Information processing system and information processing method

Abstract

Ensure traceability of recycled products after they have been distributed. [Solution] The information processing system of this disclosure comprises a first information processing device, a second information processing device, and a storage resource. The storage resource stores product information. The first information processing device updates a value indicating the usage status included in the product information of the target recycled product in accordance with a notification from a terminal of a person involved with the target recycled product. The second information processing device determines for each recycled product whether the value indicating the usage status has been updated within a predetermined period. If there is a particular recycled product for which the value indicating the usage status has not been updated within the predetermined period, the second information processing device estimates the current usage status of the particular recycled product from the value indicating the usage status of the particular recycled product at the point in time when it was determined that the update had not been performed within the predetermined period, according to a given rule.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing system and an information processing method.

Background Art

[0002] The server device proposed in Patent Document 1 includes a storage device and a control unit that store product information related to products of each company included in a supply chain for each company. The supply chain has a structure of three or more layers, and an upstream company and a downstream company are defined between the companies in each two adjacent hierarchies. The control unit receives, from the account of the upstream company, a permission instruction including a designation of a downstream company that is permitted to access the first product information related to the upstream product of the upstream company. Of the first product information to which access is permitted by the permission instruction, the control unit receives, from the account of the downstream company, an association request including a selection of the first product information to be associated with the second product information related to the downstream product of the downstream company. Then, in response to the received association request, the control unit generates association information indicating the association relationship specified by the association request.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] One of the objectives of the present disclosure is to provide a technique for ensuring traceability after distribution of recycled products.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] An information processing system according to a first aspect of this disclosure comprises a first information processing device, a second information processing device, and a storage resource. The first information processing device comprises a first control unit and is configured to access the storage resource. The second information processing device comprises a second control unit and is configured to access the storage resource. The storage resource stores product information for each recycled product, including identification information of the recycled product and a value indicating its usage status. The first control unit of the first information processing device is configured to receive a notification from a terminal of a person concerned with the target recycled product, which includes identification information of the target recycled product and concerns the usage status of the target recycled product; to access the product information of the target recycled product from the product information stored in the storage resource using the identification information contained in the received notification; and to update the value indicating the usage status contained in the accessed product information of the target recycled product in accordance with the received notification. The second control unit of the second information processing device is configured to determine for each recycled product whether or not the value indicating the usage status has been updated within a predetermined period in the product information stored in the memory resource; if there is a particular recycled product among the recycled products for which the value indicating the usage status has not been updated within the predetermined period, to estimate the current usage status of that particular recycled product from the value indicating the usage status of that particular recycled product at the point in time when it was determined that the update had not been performed within the predetermined period, according to a given rule, and to output information regarding the result of estimating the current usage status of the particular recycled product.

[0006] The information processing method relating to the second aspect of this disclosure is performed by a first computer and a second computer configured to access a storage resource that stores product information, including identification information and values ​​indicating usage status of the recycled product, for each recycled product. The information processing method involves the first computer receiving a notification from a terminal of a person concerned with the target recycled product, which includes identification information of the target recycled product and concerns the usage status of the target recycled product, and the first The process includes: a computer accessing product information of the target recycled product from the product information stored in a memory resource using identification information contained in a received notification; a first computer updating a value indicating usage status included in the accessed product information of the target recycled product in accordance with the received notification; a second computer determining for each recycled product whether the value indicating usage status has been updated within a predetermined period in the product information stored in the memory resource; if there is a particular recycled product among the recycled products for which the value indicating usage status has not been updated within a predetermined period, the second computer estimating the current usage status of that particular recycled product from the value indicating usage status of that particular recycled product at the point in time when it was determined that the update had not been performed within the predetermined period, according to a given rule; and the second computer outputting information regarding the results of the estimation of the current usage status of the particular recycled product. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] This disclosure provides technology for ensuring traceability of recycled products after they have been distributed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 schematically illustrates an example of a scenario in which this disclosure applies. [Figure 2] Figure 2 schematically illustrates an example of a scenario in which this disclosure applies. [Figure 3] Figure 3 schematically shows an example of a recycled product. [Figure 4] Figure 4 schematically shows an example of how recycled products are used after distribution. [Figure 5] Figure 5 schematically shows an example of the structure of product information. [Figure 6] Figure 6 schematically illustrates an example of a given rule. [Figure 7] Figure 7 schematically shows an example of the hardware configuration of the first information processing device. [Figure 8]Figure 8 schematically shows an example of the hardware configuration of the second information processing unit. [Figure 9] Figure 9 schematically shows an example of the software configuration of the first information processing device. [Figure 10] Figure 10 schematically shows an example of the software configuration of the second information processing device. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure for updating usage status by the first information processing device. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure for estimating the current usage status by the second information processing device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The system proposed in Patent Document 1 ensures traceability of information (such as carbon footprint) related to the manufacturing process of products such as batteries. On the other hand, in order to realize a sustainable society, it is desirable to increase the recycling rate of manufactured products. In order to increase the recycling rate, it is desirable to ensure traceability of the usage status (condition) of products even after they have been distributed. The system proposed in Patent Document 1 can ensure traceability in the manufacturing process before the product is distributed, but it is difficult to ensure traceability after distribution.

[0010] In contrast, the information processing system according to the first aspect of this disclosure comprises a first information processing device, a second information processing device, and a storage resource. The first information processing device comprises a first control unit and is configured to access the storage resource. The second information processing device comprises a second control unit and is configured to access the storage resource. The storage resource stores product information for each recycled product, including identification information of the recycled product and values ​​indicating its usage status. The first control unit of the first information processing device receives a notification from a terminal of a person concerned with the target recycled product, which includes identification information of the target recycled product and concerns the usage status of the target recycled product; uses the identification information contained in the received notification to access the product information of the target recycled product from the product information stored in the storage resource; and processes the target recycled product according to the received notification. The second information processing device is configured to update the usage status value included in the product information accessed by the recycled product. The second control unit of the second information processing device is configured to determine for each recycled product whether the usage status value has been updated within a predetermined period in the product information stored in the memory resource, and if there is a particular recycled product whose usage status value has not been updated within the predetermined period, to estimate the current usage status of that particular recycled product from the usage status value of that particular recycled product at the point in time when it was determined that the update had not been performed within the predetermined period, according to a given rule, and to output information regarding the result of estimating the current usage status of that particular recycled product.

[0011] In the first aspect of this disclosure, traceability of the usage status of recycled products after distribution and while they are being used legitimately can be ensured through notifications from the terminals of those involved. In addition, recycled products may deviate from legitimate usage routes, such as being exported overseas or being illegally used domestically. When they deviate from legitimate usage routes, updates to usage status may cease. However, for example, if the recycled product is a battery installed in a product, and updates to usage status cease at the stage of secondhand sales, it is highly likely that this battery was exported overseas while still installed in the product or is being illegally used domestically. In other words, the cause of the cessation of updates to usage status can be estimated to some extent from the usage status immediately before the updates ceased. Therefore, this configuration can be expected to ensure proper traceability of recycled products after they have been distributed.

[0012] The form of this disclosure is not limited to the information processing system described above. As another form of the information processing system relating to the above aspect, one aspect of this disclosure may be at least one of an information processing device, an information processing method, a program, and a machine-readable storage medium that stores such a program, which implements at least a part of each of the above components. Here, a machine-readable storage medium may be a non-temporary medium that stores information such as a program by electrical, magnetic, optical, mechanical, or chemical action. A non-temporary storage medium may include storage media (CDs, DVDs, semiconductor memory, etc.), auxiliary storage devices of a computer, external storage devices connected to a computer, etc.

[0013] An information processing method according to a second aspect of the present disclosure is executed by a first computer and a second computer that are configured to be accessible to a storage resource that stores, for each recycled product, product information including identification information of the recycled product and a value indicating a usage status of the recycled product. The information processing method includes: the first computer receiving a notification related to the usage status of a target recycled product, the notification including identification information of the target recycled product, from a terminal of a party concerned with the target recycled product; the first computer accessing the product information of the target recycled product among the product information stored in the storage resource, using the identification information included in the received notification; the first computer updating the value indicating the usage status included in the accessed product information of the target recycled product in accordance with the received notification; the second computer determining, for each recycled product, whether or not an update of the value indicating the usage status has been performed within a predetermined period in the product information stored in the storage resource; when there exists a noted recycled product for which the update of the value indicating the usage status has not been performed within the predetermined period among the recycled products, the second computer estimating the current usage status of the noted recycled product from the value indicating the usage status of the noted recycled product at a noted time point at which it is determined that the update has not been performed within the predetermined period, in accordance with a given rule; and the second computer outputting information related to a result of estimating the current usage status of the noted recycled product.

