Node, transaction system, blockchain network, processing method, and program

Abstract

Provided are a node, a transaction system, a blockchain network, a processing method, and a program that prevent a failure from occurring in an asset transaction.SOLUTION: In the transaction system, a transaction processor that generates first transaction information indicating a transaction used to generate asset information S120 including information indicating an owner of an asset generates second transaction information indicating a transaction for changing the owner indicated by specific asset information other than asset information in which the owner has already been changed from an original owner to the user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 17

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a node, a trading system, a blockchain network, a processing method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, green power (electricity produced from renewable energy sources) has been attracting attention. Green power is produced by utilizing renewable energy resources such as sunlight, solar heat, wind power, biomass, geothermal power, hydroelectric power, and atmospheric heat. Compared to power generation using fossil fuels such as oil, coal, and liquefied natural gas, power generation from renewable energy emits almost no CO2, which causes global warming, making renewable energy an environmentally friendly energy resource among the resources used to produce electricity. Using such environmentally friendly green power to operate factories and other facilities can increase corporate value.

[0003] There is also a method of using blockchain in the trading of electricity produced by renewable energy sources, etc. (see Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 discloses a method of using blockchain to manage the ownership of assets such as electricity, and to send ownership from the producer of electricity to the user. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, as in Patent Document 1, if the transfer of asset ownership, such as electricity, is completed on a blockchain network rather than being sent directly from the producer to the user, and ownership that has already been transferred to the user becomes the subject of transfer to the user again, this will result in the transfer of non-existent rights, which can cause problems in asset transactions. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The invention of claim 1 is a node in a blockchain network, comprising a transaction processing means for generating first transaction information indicating a transaction used to generate asset information including information indicating the owner of an asset, wherein the transaction processing means generates second transaction information indicating a transaction to change the owner indicated in specific asset information other than asset information for which a change of owner has already been made from the original owner to the user. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] As described above, the present invention has the effect of preventing problems from occurring in asset transactions. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a trading system according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows the hardware configuration of a smartphone. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of a smart meter. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the intermediation server. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the smartphone and smart meter in the trading system. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of the intermediary server and nodes in the trading system. [Figure 7] FIG. 7(a) is a conceptual diagram showing a user management table, and FIG. 7(b) is a conceptual diagram showing a provider management table. [Figure 8] FIG. 8(a) is a conceptual diagram of a transaction content management table, and FIG. 8(b) is a conceptual diagram of a transaction history management table. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing the registration process of an intermediary. [Figure 10]FIG. 10(a) is a diagram showing an example of a display of the intermediary registration screen, and FIG. 10(b) is a diagram showing an example of a display of the intermediary registration screen. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing the process of registering asset transaction details. [Figure 12] FIG. 12(a) is a diagram showing an example of the display of the transaction details registration screen before input and selection, and FIG. 12(b) is a diagram showing an example of the display of the transaction details registration screen after input and selection. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram showing the process of setting the owner of the asset provided by the provider to the intermediary. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a conceptual diagram of transaction information and asset information. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram showing a process of setting the owner of an asset mediated by an intermediary to a user. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the process of determining the type of production method performed by the intermediary server. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the process of generating transaction information and changing or generating asset information. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a conceptual diagram of transaction information and asset information when the amount of electricity used is equal to or greater than the tradable amount of electricity. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a conceptual diagram of transaction information and asset information when the amount of electricity used is less than the tradable amount of electricity. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a sequence diagram showing the mediation process for the production method certificate of an asset. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] This embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0009] [System configuration overview] First, an outline of the configuration of the trading system 1 will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a trading system according to this embodiment. Here, a case where electricity is handled as an example of an asset will be described. The ownership of the asset and the type of production method of the asset are managed in the asset information described below.

[0010] <Explanation of each company> As shown in Figure 1, there is an electricity producer Aa, an electricity producer Ab, an electricity consumer Ca, an intermediary Da, and a certification authority E.

[0011] Producer Aa is an example of a provider and is a company that produces electricity from sunlight, which is an example of renewable energy used to produce green electricity. Producer Ab is an example of a provider and is a company that produces electricity from oil, which is an example of a fossil fuel. Providers also include associations that purchase assets from each producer and resell them.

[0012] Consumer Ca is an example of a user, and is a business that consumes the electricity provided by producers Aa and Ab. Note that users also include those who become owners of assets such as real estate that are not consumed like electricity.

[0013] Intermediary Da is a company that mediates the transaction of electricity ownership.

[0014] The certification authority E is a public institution such as a national or local government that certifies the type of electricity production method. Examples of electricity production methods include methods using sunlight, solar heat, wind power, biomass, geothermal heat, hydropower, atmospheric heat, and nuclear power. Among these, sunlight, solar heat, wind power, biomass, geothermal heat, hydropower, and atmospheric heat belong to the broad category of renewable energy. Furthermore, oil, coal, and liquefied natural gas belong to the broad category of fossil fuels. Renewable energy generation is an environmentally friendly energy source because it emits almost no CO2, a cause of global warming, compared to fossil fuel generation. In this embodiment, sunlight, solar heat, wind power, biomass, geothermal heat, hydropower, or atmospheric heat is used as renewable energy. Furthermore, oil, coal, or liquefied natural gas is used as fossil fuel.

[0015] Furthermore, the intermediary Da performs the intermediary work of sending an application form to the certification authority E by mail or the like, receiving the production method certificate from the certification authority E, and sending the production method certificate to the consumer Ca by mail or the like. The production method certificate contains, for example, the renewable energy utilization rate. As a result, the consumer Ca can use the production method certificate to apply for public subsidies based on their company's renewable energy utilization rate (CO2 reduction rate) and the use of renewable energy.

[0016] There may be one producer or three or more producers. There may be multiple consumers and intermediaries.

[0017] <Power transmission and distribution network> Substation Bx is the nearest substation to producers Aa and Ab, and substation By is the nearest substation to consumer Ca. Substations Bx and By, along with transmission and distribution lines, etc., form a power transmission and distribution network 10. Electric power provided by producers Aa and Ab is provided to consumer Ca via the power transmission and distribution network 10.

[0018] <Data communication network> Producer Aa has a smartphone 2a, a smart meter 3a, and a power generation device 4a. Producer Ab has a smartphone 2b, a smart meter 3b, and a power generation device 4b. Consumer Ca has a smartphone 2c, a smart meter 3c, and an electrical device 8. Intermediary Da manages an intermediary server 5. This intermediary Da is a corporation or an individual (for example, an employee such as the president, an executive, or an IT manager).

[0019] The number of smartphones may be two or four or more depending on the number of producers and consumers. Hereinafter, the smartphones 2a, 2b, and 2c will be collectively referred to as smartphone 2. The number of smart meters 3a, 3b, and 3c may be two or four or more depending on the number of producers and consumers. Hereinafter, the smart meters 3a, 3b, and 3c will be collectively referred to as smart meter 3. The number of power generation devices 4a and 4b may be one or three or more depending on the number of producers. Hereinafter, the power generation devices 4a and 4b will be collectively referred to as power generation device 4.

[0020] The number of intermediary servers 5 may be two or more depending on the number of intermediaries. The intermediary server 5 may be constructed by a single computer or by multiple computers. The number of electrical devices 8 may be two or more depending on the number of consumers.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, a trading system 1 serving as a data communication network is constructed with multiple smartphones 2a, 2b, and 2c, multiple smart meters 3a, 3b, and 3c, multiple power generation devices 4a and 4b, an intermediary server 5, and nodes 9a, 9b, 9c, and 9d, such as computers. Each node 9a, 9b, 9c, and 9d records transaction information (data) (described below) in units called blocks and manages the same block information in a distributed manner. In other words, each node 9a, 9b, 9c, and 9d shares the same transaction information. The nodes 9a, 9b, 9c, and 9d also construct a blockchain network 90. ​​The blockchain network 90 is constructed within a communication network 100, such as the Internet. The communication network 100 is constructed using the Internet, a mobile communication network, a local area network (LAN), or the like. The communication network 100 may include not only wired communication but also wireless communication networks such as mobile communication systems (4G, 5G, 6G, etc.) and WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access). Although there are many nodes 9a, 9b, 9c, and 9d, only four are shown here due to space limitations. Hereinafter, the nodes 9a, 9b, 9c, and 9d will be collectively referred to as node 9.

[0022] Next, the terminals and devices of the producers Aa and Ab and the consumer Ca will be described.

