Collection container, server, collection system, and collection method

Abstract

It is possible to track the status of tags added by users. [Solution] The collection container comprises a communication unit that communicates with a server that receives user identification information and box identification information from a user terminal that acquires box identification information attached to the collection container, an input slot for inserting wireless tags, a reading unit that reads tag identification information that identifies the wireless tags from the wireless tags inserted into the input slot based on a reading instruction received from the server, and a control device that transmits the reading result by the reading unit along with the box identification information to the server.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a collection container, a server, a collection system, and a collection method.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, products may be managed by attaching RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags to them. After a product is purchased by a user, such RFID tags are required to be collected by the business operator or the like that attached the tags for recycling or disposal. Patent Document 1 discloses an IC tag collection box in a campaign acceptance system that uses IC tags attached to products for a campaign. Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a recycling system that installs a dedicated collection box for RFID tags in a store that uses RFID tags. [[ID=1十三]]

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In order to increase the collection rate of tags attached to products, campaigns may be conducted to give benefits such as coupons or points to users who recycle the tags. However, in the above-described technologies, since the user is not associated with the tags (for example, the number of tags and their types, etc.) that the user has put into the collection box, it is difficult to reflect the application results (for example, coupon or point granting, etc.) for the campaign to the user in real time.

[0005] This invention has been made in view of these circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a collection container, server, collection system, and collection method that can track the status of tags inserted by users. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned problems, one aspect of the present invention is a collection container comprising: a communication unit that communicates with a server that receives user identification information identifying the user and the box identification information from a user terminal that acquires box identification information attached to the collection container; an input port for inserting wireless tags; a reading unit that reads tag identification information identifying the wireless tag from the wireless tag inserted into the input port based on a reading instruction received from the server; and a control device that transmits the reading result by the reading unit together with the box identification information to the server.

[0007] Furthermore, one aspect of the present invention is a server comprising: a collection container having an input slot for inserting wireless tags and a reading unit for reading tag identification information that identifies the wireless tags from the wireless tags inserted into the input slot; a communication unit for communicating with a user terminal that acquires box identification information attached to the collection container; a first processing unit that receives the box identification information and user identification information that identifies the user from the user terminal and transmits a reading instruction to the collection container corresponding to the received box identification information; and a second processing unit that receives the reading result read by the reading unit from the wireless tags inserted into the input slot based on the reading instruction from the collection container and executes processing related to the user based on the received reading result.

[0008] Furthermore, one aspect of the present invention is a recovery system comprising a recovery container and a server, The collection container comprises a communication unit that communicates with the server, an input port for inserting wireless tags, a reading unit that reads tag identification information identifying the wireless tag from the wireless tag inserted into the input port based on a reading instruction received from the server, and a control device that transmits the reading result by the reading unit to the server along with box identification information identifying the collection container. The server is a collection system comprising a communication unit that communicates with the collection container or a user terminal that acquires box identification information attached to the collection container, a first processing unit that receives the box identification information and user identification information identifying the user from the user terminal and transmits a reading instruction to the collection container corresponding to the received box identification information, and a second processing unit that receives the reading result from the collection container and executes processing related to the user based on the received reading result.

[0009] Furthermore, one aspect of the present invention is a collection method for a collection container equipped with an input port for inserting wireless tags, wherein a reading unit reads tag identification information identifying a wireless tag from a wireless tag inserted into the input port, based on a reading instruction received from a server that receives user identification information identifying a user and the box identification information from a user terminal that acquires box identification information attached to the collection container, and a control device transmits the reading result by the reading unit together with the box identification information to the server.

[0010] Furthermore, one aspect of the present invention is a collection container comprising an input port for inserting wireless tags and a reading unit for reading tag identification information that identifies a wireless tag from the wireless tag inserted into the input port, or a collection method in a server that communicates with a user terminal that acquires box identification information attached to the collection container, wherein a first processing unit receives user identification information that identifies a user and the box identification information from the user terminal, transmits a reading instruction to the collection container corresponding to the received box identification information, and a second processing unit receives the reading result read by the reading unit from the wireless tag inserted into the input port based on the reading instruction from the collection container, and executes processing related to the user based on the received reading result.

