WO2024033960A1

WO2024033960A1 - Tag for article identification, article identification system, and article identification method

Info

Publication number: WO2024033960A1
Application number: PCT/JP2022/030242
Authority: WO
Inventors: 稲葉多津茂
Original assignee: 住友電気工業株式会社
Priority date: 2022-08-08
Filing date: 2022-08-08
Publication date: 2024-02-15

Abstract

A tag for article identification according to the present invention is attached to an article, the tag comprising a first tag part that includes a fine substance representing a first identifier and a second tag part, it being possible to acquire a second identifier from the second tag part through a method that is different from the method for acquiring the first identifier from the first tag part.

Description

Article identification tag, article identification system, and article identification method

The present disclosure relates to an article identification tag, an article identification system, and an article identification method.

Patent Document 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-212288) discloses the following individual identification device. That is, the individual identification device is an individual identification device for individually identifying an article in which fine substances having a reflectivity different from that of the base material are randomly arranged on a base material, and the fine substances attached to the reference article are storage means for extracting and storing the distribution position information of the fine substance as reference feature point data; and object feature point extraction means for extracting the distribution position information of the fine substance given to the article to be identified as object feature point data. By comparing the object feature point data extracted by the object feature point extraction means and the reference feature point data stored in the storage means, the article to be identified and the reference article are identified. and determining means for determining whether or not they are the same individual.

Additionally, Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2022-10248) discloses the following individual identification device. That is, the individual identification device includes a storage means for storing, for each type of object that is a target for individual identification, a position indicating a photographing location for identification of the individual of the object, and a storage means for storing the location of the photographed part for identifying the individual of the object, and overall information acquisition means for acquiring overall information that is a captured image; specifying means for specifying a type of object similar to the overall information; and outputting the stored position based on the identified type. and an output means.

JP2012-212288A JP2022-10248A

The article identification tag of the present disclosure is an article identification tag attached to an article, and includes a first tag part containing a fine substance indicating a first identifier, and a second tag part, and includes The second identifier can be acquired from the second tag section by a method different from the method of acquiring the first identifier.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an article identification system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of an article identification tag according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of an article identification tag according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of an article identification tag according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of metadata generated by the registration device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the sequence of article identification processing in the article identification system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

Conventionally, technologies have been proposed that perform individual identification using microscopic substances. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for determining whether an object to be identified and a reference article are the same individual by using an individual identification device that individually identifies an article in which minute substances are randomly arranged. has been done.

[Problems that this disclosure seeks to solve]
Beyond the techniques described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, a technique is desired that can flexibly perform individual identification of articles according to differences in security levels required in different situations.

The present disclosure has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the purpose is to use an article identification tag that can flexibly identify articles according to the difference in security level required in different situations. An object of the present invention is to provide an article identification system and an article identification method.

[Effects of this disclosure]
According to the present disclosure, it is possible to flexibly identify items according to the different security levels required in different situations.

[Description of embodiments of the present disclosure]
First, the contents of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and explained.

(1) An article identification tag according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is an article identification tag attached to an article, and includes a first tag part containing a fine substance indicating a first identifier and a second tag part. The second identifier can be acquired from the second tag part by a method different from the method of acquiring the first identifier from the first tag part.

In this way, with the configuration including the first tag part containing the fine substance indicating the first identifier and the second tag part capable of acquiring the second identifier by a method different from the method of acquiring the first identifier, it is possible to identify the article. When performing individual identification, the first identifier and the second identifier can be selectively used to perform individual identification depending on the required security level and the identifier that can be obtained from the article identification tag. Therefore, it is possible to flexibly identify items according to the different security levels required in different situations.

(2) In (1) above, the second tag portion may include a code indicating the second identifier.

With this configuration, it is possible to obtain the second identifier from the article identification tag using a simple reading device that can read the code, so in situations where the required security level is low, for example, the second identifier Individual identification can be performed easily and at low cost.

(3) In (2) above, the second tag portion may be provided on the article side of the first tag portion, and the code in the second tag portion may pass through the first tag portion. It may also be optically readable.

