JP2004062471A - System for aggregating and analyzing environmental information - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system capable of aggregating and analyzing environmental information regarding the strata of various organizations and the strata of various aspects, and aggregating and analyzing one aspect over a plurality of aspects that match different purposes of control. <P>SOLUTION: An aspect stratum definition database 101, an aspect stratum definition interface 102, an organization stratum definition database 103, an organization stratum definition interface 104, an aspect database 105, an aggregating process part 106, an aspect stratum data display interface 107, and an organization stratum data display interface 108 are provided on a server computer 10 connected to a network that links all the organizations together. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an environmental information totaling and analyzing system, and in particular, an organization having a complicated organizational hierarchy, such as a large-scale corporate group, transfers information on operations such as environmental management, environmental accounting, and chemical substance management to a computer network. The present invention relates to an environmental information totaling and analyzing system for collecting, analyzing, and analyzing from an end using a computer.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The term "environmental information" as used herein refers to information on environmental aspects defined by ISO14001. In other words, it is "an element of an organization's products / activities / services that can affect the environment". The term "environment" also includes effects on the human body, that is, the occupational health and safety environment in the workplace.
[0003]
Such environmental information is ambiguous, including the use / disposal / storage of chemicals, the number of complaints from nearby residents, the cost of environmental exchange events, the recycling rate of shipped products, and the probability of occupational accidents. And so on. These have not only various names but also various units.
[0004]
As a conventional technique, as shown in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-124587, the names and units of these environmental aspects are defined as records in a database, and each actual value is input from a site in a corporate organization. Some of the names and units are tabulated by higher-level organizations.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
On the other hand, regarding the size of organizations that require this environmental information, most business establishments were limited to “sites” in the past, but recently, several hundred Companies with dozens of business sites underneath, and large organizations with complex organizational hierarchies categorized by business area and region tend to comprehensively manage environmental management, occupational safety and health, and environmental accounting Has occurred. However, in most cases, the actual operation unit is the conventional site unit, and there is a demand for a method in which each organization has its own operation method as it is while managing the entire system.
[0006]
If the above-mentioned conventional technique is applied to this general operation, a new problem occurs. That is, information of a subordinate organization having a different side name or unit must coexist with a superordinate organization. It is easy to understand if you consider the following example. A manufacturing company C manufactures automotive parts and is continuing to register ISO 14001 (environmental management system). As part of the environment, the amount of heavy oil used (m ³ ), LPG usage (L), power usage (kwh) and PFC emissions (kg) are recorded. However, Company C was merged with Company B in one year and decided to undergo ISO 14001 certification audit as a member of Company B group. Company B's group defines fossil fuel consumption (kg) and electricity consumption (kwh) in its definition of environmental aspects, and Company C has to report accordingly. Company C has to calculate the amount of fossil fuel usage on the environmental side of Company B, combining heavy oil and LPG usage, changing the unit to kg, and reporting. Suppose further that the following year, Company B was merged with Global Company A. Company A group has defined the Global Warming Index (CO) ₂ −kg), and CO ₂ Was submitted to the headquarters, and each year was operated based on the total. In this case, Company C has to reconsider all the amounts of heavy oil, electric power, LPG, and PFC used in the Global Warming Index and submit it to Company A. Conversely, the Global Warming Index (CO) ₂ When the total value of (−kg) is analyzed, the environmental aspects of Company B and the environmental aspects of Company C must be clearly expressed as a breakdown. This is because they are indispensable information for operation within each organization.
[0007]
Another issue is that one aspect must be tabulated and analyzed in several different ways due to differences in management objectives. For example, the aspect of using trichlorethylene can be regarded as an "environmental factor that may cause health problems". In this case, the toxicity is evaluated and tabulated. On the other hand, it can also be regarded as a "flammable liquid", in which case the risk of fire will be evaluated and tabulated. In both tabulations, the units and conversion methods must be different. Or, from the viewpoint of environmental accounting, it will be converted to waste liquid treatment cost. In addition, it is necessary not only to output the converted numerical values but also to be able to express the names and numerical values before the conversion as a breakdown. More importantly, how to define the hierarchical configuration (network configuration) consisting of conversions of these various aspects is an important know-how in operations such as environmental management, environmental accounting, and safety management. However, there is a need for a technique for defining this know-how as data, storing it in a storage device, and distributing it.
