JP7578264B2 - Selection method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a selection method, a selection device, and a program.

For the purpose of reducing waste, etc., a reuse system is known in which food, beverages, etc. are provided in containers that can be reused repeatedly after cleaning, etc.

For example, Patent Document 1 is an example of a document that describes a reuse system. Patent Document 1 describes a reuse system that includes a serving process in which food and drink are poured into reusable cups (containers) and served in accordance with a price including a deposit fee, an identification process in which a cup collected after the food and drink have been consumed is identified as a genuine cup, a refund process in which the deposit fee is refunded if the cup is a genuine cup, and a cleaning process in which the cup is collected and cleaned, and the cleaned cup is used again in the serving process.

JP 2008-197699 A

In a reuse system such as that described in Patent Document 1, a process of cleaning collected containers is required. This cleaning process generates environmental costs such as CO2 emissions when collecting and shipping containers on a regular basis, and also generates environmental costs such as electricity consumption when cleaning the containers. As a result, implementing a reuse system to reduce environmental costs such as reducing waste creates the problem of placing a burden on the environment in other ways, such as increasing CO2 emissions.

It is desirable to minimize the burden on the environment during the above-mentioned cleaning process. Therefore, the purpose of this disclosure is to provide a selection method, selection device, and program that solves the problem that in a reuse system that provides products using reusable containers, it can be difficult to reduce the burden on the environment when cleaning the containers.

In order to achieve this object, a selection method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes:
An information processing device,
Obtaining an environmental cost corresponding to the burden on the environment when transporting the container to a cleaning company and an environmental cost corresponding to the burden on the environment when cleaning the container at the cleaning company,
Based on the acquired environmental cost, the cleaning company that cleans the container and the transport company that transports the container to the cleaning company are selected.

In addition, a selection device according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes:
an acquisition unit that acquires an environmental cost corresponding to the burden on the environment when the container is transported to a cleaning company and an environmental cost corresponding to the burden on the environment when the container is cleaned by the cleaning company;
A selection unit that selects the cleaning company that will clean the container and a transport company that will transport the container to the cleaning company based on the environmental cost acquired by the acquisition unit;
The configuration has the following:

In addition, a program according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes:
In the information processing device,
Obtaining an environmental cost corresponding to the burden on the environment when transporting the container to a cleaning company and an environmental cost corresponding to the burden on the environment when cleaning the container at the cleaning company,
The program is for implementing a process of selecting the cleaning company that will clean the container and the transport company that will transport the container to the cleaning company based on the acquired environmental cost.

The above-mentioned configurations make it possible to reduce the environmental impact caused by cleaning containers in a reuse system that provides products using reusable containers.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an overall configuration of a reuse system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a user terminal; FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a store terminal. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a server device. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of container state information. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of information on a cleaning contractor wishing to clean; FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of information on a desired transport company. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation during cleaning. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation during container delivery. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a selection device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a selection device.

[First embodiment]
A first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 9. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a reuse system 100. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a user terminal 300. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a store terminal 400. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a server device 500. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of container state information 541. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of cleaning company information 542. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of transport company information 543. Figs. 8 and 9 are diagrams showing an example of the operation of the server device 500.

In the first embodiment of the present disclosure, a reuse system 100 is described that lends a user a container 200 that can be reused repeatedly by cleaning or the like. As shown in FIG. 1, in the reuse system 100, when a user purchases a product such as coffee at a store, the container 200 is lent to the user. In other words, the product such as coffee is placed inside the container 200 and provided to the user. In addition, the reuse system 100 accepts the return of the container 200 from the user at the store or the like. The returned container 200 is cleaned by a cleaning company or the like and then returned to the store. It is then lent again to the user or the like.

In the case of the reuse system 100 described in this embodiment, as described later, the status of the container 200, such as whether it is being lent or not, is managed using a server device 500 connected to multiple stores. Therefore, the container 200 may be returned to a store other than the store that lent the container 200. In other words, even if the container 200 is returned to a store other than the store that lent the container 200, the reuse system 100 can manage the container 200 without any problems. In addition, according to the above configuration, the container 200 is used as the entire reuse system 100. Therefore, for example, the store to which the container 200 is delivered after being cleaned by a cleaning company may be different from the store that accepted the return from the user. In addition, for example, in the reuse system 100, when the reuse system 100 is used for the first time, user information including payment information such as credit card information is registered in the server device 500. Then, when the reuse system 100 lends out the container 200, the reuse system 100 manages the user and the container 200 in association with each other. For example, with the above configuration, the reuse system 100 makes it possible to lend out the container 200 without taking a deposit or the like when lending out the container 200.

In the reuse system 100 described in this embodiment, the server device 500 selects a cleaning company that cleans the container 200 and a transport company that transports the container between the store and the cleaning company. For example, the server device 500 selects a cleaning company and a transport company based on the environmental cost of transporting the container 200 from the store to the cleaning company and the environmental cost of cleaning the container 200 by the cleaning company. Then, the server device 500 gives necessary instructions to the selected cleaning company and transport company. In this embodiment, the environmental cost refers to a value according to the load on the environment. For example, the environmental cost is a value calculated according to the amount of resource consumption such as power consumption, the amount of CO2 emissions, the amount of wastewater discharged, or the amount of resource consumption and various emissions. The environmental cost may be, for example, a value output by inputting the amount of power consumption into a model generated in advance by machine learning. The environmental cost may be a value according to the load on the environment other than the above examples.

In this embodiment, a liquid container for holding liquid products such as coffee will be described as an example of the container 200 that can be reused by cleaning or the like. However, the container 200 may be something other than a liquid container as long as it can be reused by cleaning or the like. For example, the container 200 may be a food container such as a lunch box for holding food such as lunch boxes.

In addition, transportation and delivery between the store and the cleaning company may be performed on a container 200 basis, or on a collection container basis that accepts the return of the container 200. For example, a collection container may be capable of storing multiple containers 200 therein. The collection container may be configured so that the containers 200 stored therein can be washed while the containers 200 are still stored inside the collection container. The server device 500, which will be described later, may select a cleaning company or a transport company for each container 200, or may select a cleaning company or a transport company for each collection container that contains multiple containers 200.

Figure 1 shows an example of the overall configuration of the reuse system 100. Referring to Figure 1, the reuse system 100 includes, for example, a container 200, a user terminal 300, a store terminal 400, a server device 500, a cleaning company terminal 600, and a transport company terminal 700. As shown in Figure 1, the store terminal 400 and the server device 500 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a network or the like. Also, the server device 500 and the cleaning company terminal 600 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a network or the like. Also, the server device 500 and the transport company terminal 700 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a network or the like. Also, the user terminal 300 and the store terminal 400 can be connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other using wireless communication or the like. Also, the user terminal 300 and the server device 500 can be connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other using wireless communication or the like.