With such a configuration, the article identification tag can be made smaller than a configuration in which the first tag part and the second tag part are arranged side by side on the article. In addition, by using a reading device that can acquire both the first identifier and the second identifier by optically reading the fine substance pattern in the first tag part and the code in the second tag part, the reading device can be used twice. Individual identification can be performed using both the first identifier and the second identifier while reducing the reading process including positioning and focusing to one time.

(4) In (2) or (3) above, the article identification tag may further include a third tag part, and a method different from the method of acquiring the first identifier from the first tag part. Accordingly, the third identifier may be obtainable from the third tag section, and the third tag section may include a wireless tag indicating the third identifier.

With this configuration, when individually identifying an item, the first identifier, second identifier, and third identifier can be selectively used depending on the required security level and the identifier that can be obtained from the item identification tag. Individual identification can be performed by

(5) In (4) above, the third tag portion may be provided on the article side of the second tag portion.

With such a configuration, the article identification tag can be made smaller in size compared to a configuration in which the second tag part and the third tag part are arranged side by side on the article.

(6) In (1) above, the second tag section may include a wireless tag indicating the second identifier.

With such a configuration, it is possible to acquire the third identifier from the article identification tag using a simple reader capable of acquiring the third identifier from the wireless tag, so that, for example, in situations where the required security level is low, Individual identification can be easily performed at low cost using the third identifier.

(7) An article identification system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is an article identification system for identifying an article to which an article identification tag is attached, wherein the article identification tag includes a fine substance indicating a first identifier. a first tag section and a second tag section, the second identifier can be acquired from the second tag section by a method different from the method for acquiring the first identifier from the first tag section; The article identification system includes a first device that registers the first identifier and the second identifier in a database in association with article information regarding the article; and a first device that registers the first identifier and the second identifier in a database in association with article information regarding the article; and a second device that provides at least one of the second identifiers acquired from the second tag section to the database to acquire the article information.

In this way, the first identifier and the second identifier are registered in the database in association with article information, and at least one of the first identifier acquired from the first tag part and the second identifier acquired from the second tag part is registered. With the configuration in which one of the information is given to the database to obtain the article information, the article information can be shared among a plurality of devices via the database. In addition, in situations where individual identification of an article is performed, the first identifier and the second identifier are selectively used to acquire article information according to the required security level and the identifier that can be obtained from the article identification tag. Individual identification can be performed using the product information obtained. Therefore, it is possible to flexibly identify items according to the different security levels required in different situations.

(8) In (7) above, the second tag portion may include a code indicating the second identifier, and the second tag portion may be provided on the article side of the first tag portion. , a reader may be provided that acquires both the first identifier and the second identifier by optically reading the pattern of the fine substance and the code in the first tag part.

With such a configuration, the article identification tag can be made smaller than a configuration in which the first tag part and the second tag part are arranged side by side on the article. In addition, it is possible to obtain both the first identifier and the second identifier while reducing the reading process including two times of positioning and focusing of the reading device to one time, and to obtain an individual using the first identifier and the second identifier. Identification can be made.

(9) In (7) or (8) above, the database may be provided by an autonomous distributed system.

With such a configuration, the resistance to database failures can be improved.

(10) In (9) above, the first device may register, in the database, information that is part of the article information and can be made public.

With such a configuration, it is possible to selectively share disclosable information with other devices while protecting confidential information.

(11) An article identification method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is an article identification method in an article identification system for identifying an article to which an article identification tag is attached, wherein the article identification tag has a first identifier. a first tag part containing a fine substance shown in the figure, and a second tag part, and acquires a second identifier from the second tag part by a method different from the method of acquiring the first identifier from the first tag part. The article identification method includes a step in which a first device registers the first identifier and the second identifier in a database in association with article information regarding the article; and a second device registers the first identifier and the second identifier in a database. and providing at least one of the first identifier acquired from the tag section and the second identifier acquired from the second tag section to the database to acquire the article information.

