Processing device

Abstract

To provide a processing device that enables an operator of the processing device to smoothly continue a necessary operation.SOLUTION: In order to solve the problem, there is provided a processing device that performs a predetermined process by an operator operating operating means and / or a device main body, the device including: detection means for detecting an object within a predetermined distance from the processing device, and guidance means for providing necessary guidance to the operator, in which when the detection means detects the object for a first predetermined detection time or longer and an operation on the device is determined to be an error, the guidance means provides guidance.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a processing device. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, in stores and commercial facilities, processing devices that customers can actively operate themselves to receive various services, rather than being operated by store clerks or staff, have become common. Examples of such processing devices include an empty container recovery device that recovers empty containers (see, for example, Patent Document 1), a carbonated water production device that provides the generated carbonated water to the purchaser (see, for example, Patent Document 2), a ticket vending machine that can also contribute to sales promotion (see, for example, Patent Document 3), and other types of devices, such as self-checkouts and weighing machines. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-175789 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2014-23979 A [Patent Document 3] JP 2009-251868 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Customers who regularly use these processing devices can operate them comfortably without any burden, but those who are using a processing device for the first time, or those who are not used to using a processing device but are not good at operating machines, often have trouble operating them. Appropriate guide signs (fixed signs, display signs) have been provided to deal with the problem, but the current situation is that they have not been sufficiently effective. This applies not only to customers, but also to new or inexperienced store staff who handle errors and maintenance.

[0005] The present invention is intended to address such problems, and has an object to provide a processing device that allows the operator of the processing device to smoothly continue necessary operations. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve this object, the technical means according to the present invention is a processing device having at least the following configuration.

[0007] A processing device that performs a specified process in response to an operator operating the device, comprising: a detection means for detecting an object within a specified distance from the processing device; and a guidance means for providing necessary guidance to the operator, wherein when the detection means detects an object for a first specified detection time or longer and the operation on the device is determined to be an error, the guidance means provides guidance when a first operation is not performed for a first operation standby time or longer from the start of object detection. Here, "operation on the device" includes both the concept of operation on the operating means such as a push button or a touch display, and the concept of operation on the processing device body such as inserting an object, a container, or currency. Also, "when it is determined that the operation on the device is an error" includes "when the first operation is not performed for the first operation standby time or longer from the start of object detection." Also, the "first operation" does not mean limited to the operation that the operator should perform first, but means a specific operation that may be the second or third operation, and is a specific operation that the operator tends to stumble over when proceeding with the overall processing. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a processing apparatus that allows an operator of the processing apparatus to smoothly continue necessary operations. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1]1A and 1B are overall conceptual diagrams of a container recovery device as a processing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) is a front view of the container recovery device, and (b) is a side view of the container recovery device. [Diagram 2] 1 is a conceptual diagram of a container input section of a processing device (container recovery device) according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a processing device (container recovery device) with an outer door and an inner door in a closed state. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing an example of a processing device (container recovery device) with an outer door and an inner door closed. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a processing device (container recovery device) with an outer door in an open state and an inner door in a closed state. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing an example of a processing device (container recovery device) with an outer door open and an inner door closed. [Figure 7] 1 is a front perspective view of an example of a processing apparatus (container recovery apparatus) with an outer door open and an inner door closed, viewed from above. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing an example of a processing device (container recovery device) with an outer door closed and an inner door open. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a processing device (container recovery device) with an outer door (not shown) in a closed state and an inner door in an open state. [Figure 10] 2 is a schematic side view showing an example of a volume reducing section of the processing device (container recovery device) according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a conceptual plan view showing an example of a volume reducing unit of the processing device (container recovery device) according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a processing device (container recovery device) according to a first embodiment of the present invention, where (a) is an electrical functional block diagram of the processing device (container recovery device), and (b) is a functional block diagram of the control unit shown in (a). [Figure 13] 5 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of the processing device (container recovery device) according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a guidance operation of the processing device (container recovery device) according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15]5 is a flowchart showing an example of a guidance operation of the processing device (container recovery device) according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing an instruction screen displayed when replacing a bag in the processing device (container recovery device) according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of a treatment device (carbonated water production device) according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] 11 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of a treatment device (carbonated water production device) according to a second embodiment of the present invention with the front door open. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments of the present invention include the contents shown in the drawings, but are not limited thereto. In the following description of each drawing, parts common to parts already described will be given the same reference numerals to omit some duplicated description, and there are also embodiments that will be described without showing the drawings themselves.

[0011] First Embodiment A first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an empty container recovery device will be described. (Configuration of the empty container recovery device) The empty container recovery device as a processing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention comprises an article input section having a loading section for placing articles, an outer door provided at the opening of the article input section so as to be freely opened and closed, an outer door drive section which drives the outer door to open or close the outer door, an inner door provided at the passage between the article input section and a storage section which stores articles so as to be freely opened and closed, an inner door drive section which drives the inner door to open or close the inner door, a detection section which detects whether an item placed on the loading section of the article input section is an item to be collected or a non-item to be collected, and a control section which controls the outer door to be open when collecting an item, and when the detection section detects that an item to be collected has been placed on the loading section, controls the outer door to be closed and the inner door to be open, and collects the items to be collected in the storage section, and when the detection section detects that a non-item to be collected has been placed on the loading section and the non-item to be collected is not removed for a predetermined time or more, maintains the inner door in a closed state and controls the outer door to be closed. The empty container recovery device also has a control means for restricting both the outer door and the inner door from being in an open state. As the control means, for example, the outer door has a first limiting portion for restricting the movement of the inner door, and the inner door has a second limiting portion for restricting the movement of the outer door, and the first limiting portion and the second limiting portion restrict both the outer door and the inner door from being in an open state.

[0012] The empty container recovery device also has an apparatus main body section equipped with a storage section for storing items, a loading section on which items can be placed, an outer door provided on the outside of the loading section, an inner door provided in a passage leading from the loading section to the container storage section in the apparatus main body section, an inner door drive section for driving the inner door to open and close, a discrimination section for determining whether an item placed on the loading section is an item to be recovered, and an inner door drive control section for controlling the drive of the inner door drive section to keep the inner door closed when the discrimination section determines that the item is not an item to be recovered, and for controlling the drive of the inner door drive section to open the inner door when the discrimination section determines that the item is an item to be recovered.

[0013] In detail, in the empty container recovery device as a processing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, when on standby, the outer door of the article input section is in a closed state, and the inner door provided between the article input section and the storage section so as to be freely opened and closed is in a closed state. When recovering items, the outer door of the article input section is in an open state, and the discrimination section discriminates whether or not an item placed on the loading section of the article input section is an item to be recovered (e.g., an empty resin container such as a PET bottle). If it is determined to be an item to be recovered (an empty container), the outer door is in a closed state, the inner door provided between the article input section and the storage section is in an open state, and the container is recovered by the storage section. In the first embodiment, the container recovery device is provided with a volume reduction mechanism, and by reducing the volume of the container by the volume reduction mechanism, a large amount of reduced empty containers can be recovered in the recovery section with a specified capacity. Furthermore, when a non-recovery object such as a foreign object is put into the container input section, the empty container recovery device controls the inner door to be closed so that the non-recovery object is not recovered in the container storage section in the device main body. If the non-recovery object is not removed from the placement section of the container input section for a predetermined time, the empty container recovery device maintains the inner door in the closed state and controls the drive to close the outer door. In other words, it is possible to prevent further input of non-recovery objects into the container storage section.

[0014] 1, an empty container recovery device 100 as a processing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention has a container insertion section 110 provided at the top of an device main body 100B, and an outer door 111 provided on the outside of the opening of the container insertion section 110. The device main body 100B has a display operation section 3 and a transmitting / receiving section 4 (communication section) provided on the front side near the top of the outer door 111, and also has a speaker (not shown). In addition, a baggage hook 100f is provided on the front side of the device main body 100B.

[0015] Further, below container insertion section 110, a passage communicating with container storage section 140 is provided, and an inner door 112 is provided in passage 71 from placement section 116 of container insertion section 110 to container storage section 140.