Although not illustrated in FIG. 1, the reuse system 100 may include multiple user terminals 300, multiple store terminals 400, multiple server devices 500, multiple cleaning company terminals 600, and multiple transport company terminals 700.

The container 200 is a container that can be reused by cleaning or the like. As described above, in this embodiment, the container 200 holds a liquid product such as coffee. For example, the container 200 is a stainless steel tumbler or a resin cup. The container 200 may be something other than the example shown.

As shown in FIG. 1, individual identification information 210 is attached to an arbitrary location on the side of container 200. The individual identification information 210 is, for example, a two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark) or an RF tag. The individual identification information 210 includes, for example, information indicating a container ID, which is identification information uniquely assigned to each container. The individual identification information 210 may be other than the above examples, such as a barcode.

The user terminal 300 is a portable information processing device owned by a user. The user terminal 300 is used, for example, when borrowing a container 200 or when returning a container 200. For example, the user terminal 300 is a smartphone or a tablet. The user terminal 300 may be a device other than those exemplified above.

Fig. 2 shows an example of the configuration of the user terminal 300. Referring to Fig. 2, for example, the user terminal 300 has a reading unit 310, a processing unit 320, etc., in addition to general functions such as an operation input unit such as a touch panel and a screen display unit.

For example, the user terminal 300 has a calculation device such as a CPU and a storage device. The user terminal 300 can realize each of the above-mentioned processing units by, for example, having the calculation device execute a program stored in the storage device.

The reading unit 310 uses an imaging device such as a camera or a wireless communication function to read the individual identification information 210 attached to the container 200. For example, the reading unit 310 reads the individual identification information 210 such as a QR code or an RF tag to obtain a container ID that has been previously assigned to the container 200.

For example, when a user borrows the container 200 (i.e., when the user starts borrowing the container 200) or when the user returns the container 200 to the store, the reading unit 310 reads the individual identification information 210 attached to the container 200 by the user or a store employee operating the user terminal 300. The reading unit 310 may read the individual identification information 210 at times other than the above.

The imaging device used by the reading unit 310 may be included in the user terminal 300, or may be an external device connected to the user terminal 300.

The processing unit 320 performs processing in response to the reading of the individual identification information 210 by the reading unit 310. For example, the processing unit 320 transmits to the server device 500 the container ID acquired by the reading unit 310 reading the individual identification information 210 and a user ID, which is identification information uniquely given to each user. As a result, the processing unit 320 registers the start of lending the container 200 to the server device 500, and registers the return of the container 200 to the server device 500. In other words, the processing unit 320 performs a registration process for registering the start of lending or return of the container 200 to the server device 500. The processing unit 320 may transmit store identification information received from the store terminal 400 described later together with the container ID to the server device 500. By transmitting the store identification information together with the container ID, the server device 500 can also manage the store to which the container was returned. Furthermore, when the reading unit 310 reads the individual identification information 210, the processing unit 320 can display predetermined information on the screen display unit of the user terminal 300. For example, the processing unit 320 can calculate the return deadline of the container 200 (e.g., one week from the start of lending) from time information at the start of lending, and display the calculated result on the screen. Note that the user ID is given in advance to the user (or the user terminal 300), for example, when the above-mentioned user information is registered in the server device 500, etc.

The store terminal 400 is an information processing device installed in a store that rents out the container 200. The store terminal 400 can be used when renting out the container 200, when returning the container 200, etc. For example, the store terminal 400 is a personal computer, a smartphone, a tablet, etc. The store terminal 400 may be a device other than those exemplified above.

Figure 3 shows an example of the configuration of the store terminal 400. Referring to Figure 3, the store terminal 400 has, for example, a reading unit 410, a processing unit 420, and a store information transmission unit 430.

For example, the store terminal 400 has a calculation device such as a CPU and a storage device. The store terminal 400 can realize each of the above-mentioned processing units by, for example, having the calculation device execute a program stored in the storage device.

The reading unit 410 uses an imaging device such as a camera or a wireless communication function to read the individual identification information 210 attached to the container 200. For example, the reading unit 410 reads the individual identification information 210 such as a QR code or an RF tag to obtain a container ID that has been previously assigned to the container 200.

For example, when a user borrows the container 200 (i.e., when the user starts borrowing the container 200) or when the user returns the container 200 to the store, the reading unit 410 reads the individual identification information 210 attached to the container 200 by the user or a store employee operating the store terminal 400.

The imaging device used by the reading unit 410 may be included in the store terminal 400, as in the case of the user terminal 300, or may be an external device connected to the store terminal 400. Furthermore, if either the reading using the reading unit 310 or the reading using the reading unit 410 is performed, the other may be omitted.

The processing unit 420 performs processing in response to the reading of the individual identification information 210 by the reading unit 410. For example, the processing unit 420 transmits the container ID and the user ID, etc., acquired by the reading unit 410 reading the individual identification information 210, to the server device 500. As a result, the processing unit 420 registers the start of lending the container 200 to the server device 500, and registers the return of the container 200 to the server device 500. In other words, the processing unit 420 can perform a registration process for registering the start of lending or return of the container 200 to the server device 500, similar to the processing unit 320. The processing unit 420 may transmit the store identification information stored in the store terminal 400 to the server device 500 together with the container ID, etc. Note that the store terminal 400 is assumed to have received the user ID from the user terminal 300 in advance by communicating with the user terminal 300, etc. Furthermore, when the reading unit 410 reads, the processing unit 420 can display predetermined information on the screen display unit of the store terminal 400. For example, the processing unit 420 can calculate the return deadline of the container 200 (e.g., one week from the start of lending) from time information at the start of lending, and display the calculated result on the screen.

The store information transmission unit 430 transmits the store identification information stored in the store terminal 400 to the user terminal 300. The store identification information is identification information that is uniquely assigned to each store and is predetermined for each store. The store information transmission unit 430 may transmit the store identification information to the user terminal 300 at any timing.

The server device 500 is an information processing device (management device) that manages the status of the container 200, such as whether it is on loan or not. The server device 500 manages the status of the container 200 based on the container ID and user ID received from the user terminal 300, the store terminal 400, etc. The server device 500 also selects a cleaning company or a transport company depending on the status of the container 200 and has them clean the container 200. For example, the server device 500 is an on-premise server or a cloud server. The server device 500 may be other than the above examples.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the configuration of the server device 500. Referring to FIG. 4, the server device 500 has, as main components, for example, an operation input unit 510, a screen display unit 520, a communication I/F unit 530, a storage unit 540, and an arithmetic processing unit 550. Note that the server device 500 may have only a part of the configuration exemplified above, such as not having the operation input unit 510.

