How to collect used products

Abstract

In the collection method for used products, the aim is to promote resource recycling by making it easier to collect used products. [Solution] The method for collecting used products includes a usage status evaluation step (S10) for estimating the usage status related to the use of the used product, which is a used lighting fixture; an economic value determination step (S12) for determining the economic value of the used product based on the usage status estimated in the usage status evaluation step; a transaction price determination step (S14) for determining the transaction price of the used product based on the economic value; and a product collection step (S16) for taking back the used product in exchange for payment of a fee or awarding of points corresponding to the transaction price.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method for collecting used products, which are used lighting fixtures.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Literature 1 describes a system in which information used for determining reuse of a collected light source such as a collected lighting fixture is stored in a database unit in association with identification information, and whether the collected light source can be reused is determined based on the information stored in the database unit. It is also described that this system includes: a device that inspects whether reuse is possible for a collected light source determined to have reuse potential; and an input unit that inputs information about an inspection result of the device to the database unit.

Prior Art Literature

Patent Literature

[0003]

Patent Literature 1

Summary of the Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the configuration described in Patent Literature 1, there is no incentive that serves as motivation for a user who intends to dispose of a used product, which is a used lighting fixture, to contribute to product resource recycling. Therefore, there is room for improvement in terms of promoting resource recycling by making it easier for a collection company that performs resource recycling, such as a product manufacturer, to collect used products.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to promote resource recycling by facilitating the collection of used products in a method for collecting used products.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] A method for collecting used products, as described in this disclosure, includes: a usage assessment step for estimating usage conditions related to the use of a used product, which is a used lighting fixture; an economic value determination step for determining the economic value of the used product based on the usage conditions estimated in the usage assessment step; a transaction price determination step for determining the transaction price of the used product based on the economic value; and a product collection step for taking back the used product in exchange for payment of fees or point accrual corresponding to the transaction price. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a method for collecting used products provides an incentive for users who intend to dispose of used products to cooperate with the collection process, making it easier for resource recycling companies to collect used products. This promotes resource recycling. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This diagram shows the product recycling pathway, centered around the product manufacturer, which is the collection company that implements the used product collection method of the embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a flowchart showing a method for collecting used products according to the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The method for collecting used products according to this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 shows the first circulation route 10, the second circulation route 11, and the third circulation route 12 of the product, centered on the product manufacturer 14, which is the collection company that implements the used product collection method of the embodiment.

[0010] The first recycling route 10 includes a product manufacturer 14 and a recycler 16. The product manufacturer 14 is a company that manufactures and sells lighting fixtures, which are electrical products. The product manufacturer 14 sells new lighting fixtures to one or more first users 13 through retailers, installers, etc., and sells refurbished or refurbished lighting fixtures to one or more second users 19. The first users 13 are also those who intend to dispose of used products, which are used lighting fixtures. The first users 13 and the second users 19 are not limited to natural persons, but may also be corporations, etc. Furthermore, the first user 13 may be a person or corporation who purchases and uses new lighting fixtures from a product manufacturer other than the product manufacturer 14 through retailers, installers, etc., and intends to dispose of those lighting fixtures.

[0011] Product manufacturer 14 is also a collection company that aims to recycle resources by collecting used products from first user 13 and selling the collected used products as reusable or refurbished products, or by transporting them to recycling companies for material recycling. Product manufacturer 14 may collect used products directly from first user 13, or it may use a collection company to collect used products.

[0012] The collected used products are then determined to be either (1) usable as is, i.e., reusable; (2) usable after disassembly and replacement of some parts, i.e., refurbished; or (3) usable after disassembly and material recycling of each component. The collected used products are then processed according to this determination.

[0013] At this time, used products that have been decided to be reused, or used products that have been decided to be refurbished and configured as refurbished products at a repair shop, are sold to the second user 19 as reused or refurbished products at a lower price than new products.

[0014] Product manufacturer 14 takes possession of used products from first user 13 through a transfer by first user 13. In this process, product manufacturer 14 carries out a used product recovery method that includes a usage assessment step, an economic value determination step, a transaction price determination step, and a product collection step.

[0015] The usage evaluation step estimates the usage conditions related to the use of the used product. In this step, "usage conditions" may include at least one of the usage time, usage environment, frequency of use, and product characteristics of the used product. "Usage time" may be the operating time of the lighting fixture, which is the time the lighting fixture was actually powered on, or it may be the usage time of the lighting fixture estimated from the manufacturing date or installation date of the lighting fixture. "Product characteristics" may include at least one of the electrical characteristics and optical output characteristics.

