Temperature management system, temperature management method, and program

Abstract

The present invention achieves temperature management of a distributed product using a code label having a reversible temperature indicator that neither requires activation, nor requires temperature management until the indicator is installed on the product.　This temperature management system includes: a label with a code that has a temperature-sensitive area that changes color depending on the temperature; and a reading device capable of acquiring, as read information, color information of the temperature-sensitive area, code information of the code, and the date and time and location at which the code information was acquired. The temperature-sensitive area has reversible color change characteristics in which the hysteresis temperature difference ΔT at an intermediate density between the maximum color density and the minimum color density when the temperature rises and falls is less than 10 degrees Celsius.

Description

Temperature control system, temperature control method, and program

[0001] The present invention relates to a temperature management system, a temperature management method, and a program that utilizes a reversible indicator.

[0002] A technology for managing temperature during distribution is known in which an indicator (irreversible indicator) that irreversibly changes color in response to the environmental temperature during distribution is attached to the distributed luggage. For example, Patent Document 1 (JP 2022-123856 A) describes that "a management method for managing temperature information of transported luggage using a blockchain system involves obtaining temperature data from a thermometer transported with the luggage using a terminal of a user who uses the blockchain system, and transmitting the data to the blockchain system to register information regarding the presence or absence of temperature deviation."

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-123856

[0004] Irreversible indicators require pre-processing (activation) to detect temperature and cause a color reaction just before installation (attachment) on a product, and the indicators must be stored in an environment within or below a controlled temperature until installation on the product to prevent color change. For these reasons, the large workload involved in installing indicators on products and the complicated management process have hindered the widespread adoption of temperature control systems using irreversible indicators.

[0005] In order to solve at least one of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a temperature management system comprising: a label having a code in which a temperature detection area that changes color in response to temperature is installed; and a reading device capable of obtaining color information of the temperature detection area, code information of the code, and the date, time and place where the code information was acquired as read information, wherein the temperature detection area has a reversible color change characteristic in which the hysteresis temperature difference ΔT at the intermediate density between the maximum color density and the minimum color density in response to an increase and decrease in temperature is less than 10 degrees Celsius.

[0006] The present invention provides a temperature control system using an indicator that does not require temperature control until it is installed on a product.

[0007] Problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0008] FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a temperature management system in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a reading device (smartphone) in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of an information processing device in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an example of a distribution product stored in a case in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a color change characteristic of an irreversible temperature indicator in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a color change characteristic of a reversible temperature indicator in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a color change characteristic of a reversible (irreversible) temperature indicator in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is an example of the form of a two-dimensional code in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is an example of the form of a one-dimensional code in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is an example of a method for creating a two-dimensional code in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is an example of a method for creating a two-dimensional code in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is an example of a method for creating a two-dimensional code in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is an example of a method for creating a two-dimensional code in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a processing flowchart of a temperature management method in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is an example of a display example of the analysis result of a reversible temperature indicator in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram explaining the flow when abnormal work is performed in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16 is an example of data stored in a memory unit of an information processing device in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 17 is an example of data stored in a memory unit of an information processing device in an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a flowchart of a process for detecting an abnormal operation in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an example of a warning screen display in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments (examples) of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, when describing program-based processing, the program, functional units, etc., may be described as the main focus. However, the main focus of the hardware in these descriptions is a processor or an information processing device (computer) configured to include the processor. The information processing device executes processing according to a program loaded into memory using resources such as memory and a communication interface as appropriate. A GPU (Graphical Processing Unit) or the like may be used as the processor in addition to a CPU. Furthermore, processing to realize a function is not limited to software program processing, and can also be implemented using a dedicated circuit. Examples of the dedicated circuit include a field programmable gate array (FPGA) and an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0010] 1A is an overall configuration diagram of a temperature control system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The temperature control system 100 includes an information processing device 110 and smartphones 130 (a-e) as reading devices that read two-dimensional codes 120 (a-e) affixed to products and having a reversible temperature indicator (environmental detection area) that reversibly changes color in response to the environmental temperature during the distribution process. The smartphones 130 (a-e) are placed at various locations (distribution bases) during the product distribution process and are connected to the information processing device 110 via a communication network 140. Note that the communication network 140 is not limited to a public network and may be, for example, short-range wireless communication or a wired connection.

