Abstract:
A recycling analyzing system comprising: a standard operation time memory which stores standard time for disassembling operation of each component beforehand; an operation time memory which stores time for disassembling operation of each component to be disassembled; an operation time counting unit which counts the time for disassembling operation time of each component constituting the item to be recycled, and stores them in the operation time memory; and a difficult operation extracting unit which refers to the standard time stored in the standard operation time memory, and the time for disassembling operation of each component stored in the operation time memory, and extracts disassembling operations which is difficult.

Description:
Priority is claimed on Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-022018, filed Jan. 30, 2003, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates to a system for facilitating disassembling operation of items to be recycled, such as OA products or electrical household appliances, and in particular relates to a recycling analyzing system, a recycling analyzing program, and a recycling analyzing method, which can extract disassembling operation which is difficult, to perform the disassembling operation efficiently. 
   2. Description of Related Art 
   Conventionally, a recycling method such as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-197147 is used in facilitating an operation of disassembling items to be recycled, such as OA products or electrical household appliances. 
   This is a method for recycling components and materials of the items to be recycled, and is performed by the following steps (a) to (g). 
   (a) Items to be recycled, arising in specified areas, are conveyed to a specified collection site and stored there. 
   (b) The specified collection site has an input section for reading first appliance data that is appended to the item to be recycled, and a memory for storing a disassembly database including data required to compare, disassemble, and classify, the item to be recycled. At the specified collection site, the first appliance data of the item to be recycled, obtained in the input section, is compared with a corresponding disassembly database. 
   (c) Based on the comparison between the first appliance data of the items to be recycled and the disassembly database, the items to be recycled are classified into a plurality of first categories, and classification data relating to the items to be recycled is stored in the disassembly database as the second appliance data. 
   (d) The specified collection site identifies disassembly processing outside member data and non-disassembly processing member data of the items to be recycled, which have been classified into the plurality of first categories, based on the first product data or the disassembly database. And the specified collection site has a display for displaying an identification results, and stores the disassembly processing outside member data and the non-disassembly processing member data in the disassembly database. 
   (e) Based on the result displayed in the display, the items to be recycled are disassembled into the disassemble-processing outside members and the non-disassemble-processing members, and the disassemble-processing outside members are classified into a plurality of second categories. 
   (f) Regarding to the non-disassembly processing members and the disassembly processing outside members, which have been classified into the plurality of second categories, the disassemble-processing outside members are conveyed to each material maker, and the non-disassembly processing members are conveyed to each product maker, and accumulated there. 
   (g) The accumulated disassembly processing outside members are processed into reproduction materials using a processing method, based on the disassembly database, and data relating to the reproduction materials is stored in the disassembly database. 
   Then, the disassembly database is made communal for the specified collection site, the material makers, and the product makers, via a network. 
   In the conventional recycling method described the above, based on the result displayed in the display, the items to be recycled are disassembled into non-disassembly processing members and disassembly processing outside members. More specifically, at first, the disassembly data is displayed in the display, and, based on the displayed disassembly data, the outside members and body section of the items to be recycled are disassembled. At this time, in the disassembly data includes disassembly data relating to the outside members and body sections of the items to be recycled, and recycle data and reuse data relating to the outside members and the body sections, which contain at least the type of material used in the outside members and the body sections, the name of the material maker of the outside members and the body sections, the name of the maker of the item to be recycled from the outside members and the body sections, the name of the outside members and the body sections, and the parts number of the outside members and the body sections. 
   OA products and the like have been designed and developed with consideration given mainly to their function, marketing price, and manufacturing cost, rather than to such matters as simplifying their disassembly and reducing their disposal cost. 
   Recently, attention is being given to the recycling of components used in these appliances, with the aim of simplifying the operations of disassembling and recycling the appliances. 
   However, unlike the manufacturing operation, the disassembling operation is not always done for the same appliances, and the number of items to be disassembled differs every day. For these reasons, it is difficult to determine whether the disassembling operation will be easy or not. Moreover, objective analyses may be required in order to disassemble the items efficiently. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Accordingly, the present invention was made in view of the unsolved difficulties of the conventional methods described the above, and the object thereof is to provide a recycling analyzing system, a recycling analyzing program, and a recycling analyzing method, which can extract difficult operations by carrying out analysis to enable efficient disassembly operation. 
   In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a recycling analyzing system analyzes disassembly of an item to be recycled, comprising: a standard operation time memory which stores standard time for disassembling operation of each component beforehand; an operation time memory which stores time for disassembling operation of each component to be disassembled; an operation time counting unit which counts the time for disassembling operation of each component which constitutes the item to be recycled, and stores the time for disassembling operation in the operation time memory; and a difficult operation extracting unit which refers to the standard time for disassembling operation stored in the standard operation time memory, and the time for disassembling operation of each component stored in the operation time memory, and extracts disassembling operation which is difficult. 
   According to this constitution, with regard to the disassembling operation of each component, the time taken from the start of the operation until its end is automatically counted and compared with the standard time, in order to extract disassembling operation which is difficult. Therefore, the difficulty of each disassembling operation can be evaluated objectively. Further, by notifying the evaluation results to a design section, the evaluation results can be reference data for redesigning products with greater consideration given to facilitating its disassembly. 
