The present invention relates to management data items and data exchange method between parties comprising a collection applicant, manufacturer/reseller of a collected product, collection company, disassembly company and overall management company with in the context of a collection application, discharge, collection, delivery, re-use and recycle process to support recycling by the society when apparatus/fixtures (referred to hereafter as home products) used by homes and small businesses such as electrical apparatus, bicycles, motorcycles or furniture, and equipment, apparatus or fixtures attached thereto become worn out.
Conventionally, when household products became worn out, they were merely collected by an autonomous body and some of their metal was recycled. For products used by small businesses, recycled products were generally managed only in delivery units but not in individual collection units, and the management itself was limited to paperwork. In particular, the re-use of products and parts had no social or systematic function.
When products used in the home are collected/recycled, their whereabouts are managed in individual units. From the viewpoint of a collection applicant, knowing that a product which has been discarded at his/her cost has been collected, delivered, re-used and recycled prevents illegal throwing away of products, and is also important to encourage cost sharing. From the viewpoint of a manufacturer of electrical goods or a company which has undertaken collection, re-use or recycling processing, it is important that the cost is recovered, and appropriately and smoothly shared between the parties involved, and important to manage the re-use and recycle processing of products from the viewpoint of delivery, acceptance, disassembly and recycle rate.
Regarding the collection/recycling of products used in small businesses in individual small units, identical problems are encountered to those of products used in the home, but if products are managed one at a time, collection and recycling costs are often huge and difficult to recover.
Hence, it was necessary to correctly manage the flow of collection/recycling, the parties involved and cost in collected product individual units, but as this was formerly done mainly by autonomous bodies, recycling management was inadequate or remained at the paperwork level, and was difficult to track in practice.
Also, regarding the recycle rate in the collection/recycling process, the importance of management is increasing, but up to now the processes after disassembly were unclear, and even if they were known, they remained at the level of an approximation.
It is therefore an object of the invention, which aims to resolve the above problems, to provide a method and system capable of managing collection/recycling flow and cost flow for home products. In particular, it aims to provide a system which is not only recycles products as materials, but also supports the kind of recycling that includes the efficient re-use of products and parts, this being the most important use of recycling in the society.
To resolve the above problems, the invention provides a system which manages a reception management center which provides total management as a means of managing the collection/recycling flow of household products together with information required by collection companies, disassembly companies and equipment manufacturers, and which exchanges required information between relevant parties.
An applicant who applies for the collection of household products transmits information concerning the household products he/she desires to have collected and the desired collection location to the reception management center. Based on this information, the reception management center requests a collection company to collect the products, and recovers the cost at the same time when they a recollected. After the equipment collected by the collection company is subjected to a re-use/recycle process for products/parts based on the equipment manufacturers collection/recycle policies, they are delivered to the disassembly company, and the disassembly company recycles the delivered products as may be appropriate.
At each stage, the location of the equipment can be verified by sending information to the reception management center. By clarifying the collection/recycle process, and understanding the process details of the processing company which mainly performs material recycling according to instructions from the disassembly company, the recycle rate can be known more precisely. By performing appropriate recycling and clarifying the process involved, an effort may be made to reduce the cost involved in collection/recycling. Further, a system which appropriately manages the costs recovered by the collection company also permits cost sharing among the various companies.
By requesting the reception management center, the collection applicant can know the status of a piece of equipment for which he/she has applied to be collected.
Some embodiments of the invention will now be described based on the appended drawings.
As shown in
These systems are not necessarily independent apart from the collection applicant system 12, for example, the reception management center management and system 11 and collection management system 14 may form one system. Moreover, it is not necessary to provide all the systems given here, it being sufficient to implement some of them.
In
The overall flow in the invention will now be described referring to
The collection applicant connects to the collection application system 12 in the reception management center management system 11 via the network 28 by means of the collection applicant system 16 (step 301). This connection may be identical to an ordinary Internet connection. However, the network 28 may also be realized by another means such as telephone or fax, and the same result can be achieved by inputting information to the reception management center management system 11 in the reception management center 2 based on this information. The collection applicant system 12 transmits a collection application input screen, whereof an example showing the necessary input categories is illustrated in
Using the collection application confirmation information transmitted in the step 306, by means of the collection application information input and transmitted in the step 303 or collection company information extracted in the step 304, collection request information such as collection applicant information, collection application item information and recycle cost information can be generated and transmitted to the collection management system 14 of the collection company extracted in the step 304 via the network 28 (step 307). Telephone or fax can also be used instead of the network 28. The collection company manages the collection request information transmitted by the collection management system 14, and prints a collection and recycle cost recovery form whereof an example is shown in
Based on the collection and recycle cost recovery form, the collection company collects the collection application items from the collection applicant (step 308a). At this time, the recycle cost written on the collection and recycle cost recovery form is recovered if necessary, and part of the collection and recycle cost recovery form is given to the collection applicant as proof of collection and receipt for the recycle cost. It is desirable that the collection and recycle cost form bears the seal of the collection company. After collection/recycle cost recovery is complete, the collection company inputs the management number, collection complete and, if necessary, recycle cost recovery complete information to the collection management system 14, and manages it (step 309). This information is transmitted to the reception management center management system 11 via the network 28, and managed.
After performing ordinary delivery operations such as initial storage and packing if necessary, the collection company delivers the collection application items to the parts collection center 5. Here, the parts collection center 5 manages acceptance of the collection application items, and by registering them in the parts collection center management system 15 (step 309a) by reading or manually inputting management number information recorded using a barcode or the like on the collection and recycle cost recovery form when the collection application items are accepted, transmits this collection application item acceptance information to the reception management center management system 11 via the network, and manages it (step 310).
Based on product re-use item needs information and product information from the manufacturer management system 19, when the collection application items are disassembled, the parts collection center 5 manages the disassembly of the collection application items by reading the management number information of the collection and recycle cost recovery form attached to the collection application items and registering it in the parts 3 collection center management system 15 (step 310a), transmits this collection application item processing information to the reception management center management system 11 via the network, and manages it (step 311). In some cases however, it may not be absolutely necessary to transmit this collection application item disassembly information to the reception management center management system 11, and manage it.