[0016] The economic value determination step determines the economic value of the used product based on the usage conditions estimated in the usage assessment step. The transaction price determination step determines the transaction price of the used product based on the determined economic value.

[0017] The product return step is based on the premise that the first user 13 agrees to exchange the used product for payment of a fee corresponding to the transaction price determined in the transaction price determination step, or for the awarding of points. The product manufacturer 14 then takes back the used product in exchange for payment of a fee corresponding to the transaction price or for the awarding of points. At this time, the awarding of points is a service set in advance under predetermined conditions, equivalent to an amount that can be used as part or all of the purchase price of goods sold within a group including multiple sales companies, including lighting fixtures sold by the product manufacturer 14.

[0018] The usage evaluation step, the economic value determination step, and the transaction price determination step may be performed, for example, on a computer 30 owned by the product manufacturer 14.

[0019] The payment of the above fees and the awarding of points create an incentive for the first user 13, who intends to dispose of used products, to cooperate with the product manufacturer 14 that conducts resource recycling in collecting them. As a result, as described later, it becomes easier for the product manufacturer 14 to collect used products, thereby promoting resource recycling.

[0020] Used products collected by product manufacturer 14 are processed according to one of the following decisions: (1) they are reusable, (2) they are refurbishable, or (3) they are recyclable. The decision can be made when determining the economic value in the economic value determination step, or after the collection of used products. If product manufacturer 14 determines that a used product is not one of (1), (2), or (3), it may decide that the used product cannot be collected and refuse to accept it for payment or in exchange for points, as the used product will have to be disposed of. Furthermore, if a used product collected by product manufacturer 14 is composed of multiple parts, there may be cases where each part, or some of the parts, belong to a different category from (1), (2), (3), or "other." For example, a metal part may belong to (3), while other parts do not belong to any of (1), (2), or (3). In this case, even if other components are disposed of, the user can be compensated for the recyclable metal components, either by paying a fee or receiving points.

[0021] Here, the used lighting fixture includes, for example, a light source, a case, a power supply circuit, and a substrate. The light source is a fluorescent tube of a fluorescent lamp, a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs), or the like. The type of the lighting fixture can be a base light, a ceiling light, a downlight, a spotlight, or the like. The light source may be an electric bulb. The case of the lighting fixture forms an outer shell of the lighting fixture and houses the substrate on which the power supply circuit is mounted. The power supply circuit is a circuit that supplies electric power to the light source. For example, when the lighting fixture includes a fluorescent lamp, the power supply circuit is connected to an AC power source that outputs commercial AC power, includes a glow lamp or an inverter, and a capacitor, supplies a high voltage to the fluorescent tube, and lights the fluorescent tube. When the lighting fixture includes an LED, the power supply circuit is connected to an AC power source, converts a commercial AC voltage into a DC voltage and supplies the DC voltage to the light source, thereby lighting the light source.

[0022] In addition, "reuse" refers to using collected used products as-is for sale or lending such as leasing, rental, and use via a subscription model (hereinafter referred to as "subscription").

[0023] In addition, "refurbishment" means that when some parts of a collected used product need to be replaced, the product is made into a serviced product with only some parts replaced with new ones, and configured to enable reuse such as sale or lending via leasing, rental, subscription, etc. "Material recycling" means that materials such as metal and resin are extracted as recovered materials by means including disassembling the collected used product, and making the recovered materials available for manufacturing future products such as lighting fixtures. When it is determined that material recycling of the collected used product is to be performed, the used product is transported to a recycling company 16.

[0024] At the recycling company 16, workers extract recovered materials such as metals and resins obtained by dismantling the transported used products and carry out recycling procedures for reusing the recovered materials. The extracted recovered materials may be transported to the product manufacturer 14 and reused in the future manufacture of products such as lighting fixtures. At the recycling company 16, parts of the used products that cannot be used as recovered materials may be discarded. The recycling company 16 may also be a dismantling plant that primarily handles waste disposal.

[0025] When a product manufacturer 14 decides to "refurbish" a used product, the product manufacturer 14 or the repair shop 15 replaces any parts of the used product that cannot be used as is with new parts to create a refurbished product.

