Commodity management apparatus, commodity management method, and program

Abstract

To provide a commodity management apparatus, a commodity management method, and a program for determining identity of a commodity on the basis of a feature of the commodity.SOLUTION: In a commodity distribution system 10, a commodity management apparatus 30 includes: a storage unit 40 that stores first feature data indicating a feature of a commodity at a first date and time; an acquisition unit 32 that acquires second feature data indicating the feature of the commodity at a second date and time after the first date and time; and a determination unit 34 that determines identity of a first commodity and a second commodity based on the first feature data, the second feature data, and a time that elapsed from the first date and time to the second date and time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a product management device, a product management method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, efforts have been made to respond to consumer safety concerns and to increase the added value of products by providing consumers with detailed information about the place of production and the producers when selling vegetables, fruits, and other products. In addition, methods have been proposed to prove the authenticity of products, such as attaching tags for individual identification to products or attaching labels to characteristic shapes unique to products (for example, the mesh pattern on the surface of a melon) to use for individual identification of products (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-10050 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Attaching tags to each individual product is time-consuming and can lead to tags coming off or being replaced during processing. In addition, if the position of the label indicating the location used for individual identification shifts, it can become impossible to properly identify individual products.

[0005] An exemplary object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a technique for determining the identity of a product based on the characteristics of the product. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A product management device of one embodiment of the present invention includes a memory unit that stores first feature data indicating features of a first product at a first date and time, an acquisition unit that acquires second feature data indicating features of a second product at a second date and time after the first date and time, and a determination unit that determines the identity of the first product and the second product based on the first feature data, the second feature data, and the elapsed time from the first date and time to the second date and time. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, the identity of a product can be determined based on the characteristics of the product. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a functional configuration of a product distribution system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of data acquired by the product management device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of change estimation data. [Figure 4] 4(a) to (c) are diagrams illustrating a method for determining identity by estimating changes in the characteristics of a first product or a second product. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of an operation of the product management device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the description, the same elements are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated description will be omitted as appropriate.

[0010] The outline of this embodiment will be described. This embodiment is a product management device for managing each product individually. In recent years, consumers have become more conscious of safety, and it is considered desirable to properly grasp the history of a product from its production to its sale and ensure the traceability of the product. On the other hand, for products that are produced and consumed in large quantities, the products are not managed individually, but may be managed by lot, which is grouped by the product's producer or production date. When managing by lot, the differences between the individual products of multiple products included in the same lot are not noted, so the product history cannot be strictly managed by individual product. Therefore, in this embodiment, a product management device is provided that can identify and manage each product individually.

[0011] In this embodiment, feature data indicating the features of the product is collected during the distribution process of the product, and the product is individually identified based on the feature data of the product. In this embodiment, features that can be measured using a sensor and may differ for each individual product are measured and collected as feature data. Since the product to be measured is a product that is distributed for the purpose of sale, features that can be measured non-destructively without cutting the product or taking a part of the product are used. Examples of the product features are not particularly limited, but include the shape, size, color, surface pattern or scratches, and weight of the product. In addition, if the product is a fresh product, the product features may change over time. For example, it is considered that the surface color and pattern of vegetables and fruits change as they ripen, and the sugar content and ripeness may change. Therefore, in this embodiment, the change in the product features over time is estimated, and individual product identification is realized by taking into account the change in the product features.

[0012] In this embodiment, the identity of a product is determined based on the characteristics of the product to identify individual products. Therefore, "identity of a product" means whether or not the products are identical at the individual level. As described above, the characteristics of a product may change over time. For example, if the product is a tomato, the product is green when shipped, while the product is red when sold. Therefore, when determining the identity of tomatoes, for example, the identity is determined by not placing importance on "color", which is a characteristic that is easily changed, but by placing importance on size, shape, weight, etc., which are characteristics that are difficult to change. If the product is a flower such as a rose, it may be in bud at the time of shipping and may have begun to bloom at the time of sale. Therefore, when determining the identity of roses, for example, the identity is determined by not placing importance on the petal part, which is a characteristic that is easily changed, but by placing importance on the number of leaves, the shape of the leaf, the shape of the stem, the number of branches, etc., which are characteristics that are difficult to change. In this way, in this embodiment, the priority is set for each type of product for the characteristics that are emphasized in determining the identity, and appropriate determination conditions are set for each type of product, thereby increasing the accuracy of determining the identity.

[0013] In this embodiment, the "identity of the product" includes a predetermined tolerance. Even if the individual products are the same, all the characteristics of the products are not necessarily exactly the same (i.e., they match), and some of the characteristics of the products may have changed over time. For example, when comparing the characteristics of products, some characteristics such as shape and weight may be the same, while other characteristics such as the color of the products may differ. Therefore, in this embodiment, the change in the product characteristics is estimated taking into account the elapsed time from the time of shipment to the time of sale and environmental data such as temperature and humidity, and if the product has characteristics equivalent to the estimated characteristics after the change, it is determined that the products are the same. In addition, if a part of the product is scratched and its appearance changes, the product is determined to be the same even if it is scratched, taking into account the delivery situation from the time of shipment to the time of sale, etc.

[0014] In this embodiment, in order to determine the identity of a product, the identity may be determined based on not only the characteristics of the product itself but also the characteristics of an object associated with the product. Here, the "object associated with the product" refers to a label attached to the product, a label attached to a box containing the product, etc. For example, when multiple products are contained in one box, the box may be individually identified using a label attached to the box containing the multiple products, and the products may be individually identified based on the position and arrangement of the products contained in the box. In addition, the identity of the product may be determined by combining the characteristics of the product itself and the characteristics of the object associated with the product. For example, the delivery status of the product from the time of shipment to the time of sale may be specified based on the label attached to the box containing the product. When the identity cannot be determined based on the characteristics of the product itself alone, products that satisfy a predetermined number or more of multiple determination criteria may be determined to be similar, and products that are determined to be similar and have the same delivery status may be determined to be identical.

[0015] Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described in detail, taking as an example a case in which the product is a tomato.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic functional configuration of a product distribution system 10 according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 shows a flow of a product, tomatoes, being shipped from a shipping base 12, delivered to a sales base 16 via an intermediate base 14 and a delivery means 18, and sold. A measuring device 61 and a shipping base management device 62 are provided at the shipping base 12. A measuring device 63 and an intermediate base management device 64 are provided at the intermediate base 14. A measuring device 65 and a sales base management device 66 are provided at the sales base 16. A measuring device 67 is provided at the delivery means 18, and a delivery management device 68 for managing delivery by the delivery means 18 is provided. The shipping base management device 62, the intermediate base management device 64, the sales base management device 66, and the delivery management device 68 are connected to a network 70.

[0017] The product management device 30 is connected to a network 70 such as the Internet or a WAN (Wide Area Network). The product management device 30 acquires and stores various data related to products in the product distribution process via the network 70. The product management device 30 acquires product-related data from a shipping base management device 62, an intermediate base management device 64, a sales base management device 66, and a delivery management device 68. The product management device 30 manages each product individually based on the acquired data. The product management device 30 provides the acquired product-related data to traders and consumers, thereby meeting needs for product safety and traceability.

[0018] Each functional block shown in this embodiment can be realized in hardware terms by elements and mechanical devices such as a computer CPU and memory, and in software terms by a computer program, etc., but is depicted here as a functional block realized by the cooperation of these. Therefore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that these functional blocks can be realized in various forms by combining hardware and software.

