Information processing apparatus, waste tire collecting system, and program

Abstract

To promote the recovery of a waste tire by improving a technique for recovering the waste tire.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus of the present disclosure includes an acquisition unit, a storage unit, and a control unit. The acquisition part acquires information on a waste tire desired to be collected by a user. The storage part stores information on the waste tire. The control unit determines points to be given to the user based on the information on the waste tire. The control unit grants a privilege to the user in exchange for a part or all of the accumulated points in response to a request from the user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device, a waste tire collection system, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, efforts have been made to collect items that are no longer in use and reuse them as resources. For example, a system has been proposed in which PET bottles are collected and points are awarded to the donors of the PET bottles (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-123168 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In Patent Document 1, a special resource recovery device was required to recover PET bottles. In contrast, tires vary greatly in size and weight compared to PET bottles, and recovery must be tailored to each individual tire. For this reason, it was difficult to provide a recovery device such as that described in Patent Document 1 for tire recovery.

[0005] Therefore, the purpose of the present disclosure, which has been made with attention to these points in mind, is to improve the technology for recovering waste tires and promote the recovery of waste tires. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] (1) An information processing device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes an acquisition unit that acquires information on waste tires that a user wishes to collect, a storage unit that stores the information on the waste tires, and a control unit that determines points to be awarded to the user based on the information on the waste tires, and the control unit, in response to a request from the user, awards a benefit to the user in exchange for some or all of the accumulated points. According to the information processing device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, points are awarded to the user based on the information on the waste tires that the user wishes to collect, thereby motivating the user to bring in the waste tires. In particular, since this information processing device awards benefits to the user in exchange for points, it is expected that users will actively cooperate in the collection of waste tires. Therefore, this information processing device can improve waste tire collection technology and promote the collection of waste tires.

[0007] (2) An information processing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is the information processing device described in (1) above, wherein the control unit can determine the points to be awarded to the user based on information on the weight of the waste tires. With this information processing device having such a configuration, points can be awarded according to the utility value of the waste tires when they are reused.

[0008] (3) An information processing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is the information processing device described in (1) or (2) above, wherein the information on the weight of the waste tires can be included in the information on the waste tires acquired by the acquisition unit. With this information processing device having such a configuration, the acquisition unit acquires information on the weight of the waste tires corresponding to the reuse value of the waste tires, making it easy to evaluate the reuse value of the waste tires.

[0009] (4) An information processing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is the information processing device described in any one of (1) to (3) above, wherein the control unit can estimate information on the weight of the waste tire based on information identifying the tire product and information on the wear state of the waste tire, which are included in the information on the waste tire. With this information processing device having such a configuration, it is possible to estimate the weight of the waste tire even when the information on the weight of the waste tire cannot be obtained directly or is difficult to obtain.

[0010] (5) An information processing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is the information processing device described in any one of (1) to (4) above, wherein the control unit can determine the points to be awarded to the user based on at least one of the quantity and size of the waste tires included in the information about the waste tires. With this information processing device having such a configuration, even if information about the weight of the tires is not available, points can be calculated based on fair and easy-to-understand criteria.

[0011] (6) An information processing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is the information processing device described in any one of (1) to (5) above, wherein the control unit may be configured to change the points awarded to the user and added to the cumulative points during a specified period. With an information processing device having such a configuration, a business that operates the information processing device can increase the point award rate during a specified period, thereby increasing the number of times users replace their tires and visit tire stores. This allows the business to promote tire sales during a specified period.

[0012] (7) An information processing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is the information processing device described in any one of (1) to (6) above, wherein the control unit can determine that an abnormality has occurred and issue a warning when the frequency of waste tire collection for the user stored in the memory unit is higher than a predetermined value. With this information processing device having such a configuration, it is possible to warn the user who brought in tires that there is a risk of fraud.

[0013] (8) An information processing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is the information processing device described in any one of (1) to (7) above, wherein the information on the waste tires may include location information on locations where the waste tires have been dumped, and the storage unit may be configured to extract locations where waste tires are frequently dumped by storing the location information. An information processing device having such a configuration can analyze locations where waste tires are likely to be illegally dumped. Furthermore, the information processing device can curb illegal dumping of waste tires by installing signs prohibiting illegal dumping and / or security cameras in locations where illegal dumping is likely to occur. Furthermore, the location information including information on locations where waste tires are frequently dumped may be transferred to businesses such as collection companies or local governments.

