Patent Description:
To reduce illegal disposal of garbage, reduction in load on a person disposing of garbage is important. For example, a garbage can in Patent Literature <NUM> has a configuration of automatically opening a movable lid when the presence of a person is detected by a weight sensor arranged in front of the garbage can. The garbage can in Patent Literature <NUM> has a configuration where if garbage other than plastic garbage as a disposal target is disposed of, a person having disposed of the garbage is warned.

For example, a garbage collection apparatus in Patent Literature <NUM> has a configuration of assigning points to a person having disposed of the garbage in accordance with the weight and quantity of discarded garbage.

The garbage can in Patent Literature <NUM> has a configuration where, to reduce the load on a person disposing of garbage, the movable lid is automatically opened when the presence of a person is detected in front of the garbage can (i.e., a disposal place). It is desired to further reduce the load on a person disposing of garbage.

On the other hand, the garbage collection apparatus in Patent Literature <NUM> provides a person with an incentive for disposing of garbage, by assigning points to a person having disposed of the garbage, but has a problem in that a person disposing of garbage does not know the position of the garbage collection apparatus (i.e., disposal place) and the load on the person disposing of garbage is high. Patent Literature <NUM> discloses the features of the preamble of claims <NUM> and <NUM>.

An object of the present disclosure is to solve the problem described above, and to achieve a garbage disposal support apparatus and a garbage disposal support method that are capable of reducing the load on a person disposing of garbage Claims <NUM>, <NUM> disclose the present invention. Preferred embodiments are disclosed in claims <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>.

A garbage disposal support apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure incudes:.

A garbage disposal support method according to an aspect of the present disclosure incudes:.

According to the present disclosure, a garbage disposal support apparatus and a garbage disposal support method that are capable of reducing the load on a person disposing of garbage can be achieved.

Hereinafter, specific embodiments to which the present disclosure is applied are described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments. To clarify the description, the following description and drawings are appropriately simplified.

<FIG> is a block diagram showing a configuration of a garbage disposal support system using a garbage disposal support apparatus according to this embodiment. The garbage disposal support system <NUM> of this embodiment is suitable for guiding a person having an object that is garbage to a disposal place arranged in a facility, for example.

For example, as shown in <FIG>, the garbage disposal support system <NUM> includes an authentication apparatus <NUM>, an imaging apparatus <NUM>, a display apparatus <NUM>, a garbage disposal support apparatus <NUM> and a database <NUM>, which are connected to each other by a network <NUM>.

Here, the network <NUM> is, for example, the Internet, which is constructed by a telephone network, a wireless communication path, Ethernet (R) and the like. Note that the authentication apparatus <NUM>, the imaging apparatus <NUM>, the display apparatus <NUM>, the garbage disposal support apparatus <NUM> and the database <NUM> may be connected to each other wiredly or wirelessly.

The authentication apparatus <NUM> is arranged at an entrance of a facility, for example. As shown in <FIG>, the authentication apparatus <NUM> includes an ID reading unit <NUM> and an imaging unit <NUM>. The ID reading unit <NUM> reads ID information about the mobile terminal <NUM> owned by a person entering the facility. The imaging unit <NUM> includes a camera and the like. The imaging unit <NUM> takes a face image of the person entering the facility, and associates the taken face image information with the ID information about the mobile terminal <NUM>. Here, the mobile terminal <NUM> is a smartphone or a tablet PC (Personal Computer) connected to the network <NUM>.

Note that the authentication apparatus <NUM> is only required to be capable of obtaining the ID information about the mobile terminal <NUM>, and the face image information about the person owing the mobile terminal <NUM>, and may obtain, for example, the ID information about the mobile terminal <NUM> preliminarily registered in the support application installed in the mobile terminal <NUM>, and the face image information about the person owing the mobile terminal <NUM>.

The imaging apparatus <NUM> includes a camera or the like, and images the inside of the facility. For example, the imaging apparatuses <NUM> are arranged along a passage of the facility so as to allow a person walking on the passage to be imaged, and is arranged around the disposal place of garbage arranged in the facility so as to be capable of imaging the disposal place and therearound. Thus, the multiple imaging apparatuses <NUM> are provided in the facility.

The display apparatus <NUM> displays at least one of disposal place information described later (i.e., position information about the disposal place) or route information. The display apparatus <NUM> includes, for example, a projecting apparatus, such as a projector, and is arranged along the passage of the facility so as to allow disposal place information or route information to be displayed on the passage, a wall or the like for a person walking on the passage.

For example, as shown in <FIG>, the garbage disposal support apparatus <NUM> includes an ID obtaining unit <NUM>, a face image obtaining unit <NUM>, a position obtaining unit <NUM>, an object image obtaining unit <NUM>, a garbage determination unit <NUM>, a route generation unit <NUM>, a transceiver unit <NUM>, a disposal image obtaining unit <NUM>, a disposal confirmation unit <NUM>, and a payment assigning unit <NUM>.

The ID obtaining unit <NUM> obtains the ID information about the mobile terminal <NUM> read by the ID reading unit <NUM> of the authentication apparatus <NUM>. Note that the ID obtaining unit <NUM> is only required to be capable of obtaining the ID information about the mobile terminal <NUM>, and may include the ID reading unit <NUM>, for example.