The operation input unit 510 is composed of operation input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse. The operation input unit 510 detects the operation of the operator who operates the server device 500 and outputs it to the calculation processing unit 550.

The screen display unit 520 is composed of a screen display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). The screen display unit 520 can display various information stored in the memory unit 540 on the screen in response to instructions from the calculation processing unit 550.

The communication I/F unit 530 is composed of a data communication circuit. The communication I/F unit 530 communicates with the user terminal 300, the store terminal 400, and other external devices.

The storage unit 540 is a storage device such as a hard disk or memory. The storage unit 540 stores processing information and programs 544 necessary for various processes in the calculation processing unit 550. The programs 544 are read into the calculation processing unit 550 and executed to realize various processing units. The programs 544 are read in advance from an external device or recording medium via a data input/output function such as the communication I/F unit 530, and are stored in the storage unit 540. Examples of main information stored in the storage unit 540 include container state information 541, cleaning company information 542, and transport company information 543. The storage unit 540 can store the above-mentioned user information. The storage unit 540 may also store container information including information about the container 200 itself, such as the color, capacity, and material of the container 200.

The container status information 541 includes information according to the use of the container 200, such as status information indicating the status of the container 200. For example, the container status information 541 is updated when a user borrows or returns the container 200, when the container 200 is transported to a cleaning company, when the container 200 is delivered from the cleaning company to a store, etc.

Figure 5 shows an example of container status information 541. Referring to Figure 5, the container status information 541 includes items such as a container ID and status information.

Here, as described above, the container ID is identification information uniquely assigned to each container 200. Moreover, the status information is information indicating the status of the container 200. The status information includes, for example, information indicating whether the container 200 is being loaned to a user, information indicating the store where the container 200 is placed, such as store identification information, and information such as a company ID indicating the company that performs the cleaning. The status information may also include the user ID of the user who is lending the container. Moreover, the status information includes information indicating whether the container 200 has been cleaned. For example, the container 200 is uncleaned when it is returned by the user to the store, and is cleaned when it is delivered by the cleaning company. The status information may include past information, such as information indicating the status over the past week or month, or may include more detailed information, such as information indicating the time when the container was loaned.

The cleaning contractor information 542 includes information about contractors who wish to clean the containers 200, such as the available date and time for cleaning, the number of collection containers that can be cleaned, and the environmental costs involved in cleaning. For example, the cleaning contractor information 542 is updated in response to cleaning requests received from the cleaning contractor terminal 600 and cleaning instructions given to the cleaning contractor.

Figure 6 shows an example of the desired cleaning contractor information 542. Referring to Figure 6, the desired cleaning contractor information 542 includes items such as the contractor ID, available date and time information, available number information, and environmental cost information. The desired cleaning contractor information 542 can also include information indicating the location of the cleaning contractor.

Here, the company ID is identification information given to companies such as cleaning companies and transport companies. The available date and time information indicates the date, day of the week, time period, etc. when cleaning is possible. For example, it is assumed that there are days, days of the week, time periods, etc. when cleaning equipment is not used in stores that are open only at night, employee cafeterias, dormitories, etc. that are open only at night. The available date and time information may be determined, for example, according to the time when there is no actual business (i.e., the time when the cleaning equipment is not used). The available number information indicates the number of collection containers that can be washed with the company's own cleaning equipment. The available number information may indicate the number of containers 200 that can be washed. Note that the information included in the available number information may increase or decrease depending on, for example, the number of collection containers actually being washed. The environmental cost information indicates the environmental cost required to wash collection containers, etc. The environmental cost information includes, for example, the amount of power consumption required to operate the cleaning equipment. The environmental cost information may include, for example, power usage information indicating that power generated by the company's own solar power generation equipment is being used.

The transporter information 543 includes information about the company wishing to transport the container 200, such as the date and time when transport is possible, the number of collection containers that can be transported, and the environmental costs involved in transporting the container 200. For example, the transporter information 543 is updated according to the transport request received from the transporter terminal 700.

Figure 7 shows an example of the desired transport company information 543. Referring to Figure 7, the desired transport company information 543 includes items such as the company ID, available date and time information, available number information, and environmental cost information.

Here, the company ID is identification information given to companies such as cleaning companies and transport companies. The available date and time information indicates the date, day of the week, time period, etc. when transportation is possible. As in the case of the cleaning request company information 542, the available date and time information may be determined, for example, according to the time when there is no actual business. The available number information indicates the number of collection containers that can be transported at one time. The available number information may indicate the number of containers 200 that can be transported at one time. The environmental cost information indicates the environmental cost required when transporting collection containers, etc. The environmental cost information includes, for example, information indicating the cost required during transportation, such as the amount of CO2 emissions when transporting 1 km, and information indicating the means of transportation, such as trucks, passenger cars, bicycles, etc.

The arithmetic processing unit 550 has an arithmetic device such as a CPU and its peripheral circuits. The arithmetic processing unit 550 reads and executes the program 544 from the memory unit 540, thereby implementing various processing units through cooperation between the above hardware and the program 544. The main processing units implemented by the arithmetic processing unit 550 include, for example, a status management unit 551, a cleaning/transportation request reception unit 552, a tentative collection store determination unit 553, a cleaning company selection unit 554 (acquisition unit, selection unit), an instruction unit 555, an inventory confirmation unit 556, and a delivery control unit 557 (acquisition unit, selection unit).

The status management unit 551 manages the status of the container 200, such as whether the container 200 is on loan or not, whether it is being cleaned or not, etc. For example, when the status management unit 551 receives a container ID, a user ID, a vendor ID, etc. from the user terminal 300, etc., it updates the status information in the container status information 541 according to the received information, thereby managing the status of the container 200.

For example, when a container 200 with container ID "AAAB" existing in store A is to be loaned to a new user, the user ID of the user and the container ID "AAAB" are received from the user terminal 300 or the store terminal 400. The status management unit 551 then changes the status information corresponding to the container ID "AAAB" in the container status information 541 described with reference to FIG. 5 from "Store A (cleaned)" to "On loan." The status management unit 551 also includes the user ID in the status information. For example, by the above process, when the container 200 is loaned, the status management unit 551 manages the container 200 in association with the user.

When returning a container 200 with container ID "AAAB", the user terminal 300 or the store terminal 400 receives the user's user ID, the container ID "AAAB", store identification information, and the like. The status management unit 551 then changes the status information in the container status information 541 described with reference to FIG. 5 from "on loan" to "store A (unwashed)". In this way, by using the store identification information and the like, the status management unit 551 can manage the status of the container 200, including information about the store to which the container 200 has been returned. Furthermore, by including information indicating that the container 200 is unwashed in the status information, it is possible to manage whether or not the container 200 has been washed.