[0016] In the first embodiment, the empty container recovery device 100 is provided with a volume reduction section 120 (volume reduction mechanism) between the inner door 112 and the container storage section 140. When the inner door 112 is in an open state, the volume reduction section 120 crushes the empty container A from the container input section 110 to reduce its volume, and outputs the reduced container RA to the container storage section 140 below. The main body 100B of the empty container recovery device 100 has a drawer 100C on which the container storage section 140 is placed, and a human sensor 100e and a key hole 100r are provided on the front side, and the drawer can be locked and unlocked by inserting a key into the key hole 100r. The human sensor 100e is, for example, an infrared sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a visible light sensor, or a combination thereof, and detects an object within a predetermined distance from the empty container recovery device 100. In the first embodiment, the detection distance is set to a range of 40 cm from the front of the empty container recovery device 100. If the detection of the object continues for one second or more, it is determined that a user of the device is present. This is based on the assumption that a person who intends to operate the empty container recovery device 100 is located in front of the empty container recovery device 100. This setting is based on the behavior pattern that a person who intends to use the processing device will not cross the area but will continue to stand in front of the device. However, the specific distance and time can be set to an appropriate range depending on the environment in which the empty container recovery device 100 is installed. In a spacious place, even if a person is crossing in front of the device, he or she will walk at a relatively large distance, and in a narrow place, even if the person has to cross close to the device, he or she will pass in front of the device slowly. It is preferable to set an appropriate value according to such assumed conditions.

[0017] In addition, a translucent section 100A (translucent window) is provided on the front side of the device main body 100B, specifically, on the front side of the drawer 100C, so that the empty containers stored in the container storage section 140 can be viewed from the outside.

[0018] A handle 100g for carrying the device is provided on the side surface of the device main body 100B.

[0019] In addition, the device main body 100B has a cap insertion section 108 on the front side, and a cap passage 72 is provided from the cap insertion section 108 downward within the device main body, and the cap inserted into the cap insertion section 108 is configured to be stored in the cap storage section 145 via the cap passage 72. The cap passage 72 may have a mechanism for separating caps from items smaller than caps. Specifically, the cap passage 72 may be branched, and a mesh member may be provided at the branched portion to separate leftover cigarette butts, rainwater, etc., from the caps and store them in the cap storage section 145.

[0020] Next, the container input section 110 of the empty container recovery device 100 will be described. Fig. 2 is a conceptual diagram of the container input section of the empty container recovery device. Figs. 3 and 4 are diagrams showing an example of an empty container recovery device with the outer door 111 closed and the inner door 112 closed. Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are diagrams showing an example of an empty container recovery device 100 with the outer door 111 open and the inner door 112 closed. Figs. 8 and 9 are conceptual diagrams showing an example of an empty container recovery device with the outer door 111 closed and the inner door 112 open. Note that the outer door is not shown in Fig. 9.

[0021] The container insertion section 110 of the empty container recovery device 100 of the first embodiment of the present invention has a loading section 116, an outer door 111, an inner door 112, a base 118, a weighing section 7, an outer door support section S111, an inner door support section S112, an outer door drive section 5, an inner door drive section 6, a first restriction section K111, a second restriction section K112, etc.

[0022] The placement unit 116 is configured to be able to place objects to be collected, etc. The placement unit 116 is provided with an optical sensor 9 such as a light receiving unit 9a and a light emitting unit 9b, a metal sensor, etc., but the optical sensor may be an imaging means (camera). In addition, a weighing unit 7 is provided below the placement unit 116.

[0023] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the placement surface of placement unit 116 is not horizontal, but is inclined so that the container storage unit 140 side is lower than the article insertion port side (the opening side when outer door 111 is open). In other words, placement unit 116 is configured to encourage inserted articles to fall to the container storage unit 140 side (or the volume reduction unit 120 side) due to their own weight. This makes it unnecessary to provide a transport mechanism for sending the articles (input items) to container storage unit 140, and makes it possible to provide a small-sized empty container recovery device. In addition, the surface of the placement surface of placement section 116 is surface-treated to form an uneven portion, and has a structure that prevents inserted items from sticking to the placement section. Even if the container is wet, the contact area between the container surface and the uneven surface of the placement section is relatively small, so the surface tension due to wetting is small, and the container easily moves toward the container storage section 140. In other words, it is possible to prevent the problem that a wet container does not fall into the container storage section.

[0024] The outer door 111 is provided on the outer side of the placement unit 116. The outer door drive unit 5 drives the outer door 111 so as to be freely opened and closed. The inner door 112 is provided in the passage 71 between the placement section 116 and the volume reduction section 120. The inner door drive section 6 drives the inner door 112 to open and close freely. As shown in Figs. 5 and 7, the inner door 112 is provided with a guide section 112D that guides the placement state of the empty container. The guide section 112D is provided at a position that is exposed and visible from the device main body. The guide section 112D displays information to guide the user to place the item (empty container such as a PET bottle) in a specified orientation and at a specified position (for example, 350 ml, 500 ml, 2000 ml, etc.). The guide section 112D may be a recess, a protrusion, a sticker, an LED display, an LCD, etc. provided on the surface of the inner door 112. The empty container recovery device may also include a determination unit that uses a detection sensor such as an imaging unit (camera) to determine whether an article is correctly placed at the placement position indicated by the guide unit 112D. Also, a detection unit such as an imaging process or an optical sensor can provide a notification when the placement orientation and position are incorrect.

[0025] In the first embodiment, the empty container recovery device 100 has a base 118, and this base 118 has outer door support parts S118, S111 that support the outer door 111 and the outer door drive unit 5. In detail, the outer door drive unit 5 and a rotation shaft C111 are provided at the upper end parts of the two outer door support parts S118, and a fan-shaped outer door support part S111 is rotatably provided on the rotation shaft C111, and the outer door 111 is supported by the fan-shaped outer door support part S111. One of the two rotation shafts C111 is connected to the rotation shaft of the motor of the outer door drive unit 5. The sector-shaped outer door support portion S111 is provided with a hole S111h through which the rotation shaft C112 of the inner door 112 passes.

[0026] The measuring unit 7 is disposed between the base 118 and the placement unit 116 and supports the placement unit 116 .

[0027] In addition, the inner door 112 is configured to guide an empty container placed on the placement unit 116 to the volume reducing unit 120 in an open state. In the first embodiment, the inner door drive unit 6 and the inner door 112 are supported by an inner door support unit S112 that is disposed on the weighing unit 7 and extends between the weighing unit 7 and the placement unit 116. The inner door drive unit 6 is provided with a rotation shaft C112 for the inner door 112, and the inner door 112 is provided on the rotation shaft C112. By opening the inner door 112, the collection target can be guided to the container storage unit 140 in the device main body. In addition, the inner door support unit S112 has a hole S112h through which the rotation shaft C111 passes.

[0028] That is, the outer door drive unit 5 and the outer door 111 are supported by the outer door support part S111 of the base 118, and the placement part 116 is provided on the upper part of the weighing part 7 arranged on the base 118, so that the weighing part 7 can measure the mass of the collection object and the like placed on the placement part 116 with high accuracy. In detail, since the outer door 111 and the outer door drive unit 5 are not supported on the weighing part 7, the weighing part 7 is structured to be less susceptible to the effects of vibrations of the outer door 111 and the outer door drive unit 5, and the mass of the collection object on the placement part 116 can be measured with high accuracy.

[0029] Furthermore, the outer door 111 of the empty container recovery device 100 as the processing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is configured to be movable between an open position exposing the mounting section 116 and a closed position covering the mounting section 116, and when the outer door 111 is closed, the outer door 111 is configured to be movable from the open position to a closed position toward the mounting section 116. That is, since the outer door 111 is configured to move from an open state toward the mounting section 116 to close, for example, when a user's hand, arm, or the like is caught between the outer door 111 and the mounting section 116, the weighing value by the weighing section fluctuates, and the control section detects the fluctuation, so that it is possible to easily detect that the user's hand, arm, foreign object, or the like is caught between the outer door 111 and the mounting section 116.

