Information management system and information management method

Abstract

To provide a mechanism for distributing information more easily in a supply chain.SOLUTION: When information on a chemical substance is disclosed by a node of an upstream company (S11), a control device 110-N updates product composition data (S12) and determines whether or not the disclosed information on the chemical substance is a confidential target of an own company (S13). When determining that the disclosed information on the chemical substance is not the confidential target (YES in S13), the control device 110-N adds the information on the chemical substance (restricted substance) received in S11 to update public data (S17), generates transaction data including the public data, and transmits the transaction data to a node of a target downstream company (S18).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information management system and an information management method for managing information using distributed ledger technology.

Background Art

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-70257 (Patent Document 1) discloses an information management system for managing information on chemical substances contained in parts traded in a supply chain including a finished product manufacturer and a supplier that supplies parts to the finished product manufacturer. This information management system is connected to a supplier terminal used by the supplier and another supplier terminal used by another supplier via a network. Another supplier supplies sub-parts that make up the parts that the supplier delivers to the finished product manufacturer. The supplier requests other suppliers to disclose information on chemical substances contained in the sub-parts in order to report to the finished product manufacturer information on chemical substances contained in the parts.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a supply chain, information on chemical substances contained in distributed products, particularly chemical substances subject to regulations such as laws and regulations, may be disclosed from upstream companies to midstream companies and from midstream companies to downstream companies. However, for each company, information on chemical substances contained in its own products is important information, and there is a need not to disclose it as much as possible. Therefore, each company may keep confidential information on chemical substances contained in its own products without voluntarily disclosing it to downstream companies.

[0005] In order to receive the disclosure of confidential information, multiple processes are executed in each company. For example, in the Kawana company, processes such as requesting the disclosure of confidential information from the Kawaue company and internal approval processes within the company for disclosing the information disclosed by the Kawaue company to the Kogawa company can be executed. These processes are usually carried out manually by the persons in charge of each process, etc., and a lot of costs and man-hours are required. Therefore, in the supply chain, it is desired to construct a mechanism for more easily circulating information.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a mechanism for more easily circulating information in the supply chain.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] (1) An information management system according to an aspect of the present disclosure manages information on chemical substances contained in products distributed in a supply chain using distributed ledger technology. The information management system belongs to a first company that manufactures a first product and has a first device with a first distributed ledger, a second company that supplies a second product contained in the first product to the first company and has a second device with a second distributed ledger, a third company that supplies a third product contained in the second product to the second company and has a third device with a third distributed ledger, and a management device that manages the information management system and has a fourth distributed ledger. The first distributed ledger, the second distributed ledger, the third distributed ledger, and the fourth distributed ledger include a list indicating chemical substances managed by the information management system. The second device stores composition data of the second product including composition data of the third product disclosed from the third device. When the management device designates a new chemical substance to be managed by the information management system, the management device adds the new chemical substance and updates the list of the fourth distributed ledger, and transmits transaction data proposing to add the new chemical substance and update the list to the first device, the second device, and the third device. The first device, the second device, and the third device update the list of the first distributed ledger, the list of the second distributed ledger, and the list of the third distributed ledger, respectively, based on the transaction data from the management device. When the composition of the third product includes a new chemical substance, the third device transmits transaction data including the composition data of the third product including information on the new chemical substance to the second device. Based on the transaction data from the third device, the second device updates the composition data of the third product included in the composition data of the second product, updates the composition data of the second product, and, when it is determined to disclose the composition data of the third product included in the composition data of the second product, transmits transaction data including the updated composition data of the second product to the first device.

[0008] According to the above configuration, when the second device receives transaction data including composition data of the third product including information on a new chemical substance from the third device, the second device updates the composition data of the third product included in the composition data of the second product based on the transaction data from the third device, and updates the composition data of the second product. Then, when the second device decides to disclose the composition data of the third product included in the composition data of the second product, the second device transmits transaction data including the updated composition data of the second product to the first device. That is, when receiving the disclosure of the composition data of the third product including information on a new chemical substance from the third device, the second device discloses the updated composition data of the second product to the first device when it decides to disclose the composition data of the third product included in the composition data of the second product. Therefore, when deciding to disclose the composition data of the third product included in the composition data of the second product, the updated composition data of the second product can be disclosed to the first device without requiring additional processing or the like. Thus, information can be easily circulated in the supply chain.

[0009] (2) In a certain embodiment, when the second device does not decide to disclose the composition data of the third product included in the composition data of the second product, the second device executes a first process for disclosing information on a new chemical substance, and based on the approval obtained by the first process, transmits transaction data including information on the new chemical substance to the first device.

[0010] According to the above configuration, when not deciding to disclose the composition data of the third product included in the composition data of the second product, since information on a new chemical substance is disclosed based on the approval obtained by the first process, it is possible to suppress the disclosure of unnecessary information due to system errors or the like.

[0011] (3) In a certain embodiment, the second distributed ledger includes a first confidential area that stores transaction data not shared with any of the first distributed ledger, the third distributed ledger, and the fourth distributed ledger, and a first public area that stores transaction data shared with at least one of the first distributed ledger, the third distributed ledger, and the fourth distributed ledger. The second device stores the composition data of the second product in the first confidential area and stores, in the first public area, first public data that is data to be disclosed to the first company among the composition data of the second product. Based on the transaction data including the composition data of the third product including information on a new chemical substance received from the third device, the second device adds the information on the new chemical substance to the composition data of the third product included in the composition data of the second product stored in the first confidential area, updates the composition data of the second product, and if the composition data of the third product before the update is included in the first public data, adds the updated composition data of the second product to the first public data and transmits the transaction data including the updated first public data to the first device.

[0012] According to the above configuration, when the composition data of the third product before the update is included in the first public data, the second device adds the updated composition data of the second product to the first public data and transmits the transaction data including the updated first public data to the first device. That is, when the composition data of the third product before the update is included in the first public data (when the composition data of the third product before the update is stored in the first public area), the second device discloses the updated first public data (the updated composition data of the second product) to the first device. The second device can determine whether to disclose the updated first public data to the first company based on whether the composition data of the third product before the update is stored in the first public area.

[0013] (4) In one embodiment, when the first public data does not include the composition data of the third product before the update, the second device executes the first process, and based on the approval obtained by the first process, adds the updated composition data of the second product to the first public data, and transmits transaction data including the updated first public data to the first device.

[0014] According to the above configuration, when the first public data does not include the composition data of the third product before the update, information on new chemical substances is disclosed based on the approval obtained by the first process, so that it is possible to suppress the disclosure of unnecessary information due to system errors or the like.

[0015] (5) In one embodiment, the third distributed ledger includes a second confidential area for storing transaction data that is not shared with any of the first distributed ledger, the second distributed ledger, and the fourth distributed ledger, and a second public area for storing transaction data that is shared with at least one of the first distributed ledger, the second distributed ledger, and the fourth distributed ledger. The third device stores transaction data including the composition data of the third product in the second confidential area, and stores second public data, which is data to be disclosed to the second company among the composition data of the third product, in the second public area. When a new chemical substance is added to the list of the third distributed ledger, the third device executes a second process for including information on the new chemical substance in the second public data, and based on the approval obtained by the second process, transmits transaction data including the second public data including information on the new chemical substance to the second device.

[0016] According to the above configuration, when a new chemical substance is added to the list of the third distributed ledger, the third device discloses information on the new chemical substance based on the approval obtained by the second process. By disclosing information on new chemical substances based on the approval obtained by the second process, it is possible to suppress the disclosure of unnecessary information due to system errors or the like.

[0017] In one embodiment, the chemical substances included in the list are the chemical substances specified in the regulations.

[0018] According to the above configuration, in the information management system, the chemical substances specified in the regulations can be appropriately managed.

[0019] (7) The information management method according to another aspect of the present disclosure is an information management method for an information management system that manages information on chemical substances contained in products distributed in a supply chain using a distributed ledger technology. The information management system belongs to a first company that manufactures a first product and has a first device with a first distributed ledger, belongs to a second company that supplies a second product included in the first product to the first company and has a second device with a second distributed ledger, belongs to a third company that supplies a third product included in the second product to the second company and has a third device with a third distributed ledger, and includes a management device that manages the information management system and has a fourth distributed ledger. The first distributed ledger, the second distributed ledger, the third distributed ledger, and the fourth distributed ledger include a list indicating chemical substances managed by the information management system. The second device stores composition data of the second product including composition data of the third product disclosed from the third device. The information management method includes a step in which, when the management device designates a new chemical substance to be managed by the information management system, the management device adds the new chemical substance and updates the list of the fourth distributed ledger, and transmits transaction data proposing to add the new chemical substance and update the list to the first device, the second device, and the third device; a step in which the first device, the second device, and the third device update the list of the first distributed ledger, the list of the second distributed ledger, and the list of the third distributed ledger respectively based on the transaction data from the management device; a step in which, when the third product includes a new chemical substance in its composition, the third device transmits transaction data including composition data of the third product including information on the new chemical substance to the second device; a step in which the second device updates the composition data of the third product included in the composition data of the second product based on the transaction data from the third device and updates the composition data of the second product; and a step in which, when the second device determines to disclose the composition data of the third product included in the composition data of the second product, the second device transmits transaction data including the updated composition data of the second product to the first device.

