Electronic device

Abstract

To enable contribution to a goal 13 of sustainable development goals (SDGs).SOLUTION: An electronic device equipped with a specific replaceable part is provided, the electronic device comprising an acquisition unit for acquiring reuse information related to a reuse history of the specific part, a generation unit for generating reuse schedule information indicative of the state of future reuse of the specific part on the basis of the reuse information, and a display control unit for causing a display unit to display the state of future reuse of the specific part according to the reuse schedule information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to electronic devices. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, in an electronic device having a replaceable specific part such as a toner container, a technique is known in which, when reusing a used specific part, the number of times the specific part has been reused is stored. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-224273 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, with the conventional technology, users of electronic devices could not know whether a particular part could be reused in the future. For this reason, the conventional technology may not sufficiently motivate users of electronic devices to reuse a particular part, and there is room for improvement in the SDGs, i.e., among the 17 Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on September 25, 2015, for example, Goal 13 "Take measures to combat climate change and its impacts." [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, the electronic device of the present invention is an electronic device having a replaceable specific part, and is characterized in that it comprises an acquisition unit that acquires reuse information related to the reuse history of the specific part, a generation unit that generates reuse plan information indicating a future reuse state of the specific part based on the reuse information, and a display control unit that displays the future reuse state of the specific part on a display unit based on the reuse plan information.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006] [Figure 1] It is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a management system Sys according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] It is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a cartridge 7. [Diagram 3] It is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a user card 8. [Figure 4] It is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a collection box 3. [Diagram 5] It is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a management server 1. [Figure 6] It is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a printing device 5. [Figure 7] It is a data configuration diagram showing an example of the data configuration of message template information DM. [Figure 8] It is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a terminal device 6. [Figure 9] It is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the printing device 5 when a reuse schedule presentation process is executed.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0007] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, in each figure, the dimensions and scales of each part are appropriately different from the actual ones. Further, the embodiments described below are preferred specific examples of the present invention, and thus various technically preferable limitations are imposed. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments unless there is a description to specifically limit the present invention in the following description.

[0008] <<A. Embodiment>> In the present embodiment, a management system Sys for managing a cartridge 7 that stores ink used in a printing device 5 will be exemplified and described. Note that, in the present embodiment, the printing device 5 is an example of an "electronic device".

[0009] <<1. Management system configuration>> An example of the configuration of the management system Sys according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a management system Sys.

[0011] As shown in Figure 1, the management system Sys comprises a management server 1, one or more collection boxes 3 that can communicate with the management server 1 via the network NW, one or more printing devices 5 that can communicate with the management server 1 via the network NW, one or more terminal devices 6 provided corresponding to the one or more printing devices 5, and a recycling factory 9 that can communicate with the management server 1 via the network NW, and manages cartridges 7 that contain ink used in the printing devices 5.

[0012] The management server 1 is a server device for managing the management system Sys.

[0013] The cartridge 7 is a container that contains ink used in the printing device 5 and is attachable to the printing device 5. In this embodiment, the cartridge 7 is an example of a "specific part."

[0014] The collection box 3 is a facility for collecting used cartridges 7 from users UP of the printing device 5. Here, a used cartridge 7 is, for example, a cartridge 7 in which the amount of ink remaining inside is small, or a cartridge 7 in which the ink contained inside has deteriorated. That is, in this embodiment, the collection box 3 can collect the cartridge 7 even if ink remains inside the cartridge 7. In this embodiment, the collection box 3 is installed in a commercial facility FS. Here, the commercial facility FS refers to a commercial facility such as a home appliance retailer that sells the printing device 5 or a shopping mall that sells various products, a public facility such as a community center, or a medical facility such as a hospital.

[0015] In this embodiment, a case is assumed as an example in which the user UP brings the used cartridge 7 to the collection box 3 to collect the used cartridge 7, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, the user UP may be able to collect the used cartridge 7 by mailing it to the recycle factory 9.

[0016] The remanufacturing factory 9 is a facility for recycling the used cartridges 7 collected from the user UP in the collection box 3, thereby remanufacturing the used cartridges 7 as remanufactured cartridges 7. Specifically, the remanufacturing factory 9 is a facility for manufacturing remanufactured cartridges 7 by recycling the used cartridges 7, by cleaning the used cartridges 7 and refilling the cleaned cartridges 7 with ink. Hereinafter, the remanufactured cartridges 7 may be referred to as "remanufactured cartridges 7X."