When the collection application items are disassembled (step 310a), the parts collection center 5 manages the recycle rate, and after collecting this information, it transmits it to the reception management center system 11 from the external organization system 17 via the network 28 or by telephone or fax, and makes a report (step 312).
In the above description, the collection applicant is normally the owner or user of personal home products (in the case of a business, this is normally the person in charge of the organization using the devices), the collection company is a waste material transport company or home parcel delivery transport company, the parts collection center is an organization or business having the ability to verify collection application items and extract components with a view to re-use of products and parts, and the processing company is an intermediate processing company such as a disassembly company, the reception management system being managed by any of these or by another organization.
Here, the method of the step 304 will be described in detail.
The detailed construction of the reception management center management system 11 is shown in
Next, the method of the step 307 will be described in detail.
The reception management center management system 11 is that described in detail in the step 304.
Regarding information about a collection application, as a collection request is made at a predetermined interval or according to the intention of the operator of the reception management center, the execution of a predetermined command at a preset interval or time, or from the keyboard or mouse, is awaited (step 1301). This may for example be incorporated in a batch program which starts automatically at a certain time, or a program which starts automatically at a predetermined interval, and which may contain a command implementing this function. Next, the reception management database 241 is searched (step 1302), and information is extracted for which application information such as the name of the collection applicant is registered, but the collection request date is not registered (step 1303). When a collection application has been made but a collection request has not yet been made, collection request information is generated comprising the management number, name of the collection applicant, contact information, pickup location, collection application item type, collection application item quantity, recycle cost payment method, recycle cost estimate, scheduled collection date and name of parts collection center to which the items are to be delivered (step 1304). Next, the collection company database 242 is searched by the name of the collection company relating to this information (step 1305), the contact location of the collection company is extracted (step 1306), and the collection request information generated in the step 1304 is transmitted (step 1307). The completion of the collection request relating to this collection application information is managed by registering the date on which the collection request information was transmitted in the reception management database 241 (step 1308). The data registered in the step 1308 is not necessarily the collection request date, and may be a flag or the like indicating that transmission of the information is complete.
Here, the collection request information may be generated in a predetermined written format (e.g., sequence or pause characters) required by the collection request, as shown in
Here, from the step 1302 to the step 1303 in
Next, the method of the step 308 will be described in detail.
The detailed system construction of the collection management system 14 is shown in
In the step 1603, when for example the recycle cost recovery method specified recovery other than at the time of collection, such as recovery in advance, a clear distinction can be made between advance recovery of recycle cost and recovery on collection by displaying 0 yen for the recovery recycle cost.
Next, the collection and recycle cost recovery form, whereof an example is shown in
In
Next, the method of the step 309 will be described in detail referring to
The collection company recovers the collection application items in the step 308a, and recovers the recycle cost if necessary. Here, the management number of the collection and recycle cost recovery form for the collection application item is read by the reader 27 (step 1701). The corresponding category of the collection management database 246 is searched (step 1702) using this management number, and concerning this collection application item, the collection date in the collection management database 246 and recycle cost recovery date of the recycle cost information are registered (step 1703) as collection and recycle cost recovery completion information. This database registering means may use ordinary database registering means. According to this method, the collection information pertaining to the collection application item can easily be managed. When the recycle cost is not recovered at the time of collection, the processing of the step 1703 may be considered as collection completion information, and the collection date in the collection management database 246 may be registered.
The collection management system 14 also performs operations at a predetermined interval of for example one day, or according to the intention of the operator of the collection management center, so the collection management database 246 is searched at a preset interval or time, or by a predetermined command such as from the keyboard or mouse, and information is extracted regarding items which have been collected (collection date is registered), but for which there is no report (collection report date is not registered) (step 1711). Concerning this collection application information, the collection date is transmitted together with the management number (step 1712), and the date is registered as collection date report information (step 1713). In this way, the collection management system 14 can register collection complete information in the reception management center management system 11. Here, the information transmitted in the step 1712 may be the collection company information and management number, or a flag showing that collection is complete, as shown in
If identical processing is performed for the delivery date (delivery date and delivery report date), the collection management system 14 and reception management center management system 11 can manage delivery complete information.
In the step 303, this collection recycle system performs subsequent collection/recycle management using collection application information such as the collection application item type, manufacture and model input by a collection applicant 1 on the screen whereof an example is shown in
The method of making additions to the information will be described referring to
Here, additions and corrections in the collection management system 14 of the collection company 4 were taken as an example, but identical processing may be performed at other bases. For example, if additions and corrections are made by the parts collection center management system 15 of the parts collection center 5, the database intended by the step 3502, step 3503 and step 3505 is the processing management database 248, the remaining processing being identical.
When additions are made to the information in the collection management system 14, for example in the case of the product model, product model information of the product specification database 250 is searched using the input information, and if no corresponding model exists, additional information can be examined such as by suggesting re-input.
In this collection recycle system, a collection request comprising the management number is transmitted from the reception management center management system 11 to the collection management system 14 when there is such a collection request, and this is registered in the collection management database 246 in the collection management system 14. However, if this is not done for some reason, it is convenient if the collection management system 14 has an identical function to add information.
The method of adding information when a product having a management number not registered in the collection management database 246 is collected, will now be described referring to
Here, in the collection management system 14 of the collection company 4, an example was described where addition was performed, but identical processing may also be performed at other bases. For example, if additions and corrections are performed in the parts collection center management system 15 of the parts collection center 5, the database intended by the step 3602, step 3603 and step 3606 is the processing management database 248, the remaining processing being identical.
Here, when additions/modifications are made to the collection item information in the collection management system 14, when the collection management system 14 transmits the collection complete or delivery complete information described by
To optimize the transmitted information, in the collection management database 246, as regards information categories to which additions might be made in the collection management system 14, an addition flag is provided. For data categories which are registered or updated in the step 3505 or step 3606, this addition flag is activated, and when collection complete information is next transmitted in the step 1712, only information categories for which this addition flag is valid are simultaneously transmitted. By inactivating this addition flag, only necessary information need be transferred. Here, in the collection management system 14 of the collection company 4, the case of additions and modifications was described, but identical processing can be performed at other bases. For example, if additions/modifications are performed in the parts collection center management system 15 of the parts collection center 5, the database concerned is the processing management database 248, the remaining processing being identical.
