Information processing method, method for manufacturing recording medium, and information storage method

Abstract

To provide an information processing method or the like capable of appropriately dealing with unconfirmed greenhouse gas emissions.SOLUTION: A data processing server executes an information processing method, and processes emissions of a greenhouse gas associated with an object, that is, emission information related to a carbon footprint. The data processing server retrieves confirmation information of a destination from traceability information associated with the object when GHG emissions associated with the object has an unconfirmed portion due to an unconfirmed destination of the object. When the traceability information does not have the confirmation information, the data processing server prepares an unconfirmed CFP calculated by using a temporary calculation formula and showing unconfirmed GHG emissions in addition to a confirmed CFP showing confirmed GHG emissions when the traceability information does not have the confirmation information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] TECHNICAL FIELD This disclosure relates to techniques for processing and storing emissions information relating to greenhouse gas emissions. [Background technology]

[0002] As described in Patent Document 1, the method of calculating greenhouse gas emissions varies depending on the country or region where the final product is used, in other words, the destination of the final product. Therefore, Patent Document 1 allows a user to operate to set a tentative destination when the destination is undecided. This allows the end user to check the greenhouse gas emissions calculated using the calculation method corresponding to the tentatively set destination. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2022-106291 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In Patent Document 1, when the destination is undetermined, the total value of the determined emission amount and the undetermined emission amount is displayed on the screen as the carbon footprint. Therefore, even if only a small portion of the emission amount is undetermined, there is a concern that the undetermined amount may give the impression that the presented carbon footprint is unreliable. Therefore, the method disclosed in Patent Document 1 has room for improvement in the handling of greenhouse gas emission amounts for objects with undetermined destinations.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an information processing method, a recording medium production method, and an information storage method that are capable of appropriately handling greenhouse gas emissions from objects whose destinations are not determined. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, one disclosed aspect is an information processing method for generating emission information related to greenhouse gas emissions linked to an object (IM), which includes the following steps in processing executed by at least one processor (11): when there is an undetermined amount of emissions linked to the object due to the destination of the object being undetermined, searching for confirmed information of the destination from the traceability information associated with the object (S108); and when there is no confirmed information in the traceability information, preparing unconfirmed data indicating the unconfirmed amount of emissions calculated using a hypothetical calculation formula in addition to confirmed data indicating the confirmed amount of emissions (S114).

[0007] One aspect disclosed is a method for producing a recording medium (13, 113) storing emission information related to greenhouse gas emissions linked to an object (IM), the method including the steps of searching for confirmed information on the destination from traceability information associated with the object (S108) when there is undetermined emissions linked to the object due to the destination of the object being undetermined, and when there is no confirmed information in the traceability information, preparing unconfirmed data indicating the unconfirmed emissions calculated using a hypothetical calculation formula in addition to confirmed data indicating the confirmed emissions (S114), and storing emission information including the confirmed data and the unconfirmed data in the recording medium (S116) in the processing executed by at least one processor (11, 111).

[0008] In these aspects, when there is no confirmed information on the destination of the object, unconfirmed data indicating the unconfirmed emission amount, which is calculated using a tentative calculation formula, is prepared separately from the confirmed data indicating the confirmed emission amount. In this way, by separating the unconfirmed data from the confirmed data, it becomes possible to appropriately handle the unconfirmed greenhouse gas emission amount.

[0009] One aspect disclosed is an information storage method for storing emission information related to greenhouse gas emissions linked to an object (IM) in a database (20), the information storage method including, in a process executed by at least one processor (11, 51), the steps of: when there is an undetermined amount of emissions linked to the object due to the destination of the object being undetermined, calculating undetermined data indicating the undetermined amount of emissions using a tentative calculation formula (S14); and recording the undetermined data and confirmed data indicating the confirmed amount of emissions in the database together with undetermined information indicating that the destination is undetermined (S16).

[0010] In this aspect, when the destination of the object is undetermined, unconfirmed data indicating the undetermined emission amount is calculated using a tentative calculation formula. Then, the unconfirmed data prepared separately from the confirmed data indicating the confirmed emission amount is recorded in the database together with undetermined information indicating that the destination is undetermined. As described above, by separating the unconfirmed data from the confirmed data and clearly indicating the factors that make it impossible to determine the emission amount due to the undetermined destination information, it becomes possible to appropriately handle the unconfirmed greenhouse gas emission amount.

[0011] In addition, the reference numbers in parentheses in the above and claims merely show an example of the correspondence with the specific configurations in the embodiments described below, and do not limit the technical scope in any way. In addition, claims that are not explicitly stated in the claims can be combined together as long as there is no particular problem with the combination. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an overall view of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 13 shows details of the emissions information stored in the database and details of the carbon footprint display to the end user. [Diagram 3] 1 is a table showing a list of a plurality of CFP calculation formulas prepared in advance. [Figure 4]FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining details of the CFP calculation formula. [Diagram 5] 11 is a sequence diagram showing details of a traceability information accumulation process performed by the data processing terminal and the data processing server. FIG. [Figure 6] 11 is a flowchart showing details of a sub-process for generating emission information related to greenhouse gas emissions. [Figure 7] 11 is a sequence diagram showing details of a traceability information inquiry process performed by a user terminal and a data processing server. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] An information processing system 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure shown in FIG. 1 is applied to a supply chain SC consisting of many traders, and manages transaction records of items traded between each trader. The transaction records are traceability information (hereinafter, traceability information) that realizes traceability of items traded between traders. The transaction records contain a large amount of information indicating the time and place where the transaction occurred. As an example, when the item is an industrial product, the transaction records contain information related to raw materials, information related to processing and assembly, and distribution routes. Also, when the item is a food product, the transaction records further contain information indicating the best-before date or expiry date.

