Label management system, label management method, and program

Abstract

The label management system is a system that enables product management using labels, and includes a code printing device, an information reading device, and a database. Label information used for individual identification of the label itself is printed as a digital watermark on the printing surface of the label, and the code printing device prints a code of product information used for individual identification of the product to which the label is affixed on the printing surface of the label. The information reading device reads the label information and product information from the digital watermark and code printed on the printing surface of the label, respectively, for each label. The label information and product information read by the information reading device are stored in the database in a mutually associated state for each label.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technology for product management using labels, and a label management technology that makes this possible. [Background technology]

[0002] One technology that enables product management using labels is to print a code (such as a barcode or QR code (registered trademark)) of product information (such as GTIN) used to identify each product on a label, and to enable tracking of the product by reading the code. There is also a technology that embeds product information in the label using a digital watermark instead of a code. Patent Document 1 discloses a technology that uses both of these technologies to print a product information code on a label and embed the same product information in the label using a digital watermark, so that even if the code cannot be read due to distortion or dirt on the label when reading the product information, the digital watermark can be used instead. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2022-99918 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In recent years, fraudulent activities such as the illegal sale of goods have become common, and in such fraudulent activities, in order to misuse the value of the goods while avoiding tracking of the goods, the part of the label on which the code (information that enables tracking of the goods) is printed is cut out, leaving only the part on which the product's origin information (information that increases the value of the goods, such as the brand name) is printed. According to the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, in order to counter such fraudulent activities, even if the code is cut out, it is possible to obtain the product information from the digital watermark printed on the remaining part, making it possible to track the goods (monitor fraudulent activities).

[0005] However, when attempting to print product information as a digital watermark, the following problems can arise. Product information used to identify each product often includes information that identifies the business that manufactured or sold the product, and information indicating the classification of the product. Therefore, the inscription of product information on the label (printing of a code) is generally done by the product manufacturer or seller after the product to which the label will be affixed is identified by the product manufacturer or seller. On the other hand, if it becomes necessary to print such product information on the label as a digital watermark, it becomes necessary for the product manufacturer or seller to introduce a digital watermark system, which places a heavy burden on the product manufacturer or seller.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique that enables enhancement of product traceability without imposing a burden on the manufacturer or seller of the product. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The label management system according to the present invention is a system that enables product management using labels, and includes a code printing device, an information reading device, and a database. Label information used for individual identification of the label itself is printed as a digital watermark on the printing surface of the label, and the code printing device prints a code of product information used for individual identification of the product to which the label is affixed on the printing surface of the label. The information reading device reads the label information and product information from the digital watermark and code printed on the printing surface of the label, respectively, for each label. The label information and product information read by the information reading device are stored in the database in a mutually associated state for each label.

[0008] The label management method according to the present invention is a method that enables product management using labels. Label information used for identifying the individual label itself is printed as a digital watermark on the printed surface of the label, and a product information code used for identifying the individual product to which the label is affixed is first printed on the printed surface of the label. Next, the label information and product information are read from the digital watermark and code printed on the printed surface of each label, respectively, and these pieces of information are stored in a database in a mutually associated state.

[0009] The program according to the present invention is a program that enables product management using labels. Label information used for individual identification of the label itself is printed as a digital watermark on the printing surface of the label, and the program causes a control device to execute the following processes. First, the program causes the control device to execute a process of causing a code printing device to print, on the printing surface of the label, a code of product information used for individual identification of the product to which the label is affixed. Next, the program causes the control device to execute a process of causing an information reading device to read, for each label, the label information and product information from the digital watermark and code printed on the printing surface of the label. After that, the program causes the control device to execute a process of storing the label information and product information read by the information reading device in a database in a state in which they are associated with each other.

