JP2020144797A - Information management device and its program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an information management device capable of appropriately discriminating a fake that pretends to be a genuine article.SOLUTION: An information management device 1 includes: a registration unit 62 for associating identification information and management information of an article 3 with each other to register them in a database 2 in response to a registration request for registration of the management information of the article 3; an article information generation unit 63 for generating article information included in an optical code 4, which is article information including identification information registered in the database 2; a determination unit 65 for determining authenticity of the article information read from the optical code 4; and an access request processing unit 64 for receiving an access request based on the read article information. In response to the access request based on the read article information, the access request processing unit 64 searches the database 2 for identification information included in the article information. If the identification information of a search target is not registered in the database 2 as a result of search according to the access request, the determination unit 65 denies authenticity of the read article information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to an information management device that manages information on a plurality of articles and a program thereof, and relates to, for example, an information management device that manages information on a large number of products distributed in the market.

There is known a traceability system that can track the distribution history by reading the information (manufacturer, lot number, etc.) recorded on the barcode, two-dimensional code, RFID, etc. attached to the product at each stage of distribution (for example). See Patent Document 1 below). By making it possible to track the distribution history of products distributed in the market, it is possible to accurately collect the products and investigate the cause when a defect of the product is discovered.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-23380

By the way, with the recent globalization of the market, the damage caused by mass-produced counterfeit products has become more serious, and it has become an important issue to detect counterfeit products at an early stage and eliminate them from the market.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an information management device and a program thereof that can accurately discriminate a fake disguised as the authenticity of an article.

The information management device according to the first aspect of the present invention is an information management device that manages information on a plurality of articles, and is the one article in response to a registration request for registration of management information relating to the one article. A registration unit that associates identification information for uniquely identifying the item with the management information and registers the management information in a database, and article information including the identification information registered in the database, which is attached to the article or the article. An article information generation unit that generates article information for physically recording an article, and a determination unit that determines the authenticity of the article information read from the article or an article attached to the article. When receiving an access request for accessing the management information based on the read article information, the access request processing unit has an access request processing unit that operates the database according to the access request. In response to the access request based on the read article information, the identification information included in the read article information is searched in the database, and the determination unit searches the search in response to the access request. As a result, when the identification information to be searched is not registered in the database, the authenticity of the read article information is denied.

The program according to the second aspect of the present invention functions by one or more computers as the registration unit, the component information generation unit, the determination unit, and the access request processing unit in the information management device according to the first aspect. It is a program to make you.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an information management device and a program thereof that can accurately discriminate a fake disguised as the authenticity of an article.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a system including an information management device according to the present embodiment. 2A and 2B are diagrams showing an example of an optical cord. 3A to 3E are diagrams showing a configuration example of a module in an optical cord. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a hierarchical structure of information in the optical code. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of information included in each layer in the optical code. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the information management device according to the present embodiment. 7A to 7F are diagrams showing an example of management information recorded in the database. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an example of a process of recording distribution history information at each distribution stage of an article. FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining an example of processing of the information management device when newly registering management information in the database. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining an example of processing of the information management device when an access request is received. FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining a modification of the processing of the information management device when newly registering management information in the database. FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining a modification of the processing of the information management device when an access request is received. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining an example of processing when a purchaser of an article pays a price. FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining an example of processing of the information management device when an access request is received from a purchaser of an article.

Hereinafter, the information management device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a system including the information management device 1 according to the present embodiment. The information management device 1 is a device that manages information of a plurality of articles 3, and the article 3 to be managed is, for example, a product distributed in the market. The article 3 is delivered to the user of the article 3 (consumer in the example of FIG. 1) through a series of a plurality of distribution stages (manufacturer, wholesaler, retail store in the example of FIG. 1). The article 3 may be a product (distributed product, waste, test sample, etc.) that is distributed in a manner different from that of a general product. Further, the article 3 may be sold to consumers as it is, may be incorporated into a product as a part, or may be used as a material for manufacturing.

In the system shown in FIG. 1, in order to link the information managed by the information management device 1 with the individual articles 3, the information is physically recorded in the individual articles 3. That is, information is physically recorded for the article 3 itself and the object (seal, packaging material, case, etc.) attached to the article 3. As the means for physically recording the information, for example, an optical code (bar code, two-dimensional code, etc.) representing optically readable information, RFID, a digital watermark, or the like can be used. In the system shown in FIG. 1, a sticker on which the optical code 4 is printed is attached to the article 3.

The system shown in FIG. 1 has reader devices 7A to 7D (hereinafter, may be referred to as "reader device 7" without distinction) that communicate with the information management device 1 via a network 9 such as the Internet. Each reader device 7 is used to read the optical code 4 of the article 3 at each distribution stage. In the example of FIG. 1, the reader device 7A is used by the manufacturer, the reader device 7B is used by the wholesaler, the reader device 7C is used by the retail store, and the reader device 7D is used by the consumer. The reader device 7 is, for example, a smartphone or tablet provided with a camera used for photographing the optical code 4. By executing a predetermined application on the smart phone or the like, the smart phone or the like can function as the reader device 7. The reader device 7 may be a dedicated device specialized for reading the optical code 4.

Further, the system shown in FIG. 1 has a terminal device 5 and a printing device 6 that communicate with the information management device 1 via the network 9, respectively. The terminal device 5 is used when newly registering management information regarding an article in the database 2 at the first distribution stage (manufacturer in the example of FIG. 1). That is, the terminal device 5 transmits information such as a product name, a product code, and a lot number of the article 3 manufactured by the manufacturer to the information management device 1, and the information management device 1 uses the information as management information in the database 2. Register with.

The printing device 6 prints an optical code 4 having a one-to-one correspondence with the article 3 on the sticker based on the article information received from the information management device 1. The article information is information constituting the optical code 4, and is generated for each article 3 registered in the database 2. A sticker on which one optical code 4 is printed by the printing device 6 is attached to one article 3 corresponding to the one optical code 4. The printing device 6 may print the optical code 4 directly on the surface of the article 3.

