Article collection system and information presentation method in the article collection system

Abstract

To enable a user to donate given consideration in response to use of an article recovery device according to an optional intention of the user.SOLUTION: An article recovery system is configured to include: a recovery unit for recovering an article; donation corresponding processing means for performing processing for donation corresponding to recovery of the article performed by the recovery unit; and option presentation means for presenting an option of not performing donation together with an option of a donation destination capable of performing donation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 20

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an article collection system and a method for presenting information in the article collection system.

Background Art

[0002] A container collection device for collecting empty containers is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When a user cooperates in article collection using an article collection device, it leads to social contribution in terms of the environment and the like. In order to further promote the significance of such social contribution, for example, it is preferable that, at the user's own will, the consideration such as points given to the user in response to using the article collection device can be donated to an organization soliciting donations.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to enable a user to donate at the user's arbitrary will the consideration given in response to using an article collection device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One aspect of the present invention for solving the above-described problems is an article collection system including: a collection unit that collects articles; a donation correspondence processing unit that performs processing for donation according to the collection of articles performed by the collection unit; and an option presenting unit that presents an option of a donation destination where the donation can be made and an option of not making the donation.

[0007] Also, one aspect of the present invention is an information presentation method in an article collection system including a collection unit that collects articles, the method including: a donation corresponding process step of performing a process for donation according to the collection of articles performed by the collection unit; and an option presentation step of presenting an option to make a donation and an option not to make a donation together with options for donation destinations where the donation can be made.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] <First Embodiment> FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) bottle collection system (an example of an article collection system) in the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, a PET bottle collection device 100 is installed for each of a plurality of stores ST. The PET bottle collection device 100 may be installed inside the building of the store ST, or may be installed in the premises of the store ST in a place facing the outside, such as under the eaves, for example.

[0010] The store ST in the figure is, for example, a franchise store in the same chain. As a specific example, the store ST in the figure may be a convenience store or a supermarket in the same chain.

[0011] The PET bottle recycling device 100 functions as a facility for accumulating PET bottles as recycled products. A customer C who visits the store ST, for example, puts a PET bottle that has been emptied after drinking a beverage or the like into the PET bottle recycling device 100. The PET bottle recycling device 100 in the present embodiment reduces the volume of the inserted PET bottle and then stores it.

[0012] In addition, the PET bottle recycling device 100 is connected so as to be able to communicate with a recovery management server 200, a store management server 500, etc. via a network NT. The PET bottle recycling device 100 may be configured to communicate with the network NT via, for example, a mobile phone communication network. Thereby, the PET bottle recycling device 100 can communicate wirelessly, and since there is no need to connect a cable for the network, for example, the degree of freedom in installation is increased. In the figure, an example in which one PET bottle recycling device 100 is installed in one store ST is shown, but the number of PET bottle recycling devices 100 installed in one store ST is not particularly limited.

[0013] The recovery management server 200 is a server that performs information processing related to the recovery of PET bottles by the PET bottle recycling device 100. The recovery management server 200 is operated, for example, by a company that provides the PET bottle recycling device 100. Specifically, the collection management server 200 manages collection history information indicating the history of PET bottle collection in the PET bottle collection device 100 of each store ST. Moreover, the collection management server 200 derives the performance (collection performance) of the customer C regarding cooperation in PET bottle collection using the PET bottle collection device 100, and notifies the derived collection performance to the customer C. The notification of the collection performance to the customer C is performed by causing information regarding the collection performance to be displayed on the customer terminal device 300 of the customer C.

[0014] The customer terminal device 300 is a terminal device owned by the customer C. The customer terminal device 300 may be, for example, a stationary or notebook personal computer, or may be a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, tablet terminal, or mobile phone. The customer terminal device 300 can communicate with the collection management server 200 via the network NT.

[0015] Also, the customer C in the figure is registered as a member of the store ST. The customer C who is a member of the store ST owns a membership card CD. The card information recorded on the membership card CD includes a member identifier. The member identifier is also a card identifier assigned to be unique for each membership card CD. Since one membership card CD is provided for each customer C as a member, the card identifier unique for each membership card CD is treated as a member identifier that uniquely indicates the customer C as a member who is the owner of the membership card CD.

[0016] The membership card CD can be used as a prepaid card when making a payment at the store ST. Also, the membership card CD can be used as a point card. For example, when making a payment at the store ST, the customer who is a member presents the membership card CD to the store clerk. When the store clerk operates the POS register 400 installed in the store ST to perform accounting according to the purchased goods of the customer, the store clerk performs an operation to cause the card information recorded on the membership card CD to be read by the card reader of the POS register 400.

[0017] The POS register 400 executes accounting processing including product registration processing for registering products purchased by a customer and settlement processing corresponding to the registered products. In the accounting processing, when the POS register 400 reads card information from the membership card CD, it can transmit the read card information to the store management server 500. Thereby, at the store management server 500, for example, processing corresponding to payment from prepaid balance, addition of points according to the payment amount, conversion of points to prepaid balance, recharge of prepaid amount, etc. is performed. In the figure, an example in which one POS register 400 is installed in one store ST is shown, but the number of POS registers 400 installed in one store ST is not particularly limited.

[0018] The store management server 500 (an example of a privilege management device) is a server that comprehensively manages the store ST. The store management server 500 is operated by the store ST. Specifically, the store management server 500 manages prepaid balance, point balance (accumulated points), etc. for each member identifier. Also, the store management server 500 may be configured to manage information regarding products for each store ST, for example.

[0019] Since the management terminal device 600 corresponds to the third embodiment described later, the description here is omitted.

[0020] Next, with reference to FIG. 2, an outline of the operation of the PET bottle collection device 100 will be described. FIG. 2(A) is a front view of the PET bottle collection device 100 as viewed from the front. FIG. 2(B) is a side view of the PET bottle collection device 100 as viewed from the side.

[0021] In the standby state, the outer door of the container input section of the PET bottle collection device 100 is in a closed state, and the inner door provided between the container input section and the storage section and capable of opening and closing is in a closed state. In the standby state, the PET bottle recycling device 100 waits for a user to declare the start of use. The declaration of the start of use may be, for example, a predetermined operation on the screen displayed on the touch panel display unit 1400 in the standby state. Alternatively, the declaration of the start of use may be to cause the PET bottle recycling device 100 to acquire the user's membership identifier by an operation such as reading the membership card CD by the PET bottle recycling device 100.

[0022] In response to the declaration of the start of use being made, the PET bottle recycling device 100 starts the recycling operation. In response to the start of the recycling operation, the outer door of the PET bottle recycling device 100 changes from the closed state to the open state, while the inner door remains in the closed state. In such a state, the PET bottle recycling device 100 waits for the user to place a PET bottle on the placement unit. If a certain period of time elapses without a PET bottle being placed on the placement unit, the PET bottle recycling device 100 may be configured to return to the standby state with the outer door in the closed state. This allows the PET bottle recycling device 100 to return to the standby state even if the user has declared the start of use but stops using the PET bottle recycling device 100 for some reason and leaves the scene without placing a PET bottle.

[0023] In response to the user placing a PET bottle on the placement unit, the PET bottle recycling device 100 detects that an object has been placed on the placement unit. The PET bottle recycling device 100 may detect that an object has been placed on the placement unit, for example, by measuring the weight of the object placed on the placement unit. Alternatively, the PET bottle recycling device 100 may detect that an object has been placed on the placement unit based on the result of analyzing a captured image obtained by imaging the object placed on the placement unit using an imaging device (camera) provided to image the object on the placement unit. Note that, in detecting whether an object has been placed on the placement unit, at least one of the detection methods used for detection items 1 to 4 for determining whether a PET bottle can be recycled, as described below, may be appropriately employed.

[0024] When an object is placed on the placement unit, the outer door of the PET bottle collection device 100 changes from the open state to the closed state. When the outer door of the PET bottle collection device 100 is in the closed state, it determines whether the object placed on the placement unit of the container input unit is a PET bottle and can be collected.

[0025] As a specific example, the PET bottle collection device 100 may determine whether a PET bottle can be collected based on the results of detecting the following detection items 1 to 4. As detection item 1, the PET bottle collection device 100 detects whether the object placed on the placement unit is made of metal. For this purpose, the PET bottle collection device 100 may be provided with a sensor as a metal detector that detects whether the object placed on the placement unit is made of metal. When it is detected that the object is made of metal, since the object is, for example, an empty can and not a PET bottle, the PET bottle collection device 100 determines that it cannot be collected.

[0026] Also, as detection item 2, the PET bottle collection device 100 detects whether the object placed on the placement unit transmits light. For this purpose, the PET bottle collection device 100 may be provided with an optical sensor that detects the light transmissibility of the object placed on the placement unit. The fact that the object placed on the placement unit does not transmit light may mean that the object is not a PET bottle or that even if it is a PET bottle, the label has not been removed. Since the label is made of a resin different from that of the PET bottle, it is required not to be mixed into the PET bottle recycling process. Therefore, when it is detected that the object placed on the placement unit does not transmit light, the PET bottle collection device 100 determines that it cannot be collected.

[0027] Also, as detection item 3, the PET bottle recycling device 100 detects whether the weight of the object placed on the placement unit is equal to or greater than a certain value. The fact that the weight of the object placed on the placement unit is equal to or greater than a certain value means that the object may not be a PET bottle or, even if it is a PET bottle, there may be beverage remaining inside. If a PET bottle with beverage inside is recycled, it will dirty the inside of the container storage unit 140 and the PET bottle recycling device 100, increasing the work burden on store employees and maintenance workers. Therefore, when it is detected that the weight of the object placed on the placement unit is equal to or greater than a certain value, the PET bottle recycling device 100 determines that it cannot be recycled.

[0028] Also, as detection item 4, when the object placed on the placement unit is a PET bottle, the PET bottle recycling device 100 detects whether the cap is in a removed state. Detection of whether the cap of the PET bottle is in a removed state may be performed based on a captured image obtained by a sensor such as a camera that captures the object placed on the placement unit. Since the cap is made of a resin different from that of the PET bottle, it is required not to be mixed into the PET bottle recycling process. Therefore, when it is detected that the cap is not in a removed state, the PET bottle recycling device 100 determines that it cannot be recycled. Note that the camera that captures the object placed on the placement unit may also be used to detect detection items 1 and 2.

[0029] When it is determined that it cannot be recycled for at least one of the above detection items 1 to 4, the PET bottle recycling device 100 opens the outer door and displays, on the touch panel display unit 1400, a message prompting the user for the reason why it cannot be recycled and for removing the object from the placement unit. When the object is removed from the placement unit by the user, the PET bottle recycling device 100 maintains the outer door in an open state and waits for an object to be placed on the placement unit.

[0030] On the other hand, if it is not determined that any of the detection items 1 to 4 is unrecoverable, it is determined that it is recoverable. In this case, in the PET bottle collection device 100, the inner door, which has been in a closed state until now, is opened, and the PET bottle placed on the placement unit is conveyed to the volume reduction mechanism, reduced in volume, and then collected by the collection unit.

[0031] When the PET bottle collection device 100 detects that there is no object remaining on the placement unit by means of weight measurement, imaging by a camera, etc., the outer door remains open while the inner door is closed, and a display for guiding the user to perform the next operation is made on the touch panel display unit 1400. The display for guiding the next operation is, for example, like "Please touch the screen to end. Please put in a bottle if you want to continue", so if ending the collection operation, a touch operation on the touch panel display unit 1400 is performed, and if further collecting a PET bottle, it may be content for guiding the user to place the PET bottle on the placement unit. Note that if a certain period of time has elapsed without either a touch operation on the touch panel display unit 1400 or the placement of a PET bottle on the placement unit being performed, for example, because the user has left without doing anything, the PET bottle collection device 100 may end the current collection operation and transition to the standby state. Note that at the end of the collection operation, the PET bottle collection device 100 may display on the touch panel display unit 1400 the collection results and donation results in the current collection operation (for example, the number of PET bottles collected, the recipient organization, donation points, the donation amount converted from the donation points, etc.), and then transition to the standby state.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 2, the PET bottle collection device 100 is provided with a container input unit 110 at the upper part of the device main body unit 100B, and an outer door 111 is provided outside the opening of the container input unit 110. The device main body unit 100B is provided with a touch panel display unit 1400 and a card reader 1500 on the front side near the upper part than the outer door 111. Also, a luggage hook 100f is provided on the front side of the device main body unit 100B. In the container input section 110, various sensors are provided to determine whether the input article can be recycled. Examples of the sensors include an optical sensor, a metal sensor, a weighing instrument, an imaging device, and the like. The PET bottle recycling device 100 determines whether the input article can be recycled, for example, using the outputs of these sensors. If it is determined that the article can be recycled, the input PET bottle is reduced in volume by a volume reduction mechanism and then stored. On the other hand, if it is determined that the article cannot be recycled, no volume reduction or storage is performed on the input article, and a notification is given to the customer, and the removal of the input article from the container input section 110 is promoted.

[0033] Also, a passage 71 communicating with the container storage section 140 is provided below the container input section 110. An inner door 112 is provided at a position where the passage 71 communicates from the placement section 116 of the container input section 110 to the container storage section 140.

[0034] The PET bottle recycling device 100 is also provided with a volume reduction section 120 (volume reduction mechanism) between the inner door 112 and the container storage section 140. When the inner door 112 is in the open state, the volume reduction section 120 crushes the empty container A from the container input section 110 to reduce its volume, and discharges the volume-reduced container RA to the lower container storage section 140. The device main body section 100B of the PET bottle recycling device 100 has a drawer 100C on which the container storage section 140 is placed. A drawer handle 100e and a keyhole 100r are provided on the front side, and it is configured to be lockable and unlockable by inserting a key into the keyhole 100r.

[0035] Also, a light-transmitting section 100A (light-transmitting window) is provided on the front side of the device main body section 100B, specifically, on the front side of the drawer 100C, and it is configured to be able to visually recognize the empty containers stored in the container storage section 140 from the outside.