The face image obtaining unit <NUM> obtains the face image information about the person owing the mobile terminal <NUM> taken by the imaging unit <NUM> of the authentication apparatus <NUM>. Note that the face image obtaining unit <NUM> is only required to be capable of obtaining the face image of the person owning the mobile terminal <NUM>, and may include the imaging unit <NUM>, for example.

The position obtaining unit <NUM> obtains position information about the person owing the mobile terminal <NUM> in the facility, based on the face image information about the person owning the mobile terminal <NUM> and on the image information about the inside of the facility taken by the imaging apparatus <NUM>. For example, the position obtaining unit <NUM> checks the image information about the person captured in the image information about the inside of the facility taken by each imaging apparatus <NUM> against the face image information about the person owning the mobile terminal <NUM>, and identifies the person owning the mobile terminal <NUM> in the image information, thereby obtaining the position information about the person. Note that the position obtaining unit <NUM> may obtain the position information about the person, based on position information through a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver mounted on the mobile terminal <NUM>.

The object image obtaining unit <NUM> obtains (extracts) image information about the object that the person owning the mobile terminal <NUM> has, by applying image processing to the image information about the inside of the facility taken by the imaging apparatus <NUM>. The garbage determination unit <NUM> checks the image information about the object obtained by the object image obtaining unit <NUM> against garbage image information stored in the database <NUM>, and determines whether the object is garbage or not. Preferably, at this time, the garbage determination unit <NUM> checks the image information about the object against type-specific garbage image information stored in the database <NUM>, and determines the type of the object.

When the object is garbage, the route generation unit <NUM> identifies the disposal place of the object, based on the position information about the person owning the mobile terminal <NUM>, on the disposal place information stored in the database <NUM> and on the facility passage information stored in the database <NUM>, and generates the passage information to the disposal place.

Preferably, at this time, for example, the route generation unit <NUM> identifies a disposal place that makes the distance from the current position of the person to the disposal place of the object be that of the shortest route. Preferably, the route generation unit <NUM> identifies the disposal place of the object in consideration of object type information, garbage-type-specific disposal place information stored in the database. Note that the route generation unit <NUM> may generate the route information in response to a request by the person owning the mobile terminal <NUM>.

The transceiver unit <NUM> is an interface with the network <NUM>. The transceiver unit <NUM> receives the ID information about the mobile terminal <NUM> and the face image information about the person owning the mobile terminal <NUM> from the authentication apparatus <NUM>, and receives the image information about the inside of the facility from the imaging apparatus <NUM>. The transceiver unit <NUM> transmits the disposal place information identified by the route generation unit <NUM>, or the route information generated by the route generation unit <NUM>, to the display apparatus <NUM> or the mobile terminal <NUM>.

The disposal image obtaining unit <NUM> obtains image information around the disposal place from the imaging apparatus <NUM> disposed at the disposal place so as to be capable of imaging the disposal place and therearound. Note that the disposal image obtaining unit <NUM> is only required to obtain image information around the disposal place, and may include, for example, an imaging apparatus <NUM> that images the disposal place and therearound. The disposal confirmation unit <NUM> confirms whether the person owning the mobile terminal <NUM> has disposed of the object at the disposal place or not based on the image information around the disposal place.

When the person owning the mobile terminal <NUM> disposes of the object at the disposal place, the payment assigning unit <NUM> assigns a payment to the person. For example, the payment assigning unit <NUM> transmits payment information for adding points or the like to the support application of the mobile terminal <NUM>, through the transceiver unit <NUM>.

Preferably, at this time, for example, the payment assigning unit <NUM> increases or reduces the amount of payment, based on the size of the object to be disposed of, whether the object is recyclable or not, the distance to the disposal place, the amount of baggage, the weather, or a time period after transmission of the disposal place information to disposal of the object. Note that the payment assigning unit <NUM> may transmit the payment information to a server or the like operated by a typical point site.

The database <NUM> stores the garbage image information, the disposal place information, and the facility passage information. Preferably, at this time, as described above, the database <NUM> stores the type-specific garbage image information, and the garbage-type-specific disposal place information. Here, for example, the garbage image information can be generated by supervised machine learning, based on the shape, color, material, recyclability and the like of garbage.

Next, a flow of disposing of an object using the garbage disposal support system <NUM> of this embodiment is described. <FIG> and <FIG> are flowcharts showing the flow of disposing of the object using the garbage disposal support system of this embodiment. <FIG> are diagrams conceptually showing the situation of each step.

First, as shown in <FIG>, a person P1 owning the mobile terminal <NUM> activates the support application of the mobile terminal <NUM> (S1). Here, in <FIG>, the situation of the person P1 owning the mobile terminal <NUM> is shown on the left side, and the situation where the support application of the mobile terminal <NUM> is shown on the right side. After the person P1 enters the range preset for the entrance of the facility, the ID reading unit <NUM> of the authentication apparatus <NUM> reads the ID information about the mobile terminal <NUM> from the mobile terminal <NUM>.