[0011] The smartphones 130 (a to e) are placed at collection and distribution bases 1 to 3 and delivery destinations, and determine the color of the reversible temperature indicator included in the two-dimensional code 120 (a to e) attached to the product, and transmit the color information to the information processing device 110. Fig. 1B is a block diagram showing the configuration of the smartphone 130, which is composed of an input / output unit 131, a camera unit 132, a control unit 133, a communication unit 134, and a storage unit 135.

[0012] The input / output unit 131 is a touch panel or the like that is operated by a user to input various information and that displays various information. In this embodiment, the camera unit 132 captures the two-dimensional codes 120 (a-e). The control unit 133 controls various general functions and operations of a smartphone (including a two-dimensional code reader), and in this embodiment, includes a color judgment unit 133a that judges the color of the reversible temperature indicator included in the captured two-dimensional code 120 (a-e). Note that the color judgment process performed by the color judgment unit 133a is not particularly limited, and a commonly used color judgment app or the like may be used. The communication unit 134 has the usual communication function of a smartphone and transmits and receives information to and from the information processing device 110 as described above. The memory unit 135 temporarily stores the judgment results, etc., of the color judgment unit 133a.

[0013] The information processing device 110 receives information on the two-dimensional codes 120 (a to e) at each distribution center and color information on the reversible temperature indicator from the smartphones 130 (a to e), performs various analyses, etc., and displays the results to a user (administrator), and is implemented, for example, by a personal computer, etc. Figure 1C is a block diagram showing the configuration of the information processing device 110, which is composed of an input unit 111, a storage unit 112, an information processing unit 113, and an output unit 114.

[0014] The input unit 111 is a unit into which information such as the two-dimensional code 120 (a to e) received from the smartphone 130 and color information of the reversible temperature indicator is input, and the memory unit 112 is a unit that accumulates and stores such information. The memory unit 112 is also a non-transitory or temporary recording medium that stores various programs and data, such as a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a hard disk drive (HDD), or a flash memory.

[0015] The information processing unit 113 is a part that organizes and analyzes the information stored in the storage unit 112, and is realized by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or the like. For example, by statistically analyzing the information from the smartphone 130, it is possible to know when, what kind of worker, and in what place a temperature deviation occurred, or whether a temperature deviation may have occurred, which can lead to business improvements.

[0016] The output unit 114 is a part that transmits the information processed by the information processing unit 113 to a location where it is needed. If the information processing device 113 is a device having a display device, the processing results can be output to the display device. The output unit 114 may be a display device.

[0017] The distribution product in this embodiment is, for example, a frozen fish product stored in a polystyrene foam case together with ice packs. Fig. 1D is a side view showing the distribution product 151 stored in a polystyrene foam case 150 (case body 150a, lid 150b), in which a two-dimensional code 120 including a reversible temperature indicator is affixed to the distribution product 151 and the distribution product is stored sandwiched between ice packs 152. This type of packaging is suitable for utilizing a reversible temperature indicator because the temperature changes irreversibly (the temperature rises unilaterally) when the product is transported in a room temperature external environment, rather than in a container with a freezer function.

[0018] Here, the color change characteristics of the temperature indicator will be explained. Figure 2A shows the color change characteristics of an irreversible temperature indicator, and is a graph with temperature on the horizontal axis and color change on the vertical axis. At the start P1 (2A01), the indicator changes from "Color 1" when the temperature is below the control temperature of 30 degrees Celsius, to "Color 2" at P2 (2A02) when the temperature exceeds 30 degrees Celsius. Even if the temperature then drops below 30 degrees Celsius at P3 (2A03), the irreversible temperature indicator will not return to its original "Color 1" state.