[0019] The product management device 30, the shipping base management device 62, the intermediate base management device 64, the sales base management device 66 and the delivery management device 68 can be configured using a general-purpose server device. The server device includes, for example, a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or a flash memory, and a communication device for connecting to a network 70 and communicating.

[0020] The product management device 30 includes an acquisition unit 32, a determination unit 34, a notification unit 36, a recording unit 38, and a storage unit 40.

[0021] The acquisition unit 32 acquires data related to products from the shipping base 12, the intermediate base 14, the sales base 16, the delivery means 18, the user terminal 28, etc. The determination unit 34 determines the identity of the product based on the data acquired by the acquisition unit 32. The notification unit 36 ​​notifies the user terminal 28, etc. of information based on the determination of the determination unit 34. The recording unit 38 extracts data necessary for product management from the data acquired by the acquisition unit 32, and removes data unnecessary for product management, thereby converting the data into a format appropriate for product management and recording it in the storage unit 40. The storage unit 40 stores a product master 50, a package master 52, production data 54, delivery data 56, characteristic data 58, and environmental data 60 as data related to products.

[0022] The product master 50 manages product IDs for identifying individual products to be managed. Product IDs are assigned to each individual product to be managed. For example, if the product is a tomato, one product ID is assigned to each tomato. The product master 50 stores the product name (e.g., tomato), the issue date and time, the issue location, etc., using the product ID as a key. The product ID is issued by the shipping site management device 62, for example, when the measuring device 61 measures the product to be managed at the shipping site 12. The issue date and time stored in the product master 50 is, for example, the date and time when the shipping site management device 62 issues the product ID. In addition, the issue location stored in the product master 50 includes the name and address of the shipping site 12, identification information for identifying the measuring device 61 at the shipping site 12, etc.

[0023] The luggage master 52 manages luggage IDs for identifying individual luggage when the managed goods are packed in a form that can be delivered. The luggage IDs are assigned to the smallest unit of luggage handled when the goods are delivered. For example, one luggage ID is assigned to one container that contains multiple tomatoes. The luggage ID is issued by the shipping base management device 62 when the measurement device 61 measures the luggage to be shipped at the shipping base 12. The luggage ID may be issued by the delivery management device 68, or may be issued by the delivery management device 68 when the delivery means 18 receives the luggage to be shipped from the shipping base 12. The luggage master 52 stores the product ID of the product included in the luggage, the packing date and time, the packing location, and the like, using the luggage ID as a key. The luggage master 52 may store a container ID for identifying the container that contains the goods. The container ID is identification information that is assigned to a container such as a cardboard box or a small container.

[0024] The production data 54 is data related to the production of the product to be managed. The production data 54 stores information such as the production date and time, production place, and producer of the product, using the product ID as a key. The production data 54 may store information related to the production process of the product. The production data 54 may include, for example, information about the fertilizer and pesticides used to grow tomatoes, and images of tomatoes before ripening or tomatoes immediately before harvesting. The production data 54 can be obtained, for example, from the producer of the product.

[0025] The delivery data 56 is data related to the delivery of packages containing products. The delivery data 56 includes information such as the shipment date and time, shipment location, delivery location, and delivery date and time of the package, using the package ID or product ID as a key. The delivery data 56 may include information related to the delivery status of the package, and may include flag information such as before shipping, in delivery, and delivered. The delivery data 56 may include history information regarding the date and time at which the product or package was located. The delivery data 56 can be acquired from the delivery management device 68.

[0026] The characteristic data 58 is data indicating the characteristics of the product or package to be managed. The characteristic data 58 includes data indicating the characteristics of the product using the product ID as a key, and data indicating the characteristics of the package using the package ID as a key. Examples of product characteristics include the shape, size, color, surface pattern or scratches, weight, sugar content, ripeness, etc. of the product. Examples of package characteristics include characteristics that can be measured while the package is still packed, such as the shape, size, color, surface pattern or scratches, and weight of the package, and characteristics that can be measured when the package is unpacked, such as the positions and arrangement of multiple products within the package.

[0027] The characteristics of the goods or packages are measured by measuring devices 61, 63, 65, 67 provided at the shipping base 12, the intermediate base 14, the sales base 16, or the delivery means 18. The measuring devices 61, 63, 65, 67 include any sensor for measuring the characteristics of the goods or packages, such as a camera, a three-dimensional scanner, a weight sensor, a spectrometer, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a gas sensor, an acceleration sensor, etc. The measuring devices 61, 63, 65, 67 may be configured by any device, may be equipment installed at each base, or may be equipment that can be carried and used by an operator, such as a handheld terminal or a smartphone.

[0028] The shape and size of the product or package can be measured using a camera, a three-dimensional scanner, or the like. The color of the product or package, as well as the pattern and scratches on the surface, can be measured using a camera. The weight of the product or package can be measured using a weight sensor. The sugar content of the product can be measured using a camera or a spectrometer using near-infrared spectroscopy. The ripeness of the product can be measured using a camera. In the case of tomatoes, the ripeness is calculated based on the color distribution of the tomato's surface, and the greater the proportion of green, the lower the ripeness, and the greater the proportion of red, the higher the ripeness. The arrangement of multiple products in the package can be measured using a camera. The characteristics of the product or package may be measured at multiple measurement dates and times, and may change depending on the measurement date and time. Therefore, the feature data 58 is stored using the product ID or package ID and the measurement date and time as keys. Therefore, the feature data 58 may include multiple data with different measurement dates and times for one product ID or package ID.

[0029] The environmental data 60 is data indicating the surrounding environment of the product or baggage to be managed. The environmental data 60 includes, for example, time-series data such as the temperature, humidity, gas concentration (for example, concentration of oxygen, carbon dioxide, ethylene, etc.) of the surrounding environment where the product or baggage was placed, and the impact (acceleration) applied to the product or baggage. The environmental data 60 includes, for example, data for the period from when the product is shipped from the shipping base 12 to when it is sold at the sales base 16. The surrounding environment of the product or baggage may be measured by a sensor provided in a container that contains the product, or by a sensor provided in the loading platform of a truck that delivers the baggage or a transport container, or by a sensor provided in the intermediate base 14 or the warehouse of the sales base 16 where the product or baggage is temporarily stored. The surrounding environment of the product may be measured by a sensor provided in the sales floor of the sales base 16 where the product is displayed. The environmental data 60 is stored using a product ID or baggage ID as a key, or an ID for identifying the measurement location as a key. The ID for identifying the measurement location is, for example, an ID for identifying the loading platform of a truck or a transport container, an ID for identifying a warehouse of the intermediate base 14 or the sales base 16, or an ID for identifying a sales floor of the sales base 16.

[0030] At the shipping base 12, the characteristics of the product 20 produced by the producer are measured using a measuring device 61. The measuring device 61 captures the product 20 to obtain an image, thereby measuring the shape, size, color, surface pattern, scratches, etc. of the product 20. If the product is a tomato, the measuring device 61 may measure the sugar content of the tomato using a spectrometer, or may specify the ripeness of the tomato based on the color of the tomato. The measuring device 61 may be composed of various sensors provided in an automatic sorting machine used to inspect and sort the product 20. The measuring device 61 transmits the measured characteristic data of the product 20 and the measurement date and time to the shipping base management device 62.

