Log distribution system, log distribution method, and program

Abstract

This system provides a log distribution system, method, and program that solicits orders for necessary logs not only from sawmills and log markets but also from forestry businesses, thereby ensuring the early acquisition of logs of the required quality. [Solution] The log distribution system 100 includes a sawmill-side communication terminal owned by a sawmill, a log market-side communication terminal owned by a log market, a forestry business-side communication terminal owned by a forestry business, a sawmill-side communication terminal, a log market-side communication terminal, and a server capable of communicating with the forestry business-side communication terminal. The server has a storage unit that receives inventory information from the log market-side communication terminal and stores the inventory information, an inventory information acquisition unit that transmits the inventory information received from the log market-side communication terminal to the sawmill-side communication terminal, and a log inquiry information dissemination unit that stores log inquiry information received from the sawmill-side communication terminal in the storage unit and transmits it to at least the forestry business-side communication terminal for dissemination. The log inquiry information can specify the quality of the logs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention particularly relates to a log distribution system, a log distribution method, and a program for improving the efficiency of log distribution from forestry operators.

Background Art

[0002] Manufacturers of construction companies, furniture, etc. that finally use wood order wood from pre-cutting companies through design drawings, etc. The pre-cutting companies order logs from sawmills. The sawmills walk around to check which log market has the necessary log inventory, and if there is inventory, they order the logs.

[0003] However, in the current wood distribution mechanism, there are problems such as a long delivery time for the necessary wood to reach manufacturers of construction companies, furniture, etc., and the delivered wood not being of the required grade in terms of quality. It is desired to solve these problems by IT.

[0004] Patent Document 1 describes a configuration in which a CAD center is provided to create member data and processing data for each construction property, the necessary wood information is publicly disclosed on the Internet for each type of member, and orders are solicited from pre-cutting companies.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-236831

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, what is described in Patent Document 1 has a problem that the delivery time becomes long when there is no inventory of logs required in the log market.

[0007] The present invention aims to solve the above problems by soliciting orders for necessary logs not only from the log market but also from forestry businesses, thereby facilitating the early acquisition of logs of the required quality. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To solve the above problems, the present invention provides a log distribution system that facilitates the distribution of logs, The sawmill's own communication terminal, The log market owns a communication terminal on the log market side, A communication terminal owned by a forestry company, The system comprises a server capable of communicating with the sawmill-side communication terminal, the log market-side communication terminal, and the forestry operator-side communication terminal, The aforementioned server, A storage unit that receives inventory information from the log market side communication terminal and stores the inventory information, An inventory information tracking unit that transmits the inventory information received from the log market side communication terminal to the sawmill side communication terminal, The system includes a log sourcing information dissemination unit that stores log sourcing information received from the sawmill's communication terminal in the storage unit and transmits it to at least the forestry operator's communication terminal for dissemination. The aforementioned log procurement information provides a log distribution system characterized by the ability to specify the quality of the logs.

[0009] This configuration allows sawmills to disclose necessary log inquiry information not only to the log market but also to forestry businesses, enabling them to obtain logs of the required quality early.

[0010] In a log distribution system, the log quality information in the log inquiry information may include the presence and location of knots in the log.

[0011] This configuration allows for direct specification of logs of the required quality to forestry companies, improving ordering efficiency.

[0012] In a log distribution system, the log inquiry information dissemination unit may be configured to disseminate log inquiry information when the inventory information transmitted from the log market side communication terminal does not contain the desired log.

[0013] This configuration allows for efficient ordering of desired logs if they are available in the log market.

[0014] Furthermore, in order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a log distribution method that a server executes to facilitate the distribution of logs, The process involves receiving and storing log inventory information from a log market-side communication terminal owned by the log market, and transmitting this inventory information to a sawmill-side communication terminal owned by the sawmill. The system includes a process for disseminating log sourcing information, which involves storing the log sourcing information transmitted from the sawmill's communication terminal and transmitting it to at least one forestry operator's communication terminal. The aforementioned log sourcing information provides a log distribution method characterized by the ability to specify the quality of the logs.

[0015] This configuration allows sawmills to disclose necessary log inquiry information not only to the log market but also to forestry businesses, enabling them to obtain logs of the required quality early.

[0016] Furthermore, in order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a program to be executed by a server to promote the distribution of logs, which includes: an inventory information acquisition step of receiving and storing log inventory information from a log market-side communication terminal owned by a log market and transmitting it to a sawmill-side communication terminal owned by a sawmill; and a log inquiry information dissemination step of storing log inquiry information transmitted from the sawmill-side communication terminal and transmitting it to at least a forestry business-side communication terminal owned by a forestry business for public awareness, wherein the log inquiry information allows for the specification of log quality.

