JP7709718B2 - Item recovery system and information presentation method therefor - Google Patents

Description

Application of Article 30, paragraph 2 of the Patent Act 1. Disclosure via telecommunications lines Date of website posting: October 30, 2020 (Date of press information distribution: October 13, 2020) Website URL: https://www.teraokaseiko.com/jp/news/press-release/2020/20201012053355/ (Press release: "Japan's first! A donation-participation type "PET bottle volume reduction recovery machine" that allows you to choose the donation destination is installed for the first time in two organic supermarkets "Bio C' Bon")

The present invention relates to an item recovery system and a method for presenting information in an item recovery system.

A container recovery device that recovers empty containers is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2009-175789 A

When users cooperate in collecting items by using the item collection device, this leads to social contributions in terms of the environment, etc. In order to further promote the significance of such social contributions, it is preferable that, for example, users be able to donate the points or other compensation given to them in return for using the item collection device, of their own volition, to an organization that is accepting donations.

The present invention was made in consideration of these circumstances, and aims to enable users to donate the compensation given to them for using an item recovery device at their own discretion.

One aspect of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is an item collection system that includes a collection unit that collects items, a donation processing means that processes items for donation in response to the collection of items in the collection unit, and an option presentation means that presents options for donation destinations to which the donation can be made, as well as an option for not making the donation.

Another aspect of the present invention is an information presentation method in an item collection system having a collection unit that collects items, the information presentation method including a donation response processing step that performs processing for donations in response to the collection of items performed by the collection unit, and an option presentation step that presents options for donation destinations to which the donation can be made, as well as an option for not making the donation.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a PET bottle collection system according to a first embodiment. 1 is a front view and a side view of a plastic bottle recovery device according to a first embodiment. FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of a collection history information table in the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a PET bottle recovery device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a collection management server in the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a collection device information table in the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a store management server according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a member information table in the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a transaction history information table in the first embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a collection status screen in the first embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure executed by the plastic bottle collection system of the first embodiment in relation to displaying a collection status screen. 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating an example of a school selection screen and a ranking screen in the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a school database and a school-based collection history information table in the second embodiment. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure executed by a PET bottle collection device and a collection management server in the second embodiment in response to a PET bottle collection competition between schools. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a point donation screen in the third embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a donation receiver information table in the third embodiment. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure executed by a plastic bottle collection device and a collection management server in the third embodiment in relation to the donation of points. 13A and 13B are diagrams showing examples of a donation receiver list screen and a donation receiver setting screen in the third embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a standby screen in the fourth embodiment. FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a member-related intention declaration operation screen in the fourth embodiment. FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a collection completion screen in the fourth embodiment. FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a member-unacceptable intention declaration operation screen in the fourth embodiment. FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a donation record table in the fourth embodiment.

First Embodiment
FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a PET bottle recovery system (an example of an article recovery system) according to this embodiment.
In this embodiment, a plastic bottle recovery device 100 is installed in each of a plurality of stores ST. The plastic bottle recovery device 100 may be installed inside the building of the store ST, or may be installed in a location facing the outdoors, such as under the eaves, within the premises of the store ST.

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

The PET bottle recovery device 100 functions as a collection facility for PET bottles as recyclable items. A customer C who visits a store ST inserts an empty PET bottle, for example, after drinking a beverage, into the PET bottle recovery device 100. The PET bottle recovery device 100 of this embodiment reduces the volume of the inserted PET bottle before storing it.

The PET bottle collection device 100 is also connected so as to be able to communicate with the collection management server 200, the store management server 500, and the like via the network NT. The PET bottle collection device 100 may be configured to communicate with the network NT via, for example, a mobile phone communication network. This allows the PET bottle collection device 100 to communicate wirelessly, eliminating the need to connect a network cable, which increases the freedom of installation, for example.
In addition, while the figure shows an example in which one PET bottle recovery apparatus 100 is installed in one store ST, the number of PET bottle recovery apparatuses 100 installed in one store ST is not particularly limited.

The collection management server 200 is a server that processes information about the collection of PET bottles by the PET bottle collection device 100. The collection management server 200 is operated by a company that provides the PET bottle collection device 100, for example.
Specifically, the collection management server 200 manages collection history information indicating the history of collection of PET bottles in the PET bottle collection device 100 of each store ST. Then, the collection management server 200 derives the performance (collection performance) of the customer C regarding cooperation in collecting PET bottles using the PET bottle collection device 100, and notifies the derived collection performance to the customer C. The collection performance is notified to the customer C by displaying information regarding the collection performance on the customer terminal device 300 of the customer C.

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

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

The membership card CD can be used as a prepaid card when making a payment at the store ST. The membership card CD can also be used as a points card. For example, when making a payment at the store ST, a customer who is a member presents the membership card CD to a store clerk.
When a store clerk operates the POS register 400 installed in the store ST to carry out a transaction according to the product purchased by a customer, the clerk operates the card reader of the POS register 400 to read the card information recorded on the member card CD.

The POS register 400 executes transaction processing including a product registration process for registering products purchased by a customer and a settlement process according to the registered products.
When the POS register 400 reads card information from the membership card CD during transaction processing, it can transmit the read card information to the store management server 500. This allows the store management server 500 to carry out processes such as payment from the prepaid balance, adding points according to the payment amount, converting points into the prepaid balance, and topping up the prepaid amount.
Although the figure shows an example in which one POS register 400 is installed in one store ST, the number of POS registers 400 installed in one store ST is not particularly limited.

The store management server 500 (an example of a benefit management device) is a server that comprehensively manages the store ST. The store management server 500 is operated by the store ST.
Specifically, the store management server 500 manages the prepaid balance, point balance (accumulated points), etc. for each member identifier. The store management server 500 may also manage information relating to products for each store ST, for example.

Note that the management terminal device 600 corresponds to the third embodiment described below, so a description of it will be omitted here.

Next, an overview of the operation of the PET bottle recovery device 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2(A) is a front view of the PET bottle recovery device 100. FIG. 2(B) is a side view of the PET bottle recovery device 100.

In the PET bottle recovery device 100 in the standby state, the outer door of the container insertion section is in a closed state, and the inner door provided between the container insertion section and the storage section so as to be freely opened and closed is also in a closed state.
In the standby state, the PET bottle recovery machine 100 waits for a user to declare that he/she wants to start using the machine. The declaration of start of use may be, for example, a predetermined operation on a screen displayed on the touch panel display unit 1400 in the standby state. The declaration of start of use may also be an operation of having the PET bottle recovery machine 100 read a membership card CD, for example, to cause the PET bottle recovery machine 100 to obtain the user's membership identifier.

In response to the declaration of start of use, the PET bottle recovery device 100 starts recovery operation. In response to the start of recovery operation, the outer door of the PET bottle recovery device 100 goes from a closed state to an open state, but the inner door remains in the closed state.
In this state, the PET bottle recovery machine 100 waits for a PET bottle to be placed on the placement section by a user. If a certain time has passed without a PET bottle being placed on the placement section, the PET bottle recovery machine 100 may be configured to close the outer door and return to a standby state. This allows the PET bottle recovery machine 100 to return to a standby state even if the user declares the start of use but for some reason stops using the PET bottle recovery machine 100 and leaves the place.

In response to a user placing a PET bottle on the placement section, the PET bottle recovery device 100 detects that an object has been placed on the placement section. The PET bottle recovery device 100 may detect that an object has been placed on the placement section, for example, by measuring the weight of the object placed on the placement section. Alternatively, the PET bottle recovery device 100 may detect that an object has been placed on the placement section, for example, based on the result of analyzing an image obtained by capturing an image using an imaging device (camera) provided to capture an image of the object placed on the placement section.
In addition, when detecting whether or not an object has been placed on the placement section, at least one of the detection methods used in detection items 1 to 4 for determining whether or not a PET bottle is recyclable may be appropriately adopted, as described below.

When an object is placed on the placement section of the PET bottle recovery device 100, the outer door changes from an open state to a closed state. When the outer door is closed, the PET bottle recovery device 100 determines whether the object placed on the placement section of the container insertion section is a PET bottle and can be recovered.

As a specific example, the PET bottle recovery device 100 may determine whether or not a PET bottle is recoverable based on the results of detection of the following detection items 1 to 4.
As detection item 1, the PET bottle recovery device 100 detects whether or not the object placed on the placement section is made of metal. For this purpose, the PET bottle recovery device 100 may be provided with a sensor that functions as a metal detector that detects whether or not the object placed on the placement section is made of metal. If the object is detected to be metal, the object is, for example, an empty can and not a PET bottle, and the PET bottle recovery device 100 determines that the object cannot be recovered.

As detection item 2, the PET bottle recovery device 100 detects whether or not the object placed on the placement section transmits light. For this purpose, the PET bottle recovery device 100 may be provided with an optical sensor that detects the light transmittance of the object placed on the placement section. If the object placed on the placement section does not transmit light, it may be that the object is not a PET bottle, or that even if it is a PET bottle, the label has not been removed. Since the label is made of a resin that is different from the material of the PET bottle, it is necessary to prevent it from being mixed in the PET bottle recycling process.
Therefore, when the PET bottle recovery device 100 detects that the object placed on the placement section does not transmit light, it determines that the object is not recoverable.

As detection item 3, the PET bottle recovery device 100 detects whether the weight of the object placed on the placement section is equal to or greater than a certain level. If the weight of the object placed on the placement section is equal to or greater than a certain level, it is possible that the object is not a PET bottle, or that even if it is a PET bottle, there is a possibility that a beverage remains inside. If a PET bottle with a beverage still inside is collected, it will soil the container storage section 140 and the inside of the PET bottle recovery device 100, which will increase the workload of store staff and maintenance workers. Therefore, if the PET bottle recovery device 100 detects that the weight of the object placed on the placement section is equal to or greater than a certain level, it determines that the object cannot be collected.

As detection item 4, when the object placed on the placement section is a PET bottle, the PET bottle recovery device 100 detects whether the cap has been removed. Whether the cap of the PET bottle has been removed may be detected based on an image captured by a sensor such as a camera that captures an image of the object placed on the placement section. Since the cap is made of a resin different from that of the PET bottle, it is necessary to prevent it from being mixed in with the PET bottle recycling process. Therefore, when the PET bottle recovery device 100 detects that the cap has not been removed, it determines that the PET bottle cannot be recovered. Note that detection items 1 and 2 may also be detected by a camera that captures an image of the object placed on the placement section.

If it is determined that at least one of the above detection items 1 to 4 is not recoverable, the PET bottle recovery device 100 opens the outer door and displays on the touch panel display unit 1400 the reason why recovery is not possible and a message urging the user to remove the object from the placement unit.
When a user removes an object from the placement section, the plastic bottle recovery device 100 keeps the outer door open and waits for the object to be placed on the placement section.

On the other hand, if it is not determined that recovery is impossible for any of detection items 1 to 4, it is determined that recovery is possible. In this case, in the PET bottle recovery device 100, the inner door that was previously closed opens, and the PET bottle placed in the placement section is transported to the volume reduction mechanism, where it is reduced in volume, and then recovered in the recovery section.

When the PET bottle recovery device 100 detects that no objects remain on the placement section by weight measurement, image capture by a camera, or the like, it closes the inner door while leaving the outer door open, and displays a message on the touch panel display section 1400 informing the user of the next operation. The message may be, for example, "Touch the screen to end. Put the bottle in if you want to continue," instructing the user to touch the touch panel display section 1400 if the recovery operation is to be ended, and to place the PET bottle on the placement section if a PET bottle is to be recovered.
In addition, if a certain amount of time passes without either a touch operation on the touch panel display unit 1400 or a PET bottle being placed on the placement unit, for example because the user leaves without doing anything, the PET bottle recovery device 100 may end the current recovery operation and transition to a standby state.
At the end of a collection operation, the PET bottle collection device 100 may display the PET bottle collection record and donation record for this collection operation (e.g., the number of PET bottles collected, the donation destination institution, donation points, the donation amount converted from the donation points, etc.) on the touch panel display unit 1400, and then transition to a standby state.

2, the PET bottle recovery device 100 has a container insertion section 110 provided at the top of the device main body 100B, and an outer door 111 provided on the outside of the opening of the container insertion section 110. The device main body 100B has a touch panel display section 1400 and a card reader 1500 provided on the front side near the top of the outer door 111. In addition, a baggage hook 100f is provided on the front side of the device main body 100B.
The container insertion section 110 is provided with various sensors for determining whether the inserted item is recoverable or not. Examples of the sensors include an optical sensor, a metal sensor, a weighing device, and an imaging device. The PET bottle recovery device 100 determines whether the inserted item is recoverable or not, for example, using the output of these sensors. If it is determined that the inserted item is recoverable, the inserted PET bottle is reduced in volume by a volume reduction mechanism and then stored. On the other hand, if it is determined that the inserted item is not recoverable, the inserted item is not reduced in volume and stored, and a notification is issued to the customer, who is prompted to remove the inserted item from the container insertion section 110.

