Information processing device, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To provide an information processing device, etc. which can estimate which lot of a product contains certain raw materials warehoused in manufacturing facilities.SOLUTION: An information processing device comprises: an arrival database which stores a type, quantity, and a raw materials lot number of raw materials warehoused in manufacturing facilities of a product, and an arrival date of the raw materials, as arrival information on the raw materials; a product database which stores the manufacture number per day of the product manufactured from the raw materials, and a product lot number and the manufacture day of each of the manufactured product, as manufacture information on the product; a storage unit which stores quantity of the raw materials used for one product and information on the manufacturing facilities; and an estimate unit which estimates a raw materials lot number of the raw materials included in the product of a certain product lot number, and a ratio of the raw materials of the raw materials lot number with respect to the whole raw materials included in the product of the certain product lot number, on the basis of arrival information on the raw materials, during a predetermined period, the quantity of the raw materials which stay in the manufacturing facilities, and the manufacture information on the product.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, a system called "Digital Product Passport (DPP)" has been gaining attention from the perspective of moving away from mass production, mass consumption, and mass waste, which assigns information to products such as their durability and ease of recycling. Attention is also being paid to the circular economy, which removes waste and pollution and circulates products and materials within society while maintaining the high value inherent in them.

[0003] For example, when a new product is manufactured using virgin materials, which are raw materials themselves, and recycled materials, it is conceivable to manage information on the mixing ratio and attach it to the manufactured product. Patent Document 1 discloses a system that can recover useful materials contained in products at a high recovery rate in order to improve the recycling rate. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-134655 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In order to realize a circular economy, it is possible that the mixing ratio of recycled materials will become mandatory in the future. Under such circumstances, it will be desirable to issue certificates to prove the amount of recycled material contained in a product. Furthermore, when recycled materials, the quality of which varies from lot to lot, are used as raw materials, it will be necessary to manage the raw material information of the product on a lot-by-lot basis.

[0006] However, there is a problem in that it is actually difficult to strictly link the DPP (lot ID) of materials with the DPP (product ID) of products. Furthermore, if the above-mentioned mandatory mixed ratio of recycled materials is legislated, it is considered necessary to provide evidence information so that the minimum mixed ratio can be proven. Meanwhile, users who provide products to recyclers and the like are likely to desire information that tracks how the products have been recycled. The technology described in Patent Document 1 does not anticipate such a problem, and does not disclose any method for solving this problem.

[0007] The present disclosure has been made to solve such problems, and its purpose is to provide an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program that can estimate what raw materials are used in a certain product and which lot of a product contains a certain raw material. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] An information processing device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: an arrival database that stores the type, quantity, and lot number of raw materials received at a manufacturing facility for a product, as well as the arrival date of the raw materials, as arrival information of the raw materials; a product database that stores the number of products manufactured per day from the raw materials, and the product lot number and manufacturing date of each of the manufactured products as manufacturing information of the products; a storage unit that stores information about the amount of the raw material used in one product and the manufacturing equipment; an estimation unit that estimates the raw material lot number of the raw material contained in the product having a certain product lot number and the ratio of the raw material having the raw material lot number to all the raw materials contained in the product having the certain product lot number based on arrival information of the raw materials, the amount of the raw materials remaining in the manufacturing equipment, and manufacturing information of the product during a predetermined period; It is equipped with the following.

[0009] An information processing method according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: a step of storing the type, amount, and lot number of the raw material received at the manufacturing facility for the product, and the date of arrival of the raw material, as arrival information of the raw material; a step of storing the number of the products manufactured per day from the raw materials, and the product lot number and manufacturing date of each of the manufactured products as manufacturing information of the products; Storing information on the amount of the raw material used for one of the products and the manufacturing equipment; a step of estimating the raw material lot number of the raw material contained in the product having a certain product lot number and the ratio of the raw material having the raw material lot number to the total raw materials contained in the product having the certain product lot number based on the arrival information of the raw material, the amount of the raw material remaining in the manufacturing facility, and manufacturing information of the product during a predetermined period; It includes:

