Recycled product collection device and recycled product collection method

Abstract

To provide a recyclables collection device and a recyclables collection method that enables collecting recyclables.SOLUTION: The recyclable collection device includes: a storage section for storing recyclables; a blocking section for preventing recyclables placed in the storage section from moving to the recyclables collection area inside the storage section; a first reading section for reading first recyclables identification information for identifying recyclables that are prevented from moving to the recyclables collection area; and an unblocking section that allows the recyclables to move to the recyclables collection area if the recyclables are found to meet the first requirement based on the first recyclables identification information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a recycling product collection device and a recycling product collection method. [Background technology]

[0002] The following Patent Document 1 discloses an umbrella rental service system in which umbrellas prepared by rental businesses such as convenience stores are rented out to users. In this rental service system, the user pays compensation when renting an umbrella, and the compensation is returned when the user returns the umbrella. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-25658 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, plastic umbrellas sold at stations, convenience stores, etc. are inexpensive, so people tend to buy them casually when it suddenly starts raining while they are out. Therefore, it is easy for people to accumulate plastic umbrellas without realizing it. The rental service system in Patent Document 1 collects rented umbrellas, but does not collect recycled items, including umbrellas sold at stations, convenience stores, etc.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a recycling product collection device and a recycling product collection method that can collect recycled products including sold umbrellas. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A recycled product collection device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a storage section for storing recycled products, a blocking section for preventing recycled products placed in the storage section from moving to a recycled product collection area inside the storage section, a first reading section for reading first recycled product identification information for identifying the recycled product that has been prevented from moving to the recycled product collection area, and an unblocking section for allowing the recycled product to move to the recycled product collection area if it is determined that the recycled product satisfies a first condition based on the first recycled product identification information.

[0007] According to this aspect, when a recyclable item is inserted, the recyclable item is prevented from moving to the recyclable item collection area, and first recyclable item identification information that identifies the recyclable item is read, and if it is determined based on the first recyclable item identification information that the recyclable item is, for example, a legitimate recyclable item that has been sold, the recyclable item can be collected by being allowed to move to the recyclable item collection area.

[0008] In the above aspect, the storage unit may further include a second reading unit that reads second recycled product identification information to identify the recycled product to be returned, and an unlocking unit that enables the lid covering the opening for inserting the recycled product into the storage unit to be opened when the recycled product is determined to be a product that meets a second condition based on the second recycled product identification information.

[0009] According to this aspect, the second recycled product identification information that identifies the recycled product to be returned can be read, and if it is determined based on that second recycled product identification information that the product is, for example, a legitimate umbrella that has been sold, the lid that covers the umbrella's insertion slot can be opened.

[0010] In the above aspect, the first reading unit and the second reading unit may read data from an IC tag attached to the recycled product, and may further include a first transmitting unit that transmits the first recycled product identification information to a server based on the data read by the first reading unit, and transmits the second recycled product identification information to a server based on the data read by the second reading unit.

[0011] According to this aspect, the first recycled product identification information and the second recycled product identification information are transmitted to a server, and information relating to the recycled products is managed by the server, making it possible to have the server determine, for example, the authenticity of the recycled products.

[0012] In the above aspect, the device may further include a third reading unit that reads data from an IC tag corresponding to the user returning the recycled item, and a second transmitting unit that transmits information about the user to a server based on the data read by the third reading unit.

[0013] According to this aspect, information including information about the user is sent to the server, and a reward can be awarded to the user for returning a recycled product that the user purchased, using a means corresponding to the user.

[0014] In the above aspect, the storage unit may further include a top plate portion that covers the top of the storage unit, and a locking portion that locks the lid that blocks the insertion port formed on the top plate portion so that it does not open, and the unlocking portion may release the lock by the locking portion when the authenticity of the recycled product is recognized.

[0015] According to this aspect, for example, if the authenticity of a recycled product is confirmed, the lock is released and the recycled product can be inserted through the insertion port, thereby making it possible to prevent invalid recycled products from being inserted into the device.

[0016] In the above aspect, the locking device may further include an elastic portion that biases the lid, which has been opened after the locking by the locking portion has been released, in a direction to close the lid.