In this way, the first identifier and the second identifier are registered in the database in association with article information, and at least one of the first identifier acquired from the first tag part and the second identifier acquired from the second tag part is registered. By providing one to a database to obtain article information, it is possible to share article information among a plurality of devices via the database. In addition, in situations where individual identification of an article is performed, the first identifier and the second identifier are selectively used to acquire article information according to the required security level and the identifier that can be obtained from the article identification tag. Individual identification can be performed using the product information obtained. Therefore, it is possible to flexibly identify items according to the different security levels required in different situations.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described using the drawings. In addition, the same reference numerals are attached to the same or corresponding parts in the drawings, and the description thereof will not be repeated. Furthermore, at least some of the embodiments described below may be combined arbitrarily.

[Configuration and basic operation]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an article identification system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 1, the article identification system 601 includes an article generation device 201, a tag generation device 202, a registration device 211, a

processing device

221, 321, 421, 521, a tag reader 231, a

code reader

241, 341. , 541,

wireless tag readers

251, 351, 451, optical reader 471,

storage devices

261, 361, 461, and database 151. The registration device 211 is an example of a first device. The

processing devices

221, 321, 421, and 521 are examples of second devices. Optical reader 471 is an example of a reading device.

The article identification system 601 is a system that identifies the article 1 to which the article identification tag 101 is attached. The article identification system 601 achieves traceability of the article 1 in the supply chain by individually identifying the article 1 using the article identification tag 101. The article 1 may be a product, a raw material for a product, equipment, or a packaged product in which any of these is wrapped.

For example, the article generation device 201, tag generation device 202, registration device 211, processing device 221, tagant reader 231, code reader 241, wireless tag reader 251, and storage device 261 are manufactured by a manufacturer that performs production, quality control, shipping, etc. of the article 1. The manufacturing facility 200 is located at the manufacturing facility 200 of Part or all of the processing to be described later by the article generation device 201, tag generation device 202, registration device 211, processing device 221, tagant reader 231, code reader 241, and wireless tag reader 251 is executed in response to instructions from the manufacturer.

Further, for example, the processing device 321, the code reader 341, the wireless tag reader 351, and the storage device 361 are installed in the logistics office 300 of a logistics company that transports and delivers the article 1. Part or all of the processing performed by the processing device 321, code reader 341, and wireless tag reader 351, which will be described later, is executed in response to instructions from a logistics company.

Further, for example, the processing device 421, the optical reader 471, the wireless tag reader 451, and the storage device 461 are installed in the sales office 400 of a sales company that manages inventory and sells the articles 1. A distributor may be an agent, a wholesaler, or a retailer. Some or all of the processing performed by the processing device 421, the optical reader 471, and the wireless tag reader 451, which will be described later, is executed in response to instructions from the seller.

Further, for example, the processing device 521 and the code reader 541 are provided at the end user's home 500 of the article 1. Code reader 541 is, for example, a mobile phone equipped with a camera. Part or all of the processing performed by the processing device 521 and the code reader 541, which will be described later, is executed in response to instructions from the end user.

The registration device 211 and the

processing devices

221, 321, 421, and 521 can access the database 151 via the network 161 and refer to information regarding the article 1 stored in the database 151. For example, database 151 is provided by an autonomous distributed system. More specifically, database 151 is a distributed database, blockchain, or distributed ledger.

<Goods identification tag>
The article identification tag 101 is attached to the article 1 via adhesive, for example. The article identification tag 101 indicates an identifier unique to the article 1 to which the article identification tag 101 is attached.

FIGS. 2 to 4 are diagrams showing the configuration of an article identification tag according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the article identification tag 101. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the article identification tag 101 attached to the article 1. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 3. FIG.

Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, the article identification tag 101 includes a fine material tag section 10, a code tag section 20, and a wireless tag section 30. For example, the fine substance tag section 10, the code tag section 20, and the wireless tag section 30 have a flat shape. The fine material tag section 10 is an example of a first tag section. The code tag section 20 is an example of a second tag section. The wireless tag section 30 is an example of a third tag section.

