Information processing method and information processing device

Abstract

[Problem] To provide an information processing method that enables information obtained when a container is distributed to be used effectively. [Solution] In the information processing method, managed is information regarding a series of distribution steps in which a content 12 is accommodated in a container 11, to which an information storage carrier 110 storing container identification information is attached, and distributed as a product. The information processing method comprises: a reception step for receiving container identification information about a container 11 to be assessed; an executed-step identification step for referring to a container management database 210 on the basis of the container identification information received in the reception step and identifying an executed step that has been executed for the container 11 to be assessed; an essential-step identification step for identifying an essential step for the container 11 to be assessed; and an assessment step for comparing the executed step with the essential step and assessing, in accordance with the comparison result, a validity pertaining to the container 11 to be assessed.

Description

Information processing method and information processing device

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing method and an information processing device.

[0002] Conventionally, as a management method for products filled in containers when they are distributed in the distribution market, it is known to use a container identification code attached to the container to perform inventory management, sales forecasting, marketing, tracing, etc. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for managing products by reading a barcode printed on the container with a barcode reader. Also, Patent Document 2 discloses a technology for managing products by reading an IC tag attached to the container with a reader / writer.

[0003] JP 2003-256765 A JP 2018-188199 A

[0004] As each container, to which a container identification code is assigned, goes through a series of distribution processes called a supply chain, various information associated with each container is accumulated. As disclosed in Patent Literature 1, the various information associated with each container is used for product inventory management, sales forecasting, marketing, tracing, etc., but there is a demand for further utilization of this information.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an information processing method and an information processing device that enable effective utilization of information obtained when containers are distributed.

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, an information processing method according to one aspect of the present invention is an information processing method executed by a computer to process information regarding a series of distribution processes in which contents are placed in a container attached with an information storage carrier that stores container identification information and distributed as a product, and comprises: a reception step for receiving the container identification information stored in the information storage carrier attached to the container to be judged; an executed process identification step for referring to a database in which process information when each process included in the series of distribution processes is executed can be registered for each container, based on the container identification information received in the reception step, and identifying executed processes that indicate the processes that have been executed for the container to be judged; a required process identification step for identifying required processes that indicate the processes that must be executed for the container to be judged; and a judgment step for comparing the executed processes identified in the executed process identification step with the required processes identified in the required process identification step, and judging the legitimacy of the container to be judged based on the comparison result.

[0007] According to an information processing method of one aspect of the present invention, the authenticity of the container to be judged is determined by a determination unit comparing the executed steps that the container to be judged has followed so far in a series of distribution steps with the required steps that the container should have followed, thereby making it possible to effectively utilize information obtained when the container is distributed.

[0008] Problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above will become apparent from the detailed description of the invention that follows.

[0009] 1 is an overall view showing an example of a container distribution system 1. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of each process for a container 11, contents 12, product 13, and recycled material 14. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of an information processing device 2. FIG. 4 is a functional explanatory diagram showing an information collection unit 200 and an example of information flow. FIG. 5 is a data configuration diagram showing an example of a container management database 210. FIG. 6 is a data configuration diagram showing an example of a container management database 210. FIG. 7 is a functional explanatory diagram showing an information processing unit 201 and an example of information flow. FIG. 8 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of a computer 900. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of an information collection process by the information collection unit 200. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a legitimacy determination process by the information processing unit 201. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a first embodiment when the legitimacy determination item is authenticity determination of the contents 12. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a first embodiment when the legitimacy determination item is authenticity determination of the contents 12. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a second embodiment when the legitimacy determination item is validity determination of a right arising from the purchase of a product 13. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a second embodiment in which the legitimacy determination item is a validity determination of a right that arises from the purchase of the product 13. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a third embodiment in which the legitimacy determination item is a validity determination of a right that arises from the recycling of the container 11. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a third embodiment in which the legitimacy determination item is a validity determination of a right that arises from the recycling of the container 11.

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The scope necessary for the explanation to achieve the object of the present invention will be schematically shown, and the scope necessary for explaining the relevant parts of the present invention will be mainly explained, and the parts that are omitted from the explanation will be based on publicly known techniques.

[0011] (Configuration of container distribution system 1) Fig. 1 is an overall view showing an example of a container distribution system 1 according to this embodiment. Fig. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of each process of a container 11, contents 12, product 13, and recycled material 14.

[0012] The container distribution system 1 includes, as its main component, an information processing device 2. The information processing device 2 processes information relating to a series of distribution processes in which contents 12 are placed in containers 11, each of which has an information storage medium 110 attached thereto that stores container identification information, and the contents are distributed as products 13.

[0013] The information processing device 2 is a general-purpose or dedicated computer (see FIG. 7 described below), and is configured, for example, as a server-type computer or a cloud-based computer. The information processing device 2 is connected via a wired or wireless network 4 to a container manufacturer terminal device 3A used by a container manufacturer UA, a product manufacturer terminal device 3B used by a product manufacturer UB, a wholesaler terminal device 3C used by a wholesaler UC, a retailer terminal device 3D used by a retailer UD, a consumer terminal device 3E used by a consumer UE, a recovery company terminal device 3F used by a recovery company UF, and a recycling company terminal device 3G used by a recycling company UG. The number of terminal devices 3A-3G and the configuration of the network 4 are not limited to those shown in FIG. 1.

[0014] Each of the terminal devices 3A to 3G (container manufacturer terminal device 3A, product manufacturer terminal device 3B, wholesaler terminal device 3C, retailer terminal device 3D, consumer terminal device 3E, collection company terminal device 3F, and recycling company terminal device 3G) is a general-purpose or dedicated computer (see FIG. 7 described below), and is configured, for example, as a stationary computer or a portable computer. Programs such as browsers and apps are installed in each of the terminal devices 3A to 3G, and the terminal devices 3A to 3G accept various input operations and output various information via a display screen or voice.