[0017] According to this aspect, the user can insert recyclable items into the opening and release the lid, which allows the lid to close due to the force of the elastic part, thereby saving the user the trouble of closing the lid.

[0018] In the above aspect, the device may further include a support portion that supports the recycled goods inserted through the insertion port, the support portion having an inclined portion that slopes downward from the insertion port toward the recycled goods collection area, and the block portion attached to the back side of the top plate portion, and when the recycled goods are blocked, no space is formed between the tip of the block portion and the inclined portion for the recycled goods to pass through, while when the block is released, a space is formed between the tip of the block portion and the inclined portion for the recycled goods to pass through.

[0019] According to this aspect, by controlling the block portion, it is possible to block the movement of recycled goods without forming a space for the recycled goods to pass through between the tip of the block portion and the inclined portion, while it is possible to release the block by forming a space for the recycled goods to pass through between the tip of the block portion and the inclined portion.

[0020] Another aspect of the present invention is a method for collecting recycled products, in which a recycled product collection device performs the following steps: a step of preventing a recycled product placed in a storage unit for storing recycled products from moving to a recycled product collection area inside the storage unit; a first reading step of reading first recycled product identification information to identify the recycled product that has been prevented from moving to the recycled product collection area; and a step of allowing the recycled product to move to the recycled product collection area if it is determined that the recycled product satisfies a first condition based on the first recycled product identification information.

[0021] According to this aspect, when a recyclable item is inserted, the recyclable item is prevented from moving to the recyclable item collection area, and first recyclable item identification information that identifies the recyclable item is read, and if it is determined based on the first recyclable item identification information that the recyclable item is, for example, a legitimate recyclable item that has been sold, the recyclable item can be collected by being allowed to move to the recyclable item collection area.

[0022] In the above aspect, the recycled product collection device may further execute a second reading step of reading second recycled product identification information to identify the recycled product to be returned, and a step of enabling the lid covering the input port for inserting the recycled product into the storage section to be opened when it is determined that the recycled product satisfies a second condition based on the second recycled product identification information.

[0023] According to this embodiment, the second recycled product identification information that identifies the recycled product to be returned can be read, and if it is determined based on the second recycled product identification information that the recycled product is, for example, a legitimate recycled product that has been sold, the lid that covers the recycling product insertion port can be opened.

[0024] In the above aspect, in the first reading step and the second reading step, the data on the IC tag attached to the recycled product may be read by a reader, and the recycled product collection device may further perform the steps of transmitting the first recycled product identification information to a server based on the data read in the first reading step, and transmitting the second recycled product identification information to a server based on the data read in the second reading step.

[0025] According to this aspect, the first recycled product identification information and the second recycled product identification information can be transmitted to the server, information relating to the recycled product can be managed by the server, and the authenticity of the recycled product can be determined by the server. [Effects of the Invention]

[0026] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a recycling product collection device and a recycling product collection method that can collect recycling products. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an umbrella management system including an umbrella collection device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] This is an oblique view of the umbrella collecting device seen from diagonally front. [Figure 3] This is an exploded perspective view of the top plate portion of the umbrella collecting device. [Figure 4] This is a view of the umbrella recovery device with the top plate removed, viewed from diagonally above. [Figure 5] This is a view of the umbrella recovery device with the side panels removed, viewed from diagonally below. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a control system of the umbrella recovery device. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure when collecting umbrellas with an umbrella collecting device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiments described below are merely examples, and are not intended to exclude various modifications or applications of techniques not explicitly described below. In other words, the present invention can be implemented with various modifications within the scope of its spirit. Furthermore, in the following description of the drawings, identical or similar parts are denoted by identical or similar reference numerals. The drawings are schematic and do not necessarily correspond to actual dimensions, ratios, etc. Parts in the drawings may have different dimensional relationships or ratios.

[0029] In the following embodiments, umbrellas are used as recyclable items, but the recyclable items are not limited to umbrellas. For example, any item that can be collected in the device as a recyclable item, such as a tablet computer, a smartphone, a book, or a plastic bottle, can be applied to the present invention. Therefore, in the following embodiments, all instances of "umbrella" can be read as "recyclable item."

