Authentication certification system, authentication certification method, and program

Abstract

To provide an appraisal certification system and a method for certifying an appraisal which can prevent input of frauds or alterations of product information by using AI (Artificial Intelligence) for a trust anchor.SOLUTION: The appraisal certification system includes evaluation means which uses, as learning data, a dataset of reference verification information for evaluating product information of a product to appraise and a reference verification result showing the result of the appraisal of the product information acquired in advance, also uses the reference verification information as an input and uses the reference verification result of an output, and outputs the result of verification of the product information on the basis of newly acquired verification information by using an evaluation model generated by a machine learning.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an authentication system and an authentication method.

Background Art

[0002] Products to be authenticated such as bags, backpacks, clothing, watches, artworks, automobiles, etc. usually follow a complex distribution route where they are manufactured by manufacturers, producers, authors, etc. and then sold to consumers through distributors such as logistics companies, wholesalers, and retailers. For such products to be authenticated, in the process of manufacturing and distribution, authentication and certification, that is, proof that the item is not a counterfeit but a genuine product, are required by consumers. In recent years, it has become very common for products to be authenticated to be sold to consumers through the Internet. Also, second-hand products (including secondary circulation, tertiary circulation, and other nth circulation (n is an integer of 4 or more)) of the above products to be authenticated are similarly sold to consumers through the Internet. Furthermore, since transactions between consumers have also become more frequent, the need for more comprehensive authentication and certification of these products to be authenticated has been increasing.

[0003] For products to be authenticated, usually, a certificate (hereinafter also referred to as a "warranty card") for proving and guaranteeing that it is a genuine product is issued. The warranty card describes information about the item (hereinafter also referred to as "product information") such as the product name, product number, manufacturer (author), place of manufacture, date of manufacture, etc. However, in recent years, it has become possible to obtain only the warranty card through the Internet or the like. Therefore, authentication and certification by the warranty card is no longer considered to be highly reliable.

[0004] Conventionally, methods have been disclosed in which an IC chip containing information is attached to a medium such as a plastic card as a certificate, and the authenticity of the certificate is determined by comparing the information printed on the surface of the certificate with the information read from the memory of the IC chip (see, for example, Patent Document 1). However, when the method disclosed in Patent Document 1 is applied to a product requiring authentication, although the authenticity of the guarantee card itself can be confirmed because it becomes difficult to forge, the only thing that links this guarantee card to the product is the product number engraved on the product. For this reason, it is difficult to provide sufficient authentication.

[0005] Furthermore, a technology has been disclosed that involves attaching an IC chip to a product requiring authentication, making the product information recorded on the IC chip readable via smartphones, mobile phones, etc. (see, for example, Patent Document 2). However, if the technology disclosed in Patent Document 2 is applied to a product requiring authentication, and no password is set when reading the product information as described above, third parties other than distributors and consumers will be able to intercept the product information. As a result, third parties will be able to intercept product information that consumers do not want to be known, such as whether the product requiring authentication is genuine or whether the manufacturing date is recent. On the other hand, if a password is set, there is a risk that the password itself may become unknown as the product requiring authentication goes through a complex distribution route, making it impossible to perform authentication certification when needed. In addition, there is a risk that the password itself may be hacked.

[0006] Furthermore, a technology has been disclosed in which a serial code is assigned to a product, read by a serial code reader, and the product is authenticated by querying a product database (see, for example, Patent Document 3). However, the same problems as those in Patent Document 2 arise when the technology disclosed in Patent Document 3 is applied to a product requiring authentication.

[0007] For this reason, a new method has recently been proposed for authenticating an item using two or more multi-signature authentications: one for an item requiring authentication with a small recording medium attached or incorporated to it, and another for a guarantee card with a small recording medium attached or incorporated to it (which can appropriately use a microchip (IC chip), two-dimensional code, digital watermark, etc., depending on its shape, structure, size, etc.). (See, for example, Patent Document 4.)

[0008] According to the technology disclosed in Patent Document 4, a private key and a small recording medium containing product information about the product requiring authentication are attached to or embedded in the product requiring authentication and the guarantee card (which may be a microchip (IC chip), a two-dimensional code, a digital watermark, etc., depending on its shape, structure, size, etc.). The product information and transaction information at each stage of distribution until the product requiring authentication reaches the consumer are recorded on a blockchain. The consumer uses the private key assigned to the product requiring authentication and the guarantee card to read the product information and transaction information from the blockchain. This allows only the consumer to easily obtain highly reliable authentication certificates. Furthermore, manufacturers, authors, etc., can sequentially write product information on the blockchain, and logistics companies, wholesalers, retailers, etc., can sequentially write transaction information, thereby accurately recording product information and transaction information in a mutually complementary manner, and furthermore, it is possible to strongly prevent tampering with product information and transaction information. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2001-357377 [Patent Document 2] International Publication No. 2014 / 207890 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-35197 [Patent Document 4] Patent No. 6894033 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0010] On the other hand, if a trust anchor (the starting point for evaluating reliability) verifies products requiring appraisal and assigns VCs (verifiable credentials), and a for-profit entity such as a company intervenes in that trust anchor, there is a possibility of fraud or tampering if a malicious party is present.

[0011] However, Patent Documents 1-4 have the problem that they do not describe trust anchors in product information relating to products requiring appraisal that are recorded.

[0012] Therefore, the present invention was devised in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its objective is to provide an appraisal and certification system and appraisal and certification method that can prevent unauthorized input or falsification of product information by any party, such as employees, shareholders, creditors, or other stakeholders, by using AI (Artificial Intelligence) in the trust anchor. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] The appraisal and certification system according to the first invention is characterized by comprising an evaluation means that uses a dataset consisting of reference verification information for evaluating product information relating to a product requiring appraisal, which has been acquired in advance, and reference verification results showing the evaluation results for the reference verification information, as training data, and uses an evaluation model generated by machine learning to output verification results for the verification information based on newly acquired verification information.

[0014] The appraisal and certification system according to the second invention is characterized in that, in the first invention, the evaluation means uses two or more evaluation models generated by machine learning using different training data, and outputs the verification results based on newly acquired verification information.

[0015] The expert certification system according to the third invention is characterized in that, in the second invention, it further outputs a second verification result for the verification information based on each of the verification results output.

[0016] The appraisal and certification system according to the fourth invention further comprises: a distributed file server that generates hashed identifiers individually assigned to the product to be appraised based on the digital asset data of the product to be appraised; a dedicated platform that records NFT information of the product to be appraised linked to the identifier on a blockchain and outputs the generated transaction hash or a corresponding two-dimensional code; and recording means that records first verification information held by each of the multiple users involved with the product to be appraised, linked to the NFT information, in the order in which the multiple users are involved. The appraisal and certification system is characterized in that, at the time of appraisal and certification, the first verification information linked to the NFT information corresponding to the transaction hash or a corresponding two-dimensional code obtained from the appraiser is read, and the consistency between the read first verification information and the first signature information held by the appraiser is determined, thereby appraising and certifying the product to be appraised.

[0017] The appraisal and certification system according to the fifth invention is further characterized in that, in the first invention, if there is an error in the verification result evaluated by the evaluation means, it causes the computer to output information indicating that insurance for the acquisition or recall of the product requiring appraisal will be applied.

[0018] The method for obtaining expert opinions according to the sixth invention is characterized in that it uses a dataset consisting of reference verification information for evaluating product information relating to a product requiring expert opinion, which has been acquired in advance, and reference verification results showing the evaluation results for the reference verification information, as training data, and uses the reference verification information as input and the reference verification results as output, to cause a computer to execute an evaluation step in which it outputs verification results for the verification information based on newly acquired verification information using an evaluation model generated by machine learning. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] According to the first to sixth inventions, the authentication system of the present invention uses an evaluation model to output a verification result for the verification information based on the newly obtained verification information. Thereby, it becomes possible to automatically perform the role of the trust anchor by AI. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the input of fraud or forgery of product information.

[0020] In particular, according to the second invention, the authentication system of the present invention uses two or more evaluation models respectively to output verification results based on the newly obtained verification information. Thereby, for example, it becomes possible to perform evaluation by multi-AI using AIs of a plurality of different development entities as a collegial body. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the bias of results due to learning data or the like, and to perform a more fair evaluation.

[0021] In particular, according to the third invention, the authentication system of the present invention outputs a second verification result for the verification information based on each of the output verification results. Thereby, it becomes possible to output a second verification result considering each verification result evaluated using a plurality of evaluation models.

[0022] In particular, according to the fourth invention, the authentication system of the present invention records NFT information linked to a unique identifier only for genuine products by a plurality of users such as manufacturing manufacturers, manufacturers, and authors in blockchain data. Thereby, the NFT information can be accurately recorded, and it is possible to prevent the NFT information itself from being tampered with. Therefore, it is possible to perform highly reliable authentication even when performing authentication for digital assets.

[0023] In particular, according to the fifth invention, the authentication system of the present invention applies insurance for the acquisition or recovery of the product to be authenticated. Thereby, it becomes possible to apply insurance even when there is an error in the evaluation result.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0024] [Figure 1]Figure 1 shows the system configuration of an appraisal and certification system to which the present invention is applied. [Figure 2] Figures 2(a) and 2(b) are diagrams illustrating the processing operation of digital property authentication certificates. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the process from generating NFT transaction hashes and 2D codes from digital asset data. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the necessary configuration for authenticating analog goods. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing one embodiment of an analog goods appraisal certificate. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows an example of blockchain data containing product information and transaction information, which are recorded on a dedicated platform for authenticating analog goods. [Figure 7] Figures 7(a) and 7(b) illustrate the processing operation of hybrid (analog-digital) authentication certificates. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a flowchart of ownership verification via a blockchain wallet. [Figure 9] Figures 9(a) and 9(b) illustrate an example of performing a hybrid authentication based on transaction hash or QR code along with ownership verification data (proof of ownership of the blockchain wallet). [Figure 10] Figures 10(a) and 10(b) illustrate an example of a hybrid appraisal certificate that combines identifiers and analog appraisal certificates. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is another diagram illustrating an example of a hybrid appraisal certificate that combines identifiers and analog appraisal certificates. [Figure 12] Figure 12 shows the flow of an authentication and certification method using supply chains and traceability. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a diagram illustrating a modified flow chart of an authentication and certification method utilizing supply chain and traceability. [Figure 14] Figure 14 shows the degree of correlation between the evaluation models. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0025] Hereinafter, an example of an appraisal and certification system and an appraisal and certification method to which the first embodiment of the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0026] Figure 1 shows the system configuration of an appraisal and certification system 1 to which the first embodiment of the present invention is applied. The appraisal and certification system 1 is used by users (including manufacturers, authors, etc., as well as logistics companies, wholesalers, retailers, rental companies, reuse or resale companies, waste disposal companies, system integrators (SIers) that develop and operate systems for appraisal products 5, and public interest corporations, etc. (hereinafter collectively referred to as "various companies, etc."), owners, and consumers, etc.) who are involved with appraisal products 5. The appraisal and certification system 1 consists of terminals 2 and 72 for operation by users (e.g., various companies, etc.) and a distributed file server 3 for operation by administrators, etc., which are connected via a public communication network 10, including the Internet, and constitute a dedicated platform 8 via this public communication network 10. The users who operate terminals 2 and 72 can be arbitrarily set according to the purpose, but below, as an example, we will explain the case in which various companies, etc. operate terminal 2 and consumers operate terminal 72 as needed.

