Information processing method, information processing device, and program

Abstract

This information processing method acquires, when moving a non-fungible token (NFT) associated one-to-one with a physical item or a service, or referring to the NFT, country information indicating countries or a group of countries serving as a source and destination for movement or reference of the NFT (S30), and executes different processing related to movement of the NFT depending on whether, as a first case, the countries or group of countries serving as the source and destination for movement or reference of the NFT are different from each other, or as a second case, the countries or group of countries serving as the source and destination for movement of the NFT are the same (S50, S60).

Description

Information processing method, information processing device, and program

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing method, an information processing device, and a program.

[0002] Various techniques for transferring tokens are known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Patent No. 7490916

[0004] Incidentally, when a request to transfer a token or a request to refer to a token is received, it may be desirable that the process of transferring or referring to the token is not executed uniformly.

[0005] Therefore, the present disclosure provides an information processing method, an information processing device, and a program that can change the processing of moving or referencing a token.

[0006] An information processing method according to one aspect of the present disclosure involves, when transferring an NFT (Non-Fungible Token) that is one-to-one mapped to an item or service, or when referencing the NFT, obtaining country information indicating the country or country group from which the NFT is transferred or referenced and the country or country group to which the NFT is transferred, and performing different processing for the transfer of the NFT in a first case in which the country or country group from which the NFT is transferred and the country or country group to which the NFT is transferred are different, and a second case in which the country or country group from which the NFT is transferred and the country or country group to which the NFT is transferred are the same.

[0007] An information processing device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes an acquisition unit that acquires country information indicating the country or country group from which the NFT (Non-Fungible Token) that is one-to-one mapped to an item or service is transferred or referenced when the NFT is transferred or referenced, and an execution unit that performs different processing regarding the transfer of the NFT between a first case in which the country or country group from which the NFT is transferred and the country or country group to which the NFT is transferred are different and a second case in which the country or country group from which the NFT is transferred and the country or country group to which the NFT is transferred are the same.

[0008] A program according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a program for causing a computer to execute the above-described information processing method.

[0009] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to realize an information processing method or the like that can vary the processing of moving or referencing a token.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a ledger server according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of an information processing system according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of a ledger server according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the data structure of a blockchain. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the data structure of transaction data. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing transaction data related to the execution of a smart contract. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing processing related to the execution of a smart contract. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the structures of NFTs and metadata.

[0011] (Background to the Disclosure) In recent years, blockchain-based technology has been used for economic security purposes. For example, blockchain is being used to trace whether a supply chain of goods or services includes countries in a different camp (a different group of countries). This makes it possible to verify, for imports, whether the risk of dependence on countries in a different camp is reduced, for example, whether a country has strategic autonomy or sovereignty. Furthermore, for exports, it makes it possible to verify whether the outflow of valuable resources and the like is being prevented, for example, whether valuable resources and the like are being leaked to countries in a different camp.

[0012] The objects (goods or services) to be checked for leakage or dependency may include energy-related items (e.g., natural gas, crude oil, electricity, etc.), rare earth elements (e.g., EV battery materials, permanent magnets for motors, etc.), pharmaceutical raw materials, hydrogen, semiconductors, cloud services, etc., or items or services related to these (e.g., manufacturing parts, maintenance parts, etc.).

[0013] When transferring or referencing tokens to countries in other camps or countries other than one's own country, it may be desirable to process the transfer or reference of tokens differently from the viewpoint of economic security. However, Patent Document 1 does not disclose any technology related to executing different processes for transferring or referencing tokens.

[0014] Therefore, the inventors of the present application have conducted extensive research into information processing methods and the like that can differentiate between processes for moving or referencing tokens, and have devised the information processing methods and the like shown below.

[0015] The information processing method according to the first aspect of the present disclosure obtains country information indicating the country or country group from which the NFT is transferred and the country or country group to which the NFT is transferred and the NFT is referenced when the NFT is transferred or referenced, and performs different processing for the transfer of the NFT between a first case in which the country or country group from which the NFT is transferred and the country or country group to which the NFT is transferred are different and a second case in which the country or country group from which the NFT is transferred and the country or country group to which the NFT is transferred are the same.

[0016] This allows the processing of moving or referencing an NFT to differ depending on whether the country or group of countries from which the NFT is executed and the country or group of countries to which the NFT is executed are different.

[0017] Also, for example, the information processing method according to the second aspect may be an information processing method according to the first aspect, and the different processing may include processing that prevents movement of the NFT in the first case compared to the second case.

[0018] This allows for different processes to be executed: a process that prevents the movement of the NFT, and a process that does not prevent the movement of the NFT.

[0019] Also, for example, the information processing method according to the third aspect may be an information processing method according to the second aspect, and the process of preventing the movement of the NFT may include at least one of prohibiting the movement of the NFT and delaying the movement of the NFT.

[0020] This allows prohibiting or delaying the movement of the NFT as a process for preventing the movement of the NFT.

[0021] Also, for example, the information processing method according to the fourth aspect may be an information processing method according to the second or third aspect, and the process of preventing the movement of the NFT may include allowing the movement of the NFT to be canceled after the NFT has been moved.

[0022] This allows the transfer of NFTs to be canceled, which can be used to prevent mis-transfers or remittance fraud.