Effect of the Invention

[0020] According to the present disclosure, in a supply chain, a mechanism that can easily respond to revisions of laws and regulations for regulating chemical substances can be provided.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and their description will not be repeated.

[0023] <Overall Configuration of Information Management System> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information management system 1 according to the present embodiment. The information management system 1 according to the present embodiment is a system for managing information on specific chemical substances (hereinafter also referred to as "target substances") contained in products (including parts, raw materials, etc.) flowing through a supply chain, which is composed of a plurality of companies, using a distributed ledger technology. In the present embodiment, as an example, a supply chain including four companies (for example, Company A, Company B, Company C, and Company D) is assumed. The target substance is a chemical substance that is a reporting target to downstream companies in the supply chain in the information management system 1. The target substances include, for example, chemical substances designated as SVHC (Substance of Very High Concern) as highly hazardous substances in the REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals) regulation, and / or chemical substances designated in the GADSL (Global Automotive Declarable Substance List), which is a list of chemical substances commonly managed worldwide. Hereinafter, chemical substances designated as SVHC and / or chemical substances designated in the GADSL are also referred to as "regulated substances". Note that the regulated substances may include chemical substances designated by other regulations. Furthermore, a company participating in the information management system 1 can also include any chemical substance as a target substance. That is, the target substances managed by the information management system 1 may include regulated substances and chemical substances arbitrarily designated by participating companies. Regarding regulated substances, each company has an obligation to transmit (report) information to downstream companies. On the other hand, regarding chemical substances arbitrarily designated by participating companies, each company does not have an obligation to transmit information to downstream companies. In the information management system 1, regulated substances are managed by a regulation list described later. That is, when the disclosed target substance in response to a disclosure request from a downstream company is a chemical substance other than a regulated substance (that is, a chemical substance not registered in the regulation list), the upstream company can reject the disclosure request.

[0024] The information management system 1 includes an information management device 10-1 belonging to Company A, an information management device 10-2 belonging to Company B, an information management device 10-3 belonging to Company C, an information management device 10-4 belonging to Company D, and a platform provider 30. In the present embodiment, Company A is a finished product manufacturer and corresponds to the so-called "downstream company" in the supply chain. In the present embodiment, Company B is a parts manufacturer and corresponds to the so-called "midstream company" in the supply chain. In the present embodiment, Company C and Company D are raw material manufacturers and correspond to the so-called "upstream companies" in the supply chain.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the transaction relationship between companies in the supply chain. Company C supplies Product C, which is its own product, to Company B. Company D supplies Product D, which is its own product, to Company B. Company B manufactures Product B, which is its own product, using Product C purchased (supplied) from Company C and Product D purchased from Company D, and supplies the Product B to Company A. Company A manufactures Product A, which is its own product, using the product purchased from Company B, and sells Product A to end users. Company A may be, for example, an automobile manufacturer.

[0026] Note that trading companies may be included in the midstream companies. For example, a trading company may be interposed between Company A and Company B, between Company B and Company C, and / or between Company B and Company D.

[0027] Each company is required to manage information on the target substances contained in the products it sells. Each company receives disclosure of information on the target substances contained in the purchased products from the upstream companies in the supply chain and manages the information on the target substances contained in the products it sells. For example, Company A receives information on the target substances contained in Product B from Company B and uses the information to manage the information on the target substances contained in Product A.

[0028] In the information management system 1 according to this embodiment, information is transmitted only between companies that have a direct transaction relationship. For example, there is a direct transaction relationship between the downstream company (Company A) and the midstream company (Company B) that have a supply-demand relationship for products. There is a direct transaction relationship between the midstream company (Company B) and the upstream companies (Company C, Company D) that have a supply-demand relationship for products. On the other hand, there is no direct transaction relationship between the downstream company (Company A) and the upstream companies (Company C, Company D). That is, information is transmitted between the downstream company (Company A) and the midstream company (Company B), and between the midstream company (Company B) and the upstream companies (Company C, Company D), while information is not transmitted between the downstream company (Company A) and the upstream companies (Company C, Company D). For example, when a trading company, Company E, intervenes between Company A and Company B, information is transmitted between Company A and Company E, and between Company E and Company B, and information is not transmitted between Company A and Company B.

[0029] For example, when a transaction of Product C is initiated between Company B and Company C, at least the information on regulated substances among the target substances contained in Product C is provided by Company C to Company B. Specifically, the information on regulated substances among the target substances contained in Product C may be provided by Company C to Company B spontaneously, or provided by Company C to Company B in response to a request from Company B. On the other hand, the information on chemical substances other than regulated substances among the target substances contained in Product C is provided by Company C to Company B when Company C spontaneously provides it to Company B or when Company C responds to a request from Company B. That is, the information on chemical substances other than regulated substances among the target substances contained in Product C may not be provided by Company C to Company B. This is the same for transactions between Company A and Company B, and between Company B and Company D. When a transaction of Product D is initiated between Company B and Company D, at least the information on regulated substances among the target substances contained in Product D is provided by Company D to Company B. When a transaction of Product B is initiated between Company A and Company B, at least the information on regulated substances among the target substances contained in Product B is provided by Company B to Company A. In this way, each company receives the provision of information on at least the regulated substances among the target substances contained in the purchased products from the upstream company with which it has a direct transaction relationship, and manages the information on the target substances contained in its own products including the purchased products. The transmission of information between each company is carried out in the distributed ledger network 2 (Figure 1) formed including the information management devices 10-1 to 10-4 and the platform provider 30.

[0030] Referring back to FIG. 1, each of the information management apparatuses 10-1 to 10-4 has introduced software for a distributed ledger infrastructure. The distributed ledger infrastructure is configured to include a smart contract that enables limiting the sharing range of transaction data among parties. Therefore, the distributed ledgers 161-1 to 161-4 respectively possessed by the information management apparatuses 10-1 to 10-4 hold different transaction data from each other. As the distributed ledger infrastructure, for example, CORDA (registered trademark) may be adopted. When not particularly distinguishing the distributed ledgers 161-1 to 161-4, they may be described as "distributed ledger 161-N".

[0031] When the introduced software for the distributed ledger infrastructure functions, the control apparatuses 110-1 to 110-4 (FIG. 5 described later) included in the information management apparatuses 10-1 to 10-4 respectively function as nodes 111-1 to 111-4. By the nodes 111-1 to 111-4 communicating with each other via the network NW, a distributed ledger network 2 is formed. Note that the information management apparatuses 10-1 to 10-4 basically have the same configuration. Therefore, when not particularly distinguishing the information management apparatuses 10-1 to 10-4, they may be described as "information management apparatus 10-N". The same applies to the nodes 111-1 to 111-4. When not particularly distinguishing the nodes 111-1 to 111-4, they may be described as "node 111-N".

[0032] FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the distributed ledger 161-N. In FIG. 3, the mutual relationship of the distributed ledgers 161-1 to 161-4 respectively stored in the information management apparatuses 10-1 to 10-4 is schematically shown.

[0033] The distributed ledger 161-1 and the distributed ledger 161-2 share the transaction data transmitted and received between the information management device 10-1 (node 111-1) of Company A and the information management device 10-2 (node 111-2) of Company B (area D1). Area D1 includes, for example, the transaction data containing the information of the target substance contained in Product B transmitted and received between nodes 111-1 and 111-2. Note that area D1 also includes, for example, the transaction data for inquiring about the target substance contained in Product B transmitted and received between nodes 111-1 and 111-2, and the transaction data of the response to the inquiry, etc.

[0034] The distributed ledger 161-2 and the distributed ledger 161-3 share the transaction data transmitted and received between the information management device 10-2 (node 111-2) of Company B and the information management device 10-3 (node 111-3) of Company C (area D2). Area D2 includes, for example, the transaction data containing the information of the target substance contained in Product C transmitted and received between nodes 111-2 and 111-3. Note that area D2 also includes, for example, the transaction data for inquiring about the target substance contained in Product C transmitted and received between nodes 111-2 and 111-3, and the transaction data of the response to the inquiry, etc.

[0035] The distributed ledger 161-2 and the distributed ledger 161-4 share the transaction data transmitted and received between the information management device 10-2 (node 111-2) of Company B and the information management device 10-4 (node 111-4) of Company D (area D3). Area D3 includes, for example, the transaction data containing the information of the target substance contained in Product D transmitted and received between nodes 111-2 and 111-4. Note that area D3 also includes, for example, the transaction data for inquiring about the target substance contained in Product D transmitted and received between nodes 111-2 and 111-4, and the transaction data of the response to the inquiry, etc.

