Temperature management system, temperature management method, and program

The system addresses the cumbersome installation of irreversible indicators by employing reversible temperature detection labels, facilitating real-time monitoring and efficient temperature control during product distribution.

JP2026003154APending Publication Date: 2026-01-13HITACHI SOFTWARE ENG
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2024100941
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-06-24
Publication Date
2026-01-13

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Irreversible temperature indicators require pre-processing and specific storage conditions, leading to a cumbersome installation process and hindering widespread adoption of temperature control systems.

Method used

A temperature control system utilizing a label with a reversible temperature detection area that changes color in response to temperature, accompanied by a reading device to capture color information, date, and location, allowing for real-time monitoring without pre-installation processing.

Benefits of technology

Enables efficient temperature control during product distribution by eliminating the need for pre-installation processing and allowing real-time monitoring and detection of temperature deviations using reversible indicators.

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Abstract

To realize temperature management of a distributed product by a code label having a reversible temperature indicator which does not require activation and does not require temperature management until it is installed on a commodity.SOLUTION: And a reading device capable of acquiring, as read information, color information of the temperature detection area, code information of the code, and a date and time and a location at which the code information is acquired, in which the temperature detection area has a reversible color change characteristic in which a temperature difference Δ T of hysteresis at an intermediate density between a maximum color developing density and a minimum color developing density with respect to an increase and a decrease in temperature is less than 10 degrees Celsius.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1A
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Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a temperature management system, a temperature management method, and a program that utilizes a reversible indicator. [Background technology]

[0002] A technology is known for managing temperature during distribution by attaching an indicator (irreversible indicator) to distributed luggage that changes color irreversibly in response to the environmental temperature during the distribution process. For example, Patent Document 1 (JP 2022-123856 A) describes that "a management method for managing temperature information of transported luggage using a blockchain system involves obtaining temperature data from a thermometer transported with the luggage using a terminal of a user who uses the blockchain system, and transmitting the data to the blockchain system to register information regarding the presence or absence of temperature deviation." [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-123856 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Irreversible indicators require pre-processing (activation) to detect temperature and cause a color reaction just before installation (affixing) to the product, and the indicators must be stored in an environment within or below the controlled temperature until installation on the product to prevent color change. For these reasons, the large workload and complicated management required when installing indicators on products have hindered the spread of temperature control systems using irreversible indicators. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve at least one of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a temperature control system comprising a label having a code in which a temperature detection area that changes color in response to temperature is installed, and a reading device capable of obtaining color information of the temperature detection area, code information of the code, and the date, time and place where the code information was acquired as read information, wherein the temperature detection area has a reversible color change characteristic in which the hysteresis temperature difference ΔT at the intermediate density between the maximum color density and the minimum color density in response to an increase or decrease in temperature is less than 10 degrees Celsius. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] The present invention provides a temperature control system using an indicator that does not require temperature control until it is installed on a product.

[0007] Problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments of the invention. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1A] 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a temperature control system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 1B] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a reading device (smartphone) according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 1C] 1 is a configuration diagram of an information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 1D] 1 is an example of a commercial product stored in a case according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2A] 1 shows the color change characteristics of an irreversible temperature indicator in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2B] 3 shows the color change characteristics of a reversible temperature indicator in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2C] 1 shows the color change characteristics of a reversible (irreversible) temperature indicator in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3A] 1 is an example of a form of a two-dimensional code in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3B] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a one-dimensional code according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4A] 1 is an example of a method for creating a two-dimensional code according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4B] 1 is an example of a method for creating a two-dimensional code according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4C] 1 is an example of a method for creating a two-dimensional code according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5A] 1 is an example of a method for creating a two-dimensional code according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5B] 1 is an example of a method for creating a two-dimensional code according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5C] 1 is an example of a method for creating a two-dimensional code according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1 is a process flowchart of a temperature management method according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 10 is a display example of the analysis results of a reversible temperature indicator in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a flow when abnormality work is performed in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9A] 10 is an example of data stored in a storage unit of an information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9B] 10 is an example of data stored in a storage unit of an information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart of a process for detecting an abnormal operation in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11A] 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a warning screen display in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11B] 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a warning screen display in an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments (examples) of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, when describing program-based processing, the program, functional units, etc., may be described as the main focus of the description. However, the main focus of the hardware in these descriptions is a processor or an information processing device (computer) configured to include the processor. The information processing device executes processing according to a program read into memory using resources such as memory and a communication interface as appropriate through the processor. A GPU (Graphical Processing Unit) or the like may be used as the processor in addition to a CPU. Furthermore, processing to realize a function is not limited to software program processing, and can also be implemented using a dedicated circuit. Examples of the dedicated circuit include a field programmable gate array (FPGA) and an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). [Example]