   The difficult operation extracting unit may extracts the disassembling operation of each component which is difficult, based on a comparison between the standard time for disassembling operation and the time for disassembling operation. 
   According to this constitution, the difficulty of each disassembling operation can be evaluated objectively. In particular, since the evaluation of difficulty is based on a comparison with standard time, the deviation from standard time for disassembling operation can be determined. In addition, the evaluation results can be used for redesigning of products with greater consideration given to facilitating its disassembly. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing the constitution of a network system implementing the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram showing the constitution of a data management center  100 . 
       FIG. 3  is a diagram showing the data structure of an item disassembly database  40 . 
       FIG. 4  is a diagram showing the data structure of a step management database  42 . 
       FIG. 5  is a flowchart showing item disassembly data supply process. 
       FIG. 6  is a block drawing showing the constitution of a recycling center facility  200 . 
       FIG. 7  is a diagram showing the arrangement constitution of an image-capturing device  66  and a display device  68 . 
       FIG. 8  is a flowchart showing an item disassembly data extraction process. 
       FIG. 9  is a flowchart showing a disassembly diagram displaying process. 
       FIG. 10  is a flowchart showing a disassembly diagram constitution process. 
       FIG. 11  is a diagram showing one example of a disassembly diagram. 
       FIG. 12  is a diagram showing the constitution when a display device and an image-capturing device are provided to glasses  90  worn by the disassembly operator. 
       FIG. 13  is a flowchart showing a process of identifying a removed component. 
       FIG. 14  is a flowchart showing a process of identifying a removed component. 
       FIG. 15  is a flowchart showing a process of identifying a removed component. 
       FIG. 16  is a flowchart showing an operation of extracting a difficult operation. 
       FIG. 17  is a diagram showing the table constitution of an operation analysis database  72 . 
       FIG. 18  is a diagram showing the table constitution of an operation analysis database  72 . 
       FIG. 19  is a diagram showing the table constitution of an operation analysis database  72 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   An embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to the drawings.  FIGS. 1 to 19  show an embodiment a recycling analyzing system of the present invention. 
   As shown in  FIG. 1 , the present embodiment is made by applying the recycling analyzing system of the present invention to disassembling and classification of the items to be recycled, such as OA products and electrical household appliances in a recycling center  20 . 
   At first, the constitution of a network system of the present embodiment will be explained with reference to  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing the constitution of the network system of the present embodiment. 
   As shown in  FIG. 1 , a plurality of data management centers  10  and a plurality of recycling centers  20  are provided in each region. Each data management center  10  has a data management center facility  100 , each recycling center  20  has a recycling center facility  200 , and the data management center facilities  100  and the recycling center facilities  200  are connected via an internet  199  so that they can transmit and receive communications between each other. 
   Subsequently, the constitution of the data management center facility  100  will be explained with reference to  FIG. 2 . 
     FIG. 2  is a block diagram showing the constitution of the data management center facility  100 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 2 , the data management center facility  100  includes a CPU  30  that makes computations based on a control program and controls the entire system, a ROM  32  that stores a control program and the like for the CPU  30  beforehand in a predetermined region, a RAM  34  for storing data read from the ROM  32  and computation results, which are required in the computation processes of the CPU  30 , and an I/F  38  that acts as a medium for inputting and outputting data to and from outside devices; these components are connected to each other so as to be able to receive data by a bus  39 , which is a signal line for transferring the data. 
   An item disassembly database  40 , which stores item disassembly data for constructing a plurality of different disassembly diagrams in the step of disassembling the items to be recycled, a step management database  42 , which stores step management data including external images of the items to be recycled in correspondence with item disassembly data, and a signal line for connecting to the internet  199 , are connected to the I/F  38  as outside devices. 
     FIG. 3  shows the data structure of the item disassembly database  40 . 
   The item disassembly database  40  stores item disassembly data in correspondence with item ID data (e.g. product number and name of machine type) for identifying the item to be recycled. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the item disassembly database  40  stores one or a plurality of records for each item to be recycled. Each record corresponds to one segment when the disassembly process is segmented, and stores data for constructing a disassembly diagram, which illustrates the operating sequences for shifting to the next segment of the step; more specifically, one record includes a field  400  that stores a disassembly data reference key, a field  402  that stores CAD data for constructing the disassembly diagram, and a field  404  that stores component data, which relates to components including the item to be recycled. 
   The component data relates to components which constitutes the items to be recycled, which are necessary for displaying the disassembly diagram, and contains a component ID, a component category, an operation command direction, material, weight, and component CAD data, for each component. In the example shown in  FIG. 3 , a component number of “0001”, a component category of “screw”, an operation command direction of “vertical”, and a material of “iron” are stored as component data for a screw, which is one of the components. The component CAD data includes three-dimensional coordinate data, and can be used to create a drawing showing the shape seen from a given direction by converting the coordinates. 
     FIG. 4  is a drawing showing the data structure of the step management database  42 . 