[0036] For example, from the perspective of Company B, a midstream company in the supply chain, there may be cases where it does not want Company A to know the information about which companies it sources Product C and Product D included in Product B. Transaction data includes information such as the source and destination nodes. Therefore, for example, if transaction data is broadcast to all nodes forming the distributed ledger network 2, Company A may learn the suppliers of Product C and Product D. In the information management system 1 according to the present embodiment, by limiting the sharing range of transaction data to the parties involved, it is possible to suppress the disclosure of transaction partner information (such as company names) to parties other than companies with a direct trading relationship.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 1 again, the distributed ledger network 2 in the information management system 1 is a consortium / private type network. The platform provider 30 functions as the administrator of the information management system 1. The platform provider 30 has, as its functions, an operation function 40 and an infrastructure function 50. The operation function 40 includes a node 41, a list management unit 42 (FIG. 5), and a distributed ledger 43, and functions as a node function for registering and updating a regulation list, which will be described later, in the distributed ledger network 2. Details of the operation function 40 will be described later. Note that the platform provider 30 corresponds to an example of the "management device" according to the present disclosure.

[0038] The infrastructure function 50 includes a doorman node 51, a network map node 53, and a notary node 55, and functions as a platform for managing the distributed ledger network 2.

[0039] The doorman node 51 approves the participation applications from nodes 111-N and node 41 that wish to participate in the distributed ledger network 2. Also, the doorman node 51 issues certificates to nodes 111-N and node 41. Nodes 111-N and node 41 that participate in the distributed ledger network 2 create a pair of private and public keys at the time of participation (for example, at the first startup) and send a request for certificate issuance to the doorman node 51. The doorman node 51 verifies predetermined conditions and issues certificates to nodes 111-N and node 41 for which a certificate issuance request has been made.

[0040] The network map node 53 stores information (for example, IP addresses) of nodes 111-N and node 41 for which certificates have been issued by the doorman node 51 (that is, participation in the distributed ledger network 2 has been permitted). The network map node 53 functions as a DNS (Domain Name System) in the distributed ledger network 2. Nodes 111-1 to 111-4 and node 41 that form the distributed ledger network 2 recognize the destination of transaction data based on the information provided by, for example, the network map node 53.

[0041] The notary node 55 gives finality to the transaction data. When the nodes 111-N and node 41 generate the transaction data, they send the transaction data including the hash value (transaction ID) of the transaction data and the index of the output of the transaction data to the notary node 55. This transaction data includes the signatures of the node that sent the transaction data (for example, node 111-2 of Company B) and the node that received the transaction data (for example, node 111-1 of Company A). After verifying the transaction data based on the transaction ID and the index of the output, the notary node 55 adds a signature to the transaction data and returns the transaction data. The notary node 55 guarantees the order of the transaction data by sequentially holding the signed transaction data. For example, the notary node 55 may hold a map with the transaction ID and the index of the output as keys, and the transaction ID, the index of the input, and the peer (node) information as values. For example, if there is no matching key in the map, the notary node 55 may be configured to add the transaction data to the map and add a signature to the transaction data. If there is a matching key in the map, the notary node 55 may be configured to return an error.

[0042] The nodes 111-N and node 41 generate the transaction data. As described above, when the software of the distributed ledger infrastructure functions, the control device 110-N (FIG. 5) included in the information management device 10-N functions as the node 111-N. Also, when the software of the distributed ledger infrastructure functions, the control device 31 (FIG. 4) included in the platform provider 30 functions as the node 41.

[0043] In the information management system 1, the platform provider 30 (operation function 40) monitors the amendment of laws and regulations, etc. (i.e., the update of regulated substances). Specifically, the platform provider 30 monitors, for example, the update of SVHC and / or the update of GADSL. When these updates are detected, that is, when a new chemical substance is designated in SVHC and / or a new chemical substance is designated in GADSL, the platform provider 30 detects the addition of regulated substances. When detecting the addition of regulated substances, the node 41 of the platform provider 30 transmits transaction data proposing the addition of regulated substances (update of the regulation list) to all nodes 111-1 to 111-4.

[0044] The information management device 10-N stores product composition data (151-N, 164-N in FIG. 5) regarding its own products. In each company, the product composition data is important information. In the present embodiment, in each company, the product composition data is selected to be either publicly disclosed to downstream companies or not. Although details will be described later, when the regulation list is updated, if the information on the regulated substances (target substances) added to the regulation list by the update is designated for public disclosure, the information management device 10-N automatically discloses the information on the target substances to downstream companies. When the regulation list is updated and the information on the target substances is designated for non-disclosure, the information management device 10-N discloses the information on the target substances to downstream companies through an approval process using a workflow function described later.

[0045] <Hardware Configuration> FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing the hardware configuration of the platform provider 30. The platform provider 30 includes a control device 31, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 32, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 33, a communication device 34, a storage device 35, an input device 36, and a display device 37. The control device 31, the ROM 32, the RAM 33, the communication device 34, the storage device 35, the input device 36, and the display device 37 are connected to a bus 39.

[0046] The control device 31 is constituted by, for example, an integrated circuit including a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control device 31 expands and executes various programs stored in the ROM 32 in the RAM 33. The various programs include, for example, the software of the distributed ledger infrastructure. The RAM 33 functions as a working memory and temporarily stores various data necessary for the execution of the various programs. The control device 31 executes various processes by executing the programs stored in the ROM 32.

[0047] The communication device 34 is configured to be able to communicate with external devices. The external devices include, for example, the information management devices 10-N included in the distributed ledger network 2. The communication between the communication device 34 and the external devices is performed using the Internet or the like. Further, the external devices include, for example, the server devices of external organizations that publish regulated substances on the Internet.

[0048] The input device 36 includes an input device. The input device is, for example, a mouse, a keyboard, a touch panel, and / or other devices capable of receiving user operations.

[0049] The display device 37 includes a display. The display device 37 causes the display to display various images according to the control signal from the control device 31. The display is, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, or other display devices.

[0050] The storage device 35 is configured to include a storage medium such as a hard disk or a flash memory, for example. The storage device 35 stores the distributed ledger 43. The distributed ledger 43 and the distributed ledgers 161-N of the information management devices 10-N are, for example, distributed ledgers having a DAG (Directed Acyclic Graph) structure. The transaction data included in the distributed ledger 43 and the distributed ledgers 161-N forms a semi-ordered data model. In the present embodiment, for example, one piece of transaction data forms one block.

[0051] The distributed ledger 43 includes a regulation list 350. The regulation list 350 is information indicating regulated substances (for example, chemical substances specified as SVHC and / or chemical substances specified in GADSL). The regulation list 350 contains information on one or more regulated substances. The information on the regulated substances includes, for example, a CAS (Chemical Abstracts Service) number, a substance name, a regulation update date, and a reporting threshold. The CAS number is a unique identification number assigned to a chemical substance in the chemical substance registration system of the American Chemical Society's CAS. The substance name is the name of the chemical substance. The regulation update date is the date when the chemical substance was added to the regulation list 350 (the date when it became a reporting target for downstream companies), or the date when it was regulated by laws and regulations, etc. (for example, the date when it was specified as SVHC). The reporting threshold is the threshold of the ratio (content rate) of the chemical substance contained per unit amount of the product. When the content rate is equal to or higher than the reporting threshold, the information on the chemical substance in that product becomes a reporting target for downstream companies. When the content rate is less than the reporting threshold, the information on the chemical substance is not a reporting target.

[0052] Also, the storage device 35 may store the private key generated by the node 41 of the control device 31.

[0053] The control device 31 functions as the node 41 and the list management unit 42 by executing a program related to the operation function 40.

[0054] At the time of the first startup, node 41 generates a private key and a public key compliant with a predetermined standard. The public key is sent to, for example, the network map node 53 of the basic function 50. Also, node 41 has a function of generating transaction data. Node 41 generates an electronic signature using the private key and attaches it to the transaction data. The private key is stored, for example, in the storage device 35 or another storage device (not shown). Also, node 41 has a function of approving transaction data proposed by other nodes. Node 41 verifies the transaction data proposed by other nodes, and if there is no problem with the verification result, attaches an electronic signature to the transaction data and returns the transaction data to other nodes.

[0055] The list management unit 42 manages the regulation list 350. The list management unit 42 communicates with the outside at a predetermined cycle via the communication device 34 and monitors changes in laws and regulations (addition of regulated substances). Specifically, the list management unit 42 monitors, via the communication device 34, whether a new regulated substance has been designated for SVHC or whether a new chemical substance has been designated for GADSL by communicating with the server device of an external organization at a predetermined cycle. When the list management unit 42 detects, for example, that a new chemical substance has been added to SVHC (a regulated substance has been added) due to a change in laws and regulations, it requests node 41 to add the regulated substance to the regulation list 350.