The imaging unit <NUM> of the authentication apparatus <NUM> takes a face image of the person P1, and associates face image information about the person P1 with the ID information about the mobile terminal <NUM>. The authentication apparatus <NUM> transmits the ID information about the mobile terminal <NUM> and the face image information about the person P1 owning the mobile terminal <NUM>, to the garbage disposal support apparatus <NUM>.

Accordingly, as shown in <FIG>, the ID obtaining unit <NUM> of the garbage disposal support apparatus <NUM> obtains the ID information about the mobile terminal <NUM> (S2). The face image obtaining unit <NUM> of the garbage disposal support apparatus <NUM> obtains the face image information about the person P1 owning the mobile terminal <NUM> associated with the ID information about the mobile terminal <NUM>.

Next, as shown in <FIG>, the imaging apparatus <NUM> takes an image in the facility, and transmits the image information about the inside of the facility to the garbage disposal support apparatus <NUM>. The position obtaining unit <NUM> of the garbage disposal support apparatus <NUM> checks the face image information about the person P1 against the image information about the inside of the facility taken by the imaging apparatus <NUM>, and obtains position information about the person P1 in the facility (S3). Note that obtainment of the position information about the person P1 by the position obtaining unit <NUM> is continued until the person P1 disposes of the object.

Next, the object image obtaining unit <NUM> of the garbage disposal support apparatus <NUM> tries to obtain the image information about the object that the person P1 has, by applying image processing to the image information about the inside of the facility taken by the imaging apparatus <NUM> (S4). When the image information about the object is not obtained from the image information about the inside of the facility taken by the imaging apparatus <NUM> (NO in S4), the garbage disposal support apparatus <NUM> returns the processing to step S4.

On the other hand, as shown in <FIG>, when the image information about the object O is obtained from the image information about the inside of the facility taken by the imaging apparatus <NUM>, the garbage determination unit <NUM> of the garbage disposal support apparatus <NUM> checks the image information about the object O taken by the object image obtaining unit <NUM> against the garbage image information stored in the database <NUM>, and determines whether the object O is garbage or not (S5).

Preferably, at this time, as described above, the garbage determination unit <NUM> of the garbage disposal support apparatus <NUM> checks the image information about the object O against the type-specific garbage image information stored in the database <NUM>, and not only determines whether the object O is garbage or not but also determines the garbage type of the object O, as shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> shows the situation of determining that the object O is first type garbage D <NUM>, as a result of checking image information about first type (e.g., non-combustible garbage) garbage D1, image information about second type (e.g., PET bottle) garbage D2, and image information about third type (e.g., combustible garbage) garbage D3 stored in the database <NUM>, against the image information about the object O.

When the object O is not garbage (NO in S5), the garbage disposal support apparatus <NUM> returns the processing to S4. On the other hand, when the object O is garbage (YES in S5), the route generation unit <NUM> of the garbage disposal support apparatus <NUM> identifies the disposal place of the object O, based on the position information about the person P1, on the disposal place information stored in the database <NUM> and on the facility passage information stored in the database <NUM>.

Preferably, as described above, when the type of the object O is determined, the route generation unit <NUM> identifies the disposal place S <NUM> in consideration of type information about the object O, garbage-type-specific disposal place information stored in the database <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

Next, the transceiver unit <NUM> of the garbage disposal support apparatus <NUM> transmits the disposal place information to the mobile terminal <NUM> owned by the person P1 (S7). The mobile terminal <NUM> then displays the disposal place information about the object on a display apparatus <NUM>, and prompts the person P1 to input whether a route guide to the disposal place S1 is required or not (S8). Note that the garbage disposal support apparatus <NUM> may transmit the disposal place information to the display apparatus <NUM>, and transmit, to the mobile terminal <NUM>, the information for urging input of whether the route guide to the disposal place S1 is required or not.

As shown in <FIG>, when the person P1 inputs a reply that the route guide is required, through the support application of the mobile terminal <NUM> (in <FIG>, for example, contact with a "Route" part displayed on the display apparatus <NUM> of the mobile terminal <NUM>) (YES in S8), the route generation unit <NUM> of the garbage disposal support apparatus <NUM> generates the route information from the current position of the person P1 to the disposal place S1, and transmits the route information to the display apparatus <NUM> through the transceiver unit <NUM> (S9).

Here, in <FIG>, the situation of the person P1 owning the mobile terminal <NUM> is shown on the left side, and the mobile terminal <NUM> when input of whether the route guide is required or not is prompted is shown on the right side. As shown in <FIG>, the display apparatus <NUM> displays route information M1. Accordingly, the person P1 can recognize the position and the route of the disposal place S <NUM> of the object O. Preferably, here, as shown in <FIG>, besides the route guide connecting a point of start of the route guide and the disposal place S1, the current position of the person P1 on the guide route is shown in the route information M1.

Preferably, at this time, based on the position information about the person P1 in the facility, the transceiver unit <NUM> transmits the route information M1 to the display apparatus <NUM> arranged close to the person P1 on the movement direction side of the person P1 among display apparatuses <NUM>, thus causing the display apparatus <NUM> to display the route information M1 depending on the movement of the person P1. Accordingly, depending on the movement of the person P1, the disposal place information and the route information can be displayed on the display apparatus <NUM>.