[0023] (Producer Aa's terminals and devices) The smartphone 2a can perform data communication with the smart meter 3a using short-range wireless technology such as NFC (Near Field Communication) or Bluetooth (registered trademark). The smartphone 2a can also perform data communication with the intermediary server 5 via the communication network 100.

[0024] The smart meter 3a can perform data communication with the intermediary server 5 via the communication network 100. The smart meter 3a also measures the amount of electricity provided by the power generation device 4a at regular intervals (for example, every 30 minutes), and further performs processing such as requesting the node 9 of the blockchain network 90 to generate asset information indicating the amount of assets such as electricity provided and the owner, etc.

[0025] The power generation device 4a is a device that generates electricity using sunlight.

[0026] (Producer Ab's terminals and equipment) The smartphone 2b can perform data communication with the smart meter 3b using short-range wireless technology such as NFC or Bluetooth (registered trademark). The smartphone 2b can also perform data communication with the intermediary server 5 via the communication network 100.

[0027] The smart meter 3b can perform data communication with the intermediary server 5 via the communication network 100. The smart meter 3b also measures the amount of electricity provided by the power generation device 4b at regular intervals (for example, every 30 minutes), and further performs processing such as requesting the node 9 of the blockchain network 90 to generate asset information indicating the amount of electricity provided, the owner, etc.

[0028] The power generation device 4b is a device that generates electricity using petroleum.

[0029] (Consumer Ca terminals and devices) The smartphone 2c can perform data communication with the smart meter 3c using short-range wireless technology such as NFC or Bluetooth (registered trademark). The smartphone 2c can also perform data communication with the intermediary server 5 via the communication network 100.

[0030] The smart meter 3c can perform data communication with the intermediary server 5 via the communication network 100. Furthermore, the smart meter 3c measures the amount of electricity used by the electrical device 8 at regular intervals (for example, every 30 minutes), and further performs processing such as transmitting usage information indicating the amount of electricity used and the duration of use to the intermediary server 5 via the communication network 100. In this embodiment, the intermediary server 5 accesses the blockchain network 90 on behalf of the smart meter 3c, so the smart meter 3c does not need to access the blockchain network 90. ​​In order to access the blockchain network 90 on behalf of the smart meter 3c, the intermediary server 5 stores in the storage unit 5000 a certificate of the consumer Ca that is necessary for the smart meter 3c to access the blockchain.

[0031] The electric device 8 is a device that is driven by the power provided by the consumers Aa and Ab.

[0032] (Intermediary server of intermediary Da) The intermediary server 5 mediates asset transactions, such as the transfer of asset information, between an asset provider such as electricity and an asset user. To this end, the intermediary server 5 can perform data communication with each smartphone 2 and each smart meter 3 via the communication network 100. The intermediary server 5 can also access a node 9 of the blockchain network 90 and perform data communication with the node 9.

[0033] (supplement) The smartphones 2a and 2b are examples of a provider's communication terminal. The smartphone 2c is an example of a user's communication terminal. Communication terminals also include smartwatches, PCs, smart glasses, etc. The smart meter 3 is an example of a measurement terminal.

[0034] [Hardware configuration] Next, the hardware configurations of the smartphone 2, the smart meter 3, the intermediation server 5, and the node 9 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0035] <Hardware configuration of smartphone> 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of a smartphone. As shown in FIG. 2, the smartphone 2 includes a CPU 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 203, an EEPROM 204, a CMOS sensor 205, an image sensor I / F 206, an acceleration / direction sensor 207, a media I / F 209, and a GPS receiver 211.

[0036] Of these, the CPU 201 controls the overall operation of the smartphone 2. The ROM 202 stores programs used to drive the CPU 201, such as the CPU 201 and IPL. The RAM 203 is used as a work area for the CPU 201. The EEPROM 204 reads and writes various data, such as smartphone programs, under the control of the CPU 201. The CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensor 205 is a type of built-in imaging means that captures an image of a subject (mainly a self-portrait) and obtains image data under the control of the CPU 201. Note that instead of a CMOS sensor, an imaging means such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor may also be used. The imaging element I / F 206 is a circuit that controls the operation of the CMOS sensor 205. The acceleration / azimuth sensor 207 is a variety of sensors, such as an electronic magnetic compass or gyrocompass that detects geomagnetism, and an acceleration sensor. The media I / F 209 controls the reading and writing (storage) of data from and to a recording medium 208, such as a flash memory. The GPS receiver 211 receives GPS signals from GPS satellites.

[0037] The smartphone 2 also includes a long-distance communication circuit 212, a CMOS sensor 213, an image sensor I / F 214, a microphone 215, a speaker 216, an audio input / output I / F 217, a display 218, an external device connection I / F (Interface) 219, a short-distance communication circuit 220, an antenna 220a of the short-distance communication circuit 220, and a touch panel 221.

[0038] Of these, the long-distance communication circuit 212 is a circuit that communicates with other devices via the communication network 100. The CMOS sensor 213 is a type of built-in imaging means that captures an image of a subject and obtains image data under the control of the CPU 201. The imaging element I / F 214 is a circuit that controls the driving of the CMOS sensor 213. The microphone 215 is a built-in circuit that converts sound into an electrical signal. The speaker 216 is a built-in circuit that converts the electrical signal into physical vibrations to generate sounds such as music and voice. The audio input / output I / F 217 is a circuit that processes the input and output of audio signals between the microphone 215 and the speaker 216 under the control of the CPU 201. The display 218 is a type of display means such as a liquid crystal or organic electroluminescence (EL) display that displays images of subjects, various icons, etc. The external device connection I / F 219 is an interface for connecting various external devices. The short-distance communication circuit 220 is a communication circuit such as NFC (Near Field Communication) or Bluetooth (registered trademark). The touch panel 221 is a type of input means that allows the user to operate the smartphone 2 by pressing the display 218.

[0039] The smartphone 2 also includes a bus line 210. The bus line 210 is an address bus, a data bus, or the like for electrically connecting the components such as the CPU 201 shown in FIG.

[0040] <Smart meter hardware configuration> Fig. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of a smart meter. As shown in Fig. 3, the smart meter 3 is equipped with a computer, and as shown in Fig. 3, it is equipped with a CPU 301, a ROM 302, a RAM 303, an NVRAM 304, a display 306, a measurement sensor 307, a switch 308, a network I / F 309, a keypad 311, a touch panel 312, a short-range communication circuit 320, and an antenna 320a of the short-range communication circuit 320.

[0041] Of these, the CPU 301 controls the overall operation of the smart meter 3. The ROM 302 stores programs used to drive the CPU 301, such as IPL. The RAM 303 is used as a work area for the CPU 301. The NVRAM (Non-Volatile RAM) 304 is a non-volatile memory that stores and reads out various data such as programs. The display 306 displays various information such as a cursor, menu, window, text, or image.

[0042] The measurement sensor 307 measures the power provided or used. The switch 308 turns on (closes) or cuts off (opens) the electric circuit to pass or stop electricity.

[0043] The network I / F 309 is an interface for data communication using a communication network 100 such as the Internet, including the blockchain network 90. ​​The keypad 311 is a type of input means equipped with multiple keys for inputting or selecting characters, numbers, various instructions, etc. The short-range communication circuit 320 is a communication circuit that realizes short-range wireless technology such as NFC or Bluetooth (registered trademark). The bus line 310 is an address bus, data bus, etc. for electrically connecting each component such as the CPU 301 shown in FIG. 3.

[0044] <Hardware configuration of the mediation server> Figure 4 is a hardware configuration diagram of the intermediary server. Each piece of hardware configuration in the intermediary server 5 is indicated by a reference number in the 500 series. As shown in Figure 4, the intermediary server 5 is constructed by a computer, and as shown in Figure 4, it is equipped with a CPU 501, a ROM 502, a RAM 503, an HD 504, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) controller 505, a display 506, an external device connection I / F (Interface) 508, a network I / F 509, a data bus 510, a keyboard 511, a pointing device 512, a DVD-RW (Digital Versatile Disk Rewritable) drive 514, and a media I / F 516.

[0045] Of these, the CPU 501 controls the overall operation of the intermediary server 5. The ROM 502 stores programs used to drive the CPU 501, such as the IPL. The RAM 503 is used as a work area for the CPU 501. The HD 504 stores various data, such as programs. The HDD controller 505 controls the reading and writing of various data from and to the HD 504 under the control of the CPU 501. The display 506 displays various information, such as a cursor, menu, window, text, or image. The external device connection I / F 508 is an interface for connecting various external devices. In this case, the external devices are, for example, USB (Universal Serial Bus) memories, printers, etc. The network I / F 509 is an interface for data communication using the communication network 100. The data bus (bus line) 510 is an address bus, data bus, etc. for electrically connecting the components, such as the CPU 501, shown in FIG. 4.