[0011] Furthermore, one aspect of the present invention is a collection method in a collection system comprising a collection container having an input port for inserting wireless tags and a server, wherein a first processing unit of the server receives user identification information and box identification information from a user terminal that acquires box identification information attached to the collection container, transmits a read instruction to the collection container corresponding to the received box identification information, the reading unit of the collection container reads tag identification information that identifies the wireless tag from the wireless tag inserted into the input port based on the read instruction received from the server, the control device of the collection container transmits the reading result by the reading unit together with the box identification information to the server, and a second processing unit of the server receives the reading result from the collection container and executes processing related to the user based on the received reading result. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] As explained above, this invention makes it possible to understand the status of tags inserted by users. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of the recovery system according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] These are perspective views and cross-sectional views of the collection box according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a schematic block diagram showing the server configuration according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of the user terminal according to this embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a sequence diagram showing an example of the processing flow performed by the recovery system according to this embodiment. [Figure 6] This flowchart shows an example of the processing flow performed by the server and collection box according to this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] Hereinafter, a collection box, server, collection system, and collection method according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0015] <Configuration of Recovery System 1> Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of the collection system 1 according to this embodiment. The collection system 1 is an information processing system that collects RFID tags (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as "tags") attached to products purchased by users. The RFID tag (wireless tag) may be one that corresponds to the UHF band (860-960MHz band) frequency, or it may be a Near Field Communication (NFC) tag, which is an IC tag that corresponds to a short-range wireless communication standard using frequencies in the 10MHz range. In this embodiment, the case in which the RFID tag is a UHF tag that corresponds to the UHF band (860-960MHz band) frequency will be described as an example. The collection system 1 comprises a collection box 10, a user terminal 20, and a server 30. The user terminal 20 and the server 30, and the collection box 10 and the server 30 are connected to each other via a communication network NW such as the Internet.

[0016] The communication network NW may be any or a combination of the following: the Internet, a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), a Local Area Network (LAN), or a Virtual Personal Network (VPN).

[0017] Server 30 is a computer that manages campaigns. Here, a "campaign" is an activity carried out for tag collection, for example, it is carried out for the purpose of promoting recycling, etc. For example, it is a service in which users who recycle tags can obtain benefits such as coupons and points. Server 30 executes a determination process to determine whether to grant campaign benefits (such as coupons and points) to users based on the tag information notified from collection box 10, and notifies the user terminal 20 of the determined application result. The tag information includes, for example, the number of tags recycled by the user (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "number of tags"), and tag identification information for identifying each tag recycled by the user (for example, a tag ID unique to each tag such as EPC (Electronic Product Code)). The tags recycled by the user are the tags that the user has put into collection box 10.

[0018] User terminal 20 is an information terminal device operated by the user. As the user terminal 20, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a PC (Personal Computer), etc. can be used. A dedicated application program (hereinafter referred to as the "campaign app") for applying for a campaign is pre-installed on the user terminal 20.

[0019] The collection box 10 is an example of a collection container for accommodating tags to be collected. In the present embodiment, the collection box 10 will be described as an example of the collection container. However, the collection container is not limited to this, and it may be any of a basket, a net, or a bag as long as it can accommodate tags. The collection box 10 is installed at least one at a collection point for collecting tags. The collection point is a point where the collection box 10 is installed, and it may be any of, for example, a store, a commercial facility, a public facility, etc. The collection box 10 is accompanied by box identification information (for example, box ID) for identifying the collection box 10. In the present embodiment, the case where the NFC (Near Field Communication) tag 110 for storing the box ID is attached to the collection box 10 will be described as an example. However, a two-dimensional code such as a QR (Quick Response) code (registered trademark) or a barcode representing the box ID may be attached to the collection box 10. The collection box 10 includes a reading unit 120, a control device 130, and a communication unit 140.

[0020] The reading unit 120 is a UHF reader / writer that reads the tag ID (EPC) from the tag inserted into the collection box 10. The reading unit 120 is normally in a sleep state and transitions to an active state in response to an instruction from the control device 130. After the reading unit 120 becomes active and can read the tag ID from the tag, it reads the tag ID from the tag inserted into the collection box 10.

[0021] The control device 130 is a microcomputer or PC that controls the overall operation of the collection box 10. The control device 130 is connected to the reading unit 120 and the communication unit 140 via a bus or the like. For example, based on a reading instruction received from the server 30, the control device 130 transitions the reading unit 120 from a sleep state to a readable, activated state. After the reading unit 120 is activated, the control device 130 sends an activation notification to the server 30. The control device 130 also sends the reading results (tag information) from the reading unit 120 to the server 30 after a threshold has been exceeded for the time since the reading unit 120 has read a tag ID. The tag information, which is the reading result, includes the tag ID read from the tag by the reading unit 120 and the number of tags whose tag IDs were read.