The code tag section 20 is provided on the article 1 side of the fine substance tag section 10. The wireless tag section 30 is provided on the article 1 side of the code tag section 20. More specifically, the code tag section 20 is provided between the fine substance tag section 10 and the article 1 so as to overlap, for example, with the fine substance tag section 10 when the article identification tag 101 is attached to the article 1. It will be done. Further, the wireless tag section 30 is provided between the code tag section 20 and the article 1 so as to overlap with the code tag section 20, for example, in a state where the article identification tag 101 is attached to the article 1. That is, the article identification tag 101 has a layered structure in which the wireless tag section 30, the code tag section 20, and the fine material tag section 10 are arranged in this order from the article 1 side when attached to the article 1. For example, the article identification tag 101 is attached to the article 1 after being generated by stacking the wireless tag section 30, the code tag section 20, and the fine substance tag section 10 in this order. Note that the article identification tag 101 may be formed on the surface of the article 1 by stacking the wireless tag section 30, the code tag section 20, and the fine material tag section 10 in this order from the article 1 side.

(Fine material tag section)
The fine substance tag section 10 includes a resin layer 12 and a plurality of fine substances 11 provided in the resin layer 12. For example, the size of the fine substance 11 is within a range of several micrometers to several hundred micrometers. The resin layer 12 is made of transparent resin.

The arrangement of the plurality of fine substances 11 in the fine substance tag portion 10 or the crystal direction of the plurality of fine substances 11 indicates the identifier IDA of the article 1. More specifically, unique features are extracted from the arrangement of each fine substance 11 in the fine substance tag part 10 of the article identification tag 101 or the crystal orientation of each fine substance 11, and a digital Through processing, the feature amount is converted into a unique identifier IDA. The amount of information of the identifier IDA is, for example, 128 bits. Identifier IDA is an example of a first identifier.

The identifier IDA of the article 1 is determined by using the tagant reader 231 or the optical reader 471 to determine the arrangement of each fine substance 11 or the crystal direction of each fine substance 11 in the fine substance tag part 10 of the article identification tag 101 attached to the article 1. It can be obtained by optically reading the image, extracting the feature amount from the read arrangement or crystal direction, and converting the feature amount using the digital processing described above.

For example, the density, size, and transmittance of the fine substance 11 in the fine substance tag part 10 can be determined by optically reading the two-dimensional code 21 through the fine substance tag part 10 by the optical reader 471 and

code readers

241, 341, and 541. Designed to possible values. As an example, the fine substance 11 is formed of colorless minerals such as diamond and quartz, and has a size of 100 μm or less.

(Code tag part)
The code tag section 20 includes a two-dimensional code 21, a base material 22, and a covering material 23. The two-dimensional code 21 is printed on the main surface of the base material 22 on the fine substance tag section 10 side. The covering material 23 covers the two-dimensional code 21 printed on the base material 22.

The two-dimensional code 21 indicates the identifier IDB of the article 1. More specifically, the two-dimensional code 21 in the code tag section 20 of the article identification tag 101 indicates an identifier IDB unique to the article 1 to which the article identification tag 101 is attached. The amount of information in the identifier IDB is, for example, 128 bits. QR Code (registered trademark) and DataMatrix are examples of the two-dimensional code 21. Identifier IDB is an example of a second identifier.

In the article identification tag 101, the identifier IDB can be obtained from the code tag section 20 by a method different from the method for obtaining the identifier IDA from the fine material tag section 10. More specifically, the identifier IDB of the article 1 reads the two-dimensional code 21 in the code tag portion 20 of the article identification tag 101 attached to the article 1 using the optical reader 471 or the

code reader

241, 341, 541. It can be obtained by optically reading and converting the symbols of the read two-dimensional code 21 into a character string. For example, the two-dimensional code 21 can be optically read by passing through the fine material tag section 10.

(Wireless tag section)
The wireless tag section 30 includes a wireless tag 31 and a covering material 32. The covering material 32 covers the wireless tag 31.

The wireless tag 31 indicates the identifier IDC of the article 1. More specifically, the wireless tag 31 in the wireless tag section 30 of the article identification tag 101 indicates an identifier IDC unique to the article 1 to which the article identification tag 101 is attached. The wireless tag 31 has an integrated circuit and an antenna that comply with RFID (Radio Frequency IDentifier). The information amount of the identifier IDC is, for example, 128 bits. Identifier IDC is an example of a third identifier.