[0015] The container 11 is manufactured using raw materials such as plastic, metal, glass, paper, etc., and may have any shape or size. Examples of types of container 11 include plastic bottles such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), metal cans such as steel and aluminum, glass bottles, paper cartons, and laminated pouches. Note that the container 11 may be manufactured using recyclable materials 14. The container 11 may also be a one-way container or a returnable container.

[0016] The container 11 is provided with an information storage medium 110 capable of storing container identification information. The container identification information is, for example, a container ID (container identification code) for identifying each individual container 11. The information storage medium 110 may also include web access information (such as a URL) for accessing various information related to the container 11, contents 12, product 13, or recycled material 14 via a web service.

[0017] The information storage carrier 110 is configured with a code image such as a one-dimensional code or a two-dimensional code. In this case, a label on which the code image is printed may be embedded inside the molded body of the container 11, or may be attached to or wrapped around the container 11. The information storage carrier 110 is also configured with an electronic tag (IC tag) called RFID or the like. In this case, the electronic tag may be embedded inside the molded body of the container 11, or may be attached to the container 11.

[0018] The contents 12 may be liquid, solid, powder, granules, etc. Examples of the types of contents 12 (content types) include beverages such as water, juice, and milk, foods such as oil, sauce, meat, and fish, daily necessities such as detergent and shampoo, and pharmaceuticals. The contents 12 may be at room temperature, chilled (refrigerated), or frozen. Furthermore, the contents 12 may be heated or unheated during the manufacturing process, and in the case of beverages and foods, they may be fresh or processed products.

[0019] The product 13 is manufactured by using a container 11 and storing contents 12. When the container 11 is in the form of a bottle or a cup, the contents 12 are filled into the container 11 and sealed with a lid or the like. When the container 11 is in the form of a tray or a pack, the contents 12 are stored in the container 11 and sealed with a film or the like.

[0020] The recycled material 14 is generated from the used containers 11 by carrying out recycling processes such as sorting, crushing, cleaning, deodorizing, dehydrating, and pelletizing of the containers 11. The types of recycled material 14 (recycled material types) are classified according to the type of raw material of the containers 11, for example.

[0021] The container manufacturer UA uses molding equipment or the like installed in a container factory to manufacture containers 11 from raw materials (including recycled materials 14) for the containers 11, and ships the containers 11 with information storage media 110 attached to them to the product manufacturer UB (container manufacturing process). The product manufacturer UB places contents 12 in the containers 11 at the product factory, manufactures products 13, and ships them to the wholesaler UC (product manufacturing process). The wholesaler UC stores the products 13 in a warehouse or the like and ships them to the retailer UD (product wholesale process). The retailer UD sells the products 13 to consumers UE at stores or the like (product retail process). Consumers UE include not only general consumers but also businesses and the like.

[0022] The consumer UE consumes the contents 12 of the purchased product 13 at home, a business facility, etc. (product consumption process), and brings the used container 11 to a collection point such as a store, a public facility, etc. The consumer UE may also request collection of the used container 11 from a collection business UF.

[0023] The collection company UF collects used containers 11 (container collection process), performs pre-processing such as sorting and separation as necessary, and transports them to a recycling plant. The recycling company UG performs recycling processing on the collected containers 11 at the recycling plant and recycles the collected containers 11 into recyclable materials 14 (container recycling process).

[0024] The containers 11 go through a series of distribution processes consisting of the above-mentioned processes (container manufacturing process, product manufacturing process, product wholesale process, product retail process, product consumption process, container collection process, and container recycling process), and after the products 13 are supplied to and consumed by consumers UE, they are recycled into recycled materials 14. The recycled materials 14 are then reused as raw materials for new containers 11.

[0025] It should be noted that some of the steps included in the series of distribution processes may be omitted, or other steps may be added. For example, the above steps are performed when the container 11 is a one-way container, but when the container 11 is a returnable container, a container cleaning step may be added instead of the container recycling step, and the container may be returned to the product manufacturing process. Furthermore, as for the sales form of the product 13, the product wholesale step may be omitted, or the product retail step may be omitted.

[0026] 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the information processing device 2 according to this embodiment. The information processing device 2 includes a control unit 20 including a processor or the like, a storage unit 21 including a HDD, an SSD, a memory or the like, a communication unit 22 that is a communication interface with the network 4, an input unit 23 including a keyboard, a mouse or the like, and a display unit 24 including a display or the like. Note that the input unit 23 and the display unit 24 may be omitted.

[0027] The storage unit 21 stores a container management database 210 and an information processing program 211, as well as an operating system, other programs, data, and the like.

[0028] The container management database 210 is a database that can register process information D1 when each process included in a series of distribution processes is executed, for each container 11, in association with container identification information.

[0029] The control unit 20 executes an information processing program 211 stored in the storage unit 21, thereby functioning as an information collection unit 200 and an information processing unit 201. The information processing unit 201 functions as a reception unit 201A, an executed process identification unit 201B, an essential process identification unit 201C, a determination unit 201D, and an output processing unit 201E.

[0030] (Information collection unit 200) Figure 4 is a functional explanatory diagram showing the information collection unit 200 and an example of the flow of information. The control unit 20 of the information processing device 2 mainly uses a container management database 210 (see Figures 5A and 5B described below) to realize the information collection unit 200. The information collection unit 200 collects process information D1 related to the containers 11, contents 12, products 13, and recycled materials 14, and performs information collection processing to register the information in the container management database 210.

[0031] The process information D1 is information that records the details that characterize each process. The process information D1 includes at least container identification information and information related to time and place as basic information that records the details. The process information D1 also includes various additional information that is added in each process.