[0023] Furthermore, for example, an information processing method according to a fifth aspect may be an information processing method according to any one of the second to fourth aspects, wherein the process of preventing the movement of the NFT includes at least one of invalidating a wallet that holds the NFT and reducing a score indicating the trustworthiness of the wallet.

[0024] This allows at least one of invalidating a wallet that holds an NFT and reducing a score indicating the wallet's trustworthiness to be performed as a process to prevent the movement of the NFT.

[0025] Also, for example, an information processing method according to a sixth aspect is an information processing method according to any one of the second to fifth aspects, and the process of preventing the movement of the NFT may include changing the display mode of the NFT.

[0026] This allows the user to be notified that the country information is different.

[0027] Also, for example, an information processing method according to the seventh aspect may be an information processing method according to any of the first to sixth aspects, and the different processing may include, in the first case, changing the degree to which the item or service included in the NFT is related to the supply chain.

[0028] This allows changing the degree of supply chain in the first case to be performed as a different process.

[0029] Also, for example, an information processing method according to an eighth aspect may be an information processing method according to the seventh aspect, wherein the NFT corresponds to the object, and the different processing may include reducing the degree when the country or country group of each component or material that constitutes the object is different from the own country.

[0030] This allows the degree of different processing to be reduced when the countries or country groups of the components or materials that make up the product are different.

[0031] Also, for example, an information processing method according to a ninth aspect may be an information processing method according to the seventh or eighth aspect, wherein the NFT corresponds to the service, and the different processing may include reducing the degree when the country or group of countries of people, equipment, or energy for maintaining the service is different from one's own country.

[0032] This allows the reduction in the degree to be performed as a different process.

[0033] Furthermore, for example, an information processing method according to a tenth aspect is an information processing method according to any one of the seventh to ninth aspects, and the degree may include a self-sufficiency rate indicating the proportion of at least one of parts, materials, people, equipment, and energy in the product or service that is covered by at least one of parts, materials, people, equipment, and energy in the country itself.

[0034] This updates the self-sufficiency rate, allowing the latest self-sufficiency rate to be presented to the user.

[0035] An information processing device according to an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure includes an acquisition unit that acquires country information indicating the country or country group from which the NFT (Non-Fungible Token) that is one-to-one mapped to an item or service is transferred or referenced when the NFT is transferred or referenced, and an execution unit that performs different processing regarding the transfer of the NFT between a first case in which the country or country group from which the NFT is transferred and the country or country group to which the NFT is transferred are different and a second case in which the country or country group from which the NFT is transferred and the country or country group to which the NFT is transferred are the same.

[0036] This provides the same effect as the above-described information processing method.

[0037] A program according to a twelfth aspect of the present disclosure is a program for causing a computer to execute the information processing method according to any one of the first to tenth aspects.

[0038] This provides the same effect as the above-described information processing method.

[0039] These general or specific aspects may be realized as a system, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a non-transitory recording medium such as a computer-readable CD-ROM, or as any combination of the system, method, integrated circuit, computer program, or recording medium. The program may be pre-stored in the recording medium, or may be supplied to the recording medium via a wide area communication network including the Internet.

[0040] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

[0041] The embodiments described below are all comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, components, component placement and connection configurations, steps, and step order shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Furthermore, among the components in the following embodiments, components not described in independent claims are described as optional components.

[0042] Furthermore, each drawing is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily a precise illustration. In each drawing, substantially the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted or simplified.

[0043] Furthermore, in this specification, terms indicating relationships between elements such as "same," as well as numerical values ​​and numerical ranges, are not expressions that only express a strict meaning, but are expressions that also include a substantially equivalent range, for example, a difference of about several percent (or about 10%).

[0044] Furthermore, in this specification, ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" do not refer to the number or order of components unless otherwise specified, but are used for the purpose of avoiding confusion and distinguishing between components of the same type.

[0045] (Embodiment) Hereinafter, an information processing system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0046] 1. Configuration of Information Processing System First, the configuration of an information processing system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an information processing system 1 according to this embodiment.

[0047] 1 , information processing system 1 includes information terminal 10 and distributed ledger system 20. Information terminal 10 and distributed ledger system 20 are communicatively connected via communication network 30.

[0048] The information terminal 10 executes processing related to NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) that are associated one-to-one with goods or services. In this embodiment, the information terminal 10 generates transaction data for transferring NFTs or referencing NFTs (e.g., tokens of other countries) and transmits it to the distributed ledger system 20. The information terminal 10 may be, for example, a portable device such as a smartphone or tablet, a stationary device such as a PC (personal computer), or a server (e.g., a cloud server).

[0049] The distributed ledger system 20 comprises ledger servers 200a, 200b, and 200c, which are communicatively connected via a communication network 30. Hereinafter, the ledger servers 200a, 200b, and 200c will also be referred to as ledger servers 200a, etc., and the storage devices 201a, 201b, and 201c will also be referred to as storage devices 201a, etc.

[0050] The ledger servers 200a, etc. are node terminals of the distributed ledger system 20, and are connected to the storage devices 201a, etc. The ledger servers 200a, etc. may be connected to the storage devices 201a, etc. via the communication network 30, or may include the storage devices 201a, etc. internally. The storage devices 201a, etc. have a distributed ledger 214a (see FIG. 2 ) in which transaction data and blocks of the blockchain are electronically recorded. For example, the distributed ledger 214a stores information related to NFTs (specifically, the history of NFT generation, etc.).