In the article identification tag 101, the identifier IDC can be obtained from the wireless tag section 30 by a method different from the method for obtaining the identifier IDA from the fine material tag section 10. More specifically, the identifier IDC of the article 1 transmits radio waves of a predetermined frequency to the wireless tag 31 in the wireless tag section 30 of the article identification tag 101 attached to the article 1 using the

wireless tag reader

251, 351, 451. It can be acquired from the wireless tag 31 by transmitting it.

<Processing at manufacturing sites>
(Registration of metadata)
Referring to FIG. 1 again, article generation device 201 generates article 1 periodically, for example. The article generation device 201 transmits article information regarding the generated article 1 to the registration device 211, and transmits a tag creation instruction to the tag generation device 202 indicating that an article identification tag 101 to be attached to the article 1 should be created. For example, the article information includes the article name of article 1, the model number of article 1, the manufacturing date of article 1, and internal information regarding article 1. Internal information is confidential information that should not be disclosed to the outside of the manufacturing facility 200.

For example, the article generation device 201 generates article 1A, which is article 1, transmits article information regarding article 1A to registration device 211, and gives a tag creation instruction indicating that an article identification tag 101 to be attached to article 1A should be created. is transmitted to the tag generation device 202.

The registration device 211 stores the article information received from the article generation device 201 in the storage device 261 in association with the article 1A.

The tag generation device 202 receives the tag creation instruction from the article generation device 201 and generates the article identification tag 101 that indicates an identifier unique to the article 1A.

More specifically, the tag generation device 202 determines the unique identifiers IDB and IDC for the article 1A. The tag generation device 202 prints a two-dimensional code 21 indicating the determined identifier IDB on a base material 22, and generates a code tag part 20 by covering the two-dimensional code 21 printed on the base material 22 with a covering material 23. . Further, the tag generation device 202 generates a wireless tag section 30 including the wireless tag 31 written with the determined identifier IDC, and stacks the generated wireless tag section 30 on the code tag section 20. In addition, the tag generation device 202 mixes the fine substance 11 with the resin that is the material of the resin layer 12, applies the resin mixed with the fine substance 11 onto the code tag part 20, and hardens it, thereby generating the wireless tag part 30. , a code tag section 20 and a fine material tag section 10 are stacked in this order to produce a fine material tag section 10. The tag generation device 202 attaches the generated article identification tag 101 to the article 1A. Note that instead of applying the resin mixed with the fine substance 11 onto the code tag part 20, the tag generation device 202 applies the resin mixed with the fine substance 11 in a plate or sheet form and cures it, thereby increasing the transparency. The structure may be such that a fine substance tag part 10 having a value equal to or greater than a predetermined value is generated and the generated fine substance tag part 10 is stacked on the code tag part 20. Furthermore, instead of generating the article identification tag 101 and attaching it to the article 1A, the tag generation device 202 has a configuration in which the wireless tag section 30, the code tag section 20, and the fine substance tag section 10 are laminated in this order on the article 1A. There may be.

Furthermore, the tag generation device 202 notifies the registration device 211 of the determined identifiers IDB and IDC, and transmits an instruction to read the generated article identification tag 101 to the tagant reader 231.

The tagant reader 231 receives a reading instruction from the tag generation device 202 and optically reads the pattern of the fine substance 11 in the fine substance tag portion 10 of the article identification tag 101 generated by the tag generation device 202. Obtain the unique identifier IDA for 1A. The tagant reader 231 notifies the registration device 211 of the acquired identifier IDA.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of metadata generated by the registration device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 5, the registration device 211 receives the identifier IDA of the article 1A notified from the tagant reader 231, the identifiers IDB and IDC of the article 1A notified from the tag generation device 202, and the article received from the article generation device 201. Includes public information that is part of the product information related to 1A, and a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) for acquiring private information that is part of the product information that cannot be disclosed. Generate metadata 41. The public information includes the name of the article 1, the model number of the article 1, and the manufacturing date of the article 1. The private information is internal information regarding the article 1. A person who has access authority to the non-public information can obtain the non-public information using the URL.