[0036] Also, a moving handle 100g used during transportation is provided on the side surface of the device main body section 100B.

[0037] In addition, the apparatus main body 100B is provided with a cap insertion part 108 on the front side, and a cap passage 72 is provided in the apparatus main body downward from the cap insertion part 108. The cap inserted into the cap insertion part 108 is configured to be accommodated in the cap storage part 145 through the cap passage 72.

[0038] In addition, the PET bottle collection apparatus 100 of the present embodiment is provided with a card reader 1500 capable of reading card information recorded on the membership card CD.

[0039] When a customer who is a member starts using the PET bottle collection apparatus 100, the customer performs an operation of having his / her membership card CD read by the card reader 1500. In response to the membership card CD being read by the card reader 1500, the operation of the PET bottle collection apparatus 100 corresponding to one collection operation is started. The collection operation means that the customer causes the PET bottle collection apparatus 100 to collect one or more PET bottles brought by the customer. In the case of a customer who does not have a membership card CD, for example, one collection operation may be started in response to an operation for instructing start on the touch panel display unit 1400. In one collection operation, the customer inserts one PET bottle into the container insertion part 110 of the PET bottle collection apparatus 100, and when the inserted PET bottle is reduced in volume and accommodated, the customer inserts the next PET bottle, and in this way, the customer accommodates the PET bottles one by one into the PET bottle collection apparatus 100. Then, when the customer finishes accommodating all the PET bottles brought this time into the PET bottle collection apparatus 100, for example, the customer may perform an operation for ending on the touch panel display unit 1400. Thereby, one collection operation is ended.

[0040] In response to the completion of one collection operation as described above, the PET bottle collection apparatus 100 generates collection history information in which the result of the collection operation is reflected, and transmits the generated collection history information to the collection management server 200. That is, the transmission of the collection history information from the PET bottle collection apparatus 100 to the collection management server 200 is performed corresponding to each collection operation. The collection management server 200 stores, for example, the collection history information received from each PET bottle collection device 100 in a collection history information table for storage.

[0041] In addition, the PET bottle collection device 100 stores the collection history information generated each time the collection operation is completed. As a result, collection history information accumulates in the PET bottle collection device 100 each time a collection operation is performed. Furthermore, the PET bottle collection device 100 may transmit the collection history information accumulated after the previous transmission of the collection history information to the store management server 500 at a predetermined timing for transmitting the collection history information. That is, the transmission of the collection history information from the PET bottle collection device 100 to the store management server 500 may not be performed for each collection operation, but may be performed at predetermined timings. Since the store management server 500 frequently communicates with, for example, the POS register 400 of the store ST, the communication load may become heavy depending on the time of day or the situation. Therefore, regarding the transmission of the collection history information from the PET bottle collection device 100 to the store management server 500, for example, by performing it at a timing such as a time period when the communication volume with the POS register 400 is relatively small, the communication load on the store management server 500 can be leveled. Also, for example, the collection history information may be transmitted at a predetermined frequency such as once a day or twice a day. In this case, the transmission time may be predetermined, or the collection history information may be transmitted at a timing when the transmission possible conditions such as the above communication volume are satisfied per unit time. Note that when the transmission of the collection history information is performed at intervals of a certain period in this way, the storage unit 1200 may store the collection history information to be transmitted at the next transmission timing. Alternatively, the transmission of the collection history information from the PET bottle collection device 100 to the store management server 500 may also be performed for each collection operation. In this case, the PET bottle collection device 100 can obtain the collection history information each time the collection operation is performed. That is, in this case, the real-time performance regarding the acquisition of the collection history information of the PET bottle collection device 100 can be enhanced.

[0042] Figure 3 shows an example of the content of the collection history information table. One record (one line) in the collection history information table in the figure corresponds to one collection operation and is the collection history information transmitted from the PET bottle collection device 100. One piece of collection history information includes areas for a device identifier, a store identifier, a member identifier, a collection date and time, the number of collections (an example of the quantity of collected items), and the collection weight (an example of the quantity of collected items).

[0043] The area for the device identifier stores a device identifier that uniquely indicates the PET bottle collection device 100 that is the source of the collection history information. The device identifier is information stored in the PET bottle collection device 100.

[0044] The area for the store identifier stores a store identifier that uniquely indicates the store ST where the PET bottle collection device 100 that is the source of the collection history information is installed. The store identifier is information stored in the PET bottle collection device 100. For example, in response to determining the store ST where the PET bottle collection device 100 is to be installed, the store identifier indicating the installed store ST is written to the PET bottle collection device 100.

[0045] The area for the member identifier stores the member identifier included in the card information read by the card reader from the member card CD by the PET bottle collection device 100 that is the source of the collection history information at the start of the corresponding collection operation. Note that in the case of collection history information corresponding to a collection operation performed by a non-member customer, a predetermined value (null value) indicating that a significant value as a member identifier is not stored may be stored in the area for the member identifier.

[0046] The area for the collection date and time (an example of the operation time) stores the collection date and time which is the date and time when the corresponding collection operation was performed. The collection date and time may be, for example, the time when the collection operation started, or the time when the collection operation ended. Alternatively, the collection date and time may include both the time when the collection operation started and the time when it ended. The collection date and time may be included in the collection history information transmitted by the PET bottle collection device 100 after being set in the PET bottle collection device 100, for example. Alternatively, for example, the collection management server 200 may set the date and time corresponding to the reception of the collection history information as the collection date and time. When the collection management server 200 sets the collection date and time in this way, the collection history information transmitted by the PET bottle collection device 100 does not necessarily have to include the collection date and time.

[0047] The area for the number of collected bottles stores the number of PET bottles collected by the PET bottle collection device 100 in the corresponding collection operation (the number of collected bottles). The number of collected bottles is obtained by the PET bottle collection device 100 counting the number of PET bottles that have been reduced in volume and stored during the collection operation. The area for the collected weight stores the total weight of the PET bottles collected by the PET bottle collection device 100 in the corresponding collection operation (the collected weight). The collected weight is obtained by the PET bottle collection device 100 measuring the weight of each PET bottle that has been reduced in volume and stored during the collection operation and accumulating the measured weights.

[0048] Note that the store management server 500 may also store the collection history information received from each PET bottle collection device 100 in the structure of the collection history information table in the same figure, similar to the collection management server 200.

[0049] Return to FIG. 1. In the PET bottle collection system of this embodiment, for the use of the PET bottle collection device 100 by the customer C who is a member, a service (point addition service) that adds points to the membership card is provided with the intention of giving a privilege for cooperation in collecting PET bottles. Such a point addition service for the use of the PET bottle collection device 100 is realized by the store management server 500 having a function of managing points. As a point addition service, the store management server 500 executes the following processing corresponding to one member. The store management server 500 uses the collection history information of one member transmitted from each PET bottle collection device 100 among the collection history information it stores, and adds a predetermined number of points (for example, adds 1 point for every 3 PET bottles) each time the number of PET bottles collected by one member increases by a predetermined amount. In the case where 1 point is added for every 3 PET bottles collected, for example, when 4 or 5 PET bottles are collected, there will be 1 or 2 extra collected bottles in terms of point addition. As a countermeasure in such a case, the collection management server 200 may store the extra number of collected bottles, and when collecting PET bottles next time, after adding the number of collected bottles and the stored number of collected bottles, the point addition process may be performed. In this way, by adding points to the membership card CD in response to the use of the PET bottle collection device 100 by the customer C who is a member, the customer C who is a member can obtain a practical benefit, so the activation of the use (collection operation) of the PET bottle collection device 100 by the customer can be achieved.

[0050] Note that the collection management server 200 may calculate the number of added points corresponding to the point addition service based on the collection history information stored by itself, and transmit the added point number information indicating the calculated number of added points to the store management server 500. The store management server 500 executes the process of adding points according to the number of added points indicated by the received added point number information. That is, the calculation (point conversion) of the number of added points based on the collection history information may be executed either in the collection management server 200 or in the store management server 500. Also, in this case, the acquisition of the added point number information by the store management server 500 may be executed each time an operation collection is performed, or may be executed at a predetermined frequency such as once a day. Further, the store management server 500 may, for example, store the acquired added point number information, and then calculate the number of added points based on the stored added point number information at a timing corresponding to a predetermined frequency. Furthermore, the acquisition of the collection history information and the calculation of the number of added points using the acquired collection history information may be executed by any one of devices other than the store management server 500 and the collection management server 200, such as the PET bottle collection device 100, the POS register 400, the management terminal device 600, etc.

[0051] FIG. 4 shows an example of the functional configuration of the PET bottle collection device 100 of the present embodiment. The PET bottle collection device 100 in the figure includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1100, a storage unit 1200, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 1300, a touch panel display unit 1400, a card reader 1500, a communication unit 1600, and a collection mechanism unit 1700. These parts are respectively connected via an internal bus.

[0052] The CPU 1100 executes various processes in the PET bottle collection device 100 by executing a program. Various functions as the PET bottle collection device 100 are realized by the processing of the CPU 1100.

[0053] The storage unit 1200 is an auxiliary storage device that stores various data used by the CPU 1100. The storage unit 1200 stores, for example, programs to be executed by the CPU 1100, image data to be displayed on the touch panel display unit 1400, and the like.

[0054] The RAM 1300 is a main storage device in which programs and data read from the storage unit 1200 are expanded.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 2, the touch panel display unit 1400 is provided with its display surface exposed on the device main body 100B. The touch panel display unit 1400 displays an image according to the control of the CPU 1100. The touch panel display unit 1400 receives an operation performed on the display surface by an operating body such as a finger, for example.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 2, the card reader 1500 is provided in the device main body 100B. The card reader 1500 communicates with a membership card CD within a communication range by a predetermined non-contact communication method, for example, and reads member information from the communication destination membership card CD.

[0057] The communication unit 1600 communicates via the network NT. As described above, the communication unit 1600 of the present embodiment communicates so as to be wirelessly connected to the network NT.

[0058] The collection mechanism unit 1700 is a mechanism unit that performs operations related to the reduction of volume, storage, etc. of PET bottles as the collection of PET bottles according to the control of the CPU 1100. In correspondence with FIG. 2, the collection mechanism unit 1700 includes a container input unit 110, an outer door 111, an inner door 112, a volume reduction unit 120, a container storage unit 140, and the like.

[0059] With reference to FIG. 5, a configuration example of the collection management server 200 will be described. The collection management server 200 in the figure includes a communication unit 201, a control unit 202, and a storage unit 203.

[0060] The communication unit 201 communicates via the network NT. The control unit 202 executes various controls in the collection management server 200. The functions of the control unit 202 are realized by the CPU included in the collection management server 200 executing a program.

[0061] The storage unit 203 stores various information used by the control unit 202. The storage unit 203 in the figure includes a collection device information table storage unit 231 and a collection history information table storage unit 232.

[0062] Since the school database storage unit 233 and the school unit collection history information table storage unit 234 are parts corresponding to the second embodiment described later, the description here is omitted. Since the donation recipient information table storage unit 235 is a part corresponding to the third embodiment described later, the description here is omitted.

[0063] The collection device information table storage unit 231 stores a collection device information table. The collection device information table has a structure in which information (collection device information) regarding the PET bottle collection device 100 installed corresponding to each store ST is tabulated. The collection history information table storage unit 232 stores a collection history information table having the structure illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0064] FIG. 6 shows an example of the collection device information table. A record (one row) in the collection device information table in the figure is the collection device information corresponding to one PET bottle collection device 100. One piece of collection device information includes areas for a device identifier, a store identifier, and an installation location. The area of the device identifier stores the device identifier of the PET bottle collection device 100 that uniquely indicates the corresponding PET bottle collection device 100. The area of the store identifier stores the store identifier that uniquely indicates the store ST where the corresponding PET bottle collection device 100 is installed. The area of the installation location stores information indicating the location where the corresponding PET bottle recycling device 100 is installed (i.e., the store ST). Specifically, the address indicating the location where the PET bottle recycling device 100 is installed may be stored in the area of the installation area.

[0065] Note that the recycling device information may also store information indicating, for example, the specifications of the PET bottle recycling device and information indicating the state of the PET bottle recycling device.

[0066] Referring to FIG. 7, a configuration example of the store management server 500 will be described. The store management server 500 in the figure includes a communication unit 501, a control unit 502, and a storage unit 503.

[0067] The communication unit 501 communicates via the network NT. The control unit 502 executes various controls in the store management server 500. The function as the control unit 502 is realized by the CPU included in the store management server 500 executing a program.

[0068] The storage unit 503 stores various information used by the control unit 502. The storage unit 503 in the figure includes a member information table storage unit 531, a recycling history information table storage unit 532, and a transaction history information table storage unit 533.

[0069] The member information table storage unit 531 stores the member information table. The member information table stores one or more pieces of member information. One piece of member information is information registered for one customer as a member who uses the store.

[0070] FIG. 8 shows an example of the member information table. One record (one row) in the member information table in the figure corresponds to the member information of one customer. The member information corresponding to a customer as one member includes areas of a member identifier (an example of customer identification information), member registration information, and point history information.

[0071] Note that since the area for donation history information corresponds to the area of the third embodiment, the description thereof is omitted here.

[0072] The area for the member identifier stores a member identifier that uniquely indicates the corresponding member. The area for member registration information stores the information registered at the time of member registration (member registration information). The member registration information may include information such as the name, address, telephone number, age (or age group), gender, occupation, etc. of the customer as a member. The point history information indicates the history of points for the corresponding member. The point history information may include information such as point addition, point usage, and cumulative points (point balance) up to now.

[0073] Return the explanation to FIG. 7. The collection history information table storage unit 532 stores the collection history information table. The collection history information table stores one or more pieces of collection history information. One piece of collection history information indicates the history regarding the collection of PET bottles corresponding to one collection operation. The collection history table may have a structure similar to that of FIG. 3, for example.