[0027] Terminal 2 consists of electronic devices such as personal computers (PCs), but may also be embodied in any other electronic device, such as mobile phones, smartphones, tablet devices, or wearable devices. Various businesses operate Terminal 2 to perform various tasks to generate identifiers from the products requiring authentication 5. The products requiring authentication 5 can be broadly classified into analog goods and digital goods. For example, analog goods include all products that require authentication, such as bags, purses, clothing, watches, works of art and crafts, and automobiles. Digital goods include all digital content that requires authentication, such as digital images, digital audio, digital music, and digital video. Digital goods also include information that has been digitized from information related to analog goods (e.g., product images, serial numbers, authentication certificates, etc.). Products requiring authentication 5 include not only new products but also used products (secondary market, tertiary market, and other nth-order markets (n is an integer of 4 or more)). Furthermore, products requiring authentication 5 may also be electronic devices such as communication devices with embedded software.

[0028] Similarly, terminal 72 is composed of electronic devices such as PCs, but it may also be embodied in any other electronic device, such as mobile phones, smartphones, tablet devices, or wearable devices. The consumer operates terminal 72 and attempts to authenticate product 5.

[0029] The distributed file server 3 is a distributed file system intended to connect terminals 2 to the same file system, and is composed of, but is not limited to, so-called IPFS (Interplanetary File System). Various businesses that access the public communication network 10 via terminals 2 provide data to the distributed file server 3, and consumers can request this data in a P2P (Peer to Peer) format. The distributed file server 3 is a place to store all digital content of the product requiring authentication, such as digital images, digital audio, digital music, and digital video, and simultaneously with this storage, a multi-digit string called an identifier is generated as described below. When identifying the identifier of the product requiring authentication 5, if it is new, the image will be exactly the same, but since unique supplementary information such as a product management number is added along with the digital content, the above identifier is a unique string.

[0030] Furthermore, in the case of used goods, each item becomes a unique digital asset characterized by individual scratches, scuffs, and other deformations, resulting in the generation of a one-of-a-kind identifier. This unique characteristic of used digital assets is extremely important in the resale industry for authentication and certification. For example, if someone who purchased a used watch returns it to the store with a counterfeit watch and requests a refund, if information based on an NFT (Non-fungible token) corresponding to the digital asset or the identifier described later is stored on the blockchain, it can be used as evidence to check the difference between the watch sold to the customer and the watch brought back by the customer.

[0031] The dedicated platform 8 references blockchain 8a. Blockchain 8a can be a blockchain with a P2P network, such as a distributed ledger. On this blockchain 8a, product information of the product requiring authentication 5, transaction information at each stage of distribution until the product requiring authentication 5 reaches the consumer, and identifiers generated by hashing based on the digital asset data of the product requiring authentication 5 are recorded.

[0032] Furthermore, the term "blockchain 8a" used here refers to any type of blockchain, including not only blockchains with P2P networks such as distributed ledgers, but also public blockchains, private blockchains, consortium blockchains, and others.

[0033] Furthermore, the concept of recording on blockchain 8a also includes recording a sequence of hash values ​​used to prove specific data. Additionally, the concept of recording on blockchain 8a includes recording encrypted or digitally signed information, such as hash values. For example, information recorded on blockchain 8a may be recorded in a format appropriate to its application, such as encryption or digital signature technology.

[0034] The appraisal and certification system 1 to which the present invention is applied can realize appraisal and certification of two main types: digital property appraisal and certification, and hybrid appraisal and certification, as described below.

[0035] Digital Property Authentication Certificate First, let's explain the processing steps for digital asset authentication and certification. As shown in Figure 2(a), digital asset data is acquired for the product 5 requiring authentication. This acquisition of digital asset data is performed on the object of authentication and certification. This digital asset data consists of digital image data captured using terminal 2 or a digital camera, etc., on the product 5 requiring authentication and certification. In addition to being composed of digital asset data obtained by the manufacturer, producer, author, etc., through such terminal 2, it may also be used that was originally assigned to or linked to the product 5 requiring authentication and certification and recorded on a storage medium. This digital asset data includes all digital content requiring authentication and certification, such as digital images, digital audio, digital music, and digital video, and is assigned various file extensions such as jpg, png, gif, mp3, mov, etc.

[0036] Manufacturers, producers, and copyright holders register the digital asset data of the product requiring authentication 5 obtained in this manner on a dedicated platform 8. As a result, the dedicated platform 8 obtains NFT information based on NFTs issued via blockchain 8a, which it references, and automatically generates a transaction hash and a two-dimensional code corresponding to that NFT information. Through the transaction hash and two-dimensional code of the NFT information issued and generated in this way, it becomes possible to determine whether the product requiring authentication 5 is a counterfeit or a genuine product. Note that NFT information may refer to the publicly known NFT itself, or it may refer to information that has been processed based on publicly known technologies such as encryption or digital signing of the NFT. Furthermore, NFT information may include identifiers associated with the NFT.

[0037] As shown in Figure 2(b), digital asset data is recorded on a distributed file server, and an identifier is issued, from which a unique two-dimensional code A can be generated. Furthermore, a unique two-dimensional code B can be generated from the transaction hash obtained via the blockchain. Although two-dimensional codes A and B are distinct from each other, they can be used as one of the authentication elements of the appraisal and certification system 1. While two-dimensional code B is well-known, the addition of two-dimensional code A enhances the security of multi-signature authentication. Note that two-dimensional code A alone may be used as an authentication element, or two-dimensional code B alone may be used as an authentication element. Moreover, to further enhance the strength of multi-signature authentication, two-dimensional codes A and B together may be used as authentication elements.

[0038] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating the process of issuing transaction hashes and QR codes for NFT information from such digital asset data. Note that Figure 3 shows an example where NFTs are used as the NFT information.

[0039] First, in step S11, the manufacturer, producer, author, etc., acquires digital asset data for the product 5 requiring appraisal and registers it on the dedicated platform 8. This process for registering digital asset data is performed by the manufacturer, producer, author, etc., accessing the dedicated platform 8 via terminal 2. In such cases, the manufacturer, producer, author, etc., may also access the dedicated platform 8 from within terminal 2 and perform the necessary procedures by installing the required applications in advance.

[0040] Next, the process moves to step S12, where the dedicated platform 8 accepts registration of digital asset data. The dedicated platform 8 may consist of a so-called NFT marketplace, etc. When the dedicated platform 8 accepts registration of digital asset data, it issues a registration number for that digital asset data, for example, an NFT marketplace registration number. Since this registration number is issued each time digital asset data is registered, it is unique.

[0041] Next, the process moves to step S13, where the digital asset data and issued registration number received in step S12, along with information such as the manufacturer, producer, and author, are compiled into a single folder and registered on the distributed file server 3. The details of the manufacturer, producer, and author information include name, corporate information, pen name, pseudonym, etc., while the artwork information includes the title of the work, year of production, year of publication, artwork specifications (size, format, technology used), copyright of the work, and rights information such as portrait rights and design rights included in the work. The method of compiling the digital asset data, registration number, and manufacturer, producer, and author information into a single folder during registration is just one example; any method is acceptable as long as the digital asset data, registration number, and manufacturer, producer, and author information (hereinafter collectively referred to as "ancillary information") are registered in a way that links them together.

[0042] Next, the process moves to step S14, where the distributed file server 3 issues a unique ID for each piece of registered supplementary information. The ID issued for digital asset data is called the 1st ID, the ID issued for the registration number is called the 2nd IDa, and the ID issued for information such as the manufacturer, producer, and author is called the 2nd IDb.

[0043] Regarding digital asset data, if identical digital asset data already exists elsewhere, or if the digital asset data has been copied by another party, the same first ID may be issued. On the other hand, since the registration number is unique, the second IDa will also be unique. Information such as manufacturer, producer, author, etc., such as company name, date of birth, copyright holder's name, and title of the work, may not be unique depending on the content, but since it is possible to set up a unique ID for each, the second IDb can also be unique. For example, by attaching time information such as the date and time, and seconds, registered on the distributed file server 3, the certainty of uniqueness can also be increased. In this step S14, at least the digital asset data is recorded on this distributed file server 3. Moreover, this distributed file server 3 employs a distributed form, and is configured to prevent the loss of digital asset data in multiple ways. Furthermore, such a configuration setting is possible.

[0044] Next, the process moves to step S15, where a unique identifier is generated based on the associated supplementary information. This generated identifier can be linked to the supplementary information, thereby becoming the identifier held by that supplementary information. This identifier is generated based on the first ID, second IDa, and second IDb described above. Since second IDa is unique and second IDb is also unique, even if the same digital asset data (first ID) is identical or a copy, the newly generated identifier will always be unique. This hashed and generated identifier is called an identifier.

[0045] Furthermore, this identifier may be generated based on rules defined in the distributed file server 3, using the supplementary information placed within the folder.

[0046] Alternatively, a two-dimensional code may be generated based on the generated identifier (step S23).

[0047] The process moves to step S16, where the dedicated platform 8 receives an identifier from the distributed file server 3. If a two-dimensional code was generated in step S23, the dedicated platform 8 receives the two-dimensional code from the distributed file server 3.

[0048] Next, the process moves to step S17, where the dedicated platform 8 sends an identifier based on the accompanying information to blockchain 8a.

[0049] In step S18, blockchain 8a records NFT information issued based on an identifier transmitted from the dedicated platform 8. By recording NFT information associated with an identifier on blockchain 8a (for example, by writing it to blockchain data 8b), it is possible to completely prevent the NFT information from being tampered with. In other words, each block in blockchain 8a contains a timestamp and a link (hash value) to the previous block, making it impossible to retroactively change the data within a block.