FIG. 2A is a diagram showing an example of the optical code 4. The optical code 4 represents information that can be optically read by a plurality of regularly arranged modules U. The arrangement pattern of the module U shown in FIG. 2A is the same as the QR code (registered trademark), which is one of the existing two-dimensional codes. In the example of FIG. 2A, each module U is represented by a black or white square region, but as will be described later, each module U is colored with a plurality of colors in addition to black and white.

FIG. 2B extracts and shows a functional pattern used when specifying the position of each module U in the optical cord shown in FIG. 2A. The functional pattern in the example of FIG. 2B includes a finder pattern composed of three position detection elements P1, an alignment pattern P2, and a timing pattern P3. These functional patterns are configured to have a constant shape and color that does not depend on the information recorded in the optical code. In the area indicated by "F" in FIG. 2B, format information regarding an error correction level, a mask processing pattern, and the like is recorded.

3A to 3D are diagrams showing an example of the optical configuration of the module U in the optical cord according to the present embodiment. One module U is configured to represent a plurality of optically readable bits of information. In the example of FIGS. 3A to 3D, one module U is divided into a plurality of regions. Each region that divides the module U is colored with one color selected from a plurality of types of colors. The module shown in FIG. 3A is divided into two regions, the module U shown in FIG. 3B is divided into three regions, the module U shown in FIG. 3C is divided into five regions, and the module U shown in FIG. 3D is nine. It is divided into areas.

The central square area in the plurality of areas dividing the module U is colored either white or black so that it can be read as an existing QR code®. As shown in FIG. 3E, the surrounding area surrounding this central area is colored with one color selected from four kinds of colors. When the central area is "white", the surrounding areas are colored in one of "white", "green", "yellow", and "pale blue", respectively. When the central area is "black", the surrounding areas are colored in one of "pink", "red", "indigo", and "black", respectively.

The number of colors selectively given to each region that divides the module U corresponds to the magnitude of the information represented by each region. That is, the central area colored in "white" or "black" represents 1-bit information, and the surrounding area colored in one color selected from the four types of colors represents 2-bit information. Represent. Therefore, module U shown in FIG. 3A represents 3 bits of information, module U shown in FIG. 3B represents 5 bits of information, module U shown in FIG. 3C represents 9 bits of information, and module U shown in FIG. 3D. Represents 17 bits of information.

Assuming that each module U represents N-bit information, the entire information represented by the plurality of modules U is divided into N layers. In this case, the N-bit information represented by one module U is included in each of the N layers, one bit at a time. That is, the N bit data represented by one module U are included in different layers.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a hierarchical structure of information in the optical code 4. When each module U represents 17-bit information by the configuration shown in FIG. 3D, the information contained in the optical code is divided into 17 layers (L0 to L16) as shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 4, layer L0 is a compatibility layer, layer L1 is a common layer, layers L2 to L5 are user layers, and layers L6 to L16 are encryption layers.

The compatibility layer (L0) contains information that can be read as an existing QR code (registered trademark). The compatibility layer (L0) is, for example, a set of 1-bit information represented by the central region (white or black) of the module U shown in FIGS. 3A to 3D.

The common layer (L1) includes a common header in which information regarding a recording format of information in each layer other than the compatibility layer (L0) (hereinafter, may be referred to as “additional layer”) is stored. In the common header, for example, an identifier that specifies a recording format of information, the number of users who have access authority to the information, information that specifies an encryption method, information that specifies a compression method, and the like are stored.

The user layer (L2 to L5) is a layer having a one-to-one correspondence with a user who is given access authority to the confidential information included in the encryption layer (layers L6 to L16). In the example of FIG. 4, four people are used. The four user layers L2 to L5 have a one-to-one correspondence with each other. That is, one user layer is assigned to each user who is given the access authority to the confidential information.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of information contained in the additional layer in the optical cord according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, one user layer corresponding to one user is encrypted with at least a user ID for identifying the one user and an encryption key owned by the one user. Includes one hierarchical information. In the example of FIG. 5, the user layer (L2) corresponding to the user with the user ID “Alice” includes two layers of information encrypted by the encryption key owned by the user. Further, the user layer (L3) corresponding to the user with the user ID "Bob" includes one layer information encrypted by the encryption key owned by the user.

One layer information includes a layer ID for identifying one encryption layer and decryption information for decrypting the encrypted confidential information contained in the one encryption layer. For example, one of the hierarchical information included in the user layer (L2) corresponding to the user with the user ID "Alice" decrypts the hierarchical ID indicating the encryption layer (L6) and the confidential information included in the encryption layer (L6). Includes decryption information to do. Further, the other hierarchical information included in the user information (L2) includes a hierarchical ID indicating the encryption layer (L8) and decryption information for decrypting the confidential information included in the encryption layer (L8). Therefore, the user with the user ID "Alice" decrypts the two layers of information included in the user layer (L2) with their own encryption keys, thereby decrypting the confidential information and the encryption layer included in the encryption layer (L6). It is possible to read out the confidential information included in (L8).

When the optical code 4 having such a configuration is used, it is possible to independently assign the user layer (L2 to L5) as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 to the reader device 7 at each distribution stage. .. This makes it possible to set the access authority for the confidential information stored in the encryption layer (L6 to L16) for each distribution stage. For example, it is possible to allow the reader device 7A used by the manufacturer to read the confidential information of a certain encryption layer, while prohibiting the reader device 7D used by the consumer from reading it.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the information management device 1 according to the present embodiment. The information management device 1 shown in FIG. 6 is, for example, a device composed of one or a plurality of computers, and includes a communication unit 10, an input unit 20, a display unit 30, an imaging unit 40, and a storage unit 50. , Has a processing unit 60.

The communication unit 10 is a device for communicating with other devices (terminal device 5, printing device 6, reader device 7, etc.) via the network 9, and includes a communication circuit that communicates according to a predetermined communication standard.

The input unit 20 is a device for inputting operation commands and data to the information management device 1, and is a device related to a user interface such as a keyboard, a mouse, a touch pad, and a touch panel, and a recording medium (optical disk, IC tag, USB). Includes readers (such as memory).