[0014] Hereinafter, an embodiment according to one aspect of the present disclosure will be described based on the drawings. However, the following The embodiment to be described is merely an illustration of the present disclosure in all respects. Various improvements or modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In implementing the present disclosure, a specific configuration according to the embodiment may be appropriately adopted. Note that although the data appearing in the present embodiment is described in natural language, more specifically, the data is specified by a pseudo-language, commands, parameters, machine language, electrical signals, or the like that can be recognized by a machine such as a computer.

[0015] [1 Application Example] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 schematically show an example of a scenario to which the present disclosure is applied. The information processing system SY according to the present embodiment includes a first information processing apparatus 1, a second information processing apparatus 2, and a storage resource M1. The first information processing apparatus 1 and the second information processing apparatus 2 are configured to be accessible to the storage resource M1. The storage resource M1 stores product information 3 including identification information 4 of each recycled product RP and a value 5 indicating the usage status thereof, for each recycled product RP.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the first information processing apparatus 1 is one or more computers configured to update the value 5 indicating the usage status included in the product information 3 in response to a notification from a terminal of a relevant party. The first information processing apparatus 1 is an example of the first computer of the present disclosure. In the present embodiment, the first information processing apparatus 1 receives, from the terminal T1 of the relevant party U1 of the target recycled product RP1, a notification N1 including the identification information 40 of the target recycled product RP1, the notification N1 relating to the usage status of the target recycled product RP1. The target recycled product RP1 is the recycled product RP that is the target for which the usage status is to be reported via the notification N1. The first information processing apparatus 1 uses the identification information 40 included in the received notification N1 to access the product information 30 of the target recycled product RP1 among the product information 3 stored in the storage resource M1. That is, the first information processing apparatus 1 uses the identification information 40 as a query to extract the product information 30 of the target recycled product RP1 from the product information 3. The identification information 40 and the value 50 indicating the usage status included in the product information 30 of the target recycled product RP1 are the identification information 4 and the value 5 indicating the usage status of the target recycled product RP1. The first information processing apparatus 1 updates the value 50 indicating the usage status included in the accessed product information 30 of the target recycled product RP1 in accordance with the received notification N1.

[0017] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 2, the second information processing device 2 is one or more computers configured to estimate the current usage status of recycled products RP according to a value 5 indicating usage status included in the product information 3. The second information processing device 2 is an example of a second computer. In this embodiment, the second information processing device 2 determines for each recycled product RP whether or not the value 5 indicating usage status has been updated within a predetermined period in the product information 3 stored in the memory resource M1. If there is a particular recycled product RP5 among the recycled products RP whose value 5 (55) indicating usage status has not been updated within a predetermined period, the second information processing device 2 estimates the current usage status of the particular recycled product RP5 from the value 55 indicating usage status of the particular recycled product RP5 at the point in time when it was determined that the update had not been performed within the predetermined period, according to a given rule PR. The particular recycled product RP5 is a recycled product RP whose value 5 indicating usage status has not been updated within a predetermined period. The identification information 45 and the value 55 indicating usage status included in the product information 35 of the particular recycled product RP5 are the identification information 4 and the value 5 indicating usage status of the particular recycled product RP5. The value 55, which indicates the usage status at the time of interest, may be the value 5, which indicates the most recent usage status updated immediately before it was determined that no updates had been made within the predetermined period. The second information processing device 2 outputs information regarding the result 6 of the estimation of the current usage status of the recycling product RP5 of interest.

[0018] In this embodiment, the information processing of the first information processing device 1 ensures traceability of the usage status of the recycled product RP after distribution and while it is being properly operated, based on the notification N1 from the terminal T1 of the person concerned U1. In addition, there are cases where recycled products deviate from the legitimate operating route. If they deviate from the legitimate operating route, the updating of usage status will cease. It is possible. However, as stated above, the reason why the usage status update ceased can be estimated to some extent from the usage status immediately before the update ceased. In other words, the options for the reason why the usage status update ceased can be narrowed down to a certain range depending on the usage status immediately before the update ceased. In this embodiment, by utilizing this, the information processing of the second information processing device 2 makes it possible to track with a certain degree of accuracy the current usage status of the recycled product RP (the recycled product of interest RP5) after the usage status update ceased, based on monitoring whether or not the usage status was updated within a predetermined period. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to expect appropriate traceability of the recycled product RP after distribution.

[0019] (Recycled products) The types of recycled products (RPs) are not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the embodiment. Recycled products (RPs) may be any material that can be recycled. For example, a recycled product (RP) may be a product containing valuable materials. Valuable materials may include, for example, PGMs (platinum group metals), rare metals, etc. Rare metals may include, for example, lithium, vanadium, manganese, cobalt, nickel, gallium, tantalum, indium, tungsten, etc. Rare metals may also include rare earth metals. Rare earth metals may include, for example, cerium, neodymium, dysprosium, etc. Recycled products (RPs) may include, for example, catalytic converters, electronic devices (mobile terminals, etc.), batteries, etc.

[0020] Figure 3 schematically shows an example of a recycled product RP according to this embodiment. In one example, the recycled product RP may be a battery BP mounted on a product MV. When the recycled product RP is a battery BP, the target recycled product RP1 may be called the target battery BP1, and the recycled product of interest RP5 may be called the battery of interest BP5. The type of battery BP (target battery BP1, battery of interest BP5) is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the embodiment. Battery BP may include, for example, lithium-ion batteries (including all-solid-state batteries), nickel-metal hydride batteries, lead-acid batteries, sodium batteries, redox flow batteries, air batteries, multivalent ion batteries, fluorine batteries, etc. The form of the battery BP is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the embodiment. In one example, the battery BP may be a battery pack. A battery pack may consist of multiple cells (single cells) or multiple modules (battery packs). A module may consist of multiple cells. A module may be called a stack. The battery pack may be obtained directly from multiple cells, or from multiple cells via a module (stack). In another example, the battery pack may be a cell (single cell) or a module (battery pack). According to this example, it is possible to ensure proper traceability of the battery pack after distribution of the product MV.

[0021] The types of product MV are not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the embodiment. Product MV may include all types of products in which batteries (battery BP) subject to recycling can be installed. As shown in Figure 3, in one example, product MV may be a vehicle. This allows for the proper assurance of traceability of battery BP after distribution after it has been installed in the vehicle. The vehicle may include an electric vehicle.

[0022] In another example, product MV may be any product other than a vehicle. For example, product MV may be mobility other than vehicles, stationary battery storage systems, mobile devices, other electrical products (electrical machinery and equipment), etc. Mobility other than vehicles may include, for example, bicycles, flying vehicles, etc. Flying vehicles may include drones. Mobile devices may include portable devices (smartphones, tablet devices, etc.). Other electrical products may include traffic signals, level crossing safety devices, alarms, lighting fixtures, batteries for charging stations, etc. Lighting fixtures may include lamps, floodlights (lighting for sports facilities, etc.), etc.

[0023] (Usage status) The types of utilization status of recycled products (RP) may be defined as appropriate depending on the embodiment. For example, the types of utilization status may be defined to distinguish whether or not the recycled product (RP) is being used. In addition, the types of utilization status may be defined to further distinguish between the stages of being used and not being used. The types of utilization status may also be defined without distinguishing between the stages of being used and not being used.

[0024] Figure 4 schematically shows an example of the transition in the utilization status of the recycled product RP after it has been distributed according to this embodiment. In this example, the types of utilization status may include "in use" and "not in use". "In use" indicates a situation where the recycled product RP has been used n times (n is a natural number) by a user. At the "in use" stage, the status of primary use, secondary use, etc. may or may not be distinguished. "Not in use" indicates a situation where the recycled product RP is not being used. The status at the "not in use" stage may or may not be distinguished. When the status at the "not in use" stage is distinguished, the types of status may be appropriately defined according to the embodiment. In this example, "not in use" may include at least one of the following: being sold secondhand, registered for disposal, collected, being recycled, and recycled.

[0025] During the secondhand sale period, it may indicate that the product is being offered for sale by a reseller (user, secondhand dealer, etc.). Disposal registration may indicate that the user has finished using the recycled product RP and is making it available for collection for recycling. Disposal registration may include, for example, expressing the intention to dispose of the product, or disposing of it in a designated manner. Disposing of it in a designated manner may include, for example, requesting disposal from a designated company, or taking it to a designated regular collection point or disposal facility. Collection may indicate that the recycled product RP registered for disposal is being collected and transported to a recycling facility for recycling. During recycling, it may indicate that the product is being subjected to recycling processing at a recycling facility, such as being regenerated into recycled material (detoxification, refining, etc.). Completed recycling may indicate that the regeneration into recycled material has been completed.