Here, in the reception management center management system 11, when additional information is transmitted, the additional information in the reception management database 241 is also registered in the step 2203, step 2213 and step 2223 shown in
The parts collection center management system 15 can then search the processing management database 248 from the management number of the received information, and update the database using the scheduled delivery information sent in connection with this information.
Regarding data categories to which additions can be made in the reception management database 241, for example if there are several combinations of registration date, registering company and data, a data update log may be left by keeping plural updates of information such as the name of the party making registration/additions when data is registered or supplemented.
Further, the collection management system 14 searches information for which the recycle cost recovery date is registered for a predetermined period such as for example a specified date each month (step 1721, 1722), but a remittance date has not been registered (step 1723). For this collection application item information, the recycle cost recovery amount is totaled (step 1724), this sum is remitted/transmitted together with management number information (step 1725) by a method specified by the reception management center management system 11, and the remittance date information for this collection application item is registered (step 1726). In this way, the collection management center 14 entrusts management to the reception management center management system 11 for recycle costs which it has recovered. The transmission method in the step 1725 is identical to that shown in the step 1712, and the remittance method may be an identical means to that used for ordinary bank transfer. The recipient of the remittance may first be incorporated in the collection management system 14. In this method, the name of the bank (bank number), account type, account number and account name may for example be recorded under the name of the “recipient” in a setting file. In the above step 1722, in
The recycle cost recovery sum is totaled in the step 1724, and this is transmitted as remittance information together with the management numbers which were totaled in the step 1725, but identical processing can be performed also when money is remitted/transmitted separately for each management number excepting that the step 1724 is unnecessary. This is the same for all remittance management methods described later.
The collection management system 14 searches collection application items for which collection and recycle cost recovery information, and remittance information, are registered, but the recovery cost has not yet been invoiced (this information is not registered) (step 1733) from the collection management database 246 at a fixed interval (e.g., every day, once every two days, once a week or once a month) (steps 1731, step 1732), and computes the total amount of recovery cost for this product (step 1734). In respect of this total amount, the corresponding recycle cost is invoiced (step 1735) by the predetermined method to the reception management center management system 11 together with the management number of the corresponding collection application item, and the date of invoicing the collection cost of this product is registered (step 1736). Hence, the collection management system 14 can invoice the recovery cost to the reception management center management system 11. Here, the transmission method of the step 1735 may be identical to the method shown in the step 1712.
In the step 1734, the collection cost invoice amount is totaled, and transmitted as invoice information together with plural management number information totaled in the step 1735, but identical processing can be performed even when invoicing is performed separately for each management number excepting that the step 1734 is unnecessary. This is identical for all fee invoicing management methods described later.
The collection management center 14 verifies the payment amount (step 1741) and management number (step 1742) for the collection cost sent together with transmission of the management number information from the reception management center management system 11, verifies this management number from the collection management database 246 (step 1743), computes the total amount of collection cost for this collection application item (step 1744), verifies whether the payment amount matches (step 1745), and if it matches, registers the payment information for the collection cost of the product having this management number (step 1746). When it does not match in the step 1745, a confirmation message is transmitted by information such as the corresponding management number and payment sum to the reception management center as regards the contents which do not match (step 1747), and collection cost payment processing is performed by repeating until the payment sum and total amount do match.
In the step 1741, identical processing may be performed also using remittance information from a financial institution which acquires the payment information.
In the aforesaid description, the remittance sum for each management number was totaled in the step 1744 using the management number of the transfer information corresponding to plural received management numbers, and it was verified whether this matched the payment amount in the step 1745, but when transfer is made separately for each management number, the step 1744 is unnecessary. This is identical for all fee payment confirmation management methods described later.
In the collection management center 14, in the processing of the aforesaid step 1721 to step 1726, step 1731 to step 1736, and step 1741 to step 1747, there is also a method where only the disassembly cost, obtained by subtracting the collection cost from the recovered recycle cost, is remitted to the reception management center management system 11, so that a sum equivalent to the collection cost is paid. In this case, in the aforesaid step 1724, the total amount of the cost obtained by subtracting the collection cost from the recycle cost (i.e., the disassembly cost) is used instead of the total amount of the recycle cost, and the disassembly cost remittance sum and collection cost payment can be registered in the step 1726. In this case, the steps of
Next, the method of the step 310 will be described in detail.
The detailed system construction of the parts collection center management system 15 is shown in
The processing management database 248 manages the management numbers, collection item information, acceptance/disassembly information, and disassembly cost information. It is not absolutely necessary to provide all this information, although other information may also be provided. By managing lot numbers and management numbers, when management units are in lot number units in the parts collection center management system 15, the acceptance collection item management database 258 can link this information to the management number attached to each collection application. The recycle rate management database 249, product specification database 250, product composition database 251, parts specification database 252, product parts needs database 253, parts center management database 255 and re-use item provision management database 256 will be described in detail later.
From the reception management center management system 11 and collection management center system 14, the communications device 21 first receives collection parts information such as the collection item management number, collection item type and quantity, and registers this in the processing management database 248. This communications means and database registration may be realized by identical means to those described earlier.
When the collection item is accepted, the management number which is on the collection item collection and recycle cost recovery management form is read by the reader 27 (step 2001). Next, the processing management database 248 is searched using this management number (step 2002), and the date of the acceptance date information for this collection item is registered (step 2003). The lot number (e.g., number on the case which stores this collection item) for managing this collection item is input (it is also possible to input the number on the case from a keyboard, or by marking a bar code on the case and reading it by a barcode reader) (step 2004), and this is registered in the acceptance collection item management database 258. In this way, the acceptance of collection items can easily be registered.
By the way, the flow do not have to carry out in this order. For example, when firstly the lot number specification is once carried out and all of the accepted collected products are registered as the lots, the lot number specification (corresponding to step 2004) may be carried out, and then steps 2001, 2002, 2004, and 2005 may be carried out for each of the lots. When the management is conducted not in lot units, the steps 2004 and 2005 are eliminated. When the collection application products are not previously acquired, the step 2003 is eliminated. After reading out the management number at the step 2001, information on the management number is newly generated to resister the reception date of the products. The collected products may be acquired by requesting the collected product information for the reception management center management system 11 by using the management number. This method is a general one.