In addition, the status management unit 551 can manage the status of the container 200 by updating the status information using the container ID, etc. received by the same process as the above-mentioned process when the container 200 is sent for cleaning, when the cleaning is completed by the cleaning company, when the container 200 is delivered from the cleaning company to each store, etc. For example, when the status management unit 551 transports the container 200 from the store to the cleaning company, the status management unit 551 changes the status information from "Store A (uncleaned)" to "cleaning", etc. based on the received container ID, etc. The status management unit 551 may include the company ID, etc. in the status information. In addition, when the cleaning is completed by the cleaning company, the status management unit 551 changes the status information from "cleaning" to "cleaned", etc. based on the received container ID, etc. In addition, when the cleaning company delivers the cleaned container 200 to the store, the status management unit 551 changes the status information from "cleaning" to "store (cleaned)", etc. based on the received container ID, etc. When the container 200 is sent for cleaning or when the cleaning company delivers the container 200 to each store, the container ID and other information acquired by a terminal owned by the store, such as the store terminal 400, or a terminal used by the transport company can be transmitted to the server device 500. When the cleaning company delivers the cleaned container 200 to the store, the container ID and other information acquired by a terminal owned by the cleaning company, such as the cleaning company terminal 600, can be transmitted to the server device 500. Here, the terminals owned by the store, transport company, and cleaning company may be terminals having the same functions as the reading unit 310 and processing unit 320 (or the reading unit 410 and processing unit 420) of the user terminal 300 and the store terminal 400. In addition, for example, the collection container may be configured to manage the container ID of each container 200 present in the collection container. In this case, the terminal owned by the store or the terminal used by the transport company can obtain information from the collection container, thereby obtaining the container ID to be cleaned at once.

The cleaning/transport request reception unit 552 receives a cleaning request from a cleaning company. The cleaning/transport request reception unit 552 then stores the received cleaning request in the memory unit 540 as cleaning request company information 542. The cleaning/transport request reception unit 552 also receives a transport request from a transport company. The cleaning/transport request reception unit 552 then stores the received transport request in the memory unit 540 as transport request company information 543.

The provisional collection store determination unit 553 provisionally determines the stores that will be the collection targets for the containers 200. For example, the provisional collection store determination unit 553 determines the number of unwashed containers 200 held by each store based on the container status information 541. Then, the provisional collection store determination unit 553 provisionally determines the stores that will be the collection targets based on the number of unwashed containers 200 held by each store.

For example, the provisional collection store determination unit 553 provisionally determines stores to be subject to collection periodically at predetermined intervals, such as every few hours, every half day, or every day. The interval at which the provisional collection store determination unit 553 provisionally determines stores may be set arbitrarily.

As an example, the provisional collection store determination unit 553 compares the number of unwashed containers 200 with a collection threshold value determined for each store. Then, it provisionally determines the store where the number of unwashed containers 200 is equal to or greater than the collection threshold value as a store to be collected. Note that the collection threshold value is determined, for example, according to the number of collection containers that can be kept in the store. Therefore, the collection threshold value may be different for each store.

The collection store provisional determination unit 553 may be configured to provisionally determine the stores to be collected by a method other than the above example. For example, the collection store provisional determination unit 553 may be configured to calculate the number of collection containers used based on the number of unwashed containers 200, and to provisionally determine the stores to be collected by comparing the calculated number of collection containers with the collection threshold. The collection store provisional determination unit 553 may be configured to provisionally determine the stores to be collected by calculating the situation after a predetermined time based on, for example, the increase in the number of containers 200 per unit time, and comparing the calculated result with the collection threshold. For example, information that associates store identification information and the number of unwashed containers 200 with each other based on the container status information 541 may be generated in advance. The collection store provisional determination unit 553 may be configured to provisionally determine the stores to be collected by performing a comparison using the information generated in advance.

The cleaning company selection unit 554 selects a cleaning company that cleans the container 200 and a transport company that transports the container 200 (recovery container) from the store to the cleaning company. For example, the cleaning company selection unit 554 selects a combination of a cleaning company and a transport company that will minimize the environmental cost of transporting the container 200 from the store to the cleaning company and cleaning the container 200 by the cleaning company, while satisfying time conditions. For example, the cleaning company selection unit 554 selects a cleaning company and a transport company for each store that the collection store tentative decision unit 553 has tentatively decided to collect. Note that the cleaning company selection unit 554 may be configured to decide to clean stores that the collection store tentative decision unit 553 has not tentatively decided to collect, for example, when the selected transport company has spare capacity.

As an example, the cleaning contractor selection unit 554 first selects a cleaning contractor that meets a predetermined condition from among the cleaning contractors included in the desired cleaning contractor information 542. For example, the cleaning contractor selection unit 554 selects a cleaning contractor that is determined to be available by referring to available date and time information. The cleaning contractor selection unit 554 also compares the number of containers 200 to be collected at the store (number of collection containers) with the available number information in the desired cleaning contractor information 542 for the selected cleaning contractor. The cleaning contractor selection unit 554 then further selects a cleaning contractor for which the number of collection containers to be collected is equal to or less than the number indicated by the available number information.

After selecting a cleaning company through the above-mentioned process, the cleaning company selection unit 554 acquires and refers to the environmental cost information. Then, the cleaning company selection unit 554 further selects a cleaning company based on the environmental cost when cleaning the number of collection containers to be collected. For example, the cleaning company selection unit 554 selects a cleaning company that will have the lowest environmental cost when cleaning the number of collection containers to be collected. Specifically, for example, the cleaning company selection unit 554 selects a cleaning company that will consume the least amount of electricity when cleaning the number of collection containers to be collected. The cleaning company selection unit 554 may refer to the power usage information, calculate the amount of CO2 emissions when generating power equivalent to the amount of electricity consumed (i.e., convert the amount of electricity consumed into CO2 emissions), and select a cleaning company that will have the lowest calculated amount of CO2 emissions. The cleaning company selection unit 554 may select a cleaning company that will have the lowest value output as a result of inputting the amount of electricity consumed into a model generated by learning in advance.

When there are multiple cleaning companies with the lowest environmental costs, the cleaning company selection unit 554 may select the multiple cleaning companies with the lowest environmental costs. Also, the cleaning company selection unit 554 may select a predetermined number of cleaning companies in order of decreasing environmental costs, for example, starting with the cleaning company with the lowest environmental costs.