[0046] The keyboard 511 is a type of input means having multiple keys for inputting characters, numbers, various instructions, etc. The pointing device 512 is a type of input means for selecting and executing various instructions, selecting a processing target, moving a cursor, etc. The DVD-RW drive 514 controls reading and writing of various data from a DVD-RW 513, which is an example of a removable recording medium. Note that the medium is not limited to a DVD-RW, and may be a DVD-R or a Blu-ray (registered trademark) Disc, etc. The media I / F 516 controls reading and writing (storing) of data from a recording medium 515, such as a flash memory.

[0047] <Node hardware configuration> Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the node. Each piece of hardware configuration of node 9 is indicated by a reference number in the 900s in parentheses. As shown in Fig. 4, node 9 is constructed by a computer, and as shown in Fig. 4, it has the same configuration as intermediary server 5, so a description of each piece of hardware configuration will be omitted.

[0048] [Functional configuration] Next, the functional configuration of each terminal and device that constitutes the trading system 1 will be described with reference to Figures 5 to 8. Figure 5 is a functional block diagram of the smartphone and smart meter in the trading system.

[0049] <Functional configuration of smartphone 2a> 5, the smartphone 2a includes a transmission / reception unit 21a, a reception unit 22a, a display control unit 24a, a communication unit 28a, and a storage / readout unit 29a. Each of these units is a function or means realized by operating any of the components shown in FIG. 2 in response to an instruction from the CPU 201 in accordance with a smartphone program loaded from the EEPROM 204 onto the RAM 203.

[0050] The smartphone 2a also includes a storage unit 2000a configured by the ROM 202, RAM 203, and EEPROM 204 shown in FIG.

[0051] (Functional configuration of smartphone 2a) The transmitter / receiver unit 21a of the smartphone 2a is mainly realized by the processing of the CPU 201 on the long-distance communication circuit 212, and transmits and receives various data (or information) to and from other devices (e.g., the intermediary server 5) via the communication network 100.

[0052] The reception unit 22a is mainly realized by the processing of the CPU 201 on the touch panel 221, and receives various selections or inputs from the user.

[0053] The display control unit 24a is mainly realized by the processing of the CPU 201, and causes various images to be displayed on the display 218. The display control unit 24a also includes a web browser function.

[0054] The communication unit 28a is mainly realized by the processing of the CPU 201 on the short-range communication circuit 220, and communicates various data with a communication unit 38a (described later) of the smart meter 3a. In the case of wired communication, data communication is performed by connecting the smart meter 3a to a communication cable.

[0055] The storage / readout unit 29a is mainly realized by the processing of the CPU 201, and stores various data (or information) in the storage unit 2000a and reads out various data (or information) from the storage unit 2000a.

[0056] <Functional configuration of Smartphone 2c> 5, the smartphone 2c includes a transmission / reception unit 21c, a reception unit 22c, a display control unit 24c, a communication unit 28c, and a storage / readout unit 29c. Each of these units is a function or means realized by operating any of the components shown in FIG. 2 in response to an instruction from the CPU 201 in accordance with a smartphone program loaded from the EEPROM 204 onto the RAM 203.

[0057] The smartphone 2c also includes a storage unit 2000c that is configured by the ROM 202, the RAM 203, and the EEPROM 204 shown in FIG.

[0058] Note that the various parts of smartphone 2c (transmission / reception unit 21c, reception unit 22c, display control unit 24c, communication unit 28c, and memory / readout unit 29c) have the same functions as the various parts of smartphone 2a (transmission / reception unit 21a, reception unit 22a, display control unit 24a, communication unit 28a, and memory / readout unit 29a), and therefore descriptions of these parts will be omitted.

[0059] The smartphone 2b, like the smartphone 2c, has the same components as the smartphone 2a, but these components will not be described in the process described later and are therefore omitted from FIG.

[0060] <Functional configuration of Smart Meter 3a> 5, the smart meter 3a has a transmitting / receiving unit 31a, a measuring unit 33a, a display control unit 34a, a communication unit 38a, and a memory / readout unit 39a. Each of these units is a function or means realized by operating any of the components shown in FIG. 3 in response to an instruction from the CPU 301 in accordance with the smart meter program loaded from the NVRAM 304 onto the RAM 303.

[0061] The smart meter 3a also includes a storage unit 3000a configured by the ROM 302, RAM 303, and NVRAM 304 shown in FIG.

[0062] (Functional configuration of smart meter 3a) The transmitter / receiver unit 31a of the smart meter 3a is mainly realized by the processing of the CPU 301 on the network I / F 309, and transmits and receives various data (or information) to and from other devices (e.g., the intermediary server 5) via the communication network 100.

[0063] The measurement unit 33a is mainly realized by the processing of the CPU 301 for the measurement sensor 307, and measures the amount of power provided by the power generation device 4a.

[0064] The display control unit 34a is mainly realized by the processing of the CPU 301, and causes the display 306 to display various images.

[0065] The communication unit 38a is mainly realized by the processing of the CPU 301 on the short-range communication circuit 320, and communicates various data with the communication unit 28a of the smartphone 2a. In the case of wired communication, data communication is performed by connecting the smart meter 3a to the communication unit 38a with a communication cable.

[0066] The storage / readout unit 39a is mainly realized by the processing of the CPU 301, and stores various data (or information) in the storage unit 3000a and reads out various data (or information) from the storage unit 3000a.

[0067] <Functional configuration of Smart Meter 3c> As shown in Fig. 5, the smart meter 3c has a transmitting / receiving unit 31c, a measuring unit 33c, a display control unit 34c, a communication unit 38c, and a memory / readout unit 39c. Each of these units is a function or means realized by operating any of the components shown in Fig. 3 in response to an instruction from the CPU 301 in accordance with the smart meter program loaded from the NVRAM 304 onto the RAM 303.

[0068] The smart meter 3a also includes a storage unit 3000c that is configured by the ROM 302, the RAM 303, and the NVRAM 304 shown in FIG.

[0069] Note that the functions of each part of the smart meter 3c (transmitter / receiver 31c, measuring unit 33c, display control unit 34c, communication unit 38c, and memory / readout unit 39c) are the same as those of each part of the smart meter 3a (transmitter / receiver 31a, measuring unit 33a, display control unit 34a, communication unit 38a, and memory / readout unit 39a), and therefore descriptions of these parts will be omitted.

[0070] The smart meter 3b, like the smart meter 3c, has the same components as the smart meter 3a, but these components will not be described in the process described later and are therefore omitted from FIG.

[0071] <Functional configuration of intermediary server 5> Due to space limitations, a functional block diagram of the intermediary server 5 is shown in Figure 6. Figure 6 is a block diagram of the intermediary server and node functions of the trading system. As shown in Figure 6, the intermediary server 5 has a transmitting / receiving unit 51, a determining unit 53, a display control unit 54, a judging unit 55, a creating unit 58, and a storing / reading unit 59. Each of these units is a function or means realized by any of the components shown in Figure 4 being loaded from HD 504 onto RAM 503 and operating in accordance with an instruction from CPU 501 in accordance with a program for the intermediary server.

[0072] The intermediary server 5 also has a storage unit 5000 constructed by the ROM 502 and HD 504 shown in FIG.

[0073] (User management table) Fig. 7(a) is a conceptual diagram showing a user management table. The user management table is a table used by the intermediary Da to manage each user, such as an electricity consumer. A user management DB 5001 configured with a user management table such as that shown in Fig. 7(a) is constructed in the memory unit 5000. In this user management table, user IDs, user names, user addresses (or residences), and selectable provider IDs are associated and managed.

[0074] Of these, the user ID is an example of user identification information for identifying a user of an asset, such as an electricity consumer Ca. The selectable provider ID is an example of provider identification information for identifying a provider, such as a producer, that can be selected by the user indicated by the user ID. For example, if the user's address is in Tokyo, the selectable providers are limited to providers with addresses in Tokyo and its surrounding areas.

[0075] (Provider management table) Fig. 7(b) is a conceptual diagram showing a provider management table. The provider management table is a table used by the intermediary Da to manage each provider, such as an electricity producer. The storage unit 5000 has created a provider management DB 5002 that is configured with a provider management table such as that shown in Fig. 7(b). In this provider management table, the provider ID, provider name, type of production method of assets such as electricity by the provider, and available supply amount are associated and managed.