[0026] Furthermore, a recycling certificate may be issued when either refurbishment or material recycling is carried out on the collected used products. For example, if refurbishment is carried out, the repair shop 15 delivers the refurbished product to the product manufacturer 14, and at the same time, a recycling certificate proving that refurbishment has been performed is issued, and the product manufacturer 14 receives the recycling certificate and the refurbished product.

[0027] Furthermore, if material recycling is carried out, the recycling company 16 issues a circular utilization certificate to the product manufacturer 14 certifying that material recycling has been performed, and the product manufacturer 14 receives the circular utilization certificate.

[0028] If the circular utilization certificate proves, for example, that material recycling has been carried out, then by collecting certificates that specify the amount of recovered material obtained from material recycling and providing them to the product manufacturer 14 that manufactures lighting fixtures, it becomes easier to assert the product manufacturer 14's contribution to resource conservation by demonstrating that the recycling rate of those lighting fixtures is high. Also, if the circular utilization certificate proves that refurbishment has been carried out and the number of lighting fixtures that have been refurbished, then by collecting such circular utilization certificates, it is also possible to assert the product manufacturer 14's contribution to resource conservation.

[0029] Furthermore, if a decision is made to implement material recycling for used products, a step may be taken to select an appropriate recycling company. For example, instead of recycling company 16, another recycling company may be selected, and that other recycling company may carry out material recycling using used products transported from the product manufacturer 14. If another recycling company carries out material recycling, it may issue a certificate of recycling to the product manufacturer 14, similar to the same certificate issued to recycling company 16.

[0030] For selecting a recycling company, for example, the most suitable recycling company may be selected from among several recycling companies 16 that have been pre-registered in a computer 30, etc., depending on their recycling track record and the type of product or material to be recycled, or both. Multiple recycling companies other than two may also be registered.

[0031] Next, using Figure 2, we will describe the method for collecting used products implemented by the product manufacturer 14. Figure 2 is a flowchart of the method for collecting used products according to an embodiment. The collection method is implemented to promote the cyclical use of lighting fixtures. The processes of steps S10 to S14 shown in Figure 2 may be performed on a computer 30 owned by the product manufacturer 14.

[0032] The computer 30 is installed, for example, at the management location of the product manufacturer 14. The computer 30 consists of an input device, a storage unit, an arithmetic unit, and an output device. The input device includes a keyboard and a mouse. The storage unit may be RAM, ROM, etc. The storage unit has the function of temporarily storing read programs and processing data, and the function of pre-storing control programs, etc. The arithmetic unit consists of, for example, an MCU (Micro Controller Unit). The arithmetic unit has the function of reading and executing programs, etc., pre-stored in the storage unit. The output device consists of a display or a printer.

[0033] The arithmetic unit executes a program to realize the functions of the subject of the apparatus, system, or method described herein. The arithmetic unit may be of any type as long as it can realize the functions by executing a program. For example, the arithmetic unit may be a CPU. The arithmetic unit may consist of one or more electronic circuits, including semiconductor integrated circuits (ICs) or large-scale integrations (LSIs). Multiple electronic circuits may be integrated on one chip or provided on multiple chips. Multiple chips may be aggregated in one device or provided in multiple devices. Non-temporary recording media such as optical discs and hard disk drives may be used as storage. An external storage device may be connected to the arithmetic unit as storage.

[0034] The collection method shown in Figure 2 first involves a usage status evaluation step in step S10, when the product manufacturer 14 receives a request from the first user 13, either directly or through a retailer, to collect a used product. This evaluation step estimates the usage status related to the first user 13's use of the used product. For example, if the usage status is to be estimated as usage time or frequency of use in the usage status evaluation step, the product manufacturer 14 may configure the system to automatically and periodically, or at predetermined intervals, transmit data representing the operating time of the lighting fixture from the distribution board connected to the lighting fixture being used by the first user 13 to the computer 30 via a communication device. In this specification, "predetermined timing" refers to, for example, when the continuous on time or continuous off time of the power switch connected to the lighting fixture exceeds a predetermined time, or when the on / off cycle of the power switch is repeated a predetermined number of times. At this time, the computer 30 records the operating time of the lighting fixture as the usage time. When estimating the frequency of use based on usage conditions, for example, the frequency of use can be estimated from the relationship between the usage time and the period of use of the lighting fixture, which can be estimated from the manufacturing date or sales date, etc., as evidenced by labels attached to the lighting fixture.

