Information processing method and information processing device

Abstract

To provide an information processing method that allows an effective use of information which is obtained when a container is distributed.SOLUTION: In the information processing method, managed is information regarding a series of distribution steps in which a content 12 is accommodated in a container 11, to which an information storage carrier 110 storing container identification information is attached, and distributed as a product. The information processing method includes: a reception step for receiving container identification information about the container 11 to be assessed; an executed-step identification step for referring to a container management database 210 on the basis of the container identification information received in the reception step and identifying an executed step that has been executed for the container 11 to be assessed; an essential-step identification step for identifying an essential step for the container 11 to be assessed; and an assessment step for comparing the executed step with the essential step and assessing, in accordance with the comparison result, a validity pertaining to the container 11 to be assessed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing method and an information processing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a management method when products filled with contents are distributed in the market, inventory management, sales forecasting, marketing, tracing, etc. of products are known to be performed using container identification codes assigned to containers. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for managing products by reading barcodes printed on containers with a barcode reader. Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for managing products by reading IC tags attached to containers with a reader / writer.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] As each container with an assigned container identification code follows a series of distribution processes called a supply chain, various types of information are accumulated in association with each container. Although the various types of information associated with each container are used for product inventory management, sales forecasting, marketing, tracing, etc. as disclosed in Patent Document 1, further utilization of information is required.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an information processing method and an information processing apparatus that enable effective use of information obtained when containers are distributed.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, an information processing method according to an aspect of the present invention is an information processing method executed by a computer for storing contents in a container provided with an information storage medium storing container identification information and processing information related to a series of distribution processes for distribution as a product, including: a reception step of receiving the container identification information stored in the information storage medium attached to the container to be determined; an executed process specifying step of referring to a database registrable for each container and associating process information when each process included in the series of distribution processes is executed with the container identification information based on the container identification information received in the reception step, and specifying an executed process indicating the process that has been executed for the container to be determined; an essential process specifying step of specifying an essential process indicating the process that must have been executed for the container to be determined; and a determination step of comparing the executed process specified in the executed process specifying step with the essential process specified in the essential process specifying step and determining the validity of the container to be determined according to the comparison result. a reception step of receiving the container identification information stored in the information storage medium attached to the container to be determined; an executed process specifying step of referring to a database registrable for each container and associating process information when each process included in the series of distribution processes is executed with the container identification information based on the container identification information received in the reception step, and specifying an executed process indicating the process that has been executed for the container to be determined; an essential process specifying step of specifying an essential process indicating the process that must have been executed for the container to be determined; a determination step of comparing the executed process specified in the executed process specifying step with the essential process specified in the essential process specifying step and determining the validity of the container to be determined according to the comparison result.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the information processing method according to an aspect of the present invention, the determination unit compares the executed processes that the container to be determined has followed so far in a series of distribution processes with the essential processes that should originally be followed, thereby determining the validity of the container to be determined. Therefore, the information obtained when the container is distributed can be effectively used.

[0008] Problems, configurations, and effects other than the above will be clarified in the embodiments for carrying out the invention described later.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

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Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, the scope necessary for explaining to achieve the object of the present invention is schematically shown, and mainly the scope necessary for explaining the corresponding part of the present invention will be described, and the parts where the explanation is omitted shall be based on the known technology.

[0011] (Configuration of Container Circulation System 1) FIG. 1 is an overall view showing an example of the container circulation system 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing an example of each process of the container 11, the content 12, the product 13, and the recycling material 14.

[0012] The container circulation system 1 includes, as its main component, an information processing device 2. The information processing device 2 is a device that processes information related to a series of distribution processes in which the content 12 is stored in the container 11 provided with the information storage carrier 110 for storing container identification information and distributed as the product 13.

[0013] The information processing device 2 is a general-purpose or dedicated computer (see FIG. 7 described later), and is composed of, for example, a server-type computer or a cloud-type computer. The information processing device 2 is connected to the container manufacturer terminal device 3A used by the container manufacturer UA, the product manufacturer terminal device 3B used by the product manufacturer UB, the wholesaler terminal device 3C used by the wholesaler UC, the retailer terminal device 3D used by the retailer UD, the consumer terminal device 3E used by the consumer UE, the recycler terminal device 3F used by the recycler UF, and the regenerator terminal device 3G used by the regenerator UG via a wired or wireless network 4. Note that the number of each terminal device 3A to 3G and the configuration of the network 4 are not limited to the example of FIG. 1.

[0014] Each of the terminal devices 3A to 3G (container manufacturer terminal device 3A, product manufacturer terminal device 3B, wholesaler terminal device 3C, retailer terminal device 3D, consumer terminal device 3E, recycler terminal device 3F, and recycler terminal device 3G) is a general-purpose or dedicated computer (see FIG. 7 described later), and is composed of, for example, a stationary computer or a portable computer. And, programs such as browsers and apps are installed in each of the terminal devices 3A to 3G to receive various input operations and output various information via a display screen and sound.

[0015] The container 11 is manufactured using raw materials such as plastic, metal, glass, and paper, and has an arbitrary shape and size. Examples of the types of the container 11 include plastic bottles such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), metal cans such as steel and aluminum, glass bottles, paper packs, laminated pouches, and the like. Note that the container 11 may be manufactured using a recyclable material 14. Also, the container 11 may be a one-way container or a returnable container.

[0016] An information storage carrier 110 capable of storing container identification information is attached to the container 11. The container identification information is, for example, a container ID (container identification code) for identifying each individual container 11. Note that the information storage carrier 110 may include web access information (such as a URL) for accessing various information related to the container 11, the contents 12, the product 13, or the recyclable material 14 via a web service.