[0019] 2B shows the color change characteristics of a reversible temperature indicator. At start P1 (2B01), the indicator changes from "Color 1," which represents the minimum color density when the temperature is below 30 degrees Celsius (the control temperature). At P2 (2B02), the indicator changes to "Color 2," which represents the maximum color density when the temperature exceeds 30 degrees Celsius. Then, at P3 (2B03), the indicator returns to the original "Color 1." However, the change characteristic from "Color 1" at P1 (2B01) to "Color 2" at P2 (2B02) due to a temperature increase is not the same as the change characteristic from "Color 2" at P2 (2B02) to "Color 1" at P3 (2B03) due to a temperature decrease. A temperature difference ΔT (2B04) exists between the maximum and minimum color density due to hysteresis. In this example, a reversible temperature indicator with a ΔT of less than 10 degrees Celsius is used.

[0020] Figure 2C shows the color change characteristics of another reversible temperature indicator, with a larger ΔT than that of Figure 2B. In this example, once the indicator changes to "Color 2," the color does not change again until the ambient temperature drops below 10°C, and does not return to the original "Color 1" until the ambient temperature drops further to around -10°C. Therefore, in such an environment, the indicator can be used as a substantially irreversible temperature indicator. In this example, indicators with a ΔT of 10°C or greater are treated as irreversible temperature indicators.

[0021] Next, the form of the two-dimensional code including the reversible temperature indicator in this embodiment will be described. Figure 3A shows a form in which a reversible temperature indicator 311 is located in the center of the two-dimensional code 310, and when the temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature, the reversible temperature indicator changes color from 311a to 311b. Note that the reversible temperature indicator 311 is not limited to being located in the center of the two-dimensional code 310 as shown in Figure 3A, but may also be located at the left or right end, the upper limit end, or even outside the two-dimensional code 310.

[0022] 3B , the reversible temperature indicator 321 may be arranged in the center of a one-dimensional code (barcode) 320, not limited to a two-dimensional code. The position of the reversible temperature indicator 321 is not limited to the center of the one-dimensional code 320, but may be arranged at either the left or right end, or outside the one-dimensional code 320.

[0023] Next, a method for producing a two-dimensional code including a reversible temperature indicator will be described. That is, a two-dimensional code including a reversible temperature indicator may be produced in the same process, but it can also be formed into a label display object having a reversible temperature indicator by adding a separately prepared member having a reversible temperature indicator to an existing or separately produced two-dimensional code label that does not have a reversible temperature indicator.

[0024] A specific method for producing the reversible temperature indicator will be described below using Figures 4A to 4C and Figures 5A to 5C. While these examples show a case where the reversible temperature indicator is positioned in the center of a two-dimensional code, the same applies when the reversible temperature indicator described above is positioned in another position in a two-dimensional or one-dimensional code. The round reversible temperature indicator seal 410 shown in Figure 4A is composed of a reversible temperature indicator portion 411 and a round transparent film 412. Figure 4B is a cross-sectional view of Figure 4A, in which the round reversible temperature indicator seal 410 is installed so that the round transparent film 412 covers the reversible temperature indicator portion 411. In Figure 4B, the reversible temperature indicator portion 411 and the round transparent film 412 are shown separated from each other for the purpose of explaining the configuration, but in reality they are installed in contact with each other.

[0025] There are no particular restrictions on the round transparent film 412 as long as it is transparent and does not easily transmit moisture, and typical general-purpose transparent films include PP (polypropylene), PET (polyethylene terephthalate), and PVC (polyvinyl chloride).

[0026] 4C shows a method of installing a round reversible temperature indicator sticker 410 on an existing two-dimensional code 430, in which the round reversible temperature indicator sticker 410 is attached to the surface of the two-dimensional code 430. At this time, part of the pattern of the two-dimensional code 430 is covered by the round reversible temperature indicator sticker 410, but the error correction function of the two-dimensional code 430 itself means that the covered area can be read without any problems as long as it is below the upper limit of the error correction level at which it can be reproduced.