[0017] In this embodiment, it is assumed that the recycling factory 9 can disassemble the used cartridge 7 into materials and manufacture the recycled cartridge 7X using the disassembled materials. It is assumed that it is possible to manufacture a product different from the recycled cartridge 7X as a recycled product.

[0018] In the following, the manufacturing of a recycled cartridge 7X using a used cartridge 7 is referred to as "refilling." In addition, in the following, the manufacturing of a recycled cartridge 7X or a product different from the recycled cartridge 7X after disassembling a used cartridge 7 into its materials is referred to as "material recycling."

[0019] In this embodiment, as an example, it is assumed that the printing device 5 is installed in a user facility FU. Here, the user facility FU is a facility where the user UP uses the printing device 5, such as the home or office of the user UP.

[0020] That is, in this embodiment, it is assumed that a used cartridge 7 used in a printing device 5 provided at a user facility FU is collected via a cartridge collection route RT1 that leads from the user facility FU to a collection box 3. Note that in this embodiment, it is assumed, as an example, that when collecting a used cartridge 7 via the cartridge collection route RT1, the user UP authenticates the user UP using a user card 8 owned by the user UP when inserting the used cartridge 7 into the collection box 3.

[0021] In addition, in this embodiment, it is assumed that the used cartridges 7 collected via the cartridge collection route RT1 are recycled as recycled cartridges 7X at a recycling factory 9 and then delivered via a cartridge delivery route RT2 from the recycling factory 9 to a user facility FU.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the cartridge 7.

[0023] 2, the cartridge 7 includes a storage device 70. The cartridge 7 also includes an ink storage chamber (not shown) for storing ink.

[0024] The storage device 70 is, for example, an IC chip, and stores cartridge model number information DQ1 and cartridge reuse information DQ2.

[0025] The cartridge model number information DQ1 is information that indicates the product model number of the cartridge 7. The cartridge reuse information DQ2 indicates the number of reuses AQ. Here, the number of reuses AQ is the number of times the cartridge 7 has been recycled as a remanufactured product. Specifically, the number of reuses AQ is set to "0" if the cartridge 7 is a new product (brand new) before recycling, and is set to a value equal to or greater than "1" if the cartridge 7 is a recycled product.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the user card 8. As shown in FIG.

[0027] 3, the user card 8 includes a storage device 80. The storage device 80 is, for example, an IC chip, and stores user identification information DU.

[0028] The user identification information DU is information indicating a user ID for uniquely identifying each user from among multiple users who possess a user card 8. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the user who possesses the user card 8 is a user UP who uses the printing device 5. However, the present invention is not limited to this aspect. The user who possesses the user card 8 may be a user UP who uses the printing device 5 and also a user who uses a commercial facility FS. The user who possesses the user card 8 may also be a user who uses the cartridge 7.

[0029] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the collection box 3. As shown in FIG.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the collection box 3 includes a cartridge insertion port 30, a cartridge information reader 31, a user card information reader 32, a communication device 33, and a control device .

[0031] The cartridge insertion port 30 is an opening through which the user UP inserts the cartridge 7 into a cartridge storage space (not shown) provided inside the collection box 3.

[0032] When the cartridge 7 is inserted into the cartridge insertion port 30, the cartridge information reader 31 reads, from the storage device 70 provided in the cartridge 7, the cartridge model number information DQ1 and the cartridge reuse information DQ2 stored in the storage device 70. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. When the cartridge 7 is inserted into the cartridge insertion port 30, the cartridge information reader 31 only needs to read, from the storage device 70 provided in the cartridge 7, at least the cartridge model number information DQ1 stored in the storage device 70.

[0033] When a user UP touches a user card 8 to the user card information reader 32, the user card information reader 32 reads user identification information DU stored in a storage device 80 provided on the user card 8 from the storage device 80.

[0034] The communication device 33 is hardware for communicating with an external device located outside the collection box 3 via a network NW such as a wired network or a wireless network.

[0035] The control device 35 includes a cartridge collection determination unit 36 ​​and a user card authentication unit 37 .

[0036] The cartridge collection determination unit 36 ​​determines whether or not the object inserted into the cartridge insertion port 30 corresponds to a cartridge 7 collectable by the collection box 3, based on the reading result by the cartridge information reading device 31. Specifically, the cartridge collection determination unit 36 ​​determines whether or not the model number indicated by the cartridge model number information DQ1 read by the cartridge information reading device 31 corresponds to a cartridge 7 collectable by the collection box 3.