   The step management database  42  stores the step management data in correspondence with the item ID data. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the step management database  42  stores one or a plurality of records for each item ID data. Each record corresponds to one segment when the disassembly process is segmented in the same manner as mentioned the above, and stores data for managing the step of that segment including a field  420  for storing the name of machine type, a field  422  for storing a step number of the step, and a field  424  for storing an external image (hereinafter simply “step image”) of the item to be recycled, and a field  426  for storing a disassembly data reference key of the item disassembly data for constructing the disassembly diagram. In the example shown in  FIG. 4 , the first record stores “printer 001 ” as the name of machine type, “step  1 ” as the step number, external images of the item to be recycled viewed from a plurality of angles as the step image, and “disassembly data  001 ” as the disassembly data reference key. This signifies that, when disassembling an item to be recycled having the machine name of “printer 001 ”, the actual external image is compared with the step images to determine whether the disassembling operation is the first step, and, when it has been determined that the disassembling operation is the first step, a disassembly diagram is constructed based on item disassembly data identified by a disassembly data reference key of “disassembly data  001 ”. 
   The CPU  30  includes a microprocessing unit MPU or the like, and activates a predetermined program stored in a predetermined region of the ROM  32 ; in compliance with this program, the CPU  30  executes an item disassembly data supply process shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     FIG. 5  is a flowchart showing the item disassembly data supply process. 
   The item disassembly data supply process is a process of supplying the item disassembly data and the step management data to the recycling center facility  200  in accordance with an extraction request therefrom; when executed by the CPU  30 , processing shifts to step S 100  as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
   In step S 100 , the CPU  30  determines whether an extraction request for item disassembly data and step management data has been received; when it is determined that such an extraction request has been received (Yes), the process shifts to step S 102 , and when it is determined that such an extraction request has not been received (No), the CPU  30  stands by in step S 100  until it is received. 
   The item ID data is received in step S 102 , and the CPU  30  proceeds to step S 104  where, based on the received item ID data, all the item disassembly data corresponding to the item ID data are retrieved from the item disassembly database  40 , before proceeding to step S 106 . 
   In step S 106 , the CPU  30  determines whether the item disassembly data has been retrieved; when it is determined that the item disassembly data has been retrieved (Yes), the process shifts to step S 108 , and reads all of the step management data corresponding to the retrieved item disassembly data from the step management database  42 , and shifts to step S 110 . 
   In step S 110 , the retrieved item disassembly data and read step management data are transmitted to the recycling center facility  200 , this series of processes ends and returns to the original processing. 
   On the other hand, when it is determined in step S 106  no item disassembly data has been received (No), this processing series ends and the CPU  30  returns to the original processing. 
   Subsequently, the constitution of the recycling center facility  200  will be explained in detail with reference to  FIG. 6 . 
     FIG. 6  is a block diagram showing the constitution of the recycling center facility  200 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 6 , the recycling center facility  200  includes a CPU  50 , which controls the entire system and computations based on a control program, a ROM  52 , which stores control programs and the like of the CPU  50  beforehand in a predetermined region, a RAM  54  for storing data read from the ROM  52  and computation results, which are required in the computation processes of the CPU  50 , and an I/F  58  that acts as a medium for inputting and outputting data to and from outside devices; these are connected to each other so that they can receive data through a bus  59 , which is a signal line for transferring the data. 
   An item disassembly database  60 , which stores item disassembly data, a step management database  62 , which stores step management data, a turntable driver  64 , which drives an unillustrated turntable used as an operation table for mounting the item to be recycled, a turntable weight detector  65  for detecting the weight of the item mounted on the turntable, an image-capturing device  66  for capturing an external image of the item to be recycled that is mounted on the turntable, a display device  68  for displaying a screen based on an image signal, a radio frequency identification system (RFID) reader  71  for reading RFID tags, which are attached to each component including the item to be recycled, and a signal line for connecting to the internet  199 , are connected to the I/F  58  as outside devices. The item disassembly database  60  has the same data structure as the item disassembly database  40 , and the step management database  62  has the same data structure as the step management database  42 . 
     FIG. 7  is a drawing showing the arrangement constitution of the image-capturing device  66  and the display device  68 . 
   In  FIG. 7 , an item to be recycled  70  is mounted on a turntable  63 . Beside the turntable  63  is provided the display device  68 , which the disassembly operator views as he performs the disassembling operation. The image-capturing device  66  is attached above the display device  68 , enabling it to capture an external image of the item to be recycled  70 , mounted on the turntable  63 . 
   The CPU  50  includes a microprocessing unit MPU or the like, and activates predetermined programs stored in predetermined regions of the ROM  52 ; in compliance with the programs, the CPU  50  executes an item disassembly data extraction process and a disassembly diagram display process, shown in the flowcharts of  FIGS. 8 and 9 , in a time-sharing manner. 
   At first, the item disassembly data extraction process will be explained with reference to  FIG. 8 . 
     FIG. 8  is a flowchart showing an item disassembly data extraction process. 
   The item disassembly data extraction process is a process for extracting item disassembly data and step management data from the data management center facility  100  in correspondence with the item disassembly data supply process shown in  FIG. 5 ; when executed by the CPU  50 , the process first shifts to step S 200  as shown in  FIG. 8 . 