In addition, below the container insertion section 110, a passage 71 that communicates with the container storage section 140 is provided. In addition, an inner door 112 is provided at a position on the passage 71 that communicates from the placement section 116 of the container insertion section 110 to the container storage section 140.

The PET bottle recovery device 100 is also provided with a volume reduction section 120 (volume reduction mechanism) between the inner door 112 and the container storage section 140. When the inner door 112 is open, the volume reduction section 120 crushes the empty container A from the container input section 110 to reduce its volume, and discharges the reduced container RA into the container storage section 140 below.
In addition, the device main body 100B of the PET bottle recovery device 100 has a drawer 100C on which the container storage section 140 is placed, and is provided with a drawer handle 100e and a keyhole 100r on the front side, and is configured to be able to lock and unlock by inserting a key into the keyhole 100r.

In addition, a light-transmitting section 100A (light-transmitting window) is provided on the front side of the device main body 100B, specifically, on the front side of the drawer 100C, and is configured to allow the empty containers stored in the container storage section 140 to be viewed from the outside.

The side of the device main body 100B is provided with a carrying handle 100g for use during transportation.

The device main body 100B also has a cap insertion section 108 on the front side, and a cap passage 72 is provided from the cap insertion section 108 downward within the device main body, and the cap inserted into the cap insertion section 108 is configured to be stored in the cap storage section 145 via the cap passage 72.

The PET bottle recovery device 100 of this embodiment is also provided with a card reader 1500 capable of reading card information recorded on the membership card CD.

When a customer who is a member starts using PET bottle recovery machine 100, the customer operates to have his/her membership card CD read by card reader 1500. In response to the membership card CD being read by card reader 1500, operation of PET bottle recovery machine 100 corresponding to one recovery operation is started. A recovery operation refers to having PET bottle recovery machine 100 recover one or more PET bottles brought by the customer. Note that in the case of a customer who does not have a membership card CD, one recovery operation may be started in response to, for example, an operation to instruct touch panel display unit 1400 to start the operation.
In one collection operation, a customer inserts one PET bottle into the container insertion section 110 of the PET bottle collection device 100, and when the inserted PET bottle is reduced in volume and stored, the customer inserts the next PET bottle, and in this manner, PET bottles are stored one by one in the PET bottle collection device 100.
Then, when the customer has finished storing all the PET bottles he or she brought this time in the PET bottle recovery device 100, the customer may perform, for example, an operation for ending the process on the touch panel display unit 1400. This ends one cycle of recovery operation.

In response to the completion of one collection operation as described above, the PET bottle collection device 100 generates collection history information reflecting the results of the collection operation, and transmits the generated collection history information to the collection management server 200. In other words, the transmission of collection history information from the PET bottle collection device 100 to the collection management server 200 is performed in response to each collection operation.
The collection management server 200 stores the collection history information received from each PET bottle collection device 100, for example, in a collection history information table.

In addition, the PET bottle recovery device 100 stores recovery history information generated every time a recovery operation is completed. As a result, the PET bottle recovery device 100 accumulates recovery history information every time a recovery operation is performed.
Then, the PET bottle recovery device 100 may transmit the recovery history information accumulated since the previous transmission of the recovery history information to the store management server 500 at a predetermined transmission timing of the recovery history information. That is, the transmission of the recovery history information from the PET bottle recovery device 100 to the store management server 500 may be performed at a predetermined timing, not at each recovery operation. Since the store management server 500 frequently communicates with, for example, the POS register 400 of the store ST, the communication load may be heavy depending on the time period and situation. Therefore, the transmission of the recovery history information from the PET bottle recovery device 100 to the store management server 500 may be performed at a timing such as a time period when the communication volume with the POS register 400 is relatively low, so that the communication load of the store management server 500 can be leveled. In addition, the recovery history information may be transmitted at a predetermined frequency, such as once a day or twice a day. In this case, the transmission time may be predetermined, or the recovery history information may be transmitted at a timing when the transmission possible condition such as the communication volume is satisfied in a unit time. In addition, when the collection history information is transmitted at an interval of a certain period in this manner, the storage unit 1200 may be configured to store the collection history information to be transmitted at the next transmission timing.
Alternatively, the collection history information may be transmitted from the PET bottle collection device 100 to the store management server 500 for each collection operation. In this case, the PET bottle collection device 100 can acquire the collection history information each time a collection operation is performed. In other words, in this case, the real-time nature of the collection of the collection history information by the PET bottle collection device 100 can be improved.

3 shows an example of the contents of the collection history information table, in which one record (one row) represents collection history information transmitted from the PET bottle collection device 100 in response to one collection operation.
Each collection history information item includes fields for a device identifier, a store identifier, a member identifier, collection date and time, the number of collected items (an example of the quantity of collected items), and the weight of collected items (an example of the quantity of collected items).

The device identifier field stores a device identifier that uniquely identifies the PET bottle collection device 100 that sent the collection history information. The device identifier is information stored in the PET bottle collection device 100.

The store identifier field stores a store identifier that uniquely identifies the store ST in which the PET bottle collection device 100 that transmitted the collection history information is installed. The store identifier is information stored in the PET bottle collection device 100. For example, in response to the determination of the store ST in which the PET bottle collection device 100 should be installed, the store identifier that identifies the store ST in which the PET bottle collection device 100 will be installed is written to the PET bottle collection device 100.

The member identifier area stores the member identifier contained in the card information read from the member card CD by the PET bottle recovery device 100 that transmitted the recovery history information using a card reader when the corresponding recovery operation begins.
In addition, in the case of collection history information corresponding to collection operations performed by customers who are not members, the member identifier field may store, for example, a predetermined value (null value) indicating that no significant value as a member identifier has been stored.

The collection date and time (an example of an operation time) field stores the collection date and time, which is the date and time when the corresponding collection operation was performed. The collection date and time may be, for example, the time when the collection operation started or the time when the collection operation ended. Alternatively, the collection date and time may include both the time when the collection operation started and the time when it ended. The collection date and time may be set, for example, by the PET bottle collection device 100, and then be included in the collection history information transmitted by the PET bottle collection device 100.
Alternatively, for example, the collection management server 200 may set the date and time corresponding to the receipt of the collection history information as the collection date and time. When the collection management server 200 sets the collection date and time in this manner, the collection history information transmitted by the PET bottle collection device 100 does not need to include the collection date and time.

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

In addition, like the collection management server 200, the store management server 500 may also store the collection history information received from each PET bottle collection device 100 using the collection history information table structure shown in the same figure.

Returning to Fig. 1 for explanation, the PET bottle recovery system of this embodiment provides a service (points addition service) for adding points to a member card of a customer C who uses the PET bottle recovery machine 100, with the aim of providing a special reward for helping to recover PET bottles. Such a points addition service for use of the PET bottle recovery machine 100 is realized by a store management server 500 having a function of managing points.
The store management server 500 executes the following process for each member as a point-adding service. The store management server 500 uses the collection history information for each member sent from each PET bottle collection device 100 among the collection history information stored in the store management server 500 to add a predetermined number of points each time the number of PET bottles collected by the member increases by a predetermined number (for example, add one point for every three PET bottles). In the case where one point is added for every three collected PET bottles, for example, if four or five PET bottles are collected, one or two collected bottles will be left over when adding up the points. To deal with such a case, the collection management server 200 may store the number of surplus collected bottles, and then, when collecting PET bottles next time, add up the number of collected bottles and the number of collected bottles stored, and then perform the point-adding process.
In this way, points are added to the member card CD in accordance with the use of the PET bottle recovery machine 100 by the member customer C, which provides practical benefits to the member customer C, thereby encouraging increased use (recovery operation) of the PET bottle recovery machine 100 by customers.

The collection management server 200 may calculate the number of added points corresponding to the point-addition service based on the collection history information stored therein, and transmit added point number information indicating the calculated number of added points to the store management server 500. The store management server 500 executes a process of adding points based on the number of added points indicated by the received added point number information. In other words, the calculation of the number of added points based on the collection history information (point conversion) may be executed by either the collection management server 200 or the store management server 500.
In this case, the store management server 500 may obtain the additional points information each time operation recovery is performed, or may obtain the additional points information at a predetermined frequency, such as once a day. Furthermore, the store management server 500 may store the obtained additional points information, and then calculate the additional points based on the stored additional points information at a timing according to a predetermined frequency.
Furthermore, the acquisition of collection history information and the calculation of the added points using the acquired collection history information may be performed by a device other than the store management server 500 or the collection management server 200, such as the PET bottle collection device 100, the POS register 400, the management terminal device 600, etc.

Figure 4 shows an example of the functional configuration of the PET bottle recovery device 100 of this embodiment. The PET bottle recovery device 100 in the figure includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1100, a storage unit 1200, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 1300, a touch panel display unit 1400, a card reader 1500, a communication unit 1600, and a recovery mechanism unit 1700. These components are connected to each other via an internal bus.

The CPU 1100 executes a program to perform various processes in the PET bottle recovery device 100. The various functions of the PET bottle recovery device 100 are realized by the processing of the CPU 1100.

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

RAM 1300 is the main memory device in which programs and data read from memory unit 1200 are expanded.

As shown in FIG. 2, the touch panel display unit 1400 has a display surface exposed on the device main body 100B. The touch panel display unit 1400 displays images under the control of the CPU 1100. The touch panel display unit 1400 accepts operations performed on the display surface by an operating object such as a finger.

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

The communication unit 1600 communicates via the network NT. As described above, in this embodiment, the communication unit 1600 communicates by being connected to the network NT wirelessly.

The recovery mechanism 1700 is a mechanism that performs operations related to reducing the volume of PET bottles, storing them, and the like as part of the recovery of PET bottles, under the control of the CPU 1100. In correspondence with FIG. 2, the recovery mechanism 1700 includes a container insertion section 110, an outer door 111, an inner door 112, a volume reduction section 120, a container storage section 140, and the like.

An example of the configuration of the collection management server 200 will be described with reference to FIG. 5. The collection management server 200 in the figure includes a communication unit 201, a control unit 202, and a memory unit 203.

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

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

It should be noted that the school database storage unit 233 and the school-based collection history information table storage unit 234 correspond to the second embodiment described below, and therefore their explanation will be omitted here.
Since the donation receiver information table storage unit 235 corresponds to the third embodiment described below, a description thereof will be omitted here.

The collection device information table storage unit 231 stores a collection device information table. The collection device information table has a structure in which information (collection device information) about the plastic bottle collection devices 100 installed in each store ST is organized into a table.
The collection history information table storage unit 232 stores a collection history information table having a structure exemplified in FIG.

6 shows an example of the recovery device information table. A record (one row) in the recovery device information table in the figure is recovery device information corresponding to one PET bottle recovery device 100.
Each piece of collection device information includes a device identifier, a store identifier, and each area of the installation location.
The device identifier field stores the device identifier of the PET bottle recovery device 100 that uniquely identifies the corresponding PET bottle recovery device 100 .
The store identifier field stores a store identifier that uniquely identifies the store ST in which the corresponding PET bottle recovery device 100 is installed.
The installation location area stores information indicating the location (i.e., the store ST) where the corresponding PET bottle recovery device 100 is installed. Specifically, the installation area area may store an address indicating the location where the PET bottle recovery device 100 is installed.

The collection device information may also include information indicating the specifications of the PET bottle collection device, information indicating the status of the PET bottle collection device, etc.

An example of the configuration of the store management server 500 will be described with reference to FIG. 7. The store management server 500 in the figure includes a communication unit 501, a control unit 502, and a memory unit 503.

The communication unit 501 performs communication via the network NT.
The control unit 502 executes various types of control in the store management server 500. The functions of the control unit 502 are realized by a CPU included in the store management server 500 executing a program.

The memory unit 503 stores various information used by the control unit 502. The memory unit 503 in the figure includes a member information table memory unit 531, a collection history information table memory unit 532, and a transaction history information table memory unit 533.

The member information table storage unit 531 stores a member information table. The member information table stores one or more pieces of member information. One piece of member information is information registered about one customer who is a member who uses a store.

An example of a member information table is shown in Fig. 8. One record (one row) in the member information table in the figure is member information corresponding to one customer.
The member information corresponding to a customer as a member includes fields for a member identifier (an example of customer identification information), member registration information, and point history information.

