably award a reward based on the ingredients of the warmer's contents.

[0124] (14) In the information processing system described in any one of (1) to (13) above, the identification information includes information that appears as a result of using the heating pad.

[0125] In this manner, it is possible to determine whether the disposable warmer has been used. Furthermore, a variable reward can be given depending on whether the disposable warmer has been used.

[0126] (15) In the information processing system described in any one of (1) to (14) above, the reward is related to the location where the collection box is installed.

[0127] In this manner, a reward can be given according to the location of the collection box.

[0128] (16) In the information processing system described in any one of (1) to (15) above, the hand warmers are distributed or sold within a facility, and the collection boxes are installed on a route leading to an exit of the facility.

[0129] In this manner, a user who has used a hand warmer within the facility can drop it off on the route leading to the exit, thereby increasing the collection rate.

[0130] (17) The information processing system according to any one of (1) to (16) above, further comprising an information processing device and the collection box, the information processing device comprising the processor.

[0131] In this manner, the information processing device and the collection device 5 can cooperate with each other to execute collection and awarding of rewards.

[0132] (18) An information processing program that causes a computer to execute each step of the information processing system described in any one of (1) to (17) above.

[0133] In this manner, a reward can be given to a user who places a designated heating pad in a collection box, thereby encouraging the collection of the designated heating pads.

[0134] (19) An information processing method comprising each step of the information processing system according to any one of (1) to (17) above.

[0135] In this manner, a reward can be given to a user who places a designated heating pad in a collection box, thereby encouraging the collection of the designated heating pads.

[0136] (20) A method for producing a fertilizer, comprising using the contents of the hand warmer collected by the collection box of the information processing system described in any one of (1) to (17) above as a raw material for the fertilizer.

[0137] In this manner, the collected warmers can be effectively reused.

[0138] (21) A method for producing a water treatment agent, comprising using the contents of the hand warmer collected by the collection box of the information processing system described in any one of (1) to (17) above as a raw material for the water treatment agent.

[0139] In this manner, the collected hand warmers can be effectively reused. Of course, this is not the case.

[0140] Finally, although various embodiments of the present invention have been described, these are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The new embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The embodiments and their modifications are within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0141] 1: Information processing system 2: Server 20: Communication bus 21: Communications Department 22: Storage section 23: Control section 3: Payment server 30: Communication bus 31: Communications Department 32: Storage section 33: Control section 4: User terminal 40: Communication bus 41: Communications Department 42: Storage section 43: Control section 44:Display section 45: Input section 5: Recovery device 50: Communication bus 51: Communications Department 52: Storage section 53: Control section 54:Display section 54a: Screen 54b: Payment screen 54c: Input counter 55: Sensor section 55a: Barcode reader 55b: Reading device 55c: Sensor 56: Inlet 561: Storage container 71 :Area 72: Barcode Bt: Button C: Disposable hand warmers P:Reward Rg: area

Claims

1. An information processing system, A processor capable of executing a program to perform the following steps: In the first acquisition step, insertion information indicating that the warmer has been inserted into the collection box and identification information of the warmer are acquired; In the awarding step, if the hand warmer is determined to be a specified hand warmer based on the identification information, a reward is awarded to the user who placed the hand warmer in the collection box.

2. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, Furthermore, in the second acquisition step, user information is acquired when the user's terminal reads out an authentication code or an authentication tag attached to the collection box, Furthermore, in the identification step, a user account corresponding to the user information is identified, In the granting step, the reward is granted to the user account.

3. 3. The information processing system according to claim 2, In the granting step, the system grants the reward to the user account if the user information is acquired within a predetermined time after the specified heating pad is inserted.

4. 3. The information processing system according to claim 2, The system, wherein the reward is electronic money.

5. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, In the first acquisition step, the system acquires the insertion information when the hand warmer is within a preset size range.

6. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, In the providing step, the reward is provided variably according to the number of pieces of input information received by the collection box.

7. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, In the granting step, the reward is variably granted based on the identification information.

8. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, A system in which the identification information is information read from a code or tag attached to the hand warmer.

9. 9. The information processing system according to claim 8, A system in which the code or tag includes event information corresponding to a facility or event where the hand warmer is distributed or sold.

10. 10. The information processing system according to claim 9, The reward is associated with the event information.

11. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, The identification information is information about the appearance of the hand warmer,

12. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, The system, wherein the identification information includes information about the temperature of the hand warmer when it is placed in the collection box.

13. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, The system, wherein the identification information includes information about the ingredients of the contents of the hand warmer.

14. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, A system in which the identification information includes information that appears as a result of using the hand warmer.

15. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, The reward is associated with the location of the collection box.

16. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, The hand warmers are distributed or sold within the facility; The system wherein the collection boxes are located on a route toward an exit of the facility.

17. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, Further, the device includes an information processing device and the collection box, The information processing device includes the processor.

18. An information processing program, A method for causing a computer to execute each step of the information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

19. 1. An information processing method, comprising: A method comprising the steps of an information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

20. 1. A method for producing a fertilizer, comprising: A method for using the contents of the hand warmer collected by the collection box of the information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 17 as a raw material for the fertilizer.

21. A method for producing a water treatment agent, comprising: A method for using the contents of the hand warmer collected by the collection box of the information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 17 as a raw material for the water treatment agent.

Images