Information processing device, estimation method, and estimation program

Abstract

A center server 100 that serves as an information processing device comprises: a reception unit for receiving identification information of a tire T acquired from an RFID tag 210 provided to said tire T; an acquisition unit for acquiring recycle information that is recycling-related information associated with the identification information received by the reception unit; and an estimation unit for estimating, on the basis of the recycle information acquired by the acquisition unit, a recycle index that is an index related to recycling of the tire T.

Description

Information processing device, estimation method, and estimation program

[0001] The disclosed technology relates to an information processing device, an estimation method, and an estimation program.

[0002] There are well-known technologies for estimating the condition and value of tires from the perspective of reusing tires, for example, as retread tires or as used tires. There is also known a technology for pyrolyzing and recycling tires as a resource.

[0003] For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2019-185102 discloses a used tire evaluation server that evaluates used tires. This used tire evaluation server includes an information acquisition unit that acquires severity parameters that indicate the severity of the environment in which the tire was used when the tire was used to run a vehicle, and a price calculation unit that calculates the price of the used tire based on the severity parameters.

[0004] Furthermore, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2020-027471 discloses a tire maintenance management device. This tire maintenance management device has a driving environment acquisition unit and a maintenance timing determination unit. The driving environment acquisition unit acquires the driving environment of the vehicle. The maintenance timing determination unit determines the maintenance timing of the vehicle's tires based on the driving environment acquired by the driving environment acquisition unit.

[0005] Furthermore, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 0307169 discloses a method for recycling tires, which involves shredding delivered waste tires and generating pyrolysis end products (oil, carbon black, and pyrogas) from the shredded waste tires using a pyrolysis system.

[0006] However, as disclosed in Patent Document 3, in recent years, there has been an increasing need to pyrolyze and recycle tires themselves as a resource, but it has been difficult to estimate the value of tires as a resource using the techniques disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2.

[0007] The technology disclosed herein has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an information processing device, an estimation method, and an estimation program that can estimate the value of tires as resources.

[0008] The information processing device according to the first aspect includes a reception unit that receives identification information of the tire acquired from an RFID tag provided on the tire, an acquisition unit that acquires recycling information that is information related to recycling linked to the identification information received by the reception unit, and an estimation unit that estimates a recycling index that is an index related to the recycling of the tire based on the recycling information acquired by the acquisition unit.

[0009] In the information processing device according to the second aspect, in the information processing device according to the first aspect, the acquisition unit acquires related information related to the recycling information, and the estimation unit estimates a recycling index of the tire based on the recycling information and the related information.

[0010] An information processing device according to a third aspect is an information processing device according to the second aspect, in which, when the receiving unit receives identification information for a plurality of tires, the estimation unit sets the recycling index estimated for one of the tires as the recycling index for a plurality of other tires that have at least one piece of recycling information or related information in common or similar to that of the one tire.

[0011] An information processing device according to a fourth aspect is the information processing device according to the second or third aspect, wherein the related information includes legal information regarding recycling of the tire.

[0012] An information processing device according to a fifth aspect is the information processing device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the recycling information includes the quality of the material of the tire.

[0013] An information processing device according to a sixth aspect is the information processing device according to the fifth aspect, wherein the quality of the tire material includes information on a recycling history of the tire material.

[0014] An information processing device according to a seventh aspect is the information processing device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the recycling information includes a usage status of the tire.

[0015] An information processing device according to an eighth aspect is the information processing device according to the seventh aspect, wherein the usage status includes a remaining tread amount of the tire.

[0016] An information processing device according to a ninth aspect is the information processing device according to the seventh or eighth aspect, wherein the usage status includes a driving history of the tire.

[0017] An information processing device according to a tenth aspect is the information processing device according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, wherein the recycle index is a value index of the tire as a recycle source.

[0018] An information processing device according to an eleventh aspect is an information processing device according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, wherein the information related to recycling is information related to chemical recycling and / or material recycling.

