Information processing device, blockchain, information processing system, and information processing program
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2026-01-09
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-13
Smart Images
Figure JP2026000580_13082026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
Information Processing Apparatus, Blockchain, Information Processing System, and Information Processing Program
[0001] The disclosed technology relates to an information processing apparatus, a blockchain, an information processing system, and an information processing program.
[0002] In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-145882, a mediation device that mediates transactions of goods or services between an order receiver and an order placer receives an order request from the order placer, notifies the received order request to the order receiver, receives an approval result for the order request from the order receiver, receives an evaluation from the order placer to the order receiver after the order placer's settlement, and records the evaluation on the blockchain.
[0003] In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-81984, based on first information from the perspective of each buyer regarding the actions of each person in charge of a supplier for a transaction target and second information from the perspective of each buyer regarding the transaction target after at least a part of the act of providing the transaction target by each supplier, a supplier evaluation is performed by the buyer, and the supplier evaluation is recorded on the blockchain.
[0004] In WO2021 / 002283, there is a technology for evaluating each transaction entity in a supply chain, in which an evaluation server acquires transaction data from a blockchain, generates evaluation information of each transaction entity based on the amount and quality of the transaction data, and particularly regarding the quality of processing, it is described that the content of information exchange related to the transaction includes whether it is related to trouble or a favorable evaluation.
[0005] In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2024-10334, regarding a technology for supporting a user's back-office operations, a server receives an order request from the user, places an order with a supplier based on the order request, and further receives the content of a business evaluation of the supplier from the user.
[0006] A system could be conceivable that uses information sharing and communication functions for demand and order information between the ordering party and the receiving party to respond to and adjust delivery dates. However, in such a system, the scope of personal information that can be disclosed under inter-company contracts is limited, or varies from company to company. Some companies may want to use the system anonymously, and therefore may not know the basic information of the other party's contact person.
[0007] Furthermore, if your own responsibilities change or the other party's contact person changes, you may not know how responsive the other party is (how well they will meet deadlines, whether there is room for negotiation, etc.).
[0008] When you don't know the other party's capabilities, you face challenges such as difficulty communicating smoothly because you don't know the scope of negotiations when requesting adjustments to delivery dates, quantities, etc., and it can even lead to a deterioration of the relationship.
[0009] Quantitative results (results in delivery date responses, delivery date compliance, and adjustments for early delivery) cannot fully evaluate the other party's responsiveness (speed of response, flexibility of response, process such as considering the difficulty level).
[0010] Furthermore, when establishing a third-party evaluation system to obtain qualitative assessments, it is necessary to ensure the reliability of the evaluation data and the evaluation process.
[0011] One aspect of this project is to provide an information processing device, blockchain, information processing system, and information processing program that ensure the reliability of evaluation information and evaluation processes, and that allow clients to obtain evaluation information about contractors.
[0012] A first aspect of this disclosure is an information processing device for processing at least one blockchain, including a processor, the processor receiving order information from a client, receiving response information from a contractor to the order information, receiving input of evaluation information regarding the contractor from the client, authenticating the legitimacy of a token held by the client, and, if the legitimacy of the token is authenticated, recording the evaluation information regarding the contractor received from the client on the blockchain.
[0013] A second aspect of this disclosure is a blockchain used in a computer, which includes order information from a client, response information from a contractor to the order information, and evaluation information of the contractor by the client when the legitimacy of the token is authenticated, and is used in a process in which the computer receives order information from a client, receives response information from a contractor to the order information, receives input of evaluation information of the contractor from the client, authenticates the legitimacy of the token held by the client, and, if the legitimacy of the token is authenticated, records the evaluation information of the contractor received from the client on the blockchain.
[0014] A third aspect of this disclosure is an information processing system for processing at least one blockchain, comprising at least two processors, including a first processor, wherein the first processor receives evaluation information relating to a contractor that has responded to order information from the ordering party, authenticates the legitimacy of a token held by the ordering party, and, if the legitimacy of the token is authenticated, records the received evaluation information relating to the contractor on the blockchain.
[0015] A fourth aspect of this disclosure is an information processing program for processing at least one blockchain, which causes a computer to perform the following actions: receive order information from a client, receive response information from a contractor to the order information, receive input of evaluation information regarding the contractor from the client, authenticate the legitimacy of a token held by the client, and, if the legitimacy of the token is authenticated, record the evaluation information regarding the contractor received from the client on the blockchain.
[0016] In one respect, it is possible to obtain evaluation information about contractors from clients while ensuring the reliability of evaluation information and evaluation processes.
[0017] This is an explanatory diagram showing an example configuration of the information processing system of the first embodiment. This is a schematic block diagram of an example of a computer that functions as a server and a user terminal in this embodiment. This is a block diagram showing the configuration of the server of the first embodiment. This is a flowchart showing the flow of evaluation processing performed by the user terminal on the ordering side, the user terminal on the receiving side, and the server. This is a flowchart showing the flow of evaluation processing performed by the user terminal on the ordering side, the user terminal on the receiving side, and the server. This is an explanatory diagram showing an example configuration of the information processing system of the second embodiment. This is a block diagram showing the configuration of the server of the second embodiment. This is a flowchart showing the flow of evaluation processing performed by the user terminal on the ordering side, the user terminal on the receiving side, and the server. This is a block diagram showing the flow of evaluation processing performed by the user terminal on the ordering side, the user terminal on the receiving side, and the server. This is a block diagram showing the configuration of the server of the third embodiment. This is a flowchart showing the flow of evaluation processing performed by the user terminal on the ordering side, the user terminal on the receiving side, and the server. This is a flowchart showing the flow of evaluation processing performed by the user terminal on the ordering side, the user terminal on the receiving side, and the server.