   In step S 200 , the image-capturing device  66  captures an external image of the item to be recycled  70 , which is mounted on the turntable  63 ; then, proceeding to step S 202 , the item ID data of the item to be recycled  70  is identified based on the captured external image, and processing proceeds to step S 204 . 
   In step S 204 , the CPU  50  determines whether the item disassembly data and step management data corresponding to the item disassembly data, which was identified, are stored in the item disassembly database  60  and the step management database  62  or not; when it determines that the item disassembly data and step management data corresponding to the item disassembly data, which was identified, are not in the databases (No), the CPU  50  shifts to step S 206 , where it transmits the identified item disassembly data with an extraction request to the data management center facility  100 , and then shifts to step S 208 . 
   In step S 208 , the CPU  50  determines whether the item disassembly data and the step management data have been received; when it determines that they have been received (Yes), it proceeds to step S 210 , otherwise (No), it stands by in step S 208  until the item disassembly data and the step management data are received. 
   In step S 210 , the received item disassembly data is stored in the item disassembly database  60  in correspondence with the item ID data, and, shifting to step S 212 , the received step management data is stored in the step management database  62  in correspondence with the item disassembly data, whereby one series of processes ends and the CPU  50  returns to its original processing. 
   On the other hand, when it is determined in step S 204  that the item disassembly data and step management data corresponding to the identified item disassembly data are already stored in the item disassembly database  60  and the step management database  62  (Yes), one series of processes ends and the CPU  50  returns to its original processing. 
   Subsequently, disassembly diagram display processing will be explained in detail with reference to  FIG. 9 . 
     FIG. 9  is a flowchart showing the disassembly diagram display process. 
   Disassembly diagram display processing is executed at the start of the disassembling operation, and involves displaying a disassembly diagram on the display device  68  in accordance with the progress of the disassembling operation of the item to be recycled  70 ; as shown in  FIG. 9 , when the CPU  50  executes the disassembly diagram display process, it shifts to step S 300 . 
   In step S 300 , the CPU  50  drives the turntable driver  64 , initializes the position and angle of the item to be recycled  70  mounted on the turntable  63 , then shifts to step S 302 , in which the image-capturing device  66  captures an external image of the item to be recycled  70  mounted on the turntable  63 , and then, in step S 304 , the item disassembly data of the item to be recycled  70  is identified based on the captured external image, and the process proceeds to step S 306 . 
   In step S 306 , all the step management data corresponding to the identified item disassembly data is read out from the step management database  62 , and, shifting to step S 308 , the captured external image is compared with the step images included in the step management data which was read; step images which are identical or similar to the captured external image are identified there, and the process shifts to step S 310 . Here, “step” denotes operations such as “remove control panel” and the like. In order to execute this step, a plurality of components must be removed by operations such as “remove four screws”, “remove control panel protective member” and “remove control panel”. 
   In step S 310 , the present step is identified from the identified step images, and, in step S 312 , the angle of the item to be recycled  70  mounted on the turntable  63  is identified from the external images captured in steps S 302  and S 304 , and the processing proceeds to step S 314 . 
   In step S 314 , it is determined whether the present step is the final step or not; when the present step is not the final step (No), in step S 315  the removed component is identified and, the operating time taken in removing the identified component is counted (step S 316 ). The operating time of each component is counted by starting timing from the end of the immediately preceding operation and stopping timing at the point where the present operation ends (i.e. the point where the present component has been removed). The operating times that have been counted are stored in an operation analysis database  72 . 
   The table structure of the table which stores the operating times will be explained with reference to  FIG. 17 .  FIG. 17  is a drawing showing the table structure of an actual operating time table in the operation analysis database  72 . In this table, the component ID (disassembly actual component ID) of components that were identified in step S 315  are stored in correlation with the operating times (actual operating times) that were counted in step S 316 . In this example, the table shows that “5 seconds” were required to remove a component having a component ID of “0001” (a screw). The tables stores the disassembly actual component ID and the operating times according to the sequence of operations. 
   In step S 317 , it is determined whether the present step has ended or not (whether all the component removal operations of the present step have ended or not), and step S 316  will be repeated until the present step ends. Then, when it has been determined that the present step has ended, the processing shifts to step S 318 . 
   In step S 318 , the identified item disassembly data and the item disassembly data corresponding to the present step are read from the item disassembly database  60 , and, shifting to step S 320 , the disassembly diagram construction process for construct a disassembly diagram is executed based on the item disassembly data that was read; then, in step S 322 , the constructed disassembly diagram is displayed on the display device  68 , and, shifting to step S 324 , the image-capturing device  66  captures an external image of the item to be recycled  70  mounted on the turntable  63 , and processing shifts to step S 308 . 
   On the other hand, in step S 314 , when it is determined that the present step is the final step (Yes), this series of processes ends and the sequence returns to the original processing. In this way, the operating times of all the removed components are stored in the actual operating time table of the operation analysis database  72 . 