[0037] Then, when the model number indicated by the cartridge model number information DQ1 read by the cartridge information reader 31 corresponds to the cartridge 7 collectable by the collection box 3, the cartridge collection determination unit 36 ​​determines that the object inserted into the cartridge insertion port 30 corresponds to the cartridge 7 collectable by the collection box 3. When the model number indicated by the cartridge model number information DQ1 read by the cartridge information reader 31 does not correspond to the cartridge 7 collectable by the collection box 3, the cartridge collection determination unit 36 ​​determines that the object inserted into the cartridge insertion port 30 does not correspond to the cartridge 7 collectable by the collection box 3. When the cartridge information reader 31 fails to read the cartridge model number information DQ1, the cartridge collection determination unit 36 ​​determines that the object inserted into the cartridge insertion port 30 does not correspond to the cartridge 7 collectable by the collection box 3.

[0038] When the result of the determination by the cartridge recovery determination unit 36 ​​is positive, that is, when the object inserted into the cartridge insertion port 30 corresponds to a cartridge 7 that can be recovered by the recovery box 3, the recovery box 3 stores the cartridge 7 in a cartridge storage space within the recovery box 3. The cartridges 7 stored in the cartridge storage space within the recovery box 3 are then periodically collected and transported to a recycling factory 9. On the other hand, if the result of the judgment by the cartridge recovery judgment unit 36 ​​is negative, i.e., if the object inserted into the cartridge insertion port 30 does not correspond to a cartridge 7 that can be recovered by the recovery box 3, the recovery box 3 ejects the object outside the recovery box 3.

[0039] When the user card 8 is touched to the user card information reading device 32, the user card authentication unit 37 identifies the user ID of the user UP who owns the user card 8, based on the user identification information DU stored in the storage device 80 of the user card 8. The user card authentication unit 37 also notifies the management server 1 of the identified user ID via the network NW.

[0040] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the management server 1. As shown in FIG.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 5, the management server 1 includes a control device 11, a storage device 12, and a communication device 13.

[0042] The control device 11 is hardware such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that controls each part of the management server 1. The communication device 13 is hardware for communicating with an external device that exists outside the management server 1 via the network NW.

[0043] The storage device 12 includes a volatile memory such as a random access memory (RAM) that functions as a working area for the control device 11, and a non-volatile memory such as an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) that stores various information. In this embodiment, the storage device 12 stores upper limit reuse count information DS and user history information DR.

[0044] The upper limit reuse count information DS indicates the upper limit reuse count AS. Here, the upper limit reuse count AS is the upper limit of the number of refills that can be performed on the cartridge 7. That is, in this embodiment, it is assumed that the cartridge 7 can be refilled "AS times". In other words, in this embodiment, it is assumed that the recycling factory 9 refills a used cartridge 7 that has been refilled "AS times" or less in the past, by using the used cartridge 7 to manufacture a recycled cartridge 7X, but that for a used cartridge 7 that has been refilled "AS times" in the past, material recycling is performed in which the used cartridge 7 is disassembled into materials and reused. In this embodiment, the upper limit number of reuses AS is an example of a "reference value."

[0045] The user history information DR indicates the cumulative number of recycled products used AR. Here, the cumulative number of recycled products used AR is the number of recycled cartridges 7X that the user UP has used up to the present time. In this embodiment, the number of times that the user UP has purchased a recycled cartridge 7X is the cumulative number of recycled products used AR.

[0046] In this embodiment, the management server 1 manages the collection status of the used cartridges 7 in the collection box 3 by communicating with the collection box 3 via the network NW. Also, in this embodiment, the management server 1 manages the purchase status of the recycled cartridges 7X by the user UP by communicating with the recycling factory 9 via the network NW.

[0047] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the printing device 5. As shown in FIG.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 6, the printing device 5 includes a control device 51, a storage device 52, a communication device 53, and one or more cartridges 7.

[0049] The cartridges 7 installed in the printing device 5 are new cartridges 7 or recycled cartridges 7X. That is, among one or more cartridges 7 installed in the printing device 5, some or all may be recycled cartridges 7X, all may be recycled cartridges 7X, or all may be new cartridges 7.

[0050] The communication device 53 is hardware for communicating with the terminal device 6 and with an external device located outside the management server 1 via the network NW.