[0018] An example of an embodiment of the disclosed technology will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, identical or equivalent components and parts are given the same reference numerals. Furthermore, the dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for illustrative purposes and may differ from actual ratios.
[0019] <System Configuration>
[0020] Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example configuration of the information processing system 2. In this embodiment, the information processing system 2 that records evaluation information about contractors by clients on a blockchain will be described. The information processing system 2 includes a server 10 and a plurality of user terminals 20. The server 10 and the plurality of user terminals 20 are connected via a network N.
[0021] Server 10 is, for example, a server computer capable of various information processing and information transmission / reception. Note that the device corresponding to Server 10 is not limited to a server computer; for example, it may be a personal computer or the like. In this embodiment, Server 10 functions as an information processing device that processes at least one blockchain.
[0022] The user terminal 20 is a general-purpose computer such as a personal computer. In this embodiment, the user terminal 20 is the terminal on the ordering party's side and the terminal on the receiving party's side, and functions as a device for sending and receiving messages between the ordering party and the receiving party.
[0023] In this embodiment, the server 10 processes at least one or more blockchains, but the local user terminal 20 may also process at least one or more blockchains. In other words, the distinction between the two is for convenience, and a single computer may perform the entire process.
[0024] <Server configuration according to this embodiment>
[0025] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the server 10 in this embodiment.
[0026] As shown in Figure 2, the server 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, storage 14, input unit 15, display unit 16, and communication interface (I / F) 17. Each component is connected to the others via a bus 19 so that they can communicate with each other.
[0027] The CPU 11 is a central processing unit that executes various programs and controls various parts. Specifically, the CPU 11 reads a program from the ROM 12 or storage 14 and executes the program using the RAM 13 as a working area. The CPU 11 controls each of the above components and performs various calculations according to the program stored in the ROM 12 or storage 14. In this embodiment, the ROM 12 or storage 14 stores at least one information processing program for processing blockchain. The information processing program may be a single program or a group of programs composed of multiple programs or modules.
[0028] ROM 12 stores various programs and data. RAM 13 temporarily stores programs or data as a working area. Storage 14 consists of an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive) and stores various programs, including the operating system, and various data.
[0029] The input unit 15 includes a pointing device such as a mouse and a keyboard, and is used for various types of input.
[0030] The display unit 16 is, for example, a liquid crystal display and displays various information. The display unit 16 may also function as an input unit 15 by employing a touch panel system.
[0031] The communication interface 17 is an interface for communicating with other devices, and standards such as Ethernet®, FDDI, and Wi-Fi® can be used.
[0032] Next, the functional configuration of server 10 will be described. Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of server 10.
[0033] Functionally, as shown in Figure 3, the server 10 is configured to include a first reception unit 21, a second reception unit 23, a transmission / reception unit 25, a request unit 27, a third reception unit 29, a confirmation unit 31, a search unit 33, and a storage database (DB) 35.
[0034] The first reception unit 21 receives order information from the ordering party via the ordering party's user terminal 20. The order information includes at least one of the following: registration date, item information, quantity, specified delivery date, amount, and delivery destination. The item information includes at least one of the following: item, supplier, order lead time, and transportation lead time. Alternatively, the order information may be automatically stored in the server 10 in conjunction with the ordering system.
[0035] The first reception unit 21 records the received order information on the blockchain 50.
[0036] Here, blockchain 50 is constructed from a blockchain network consisting of multiple computer terminals, and is a chronological link of blocks 51, each containing data and an ID to identify the data.
[0037] The second reception unit 23 receives response information from the recipient to the order information from the recipient's user terminal 20. The response information includes at least one of the following: the delivery date and the quantity to be delivered. The second reception unit 23 records the received response information on the blockchain 50.
[0038] When the transmitting / receiving unit 25 receives a request from the receiving party's user terminal 20 to change the order information, it notifies the ordering party's user terminal 20 that it has received the request to change the order information.
[0039] Furthermore, when the transmitting / receiving unit 25 receives a request from the ordering party's user terminal 20 to change the response information, it notifies the ordering party's user terminal 20 that it has received a request to change the response information.
[0040] Furthermore, the transmitting / receiving unit 25 transmits and receives messages between the ordering party and the receiving party regarding the received requests for changes to order information and requests for changes to response information, between the receiving party's user terminal 20 and the ordering party's user terminal 20. The transmitting / receiving unit 25 also records these messages on the blockchain 50.
[0041] For example, when order information for which delivery date adjustment is desired occurs, the side that wishes to request the adjustment, which is the order placer or the order receiver, starts communication associated with the order information and transmits a message via the transceiver unit 25. For the generated communication, the order receiver or the order placer transmits a reply message via the transceiver unit 25.
[0042] When the communication ends, the transceiver unit 25 closes the communication. When order information such as the specified delivery date is changed, the order information is updated. The update information of the order information is recorded in the blockchain 50.
[0043] The issuance request unit 27 requests the blockchain 50 to issue a token regarding evaluation information about the order receiver by the order placer, and transmits the issued token to the user terminal 20 on the order placer side.
[0044] Thereby, a token that can evaluate the order receiver is issued only for the order placer who started the communication or the order placer who participated in the communication.
[0045] The third reception unit 29 receives evaluation information about the order receiver by the order placer from the user terminal 20 on the order placer side.
[0046] The confirmation unit 31 authenticates the validity of the token possessed by the order placer who transmitted the evaluation information. When the validity of the token is authenticated, the confirmation unit 31 records the evaluation information about the order receiver by the order placer received from the user terminal 20 on the order placer side in the blockchain 50. The confirmation unit 31 also stores the evaluation information in the storage database 35.