[0010] 1A is an overall configuration diagram of a temperature control system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The temperature control system 100 includes an information processing device 110 and smartphones 130 (a-e) as reading devices that read two-dimensional codes 120 (a-e) that are affixed to products and have reversible temperature indicators (environment detection areas) that reversibly change color in response to the environmental temperature during the distribution process. The smartphones 130 (a-e) are placed at various locations (distribution bases) during the product distribution process and are connected to the information processing device 110 via a communication network 140. Note that the communication network 140 is not limited to a public network and may be, for example, short-range wireless communication or a wired connection.

[0011] The smartphones 130(a-e) are placed at collection and distribution bases 1-3 and delivery destinations, and determine the color of the reversible temperature indicator included in the two-dimensional code 120(a-e) attached to the product, and transmit the color information to the information processing device 110. FIG. 1B is a block diagram showing the configuration of the smartphone 130, which is composed of an input / output unit 131, a camera unit 132, a control unit 133, a communication unit 134, and a memory unit 135.

[0012] The input / output unit 131 is a touch panel or the like that is operated by a user to input various information and that displays various information. In this embodiment, the camera unit 132 captures the two-dimensional codes 120 (a to e). The control unit 133 controls various general functions (including a two-dimensional code reader) and operations of a smartphone, and in this embodiment, has a color judgment unit 133a that judges the color of the reversible temperature indicator included in the captured two-dimensional code 120 (a to e). Note that the color judgment process in the color judgment unit 133a is not particularly limited, and a commonly used color judgment app or the like may be used. The communication unit 134 has a normal communication function of a smartphone and transmits and receives information to and from the information processing device 110 as described above. The memory unit 135 temporarily stores the judgment results and the like of the color judgment unit 133a.

[0013] The information processing device 110 receives information on the two-dimensional codes 120(a-e) at each distribution center and color information on the reversible temperature indicator from the smartphones 130(a-e), performs various analyses, etc., and displays the results to the user (administrator), and is implemented, for example, by a personal computer. Fig. 1C is a block diagram showing the configuration of the information processing device 110, which is composed of an input unit 111, a storage unit 112, an information processing unit 113, and an output unit 114.

[0014] The input unit 111 is a unit into which information such as the two-dimensional code 120 (a to e) received from the smartphone 130 and color information of the reversible temperature indicator is input, and the storage unit 112 is a unit that accumulates and stores such information. The storage unit 112 is also a non-transitory or temporary recording medium that stores various programs and data, such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or a flash memory.

[0015] The information processing unit 113 is a unit that organizes and analyzes the information stored in the storage unit 112, and is realized by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or the like. For example, by statistically analyzing the information from the smartphone 130, it is possible to know when, what kind of worker, and in what place a temperature deviation has occurred, or whether a temperature deviation may have occurred, which can lead to improvements in operations.

[0016] The output unit 114 is a part that transmits the information processed by the information processing unit 113 to a location where it is required. If the information processing device 113 is a device having a display device, the processing results can be output to the display device. The output unit 114 may be a display device.

[0017] The distribution product in this embodiment is, for example, a frozen fish product or the like stored in a polystyrene foam case together with ice packs. Fig. 1D is a side view showing the state of distribution product 151 stored in polystyrene foam case 150 (case body 150a, lid 150b), in which a two-dimensional code 120 including a reversible temperature indicator is affixed to distribution product 151, and distribution product 151 is stored in a state sandwiched between ice packs 152. When this type of packaging is carried in an external environment at room temperature, rather than in a container with a freezer function, the temperature changes irreversibly (the temperature rises unilaterally), making it suitable for use with a reversible temperature indicator.