After selecting the cleaning company, the cleaning company selection unit 554 selects a transport company that transports the container 200 (recovery container) from the store to the selected cleaning company. For example, the cleaning company selection unit 554 calculates the route length between the store and the cleaning company based on the GIS (Geographic Information System) and the location information of the store and the cleaning company. The cleaning company selection unit 554 also refers to the information indicating the transport means included in the desired transport company information 543. Then, the cleaning company selection unit 554 calculates the time required to transport the calculated route length using the transport means indicated by the information indicating the transport means. After that, the cleaning company selection unit 554 selects a transport company based on the calculated time and the CO2 emissions indicated by the environmental cost information included in the desired transport company information 543. For example, the cleaning company selection unit 554 selects a transport company whose transport time is equal to or less than a threshold and whose environmental cost is the lowest. The cleaning contractor selection unit 554 may select a transport contractor using the results of machine learning, for example, by selecting a cleaning contractor that outputs the lowest value as a result of inputting the amount of CO2 emissions and time into a model generated by prior learning.

For example, as described above, the cleaning contractor selection unit 554 selects a transporter for each selected cleaning contractor. That is, it selects a combination of a cleaning contractor and a transporter. Then, the cleaning contractor selection unit 554 selects the combination with the lowest total environmental cost from among the selected combinations as the final combination of the cleaning contractor and the transporter. For example, the cleaning contractor selection unit 554 adds the value of the power consumption during cleaning converted into CO2 emissions and the CO2 emissions during transportation, and selects the combination with the lowest total value as the final combination of the cleaning contractor and the transporter. Alternatively, the cleaning contractor selection unit 554 may select using the results of prior learning, such as selecting based on the value output as the result of inputting the power consumption during cleaning and the CO2 emissions during transportation into a model generated by prior learning. Note that, if there are multiple combinations with the lowest total value, the cleaning contractor selection unit 554 may select the final combination using any means, such as selecting the combination with the shortest route length.

When a transport company is selected as described above, it is expected that the number of collection containers that the transport company actually transports will be smaller than the transport capacity. Therefore, the cleaning company selection unit 554 may compare the transport capacity of the transport company with the number of collection containers that the transport company actually transports, and if it is determined that the number to be transported is below a transport threshold value set for each transport company and there is spare capacity, it may decide to transport the collection containers to the cleaning company from stores that the collection store provisional determination unit 553 did not provisionally determine as collection targets. In this case, the cleaning company selection unit 554 may be configured to, for example, add stores that are within a predetermined distance from the collection target store as stores to be transported.

The above is an example of the selection process by the cleaning contractor selection unit 554. Note that the cleaning contractor selection unit 554 may select a combination of a cleaning contractor and a transport contractor by a method other than the above example, so as to minimize the environmental cost of transporting the container 200 from the store to the cleaning contractor and cleaning the container 200 at the cleaning contractor.

The instruction unit 555 transmits necessary instructions to the cleaning company and the transport company finally selected by the cleaning company selection unit 554. For example, the instruction unit 555 transmits, together with a cleaning request, information indicating the number of collection containers to be cleaned and information on the transport company that will transport them, to the selected cleaning company. The instruction unit 555 also transmits, together with a transport request, information indicating the number of collection containers to be transported, information indicating the store that will collect the containers, information indicating the cleaning company to which the containers will be transported, and the like. The instruction unit 555 may notify the store that is the target of collection that the containers 200 are to be collected.

The instruction unit 555 can also send necessary instructions to the cleaning company and transport company determined by the inventory confirmation unit 556 and delivery control unit 557, which will be described later.

The inventory confirmation unit 556 confirms the inventory, which is the number of cleaned containers 200 at each store. For example, the inventory confirmation unit 556 determines the number (inventory) of cleaned containers 200 held by each store based on the container status information 541. Then, based on the inventory at each store, the inventory confirmation unit 556 determines the store to which the cleaned containers 200 (collection containers) stored by the cleaning company will be delivered.

For example, the inventory confirmation unit 556, like the tentative collection store determination unit 553, periodically checks the inventory at predetermined intervals, such as every few hours, every half day, or every day, and determines the delivery destination. As in the case of the tentative collection store determination unit 553, the interval at which the inventory confirmation unit 556 tentatively determines the store may be set arbitrarily.

As an example, the inventory confirmation unit 556 compares the number of cleaned containers 200 with an inventory threshold set for each store. Then, it decides to deliver the containers 200 to a store where the number of cleaned containers 200 is equal to or less than the inventory threshold. Note that the inventory threshold is set in advance depending on, for example, the number of containers 200 that can be kept in the store. Therefore, the inventory threshold may be different for each store.

The inventory confirmation unit 556 may be configured to check inventory using a method other than the above example. For example, the inventory confirmation unit 556 may be configured to calculate the number of return containers that can be delivered based on the number of cleaned containers 200, and to determine the store to which the containers are to be delivered by comparing the calculated number of return containers with an inventory threshold. The inventory confirmation unit 556 may be configured to calculate the situation after a predetermined time based on the amount of cleaned containers 200 reduced per unit time, and to determine the store to which the containers are to be delivered by comparing the calculated result with an inventory threshold. For example, information that associates store identification information and the number of cleaned containers 200 with each other based on the container status information 541 may be generated in advance. The inventory confirmation unit 556 may be configured to determine the store to which the containers are to be delivered by performing a comparison using the information generated in advance.

The delivery control unit 557 determines a cleaning company (which may be a warehouse, etc.) that stores the container 200 and a transport company that transports the container 200 (collection container) from the cleaning company to the store. For example, the delivery control unit 557 determines a combination of a cleaning company and a transport company that will minimize the environmental cost of delivering the container 200 from the cleaning company to the store, while satisfying time conditions. For example, the delivery control unit 557 determines a cleaning company and a transport company for each store to which the inventory confirmation unit 556 has decided to deliver. Note that the delivery control unit 557 may be configured to decide to deliver to stores to which the inventory confirmation unit 556 has not decided to deliver, for example, when the selected transport company has spare capacity.

As an example, the delivery control unit 557 first selects a cleaning company. For example, the delivery control unit 557 refers to the container status information 541 and selects a cleaning company that has containers 200 (or collection containers) equal to or greater than the number of containers to be delivered to the store. The number of containers to be delivered is determined in advance for each store, for example. The number of containers to be delivered may be a value that changes dynamically depending on the number of cleaned containers 200 held by the store. Furthermore, when making the above selection, the delivery control unit 557 may refer to the distance between the store and the cleaning company. For example, the delivery control unit 557 may be configured to make the above selection from cleaning companies whose distance from the store is equal to or less than a predetermined distance.