[0026] The transition route for usage status may be appropriately constructed depending on the embodiment, such as the type of recycled product RP. For example, a recycled product RP may be used by a user after being sold by a seller (primary use). In this case, the usage status of the recycled product RP may start from "in use". The recycled product RP may be inspected by an inspector while in use. A recycled product RP in use may be put up for sale by the user. Alternatively, the user may sell the recycled product RP to a reseller (used goods dealer, etc.). In this case, the usage status of the recycled product RP may transition from "in use" to "for sale secondhand (not in use)". A recycled product RP that has been put up for sale by a reseller (user, used goods dealer, etc.) may be purchased by a user. In this case, the usage status of the recycled product RP may return from "for sale secondhand (not in use)" to "in use".

[0027] Recycled products (RPs) that are in use or being sold secondhand may be submitted for disposal registration by the user or reseller. This may change the status of the recycled product RP from in use or being sold secondhand to disposal registration. Disposal registration may be confirmed by an inspector, certification body, or other organization involved in disposal. Disposal registration recycled products RPs may be collected by collection companies, recycling companies, or processing companies. This may change the status of the recycled product RPs from disposal registration to collection. Collection may be confirmed by a certification body. At the stage of disposal registration or collection, recycled products RPs may be offered for reuse by reuse companies or repurposed by repurpose companies. This may change the status of the recycled product RPs from disposal registration or collection back to being sold secondhand or in use.

[0028] The collected recycled products (RP) may be subjected to recycling by a processing company. Thus, the utilization status of the recycled products (RP) may transition from collection to recycling. Upon completion of the recycling process, the usage status of the recycled product RP may transition from "in the process of recycling" to "recycled." The "in the process of recycling" and "recycled" statuses may be verified by a certification body. Once recycling is complete, the recycled material is used in a new product. Therefore, tracing the original state (recycled product RP) may be terminated. Note that the above usage status and transition route are merely examples. The usage status and transition route are not limited to the example in Figure 4 and may be modified as appropriate depending on the embodiment.

[0029] (Related parties) The stakeholders U1 may be selected as appropriate depending on the embodiment. Stakeholders U1 may include any person (natural person, legal person) who may be involved in the recycling of the product RP. For example, stakeholders U1 may include sellers, users, resellers, inspectors, other organizations involved in disposal, collection companies, recyclers, reuse companies, repurpose companies, processing companies, certification bodies (accredited organizations), etc. Sellers may be those who sell the recycled product RP. Sellers may include manufacturers (producers) and distributors (dealers, etc.). If the recycled product RP is a battery BP installed in a vehicle, sellers may include vehicle manufacturers, dealers, etc. Users may include end users and service providers. Resellers may include users and resellers (used goods dealers, etc.). Inspectors may be those who inspect the recycled product RP. If the recycled product RP is a battery BP installed in a vehicle, inspectors may include vehicle inspection companies, etc. Other organizations involved in disposal may include organizations that act as agents for producer responsibility, other non-profit organizations, etc. A collection company may be a company that collects registered recycled products (RP) for disposal. A processing company may be a company that performs recycling processes, such as detoxification companies or re-refining companies. A certification body may include, for example, a third-party organization that grants certification for disposal, collection, recycling, etc. A certification body may also be called an accredited body.

[0030] Notification N1 for reporting the usage status of the subject may be sent by any party involved in the usage status of the subject. The usage status of the subject may be identified as appropriate by notification N1 from this party. For example, "in use" may be identified by notification N1 from a seller, user, inspector, reuse company, or repurpose company. A seller may send notification N1 reporting "in use" at the time of sale. A user may periodically send notification N1 reporting "in use" while using the recycled product RP. An inspector may send notification N1 reporting "in use" when inspecting a recycled product RP that is in use. A reuse company may send notification N1 reporting "in use" when reusing the product. A repurpose company may send notification N1 reporting "in use" when repurposing the product.

[0031] Reuse may involve using at least a portion of a recycled product (RP) in a new product. Repurposed products may involve using the recycled product (RP) as is in a new product. In one example, a new product obtained through reuse or repurposed products may continue to be treated as a recycled product (RP). If a new product is obtained from multiple recycled product (RP), the new product may be treated as multiple recycled product (RP). In another example, a new product obtained through reuse or repurposed products may be treated as a new recycled product (RP). Furthermore, the product information (3) of the new product may use the product information (3) of the original recycled product (RP) as is. The product information (3) of the new product may be newly created. The newly created product information (3) may be appropriately associated with the product information (3) of the original recycled product (RP). In this way, the product information (3) of the original recycled product (RP) may be managed together with the product information (3) of the new product.

[0032] For example, "For Sale Secondhand" may be identified by a notification N1 from a reseller, reuse business, or repurpose business. A reseller may send a notification N1 reporting "For Sale Secondhand" when putting a recycled product RP up for sale. A reuse business may send a notification N1 reporting "For Sale Secondhand" when providing a recycled product RP for secondhand sale through reuse. Pass providers may send a notification N1 reporting "Currently for Sale" when they provide recycled products RP for second-hand sale through a repurchase pass.

[0033] For example, “Disposal Registration” may be identified by a notification N1 from a user, reseller, inspector, certification body, or other organization involved in disposal. A user or reseller may send a notification N1 reporting “Disposal Registration” when registering disposal. An inspector or other organization involved in disposal may send a notification N1 reporting “Disposal Registration” when involved in the disposal registration of recycled product RP. A certification body may send a notification N1 reporting “Disposal Registration” when certifying the disposal registration of recycled product RP.

[0034] For example, “collection” may be identified by a notification N1 from a collection company, recycler, processing company, or certification body. A collection company, recycler, or processing company may send a notification N1 reporting “collection” when it is involved in the collection of a recycled product RP. A certification body may send a notification N1 reporting “collection” when it certifies the collection of a recycled product RP.

[0035] Furthermore, for example, "recycling in progress" or "recycled" may be specified by a notification N1 from the processing operator or certification body. A processing operator may send a notification N1 reporting "recycling in progress" when submitting a recycled product RP for recycling or when commencing the recycling process. A processing operator may send a notification N1 reporting "recycled" when the recycling of the recycled product RP is completed. A certification body may send a notification N1 reporting "recycling in progress" when it certifies that a recycled product RP has been submitted for recycling. A certification body may send a notification N1 reporting "recycled" when it certifies the completion of the recycling of the recycled product RP. Note that the above correspondence between each party U1 and the reported usage status is merely an example. The correspondence between each party U1 and the reported usage status is not limited to the above example and may be appropriately changed depending on the embodiment.

[0036] (terminal) The type of terminal T1 is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the embodiment. For example, if the recycled product RP is a computer, terminal T1 may be the recycled product RP. That is, the recycled product RP may operate as terminal T1. For example, if the recycled product RP is involved with a computer, such as the recycled product RP being installed in a product that includes a computer, terminal T1 may be the computer involved with the recycled product RP. For example, if the recycled product RP is a battery BP installed in a vehicle, and the vehicle is equipped with an on-board device (computer), terminal T1 may include the on-board device. For example, terminal T1 may be a computer separate from the recycled product RP. For example, terminal T1 may be a computer unrelated to the recycled product RP. Terminal T1 may be, for example, an embedded computer, a general-purpose PC (Personal Computer), a mobile terminal, etc. A general-purpose PC is a desktop PC. C may include notebook PCs, etc. Mobile devices may include user devices such as smartphones and tablet devices.

[0037] (notification) Notification N1 may be sent at any time. In one example, terminal T1 may manually send notification N1 through an operation by stakeholder U1. In another example, terminal T1 may automatically (autonomously) send notification N1. When generating notification N1, identification information 40 and usage status to be reported may be obtained by any method. In one example, identification information 40 and usage status may be obtained manually through input by stakeholder U1. Input by stakeholder U1 may be in any method, such as inputting in a restricted format (e.g., limited to numerical input), inputting in a free format, or selecting from one or more candidates stored in terminal T1. In another example, at least one of the identification information 40 and usage status may be used for recycled product RP. The information may be obtained at least partially automatically by any means, such as querying the system or accessing stored information (identification information, usage information).

