System and Method

Abstract

This invention provides a system and method for calculating settlement amounts between waste generators and collection and transport operators, between waste generators and disposal operators, and / or between collection and transport operators and local governments. [Solution] A waste disposal cost settlement system is provided, in which a waste generator terminal, a collection and transportation company terminal, a disposal company terminal, or a local government terminal performs weight and other data storage processing to store the quantity of waste weighed by each business operator, associating it with information about the business operator that weighed the waste. The weight and other data storage processing obtains the waste processing unit price between the two businesses, and from the obtained quantity of waste, obtains the weight, volume, or container size and number of waste items to be used to calculate the settlement amount for collection and transportation costs and / or disposal costs. A computer device calculates the settlement amount between the two businesses based on the quantity of waste and the processing unit price.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a waste disposal cost settlement system. [Background Art]

[0002] Proper waste disposal is a core business for building a resource-recycling society and economy. Pursuant to the "Act on Waste Disposal and Public Cleansing" (hereinafter referred to as the "Act"), the entrustment of waste disposal shall be carried out by the discharging entity, the collection and transportation business operator, and the disposal business operator concluding direct contracts respectively. A collection and transportation business operator and / or a disposal business operator is also referred to as a disposal business operator. On the other hand, there are no provisions in the Act regarding methods for measuring waste and methods for settling collection and transportation costs and disposal costs. Hereinafter, the collection and transportation cost of waste and / or the disposal cost of waste is referred to as waste disposal cost, or simply disposal cost. The settlement method is a concept including calculation method, billing method, payment method and receiving method. As settlement methods, for example, advance payment, simultaneous payment, post payment, as well as credit payment, deposit payment, trust payment, bill payment, electronic registered claim payment, claim assignment, collection agency, payment agency, etc., coexist.

[0003] Processing related to the settlement of disposal costs generally includes five steps: specifying the unit disposal cost per measurement unit, measuring the quantity of waste, calculating the disposal cost, preparing and sending an invoice for the disposal cost, and settling the disposal cost. There are various problems in each step, which is the reason why various settlement methods coexist. The unit disposal cost includes the official unit price stipulated by local governments via ordinances, and the contracted unit price determined by agreements between business operators. The quantity of disposal includes discharge quantity, collection and transportation quantity, and / or disposal quantity. Settlement includes payment of disposal costs and receipt of disposal costs.

[0004] Waste is classified into general waste and industrial waste under the Act. Regarding the unit disposal cost for general waste, local governments are required to publish official unit prices stipulated by their ordinances, and settlement of disposal costs is carried out using these prices. General waste is categorized into household general waste and commercial general waste. When a waste generator and a waste treatment company agree on a treatment unit price for commercial general waste, separate from the official unit price, the agreed-upon price must not exceed the official unit price set and published by the local government through ordinance. If the treatment unit price used for settling commercial general waste involves a dual pricing system of the official unit price and the agreed-upon unit price, the agreed-upon unit price will be used for settlement of treatment costs between the waste generator and the collection and transport company, while the official unit price will be used for settlement of treatment costs between the collection and transport company and the local government. In this case, the settlement amount for disposal costs between the waste generator and the collection and transport company will not match the settlement amount for disposal costs between the collection and transport company and the local government. Furthermore, the agreed-upon unit price and the official unit price cannot be compared if the units of measurement are different, or if the agreed-upon unit price is a combined unit price for collection, transport, and disposal. This is the problem of dual pricing for commercial general waste.

[0005] Regarding the unit price for industrial waste treatment, it is stipulated that the waste generator and the treatment company agree on a price for each treatment consignment contract and that this price is recorded in the collection and transportation consignment contract and the disposal consignment contract, respectively, which meet the requirements of the law. Therefore, the disposal unit price is not a combined unit price for collection, transportation, and disposal, except when the collection and transportation company and the disposal company are the same company. However, there is no specific provision in the law prohibiting the settlement of collection and transportation costs and disposal costs together. For this reason, in the case of general business waste, it is common for the waste generator to settle the collection and transportation costs and disposal costs together with the collection and transportation company, and in the case of industrial waste, the waste generator may also settle the collection and transportation costs and disposal costs together with the collection and transportation company. In addition, a contract intermediary company that is neither a collection and transportation company nor a disposal company may be involved in the settlement of collection and transportation costs and disposal costs. This is the issue of lump-sum settlement or proxy settlement of collection and transportation costs and disposal costs.

[0006] The quantity of waste is measured using a defined unit of measurement. Various units of measurement are used, including weight (e.g., kilograms, tons), volume (e.g., liters, cubic meters), number of containers, and number of vehicles. Furthermore, various conversion values ​​(e.g., specific gravity) are used for weight and volume, making it difficult to convert and sum quantities of waste using different units of measurement into a single unit. This is the problem of units of measurement. In the following, the measured quantity of waste will also be referred to as the "measured quantity."

[0007] Waste generators, collection and transporters, disposal companies, and local governments involved in waste treatment each have opportunities for weighing. For example, waste generators weigh the quantity of waste they discharge (also called the discharge quantity). Collection and transporters weigh the quantity of waste they transport (also called the transported quantity). Disposal companies and local governments weigh the quantity of waste brought to disposal sites (also called the brought-in quantity or accepted quantity) or the quantity of waste to be disposed of (also called the disposal quantity). Even for the same waste, the weighed quantity may differ depending on the weigher and / or the weighing time. Reasons for differences in weighed quantities include, for example, that the weighing method and units of measurement of waste may differ depending on the weigher, and even if the weighing method and units of measurement are the same, waste may absorb water, dry out, compact, become fluid, or decompose over time. In addition, waste may be transferred to another vehicle during transport, and during the transfer, compression, packaging, or transfer to a different container may occur. Therefore, it is necessary to decide in advance which weigher's measurement and at what point in time the measurement quantity will be used as the basis for settling processing costs. This is the issue of the weigher and the point in time of measurement.

[0008] Waste collection and transportation typically involves a single vehicle visiting multiple collection points, a method known as patrol collection. This process of collecting waste is called collection. On the other hand, waste transportation refers to moving the collected or accumulated waste to a disposal site. Weighing during patrol collection must be performed at each of the multiple collection points. If waste is mixed together without weighing, it becomes virtually impossible to weigh it separately at each collection point later, unless containers are used and each container is labeled with the collection point. In the case of household general waste, weighing is not performed at the collection site. This is because processing fees are not settled on a household or collection site basis. However, if the collection of bulky waste etc. is charged, confirmation of collection reservations and payment of fees will be made on an individual basis. In the case of business general waste and industrial waste, the waste generator may weigh the quantity of waste, the collection and transportation company may weigh the quantity transported, or both may weigh the quantity transported. Since the weighing method and weighing units at each collection site may differ depending on the weigher, it may not be possible to sum the quantities weighed at multiple collection sites. Furthermore, the weighing methods and units used at general waste incineration plants (for example, disposal sites established and operated by local governments, sometimes called clean centers or rubbish centers) or industrial waste disposal sites may differ from those used at collection sites. Therefore, even if the weighed quantities at collection sites can be totaled, it may not be possible to verify these figures against the actual disposal quantities. This is a problem with weighing in patrol collection.

[0009] With regard to industrial waste, it is a legal obligation for waste generators to either record the quantity of waste to be treated on a manifest (abbreviation for industrial waste management slip and specially controlled industrial waste management slip) or to register the quantity of waste to be treated on an electronic manifest (abbreviation for a manifest registered by electronic means; together with a regular manifest, referred to as "manifest, etc."). However, there is no legal obligation to settle treatment costs based on the quantity of waste to be treated recorded or registered on the manifest, etc. (hereinafter referred to as "recorded, etc."). However, if the processing fee is settled using a measured quantity that differs from the quantity of processing entrusted to the waste as stated in the manifest, etc., then the quantity of processing entrusted to the waste as stated in the manifest, etc., is a false statement, meaning it differs from the measured result. For this reason, in settling industrial waste processing fees, it is customary to compare the quantity of collection and transportation and / or disposal stated in the invoice, etc., with the quantity of processing entrusted to the waste as stated in the manifest, etc., for the waste that is the subject of the claim, and to confirm that the unit of measurement and the quantity match. According to JWNET, operated by the Japan Industrial Waste Management Promotion Center, the number of manifests and electronic manifests used annually was approximately 50 million in 2023, of which approximately 40 million were electronic manifests. The Japan Industrial Waste Management Promotion Center is designated by the Minister of the Environment as the only electronic manifest information processing center in Japan. It is desirable that the settlement of industrial waste treatment costs be linked to the contents of these approximately 50 million manifests, or the registered contents of approximately 40 million electronic manifests. Failure to do so could lead to the overlooking of false or erroneous claims. Furthermore, if manifests are not used for settlement, the settlement must be linked to at least the same number of weighing slips or other documents proving the weighing results. This represents an enormous amount of administrative work. This is the problem of verification with manifests.

[0010] The timing of settlement for processing fees may differ between one-time, spot processing contracts and recurring or ongoing, regular processing contracts. For spot processing contracts, it is common practice for the processing company to calculate the processing fee and include it on the invoice each time processing is completed, and for the waste generator to pay by bank transfer or other means a certain period after receiving the invoice. For regular processing outsourcing, it is common practice to agree on a monthly closing date, calculate the processing fee from the day after the previous month's closing date to the current month's closing date, include it in the invoice, and pay a certain period after the invoice is issued by methods such as bank transfer. The period from invoice to payment (also known as the payment period) is set at 60 days according to laws such as the Civil Code and the Subcontracting Act. However, in the settlement of waste disposal costs, payment periods exceeding 60 days from the issuance of the invoice are sometimes customary, which can strain the cash flow of waste disposal companies. To improve the cash flow of waste disposal companies due to long payment periods, methods of immediate payment or immediate conversion into cash, such as discounting electronically recorded claims and purchasing accounts receivable (also known as factoring), are becoming popular. However, forcing subcontractors to bear the discount fees and charges for these methods is considered an abuse of the dominant position of waste generators and prime contractors, and may violate the Antimonopoly Act. This is the problem of the settlement period (payment period).

[0011] Regarding the settlement method for processing fees, for general household waste, it is common practice for the collection and transportation fee to be calculated by multiplying the officially set processing unit price by the quantity of waste that the local government weighs and records on a weighing slip, etc., and then including this amount on the invoice. The collection and transportation company then sends the invoice to the local government, and the local government pays the collection and transportation company by bank transfer. Regarding the settlement method for processing fees, for general business waste, there are two settlements: one between the waste generator and the collection and transport company, and another between the collection and transport company and the local government. In the settlement between the waste generator and the collection and transport company, the amount of processing fee, calculated by multiplying the agreed-upon processing unit price (for example, a combined unit price including collection and transport and disposal unit prices or a total unit price) by the quantity of waste to be processed as measured by the waste generator or collection and transport company, is stated on the invoice and sent from the collection and transport company to the waste generator, who then pays the collection and transport company by bank transfer or other payment method. In the settlement between the collection and transport company and the local government, the amount of disposal fee, calculated by multiplying the official disposal unit price (also called the drop-off unit price) by the quantity of waste brought in or disposed of as measured by the local government, is stated on the invoice or payment slip and sent from the local government to the collection and transport company, who then pays the local government by public payment, bank transfer or other payment method. Regarding the settlement method for processing fees, in the case of industrial waste, it is common practice to calculate the collection and transportation fee and disposal fee by multiplying the agreed-upon processing unit price (e.g., collection and transportation unit price, disposal unit price) by the quantity of waste to be processed as measured by the waste generator, collection and transportation company, or disposal company. The collection and transportation company and disposal company then send these invoices to the waste generator, and the waste generator pays them by bank transfer or other payment methods. In the above cases, if there are multiple processing unit prices, measurement units, and measurement quantities, the businesses involved in the settlement must agree in advance which processing unit prices and processing quantities will be used for settlement. For example, processing unit prices include official unit prices and contracted unit prices, contracted unit prices include collection and transportation unit prices and disposal unit prices, and furthermore, official unit prices and contracted unit prices include item-specific unit prices. Measurement units include weight, volume, and the number of containers. Measurement quantities differ depending on the measurement location or measurement time. This is the problem of calculating processing costs.