[0010] According to the label management system, label management method, or program described above, even if fraudulent conduct is committed by cutting out the portion of the label on which a code used for tracking the product is printed, leaving only the portion on which information about the product's origin (information that increases the product's value, such as the brand name) is printed, it is possible to read the label information from the remaining label and obtain product information associated with the label information from a database. In other words, it is possible to obtain product information about the product to which the label is affixed, even from a label from which the code has been cut out. Therefore, even if fraudulent conduct has been committed against a product's label, it is possible to track the product (identify the distribution route) based on the product information.

[0011] Furthermore, since labels with digital watermarks printed on them can be used in another system or location (such as a label manufacturer), the manufacturer or seller of the product does not need to install a system for digital watermarks when introducing the above-mentioned label management system, and therefore the burden on the manufacturer or seller of the product is not great.

[0012] In the label management system, label management method, or program, the label information may be printed as a digital watermark at least in an area of ​​the printing surface of the label where the source information of the product to which the label is attached is printed. With this configuration, the digital watermark is printed in an area where it is likely to remain even if fraudulent acts such as cutting out the part of the label on which the code used for tracking the product is printed are committed. Therefore, even if such fraudulent acts are committed, the digital watermark can remain on the label in a readable state. Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to enhance the traceability of products without imposing a burden on the manufacturer or seller of the products. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1]FIG. 1(A) is a conceptual diagram showing a label management system according to an embodiment, and FIG. 1(B) is a block diagram showing the configuration of the label management system. [Diagram 2] 2(A) to 2(C) are conceptual diagrams showing three examples of labels used for product management. [Diagram 3] Figure 3(A) is a conceptual diagram showing multiple labels arranged on a strip of sheet in a peelable manner, and Figure 3(B) is a conceptual diagram showing the labels on the strip of sheet with digital watermarks printed on them. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a control process executed in the label management system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] [1] Label management system configuration Fig. 1(A) is a conceptual diagram showing a label management system according to an embodiment, and Fig. 1(B) is a block diagram showing the configuration of the label management system. The label management system of this embodiment is a system that enables product management using labels K, and includes a code printing device 1, an information reading device 2, and a control device 3.

[0016] 2(A) is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a label K used for product management. As shown in this diagram, a digital watermark 81 and a code 82 (such as a barcode or QR code (registered trademark)) are printed on a printing surface 80a of the label K. In this embodiment, the digital watermark 81 is printed on the printing surface 80a of the label K by a system (a system for digital watermarks; not shown) separate from the label management system. On the other hand, the code 82 is printed later by the label management system on the printing surface 80a of the label K on which the digital watermark 81 has been printed.

[0017] As an example, the label K is a sticker with an adhesive surface on the side opposite to the printing surface 80a. In this case, in order to efficiently print on a plurality of labels K, a plurality of labels K can be arranged in a peelable state on a strip-shaped sheet 9 (specifically, a long sheet with a release agent applied to its surface) during printing (see FIG. 3(A)). When printing a digital watermark 81, the digital watermark 81 is printed in sequence on the labels K on the strip-shaped sheet 9 while unwinding the strip-shaped sheet 9 wound in a roll in a digital watermark system (see FIG. 3(B)), and the portion of the strip-shaped sheet 9 on which the digital watermark 81 has been printed on the labels K can be wound up again in a roll. When printing a code 82, the code 82 can be printed in sequence on the labels K on the strip-shaped sheet 9 while unwinding the strip-shaped sheet 9 wound in a roll again in a label management system (see FIG. 1(A)).

[0018] In this embodiment, the label management system not only enables product management using the code 82, but also enables product management using a digital watermark 81 printed in another system (a system for digital watermarks) before printing the code 82. The configuration of the label K and the configuration of each device included in the label management system will be specifically described below.

[0019] [1-1] Label <Digital Watermark> In this embodiment, the digital watermark 81 is label information used for individual identification of the label K itself (distinguishing it from other labels K) that is embedded imperceptibly into the printing surface 80a (see FIG. 2(A)). Here, the label information is simple information such as a number that is different for each label K, and it is sufficient that it contains the minimum amount of information that can individually identify the label K itself. In other words, the label information does not need to contain information about the product to which the label K is affixed (such as product information that enables product tracking).