The display unit 30 is a device for displaying information such as images and characters to the user of the information management device 1, and includes, for example, a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display.

The processing unit 60 is a device that controls the overall processing of the information management device 1, and includes one or more computers that execute processing according to the instruction code of the program 51 stored in the storage unit 50, or a dedicated device that executes specific processing. Includes hardware (FPGA, ASIC, etc.).

The storage unit 50 stores a program 51 that is read and executed by one or more computers in the processing unit 60, and data that is temporarily stored in the processing process of the processing unit 60. The storage unit 50 includes, for example, a hard disk device and a storage device such as a flash memory, an optical recording medium, a DRAM, and an SRAM. The program 51 may be recorded on a non-temporary recording medium such as an optical disk. In this case, the program 51 read by the reading device of the input unit 20 may be stored in the storage unit 50.

As shown in FIG. 6, for example, the processing unit 60 includes an authentication processing unit 61, a registration unit 62, an article information generation unit 63, and an article information generation unit 63 as processing blocks for executing processing for managing information of a plurality of articles 3. It has a determination unit 64 and an access request processing unit 65.

The authentication processing unit 61 performs an authentication process for a user who requests a login to the information management device 1. The authentication processing unit 61 requests a login by, for example, collating the authentication information (user ID and password, etc.) given in advance with the authentication information received from the device requesting login via the network 9. Judge permission or disapproval. The authentication processing unit 61 performs authentication processing for login requests from the terminal device 5, the printing device 6, and the reader devices 7A to 7D.

The registration unit 62 registers the management information regarding the individual articles 3 in the database 2. That is, the registration unit 62 registers the identification information for uniquely identifying the one article and the management information in the database 2 in response to the registration request for the registration of the management information regarding the one article 3. In the example of FIG. 1, the manufacturer's terminal device 5 transmits a registration request to the information management device 1. The registration unit 62 registers the identification information and the management information of each article 3 transmitted from the terminal device 5 in response to the registration request in the database 2.

FIG. 7A is a diagram showing an example of identification information and management information recorded in the database 2. Each record in the database 2 corresponds to an individual article 3 and includes identification information and management information, for example, as shown in FIG. 7A. The identification information is, for example, a serial number assigned to each article 3. The management information includes, for example, as shown in FIG. 7A, basic information, distribution history information, and authenticity information.

FIG. 7B is a diagram showing an example of basic information. The basic information is the basic information of the article 3 determined at the first distribution stage (manufacturer). For example, as shown in FIG. 7B, the product name, product code, lot number, manufacturing date, etc. Contains information.

In addition, the basic information may include information that should be disclosed at the terminal distribution stage (consumer) (raw material name, expiration date, display of allergens, contact information of the manufacturer, URL of the manufacturer's WEB page, etc.). ..

By including the article group identification information such as the lot number (identification information collectively given to a group of articles 3) in the management information as basic information, the identification information of each article 3 and the article group identification information can be obtained. It can be associated and recorded in the database 2. As a result, the individual articles 3 and the group of articles 3 (lots) can be appropriately managed. For example, the article 3 having specific identification information or a group of articles 3 (lot) having specific parts group identification information (lot number, etc.) can be searched in the database 2 and the management information can be confirmed.

It is also possible to search the database 2 for articles 3 and lots (a group of articles 3) whose management information satisfies a specific condition. For example, when the basic information includes an expiration date (expiration date, etc.), it is possible to search and specify the article 3 or lot whose expiration date has passed in the database 2. In addition, the difference (elapsed days) between the manufacturing date included in the basic information and the arrival date / shipping date included in the distribution stage information described later and the current date is calculated, and the calculated elapsed days are a fixed number of days. It is also possible to identify the article 3 or the lot whose expiration date has passed by searching the database 2 for items exceeding the above.

FIG. 7C is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of distribution history information. The distribution history information regarding the distribution stage through which the article 3 has passed includes, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of distribution stage information corresponding to the plurality of distribution stages. One distribution stage information is information recorded in one distribution stage corresponding to this, and is not recorded in the database 2 until the article 3 reaches the one distribution stage.

FIG. 7D is a diagram showing an example of distribution stage information recorded in the database 2 at the stage of the manufacturer of FIG. The distribution stage information of the manufacturer includes, for example, a business name (manufacturer name), a delivery destination (wholesale trader name), a shipping date, and the like.

FIG. 7E is a diagram showing an example of distribution stage information recorded in the database 2 at the stage of the wholesaler of FIG. The distribution stage information of the wholesaler includes, for example, a business name (wholesale trader name), a supplier (manufacturer name), an arrival date, a delivery destination (retail store name), a shipping date, and the like.

FIG. 7F is a diagram showing an example of distribution stage information recorded in the database 2 at the stage of the retail store of FIG. The distribution stage information of the retail store includes, for example, a business name (retail store name), a supplier (wholesale trader name), an arrival date, an amount of money, a sales date, and the like.

The article information generation unit 63 generates article information including identification information registered in the database 2 and transmits it to the printing device 6. The article information is information for physically recording the article 3 or the object attached to the article 3, and is, for example, in data in a predetermined format so that the above-mentioned optical code 4 can be printed by the printing device 6. It has been converted. The article information generated by the article information generation unit 63 includes at least a part of the basic information shown in FIG. 7B, for example, in addition to the identification information of the article 3. That is, at least a part of the article information recorded for one article 3 or the article attached to the one article 3 is the information included in the management information (basic information, etc.) regarding the one article. .. As a result, the reader device 7 can directly read a part or all of the basic information (those having access authority) from the optical code 4 without logging in to the information management device 1 and accessing the management information of the database 2. Is possible.

The access request processing unit 64 executes processing according to the access request from the reader device 7. In this access request, the reader device 7 requests access to the management information (FIGS. 7A to F) based on the article information read from the optical code 4.

The access request to this management information includes an access request for adding information indicating the continuity between the current distribution stage and the immediately preceding or immediately following distribution stage to the distribution history information.