[0010] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the program On the computer, a process of storing the type, amount, and lot number of raw materials received at the manufacturing facility for the product, as well as the arrival date of the raw materials, as arrival information of the raw materials; a process of storing the number of the products manufactured per day from the raw materials, and the product lot number and manufacturing date of each of the manufactured products as manufacturing information of the products; A process of storing information on the amount of the raw materials used in one of the products and the manufacturing equipment; a process of estimating the raw material lot number of the raw material contained in a product having a certain product lot number and the ratio of the raw material having the raw material lot number to the total raw materials contained in the product having the certain product lot number based on arrival information of the raw materials, the amount of the raw materials remaining in the manufacturing equipment, and manufacturing information of the product during a predetermined period; This is what causes the following to be executed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program that can estimate what raw materials are used in a certain product and which lot of a product contains a certain raw material. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an information processing device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a conceptual diagram of manufacturing a product using raw materials from multiple vendors. [Figure 3] This is a conceptual diagram of manufacturing a product using a mixture of multiple raw materials. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing the flow of data in each database, storage unit, estimation unit, and reception / issuance unit shown in FIG. [Figure 5] This is a conceptual diagram showing an example of an estimation method using the arrival and shipment status of raw materials. [Figure 6] 10 is a diagram for explaining a method for calculating the mixing ratio of a target material lot when a material made by mixing a plurality of raw materials is poured from a container into a mixing tank. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between product lots and material lots in a first-in, first-out system. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between product lots and material lots in an incomplete first-in, first-out system. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between a product lot and a raw material lot in the case of imperfect mixing in a blast furnace or the like. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an information processing device according to the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] (Embodiment) Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the invention according to the claims is not limited to the following embodiments. Furthermore, not all of the configurations described in the present embodiments are necessarily essential means for solving the problems. For clarity of explanation, the following description and drawings have been omitted and simplified as appropriate. In each drawing, the same elements are given the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations are omitted as necessary.

[0014] <Problem of the present disclosure> As mentioned above, it is thought that there is a demand for linking not only the DPP of conventionally used products but also the DPP of this product with the raw material lot number (ID), which is the DPP of raw materials and ingredients, to estimate what raw materials have been used in the product and what kind of products recycled materials (regenerated materials) have been reborn into.

[0015] When raw materials include virgin materials, which are the raw materials themselves, and recycled materials, it is possible to use the DPP of the virgin material and the DPP of the recycled material to trace the type of product the raw materials were used in, thereby linking the DPP of the product (product ID, e.g., product lot number) with the DPP of the material (material ID, e.g., material lot number).

[0016] It is also anticipated that manufacturers will use this linkage as a certificate to prove the origin of the raw materials used in their products. Such a certificate can also serve as evidence of the extent to which recycled materials were used in the product.

[0017] Providing such evidence-based information is expected to lead to improved recycling efficiency for recycled materials. Meanwhile, to realize a circular economy, it is necessary to increase not only the recycling rate of materials but also the recycling rate of products. To achieve this, it is necessary to deepen understanding and increase the recycling rate by providing information based on evidence-based information on what happens to recycled products (products sent out for recycling).

[0018] The present disclosure provides an information processing device for solving such problems. This information processing device is configured to manage raw material arrival information and product shipping information at a manufacturing facility (such as a factory) that produces a certain product, estimate information indicating what raw materials are contained in the product and in what proportion, and associate the estimation result with the product ID.

[0019] The information processing device disclosed herein is a device for estimating the raw material lot numbers and their ratios of raw materials contained in a product with a specified production lot number based on arrival information for raw materials received at a product manufacturing facility, the amount of raw materials remaining at the manufacturing facility, and product manufacturing information. This estimated information is believed to be useful for, for example, reducing the number of products to be recalled based on estimated raw material lot information when recalling a defective product if the defect is caused by the raw material or a material containing the raw material (e.g., when a plastic material contains harmful organic substances). This estimated information is also believed to be useful for indicating the likelihood that a particular recycled material has been repurposed into a particular product. Furthermore, this estimated information is believed to be useful for preventing fraudulent information manipulation when improving product recycling rates. The information processing device and information processing method according to this embodiment are described in detail below.

[0020] <Configuration and operation of information processing device> First, the configuration of an information processing device according to this embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of an information processing device according to the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 1, the information processing device 1 includes an input unit 10, an arrival database 20, a product database 30, a storage unit 40, an estimation unit 50, and a reception / issuance unit 60.

[0021] The input unit 10 is configured to input information such as the type of raw material received (including the distributor, distributor, manufacturer, etc.), raw material lot number, quantity, and arrival date into the arrival database 20 as raw material arrival information. The input unit 10 is also configured to input the number of products manufactured per day, each product lot number, production date, and DPP into the product database 30 as product manufacturing information. This information can be input, for example, by receiving information such as an order slip. The input unit 10 may also obtain the information to be input via a network such as the Internet (not shown). The information input by the input unit 10 is stored in the arrival database 20 or the product database 30 according to the type of information.