[0012] Thus, settling waste disposal costs is extremely complex, involving multiple disposal methods, items, weighing methods, units of measurement, and / or multiple processing unit prices, even for a single collection, transport, or disposal. It's rarely as simple as just multiplying the processing unit price by the quantity processed and billing the settlement amount. To address these complex settlement circumstances, a massive amount of administrative work is required, placing a significant administrative burden on waste generators, collection and transport companies, disposal companies, and local governments. Furthermore, administrative errors such as inappropriate weighing methods (e.g., estimation or guesswork), weighing errors, calculation errors, and billing errors are not uncommon.

[0013] Numerous settlement agencies intervene in these complex processing fee settlement processes, offering services such as invoice creation, verification of invoices against supporting documents (e.g., weighing slips, manifests), invoice consolidation, billing and payment processing. However, these agencies often have dual pricing practices, such as discrepancies between the amount received by the waste generators and the amount paid to the processing companies, meaning that the settlement amounts are sometimes skimmed or taken out of pocket. Furthermore, many waste processing fee settlement agencies primarily engage in contract brokerage and mediation, and therefore do not require financial licenses, permits, or registrations, and are not subject to financial regulations or inspections. For this reason, the Ministry of the Environment, including the former Ministry of Health and Welfare, has issued a notice to local governments warning that involving settlement agents in the settlement of processing fees would hinder the proper payment of processing fees to processing companies and encourage improper processing. This is the problem with settlement agents.

[0014] To streamline the complexities of weighing and calculating these waste disposal costs, systems that register weighed quantities, contracted unit prices, and / or official unit prices in an accounting system, automatically generate invoices, deliver them electronically, and even automatically transfer settlement amounts—for example, systems that integrate automatic invoice generation, collection, or payment processing. These systems are already quite widespread. However, this does not mean that automated waste disposal cost settlement systems are complete, or that the problems of complexity in settlement, or issues of double weighing and double pricing, have been resolved. This system for automatically generating invoices assumes that the processing unit price and measured quantity used for invoicing have already been determined. In other words, the system either overlooks the problem of multiple processing unit prices and multiple measured quantities existing, assumes that multiple processing unit prices and multiple measured quantities do not exist, or limits itself to a specific weighing method by a specific weigher, such as a weighing system installed in a collection and transport vehicle. Based on such simplified assumptions, there is no difficulty in realizing an automated settlement system that links automatic invoice generation, automatic delivery, and automatic bank transfer. However, even with the use of automated invoice generation functions in such accounting systems, the complexity of settling waste disposal costs remains unchanged, due to the existence of multiple units of measurement, multiple quantities, and multiple processing unit prices. Both the billing and paying parties still need to reconcile the billed amount with the quantities measured, processing unit prices, and, in the case of industrial waste, the quantities on the manifest or other processing contracts. As a result, the burden of settlement work has hardly been reduced. Integration with accounting systems can only significantly reduce administrative workload and solve problems of double weighing and double pricing by going beyond such simplified assumptions and progressing to automated settlement that includes a system for selecting processing unit prices and processing quantities used in calculating settlement amounts, or a matching system. However, no accounting system exists that can handle the complexities of weighing and calculating waste disposal costs and go as far as automated settlement in this sense, i.e., automated fund transfer.

[0015] To fundamentally reduce the burden of waste disposal cost settlement, it is preferable to eliminate the creation of invoices altogether, rather than simply automating their generation. If invoice creation is eliminated, the work of reconciling invoices with weighed quantities, processing unit prices, and processing contract quantities such as manifests will also be eliminated, as will the payment process based on invoices. In other words, a fully automated waste disposal cost settlement system is desired, which can handle everything from weighing the waste to the payment of processing fees, which is the transfer of funds between creditors and debtors. If the creation of invoices is eliminated, qualified invoices (also called invoices) used to verify payments or provisional payments of consumption tax, and payments or provisional receipts of consumption tax will also disappear. To address this issue, it is preferable to automatically issue a settlement statement that meets the requirements of the Consumption Tax Act and can replace an invoice, which includes the counterparty for settlement of processing costs, the qualified invoice issuer registration number (also called a qualified invoice number or invoice number), the amount of consumption tax, and the consumption tax rate.

[0016] The core issue in the settlement of waste disposal is weighing. This is because the settlement amount is calculated by multiplying the weighed quantity by the agreed-upon unit price or the official unit price. The agreed-upon unit price is the price agreed upon between the parties to the settlement, depending on the processing method and / or item, while the official unit price is the price officially set by the local government by ordinance, depending on whether the waste is collected or brought in and / or item. Therefore, when multiple unit prices exist, it must be determined which unit price to use for settlement depending on the processing method and item, and even if it is necessary to avoid using unit prices other than the agreed-upon or official unit price for settlement, there is no room for dispute between the parties to the settlement regarding which unit price to use. On the other hand, the weighed quantity varies depending on the weigher, the weighing method, and / or the weighing time, and even if all of these are the same, errors occur each time waste is weighed, so it is almost impossible for multiple weighing results to perfectly match. Therefore, there is room for disputes among the parties involved in the settlement regarding which weigher, which weighing method, and at what point in time the settlement amount should be calculated, which can become a core issue in waste disposal settlements. In other words, by enabling the calculation of appropriate settlement amounts based on appropriate unit price agreements or official rates and appropriate waste weighing, not only can the complexity and ambiguity of administrative procedures be eliminated, but other issues such as false billing, erroneous billing, and intermediaries or skimming by companies involved in the settlement process can also be resolved.

[0017] In waste management certifications such as ISO, waste weighing is required to be performed for each item separated by the waste generator. However, not many waste generators are ISO certified. Rather, it is common to use the waste weighing performed by the collection and transportation company for settling collection and transportation costs, and the waste weighing performed by the disposal company for settling disposal costs. Furthermore, when industrial waste or general business waste is collected and transported by patrol collection, weighing must be done at multiple collection points in order to settle accounts for each collection point. However, the sum of the weighed quantities at each collection point will inevitably differ from the weighed quantities at the time of delivery to the disposal site or municipal incineration plant, resulting in errors in the settlement amount. Moreover, the weighing methods and units may differ at each collection point, and these may also differ from those at the disposal site, etc.

[0018] Therefore, in order to realize automatic settlement of waste disposal costs, it is essential that which measured quantity is to be used for settlement can be automatically selected based on reasonable criteria in accordance with the actual situation of waste measurement, or that each business operator is equipped with a weighing device or weighing system of a certain level or higher to enable selection of which measured quantity is to be used for settlement. Conversely, if the measured quantity cannot be selected automatically, automatic settlement of waste disposal costs that conforms to the actual situation of measurement, where there are multiple measurements for each business operator, cannot be realized, or only limited automatic settlement can be realized, in which there is only one measured quantity, that is, the weigher, the measurement method, and the measurement time point are all specified.

[0019] If an automatic settlement system capable of automatically selecting the measured quantity to be used for settlement based on reasonable criteria in accordance with the actual situation of measurement where there are such a plurality of measured quantities can be realized, it will eliminate the burden of settlement work on waste discharging companies, collection and transporters, disposal companies, and local governments, eliminate work errors, and also advance the settlement timing by eliminating the closing date for preparing invoices, improve the cash flow of disposal companies and local governments, eliminate the need for the intervention of settlement agents that intervene in complicated settlement circumstances, and enable the settlement of waste disposal costs to be performed appropriately, promptly, and transparently. This promotes appropriate waste treatment, and can ultimately contribute to the formation of a society and economy in which waste is circulated as resources. [Prior Art Document] [Patent Document]

[0020] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent No. 6792274 [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0021] The present invention can solve any of the above problems, for example. Also, for example, one object of the present invention is to provide a system capable of calculating a settlement amount between a waste generator and a collection / transportation company, between the waste generator and a disposal company, and / or between a collection / transportation company and a local government. [Means for Solving the Problems]

[0022] An object of the present invention is [1] A system comprising at least one computer device, wherein the computer device: a weight etc. storage means that stores the weight, volume, or size and number of containers of waste measured by each of a waste generator, a collection / transportation company, a disposal company, and / or a local government, in association with information indicating which of the waste generator, collection / transportation company, disposal company, and / or local government performed the measurement; a unit price storage means that stores a contracted unit price for industrial waste collection and transportation between a waste generator and a collection / transportation company, a contracted unit price for industrial waste disposal between a waste generator and a disposal company, a contracted unit price for collection, transportation and / or disposal of business-related general waste between a waste generator and a collection / transportation company, an official unit price for business-related general waste disposal between a collection / transportation company and a local government, and / or an official unit price for collection and transportation of household general waste between a collection / transportation company and a local government; a selection means that selects the weight, volume, or size and number of containers of waste to be used for calculating a settlement amount based on collection and transportation costs and / or disposal costs, from the weight, volume, or size and number of containers of waste stored in the weight etc. storage means; and a settlement amount calculation means that calculates the settlement amount between a waste generator and a collection / transportation company, between a waste generator and a disposal company, and / or between a collection / transportation company and a local government, based on the weight, volume, or size and number of containers of waste selected by the selection means, and the contracted unit price or official unit price stored in the unit price storage means; the system comprising the above; [2] The system according to [1] above, comprising an instruction means that instructs an external payment system to transfer funds for executing settlement between the waste generator and the collection / transportation company, between the waste generator and the disposal company, and / or between the collection / transportation company and the local government based on the calculated settlement amount; [3] The computer device includes a statement transmission means for transmitting information relating to a qualified statement to each terminal device in response to the execution of the fund transfer, wherein the qualified statement includes the name or title and registration number of the entrusted business operator corresponding to the fund transfer, the date of the transaction, the details of the transaction, the applicable consumption tax rate, the amount of consumption tax, and the name or title of the business operator receiving the statement, as described in [2] above; [4] The computer device is equipped with terminal devices owned by each waste generator, collection and transport operator, disposal operator and / or local government, each of which is capable of communication with the computer device, each of which is equipped with weighing means for weighing the weight, volume, or container size and number of waste, or is connected to a weighing device for weighing the weight, volume, or container size and number of waste, and is equipped with transmitting means for transmitting the weighed weight, volume, or container size and number of waste to the computer device, the computer device is equipped with first receiving means for receiving the weighed weight, volume, or container size and number of waste from each of the terminal devices owned by each of the waste generator, collection and transport operator, disposal operator and / or local government, and the weight and other storage means stores the weight, volume, or container size and number of each of the waste received by the first receiving means in association with information on whether it was weighed by the waste generator, collection and transport operator, disposal operator and / or local government. The system described in any of the above [1] to [3]; [5] A system according to any one of [1] to [4] above, comprising a computer device which includes a second receiving means for receiving the weight, volume, or container size and number of waste items weighed by the waste generator, the collection and transport operator, and / or the disposal operator, respectively, from an electronic manifest system, and a weight and other storage means for storing the weight, volume, or container size and number of each waste item received by the second receiving means in association with information regarding whether the weighing was done by the waste generator, the collection and transport operator, and / or the disposal operator; [6] A method performed in a system comprising at least one computer device, comprising: a weight and other information storage step in which the computer device stores the weight, volume, or size and number of containers of waste weighed by the waste generator, collection and transport operator, disposal operator and / or local government, in association with information on which of the waste generator, collection and transport operator, disposal operator and / or local government weighed the waste; and in the computer device, the agreed unit price for collection and transport of industrial waste between the waste generator and the collection and transport operator, the agreed unit price for disposal of industrial waste between the waste generator and the disposal operator, the agreed unit price for collection and transport of business-related general waste and / or disposal costs between the waste generator and the collection and transport operator, the official unit price for disposal of business-related general waste between the collection and transport operator and local government, and Alternatively, a method comprising: a unit price storage step for storing the official unit price for collection and transportation of household general waste between a collection and transportation company and a local government; a selection step in a computer device for selecting the weight, volume, or container size and number of waste items to be used to calculate the settlement amount for collection and transportation and / or disposal costs, based on the weight, volume, or container size and number of waste items stored in the weight, etc. storage step; and a settlement amount calculation step in a computer device for calculating the settlement amount between the waste generator and the collection and transportation company, between the waste generator and the disposal company, and / or between the collection and transportation company and the local government, based on the weight, volume, or container size and number of waste items selected in the selection step and the agreed unit price or official unit price stored in the unit price storage step; This can be resolved by; [Effects of the Invention]