[0022] The communication unit 140 has the function of sending and receiving various types of information. The communication unit 140 communicates with external devices such as the server 30 via wired or wireless connection. The communication unit 140 may also be built into the control device 130.

[0023] <External structure of collection box 10> Figure 2 is a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of the collection box 10 according to this embodiment. The collection box 10 is provided with an insertion slot 11 for inserting tags on its top or side. An NFC tag 110 is also attached to the top or side of the collection box 10.

[0024] Furthermore, guide members 12a and 12b are provided in the collection box 10, extending from the input opening 11 and sloping downwards towards the inside of the collection box 10. Tags inserted from the input opening 11 are transported along the slope of the guide members 12a and 12b and fall into the collection box 10. The guide members 12a and 12b restrict the path through which the tags inserted from the input opening 11 are transported. The reading unit 120 is provided above the guide member 12a and reads the tag ID from the tags passing through the guide member 12a.

[0025] <Server 30 Configuration> Figure 3 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of the server 30 according to this embodiment. The server 30 comprises a communication unit 310, a control unit 320, and a storage unit 330.

[0026] The communication unit 310 has the function of sending and receiving various types of information. The communication unit 310 communicates with external devices such as the collection box 10 and the user terminal 20 via wired or wireless connection.

[0027] The control unit 320 has the function of controlling the overall operation of the server 30. The control unit 320 is realized, for example, by causing the CPU (Central Processing Unit) provided as hardware in the server 30 to execute a program. The control unit 320 comprises a first processing unit 321, a display control unit 322, and a second processing unit 323.

[0028] The first processing unit 321 receives the box ID attached to the collection box 10 and user identification information (e.g., user ID) that identifies the user from the user terminal 20, and sends a read instruction to the collection box 10 corresponding to the received box ID.

[0029] The display control unit 322 receives a startup notification from the collection box 10 that the reading unit 120 has transitioned from sleep state to startup state based on a reading instruction, and based on the received startup notification, displays a message on the user terminal 20 prompting the user to insert a tag.

[0030] The second processing unit 323 receives the reading results (tag information) from the collection box 10 and performs a determination process regarding the user based on the received reading results. For example, the second processing unit 323 determines whether or not to grant the user campaign benefits based on the tag information. That is, the second processing unit 323 determines whether or not the tags that the user put into the collection box 10 meet the conditions for receiving campaign benefits (for example, there are 5 target tags).

[0031] The storage unit 330 has the function of storing various types of information. The storage unit 330 is composed of storage media provided as hardware by the server 30, such as HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), flash memory, EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access read / write Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), or any combination of these storage media. For example, the storage unit 330 stores the tag ID of the target tag of the campaign (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "target tag"). The storage unit 330 also stores the tag information collected from the collection box 10, associating it with the user ID and the box ID.

[0032] <Configuration of User Terminal 20> Figure 4 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of the user terminal 20 according to this embodiment. The user terminal 20 comprises a communication unit 210, an acquisition unit 220, a control unit 230, an input unit 240, a display unit 250, and a storage unit 260.

[0033] The communication unit 210 has the function of sending and receiving various types of information. The communication unit 210 communicates with external devices such as the server 30 via wired or wireless connection.

[0034] The acquisition unit 220 acquires the box ID attached to the collection box 10. In this embodiment, the acquisition unit 220 has the function of reading NFC tags. If the collection box 10 is attached with a two-dimensional code or barcode, the acquisition unit 220 has the function of a code reader.

[0035] The control unit 230 has the function of controlling the overall operation of the user terminal 20. The control unit 230 is implemented, for example, by causing the CPU (Central Processing Unit) that the user terminal 20 has as hardware to execute a program.

[0036] The input unit 240 has the function of receiving input from the user. The function of the input unit 240 is realized, for example, by buttons, a touch panel, a microphone, etc., provided on the user terminal 20.

[0037] The display unit 250 has the function of displaying various information. The display unit 250 is composed of a display device, such as a display device or a touchscreen (touch panel), which is provided as hardware by the user terminal 20.

[0038] The storage unit 260 has the function of storing various types of information. The storage unit 260 is composed of storage media provided as hardware by the user terminal 20, such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), flash memory, EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access read / write Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), or any combination of these storage media.