[0076] Of these, the provider ID is an example of provider identification information for identifying a provider of an asset, such as a producer of electricity. The type of production method indicates the type of energy used to produce the asset. As described above, types of production method include methods of generation using solar power, wind power, biomass, geothermal power, hydropower, petroleum, coal, liquefied natural gas, etc. The type of production method may also indicate a broad category such as renewable energy or fossil fuel. The available amount is the amount of asset that a provider, such as a producer, can provide in a certain period (or certain time), for example, the amount of electricity (kWh).

[0077] (Transaction content management table) FIG. 8(a) is a conceptual diagram showing a transaction content management table. The transaction content management table is a table for managing asset transaction content set by a user such as consumer Ca. A transaction content management DB 5003 configured with a transaction content management table such as that shown in FIG. 8(a) is constructed in the memory unit 5000. This transaction content management table manages transaction content information, and specifically, the user ID, start date of use, end date of use, planned amount of use, renewable energy utilization rate, provider ID, provider name, and type of production method are associated and managed. Note that item names that are the same as those in FIGS. 7(a) and (b), such as user ID, have the same meaning.

[0078] Of these, the start date of use is information indicating the date on which a user such as consumer Ca will start using an asset such as electricity. The end date of use is information indicating the date on which a user will end using an asset such as electricity. The planned usage amount is the amount of asset that a user plans to use over a certain period (or certain amount of time), for example, the amount of electricity (kWh). The renewable energy utilization rate is information indicating the proportion (%) of assets such as electricity used by a user such as consumer Ca that are produced using renewable energy such as solar power.

[0079] (Transaction history management table) FIG. 8(b) is a conceptual diagram illustrating a transaction history management table. The transaction history management table is a table for managing, for each user, the transaction history of transactions in which the intermediary server 5 intervened in transactions related to assets acquired from providers such as producers. The storage unit 5000 stores a transaction history management DB 5004 configured with the transaction history management table shown in FIG. 8(b). This transaction history management table manages transaction history information, specifically, intermediation date and time, transaction volume, production method type, and total transaction volume for each production method, all of which are associated and managed. The type of (energy) resource used to produce an asset is, in other words, the "type of production method" that uses a specific type of resource to produce the asset. For example, if the asset is electricity, the "type of production method" indicates a "power generation method," such as solar power. While solar power and oil are shown as examples of various production methods, this is not limited thereto; production methods using wind power, coal, etc. may also be managed. Furthermore, a broad classification of production methods, such as renewable energy and fossil fuels, may also be managed.

[0080] Among the transaction history information, item names that are the same as those in Figures 7(a) and (b), such as user ID, have the same meaning. The intermediation date and time indicates the date and time when the intermediation server 5 brokered asset ownership by assigning ownership of assets acquired from providers such as producers to users such as consumers. The transaction volume indicates the transaction volume of assets acquired from providers and brokered to users, and is expressed, for example, in kWh of electricity. The total transaction volume indicates the total amount of assets produced by a specific type of production method allocated to users such as consumers over a certain period (or time period), and is expressed, for example, in kWh of electricity. The intermediation server 5 refers to the transaction history management DB 5004 to determine the type of asset production method to allocate to users such as consumers. For example, if consumer Ca has set the proportion of electricity produced using renewable energy to 40%, the intermediation server 5 refers to the total transaction volume in the transaction history management DB 5004 to determine the type of asset production method to next provide to consumer Ca.

[0081] Note that the planned usage amount shown in Figure 8(a) (e.g., 20 kWh) is the planned usage amount per hour, so if asset information is transferred every 30 minutes, the transaction amount will be half of the planned usage amount (e.g., 10 kWh).

[0082] In addition, although the various production methods shown here are those using sunlight and oil, the present invention is not limited to these and production methods using wind, coal, etc. may also be managed. Furthermore, large classifications such as types of production methods indicating renewable energy and fossil fuels may also be managed.

[0083] Furthermore, the type of production method also includes the type of asset production process. The type of asset production process indicates different processes by which an asset, such as electricity, is produced. As an example, even when using the same resource, the sun, it includes a method of producing electricity using sunlight and a method of producing electricity using solar heat. Another example of the type of asset production process includes a method of producing electricity using a turbine and a method of producing electricity without using a turbine.

[0084] (Functional configuration of the intermediary server) Next, each functional configuration of the intermediary server 5 will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 6. The transmission / reception unit 51 of the intermediary server 5 is mainly realized by the processing of the CPU 501 on the network I / F 509, and transmits and receives various data (or information) to and from other terminals (for example, smartphones 2a and 2c) via the communication network 100. The transmission / reception unit 51 also serves as a reception unit that receives transaction details (described below) from the smartphone 2c.

[0085] The determination unit 53 is realized by processing of the CPU 501 and determines asset information indicating the ownership of assets to be transferred to users (for which the determination unit 53 mediates transactions). For example, the determination unit 53 determines asset information related to assets produced by a specific type of production method for which the determination unit 53 mediates transactions for users such as consumer Ca, based on the "transaction history of assets produced by users using a specific type of production method" managed in the transaction history management DB 5004 and the "renewable energy utilization rate" previously managed in the transaction content management DB 5003. Specifically, if consumer Ca has set the renewable energy utilization rate to 40%, the determination unit 53 refers to the total transaction volume in the transaction history management DB 5004 and determines to change the owner of the asset information related to assets produced by renewable energy from intermediary Da, who manages the intermediary server 5, to consumer Ca, so that the utilization rate approaches 40%.

[0086] The display control unit 54 is mainly realized by the processing of the CPU 501, and causes various images to be displayed on the display 506, or causes various images to be displayed on the display 218 of the smartphone 2 via the communication network 100. In this case, the smartphone 2 displays various images using the web browser function of the display control unit 24 of the smartphone 2. The display control unit 24 is a collective term for the display control units 24a and 24c.

[0087] The determination unit 55 is realized by the processing of the CPU 501, and performs various determinations.

[0088] The creation unit 58 is realized by the processing of the CPU 501, and creates an application form based on the transaction information and asset information to be submitted by the intermediary to the certification authority E. This application form is created in a predetermined format for applying for a production method certificate to certify the type of production method of the asset.

[0089] The storage / readout unit 59 is mainly realized by the processing of the CPU 501 , and stores various data (or information) in the storage unit 5000 and reads out various data (or information) from the storage unit 5000 .

[0090] <Functional configuration of Node 9> 6, the node 9 has a transmitting / receiving unit 91, a verifying unit 93, a determining unit 95, a transaction processing unit 96, an asset processing unit 97, and a storing / reading unit 99. Each of these units is a function or means realized by one of the components shown in Fig. 4 being loaded from the HD 904 onto the RAM 903 and operating in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 901 in accordance with a program for the node.

[0091] The node 9 also has a storage unit 9000 constructed by the ROM 902 and HD 904 shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 shows an image in which transaction information is linked like a chain. Asset information generated based on the transaction information is also stored. Each piece of transaction information and asset information is held by each node.

[0092] (each functional configuration of the node) Next, each functional configuration of the node 9 will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 6. The transmitter / receiver 91 of the node 9 is mainly realized by processing of the CPU 901 on the network I / F 909, and transmits and receives various data (or information) with other nodes of the blockchain network 90 within the communication network 100. The transmitter / receiver 91 also transmits and receives various data (or information) with the transmitter / receiver 31a of the smart meter 3a and the transmitter / receiver 51 of the intermediary server 5. Note that although the smart meter 3b is not shown in Fig. 6, in reality the transmitter / receiver 91 also transmits and receives various data (or information) with the smart meter 3b.

[0093] The verification unit 93 is realized by the processing of the CPU 901, and verifies the certificate and the provided information. The verification of the certificate is a process of determining whether or not the certificate is a certificate of the person pre-registered in the node 9. The verification of the provided information is a process of determining whether or not all of the predetermined format and contents (for example, whether the provider has been entered, whether the time of provision has been entered, etc.) have been entered.

[0094] The determination unit 95 is realized by the processing of the CPU 901, and performs various determinations.

[0095] The transaction processing unit 96 is realized by the processing of the CPU 901, and performs processing such as generating transaction information indicating transactions used to generate asset information and storing the information in the storage unit 9000.

[0096] The asset processing unit 97 is realized by the processing of the CPU 901, and performs processing such as generating asset information in accordance with transaction information and storing it in the storage unit 9000.

[0097] The storage / readout unit 99 is mainly realized by the processing of the CPU 901 , and stores various data (or information) in the storage unit 9000 and reads out various data (or information) from the storage unit 9000 .