[0014] The supply chain SC is a connection between traders for delivering industrial products, agricultural products, marine products, etc. to end users EU. As an example, a supply chain SC that supplies industrial products to end users EU includes traders such as a number of suppliers SP that procure raw materials, manufacture parts, assemble parts, etc., a transporter TP, and a finished product manufacturer MF. The traders may further include secondary users and recyclers of the final products. The final products supplied by the supply chain SC may be various goods such as automobiles, batteries, semiconductors, fresh food, marine products, food, flowers, medicines, and chemicals.

[0015] The information processing system 100 enables the calculation and verification of carbon footprints throughout the supply chain SC. The information processing system 100 treats items such as materials, parts, assemblies, and final products supplied by the supply chain SC as objects IM. The information processing system 100 processes emission information related to greenhouse gas emissions (hereinafter, GHG emissions) linked to the object IM. Specifically, the information processing system 100 treats the emission information linked to the object IM as traceability information, and continuously collects and accumulates the emission information. Furthermore, the information processing system 100 provides the accumulated emission information to each trader, the end user EU, and supervisory authorities, etc.

[0016] In detail, the information processing system 100 acquires primary data indicating the amount of GHG emissions emitted in each process of manufacturing, distribution, and sales of the object IM as emission information, and accumulates it in the database 20. The information processing system 100 may further acquire GHG emissions associated with use and maintenance management in the end user EU, GHG emissions in processes such as mining and recycling of raw materials, and GHG emissions in processes related to disposal such as incineration and landfilling. Based on the accumulated emission information, the information processing system 100 adds up the GHG emissions by each trader and visualizes them as a carbon footprint for each product of the object IM. The information processing system 100 realizes the traceability of the carbon footprint and enables the assurance of the accuracy of the carbon footprint (the validity of the numerical value).

[0017] As an example, in the European Union, all batteries sold for automobiles, industrial use, portable use, etc. are required to display their carbon footprints (EU Battery Regulation). The information processing system 100 is suitable for application to a supply chain SC that supplies items such as batteries that are required to display their carbon footprints.

[0018] The greenhouse gases whose emissions are recorded as carbon footprints may be carbon dioxide only, or may include methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, sulfur hexafluoride, etc. In this case, emissions of greenhouse gases other than carbon dioxide are converted into carbon dioxide emissions and included in the presented carbon footprint value.

[0019] [Configuration of information processing system 100] The information processing system 100 is composed of a large number of data processing terminals 50, a data processing server 10, a time stamp server 30, an application distribution server 40, etc. A user terminal 110 may be further included as a configuration of the information processing system 100. Each element constituting the information processing system 100 is connected to a network as a single node and can communicate with each other.

[0020] The data processing terminal 50 is an information processing device operated by traders such as supplier SP, transporter TP, and finished product manufacturer MF involved in the manufacturing process of the final product supplied by the supply chain SC. The data processing terminal 50 is installed at each business base of the traders. Items such as materials, parts, and assembled products shipped from the business base of the trader in the previous process are delivered to each business base. The delivered items are processed at the business base of the process and shipped as new items to the business base of the trader in the subsequent process.

[0021] Items exchanged between traders are accompanied by identification information for identifying each individual item. The identification information may be unique ID information (hereinafter, unique ID) issued by the data processing server 10, or a hash value generated with a predetermined number of bits. The identification information is recorded in, for example, a two-dimensional code CD such as a QR code (registered trademark), or an RF tag, and distributed together with the product. The identification information may be updated for each trader, or the same information may be continuously used between multiple traders.

[0022] The data processing terminal 50 is mainly configured with a control circuit 50a. The control circuit 50a includes a processor 51, a RAM 52, a storage unit 53, an input / output interface 54, and a bus connecting these, and functions as a computer that performs arithmetic processing. The processor 51 is hardware for arithmetic processing that is combined with the RAM 52. The processor 51 executes an application program (such as a traceability information storage program) stored in the storage unit 53. The traceability information storage program is a program for causing the data processing terminal 50 to perform the information storage method of the present disclosure. The input / output interface 54 is electrically connected to input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse, a display, a scanner or camera that reads identification information, and a printer that outputs identification information to a paper medium or an RF tag, etc.

[0023] The data processing terminal 50 reads the identification information through processing based on the traceability information accumulation program (see FIG. 5), and obtains information such as what was purchased from which trader (such as the supplier SP of the previous process) and when it was delivered, as a transaction record related to the product. In addition, the data processing terminal 50 obtains emission information indicating the GHG emissions related to the manufacture of distribution products shipped from its own process. The data processing terminal 50 transmits the transaction record and emission information, etc. to the data processing server 10.

[0024] The data processing server 10, the time stamp server 30, and the application distribution server 40 are server devices operated by an administrator of the supply chain SC or a platform provider PF selected by the administrator. The administrator is, for example, a finished product manufacturer MF, or a supervisory agency having supervisory authority over final products supplied by the supply chain SC. The platform provider PF is a business entity that provides large-scale information processing resources on the Internet, or an alliance (e.g., Catena-X, etc.) aimed at data sharing throughout the supply chain SC. The data processing server 10, the time stamp server 30, and the application distribution server 40 may be on-premise server devices that are physically managed by the administrator or the platform provider PF, or may be virtual configurations provided on the cloud. Furthermore, the data processing server 10, the time stamp server 30, and the application distribution server 40 may be configured to be managed by different administrators or platform providers PFs.