[0017] The information storage carrier 110 is composed of a code image such as a one-dimensional code or a two-dimensional code. In that case, a label with the code image printed thereon may be embedded inside the molded body of the container 11, or may be attached or wound around the container 11. Also, the information storage carrier 110 is composed of an electronic tag (IC tag) called RFID or the like. In that case, the electronic tag may be embedded inside the molded body of the container 11, or may be attached to the container 11.

[0018] The contents 12 may be liquid, solid, powder, granules, etc. Examples of the types of contents 12 (content types) include beverages such as water, juice, milk, etc., foods such as oil, sauce, meat, fish, etc., daily necessities such as detergent, shampoo, etc., and medicines. The contents 12 may be at room temperature, chilled (refrigerated), or frozen. Furthermore, the contents 12 may be heated or unheated during the manufacturing process, and in the case of beverages and foods, they may be fresh or processed products.

[0019] Product 13 is manufactured by using container 11 and storing contents 12. When container 11 is in the form of a bottle or a cup, contents 12 are filled into container 11 and sealed with a lid or the like. When container 11 is in the form of a tray or a pack, contents 12 are stored in container 11 and sealed with a film or the like.

[0020] The recycled material 14 is generated from the container 11 by carrying out recycling processes such as sorting, crushing, cleaning, deodorizing, dehydrating, and pelletizing of the used container 11. The types of recycled material 14 (recycled material types) are classified according to the type of raw material of the container 11, for example.

[0021] Container manufacturer UA uses molding equipment installed in the container factory to process the raw materials (recycling) of container 11. The product manufacturer UB manufactures containers 11 from recycled paper (including recycled paper material 14) and ships the containers 11 with information storage media 110 attached to them to a product manufacturer UB (container manufacturing process). The product manufacturer UB places contents 12 in the containers 11 at a product factory, manufactures products 13, and ships them to a wholesaler UC (product manufacturing process). The wholesaler UC stores the products 13 in a warehouse or the like and ships them to a retailer UD (product wholesale process). The retailer UD sells the products 13 to consumers UE at stores or the like (product retail process). Consumers UE include not only general consumers but also businesses and the like.

[0022] The consumer UE consumes the contents 12 of the purchased product 13 at home, business facilities, etc. (product consumption process), and transports the used container 11 to a collection point such as a store or public facility. Note that the consumer UE may request the collection operator UF to collect the used container 11.

[0023] The collection operator UF collects the used container 11 (container collection process), and if necessary, performs pre - processing such as sorting and screening, and transports it to a recycling factory. The recycling operator UG performs a recycling process on the collected container 11 at the recycling factory, and recycles the collected container 11 into recycled material 14 (container recycling process).

[0024] The container 11 goes through a series of distribution processes consisting of the above - mentioned processes (container manufacturing process, product manufacturing process, product wholesale process, product retail process, product consumption process, container collection process, container recycling process). After the product 13 is supplied to and consumed by the consumer UE, it is recycled into the recycled material 14. Then, the recycled material 14 is reused as the raw material for a new container 11.

[0025] Note that some of the processes included in the series of distribution processes may be omitted, or other processes may be added. For example, the above - mentioned processes are performed when the container 11 is a one - way container. However, when the container 11 is a returnable container, instead of the container recycling process, a container washing process may be added and returned to the product manufacturing process. Also, as a sales form of the product 13, the product wholesale process may be omitted, or the product retail process may be omitted.

[0026] (Configuration of the information processing device 2) FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the information processing device 2 according to the present embodiment. The information processing device 2 includes a control unit 20 configured by a processor or the like, a storage unit 21 configured by an HDD, an SSD, a memory, etc., a communication unit 22 which is a communication interface with the network 4, an input unit 23 configured by a keyboard, a mouse, etc., and a display unit 24 configured by a display or the like. Note that the input unit 23 and the display unit 24 may be omitted.

[0027] The storage unit 21 stores a container management database 210 and an information processing program 211, and also stores an operating system, other programs, data, and the like.

[0028] The container management database 210 is a database in which process information D1 when each process included in a series of distribution processes is executed can be registered for each container 11 in association with container identification information.

[0029] By executing the information processing program 211 stored in the storage unit 21, the control unit 20 functions as an information collection unit 200 and an information processing unit 201. The information processing unit 201 functions as a reception unit 201A, a completed process specifying unit 201B, an essential process specifying unit 201C, a determination unit 201D, and an output processing unit 201E.

[0030] (Information collection unit 200) FIG. 4 is a functional explanatory diagram showing an example of the information collection unit 200 and the flow of information. The control unit 20 of the information processing apparatus 2 mainly uses the container management database 210 (see FIGS. 5A and 5B described later) to realize the information collection unit 200. The information collection unit 200 collects process information D1 regarding the container 11, the contents 12, the product 13, and the recycled material 14, and performs an information collection process of registering it in the container management database 210.

[0031] The process information D1 is information that records the content characterizing each process. The process information D1 at least includes container identification information and information regarding time and location as basic information recording the content. Further, the process information D1 further includes various additional information added in each process.

[0032] The process information D1 is classified, as information corresponding to each process, into, for example, container manufacturing information DA regarding the manufacture of the container 11, product manufacturing information DB regarding the manufacture of the product 13 using the container 11, wholesale sales information DC regarding the wholesale sales of the product 13, retail sales information DD regarding the retail sales of the product 13, product consumption information DE regarding the consumption of the product 13, container recovery information DF regarding the recovery of the container 11, and container recycling information DG regarding the recycling from the container 11 to the recycled material 14.

[0033] For example, the information collection unit 200 acquires (receives) the process information D1 (specifically, container manufacturing information DA, product manufacturing information DB, wholesale sales information DC, retail sales information DD, product consumption information DE, container recovery information DF, container recycling information DG) from each of the terminal devices 3A to 3G via the network 4, and registers the process information D1 in the container management database 210.