[0023] According to the present invention, a system can be provided that can calculate settlement amounts between, for example, a waste generator and a waste collection and transport company, a waste generator and a waste disposal company, and / or a waste collection and transport company and a local government. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0024] [Figure 1]This is a block diagram showing the configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of a waste generator terminal device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of a computer device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This figure shows a flowchart of the weight and other data storage process according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This figure shows a flowchart of the settlement process according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This is a procedure diagram showing the steps for implementing Pattern 1, a settlement of household general waste disposal costs, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This is a procedure diagram showing the steps for implementing Pattern 2, a settlement of general business waste, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This is a procedure diagram showing the steps for implementing Pattern 3, industrial waste settlement, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] This is a procedure diagram showing the steps for implementing the settlement of industrial waste disposal costs when linked with an electronic manifest system, according to Pattern 4 of the present invention. [Figure 10] This is a procedure diagram showing the steps for implementing settlement in the case of patrol collection of general business waste, according to an embodiment of the present invention, Pattern 5. [Figure 11] This is a procedure diagram showing the steps for implementing settlement in the case of patrol collection of industrial waste, according to an embodiment of the present invention, pattern 6. [Figure 12] This is a procedure diagram showing the procedure for calculating the settlement amount in a computer device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] This is a setting diagram showing the selection order of the quantity of waste used for settlement according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] This is a configuration diagram showing the format of a settlement amount calculation database according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15]This is a configuration diagram showing the format of the settlement instruction database according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] This is a setting diagram showing the format of a qualified specification according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0025] The following describes embodiments of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments unless it contradicts the spirit of the invention. The order of each process constituting the flowchart described below is not limited to any order that does not cause contradictions or inconsistencies in the processing content, and it is also possible to omit some of the processes constituting the flowchart or to add new processes to each process constituting the flowchart, as long as it does not contradict the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, the device that is the main entity that executes each process constituting the flowchart can be changed to another device, as long as it does not contradict the spirit of the invention. In this case, it is possible to change the processing content so as not to cause contradictions or inconsistencies in the processing content.

[0026] In embodiments of the present invention, waste refers to garbage, bulky waste, incinerator ash, sludge, human and animal waste, waste oil, waste acid, waste alkali, animal carcasses, and other pollutants or unwanted materials, whether solid or liquid (excluding radioactive materials and materials contaminated by them). Waste may also include resources or recycled materials such as waste paper, metal scrap, used textiles, and empty bottles, used containers and packaging that are recycled or re-commercialized, used products, by-products of manufacturing and construction industries, and used goods as defined in the Secondhand Goods Business Act.

[0027] Waste may be classified into industrial waste and general waste. Furthermore, general waste may be further classified into household general waste and business general waste.

[0028] Household general waste refers to general waste generated by ordinary households and consumers that do not operate businesses, and is sometimes called household waste or household garbage. Business general waste refers to general waste generated by businesses, and is sometimes called business waste. It should be noted that there is no particular limitation on whether waste generated by a business becomes business general waste or industrial waste; it may be determined by the law, its enforcement ordinance, and enforcement regulations. For example, waste generated when preparing food may be classified as animal and plant residues (industrial waste) if it is discharged from a food factory, or as food waste (business general waste) if it is discharged from a restaurant kitchen.

[0029] The disposal of general waste differs between household general waste and business household general waste. For example, general household waste is typically collected at designated collection points by the local government, transported by collection and transportation companies contracted by the local government, and then delivered to waste treatment plants for disposal. Incineration plants are general waste disposal sites established by local governments, and are sometimes called clean centers or rubbish centers. In principle, local governments bear all costs for collection, transportation, and disposal, but they may also ask households that generate waste to contribute a portion of the cost, such as the cost of garbage bags used for collection and transportation, or the cost of disposing of bulky waste.

[0030] Furthermore, for example, general business waste is typically collected and transported from the waste generator's site by a general waste collection and transportation company authorized by the local government, and then transported to a waste treatment plant for disposal. In some cases, it may also be transported to a disposal site authorized by the local government for disposal. As a general rule, the cost of collecting, transporting, and disposing of business-related general waste is borne by the waste generator. However, some municipalities may have exemption or reduction programs. In addition, for example, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and small shops may be permitted to dispose of their business-related general waste at the same collection points as household general waste.

[0031] System 10 (the system of the present invention shown in Figure 1) does not consider partial reimbursement of the processing costs of household general waste, reduction or exemption of processing costs for business general waste, or processing it as if it were household general waste, or disposal of general waste at disposal sites authorized by local governments. However, System 10 can also be applied in these cases. For example, the disposal of business general waste at disposal sites of general waste disposal companies authorized by local governments can be applied by analogy to the embodiment for industrial waste disposal.

[0032] Industrial waste is generally collected and transported from the waste generator's site by industrial waste collection and transport companies licensed by prefectures, including designated cities, core cities, and cities with public health centers, and then transported to disposal sites licensed by prefectures or other relevant authorities for disposal.

[0033] Furthermore, when waste is collected for a fee, the transfer of funds for the waste collection fee is in the opposite direction to the transfer of funds for the settlement of waste processing costs. That is, the waste generator becomes the recipient of the funds, and the processing company (e.g., a recycling company) becomes the payer of the funds. System 10 can be applied by analogy to such cases as well.

[0034] [System Configuration] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The system 10 of the present invention comprises at least one computer device. For example, the system 10 comprises at least a communication network 1, a waste generator terminal 2, a waste collection and transporter terminal 3, a waste disposal company terminal 4, a local government terminal 5, and a server device 6. The waste generator terminal 2, the waste collection and transporter terminal 3, the waste disposal company terminal 4, the local government terminal 5, and the server device 6 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with one another via the communication network 1. The waste generator terminal 2, the waste collection and transporter terminal 3, the waste disposal company terminal 4, the local government terminal 5, and the server device 6 are examples of computer devices.

[0035] In system 10, any of the waste generator terminal 2, collection and transporter terminal 3, disposal company terminal 4, local government terminal 5, and server device 6 can function as an information processing device. When these computer devices function as information processing devices, they transmit and receive information between at least two or more computer devices as needed. Furthermore, the number of waste generator terminals 2, collection and transporter terminals 3, disposal company terminals 4, local government terminals 5, and server device 6 is not particularly limited, as long as there is one or more.

[0036] Furthermore, the system 10 of the present invention may be connected to the electronic manifest system 7 and the payment system 8 via the communication network 1. The computer device 6 may also be connected to the electronic manifest system 7 and the payment system 8 via the communication network 1. The electronic manifest system 7 and the payment system are external systems. The number of electronic manifest systems 7 and payment systems 8 is not particularly limited, as long as it is one or more.

[0037] [Waste Generator Terminal] Waste Generator Terminal 2 is a terminal device owned by the waste generator. Waste Generator Terminal 2 is a terminal device operated by the waste generator's representative when using System 10. A waste generator is a business that generates and discharges waste. By law, waste generators are responsible for properly disposing of the waste generated as a result of their business activities. Specifically, waste generators are obligated to issue a manifest or register an electronic manifest when entrusting the disposal of industrial waste.

[0038] [Collection and transportation company terminal] The waste collection and transport operator terminal 3 is a terminal device owned by a waste collection and transport operator. The waste collection and transport operator terminal 3 is a terminal device operated by a person in charge of the waste collection and transport operator when using system 10. A waste collection and transport operator is a business that collects and / or transports waste on behalf of a waste generator and / or a local government. Waste collection and transport operators include third-sector companies such as cleaning associations and cleaning corporations established by local governments, and those that collect and transport general waste on behalf of local governments. A waste collection and transport operator may also be a business that has a business license under the law. Examples of license types include general waste collection and transport business, industrial waste collection and transport business, and specially controlled industrial waste collection and transport business. In this embodiment, industrial waste and specially controlled industrial waste are not particularly distinguished, and specially controlled industrial waste is included in industrial waste.

[0039] [Disposal company terminal] Disposal operator terminal 4 is a terminal device owned by a waste disposal operator. Disposal operator terminal 4 is a terminal device operated by a person in charge of the disposal operator when using system 10. A disposal operator is a business that disposes of waste on behalf of a waste generator. In this embodiment, the disposal operator may be one that has a license under the law, or it may be one that does not have a disposal business license, such as a waste recycling business. Examples of license types include general waste disposal business, industrial waste disposal business, and specially controlled industrial waste disposal business.

[0040] Disposal operators may be distinguished into intermediate processing operators and final disposal operators. Final disposal operators may be entrusted with the final disposal of waste by intermediate processing operators. In this case, the intermediate processing operator can be considered the waste generator and the final disposal operator can be considered the disposal operator. Waste recycling operators that recycle or remanufacture waste may also be considered final disposal operators.

[0041] [Local Government Terminal] The municipal terminal 5 is a terminal device owned by a municipality responsible for the disposal of general waste. The municipality carries out business related to the disposal of general waste. The municipality may be a ward, city, town, or village, a prefecture, or the national government. In particular, in the case of disaster waste, the prefecture or the national government may handle the waste on behalf of the ward, city, town, or village. Furthermore, the municipality may include cities, towns, and villages, the special wards of Tokyo, a joint administrative association that carries out general waste disposal business by multiple cities, third-sector companies such as cleaning corporations and environmental corporations established by cities, and waste treatment plant management and operation companies commissioned by cities.

[0042] The waste generator terminal 2, the collection and transportation company terminal 3, the disposal company terminal 4, and the local government terminal 5 are not particularly limited as long as they are computer devices having a control unit, display unit, input unit, and storage unit, and capable of connecting to the communication network 1 via a communication interface. For example, devices that can be used as terminal devices include personal computers, smartphones, tablet terminals, and PDAs.

[0043] Furthermore, the waste generator terminal 2, the collection and transport operator terminal 3, the disposal operator terminal 4, and the local government terminal 5 each have a sensor input unit as one of the functions of the input unit, which receives information regarding the weight, volume, or size and number of containers of the weighed waste, or a weighing sensor capable of weighing the weight, volume, or size and number of containers of the waste can be connected to the sensor input unit by wire or wireless.

[0044] Here, waste weighing refers to measuring the weight of the waste, the volume of the waste, or the size and number of containers containing the waste. The weight, volume, or size and number of containers of the waste may be expressed as the quantity of waste. There are no particular limitations on how each terminal device receives the weighed quantity of waste. For example, the quantity of waste weighed by a weighing sensor provided in the terminal device may be received, the quantity of waste weighed by the weighing sensor may be received via a communication interface, the quantity may be received via an input unit by user operation, or the quantity of waste may be received in cooperation with an external weighing device or external weighing system. The external weighing device or external weighing system has the function of weighing the weight, volume, or size and number of containers of waste.

[0045] Examples of weighing sensors include weight sensors and image sensors. Weight sensors may be of any type, such as load cell type, piezoelectric element type, or capacitance type. The weight sensor is not particularly limited as long as it can handle the type, weight, container, or packaging of the waste being weighed.

[0046] Image sensors include imaging devices such as cameras. For example, an image of the waste can be taken with a camera, and the weight, volume, or size and number of containers of the waste can be measured by analyzing the image with a machine learning model such as AI.

[0047] The terminal device may connect the weighing sensor or an external weighing device to the sensor input unit by wire or wireless connection. Alternatively, the user can input the weighing results obtained by the external weighing device through the input unit without connecting the external weighing device to the terminal device. Furthermore, the user may measure the weight, volume, size and number of waste items, the size and number of containers, etc., manually using a measuring tape, visual estimation, or estimation, and input the weighing results through the input unit.

[0048] Furthermore, each of the above-mentioned terminal devices may be installed in the offices of each business operator, or carried by each business operator, and only the input unit, sensor input unit, externally connected weighing sensor, or external weighing device may be installed at the waste entry point, exit point, collection and transport vehicle, vehicle entrance / exit, etc.

[0049] Examples of weighing sensors or external weighing devices connected to terminal devices include vehicles equipped with weighing devices that can weigh loaded waste, such as garbage collection trucks, electronic scales for collection and transport vehicles, truck scales for disposal sites, and mobile electronic weighing machines that are kept on-site or carried by businesses at weighing locations.