[0020] <Code> In this embodiment, the code 82 is a one-dimensional code (such as a barcode) or a two-dimensional code (such as a QR code (registered trademark)) on the printing surface 80a, which is used for identifying an individual product to which the label K is attached. Here, the product information is a one-dimensional arrangement of numbers, letters, and symbols, such as a GTIN, and includes a number that identifies the manufacturer or seller (such as a business) of the product and a number that indicates the classification of the product, in order to enable individual identification of the product. The example of FIG. 2(A) shows a case where the product information is written in a barcode. With such product information, it is possible to track the product (identify the distribution route) by reading and recording the product information from the code 82 during the distribution process.

[0021] <Source information> In addition to the digital watermark 81 and the code 82, source information 83 of the product to which the label K is attached may be printed on the printing surface 80a of the label K (see FIG. 2(B)). Here, the source information 83 has the function of increasing the value of the product by clarifying the source, such as a brand name. The example of FIG. 2(B) shows a case where "ABC" is written as the source information 83.

[0022] <Print area> In fraudulent activities such as the diversion of goods, in order to misuse the value of the goods while avoiding tracking of the goods, a person will cut out the portion of the label K on which the code 82 used for tracking the goods is printed, leaving only the portion on which the product's origin information 83 (information that increases the value of the goods, such as the brand name) is printed.

[0023] Therefore, in this embodiment, the digital watermark 81 is printed at least in the area where the origin information 83 is printed so that even if such fraudulent acts are committed, the label information can always be read from the remaining label K. With this configuration, the digital watermark 81 is printed in an area where it is highly likely to remain even if the above-mentioned fraudulent acts are committed. Therefore, even if the above-mentioned fraudulent acts are committed, the digital watermark 81 can remain on the label K in a readable state.

[0024] As an example, if the area where the origin information 83 is printed is the first printing area R1, the digital watermark 81 is printed in at least the first printing area R1 by a method called background watermarking, in which information is embedded in the background (base) of the origin information 83. The example of Fig. 2(A) shows a case where the digital watermark 81 is printed in background watermarking over the entire printing surface 80a including the first printing area R1. Also, the example of Fig. 2(B) shows a case where the origin information 83 is printed in the first printing area R1.

[0025] As another example, when it is determined which area of ​​the printing surface 80a will be the first printing area R1 at the stage of printing the digital watermark 81, the digital watermark 81 may be printed as a background pattern watermark only in the first printing area R1, as shown in Fig. 2(C). When the area where the code 82 is printed is designated as the second printing area R2, if it is determined which area of ​​the printing surface 80a will be the second printing area R2, the area of ​​the printing surface 80a excluding the second printing area R2 can be designated as the area where the origin information 83 is printed (the first printing area R1).

[0026] When digital watermark 81 is printed as a background watermark in this way, the digital watermark 81 is printed so that it will always remain readable even if source information 83 is subsequently printed. Specifically, multiple digital watermarks 81 with the same label information are printed as a background watermark (see FIG. 2(A)). This makes it easier for one of the multiple digital watermarks 81 to remain readable without being affected by the source information 83, even if source information 83 is subsequently printed (see FIG. 2(B)).

[0027] According to the label K (see FIG. 2A) on which such a digital watermark 81 is printed over the entire printing surface 80a, no matter where the code 82 or the source information 83 is printed on the printing surface 80a after the digital watermark 81 is printed, the label K will have the digital watermark 81 printed in a required area (the printing area of ​​the source information 83 or the area excluding the printing area of ​​the code 82) according to the printing position of the code 82 or the source information 83. In other words, it is no longer necessary to determine in advance which areas of the printing surface 80a will be the first printing area R1 or the second printing area R2. Therefore, the manufacturer or seller of the product can arbitrarily determine the printing positions and printing areas of the code 82 and the source information 83.

[0028] The digital watermark 81 may be printed together with the source information 83 in a digital watermark system. In this case, the digital watermark 81 may be printed by a method called font watermark, in which information is embedded in characters or figures representing the source information 83, instead of a background pattern watermark.