[0008]
An object of the present invention is to provide a system capable of totalizing and analyzing environmental information in various organizational hierarchies and various aspects of hierarchies in view of the state of the prior art described above. It is another object of the present invention to provide a system that can collectively analyze one aspect into a plurality of aspects corresponding to different management purposes.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The above object is achieved by the configurations described in the claims.
[0010]
As a more specific example of the environmental information totaling and analyzing system of the present invention that achieves the above object, there is provided a side hierarchy definition database, a side hierarchy definition interface, an organization hierarchy definition on a server computer connected to a network connecting all organizations. It has a database, an organization hierarchy definition interface, an aspect database, a tally processing unit, an aspect hierarchy data display interface, and an organization hierarchy data display interface.
[0011]
The side hierarchy definition database is a database that stores information that defines a hierarchical relationship between a plurality of different aspects. The side hierarchy can be freely defined as a loop-free network structure, but it describes the unique identifier, name, and unit of the side, the parent-child relationship between the hierarchies, and the scaling factor when adding from child to parent. The record which consists of the field which is stored. Hereinafter, the side having the lower side is referred to as the upper side, and the side having no lower organization is referred to as the terminal side.
[0012]
The side hierarchy definition interface is an interface for storing the side hierarchy data. A record is generated and stored in the side-layer hierarchy definition database on the server computer by uploading from the terminal a text file including a line describing the name and unit of the side surface and a line describing the parent-child relationship of the side surface and the magnification.
[0013]
The organization hierarchy definition database is a database that stores information that defines a hierarchical relationship between a plurality of different organizations. The organization hierarchy can be freely defined as a loop-free network structure, but stores a record composed of a unique identifier of an organization, a name, and a field representing a parent-child relationship between the hierarchies. Hereinafter, an organization having a lower organization will be referred to as an upper organization, and an organization having no lower organization will be referred to as a terminal organization.
[0014]
The organization hierarchy definition interface is an interface for storing the organization hierarchy data. A record is generated and stored in the organization hierarchy definition database on the server computer by uploading, from the terminal, a text file including a line describing the name of the organization and a line describing the parent-child relationship of the organization.
[0015]
The aspect database stores aspect data. An aspect has a unique identifier, is defined by a name and a unit, and acts like a category of data. For example, it has a name "storage of flammable liquid" and a unit of "kg". On the other hand, the aspect data is data obtained by inputting numerical information of a certain aspect from the outside or totaled in the system, and includes an identifier of the aspect, a numerical value, a date, and an identifier of an organization.
[0016]
The tally processing unit performs tallying of the side data along the side hierarchy and the organization hierarchy. As a result, some aspect data of the higher-order organization is the sum of the (plural) lower-order organizations. The aspect data of the upper aspect is obtained by adding the numerical value directly input by the aspect name in addition to the weighted sum of the (plural) lower aspects.
[0017]
The side hierarchy data display interface provides a function for a user using the present system via a network. The user can see the numerical value of an arbitrary aspect, and can reverse the numerical value of the subordinate side which is the breakdown. As described above, the numerical information that has been collected can be displayed each time while freely moving up and down the tree of the side hierarchy.
[0018]
The organization hierarchy data display interface provides a function for a user who uses the present system via a network. The user can see the numerical value of the aspect of an arbitrary organization, and can reverse the numerical value of the aspect of the sub-organization to be broken down. As described above, the numerical information that has been totalized can be displayed each time while freely moving up and down the tree of the organization hierarchy.
[0019]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0020]
FIG. 1 shows a configuration diagram of an environmental information totaling and analyzing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. This environmental information totaling and analyzing system is housed in the server computer 100, and has a side hierarchy definition database 101, a side hierarchy definition interface 102, an organization hierarchy definition database 103, an organization hierarchy definition interface 104, and a side database.