[0051] The storage device 52 includes a volatile memory such as a RAM that functions as a working area for the control device 51, and a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM that stores various information. In this embodiment, the storage device 52 stores message template information DM, message information DY to be reused, and a control program PG-P for the printing device 5.

[0052] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data structure of the message template information DM.

[0053] As shown in Fig. 7, the message template information DM is information indicating messages AM that are candidates for messages to be notified to the user UP. In this embodiment, it is assumed that a plurality of messages AM are provided according to combinations of the number of reuses AQ indicated by the cartridge reuse information DQ2 and the cartridge usage time T. In the following, a message AM when the number of reuses is "AQ" and the cartridge usage time is "T" is referred to as a message AM[AQ][T]. The cartridge usage time T is the time from when the cartridge 7 was installed in the printing device 5 to the present.

[0054] In this embodiment, when the cartridge usage time T is equal to or less than the threshold time Tth, the printing device 5 can execute a printing process to form an image on a medium using the ink filled in the cartridge 7. Hereinafter, the cartridge usage time T that is equal to or less than the threshold time Tth is referred to as a normal usage time T1.

[0055] In this embodiment, when the cartridge usage time T is longer than the threshold time Tth, the printing device 5 may not be able to execute the printing process using the ink filled in the cartridge 7, and replacement of the cartridge 7 is recommended in order for the printing device 5 to execute the printing process. Hereinafter, the cartridge usage time T longer than the threshold time Tth will be referred to as the recommended replacement time T2. Note that in this embodiment, the time when the cartridge usage time T becomes the recommended replacement time T2 is an example of the "replacement time".

[0056] In this embodiment, the message AM[0][T1] is a message indicating that the cartridge 7 installed in the printing device 5 is a newly manufactured (brand new) cartridge 7. Specifically, in this embodiment, as an example, it is assumed that the message AM[0][T1] is a message stating, "You are using a brand new cartridge." The message AM[0][T1] is a message that is sent to the user UP when the reuse count AQ is "0" and the cartridge usage time T is the normal usage time T1. In other words, the message AM[0][T1] is a message that is sent to the user UP when the cartridge 7 installed in the printing device 5 is a new cartridge 7 and printing can be performed without replacing the cartridge 7.

[0057] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the message AM[0][T2] is a message indicating that it is time to replace the cartridge 7 installed in the printing device 5, and that the cartridge 7 will be collected, refilled, and reused as a recycled cartridge 7X. Specifically, in this embodiment, as an example, it is assumed that the message AM[0][T2] is a message stating, "It is time to replace your cartridge. Please replace it with a new cartridge. Please bring the removed cartridge to a collection box. We will make efforts to make the collected cartridges recyclable so that customers can use them again." The message AM[0][T2] is a message that is sent to the user UP when the number of reuses AQ is "0" and the cartridge usage time T is the recommended replacement time T2. In other words, the message AM[0][T2] is a message that is sent to the user UP when the cartridge 7 installed in the printing device 5 is a new cartridge 7 and it is highly likely that it will be difficult to execute the printing process without replacing the cartridge 7.

[0058] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the message AM[AQ1][T1] is a message indicating that the cartridge 7 installed in the printing device 5 is a recycled cartridge 7X that has been reused AQ times, and that the user UP is contributing to environmental protection by using the recycled cartridge 7X. Specifically, in this embodiment, as an example, it is assumed that the message AM[AQ1][T1] is a message stating, "You are using a cartridge that has been recycled AQ times. Thank you for your cooperation in environmental protection activities through recycling." The message AM[AQ1][T1] is a message notified to the user UP when the reuse count AQ is "AQ1" and the cartridge usage time T is the normal usage time T1. The reuse count AQ1 is a natural number that satisfies "1≦AQ1≦AS". In other words, the message AM[AQ1][T1] is a message notified to the user UP when the cartridge 7 installed in the printing device 5 is a recycled cartridge 7X that has been reused "AQ times (=AQ1 times)" and printing processing can be performed without replacing the cartridge 7.