[0032] The process information D1 is classified into information corresponding to each process, for example, container manufacturing information DA related to the manufacturing of the container 11, product manufacturing information DB related to the manufacturing of the product 13 using the container 11, wholesale sales information DC related to the wholesale sale of the product 13, retail sales information DD related to the retail sale of the product 13, product consumption information DE related to the consumption of the product 13, container recovery information DF related to the recovery of the container 11, and container recycling information DG related to the recycling of the container 11 into recycled material 14.

[0033] For example, the information collection unit 200 acquires (receives) process information D1 (specifically, container manufacturing information DA, product manufacturing information DB, wholesale sales information DC, retail sales information DD, product consumption information DE, container recovery information DF, and container recycling information DG) from each terminal device 3A to 3G via the network 4, and registers the process information D1 in the container management database 210.

[0034] The process information D1 obtained from each terminal device 3A to 3G is recorded as process information D1, which includes the container identification information, time, location, and status when the information storage carrier 110 attached to the container 11 is read, for example, by a reading device (not shown) as the container 11 passes through each process, as well as various additional information added at each process.

[0035] Note that the process information D1 may be a record of input results entered into each of the terminal devices 3A-3G, instead of or in addition to the reading results of a reading device. Furthermore, the process information D1 may be acquired at a different process from the processes corresponding to the container manufacturing information DA, product manufacturing information DB, wholesale sales information DC, retail sales information DD, product consumption information DE, container recovery information DF, and container recycling information DG. For example, the product manufacturing information DB may be acquired by a container manufacturer UA entering the product manufacturing information DB into the container manufacturer terminal device 3A, or the product consumption information DE may be acquired by a retailer UDC or a recovery business UF entering the product consumption information DE into a wholesale business terminal device 3C or a recovery business terminal device 3F.

[0036] The container identification information reading device is used in each process and is installed at various locations, such as container factories, product factories, warehouses, stores, collection points, recycling factories, etc. The reading device may be, for example, a code reader, a camera, an electronic tag reader, or the like, and may be a fixed or handheld type, or may be an embedded type incorporated into a portable computer (such as a smartphone).

[0037] The information collection unit 200 may acquire part of the information managed by an external system (such as a manufacturing management system, a transportation management system, or a sales management system) from the external system as the process information D1.

[0038] 5A and 5B are data structure diagrams showing an example of the container management database 210. The container management database 210 is composed of multiple tables 210A to 210G corresponding to each process. Each of the tables 210A to 210G has common fields for registering container identification information, time, location, and status.

[0039] The container identification information field may register container identification information for identifying a single container 11, or multiple container identification information for identifying multiple containers 11. The time field indicates the date and time, and may register only the date or the hour, minute, and second. The location field indicates a geographical location or the name of a location. Examples of geographical locations include IP addresses, coordinates such as latitude and longitude, and regions or areas such as administrative districts and mesh divisions. In the case of IP addresses, a list recording the correspondence between each IP address and each location may be prepared. Examples of location names include names of facilities such as container factories, product factories, warehouses, stores, collection centers, and recycling plants. The facility names may be associated with the names of manufacturers or businesses that manage the facilities. The status field registers the status of a process before (no record), during, or after execution. Specifically, depending on the progress of each process, for example, a status of no record, storage and shipping, or a status of no record, storage, and disposal may be registered.

[0040] The container manufacturing table 210A has common fields for registering container identification information, container manufacturing time, container manufacturing location, container shipping time, and status (not recorded / stored / shipped), as well as fields for registering additional information specific to the container manufacturing information DA. The container manufacturing information DA includes, as additional information, information on the raw material type indicating the type of raw material of the container 11 and information on the form type indicating the type of form of the container 11.

[0041] The product manufacturing table 210B has common fields for registering container identification information, product manufacturing time, product manufacturing location, product shipping time, and status (not recorded / stored / shipped), as well as fields for registering additional information specific to the product manufacturing information DB. The product manufacturing information DB includes, as additional information, information on the content type that indicates the type of content 12 contained in the container 11.

[0042] The wholesale sales table 210C has common fields for registering container identification information, product delivery time, product storage location, product wholesale time, and status (not recorded / stored / shipped), as well as fields for registering additional information specific to the wholesale sales information DC. The wholesale sales information DC includes information on the selling price of the product 13 as additional information.

[0043] The retail sales table 210D has common fields for registering container identification information, product delivery time, product retail location, product retail time, and status (not recorded / stored / sold), as well as fields for registering additional information specific to the retail sales information DD. The retail sales information DD includes information on the sales price of the product 13 as additional information.

[0044] The product consumption table 210E includes common fields for registering container identification information, product purchase time, product consumption location, product consumption time, and status (not recorded / stored / discarded), as well as fields for registering additional information specific to the product consumption information DE. The product consumption information DE includes, as additional information, information on consumer characteristics indicating the characteristics of the consumer UE (age, gender, preferences, etc.) and information on coupon distribution. For example, the coupon is distributed to the consumer terminal device 3E of the consumer UE by accessing a specific website based on web access information stored in the information storage carrier 110 of the product 13 purchased by the consumer UE. This allows the consumer UE to receive an incentive for collecting the container 11.

[0045] The container collection table 210F has common fields for registering container identification information, container collection time, container collection location, container shipping time, and status (not recorded / stored / shipped), as well as fields for registering additional information specific to the container collection information DF. The container collection information DF includes, as additional information, information regarding the collection status of the container 11 (sorted or unsorted).

[0046] The container recycling table 210G has common fields for registering container identification information, container recycling time, container recycling location, recycled material shipping time, and status (no record / storage / shipped), as well as fields for registering additional information specific to the container recycling information DG. The container recycling information DG includes, as additional information, information on the type of recycled material that indicates the type of recycled material 14.