[0034] The process information D1 acquired from each of the terminal devices 3A to 3G is such that when the container 11 goes through each process, the information storage carrier 110 attached to the container 11, for example, when read by a reading device (not shown), the container identification information, time, location, and status, and various additional information respectively added in each process are recorded as the process information D1.

[0035] Note that the process information D1 may be a record of the input results input at each of the terminal devices 3A to 3G instead of or in addition to the reading results of the reading device. Also, the process information D1 may be acquired in a process different from each process to which the container manufacturing information DA, product manufacturing information DB, wholesale sales information DC, retail sales information DD, product consumption information DE, container recovery information DF, and container recycling information DG respectively correspond. For example, the container manufacturer UA may input the product manufacturing information DB at the container manufacturer terminal device 3A to acquire the product manufacturing information DB, or the retail merchant UDC or the recovery merchant UF may input the product consumption information DE at the wholesale merchant terminal device 3C or the recovery merchant terminal device 3F to acquire the product consumption information DE.

[0036] The container identification information reading device is used in each process and is installed at various locations such as container factories, product factories, warehouses, stores, collection points, recycling factories, etc. The reading device is composed of, for example, a code reader, a camera, an electronic tag reader, etc., and may be fixed or portable, or may be an embedded type incorporated in a portable computer (such as a smartphone).

[0037] Note that the information collection unit 200 may obtain a part of the information managed by an external system (such as a manufacturing management system, a transportation management system, a sales management system, etc.) as the process information D1 from the external system.

[0038] FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are data configuration diagrams showing an example of the container management database 210. The container management database 210 is composed of a plurality of tables 210A to 210G corresponding to each process. Each of the tables 210A to 210G has fields for registering container identification information, time, location, and status as common fields.

[0039] In the field of container identification information, container identification information for identifying one container 11 may be registered, or a plurality of container identification information for identifying each of the plurality of containers 11 may be registered This is also acceptable. The time field indicates the date and time, and it may be just the date, or it may be registered down to the hour, minute, and second. The location field indicates the geographical location or the name of the place. As the geographical location, for example, IP addresses, coordinates such as latitude and longitude, regions and areas such as administrative divisions and mesh divisions, etc. are registered. In the case of an IP address, a list recording the correspondence between each IP address and each location may be prepared. As the name of the place, for example, the names of facilities such as container factories, product factories, warehouses, stores, collection points, recycling factories, etc. are registered. The name of the facility may be associated with the name of the manufacturer or operator that manages the facility. In the status field, any one of the states before the execution of the process (no record), during execution, and after execution is registered. Specifically, according to the progress of each process, for example, no record, any one of the states of storage and shipment, no record, any one of the states of storage and disposal, etc. are registered.

[0040] In addition to the common fields for registering container identification information, container manufacturing time, container manufacturing location, container shipping time, and status (no record / storage / shipping), the container manufacturing table 210A has a field for registering additional information unique to the container manufacturing information DA. The container manufacturing information DA includes, as additional information, information regarding the type of raw material of the container 11 indicating the type of raw material and information regarding the type of form of the container 11 indicating the type of form.

[0041] In addition to the common fields for registering container identification information, product manufacturing time, product manufacturing location, product shipping time, and status (no record / storage / shipping), the product manufacturing table 210B has a field for registering additional information unique to the product manufacturing information DB. The product manufacturing information DB includes, as additional information, information regarding the type of content 12 contained in the container 11 indicating the type of content.

[0042] The wholesale sales table 210C has fields for registering additional information specific to the wholesale sales information DC, in addition to common fields for registering container identification information, product receipt time, product storage location, product wholesale time, and status (not recorded / stored / shipped). The wholesale sales information DC includes, as additional information, information regarding the selling price of product 13.

[0043] The retail sales table 210D has fields for registering additional information specific to the retail sales information DD, in addition to common fields for registering container identification information, product receipt time, product retail location, product retail time, and status (not recorded / stored / sold). The retail sales information DD includes, as additional information, information regarding the selling price of product 13.

[0044] The product consumption table 210E has fields for registering additional information specific to the product consumption information DE, in addition to common fields for registering container identification information, product purchase time, product consumption location, product consumption time, and status (not recorded / stored / disposed). The product consumption information DE includes, as additional information, information regarding consumer characteristics (age, gender, preferences, etc.) indicating the characteristics of the consumer UE, and information regarding the distribution of coupons. The coupon is distributed to the consumer terminal device 3E of the consumer UE, for example, by accessing a predetermined website based on the web access information stored in the information storage carrier 110 of product 13 purchased by the consumer UE. Thereby, an incentive for the collection of the container 11 can be given to the consumer UE.

[0045] The container collection table 210F has fields for registering additional information specific to the container collection information DF, in addition to common fields for registering container identification information, container collection time, container collection location, container shipping time, and status (not recorded / stored / shipped). The container collection information DF includes, as additional information, information regarding the collection status (sorted or unsorted) of the container 11.

[0046] The container recycling table 210G has container identification information, container recycling time, container recycling location, recycle In addition to the common fields for registering the recycled material shipping time and status (no record / storage / shipping), it has fields for registering additional information specific to the container recycling information DG. The container recycling information DG includes, as additional information, information regarding the type of recycled material indicating the type of the recycled material 14.

[0047] Note that the data configuration of the container management database 210 is not limited to the above example and may be changed as appropriate. A part of the above data (for example, the additional information of each table 210A to 210G) may be omitted, or data other than the above may be added. Also, part or all of the container management database 210 may be stored in an external device (which may be plural) connectable to the network 4. In that case, the control unit 20 may access the external device via the communication unit 22.

[0048] (Information processing unit 201) FIG. 6 is a functional explanatory diagram showing an example of the information flow between the information processing unit 201. The control unit 20 of the information processing apparatus 2 realizes the information processing unit 201 using the container management database 210 (see FIGS. 5A and 5B).