[0038] Furthermore, the configuration of the notification N1 regarding usage status is not particularly limited, and can be determined appropriately depending on the embodiment, as long as the usage status can be reported to the first information processing device 1. In one example, the notification N1 may include a value indicating the usage status to be reported, along with the identification information 40. In this way, the notification N1 may be configured to directly indicate the usage status of the target recycled product RP1 identified by the identification information 40. The value indicating the usage status to be reported is the value (value 50) indicating the usage status after it has been updated by the first information processing device 1. The first information processing device 1 can update the value 50 indicating the usage status by replacing the value 50 indicating the usage status included in the product information 30 extracted by the identification information 40 with the value included in the notification N1. In another example, the notification N1 may include information (such as free-form input information) configured to indicate the usage status to be reported in a format other than the value indicating the usage status, along with the identification information 40. In this way, the notification N1 may be configured to indirectly indicate the usage status of the target recycled product RP1. The first information processing device 1 may identify a value indicating the updated usage status from the information contained in notification N1 using any method such as a rule-based system. The first information processing device 1 can update the usage status value 50 by replacing the usage status value 50 contained in product information 30 with the identified value. If the past history of usage status is not retained, the update (replacement) may be an overwrite. If the past history of usage status is retained, the update (replacement) may be a new registration. The original value may be appropriately stored in product information 30 (product information 3), etc.

[0039] (Product Information) In memory resource M1, product information 3 may be stored in any way. For example, memory resource M1 may store database D1. Product information 3 may be stored in memory resource M1 by being stored in database D1. The data format of database D1 is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the embodiment. For example, any format such as a relational database or a blockchain platform may be adopted for the data format of database D1 (product information 3).

[0040] The composition of product information 3 is not particularly limited, and may be determined as appropriate depending on the embodiment, as long as it includes identification information 4 and a value 5 indicating usage status. Product information 3 may consist of identification information 4 and a value 5 indicating usage status. Product information 3 may further include any information other than identification information 4 and a value 5 indicating usage status regarding the recycled product RP.

[0041] Figure 5 schematically shows an example of the configuration of product information 3(30, 35) according to this embodiment. In one example, product information 3(30, 35) may include fields for storing identification information 4(40, 45), usage status values ​​5(50, 55), and the result 6 of the estimated current usage status. Product information 3(30, 35) may also be referred to as product data, etc.

[0042] The format of the identification information 4(40, 45) is not particularly limited, and may be appropriately selected depending on the embodiment, as long as it can identify the corresponding recycled product RP. The identification information 4(40, 45) may include BIN (Battery Identification Number), UUID (Universally Unique Identifier), IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity), and other manufacturing information. A publicly known format such as a number (serial number) may be used. Identification information 4(40, 45) may be generated as appropriate during the manufacturing of the corresponding recycled product RP (e.g., numbering). For generating identification information 4(40, 45), a publicly known assignment method such as the BIN numbering method, the UUID numbering method, or the IMEI numbering method may be used.

[0043] If the usage status can be identified, the data format of value 5 (50, 55) is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the embodiment. As described above, in one example, the type of usage status The distinction may include both "in use" and "not in use." Within the "in use" stage, the status of primary use, secondary use, etc., may or may not be distinguished. The status in the "not in use" stage may or may not be distinguished. For example, the "not in use" category may include at least one of the following: being sold secondhand, registered for disposal, collected, being recycled, and already recycled.

[0044] Furthermore, the update date and time may be stored in association with the usage status value 5(50, 55). Product information 3(30, 35) may further include a field for storing the update date and time. The update date and time may indicate the date and time when the usage status value 5(50, 55) was updated. That is, the update date and time field may store the date and time when the latest usage status value 5(50, 55) was stored in the usage status field (the usage status field was updated). The time unit and format of the update date and time are not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the embodiment, as long as it is possible to determine whether or not an update was made within a predetermined period. There may be an acceptable error between the update date and time stored in the field and the actual update date and time.

[0045] In one example, in product information 3, the value 5(50, 55) indicating past usage may be maintained as past history. That is, updating the value 5(50, 55) indicating usage may be done by new registration. The usage field may be configured to store multiple values ​​5(50, 55). Alternatively, product information 3 may have a separate field for storing the value 5(50, 55) indicating past usage. Past history may be automatically deleted when certain conditions are met (e.g., after a certain period of time, or when the number of registrations exceeds a threshold). Past history may also be manually deleted by an operator. In another example, the value 5(50, 55) indicating past usage may be deleted upon update. That is, updating the value 5(50, 55) indicating usage may be done by overwriting.

[0046] The result 6, which estimates the current usage status, may be written by any computer, such as the second information processing device 2. The data format of the result 6 is not particularly limited, and can be appropriately selected depending on the embodiment, as long as the estimated current usage status can be identified. If the result 6, which estimates the current usage status, is not written to the product information 3 (30, 35), the estimation result field for storing the result 6 may be omitted.

[0047] Product information 3 may further include one or more fields for storing information about recycled product RPs other than those mentioned above. For example, product information 3 may further include a field for storing owner information. The owner information may be configured as appropriate to indicate the owner (individual, corporation, etc.) of the corresponding recycled product RP. For example, product information 3 may further include a field for storing the manufacturing date of the corresponding recycled product RP.

[0048] For example, when a new recycled product RP is obtained through reuse or repurpose, new product information 3 may be created for the obtained new recycled product RP. In this case, product information 3 may further include fields that store at least one of the associations from the new recycled product RP to the original recycled product RP, and the association from the original recycled product RP to the new recycled product RP. In one example, the identification information 4 of the original recycled product RP may be stored in the product information 3 of the new recycled product RP. This allows for the management of the association from the new recycled product RP to the original recycled product RP. The identification information 4 of the new recycled product RP may be stored in the product information 3 of the original recycled product RP. This allows for monitoring of the association from the original recycled product RP to the new recycled product RP.

[0049] Furthermore, for example, if the recycled product RP is a battery BP, product information 3 may further include any information relating to the corresponding battery BP. For example, product information 3 may include performance / durability data, composition data, model data, diagnostic / inspection data, battery status data, incident data The system may further include fields for storing information such as data, recovery and storage information. Performance and durability data may include minimum operating voltage (lowest voltage), nominal voltage, maximum voltage (maximum operating voltage), power capacity, predicted life, expected life, rated capacity, capacity fade, power, power fade, internal resistance, increase in internal resistance, round-trip energy efficiency, rate of decrease in round-trip efficiency, etc. Composition data may be appropriately configured to show the composition of the battery BP. Composition data may include material information such as the usage status of recycled materials (amount used, usage ratio, etc.). Model data may include disassembly information (disassembly and assembly diagram, disassembly procedure, cell quantity, layout, etc.), part number, part supplier information, etc. Diagnostic and inspection data may include data collected by a diagnostic machine, results of visual inspection, results of odor inspection, evidence of diagnostic / inspection results, grade of battery BP determined from diagnostic / inspection results, etc. Battery state data may include SoH (State of Health), SoCE (State of Certified Energy), SoC (State of Charge), S It may include oS (State of Safety), etc. Incident data refers to incidents that occurred in the battery BP. It may be configured as appropriate to indicate incidents (overcharging, overcurrent, overheating, etc.). Recovery and storage information may include storage days, storage location, temperature, voltage during storage, etc. Battery BP may be stored in any way. When installed in product MV (vehicle, etc.), battery BP may be stored after being removed from product MV, or it may be stored while installed in product MV. If the recycled product RP is a battery BP, product information 3 may be referred to by other names such as battery information (battery data), battery passport, etc.

[0050] (Given rules) A given rule PR defines the correspondence between the usage status at the point of interest and the estimated current usage status (6). A given rule PR may be defined as appropriate depending on the embodiment, such as the type of recycled product RP and the usage status to which the recycled product RP may transition. A given rule PR may also be defined based on the results of investigating the transition route of the recycled product RP.

[0051] Figure 6 schematically shows an example of a given rule PR according to this embodiment. In this example, the types of usage status may include "in use" and "not in use." Estimating the current usage status of the recycled product RP5 of interest may include estimating that if the value 55 indicating the usage status of the recycled product RP5 of interest at the time of observation is "not in use," then there is a high probability that the recycled product RP5 of interest has been exported overseas or is being misused domestically. That is, a given rule PR may be stipulated to estimate export overseas or misuse domestically if the update has been delayed for a predetermined period while the product is not in use. Misuse may include improper disposal, etc. Recycled product RP may deviate from its legitimate operational route by being exported overseas or misused domestically while it is not in use, and as a result, the update of its usage status may be delayed. According to this example, by using it, the possibility of export overseas or misuse domestically while the product is not in use can be tracked.

[0052] Furthermore, when distinguishing situations outside of use, the second information processing device 2 may further estimate whether the data has been leaked overseas or used for unauthorized purposes, depending on the distinguished situation.