[0047] The data configuration of the container management database 210 is not limited to the above example and may be modified as appropriate, and some of the above data (e.g., additional information for each of the tables 210A-210G) may be omitted, or data other than the above may be added. Also, some or all of the container management database 210 may be stored in an external device (or devices) connectable to the network 4, in which case the control unit 20 may access the external device via the communication unit 22.

[0048] 6 is a functional explanatory diagram showing the information processing unit 201 and an example of the flow of information. The control unit 20 of the information processing device 2 realizes the information processing unit 201 using a container management database 210 (see FIGS. 5A and 5B).

[0049] The information processing unit 201 performs a legitimacy determination process that refers to the process information D1 registered in the container management database 210 and determines the legitimacy of the container 11 to be determined. As shown in FIG. 3 , the information processing unit 201 includes, as components for performing the legitimacy determination process, a reception unit 201A, an executed process identification unit 201B, an essential process identification unit 201C, a determination unit 201D, and an output processing unit 201E.

[0050] The receiving unit 201A receives container identification information stored in the information storage carrier 110 attached to the container 11 to be judged. The receiving unit 201A may also receive, along with the container identification information, items for judging the authenticity of the container 11 to be judged.

[0051] The performed-step identifying unit 201B refers to the container management database 210 based on the container identification information received by the receiving unit 201A, and identifies a performed step that indicates a step that has been performed on the container 11 to be judged. In this case, the performed-step identifying unit 201B may acquire performed-step information that includes the details (time, location, state, additional information) recorded when the performed step was performed.

[0052] For example, the performed process identifying unit 201B identifies the performed process or acquires the performed process information by acquiring process information D1 associated with the container identification information of the container 11 to be evaluated and registered in the container management database 210. In Fig. 6, the performed processes are illustrated as a container manufacturing process, a product manufacturing process, and a product wholesale process, as indicated by solid lines.

[0053] The essential process identifying unit 201C identifies essential processes that indicate processes that are essential to have been performed on the container 11 to be judged. In this case, the essential process identifying unit 201C may acquire essential process information including the content (time, place, state, additional information) that is recorded when the essential process is performed. The essential process information does not include the content recorded when the essential process is actually performed, but includes the content that should be recorded at the time the essential process is hypothetically performed. In other words, the essential process information includes the content that should be recorded as the content of the essential process at that time if the essential process is hypothetically performed on the container 11 that is to be judged to be valid.

[0054] For example, the essential process identification unit 201C may identify essential processes or acquire essential process information based on which of the terminal devices 3A-3G the container identification information is acquired from. The essential process identification unit 201C may also identify essential processes or acquire essential process information based on the location at which the container identification information is acquired. When the reception unit 201A receives validity determination items, the essential process identification unit 201C may identify essential processes or acquire essential process information based on the validity determination items. The essential processes and essential process information may be predetermined by, for example, the container manufacturer UA or the product manufacturer UB and stored in the storage unit 21. Figure 6 illustrates a case in which the essential processes are a container manufacturing process, a product manufacturing process, and a product wholesale process, as indicated by solid lines.

[0055] The determination unit 201D compares the performed processes identified by the performed process identification unit 201B with the required processes identified by the required process identification unit 201C, and determines the legitimacy of the container 11 to be determined based on the comparison result. That is, in the legitimacy determination process, the story that the container 11 to be determined has followed so far (performed processes) is compared with the story that it should have followed originally (required processes). If the story that the container 11 to be determined has followed so far matches the story that it should have followed originally, the container 11 to be determined is determined to be legitimate. In this case, the contents 12 contained in the container 11 and the product 13 manufactured using the container 11 may also be determined to be legitimate. On the other hand, if the story that the container 11 to be determined has followed so far (performed processes) does not match the story that it should have followed originally, the container 11 to be determined is determined to be invalid.

[0056] Examples of items to be judged when determining the legitimacy of the container 11 being judged include determining the authenticity of the contents 12, determining the validity of rights arising from the purchase of the product 13, and determining the validity of rights arising from the recycling of the container 11.

[0057] In determining the authenticity of the contents 12, the determination unit 201D determines whether the contents 12 contained in the container 11 being determined are legitimate or not, depending on whether the executed processes include a required process. If determined to be legitimate, it means that the contents 12 contained in the container 11 being determined are genuine. If determined to be invalid, it means that the contents 12 contained in the container 11 being determined are counterfeit.

[0058] In determining the validity of the right resulting from the purchase of the product 13, the determination unit 201D determines whether the right resulting from the purchase of the product 13 in which the contents 12 are contained in the container 11 being determined is legitimate, depending on whether the executed processes include a required process. The right resulting from the purchase of the product 13 includes, for example, the right to receive a purchase benefit and the right to enter a prize draw. The purchase benefit is, for example, a coupon or points that can be used in a point system. The application for a purchase benefit or entry into a prize draw is performed, for example, by accessing a specified website based on the web access information stored in the information storage carrier 110. If the right is determined to be legitimate, it means that the right resulting from the purchase of the product 13 is valid. If the right is determined to be invalid, it means that the right resulting from the purchase of the product 13 is invalid.

[0059] In determining the validity of the right resulting from the recycling of the container 11, the determination unit 201D determines whether the right resulting from the recycling of the container 11 being determined is valid, depending on whether the executed processes include a required process. The right resulting from the recycling of the container 11 includes the right to receive a recycling benefit. The recycling benefit is, for example, a coupon or points that can be used in a point system. The recycling benefit is, for example, introduced to encourage a consumer UE who purchased the product 13 to collect the used container 11, and can be received by the consumer UE when the used container 11 is collected. If the right is determined to be valid, it means that the right resulting from the recycling of the container 11 is valid. If the right is determined to be invalid, it means that the right resulting from the recycling of the container 11 being determined is invalid.