[0074] The transaction history information table storage unit 533 stores the transaction history information table. The transaction history information table stores one or more pieces of transaction history information. One piece of transaction history information is information indicating the history regarding the accounting performed corresponding to one transaction.

[0075] FIG. 9 shows an example of the transaction history information table. One row in the transaction history information table in the figure is the transaction history information corresponding to one transaction. The transaction history information corresponding to one transaction includes areas for a member identifier, a store identifier, a transaction date and time, and accounting information. The area for the member identifier stores a member identifier indicating the member who is the party to the corresponding transaction. That is, the area for the member identifier stores the member identifier included in the member information read from the member card CD by the POS register 400 in the accounting process of the corresponding transaction. The area for the store identifier stores the store identifier indicating the store ST where the POS register 400 that executed the accounting process corresponding to the relevant transaction is installed. The area for the transaction date and time (an example of the accounting time) stores the date and time (transaction date and time) when the accounting process corresponding to the relevant transaction was executed. The transaction date and time may be the date and time when the accounting process started, or the date and time when the accounting process ended. Alternatively, the transaction date and time may be the timing when a predetermined process was executed or the timing when a predetermined operation was performed from the start to the end of the accounting process. The area for the accounting information stores the accounting information indicating the content of the accounting process. The accounting information includes, for example, information indicating the result of the product registration process (e.g., product information (product code, price, etc.) for each registered product, total amount, etc.), and information indicating the result of the settlement process (e.g., settlement type, deposit, change, etc. information in the case of payment in cash).

[0076] In the PET bottle collection system with the above configuration, in store ST, a service is provided to add points to the member card CD in response to a customer shopping as a member. Moreover, in order to promote the use of the PET bottle collection device 100, a service to add points to the member card CD is also provided when a member cooperates in PET bottle collection by using the PET bottle collection device 100.

[0077] Here, when a user as a member cooperates in PET bottle collection by using the PET bottle collection device 100, it can be said that social contribution is made in terms of the environment, for example, the PET bottles are recycled instead of being discarded as garbage. Therefore, it can be said that getting the user to actively collect PET bottles by using the PET bottle collection device 100 leads to the activation of social contribution. In the present embodiment, points are added when a user as a member cooperates in PET bottle collection by using the PET bottle collection device 100 as described above. Thereby, it is possible to give the motivation for the user as a member to actively cooperate in the PET bottle collection by using the PET bottle collection device 100. However, the points have a monetary value. Therefore, although adding points according to the use of the PET bottle collection device 100 encourages the active use of the PET bottle collection device 100, for the user, it may be difficult to clearly have the awareness that they are making a social contribution as they will strongly be conscious of their own interests. Therefore, in this embodiment, as described below, it is made possible to activate the user to consciously make a social contribution by using the PET bottle collection device 100.

[0078] When the PET bottle collection device 100 of this embodiment starts the collection operation in response to the reading of the membership card, it displays a collection status screen on the touch panel display unit 1400 at a predetermined timing. As an example, the PET bottle collection device 100 may display a guidance screen for guiding how to store PET bottles in the PET bottle collection device 100 in response to the start of the collection operation, and then display the collection status screen. The collection status screen is a screen for notifying the user of the collection status of PET bottles in the current collection operation.

[0079] FIG. 10 shows an example of the collection status screen in this embodiment. FIG. 10(A) shows an example of the initial state of the collection status screen. In the initial state, the collection status screen has a predetermined number of PET bottle icons PBT arranged on a background image representing the sea, for example. In the figure, an example of 10 PET bottle icons PBT arranged in 2 rows × 5 columns is shown, but the arrangement pattern of the PET bottle icons PBT is not particularly limited. For example, the PET bottle icons PBT may be arranged radially. Under the display of the initial state shown in FIG. 10(A), when the user stores the first PET bottle in the PET bottle collection device 100, the collection status screen transitions as shown in FIG. 10(B). That is, the collection status screen transitions to a state where a dolphin icon DLP is arranged instead of the PET bottle icon PBT arranged at the leftmost position in the first row. When the user further inserts the second PET bottle into the PET bottle recycling device 100 from the state shown in Fig. 10(B), the recycling status screen transitions as shown in Fig. 10(C). That is, the recycling status screen shows a state where the dolphin icon DLP is placed instead of the PET bottle icon PBT that was placed second from the left in the first row. In this way, as each PET bottle is inserted into the PET bottle recycling device 100 one by one, the display of the recycling status screen changes sequentially so that the PET bottle icon PBT is replaced by the dolphin icon DLP. Such a change in the display of the recycling status screen indicates that, as a result of the user inserting PET bottles into the PET bottle recycling device 100, the PET bottles are recycled without becoming garbage, contributing to the protection of the natural environment.

[0080] Note that in the recycling status screen of this figure, 10 PET bottle icons PBT are arranged in the initial display. Therefore, when accommodating 11 or more PET bottles in one recycling operation, for example, it may be set to return to the initial display as shown in Fig. 10(A) when the stage of accommodating the 11th PET bottle is reached.

[0081] By looking at the changing recycling status screen in this way, the user can realize that their act of inserting PET bottles one by one into the PET bottle recycling device 100 contributes to social contribution in terms of environmental protection. As a result, the user can cooperate in the recycling of PET bottles using the PET bottle recycling device 100 with the awareness of actively contributing not only to the beneficial motivation of simply accumulating points but also to environmental protection (i.e., social contribution).

[0082] Note that the form of the collection status screen is not limited to the example in the figure. For example, for the PET bottle icon PBT, it may be displayed as an animation in a swaying state with an image of floating in the ocean. Also, for the dolphin icon DLP, it may be displayed as an animation that gives the impression of swimming in the ocean. Also, when changing from the PET bottle icon PBT to the dolphin icon DLP, for example, a display may be performed such that it is switched by gradation, or a display by an animation may be performed such that the PET bottle icon PBT is pushed out of the screen by the dolphin icon DLP. Also, for example, icons with patterns such as turtles, shellfish, and corals may be used instead of the dolphin icon DLP. Also, although the collection status screen in the figure is an image of the ocean, it may be an image of a mountain, a lake, or the like.

[0083] With reference to the flowchart of FIG. 11, an example of a processing procedure executed by the PET bottle collection device 100, the collection management server 200, and the store management server 500 in the PET bottle collection system of the present embodiment in relation to the display of the collection status screen will be described.

[0084] First, an example of the processing procedure of the PET bottle collection device 100 will be described. Step S101: The PET bottle collection device 100 waits for a collection operation instruction operation to be performed. The collection operation instruction operation is, for example, an operation in which a member causes a member identifier recorded on the member card CD to be read by the card reader 1500 at the start of the collection operation.

[0085] Step S102: In response to the collection operation instruction operation being performed, the PET bottle collection device 100 acquires the member identifier read from the member card CD by the card reader 1500. Step S103: Also, the PET bottle collection device 100 opens the outer door 111 and starts an operation corresponding to the current collection operation. Step S104: Further, the PET bottle recycling device 100 performs an initial display of the recycling status screen in the manner illustrated in FIG. 10(A) at a predetermined timing corresponding to the operation corresponding to the recycling operation.

[0086] Step S105: The PET bottle recycling device 100 determines whether or not a PET bottle has been inserted into the container insertion unit 110. Step S106: When a PET bottle (empty container A) is inserted into the container insertion unit 110, the PET bottle recycling device 100 executes control to reduce the volume of the PET bottle by the volume reduction unit 120 and store it in the container storage unit 140. Step S107: When the storage of the PET bottle is completed, the PET bottle recycling device 100 updates the display of the recycling status screen so that one of the PET bottle icons PBT arranged on the recycling status screen is replaced with the dolphin icon DLP.

[0087] Step S108: If it is determined in Step S105 that no PET bottle has been inserted, or after the process of Step S107, the PET bottle recycling device 100 determines whether or not the recycling operation has ended. For example, when the customer stores all the PET bottles they brought to the PET bottle recycling device 100, they perform a predetermined end operation. The end operation may be, for example, an operation on the end button displayed together with the recycling status screen on the touch panel display unit 1400. In response to the end operation being performed, the operation corresponding to one recycling operation performed so far ends. If it is determined in Step S108 that the recycling operation has not ended, the process returns to Step S105.

[0088] Step S109: When it is determined in Step S108 that the recycling operation has ended, the PET bottle recycling device 100 erases the recycling status screen. On the touch panel display unit 1400 after erasing the recycling status screen, for example, a standby screen in a predetermined manner may be displayed. Step S110: The PET bottle collection device 100 transmits the collection history information to the collection management server 200 and the store management server 500. The collection history information in this case includes the member identifier obtained from the card information acquired in step S102. The collection history information has contents reflecting the result of the collection operation, and in addition to the member identifier, information such as the device identifier, store identifier, collection date and time, number of collections, and collection weight is included. Note that the PET bottle collection device 100 may transmit the collection history information to the collection management server 200, and the transmission of the collection history information to the store management server 500 may be transferred from the collection management server 200.

[0089] Next, a description will be given of an example of the processing procedure executed by the collection management server 200. Step S201: The collection management server 200 receives the collection history information transmitted from the PET bottle collection device 100 in step S110. Step S202: The collection management server 200 stores the collection history information received in step S201 in the collection history information table storage unit 232.

[0090] Next, a description will be given of an example of the processing procedure executed by the store management server 500. Step S301: The store management server 500 receives the collection history information transmitted from the PET bottle collection device 100 in step S110. Step S302: The store management server 500 stores the collection history information received in step S301 in the collection history information table storage unit 532. Step S303: Also, the store management server 500 adds the number of points corresponding to the current collection operation (points addition for collection correspondence) to the member indicated by the member identifier stored in the collection history information stored in step S302. In this case, the store management server 500 updates the cumulative points of the member information storing the same member identifier as the collection history information stored in step S302 to increase by the current addition point number.

[0091] <Second Embodiment> Next, the second embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, the PET bottle collection device 100 can be used only by users who are members of the store ST. It is common for users who are members of the store ST and possess the membership card CD to be of a certain age or older. For example, it is rare for a child about elementary school age to possess the membership card CD. However, considering that cooperation in PET bottle collection has an aspect as a social contribution, it is preferable to encourage children to actively use the PET bottle collection device 100 based on the recognition that they are making a social contribution. Therefore, in this embodiment, as will be described below, especially elementary school children can use the PET bottle collection device 100 as users based on the recognition that they are making a social contribution.

[0092] Under this embodiment, first, in the area including the store ST, it is made well-known that a competition for the number of PET bottles collected using the PET bottle collection device 100 is being held among elementary schools in the area. Means for making it well-known may include posters posted at the store ST, CM on TV, radio, etc., advertisements using various media such as newspapers and magazines, and announcements on the homepage operated by the group of affiliated stores of the store ST.

[0093] For example, when a user who is an elementary school student tries to collect PET bottles with the PET bottle collection device 100, a school selection screen is displayed on the touch panel display unit 1400 by a predetermined operation on the PET bottle collection device 100. The operation for displaying the school selection screen may be, for example, an operation on a button for instructing the display of the school selection screen arranged on the standby screen displayed on the touch panel display unit 1400.

[0094] FIG. 12(A) shows an example of a school selection screen. The school selection screen in the figure is a screen on which an elementary school student, who is a user, performs an operation of selecting the elementary school to which he / she belongs from among the elementary schools included in a predetermined regional range based on the location where the PET bottle collection device 100 is installed. On the school selection screen, school selection buttons BT1 corresponding to each elementary school are arranged. The name of each elementary school is displayed on the school selection button BT1. The elementary school student, who is a user, operates the school selection button BT1 corresponding to the elementary school to which he / she belongs from among the school selection buttons BT1 arranged on the school selection screen. The elementary school selected in this way is an operation of selecting a subject (i.e., a subject that performs an act of social contribution) that cooperates in PET bottle collection using the PET bottle collection device 100.

[0095] In response to the operation of the school selection button BT1, the PET bottle collection device 100 starts the collection operation. That is, when an elementary school as a subject that cooperates in PET bottle collection is selected by an operation on the school selection screen, the PET bottle collection device 100 is made to start the collection operation even if the card information is not read from the membership card CD. As a result, even an elementary school student who does not possess the membership card CD can have PET bottles accommodated in the PET bottle collection device 100 as if he / she participated in a competition of the number of PET bottles collected among elementary schools. After the collection operation is started, the elementary school student, who is a user, should accommodate the PET bottles brought one by one. At this time, a collection status screen similar to that in the first embodiment may be displayed on the touch panel display unit 1400. In this case, the accommodation history of the PET bottles accommodated in the PET bottle collection device 100 by the collection operation is treated as an achievement corresponding to the elementary school that is the subject that cooperates in PET bottle collection under the competition of the number of PET bottles collected.

[0096] In the case of the collection operation under such a competition of the number of PET bottles collected, a ranking screen showing the ranking (order) of elementary schools at the current time is displayed in response to the end of the collection operation. Figure 12(B) shows an example of a ranking screen. In the ranking screen of this figure, elementary schools are shown along with their ranks. Also, the cumulative value of the number of PET bottles collected is shown for each elementary school. The cumulative value of the number of PET bottles collected may be, for example, the cumulative value from a certain past point in time corresponding to a predetermined period up to the present.

[0097] In the example of this figure, the ranking is simply determined based on the number of collected bottles. However, the ranking may be determined, for example, based on the collected weight. Also, it may be determined based on the quality of the PET bottles stored (for example, whether the film has been removed, the presence or absence of residues, etc.). Also, it may be determined based on a combination of at least two or more of the number of collected bottles, the collected weight, and the quality.

[0098] The ranking screen may be made viewable, for example, by logging in to a website that publishes the ranking screen using a smartphone, a personal computer, a tablet terminal, etc. Thereby, for example, a teacher in an elementary school can show the ranking screen to the students, or a family with an elementary school student can view the ranking together to communicate and enhance the awareness of contributing to society through PET bottle collection.