For example, when the article 3 is shipped to the next distribution stage, the access request to the management information includes distribution history information such as information on the next distribution stage (delivery destination of the article 3) and the shipping date of the article 3. Includes access requests to be added to the distribution stage information (FIGS. 7C-7F) of.

In addition, the access request to the management information is that when the goods 3 are received from the previous distribution stage, the information about the previous distribution stage (supplier of the goods 3) and the information about the current distribution stage (the goods 3 are received). Includes an access request to add the name of the business operator, the arrival date of the article 3, and the like to the distribution stage information (FIGS. 7C to 7F) of the distribution history information.

Further, the access request at the retail store includes an access request for adding the selling price of the received goods 3 to the distribution stage information (Fig. 7F) and sales information (sales date, etc.) regarding the sale (delivery) of the goods 3 at the distribution stage information. Includes an access request to be added to (FIG. 7F).

When the access request processing unit 64 receives these access requests from the reader device 7, the access request processing unit 64 executes the operation of the database 2 and other processes according to the access request, and notifies the reader device 7 of the request source of the processing result.

First, when the access request processing unit 64 receives an access request from the reader device 7 based on the article information read from the optical code 4, the access request processing unit 64 searches the database 2 for the identification information included in the read article information. Next, the access request processing unit 64 performs processing (reading, changing, adding, etc.) according to the access request with respect to the management information associated with the identification information found by the search.

The determination unit 65 determines the authenticity of the article information read from the optical code 4. For example, the determination unit 65 is read from the optical code 4 when the identification information of the search target is not registered in the database 2 as a result of the access request processing unit 64 searching for the identification information in response to the access request. Deny the authenticity of goods information.

Further, when the determination unit 65 finds one identification information registered in the database 2 as a result of searching the identification information in response to the access request, the distribution history included in the management information associated with the one identification information. Get information. The determination unit 65 includes information indicating continuity in the access request (delivery destination, supplier, etc.) and information indicating continuity of the final distribution stage included in the acquired distribution history information (delivery destination, supplier, etc.). ), It is determined whether the current distribution stage indicated by the access request and the last distribution stage in the acquired distribution history information are continuous. Then, the determination unit 65 denies the authenticity of the article information read from the optical code 4 when the current distribution stage and the final distribution stage are not continuous.

For example, when the current distribution stage indicated by the access request and the last next distribution stage (last delivery destination) indicated by the distribution history information acquired from the database 2 do not match, the determination unit 65 reads from the optical code 4. Deny the authenticity of the issued article information.

Further, when the distribution stage (supplier) before the access request indicates and the final distribution stage indicated by the distribution history information acquired from the database 2 do not match, the determination unit 65 is read from the optical code 4. The authenticity of the article information may be denied.

Further, when the determination unit 65 receives an access request from a consumer who has purchased an article from a retail store, if the distribution history information acquired from the database 2 does not include sales information (sales date, etc.), the determination unit 65 opticals The authenticity of the article information read from the code 4 is denied.

Further, when the determination unit 65 finds one identification information registered in the database 2 as a result of the search for the identification information in response to the access request, the management information associated with the one identification information and the optical code If the information to be matched with the article information read from 4 does not match, the authenticity of the article information read from the optical code 4 is denied. For example, when the lot number included in the management information and the lot number included in the article information are different, the determination unit 65 denies the authenticity of the article information.

When the determination unit 65 makes a determination to deny the authenticity of the article information read from the optical code 4, the authenticity information (FIG. 7A) indicating the result of this determination and the authenticity information read from the optical code 4 are read. It is recorded in the database 2 in association with the identification information included in the article information. For example, the determination unit 65 may include in the authenticity information the date on which the determination for denying the authenticity of the article information is performed and the information regarding the access request that is the factor of the determination.

Next, the operation of the information management device 1 according to the present embodiment having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an example of a process of recording distribution history information at each distribution stage of the article 3.
The manufacturer's terminal device 5 transmits a registration request for registration of management information regarding the article 3 to the information management device 1 (ST1). Upon receiving this registration request, the registration unit 62 associates the identification information for uniquely identifying the article 3 with the management information (FIGS. 7A to 7B) and registers them in the database 2 (ST3), and completes the registration. Notify the terminal device 5 (ST5). Further, the article information generation unit 63 generates article information including identification information of the article 3 registered in the database 2 (ST7), and transmits the article information to the printing device 6. The printing device 6 prints the optical code 4 on the sticker based on the article information received from the information management device 1 (ST9). The manufacturer attaches a sticker on which the optical code 4 is printed by the printing device 6 to the article 3 corresponding to the optical code 4.

When shipping the article 3 to the wholesaler, the manufacturer's reader device 7A reads the optical code 4 of the article 3 and transmits an access request for adding information regarding the shipment to the information management device 1 (ST11). Upon receiving this access request, the access request processing unit 64 records the delivery destination (wholesale trader name) and the shipping date in the distribution stage information (FIG. 7D) of the distribution history information (ST13), and completes the recording in the reader device 7A. (ST15).

When the article 3 is received from the manufacturer, the wholesaler's reader device 7B reads the optical code 4 of the article 3 and transmits an access request for adding information regarding the arrival to the information management device 1 (ST17). Upon receiving this access request, the access request processing unit 64 sets the name of the business operator (wholesale trader name), the supplier (manufacturer name), and the arrival date of the goods 3 to the distribution stage information (FIG. It records in 7E) (ST19) and notifies the reader device 7B of the completion of recording (ST21).

When shipping the article 3 to the retail store, the wholesaler reader device 7B reads the optical code 4 of the article 3 and transmits an access request for adding information regarding the shipment to the information management device 1 (ST23). Upon receiving this access request, the access request processing unit 64 records the delivery destination (retail store name) and the shipping date in the distribution stage information (FIG. 7E) of the distribution history information (ST25), and notifies the reader device 7B of the completion of the recording. Notify (ST27).