[0035] This allows the product manufacturer 14 to remotely acquire data from the lighting fixtures used by the first user 13, significantly reducing the effort required compared to when workers have to travel to the installation location of the lighting fixtures.

[0036] Furthermore, in the usage evaluation step, when estimating the usage environment, for example, an employee of the product manufacturer 14 measures the room temperature and humidity of the room where the lighting fixture used by the first user 13 is installed. Alternatively, data representing the measured values ​​from temperature and humidity sensors pre-installed in this room may be automatically and periodically transmitted to the computer 30 via a communication device, and the computer 30 may be configured to pre-record the measured temperature and humidity. In addition, the product manufacturer 14 can monitor the environment of the room where the lighting fixture used by the first user 13 is installed, and if it is determined to be a corrosive gas environment, for example, it can be estimated that the LED module has deteriorated significantly if the light source of the lighting fixture is an LED.

[0037] Furthermore, when estimating product characteristics based on usage conditions, either or both of the electrical characteristics and optical output characteristics can be estimated. For example, when estimating electrical characteristics, it is possible to determine whether the power supply has reached its end of life by checking whether all of the multiple lighting fixtures being considered for recall operate and light up when connected to a power supply. If the lighting fixture lights up, the power supply has not yet reached its end of life, and the electrical characteristics are evaluated as good. If the lighting fixture does not light up even when connected to a power supply, the power supply has already reached its end of life, and the electrical characteristics are evaluated as poor.

[0038] Furthermore, when considering the recall of a group of lighting fixtures consisting of multiple fixtures installed at the same time and used in the same room or similar environment, one or a predetermined number of lighting fixtures may be randomly selected, and the group of lighting fixtures may be evaluated as good or bad based on whether the selected fixtures operate and light up when connected to a power source. For example, if the selected lighting fixtures are evaluated as good, the entire group of lighting fixtures may be evaluated as good; otherwise, the entire group may be evaluated as bad. Alternatively, the percentage of selected lighting fixtures that receive a good evaluation may be used as the evaluation of the entire group of lighting fixtures.

[0039] Alternatively, as an alternative method, the remaining power supply lifespan can be calculated based on statistical results showing the relationship between operating time (or service period) and failure rate for lighting fixtures of the same type and used in the same region as the lighting fixtures being evaluated, and the operating time of the group of lighting fixtures being evaluated, or the service period estimated from the date of manufacture or sale. This calculation can then be used to determine the remaining power supply lifespan until the failure rate of the group of lighting fixtures being evaluated exceeds a predetermined value. Electrical characteristics are evaluated as good if there is remaining power supply lifespan at the present time, and as poor if there is no remaining power supply lifespan. Electrical characteristics may be evaluated as good if the remaining time until the power supply lifespan is reached is greater than or equal to a predetermined time, and as poor if it is less than the predetermined time. When electrical characteristics are evaluated as good, the longer the remaining time until the power supply lifespan is reached, the higher the evaluation may be.

[0040] In this case, the remaining power supply life may be calculated by, for example, the computer 30. Alternatively, statistical data may be stored in the computer 30 in advance, and when an operator inputs the type of lighting fixture to be evaluated and the manufacturing or sales date into the computer 30, the computer 30 calculates the remaining power supply life of the lighting fixture to be evaluated based on the input data and the statistical data. In this case, data representing the operating time of the lighting fixture may be automatically and periodically transmitted from the communication device to the computer 30 from the distribution board connected to the lighting fixture being used by the first user 13. In this case, the computer 30 may automatically calculate the remaining power supply life from the operating time of the lighting fixture and statistical results representing the relationship between operating time and failure rate, and output it to an output unit such as a display periodically or in response to operator input.

[0041] Furthermore, in the electrical characteristics evaluation, an electrical characteristics evaluation system may be provided that includes a voltage sensor that measures the measured value of the capacitor voltage across a capacitor, such as an electrolytic capacitor connected to a glow lamp or inverter, in the power supply circuit incorporated into the power supply unit of the lighting fixture being used by the first user 13, and a control device that receives the measured value from the voltage sensor. The signal representing the measured value of the capacitor voltage input to the control device may be automatically transmitted periodically from the communication unit of the control device to the computer 30 via a communication network such as the Internet.