[0039] <Operation of Recovery System 1> Next, the operation of the recovery system 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. Figure 5 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the processing flow performed by the recovery system 1 according to this embodiment.

[0040] First, a user who wants to recycle a tag holds their user terminal 20 over the NFC tag 110 on the collection box 10 (step S101). The user terminal 20 reads the NFC tag information, including the box ID, from the NFC tag (step S102). The NFC tag information may include information about the store where the collection box 10 is installed (e.g., store name), the type of tag to be collected (e.g., a tag attached to a product sold at the store where it is installed), the box ID, etc.

[0041] The user terminal 20 launches the campaign app upon reading the NFC tag information (step S105). The campaign app may display the NFC tag information (e.g., store name and target tag) on ​​the display unit 250 when it is launched. For example, by displaying the store name on the user terminal 20, the user can confirm which store the collection box 10 belongs to. This reduces the risk that, for example, if the collection boxes 10 of adjacent stores are installed next to each other, the user may mistakenly put the tag into the collection box 10 of a neighboring store.

[0042] Once the user terminal 20 has finished launching the campaign app, it sends the acquired NFC tag information and smart device information including the user ID to the server 30 (step S104). The first processing unit 321 of the server 30 receives the NFC tag information and smart device information from the user terminal 20 and sends a read command to the collection box 10 of the box ID included in the received NFC tag information for the reading unit 120 (step S105).

[0043] The control device 130 of the collection box 10 receives a read instruction from the server 30 via the communication unit 140, and based on the received read instruction, transitions the reading unit 120 (UHF reader / writer) from sleep state to active state (step S106). The reading unit 120 transitions from sleep state to active state in response to the instruction from the control device 130. Then, when the reading unit 120 is in the active state, it notifies the control device 130 that it has entered the active state (step S107).

[0044] When the reading unit 120 is activated, the control device 130 sends an activation notification to the server 30 informing it that the reading unit 120 has been activated (step S108). The display control unit 322 of the server 30 receives the activation notification from the collection box 10 and, based on the received activation notification, sends an application screen transition instruction to the user terminal 20 to display a message prompting the user to insert the tag (step S109). Based on the application screen transition instruction received from the server 30, the user terminal 20 displays a text message on the campaign application (display unit 250) prompting the user to insert the tag, such as "Please insert the tag" (step S110).

[0045] The user places the tags into the collection box 10 according to the display on the user terminal 20 (step S111). The reader 120 of the collection box 10 reads the tag ID from the placed tags and counts the number of tags placed (the number of tag IDs read) (step S112). The reader 120 then transmits tag information, including the tag ID of each tag read and the number of tags counted, to the control device 130 (step S113). The control device 130 of the collection box 10 transmits the tag information received from the reader 120, along with the box ID, to the server 30 (step S114).

[0046] The second processing unit 323 of the server 30 receives tag information from the collection box 10 and performs a determination process to determine the campaign application result according to the number of tags and tag IDs included in the received tag information (step S115). For example, in a campaign where a coupon can be obtained with 5 target tags, the second processing unit 323 compares the tag ID of the target tag stored in the storage unit 330 with the tag ID included in the tag information to determine whether the tag ID included in the tag information (the tag inserted by the user) belongs to the target tag. The second processing unit 323 of the server 30 then determines that if the tag information contains 5 target tags, a coupon should be distributed to the user. Subsequently, the second processing unit 323 associates the user ID, box ID, tag information, and application result and writes them to the storage unit 330. The second processing unit 323 then transmits the determined application result (e.g., a coupon) to the user terminal 20 (step S116). The user terminal 20 displays the application results received from the server 30 on the campaign application (display unit 250).

[0047] Furthermore, the second processing unit 323 may, in the determination process, distinguish between a tag inserted by the previous user and a tag inserted by the next user by extracting the difference between the tag information stored in the storage unit 330 and the tag information newly received from the collection box 10. This prevents misidentification of a tag inserted by the previous user as a tag inserted by the next user. Thus, the accuracy of tag counting can be further improved. The process of extracting the difference in tag information may be performed by the collection box 10.

[0048] This allows users to know the results of their campaign entry in real time after placing their tag in the collection box 10. Furthermore, if the campaign rewards are, for example, coupons or points usable at a store, users can immediately use the coupons or points at that store after placing their tag in the collection box 10 installed at the store.

