Information processing system, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To grasp business entities on the up-and downstreams of a supply chain.SOLUTION: An information processing system comprises: a receiving unit that receives, from a user, active mass related to the emissions of a greenhouse gas and active mass display information representing the active mass; an estimation unit that provides the active mass display information representing the active mass to a learning model for estimating a supplier of a commodity or a service on the basis of target item display information indicating the commodity or the service, and thereby estimates the supplier; and an output unit that outputs information identifying the estimated supplier.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Estimation of carbon dioxide emissions has been carried out (see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When calculating emissions related to Scope 3 of the GHG Protocol, it is required to identify which business entities (suppliers) located upstream or downstream of the supply chain are in cooperation.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such a background, and an object thereof is to provide a technique capable of identifying business entities upstream and downstream of the supply chain.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The main invention of the present invention for solving the above problems is an information processing system, comprising: a reception unit that receives, from a user, an activity amount related to greenhouse gas emissions and activity amount display information representing the activity amount; an estimation unit that gives the activity amount display information representing the activity amount to a learning model that estimates a supplier of the product or service based on target item display information indicating the product or service, and estimates the supplier; and an output unit that outputs information for identifying the estimated supplier.

[0007] Regarding other problems disclosed in the present application and their solutions, they will be clarified by the embodiments of the invention and the drawings.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to grasp business entities upstream and downstream of the supply chain.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] <Overview of the System> Hereinafter, an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. When calculating the emission amount of greenhouse gases (such as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, fluorocarbon gas, etc.), particularly the emission amount corresponding to Scope 3 of the GHG Protocol, the information processing system of the present embodiment attempts to identify from which business entity (hereinafter referred to as a supplier) located upstream or downstream of which supply chain the goods (including services. The same applies hereinafter) were procured (or services were commissioned). Hereinafter, the information processing system will be described.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration example of an information processing system. The information processing system of the present embodiment is configured to include a management server 2. The management server 2 is communicably connected to the user terminal 1 via a communication network. The communication network is, for example, the Internet, and is constructed by a public telephone line network, a mobile phone line network, a wireless communication path, Ethernet (registered trademark), or the like.

[0012] The user terminal 1 is a computer operated by the user. The user terminal 1 can be, for example, a smartphone, a tablet computer, a personal computer, etc.

[0013] The management server 2 may be a general-purpose computer such as a workstation or a personal computer, or may be logically realized by cloud computing.

[0014] <Management Server> FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the management server 2. Note that the illustrated configuration is an example, and it may have other configurations. The management server 2 includes a CPU 201, a memory 202, a storage device 203, a communication interface 204, an input device 205, and an output device 206. The storage device 203 stores various data and programs, and is, for example, a hard disk drive, a solid state drive, a flash memory, etc. The communication interface 204 is an interface for connecting to a communication network, and is, for example, an adapter for connecting to Ethernet (registered trademark), a modem for connecting to a public telephone network, a wireless communication device for performing wireless communication, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connector or an RS232C connector for serial communication, etc. The input device 205 inputs data, and is, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, a button, a microphone, etc. The output device 206 outputs data, and is, for example, a display, a printer, a speaker, etc. Note that each functional unit of the management server 2 described later is realized by the CPU 201 reading a program stored in the storage device 203 into the memory 202 and executing it, and each storage unit of the management server 2 is realized as a part of the storage area provided by the memory 202 and the storage device 203.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the software configuration of the management server 2. The management server 2 includes a learning model storage unit 231, an emission coefficient storage unit 232, an activity amount storage unit 233, a reception unit 211, an estimation unit 212, an emission amount calculation unit 213, and an output unit 214.

[0016] The learning model storage unit 231 stores a learning model (a first learning model, hereinafter referred to as a supplier learning model) for estimating a supplier of a product based on information indicating the product (hereinafter referred to as target item display information). The learning model storage unit 231 stores a learning model (a second learning model, hereinafter referred to as a product learning model) for estimating a product based on the target item display information indicating the product. The target item display information can be, for example, the name of the product provided by the supplier. The target item display information can also be, for example, image data such as the logo or image of the product. The target item display information can also be video data or audio data related to the product. The learning model can be created by machine learning. The supplier learning model can be created, for example, by learning, through machine learning, the target item display information such as the name used as the product and the information identifying the supplier. The product learning model can be created, for example, by learning, through machine learning, the target item display information such as the name used as the product and the name of the product used in this information processing system (which can be the name of the product registered in the emission coefficient storage unit 232 described later or the name of the product managed in the product master. It can also be the thumbnail image of the product, the package image of the product, the logo of the product, the video data or audio data registered together with the product).