[0014] (9) An information processing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is the information processing device described above in (8), wherein the acquisition unit can acquire the location information as image information of the waste tires that have been dumped at the location. With this information processing device having such a configuration, location information of the location where the waste tires have been dumped can be easily acquired from the image information of the waste tires.

[0015] (10) An information processing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is the information processing device described in any one of (1) to (9) above, wherein the control unit can award different points to the user based on at least one of the manufacturer name and the brand name of the waste tire included in the information on the waste tire. With the information processing device having such a configuration, it is possible to promote sales of a specific manufacturer or brand by awarding high points to tires of the specific manufacturer or brand.

[0016] (11) According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the information processing device is the information processing device described in any one of (1) to (10), wherein the benefit may include a discount on the purchase price of tires. With this information processing device, tire sales can be promoted.

[0017] (12) A waste tire collection system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes an input device that receives input information about waste tires that a user wishes to collect, an acquisition unit that acquires the information about the waste tires from the input device, a storage unit that stores the information about the waste tires, and a control unit that calculates points to be awarded to the user based on the information about the waste tires, and the control unit also includes an information processing device that, in response to a request from the user, awards a benefit to the user in exchange for some or all of the accumulated points. According to the waste tire collection system according to one aspect of the present disclosure, points are awarded to users based on the information about the waste tires that the user wishes to collect, thereby motivating users to bring in their waste tires. In particular, since the waste tire collection system awards benefits to users in exchange for points, users are expected to actively cooperate in the collection of waste tires. Therefore, this information processing device can improve waste tire collection technology and promote the collection of waste tires.

[0018] (13) A waste tire collection system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the waste tire collection system described in (12) above, wherein the input device is connected to a weighing scale, the information on the waste tires includes information on the weight of the waste tires measured by the weighing scale, and the control unit is capable of calculating the points to be awarded to the user based on the weight information. The waste tire collection system according to one aspect of the present disclosure improves technology for collecting waste tires and can promote the collection of waste tires.

[0019] (14) A program according to one aspect of the present disclosure causes a computer to execute processes including acquiring information about waste tires, storing the information about the waste tires, calculating points to be awarded to a user based on the information about the waste tires, and, upon a request from the user, awarding a benefit to the user in exchange for a portion or all of the accumulated points. According to the program according to one aspect of the present disclosure, points are awarded to a user based on information about the waste tires the user wishes to collect, thereby motivating the user to bring in waste tires. In particular, since the program awards a benefit to a user in exchange for points, it is expected that users will actively cooperate in the collection of waste tires. This improves waste tire collection technology and promotes the collection of waste tires. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the technology for collecting waste tires and promote the collection of waste tires. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a waste tire collection system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 10 is a flowchart of a process executed by an information processing device when collecting waste tires. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart of a process executed by the information processing device when a benefit is given. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0023] (Waste tire collection system) FIG. 1 shows a waste tire collection system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The waste tire collection system 1 is a system that supports and promotes the collection of waste tires. In this disclosure, waste tires refer to tires that can no longer be used due to performance deterioration, wear, and / or damage, etc. In other words, waste tires are tires that, in principle, have no trade value. Tires collected by an automobile dealer from users who have purchased tires are considered waste tires because they cannot be sold as used tires if the user intends to discard them. Waste tires should be properly disposed of as waste in accordance with environmental laws and regulations. However, some waste tires are sometimes illegally dumped in vacant lots, etc. In this disclosure, waste tires include illegally dumped tires.

[0024] In the present disclosure, the user is a general consumer. The user may also include a business operator in some cases. The user includes a user who purchases tires at a tire store, a user who finds illegally dumped tires and brings them in, and a user who communicates information about the tires.

[0025] The waste tire collection system 1 includes an information processing device 10 and an input device 20. The information processing device 10 and the input device 20 are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other via a network 40. Furthermore, the information processing device 10 is configured so that it can communicate with a user terminal 30 via the network 40. In FIG. 1, one each of the information processing device 10, the input device 20, and the user terminal 30 is shown, but there may be multiple of each.

[0026] The input device 20 is a device for inputting information about waste tires. The input device 20 is placed in businesses that handle tires, such as auto parts stores and tire stores. The input device 20 may also be placed in facilities of local governments, etc. In the following, the input device 20 will be described as being placed in a tire store. The tire store accepts users' brought-in waste tires and information about the waste tires. The tire store will dispose of the waste tires free of charge or for a low fee. An employee of the tire store uses the input device 20 to input user information and information about the waste tires.