[0022] It should be noted that the raw materials in this disclosure are assumed to be composed of virgin raw materials and recycled raw materials, and the raw material arrival information includes the proportion of recycled materials contained in the raw materials.

[0023] The incoming stock database 20 is a device that stores information about incoming stock of raw materials in a database. The incoming stock database 20 stores information such as the arrival date and the amount of each raw material for each type of raw material. This arrival information is also stored in the storage unit 40 and is used to identify or estimate the amount of raw materials remaining in the manufacturing equipment.

[0024] The product database 30 is a device that stores product manufacturing information in a database. The product database stores the product name, lot number, composition, DPP, etc. This manufacturing information is also stored in the storage unit 40 and is used to identify or estimate the amount of raw materials remaining in the manufacturing equipment. As will be described later, the product database 30 is configured to store a product lot number for a product in association with the raw material lot number and ratio of each raw material estimated by the estimation unit 50.

[0025] The storage unit 40 stores information about the manufacturing equipment, information about the product manufacturing process, warehouse information (equipment information), product structure information, product manufacturing information, etc. The information about the manufacturing equipment includes the overall size of the equipment, the number of warehouses and storage tanks, and, in the case of mixing and storing raw materials, information about the processing method in the mixing tank, etc. The information about the product manufacturing process includes information about each actual process, information about how much of each raw material is used in which process, etc.

[0026] The warehouse information is information about the amount of raw materials remaining in the manufacturing facility. The warehouse information includes, for example, information about the amount of raw materials stored as they arrived and information about the amount of raw materials stored in storage tanks. The amount of raw materials stored may be determined, for example, by taking an inventory of the cases containing the raw materials.

[0027] The product structure information includes the product name, production line number, what materials the product is made of, each part and its name, the type, ratio and weight of raw materials and materials, the manufacturer of the raw materials and their product names, the amount of each raw material used per product, etc. The product manufacturing information is the same as the above-mentioned product manufacturing information input by the input unit 10, and the storage unit 40 can acquire this information from the product database 30.

[0028] The estimation unit 50 is configured to estimate the raw material lot number of a raw material contained in a product having a certain product lot number and the ratio of the raw material having that raw material lot number to the total amount of the raw material contained in the product having that product lot number, based on raw material arrival information, the amount of raw material remaining in the manufacturing equipment (warehouse information), and product manufacturing information for a predetermined period. A specific estimation method will be described later.

[0029] As described above, the estimation unit 50 is configured to link (associate) the estimated raw material lot number and its ratio with the product lot number of the product, and register (output) them in the product database 30.

[0030] The reception / issuance unit 60 is configured to receive inquiries about the manufacture of a product from users of the product or people considering purchasing the product via a network, etc., and to output a response to the person. The reception / issuance unit 60 is also configured to issue a certificate certifying the origin of the raw materials of the product in accordance with instructions from a manufacturer's representative, etc.

[0031] Here, we will explain why estimation by the estimation unit 50 is necessary for DPP of raw materials. We will explain the case where materials procured from multiple vendors are used to manufacture a product.

[0032] FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of a case where a product is manufactured using raw materials from multiple vendors. As shown in FIG. 2, raw materials for a product may be procured from raw material factories A to C of multiple vendors. In this case, the manufacturing facility manages incoming goods, and each vendor may input raw material incoming goods information via the input unit 10. Here, depending on the vendor, there may be a lack of information to be registered, or the information may be a paper slip that cannot be easily registered, or in some cases, the registered information may be lost. Even in such cases, the information processing device 1 of the present disclosure estimates the origin of such raw materials from other registered information (information stored in the incoming goods database 20).

[0033] In addition, when raw materials received from multiple vendors are mixed to manufacture a product from the mixed raw materials, the estimation unit 50 may be configured to estimate, for each raw material procured from each of the multiple vendors, the raw material lot numbers of each raw material from the multiple vendors contained in a product with a certain product lot number, and the ratio of the raw material with that raw material lot number to all the raw materials contained in the product with that product lot number.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 2, the reception and issuing unit 60 can issue a certificate 61 of origin of raw materials in correspondence with the production lot number of the manufactured product.

[0035] In manufacturing facilities, a material may be prepared by mixing multiple raw materials, and a product may be manufactured using the material. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of a case where a product is manufactured using a material prepared by mixing multiple raw materials. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, raw materials A, B, and C may be received (transported), stored separately, and then placed in a storage tank for producing the material. In this case, the receiving information for each raw material is input by the input unit 10 and stored in the receiving database 20.