[0027] The reversible temperature indicator seal 510 with guide shown in FIG. 5A is composed of a reversible temperature indicator area 511 and a rectangular transparent film 513 on which an alignment guide 512 is provided.

[0028] 5B is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 5A, in which the guided reversible temperature indicator seal 510 is installed with the rectangular transparent film 513 covering the reversible temperature indicator area 511. In FIG. 5B, the reversible temperature indicator area 511 and the rectangular transparent film 513 are shown separated for the purpose of explaining the configuration, but in reality they are installed in contact with each other. The rectangular transparent film 513 can be made of the same material as the round transparent film 412.

[0029] Figure 5C shows a method of installing the guided reversible temperature indicator sticker 510 on an existing two-dimensional code 530, in which the guided reversible temperature indicator sticker 510 is attached to the surface of the two-dimensional code 530 while referring to the alignment guide 512 of the guided reversible temperature indicator sticker 510.

[0030] Next, a temperature control method in the temperature management system 100 having the above configuration will be described. When collecting products, a person in charge of product transportation (e.g., a driver) uses a smartphone 130a to capture an image of a two-dimensional code 120a including a reversible temperature indicator affixed to a distribution product 151 stored in a polystyrene foam case 150. The smartphone 130a reads the information in the two-dimensional code and analyzes the color of the reversible temperature indicator. Figure 6 shows the processing flow executed by the smartphone 130a, which will be described below. First, image data including a two-dimensional code with a reversible temperature indicator is input from the camera unit 132 of the smartphone 130a. The control unit 133 identifies the data area of ​​the two-dimensional code using known technology, decodes the code represented by the data area, and recognizes the data body of the code (e.g., character string data) (step S601).

[0031] Next, the control unit 133 acquires image information of the reversible temperature indicator area using predetermined position information of the reversible temperature indicator area or information contained in the code data acquired in step S601 (step S602). At this time, the control unit 133 checks whether there are any problems with the acquired image, such as "overexposure" where the reversible temperature indicator area becomes invisible in the image due to reflected light when the lighting is strong, or whether the image is too small or too large, or the shooting angle when acquiring the image is acute and the image is excessively distorted. If there are any problems, the control unit 133 may return to step S601 and re-read the image (step S603). Note that step S603 may be omitted if priority is given to processing speed, but performing it can improve processing accuracy.

[0032] After acquiring an image of the temperature indicator area in step S602 (or if image information of the reversible temperature indicator area can be acquired without any problems in step S603), the color judgment unit 133 analyzes the color of the image information, for example, using known technology, and determines whether the color deviates from a predetermined temperature range (step S604).

[0033] The code data and analysis results of the reversible temperature indicator thus obtained are stored in the storage unit 135 together with additional information including the name of the staff member who performed the reading process, the date and time, base information, location information within the base based on GPS information from the smartphone 130, the identification number (or telephone number) of the smartphone 130, weather information linked to web information, etc. (step S605). Note that the above-mentioned additional information may be input into the smartphone 130 by the staff member operating the smartphone 130, or may be recognized by the smartphone 130 itself.

[0034] Then, the information stored in the storage unit 135 is transmitted by the communication unit 134 to the information processing device 110 via the communication network 140 (step S606).

[0035] Through the above flow, information on whether or not the temperature of the distribution product 151 has deviated at the time of collection, product information from the two-dimensional code, and additional information obtained when the two-dimensional code is read are transmitted to the information processing device 110 and recorded in the memory unit 112 of the information processing device 110.

[0036] Similarly, personnel at distribution bases 1 to 3 and delivery destinations use smartphones 130 to capture images of two-dimensional codes 120 including reversible temperature indicators attached to distribution products 151, and the presence or absence of temperature deviation information of the reversible temperature indicators captured by smartphones 130 is recorded in storage unit 112 of information processing device 110. This makes it possible to manage the presence or absence of temperature deviation at each location from collection to delivery destination, and enables the manager operating information processing device 110 to identify the presence or absence of temperature deviation during the distribution process of distribution products and the location, if any, of the temperature deviation.