[0027] The user information and waste tire information input by the input device 20 are transmitted to the information processing device 10. The information processing device 10 is operated, for example, by a business operator that operates a tire store, a local government, or other organization. In the following description, it is assumed that the information processing device 10 is operated by a business operator that operates a tire store. The information processing device 10 awards points to the user based on the acquired waste tire information. The user can operate the user terminal 30 to request a benefit according to the accumulated total of the awarded points. This allows the user to obtain a benefit from the business operator that operates the information processing device 10.

[0028] This system is expected to encourage not only users who are customers of tire retailers to bring unwanted waste tires to tire retailers, but also general users to bring in waste tires stored in their home garages or warehouses, tires that have been illegally dumped, or information about illegally dumped waste tires. When information about illegally dumped waste tires is brought in, the tire retailer may collect the tires based on the location information contained in the information. This provides a social benefit by promoting the collection of waste tires, including illegally dumped waste tires. Furthermore, businesses operating the waste tire collection system 1 can contribute to society as businesses that sell tires. Furthermore, businesses can expect to increase opportunities for contact with users through tire retailers and thereby increase tire sales.

[0029] (Configuration of information processing device) The information processing device 10 is any computer including a PC (Personal Computer) server, a workstation, etc. The information processing device 10 includes a communication unit 11, a control unit 12, and a storage unit 13, as shown in FIG.

[0030] The communication unit 11 includes at least one external communication interface connected to the network 40. The communication interface may be either a wired communication interface or a wireless communication interface. In the case of wired communication, the communication interface is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) interface or a USB (Universal Serial Bus). In the case of wireless communication, the communication interface is, for example, an interface compatible with a mobile communication standard such as LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G (4th generation), or 5G (5th generation), or an interface compatible with short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0031] The communication unit 11 can receive information about users and waste tires used for processing by the information processing device 10 from the input device 20. The communication unit 11 functions as an acquisition unit that acquires information about users and waste tires. In addition, the communication unit 11 can transmit information about points and benefits obtained by the operation of the information processing device 10 to the user terminal 30.

[0032] The control unit 12 includes at least one processor, at least one dedicated circuit, or a combination thereof. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a graphics processing unit (GPU), or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. The dedicated circuit is, for example, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The control unit 12 executes processes related to the operation of the information processing device 10 while controlling each unit of the information processing device 10.

[0033] The control unit 12 stores the user information and waste tire information acquired from the input device 20 via the communication unit 11 in the memory unit 13. When the control unit 12 acquires information from the input device 20, it determines points to be awarded to the user based on the waste tire information. The control unit 12 stores the points awarded to each user in the memory unit 13. When a request for exchanging points for a benefit is received from the user terminal 30, the control unit 12 awards the benefit to the user in exchange for part or all of the accumulated points based on the point information stored in the memory unit 13. The benefit may be transmitted to the user terminal 30 as electronic information, or may be mailed to the user as a product from the business operator operating the information processing device 10.

[0034] The storage unit 13 includes at least one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory, or a combination of at least two of these. The semiconductor memory is, for example, a random access memory (RAM) or a read-only memory (ROM). The RAM is, for example, a static random access memory (SRAM) or a dynamic random access memory (DRAM). The ROM is, for example, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM). The storage unit 13 functions as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 13 stores programs and data used in the operation of the information processing device 10, and data obtained by the operation of the information processing device 10. The information stored in the storage unit 13 may be updatable with information obtained from the network 40 via the communication unit 11, for example.

[0035] The memory unit 13 includes a waste tire information DB 14, a point information DB 15, and a benefit information DB 16. "DB" refers to a database. In this embodiment, the database may be a database managed by a database management system, or may be a file containing tabular information. The waste tire information DB 14 accumulates and manages information on waste tires. The point information DB 15 manages the acquisition and use of points for each user, as well as the cumulative total of points. The benefit information DB 16 manages information on benefits that can be granted and the points required to grant the benefits, as well as historical information on the granting of benefits for each user.