[0053] For example, the recycled product RP (Recycled Product RP5) may be the battery BP (Battery BP5) installed in the product MV. "Not in use" may include being sold secondhand. Accordingly, estimating the current usage status of Recycled Product RP5 may include estimating that, if the value 55 indicating the usage status of Battery BP5 at the time of observation is "sold secondhand," then there is a high probability that Battery BP5, while installed in the product MV, has been exported overseas or is being illegally used domestically. In other words, a given rule PR may stipulate that, depending on the situation of being sold secondhand, the export overseas or illegal use domestically while the battery BP (Battery BP5) is still installed may deviate from the legitimate operational route when the product MV is sold secondhand and exported overseas or is illegally used domestically. As a result, updates to usage status may be delayed. According to one example of this embodiment, by using this, it is possible to track the possibility of overseas export or domestic misuse of product MV equipped with battery BP (battery BP5 of interest) while it is being sold secondhand.

[0054] For example, the recycled product RP (Recycled Product RP5) may be the battery BP (Battery BP5) installed in the product MV. "Not in use" may include disposal registration or collection. Accordingly, estimating the current usage status of Recycled Product RP5 may include estimating that, if the value 55 indicating the usage status of Battery BP5 at the time of observation is disposal registration or collection, then there is a high probability that Battery BP5 has been removed from the product MV and subsequently exported overseas or is being misused domestically. In other words, a given rule PR may stipulate that, depending on a delay in updating the disposal registration or collection status for a predetermined period, overseas export or misuse domestically after removal from the product MV is presumed. Battery BP (Battery BP5) may deviate from its legitimate operational route at the disposal registration or collection stage by being exported overseas or misused domestically after being removed from the product MV, potentially resulting in delays in updating its usage status. According to one example of this embodiment, by utilizing this, it is possible to track the possibility of overseas export or domestic misuse of battery BP (battery BP5 of interest) removed from product MV at the stage of disposal registration or collection.

[0055] Furthermore, in one example, "not in use" may include "in the process of recycling." Accordingly, estimating the current usage status of the recycled product RP5 of interest may include estimating that, if the value 55 indicating the usage status of the recycled product RP5 of interest at the time of observation is "in the process of recycling," there is a high probability that the recycled product RP5 of interest has been exported overseas or is being illegally used domestically after being recycled. In other words, a given rule PR may be stipulated to estimate export overseas or illegal use domestically after being recycled, depending on whether the update has been delayed for a predetermined period while the product is in the process of recycling. A recycled product RP (recycled product RP5 of interest) may deviate from its legitimate operational route during the recycling process by being exported overseas or illegally used domestically after being recycled, and as a result, the update of its usage status may be delayed. According to one example of this embodiment, by utilizing this, it is possible to track the possibility of export overseas or illegal use domestically of recycled materials during the recycling process.

[0056] The recycled material may be appropriately selected depending on the embodiment, such as the type of recycled product RP. In one example, the recycled product RP (recycled product RP5) may be a battery BP (battery BP5) installed in product MV. Accordingly, the recycled material may be black mass. According to this example, it is possible to track the possibility of black mass being exported overseas or illegally used domestically during the recycling process.

[0057] The predetermined period may be constant regardless of the type of usage status (value 5), or it may differ for at least some of the types of usage status (value 5). The determination of whether or not the value 5 indicating the usage status was updated within the predetermined period may be performed collectively for all product information 3, or it may be performed at different times for at least some of the product information 3. The timing of the execution of the determination process for the product information 3 of each recycled product RP may be appropriately defined depending on the embodiment.

[0058] A given Rule PR may be stipulated to evaluate the period of time that has passed without renewal in stages. That is, the prescribed period may be defined in stages. For example, a given Rule PR may be stipulated to increase the accuracy of the estimation of the current usage status as the period of time that has passed without renewal increases. For example, the prescribed period may include a first prescribed period and a second prescribed period. The second prescribed period may be defined to be longer than the first prescribed period. From the above non-usage situation, overseas When adopting a method for estimating leakage or illegal use within Japan, the second information processing device 2 may estimate that the recycled product RP5 of interest has been leaked overseas or is being illegally used within Japan if the elapsed time since updating the value 5(55) indicating the usage status has exceeded the first predetermined period but has not exceeded the second predetermined period. Furthermore, the second information processing device 2 may estimate that the recycled product RP5 of interest has been leaked overseas or is being illegally used within Japan if the elapsed time since updating the value 5(55) indicating the usage status has exceeded both the first predetermined period and the second predetermined period.

[0059] If product information 3 includes a history of value 5 indicating usage status, the transition history of the recycled product RP can be identified from the latest and past usage status values ​​5. Since the usage history of the recycled product RP can be understood based on the transition history, it may be possible to estimate the current usage status with greater accuracy. Therefore, in one example, a given rule PR may be defined to estimate the current usage status based on the past usage status value 5(55) along with the latest usage status value 5(55).

[0060] Furthermore, when estimating the current usage status, the given rule PR may be referenced by the second information processing device 2 as appropriate. The given rule PR may be incorporated into a program (program 82 described later) or it may be stored as separate data. The given rule PR may be stored in a storage resource of the second information processing device 2 or it may be stored in an external storage resource accessible to the second information processing device 2.

[0061] (System Configuration) In one example, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the first information processing device 1 and the second information processing device 2 may be separate computers. However, the configuration of the information processing system SY according to this embodiment is not limited to such an example and may be modified as appropriate depending on the embodiment. In another example, the first information processing device 1 and the second information processing device 2 may be configured by a single computer. That is, an information processing device configured by one or more computers may operate as the first information processing device 1 and the second information processing device 2. The storage resource M1 may be deployed inside at least one of the first information processing device 1 and the second information processing device 2. The storage resource M1 may also be deployed outside the first information processing device 1 and the second information processing device 2. When the first information processing device 1 and the second information processing device 2 are configured by the same information processing device (a single computer) and the storage resource M1 is deployed within that information processing device, that information processing device may be an example of the information processing system SY.

[0062] In one example, the first information processing device 1 and terminal T1 may be connected to each other via a network. If the memory resource M1 is located outside the first information processing device 1, the first information processing device 1 may be connected to the memory resource M1 via a network or directly. If the memory resource M1 is located outside the second information processing device 2, the second information processing device 2 may be connected to the memory resource M1 via a network or directly. The type of network may be arbitrarily selected. The type of network may be appropriately selected from, for example, the Internet, a wireless communication network, a mobile communication network, a telephone network, a dedicated network, etc. However, the method of exchanging data between each device is not limited to these examples and may be appropriately changed depending on the embodiment.

[0063] [2 Example Configurations] (Hardware configuration of the first information processing device) Figure 7 schematically shows an example of the hardware configuration of the first information processing device 1 according to this embodiment. In one example, the first information processing device 1 may be configured as a computer in which a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, an external interface 13, a communication module 14, an input device 15, and an output device 16 are electrically connected.

[0064] The control unit 11 is configured to perform information processing based on a program and various data. The control unit 11 (CPU) is an example of the first control unit of this disclosure. For example, the control unit 11 may include a hardware processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), etc. ) is an example of the processor resources of the first information processing device 1.

[0065] The storage unit 12 is configured to hold arbitrary data. The storage unit 12, RAM, and ROM are examples of storage resources of the first information processing device 1. For example, the storage unit 12 may include a hard disk drive, a solid-state drive, semiconductor memory, etc. In one example, the storage unit 12 may store various information such as a program 81. The program 81 is a program that causes the first information processing device 1 to execute information processing (Figure 11, described later) related to updating the usage status of recycled products RP. The program 81 includes a series of instructions for said information processing.

[0066] In one example, program 81 may be stored in a storage medium 91 instead of or together with the storage unit 12. The storage medium 91 is configured to store various types of information (stored programs, etc.) by electrical, magnetic, optical, mechanical, or chemical means so that a machine such as a computer can read the information. The storage unit 12 and the storage medium 91 are examples of non-temporary storage media. The first information processing device 1 may retrieve program 81 from the storage medium 91. The storage medium 91 may be a disk-type storage medium (CD, DVD, etc.) or a non-disk-type storage medium such as semiconductor memory (flash memory, etc.). Any drive device may be used to read the information stored in the storage medium 91. The type of drive device may be selected according to the storage medium 91. The drive device may be connected to the first information processing device 1 by any method. The storage medium 91 may include an external storage device that can be connected to the first information processing device 1.

[0067] The external interface 13 is configured to connect to an external device by wire or wireless connection. The external interface 13 may be, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port, a dedicated port, etc. The type and number of external interfaces 13 may be determined as appropriate depending on the embodiment. The first information processing device 1 may perform data communication with another computer (terminal T1, etc.) via the external interface 13.