[0060] In addition, when the performed process identification unit 201B acquires essential process information and the essential process identification unit 201C acquires essential process information, the determination unit 201D may compare the performed process information acquired by the performed process identification unit 201B with the essential process information identified by the essential process identification unit 201C and determine the legitimacy of the container 11 to be determined based on the comparison result. That is, the determination unit 201D may determine the legitimacy of the container 11 to be determined based on whether the performed process information indicating the content (time, place, etc.) recorded when the performed process was performed matches the essential process information indicating the content (time, place, etc.) that should be recorded if the essential process were to be performed. Therefore, in this case, the legitimacy determination process determines the legitimacy of the container 11 to be determined based on whether the content of the story that the container 11 to be determined has followed so far (performed process information) matches the content of the story that it should have followed (essential process information).

[0061] The output processing unit 201E performs output processing for outputting the result of the determination of legitimacy determined by the determination unit 201D. For example, the output processing unit 201E transmits determination result information indicating the result of the determination of legitimacy to the terminal devices 3A to 3G, or registers the information in the container management database 210.

[0062] 7 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of a computer 900 constituting each device. The information processing device 2 and each of the terminal devices 3A to 3G in the container distribution system 1 are each constituted by a general-purpose or dedicated computer 900.

[0063] 7, the computer 900 includes, as its main components, a bus 910, a processor 912, a memory 914, an input device 916, an output device 917, a display device 918, a storage device 920, a communication I / F (interface) unit 922, an external device I / F unit 924, an I / O (input / output) device I / F unit 926, and a media input / output unit 928. Note that the above components may be omitted as appropriate depending on the application of the computer 900.

[0064] The processor 912 is composed of one or more arithmetic processing devices (such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro-processing unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit)), and operates as a control unit that controls the entire computer 900. The memory 914 stores various data and programs 930, and is composed of, for example, a volatile memory (DRAM, SRAM, etc.) that functions as a main memory, a non-volatile memory (ROM), a flash memory, etc.

[0065] The input device 916 is composed of, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a numeric keypad, an electronic pen, etc., and functions as an input unit. The output device 917 is composed of, for example, a sound (audio) output device, a vibration device, etc., and functions as an output unit. The display device 918 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, electronic paper, a projector, etc., and functions as an output unit. The input device 916 and the display device 918 may be integrated into one device, such as a touch panel display. The storage device 920 is composed of, for example, an HDD, an SSD, etc., and functions as a storage unit. The storage device 920 stores various data necessary for executing the operating system and the program 930.

[0066] The communication I / F unit 922 is connected to a network 940 such as the Internet or an intranet (which may be the same as network 4 in FIG. 1) by wire or wirelessly, and functions as a communication unit that transmits and receives data to and from other computers in accordance with a predetermined communication standard. The external device I / F unit 924 is connected to an external device 950 such as a camera, printer, scanner, or reader / writer by wire or wirelessly, and functions as a communication unit that transmits and receives data to and from the external device 950 in accordance with a predetermined communication standard. The I / O device I / F unit 926 is connected to I / O devices 960 such as various sensors and actuators, and functions as a communication unit that transmits and receives various signals and data, such as detection signals from sensors and control signals to actuators, to and from the I / O devices 960. The media input / output unit 928 is composed of, for example, a drive device such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) drive or a CD (Compact Disc) drive, a memory card slot, and a USB connector, and reads and writes data from and to media (non-temporary storage media) 970 such as a DVD, CD, memory card, or USB memory.

[0067] In the computer 900 having the above configuration, the processor 912 loads the program 930 stored in the storage device 920 into the memory 914, executes the program, and controls each unit of the computer 900 via the bus 910. The program 930 may be stored in the memory 914 instead of the storage device 920. The program 930 may be recorded on the medium 970 in an installable file format or an executable file format, and provided to the computer 900 via the media input / output unit 928. The program 930 may be provided to the computer 900 by downloading it via the communication I / F unit 922 over the network 940. In addition, the computer 900 may realize the various functions realized by the processor 912 executing the program 930 using hardware such as an FPGA (field-programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit).

[0068] The computer 900 is an electronic device of any type, such as a desktop computer or a portable computer. The computer 900 may be a client computer, a server computer, a cloud computer, or an embedded computer such as a control panel or a controller (including a microcomputer, a programmable logic controller, or a sequencer).

[0069] (Operation of Container Distribution System 1) Hereinafter, as the operation of the container distribution system 1, the information collection process and the legitimacy determination process included in the information processing method executed by the information processing device 2 will be described.

[0070] (Information collection process) Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of an information collection process by the information collection unit 200. The information processing device 2 repeatedly performs a series of information collection processes shown in Fig. 8 between the information processing device 2 and each of the terminal devices 3A to 3G, but the following description will focus on the case of the product manufacturer terminal device 3B.

[0071] First, in step S100, each of the terminal devices 3A to 3G acquires process information D1 based on, for example, the container identification information stored in the information storage carrier 110 attached to the container 11 read by a reading device and additional information unique to each of the terminal devices 3A to 3G. Taking the example of a case in which the product 13 is manufactured by the product manufacturer UB, the product manufacturer terminal device 3B acquires a product manufacturing information DB that includes, as basic information, the container identification information, the product manufacturing time, and the product manufacturing location, as well as the type of contents of the product 13 as additional information. Then, in step S110, each of the terminal devices 3A to 3G transmits the process information D1 to the information processing device 2.

[0072] Next, in step S120, the information collecting unit 200 of the information processing device 2 receives the process information D1 transmitted in step S110. Then, in step S130, the information collecting unit 200 registers the process information D1 in the container management database 210. When the information collecting unit 200 receives the product manufacturing information DB as the process information D1 from the product manufacturer terminal device 3B, it registers the process information D1 in the product manufacturing table 210B of the container management database 210.

[0073] As described above, steps S100 to S130 are repeatedly performed between each of the terminal devices 3A to 3G and the information processing device 2, whereby the information collection unit 200 collects process information D1 from each of the terminal devices 3A to 3G and stores it in the container management database 210. In other words, the story of when each of the containers 11 went through each process is stored in the container management database 210.