[0051] For example, the distributed ledger system 20 stores information (e.g., transaction data) regarding the movement of NFTs. The transaction data includes transaction data indicating the transfer of tokens (here, NFTs) between users (e.g., between companies). The tokens include at least NFTs. Furthermore, the tokens may also include general value information (monetary value or information equivalent to monetary value). An "NFT" is a non-fungible token, typically a token conforming to ERC721, the Ethereum blockchain standard. However, it may also be a token conforming to another standard, a non-standard token, or a token other than Ethereum. While ERC721 is a unique token standard, the NFTs described herein do not necessarily need to be unique. For example, one NFT may correspond to 10 items. Furthermore, multiple NFTs may be assigned to the same item. For example, the same item may have different NFTs today and tomorrow, or the same item may have different NFTs between Organization A and Organization B.

[0052] An NFT may include at least one of the following: information indicating the corresponding product or service, information indicating the owner of the product or service, country information of the token or the wallet that manages the token, information about the NFT issued to each component that constitutes the product (e.g., identification information, information indicating the storage destination, etc.) in the case of a product, information about the NFT issued to each component that constitutes the product (e.g., information indicating the country in which the manufacturing equipment was manufactured, etc.), and information about the maintenance of the service (e.g., in the case of a cloud service, information about the electricity consumed for the cloud service, the hometown of a person involved in the cloud service, etc.). An NFT may also include a token ID that identifies the token.

[0053] Here, the configuration of the ledger server 200a and the like will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the ledger server 200a according to this embodiment. Since the configurations of the ledger servers 200b and 200c are similar to that of the ledger server 200a, the ledger server 200a will be used as an example for the description. Note that Fig. 2 shows an exemplary functional configuration of the ledger server 200a, and the functional configuration of the ledger server 200a is not limited to that shown in Fig. 2.

[0054] 2, the ledger server 200a includes a communication unit 211, a ledger management unit 212, an execution unit 213, and a storage unit 214. At least some of the functional units included in the ledger server 200a are realized by a processor (e.g., a CPU (Central Processing Unit)) included in the ledger server 200a executing a program using a memory.

[0055] The communication unit 211 is a communication interface communicatively connected to the communication network 30. The communication unit 211 may be a communication interface for a wired communication standard (e.g., Ethernet (registered trademark) or the like), or may be a communication interface for a wireless communication standard (e.g., Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or the like, or a mobile communication system (3G, 4G, 5G, or the like)). The communication unit 211 is used when the functional unit of the ledger server 200a communicates with other devices. For example, the communication unit 211 is used when the functional unit of the ledger server 200a communicates with any of the information terminal 10, the ledger servers 200b and 200c, other distributed ledger systems (not shown), other information processing devices, servers, etc.

[0056] The ledger management unit 212 performs processing related to the distributed ledger 214a and transaction data. Specifically, when transaction data is received from the information terminal 10 or the like, the ledger management unit 212 verifies the digital signature included in the received transaction data, and controls the storage unit 214 to store transaction data that has been successfully verified in the distributed ledger 214a held by the storage unit 214.

[0057] The execution unit 213 executes information processing. The execution unit 213 can execute information processing by executing a smart contract using, for example, the distributed ledger 214a. Note that when the execution unit 213 does not use a smart contract, it executes information processing according to normal program code.

[0058] The storage unit 214 is a storage device that stores information. The storage unit 214 stores a distributed ledger 214a. The storage unit 214 is realized by a non-volatile storage device (such as a solid state drive (SSD) or a hard disk drive (HDD)).

[0059] The distributed ledger 214a stores data having a structure in which blocks, each containing one or more pieces of transaction data, are linked in a chain. The one or more pieces of transaction data stored in the distributed ledger 214a may include transaction data containing the contract code of a smart contract, transaction data containing instructions for executing a smart contract, or transaction data containing other information.

[0060] In this embodiment, the distributed ledger 214a is a blockchain.

[0061] [2. Operation of Information Processing System] Next, the operation of the information processing system 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing the operation (information processing method) of the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment. FIG. 3 illustrates an example in which the execution unit 213 executes the processes of steps S40 to S60. In this case, the execution unit 213 may execute the processes of steps S40 to S60 by receiving transaction data of an NFT transfer request or a request to reference another NFT (e.g., an NFT from another country) in step S10. Note that the execution of the processes of steps S40 to S60 is not limited to being executed by the execution unit 213. Furthermore, the processes of steps S30 to S60 may be executed, for example, before the execution of a process executed by the ledger server 200a, etc. (e.g., a process of executing a consensus algorithm for the transaction data acquired in step S20 between the ledger servers 200a, etc.).

[0062] As shown in Figure 3, the information terminal 10 generates transaction data (Tx) for an NFT transfer request or a request to reference another NFT (S10) and transmits the generated Tx to the ledger server 200a (S20). The information terminal 10 generates transaction data in the blockchain based on, for example, input information from the user of the transfer source. For example, the information terminal 10 generates transaction data that includes the blockchain address held by the user, data to be managed in the blockchain (here, the NFT transfer request or the request to reference another NFT), and a signature. The transfer source is an example of an execution source.