[0050] Next, the process moves to step S19, where a transaction hash and / or a QR code are generated according to the NFT information. This generation of the transaction hash and / or QR code may be performed simultaneously with the recording to blockchain 8a. The transaction hash here is a string of approximately 64 characters, for example, in the case of Ethereum, used to identify the NFT information. This transaction hash may be replaced by a combination of a contract address and a token ID. The contract address here refers to the unique address on the blockchain (such as Ethereum) where the contract is deployed. The token ID refers to the NFT information identified by the contract address. The QR code is a code used to identify the transaction hash. The issued transaction hash and QR code are sent to a dedicated platform 8 (for example, a marketplace) and received (step S20).

[0051] Blockchain 8a also transmits this NFT information to various businesses as needed (step S21). This transmitted NFT information may be replaced by the issued transaction hash or QR code. Various businesses receive this NFT information (step S22). Various businesses can receive such transaction hashes or QR codes via terminal 2.

[0052] Furthermore, the authority to acquire digital asset data and register it on the dedicated platform 8 is limited to various businesses and other entities. For example, in the case of products requiring appraisal 5 such as bags, handbags, clothing, watches, works of art and crafts, and automobiles, the authority to register digital asset data on this dedicated platform 8 may be granted only to various businesses and other entities or those authorized to act as sales agents for such products.

[0053] Various businesses, or consumers who purchase a new or used product 5 requiring authentication as a genuine product, receive this transaction hash or QR code along with the product 5 from the business or the dedicated platform 8 (e.g., a marketplace). The businesses or consumers who receive the transaction hash or QR code can use it to access blockchain 8a on the dedicated platform 8 and read the NFT information of product 5 recorded there. This allows only genuine businesses or consumers who possess the transaction hash or QR code to easily perform reliable authentication. Therefore, third parties who do not possess these transaction hashes or QR codes cannot perform such authentication.

[0054] In this way, in digital authentication and certification, unique NFT information derived from a unique identifier is sequentially written to the blockchain data 8b of the dedicated platform 8 for only the genuine products 5 requiring authentication by various businesses, etc. This ensures that the NFT information itself is accurately recorded and completely prevents tampering with the NFT information itself. Therefore, various businesses, etc. that handle products requiring authentication 5, or consumers who purchase products requiring authentication 5 that are distributed through complex distribution channels or sold via the internet, can easily provide highly reliable authentication certificates.

[0055] It should be noted that the digital asset appraisal certificate is not limited to the embodiments described above. For example, in step S13, we described a case where an identifier is generated by registering supplementary information together with the digital asset data, but it is not limited to this, and any method that links at least some information to the digital asset data and registers it may be used. The information referred to here consists of any information or data that is related to or generated in conjunction with the digital asset data, such as the registration number and information such as the manufacturer, producer, and author mentioned above. The supplementary information may consist of only one of the registration number or the information such as the manufacturer, producer, and author. Alternatively, the supplementary information may not include either the registration number or the information such as the manufacturer, producer, and author, but instead consist of any information or data that is related to or generated in conjunction with the digital asset data.

[0056] Hybrid Appraisal Certificate Next, we will explain the processing operation of the hybrid appraisal certificate. In the hybrid appraisal certificate, in addition to the digital appraisal certificate mentioned above, an analog appraisal certificate is also combined to perform a more accurate appraisal of the product requiring appraisal 5.

[0057] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the product to be authenticated 5 and the guarantee card 24 that is sold and distributed together with it in an analog goods authentication certificate. The product to be authenticated 5 has a small recording medium (a1) 51a attached or incorporated thereto that records information including a secret key α1 and product information (product name, part number, manufacturer / author, place of manufacture, date of manufacture, etc.), and the guarantee card 24 has a small recording medium (b) 52a attached or incorporated thereto that records information including a secret key β1 and product information. Depending on the shape, structure, size, etc. of the product to be authenticated 5 and the guarantee card 24, small recording media such as IC chips, two-dimensional codes, and digital watermarks can be used as appropriate for the small recording media (a1) 51a and small recording media (b) 52a.

[0058] Product information is information relating to product 5 requiring authentication, and includes, for example, the product name, part number, manufacturer / author, place of manufacture, and date of manufacture of product 5. Product information may also include hardware information relating to the hardware of product 5. Hardware information may be an HBOM (Hardware-Bill of Materials) or a bill of materials for product 5. Product information may also include software information relating to the software of product 5. Software information may be an SBOM (Software-Bill of Materials) or a software list for the software of product 5. Software information may also include, for example, a software type indicating the type of software for product 12, a software version indicating the software version, and a software hash obtained by hashing the software information. Software information may also include information on the software update history. Furthermore, product information may include origin information relating to the origin of product 5 or its components, quality information relating to the quality of product 5 or its components, and judgment information for determining the security threat to product 5.

[0059] The origin information refers to the origin of product 5 requiring authentication or its components. The origin information may also indicate, for example, the origin of each component of product 5 requiring authentication. Alternatively, the origin information may indicate the country of origin where product 5 or its components were produced.

[0060] Quality information refers to information regarding the quality of product 5 requiring appraisal or its components. This information may include, for example, information indicating the presence or absence of scratches on product 5 or its components. It may also include information indicating the service life of product 5 or its components. Furthermore, it may include information indicating the specifications and operational specifications of product 5 or its components. It may also include information indicating compliance with environmental standards, criteria, or CO2 emissions of product 5 or its components. Finally, it may include information regarding the security of product 5. Security information may include, for example, information regarding the security vulnerabilities of product 5. This security vulnerability status is, for example, the matching of information such as the model number of the IC chip embedded in product 5, the OSS or basic OS and version of the software in product 5, with vulnerability information indicating the IC chip or software that has been identified as vulnerable. The security vulnerability status may also include the presence or absence of security vulnerabilities and threats based on the aforementioned matching. Vulnerability information may be information recorded in, for example, Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE), National Vulnerability Database (NVD), Japan Vulnerability Notes (JVN), etc. Judgment information is information that determines or identifies the presence or absence of security threats to product 5 requiring assessment, and may be, for example, vulnerability information or information regarding the status of security vulnerabilities in product 5 requiring assessment.

[0061] Here, "private key" refers to information necessary to authenticate the product 5 requiring authentication, and for example, the integrity of the "private key" itself may be determined during the authentication process. The "private key" represents information that can only be known by a specific user, and may be recorded on the "small recording medium" mentioned above, or it may be recorded in a configuration used in the authentication system 1, such as a terminal 72 or a dedicated platform 8.

[0062] Furthermore, a "public key" may be generated as a pair with a "private key," for example. In this case, known encryption and digital signature technologies can be implemented using the "private key" and "public key." Also, during authentication and certification, whether or not a "public key" was generated as a pair with a "private key" may be considered as consistency and used for determination. The "public key" can be recorded on the "small recording medium" mentioned above, for example, or it can be arbitrarily recorded in a configuration used in the authentication and certification system 1, such as a dedicated platform 8, depending on the application. In addition, the "private key" and "public key" can be generated using known technologies and can be arbitrarily generated depending on the application using a configuration used in the authentication and certification system 1, such as a dedicated platform 8 or a distributed file server 3.

[0063] The product information for the small recording medium (a1) 51a of product requiring authentication 5 and the small recording medium (b) 52a of the guarantee card 24 is entered by various vendors, etc., at the time of shipment of product requiring authentication 5.

[0064] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing one embodiment of analog goods authentication certification. In performing analog goods authentication certification, in addition to the components necessary for digital goods authentication certification as described above, the system consists of a dedicated platform 8 that records product information of the product to be authenticated 5 and transaction information at each stage of distribution until the product to be authenticated 5 is delivered to the consumer as blockchain data 8b of blockchain 8a, a terminal 2a connected to the dedicated platform 8 via the public communication network 10 by application [A] 9, and a terminal 2b connected to the dedicated platform 8 via the public communication network 10 by application [B] 11.

[0065] Various businesses and other entities write product information and transaction information to the blockchain data 8b of the dedicated platform 8 using application [A]9.

[0066] Consumers can use application [B]11 to read product information and transaction information of product 5 that has been written to the blockchain data 8b of the dedicated platform 8, using the private key α1 assigned to product 5 that requires authentication and the private key β1 assigned to guarantee card 24, thereby enabling consumers to easily obtain reliable authentication certificates.

[0067] Application [A]9 is downloaded and operated on terminal 2a, and various businesses can use it to write product information and transaction information to blockchain data 8b on the dedicated platform 8. Similarly, application [B]11 is downloaded and operated on terminal 2b, and consumers can read product information and transaction information of products requiring authentication 5 that have been written to blockchain data 8b on the dedicated platform 8. For example, application [A]9 may have the same functions as application [B]11, and application [B]11 may have the same functions as application [A]9.

[0068] The reading of the information including the secret key α1 and product information recorded on the small recording medium (a1) 51a of the product requiring authentication 5, and the reading of the information including the secret key β1 and product information recorded on the small recording medium (b) 52a of the guarantee card 24, can be achieved via wireless communication by bringing a reader 25 connected to terminal 2a or terminal 2b configured as a smartphone into close proximity. In such cases, it can also be done contactlessly using short-range wireless communication such as NFC (Near Field Communication) or RFID (Radio Frequency IDenticifier).

[0069] Figure 6 shows an example of blockchain data 8b in which various businesses and other entities record product information and transaction information for products 5 requiring authentication on a dedicated platform 8 when conducting authentication of analog goods.

[0070] Product 5 requiring authentication is manufactured by the manufacturer, producer, author, etc., and then shipped with a guarantee card 24. Before shipping, the person in charge of the manufacturer, producer, author, etc., first uses application [A]9 to write the following product information, including 5W1H information (who, when, where, what, why, how), such as product name, product number, manufacturer, place of manufacture, and date of manufacture, into the blockchain data 8b of the dedicated platform 8.

[0071] Next, the person in charge, such as the manufacturer, producer, or author, uses application [A]9 to write the inspection results of the product information recorded by the person in charge, the manufacturer, producer, or author, and the information including 5W1H information, into the blockchain data 8b of the dedicated platform 8.

[0072] Next, after the product requiring authentication 5 is shipped from the manufacturer, producer, author, etc., the logistics company uses application [A] 9 to write information including the date and time the product was received from the manufacturer, producer, author, etc., the date and time it was delivered to the wholesaler, and 5W1H information into the blockchain data 8b of the dedicated platform 8.