[0030] Moreover, in the empty container recovery device 100 as the processing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the outer door 111 is provided with a first limiting part K111 that limits the movement of the inner door 112. The inner door 112 is provided with a second limiting part K112 that limits the movement of the outer door 111. The first limiting part K111 and the second limiting part K112 provide a mechanism for limiting both the outer door 111 and the inner door 112 from being in an open state. In other words, the empty container recovery device 100 has a first limiting section K111 provided on the outer door 111 and a second limiting section K112 provided on the inner door 112, so that with a simple mechanical structure, it is possible to limit the opening and closing operation of each door depending on the opening and closing state of the outer door 111 and the inner door 112, respectively.

[0031] Moreover, the first limiting part K111 of the empty container collecting device 100 is configured to respond to the movement of the outer door 111. The second limiting part K112 is configured to respond to the movement of the inner door 112. Moreover, the empty container collecting device 100 is configured such that when the outer door 111 is in an open state, the first limiting part K111 limits the movement of the inner door 112, and when the inner door 112 is in an open state, the second limiting part K112 limits the movement of the outer door 111. In detail, in the first embodiment, the empty container recovery device 100 is configured such that, when the outer door 111 is open, the inner door 112 remains in the closed state and is restricted from opening. That is, when the outer door 111 is open and an inserted object is placed on the placement section 116, the inner door 112 is in the closed state and does not open, and is configured so that the object placed on the placement section 116 is not stored in the container storage section 140 in the device main body 100B regardless of whether the object is a collection object or a non-collection object. That is, in this state, the object (a collection object or a non-collection object) is in contact with the inner door 112, and the inner door 112 is configured to also serve as a part of the placement section.

[0032] The first limiting part K111 and the second limiting part K112 are configured to have their movement paths overlapped. In the first embodiment, the empty container recovery device 100 has a structure in which, when one of the first limiting part K111 and the second limiting part K112 limits the movement of the other, the first limiting part K111 and the second limiting part K112 are adjacent to each other with a slight gap in an arc shape. In detail, in the first embodiment, the first limiting part K111 is formed in a substantially fan shape. The first limiting part K111 has a convex arc-shaped part K111a and a concave part K111b. The second limiting part K112 is formed in a substantially fan shape. In detail, the second limiting part K112 has a convex arc-shaped part K112a and a concave part K112b.

[0033] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, when the outer door 111 is open and the inner door 112 is closed, and the first limiting portion K111 limits the movement of the second limiting portion K112, the convex arc-shaped portion K111a of the first limiting portion K111 and the concave portion K112b of the second limiting portion K112 are adjacent to each other with a slight gap between them in an arc shape. That is, in the first embodiment of the present invention, as described above, when the outer door 111 is in the open state, the inner door 112 is in the closed state, and the first limiting portion K111 restricts the movement of the second limiting portion K112, so that the inner door 112 remains in the closed state and does not open.

[0034] Also, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, when the inner door 112 is open and the outer door 111 is closed, and the second limiting portion K112 limits the movement of the first limiting portion K111, the convex arc-shaped portion K112a of the second limiting portion K112 and the concave portion K111b of the first limiting portion K111 are adjacent to each other with a slight gap between them in an arc shape.

[0035] In other words, the empty container recovery device as a processing device of the first embodiment of the present invention is structured so that when the outer door 111 is closed and the inner door 112 is open, the movement of the first limiting portion K111 is restricted by the second limiting portion K112, so that the outer door 111 remains closed and does not open.

[0036] In the first embodiment, the empty container recovery device 100 may have a prohibiting means for prohibiting the movement of one or both of the first limiting part K111 and the second limiting part K112. In detail, the prohibiting means has, for example, a solenoid. This solenoid has, for example, a structure in which a metallic movable pin (plunger) is arranged in a coil, and when the coil is not energized, the movable pin (plunger) is arranged in a position protruding from the coil end by a biasing part, and is configured so that when the coil is energized, the movable pin moves into the coil. For example, as a prohibition means capable of prohibiting the movement of the outer door 111 from the closed state to the open state, a movable pin (plunger) of a solenoid for the outer door may be configured to be able to engage with a hole provided in the first limiting part K111, and the control part controls the movable pin to engage with the hole when the first limiting part K111 is to be maintained in the closed state and movement to the open state is to be prohibited, and to disengage the movable pin when movement is not to be prohibited. In other words, the prohibition means can prohibit the movement of the first limiting part K111 from the closed state to the open state with a simple structure. In addition, as a prohibition means capable of prohibiting the movement of the inner door 112 from the closed state to the open state, a movable pin (plunger) of the solenoid for the inner door may be configured to be able to engage with a hole provided in the second limiting part K112, and the control part controls the movable pin to engage with the hole when the second limiting part K112 is to be maintained in the closed state and the movement to the open state is to be prohibited, and to disengage the movable pin when the movement is not to be prohibited. That is, the prohibition means can prohibit the movement of the second limiting part K112 from the closed state to the open state with a simple structure. Note that the mechanism by the cooperation of the first limiting part K111 and the second limiting part K112 is a mechanism for fail-safe, but if the electrical control by the control means is reliable, it is not necessarily required to provide a mechanical limiting mechanism by the first limiting part K111 and the second limiting part K112. This is merely an example of an embodiment.

[0037] The empty container recovery device 100 as the processing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention has a waiting section AA where the outer door 111 waits in the closed position, as shown in Figures 5 and 9. The waiting section AA is provided at a position where the outer door 111 does not touch the placement section 116, and functions as a stopper for the outer door 111.

[0038] Fig. 10 is a schematic side view showing an example of a volume reduction unit of an empty container recovery device as a processing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 11 is a schematic plan view showing an example of a volume reduction unit of an empty container recovery device. The volume reducing section 120 has a structure in which a pair of rotating shafts 811, 911 are rotatably supported by two substantially plate-shaped supporting members.

[0039] Further, a feed mechanism 50 is provided above the volume reduction section 120, and a rotating shaft 51 of the feed mechanism 50 is rotatably supported by the above-mentioned substantially plate-shaped support member. The feed mechanism 50 has a plurality of blade portions 52 (made of metal, resin, etc.) as paddles on the rotating shaft 51. As the rotating shaft 51 rotates, the blade portions 52 of the feed mechanism 50 rotate around the rotating shaft 51 as the center of rotation, and guide the empty container A to the volume reduction section 120.

[0040] In addition, at the top of the volume reduction section 120, plate-shaped regulating members 61 and 62 are provided, inclined in opposite directions, so as to guide the empty container A toward the center of the volume reduction section 120, thereby regulating the empty container A from moving to other locations.

[0041] The rotating shafts 811, 911, 51 are arranged parallel to each other at a predetermined interval. On each of the pair of rotating shafts 811, 911, compression rollers 81, 91 each having a blade surface 81k or a blade surface 91k on both axial sides and spacers s each having a smaller diameter than the compression rollers 81, 91 and a slightly thicker thickness than the compression rollers 81, 91 are alternately arranged in parallel along the axial direction. The outer periphery of the compression roller provided on one rotating shaft is disposed between the compression rollers provided on the other rotating shaft, and is disposed at a predetermined distance LP from the spacer s provided between the compression rollers provided on the other rotating shaft. In addition, the distance LP between the spacer s provided on the rotating shaft 811 and the compression roller 91 provided on the rotating shaft 911 facing the spacer s is set to be smaller than the maximum outer diameter LAg of the body Ag of the empty container A.

[0042] 10 and 11, a gear 811m is provided at one end of the rotating shaft 811, and is configured to mesh with a gear 911m provided at one end of the rotating shaft 911. These rotating shafts 811, 911, 51 are rotated by a drive motor (not shown). When driven, the rotating shafts 811 and 911 rotate in opposite directions, and an empty container A placed in the center is compressed by the compression rollers 81 and 91, and the reduced-volume empty container is output downward.

[0043] The peeling units 31, 32 are configured to peel off the containers, the volume of which has been reduced by the compression rollers 81, 91 of the volume reducing unit 120, from the compression rollers 81, 91.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 11, the length LAb (neck length) of the neck Ab of an empty container A such as a plastic bottle is the length from the tip Ac on the opening Ah side to the neck ring or the base of the neck.

