JP2007276839A - Holder for freshness information detecting indicator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accurately determine that a food is adequately temperature controlled for keeping it fresh and to specify the area which is inadequately temperature controlled during distribution. <P>SOLUTION: This holder 31 for an indicator can hold the indicator which expands and changes with time and by ambient temperatures, and is attached to the package of a food. The holder has a function to send freshness information detected to a freshness information management server managing freshness information. At the beginning of the use of the holder, food information is registered on an IC tag 31c at a food information registration request. When a freshness information acquirement request is received at a predetermined distribution point, the freshness information of the food is detected and the detected freshness information including the freshness information and holder information able to recognize the indicator holder is transmitted. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention is a structure that can hold an indicator that changes in expansion with time and ambient temperature, and is used by being added to a food packaging to detect freshness information detected toward a freshness information management server that manages freshness information. The present invention relates to an indicator holder for detecting freshness information having a function of transmitting.

  For foods such as vegetables, meat, and side dishes, it is necessary to maintain a temperature environment below a specified value in order to maintain the quality after being packed in a food processing plant and before being sold at a store. is there. At least, it is necessary to manage so as not to be placed in a temperature environment above a predetermined value for a predetermined time.

  Conventionally, it has been left to self-declaration by each distributor as to whether or not the temperature control of food in the distribution process such as transportation is properly performed. For this reason, it has not been possible to objectively and accurately determine whether or not the temperature control of food is properly performed.

  In recent years, what is called a low temperature control indicator has been proposed as an object that can objectively determine whether or not the temperature control of food is appropriate (Non-Patent Document 1).

  This low-temperature control indicator is composed of a transparent sachet containing a reaction solution containing baker's yeast and sugar that generates gas under a temperature environment of a predetermined value or more, and is used by being attached to the outside of a food packaging. . Then, by visually observing the amount of gas generated in the low temperature management indicator, it is determined whether or not the temperature management is properly performed, and it is determined whether or not the freshness management is appropriate.

Shinichi Kawamoto, “Development of a safe and simple microorganism sensor for temperature control”. [Online], [Search April 5, 2006], Internet <URL: http://www.nfri.affrc.go.jp/guidance/katsudo/pdf/kanko_kouen16/54.pdf>

  In the conventional freshness management determination method described in Non-Patent Document 1 described above, since the amount of gas in the low-temperature management indicator is estimated by the human eye, there is a variation in whether or not the freshness management is appropriate. There was a problem that could occur. In addition, it is possible to estimate whether or not the temperature control was appropriate based on the amount of gas generated, but when it was estimated that the temperature control was not appropriate, in which process in the distribution process the temperature control was performed inappropriately There was also a problem that could not be identified.

  The present invention solves the above-described problems, can accurately determine that the temperature control of food is properly performed and the freshness is maintained, and the temperature control is performed improperly in the distribution process. It is an object of the present invention to provide a freshness information detection indicator holder capable of realizing a freshness information management system capable of specifying a portion.

  The indicator holder for detecting freshness information according to the present invention has a structure capable of sandwiching an indicator that expands and changes with time and ambient temperature, and is used as a freshness information management server that is used in addition to food packaging and manages freshness information. An indicator holder for detecting freshness information having a function of transmitting freshness information detected toward the food, wherein the food-related information registration means registers the food-related information in response to a registration request for predetermined food-related information related to the food And food-related information output means for outputting registered food-related information in response to the food-related information acquisition request, and when the freshness information acquisition request is received at a predetermined distribution point, the freshness of the food Freshness information detection means for detecting information, detected freshness information, and freshness information including holder information capable of identifying the freshness information detection indicator holder Characterized by comprising a freshness detection information transmission means for transmitting output information.

  By configuring as described above, it is possible to accurately determine that the temperature control of the food is properly performed and the freshness is maintained, and the temperature control is inappropriately performed in the distribution process. It is possible to provide an indicator holder for detecting freshness information capable of realizing a freshness information management system that can identify the freshness information. In addition, it is possible to easily obtain the food information of the food contained in the packaging container to which the indicator holder is added, and it is easy to determine whether the food actually contained in the packaging container is genuine. Can be confirmed.

  The freshness information management server supports freshness report information receiving means for receiving freshness report information in which distribution route information indicating distribution points is added to freshness detection information via a communication network, and holder information indicated by the received freshness report information. In addition, the freshness information at the distribution point indicated by the distribution route information may include a freshness information storage unit that stores the freshness information indicated by the received freshness report information.