[0074] (Authenticity Determination Process) Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the authenticity determination process by the information processing unit 201. Figs. 10 and 11 are explanatory diagrams showing a first embodiment in which the authenticity determination item is authenticity determination of the contents 12. Figs. 12 and 13 are explanatory diagrams showing a second embodiment in which the authenticity determination item is validity determination of a right that arises from the purchase of the product 13. Figs. 14 and 15 are explanatory diagrams showing a third embodiment in which the authenticity determination item is validity determination of a right that arises from recycling the container 11.

[0075] First, in step S200, the terminal devices 3A to 3G read the container identification information stored in the information storage carrier 110 attached to the container 11 to be judged using a reading device, and transmit the read result as judgment container information D2 to the information processing device 2. Here, first to third examples will be described for the case where the judgment container information D2 includes judgment item designation information that designates the judgment items for the container 11 to be judged.

[0076] In the first embodiment, the retailer terminal device 3D used by the retailer UD transmits the determination container information D2. At this time, the determination container information D2 includes the result of reading the container identification information by the retailer terminal device 3D when the retailer UD attempts to purchase the product 13, and determination item designation information that designates the determination of the authenticity of the contents 12 of the product 13.

[0077] In the second embodiment, the consumer terminal device 3E used by the consumer UE transmits the judgment container information D2. At this time, the judgment container information D2 includes the result of reading the container identification information by the consumer terminal device 3E when the consumer UE attempts to apply for a sales benefit or enter a prize draw for the product 13, and judgment item designation information that specifies the validity determination of the right resulting from the purchase of the product 13.

[0078] In the third embodiment, the collection company terminal device 3F used by the collection company UF transmits the judgment container information D2. At this time, the judgment container information D2 includes the result of reading the container identification information by the collection company terminal device 3F when the collection company UF attempts to grant a recycling privilege for the container 11, and judgment item designation information that specifies the validity determination of the right resulting from the recycling of the container 11.

[0079] Next, in step S210 (reception step), the reception unit 201A receives the determination container information D2 transmitted in step S200, and thereby receives the reading result of the container identification information included in the determination container information D2 as the container identification information of the determination target container 11. The reception unit 201A also receives the determination items specified by the determination item designation information included in the determination container information D2 as the items for determining the legitimacy of the determination target container 11.

[0080] Next, in step S220 (performed process identification step), the performed process identification unit 201B refers to the container management database 210 based on the container identification information received in step S210 to identify performed processes that indicate processes that have been performed on the container 11 being evaluated. Here, the performed process identification unit 201B acquires process information D1 that is associated with the container identification information received in step S210 and registered in the container management database 210. As a result, the performed process identification unit 201B acquires performed process information that includes the details (time, location, status, additional information) recorded when the performed process was performed on the container 11 being evaluated. Note that in Figures 10 to 15, performed processes are indicated by solid lines, and only the status of each process is illustrated.

[0081] Next, in step S230 (essential process identification step), the essential process identification unit 201C identifies essential processes that indicate processes that must have been performed on the container 11 being evaluated. Here, the essential process identification unit 201C identifies essential processes based on the validity evaluation items received in step S210, and acquires essential process information including details recorded when the essential processes are performed. Note that in Figures 10 to 15, essential processes are indicated by solid lines, and only the state of each process is illustrated.

[0082] In the first embodiment, the validity determination item is determining the authenticity of the contents 12, so the essential process identification unit 201C identifies, for example, a container manufacturing process, a product manufacturing process, and a product wholesale process as essential processes. Furthermore, the essential process identification unit 201C acquires, for example, the status of the container manufacturing process, the status of the product manufacturing process, and the status of the product wholesale process indicating that the product has been shipped, as essential process information. It should be noted that the essential process may include at least the product manufacturing process, and the essential process information may include at least the status of the product manufacturing process.

[0083] In the second embodiment, the validity determination item is a determination of the validity of the right arising from the purchase of the product 13, and therefore the essential process identification unit 201C identifies, for example, the container manufacturing process, the product manufacturing process, the product wholesale process, and the product retail process as essential processes. Furthermore, the essential process identification unit 201C acquires, for example, the status of the container manufacturing process, the status of the product manufacturing process, and the status of the product wholesale process, which are either shipped or sold, as essential process information. It is sufficient for the essential process to include at least the product retail process, and the essential process information to include at least the status of the product retail process.

[0084] In the third embodiment, the validity determination item is a determination of the validity of the right arising from the recycling of the container 11, and therefore the essential process identification unit 201C identifies, for example, the container manufacturing process, product manufacturing process, product wholesale process, product retail process, and product consumption process as essential processes. Furthermore, the essential process identification unit 201C acquires, for example, the status of the container manufacturing process, the status of the product manufacturing process, the status of the product wholesale process, the status of the product retail process, and the status of the product consumption process, whether shipped, sold, or discarded, as essential process information. It is sufficient for the essential process to include at least the product retail process, and the essential process information to include at least the status of the product retail process.

[0085] Next, in step S240 (judgment step), the judgment unit 201D judges the legitimacy of the container 11 to be judged based on whether the executed processes identified by the executed process identification unit 201B include the required processes identified by the required process identification unit 201C.

[0086] In the first embodiment, the determination unit 201D determines whether the contents 12 contained in the container 11 being determined are authentic based on whether the executed processes include the required processes of a container manufacturing process, a product manufacturing process, and a product wholesale process. Figure 10 illustrates a case where the determination result is authentic (the contents 12 are genuine), while Figure 11 illustrates a case where the determination result is not authentic (the contents 12 are counterfeit). As a result, when a retailer UD attempts to purchase a product 13, for example, if the product manufacturing process or the product wholesale process has not been executed, the contents 12 are determined to be counterfeit, thereby preventing the distribution of counterfeit products in which the contents 12 contained in the container 11 have been switched.