[0047] The evaluation information includes any one of lead time information regarding the difference between the registration date of the order information and the specified delivery date, the delivery date response rate, the delivery date compliance rate, and the process evaluation.
[0048] In the lead time information, when "(specified delivery date - registration date) < order lead time", it is determined as an urgent order, and otherwise it is determined as a normal order, and the determination result is used as the lead time information.
[0049] The delivery date response rate is calculated as the percentage of orders with a specified delivery date within N months that have been responded to and whose response date does not exceed the specified delivery date. The delivery date response rate may also be calculated separately for regular orders and express orders.
[0050] The on-time delivery rate is calculated as the percentage of orders that were delivered within ±M days of the specified delivery date, even if the delivery date was exceeded. The on-time delivery rate may be calculated separately for regular orders and express orders.
[0051] Process evaluation is an aggregated result of assessments regarding the quality of communication.
[0052] When the search unit 33 receives a request from the client's user terminal 20 to refer to evaluation information concerning a specific contractor, it searches the blockchain 50 for evaluation information concerning that contractor and transmits the search results to the client's user terminal 20.
[0053] <Configuration of the user terminal according to this embodiment>
[0054] Figure 2 above is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the user terminal 20 in this embodiment.
[0055] As shown in Figure 2 above, the user terminal 20, like the server 10, has a CPU 11, ROM 12, RAM 13, storage 14, input unit 15, display unit 16, and communication interface (I / F) 17. Each component is connected to the others via a bus 19 so that they can communicate with each other.
[0056] ROM 12 or storage 14 stores a program for inputting order information or response information, and a program for communicating with the orderer or the orderer. This program may be a single program, or it may be a group of programs consisting of multiple programs or modules.
[0057] The input unit 15 receives order information or response information. The input unit 15 also receives messages for communication with the ordering party or the receiving party.
[0058] The input unit 15 accepts evaluation information about the contractor from the ordering party.
[0059] When the CPU 11 receives order information or response information, it sends the order information or response information to the server 10.
[0060] When CPU 11 receives a message, it sends the message to server 10.
[0061] When the CPU 11 receives evaluation information about the contractor from the client, it transmits the evaluation information to the server 10.
[0062] <Operation of the Information Processing System 2 according to this embodiment>
[0063] Next, the operation of the information processing system 2 according to this embodiment will be described. Figures 4A and 4B are flowcharts showing an example of the flow of evaluation processing that is executed on the user terminal 20 on the ordering party's side, the user terminal 20 on the receiving party's side, and the server 10 when the ordering party inputs order information on the user terminal 20.
[0064] At this time, the CPU 11 of the server 10 reads the information processing program stored in the ROM 12 or storage 14 and executes the evaluation process.
[0065] First, in step S100, the input unit 15 on the user terminal 20 on the ordering side receives the entered order information and transmits the order information to the server 10.
[0066] In step S102, the first reception unit 21 in the server 10 receives order information from the ordering party via the ordering party's user terminal 20.
[0067] In step S104, the first reception unit 21 records the received order information on the blockchain 50. Specifically, it calculates the hash value of the order information and records the calculated hash value on the blockchain 50. The order information is also stored in the storage database 35.
[0068] In step S106, the first reception unit 21 notifies the customer's user terminal 20 of the received order information.
[0069] In step S108, the recipient confirms the order information on the recipient's user terminal 20.
[0070] In step S110, the recipient enters response information for the order information, and the recipient's user terminal 20 transmits the entered response information to the server 10.
[0071] In step S112, the second reception unit 23 in the server 10 receives response information from the contractor via the contractor's user terminal 20.
[0072] In step S114, the second reception unit 23 records the received response information on the blockchain 50. Specifically, it calculates the hash value of the response information and records the calculated hash value on the blockchain 50. The response information is also stored in the storage database 35.
[0073] In step S116, when the input unit 15 on the client's user terminal 20 receives a request to refer to evaluation information regarding the contractor, it sends the request to refer to evaluation information regarding the contractor to the server 10.
[0074] In step S118, the search unit 33 in the server 10 searches the storage database 35 for evaluation information related to the contractor.
[0075] In step S120, the search unit 33 calculates the hash value of the evaluation information about the contractor that was found and transmits it to the blockchain 50.
[0076] In step S122, the blockchain 50 searches for the hash value sent from the server 10, and in step S124, it returns to the server 10 whether or not the hash value exists.
[0077] In step S126, the search unit 33 in the server 10 determines whether the same hash value exists in the blockchain 50. If the same hash value as the hash value calculated in step S120 is not recorded in the blockchain 50, in step S128, the search unit 33 informs the client's user terminal 20 that there is no evaluation information regarding the contractor.
[0078] On the other hand, if the same hash value calculated in step S120 is recorded in the blockchain 50, the following process is performed in step S130. That is, the search unit 33 transmits the evaluation information regarding the contractor retrieved in step S118 to the user terminal 20 on the ordering party's side.
[0079] In step S132, the ordering party refers to the evaluation information about the contractor that was received on the ordering party's user terminal 20.
[0080] Next, in step S134, the user terminal 20 on the ordering party's side creates a message for negotiating a change to the order information and sends it to the user terminal 20 on the receiving party's side via the server 10.
[0081] In step S136, the transmitting / receiving unit 25 in the server 10 transmits and receives messages between the ordering party and the receiving party between the receiving party's user terminal 20 and the ordering party's user terminal 20.
[0082] In step S138, the contractor's user terminal 20 refers to the message sent from the client's user terminal 20, creates a reply message, and sends it to the client's user terminal 20 via the server 10.