[0050] [Computer device] The computer device 6 is not particularly limited as long as it is a server device having a control unit, a memory unit, and a communication interface, or a computer system having equivalent functions. Examples include desktop computers, office computers, workstations, mainframes, rental servers, and cloud computing systems.

[0051] [Electronic Manifest System] The Electronic Manifest System 7 is an external server or system separate from System 10 that manages information regarding the progress of waste treatment entrusted by industrial waste generators to collection and transportation companies and disposal companies. Specifically, examples of Electronic Manifest System 7 include JWNET, which centrally manages the progress of industrial waste treatment in Japan as electronic manifest information, and other EDI-based electronic manifest systems developed by private companies that connect to JWNET via EDI.

[0052] While the use of manifests or electronic manifests is legally mandated only for industrial waste, similar electronic manifest systems developed by private companies are sometimes used voluntarily for general waste, disaster waste, recyclable materials, etc. Therefore, in System 10, the use of electronic manifests is not necessarily limited to industrial waste, and embodiments of the present invention that assume the use of electronic manifests for industrial waste can be applied by analogy to general waste, disaster waste, recyclable materials, etc., for which electronic manifests may be used.

[0053] Of the information managed by the electronic manifest system 7, the information used in the present invention includes, for example, information concerning the waste generator, collection and transport operator, disposal operator, date of consignment or discharge, date of completion of collection and transport, date of completion of disposal, collection and transport method, disposal method, items and quantities of waste consigned for treatment, quantity collected and transported, quantity disposed of, etc.

[0054] This information is used either by the computer device 6 downloading it from the electronic manifest system 7, or by the computer device 6 or each terminal device receiving notifications from the electronic manifest system 7.

[0055] [Payment System] The payment system 8 is an external server or system separate from system 10, which manages payment funds or payment methods, and is capable of opening accounts, transferring funds or payment methods between accounts, making transfers, remittances, withdrawals, and other transactions. The payment system 8 is not particularly limited as long as it has the above functions, and is not limited to systems operated by banks, but may be systems operated by any payment service provider.

[0056] Here, a payment service provider is a financial institution that performs services such as money transfer, remittance, remittance, withdrawal, transfer, deposit, trust, lending, and credit provision. Financial institutions include, for example, banks, trust banks, credit card companies (credit sales companies), payment processing companies, money transfer companies, debt purchasing companies, and electronic debt registration companies. The payment system 8 does not depend on the type or business of the payment service provider operating the system, as long as it can perform settlement and / or settlement in system 10.

[0057] Furthermore, the payment method of payment system 8 may be any of the following: simultaneous payment such as remittance, online banking, or debit card; advance payment by the waste generator such as deposit or electronic money; or advance payment to the processing company such as credit card, trust, discount, debt purchase, or electronic debt discount.

[0058] [Terminal device hardware configuration] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a waste generator terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. The waste generator terminal 2 comprises a control unit 21, RAM 22, storage unit 23, graphics processing unit 24, display unit 25, communication interface 26, interface unit 27, and sensor input unit 28, each connected by an internal bus.

[0059] Furthermore, the waste generator terminal 2 may also be equipped with a weighing sensor 28a and an input unit 27a. The weighing sensor 28a may be connected to the sensor input unit 28, and the input unit 27a may be connected to the interface unit 27 via an internal bus. Alternatively, the waste generator terminal 2 does not have to be equipped with a weighing sensor 28a and an input unit 27a inside the terminal. The sensor input unit 28 and the weighing sensor 28a, and the interface unit 27 and the input unit 27a may be connected via a communication interface 26.

[0060] The control unit 21 consists of a CPU and ROM. The control unit 21 executes programs stored in the storage unit 23 and controls the output terminal 2. The RAM 22 is the work area of ​​the control unit 21. The storage unit 23 is a memory area for saving programs and data. The control unit 21 reads programs and data from the RAM 22 and processes them. By processing the programs and data loaded into the RAM 22, the control unit 21 outputs drawing commands to the graphics processing unit 24.

[0061] The graphics processing unit 24 is connected to the display unit 25. The display unit 25 has a display screen 25a. When the control unit 21 outputs a drawing command to the graphics processing unit 24, the graphics processing unit 24 outputs a signal for displaying an image on the display screen 25a. Here, the display unit 25 may be a touch panel screen equipped with a touch input unit 25b.

[0062] The communication interface 26 can be connected to the communication network 1 wirelessly or via a wired connection, and transmits and receives information with the computer device 6 and other devices via the communication network 1. The communication interface 26 may also be used to connect components that do not use an internal bus. This allows, for example, the display unit 25, input unit 27a, and weighing sensor 28a to be used in locations separate from the waste generator terminal 2. Data can be transmitted and received via the communication network 1. Data received via the communication interface 1 is loaded into the RAM 22, similar to data read from external memory, and processed by the control unit 21.

[0063] An input unit 27a (e.g., a mouse or keyboard) and / or a display unit (not shown) may be connected to the interface unit 27 by wire or wireless connection. Input information from the input unit 27a by the person in charge of the discharge terminal 2 is stored in the RAM 22, and the control unit 21 performs various calculations based on the input information. Alternatively, a storage medium reader can be connected to the interface unit 27 to read programs and data from external memory, etc. Furthermore, the touch input unit 25b can also be used as the input unit 27a.

[0064] The sensor input unit 28 is connected to the weighing sensor 28a by wire or wireless connection. The weighing sensor 28a is a sensor capable of weighing the weight, volume, or container size and number of waste materials. The weighing sensor 28a may be, for example, a weight sensor, an image sensor, etc. Alternatively, the weighing sensor 28a may be an external weighing device or weighing system. The weight, volume, or container size and number of waste materials weighed by the external weighing device or weighing system may be received by the sensor input unit 28 via the communication interface 26. Alternatively, the weight, volume, or container size and number of waste materials weighed by the external weighing device may be input from the input unit 27. The data acquired via the sensor input unit 28 is loaded into the RAM 22 and processed by the control unit 21.

[0065] As a method of connecting the weighing sensor 28a, an external weighing device, or an external weighing system via the interface unit 27, the sensor input unit 28, or the communication interface 26, wired communication, NFC, Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi or other short-range communication, intranet or internet, or 5G (fifth-generation mobile communication system) terminal-to-terminal communication may be used.

[0066] The hardware configurations of the collection and transporter terminal 3, the disposal company terminal 4, and the local government terminal 5 can be the same as those of the waste generator terminal 2, and the configuration shown in Figure 2 can be adopted or adapted to the extent necessary.

[0067] [Computer device hardware configuration] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a computer device 6 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The computer device 6 comprises at least a control unit 61, RAM 62, storage unit 63, and communication interface 64, each connected by an internal bus.

[0068] The control unit 61 consists of a CPU, ROM, etc., and executes programs stored in the storage unit 63 to control the computer device 6. The control unit 61 also has an internal timer for measuring time. The RAM 62 is the work area of ​​the control unit 41. The storage unit 63 is a memory area for saving programs and data. In other words, the storage unit 63 functions as a recording medium that stores programs. The control unit 61 reads programs and data from the RAM 62 and performs program execution processing based on various information received from the waste generator terminal 2, the collection and transportation company terminal 3, the disposal company terminal 4, the local government terminal 5, the electronic manifest system 6, and / or the payment system 8.

[0069] The communication interface 64 can be connected to the communication network 1 wirelessly or via a wired connection, and can send and receive data with the waste generator terminal 2, the collection and transporter terminal 3, the disposal company terminal 4, the local government terminal 5, the electronic manifest system 6, and / or the payment system 8 via the communication network 1. The data received via the communication network 1 is loaded, for example, into the RAM 62, and processed by the control unit 61.

[0070] The computer device 6 may be replaced by a rental server or cloud computing system with equivalent functionality. Alternatively, the functionality may be distributed across multiple server devices or cloud computing systems. For example, instead of server device 6, distributed ledger technology such as blockchain may be used. Furthermore, some of the functions of computer device 6, such as the storage unit 63, may be replaced by a rental server or cloud computing system.

[0071] [Weight and other data storage processing] Next, the weight and other data storage processing in this embodiment will be described. The weight and other data storage processing includes the process of acquiring the quantity of waste and the unit price of waste processing in each terminal device, and the process of associating and storing this information in the computer device 6. The weight and other data storage processing is performed between each terminal device and the computer device 6. Below, the mode in which the weight and other data storage processing is performed in the waste generator terminal 2 will be described. When a waste generator discharges waste, the weight and other data storage processing is performed in the waste generator terminal 2.

[0072] First, the waste generator terminal 2 identifies the waste to be generated (step S1). In step S1, the waste type is entered by the waste generator. The waste type includes the waste material. In step S1, the waste type may be pre-stored in the computer device 6 or the waste generator terminal 2, and the waste may be identified from a list of waste types displayed on the waste generator terminal 2.

[0073] Next, the waste generator terminal 2 obtains the waste treatment unit price (step S2). The treatment unit price is either the collection and transportation unit price, the disposal unit price, or a unit price that includes collection, transportation, and disposal. In the case of general business waste, the collection and transportation company may agree with the waste generator to a unit price that combines the collection and transportation unit price and the disposal unit price. Furthermore, the treatment unit price includes the official unit price and the agreed-upon unit price. The official unit price is the treatment unit price set and published by the local government by ordinance. The agreed-upon unit price is the unit price agreed upon by the waste generator with the collection and transportation company and the disposal company.

[0074] In step S2, the processing unit price entered into the waste generator terminal 2 will differ depending on whether the waste being discharged is general business waste or industrial waste, whether the payment is for waste collection and transportation costs, disposal costs, or collection, transportation, and disposal costs, and what collection, transportation, or disposal method is used. For example, if the waste being discharged is general business waste and the payment is for waste collection and transportation costs, the agreed-upon unit price for the collection, transportation, or disposal costs of general business waste between the waste generator and the collection and transportation company will be entered into the waste generator terminal 2. The specific processing unit price entered will vary depending on the type of outsourcing and the type of waste, as described later.

[0075] In step S2, the processing unit price may be entered as a specific numerical value, or it may be obtained by selecting the client, the details of the request, and the type of waste. Once the client, the details of the request (for example, what collection and transportation method, collection and transportation equipment such as collection and transportation vehicles, disposal method, or disposal facility to be used), and the type of waste are selected, the computer device 6 can identify the corresponding processing unit price from a database that stores the correspondence between the client, the details of the request, the type of waste, and the processing unit price.

[0076] Furthermore, in step S2, multiple processing unit prices may be entered depending on the details of the contract. For example, if different companies are contracted for collection and transportation and disposal, two unit prices will be entered in step S2: the collection and transportation unit price and the disposal unit price.

[0077] Next, the waste generator terminal 2 acquires the quantity of the weighed waste (step S3). In step S3, the quantity of waste may be weighed using the weighing sensor 28a, or it may be connected to an external weighing device or external weighing system and the quantity of waste weighed from the external weighing device or external weighing system may be acquired. The weighing and acquisition of the quantity of waste can be carried out by any of the methods described above.

[0078] Next, the waste generator terminal 2 transmits the type of waste, the processing cost, and the quantity of waste as input information to the computer device 6 (step S4). In step S4, identification information that can identify the waste generator from the waste generator terminal 2 is transmitted in association with the input information. Step S4 is the process of transmitting the weighed quantity of waste to the computer device 6.

[0079] When the computer device 6 receives input information (step S5), it stores the input information in the storage unit 63 (step S6). The computer device 6 stores the quantity of waste weighed by the waste generator, associated with information indicating whether or not the waste was weighed by the waste generator. In step S6, waste identification information that can identify the discharged waste may be assigned. The waste identification information may also be a manifest number or an electronic manifest registration number.

[0080] Information regarding whether the waste was weighed by the waste generator may include, for example, the waste generator's identification information. For example, in step S6, the server device 2 can store identification information that can identify the waste generator, the quantity of waste, and waste identification information that can identify the waste in association with each other. The waste identification information is stored in association with the type of waste and the quantity of waste. The waste identification information is used to identify the waste when weighing the same waste at different terminal devices.