[0098] [Processing or Action] Next, the processing or operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0099] <Intermediary registration process> First, the intermediary registration process will be described with reference to Figures 9 and 10. Figure 9 is a sequence diagram showing the intermediary registration process. Figure 10(a) is a diagram showing an example of the display of the intermediary registration screen, and Figure 10(b) is a diagram showing an example of the display of the intermediary registration completion screen. Here, a case will be described in which producer Aa registers intermediary Da from among multiple intermediaries. Note that an application for intermediary registration has been installed in advance on smartphone 2a. This application associates and manages the intermediary ID, intermediary name, and IP address of the intermediary server owned by the intermediary for identifying each intermediary.

[0100] As shown in Fig. 9, in the smartphone 2a, the display control unit 24a displays the intermediary registration screen shown in Fig. 10(a) on the display 218 (S21). This intermediary registration screen displays a pull-down menu showing intermediary names so that a specific intermediary can be selected. Also displayed at the bottom of the intermediary registration screen are an "OK" button that can be pressed to confirm the intermediary name selected in the pull-down menu, and a "CANCEL" button that can be pressed to cancel the selection.

[0101] Then, when the producer Aa selects a desired intermediary name from the multiple intermediary names and presses the "OK" button, the reception unit 22a receives the selection of the intermediary (S22). Here, a case where the intermediary Da is selected will be described.

[0102] After the reception unit 22a receives the selection, the communication unit 28a transmits the intermediary information to the communication unit 38a of the smart meter 3a via short-range wireless communication (S23). This intermediary information includes an intermediary ID for identifying the selected intermediary and the IP address of the intermediary server owned by the selected intermediary. As a result, the communication unit 38a of the smart meter 3a receives the intermediary information.

[0103] Next, in the smart meter 3a, the storage / readout unit 39a registers the intermediary information in the storage unit 3000a. Then, the communication unit 38a transmits registration completion information indicating that the registration has been completed to the smartphone 2a. As a result, the communication unit 28a of the smartphone 2a receives the registration completion information.

[0104] Next, in the smartphone 2a, the display control unit 24a displays a registration completion screen as shown in Fig. 10(b) on the display 218. This registration completion screen displays a comment indicating that the intermediary registration has been completed. Also displayed on this registration completion screen is an "OK" button that can be pressed to close the screen, and when producer Aa presses this button, the registration completion screen is closed.

[0105] This completes the registration process for the intermediary.

[0106] <Transaction details registration process> Next, the process of registering asset transaction details will be described with reference to Figures 11 and 12. Figure 11 is a sequence diagram showing the process of registering asset transaction details. Figure 12(a) is a diagram showing an example of the display of the transaction details registration screen before input and selection, and Figure 12(b) is a diagram showing an example of the display of the transaction details registration screen after input and selection. Here, a case will be described in which consumer Ca uses smartphone 2c to register the transaction details of electricity as an asset to intermediary server 5.

[0107] As shown in FIG. 11, the transmitter / receiver 21c of the smartphone 2c transmits a display request for a transaction details registration screen to the intermediary server 5 via the communication network 100 (S41). This display request includes a user ID for identifying consumer Ca as the user who made the request. The transmitter / receiver 51 of the intermediary server 5 then receives the display request. The user ID is an example of user identification information. User identification information also includes the My Number, which is a number designated by local governments and the like as an individual's identification number in Japan, and the telephone number of an individual or company, etc.

[0108] Next, in the intermediary server 5, the storage / readout unit 59 searches the user management DB 5001 (see FIG. 7(a)) using the user ID received in step S41 as a search key to read out all corresponding selectable provider IDs (S42). Furthermore, the storage / readout unit 59 searches the provider management DB 5002 using each provider ID read out in step S42 as a search key to read out corresponding information (provider name, production method type information, and available supply quantity) (S43). Then, the display control unit 54 uses the information read out in step S43 to create a transaction details registration screen as shown in FIG. 12(a) (S44). As a result, in the smartphone 2c, the display control unit 24c uses the web browser function to display the transaction details registration screen as shown in FIG. 12(a) created by the intermediary server 5 on the display 218 of the smartphone 2c (S45). This transaction details registration screen displays various input fields (the asset (electricity in this case) usage period date, asset usage end date, planned asset usage amount, and renewable energy utilization rate), as well as multiple check boxes for selecting the asset provider. Also, at the bottom of the transaction details registration screen, there is an "OK" button that can be pressed to confirm the transaction details entered in the input fields and checked in the check boxes, and a "CANCEL" button that can be pressed to cancel the transaction without confirming the details.

[0109] Here, the consumer Ca operates the touch panel of the smartphone 2c to input desired values ​​in each input field, and further checks the checkbox of the desired provider and presses the "OK" button, and the reception unit 22c accepts the input and selection of the transaction details (S46). Note that the renewable energy utilization rate indicates the proportion of renewable energy used in the energy production that the consumer Ca wishes to acquire.

[0110] In this example, consumer Ca selects producer Aa, which produces electricity using sunlight as the energy source used in production, but as electricity is not available at night, producer Ab, which produces electricity using petroleum, is selected in consideration of the need to substitute with other energy sources. The renewable energy utilization rate is set to 40%.

[0111] Next, the transmitting / receiving unit 21c of the smartphone 2c transmits transaction content information indicating the entered and selected content to the intermediary server 5 via the communication network 100 (S47). As a result, the transmitting / receiving unit 51 of the intermediary server 5 receives the transaction content information and thereby accepts the transaction content.

[0112] Next, in the intermediary server 5, the storage / readout unit 59 manages the transaction content information received in step S47 by storing it in the transaction content management DB 5003 (see Figure 8(a)) in association with the user ID received in step S41 (S48).

[0113] This completes the transaction details registration process.

[0114] <Process to set asset owner as intermediary> Next, a process of setting the owner of an asset provided by a provider to an intermediary will be described with reference to Fig. 13 and Fig. 14. Fig. 13 is a sequence diagram showing a process of setting the owner of an asset provided by a provider to an intermediary. Fig. 14 is a conceptual diagram of transaction information and asset information. Here, a case will be described in which the smart meter 3a of producer Aa sets the owner of the asset to the intermediary for the node 9a.

[0115] As shown in FIG. 13, the measurement unit 33a measures the power supplied from the power generation device 4a to the power transmission and distribution network 10 (S61). Then, the transceiver unit 31a of the smart meter 3a transmits a request for asset information generation to a node 9a of the blockchain network 90 once every predetermined time (e.g., 30 minutes) (S62). This request includes an electronic certificate verifying the identity of the producer Aa as the provider and provided information so that the smartphone 2a of the producer Aa, who is the provider, can access the blockchain network 90. ​​The provided information includes information on the provider, the date and time of provision, the (tradable) amount, the type of production method, and the asset owner. As a result, the transceiver unit 91 of the node 9a receives the request for asset information generation (S62). This provided information is information used to generate the transaction information shown in FIG. 14. The content of this provided information is predetermined by a blockchain smart contract (contract automation).

[0116] Next, the verification unit 93 of the node 9 verifies the certificate and the provided information received in step S62 (S63). Next, a case where the verification result shows no problem will be described.

[0117] Next, the transaction processing unit 96 uses the provision information received in step S62 to generate transaction information such as that shown in Fig. 14 and stores it in the storage unit 9000 (S64). In this case, the transaction processing unit 96 assigns a transaction ID and sets the transaction type. The transaction information includes the transaction ID, information on the transaction type, and provision information (information on the provider, provision date and time, (tradable) amount, production method, and owner).

[0118] Of these, the transaction ID is an example of unique identification information for identifying transaction information. The transaction type is information indicating the type of processing content for asset information. In Figure 14, the transaction type is the creation of asset information, so the asset processing unit 97 creates the asset information. The provider is information indicating the provider of the asset. The provided date and time is information indicating the date and time when the asset was provided by the provider. The (tradable) amount is information indicating the amount of electricity, etc. that the provider can trade within a specified period. The type of production method is information indicating the type of production method shown in Figure 8(b). The owner is information indicating the owner of the asset, indicating the ownership of the asset, etc.

[0119] Next, the asset processing unit 97 generates the asset information shown in FIG. 14 in accordance with the transaction information shown in FIG. 14 and stores it in the storage unit 9000 (S65). In this case, the asset processing unit 97 sets the provision information (information on the provider, provision date and time, (tradable) amount, production method, and owner) in the transaction information, as well as the expiration date of the transaction and the transaction status of the asset information. The expiration date of the transaction is set, for example, to one month after the provision date. The transaction status is information indicating whether the asset information has been traded (allocated) to a user by the intermediary server 5. In FIG. 14, "Not yet" indicates a state in which the asset information has not been traded (allocated) to a user, that is, a state in which the intermediary has not yet provided the asset information to the user.