[0030] [Umbrella Management System Overview] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an umbrella management system 100 including an umbrella collecting device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the umbrella management system 100 according to this embodiment comprises one or more umbrella collecting devices 1, an umbrella management server 2, and one or more umbrella vending devices 3. The umbrella collecting device 1 and umbrella vending device 3 can be installed in, for example, a convenience store.

[0031] The umbrella collection device 1, umbrella management server 2, and umbrella vending device 3 can communicate with each other via a network N, either wired or wirelessly. The network N can be realized, for example, by the Internet, and can include wireless LAN access points, mobile phone base stations, etc.

[0032] The umbrella vending device 3 is a device that stores umbrellas for sale. The umbrella vending device 3 has, for example, a roughly rectangular parallelepiped housing, and stores multiple umbrellas inside the housing. When the umbrella vending device 3 confirms that the purchase price can be paid, it unlocks an outlet provided in the housing, allowing one of the umbrellas stored in the housing to be removed. When an umbrella is removed from the storage, the umbrella vending device 3 reads umbrella information from the IC tag attached to the umbrella and sends the information to the umbrella management server 2.

[0033] The umbrella collecting device 1 is a device that stores umbrellas that are returned after being sold. The umbrella collecting device 1 has, for example, a roughly rectangular parallelepiped housing, and stores multiple returned umbrellas inside the housing. When collecting a returned umbrella, the umbrella vending device 3 reads umbrella information from the IC tag attached to the umbrella and transmits the information to the umbrella management server 2.

[0034] The umbrella management server 2 receives umbrella information from each of the umbrella vending device 3 and the umbrella collecting device 1, and if the umbrella is collected within a predetermined period after being sold, it provides a reward to the user who purchased the umbrella. Rewards include, for example, points, coupons, gift certificates, gift cards, complimentary coupons, etc.

[0035] [Configuration of umbrella collection device] The configuration of the umbrella collecting device 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 5. As shown in Figure 2, the top surface of the umbrella collecting device 1 is composed of, for example, a top plate 10, a lid 11, and a start button 14. For example, a reader unit 18 is provided on the front surface of the umbrella collecting device 1, and, for example, a door 19 for removing umbrellas is provided on one side surface of the umbrella collecting device 1. The interior of the umbrella collecting device 1 serves as a storage unit for storing umbrellas.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 3, top plate 10 is formed with slot 10a for inserting an umbrella into the storage section and hole 10b for start button 14. On the underside of top plate 10, there are provided lid 11 for closing slot 10a, lid support part 12 that is fixed to the back side (lower side) of top plate 10 with screws and supports lid 11 from below, and elastic part 13 that biases lid 11 in the direction of closing. Elastic part 13 is, for example, a spiral spring that is wound around a rod-shaped member fixed to lid support part 12. Lid 11 is provided with handle 11a and has hole 11b formed therein to accommodate protrusion 15b of lock part 15. Top plate 10, lid 11, and lid support part 12 constitute a top plate part.

[0037] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, a locking portion 15 and a blocking portion 16 are fixed with screws to the back side (lower side) of the lid support portion 12. The locking portion 15 has a protrusion 15b that extends from a main body 15a of the locking portion 15. When the lid 11 covering the insertion port 10a is closed, extending the protrusion 15b of the locking portion 15 causes the protrusion 15b to protrude from the rear end of the lid 11, locking the lid 11 so that it cannot be opened (locked state). On the other hand, retracting the protrusion 15b of the locking portion 15 releases the lock, allowing the lid 11 to be opened.

[0038] Below the insertion port 10a, a support part 17 is formed on which the handle of the umbrella inserted through the insertion port 10a is hung. The inserted umbrella is placed in an umbrella collection area via the support part 17.

[0039] The support portion 17 has an inclined portion 17a that slopes downward from the insertion opening 10a toward the umbrella collection area. This inclined portion 17a allows the umbrella inserted from the insertion opening 10a to slide down on the support portion 17 toward the umbrella collection area.

[0040] Block portion 16 has protrusion 16b that extends from main body 16a of block portion 16. When protrusion 16b of block portion 16 is extended, the tip of protrusion 16b comes into contact with or approaches inclined portion 17a, blocking the inserted umbrella from moving toward the umbrella collection area (blocked state). On the other hand, when protrusion 16b of block portion 16 is retracted, the block is released and the inserted umbrella is stored in the umbrella collection area. In other words, in the blocked state, no space is formed between the tip of block portion 16 and inclined portion 17a for the umbrella to pass through, whereas in the unblocked state, a space is formed between the tip of block portion 16 and inclined portion 17a for the umbrella to pass through.