[0045] An empty resin container A such as a PET bottle is formed with a neck Ab that is thicker than other parts, specifically, the shoulder and body Ag. For example, when the neck Ab of an empty container A is separated from other parts and becomes a lump smaller than a standard, the empty container may be deemed ineligible for recycling by a recycler. The volume reduction unit 120 reduces the volume of the relatively thick and heavy neck Ab to a flat shape larger than the above standard so that the empty container can be recycled without being separated from the shoulder and body Ag.

[0046] Further, the distance LT between the spacer s provided on the rotating shaft 911 and the spacer ws(s) provided on the rotating shaft 811 is longer than the outer diameter of the neck portion Ab of the empty container. Further, the distance LC from the inner surface of the support member 871 to the compression roller 81 arranged on the side surface of the rotating shaft 811 is configured to be longer than the length LAb of the neck portion Ab of the empty container A. In the first embodiment, the distance LC is set to be longer than the axial length of the spacer ws(s) arranged on the side surface of the rotating shaft 811. The axial length (thickness) of the spacer ws(s) is set to be approximately twice as long as the axial length Ls of the other spacers. That is, in order to prevent the neck portion Ab of the empty container A from being separated from the shoulder portion Af and the body portion Ag, the compression roller on the support member 871 side provided on the rotating shaft 811 is positioned at a predetermined distance from the side surface of the support member 871. That is, the volume reduction unit 120 is structured so that, when reducing the volume of a container, the neck portion Ab of the empty container A is reduced in volume while remaining connected to the shoulder portion and the body portion Ag.

[0047] In the first embodiment, the axial thickness L1 of the compression rollers 81, 91 is shorter than the length LAb of the neck portion Ab of the empty container A. For example, even if an empty resin container A such as a PET bottle is placed upside down, specifically, even if the tip portion Ac of the empty container A where the opening Ah is formed is positioned on the side of the substantially plate-shaped support member 871, the neck portion Ab of the empty container A is not separated from the shoulder portion or body portion Ag when the container is reduced in volume.

[0048] Next, an example of the electrical configuration of the empty container recovery device 100 as the processing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. 12, the processing device (empty container recovery device 100) has a control unit 1 (CPU), a memory unit 2, a display operation unit 3, a transmission / reception unit 4, an outer door drive unit 5, an inner door drive unit 6, a weighing unit 7, a metal sensor 8, an optical sensor 9, a door position sensor 10, a door lock unit 11, a volume reduction drive unit 15, an object detection means, a so-called human sensor 100e, etc. Each component is electrically connected by a signal line, etc.

[0049] The control unit 1 (CPU) comprehensively controls each component of the processing device (empty container recovery device 100). The control unit 1, for example, executes a control program to realize the functions according to the present invention in a computer.

[0050] The storage unit 2 is a storage device such as a RAM or a ROM. The storage unit 2 stores control programs and the like. The storage unit 2 also stores characteristics of empty containers to be collected. The characteristics of the empty containers include, for example, the range of container mass and whether or not the container is made of resin material.

[0051] The display operation unit 3 performs a predetermined display under the control of the control unit 1. The display operation unit 3 also outputs a signal corresponding to an operation by a user or the like to the control unit 1. The display operation unit 3 is, for example, a touch panel display device.

[0052] The transmitting / receiving unit 4 is a transmitting / receiving device that communicates with non-contact IC cards, IC tags, etc., and performs predetermined communication under the control of the control unit 1. Also, under the control of the control unit 1, the transmitting / receiving unit 4 performs predetermined communication with other terminal devices (computers) via a wireless communication path or a wired communication path.

[0053] The outer door drive unit 5 is a motor or the like for opening and closing the outer door 111, and is drive-controlled by the control unit 1.

[0054] The inner door driving unit 6 is a motor or the like for opening and closing the inner door 112, and is controlled by the control unit 1 to drive the inner door in an open or closed state.

[0055] The weighing unit 7 weighs the mass of an empty container or an object not to be collected placed on the placement unit 116 of the container insertion unit 110. The weighing unit 7 is a weighing device such as a load cell. The weighing unit 7 is also used as a sensor that detects remaining drink in a container placed on the placement unit 116 of the container insertion unit 110, thereby determining whether or not the container can be collected. The weighing unit 7 is also configured to be able to determine the total weight of the containers stored in the container storage unit 140 by accumulating the weight values ​​of the containers that have been determined to be collectable. This function eliminates the need to provide a weighing unit in the container storage unit 140, making it possible to ensure a container storage unit 140 with a large capacity, and allowing the weighing unit 7 itself to be made small. Since the object to be weighed is relatively small, there is no need to provide a large weighing unit 7.

[0056] The metal sensor 8 detects whether an object placed on the mounting section 116 of the container input section 110 is metallic or non-metallic. In the first embodiment, when the metal sensor 8 detects that the object placed on the mounting section 116 is metallic, the control section 1 determines that the object placed on the mounting section 116 is a non-collection target object.

[0057] In addition, the optical sensor 9 has a light receiving unit 9a that receives light from a light emitting unit 9b provided in the container loading unit 110. The optical sensor 9 is configured to include, for example, a polarizing plate and receive light through the polarizing plate, and is configured to be able to detect an empty container to be recycled by detecting polarized light transmitted through a translucent empty container such as a PET bottle. The control unit 1 detects light received through a translucent empty container placed on the placement unit of the container loading unit with the optical sensor 9, and determines whether the empty container is the one to be recycled based on the detection signal from the optical sensor 9.

[0058] The human presence sensor 100e is composed of, for example, an infrared sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a visible light sensor, or a combination thereof, and has a detection range of 40 cm from the front of the device. Also, when the detection of an object continues for 5 seconds or more, it is determined that the user of the device is present. This is based on the assumption that a person with the intention of operating in front of the device is located. For a person who intends to use the processing device, it is a setting based on the behavior pattern of standing continuously in front of the device rather than crossing the area. However, regarding the specific detection distance range and the time serving as the threshold, an appropriate range may be set according to the installation environment. In a spacious place, even when crossing in front of the device, one will probably walk relatively far, and in a narrow space, one will have to cross nearby, so one will pass slowly in front of the device.

[0059] If the human sensor 100e detects an object for 1 second or more, but no operation is performed for, for example, 5 seconds or more after the device transitions to the next process and starts requesting an operation, it is assumed that the user is unfamiliar with the device and does not know how to operate it. In this case, the processing device (empty container recovery device 100) outputs a voice message to encourage a predetermined operation. On the other hand, if an object is detected for, for example, 1 minute from the start of object detection while the voice message is being output, the voice message is stopped, and if the device is in an unnecessary operation or situation, appropriate measures are taken. This is to prevent the user from continuing to output an unnecessary and unpleasant message when it is assumed that the user is not standing in front of the device, but that some object other than a person, such as a bicycle or luggage, is placed in front of the processing device (empty container recovery device 100). And, for example, this is to prevent an undesirable situation, such as an outer door being left open, from continuing.

[0060] The empty container recovery device is provided with the above-mentioned sensors around the mounting section for determining whether or not recovery is required. For example, in a conventional recovery device, an article is taken into the device, and it is determined whether or not it is a recovery target, and non-recoverable items are discharged from a discharge port different from the input port. Since the device has a determination section, it is necessary to provide a discharge port. On the other hand, the empty container recovery device as the processing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is configured so that it is not necessary to take in the objects to be recovered because sensors that determine whether recovery is necessary are provided on the loading section, which corresponds to the inlet of the device. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide an outlet, and a small-sized empty container recovery device can be provided.

[0061] The door position sensor 10 detects the positions of the outer door 111 and the inner door 112, and outputs a signal related to the positions of the outer door 111 and the inner door 112 to the control unit 1. The control unit 1 controls the open / closed state of the outer door 111 and the inner door 112 based on the signal.

[0062] The door lock unit 11 has a locking device such as a solenoid, and under the control of the control unit 1, locks the movement of the outer door 111 and the inner door 112 as necessary.

[0063] The control unit 1 has a first drive control unit 101, a second drive control unit 102, a third drive control unit 103, a fourth drive control unit 104, a notification processing unit 105, etc. The control unit 1 realizes the functions of each drive control unit in a processing device (empty container recovery device) as a computer, for example, by executing a control program.