Note that the donation history information area corresponds to the third embodiment, so a description of it will be omitted here.

The member identifier field stores a member identifier that uniquely identifies the corresponding member.
The member registration information area stores information registered at the time of member registration (member registration information). The member registration information may include, for example, the name, address, telephone number, age (or generation), gender, occupation, and other information of the customer as a member.
The point history information indicates the history of points of the corresponding member, and may include information on the addition of points, the use of points, accumulated points (point balance), etc.

Returning to FIG.
The collection history information table storage unit 532 stores a collection history information table. The collection history information table stores one or more collection history information. One collection history information indicates a history of collection of PET bottles according to one collection operation. The collection history table may have a structure similar to that shown in FIG. 3, for example.

The transaction history information table storage unit 533 stores a transaction history information table. The transaction history information table stores one or more pieces of transaction history information. One piece of transaction history information is information that indicates the history of a transaction performed in response to one transaction.

9 shows an example of a transaction history information table, in which each row represents transaction history information corresponding to one transaction.
The transaction history information corresponding to one transaction includes fields for a member identifier, a store identifier, a transaction date and time, and transaction information.
The member identifier field stores a member identifier that indicates the member who is a party to the transaction. In other words, the member identifier field stores the member identifier included in the member information read from the member card CD by the POS register 400 during the accounting process of the transaction.
The store identifier field stores a store identifier that indicates the store ST in which the POS register 400 that executed the transaction process for the transaction in question is installed.
The transaction date and time (an example of a transaction time) field stores the date and time when the transaction process corresponding to the transaction was performed (transaction date and time). The transaction date and time may be the date and time when the transaction process started or the date and time when the transaction process ended. Alternatively, the transaction date and time may be the timing when a specific process was performed or a specific operation was performed from the start to the end of the transaction process.
The transaction information area stores transaction information that indicates the details of the transaction. The transaction information includes, for example, information indicating the results of the product registration process (e.g., product information for each registered product (product code, price, etc.), total amount, etc.), and information indicating the results of the checkout process (e.g., payment type, and in the case of payment by cash, information such as the deposit and change).

In the PET bottle collection system configured as above, the store ST provides a service of adding points to the membership card CD in response to shopping by customers as members. In addition, in order to promote the use of the PET bottle collection device 100, a service is provided in which points are added to the membership card CD when a member cooperates in collecting PET bottles by using the PET bottle collection device 100.

Here, by using the PET bottle recovery machine 100, users as members can cooperate in the recovery of PET bottles, which can be said to contribute to society in terms of the environment, for example, by recycling PET bottles instead of discarding them as garbage. Therefore, having users proactively use the PET bottle recovery machine 100 to recover PET bottles can be said to lead to more active contributions to society.
In this embodiment, as described above, points are added when a user as a member cooperates in collecting PET bottles by using the PET bottle collection device 100. This makes it possible to motivate the user as a member to actively cooperate in collecting PET bottles by using the PET bottle collection device 100.
However, since points have a monetary value, the fact that points are added in accordance with the use of the PET bottle recovery machine 100 may encourage active use of the PET bottle recovery machine 100, but it may make users more conscious of their own profits and make it difficult for them to clearly feel that they are contributing to society.
Therefore, in this embodiment, as described below, it is intended to encourage users to consciously contribute to society by using the PET bottle recovery device 100.

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

Fig. 10 shows an example of a collection status screen in this embodiment. Fig. 10(A) shows an example of an initial state of the collection status screen. In the initial state of the collection status screen, a predetermined number of plastic bottle icons PBT are arranged on a background image showing, for example, the sea. In the same figure, an example in which 10 plastic bottle icons PBT are arranged in 2 rows x 5 columns is shown, but the arrangement of the plastic bottle icons PBT is not particularly limited. For example, the plastic bottle icons PBT may be arranged radially.
When the user places the first plastic bottle in the plastic bottle collection device 100 in the initial display state shown in Fig. 10(A), the collection status screen transitions to the state shown in Fig. 10(B) In other words, the collection status screen transitions to a state in which a dolphin icon DLP is placed in place of the plastic bottle icon PBT that was placed at the leftmost position in the first row.
When the user places a second plastic bottle in the plastic bottle collection device 100 from the state shown in Fig. 10(B), the collection status screen transitions to that shown in Fig. 10(C). In other words, the collection status screen changes to a state in which a dolphin icon DLP is placed in place of the plastic bottle icon PBT that was placed second from the left on the first row.
In this way, the collection status screen changes as each plastic bottle is collected, with the plastic bottle icon PBT being replaced with the dolphin icon DLP. This change in the collection status screen indicates that the user is contributing to the protection of the natural environment by collecting the plastic bottle in the plastic bottle collection device 100, and recycling the bottle instead of turning it into garbage.

In the collection status screen in the figure, ten PET bottle icons PBT are arranged in the initial display. Therefore, when 11 or more PET bottles are to be collected in one collection run, when it is time to collect the 11th PET bottle, the display may be returned to the initial display in FIG. 10(A), for example.

By watching the collection status screen change in this way, users can realize that by storing each PET bottle in the PET bottle collection device 100, they are making a social contribution in terms of the environment. This allows users to cooperate in collecting PET bottles using the PET bottle collection device 100 not just out of the profit-making motivation of earning points, but also with the awareness of actively contributing to environmental protection (i.e., contributing to society).

The mode of the recovery status screen is not limited to the example shown in the figure. For example, the plastic bottle icon PBT may be displayed with an animation of the plastic bottle icon PBT swaying as if it were floating in the ocean. The dolphin icon DLP may be displayed with an animation of the plastic bottle icon PBT swimming in the ocean. When the plastic bottle icon PBT changes to the dolphin icon DLP, the icon may be displayed with a gradation, or the plastic bottle icon PBT may be displayed with an animation of the plastic bottle icon PBT being pushed off the screen by the dolphin icon DLP.
Also, for example, icons with pictures of sea turtles, fish and shellfish, coral, etc. may be used instead of the dolphin icon DLP.
Also, the collection status screen in the figure is based on the image of the ocean, but it may be based on the image of a mountain, a lake, etc.

With reference to the flowchart in Figure 11, an example of the processing procedure executed by the PET bottle collection device 100, collection management server 200, and store management server 500 in the PET bottle collection system of this embodiment in relation to displaying the collection status screen will be described.

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

Step S102: In response to the collection operation instruction operation being performed, the plastic bottle collection machine 100 acquires the member identifier read from the member card CD by the card reader 1500.
Step S103: The PET bottle recovery device 100 opens the outer door 111 and starts the operation corresponding to the current recovery run.
Step S104: The PET bottle recovery device 100 also performs initial display of a recovery status screen in the form exemplified in FIG. 10(A) at a predetermined timing corresponding to an operation corresponding to the recovery operation.

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

Step S108: If it is determined in step S105 that a PET bottle has not been inserted, or after the processing of step S107, the PET bottle recovery device 100 determines whether or not the recovery operation has ended.
For example, when the customer has stored all the PET bottles he or she brought into the PET bottle recovery device 100, the customer performs a predetermined end operation. The end operation may be, for example, an operation on an end button displayed together with a recovery status screen on the touch panel display unit 1400. In response to the end operation being performed, the operation corresponding to one recovery operation performed up to that point is ended.
If it is determined in step S108 that the recovery operation has not ended, the process returns to step S105.

Step S109: When it is determined in step S108 that the collection operation has ended, the plastic bottle collection device 100 erases the collection status screen. After the collection status screen is erased, a standby screen in a predetermined mode, for example, may be displayed on the touch panel display unit 1400.
Step S110: The PET bottle collection machine 100 transmits collection history information to the collection management server 200 and the store management server 500. In this case, the collection history information includes the member identifier acquired from the card information acquired in step S102. The collection history information has contents that reflect the results of the collection operation, and includes information such as the machine identifier, store identifier, collection date and time, number of bottles collected, and collected weight in addition to the member identifier.
In addition, the PET bottle collection device 100 may transmit the collection history information to the collection management server 200, and the collection history information may be transferred from the collection management server 200 to the store management server 500.

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

Next, an example of a process executed by the store management server 500 will be described.
Step S301: The store management server 500 receives the collection history information transmitted from the PET bottle collection apparatus 100 in step S110.
Step S302: The store management server 500 stores the collection history information received in step S301 in the collection history information table storage unit 532.
Step S303: The store management server 500 also adds points corresponding to the current collection operation (adding points corresponding to collection) to the member identified by the member identifier stored in the collection history information stored in step S302. In this case, the store management server 500 updates the accumulated points of the member information storing the same member identifier as the collection history information stored in step S302 so that it is increased by the current added points.

Second Embodiment
Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, the PET bottle recovery device 100 is available only to users who are members of the store ST. Users who are members of the store ST and possess a membership card CD are generally of a certain age or older, and it is rare for children of elementary school age to possess a membership card CD.
However, considering that cooperation in collecting PET bottles is also a form of social contribution, it is preferable to encourage children to actively use the PET bottle collection device 100 with the understanding that they are contributing to society.
Therefore, in this embodiment, as described below, the PET bottle recovery device 100 is made available to users, particularly elementary school children, with the understanding that they are contributing to society.

In this embodiment, first, it is made known that a competition is being held between elementary schools in the area including the store ST regarding the number of PET bottles collected using the PET bottle collection device 100. Means for making this known may be posters posted in the store ST, commercials on television or radio, advertisements using various media such as newspapers and magazines, announcements on a website operated by a group affiliated with the store ST, etc.

For example, when a user who is an elementary school student wishes to have a PET bottle collected by the PET bottle collection device 100, a school selection screen is displayed on the touch panel display unit 1400 by performing a predetermined operation on the PET bottle collection device 100. The operation to display the school selection screen may be, for example, an operation on a button arranged on the standby screen displayed on the touch panel display unit 1400 that instructs the display of the school selection screen.

12A shows an example of a school selection screen. The school selection screen in the figure is a screen where an elementary school user selects the elementary school he or she belongs to from among the elementary schools included in a predetermined area based on the location where the PET bottle recovery device 100 is installed, for example. On the school selection screen, a school selection button BT1 corresponding to each elementary school is arranged. The name of the elementary school is displayed on each school selection button BT1.
The user, an elementary school student, operates the school selection button BT1 corresponding to the elementary school he or she belongs to among the school selection buttons BT1 arranged on the school selection screen. The elementary school selected in this way is an operation to select an entity that will cooperate in collecting PET bottles using the PET bottle collection device 100 (i.e., an entity that will perform an act of social contribution).

In response to the operation of the school selection button BT1, the PET bottle recovery device 100 starts the recovery operation. In other words, when an elementary school is selected as a body that will cooperate in PET bottle recovery by operating the school selection screen, the PET bottle recovery device 100 starts the recovery operation even if the card information is not read from the membership card CD. This makes it possible for even elementary school students who do not have a membership card CD to have their PET bottles collected by the PET bottle recovery device 100 as participants in a competition between elementary schools to see who can recover the most PET bottles.
After the collection operation has started, the elementary school students who are the users collect the PET bottles they have brought one by one. At this time, a collection status screen similar to that of the first embodiment may be displayed on the touch panel display unit 1400.
In this case, the collection history of the PET bottles collected in the PET bottle collection device 100 during the collection operation is treated as the results corresponding to the elementary schools that are selected as the main participants in the PET bottle collection competition in which the number of PET bottles collected is determined.

In the case of such a collection operation in which the number of PET bottles collected is a competition, a ranking screen showing the current ranking (position) of the elementary schools is displayed upon completion of the collection operation.
12B shows an example of a ranking screen. In the ranking screen in the figure, elementary schools are shown together with their rankings. Also, the cumulative number of collected plastic bottles is shown for each elementary school. The cumulative number of collected plastic bottles may be, for example, a cumulative value from a certain point in the past corresponding to a predetermined period to the present.

In the example shown in the figure, the ranking is determined simply based on the number of bottles collected. However, the ranking may also be determined, for example, based on the weight of the collected bottles. The ranking may also be determined based on the quality of the collected PET bottles (for example, whether the film has been removed, whether there is any residue, etc.). The ranking may also be determined based on a combination of at least two of the number of bottles collected, the weight of the collected bottles, and the quality.

The ranking screen may be viewable by logging in to a website that makes the ranking screen public, for example, on a smartphone, personal computer, or tablet device. This allows, for example, a teacher at an elementary school to show the ranking screen to their students, or a family with elementary school children to view the rankings together, promoting communication and raising awareness of contributing to society by collecting PET bottles.