  The indicator is formed by, for example, storing a liquid containing baker's yeast in a vinyl sachet. When the ambient temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, the baker's yeast generates gas over time according to the temperature. It will change.

  The freshness information detection indicator holder is formed in, for example, a sandwich type that sandwiches an indicator between an upper plate portion and a bottom plate portion, and at least one of the upper plate portion and the bottom plate portion depends on the degree of expansion of the indicator. The freshness information detecting means may be configured to detect an interval at a predetermined location between the upper plate portion and the bottom plate portion as freshness information.

  The freshness information detection indicator holder is formed, for example, in a jacket shape that accommodates the indicator, and is made of a material that expands according to the expansion degree of the indicator, and the freshness information detection means includes an upper plate portion in the indicator holder. You may be comprised so that the space | interval in the predetermined location with a baseplate part may be detected as freshness information.

  The food-related information is, for example, information related to the food contained in the packaging container to which the indicator holder is added, and is information including at least the name of the food and the expiration date of the food.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to accurately determine that the temperature control of the food is properly performed and the freshness is maintained, and the portion where the temperature control is inappropriately performed in the distribution process is specified. Therefore, it is possible to provide a freshness information detection indicator holder capable of realizing a freshness information management system capable of performing the above.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a freshness information management system 100 showing an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a freshness information management system 100 is managed by a freshness information management server 10, a factory server 20 managed at a food processing factory, a store server 40 managed at a store, and a consumer. Consumer terminal 50. Note that an IC tag reader 51 is connected to the consumer terminal 50.

  The freshness information management server 10, the factory server 20, the store server 30, and the consumer terminal 50 are each connected to a communication network 60 such as the Internet.

  In FIG. 1, the store server 30 installed in one store is shown, but a plurality of store servers installed in a plurality of stores may be included in the freshness information management system. .

  The freshness information management server 10, the factory server 20, and the store server 30 are each configured by an information processing device such as a WWW server. The consumer terminal 50 is configured by an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer or a mobile communication terminal.

  The freshness information management server 10 is a headquarter server managed by a system administrator of the freshness information management system 100, for example, and executes various processes for collecting and managing freshness information of products. The freshness information management server 10 includes a management server DB 11 in which freshness information indicating the freshness of each product is stored.

  The factory server 20 is managed by a factory manager who manages the food processing factory, and includes a factory server DB 21 in which various information managed in the factory is stored. The factory server 20 is connected to a code printing device 23 and an IC tag reader 24 via a communication network 22 such as a LAN.

  The store server 40 includes, for example, a store server DB 41 that is managed by a store manager who manages the store and stores various information managed in the store. The IC tag reader 24 is connected to the store server 40 via a communication network 42 such as a LAN.

  In this example, when food produced in the food processing factory is packed in the food processing factory, the low temperature management indicator 30 is set in the indicator holder 31 and the indicator holder 31 in which the low temperature management indicator 30 is set is Attached to the food package 32. That is, when food is packed, an indicator holder 31 in which a low temperature control indicator 30 is set is attached to the inside or outside of each food package by a method such as sticking.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the low-temperature management indicator 30. The low temperature management indicator 30 is formed by filling a vinyl sachet with a liquid produced mainly from baker's yeast, sugar and water. The ratio of baker's yeast, sugar, and water is adjusted according to the proper management temperature, expiration date, etc. required for the food subject to freshness management. As the baker's yeast, for example, a low-temperature tolerant baker's yeast that is alive even at -20 ° C is used. Therefore, the low temperature management indicator 30 is stored at a predetermined temperature at which the baker's yeast can live without sugar fermentation before the start of use. Note that the baker's yeast and sugar may be stored separately until the use is started, and may be mixed at the start of use to generate the low temperature management indicator 30. The pouch has a size that can be sufficiently accommodated in a pack for storing food, and may be transparent or opaque in this example. In addition, the sachet need not be made of vinyl as long as it is a stretchable material. The low temperature management indicator 30 produces gas (carbon dioxide) when baker's yeast ferments sugar depending on time and temperature, and the safety of food can be visually confirmed by the amount of gas in the sachet. As previously proposed (see Non-Patent Document 1).