The transceiver unit <NUM> may transmit the route information M1 to the display apparatus <NUM> of the mobile terminal <NUM>, thus causing the display apparatus <NUM> to display the route information M1, as shown in <FIG>. Note that the transceiver unit <NUM> may transmit the disposal place information or the route information M1 to any one of the display apparatus <NUM> or the display apparatus <NUM> of the mobile terminal <NUM>.

Next, the disposal image obtaining unit <NUM> of the garbage disposal support apparatus <NUM> obtains image information around the disposal place S1 from the imaging apparatus <NUM> disposed at the disposal place S1 so as to be capable of imaging the disposal place S1 and therearound (S10). Here, when the person P1 inputs a reply that the route guide is not required through the support application of the mobile terminal <NUM> (NO in S8), the garbage disposal support apparatus <NUM> makes the process transit to step S10.

Next, the disposal confirmation unit <NUM> of the garbage disposal support apparatus <NUM> confirms whether the person P1 has disposed of the object O at the disposal place S1, based on the obtained image information around the disposal place S1 (S11). That is, the disposal confirmation unit <NUM> confirms whether the person P1 captured in the image around the disposal place S1 has disposed of the object O at the disposal place S1 or not, based on the position information about the person P1, on the image information about the object O and on the image information around the disposal place S1.

Preferably, at this time, the disposal confirmation unit <NUM> checks the face image information about the person P1 against the image information around the disposal place S1, and confirms that the person having disposed of the object O is the person P1 owning the mobile terminal <NUM> in consideration of the check result.

If it cannot be confirmed that the person P1 has disposed of the object O at the disposal place S1 until a preset first time period elapses after transmission of the route information M1 by the transceiver unit <NUM> to the display apparatus <NUM> (NO in S11), the garbage disposal support apparatus <NUM> finishes the support process.

Preferably, at this time, if the person P1 does not dispose of the object O at the disposal place S1 until a preset second time period elapses after transmission of the route information M1 by the transceiver unit <NUM> to the display apparatus <NUM>, the disposal confirmation unit <NUM> transmits demand notice information for urging disposal of the object O to the mobile terminal <NUM> through the transceiver unit <NUM>. Preferably, here, the second time period is shorter time period in comparison with the first time period.

On the other hand, as shown in <FIG>, if it is confirmed that the object O has been disposed of at the disposal place (YES in S11), the payment assigning unit <NUM> of the garbage disposal support apparatus <NUM> assigns a payment to the person P1 (S12).

For example, as shown in <FIG>, the payment assigning unit <NUM> transmits payment information for adding points or the like to the support application of the mobile terminal <NUM>, through the transceiver unit <NUM>. Preferably, at this time, the payment assigning unit <NUM> generates payment information to be assigned, based on the garbage type information about the object O, on the image information about the inside of the facility and on weather information obtained from the outside. Here, in <FIG>, the situation of the person P1 owning the mobile terminal <NUM> is shown on the left side, and the mobile terminal <NUM> when points are assigned is shown on the right side.

As described above, the garbage disposal support apparatus <NUM> and the garbage disposal support method in this embodiment can allow the person P1 having the object O to recognize the position of the disposal place S1 of the object O. Thus, the load on the person P1 disposing of the object O can be reduced. In particular, when the person P1 wishes a route guide, the route information M1 is displayed on the display apparatus. Accordingly, the load on the person P1 disposing of the object O can be further reduced.

Furthermore, when the person P1 having the object O does not dispose of the object O at the disposal place S1, the garbage disposal support apparatus <NUM> and the garbage disposal support method in this embodiment transmit the demand notice information for urging disposal of the object O to the mobile terminal <NUM> owned by the person P1, which can prevent illegal dumping of the object O.

The garbage disposal support apparatus <NUM> and the garbage disposal support method in this embodiment check the face image information about the person P1 owning the mobile terminal <NUM> against the image information around the disposal place S1, and confirm that the person having disposed of the object O is the person P1 owning the mobile terminal <NUM> in consideration of the check result. Accordingly, it can be securely confirmed whether the person P1 owning the mobile terminal <NUM> has disposed of the object O or not.

The garbage disposal support apparatus <NUM> and the garbage disposal support method in this embodiment can cause the display apparatus <NUM> arranged close to the person P1 on the movement direction side of the person P1 having the object O among the display apparatuses <NUM> to display route information M1, and thus cause not all the display apparatuses <NUM> to display the route information, thereby contributing to reduction in power consumption.

The garbage disposal support apparatus <NUM> and the garbage disposal support method in this embodiment assign a payment to the person P1 having disposed of the object O at the disposal place S1. Accordingly, the person P1 can enjoyably dispose of the object O with game feeling.

The garbage disposal support apparatus <NUM> and the garbage disposal support method in this embodiment determine the type of the object O, and identify the disposal place S1 in accordance with the type of the object O, thereby allowing the object O to be disposed of in a segregated manner.