In this embodiment, the collection management server 200 further includes, in the memory unit 203, a school database memory unit 233 and a school-based collection history information table memory unit 234 in addition to a collection device information table memory unit 231 and a collection history information table memory unit 232 (Figure 5).

The school database storage unit 233 stores a school database. The school database is a database of information (school information) related to the elementary schools participating in the PET bottle collection competition.
13A shows an example of a school database. One record (one row) in the school database in the figure is school information corresponding to one region. One piece of school information includes fields for a region identifier, a school identifier, and a store identifier.
The area identifier field stores an area identifier that uniquely indicates a predetermined area range.
The school identifier field stores a school identifier that uniquely identifies each elementary school whose school district (commuting area) is included in the area range indicated by the area identifier. Although not shown, the school database stores school information (which may include information such as school emblem and number of students in addition to school name) related to the elementary school corresponding to each school identifier, such as the school name. For example, if information such as the school emblem and number of students is stored in the school information, the school emblem and number of students may be displayed together with the school name on the school selection screen ( FIG. 12 (A) ) or the ranking screen ( FIG. 12 (B) ).
The store identifier field stores the store identifier of a store ST included in the area range indicated by the corresponding area identifier.
The school selection screen has a school selection button BT1 for the elementary school with the school identifier included in the school information including the store identifier of the store ST where the PET bottle recycling device 100 is installed in the school database.
The area ranges indicated by the area identifiers may overlap, for example, between adjacent areas. In this case, a certain elementary school or store ST may be managed as existing in multiple area ranges.
In addition, instead of the store identifier, the device identifier of the corresponding PET bottle recovery device 100 may be stored.

The school-based collection history information table storage unit 234 stores a school-based collection history information table. The school-based collection history information table has a structure in which collection history information is organized into a table for elementary schools that are the main participants in a competition to see who can collect the most PET bottles.

13B shows an example of a school-based collection history information table. One record (one row) in the school-based collection history information table in the figure is school-based collection history information transmitted from the PET bottle collection device 100 in response to one collection operation.
Each school-based collection history information item includes fields for a device identifier, a store identifier, a school identifier, collection date and time, the number of collected items (an example of the quantity of collected items), and the weight of collected items (an example of the quantity of collected items).

The device identifier field stores a device identifier that uniquely identifies the plastic bottle collection device 100 that is the source of the school-based collection history information.
The store identifier field stores a store identifier that uniquely identifies the store ST in which the plastic bottle collection device 100 that transmitted the school-based collection history information is installed.
The school identifier field stores a school identifier that uniquely identifies the elementary school selected as the entity that will cooperate in collecting PET bottles by operating the school selection screen when the corresponding collection operation begins.
Here, the school-based collection history information in the first and second lines of the figure has the same school identifier "SC0001", but the combination of the device identifier and the store identifier is different. The school-based collection history information in the first line indicates that a student at an elementary school with a school identifier "SC0001" performed a collection operation using a PET bottle collection device 100 at a certain store ST within the relevant local area. On the other hand, the school-based collection history information in the second line indicates that a student at an elementary school with the same school identifier "SC0001" as in the first line performed the collection operation, but the PET bottle collection device 100 that performed the collection operation was installed in a different store than the one in the first line, although it was within the same local area.
The collection date and time field stores the collection date and time, which is the date and time when the corresponding collection operation was performed. In this case, the collection date and time may be, for example, the time when the collection operation started or the time when the collection operation ended. Alternatively, the collection date and time may include both the time when the collection operation started and the time when it ended. The collection date and time may be set, for example, by the PET bottle collection device 100, and then be included in the school-based collection history information transmitted by the PET bottle collection device 100.
Alternatively, for example, the collection management server 200 may set the collection date and time according to the receipt of the school-based collection history information. When the collection management server 200 sets the collection date and time in this manner, the school-based collection history information transmitted by the PET bottle collection device 100 does not need to include the collection date and time.

As in FIG. 3, the areas for the number of collected bottles and the collected weight store the number of PET bottles (collected bottles number) and total weight (collected weight) collected by the PET bottle collection device 100 during the corresponding collection operation.

With reference to the flowchart in Figure 14, an example of a processing procedure that the PET bottle collection device 100 and collection management server 200 of this embodiment execute in response to a PET bottle collection competition between schools will be described.

First, an example of a process performed by the PET bottle recovery device 100 will be described.
Step S401: The PET bottle recovery device 100 waits for an operation to instruct the display of a school selection screen (a school selection screen display instruction operation).
Step S402: When a school selection screen display instruction operation is performed, the PET bottle collection device 100 transmits a school selection screen request to the collection management server 200. The school selection screen request stores a store identifier (which may be the device identifier of the PET bottle collection device 100 itself) indicating the store ST in which the PET bottle collection device 100 is installed.

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

Step S405: The plastic bottle recovery device 100 waits for a school selection operation to be performed. The school selection operation is performed by operating the school selection button BT1 arranged on the displayed school selection screen.
Step S406: In response to the school selection operation, the PET bottle collection device 100 starts the collection operation. In this manner, in this embodiment, when the school selection operation is performed, the collection operation starts even if the card information is not read from the membership card CD. After the collection operation starts, the PET bottle collection device 100 controls the reduction and storage of the inserted PET bottle every time a PET bottle is inserted by a user.
Step S407: The PET bottle recovery device 100 waits for the recovery operation to end.
Step S408: When the collection operation is completed, the PET bottle collection device 100 transmits to the collection management server 200 the school-based collection history information, which is collection history information corresponding to the current collection operation.

Step S409: In response to sending the school-based collection history information in step S408, the collection management server 200 sends to the PET bottle collection device 100 a ranking screen showing a ranking based on the current number of PET bottles collected by school. The PET bottle collection device 100 receives the sent ranking screen.

Step S410: The PET bottle recovery device 100 displays the ranking screen received in step S409 on the touch panel display unit 1400.

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

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

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

Step S506: The collection management server 200 generates a ranking screen. In generating the ranking screen, the collection management server 200 acquires the school-unit collection history information of the elementary school indicated by the school identifier included in the school-unit collection history information received in step S505. The collection management server 200 also acquires the school-unit collection history information of the elementary school associated with the same store identifier as that associated with the elementary school indicated by the school identifier included in the school-unit collection history information received in step S505. The collection management server 200 generates a ranking screen using the school-unit collection history information of these elementary schools. The ranking screen generated in this manner is a ranking of elementary schools included in the same area.
Furthermore, the ranking screen generated by the collection management server 200 may be in the form of, for example, a web page.
Step S507: The collection management server 200 transmits the ranking screen generated in step S506 to the PET bottle collection device 100 that is the source of the school-based collection history information received in step S504.

In this embodiment, the collection operation is permitted as long as the school selection screen is displayed and the school selection operation is performed, even if the card information of the member card CD is not read. In this case, for example, a person who is not actually an elementary school student and does not possess the member card CD can cause the PET bottle collection device 100 to carry out the collection operation by performing the school selection operation.
To avoid this, for example, a camera may be provided to capture an image of a user positioned in front of the plastic bottle recovery machine 100, and the image captured by the camera may be analyzed to determine whether or not the user is an elementary school student. If it is determined that the user is not an elementary school student, the plastic bottle recovery machine 100 will not execute the recovery operation.

In addition, depending on the prevalence of the membership card CD, for example, even in this embodiment, the collection operation according to the competition between elementary schools may not be started unless the membership card CD is read.

Third Embodiment
Next, a third embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, as in the above embodiments, when the member card CD is read by the plastic bottle recycling device 100 and the device is operated to collect the plastic bottles, points () are generated according to the result of collection of the plastic bottles.
In addition, the PET bottle collection system of this embodiment can donate points generated based on the collection results of PET bottles instead of adding them to the member user's accumulated point value, as described below.

A user as a member can freely choose whether to add the points earned according to the collection results of the PET bottles to his/her accumulated points or to donate them.
In this embodiment, at the timing when one collection operation corresponding to the user as a member is completed, a point use selection screen is displayed on the touch panel display unit 1400. Although not shown in the figure, the point use selection screen is a screen on which the user selects whether to add the points generated according to the collection result of the current collection operation to the accumulated points or to donate the points.
When the user performs an operation to select donation on the point use selection screen, a point donation screen is displayed on the touch panel display unit 1400. The point donation screen is a screen on which the user performs an operation to donate points.

FIG. 15A shows an example of a point donation screen displayed on touch panel display unit 1400. As shown in FIG.
In the point donation screen in the figure, a donation target point area AR11 is arranged. The donation target point area AR11 shows the number of points to be donated. The number of points to be donated here is the total points generated according to the result of the collection of PET bottles in the current collection operation (e.g., the number of bottles collected).

Furthermore, a plurality of donation recipient selection buttons BT11 are arranged on the point donation screen. The donation recipient selection button BT11 is a button that is used to select a donation recipient who is a candidate for the point donation recipient. A different donation recipient is assigned to each donation recipient selection button BT11, and information indicating the assigned donation recipient is displayed. In other words, by looking at the donation recipient selection buttons BT11 arranged on the point donation screen, the user can understand what kind of donation recipients are available as donation recipient options.
In this embodiment, the donation recipients displayed on the point donation screen are selected according to the location where the PET bottle collection device 100 is installed.

In the figure, five donation destination selection buttons BT11 are arranged on one screen. In other words, five donation recipients are presented. For example, if there are six or more donation recipients to be presented and it is not possible to arrange donation destination selection buttons BT11 corresponding to all donation recipients on one screen, the point donation screen may have a page structure that allows page forward and page back navigation. Alternatively, donation destination selection buttons BT11 corresponding to all donation recipients may be arranged on one point donation screen that is made scrollable.

The user operates the donation destination selection button BT11 of the donation recipient selected based on his/her own ideas from among the donation destination selection buttons BT11 arranged on the point donation screen. The operated donation destination selection button BT11 is highlighted in a predetermined manner to indicate that it is in a selected state.
When the user selects a donation recipient as described above, the user operates the Donation Execution button BT12. In response to the operation of the Donation Execution button BT12, a donation amount according to the number of points shown in the donation target point area AR11 is donated to the selected donation recipient.

In the above description, an example was given in which the number of points generated according to the PET bottle collection results in the current collection operation in the donation point area AR11 is shown as the number of donation points. In other words, an example was given in which the number of points generated according to the PET bottle collection results in the current collection operation is directly used as the number of donation points.
However, for example, the user may be allowed to specify the number of points to be donated within the range of the number of points generated according to the results of the PET bottle collection in the current collection run.
Alternatively, the user may be allowed to specify the number of points to be donated within the range of the user's accumulated points, including the number of points generated based on the results of the PET bottle collection in the current collection run.

Furthermore, points can be donated, for example, by a user as a member operating the customer terminal device 300. In this case, the user operates the customer terminal device 300 to cause a point donation screen to be displayed on the display unit of the customer terminal device 300.
15(B) shows an example of a point donation screen displayed on the display unit of the customer terminal device 300. The point donation screen displayed in this manner may be displayed on an application having a point management function, for example, or may be displayed as a web page accessed by a web browser.

The point donation screen in the figure has a donation target points area AR21 and multiple donation destination selection buttons BT21 arranged on it. In this case, the point donation screen can be scrolled up and down. By scrolling the point donation screen, the user can view all of the donation destination selection buttons BT21 arranged on the point donation screen and understand what kind of donation recipients are available.

In the initial display, the donation target point area AR21 shows the current number of accumulated points of the user. The number of accumulated points shown in this way includes points generated in response to the user's shopping as a member at the store ST. In addition, if the user as a member has used the PET bottle recovery device 100, the number of accumulated points also includes points generated in response to the results of PET bottle recovery.
The user performs an operation to change the number of accumulated points displayed in the donation target point area AR21, and specifies the number of points to be donated within the range of the accumulated points.
Then, the user can operate one of the donation destination selection buttons BT21 to select the donation recipient assigned to the operated donation destination selection button BT21 as the donation recipient. After selecting the donation recipient in this manner, the user performs an operation to instruct the execution of a donation (donation instruction operation). The donation instruction operation may be, for example, an operation on a donation execution button located at a predetermined position on the point donation screen. In response to the donation instruction operation being performed, a donation amount according to the number of points shown in the donation target point area AR21 is donated to the selected donation recipient.

The collection management server 200 in this embodiment includes, in the storage unit 203 , a collection device information table storage unit 231 , a collection history information table storage unit 232 , and in addition, a donation receiver information table storage unit 235 .
The donation receiver information table storage unit 235 stores a donation receiver information table. The donation receiver information table is a table that stores information about donation receivers (donation receiver information).