[0025] The data processing server 10 is an information processing device mainly including a control circuit 10a. The control circuit 10a includes a processor 11, a RAM 12, a storage unit 13, an input / output interface 14, and a bus connecting these components, and functions as a high-performance computer that performs arithmetic processing at high speed. The processor 11 is hardware for arithmetic processing that is coupled to the RAM 12. The processor 11 executes various processes (instructions) related to data management and provision by accessing the RAM 12. The storage unit 13 stores an information management program that realizes functions related to data management and an information provision program that realizes functions related to data provision. The information management program is a program that causes the data processing server 10 to perform the information storage method disclosed herein. The information provision program is a program (information processing program) that causes the data processing server 10 to perform the information processing method and the recording medium production method disclosed herein.

[0026] The data processing server 10 acquires the transaction record and emission amount information transmitted by the data processing terminal 50 by receiving it. The data processing server 10 stores the acquired transaction record and emission amount information in the database 20 as traceability information of the target object IM. In the traceability information, a large number of accumulated emission amount information are associated with each other based on the transaction record (see FIG. 2). The database 20 may be constructed in an on-premise file server managed by the platform provider PF, or may be constructed in a virtual file server provided on the cloud.

[0027] The database 20 uses blockchain BC technology to store data to be stored (traceability information) including transaction records and emission information in a substantially tamper-proof state. As one example, the database 20 stores the data to be stored as transactions in blocks BL of a private blockchain BC. The database 20 hashes information stored in one block BL and stores the hashed information in the next block BL, making it difficult to tamper with the data to be stored stored in each block BL (see FIG. 2). As another example, the database 20 may store a hash value generated from the data to be stored in a block BL of a consortium or public blockchain BC, making it substantially impossible to tamper with the data to be stored.

[0028] The data processing server 10 acquires, by reception, a carbon footprint inquiry request sent by the user terminal 110 (see FIG. 7). The data processing server 10 extracts the transaction record of the object IM specified in the inquiry request from the traceability information accumulated in the database 20. The data processing server 10 further extracts emission amount information related to the object IM from the database 20 based on the transaction record. The data processing server 10 calculates the carbon footprint of the object IM using the extracted emission amount information, and transmits it to the requesting user terminal 110 as data to be provided.

[0029] The time stamp server 30 is a server device mainly including a computer. The time stamp server 30 creates input information using news articles distributed by a news distribution server or the like. The time stamp server 30 generates a hash value of a predetermined number of bits (e.g., 256 bits) as time stamp data by inputting the created input information into a hash function. The time stamp data is provided to the data processing server 10 and stored in the database 20 together with the traceability information as verification data for verifying whether the acquisition time or storage time of the traceability information has been tampered with.

[0030] The application distribution server 40 is a server device mainly including a computer. The application distribution server 40 distributes a traceability information inquiry application to the user terminal 110 through a network. The traceability information inquiry application is an application for inquiring the transaction records and carbon footprints of a circulating product or an end product. A carbon footprint inquiry application (hereinafter, CFP inquiry application) specialized for inquiring carbon footprints may be distributed with the transaction record inquiry function omitted. The traceability information inquiry application and the CFP inquiry application are downloaded from the application distribution server 40 to the storage unit 113 of the user terminal 110, and are automatically installed in the user terminal 110 after the download is completed. The application distribution server 40 may be a server device managed by, for example, a vendor of the operating system of the user terminal 110.

[0031] The user terminal 110 is a smartphone, tablet terminal, read-only terminal, etc. owned by the end user EU. The user terminal 110 is composed of a camera, a terminal communication device, etc. in addition to a control circuit 110a and a display 120. The control circuit 110a includes a processor 111, a RAM 112, a storage unit 113, an input / output interface 114, and a bus connecting these, etc., and functions as a computer that performs arithmetic processing.

[0032] An inquiry application such as the above-mentioned traceability information inquiry application or CFP inquiry application is installed in the user terminal 110. The inquiry application is a program (information processing program) for causing the user terminal 110 to execute the information processing method and recording medium production method of the present disclosure. The user terminal 110 functions as an information display device by execution of the inquiry application by the processor 111, and displays a carbon footprint on the display screen DP (see FIG. 2) of the display 120. The user terminal 110 cooperates with the data processing server 10 and executes a traceability information inquiry process (see FIG. 7) described below.

[0033] [Challenges in calculating carbon footprints] The carbon footprint (GHG emissions) calculation method explained so far is not uniquely determined, but changes depending on multiple conditions. More specifically, the carbon footprint calculation method differs depending on the production location of the items, such as the country or region where the raw materials, materials, parts, and assemblies are produced. Furthermore, the carbon footprint calculation method also differs depending on the destination of the final product, such as the country or region where the final product is used. Furthermore, even if the destination of the final product is determined, if it is delivered to a different destination through secondary use such as reuse or rebuilding, it is desirable to change the carbon footprint calculation method.

[0034] And while information such as the country of origin and processing may be clear at the time of production, the destination of the produced item is often not determined until after the final product is manufactured, making it difficult to calculate an accurate carbon footprint for each individual item at the time of production.

[0035] In view of the above circumstances, in the information processing system 100, a plurality of formulas for calculating carbon footprints (hereinafter, CFP formulas) are prepared in advance to correspond to a plurality of production locations and a plurality of destination locations (see FIG. 3). Among these plurality of CFP formulas, the CFP formula corresponding to both the production location and the destination location is selected and used as the corresponding formula.