[0083] In step S140, the transmitting / receiving unit 25 in the server 10 records the messages exchanged between the client and the contractor, which were sent and received between the client's user terminal 20 and the client's user terminal 20, in the blockchain 50. The messages exchanged between the client and the contractor are also stored in the storage database 35.
[0084] In step S142, once negotiations to change the order information are complete, the user terminal 20 on the ordering party's side requests the server 10 to terminate the sending and receiving of messages for the negotiations to change the order information.
[0085] In step S144, the issuance request unit 27 in the server 10 terminates the sending and receiving of messages and requests the blockchain 50 to issue tokens related to the evaluation information of the contractor by the ordering party.
[0086] In step S146, a token is issued on the blockchain 50 and sent to the client's user terminal 20 via the server 10.
[0087] In the next step, S148, the user terminal 20 on the ordering party's side creates evaluation information about the contractor and sends it to the server 10.
[0088] In step S150, the third reception unit 29 in the server 10 receives evaluation information about the contractor from the ordering party's user terminal 20.
[0089] In step S152, the verification unit 31 on the server 10 checks the blockchain 50 to see if the client who sent the evaluation information has a token.
[0090] In step S154, the blockchain 50 searches for token information related to the tokens held by the client who sent the evaluation information, and in step S156, the search results for the token information are returned to the server 10.
[0091] In step S158, the verification unit 31 in the server 10 determines, based on the search results in the blockchain 50, whether or not the client who sent the evaluation information possesses any tokens. If the client who sent the evaluation information does not possess any tokens, in step S160, the evaluation information received in step S150 is rejected. On the other hand, if the client who sent the evaluation information does possess any tokens, in step S162, the evaluation information received in step S146 is confirmed.
[0092] In step S164, the verification unit 31 calculates the hash value of the evaluation information received in step S150 and sends it to the blockchain 50.
[0093] In step S166, the hash value of the evaluation information is recorded in the blockchain 50. The verification unit 31 also stores the evaluation information received in step S150 in the storage database 35.
[0094] Based on the above, the information processing system according to this embodiment receives order information from the ordering party and receives response information from the contractor to the order information. The information processing system also receives input of evaluation information about the contractor from the ordering party, authenticates the legitimacy of the token held by the ordering party, and if the legitimacy of the token is authenticated, records the evaluation information about the contractor received from the ordering party on the blockchain. This ensures the reliability of the evaluation information and the evaluation process, and makes it possible to obtain evaluation information about the contractor from the ordering party.
[0095] [Second Embodiment]
[0096] Next, the information processing system according to the second embodiment will be described. Note that parts having the same configuration as in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted.
[0097] The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it performs distributed processing across multiple servers.
[0098] As shown in Figure 5, the information processing system 2 according to the second embodiment includes a plurality of servers 10A, 10B and a plurality of user terminals 20. The servers 10A, 10B and the plurality of user terminals 20 are connected to each other via a network N.
[0099] Figure 2 above is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of servers 10A and 10B in this embodiment.
[0100] Next, the functional configurations of servers 10A and 10B will be described. Figure 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of servers 10A and 10B.
[0101] Functionally, as shown in Figure 6, the server 10A is configured to include a first reception unit 21, a second reception unit 23, a transmission / reception unit 25, and a request / issuance unit 27.
[0102] The server 10B is functionally composed of a third reception unit 29, a verification unit 31, a search unit 33, and a storage database (DB) 35.
[0103] <Operation of the Information Processing System 2 according to this embodiment>
[0104] Next, the operation of the information processing system 2 according to this embodiment will be described. Figures 7A and 7B are flowcharts showing an example of the flow of evaluation processing that is executed on the user terminal 20 on the ordering party's side, the user terminal 20 on the receiving party's side, and the servers 10A and 10B when the ordering party inputs order information on the user terminal 20.
[0105] At this time, the CPUs 11 of servers 10A and 10B read the information processing program stored in the ROM 12 or storage 14 and execute the evaluation process.
[0106] First, in step S200, the input unit 15 on the user terminal 20 on the ordering side receives the entered order information and transmits the order information to the server 10.
[0107] In step S202, the first reception unit 21 in the server 10A receives order information from the ordering party via the ordering party's user terminal 20.
[0108] In step S204, the first reception unit 21 records the received order information on the blockchain 50. Specifically, it calculates the hash value of the order information and records the calculated hash value on the blockchain 50. The order information is also stored in the storage database 35.
[0109] In step S206, the first reception unit 21 notifies the customer's user terminal 20 of the received order information.
[0110] In step S208, the recipient confirms the order information on the recipient's user terminal 20.
[0111] In step S210, the recipient inputs response information to the order information, and the recipient's user terminal 20 transmits the input response information to the server 10A.
[0112] In step S212, the second reception unit 23 in the server 10A receives response information from the contractor via the contractor's user terminal 20.
[0113] In step S214, the second reception unit 23 records the received response information on the blockchain 50. Specifically, it calculates the hash value of the response information and records the calculated hash value on the blockchain 50. The response information is also stored in the storage database 35.
[0114] In step S216, when the input unit 15 on the client's user terminal 20 receives a request to refer to evaluation information regarding the contractor, it sends the request to refer to evaluation information regarding the contractor to the server 10B.
[0115] In step S218, the search unit 33 in the server 10B searches the storage database 35 for evaluation information related to the contractor.
[0116] In step S220, the search unit 33 calculates the hash value of the evaluation information about the contractor that was found and transmits it to the blockchain 50.
[0117] In step S222, the blockchain 50 searches for the hash value sent from the server 10B, and in step S224, it returns to the server 10B whether or not the hash value exists.