[0120] Furthermore, the transmitter / receiver 91 of node 9 distributes the transaction information generated in step S64 as a block to the other multiple nodes in the blockchain network 90 (S66). As a result, the other nodes verify the block and add it to the chain of blocks already stored in each node, and then generate asset information according to the transaction information in the same manner as in step S65 above and store it in each storage unit. Note that multiple pieces of transaction information may be stored in one block.

[0121] Next, the transmitter / receiver 91 of the node 9 transmits a response to the request of step S62 to the smart meter 3a (S67). The content of this response indicates whether the generation of the asset information was successful or unsuccessful. As a result, the transmitter / receiver 31a of the smart meter 3a receives the response.

[0122] Next, in the smart meter 3a, the storage / readout unit 39a stores the response content in the storage unit 3000a.

[0123] As a result, asset information indicating the details of the asset owner being set as intermediary Da is managed on the blockchain network, and the process of providing asset information from the provider to the intermediary is completed.

[0124] <Process of providing asset information from intermediary to user> Next, a process for setting the owner of an asset mediated by an intermediary to a user will be described with reference to Figures 15 to 19. Figure 15 is a sequence diagram showing a process for setting the owner of an asset mediated by an intermediary to a user.

[0125] First, the transmitter / receiver 31c of the smart meter 3c of the consumer Ca transmits usage information indicating the usage status of the electricity as an asset via the communication network 100 once every predetermined time (for example, 30 minutes) (S81). This usage information includes information such as a user ID for identifying the consumer Ca as the user, the amount of electricity used as an asset, and the duration of use of the electricity as an asset. As a result, the transmitter / receiver 51 of the intermediation server 5 receives the usage information.

[0126] Then, the transmitting / receiving unit 51 transmits a request for all asset information for which the intermediary Da, who manages the intermediary server 5, is the owner to the node 9 of the blockchain network 90 (S82). This request includes an electronic certificate verifying the identity of the intermediary Da as the intermediary, and information indicating the intermediary Da as the owner, so that the intermediary server 5 managed by the intermediary Da can access the blockchain network 90. ​​As a result, the transmitting / receiving unit 91 of the node 9 receives the request for all asset information.

[0127] Next, in node 9, the verification unit 93 verifies the certificate received in step S82 (S83). Certificate verification is a process of determining whether the received certificate is a certificate of a server pre-registered in node 9. Next, a case where the verification result shows no problem will be described.

[0128] The storage / read unit 99 of the node 9 reads out all asset information managed by the owner as the intermediary Da who manages the intermediary server 5 (S84). Then, the transmission / reception unit 91 transmits all of the asset information read out in step S84 to the intermediary server 5 (S85). As a result, the transmission / reception unit 51 of the intermediary server 5 receives all of the asset information. Therefore, the intermediary server 5 can receive all of the asset information of the owner as the intermediary Da that can be allocated to users. Next, the intermediary server 5 determines the type of production method to be provided to the consumer Ca (S86). Here, the process of determining the type of production method performed by the intermediary server 5 will be explained using FIG. 16. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the process of determining the type of production method performed by the intermediary server.

[0129] 16, the storage and reading unit 59 of the intermediary server 5 searches the transaction content management DB 5003 using the user ID received in step S81 as a search key to read out corresponding transaction content information (S101). Furthermore, the storage and reading unit 59 searches the transaction history management DB 5004 using the user ID received in step S81 as a search key to read out the latest corresponding total transaction volume (S102). In the case of FIG. 8(b), 20 (kWh) is read as the total transaction volume of electricity produced by solar power, and 160 (kWh) is read as the total transaction volume of electricity produced by petroleum.

[0130] Next, the determination unit 53 determines the type of production method of the asset related to the asset information to be transferred to the consumer Ca as a user, based on the transaction content information read in step S101 and the total transaction volumes read in step S102 (S103). For example, if the transaction content information indicates that the types of production methods are "solar power" and "oil," the transaction history information indicates that the latest total transaction volumes are "20" for solar power and "160" for oil, so the determination unit 53 determines the type of production method to be "solar power" so as to approach a renewable energy rate of "40."

[0131] Next, the transmitter / receiver 51 of the intermediary server 5 transmits a request to change the asset information to the node 9 of the blockchain network 90 (S104). This request to change includes an asset ID for identifying the asset information relating to the specific asset produced by the specific type of production method determined in step S103 from among the asset information received in step S85 above. The request to change in step S104 also includes information on the new owner and the (usage) amount of the asset. If there are multiple assets produced by the specific type of production method determined in step S103, the transmitter / receiver 51 transmits a request to change the specific asset information relating to the asset with the expiration date closest to the current date and time from among these multiple assets. Step S104 is the same process as step S90 in FIG. 15.

[0132] 15, in node 9, the verification unit 93 verifies each piece of information (asset ID, owner, (usage) amount) received in step S90 (S91). This verification is a process of determining whether each piece of information has a predetermined format and content. Next, a case where there is no problem in the verification result will be described.

[0133] Node 9 generates transaction information and changes (or generates) asset information based on the change request of step S90 (S92). The processing of step S92 will now be described in detail with reference to Figs. 17 to 19. Fig. 17 is a flowchart showing the detailed processing of step S92 of Fig. 15, and showing the processing of generating transaction information and changing or generating asset information. Fig. 18 is a conceptual diagram of transaction information and asset information when the amount of electricity usage is equal to or greater than the tradable amount of electricity (S121; YES in Fig. 17). Fig. 19 is a conceptual diagram of transaction information and asset information when the amount of electricity usage is less than the tradable amount of electricity (S121; NO in Fig. 17).

[0134] As shown in FIG. 17, the judgment unit 95 of node 9 judges whether the transaction status managed in the asset information relating to the specific asset indicated by the asset ID received in step S90 is “not yet” (S120).

[0135] (Processing according to transaction status) Here, if the judgment unit 95 judges that the transaction status is "not yet" in the processing of step S120 of FIG. 17, the transmitting and receiving unit 91 transmits a response indicating success in step S93 of FIG. 15. On the other hand, if the judgment unit 95 judges that the transaction status is not "not yet" (i.e., it is "completed") in the processing of step S120 of FIG. 17, the transmitting and receiving unit 91 transmits a response indicating failure in step S93. As a result, the transmitting and receiving unit 51 of the intermediary server 5 receives the response. Note that step S93 is the same processing as step S105 of FIG. 16. The processing of steps S121 to S128 of FIG. 17 will be explained later.

[0136] 16, in the intermediary server 5, the judgment unit 55 judges whether the response content received in step S93 is "success" (S106). If it is "success" (S106; YES), the storage and reading unit 59 adds the content processed in step S103 to the transaction history management DB 5004 by storing it (S107). As a result, for example, the storage and reading unit 59 adds a record indicating the intermediation date and time "2020.1.1 9:00-9:30", the transaction amount "10", the type of production method "solar power", and the total solar power transaction amount "30" to the transaction history management DB 5004 (see FIG. 8(b)).

[0137] On the other hand, if the processing in step S106 is not "successful" (i.e., "failed") (S106; NO), the process returns to the above-mentioned step S103, and the determination unit 53 determines a type of production method other than the type of production method of the asset that has already been determined, based on the transaction content information read in step S101 and the total transaction volume of each asset read in step S102. For example, if the determination unit 53 has already determined "solar power," the determination unit 53 determines "oil" as a type of production method different from "solar power" within the range of the provision target. The subsequent processing is the same as when the type of production method is "solar power" (see S104 to S107, S90 to S93). Note that if the processing in step S106 is not "successful," the process may return to the processing in step S104.

[0138] 15, the transmitter / receiver 51 of the intermediary server 5 transmits a response to the transmission in step S81 to the smart meter 3c (S94). As a result, the transmitter / receiver 31c of the smart meter 3c receives the response from the intermediary server 5. The content of this response indicates the type of production method of the asset for which the ownership has been transferred, and is managed and displayed by the smart meter 3c.

[0139] (Processing when transaction status is not yet completed) Returning to step S120 in FIG. 17, the case where the determination unit 95 determines that the transaction status is "not yet completed" will now be described in more detail.

[0140] If the transaction status is "not yet completed," the judgment unit 95 judges whether the amount of asset usage of the user received in step S90 (here, the amount of electricity consumed by consumer Ca) is equal to or greater than the tradable amount managed in the asset information (S121).