[0073] After the product requiring authentication 5 is received from the logistics company, the wholesaler uses application [A] 9 to write information including, for example, the date and time the product was delivered from the logistics company, the date and time the logistics company transported it to the retailer, and 5W1H information into the blockchain data 8b of the dedicated platform 8.

[0074] In this way, product information and transaction information from various businesses are sequentially written to the blockchain data 8b on the dedicated platform 8.

[0075] Furthermore, the authority to write product information and transaction information to blockchain data 8b is limited to each of the various businesses and entities involved in this information. For example, each of these businesses and entities may only be granted the authority to write product information.

[0076] In this way, various businesses and other entities sequentially record product information and transaction information for product 5 requiring appraisal. Therefore, even if product 5 requiring appraisal follows a complex distribution route or is sold via the internet, its product information and transaction information can be accurately recorded.

[0077] Furthermore, by writing product information and transaction information to blockchain data 8b on the dedicated platform 8, it is possible to completely prevent tampering with product information and transaction information. In other words, each block in blockchain data 8b contains a timestamp and a link (hash value) to the previous block, making it impossible to retroactively change the data within a block.

[0078] Consumers who purchase a new or used product requiring authentication 5 can use terminal 2b to read product information and transaction information of product requiring authentication 5, which have been written to the blockchain data 8b of the dedicated platform 8, using application [B] 11, with the private key α1 assigned to product requiring authentication 5 and the private key β1 assigned to guarantee card 24. This allows only genuine consumers who own product requiring authentication 5 and guarantee card 24 to easily provide reliable authentication proof.

[0079] Similarly, in this analog goods authentication system, consumers who purchase products requiring authentication 5, which are distributed through complex distribution channels or sold via the internet, can easily obtain highly reliable authentication certificates. In this analog goods authentication system, various businesses and other parties sequentially write the product information and transaction information of the products requiring authentication 5 to the blockchain data 8b of the dedicated platform 8. This ensures accurate recording of product information and transaction information, and completely prevents tampering with the product information and transaction information. Therefore, the reliability of authentication certificates can be further enhanced.

[0080] Furthermore, in the case of analog product authentication certification, by using the private key α1 assigned to the product requiring authentication 5 and the private key β1 assigned to the guarantee card 24, and reading the product information and transaction information of the product requiring authentication 5 written to the blockchain data 8b of the dedicated platform 8, only the true consumer who owns the product requiring authentication 5 and the guarantee card 24 can perform the authentication certification. For this reason, a third party who does not possess the product requiring authentication 5 or the guarantee card 24 cannot perform such authentication certification.

[0081] Furthermore, in order to authenticate analog goods, the product to be authenticated 5 includes a small recording medium (a1) and a small recording medium (a2) containing information including the secret key α2. n A small recording medium (a) that contains information including n ) can be attached or incorporated into n small recording media (where n is an integer greater than or equal to 2). This allows for the storage of not only secret keys α1 and β1, but also, for example, secret keys α2~α n At least two of all the private keys (for example, private key α1 and private keys β1, α2~α) n Multi-signature authentication can be adopted, where the authentication certificate is valid if at least one of the following is present, making the authentication accuracy more reliable. Furthermore, n small recording media (a1)~(a n By attaching or incorporating the ) to each part of product 5 requiring authentication, it is possible to detect if some of the parts have been replaced with counterfeits. For example, if product 5 requiring authentication is an automobile, authentication certification can be performed for all parts by attaching or incorporating small recording media to the car body and each tire.

[0082] Furthermore, in the authentication certification system 1, preferably, a small recording medium (a1) to (a n ) and at least one of the above-mentioned small recording media (b) may be equipped with a GPS function. This makes it easy to locate any part of the product requiring authentication 5 or the guarantee card 24 even if they are lost or stolen.

[0083] When performing a hybrid appraisal certificate that combines such an analog appraisal certificate with the digital appraisal certificate described above, as shown in Figure 7(a), three items are prepared: the product to be appraised 5 and the guarantee card 24 required for the analog appraisal certificate, and the transaction hash or two-dimensional code required for the digital appraisal certificate.

[0084] Then, using terminal 72, the private key α1 attached to product 5 requiring authentication and the private key β1 attached to guarantee card 24 are used to read the product information and transaction information of product 5 recorded on blockchain 8a of the dedicated platform 8. At the same time, the transaction hash or QR code is used to access the application installed on terminal 72 and perform authentication. The application can determine the integrity of the transaction hash or QR code, and can also determine whether both the read product information and transaction information of product 5 requiring authentication are correct. Only when all of these determinations are determined to be correct can product 5 requiring authentication be judged to be genuine.

[0085] Even if the private key α1 attached to the product 5 to be authenticated, used in the analog authentication certificate, and the private key β1 attached to the guarantee card 24 were forged or illegally duplicated, this hybrid authentication certificate cannot be overlooked unless authentication is performed through the transaction hash or two-dimensional code used in this digital authentication certificate. In other words, this hybrid authentication certificate, by combining analog authentication certificates with digital authentication certificates, makes it possible to provide a more reliable authentication certificate system 1.

[0086] Although the present invention has been explained using the example of preparing three items in addition to the product requiring authentication 5 and the guarantee card 24, as shown in Figure 7(a), it is not limited to this. For example, as shown in Figure 7(b), a hybrid authentication certificate can be similarly performed by preparing only two items in addition to the product requiring authentication 5 or the guarantee card 24, such as a transaction hash or a two-dimensional code.

[0087] In other words, in analog product authentication, the private key α1 assigned to the product 5 to be authenticated, or the private key β1 assigned to the guarantee card 24, is used to read the product information and transaction information of the product 5 recorded on the blockchain 8a of the dedicated platform 8. In addition, the integrity can be determined via an application installed on the terminal 72 using a transaction hash or a two-dimensional code. Only when all of these determination results are determined to be correct can the product 5 to be authenticated be judged to be genuine.

[0088] Furthermore, as an alternative to the analog appraisal certificates mentioned above, ownership verification may be performed through a blockchain wallet for storing tokens such as Ethereum, as described below. The blockchain wallet ownership verification described below is just one example; other options include DID (Decentralized Identity, or Decentralized Identifier), SSI (Self-Sovereign Identity), or DIW (Digital Identity Wallet). In addition, verifiable credentials (VCs) certified by national governments and public institutions, such as Japan's gBizID or My Number (individual number), can be used as an alternative, and it is of course possible to substitute any other means of ownership verification without being limited to these.

[0089] As an alternative to the aforementioned guarantee card 24, a microchip (IC chip), a two-dimensional code, a digital watermark, etc., may be used as appropriate, depending on their shape, structure, size, etc.

[0090] Figure 8 shows a flowchart of ownership verification via a blockchain wallet.

[0091] In step S31, owner 41 first requests a one-time token from backend 42. Here, owner 41 is, for example, the owner of a blockchain wallet that can be used as a web browser extension or a smartphone app, and is shown as an example of a user as described above. Owner 41 sends and receives information through the frontend, which is the element that directly exchanges data with owner 41, and in web development, it refers to the web browser side (client side). Backend 42 refers to server-side processing and generally refers to the mechanisms, functions, and components such as servers, databases, functions, and programs or modules that are responsible for processing and are not visible to owner 41.

[0092] Next, the process moves to step S32, where the backend 42 returns a one-time token to the owner 41. The validity period of this one-time token may be, for example, a few seconds to a few minutes.

[0093] Next, the process moves to step S33, where owner 41 sends a signature creation request to blockchain wallet 43. This blockchain wallet 43 is, for example, a program that handles crypto assets. In this blockchain wallet 43, addresses and their private keys are not stored on an external server, and all transaction processing can be performed within the browser.

[0094] Next, we move to step S34, where the signature is returned from the blockchain wallet 43 to the owner 41.

[0095] Next, the process moves to step S35, where owner 41 sends the message, one-time token, signature data, and blockchain wallet address to backend 42. That is, before signing, the owner requests a one-time token for owner authentication from backend 42, which can then be used for signing. The aforementioned one-time token is sent along with the signature data to backend 42. Backend 42 verifies the signature data and the one-time token.

[0096] Backend 42 converts the signed message into hash data according to the standard. Then, it sends the hash message and signature data to smart contract 44 (step S36). Smart contract 44 here is a mechanism that automatically executes contracts on blockchain 8a and operates on the blockchain 8a server.

[0097] Next, the process moves to step S37, where the smart contract 44 returns the verification address to the backend 42. The backend 42 verifies the verification address. In this case, the backend 42 confirms the consistency between the blockchain wallet address and the verification blockchain wallet address.

[0098] Next, the process moves to step S38, where the backend 42 sends the blockchain wallet owner certificate to owner 41. If owner 41 wishes to provide owner certificate for product 5 requiring authentication, this can be done by reading the owner certificate data (blockchain wallet owner certificate) recorded in the smart contract (blockchain 8a).

[0099] Therefore, as an alternative to the analog appraisal certificates mentioned above, it is possible to read the owner verification data (blockchain wallet owner verification) recorded on blockchain 8a and, as shown in Figure 9(a), perform a hybrid appraisal certificate based on the transaction hash or two-dimensional code issued from the dedicated platform 8.

[0100] In addition, when using such blockchain wallet ownership verification, it is also possible to combine it with analog item authentication verification, as shown in Figure 9(b). In such cases, the private key α1 assigned to the item to be authenticated 5 in the analog item authentication verification and the private key β1 assigned to the guarantee card 24 may be used, or either private key α1 or private key β1 may be used. Based on ownership verification data (blockchain wallet ownership verification), transaction hash or QR code, as well as private key α1 and / or private key β1, it becomes possible to perform hybrid authentication verification.

[0101] Furthermore, according to the present invention, authentication via NFT is not mandatory; as shown in Figure 10, authentication may be performed via an identifier. Since the identifier itself is unique, authentication can be performed through it.

[0102] Consumers or manufacturers / producers / authors obtain an identifier from the dedicated platform 8. In addition to the identifier, if a two-dimensional code corresponding to the identifier is generated in step S23, consumers or manufacturers / producers / authors may also obtain that two-dimensional code.

[0103] When providing authentication certification, in addition to the acquired identifier or the two-dimensional code corresponding to that identifier, the private key α1 assigned to the product requiring authentication 5 as shown in Figure 10(a), or the private key α1 and the private key β1 assigned to the guarantee card 24 as shown in Figure 10(b), are prepared.