[0099] In the recovery management server 200 in the present embodiment, in the storage unit 203, in addition to the recovery device information table storage unit 231 and the recovery history information table storage unit 232, it further includes a school database storage unit 233 and a school unit recovery history information table storage unit 234 (Fig. 5).

[0100] The school database storage unit 233 stores a school database. The school database is a database of information (school information) related to elementary schools participating in the PET bottle collection competition. FIG. 13(A) shows an example of a school database. One record (one line) in the school database in the figure corresponds to the school information for one area. One school information includes areas for a region identifier, a school identifier, and a store identifier. The area for the region identifier stores a region identifier that uniquely indicates a predetermined regional range. The area for the school identifier stores a school identifier that uniquely indicates each elementary school whose school district (commuting area) is included in the regional range indicated by the region identifier. Although not shown, the school database stores school information (information such as a school name, a school emblem, and the number of students may be included in addition to the school name) for elementary schools corresponding to each school identifier. For example, when information such as a school emblem and the number of students is stored in the school information, the school emblem and the number of students may be displayed together with the school name on the school selection screen (FIG. 12(A)) and the ranking screen (FIG. 12(B)). The area for the store identifier stores the store identifier of store ST included in the regional range indicated by the corresponding region identifier. On the school selection screen, a school selection button BT1 for an elementary school with a school identifier included in the school information that includes the store identifier of store ST where the PET bottle collection device 100 is installed in such a school database is arranged. Note that the regional range indicated by the region identifier may have overlapping regional parts, for example, between adjacent regions. In this case, for a certain elementary school or store ST, it may be managed as existing overlapping in a plurality of regional ranges. Note that instead of the store identifier, the device identifier of the corresponding PET bottle collection device 100 may be stored.

[0101] The school unit collection history information table storage unit 234 stores a school unit collection history information table. The school unit collection history information table has a structure in which the collection history information is tabulated in units of elementary schools that are the main bodies in the competition of the number of PET bottles collected.

[0102] FIG. 13(B) shows an example of the school unit collection history information table. One record (one line) in the school unit collection history information table in the figure corresponds to one collection operation and is the school unit collection history information transmitted from the PET bottle collection device 100. One piece of school unit collection history information includes areas for a device identifier, a store identifier, a school identifier, a collection date and time, a collection quantity (an example of the quantity of collected items), and a collection weight (an example of the quantity of collected items).

[0103] The area for the device identifier stores a device identifier that uniquely indicates the PET bottle collection device 100 that is the source of the school unit collection history information. The area for the store identifier stores a store identifier that uniquely indicates the store ST where the PET bottle collection device 100 that is the source of the school unit collection history information is installed. The area for the school identifier stores a school identifier that uniquely indicates the elementary school selected as the entity cooperating in PET bottle collection by an operation on the school selection screen at the start of the corresponding collection operation. Here, the school unit collection history information in the first and second lines of the figure has the same school identifier of "SC0001", but the combinations of the device identifier and the store identifier are different from each other. The school unit collection history information in the first line indicates that the students of the elementary school with the school identifier of "SC0001" had a collection operation performed by the PET bottle collection device 100 at a certain store ST within the corresponding regional scope. On the other hand, the school unit collection history information in the second line indicates that the students of the same elementary school with the school identifier of "SC0001" as in the first line had a collection operation performed, but the PET bottle collection device 100 for the collection operation was installed in a different store within the same regional scope than in the first line. The area for the collection date and time stores the collection date and time which is the date and time when the corresponding collection operation was performed. In this case, the collection date and time may also be, for example, the time when the collection operation started, or the time when the collection operation ended. Alternatively, the collection date and time may include both the time when the collection operation started and the time when it ended. The collection date and time may be included in the school-based collection history information transmitted by the PET bottle collection device 100 after being set in the PET bottle collection device 100, for example. Alternatively, for example, the collection management server 200 may set the date and time corresponding to the reception of the school-based collection history information as the collection date and time. When the collection management server 200 sets the collection date and time in this way, the school-based collection history information transmitted by the PET bottle collection device 100 does not necessarily have to include the collection date and time.

[0104] Regarding the area for the number of collected bottles and the area for the collected weight, in the same manner as in FIG. 3, the PET bottle collection device 100 stores the number of PET bottles (number of collected bottles) and the total weight (collected weight) collected in the corresponding collection operation.

[0105] Referring to the flowchart of FIG. 14, an example of the processing procedure executed by the PET bottle collection device 100 and the collection management server 200 of the present embodiment in response to the PET bottle collection competition by school units will be described.

[0106] First, an example of the processing procedure executed by the PET bottle collection device 100 will be described. Step S401: The PET bottle collection device 100 waits for an operation (school selection screen display instruction operation) that instructs the display of the school selection screen. Step S402: When the school selection screen display instruction operation is performed, the PET bottle collection device 100 transmits a school selection screen request to the collection management server 200. The school selection screen request stores a store identifier (which may be the device identifier of the PET bottle collection device 100 itself) indicating the store ST where the PET bottle collection device 100 is installed.

[0107] Step S403: The PET bottle collection device 100 receives the school selection screen transmitted by the collection management server 200 in response to the school selection screen request transmitted in step S402. Step S404: The PET bottle collection device 100 causes the touch panel display unit 1400 to display the school selection screen received in step S403.

[0108] Step S405: The PET bottle collection device 100 waits for a school selection operation to be performed. The school selection operation is to operate the school selection button BT1 arranged on the displayed school selection screen. Step S406: In response to the school selection operation being performed, the PET bottle collection device 100 starts the collection operation. Thus, in the present embodiment, when the school selection operation is performed, the collection operation is started without reading the card information from the membership card CD. After the collection operation is started, the PET bottle collection device 100 controls so that the volume reduction and accommodation of the PET bottles input by the user are performed each time a PET bottle is input. Step S407: The PET bottle collection device 100 waits for the collection operation to end. Step S408: When the collection operation ends, the PET bottle collection device 100 transmits school unit collection history information, which is collection history information corresponding to the current collection operation, to the collection management server 200.

[0109] Step S409: In response to transmitting the school unit collection history information in step S408, the collection management server 200 transmits a ranking screen showing a ranking based on the current number of PET bottles collected per school to the PET bottle collection device 100. The PET bottle collection device 100 receives the transmitted ranking screen.

[0110] Step S410: The PET bottle collection device 100 causes the touch panel display unit 1400 to display the ranking screen received in step S409.

[0111] Note that the collection management server 200 may generate ranking information that describes the rankings of elementary schools in text or the like instead of the ranking screen, and transmit the generated ranking information. In this case, the PET bottle collection device 100 may generate a ranking screen based on the description of the received ranking information and display the generated ranking screen.

[0112] Next, a processing procedure example of the collection management server 200 will be described. Step S501: The collection management server 200 receives the school selection screen request transmitted in step S402. Step S502: In response to receiving the school selection screen request, the collection management server 200 generates a school selection screen. When generating the school selection screen, the collection management server 200 acquires school information including the store identifier included in the school selection screen request received in step S501 from the school database. The collection management server 200 generates a school selection screen using the school information of these elementary schools. The school selection screen generated in this way will have school selection buttons BT1 for elementary schools included in a certain area including the same store identifier arranged thereon. Step S503: The collection management server 200 transmits the school selection screen generated in step S502 to the PET bottle collection device 100 that is the transmission source of the school selection screen request.

[0113] Step S504: The collection management server 200 receives the school unit collection history information transmitted from the PET bottle collection device 100 in step S408. Step S505: The collection management server 200 stores the school unit collection history information received in step S504 in the school unit collection history information table storage unit 234. The school unit collection history information includes the school identifier of the elementary school selected in step S405 and information indicating the collection result of PET bottles by this collection operation.

[0114] Step S506: The recovery management server 200 generates a ranking screen. When generating the ranking screen, the recovery management server 200 acquires the school unit recovery history information of the elementary school indicated by the school identifier included in the school unit recovery history information received in step S505. In addition, the recovery management server 200 acquires the school unit recovery history information of the elementary school associated with the same store identifier as that associated with the elementary school indicated by the school identifier included in the school unit recovery history information received in step S505. The recovery management server 200 uses the school unit recovery history information of these elementary schools to generate a ranking screen. The ranking screen generated in this way is a ranking of elementary schools within the same regional scope. In addition, the ranking screen generated by the recovery management server 200 may be in the form of, for example, a web page. Step S507: The recovery management server 200 transmits the ranking screen generated in step S506 to the PET bottle recovery device 100, which is the source of the school unit recovery history information received in step S504.

[0115] Note that in this embodiment, as long as a school selection screen is displayed and a school selection operation is performed, the recovery operation is permitted even if the card information of the membership card CD is not read. In this case, for example, a person who is not actually a primary school student and does not possess a membership card CD can perform a school selection operation to cause the PET bottle recovery device 100 to execute a recovery operation. When trying to avoid such a situation, for example, a camera may be provided so as to be able to image the user located in front of the PET bottle recovery device 100, and the image captured by the camera may be analyzed to determine whether the user is a primary school student. If it is determined that the user is not a primary school student, the PET bottle recovery device 100 does not execute the recovery operation.

[0116] Note that, for example, depending on the popularity status of the membership card CD, etc., in this embodiment, even if the membership card CD is not read, the recovery operation corresponding to the confrontation battle at the elementary school unit may not be started.

[0117] <Third Embodiment> Next, the third embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, as in the above embodiments, when the member card CD is read by the PET bottle collection device 100 and then the collection operation is performed, points () corresponding to the accommodation result of the PET bottles are generated. Furthermore, in the PET bottle collection system of this embodiment, regarding the points generated according to the accommodation result of the PET bottles, as will be described below, instead of adding them to the point accumulation value of the user who is a member, they can be donated.

[0118] As a member, the user can arbitrarily select whether to add the points generated according to the accommodation result of the PET bottles to their own accumulated points or to donate them. In this embodiment, at the timing when one collection operation corresponding to the user as a member is completed, a point use selection screen is displayed on the touch panel display unit 1400. Although illustration is omitted, the point use selection screen is a screen on which the user performs an operation to select whether to add the points generated according to the accommodation result of the PET bottles in this collection operation to the accumulated points or to donate them. When the user performs an operation to select donation on the point use selection screen, a point donation screen is displayed on the touch panel display unit 1400. The point donation screen is a screen on which the user performs an operation to donate points.

[0119] FIG. 15(A) shows an example of the point donation screen displayed on the touch panel display unit 1400. In the point donation screen of the figure, a donation target point area AR11 is arranged. The donation target point area AR11 shows the number of points to be donated. The number of points to be donated here is all the points generated according to the collection result (for example, the number of collected bottles) of the PET bottles in this collection operation.

[0120] Also, on the point donation screen, a plurality of donation destination selection buttons BT11 are arranged. The donation destination selection button BT11 is a button for performing an operation of selecting a donation recipient who is a candidate for the point donation destination. Different donation recipients are assigned to the donation destination selection buttons BT11, and information indicating the assigned donation recipients is displayed. That is, by looking at the donation destination selection buttons BT11 arranged on the point donation screen, the user can grasp what donation recipients are available as donation destination options. In this embodiment, the donation recipients arranged on the point donation screen are selected corresponding to the locations where the PET bottle collection devices 100 are installed.

[0121] In the figure, five donation destination selection buttons BT11 are arranged on one screen. That is, five donation recipients are presented. For example, if there are six or more donation recipients to be presented and it is not possible to arrange the donation destination selection buttons BT11 corresponding to all the donation recipients on one screen, the point donation screen may be structured as a page structure so that page forward and page back operations can be performed. Alternatively, the donation destination selection buttons BT11 corresponding to all the donation recipients may be arranged on a single point donation screen that can be scrolled.

[0122] The user performs an operation on the donation destination selection button BT11 of the donation recipient selected according to his or her own judgment from among the donation destination selection buttons BT11 arranged on the point donation screen. The operated donation destination selection button BT11 is highlighted in a predetermined manner to indicate that it is in a selected state. When the donation recipient is selected as described above, the user performs an operation on the donation execution button BT12. In response to the operation of the donation execution button BT12, a donation amount corresponding to the number of points shown in the donation target point area AR11 is donated to the selected donation recipient.

[0123] In the above description, an example was given in which, in the donation target point area AR11, the number of points generated according to the PET bottle collection result in this collection operation is shown as the donation target number of points. That is, an example was given in which the number of points generated according to the PET bottle collection result in this collection operation is directly used as the donation target number of points. However, for example, within the range of the number of points generated according to the PET bottle collection result in this collection operation, the user may be allowed to specify the number of donation target points. Alternatively, within the range of the cumulative number of points of the user including the number of points generated according to the PET bottle collection result in this collection operation, the user may be allowed to specify the number of donation target points.

[0124] In addition, the donation of points can also be performed, for example, by a user as a member operating the client terminal device 300. In this case, the user operates the client terminal device 300 to display a point donation screen on the display unit of the client terminal device 300. FIG. 15(B) shows an example of a point donation screen displayed on the display unit of the client terminal device 300. The point donation screen displayed in this way may be displayed, for example, on an application having a point management function, or may be displayed as a web page accessed by a web browser.

[0125] In the point donation screen of this figure, a donation target point area AR21 and a plurality of donation destination selection buttons BT21 are arranged. The point donation screen in this case is scrollable in the vertical direction. By scrolling the point donation screen, the user can list all of the donation destination selection buttons BT21 arranged on the point donation screen and grasp what kind of donation recipients there are.