  The low temperature management indicator 30 maintains an initial state as shown in FIG. 2A while being managed at a low temperature. However, when the low temperature management indicator 30 is placed under a condition of a predetermined temperature or more, gas is generated over time. The child bag as shown in 2 (B) is in an expanded state. When the time further elapses, the child bag as shown in FIG. 2C is further expanded.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the indicator holder 31. The indicator holder 31 includes an upper surface portion 31A formed in a plate shape, a bottom surface portion 31B formed in a plate shape corresponding to the upper surface portion 31A, and a connecting portion that connects the upper surface portion 31A and the bottom surface portion 31B on one side. And 31C. In this example, the indicator holder 31 is formed by integrally forming an upper surface portion 31A, a bottom surface portion 31B, and a connecting portion 31C. Further, the indicator holder 31 has a space between the upper surface portion 31A and the bottom surface portion 31B so that the low temperature management indicator 30 in a state where no gas is generated is inserted without a gap.

  The indicator holder 31 includes a distance sensor 31a for sensing the distance between the upper surface portion 31A and the bottom surface portion 31B, a reflecting plate 31b, an IC chip 31c, and a light emitting portion 31d. The distance sensor 31a is provided at the center of the side of the upper surface portion 31A opposite to the connecting portion 31C and on the bottom surface portion 31B side of the upper surface portion 31A. The reflecting plate 31b is provided at the center of the side of the bottom surface portion 31B opposite to the connecting portion 31C and on the top surface portion 31A side of the bottom surface portion 31B. Therefore, the distance sensor 31a and the reflecting plate 31b are installed facing the bottom surface side of the top surface portion 31A and the top surface side of the bottom surface portion 31B.

  The distance sensor 31a outputs an optical signal for distance measurement toward the reflecting plate 31b and receives the reflected light from the reflecting plate 31b. It has a function of calculating the distance to the bottom surface portion 31B.

  The indicator holder 31 has an upper surface portion 31A and a bottom surface portion 31B according to the pressure received by the expansion of the low temperature management indicator 30 set in the low temperature management indicator storage portion formed between the upper surface portion 31A and the bottom surface portion 31B. Are made of a material such as a synthetic resin having flexibility so as to bend in the direction of widening the interval.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a state in which the low temperature management indicator 30 is set in the low temperature management indicator storage portion of the indicator holder 31. When the gas is generated in the low temperature management indicator 30, the space between the upper surface portion 31A and the bottom surface portion 31B of the indicator holder 31 is widened as shown in FIG. 5, and when further gas is generated, the indicator as shown in FIG. The distance between the upper surface portion 31A and the bottom surface portion 31B of the holder 31 is further increased.

Next, the operation of the freshness information management system 100 of this example will be described.
Here, the case where the freshness information of the food (for example, fish, meat, vegetables, side dish) Y contained in the food package X to which the indicator holder 31 with the low temperature management indicator 30 set is attached will be described as an example. . FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of freshness information management processing in the freshness information management system 100 of the present example. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of freshness information management information stored in the management server DB 11 included in the freshness information management server 10. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the freshness information detection process executed by the indicator holder 31.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the freshness information management information indicates a holder number that can identify an indicator holder, a print identification number that can identify a low-temperature management indicator (an indicator identification number), and freshness when food is packed. It includes freshness information at the time of pack and freshness information at the time of shipment indicating the freshness when the food is shipped. Although not shown in FIG. 8, the freshness information management information includes each freshness information in a distribution process other than at the time of packing or shipping. Specifically, the freshness information management information includes freshness information at the time of arrival at a store or at the time of sale.

  The food Y is produced or cut by a factory worker, for example, in a food processing factory, and is stored in the food package X together with the indicator holder 31 in which the low temperature management indicator 30 is set. Then, the operator uses the IC tag reader 24 to change the IC chip ID (holder number: a number uniquely assigned to each indicator holder from the IC chip 31c provided in the indicator holder 31 to each indicator holder. This is a number given at the time of manufacture and registered in the IC chip). At this time, when receiving the holder number acquisition request from the IC tag reader 24 (step S201), the indicator holder 31 outputs the holder number registered in the IC chip 31c to the IC tag reader 24 (step S202). The factory server 20 transmits the numbering request information including the holder number from the IC tag reader 24 to the freshness information management server 10 via the communication network 60.

  In the freshness information management process, when the freshness information management server 10 receives the numbering request information from the factory server 20 (step S101), an identification number that is not yet used in the freshness information management system 100 is assigned to each food (each low temperature management). The print identification number uniquely assigned to the indicator) is determined (step S102), the determined print identification number is stored in association with the holder number (see FIG. 8) (step S103), and the communication network 60 is used. To the factory server 20 (step S104).