[0104] Then, using terminal 2, the private key α1, or private keys α1 and β1, is used to read the product information and transaction information of product requiring authentication 5 recorded on blockchain 8a via the dedicated platform 8. At the same time, the identifier, or a two-dimensional code corresponding to that identifier, is used to access the dedicated platform 8 or the distributed file server 3, and the identifier of product requiring authentication 5 recorded there is read. Only when the read product information, transaction information, and identifier of product requiring authentication 5 are all determined to be correct can product requiring authentication 5 be judged to be genuine. Note that the criteria for determining whether a product is genuine may be, for example, if at least one of the product information, transaction information, and identifier of product requiring authentication 5 is correct, and can be arbitrarily set according to the application.

[0105] In the example shown in Figure 10, a hybrid authentication method may be implemented that further combines ownership verification data (blockchain wallet ownership verification).

[0106] Furthermore, in the case of digital goods, for example, as shown in Figure 11, a hybrid authentication certificate may be performed using the acquired identifier, or a two-dimensional code corresponding to that identifier, in addition to the private key β1 attached to the guarantee card 24. Since digital goods are not materialized as physical items and the small recording medium a itself cannot be attached, the private key α1 is omitted, and the hybrid authentication certificate is performed using only the private key β1. In this example in Figure 11, a hybrid authentication certificate may be further performed by combining it with owner verification data (blockchain wallet owner verification).

[0107] Appraisal certificate by count-up The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and may also be implemented by incorporating appraisal certification by counting up.

[0108] This count-up authentication process sequentially records the time of authentication on blockchain 8a each time an authentication is performed. For example, if authentication is performed at 10:15 AM on August 19th, the time of 10:15 AM on August 19th will be recorded on blockchain 8a. If authentication is performed again at 9:54 PM on September 23rd, the time of 9:54 PM on September 23rd will be recorded on blockchain 8a. If authentication is performed again at 1:34 PM on November 4th, the time of 1:34 PM on November 4th will be recorded on blockchain 8a. As a result, each time point in time when authentication is recorded will be sequentially accumulated on blockchain 8a.

[0109] Authentication certificates based on count-up are issued based on the time recorded in this blockchain 8a. For example, if multiple authentication certificates are recorded in blockchain 8a at the same time, it is clear that one of the products requiring authentication 5 is genuine and the other is counterfeit. In such cases, notification to that effect may be provided.

[0110] Furthermore, if the time difference between the appraisal certificates is several tens of seconds, several minutes to several tens of minutes, or several hours, it may be questionable because it is rare to frequently appraise the same item. In such cases, it may be advisable to also notify the relevant parties.

[0111] In this way, the authenticity is determined based on the time of the authentication certificate recorded sequentially on blockchain 8a. At this time, a threshold may be set at the interval between the time points recorded on blockchain 8a, and the authentication certificate may be performed based on whether or not it is below that threshold.

[0112] Furthermore, in addition to the time of the appraisal certificate, location information related to the place where the appraisal certificate was made may also be linked and recorded on Blockchain 8a. For example, if the time of the appraisal certificate is 10:15 AM on August 19th, and the location where the appraisal certificate was made is "Marunouchi, Tokyo," then the time of 10:15 AM on August 19th and the location information "Marunouchi, Tokyo" will be recorded on Blockchain 8a. Next, if the time of the appraisal certificate is 2:09 PM on December 21st, and the location where the appraisal certificate was made is "address XX in Paris," then the time of 2:09 PM on December 21st and the location information "address XX in Paris" will be recorded on Blockchain 8a. As a result, each time point in time when an appraisal certificate is recorded, along with its location information, will be sequentially accumulated on Blockchain 8a.

[0113] In this case, if, in blockchain 8a, the location information at the time of the first authentication certificate is recorded as Tokyo, and the location information at the time of the subsequent authentication certificate is recorded as Paris, and the interval between those times is only 2 hours, it is impossible to travel from Tokyo to Paris by plane in 2 hours, so it is clear that one of the products requiring authentication 5 is genuine and the other is counterfeit. In such cases, notification to that effect may be provided. Specifically, a notification of fraud detection may be sent to the registered email address, or an alert pop-up may be displayed via an application implemented on terminal 2, or a warning may be displayed in red on the screen.

[0114] In this way, the authenticity of the authentication certificate is determined based on the time and location information of the authentication certificates recorded sequentially on blockchain 8a. When setting a threshold for the interval between the time points recorded on blockchain 8a, the threshold may be set in relation to the location information.

[0115] Furthermore, this determination of credibility may be based not only on whether the appraisal certificate was made at a distance that makes travel impossible within a predetermined time, but also on whether an appraisal certificate was made more than a predetermined number of times in a day, or whether the total number of appraisal certificates exceeded a predetermined number, regardless of location information. In other words, the credibility will be determined based on the number of appraisal certificates made within a predetermined period. The credibility will be determined based on whether the number of appraisal certificates made within a predetermined period exceeds a threshold. If the number of appraisal certificates made within a predetermined period exceeds a threshold, it is considered unnatural for so many appraisal certificates to be made in such a short period, so the credibility may be judged as questionable, and an alert may be issued.

[0116] Furthermore, if the product requiring authentication (item 5) is a cosmetic product, and an IC chip-embedded tamper-evident seal is attached, the seal will be damaged upon use. Therefore, it becomes impossible for multiple authentication certificates to be issued. If multiple authentication certificates are issued, it clearly indicates the presence of counterfeit products. In such cases, determining authenticity based on the number of authentication certificates issued within a specified period becomes advantageous.

[0117] Table 1 shows an example of the time and location information of appraisal certificates sequentially recorded on blockchain 8a. The number of appraisal result displays indicates the number of appraisal certificates. The time is displayed via year, month, day, and time. Location information is displayed at the country, prefecture, and city / town level, but is not limited to these.

[0118] [Table 1] Incidentally, location information acquisition is implemented, for example, on terminal 2 and / or terminal 72, which are attempting to perform appraisal certification.

[0119] This may involve obtaining current location information through an application, or obtaining such information by tracing the accessed IP address.

[0120] Supply chain and Authentication certificate using traceability The following describes the authentication and certification methods using supply chains and traceability.

[0121] Figure 12 shows the flow of the authentication method using supply chain and traceability. In the authentication method, multiple users involved with the product requiring authentication 5 possess the first verification information. The first verification information includes at least one of the following: the blockchain wallet address, the public key used to generate the blockchain wallet address, the private key used to generate the blockchain wallet address, DID, SSI, DIW, or VC (e.g., G-Biz ID or My Number).

[0122] For example, if DID is used as the primary verification information, the information used can be set for each user. This makes it possible to suppress the use of unnecessary information. In addition to the above, G-BizID or My Number can be positioned as more reliable information than DID. Therefore, by using G-BizID, My Number, or DIW as the primary verification information, it is possible to improve the reliability of the authentication and certification method.

[0123] Furthermore, during authentication and certification, the first verification information held by the user as the authenticator is treated as the first signature information and used to determine its consistency with the first verification information recorded on blockchain 8a, etc. The authentication and certification method can achieve consistency determination by, for example, performing the "signing" and "signature verification" processes in electronic signature technology.

[0124] The following explains the case where a blockchain wallet address is used as the first verification information and first signature information. Note that the same applies when at least one of DID, SSI, DIW, or VC (e.g., G-Biz ID or My Number) is used as the first verification information and first signature information, so the explanation is omitted.

[0125] As a prerequisite for starting this flow, it is assumed that each user, such as manufacturers, authors, logistics companies, and consumers, has been pre-assigned the aforementioned blockchain wallet address. This blockchain wallet address may be assigned by the operator of this system. The private and public keys associated with this blockchain wallet address may be distributed to users such as manufacturers, authors, logistics companies, and consumers who possess the blockchain wallet address, or they may be recorded in a configuration used in the authentication and certification system 1, such as the dedicated platform 8 mentioned above, or they may be included in a small recording medium (e.g., a two-dimensional code) or as part of NFT information, and can be arbitrarily set according to the application. Furthermore, each entity, such as a manufacturer, author, logistics company, or consumer, may independently acquire a blockchain wallet address.

[0126] First, in step S41, digital asset data is acquired for the product requiring appraisal 5. This acquisition of digital asset data is performed on the item to be appraised. As mentioned above, this digital asset data may consist of digital asset data obtained by the manufacturer, producer, author, etc., through such terminal 2, or it may also be data originally assigned to or linked to the product requiring appraisal 5 and recorded on a storage medium. This digital asset data includes all digital content requiring appraisal and certification, such as digital images, digital audio, digital music, and digital video, and is assigned extensions such as jpg, png, gif, mp3, mov, etc. At this time, the aforementioned supplementary information and all product information related to the product requiring appraisal 5 may also be acquired together with this digital asset data. In such cases, the digital asset data, registration number, supplementary information, product information, etc. may be written to a CSV file and acquired.

[0127] Next, the process moves to step S42, where such digital asset data, associated information, product information, etc., are registered on the dedicated platform 8. As described above, NFT information is acquired, and a transaction hash corresponding to that NFT information is automatically generated. This transaction hash may be embodied as data such as an ID (also called a TxID), or it may be embodied as a blockchain address.

[0128] Then, a new first hash is generated by further hashing this transaction hash. Note that, in addition to generating the first hash based on the transaction hash, the transaction hash itself may be used as the first hash.

[0129] Furthermore, the issued NFT information is, of course, linked to the transaction hash, but it is also linked to the first hash generated from this transaction hash. This NFT information is recorded on blockchain 8a.

[0130] Next, the process moves to step S43, where, similar to the analog appraisal certificate described above, information including the private key α1, product information, and transaction information recorded on the small recording medium (a1) 51a of the product to be appraised 5, and / or information including the private key β1, product information, and transaction information recorded on the small recording medium (b) 52a of the guarantee card 24 is read. Then, a second hash is obtained for recording the read information on blockchain 8a.

[0131] Furthermore, Guarantee Card 24 includes not only physical guarantee cards that are materialized as actual card-shaped items, but also logical guarantee cards that exist as digital information without being materialized as physical items.

[0132] Next, the process moves to step S44, where a new third hash is generated based on the obtained first and second hashes. This third hash may be generated by calculating the product or sum of the first and second hashes, or by any other well-known method. The generated third hash is recorded on blockchain 8a. At this time, the third hash may be recorded in conjunction with the aforementioned NFT information and the transaction hash corresponding to that NFT information, along with a two-dimensional code.