[0019] In the estimation method according to the twelfth aspect, a computer executes a process of receiving identification information of a tire obtained from an RFID tag equipped on the tire, obtaining recycling information that is information related to recycling linked to the received identification information, and estimating a recycling index that is an index related to recycling of the tire based on the obtained recycling information.

[0020] The estimation program according to the thirteenth aspect causes a computer to execute a process of receiving identification information of a tire obtained from an RFID tag equipped on the tire, obtaining recycling information that is information related to recycling linked to the received identification information, and estimating a recycling index that is an index related to the recycling of the tire based on the obtained recycling information.

[0021] The present invention makes it possible to estimate the value of tires as a resource.

[0022] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a value estimation system according to the present embodiment; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a center server according to the present embodiment; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a ROM configuration of a center server according to the present embodiment; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a center server according to the present embodiment; FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing an outline of the flow of the value estimation system according to the present embodiment; FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of estimation processing according to the present embodiment; FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing an outline of the flow of the value estimation system according to Modification 1 of the present embodiment; FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of estimation processing according to Modification 1 of the present embodiment; FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing an outline of the flow of the value estimation system according to Modification 2 of the present embodiment; FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of estimation processing according to Modification 2 of the present embodiment.

[0023] The value estimation system 10 according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or equivalent components and parts are designated by the same reference numerals. The dimensional proportions in the drawings are exaggerated for the sake of explanation and may differ from the actual proportions. The present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiment, and can be implemented with appropriate modifications within the scope of the object of the present disclosure.

[0024] (Configuration) FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a value estimation system 10 according to this embodiment.

[0025] The value estimation system 10 of this embodiment includes a center server 100, a reading terminal 200, a store server 300, a dealer server 400, and a vehicle 500. The center server 100, the reading terminal 200, the store server 300, the dealer server 400, and the vehicle 500 are each connected to a network N. The network N is, for example, the Internet, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), etc. Although FIG. 1 illustrates one each of the center server 100, the reading terminal 200, the store server 300, the dealer server 400, and the vehicle 500, there may be multiple of each. The center server 100 is an example of an "information processing device" and a "computer."

[0026] The reading terminal 200 is an information terminal that can read information written in an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag 210 provided on a tire T. The reading terminal 200 can also simultaneously read information written in a plurality of RFID tags 210 provided on a plurality of tires T. Note that the RFID tag 210 of this embodiment has written therein an individual identification number of the tire T. However, this is not limiting, and it is sufficient that the RFID tag 210 has written therein information that can identify the tire T. The individual identification number of the tire T is an example of "tire identification information."

[0027] The reading terminal 200 is provided, for example, in a tire dealer that collects used tires T, a factory of a dealer that processes the collected tires T, a container that stores the collected tires T, etc. Tire dealers include, for example, tire sales companies, tire shops, car accessory stores, gas stations, car dealers, repair shops, etc. Dealers that process tires T include, for example, collection and transportation companies that collect and transport tires T, intermediate processing companies that cut and shred tires T, companies that recycle or dispose of tires T, etc.

[0028] In this embodiment, the tire T will be described as a used second-hand tire. However, the tire T may be an unused tire, or may include both used and unused tires.

[0029] The tire T also includes an RFID tag 210 as a communication device. The RFID tag 210 includes an IC chip and an antenna. The RFID tag 210 may be disposed, for example, by being attached to the surface of the tire T or by being sandwiched between a plurality of the same or different members that constitute the tire T. This makes it easier to attach the RFID tag 210 during tire production, and can improve the productivity of the tire T equipped with the RFID tag 210. In this example, the RFID tag 210 may be disposed, for example, by being sandwiched between a bead filler and another member adjacent to the bead filler.

[0030] The RFID tag 210 may be embedded in any of the members constituting the tire T. In this way, the load applied to the RFID tag 210 can be reduced compared to when the RFID tag 210 is sandwiched between multiple members constituting the tire T. This can improve the durability of the RFID tag 210. In this example, the RFID tag 210 may be embedded in a rubber member such as tread rubber or side rubber, for example.

