Recycling Collection Tracking via Provider-Linked Event Records

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing resource pickup systems cannot trace the recycling process of discarded resources after they are collected, limiting the ability to manage and optimize the recycling process effectively.

Innovation Solution

A collection apparatus that generates and outputs collection information, including provider identification and resource details, to a communication terminal, and a resource management system that traces the recycling process from collection to final product creation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If resource pickup systems only determine category and authenticate members without tracking, then the system is simple and easy to operate, but the ability to trace recycling process is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecycling process traceabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by generating collection information and outputting it to communication terminals at the time of resource collection. This preliminary recording of provider identification and resource details enables subsequent tracing of the recycling process without requiring complex real-time tracking infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Communication terminals serve as intermediaries between the collection apparatus and the resource management system. The collection information is output to these terminals, which then facilitate the tracing function, allowing the system to maintain simplicity while achieving traceability through this intermediary layer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If no collection information is generated and output, then the system operates with minimal complexity, but the capability to manage and optimize recycling operations is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecycling operation efficiencyVSAvoidinformation management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts essential collection information (provider identification, resource details, collection timestamp) from the complex recycling process and outputs it to communication terminals. This extraction approach enables effective recycling management by focusing on key data points without requiring management of all process details.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of directly managing the physical recycling process, the system creates information copies of collection events and outputs them to communication terminals. These digital copies enable remote monitoring and optimization of recycling operations without requiring direct intervention in the physical process, thereby improving productivity with minimal added complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP4343668B1Resource management device, collection device, resource management method, resource management program, collection method, and collection program
Publication Date: 2026.03.25 ASAHI KASEI KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
  • EP4343668B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4343668B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4343668B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a resource management apparatus including an event acquisition unit which acquires, in response to provision of a resource that is to be recycled to a collection location, a collection event of the resource, a provider information acquisition unit which acquires provider identification information for identifying a provider who has provided the resource to the collection location, and a provider recording unit which records an association between collection event identification information for identifying the collection event of the resource and the provider identification information of the provider of the resource in a provider database.