Information processing method

Abstract

To provide an information processing method capable of easily linking a highly accurate carbon footprint to an individual object.SOLUTION: An information processing device 50 processes information related to a carbon footprint. The information processing method acquires a start time ST and an end time ET of a process PS to be executed to an item IM on the basis of reading of individual identification information UID based on the item IM. Then, data from the start time ST to the end time ET is cut out as allocation portion data from measurement data measured by a power sensor 61 based on a process device 60 to be used to execute the process PS. Emission information on greenhouse gas to be allocated to the item IM is generated from the allocation portion data cut out in this manner. The emission information is stored in linkage with the individual identification information UID.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] TECHNICAL FIELD This disclosure relates to techniques for processing information related to carbon footprints. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an information processing method for processing information on the amount of carbon dioxide emissions discharged during the manufacture of products, etc. In this information processing method, a product number for identifying each product, etc. is assigned to each product, etc. Then, the operating time of each device, such as a machine tool, a robot, and a conveyor, for each product is recorded, and the amount of carbon dioxide emissions resulting from the electricity or fuel consumed by each device during this operating time is linked to each product number and managed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7203063 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Patent Document 1 does not describe a specific method for setting the operating time of each device required for processing each product. Therefore, even if a product number is assigned to each product, it is difficult to grasp the operating time of each device linked to these products, i.e., the start and end times of processing. As a result, it may be difficult to link highly accurate information on carbon dioxide and other emissions to each product by allocating the power or fuel consumed by each device to each product.

[0005] The present disclosure aims to provide an information processing method that can easily link highly accurate emission information to individual objects. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, one disclosed aspect is an information processing method for processing information related to carbon footprints, the information processing method including the steps of: acquiring a start time (ST) and an end time (ET) of a process (PS) performed on an object (IM) based on reading an individual identification information (UID) linked to the object (IM) (S11 to S14); extracting data from the start time to the end time as allocation data from measurement data that is measured by a sensor (61) linked to a process equipment (60) used to perform the process and indicates physical quantities related to the carbon footprint (S15); generating greenhouse gas emission information to be allocated to the object from the allocation data (S16); and storing the emission information linked to the individual identification information (S17).

[0007] In this aspect, by using the individual identification information linked to the object, the start time and end time of the process performed on the object can be ascertained. As a result, it becomes possible to extract allocation data to be allocated to each object from the measurement data measured by the sensor linked to the process equipment. Then, by generating emission information from the allocation data and linking this emission information to the individual identification information, it becomes possible to easily link highly accurate emission information to each object.

[0008] 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]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an overall view of an information processing system and a traceability infrastructure in which an information processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is executed. [Diagram 2]FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a process of linking a carbon footprint generated in a process to an item. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the information processing device. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing details of a carbon footprint registration process performed by an information processing device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] The traceability platform TP according to an embodiment of the present disclosure shown in FIG. 1 is applied to a supply chain SC composed of many traders. The traceability platform TP manages transaction records of items IM traded between traders. The transaction records are traceability information (hereinafter, traceability information) that realizes the traceability of items IM traded between traders. The transaction records include a large amount of information indicating the time and place where the transaction occurred. As an example, when the item IM is an industrial product, the transaction records include information related to raw materials, information related to processing and assembly, and distribution routes. In addition, when the item IM is a food product, the transaction records further include information indicating the expiration date or best before date.

[0011] The supply chain SC is a link between traders for delivering industrial products, agricultural products, and marine products 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 who mine raw materials, manufacture and process parts, and assemble parts, as well as a transport company YG. 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.

[0012] The traceability platform TP cooperates with the information processing system 100 linked to each trader, and enables the calculation and verification of the carbon footprint in the entire supply chain SC. The traceability platform TP records items IM, such as materials, parts, assemblies, and final products, supplied by the supply chain SC, as carbon footprint recording objects. The traceability platform TP and the information processing system 100 process emission information related to greenhouse gas emissions (hereinafter, GHG emissions) linked to the item IM. Specifically, the traceability platform TP and the information processing system 100 treat the emission information linked to the item IM as traceability information, and continuously collect and accumulate the emission information. Furthermore, the traceability platform TP provides the accumulated emission information to each trader, the end user EU, and supervisory authorities, etc., as the carbon footprint linked to the item IM.