[0036] When producing material A, raw materials A to C are added in a predetermined mixing ratio. Information about this mixing ratio is also stored in storage unit 40 as information about the product manufacturing process. When each of raw materials A to C is added, the amount added is also stored in storage unit 40, and this information is also used for estimation by estimation unit 50. In this case, it is preferable that information about the arrival of the added raw materials is also stored in storage unit 40.

[0037] Next, the flow of data in the information processing device 1 will be described. Fig. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing the flow of data among the databases 20, 30, the storage unit 40, the estimation unit 50, and the reception / issuance unit 60 shown in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 4, raw material information including the above-mentioned raw material arrival information is input and stored in the arrival database 20 via the input unit 10 as time-series, constantly updated information. Furthermore, for composition estimation and raw material estimation by the estimation unit 50, product manufacturing status information including information such as the amount of raw materials remaining in the manufacturing equipment is stored in the product database 30 as time-series, constantly updated information.

[0038] On the other hand, in the example shown in FIG. 4 , the storage unit 40 stores equipment information, process information, product structure information, and the like as semi-static information. This semi-static information may be stored in advance in the storage unit 40 by a user of the manufacturing equipment. This semi-static information is input from the storage unit 40 to the product database 30 and stored therein for composition estimation and raw material estimation by the estimation unit 50. Possible equipment information includes the capacity and production capability of the manufacturing equipment, the capacity of warehouses and water tanks, and the like. Note that static information that never changes, such as equipment information, may remain stored in the product database 30.

[0039] Then, for example, when the reception / issuing unit 60 receives an inquiry based on a product lot number from another device via a network (not shown), the reception / issuing unit 60 outputs information about that product lot number to the estimation unit 50. The estimation unit 50 estimates in advance raw material information for a product corresponding to a specific product lot number and stores this information in the product database 30. Therefore, the estimation unit 50 receives information about the raw materials corresponding to that product lot number, that is, information about each raw material lot number and its ratio (which may also include the amount of that raw material), from the product database 30, and outputs this to the reception / issuing unit 60. The reception / issuing unit 60 transmits the received raw material information to the other device as a response to the inquiry.

[0040] Similarly, when the reception / issuance unit 60 receives an inquiry based on a raw material lot number from another device via the network, the reception / issuance unit 60 outputs information about that raw material lot number to the estimation unit 50. The estimation unit 50 estimates product information corresponding to a specific raw material lot number in advance and stores it in the product database 30. Therefore, the estimation unit 50 receives that product information, i.e., the product lot number of a product that contains the raw material with that raw material lot number, from the product database 30 and outputs it to the reception / issuance unit 60. The reception / issuance unit 60 transmits the received product lot number to the other device as a response to the inquiry.

[0041] Here, for such inquiries, two types of answers may be preset: a vague answer that answers the single most likely raw material lot number or single product lot number, and a precise answer that answers all of the target raw materials or products. Alternatively, a user of another device may specify which answer should be given and make the inquiry. A vague answer probabilistically identifies the tracing information of the originating product (i.e., information tracing information from the arrival of raw materials to the manufacturing of the product). On the other hand, a precise answer identifies all possible results (raw materials or products). In this way, the information processing device 1 of the present disclosure realizes a mechanism for providing estimated information for data input information.

[0042] Next, we will explain the method for managing evidence information that proves the extent to which virgin and recycled materials are used in a product. There are several possible methods for managing evidence information. First, when the manufacturing method of a product is completely managed, highly accurate evidence information can be obtained by completely tracing the manufacturing process. In this case, it is possible to present, as raw material information, a group of raw material lot numbers of raw materials including recycled materials and their mixture ratios, or a group of raw material lot numbers of raw materials including recycled virgin materials and their mixture ratios. When such complete tracing is possible, estimation by the estimation unit 50 is unnecessary, and all data can be managed in the product database 30.

[0043] Second, when information about the manufacturing process of a product is unknown, evidence of the composition ratio can be obtained from the amount of virgin raw material received, the amount of recycled material received, the total amount of manufactured products, raw material lot management, etc., over a specified time interval. In this case, even with the information processing device 1 disclosed herein, it is not possible to link the product lot number with the raw material lot number, but depending on how it is operated, this may result in low-accuracy evidence information.