[0041] The configuration of the control system of the umbrella collecting device 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. As shown in the figure, the umbrella collecting device 1 has, as its control system, for example, a processor 10A, a communication interface 10B, a storage device 10C, and a reader 10D.

[0042] The processor 10A is, for example, a CPU, and includes memories such as ROM and RAM. The processor 10A executes programs stored in the storage device 10C, for example, to realize the functions of an information processing device as well as the functions of the umbrella collecting device 1 described below. The RAM is used as a work area when the CPU realizes each function, and temporarily stores, for example, the programs and data to be executed.

[0043] The communication interface 10B is a hardware module that connects to the network N and communicates with other devices on the network N.

[0044] The storage device 10C is a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk drive or a semiconductor memory, etc. The storage device 10C can store, for example, programs and various data.

[0045] The reader 10D has a function of reading data from an IC tag. The IC tag is also called an RFID (Radio Frequency ID) tag or a wireless tag, and in response to a request from the reader 10D, the reader 10D reads data from a memory built into the IC tag and transmits the data to the reader 10D. The IC tag is used, for example, by being embedded in a terminal such as a smartphone or a card, or by being attached to an umbrella.

[0046] The reader 10D can be equipped with multiple types of readers according to the IC tag standards used. In other words, if multiple IC tag standards are used, readers corresponding to each standard can be equipped as the reader 10D. In addition, a writer function may be added to the reader 10D so that data can be written to the memory of the IC tag.

[0047] The reader 10D of this embodiment has a function of reading data about an umbrella from an IC tag attached to the umbrella when the umbrella to be returned is stored in the umbrella collection device 1. The reader 10D may have, for example, two reading antennas, with reading areas provided on the outside and inside of the umbrella collection device 1, respectively. In this case, data about the umbrella can be read from each of the IC tags present on the outside and inside of the umbrella collection device 1. In addition, the reader 10D may have a function of reading data about a user from an IC tag embedded in a terminal such as a smartphone or a card held by the user from outside the umbrella collection device 1.

[0048] The function of the umbrella collecting device 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. The umbrella collecting device 1 has, as functional components, for example, a reading unit 10Aa, a transmitting unit 10Ab, an unlocking unit 10Ac, and an unblocking unit 10Ad.

[0049] The reading unit 10Aa is physically a reader 10D, and reads data from an IC tag.

[0050] Specifically, when the umbrella to be returned is held over the reader 10D, the reading unit 10Aa (second reading unit) reads data from the IC tag attached to the umbrella. In this case, the data is data related to the umbrella. Note that the data from the IC tag attached to the umbrella does not necessarily have to be read by the reading unit 10Aa, and may be input by the user or a recycling company, for example.

[0051] When an umbrella is inserted into the device through the insertion slot 10a, the reading unit 10Aa (first reading unit) reads the data of the IC tag attached to the umbrella. In this case, the data is data related to the umbrella.

[0052] The reading unit 10Aa (third reading unit) reads data from an IC tag corresponding to a user returning a purchased umbrella. In this case, the data is data related to the user to whom a reward is to be given.

[0053] The data read by the reading unit 10Aa is not limited to data from an IC tag, but may be, for example, data from a bar code or a two-dimensional code.

[0054] The transmitting unit 10Ab (first transmitting unit) transmits information including an umbrella ID (second recycled item identification information) for identifying the umbrella to be returned to the umbrella management server 2 based on the data read by the reading unit 10Aa (second reading unit).

[0055] The transmitting unit 10Ab (first transmitting unit) transmits information including an umbrella ID (first recycled item identification information) for identifying the umbrella inserted into the device to the umbrella management server 2 based on the data read by the reading unit 10Aa (first reading unit).

[0056] The transmitting unit 10Ab (second transmitting unit) transmits information about the user to the umbrella management server 2 based on the data read by the reading unit 10Aa (third reading unit). The information about the user may include, for example, a user ID (user identification information) for identifying the user to whom a reward will be given. This makes it possible to use a means corresponding to the user to give a reward for returning the umbrella that the user purchased.