[0013] In detail, the traceability platform TP acquires primary data indicating the amount of GHG emissions emitted in each process such as the manufacture, distribution, and sale of the item IM from the information processing system 100 of each trader as emission information, and accumulates it in the database 20. The traceability platform TP may further acquire GHG emissions associated with the 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 traceability platform TP adds up the GHG emissions by each trader and visualizes them as a carbon footprint for each product of the item IM. The traceability platform TP realizes the traceability of the carbon footprint and enables the assurance of the accuracy of the carbon footprint (that the numerical values ​​have not been tampered with).

[0014] As an example, in the European Union, all batteries sold, such as those for automobiles, industrial use, and portable use, are required to display their carbon footprints (EU Battery Regulation). The traceability platform TP is suitable for application to a supply chain SC that supplies items IM, such as batteries, that are required to display their carbon footprints. Here, the greenhouse gases whose emissions are recorded as the carbon footprint may be only carbon dioxide, or may include methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, sulfur hexafluoride, and the like, as appropriate. In this case, GHG emissions other than carbon dioxide are converted to carbon dioxide emissions and are included in the presented carbon footprint value.

[0015] [Overall configuration] As described above, the traceability platform TP can cooperate with a large number of information processing systems 100. Hereinafter, the information processing system 100 and the traceability platform TP will be described in detail with reference to Figs.

[0016] The information processing system 100 is operated by traders such as supplier SP and transport company YG involved in the manufacturing process of final products supplied by the supply chain SC. The information processing system 100 is installed, for example, at each business base of the traders. Items IM such as materials, parts, and assemblies are delivered to each business base of the supplier SP by a trader of a previous process (transport company YG, etc.). The delivered items IM are processed or otherwise treated at the business base of the process itself (current process) and are handed over as new items IM to a trader of a subsequent process (transport company YG, etc.).

[0017] An item IM exchanged between traders is accompanied by individual identification information UID for identifying each individual item IM. The individual identification information UID is unique ID information issued by the traceability platform TP. As an example, the individual identification information UID is a hash value generated with a predetermined number of bits. The individual identification information UID is recorded in, for example, a two-dimensional code CD such as a QR code (registered trademark) or an RF tag, and is circulated together with the item IM. The individual identification information UID may be updated for each trader or process PS, or may be continuously used between multiple traders or multiple processes PS.

[0018] The information processing system 100 acquires emission information indicating GHG emissions related to the manufacture, etc., of the item IM shipped from its own process. The information processing system 100 links the traceability information, which includes at least the transaction record and emission information, to the individual identification information UID and transmits the information to the traceability platform TP.

[0019] The information processing system 100 includes an information processing device 50, a receiver 58, a power sensor 61, a data transmitter 62, a code reader 66, and an ID transmitter 67. Of these components, at least the power sensor 61, the data transmitter 62, the code reader 66, and the ID transmitter 67 may be provided in a single information processing system 100 in a plurality of units.

[0020] The information processing device 50 is mainly configured with a control circuit. For example, a computer or a general-purpose or dedicated arithmetic processing device can be used as the information processing device 50. The information processing device 50 can communicate with the traceability platform TP via a network NW. The network NW may be a public network open to the public, or may be a private network with access restricted only to traders, etc.

[0021] The control circuit of the information processing device 50 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 coupled to the RAM 52. The processor 51 executes application programs (such as a carbon footprint registration program) stored in the storage unit 53. The carbon footprint registration program is a program for causing the information processing device 50 to perform the information processing method of the present disclosure. A receiver 58 is connected to the input / output interface 54 in addition to input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse, and output devices such as a display and a printer.

[0022] The receiver 58 is electrically connected to the information processing device 50. The receiver 58 may be integral with the information processing device 50, or may be externally connected to a connector provided on the information processing device 50. The receiver 58 is capable of transmitting and receiving information to and from the data transmitter 62 and the ID transmitter 67 by wireless communication conforming to standards such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

[0023] The power sensor 61, the data transmitter 62, the code reader 66, and the ID transmitter 67 are provided for each process PS performed on the item IM by the supplier SP. The process PS is, for example, a processing process and a transport process. The processing process may include melting, molding, cutting, pressing, welding, assembly, painting, inspection and testing, and packaging. The power sensor 61, the data transmitter 62, the code reader 66, and the ID transmitter 67 are linked to the process equipment 60 used in the process PS. The process equipment 60 used in the processing process is a melting furnace, a molding device, a cutting device, a pressing device, a welding robot, an assembly robot, a painting robot, an inspection and testing device, a packaging device, and the like. The process equipment 60 used in the transport process is a belt conveyor, a pipeline, a forklift, an automatic transport robot, and the like.