[0029] [1-2] Code printing device The code printing device 1 is a device that prints the above-mentioned code 82 on the printing surface 80a of the label K (see Figs. 1(A) and 1(B)). In this embodiment, one code 82 for one label K is transmitted from the control device 3 to the code printing device 1. Then, the code printing device 1 prints the code 82 received from the control device 3 on the printing surface 80a of the label K (in this embodiment, the label K on which the digital watermark 81 is printed).

[0030] Then, as described above, when the labels K are stickers and multiple labels are arranged on the strip sheet 9 in a peelable state (see FIG. 1(A)), the label management system can use the code printing device 1 to print codes 82 in sequence on the labels K (labels K on which electronic watermarks 81 are printed) on the strip sheet 9 while unwinding the rolled strip sheet 9.

[0031] [1-3] Information reading device The information reading device 2 is a device (such as a scanner) that reads, for each label K, label information and product information from a digital watermark 81 and a code 82 printed on the printing surface 80a of the label K, respectively (see Figs. 1(A) and 1(B)). As an example, the information reading device 2 is configured with one scanner that can simultaneously scan the digital watermark 81 and the code 82 to read the label information and the product information. In Fig. 1(A), a scan area Rs when the digital watermark 81 and the code 82 are simultaneously scanned by such a scanner is indicated by a dashed line. As another example, the information reading device 2 may include a scanner that reads label information from the digital watermark 81 and a scanner that reads product information from the code 82.

[0032] Then, as described above, when the labels K are stickers and multiple labels are arranged on the strip sheet 9 in a peelable state (see FIG. 1(A)), the label management system unwinds the rolled strip sheet 9, and after the code printing device 1 prints the code 82, the information reading device 2 scans the labels K on the strip sheet 9 in sequence (labels K on which both the electronic watermark 81 and the code 82 are printed), thereby reading the label information and product information from the labels K.

[0033] [1-4] Control device The control device 3 is a device that controls the label management system (controls the code printing device 1, the information reading device 2, etc.), and includes a storage unit 31 and a control unit 32 (see FIG. 1(B)).

[0034] The storage unit 31 is a section in which information necessary for controlling the label management system is stored, and is composed of storage devices such as ROM and RAM. In this embodiment, a database Qk that enables information management for each label K is constructed in the storage unit 31, and the label information and product information read by the information reading device 2 are stored in association with each other for each label K in the database Qk.

[0035] The control unit 32 is a part that executes control of the label management system, and is configured with a processing device such as a CPU. In this embodiment, the control unit 32 stores the label information and product information read by the information reading device 2 for each label K in the database Qk, thereby saving a one-to-one correspondence between the information in the database Qk. As a result, the label information and product information read by the information reading device 2 for each label K are stored in the database Qk in a mutually associated state.

[0036] More specifically, the control unit 32 executes the following control processing in the label management system, including information management for each label K using the above-mentioned database Qk. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the control processing executed in the label management system. In this embodiment, the control processing is executed for each label K. In other words, this control processing is executed repeatedly for the number of labels K.

[0037] First, the control unit 32 controls the code printing device 1 to cause the code printing device 1 to print a code 82 on the printing surface 80a of a label K (in this embodiment, a label K on which an electronic watermark 81 is printed) (step S101).

[0038] Next, the control unit 32 controls the information reading device 2 to read the label information and product information from the digital watermark 81 and the code 82 printed on the printing surface 80a of the label K (step S102).

[0039] Thereafter, the control unit 32 stores the label information and the product information read by the information reading device 2 in the database Qk, thereby saving the one-to-one correspondence between the information in the database Qk (step S103).