  Upon receiving the print identification number, the factory server 20 transmits the received print identification number to the code printing device 23 and issues a print instruction. When receiving the print instruction, the code printing device 23 writes the received print identification number on the IC chip 31 c and prints it on the food package X or the low temperature management indicator 30. Note that the print identification number may only be written on the IC chip 31c, and printing may not be performed. Alternatively, only printing may be performed and writing to the IC chip 31c may not be performed.

  Next, the worker uses the IC tag reader 24 to request the indicator holder 31 to acquire freshness information. At this time, when the indicator holder 31 receives a freshness information acquisition request from the IC tag reader 24 (step S203), the distance between the top surface portion 31A and the bottom surface portion 31B in order to identify the degree of expansion of the low temperature management indicator 30 by the distance sensor 31a. The distance is detected (step S204). Next, the indicator holder 31 has a detected distance equal to or greater than a predetermined freshness retention upper limit value (a predetermined upper limit value for determining that the freshness is retained, for example, 1.5 cm, 1.7 cm, etc.). If there is (step S205), the light emitting unit 31d is caused to emit light to warn that the freshness is not maintained (step S206). Next, the indicator holder 31 outputs the freshness detection result information including the freshness information indicated by the distance information, which is the detection result in step S204, and the holder number assigned to itself to the IC tag reader 24 (step S207). The IC tag reader 24 transmits to the factory server 20 the freshness detection result information at the time of adding the self ID (ID of the IC tag reader 24) to the freshness detection result information. Upon receiving the freshness detection result information at the time of packing, the factory server 20 transmits the freshness detection result information to the freshness information management server 10 via the communication network 60.

  When the freshness information management server 10 receives the pack freshness detection result information (step S105), the freshness information included in the pack freshness detection result information is stored as the pack freshness information (step S106). In step S106, the freshness information management server 10 associates and stores the holder number included in the received freshness detection result information when packed. Specifically, the freshness information management server 10 adds to the freshness management information including the holder number included in the received freshness detection result information at the time of packing.

  Next, the food Y is shipped from the food processing factory while being accommodated in the food package X together with the indicator holder 31. At the time of shipment, for example, a factory worker makes a reading request to the indicator holder 31 using an IC tag reader (not shown) for shipment.

  When the indicator holder 31 receives a freshness information acquisition request from the IC tag reader for shipping (step S203), the distance between the upper surface portion 31A and the lower surface portion 31B in order to identify the degree of expansion of the low temperature management indicator 30 by the distance sensor 31a. After detecting the distance (step S204) and executing steps S205 to S206 described above, the freshness detection result including the freshness information indicated by the distance information, which is the detection result in step S204, and the holder number assigned to itself The information is output to the IC tag reader for shipment (step S207). The shipping IC tag reader transmits to the factory server 20 shipping freshness detection result information obtained by adding its own ID to the freshness detection result information. Upon receiving the shipping freshness detection result information, the factory server 20 transmits the freshness detection result information to the freshness information management server 10 via the communication network 60.

  When receiving the shipping freshness detection result information to which the IC tag reader ID is added (step S107), the freshness information management server 10 stores the freshness information included in the shipping freshness detection result information as shipping freshness information ( Step S108). In step S108, the freshness information management server 10 associates and stores the holder number included in the received shipping freshness detection result information. Specifically, the freshness information management server 10 adds to the freshness management information including the holder number included in the received shipping freshness detection result information.

  Thereafter, the food Y is received in a store that sells the food in a state of being accommodated in the food package X together with the indicator holder 31. At the time of arrival, for example, a store worker makes a reading request to the indicator holder 31 using the IC tag reader 43 for arrival.

  When the indicator holder 31 receives a freshness information acquisition request from the IC tag reader 43 for arrival (step S203), the distance sensor 31a identifies the degree of expansion of the low temperature management indicator 30 with the upper surface portion 31A and the lower surface portion 31B. Is detected (step S204), and after executing steps S205 to S206 described above, the freshness detection including the freshness information indicated by the distance information as the detection result in step S204 and the holder number assigned to itself The result information is output to the IC tag reader 43 for arrival (step S207). The incoming IC tag reader 43 transmits the incoming freshness detection result information obtained by adding its own ID to the freshness detection result information to the factory server 20. Upon receiving the arrival freshness detection result information, the factory server 20 transmits the freshness detection result information to the freshness information management server 10 via the communication network 60.