[0133] The pre-processing steps S41 to S44 described above may be carried out in advance by the operating company, or by other relevant parties (manufacturers, authors, logistics companies, consumers, etc.). The process by which the product requiring appraisal 5 is distributed from the manufacturer, authors, logistics companies, and consumers is described below starting from step S45.

[0134] In this invention, blockchain wallet addresses may be assigned using a so-called centralized Web 2.0 architecture, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, it may be implemented using Web 3.0, where all of an individual's digital assets are stored in a blockchain wallet without the input of personal information (gender, nationality, race, age, etc.), and no one can delete them. In other words, Web 3.0 may be a so-called decentralized architecture that does not rely on centralization.

[0135] In step S45, the product requiring authentication 5, which was first generated by the manufacturer / producer / author, is transferred to the logistics company. In other words, in step S45, ownership of product requiring authentication 5 is transferred from the manufacturer / producer / author to the logistics company. At the same time, the small recording media (a1) and small recording media (b) associated with product requiring authentication 5 are also transferred. In addition, ownership of the NFT information of product requiring authentication 5 is also transferred in the same manner.

[0136] Each time a transfer occurs, the blockchain wallet address of the owner of the transfer destination is recorded and linked to the NFT information. Before the transfer, the blockchain wallet addresses of the manufacturer, producer, and author were recorded and linked to the NFT information, but upon transfer, the blockchain wallet address of the logistics company is newly recorded and linked to the NFT information. In such cases, various businesses may record this blockchain wallet address at the time of transfer on blockchain 8a of the dedicated platform 8 using application [A] or the like.

[0137] In other words, in step S45, for example, application [A]9 can be used as a recording means to record the first verification information (in this case, blockchain wallet address) held by each of the multiple users involved with the product to be authenticated 5, linked to the NFT information, in the order in which the multiple users are involved. In step S45, for example, instead of application [A]9, terminals 2, 72 owned by the users or a dedicated platform 8 may be used as a recording means. Furthermore, the destination where the recording means records various information such as the first verification information may be a distributed file server 3 or other databases, in addition to the blockchain 8a.

[0138] Furthermore, in step S45, the logistics company receives the transaction hash or QR code along with the product requiring authentication 5 from various vendors or a dedicated platform 8 (e.g., a marketplace). Upon receiving the transaction hash or QR code, the logistics company can use the transaction hash or QR code to access the blockchain 8a on the dedicated platform 8 and read the NFT information of the product requiring authentication 5 recorded therein.

[0139] The process moves to step S46, where product 5 requiring authentication is transferred from the logistics company to the consumer. At the same time, the small recording media (a1) and small recording media (b) associated with product 5 are also transferred. The ownership of the NFT information of product 5 is also transferred.

[0140] Each time an NFT is transferred, the blockchain wallet address of the new owner is linked to and recorded with the NFT information; therefore, the blockchain wallet address of the new owner is linked to and recorded with the NFT information.

[0141] Furthermore, in step S46, the consumer receives the transaction hash or QR code along with the product requiring authentication 5 from various vendors or a dedicated platform 8 (e.g., a marketplace). Upon receiving the transaction hash or QR code, the consumer can use the transaction hash or QR code to access the blockchain 8a on the dedicated platform 8 and read the NFT information of the product requiring authentication 5 recorded therein.

[0142] Such consumers can attempt to have their product requiring authentication 5 authenticated via the dedicated platform 8. Step S47 is described below as an example of the operation during authentication, and the user, such as a consumer, who attempts this authentication will be referred to as the authentication certifier.

[0143] In step S47, the appraiser first accesses the dedicated platform 8, and by extension the blockchain 8a, to perform the task of writing to the log. This task of writing to the log can be performed from the application's user interface, and the appraiser enters personal information such as their name and date of birth, or any other information, following the guidance on the user interface. Even without guidance from the user interface, any information entered by the appraiser, or any string of characters that does not have meaning as information, may be considered as this task of writing to the log.

[0144] In such a case, if the authenticator has been assigned a private key when allocating a blockchain wallet address, they may access the log via this private key. Of course, the authenticator may also generate and use their own blockchain address. Upon signing via the private key, the blockchain wallet address can be automatically obtained on blockchain 8a. Alternatively, the private key may be entered on the user interface, and the dedicated platform 8 may verify whether a blockchain wallet address has been assigned to that private key. If a blockchain wallet address has been assigned to the private key, the dedicated platform 8 will sign it. If this signature is made, the log writing is considered successful; otherwise, the log writing is considered a failure. This signature may be performed automatically by a program.

[0145] To write logs, you might configure the system to require a signature via a private key, for example. Once signed, the blockchain wallet address can be automatically obtained on blockchain 8a. Therefore, by prompting the authenticator to write logs through the user interface, the blockchain wallet address can be obtained. For example, the public key could be identified through the private key, and the blockchain wallet address could be obtained through this public key.

[0146] The dedicated platform 8 can determine whether it is the owner of the blockchain wallet address. On the other hand, if it fails to write the log, it can determine that it is not the owner of the blockchain wallet address. If it is determined that it is the owner of the blockchain wallet address, it reads out the determined blockchain wallet address (hereinafter referred to as the second blockchain wallet address or first signature information).

[0147] Furthermore, the method for obtaining the second blockchain wallet address is not limited to the method described above; it may be obtained by any other method. This second blockchain wallet address may also be obtained by having the certifying party directly input it.

[0148] Furthermore, in step S47, the blockchain wallet address linked to the NFT information corresponding to the transaction hash or the corresponding two-dimensional code obtained from the authenticator is read from blockchain 8a. This blockchain wallet address read from blockchain 8a is hereinafter referred to as the first blockchain wallet address (or first verification information).

[0149] Next, the consistency between the first blockchain wallet address and the second blockchain wallet address is determined. If the first blockchain wallet address and the second blockchain wallet address are identical, the verification is complete. Through this verification, it can be determined that product 5 requiring authentication is genuine and not a counterfeit. On the other hand, if the first blockchain wallet address and the second blockchain wallet address are not identical, it can be determined that the person providing the authentication is not the owner of product 5 requiring authentication.

[0150] The reason for this is that each time ownership of NFT information is transferred, the first blockchain wallet address, which is recorded and linked to it, serves as proof that it is genuine. The holder of the second blockchain wallet address, which is identical to the first blockchain wallet address, serves as proof that the person holding the authentic product 5 currently possesses it. Therefore, by determining the consistency between the first and second blockchain wallet addresses, it is possible to certify the authenticity of product 5.

[0151] For example, the first verification information, such as the first blockchain address, read in step S47 is consistent with the first signature information held by the most recent user involved with product 5 among multiple users. In this case, only the most recent user can perform the authentication as the authenticator in step S47. Therefore, it becomes easy to identify the user who currently owns or manages product 5.

[0152] Furthermore, the first verification information, such as the first blockchain address, read in step S47 is consistent with the first signature information held by, for example, a user who was involved with product 5 before the most recent user involved (i.e., a past user). In this case, in step S47, a past user can act as an authenticator and perform the authentication. This makes it possible to identify users who have been involved with product 5.

[0153] For example, step S47 may perform a process that grants a user who has met the authentication requirements for product 5 the authority to view at least a portion of the information related to product 5 (e.g., product information and transaction information used when recording on blockchain 8a).

[0154] In addition to this, in step S47, you may also make a decision by combining this with, for example, the appraisal certificate described later.

[0155] In step S47, a fourth hash is generated based on the transaction hash obtained from the authenticator or the transaction hash linked to the NFT information corresponding to the two-dimensional code. The method for generating this fourth hash is the same as the method for generating the first hash described above.

[0156] Furthermore, in step S47, information including the private key α1, product information, and transaction information recorded on the small recording medium (a1) 51a of the product to be authenticated 5, and / or information including the private key β1, product information, and transaction information recorded on the small recording medium (b) 52a of the guarantee card 24 is read. Then, a fifth hash is obtained, which is generated when recording the read information on blockchain 8a.

[0157] Next, a new sixth hash is generated based on the obtained fourth and fifth hashes. The method for generating this sixth hash is the same as the method for generating the third hash described above.

[0158] The consistency between the sixth hash and the third hash obtained in this way is then determined.

[0159] If product 5 requiring authentication is genuine, the fifth hash generated when recording the information read from the small recording medium (a1) 51a and small recording medium (b) 52a onto blockchain 8a will be identical to the second hash. Furthermore, if the authenticator possesses the genuine product, the fourth hash generated based on the transaction hash received from the dedicated platform 8 (e.g., the marketplace) or the transaction hash linked to the QR code will be identical to the first hash.

[0160] Therefore, by checking whether the sixth hash generated based on the fourth and fifth hashes is identical to the third hash, it is possible to determine whether the product requiring authentication 5 is genuine or not. Specifically, after generating the sixth hash, a search is performed to check whether an identical third hash is stored on blockchain 8a. In this way, by performing the determination not only using the first and second hashes, but also using the third hash generated based on them, confidentiality can be further improved. In addition, when recording on blockchain 8a, instead of recording both the first and second hashes, only one third hash reflecting them needs to be recorded, which improves the recording speed and speeds up processing.

[0161] Furthermore, in this invention, authentication of product 5 requiring authentication may be performed by determining both the consistency between the first blockchain wallet address and the second blockchain wallet address, and the consistency between the third hash and the sixth hash. That is, if the first blockchain wallet address and the second blockchain wallet address are the same, and the third hash and the sixth hash are the same, the verification is completed. Through the completion of the verification, it is determined that product 5 requiring authentication is genuine. On the other hand, if either or both of the first blockchain wallet address and the second blockchain wallet address, or the third hash and the sixth hash are not the same, it can be determined that the person providing the authentication is not the owner of product 5 requiring authentication.

[0162] Thus, the present invention allows authentication and certification to be performed based on two completely different methods: the consistency between the first blockchain wallet address and the second blockchain wallet address, and the consistency between the third hash and the sixth hash. Therefore, even if an item is successfully identified as genuine by one of the authentication methods, if it is identified as counterfeit by the other authentication method, that item 5 requiring authentication will not be identified as genuine. In this way, for items among the items requiring authentication 5 that require stronger authentication, a higher level of authentication accuracy can be achieved.

[0163] In addition to performing steps S43 to S47 described above using applications [A]9 and [B]11, steps S43 to S47 may also be performed using the dedicated platform 8, for example, at least in part.