[0037] The above-mentioned analysis results, such as whether or not the temperature of the reversible temperature indicator has deviated, may be displayed on the screen (input / output unit 131) of the smartphone 130.

[0038] 7 is an example of the display of the analysis results of a reversible temperature indicator, which is an output display of the reading results on the display 701 of the smartphone 130. When there are multiple two-dimensional codes lined up on the distribution product 151 to be read, it is possible to acquire images of multiple codes simultaneously or sequentially, analyze the presence or absence of temperature deviations in the reversible temperature indicators, and display the results side by side on the display 701.

[0039] In addition, the analysis processing results can be easily recognized by the person in charge by showing an "X mark" 703a in AR (Augmented Reality) on the display 701, which indicates that there is a temperature deviation (NG), or a "check mark" 703b, which indicates that there is no temperature deviation (OK).

[0040] This allows not only the manager who uses the information processing device 110 but also the person in charge who takes an image of the distribution product 151 with the smartphone 130 to check on the spot whether or not the temperature of the distribution product 151 has deviated. In addition, the manager himself can use the smartphone 130 to check whether or not the temperature of the distribution product 151 has deviated.

[0041] As explained above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to trace the environmental conditions in which a distribution product is placed during the distribution process from collection to delivery, and if a defect is found in the distribution product when it reaches its destination, it is possible to search for the cause, such as where in the distribution process the problem occurred.

[0042] In this embodiment, the temperature control is described assuming a situation in which the temperature of a distribution product changes irreversibly (the temperature rises unilaterally), but the present invention is not limited to this and can also be used for temperature control in a situation in which the temperature changes reversibly, such as when the product is transported in a container with a refrigerator / freezer, etc. For example, if necessary, information from a temperature sensor or the like normally provided in a container with a refrigerator / freezer can be used to treat a distribution product as ineligible for distribution once a temperature deviation is detected, or a distribution product as ineligible for distribution after a temperature deviation is detected during temperature checks at each distribution base.

[0043] It can also be used to prove that products such as food and medicines that are stored frozen and then thawed or heated above room temperature have been returned to the appropriate temperature before use, or to verify that the temperature is maintained above or below a standard temperature in all locations in warehouses with temperature variations or by attaching reversible temperature indicator labels to multiple locations on a product.

[0044] Conventionally, indicators that do not require activation and do not require temperature control before being installed on a product have been known to reversibly change color in response to temperature (reversible temperature indicators). These indicators temporarily monitor the product temperature at a given moment, but even if the product temperature deviates from the specified temperature during distribution or storage, causing the temperature indicator to change color, the color returns to its original state when the product is returned to the original controlled temperature environment. This makes reversible temperature indicators difficult to apply to temperature control during distribution. However, this embodiment makes it possible to control the temperature of distributed products using code labels with reversible temperature indicators. It also makes it possible to determine and estimate whether any abnormal operations have been performed during temperature control processing.

[0045] As shown in Figure 2B, the reversible temperature indicator has the characteristic that even if it changes color due to a temperature deviation, it will return to its original color by subsequently returning the temperature to a predetermined temperature (cooling). Therefore, when a temperature deviation occurs in a distribution process using a temperature control system such as that shown in Example 1, there is a possibility that an abnormal operation may be performed by performing such a cooling operation in addition to the normal reading of the reversible temperature indicator, making it appear as if the distribution was proceeding normally without a temperature deviation. This example describes a configuration that can detect the possibility of such an abnormal operation and alert the manager with a warning or the like.