[0063] An NFT transfer request is a request to move an NFT from a source to a destination, and may be, for example, a request to transfer an NFT from one wallet to another having different addresses, or a request to change information contained in the NFT about the user of the NFT (e.g., information about the owner of the NFT) or information about the wallet managing the NFT (e.g., rewriting information about the owner of the NFT). The destination is an example of an execution destination.

[0064] The request to reference another token is a request to reference another NFT linked to an NFT corresponding to an item or service. For example, if the NFT is a token corresponding to a home appliance, examples of the other NFT include, but are not limited to, NFTs for each component or material that constitutes the home appliance.

[0065] Next, when the communication unit 211 of the ledger server 200a receives the Tx from the information terminal 10, it acquires country information for the source and destination of the NFT transfer, or the reference source and reference destination of another NFT reference (S30). The communication unit 211 functions as an acquisition unit that acquires country information. The reference source is an example of an execution source, and the reference destination is an example of an execution destination.

[0066] Country information includes countries, country groups, etc. Country information may include the nationality of the user from whom the NFT is being transferred and the nationality of the user to whom the NFT is being transferred, or may include country information of a wallet owned by the user from whom the NFT is being transferred and country information of a wallet owned by the user to whom the NFT is being transferred. Country information may also include country information of the referencing NFT and country information of the NFT referenced by the NFT, or may include country information of a wallet owned by the user of the referencing NFT and country information of a wallet owned by the user of the NFT referenced by the NFT. Country information may include unclear information such as "unknown" or "uncertain." A country group is a group including two or more countries that cooperate by joining a treaty or the like.

[0067] The communication unit 211 acquires country information from, but is not limited to, information terminals such as smartphones carried by the source and destination users, or dedicated devices (for example, dedicated devices subdivided according to the type of token (for example, the type of token standard)). The dedicated device may be capable of determining the type of token, for example. Note that the nationality of one user is not limited to one, but may be multiple (for example, two).

[0068] Next, the execution unit 213 determines whether the country information of the transfer source and transfer destination, or the reference source and reference destination, is different (S40). If the transaction data includes a token transfer request, the execution unit 213 determines whether the country information of the transfer source and transfer destination of the NFT is different. Different country information may mean that the country or country group of the transfer source user and the transfer destination user is different.

[0069] Note that since national borders may change, countries may be changeable. Furthermore, since members (e.g., member states) belonging to a country group may change, country groups may be changeable. For example, information about countries and country groups may be associated with a time point at which the information is current, and if there is no information from a certain time point (e.g., the most recent information), NFT transfers and the like may be rejected, or the information about countries and country groups may be updated.

[0070] If the country information of either the source or destination, or the reference source or the reference destination, is unknown, step S40 may be determined as Yes, or other processing other than steps S50 and S60 may be executed. The other processing may be processing that prevents NFT transfer more than normal processing, but does not prevent NFT transfer more than economic security processing.

[0071] If the wallet country information differs from the country information in which the wallet user is currently staying, the execution unit 213 may determine Yes in step S40.

[0072] Next, in the first case where it is determined that the country information is different (Yes in S40), the execution unit 213 executes economic security processing (S50), and in the second case where it is determined that the country information is the same (No in S40), the execution unit 213 executes normal processing (S60). In other words, the execution unit 213 executes different processing for the movement or reference of an NFT in the first case where the country or country group of the source and destination of the NFT, or the country or country group of the reference source and reference destination, is different from the second case where the country or country group of the source and destination of the NFT, or the country or country group of the reference source and reference destination, is the same.

[0073] In step S50 (first case), the execution unit 213 executes a process to prevent the transfer of NFTs as economic security processing for the token transfer request, compared to the second case. The process to prevent the transfer of NFTs may include at least one of prohibiting the transfer of NFTs and executing a process to delay the transfer of NFTs. Prohibiting the transfer of NFTs means that the transfer of NFTs cannot be performed. Because NFTs are tokens corresponding to goods or services, prohibiting the transfer of NFTs means that goods or services corresponding to the NFTs cannot be transferred (e.g., cannot be imported or exported). In this case, even if transaction data including the transfer of NFTs is acquired, the transfer of the NFTs is not executed.

[0074] The process of delaying the transfer of an NFT may include a process for delaying the timing of the execution of the transfer of the NFT, such as executing the transfer after a predetermined period of time or temporarily suspending the execution of the transfer. Because an NFT is a token corresponding to an object, delaying the transfer of an NFT means that the movement of the object corresponding to the NFT is also delayed (e.g., import / export is delayed). Note that if a petition to execute the transfer is filed during the delay period and the petition is approved, the delay may be canceled and the transfer of the NFT may be executed.

[0075] The process of delaying the transfer of the NFT may also include making an additional request for the transfer to the source or destination, such as requesting additional information or providing additional confirmation for the transfer. The additional information requested may include information about at least one of the source and destination, such as, but not limited to, an address. The additional confirmation may also include, but is not limited to, reconfirming the transfer of the NFT with at least one of the source and destination users, such as, but not limited to, reconfirming with at least one of the source and destination users whether they approve the transfer.

[0076] Furthermore, the process of delaying the transfer of the NFT may include permitting cancellation of the transfer of the NFT after the NFT has been transferred. For example, the cancellation may be permitted only for a certain period of time after the NFT has been transferred. For example, after the NFT has been transferred, when a user at the transfer source or transfer destination requests cancellation of the NFT transfer, the execution unit 213 executes cancellation of the NFT transfer. In other words, the execution unit 213 executes a process of returning the NFT from the transfer destination to the transfer origin.