Note that for example, the garbage disposal support apparatus <NUM> of the embodiment described above includes the ID obtaining unit <NUM>, the face image obtaining unit <NUM>, the disposal image obtaining unit <NUM>, the disposal confirmation unit <NUM> and the payment assigning unit <NUM>. Some or all of the ID obtaining unit <NUM>, the face image obtaining unit <NUM>, the disposal image obtaining unit <NUM>, the disposal confirmation unit <NUM> and the payment assigning unit <NUM> may be omitted.

For example, according to the embodiment described above, the route information M1 is generated after the person P1 is prompted to reply about whether the route guide is required or not. Alternatively, the route information M1 may be generated without prompting the person P1 to reply about whether the route guide is required or not.

For example, according to the embodiment described above, the description is made assuming that the person moving in the facility disposes of the object. However, there is no limitation to the inside of the facility. Even at the outside, implementation can be achieved in a substantially similar manner.

<FIG> is a block diagram showing a configuration of a garbage disposal support system using a garbage disposal support apparatus according to this embodiment. For example, the garbage disposal support system <NUM> of this embodiment provides a person with an incentive to dispose of garbage at a disposal place in a facility that is a type of a preset environment, and can be used to allow a person disposing of garbage to recognize the position of the disposal place at this opportunity.

For example, as shown in <FIG>, the garbage disposal support system <NUM> includes an imaging apparatus <NUM>, a display apparatus <NUM>, a garbage disposal support apparatus <NUM> and a database <NUM>, which are connected to each other by a network <NUM>.

The imaging apparatus <NUM> images the inside of the facility. For example, the imaging apparatuses <NUM> are arranged along a passage of the facility so as to allow the passage to be imaged, and is arranged around the disposal place of garbage arranged in the facility so as to be capable of imaging the disposal place and therearound. Thus, the multiple imaging apparatuses <NUM> are provided in the facility.

Similar to the display apparatus <NUM> of the first embodiment, the display apparatus <NUM> displays disposal place information about garbage or route information, which will be described later. As shown in <FIG>, the garbage disposal support apparatus <NUM> includes, for example, a terminal information obtaining unit <NUM>, an image obtaining unit <NUM>, a garbage detection unit <NUM>, a disposal place identification unit <NUM>, a participant recruiting unit <NUM>, a route generation unit <NUM>, a transceiver unit <NUM>, a disposal confirmation unit <NUM>, and a payment assigning unit <NUM>.

The terminal information obtaining unit <NUM> obtains ID information and position information about a mobile terminal <NUM> in the facility, from the mobile terminal <NUM>. Here, the mobile terminal <NUM> is a smartphone or a tablet PC connected to the network <NUM>. For example, the position information about the mobile terminal <NUM> can be obtained based on position information, such as about a GPS receiver mounted on the mobile terminal <NUM>, and is associated with the ID information about the mobile terminal <NUM>.

The image obtaining unit <NUM> obtains image information about the inside of the facility taken by the imaging apparatus <NUM>. Note that the image obtaining unit <NUM> is only required to be capable of obtaining the image information about the inside of the facility, and may include the imaging apparatus <NUM>, for example. The garbage detection unit <NUM> checks the image information about the inside of the facility against garbage image information stored in the database <NUM>, and detects the garbage in the facility and obtains position information about the garbage.

Preferably, for example, the garbage detection unit <NUM> detects the garbage by applying image processing to the image information about the inside of the facility taken by imaging apparatuses <NUM>, and obtains the position information about the garbage in the facility, based on the position information about the imaging apparatuses <NUM> having taken the image information where the garbage has been detected and on the position information about the garbage in the image information.

Preferably, here, the garbage detection unit <NUM> checks the image information about the garbage extracted from the image information about the inside of the facility against type-specific garbage image information stored in the database <NUM>, and determines the type of the garbage.

The disposal place identification unit <NUM> identifies the disposal place of the garbage, based on the position information about the garbage in the facility and on the disposal place information stored in a database <NUM>. Preferably, at this time, the disposal place identification unit <NUM> identifies the disposal place closest to the garbage in consideration of the route information in the facility stored in the database <NUM>. Preferably, the disposal place identification unit <NUM> identifies the disposal place of the garbage in consideration of garbage type information and on garbage-type-specific disposal place information stored in the database <NUM>.

The participant recruiting unit <NUM> generates recruiting information for recruiting participation applicants for a garbage disposal operation, and transmits the recruiting information to the mobile terminal <NUM> in the facility through the transceiver unit <NUM>. The participant recruiting unit <NUM> then selects a person to dispose of garbage from among applying participation applicants. Preferably, for example, the participant recruiting unit <NUM> transmits the recruiting information to the mobile terminal <NUM> that is present in a range preset for the garbage, based on the position information about the mobile terminal <NUM> and on the position information about the garbage.

Preferably, the participant recruiting unit <NUM> selects a person owning the mobile terminal <NUM> that is present closest to the garbage as a person to dispose of garbage from among the participation applicants, based on the position information about the mobile terminal <NUM> and on the position information about the garbage in the facility.

Preferably, at this time, the recruiting information is displayed on a display apparatus <NUM> by a support application installed in the mobile terminal <NUM>, and the participation applicant for the garbage disposal operation inputs a reply about wishing participation through the mobile terminal <NUM>, thus transmitting participation application information to the garbage disposal support apparatus <NUM>.