  When the freshness information management server 10 receives the arrival freshness detection result information to which the IC tag reader ID is added (step S109), the freshness information included in the arrival freshness detection result information is stored as the arrival freshness information ( Step S110). In step S110, the freshness information management server 10 stores the received information in association with the holder number included in the received arrival freshness detection result information. Specifically, the freshness information management server 10 adds to the freshness management information including the holder number included in the received arrival freshness detection result information.

  Thereafter, the food Y is sold to the consumer in a state of being accommodated in the food package X together with the indicator holder 31. At the time of this sale, for example, a cashier in charge at the store makes a reading request to the indicator holder 31 using an IC tag reader (not shown) for sale.

  When the indicator holder 31 receives a freshness information acquisition request from an IC tag reader for sale (step S203), the distance sensor 31a uses the top surface portion 31A and the bottom surface portion 31B to identify the degree of expansion of the low temperature management indicator 30. After detecting the distance (step S204) and executing steps S205 to S206 described above, the freshness detection result including the freshness information indicated by the distance information, which is the detection result in step S204, and the holder number assigned to itself Information is output to the IC tag reader for sale (step S207). The IC tag reader for sale transmits to the factory server 20 freshness detection result information at the time of adding its own ID to the freshness detection result information. Upon receiving the sales freshness detection result information, the factory server 20 transmits the freshness detection result information to the freshness information management server 10 via the communication network 60.

  When the freshness information management server 10 receives the sales freshness detection result information to which the IC tag reader ID is added (step S111), the freshness information included in the sales freshness detection result information is stored as the sales freshness information ( Step S112). In step S112, the freshness information management server 10 stores the information in association with the holder number included in the received freshness detection result information at the time of sale. Specifically, the freshness information management server 10 adds the information to the freshness management information including the holder number included in the received sales freshness detection result information.

  Then, for example, a consumer who has purchased food Y reads the holder number from the indicator holder 31 using the IC tag reader 51 connected to the consumer terminal 50 managed by the consumer Y (see steps S201 and S202). 50, a freshness management information provision request is made to the freshness information management server 10 via the communication network 60.

  Upon receiving the freshness management information provision request (step S113), the freshness information management server 10 directs the freshness management information for the presented holder number to the user terminal 50 among the freshness management information stored in the management server ID11. (Step S114). When the consumer terminal 50 receives the freshness management information, the consumer terminal 50 displays it on its own display device. Therefore, the consumer who purchased food Y can check the freshness management information about food Y.

  Next, the product information writing / reading process executed by the indicator holder 31 constituting the freshness information management system 100 of this example will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the product information write / read process executed by the indicator holder 31. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the content of product information.

  Here, when the low temperature management indicator 30 is set in the indicator holder 31 in the food processing factory and the indicator holder 31 is added to the packaging container in which the food is stored, the product information related to the product that is the food is the indicator holder. It is assumed that 31 IC chips 31c are registered. That is, when the use of the indicator holder 31 is started, product information about the corresponding food is registered.

  In the merchandise information write / read process, the indicator holder 31 receives a merchandise information write request from an IC tag writer (not shown) installed in a food processing factory and connected to the factory server 20 (Y in step S301). In response to the request, the product information is registered in the IC chip 31c (step S302).

  For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the product information registered in the IC chip 31c includes the product name of the corresponding product (food), the date of manufacture of the product, the name of the food factory where the product is manufactured, and the name of the product. Includes expiry date and other information. Other information includes, for example, the names of ingredients used when the product is a lunch box, the product production location, the product producer, and the like. This product information may be prepared in advance by, for example, an operator of a food processing factory, and for information that changes in real time such as time information such as the expiration date, an IC tag writer is used when a write request is made. May be automatically selected and determined.

  Further, for example, when there is a product information read request from the IC tag reader 51 (Y in step S303), the indicator holder 31 reads the product information from the IC chip 31c in response to the request and outputs it to the IC tag reader 51 (step S304). . The IC tag reader 51 outputs the acquired product information to the consumer terminal 50. Then, for example, the consumer terminal 50 displays the received product information on a display device provided for itself. In this way, the consumer can confirm the related information of the purchased product. In particular, it is possible to check the expiration date included in the product information registered at the food processing factory, and check whether the expiration date printed on the product packaging etc. is authentic. It becomes possible.