[0126] In the donation target point area AR21, the cumulative point number of the current user is shown in the initial display. The cumulative point number shown in this way includes points generated in response to the user as a member shopping at the store ST. Further, when the user as a member uses the PET bottle collection device 100, it includes points generated according to the PET bottle collection result. The user performs an operation to change the cumulative point number shown in the donation target point area AR21 and specifies the point number to be the donation target within the range of the cumulative point number. After that, the user can select, as the donation destination, the donation recipient assigned to the operated donation destination selection button BT21 by operating the donation destination selection button BT21 from among the donation destination selection buttons BT21. After selecting the donation destination in this way, the user performs an operation (donation instruction operation) to instruct the execution of the donation. The donation instruction operation may be, for example, an operation on a donation execution button arranged at a predetermined position on the point donation screen. In response to the donation instruction operation being performed, a donation amount corresponding to the point number shown in the donation target point area AR21 is donated to the selected donation recipient.

[0127] The collection management server 200 in the present embodiment includes, in the storage unit 203, in addition to the collection device information table storage unit 231 and the collection history information table storage unit 232, a donation recipient information table storage unit 235. The donation recipient information table storage unit 235 stores a donation recipient information table. The donation recipient information table is a table that stores information about the donation recipient (donation recipient information).

[0128] FIG. 16 shows an example of the donation recipient information table. One record (one row) in the figure corresponds to the donation recipient information of one donation recipient. The donation recipient information corresponding to one donation recipient includes areas for a donation recipient identifier, donation recipient information, presentation period, presentation range, and presentation priority. The area of the donation recipient identifier stores a donation recipient identifier that uniquely indicates the corresponding donation recipient. The area for donation recipient information stores donation recipient information. The donation recipient information includes predetermined information regarding the donation recipient. The donation recipient information includes, for example, the name of the donation recipient, the symbol mark of the donation recipient, image information of an icon in the form of a picture such as a trademark, etc. Further, the donation recipient information may include information regarding procedures for donation such as the account of the recipient of the donation, the location of the donation recipient, etc. The area for the presentation period indicates the period during which the corresponding donation recipient can accept donations. The area for the presentation range indicates the range of the region where the corresponding donation recipient can accept donations. The area for the presentation priority indicates the priority of placement when arranging the corresponding donation destination selection button on the point donation screen.

[0129] Referring to the flowchart of FIG. 17, an example of the processing procedure executed by the PET bottle collection device 100 and the collection management server 200 in the PET bottle collection system of the present embodiment in relation to point donation will be described. The processing in the figure corresponds to the case where the points generated according to the PET bottle collection result are directly donated as described in FIG. 15(A).

[0130] First, an example of the processing procedure executed by the PET bottle collection device 100 will be described. Step S601: The PET bottle collection device 100 waits for the end of the collection operation started in response to the reading of card information from the membership card CD. Step S602: As described above, when the collection operation started in response to the reading of card information ends, the PET bottle collection device 100 displays a point usage selection screen on the touch panel display unit 1400. The PET bottle collection device 100 determines whether an operation (donation selection operation) to select to donate to the point usage selection screen has been performed in a state where the point usage selection screen is displayed.

[0131] Step S603: When the donation selection operation is performed, the PET bottle collection device 100 transmits a point donation screen request to the collection management server 200. Step S604: In response to receiving the point donation screen request transmitted in step S603, the collection management server 200 transmits the point donation screen to the PET bottle collection device 100. The PET bottle collection device 100 receives the transmitted point donation screen. Step S605: The PET bottle collection device 100 causes the received point donation screen to be displayed on the touch panel display unit 1400.

[0132] Step S606: With the point donation screen being displayed, the user performs an operation (donation destination specifying operation) on the donation destination selection button BT11 of the donation recipient selected by the user as described above. The PET bottle collection device 100 accepts the donation destination specifying operation performed by the user. At this time, the PET bottle collection device 100 highlights the donation destination selection button BT11 that is the target of the donation destination specifying operation. Step S607: After performing the donation destination specifying operation, the user performs an operation (donation execution operation) on the donation execution button BT12. The PET bottle collection device 100 accepts the donation execution operation performed by the user. Step S608: In response to accepting the donation execution operation, the PET bottle collection device 100 transmits point donation information to the collection management server 200. The point donation information includes information indicating the donation recipient specified as the donation destination by the donation destination specifying operation and the number of points to be donated.

[0133] Step S609: The PET bottle collection device 100 transmits the collection history information to the collection management server 200 and the store management server 500. Here, when reaching step S609 after the process of step S608, the PET bottle collection device 100 may include, in the collection history information transmitted to the store management server 500, the point donation information having the same content as that transmitted in step S608. The store management server 500 of the present embodiment includes an area for donation history information in the member information (FIG. 8). When the store management server 500 receives collection history information including point donation information, it stores the content of the point donation information included in the collection history information in the donation history information in the corresponding member information by adding it. Also, in this case, since the number of points added to the cumulative number of points of the member is zero, the point history information in the corresponding member information may not be updated. Alternatively, in the point history information in the corresponding member information in this case, it may be shown that the number of points added by the point donation is zero.

[0134] Next, a processing procedure example executed by the collection management server 200 in relation to the generation of the point donation screen will be described. Step S701: The collection management server 200 receives the point donation screen request transmitted in step S603. Step S702: The collection management server 200 generates a point donation screen. The point donation screen request received in step S701 includes the device identifier of the source PET bottle collection device 100. The collection management server 200 acquires the installation location (address) associated with the device identifier included in the point donation screen request from the collection device information table. The collection management server 200 searches the donation recipient information table for donation recipient information whose presentation range includes the acquired installation location and whose presentation period includes the current date. The collection management server 200 generates a point donation screen by arranging the donation destination selection button BT11 for each donation recipient indicated by the searched donation recipient information. At this time, the collection management server 200 determines the arrangement position for each donation destination selection button BT11 on the point donation screen based on the presentation priority associated with the searched donation recipient information. Step S703: The collection management server 200 transmits the generated point donation screen to the PET bottle collection device 100 that is the source of the point donation screen request.

[0135] Next, a description will be given of an example of a processing procedure executed by the collection management server 200 in relation to point donations to the recipient. Step S801: The collection management server 200 receives the point donation information transmitted from the PET bottle collection device 100 in step S608. Step S802: The collection management server 200 calculates the donation amount corresponding to the number of points to be donated indicated in the received point donation information. Step S803: The collection management server 200 executes a donation process. That is, the collection management server 200 executes a process to donate the donation amount calculated in step S802 to the donation recipient of the recipient indicated in the point donation information received in step S801.

[0136] In the figure, in step S802, after calculating the donation amount from the number of points to be donated, the calculated donation amount is donated. However, for example, depending on a request from the donation recipient or the like, the number of points to be donated may be directly donated.

[0137] In the present embodiment, the donation recipient presented by the donation destination selection button BT11 on the point donation screen can be registered, for example, as follows when the administrator of the PET bottle collection system operates the management terminal device 600 (FIG. 1). When registering the donation recipient presented on the point donation screen, the administrator causes the management terminal device 600 to access the website for setting donation destination candidates provided by the collection management server 200. As a result, a donation recipient list screen is displayed on the display unit of the management terminal device 600.

[0138] FIG. 18(A) shows an example of a donation recipient list screen. In the donation recipient list screen, a donation destination candidate list area AR31 is arranged. In the donation destination candidate list area AR31, list items of registered donation recipients are presented. Among the registered donation recipients, those who meet the conditions such as the presentation period and presentation range are presented on the point donation screen.

[0139] When the administrator wants to newly register a donation recipient, a new registration operation is performed. The new registration operation may be, for example, an operation on a new registration button BT31 on the donation recipient list screen. Also, when the administrator wants to change the registration content of a registered donation recipient, the administrator selects a list item to be the target of the donation destination candidate setting from among the list items of the donation recipients presented on the donation recipient list screen and performs a registration content change declaration operation. In response to the new registration operation or the registration content change declaration operation being performed, a donation recipient setting screen is displayed on the display unit of the management terminal device 600.

[0140] FIG. 18(B) shows an example of a donation recipient setting screen. In the donation recipient setting screen, an icon setting area AR41, a donation recipient name setting area AR42, a presentation period setting area AR43, a presentation range setting area AR44, and a presentation priority setting area AR45 are arranged.

[0141] The icon setting area AR41 is an area where an operation of setting an image as an icon corresponding to a donation recipient is performed. The administrator can set an image as an icon, for example, by selecting an image to be the icon from among the images stored in the management terminal device 600 by a predetermined operation. The donation recipient name setting area AR42 is an area where an operation of setting the name of the donation recipient is performed. The operator can set the name of the donation recipient, for example, by performing an operation of inputting characters as the name of the donation recipient. The presentation period setting area AR43 is an area where an operation of setting the presentation period is performed. The prompt range setting area AR44 is an area where an operation for setting the prompt range is performed. The prompt priority setting area AR45 is an area where an operation for setting the prompt priority is performed.

[0142] Based on the content set by an operation on the donor setting screen, donor information corresponding to one donor is generated. The generated donor information is stored in the donor information table stored in the collection management server 200.

[0143] <Fourth Embodiment> Subsequently, the fourth embodiment will be described. In the fourth embodiment, regardless of whether the user is a member of the store ST, donation points (an example of consideration) are generated according to the result of storing PET bottles in the PET bottle collection device 100. Moreover, the user determines whether to donate their own donation points at their own discretion. When the user determines to make a donation, the user can select a recipient organization (donation recipient) from options where one or more recipients are presented and make a donation.

[0144] FIG. 19 shows an example of a standby screen displayed on the touch panel display unit 1400 of the PET bottle collection device 100 of this embodiment. On the standby screen of the figure, guidance is provided for the user who is about to use the PET bottle collection device 100 to perform any of the following two operations. Also, on the standby screen of the figure, a message "Please check that the label and cap are removed" is displayed. As described above, since the label and cap of the PET bottle are made of resin of a different material from the PET bottle, they need to be removed for recycling the PET bottle. Therefore, by displaying such a message on the standby screen, the user can keep the label and cap removed from the PET bottle brought this time. Also, on the standby screen, a message may be further displayed to tell the user to make sure that there is no remaining beverage left. Furthermore, on the standby screen, guidance for users to make the PET bottle recyclable as described above may be displayed by animation. That is, for example, a video of the label being peeled off from the PET bottle (or it may be a slide image, etc.), a video of the cap attached to the PET bottle being removed while being turned, a video of the contents of the PET bottle being poured out, etc. may be displayed. In addition, when the user makes an operation to declare the start of use as described above, the PET bottle collection device 100 enters a state (placement standby state) of waiting for the PET bottle to be placed on the placement unit with the outer door of the container insertion unit open. For example, even in such a placement standby state, the PET bottle collection device 100 may display a message, animation, etc. guiding the user to eliminate the non-recyclable state of the label, cap, remaining beverage, etc. as described above. By providing the above guidance even after the start-of-use declaration in this way, the user can be repeatedly requested to eliminate the non-recyclable state, and it is possible to more effectively prevent the PET bottle in the non-recyclable state from being collected. Note that the display of a message, animation, etc. guiding the user to eliminate the non-recyclable state as described above is not limited to the standby screen and may be displayed as appropriate according to the need. For example, when a store clerk, worker, etc. takes out the PET bottle stored in the container storage unit 140 from the PET bottle collection device 100, a message, animation, etc. guiding the store clerk, worker, etc. to check the label, cap, and remaining beverage may be displayed. When taking out the PET bottles stored in the container storage section 140, the PET bottle recycling device 100 determines, for example, whether it is possible to recycle one bottle at a time. Therefore, also in this case, for example, if it is determined by weight measurement, imaging using a camera, etc. that the label, cap, and remaining beverage cannot be recycled, the PET bottle recycling device 100 stops the operation according to the recycling, and a display for guiding the removal of the label and cap and the discharge of the remaining beverage to the store clerk, worker, etc. may be performed. Such a display may also be performed by characters, animation, etc. Note that the design of the color pattern, background, etc. of the standby screen may be changed so as to reflect the characteristics of each region where the PET bottle recycling device 100 is installed, for example. Also, for example, a plurality of designs may be prepared in advance for the standby screen, and it may be changed according to the passage of time.

[0145] One of the guidance displays is to guide the user, when they are a member of the store ST and currently possess a membership card, to perform an operation of having the membership card read by the PET bottle recycling device 100 as a declaration of starting use, such as "Please scan your membership card if you have one." In the above guidance display, in response to the code (barcode or two-dimensional code) indicating the member identifier being attached to the membership card CD, the user is guided to perform an operation of scanning the code. In this case, for example, the card reader 1500 may be configured as a code scanner. Alternatively, a code reader may be provided in the PET bottle recycling device 100 separately from the card reader 1500.

[0146] Also, for example, after the member application corresponding to the store ST installed in the customer terminal device 300 is made capable of displaying an image of the membership card CD, the user may be made to perform an operation of scanning the code in the image of the membership card CD displayed on the customer terminal device 300.

[0147] Also, when the user causes the PET bottle collection device 100 to acquire membership information (including at least the member identifier) using the client terminal device 300 in the usage start declaration, for example, short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) may be used. For example, when the user's client terminal device 300 approaches the PET bottle collection device 100 within a certain distance, a connection between the client terminal device 300 and the PET bottle collection device 100 may be established, and the client terminal device 300 may be made to transmit membership information to the PET bottle collection device 100. Alternatively, for example, a code of control information for communication connection (for example, a two-dimensional code or a barcode) may be displayed on the standby screen of the PET bottle collection device 100. Then, when the user reads the code of the control information for communication connection using the code reader function of the client terminal device 300, the client terminal device 300 may be connected to the PET bottle collection device 100 and transmit membership information.

[0148] Also, when the client terminal device 300 and the PET bottle collection device 100 are communicably connected as described above, the PET bottle collection device 100 during collection operation may transmit information indicating the accommodation status of PET bottles to the client terminal device 300, and the client terminal device 300 may display the accommodation status of PET bottles such as the number of PET bottles accommodated up to the current time. Further, for example, the PET bottle collection device 100 may transmit information introducing the donation destination to the client terminal device 300, and the client terminal device 300 may be made to display the received information.