[0036] Although the information processing device 10 of this embodiment in FIG. 1 does not include an input unit and an output unit, the information processing device 10 may further include an input unit and an output unit. That is, the information processing device 10 may receive (input) and transmit (output) information via the communication unit 11, and may also input and output information using the input unit and output unit included in the information processing device 10. The input unit may include one or more of a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, a touch panel, a camera, etc., as well as input interfaces for these devices. The output unit may include one or more of a display, a speaker, a warning light, and output interfaces for these devices or another computer.

[0037] The information processing device 10 may be realized by a single piece of hardware, but the functions and databases of the information processing device 10 may be distributed and arranged across multiple pieces of hardware.

[0038] The functions of the information processing device 10 are realized by executing a program relating to the information processing method of this embodiment on a processor corresponding to the control unit 12. That is, the functions of the information processing device 10 are realized by software. The program causes a computer to execute the operations of the information processing device 10, thereby causing the computer to function as the information processing device 10. That is, the computer functions as the information processing device 10 by executing the operations of the information processing device 10 in accordance with the program.

[0039] In this embodiment, the program can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium includes non-transitory computer-readable media, such as a magnetic recording device, an optical disc, a magneto-optical recording medium, or a semiconductor memory. The program can be distributed, for example, by selling, transferring, or lending a portable recording medium, such as a DVD (digital versatile disc) or a CD-ROM (compact disc read only memory), on which the program is recorded. The program can also be distributed by storing the program in the storage of an external server and transmitting the program from the external server to another computer. The program can also be provided as a program product.

[0040] (Input device configuration) The input device 20 is a computer including, for example, a PC, a tablet computer, or a smartphone. The input device 20 includes a communication unit 21, a control unit 22, an input unit 23, and a display unit 24. The input device 20 may further be connected to a weighing scale 25. The input device 20 may also include a built-in or external camera 26.

[0041] The communication unit 21, like the communication unit 11 of the information processing device 10, includes at least one external communication interface connected to the network 40. The control unit 22, like the control unit 12 of the information processing device 10, includes at least one processor, at least one dedicated circuit, or a combination of these. The input unit 23 includes, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, and / or a touch panel integrated with a display that is the display unit 24. The input unit 23 may include an input interface that receives input from a weighing scale 25 and / or a camera 26. The display unit 24 is, for example, a display. An employee of the tire shop can input information using the input unit 23 while looking at the display of the display unit 24.

[0042] Weigh scale 25 is a device that measures the weight of a tire. The weight of the tire is input to input device 20. In FIG. 1, weigh scale 25 is electrically connected to input device 20. As a result, information on the weight measured by weigh scale 25 is automatically input to input device 20. However, weigh scale 25 does not have to be connected to input device 20. The weight measured by weigh scale 25 may be input to input device 20 via input unit 23 by a tire dealer's staff member.

[0043] The camera 26 is used to capture images of the waste tires. The images of the waste tires are recorded as information about the waste tires and / or information about the usage status of the waste tires. Information about the waste tires, such as the manufacturer name, brand name, size, and serial number, is recorded in the images of the waste tires, and information about the usage status of the waste tires, such as wear, cracks, fissures, and damage, is recorded in the images of the waste tires. This image information is input to the input device 20. The input device 20 or the information processing device 10 may be configured to determine the wear status of the waste tires based on the image information acquired by the camera 26. In other words, the determination of the wear status may be performed by a computer instead of an employee. The input device 20 or the information processing device 10 may also be configured to determine the manufacturer name and brand name of the waste tires based on the image information acquired by the camera 26.

[0044] The input device 20 may further include a storage unit and an output unit such as a speaker.

[0045] (user terminal) The user terminal 30 is a computer such as a PC and / or a smartphone carried by the user. Similar to the input device 20, the user terminal 30 may include a communication unit 31, a control unit 32, an input unit 33, a display unit 34, and a camera 35. The user terminal 30 may further include a memory unit, an output unit, and a position detection unit. The position detection unit detects the latitude and longitude of the current location. The position detection unit includes, for example, a receiver compatible with the Global Positioning System (GPS), but is not limited to this and may include a receiver compatible with any Global Navigation Satellite System. The camera 35 of the user terminal 30 may be used to capture images of illegally dumped waste tires. The image data of the waste tires includes location information of the location where the waste tires are dumped.

[0046] (Procedure for collecting waste tires) 2 shows a procedure executed by the information processing device 10 when collecting waste tires according to one embodiment. The process executed by the information processing device 10 can be rephrased as a process executed by the control unit 12 of the information processing device 10 using the communication unit 11 and the memory unit 13.