[0064] When collecting a container, the first drive control unit 101 controls the outer door 111 to be in an open state by the outer door drive unit 5. The control to open the outer door 111 includes not only automatically opening the outer door 111 but also, for example, simply releasing the lock and opening the door itself by the user (=manually) (following a notification / display requesting that the door be opened).

[0065] When an item to be collected is placed on the placement section 116, the second drive control section 102 controls the outer door drive section 5 and the inner door drive section 6 to close the outer door 111 and open the inner door 112, thereby collecting the container in the container storage section 140.

[0066] When the detection unit detects that the item is not to be collected, and the non-collection item is not removed for a predetermined period of time or more, the third drive control unit 103 controls the outer door drive unit 5 and the inner door drive unit 6 to maintain the inner door 112 in a closed state and to close the outer door 111.

[0067] When the outer door 111 is moved from the open position to the closed position by the outer door drive unit 5, the fourth drive control unit 104 controls to stop the movement of the outer door 111 from the open position to the closed position when the weighing unit 7 detects a change in the measurement value. That is, when the outer door 111 is moved from the open position to the closed position, the control unit 1 controls to stop the movement of the outer door 111 from the open position to the closed position when the weighing unit 7 detects a change in the measurement value, thereby making it possible to prevent the user's hand, arm, foreign object, etc. from being caught between the outer door 111 and the placement unit 116, reducing the load on the outer door drive unit 5 and preventing breakdowns.

[0068] When a non-collection target object is detected by the detection unit, the notification processing unit 105 performs notification processing to remove the non-collection target object. As the notification processing, for example, a screen is displayed on the display unit of the display operation unit 3 to prompt the user to remove the non-collection target object.

[0069] (Outline of the operation transition and guidance operation flow of the empty container recovery device) Next, using Figure 13, we will explain an example of the operation of the processing device (empty container recovery device 100) related to the first embodiment of the present invention and the guidance operation that allows the operator to smoothly continue the necessary operations.

[0070] In step ST1, the empty container recovery device 100 is in a standby state. When the human sensor 100e detects an object for one second, the control unit 1 first performs a process of displaying a display message such as "touch your card (membership card, etc.) or press a button" on the display operation unit 3. However, if no operation is performed for five seconds from the start of the message display, a voice guidance of "touch your card or press a button" is output from the speaker. The card (membership card, etc.) is, for example, a contactless IC card for members. Before the message is displayed, the device may be in an energy saving mode with the brightness of the screen reduced. In this case, the detection by the human sensor triggers the release of the energy saving mode.

[0071] In step ST2, the control unit 1 determines whether the outer door opening condition is satisfied, and if the outer door opening condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step ST3. For example, when the empty container collection start button or the like is operated by the display operation unit 3 such as a touch panel as the outer door opening condition, the process proceeds to step ST3. Note that the process may proceed to step ST3 under the condition that the membership card held by the user communicates with the transmitting / receiving unit 4 and the personal authentication is correctly performed (outer door opening condition), or a modified example may be considered in which the outer door opening condition is the object detection by the human sensor 100e. This will be described later. Examples of the membership card include a non-contact IC card, a magnetic card, a card with a barcode or a two-dimensional code printed on it, a display device with a barcode or a two-dimensional code displayed on it, and a smartphone or a mobile phone with a membership card function. Furthermore, in step ST2, the control unit 1 performs a process of displaying on the display unit of the display operation unit 3, for example, "Please insert a container."

[0072] In step ST3, the control unit 1 performs an outer door opening process. In detail, the control unit 1 releases the door lock unit of the outer door 111, and performs drive control to move the outer door 111 to an open state by the outer door drive unit 5. Here, if a container is not inserted even though 5 seconds have passed since the empty container collection start button was pressed, a voice guidance of "Please insert a container" is output from the speaker. On the other hand, if a container is not inserted even though 30 seconds have passed since a touch operation on the touch panel with a card (membership card, etc.) is performed, a voice guidance of "Please insert a container" is output from the speaker. After a touch operation with a membership card, etc., many customers have a behavior pattern of putting the card in their wallet, so the threshold is set to 30 seconds instead of 5 seconds to avoid starting an unpleasant message while putting the card away.

[0073] In the first embodiment, two operation methods are set as the start conditions of the device: touching a card (membership card, etc.) and pressing a button (touching the touch display, pressing a mechanical key). However, some stores that do not set members as stores that install empty container recovery devices may not need to have a card touch operation. In that case, it is more user-friendly to omit the operation of pressing a button, which is the only option. For this reason, as a modification of the first embodiment, it is possible to modify the empty container recovery device 100 so that when the human sensor 100e detects an object for one second, the control unit 1 performs an outer door opening process. At the same time as the outer door opening process, a display message saying "Please insert a container" is displayed on the display operation unit 3, but if no operation is performed within five seconds from the start of displaying the display message, a voice guidance saying "Please insert a container" is output from the speaker. Furthermore, this modified example can be further modified for stores that have a membership system. For example, even in a member-only device, the outer door opening process can be triggered by an object detection by a human sensor, and the member card can be accepted at any time up until a certain time has passed after all operations, including the outer door opening process and container collection, have been completed. The ability to arbitrarily set the timing for reading the member card significantly improves convenience for customers.

[0074] Returning from the modified example to the first embodiment, in step ST4, various detection processes are performed by the weighing unit 7, metal sensor 8, optical sensor 9, etc. to detect the mass, material, presence or absence of contents, etc. of the object placed on the placement unit 116, and a signal indicating the detection result is output to the control unit 1. Note that in an embodiment in which the detection process is performed using an imaging means (camera) instead of an optical sensor, it is preferable to configure the outer door to be closed once for the detection process prior to step ST5 described below, since this improves the recognition accuracy by the imaging means (camera) without being affected by external light.

[0075] In step ST5, the control unit 1 determines whether the outer door closing condition is satisfied. In detail, if it is determined that the object placed on the placement unit 116 is a collection target object, the process proceeds to step ST6, and otherwise (if it is a non-collection target object such as a foreign object), the process proceeds to step ST51. Note that even if the control unit 1 determines that the object placed on the placement unit 116 is an empty container as a result of the detection process, for example, when it detects that a predetermined amount of leftover liquid exists in the container, it may determine that the container contains a foreign object.

[0076] In step ST6, the control unit 1 performs an outer door closing process. In detail, the control unit 1 drives and controls the outer door drive unit 5 so as to close the outer door. In the case where the outer door is closed once for the detection process to perform the detection process using an imaging means (camera) instead of an optical sensor, when the item placed on the placement unit 116 is determined to be a collection target item, the outer door is already closed, and the process of step ST6 is omitted.

[0077] In step ST7, the control unit 1 determines whether or not a change in the weighing value has been detected by the weighing unit 7, and if a change in the weighing value has been detected, proceeds to processing of step ST8; otherwise, it continues the detection processing of step ST7 until the change in the weighing value subsides.

[0078] In step ST8, the control unit 1 determines whether the inner door opening condition is satisfied, and if the inner door opening condition is not satisfied as a result of the determination, the process proceeds to step ST13, and if the inner door opening condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step ST9. The inner door opening condition is, for example, that the object placed on the placement unit 116 is a collection target object.

[0079] In step ST9, the control unit 1 performs an inner door opening process. In detail, the control unit 1 controls the inner door driving unit 6 to drive the inner door 112 to the open state. In step ST9, the control unit 1 performs a process to display, for example, "Recycling in progress, xx containers" on the display unit of the display operation unit 3. As will be described later, in the case of continuous container insertion, the control unit 1 performs a process to count up the number of containers and display it on the display unit. In addition, in the case of non-continuous insertion, the control unit performs a process to display "1 container" on the display unit.

[0080] In step ST10, the control unit 1 performs an inner door closing process. In detail, the control unit 1 controls the inner door drive unit 6 to close the inner door 112. When the inner door 112 is closed, the placement unit and the volume reduction unit are separated (partitioned). Then, the process proceeds to step ST11.

[0081] In step ST11, the control unit 1 performs an outer door opening process. In detail, the control unit 1 controls the outer door drive unit 5 to open the outer door 111. The outer door 111 is in the open state, and the next container can be inserted. In step ST11, the control unit 1 performs a process of displaying, for example, "Please insert the next container. If not, touch the screen" on the display unit of the display operation unit 3. As will be described later, when the operator (user, etc.) touches the screen of the display operation unit 3, this is regarded as a declaration of termination.