The parts collection center management system 15 also searches the processing management database 248 at a predetermined interval such as one day, or at a preset interval or time according to the intention of the operator of the collection management center, or by a predetermined command from a keyboard or mouse, extracts information which has been accepted but which has not been reported (report date is not registered) (step 2011), transmits the acceptance date together with the management number as acceptance complete information regarding the corresponding collection item information (step 2012), and registers the date information as acceptance date report information (step 2013). In this way, the parts collection center management system 15 can register the acceptance complete information in the reception management center. Here, an identical information transmitting method can be used in the step 2012 as for the information shown in
Next, the method of the step 311 will be described in detail.
When disassembly has been performed after a collection item has been thrown onto the disassembly line, the management number on the collection and recycle cost recovery management form for the collection item is read by the reader 27 (step 2101). Next, the processing management database 248 is searched by the corresponding management number (step 2002), and the date of disassembly for this collection item is registered (step 2103). In this way, disassembly of the collection item can easily be registered.
When processing is performed during disassembly when a product is put on the disassembly line, when this is done in lot units, the lot number attached to a case or the like managed in lot units is input, or read (step 2141), the acceptance collection item management database 258 is searched based on this lot number (step 2142), the management number corresponding to this lot number is extracted (step 2143), the processing management database 248 is searched for all extracted management numbers (step 2144), and the disassembly date information for the collection item having this management number is registered (step 2145). In this way, disassembly of the collection item can be registered even more easily.
The parts collection center management system 15 also searches the processing management database 248 at a predetermined interval such as one day, or at a preset interval or time according to the intention of the operator of the collection management center, or by a predetermined command from a keyboard or mouse, extracts information for which disassembly has been performed but not reported (report date is not registered) (step 2111), transmits the disassembly date together with the management number regarding the corresponding collection item information (step 2112), and registers the date information as disassembly date report information (step 2113). In this way, the parts collection center management system 15 can register the disassembly complete information in the reception management center 11. Here, an identical information transmitting method can be used in the step 2112 as for the information shown in
The parts collection center management 15 searches collection items for which disassembly complete information is registered but disassembly cost has not been invoiced (this information is not registered) (step 2123) from the processing management database 248 at a fixed interval (e.g., every day, once every two days, once a week or once a month) (steps 2121, step 2122), computes the total amount of the disassembly cost for this product (step 2124), invoices the total amount of this disassembly cost by a predetermined method to the reception management center management system 11 together with the management number of the corresponding collection item (step 2125), and registers the invoicing date of the disassembly cost of the product (step 2126). In this way, the processing management center management system 15 can invoice the disassembly cost to the reception management center management system 11. Here, the transmission method in the step 2125 may be identical to the method shown in the step 1712.
Further, the parts collection center management system 15 confirms the payment amount (step 2131) and management number (step 2132) for the disassembly cost transferred together with the transmission of management number information from the reception management center management system 11, searches this management number from the processing management database 248 (step 2133), computes the total amount of the disassembly cost of the collection item (step 2134), and checks whether or not there is a match with the payment amount (step 2135). When it does match, payment information is registered for the disassembly cost of the product having this management number (step 2136). When it does not match in the step 2135, a confirmation message is transmitted by information such as the management number and payment amount to the reception management center management system 11 regarding the contents which do not match (step 2137), and payment management is performed for the disassembly cost by repeating until the payment amount matches the total amount.
In the step 2131, identical processing may be performed using transfer information from a financial institution which is the recipient of the payment information.
Next, management of collection, collection item acceptance and disassembly information in the reception management center management system 11 will be described referring to
The collection management center 14 receives the management number of the collection item and information to the effect that collection is complete, which were transmitted in the step 1712 (step 2201). The reception management database 241 is searched from this management number (step 2202), and collection complete information is registered by registering the collection date of the collection item having this management number (step 2203). According to this method, the collection complete information of the collection item can easily be managed.
The parts collection center management system 15 receives the management number of the collection item and information to the effect that acceptance is complete which were transmitted and accepted in the step 2012 (step 2211). The reception management database 241 is searched from this management number (step 2212), and the collection item acceptance complete information is registered by registering the acceptance date of the collection item having this management number (step 2213). According to this method, the acceptance complete information for the collection item can easily be managed.
The parts collection center management system 15 also receives the management number of the collection item and information to the effect that disassembly is complete which were transmitted in the step 2112 (step 2221). The reception management database 241 is searched from this management number (step 2222), and collection item disassembly complete information is registered by registering the disassembly date of the collection item having this management number (step 2223). According to this method, the disassembly complete information of the collection item can easily be managed.
It is not absolutely necessary to manage all the information in the case of the collection time, parts collection center acceptance time and parts collection center disassembly time. Also, if a management category is provided in the reception management database 241 which is managed by the reception management center management system 11 even at other times, the management number of the collection item and information relating to its status is transmitted to the reception management center management system 11, and the system updates the reception management database 241 according to this information, the status may be managed more closely.
Next, the payment management of the recycle cost in the reception management center management system 11 will be described referring to
The recycle cost is paid while the collection company looks for a match with the management number in the step 1725 (step 2301, step 2302). Based on this information, the reception management database 241 is searched (step 2303), the total amount of the recycle cost for the corresponding reception number is computed (step 2304), and this is compared with the total amount paid in the step 2301 (step 2305). When there is agreement, the payment date of the recycle cost is registered for this management number, and the payment is registered (step 2306). When there is no agreement in the step 2305, the management number and payment amount are checked (step 2307), and the agreement is checked. According to this method, payment of the recycle cost can be made without fail.