[0056] When node 41 receives an update request for the restriction list 350 from the list management unit 42, it generates transaction data for adding the newly specified restricted substance to the restriction list 350 and signs the transaction data. As a result, the newly specified restricted substance is added to the restriction list 350, and the restriction list 350 is updated. Specifically, node 41 sends the transaction data to the notary node 55 and receives the signed transaction data from the notary node 55 to commit the transaction data (finalize the transaction). Node 41 sends the signed transaction data to all nodes 111-1 to 111-4 participating in the distributed ledger network 2. In other words, node 41 sends transaction data to all nodes 111-1 to 111-4 participating in the distributed ledger network 2, proposing to include the newly specified restricted substance in the restriction list 165-N (Figure 5) of the information management device 10-N. When the node 111-N that receives this transaction data approves the transaction data, the transaction data is added to the distributed ledger 161-N of the node 111-N, and the restriction list 165-N of the information management device 10-N is updated. Specifically, node 41 sends the transaction data returned from node 111-N to the notary node 55 and receives the signed transaction data from the notary node 55, whereby node 41 and node 111-N commit the transaction data. The signed transaction data of the notary node 55 is sent, for example, from node 41 to node 111-N. In the following, in the transmission and reception of transaction data between node 41 and node 111-N, and between node 111-Ns, the description of the process in which the notary node 55 signs the transaction data may be omitted.

[0057] By executing a program related to the base function 50, the control device 31 functions as a doorman node 51, a network map node 53, and a notary node 55. Since these functions are as described above, they will not be repeatedly explained.

[0058] FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing the hardware configuration of the information management device 10-N. The information management device 10-N includes a control device 110-N, a ROM 120-N, a RAM 130-N, a communication device 140-N, a storage device 150-N, a storage device 160-N, an input device 170-N, and a display device 180-N. The control device 110-N, the ROM 120-N, the RAM 130-N, the communication device 140-N, the storage device 150-N, the storage device 160-N, the input device 170-N, and the display device 180-N are connected to a bus 190-N.

[0059] The control device 110-N is constituted by, for example, an integrated circuit including a CPU. The control device 110-N expands and executes various programs stored in the ROM 120-N in the RAM 130-N. The various programs include, for example, the software of the distributed ledger base. The RAM 130-N functions as a working memory and temporarily stores various data necessary for the execution of various programs. The control device 110-N executes various processes by executing the programs stored in the ROM 120-N.

[0060] The communication device 140-N is configured to be able to communicate with external devices. The external devices include, for example, other information management devices and platform providers 30 included in the distributed ledger network 2. The communication between the communication device 140-N and the external devices is performed using, for example, the Internet or the like.

[0061] The input device 170-N includes an input device. The input device is, for example, a mouse, a keyboard, a touch panel, and / or other devices capable of receiving a user's operation.

[0062] The display device 180-N includes a display. The display device 180-N causes various images to be displayed on the display in accordance with a control signal from the control device 110-N. The display is, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or other display device.

[0063] The storage device 150-N is configured to include a storage medium such as a hard disk or a flash memory. Information stored in the storage device 150-N is managed off-chain (outside the distributed ledger network 2). The storage device 150-N stores product composition data 151-N, a customer list 152-N, and a private key 153-N of its own products. For example, in the case of the information management device 10-1 of Company A, the product composition data 151-1 includes the composition data of Product A. For example, in the case of the information management device 10-2 of Company B, the product composition data 151-2 includes the composition data of Product B. For example, in the case of the information management device 10-3 of Company C, the product composition data 151-3 includes the composition data of Product C. For example, in the case of the information management device 10-4 of Company D, the product composition data 151-4 includes the composition data of Product D. Details of the product composition data 151-N will be described later together with the details of the product composition data 164-N described later.

[0064] The customer list 152-N includes information of companies that permit disclosure of information. Specifically, the customer list 152-N registers downstream companies that have direct transactions in the supply chain. For example, in the case of the information management device 10-1 of Company A, no company is registered in the customer list 152-1. For example, in the case of the information management device 10-2 of Company B, Company A is registered in the customer list 152-2. For example, in the case of the information management device 10-3 of Company C, Company B is registered in the customer list 152-3. For example, in the case of the information management device 10-4 of Company D, Company B is registered in the customer list 152-4. No response is given to inquiries from companies not registered in the customer list 152-N. Note that the customer list 152-1 may not be stored in the storage device 150-1 of the information management device 10-1.

[0065] Also, the storage device 150-N stores the secret key 153-N and a public key (not shown) generated by the control device 110-N. Further, the storage device 150-N stores a certificate (not shown) issued from the doorman node 51 of the platform provider 30.

[0066] The storage device 160-N is configured to include a storage medium such as a hard disk or a flash memory. Information stored in the storage device 160-N is managed on-chain (inside the distributed ledger network 2). The storage device 160-N stores the distributed ledger 161-N.

[0067] The distributed ledger 161-N has a confidential area 162-N and a public area 163-N. The confidential area 162-N is an area where transaction data that is not shared with any other nodes is stored, that is, an area where transaction data that only itself holds on-chain is stored. The public area 163-N is an area where transaction data that is shared with at least one other node on-chain is stored.

[0068] The confidential area 162-N stores the product composition data 164-N. The product composition data 164-N is the same as the product composition data 151-N stored in the storage device 150-N. The control device 110-N causes the product composition data 164-N with the same content as the product composition data 151-N to be stored also in the on-chain confidential area 162-N (the confidential area 162-N of the distributed ledger 161-N). When the control device 110-N updates one of the product composition data 151-N and the product composition data 164-N, it also updates the other in the same manner. Storing the product composition data 164-N with the same content as the product composition data 151-N also in the on-chain confidential area 162-N is to enable the information of the chemical substances (regulated substances) newly added to the regulation list 165-N to be automatically extracted from the product composition data 164-N by the processing of the node 111-N (specifically, in this embodiment, the node 111-N and the management function unit 112-N) on the on-chain. For example, the node 111-N cannot extract the information of the newly specified regulated substances from the product composition data 151-N stored off-chain. In order to extract the information of the newly specified regulated substances from the product composition data 151-N stored off-chain, for example, a separate configuration for extraction needs to be added or human intervention is required. By storing the product composition data 164-N on-chain, the node 111-N can extract the information of the newly specified regulated substances from the product composition data 164-N. As a result, in the information management system 1, from the update of the regulation list 350 by the platform provider 30, it becomes possible to automate a series of processes from updating the regulation list 165-N according to the update of the regulation list 350 to extracting the information of the newly specified regulated substances from the product composition data 164-N based on the regulation list 165-N.

[0069] The public domain 163-N stores a regulation list 165-N and public data 166-N. The regulation list 165-N is updated as the regulation list 350 by the platform provider 30 is updated. When the node 41 of the platform provider 30 adds a newly designated regulated substance to the regulation list 350 due to a change in laws and regulations, etc., and updates the regulation list 350, it sends transaction data proposing to add the newly designated regulated substance to the regulation list 165-N and update the regulation list 165-N to the node 111-N of the information management device 10-N. When the node 111-N approves the transaction data, the transaction data is added to the distributed ledger 161-N, and the regulation list 165-N is updated. Specifically, the notary node 55 signs the transaction data, and then the transaction data is committed.

[0070] The public data 166-N is created by extracting information on regulated substances included in the regulation list 165-N from the product composition data 164-N. That is, the public data 166-N is information on chemical substances that is included in the product composition data 164-N and also included in the regulation list 165-N. However, in each company, the product composition data is important information. For example, due to an error in the system or the like, it is possible that product composition data that does not need to be disclosed is disclosed to other companies. In this embodiment, it is possible to determine the necessity of confidentiality for a predetermined data unit included in the product composition data. Data that needs to be kept confidential can be determined to be confidential, and data that may be disclosed can be determined to be non-confidential. When a chemical substance determined to be confidential becomes a regulated substance, after obtaining approval within the company by utilizing the workflow function described later, the information on the chemical substance will be disclosed. Therefore, more specifically, the public data 166-N is information on chemical substances that (1) is included in the product composition data 164-N, (2) is included in the regulation list 165-N, and (3) has been determined to be non-confidential or has been approved for disclosure.

[0071] FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing an example of product composition data 151-3 and 164-3 for Product C of Company C. As described above, since product composition data 151-3 and product composition data 164-3 are the same data, hereinafter, product composition data 164-3 will be described as an example.

[0072] Product composition data 164-3 includes item information on product name, product number, assembled product number, content rate, and necessity for confidentiality. The product name is Product C, and its product number is C001. Product C is configured to include products (chemical substances) with assembled product numbers CA001 to CA004 as its composition. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the content rate of assembled product number CA001 in Product C is X1%, the content rate of assembled product number CA002 is X2%, the content rate of assembled product number CA003 is X3%, and the content rate of assembled product number CA004 is X4%. The sum of the content rates X1% to X4% is 100%. For example, further, when assembled product number CA001 is configured to include products with assembled product numbers CB001 and CB002, the item information on the assembled product number may include a first layer indicating assembled product numbers CA001 to CA004, and for each assembled product number in the first layer, a second layer indicating the assembled product numbers constituting the products of the assembled product number in the first layer. In the product composition data 164-3 according to this embodiment, the item information on the assembled product number has only the first layer.