[0036] In each CFP formula shown in Figure 3, the first subscripted letter indicates the place of production, such as the country of raw material extraction or the country of processing. The second subscript indicates the country of destination. For example, if the destination of a final product using items processed in countries A, B, C, and D is country E (see Figure 2), then AE (x),f BE (x),f CE (x),f DE (x) is selected as the corresponding calculation formula.

[0037] Furthermore, the multiple CFP formulas associated with each producing country include a provisional formula (hereinafter referred to as the provisional formula) in addition to the CFP formula for each destination. The provisional formula is a CFP formula for calculating the undetermined GHG emissions as a provisional value when there are undetermined GHG emissions due to the destination being undetermined.

[0038] As an example, the provisional formula is set by considering the place of production of the item as the destination. That is, the CFP formula f AA (x) is the provisional calculation formula f associated with country A A Similarly, the CFP calculation formula f with country B as the place of production and destination is BB (x) is the provisional calculation formula associated with Country B, f B It is considered to be (x).

[0039] As another example, the country that is most likely to be the destination of the final product is set as the tentative destination, and the CFP formula corresponding to this tentative destination is set as the tentative formula. In other words, if the destination is most likely to be country E, the tentative formula f A (x) is f AE Equivalent to (x).

[0040] Here, to explain the CFP formula in more detail, as shown in Figure 4, GHG emissions (carbon footprint) are calculated as the sum of GHG emissions f1(x) during material production and GHG emissions f2(x) due to electricity used. In the CFP formula, x substituted into each formula is a value indicating the amount (weight) of raw materials used in the production of the item (hereinafter, "usage information"). Furthermore, GHG emissions f2(x) are calculated by multiplying f3(x) by a predetermined constant (e.g., 0.425, etc.). f1(x) and f3(x) are calculated by multiplying the amount of each raw material used (x1 to x 11 ) multiplied by a constant corresponding to each ingredient.

[0041] [Carbon footprint accumulation processing] The data processing terminal 50 and the data processing server 10 perform a traceability information accumulation process. The traceability information accumulation process is a process for accumulating traceability information including transaction records and GHG emissions in the database 20. Details of the traceability information accumulation process will be described below based on Figs. 5 and 6 with reference to Figs. 1 to 4.

[0042] The data processing terminal 50 displays a recording start screen on the display based on a staff operation for uploading data to the data processing server 10 (S11). With the recording start screen displayed, the data processing terminal 50 reads identification information from a two-dimensional code Cd (or an RF tag) attached to the item to be shipped (S12).

[0043] The data processing terminal 50 acquires a transaction record, etc., for the item for which the two-dimensional code Cd has been read (S13). Furthermore, the data processing terminal 50 acquires usage information, etc., necessary for calculating GHG emissions, in addition to the transaction record. The data processing terminal 50 may acquire transaction records and usage information, etc., that are automatically acquired or automatically calculated based on information collected by a group of sensors installed at the manufacturing site, or may acquire values ​​input by staff, etc. at the manufacturing site, as the transaction records and usage information, etc.

[0044] The data processing terminal 50 uses the acquired transaction record and usage information to generate accumulation data to be uploaded to the data processing server 10 (S14). The data processing terminal 50 transmits the identification information read from the two-dimensional code Cd and the generated accumulation data to the data processing server 10 (S15).

[0045] The data processing terminal 50 performs a sub-process (see FIG. 6) for generating emission information in the step of generating data for accumulation (S14). In this sub-process, the data processing terminal 50 acquires and sets a CFP formula for calculating the confirmed GHG emission amount associated with the item (S141). The confirmed GHG emission amount is a GHG emission amount whose calculation method does not change even if the destination is changed, in other words, a GHG emission amount associated with a raw material whose content of the CFP formula does not change depending on the destination. The data processing terminal 50 substitutes the usage amount information (see FIG. 4) of each raw material used in the item into the CFP formula, and calculates the confirmed GHG emission amount (confirmed data, confirmed CFP) (S142).

[0046] The data processing terminal 50 determines whether there is any undetermined GHG emission amount (S143). Undetermined GHG emission amount is GHG emission amount for which the calculation method changes when the destination is changed, in other words, GHG emission amount linked to raw materials for which the content of the CFP calculation formula changes depending on the destination. If there is no undetermined GHG emission amount (S143: NO), the data processing terminal 50 prepares emission amount information including at least the determined GHG emission amount and the usage amount information (calculation information) used to calculate the determined GHG emission amount (S149).

[0047] If there is an unconfirmed GHG emission amount (S143: YES), the data processing terminal 50 judges whether or not the destination has already been confirmed (S144). If there is no confirmed destination information (S144: NO), the data processing terminal 50 acquires and sets a provisional calculation formula linked to the production place of the item (S145). In S145, a provisional calculation formula that regards the production place of the item as the destination is set.

[0048] The data processing terminal 50 substitutes the usage information (weight value) of the raw materials used for the item into the provisional calculation formula to calculate the unconfirmed GHG emission amount (unconfirmed data, unconfirmed CFP) (S146). The data processing terminal 50 prepares emission information including at least the confirmed GHG emission amount, the unconfirmed GHG emission amount, and the usage information used in calculating these GHG emission amounts (S149).