16 shows an example of a donation receiver information table. One record (one row) in the figure is donation receiver information corresponding to one donation receiver. The donation receiver information corresponding to one donation receiver includes fields for a donation receiver identifier, donation receiver information, presentation period, presentation range, and presentation priority.
The donation recipient identifier field stores a donation recipient identifier that uniquely identifies the corresponding donation recipient.
The donation receiver information area stores donation receiver information. The donation receiver information includes predetermined information related to the donation receiver. The donation receiver information includes, for example, the name of the donation receiver, the donation receiver's symbol mark, trademark or other icon image information. Furthermore, the donation receiver information may include information related to the donation procedure, such as the donation recipient's account, the donation receiver's address, etc.
The offered period field indicates the period during which the corresponding donation acceptor is available to accept donations.
The presentation range area indicates the range of the area in which the corresponding donation acceptor can accept donations.
The presentation priority area indicates the placement priority when placing the corresponding donation destination selection button on the point donation screen.

With reference to the flowchart in FIG. 17, an example of a processing procedure executed by the PET bottle collection device 100 and collection management server 200 in the PET bottle collection system of this embodiment in relation to the donation of points will be described. The processing in this figure corresponds to the case where points generated in accordance with the results of PET bottle collection are donated as they are, as described in FIG. 15(A).

First, an example of a process performed by the PET bottle recovery device 100 will be described.
Step S601: The PET bottle recovery device 100 waits for the recovery operation that has been started in response to reading of card information from the membership card CD to end.
Step S602: As described above, when the collection operation that was started in response to reading the card information is completed, the PET bottle collection device 100 displays a point use selection screen on the touch panel display unit 1400. With the point use selection screen displayed, the PET bottle collection device 100 determines whether or not an operation to select donation (donation selection operation) has been performed on the point use selection screen.

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

Step S606: With the point donation screen displayed, the user operates the donation destination selection button BT11 of the donation recipient selected by the user (donation destination designation operation) as described above. PET bottle collection machine 100 accepts the donation destination designation operation performed by the user. At this time, PET bottle collection machine 100 highlights the donation destination selection button BT11 that is the target of the donation destination designation operation.
Step S607: After designating the donation destination, the user operates the donation execution button BT12 (donation execution operation). The PET bottle recovery machine 100 accepts the donation execution operation performed by the user.
Step S608: In response to receiving the donation execution operation, the plastic bottle collection device 100 transmits point donation information to the collection management server 200. The point donation information includes information indicating the donation recipient designated as the donation recipient by the donation recipient designation operation and the number of points to be donated.

Step S609: The PET bottle collection device 100 transmits the collection history information to the collection management server 200 and the store management server 500.
Here, if the process goes through step S608 and reaches step S609, the PET bottle collection device 100 may include point donation information of the same content as that sent in step S608 in the collection history information sent to the store management server 500.
In this embodiment, the store management server 500 includes an area for donation history information (FIG. 8) in the member information. When the store management server 500 receives collection history information including point donation information, the store management server 500 stores the content of the point donation information included in the collection history information by adding it to the donation history information in the corresponding member information. In this case, since the number of points added to the member's accumulated points is zero, the point history information in the corresponding member information does not need to be updated. Alternatively, the point history information in the corresponding member information in this case may indicate that the number of points added by the point donation has become zero.

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

Next, an example of a process procedure executed by the collection management server 200 in relation to the donation of points to a donation destination will be described.
Step S801: The collection management server 200 receives the point donation information transmitted from the PET bottle collection device 100 in step S608.
Step S802: The collection management server 200 calculates a donation amount equivalent to the number of points to be donated, which is indicated in the received point donation information.
Step S803: The collection management server 200 executes a donation process. That is, the collection management server 200 executes a process for donating the donation amount calculated in step S802 to the donation recipient of the donation destination indicated in the point donation information received in step S801.

In the figure, in step S802, the donation amount is calculated from the number of points to be donated, and the calculated donation amount is donated. However, there may be cases where the number of points to be donated is donated as is, for example, in response to a request from the donation recipient.

In this embodiment, the donation recipient presented by the donation destination selection button BT11 on the point donation screen can be registered, for example, by the administrator of the PET bottle collection system operating the management terminal device 600 (Figure 1) as follows, for example.
When the administrator registers the donation recipients presented on the point donation screen, the administrator has the management terminal device 600 access a website for setting donation recipient candidates provided by the collection management server 200. As a result, a donation recipient list screen is displayed on the display unit of the management terminal device 600.

Figure 18 (A) shows an example of a donation recipient list screen. On the donation recipient list screen, a donation recipient candidate list area AR31 is arranged. In the donation recipient candidate list area AR31, a list of registered donation recipients is presented. Of the registered donation recipients, donation recipients who meet conditions such as the presentation period and presentation range are presented on the point donation screen.

When the administrator wishes to register a new donation receiver, the administrator performs a new registration operation. The new registration operation may be, for example, an operation on the New Registration button BT31 on the donation receiver list screen.
In addition, if the administrator wishes to change the registration details of a registered donation recipient, the administrator selects the list item for which he or she wishes to set a donation recipient candidate from among the list items of donation recipients presented on the donation recipient list screen and performs an operation to declare a change to the registration details.
In response to a new registration operation or a registration content change declaration operation, a donation receiver setting screen is displayed on the display unit of the management terminal device 600.

Figure 18 (B) shows an example of a donation recipient setting screen. The donation recipient setting screen includes an icon setting area AR41, a donation recipient name setting area AR42, a presentation period setting area AR43, a presentation range setting area AR44, and a presentation priority setting area AR45.

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

Donation recipient information corresponding to one donation recipient is generated based on the contents set by operations on the donation recipient setting screen. The generated donation recipient information is stored in a donation recipient information table stored by the collection management server 200.

Fourth Embodiment
Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. In the fourth embodiment, donation points (an example of compensation) are generated according to the result of collection of PET bottles in the PET bottle recovery device 100, regardless of whether the user is a member of the store ST or not. The user then decides, of his or her own volition, whether or not to donate his or her donation points. If the user decides to make a donation, he or she can select a donation destination institution (donation recipient) from a selection of one or more donation destinations presented, and make the donation.

19 shows an example of a standby screen displayed on the touch panel display unit 1400 of the PET bottle recovery device 100 of this embodiment. The standby screen in the figure displays a guide to a user who is about to use the PET bottle recovery device 100 to perform one of the following two operations.
In addition, the standby screen in the figure displays the message, "Please make sure that the label and cap are removed." As mentioned above, the labels and caps of PET bottles are made of a different resin than the PET bottle, so they must be removed when recycling the PET bottle.
Therefore, by displaying such a message on the standby screen, the user can remove the label and cap from the plastic bottle that he or she brought this time. Also, on the standby screen, a message may be displayed to inform the user that no drink remains in the bottle.
In addition, the standby screen may display an animation to guide the user to make the plastic bottle available for collection as described above. That is, for example, a video (or a slide image or the like) showing a label being peeled off a plastic bottle, a video showing a cap being turned and removed from a plastic bottle, a video showing the contents of the plastic bottle being poured out, etc. may be displayed.
In addition, when the user performs the operation of declaring the start of use as described above, the PET bottle recovery device 100 opens the outer door of the container insertion section and enters a state of waiting for a PET bottle to be placed on the placement section (a placement waiting state). For example, even in such a placement waiting state, the PET bottle recovery device 100 may display a message or animation, etc., to guide the user to resolve the unrecoverable state of the above-mentioned labels, caps, leftover beverages, etc. In this way, by providing the above-mentioned guidance even after the start of use is declared, the user can be repeatedly asked to resolve the unrecoverable state, and it is possible to more effectively prevent the collection of unrecoverable PET bottles.
In addition, the display of messages, animations, etc., instructing the user to resolve the above-mentioned non-recoverable state is not limited to the standby screen, and may be displayed as appropriate and necessary. For example, when a store clerk, worker, etc. takes out a PET bottle stored in the container storage unit 140 from the PET bottle recovery device 100, a message, animation, etc., instructing the store clerk, worker, etc. to check the label, cap, and remaining beverage may be displayed.
When removing the PET bottles stored in the container storage unit 140, the PET bottle recovery device 100 determines whether or not each bottle can be recovered, for example. If it is determined that the label, cap, or remaining beverage cannot be recovered, for example, by weight measurement or imaging using a camera, the PET bottle recovery device 100 may stop the operation corresponding to the recovery and display a message to guide a store clerk, worker, etc. on removing the label or cap, discharging the remaining beverage, etc. Such a message may be displayed by text, animation, etc.
The design of the standby screen, such as the color pattern and background, may be changed to reflect, for example, the characteristics of the region in which the PET bottle recovery device 100 is installed. Also, for example, a plurality of designs of the standby screen may be prepared in advance and may be changed over time.

One of the guidance displays is something like "If you have a membership card, please scan it," which guides a customer who is a member of store ST and currently has a membership card to have the PET bottle recovery device 100 read their membership card as a declaration of commencement of use.
The above guidance display guides the user to perform an operation to scan the code (barcode or two-dimensional code) that indicates a member identifier on the member card CD. In this case, for example, the card reader 1500 may be configured as a code scanner. Alternatively, a code reader may be provided in the PET bottle recovery device 100 separately from the card reader 1500.

In addition, for example, an image of the membership card CD may be displayed on a store ST-compatible membership application installed on the customer terminal device 300, and the user may then perform an operation to scan the code on the image of the membership card CD displayed on the customer terminal device 300.

In addition, when the user declares the start of use and uses the customer terminal device 300 to have the PET bottle recovery device 100 obtain member information (including at least a member identifier), short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) may be used.
For example, when a user's customer terminal device 300 approaches within a certain distance of the PET bottle collection device 100, a connection between the customer terminal device 300 and the PET bottle collection device 100 is established, and the customer terminal device 300 transmits membership information to the PET bottle collection device 100.
Alternatively, for example, a code of control information for communication connection (e.g., a two-dimensional code or a barcode) may be displayed on the standby screen of the PET bottle recovery device 100. Then, the user may use a code reader function of the customer terminal device 300 to read the code of the control information for communication connection, so that the customer terminal device 300 connects to the PET bottle recovery device 100 and transmits the membership information.

In addition, when the customer terminal device 300 and the PET bottle collection device 100 are connected so as to be able to communicate with each other as described above, the PET bottle collection device 100 in collection operation may transmit information indicating the storage status of the PET bottles to the customer terminal device 300, and the customer terminal device 300 may display the storage status of the PET bottles, such as the number of PET bottles stored up to the present time. In addition, for example, the PET bottle collection device 100 may transmit information introducing donation destinations to the customer terminal device 300, and the customer terminal device 300 may display the received information.

The other guidance display is something like "Touch the screen if you don't have one," and it guides the user to touch any position on the standby screen displayed on the touch panel display unit 1400 instead of reading the membership card if the user is not a member of the store ST, or is a member but does not have a membership card, or has no intention of using the membership card.

When a user intends to use PET bottle recovery machine 100 after having the code on the member card CD read, the user causes the code on the member card CD held by the user to be read by the code scanner of PET bottle recovery machine 100 as a declaration of the start of use. In response to reading the code on the member card CD, PET bottle recovery machine 100 displays a member-compatible intention declaration operation screen on touch panel display unit 1400.
The intention declaration operation screen is a screen where a user performs an operation to declare whether or not he/she intends to make a donation.

20 shows an example of a member-specific intention declaration operation screen. In the intention declaration operation screen in the figure, three donation destination selection buttons BT51 (BT51-1, BT51-2, BT51-3) and one point accumulation declaration button BT52 are arranged.
Each donation destination selection button BT51 is associated with a different organization to which donations are to be made, and displays a logo mark indicating the associated organization, an outline of the organization, etc. The donation destination selection button BT51 is a button that allows the user to select the associated organization as a donation destination. In the figure, an example is shown in which organization A, organization B, and organization C are associated with the donation destination selection buttons BT51-1, BT51-2, and BT51-3, respectively.

The point accumulation declaration button BT52 is a button that is operated when a user wishes to accumulate the donation points generated in response to the collection of PET bottles in the PET bottle recovery device 100, without donating them, and instead add them to the points on his/her membership card CD.

In the figure, four buttons are shown arranged on the intention declaration operation screen, but the number of buttons arranged on the intention declaration operation screen is not particularly limited, and may be determined taking into consideration the visibility and operability of the buttons, etc.

The layout of the donation destination selection button BT51 and the point accumulation declaration button BT52 on the intention declaration operation screen is not limited to the example shown in the figure.