   Subsequently, the identification process of the removed component, executed in step  316 , will be explained in detail with reference to  FIGS. 13 ,  14 , and  15 . At first, referring to  FIG. 13 , a process of identifying the removed component by image recognition will be explained.  FIG. 13  is a flowchart showing a process of identifying a removed component. At first, in step S 316   a , the image-capturing device  66  captures an image of the removed component. At this time, the disassembly operator can easily capture a close-up image of the removed component by placing it in front of the lens of the image-capturing device  66 . Next, in step S 316   b , a component image created from component CAD data is compared with the image captured in step S 316   a . The component CAD data used in this comparison relates only to candidate components, which are likely to be removed in the present step. Subsequently, in step S 316   c , the removed component is identified based on the result of the comparison. This process of identifying the component is performed by selecting the candidate component having the highest matching CAD data. 
   Subsequently, referring to  FIG. 14 , a process of identifying the removed component, performed by a weight detector, will be explained.  FIG. 14  is a flowchart showing a process of identifying a removed component, performed by a weight detector. At first, in step S 316   d , weight change in the turntable is detected by reading the output from the turntable weight detector  65 . Only a reduction in weight caused by the removal of a component is detected. Since weight reduction in this case is caused only by removing a component, by making such weight reduction the only target of the detection, it is possible to prevent the processing from becoming complex, and prevent mistakes in detection arising when the disassembly operator has increased the weight at the moment of removing the component, and the like. Next, in step S 316   e , the weight of the components contained in the component data  404  is compared with the weight reduction detected in step S 316   d . The component weight used in this comparison is the weight only of candidate components, which may possibly be removed during the present step. Subsequently, in step S 316   f , the removed component is identified based on the result of the comparison. This process of identifying the component is performed by selecting the candidate component having the best matching component weight. 
   Subsequently, a process of identifying a removed component by using RFID will be explained with reference to  FIG. 15 .  FIG. 15  is a flowchart showing a process of identifying a removed component, performed using RFID. At first, in step S 316   g , an RFID reader  71  reads the content of an RFID tag that is appended to the removed component, and thereby obtains the component ID. At this time, the disassembly operator can easily read the component ID of the removed component by placing it in front of the RFID reader  71 . Then, in step S 316   h , the removed component is identified based on the component ID that has been read. 
   Incidentally, the precision of the identification processes of the removed component shown in  FIGS. 13 to 15  may be improved by combining them. For instance, by combining the image recognition and weight change processes, a component that is difficult to identify by its image can be identified by change in its weight, and a component that is difficult to identify by change in its weight can be identified by its image, enabling the steps of identification to be executed more accurately. Furthermore, large components can easily be identified by appending RFID tags, and components such as screws, which RFID tags are difficult to append to, can be identified by image recognition and weight change, enabling the steps of identification to be executed more accurately. 
   Subsequently, the disassembly diagram construction process in step S 320  will be explained in detail with reference to  FIG. 10 . 
     FIG. 10  is a flowchart of the disassembly diagram construction process. 
   As shown in  FIG. 10 , to execute the disassembly diagram construction process, in step S 320  described the above, at first, the processing shifts to step S 400 . 
   In step S 400 , the CAD data is extracted from the item disassembly data that was read in step S 318 , and, shifting to step S 402 , based on the angle of the item to be recycled  70  identified in step S 312 , a disassembly diagram including a front view seen from the disassembly operator is created from the CAD data, and the processing shifts to step S 404 . 
   In step S 404 , it is determined whether the item disassembly data, which has been read, contains any unprocessed component data or not, and if so (Yes), processing shifts to step S 406 , where the unprocessed component data is extracted from the item disassembly data, and then, in step S 410 , based on the extracted component data, the material of the component in the disassembly diagram (the component relating to the component data that was read) is indicated in the disassembly diagram, and processing proceeds to step S 412 . 
   In step S 412 , it is determined whether the component category is “screw”; when the component category is determined to be “screw” (Yes), processing proceeds to step S 414 , where an arrow is indicated in the disassembly diagram in accordance with the operator command direction, and the process shifts to step S 404 . 
   On the other hand, when it is determined in step S 412  that the component category is not “screw” (No), the processing shifts to step S 404 . 
   On the other hand, when it is determined in step S 404  that there is no unprocessed component data in the item disassembly data that has been read (No), this series of processes ends and the CPU  50  returns to its original processing. 
   Subsequently, the operation of the present embodiment will be explained. 
   At the recycling center  20 , prior to disassembling the item to be recycled  70 , the disassembly operator mounts the item to be recycled  70  on the turntable  63  in order to obtain item disassembly data, and captures an external image of the item to be recycled  70  by using the image-capturing device  66 . 
   At the recycling center facility  200 , when the external image of the item to be recycled  70  is captured, the item ID data of the item to be recycled  70  is identified based on the captured external image by following the steps S 202  to S 206 , and the identified item ID data is transmitted to the data management center facility  100  together with an extraction request. 
   When the item ID data and the extraction request are received at the data management center facility  100 , by executing step S 104 , all the item disassembly data corresponding to the item ID data are retrieved from the item disassembly database  40  based on the received item ID data. As a result, when the item disassembly data is retrieved, steps S 108  and S 110  are performed to read all the step management data corresponding to the retrieved item disassembly data from the step management database  42 , and the retrieved item disassembly data and the read step management data are transmitted to the recycling center facility  200 . 