[0046] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating the flow of work performed when an abnormality occurs. First, a plurality of distribution products 811 bearing two-dimensional codes including reversible temperature indicators are collected 810. As shown in FIG. 1D of Example 1, the distribution products 811 are stored in cases containing ice packs, etc., and then all of the distribution products 811 are transported by the same transportation means (e.g., trucks). Therefore, the subsequent temperature change should basically be the same for all distribution products 811. However, due to factors such as variations in the placement of ice packs and pre-cooling for each distribution product 811, temperature deviations occur in some products 821 at the distribution base 820.

[0047] When the staff member reading the two-dimensional code visually recognizes a temperature deviation of the product 821 from the color change of the reversible temperature indicator, or infers a temperature deviation of the product 821 from the appearance of the products or ice packs in the case, the staff member moves the product 821 to a freezer or the like (840) and cools it for a predetermined period of time, separate from the normal reading operation 830. As a result, the product in which the temperature deviation occurred returns from the temperature deviation state (841) to the specified temperature state (842). Then, by reading the reversible temperature indicator, the product is determined to be at the specified temperature (843), and is returned to the group of other products for which normal reading operation has been performed (844).

[0048] Next, a configuration for detecting such abnormal work in the temperature management system 100 will be described. As described in Example 1, the memory unit 112 of the information processing device 110 stores the code data and the analysis results of the reversible temperature indicator (whether or not there is a temperature deviation), as well as additional information such as the date and time of the reading process and location information. Fig. 9A shows an example of a portion of the stored data. For six products with product numbers (901) "001" to "006" being transported by the same transportation means at distribution base N (900), the following information is recorded: the name and staff ID as information about the person in charge 902; the date and time of the reading 903; detailed GPS location information 904 of the reading device (smartphone 130); the manufacturing lot number and mobile phone number as the reading device ID (905) that identifies the reading device (smartphone 130); the weather, temperature, and humidity as weather information 906 at the time of the reading; and the determination result 907 regarding whether or not there is a temperature deviation (OK: no temperature deviation / NG: temperature deviation). Such data is recorded each time a reading process is performed at each distribution point.

[0049] On the other hand, Figure 9B shows similar scanning results at a different distribution center X, where the judgment result 907 for all products (001-006) is recorded as "OK." Looking at the scanning date and time 903 for product No. (901) "004," we can see that while the scanning times for the other products were approximately two minutes from 11:31:27 to 11:33:35, the scanning time for product No. 004 was nearly four hours later, at 15:12:55. Furthermore, according to the GPS location information 904, we can see that product No. 004 is located at a different latitude, longitude, and altitude than the locations where the scanning of the other products was performed. From these findings, we can infer that product No. 004 was scanned at a different time and location than the other products.

[0050] 10 is a flowchart of the above-mentioned process for detecting abnormal work, which is performed by the information processing unit 113 of the information processing device 110. It is assumed that the reading process has been performed at a distribution base, and that the data shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B has been recorded in the memory unit 112 of the information processing device 110. When the abnormal work detection process is started, the result of the determination of whether or not there is a temperature deviation is first checked for the product with product number "n" of "1" (steps S1000, S1001, S1002).

[0051] If the determination result indicates that a temperature deviation has occurred (YES in step S1003), a warning indicating that a temperature deviation has occurred for product No. = n is displayed on a screen, for example, on a display device of the output unit 114 of the information processing device 110 (step S1004). Fig. 11A shows an example of the warning screen.

[0052] If the determination result for product No. = n is that there is no temperature deviation ("NO" in step S1003), it is checked whether there are any differences in the read time and read location information between product No. = n and all other products that were transported at the same time, or if there are any differences, whether they are within the expected range (within a threshold value) (steps S1005 and S1006).

[0053] As a result, if there is a difference or the difference is within the threshold value ("YES" in step S1006), a warning that there is a possibility that abnormal work has been performed on product No. = n is displayed on a screen such as a display device of the output unit 114 (step S1007). Fig. 11B is an example of the warning screen.

[0054] Then, it is confirmed whether the above-mentioned confirmation process has been performed for all of the identically conveyed products n (step S1008). If not, "1" is added to product No. = n (step S1010), and the process returns to step S1002 to repeat the same process for the next product. If confirmation has been performed for all of the products n ("YES" in step S1008), the process ends.