[0049] The information processing unit 201 refers to the process information D1 registered in the container management database 210 and performs a validity determination process for determining the validity of the container 11 to be determined. As each unit for performing the validity determination process, as shown in FIG. 3, the information processing unit 201 includes a reception unit 201A, a completed process identification unit 201B, an essential process identification unit 201C, a determination unit 201D, and an output processing unit 201E.

[0050] The reception unit 201A receives the container identification information stored in the information storage carrier 110 attached to the container 11 to be determined. Note that the reception unit 201A may receive, together with the container identification information, the determination items of the validity to be determined for the container 11 to be determined.

[0051] Based on the container identification information received by the reception unit 201A, the completed process identification unit 201B refers to the container management database 210 to identify the completed processes for the container 11 to be determined. At this time, the completed process identification unit 201B may acquire completed process information including the content (time, location, status, additional information) recorded when the completed process was executed.

[0052] For example, the completed process identification unit 201B identifies the completed processes or acquires the completed process information by acquiring the process information D1 registered in the container management database 210 in relation to the container identification information of the container 11 to be determined. FIG. 6 illustrates a case where the completed processes are the container manufacturing process, the product manufacturing process, and the product wholesale process as shown by the solid lines.

[0053] The essential process identification unit 201C identifies the essential processes indicating the processes that are essential to be completed for the container 11 to be determined. At this time, the essential process identification unit 201C may acquire essential process information including the content (time, location, status, additional information) recorded when the essential process is executed. The essential process information does not include the content recorded when the essential process is actually executed, but includes the content that should be recorded if the essential process is hypothetically executed. That is, the essential process information includes the content that should be recorded as the content of the essential process at that time if the essential process is hypothetically executed for the container 11 determined to be valid.

[0054] For example, when the container identification information is acquired, the essential process identification unit 201C identifies the essential processes or acquires the essential process information based on which of the terminal devices 3A to 3G the container identification information is acquired from. It may also be possible. Further, the essential process specifying unit 201C may specify the essential process or acquire essential process information according to the location where the container identification information is acquired. Further, when the validity determination item is received by the reception unit 201A, the essential process specifying unit 201C may specify the essential process or acquire essential process information based on the validity determination item. Note that the essential process and the essential process information may be predetermined by, for example, the container manufacturer UA, the product manufacturer UB, etc. and stored in the storage unit 21. FIG. 6 shows a case where the essential processes are the container manufacturing process, the product manufacturing process, and the product wholesale process, as shown by the solid line.

[0055] The determination unit 201D compares the executed process specified by the executed process specifying unit 201B with the essential process specified by the essential process specifying unit 201C, and determines the validity of the container 11 to be determined according to the comparison result. That is, in the validity determination process, the story (executed process) that the container 11 to be determined has traced so far is compared with the story (essential process) that should be traced originally. If the story that the container 11 to be determined has traced so far matches the story that should be traced originally, the container 11 to be determined is determined to be valid. At that time, the contents 12 contained in the container 11 and the product 13 manufactured by the container 11 may also be determined to be valid. On the other hand, if the story (executed process) that the container 11 to be determined has traced so far does not match the story that should be traced originally, the container 11 to be determined is determined to be invalid.

[0056] Examples of the determination items when determining the validity of the container 11 to be determined include, for example, authenticity determination of the contents 12, validity determination of the rights generated by the purchase of the product 13, validity determination of the rights generated by the recycling of the container 11, and the like.

[0057] In the authenticity determination of the content 12, the determination unit 201D determines whether the content 12 contained in the container 11 to be determined is legitimate according to whether the executed processes include essential processes. If it is determined to be legitimate, it means that the content 12 contained in the container 11 to be determined is genuine. If it is determined not to be legitimate, it means that the content 12 contained in the container 11 to be determined is a fake.

[0058] In the validity determination of the rights arising from the purchase of the product 13, the determination unit 201D determines whether the rights arising from the purchase of the product 13 with the content 12 contained in the container 11 to be determined are legitimate according to whether the executed processes include essential processes. The rights arising from the purchase of the product 13 include, for example, the right to receive a purchase privilege, the right to apply for a lottery, etc. The purchase privilege is, for example, a coupon or points available in a point system. The application for a purchase privilege or the application for a lottery is performed, for example, by accessing a predetermined website based on the web access information stored in the information storage medium 110. If it is determined to be legitimate, it means that the rights arising from the purchase of the product 13 are valid. If it is determined not to be legitimate, it means that the rights arising from the purchase of the product 13 are invalid.

[0059] In the validity determination of the rights arising from the recycling of the container 11, the determination unit 201D determines whether the rights arising from the recycling of the container 11 to be determined are legitimate according to whether the executed processes include essential processes. The rights arising from the recycling of the container 11 include the right to receive a recycling privilege, etc. The recycling privilege is, for example, a coupon or points available in a point system. The recycling privilege is, for example, introduced to encourage the recycling of the used container 11 for the consumer UE that has purchased the product 13, and can be received by the consumer UE when the used container 11 is recycled. If it is determined to be legitimate, it means that the rights arising from the recycling of the container 11 are valid. If it is determined not to be legitimate, it means that the rights arising from the recycling of the container 11 to be determined are invalid.

[0060] Note that when the execution-completed process specifying unit 201B and the essential process specifying unit 201C have acquired the essential process information, the determination unit 201D may compare the execution-completed process information acquired by the execution-completed process specifying unit 201B with the essential process information specified by the essential process specifying unit 201C, and determine the validity related to the container 11 to be determined according to the comparison result. That is, the determination unit 201D may determine the validity related to the container 11 to be determined according to whether the execution-completed process information indicating the content (time, location, etc.) recorded when the execution-completed process was executed matches the essential process information indicating the content (time, location, etc.) that should be recorded if the essential process were executed. Therefore, in the validity determination process in this case, the validity related to the container 11 to be determined is determined according to whether the content of the story (execution-completed process information) that the container 11 to be determined has followed so far matches the content of the story (essential process information) that should be followed originally.