[0031] When the shipping base management device 62 acquires characteristic data of a new product 20 from the measuring device 61, it issues a product ID for identifying the product 20. The shipping base management device 62 records the characteristic data acquired from the measuring device 61 and the measurement date and time using the issued product ID as a key. The shipping base management device 62 transmits the product ID, characteristic data, measurement date and time, and measurement location of the product 20 to the product management device 30. The shipping base management device 62 may hold production data 54 of the product 20, and may transmit the production data 54 of the product 20 to the product management device 30.

[0032] Next, the product 20 is placed in a container 24 at the shipping base 12. The product 20 to which a product ID has been assigned is placed in a container 24 such as a cardboard box or a small container. A container ID is assigned to the container 24, and the container 24 is individually identified by, for example, a barcode 25 or an electronic tag. A label on which information such as the barcode 25 is printed may be attached to the container 24. The container 24 does not need to be assigned a barcode or tag, and the container 24 may be individually identified based on the appearance characteristics of the container 24, such as the shape, size, color, scratches, or patterns of the container 24.

[0033] The task of placing the product 20 in the container 24 is performed while measuring with a measuring device 61 such as a camera or a sensor. For example, a robot may be used to place the product 20 in the container 24, and a camera or a sensor provided on the robot may measure the characteristics of the product 20 and the container 24. The characteristics of the product 20 and the container 24 measured by the measuring device 61 are transmitted from the measuring device 61 to a shipping base management device 62. By packaging the product 20 while individually identifying the product 20 and the container 24, the shipping base management device 62 can link the container ID and the product ID. In the illustrated example, multiple (12) products 20 are placed in one container 24, and multiple product IDs are linked to one container ID. Note that only one product 20 may be placed in one container 24.

[0034] Next, the container 24 containing the product 20 is packaged to become a package 26 in a form that can be shipped. For example, the package 26 is completed by closing the lid of the container 24. Note that, in the illustrated example, the package 26 has a part of the top of the container 24 left open in a form that can be shipped, and the product 20 inside the container 24 is visible from the outside even in a packaged state. Note that the packaging form of the product 20 is not limited to that illustrated, and the package 26 may be packaged with the top of the container 24 completely closed, that is, the product 20 inside the container 24 cannot be seen from the outside.

[0035] Next, the characteristics of the luggage 26 are measured using a measuring device 61 such as a camera or various sensors. The measuring device 61 may measure the characteristics of the luggage 26 before packaging the luggage 26. For example, the measuring device 61 may capture an image for identifying the arrangement of the multiple products 20 in the container 24 before packaging the luggage 26. In the illustrated example, an image is captured from above the luggage 26 after packaging the luggage 26, thereby obtaining an image that allows the arrangement of the multiple products 20 in the container 24 to be identified. The measuring device 61 transmits the measured characteristic data of the luggage 26 together with the measurement date and time to the shipping base management device 62. When the shipping base management device 62 obtains the characteristic data of the new luggage 26 from the measuring device 61, it issues a luggage ID for individual identification of the luggage 26. The shipping base management device 62 transmits the luggage ID, characteristic data, measurement date and time, and measurement location of the luggage 26 to the product management device 30. The shipping base management device 62 transmits the container ID of the container 24 constituting the luggage 26 and the product IDs of the multiple products 20 contained in the container 24 to the product management device 30. The shipping point management device 62 transmits the delivery data 56 of the package 26 to the product management device 30 .

[0036] The parcel ID may be issued by the delivery management device 68, not by the shipping base management device 62. For example, the characteristic data of the parcel 26 may be measured by the measuring device 67 of the delivery means 18, and the measured characteristic data of the parcel 26 may be transmitted from the measuring device 67 to the delivery management device 68 together with the measurement date and time. The measuring device 67 may include, for example, a handheld terminal equipped with a camera, and the characteristics of the parcel 26 may be measured using the camera of the handheld terminal. When the delivery management device 68 acquires new characteristic data of the parcel 26 from the measuring device 67, it may issue a parcel ID for individual identification of the parcel 26. In this case, the parcel ID may be, for example, a delivery number written on a delivery slip issued by a delivery company. The delivery management device 68 may transmit the parcel ID, characteristic data, measurement date and time, and measurement location of the parcel 26 to the product management device 30. The delivery management device 68 may transmit delivery data 56 of the parcel 26 to the product management device 30.

[0037] The parcel 26 shipped from the shipping base 12 is delivered to the intermediate base 14 by any delivery means 18. The delivery means 18 may be a vehicle such as a truck, a train, a ship, or an airplane. In the delivery means 18, the surrounding environment of the product 20 or the parcel 26 is measured by a measuring device 67, and environmental data indicating the measured surrounding environment is recorded. The environmental data recorded by the measuring device 67 is transmitted to a delivery management device 68. The measuring device 67 includes, for example, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a gas sensor, an acceleration sensor, etc., which are provided on the loading platform of a truck, and the environmental data is recorded by these various sensors. The delivery management device 68 records the environmental data acquired from the measuring device 67 using the product ID, the parcel ID, or a delivery ID that identifies the delivery means 18 as a key. The delivery management device 68 transmits the environmental data 60 to the product management device 30 together with the product ID, the parcel ID, or the delivery ID.

[0038] The intermediate base 14 may be a fruit and vegetable market, a delivery center of a delivery company, or the like. The luggage 26 delivered to the intermediate base 14 is subjected to an acceptance inspection at the intermediate base 14. In the acceptance inspection at the intermediate base 14, characteristic data of the luggage 26 is measured by a measuring device 63 provided at the intermediate base 14. The measuring device 63 may include various sensors provided in a system that automatically sorts the luggage 26, or may include a handheld terminal used by an operator. The measuring device 63 transmits the measured characteristic data of the luggage 26 together with the measurement date and time to the intermediate base management device 64. The intermediate base management device 64 transmits the luggage ID, characteristic data, measurement date and time, and measurement location of the luggage 26 to the product management device 30.

[0039] In the receiving inspection at the intermediate site 14, the measuring device 63 may measure characteristic data of the product 21 in the baggage 26. The product 21 receiving inspection at the intermediate site 14 is the same individual product as the product 20 shipped from the shipping site 12, but is handled as a different product 21 from the product 20 shipped from the shipping site 12. When the intermediate site management device 64 acquires the characteristic data of the product 21 from the measuring device 63, it issues a temporary ID for identifying the product 21. The intermediate site management device 64 issues a temporary ID for identifying the product 21 based on the arrangement of the product 21 in the container 24. For example, the measuring device 63 uses a camera to capture an image that allows the arrangement of the product 21 in the container 24 to be specified, and transmits the image to the intermediate site management device 64. The intermediate site management device 64 performs image recognition of the multiple products 21 based on the acquired image, and issues temporary IDs to the multiple products 21 in order by scanning from the upper left to the lower right, with the temporary ID of the product 21 located in the upper left corner of the container 24 being number 1. The temporary ID issued to the product 21 at the intermediate site 14 is different from the product ID issued to the product 20 at the shipping site 12. The intermediate site management device 64 transmits the package ID, temporary ID, characteristic data, measurement date and time, and measurement location of the product 21 to the product management device 30.