[0073] The item information on whether to keep confidential indicates "public" or "non - public" and is determined at the finished product item number unit (the first - level finished product item number unit). That is, the above - mentioned predetermined data unit in the product composition data 164 - 3 is the first - level finished product item number unit. "Public" indicates that the composition data of the chemical substance (including at least the finished product item number and the content rate) is extracted from the product composition data 164 - 3 and included in the public data 166 - N and stored in the public area 163 - N. "Non - public" indicates that the composition data of the chemical substance is not included in the public data 166 - N and is retained in the confidential area 162 - N. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the finished product item numbers CA001 and CA002 are determined to be public, and the finished product item numbers CA003 and CA004 are determined to be non - public. Here, it is assumed that the chemical substances specified by the finished product item numbers CA001 and CA002 are regulated substances, and the chemical substances specified by the finished product item numbers CA003 and CA004 are not regulated substances.

[0074] The product composition data (public data 166 - 3) of product C disclosed from the information management device 10 - 3 (node 111 - 3) of Company C to the information management device 10 - 2 (node 111 - 2) of Company B includes the composition data of the finished product item numbers CA001 and CA002, but does not include the composition data of the finished product item numbers CA003 and CA004.

[0075] Here, assume that the regulation list 165 - 3 is updated and the chemical substance specified by the finished product item number CA003 is added to the regulation list 165 - 3 as a regulated substance. In order to disclose the information of the newly added regulated substance in the regulation list 165 - 3 to the outside, approval needs to be obtained within Company C. The information management device 10 - 3 (information management device 10 - N) has a workflow function for automating the process of obtaining approval for the disclosure of regulated substance information. Note that the workflow function can also be applied to the disclosure of information on chemical substances other than regulated substances. In this embodiment, all the information management devices 10 - N included in the information management system 1 have a workflow function.

[0076] FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the workflow function. Referring to FIG. 7, a plurality of client devices 12-N are connected to the information management device 10-N so as to be wirelessly communicable or wired communicable. The information management device 10-N and the client device 12-N capable of wired communication are connected to a bus 11-N.

[0077] Each of the plurality of client devices 12-N is a terminal device belonging to the same or related company as the company that manages the information management device 10-N. Each of the plurality of client devices 12-N belongs to, for example, different departments from each other. Specifically, taking the information management device 10-3 of Company C as an example, each of the plurality of client devices 12-3 belongs to different departments within Company C, for example.

[0078] When a new regulated substance is specified due to the amendment of laws and regulations or the like, it is necessary to obtain approval within the company regarding the disclosure of information on the new regulated substance to the outside (downstream companies). The department having the authority to approve the disclosure of chemical substance information may vary for each chemical substance.

[0079] The information management device 10-N implements web application software (hereinafter also simply referred to as "web app"). Each of the plurality of client devices 12-N uses the web app using a web browser. The workflow function in the present embodiment is realized by using the web app. When starting the workflow function, the information management device 10-N notifies the client device group (a plurality of client devices 12-N) of the start of the workflow.

[0080] For each chemical substance included in the composition of the product, a client device 12-N of the department with approval authority (approval department) is preset. After each of the plurality of client devices 12-N receives a start notification of the workflow, it refers to the WEB application at a predetermined cycle until it receives an end notification of the workflow. The information management device 10-N discloses information on newly designated regulated substances to the plurality of client devices 12-N via the WEB application. Each of the plurality of client devices 12-N determines whether the approval department for approving the disclosure of information on the newly designated regulated substances is its own department. When the client device 12-N that is the approval department newly designates a regulated substance for which it is the approver, after performing the approval process, it approves the disclosure of information on the regulated substances contained in its own products to downstream companies. The approval process may include, for example, a process of confirming whether the content of the regulated substances in the company's own products is equal to or higher than the reporting threshold. The reporting threshold is the threshold of the ratio (content rate) of the target substance contained per unit quantity of the product. For example, a predetermined value is defined by laws and regulations, etc., and an upstream company has an obligation to disclose information on the regulated substances to downstream companies when the content of the regulated substances in the product is equal to or higher than the predetermined value. The reporting threshold can be the above-mentioned predetermined value. The approval process may be automatically executed by a program installed in the client device 12-N, or manually executed by an administrator (employee) of the management department of the client device 12-N.

[0081] When the information management device 10-N detects that approval has been performed by the client device 12-N of the approval department, it decides to change the information on the item of whether confidentiality of the regulated substances whose information disclosure has been approved from non-disclosure to disclosure, and includes the composition data of the regulated substances in the public data 166-N. In addition, when the information management device 10-N detects that approval has been performed by the client device 12-N of the approval department, it notifies the client device group (a plurality of client devices 12-N) of the end of the workflow. Thereby, the workflow function ends.

[0082] The node 111-N of the information management device 10-N generates transaction data for reporting product composition data (public data 166-N) including information on approved regulated substances, and transmits the transaction data to the nodes of downstream companies. As a result, information on regulated substances is reported to downstream companies. Note that when a new regulated substance is designated, only the information on the regulated substance or product composition data (public data 166-N) with the information on the regulated substance added may be reported from upstream companies to downstream companies.

[0083] In the example of FIG. 6, when the information management device 10-3 detects that approval has been performed by the client device 12-3 of the approval department, it determines to change the item information on the necessity of confidentiality of the chemical substance specified by the assembly part number CA003 from non-disclosed to disclosed. The node 111-3 of the information management device 10-3 extracts the composition data of the chemical substance (regulated substance) specified by the assembly part number CA003 from the product composition data 164-3, and includes the composition data of the chemical substance specified by the assembly part number CA003 in the public data 166-3. The node 111-3 of the information management device 10-3 generates transaction data for reporting the public data 166-3 (product composition data including information on approved regulated substances), and transmits the transaction data to the node of the downstream company (the node 111-2 of Company B). As a result, information on the chemical substance specified by the assembly part number CA003, which is a newly added regulated substance, is reported to the downstream company.

[0084] FIGS. 8 and 9 are diagrams schematically showing an example of product composition data 151-2 and 164-2 for Product B of Company B. FIG. 8 shows an example of product composition data 151-2 and 164-2 before a new regulated substance (assembly part number CA003) is added to the regulation list 165-2. FIG. 9 shows an example of product composition data 151-2 and 164-2 after a new regulated substance (assembly part number CA003) is added to the regulation list 165-2. As described above, since the product composition data 151-2 and the product composition data 164-2 are the same, the product composition data 164-2 will be described as an example below.

[0085] First, referring to FIG. 8, the product composition data 164-2 includes item information such as product name, product number, assembled product number, content rate, and confidentiality requirement. The product name is Product B, and its product number is B001. Product B is composed of Product C and Product D. In the first layer of the assembled product number, Product C and its product number C001, as well as Product D and its product number D001, are included. In Product B, the content rate of Product C is Z1%, and the content rate of Product D is Z2%. The sum of the content rate Z1% and the content rate Z2% is 100%.

[0086] In the second layer of the assembled product number, the composition data of Product C disclosed by Company C and the composition data of Product D disclosed by Company D are included. Specifically, in the second layer of the assembled product number, the assembled product numbers CA001 and CA002 included in the public data 166-3 by Company C, and the assembled product numbers DA001, DA002, and DA003 included in the public data 166-4 by Company D are included. In Product C, the content rate of the assembled product number CA001 is X1%, and the content rate of the assembled product number CA002 is X2%. In Product D, the content rate of the assembled product number DA001 is Y1%, the content rate of the assembled product number DA002 is Y2%, and the content rate of the assembled product number DA003 is Y3%. For example, if Company C does not disclose all the compositions of Product C, the sum of the content rate X1% and the content rate X2% will not be 100%. In this embodiment, since Company C does not disclose the information of the chemical substances specified by the assembled product numbers CA003 and CA004, the sum of the content rate X1% and the content rate X2% will not be 100%.

[0087] The item information on whether to keep confidential is determined at the first - level assembly part number unit. In the example of FIG. 8, for Product C, disclosure has been determined, and for Product D, non - disclosure has been determined. That is, the product composition data (public data 166 - 2) disclosed from the information management device 10 - 2 (node 111 - 2) of Company B to the information management device 10 - 1 (node 111 - 1) of Company A contains the composition data of Product C but does not contain the composition data of Product D. In other words, the public data 166 - 2 contains the composition data of Product C but does not contain the composition data of Product D. That is, the above - mentioned predetermined data unit in the product composition data 164 - 2 is the first - level assembly part number unit. Note that it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the item information on whether to keep confidential is determined at the second - level assembly part number unit. That is, it is also possible to set the predetermined data unit as the second - level assembly part number unit.

[0088] By adding the regulated substance (assembly part number CA003) to the regulation list 165 - 3, in the information management device 10 - 3 (node 111 - 3) of Company C, the composition data of the assembly part number CA003 is added to the public data 166 - 3. As a result, the transaction data for disclosing the public data 166 - 3 to which the composition data of the assembly part number CA003 has been added is transmitted from node 111 - 3 to node 111 - 2. When node 111 - 2 approves the transaction data, the transaction data is added to the distributed ledger 161 - 2, and the composition data of the assembly part number CA003 is disclosed to node 111 - 2. Node 111 - 2 updates the product composition data 164 - 2 by adding the composition data of the assembly part number CA003. Further, the control device 110 - 2 updates the product composition data 151 - 2 along with the update of the product composition data 164 - 2.