[0018] Here, the color change characteristics of the temperature indicator will be described. Figure 2A shows the color change characteristics of an irreversible temperature indicator, and is a graph with temperature on the horizontal axis and color change on the vertical axis. At start P1 (2A01), the indicator changes from "Color 1" when the temperature is below the control temperature of 30 degrees Celsius, to "Color 2" at P2 (2A02) when the temperature exceeds 30 degrees. Even if the indicator then changes back to "Color 1" at P3 (2A03) when the temperature drops below 30 degrees Celsius, the irreversible temperature indicator will not return to its original color.

[0019] On the other hand, Figure 2B shows the color change characteristics of a reversible temperature indicator. At start P1 (2B01), the indicator changes from "Color 1," which represents the minimum color density when the temperature is below 30 degrees Celsius (the control temperature). At P2 (2B02), the indicator changes to "Color 2," which represents the maximum color density when the temperature exceeds 30 degrees Celsius. Then, at P3 (2B03), the indicator returns to the original "Color 1." However, the change characteristic from "Color 1" at P1 (2B01) to "Color 2" at P2 (2B02) due to temperature increase is not the same as the change characteristic from "Color 2" at P2 (2B02) to "Color 1" at P3 (2B03) due to temperature decrease. There is a temperature difference ΔT (2B04) due to hysteresis at the intermediate density between the maximum and minimum color density. In this example, a reversible temperature indicator with a ΔT of less than 10 degrees Celsius is used.

[0020] Figure 2C shows the color change characteristics of another reversible temperature indicator, with a larger ΔT than that of Figure 2B. In this example, once the indicator changes to "Color 2," the color does not change again until the ambient temperature drops below 10°C, and it does not return to the original "Color 1" until it drops further to around -10°C. Therefore, in such an environment, it can essentially be used as an irreversible temperature indicator. In this example, indicators with a ΔT of 10°C or greater are considered irreversible temperature indicators.

[0021] Next, the form of the two-dimensional code including the reversible temperature indicator in this embodiment will be described. 3A shows a form in which a reversible temperature indicator 311 is provided in the center of a two-dimensional code 310, and when the temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature, the reversible temperature indicator changes color from 311a to 311b. Note that the reversible temperature indicator 311 is not limited to being provided in the center of the two-dimensional code 310 as shown in FIG. 3A, but may also be provided at the left or right end, the upper limit end, or outside the two-dimensional code 310, for example.

[0022] 3B, the reversible temperature indicator 321 may be arranged in the center of a one-dimensional code (barcode) 320, not just a two-dimensional code. The position of the reversible temperature indicator 321 is not limited to the center of the one-dimensional code 320, but may be arranged at either the left or right end, or outside the one-dimensional code 320.

[0023] Next, a method for producing a two-dimensional code including a reversible temperature indicator will be described. That is, a two-dimensional code including a reversible temperature indicator may be produced in the same process, but it can also be formed into a label display object having a reversible temperature indicator by adding a separately prepared member having a reversible temperature indicator to an existing or separately produced two-dimensional code label that does not have a reversible temperature indicator.

[0024] Specific methods for creating such indicators will be explained below with reference to Figures 4A to 4C and Figures 5A to 5C. Note that these examples are for cases where the reversible temperature indicator is placed in the center of the two-dimensional code, but the same applies to cases where the reversible temperature indicator described above is placed in other positions in the two-dimensional code or one-dimensional code. The round reversible temperature indicator seal 410 shown in Figure 4A is composed of a reversible temperature indicator portion 411 and a round transparent film 412. Figure 4B is a cross-sectional view of Figure 4A, and the round reversible temperature indicator seal 410 is installed with the round transparent film 412 covering the reversible temperature indicator portion 411. In Figure 4B, for the purpose of explaining the configuration, the reversible temperature indicator portion 411 and the round transparent film 412 are shown separated from each other, but in reality they are installed in contact with each other.