[0040] The luggage 26 that has undergone the receiving inspection is stored at the intermediate site 14 as necessary, and then sorted and shipped for the next delivery destination (for example, the sales site 16). Between receiving and shipping, the measuring device 63 may measure the surrounding environment of the product 21 and the luggage 26. The measuring device 63 may transmit environmental data indicating the measured surrounding environment to the intermediate site management device 64. The intermediate site management device 64 may transmit the environmental data measured by the measuring device 63 to the product management device 30. In addition, when the luggage 26 is shipped from the intermediate site 14, the characteristic data of the luggage 26 and the product 21 may be measured again using the measuring device 63 for shipping inspection. The measuring device 63 may transmit the characteristic data of the luggage 26 and the product 21 measured in the shipping inspection to the intermediate site management device 64. The intermediate site management device 64 may transmit the characteristic data of the luggage 26 and the product 21 measured in the shipping inspection to the product management device 30 in association with the luggage ID, temporary ID, measurement date and time, and measurement location of the product 21.

[0041] The packages 26 shipped from the intermediate base 14 are delivered to the sales base 16 using any delivery means 18. The surrounding environment of the product 21 or the packages 26 may be measured by a measuring device 67 on the delivery means 18 to the sales base 16, and environmental data indicating the measured surrounding environment may be transmitted to the product management device 30 via a delivery management device 68.

[0042] The product 22 delivered to the sales base 16 is subjected to an acceptance inspection using a measuring device 65 at the sales base 16. The measuring device 65 includes, for example, a handheld scanner used by the seller, which measures characteristic data of the product 22 and the baggage 26. The product 22 subjected to the acceptance inspection at the sales base 16 is the same individual product as the product 20 shipped from the shipping base 12 and the product 21 inspected at the intermediate base 14, but is handled as a different product 22 from the product 20 at the shipping base 12 and the product 21 at the intermediate base 14.

[0043] In the acceptance inspection at the sales base 16, first, characteristic data of the luggage 26 is measured by the measuring device 65. The measuring device 65 transmits the characteristic data of the luggage 26 measured in the acceptance inspection to the sales base management device 66. The sales base management device 66 transmits the luggage ID, characteristic data, measurement date and time, and measurement location of the luggage 26 to the product management device 30. Next, the luggage 26 is unpacked, and the multiple products 22 contained in the container 24 are measured by the measuring device 65. The sales base management device 66 issues temporary IDs for individual identification of the multiple products 22 measured by the measuring device 65. The temporary IDs issued to the products 22 at the sales base 16 may be the same as the temporary IDs assigned to the products 21 at the intermediate base 14.

[0044] Next, the characteristics of the products 22 taken out of the container 24 at the sales base 16 are measured. For example, the arrangement of the products 22 in the container 24 and the measurement of the characteristics of the products 22 may be performed simultaneously by taking out a plurality of products 22 from the container 24 while measuring them with a camera or a sensor provided in a handy scanner. The characteristic data of the products 22 measured by the measurement device 65 is transmitted to the sales base management device 66. The sales base management device 66 links the characteristic data of the products 22 with the baggage ID, the temporary ID, the measurement date and time, and the measurement location, and transmits it to the product management device 30. The products 22 that have been received and inspected at the sales base 16 are lined up on the sales floor of the sales base 16 and sold. The surrounding environment of the products 22 may be measured by the measurement device 65 at the sales base 16. For example, the measurement device 65 includes sensors installed in the warehouse or sales floor of the sales base 16, and measures the surrounding environment of the products 22 with the sensors installed in the warehouse or sales floor. The measurement device 65 transmits environmental data indicating the measured surrounding environment to the sales base management device 66. The sales point management device 66 transmits the environmental data acquired from the measurement device 65 to the product management device 30 .

[0045] A consumer visiting the sales base 16 photographs the product 22 displayed on the sales floor of the sales base 16 with his / her own user terminal 28, such as a smartphone equipped with a camera. An app that can be used at the sales base 16 is installed in the user terminal 28, and the consumer photographs the product 22 through the app. The user terminal 28 transmits the image of the product 22, the image capture date and time, and the image capture location (e.g., the location of the sales base 16) to the product management device 30 via the network 70. The product management device 30 identifies the product 22 as an individual product based on the information from the user terminal 28, and specifies the product ID of the product 20 that is the same individual product as the product 22. The product management device 30 transmits data related to the production and delivery of the product 20 to the user terminal 28 based on the specified product ID of the product 20. The user terminal 28 displays the data related to the product 20 acquired from the product management device 30. The consumer can know the production data, delivery data, and environmental data associated with the product 22 in front of him / her by looking at the user terminal 28.

[0046] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of data acquired by the product management device 30. Fig. 2 shows data acquired by the product management device 30 from the shipping base 12, intermediate base 14, sales base 16, and delivery means 18 shown in Fig. 1, arranged in chronological order from left to right. For ease of understanding, Fig. 2 shows representative data as an example, and does not cover all data acquired by the product management device 30.

[0047] First, the product management device 30 acquires data at the shipping base 12. The product management device 30 acquires the product ID, product image, product weight, product ripeness, and measurement date and time from the shipping base management device 62 as data of the product 20. The product ID is issued by the shipping base management device 62. The product image is feature data for identifying features such as the shape, size, and color of the product 20, and is captured by a camera provided in the measurement device 61. The product weight is feature data of the product 20, and is measured by a weight sensor provided in the measurement device 61. The product ripeness is feature data of the product 20, and is identified by the measurement device 61 based on, for example, the color distribution of the product 20 in the image A1 obtained by capturing the product 20. The measurement date and time is the date and time when the product image, product weight, or product ripeness is measured by the measurement device 61. Although only one measurement date and time is shown representatively in FIG. 2, the measurement date and time may be set separately for each of the product image, product weight, and product ripeness.

[0048] The product management device 30 acquires the package ID, package image, package weight, product quantity, container ID, product ID, and measurement date and time from the shipping base management device 62 as data of the package 26. The package ID is issued by the shipping base management device 62. The package image, package weight, and package quantity are characteristic data of the package 26. The container ID is information indicated by the barcode 25 attached to the container 24 of the package 26. The product ID is the product ID of each of the multiple products 20 contained in the package 26. When the package 26 contains multiple (e.g., 12) products 20, multiple (e.g., 12) product IDs are linked to one package ID. The measurement date and time is the date and time when the package image, package weight, or product quantity is measured by the measurement device 61. Although only one measurement date and time is shown representatively in FIG. 2, the measurement date and time may be set individually for each of the package image, package weight, and product quantity.

[0049] Next, the product management device 30 acquires data in the delivery means 18. The product management device 30 acquires a package ID, package image, package weight, product quantity, container ID, and measurement date and time from the delivery management device 68 as data on the package 26. The package ID is issued by the delivery management device 68. The package image, package weight, and product quantity are measured by the measuring device 67. If the contents of the package 26 cannot be visually confirmed, the product quantity does not need to be measured. The product management device 30 acquires temperature, humidity, and acceleration from the delivery management device 68 as environmental data. The temperature, humidity, and acceleration are measured by the measuring device 67. The measurement date and time in the environmental data is the period during which the temperature, humidity, and acceleration were measured, and includes, for example, the start date and time and the end date and time of the measurement. Since the delivery means 18 does not usually open the package 26 to measure the product alone, data on the product alone is not acquired.