[0042] Furthermore, the computer 30 may evaluate the current capacitance of the capacitor based on the relationship between the ripple voltage and usage time of the capacitor voltage, which has been acquired in advance, and the relationship between the ripple voltage and usage time obtained from the measured value of the capacitor voltage, and estimate the degree of capacitor degradation and the remaining lifespan of the power supply based on this evaluation. In this case, the electrical characteristics may be evaluated as good if there is remaining lifespan of the power supply, and as poor if there is no remaining lifespan of the power supply. In this case as well, the electrical characteristics may be evaluated as good if the remaining time until the power supply reaches its lifespan is longer than a predetermined time, and as poor if it is less than the predetermined time. In addition, multiple levels of good evaluation may be set for the electrical characteristics, and the evaluation may be higher as the remaining time until the power supply reaches its lifespan increases.

[0043] On the other hand, in the usage evaluation step, when estimating the light output characteristics, the system may include an evaluation of one or any combination of luminous flux maintenance rate, illuminance, and chromaticity shift for all of the multiple lighting fixtures being considered for retrieval. The luminous flux maintenance rate is the percentage of luminous flux when the luminous flux at the start of use of the lighting fixture is set to 100%. The luminous flux maintenance rate gradually decreases with the usage time of the lighting fixture. For example, the luminous flux maintenance rate of the lighting fixture may be calculated using an illuminance sensor from the measured illuminance at the start of use and the measured illuminance of the lighting fixture at the present time measured under the same conditions as at the start of use. If the luminous flux maintenance rate is above a predetermined value as a percentage of the initial usage, it may be evaluated as good, and if it is below the predetermined value, it may be evaluated as poor. The illuminance sensor may be a portable illuminance sensor. Furthermore, within the good evaluation, the higher the luminous flux maintenance rate, the higher the evaluation level in multiple stages.

[0044] In this case, instead of calculating the luminous flux maintenance rate for all the lighting fixtures being considered for retrieval, if there is a group of lighting fixtures that were installed at the same time and used in the same room or similar environment, one or a predetermined number of lighting fixtures from the group may be randomly selected. In this case, the luminous flux maintenance rate of the selected lighting fixtures may be evaluated, and the evaluation of the light output characteristics of all the lighting fixtures in the group may be combined with the evaluation of the selected lighting fixtures.

[0045] Furthermore, a light output characteristic evaluation system having a temperature sensor and a control device may be provided, where, in a location where a lighting fixture is used, the room temperature of the room in which the lighting fixture is installed is detected by the temperature sensor, and a signal representing the detected value of the temperature sensor is input to the control device. The control device transmits data representing the measured value of the room temperature from a communication unit to a computer 30 periodically or at predetermined intervals via a communication network such as the Internet.

[0046] Furthermore, data representing the operating time, which is the time the lighting fixtures are lit, may be transmitted from a power monitor installed in the building where each lighting fixture is located to the computer 30 via a control device and recorded in the computer 30. This operating time may also be considered the usage time of the lighting fixtures.

[0047] The product manufacturer 14 or the computer 30 obtains the temporal change in average room temperature from the room temperature data recorded in the computer 30, and estimates the current and future luminous flux maintenance rate of the lighting fixture using a predetermined relationship between the luminous flux maintenance rate of the lighting fixture at a given average room temperature and the usage time. This predetermined relationship between luminous flux maintenance rate and usage time may be based on simulation results from the design of the lighting fixture. Alternatively, the relationship between luminous flux maintenance rate and usage time may be determined by measuring the room temperature and luminous flux maintenance rate in relation to the usage time using the same type of lighting fixture as the one being considered for recovery over a predetermined period, and then obtaining the above-mentioned predetermined relationship between luminous flux maintenance rate and usage time from the results.

[0048] As the usage time of the lighting fixture increases, the luminous flux maintenance rate decreases linearly, and at a certain usage time, the luminous flux maintenance rate reaches below the permissible limit, reaching the light source life, which is the lifespan in terms of light output characteristics. Furthermore, the slope of the decrease in the light source maintenance rate becomes gentler as the room temperature decreases within a predetermined temperature range. For this reason, if the average measured room temperature is lower than the average room temperature used in the above-mentioned predetermined relationship, the luminous flux maintenance rate decreases more gently in relation to usage time than in the above-mentioned relationship, and reaches the permissible limit of the luminous flux maintenance rate. Therefore, it is possible to evaluate whether the current luminous flux maintenance rate is below the permissible limit from the measured average room temperature and usage time, and if it is above the permissible limit, the light output characteristics are evaluated as good, and if it is below the permissible limit, the light output characteristics are evaluated as poor. Alternatively, if the remaining time until the luminous flux maintenance rate reaches the permissible limit is greater than or equal to a predetermined time, the light output characteristics may be evaluated as good, and if it is less than the predetermined time, the light output characteristics may be evaluated as poor. Also, the longer the remaining time until the luminous flux maintenance rate reaches the permissible limit, the higher the evaluation in the multi-stage good evaluation.