[0149] Another guidance display is to guide the user to perform an operation of touching an arbitrary position on the standby screen displayed on the touch panel display unit 1400 instead of having the membership card read when the user is not a member of the store ST, or even if the user is a member but does not have the membership card with them, or does not intend to use the membership card, such as "For those who do not have it, touch the screen".

[0150] When a user intends to use the PET bottle collection device 100 after having the code of the membership card CD read, as a declaration of starting use, the user causes the code scanner of the PET bottle collection device 100 to read the code of the membership card CD that the user possesses. In response to reading the code of the membership card CD, the PET bottle collection device 100 displays a will declaration operation screen for members on the touch panel display unit 1400. The will declaration operation screen is a screen on which an operation for declaring the presence or absence of the will of the user to donate is performed.

[0151] FIG. 20 shows an example of the will declaration operation screen for members. In the will declaration operation screen of the figure, three donation destination selection buttons BT51 (BT51-1, BT51-2, BT51-3) and one point accumulation declaration button BT52 are arranged. Different organizations to which donations are to be made are associated with the donation destination selection buttons BT51, and a logo mark indicating the associated organization, an outline of the organization, etc. are displayed. The donation destination selection button BT51 is a button on which an operation for selecting the associated organization as the donation destination is performed by the user. In the figure, an example in which organizations A, B, and C are associated with the donation destination selection buttons BT51-1, BT51-2, and BT51-3, respectively, is shown.

[0152] The point accumulation declaration button BT52 is a button on which an operation is performed when the user wants to add the donation points generated according to the result of storing PET bottles in the PET bottle collection device 100 to the points of the user's own membership card CD without donating them.

[0153] In the figure, a mode in which four buttons are arranged on the will declaration operation screen is shown, but the number of buttons arranged on the will declaration operation screen is not particularly limited and may be determined in consideration of the visibility, operability, etc. of the buttons.

[0154] Note that the layout of the donation destination selection button BT51 and the point accumulation declaration button BT52 on the will declaration operation screen is not limited to the example in the figure.

[0155] Note that, for example, in the case where four buttons are arranged on the will declaration operation screen as shown in the figure, if it is not possible to arrange the donation destination selection buttons BT51 corresponding to all institutions on one donation destination selection screen according to the fact that the number of donation destinations is 4 or more, the will declaration operation screen may be set as a multi-page structure so that page forwarding and page backward operations can be performed. Also, when the will declaration operation screen has a multi-page structure, the point accumulation declaration button BT52 may be arranged on each page, or may be arranged on one or more predetermined pages such as the first page, the last page, and every predetermined number of pages.

[0156] When the user intends to donate donation points, the user selects the institution to be the donation destination from among the institutions presented by the donation destination selection button BT51 arranged on the will declaration operation screen, and performs an operation of touching the donation destination selection button BT51 corresponding to the selected institution. Note that, for example, when the number of donation destinations arranged as the donation destination selection button BT51 on the will declaration operation screen increases and, for example, the number of pages of the will declaration operation screen also increases, it may become difficult for the user to find the donation destination selection button BT51 of the donation destination the user wants to select. Therefore, operations such as an operation of narrowing down institutions by specifying the classification of donation destinations and a search for the name of an institution by character input may be enabled. When performing an operation of narrowing down institutions by specifying the classification of donation destinations, the classification of donation destinations that can be specified may include items related to the location of institutions such as "domestic", "foreign", and "nationality". Also, the classification of donation destinations that can be specified may be items related to the activity content of institutions such as "environmental protection", "refugee assistance", "medical care", "scholarship", "support for traffic orphans", "support for the unemployed", and "support for children from poor families". On the other hand, when the user has no intention of donating the donation points, the user performs an operation of touching the point accumulation declaration button BT52 arranged on the will declaration operation screen. In this way, the user can perform an operation of instructing whether to donate according to the will of whether to donate according to the accommodation result of the PET bottle.

[0157] In response to either the donation selection button BT51 or the point accumulation declaration button BT52 being operated as described above, the PET bottle collection device 100 starts the current collection operation.

[0158] That is, in this embodiment, before the collection operation, the information of the donation destination is presented on the will declaration operation screen, and the user selects the donation destination and performs an operation for the intention indication (declaration) of donating, or an operation for the intention indication (declaration) of not donating. In response to this, the collection operation is started. That is, in this embodiment, it is not possible to select the donation destination after the collection operation is performed. In this way, since the collection operation is started after the operation of selecting the donation destination or the operation of declaring not to donate is performed, the user can clearly be aware of the donation at the stage before collecting the PET bottle. As a result, it becomes easier for the user to donate, and it can be expected that donations will be actively made.

[0159] In addition, in this embodiment, as the number of users who become aware of donations increases due to the use of the PET bottle collection device 100, the fact that donations can be made by using the PET bottle collection device 100 at the store ST will also spread. As a result, it will become widely known that the company operating the store ST is actively engaged in donations. Therefore, for example, on the touch panel display unit 1400 of the PET bottle collection device 100, an image representing the company operating the store ST (for example, the company name, logo, etc.) and the donation results according to the use of the PET bottle collection device 100 up to now may be displayed at a predetermined timing. By performing such a display, it is possible to convey to the users the fact that the company is actively engaged in donations and the degree of social contribution according to the current donation results.

[0160] In this embodiment, on the touch panel display unit 1400, when the collection operation is being executed, guidance on the accommodation of PET bottles and the accommodation status in the current collection operation (the number of PET bottles accommodated up to the current time, etc.) are displayed. Moreover, when the donation destination is selected by an operation on the previous will declaration operation screen, the PET bottle collection device 100 may be configured to also display, on the touch panel display unit 1400, information about the organization of the selected donation destination when the collection operation is being executed. The information about the organization of the donation destination displayed in this case may be, for example, the activities of the organization of the donation destination, the current notice about the target supported by the organization of the donation destination, the results of donations received so far, etc. Also, information about the organizations of donation destinations other than the selected donation destination may be displayed. In addition, the PET bottle collection device 100 may display the amount of donation corresponding to the number of PET bottles already accommodated in the current collection operation, together with the number of PET bottles already accommodated. In this case, the PET bottle collection device 100 may calculate the donation amount based on the conversion rate to the amount per unit point corresponding to the organization of the donation destination. In this case, each time the user has the PET bottle collection device 100 accommodate PET bottles, the user can see from the display on the touch panel display unit 1400 that the number of PET bottles already accommodated and the donation amount are increasing. As a result, the user can actually feel that a donation is being made by collecting PET bottles. In addition, the PET bottle collection device 100 may display a code (for example, a two-dimensional code or the like) for accessing the website that provides the information of the organization of the donation destination selected by the user at a predetermined timing or opportunity before the collection operation, during the collection operation, after the collection operation is completed, etc. As a result, when the user is interested in the organization of the donation destination, the user can obtain the URL of the website of the organization of the donation destination on the spot by having the client terminal device 300 read the two-dimensional code. Then, the user can easily know the details of the organization of the donation destination by having the website of the organization of the donation destination displayed on the client terminal device 300.

[0161] When the collection operation by the PET bottle collection device 100 ends, the PET bottle collection system performs different processes as follows according to whether the operation performed on the intention declaration operation screen is either the donation destination selection button BT51 or the point accumulation declaration button BT52.

[0162] First, when the donation destination is selected by an operation on the donation destination selection button BT51 on the intention declaration operation screen before the collection operation, a process corresponding to the donation (donation corresponding process) is performed in the PET bottle collection system. That is, when the operation of the PET bottle collection device 100 ends, the donation response processing request is sent to the collection management server 200. The donation response processing request includes information indicating the accommodation result of PET bottles corresponding to the current collection operation (collection history information) and information indicating the donation destination selected according to the operation on the will declaration operation screen before the collection operation. The collection management server 200 calculates donation points corresponding to the accommodation result included in the received donation response processing request. The donation points may be calculated based on, for example, the number of accommodated bottles indicated by the information of the accommodation result. The collection management server 200 executes predetermined processing, for example, with a server of an external donation destination so that the calculated donation points are donated to the selected donation destination. The donated donation points are converted into a donation amount at the donation destination, for example, and the total amount of the donation amount obtained over a certain period is notified to the head office of the store ST. The head office of the store ST may be made to donate the total amount of the notified donation amount to the donation destination. Alternatively, the collection management server 200 may calculate a donation amount corresponding to the selected donation destination based on the donation points and donate the calculated donation amount to the donation destination.

[0163] When the collection management server 200 completes the donation response processing as described above, the collection history information reflecting the current accommodation result of PET bottles and the donation record is stored in the collection history information table storage unit 232. In the present embodiment, the collection history information stored in the collection history information table storage unit 232 has items related to the donation record such as the donation destination organization and donation points (or donation amount) added to the items of the collection history information in the collection history information table of FIG. 3.

[0164] When the collection operation and the donation response processing are completed as described above, a collection completion screen is displayed on the touch panel display unit 1400 of the PET bottle collection device 100. FIG. 21 shows an example of a collection completion screen. In the collection completion screen of this figure, the number of PET bottles collected by the current collection operation is shown as the cumulative input number, and a message is displayed to notify the user that the amount corresponding to the cumulative input number has been donated. Note that in the collection completion screen, the donation amount corresponding to the cumulative input number may be specifically shown. Such a collection completion screen may be erased within a certain time after the display starts, for example. Alternatively, for example, a confirmation button may be arranged on the collection completion screen, and the collection completion screen may be erased according to the operation of the confirmation button by the user.

[0165] Also, when an operation is performed on the point accumulation declaration button BT52 on the will declaration operation screen, the PET bottle collection device 100 transmits collection history information including information indicating the accommodation result of PET bottles corresponding to the current collection operation to the collection management server 200 and the store management server 500. The process of the PET bottle collection device 100 transmitting the collection history information corresponds to, for example, the process of step S110 in FIG. 11. The collection management server 200 and the store management server 500 that have received the collection history information execute the processes of steps S201 and S202 in FIG. 11 and the processes of steps S301 to S303, respectively. As a result, the collection history information table stored in the collection management server 200 is updated. Also, the number of points corresponding to the accommodation result of PET bottles in the PET bottle collection device 100 is added to the cumulative points of the user's membership card CD. In this case, in response to the completion of the collection operation and the addition of points, a collection completion screen may be displayed to notify the user that the points of the membership card CD have been added according to the accommodation result of the PET bottles.

[0166] Note that the PET bottle collection device 100 stores the collection history information corresponding to each collection operation, and may be configured to periodically transmit the collection history information stored so far, for example, once a day.

[0167] Also, when the user attempts to use the PET bottle collection device 100 without having the code on the membership card CD read, as a utilization start declaration, an operation of touching the standby screen is performed as described above. In response to the operation of touching the standby screen, the PET bottle collection device 100 displays a non-member corresponding will declaration operation screen on the touch panel display unit 1400.

[0168] Figure 22 shows an example of a non-member corresponding will declaration operation screen. In the will declaration operation screen of the figure, three donation destination selection buttons BT51 (BT51-1, BT51-2, BT51-3) and one recycling declaration button BT53 are arranged. The donation destination selection buttons BT51 are respectively associated with Organization A, Organization B, and Organization C, and are common to the member corresponding will declaration operation screen of FIG. 20. That is, in the non-member corresponding will declaration operation screen, the recycling declaration button BT53 is arranged in place of the point accumulation declaration button BT52 arranged in the member corresponding will declaration operation screen (FIG. 20).

[0169] The recycling declaration button BT53 is a button on which an operation is performed when the user declares to simply have the PET bottle collection device 100 collect PET bottles without donating the donation points generated according to the accommodation result of the PET bottles to the PET bottle collection device 100.

[0170] Also in this case, when the user has the intention to donate the donation points, the user selects the organization to be the donation destination from among the organizations presented by the donation destination selection button BT51 arranged on the will declaration operation screen, and performs an operation of touching the donation destination selection button BT51 corresponding to the selected organization. On the other hand, when the user has no intention of donating the donation points, the user performs an operation of touching the recycling declaration button BT53 arranged on the will declaration operation screen. Thus, also in the non-member corresponding will declaration operation screen, the user can perform an operation of declaring whether to donate according to the will of whether to donate according to the accommodation result of the PET bottles.

[0171] In response to either the donation selection button BT51 or the recycling declaration button BT53 being operated as described above, the PET bottle collection device 100 starts the current collection operation. Then, when the collection operation is completed by the PET bottle collection device 100, the PET bottle collection system performs different processes as follows according to whether the operation performed on the will declaration operation screen was either the donation destination selection button BT51 or the recycling declaration button BT53.

[0172] First, when a donation destination is selected by operating the donation destination selection button BT51 on the will declaration operation screen before the collection operation, donation corresponding processing is performed in the PET bottle collection system. The donation corresponding processing in this case may be the same as when a donation destination is selected by operating the donation destination selection button BT51 on the will declaration operation screen for member corresponding described above. Also, in this case as well, a collection completion screen in the form illustrated in FIG. 21 may be displayed in response to the completion of the collection operation and the donation corresponding processing.

[0173] Also, when an operation is performed on the recycling declaration button BT53 on the will declaration operation screen, the PET bottle collection device 100 transmits collection history information including information indicating the accommodation result of PET bottles corresponding to the current collection operation to the collection management server 200. Thereby, the collection history information table stored in the collection management server 200 is updated. In this case, since it is not necessary to add points corresponding to the accommodation result to the points on the membership card CD, it is not always necessary to transmit the collection history information from the PET bottle collection device 100 to the store management server 500. Also, in this case, a collection completion screen that simply notifies the accommodation result of PET bottles in the current collection operation may be displayed.