[0089] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, in the product composition data 151-2 and 164-2, for Product C, the composition data of the assembled product number CA003 has been added. Specifically, in the product composition data 164-2, for Product C, the assembled product number CA003 and its content rate X3% have been added. Here, as also shown in FIG. 8, the item information on whether or not to keep Product C confidential has been determined to be public. In other words, the composition data of Product C is included in the public data 166-2. Therefore, node 111-2 extracts the composition data of the assembled product number CA003 from the product composition data 164-2 and includes it in the public data 166-2. Node 111-2 transmits the transaction data that discloses the public data 166-2 to which the composition data of the assembled product number CA003 has been added to the node 111-1 of Company A. When the node 111-1 approves the said transaction data, the said transaction data is added to the distributed ledger 161-1, and the composition data of the assembled product number CA003 is disclosed to the node 111-1. Node 111-1 updates the product composition data 164-1 by adding the composition data of the assembled product number CA003. Furthermore, the control device 110-1 updates the product composition data 151-1 along with the update of the product composition data 164-1. Thus, when there is a disclosure of the composition data of the chemical substance specified by the assembled product number CA003 for Product C from Company C, which is an upstream company, and when the item information on whether or not to keep Product C confidential has been determined to be public in advance, node 111-2 automatically discloses the composition data of the assembled product number CA003 to the node 111-1 of Company A, which is a downstream company. In other words, before receiving the transaction data that discloses the public data 166-3 to which the composition data of the assembled product number CA003 has been added from the node 111-3 of Company C, when the item information on whether or not to keep Product C confidential has been determined to be public, node 111-2 automatically discloses the composition data of the assembled product number CA003 to the node 111-1 of Company A. "Automatically" means that node 111-2 transmits the transaction data that discloses the public data 166-2 to which the composition data of the assembled product number CA003 has been added to the node 111-1 of Company A in response to the reception of the said transaction data from the node 111-3 of Company C.That is, without undergoing the approval process, node 111-2 transmits transaction data that discloses public data 166-2 with the composition data of finished product number CA003 added to node 111-1 of Company A.

[0090] On the other hand, if it is determined that the item information on the need for confidentiality of Product C is non-disclosed, and if there is a disclosure of the composition data of the chemical substance specified by the finished product number CA003 for Product C from Company C, which is an upstream company, node 111-2 will not automatically disclose the composition data of finished product number CA003 to node 111-1 of Company A, which is a downstream company. In this case, node 111-2 waits (i.e., the approval process is executed) for approval to disclose the composition data of Product C through the workflow function. If approval to disclose the composition data of Product C is obtained through the approval process, node 111-2 discloses the composition data of Product C to node 111-1 of Company A.

[0091] Referring to FIG. 5 again, the control device 110-N functions as node 111-N, the management function unit 112-N, and the workflow function unit 113-N by executing the program stored in the ROM 120-N.

[0092] At the time of first startup, node 111-N generates a private key 153-N and a public key that comply with a predetermined standard. The private key 153-N is stored in the storage device 150-N. The public key is sent to, for example, the network map node 53 of the platform provider 30. Also, node 111-N has a function of generating transaction data. Node 111-N generates an electronic signature using the private key 153-N and attaches it to the transaction data. Also, node 111-N has a function of approving transaction data proposed by other nodes. Node 111-N verifies the transaction data proposed by other nodes, and if there is no problem with the verification result, attaches an electronic signature to the transaction data and returns the transaction data to other nodes.

[0093] When the node 111-N receives transaction data proposing to include newly designated regulated substances due to amendments to laws and regulations, etc. in the regulation list 165-N from the node 41 of the platform provider 30, after verifying the transaction data, the node 111-N approves the transaction data. Then, the node 111-N stores the transaction data in the distributed ledger 161-N. As a result, the newly designated regulated substances are added to the regulation list 165-N, and the regulation list 165-N is updated.

[0094] When the regulation list 165-N is updated, the node 111-N executes a process (confirmation process) to confirm whether it is necessary to disclose information on the regulated substances added to the regulation list 165-N by the update to downstream companies. Specifically, the node 111-N queries the product composition data 164-N for the regulated substances added to the regulation list 165-N and checks whether the content rate of the above-mentioned added regulated substances in its own products is equal to or higher than the reporting threshold. When the content rate of the above-mentioned regulated substances in the product composition data 164-N is equal to or higher than the reporting threshold, the node 111-N determines that it is necessary to disclose information on the above-mentioned regulated substances to downstream companies. That is, the node 111-N confirms that the update of the regulation list 165-N affects itself. When the content rate of the above-mentioned regulated substances in the product composition data 164-N is less than the reporting threshold, the node 111-N determines that it is not necessary to disclose information on the above-mentioned regulated substances to downstream companies. That is, the node 111-N confirms that the update of the regulation list 165-N does not affect itself. When it is confirmed that the update of the regulation list 165-N affects itself, the node 111-N notifies the management function unit 112-N to that effect. It is also possible to have the management function unit 112-N perform the function of executing the confirmation process. In this case, for example, when the management function unit 112-N detects the update of the regulation list 165-N by the node 111-N, it uses the product composition data 151-N to execute the confirmation process.

[0095] When the management function unit 112-N receives a notice that the update of the regulation list 165-N affects itself, it executes a process (read process) of reading the information of downstream companies (customer information) from the storage device 150-N. Specifically, the management function unit 112-N reads the customer information by referring to the customer list 152-N stored in the storage device 150-N. The management function unit 112-N notifies the workflow function unit 113-N of the information on regulated substances to be reported to downstream companies. It is also possible to assign the function of executing the read process of the management function unit 112-N to the node 111-N. In this case, for example, information similar to the customer list 152-N is also stored in the confidential area 162-N of the distributed ledger 161-N stored in the storage device 160-N. That is, information similar to the customer list 152-N is stored on the blockchain. Thereby, the node 111-N can read the customer information from the distributed ledger 161-N.

[0096] The workflow function unit 113-N notifies the start and end of the workflow to the client device group (Figure 7). When the workflow function unit 113-N obtains approval to disclose the information on regulated substances added to the regulation list 165-N from the client device 12-N of the approval department by the workflow function, it notifies the management function unit 112-N to that effect.

[0097] When the management function unit 112-N receives an approval notice from the workflow function unit 113-N, it requests the node 111-N to update the public data 166-N.

[0098] When Node 111-N receives a request to update the public data 166-N, it updates the public data 166-N by adding information on regulated substances for which approval has been obtained. Then, Node 111-N generates transaction data including the public data 166-N and transmits the transaction data to the nodes of the downstream companies targeted. When the nodes of the downstream companies approve the transaction data, the public data 166-N is disclosed to the downstream companies. That is, the information on the added regulated substances is reported to the downstream companies. Thereby, information on chemical substances (regulated substances in this embodiment) is disclosed from the upstream companies to the downstream companies. Note that Node 111-N may generate transaction data including information on regulated substances for which approval has been obtained and transmit the transaction data to the nodes of the downstream companies targeted.

[0099] When receiving the disclosure of information on chemical substances from the nodes of the upstream companies, each part of the control device 110-N functions as follows, for example.

[0100] When Node 111-N receives transaction data including public data from the nodes of the upstream companies, it verifies and approves the transaction data. Thereby, information on chemical substances newly disclosed by the nodes of the upstream companies is added to the product composition data 164-N, and the product composition data 164-N is updated. The management function unit 112-N detects the update of the product composition data 164-N. The management function unit 112-N updates the product composition data 151-N in accordance with the update of the product composition data 164-N.

[0101] Node 111-N executes a process (judgment process) for determining whether the information of the disclosed chemical substance is subject to confidentiality. When the composition data of the product containing the disclosed chemical substance is included in the public data 166-N (in other words, when the item information on whether confidentiality is required for the product containing the disclosed chemical substance has been determined to be publicly disclosed in advance in the product composition data 164-N), Node 111-N determines that the disclosed chemical substance is not a confidentiality target. When the composition data of the product containing the disclosed chemical substance is not included in the public data 166-N (in other words, when the item information on whether confidentiality is required for the product containing the disclosed chemical substance has been determined to be non-publicly disclosed in advance in the product composition data 164-N), Node 111-N determines that the disclosed chemical substance is a confidentiality target.

[0102] Using the example shown in FIG. 9 for explanation, when the information of the chemical substance specified by the assembly part number CA003 is disclosed from Node 111-3 of Company C, which is an upstream company, Node 111-2 of Company B determines that the disclosed chemical substance is not a confidentiality target because the item information on whether confidentiality is required for Product C containing the chemical substance specified by the assembly part number CA003 has been determined to be publicly disclosed in advance (because the composition data of Product C is included in the public data 166-2).

[0103] When Node 111-N determines that the disclosed chemical substance is not a confidentiality target, it includes the information of the chemical substance in the public data 166-N. Then, Node 111-N transmits the transaction data including the public data 166-N to the nodes of the downstream companies. In this way, when the information of the chemical substance is disclosed from the upstream company, Node 111-N determines whether the chemical substance is a confidentiality target, and if it is not a confidentiality target, it discloses the information of the chemical substance to the downstream companies. A series of processes from receiving the disclosure of the chemical substance information from the upstream company to disclosing the information of the chemical substance to the downstream companies can be automated.