   When the recycling center facility  200  receives the item disassembly data and the step management data, steps S 210  and S 212  are performed so as to store the received item disassembly data in correspondence with the item ID data in the item disassembly database  60 , and the received step management data is similarly stored in correspondence with the item ID data in the step management database  62 . Consequently, the disassembly operator at the recycling center facility  200  is able to obtain the necessary item disassembly data and step management data. 
   Subsequently, at the recycling center  20 , the disassembly operator uses the image-capturing device  66  to capture an external image of the item to be recycled  70  mounted on the turntable  63 . 
   At the recycling center facility  200 , when the external image of the item to be recycled  70  is captured, the steps S 304  and S 306  are carried out to identify the item ID data of the item to be recycled  70  based on the captured external image, and all the step management data corresponding to the identified item ID data are read from the step management database  62 . Next, in step S 308 , the external image that has been captured is compared with the step images contained in the step management data that was read, and the image data, which is identical or similar to the captured external image, is identified therefrom. 
   Subsequently, steps S 310  and S 312  are executed to identify the present step from the identified step images, and, based on the captured external image, the angle of the item to be recycled  70 , which is mounted on the turntable  63 , is determined. At this time, when the present step is not the final step, the removed component is identified to determine that the present step has ended; then, by carrying out steps S 318  and S 320 , the identified item ID data and the item disassembly data corresponding to the present step are read from the item disassembly database  60 , and the disassembly diagram is constructed based on the item disassembly data that has been read. More specifically, by performing steps S 400  and S 402 , CAD data is extracted from the item disassembly data, and, based on the angle of the item to be recycled  70 , the disassembly diagram is created from the CAD data as a front view seen from the disassembly operator. Then, in steps S 406  and S 410 , the component data is extracted from the item disassembly data, and, based on the extracted component data, the material of the component in the disassembly diagram is indicated in the disassembly diagram. Moreover, when the component category of the component is “screw”, via step S 414 , an arrow is indicated in the disassembly diagram in accordance with the operation command direction. The processes of steps S 406  to S 414  are then carried out for all of the component data contained in the item disassembly data. 
     FIG. 11  is a drawing showing one example of a disassembly diagram. In the example of  FIG. 11 , a material numeral  80  is appended to the component including the item to be recycled  70 , and arrows  82  indicating the operation command direction are appended to the screw, which includes the item to be recycled  70 . Incidentally, reference code “PMMA” of the material numeral  80  represents acryl, and “ABS” represents ABS resin. 
   At the recycling center facility  200 , when the disassembly diagram is constructed, steps S 322  and S 324  are carried out to display the constructed disassembly diagram on the display device  68 , capturing the external image of the item to be recycled  70 . Then, the processes of steps S 308  to S 324  are repeated until the final step of the disassembling operation. 
   In this way, in the present embodiment, the data management center facility  100  has the item disassembly database  40 , which stores the item disassembly data in correspondence with the item ID data, and, when an item ID data is received, the item disassembly data is retrieved from the item disassembly database  40  based on the received item ID data, and the retrieved item disassembly data is transmitted to the recycling center facility  200 ; the recycling center facility  200  reads the item ID data from the item to be recycled  70 , and transmits the item ID data which has been read to the data management center facility  100 ; when the item disassembly data has been received, one of a plurality of possible disassembly diagrams is constructed from the received item disassembly data, in accordance with the progress of the disassembling operation of the item to be recycled  70 , and the constructed disassembly diagram is displayed on the display device  68 . 
   This enables the disassembly operator to ascertain the specific disassembly procedures for disassembling the item to be recycled  70  from the disassembly diagram, and, in addition, does not require any considerable time or effort, enabling him to determine the appropriate procedures in accordance with the progress of the disassembling operation, and achieving a more effective disassembling operation than by conventional methods. 
   Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the recycling center facility  200  has the image-capturing device  66  for capturing an external image of the item to be recycled  70 , enabling the progress of the disassembling operation to be determined based on the external image captured by the image-capturing device  66 , and, in accordance with the determined progress, one of a plurality of possible disassembly diagrams is constructed from the received item disassembly data. 
   Consequently, since the progress of the disassembling operation is determined from the external image of the item to be recycled  70 , the disassembly operator can ascertain the appropriate sequence in accordance with the progress of the disassembling operation. Furthermore, the disassembly operator does not need to make a special command for relating to the progress of the disassembling operation during the operation. Therefore, the disassembling operation can be performed more efficiently. 
   Moreover, in the present embodiment, the data management center facility  100  has the step management database  42  which stores step management data, and, by reading the step management data corresponding to the retrieved item disassembly data from the step management database  42 , and transmitting the retrieved item disassembly data and the read step management data to the recycling center facility  200 , the recycling center facility  200  can compare the external image, captured by the image-capturing device  66 , with the step images contained in the received step management data, and identify an identical or similar external image from among them, and can then construct a disassembly diagram from among a plurality of possible disassembly diagrams based on the received item disassembly data, such that the disassembly diagram corresponds to the identified external image. 