  The product information read request may be issued by another information reading device such as the IC tag reader 43.

  As described above, in the above-described embodiment, a structure that can sandwich an indicator that changes in expansion with time and ambient temperature is used, and is used by being added to food packaging to manage freshness information. It has a function of transmitting freshness information detected toward the information management server, and when a freshness information acquisition request is received at a predetermined distribution point, the freshness information of the food is detected, and the detected freshness information and an indicator holder Since the indicator holder 31 that transmits the freshness detection information including the holder information that can be identified is used, it is possible to accurately determine that the temperature control of the food is properly performed and the freshness is maintained. And it becomes possible to implement | achieve the freshness information management system which can pinpoint the part where temperature management was improperly performed in the distribution process.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the indicator holder 31 that holds the low temperature management indicator that expands and changes with the passage of time and the ambient temperature, and the freshness information that collects and manages the freshness information from the indicator holder 31 via the communication network 60. The information management server 10 and the indicator holder 31 are added to the food packaging and when the freshness information acquisition request is received at a predetermined distribution point, the food freshness information is detected, and the detected freshness information and the indicator Freshness detection result information including holder information that can identify the holder 31 is transmitted, and the freshness information management server 10 receives freshness report information in which distribution route information (IC tag reader ID) indicating distribution points is added to the freshness detection information ( For example, the freshness detection result information at the time of packing with the ID of the IC tag reader) is transmitted to the communication network 60. Since it is configured to store the freshness information indicated by the received freshness report information as freshness information at the distribution point indicated by the distribution route information in association with the holder information indicated by the received freshness report information. It is possible to accurately determine that the temperature control of the food is properly performed and the freshness is maintained, and it is possible to identify the portion where the temperature control is inappropriately performed in the distribution process.

  In other words, the degree of expansion of the low temperature management indicator at each distribution point can be objectively and accurately determined by distance information indicating the distance between the upper surface portion 31A and the bottom surface portion 31B of the indicator holder 31. In addition, by confirming the distance information at each distribution point in time series, it is possible to determine in which distribution process the temperature management was performed inappropriately.

  Further, as described above, the indicator holder 31 is formed in a sandwich type that sandwiches the low temperature management indicator 30 between the upper plate portion 31A and the bottom plate portion 31B, and at least one of the upper plate portion 31A and the bottom plate portion 31B is formed. The low temperature management indicator 30 is made of a material that bends in accordance with the degree of expansion, and is configured to detect the interval between the upper plate portion 31A and the bottom plate portion 31B at a predetermined location as freshness information. 31 can be manufactured.

  Further, as described above, the indicator holder 31 is added because the product information is registered in the IC tag 31c included in the indicator holder 31 when the indicator holder 31 starts to be used and the product information can be browsed. It is possible to easily obtain the related information of the product stored in the packaging container, and compare the product actually stored in the packaging container with the product specified by the product information. It is possible to check whether the product is genuine. Therefore, for example, by checking whether the content of the product indicated by the product information matches the product stored in the packaging container, it is easy to determine whether the product has been replaced in the distribution process. You can also check it.

  In addition, the indicator holder may be formed not in the sandwich type but in a jacket type that houses the low temperature management indicator. In this case, the indicator holder is made of a material that expands in accordance with the degree of expansion of the low temperature management indicator, and detects the interval at a predetermined position (for example, the central portion) between the upper plate portion and the bottom plate portion of the indicator holder as freshness information. do it.

  Further, as described above, the freshness information management server 10 can identify the low temperature management indicator in response to the use start request (numbering request for the print identification number) of the low temperature management indicator that presents the holder information of the indicator holder 31. Since the indicator information (printing identification number) is determined and the code printing device is configured to print the indicator information received via the communication network 60 on the low temperature management indicator, the identification number can be printed on the low temperature management indicator. When there is an illegal act such as replacement of the low temperature management indicator, the illegal act can be easily found. For this reason, it becomes possible to prevent fraud such as replacement of the low temperature management indicator.

  In the embodiment described above, the freshness information management server 10 is configured to issue the print identification numbers one by one. However, a plurality of print identification number numbering requests are collectively received, and the plurality of print identification numbers are assigned. You may make it issue collectively.

  In the above-described embodiment, the indicator holder 31 includes the light emitting unit 31d. However, the light emitting unit 31d may not be provided. If comprised in this way, it will become possible to reduce the manufacturing cost of the indicator holder 31. FIG.