The route generation unit <NUM> generates route information for disposal of garbage, based on the position information about the mobile terminal <NUM> owned by the selected person, on the route information stored in the database <NUM> and on the identified disposal place information. Note that the route generation unit <NUM> may generate the route information in response to a request by the selected person, for example.

The transceiver unit <NUM> is an interface with the network <NUM>. The transceiver unit <NUM> receives the ID information and the position information from the mobile terminal <NUM>, receives the image information about the inside of the facility from the imaging apparatus <NUM>, and receives the participation application information from the mobile terminal <NUM>. The transceiver unit <NUM> transmits the disposal place information or the route information to the display apparatus <NUM> or the mobile terminal <NUM>, and transmits the position information about the garbage and the recruiting information to the mobile terminal <NUM>.

The disposal confirmation unit <NUM> confirms the mobile terminal <NUM> owned by the person having disposed of the garbage at the disposal place, based on the image information about the inside of the facility and on the position information about the mobile terminal <NUM> owned by the selected person. Preferably, for example, the disposal confirmation unit <NUM> confirms the mobile terminal <NUM> of which position information indicates the disposal place and therearound and which is owned by the person having disposed of the garbage at the disposal place from the image around the disposal place, based on the position information about the mobile terminal <NUM> owned by the selected person, on the image information about the garbage and on the image information around the disposal place in the facility.

When the selected person disposes of the garbage at the disposal place, the payment assigning unit <NUM> assigns a payment to the mobile terminal <NUM> owned by the person. For example, the payment assigning unit <NUM> transmits payment information for adding points or the like, to the support application of the mobile terminal <NUM>, through the transceiver unit <NUM>.

Preferably, at this time, for example, the payment assigning unit <NUM> increases or reduces the amount of payment, based on the size of the garbage, whether the object is recyclable or not, the distance to the disposal place, the amount of baggage of the selected person, the weather, or a time period after transmission of the position information about the garbage to disposal of the garbage. Note that the payment assigning unit <NUM> may transmit the payment information to a server or the like operated by a typical point site.

Next, a flow of disposing of garbage using the garbage disposal support system <NUM> of this embodiment is described. <FIG> and <FIG> are flowcharts showing the flow of disposing of the garbage using the garbage disposal support system of this embodiment. <FIG> are diagrams conceptually showing the situation of each step.

First, as shown in <FIG>, a person P2 owning the mobile terminal <NUM> activates the support application of the mobile terminal <NUM> (S101). Here, in <FIG>, the situation of the person P2 owning the mobile terminal <NUM> is shown on the left side, and the situation where the support application of the mobile terminal <NUM> is activated is shown on the right side. When the person P2 owning the mobile terminal <NUM> enters the facility, the terminal information obtaining unit <NUM> of the garbage disposal support apparatus <NUM> obtains the ID information and the position information about the mobile terminal <NUM>.

Next, the imaging apparatus <NUM> takes an image in the facility, and transmits the image information about the inside of the facility to the garbage disposal support apparatus <NUM>. Accordingly, the image obtaining unit <NUM> of the garbage disposal support apparatus <NUM> obtains the image information about the inside of the facility (S102). Here, the obtainment of the image in the facility continues while the facility is open.

Next, the garbage detection unit <NUM> of the garbage disposal support apparatus <NUM> checks the image information about the inside of the facility against garbage image information stored in the database <NUM>, and determines whether garbage in the facility is detected or not (S103). When garbage is not detected (NO in S103), the garbage disposal support apparatus <NUM> returns the processing to S103.

On the other hand, when garbage D is detected as shown in <FIG> (YES in S103), the garbage detection unit <NUM> obtains position information about the garbage D. Preferably, as described above, the garbage detection unit <NUM> checks the image information about the garbage D extracted from the image information about the inside of the facility against type-specific garbage image information stored in the database <NUM>, and determines the type of the garbage D as shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> shows the situation of determining that the garbage D is first type garbage d1, as a result of checking image information about first type (e.g., combustible garbage) garbage d1, image information about second type (e.g., PET bottle) garbage d2, and image information about third type (e.g., non-combustible garbage) garbage d3 stored in the database <NUM>, against image information about the garbage D.

The disposal place identification unit <NUM> of the garbage disposal support apparatus <NUM> identifies the disposal place of the garbage D, based on the position information about the garbage D in the facility and on the disposal place information stored in the database <NUM> (S104). Preferably, as described above, a disposal place S2 of the garbage D is identified in consideration of type information about the garbage D, and garbage-type-specific disposal place information stored in the database <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

The participant recruiting unit <NUM> of the garbage disposal support apparatus <NUM> generates recruiting information for recruiting participation applicants for a disposal operation for the garbage D, and transmits the recruiting information to the mobile terminal <NUM> in the facility through the transceiver unit <NUM> (S105). The participant recruiting unit <NUM> determines whether there is an application of a participation applicant or not (S106).