[0061] The output processing unit 201E performs output processing for outputting the validity determination result determined by the determination unit 201D. For example, the output processing unit 201E transmits the determination result information indicating the validity determination result to the terminal devices 3A to 3G, or registers it in the container management database 210.

[0062] FIG. 7 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of a computer 900 constituting each device. Each of the information processing device 2 and the terminal devices 3A to 3G in the container distribution system 1 is constituted by a general-purpose or dedicated computer 900.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 7, the main components of computer 900 include bus 910, processor 912, memory 914, input device 916, output device 917, display device 918, storage device 920, communication I / F (interface) unit 922, external device I / F unit 924, I / O (input / output) device I / F unit 926, and media input / output unit 928. Note that the above components may be appropriately omitted according to the application for which computer 900 is used.

[0064] Processor 912 is composed of one or more arithmetic processing units (such as CPU (Central Processing Unit), MPU (Micro-processing unit), DSP (digital signal processor), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), etc.) and operates as a control unit that oversees the entire computer 900. Memory 914 stores various data and programs 930 and is composed of, for example, a volatile memory (such as DRAM, SRAM, etc.) that functions as a main memory, a non-volatile memory (ROM), a flash memory, etc.

[0065] Input device 916 is composed of, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a numeric keypad, an electronic pen, etc. and functions as an input unit. Output device 917 is composed of, for example, a sound (audio) output device, a vibration device, etc. and functions as an output unit. Display device 918 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, an electronic paper, a projector, etc. and functions as an output unit. Input device 916 and display device 918 may be integrally configured, such as a touch panel display. Storage device 920 is composed of, for example, an HDD, an SSD, etc. and functions as a storage unit. Storage device 920 stores various data necessary for the execution of the operating system and programs 930.

[0066] The communication I / F unit 922 is connected to a network 940 such as the Internet or an intranet (which may be the same as the network 4 in FIG. 1) by wire or wirelessly, and functions as a communication unit that transmits and receives data to and from other computers according to a predetermined communication standard. The external device I / F unit 924 is connected to external devices 95 0 by wire or wirelessly, and functions as a communication unit that transmits and receives data to and from the external device 950 according to a predetermined communication standard. The I / O device I / F unit 926 is connected to I / O devices 960 such as various sensors and actuators, and functions as a communication unit that transmits and receives various signals and data such as detection signals from sensors and control signals to actuators to and from the I / O device 960. The media input / output unit 928 is composed of, for example, drive devices such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) drive and a CD (Compact Disc) drive, a memory card slot, and a USB connector, and reads and writes data to media (non-volatile storage media) 970 such as DVDs, CDs, memory cards, and USB memories.

[0067] In the computer 900 having the above configuration, the processor 912 calls and executes the program 930 stored in the storage device 920 in the memory 914, and controls each part of the computer 900 via the bus 910. Note that the program 930 may be stored in the memory 914 instead of the storage device 920. The program 930 may be recorded in the medium 970 in an installable file format or an executable file format, and provided to the computer 900 via the media input / output unit 928. The program 930 may be provided to the computer 900 by downloading via the network 940 through the communication I / F unit 922. Further, the computer 900 may implement various functions realized when the processor 912 executes the program 930 by hardware such as, for example, an FPGA (field-programmable gate array), an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit), or the like.

[0068] The computer 900 is composed of, for example, a stationary computer or a portable computer, and is an electronic device in any form. The computer 900 may be a client-type computer, a server-type computer, a cloud-type computer, or, for example, an embedded computer called a control panel, a controller (including a microcomputer, a programmable logic controller, a sequencer), or the like.

[0069] (Operation of the container circulation system 1) Hereinafter, as the operation of the container circulation system 1, the information collection process and the validity determination process included in the information processing method executed by the information processing apparatus 2 will be described.

[0070] (Information collection process) FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the information collection process by the information collection unit 200. The information processing apparatus 2 repeatedly performs a series of information collection processes shown in FIG. 8 with each of the terminal devices 3A to 3G. Hereinafter, the case of the product manufacturer terminal device 3B will be mainly described.

[0071] First, in step S100, each of the terminal devices 3A to 3G obtains process information D1 based on, for example, the reading result of the container identification information stored in the information storage carrier 110 attached to the container 11 by a reading device and the additional information unique to each of the terminal devices 3A to 3G. Taking the case where the product 13 is manufactured by the product manufacturer UB as an example, the product manufacturer terminal device 3B obtains a product manufacturing information DB including, as basic information, container identification information, product manufacturing time, and product manufacturing location, and including, as additional information, the content type of the product 13. Then, in step S110, each of the terminal devices 3A to 3G transmits the process information D1 to the information processing device 2.

[0072] Next, in step S120, the information collection unit 200 of the information processing device 2 receives the process information D1 transmitted in step S110. Then, in step S130, the information collection unit 200 registers the process information D1 in the container management database 210. When the information collection unit 200 receives the product manufacturing information DB as the process information D1 from the product manufacturer terminal device 3B it is registered in the product manufacturing table 210B of the container management database 210.

[0073] As described above, by repeatedly performing steps S100 to S130 between each of the terminal devices 3A to 3G and the information processing device 2, the information collection unit 200 collects the process information D1 from each of the terminal devices 3A to 3G and accumulates it in the container management database 210. That is, the story of each container 11 when it goes through each process is accumulated in the container management database 210.