[0141] ((When all available trading volume is used)) If the determination unit 95 determines that the amount of assets used by the user is equal to or greater than the tradable amount managed in the asset information (S121; YES), the transaction processing unit 96 generates second transaction information and adds a block including the second transaction information to the chain of blocks including the first transaction stored in the storage unit 9000 (S122), as shown in Fig. 18. Then, the asset processing unit 97 changes the content of the first asset information in accordance with the second transaction information (S123).

[0142] The processing of steps S122 and S123 will now be described in detail with reference to Figure 18. The first transaction information and first asset information on the left side of Figure 18 are the same as the transaction information and asset information, respectively, in Figure 14. Here, a case will be described in which the smart meter 3a sets the asset owner to the intermediary Da (generation of the first asset information based on the first transaction information), and then the intermediary server 5 changes the asset owner to the consumer Ca (change of the first asset information based on the second transaction information), thereby causing the intermediary Da to mediate the transaction of asset information (asset ownership).

[0143] In step S122, the transaction processing unit 96 generates second transaction information as shown in Fig. 18. This second transaction information indicates a unique transaction ID and the transaction type "asset information transaction." The second transaction information also indicates the date and time of the brokerage of the asset information transaction, the new owner after brokerage, an asset ID for identifying the asset information to be transferred, and the usage amount of the asset (here, electricity) received in step S90.

[0144] Then, in step S123, the asset processing unit 97 changes the first asset information as shown in FIG. 18. In the first asset information, the asset processing unit 97 changes the "(tradable) amount" to "(used) amount" and changes the owner from "intermediary Da" to "consumer Ca." Furthermore, since the entire tradable amount has been used (S121; YES), no more assets can be allocated, and so the asset processing unit 97 changes the transaction status in the first asset information from "not yet" to "completed." Note that asset information whose transaction status has been changed to "completed" in this way will be excluded from future transactions. Therefore, the transaction processing unit 96 does not include asset information whose transaction status is set to "completed" in the transaction type of "asset information transaction." In other words, asset information excluded from transaction targets will not be transferred again.

[0145] As described above, when the entire tradable amount of an asset is used, new asset information is not generated, but the asset information is changed.

[0146] 15, the transmitting / receiving unit 91 of the node 9 transmits a response to the request of step S90 to the relay server 5 (S93). This response indicates whether the processing of the request of step S90 was successful or unsuccessful.

[0147] ((If there is a surplus of trading volume)) On the other hand, in step S121 of Fig. 17, if the determination unit 95 determines that the amount of assets used by the user is less than the tradable amount managed in the asset information (S121; NO), the transaction processing unit 96 generates second transaction information and, as shown in Fig. 19, adds and stores a block including the second transaction information to the chain of blocks including the first transaction stored in the storage unit 9000 (S124). Then, the asset processing unit 97 changes the content of the first asset information in accordance with the second transaction information (S125).

[0148] The processing of steps S124 and S125 will now be described in detail with reference to Figure 19. The first transaction information and first asset information on the left side of Figure 19 are the same as the transaction information and asset information, respectively, in Figure 14. Here, a case will be described in which the smart meter 3a sets the asset owner to the intermediary Da (generation of the first asset information based on the first transaction information), and then the intermediary server 5 changes the asset owner to the consumer Ca (change of the first asset information based on the second transaction information), thereby causing the intermediary Da to mediate the transaction of asset information (asset ownership).

[0149] In step S124, the transaction processing unit 96 generates second transaction information as shown in FIG. 19. This second transaction information indicates a unique transaction ID and a transaction type of "asset information transaction." The "asset information transaction" includes not only an instruction to change the owner in the first asset information, but also an instruction to generate third transaction information used to generate second asset information indicating the ownership of the asset of the surplus usage amount when there is surplus usage. This causes the transaction processing unit 96 to continue processing and generate the third transaction information. The second transaction information also indicates the brokerage date and time when the asset information transaction was brokered, the new owner after brokerage, an asset ID for identifying the asset information to be transferred (traded), and the usage amount of the asset (here, electricity) received in step S90.

[0150] Then, in step S125, the asset processing unit 97 changes the first asset information as shown in FIG. 19. In the first asset information, the asset processing unit 97 changes the "(tradable) amount" to "(usage) amount" and changes the owner from "intermediary Da" to "consumer Ca." Furthermore, because the assets equivalent to the usage amount cannot be further allocated, the asset processing unit 97 changes the transaction status in the first asset information from "not yet" to "completed." However, what is different from the case in FIG. 18 is that there is a surplus tradable amount (S121; NO). Therefore, the transaction processing unit 96 calculates the surplus tradable amount (S126). In this case, the old tradable amount (here, "10") - the usage amount (here, "6") = the surplus tradable amount (here, "4").

[0151] Next, in order to create new asset information for managing the remaining tradable amount, the transaction processing unit 96 generates third transaction information and stores a block including the third transaction information in the chain of blocks including the second transaction stored in the storage unit 9000 (S127), as shown in Fig. 19. Then, the asset processing unit 97 generates second asset information in accordance with the third transaction information and stores it in the storage unit 9000 (S128).

[0152] The processing of steps S127 and S128 will now be described in detail with reference to Figure 19. Here, we will explain a case where, after the intermediary server 5 changes the asset owner to consumer Ca (changing the first asset information based on the second transaction information and generating third transaction information), the intermediary server 5 newly manages the remaining tradable amount at node 9 (generating second asset information based on the third transaction information), and intermediary Da uses the asset information (asset ownership) of the remaining tradable amount as the subject of transaction mediation.

[0153] In step S127, the transaction processing unit 96 generates third transaction information as shown in Fig. 19. This third transaction information has different contents from the first transaction, but indicates the same items. That is, the third transaction information indicates a unique transaction ID and "creation of asset information" as the transaction type. The third transaction information also indicates the provider of the asset information, the date and time when the asset information was provided by the provider, the (tradable) quantity, the type of production method, and the owner.

[0154] Then, in step S108, the asset processing unit 97 generates second asset information as shown in Fig. 19. This second asset information has different contents from the first asset information but the same items. The difference is that the (tradable) amount becomes the amount calculated in step S126 (here, "4").

[0155] As described above, when there is a surplus of the tradable amount of an asset, new asset information indicating the surplus amount is generated.

[0156] After this, the process returns to FIG. 15, and the same processes as steps S93 and S94 are carried out, so a description of these will be omitted.

[0157] <Intermediary processing of production method certificate> Next, the mediation process for an asset production method certificate will be described with reference to Fig. 20. Fig. 20 is a sequence diagram showing the mediation process for an asset production method certificate. In order to prove that the type of production method for the electricity consumed is renewable energy such as solar power, consumer Ca requests intermediary Da to obtain a production method certificate for proving the asset production method from certification authority E. This will be described below.

[0158] As shown in Figure 20, when consumer Ca operates smartphone 2c, the transmitter / receiver 21c transmits a request for a production method certificate for an asset via the communication network 100 (S201). As a result, the transmitter / receiver 51 of the intermediary server 5 receives the request. This request includes a user ID for identifying the user as consumer Ca and transaction period information indicating the period for trading the asset. That is, consumer Ca requests a production method certificate for a specific transaction period, for example, from January 1, 2020 to January 31, 2020.

[0159] Next, the transmitter / receiver 51 of the intermediary server 5 transmits a request for transaction information and asset information to the node 9 of the blockchain network 90 (S202). This request includes the certificate of the user (here, consumer Ca) that the intermediary server 5 previously obtained from the smartphone 2c, information indicating the user (here, consumer Ca) as the owner, and transaction period information. As a result, the transmitter / receiver 91 of the node 9 receives the request. The certificate of the intermediary server 5 is the same as the content transmitted in step S82 above. Furthermore, the transaction period information is the transaction period information received in step S121.

[0160] Next, in node 9, the verification unit 93 verifies the certificate received in step S122 (S203). Certificate verification is a process of determining whether the received certificate is a certificate of a server pre-registered in node 9. Next, a case where the verification result shows no problem will be described.

[0161] Next, the storage and reading unit 99 reads out transaction information and asset information in which consumer Ca is set as the owner within the specified transaction period indicated by the transaction period information received in step S202 (S204). In this case, the storage and reading unit 99 reads out specific transaction information that indicates an intermediation date and time included in the transaction period and indicates that the new owner is consumer Ca. The storage and reading unit 99 also reads out asset information based on the asset ID indicated in the specific transaction information that has been read out.