[0017] The emission factor storage unit 232 stores emission factors for calculating the emission amount of greenhouse gases. The emission factor storage unit 232 stores emission factors in association with suppliers and products or services. In the present embodiment, the emission factor storage unit 232 stores information regarding emission factors (hereinafter referred to as emission factor information). The emission factor information can include the name of the product, the classification of the product, the business entity ID identifying the supplier that provides the product, and the emission factor (primary data) for calculating the emission amount by the supplier that provides the product. Note that for combinations of suppliers and products for which the primary data emission factor has not been obtained, the emission factor information can include the name and / or classification of the product and the emission factor of secondary data (data other than primary data, for example, standardized (statistical processed) from the emission amounts of a plurality of companies that provide the same type of product).

[0018] The activity amount storage unit 233 stores information regarding the activity amount (hereinafter referred to as activity amount information). The activity amount information can include information for identifying the user (user ID), the business entity ID indicating the business entity to which the user belongs, information representing the activity amount input by the user (hereinafter referred to as activity amount display information), the activity amount, the target item display information of the product corresponding to the input activity amount display information, the classification of the product, and the business entity ID identifying the supplier that provides the product. The activity amount information can include the scope of the activity amount. For Scope 3, categories can be included in the activity amount information. The activity amount display information can be, for example, the name of the product used by the user. The activity amount display information can also be, for example, image data such as the logo or image of the product. The activity amount display information can also be, for example, video data or audio data related to the product.

[0019] The reception unit 211 receives the activity amount related to the emission of greenhouse gases and the activity amount display information representing the activity amount. The reception unit 211 can receive the activity amount and the activity amount display information from the user terminal 1. The reception unit 211 may receive the activity amount from, for example, an accounting system or the like. For example, when the input data is accounting data, the accounting items and abstracts related to the journal entry can be used as the activity amount display information, and the amount can be used as the activity amount. The reception unit 211 may create activity amount information including the received activity amount and the activity amount display information and register it in the activity amount storage unit 233.

[0020] The estimation unit 212 estimates the supplier corresponding to the activity amount display information representing the activity amount. The estimation unit 212 can also estimate the product corresponding to the activity amount display information representing the activity amount. The estimation unit 212 can give the activity amount display information representing the activity amount to the supplier learning model to estimate the supplier. The estimation unit 212 can give the activity amount display information representing the activity amount to the product learning model to estimate the product.

[0021] The emission amount calculation unit 213 calculates the emission amount of greenhouse gases. The emission amount calculation unit 213 acquires the emission coefficient corresponding to the supplier estimated by the estimation unit 212 and the product estimated by the estimation unit 212 from the emission coefficient storage unit 232, and can calculate the emission amount by multiplying the acquired emission coefficient by the activity amount received by the reception unit 211. When the emission coefficient corresponding to the supplier estimated by the estimation unit 212 and the product estimated by the estimation unit 212 is not registered in the emission coefficient storage unit 232, the emission amount may be calculated using the emission coefficient (secondary data) corresponding to the estimated product or its category.

[0022] The output unit 214 outputs information identifying the estimated supplier. The output unit 214 may output information identifying the estimated product. The output unit 214 can also output the calculated emission amount. The output unit 214 can output the emission amount for each scope (and for scope 3, by category), for example. The output unit 214 can output the emission amount in the format of various reports, for example.

[0023] <Operation> FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the management server 2.

[0024] The management server 2 receives the activity amount and its activity amount display information from the user terminal 1 (S301), estimates the supplier from the received activity amount display information (S302), estimates the product from the received activity amount display information (S303), obtains the emission factor corresponding to the estimated supplier and product (S304), and calculates the emission amount by multiplying the obtained emission factor by the activity amount (S305). The management server 2 can output the estimated supplier, the estimated product, and / or the emission amount to the user terminal 1 (S306).

[0025] As described above, according to the information processing system of the present embodiment, it is possible to estimate which product of which supplier the activity amount received from the user relates to. Further, the emission amount can be calculated using the emission factor of the primary data corresponding to the supplier and the product.

[0026] As described above, the present embodiment has been described. However, the above embodiment is for facilitating the understanding of the present invention and is not for limiting the interpretation of the present invention. The present invention can be changed and improved without departing from the spirit thereof, and equivalents of the present invention are also included in the present invention.

[0027] <Modification Example 1> For example, in the present embodiment, the estimated supplier and product are used as they are, but confirmation may be obtained from the user. In this case, before calculating the emission amount, the output unit 214 can output the supplier and / or product estimated by the estimation unit 212 to the user terminal 1 and receive an input from the user as to whether the estimated supplier and / or product is correct. Here, if the estimation is incorrect, the estimated supplier and / or product can be not used. If the estimation is incorrect, an input of the correct supplier and / or product may be received from the user and the received supplier and / or product may be used.

[0028] <Modification Example 2> In addition, in this embodiment, the learning model is provided by the management server 2. However, a learning model managed by an external system (not shown) may be used. For example, the learning model can be a large language model, and by calling an API provided by the external system, an inquiry can be made to the large language model to generate an output. In this case, the estimation unit 212 can cause the learning model to output information for identifying the supplier by providing the learning model with a prompt including the received activity amount display information and a question for inquiring about the supplier that provides the product or service corresponding to the activity amount display information.