105, a tabulation processing unit 106, a side hierarchy data display interface 107, and an organization hierarchy data display interface 108, and, in principle, a general management unit 111 of the entire organization and management of each organization through a wide area network 109 accessible to all organizations. The user of the department 112 uses it.
[0021]
"Warming effect" and "CO ₂ “Emissions”, “PFC emissions”, “fossil fuel consumption”, “electricity usage”, “heavy oil usage”, “LNG usage”, etc. are typical expressions of environmental aspects, but have various correlations. For example, 1kwh of electric power consumption is CO ₂ Is equivalent to discharging 0.4 kg into the atmosphere. When 1 kg of heavy oil is burned, it corresponds to 3.2 kg, and when LNG is burned by 1 cubic meter, it corresponds to 2.0 kg. Therefore, CO in a factory that consumed some electricity, heavy oil and LNG ₂ Is equivalent to the sum of each usage amount with these weights. On the other hand, considering global warming, CO ₂ This is not the only cause. For example, PFC gas used in semiconductor processes and the like emits CO2 when released to the atmosphere. ₂ 6500 times the warming effect. Therefore, in terms of warming, CO ₂ In addition, a weighted sum with PFC emissions must be considered. On the other hand, the perspective of resource depletion cannot be overlooked. Fossil fuels are limited on the earth, and the use of heavy oil and LNG leads to the consumption of fossil fuels. The side hierarchy definition database 101 stores such a hierarchical relationship between the sides as data.
[0022]
The side hierarchy definition interface 102 is an interface for storing the side hierarchy data based on an input from the general management department user 111. By uploading from the terminal a text file 110 consisting of a line describing the name and unit of the side and a line describing the parent-child relationship and magnification of the side, a record is generated and stored in the side hierarchy definition database on the server computer.
[0023]
The organization hierarchy definition database 103 is a database that stores information that defines a hierarchical relationship between a plurality of different organizations.
[0024]
The organization hierarchy definition interface 104 is an interface for storing the organization hierarchy data. By uploading from the terminal a text file 110 including a line describing the name of the organization and a line describing the parent-child relationship of the organization, a record is generated and stored in the organization hierarchy definition database on the server computer.
[0025]
The side surface database 105 stores the side surface data. The aspect data is data obtained by externally inputting numerical information of a certain aspect or totaled in the system, and includes an aspect identifier, a numerical value, a date, and an organization identifier.
[0026]
The tally processing unit 106 performs tallying of side data along the side hierarchy and the organization hierarchy. As a result, some aspect data of the higher-order organization is the sum of the (plural) lower-order organizations. The aspect data of the upper aspect is obtained by adding the numerical value directly input by the aspect name in addition to the weighted sum of the (plural) lower aspects.
[0027]
The side hierarchy data display interface 107 provides a function for a user 112 who uses the present system via the network 109. The user 112 can see the numerical value of an arbitrary aspect, and can reverse the numerical value of the subordinate side as a breakdown. As described above, the numerical information that has been collected can be displayed each time while freely moving up and down the tree of the side hierarchy.
[0028]
The organization hierarchy data display interface 108 provides a function for a user 112 who uses the present system via the network 109. The user 112 can see the numerical value of the aspect of an arbitrary organization, and can reverse the numerical value of the aspect of the sub-organization to be broken down. As described above, the numerical information that has been totalized can be displayed each time while freely moving up and down the tree of the organization hierarchy.
[0029]
FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the side hierarchy definition database 101. The table 201 has a table 201 in which side identifiers, names, and units are fields, and a table 202 in which parent identifiers, child identifiers, and magnifications when adding from child to parent are fields, which define a hierarchical relationship between aspects. In the example shown in the figure, the value of fossil fuel use is evaluated by multiplying the value of power use by 1 and adding it. The value of power use is multiplied by 0.4 and the value of LNG use is multiplied by 2.0. Are added to each other and CO ₂ Emission figures are evaluated. In this way, a complex parent-child relationship between aspects can be defined as a group of a plurality of records.