[0059] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the message AM[AQ1][T2] is a message indicating that it is time to replace the recycled cartridge 7X installed in the printing device 5, and that the recycled cartridge 7X will be collected, refilled, and reused as a recycled cartridge 7X. Specifically, in this embodiment, as an example, it is assumed that the message AM[AQ1][T2] is a message stating, "It is time to replace your cartridge. Please replace it with a new cartridge. Please bring the removed cartridge to a collection box. We will make every effort to make the collected cartridges recyclable so that customers can use them again." The message AM[AQ1][T2] is a message notified to the user UP when the number of reuses AQ is "AQ1" and the cartridge usage time T is the recommended replacement time T2. In other words, the message AM[AQ1][T2] is a message notified to the user UP when the cartridge 7 installed in the printing device 5 is a recycled cartridge 7X that has been reused "AQ times (=AQ1 times)" and it is highly likely that it will be difficult to execute the printing process without replacing the cartridge 7.

[0060] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the message AM[AQ2][T1] is a message indicating that the cartridge 7 installed in the printing device 5 is a recycled cartridge 7X that has been reused AQ times, and that the user UP is contributing to environmental protection by using the recycled cartridge 7X. Specifically, in this embodiment, as an example, it is assumed that the message AM[AQ2][T1] is a message stating, "You are using a cartridge that has been recycled AQ times. Thank you for your cooperation in environmental protection activities through recycling." The message AM[AQ2][T1] is a message notified to the user UP when the reuse count AQ is "AQ2" and the cartridge usage time T is the normal usage time T1. The reuse count AQ2 is a natural number that satisfies "AQ2>AS". More specifically, the reuse count AQ2 is a natural number that satisfies "AQ2=1+AS". In other words, the message AM[AQ2][T1] is a message notified to the user UP when the cartridge 7 installed in the printing device 5 is a recycled cartridge 7X that has been reused "AQ times (=AQ2 times)" and printing processing can be performed without replacing the cartridge 7.

[0061] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the message AM[AQ2][T2] is a message indicating that it is time to replace the recycled cartridge 7X installed in the printing device 5, and that the recycled cartridge 7X will be collected, disassembled into its materials, and reused through material recycling. Specifically, in this embodiment, as an example, it is assumed that the message AM[AQ2][T2] is a message stating, "It is time to replace your cartridge. Please replace it with a new cartridge. Please bring the removed cartridge to a collection box. We will endeavor to contribute to environmental protection activities by disassembling the collected cartridges and using them as materials for other products." The message AM[AQ2][T2] is a message notified to the user UP when the number of reuses AQ is "AQ2" and the cartridge usage time T is the recommended replacement time T2. In other words, the message AM[AQ2][T2] is a message notified to the user UP when the cartridge 7 installed in the printing device 5 is a recycled cartridge 7X that has been reused "AQ times (=AQ2 times)" and it is highly likely that it will be difficult to execute the printing process without replacing the cartridge 7.

[0062] The reuse-scheduled message information DY is information indicating a reuse-scheduled message AY notified to the user UP. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the reuse-scheduled message AY varies according to the number of reuses AQ and the cartridge usage time T indicated by the cartridge reuse information DQ2. Specifically, when the number of reuses is "AQ" and the cartridge usage time is "T", the reuse-scheduled message AY is a message AM[AQ][T].

[0063] The control device 51 includes a processor. The processor of the control device 51 includes, for example, one or more CPUs. In this embodiment, the processor of the control device 51 executes a control program PG-P stored in the storage device 52 and operates according to the control program PG-P, thereby functioning as a reuse information acquisition unit 511, a reuse schedule information generation unit 512, a display control unit 513, and a print control unit 514. The processor of the control device 51 may include hardware such as a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) in addition to one or more CPUs, or in place of a part or all of the one or more CPUs. In this case, a part or all of the functions realized by the processor of the control device 51 may be realized by hardware such as a DSP.

[0064] The reuse information acquisition unit 511 acquires cartridge reuse information DQ2 from the storage device 70 of the cartridge 7 provided in the printing device 5. In this embodiment, the reuse information acquisition unit 511 is an example of an "acquisition unit," and the cartridge reuse information DQ2 is an example of "reuse information."

[0065] The reuse plan information generating unit 512 generates the reuse plan message information DY based on the cartridge reuse information DQ2, the upper limit reuse count information DS, and the message template information DM. Note that in this embodiment, the reuse plan information generating unit 512 is an example of a "generator", and the reuse plan message information DY is an example of "reuse plan information".

[0066] The display control unit 513 causes the display device 63 of the terminal device 6, which will be described later, to display the planned reuse message AY indicated by the planned reuse message information DY. The print control unit 514 controls a print head (not shown) included in the printing device to execute a print process for forming an image on a medium.