[0050] Next, the product management device 30 acquires data at the intermediate site 14. The product management device 30 acquires the package ID, package image, package weight, product quantity, container ID, and measurement date and time from the intermediate site management device 64 as data on the package 26. The package ID is issued by the intermediate site management device 64. The package image, package weight, and product quantity are measured by the measuring device 63. At the intermediate site 14, the temperature and humidity are measured by the measuring device 63 as environmental data, and transmitted from the intermediate site management device 64 to the product management device 30. The temperature and humidity are measured, for example, in a warehouse for storing the package 26 at the intermediate site 14.

[0051] Finally, the product management device 30 acquires data at the sales base 16. The product management device 30 acquires a package ID, a package image, package weight, a product quantity, a container ID, and a measurement date and time from the sales base management device 66 as data of the package 26. The package ID is issued by the sales base management device 66. The package image, package weight, and product quantity are measured by the measurement device 65. At the sales base 16, the contents of the package 26 are confirmed and a product ID (temporary ID) is issued to the multiple products 22 contained in the package 26. The temporary ID is issued by the sales base management device 66. Next, the product management device 30 acquires a product image, product weight, product ripeness, and a measurement date and time from the sales base management device 66 as data of the products 22. The product management device 30 acquires temperature and humidity as environmental data from the sales base management device 66. For example, the temperature and humidity are measured in a warehouse for storing the products 22 at the sales base 16 or in a sales floor where the products 22 are displayed.

[0052] Next, the determination of the identity of the products by the determination unit 34 will be described in detail. The determination unit 34 compares data on the product (also referred to as the first product) stored in the memory unit 40 with data on the product (also referred to as the second product) acquired by the acquisition unit 32, and determines the identity of the first product and the second product. The data acquired by the acquisition unit 32 is data on the second product to be determined as the identity, and is raw data obtained by actually measuring the second product present at the site of the distribution process. On the other hand, the data stored in the memory unit 40 is data on the first product that is individually identified at least at the time of production or shipment, and is data that serves as a criterion for determining the identity. The data stored in the memory unit 40 may include data acquired at the intermediate base 14 or the sales base 16, and may be the criterion for determining the identity acquired at the intermediate base 14 or the sales base 16.

[0053] The determination unit 34 determines whether individual products are the same, for example, whether a product 22 sold at the sales base 16 is the same as any of the products 20 registered in the product master 50, and verifies the identity of the products. The determination unit 34 may also determine the identity of a package 26 in the distribution process, and verify the identity of the product packed in the package 26.

[0054] The determination unit 34 includes a candidate extraction unit 42, an individual identification unit 44, and a change verification unit 46.

[0055] The candidate extraction unit 42 extracts data to be matched from the data stored in the storage unit 40. The candidate extraction unit 42 specifies whether the object to be judged is a single product or a package containing products, based on the feature data acquired by the acquisition unit 32. When the object to be judged is a single product, the candidate extraction unit 42 specifies the product name of the second product to be judged (e.g., tomatoes) based on an image of the second product acquired by the acquisition unit 32, etc. When the object to be judged is a package and the feature data acquired by the acquisition unit 32 includes feature data related to the contents of the package, the candidate extraction unit 42 may specify the product name of the contents of the package based on the feature data related to the contents of the package.

[0056] The candidate extraction unit 42 extracts a product ID or parcel ID to be matched based on the date and time and the location. The data acquired by the acquisition unit 32 includes the measurement date and time and the measurement location when the characteristics of the product or parcel are measured. In principle, the product or parcel to be matched is a product or parcel that actually exists at the measurement date and time and the measurement location included in the acquired data. The candidate extraction unit 42 refers to the delivery data 56 in the storage unit 40, extracts a parcel ID that matches the conditions of the measurement date and time and the measurement location of the acquired data, and extracts a product ID associated with the parcel ID. Note that, when the data acquired by the acquisition unit 32 includes a parcel ID, the candidate extraction unit 42 may set the parcel ID acquired by the acquisition unit 32 as the target of match, and may set the product ID associated with the parcel ID acquired by the acquisition unit 32 as the target of match.

[0057] The individual identification unit 44 performs individual identification of the product or luggage. The individual identification unit 44 targets the product ID or luggage ID extracted by the candidate extraction unit 42 for individual identification. For example, the individual identification unit 44 calculates a score indicating the match between the feature data acquired by the acquisition unit 32 and the feature data recorded in the storage unit 40, and identifies the product ID or luggage ID with the highest score. For example, the individual identification unit 44 calculates the score using a machine learning model that outputs a score indicating the match of features based on the correlation of the feature data. As a result, the individual identification unit 44 identifies the product ID of the product measured at the site or the luggage ID of the luggage corresponding to the data acquired by the acquisition unit 32.

[0058] The individual identification unit 44 may take into consideration a change in the characteristics over time, instead of simply comparing the characteristic data acquired by the acquisition unit 32 with the characteristic data 58 in the storage unit 40. In other words, the time elapsed from the measurement date and time (also referred to as the first date and time) of the characteristic data 58 recorded in the storage unit 40 to the measurement date and time (also referred to as the second date and time) of the characteristic data acquired by the acquisition unit 32 may be taken into consideration. The individual identification unit 44 may estimate a change in the characteristics over time from the first date and time to the second date and time. For example, when a tomato ripens over time, the change in the color, sugar content, ripeness, etc., of the tomato characteristics may be estimated. For example, the change in the color of the tomato may be reddish, the sugar content of the tomato may increase, or the ripeness may increase. The individual identification unit 44 estimates a change in the characteristics of the product by, for example, referring to change estimation data that associates the elapsed time with the amount of change in the characteristics of the product, such as the color, sugar content, and ripeness.

[0059] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of change estimation data. FIG. 3 shows change estimation data that associates a change in the ripeness of a product with the time required for the change in ripeness. In the example of FIG. 3, the ripeness of tomatoes is set in eight stages. The ripeness of tomatoes can be determined, for example, according to the distribution of the color of the tomato, and the higher the ratio of green, the lower the ripeness, and the higher the ratio of red, the higher the ripeness. For example, a tomato that is entirely green is ripeness 1, and a fully ripe tomato that is entirely red is ripeness 8. In FIG. 3, the time required for each of ripeness stages 1 to 7 to change to the next stage 2 to 8 is set. For example, 44 hours is set as the time for changing from ripeness 1 to ripeness 2, and 20 hours is set as the time for changing from ripeness 7 to ripeness 8. The number of ripeness stages and the time value required for the change in ripeness are set individually according to the type of product.

[0060] The individual identification unit 44 estimates the characteristics of the product at the second date and time using the characteristics of the product at the first date and time, the elapsed time from the first date and time to the second time, and the change estimation data. In the example of FIG. 2, the ripeness of the product 20 measured at the shipping base 12 is "4", and the first date and time is "6:12 on June 19th". If the second date and time is the measurement date and time at the sales base 16, "9:00 on June 22nd", the elapsed time from the first date and time to the second date and time is approximately 75 hours. According to the change estimation data of FIG. 4, the time required for the ripeness to change from ripeness 4 to ripeness 8 is 24+20+16+12=72 hours, so the ripeness of the product 22 at the second date and time is estimated to be "8".

[0061] The individual identification unit 44 may estimate the change in the characteristics over time using the environmental data acquired by the acquisition unit 32 or the environmental data 60 in the storage unit 40. For example, if the temperature, humidity, gas concentration, etc. of the surrounding environment of the product are different, the speed and tendency of the change in the characteristics of the product will change. The individual identification unit 44 may estimate the change in the characteristics of the product based on the environment in which the product was placed during the period from the first date and time to the second date and time. For example, in the change estimation data of FIG. 3, the elapsed time may be defined by a function with the temperature, humidity, gas concentration, etc. as variables. The individual identification unit 44 may estimate the change in the characteristics using, for example, a machine learning model that inputs the characteristic data and the environmental data and outputs the changed characteristic data. This allows individual identification by appropriately considering the changes in color, sugar content, ripeness, etc. over time.