[0017] With this configuration, it is possible to disclose the necessary log bid information not only to the log market but also to forestry operators from the sawmill, and to obtain logs of the required quality at an early stage.

Advantages of the Invention

[0018] With the log distribution system, log distribution method, and program of the present invention, it is possible to disclose the necessary log bid information not only to the log market but also to forestry operators from the sawmill, and to obtain logs of the required quality at an early stage.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019] [Figure 1] It is a diagram for explaining the log distribution system in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a diagram for explaining the log distribution method in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a diagram for explaining an example of information in the log bid information in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 4] It is a diagram showing an example of the log bid information displayed on the forestry operator side communication terminal in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 5] It is a diagram showing an example of the detailed bid information displayed on the forestry operator side communication terminal in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

Examples

[0020] (Log Distribution System) The log distribution system of Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the log distribution system in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the log distribution method in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of information in the log bid information in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the log bid information displayed on the forestry operator side communication terminal in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the detailed bid information displayed on the forestry operator side communication terminal in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0021] As shown in Figure 1, the log distribution system 100 in Example 1 includes a sawmill-side communication terminal 40 owned by the sawmill, log market-side communication terminals 20 (20a, 20b) owned by each log market, forestry business-side communication terminals 30 (30a, 30b) owned by each forestry business, and a server 10.

[0022] Although Figure 1 shows two log market-side communication terminals 20, there may be one or three or more. Similarly, there may be one or three or more forestry-side communication terminals 30. Furthermore, there may be two or more sawmill-side communication terminals 40.

[0023] Server 10 can communicate with the log market side communication terminal 20, the forestry worker side communication terminal 30, and the sawmill side communication terminal 40 via the Internet or other means.

[0024] Server 10 includes an inventory information acquisition unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a log inquiry information dissemination unit 13. The inventory information acquisition unit 11 communicates with each log market-side communication terminal 20 to receive and acquire log inventory information at each log market. The acquired inventory information is stored in the storage unit 12 and also transmitted to the sawmill-side communication terminal 40.

[0025] At the sawmill, this inventory information can be displayed on screens, allowing them to check whether they have the logs needed for orders from pre-cutting companies and furniture manufacturers that are not shown in diagrams. Traditionally, they had to physically visit each log market and visually check the inventory, but this process will be significantly streamlined.

[0026] After checking inventory information, if the required logs are not in stock at any log market, the sawmill-side communication terminal 40 sends log inquiry information to the server 10. The server 10 stores the received log inquiry information in the storage unit 12 and also sends the log inquiry information to each forestry business's communication terminal 30 via the log inquiry information dissemination unit 13 for dissemination. An example of log inquiry information displayed on the forestry business's communication terminal 30 is shown in Figure 4. Figure 4 shows a state where inquiry information from multiple sawmills and multiple log markets is displayed.

[0027] In Example 1, log inquiry information was transmitted from the log inquiry information dissemination unit 13 to each forestry business operator's communication terminal 30 for dissemination, but this is not necessarily limited to this and can be changed as appropriate. For example, the log inquiry information dissemination unit 13 may transmit and make public the log inquiry information only to a specific forestry business operator's communication terminal 30 designated by the unit. In addition, the log inquiry information dissemination unit 13 may transmit and make public the log inquiry information to each log market side communication terminal 20 in addition to each forestry business operator's communication terminal 30, or it may be sufficient to transmit and make public the log inquiry information to at least the forestry business operator's communication terminal 30.

[0028] When forestry workers are performing logging operations in the forest, they may obtain logs that match the log inquiry information. Therefore, they click "Confirm Inquiry Details" for the log inquiry information to check the detailed inquiry details. Clicking "Confirm Inquiry Details" sends a message to the server 10, and detailed inquiry information, as shown in Figure 5, is displayed on the forestry worker's communication terminal 30. Figure 5 shows order information (order information) for cedar and cypress from Kyoto Prefecture, with quality specifications of knot-free (no knots) or small knots (knots of 1 cm or less). The forestry worker checks this display and, if they can accept the order, clicks "Accept Inquiry". Then, the order request is immediately sent to the sawmill's communication terminal 40. The sawmill reviews this order request, and if there are no problems, sends the order information to the server 10. The server 10 sends the transmitted order information to the forestry worker's communication terminal 30 owned by the forestry worker.

[0029] Note that the price of logs may be predetermined by the cooperative or other relevant organization. In such cases, there is no need to negotiate prices at the time of individual orders, and the ordering process can be carried out quickly. However, quality must be specified and confirmed on a case-by-case basis. For example, if a log is to be used in a tokonoma (alcove), it must be straight and knot-free. If it is to be used in a location where two of the four sides are embedded in a wall and only two other sides are visible from inside the room, the two sides visible from inside the room must be knot-free, and the sides that are not visible may have knots.