[0049] If there is confirmed information on the destination (S144: YES), the data processing terminal 50 acquires and sets a corresponding calculation formula corresponding to both the production place and the destination (S147). The data processing terminal 50 substitutes the usage information of the raw materials used in the item into the corresponding calculation formula, and calculates the GHG emission amount that has been confirmed due to the confirmation of the destination (additional confirmed data). Furthermore, the data processing terminal 50 adds the newly calculated GHG emission amount to the GHG emission amount calculated in S142, and determines the confirmed GHG emission amount (S148). The data processing terminal 50 prepares emission information that includes at least the updated confirmed GHG emission amount and the usage information used to calculate this GHG emission amount (S149).

[0050] The data processing server 10 receives and acquires the identification information, accumulation data, etc. transmitted by the data processing terminal 50 (S15). The data processing server 10 records the identification information and accumulation data in the database 20 as traceability information in a state where they are linked to each other (S16). The traceability information is stored in the database 20 in a state where it is associated with the blockchain BC. The data processing server 10 may store the acquisition time (reception time) of the traceability information in a state where it is linked to the traceability information.

[0051] According to the above-mentioned storage process (S16), the name of the item, the name of the company that produces the item, the location of the manufacturing base (GPS information), information on the place of production, information on the place of destination, the confirmed GHG emissions (confirmed CFP), and the unconfirmed GHG emissions (unconfirmed CFP), etc. are accumulated (see FIG. 2). If the destination is not confirmed, the message "unconfirmed" is written in the destination information. The method of writing such a message indicating that the destination is unconfirmed can be changed as appropriate. Furthermore, the usage information used to calculate the GHG emissions is also recorded in the database 20 (block BL) linked to the item. The usage information is used to recalculate the GHG emissions as "calculation information" described later.

[0052] [Carbon footprint inquiry process] The user terminal 110 and the data processing server 10 disclose the transaction record and carbon footprint (emissions information) of the target IM to the end user EU, etc., through the traceability information inquiry process. Details of the traceability information inquiry process will be described below based on Fig. 7 with reference to Figs. 1 to 4.

[0053] For the traceability information inquiry process, an information processing terminal owned by the trader, such as the data processing terminal 50, may be used instead of the user terminal 110. In this way, various information processing terminals, such as smartphones, tablet terminals, and personal computers, are not limited to the user terminal 110 and can be used to display the carbon footprint.

[0054] The user terminal 110 starts the inquiry application by operation of an end user EU or the like (S101). The user terminal 110 sets an item such as a product or a final product as the object IM to be inquired, and reads identification information from a two-dimensional code Cd (or an RF tag) attached to the object IM (S102). The identification information may be manually input using an input device such as a keyboard, or may be acquired through a network. The user terminal 110 transmits the read identification information to the data processing server 10 together with an inquiry request requesting an inquiry of traceability information of the object IM (S103).

[0055] When the data processing server 10 receives the inquiry request (S103), it identifies the object IM that is the subject of the request based on the identification information (S104). The data processing server 10 searches for traceability information linked to the object IM from among a large amount of traceability information stored in the database 20. The data processing server 10 obtains the confirmed GHG emission amount included in the traceability information of the searched object IM (S105).

[0056] The data processing server 10 judges whether or not there is undetermined information indicating that the destination is undetermined in the traceability information of the searched object IM (S106). For example, if the object IM is an item α to δ, the destination is "undetermined", and undetermined information exists in the traceability information. On the other hand, if the object IM is an item ε, ζ, the destination is confirmed to be a specific country, and there is no undetermined information in the traceability information. If there is no undetermined information (S106: NO), that is, if the destination was already confirmed at the time of production, the data processing server 10 considers that there is no undetermined GHG emission amount, and prepares (generates) data to be provided including the confirmed GHG emission amount (S113).

[0057] In this case, the data provided will include the carbon footprint of the current process where the target item IM was produced (hereinafter referred to as current process CFP), as well as the confirmed values ​​for the accumulated carbon footprint (hereinafter referred to as accumulated CFP), which is the total amount of GHG emissions up to the current process. The units for both current process CFP and accumulated CFP will be "kg". The unconfirmed amounts for both current process CFP and accumulated CFP will be 0kg (none).

[0058] If there is undetermined information (S106: YES), the data processing server 10 judges whether there is an undetermined GHG emission amount in the traceability information of the object IM (S107). The data processing server 10 judges whether there is an undetermined amount for the GHG emission amount in the current process and the GHG emission amount in the process upstream of the current process (left side of FIG. 2). If there is no undetermined GHG emission amount (S107: NO), the data processing server 10 prepares (generates) data to be provided including the confirmed GHG emission amount for each of the value in the current process and the accumulated value (S113). In this case, the undetermined amount for both the current process CFP and the accumulated CFP in the data to be provided is set to 0 kg.

[0059] If there is unconfirmed GHG information (S107: YES), the data processing server 10 searches for confirmed information from the traceability information (blockchain BC) associated with the target IM (S108). The data processing server 10 searches for confirmed information in chronological order from blocks BL that are located after the specific block BLs (see FIG. 2) linked to the target IM among the multiple blocks BL constituting the blockchain BC. As an example, when an item γ is the target IM, the block BL linked to the item γ is set as the specific block BLs. The data processing server 10 searches blocks BL downstream (right side of FIG. 2) of the blockchain BC (supply chain SC) from the specific block BLs in order, and determines whether confirmed information is available.