[0024] The power sensor 61 is associated with the process equipment 60 that is used to perform the process PS. The power sensor 61 may be configured to be built into the process equipment 60, or may be configured to be externally attached to wiring outside the process equipment 60. The power sensor 61 measures physical quantities related to the carbon footprint and GHG emissions. Specifically, the power sensor 61 continuously measures the amount of power consumed by the process equipment 60.

[0025] The sensor associated with the process equipment 60 is not limited to the power sensor 61, and may be changed as appropriate depending on the type of the process equipment 60. For example, the process equipment 60 may be provided with a flow sensor (flow meter) that measures the amount of liquid fuel or gas fuel consumed in the process equipment 60. Also, the process equipment 60 may be provided with a weight sensor that measures the weight of an item IM that is a target of the process PS.

[0026] The data transmitter 62 is electrically connected to the power sensor 61. The data transmitter 62 may be provided integrally with the power sensor 61, or may be provided separately from the power sensor 61. When combined with the data transmitter 62, the power sensor 61 functions as an IOT (Internet of Things) sensor. The data transmitter 62 sequentially acquires measurement data of physical quantities measured by the power sensor 61. The data transmitter 62 sequentially transmits the measurement data acquired from the power sensor 61 to the receiver 58. This allows the information processing device 50 to record the measurement data of the power consumption of the process equipment 60 via the data transmitter 62 and the receiver 58 in approximately real time.

[0027] The code reader 66 reads a recording medium such as a two-dimensional code Cd or an RF tag associated with an item IM, and obtains individual identification information UID and the like recorded on the recording medium. When the two-dimensional code Cd is used as the recording medium, the code reader 66 includes an image sensor having imaging elements such as a CCD or CMOS arranged two-dimensionally, and a signal processing unit for processing a detection signal from the image sensor. The code reader 66 is fixed near the production line and automatically reads a recording medium attached to an item IM moving along the production line. The code reader 66 may be configured to be handheld by an operator and may be configured to read the recording medium by the operator's reading operation.

[0028] At least one code reader 66 is provided before and after the process equipment 60 that performs the process PS. One code reader 66 obtains, by reading, the individual identification information UID of the item IM before (immediately before) the process PS is performed. The other code reader 66 obtains, by reading, the individual identification information UID of the item IM after (immediately after) the process PS is performed. The item IM after the process PS is performed may be linked to the individual identification information UID newly issued by the traceability platform TP.

[0029] The ID transmitter 67 is electrically connected to the code reader 66. The ID transmitter 67 may be integral with the code reader 66 or may be provided separately from the code reader 66. The ID transmitter 67 sequentially acquires the individual identification information UID and the like read by the code reader 66. The ID transmitter 67 sequentially transmits the individual identification information UID acquired from the code reader 66 to the receiver 58 together with the reading time of the individual identification information UID. As a result, the information processing device 50 grasps the individual identification information UID of the items IM to be subjected to each process PS in approximately real time. In addition, the information processing device 50 continuously records when each item IM is input to the process equipment 60 and when each item IM is discharged from the process equipment 60.

[0030] The traceability platform TP is operated by the manager of the supply chain SC or a platform provider selected by the manager. The manager is, for example, a finished product manufacturer or a supervisory agency that has supervisory authority over the final products supplied by the supply chain SC. The platform provider is a business that provides large-scale information processing resources on the Internet, or an alliance that aims to share data across the entire supply chain SC.

[0031] The traceability platform TP is mainly composed of a plurality of information processing servers 10. The traceability platform TP may further include a time stamp server and an application distribution server. The information processing server 10 may be an on-premise server device that is physically managed by an administrator or a platform provider, or may be a virtual configuration provided on a cloud.

[0032] The information processing server 10 is provided so as to be able to communicate with the information processing system 100 and a large number of user terminals 110 via a network NW. The information 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.