[0062] 4(a) to (c) are diagrams showing a schematic diagram of a method for determining identity by estimating changes in the characteristics of a first product 71 or a second product 72. The first product 71 has the characteristics of the product at the time of shipping from the shipping base 12, for example, with the tomato calyx and its vicinity having a color close to green. The second product 72 has the characteristics of the product at the time of selling at the sales base 16, with the tomato calyx and its vicinity having a color close to red. Therefore, the second product 72 has a higher proportion of red compared to the first product 71, and is in a state of increased ripeness.

[0063] In the example of FIG. 4(a), a virtual third product 73 having the characteristics of the product at the second date and time is estimated based on the characteristic data measured at the first date and time of the first product 71 recorded in the storage unit 40 (S10). For example, the characteristic (e.g., color) of the third product 73 at the second date and time is estimated based on the characteristic (e.g., color) of the first product 71 at the first date and time, the elapsed time from the first date and time to the second date and time, and the change estimation data. The individual identification unit 44 determines the characteristics of the virtual third product 73 by estimating the change in the characteristic in the future direction from the first date and time to the second date and time. The individual identification unit 44 calculates a score indicating the agreement between the characteristic data measured at the second date and time of the second product 72 acquired by the acquisition unit 32 and the estimated characteristic data of the third product 73, and performs individual identification (S12). In other words, individual identification is performed using the characteristic data of the third product 73 in which the estimated change is added to the characteristic data of the first product 71. In this case, if the feature data of the first product 71 and the feature data of the second product 72 closely match, a low score indicating the match is calculated, and a high score is calculated indicating the match for feature data that appropriately takes into account changes over time.

[0064] In the example of FIG. 4(b), the change in the feature in the direction toward the past from the second date and time to the first date and time is estimated, which is the opposite of FIG. 4(a). That is, the individual identification unit 44 estimates a virtual fourth product 74 having the feature of the product at the first date and time based on the feature data measured at the second date and time of the second product 72 acquired by the acquisition unit 32 (S14). For example, the feature (e.g., color) of the fourth product 74 at the first date and time is estimated based on the feature (e.g., color) of the second product 72 at the second date and time, the backward calculation time from the second date and time to the first date and time, and the change estimation data. The individual identification unit 44 calculates a score indicating the agreement between the estimated feature data of the fourth product 74 and the feature data measured at the first date and time of the first product 71 stored in the storage unit 40, and performs individual identification (S16). That is, the individual identification is performed using the feature data of the fourth product 74 that takes into account the estimated change to the feature data of the second product 72. In this case too, if the feature data of the first product 71 and the feature data of the second product 72 closely match, a low score indicating the match is calculated, and a high score is calculated indicating the match for feature data that appropriately takes into account changes over time.

[0065] In the example of FIG. 4(c), the characteristics at a date and time between the first date and time and the second date and time (also referred to as the third date and time) are estimated. The individual identification unit 44 estimates a virtual fifth product 75 having the characteristics of the product at the third date and time based on the characteristic data measured at the first date and time of the first product 71 recorded in the storage unit 40 (S18). For example, the characteristics (e.g., color) of the fifth product 75 at the third date and time are estimated based on the characteristics (e.g., color) of the first product 71 at the first date and time, the elapsed time from the first date and time to the third date and time, and the change estimation data. The individual identification unit 44 estimates a virtual sixth product 76 having the characteristics of the product at the third date and time based on the characteristic data measured at the second date and time of the second product 72 acquired by the acquisition unit 32 (S20). For example, the characteristics (e.g., color) of the sixth product 76 at the third date and time are estimated based on the characteristics (e.g., color) of the second product 72 at the second date and time, the reverse calculation time from the second date and time to the third date and time, and the change estimation data. The individual identification unit 44 calculates a score indicating the match between the feature data of the fifth product 75 at the estimated third date and time and the feature data of the sixth product 76 at the estimated third date and time, and performs individual identification (S22). In this case as well, if the feature data of the first product 71 and the feature data of the second product 72 closely match, a low score indicating the match is calculated, and a high score indicating the match is calculated for feature data that appropriately takes into account changes over time.

[0066] The estimation of feature changes using the above method is limited to features whose changes over time are predictable. For example, among the features of tomatoes, changes in color, ripeness, sugar content, etc. are estimated. In addition, for features that are not considered to change over time, the feature data before and after estimation is made the same. For example, among the features of tomatoes, the shape, size, weight, etc. are assumed to not change.

[0067] It is possible that an unpredictable change occurs in a product. For example, it is difficult to predict changes such as scratches on a product during delivery or loss of a part of the product. On the other hand, it is also possible that a product is scratched or has a part missing from the time of shipment. In this case, the scratches or defects on the product can be useful feature points for individual identification of the product. Therefore, when the feature data of the second product 72 acquired by the acquisition unit 32 includes feature points indicating scratches or defects on the product, the individual identification unit 44 may first perform individual identification using the feature points of the scratches or defects, and if there is no product with the same feature points of scratches or defects, perform individual identification by excluding the feature points of the scratches or defects. By first performing individual identification using the feature points of scratches or defects, it is possible to identify products that have scratches or defects from the time of shipment. Next, by performing individual identification by excluding the feature points of scratches or defects, it is possible to identify products that have no scratches or defects at the time of shipment based on feature points other than scratches or defects.

[0068] Instead of adopting or excluding the above-mentioned feature points of scratches and defects, the degree of influence of feature points such as scratches and defects on the score indicating the match may be switched, that is, the numerical values ​​of parameters in the machine learning model may be switched. For example, the parameters may first be adjusted so that the influence of specific feature points such as scratches and defects is high, and a score indicating the match is calculated to perform individual identification. After that, the parameters may be adjusted so that the influence of specific feature points such as scratches and defects is low, and a score indicating the match is calculated to perform individual identification.

[0069] In addition, the influence of predictable features may be adjusted as well as unpredictable features. Features that are considered to change little over time, such as the shape, size, and weight of tomatoes, may have a greater influence on the score indicating the match. In other words, the weighting of features that change little over time when determining the identity of the product may be increased, and the priority of features that change little over time may be increased. On the other hand, features that are considered to change little over time, such as the color, ripeness, and sugar content of tomatoes, may have a smaller influence on the score indicating the match. In other words, the weighting of features that change much over time when determining the identity of the product may be decreased, and the priority of features that change little over time may be decreased. For features with high priority, the criteria for determining identity are stricter, and features are determined to be non-identical if they do not exactly match. For features with low priority, the criteria for determining identity are looser, and features are determined to be identical even if they do not exactly match. In other words, the size of the allowable range for determining identity varies depending on the priority of the feature of the product. The priority for each of the multiple features of the product is set individually according to the type of the product.

[0070] The above-mentioned individual identification method for products may also be used for individual identification of luggage. When the products in the container are visible while the luggage is still packed, the individual identification unit 44 may estimate the change in the characteristics of the products in the container to determine the identity of the products in the container. When there are multiple products in the container, the individual identification unit 44 may estimate the change in the characteristics of each of the multiple products and individually identify each product, or may estimate the change in the characteristics of the multiple products collectively and individually identify the luggage as a whole.