[0118] In step S226, the search unit 33 in the server 10B determines whether the same hash value exists in the blockchain 50. If the same hash value as the hash value calculated in step S220 is not recorded in the blockchain 50, in step S228, the search unit 33 informs the user terminal 20 on the ordering side that there is no evaluation information regarding the contractor.
[0119] On the other hand, if the same hash value calculated in step S220 is recorded in the blockchain 50, the following process is performed in step S230. That is, the search unit 33 transmits the evaluation information regarding the contractor retrieved in step S218 to the user terminal 20 on the ordering party's side.
[0120] In step S232, the ordering party refers to the evaluation information about the contractor that was received on the ordering party's user terminal 20.
[0121] Next, in step S234, the user terminal 20 on the ordering party's side creates a message for negotiating a change to the order information and sends it to the user terminal 20 on the receiving party's side via the server 10A.
[0122] In step S236, the transmitting / receiving unit 25 in the server 10A transmits and receives messages between the ordering party and the receiving party between the receiving party's user terminal 20 and the ordering party's user terminal 20.
[0123] In step S238, the contractor's user terminal 20 refers to the message sent from the client's user terminal 20, creates a reply message, and sends it to the client's user terminal 20 via the server 10A.
[0124] In step S240, the transmitting / receiving unit 25 in the server 10A records the messages exchanged between the client and the contractor, which were sent and received between the client's user terminal 20 and the client's user terminal 20, in the blockchain 50. The messages exchanged between the client and the contractor are also stored in the storage database 35.
[0125] In step S242, once negotiations to change the order information are complete, the user terminal 20 on the ordering party's side requests the server 10A to terminate the sending and receiving of messages for the negotiations to change the order information.
[0126] In step S244, the issuance request unit 27 on server 10A terminates the sending and receiving of messages and requests blockchain 50 to issue tokens related to evaluation information about the contractor by the ordering party.
[0127] In step S246, a token is issued on the blockchain 50 and sent to the client's user terminal 20 via the server 10A.
[0128] In the next step, S248, the user terminal 20 on the ordering party's side creates evaluation information about the contractor and sends it to the server 10B.
[0129] In step S250, the third reception unit 29 in the server 10B receives evaluation information about the contractor from the ordering party's user terminal 20.
[0130] In step S252, the verification unit 31 in the server 10B checks the blockchain 50 to see if the client who sent the evaluation information has a token.
[0131] In step S254, token information relating to the tokens held by the ordering party who sent the evaluation information is searched on the blockchain 50, and in step S256, the search results for the token information are returned to the server 10B.
[0132] In step S258, the verification unit 31 in the server 10B determines, based on the search results in the blockchain 50, whether or not the client who sent the evaluation information possesses any tokens. If the client who sent the evaluation information does not possess any tokens, in step S260, the evaluation information received in step S250 is rejected. On the other hand, if the client who sent the evaluation information does possess any tokens, in step S262, the evaluation information received in step S246 is confirmed.
[0133] In step S264, the verification unit 31 calculates the hash value of the evaluation information received in step S250 and sends it to the blockchain 50.
[0134] In step S266, the hash value of the evaluation information is recorded in the blockchain 50. The verification unit 31 also stores the evaluation information received in step S250 in the storage database 35.
[0135] Based on the above, the information processing system according to this embodiment receives order information from the ordering party and receives response information from the contractor to the order information. The information processing system also receives input of evaluation information about the contractor from the ordering party, authenticates the legitimacy of the token held by the ordering party, and if the legitimacy of the token is authenticated, records the evaluation information about the contractor received from the ordering party on the blockchain. This ensures the reliability of the evaluation information and the evaluation process, and makes it possible to obtain evaluation information about the contractor from the ordering party.
[0136] [Third Embodiment]
[0137] Next, an information processing system according to the third embodiment will be described. Note that parts having the same configuration as those in the first and second embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions will be omitted.
[0138] The third embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that data collected a certain number of times or over a certain period of time is recorded together on a separate blockchain.
[0139] As shown in Figure 5 above, the information processing system 2 according to the third embodiment includes a plurality of servers 10A, 10B and a plurality of user terminals 20. The servers 10A, 10B and the plurality of user terminals 20 are communicated together via a network N.
[0140] Figure 2 above is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of servers 10A and 10B in this embodiment. Note that the CPU 11 of server 10B is an example of a first processor, and the CPU 11 of server 10A is an example of a second processor.
[0141] Next, the functional configurations of servers 10A and 10B will be described. Figure 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of servers 10A and 10B.
[0142] Functionally, as shown in Figure 8, the server 10A is configured to include a first reception unit 21, a second reception unit 23, a transmission / reception unit 25, and a request / issuance unit 27.
[0143] The server 10B is functionally composed of a third reception unit 29, a verification unit 31, a search unit 33, and a storage database (DB) 35.
[0144] The first reception unit 21 receives order information from the ordering party via the ordering party's user terminal 20.
[0145] The first reception unit 21 records the received order information on blockchain 50A. The first reception unit 21 also records the order information for a certain number of times or over a certain period of time on blockchain 50B.
[0146] The second reception unit 23 receives response information from the recipient's user terminal 20 regarding the order information. The second reception unit 23 records the received response information on blockchain 50A. The second reception unit 23 also records the response information received a certain number of times or over a certain period of time on blockchain 50B.
[0147] The transmitting / receiving unit 25 transmits and receives messages between the ordering party and the receiving party regarding the received requests for changes to order information and requests for changes to response information, between the receiving party's user terminal 20 and the ordering party's user terminal 20. The transmitting / receiving unit 25 also records these messages on the blockchain 50A. The transmitting / receiving unit 25 also records messages a certain number of times or over a certain period of time in the blockchain 50B.