If there is not an application of a participation applicant (NO in S106), the garbage disposal support apparatus <NUM> finishes the support process. Note that if there is no application by the participation applicant, the participant recruiting unit <NUM> may recruit participation applicants again. On the other hand, if there is a participation applicant has applied (YES in S106), the participant recruiting unit <NUM> selects the person P2 to dispose of the garbage D from among the applying participation applicants as shown in <FIG> (S107).

Next, the transceiver unit <NUM> of the garbage disposal support apparatus <NUM> transmits the position information about the garbage and the disposal place information about the garbage D to the mobile terminal <NUM> owned by the person P2 (S108). The mobile terminal <NUM> then displays the disposal place information about the object D on the display apparatus <NUM>, and prompts the person P2 to input whether a route guide to the disposal place is required or not (S109). Note that the garbage disposal support apparatus <NUM> may transmit the disposal place information to the display apparatus <NUM>, and transmit, to the mobile terminal <NUM>, the information for prompting input of whether the route guide to the disposal place S2 is required or not.

As shown in <FIG>, when the person P2 inputs a reply that the route guide is required, through the support application of the mobile terminal <NUM> (in <FIG>, contact with a "Route" part displayed on the display apparatus <NUM> of the mobile terminal <NUM>) (YES in S109), the route generation unit <NUM> of the garbage disposal support apparatus <NUM> generates the route information M2 from the current position of the person P2 to the disposal place S2, and transmits the route information M2 to the display apparatus <NUM> through the transceiver unit <NUM> (S110).

Here, in <FIG>, the situation of the person P2 owning the mobile terminal <NUM> is shown on the left side, and the mobile terminal <NUM> when input of whether the route guide is required or not is prompted is shown on the right side. As shown in <FIG>, the display apparatus <NUM> displays route information M2. Accordingly, the person P2 can recognize the position and the route of the disposal place S2. Preferably, here, as shown in <FIG>, besides the route guide connecting the point of start of the route guide and the disposal place S2, the current position of the person P2 on the guide route is shown in the route information M2.

Preferably, at this time, based on the position information about the person P2 in the facility, the transceiver unit <NUM> transmits the route information M2 to the display apparatus <NUM> arranged close to the person P2 on the movement direction side of the person P2 among display apparatuses <NUM>, and causes the display apparatus <NUM> to display the route information M2 depending on the movement of the person P2. Accordingly, depending on the movement of the person P2, the disposal place information and the route information can be displayed on the display apparatus <NUM>.

The transceiver unit <NUM> may transmit the route information M2 to the mobile terminal <NUM>, thus causing the display apparatus <NUM> of the mobile terminal <NUM> to display the route information M2, as shown in <FIG>. Note that the transceiver unit <NUM> may transmit the disposal place information or the route information M2 to any one of the display apparatus <NUM> or the display apparatus <NUM> of the mobile terminal <NUM>.

Next, the image obtaining unit <NUM> of the garbage disposal support apparatus <NUM> obtains image information around the disposal place S2 from the imaging apparatus <NUM> disposed at the disposal place S2 so as to be capable of imaging the disposal place S2 and therearound (S111). Here, when the person P2 inputs a reply that the route guide is not required through the support application of the mobile terminal <NUM> (NO in S109), the garbage disposal support apparatus <NUM> makes the process transit to step S111.

Next, the disposal confirmation unit <NUM> of the garbage disposal support apparatus <NUM> confirms the mobile terminal <NUM> owned by the person P2 having disposed of the garbage D at the disposal place S2, based on the obtained image information around the disposal place S2 (S112). If the mobile terminal <NUM> owned by the person P2 having disposed of the garbage D at the disposal place S2 cannot be confirmed until the preset first time period elapses after transmission of the route information M2 by the transceiver unit <NUM> to the display apparatus <NUM> (NO in S112), the garbage disposal support apparatus <NUM> finishes the support process.

Preferably, at this time, if the mobile terminal <NUM> owned by the person P2 having disposed of the garbage D at the disposal place S2 cannot be confirmed until the preset second time period elapses after transmission of the route information M2 by the transceiver unit <NUM> to the display apparatus <NUM>, the disposal confirmation unit <NUM> transmits demand notice information for urging disposal of the garbage D to the mobile terminal <NUM> through the transceiver unit <NUM>. Preferably, here, the second time period is shorter time period in comparison with the first time period.

On the other hand, as shown in <FIG>, if the mobile terminal <NUM> owned by the person P2 having disposed of the garbage D at the disposal place S2 is confirmed (YES in S112), the payment assigning unit <NUM> of the garbage disposal support apparatus <NUM> assigns a payment to the mobile terminal <NUM> owned by the person P2 (S113).

For example, as shown in <FIG>, the payment assigning unit <NUM> transmits payment information for adding points or the like to the support application of the mobile terminal <NUM>, through the transceiver unit <NUM>. Preferably, at this time, the payment assigning unit <NUM> generates payment information to be assigned, based on the garbage type information about the garbage D, on the image information about the inside of the facility and on weather information obtained from the outside. Here, in <FIG>, the situation of the person P2 owning the mobile terminal <NUM> is shown on the left side, and the mobile terminal <NUM> when points are assigned is shown on the right side.