[0077] The process of delaying the transfer of the NFT may include at least one of disabling the wallet that manages the NFT and decreasing a score indicating the trustworthiness of the wallet. Disabling the wallet may make it impossible to retrieve the NFT from the wallet. Decreasing the wallet score may also be decreasing the wallet score of the source or destination user.

[0078] The score may be increased or decreased based on the self-sufficiency rate, which will be described later. For example, the lower the self-sufficiency rate, the more the score may be decreased. The self-sufficiency rate indicates the proportion of parts, materials, people, equipment, or energy consumed in the country to construct an item or maintain a service. Examples of self-sufficiency rates include the parts self-sufficiency rate, which indicates the proportion of parts that can be produced in the country among the multiple parts used in an item or service; the people self-sufficiency rate, which indicates the proportion of people working on an item or service who are from the country (e.g., people with the nationality of the country); the equipment self-sufficiency rate, which indicates the proportion of equipment that can be produced in the country among the multiple equipment used in the manufacture of an item or the maintenance of a service; and the energy self-sufficiency rate, which indicates the proportion of energy (e.g., electricity) supplied for the manufacture of an item or the maintenance of a service that can be produced in the country. The self-sufficiency rate is an example of the degree of supply chain compatibility. The degree of supply chain compatibility is not limited to a numerical value such as the self-sufficiency rate, but may also be a rank such as high, medium, or low.

[0079] Furthermore, the process of delaying the transfer of the NFT may involve transferring the NFT, and may include changing the display mode of the NFT. Examples of changing the display mode include, but are not limited to, changing the display color or the shape of a symbol included in the NFT. The change in display mode may be performed irreversibly or reversibly. By displaying the NFT, the user of the wallet managing the NFT can be informed that the NFT has been transferred to a different country. Note that the NFT itself may be assigned a score, and the display color may be changed according to the score. The score may be changed each time the NFT is transferred to a different country.

[0080] In addition, if the source or destination user has multiple nationalities, the execution unit 213 may execute processing according to the combination of multiple nationalities. For example, if the source or destination user has dual nationality, the execution unit 213 may execute processing according to the combination of countries. For example, even in the case of a dual nationality wallet and a dual nationality user, the execution unit 213 may change the processing (e.g., execute S50) when it determines that a transfer of NFTs between different countries has been requested. In the case of a dual nationality user who has nationality in Japan and another specified country, the execution unit 213 may, for example, determine No in step S40 when the dual nationality user is currently in Japan, and determine Yes in step S40 when the dual nationality user is currently in another specified country.

[0081] In addition, the execution unit 213 may determine Yes in step S40 if the source or destination country is using force or engaged in war, is experiencing ongoing natural disasters, or is experiencing riots, for example, and there is a risk that goods or services cannot be supplied stably.

[0082] In this way, by preventing the movement of NFTs, the processing related to the movement of NFTs can be reduced, thereby reducing the processing volume of the ledger server 200a and the power consumed by the ledger server 200a. For example, the processing of executing a consensus algorithm for storing transaction data in the ledger server 200a, etc., can be omitted, thereby reducing the processing related to the movement of NFTs. Furthermore, from a medium- to long-term perspective, unnecessary movement of NFTs can be prevented in advance, thereby reducing the processing related to the movement of NFTs.

[0083] In addition, in step S50, the execution unit 213 may increase or decrease a predetermined value included in the NFT as an economic security process for the request to reference another token. Increasing or decreasing the predetermined value is an example of a different process related to referencing the NFT. Note that the different process related to referencing the NFT is not limited to increasing or decreasing the predetermined value and may be other processes.

[0084] The predetermined value may be, for example, the self-sufficiency rate for goods or services. The self-sufficiency rate is an indicator that is the opposite of dependence, and the higher the dependence, the lower the value. The predetermined value varies, for example, depending on the structure of the supply chain for the goods or services. If the goods are home appliances, the self-sufficiency rate is calculated as the proportion of parts that are produced in the home country among the multiple parts that make up the home appliance. If a home appliance uses many parts produced outside the home country (for example, a specified country other than the home country), the self-sufficiency rate of the home appliance will be low. Then, the movement of the goods or services may be restricted according to the self-sufficiency rate.

[0085] In addition, if the self-sufficiency rate is low, there is a risk that parts cannot be procured stably depending on the situation in certain countries other than the home country. In other words, if the self-sufficiency rate is low, it may be difficult to continue using the home appliance. By purchasing home appliances with a high self-sufficiency rate, consumers can reduce the risk of not being able to continue using the appliance for a long period of time. For example, for consumers who prefer home appliances with a high self-sufficiency rate, the self-sufficiency rate can be reference information when purchasing the appliance.

[0086] As a different process related to the reference to the NFT, the execution unit 213 may reduce the self-sufficiency rate when the country or group of countries for each component or material constituting the product is different from the home country. The execution unit 213 may trace information about the home appliance, such as the parts constituting the home appliance, the source of each part, and the source of the materials for manufacturing each part, and may reduce the self-sufficiency rate of the home appliance if the information includes a country other than the home country (e.g., a specified country other than the home country). Furthermore, as a different process related to the reference to the NFT, the execution unit 213 may reduce the self-sufficiency rate when the country or group of countries for people, equipment, or energy for maintaining a service is different from the home country.