[0148] The verification unit 31 authenticates the legitimacy of the token held by the client who sent the evaluation information. If the legitimacy of the token is authenticated, the verification unit 31 records the evaluation information about the contractor received from the client's user terminal 20 on the blockchain 50A. The verification unit 31 also stores the evaluation information in the storage database 35.
[0149] Furthermore, the verification unit 31 records evaluation information collected a certain number of times or over a certain period of time in the blockchain 50A.
[0150] When the search unit 33 receives a request from the client's user terminal 20 to refer to evaluation information concerning a specific contractor, it searches for the evaluation information concerning the contractor recorded in blockchains 50A and 50B and transmits the search results to the client's user terminal 20.
[0151] <Operation of the Information Processing System 2 according to this embodiment>
[0152] Next, the operation of the information processing system 2 according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of evaluation processing that is executed by the user terminal 20 on the ordering party's side, the user terminal 20 on the receiving party's side, and the servers 10A and 10B when the ordering party inputs order information on the user terminal 20.
[0153] At this time, the CPUs 11 of servers 10A and 10B read the information processing program stored in the ROM 12 or storage 14 and execute the evaluation process.
[0154] First, in step S300, the input unit 15 on the user terminal 20 on the ordering side receives the entered order information and transmits the order information to the server 10.
[0155] In step S302, the first reception unit 21 in the server 10A receives order information from the ordering party via the ordering party's user terminal 20.
[0156] In step S304, the first reception unit 21 records the received order information on the blockchain 50A. Specifically, it calculates the hash value of the order information and records the calculated hash value on the blockchain 50A. The order information is also stored in the storage database 35.
[0157] In step S306, the first reception unit 21 notifies the customer's user terminal 20 of the received order information.
[0158] In step S308, the recipient confirms the order information on the recipient's user terminal 20.
[0159] In step S310, the recipient inputs response information to the order information, and the recipient's user terminal 20 transmits the input response information to the server 10A.
[0160] In step S312, the second reception unit 23 in the server 10A receives response information from the contractor via the contractor's user terminal 20.
[0161] In step S314, the second reception unit 23 records the received response information on the blockchain 50A. Specifically, it calculates the hash value of the response information and records the calculated hash value on the blockchain 50A. The response information is also stored in the storage database 35.
[0162] In steps S315 and S316, the first receiving unit 21 records the received order information or response information for a certain number of times or over a certain period of time on the blockchain 50B. Specifically, in step S315, it calculates a hash value for the combined order information or response information for a certain number of times or over a certain period of time, and sends the calculated hash value to the blockchain 50B. In step S316, it records the calculated hash value on the blockchain 50B.
[0163] In step S317, when the input unit 15 on the client's user terminal 20 receives a request to refer to evaluation information concerning the contractor, it sends the request to refer to evaluation information concerning the contractor to the server 10B.
[0164] In step S318, the search unit 33 in the server 10B searches the storage database 35 for evaluation information related to the contractor.
[0165] In step S320, the search unit 33 calculates the hash value of the evaluation information related to the contractor that was found and transmits it to the blockchain 50A.
[0166] In step S322, blockchain 50A searches for the hash value sent from server 10B, and in step S324, it returns to server 10B whether or not the hash value exists.
[0167] In step S326, the search unit 33 in the server 10B determines whether the same hash value exists in the blockchain 50A. If the same hash value as the hash value calculated in step S320 is not recorded in the blockchain 50A, in step S328, the search unit 33 informs the user terminal 20 on the ordering side that there is no evaluation information regarding the contractor.
[0168] On the other hand, if the same hash value calculated in step S320 is recorded in blockchain 50A, the following processing is performed in step S330. That is, the search unit 33 transmits the evaluation information regarding the contractor retrieved in step S318 to the user terminal 20 on the ordering party's side.
[0169] In step S332, the ordering party refers to the evaluation information about the contractor that was received on the ordering party's user terminal 20.
[0170] Next, in step S334, the user terminal 20 on the ordering party's side creates a message for negotiating a change to the order information and sends it to the user terminal 20 on the receiving party's side via the server 10A.
[0171] In step S336, the transmitting / receiving unit 25 in the server 10A transmits and receives messages between the ordering party and the receiving party between the ordering party's user terminal 20 and the ordering party's user terminal 20.
[0172] In step S338, the contractor's user terminal 20 refers to the message sent from the client's user terminal 20, creates a reply message, and sends it to the client's user terminal 20 via the server 10A.
[0173] In step S340, the transmitting / receiving unit 25 in the server 10A records the messages exchanged between the client and the contractor, which were sent and received between the client's user terminal 20 and the client's user terminal 20, in the blockchain 50A. The messages exchanged between the client and the contractor are also stored in the storage database 35.
[0174] In step S342, once negotiations to change the order information are complete, the user terminal 20 on the ordering party's side requests the server 10A to terminate the sending and receiving of messages for the negotiations to change the order information.
[0175] In step S344, the issuance request unit 27 on server 10A terminates the sending and receiving of messages and requests blockchain 50A to issue tokens related to evaluation information about the contractor by the ordering party.
[0176] In step S346, a token is issued in blockchain 50A, transmitted to the client's user terminal 20 via server 10A, and recorded in blockchain 50A.
[0177] In step S347, the transmitting / receiving unit 25 in the server 10A calculates a hash value summarizing a certain number of messages or messages sent and received between the recipient's user terminal 20 and the ordering party's user terminal 20 over a certain period of time, and sends it to the blockchain 50B. In step S348, the calculated hash value is recorded in the blockchain 50B.