[0025] There are no particular restrictions on the round transparent film 412, as long as it is transparent and does not easily transmit moisture. Typical general-purpose transparent films include PP (polypropylene), PET (polyethylene terephthalate), and PVC (polyvinyl chloride).

[0026] 4C shows a method of installing a round reversible temperature indicator sticker 410 on an existing two-dimensional code 430, in which the round reversible temperature indicator sticker 410 is attached to the surface of the two-dimensional code 430. At this time, part of the pattern of the two-dimensional code 430 is covered by the round reversible temperature indicator sticker 410, but the error correction function of the two-dimensional code 430 itself means that the covered area can be read without any problems as long as it is below the upper limit of what can be reproduced at that error correction level.

[0027] Also, the reversible temperature indicator seal 510 with guide shown in FIG. 5A is composed of a reversible temperature indicator area 511 and a rectangular transparent film 513 on which an alignment guide 512 is provided.

[0028] 5B is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 5A, in which the guided reversible temperature indicator seal 510 is installed with the rectangular transparent film 513 covering the reversible temperature indicator area 511. In FIG. 5B, the reversible temperature indicator area 511 and the rectangular transparent film 513 are shown separated to explain the configuration, but in reality they are installed in contact with each other. The rectangular transparent film 513 can be made of the same material as the round transparent film 412.

[0029] Figure 5C shows how to install the guided reversible temperature indicator sticker 510 on an existing two-dimensional code 530, in which the guided reversible temperature indicator sticker 510 is attached to the surface of the two-dimensional code 530 while referring to the alignment guide 512 of the guided reversible temperature indicator sticker 510.

[0030] Next, a temperature control method in the temperature control system 100 having the above configuration will be described. When collecting the products, a person in charge of transporting the products (e.g., a driver) uses a smartphone 130a to capture an image of a two-dimensional code 120a including a reversible temperature indicator attached to a distribution product 151 stored in a polystyrene foam case 150. The smartphone 130a reads the information in the two-dimensional code and analyzes the color of the reversible temperature indicator. Figure 6 shows the processing flow executed by the smartphone 130a, which will be explained below. First, image data including a two-dimensional code having a reversible temperature indicator is input from the camera unit 132 of the smartphone 130a, and the control unit 133 identifies the data area of ​​the two-dimensional code using known technology, decodes the code represented by the data area, and recognizes the data body of the code (such as character string data) (step S601).

[0031] Next, the control unit 133 acquires image information of the reversible temperature indicator area using position information of the reversible temperature indicator area that is predetermined or included in the code data acquired in step S601 (step S602). At this time, the acquired image is checked for problems such as "whiteout" where the reversible temperature indicator area becomes invisible in the image due to reflected light when the lighting is strong, or the image is too small or too large, or the image was captured at an acute angle and the image is excessively distorted, and if there is a problem, the process may return to step S601 and read the image again (step S603). Note that this step S603 may be omitted if priority is given to processing speed, but performing it can improve processing accuracy.

[0032] After acquiring an image of the temperature indicator area in step S602 (or if image information of the reversible temperature indicator area can be acquired without any problems in step S603), the color judgment unit 133 analyzes the color of the image information, for example, using known technology, and determines whether it deviates from a predetermined temperature range (step S604).

[0033] The code data and analysis results of the reversible temperature indicator thus obtained are stored in the storage unit 135 together with additional information including the name of the staff member who performed the reading process, date and time, base information, location information within the base based on GPS information from the smartphone 130, the identification number (or telephone number) of the smartphone 130, weather information linked to web information, etc. (step S605). Note that the above-mentioned additional information may be input into the smartphone 130 by the staff member operating the smartphone 130, or may be recognized by the smartphone 130 itself.

[0034] Then, the information stored in the storage unit 135 is transmitted by the communication unit 134 to the information processing device 110 via the communication network 140 (step S606).

[0035] Through the above flow, information on whether or not the temperature of the distribution product 151 has deviated at the time of collection, product information from the two-dimensional code, and additional information obtained when the two-dimensional code is read are transmitted to the information processing device 110 and recorded in the memory unit 112 of the information processing device 110.