Next, payment management of the collection cost in the reception management center management system 11 will be described referring to
The collection management system 14 receives the invoice for the collection cost while looking for a match with the management number transmitted in the step 1735 (step 2311). The reception management database 241 is searched using this management number (step 2312), it is confirmed that collection of the collection item having this management number is complete (collection date information is registered), the collection cost relating to this collection item is extracted, and the total amount is computed (step 2313). Here, it is examined whether all collection items with invoiced management numbers have been collected, and whether the invoice amount in the step 2311 matches the total amount of the collection cost in the step 2313 (step 2314). When they match, the collection cost is transferred (step 2315), and the transferred date is registered in the reception management database 241 as collection cost transfer complete information (step 2316). In the step 2314, if any of the collection items were not collected, or if the total amount of the collection cost did not match, this is notified to the collection management system 14 (step 2317). According to this method, the payment of the collection cost is made when the collection of the collection item has definitely taken place, and payment of the recycle cost has also been made.
The remittance in the step 2315 may be performed by the ordinary procedure used by financial institutions. In this case, the name (number) of the recipient financial institution, account type, account number and account name of the collection company may be managed by the collection company database 242, and the corresponding information searched and extracted when the remittance is made.
Next, the payment management of the disassembly cost in the reception management center management system 11 will be described referring to
The remittance in the step 2325 may also be performed by the ordinary procedure used by financial institutions. In this case, the name (number) of the recipient financial institution, account type, account number and account name of the collection company may be managed by the collection company database 242, and the corresponding information searched and extracted when the transfer is made.
Next, the flow when the collection applicant checks the present situation of a collection application item will be described referring to
When the collection applicant has performed a present status check via the network 28, the reception management center management system 11 transmits a collection recycle status check screen whereof an example is shown in
The above method assumes that verification by the collection applicant is made via the network 28, but if there are any queries by another means such as telephone or fax for example, the same processing can be performed if an operator who received this means performs an identical function to that of the aforesaid collection applicant using a nearby terminal, and the aforesaid contents displayed on the terminal are returned via telephone or fax.
It is also not absolutely necessary to make reports using the aforesaid demarcations, and more detailed information can be displayed such as “what delivery center is it at”, or “disassembly complete” when the parts collection center has received an item.
Next, the recycle rate management method in the parts collection center 5 will be described referring to
The system construction of the parts collection center management system 15 is shown in
When a collection acceptance item is brought into a line such as disassembly, its management number is read (step 2701), the processing management database 248 is searched using this management number (step 2702), the type or weight of the collection item having this management number is extracted (step 2703), and this information is recorded in the incoming information of the recycle rate management database 249 (step 2704). Here, when the management of collection acceptance items is performed in lot units, the lot number (e.g., number of cargo lorry) is read (step 2731), the acceptance collection item management database 258 is searched based on this lot number (step 2732), the management number corresponding to this lot number is extracted (step 2733), the processing management database 248 is searched for all extracted management numbers (step 2734), the type or weight of the collection item having this management number is extracted (step 2735), and this information is recorded as incoming information of the recycle rate management database 249 (step 2736), hence incoming items can be more easily managed. Another method for managing the incoming weight is a method wherein, when for example a collection item is accepted, it is weighed using the weighing device 29 (step 2741) and registered in the recycle rate management database 249 together with the acceptance date (step 2742). Here, the weighing means is generally a method wherein the item is weighed on a platform together with a transport vehicle often seen in a large number of existing intermediate processing companies, and the cargo weight, i.e., the acceptance weight, is calculated using the difference from the weight result of the transport vehicle after unloading the cargo, however any measurement method for each item, product and cargo lorry may also be used. Further, if necessary, a classification made according to each type (personal computer/printer, desktop computer/notebook computer, by manufacturer or by product model) is required when later computing the recycle rate for each type, and if this is not required, it is not absolutely necessary. Hence, the incoming weight can be managed by this method.
Next, in the parts collection center 5, the item is weighed using the weighing device 29 for shipment as a re-use item, shipment as a material recycle item, or dispatch when the processing company 7 is entrusted with processing such as material recycling (step 2711), and the dispatch date, contents, type and dispatch weight are registered in the recycle rate management database 249 (step 2712). The weighing means is as described above. Information must be recorded for each processing item when the recycle rate has to be computed for each of these items. Dispatched items are separated according to each processing category, for example a hard disk recovered from a desktop computer and a hard disk recovered from a notebook computer, and may be weighed separately for each of them. If a method is adopted wherein materials are recovered by sorting after crushing, this can be done by a method which differentiates crushing and sorting of the lines, and which assigns a certain time for each product type input to the crushing machine. A method of weighing the crushed, sorted products is disclosed in detail in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 10-277527.
The parts collection center management system 15 searches the recycle rate management database 249 at a predetermined interval such as for example once a month (step 2721), and extracts information in a period where the date of disassembly and date of dispatch in lot units is included in the total (step 2722). Here, of the dispatched items, only those included in the count of recycle rate are extracted (step 2723). This method may be a method wherein for example, during dispatch information registration (step 2712), information is input as to whether or not a dispatched item is a recycle item, and totals are calculated based on this flag. Alternatively, it may be a method wherein the dispatched item is read, a database of information specifying whether or not an item is a recycle item is separately available for each dispatch item, and it is determined whether or not recycling is possible for each item by comparing the two. This method may easily be realized by general information system technology, and the method itself is not specific. Next, the acceptance weight extracted in the step 2722 and the step 2723, and the possible recycle dispatch weight are summed (step 2724),
is applied to these, and the recycle rate during this period is computed (step 2725). This may be reported to the reception management center management system 11 (step 2726) in a predetermined format whereof an example is shown in
When it is necessary to compute a recycle rate for each item, in the flow from the step 2722 to the step 2725, the extraction/summation/calculation in the acceptance information and dispatch information may be performed for each target item.
When there is a certain time from acceptance to disassembly and dispatch, the search/extraction period from the step 2721 to the step 2722 may be a different period for acceptance and dispatch taking account of the shift in the standard time. For example, as shown by the example of
Next, the recycle rate management method comprising the operating results of the subcontractor processing company 7 in the parts collection center 5 will be described referring to
The system construction of the parts collection center management system 15 is as shown in
The management method for recycle items or items which have undergone disassembly until they are discarded in the yard of the parts collection center 5, is as described above. In addition, the recycle rate in the subcontractor processing company 7 is managed by the following method. Regarding externally consigned outgoing items, the mass is measured during consigned dispatches (step 2901), and after assigning a discharge management number, it is recorded in the recycle rate management database 249(a) together with the item and subcontractor processing company information (step 2902).