[0031] It is preferable that the RFID tag 210 is not disposed at a position that is a boundary between members with different rigidities in the periphery length direction, which is the direction along the tire outer surface in a cross-sectional view in the tire width direction. In this way, the RFID tag is not disposed at a position where strain is likely to concentrate due to a difference in rigidity. This reduces the load applied to the RFID tag 210. This improves the durability of the RFID tag 210. In this example, it is preferable that the RFID tag 210 is not disposed at a position that is, for example, a boundary between an end of the carcass and a member adjacent to the end of the carcass (e.g., a side rubber, etc.) in a cross-sectional view in the tire width direction.

[0032] The number of RFID tags 210 is not particularly limited. The tire T may include only one RFID tag 210, or may include two or more RFID tags 210. Here, the RFID tag 210 is described as an example of a communication device, but a communication device different from the RFID tag 210 may also be used.

[0033] The store server 300 is, for example, a server used by a tire dealer that sells, inspects, repairs, and collects tires T. The dealer server 400 is, for example, a server used by a dealer that processes collected tires T. The vehicle 500 is, for example, a vehicle that is fitted with a tire T and is configured to be able to communicate with the network N.

[0034] 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the center server 100 according to this embodiment. The center server 100 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 110, a read-only memory (ROM) 120, a random access memory (RAM) 130, an input / output interface (I / F) 140, a communication interface (I / F) 150, and storage 160. Each component is connected to each other via a bus 170 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0035] The CPU 110 is a central processing unit that executes various programs and controls each component. The ROM 120 stores various programs and data. The RAM 130 temporarily stores programs or data as a work area. That is, the CPU 110 reads a program from the ROM 120 and executes the program using the RAM 130 as a work area.

[0036] 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of the configuration of the ROM 120 of the center server 100 according to this embodiment. The ROM 120 according to this embodiment stores data including an estimation program 121. The estimation program 121 may be stored in the storage 160. The estimation program 121 is an example of a "program."

[0037] The estimation program 121 is a program that executes processing including the estimation processing (see FIGS. 6, 8, and 10) described below. When the estimation program 121 is executed, the center server 100 executes processing based on the estimation program 121 using various hardware resources (see FIG. 2).

[0038] The input / output I / F 140 in FIG. 2 is an interface for connecting to an input / output device, and is used for inputting and outputting various types of information.

[0039] The communication I / F 150 is an interface for communicating with other devices. Specifically, the communication I / F communicates with the reading terminal 200, the store server 300, the dealer server 400, and the vehicle 500 via the network N. For this communication, for example, a wired communication standard such as Ethernet (registered trademark) or FDDI, or a wireless communication standard such as 4G, 5G, or Wi-Fi (registered trademark) is used.

[0040] The storage 160 is configured by a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), etc., and stores various programs and various data. The storage 160 of this embodiment stores data including an individual information table 161, a product information table 162, a material composition table 163, a legal restriction information table 164, a usage status table 165, and a vendor information table 166.

[0041] The individual information table 161 associates and registers an individual identification number that identifies the tire T with information from various information tables. That is, the individual information table 161 is an information table that centrally manages information associated with the individual identification number of the tire T.

[0042] Product information of the tire T is registered in advance in the product information table 162. The product information includes, for example, information such as the type of tire T, production date and time, shipping date and time, durability, lifespan, model number, etc. The product information of the tire T is an example of "recycling information."

[0043] The material blending table 163 has blending information, which is information relating to the blending of the materials of the tire T, registered in advance. The blending information includes, for example, information such as the type and blending ratio of rubber of the tire T, the type and amount of reinforcing material, the chemical substances and additives used in manufacturing, and the recycle ratio, which is the ratio of recycled materials among the materials used. As an example, the recycle ratio is the ratio of recycled carbon black used among all the carbon black used in the tire T. The blending information is an example of the "quality of tire materials." The recycle ratio is an example of the "recycling history of tire materials."