[0087] In the second embodiment, the determination unit 201D determines whether the right resulting from the purchase of the product 13 using the container 11 being determined is valid, depending on whether the executed processes include the required processes of the container manufacturing process, the product manufacturing process, the product wholesale process, and the product retail process. Figure 12 illustrates a case where the determination result is valid (the right is valid), while Figure 13 illustrates a case where the determination result is invalid (the right is invalid). As a result, for example, if an attempt is made to apply for a sales benefit for the product 13 or enter a prize draw even though the product wholesale process or the product retail process has not been executed, the right resulting from the purchase of the product 13 is determined to be invalid, thereby preventing fraudulent applications for sales benefits and fraudulent entries for prize draws.

[0088] In the third embodiment, the determination unit 201D determines whether the right resulting from the recycling of the container 11 is valid when the container 11 being determined is brought to a collection site, based on whether the completed processes include the required processes of the container manufacturing process, product manufacturing process, product wholesale process, product retail process, and product consumption process. Figure 14 illustrates a case where the determination result is valid (the right is valid), and Figure 15 illustrates a case where the determination result is invalid (the right is invalid). As a result, when the collection company terminal device 3F attempts to grant a recycling benefit for the container 11, for example, if the product consumption process has not been completed, the right resulting from the recycling of the container 11 is determined to be invalid, thereby preventing fraudulent receipt of the recycling benefit.

[0089] In addition, if the performed process identification unit 201B acquires performed process information in step S220 and the required process identification unit 201C acquires required process information in step S230, the judgment unit 201D may compare the performed process information acquired by the performed process identification unit 201B with the required process information acquired by the required process identification unit 201C in step S240, and judge the legitimacy of the container 11 to be judged based on the comparison result.

[0090] For example, the determination unit 201D may use a location included in the required process information as a location condition for the location where the required process is performed, and determine the legitimacy based on whether the location included in the completed process information satisfies the location condition. For example, in the first embodiment, the location condition may be that the product storage location of the product wholesale process that is last performed in the required process information is, for example, a warehouse of the wholesaler UC, and the legitimacy may be determined based on whether the last performed process in the completed process information is a product wholesale process and the product storage location of the product wholesale process is a warehouse of the wholesaler UC.

[0091] Furthermore, the determining unit 201D determines the legitimacy of the completed process information based on whether the time included in the required process information satisfies the deadline condition for the required process, by using the time included in the required process information as a deadline condition for the execution of the required process. For example, in the second embodiment, the deadline condition is set to be, for example, that the period from the product delivery time to the product retail time of the last product retail process executed in the required process information is within the deadline for retail sales of the product 13. In this case, the last executed process in the completed process information is the product retail process, and the legitimacy may be determined based on whether the period from the product delivery time to the product retail time of the product retail process is within the deadline for retail sales of the product 13.

[0092] Next, in step S250 (output processing step), the output processing unit 201E transmits determination result information D3 indicating the determination result determined in step S240 to the terminal device 3A to 3G that is the sender of the determination container information D2 received in step S210.

[0093] Then, in step S260, upon receiving the determination result information D3 transmitted in step S250, the terminal devices 3A to 3G display the result of the determination of legitimacy indicated by the determination result information D3. In the first embodiment, whether the contents 12 are genuine or counterfeit is displayed according to the determination result. In the second embodiment, whether the right arising from the purchase of the product 13 is valid or invalid is displayed according to the determination result. In the third embodiment, whether the right arising from the recycling of the container 11 is valid or invalid is displayed according to the determination result.

[0094] As described above, according to the information processing device 2 of this embodiment and the information processing process performed by the information processing device 2, the judgment unit 201D (judgment step) compares the story that the container 11 to be judged has followed so far in the series of distribution processes (executed processes) with the story that it should have followed (essential processes), thereby judging the legitimacy of the container 11 to be judged. Therefore, it is possible to effectively utilize information obtained when the container 11 is distributed.

[0095] (Other Embodiments) The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, all of which are included in the technical concept of the present invention.

[0096] In the above embodiment, the information collecting unit 200 and the information processing unit 201 included in the information processing device 2 are described as being realized by one device, but the information collecting unit 200 and the information processing unit 201 may be realized by multiple devices by distributing them across multiple devices (computers). In this case, each of the information collecting unit 200 and the information processing unit 201 may be realized by a single device, or at least one of the information collecting unit 200 and the information processing unit 201 may be realized by multiple devices.

[0097] In the above embodiment, the information processing device 2 operates according to the flowcharts shown in Figures 8 and 9, but some of the steps (units) may be omitted or other steps may be added. In this case, the omitted steps (units) may be executed by an external system (such as a manufacturing management system, a transportation management system, a sales management system, or a data analysis system).

[0098] Various aspects of the present disclosure are summarized below as appendices.

[0099] (Supplementary Note 1) An information processing method executed by a computer for processing information regarding a series of distribution processes in which contents are placed in a container equipped with an information storage carrier that stores container identification information and distributed as a product, the information processing method comprising: a reception step for receiving the container identification information stored in the information storage carrier attached to the container to be judged; an executed process identification step for referring to a database in which process information when each process included in the series of distribution processes is executed can be registered for each container, based on the container identification information received in the reception step, and identifying executed processes that indicate the processes that have been executed for the container to be judged; a required process identification step for identifying required processes that indicate the processes that must be executed for the container to be judged; and a judgment step for comparing the executed processes identified in the executed process identification step with the required processes identified in the required process identification step, and judging the legitimacy of the container to be judged based on the comparison result.

[0100] (Supplementary Note 2) The information processing method according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the determining step determines whether the contents contained in the container to be determined are authentic depending on whether the executed processes include the required process.