[0036] Similarly, at the distribution bases 1 to 3 and the delivery destination, personnel use smartphone 130 to capture the two-dimensional code 120 including the reversible temperature indicator affixed to the distribution product 151, and the information on whether or not there is a temperature deviation from the reversible temperature indicator captured by smartphone 130 is recorded in memory unit 112 of information processing device 110. This makes it possible to manage whether or not there is a temperature deviation at each location from collection to delivery destination, and the manager operating information processing device 110 can identify whether or not there is a temperature deviation in the distribution process of the distribution product, and the location, etc., if there is a temperature deviation.

[0037] The above-mentioned analysis results such as whether or not the temperature of the reversible temperature indicator has deviated may be displayed on the screen (input / output unit 131) of the smartphone 130.

[0038] 7 is an example of the display of the analysis results of a reversible temperature indicator, which is the output display of the reading results on the display 701 of the smartphone 130. When there are multiple two-dimensional codes lined up on the distribution product 151 to be read, it is possible to acquire images of multiple codes simultaneously or sequentially, and perform analysis processing on the reversible temperature indicators to determine whether there is a temperature deviation, etc., and then display the results side by side on the display 701.

[0039] In addition, the results of the analysis process can be easily recognized by the person in charge by showing an "X mark" 703a in AR (Augmented Reality) on the display 701, which indicates that there is a temperature deviation (NG), or a "check mark" 703b, which indicates that there is no temperature deviation (OK).

[0040] This allows not only the manager who uses the information processing device 110 but also the person in charge who takes an image of the distribution product 151 with the smartphone 130 to check on the spot whether or not the temperature of the distribution product 151 has deviated. In addition, the manager himself can use the smartphone 130 to check whether or not the temperature of the distribution product 151 has deviated.

[0041] As explained above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to trace the environmental conditions in which a distribution product is placed during the distribution process from collection to delivery, and if a defect is found in the distribution product when it reaches its destination, it is possible to search for the cause, such as where in the distribution process the problem occurred.

[0042] In this embodiment, the temperature control has been described assuming a situation in which the temperature of a distribution product changes irreversibly (the temperature rises unilaterally), but it is not limited to this and can also be used for temperature control in a situation in which the temperature changes reversibly, such as when transporting in a container with a refrigerator and freezer, where the temperature rises and then drops. For example, if necessary, information from a temperature sensor or the like normally provided in a container with a refrigerator and freezer can be used to treat a distribution product in which a temperature deviation is detected as undeliverable, or a distribution product in which a temperature deviation is detected during temperature checks at each distribution base can thereafter be treated as undeliverable.

[0043] It can also be used to prove that products such as food and medicines that are stored frozen and then thawed or heated above room temperature have been returned to the appropriate temperature before use, or to verify that the temperature is maintained above or below the standard temperature in all locations in warehouses with temperature variations or by attaching reversible temperature indicator labels to multiple locations on a product.

[0044] Conventionally, indicators that do not require activation and do not require temperature control until they are installed on a product, but which change color reversibly in response to temperature (reversible temperature indicators), temporarily monitor the product temperature at a given moment. Even if the product temperature deviates from the specified temperature during distribution or storage and the color of the temperature indicator changes, the color returns to its original state when the product is returned to the original controlled temperature environment, making reversible temperature indicators difficult to apply to temperature control during distribution. However, this embodiment makes it possible to control the temperature of distributed products using code labels with reversible temperature indicators. It is also possible to determine and estimate whether any abnormal operations have been performed during temperature control processing. [Example]

[0045] As shown in Figure 2B, the reversible temperature indicator has the characteristic that even if it changes color due to a temperature deviation, it will return to its original color by subsequently returning the temperature to a predetermined value (cooling). Therefore, in the distribution process of a temperature control system such as that shown in Example 1, when a temperature deviation occurs in a product, there is a possibility that an abnormal operation may be performed by performing such a cooling operation in addition to the normal reading operation of the reversible temperature indicator, making it appear as if the product has been distributed normally without a temperature deviation. In this example, a configuration is described that can detect the possibility of such an abnormal operation being performed and alert the manager with a warning or the like.