  Although not particularly mentioned in the above-described embodiment, the indicator holder 31 may be provided with an indicator detection unit that senses whether or not the low temperature management indicator 30 is set. Then, the time when the low temperature management indicator 30 is set in the indicator holder 31 and the time when the low temperature management indicator 30 is removed from the indicator holder 31 may be stored in the chip IC 31c. If comprised in this way, the low temperature management indicator 30 was illegally replaced in the middle of a distribution channel by reading and checking the time information of the attachment / detachment of the low temperature management indicator 30 stored in the chip IC 31c. Can be specified. Further, after detecting the attachment of the low temperature management indicator 30, once the removal of the low temperature management indicator 30 is detected, the continuous use of the indicator holder 31 is invalidated (for example, even if there is a request from the IC tag reader, the freshness The internal setting of the indicator holder 31 may be performed so as not to execute processing such as detection of information). In addition, without providing the indicator detection unit, the distance is constantly monitored by the distance sensor 31a (for example, every second), and when the distance measurement result becomes shorter than the previous measurement result, the low temperature management indicator 30 is displayed from the indicator holder 31. Even if it is determined that has been removed, it is possible to identify unauthorized removal of the low temperature management indicator 30 in the same manner.

  According to the present invention, it is useful for accurately determining that the temperature control of food is properly performed and that the freshness is maintained, and for identifying the portion where the temperature control is inappropriately performed in the distribution process. It is.

It is a block diagram which shows the example of a structure of the freshness information management system in one embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the example of a low-temperature management indicator. It is a perspective view which shows the example of the external appearance structure of an indicator holder. It is a perspective view which shows the example of the external appearance structure of the indicator holder in which the low temperature management indicator was set. It is a perspective view which shows the example of the external appearance structure of the indicator holder in which the low temperature management indicator was set. It is a perspective view which shows the example of the external appearance structure of the indicator holder in which the low temperature management indicator was set. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a freshness information management process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of freshness management information. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the freshness information detection process which an indicator holder performs. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the merchandise information writing / reading process which an indicator holder performs. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the content of merchandise information (food information).

Explanation of symbols

10 Freshness information management (headquarters server)
20 Factory server 30 Low temperature management indicator 31 Indicator holder 40 Store server 50 Consumer terminal 60 Communication network

Claims (6)

It is a structure that can hold an indicator that expands and changes with the passage of time and ambient temperature, and is used by adding it to food packaging, and it has a function to transmit detected freshness information to a freshness information management server that manages freshness information An indicator holder for detecting freshness information,
A food-related information registration means for registering the food-related information in response to a registration request for predetermined food-related information related to the food;
In response to the food-related information acquisition request, food-related information output means for outputting registered food-related information;
Freshness information detecting means for detecting freshness information of the food when receiving a freshness information acquisition request at a predetermined distribution point;
An indicator holder for detecting freshness information, comprising: freshness detection information transmitting means for transmitting freshness detection information including detected freshness information and holder information capable of identifying the indicator holder for detecting freshness information. Freshness information management server
Freshness report information receiving means for receiving, via a communication network, freshness report information in which distribution route information indicating distribution points is added to freshness detection information;
2. Freshness information storage means for storing freshness information indicated by the received freshness report information as freshness information at a distribution point indicated by the distribution route information in association with holder information indicated by the received freshness report information. Indicator holder for detecting freshness information. The indicator contains a liquid containing baker's yeast in a vinyl sachet, and when the ambient temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, the baker's yeast expands and changes with the passage of time according to the temperature. The indicator holder for freshness information detection according to claim 1 or 2. It is formed in a sandwich type that sandwiches the indicator between the upper plate part and the bottom plate part,
At least one of the upper plate portion and the bottom plate portion is made of a material that bends according to the degree of expansion of the indicator,
The freshness information detection indicator holder according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the freshness information detection means detects an interval at a predetermined location between the upper plate portion and the bottom plate portion as freshness information. It is formed in a jacket type that houses the indicator, and is made of a material that expands according to the degree of expansion of the indicator,
The freshness information detection indicator holder according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the freshness information detection means detects, as freshness information, an interval at a predetermined location between the upper plate portion and the bottom plate portion of the indicator holder. The food-related information is information related to the food contained in the packaging container to which the indicator holder is added, and is information including at least the name of the food and the expiration date of the food. The freshness information detection indicator holder according to claim 5.

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