After selecting the cleaning company through the above-mentioned process, the delivery control unit 557 selects a transport company that transports the container 200 (collection container) from the cleaning company to the store. For example, the delivery control unit 557 calculates the route length between the store and the cleaning company based on the GIS and the location information of the store and the cleaning company. The delivery control unit 557 also refers to the information indicating the transport means included in the transport request company information 543. Then, the delivery control unit 557 calculates the time required to transport the calculated route length using the transport means indicated by the information indicating the transport means. After that, the delivery control unit 557 selects a transport company based on the calculated time and the CO2 emissions indicated by the environmental cost information. For example, the cleaning company selection unit 554 selects a transport company whose transport time is equal to or less than a threshold and whose environmental cost is the lowest. Then, the delivery control unit 557 determines the selected transport company and the corresponding cleaning company as a combination of the cleaning company and the transport company. For example, through the above process, the delivery control unit 557 determines a combination of a cleaning company and a transport company that will result in the lowest environmental cost when delivering the container 200 from the cleaning company to the store while satisfying time conditions. Note that the delivery control unit 557 may select a transport company using the results of machine learning, such as selecting a cleaning company that will output the lowest value as a result of inputting CO2 emissions and time into a model generated by learning in advance.

As in the case of the cleaning company selection unit 554, the delivery control unit 557 may decide to deliver the container 200 to a store to which the inventory confirmation unit 556 did not decide to deliver, depending on the transport company's transport capacity.

The above is an example of the configuration of the server device 500.

The cleaning company terminal 600 is an information processing device installed in a cleaning company that cleans the container 200. The cleaning company terminal 600 transmits cleaning requests to the server device 500 and receives cleaning requests, etc. from the server device 500 in response to operations by an operator who operates the cleaning company terminal 600. For example, the cleaning company terminal 600 is a personal computer, a smartphone, a tablet, etc. The cleaning company terminal 600 may be a device other than those exemplified above.

The cleaning company may include not only companies that specialize in cleaning, but also various companies that have cleaning equipment for cleaning collected containers, such as restaurants and other stores and employee cafeterias. In other words, the cleaning company may be a store that collects the containers 200. The cleaning company may be other than the above examples. Furthermore, the containers 200 cleaned by the cleaning company are stored by the cleaning company until they are delivered to each store, for example. The containers 200 cleaned by the cleaning company may be stored in an external warehouse, etc.

The transporter terminal 700 is an information processing device installed at the transporter that transports the container 200. The transporter terminal 700 transmits transport requests to the server device 500 and receives transport requests, etc. from the server device 500 in response to operations by an operator who operates the transporter terminal 700. For example, the transporter terminal 700 is a personal computer, a smartphone, a tablet, etc. The transporter terminal 700 may be other than the above examples.

Note that transport companies may include not only companies that specialize in transport, but also various other companies that have transport means, such as restaurants and other stores, cleaning companies, etc. Transport companies may be other than those listed above.

The above is an example of the configuration of the reuse system 100. Next, with reference to Figures 8 and 9, an example of the operation of the server device 500 when selecting a cleaning company and a transport company will be described. Note that the operation of the server device 500 is not limited to the example shown in Figures 8 and 9.

First, referring to FIG. 8, an example of the operation of the server device 500 when selecting a cleaning company and a transport company to clean the containers 200 will be described. Referring to FIG. 8, the collection store provisional decision unit 553 checks the number of uncleaned containers 200 (step S101). If there is no store where the number of uncleaned containers 200 is equal to or greater than the collection threshold (step S101, No), the server device 500 does not select a cleaning company and a transport company for cleaning in this process. On the other hand, if there is a store where the number of uncleaned containers 200 is equal to or greater than the collection threshold (step S101, Yes), the server device 500 provisionally decides that the store where the number of uncleaned containers 200 is equal to or greater than the collection threshold is the store to be collected (step S102). The collection threshold is determined, for example, according to the number of collection containers that can be kept in the store. Therefore, the collection threshold may be different for each store.

The cleaning contractor selection unit 554 selects a cleaning contractor (step S103). For example, the cleaning contractor selection unit 554 selects a cleaning contractor that meets a predetermined condition from among the cleaning contractors included in the desired cleaning contractor information 542. The cleaning contractor selection unit 554 further selects a cleaning contractor based on the environmental cost when cleaning the number of collection containers to be collected. For example, the cleaning contractor selection unit 554 selects a cleaning contractor that will have the lowest environmental cost when cleaning the number of collection containers to be collected. The cleaning contractor selection unit 554 may select multiple cleaning contractors.

In addition, the cleaning contractor selection unit 554 calculates the path length between the store and the cleaning contractor based on the GIS (Geographic Information System) and the location information of the store and the cleaning contractor (step S104).

The cleaning contractor selection unit 554 also selects a transport company to transport the container 200 (recovery container) to the selected cleaning contractor based on the time required for transport calculated based on the route length and the amount of CO2 emissions indicated by the environmental cost information (step S105). For example, the cleaning contractor selection unit 554 selects a transport company whose transport time is equal to or less than a threshold and whose environmental cost is the lowest. In this way, for example, the cleaning contractor selection unit 554 selects a combination of multiple cleaning contractors and transport companies.

The cleaning contractor selection unit 554 selects, from among the selected combinations, the combination with the lowest total environmental cost as the final combination of cleaning contractor and transporter (step S106). For example, the cleaning contractor selection unit 554 adds together the value obtained by converting the amount of electricity consumed during cleaning into CO2 emissions and the amount of CO2 emissions during transport, and selects the combination with the lowest total value as the final combination of cleaning contractor and transporter.

If the transport company has a surplus in the number of collection containers that it can actually transport relative to its transport capacity (Yes in step S107), the cleaning company selection unit 554 can add, for example, stores that are within a predetermined distance from the store to be collected as stores to be transported (step S108). The processing in steps S107 and S108 may be omitted.

The instruction unit 555 transmits necessary instructions to the cleaning company and the transport company finally selected by the cleaning company selection unit 554 (step S109). For example, the instruction unit 555 transmits, together with the cleaning request, information indicating the number of collection containers to be cleaned and information on the transport company that will transport them to the selected cleaning company. The instruction unit 555 also transmits, together with the transport request, information indicating the number of collection containers to be transported, information indicating the store that will collect the containers, information indicating the cleaning company to which the containers will be transported to, and the like to the selected transport company.

The above is an example of the operation when selecting a cleaning company and a transport company to clean the container 200. Next, with reference to FIG. 9, an example of the operation of the server device 500 when selecting a cleaning company and a transport company to deliver the cleaned container 200 to each store will be described.