[0060] When there are multiple pieces of confirmed information in the traceability information, the data processing server 10 acquires the most recent confirmed information among the multiple pieces. More specifically, in the step of searching for confirmed information, the data processing server 10 extracts the confirmed information of the first destination (Country E) from the block BL (traceability information) linked to the item ε. In this case, the data processing server 10 continues to search for confirmed information on the condition that there is a further block BL connected downstream of the block BL with confirmed information. As a result, the data processing server 10 extracts newer confirmed information (Country H) from the block BL (traceability information) linked to the item ζ.

[0061] The data processing server 10 judges whether the confirmed information has been acquired by the search (S109). If the confirmed information of the destination is recorded in the blockchain BC and the confirmed information has been acquired from the downstream traceability information (S109: YES), the data processing server 10 selects a corresponding formula from among a large number of CFP formulas (see FIG. 3) prepared in advance (S110). The corresponding formula is a CFP formula that corresponds to both the destination indicated by the confirmed information and the place of production of the target object IM. The data processing server 10 acquires and sets the corresponding formula.

[0062] The data processing server 10 calculates recalculated data that confirms the unconfirmed GHG emissions using the selected corresponding calculation formula (S111). The data processing server 10 searches the traceability information for calculation information (usage amount information, corresponding to the value of x in Figs. 3 and 4) used to calculate the unconfirmed GHG emissions. The data processing server 10 calculates the additional confirmed GHG emissions as recalculated data by substituting the calculation information acquired by the search into the corresponding calculation formula. The data processing server 10 calculates the additional confirmed GHG emissions based on the calculation information recorded in the upstream block BL and the corresponding calculation formula not only for the current process but also for the unconfirmed GHG emissions upstream.

[0063] The data processing server 10 updates the confirmed GHG emissions by adding the GHG emissions recalculated in S111 to the GHG acquired in S105 (S112). The data processing server 10 updates the confirmed GHG emissions for the current process value and the accumulated value. The data processing server 10 prepares (generates) data to be provided including the updated confirmed GHG emissions (S113). In this case, the unconfirmed amounts of the current process CFP and accumulated CFP are both set to 0 kg in the data to be provided.

[0064] When the data processing server 10 cannot obtain confirmed information from the downstream traceability information (S109: NO), it obtains and prepares the unconfirmed GHG emissions recorded in the traceability information (S113). The data processing server 10 prepares (generates) data to be provided including the confirmed GHG emissions obtained in S105 and the unconfirmed GHG emissions obtained in S113 (S114). Note that when all GHG emissions are unconfirmed, the confirmed GHG emissions are recorded as 0 kg (none) in the data to be provided.

[0065] The data processing server 10 stores the generated data to be provided, in other words, emission amount information including the confirmed CFP emission amount and the unconfirmed CFP emission amount, in the storage unit 13. In this manner, a recording medium storing the emission amount information is produced. Furthermore, the data processing server 10 transmits the generated data to be provided to the user terminal 110 that originated the inquiry request (S115).

[0066] The user terminal 110 acquires the data to be provided (emission amount information of the target object IM) by receiving it from the data processing server 10 (S115). The user terminal 110 stores the emission amount information including the confirmed CFP emission amount and the unconfirmed CFP emission amount in the storage unit 113 (S116). Through the above, a recording medium storing the emission amount information and an information processing device including the recording medium are produced.

[0067] The user terminal 110 displays the value based on the data to be provided as the carbon footprint of the object IM on the display screen DP of the display 120 (S117). The user terminal 110 displays the confirmed and unconfirmed carbon footprints of the current process in which the object IM was produced, and the confirmed and unconfirmed carbon footprints of the accumulation related to the production of the object IM. The unit of the carbon footprint value is not limited to "kg" and may be changed as appropriate depending on the type of object IM and the region or country in which the data processing server 10 or the user terminal 110 is used.

[0068] (Summary of embodiments) In the embodiment described so far, when there is no confirmed information on the destination of the object IM, the unconfirmed GHG emissions calculated using the provisional calculation formula (unconfirmed data) are prepared separately from the confirmed GHG emissions (confirmed data). In this way, by separating the unconfirmed GHG emissions from the confirmed GHG emissions, the unconfirmed GHG emissions can be appropriately handled. As a result, the convenience of carbon footprinting can be improved.

[0069] In addition, in this embodiment, if there are multiple pieces of confirmed information in the traceability information in the step of searching for confirmed information, the most recent confirmed information among the multiple pieces is acquired. Therefore, even if there is secondary use such as reuse or rebuilding of the final product, accurate GHG emissions can be calculated. As a result, the accuracy of the carbon footprint can be further ensured.

[0070] In this embodiment, when there is undetermined information indicating that the destination is undetermined, a search for confirmed information is performed. As described above, if a message indicating that the destination is undetermined is stored as traceability information, the data processing server 10 can appropriately determine whether or not a search for confirmed information is required. As a result, a recalculation process for confirming the undetermined GHG emissions can be appropriately performed.

[0071] Furthermore, the traceability information in this embodiment is recorded using the technology of the blockchain BC. The final information is searched for in chronological order from the blocks BL that are located after the specific blocks BLs to which the object IM is linked, among the multiple blocks BL that constitute the blockchain BC. This search process makes it possible to reliably extract final information necessary to finalize the unconfirmed GHG emissions from the traceability information stored in the blockchain BC. If there is no final information, the GHG emissions as a provisional value based on a provisional calculation formula are presented as the carbon footprint.