[0071] The change verification unit 46 extracts changes in characteristics between the first product and the second product identified by the individual identification unit 44 as being identical, and verifies whether the changes in characteristics are valid. If there are only changes that can occur over time, for example, if the green of the tomato changes to red, or if new scratches are added to the surface of the tomato, the change verification unit 46 determines that the change is valid. On the other hand, if there are changes that cannot occur over time, for example, if the red of the tomato changes to green, or if scratches that were there in the past have disappeared, the change verification unit 46 determines that the change is not valid.

[0072] When the change verification unit 46 determines that the change between the first product and the second product is valid, it determines that the individual pieces of the first product and the second product identified by the individual identification unit 44 are identical. As a result, the product ID of the first product identified by the individual identification unit 44 is linked to the second product that is the subject of identity determination. When the change verification unit 46 determines that the change between the first product and the second product is not valid, it determines that there is no individual first product that is identical to the second product that is the subject of identity determination.

[0073] The change verification unit 46 may verify the validity of the change not only for the first product having the highest score calculated by the individual identification unit 44, but may verify the validity of the change for a plurality of first products having scores equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value calculated by the individual identification unit 44. In this case, it may be determined that the change is valid and that the first product having a relatively high score is the same individual as the second product.

[0074] The notification unit 36 ​​notifies the sender of the data acquired by the acquisition unit 32 of information based on the determination of identity by the determination unit 34. For example, when the acquisition unit 32 acquires data on the product 22 from the user terminal 28 of a consumer who has visited the sales base 16, the notification unit 36 ​​notifies the user terminal 28 of information related to the product ID of the product 22 identified by the determination unit 34. That is, the notification unit 36 ​​notifies the user terminal 28 of information based on the production data 54, delivery data 56, characteristic data 58, and environmental data 60 linked to the identified product ID. Specifically, the notification may include information on the production of the product 22, such as the producer, production place, and production date and time, information on delivery, such as the delivery route and delivery time of the product 22, information on the quality of the product, such as the ripeness and sugar content of the product 22, and the timing when the product 22 is ripe to be eaten, and information on the environment, such as the temperature and humidity where the product 22 was placed. These pieces of information may be notified according to the operation of the user terminal 28 by the consumer.

[0075] The notification unit 36 ​​may notify the intermediate base 14 or the sales base 16 of information based on the determination of identity by the determination unit 34. For example, when the acquisition unit 32 acquires from the intermediate base management device 64 characteristic data of the luggage 26 measured in the receiving inspection or shipping inspection at the intermediate base 14, the intermediate base management device 64 may be notified of the determination result of the identity of the luggage 26 by the determination unit 34. This allows a more rigorous inspection to be performed by simply measuring the characteristic data of the luggage 26 for the inspection at the intermediate base 14 and comparing it with the characteristic data of the luggage 26 at the time of shipping. Similarly, when the acquisition unit 32 acquires from the sales base management device 66 characteristic data of the luggage 26 or the product 22 measured in the receiving inspection at the sales base 16, the sales base management device 66 may be notified of the determination result of the identity of the luggage 26 or the product 22 by the determination unit 34. This allows a more rigorous inspection of the safety of the product 22 before it is displayed at the sales base 16.

[0076] The recording unit 38 generates data to be recorded in the storage unit 40 based on the data acquired by the acquisition unit 32, and records the generated data in the storage unit 40. The recording unit 38 registers a new product ID in the product master 50 based on the data acquired from the shipping base management device 62. The recording unit 38 registers a new package ID in the package master 52 based on the data acquired from the shipping base management device 62. The recording unit 38 generates and records production data 54 based on data acquired from the shipping base management device 62 or the manufacturer. The recording unit 38 generates and records delivery data 56 based on data acquired from the shipping base management device 62, the intermediate base management device 64, the sales base management device 66, or the delivery management device 68. The recording unit 38 generates and records environmental data 60 based on data acquired from the shipping base management device 62, the intermediate base management device 64, the sales base management device 66, or the delivery management device 68.

[0077] The recording unit 38 generates and records characteristic data 58 linked to a new product ID or parcel ID based on the characteristic data acquired from the shipping base management device 62. When the recording unit 38 acquires characteristic data from the intermediate base management device 64, the sales base management device 66, or the user terminal 28, the recording unit 38 generates and records the characteristic data 58 if the determination unit 34 determines that the two are identical. In other words, when the determination unit 34 determines that the two are identical and the product ID or parcel ID of the characteristic data acquired by the acquisition unit 32 is specified, the recording unit 38 records the acquired characteristic data linked to the specified product ID or parcel ID in the storage unit 40. As a result, in addition to the characteristic data that is newly registered at first, additional characteristic data acquired during the distribution process is accumulated as the characteristic data 58 in the storage unit 40.

[0078] When determining the identity of the first product and the second product, the determination unit 34 may use multiple pieces of feature data acquired at different measurement dates and times and measurement locations for the first product, or may use only the latest feature data. For example, when determining the identity of the products based on the feature data of the second product acquired from the user terminal 28, the determination unit 34 may use feature data measured by the measuring device 61 at the shipping base 12, feature data measured by the measuring device 63 at the intermediate base 14, or feature data measured by the measuring device 65 at the sales base 16. The determination unit 34 may estimate a change in the feature based on multiple pieces of feature data acquired at different measurement dates and times and measurement locations.

[0079] The change verification unit 46 may verify the validity of the change based on a plurality of characteristic data acquired at different measurement dates and times and measurement locations. The change verification unit 46 may identify the timing at which a particular change occurred based on a plurality of characteristic data acquired at different measurement dates and times and measurement locations. For example, when a change that causes damage or loss to a product is verified, the change verification unit 46 may identify the date and time or location at which the damage or loss may have occurred. In addition, when a monotonically increasing ripeness or sugar content of the product is verified as a change in the product's characteristics, the change verification unit 46 may identify the date and time at which the product will be ripe to eat based on the increasing trend. On the other hand, when it is verified that the increase in the ripeness or sugar content of the product has stopped or that the ripeness or sugar content has decreased, the change verification unit 46 may notify that the product is past its ripeness based on the increasing trend. Such information regarding the change in characteristics verified by the change verification unit 46 may be notified to the data sender by the notification unit 36.

[0080] 5 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the product management device 30. First, a product ID is issued by the shipping site management device 62 at the shipping site 12 (S30), the product features are measured by the measuring device 61 (S32), and the product ID and feature data are transmitted from the shipping site management device 62 to the product management device 30 (S34). The product management device 30 registers the acquired product ID in the product master 50, and records feature data 58 generated based on the acquired feature data in the storage unit 40 (S36).

[0081] The product shipped from the shipping base 12 is delivered to the intermediate base 14 or the sales base 16 by the delivery means 18. At the intermediate base 14, the sales base 16 or the delivery means 18, the environment of the product is measured by the measuring device 63, 65 or 67 (S38), and the environmental data is transmitted from the intermediate base management device 64, the sales base management device 66 or the delivery management device 68 to the product management device 30 (S40). The product management device 30 records the acquired environmental data 60 in the memory unit 40 (S42).