[0047] When a user brings the waste tires themselves or information about the waste tires to a tire shop, an employee of the tire shop inputs the information about the waste tires into the input device 20. The information about the waste tires includes information about the user who brought the waste tires. In this way, the information processing device 10 acquires the information about the waste tires (step S101).

[0048] Cases in which a user brings the waste tires themselves or information about the waste tires to a tire store include the following. (i) When a user brings their own used tires to a tire store. (ii) A user finds an illegally dumped waste tire, takes a photograph with the camera 35 of the user terminal 30 or a digital camera, if necessary, and brings the waste tire to a tire shop. (iii) A user finds an illegally dumped waste tire, takes a photograph using the camera 35 of the user terminal 30 or a digital camera, and takes only the information about the waste tire to a tire shop. In the cases of (ii) and (iii), the digital data of the captured image of the tire includes location information (latitude and longitude) of the location where the waste tire was dumped.

[0049] At a tire store, the information on the waste tires input into the input device 20 includes one or more of the following: information on the user who brought in the waste tires, the weight of the waste tires, the manufacturer name, the brand name, the size, the serial number, and the condition of use.

[0050] The user information may include user identification information that has been registered in advance in the waste tire collection system 1, or user identification information that is registered when the user brings in waste tires for the first time.

[0051] The information on the weight of the waste tires can be information on the weight of the waste tires measured by a weighing scale 25 at a tire dealer. Alternatively, the information on the weight of the waste tires can be an estimated weight obtained by multiplying the weight of the waste tires when they are unused, which is determined from information identifying the tire product, such as the manufacturer name, brand name, and size of the waste tires, by a coefficient determined from the wear condition of the waste tires. For example, if it is estimated from the wear condition of the waste tires that the weight has decreased by about 10%, the weight when they are unused is multiplied by a coefficient of 0.9. The information on the weight of the waste tires does not need to be input by the input device 20, but may be estimated in the information processing device 10 from other information.

[0052] The manufacturer name, brand name, size, and serial number of the scrap tire may be information that can be read from the sidewall of the tire. The serial number of the scrap tire indicates the year and week that the scrap tire was manufactured. The manufacturer name, brand name, size, and serial number of the scrap tire are information that identifies the tire product.

[0053] The information on the usage condition of the waste tires includes information on the wear, cracks, fissures, damage, etc. of the waste tires. The information on the usage condition of the waste tires may be determined visually by an employee of the tire store. The information on the usage condition of the waste tires may be replaced with information on images of the waste tires captured by a camera 26 at the tire store. The information on the wear, cracks, fissures, damage, etc. of the waste tires may be determined by the control unit 22 of the input device 20 or the control unit 12 of the information processing device 10 through image processing of the captured images.

[0054] When a user brings in multiple tires at the same time, the information on the scrap tires may include information on the number of scrap tires brought in at the same time and information on each scrap tire as described above.

[0055] If the waste tires are illegally dumped tires, the information about the waste tires includes information about the location where they were illegally dumped. Since digital image data generally includes location information, the information about the location where they were illegally dumped can be obtained from digital image data of the illegally dumped waste tires provided by the user.

[0056] When the information on the waste tires is acquired from the input device 20, the information processing device 10 stores the information on the waste tires in the waste tire information DB 14 of the storage unit 13 (step S102). The waste tire information DB 14 may store information such as information on the user who brought in the waste tires, the weight of the waste tires, the number of tires, the manufacturer name, brand name, size, year and week of manufacture, and the condition of the tires. The information in the waste tire information DB 14 can be used for various analyses by tire-related businesses. For example, the information in the waste tire information DB 14 can be used to analyze the period of use of tires based on information on the year and week of manufacture.

[0057] Furthermore, if the waste tires are illegally dumped, the waste tire information DB 14 may include information on the dumping location (e.g., latitude and longitude). In this case, the waste tire information DB 14 can be used to extract locations where waste tires are frequently dumped and analyze locations where illegal dumping of waste tires is likely to occur. In locations where illegal dumping of waste tires is likely to occur, signs prohibiting illegal dumping and / or surveillance cameras can be installed to curb the illegal dumping of waste tires. Furthermore, the location information including information on locations where the waste tires are frequently dumped may be transferred to local governments or businesses such as collection companies.