[0072] In addition, in this embodiment, if there is confirmed information in the traceability information, a corresponding calculation formula corresponding to both the destination indicated by the confirmed information and the production location of the target object IM is selected. Then, using the selected corresponding calculation formula, recalculated data that confirms the unconfirmed GHG emissions is calculated, and this recalculated data is added to the confirmed GHG emissions. As a result of the above, it is possible to present the confirmed GHG emissions, i.e., an accurate carbon footprint, at the time the destination is confirmed.

[0073] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the calculation information (usage information) used to calculate the unconfirmed GHG emissions is searched from the traceability information. Then, the calculation information acquired by the search is substituted into the corresponding calculation formula to calculate recalculated data that confirms the unconfirmed GHG emissions. As described above, the calculation information used to calculate the unconfirmed GHG emissions is used as is in the recalculation process, so that the accuracy of the value of the additional confirmed GHG emissions (recalculated data) is easily ensured. As a result, it becomes possible to handle the unconfirmed GHG emissions more appropriately.

[0074] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the destination of the object IM is undetermined, the undetermined GHG emissions (undetermined data) are calculated using a provisional calculation formula. Then, the undetermined GHG emissions prepared separately from the determined GHG emissions (determined data) are recorded in the database 20 together with undetermined information indicating that the destination is undetermined. As described above, the undetermined GHG emissions are separated from the determined GHG emissions, and the undetermined destination information clearly indicates the factors that make it impossible to determine the GHG emissions, making it possible to appropriately handle the undetermined GHG emissions. As a result, the convenience of carbon footprinting can be improved.

[0075] In addition, in this embodiment, the provisional calculation formula is set by regarding the place of production of the object IM as the destination. By setting the provisional calculation formula in this way, the undetermined GHG emission amount is unlikely to be a value that significantly differs from the determined GHG emission amount, even if the value is calculated as a provisional value.

[0076] In this embodiment, the calculation information (usage information) used to calculate the unconfirmed GHG emissions is linked to the unconfirmed GHG emissions and recorded in the database 20. Therefore, the calculation information used to calculate the unconfirmed GHG emissions can be used as is in the recalculation process of the GHG emissions after the destination is confirmed. As a result, the accuracy of the value of the additional confirmed GHG emissions (recalculated data) can be easily ensured.

[0077] In the above embodiment, each of the storage units 13 and 113 corresponds to a "recording medium."

[0078] (Other embodiments) Although one embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above, the present disclosure should not be construed as being limited to the above embodiment, and can be applied to various embodiments and combinations within the scope not departing from the gist of the present disclosure.

[0079] In the above embodiment, confirmed data and unconfirmed data are prepared for the GHG emission amount in the current process (current process CFP) and the accumulated GHG emission amount (accumulated CFP), respectively, and are stored in the recording medium as confirmed CFP and undetermined CFP. On the other hand, in the first modification of the above embodiment, confirmed data and unconfirmed data are prepared for only one of the GHG emission amount in the current process and the accumulated GHG emission amount, and are stored in the recording medium as confirmed CFP and undetermined CFP.

[0080] In the second modification of the above embodiment, the final information of the original destination is acquired to generate the recalculation data. As in the second modification, the recalculation of the carbon footprint reflecting the reuse or rebuilding may not be performed.

[0081] In the third modification of the above embodiment, in the blockchain BC, a group of blocks BL connected downstream of the block BL that records the information of the object IM is identified, and the final information is searched for in order starting from the latest block BL. As in the third modification, the method of searching for the final information of the destination may be changed as appropriate. Also, if the security of the database 20 is sufficient, the technology of the blockchain BC does not need to be used to store the traceability information.

[0082] In the above embodiment, all usage information related to the items is uploaded to the data processing server 10. On the other hand, in the fourth modification of the above embodiment, only usage information used for calculating the undetermined GHG emissions, in other words, usage information required for recalculation to determine the undetermined GHG emissions, is uploaded to the data processing server 10 as calculation information.

[0083] In the above embodiment, each function provided by the data processing server 10 and each terminal 50, 110 can be provided by software and hardware that executes the software, software alone, hardware alone, or a combination of these. When such a function is provided by an electronic circuit as hardware, each function can also be provided by a digital circuit including a large number of logic circuits, or an analog circuit.

[0084] Each processor in the above embodiment may be configured to include at least one arithmetic core such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). The processor may further include an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), an NPU (Neural network Processing Unit), and an IP core having other dedicated functions. The processor is not limited to a chip configuration individually mounted on a printed circuit board. Configurations mounted on an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), SoC (System on Chip), and FPGA may correspond to the processor.

[0085] The form of the recording medium (non-transitory tangible storage medium) employed as each storage unit in the above-described embodiments and storing each program may be changed as appropriate. For example, the recording medium is not limited to a configuration provided on a circuit board, and may be provided in the form of a memory card or the like, inserted into a slot, and electrically connected to a computer bus. Furthermore, the recording medium may be an optical disk, a hard disk drive, a solid state drive, or the like used as a source from which a program is copied or distributed to a computer.

[0086] The control unit and the method described herein may be implemented by a special-purpose computer having a processor programmed to execute one or more functions embodied in a computer program. Alternatively, the device and the method described herein may be implemented by a special-purpose hardware logic circuit. Alternatively, the device and the method described herein may be implemented by one or more special-purpose computers configured by a combination of a processor that executes a computer program and one or more hardware logic circuits. The computer program may also be stored in a computer-readable non-transitory tangible recording medium as instructions to be executed by the computer.