[0082] If no operation is performed within 10 seconds after the outer door is opened and the display process starts displaying the instruction to insert a second container, which is a request to the operator, a voice message saying "Please insert the next container. If not, touch the screen" is output from the speaker. This is an operation that is part of the continuous insertion process described below.

[0083] In step ST12, the control unit 1 performs a volume reduction process. In detail, the control unit 1 performs a process of reducing the volume of the empty container A by the volume reduction unit 120.

[0084] In step ST13, the control unit 1 determines whether or not a new item has been added to the mounting section based on signals from each sensor, and if the result of the determination is that an item has been detected by any of the sensors (detection units) in the mounting section, it proceeds to processing of step ST4, and if no item is detected, it proceeds to processing of step ST14. As described above, by proceeding to step ST4, the continuous container insertion process can be performed. Specifically, since a new container can be inserted into the placement section while the volume reduction section is performing volume reduction of an empty container, the detection process by the sensor (detection section) of the placement section and the volume reduction process by the volume reduction section can be performed in parallel. That is, the empty container recovery device can efficiently reduce the volume of empty containers. As described above, when the second container is inserted, the waiting time for starting the voice guidance output is set to 10 seconds, but when the third container is inserted in the continuous insertion process (third cycle), if no operation is performed within 5 seconds after the outer door is opened and the display process starts requesting the operator to operate, the voice guidance "Please insert the next container. If not, touch the screen" is output from the speaker. After that, the voice guidance is given after 5 seconds in both the fourth and fifth cycles. The reason why a 10-second margin is provided only in the second cycle is to take into consideration those who do not fully understand that continuous insertion operation is possible. However, once the user understands that continuous input is possible, it does not take much time to make a decision. For this reason, the threshold waiting time is set differently between the second cycle and the third cycle and thereafter.

[0085] In step ST14, the control unit 1 determines whether or not an end operation has been detected, and if an end operation has been detected, the process proceeds to step ST1, otherwise the process proceeds to step ST15. In detail, the control unit 1 performs a process of displaying, for example, "Please insert the next container. If not, please touch the screen" on the display unit of the display operation unit 3, and if the end of the operation is detected by touching the screen, the process proceeds to the above step ST1.

[0086] In step ST15, the control unit 1 determines whether the volume reduction process of the container by the volume reduction unit 120 has been completed. If it has been completed, the control unit 1 proceeds to the process of step ST1. If it has not been completed, the control unit 1 proceeds to the process of step ST13. In detail, in step ST15, the control unit 1 starts timing from the outer door open state of ST11, and if a predetermined time has passed, the control unit 1 makes a termination determination that there is no next container, and automatically proceeds to the process of step ST1, which is the above-mentioned standby state. Note that, instead of the requirement that a predetermined time has passed, the requirement for the termination determination may be the off-determination of the human sensor. In this case, the requirement for the termination determination may be immediate from the off-determination of the human sensor, or the elapse of a predetermined time from the off-determination.

[0087] In step ST5, when it is determined that the object placed on the placement unit 116 is a non-recovery object by determining whether the outer door closing condition is satisfied, the control unit 1 determines in step ST51 whether a predetermined time, for example, about 30 seconds to 1 minute, has elapsed, and if the determination result shows that the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step ST52, and if the predetermined time has not elapsed, the process goes to a standby state until the predetermined time has elapsed. Note that in a case where the outer door is closed once for the detection process so that the detection process is performed using an imaging means (camera) instead of an optical sensor, when it is determined that the object placed on the placement unit 116 is a non-recovery object, the process proceeds to step ST51 after the outer door is opened.

[0088] In steps ST52 and ST53, the control unit 1 performs an outer door closing process to close the outer door 111 while maintaining the closed state of the inner door 112. In detail, the control unit 1 controls the driving of the outer door driving unit 5 to bring the outer door 111 into the closed state.

[0089] In step ST54, the control unit 1 performs a notification process. In detail, when a non-recovery object is placed on the placement section 116 of the container input section 110 and the outer door 111 is in a closed state, the control unit 1 performs a process of notifying the user that the non-recovery object remains in the input section in the volume reduction section and has not been collected, and a process of notifying the user to remove the non-recovery object from the placement section 116. The notification process includes a process of displaying on the display section of the display operation section 3, a process of sounding a predetermined notification sound, and a process of illuminating a light-emitting element such as an LED. Then, the process proceeds to step ST1. The notification process of the control unit 1 may also include issuing the notification to an external terminal device (not shown). The external terminal device may be, for example, a POS terminal installed in a store, a portable terminal device carried by a store clerk or a system administrator, or a higher-level server. The control unit 1 may issue the notification (such as displaying a pop-up screen, turning on a lamp, or outputting a sound) to the external terminal device via a wireless or wired communication path using the transmission / reception unit 4. The control unit 1 may also output an error so that each terminal device can issue the notification directly, or may output an error to a higher-level server, and the POS terminal or the like may issue the notification via the server. The control unit 1 may also issue other error information (such as full detection, a sign to replace consumable parts, or other failure errors) in the same manner. The cases where the container collector is identified after the processing of step ST54 and where the container collector is not identified will be described in detail. When identifying the person who collects the items, when a store clerk who has received the notification holds up or touches (or brings close) an IC card with identification information for the administrator (the identification information for the administrator is stored in the memory section of the IC card) over or near the transmitter / receiver section 4, the control section performs control to open the outer door 111 after confirming that authentication processing for the administrator has been performed correctly. With the outer door 111 in the open state, the store clerk can remove the non-collectable items. In other words, by giving only a limited number of people the authority to open the outer door when an error occurs, it is possible to prevent further insertion of foreign objects or mischief. If the collector is not specified, even if the outer door 111 is closed in ST52 and ST53 and foreign objects cannot be inserted, when the transmitter / receiver 4 reads identification information from an IC card or the like, the control unit 1 may perform processing to open the outer door 111 regardless of whether the person is an administrator or not. This allows customers who wish to use the empty container collection device to remove non-collection items. In other words, it is possible to prevent the loss of opportunity of not being able to use the empty container collection device until a store clerk or the like comes and removes the non-collection items.

[0090] Incidentally, although not shown in the flowchart of FIG. 13, in step 1, if an object is detected for, for example, one minute from the start of object detection, the voice message "Please touch the card or press the button" being output is configured to stop. This is because it is assumed that an object other than a person, such as a bicycle or luggage, is placed in front of the processing device (empty container collection device 100) instead of the user standing in front of the device. It is an unnecessary message and is to prevent the output of a message that is annoying and continues to be output. The same applies to stopping the display message such as "Please touch the card (membership card, etc.) or press the button". For a modified example where the outer door opening process is performed with object detection for 1 second, it is preferable to configure it to execute the outer door closing process. This is to prevent pranks such as throwing foreign objects into the inlet with the door open. If an object is detected for 30 minutes from the time of object detection disclosure, it is configured to notify a store clerk or the like by appropriate means that an object is placed in front of the processing device (empty container collection device 100). The appropriate means may be the output of an alarm sound, or a warning signal may be transmitted to the location where the store clerk or the like is present by communication. It may also be configured to communicate with a call center. In the case of a configuration where the outer door opening process is performed by object detection of the human presence sensor 100e for 5 seconds or more, which was described as a modified example, it is preferable to perform the outer door closing process together with the stop of the voice message and not perform the outer door opening process again until the object detection is canceled. However, compared with the case where the outer door is opened by touching and consciously opening it, when the outer door opens automatically, there is a higher possibility that the operation will be delayed due to difficulty in retrieving a large number of empty containers brought in. Therefore, the threshold until stopping may be set to a long time such as one and a half minutes or two minutes.

[0091] (Specific flow of the guidance operation) An overview of the flow of the guidance operation has been described in Fig. 13, but a more specific flow of the guidance operation will be described with reference to Fig. 14. In the standby state of step ST1, if the human presence sensor 100e detects an object but the object is no longer detected within one second, the system returns to the standby state (step ST1-1). On the other hand, if an object is detected for one second or more in step ST1-1, a display message saying "Touch your card (membership card, etc.) or press a button" is displayed in step ST1-2.