   Consequently, since the disassembly diagram corresponds to the external image of the item to be recycled  70 , the disassembly operator can ascertain the appropriate sequence in accordance with the progress of the disassembling operation. Therefore, the disassembling operation can be performed even more efficiently. 
   Moreover, in the present embodiment, the recycling center facility  200  constructs the disassembly diagram so as to be a front view of the item to be recycled  70  seen from the disassembly operator. 
   Since the disassembly diagram is a front view seen from the disassembly operator, he can easily ascertain the specific procedures for disassembling the item to be recycled  70 . Therefore, the disassembling operation can be performed even more efficiently. 
   Moreover, in the present embodiment, the disassembly diagram contains the material numeral  80  for classifying the material of the component that includes the item to be recycled  70 . 
   Consequently, the disassembly operator can classify the component including the item to be recycled  70  by referring to the material numeral  80  that is displayed, making the classification operation simple. Therefore, the classification operation can be performed more efficiently than when following conventional methods. 
   Moreover, in the present embodiment, the disassembly diagram includes the arrows  82 , which indicate the position of a screw for securing the component that includes the item to be recycled  70 . 
   This enables the disassembly operator to ascertain the position of the screw for securing the component that includes the item to be recycled  70  by referring to the displayed arrows  82 , facilitating the disassembling operation. Therefore, the disassembling operation can be performed even more efficiently. 
   In the embodiment described the above, the display device  68  is fitted to the turntable  63  and the image-capturing device  66  is fitted to the display device  68 , but the constitution is not restricted to this arrangement; instead, as shown in  FIG. 12 , the display device and the image-capturing device may be fitted to glasses  90 , which are worn by the disassembly operator. 
   Subsequently, referring to  FIG. 16 , there will be explained a process of extracting one of the component disassembling operations that is deemed to be difficult. Before explaining this operation, a table, which is stored beforehand in the operation analysis database  72 , will be explained with reference to  FIGS. 17 and 18 .  FIG. 18  shows the table structure of a necessary operations table, which defines a necessary operation for each component ID of the components to be disassembled. “Necessary operation” signifies a group of smallest operation units needed to remove the component in question. In this example, the component having a component ID of “0001” (screw) can be removed by performing the operation having an operation ID of “1”, and the component having a component ID of “0002” (panel  01 ) can be removed by combining the operations having operation ID of “10” and “11”.  FIG. 19  shows the structure of a standard operation time table, which defines standard operation times for each operation ID. “Standard operation time” is a standard time allocated beforehand to each operation. In this example, a standard operation time of “5 seconds” is allocated to the operation having an operation ID of “1” (e.g. using an electric tool to remove a screw). 
   The standard time will be explained. Depending on the availability of resources and level of use, the standard time can be set by a wide range of methods, such as estimation by an experienced expert (estimate based on prior experience), using actual past averages (actual time method), timing one operator using a stopwatch and giving him a rating, using an internationally recognized PTS (predetermined time standard) (methods and systems such as MTM, WF, and MOST), and the like; ideally, however, the standard time should be set by using an “preferable type” ideal “standard method”, whereby the time required for executing this “standard method” is counted by PTS and used as the basic time, with any additional time required being added thereafter. The PTS method is known as predetermined time standard, in which an operation performed by a person is broken down into its basic motions, a predetermined time value is allocated to each basic motion to calculate a standard operation time. The method is based on Segur&#39;s principle that “under fixed conditions, an experienced operator will perform basic motions in a fixed time”. Advantages of this method are that the time can be calculated provided it is possible to break down in advance the basic motions of the operation, the nature of the basic motions, and the conditions, enabling the time to be set by computation alone, without examining at an actual operation; the time can be calculated before production starts, as long as diagrams and operating methods have been determined, and there is no need to use a stopwatch, or ratings; since there are no variations between operations, the standard operation time is comprehensive; and the like. PTS has been researched since the 1920s, and various methods have been developed. The methods most commonly used in Japan today are MTM and WF. 
   In this way, the operations needed to disassemble the component can be obtained by referring to the necessary operation time shown in  FIG. 18 , and the operation time needed for each operation can be obtained by referring to the standard operation time table shown in  FIG. 19 . For example, to remove the component whose component ID is “0002” (panel  01 ), the operations having IDs of “10” and “11” must be performed. It can also be seen that the necessary times are “15 seconds” for operation “10” (e.g. removing a wire connector) and “20 seconds” for operation “11” (e.g. removing a join section). Therefore, the standard operation time for the component ID “0002” is 35 seconds. 
   Subsequently, the operation of extracting a difficult operation will be explained with reference to  FIG. 16 .  FIG. 16  shows a flowchart in which the operator performing the disassembly gives a command to start the operation at a given time. As a result of this command, the processing in  FIG. 16  is executed. At first, referring to the actual operation time table in the operation analysis database  72 , the average operation time of each component ID is calculated (step S 501 ). The average operation times are calculated by adding together all the actual operation times of one component ID, and dividing the total by the number of actual operation times. This obtains the average operation time of each component. 