[0058] The information processing device 10 extracts information on past waste tires brought in by the user who brought in the waste tires from the waste tire information DB 14, and determines whether the frequency of waste tires brought in by the same user is equal to or less than a predetermined number of times (step S103).

[0059] If the same user frequently brings in waste tires to a tire shop, there is a possibility that the user is illegally taking out the waste tires from a waste collection site or the like in order to earn points. There is also a concern that businesses that should dispose of waste tires as industrial waste may illegally bring the waste tires to a tire shop. For this reason, if the frequency at which the user brings in waste tires exceeds a predetermined value (step S103: No), the information processing device 10 generates an alarm (step S104).

[0060] The information processing device 10 may transmit warning information to the input device 20. The input device 20 may display on the display unit 24 that the user who brought in the tires may be committing fraud. The input device 20 may generate a warning sound from an output unit including a speaker or the like. The information processing device 10 may also display a warning image on a display, which is the output unit, and generate a warning sound from a speaker. Furthermore, if the information processing device 10 includes a warning light, the information processing device 10 may turn on or flash the warning light to warn that scrap tires may be being brought in illegally.

[0061] As described above, the waste tire collection system 1 can issue an alarm to notify users when there is a possibility that malicious waste tires have been brought in. In this case, the information processing device 10 can terminate the processing related to the waste tires. Even when the information processing device 10 issues an alarm, if an employee of the tire store checks with the user and determines that there is no problem, the information processing device 10 may proceed to the processing of step S105, unlike the flowchart of FIG. 2.

[0062] If the frequency of bringing in waste tires by the user is equal to or less than a predetermined value in step S103, the information processing device 10 calculates points to be awarded to the user based on the information about the waste tires (step S105). For example, the information processing device 10 calculates points to be awarded to the user based on information about the weight of the waste tires. For example, points per unit weight of the tire may be determined in advance. The unit weight is, for example, 1 kilogram. Most waste tires are cut into small pieces and reused as raw materials for rubber products or as fuel used in factories, so the points awarded according to the weight correspond to the utility value of the waste tires. Therefore, by awarding points according to the information about the weight of the waste tires, it is possible to award points more fairly according to the utility value.

[0063] Furthermore, the information processing device 10 may determine points to be awarded to a user according to at least one of the quantity and size of the waste tires included in the information on the waste tires. In this way, even if information on the weight of the tires is not available, points can be calculated based on a fair and easy-to-understand standard.

[0064] The points awarded per weight of the waste tires and per waste tire of a predetermined size are defined as the point award rate. The point award rate can be changed during a specified period. The specified period includes, for example, a tire sales campaign period. For example, by increasing the point award rate during a specified period, a business operator operating the waste tire collection system 1 can increase the number of users who purchase new tires and visit tire stores. This allows the business operator to promote tire sales during the specified period.

[0065] The information processing device 10 can add the points calculated in step S105 as points to the user. The information processing device 10 records the points added to the user in the point information DB 15. This increases the total number of points held by the user.

[0066] If it becomes clear that the waste tires were brought in maliciously after the points calculated in step S105 have been added to the user, the information processing device 10 can deduct points equal to the added points or recalculate the added points as if they were 0.

[0067] (Procedure for adding benefits) 3 shows the procedure when the information processing device 10 grants a privilege to a user in exchange for points. The procedure when a user requests the granting of a privilege in exchange for points will be described with reference to FIG.

[0068] The user operates the user terminal 30 to request the provision of a benefit from the information processing device 10. In response to this, the information processing device 10 receives information requesting the provision of a benefit from the user terminal 30 (step S201).

[0069] The information processing device 10 causes the user terminal 30 to display a benefit selection screen that displays a list of benefits and allows the user to select a benefit (step S202). Benefits may include, for example, discount coupons for tire purchases, points that can be used on Internet sites, specific items, gift certificates, lottery tickets, etc. The content of the benefits is not limited. By providing discount coupons for tire purchases as benefits, the business operator of the waste tire collection system 1 can promote tire sales.

[0070] When the user selects a benefit using the user terminal 30, the information processing device 10 receives the user's selection result (step S203).

[0071] The information processing device 10 confirms that the points required for the benefit selected by the user are equal to or less than the user's accumulated points and that there are sufficient points (step S204). The user's accumulated points refer to points that the user has accumulated without exchanging for a benefit in the past. If points have an expiration date, points that have passed the expiration date are excluded. If the accumulated points are insufficient (step S204: No), the information processing device 10 displays on the user terminal 30 that there are insufficient points and returns to step S202.