[0030]
FIG. 3 illustrates the format of a text file read by the side hierarchy definition interface 102. If the files (301, 302) are created in a comma-separated file (CSV format) in exactly the same arrangement as the record format of FIG. 2, they can be uploaded from the user terminal via the network. As a result, the record of FIG. 2 is generated. The reading of the file that overwrites or changes the hierarchy definition information already set in the database is protected by the side hierarchy definition interface 102 so as not to be free. If the same identifier exists with a different name, the same identifier has a different name, or a loop exists in a hierarchical network (described later), an error check is performed and the error is displayed on the screen. Only when all the errors have been resolved, it is reflected in the database.
[0031]
Such a definition file can be regarded as basic know-how of environmental management. In other words, it can be considered as a file that defines a specific algorithm for converting the collectable information (terminal side) into management information (upper side) and analyzing it in accordance with the purpose of environmental management. Therefore, a business model in which this definition file is distributed as an independent product with the added value may be established. For example, an environmental accounting method of converting environmental aspect information into monetary cost or value and analyzing the information can be defined by this format file.
[0032]
FIG. 4 shows a screen on which the side hierarchy definition interface 102 sets the side hierarchy definition information using the graphical user interface of the screen. It is assumed that a tree structure between the side surfaces shown in the upper part of the figure is defined. On the screen, the tree structure is displayed in the divided area on the left side of the screen as shown below. Here, the definition information up to the aspects A, C, B, and E has already been set, and F is set next. First, when the parent side (here, the side B) is clicked, that side is selected and black-and-white inverted display is performed. Next, a "lower side addition screen" is displayed on the right side, and when a "new addition" button on the screen is clicked, a name and unit input box appears. Therefore, a name is input, and a unit is further input. The input of the unit is a method of selecting from preset units. When a newly added definition is made, a code that does not overlap with the existing identifier is automatically assigned to the side surface definition interface 102 and registered in the database 101. Since only the name is a clue for identification on the screen of the user, in the case of new registration, the name is not allowed to overlap with the already registered aspect. Because it is confusing, the overlap check is performed ignoring the difference of half size / full size / upper / lower case.
[0033]
FIG. 5 exemplifies a function of checking a loop of the hierarchical network structure using the screen when the side layer definition interface 102 sets the side layer definition information using the graphical user interface of the screen. It is assumed that the tree structure between the side surfaces shown in the upper part of the figure has already been defined. Then, the screen as shown below is displayed. When "A side" is selected on this screen and the "Add selection" button is pressed, a side selection screen for linking the existing side as a child of the A side appears in a pull-down format. This pull-down menu shows only those aspects that will not create a loop when selected. In the example shown in the figure, only the three sides G, H, and I are displayed. This is because selecting another side results in a loop, and the totaled result of the side is double counted. For example, if the F side is linked below the A side, both the route of F → E → A and the route of F → D → A exist to form a loop. Then, the numerical value of the F side is double reflected in the total result of the A side. In order to avoid this, the F side is previously excluded from the selection list.
[0034]
FIG. 6 shows the configuration of the organization hierarchy definition database 103. A table 601 using organization identifiers and names as fields, a table 602 using parent identifiers and child identifiers as fields for defining a hierarchical relationship between organizations, and a table using organization identifiers and aspect identifiers managed by the organization as fields 603.
[0035]
FIG. 7 describes the format of a text file read by the organization hierarchy definition interface 104. Files (701 to 703) created in a comma-separated file (CSV format) in exactly the same arrangement as the record format in FIG. 6 can be uploaded from a user terminal via a network. As a result, the record of FIG. 6 is generated. The organization hierarchy definition interface 104 protects the reading of a file that overwrites or changes the hierarchy definition information already set in the database so that it cannot be freely set. In addition, when the same identifier exists under different names, when the same identifier has different names, or when a loop exists in the hierarchical network, an error check is performed, the error is displayed on the screen, and the error is displayed. Update to the database only when all are resolved.