[0174] The collection management server 200 of the present embodiment may be configured to transmit, for example, a donation performance information table indicating the donation performance by users for each PET bottle collection device 100 in each store ST to the store management server 500 every certain period (for example, one day).

[0175] FIG. 23 shows an example of the donation performance information table. The donation performance information table in the figure illustrates the one corresponding to a certain target date. The donation performance information table in the figure can be generated by the collection management server 200 based on the collection history information of the target date stored in the collection history information table of the present embodiment.

[0176] One record in the donation performance information table in the figure is donation performance information indicating the performance of donations made to one donation destination corresponding to one PET bottle collection device 100 on the target date. One donation performance information table includes areas for collection date and time, store identifier, device identifier, donation destination organization, number of collections, collection weight, donation points, and number of operations. The area for collection date and time stores the collection date and time indicating the date and time when the collection operation corresponding to the donation was performed. The store identifier stores the store identifier indicating the store ST where the PET bottle collection device 100 where the collection operation corresponding to the donation was performed is installed. The device identifier stores the device identifier indicating the PET bottle collection device 100 where the collection operation corresponding to the donation was performed. The area for the donation destination organization stores information indicating the organization that is the donation destination of the corresponding donation. The area for the number of collections stores the number of PET bottles (number of collections) accommodated in the PET bottle collection device 100 by the collection operation corresponding to the donation. The area for collection weight stores the total weight (collection weight) of the PET bottles accommodated in the PET bottle collection device 100 by the collection operation corresponding to the donation. The area for donation points stores information indicating the donation points donated to the corresponding donation destination. The operation count area stores information indicating the number of collection operations for which donations have been made to the corresponding recipient organization.

[0177] For example, a terminal device used in a headquarters that designates store ST as a franchise store can output, as a report, donation achievements and histories related to collection based on the donation achievement information received by the store management server 500, such as by display, printing, etc. Also, such donation achievements may be publicly disclosed in a predetermined manner, such as on the homepage of the group (franchise) of store ST. Furthermore, the donation achievement information may be configured as collection achievement information by including, for example, information on the collection achievements of PET bottles corresponding to each of the PET bottle collection devices 100. Such collection achievement information includes, for example, the achievements of collection operations in which only PET bottles were collected without any donations. In this case, the area for the recipient organization in the figure may be an area for an item named, for example, "Item". When the corresponding record indicates the achievement of a donation to a certain recipient organization, such an item area stores the recipient organization, and when the corresponding record corresponds to the achievement of a collection operation in which only PET bottles were collected, it stores a name indicating that it is the achievement of a collection operation in which only PET bottles were collected, such as "PET bottle".

[0178] When outputting a report, for example, search conditions such as a date and time range, store, and PET bottle collection device 100 can be specified for the terminal device using logical products, logical sums, etc., and a list of records corresponding to the specified search conditions can be output as a report. The output of the report may be performed, for example, by display, printing, etc.

[0179] Note that the donation achievement information in FIG. 23 is in a format where the collection operations corresponding to each donation made by the user are summarized as the operation count. In contrast, the donation achievement information may be in a format of donation achievement information by user unit corresponding to each operation count. That is, it may be donation achievement information (user unit donation achievement information) that is split by user unit from the donation achievement information shown as 1 in FIG. 23. Such user-based donation performance information has an area for user information indicating the user who made the donation added. The area for the number of operations may be omitted. In the area for user information, when the user reads the code on the membership card CD, the membership identifier read from the membership card CD may be stored, and when an operation of touching the standby screen is performed, information indicating that the user is a non-member may be stored. Also, in the areas for the number of collections, collection weight, and donation points in the user-based donation performance information, values reflecting the accommodation results in the corresponding single collection operation are stored respectively.

[0180] Also, as a report based on the user-based donation performance information, it may be possible to output the performance in units of operation and collection. In this case, in one record corresponding to one operation and collection, areas such as the operation and collection date and time, membership identifier, store identifier, device identifier, item, number of collections (collection amount), collection weight, and donation points may be included. The area for the operation and collection date and time stores the date and time when the corresponding collection operation was performed (operation and collection date and time). The area for the membership identifier stores the membership identifier acquired by the PET bottle collection device 100 when a member user reads the membership card CD in the corresponding collection operation. The area for the store identifier stores the store identifier indicating the store where the PET bottle collection device 100 where the corresponding collection operation was performed is installed. The area for the device identifier stores the device identifier indicating the PET bottle collection device 100 where the corresponding collection operation was performed. In the area for the item, as the item of the corresponding collection operation, when a donation is made, the organization to which the donation is made is stored, and when no donation is made, information indicating that only the PET bottles are collected without a donation, such as "PET bottle", is stored. The number of collections (collection amount) stores the number of PET bottles collected in the corresponding collection operation. The collection weight stores the total weight of the PET bottles collected in the corresponding collection operation. The donation points store the number of donation points for which a donation has been made when a donation is made during the corresponding collection operation (for example, the number of donation points generated according to the quantity of collected PET bottles). Furthermore, in one record corresponding to one operation collection of a report, an area of the cumulative points number of the member card CD indicated by the corresponding member identifier may be included.

[0181] Also, at the start of the collection operation, when the PET bottle collection device 100 reads the member card CD or receives member information from the client terminal device 300 connected communicably, the PET bottle collection device 100 acquires a member identifier. In this case, the collection management server 200 can acquire the history of the donation destination institutions to which the user as a member has made donations by collating the member identifier acquired by the PET bottle collection device 100 with the user unit donation record table. Therefore, based on the history of the donation destination institutions acquired by the collection management server 200, for example, at the PET bottle collection device 100, the donation destination institutions to which the user has made donations more frequently may be preferentially displayed on the will declaration operation screen. Specifically, for example, the donation destination selection buttons BT51 corresponding to each donation destination institution may be arranged in order from the first page of the will declaration operation screen in the order of the number of times the user has made donations. By arranging the donation destination selection buttons BT51 on the will declaration operation screen in this way, a will declaration operation screen suitable for each user is obtained, and it becomes easier for the user to select a donation destination institution. Such a function is particularly useful when the will declaration operation screen is composed of multiple pages because there are many donation destination institutions. Note that the information regarding the member and donation history used for displaying the will declaration operation screen in the PET bottle collection device 100 is not limited to the information stored by the collection management server 200 as the user unit donation record, and may be stored in any of, for example, the PET bottle collection device 100, the store management server 500, or the client terminal device 300.

[0182] Note that, for example, each time a collection operation and a donation are performed, the PET bottle collection device 100 may transmit collection history information to the collection management server 200, and the collection management server 200 may transmit user unit donation achievement information to the store management server 500.

[0183] <Modification Example> Subsequently, a modification example of the present embodiment will be described.

[0184] [First Modification Example] For example, corresponding to the second embodiment, a function of assigning a ranking for each school and presenting the ranking to the user may be realized by the store management server 500 instead of the collection management server 200. Similarly, a function of point donation corresponding to the third embodiment may also be realized by the store management server 500 instead of the collection management server 200. Also, at least one of the collection management server 200 and the store management server 500 in the present embodiment may be provided dispersedly according to a predetermined function. For example, a function of assigning a ranking for each school and presenting the ranking to the user corresponding to the second embodiment may be realized by a server different from the collection management server 200 and the store management server 500. Similarly, a function of point donation corresponding to the third embodiment may also be realized by a server different from the collection management server 200 and the store management server 500.

[0185] [Second Modification Example] In the fourth embodiment, for example, during the standby of the PET bottle collection device 100, information introducing each of the organizations indicated by the donation destination selection button BT51 as the donation destination may be displayed on the touch panel display unit 1400. Moreover, by the user performing a predetermined operation on the touch panel display unit 1400, the user may be shifted to the standby screen of FIG. 19. As information for introducing each of the institutions to be presented, for example, specific activities for each institution, the use of donations, etc. may be provided. And such information for introducing the institutions may be presented, for example, in the form of slide images or videos. Also, as information for introducing each of the institutions, the donation record of each institution over a certain period in the past may be presented. The donation record may be the amount of donation. Such donation records such as the amount of donation may be the record corresponding to the PET bottle collection device 100 itself. Also, the donation record such as the amount of donation may be the donation record corresponding to the store ST, including other PET bottle collection devices 100 installed in the store ST where the PET bottle collection device 100 is installed. Further, the donation record such as the amount of donation may be the combined donation record of the PET bottle collection devices 100 installed in a certain regional scope including the location (store ST) where the PET bottle collection device 100 is installed. Also, the donation record such as the amount of donation may be, for example, the combined donation record of the PET bottle collection devices 100 throughout the country. Note that the donation record may be presented such that, for example, the degree of contribution to the environment such as the amount of carbon dioxide reduction corresponding to the quantity (at least one of the number and weight) of the PET bottles collected is shown. By presenting such information for introducing each of the institutions at a stage before the display of the will declaration operation screen, the user can grasp the activities and donation records of each institution and use them as a reference, for example, when determining the donation destination. Note that, for example, on the touch panel display unit 1400 of the PET bottle collection device 100, when the collection operation is being executed, information introducing the institution selected by the user as the donation destination may be displayed together with the accommodation guidance for the PET bottles and the accommodation status in the current collection operation. Also, for example, on the collection completion screen displayed in response to the completion of the collection operation, the information of the institution may be displayed. In this case, for example, while displaying the information of the institution that the user has set as the donation destination this time, a message of gratitude for the donation may also be displayed, or while displaying the information of the institution that the user has not set as the donation destination this time, a message prompting the user to donate to the institution being displayed next time may also be displayed.

[0186] [Third Variant Example] In the will declaration operation screen shown in FIGS. 20 and 22 of the fourth embodiment, the donation results may be displayed for each organization that is an option for the donation destination. As an example, the donation results for each organization may be displayed by the corresponding donation destination selection button BT51. In addition, the donation results for each organization to be displayed may be the results of donations made using the corresponding PET bottle collection device 100, or may be the results of donations made using the PET bottle collection devices 100 within a predetermined regional scope including the corresponding PET bottle collection device 100. In addition, the donation results for each organization to be displayed may be the results in a certain past period before the current time, such as the results in the past one year, the past one week, the past one month, the current month, the previous day, and the current day.

[0187] [Fourth Variant Example] In addition, in the fourth embodiment, as described above, after the donation results are managed for each user as in the user unit donation result information, when the user is made to read the code of the membership card CD when using the PET bottle collection device 100, the PET bottle collection device 100 may display information as follows. That is, the PET bottle collection device 100 may display the donation results for the corresponding user (member) on the collection completion screen or the like in response to the completion of the collection operation and the donation correspondence process. The results in this case may also be the results in a certain past period before the current time. Further, the donation results may be shown corresponding to each PET bottle collection device 100 used by the user for donation.

[0188] Further, for example, in the client terminal device 300 on which the membership application operates, the contribution record of the corresponding user may be displayed. In this case, the client terminal device 300 may send a request for the contribution record to the store management server 500. In response to receiving the request for the contribution record, the store management server 500 extracts the contribution record information of the corresponding user from the user unit contribution record information acquired from the collection management server 200, and transmits the extracted contribution record information to the client terminal device 300. The client terminal device 300 displays the received contribution record information.

[0189] [Fifth Modification Example] Also in the fourth embodiment, the organization presented as the donation destination selection button BT51 on the will declaration operation screen may be changeable (configurable) by the administrator according to the description with reference to FIG. 18(B) of the third embodiment. At this time, the administrator can set the page of the will declaration operation screen on which the donation destination selection button BT51 corresponding to one organization is arranged, the position arranged on the will declaration operation screen, and the like.

[0190] Further, in the fourth embodiment, the position of the donation destination selection button BT51 arranged on the will declaration operation screen of one page may be changed, for example, every time a predetermined period such as a daily unit elapses. Also, when there are a plurality of pages of the will declaration operation screen, the donation destination selection button BT51 displayed on the top page may be changed every time a predetermined period elapses. Further, based on the past contribution record, for example, the donation destination selection buttons BT51 of organizations with fewer contributions may be preferentially arranged in order from the top page.

[0191] [Sixth Modification Example] Also in the fourth embodiment, in accordance with the description with reference to FIG. 15(B) of the third embodiment, after the user operates the client terminal device 300 to select a donation destination, it may be possible to donate a specified number of points out of the accumulated points of the membership card CD as donation points.

[0192] [Seventh Modification Example] In the fourth embodiment, points could be donated each time the PET bottle collection device 100 performed a collection operation. In contrast, in this modified example, points can be donated on the following occasions. Also in this modified example, a user who is a member causes the PET bottle collection device 100 to read the membership card CD when using the PET bottle collection device 100. Furthermore, in the PET bottle collection device 100 of this modified example, when the points of the current user's membership card CD or the cumulative number of donated points is less than a certain amount, for example, point donation by the user is made impossible. On the other hand, if the points of the user's membership card CD or the cumulative number of donated points is equal to or more than that amount, the PET bottle collection device 100 may display a will declaration operation screen according to the mode of FIG. 20 so that the user can make a donation.

[0193] [Eighth Modified Example] In the fourth embodiment, instead of accepting an operation on the will declaration operation screen first and then performing the collection operation, similar to the third embodiment, the will declaration operation screen may be displayed after the collection operation by the PET bottle collection device 100 is completed. In this case, the user can perform an operation on the will declaration operation screen displayed after the completion of the collection operation to declare a donation to the selected donation destination or not to donate. Note that in this modified example, when the collection operation is being executed, information introducing institutions that can be selected as donation destinations on the will declaration operation screen may be displayed on the touch panel display unit 1400, for example, by a slide image, a video, or the like. For example, on the touch panel display unit 1400 of the PET bottle collection device 100, when the collection operation is being executed, information introducing the above-mentioned donation destination institutions may be displayed together with the accommodation guidance of the PET bottles and the accommodation status in the current collection operation. At this time, for example, all the institutions that can be selected as donation destinations may be displayed sequentially or randomly, or the information introducing the institutions selected according to a predetermined selection criterion may be preferentially displayed. The selection criterion in this case may be based on, for example, the number of times or frequency of being selected as a donation destination so far. As a specific example, the information introducing the institution with the most or least number of times of being selected as a donation destination may be preferentially displayed. When making a donation under such a modified example, it is possible to allocate the donation destinations of the donation points, for example, by donating a part of the donation points generated according to the accommodation result of the PET bottles to Institution A and the rest to Institution B. Alternatively, under this modified example, it is also possible to allocate the uses of the donation points, for example, by donating a part of the donation points generated according to the accommodation result of the PET bottles and adding the remaining donation points to the accumulated points of the membership card CD. Note that after the collection operation by the PET bottle collection device 100 is started, a will declaration operation screen may be displayed during the execution of the collection operation so that the user can perform an operation of selecting a donation destination institution or an operation of declaring not to make a donation.