[0087] The self-sufficiency rate is calculated at the time of the start of sales of the home appliance, but it may change during the sales period due to changes in parts procurement sources, etc. Therefore, by updating the rate when the answer to step S40 is Yes, the self-sufficiency rate of the goods or services can be updated to the latest value.

[0088] In this way, if the determination in step S40 is Yes, a predetermined numerical value included in the NFT, such as the self-sufficiency rate, may be updated. Note that if the self-sufficiency rate is updated due to a change in the supplier of parts, the updated self-sufficiency rate is applied to the home appliance that uses parts from the changed supplier, but the self-sufficiency rate before the self-sufficiency rate change is applied to the home appliance before the self-sufficiency rate change. In other words, multiple self-sufficiency rates may exist for the same home appliance.

[0089] The content or change conditions of the economic security processing may be changed depending on the type of NFT or user information. For example, the self-sufficiency rate calculation method may be different for refrigerators and washing machines, or for home appliance manufacturers, such as a first manufacturer and a second manufacturer.

[0090] In addition, in the second case where it is determined that the country information matches (No in S40), the execution unit 213 executes normal processing (S60). Normal processing is processing that does not include processing that prevents the movement of NFTs, and a token movement request or another token reference request is immediately executed.

[0091] Next, the process of issuing a token when manufacturing an item will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation (information processing method) of the ledger server 200a according to this embodiment. In Fig. 4, it is assumed that the ledger server 200a has acquired transaction data including a request to issue an NFT at the time step S120 is executed.

[0092] 4, the communication unit 211 acquires country information for an item or service (S110). The country information for an item includes, for example, information indicating the country or group of countries for the parts that make up the item, the source of each part, and the source of materials for manufacturing each part. The country information for a service includes, for example, information indicating the country or group of countries for the people, equipment, or energy required to maintain the service.

[0093] Next, the execution unit 213 determines whether the country information includes a predetermined country (S120). For example, the execution unit 213 determines whether the country from which each part is procured and the country from which the materials used to manufacture each part are procured include the predetermined country.

[0094] If the country information includes the predetermined country (Yes in S120), the process proceeds to step S130, and if the country information does not include the predetermined country (No in S120), the process proceeds to step S140.

[0095] The determination process in step S120 may be replaced with a determination process of whether the country information includes countries other than the user's own country. In this case, if the country information includes countries other than the user's own country, the determination in step S120 is Yes and the process proceeds to step S130. If the country information does not include countries other than the user's own country, the determination in step S120 is No and the process proceeds to step S140.

[0096] Next, if the country information includes a predetermined country (Yes in S120), the execution unit 213 executes economic security processing regarding the issuance of the NFT (S130). The economic security processing here refers to processing that prevents the issuance of the NFT, and may be, for example, prohibiting or delaying the issuance of the NFT, or reducing a predetermined numerical value included in the NFT (for example, reducing the self-sufficiency rate).

[0097] Furthermore, if the country information does not include the specified country (No in S120), the execution unit 213 executes normal processing for issuing the NFT (S140). The normal processing here does not include processing that prevents the issuance of the NFT, and the token issuance request is executed immediately.

[0098] (Various Data Structures and Smart Contract Execution) The data structure of a distributed ledger, the execution of a smart contract, and the data structure of an NFT will be described with reference to Figures 5 to 9.

[0099] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the data structure of a blockchain, which is an example of a distributed ledger.

[0100] A blockchain is a chain of blocks, which are units of record. Each block contains multiple transaction data and the hash value of the previous block.

[0101] FIG. 5 shows blocks B1, B2, and B3 included in the blockchain.

[0102] For example, block B2 contains the hash value of the previous block B1, which is calculated by performing a hash algorithm on the contents of block B1.

[0103] Furthermore, block B3 includes, as the hash value of block B2, a hash value calculated from multiple transaction data included in block B2 and the hash value of block B1.

[0104] In this way, a blockchain is structured so that blocks containing the contents of the previous block as a hash value are connected in a chain, which effectively prevents tampering with the recorded transaction data.

[0105] If past transaction data is changed (in other words, tampered with), the hash value of the block containing that transaction data will be different from the value before the change. In that case, to make the block containing the changed transaction data appear correct, all blocks after that block in the distributed ledger stored on multiple servers would have to be recreated, which is extremely difficult in reality. This feature makes it virtually impossible to tamper with transaction data contained in the blockchain.

[0106] When a node terminal (node) stores transaction data in a blockchain, it generates a block containing the transaction data to be stored and attempts to reach consensus on the generated block by executing processing based on a consensus algorithm with other nodes. The node then controls the storage of the block in the blockchain when consensus is reached. This allows multiple nodes operating in an autonomous and decentralized manner to connect legitimate blocks to the blockchain. As a consensus algorithm, PBFT (Practical Byzantine Fault Tolerance), PoW (Proof of Work), PoS (Proof of Stake), or the like may be used. When Hyperledger Fabric is used as an example of a distributed ledger technology, a consensus algorithm does not need to be executed.

[0107] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the data structure of the transaction data.

[0108] 6 includes a transaction body BP1 and a digital signature BP2 (also simply referred to as a signature). The transaction body BP1 is the data body included in the transaction data. The digital signature BP2 is generated by encrypting the hash value of the transaction body BP1 with the signature key (in other words, the private key) of the creator of the transaction data.