[0067] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the terminal device 6. As shown in FIG.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 8, the terminal device 6 includes a control device 61, a communication device 62, a display device 63, and a speaker 64.

[0069] The control device 61 is hardware such as a CPU that controls each part of the terminal device 6 . The communication device 62 is hardware for communicating with an external device present outside the terminal device 6 via a network NW or the like. The display device 63 is hardware for displaying an image based on the control of the control device 61. In this embodiment, the display device 63 is an example of a "display unit." The speaker 64 is hardware for emitting sound based on the control of the control device 61 .

[0070] When the control device 61 receives message information DY to be reused from the printing device 5, the control device 61 controls the display device 63 to display the message AY to be reused, and controls the speaker 64 to pronounce the message AY to be reused. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. When the control device 61 receives message information DY to be reused from the printing device 5, the control device 61 controls the display device 63 and the speaker 64 to either display the message AY to be reused on the display device 63 or pronounce the message AY to be reused by the speaker 64.

[0071] <<2. Reuse Schedule Presentation Process>> Hereinafter, an example of the reuse plan presentation process will be described with reference to FIG.

[0072] 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the control device 51 when the control device 51 performs the reuse plan presentation process. The reuse plan presentation process is a process in which the printing device 5 presents the reuse plan message AY to the user UP. In this embodiment, as an example, it is assumed that the reuse plan presentation process is performed when the printing device 5 is turned on, when the cartridge 7 is mounted in the printing device 5, when a printing process is performed in the printing device 5, etc.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 9, in the reuse plan presentation process, the reuse information acquisition unit 511 acquires cartridge reuse information DQ2 from the cartridge 7 (S101). Next, the reuse schedule information generating unit 512 acquires the upper limit number of reuse information DS from the management server 1 via the terminal device 6 (S103). Furthermore, the reuse plan information generating unit 512 acquires the message template information DM from the storage device 52 (S105). Next, the reuse plan information generating unit 512 generates reuse plan message information DY based on the cartridge reuse information DQ2, the upper limit number of reuse information DS, and the message template information DM acquired in steps S101 to S105 (S107). Thereafter, the display control unit 513 supplies the planned reuse message information DY generated in step S107 to the terminal device 6, thereby controlling the terminal device 6 so that the planned reuse message AY is displayed on the display device 63 provided in the terminal device 6 and the planned reuse message AY is pronounced by the speaker 64 provided in the terminal device 6 (S109), and the planned reuse presentation process is terminated.

[0074] <<3. Conclusion of the embodiment>> As described above, the printing device 5 of this embodiment is a printing device 5 equipped with a replaceable cartridge 7, and is characterized by comprising: a reuse information acquisition unit 511 that acquires cartridge reuse information DQ2 relating to the reuse history of the cartridge 7; a reuse plan information generation unit 512 that generates reuse plan message information DY indicating a reuse plan message AY relating to future reuse aspects of the cartridge 7 based on the cartridge reuse information DQ2; and a display control unit 513 that displays the reuse plan message AY relating to future reuse aspects of the cartridge 7 on the display device 63 based on the reuse plan message information DY.

[0075] Thus, according to this embodiment, by displaying the future reuse state of the cartridge 7, the user UP of the printing device 5 is motivated to reuse the cartridge 7. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to more strongly educate the user UP about reusing the cartridge 7, compared to a mode in which the future reuse state of the cartridge 7 is not displayed. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to make a greater contribution to "improve education, awareness, human capacity and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning" as described in Target 13.3 of the SDGs, compared to a mode in which the future reuse state of the cartridge 7 is not displayed.

[0076] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the reuse planned message information DY is information indicating whether or not it is possible to manufacture a recycled cartridge 7X using the cartridge 7, or whether or not the cartridge 7 can be disassembled into its materials and reused.

[0077] That is, according to this embodiment, by specifically displaying whether the future reuse of the cartridge 7 will be refilling or material recycling, the user UP of the printing device 5 is motivated to reuse the cartridge 7. Therefore, according to this embodiment, compared to a mode in which the future reuse of the cartridge 7 is not displayed, it is possible to make a greater contribution to "improve education, awareness, human capacity and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning" as described in Target 13.3 of the SDGs.

[0078] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the display control unit 513 is characterized in that, when it is time to replace the cartridge 7, the display device 63 displays a reuse plan message AY relating to the future reuse of the cartridge 7.