[0068] The communication module 14 is configured to perform wired or wireless communication over a network. The communication module 14 may consist of, for example, a wired LAN (Local Area Network) module, a wireless LAN module, etc. The network standard is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the embodiment. The first information processing device 1 may perform data communication with other computers (terminal T1, etc.) via the communication module 14.

[0069] In one example, the first information processing device 1 may be connected to an external storage device E1 via an external interface 13 or a communication module 14. The external storage device E1 may include storage devices of other computers, NAS (Network Attached Storage), etc. If the second information processing device 2 is composed of a separate computer from the first information processing device 1, the external storage device E1 may include the storage resources of the second information processing device 2 (such as the storage unit 22 described later). The storage resource M1 may consist of at least one of the storage unit 12 and the external storage device E1. In one example, if the storage resource M1 consists of the storage unit 12, the control unit 11 of the first information processing device 1 may be configured to access the storage resource M1 by being connected to the storage unit 12 via a bus. If the storage resource M1 consists of the external storage device E1, the control unit 11 of the first information processing device 1 may be configured to access the storage resource M1 by using the external interface 13 or a communication module 14.

[0070] The input device 15 is configured to accept information input. The input device 15 may consist of, for example, a mouse, keyboard, touch panel, touchpad, operator, microphone, imaging device, etc. The output device 16 is configured to output information. The output device 16 may consist of, for example, a display, speaker, etc. The first information processing device 1 may be operated using the input device 15 and the output device 16. The input device 15 and the output device 16 may be directly connected to the first information processing device 1, or they may be indirectly connected via at least one of the external interface 13 or the communication module 14. The input device 15 and the output device 16 may be integrated at least in part by a touch panel display, etc.

[0071] Furthermore, regarding the specific hardware configuration of the first information processing device 1, components can be omitted, replaced, and added as appropriate depending on the embodiment. For example, the control unit 11 may include multiple hardware processors. Hardware processors include microprocessors, FPGAs (Field-Programmable Gate Arrays), DSPs (Digital Signal Processors), E It may consist of a CU (Electronic Control Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), etc. At least one of the external interface 13, communication module 14, input device 15, and output device 16 may be omitted. The program 81 may be stored in an external storage device such as a NAS. An external storage device is also an example of a non-temporary storage medium. The first information processing device 1 may consist of multiple computers. In this case, the hardware configuration of each computer may or may not be the same. The first information processing device 1 may be a computer designed specifically for the services to be provided, a general-purpose server device, a general-purpose PC, etc.

[0072] (Hardware configuration of the second information processing unit) Figure 8 schematically shows an example of the hardware configuration of the second information processing device 2 according to this embodiment. In one example, the second information processing device 2 may be configured as a computer in which a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, an external interface 23, a communication module 24, an input device 25, and an output device 26 are electrically connected.

[0073] The control units 21 to output devices 26 and the storage medium 92 of the second information processing device 2 may be configured in the same way as the control units 11 to output devices 16 and the storage medium 91 of the first information processing device 1. If the first information processing device 1 and the second information processing device 2 are the same, the control units 21 to output devices 26 and the storage medium 92 may be the same as the control units 11 to output devices 16 and the storage medium 91.

[0074] The control unit 21 (CPU) is an example of the second control unit of this disclosure. The control unit 21 (CPU) is an example of the processor resources of the second information processing device 2. The storage unit 22, RAM, and ROM are examples of the storage resources of the second information processing device 2. In one example, the storage unit 22 stores various information such as program 82. Program 82 is a program that causes the second information processing device 2 to execute information processing (Figure 12, described later) related to the estimation of the current usage status. Program 82 includes a series of instructions for said information processing. Program 82 may be stored in the storage medium 92 instead of or together with the storage unit 22. The storage unit 22 and the storage medium 92 are examples of non-temporary storage media. The second information processing device 2 may retrieve program 82 from the storage medium 92. The storage medium 92 may include an external storage device that can be connected to the second information processing device 2. The second information processing device 2 may be operated using the input device 25 and the output device 26.

[0075] In one example, the second information processing device 2 may be connected to an external storage device E2 via an external interface 23 or a communication module 24. The external storage device E2 is a memory device of another computer. This may include a storage device, NAS, etc. If the first information processing device 1 is composed of a separate computer from the second information processing device 2, the external storage device E2 may include the storage resources of the first information processing device 1 (storage unit 12, etc.). The storage resource M1 may consist of at least one of the storage unit 22 and the external storage device E2. In one example, if the storage resource M1 consists of the storage unit 22, the control unit 21 of the second information processing device 2 may be configured to access the storage resource M1 by being connected to the storage unit 22 via a bus. If the storage resource M1 consists of the external storage device E2, the control unit 21 of the second information processing device 2 may be configured to access the storage resource M1 by using an external interface 23 or a communication module 24.

[0076] Furthermore, regarding the specific hardware configuration of the second information processing device 2, depending on the embodiment, the components can be omitted, replaced, and added as appropriate. For example, the control unit 21 may include multiple hardware processors. Hardware processors include microprocessors, FPGAs (Field-Programmable Gate Arrays), DSPs (Digital Signal Processors), E It may consist of a CU (Electronic Control Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), etc. At least one of the external interface 23, communication module 24, input device 25, and output device 26 may be omitted. The program 82 may be stored in an external storage device such as a NAS. An external storage device is also an example of a non-temporary storage medium. The second information processing device 2 may consist of multiple computers. In this case, the hardware configuration of each computer may or may not be the same. The second information processing device 2 may be a computer designed specifically for the services to be provided, a general-purpose server device, a general-purpose PC, etc.

[0077] (Software configuration of the first information processing device) Figure 9 schematically shows an example of the software configuration of the first information processing device 1 according to this embodiment. The control unit 11 of the first information processing device 1 executes instructions contained in the program 81 stored in the storage unit 12 using the CPU. As a result, the first information processing device 1 may operate as a computer equipped with a notification receiving unit 111, an access processing unit 112, and an update processing unit 113 as software modules. That is, in this example, each software module of the first information processing device 1 may be implemented by the control unit 11 (CPU).

[0078] The notification receiving unit 111 is configured to receive a notification N1 from the terminal T1 of a person U1 involved with the target recycled product RP1, which includes the identification information 40 of the target recycled product RP1 and concerns the usage status of the target recycled product RP1. The access processing unit 112 is configured to use the identification information 40 contained in the received notification N1 to access the product information 30 of the target recycled product RP1 from the product information 3 stored in the storage resource M1. The update processing unit 113 is configured to update the value 50 indicating the usage status contained in the accessed product information 30 of the target recycled product RP1 according to the received notification N1.

[0079] (Software configuration of the second information processing device) Figure 10 schematically shows an example of the software configuration of the second information processing device 2 according to this embodiment. The control unit 21 of the second information processing device 2 executes instructions contained in the program 82 stored in the storage unit 22 using the CPU. As a result, the second information processing device 2 may operate as a computer equipped with an update determination unit 211, an estimation unit 212, and an output processing unit 213 as software modules. That is, in this example of the embodiment, each software module of the second information processing device 2 may also be implemented by the control unit 21 (CPU).

[0080] The update determination unit 211 is configured to determine for each recycled product RP whether the value 5 indicating the usage status in the product information 3 stored in the memory resource M1 has been updated within a predetermined period. The estimation unit 212 determines whether the value 5 indicating the usage status in the product information 3 stored in the memory resource M1 has been updated within a predetermined period. If there is a particular recycled product RP5 among the product RPs whose value indicating usage status (value 5(55)) has not been updated within a predetermined period, the system is configured to estimate the current usage status of that particular recycled product RP5 from the value indicating usage status (value 55) at the point in time when it was determined that the update had not been performed within the predetermined period, according to a given rule PR. The output processing unit 213 is configured to output information regarding the result 6 of the estimation of the current usage status of the particular recycled product RP5.

[0081] (others) In the example of this embodiment described above, each software module of the first information processing device 1 and the second information processing device 2 is implemented by a general-purpose CPU. However, the method of implementing each of the above modules is not limited to this example and may be appropriately modified depending on the embodiment. Some or all of the above software modules may be implemented by one or more dedicated processors or chipsets. Each of the above modules may be implemented as a hardware module. Regarding the software configuration of the first information processing device 1 and the second information processing device 2, modules may be omitted, replaced, and added as appropriate depending on the embodiment.

[0082] [3 Examples of operation] [Processing procedure of the first information processing device] Figure 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure for updating usage status by the first information processing device 1 according to this embodiment. The following processing procedure is an example of an information processing method executed by a computer. However, the following processing procedure is merely an example, and each step may be modified as much as possible. Furthermore, depending on the embodiment, steps in the following processing procedure can be omitted, replaced, and added as appropriate.