[0109] A node that receives transaction data can verify that the transaction body BP1 is legitimate (in other words, that it has not been tampered with) using the digital signature BP2 included in the transaction data. This makes it virtually impossible to tamper with the data included in the transaction body BP1. Furthermore, by storing successfully verified transaction data in the blockchain, the legitimacy of the transaction data stored in the blockchain can be maintained.

[0110] As described above, transaction data included in the blockchain is stored in a chain using the hash values ​​of the transaction data and the hash values ​​of the blocks. This allows the transaction data included in the blockchain to be stored and maintained substantially without being tampered with. This is an advantage over a database or a distributed database that simply stores a collection of data.

[0111] 7 is an explanatory diagram showing transaction data related to the execution of a smart contract, and FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing processing (information processing method) related to the execution of a smart contract.

[0112] A series of processes related to the execution of a smart contract using a distributed ledger will be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8.

[0113] In step SB1, the node stores transaction data B11, including contract code B12 that describes the processing of the smart contract, in the distributed ledger B10. For example, the node acquires transaction data B11 by receiving the transaction data B11 from an information processing device via communication or by the node itself generating the transaction data B11, and stores the acquired transaction data B11 in the distributed ledger B10. Step SB1 is performed before executing the smart contract.

[0114] In step SB2, the node stores transaction data B15, including instructions B16 for executing the smart contract, in the distributed ledger B10. For example, the node receives transaction data B15 from an information processing device via communication and stores the received transaction data B15 in the distributed ledger B10.

[0115] In step SB3, in response to the transaction data B15 including the instruction B16 being stored in the distributed ledger B10 in step SB2, the node reads the contract code B12 from the distributed ledger B10 and executes processing based on the contract code B12. The results of the processing may be included in the transaction data and stored in the distributed ledger B10.

[0116] Through the above series of processes, when the distributed ledger system receives transaction data B15 including instructions B16 for executing a smart contract, it automatically (i.e., without manual intervention) executes the processing in accordance with the instructions B16, enabling highly efficient (i.e., high speed or short processing time). Achieving highly efficient processing has the effect of reducing power consumption. Furthermore, since no manual intervention is required, it is possible to prevent human tampering with information, fraud, or human error. Furthermore, since the results of the processing thus executed are stored in the blockchain, it is virtually impossible to tamper with the results of the processing.

[0117] FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the structure of an NFT and metadata. An NFT is a token stored in a distributed ledger and is a unique token (in other words, a non-fungible token). NFTs are standardized, for example, as ERC (Ethereum Request for Comments) 721, but are not limited to this. NFTs may conform to a different standard or may be non-standard (for example, proprietary to an organization). While ERC 721 is a standard for unique tokens, the NFTs described herein do not necessarily have to be unique tokens.

[0118] 9 shows transaction data B21 stored in the distributed ledger. The transaction data B21 stores an NFT. The NFT includes a token ID (i.e., identification information that can uniquely identify the NFT) and a metadata Uniform Resource Identifier (URI).

[0119] The NFT has metadata. The metadata may be located in a location accessible via a network (e.g., storage device B22). A metadata URI indicating the location of the metadata may be calculated using the NFT's token ID and a predetermined base URI.

[0120] The information managed as an NFT may be included in the transaction data B21 or in the metadata. Including the information managed as an NFT in the metadata has the advantage of reducing the amount of information included in the transaction data B21 (in other words, the information included in the blockchain). In this case, it can be said that the metadata contains the actual information managed as an NFT. When an image is managed as an NFT, a URL indicating the image data of the image may be managed as an NFT.

[0121] In the above-described embodiments, each component may be configured with dedicated hardware, or may be realized by executing a software program suitable for each component. Each component may be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU or processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or semiconductor memory.

[0122] (Other Embodiments) While the information processing method according to one or more aspects has been described above based on the embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments. As long as it does not deviate from the spirit of the present disclosure, various modifications conceivable by a person skilled in the art to the present embodiments and embodiments constructed by combining components of different embodiments may also be included in the present disclosure.

[0123] For example, although the above embodiment uses a blockchain, it is not necessary to use a blockchain. For example, instead of a blockchain, a distributed ledger technology such as a hash graph may be used.

[0124] Furthermore, for example, the processing of steps S40 to S60 above is not limited to being performed by the execution unit 213, but may be performed by, for example, a control unit (not shown, a processing unit that does not use smart contracts) possessed by the ledger server 200a, or may be performed by a device external to the ledger server 200a.

[0125] Furthermore, for example, in the above embodiment, an example was described in which restrictions were imposed when transferring NFTs to another country, but this is not limited to this, and the transfer of NFTs may be restricted when transferring NFTs to a specific country or a specific group of countries. In other words, the transfer of NFTs may not be restricted to countries or groups of countries other than the home country that are other than the specific country or group of countries.

[0126] Furthermore, for example, each device in the above embodiments is specifically a computer system comprising a microprocessor, ROM, RAM, hard disk unit, display unit, keyboard, mouse, etc. A computer program is recorded in the RAM or hard disk unit. Each device achieves its function when the microprocessor operates in accordance with the computer program. Here, the computer program is composed of a combination of multiple instruction codes that indicate instructions to the computer to achieve a predetermined function.