[0046] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating the flow when abnormal work is performed. First, a plurality of distribution products 811, each having a two-dimensional code including a reversible temperature indicator attached thereto, are collected 810. As shown in FIG. 1D of Example 1, the distribution products 811 are stored in a case containing ice packs, etc., and thereafter, all of the distribution products 811 are transported by the same transportation means (truck, etc.). Therefore, the subsequent temperature change should basically be the same for all distribution products 811, but due to the influence of the placement of ice packs in each distribution product 811 and variations in pre-cooling, temperature deviations occur in some products 821 at the distribution base 820.

[0047] When the staff member reading the two-dimensional code visually recognizes that the product 821 has deviated from its temperature by the color change of the reversible temperature indicator, or infers that the product 821 has deviated from its temperature by the appearance of the products or ice packs in the case, the staff member moves the product 821 to a freezer or similar (840) and cools it for a predetermined period of time, separate from the normal reading operation 830. As a result, the product in which the temperature deviation occurred returns from the temperature deviation state (841) to the specified temperature state (842). Then, by reading the reversible temperature indicator, the product is determined to be at the specified temperature (843), and is returned to the group of other products for which normal reading operation has been performed (844).

[0048] Next, a configuration for detecting such abnormal work in the temperature control system 100 will be described. As described in Example 1, the memory unit 112 of the information processing device 110 stores the code data and the analysis results of the reversible temperature indicator (whether or not there is a temperature deviation), as well as additional information such as the date and time of the reading process and location information. FIG. 9A shows an example of a portion of the stored data. For six products with product numbers (901) "001" to "006" being transported by the same transportation means at distribution base N (900), the following information is recorded: the name and staff ID as staff member 902 information, the date and time of reading 903, detailed location information 904 from the GPS of the reading device (smartphone 130), the manufacturing lot number and mobile phone number as reading device ID (905) that identifies the reading device (smartphone 130), the weather, temperature, and humidity as weather information 906 at the time of reading, and the determination result 907 regarding whether or not there is a temperature deviation (OK: no temperature deviation / NG: temperature deviation). These data are then recorded for each reading process at each distribution base.

[0049] On the other hand, FIG. 9B shows the results of a similar read at a different distribution point X, where the judgment result 907 for all products (001 to 006) is recorded as "OK." Here, if we focus on the read date and time 903 of product No. (901) "004," we can see that while the other products were read in a roughly two-minute time span from 11:31:27 to 11:33:35, product No. 004 was read at 15:12:55, nearly four hours later. Furthermore, according to GPS location information 904, we can see that product No. 004 was read at a different latitude, longitude, and altitude than the locations where the other products were read. Therefore, from these facts, we can infer that product No. 004 was read at a different time and in a different place than the other products.

[0050] 10 is a flowchart of the process for detecting abnormal work described above, which is performed by the information processing unit 113 of the information processing device 110. It is assumed that the reading process has been performed at a distribution center, and that data such as that shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B has been recorded in the memory unit 112 of the information processing device 110. When the abnormal work detection process is started, first, the determination result of whether or not there is a temperature deviation is confirmed for the product whose product number "n" is "1" (steps S1000, S1001, S1002).

[0051] If the determination result indicates that a temperature deviation has occurred (YES in step S1003), a warning indicating that a temperature deviation has occurred for product No.=n is displayed on a screen, for example, on a display device or the like of the output unit 114 of the information processing device 110 (step S1004). Fig. 11A is an example of the warning screen display.

[0052] If the determination result for product No.=n is that there is no temperature deviation ("NO" in step S1003), it is checked whether there are any differences in the reading time and reading location information between product No.=n and all other products transported at the same time, or whether, if there are any differences, they are within the expected range (within the threshold) (steps S1005, S1006).

[0053] As a result, if there is a difference or the difference is within the threshold value ("YES" in step S1006), a warning that there is a possibility that abnormal work has been performed on product No.=n is displayed on a screen on a display device or the like of output unit 114 (step S1007). Fig. 11B is an example of the warning screen display.