[0081] In the waste generator terminal 2, the quantity of waste and the type of waste are stored in association (step S7). In step S7, the waste generator terminal 2 may also store the quantity of waste and waste identification information in association. The weight and other data storage process is completed by the processing in steps S1 to S7.

[0082] If the weight and other data storage processing is performed on the collection and transporter terminal 3, the disposal company terminal 4, or the local government terminal 5 instead of the waste generator terminal 2, waste identification information may be entered in step S1. Also, since steps S3 to S6 are performed on each terminal device, the computer device 6 can receive the quantity of weighed waste from each of the terminal devices owned by the waste generator, collection and transporter, disposal company, and / or local government. Furthermore, the computer device 6 can store the quantity of waste weighed by the waste generator, collection and transporter, disposal company, and / or local government in association with information about which of the three was used to weigh the waste.

[0083] In step S6, the computer device 6 can store the agreed unit price for the collection and transportation of industrial waste between the waste generator and the collection and transportation company. In step S6, the computer device 6 can also store the agreed unit price for the disposal of industrial waste between the waste generator and the disposal company. In step S6, the computer device 6 can also store the agreed unit price for the collection and transportation and / or disposal of general business waste between the waste generator and the collection and transportation company.

[0084] If the weight and other data storage processing is performed at the collection and transporter terminal 3, the disposal company terminal 4, or the local government terminal 5 instead of the waste generator terminal 2, in step S6, the computer device 6 can store the official unit price for the disposal of business-related general waste between the collection and transporter and the local government. Also in step S6, the computer device 6 can store the official unit price for the collection and transport of household-related general waste between the collection and transporter and the local government.

[0085] In step S5, the computer device 6 received the quantity of waste from each terminal device, but instead of receiving from each terminal device, it may also receive the quantity of waste weighed by the waste generator, collection and transporter, and / or disposal company from the electronic manifest system 7. In this case, in step S6, the computer device 6 can store the quantity of each waste received in step S5 in association with information on whether it was weighed by the waste generator, collection and transporter, or / or disposal company.

[0086] [Settlement Processing] Next, the settlement process in this embodiment will be described. The settlement process includes the computer device 6 selecting a quantity of 1 from the received quantity of waste and calculating the settlement amount between the two businesses. The settlement process is performed in each terminal device after the weight and other data storage process has been executed.

[0087] First, the computer device 6 identifies the items to be settled for processing (step S21). In step S21, a settlement number, described below, is identified as the item to be settled, depending on which businesses are involved in the settlement. The settlement number allows for the identification of the waste subject to settlement. Step S21 may be executed when certain conditions are met. For example, the predetermined conditions may be when the completion of waste processing is received or when a predetermined terminal device performs the processing in step S4. The settlement number may be stored in association with waste identification information. The quantity of the corresponding waste is stored in association with the settlement number and / or waste identification information.

[0088] Next, the computer device 6 determines the processing cost for the identified waste (step S22).

[0089] Here, Figure 12 is a procedure diagram showing the calculation procedure for the settlement amount in a computer device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the procedure diagram shown in Figure 12, steps 1 to 3 are described in relation to the consignment category and settlement number. Step 1 corresponds to step S22, step 2 corresponds to step S23 described later, and step 3 corresponds to step S24 described later.

[0090] The categories of outsourcing indicate the details of the waste treatment outsourcing defined for each type of waste. For example, outsourcing categories include collection and transportation, collection and transportation and disposal, or disposal.

[0091] A settlement number is a number assigned to each settlement unit for settling waste. Settlement units include, for example, discharge units, collection units, and processing consignment units. A settlement number may be assigned to each discharge, collection / transportation, or disposal, rather than to each consignment contract. A settlement number may be associated with waste identification information. Alternatively, a settlement number may be associated with a manifest number or an electronic manifest registration number.

[0092] For example, when outsourcing the collection and transportation of household waste, a settlement number is assigned each time waste is brought to the incineration plant. When outsourcing the collection, transportation, and disposal of business waste, a settlement number is assigned each time waste is collected at a collection site. In the case of patrol collection, multiple settlement numbers are assigned. When outsourcing the disposal of business waste, a settlement number is assigned each time waste is brought to the incineration plant. When outsourcing the collection and transportation of industrial waste, a settlement number is assigned each time waste is collected at a collection site. In the case of patrol collection, multiple settlement numbers are assigned. When outsourcing the disposal of industrial waste, a settlement number is assigned each time waste is brought to the disposal site. Note that when outsourcing the disposal of industrial waste and using patrol collection, one settlement number will be associated with multiple manifest numbers, etc. Hereafter, the settlement number will have the same meaning.

[0093] As shown in Figure 12, the computer device 6 stores the correspondence between the consignment category and the specified processing unit price. In step S22, the computer device 6 identifies the waste processing unit price stored in association with the settlement number. In step S22, the computer device 6 identifies one of the unit prices for the waste corresponding to the identified settlement number, according to the consignment category.

[0094] Next, the computer device 6 identifies the quantity of waste to be used for settlement for the waste corresponding to the identified settlement number (step S23). The computer device 6 identifies the quantity of waste corresponding to the settlement number. As described above, since weight and other data storage processing is performed in each terminal device, multiple quantities measured by each terminal device are associated and stored for a single type of waste. In step S23, the computer device 6 selects the quantity of waste to be used to calculate the settlement amount for collection, transportation and / or disposal costs from the stored quantities of waste, based on information to identify which business operator's measured quantity of waste to select.

[0095] Information for identifying which business operator's measured quantity of waste to select is stored in the computer device 6 in advance. Figure 13 is a setting diagram showing the selection order of the quantity of waste used for settlement according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the setting diagram shown in Figure 13, the selection order is stored in association with the consignment category, settlement number, consignor, contractor, and weigher. Alternatively, a standard selection order may be set in advance, and each business operator may set it individually.

[0096] The selection order indicates which quantity will be prioritized for settlement when there is a conflict in the measured quantities among multiple businesses. For example, if the quantity of waste with selection order "1" is stored, that quantity will be used for settlement. If the quantity of waste with selection order "1" is not stored, the quantity of waste with priority order "2" will be used for settlement. Furthermore, if the quantity of waste with priority order "2" is not stored, the quantity of waste with priority order "3" will be used for settlement.

[0097] Furthermore, if the same priority order is stored, it is possible to determine which priority order to adopt based on the information regarding the outsourcing. For example, in the case of household general waste, the priority order "1" for the municipal terminal 5 and the disposal company terminal 4, and the priority order "2" for the collection and transportation company terminal 3 are stored. In this case, if the disposal destination for household general waste is the municipality, the municipal terminal 5 can be set to have priority "1," and if the disposal is handled by a disposal company contracted by the municipality, the disposal company terminal 4 can be set to have priority "1."

[0098] Furthermore, for example, with regard to general business waste, if the consignor is the waste generator and the contractor is a collection and transportation company, the priority of the municipal terminal 5 and the disposal company terminal 4 is set to "3". If the destination for general business waste is a municipality, the municipal terminal 5 can be set to have priority "3", and if the disposal is handled by a disposal company authorized by the municipality, the disposal company terminal 4 can be set to have priority "3". Also, with regard to general business waste, if the consignor is a collection and transportation company and the contractor is a municipality, the priority of the municipal terminal 5 and the disposal company terminal 4 is set to "1". Similarly, if the destination for general business waste is a municipality, the municipal terminal 5 can be set to have priority "1", and if the disposal is handled by a disposal company authorized by the municipality, the disposal company terminal 4 can be set to have priority "1".

[0099] Furthermore, for example, with regard to industrial waste, if the consignor is the waste generator and the contractor is the collection and transportation company, the priority of the municipal terminal 5 and the disposal company terminal 4 is set to "3". If the destination for the industrial waste is a disposal company, the priority of the disposal company terminal 4 is set to "3", and if the municipality disposes of industrial waste from small and medium-sized enterprises and industrial waste that cannot be separated from general waste, the priority of the municipal terminal 5 can be set to "3". Also, with regard to industrial waste, if the consignor is the waste generator and the contractor is the disposal company, the priority of the municipal terminal 5 and the disposal company terminal 4 is set to "2". Similarly, if the destination for the industrial waste is a disposal company, the priority of the disposal company terminal 4 is set to "2", and if the municipality disposes of industrial waste from small and medium-sized enterprises and industrial waste that cannot be separated from general waste, the priority of the municipal terminal 5 can be set to "2".

[0100] Next, the computer device 6 calculates the settlement amount for the waste (step S24). In step S24, the computer device 6 calculates the settlement amount between the waste generator and the collection and transporter, between the waste generator and the disposal company, and / or between the collection and transporter and the local government, based on the quantity of waste selected in step S23 and the agreed unit price or official unit price identified in step S22.

[0101] Specifically, the computer device 6 can calculate the settlement amount based, for example, on the settlement amount calculation database. The settlement amount calculation database is stored in the computer device 6. Figure 14 is a configuration diagram showing the format of the settlement amount calculation database according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the configuration diagram shown in Figure 14, the settlement category, settlement number, consignor, contractor, quantity of waste, waste processing unit price, consignment fee, consumption tax rate, consumption tax amount, and settlement amount are stored in association with each other.

[0102] The quantity of waste used is the quantity selected in step S23. The unit cost for waste processing is the unit cost specified in step S22. The commission fee is calculated as quantity × unit cost. When processing of multiple items is commissioned, the computer device 6 calculates the quantity × unit cost for each item and sums them up to calculate the commission fee. The consumption tax rate is set in the computer device 6 in advance. The consumption tax amount is calculated by multiplying the commission fee by the consumption tax rate. The settlement amount is calculated by adding the consumption tax amount to the commission fee.

[0103] The settlement amount calculated in step S24 may be calculated for each settlement number. Furthermore, the settlement amount for the waste calculated in step S24 may be stored in a settlement amount calculation database.

[0104] Next, the computer device 6 transmits payment instruction information to the settlement system 8, which instructs each business operator to transfer funds based on the calculated settlement amount (step S25). The payment instruction information is information that instructs the external settlement system 8 to transfer funds to carry out settlements between the waste generator and the collection and transport operator, between the waste generator and the disposal operator, and / or between the collection and transport operator and the local government, based on the calculated settlement amount.

[0105] Specifically, the computer device 6 can calculate the settlement amount based, for example, on the settlement instruction database. The payment instruction information includes information stored in the settlement instruction database. The payment instruction information transmitted in step S25 may be stored in the settlement instruction database. The settlement instruction database is stored in the computer device 6. Figure 15 is a configuration diagram showing the format of the settlement instruction database according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the configuration diagram shown in Figure 15, the settlement category, settlement number, client information, contractor information, settlement amount, client withdrawal date, and contractor deposit date are stored in association with each other.

[0106] The client information includes, for example, the client's name, address, invoice registration number, and payment system account number. The contractor information includes, for example, the contractor's name, address, invoice registration number, and payment system account number. The invoice registration number is the qualified invoice issuer registration number based on the Consumption Tax Act. The client information and contractor information are registered in advance on computer device 6.

[0107] The settlement amount is the settlement amount calculated in step S24. The client's withdrawal date and the trustee's deposit date may be automatically determined by the computer device 6 based on pre-registered rules, in accordance with the agreement. These rules include same-day payment, client's advance payment (client's withdrawal date is earlier), or client's deferred payment or credit payment (client's withdrawal date is later).

[0108] For example, in the case of deferred payment by the client, the deposit date for the consignee is set to the same day or the next day as the date the payment instruction information is sent, and the withdrawal date for the client is set to 30 days, 60 days, or the last day of the month following the month in which the payment instruction information was sent. The settlement system 8 may charge deposit and withdrawal fees to the client, the consignee, or both. Methods of settling deposit and withdrawal fees include deducting them from the deposit amount, adding them to the withdrawal amount, or settling them separately, as stipulated in the agreement.

[0109] Next, when the computer device 6 receives payment completion information indicating that payment based on the payment instruction information has been completed (step S26), it generates a qualified statement (step S27).