[0040] As an example, in the case where the labels K are stickers arranged on the strip-shaped sheet 9 in a peelable state as described above (see FIG. 1(A)), in step S101, the control unit 32 controls the rotation of the rolled strip-shaped sheet 9 to feed the strip-shaped sheet 9 while causing the code printing device 1 to print the code 82 on each label K on the strip-shaped sheet 9. In step S102, the control unit 32 causes the information reading device 2 to scan each label K on which the code 82 is printed, thereby causing the information reading device 2 to read the label information and product information from each label K. In step S103, the control unit 32 stores in the database Qk, for each label K, a one-to-one correspondence between the label information and product information read by the information reading device 2.

[0041] Such control processing is executed by a processing unit (not shown) built in the control unit 32 of the control device 3. In this embodiment, the processing unit is configured as software by having the control unit 32 execute a program. Such a program may be stored in a portable storage medium (e.g., a flash memory or the like) in a readable state, read from the storage medium and installed and stored in the storage unit 31 of the control device 3, or may be stored in a downloadable state in another server, downloaded from the server and installed and stored in the storage unit 31. The above processing unit may be configured as hardware by building a circuit in the control device 3.

[0042] Furthermore, the series of steps executed in the label management system by the above-mentioned control process, such as printing the code 82 on the label K, reading the label information and product information from the label K, and storing that information in the database Qk, constitute a method (label management method) that enables product management using the label K.

[0043] According to the label management system described above, even if a fraudulent act is committed by cutting out the portion of the label K on which the code 82 used for tracking the product is printed, leaving only the portion on which the product origin information 83 (information that increases the value of the product, such as the brand name) is printed, it is possible to read the label information from the remaining label K and obtain the product information associated with the label information from the database Qk. In other words, it is possible to obtain the product information of the product to which the label K is affixed, even from the label K from which the code 82 has been cut out. Therefore, even if a fraudulent act has been committed against a product with its label K, it is possible to track the product (identify the distribution route) based on the product information.

[0044] Furthermore, since the label K on which the electronic watermark 81 is printed can be used in another system or location (such as a label manufacturer), the manufacturer or seller of the product does not need to install a system for electronic watermarks when introducing the above-mentioned label management system, and therefore the burden on the manufacturer or seller of the product is not great.

[0045] Therefore, according to the above label management system, it is possible to strengthen the traceability of products without imposing a burden on the manufacturers or sellers of the products.

[0046] The above-mentioned description of the embodiment should be considered as illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, not by the above-mentioned embodiment. Furthermore, the scope of the present invention is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0047] For example, the above-described label management method may be executed using a means other than the label management system. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1 Code Printing Device 2. Information reading device 3. Control device 9. Strip Sheet K Label 31 Storage section 32 Control section 80a printing side 81 Digital Watermark 82 Code 83 Source information Qk Database R1 1st printing area R2 2nd printing area Rs Scan Area

Claims

1. This is a system that enables product management using labels. Label information used for identifying the individual label itself is printed on the printing surface of the label as a digital watermark, a code printing device that prints, on the printing surface of the label, a code of product information used for identifying an individual product to which the label is affixed; an information reading device that reads, for each label, the label information and the product information from the digital watermark and the code printed on the printing surface of the label, respectively; a database in which the label information and the product information read by the information reading device are stored in a mutually associated state for each label; A label management system comprising:

2. The label management system according to claim 1 , wherein the label information is printed as the digital watermark at least in an area of ​​the printing surface of the label where source information of a product to which the label is affixed is printed.

3. This is a method that enables product management using labels, Label information used for identifying the individual label itself is printed on the printing surface of the label as a digital watermark, printing a code of product information used for identifying an individual product to which the label is attached on the printing surface of the label; the label information and the product information are read from the digital watermark and the code printed on the printing surface of each label, respectively, and the information is stored in a database in a mutually associated state.

4. This is a program that enables product management using labels. Label information used for identifying the individual label itself is printed on the printing surface of the label as a digital watermark, The control device includes: A process of causing a code printing device to print a code of product information used for individual identification of the product to which the label is affixed, on the printing surface of the label; a process of causing an information reading device to read, for each of the labels, the label information and the product information from the digital watermark and the code printed on the printing surface of the label; storing the label information and the product information read by the information reading device in a database in a mutually associated state; A program to execute.