Regarding externally consigned products, the subcontractor (subcontracted) processing company 7 receives the name of the subcontractor processing company, subcontracted items, items, processing weight, collection (recycle) weight or recycle rate as the subcontracted product recycle result (step 2911), and this is recorded in the recycle rate management database 249(b) together with the date (step 2912). However, the subcontractor processing company is usually a company having special techniques for the items concerned. For example, a request to process HDD comes to a company having special techniques in the processing of HDD from several top disassembly companies. Here, if there is no advantage in separately processing HDD for desktop computers and notebook computers, they are often processed together. As a result, concerning this item (HDD in this example), the subcontractor processing company has difficulty in separating the items concerned (in this example, desktop and notebook computers). In this case, they may be separated from other items by leaving the column for the item blank. If the communications method between the subcontracting company and the subcontractor is a form which can easily be processed by a computer whereof an example is shown in
In the disassembly collection center 5, at a predetermined interval such as for example once a month, the recycle rate management database 249(a) is searched (step 291), data which has been processed and subcontracted during this period (when subcontractor information exists) is extracted (step 2922), and the recycle rate management database 249(b) is searched using the subcontractor company, category and target category information in this data (step 2923). However, when there is no data for the target category in the recycle rate management database 249(b) (step 2924), the data is searched including those columns which are empty (step 2925). Also, when the recycle status report of the subcontractor processing company cannot be obtained in this period, an effort may be made to enlarge the search period in the step 2923 in order to use, for example, the results of last month. From the search, subcontractor processing results are extracted for each of the items concerned (sometimes, there may be none), items and subcontractor companies (step 2926). When there are plural results for this period (step 2927), the weighted average may be taken from:
(when the subcontractor processing company managed the results in terms of weights), or
(when the subcontractor processing company managed the results in terms of recycle rates)
(step 2928), or a method which uses the subcontractor processing result closest to the processing subcontracting date.
From the actual subcontracting amount relating to the subcontracted item extracted by identical means to that of step 2724, and the actual subcontracting result extracted in the step 2928,
(when the subcontractor processing company managed the results in terms of weights), or
when the subcontractor processing company managed the results in terms of recycle rates),
the actual recycle amount relating to the subcontracted processing product is calculated (step 2929). The operation may be performed in an identical way for all subcontracted processing products. This may be used as a total value for acceptance and dispatch using the dispatch amount which can be recycled in the step 2724 to calculate a total value for acceptance and dispatch (step 2930), the recycle rate result including the subcontractor result may be computed by Eqn. 1 (step 2931), and this may be reported to the reception management center management system 11 (step 2932) in a predetermined format whereof an example is shown in
In the subcontractor processing company, regarding subcontracted processing products, acceptance of the items concerned and recycle product dispatch management can be performed by managing according to the method described in
In the subcontractor processing company, even when recycling is further entrusted to an outside processing company, by a repetition of the method described in
Another embodiment of the disassembly concerned with re-use of products and parts after the collection item has been delivered to the parts collection center, will now be described based on the drawings. According also to this embodiment, the overall construction of the system whereof an example is shown in
The flow of the invention will now be described referring to
The flow from collection application by the collection applicant described using
These steps are not necessarily performed in this sequence, for example, the step 3805 or step 3806 can be performed first, and data then stored by the storage device in the parts collection center management system 15. Further, the same result can be achieved if the updating of the needs information in the step 3810a uses the information of the step 3807 or step 3807a, and the step 3808.
When products are re-used, it may occur that “disassembly operations” may not necessarily be performed on collection items, but in the context of this specification, electrical operations such as erasing the contents of a storage device or the case where only disassembly registration is performed, are represented as disassembly.
Here, the method of the step 3805 will be described in detail.
The detailed system construction of the reception management center management system 11 is shown in
From the product manufacturer and parts manufacturer, product specification information, product composition information and parts specification information such as the product or part model, year, specification and composition required for the product specification database 250 or product composition database 251 and parts specification database 252 are acquired by the network or a storage medium. This acquisition may be made with the timing of a fixed interval, or information may be transmitted by the manufacturer each time it is updated. According to this method, a file having the same data format as the above database, or a storage medium comprising this file, is transmitted and information is registered on a storage device from the file. Regarding information such as specifications of parts comprising the product, the product manufacturer may acquire this information from the parts manufacturer and register it together, or the parts manufacturer may directly provide information to the system, both of these methods being acceptable. Both of these methods are currently practiced and can be implemented.
The reception management center management system 11 adds this information for example to an are a having a specific location code (e.g., an Internet URL), and by allowing for example users with a specific ID and password (e.g., the parts collection center management system 15) to view it, this information can be made available to the system.
Next, the method of the step 3806 will be described in detail.
The reception management center management system 11 acquires information such as product or parts models or specifications for which there is a need for re-use from the parts center management system 18. The parts center management system 18 transfers the needs information by for example sending a file which displays re-use product or parts needs information by a method such as, for example, the name of the parts center, needs product model, quantity and price, or the name of the parts center, needs parts specification, quantity and price, or a method such as the name of the parts center, needs product model and quantity increase or decrease (e.g., +3), to the reception management center management system 11. The reception management center management system 11 reads this file, searches the product parts needs database 253 using the name of the parts management center and needs product model information, etc., and if there is matching information, it updates this information by the data which was sent. Alternatively, if an increase or decrease value is transmitted whereof an example is shown later, the latest information is managed (stored by the storage device) by increasing or decreasing the previous quantity by the value which was sent. The reception management center management system 11 can perform the file transfer by disclosing a certain management location (e.g., Internet URL). A user managed by an ID and a password (the parts center management system 18) places the file by FTP (File Transfer Protocol) or the like, and the reception management center management system 11 then goes to read this file.
The reception management center management system 11 manages this information in an are a which for example has a specific location code (e.g., Internet URL), and makes this information available to the system by allowing users who for example have a specific ID and password (e.g., the parts collection center management system 15) to view it.
Next, a method of supporting re-use products and parts from collection items in this system of the step 3807 will be described in detail referring to
The system construction of the parts collection center management system 15 is shown in
According to this function, regarding collected products, products and parts for which there is a need can be efficiently selected which contributes to improvement of the re-use rate and recycle rate.