[0057] The unlocking unit 10Ac unlocks the lock on the lid 11 that closes the insertion slot 10a when it is determined (if the second condition is met) that the umbrella is a legitimate umbrella that was sold (the legitimacy of the umbrella) based on the umbrella ID (second recyclable item identification information) that identifies the umbrella to be returned. The legitimacy of the umbrella can be confirmed, for example, by inquiring of the umbrella management server 2. This will be explained in detail below.

[0058] The umbrella management server 2, for example, stores and manages umbrella information about umbrellas in a database. The umbrella information can include, as data items, for example, an umbrella ID item, a manufacturing location item, a manufacturing date item, a sales location item, a price item, a purchase date item, a user ID item, a collection date item, a collection location item, an umbrella status item, etc. The umbrella status item stores, for example, umbrella status information such as not yet sold, sold, collected, etc.

[0059] When the umbrella management server 2 receives information including an umbrella ID (second recycled product identification information) from the umbrella collection device 1, it determines whether the received umbrella ID exists in the umbrella information. If the received umbrella ID does not exist in the umbrella information, the umbrella management server 2 responds with an error (invalid) to the umbrella collection device 1. Furthermore, even if the received umbrella ID exists in the umbrella information, the umbrella management server 2 may respond with an error to the umbrella collection device 1 if it matches the umbrella ID of an umbrella that has not yet been sold or the umbrella ID of an umbrella that has already been collected after being sold.

[0060] It should be noted that the validity of an umbrella is not limited to being determined by the umbrella management server 2, and may be determined by, for example, the umbrella collection device 1. In this case, the umbrella information may be managed by the umbrella collection device 1.

[0061] If the reply from the umbrella management server 2 is not an error, the lock release unit 10Ac determines that the umbrella is valid and releases the lock on the lid 11.

[0062] If the authenticity of the umbrella is confirmed (if the first condition is met) based on the umbrella ID (first recyclable item identification information) for identifying the umbrella inserted through the insertion slot 10a, the unblocking unit 10Ad unblocks the umbrella placed by the blocking unit 16. The authenticity of the umbrella can be confirmed in the same manner as the unlocking unit 10Ac described above, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0063] [Umbrella collection device in operation] The processing procedure when collecting an umbrella with the umbrella collecting device 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. The conditions for starting this processing procedure may include, for example, pressing the start button 14.

[0064] First, when an umbrella to be returned is held over the reader 10D, the reading unit 10Aa of the umbrella collecting device 1 reads the data of the IC tag attached to the umbrella (step S101).

[0065] Next, the transmitting unit 10Ab of the umbrella collecting device 1 transmits information based on the data read in the above step S101 to the umbrella management server 2, and queries the umbrella management server 2 about the validity of the umbrella corresponding to the information (step S102).

[0066] Next, the unlocking unit 10Ac of the umbrella collecting device 1 determines whether the umbrella is legitimate or not based on the result of the inquiry made in step S102 (step S103). If this determination is NO (step S103; NO), this procedure ends. At this time, an alarm may be sounded to alert the user. The alarm may be sound or voice output, a lamp may be turned on, or a message may be displayed.

[0067] If it is determined in step S103 that the umbrella is legitimate (step S103; YES), the lock release unit 10Ac of the umbrella collecting device 1 releases the lock on the lid 11 (step S104).

[0068] Next, the unblocking unit 10Ad of the umbrella collecting device 1 determines whether the lid 11 is closed (step S105). If this determination is NO (step S105; NO), the process waits until it becomes YES.

[0069] If it is determined in step S105 above that the lid 11 is closed (step S105; YES), the reading unit 10Aa of the umbrella collection device 1 reads the data of the IC tag attached to the umbrella inserted into the device through the insertion port 10a (step S106).

[0070] Next, the transmitting unit 10Ab of the umbrella collecting device 1 transmits information based on the data read in step S106 to the umbrella management server 2, and queries the umbrella management server 2 about the validity of the umbrella corresponding to the information (step S107).