[0110] In this embodiment, a qualified statement is a document that meets the requirements of the Consumption Tax Act and contains the necessary information to serve as a substitute for a qualified invoice in relation to the transfer of funds between businesses. The qualified statement includes, for example, the name or title and registration number of the entrusted business corresponding to the transfer of funds, the date of the transaction, the details of the transaction, the applicable consumption tax rate, the amount of consumption tax, and the name or title of the business receiving the document.

[0111] The computer device 6 can generate a qualified specification based, for example, on a qualified specification data format. The qualified specification data format is stored in the computer device 6. Figure 16 is a setting diagram showing the format of a qualified specification according to an embodiment of the present invention. The setting diagram shown in Figure 16 stores the following associated information: business category, business name, settlement number, consignor and consignee, invoice registration number, performance date, settlement date, settlement quantity, settlement amount, base price, consumption tax amount, and consumption tax rate.

[0112] The qualifying statement is generated separately for the consignor and the contractor for each settlement number. The performance date is entered as the consignment date for the consignor and as the completion date of waste collection, transportation or disposal for the contractor. The settlement date is entered as the withdrawal date (date of withdrawal from account) for the consignor and as the deposit date (date of transfer to account) for the contractor. The settlement quantity corresponds to the quantity of waste settled, and if there are multiple waste items, the quantity for each item may be entered. The settlement amount is entered as the settlement amount calculated in step S24 or the settlement amount corresponding to the payment instruction information sent in step S25.

[0113] A qualified statement may be prepared each time a one-time contract is settled, or, in the case of a periodic contract, it may be prepared by compiling settlements completed within a certain period (for example, one month). Note that the above format is the data format for qualified statements generated by System 10, and the format of qualified statements to be sent to each business operator is not limited to this.

[0114] Once a qualifying statement is generated, the computer device 6 transmits information about the qualifying statement to the corresponding terminal device (step S28). Step S28 is the process of transmitting information about the qualifying statement to each terminal device in accordance with the fund transfer that has been executed. The settlement process is completed by the processing in steps S21 to S28.

[0115] The following details an example of applying System 10 to a more specific waste treatment pattern.

[0116] [Embodiment Pattern 1] Pattern 1 of the embodiment is the settlement of collection and transportation costs for household general waste, in which the local government is the client and the collection and transportation company is the contractor. Figure 6 is a procedure diagram showing the implementation steps of Pattern 1, settlement of household general waste, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In Pattern 1, steps S31 to S36 shown in Figure 6 are carried out in this order.

[0117] (Step S31) The municipal terminal 5 receives and stores the official unit price for collection and transportation (corresponding to step S2). The municipal terminal 5 also transmits the entered unit price to the computer device 6. The computer device 6 receives and stores the unit price. The unit price registered in step S31 is the official unit price stipulated by ordinance. The registration of the unit price may also be performed by a terminal other than the municipal terminal 5.

[0118] (Step S32) The municipal terminal 5 weighs the vehicle weight of the vehicle entering and leaving the waste treatment plant, and either calculates the difference between the vehicle weight at entry and exit as the quantity of waste brought in, or directly weighs the quantity of waste brought in (corresponding to step S3), and transmits the quantity of waste for each vehicle to the computer device 6 (corresponding to step S5). The waste may also be weighed using a weighing system installed at the waste treatment plant. The computer device 6 receives the quantity of waste, associates it with identification information that can identify the municipality that performed the weighing, and stores it (corresponding to step S6). The quantity of waste to be weighed shall be measured for each type of waste. However, items with the same official unit price may be weighed together. The same applies to the weighing of general business waste and industrial waste. In addition, the waste collection and transport operator may weigh the waste in step S32. The weighed quantity of waste may be transmitted to the computer device 6 and stored in association with identification information that can identify the waste collection and transport operator.

[0119] (Step S33) The computer device 6, through the processing of steps S21 to S24 described above, calculates the outsourcing fee from the local government to the collection and transportation company by multiplying the quantity of waste selected according to the selection order (for example, the weighed quantity stored for each vehicle brought to the incineration plant) by the stored official unit price, calculates the consumption tax amount by multiplying this by the consumption tax rate, and calculates the settlement amount for outsourcing to the collection and transportation company by adding the outsourcing fee and the consumption tax amount. The computer device 6 stores the calculation result in the settlement amount calculation database. Step S33 may be executed each time the quantity of waste is weighed at the local government terminal 5. The settlement amount may be calculated for each type of waste and then totaled. However, items with the same official unit price may be calculated together. The same applies to the settlement amounts for general business waste and industrial waste.

[0120] (Step S34) Computer device 6 generates payment instruction information by referring to the settlement instruction database based on the settlement amount stored in the settlement amount calculation database. Computer device 6 transmits the payment instruction information to the settlement system 8 (corresponding to step S25). This allows the system to instruct each business operator to settle the collection and transportation costs by the date the agreed-upon period has elapsed, starting from the day of weighing by the municipal terminal 5 (the execution date of step S32).

[0121] (Step S35) Based on the payment instruction information, the payment system 8 withdraws the collection and transportation fee corresponding to the received settlement amount from the local government and deposits it into the payment to the collection and transportation company. The payment system 8 transmits payment completion information to the computer device 6 indicating that the fund transfer has been completed (corresponding to step S26).

[0122] (Step S36) Computer device 6 receives and stores payment completion information from the payment system 8 and generates a qualified statement in the qualified statement data format. Within a certain period (for example, within one month) from the settlement completion date, computer device 6 sends the qualified statement to the collection and transportation company terminal 2 and the municipal terminal 5, respectively, and each terminal receives it (corresponding to step S28).

[0123] [Embodiment Pattern 2] Pattern 2 of the embodiment involves the settlement of collection, transportation, and disposal costs for general business waste. In the first stage, the waste generator becomes the client for collection, transportation, and disposal, and the collection and transportation company becomes the contractor. In the second stage, the collection and transportation company becomes the client for disposal, and the local government becomes the contractor. However, the roles of client and contractor are merely positions within System 10; legally, a collection and transportation company cannot be either a contractor or a client for disposal. A collection and transportation company can only be the recipient and payer of disposal costs. This embodiment assumes that in the first stage, the collection and transportation company receives collection and transportation fees and disposal fees in a lump sum from the waste generator, and in the second stage, the collection and transportation company pays the disposal fees to the local government.

[0124] Figure 7 is a procedure diagram showing the steps for implementing Pattern 2, the settlement of general business waste, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In Pattern 2, steps S41 to S51 shown in Figure 6 are carried out in this order.

[0125] (Step S41) The municipal terminal 5 receives and stores the official unit price for disposal (corresponding to step S2). The municipal terminal 5 also transmits the entered unit price to the computer device 6. The computer device 6 receives and stores the unit price. The official unit price is entered for each item based on the public notice stipulated by the municipal ordinance. The waste generator terminal 2 and / or the waste collection and transporter terminal 3 receive and store the agreed-upon unit price based on the agreement between the waste generator and the waste collection and transporter (corresponding to step S2). The waste generator terminal 2 and / or the waste collection and transporter terminal 3 also transmit the entered unit price to the computer device 6. The computer device 6 receives and stores the unit price. The agreed-upon unit price can be the waste collection and transport unit price, the waste disposal unit price, or a combined unit price for waste collection, transport, and disposal. The combined unit price may be the waste collection and transport unit price including the waste disposal unit price.

[0126] Furthermore, since the agreed-upon unit price is the same for both the waste generator and the collection and transport company, the collection and transport unit price, disposal unit price, or all-inclusive unit price can be entered from either terminal. However, if the same amount is entered from both terminals, it must be the same. For this reason, the computer device 6 may determine whether the agreed-upon unit prices entered from the waste generator terminal 2 and the collection and transport company terminal 3 are the same. If there are inputs that are not the same, the computer device 6 may output instruction information prompting both parties to correct the input as an input error, or it may be set to prioritize one input over the other. Note that the agreed-upon unit price entered by the waste generator terminal 2 or the collection and transportation company 3 may be different from the officially stipulated unit price entered by the local government terminal 5.

[0127] (Steps S42-S44) The waste generator terminal 2 weighs the quantity of waste discharged from the discharge site and transmits the weighed quantity to the computer device 6. The computer device 6 receives the quantity of waste and stores it in association with identification information that can identify the waste generator who performed the weighing (step S42). The waste collection and transport operator terminal 3 weighs the quantity of waste transported from the collection site and transmits the weighed quantity to the computer device 6. The computer device 6 receives the quantity of waste and stores it in association with identification information that can identify the waste collection and transport operator who performed the weighing (step S43). The municipality terminal 5 weighs the quantity of waste brought to or disposed of at the incineration plant and transmits the weighed quantity to the computer device 6. The computer device 6 receives the quantity of waste and stores it in association with identification information that can identify the municipality that performed the weighing (step S44). The processing in steps S42 to S44 corresponds to steps S1 and S3 to S6. In the three types of weighing described above, weighing may be performed using weighing systems provided by each business operator, and the weighing methods and / or units of measurement used by each business operator may differ.

[0128] (Step S45) The computer device 6 selects and stores the quantity of waste to be used for settlement from the quantity of waste transmitted from each terminal, based on the selection order setting shown in Figure 13 (corresponding to step S23).

[0129] (Steps S46-S47) The computer device 6, through the processing in steps S21 to S24 described above, calculates the outsourcing fee from the local government to the collection and transportation company by multiplying the quantity of waste selected according to the selection order (for example, the weighed quantity selected for each vehicle transporting to the incineration plant) by the official unit price, calculates the consumption tax amount by multiplying this by the consumption tax rate, calculates the settlement amount for the collection and transportation outsourcing by adding the outsourcing fee and the consumption tax amount, and stores the calculation result in the settlement amount data format (step S46). The computer device 6, through the processing in steps S21 to S24 described above, calculates the contracted unit price by multiplying the quantity of waste selected according to the selection order (for example, the weighed quantity selected for each discharge site or collection site) by the contracted unit price, calculates the collection, transportation and disposal outsourcing fee from the waste generator to the collection and transportation company, calculates the consumption tax amount by multiplying this by the consumption tax rate, calculates the settlement amount for outsourcing to the collection and transportation company by adding the outsourcing fee and the consumption tax amount, and stores the calculation result in the settlement amount calculation data format (step S47).

[0130] Since steps S46 and S47 are independent steps, the computer device 6 may store the settlement amount directly in the settlement amount calculation data format by importing the collection and transportation invoice, etc., without executing step S47.

[0131] (Step S48) Computer device 6 generates payment instruction information by referring to the settlement instruction database from the settlement amount stored in the settlement amount calculation database. Computer device 6 transmits the payment instruction information to the settlement system 8 (corresponding to step S25). This allows instructions to be given for the settlement of collection and transportation costs and disposal costs between the waste generator and the collection and transportation company, and the settlement of disposal costs between the collection and transportation company and the local government, from the day of weighing by the local government terminal 5, or from a starting date agreed upon by each business operator, until the end of the period agreed upon by each business operator.

[0132] (Steps S49-S50) Based on the payment instruction information, the payment system 8 withdraws the collection and transportation fees and disposal fees corresponding to the received settlement amount from the waste generator and deposits them into the collection and transportation company. The payment system 8 transmits payment completion information to the computer device 6 indicating that the fund transfer has been completed (corresponding to steps S49 and S26). The payment system 8 also withdraws the disposal fees corresponding to the received settlement amount from the collection and transportation company and deposits them into the local government based on the payment instruction information. The payment system 8 transmits payment completion information to the computer device 6 indicating that the fund transfer has been completed (corresponding to steps S50 and S26). Furthermore, some financial institutions operating the payment system 8 may conduct a credit check on the payer or require the payer to acknowledge the debt before settlement.

[0133] Alternatively, the amount of disposal costs in the settlement amount in step S46 may be offset against the amount of disposal costs in the settlement amount in step S47, and the difference between the settlement amount in step S46 and the settlement amount in step S47 may be settled to the collection and transportation company as collection and transportation costs. For example, once the settlement amount is calculated in step S47, the computer device 6 can calculate the settlement amount after offsetting the disposal costs by subtracting the settlement amount calculated in step S46 from the settlement amount calculated in step S47. As a result, step S50 may be omitted, and only step S49 may be executed. Note that the amount of disposal costs for which funds are transferred in step S50 and the amount of disposal costs for which funds are transferred in step S49 do not have to be the same.