[0030] In Embodiment 1 of the present invention, this quality information can be included in the log inquiry information described above. This eliminates the need to actually visit the logging site to inspect the logs, and ensures that the ordering and receiving process can be carried out smoothly and efficiently without any quality issues.

[0031] Figure 3 shows an example of information in log inquiry data. In this example, the log includes information such as origin, tree species, top diameter, length, number of logs, quality, and other details. Origin information can be specified as "not specified," "Kyoto Prefecture," or "other regions." Here, specifying "Kyoto Prefecture" can add value as a Kyoto Prefecture brand. Top diameter refers to the thickness (diameter) of the log trunk and can be specified as 16cm, 18cm, 20cm, 30cm, etc. Tree species can be specified as conifers such as cedar, cypress, and pine, or broad-leaved trees such as oak, cherry, and magnolia. Furthermore, the number of logs can be specified for each required length and top diameter.

[0032] Quality information includes details such as whether the lumber is first-grade with knots in all four directions, whether it has knots smaller than 1 cm on any of the four sides, whether it is knot-free in all directions, and whether it is knot-free or knot-free with no knots on adjacent L-shaped or opposite (gutter) sides. Other special information may include requests for curved logs or bifurcated logs.

[0033] (Log distribution method and program) The log distribution method and program in Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 2. Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating the log distribution method in Embodiment 1 of the present invention, in which each step is executed when the program is executed on the server 10.

[0034] First, when a sawmill receives an order for lumber from a pre-cutting company or furniture manufacturer (not shown), the sawmill checks the log inventory information at each log market. Specifically, the log inventory information is sent from each log market's communication terminal 20 periodically or as needed to the server 10, and the server 10 executes a programmatic inventory information acquisition process 61 to grasp the inventory information of each log market. This inventory information is sent to the sawmill's communication terminal 40, where the inventory can be checked on the display screen.

[0035] At the sawmill, an operator checks the availability of the desired logs at each log market by looking at a display screen. If the logs are in stock, the operator sends order information to the server 10, specifying the log market to the log market's communication terminal 20 that has the logs in stock. The server 10 then executes an order information transmission process 64, which sends the instructed order information to the specified log market. If the desired logs are not in stock at any log market, the sawmill requests the dissemination of log inquiry information to each forestry business's communication terminal 30. The server 10 then executes a log inquiry information dissemination process 63, which sends the log inquiry information, including the quality information desired by the sawmill, to each forestry business's communication terminal 30 for dissemination.

[0036] In Example 1, inventory information from a log market was checked, but this is not necessarily limited and may be modified as appropriate. For example, inventory information from forestry businesses may be sent to the server 10.

[0037] In Example 1, the log inquiry information dissemination process 63 involved transmitting log inquiry information to each forestry operator's communication terminal 30 for dissemination, but this is not necessarily limited to this and can be modified as appropriate. For example, the log inquiry information dissemination process 63 could be configured to transmit and make public the log inquiry information only to a designated specific forestry operator's communication terminal 30.

[0038] Then, the forestry worker checks the publicly available or made-to-date log inquiry information, and if there is any that corresponds to, for example, logging work in progress or immediately after logging work, the forestry worker who possesses the log inquiry information sends order request information (received inquiry in Figure 4 or Figure 5) to the server 10. The server 10 then executes an order information transmission process 67, which sends order information to the forestry worker's communication terminal 30 that sent the order request information.

[0039] If no order request information is sent to the server 10 from any forestry company, the server 10 will perform a log inquiry information dissemination process 66, which involves sending log inquiry information to each log market's communication terminal 20 after a predetermined period of time. Then, each log market will place an order for the logs related to that log inquiry information with the forestry company.

[0040] In Example 1, the system was configured to notify the forestry operator's communication terminal 30 of log inquiry information when there were no desired logs at any log market. However, this is not necessarily the only configuration, and modifications can be made as appropriate. For example, the system could be configured to notify both the forestry operator's communication terminal 30 and the log market's communication terminal 20 of log inquiry information when there were no desired logs at any log market. At the very least, the system should be configured to transmit and notify the forestry operator's communication terminal 30 of the log inquiry information.