[0036]
FIG. 8 shows a data configuration of the side surface database 105. Aspect data records the actual numerical values of each aspect. First, an organization identifier for registering a numerical value of the aspect is recorded for each aspect identifier. Then the date and number are recorded. The organization that can newly register the numerical value of the aspect is limited to the terminal organization. This is because the numerical value of the aspect of the higher organization is automatically derived by summing the aspects of the lower organization.
[0037]
FIG. 9 shows a processing flow of the tallying processing unit 106. First, a range of dates to be totaled is set (9a). This setting is made by the supervising management section and the management section user of each organization. From the data record group of the side surface database 105, the following totaling process is performed on the record corresponding to this date. First, for the end organization, the aspects to be managed by the organization are totaled along the side hierarchy (9b), and then each aspect is totaled to a higher organization (9c). This is to sequentially count up from the lower order to the upper order along the side hierarchy.
[0038]
With reference to FIG. 10, the method of the tallying process of 9b and 9c will be described in detail. Assume, as an example, an organizational hierarchy shown in the upper left of the figure and a side hierarchy shown in the upper right. Here, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the tabulation of all aspects is based on addition. That is, it is assumed that the weighted sum of the lower sides is the upper side, and the sum of the side figures of the lower organization is the side figures of the upper organization.
[0039]
The matrix shown in the lower part of the figure shows the organizational hierarchy in the vertical direction, and the portion surrounded by a thick line is the end organization. On the other hand, the horizontal direction indicates the level of the side surface, and the portion surrounded by the thick frame is the terminal side surface. First, in the process of 9b, only the terminal tissue is targeted. Therefore, the process is started from the bottom row of the organization 3-2. In this row, the rightmost end corresponds to the terminal side surface c-2. The entry of the numeral 1 here means that 1 has been registered as a numerical value. Since 2 is registered for the left side c-2 in the same row, the sum thereof should be counted as b-1 of the upper side. So, looking at the column of side b-1 in the same row,
(2) + (1) + 5 = (8)
And the formula is written. In this formula, numbers in parentheses indicate numerical values or results to be totaled, and those without parentheses indicate directly registered numerical values. That is, in addition to the numerical value 5 directly registered as the aspect b-1, three values of 2 and 1 which are the values of the lower aspects c-1 and c-2 are added, and 8 is obtained as a total result. Means In general,
(Numerical value of upper side) = (sum of numerical value of lower side) + directly registered number
It follows the calculation formula. Similarly, the registered value 3 of the terminal side surface b-2 is reflected in the total of the upper side surface a. Looking at the side a column in the same row,
(8) + (3) = (11)
it is written like this. In the tabulation of the aspect a, there is no directly registered value, and the value (8) of the lower side b-1 and the value 3 of the lower side b-2 are added, and the tally result is obtained as 11. I have. In this way, the same operation is performed in that row for all end tissues. That is, the sum is calculated from the right side to the left side along the side hierarchy. The same applies to the row of the organization 3-1 and the row of the organization 2-1. More than
9b is an explanation of the process of FIG.
[0040]
Next, in process 9c, the data is stacked from the bottom up along the organization hierarchy. As for the side a in the first column, a value obtained by adding the numerical value 11 of the organization 3-2 and the numerical value 14 of the organization 3-1 becomes a numerical value 25 of the organization 2-2 which is a higher-order organization. Further, the numerical value 40 of the upper organization 1 is obtained by adding the numerical value and the numerical value 15 of the organization 2-1. As described above, for the organization, the numerical value of the lower organization is mechanically tabulated and the numerical value of the higher organization is sequentially performed from bottom to top for each column (side surface). The above is the description of the process of 9c.