[0079] That is, according to this embodiment, when it is time to replace the cartridge 7, the future reuse state of the cartridge 7 is displayed, thereby providing an incentive to the user UP of the printing device 5 to reuse the cartridge 7. Therefore, according to this embodiment, compared to a mode in which the future reuse state of the cartridge 7 is not displayed, it is possible to make a greater contribution to "improve education, awareness, human capacity and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning" as described in Target 13.3 of the SDGs.

[0080] Further, in this embodiment, the display control unit 513 is characterized in that it causes the display device 63 to display whether or not the cartridge 7 is a recycled cartridge 7 that was previously manufactured using a used cartridge 7.

[0081] That is, according to this embodiment, by displaying whether the cartridge 7 is a recycled cartridge 7 that was reused in the past, the user UP of the printing device 5 is motivated to reuse the cartridge 7. Therefore, according to this embodiment, compared to a mode in which whether the cartridge 7 is a recycled cartridge 7 that was reused in the past is not displayed, it is possible to make a greater contribution to "improve education, awareness, human capacity and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning" as described in Target 13.3 of the SDGs.

[0082] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the cartridge 7 is a recycled cartridge 7 that was previously manufactured using a used cartridge 7, the display control unit 513 causes the display device 63 to display that the use of the cartridge 7 contributes to environmental protection.

[0083] That is, according to this embodiment, by displaying that the reuse of the cartridges 7 contributes to environmental protection, the user UP of the printing device 5 is motivated to reuse the cartridges 7. Therefore, according to this embodiment, compared to a mode in which the reuse of the cartridges 7 does not display that the reuse of the cartridges 7 contributes to environmental protection, it is possible to make a greater contribution to "improve education, awareness, human capacity and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning" as described in Target 13.3 of the SDGs.

[0084] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the reuse plan information generation unit 512 is characterized in that, when the number of reuses AQ of the cartridge 7 indicated by the cartridge reuse information DQ2 is equal to or less than the upper reuse limit number of reuses AS, it generates reuse plan message information DY indicating that a regenerated cartridge 7X can be manufactured using the cartridge 7.

[0085] That is, according to this embodiment, by specifically displaying that the future reuse of the cartridge 7 will be refilling, the user UP of the printing device 5 is motivated to reuse the cartridge 7. Therefore, according to this embodiment, compared to a mode in which the future reuse of the cartridge 7 is not displayed, it is possible to make a greater contribution to "improve education, awareness, human capacity and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning" as described in Target 13.3 of the SDGs.

[0086] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the reuse plan information generating unit 512 is characterized in that, when the number of reuses AQ of the cartridge 7 indicated by the cartridge reuse information DQ2 is greater than the upper limit number of reuses AS, it generates reuse plan message information DY indicating that the cartridge 7 can be disassembled into its materials and reused.

[0087] That is, according to this embodiment, by specifically displaying that the future reuse of the cartridges 7 will be material recycling, the user UP of the printing device 5 is motivated to reuse the cartridges 7. Therefore, according to this embodiment, compared to a mode in which the future reuse of the cartridges 7 is not displayed, it is possible to make a greater contribution to "improve education, awareness, human capacity and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning" as described in Target 13.3 of the SDGs.

[0088] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the display control unit 513 is characterized in that it causes the display device 63 to display the number of times AQ that the cartridge 7 has been reused, which is the number of times that the cartridge 7 has been manufactured in the past as a recycled cartridge 7X.

[0089] That is, according to the present embodiment, by displaying the number of times of reuse AQ, which is the number of times the cartridge 7 has been reused in the past, it gives the user UP of the printing device 5 an incentive to reuse the cartridge 7. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, compared with the mode of not displaying the number of times the cartridge 7 has been reused in the past, a greater contribution can be made to "improve education, awareness, human capabilities and institutional functions regarding climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning" described in Target 13.3 of the SDGs.

[0090] <<B. Modification Example>> Each of the above embodiments can be variously modified. Specific modification modes are exemplified below. Two or more modes arbitrarily selected from the following examples can be appropriately combined within a range where they do not conflict with each other. In the modification examples exemplified below, for elements whose actions and functions are equivalent to those of the embodiment, the reference numerals referred to in the above description are used, and the detailed description of each is appropriately omitted.