In addition, for example, in the case where four buttons are arranged on one intention declaration operation screen as shown in the same figure, if there are four or more donation destinations and therefore it is not possible to arrange donation destination selection buttons BT51 corresponding to all institutions on one donation destination selection screen, the intention declaration operation screen may be structured as multiple pages so that page forward and page back can be performed.
Furthermore, when the intention declaration operation screen has a multiple page structure, the point accumulation declaration button BT52 may be arranged on each page, or on one or more predetermined pages, such as the first page, the last page, or every predetermined number of pages.

When a user has an intention to donate donation points, the user selects an institution to which the user wishes to donate from among institutions presented by a donation destination selection button BT51 arranged on an intention declaration operation screen, and touches the donation destination selection button BT51 corresponding to the selected institution.
In addition, for example, when the number of donation destinations arranged as the donation destination selection button BT51 on the intention declaration operation screen increases and, for example, the number of pages of the intention declaration operation screen increases, it may be difficult for the user to find the donation destination selection button BT51 of the donation destination that the user wants to select. Therefore, an operation of narrowing down the institutions by specifying the category of the donation destination, or an operation of searching for the name of the institution by inputting characters, etc. may be made possible. When narrowing down the institutions by specifying the category of the donation destination, the categories of the donation destination that can be specified may include items related to the location of the institution, such as "domestic", "foreign", and "nationality". In addition, the categories of the donation destination that can be specified may be items related to the activities of the institution, such as "environmental conservation", "refugee assistance", "medical care", "education", "support for children orphaned by traffic accidents", "support for those with difficulty in finding employment", and "support for children from poor families".
On the other hand, if the user has no intention of donating donation points, the user touches the point accumulation declaration button BT52 arranged on the intention declaration operation screen.
In this way, the user can perform an operation to indicate whether or not to make a donation depending on the intention of whether or not to make a donation according to the collection result of the PET bottles.

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

That is, in this embodiment, before the collection operation, information on the donation destination is presented on the intention declaration operation screen, and the collection operation is started in response to the user selecting the donation destination and performing an operation to indicate (declare) the intention to donate, or an operation to indicate (declare) the intention not to donate. That is, in this embodiment, it is not possible to select the donation destination after the collection operation has been performed.
In this way, by having the user select a donation destination or declare that they will not donate before the collection operation begins, users can clearly become aware of the need to donate before collecting plastic bottles. This makes it easier for users to donate, and is expected to encourage more people to donate.

In addition, in this embodiment, as the number of users who become aware of donations due to using the PET bottle collection device 100 increases, the fact that donations can be made by using the PET bottle collection device 100 at the store ST will also become widely known. This will also widely spread the knowledge that the company operating the store ST is actively working on donations. Therefore, for example, the touch panel display unit 1400 of the PET bottle collection device 100 may be configured to display, at a predetermined timing, an image (e.g., company name, logo, etc.) representing the company operating the store ST and the donation record based on the use of the PET bottle collection device 100 to date. By displaying in this manner, it is possible to inform users that the company is actively working on donations and the degree of social contribution based on the current donation record.

In this embodiment, touch panel display unit 1400 displays, during collection operation, information on collecting PET bottles and the collection status of the current collection operation (such as the number of PET bottles collected to date). In addition, when a donation destination is selected by operating the previous intention declaration operation screen, PET bottle collection device 100 may also display information on the selected donation destination institution on touch panel display unit 1400 during collection operation. The information on the donation destination institution displayed in this case may be, for example, the activities of the donation destination institution, current information on the targets supported by the donation destination institution, and donations received to date. Information on donation destination institutions other than the selected donation destination may also be displayed.
Furthermore, the PET bottle recovery machine 100 may display the number of PET bottles collected during the current collection run, as well as the donation amount corresponding to the number of collected PET bottles. In this case, the donation amount may be calculated by the PET bottle recovery machine 100 based on the conversion rate to the amount per unit point number supported by the donation recipient institution. In this case, the user can see on the touch panel display unit 1400 that the number of collected PET bottles and the donation amount increase each time the PET bottle recovery machine 100 collects a PET bottle. This allows the user to realize that a donation is being made by collecting the PET bottles.
Furthermore, the PET bottle collection device 100 may display a code (e.g., a two-dimensional code) for accessing a website that provides information about the organization to which the user wishes to make a donation, at a predetermined timing or opportunity before, during, or after the collection operation is completed. This allows the user, if interested in the organization to which the user wishes to make a donation, to instantly obtain the URL of the organization's website by having the customer terminal device 300 read the two-dimensional code. The user can then display the organization's website on the customer terminal device 300 and easily learn details about the organization to which the user wishes to make a donation.

When the collection operation by the PET bottle collection device 100 is completed, the PET bottle collection system executes different processes as follows depending on whether the operation performed on the intention declaration operation screen was the donation destination selection button BT51 or the point accumulation declaration button BT52.

First, when a donation destination has been selected by operating the donation destination selection button BT51 on the intention declaration operation screen before the collection operation starts, the PET bottle collection system carries out processing corresponding to the donation (donation response processing).
That is, upon completion of a collection operation, the PET bottle collection device 100 transmits a donation handling process request to the collection management server 200. The donation handling process request includes information indicating the collection results of the PET bottles collected during this collection operation (collection history information) and information indicating the donation destination selected in response to an operation on the intention declaration operation screen before the collection operation.
The collection management server 200 calculates donation points according to the collection result included in the received donation processing request. The donation points may be calculated based on the number of bottles stored as indicated by the collection result information. The collection management server 200 executes a predetermined process, for example, with an external donation destination server, so that the calculated donation points are donated to the selected donation destination. The donated donation points are converted into a donation amount, for example, at the donation destination, and the total donation amount obtained over a certain period of time is notified to the headquarters of the store ST. The headquarters of the store ST may donate the notified total donation amount to the donation destination.
Alternatively, the collection management server 200 may calculate a donation amount corresponding to the selected donation destination based on the donation points, and donate the calculated donation amount to the donation destination.

In response to completing the donation handling process as described above, the collection management server 200 stores collection history information reflecting the current collection result of the PET bottle and the donation record in the collection history information table storage unit 232. In this embodiment, the collection history information stored in the collection history information table storage unit 232 is the collection history information items in the collection history information table of FIG. 3, with the addition of items related to the donation record, such as the donation destination institution and donation points (or donation amount).

When the collection operation and donation handling process are completed as described above, a collection completion screen is displayed on the touch panel display unit 1400 of the PET bottle collection device 100.
21 shows an example of a collection completion screen. In the collection completion screen in the figure, the number of plastic bottles collected in the current collection run is shown as the cumulative number of bottles inserted, and a message is displayed informing the user that the amount of the cumulative number of bottles inserted has been donated.
In addition, the collection completion screen may specifically show the donation amount according to the total number of inserted items.
Such a collection completion screen may be erased within a certain time from when it is first displayed. Alternatively, for example, a confirmation button may be provided on the collection completion screen, and the collection completion screen may be erased in response to the user selecting the confirmation button.

In addition, when the point accumulation declaration button BT52 on the intention declaration operation screen is operated, the PET bottle collection device 100 transmits collection history information including information indicating the collection result of the current collection operation to the collection management server 200 and the store management server 500. The process of transmitting the collection history information by the PET bottle collection device 100 corresponds to the process of step S110 in FIG. 11, for example. The collection management server 200 and the store management server 500 that have received the collection history information execute the processes of steps S201 and S202 and steps S301 to S303 in FIG. 11, respectively. This updates the collection history information table stored in the collection management server 200. In addition, the number of points according to the collection result of the PET bottles in the PET bottle collection device 100 is added to the accumulated points on the user's membership card CD.
In this case, upon completion of the collection operation and point addition process, a collection completion screen may be displayed to inform the user that points have been added to the membership card CD in accordance with the PET bottle collection results.

The PET bottle collection device 100 may store collection history information for each collection operation and transmit the previously stored collection history information periodically, for example, once a day.

When a user wishes to use the PET bottle collection device 100 without having the code on the membership card CD read, the user touches the standby screen as described above to declare the start of use. In response to the operation of touching the standby screen, the PET bottle collection device 100 displays a non-member-compatible intention declaration operation screen on the touch panel display unit 1400.

22 shows an example of a non-member-compatible intention declaration operation screen. On the intention declaration operation screen in the figure, three donation destination selection buttons BT51 (BT51-1, BT51-2, BT51-3) and one recycle declaration button BT53 are arranged.
The donation destination selection buttons BT51 correspond to Institution A, Institution B, and Institution C, respectively, and are common to the intention declaration operation screen for members in Fig. 20. In other words, in the intention declaration operation screen for non-members, a recycle declaration button BT53 is arranged in place of the point accumulation declaration button BT52 arranged in the intention declaration operation screen for members (Fig. 20).

The recycle declaration button BT53 is a button that is operated when the user declares that they will not donate the donation points that are generated in accordance with the result of collecting PET bottles in the PET bottle collection device 100, but will simply have the PET bottle collection device 100 collect the PET bottles.

In this case, too, if the user wishes to donate donation points, the user selects the institution to which he/she wishes to donate from among the institutions presented by the donation destination selection button BT51 arranged on the intention declaration operation screen, and touches the donation destination selection button BT51 corresponding to the selected institution.
On the other hand, if the user has no intention to donate donation points, the user touches the recycle declaration button BT53 arranged on the intention declaration operation screen.
In this way, even on the non-member-compatible intention declaration operation screen, the user can perform an operation to declare whether or not to make a donation depending on the intention of whether or not to make a donation based on the collection result of the PET bottles.

In response to the operation of either the donation selection button BT51 or the recycle declaration button BT53 as described above, the PET bottle recovery device 100 starts the current recovery operation.
Then, when the collection operation is completed by the PET bottle collection device 100, the PET bottle collection system executes different processes as follows depending on whether the operation performed on the intention declaration operation screen was the donation destination selection button BT51 or the recycling declaration button BT53.

First, if a donation destination is selected by operating the donation destination selection button BT51 on the intention declaration operation screen before the collection operation, the PET bottle collection system performs a donation handling process. The donation handling process in this case may be the same as when a donation destination is selected by operating the donation destination selection button BT51 on the intention declaration operation screen for members described above. Also, in this case, a collection completion screen of the type illustrated in FIG. 21 may be displayed upon completion of the collection operation and the donation handling process.

In addition, when the recycle declaration button BT53 on the intention declaration operation screen is operated, the PET bottle collection device 100 transmits collection history information including information showing the collection result of the current collection operation to the collection management server 200. This causes the collection history information table stored in the collection management server 200 to be updated.
In this case, since it is not necessary to add points based on the collection result to the points on the member card CD, it is not necessary to transmit collection history information from the PET bottle collection device 100 to the store management server 500.
In this case, a collection completion screen may be displayed that simply notifies the result of collection of PET bottles in the current collection run.

The collection management server 200 of this embodiment may be configured to transmit, for example, a donation record information table showing the donation records made by users of each PET bottle collection device 100 in each store ST to the store management server 500 at regular intervals (e.g., one day).

Figure 23 shows an example of a donation history information table. The donation history information table in the figure shows an example corresponding to a certain target date. The donation history information table in the figure can be generated by the collection management server 200 based on the collection history information for the target date stored in the collection history information table of this embodiment.

One record in the donation record information table in the figure is donation record information indicating the donation record made to one donation destination in correspondence with one PET bottle collection device 100 on a target date.
The donation record information table 1 includes fields for collection date and time, store identifier, device identifier, donation recipient institution, number of bottles collected, weight of collected bottles, donation points, and number of times of operation.
The collection date and time field stores the collection date and time indicating the date and time when the collection operation that is the source of the corresponding donation was carried out.
The store identifier stores a store identifier indicating the store ST where the PET bottle collection device 100 where the collection operation that is the source of the corresponding donation is installed.
The device identifier stores a device identifier that indicates the PET bottle collection device 100 in which the collection operation that is the source of the corresponding donation was performed.
The recipient institution field stores information indicating the institution to which the corresponding donation was made.
The area for the number of collected bottles stores the number of PET bottles (collected bottles) that are collected by the PET bottle collection device 100 during the collection operation that is the source of the corresponding donation.
The collected weight area stores the total weight (collected weight) of PET bottles received in the PET bottle collection device 100 during the collection operation that is the source of the corresponding donation.
The donation points area stores information indicating donation points donated to the corresponding donation destination.
The operation count field stores information indicating the number of collection operations in which donations were made to the corresponding donation recipient institution.