[0104] When Node 111-N determines that the disclosed chemical substance is a secrecy target, it checks whether the disclosed chemical substance is a regulated substance based on Regulation List 165-N. If the disclosed chemical substance is not a regulated substance, there is no obligation to disclose it to downstream companies. On the other hand, if the disclosed chemical substance is a regulated substance, disclosure to downstream companies is required. When Node 111-N determines that the disclosed chemical substance is a regulated substance, it notifies the Management Function Unit 112-N to that effect (that it has received disclosure of a regulated substance from an upstream company).

[0105] When the Management Function Unit 112-N receives notice that it has received disclosure of a regulated substance from an upstream company, it executes the above-described reading process, that is, the process of reading the information of downstream companies (customer information) from the storage device 150-N. The Management Function Unit 112-N notifies the Workflow Function Unit 113-N of the information on the regulated substance (the chemical substance disclosed by the upstream company) to be reported to downstream companies.

[0106] The Workflow Function Unit 113-N notifies the start and end of the workflow to the client device group (Figure 7). When the Workflow Function Unit 113-N obtains approval to disclose the information on the regulated substance added to the Regulation List 165-N from the client device 12-N of the approval department by the workflow function, it notifies the Management Function Unit 112-N to that effect.

[0107] When the Management Function Unit 112-N receives the approval notice from the Workflow Function Unit 113-N, it requests Node 111-N to update the public data 166-N.

[0108] When Node 111-N receives a request to update the public data 166-N, it updates the public data 166-N by adding information on approved regulated substances. Then, Node 111-N generates transaction data including the updated public data 166-N and sends the transaction data to the nodes of the downstream enterprises targeted. When the downstream enterprise nodes approve the transaction data, the public data 166-N is disclosed to the downstream enterprises. That is, information on chemical substances (regulated substances) disclosed from upstream enterprises is reported to downstream enterprises. Note that Node 111-N may generate transaction data including information on approved regulated substances and send the transaction data to the nodes of the downstream enterprises targeted.

[0109] Note that it is also possible to have the management function unit 112-N perform the function of executing the above determination process (the process for determining whether information on chemical substances disclosed from upstream enterprises is subject to confidentiality). In this case, for example, information similar to the regulation list 165-N is also stored in the storage device 150-N. That is, information similar to the regulation list 165-N is also stored off-chain. Thereby, the management function unit 112-N can execute the determination process using the regulation list stored in the storage device 150-N.

[0110] <Flowchart> FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the process executed by the control device 110-N of the information management device 10-N when the regulation list is updated. The process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 10 is called from the main routine after the information management device 10-N is started and is repeatedly executed at predetermined intervals. Each step (hereinafter, steps are abbreviated as "S") of the flowcharts shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 described later will be described for the case where they are realized by software processing by the control device 110-N of the information management device 10-N, but a part or all of them may be realized by hardware (electronic circuit) fabricated in the control device 110-N.

[0111] In S1, the control device 110-N (node 111-N) determines whether it has received transaction data proposing to include a new regulated substance in the regulation list 165-N from node 41 of the platform provider 30. If the control device 110-N (node 111-N) determines that it has received the above transaction data (YES in S1), the process proceeds to S2. If the control device 110-N (node 111-N) determines that it has not received the above transaction data (NO in S1), the process returns.

[0112] In S2, after verifying the transaction data received in S1, the control device 110-N (node 111-N) approves the transaction data. The control device 110-N (node 111-N) stores the transaction data in the distributed ledger 161-N. As a result, the newly specified regulated substance is added to the regulation list 165-N, and the regulation list 165-N is updated.

[0113] In S3, the control device 110-N (node 111-N) executes a confirmation process and determines whether it is necessary to report the information on the added regulated substance to downstream companies. Specifically, the control device 110-N (node 111-N) queries the regulated substances added to the regulation list 165-N against the product composition data 164-N to confirm whether the added regulated substances are included in the products (in-house products) supplied by the company to downstream companies. If the added regulated substances are included in the in-house products, the control device 110-N (node 111-N) also confirms whether the content rate is equal to or higher than the reporting threshold. If the regulated substances are included in the product composition data 164-N and the content rate of the regulated substances is equal to or higher than the reporting threshold, the control device 110-N (node 111-N) determines that it is necessary to disclose the information on the regulated substances to downstream companies (YES in S3) and proceeds with the process to S4. If the regulated substances are not included in the product composition data 164-N, or if the regulated substances are included in the product composition data 164-N but the content rate of the regulated substances is less than the reporting threshold, the control device 110-N (node 111-N) determines that it is not necessary to disclose the information on the regulated substances to downstream companies (NO in S3) and transfers the process to return.

[0114] In S4, the control device 110-N (node 111-N) determines whether the information on the added regulated substance is a confidentiality target of the company. Specifically, the control device 110-N (node 111-N) determines whether the information on the added regulated substance is a confidentiality target based on whether the added regulated substance is already included in the public data 166-N. If the control device 110-N (node 111-N) determines that the added regulated substance is not already included in the public data 166-N (YES in S4), it determines that the information on the added regulated substance is a confidentiality target and proceeds with the process to S5. If the control device 110-N (node 111-N) determines that the added regulated substance is already included in the public data 166-N (NO in S4), it determines that the information on the added regulated substance is not a confidentiality target, skips the processes of S5 and S6, and proceeds with the process to S7.

[0115] In S5, the control device 110-N (management function unit 112-N) reads the information of the downstream company (customer information) from the storage device 150-N. The control device 110-N (workflow function unit 113-N) notifies the client device group to start a workflow in order to obtain approval for disclosing the information of regulated substances to be reported to the downstream company.

[0116] In S6, the control device 110-N (workflow function unit 113-N) obtains approval from the client device 12-N of the approval department for disclosing the information of the regulated substances added to the regulation list 165-N. The control device 110-N (workflow function unit 113-N) notifies the client device group of the end of the workflow.

[0117] In S7, the control device 110-N (node 111-N) adds the information of the regulated substances added to the regulation list 165-N and updates the public data 166-N.

[0118] In S8, the control device 110-N (node 111-N) generates transaction data including the public data 166-N and transmits the transaction data to the node of the target downstream company. When the node of the downstream company approves the transaction data, the public data 166-N is disclosed to the downstream company. That is, the information of the added regulated substances is reported to the downstream company.

[0119] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the process executed by the control device 110-N of the information management device 10-N when receiving the information of chemical substances from the upstream company. The process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 11 is called from the main routine after the startup of the information management device 10-N and is repeatedly executed at a predetermined period.

[0120] In S11, the control device 110-N (node 111-N) determines whether there is a disclosure of chemical substance information from the node of the upstream company. That is, the control device 110-N (node 111-N) determines whether it has received transaction data including public data from the node of the upstream company. If there is a disclosure of chemical substance information from the node of the upstream company (YES in S11), the control device 110-N (node 111-N) proceeds with the process to S12. If there is no disclosure of chemical substance information from the node of the upstream company (NO in S11), the control device 110-N (node 111-N) transfers the process back.

[0121] In S12, the control device 110-N (node 111-N) approves the transaction data received from the node of the upstream company and stores the transaction data in the distributed ledger 161-N. As a result, the product composition data 164-N is updated. Note that the control device 110-N (management function unit 112-N) updates the product composition data 151-N along with the update of the product composition data 164-N.

[0122] In S13, the control device 110-N (node 111-N) determines whether the information of the received (disclosed) chemical substance is a secrecy target of the company. Here, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, it is assumed that a predetermined data unit is a first-layer assembled product number unit. Specifically, the control device 110-N (node 111-N) determines whether the composition data of the product containing the disclosed chemical substance is included in the public data 166-N (in the product composition data 164-N, whether the item information on the necessity of secrecy of the product containing the disclosed chemical substance has been determined to be public in advance). When the control device 110-N (node 111-N) determines that the composition data of the product containing the disclosed chemical substance is not included in the public data 166-N (YES in S13), it determines that the information of the disclosed chemical substance is a secrecy target and proceeds with the process to S14. When the control device 110-N (node 111-N) determines that the composition data of the product containing the disclosed chemical substance is included in the public data 166-N (NO in S13), it determines that the information of the disclosed chemical substance is not a secrecy target, skips the processes of S14 to S16 (approval process), and proceeds with the process to S17.

[0123] In S14, the control device 110-N (node 111-N) determines whether the received chemical substance is a regulated substance based on the regulation list 165-N. When the control device 110-N (node 111-N) determines that the received chemical substance is a regulated substance (YES in S14), it proceeds with the process to S15 to disclose the information of the chemical substance to the nodes of downstream companies. When the control device 110-N (node 111-N) determines that the received chemical substance is not a regulated substance (NO in S14), it transfers the process back without disclosing the information of the chemical substance to the nodes of downstream companies.