[0041]
FIG. 11 shows a screen embodiment of the side hierarchy data display interface 107. The side hierarchy tree display is shown in the left half, and, for example, looking at “Greenhouse gas emissions”, CO ₂ Emissions, CH ₄ Emissions, N ₂ O emissions, HFCs emissions, PFCs emissions, SF ₆ Emissions are defined. When "Greenhouse gas emissions" is selected, the total value of 120,000 kg is displayed on the right-hand screen, and the numerical values of the lower side as a breakdown thereof are shown. The expression method of the breakdown aspect includes the original numerical value of the aspect (for example, CH ₄ Together with the value (e.g., 10 kg of emissions), ₄ (200 kg of the discharge amount) is displayed.
[0042]
FIG. ₂ A side hierarchical tree in which “emission amount” is expanded to a lower level is shown. Similarly, not only the total value of 119000, but also the breakdown of city gas consumption, LPG consumption, heavy oil consumption, light oil consumption, coal consumption, limestone consumption, industrial waste incineration, heat consumption, etc. Is shown in each unit, which is converted to CO ₂ The united value for kg is also shown. The total of the conversion results is equal to 119000 kg.
[0043]
FIG. 13 shows a screen example of the organization hierarchy data display interface 108. The organization hierarchy tree display is shown in the left half, and if you select the Kanto area below (in charge of) the Environment Headquarters, the total value of the selected side (greenhouse gas emissions) on the right 1030000 kg, and the breakdown of the sub-organizations, such as the Tokyo Office, Chiba Office, Gunma Office, and Company Ltd., are shown.
[0044]
【The invention's effect】
ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, there exists an effect that it becomes possible to collectively analyze the environmental information in the hierarchy of various organizations and the hierarchy of various aspects.
[0045]
Further, according to the present invention, there is an effect that one aspect can be aggregated and analyzed into a plurality of aspects corresponding to different management purposes.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a structural diagram of a database in one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a structural diagram of a text file according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a view showing an example of a display screen in one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a view showing an example of a display screen in one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a structural diagram of a database according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a view showing the structure of a text file according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a structural diagram of a database in one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a processing flowchart in one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a processing method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a view showing an example of a display screen in one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a view showing an example of a display screen in one embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
101: side hierarchy definition database, 102: side hierarchy definition interface, 103: organization hierarchy definition database, 104: organization hierarchy definition interface
Reference numeral 105: a side surface database; 106, a tally processing unit; 107, a side hierarchy data display interface; 108, an organization hierarchy data display interface.

Claims (6)

On the server computer connected to the network, a side hierarchy definition database, side hierarchy definition interface, organization hierarchy definition database, organization hierarchy definition interface, side database, tabulation processing unit, side hierarchy data display interface, organization hierarchy data display interface The side hierarchy definition database stores a record including a field in which a unique identifier, a name, and a unit of a side are described, and a field in which a parent-child relationship between layers and a magnification when adding from child to parent are described. An environmental information tallying and analysis system, characterized in that: 2. The server computer according to claim 1, wherein a text file including a line describing a name and a unit of the side and a line describing a parent-child relationship of the side and a conversion ratio is uploaded from the terminal as the side layer definition interface. An environmental information totaling / analysis system, wherein a record is generated and stored in the side hierarchy definition database. 2. The environmental information totaling and analyzing system according to claim 1, wherein the side hierarchy definition interface has a function of avoiding a definition in which a loop is formed in a hierarchical structure network between the sides. 2. The display system according to claim 1, wherein when the side surface hierarchical data display interface displays a lower side numerical value as a breakdown of a certain side surface, the registered numerical value (a numerical value before conversion) of each lower side surface is multiplied by a magnification to obtain a higher order. An environmental information totaling / analysis system characterized by displaying a numerical value before conversion (a converted numerical value) together with the side surface. On the server computer connected to the network, the database and interface that defines the hierarchical structure of the collection items, the database and interface that defines the hierarchical structure of the organization, the numerical database of the collection items, the aggregation processing unit, and the hierarchical structure of the collection items are displayed. And an interface for displaying hierarchical data of organizational items. 3. The environmental aspect information is described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the environmental aspect information is included in a text file including a line describing a name and a unit of the side, and a line describing a parent-child relationship of the side and a conversion ratio. An environmental information aggregation and analysis system that defines an environmental accounting method that converts the value into value.

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