[0083] (Step S101) In step S101, the control unit 11 operates as a notification receiving unit 111 and receives a notification N1 regarding the usage status of the target recycled product RP1 from the terminal T1 of the person U1 involved with the target recycled product RP1. The notification N1 includes identification information 40 of the target recycled product RP1.

[0084] In one example, the target recycled product RP1 (recycled product RP) may be the target battery BP1 (battery BP) installed in product MV. In one example, product MV may be a vehicle. Also, in one example, the type of usage status may include "in use" and "not in use". In one example, "not in use" may include at least one of the following: being sold secondhand, registered for disposal, collected, being recycled, and already recycled. Upon receiving notification N1, the control unit 11 proceeds to the next step S102.

[0085] (Step S102) In step S102, the control unit 11 operates as an access processing unit 112 and uses the identification information 40 contained in the received notification N1 to access the product information 30 of the target recycled product RP1 from the product information 3 stored in the storage resource M1. The access method can be arbitrarily selected. For example, the control unit 11 may use the identification information 40 contained in the notification N1 as a query to search for the product information 30 from the product information 3 stored in the storage resource M1. In this way, the control unit 11 may extract the product information 30. Once the product information 30 is accessed, the control unit 11 proceeds to the next step S103.

[0086] (Step S103) In step S103, the control unit 11 operates as an update processing unit 113 and updates the value 50 indicating the usage status included in the accessed product information 30 of the target recycled product RP1 according to the received notification N1. In one example, if the notification N1 directly updates the value indicating the latest usage status If included, the control unit 11 may update the usage status value 50 by replacing the usage status value 50 included in the product information 30 with the value included in notification N1. In another example, notification N1 may be configured to indirectly indicate the latest usage status value. The control unit 11 may appropriately identify the latest usage status from the information included in notification N1. The control unit 11 may update the usage status value 50 by replacing the usage status value 50 included in the product information 30 with the identified value.

[0087] Once the update of product information 30 is complete, the control unit 11 terminates the processing procedure for updating usage status related to this example of operation. In one example, the control unit 11 may execute the processing of steps S101 to S103 in real time in response to the arrival of notification N1 from terminal T1.

[0088] [Processing procedure of the second information processing device] Figure 12 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure for estimating the current usage status by the second information processing device 2 according to this embodiment. The following processing procedure is also an example of an information processing method executed by a computer. However, the following processing procedure is merely an example, and each step may be modified as much as possible. Furthermore, depending on the embodiment, steps in the following processing procedure can be omitted, replaced, and added as appropriate.

[0089] (Steps S201 and S202) In step S201, the control unit 21 operates as an update determination unit 211 and determines for each recycled product RP whether or not the value 5 indicating the usage status in the product information 3 stored in the memory resource M1 has been updated within a predetermined period.

[0090] The determination process may be configured as appropriate depending on the embodiment. In one example, the control unit 21 may calculate the elapsed time since the update based on the difference between the time of determination (current time) and the update date and time of the usage status included in the product information 3. The control unit 21 may determine whether the update of the usage status value 5 was performed within the predetermined period, depending on whether the calculated elapsed time exceeds the predetermined period. Depending on whether the calculated elapsed time exceeds the predetermined period, the control unit 21 may determine that the update of the usage status value 5 was not performed within the predetermined period. On the other hand, depending on whether the calculated elapsed time is less than the predetermined period, the control unit 21 may determine that the update of the usage status value 5 was performed within the predetermined period. If the calculated elapsed time is equal to the predetermined period, the control unit 21 may determine that the update of the usage status value 5 was performed within the predetermined period, or it may determine that it was not performed.

[0091] In step S202, the control unit 21 determines the branch destination of the process according to the determination result of step S201. If there is a particular recycled product RP5 among the recycled products RP whose value indicating usage status (value 5(55)) has not been updated within a predetermined period, the control unit 21 proceeds to the next step S203. On the other hand, if there is no particular recycled product RP5, the control unit 21 omits the processing of the next steps S203 and S204 and terminates the processing procedure for estimating the current usage status related to this example of operation.

[0092] (Step S203) In step S203, the control unit 21 estimates the current usage status of the recycled product RP5 in accordance with a given rule PR, from a value 55 that indicates the usage status of the recycled product RP5 in question at a point in time in question where it was determined that no updates had been performed within a predetermined period.

[0093] For example, the type of usage status may include "in use" and "not in use." The control unit 21 may estimate that the product of interest, recycled product RP5, has been exported overseas or is being used illegally domestically if the value 55 indicating the usage status has not been updated within a predetermined period and the usage status indicated by the value 55 is "not in use."

[0094] In one example, the recycled product RP may be the battery BP installed in product MV, and "not in use" may include being sold secondhand. Accordingly, the control unit 21 may presume that the battery BP5 of interest has been exported overseas or is being illegally used domestically while still installed in product MV, given that the value 55 indicating the usage status has not been updated within a predetermined period and the usage status indicated by value 55 is being sold secondhand.

[0095] In one example, the recycled product RP may be the battery BP installed in the product MV, and non-use may include disposal registration or collection. Accordingly, the control unit 21 may estimate that the battery BP5 of interest has likely been exported overseas or is being illegally used domestically after being removed from the product MV, provided that the value 55 indicating the usage status has not been updated within a predetermined period and the usage status indicated by the value 55 is disposal registration or collection.

[0096] In one example, "not in use" may include "in the process of being recycled." Accordingly, the control unit 21 may estimate that there is a high probability that the product of interest, RP5, has been exported overseas or is being illegally used domestically after being recycled, given that the value 55 indicating the usage status has not been updated within a predetermined period and the usage status indicated by the value 55 is "in the process of being recycled." In one example, if the recycled product RP is a battery BP installed in product MV, the recycled material may be black mass.

[0097] Regarding usage situations other than those described above, a given rule PR may be provided as appropriate depending on the embodiment. There may be types of usage situations for which no given rule PR is provided. If the value 55 indicates such a type, the control unit 21 may omit the process of estimating the current usage status of the target recycled product RP5. Once the current usage status of the target recycled product RP5 has been estimated, the control unit 21 proceeds to the next step S204.

[0098] (Step S204) In step S204, the control unit 21 outputs information regarding the estimated current usage status of the recycling product RP5 of interest, as shown in result 6.

[0099] The output destination and the content of the information to be output may be appropriately selected depending on the embodiment. In one example, the control unit 21 may output the obtained estimation result 6 as is. The output destination may be, for example, RAM, storage unit 22, output device 26, another computer, external storage device (including external storage device E2), etc. In one example, the control unit 21 may write the estimated result 6 to the estimation result field of the product information 35 of the recycled product RP5 of interest. This allows any viewer to understand the estimated current usage status of the recycled product RP (recycled product RP5 of interest) by referring to the product information 3(35).

[0100] In one example, the control unit 21 may perform arbitrary information processing according to the estimated result 6. The control unit 21 may output the result of this information processing as information related to the estimated result 6. This output of the result of the information processing may include, for example, outputting a specific message according to the estimated result 6. The output destination may be, for example, RAM, storage unit 22, output device 26, another computer, external storage device, etc.

[0101] For example, if it is estimated that the notified recycled product RP5 has been leaked overseas or is being used illegally domestically, the control unit 21 may send a notification to the terminal of any designated person to inform them of this probability. The designated person may include, for example, the seller, related parties, etc. Related parties may include owners such as users. Sending a notification to related parties may encourage them to update their usage status. The recipient of the notification may be identified by, for example, an email address, account, phone number, terminal ID, etc. The recipient information is stored in the second information processing device 2. The data may be stored in the source, or it may be stored in an external storage resource accessible by the second information processing device 2. The control unit 21 may refer to the destination information as appropriate.

[0102] Furthermore, if a given rule PR is stipulated to increase the accuracy of the estimation of the current usage status as the period of time since the rule was not updated increases, the type of notification (importance, etc.) may be selected according to that estimation accuracy. The control unit 21 may send the selected type of notification to the target person. For example, in the above case in which the prescribed period includes a first prescribed period and a second prescribed period, if the period elapsed since the update has exceeded the first prescribed period but not the second prescribed period, the control unit 21 may send the target person a notification consisting of a warning informing them that there is a high probability of overseas leakage or domestic misuse. If the period elapsed since the update has exceeded both the first prescribed period and the second prescribed period, the control unit 21 may send a notification consisting of a warning informing them that there is a high probability of overseas leakage or domestic misuse.