[0101] (Supplementary Note 3) The information processing method described in Supplementary Note 1 or Supplementary Note 2, wherein the determination step determines whether or not the right arising from the purchase of the product in which the contents are filled in the container to be determined is legitimate, depending on whether or not the performed processes include the required process.

[0102] (Appendix 4) An information processing method described in any one of Appendices 1 to 3, wherein the determination step determines whether or not the right arising from recycling of the container being determined is legitimate depending on whether or not the performed processes include the required processes.

[0103] (Appendix 5) An information processing method described in any one of Appendices 1 to 4, wherein the reception step receives the container identification information along with the legitimacy judgment items to be judged for the container to be judged, and the essential process identification step identifies the essential process based on the judgment items received in the reception step.

[0104] (Supplementary Note 6) The information processing method described in any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 5, wherein the process information records content that characterizes each of the processes, the performed process identifying step acquires performed process information including the content recorded when the performed process was performed, the essential process identifying step acquires essential process information including the content recorded when the essential process is performed, and the judging step compares the performed process information with the essential process information and judges the legitimacy depending on the comparison result.

[0105] (Supplementary Note 7) The information processing method described in any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 6, wherein the process information has a location recorded as its content, the performed process identification step acquires performed process information including the location recorded when the performed process was performed, the required process identification step acquires required process information including the location recorded when the required process is performed, and the determination step determines the legitimacy depending on whether the location included in the performed process information satisfies the location condition, using the location included in the required process information as a location condition for the location where the required process is performed.

[0106] (Supplementary Note 8) The information processing method described in any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 7, wherein the process information has time recorded as its content, the performed process identification step acquires performed process information including the time recorded when the performed process was performed, the required process identification step acquires required process information including the time recorded when the required process is performed, and the determination step determines the legitimacy based on whether the time included in the performed process information satisfies a deadline condition regarding a deadline for executing the required process, using the time included in the required process information as a deadline condition regarding a deadline for executing the required process.

[0107] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...container distribution system, 2...information processing device, 3A...container manufacturer terminal device, 3B...product manufacturer terminal device, 3C...wholesale business operator terminal device, 3D...retailer terminal device, 3E...consumer terminal device, 3F...recycling business operator terminal device, 3G...recycling business operator terminal device, 4...network, 11...container, 12...contents, 13...product, 14...recycled material, 20...control unit, 21...storage unit, 22...communication unit, 23...input unit, 24...display unit, 200...information collection unit, 201...information processing unit, 201A...reception unit, 201B...executed process identification unit, 201C...essential process identification unit, 201D...determination unit, 201E...output processing unit, 210...container management database, 211...information processing program

Claims

1. An information processing method executed by a computer for processing information related to a series of distribution processes in which contents are stored in a container with an information storage medium for storing container identification information and distributed as a product, the method comprising: a receiving step of receiving the container identification information stored in the information storage medium attached to the container to be determined; a completed process specifying step of referring to a database capable of registering, for each container, process information when each process included in the series of distribution processes is executed, in association with the container identification information, and specifying a completed process indicating a process that has been executed on the container to be determined; a mandatory process specifying step of specifying a mandatory process indicating a process that must have been executed on the container to be determined; and a determination step of comparing the completed process specified in the completed process specifying step with the mandatory process specified in the mandatory process specifying step, and determining the legitimacy of the container to be determined according to the comparison result.

2. The information processing method according to claim 1, wherein the determination step determines whether the contents stored in the container to be determined are legitimate according to whether the completed process includes the mandatory process.

3. The information processing method according to claim 1, wherein the determination step determines whether the rights arising from the purchase of the product filled with the contents in the container to be determined are legitimate according to whether the completed process includes the mandatory process.

4. The information processing method according to claim 1, wherein the determination step determines whether the rights arising from the recycling of the container to be determined are legitimate according to whether the completed process includes the mandatory process.

5. The receiving step of the information processing method according to claim 1 receives, together with the container identification information, items for determining the legitimacy to be determined for the container to be determined, and the mandatory process specifying step specifies the mandatory process based on the determination items received in the receiving step.

6. The process information records the content characterizing each of the processes. The executed process identification step acquires executed process information including the content recorded when the executed process was executed. The essential process identification step acquires essential process information including the content recorded when the essential process is executed. The determination step compares the executed process information with the essential process information and determines the legitimacy according to the comparison result. The information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The process information records a location as the content. The executed process identification step acquires executed process information including the location recorded when the executed process was executed. The essential process identification step acquires essential process information including the location recorded when the essential process is executed. The determination step determines the legitimacy according to whether the location included in the executed process information satisfies a location condition regarding the location where the essential process is executed, with the location included in the essential process information as the location condition. The information processing method according to claim 6.

8. The process information records a time as the content. The executed process identification step acquires executed process information including the time recorded when the executed process was executed. The essential process identification step acquires essential process information including the time recorded when the essential process is executed. The determination step determines the legitimacy according to whether the time included in the executed process information satisfies a deadline condition regarding the deadline when the essential process is executed, with the time included in the essential process information as the deadline condition. The information processing method according to claim 6.

9. An information processing apparatus that stores contents in a container with an information storage medium that stores container identification information and processes information related to a series of distribution processes for distribution as a product, the information processing apparatus comprising: a reception unit that receives the container identification information stored in the information storage medium attached to the container to be determined; a database that can register, for each container, process information when each process included in the series of distribution processes is executed in association with the container identification information based on the container identification information received by the reception unit, and an executed process specifying unit that specifies an executed process indicating a process that has been executed on the container to be determined; an essential process specifying unit that specifies an essential process indicating a process that is essential to be executed on the container to be determined; and a determination unit that compares the executed process specified by the executed process specifying unit with the essential process specified by the essential process specifying unit and determines the validity of the container to be determined according to the comparison result.

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