[0049] Alternatively, a configuration may be used in which a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor that measures the humidity of the surrounding environment of the lighting fixture are used to calculate the current luminous flux maintenance rate of the lighting fixture based on the measured values ​​of room temperature and humidity. For example, even if the average room temperature based on the temperature sensor's measurement is the same as or lower than the average room temperature used in the above-mentioned preset relationship, if the average humidity based on the humidity sensor's measurement is higher than the humidity used in the above-mentioned preset relationship, the current luminous flux maintenance rate is calculated using a relationship between the luminous flux maintenance rate and usage time in which the slope of decrease in the luminous flux maintenance rate changes in the direction of increasing.

[0050] Furthermore, as an evaluation of light output characteristics, for example, the chromaticity shift caused by the light from the luminaire may be evaluated. In this case, for example, the chromaticity point (X,Y) can be evaluated using a method specified in JIS, and the evaluation can be carried out in accordance with the relationship with the chromaticity range specified in JIS. Alternatively, the correlated color temperature or the duv value, which is the deviation from blackbody radiation, may be considered. For example, whether or not it falls within the range of each light color (incandescent, warm white, white, neutral white, daylight) specified in JIS can be used as a criterion. In addition, for example, the color rendering index, which represents the color difference of the luminaire to the color illuminated by a standard illumination light, can be evaluated using a light source color rendering evaluation method specified in JIS. In this case, the evaluation is based on whether or not the decrease in the color rendering index from a predetermined value is within a specified value. Specifically, if the decrease in the color rendering index is within a specified value, the light output characteristics are evaluated as good, and if it exceeds the specified value, the light output characteristics are evaluated as poor. Furthermore, the smaller the decrease in the color rendering index, the higher the evaluation in the multiple-level good evaluation. Furthermore, a high evaluation may be given if the measured chromaticity deviation falls within the range specified by JIS, and a low evaluation if the measured chromaticity deviation falls outside the range specified by JIS. In addition, attention may be paid to the light output. Specifically, the luminous flux can be evaluated and judged by comparing it with the rated value, initial value, or other required reference values. Furthermore, if it is difficult to evaluate the luminous flux, it is also possible to evaluate by focusing on the illuminance at the treatment location or the luminance value of the light source. For the evaluation of optical characteristics, one of the judgment criteria described above, or a combination of them as appropriate, may be used.

[0051] Furthermore, in step S12 of Figure 2, an economic value determination step is performed to determine the economic value of the used product based on the usage conditions estimated in the usage condition evaluation step. At this time, for example, evaluation points for economic value are predetermined according to the usage conditions. For example, if the usage conditions include the usage time or frequency of use of the used product, it is stipulated that the evaluation points will be higher for shorter usage times or less frequent use.

[0052] Furthermore, if the usage environment can be estimated based on the usage situation, the more severe the usage environment, the lower the economic value evaluation score will be. For example, if the room temperature and humidity in the room where the lighting fixture is installed while the first user 13 is using it are estimated to be higher than the conditions assumed during the design phase, the economic value evaluation score will be lower. In addition, if the room where the lighting fixture is installed while the first user 13 is using it is estimated to be in a corrosive gas environment, the economic value evaluation score may also be lower.

[0053] Furthermore, when either or both of the electrical characteristics and / or optical output characteristics can be estimated based on usage conditions, the economic value is determined so as to match the level of the economic value assessment to the level of the estimated electrical characteristics.

[0054] Each of the electrical characteristics and optical output characteristics may be evaluated on a two-level scale (good and poor), a three-level scale (good, average, and poor), or a multi-level scale (four or more). In the case of a three-level or more evaluation, the evaluation will be either a poor rating or a multi-level rating of good.

[0055] In the evaluation of economic value in step S12 of Figure 2, for example, the evaluation may be performed using a combination of optical output characteristic evaluation and electrical characteristic evaluation. If at least one of the optical output characteristic evaluation and electrical characteristic evaluation is evaluated as poor, the economic value may be uniformly given the lowest evaluation, and a combination of good values ​​may be used, with the overall evaluation increasing as the combination of good values ​​increases. In this way, the economic value may be evaluated in multiple stages.