[0033] The processor 11 is hardware for arithmetic processing coupled with the RAM 12. The processor 11 executes various processes (instructions) related to data management and provision by accessing the RAM 12. The memory 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 an information processing program for causing the information processing server 10 to accumulate traceability information (information accumulation method). The information provision program is an information processing program for causing the information processing server 10 to provide traceability information (information provision method).

[0034] The information processing server 10 receives and acquires the traceability information and the individual identification information UID transmitted by the information processing device 50. The information processing server 10 stores the acquired traceability information in the database 20, linked to the individual identification information UID. In the traceability information, items IM are associated with each other by accumulating transaction records using the individual identification information UID. As a result, a large number of pieces of emission amount information linked to the individual identification information UID also become associated with each other.

[0035] The database 20 stores the traceability information as data to be stored. The database 20 may be constructed in an on-premise file server managed by a platform provider, or may be constructed in a virtual file server provided on the cloud. The database 20 uses the technology of the blockchain BC to store the data to be stored in a substantially tamper-proof state. As an example, the database 20 stores the data to be stored in a block BL of a private blockchain BC as a transaction. The database 20 hashes information stored in one block BL and stores it in the next block BL, thereby making it difficult to tamper with the data to be stored stored in each block BL (see FIG. 1). The database 20 may make it substantially impossible to tamper with the data to be stored by storing a hash value generated from the data to be stored in a block BL of a consortium or public blockchain BC.

[0036] The information processing server 10 receives and acquires a carbon footprint inquiry request sent by the user terminal 110. The information processing server 10 extracts a transaction record of the item IM specified in the inquiry request from the traceability information accumulated in the database 20. The information processing server 10 further extracts emission information related to the item IM from the database 20 based on the transaction record. The information processing server 10 calculates the carbon footprint of the item IM using the extracted emission information, and transmits it to the requesting user terminal 110 as data to be provided.

[0037] The user terminal 110 is a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a read-only terminal, or the like, owned by the end user EU. A traceability information inquiry application distributed by an application distribution server is downloaded to the user terminal 110 via the network NW. The traceability information inquiry application is an application program (information processing program) for causing the user terminal 110 to function as an information inquiry terminal.

[0038] The user terminal 110 is configured with a camera, a terminal communication device, etc. in addition to the control circuit 110a and the 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, and functions as a computer that performs arithmetic processing. The above-mentioned traceability information inquiry application, etc. are installed in the user terminal 110. The user terminal 110 inquires about the transaction record and carbon footprint of a specific item IM by executing the inquiry application. Specifically, the user terminal 110 transmits the individual identification information UID of the item IM to be inquired to the user terminal 110 together with an inquiry request. The user terminal 110 displays the transaction record and carbon footprint of the item IM to be inquired on the display 120 using the provision data returned from the information processing server 10 based on the inquiry request.

[0039] [Details of the process performed by the information processing device] As explained so far, the information processing device 50 can record emission information for each process PS performed on an item IM, link it to the individual identification information UID of the item IM, and register it in the traceability platform TP. To execute such processing, the information processing device 50 has, as functional units based on a carbon footprint registration program, an information acquisition unit 71, a time recording unit 72, a data recording unit 73, an emission amount calculation unit 74, and a carbon footprint registration unit 75. Each functional unit will be described in detail below based on Fig. 3 with reference to Figs. 1 and 2.

[0040] The information acquiring unit 71 acquires various pieces of information received by the receiver 58. The information acquiring unit 71 continuously acquires measurement data measured by the power sensor 61. The information acquiring unit 71 acquires information on the individual identification information UID read by the code reader 66 and the time of reading. The information acquiring unit 71 associates each piece of data of the power sensor 61 and the two code readers 66 linked to the process equipment 60 that performs a specific process PS with each other.

[0041] The time recording unit 72 acquires the read information of the individual identification information UID from the information acquiring unit 71. The time recording unit 72 further acquires the acquisition time (read time) of the read information of the individual identification information UID by the code reader 66 installed on the upstream side of the process equipment 60. The time recording unit 72 sets the start time ST (see FIG. 2) of the process PS performed on the item IM based on the acquired time information. Similarly, the time recording unit 72 further acquires the acquisition time (read time) of the read information of the individual identification information UID by the code reader 66 installed on the downstream side of the process equipment 60. The time recording unit 72 sets the end time ET (see FIG. 2) of the process PS performed on the item IM based on the acquired time information. The time recording unit 72 records the start time ST and end time ET of each process PS for each item IM.