[0055] The configuration of this embodiment can be modified in various ways and some elements can be replaced to the extent possible. For example, in step S1005 described above, differences in both the reading time and the reading location are confirmed, but it is also possible to confirm either one of them, or to confirm other items such as the person in charge 902 or the reader device ID, or to confirm both of them in combination. Furthermore, if the transportation means (truck, container, etc.) is equipped with a temperature measurement and recording device such as a temperature logger that records the temperature of the cargo compartment, the determination result of the reading process may be compared with the temperature information recorded in the temperature logger, etc., at the time the reading process was performed, to estimate whether or not abnormal work has been performed.

[0056] As described above, according to this embodiment, even if abnormal operations other than normal reading processes are performed when there is a temperature deviation in a distributed product, the possibility of this can be estimated and a warning can be given to the administrator.

[0057] 100: Temperature control system, 110: Information processing device, 120: Two-dimensional code, 130: Reader (smartphone)

Claims

1. A temperature management system comprising: a label having a code with a temperature detection area that changes color in response to temperature; and a reading device capable of obtaining color information of the temperature detection area, code information of the code, and the date, time, and place where the code information was acquired as read information; wherein the temperature detection area has a reversible color change characteristic in which the temperature difference ΔT of the hysteresis at the intermediate density between the maximum color density and the minimum color density is less than 10 degrees Celsius as the temperature rises and falls.

2. A temperature control system according to claim 1, characterized in that the code is a two-dimensional code or a one-dimensional code.

3. A temperature management system as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the read information includes a determination result by the reading device based on the color information as to whether or not the temperature detection area has deviated from a specified temperature.

4. A temperature control system as claimed in claim 3, comprising an information processing device, characterized in that the information processing device aggregates and displays the read information acquired by the reading device at a distribution point in the distribution process of the distribution product to which the label is affixed.

5. A temperature control system according to claim 4, characterized in that the temperature of the environment in which the distribution product is placed changes irreversibly during the distribution process of the distribution product.

6. A temperature control system as described in claim 4, wherein a plurality of the distribution products are transported by the same means of transportation, and the reading information is acquired by the reading device at the distribution base, and the information processing device determines whether or not abnormal work was performed when the label of the distribution product was read by comparing the reading date and time information and reading location information of the distribution product contained in the reading information at the distribution base with the reading date and time information and reading location information of other distribution products transported by the same means of transportation.

7. A temperature management method for a distribution product to which a label having a code is affixed, the code having a temperature detection area that exhibits a reversible color change characteristic in which the temperature difference ΔT of the hysteresis at the intermediate density between the maximum color density and the minimum color density is less than 10 degrees Celsius as the temperature rises and falls, the temperature difference ΔT being the temperature difference of the hysteresis at the intermediate density between the maximum color density and the minimum color density. The method comprises the steps of: obtaining, at a distribution center during the distribution process, read information including color information of the temperature detection area, code information of the code, and the date, time, and location at which the code information was obtained; and comparing the date, time, and location information of the distribution product contained in the read information at the distribution center with the date, time, and location information of other distribution products transported by the same means of transportation, thereby determining whether or not abnormal work was performed when the label of the distribution product was read.

8. A program for causing a computer to function as temperature control means, which, for a distribution product affixed with a label having a code with a temperature detection area having the characteristics of a reversible color change in response to temperature increases and decreases, with the hysteresis temperature difference ΔT at the intermediate density between the maximum color density and the minimum color density being less than 10 degrees Celsius, acquires, at a distribution center during the distribution process, read information including color information of the temperature detection area, code information of the code, and the date, time and location at which the code information was acquired, and compares the date, time and location information of the distribution product contained in the read information at the distribution center with the date, time and location information of other distribution products transported by the same means of transportation, thereby determining whether or not abnormal work was performed when the label of the distribution product was read.

Images