[0071] Next, the unblocking unit 10Ad of the umbrella collecting device 1 determines whether the umbrella is legitimate or not based on the result of the inquiry made in step S107 (step S108). If the determination is NO (step S108; NO), an alarm is sounded to warn the user to remove the umbrella (step S110), and this procedure ends.

[0072] If it is determined in step S108 above that the umbrella is legitimate (step S108; YES), the unblocking unit 10Ad of the umbrella collection device 1 unblocks the umbrella by the blocking unit 16 (step S109). As a result, the blocked umbrella is stored in the umbrella collection area. Then, this procedure ends.

[0073] As described above, the umbrella collection device 1 in the embodiment reads the umbrella ID (second recyclable item identification information) that identifies the umbrella to be returned, and if it is determined that the umbrella is legitimate based on the umbrella ID (if the second condition is met), it can unlock the lock on the lid 11 that closes the umbrella slot 10a. When the lid 11 is opened and the umbrella is inserted, it blocks the umbrella from moving to the umbrella collection area, reads the umbrella ID (first recyclable item identification information) that identifies the umbrella, and if it is determined that the umbrella is legitimate based on the umbrella ID (if the first condition is met), it can unlock the block and collect the umbrella. Therefore, it is possible to provide an umbrella collection device 1 that can collect sold umbrellas.

[0074] Furthermore, according to the umbrella collection device 1 in the embodiment, when the legitimacy of the umbrella is confirmed, the lock by the locking section 15 is released, and the umbrella can be inserted through the insertion port 10a, thereby making it possible to prevent unauthorized umbrellas from being inserted into the device.

[0075] Furthermore, according to the umbrella collection device 1 in the embodiment, the user can insert the umbrella through the insertion port 10a and release the lid 11, which allows the lid 11 to be closed by the force of the elastic part 13, thereby saving the user the trouble of closing the lid 11.

[0076] Furthermore, according to the umbrella recovery device 1 in the embodiment, by extending the protrusion 16b of the block portion 16, it is possible to block the movement of the umbrella without forming a space for the umbrella to pass through between the tip of the block portion 16 and the inclined portion 17a, while by contracting the protrusion 16b of the block portion 16, it is possible to form a space for the umbrella to pass through between the tip of the block portion 16 and the inclined portion 17a, thereby releasing the block.

[0077] [Variations] The above-described embodiments are intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. The elements of the embodiments, as well as their arrangement, shape, size, etc., are not limited to those exemplified and may be modified as appropriate.

[0078] For example, in the embodiment described above, the umbrella collecting device 1 transmits information about the user to the umbrella management server 2 based on the data read by the reading unit 10Aa, but the method of transmitting information about the user to the umbrella management server 2 is not limited to this. For example, information about the user may be transmitted from a QR Code (registered trademark) application server (not shown) to the umbrella management server 2. In this case, the process can be performed, for example, as follows: First, a QR code application installed on a user terminal such as a smartphone is launched. Next, the QR code displayed on the surface of the umbrella collecting device 1 is scanned with the user terminal. Next, according to an operational instruction from the user, information about the user is transmitted from the QR code application server to the umbrella management server 2.

[0079] Furthermore, the locking portion 15 and the blocking portion 16 according to the above-described embodiment are not limited to having the above-described mechanisms, and may have other configurations as long as they can achieve the same functions as the mechanisms. These will be explained below.

[0080] The locking unit may be configured to keep the opening for inserting the umbrella into the storage unit covered with a lid. Accordingly, the unlocking unit may be configured to release the lid from covering the opening when the umbrella is recognized as authentic (when the second condition is satisfied).

[0081] The blocking unit may be configured to maintain a state in which an umbrella placed in the storage unit cannot be moved to the umbrella collection area. Accordingly, the unblocking unit may be configured to unblock the umbrella from being moved to the umbrella collection area when the authenticity of the umbrella is recognized (when the first condition is satisfied). For example, a configuration may be adopted in which an area for storing umbrellas placed in the storage unit and an umbrella collection area are separately provided, and when the authenticity of the umbrella is recognized, the umbrella is moved to the umbrella collection area by a belt conveyor or by a robotic hand.

[0082] The first or second condition is not limited to the umbrella being recognized as legitimate, and can be changed as appropriate to suit the operation of the collection device. For example, the first or second condition may be that the umbrella to be returned meets a predetermined condition, such as being an umbrella sold during a campaign period.