[0029] <Disclosed Matters> Note that the present disclosure also includes the following configurations. [Item 1] A reception unit that receives from a user the activity amount related to greenhouse gas emissions and activity amount display information representing the activity amount; An estimation unit that estimates the supplier of the product or service by providing the learning model for estimating the supplier of the product or service based on the target item display information indicating the product or service with the activity amount display information representing the activity amount; An output unit that outputs information for identifying the estimated supplier; An information processing system characterized by comprising: [Item 2] The information processing system according to Item 1, wherein the learning model is created by learning, by machine learning, the name used as the product or service and the information for identifying the supplier; An information processing system characterized by: [Item 3] The information processing system according to Item 2, wherein the learning model is a large language model; The estimation unit causes the learning model to output information for identifying the supplier by providing the learning model with a prompt including the name and a question for inquiring of the supplier who provides the product or service corresponding to the name. An information processing system characterized by the above. [Item 4] The information processing system according to Item 1, wherein the learning model is created by learning, by machine learning, an image used as the product or service and information for identifying the supplier. An information processing system characterized by the above. [Item 5] The information processing system according to Item 1, comprising an emission factor storage unit that stores an emission factor for calculating the amount of greenhouse gas emissions, associated with the supplier and the product or service. The estimation unit gives the activity amount display information representing the activity amount to a first learning model that estimates the supplier of the product or service based on the target item display information indicating the product or service, to estimate the supplier, and gives the activity amount display information representing the activity amount to a second learning model that estimates the product or service based on the target item display information indicating the product or service, to estimate the product or service. The information processing system includes an emission amount calculation unit that multiplies the activity amount by the emission factor stored in the emission factor storage unit corresponding to the estimated supplier and the estimated product or service to calculate the emission amount. An information processing system characterized by the above. [Item 6] Receiving, from a user, an activity amount related to greenhouse gas emissions and activity amount display information representing the activity amount; An estimation unit that gives the activity amount display information representing the activity amount to a learning model that estimates the supplier of the product or service based on target item display information indicating the product or service, to estimate the supplier; An output unit that outputs information for identifying the estimated supplier. An information processing method characterized in that a computer executes it. [Item 7] A step of receiving the amount of activity related to greenhouse gas emissions and activity amount display information representing the amount of activity from a user; An estimation unit that gives the activity amount display information representing the amount of activity to a learning model that estimates the supplier of the product or service based on the target item display information indicating the product or service, and estimates the supplier; An output unit that outputs information for specifying the estimated supplier; A program for causing a computer to execute it.

Explanation of Signs

[0030] 1 User terminal 2 Management server

Claims

1. A receiving unit that receives the amount of activity related to greenhouse gas emissions from a user and activity amount display information representing the amount of activity; An estimating unit that gives the activity amount display information representing the amount of activity to a learning model that estimates the supplier of the product or service based on the target item display information indicating the product or service, and estimates the supplier; An output unit that outputs information for specifying the estimated supplier; An information processing system comprising the above.

2. The information processing system according to Claim 1, wherein the learning model is created by learning, by machine learning, the name used as the product or service and the information for specifying the supplier; An information processing system characterized by the above.

3. The information processing system according to Claim 2, wherein the learning model is a large language model, and the estimating unit gives a prompt including the name and a question for inquiring about the supplier that provides the product or service corresponding to the name to the learning model, so as to cause the learning model to output information for specifying the supplier; An information processing system characterized by the above.

4. The information processing system according to Claim 1, wherein the learning model is created by learning, by machine learning, the image used as the product or service and the information for specifying the supplier; An information processing system characterized by the above.

5. The information processing system according to Claim 1, comprising an emission factor storage unit that stores an emission factor for calculating the amount of greenhouse gas emissions, associated with the supplier and the product or service, wherein the estimating unit gives the activity amount display information representing the amount of activity to a first learning model that estimates the supplier of the product or service based on the target item display information indicating the product or service, to estimate the supplier, and gives the activity amount display information representing the amount of activity to a second learning model that estimates the product or service based on the target item display information indicating the product or service, to estimate the product or service, and comprises an emission amount calculation unit that multiplies the activity amount by the emission factor stored in the emission factor storage unit corresponding to the estimated supplier and the estimated product or service to calculate the emission amount; An information processing system characterized by the above.

6. A step of receiving, from a user, the amount of activity related to greenhouse gas emissions and activity amount display information representing the amount of activity; An estimation unit that gives the activity amount display information representing the amount of activity to a learning model that estimates a supplier of the product or service based on target item display information indicating the product or service, and estimates the supplier; An output unit that outputs information for identifying the estimated supplier; An information processing method, characterized in that a computer executes the steps above.

7. A step of receiving, from a user, the amount of activity related to greenhouse gas emissions and activity amount display information representing the amount of activity; An estimation unit that gives the activity amount display information representing the amount of activity to a learning model that estimates a supplier of the product or service based on target item display information indicating the product or service, and estimates the supplier; An output unit that outputs information for identifying the estimated supplier; A program for causing a computer to execute the steps above.

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