[0074] (Validity determination process) FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the validity determination process by the information processing unit 201. FIGS. 10 and 11 are explanatory diagrams showing a first embodiment when the validity determination item is the authenticity determination of the content 12. FIGS. 12 and 13 are explanatory diagrams showing a second embodiment when the validity determination item is the validity determination of the rights generated by the purchase of the product 13. FIGS. 14 and 15 are explanatory diagrams showing a third embodiment when the validity determination item is the validity determination of the rights generated by the recycling of the container 11.

[0075] First, in step S200, the terminal devices 3A to 3G transmit, as determination container information D2, to the information processing device 2 the reading result obtained by reading, with a reading device, the container identification information stored in the information storage carrier 110 attached to the container 11 to be determined. Here, the first to third embodiments will be described for the case where the determination container information D2 includes determination item designation information for designating the validity determination item for the container 11 to be determined.

[0076] In the first embodiment, the retailer terminal device 3D used by the retailer UD transmits the determination container information D2. At this time, the determination container information D2 includes the reading result of the container identification information by the retailer terminal device 3D when the retailer UD attempts to purchase the product 13, and determination item designation information for designating the authenticity determination of the content 12 of the product 13.

[0077] In the second embodiment, the consumer terminal device 3E used by the consumer UE transmits the determination container information D2. At this time, the determination container information D2 includes the reading result of the container identification information by the consumer terminal device 3E when the consumer UE attempts to apply for the sales privilege of the product 13 or participate in a lottery, and determination item designation information for designating the validity determination of the rights generated by the purchase of the product 13.

[0078] In the third embodiment, the collector terminal device 3F used by the collector UF transmits the determination container information D2. At this time, the determination container information D2 includes the reading result of the container identification information by the collector terminal device 3F when the collector UF attempts to grant the recycling privilege of the container 11, and the determination item designation information for designating the validity determination of the right generated by the recycling of the container 11.

[0079] Next, in step S210 (reception step), the reception unit 201A receives the determination container information D2 transmitted in step S200, and accepts the reading result of the container identification information included in the determination container information D2 as the container identification information of the container 11 to be determined. Further, the reception unit 201A accepts the determination item designated by the determination item designation information included in the determination container information D2 as the determination item of the validity for the container 11 to be determined.

[0080] Next, in step S220 (completed process specifying step), the completed process specifying unit 201B refers to the container management database 210 based on the container identification information received in step S210, and specifies the completed process indicating the process that has been executed for the container 11 to be determined. Here, the completed process specifying unit 201B acquires the process information D1 registered in the container management database 210 in association with the container identification information received in step S210. Thereby, the completed process specifying unit 201B acquires the completed process information including the content (time, place, state, additional information) recorded when the completed process was executed for the container 11 to be determined. In FIGS. 10 to 15, the completed process is shown by a solid line, and only the state of each process is illustrated.

[0081] Next, in step S230 (mandatory process identification step), the mandatory process identification unit 201C identifies mandatory processes indicating processes that must have been executed for the container 11 under judgment. Here, the mandatory process identification unit 201C identifies the mandatory processes based on the validity judgment items received in step S210, and acquires mandatory process information including the content recorded when the mandatory processes are executed. In FIGS. 10 to 15, the mandatory processes are indicated by solid lines, and only the states of the respective processes are illustrated.

[0082] In the first embodiment, since the validity judgment item is the authenticity judgment of the content 12, the mandatory process identification unit 201C identifies, for example, the container manufacturing process, the product manufacturing process, and the product wholesale process as mandatory processes. Further, the mandatory process identification unit 201C acquires, for example, that the states of the container manufacturing process, the product manufacturing process, and the product wholesale process have been shipped as mandatory process information. Note that the mandatory processes only need to include at least the product manufacturing process, and the mandatory process information only needs to include at least the state in the product manufacturing process.

[0083] In the second embodiment, since the validity judgment item is the validity judgment of the right generated by the purchase of the product 13, the mandatory process identification unit 201C identifies, for example, the container manufacturing process, the product manufacturing process, the product wholesale process, and the product retail process as mandatory processes. Further, the mandatory process identification unit 201C acquires, for example, that the states of the container manufacturing process, the product manufacturing process, and the product wholesale process have been shipped or sold as mandatory process information. Note that the mandatory processes only need to include at least the product retail process, and the mandatory process information only needs to include at least the state in the product retail process.

[0084] In the third embodiment, since the validity determination item is the determination of the validity of the rights generated by the recycling of the container 11, the essential process specifying unit 201C specifies, for example, the container manufacturing process, the product manufacturing process, the product wholesale process, the product retail process, and the product consumption process as essential processes. Further, the essential process specifying unit 201C acquires, as essential process information, that the states of, for example, the container manufacturing process, the product manufacturing process, the product wholesale process, the product retail process, and the product consumption process are shipped, sold, or discarded. Note that the essential processes only need to include at least the product retail process, and the essential process information only needs to include at least the state of the product retail process.

[0085] Next, in step S240 (determination step), the determination unit 201D determines the validity of the container 11 to be determined according to whether the executed process specified by the executed process specifying unit 201B includes the essential processes specified by the essential process specifying unit 201C.

[0086] In the first embodiment, the determination unit 201D determines whether the content 12 accommodated in the container 11 to be determined is valid according to whether the executed process includes the container manufacturing process, the product manufacturing process, and the product wholesale process as essential processes. In FIG. 10, the case where the determination result is valid (the content 12 is genuine) is illustrated, and in FIG. 11, the case where the determination result is not valid (the content 12 is a fake) is illustrated. Thereby, when the retailer UD tries to purchase the product 13, for example, when the product manufacturing process or the product wholesale process has not been executed, the content 12 is determined to be a fake, so that it is possible to prevent the distribution of fakes in which the content 12 accommodated in the container 11 has been replaced.