[0134] (Step S51) Computer device 6 receives and stores payment completion information from the payment system 8 and generates a qualified statement in the qualified statement data format. Within a certain period (for example, within one month) from the settlement completion date, computer device 6 sends the qualified statement to the waste generator terminal 2, the collection and transporter terminal 3, and the local government terminal 5, and each terminal receives it (corresponding to step S28).

[0135] [Embodiment Pattern 3] Pattern 3 of the embodiment is the settlement of collection, transportation, and disposal costs for industrial waste, in which the waste generator is the consignor and the collection and transportation company and disposal company are the contractors. Figure 8 is a procedure diagram showing the implementation steps of Pattern 3, the settlement of industrial waste, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In Pattern 3, steps S61 to S70 shown in Figure 8 are carried out in this order. Furthermore, in Embodiment Pattern 2, if disposal is entrusted to a general waste disposal company instead of a local government, Embodiment Pattern 3 can be applied by analogy, substituting industrial waste with general waste.

[0136] (Step S61) The waste generator terminal 2 and / or the collection and transporter terminal 3 receive and store the agreed unit price for collection and transport, and the waste generator terminal 2 and / or the disposal company terminal 4 receive and store the agreed unit price for disposal based on the respective agreements between the waste generator, the collection and transporter, and the disposal company (corresponding to step S2). In addition, the waste generator terminal 2, the collection and transporter terminal 3, and / or the disposal company terminal 4 transmit the entered unit prices to the computer device 6. The computer device 6 receives and stores the unit prices. Furthermore, since the agreed unit price for collection and transportation is the same for both the waste generator and the collection and transportation company, and the agreed unit price for disposal is the same for both the waste generator and the disposal company, both the collection and transportation unit price and the disposal unit price can be entered from either terminal related to the agreement. However, if the same amount is entered from both terminals, it must be the same. For this reason, the computer device 6 may determine whether the agreed unit prices entered from the waste generator terminal 2 and the collection and transportation company 3 are the same. If there are inputs that are not the same amount, the computer device 6 may output instruction information prompting both parties to correct the input as an input error, or it may be set to prioritize one input over the other.

[0137] Alternatively, the agreed unit price may be entered and stored when the contract is signed, and a code such as the contract number may be attached to this information to enable searching and referencing of the agreed unit price. In this case, during weighing in steps S62 to S64, a method can be adopted in which the code is used to link the quantity of waste weighed with the agreed unit price.

[0138] (Steps S62-S64) The waste generator terminal 2 weighs the quantity of waste it has generated and transmits the weighed quantity to the computer device 6. The computer device 6 receives the quantity of waste, associates it with identification information that can identify the waste generator who performed the weighing, and stores it (step S62). The waste collection and transporter terminal 3 weighs the quantity of waste it has transported and transmits the quantity of waste it has transported to the computer device 6. The computer device 6 receives the quantity of waste, associates it with identification information that can identify the waste collection and transporter who performed the weighing, and stores it (step S63). The waste disposal company terminal 4 weighs the quantity of waste it has brought to or disposed of at the disposal site and transmits the quantity of waste it has disposed of to the computer device 6. The computer device 6 receives the quantity of waste, associates it with identification information that can identify the waste disposal company that performed the weighing, and stores it (step S64). The processing in steps S62 to S64 corresponds to steps S1 and S3 to S6. In the three types of weighing described above, weighing may be performed using weighing systems provided by each business operator, and the weighing methods and / or units of measurement used by each business operator may differ.

[0139] (Step S65) The computer device 6 selects and stores the weighing quantity to be used for settlement from the quantity of waste transmitted from each terminal, based on the selection order setting shown in Figure 14 (corresponding to step S23).

[0140] (Step S66) When a waste collection and transportation company confirms the completion of collection and transportation, the waste collection and transportation company terminal 3 receives input of completion report information indicating the completion of collection and transportation, and transmits completion report information to the computer device 6, reporting that processing has been completed. When a waste disposal company confirms the completion of disposal, the waste disposal company terminal 4 receives input of completion report information indicating the completion of disposal, and transmits completion report information to the computer device 6. The computer device 6 receives and stores the completion report information from each terminal.

[0141] (Step S67) Upon receiving the completion report information, the computer device 6 can begin the calculation process for collection and transportation costs and disposal costs. Through the processing described in steps S21 to S24 above, the computer device 6 calculates the consignment fees from the waste generator to the collection and transportation company and the disposal company, respectively, by multiplying the quantity of waste selected in the order of selection by the contracted unit price for collection and transportation or disposal, respectively. It then calculates the respective consumption tax amounts by multiplying these by the consumption tax rate, and calculates the settlement amounts for the collection, transportation and disposal consignments by summing the respective consignment fees and respective consumption tax amounts, and stores the calculation results in the settlement amount data format.

[0142] (Step S68) Computer device 6 generates payment instruction information by referring to the settlement instruction database from the settlement amount stored in the settlement amount calculation database. Computer device 6 transmits the payment instruction information to the settlement system 8 (corresponding to step S25). This allows the system to instruct the settlement of collection and transportation costs and disposal costs to be made by the date on which the period agreed upon by each business operator has elapsed from the date on which the completion of collection and transportation or disposal is confirmed, or from a starting date agreed upon by each business operator.

[0143] (Step S69) Based on the payment instruction information, the payment system 8 withdraws the collection and transportation fees and disposal fees corresponding to the received settlement amount from the waste generator. The payment system 8 also deposits the collection and transportation fees corresponding to the received settlement amount into the collection and transportation company. The payment system 8 also deposits the processing fees corresponding to the received settlement amount into the disposal company. The payment system 8 transmits payment completion information to the computer device 6 indicating that the fund transfer has been completed (corresponding to step S26). Furthermore, some financial institutions operating the payment system 8 may conduct a credit check on the payer or require the payer to acknowledge the debt before settlement.

[0144] (Step S70) Computer device 6 receives and stores payment completion information from the settlement system 8 and generates a qualified statement in the qualified statement data format. Within a certain period (for example, within one month) from the settlement completion date, computer device 6 sends the qualified statement to the waste generator terminal 2, the collection and transporter terminal 3, and the disposal company terminal 4, and each terminal receives it (corresponding to step S28).

[0145] [Embodiment Pattern 4] Pattern 4 of the embodiment is the settlement of collection, transportation, and disposal costs for industrial waste when each business operator is using an electronic manifest system, and is an embodiment in which the waste generator is the consignor, and the collection and transportation company and the disposal company are the contractors. Figure 9 is a procedure diagram showing the steps for implementing the settlement of industrial waste treatment costs in Pattern 4, when linked with an electronic manifest system, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In Pattern 4, steps S81 to S90 shown in Figure 9 are carried out in this order.

[0146] (Step S81) Step S81 can be processed in the same way as step S61 in embodiment pattern 3. Therefore, redundant explanations are omitted.

[0147] (Steps S82-S84) The waste generator terminal 2 registers electronic manifest information in the electronic manifest system 7. The registered electronic manifest information includes information about the quantity of weighed waste, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the electronic manifest system. In addition, both the waste generator terminal 2 and the disposal company terminal 3 can also register information about the quantity of weighed waste in the electronic manifest system 7. For example, according to JWNET's "Electronic Manifest System (Web) CSV File Layout Specification (Ver. 1.3)," the "quantity of waste" is to be registered when registering a new electronic manifest or when making a reservation, as well as the "amount transported" when reporting the completion of collection and transportation, and the "amount received" when reporting the completion of disposal. Computer device 6 downloads information regarding the quantity of waste registered by each business operator from the electronic manifest system 7, along with information regarding the business operator that weighed the waste. At this time, the computer device 6 may be configured to notify the computer device 6 of the registration or change in electronic manifest information from the electronic manifest system 7 when such registration or change occurs. In response to receiving notification of the registration or change in electronic manifest information, the computer device 6 may be configured to download information regarding the quantity of waste and information regarding the business operator that weighed the waste from the electronic manifest system 7.

[0148] (Step S85) The computer device 6 selects and stores the processing quantity to be used for settlement from the quantity of waste downloaded from the electronic manifest system 7, based on the selection order setting shown in Figure 13 (corresponding to step S23).

[0149] (Step S86) When a waste collection and transportation company confirms the completion of collection and transportation, the waste collection and transportation company terminal 3 receives input of completion report information indicating the completion of collection and transportation, and transmits completion report information to the electronic manifest system 7 reporting that processing has been completed. When a waste disposal company confirms the completion of disposal, the waste disposal company terminal 4 receives input of completion report information indicating the completion of disposal, and transmits completion report information to the electronic manifest system 7. The electronic manifest system 7 receives and stores the completion report information from each terminal. The electronic manifest system 7 receives completion report information from each terminal and sends report information to the waste generator terminal 2 indicating that a report of completion of processing has been received. The waste generator terminal 2 receives the report information and sends information to the electronic manifest system 7 indicating that it has been confirmed. The electronic manifest system 7 notifies the terminal of the business operator that entered the completion report information that the completion report has been confirmed. At this time, the system may also be configured to notify the computer device 6 of the confirmation of the completion report, or to forward the notification sent to the terminal of the business operator that entered the completion report information to the computer device 6.

[0150] (Step S87) Each time a completion report is received indicating the end of collection and transportation, or a completion report indicating that processing has been completed, the computer device 6 can start the calculation process for collection and transportation costs and disposal costs. Step S87 can be the same as step S67 of Embodiment Pattern 3. Therefore, redundant explanations are omitted.

[0151] (Steps S88~S90) Steps S88 to S90 can be processed in the same way as steps S68 to S70 of Embodiment Pattern 3. Therefore, redundant explanations are omitted.

[0152] [Embodiment Pattern 5] Pattern 5 of the embodiment is an embodiment pattern for the case of patrol collection of general business waste. Figure 10 is a procedure diagram showing the settlement implementation steps for Pattern 5, the case of patrol collection of general business waste, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In Pattern 5, steps S101 to S111 shown in Figure 10 are performed in this order. The differences from Pattern 2 of the embodiment shown in Figure 7 will be explained below.

[0153] (Step S101) In the case of patrol collection, there are multiple waste generators, and therefore there are also multiple waste generator terminals 2, which is different from Embodiment Pattern 2. For example, if there are N waste generator terminals 2, they will be named waste generator terminals 2-1, 2-2...2-N. Figure 10 shows the embodiment pattern when there are two waste generator terminals 2. In this case, it is necessary to input the agreed unit price for each of the two waste generator terminals 2.

[0154] (Steps S102~S104) In terms of waste weighing, this method differs from Embodiment Pattern 2 in that it requires weighing the waste for each waste generator and / or for each collection site (steps S102, S103). Waste identification information that can identify the waste generated by each waste generator may be assigned. In addition, processing may be performed for each collection site to associate the collected waste with the waste generated. If a settlement number is assigned to each collection site, the settlement number may be associated with the waste identification information. However, there is no change to the weighing of waste by local governments.

[0155] (Steps S105~S108) The selection of the quantity of waste (step S105), the calculation of the settlement amount of disposal costs based on the official unit price (step S106), and the instruction for settlement (step S108) can be processed in the same way as steps S46 to S48 of Embodiment Pattern 2. Therefore, redundant explanations are omitted. The calculation of the settlement amount for collection, transportation, and disposal costs based on the agreed unit price (step S107) differs from Embodiment Pattern 2 in that the collection, transportation, and disposal costs are calculated for each waste generator or waste site. For example, in step S107, the settlement amount between the waste generator and the collection and transportation company at waste generator terminal 2-1, and the settlement amount between the waste generator and the collection and transportation company at waste generator terminal 2-2 are calculated. The settlement amount may also be calculated for each settlement number.

[0156] (Steps S109~S110) This differs from Embodiment Pattern 2 in that the collection and transportation fees and disposal fees are withdrawn from the account of the waste generator corresponding to waste generator terminal 2-1 and the account of the waste generator corresponding to waste generator terminal 2-2, respectively.

[0157] (Step S111) This differs from Embodiment Pattern 2 in that qualified specifications corresponding to waste generator terminal 2-1 and waste generator terminal 2-2 are generated, and the qualified specifications for waste generator terminal 2-1 and waste generator terminal 2-2 are transmitted.