For example, a terminal device used at a headquarters of an affiliated store of the store ST can output, by displaying, printing, or the like, a report on donation records and collection history based on the donation record information received by the store management server 500. Furthermore, such donation records may be made public in a predetermined format, for example, on the homepage of the group (affiliated store) of the store ST.
In addition, the donation record information may be configured as collection record information by including, for example, information on the collection record of PET bottles corresponding to each of the PET bottle collection devices 100. Such collection record information may also include, for example, the record of collection operations in which only PET bottle collection was performed without donations. In this case, the area of the donation recipient institution in the same figure may be an area of an item with a name such as "item". In the case where the corresponding record indicates the record of donation to a certain donation recipient institution, such an item area stores the institution that became the donation recipient, and in the case where the corresponding record corresponds to the record of collection operations in which only PET bottle collection was performed, a name indicating that it is a record of collection operations in which only PET bottle collection was performed, such as "PET bottle", is stored.

When outputting the report, for example, search conditions such as date and time range, store, and PET bottle collection device 100 may be specified to the terminal device using logical AND, OR, etc., and a list of records that match the specified search conditions may be output as a report. The report may be output, for example, as a display or printout.

The donation history information in Fig. 23 is in a format in which collection operations corresponding to each donation made by a user are summarized as the number of operations. In contrast, the donation history information may be in a format on a per-user basis corresponding to each operation number. In other words, the donation history information may be donation history information in which one donation history information shown in Fig. 23 is divided on a per-user basis (user-based donation history information).
Such user-based donation history information has an additional field for user information indicating the user who made the donation. The field for the number of operations may be omitted. The user information field may store the member identifier read from the member card CD if the user has had the code on the member card CD read, and may store information indicating that the user is a non-member if the user has touched the standby screen. Additionally, the fields for the number of bottles collected, the weight collected, and the donation points in the user-based donation history information each store values that reflect the collection results of a single corresponding collection operation.

In addition, the performance of the operational collection unit may be output as a report based on the user-based donation performance information.
In this case, one record corresponding to one operational collection may include fields such as operational collection date and time, member identifier, store identifier, device identifier, item, number of items collected (amount collected), collected weight, and donation points.
The operation recovery date and time field stores the date and time when the corresponding recovery operation was performed (operation recovery date and time).
The member identifier area stores the member identifier acquired by the PET bottle recovery machine 100 in response to a member user having his/her member card CD read during the corresponding recovery operation.
The store identifier field stores a store identifier that indicates the store in which the PET bottle collection device 100 in which the corresponding collection operation was performed is installed.
The device identifier field stores a device identifier that indicates the PET bottle recovery device 100 in which the corresponding recovery operation was performed.
The item area stores the institution to which the donation was made as the item for the corresponding collection operation if a donation was made, and if no donation was made, stores information indicating that only the collection of PET bottles was made without a donation, such as "PET bottles."
The number of collected bottles (collected amount) stores the number of PET bottles collected in the corresponding collection operation.
The collected weight stores the total weight of the PET bottles collected in the corresponding collection operation.
The donation points field stores the number of donation points donated when a donation is made during a corresponding collection operation (for example, the number of donation points generated according to the number of collected plastic bottles).
Furthermore, in one record corresponding to one operational collection in the report, a field may be included for the number of accumulated points of the membership card CD indicated by the corresponding member identifier.

Furthermore, when starting a collection operation, the PET bottle collection machine 100 acquires a member identifier by reading the member card CD or by receiving member information from the communicably connected customer terminal device 300. In this case, the collection management server 200 can acquire the history of the donation destination institutions to which the user, as a member, made donations by comparing the member identifier acquired by the PET bottle collection machine 100 with the user-unit donation record table.
Therefore, based on the history of donation recipient organizations acquired by the collection management server 200, for example, in the PET bottle collection device 100, donation recipient organizations to which users have made donations most frequently may be displayed preferentially on the intention declaration operation screen. Specifically, for example, the donation destination selection button BT51 corresponding to each donation recipient organization may be arranged in descending order of the number of times users have made donations, starting from the first page of the intention declaration operation screen.
By arranging the donation destination selection button BT51 on the will declaration operation screen in this way, the will declaration operation screen becomes suitable for each user, making it easier for the user to select an institution to which the donation is to be made. This function is particularly useful when the will declaration operation screen is made up of multiple pages because there are many institutions to which donations are to be made.
In addition, the information regarding members and donation history used to display the intention declaration operation screen in the above-mentioned PET bottle collection device 100 is not limited to the information stored by the collection management server 200 as user-level donation performance, but may be stored, for example, in any of the PET bottle collection device 100, the store management server 500, or the customer terminal device 300, etc.

For example, each time a collection operation and donation is performed, the PET bottle collection device 100 may transmit collection history information to the collection management server 200, and the collection management server 200 may transmit user-based donation performance information to the store management server 500.

<Modification>
Next, a modification of this embodiment will be described.

[First Modification]
For example, the function of ranking schools and presenting the rankings to users in accordance with the second embodiment may be realized by the store management server 500 instead of the collection management server 200. Similarly, the function of donating points in accordance with the third embodiment may be realized by the store management server 500 instead of the collection management server 200.
In addition, at least one of the collection management server 200 and the store management server 500 in this embodiment may be provided in a distributed manner according to a predetermined function, for example. For example, the function of ranking schools and presenting the rankings to users in accordance with the second embodiment may be realized by a server other than the collection management server 200 and the store management server 500. Similarly, the function of point donation in accordance with the third embodiment may be realized by a server other than the collection management server 200 and the store management server 500.

[Second Modification]
In the fourth embodiment, for example, while the PET bottle recovery device 100 is on standby, information introducing each of the organizations indicated as donation destinations by the donation destination selection button BT51 may be displayed on the touch panel display unit 1400. Then, when the user performs a predetermined operation on the touch panel display unit 1400, the screen may transition to the standby screen of FIG.
The information introducing each of the displayed institutions may be, for example, the specific activities of each institution, the use of donations, etc. Such information introducing the institutions may be displayed, for example, in the form of slide images or video. Furthermore, the information introducing each of the institutions may display the donation record for each institution over a certain period of time in the past. The donation record may be the amount of donations.
Such a donation record such as the donation amount may be a record corresponding to the PET bottle collection device 100 itself. In addition, the donation record such as the donation amount may be a donation record corresponding to the store ST including other PET bottle collection devices 100 installed in the store ST where the PET bottle collection device 100 is installed. In addition, the donation record such as the donation amount may be a donation record of all the PET bottle collection devices 100 installed in a certain area including the place (store ST) where the PET bottle collection device 100 is installed. In addition, the donation record such as the donation amount may be a donation record of all the PET bottle collection devices 100 in the entire country. In addition, the donation record may indicate the degree of contribution to the environment, such as the amount of carbon dioxide reduction according to the quantity (at least one of the number and weight) of collected PET bottles.
Information introducing each of these organizations is displayed before the intention declaration operation screen is displayed, allowing users to understand the activities and donation history of each organization and use this information as a reference, for example, when deciding where to donate.
For example, when a collection operation is being performed on the touch panel display unit 1400 of the PET bottle collection device 100, information introducing the institution selected by the user as a donation destination may be displayed along with instructions for collecting PET bottles and the collection status of the current collection operation.
Also, for example, information about the institution may be displayed on a collection completion screen that is displayed in response to the completion of the collection operation. In this case, for example, a message of thanks for the donation may be displayed while displaying information about an institution that the user selected as the current donation recipient, or a message encouraging the user to donate to the displayed institution next time may be displayed while displaying information about an institution that the user did not select as the current donation recipient.

[Third Modification]
20 and 22 of the fourth embodiment, the donation record for each institution that is a donation destination option may be displayed. As an example, the donation record for each institution may be displayed by a corresponding donation destination selection button BT51.
In addition, the donation history displayed for each institution may be the history of donations made using a corresponding PET bottle collection device 100, or the history of donations made using PET bottle collection devices 100 in a specified geographical area that includes the corresponding PET bottle collection device 100.
Furthermore, the donation history displayed for each institution may be the history for a certain period of time prior to the current time, such as the history for the past year, past week, past month, current month, previous day, or current day.

[Fourth Modification]
In addition, in the fourth embodiment, as described above, donation history is managed for each user, such as user-specific donation history information, and if the user has the code on the membership card CD read when using the PET bottle collection device 100, the PET bottle collection device 100 may display information as follows.
In other words, the PET bottle recovery machine 100 may display the donation record of the corresponding user (member) on a recovery completion screen or the like in response to the completion of the recovery operation and the donation handling process. The record in this case may also be the record for a certain period of time in the past before the current time. Also, the donation record may be displayed for each PET bottle recovery machine 100 that the user used for donation.

In addition, for example, the customer terminal device 300 running the member application may display the donation history for the corresponding user. In this case, the customer terminal device 300 may send a request for the donation history to the store management server 500. In response to receiving the request for the donation history, the store management server 500 extracts information on the donation history of the corresponding user from the user-level donation history information obtained from the collection management server 200, and sends the extracted donation history information to the customer terminal device 300. The customer terminal device 300 displays the received donation history information.

[Fifth Modification]
In the fourth embodiment as well, the institution presented as the donation destination selection button BT51 on the will declaration operation screen may be changeable (setable) by the administrator in accordance with the explanation in Fig. 18 (B) of the third embodiment. In this case, the administrator can set the page of the will declaration operation screen on which the donation destination selection button BT51 corresponding to one institution is to be placed, the position on the will declaration operation screen on which it is to be placed, and the like.

In addition, in the fourth embodiment, the position of the donation destination selection button BT51 arranged on the first page of the intention declaration operation screen may be changed every time a predetermined period of time, such as a day, passes. Also, when there are multiple pages of intention declaration operation screens, the donation destination selection button BT51 displayed on the first page may be changed every time a predetermined period of time passes. Also, based on past donation performance, the donation destination selection buttons BT51 of institutions that have received fewer donations may be arranged in order from the first page.

[Sixth Modification]
In the fourth embodiment, similarly to the explanation in Figure 15 (B) of the third embodiment, a user may operate the customer terminal device 300 to select a donation destination and then donate a specified number of accumulated points on the membership card CD as donation points.

[Seventh Modification]
In the fourth embodiment, points can be donated every time a collection operation is performed by the PET bottle collection device 100. In contrast, in this modified example, points can be donated on the following occasions.
In this modified example as well, a user who is a member has the plastic bottle recovery machine 100 read his/her membership card CD when using the plastic bottle recovery machine 100 .
In addition, the PET bottle recycling machine 100 of this modified example is configured to, for example, prevent the user from donating points when the accumulated number of points or donation points on the current user's membership card CD is less than a certain number. On the other hand, if the accumulated number of points or donation points on the user's membership card CD is equal to or greater than a certain number, the PET bottle recycling machine 100 may display an intention declaration operation screen similar to that of Fig. 20 to enable the user to make a donation.

[Eighth Modification]
In the fourth embodiment, instead of first accepting an operation on the intention declaration operation screen and then performing the collection operation, similarly to the third embodiment, the intention declaration operation screen may be displayed after the collection operation by the PET bottle collection device 100 is completed. In this case, the user can make an operation on the intention declaration operation screen displayed after the collection operation is completed, and can declare whether to donate to the selected donation destination or not to donate.
In this modified example, when the collection operation is being carried out, information introducing institutions that can be selected as donation destinations on the intention declaration operation screen may be displayed on the touch panel display unit 1400, for example, in the form of a slide image or video.
For example, on the touch panel display unit 1400 of the PET bottle recovery device 100, when a recovery operation is being performed, information introducing the above-mentioned organizations as the recipients of donations may be displayed along with a guide to collecting PET bottles and the collection status of the current recovery operation. In this case, for example, all organizations that can be selected as donation recipients may be displayed sequentially or randomly, or information introducing organizations selected based on a predetermined selection criterion may be displayed with priority. The selection criterion in this case may be based on, for example, the number of times or frequency that the organization has been selected as a donation recipient in the past. As a specific example, information introducing the organization that has been selected most or least times as a donation recipient may be displayed with priority.
When making a donation under this modified example, it is possible to allocate the donation points, such as by donating a portion of the donation points generated according to the collection result of the PET bottle to institution A and donating the remainder to institution B. Alternatively, under this modified example, it is also possible to allocate the use of the donation points, such as by donating a portion of the donation points generated according to the collection result of the PET bottle and adding the remaining donation points to the accumulated points on the membership card CD.
In addition, once collection operations have begun by the PET bottle collection device 100, a declaration of intention operation screen may be displayed while the collection operation is in progress, allowing the user to select an institution to which to make a donation, or to declare that they will not make a donation.