[0044] The legal regulation information table 164 registers information related to recycling regulations, which are legal restrictions on tire recycling. Information related to recycling regulations includes, for example, restrictions on the recycling rate of tire materials, substances restricted from use as tire materials, restrictions on environmental pollutants contained in tires, tire materials required to comply with environmental regulations, etc. Examples of environmental pollutants include lead, mercury, cadmium, and hexavalent chromium. Information related to recycling regulations is an example of "legal information related to tire recycling."

[0045] The usage status table 165 registers the maintenance history and usage status of the tire T. The maintenance history includes, for example, information such as the installation date and time of the tire T, repair history, and retread history. The usage status includes, for example, inspection information including the remaining tread amount of the tire T, the year and month of use, mileage, area of ​​use, temperature change, and other information. The maintenance history of the tire T is an example of "recycling information." The usage status of the tire T is an example of "tire usage status." The mileage, area of ​​use, and temperature change of the tire T are examples of "tire driving history."

[0046] The trader information table 166 stores trader information, which is information about traders who process tires T. The trader information includes, for example, past transaction history, information about the region in which the trader is located, etc. The trader information is an example of "related information."

[0047] 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the center server 100 according to this embodiment. The center server 100 according to this embodiment functions as a reception unit 111, an acquisition unit 112, and an estimation unit 113 by the CPU 110 executing the estimation program 121.

[0048] The receiving unit 111 has a function of receiving the individual identification number of the tire T. Specifically, the receiving unit 111 receives the individual identification number read by the reading terminal 200 from the RFID tag 210 provided on the tire T.

[0049] The acquisition unit 112 has a function of acquiring information about the tire T. Specifically, the acquisition unit 112 acquires information transmitted from the store server 300, the dealer server 400, and the vehicle 500 via the network N. The acquisition unit 112 of this embodiment registers the acquired information in each table of the storage 160.

[0050] For example, the acquisition unit 112 acquires information such as the maintenance history and usage status of the tire T by communicating with the store server 300. The maintenance history of the tire T that can be acquired from the store server 300 includes the installation date and time of the tire T, repair history, retread history, etc. Furthermore, the usage status of the tire T that can be acquired from the store server 300 includes inspection information including the remaining tread amount of the tire T, the year and month of use, and the mileage used.

[0051] In addition, for example, the acquisition unit 112 communicates with the trader server 400 to acquire trader information, which is information about traders who process the tires T. The trader information is, for example, information about past transaction history, the area where the trader is located, and the like.

[0052] Then, as an example, the acquisition unit 112 acquires information on the usage status of the tire T by communicating with the vehicle 500. The usage status of the tire T that can be acquired from the vehicle 500 includes the distance that the tire T has been used, the area where it has been used, temperature changes, the amount of remaining tread, etc.

[0053] The estimation unit 113 has a function of estimating the resource value of the tire T. Specifically, the estimation unit 113 estimates the resource value of the tire T based on information stored in each information table in the storage 160. The resource value of the tire T includes, for example, information on whether the tire T can be recycled, collection costs, purchase price, and incentive information including a discount on the collection costs. The estimation unit 113 may express the resource value of the tire T as a rank. As an example, the rank is a grade expressed from A (very high value) to E (no value). Furthermore, the recycling method of the tire T is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include chemical recycling, material recycling, and thermal recycling. Here, chemical recycling of the tire T refers to chemically decomposing the tire T and reusing it as a raw material for chemical products. Whether or not chemical recycling is possible is an example of a "value index of the tire as a chemical recycling source." Material recycling of the tire T refers to reusing the tire T as a raw material for products. The possibility of material recycling is an example of a "value index of a tire as a material recycling source." The value of the tire T as a resource is an example of a "recycling index."

[0054] 5 is a sequence diagram showing an outline of the flow of the value estimation system 10 according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, as an example, a case will be described in which the reading terminal 200 is used in a tire dealer that inspects, collects, etc. tires T.

[0055] In step S10 of Fig. 5, the store server 300 transmits the remaining tread amount of the tire T to the center server 100. The transmitted information is registered in the usage status table 165 (see Fig. 2) of the storage 160. Note that step S10 is a process that is repeatedly executed at a predetermined timing. The predetermined timing is not particularly limited, but as an example, it is the timing when the tire T is inspected at a tire store.