[0162] Then, the transmitting / receiving unit 91 of the node 9 transmits the requested transaction information and asset information to the intermediary server 5 (S205). As a result, the transmitting / receiving unit 51 of the intermediary server 5 receives the transaction information and asset information.

[0163] Next, in the intermediary server 5, the creation unit 58 creates an application form for the intermediary to submit to the certification authority E based on the transaction information and asset information received in step S205 (S206). This application form is used to apply for a production method certificate to certify the type of production method for the asset.

[0164] Next, as shown in FIG. 1, the intermediary Da sends the application created in step S206 to the certification authority E by mail or the like (S1). The certification authority E then creates an asset production method certificate that certifies that 40% of the electricity consumed by the consumer Ca was produced using renewable energy such as solar power, and sends it to the intermediary Da by mail or the like (S2). The intermediary Da then sends the production method certificate to the consumer Ca by mail or the like (S3). Note that the certification authority E may, if necessary, obtain transaction information and asset information from the blockchain network 90 and check the contents before issuing the production method certificate.

[0165] This completes the intermediation process for the production method certificate by intermediary Da. After receiving the production method certificate, consumer Ca can use it to improve the image of their company or to apply for government subsidies for the use of renewable energy.

[0166] [Major Effects of the Embodiments] As described above, according to this embodiment, the transaction processing unit 96 generates transaction information indicating a transaction for changing the owner indicated in specific asset information (see S120; YES) from the original owner to the user, other than asset information for which a change of owner has already been made (for example, the change has been completed). This prevents ownership that has already been changed to the user from being subject to change again to the user, thereby preventing problems from occurring in asset transactions.

[0167] Furthermore, since the quality of assets such as electricity provided to users is constant, even if the type of production method for the asset is unknown, node 9 of the blockchain network 90 can manage asset information that indicates the type of production method for the asset and the owner of the asset, as well as the transaction information used to generate this asset information, thereby achieving the effect of being able to prove the type of production method without fraud.

[0168] Furthermore, to ensure stable use of electricity, it is necessary to adjust the amount of consumed and produced electricity to be equal in real time (simultaneous equalization). However, because blockchain is a distributed ledger, it takes a certain amount of time to verify the consistency of each ledger information via the network, making it unsuitable for applications such as real-time asset transactions, which require real-time performance. In contrast, in this embodiment, the intermediary server 5 transmits a change request to the blockchain network 90 to change the owner indicated in the asset information managed on the blockchain network 90 from the original owner to the user (consumer Ca) after the consumer Ca has used the asset, rather than when the consumer Ca begins using the asset (S89). This type of processing, such as deferred payment, has the advantage of enabling blockchain-based asset ownership management for applications such as real-time asset transactions, which require real-time performance. Furthermore, because the intermediary server 5 changes the asset information managed on the blockchain network 90 on behalf of the provider (producer Aa, etc.) and the user (consumer Ca, etc.), the provider (producer Aa, etc.) and the user (consumer Ca, etc.) can trade electricity without worrying about changes to the asset information.

[0169] Furthermore, the intermediary server 5 has the effect of being able to be used for purposes such as instant trading of assets such as electricity produced using renewable energy such as solar power by changing the owner of a specific type of asset production method.

[0170] 〔others〕 In the above embodiment, the asset information includes information indicating the owner of the asset, but in some cases, information indicating the owner may not be included. For example, if the user is also a producer and is self-sufficient, there is no need to transfer the asset to another person (other company), so it is sufficient to be able to prove the type of production method.

[0171] In addition, in the above embodiment, electricity is shown as an example of an asset, but this is not limited to this, and includes assets that physically (or actually) exist and assets that do not physically (or actually) exist, as follows:

[0172] Examples of assets that exist physically (or in reality) include foods such as grains, vegetables, fruits, meat, seafood, and processed foods. When the asset is a grain, vegetable, or fruit, the asset information is additional information such as information indicating whether pesticides were used, or information indicating the producer or place of production. When the asset is meat, the asset information is additional information such as information indicating whether the animal was raised using genetically modified crops, or information indicating the producer or place of production. When the asset is a seafood product such as fish or shellfish, the asset information is additional information such as information indicating whether the product is natural or farmed, or information indicating the producer (fisherman) or production area (fishing area). When the asset is a processed product, the asset information is additional information such as information indicating allergens, information indicating whether the asset was processed using genetically modified crops, or information indicating the processor or the location of the processing plant.

[0173] Furthermore, physically (or actually) existing assets include real estate such as land and buildings, and movable assets such as goods or quantities of goods. If the asset is real estate, the asset information is incidental information such as ownership. If the asset is movable, the asset information is incidental information such as ownership.

[0174] On the other hand, assets that do not exist physically (or in reality) include tokens (virtual currencies) or token quantities, carbon dioxide emission rights, rights such as intellectual property rights, contracts, etc. When the asset is a token, the asset information is additional information such as ownership. When the asset is a carbon dioxide emission right, the asset information is additional information such as ownership. When the asset is a right such as intellectual property right, the asset information is additional information such as the owner of the right, the transferee of the right, and the licensee. When the asset is a contract, the asset information is additional information such as the contract terms and performance status. Note that not only contracts but also treaties, agreements, promises, memoranda, notes, etc. are considered to be contracts.

[0175] Furthermore, in the case of postpaid processing, assets include not only electricity but also gas, tap water, telephone calls, etc. In the case of gas, tap water, and telephone calls, asset information is incidental information such as ownership.

[0176] Each of the components such as the CPUs 201, 301, 501, 901, etc. may be a single component or multiple components.

[0177] Each function in the above-described embodiments can be realized by one or more processing circuits. Here, the "processing circuit" in the present embodiment includes a processor programmed to execute each function by software, such as a processor implemented by an electronic circuit, and devices designed to execute each of the above-described functions, such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), an SoC (System on a Chip), a GPU, and a conventional circuit module. [Explanation of symbols]

[0178] 1. Trading System 2. Smartphone (example of registered device) 3 Smart meter (an example of a communication terminal) 4. Power generation equipment 5. Intermediary Server 8 Electrical Equipment 9 nodes 10 Power Transmission and Distribution Network 51 Transmitting and receiving unit (reception unit) 53 Decision Section 90 Blockchain Network 91 Transmitting and receiving unit (an example of receiving means) 95 Judgment Department 96 Transaction Processing Unit 97 Asset Processing Section 100 Communication Network 5001 User management DB 5002 Provider management DB 5003 Transaction Management DB 5004 Transaction history management database [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0179] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6630425

Claims

1. A node in a blockchain network, a transaction processing means for generating first transaction information indicating a transaction used to generate asset information including information indicating an owner of an asset; The transaction processing means generates second transaction information indicating a transaction to change the owner indicated by specific asset information other than asset information for which an owner change has already been made from the original owner to a user.

2. The node according to claim 1, characterized in that the transaction processing means generates the first transaction information indicating a transaction used to generate the asset information, which includes information indicating an owner of the asset and information indicating a type of production method for the asset.

3. The node according to claim 2 , wherein the type of production method indicates that the asset is produced using a predetermined type of resource.

4. The node according to claim 2 , wherein the type of production method indicates a type of production process for the asset.

5. 4. The node according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the asset is electricity, and the type of production method is a production method that uses renewable energy, a production method that uses fossil fuels, or a production method that uses nuclear power.

6. The node according to claim 5, wherein the renewable energy is sunlight, solar heat, wind power, biomass, geothermal heat, hydropower, or atmospheric heat.

7. a node in a blockchain network; an intermediary server that mediates transactions relating to the assets between asset providers and asset users; A trading system comprising: The node a receiving means for receiving a request to change the asset information transmitted by the intermediary server; and transaction processing means for generating second transaction information indicating a transaction for changing the owner indicated by specific asset information other than asset information for which a change of owner has already been made from the original owner to the user in response to the change request.

8. a transaction processing means for generating first transaction information indicating a transaction used to generate asset information including information indicating an owner of an asset; The transaction processing means generates second transaction information indicating a transaction that changes the owner indicated in specific asset information other than asset information for which a change of owner has already been made from the original owner to a user of the asset.

9. A processing method executed by a node in a blockchain network, comprising: performing a transaction processing step of generating first transaction information indicating a transaction used to generate asset information including information indicating an owner of the asset; The processing method is characterized in that the transaction processing step includes a process of generating second transaction information indicating a transaction to change the owner indicated in specific asset information other than asset information for which a change of owner has already been made from the original owner to a user of the asset.

10. A program for causing a computer to execute the processing method according to claim 9.

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