The inventory confirmation unit 556 confirms the inventory, which is the number of washed containers 200 at each store (step S201). If there is no store where the inventory quantity is below the inventory threshold (step S201, No), the server device 500 does not select a cleaning company or a transport company for delivery in this process. On the other hand, if there is a store where the inventory quantity is below the inventory threshold (step S201, Yes), it is decided to deliver the containers 200 to the store where the inventory quantity is below the inventory threshold. Note that the inventory threshold is predetermined depending on, for example, the number of containers 200 that can be kept in the store. Therefore, the inventory threshold may be different for each store.

The delivery control unit 557 refers to the container status information 541 and selects a cleaning company that has containers 200 (or collection containers) equal to or greater than the number of containers to be delivered to the store (step S202). The number of containers to be delivered is determined in advance for each store, for example. The number of containers to be delivered may be a value that changes dynamically depending on the number of cleaned containers 200 held by the store, etc.

The delivery control unit 557 also calculates the route length between the store and the cleaning company based on the GIS and the location information of the store and the cleaning company (step S203).

The delivery control unit 557 also selects a transport company that will deliver the container 200 (collection container) from the selected cleaning company to the store based on the time required for transportation calculated based on the route length and the amount of CO2 emissions indicated by the environmental cost information (step S204).The delivery control unit 557 then determines the selected transport company and the corresponding cleaning company as a combination of the cleaning company and the transport company.

The instruction unit 555 sends the necessary instructions to the cleaning company and the transport company determined by the delivery control unit 557 (step S205).

The above is an example of the operation of the server device 500 when selecting a cleaning company and a transport company to deliver the cleaned containers 200 to each store.

In this way, the server device 500 has a cleaning contractor selection unit 554. With this configuration, the cleaning contractor selection unit 554 can select a cleaning contractor and a transport contractor based on environmental costs such as power consumption and CO2 emissions. As a result, it is possible to select a cleaning contractor and a transport contractor so that the environmental costs during transportation and cleaning are low. This makes it possible to reduce the burden on the environment when cleaning containers.

The server device 500 also has a delivery control unit 557. With this configuration, the server device 500 can select a cleaning company and a transport company so as to reduce the environmental costs of transport when delivering cleaned containers 200 to each store.

In this embodiment, the server device 500 selects a cleaning company and a transport company so that the environmental costs are low when cleaning and when delivering the container 200. However, for example, the server device 500 may be configured to make the above selection only when cleaning. Also, in this embodiment, for simplicity, a case where a cleaning company and a transport company are selected for each store has been described. However, the server device 500 may be configured to select a cleaning company and a transport company so that the environmental costs are lowest, including, for example, a case where containers 200 (collection containers) are collected and cleaned from multiple stores at once.

Second Embodiment
Next, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 10 and 11. In the second embodiment, a selection device 800 will be described.

Fig. 10 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the selection device 800. Referring to Fig. 10, the selection device 800 has, as an example, the following hardware configuration.
・CPU (Central Processing Unit) 801 (arithmetic unit)
ROM (Read Only Memory) 802 (storage device)
RAM (Random Access Memory) 803 (storage device)
Program group 804 loaded into RAM 803
A storage device 805 for storing the programs 804
A drive device 806 that reads and writes data from and to a recording medium 810 outside the information processing device.
A communication interface 807 that connects to a communication network 811 outside the information processing device
An input/output interface 808 for inputting and outputting data
A bus 809 connecting each component

The selection device 800 can realize the functions of the acquisition unit 821 and selection unit 822 shown in FIG. 11 by the CPU 801 acquiring the program group 804 and executing it. The program group 804 is stored in advance in the storage device 805 or ROM 802, for example, and is loaded into the RAM 803 or the like by the CPU 801 for execution as necessary. The program group 804 may be supplied to the CPU 801 via the communication network 811, or may be stored in advance in the recording medium 810, and the drive device 806 may read out the programs and supply them to the CPU 801.

Note that FIG. 10 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the selection device 800. The hardware configuration of the selection device 800 is not limited to the above-described case. For example, the selection device 800 may be configured with a part of the above-described configuration, such as not having the drive device 806.

The acquisition unit 821 acquires the environmental cost corresponding to the burden on the environment when transporting the reusable container to the cleaning company, and the environmental cost corresponding to the burden on the environment when the container is cleaned by the cleaning company.

The selection unit 822 selects a cleaning company to clean the container and a transport company to transport the container to the cleaning company based on the environmental costs acquired by the acquisition unit 821.

As described above, the selection device 800 has an acquisition unit 821 and a selection unit 822. With this configuration, the selection unit 822 can select a cleaning company and a transport company based on the environmental costs acquired by the acquisition unit 821. As a result, it is possible to select a cleaning company and a transport company so that the environmental costs during transportation and cleaning are low. This makes it possible to reduce the burden on the environment when cleaning containers.

The above-mentioned selection device 800 can be realized by incorporating a predetermined program into an information processing device such as the selection device 800. Specifically, a program that is another aspect of the present invention is a program for causing an information processing device such as the selection device 800 to acquire an environmental cost corresponding to the burden on the environment when transporting a reusable container to a cleaning company and an environmental cost corresponding to the burden on the environment when the container is washed by the cleaning company, and to select the cleaning company that will wash the container and the transport company that will transport the container to the cleaning company based on the acquired environmental costs.

The selection method realized by an information processing device such as the above-mentioned selection device 800 is a method in which the information processing device such as the selection device 800 acquires an environmental cost corresponding to the environmental burden imposed when transporting a reusable container to a cleaning company and an environmental cost corresponding to the environmental burden imposed when the container is washed by the cleaning company, and selects a cleaning company that will wash the container and a transport company that will transport the container to the cleaning company based on the acquired environmental costs.

Even if the invention is a program (or recording medium) or a selection method having the above-mentioned configuration, it has the same action and effect as the above-mentioned selection device 800, and therefore can achieve the above-mentioned object of the present invention.

<Additional Notes>
A part or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as follows: The selection method and the like in the present invention will be outlined below. However, the present invention is not limited to the following configuration.