[0092] If it is determined in ST2-1 that touching or the like has been performed, the process proceeds to step ST3, which is the outer door opening process. However, if touching or the like is not performed in step ST2-1, and if no operation is performed for 5 seconds from the start of the message display in step ST2-2, a voice message saying "Touch your card or press the button" is output from the speaker in step ST2-3.

[0093] After the voice guidance, if it is determined in step ST2-4 that a touch or the like has been performed, the process proceeds to step ST3 for opening the outer door. In step ST3, the control unit 1 performs the outer door opening process and displays the message "Please insert the container" on the display unit of the display operation unit 3. Note that steps ST2-1 and ST2-4 in FIG. 14 correspond to the determination process of "Are the outer door opening conditions OK?" in step ST2 in FIG. 13.

[0094] In step ST3-1, if the container is not inserted even though 5 seconds have passed since the touch or the like was performed, a voice guidance saying "Please insert the container" is output from the speaker (step ST3-2).

[0095] When an object is inserted in step ST3-3, each detection process is executed in step ST4.

[0096] Returning to step ST2-4, if it is determined that one minute has passed since object detection without any touch or the like (step ST2-5), the voice guidance and message display guidance are stopped (step ST2-6), because, as described above, it is not desirable to continue unnecessary voice guidance and message display guidance.

[0097] A specific flow of guidance operations for a modified example in which the control unit 1 performs the outer door opening process after one second of object detection will be described with reference to FIG. 15. In the standby state of step ST1, if the human presence sensor 100e detects an object but the object is no longer detected within one second, the process returns to the standby state (step ST1'-1). On the other hand, if an object is detected for one second or more in step ST1'-1, the process proceeds to the outer door opening process of step ST3. However, if no empty container is inserted within five seconds of the outer door opening process in step ST3'-1, a voice guidance stating "Please insert a container" is output from the speaker in step ST3'-2.

[0098] In step ST3'-3, it is determined whether an object has been inserted, and if it is determined that an object has been inserted, each detection process is executed in step ST4. On the other hand, if it is determined that one minute has passed since the object was detected in step ST3'-4 without the object being inserted (step ST3'-4), the voice guidance is stopped and the outer door is closed (step ST3'-5).

[0099] (Guidance operation during maintenance) As mentioned above, voice message guidance is not only useful for customers, but also for new or inexperienced store staff who may not know how to use the processing device and may have trouble operating it. FIG. 16 shows an instruction screen displayed during a bag replacement operation. The instruction screen can be selected to display either a simple instruction screen (upper figure) or a detailed instruction screen (lower figure). In a store or the like where many employees fail to fully open a bag (such as a plastic bag) to the bottom even when the four corners of the bag are hooked on the bag hooking section when attaching the bag for collecting articles, it is desirable for the manager to set the display to display the guidance screen shown in the lower figure. In either screen, the display screen provides guidance to touch the completion key after replacing the collection bag. However, a new employee or an inexperienced employee may close the drawer in which the container storage section is placed without touching the completion key. In such a case, a voice guidance of "Please touch the completion key" is output from the speaker. Of course, it goes without saying that the voice guidance may be configured to be output not only in the case of such a wrong operation, but also to store staff when the operation is delayed, as explained for the operation performed by the customer.

[0100] The following usefulness can be expected from the empty container recovery device as a processing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Above all, the total recovery speed is significantly increased. Regarding the processing speed of a machine, there is a required processing time as a so-called catalog value, but in reality, the value is often far from this value. Even if the machine can perform processing, if the operation stagnates, the total processing will be slow. According to the first embodiment, it is expected that not only the processing speed of the machine but also the overall speed can be improved by assisting the user.

[0101] Next, it is expected that the frequency of use of the empty container recovery device and the number of empty containers recovered can be improved. In order for such a type of processing device to be welcomed by customers and used repeatedly, the impression when the device is first operated is important. If the customer has the impression that it is difficult to use, they may never use it again. According to the first embodiment, it is possible to effectively support first-time users, and it is also possible to motivate customers to try using it. On the other hand, some customers may be put off by having to listen to the voice guidance every time they use the device. According to the first embodiment, customers who are familiar with the operation can operate the device without listening to the voice guidance, and the customers can use the device in a comfortable atmosphere.

[0102] Furthermore, the first embodiment can also support store staff. In convenience stores where empty container collection devices are often installed, part-time store clerks and other staff members are often replaced, and the staff members may be confused by complex operations such as changing collection bags. If the staff can quickly change collection bags, customers will have to wait less, so supporting the staff ultimately leads to increased customer attraction.

[0103] Second Embodiment A second embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a carbonated water producing apparatus will be described. (Configuration of the carbonated water production device) The carbonated water production device A100 as a treatment device according to the second embodiment of the present invention is connected to an RO water production device (not shown), produces carbonated water using RO water produced by the RO water production device, and pours the produced carbonated water into, for example, a pressure-resistant bottle. The RO water production device (not shown) produces pure water (RO water) by filtering, for example, tap water or natural water through an RO (Reverse Osmosis) membrane.

[0104] 17 and 18, the carbonated water production device A100 has a front door A11 and an device body A12. The front door A11 rotates around one end side in the width direction of the device body A12 (the right side in FIG. 17) between a closed position that shields the inside of the device body A12 and an open position that exposes the inside of the device body A12.

[0105] The front door A11 has a touch panel A21, a two-dimensional barcode reader A22, an IC card reader A23, and a water injection box A24.

[0106] The touch panel A21 displays information based on the operating status of the carbonated water production device A100 and information read by the two-dimensional barcode reader A22 or the IC card reader A23. The touch panel A21 also displays selection buttons for selecting the gas strength (GV) or amount of carbonated water available for purchase, as necessary.

[0107] The two-dimensional barcode reader A22 reads a QR code (registered trademark) displayed on a portable terminal device owned by a purchaser, or a QR code printed on a receipt, etc. The QR code indicates, for example, information about the carbon dioxide gas purchased by the purchaser (the amount of carbon dioxide and the gas strength).

[0108] The IC card reader A23 reads information stored in an IC chip embedded in an IC card. Instead of the IC card reader A23, a magnetic card reader that reads a magnetic card may be used.

[0109] In the second embodiment, a carbonated water production device A100 having a two-dimensional barcode reader A22 and an IC card reader A23 is described as an example, but the carbonated water production device may have at least one of the two-dimensional barcode reader A22 or the IC card reader A23.

[0110] The water injection box A24 has a box body A25 and a water injection door A26 arranged on the front side of the box body A25. The box body A25 is a hollow box-shaped member. The box body A25 has an internal space large enough to store a pressure-resistant bottle. A water injection pipe (not shown) arranged at the bottom of a pressurized tank A28 (described later) penetrates the box body A25 from the outside to the inside at the top. The box body A25 also has a drainage tray A27 at the bottom. The drainage tray A27 collects carbonated water or RO water spilled from the water injection pipe (not shown) and drains it to the outside.

[0111] The water filling door A26 is locked in a closed position that blocks the internal space of the box body A25, and is unlocked when the pressure-resistant bottle is set or removed. Releasing the lock allows the water filling door A26 to be rotated to an open position. Although not shown in the figure, the water filling door A26 holds the pressure-resistant bottle while holding the vicinity of the spout of the pressure-resistant bottle.

[0112] When the front door A11 is rotated to the open position, a pressurized tank A28 and a sterilizing filter A29 arranged on the rear side of the front door A11 are exposed. The pressurized tank A28 stores RO water or generated carbonated water. The sterilizing filter A29 filters the RO water cooled by a cooler A31 (described later) to sterilize the RO water and remove impurities.

[0113] When the front door A11 is rotated to the open position, the device main body A12 exposes the water storage tank A30, the cooler A31, etc. The water storage tank A30 stores RO water sent from the outside and sends the stored RO water toward the pressurized tank A28. The cooler A31 exchanges heat with the RO water sent from the water storage tank A30, and cools the RO water flowing toward the pressurized tank A28.

