Supply Chain Product Traceability via Disclosure Tree Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In supply chains, existing systems face difficulties in sharing information between companies not directly related, making it challenging to identify and improve products with critical traceability values such as carbon footprint, recycling rates, and due diligence information, especially when disclosure settings restrict access to product information.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus and method that utilize a tree structure to identify associated products, determine disclosure permissions, and facilitate requests for improvement by ascending the tree structure when direct disclosure is not permitted, allowing for efficient prompting of companies for product enhancements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If information on products is concealed to protect company interests, then company confidentiality is maintained, but traceability and transparency of supply chain products are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments information access by product type and company relationship. Different disclosure settings are applied to different products (first, second, third products) based on their sensitivity and traceability requirements. This allows confidential information to be protected while still enabling traceability where appropriate.
Solution Approach 2:
The management device acts as an intermediary between companies in the supply chain. It mediates information disclosure by determining which companies can access information about which products based on predefined disclosure settings, thus balancing confidentiality requirements with traceability needs.
2Reliability
If direct disclosure of product information is restricted by disclosure settings, then company confidentiality is protected, but the ability to identify and improve products with critical traceability values is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of directly disclosing third product information to the first company (which is restricted), the system inverts the approach by identifying and disclosing information about the fourth product (an intermediate product) that the first company can access. This indirect approach enables product improvement identification while respecting disclosure settings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a dimensional layer to information access by introducing intermediate products (fourth product) as a bridge. When direct access to third product information is blocked, the system navigates through another dimension (the fourth product) to achieve the same ultimate goal of product improvement identification.
3Reliability
If information sharing is limited to directly related companies only, then information security is maintained, but the efficiency of supply chain-wide traceability improvement is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The management device provides universal information access control that serves multiple functions: it protects confidential information while enabling supply chain-wide traceability improvement. The system can dynamically determine which companies should have access to which product information based on improvement needs rather than rigid hierarchical restrictions.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus includes a control unit configured to execute: identifying one or more second products included in a first product; identifying a third product from among the one or more second products in accordance with a predetermined condition; accepting whether to make a request of a company of the third product for improvement in response to a determination that disclosure of the information on the third product to the company of the first product is permitted; identifying a fourth product of which disclosure of information to the company of the first product is permitted, by ascending the tree structure from the third product toward a root node in response to a determination that disclosure of the information on the third product to the company of the first product is not permitted; and accepting whether to make a request of a company of the fourth product for improvement.