[0044] In this way, the information processing device 1 of the present disclosure realizes a mechanism for presenting the raw material lot number contained in the product as evidence information. For example, during an audit, a manufacturing facility can assert the raw material lot number contained in the product based on composition information, estimated information, etc.

[0045] Next, we will explain the estimation method using the arrival and shipping status of raw materials. Figure 5 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of an estimation method using the arrival and shipping status of raw materials. The example shown in Figure 5 shows the relationship between the storage amount of raw materials stored in a warehouse or the like in the state in which they arrived and the storage amount stored in the state in which they were put into a mixing tank (storage tank). Note that this example assumes that the raw materials of each raw material lot number put into the mixing tank are not mixed (i.e., the raw materials are not stirred). Also, assume that the amount of raw materials received at one time is 3 tons, and the amount of raw materials contained in the products manufactured in one day is 1 ton.

[0046] Before the start of the day on January 10th, an inventory of the warehouse is first conducted. This determines that the warehouse contains 1 ton of raw materials that arrived on January 4th and 3 ton of raw materials that arrived on January 7th. Meanwhile, it is estimated that the mixing tank contains 3 ton of raw materials that arrived on January 1st and 2 ton of raw materials that arrived on January 4th.

[0047] Then, when new raw materials arrive on January 10th and 13th, it is determined that as of January 14th, the warehouse contains 2 t of raw materials that arrived on January 10th and 3 t of raw materials that arrived on January 13th. Meanwhile, it is estimated that the mixing tank contains 1 t of raw materials that arrived on January 4th, 3 t of raw materials that arrived on January 7th, and 1 t of raw materials that arrived on January 4th.

[0048] <How to calculate the mixing ratio by mixing method> Next, we will explain how to calculate the mix ratio for each mixing method. Here, we will use formulas to explain how to calculate the mix ratio of raw materials or ingredients for four different mixing methods that differ depending on the properties and type of raw materials or ingredients.

[0049] First, we will explain the case where a material made by mixing multiple raw materials is pooled from a container into a mixing tank. Figure 6 is a diagram for explaining a method for calculating the mixing ratio of a target material lot when a material made by mixing multiple raw materials is poured from a container into a mixing tank. In the example shown in Figure 6, the target material whose mixing ratio is to be estimated is prepared as a premise (see Figure 6(a)). The target material is transferred to container A, such as a drum.

[0050] Here, the target material currently in container A has already been added k times to container B, with the amount added each time being x. Furthermore, when the remaining weight of the target material in container B reaches y (y>0), x amount is added from container A. Furthermore, the number of times the non-target material has been added is defined as j, and the mixing ratio of the estimated target material lot is defined as Z. Note that i indicates the number of times the target material has been added. Then, the mixing ratio Z of the estimated target material lot is expressed by the following equation (1).

[0051]

number

[0052] Next, the relationship between product lots and material lots in the FIFO system will be explained. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between product lots and material lots in the FIFO system. As a prerequisite, it is assumed that multiple product lots are produced from one material lot. In the example shown in FIG. 7, four product lots are produced from one material lot.

[0053] Here, the input lot order of the material management unit is m nLet w be the input amount of the target material per lot, r be the amount of material remaining on the production line at the start of production, and p be the amount of material used per product control unit (control lot). Also, let l be the relative lot number after the product begins to be made. n Let the start and end numbers of the production lot of the desired raw material lot be l s , l e Let's say.

[0054] Then, the raw material lot "m n "Starting product lot l s is expressed by the following equation (2).

number

[0055] In addition, raw material lot "m n "End of product lot l e is expressed by the following equation (3).

number

[0056] On the other hand, product lot "l n " is m in the following formula (4) s From m in equation (5) e This includes raw material lots.

number

number

[0057] Next, the relationship between product lots and material lots in the incomplete first-in, first-out system (where materials are pooled once) will be explained. Figure 8 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between product lots and material lots in the incomplete first-in, first-out system. Here, since materials are pooled once, it is also necessary to combine the estimation method for the pool-type production line (see (Equation 1) above) with the estimation method for the first-in, first-out system (see (Equations 2) to (Equations 5) above).

[0058] Finally, the relationship between product lots and raw material lots in the case of imperfect mixing in a blast furnace, etc. is explained. Figure 9 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between product lots and raw material lots in the case of imperfect mixing in a blast furnace, etc.

[0059] Here, as shown in Figure 9, raw materials (e.g., ore) are added to the raw material container from the top, and melt and mix as they gradually descend. When they reach the bottom of the raw material container, they are completed as raw materials and are discharged. In this example, raw materials are loaded into the raw material container in the order of raw material lot 1, raw material lot 2, and raw material lot 3.