When the article 3 is received from the wholesaler, the reader device 7C of the retail store reads the optical code 4 of the article 3 and transmits an access request for adding information regarding the arrival to the information management device 1 (ST29). When the access request processing unit 64 receives the access request, the access request processing unit 64 sets the name of the business operator (name of the retail store), the supplier (name of the wholesaler), the arrival date, and the amount of money that received the article 3 in the distribution stage information (distribution stage information (distribution history information). It records in FIG. 7F) (ST31) and notifies the reader device 7C of the completion of recording (ST33).

When selling the article 3 to the consumer, the reader device 7C of the retail store reads the optical code 4 of the article 3 and transmits an access request for adding information regarding the sale to the information management device 1 (ST35). Upon receiving the access request, the access request processing unit 64 records the sale date of the article 3 in the distribution stage information (FIG. 7F) (ST37), and notifies the reader device 7C of the completion of the recording (ST39).

When the consumer reader device 7D browses the information about the purchased article 3, it transmits an access request for providing the information about the article 3 to the information management device 1 (ST41). Upon receiving this access request, the access request processing unit 64 acquires information (authenticity information, etc.) not included in the article information of the optical code 4 from the management information of the database 2 and causes the consumer reader device 7D. Transmit (ST43).

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining an example of processing of the information management device 1 when newly registering management information in the database 2.
When a registration request for registration of new management information is received from the terminal device 5 of the manufacturer (Yes in ST100), the registration unit 62 associates the identification information for uniquely identifying the article 3 with the management information. Register in database 2 (ST110). Further, the article information generation unit 63 generates article information including the identification information registered in step ST110 and a part of the management information (for example, the basic information of FIG. 7B) (ST115), and prints the optical code 4. Is transmitted to the printing apparatus 6 (ST120).

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining an example of processing of the information management device 1 when an access request for management information is received.
When the access request from the reader device 7 is received (Yes in ST200), the access request processing unit 64 searches the database 2 for the identification information included in the article information read from the optical code 4 by the reader device 7 (ST210). ). As a result of this search, when the corresponding identification information is not registered in the database 2 (No of ST215), the determination unit 65 denies the authenticity of the article information read from the optical code 4, and determines the determination result. Record in authenticity information (FIG. 7A) (ST235).

When the corresponding identification information is found in the database 2 by the search in step ST210, the determination unit 65 has common information (information common between the management information associated with the identification information and the article information read from the optical code 4). For example, a product name, a product code, a lot number, a date of manufacture, etc.) are compared (ST220). As a result of comparison, when at least a part of the information to be matched between the two does not match (No of ST220), the determination unit 65 denies the authenticity of the article information read from the optical code 4, and the authenticity thereof is denied. The determination result is recorded in the authenticity information (ST235).

When both are "Yes" in steps ST215 and ST220, the determination unit 65 acquires distribution history information (FIGS. 7C to 7F) from the management information associated with the identification information searched in step ST210. The determination unit 65 includes information indicating the continuity of the final distribution stage (delivery destination, supplier, etc.) included in the acquired distribution history information and information indicating continuity in the access request (delivery destination, supplier). Etc.), it is determined whether the current distribution stage indicated by the access request and the last distribution stage in the acquired distribution history information are continuous (ST225). As a result of this determination, when the current distribution stage and the final distribution stage are not continuous (No of ST225), the determination unit 65 denies the authenticity of the article information read from the optical code 4, and the authenticity of the article information is denied. The determination result is recorded in the authenticity information (ST235).

For example, the determination unit 65 is read from the optical code 4 when the current distribution stage indicated by the access request and the delivery destination of the last distribution stage indicated by the acquired distribution history information do not match (delivery destination mismatch). Deny the authenticity of the goods information. Further, when the distribution stage (supplier) before the access request indicates and the last distribution stage indicated by the acquired distribution history information do not match (mismatch of the supplier), the determination unit 65 starts from the optical code 4. The authenticity of the read article information may be denied. Alternatively, the determination unit 65 determines whether or not there is a mismatch between the delivery destinations and whether or not there is a mismatch between the suppliers, and if there is a mismatch in at least one of them, the authenticity of the article information read from the optical code 4 is determined. You may deny it.

Further, when the determination unit 65 receives an access request from a consumer who has purchased an article from a retail store, the determination unit 65 determines whether the distribution history information acquired from the database 2 includes information on sales such as a sale date. Then, when the information regarding the sale is not included, the determination unit 65 determines that the current distribution stage and the final distribution stage are not continuous (Yes of ST225), and the article read from the optical code 4. Deny the authenticity of the information (ST235).

When all of steps ST215, ST220, and ST225 are "Yes", the access request processing unit 64 performs processing (reading, changing, adding, etc. of management information recorded in the database 2) according to the access request (ST230).

When the processing of steps ST210 to ST235 is executed, the information management device 1 notifies the reader device 7 of the requesting source of the access request of the processing result (ST240).

As described above, according to the information management device 1 according to the present embodiment, the identification information included in the article information is searched in the database 2 in response to the access request based on the article information read from the optical code 4. As a result of this search, if the identification information of the search target is not registered in the database 2, the authenticity of the article information read from the optical code 4 is denied. As a result, it becomes possible to detect the camouflage of the optical code 4, and it is possible to accurately discriminate the counterfeit under the guise of the authenticity of the article 3.

Further, according to the information management device 1 according to the present embodiment, when one identification information registered in the database 2 is found as a result of searching for the identification information in response to the access request, it is associated with the one identification information. The distribution history information included in the management information is acquired. Then, information indicating the continuity of the access request (delivery destination, supplier, etc.) and information indicating the continuity of the final distribution stage included in the acquired distribution history information (delivery destination, supplier, etc.) Based on at least one of the above, it is determined whether the current distribution stage indicated by the access request and the final distribution stage in the acquired distribution history information are continuous. As a result of this determination, if the current distribution stage and the final distribution stage are not continuous, the authenticity of the article information read from the optical code 4 is denied. That is, the consistency between the continuity of the distribution stage indicated by the distribution history information recorded in the database 2 and the information provided by the access request (information indicating the continuity between the current distribution stage and the immediately preceding or immediately distributed distribution stage). By examining the above, the authenticity of the article information read from the optical code 4 is determined. Therefore, it is possible to more accurately discriminate a fake disguised as the authenticity of the article 3.