[0164] In addition to the above, for example, the authentication method may perform authentication without generating the third and sixth hashes. In this case, the authentication uses the second to fourth verification information and the second to fourth signature information. Each piece of verification information and each piece of signature information may include, for example, information in hash format, as well as information obtained by encrypting or digitally signing (hereinafter described as encryption, etc.) the hash format information. Each piece of verification information and each piece of signature information may include, for example, at least one of a private key and a public key used for encryption, etc.

[0165] In this case, for example, as shown in Figure 13, in step S43a, which is a modified version of step S43, second verification information is recorded on blockchain 8a based on information including at least one of the private key α1, product information, and transaction information recorded on the small recording medium (a1) 51a of the product to be authenticated 5. The second verification information may indicate information including at least one of the private key α1, product information, and transaction information, or it may indicate information obtained by performing encryption or other processing using the private key α1 on information including at least one of the product information and transaction information. In addition to the above, the second verification information may indicate, for example, information in hash format obtained when recording at least one of the private key α1, product information, and transaction information on blockchain 8a, or information obtained by performing encryption or other processing on the hash.

[0166] Furthermore, in step S43a, for example, third verification information is recorded on blockchain 8a based on information including at least one of the private key β1, product information, and transaction information recorded on the small recording medium (b) 52a of the guarantee card 24. The third verification information may indicate information including at least one of the private key β1, product information, and transaction information, or it may indicate information obtained by encrypting or otherwise processing the information including at least one of the product information and transaction information using the private key β1. In addition to the above, the third verification information may indicate information in hash format obtained when recording at least one of the private key β1, product information, and transaction information on blockchain 8a, or information obtained by encrypting or otherwise processing the hash.

[0167] Furthermore, in step S43a, for example, fourth verification information generated based on the transaction hash is recorded on the blockchain. The fourth verification information may indicate the transaction hash, or it may indicate information obtained by encrypting the transaction hash, for example. The fourth verification information may also be generated based on a two-dimensional code corresponding to the transaction hash, for example.

[0168] Step S43a can be performed using application [A]9, or, for example, at least some of the processing can be performed using the dedicated platform 8.

[0169] Subsequently, without performing step S44 described above, in step S47a, which is a variation of step S47, second signature information is obtained based on information including at least one of the private key α1, product information, and transaction information recorded on the small recording medium (a1) 51a of the product to be authenticated 5 obtained from the authenticator. The second signature information may indicate information including at least one of the product information and transaction information, or it may indicate information in hash format generated when reading at least one of the product information and transaction information and recording the read information on blockchain 8a. The second signature information may also be obtained by performing a generation method similar to that of the fifth hash described above.

[0170] Furthermore, in step S47a, third signature information is obtained based on information including at least one of the private key β1, product information, and transaction information recorded on the small recording medium (b) 52a of the guarantee card 24 obtained from the authenticator. The third signature information may indicate information including at least one of the product information and transaction information, or it may indicate information in hash format generated when reading at least one of the product information and transaction information and recording the read information on the blockchain 8a. The third signature information may also be obtained by performing a generation method similar to that of the fifth hash described above.

[0171] Furthermore, in step S47a, a fourth signature information is obtained, for example, based on a transaction hash obtained from an authenticator or a corresponding two-dimensional code. The fourth signature information may also be obtained, for example, by performing the same generation method as the fourth hash described above.

[0172] Subsequently, in step S47a, the consistency between the second verification information and the second signature information, the consistency between the third verification information and the third signature information, and the consistency between the fourth verification information and the fourth signature information are determined. The consistency between each piece of verification information and signature information may be determined by, for example, information of the same format (e.g., information in hash format), or by one piece of information in hash format and the other piece of information that has undergone encryption or other processing. In either case, the determination can be made using publicly known techniques. Furthermore, as a method for determining the consistency between each piece of signature information and each piece of verification information, for example, after obtaining each piece of signature information, the determination of whether or not it is identical may be made based on the result of searching whether or not identical verification information is stored on blockchain 8a.

[0173] In this case, for example, if at least one of the comparison results between the first verification information and the first signature information, the comparison result between the third verification information and the third signature information, and the comparison result between the fourth verification information and the fourth signature information is consistent, then the authentication of product 5 requiring authentication may be satisfied (i.e., genuine). This makes it possible to authenticate product 5 requiring authentication using other information even if some of the information used for authentication is defective, thereby expanding the possibilities of its application.

[0174] Step S47a can be performed using application [B]11, or, for example, at least some of the processing can be performed using the dedicated platform 8.

[0175] According to the appraisal and certification system 1 in the first embodiment described above, it is possible to perform highly reliable appraisal and certification even when the appraisal and certification is performed on digital goods. Furthermore, the appraisal and certification method in the embodiment described above can be implemented, for example, using each component of the appraisal and certification system 1, and it is possible to perform highly reliable appraisal and certification even when the appraisal and certification is performed on digital goods.

[0176] Furthermore, the electronic devices mentioned above, such as terminals 2 and 72, the distributed file server 3, the dedicated platform 8, application [A] 9, and application [B] 11, are equipped with, for example, a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), and ROM (Read Only Memory), and perform the various processes described above. In addition, these electronic devices are equipped with data storage devices such as HDDs (Hard Disk Drives) to store various types of information.

[0177] Next, an example of an appraisal and certification system and an appraisal and certification method to which the second embodiment of the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The appraisal and certification system 1 to which the second embodiment is applied differs from the first embodiment in that it evaluates product information. Furthermore, the same explanation as for the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0178] The appraisal and certification system 1 outputs verification results, which show the evaluation results for product information, on a dedicated platform 8, based on verification information for evaluating product information. The verification information is information for evaluating product information. The verification information may include, for example, images and names of the product requiring appraisal 5 or parts of product requiring appraisal 5. The verification information may also include video and recorded information of the production process or transportation process of product requiring appraisal 5 or product requiring appraisal 5. The verification information may also include supply chain information. The verification information may also include contract verification information for evaluating the content of contracts made between various businesses. The verification information may also include, for example, location information of product requiring appraisal 5. The verification information may also include verification results output in the past. The verification information may also include a portion of the product information. The verification information may also include digital asset data. The location information may be obtained by GPS (Global Positioning System, Global Positioning Satellite), etc., embedded in a small recording medium attached to product requiring appraisal 5.

[0179] Supply chain information is information regarding transactions of product requiring certification 5 or parts of product requiring certification 5. Supply chain information may also be information regarding the provenance of product requiring certification 5 or parts of product requiring certification 5. Supply chain information may also be information regarding past possessors of product requiring certification 5 or parts of product requiring certification 5. Supply chain information may also be information regarding manufacturers and system integrators of product requiring certification 5 or parts of product requiring certification 5. Supply chain information may also be information regarding sales contracts for product requiring certification 5, for example. Supply chain information may also be information regarding maintenance contracts for product requiring certification 5, for example. Supply chain information may also be information regarding the maintenance history of product requiring certification 5, for example. Supply chain information may also be information regarding the possession history of the manufacturer, implementer, and operator of product requiring certification 5, for example. Furthermore, supply chain information may include information regarding the production status, inventory status, and logistics status of product requiring certification 5.

[0180] Contract verification information is information used to evaluate the content of contracts between various businesses. Contract verification information may be, for example, text data showing the content of contracts between various businesses. It may also be information indicating the number of products requiring appraisal 5 or parts of products requiring appraisal 5 that are being traded. It may also be records of past transactions between various businesses. It may also be image information showing the signatures or seals of the various businesses used in the contract. It may also be the names of the businesses involved in the transaction.

[0181] Verification results are information that indicates the evaluation results of the verification information. Verification results may, for example, indicate whether or not there are errors in the product information. Verification results may, for example, indicate whether product 5 requiring authentication or the parts of product 5 requiring authentication are genuine. Verification results may, for example, indicate reliability information that shows the level of credibility of the product information. Reliability may be expressed as a 5-point scale, for example, or as a percentage. Furthermore, verification results may indicate whether product 5 requiring authentication complies with the standards of a specific OS. Furthermore, verification results may indicate the level of security of product 5 requiring authentication.

[0182] Furthermore, the appraisal and certification system 1 may use a dataset consisting of pre-acquired reference verification information and reference verification results as training data, with reference verification information as the input and reference verification results as the output, and output verification results for product information based on the verification information using an evaluation model generated by machine learning. The evaluation model may also be recorded on a dedicated platform 8.

[0183] Reference validation information is validation information intended for use as training data for the evaluation model. Reference validation information may be of the same type as validation information. Reference validation information may be, for example, pre-obtained validation information. Reference validation results are validation results intended for use as training data for the evaluation model. Reference validation results may be of the same type as validation results. Reference validation results may be, for example, pre-obtained validation results.

[0184] The evaluation model is a model that outputs verification results from input verification information. The evaluation model may be generated, for example, by machine learning. The evaluation model is generated using, for example, a set of pre-acquired reference verification information and reference verification results as training data. The evaluation model may use a pre-trained model constructed by machine learning using multiple training datasets. The evaluation model may be generated using, for example, machine learning modeled after a neural network. The evaluation model may be generated using, for example, a neural network such as a CNN (Convolutional Neural Network), machine learning such as deep learning, or any other model. Furthermore, the evaluation model may be used by a dedicated platform 8.

[0185] Furthermore, the evaluation model may output verification results based on multiple types of verification information. In such cases, the evaluation model may be generated by machine learning, for example, by taking multiple types of reference verification information as input and outputting reference verification results. For example, the evaluation model may use image information of product 5 or parts of product 5 and name information of product 5 or parts of product 5 as reference verification results. In such cases, the authentication certification system 1 refers to the evaluation model and outputs verification results based on the same type of verification information as the reference verification information.

[0186] The evaluation model stores a correlation, which, for example, has a correlation between reference validation information (input data) and reference validation results (output data). The correlation indicates the degree of connection between the input data and the output data; for example, a higher correlation indicates a stronger connection between the data. The correlation can be expressed as a percentage or other value (three or more levels), or as a binary value (two levels).

[0187] For example, correlation is constructed by the degree of connection between many-to-many information (multiple input data pairs, multiple output data). Correlation is updated as needed during the machine learning process and, for example, indicates an optimized function (classifier) ​​based on multiple input data and multiple output data. Correlation may have multiple correlation degrees, for example, indicating the degree of connection between each data. Correlation degrees can be associated with weight variables, for example, when the database is constructed using a neural network.