[0103] Once the output of information regarding the estimated result 6 is complete, the control unit 21 terminates the processing procedure for estimating the current usage status related to this example of operation. The control unit 21 may repeatedly execute the processes from steps S201 to S204. In one example, the control unit 21 may periodically execute the processes from steps S201 to S204. The cycle for repeating the processes from steps S201 to S204 may be arbitrarily defined.

[0104] (Features) In this embodiment, the processing in steps S101 to S103 ensures traceability of the usage status of the recycled product RP while it is being properly operated after distribution, based on the notification N1 from the terminal T1 of the person concerned U1. In addition, the processing in steps S201 to S204 allows for tracking with a certain degree of accuracy the current usage status of the recycled product RP after the usage status update has ceased, based on monitoring whether the usage status has been updated within a predetermined period. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to expect appropriate assurance of traceability of the recycled product RP after distribution.

[0105] [4. Variant] While embodiments of this disclosure have been described in detail above, the above description is merely illustrative in all respects of this disclosure. The processes and means described in this disclosure can be freely combined and implemented as long as no technical inconsistencies arise. Various improvements or modifications may be made to the above embodiments as appropriate. The processes and means described in this disclosure can be freely combined and implemented as long as no technical inconsistencies arise.

[0106] Furthermore, a process described as being performed by a single device may be divided and executed by multiple devices. Conversely, a process described as being performed by different devices may be executed by a single device. In a computer system, the hardware configuration used to implement each function can be flexibly changed.

[0107] This disclosure can also be realized by supplying a computer program implementing the functions described in the embodiments above to a computer, and having one or more processors in the computer read and execute the program. Such a computer program may be provided to the computer by a non-temporary computer-readable storage medium that can be connected to the computer's system bus, or it may be provided to the computer via a network. The non-temporary computer-readable storage medium may include, for example, any type of disk, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), EPROM, EEPROM, magnetic card, flash memory, optical card, semiconductor drive, any type of medium suitable for storing electronic instructions, etc. The disk may include, for example, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, etc. The magnetic disk may be, for example, a hard disk drive (HD D) may include, etc. Optical discs may include, for example, CD-ROMs, DVD discs, Blu-ray discs, etc. Semiconductor drives may include, for example, solid-state drives, etc. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0108] SY... Information processing system, 1...First information processing device, 11...Control unit, 2...Second information processing device, 21...Control unit, M1...Memory resources, 3...Product information, 4...Identification information, 5...Value, 30...Product information, 40...Identification information, 50...Value, N1…Notification, 35...Product information, 45...Identification information, 55...Value, PR... Given rules, 6... (Estimated) result, RP...Recycled products, RP1…Target recyclable products, RP5…Featured recyclable products, U1...person in charge, T1...terminal

Claims

1. An information processing system comprising a first information processing device, a second information processing device, and a storage resource, The first information processing device includes a first control unit and is configured to be able to access the storage resources, The second information processing device comprises a second control unit and is configured to be able to access the storage resource, The aforementioned memory resource stores product information for each recycled product, including identification information and values ​​indicating the usage status of the recycled product. The first control unit of the first information processing device is Receiving notifications from the terminals of persons involved with the target recycled product, which include identification information of the target recycled product and concern the usage status of the target recycled product, Using the identification information contained in the received notification, access the product information of the target recycled product among the product information stored in the storage resource, and In accordance with the notification received, update the value indicating the usage status included in the accessed product information of the target recycled product. It is configured to perform, The second control unit of the second information processing device is In the product information stored in the memory resource, it is determined for each recycled product whether or not the value indicating the usage status has been updated within a predetermined period. If, among the recycled products, there is a particular recycled product whose usage status value has not been updated within a predetermined period, the current usage status of that particular recycled product is estimated from the usage status value of that particular recycled product at the point in time when it was determined that the update had not been performed within the predetermined period, in accordance with a given rule, and To output information regarding the estimated current usage status of the aforementioned recyclable product, Configured to perform, Information processing system.

2. The aforementioned recycled product is a battery installed in the product. The information processing system according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned product is a vehicle. The information processing system according to claim 2.

4. The aforementioned usage status includes both "in use" and "not in use," Estimating the current usage status of the aforementioned recycled product includes, if the value indicating the usage status of the aforementioned recycled product at the time of attention is "not in use," then estimating that the current usage status of the aforementioned recycled product is likely to be that it has been exported overseas or is being illegally used domestically. The information processing system according to claim 1.

5. The aforementioned recycled product is a battery installed in the product. The aforementioned usage status includes both "in use" and "not in use," The aforementioned non-use includes being sold secondhand, Estimating the current usage status of the aforementioned recycled product includes, if the value indicating the usage status of the battery in question at the aforementioned point in time is "on sale secondhand," then estimating that the battery in question has likely been exported overseas or is being illegally used domestically while still installed in the product. The information processing system according to claim 1.

6. The aforementioned recycled product is a battery installed in the product. The aforementioned usage status includes both "in use" and "not in use," The aforementioned non-use includes disposal registration or collection. Estimating the current usage status of the aforementioned recycled product includes, if the value indicating the usage status of the battery in question at the time of attention is registered for disposal or collected, then estimating that the current usage status of the battery in question is that it has been removed from the product and has been exported overseas or is being illegally used domestically. The information processing system according to claim 1.

7. The aforementioned usage status includes both "in use" and "not in use," The aforementioned non-use includes the period during recycling. Estimating the current usage status of the aforementioned recycled product includes, if the value indicating the usage status of the aforementioned recycled product at the point in time is "in the process of recycling," then estimating that the current situation is that the aforementioned recycled product has been recycled into recycled material and has been exported overseas or is being illegally used domestically. The information processing system according to claim 1.

8. The aforementioned recycled product is a battery installed in the product. The recycled material is black mass. The information processing system according to claim 7.

9. An information processing method performed by a first computer and a second computer configured to access a storage resource that stores product information, including identification information and values ​​indicating usage status of recycled products, for each recycled product, The first computer receives a notification from a terminal of a person involved with the target recycled product, which includes identification information of the target recycled product and concerns the usage status of the target recycled product. The first computer uses the identification information contained in the received notification to access the product information of the target recycled product among the product information stored in the storage resource. The first computer updates the value indicating the usage status included in the accessed product information of the target recycled product in accordance with the received notification. The second computer determines, for each recycled product, whether the value indicating the usage status in the product information stored in the memory resource has been updated within a predetermined period. If the second computer has a particular recycled product among the recycled products for which the value indicating the usage status has not been updated within a predetermined period, it estimates the current usage status of that particular recycled product from the value indicating the usage status of that particular recycled product at the point in time when it was determined that the update had not been performed within the predetermined period, according to a given rule, and The second computer outputs information regarding the results of estimating the current usage status of the recyclable product of interest. including, Information processing methods.

10. The aforementioned recycled product is a battery installed in the product. The information processing method according to claim 9.

11. The aforementioned product is a vehicle. The information processing method according to claim 10.

12. The aforementioned usage status includes both "in use" and "not in use," Estimating the current usage status of the aforementioned recycled product includes, if the value indicating the usage status of the aforementioned recycled product at the time of attention is "not in use," then estimating that the current usage status of the aforementioned recycled product is likely to be that it has been exported overseas or is being illegally used domestically. The information processing method according to claim 9.

13. The aforementioned recycled product is a battery installed in the product. The aforementioned usage status includes both "in use" and "not in use," The aforementioned non-use includes being sold secondhand, Estimating the current usage status of the aforementioned recycled product includes, if the value indicating the usage status of the battery in question at the aforementioned point in time is "on sale secondhand," then estimating that the battery in question has likely been exported overseas or is being illegally used domestically while still installed in the product. The information processing method according to claim 9.

14. The aforementioned recycled product is a battery installed in the product. The aforementioned usage status includes both "in use" and "not in use," The aforementioned non-use includes disposal registration or collection. Estimating the current usage status of the aforementioned recycled product includes, if the value indicating the usage status of the battery in question at the time of attention is registered for disposal or collected, then estimating that the current usage status of the battery in question is that it has been removed from the product and has been exported overseas or is being illegally used domestically. The information processing method according to claim 9.

15. The aforementioned usage status includes both "in use" and "not in use," The aforementioned non-use includes the period during recycling. Estimating the current usage status of the aforementioned recycled product includes, if the value indicating the usage status of the aforementioned recycled product at the point in time is "in the process of recycling," then estimating that the current situation is that the aforementioned recycled product has been recycled into recycled material and has been exported overseas or is being illegally used domestically. The information processing method according to claim 9.

16. The aforementioned recycled product is a battery installed in the product. The recycled material is black mass. The information processing method according to claim 15.

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