[0056] In step S11, the reading terminal 200 transmits the individual identification number of the tire T to the center server 100. Step S11 is, as an example, a process that is executed when a salesperson at a tire dealer that collects the tire T uses the reading terminal 200 to read the individual identification number from the RFID tag 210 attached to the tire T.

[0057] In step S12, the center server 100 executes an estimation process, which will be described later. The center server 100 estimates the discount amount for the recycling cost of the tire T through the estimation process.

[0058] In step S13, the center server 100 transmits the discount amount of the collection fee to the store server 300. Specifically, the center server 100 transmits the discount amount of the collection fee of the tire T estimated in step S12.

[0059] 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the estimation process according to this embodiment. The estimation process according to this embodiment is the process executed in step S12 of FIG.

[0060] 6, the CPU 110 receives the individual identification number of the tire T. Specifically, the CPU 110 receives the individual identification number of the tire T transmitted from the reading terminal 200.

[0061] In step S101, the CPU 110 acquires information on the remaining tread amount of the tire T corresponding to the received individual identification number. Specifically, the CPU 110 refers to the individual information table 161 in the storage 160 and acquires information on the remaining tread amount of the tire T registered in the usage status table 165 corresponding to the received individual identification number.

[0062] In step S102, the CPU 110 estimates the discount amount of the collection fee based on the acquired information. As an example, the CPU 110 estimates that the greater the remaining tread amount of the tire T, the higher the discount amount of the collection fee of the tire T. Then, the CPU 110 ends the estimation process. Thereafter, in step S13 of FIG. 5, the CPU 110 transmits the estimated discount amount of the collection fee to the store server 300.

[0063] (Summary of this embodiment) The center server 100 of this embodiment receives the individual identification number of the tire T from the reading terminal 200, acquires the remaining tread amount linked to the received individual identification number, and estimates a discount amount for the collection cost of the tire T based on the acquired remaining tread amount. Therefore, the center server 100 of this embodiment can estimate the value of the tire T as a resource. In other words, it can estimate the value of each used tire T from the perspective of recycling.

[0064] The center server 100 of this embodiment estimates the discount amount of the collection fee for the tire T based on the remaining tread amount. Therefore, according to the center server 100 of this embodiment, the more tread remaining in the tire T, the higher the value from the perspective of recycling can be estimated. In other words, according to the center server 100 of this embodiment, the discount amount of the collection fee for the tire T can be changed depending on the remaining tread amount of the tire T, so that the tire T, which is a used tire, can be traded at an appropriate price. Furthermore, according to the center server 100 of this embodiment, the discount amount of the collection fee for the used tire T can be used as an incentive when the tire T is collected.

[0065] The center server 100 of this embodiment stores and manages various information tables independently in the storage 160. Therefore, the center server 100 of this embodiment can improve the ease of updating information, reduce recording capacity, and speed up processing compared to when various information tables are not managed independently.

[0066] (Variation 1 of the Present Embodiment) The center server 100 of the present embodiment executes the estimation process based on the remaining tread amount of the tire T. The center server 100 of Variation 1 executes the estimation process based on information regarding the recycling rate of the tire T and recycling regulations related to the recycling rate. Details specific to Variation 1 will be described below.

[0067] 7 is a sequence diagram showing an outline of the flow of the value estimation system 10 according to Modification 1 of the present embodiment. In Modification 1, as an example, a case will be described in which the reading terminal 200 is used in a factory of a company that processes tires T.

[0068] 7, the reading terminal 200 transmits the individual identification number to the center server 100. Step 20 is a process executed when the reading terminal 200, which is installed in a factory of a company that processes tires T, reads the individual identification number from the RFID tag 210 attached to the tire T, as an example.

[0069] In step S21, the center server 100 executes an estimation process, which will be described later. The center server 100 estimates whether the tire T can be recycled or not through the estimation process.

[0070] In step S22, the center server 100 transmits the recyclability to the agent server 400. Specifically, the center server 100 transmits the recyclability estimated in step S21.