(Appendix 1)
An information processing device,
Obtaining an environmental cost corresponding to the burden on the environment when transporting the container to a cleaning company and an environmental cost corresponding to the burden on the environment when cleaning the container at the cleaning company,
A selection method for selecting the cleaning company for cleaning the container and a transport company for transporting the container to the cleaning company based on the obtained environmental cost.
(Appendix 2)
The selection method described in Appendix 1, wherein the cleaning company is selected based on an environmental cost corresponding to the burden on the environment when the cleaning company cleans the container, and then the transport company is selected based on an environmental cost corresponding to the burden on the environment when the container is transported to the cleaning company.
(Appendix 3)
The selection method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein after selecting a plurality of combinations of the cleaning company and the transport company, one of the selected combinations is selected based on an environmental cost corresponding to the burden on the environment when the container is cleaned by the cleaning company and an environmental cost corresponding to the burden on the environment when the container is transported to the cleaning company.
(Appendix 4)
A selection method according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 3, comprising selecting a combination of the cleaning company and the transport company that will result in the lowest environmental cost for transporting the container from the store to the cleaning company and cleaning the container at the cleaning company, based on an environmental cost corresponding to the burden on the environment when transporting the container to the cleaning company and an environmental cost corresponding to the burden on the environment when cleaning the container at the cleaning company.
(Appendix 5)
The method for selecting a transporter is based on a time required for transport, the time being calculated based on a route length between the store and the cleaning company, and an environmental cost according to an environmental burden imposed on the environment when transporting the container to the cleaning company.
(Appendix 6)
Determine stores to be collected based on the number of unwashed containers present in the stores;
The selection method according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 5, further comprising the steps of: selecting a transporter that transports the container from the determined collection target store to the cleaning company; and selecting the cleaning company that cleans the container.
(Appendix 7)
The method of any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising determining the transporter to deliver the cleaned container to the store based on the environmental cost to the environment of delivering the cleaned container.
(Appendix 8)
The method of any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising determining the cleaning company and the transport company that delivers the container from the cleaning company to the store based on the environmental cost to the environment of delivering the cleaned container.
(Appendix 9)
an acquisition unit that acquires an environmental cost corresponding to the burden on the environment when the container is transported to a cleaning company and an environmental cost corresponding to the burden on the environment when the container is cleaned by the cleaning company;
A selection unit that selects the cleaning company that will clean the container and a transport company that will transport the container to the cleaning company based on the environmental cost acquired by the acquisition unit;
A selection device having
(Appendix 10)
In the information processing device,
Obtaining an environmental cost corresponding to the burden on the environment when transporting the container to a cleaning company and an environmental cost corresponding to the burden on the environment when cleaning the container at the cleaning company,
A program for implementing a process of selecting the cleaning company that will clean the container and a transport company that will transport the container to the cleaning company based on the acquired environmental cost.

The programs described in the above embodiments and appendices may be stored in a storage device or a computer-readable recording medium. For example, the recording medium may be a portable medium such as a flexible disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory.

The present invention has been described above with reference to the above-mentioned embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments. Various modifications that can be understood by a person skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present invention within the scope of the present invention.

100 Reuse system 200 Container 210 Individual identification information 300 User terminal 310 Reading unit 320 Processing unit 400 Store terminal 410 Reading unit 420 Processing unit 430 Store information transmission unit 500 Server device 510 Operation input unit 520 Screen display unit 530 Communication I/F unit 540 Memory unit 541 Container status information 542 Cleaning company information 543 Transporting company information 544 Program 550 Calculation processing unit 551 Status management unit 552 Cleaning/transportation request reception unit 553 Collection store tentative decision unit 554 Cleaning company selection unit 555 Instruction unit 556 Stock confirmation unit 557 Delivery control unit 600 Cleaning company terminal 700 Transporting company terminal 800 Selection device 801 CPU
802 ROM
803 RAM
804 Program group 805 Storage device 806 Drive device 807 Communication interface 808 Input/output interface 809 Bus 810 Recording medium 811 Communication network 821 Acquisition unit 822 Selection unit

Claims (9)

An information processing device,
Acquire information indicating the amount of _CO2 emissions emitted during transportation, which is predetermined for each transport company, as an environmental cost corresponding to the burden on the environment when transporting the container to the cleaning company , and acquire information indicating the amount of electricity consumption required to operate cleaning equipment, which is predetermined for each cleaning company, as an environmental cost corresponding to the burden on the environment when cleaning the container at the cleaning company;
A selection method for selecting the cleaning company that will clean the container and a transport company that will transport the container to the cleaning company based on the acquired environmental costs, that is, CO ₂ emission amount and power consumption amount . The selection method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of: selecting the cleaning company based on the amount of electricity consumed, which is an environmental cost corresponding to the burden on the environment when the cleaning company cleans the container; and then selecting the transport company based on the amount of _CO2 emissions , which is an environmental cost corresponding to the burden on the environment when the container is transported to the cleaning company. 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: selecting a plurality of combinations of the cleaning company and the transport company; and then selecting one of the plurality of selected combinations based on an amount of electricity consumption, which is an environmental cost corresponding to the burden on the environment when the cleaning company cleans the container, and an amount of _CO2 emissions, which is an environmental cost corresponding to the burden on the environment when the container is transported to the cleaning company. The selection method according to claim 1, further comprising: selecting a combination of the cleaning company and the transport company that will produce the lowest environmental cost of CO2 _emissions when transporting the container from the store to the cleaning company and cleaning the container at the cleaning company , based on the amount of _CO2 emissions, which is an environmental cost corresponding to the burden on the environment , when transporting the container to the cleaning company, and the amount of _CO2 emissions required to generate electricity for the amount of electricity consumed, which is an environmental cost corresponding to the burden on the environment, when cleaning the container at the cleaning company. The selection method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of selecting the transport company based on a time required for transport, which is calculated based on a route length between the store and the cleaning company, and an amount of CO2 emissions _, which is an environmental cost corresponding to the burden on the environment when transporting the container to the cleaning company. Determine stores to be collected based on the number of unwashed containers present in the stores;
The selection method according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of selecting the transporter that transports the container from the determined collection target store to the cleaning company, and the cleaning company that cleans the container. The method for selecting a carrier _{to deliver the cleaned container to the store is determined based on the amount of CO2} emissions, which is the environmental cost incurred when delivering the cleaned container. an acquisition unit that acquires information indicating the amount of CO2 emissions emitted during transportation, which is predetermined for each transport company, as an environmental cost corresponding to the burden on the environment when transporting the container to the cleaning company, and acquires information indicating the amount of power consumption required to operate cleaning equipment, which is predetermined for each cleaning company, as _an environmental cost corresponding to the burden on the environment when cleaning the container at the cleaning company;
A selection unit that selects the cleaning company that will clean the container and a transport company that will transport the container to the cleaning company based on the _CO2 emission amount and the power consumption amount , which are the environmental costs acquired by the acquisition unit;
A selection device having In the information processing device,
Acquire information indicating the amount of _CO2 emissions emitted during transportation, which is predetermined for each transport company, as an environmental cost corresponding to the burden on the environment when transporting the container to the cleaning company , and acquire information indicating the amount of electricity consumption required to operate cleaning equipment, which is predetermined for each cleaning company, as an environmental cost corresponding to the burden on the environment when cleaning the container at the cleaning company;
A program for implementing a process of selecting a cleaning company that will clean the container and a transport company that will transport _the container to the cleaning company based on the acquired environmental costs, namely, CO2 emissions and power consumption .

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