In the examples described so far, the sequence or display of the flowcharts does not necessarily have to follow this sequence or display, and the sequence or display has no effect on the invention provided that the same contents can be represented and displayed. Further, in the above examples, to use the network 28 and access the various databases, the Internet and ordinary database systems can be used.
Here, when disassembly of the collection items begins, disassembly is registered by registering the disassembly date in the processing management database 248 when the information for the collection items is read in the step 3102 (step 3807a).
Here, the method of the step 3808 will be described in detail referring to
Due to the procedure derived in the step 3807, products or parts which were disassembled and collected in the step 3807a for which there is a need for re-use, are registered in the re-use item providing management database 256. First, for re-use items collected in the step 3807, their model or specification, price, name of parts center to which they are sold and handling date are newly registered in the database 256 by re-use item providing management, and a re-use item management number is individually issued (step 3901). Here, when there are plural items having the same model or specification, subsequent management can be made easier by assigning a subsidiary number to the end of the re-use item management number. Simultaneously, a re-use item management form whereof an example is shown in
Here, in the step 3901, when the disassembly procedure is determined in the step 3808, the re-use item management number is issued and registered in the re-use item providing management database 256, but all parts are not necessarily included in the collection items. For example, considering that some items may be damaged even if they are included, an arrangement may be made so that this information is registered subsequent to disassembly (step 3903), or easily deleted after disassembly.
The parts collection center management system 15, at a predetermined interval such as for example one day, or according to the intention of the system operator, searches the re-use item providing management database 256 at a preset interval or time, or upon a predetermined command from the keyboard or mouse (step 3911), extracts information for re-use items which are ready (handling date is registered) but which have not been reported (handling report date is not registered) (step 3912), and concerning this re-use item management information, it transmits re-use item collection report information such as the name of the parts collection center, re-use item management number, re-use item model or specification, quantity, price, re-use item collection date and scheduled parts center to which the items are to be provided, to the reception management center management system 11 (step 3913), and registers the handling report date (step 3914). Thus, the parts collection center management system 15 can register re-use item information for which work has been completed in the reception management center management system 11. Here, information can be transmitted in the step 3913 by sending a flag showing the parts collection center information, re-use item management number and operation complete information.
Next, the step 3809 will be described referring to
The parts collection center management system 15, at a predetermined interval such as for example one day, or according to the intention of the system operator, searches the re-use item providing management database 256 (step 4003) at a preset interval or time (step 4001 to step 4002), or upon a predetermined command from the keyboard or mouse, extracts information for re-use items which are ready (handling date is registered) but which have not been delivered (delivery report date is not registered) (step 4004), and concerning this re-use item management information, searches the parts center management database 255 using the name of the parts center to which the items are to be sold (step 4005), extracts the location of the center (step 4006), prints the delivery form (ordinary delivery form or an ordinary parcel service delivery form in the case of small quantities) which directs the re-use item having the corresponding re-use item management number to the location of the corresponding parts center, delivers the re-use item using this delivery form (step 4007), and registers the delivery date of the corresponding re-use item (step 4008). Regarding this delivery, the same form may be used as the re-use item management form shown in
In another delivery method, products which for example are considered as re-use items, managed or stored, and for which the due date is near (the due date may be displayed by for example simultaneously printing it when the re-use item management form is printed in the step 3902), the item is extracted from its storage location (step 4011), the re-use item management form for the re-use product is read (step 4012), the re-use item providing management database 256 is searched by the re-use item management number on the re-use item management form (step 4013), the parts center management database 255 is searched using the name of the parts center to which the item is to be sold in the extracted information (step 4014), the location of the center is extracted step 4015), the delivery form (ordinary delivery form or an ordinary parcel service delivery form in the case of small quantities) which directs the re-use item having the corresponding re-use item management number to the location of the corresponding parts center is printed, the re-use item is delivered using this delivery form (step 4016), and the delivery date of the corresponding re-use item is registered (step 4017). Regarding the delivery, the same form may be used as the re-use item management form shown in
Here, in the step 4003 to the step 4004, and the step 4013 to the step 4014, the location information for the parts center to which the item is to be sold was searched and extracted, but this work may be performed before printing the re-use item management form of the step 3904, and the recipient printed beforehand on the re-use item management form, or alternatively, the re-use item management form and delivery form can be processed together. In this case also, there is no difference regarding the information categories which are managed, and this may be done by the same method.
Next, the step 3809a will be described in detail referring to
The detailed system construction of the parts center management system 18 is shown in
As shown in
Next, the step 3810 will be described in detail referring to
The parts collection center management system 15, at a predetermined interval such as for example one day, or according to the intention of the system operator, searches the re-use item providing management database 256 at a preset interval or time, or upon a predetermined command from the keyboard or mouse (step 4021), extracts information for re-use items which have been delivered (delivery date is registered) but which have not been reported (delivery report date is not registered) (step 4022), and concerning this re-use item management information, transmits the delivery date together with the name of the parts collection center and re-use item management number (step 4023), and registers the delivery report date (step 4024). In this way, the parts collection center management system 15 can register the delivery complete re-use item information in the reception management center management system 11. Here, as the information transmitting method of the step 4023, re-use item delivery information such as the name of the parts collection center and re-use item management number, delivered item model or specification, quantity, providing price, name of the parts center to which the item is to be provided and delivery date may be transmitted as shown in
Next, the step 3808a, step 3810a, step 3811 and step 3812 will be described in detail referring to
The reception management center management system 11 transmits re-use item collection report information such as the name of the parts collection center from which the item was sent by the parts collection center management system 15 in the step 3808, the re-use item management number, re-use item model or specification, quantity, price, re-use item collection date and scheduled parts center to which the item is to be provided (step 4201), and registers it in the re-use item management database 254 (step 4202). Here, a combination of the name of the parts collection center and re-use item management number may be used as a key to the database. It is not absolutely necessary that the parts collection center is specified byname, and for example a code assigned by the parts center may be used instead. Also, if a code which specifies the parts collection center is entered into the re-use item management number, (e.g., a number wherein the first five digits specifies the parts collection center), the name of the parts collection center itself is unnecessary. This can be done for the names of all centers and bases in the invention.