[Ninth Modification]
There is a limit to the screen size of the touch panel display unit 1400 of the PET bottle recovery device 100. For this reason, for example, in the fourth embodiment, when it is desired to provide more information about the organization to which the donation is to be made, the touch panel display unit 1400 alone may not be sufficient.
Therefore, the PET bottle recovery device 100 may be provided with a sub-display unit in addition to the touch panel display unit 1400. The screen size of such a sub-display unit may be larger or smaller than that of the touch panel display unit 1400.
Moreover, the sub-display unit may be configured as a touch panel, so that operation by touch is possible.
In addition, a screen with the same content as that of the touch panel display unit 1400 may be displayed on the sub-display unit, so that not only the touch panel display unit 1400 but also the sub-display unit can accept the same operations as those performed on the touch panel display unit 1400, such as operations related to declaring whether or not to make a donation and selecting an institution to which to make a donation.

[Tenth Modification]
In the fourth embodiment, for example, donation points are generated according to the number of PET bottles contained in one collection operation. The generation of donation points is not limited to the number of PET bottles contained. For example, a certain number of donation points may be generated in response to one collection operation, regardless of the number of PET bottles contained.

In addition, donation points may be generated based on the weight of the PET bottles contained in the PET bottle collection device 100 during one collection run.
PET bottles come in different sizes, such as 1 liter, 1.5 liter, and 2 liter, depending on the capacity, and the larger the size, the more PET material is used. From the perspective of the contribution of recycling to the environment, the more the weight of the collected PET bottles, the greater the contribution.
Therefore, donation points may be generated based on the "amount of plastic bottles" of plastic bottles collected in the plastic bottle collection device 100 during one collection run. The "amount of plastic bottles" may be, for example, the weight or size of the plastic bottles.
In this case, the number of donation points per unit weight may be determined in advance, and donation points may be calculated using the weight of the PET bottles contained in the PET bottle collection device 100 in one collection run and the number of donation points per unit weight. The weight of the PET bottles contained in the PET bottle collection device 100 is measured by a weighing device provided in the PET bottle collection device 100.
In addition, the size of each collected PET bottle may be specified according to the measured weight of the bottle, and donation points may be generated according to the specified size. As a specific example, the size of the PET bottle may be classified into small, medium, and large sizes according to the measured weight of the bottle, and a predetermined donation point may be generated for each classified PET bottle.

In addition, at this time, if a weight exceeding a certain amount, which exceeds that of a normal PET bottle, the PET bottle recovery device 100 may determine that the PET bottle to be collected still has leftover beverage inside. Therefore, when the PET bottle recovery device 100 determines that the PET bottle to be collected still has leftover beverage inside, it may not reduce the volume in the volume reduction section 120, but may instead display a message instructing the user to remove the bottle from the volume reduction section 120.

The PET bottle recovery device 100 may be provided with an imaging device as one of the sensors. For example, the PET bottle recovery device 100 may be able to determine the number and size of the PET bottles stored, and whether or not there is any leftover beverage, based on an image obtained by imaging the PET bottles stored in the volume reduction section 120 using the imaging device. In this case, for example, a sensor serving as a measuring device can be omitted from the PET bottle recovery device 100.

[Eleventh Modification]
The article recovery device in each of the above embodiments is not limited to a PET bottle recovery device that recovers PET bottles. The article recovery device in the present embodiment may be, for example, a device that recovers empty cans, a device that recovers plastic waste, a device that recovers food trays to be recycled, etc. For example, in a device that recovers plastic waste, the weight of the collected articles may be measured instead of the number of articles.
Furthermore, the device that generates donation points in response to the use of the device and allows the donation points to be donated may be other than the item recovery device. For example, such devices may include vending machines, home delivery collection boxes, water purifiers, mineral water providing devices, ice or dry ice providing devices, etc. Furthermore, at dry cleaning stores, etc., donation points may be generated and donated in response to the use of lockers by customers for collecting or returning dry cleaning items.

<Overview of the embodiment>
(1) As described above, one aspect of this embodiment is an item collection system that includes a collection unit (e.g., PET bottle collection device 100) that collects items (e.g., PET bottles), a donation response processing means that performs processing for donations in response to the collection of items in the collection unit, and an option presentation means that presents options for donation destinations to which the donation can be made (e.g., donation destination selection button BT51) as well as an option for not making the donation (e.g., points accumulation declaration button BT52 or recycle declaration button BT53).

According to the above configuration, when donations are possible in response to the collection of PET bottles by the PET bottle collection device 100, if the user wishes to donate, he or she can operate the donation destination selection button BT51 to select a donation destination and donate donation points. If the user does not wish to donate, he or she can operate the point accumulation declaration button BT52 or the recycle declaration button BT53 to add donation points to the points on the membership card CD, or simply recycle the PET bottle.
In other words, in this embodiment, donation points generated in accordance with the collection operation of the PET bottle collection device 100 can be donated, and donations are not necessarily made, but can be made at the user's discretion.
In addition, since the opportunities for users to make donations in their daily lives are limited, it is difficult for users to have the opportunity to become aware of or have knowledge about donations. On the other hand, the act of having the PET bottle recovery device 100 recover PET bottles is also a means of garbage collection, so it is likely to become a daily, habitual act for users. For this reason, by presenting options for donation destinations to users when using the PET bottle recovery device 100 as in the above configuration, it is possible to help users increase their awareness and knowledge about donations. In addition, for example, the operating company of the store ST can widely give a favorable impression to users of the PET bottle recovery device 100 that the company is a company that actively contributes to society.

(2) Also, one aspect of this embodiment is the item recovery system described in (1), further comprising a subject selection means (reading a membership card CD while the standby screen is displayed, or accepting a touch operation on the standby screen) for selecting a subject (member or non-member) to have the recovery unit recover items, and the option presentation means, in response to the subject being selected by the subject selection means, varies the content of the option of not making the donation (for example, a points accumulation declaration button BT52 or a recycle declaration button BT53) depending on the type of subject selected.

According to the above configuration, when the user has the plastic bottle collection device 100 read the code on the membership card CD as proof that the user is a member, the point accumulation declaration button BT52 is arranged as a button for declaring that the user is a member and will not make a donation on the intention declaration operation screen. When the point accumulation declaration button BT52 is operated, donation points generated in response to the collection of plastic bottles can be added as points on the user's membership card CD.
In addition, if the user touches the waiting screen without having the PET bottle recovery device 100 read the code on the membership card CD, the recycle declaration button BT53 is positioned on the intention declaration operation screen as a button for declaring that the user will not make a donation, so that the user can simply store the PET bottle in the PET bottle recovery device 100.
In other words, a button with an appropriate function depending on whether the user is a member or a non-member can be arranged on the intention declaration operation screen as a button for performing the operation of declaring not to make a donation.

(3) Furthermore, one aspect of this embodiment is the item recovery system described in (1) or (2), in which the recovery unit starts recovering the items after a selection is made from the options presented by the option presentation means.

According to the above configuration, first, an operation is performed on the intention declaration operation screen, and then the collection operation is started by the PET bottle collection device 100. For example, if the intention declaration operation screen is configured to be displayed after the collection operation is completed, the user may leave the PET bottle collection device 100 without waiting for the intention declaration operation screen to be displayed after the collection operation is completed, and the user may miss the opportunity to make a donation.
Therefore, by configuring as described above so that the PET bottle recovery device 100 starts recovery operation after an operation is performed on the intention declaration operation screen, it is possible to reliably provide users with an opportunity to make a donation.

(4) Furthermore, one aspect of this embodiment is the item collection system described in (1) or (2), in which the option presentation means presents an option to not make the donation along with options for donation recipients to which the donation can be made after the collection unit starts collecting the items.

According to the above configuration, first, the intention declaration operation screen can be displayed after the PET bottle recovery device 100 has completed the recovery operation. In this case, before the recipient organization is selected, donation points are generated according to the current collection result of the PET bottles, so that it is possible to provide a variety of ways to donate donation points, for example by distributing the donation points generated by the recovery operation to multiple recipient organizations.
In addition, with the above configuration, after the collection operation has been started, the intention declaration operation screen may be displayed at a timing before the collection operation is completed, allowing the user to operate the intention declaration operation screen that has been displayed.

(5) Furthermore, one aspect of this embodiment is an item collection system according to any one of (1) to (4), further comprising a setting means for setting the donation destinations to be presented by the option presentation means.

According to the above configuration, for example, an administrator can operate a terminal to change the arrangement of the donation destination selection buttons BT51 corresponding to each donation destination institution arranged on the intention declaration operation screen, or change the donation destination institution associated with the donation destination selection button BT51 on the intention declaration operation screen.

(6) Also, one aspect of this embodiment is a method of presenting information in an item collection system having a collection unit that collects items, the method including a donation response processing step for performing processing for making a donation in response to the collection of items performed in the collection unit, and an option presentation step for presenting an option of not making the donation along with options of donation destinations to which the donation can be made.

In addition, a program for realizing the functions of the above-mentioned PET bottle collection device 100, collection management server 200, customer terminal device 300, POS register 400, store management server 500, etc. may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on the recording medium may be read into a computer system and executed to perform processing as the above-mentioned PET bottle collection device 100, collection management server 200, customer terminal device 300, POS register 400, store management server 500, etc. Here, "reading a program recorded on a recording medium into a computer system and executing it" includes installing the program into a computer system. The "computer system" here includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. In addition, the "computer system" may include multiple computer devices connected via a network including communication lines such as the Internet, WAN, LAN, and dedicated lines. In addition, the "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as flexible disks, optical magnetic disks, ROMs, and CD-ROMs, and storage devices such as hard disks built into a computer system. In this way, the recording medium storing the program may be a non-transient recording medium such as a CD-ROM. The recording medium also includes a recording medium provided inside or outside the distribution server that can be accessed in order to distribute the program. The code of the program stored in the recording medium of the distribution server may be different from the code of the program in a format executable by the terminal device. In other words, the format in which the program is stored in the distribution server does not matter as long as it can be downloaded from the distribution server and installed in a format executable by the terminal device. Note that the program may be divided into multiple parts, downloaded at different times, and then combined on the terminal device, or each of the divided programs may be distributed by a different distribution server. Furthermore, the "computer-readable recording medium" includes a memory that holds a program for a certain period of time, such as a volatile memory (RAM) inside a computer system that becomes a server or client when a program is transmitted over a network. The above program may also be one for realizing part of the above-mentioned functions. Furthermore, the program may be one that can realize the above-mentioned functions in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system, a so-called difference file (difference program).

100 PET bottle collection device, 110 container insertion unit, 140 container storage unit, 200 collection management server, 201 communication unit, 202 control unit, 203 memory unit, 231 collection device information table storage unit, 232 collection history information table storage unit, 233 school database storage unit, 234 school-based collection history information table storage unit, 235 donation receiver information table storage unit, 300 customer terminal device, 400 POS register, 500 store management server, 501 communication unit, 502 control unit, 503 memory unit, 531 member information table storage unit, 532 collection history information table storage unit, 533 transaction history information table storage unit, 600 management terminal device, 1100 CPU, 1200 memory unit, 1300 RAM, 1400 touch panel display unit, 1500 card reader, 1600 Communications Department, 1700 Recovery Mechanism Department

Claims (5)

A recovery unit that recovers the items;
a donation processing means for performing processing for donating points in response to the collection of items in the collection unit;
and an option presentation means for presenting, after the collection unit has started a collection operation to collect items, options for donation destinations to which the donation can be made, as well as an option for not making the donation, of awarding points corresponding to the collection of the items to a member identified by a member identifier obtained when the items are collected . The item collection system according to claim 1 , further comprising an introduction unit that displays information introducing the donation destination when the collection operation is being performed. The item collection system according to claim 2 , wherein the introduction means displays information introducing donation destinations based on a history of donation destinations selected from the options presented by the option presentation means. An article recovery device for recovering an article, comprising:
a donation processing means for performing a process for donating points in accordance with the collection of the item;
and an option presentation means for presenting, after a collection operation for collecting items has been started, options for donation destinations to which the donation can be made, as well as an option for not making the donation, of awarding points corresponding to the collection of the items to a member identified by a member identifier obtained when the items are collected . A computer in an item recovery system including a recovery unit that recovers items,
a donation processing means for processing donations in response to the collection of items by the collection unit;
A program for functioning as an option presentation means that, after the collection unit has started a collection operation to collect items, presents options for donation destinations to which the donation can be made, as well as an option for not making the donation, of awarding points corresponding to the collection of the items to a member identified by the member identifier obtained when the items are collected .