[0071] 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the estimation process according to Modification 1 of this embodiment. The estimation process according to Modification 1 is the process executed in step S21 of FIG.

[0072] 8, the CPU 110 receives the individual identification number of the tire T. Specifically, the CPU 110 receives the individual identification number of the tire T transmitted from the reading terminal 200.

[0073] In step S201, the CPU 110 acquires the recycle ratio of the tire T corresponding to the received individual identification number. Specifically, the CPU 110 refers to the individual information table 161 in the storage 160, and acquires the recycle ratio of the tire T registered in the material blend table 163 corresponding to the received individual identification number.

[0074] In step S202, the CPU 110 acquires information about recycling regulations related to the acquired recycling ratio. Specifically, the CPU 110 refers to the individual information table 161 in the storage 160 and acquires information about restrictions on the recycling ratio of tire materials registered in the legal regulation information table 164.

[0075] In step S203, CPU 110 estimates whether recycling is possible based on the acquired recycling rate and information. For example, CPU 110 estimates that recycling is possible if the recycling rate is within a limited range. Then, CPU 110 ends the estimation process. Then, in step S22 of FIG. 7, CPU 110 transmits the estimated recycling rate to agent server 400.

[0076] (Summary of Modification 1 of the Present Embodiment) The center server 100 of Modification 1 of the present embodiment receives the individual identification number of the tire T from the reading terminal 200, and estimates whether the tire T can be recycled based on the recycling rate linked to the received individual identification number and information on the recycling rate restrictions related to the recycling rate. Therefore, the center server 100 of Modification 1 can more appropriately estimate the value of the tire T as a resource compared to when the information on the recycling rate restrictions is not used. Furthermore, the center server 100 of Modification 1 can detect tires T that have become unrecyclable due to new laws, regulations, standards, etc., by updating the information on the recycling rate restrictions.

[0077] The center server 100 of Modification 1 of this embodiment estimates whether the tire T can be recycled based on the recycling ratio. Therefore, the center server 100 of Modification 1 can estimate the value of the tire T from the viewpoint of recycling lower when the performance of the tire T deteriorates due to the blending of raw materials obtained by recycling the tire T. In other words, the center server 100 of Modification 1 can estimate the value of the tire T blended with high-quality materials higher, and estimate the value of the tire T blended with materials unsuitable for recycling lower.

[0078] (Variation 2 of the Present Embodiment) The center server 100 of the present embodiment executes the estimation process each time it receives the individual identification number of a tire T. The center server 100 of Variation 2 is characterized in that it executes the estimation process after receiving the individual identification numbers of multiple tires T. The following describes the details specific to Variation 2.

[0079] 9 is a sequence diagram showing an outline of the flow of the value estimation system 10 according to Modification 2 of the present embodiment. In Modification 2, as an example, a case will be described in which the reading terminal 200 is used in a factory of a company that processes tires T.

[0080] 9, the vehicle 500 transmits information about the region in which the tire T is used to the center server 100. The transmitted information is registered in the usage status table 165 (see FIG. 2) of the storage 160. Note that step S30 is a process that is repeatedly executed at a predetermined timing. The predetermined timing is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, the timing when the vehicle 500 is started.

[0081] In step S31, the reading terminal 200 transmits the individual identification number to the center server 100. Step 31 is a process that is executed, for example, when the reading terminal 200 installed in a container that stores a plurality of tires T reads a plurality of individual identification numbers from the RFID tags 210 provided on the plurality of tires T. The reading terminal 200 may be installed at an input port, a transport belt conveyor, or the like of a recycling plant.

[0082] In step S32, the center server 100 executes an estimation process, which will be described later. Through the estimation process, the center server 100 estimates the purchase price of a plurality of tires T. Note that the center server 100 may estimate the purchase price on a container-by-container basis.

[0083] In step S33, the center server 100 transmits the purchase prices to the trader server 400. Specifically, the center server 100 transmits the purchase prices of the plurality of tires T estimated in step S32.