[0087] In the second embodiment, the determination unit 201D is such that the executed process is the container manufacturing process as an essential process Depending on whether it includes a container manufacturing process, a product manufacturing process, a product wholesale process, and a product retail process, it is determined whether the right generated by the purchase of the product 13 by the container 11 to be determined is legitimate. In FIG. 12, when the determination result is legitimate (the right is valid), and in FIG. 13, when the determination result is not legitimate (the right is invalid) is illustrated. Thereby, for example, when attempting to apply for a sales privilege of the product 13 or enter a lottery even though the product wholesale process or the product retail process has not been executed, since the right generated by the purchase of the product 13 is determined to be invalid, it is possible to prevent an improper application for a sales privilege or an improper entry into a lottery.

[0088] In the third embodiment, the determination unit 201D determines whether the right generated by the recycling of the container 11 when the container 11 to be determined is brought into the collection point is legitimate depending on whether the executed process includes an essential process of container manufacturing process, product manufacturing process, product wholesale process, product retail process, and product consumption process. In FIG. 14, when the determination result is legitimate (the right is valid), and in FIG. 15, when the determination result is not legitimate (the right is invalid) is illustrated. Thereby, when the recycling business operator terminal device 3F attempts to grant a recycling privilege for the container 11, for example, when the product consumption process has not been executed, since the right generated by the recycling of the container 11 is determined to be invalid, it is possible to prevent an improper receipt of the recycling privilege.

[0089] Note that in step S220, when the executed process specifying unit 201B acquires executed process information and in step S230, when the essential process specifying unit 201C acquires essential process information, in step S240, the determination unit 201D may compare the executed process information acquired by the executed process specifying unit 201B with the essential process information acquired by the essential process specifying unit 201C and determine the legitimacy related to the container 11 to be determined according to the comparison result.

[0090] For example, the determination unit 201D determines the legitimacy by setting the location included in the essential process information as a location condition regarding the location where the essential process is executed, according to whether the location included in the executed process information satisfies the location condition. For example, in the first embodiment, by setting the product storage location of the product wholesale process that is executed last in the essential process information as, for example, the warehouse of the wholesaler UC as the location condition, it is determined whether the process executed last in the executed process information is the product wholesale process, and whether the product storage location of the product wholesale process is the warehouse of the wholesaler UC, and the legitimacy may be determined accordingly.

[0091] In addition, the determination unit 201D determines the legitimacy by setting the time included in the essential process information as a deadline condition regarding the deadline when the essential process is executed, according to whether the time included in the executed process information satisfies the deadline condition. For example, in the second embodiment, by setting the period from the product delivery time to the product retail time of the product retail process that is executed last in the essential process information as, for example, within the deadline for the retail sale of product 13 as the deadline condition, it is determined whether the process executed last in the executed process information is the product retail process, and whether the period from the product delivery time to the product retail time of the product retail process is within the deadline for the retail sale of product 13, and the legitimacy may be determined accordingly.

[0092] Next, in step S250 (output processing step), the output processing unit 201E transmits determination result information D3 indicating the determination result determined in step S240 to the terminal devices 3A to 3G that are the transmission sources of the determination container information D2 received in step S210.

[0093] Then, in step S260, when the terminal devices 3A to 3G receive the determination result information D3 transmitted in step S250, they display the determination result of the legitimacy indicated by the determination result information D3. In the first embodiment, according to the determination result, it is displayed whether the content 12 is genuine or fake. In the second embodiment, according to the determination result, it is displayed whether the rights arising from the purchase of product 13 are valid or invalid . In the third embodiment, according to the determination result, it is displayed whether the rights arising from the recycling of the container 11 are valid or invalid.

[0094] As described above, according to the information processing apparatus 2 and the information processing steps performed by the information processing apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment, the determination unit 201D (determination step) compares the container 11 to be determined with the story (executed steps) that the container 11 to be determined has followed so far in a series of distribution steps and the story that should be followed originally (essential steps), thereby determining the legitimacy of the container 11 to be determined. Therefore, the information obtained when the container 11 is distributed can be effectively used.

[0095] (Other Embodiments) The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made and implemented without departing from the gist of the present invention. And all of them are included in the technical idea of the present invention.

[0096] In the above embodiment, the information collection unit 200 and the information processing unit 201 included in the information processing apparatus 2 have been described as being realized by one device, but the information collection unit 200 and the information processing unit 200 may be realized by a plurality of devices by being distributed to a plurality of devices (computers). At that time, each of the information collection unit 200 and the information processing unit 201 may be realized by a single device, or at least one of the information collection unit 200 and the information processing unit 201 may be realized by a plurality of devices.

[0097] In the above embodiment, the case where the information processing apparatus 2 operates according to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 has been described, but a part of each step (each unit) may be omitted, or other steps may be added. At that time, each of the omitted steps (each unit) may be executed by an external system (manufacturing management system, transportation management system, sales management system, data analysis system, etc.).

[0098] Hereinafter, aspects of the present disclosure will be summarized as appendices.

[0099] (Appendix 1) An information processing method executed by a computer for storing contents in a container with an information storage medium that stores container identification information and processing information related to a series of distribution processes in which the container is distributed as a product, comprising: a receiving step of receiving the container identification information stored in the information storage medium attached to the container to be determined; a completed process specifying step of referring to a database registrable for each container, in which process information when each process included in the series of distribution processes is executed is associated with the container identification information based on the container identification information received in the receiving step, and specifying a completed process indicating the process that has been executed for the container to be determined; an essential process specifying step of specifying an essential process indicating the process that must have been executed for the container to be determined; a determination step of comparing the completed process specified in the completed process specifying step and the essential process specified in the essential process specifying step, and determining the legitimacy of the container to be determined according to the comparison result. Information processing method.

[0100] (Appendix 2) The determination step determines whether the contents stored in the container to be determined are legitimate according to whether the completed process includes the essential process. The information processing method according to Appendix 1.