[0124] In S15, the control device 110-N (management function unit 112-N) reads the information of the downstream company (customer information) from the storage device 150-N. The control device 110-N (workflow function unit 113-N) notifies the client device group to start a workflow in order to obtain approval from the downstream company to disclose information on regulated substances (received chemical substances).

[0125] In S16, the control device 110-N (workflow function unit 113-N) obtains approval from the client device 12-N of the approval department to disclose information on the received chemical substances. The control device 110-N (workflow function unit 113-N) notifies the client device group of the end of the workflow.

[0126] In S17, the control device 110-N (node 111-N) adds the information of the chemical substance (regulated substance) received in S11 and updates the public data 166-N.

[0127] In S18, the control device 110-N (node 111-N) generates transaction data including the public data 166-N and transmits the transaction data to the node of the target downstream company. When the downstream company's node approves the transaction data, the public data 166-N is disclosed to the downstream company. That is, the information on the received regulated substances is reported to the downstream company.

[0128] As described above, in the information management system 1 according to the present embodiment, when the regulation list 350 is updated by the platform provider 30, in each node 111-N, the regulation list 165-N is updated in response to the update of the regulation list 350. Then, due to the update of the regulation list 165-N, information on regulated substances is disclosed from the upstream company to the downstream company.

[0129] When receiving the disclosure of chemical substance information from an upstream company, if the chemical substance is not a confidential object and is a regulated substance, Node 111-N discloses the composition data of its own products including the chemical substance information disclosed by the upstream company to the downstream company. That is, from the update of the regulation list 350 by the platform provider 30, a series of processes from updating the regulation list 165-N according to the regulation list 350 to extracting the information of newly designated regulated substances from the product composition data 164-N based on the regulation list 165-N can be automated. Therefore, in the supply chain, it becomes possible to easily circulate information.

[0130] If the chemical substance disclosed by the upstream company is a confidential object, Node 111-N discloses the composition data of its own products including the chemical substance information disclosed by the upstream company to the downstream company after passing through the approval process. For example, if the chemical substance disclosed by the upstream company is a regulated substance, it may be considered to automatically disclose the composition data of its own products including the information of the chemical substance to the downstream company. However, due to system errors or the like, cases may occur where product composition data that does not need to be disclosed is disclosed to other companies. As described above, when the chemical substance disclosed by the upstream company is a confidential object, by passing through the approval process and disclosing the composition data of its own products including the information of the chemical substance to the downstream company, unnecessary disclosure of the composition data of its own products can be suppressed.

[0131] Furthermore, in the information management system 1 according to the present embodiment, since the regulation lists (regulation lists 350, 165-N) and the public data 166-N are managed using the distributed ledger technology, the tamper resistance of these can be enhanced.

[0132] [Modification Example] In the embodiment, it was determined whether to disclose information on the disclosed chemical substance to downstream companies based on whether the composition data of the product containing the chemical substance disclosed by upstream companies is included in the public data 166-N. However, for example, in the product composition data 151-N and 164-N, a flag indicating the necessity of confidentiality may be set for a predetermined data unit, and based on the flag, it may be determined whether to disclose information on the disclosed chemical substance to downstream companies.

[0133] The disclosed embodiment should be considered illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present disclosure is indicated by the claims rather than the description of the above embodiments, and it is intended that all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims be included.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0134] 1 Information management system, 2 Distributed ledger network, 10 Information management device, 11 Bus, 12 Client device, 30 Platform provider, 31 Control device, 32 ROM, 33 RAM, 34 Communication device, 35 Storage device, 36 Input device, 37 Display device, 39 Bus, 40 Operation function, 41 Node, 42 List management unit, 43 Distributed ledger, 50 Infrastructure function, 51 Doorman node, 53 Network map node, 55 Notary node, 110 Control device, 111 Node, 112 Management function unit, 113 Workflow function unit, 120 ROM, 130 RAM, 140 Communication device, 150 Storage device, 151 Product composition data, 152 Customer list, 153 Secret key, 160 Storage device, 161 Distributed ledger, 162 Confidential area, 163 Public area, 164 Product composition data, 165 Regulation list, 166 Public data, 170 Input device, 180 Display device, 190 Bus, 350 Regulation list, NW Network.

Claims

1. An information management system for managing information on chemical substances contained in products distributed in a supply chain using a distributed ledger technology, comprising: a first device belonging to a first company that manufactures a first product and having a first distributed ledger; a second device belonging to a second company that supplies a second product included in the first product to the first company and having a second distributed ledger; a third device belonging to a third company that supplies a third product included in the second product to the second company and having a third distributed ledger; a management device that manages the information management system and has a fourth distributed ledger; the first distributed ledger, the second distributed ledger, the third distributed ledger, and the fourth distributed ledger include a list indicating chemical substances managed by the information management system; the second device stores composition data of the second product including the composition data of the third product disclosed from the third device; the management device, when designating a new chemical substance to be managed by the information management system, adds the new chemical substance and updates the list of the fourth distributed ledger; sends transaction data proposing to add the new chemical substance and update the list to the first device, the second device, and the third device; the first device, the second device, and the third device update the list of the first distributed ledger, the list of the second distributed ledger, and the list of the third distributed ledger respectively based on the transaction data from the management device; when the new chemical substance is included in the composition of the third product, the third device sends transaction data including the composition data of the third product including the information of the new chemical substance to the second device; the second device, based on the transaction data from the third device, updates the composition data of the third product included in the composition data of the second product to update the composition data of the second product; when it is determined to disclose the composition data of the third product included in the composition data of the second product, sends transaction data including the updated composition data of the second product to the first device. An information management system.

2. When the second device has not determined to disclose the composition data of the third product included in the composition data of the second product, performs a first process for disclosing the information of the new chemical substance. The information management system according to claim 1, wherein transaction data including information on the new chemical substance is transmitted to the first device based on the approval obtained by the first process.

3. The second distributed ledger includes a first confidential area for storing transaction data that is not shared with any of the first distributed ledger, the third distributed ledger, and the fourth distributed ledger, and a first public area for storing transaction data that is shared with at least one of the first distributed ledger, the third distributed ledger, and the fourth distributed ledger. The second device stores the composition data of the second product in the first confidential area and stores first public data, which is data to be disclosed to the first company among the composition data of the second product, in the first public area. The second device Based on the transaction data including the composition data of the third product including information on the new chemical substance from the third device, the composition data of the third product included in the composition data of the second product stored in the first confidential area is updated by adding the information on the new chemical substance to the composition data of the second product. If the composition data of the third product before the update is included in the first public data, the updated composition data of the second product is added to the first public data, and transaction data including the updated first public data is transmitted to the first device. The information management system according to claim 2.

4. If the composition data of the third product before the update is not included in the first public data by the second device, the first process is executed, Based on the approval obtained by the first process, the updated composition data of the second product is added to the first public data, and transaction data including the updated first public data is transmitted to the first device. The information management system according to claim 3.

5. The third distributed ledger includes a second confidential area for storing transaction data that is not shared with any of the first distributed ledger, the second distributed ledger, and the fourth distributed ledger, and a second public area for storing transaction data that is shared with at least one of the first distributed ledger, the second distributed ledger, and the fourth distributed ledger. The third device stores transaction data including the composition data of the third product in the second confidential area, and stores second public data, which is data to be disclosed to the second company among the composition data of the third product, in the second public area. The third device When the new chemical substance is added to the list of the third distributed ledger, executes a second process to include the information of the new chemical substance in the second public data. The information management system according to claim 4, wherein, based on the approval obtained by the second process, transaction data including the second public data including the information of the new chemical substance is transmitted to the second device.

6. The information management system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the chemical substance included in the list is a chemical substance specified in the regulations.

7. An information management method for an information management system that manages information on chemical substances contained in products distributed in a supply chain using a distributed ledger technology, The information management system A first device that belongs to a first company that manufactures a first product and has a first distributed ledger, A second device that belongs to a second company that supplies a second product included in the first product to the first company and has a second distributed ledger, A third device that belongs to a third company that supplies a third product included in the second product to the second company and has a third distributed ledger, A management device that manages the information management system and has a fourth distributed ledger, The first distributed ledger, the second distributed ledger, the third distributed ledger, and the fourth distributed ledger include a list indicating chemical substances managed by the information management system. The second device stores the composition data of the second product including the composition data of the third product disclosed from the third device. The information management method When the management device designates a new chemical substance to be managed by the information management system, adds the new chemical substance to update the list of the fourth distributed ledger, and transmits transaction data proposing to add the new chemical substance to update the list to the first device, the second device, and the third device. The step of the first device, the second device, and the third device each updating the list of the first distributed ledger, the list of the second distributed ledger, and the list of the third distributed ledger based on the transaction data from the management device; When the new chemical substance is included in the composition of the third product, the step of the third device transmitting transaction data including the composition data of the third product including the information of the new chemical substance to the second device; The step of the second device updating the composition data of the third product included in the composition data of the second product and updating the composition data of the second product based on the transaction data from the third device; An information management method including the step of the second device transmitting transaction data including the updated composition data of the second product to the first device when it is determined to disclose the composition data of the third product included in the composition data of the second product.

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