[0054] Then, it is confirmed whether the above confirmation process has been performed for all of the same transported products n (step S1008), and if not, "1" is added to product No. = n (step S1010), and the process returns to step S1002 to repeat the same process for the next product. If confirmation has been performed for all of the products n ("YES" in step S1008), the process ends.

[0055] The configuration of this embodiment can be modified in various ways and some elements can be replaced within a possible range. For example, in the above-mentioned step S1005, a difference in both the reading time and the reading location is confirmed, but it is also possible to confirm either one of them, or to confirm other items such as the person in charge 902 or the reader device ID, or to confirm both of them together. Furthermore, if the means of transportation (truck, container, etc.) is equipped with a temperature measurement and recording device such as a temperature logger that records the temperature of the cargo compartment, the determination result of the reading process may be compared with the temperature information recorded in the temperature logger, etc., at the time the reading process was performed, and it may be estimated whether or not abnormal work has been performed.

[0056] As described above, according to this embodiment, even if abnormal operations other than normal reading processes are performed when there is a temperature deviation in a distributed product, the possibility of this can be estimated and a warning can be given to the administrator. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 100: Temperature control system 110: Information processing device 120: 2D code 130: Read Prime Minister (Smartphone)

Claims

1. A label having a code in which a temperature detection area that changes color depending on the temperature is provided, and a reading device capable of obtaining color information of the temperature detection area, code information of the code, and the date, time and place when the code information was obtained as read information, The temperature detection area has a reversible color change characteristic in which the hysteresis temperature difference ΔT at an intermediate density between the maximum color density and the minimum color density in response to an increase or decrease in temperature is less than 10 degrees Celsius.

2. The temperature management system according to claim 1, The code is a two-dimensional code or a one-dimensional code. A temperature control system.

3. The temperature management system according to claim 2, The read information includes a result of determination by the reading device based on the color information as to whether or not the temperature of the temperature detection area has deviated from a specified temperature. A temperature control system.

4. The temperature management system according to claim 3, An information processing device is provided, the information processing device aggregates and displays the read information acquired by the reading device at a distribution center in the distribution process of the distribution product to which the label is affixed. A temperature control system.

5. The temperature management system according to claim 4, During the distribution process of the distribution product, the temperature of the environment in which the distribution product is placed changes irreversibly. A temperature control system.

6. The temperature management system according to claim 4, A plurality of the distribution products are transported by the same transport means, and the read information is acquired by the reading device at the distribution base, The information processing device determines whether or not an abnormal operation was performed when the label of the distribution product was read by comparing the read date and time information and read location information of the distribution product included in the read information at the distribution base with the read date and time information and read location information of other distribution products transported by the same transport means. A temperature control system.

7. For a distribution product to which a label having a code in which a temperature detection area is provided and which exhibits a reversible color change characteristic in which the temperature difference ΔT of the hysteresis at the intermediate density between the maximum color density and the minimum color density in response to a rise and fall of temperature is less than 10 degrees Celsius, color information of the temperature detection area, code information of the code, and the date, time, and place where the code information was acquired are obtained as read information at a distribution center during the distribution process, determining whether or not an abnormal operation was performed when the label of the distribution product was read by comparing the date and time information and location information of the distribution product included in the read information at the distribution base with the date and time information and location information of other distribution products transported by the same transport means; A temperature control method.

8. Computer, For a distribution product to which a label having a code in which a temperature detection area is provided and which exhibits a reversible color change characteristic in which the temperature difference ΔT of the hysteresis at the intermediate density between the maximum color density and the minimum color density in response to a rise and fall of temperature is less than 10 degrees Celsius, color information of the temperature detection area, code information of the code, and the date, time, and place where the code information was acquired are obtained as read information at a distribution center during the distribution process, determining whether or not an abnormal operation was performed when the label of the distribution product was read by comparing the date and time information and location information of the distribution product included in the read information at the distribution base with the date and time information and location information of other distribution products transported by the same transport means; A program to function as a temperature control measure.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Method for managing temperature information of package to be transported, terminal device, information processor, program, and method for manufacturing

    JP2022123856A