Next, some modifications of the information management device 1 described above will be described.

(First modification)
FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining a modified example of the processing of the information management device 1 when the management information is newly registered in the database 2. The flowchart shown in FIG. 11 is obtained by inserting step ST105 before step ST110 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 9 and replacing step ST115 with step ST115A, and the other steps are the same as the flowchart shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 11, the article information generation unit 63 in the first modification generates encrypted identification information for the identification information registered in the database 2 (ST105). The article information generation unit 63 generates article information so as to include the encrypted identification information (ST115A).

FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining a modification of the processing of the information management device 1 when an access request is received. The flowchart shown in FIG. 12 is obtained by inserting step ST205 before step ST210 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 10, and the other steps are the same as the flowchart shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 12, the access request processing unit 64 in the first modification decodes the encrypted identification information included in the article information read from the optical code 4 (ST205), and decodes the decoded identification information. Search in database 2 (ST210).

As described above, according to the information management device 1 of the first modification, the identification information physically recorded with respect to the article 3 and the object attached to the article 3 (in the above example, it is recorded as the optical code 4). Identification information) is encrypted with respect to the original identification information.

When the original identification information is information having regularity such as a serial number, it is relatively easy to infer another valid identification information from one identification information. For example, if the identification information "0001" is known, the identification information "0002", "0003", "0004", ... Adjacent to the identification information "0001" can be easily inferred. Therefore, based on the genuine optical code 4 containing the known identification information, it becomes easy to infer the optical code 4 including other identification information published from the known identification information. As a result, it becomes easy to forge a large number of optical cords 4 from one genuine optical cord 4. On the other hand, when the identification information is encrypted, the correlation between the optical codes 4 including the different identification information "0001", "0002", "0003", "0004", ... Is very small. Even if a genuine optical code 4 containing one identification information can be obtained, it is extremely difficult to forge an optical code 4 containing the other identification information. Therefore, forgery of a large number of optical cords 4 can be effectively suppressed.

(Second modification)
In the second modification, information regarding payment terms for selling the article 3 is provided to the reader device 7D or the payment system of the purchaser (consumer) of the article 3.

The access request to the management information in the second modification is the payment condition regarding the payment condition when the purchaser pays the price for the sale (delivery) of the item 3 to the purchaser (consumer, user of the item 3). Includes access requests to add information to distribution history information. The payment condition information is, for example, information about the bank account of the seller (retail store) of the article 3 and information about the address of the deposit destination of the virtual currency.

Further, the access request to the management information in the second modification adds the sales information (sales date, purchaser's account, etc.) related to the sale of the article 3 to the distribution history information when the article 3 is sold to the purchaser. Includes access requests.

When one identification information registered in the database 2 is found as a result of searching for identification information in response to an access request for adding sales information, the access request processing unit 64 manages the identification information associated with the one identification information. Get information. Then, the access request processing unit 64 transmits the payment condition information (bank account information, etc.) included in the distribution history information of the acquired management information to the access request request source (purchaser reader device 7D). After that, when the access request processing unit 64 receives a notification notifying the completion of payment from the access request request source (purchaser reader device 7D), the access request processing unit 64 distributes sales information (sales date, purchaser's account, etc.) as distribution history information. Add to.

Further, the access request processing unit 64 determines the article information read from the optical code 4 when transmitting payment condition information (bank account information, etc.) to the access request request source (purchaser reader device 7D). Information (authenticity information) regarding the determination result of 65 is transmitted together with this payment condition information.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining an example of processing when the purchaser (consumer) of the article 3 pays the price.
When the article 3 arrives at the retail store, the reader device 7C of the retail store reads the optical code 4 of the article 3 and makes an information management device for an access request for adding payment condition information (sales amount of the article 3, bank account information, etc.). It is transmitted to 1 (ST51). Upon receiving this access request, the access request processing unit 64 records the payment condition information received from the reader device 7C in the distribution stage information (FIG. 7F) of the distribution history information (ST53), and notifies the reader device 7C of the completion of the recording. Notify (ST55).

When the purchaser (consumer) purchases the article 3, the reader device 7D of the purchaser reads the optical code 4 of the article 3 and adds sales information (sales date, purchaser's account, etc.) regarding the sale of the article 3. The requested access request is transmitted to the information management device 1 (ST57). Upon receiving the access request, the access request processing unit 64 reads the payment condition information (bank account information, etc.) recorded in advance for the article 3 from the database 2 and provides it to the reader device 7D of the purchaser (ST59). The purchaser's reader device 7D transmits a payment request to the payment system 8 based on the payment condition information (bank account information, etc.) acquired from the information management device 1 (ST61). Upon receiving the payment request, the payment system 8 executes the payment process (ST63) and notifies the reader device 7D of the purchaser of the completion of the payment (ST65). Upon receiving this notification, the purchaser's reader device 7D notifies the information management device 1 of the completion of payment (ST67). When the access request processing unit 64 receives the payment completion notification from the purchaser's reader device 7D, the access request processing unit 64 records the sales information (sales date, purchaser's account, etc.) related to the access request in step ST57 in the distribution history information of the database 2. Then (ST69), the reader device 7C of the retail store is notified of the completion of the recording (ST71).

FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining an example of processing of the information management device 1 when an access request is received from a purchaser of an article. The flowchart of FIG. 14 replaces step ST230 in the flowchart of FIG. 12 with steps ST231, ST232 and ST233, and the other steps are the same as the flowchart shown in FIG.

When all are "Yes" in steps ST215, ST220, and ST225, the access request processing unit 64 obtains payment condition information (bank account information, etc.) included in the management information associated with the identification information searched in step ST210 from the database 2. Read and provide to the purchaser's reader device 7D (ST231). After that, when the access request processing unit 64 receives the payment completion notification from the purchaser's reader device 7D within a predetermined time (Yes in ST232), the access request processing unit 64 receives the sales information (sales date, purchaser's account, etc.) related to the access request. Record in the distribution history information of the database 2 (ST233).