[0114] (Guidance operation of carbonated water production device) When the carbonated water manufacturing apparatus A100 is in a standby state and a human presence sensor (not shown) detects an object for 5 seconds or more, first, a message such as "Please hold the QR code, or hold the IC card, or touch the button" is displayed. However, if no operation is performed within 10 seconds from the start of object detection (that is, 5 seconds from the start of display of the display message), an audio guide of "Please hold the QR code, or hold the IC card, or touch the button" is output from the speaker. Even if the audio guide is output, if no operation is performed for 10 seconds or more, since the operator may not know what operation to perform, the content of the audio guide is changed. For example, an illustration indicating the position of the QR code reader is displayed on the screen along with an audio output of "Please hold the QR code here", then an illustration indicating the position of the IC card reader is displayed on the screen along with an audio output of "Please hold the IC card here", and then the position of the touch panel to be touched is highlighted along with an audio output of "Please touch here". These screen transitions are repeated until an operation is performed as necessary.

[0115] When the operator performs an operation such as holding the IC card, the carbonated water manufacturing apparatus A100 requests the operator to select the amount of carbonated water and the gas strength (GV) as if it has received a sales command. Initially, guidance is provided only by a display message, but if no next selection operation is performed for 5 seconds after reading by the two-dimensional barcode reader A22 or the IC card reader A23, an audio guide of "Please select the amount of carbonated water and the gas strength" is output. On the other hand, when a sales instruction is given by touch, if no next selection operation is performed for 15 seconds from the touch operation, an audio guide of "Please select the amount of carbonated water and the gas strength" is output. The reason for setting different standby times as thresholds is that those who operate by touch input are highly likely to be using the service of the carbonated water manufacturing apparatus for the first time.

[0116] Similarly, when setting or removing a bottle thereafter, first, guidance is given with only a display message and instruction comments, and if no operation is performed after a threshold waiting time has elapsed, audio guidance such as "Open the water filling door and set the bottle" or "Water filling completed. Please remove the bottle" is output.

[0117] <Third embodiment> A third embodiment of the present invention will be described below in which the present invention is applied to a self-checkout system. Self-checkout systems are used in many stores to eliminate queues at checkouts, but as cashless payments have rapidly increased, the number of payment methods has increased, making operations more complicated and causing queues to form.

[0118] (Self-checkout guidance) When the self-checkout is in standby mode and the motion sensor detects an object for 5 seconds or more, the system displays appropriate instructions for reading the barcode in a supermarket, touching a product button in a ticket machine in a restaurant, etc., and if no operation is performed for 5 seconds, appropriate voice guidance is output from the speaker. When using a self-checkout for the first time, many customers are unsure of what to do first, such as reading a card or selecting a product first. The effect of applying this invention to a self-checkout is great.

[0119] The empty container recovery device, carbonated water production device, and self-checkout register according to the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, but the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and the present invention can also be applied to, for example, a weighing machine. In addition, even if the design is changed within the scope of the present invention, it is included in the present invention. For example, the basic operation waiting time from the start of an operation request is described as 5 seconds, but it may be shorter, such as 2 seconds.

[0120] In the empty container recovery device, the button pressing operation, which is the only option when the card touch operation is not required, has been described, but the specification may require a button operation in order to confirm the operation command reliably. In such a configuration, the voice guidance requesting the button operation may not be output, and the guidance may start with "Please insert the container" after the outer door opens and a predetermined time has elapsed. In this embodiment, the second operation performed by the operator is considered as the "first operation". To repeat, the "first operation" does not mean a specific operation that is limited to the first operation that the operator should perform, but may be the second or third operation, and is a specific operation that tends to cause a stumbling block when proceeding with the entire process. Therefore, such a modified example is also included in the present invention.

[0121] In addition, in the case of a carbonated water production device, if a situation where no operation is performed continues, the contents of the voice guidance are changed, and the threshold waiting time is made different depending on the contents of the operation, but it is of course possible to use the same waiting time. Also, the threshold waiting time may be configured to be changeable as appropriate. This is because the user types of the processing device differ depending on the installation location of the store, etc., and it is preferable to set a waiting time that is appropriate for that.

[0122] Furthermore, in all the embodiments, the guidance has been described as being voice output, but the guidance may be provided by replacing the screen with a highlighted screen superimposed with a message to be conveyed that is clearly different from the guidance display displayed before the waiting time has elapsed. It should be properly recognized that the basic technical idea of ​​the present invention is to give customers who do not notice the normal guidance an awareness after the waiting time has elapsed. It should also be properly recognized that this technical idea is not based only on a specific limited device, but can be applied to any processing device that requires the operator to perform multiple operations.

[0123] The human sensor can also be used for purposes other than those described in the embodiment. For example, in the case of an empty container recovery device having multiple insertion ports, a sensor capable of detecting a medium distance, such as 3 m from the front of the empty container recovery device, can be used in combination with a human sensor with a detection distance of 40 cm. When the medium distance sensor detects that a customer other than the current customer is approaching, the detection output of the human sensor can be used to output voice guidance to guide the current user to the side where there is no user. In addition, regardless of the presence or absence of voice guidance, that is, even in a processing device that does not have a voice guidance function, it is possible to determine that an undesirable situation, such as a bicycle being left unattended, continues based on the detection output of the human sensor for a predetermined period of time or more, and to execute an appropriate notification process to the administrator using a buzzer, communication, or other means.

[0124] Furthermore, since there is a possibility that the motion sensor may break down, if an empty container is inserted even though the motion sensor has not detected an object, it is convenient to notify the store clerk or the call center by an appropriate means. However, if a delay occurs in the operation due to continuous insertion as the customer's operation progresses, it is better to execute voice guidance when necessary, such as when the operation is sluggish, without requiring detection by the motion sensor. [Explanation of symbols]

[0125] 1...Control unit 2...Storage section 3…Display operation section 4. Transmitter / receiver 5…Outer door drive unit 6…Inner door drive section 7...Measuring part 8...Metal sensor 9...Optical sensor 71...Aisle 10...Door position sensor 11...Door lock section 100... Empty container recovery device (processing device (container volume reduction device)) 100B...Device main body 110...Container input section (goods input section) 111...Outer door 112…Inner door 116...Placement section 120...Volume reduction section (volume reduction mechanism) 140...container storage section (storage section) A11…Front door A21…Touch panel A22...2D barcode reader A23…IC card reader A24…Water injection box A26…Water filling door A28…Pressurized tank A29…Bacteria filter A30…Water tank A31…Cooler A100…carbonated water maker

Claims

1. A processing device that performs a predetermined process by an operator's operation on the device, comprising detection means for detecting an object within a predetermined distance from the processing device, and guidance means for guiding the operator as necessary, wherein when the detection of the object by the detection means is performed for a first predetermined detection time or longer and when it is determined that the operation on the device is an error, the guidance means performs guidance. A processing device characterized by the above.

2. The operation on the device being an error means that the first operation is not performed for a first operation waiting time or longer from the start of the operation request. The processing device according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

3. The processing device is one for which a plurality of operations are required for a plurality of steps, and when the nth operation by the processing device is not performed for a waiting time corresponding to the nth operation or longer from the start of the operation request for the nth operation, the guidance means performs guidance. The processing device according to claim 2, characterized by the above. However, n is a natural number of 2 or more.

4. The processing device is one for which a plurality of operations are required for a plurality of steps, and when the nth operation by the processing device is performed within the waiting time corresponding to the nth operation from the start of the operation request for the nth operation, the guidance means does not perform guidance. The processing device according to claim 2, characterized by the above. However, n is a natural number of 2 or more.

5. When the detection means detects an object for a second predetermined detection time longer than the first predetermined detection time, the guidance by the guidance means is restricted until the object is no longer detected. The processing device according to claim 2, characterized by the above.

6. The processing device is an empty container recovery device. The processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by the above.

7. The operation on the device being an error means that an operation different from the required operation is performed. The processing device according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

8. When an operation different from the required operation is performed during a predetermined replacement process in the processing device, predetermined guidance is performed. The processing device according to claim 7, characterized by the above.

9. When the first operation is not performed for a third operation waiting time greater than the first operation waiting time from the start of object detection, the content of the guidance is switched to more detailed guidance. The processing device according to claim 2, characterized by the above.

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