[0060] It is assumed that the raw materials in each raw material container mix at their boundaries, forming a mixed section. In mixing section b of raw material lot 1 and raw material lot 2, the mixing volume is assumed to correlate with a sigmoid function within mixing section b, and the raw material lot is estimated from the product lot. Here, the sigmoid function is shown in equation (6) below. Note that this estimation only makes sense when the volume of the product lot is sufficiently small compared to the volume of mixing section b, and this is the condition.

[0061]

number

[0062] Here, it is assumed that the pure section a and pure section c shown in FIG. 9 contain 100% raw material from raw material lot 1 and 100% raw material from raw material lot 2, respectively.

[0063] Then, the mixing ratio of raw material lot 1 in mixing section b is the volume of mixing section b v Let the volume of the product lot be l v Then, the mixing ratio r of raw material lot 1 in the nth product lot after the raw material in mixing section b starts to be discharged is given by the following equation (7). Note that n << b v / l v Only when the following conditions are met.

[0064]

number

[0065] As described above, the information processing device 1 according to the present embodiment includes an incoming database 20 that stores the type, quantity, and raw material lot number of raw materials received at a product manufacturing facility as raw material arrival information, as well as the arrival date of the raw materials; and a product database 30 that stores the number of products manufactured per day from raw materials, and the product lot number and production date of each manufactured product as product manufacturing information. The information processing device 1 also includes a memory unit 40 that stores information on the amount of raw materials used in a product and the manufacturing facility. The information processing device 1 also includes an estimation unit 50 that estimates the raw material lot number of a raw material contained in a product with a certain product lot number and the ratio of the raw material with that raw material lot number to the total raw materials contained in the product with that product lot number based on the raw material arrival information, the amount of raw materials remaining in the manufacturing facility, and the product manufacturing information for a predetermined period of time. This configuration of the information processing device 1 according to the present embodiment allows the flow and retention status of each raw material to be understood from the time the raw materials arrive until the time the product is manufactured (shipped). This makes it possible to estimate what kind of raw materials are used in a certain product manufactured in the manufacturing facility, and which lot of products contains a certain raw material received at the manufacturing facility. Therefore, with the information processing device 1 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to link the product ID (product lot number) with the raw material ID (raw material lot number) according to the properties of the raw material, and for example, when recalling products with defective raw materials, it is possible to reduce the number of products to be recalled.

[0066] In the information processing device 1 shown in FIG. 1, the components that store and store various information include the arrival database 20, the product database 30, and the memory unit 40. However, the two databases 20 and 30 may be constructed as a single database, and these components may be configured as a single memory unit.

[0067] Furthermore, the information processing method according to this embodiment stores the type, amount, and raw material lot number of raw materials received at the product manufacturing facility and the date of arrival of the raw materials as raw material arrival information, stores the number of products manufactured per day from the raw materials, and the product lot number and production date of each manufactured product as product manufacturing information, stores the amount of raw material used in one product and information on the manufacturing facility, and estimates the raw material lot number of a raw material contained in a product with a certain product lot number and the ratio of the raw material with that raw material lot number to all the raw materials contained in the product with the certain product lot number based on the raw material arrival information, the amount of raw material remaining in the manufacturing facility, and the product manufacturing information for a specified period. By configuring the information processing method according to this embodiment in this way, it is possible to obtain the same effects as the information processing device 1.

[0068] In the above-described embodiment, the present disclosure has been described as a hardware configuration, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The present disclosure can also be realized by causing a processor in a computer to execute a computer program to perform the processing of the information processing device 1 described in the above-described embodiment.

[0069] Finally, the hardware configuration of the information processing device 1 will be described. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device 1 of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 10, the information processing device 1 includes a network interface 100, a processor 200, and a memory 300. The network interface 100 may be used to communicate with a network node. The network interface 100 may include, for example, a network interface card (NIC) that complies with the IEEE 802.3 series. IEEE stands for Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

[0070] The processor 200 reads and executes software (computer programs) from the memory 300 to perform various processes of the information processing device 1 described above. The processor 200 may be, for example, a microprocessor, an MPU (Micro-Processing Unit), or a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The processor 200 may include multiple processors.

[0071] The memory 300 is configured by a combination of volatile memory and non-volatile memory. The memory 300 may include storage located remotely from the processor 200. In this case, the processor 200 may access the memory 300 via an I / O (Input / Output) interface (not shown).