[0084] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the estimation process according to Modification 2 of this embodiment. The estimation process according to Modification 2 is the process executed in step S32 of FIG.

[0085] 10, the CPU 110 receives the individual identification numbers of the plurality of tires T. Specifically, the CPU 110 receives the individual identification numbers of the plurality of tires T transmitted from the reading terminal 200.

[0086] In step S301, the CPU 110 acquires information relating to the region in which the tire T is used that corresponds to the received individual identification number. Specifically, the CPU 110 refers to the individual information table 161 in the storage 160, and acquires information relating to the region in which the tire T is used that is registered in the usage status table 165 that corresponds to the received individual identification number.

[0087] In step S302, the CPU 110 determines whether or not there is a tire T in the same or similar usage area. Specifically, the CPU 110 makes this determination based on the usage areas of the multiple tires T acquired in step S301. If the CPU 110 determines that there is a tire T in the same or similar usage area (step S302: YES), the CPU 110 proceeds to step S303. On the other hand, if the CPU 110 determines that there is no tire T in the same or similar usage area (step S302: NO), the CPU 110 proceeds to step S305.

[0088] In step 303, the CPU 110 estimates the purchase price of one tire T in the same or a similar region of use. Specifically, the CPU 110 selects one tire T from multiple tires T in the same or a similar region of use and estimates the purchase price of the selected tire. As an example, the CPU 110 estimates a high purchase price for a tire used in an urban area with many paved roads.

[0089] In step S304, the CPU 110 determines the estimated purchase price as the purchase price for other tires T in the same or similar use areas. Specifically, the CPU 110 determines the purchase price estimated in step S302 as the purchase price for other tires T in the same or similar use areas that were not selected in step S302.

[0090] In step S305, the CPU 110 estimates the resale price of the tire T for each different region of use. Then, the CPU 110 ends the estimation process. Thereafter, in step S33 of FIG. 9, the CPU 110 transmits the estimated resale price to the dealer server 400.

[0091] (Summary of Modification 2 of the Present Embodiment) When the center server 100 of Modification 2 of the present embodiment receives individual identification numbers of multiple tires T, it sets the purchase price estimated for one tire T as the purchase price for multiple other tires T that are used in the same or similar areas as the one tire T. Therefore, the center server 100 of Modification 2 can reduce the load when executing estimation processing for multiple tires T and shorten the time required to complete the estimation processing. Furthermore, the center server 100 of Modification 2 can fluctuate and estimate the value of the tire T from the perspective of recycling depending on the environment of the area where the tire T is used.

[0092] (Note) In this embodiment, the center server 100 estimates the value of the tire T as a resource based on the individual identification number of the tire T read by the reading terminal 200. However, this is not limited to this. The center server 100 may estimate the value of the tire as a resource in cases such as when the tire is not equipped with an RFID tag or when the tire has an individual identification number that is not registered in the individual information table 161. For example, the center server 100 estimates the purchase price of a tire whose purchase price cannot be estimated from the individual identification number based on the dealer's past transaction history, the region where the dealer is located, and the like, which are registered in the dealer information table 166. Furthermore, when there are multiple tires T collected at the same time, the center server 100 may use the average purchase price of the multiple tires T as the purchase price of the tire whose purchase price cannot be estimated from the individual identification number. Furthermore, the center server 100 may estimate the purchase price of tires whose purchase prices cannot be estimated lower than the known purchase prices (the average purchase prices of the tires T described above, the purchase prices for the same type of tires T, etc.) by regarding the quality as not being guaranteed. Therefore, according to the center server 100 of this embodiment, even when tires T whose purchase prices can be estimated from their individual identification numbers and tires whose purchase prices cannot be estimated from their individual identification numbers are mixed, the purchase prices for all tires can be estimated.

[0093] The center server 100 of this embodiment acquires the remaining tread amount of the tire T from the store server 300 or the vehicle 500. However, this is not limiting, and the remaining tread amount of the tire T may be estimated from the installation date and time, the year and month of use, etc. Therefore, according to the center server 100 of this embodiment, even if the remaining tread amount of the tire T cannot be acquired, it is possible to estimate the discount amount of the collection fee of the tire T.