In the second modification described above, the purchaser's reader device 7D transmits a payment request based on the payment condition information to the payment system 8, and the purchaser's reader device 7D receives the payment completion notification of the payment system 8. However, the information management device 1 may transmit the payment request and receive the payment completion notification.

That is, the access request processing unit 64 transmits a payment request based on payment condition information (bank account information, etc.) included in the distribution history information of the management information acquired from the database 2 to the payment system 8, and then completes the payment. When the notification is received from the payment system 8, sales information (sales date, purchaser's account, etc.) may be added to the distribution history information.

As described above, according to the second modification described above, it is possible to settle the price very easily in the reader device 7 of the purchaser, and it is possible to acquire the purchaser's information as sales information. It becomes. Further, since the information of the determination result of the determination unit 65 is provided to the purchaser of the article 3, it is possible to effectively prevent the fake article 3 from being sold.

The following are additional notes related to the technology of the present disclosure.

[Appendix 1]
An information management device that manages information on multiple articles.
A registration unit that associates identification information for uniquely identifying the one article with the management information and registers the management information in a database in response to a registration request for registration of the management information related to the article.
An article information generation unit that generates article information including the identification information registered in the database and for physically recording the article or an article attached to the article.
A determination unit for determining the authenticity of the article information read from the article or an article attached to the article, and
It has an access request processing unit that operates the database in accordance with the access request when it receives an access request for accessing the management information based on the read article information.
The access request processing unit searches the database for the identification information included in the read article information in response to the access request based on the read article information.
When the identification information to be searched is not registered in the database as a result of the search in response to the access request, the determination unit denies the authenticity of the read article information.
Information management device.

[Appendix 2]
The article is delivered to the user of the article through a series of multiple distribution stages.
The management information includes distribution history information regarding the distribution stage through which the article has passed.
The access request to the management information includes an access request for adding information indicating continuity between the current distribution stage and the immediately preceding or immediately preceding distribution stage to the distribution history information.
When the determination unit finds one identification information registered in the database as a result of the search in response to the access request, the distribution history included in the management information associated with the one identification information. The access request is made based on at least one of the information indicating the continuity in the access request obtained and the information indicating the continuity of the last distribution stage included in the acquired distribution history information. It is determined whether the current distribution stage and the final distribution stage are continuous, and if the current distribution stage and the final distribution stage are not continuous, the authenticity of the read article information is obtained. Deny,
The information management device according to Appendix 1.

[Appendix 3]
The access request to the management information includes an access request for adding information about the next distribution stage to the distribution history information when the article is shipped to the next distribution stage.
When the current distribution stage indicated by the access request and the last next distribution stage indicated by the acquired distribution history information do not match, the determination unit denies the authenticity of the read article information. To do
The information management device according to Appendix 2.

[Appendix 4]
The access request to the management information includes an access request for adding information about the previous distribution stage to the distribution history information when the goods are received from the previous distribution stage.
When the previous distribution stage indicated by the access request and the final distribution stage indicated by the acquired distribution history information do not match, the determination unit denies the authenticity of the read article information.
The information management device according to Appendix 2.

[Appendix 5]
The access request to the management information includes an access request for adding delivery information regarding delivery of the article to the distribution history information when the article is delivered to the user.
When the determination unit receives the access request from the user to whom the article has been delivered, if the acquired distribution history information does not include the delivery information, the determination unit is authenticate of the read article information. Deny sex,
The information management device according to any one of Appendix 2 to 4.

[Appendix 6]
When the determination unit makes a determination to deny the authenticity of the read article information, the authenticity information indicating the result of the determination and the identification information included in the read article information are obtained. Associate and record in the database
The access request to the management information includes an access request to read the authenticity information included in the management information.
The information management device according to any one of Appendix 2 to 5.

[Appendix 7]
The access request to the management information is
An access request for adding payment condition information regarding payment conditions when the user pays the price in connection with the delivery of the goods to the user, and an access request for adding the payment condition information to the distribution history information.
When delivering the article to the user, the access request for adding the delivery information regarding the delivery of the article to the distribution history information is included.
When the access request processing unit finds one identification information registered in the database as a result of the search in response to the access request for adding the delivery information, the access request processing unit is associated with the one identification information. The management information is acquired, and the payment condition information included in the distribution history information of the acquired management information is transmitted to a payment system that performs payment processing related to payment of the user's price or a requester of the access request. When a notification notifying the completion of payment is received from the payment system or the requester of the access request in response to the transmission of the payment condition information, the delivery information is added to the distribution history information.
The information management device according to any one of Appendix 2 to 6.

[Appendix 8]
When the access request processing unit transmits the payment condition information to the payment system or the request source of the access request, the access request processing unit includes information on the determination result of the determination unit regarding the read article information together with the payment condition information. Send,
The information management device according to Appendix 7.

[Appendix 9]
At least a part of the article information recorded for one article or an article attached to the one article is the information included in the management information about the one article.
When the determination unit finds one identification information registered in the database as a result of the search in response to the access request, the determination unit reads out the management information associated with the one identification information. If the information to be matched with the article information does not match, the authenticity of the read article information is denied.
The information management device according to any one of Appendix 2 to 8.

[Appendix 10]
The article information generation unit generates the article information including the identification information encrypted with respect to the identification information registered in the database.
The access request processing unit decrypts the encrypted identification information included in the read article information, and searches the decrypted identification information in the database.
The information management device according to any one of Appendix 1 to 9.

[Appendix 11]
A program for causing one or more computers to function as the registration unit, the component information generation unit, the determination unit, and the access request processing unit in the information management device according to any one of Appendix 1 to 10.