[0072] 10, the memory 300 is used to store a group of software modules. The processor 200 reads and executes these software modules from the memory 300, thereby performing various processes of the information processing device 1 described in the above embodiment.

[0073] As explained using Figure 10, each of the processors possessed by the information processing device 1 in the above-mentioned embodiment executes one or more programs including a group of instructions for causing a computer to perform the algorithm explained using the drawings.

[0074] Some or all of the processes in the information processing device 1 described above can be realized as a computer program. Such a program can be stored in various types of non-transitory computer-readable media and supplied to a computer. Non-transitory computer-readable media include various types of tangible recording media. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include magnetic recording media (e.g., flexible disks, magnetic tapes, hard disk drives), magneto-optical recording media (e.g., magneto-optical disks), CD-ROMs (Read Only Memory), CD-Rs, CD-R / Ws, and semiconductor memories (e.g., mask ROMs, PROMs (Programmable ROMs), EPROMs (Erasable PROMs), flash ROMs, and RAMs (Random Access Memory)). The program may also be supplied to a computer by various types of temporary computer-readable media. Examples of temporary computer-readable media include electrical signals, optical signals, and electromagnetic waves. The temporary computer-readable media can supply the program to a computer via a wired communication path such as an electric wire or optical fiber, or via a wireless communication path.

[0075] Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the invention.

[0076] A part or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but not limited to, the following supplementary notes. (Appendix 1) an arrival database that stores the type, quantity, and lot number of raw materials received at a manufacturing facility for a product, as well as the arrival date of the raw materials, as arrival information of the raw materials; a product database that stores the number of products manufactured per day from the raw materials, and the product lot number and manufacturing date of each of the manufactured products as manufacturing information of the products; a storage unit that stores information about the amount of the raw material used in one product and the manufacturing equipment; an estimation unit that estimates the raw material lot number of the raw material contained in the product having a certain product lot number and the ratio of the raw material having the raw material lot number to all the raw materials contained in the product having the certain product lot number based on arrival information of the raw materials, the amount of the raw materials remaining in the manufacturing equipment, and manufacturing information of the product during a predetermined period; An information processing device comprising: (Appendix 2) the product database stores the certain product lot number in association with the estimated raw material lot number and its ratio; 10. The information processing device according to claim 1. (Appendix 3) The raw material is composed of virgin material of the raw material and recycled material of the raw material, 10. The information processing device according to claim 1. (Appendix 4) When a plurality of types of raw materials are mixed to prepare ingredients for the product and the product is manufactured from the ingredients, the estimation unit estimates, for each of the plurality of types of raw materials, the raw material lot number of each of the plurality of types of raw materials contained in the product having the certain product lot number and the ratio of the raw material having the raw material lot number to all of the corresponding raw materials contained in the product having the certain product lot number. 10. The information processing device according to claim 1. (Appendix 5) When the raw materials received from a plurality of vendors are mixed to manufacture the product from the mixed raw materials, the estimation unit estimates, for the raw materials from each of the plurality of vendors, raw material lot numbers of the raw materials from each of the plurality of vendors included in the product having the certain product lot number, and a ratio of the raw material having the raw material lot number to all the raw materials included in the product having the certain product lot number. 10. The information processing device according to claim 1. (Appendix 6) The amount of the raw material remaining in the manufacturing facility includes a storage amount of the raw material stored in the state in which it arrived and a storage amount of the raw material stored in the state in which it has been put into a storage tank. 6. An information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. (Appendix 7) the estimation unit estimates the ratio of the raw materials remaining in the storage tank for each raw material lot number based on the incoming amount of the raw materials, the stored amount, the manufactured number of the products, and manufacturing information of the products during a predetermined period; 7. The information processing device according to claim 6. (Appendix 8) When the amount of the raw material stored in the storage tank decreases to a predetermined storage amount y, if a predetermined amount x of the raw material lot number to be added is added in one time from the raw material of the raw material lot number to be added k times, the content ratio z of the target raw material lot number is estimated by the following formula (1), assuming that a raw material other than the target raw material has been added j times:

number

[0077] Some or all of the elements (e.g., configurations and functions) described in Supplementary Notes 2 to 13 that are dependent on Supplementary Note 1 may also be dependent on Supplementary Notes 14 and 15 in the same dependency relationship as Supplementary Notes 2 to 13. Some or all of the elements described in any Supplementary Note may be applied to various hardware, software, recording means for recording software, systems, and methods. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 1. Information processing equipment 10 Input section 20 Arrival Database 30 Product Database 40 Storage section 50 Estimation part 60 Reception and Publication Department 61 Certificate 100 Network Interfaces 200 processors 300 memory