[0042] The data recording unit 73 continuously acquires the measurement data of the power sensor 61 from the information acquiring unit 71. Furthermore, the data recording unit 73 acquires the start time ST and end time ET of the process PS repeatedly performed by the process equipment 60 linked to the power sensor 61 from the time recording unit 72. The data recording unit 73 extracts data for the period from the start time ST to the end time ET from the acquired measurement data. The data recording unit 73 treats the extracted measurement data as allocation data to be assigned to the item IM that is the target of the process PS.

[0043] The emission amount calculation unit 74 generates emission amount information from the allocation data prepared by the data recording unit 73. The emission amount calculation unit 74 appropriately changes a calculation method of the emission amount information depending on the type of energy used in the process equipment 60 and the type of physical quantity measured by an IOT sensor such as the power sensor 61.

[0044] As an example, when the process equipment 60 consumes electricity and the power consumption of the process equipment 60 is measured by the power sensor 61, the emission amount calculation unit 74 grasps type information of the supply source (power source) of electricity supplied to the process equipment 60. The type information is information indicating a power generation method such as hydroelectric power, thermal power, wind power, geothermal power, biomass, atomic power, and solar power. The emission amount calculation unit 74 sets an emission coefficient according to the type information of the power source, which indicates the amount of GHG emissions emitted per unit of power amount (e.g., 1 KWh). The emission coefficient is set in advance and stored in the memory unit 53. The emission amount calculation unit 74 multiplies the amount of power consumption indicated by the allocation data by the emission coefficient corresponding to the power source type to calculate the value of the GHG emission amount, which is the emission information.

[0045] As another example, when the process equipment 60 consumes fuel and the amount of fuel consumed by the process equipment 60 is measured by a flow sensor, the emission amount calculation unit 74 grasps the type information of the fuel supplied to the process equipment 60. The type information is information indicating the type of fuel, for example, liquid fuel such as light oil, heavy oil, gasoline, and ammonia, gaseous fuel such as natural gas, propane, and hydrogen, and solid fuel such as coal and biomass. The emission amount calculation unit 74 sets an emission coefficient according to the fuel type information, which indicates the amount of GHG emissions emitted per unit fuel amount (for example, 1 liter or 1 kg). The emission amount calculation unit 74 multiplies the fuel consumption amount indicated by the allocation data by the emission coefficient corresponding to the fuel type to calculate the value of GHG emissions, which is the emission information.

[0046] The carbon footprint registration unit 75 stores the emission amount information generated by the emission amount calculation unit 74 in association with the individual identification information UID. The carbon footprint registration unit 75 acquires the individual identification information UID in which the start time ST and the end time ET are set, and links the emission amount information to this individual identification information UID. If the individual identification information UID in which the start time ST is set is different from the individual identification information UID in which the end time ET is set, the carbon footprint registration unit 75 links the emission amount information to the individual identification information UID in which the end time ET is set. The carbon footprint registration unit 75 transmits the individual identification information UID and the emission amount information to the traceability platform TP together with a registration request. Based on the registration request, the information processing server 10 stores the uploaded emission amount information in association with the individual identification information UID registered in the database 20.

[0047] Next, the carbon footprint registration process performed by the information processing device 50 will be further described in detail based on Fig. 4 with reference to Figs. 1 to 3. The information processing device 50 performs one carbon footprint registration process for one process PS (process equipment 60). When multiple processes PS are performed in the business base (factory) of the supplier SP, the information processing device 50 performs multiple carbon footprint registration processes in parallel, each individually linked to each process PS. The carbon footprint registration process is started when a carbon footprint registration program is started in the information processing device 50. The carbon footprint registration process is repeatedly performed until the carbon footprint registration program is terminated.

[0048] In S11 and S12 of the carbon footprint registration process, the time recording unit 72 acquires the start time ST of the process PS performed on the item IM based on the reading of the individual identification information UID by the code reader 66 installed upstream of the process equipment 60. Specifically, in S11, the time recording unit 72 cooperates with the information acquiring unit 71 to acquire the read information of the individual identification information UID and time information linked to this read information from the code reader 66 located on the start side of the process PS. In S12, the time recording unit 72 sets the start time ST of the process PS based on the time information acquired in S11.