[0158] [Embodiment Pattern 6] Pattern 6 of the embodiment of the present invention is an embodiment pattern for the case of patrol collection of industrial waste. Figure 11 is a procedure diagram showing the settlement implementation steps for Pattern 6, the case of patrol collection of industrial waste, according to the embodiment of the present invention. In Pattern 6, steps S121 to S130 shown in Figure 11 are performed in this order. The differences from Pattern 3 of the embodiment shown in Figure 8 will be explained below.

[0159] (Step S121) In the case of patrol collection, there are multiple waste generators, and therefore there are also multiple waste generator terminals 2, which is different from Embodiment Pattern 3. For example, if there are N waste generator terminals 2, they will be terminals 2-1, 2-2...2-N. Figure 11 shows the embodiment pattern when there are two waste generator terminals 2. In this case, it is necessary to input the agreed unit price for each of the two waste generator terminals 2.

[0160] (Steps S122~S124) In terms of waste weighing, this differs from Embodiment Pattern 3 in that it requires weighing of waste for each waste generator and / or for each collection site (steps S122, S123). Waste identification information that can identify the waste generated by each waste generator may be assigned. In addition, processing may be performed at each collection site to associate the collected waste with the waste generated. If a settlement number is assigned to each collection site, the settlement number may be associated with the waste identification information. However, there is no change in the weighing by the disposal company.

[0161] (Steps S125~S128) The selection of the quantity of waste (step S125), sending and receiving completion report information (step S126), and instruction for settlement (step S128) can be processed in the same way as steps S65, S66, and S68 of Embodiment Pattern 3. Therefore, redundant explanations are omitted. The calculation of the settlement amount for collection, transportation, and disposal costs based on the agreed unit price (step S127) differs from Embodiment Pattern 3 in that the collection and transportation costs are calculated for each waste generator or waste site. For example, in step S127, the settlement amounts between waste generator terminal 2-1 and collection and transportation companies, between waste generator terminal 2-1 and disposal companies, between waste generator terminal 2-2 and collection and transportation companies, and between waste generator terminal 2-2 and disposal companies are each calculated. The settlement amount may also be calculated for each settlement number.

[0162] (Step S129) This differs from Embodiment Pattern 3 in that the collection and transportation fees and disposal fees are withdrawn from the account of the waste generator corresponding to waste generator terminal 2-1 and the account of the waste generator corresponding to waste generator terminal 2-2, respectively.

[0163] (Step S130) This differs from Embodiment Pattern 3 in that qualified specifications corresponding to waste generator terminal 2-1 and waste generator terminal 2-2 are generated, and the qualified specifications for waste generator terminal 2-1 and waste generator terminal 2-2 are transmitted.

[0164] In Pattern 1 described above, the explanation was based on the premise that the disposal destination for general household waste is the local government. However, in Pattern 1, if a disposal company authorized by the local government disposes of the waste, the processing in step S32 may be performed on the disposal company terminal 4 instead of the local government terminal 5. In this case, in step S33, the local government may be the consignor and the disposal company the contractor, and the settlement of disposal costs may take place. In addition, while Patterns 2 and 5 above were explained assuming that the disposal destination for general business waste is a local government, in Patterns 2 and 5, if the disposal is carried out by a disposal company authorized by the local government, the processing at the local government terminal 5 may be carried out at the disposal company terminal 4 instead. In addition, while Patterns 3 and 6 above were explained assuming that the disposal destination for industrial waste is a disposal company, in Patterns 3 and 6, if a local government disposes of industrial waste from small and medium-sized enterprises and industrial waste that cannot be separated from general waste, the processing at the disposal company terminal 4 may be performed at the local government terminal 5 instead.

[0165] Note that the processing in step S64 may be executed after the processing in step S66. Also, the processing in step S85 may be executed after the processing in step S86. Furthermore, the processing in step S125 may be executed after the processing in step S126.

[0166] Furthermore, the processing in step S31 may be executed simultaneously with the processing in step S32. Also, the processing in step S41 may be executed simultaneously with the processing in steps S42, S43, or S44. Also, the processing in step S61 may be executed simultaneously with the processing in steps S62, S63, or S64. Also, the processing in step S81 may be executed simultaneously with the processing in steps S82, S83, or S84. Also, the processing in step S101 may be executed simultaneously with the processing in steps S102, S103, or S104. Also, the processing in step S121 may be executed simultaneously with the processing in steps S122, S123, or S124. Also, the processing in step S31 may be executed simultaneously with the processing in step S32.

[0167] According to the present invention, waste disposal costs can be automatically settled. An example of the effects of the present invention is described below, but the description of these effects does not preclude the existence of other effects. Furthermore, the present invention does not necessarily have to possess all of these effects. It is also possible to extract other effects from the description in the specification, drawings, claims, etc.

[0168] For example, firstly, according to the present invention, processing fees for household general waste, business general waste, and industrial waste can be automatically settled without creating and issuing invoices. For example, secondly, according to the present invention, even if there are multiple processing unit prices such as contracted unit prices and official unit prices, processing fees can be automatically settled. For example, thirdly, according to the present invention, particularly with regard to the processing costs of general business waste, the processing costs between the waste generator and the collection and transportation company are settled by an agreed-upon unit price, and the processing costs between the collection and transportation company and the processing company are settled by an officially stipulated unit price. This allows for the automatic settlement of processing costs. For example, fourthly, according to the present invention, even if there are multiple units of measurement for each weigher, such as weight, volume, and number of containers, processing fees can be automatically settled. For example, fifthly, according to the present invention, even if there are multiple weighers and multiple weighing points for the same waste, processing costs can be automatically settled. For example, sixthly, according to the present invention, processing costs can be automatically settled even if there are different weighers, weighing units, weighing times, and processing unit prices. For example, seventh, according to the present invention, in the case of patrol collection, that is, when waste is collected by visiting multiple collection locations in a single collection and transportation, even if there are different weighers, weighing units, weighing times, and processing unit prices at each collection location, processing costs can be automatically settled. For example, eighth, according to the present invention, in settling the processing costs of industrial waste, the processing costs can be automatically settled based on the processing quantity described in the manifest or registered in the electronic manifest. For example, ninth, according to the present invention, since no invoice is created, the work of matching the processing quantity with the manifest or electronic manifest can be eliminated. For example, tenth, according to the present invention, since there is no deadline for creating invoices, the settlement date can be brought forward, and the cash flow of processing companies or local governments that receive processing fees can be improved. For example, according to the present invention, the administrative work of calculating the claim amount can be eliminated. For example, according to the present invention, errors in calculating the claim amount can be eliminated. For example, according to the present invention, the involvement of a settlement agent can be eliminated. For example, according to the present invention, a qualified specification that can substitute for a qualified invoice can be automatically issued.

[0169] Thus, according to the present invention, the burden of settlement procedures for waste generators, collection and transportation companies, disposal companies, and local governments regarding the processing costs of household general waste, business general waste, and industrial waste can be reduced. This also reduces administrative errors and improves cash flow by accelerating the settlement period. Furthermore, by eliminating the need for settlement agents, waste processing costs can be settled appropriately, quickly, and transparently, thereby promoting the proper disposal of waste and ultimately contributing to the formation of a society and economy in which waste is recycled as a resource. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0170] 1. Communication Network 2. Waste Generator Terminal 3. Collection and transportation company terminal 4. Disposal company terminal 5. Municipal terminals 6. Computer equipment 7. Electronic Manifest System 8. Payment System 10 Systems 21 Control Unit 22 RAM 23 Storage Section 24 Graphics Processing Unit 25 Display section 25a display screen 25b Touch input area 26 Communication Interfaces 27 Interface section 27a Input section 28 Sensor input section 28a Weighing sensor 61 Control Unit 62 RAM 63 Storage Section 64 Communication Interfaces

Claims

1. A system comprising at least one computer device, Computer equipment, A weight and other information storage means that stores the weight, volume, or container size and number of waste items weighed by the waste generator, collection and transport operator, disposal operator, and / or local government, in association with information regarding which of the waste generator, collection and transport operator, disposal operator, and / or local government weighed the waste. A unit price storage means for storing the agreed unit price for collection and transportation of industrial waste between a waste generator and a collection and transportation company, the agreed unit price for disposal of industrial waste between a waste generator and a disposal company, the agreed unit price for collection and transportation and / or disposal of general business waste between a waste generator and a collection and transportation company, the official unit price for disposal of general business waste between a collection and transportation company and a local government, and / or the official unit price for collection and transportation of household general waste between a collection and transportation company and a local government, A selection means for selecting the weight, volume, or container size and number of waste stored in a weight storage means to calculate the settlement amount for collection, transportation, and / or disposal costs, A settlement amount calculation means calculates the settlement amount between the waste generator and the collection and transport operator, between the waste generator and the disposal operator, and / or between the collection and transport operator and the local government, based on the weight, volume, or size and number of containers of the waste selected in the selection means, and the agreed unit price or official unit price stored in the unit price storage means. A system equipped with these features.

2. An instruction means that directs an external payment system to transfer funds to carry out settlements between waste generators and collection / transport companies, between waste generators and disposal companies, and / or between collection / transport companies and local governments, based on the calculated settlement amount. The system according to claim 1, comprising:

3. Computer equipment, A statement transmission means transmits information regarding the eligible statement to each terminal device in response to the execution of the aforementioned fund transfer. Equipped with, The qualified statement includes the name or title and registration number of the entrusted business operator corresponding to the aforementioned fund transfer, the date of the transaction, the details of the transaction, the applicable consumption tax rate, the amount of consumption tax, and the name or title of the business operator receiving the document. The system according to claim 2.

4. Terminal devices owned by the waste generator, collection and transport operator, disposal operator, and / or local government, respectively, that are capable of communicating with the aforementioned computer device. Equipped with, Each terminal device, Equipped with weighing means for measuring the weight, volume, or size and number of containers of waste, or connected to a weighing device for measuring the weight, volume, or size and number of containers of waste, A transmission means for sending the weight, volume, or container size and number of weighed waste items to a computer device. Equipped with, Computer equipment, A first receiving means that receives the measured weight, volume, or container size and number of waste items from terminal devices owned by the waste generator, collection and transport operator, disposal operator, and / or local government. Equipped with, The weight and other information storage means stores the weight, volume, or container size and number of each type of waste received by the first receiving means, in association with information regarding whether the weighing was performed by the waste generator, collection and transport company, disposal company, and / or local government. The system according to claim 1 or 2.

5. Computer equipment, A second receiving means that receives the weight, volume, or container size and number of waste items measured by the waste generator, collection and transporter, and / or disposal operator, respectively, from the electronic manifest system. Equipped with, The weight and other information storage means stores the weight, volume, or container size and number of each waste item received by the second receiving means, in association with information regarding whether the weighing was performed by the waste generator, the collection and transport company, and / or the disposal company. The system according to claim 1 or 2.

6. A method performed in a system comprising at least one computer device, A weight and other information storage step in a computer device, which stores the weight, volume, or container size and number of waste items weighed by the waste generator, collection and transport operator, disposal operator, and / or local government, in association with information about which of the waste generator, collection and transport operator, disposal operator, and / or local government weighed the waste. A computer device includes a unit price storage step that stores the agreed unit price for collection and transportation of industrial waste between a waste generator and a collection and transportation company, the agreed unit price for disposal of industrial waste between a waste generator and a disposal company, the agreed unit price for collection and transportation and / or disposal of general business waste between a waste generator and a collection and transportation company, the official unit price for disposal of general business waste between a collection and transportation company and a local government, and / or the official unit price for collection and transportation of household general waste between a collection and transportation company and a local government. In a computer device, a selection step involves selecting the weight, volume, or container size and number of waste items to be used in calculating the settlement amount for collection, transportation, and / or disposal costs, based on the weight, volume, or container size and number of waste items stored in the weight, etc. storage step. In a computer device, a settlement amount calculation step calculates the settlement amount between the waste generator and the collection and transport operator, between the waste generator and the disposal operator, and / or between the collection and transport operator and the local government, based on the weight, volume, or container size and number of waste selected in the selection step, and the agreed unit price or official unit price stored in the unit price storage step. A method having

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