[0049] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow performed by the server 30 and the collection box 10 according to this embodiment. The collection system 1 performs the processing shown in this figure when it displays a message prompting the user terminal 20 to insert a tag during the processing of steps S101 to S109 described above.

[0050] First, the display control unit 322 of the server 30 sends an app screen transition instruction to the user terminal 20, which will display a message prompting the user to insert the tag (step S201). Based on the app screen transition instruction received from the server 30, the user terminal 20 displays text on the campaign app (display unit 250) such as "Please insert the tag," prompting the user to insert the tag. The user then inserts the tag into the collection box 10 according to the display on the user terminal 20.

[0051] The reading unit 120 of the collection box 10 reads the tag ID from the tag inserted into the collection box 10 and counts the number of tag IDs read (number of tags) (step S202). Next, the control device 130 of the collection box 10 determines whether the time during which the reading unit 120 has not read a tag ID (i.e., the time during which no tag has been inserted by a user) exceeds a threshold t seconds (for example, 3 seconds) (step S203). If the time during which no tag has been inserted does not exceed the threshold (step S204: No), the collection box 10 returns to the process in step S202.

[0052] Meanwhile, if the control device 130 of the collection box 10 determines that the time without a tag has exceeded a threshold (step S203: Yes), it sends a confirmation instruction to the server 30 (step S204).

[0053] Based on the confirmation instruction received from the collection box 10, the display control unit 322 of the server 30 displays a text message on the display unit 250 of the user terminal 20 asking the user whether to continue inserting tags, such as "Do you want to continue inserting tags?" (step S205). The display control unit 322 then accepts the user's choice of whether or not to continue inserting tags (step S206). If the user terminal 20 receives input from the user to continue inserting tags (step S206: No), the display control unit 322 notifies the collection box 10 of this. Upon receiving this notification, the collection box 10 returns to the process in step S202.

[0054] Meanwhile, if the display control unit 322 of the server 30 receives input indicating that no further tags will be inserted (step S206: Yes), it notifies the collection box 10 of this fact. Upon receiving this notification, the control device 130 of the collection box 10 transmits tag information, including the tag ID read by the reading unit 120 and the number of tags counted, along with the box ID, to the server 30 (step S207). After that, the process ends.

[0055] The second processing unit 323 of the server 30 performs a determination process based on the tag information received from the collection box 10 (step S208). Then, the second processing unit 323 sends the determined application result to the user terminal 20 (step S209). After that, the process ends.

[0056] As described above, the collection system 1 according to this embodiment comprises a collection box 10 and a server 30. The collection box 10 comprises a communication unit 140 that communicates with the server 30, an input slot 11 for inserting radio tags (RFID tags), a reading unit 120 that reads tag identification information (tag ID) that identifies the radio tag from the radio tag inserted into the input slot 11 based on a reading instruction received from the server 30, and a control device 130 that transmits the reading result (tag information) from the reading unit 120, along with box identification information (box ID), to the server 30. The server 30 comprises a first processing unit 321 that receives user identification information (user ID) and box identification information that identifies the user from a user terminal 20 that acquires box identification information attached to the collection box 10, and transmits a reading instruction to the collection box 10 corresponding to the received box identification information, and a second processing unit 323 that receives the reading result from the collection box 10 and executes processing related to the user based on the received reading result.

[0057] With this configuration, the collection system 1 according to this embodiment allows the user terminal 20 to acquire the box ID attached to the collection box 10 and transmit the acquired box ID and user ID to the server 30. The collection box 10 also transmits tag information to the server 30 along with the box ID. As a result, when the server 30 receives the tag information from the collection box 10 (i.e., after the user inserts the tag), it can link the box ID, user ID, and tag information. Therefore, for example, after the user inserts the tag, the server 30 can determine the results of the campaign application based on the tag information (e.g., coupon or point awarding) in real time and notify the user terminal 20. As a result, the user can receive the results of the campaign application (e.g., coupon or point awarding) immediately after inserting the tag. For example, if the collection point is a store and the campaign reward is a coupon usable at that store, the user can use the coupon at that store immediately after inserting the tag. Furthermore, since the collection box 10 communicates directly with the server 30 via the communication network NW, the judgment process is executed in real time, which shortens the overall processing time and reduces waiting time for the user. In addition, since the user terminal 20 obtains the box ID attached to the collection box 10, the user can easily link the box ID with their user ID, thus reducing the burden on the user.