Claims

1. an arrival database that stores the type, quantity, and lot number of raw materials received at a manufacturing facility for a product, as well as the arrival date of the raw materials, as arrival information of the raw materials; a product database that stores the number of products manufactured per day from the raw materials, and the product lot number and manufacturing date of each of the manufactured products as manufacturing information of the products; a storage unit that stores information about the amount of the raw material used in one product and the manufacturing equipment; an estimation unit that estimates the raw material lot number of the raw material contained in the product having a certain product lot number and the ratio of the raw material having the raw material lot number to the total raw materials contained in the product having the certain product lot number based on arrival information of the raw materials, the amount of the raw materials remaining in the manufacturing equipment, and manufacturing information of the product during a predetermined period; An information processing device comprising:

2. the product database stores the certain product lot number in association with the estimated raw material lot number and its ratio; The information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. When a plurality of types of raw materials are mixed to prepare ingredients for the product and the product is manufactured from the ingredients, the estimation unit estimates, for each of the plurality of types of raw materials, the raw material lot number of each of the plurality of types of raw materials contained in the product having the certain product lot number and the ratio of the raw material having the raw material lot number to all of the corresponding raw materials contained in the product having the certain product lot number. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

4. When the raw materials received from a plurality of vendors are mixed to manufacture the product from the mixed raw materials, the estimation unit estimates, for the raw materials from each of the plurality of vendors, raw material lot numbers of the raw materials from each of the plurality of vendors included in the product having the certain product lot number, and a ratio of the raw material having the raw material lot number to all the raw materials included in the product having the certain product lot number. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

5. The amount of the raw material remaining in the manufacturing facility includes a storage amount of the raw material stored in the state in which it arrived and a storage amount of the raw material stored in the state in which it has been put into a storage tank. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

6. When the amount of the raw material stored in the storage tank decreases to a predetermined storage amount y, if a predetermined amount x of the raw material lot number to be charged is charged at one time from the raw material of the raw material lot number to be charged that has already been charged k times, the content ratio z of the raw material lot number to be charged is calculated by the following equation: [Equation 1] It is estimated that The information processing device according to claim 5 .

7. the estimation unit associates the estimated raw material lot number and ratio of the raw material with the certain product lot number of the product, and registers them in the product database; the product database outputs, in response to an inquiry based on the raw material lot number, one product lot number that contains the most raw material of the raw material lot number, or multiple product lot numbers that contain the raw material of the raw material lot number; The information processing device according to claim 1 .

8. the estimation unit associates the estimated raw material lot number and ratio of the raw material with the certain product lot number of the product, and registers them in the product database; the product database outputs, in response to an inquiry based on the product lot number, the raw material lot number that is most frequently included in the product having the product lot number, or multiple raw material lot numbers that are included in the product having the product lot number; The information processing device according to claim 1 .

9. a step of storing the type, amount, and lot number of the raw material received at the manufacturing facility for the product, and the date of arrival of the raw material, as arrival information of the raw material; a step of storing the number of the products manufactured per day from the raw materials, and the product lot number and manufacturing date of each of the manufactured products as manufacturing information of the products; Storing information on the amount of the raw material used for one of the products and the manufacturing equipment; a step of estimating the raw material lot number of the raw material contained in the product having a certain product lot number and the ratio of the raw material having the raw material lot number to the total raw materials contained in the product having the certain product lot number based on the arrival information of the raw material, the amount of the raw material remaining in the manufacturing facility, and manufacturing information of the product during a predetermined period; An information processing method, including:

10. On the computer, a process of storing the type, amount, and lot number of raw materials received at the manufacturing facility for the product, as well as the arrival date of the raw materials, as arrival information of the raw materials; a process of storing the number of the products manufactured per day from the raw materials, and the product lot number and manufacturing date of each of the manufactured products as manufacturing information of the products; A process for storing information on the amount of the raw material used in one of the products and the manufacturing equipment; a process of estimating the raw material lot number of the raw material contained in a product having a certain product lot number and the ratio of the raw material having the raw material lot number to the total raw materials contained in the product having the certain product lot number based on arrival information of the raw materials, the amount of the raw materials remaining in the manufacturing equipment, and manufacturing information of the product during a predetermined period; A program that executes.

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