[0178] In the next step, S349, the user terminal 20 on the ordering party's side creates evaluation information about the contractor and sends it to the server 10B.
[0179] In step S350, the third reception unit 29 in the server 10B receives evaluation information about the contractor from the ordering party's user terminal 20.
[0180] In step S352, the verification unit 31 in the server 10B checks against the blockchain 50A to see if the client who sent the evaluation information has a token.
[0181] In step S354, the blockchain 50A searches for token information related to the tokens held by the ordering party that sent the evaluation information, and in step S356, the search results for the token information are returned to the server 10B.
[0182] In step S358, the verification unit 31 in the server 10B determines, based on the search results in the blockchain 50A, whether or not the client who sent the evaluation information possesses any tokens. If the client who sent the evaluation information does not possess any tokens, in step S360, the evaluation information received in step S350 is rejected. On the other hand, if the client who sent the evaluation information does possess any tokens, in step S362, the evaluation information received in step S350 is confirmed.
[0183] In step S364, the verification unit 31 calculates the hash value of the evaluation information received in step S350 and transmits it to the blockchain 50A.
[0184] In step S366, the hash value of the evaluation information is recorded in the blockchain 50A. The verification unit 31 also stores the evaluation information received in step S350 in the storage database 35.
[0185] In step S368, the verification unit 31 on the server 10A calculates a hash value summarizing the evaluation information from a certain number of times or over a certain period, and transmits it to the blockchain 50B. In step S370, the calculated hash value is recorded on the blockchain 50B.
[0186] In this information processing system according to this embodiment, server 10A receives order information from the ordering party and receives response information from the contractor to the order information. Server 10B receives input of evaluation information about the contractor from the ordering party, authenticates the legitimacy of the token held by the ordering party, and if the legitimacy of the token is authenticated, records the evaluation information about the contractor received from the ordering party on the blockchain. This ensures the reliability of the evaluation information and the evaluation process, and makes it possible to obtain evaluation information about the contractor from the ordering party.
[0187] Furthermore, reliability can be further improved by calculating a hash value that combines evaluation information from a certain number of times or over a certain period, and recording it on Blockchain 50B.
[0188] <Different example>
[0189] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and applications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.
[0190] For example, the various processes that the CPU reads and executes in each of the above embodiments may be executed by various processors other than the CPU. Examples of such processors include PLDs (Programmable Logic Devices) whose circuit configuration can be changed after manufacturing, such as FPGAs (Field-Programmable Gate Arrays), and dedicated electrical circuits that have a circuit configuration specifically designed to execute a particular process, such as ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits). Furthermore, the evaluation process may be executed by one of these various processors, or by a combination of two or more processors of the same or different types (for example, multiple FPGAs, and a combination of a CPU and an FPGA). More specifically, the hardware structure of these various processors is an electrical circuit that combines circuit elements such as semiconductor elements.
[0191] Furthermore, although the above embodiments describe a configuration in which the information processing program is pre-stored (installed) in the storage 14, the invention is not limited to this. The program may be provided in a form stored on a non-transitor storage medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory), DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disk Read Only Memory), or USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory. Alternatively, the program may be provided in a form downloaded from an external device via a network.
[0192] The technology disclosed herein extends to all program products. A program product includes all forms of products for providing programs. For example, a program product includes programs provided via a network such as the Internet, and non-temporary computer-readable recording media such as CD-ROMs, DVDs, and USB memory sticks on which programs are stored.
[0193] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, not in the sense described above, and all modifications within the sense and scope equivalent to the claims are intended.
[0194] The following additional information is disclosed regarding the embodiments described above.
[0195] (Note 1) An information processing device that processes at least one blockchain, comprising a processor, wherein the processor receives order information from a client, receives response information from a contractor to the order information, receives input of evaluation information concerning the contractor from the client, authenticates the legitimacy of a token held by the client, and, if the legitimacy of the token is authenticated, records the evaluation information concerning the contractor received from the client on the blockchain.
[0196] (Note 2) The information processing device according to Note 1, wherein the processor further receives at least one of the following: a request for a change regarding the order information from the recipient and a request for a change regarding the response information from the ordering party, and notifies at least one of the ordering party and the recipient that it has received at least one of the following: a request for a change regarding the order information and a request for a change regarding the response information.
[0197] (Note 3) The information processing apparatus according to Note 1 or 2, wherein the processor further transmits the token relating to the evaluation information of the contractor by the ordering party to the ordering party.
[0198] (Note 4) The information processing apparatus described in Note 2, wherein the processor further sends and receives messages between the ordering party and the receiving party regarding at least one of the received requests for changes to the order information and requests for changes to the response information.
[0199] (Appendix 5) The processor further includes the information processing device described in Appendix 4, which records the message on the blockchain.
[0200] (Note 6) The information processing device according to any one of Notes 1 to 5, wherein the processor records at least one of the order information and the response information on the blockchain.
[0201] (Note 7) The order information includes at least one of the following: registration date, item information, quantity, specified delivery date, amount, and delivery destination, as described in Note 6.
[0202] (Note 8) The information processing device described in Note 7, wherein the response information includes at least one of the response deadline and the response quantity.
[0203] (Note 9) The information processing device described in Note 7, wherein the item information includes at least one of the following: item, supplier, order lead time, and transportation lead time.
[0204] (Note 10) The information processing device described in Note 8, wherein the evaluation information includes one of the following: lead time information relating to the difference between the registration date of the order information and the specified delivery date, delivery date response rate, delivery date compliance rate, and process evaluation.