[0091] <<Modification Example 1>> In the above-described embodiment, the case where the reuse schedule presentation process is executed when the power of the printing device 5 is turned on, when the cartridge 7 is attached to the printing device 5, and when printing processing is executed in the printing device 5 has been exemplified and described. However, the present invention is not limited to such a mode. The reuse schedule presentation process may be executed, for example, when the cartridge 7 is removed from the printing device 5. In this case, the control device 51 may store the cartridge reuse information DQ2 acquired from the cartridge 7 before it is removed from the printing device 5 in the storage device 52.

[0092] That is, in this modification example, the display control unit 513 is characterized in that when the cartridge 7 is removed from the printing device 5, it causes the display device 63 to display a reuse schedule message AY regarding the future reuse mode of the cartridge 7.

[0093] Therefore, according to this modified example, when the cartridge 7 is removed from the printing device 5, the future reuse state of the cartridge 7 is displayed, thereby providing an incentive to the user UP of the printing device 5 to reuse the cartridge 7. Therefore, according to this embodiment, compared to a mode in which the future reuse state of the cartridge 7 is not displayed, it is possible to make a greater contribution to "improve education, awareness, human capacity and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning" as described in Target 13.3 of the SDGs.

[0094] <<Variation 2>> In the above-described embodiment and modification 1, an example has been described in which the terminal device 6 includes the display device 63 and the speaker 64, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, the display device 63 may be provided in the printing device 5. Also, the speaker 64 may be provided in the printing device 5.

[0095] <<Variation 3>> In the above-described embodiment and modified examples 1 and 2, the cartridge 7 provided in the printing device 5 has been described as an example of an object to be managed by the management system Sys, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. The object to be managed by the management system Sys may be any replaceable specific part provided in an electronic device.

[0096] Here, the specific part may be, for example, a container for storing consumables used in the printing device 5, such as a cartridge 7 that stores ink as a consumable, or a toner bottle that stores toner as a consumable. The specific part may also be, for example, a container for storing waste generated in accordance with the use of the printing device 5, such as a waste ink box that stores waste ink as waste, and a waste toner box that stores waste toner as waste. Furthermore, the specific part is not limited to a part related to the printing device 5. For example, the specific part may be a replaceable part provided in an electronic device, such as a lamp provided in a projector and a battery provided in a smartphone. [Explanation of symbols]

[0097] 1...management server, 3...collection box, 5...printing device, 6...terminal device, 7...cartridge, 8...user card, 9...recycling factory, 51...control device, 52...storage device, 53...communication device, 63...display device, 64...speaker, 70...storage device, 80...storage device, 511...reuse information acquisition unit, 512...reuse schedule information generation unit, 513...display control unit, 514...printing control unit, Sys...management system.

Claims

1. An electronic device having a replaceable specific part, an acquisition unit that acquires reuse information related to a history of reuse of the specific part; a generator for generating reuse schedule information indicating a future reuse mode of the specific part based on the reuse information; a display control unit that displays, on a display unit, a future reuse state of the specific part based on the reuse plan information; Equipped with 1. An electronic device comprising:

2. The reuse schedule information is Whether or not it is possible to manufacture a refurbished product of the specific part using the specific part, or Information indicating whether the specific part can be reused after being disassembled into its materials.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1 .

3. The display control unit is When it is time to replace the specific part, and when the specific part is removed from the electronic device, displaying, on a display unit, a future reuse state of the specific part; 2. The electronic device according to claim 1 .

4. The display control unit is causing the display unit to display whether or not the specific part is a remanufactured part of a specific part that was previously manufactured using the specific part; 2. The electronic device according to claim 1 .

5. The display control unit is When the specific part is a remanufactured product of a specific part previously manufactured using the specific part, displaying on the display unit a message indicating that the use of the specific part contributes to environmental protection; 5. The electronic device according to claim 4.

6. The generation unit is When the number of times of reuse of the specific part indicated by the reuse information is equal to or less than a reference value, generating the reuse schedule information indicating that the specific part can be used to manufacture a regenerated product of the specific part; 3. The electronic device according to claim 2.

7. The generation unit is When the number of times that the specific part has been reused, which is indicated by the reuse information, is greater than a reference value, generating the reuse plan information indicating that the specific part can be reused after being decomposed into its materials; 7. The electronic device according to claim 6.

8. The display control unit is displaying on the display unit the number of times the specific part has been manufactured as a remanufactured product of the specific part in the past; 2. The electronic device according to claim 1 .

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