[0127] Furthermore, for example, some or all of the constituent elements of each device in the above embodiments may be configured from a single LSI (Large Scale Integration). A system LSI is an ultra-multifunctional LSI manufactured by integrating multiple components on a single chip, and specifically, is a computer system configured to include a microprocessor, ROM, RAM, etc. A computer program is stored in the RAM. The system LSI achieves its functions when the microprocessor operates in accordance with the computer program. Although the term system LSI is used here, it may also be referred to as an IC, LSI, super LSI, or ultra LSI depending on the level of integration. Furthermore, the method of integration is not limited to LSI, and may be realized using a dedicated circuit or a general-purpose processor.

[0128] Furthermore, for example, the present disclosure may be embodied as the methods described above. Furthermore, the present disclosure may be embodied as a computer program that implements these methods on a computer, or as a digital signal comprising the computer program. For example, one aspect of the present disclosure may be a computer program that causes a computer to execute each of the characteristic steps included in the information processing method shown in any of Figures 3, 4, and 8.

[0129] The present disclosure may also be a computer program or a digital signal recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, such as a flexible disk, a hard disk, a CD-ROM, an MO, a DVD, a DVD-ROM, a DVD-RAM, a BD (Blu-ray (registered trademark) Disc), a semiconductor memory, etc. Alternatively, the present disclosure may be a digital signal recorded on such a recording medium.

[0130] The present disclosure may also be applied to transmitting a computer program or digital signal via a telecommunications line, a wireless or wired communication line, a network such as the Internet, data broadcasting, or the like.

[0131] The order in which each step is executed in the flowcharts and sequence diagrams is merely an example for specifically explaining the present disclosure, and an order other than the above may be used. Also, some of the steps may be executed simultaneously (in parallel) with other steps, or some of the steps may not be executed.

[0132] The division of functional blocks in the block diagram is an example, and multiple functional blocks may be realized as a single functional block, one functional block may be divided into multiple blocks, or some functions may be moved to another functional block.Furthermore, the functions of multiple functional blocks having similar functions may be processed in parallel or in time-sharing by a single piece of hardware or software.

[0133] Furthermore, for example, the ledger server 200a according to the above embodiment may be realized as a single device or may be realized by multiple devices. When the ledger server 200a is realized by multiple devices, the components of the ledger server 200a may be distributed in any manner among the multiple devices. When the ledger server 200a is realized by multiple devices, the communication method between the multiple devices is not particularly limited, and may be wireless communication or wired communication. Furthermore, wireless communication and wired communication may be combined between the devices.

[0134] The present disclosure is useful for information processing devices and the like that store transaction data in a distributed ledger.

[0135] 1 Information processing system 10 Information terminal 20 Distributed ledger system 30 Communication network 200a, 200b, 200c Ledger server 201a, 201b, 201c Storage device 211 Communication unit (acquisition unit) 212 Ledger management unit 213 Execution unit 214 Storage unit 214a, B10 Distributed ledger B1, B2, B3 Block B11, B15, B21 Transaction data B12 Contract code B16 Instruction B22 Storage device BP1 Transaction body BP2 Digital signature

Claims

1. When moving an NFT (Non-Fungible Token) that is associated one-to-one with an item or service, or when referring to the NFT, obtain country information indicating the country or country group of the source and destination of the movement or reference of the NFT. In a first case where the countries or country groups of the source and destination of the NFT are different, and a second case where the countries or country groups of the source and destination of the NFT are the same, perform different processes regarding the movement of the NFT. An information processing method.

2. The different processes include processes that prevent the movement of the NFT compared to the second case in the first case. The information processing method according to claim 1.

3. The process that prevents the movement of the NFT includes at least one of prohibiting the movement of the NFT and delaying the movement of the NFT. The information processing method according to claim 2.

4. The process that prevents the movement of the NFT includes permitting the cancellation of the movement of the NFT after the NFT has moved. The information processing method according to claim 2.

5. The process that prevents the movement of the NFT includes at least one of invalidating the wallet having the NFT and reducing the score indicating the reliability of the wallet. The information processing method according to claim 2.

6. The process that prevents the movement of the NFT includes changing the display mode of the NFT. The information processing method according to claim 2.

7. The different processes include, in the first case, changing the degree regarding the item included in the NFT or the supply chain of the service. The information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The NFT corresponds to the item, and the different processes include reducing the degree when the country or country group of each member or material constituting the item is different from one's own country. The information processing method according to claim 7.

9. The NFT corresponds to the service, and the different processes include reducing the degree when the country or country group of the person, device, or energy for maintaining the service is different from one's own country. The information processing method according to claim 7.

10. The information processing method according to claim 7, wherein the degree includes the self-sufficiency rate indicating the ratio in which at least one of parts, materials, people, devices, and energy in the object or the service is covered by at least one of parts, materials, people, devices, and energy in the home country.

11. An information processing apparatus comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires country information indicating the country or country group of the execution source and the execution destination of the movement or reference of the NFT when moving an NFT (Non-Fungible Token) associated one-to-one with an object or a service or when referring to the NFT; and an execution unit that executes different processes regarding the movement of the NFT in a first case where the countries or country groups of the execution source and the execution destination of the NFT are different and in a second case where the countries or country groups of the movement source and the movement destination of the NFT are the same.

12. A program for causing a computer to execute the information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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