[0082] Next, the user terminal 28 measures the characteristics of the products (S44), and the user terminal 28 transmits the characteristic data to the product management device 30 (S46). The product management device 30 extracts candidate product IDs that are identical based on the acquired data (S48), estimates changes in the characteristics of the products (S50), and determines the identity of the products (S52). If the products are identical (Y in S54), the product management device 30 records the characteristic data 58 generated based on the acquired characteristic data in the storage unit 40 (S56), and notifies the user terminal 28 of information based on the determination of identity (S58). If the products are not identical (N in S54), the process of S56 is skipped, and information based on the determination of identity is notified (S58). The user terminal 28 displays the information acquired from the product management device 30 (S60).

[0083] According to this embodiment, since individual identification of products is possible based on the product feature data, products can be managed individually. Even if the product features change over time, the change in the product features can be estimated, and the identity of each product can be determined by taking into account the change in the features over time. Even if an unpredictable change in features occurs that is not due to the passage of time, the identity of each product can be appropriately determined by combining individual identification using the unpredictable features and individual identification excluding the unpredictable features. Moreover, by setting priorities for multiple features used when determining identity for each type of product, the identity of each product can be appropriately determined even if the product features change over time.

[0084] According to this embodiment, by accumulating characteristic data acquired during the distribution process, it is possible to appropriately track changes in products that occur during the distribution process. If a product is damaged during the distribution process, it is possible to identify the date, time, and location where the damage may have occurred. Even if a product is replaced with another product during distribution, if the replacement is between products registered in the product management device 30, the product characteristic data can be used to appropriately track the replaced product. Furthermore, if a product is replaced with a product not registered in the product management device 30, the characteristics of the product do not match those of the product registered in the product management device 30, so that fraud during the distribution process can be detected.

[0085] The present invention has been described above based on examples. The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and it is understood by those skilled in the art that various design changes and modifications are possible, and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention.

[0086] In the above-described embodiment, information about the product is provided to the consumer using the consumer's user terminal 28. In another embodiment, information about the product may be provided using a terminal installed on the sales floor or at the cash register of the sales base 16. For example, the product may be measured using a terminal installed at the sales base 16, and information about the product may be displayed on the display unit of the terminal. In addition, if the terminal installed at the sales base 16 is equipped with a printer, information about the product may be printed by the printer and provided to the consumer. In addition, when the product is displayed on the sales floor at the sales base 16, a label containing information about the product may be printed by the terminal of the sales base 16, and the printed label may be attached to the product itself or its packaging to provide the information to the consumer.

[0087] In the above embodiment, tomatoes are exemplified as a product, but the present embodiment may be applied to any product. For example, any vegetables or fruits sold without packaging at a sales point such as a store may be the target. Also, vegetables or fruits handled in a state of being contained in a plastic bag or container from the time of shipment to the time of sale may be the target. Moreover, the products targeted by the present embodiment are not limited to vegetables and fruits, and may be any other products such as industrial products.

[0088] Certain aspects of the present disclosure are as follows. (Aspect 1) A storage unit that stores first characteristic data indicating a characteristic of a first product at a first date and time; an acquisition unit that acquires second characteristic data indicating a characteristic of a second product at a second date and time that is later than the first date and time; a determination unit that determines the identity of the first product and the second product based on the first feature data, the second feature data, and the elapsed time from the first date and time to the second date and time. (Aspect 2) The acquisition unit further acquires environmental data obtained by measuring an environment surrounding the first product or the second product from the first date and time to the second date and time; 2. The product management device according to aspect 1, wherein the determination unit determines whether the first product and the second product are identical to each other based on the environmental data. (Aspect 3) A product management device as described in aspect 1 or aspect 2, wherein the determination unit estimates changes in the characteristics of the first product or the second product over time from the first date and time to the second date and time, and determines the identity of the first product and the second product. (Aspect 4) The storage unit further stores data regarding delivery of the first product, The acquisition unit further acquires data regarding a location of the second product, A product management device described in any one of aspects 1 to 3, wherein the determination unit determines the identity of the first product and the second product based further on data regarding the delivery of the first product and data regarding the location of the second product. (Aspect 5) A product management device according to any one of aspects 1 to 4, further comprising a recording unit that records the data regarding the second product acquired by the acquisition unit in the memory unit as data regarding the first product when the determination unit determines that the first product and the second product are identical. (Aspect 6) The product management device according to any one of aspects 1 to 5, further comprising a notification unit that notifies a source of the second characteristic data of information based on the determination by the determination unit. (Aspect 7) The product management device of claim 6, wherein the notification unit notifies the sender of the second characteristic data of data regarding the first product when the determination unit determines that the first product and the second product are identical. (Aspect 8) The determination unit verifies a change in a characteristic of the first product or the second product over time from the first date and time to the second date and time, 8. The product management device according to claim 6, wherein the notification unit notifies a source of the second characteristic data of information related to the change in characteristic verified by the determination unit. (Aspect 9) storing first characteristic data indicating a characteristic of a first product at a first date and time in a storage unit; acquiring second characteristic data indicating a characteristic of a second product at a second date and time that is later than the first date and time; A product management method comprising a step of determining identity of the first product and the second product based on the first feature data, the second feature data, and the elapsed time from the first date and time to the second date and time. (Aspect 10) A function of storing first characteristic data indicating a characteristic of a first product at a first date and time in a storage unit; A function of acquiring second characteristic data indicating a characteristic of a second product at a second date and time that is later than the first date and time; A program that causes a computer to realize a function of determining the identity of the first product and the second product based on the first feature data, the second feature data, and the elapsed time from the first date and time to the second date and time. [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] 10...product distribution system, 12...shipping base, 14...intermediate base, 16...sales base, 18...delivery means, 20, 21, 22...product, 24...container, 26...luggage, 28...user terminal, 30...product management device, 32...acquisition unit, 34...determination unit, 36...notification unit, 38...recording unit, 40...memory unit, 50...product master, 52...luggage master, 54...production data, 56...delivery data, 58...characteristic data, 60...environmental data.

Claims

1. An acquisition unit that acquires feature data indicating the surface condition of an object obtained from an image of the object; an identification unit that identifies the individual identification information of the object based on the feature data acquired by the acquisition unit and feature data that is stored in advance in association with individual identification information for identifying the object; Product management device.

2. The method further comprises a generation unit that generates individual identification information of the object using feature data obtained from the image of the object. The product management device according to claim 1 .

3. The surface condition of the object includes the color of the surface of the object. The product management device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The identification unit identifies individual identification information of the object based on a predicted change in the surface condition of the object, which is predicted based on the passage of time, temperature, and humidity. The product management device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. When the prediction result predicted based on the feature data acquired by the acquisition unit is equivalent to the pre-stored feature data, the identification unit identifies the individual identification information associated with the pre-stored feature data as the individual identification information of the object. The product management device according to claim 4 .

6. When the prediction result predicted based on the pre-stored feature data is equivalent to the feature data acquired by the acquisition unit, the identification unit identifies the individual identification information associated with the pre-stored feature data as the individual identification information of the object. The product management device according to claim 4 .

7. A step of acquiring feature data indicating the surface condition of the object obtained from an image of the object; and specifying individual identification information of the object based on the acquired feature data and feature data stored in advance in association with individual identification information for identifying the object. Product management method.

8. A function of acquiring feature data indicating the surface condition of the object obtained from an image of the object; and causing a computer to realize a function of specifying individual identification information of the object based on the acquired feature data and feature data stored in advance in association with individual identification information for identifying the object. program.

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