   Next, in step S 502 , the disassembling operation efficiency of each component is calculated. The disassembling operation efficiency is calculated by obtaining the standard operation time from the necessary operation table and the standard operation times, and computing “disassembling operation efficiency=average operation time÷standard operation time”, using the standard operation time and the average operation time that was determined above. Consequently, the disassembling operation efficiency of each component is determined, and, if the disassembling operation efficiency is the same as the standard operation time, a disassembling operation efficiency of “1” is set; if it is shorter than the standard operation time. “less than 1” is set, and if it is longer than the standard operation time, “a value greater than 1” is set. 
   Next, in step S 503 , a difficult operation is extracted. The disassembling operation of components having a disassembling operation efficiency of “greater than 1, less than 1.5” is deemed “slightly difficult”, those with disassembling operation efficiency of “greater than 1.5, less than 2” are deemed “difficult”, and those greater than “2” are deemed “extremely difficult”, the results being output from an unillustrated printer or the like. 
   In the foregoing explanation, disassembling operation efficiency is determined from the standard time, and difficult operation are extracted based on the disassembling operation efficiency, but difficult operations may be identified by the following methods instead. 
   (1) Operations for components in the same appliance having long average operation times are deemed difficult. 
   (2) Same necessary operations in the same appliance are deemed difficult when they have long average operation times. For instance, operations of removing a screw within the same appliance are deemed difficult where they have long average operation times. 
   (3) Similar components within the same group of appliances are deemed to have difficult operations when their average operation times are long. For instance, the operation of disassembling a control panel in a plurality of same-series printers may be deemed difficult if it has a long disassembling operation time. 
   (4) Same as in methods (1) to (3), but also incorporating a comparison with the standard time. 
   With regard to the disassembling operation of each component, the time taken from the start of the operation until its end is automatically calculated and compared with standard time, in order to extract difficult operations; this enables the difficulty of each disassembling operation to be evaluated objectively. Further, by notifying the design department of the evaluation results, the evaluations can be used as reference data for redesigning the product with greater consideration given to facilitating its disassembly. 
     FIG. 12  shows the constitution when the display device and the image-capturing device are fitted to glasses  90 , worn by the disassembly operator. 
   In  FIG. 12 , a display device  69  includes a liquid crystal display (LCD), and is fitted to one of the lenses  91  of the glasses  90  so that, when wearing the glasses  90 , the disassembly operator can see the disassembly diagram displayed on a display device  69 ; in addition, an image-capturing device  67  is fitted to a frame  92  of the glasses  90  so as to enable the disassembly operator to capture an external image of the item to be recycled  70  while he is wearing the glasses  90  and looking at the item to be recycled  70 . 
   According to this constitution, at the recycling center facility  200 , since the display device  69  is fitted to one lens  91  of the glasses  90 , when the disassembly operator wears the glasses  90  he can see the disassembly diagram displayed on the display device  69 . Furthermore, since the image-capturing device  67  is fitted to the frame  92  of the glasses  90 , when the disassembly operator looks at the item to be recycled  70  while wearing the glasses  90 , he can use the image-capturing device  67  to capture the external image of the item to be recycled  70 . 
   As a consequence, the disassembly operator can perform the disassembling operation while looking at the disassembly diagram through the glasses  90 , requiring no extra time or effort to refer to the disassembly diagram. Furthermore, the external image of the item to be recycled  70  can be captured from the view-point of the disassembly operator, enabling him to accurately ascertain the progress of the disassembling operation, and ascertain the appropriate procedures in accordance with the progress of the disassembling operation. Therefore, the disassembling operation can be performed even more efficiently. 
   Although the present embodiment describes a case where a control program, stored beforehand in the ROM  32 , is used to execute the processes of the flowchart shown in  FIG. 5 , the present invention is not restricted to such a constitution; instead, a program illustrating the processes may be stored on an unillustrated recording medium and read to the RAM  34 . 
   In the embodiment described the above, the processes of the flowcharts in  FIGS. 8 to 10  and  FIG. 16  are executed by using a program stored beforehand in the ROM  52 , but the present invention is not restricted to such a constitution; instead, a program illustrating the processes may be stored on an unillustrated recording medium and read to the RAM  54 . 
   The recording medium may comprise a semiconductor recording medium such as a RAM or a ROM, a magnetic recording medium such as an FD or an HD, an optically-read recording medium such as a CD, a CDV, an LD, or a DVD, or a magnetic/optically-read recording medium such as an MO, or any type of recording medium which can be read by a computer, whether the method for reading the recording medium is electronic, magnetic, optical, or whatever. 
   The above embodiment describes a case where the recycling analyzing system, the recycling center facility, the data management center facility, the program for the facility, and the recycling analyzing method according to the present invention, are applied in a network system including the internet  199 , but the present invention is not restricted to this application; for instance, it can be applied in a wide variety of intranets which transmit communications by the same method as the internet  199 . In addition to networks which transmit by the same method as the internet  199 , the present invention can of course be applied in normal networks. 
   Furthermore, the above embodiment describes a case where the recycling analyzing system, the recycling center facility, the data management center facility, the program for the facility, and the recycling analyzing method according to the present invention, are applied in disassembling and classifying items to be recycled, such as OA products and electrical household appliances, at a recycling center  20 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , but the present invention is not restricted to the above application, and can be applied in a variety of other cases without deviating from its main point.