[0041] Thus, in Embodiment 1, a log distribution system for promoting the distribution of timber comprises: a sawmill-side communication terminal owned by a sawmill; a log market-side communication terminal owned by a log market; a forestry business-side communication terminal owned by a forestry business; and a server capable of communicating with the sawmill-side communication terminal, the log market-side communication terminal, and the forestry business-side communication terminal, wherein the server includes: a storage unit that receives inventory information from the log market-side communication terminal and stores the inventory information; an inventory information acquisition unit that transmits the inventory information received from the log market-side communication terminal to the sawmill-side communication terminal; and a log inquiry information dissemination unit that stores log inquiry information received from the sawmill-side communication terminal in the storage unit and transmits it to at least the forestry business-side communication terminal for dissemination, wherein the log inquiry information is This log distribution system, characterized by its ability to specify log quality, allows sawmills to disclose necessary log inquiry information not only to the log market but also to forestry businesses, thereby facilitating the early acquisition of logs of the required quality.

[0042] Furthermore, a log distribution method executed by a server to promote the distribution of logs comprises: an inventory information acquisition step of receiving and storing log inventory information from a log market-side communication terminal owned by a log market and transmitting it to a sawmill-side communication terminal owned by a sawmill; and a log inquiry information dissemination step of storing log inquiry information transmitted from the sawmill-side communication terminal and transmitting it to at least a forestry business-side communication terminal owned by a forestry business, wherein the log inquiry information allows for the specification of log quality. This log distribution method enables sawmills to disclose necessary log inquiry information not only to log markets but also to forestry businesses, thereby facilitating the early acquisition of logs of the required quality.

[0043] Furthermore, a program to be executed on a server to promote the distribution of logs includes: an inventory information acquisition step, which receives and stores log inventory information from a log market-side communication terminal owned by a log market, and transmits it to a sawmill-side communication terminal owned by a sawmill; and a log inquiry information dissemination step, which stores log inquiry information transmitted from the sawmill-side communication terminal, and transmits it to at least a forestry business-side communication terminal owned by a forestry business for public awareness, wherein the log inquiry information allows for the specification of log quality. By executing such a program on a server, it is possible to make necessary log inquiry information available not only to log markets but also to forestry businesses, thereby facilitating the early acquisition of logs of the required quality. [Industrial applicability]

[0044] The log distribution system, log distribution method, and program of the present invention can be widely applied to the field of log and timber distribution. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0045] 10: Server 11: Inventory information tracking unit 12: Storage unit 13: Log Inquiry Information Dissemination Department 20 (20a, 20b): Log market side communication terminal 30: Communication terminal for forestry workers 40: Sawmill side communication terminal 61: Inventory Information Acquisition Process 63: Log Inquiry Information Dissemination Process 64: Order Information Transmission Process 66: Log Inquiry Information Dissemination Process 67: Order Information Transmission Process 100: Log Distribution System

Claims

1. A log distribution system that promotes the distribution of logs, The sawmill's own communication terminal, The log market owns a communication terminal on the log market side, A communication terminal owned by a forestry company, The system comprises a server capable of communicating with the sawmill-side communication terminal, the log market-side communication terminal, and the forestry operator-side communication terminal, The aforementioned server, A storage unit that receives inventory information from the log market side communication terminal and stores the inventory information, An inventory information tracking unit that transmits the inventory information received from the log market side communication terminal to the sawmill side communication terminal, The system includes a log sourcing information dissemination unit that stores log sourcing information received from the sawmill's communication terminal in the storage unit and transmits it to at least the forestry operator's communication terminal for dissemination. The log distribution system is characterized by the ability to specify the quality of the logs based on the log inquiry information.

2. The log distribution system according to claim 1, characterized in that the quality of the log in the log inquiry information includes the presence and location of knots in the log.

3. The log distribution system according to claim 1, characterized in that the log inquiry information dissemination unit disseminates log inquiry information when the inventory information transmitted from the log market side communication terminal does not contain the desired log.

4. A method for distributing logs that is implemented by a server to facilitate the distribution of logs, The process involves receiving and storing log inventory information from a log market-side communication terminal owned by the log market, and transmitting this inventory information to a sawmill-side communication terminal owned by the sawmill. The system includes a process for disseminating log sourcing information, which involves storing the log sourcing information transmitted from the sawmill's communication terminal and transmitting it to at least one forestry operator's communication terminal. The log distribution method is characterized in that the log sourcing information allows for the specification of log quality.

5. This is a program that is run on a server to facilitate the distribution of logs. The process involves receiving and storing log inventory information from a log market-side communication terminal owned by the log market, and transmitting this inventory information to a sawmill-side communication terminal owned by the sawmill. The log sourcing information transmitted from the sawmill's communication terminal is stored, and the log sourcing information dissemination process is performed, which involves transmitting the log sourcing information to at least the forestry operator's communication terminal owned by the forestry operator for dissemination. The aforementioned log sourcing information is a program to be executed by a server, characterized in that it allows specifying the quality of the logs.

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