[0194] [Modified Example 9] There is a limit to the screen size of the touch panel display unit 1400 of the PET bottle collection device 100. Therefore, for example, under the fourth embodiment or the like, when more information on the donation destination institutions is to be provided, the touch panel display unit 1400 alone may not be sufficient. Therefore, a sub-display unit may be provided separately from the touch panel display unit 1400 for the PET bottle collection device 100. The screen size of such a sub-display unit may be larger or smaller than that of the touch panel display unit 1400. In addition, by configuring the sub-display unit as a touch panel, it may be possible to perform operations by touch. Further, a screen with the same content as the touch panel display unit 1400 may be displayed on the sub-display unit, and operations regarding declarations of whether or not to make a donation, selection of the organization to which the donation is to be made, etc., may be received on the sub-display unit as well as on the touch panel display unit 1400, just as the same operations as those performed on the touch panel display unit 1400 can be received.

[0195] [Tenth Modification Example] In the fourth embodiment, for example, donation points were generated according to the number of PET bottles accommodated in one collection operation. The generation of donation points is not limited to being according to the number of PET bottles accommodated. For example, corresponding to one collection operation, a fixed number of donation points may be generated regardless of the quantity of the PET bottles accommodated.

[0196] In addition, donation points may be generated based on the weight of the PET bottles accommodated in the PET bottle collection device 100 under one collection operation. PET bottles have different sizes according to their internal volumes, such as 1 liter, 1.5 liters, 2 liters, etc., and the larger the size, the more PET material is used. From the perspective of the degree of contribution to the environment by recycling, it can be said that the greater the weight of the PET bottles to be recycled, the higher the degree of contribution. Therefore, donation points may be generated based on the "PET bottle amount" of the PET bottles accommodated in the PET bottle collection device 100 under one collection operation. The "PET bottle amount" may be, for example, the weight of the PET bottles or the size of the PET bottles. In this case, the number of donation points per predetermined unit weight may be determined in advance, and the donation points may be calculated using the weight of the PET bottles accommodated in the PET bottle collection device 100 under one collection operation and the number of donation points per unit weight. The weight of the PET bottles accommodated in the PET bottle collection device 100 is measured by a weighing instrument provided in the PET bottle collection device 100. Further, according to the measured weight of the PET bottle, the size may be specified for each recovered PET bottle, and donation points may be generated according to the specified size. As a specific example, according to the measured weight of the PET bottle, it may be classified into sizes such as small, medium, and large, and a predetermined donation point may be generated for each classified PET bottle.

[0197] Also, at this time, when a weight exceeding a certain amount more than that of a normal PET bottle is measured, the PET bottle recycling device 100 may determine that the PET bottle to be recycled is in a state where it still contains the remaining beverage. Therefore, when the PET bottle recycling device 100 determines that the PET bottle to be recycled is in a state where it still contains the remaining beverage, it may display a message guiding the user to take it out from the volume reduction unit 120 without reducing the volume in the volume reduction unit 120.

[0198] Note that an imaging device may be provided in the PET bottle recycling device 100 as one of the sensors. Then, based on an imaging image obtained by imaging the PET bottle stored in the volume reduction unit 120, for example, the PET bottle recycling device 100 may be able to determine the number, size, and presence or absence of the remaining beverage of the stored PET bottle. In this case, for example, the sensor as a weighing device can be omitted from the PET bottle recycling device 100.

[0199] [11th Modification Example] The article recycling device in each of the above embodiments is not limited to a PET bottle recycling device that recycles PET bottles. The article recycling device in this embodiment may be, for example, a device that recycles empty cans, a device that recycles plastic waste, a device that recycles food tray containers to be recycled, or the like. For example, in a device that recycles plastic waste, the weight of the articles to be recycled may be measured instead of the number of articles. Furthermore, donation points may be generated according to the use of the device, and the device that enables the donation of donation points may be other than the article collection device. For example, such devices may include vending machines, home delivery collection boxes, water purifiers, mineral water supply devices, ice and dry ice supply devices, and the like. Also, in a dry cleaner or the like, donation points may be generated and donated according to the use of a locker for collecting or returning dry cleaning items by customers.

[0200] <Summary of the Embodiment> (1) As described above, one aspect of the present embodiment is an article collection system including a collection unit (for example, a PET bottle collection device 100) that collects articles (for example, PET bottles), donation support processing means that performs processing for donation according to the collection of articles performed by the collection unit, and an option presenting means that presents an option (for example, a donation destination selection button BT51) for a donation destination where the donation can be made, together with an option (for example, a point accumulation declaration button BT52 or a recycling declaration button BT53) for selecting not to make the donation.

[0201] According to the above configuration, when donation is enabled in response to collecting PET bottles by the PET bottle collection device 100, if the user has the intention to donate, the user can operate the donation destination selection button BT51 to select a donation destination and make a donation of donation points. Also, when the user has no intention to donate, the user can operate the point accumulation declaration button BT52 or the recycling declaration button BT53 to add the donation points to the points on the membership card CD or simply recycle the PET bottles. That is, in the present embodiment, donation points generated in response to the collection operation by the PET bottle collection device 100 can be donated, and donation is not necessarily made, but donation can be made according to the arbitrary will of the user. In addition, since the opportunities for users to make donations in their daily lives are limited, there is also an aspect that it is difficult for users to have opportunities to develop awareness and knowledge about donations. On the other hand, the act of having users recycle PET bottles into the PET bottle recycling device 100 is also a means of garbage collection, so it is likely to become an everyday and habitual act for users. Therefore, by presenting options for donation destinations to users when using the PET bottle recycling device 100 as in the above configuration, it can help enhance users' awareness and knowledge of donations. Also, for example, for the operating company of the store ST, it can widely give a favorable impression that the company is actively engaged in social contributions to the users of the PET bottle recycling device 100.

[0202] (2) Also, one aspect of this embodiment is the article recycling system described in (1), further comprising a subject selection means for selecting a subject (member or non-member) that causes the recovery unit to recover an article (reading a membership card CD in a state where a standby screen is displayed, or accepting a touch operation on the standby screen), and the option presenting means, in response to the subject being selected by the subject selection means, varies the content of the option of not making the donation (for example, a point accumulation declaration button BT52 or a recycling declaration button BT53) according to the type of the selected subject.

[0203] According to the above configuration, when a user causes the PET bottle recycling device 100 to read the code of the membership card CD as proof of being a member, the point accumulation declaration button BT52 is arranged as a button for making a declaration of not making a donation on the will declaration operation screen assuming the user is a member. If the point accumulation declaration button BT52 is operated, the donation points generated in response to the recycling of PET bottles can be added as points to the user's membership card CD. Also, when the user touches the standby screen without having the PET bottle recycling device 100 read the code of the membership card CD, a recycling declaration button BT53 is arranged as a button for performing an operation of declaring not to make a donation on the will declaration operation screen, so that PET bottles can simply be accommodated in the PET bottle recycling device 100. That is, as a button for performing an operation of declaring not to make a donation on the will declaration operation screen, buttons with appropriate functions can be arranged according to whether the user is a member or a non-member.

[0204] (3) Also, one aspect of the present embodiment is the article recycling system according to (1) or (2), wherein the recycling unit starts recycling the article after a selection for the option presented by the option presenting means is made.

[0205] According to the above configuration, first, after an operation on the will declaration operation screen is performed, the recycling operation by the PET bottle recycling device 100 is started. For example, if the will declaration operation screen is to be displayed after the recycling operation, the user may leave the PET bottle recycling device 100 without waiting for the will declaration operation screen after the recycling operation is completed, and there is a possibility of losing the opportunity for the user to make a donation. Therefore, if the recycling operation by the PET bottle recycling device 100 is started after an operation on the will declaration operation screen is performed as in the above configuration, it is possible to surely give the user an opportunity to make a donation.

[0206] (4) Also, one aspect of the present embodiment is the article recycling system according to (1) or (2), wherein the option presenting means presents an option not to make the donation together with an option of a donation destination where the donation can be made after the recycling of the article by the recycling unit is started.

[0207] According to the above configuration, first, after the collection operation by the PET bottle collection device 100 is completed, the will declaration operation screen can be displayed. In this case, at the stage before selecting the organization of the donation destination, since donation points corresponding to the accommodation result of the PET bottles this time have been generated, for example, variations in the donation of donation points can be obtained, such as distributing the donation points generated by the collection operation to multiple donation destination organizations. In addition, under the above configuration, after the collection operation is started, the will declaration operation screen may be displayed at the timing before the collection operation is completed, and the user may be able to operate on the displayed will declaration operation screen.

[0208] (5) Also, one aspect of the present embodiment is the article collection system according to any one of (1) to (4), further comprising setting means for setting the donation destination presented by the option presenting means.

[0209] According to the above configuration, for example, by an administrator operating the terminal, the arrangement of the donation destination selection button BT51 corresponding to each organization of the donation destination arranged on the will declaration operation screen can be changed, or the organization of the donation destination associated with the donation destination selection button BT51 on the will declaration operation screen can be changed.

[0210] (6) Also, one aspect of the present embodiment is an information presentation method in an article collection system including a collection unit for collecting articles, including a donation corresponding process step for performing a process for donation according to the collection of articles performed by the collection unit, and an option presentation step for presenting an option to donate and an option not to donate together with the options of the donation destination where the donation can be made.

[0211] In addition, a program for realizing the functions of the above-described PET bottle collection device 100, collection management server 200, customer terminal device 300, POS register 400, store management server 500, etc. may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on this recording medium may be read into a computer system and executed to perform the processing as the above-described PET bottle collection device 100, collection management server 200, customer terminal device 300, POS register 400, store management server 500, etc. Here, "reading the program recorded on the recording medium into the computer system and executing it" includes installing the program in the computer system. The "computer system" referred to here includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. Also, the "computer system" may include a plurality of computer devices connected via a network including a communication line such as the Internet, WAN, LAN, or dedicated line. Further, the "computer-readable recording medium" refers to a portable medium such as a flexible disk, magneto-optical disk, ROM, CD-ROM, or a storage device such as a hard disk built into the computer system. Thus, the recording medium storing the program may be a non-transitory recording medium such as a CD-ROM. The recording medium also includes an internal or external recording medium provided so as to be accessible from a distribution server for distributing the program. The code of the program stored in the recording medium of the distribution server may be different from the code of the program executable on the terminal device. That is, as long as it can be downloaded from the distribution server and installed in a form executable on the terminal device, the form stored in the distribution server is not limited. Note that the program may be divided into a plurality of parts, downloaded at different timings, and then combined on the terminal device, or the distribution servers for distributing the respective divided programs may be different. Furthermore, the "computer-readable recording medium" also includes a volatile memory (RAM) inside a computer system that becomes a server or a client when a program is transmitted via a network, which holds the program for a certain period of time.Also, the above program may be for realizing a part of the functions described above. Further, it may be a so-called difference file (difference program) that can realize the above-described functions in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system.

Explanation of Signs

[0212] 100 PET bottle collection device, 110 container input section, 140 container storage section, 200 collection management server, 201 communication section, 202 control section, 203 storage section, 231 collection device information table storage section, 232 collection history information table storage section, 233 school database storage section, 234 school unit collection history information table storage section, 235 donation recipient information table storage section, 300 client terminal device, 400 POS register, 500 store management server, 501 communication section, 502 control section, 503 storage section, 531 member information table storage section, 532 collection history information table storage section, 533 transaction history information table storage section, 600 management terminal device, 1100 CPU, 1200 storage section, 1300 RAM, 1400 touch panel display section, 1500 card reader, 1600 communication section, 1700 collection mechanism section

Claims

1. A collection unit that collects items, Donation support processing means for performing processing for donating points according to the collection of items performed by the collection unit, After the collection operation of collecting items by the collection unit is started, together with options for donation destinations where the donation can be made, as an option not to make the donation, points corresponding to the collection of the items are associated with the member indicated by the member identifier obtained at the time of collection of the items and presented Options presenting means for presenting the options to be given, An item collection system comprising:

2. Further comprising introduction means for displaying information introducing the donation destination when the collection operation is being executed, The item collection system according to claim 1.

3. The introduction means displays information introducing the donation destination based on the history of the donation destination selected from among the options presented by the option presenting means. The item collection system according to claim 2.

4. An item collection device that collects items, Donation support processing means for performing processing for donating points according to the collection of items, After the collection operation of collecting items is started, together with options for donation destinations where the donation can be made, as an option not to make the donation, points corresponding to the collection of the items are associated with the member indicated by the member identifier obtained at the time of collection of the items and presented Options presenting means for presenting the options to be given, An item collection device comprising:

5. A program for causing a computer in an item collection system including a collection unit that collects items to function as: Donation support processing means for performing processing for donation according to the collection of items performed by the collection unit, After the collection operation of collecting items by the collection unit is started, together with options for donation destinations where the donation can be made, as an option not to make the donation, points corresponding to the collection of the items are associated with the member indicated by the member identifier obtained at the time of collection of the items and presented Options presenting means for presenting the options to be given, ​

Images