[0094] The center server 100 of this embodiment estimates the value of the tire T as a resource based on the information registered in the storage 160. However, this is not limiting, and the center server 100 may estimate the value using information on market trends. The information on market trends includes information such as the price of tire materials, the price of the tire itself, and changes in demand. Therefore, the center server 100 of this embodiment can estimate the value of the tire T as a resource in response to changes in market trends. The center server 100 may obtain information on market trends and register it in the storage 160.

[0095] The reading terminal 200 of this embodiment reads information written in the RFID tag 210. However, this is not limiting, and the reading terminal 200 may be capable of writing information to the RFID tag 210. As an example, the reading terminal 200 writes the rank (grades A to E) of the tire T estimated by the estimation program. Therefore, according to the reading terminal 200 of this embodiment, after the rank has been written in the RFID tag 210 of the tire T, the estimated value of the tire T as a resource can be obtained without the need for communication with the center server 100.

[0096] Furthermore, the configurations of the value estimation system 10 and the center server 100 described in the above embodiment are merely examples, and may be changed depending on the situation within the scope of the gist.

[0097] Furthermore, the processing flow of the program described in the above embodiment is also an example, and unnecessary steps may be deleted, new steps may be added, or the processing order may be rearranged within the scope of the main idea.

[0098] In the above embodiment, the term "CPU" refers to a processor in a broad sense, and includes general-purpose processors such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and dedicated processors such as a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and a programmable logic device.

[0099] Furthermore, the operations of the processors in the above embodiments may be performed not only by a single processor but also by multiple processors located at physically separate locations working together. The order of the operations of the processors is not limited to the order described in the above embodiments, and may be changed as appropriate.

[0100] In the above embodiment, the information processing program is pre-stored (installed) in a ROM, but the present invention is not limited to this. The program may be provided in a form recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), a DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disc Read Only Memory), or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory. The program may also be downloaded from an external device via a network.

[0101] The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-214126, filed on December 19, 2023, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In addition, all documents, patent applications, and technical standards described herein are incorporated herein by reference to the same extent as if each individual document, patent application, and technical standard were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

Claims

1. An information processing device comprising: a reception unit that receives identification information of a tire acquired from an RFID tag equipped on the tire; an acquisition unit that acquires recycling information, which is information related to recycling linked to the identification information received by the reception unit; and an estimation unit that estimates a recycling index, which is an index related to recycling of the tire, based on the recycling information acquired by the acquisition unit.

2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit acquires associated information related to the recycling information, and the estimation unit estimates a recycling index of the tire based on the recycling information and the associated information.

3. The information processing device described in claim 2, wherein, when the receiving unit receives identification information of multiple tires, the estimation unit sets the recycling index estimated for one tire to the recycling index of multiple other tires that have at least one piece of recycling information or related information in common or similar to that of the one tire.

4. The information processing device according to claim 2, wherein the related information includes legal information regarding recycling of the tires.

5. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the recycling information includes a quality of material of the tire.

6. The information processing device according to claim 5, wherein the tire material quality includes information regarding the recycling history of the tire material.

7. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the recycling information includes a usage status of the tires.

8. The information processing device according to claim 7, wherein the usage status includes a remaining tread amount of the tire.

9. The information processing device according to claim 7, wherein the usage status includes a driving history of the tire.

10. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the recycling index is a value index of the tire as a material recycling source.

11. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the information relating to recycling is information relating to chemical recycling and / or material recycling.

12. An estimation method in which a computer executes the following processes: receiving identification information of a tire obtained from an RFID tag equipped on the tire; obtaining recycling information that is information related to recycling linked to the received identification information; and estimating a recycling index that is an index related to recycling of the tire based on the obtained recycling information.

13. An estimation program that causes a computer to execute the following processes: receiving tire identification information obtained from an RFID tag equipped on the tire; obtaining recycling information that is information related to recycling linked to the received identification information; and estimating a recycling index that is an index related to the recycling of the tire based on the obtained recycling information.

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