[0072] In step S204, if there are enough points (step S204: Yes), the information processing device 10 grants a benefit to the user in exchange for part or all of the accumulated points (step S205). If the benefit is electronic information that can be transmitted to the user terminal 30, the information processing device 10 transmits the benefit to the user terminal 30. If the benefit is an item, the information processing device 10 executes a process to mail the benefit to the user.

[0073] As described above, users can obtain benefits by bringing waste tires to a dealer. Therefore, it is expected that users will actively bring waste tires, including illegally dumped waste tires, to tire dealers. Therefore, the waste tire collection system 1 of the present disclosure improves the technology for collecting waste tires. Furthermore, the waste tire collection system 1 can promote the collection of waste tires.

[0074] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described mainly in terms of an apparatus, the embodiments of the present disclosure may also be realized as a method including steps executed by each component of the apparatus. The embodiments of the present disclosure may also be realized as a method executed by a processor included in the apparatus, a program, or a storage medium on which a program is recorded. It should be understood that these are also encompassed within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0075] [Contribution to the United Nations-led Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)] The SDGs have been proposed to realize a sustainable society. One embodiment of the present invention is thought to be a technology that can contribute to goals such as "No. 9 - Build infrastructure for industry and technological innovation," "No. 12 - Responsible consumption and production," and "No. 13 - Take concrete action against climate change." [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 1. Waste tire collection system 10. Information processing equipment 11. Communication Department (Acquisition Department) 12 Control Unit 13 Storage section 14 Waste tire information database 15 Point Information DB 16 Bonus Information DB 20 Input Devices 21 Communications Department 22 Control Unit 23 Input section 24 Display 25 Weight scale 26 Camera 30 User terminals 31 Communications Department 32 Control section 33 Input section 34 Display section 35 Camera 40 Network

Claims

1. an acquisition unit that acquires information on waste tires that a user wishes to collect; a storage unit for storing information about the waste tires; a control unit that determines points to be awarded to the user based on information about the waste tires; wherein the control unit grants a benefit to the user in exchange for a part or all of the accumulated points in response to a request from the user.

2. The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit determines the points to be awarded to the user based on information about the weight of the waste tires.

3. The information processing device according to claim 2 , wherein the information on the weight of the waste tire is included in the information on the waste tire acquired by the acquisition unit.

4. The information processing device according to claim 2 , wherein the control unit estimates information on the weight of the waste tire based on information for identifying a tire product and information on a wear state of the waste tire, both of which are included in the information on the waste tire.

5. The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit determines the points to be awarded to the user in accordance with at least one of the quantity and size of the waste tires included in the information on the waste tires.

6. The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit is configured to be able to change an award rate of the points to be awarded to the user during a specified period.

7. The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit determines that a collection frequency of the waste tires of the user stored in the storage unit is abnormal and issues a warning when the collection frequency is higher than a predetermined value.

8. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the information on the waste tires can include location information of locations where the waste tires have been dumped, and the memory unit is configured to be able to extract locations where waste tires are frequently dumped by storing the location information.

9. The information processing device according to claim 8 , wherein the acquisition unit acquires the location information as image information obtained by capturing an image of the waste tires dumped at the location.

10. The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit assigns different points to the user based on at least one of a manufacturer name and a brand name of the waste tire included in the information about the waste tire.

11. The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the benefit includes a discount on the purchase price of tires.

12. an input device for receiving information on waste tires that a user wishes to collect; an information processing device including an acquisition unit that acquires information about the waste tires from the input device, a storage unit that stores the information about the waste tires, and a control unit that calculates points to be awarded to the user based on the information about the waste tires, and the control unit awards a benefit to the user in exchange for part or all of the accumulated points in response to a request from the user; A waste tire collection system equipped with:

13. 13. The waste tire collection system according to claim 12, wherein the input device is connected to a weighing scale, the information about the waste tires includes information about the weights of the waste tires measured by the weighing scale, and the control unit calculates the points to be awarded to the user based on the weight information.

14. Obtaining information on waste tires; storing information about the waste tires; Calculating points to be awarded to a user based on the information on the waste tires; In response to a request from the user, a benefit is given to the user by exchanging a part or all of the accumulated points. A program that causes a computer to execute a process including the above.

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