[0101] (Appendix 3) The determination step determines whether the rights arising from the purchase of the product filled with the contents in the container to be determined are legitimate according to whether the completed process includes the essential process. The information processing method according to Appendix 1 or Appendix 2.

[0102] (Appendix 4) The determination step Determine whether the right generated by recycling the container to be determined is legitimate according to whether the executed process includes the essential process. The information processing method according to any one of Appendices 1 to 3.

[0103] (Appendix 5) The reception step is Receive the determination item of the legitimacy determined for the container to be determined together with the container identification information. The essential process specifying step is Specify the essential process based on the determination item received in the reception step. The information processing method according to any one of Appendices 1 to 4.

[0104] (Appendix 6) The process information is What records the content characterizing each process. The executed process specifying step is Obtain executed process information including the content recorded when the executed process was executed. The essential process specifying step is Obtain essential process information including the content recorded when the essential process is executed. The determination step is Compare the executed process information with the essential process information, and determine the legitimacy according to the comparison result. The information processing method according to any one of Appendices 1 to 5.

[0105] (Appendix 7) The process information is As the content, it records the location. The executed process specifying step is Obtain executed process information including the location recorded when the executed process was executed. The essential process specifying step is Obtain essential process information including the location recorded when the essential process is executed. The determination step is to determine the validity according to whether the location included in the essential process information satisfies the location condition regarding the location where the essential process is executed, as the location condition regarding the location where the essential process is executed The information processing method according to any one of Appendices 1 to 6.

[0106] (Appendix 8) The process information is what records time as the content, The executed process identification step is to obtain executed process information including the time recorded when the executed process was executed, The essential process identification step is to obtain essential process information including the time recorded when the essential process is executed, The determination step is to determine the validity according to whether the time included in the essential process information satisfies the deadline condition regarding the deadline when the essential process is executed, as the deadline condition regarding the deadline when the essential process is executed The information processing method according to any one of Appendices 1 to 7.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0107] 1... Container circulation system, 2... Information processing device, 3A... Container manufacturer terminal device, 3B... Product manufacturer terminal device, 3C... Wholesaler terminal device, 3D... Retailer terminal device, 3E... Consumer terminal device, 3F... Collector terminal device, 3G... Recycler terminal device, 4... Network, 11... Container, 12... Contents, 13... Product, 14... Recycling material, 20... Control unit, 21... Storage unit, 22... Communication unit, 23... Input unit, 24... Display unit, 200... Information collection unit, 201... Information processing unit, 201A... Reception unit, 201B... executed process identification unit, 201C... required process identification unit, 201D... judgment unit, 201E... output processing unit, 210... container management database, 211...Information processing program

Claims

1. An information processing method executed by a computer for storing contents in a container with an information storage medium storing container identification information and processing information related to a series of distribution processes for distribution as a product, comprising: a receiving step of receiving the container identification information stored in the information storage medium attached to the container to be determined; a completed process specifying step of referring to a database registrable for each container, associating process information when each process included in the series of distribution processes is executed with the container identification information, and specifying a completed process indicating the process already executed for the container to be determined; an essential process specifying step of specifying an essential process indicating a process that must be executed for the container to be determined; a determination step of comparing the completed process specified in the completed process specifying step with the essential process specified in the essential process specifying step, and determining the validity of the container to be determined according to the comparison result, the information processing method.

2. The determination step determines whether the contents contained in the container to be determined are legitimate according to whether the completed process includes the essential process. The information processing method according to Claim 1.

3. The determination step determines whether the rights arising from the purchase of the product filled with the contents in the container to be determined are legitimate according to whether the completed process includes the essential process. The information processing method according to Claim 1.

4. The determination step determines whether the rights arising from the recycling of the container to be determined are legitimate according to whether the completed process includes the essential process. The information processing method according to Claim 1.

5. The receiving step receives, together with the container identification information, a determination item for determining the validity of the container to be determined, The essential process specifying step specifies the essential process based on the determination item received in the receiving step. The information processing method according to Claim 1.

6. The process information records the content characterizing each process, The completed process specifying step acquires completed process information including the content recorded when the completed process is executed, The essential process specifying step Obtain essential process information including the content recorded when the essential process is executed. The determination step is Compare the executed process information with the essential process information, and according to the comparison result, Determine the legitimacy. The information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The process information is As the content, it records the location, The executed process identification step is Obtain executed process information including the location recorded when the executed process was executed. The essential process identification step is Obtain essential process information including the location recorded when the essential process is executed. The determination step is Determine the legitimacy according to whether the location included in the essential process information satisfies the location condition regarding the location where the essential process is executed, with the location included in the executed process information as the location condition. The information processing method according to claim 6.

8. The process information is As the content, it records the time, The executed process identification step is Obtain executed process information including the time recorded when the executed process was executed. The essential process identification step is Obtain essential process information including the time recorded when the essential process is executed. The determination step is Determine the legitimacy according to whether the time included in the essential process information satisfies the deadline condition regarding the deadline when the essential process is executed, with the time included in the executed process information as the deadline condition. The information processing method according to claim 6.

9. An information processing apparatus that processes information related to a series of distribution processes in which contents are stored in a container with an information storage medium storing container identification information and distributed as a product, A reception unit that receives the container identification information stored in the information storage medium attached to the container to be determined, Based on the container identification information received by the reception unit, refer to a database that can register, for each container, process information when each process included in the series of distribution processes is executed, associated with the container identification information, and identify an executed process indicating the process that has been executed on the container to be determined. An essential process identification unit that identifies an essential process indicating the process that must have been executed on the container to be determined. A determination unit that compares the executed process specified by the executed process specifying unit with the essential process specified by the essential process specifying unit, and determines the validity related to the container to be determined according to the comparison result. An information processing apparatus.

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