Further, the products/parts needs database 253 is searched using the re-use item model or specification and name of the scheduled parts center to which the items are to be provided from the received re-use item collection report information (step 4203), needs information matching this re-use item collection report information is extracted (step 4204) and the needs quantity of this information is reduced by the quantity of the re-use item collection report information (step 4205). In this way, regarding products/parts needs, the needs information is reduced for items which have been extracted from collection items, and more precise needs information can be transmitted to the parts collection center management system 15.
In this example, the re-use item collection report information from the parts collection center management system 15 is registered in the re-use item management database 254 and the needs information in the products/parts needs database 253 is updated, but the needs information can also be similarly updated by transmitting this information to the reception management center management system 11 when, for example, the disassembly schedule for the collection item is determined in the step 3807 or when the re-use item delivery report is made in the step 3810. However, if they were not many corresponding parts in the collection item or an even larger number was contained therein when the disassembly schedule for the collection item was determined in the step 3807, it is difficult to precisely grasp the re-use item collection quantity. Also, when the delivery report is made in the step 3810, it takes some time from when the re-use item is actually collected to when it is delivered, and the updating of the needs information may be delayed. Therefore, the updating of the needs information should be performed as soon as possible after extracting the re-use item from the collection items (step 3808a in
The reception management center management system 11 then receives the re-use item delivery information such as the name of the parts collection center, re-use item management number and delivery date which were sent by the parts collection center management system 15 in the step 3810 (step 4231), searches the re-use item management database 254 using the parts collection center name and re-use item management number (step 4232), updates the name of the parts center to which delivery is made (even if only different from the registration complete information) and registers the delivery date for the corresponding re-use item information (step 4233).
In this way, based on the information from the parts election center management system 15, the delivery of the re-use item to the parts center can be managed by the reception management center management system 11.
The reception management center management system 11 searches the re-use item management database 254 at a fixed interval (e.g., every day, once in two days, once a week or once a month) (step 4211, 4212) (step 4213), extracts re-use items for which delivery date information has been registered but for which the re-use item cost has not been invoiced (this information is not registered) (step 4214), and extracts the sum total of the sales price of the corresponding re-use item (step 4215). The sum total is transmitted by the predetermined method to the parts center management system 11 to which the item is to be delivered together with the name of the parts collection center responsible for the re-use item and the re-use item management number, the sale of the corresponding re-use item is invoiced (step 4216), and the sales price invoice date for the corresponding re-use item is registered (step 4217). In this way, the reception management center management system 11 can invoice the parts center management system 18 for the sale of the re-use item. Here, the transmission method in the step 4216 may be identical to that shown in the step 1712.
Further, regarding the re-use item purchase cost transferred together with the transmission of the name of the parts collection center and the re-use item management number from the parts center management system 18, the reception management center management system 11 verifies the payment sum (step 4221) and the name of the parts collection center and re-use item management number (step 4222), searches the name of the corresponding parts collection center and re-use item management number from the re-use item management database 254 (step 4223), computes the sum total of the sales price of the corresponding re-use item (step 4224), verifies whether the payment sum matches (step 4225), and if it does match, registers payment complete information (step 4226) for the name of the corresponding parts collection center and the sales price of the re-use item having the re-use item management number. When it does not match in the step 4225, a confirmation message is sent regarding the details which do not match, such as the name of the corresponding parts collection center, re-use item management number and payment sum, to the parts collection center management system 18 (step 4227), and payment management of the sales price of the re-use item is performed by repeating until the payment sum matches the total sum. In the step 4221, identical processing can be performed using paying information from a financial institution as the acquirer of the payment information.
Next, the payment management of the purchased re-use item cost in the parts center management system 18 of the step 3811a will be described in detail referring to
The reception management center management system 11 sends an invoice for the purchased re-use item cost while verifying agreement between the name of the parts collection center and re-use item management number sent in the step 4216 (step 4111). The re-use item purchase management database 257 is searched using the name of the parts collection center and re-use item management number (step 4112), it is verified that reception of the name of the corresponding parts collection center and re-use item having the re-use item management number is complete (reception date information is registered), the purchase price of the re-use item is extracted, and this sum total is computed (step 4113). Here, for the names of all parts collection centers and collection items having re-use management numbers which were invoiced, it is examined whether acceptance is complete, and whether the invoice amount in the step 4111 matches the sum total of the purchase price of the re-use item in the step 4113 (step 4114). When they match, the purchase cost of the re-use item is transferred (step 4115), and the transfer date is registered in the re-use item purchase management database 257 as re-use item purchase cost transfer complete information (step 4116). In the step 414, if any of the re-use items have not been accepted, or the sum total of the re-use item purchase price does not match, this is notified to the reception management center management system 11 (step 4117). According to this method, payment of the purchase cost of the re-use item can be performed after verifying that the corresponding re-use item was definitely accepted. Transfer in the step 4115 may be performed by the normal procedure using a financial institution.
According to the invention, when home products are collected and recycled, the collection applicant can easily make a collection application, make an estimate of the cost required for recycling at that time, can verify reception of the collection application, and can easily comprehend the collection/processing status of the collection item after it is collected. The collection company can acquire collection request information wherein the collection schedule has been arranged, can easily generate a collection form based on this information, and can easily manage collection by a management number attached to the collection form. The parts collection center can easily manage acceptance and disassembly of collection items using the management number attached to the collection form, and by acquiring information relating to the collection item which is scheduled to be accepted, can propose a disassembly plan which contributes to enhancing the recycling of products and parts. The manufacturer, by acquiring information relating to recycle rate, can plan manufacture and maintenance based on recirculation of goods which assumes the re-use of products and parts, and the status of each collection application item can easily be verified and reported to the customer. Further, as the situation of collection items is managed electronically, a large reduction of management costs is possible which has a major impact on the collection and recycling of individual home products.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2000-233163 | Jul 2000 | JP | national |
The present Application is a Divisional Application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/916,140, filed Jul. 25, 2001, and relates to and claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-233163, filed Jul. 28, 2000, of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety for all purposes.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 09916140 | Jul 2001 | US |
Child | 11857438 | Sep 2007 | US |