[0049] In S13 and S14, the time recording unit 72 acquires the end time ET of the process PS performed on the item IM based on the reading of the individual identification information UID by the code reader 66 installed downstream of the process equipment 60. Specifically, in S13, the time recording unit 72 acquires the read information of the individual identification information UID and time information linked to this read information from the code reader 66 located on the end side of the process PS. In S14, the time recording unit 72 sets the end time ET of the process PS based on the time information acquired in S13.

[0050] In S15, the data recording unit 73 extracts data from the start time ST to the end time ET from the continuously acquired measurement data of the power sensor 61. The data recording unit 73 temporarily stores the extracted measurement data as allocated data.

[0051] In S16, the emission calculation unit 74 generates emission information to be allocated to the item IM from the allocation data. The emission calculation unit 74 multiplies the allocation data (electricity consumption or fuel consumption, etc.) prepared by the data recording unit 73 by an emission coefficient corresponding to the power source type or fuel type to calculate GHG emissions.

[0052] In S17, the carbon footprint registration unit 75 stores the emission amount information in association with the individual identification information UID. The carbon footprint registration unit 75 transmits the GHG emission amount calculated in S16 to the traceability platform TP together with the individual identification information UID and a registration request. With this step, the emission amount information is stored in the traceability platform TP in association with the individual identification information UID.

[0053] (Summary of embodiments) In the present embodiment described so far, the start time ST and end time ET of the process PS performed on the item IM can be ascertained by using the individual identification information UID linked to the item IM. As a result, it becomes possible to extract allocation data to be allocated to each item IM from the measurement data measured by the power sensor 61 linked to the process equipment 60. Then, by generating emission amount information from the allocation data and linking this emission information to the individual identification information UID, it becomes possible to easily link highly accurate emission information to each item IM.

[0054] In the above embodiment, the power sensor 61 corresponds to the "sensor" and the item IM corresponds to the "object."

[0055] (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.

[0056] In a first modification of the above embodiment, at least some steps of the carbon footprint registration process (see FIG. 4) are executed by the information processing server 10 (processor 11) of the traceability platform TP instead of the information processing device 50. In the first modification, the read information of the individual identification information UID by the code reader 66 and the acquisition time thereof, and the measurement data of the power sensor 61 are transmitted from the information processing device 50 to the information processing server 10 via the network NW. The information processing server 10 extracts the allocated data for the period from the start time ST to the end time ET from the acquired measurement data, and calculates the GHG emission amount. Then, the information processing server 10 registers the GHG emission amount as a carbon footprint by linking it to the individual identification information UID. As in the above first modification, the measurement data of the power sensor 61, etc. may be directly provided to the traceability platform TP, and the carbon footprint may be registered.

[0057] In the above embodiment, the information processing device 50, the power sensor 61, and the code reader 66 are wirelessly connected using the receiver 58, the data transmitter 62, and the ID transmitter 67. However, the connection between the information processing device 50 and the power sensor 61 and the code reader 66 may be changed as appropriate. For example, in a second modification of the above embodiment, two Web cameras functioning as the code reader 66 are connected to the information processing device 50 by USB communication or the like. The Web cameras transmit the read information of the individual identification information UID, etc., to the information processing device 50 by USB communication. As in the above second modification, the power sensor 61 and the code reader 66 may be wired to the information processing device 50.

[0058] The information processing method according to the present disclosure is not limited to a supply chain SC that newly manufactures an item IM, but is also applicable to a supply chain SC that manufactures reused or rebuilt items, etc. Specifically, in Modification 3 of the above embodiment, a recovered item as an item IM is input into the process equipment 60 of the process PS. The recovered item is discharged from the process equipment 60 of the process PS as a reused item or a rebuilt item. According to Modification 3, it becomes possible to record the carbon footprint associated with the reuse of the recovered item.

