Pseudo Part Number Generation for Supply Chain Confidentiality
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In supply chain management, the disclosure of product part numbers can reveal confidential transaction relationships, and withholding part numbers complicates product identification between companies.
Innovation Solution
An information processing device generates different pseudo part numbers for each company receiving product information, ensuring confidentiality by replacing actual part numbers when designated, allowing transaction status management without revealing sensitive information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If actual part numbers are disclosed to companies in the supply chain, then product identification between companies is enabled, but confidential transaction relationships are revealed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces pseudo part numbers as an intermediary that mediates between the need for product identification and the need for confidentiality. The pseudo part numbers serve as a substitute that allows companies to identify products in transactions without exposing the actual part numbers that could reveal confidential transaction relationships. The management server acts as a mediator that generates and distributes these pseudo part numbers to authorized companies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates copies of part numbers in the form of pseudo part numbers that replicate the identification function of actual part numbers without containing the sensitive information. Each company receives customized pseudo part numbers that are specific to its transactions, allowing product identification while maintaining confidentiality of the underlying transaction relationships.
2Loss of information
If actual part numbers are withheld from companies, then confidentiality of transaction relationships is maintained, but product identification between companies becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The pseudo part numbers serve as an intermediary mechanism that enables product identification without requiring disclosure of actual part numbers. The management server generates these intermediary identifiers that companies can use to identify products in their transactions while the actual part numbers remain confidential.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of part number identification by transforming actual part numbers into pseudo part numbers through a generation process. This parameter change allows the identification function to be maintained while the confidential information is protected, as the pseudo part numbers have different values but serve the same identification purpose.
3Loss of information
If different pseudo part numbers are generated for each company, then confidentiality of transaction relationships is ensured, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The management server automatically generates pseudo part numbers for each company based on their specific transactions, eliminating the need for manual creation and management. The system self-services by autonomously producing the customized pseudo part numbers that each company needs for their product identification requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system manages complexity by systematically changing parameters to generate pseudo part numbers through a standardized process. Each pseudo part number is derived through consistent parameter transformation rules, making the generation process predictable and manageable despite the customization required for each company.
Data Source
AI summary
The control unit of the information processing device obtains a designation as to whether or not to release the part numbers controlled by the subject company with respect to the subject product of the subject company to the company to which the product information of the subject product is to be released. The control unit of the information processor generates different pseudo part numbers for each company to which the product information of the target product is to be released when it is specified that the part numbers are not to be released. The control unit of the information processing device then outputs the generated pseudo part number instead of the part number.