[0188] Therefore, the authentication certification system 1 selects a verification result suitable for the verification information by using a correlation that takes into account all the results of the classifier's determination. This makes it possible to quantitatively select a verification result suitable for the verification information, not only when the verification information is identical or similar to the reference verification information, but also when it is dissimilar.

[0189] The correlation may represent the degree of connection between multiple output data and multiple input data, as shown in Figure 14, for example. In this case, by using correlation, the degree of relationship between multiple input data (in Figure 14, "Reference Verification Result A" to "Reference Verification Result C") can be associated and stored for each of the multiple output data (in Figure 14, "Reference Verification Information A" to "Reference Verification Information C"). Therefore, for example, multiple input data can be associated with a single output data through correlation. This enables the selection of verification results from multiple perspectives for the verification information.

[0190] The correlation has multiple degrees of correlation, for example, linking each output data to each input data. The degree of correlation is expressed in three or more stages, such as a percentage, a 10-point scale, or a 5-point scale, and is represented by line characteristics (e.g., line thickness). For example, "Reference Validation Information A" included in the input data shows a correlation degree AA "73%" with "Reference Validation Result A" included in the output data, and a correlation degree AB "12%" with "Reference Validation Result B" included in the output data. In other words, the "degree of correlation" indicates the degree of connection between each data; for example, a higher degree of correlation indicates a stronger connection between the data.

[0191] Furthermore, the evaluation model may have at least one hidden layer between the input data and the output data, and may be subjected to machine learning. The aforementioned correlation degree is set in either the input data or the hidden layer data, or both, and this becomes the weight for each data, and the output is selected based on this. The output may also be selected if this correlation degree exceeds a certain threshold.

[0192] The appraisal and certification system 1 may output verification results based on verification information, using two or more evaluation models generated by machine learning using different training data. This makes it possible to perform evaluations using, for example, a multi-AI system with AI from multiple different development entities acting as a deliberative body. Therefore, it becomes possible to eliminate bias in the results due to training data, etc., and to perform a fairer evaluation. Furthermore, the multi-AI system may include distributed AI.

[0193] The authentication and certification system 1 may output a second verification result for product information based on each of the output verification results. The second verification result is information that shows the overall result for product information determined based on multiple verification results. The authentication and certification system 1 may, for example, output the average of each of the output verification results as the second verification result. Alternatively, the authentication and certification system 1 may, for example, use a dataset consisting of multiple previously acquired reference verification results and reference second verification results as training data, take multiple reference verification results as input and the output as a reference second verification result, and use a result model generated by machine learning to output a second verification result for product information based on each of the output verification results.

[0194] The authentication and certification system 1 may evaluate the product information at any time. For example, the authentication and certification system 1 may evaluate the product information before it is recorded on the small recording media 51a and 52a. Alternatively, the authentication and certification system 1 may evaluate the product information before it is recorded on the blockchain 8a. Furthermore, the authentication and certification system 1 may evaluate the product information when it is read from the blockchain data 8b. Additionally, the authentication and certification system 1 may evaluate the product information each time ownership of the NFT information is transferred.

[0195] Furthermore, the appraisal certification system 1 may provide instructions on how to use it according to the type of business of the company using the appraisal certification system 1. For example, the appraisal certification system 1 may refer to a correspondence table that links pre-set business type information with instructions on how to use it, and provide instructions on how to use it according to the type of business of the company using the appraisal certification system 1. The instructions on how to use it may be, for example, provided as voice guidance or as text data. The instructions on how to use it may be provided as text data such as "Please enter the HBOM information as ○○". The appraisal certification system 1 may also provide instructions on how to use it to the company via, for example, terminal 2 or terminal 72.

[0196] Furthermore, the appraisal and certification system 1 may affix a certification mark to the product information depending on the outputted verification results. In such a case, the appraisal and certification system 1 may affix a certification mark to the product information, for example, if the outputted verification results show a reliability level of a specified value or higher.

[0197] Furthermore, if there is an error in the evaluated verification result, the appraisal certification system 1 outputs information indicating that insurance will be applied for the acquisition or recall of the product requiring appraisal 5. This makes it possible to apply insurance even if there is an error in the evaluation result. This means that if the product information is appraised as genuine but later found to be an error, and the judgment of genuineness is corrected to be false, the seller will be required to buy back or recall the product requiring appraisal 5 from those who purchased it believing the previous error, and the insurance coverage provides monetary compensation for the cost of such buyback as a business loss. In addition, when incorporating damage insurance coverage, it may be required to obtain a quotation. Furthermore, the appraisal certification system 1 may set the insurance premium to be borne by the seller according to the evaluated verification result. This makes it possible to set an appropriate insurance premium, for example, according to the reliability of the product information. Furthermore, the appraisal certification system 1 may determine whether there is an error in the verification result and output the determination result. In such a case, the appraisal certification system 1 may determine that there is an error in the verification result and output the determination result, for example, if the output of a verification result that differs from past verification results.

[0198] Furthermore, the appraisal certification system 1 may use a dataset consisting of pre-acquired reference contract verification information and reference verification results as training data, with reference contract verification information as input and reference verification results as output, and use a machine learning-generated model to output verification results for contracts concluded between businesses based on newly acquired contract verification information. This makes it possible to automatically evaluate whether contracts concluded between businesses are legitimate.

[0199] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Such novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims of the invention and its equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0200] 1. Authentication and Certification System 2, 72 terminals 3. Distributed file server 5 Products requiring appraisal 8 Dedicated platform 8a Blockchain 8b Blockchain data 10 Public telecommunications network 24 Guarantee Card 25 Leaders 43 Blockchain Wallets

Claims

1. Verification information acquisition means for acquiring verification information for evaluating product information relating to a product requiring appraisal, An evaluation means that uses a dataset consisting of reference verification information and reference verification results for the reference verification information, which have been acquired in advance, as training data, and uses an evaluation model generated by machine learning to output verification results for the product information based on the acquired verification information, Equipped with, The evaluation model holds correlation information including one or more correlation degrees indicating the degree of connection between one or more input data representing the reference verification information and one or more output data representing the reference verification results, The evaluation means, in addition to cases where the verification information is identical or similar to the reference verification information, also selects at least one output data suitable for the verification information from among the one or more output data based on the correlation information, and outputs the verification result based on the selected output data, even when the verification information is dissimilar. A certification system characterized by the following features.

2. The correlation information is updated during the machine learning process and indicates a classifier which is a function optimized based on the one or more input data and the one or more output data. The appraisal and certification system according to claim 1.

3. The correlation information has a plurality of correlation degrees that link each of the output data and each of the input data, and links a plurality of input data to one of the output data. The appraisal and certification system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The evaluation model includes a neural network in which at least one hidden layer is provided between the input data and the output data, The correlation degree is used as a weight set for either the input data or the hidden layer data, or both. The appraisal and certification system according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The evaluation means selects the output data corresponding to the correlation degree that exceeds a predetermined threshold as the target of the verification result. The appraisal and certification system according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The degree of correlation is indicated by a percentage or by two or more levels. The appraisal and certification system according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The verification information includes at least one of the following: image information or name information of the product or its parts that need to be appraised, video or recording information of the production process or transportation process of the product or its parts that need to be appraised, supply chain information, contract verification information, location information, verification results output in the past, a part of product information, or digital asset data. The appraisal and certification system according to claim 1 or 2.

8. The contract verification information includes at least one of the following: text data indicating the content of a contract between various businesses; information indicating the number of the products or parts thereof that are subject to the transaction; records of past transactions of various businesses; image information indicating the signatures or seals of various businesses used in the contract; or the names of the businesses conducting the transaction. The appraisal and certification system according to claim 7.

9. The verification result indicates at least one of the following: whether or not there is an error in the product information, whether or not the product or its component requiring authentication is genuine, the reliability level indicating the high credibility of the product information, whether or not the product requiring authentication conforms to the standards of a specific OS, or the level of security of the product requiring authentication. The appraisal and certification system according to claim 1 or 2.

10. The evaluation means outputs the verification result at at least one of the following times: before the product information is written to the small recording medium, before the product information is recorded on the blockchain, when the product information is read from the blockchain data, or when the ownership of the NFT information corresponding to the product requiring authentication is transferred. The appraisal and certification system according to claim 1 or 2.

11. The system further comprises a guidance display means for displaying instructions on how to use the appraisal certification system according to the type of business of the business using the system. The appraisal and certification system according to claim 1 or 2.

12. The present invention further comprises a means for applying a certification mark to the product information when the verification result shows a reliability of a specified value or higher. The appraisal and certification system according to claim 1 or 2.

13. The verification information includes contract verification information, The evaluation means uses a model generated by machine learning, which uses a dataset consisting of previously acquired reference contract verification information and the reference verification results as training data, to output verification results for contracts concluded between businesses based on newly acquired contract verification information. The appraisal and certification system according to claim 1 or 2.

14. The evaluation means, when the ownership of the NFT information corresponding to the product requiring authentication is transferred, acquires owner certification data corresponding to the product requiring authentication as verification information, and outputs the verification result based on the owner certification data. The appraisal and certification system according to claim 10.

15. The owner verification data includes a blockchain wallet address, a public key used to generate the blockchain wallet address, a private key used to generate the blockchain wallet address, and at least one of DID, SSI, DIW, or VC. The appraisal and certification system according to claim 14.

16. The owner verification data includes blockchain wallet owner verification data recorded in a smart contract. The appraisal and certification system according to claim 14.

17. A method of authentication and certification performed by a computer having a control unit, The process involves obtaining verification information to evaluate product information regarding products requiring appraisal, A step of outputting verification results for product information based on acquired verification information, using an evaluation model generated by machine learning, with a dataset consisting of reference verification information and reference verification results for the reference verification information, which has been acquired in advance, as training data, for evaluating product information related to the product requiring appraisal, and a machine learning model, Includes, The evaluation model holds correlation information including one or more correlation degrees indicating the degree of connection between one or more input data representing the reference verification information and one or more output data representing the reference verification results, In the step of outputting the verification results, in addition to cases where the verification information is identical or similar to the reference verification information, even when it is dissimilar, at least one output data suitable for the verification information is quantitatively selected from the one or more output data based on the correlation information, and the verification results are output based on the selected output data. A method of authentication and certification characterized by the following features.

18. The further step of affixing a certification mark to the product information when the verification result shows a reliability of a specified value or higher, The method of certification of expert opinion as described in claim 17.

19. A program for causing a computer to execute the appraisal and certification method described in claim 17 or 18.

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