As described above, the garbage disposal support apparatus <NUM> and the garbage disposal support method in this embodiment can provide the person P2 with an incentive for disposing of the garbage D by assigning the payment to the person P2 having disposed of the garbage D, and allow the person P2 to recognize the position of the disposal place S2 of the garbage D when the person P2 disposes of the garbage D, thus allowing the load on the person P2 disposing the garbage D to be reduced.

Furthermore, the garbage disposal support apparatus <NUM> and the garbage disposal support method in this embodiment recruit participation applicants for the disposal operation of the garbage D. Accordingly, the participation applicants can apply for the disposal operation of the garbage D with game feeling to obtain a payment. At this time, if the person P2 owning the mobile terminal <NUM> that is present closest to the garbage is selected as the person to dispose of the garbage D, the garbage D can be effectively disposed of.

The garbage disposal support apparatus <NUM> and the garbage disposal support method in this embodiment determine the type of the garbage D, and identify the disposal place in accordance with the type of the garbage D, thereby allowing the garbage D to be disposed of in a segregated manner.

For example, the garbage disposal support apparatus <NUM> and the garbage disposal support method in this embodiment generate the route information M2 to the disposal place of the garbage D in response to the request by the person P2 to dispose of the garbage D, and cause the display apparatus <NUM> or the display apparatus <NUM> of the mobile terminal <NUM> to display the information, which can further reduce the load on the person P2 disposing of the garbage D.

At this time, among the display apparatuses <NUM>, the display apparatus <NUM> arranged close to the person P2 on the movement direction side of the person P2 is caused to display the route information M2, which can contribute to reduction in power consumption in comparison with a case where the route information M2 is displayed on all the display apparatuses <NUM> at the same time.

Furthermore, when the person P2 to dispose of the garbage D does not actually dispose of the garbage D at the disposal place S2, the garbage disposal support apparatus <NUM> and the garbage disposal support method in this embodiment transmit the demand notice information for urging disposal of the garbage D to the mobile terminal <NUM> owned by the person P2, which can prevent illegal dumping of the garbage D.

Note that for example, the garbage disposal support apparatus <NUM> of the embodiment described above includes the participant recruiting unit <NUM> and the route generation unit <NUM>. However, one or both of the participant recruiting unit <NUM> and the route generation unit <NUM> may be omitted.

For example, according to the embodiment described above, the route information M2 is generated after the person P2 is prompted to reply about whether the route guide is required or not. Alternatively, the route information M2 may be generated without prompting the person P2 to reply about whether the route guide is required or not.

For example, according to the embodiments described above, the description is made assuming that the garbage in the facility is disposed of. However, there is no limitation to the inside of the facility. Even at the outside, implementation can be achieved in a substantially similar manner.

For example, according to the embodiments described above, the mobile terminal owned by the person having disposed of the garbage at the disposal place is confirmed, and the payment is assigned when the selected person disposes of the garbage at the disposal place. However, these may be omitted, or any of them may be omitted.

The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be appropriately changed in a range.

For example, according to the embodiments described above, the present disclosure is described as the hardware configuration. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. According to the present disclosure, any process can also be achieved by causing a CPU (Central Processing Unit) to execute a computer program.

The programs are stored using various types of non-transitory computer-readable media, and can be supplied to computers. The non-transitory computer-readable media include various types of tangible storage media. Examples of the non-transitory computer-readable media include a magnetic recording medium (e.g., a flexible disk, a magnetic tape, and a hard disk drive), a magnetooptical recording medium (e.g., a magnetooptical disk), a CD-ROM (Read Only Memory), a CD-R, a CD-R/W, a semiconductor memory (e.g., a mask ROM, a PROM (Programmable ROM), an EPROM (Erasable PROM), a flash ROM, and a RAM (random access memory)). The programs may be provided for the computer through various types of transitory computer readable media. Examples of transitory computer readable media include an electric signal, an optical signal, and electromagnetic waves. The transitory computer readable media can provide programs for the computer via a wired communication path, such as an electric wire or an optical fiber, or a wireless communication path.

This application claims the priority of <CIT> and <CIT>.

Claim 1:
A garbage disposal support (<NUM>) apparatus, comprising:
a position obtaining unit (<NUM>) configured to obtain position information about a person (P1) having an object (O);
an object image obtaining unit (<NUM>) configured to obtain image information about the object (O) that the person (P1) has;
a garbage determination unit (<NUM>) configured to check the image information about the object (O) that the person (P1) has against garbage image information stored in a database (<NUM>) and determine whether the object (O) is garbage or not;
a route generation unit (<NUM>) configured to generate route information (M1) to a disposal place (S1) of the garbage, based on the position information about the person (P1) and on disposal place information stored in the database (<NUM>), if the object (O) is garbage; and
a transmitter unit (<NUM>) configured to transmit the route information (M1) to a display apparatus (<NUM>,<NUM>);
the apparatus characterized in that:
a disposal image obtaining unit (<NUM>) configured to obtain image information about the disposal place (S1); and
a disposal confirmation unit (<NUM>) configured to confirm whether the person (P1) has disposed of the object (O) at the disposal place (S1) or not, based on the position information about the person (P1) and on the image information about the disposal place (S1).