[0083] The identification of recycled products is not limited to being based on IC tags attached to the recycled products, and can be changed as appropriate. For example, recycled products may be identified using code information such as a two-dimensional code, or by reading the model number or serial code displayed on the recycled product with a camera. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] 1...umbrella collection device, 2...umbrella management server, 3...umbrella vending device, 10...top plate, 10a...insertion slot, 10b...hole, 11...lid, 11a...handle, 11b...hole, 12...lid support portion, 13...elastic portion, 14...start button, 15...lock portion, 15a...main body portion, 15b...projection portion, 16...block portion, 16a...main body portion, 16b...projection portion, 17...support portion, 17a...inclined portion, 18...reader portion, 19...door, 10A...processor, 10Aa...reading portion, 10Ab...transmitting portion, 10Ac...unlocking portion, 10Ad...unblocking portion, 10B...communication interface, 10C...storage device, 10D...reader, 100...umbrella management system, N...network

Claims

1. A storage unit for storing recyclable items to be returned; an input port for inserting the recyclable items into the storage section; a lid that closes the insertion port; a locking portion that locks the lid so that it does not open; a second reading unit that reads second recycled product identification information for identifying the recycled product; an unlocking unit that unlocks the locking unit when the authenticity of the recycled product is recognized based on the second recycled product identification information; a blocking unit that blocks the recyclable items placed in the storage unit from moving to a recyclable item recovery area inside the storage unit; a first reading unit that reads first recycled product identification information for identifying the recycled product blocked by the blocking unit after the recycled product is inserted and the lid is closed; an unblocking unit that unblocks the blocking unit when the authenticity of the recycled product is recognized based on the first recycled product identification information so that the recycled product can move to the recycled product collection area; A recycling product collection device comprising:

2. The first reading unit and the second reading unit read data from an IC tag attached to the recycled product, The device further includes a first transmitting unit that transmits the first recycled product identification information to a server based on the data read by the first reading unit, and transmits the second recycled product identification information to the server based on the data read by the second reading unit.

2. The recycling product recovery device according to claim 1.

3. a third reading unit that reads data from an IC tag corresponding to a user returning a recyclable item; a second transmission unit that transmits information about the user to a server based on the data read by the third reading unit; The recycling product recovery device according to claim 2, further comprising:

4. Further provided is a top panel portion covering an upper portion of the storage portion, The insertion port is formed in the top plate portion. The recycling product collection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The locking mechanism further includes an elastic portion that biases the lid, which is opened after the locking mechanism is released, in a direction to close the lid.

5. The recycling equipment according to claim 4.

6. Further provided is a support portion that supports the recyclable items inserted through the insertion port, The support portion has an inclined portion that slopes downward from the input port toward the recyclable item collection area, The block portion is attached to the back side of the top plate portion, and when the block portion is in a state where the recycled product is blocked, a space through which the recycled product can pass is not formed between the tip of the block portion and the inclined portion, while when the block portion is in a state where the block portion is released, a space through which the recycled product can pass is formed between the tip of the block portion and the inclined portion.

6. The recycling product recovery device according to claim 4 or 5.

7. A recycling collection device comprising: a storage section for storing recycling items to be returned; an input port for putting the recycling items into the storage section; and a lid for closing the input port, locking the lid to prevent it from opening; a second reading step of reading second recycled product identification information for identifying the recycled product; releasing the lock when the authenticity of the recycled product is recognized based on the second recycled product identification information; blocking the recyclable items placed in the storage unit from moving to a recyclable item recovery area within the storage unit; a first reading step of reading first recyclable item identification information for identifying the blocked recyclable item after the recyclable item is put in and the lid is closed; If the authenticity of the recycled product is recognized based on the first recycled product identification information, releasing the block so that the recycled product can be moved to the recycled product collection area. A recycling collection method that implements the following.

8. In the first reading step and the second reading step, data of an IC tag attached to the recycled product is read by a reader; The recycling product recovery device a step of transmitting the first recycled product identification information to a server based on the data read in the first reading step; and further performing a step of transmitting the second recycled product identification information to a server based on the data read in the second reading step. The method for recovering recycled products according to claim 7.

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