[0087] (Disclosure of technical ideas) This specification discloses multiple technical ideas described in the following multiple dependent claims. Some of the claims may be described in a multiple dependent form, where the subsequent claim alternatively refers to the preceding claim. Furthermore, some of the claims may be described in a multiple dependent form, where the subsequent claim alternatively refers to the preceding claim. The claims described in these multiple dependent forms define multiple technical ideas.

[0088] (Technical thought 1) An information processing method for generating emission information relating to greenhouse gas emissions associated with an object (IM), comprising: When there is an undetermined amount of the emission amount associated with the object due to the destination of the object being undetermined, the determination information of the destination is searched for from the traceability information associated with the object (S108); If the traceability information does not include the confirmed information, in addition to confirmed data indicating the confirmed emission amount, unconfirmed data indicating the unconfirmed emission amount calculated using a tentative calculation formula is prepared (S114). The information processing method includes the steps of: (Technical thought 2) The information processing method described in Technical Idea 1, in which, in the step of searching for confirmed information, if there are multiple pieces of confirmed information in the traceability information, the most recent confirmed information among the multiple pieces is obtained. (Technical Thought 3) The information processing method according to Technical Idea 1 or 2, in which in the step of searching for confirmed information, a search for the confirmed information is performed when there is undetermined information indicating that the destination is undetermined. (Technical Thought 4) The traceability information is recorded using blockchain (BC) technology, An information processing method described in any one of Technical Ideas 1 to 3, in which, in the step of searching for the confirmed information, the confirmed information is searched for in chronological order from among the multiple blocks (BL) constituting the blockchain, the blocks that are after the specific block (BLs) to which the object is linked. (Technical Thought 5) If the traceability information includes the confirmed information, a formula corresponding to both the destination and the place of production of the object indicated by the confirmed information is selected as a corresponding formula (S110); Using the selected corresponding calculation formula, recalculation data is calculated to determine the undetermined emission amount (S111); The recalculated data is added to the determined data (S112). The information processing method according to any one of Technical Ideas 1 to 4, further comprising the step of: (Technical Thought 6) In the step of calculating the recalculated data, Retrieving calculation information used to calculate the unconfirmed data from the traceability information; The information processing method according to technical idea 5, wherein the recalculated data is calculated by substituting the calculation information obtained by the search into the corresponding calculation formula. [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] 11,51,111 Processor, 13,113 Memory unit (recording medium), 20 Database, BC Blockchain, BL Block, BLs Specific block, IM Object

Claims

1. 1. An information processing method for generating emission information relating to greenhouse gas emissions associated with an object (IM), comprising: When there is an undetermined amount of the emission amount associated with the object due to the destination of the object being undetermined, the traceability information associated with the object is searched for the determination information of the destination (S108); If the traceability information does not include the confirmed information, in addition to confirmed data indicating the confirmed emission amount, unconfirmed data indicating the unconfirmed emission amount calculated using a tentative calculation formula is prepared (S114). The information processing method includes the steps of:

2. The information processing method according to claim 1 , wherein in the step of searching for the confirmed information, when the traceability information includes a plurality of pieces of the confirmed information, the most recent of the plurality of pieces of the confirmed information is obtained.

3. 2. The information processing method according to claim 1, wherein in the step of searching for the confirmed information, the confirmed information is searched for when there is undecided information indicating that the destination is undecided.

4. The traceability information is recorded using blockchain (BC) technology, The information processing method according to claim 1, wherein in the step of searching for the confirmed information, the confirmed information is searched for in chronological order from among the multiple blocks (BL) constituting the blockchain, the blocks that are after a specific block (BLs) to which the object is linked.

5. If the traceability information includes the confirmed information, a formula corresponding to both the destination and the place of production of the object indicated by the confirmed information is selected as a corresponding formula (S110); Using the selected corresponding calculation formula, recalculation data is calculated to determine the undetermined emission amount (S111); The recalculated data is added to the determined data (S112). The information processing method according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of:

6. In the step of calculating the recalculated data, Retrieving calculation information used to calculate the unconfirmed data from the traceability information; The information processing method according to claim 5 , further comprising the step of: calculating the recalculated data by substituting the calculation information acquired by the search into the corresponding calculation formula.

7. A method for producing a recording medium (13, 113) storing emission information related to greenhouse gas emissions associated with an object (IM), comprising: When there is an undetermined amount of the emission amount associated with the object due to the destination of the object being undetermined, the traceability information associated with the object is searched for the determination information of the destination (S108); If the traceability information does not include the confirmed information, in addition to confirmed data indicating the confirmed amount of the emission, unconfirmed data indicating the unconfirmed amount of the emission calculated using a tentative calculation formula is prepared (S114). The emission amount information including the confirmed amount data and the unconfirmed amount data is stored in the recording medium (S116). A method for producing a recording medium, the method including the steps of:

8. An information accumulation method for accumulating emission information related to greenhouse gas emissions associated with an object (IM) in a database (20), comprising: When there is an undetermined amount in the emission amount linked to the object due to the destination of the object being undetermined, undetermined amount data indicating the undetermined amount of the emission is calculated using a tentative calculation formula (S14); The undetermined data and the determined data indicating the determined emission amount are recorded in the database together with undetermined information indicating that the destination is undetermined (S16). The information storage method includes the steps of:

9. 9. The information storage method according to claim 8, wherein in the step of calculating the unconfirmed data, a provisional calculation formula is set by regarding a place of production of the object as the place of destination.

10. 10. The information storage method according to claim 8, wherein in the step of recording in the database, calculation information used in the calculation of the unconfirmed data is recorded in the database in association with the unconfirmed data.

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