[0059] In the above embodiment, the time when the individual identification information UID was read from the two-dimensional code Cd was directly set as the start time ST or the end time ET. On the other hand, in the fourth modification of the above embodiment, the start time ST and the end time ET are adjusted according to the distance from the code reader 66 to the process equipment 60, based on the time when the individual identification information UID was read. Specifically, in the fourth modification, the start time ST is set by adding the travel time from the code reader 66 to the process equipment 60 to the reading time. Similarly, the end time ET is set by subtracting the travel time from the process equipment 60 to the code reader 66 from the reading time.

[0060] The traceability platform TP according to the fifth modification of the above embodiment stores traceability information without relying on the blockchain BC. As in the fifth modification, 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.

[0061] In the sixth modification of the above embodiment, instead of a paper medium on which the two-dimensional code Cd is printed, the above-mentioned RF tag is used as a recording medium for the individual identification information UID, etc. By using such RFID technology, it becomes possible to remotely read the UID, etc., even if the RF tag is not directly visible.

[0062] The definitions of terms in the above embodiment are as follows. Carbon dioxide emissions are emissions of only carbon dioxide and do not include other GHG emissions. Meanwhile, GHG emissions include emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, fluorocarbons, and other gases that have the property of raising the global temperature. Furthermore, carbon footprint is calculated by converting GHG emissions excluding carbon dioxide into carbon dioxide emissions, adding the converted emissions to carbon dioxide emissions, and linking the total carbon dioxide emissions to specific processes and products.

[0063] The processor of 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. The processor may be implemented in an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an SoC (System on Chip), an FPGA, or the like.

[0064] The form of the recording medium (non-transitory tangible storage medium) employed as the storage unit in the above embodiment 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 bus of a computer. 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.

[0065] 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.

[0066] (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.

[0067] (Technical thought 1) An information processing system for processing information related to carbon footprints, comprising: a time recording unit (72) that acquires a start time (ST) and an end time (ET) of a process (PS) performed on an object (IM) based on reading an individual identification information (UID) associated with the object; a data recording unit (73) for extracting data from the start time to the end time as allocation data from measurement data that is measured by a sensor (61) associated with a process device (60) used to carry out the process and indicates a physical quantity related to the carbon footprint; an emission calculation unit (74) that generates greenhouse gas emission information to be allocated to the object from the allocation data; A carbon footprint registration unit (75) that stores the emission information in association with the individual identification information; An information processing system comprising: (Technical thought 2) An information processing program for processing information related to carbon footprints, Based on reading the individual identification information (UID) associated with the object (IM), the start time (ST) and the end time (ET) of the process (PS) performed on the object are obtained (S11 to S14); Extracting data from the start time to the end time as allocation data from measurement data that is measured by a sensor (61) associated with a process device (60) used to carry out the process and indicates a physical quantity related to the carbon footprint (S15); Generate greenhouse gas emission information to be allocated to the object from the allocation data (S16); The discharge information is stored in association with the individual identification information (S17). An information processing program that causes at least one processor (51) to execute a process including the steps of: (Technical Thought 3) A computer-readable storage medium having an information processing program for processing information related to carbon footprints stored therein, The information processing program includes: Based on reading the individual identification information (UID) associated with the object (IM), the start time (ST) and the end time (ET) of the process (PS) performed on the object are obtained (S11 to S14); Extracting data from the start time to the end time as allocation data from measurement data that is measured by a sensor (61) associated with a process device (60) used to carry out the process and indicates a physical quantity related to the carbon footprint (S15); Generate greenhouse gas emission information to be allocated to the object from the allocation data (S16); The discharge information is stored in association with the individual identification information (S17). A storage medium configured to cause at least one processor (51) to perform processes including: [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 51 processor, 60 process equipment, 61 power sensor (sensor), IM item (object), PS process, ST start time, ET end time, UID individual identification information

Claims

[Claim 1] 1. A method for processing information related to a carbon footprint, comprising: Based on reading the individual identification information (UID) associated with the object (IM), the start time (ST) and end time (ET) of the process (PS) performed on the object are obtained (S11 to S14); From the measurement data that is measured by a sensor (61) associated with a process device (60) used to carry out the process and indicates a physical quantity related to the carbon footprint, data from the start time to the end time is extracted as allocation data (S15); Generate greenhouse gas emission information to be allocated to the object from the allocation data (S16); The discharge information is stored in association with the individual identification information (S17). The information processing method includes the steps of:

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