[0056] After step S12 in Figure 2, the process moves to step S14. In step S14, a transaction price determination step is performed to determine the transaction price of the used product based on the economic value determined in step S12. The relationship between economic value and transaction price can be set in advance; for example, the relationship between economic value and transaction price is stored in the computer 30, and the transaction price is calculated according to the economic value determined by the computer 30.

[0057] Next, in step S16, a product retrieval step is performed in which the product manufacturer 14 takes back the used product from the first user 13 in exchange for payment of a fee corresponding to the transaction price determined in step S14, or for the awarding of points corresponding to the transaction price.

[0058] Next, in step S18, the used products are processed. For example, this process may involve one of the following: reuse, refurbishment, or material recycling.

[0059] For example, the decision to reuse, refurbish, or recycle materials may be made based on the evaluation of the optical output characteristics and electrical characteristics estimated in the usage estimation step. For example, reuse may be decided if all evaluations of the optical output characteristics and electrical characteristics are good. In this case, if there is an evaluation of defects, it may be decided in order whether refurbishment or material recycling is possible. Whether or not refurbishment is possible is determined by whether or not the defects can be resolved by replacing some parts with new parts. Specifically, if it is determined that the defects can be resolved by replacing some parts with new parts, it is determined that refurbishment is possible, and if it is determined that the defects cannot be resolved even by replacing some parts with new parts, it is determined that refurbishment is not possible.

[0060] If a defect is found in at least one of the optical output characteristics evaluation or the electrical characteristics evaluation, whether the defect can be resolved by replacing some of the components with new components may be determined by whether a predetermined problem resolution condition is met. The problem resolution condition may be, for example, whether the cost required for replacement with new components is less than or equal to a predetermined cost, or whether the cost required for replacing the lighting fixture itself with a new one is less than or equal to a predetermined ratio relative to the total cost of a new fixture. For example, if a defect is found in the optical output characteristics evaluation, the cost required for replacing the light source unit and electrical circuit components other than the light source unit that are related to the degradation of optical output characteristics may be calculated in advance. The light source unit may consist only of the light source, or it may consist of the light source and the component on which the light source is mounted. For example, replacement of the light source unit may be achieved by replacing the LED, which is the light source, and the LED mounting board on which the LED is mounted. Also, if a defect is found in the electrical characteristics evaluation, the cost required for replacing the power supply circuit component and electrical circuit components other than the power supply circuit component that are related to the degradation of electrical characteristics may be calculated in advance. Furthermore, if at least one of the optical output characteristics evaluation or electrical characteristics evaluation is found to be faulty, it may be determined that the fault cannot be resolved even by replacing it with a new part, and thus the product may be deemed unsuitable for refurbishment.

[0061] Whether or not material recycling is possible when refurbishment is not feasible may be predetermined for each type of lighting fixture.

[0062] According to the above method for collecting used products, the first user 13, who intends to dispose of used products, can receive payment of a fee corresponding to the transaction price or points in exchange for collection. This provides an incentive for the first user 13 to cooperate in the collection, making it easier for product manufacturers 14 that promote resource recycling to collect used products. Thus, resource recycling can be promoted. Furthermore, this collection method can also be applied when collecting reused or refurbished products from a second user 19.

[0063] Furthermore, in the economic value determination step S12 of this example, the used products whose recovery is being considered are: (1) It can be used as is after collection, i.e., it is reusable. (2) It can be used after being disassembled and some parts replaced, i.e., it can be refurbished. (3) After collection, the materials can be disassembled and recycled according to their respective components. If any one of these conditions is met, the economic value may change depending on which of these conditions is met. For example, as described above, the decision of whether to reuse, refurbish, or recycle the material may be made based on an evaluation of the optical output characteristics and electrical characteristics. The economic value will also change according to that decision.

[0064] For example, when determining the economic value in step S12, the economic value is regulated so that it increases in the order of (1), (2), and (3), i.e., (economic value in case (1)) > (economic value in case (2)) > (economic value in case (3)). In this case, the optical output characteristics and electrical characteristics of the used product are estimated as usage conditions, and the economic value may be evaluated in three stages, increasing in the order of (1), (2), and (3), based solely on the determination of whether it is reusable, refurbishable, or recyclable for materials.