[0205] (Note 11) A blockchain used in a computer, comprising order information from a client, response information from a contractor to the order information, and evaluation information from the client regarding the contractor when the legitimacy of the token is authenticated, wherein the computer receives order information from a client, receives response information from a contractor to the order information, receives input of evaluation information regarding the contractor from the client, authenticates the legitimacy of the token held by the client, and, if the legitimacy of the token is authenticated, records the evaluation information regarding the contractor received from the client on the blockchain.
[0206] (Appendix 12) The blockchain described in Appendix 11, further comprising at least one of the following: a request for change regarding the order information from the contractor, or a request for change regarding the response information from the ordering party.
[0207] (Note 13) The order information is the blockchain described in Note 11 or 12, which includes at least one of the following: registration date, item information, quantity, specified delivery date, amount, and delivery destination.
[0208] (Note 14) The aforementioned response information is the blockchain described in Note 13, which includes at least one of the response deadline and the response quantity.
[0209] (Note 15) The item information is the blockchain described in Note 13, which includes at least one of the following: item, supplier, order lead time, and transportation lead time.
[0210] (Note 16) The blockchain described in Note 14, wherein the evaluation information includes one of the following: lead time information relating to the difference between the registration date of the order information and the specified delivery date, delivery date response rate, delivery date compliance rate, and process evaluation.
[0211] (Note 17) An information processing system that processes at least one blockchain, comprising at least two processors, including a first processor, wherein the first processor receives evaluation information about a contractor that has responded to order information from the ordering party, which is input by the ordering party, authenticates the legitimacy of a token held by the ordering party, and if the legitimacy of the token is authenticated, records the received evaluation information about the contractor on the blockchain.
[0212] (Note 18) The information processing system according to Note 17, wherein the at least two processors further include a second processor, the second processor receiving order information from the ordering party and receiving response information from the receiving party to the order information.
[0213] (Note 19) An information processing program for processing at least one blockchain, which causes a computer to perform the following: receiving order information from a client, receiving response information from a contractor to the order information, receiving input of evaluation information regarding the contractor from the client, authenticating the legitimacy of a token held by the client, and, if the legitimacy of the token is authenticated, recording the evaluation information regarding the contractor received from the client on the blockchain.
[0214] The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application 2025-017817 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
[0215] All documents, patent applications, and technical standards described herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual document, patent application, and technical standard were specifically and individually described as being incorporated by reference.
Claims
1. An information processing device that processes at least one blockchain, comprising a processor, wherein the processor receives order information from a client, receives response information from a contractor to the order information, receives input of evaluation information regarding the contractor from the client, authenticates the legitimacy of a token held by the client, and, if the legitimacy of the token is authenticated, records the evaluation information regarding the contractor received from the client on the blockchain.
2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: the processor receiving at least one of a request for a change regarding the order information from the recipient and a request for a change regarding the response information from the ordering party; and notifying at least one of the ordering party and the recipient that it has received at least one of the request for a change regarding the order information and a request for a change regarding the response information.
3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor further transmits the token relating to the evaluation information of the contractor by the ordering party to the ordering party.
4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the processor further sends and receives messages between the ordering party and the receiving party regarding at least one of the received requests for changes to the order information and requests for changes to the response information.
5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the processor further records the message on the blockchain.
6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor records at least one of the order information and the response information on the blockchain.
7. The information processing device according to claim 6, wherein the order information includes at least one of the following: registration date, item information, quantity, specified delivery date, amount, and delivery destination.
8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the response information includes at least one of the response date and the response quantity.
9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the item information includes at least one of item, supplier, order lead time, and transportation lead time.
10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the evaluation information includes one of the following: lead time information relating to the difference between the registration date of the order information and the specified delivery date, delivery date response rate, delivery date compliance rate, and process evaluation.
11. A blockchain used in a computer, comprising order information from a client, response information from a contractor to the order information, and evaluation information from the client regarding the contractor when the legitimacy of the token is authenticated, wherein the computer receives order information from a client, receives response information from a contractor to the order information, receives input of evaluation information regarding the contractor from the client, authenticates the legitimacy of the token held by the client, and, if the legitimacy of the token is authenticated, records the evaluation information regarding the contractor received from the client on the blockchain.
12. The blockchain according to claim 11, further comprising at least one of the following: a request for a change regarding the order information from the recipient, and a request for a change regarding the response information from the ordering party.
13. The blockchain according to claim 11, wherein the order information includes at least one of the following: registration date, item information, quantity, specified delivery date, amount, and delivery destination.
14. The blockchain according to claim 13, wherein the response information includes at least one of the response deadline and the response quantity.
15. The blockchain according to claim 13, wherein the item information includes at least one of item, supplier, order lead time, and transportation lead time.
16. The blockchain according to claim 14, wherein the evaluation information includes one of the following: lead time information relating to the difference between the registration date of the order information and the specified delivery date, delivery date response rate, delivery date compliance rate, and process evaluation.
17. An information processing system that processes at least one blockchain, comprising at least two processors, including a first processor, wherein the first processor receives evaluation information relating to a contractor that has responded to order information from the ordering party, which is input by the ordering party, authenticates the legitimacy of a token held by the ordering party, and, if the legitimacy of the token is authenticated, records the received evaluation information relating to the contractor on the blockchain.
18. The information processing system according to claim 17, wherein the at least two processors further include a second processor, the second processor receiving order information from the ordering party and receiving response information from the receiving party to the order information.
19. An information processing program for processing at least one blockchain, which causes a computer to perform the following actions: receive order information from a client; receive response information from a contractor to the order information; receive input of evaluation information regarding the contractor from the client; authenticate the legitimacy of a token held by the client; and, if the legitimacy of the token is authenticated, record the evaluation information regarding the contractor received from the client on the blockchain.