[0058] Furthermore, the control device 130 of the collection box 10 in this embodiment transitions the reading unit 120 from a sleep state to a readable activated state based on a reading instruction received from the server 30. After the reading unit 120 is activated, it reads the tag identification information from the wireless tag inserted into the input slot 11. In other words, the reading unit 120 is activated and starts reading the tag when it receives a reading instruction from the server 30. With this configuration, the reading unit 120 can be kept in a sleep state to conserve power during normal operation and activated only when necessary. This reduces the power consumption of the collection box 10.

[0059] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control device 130 of the collection box 10 sends a startup notification to the server 30 after the reading unit 120 has been activated. Based on the startup notification received from the collection box 10, the display control unit 322 of the server 30 displays a message on the user terminal 20 prompting the user to insert the wireless tag. With this configuration, the collection system 1 can guide the user on the timing to insert the tag. This reduces the risk of the tag being inserted before the reading unit 120 is activated, resulting in a failure to read the tag.

[0060] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control device 130 of the collection box 10 transmits the reading result to the server 30 after the time during which the reading unit 120 has not read the tag identification information exceeds a threshold. With this configuration, in the collection system 1, the reading result is transmitted to the server 30 when the time during which no tags have been placed in the collection box 10 exceeds a threshold. As a result, the tag reading is completed at the time the user finishes inserting the tags, and the server 30 can perform judgment processing based on the reading result (tag information) in real time.

[0061] Furthermore, the control device 130 of the collection box 10 in this embodiment transmits the tag identification information (tag ID) and the number of tags whose tag identification information has been read (number of tags) to the server 30 as reading results. This allows the server 30, upon receiving notification of the reading results, to perform real-time determination processing of the application results for campaigns, etc., using the tag ID and the number of tags. Performing the determination processing in real time has the effect of preventing fraudulent tag insertion (for example, inserting tags other than the target tags) and maintaining the accuracy of counting the target tags that have been inserted.

[0062] Furthermore, in order to allow the user to confirm that the tag has been read correctly in the collection box 10, the collection box 10 may be equipped with an indicator light, such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) light, that illuminates each time the reading unit 120 reads the tag ID. When the LED light illuminates upon insertion of the tag, the user can confirm that the tag has been read correctly.

[0063] Furthermore, the collection box 10 may be equipped with a code reader that reads two-dimensional codes such as QR (Quick Response) codes (registered trademark) or barcodes. By equipping the collection box 10 with a code reader, if the reading unit 120 is unable to correctly read the tag ID due to damage to the tag, etc., the user can have the code printed on the tag read by the code reader. For example, the code may represent the tag ID (EPC). This prevents tags from being missed in the count, as the code reader can read the tag ID even if the reading unit 120 is unable to correctly read the tag ID due to damage to the tag, etc.

[0064] Furthermore, the collection box 10 may be equipped with a sensor to detect the insertion of tags. The sensor may be an infrared sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, an optical sensor, etc. By providing a sensor, even if the reading unit 120 is unable to read the tag ID due to damage to the tag, the number of tags can be counted by detection by the sensor. In addition, by comparing the number of tags counted by the reading unit 120 with the number of tags detected by the sensor, the collection box 10 can count the number of tags more accurately.

[0065] Some or all of the functions of the recovery system 1 in the above-described embodiment may be implemented by a computer. In that case, the functions may be implemented by recording a program for implementing these functions on a computer-readable recording medium, loading the program recorded on this recording medium into a computer system, and executing it. Here, "computer system" includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. Furthermore, "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, CD-ROMs, and storage devices such as hard disks built into a computer system. Moreover, "computer-readable recording medium" may also include those that dynamically hold programs for a short period of time, such as communication lines used when transmitting programs via networks such as the Internet or communication lines such as telephone lines, and those that hold programs for a certain period of time, such as volatile memory inside a computer system that acts as a server or client in such a case. Furthermore, the above-mentioned program may be for implementing some of the functions described above, or it may be a program that can implement the above-mentioned functions in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system, or it may be implemented using a programmable logic device such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0066] While embodiments of this invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments and includes designs and the like that do not depart from the spirit of this invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 1. Collection System 10 Collection Boxes 110 NFC tags 120 Reading Unit 130 Control device 140 Communications Department 20 User Terminals 210 Communications Department 220 Acquisition Department 230 Control Unit 240 Input section 250 Display section 260 Storage section 30 servers 310 Communications Department 320 Control Unit 321 First Processing Unit 322 Display Control Unit 323 Second Processing Unit 330 Storage section

Claims

1. A communication unit communicates with a server that receives user identification information and box identification information from a user terminal that acquires box identification information attached to a collection container, An opening for inserting wireless tags, A reading unit reads tag identification information that identifies a wireless tag from a wireless tag inserted into the input slot, based on a reading instruction received from the server. A control device that transmits the reading result from the reading unit, along with the box identification information, to the server, A collection container equipped with the following features.