[0065] Furthermore, the unadjusted economic value may be determined based on the estimated usage, and then different adjustment factors may be multiplied by that unadjusted economic value depending on whether it is reusable, refurbishable, or recyclable, to calculate the adjusted economic value. In this case, the adjustment factors increase in the order of (1), (2), and (3). This increases the incentive for the first user 13 to collect used products by making it possible to collect them at a higher price the higher the value of the recovered materials from the used products.

[0066] Furthermore, in the economic value determination step S12 of this example, if there are multiple used products to be considered for collection simultaneously, the economic value may be determined such that the economic value per unit increases as more similar used products are collected simultaneously. For example, in step S12, the uncorrected economic value is determined based on the estimated usage, and the correction coefficient multiplied by the uncorrected economic value may differ in multiple stages depending on the number of similar used products collected simultaneously. In this case, the correction coefficient increases as the number of similar used products collected simultaneously increases. For example, if the type of light source, such as fluorescent tubes, LEDs, or light bulbs, is the same, and the category of lighting fixture, i.e., the type of base light, ceiling light, downlight, or spotlight, is the same, then they may be judged as the same similar product. For example, whether or not they are the same similar product may be judged by an employee of the product manufacturer 14 from their appearance, or it may be judged from identification information such as the model number displayed on a label attached to the lighting fixture. When many similar items are collected simultaneously, handling them after collection becomes easier. By offering a high price for collection, the motivation of the first user 13 to collect the items can be increased, making it easier to collect used products.

[0067] Furthermore, in the economic value determination step S12 of this example, the economic value may be determined based on at least one of the recyclable amount or proportion of each recovered material contained in the used product being considered for recovery, and the cost required for recycling. For example, the recyclable amount or proportion of each recovered material contained in the used product, and the cost required for recycling, or both, can be stored in the computer 30 in advance, associated with the identification information described above. The computer 30 may pre-store the relationship between the recyclable amount or proportion, the cost required for recycling, or both, and the correction coefficient, such that the higher the recyclable amount or proportion of each recovered material, the higher the correction coefficient, and the lower the cost required for recycling, the higher the correction coefficient. This allows the computer 30 to calculate a correction coefficient based on the input of the used product identification information to the computer 30 in step S12, based on the input of the used product identification information to the computer 30, using the correction coefficient based on the recyclable amount or proportion of each recovered material contained in the used product and the cost required for recycling, or both. Then, in step S12, the unadjusted economic value may be determined based on the estimated usage, and the adjusted economic value may be determined by multiplying the unadjusted economic value by an adjustment factor.

[0068] This means that the higher the value of the recovered materials from used products, the higher the price at which they can be collected, thereby increasing the motivation of the first user 13 to collect the products and making it easier to collect used products. Furthermore, when determining the economic value in this way, the economic value can be adjusted if the used products contain environmentally harmful substances such as mercury or lead glass. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0069] 10 First circulation route, 11 Second circulation route, 12 Third circulation route, 13 First user, 14 Product manufacturer, 15 Repair shop, 16 Recycling company, 19 Second user, 30 Computer.

Claims

1. A usage assessment step to estimate the usage status related to the use of used products, which are used lighting fixtures, An economic value determination step in which the economic value of the used product is determined based on the usage conditions estimated in the usage condition evaluation step, A transaction price determination step in which the transaction price of the used product is determined based on the aforementioned economic value, A product collection step in which the used product is collected in exchange for payment of a fee or awarding of points corresponding to the transaction price, including, Methods for collecting used products.

2. The aforementioned usage conditions include at least one of the usage time, usage environment, usage frequency, and product characteristics of the used product. A method for collecting used products according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned product characteristics include at least one of electrical characteristics and optical output characteristics. A method for collecting used products according to claim 2.

4. The aforementioned used product (1) It can be used as is after being collected. (2) It can be used after being disassembled after collection and some parts are replaced. (3) After collection, it can be disassembled and recycled according to its material. If any one of the following is true, The aforementioned economic values ​​are highest in the order of (1), (2), and (3). A method for collecting used products according to claim 1.

5. The more similar products to the aforementioned used product are collected at the same time, the higher the economic value per unit. A method for collecting used products according to claim 1.

6. The economic value is determined based on at least one of the recyclable quantity or proportion of each recovered material contained in the used product and the cost required for recycling. A method for collecting used products according to claim 1.

Images