1 ... Information management device, 2 ... Database, 3 ... Article, 4 ... Optical code, 5 ... Terminal device, 6 ... Printing device, 7 ... Reader device, 8 ... Payment system, 9 ... Network, 10 ... Communication unit, 20 ... Input unit, 30 ... Display unit, 50 ... Storage unit, 51 ... Program, 60 ... Processing unit, 61 ... Authentication processing unit, 62 ... Registration unit, 63 ... Article information generation unit, 64 ... Access request processing unit, 65 ... Judgment Department

The information management device according to the first aspect of the present invention is an information management device that manages information on a plurality of articles, and is the one article in response to a registration request for registration of management information relating to the one article. The registration unit that associates the identification information for uniquely identifying the item with the management information and registers the management information in the database, and the article information including the identification information registered in the database, which is attached to the article or the article. An article information generation unit that generates article information for physically recording an article, and a determination unit that determines the authenticity of the article information read from the article or an article attached to the article. When receiving an access request for accessing the management information based on the read article information, the access request processing unit has an access request processing unit that operates the database according to the access request. In response to the access request based on the read article information, the identification information included in the read article information is searched in the database, and the determination unit searches the search in response to the access request. As a result, when the identification information to be searched is not registered in the database, the authenticity of the read article information is denied, and the article goes through a series of a plurality of distribution stages and is used by the user of the article. The management information includes the distribution history information regarding the distribution stage through which the article has passed, and the access request to the management information is the current distribution stage and the distribution stage immediately before or after. When an access request for adding information indicating continuity to the distribution history information is included, and the determination unit finds one identification information registered in the database as a result of the search in response to the access request, The distribution history information included in the management information associated with the one identification information is acquired, the information indicating the continuity in the access request, and the last distribution stage included in the acquired distribution history information. Based on at least one of the information indicating continuity, it is determined whether the current distribution stage and the last distribution stage indicated by the access request are continuous, and the current distribution stage and the last distribution stage are determined. If and are not continuous, the authenticity of the read article information is denied.

Program according to the second aspect of the present invention, one or more computers, the registration unit in the information management apparatus according to the first aspect, the object item information generating unit, as the determining unit and the access request processing unit It is a program to make it work.

Claims (11)

An information management device that manages information on multiple articles.
A registration unit that associates identification information for uniquely identifying the one article with the management information and registers the management information in a database in response to a registration request for registration of the management information related to the article.
An article information generation unit that generates article information including the identification information registered in the database and for physically recording the article or an article attached to the article.
A determination unit for determining the authenticity of the article information read from the article or an article attached to the article, and
It has an access request processing unit that operates the database in accordance with the access request when it receives an access request for accessing the management information based on the read article information.
The access request processing unit searches the database for the identification information included in the read article information in response to the access request based on the read article information.
When the identification information to be searched is not registered in the database as a result of the search in response to the access request, the determination unit denies the authenticity of the read article information.
Information management device. The article is delivered to the user of the article through a series of multiple distribution stages.
The management information includes distribution history information regarding the distribution stage through which the article has passed.
The access request to the management information includes an access request for adding information indicating continuity between the current distribution stage and the immediately preceding or immediately preceding distribution stage to the distribution history information.
When the determination unit finds one identification information registered in the database as a result of the search in response to the access request, the distribution history included in the management information associated with the one identification information. The access request is made based on at least one of the information indicating the continuity in the access request obtained and the information indicating the continuity of the last distribution stage included in the acquired distribution history information. It is determined whether the current distribution stage and the final distribution stage are continuous, and if the current distribution stage and the final distribution stage are not continuous, the authenticity of the read article information is obtained. Deny,
The information management device according to claim 1. The access request to the management information includes an access request for adding information about the next distribution stage to the distribution history information when the article is shipped to the next distribution stage.
When the current distribution stage indicated by the access request and the last next distribution stage indicated by the acquired distribution history information do not match, the determination unit denies the authenticity of the read article information. To do
The information management device according to claim 2. The access request to the management information includes an access request for adding information about the previous distribution stage to the distribution history information when the goods are received from the previous distribution stage.
When the previous distribution stage indicated by the access request and the final distribution stage indicated by the acquired distribution history information do not match, the determination unit denies the authenticity of the read article information.
The information management device according to claim 2. The access request to the management information includes an access request for adding delivery information regarding delivery of the article to the distribution history information when the article is delivered to the user.
When the determination unit receives the access request from the user to whom the article has been delivered, if the acquired distribution history information does not include the delivery information, the determination unit is authenticate of the read article information. Deny sex,
The information management device according to any one of claims 2 to 4. When the determination unit makes a determination to deny the authenticity of the read article information, the authenticity information indicating the result of the determination and the identification information included in the read article information are obtained. Associate and record in the database
The access request to the management information includes an access request to read the authenticity information included in the management information.
The information management device according to any one of claims 2 to 5. The access request to the management information is
An access request for adding payment condition information regarding payment conditions when the user pays the price in connection with the delivery of the goods to the user, and an access request for adding the payment condition information to the distribution history information.
When delivering the article to the user, the access request for adding the delivery information regarding the delivery of the article to the distribution history information is included.
When the access request processing unit finds one identification information registered in the database as a result of the search in response to the access request for adding the delivery information, the access request processing unit is associated with the one identification information. The management information is acquired, and the payment condition information included in the distribution history information of the acquired management information is transmitted to a payment system that performs payment processing related to payment of the user's price or a requester of the access request. When a notification notifying the completion of payment is received from the payment system or the requester of the access request in response to the transmission of the payment condition information, the delivery information is added to the distribution history information.
The information management device according to any one of claims 2 to 6. When the access request processing unit transmits the payment condition information to the payment system or the request source of the access request, the access request processing unit includes information on the determination result of the determination unit regarding the read article information together with the payment condition information. Send,
The information management device according to claim 7. At least a part of the article information recorded for one article or an article attached to the one article is the information included in the management information about the one article.
When the determination unit finds one identification information registered in the database as a result of the search in response to the access request, the determination unit reads out the management information associated with the one identification information. If the information to be matched with the article information does not match, the authenticity of the read article information is denied.
The information management device according to any one of claims 2 to 8. The article information generation unit generates the article information including the identification information encrypted with respect to the identification information registered in the database.
The access request processing unit decrypts the encrypted identification information included in the read article information, and searches the decrypted identification information in the database.
The information management device according to any one of claims 1 to 9. A program for causing one or more computers to function as the registration unit, the component information generation unit, the determination unit, and the access request processing unit in the information management device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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