2. The control device, based on the read instruction received from the server, transitions the read unit from a sleep state to a readable activated state. After the reading unit enters the activated state, it reads the tag identification information from the wireless tag inserted into the input slot. The collection container according to claim 1.

3. After the reading unit enters an activated state, the control device sends an activation notification to the server. Based on the activation notification received from the collection container, the server displays a message on the user terminal prompting the insertion of the wireless tag. The collection container according to claim 2.

4. The control device transmits the reading result to the server after the time during which the reading unit has not read the tag identification information exceeds a threshold. The collection container according to claim 1.

5. The control device transmits the tag identification information and the reading results, including the number of wireless tags from which the tag identification information was read, to the server. The collection container according to claim 1.

6. A collection container comprising an input slot for inserting wireless tags and a reading unit for reading tag identification information that identifies the wireless tags from the wireless tags inserted into the input slot, or a communication unit that communicates with a user terminal that acquires box identification information attached to the collection container, A first processing unit receives the box identification information and user identification information that identifies the user from the user terminal, and transmits a read instruction to the collection container corresponding to the received box identification information. A second processing unit receives the reading result read by the reading unit from the wireless tag inserted into the input port based on the reading instruction, and performs processing related to the user based on the received reading result. A server equipped with the following features.

7. The display control unit further includes a display prompting the user terminal to insert a wireless tag after the reading unit receives a startup notification from the collection container indicating that it has transitioned from a sleep state to a readable startup state based on the reading instruction. The server according to claim 6.

8. The second processing unit receives the tag identification information and the reading result, including the number of wireless tags from which the tag identification information has been read, from the collection container. The server according to claim 6.

9. A collection system comprising a collection container and a server, The aforementioned collection container is A communication unit that communicates with the aforementioned server, An opening for inserting wireless tags, A reading unit reads tag identification information that identifies a wireless tag from a wireless tag inserted into the input slot, based on a reading instruction received from the server. A control device that transmits the reading result from the reading unit, along with box identification information that identifies the collection container, to the server, Equipped with, The aforementioned server, A communication unit that communicates with a user terminal that acquires the collection container or the box identification information attached to the collection container, A first processing unit receives the box identification information and user identification information that identifies the user from the user terminal, and transmits a read instruction to the collection container corresponding to the received box identification information. A second processing unit receives the reading result from the collection container and performs processing related to the user based on the received reading result, A recovery system equipped with [the following features].

10. A collection method for a collection container equipped with an input port for inserting wireless tags, The reading unit reads the tag identification information that identifies the wireless tag from the wireless tag inserted into the input slot, based on a reading instruction received from a server that receives user identification information that identifies the user and the box identification information from a user terminal that acquires box identification information attached to the collection container. The control device transmits the reading result from the reading unit to the server along with the box identification information. Collection method.

11. A collection container comprising an input slot for inserting wireless tags and a reader unit for reading tag identification information that identifies the wireless tags from the wireless tags inserted into the input slot, or a collection method in which a server communicates with a user terminal that acquires box identification information attached to the collection container, The first processing unit receives user identification information and box identification information from the user terminal, and transmits a read command to the collection container corresponding to the received box identification information. The second processing unit receives the reading result read by the reading unit from the wireless tag inserted into the input port based on the reading instruction from the collection container, and performs processing related to the user based on the received reading result. Collection method.

12. A collection method in a collection system comprising a collection container having an input slot for inserting wireless tags and a server, The first processing unit of the server receives user identification information and box identification information from a user terminal that acquires box identification information attached to the collection container, and transmits a read instruction to the collection container corresponding to the received box identification information. The reading unit of the collection container reads tag identification information that identifies the wireless tag from the wireless tag inserted into the input port, based on the reading instruction received from the server. The control device of the collection container transmits the reading result from the reading unit to the server along with the box identification information. The second processing unit of the server receives the reading result from the collection container and performs processing related to the user based on the received reading result. Collection method.

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