The registration device 211 registers the identifier IDA notified from the tag gun reader 231 and the identifiers IDB and IDC notified from the tag generation device 202 in the database 151 in association with article information regarding the article 1A. For example, the registration device 211 registers in the database 151 a URL for acquiring public information of the article information and private information of the article information. More specifically, the registration device 211 generates metadata 41 for each article 1, and stores the generated metadata 41 in the database 151 via the network 161.

(metadata update)
Referring again to FIG. 1, for example, an inspection device (not shown) checks the quality of the article 1A to which the article identification tag 101 is attached, and transmits quality information indicating the quality of the article 1A to the processing device 221. Further, the code reader 241 acquires the identifier IDB of the article 1A by optically reading the two-dimensional code 21 on the article identification tag 101 attached to the article 1A, and notifies the processing device 221 of the acquired identifier IDB. .

The processing device 221 receives the quality information of the article 1A from the inspection device, and stores the received quality information in the storage device 261 in association with the article 1A.

Further, the processing device 221 sends a data request including the identifier IDB notified from the code reader 241 to the database 151 via the network 161, thereby transmitting the metadata 41 of the article 1A including the identifier IDB to the database via the network 161. Obtained from 151.

The processing device 221 adds a URL for acquiring the quality information of the article 1A to the acquired metadata 41. The processing device 221 updates the metadata 41 of the article 1A in the database 151 via the network 161 to the metadata 41 to which the URL has been added.

When the quality check of the article 1A is completed and the article 1A is ready for shipping, the tagant reader 231 optically reads the pattern of the fine substance 11 on the article identification tag 101 attached to the article 1A. The identifier IDA is acquired and the acquired identifier IDA is notified to the processing device 221. Further, the code reader 241 acquires the identifier IDB of the article 1A by optically reading the two-dimensional code 21 on the article identification tag 101 attached to the article 1A, and notifies the processing device 221 of the acquired identifier IDB. . Furthermore, the wireless tag reader 251 acquires the identifier IDC of the article 1A by transmitting radio waves to the wireless tag 31 in the article identification tag 101 attached to the article 1A, and notifies the processing device 221 of the acquired identifier IDC.

The processing device 221 acquires metadata 41 including the identifier IDA from the database 151 via the network 161 by transmitting a data request including the identifier IDA of the article 1A notified from the tag gun reader 231 to the database 151 via the network 161. do.

The processing device 221 collates the identifier IDB included in the acquired metadata 41 with the identifier IDB of the article 1A notified from the code reader 241, and compares the identifier IDC included in the acquired metadata 41 with the identifier IDB from the wireless tag reader 251. The notified item 1A is compared with the identifier IDC.

If the identifier IDB included in the metadata 41 and the identifier IDB notified from the code reader 241 do not match, the processing device 221 determines that the two-dimensional code 21 on the article identification tag 101 attached to the article 1A is forged. It is determined that the two-dimensional code 21 is printed incorrectly, or that a printing problem has occurred with the two-dimensional code 21, and the manager of the manufacturing office 200 is notified of the determination result. Furthermore, if the identifier IDC included in the metadata 41 and the identifier IDC notified from the wireless tag reader 251 do not match, the processing device 221 determines that the wireless tag 31 in the article identification tag 101 attached to the article 1A is forged. or there is a problem in writing the identifier IDC to the wireless tag 31, and notifies the administrator of the manufacturing office 200 of the determination result.

On the other hand, the processing device 221 determines that the identifier IDB included in the metadata 41 and the identifier IDB notified from the code reader 241 match, and that the identifier IDC included in the metadata 41 and the identifier notified from the wireless tag reader 251 match. If the IDC and the IDC match, it is determined that the article identification tag 10 attached to the article 1A is normal and the article 1A can be shipped.

When the processing device 221 determines that the article 1A can be shipped, it adds shipping information indicating the shipping date of the article 1A to the metadata 41 of the article 1A. The processing device 221 updates the metadata 41 of the article 1A in the database 151 via the network 161 to metadata 41 to which the shipping information has been added. Further, the processing device 221 stores the shipping information of the article 1A in the storage device 261 in association with the article 1A.

<Processing at logistics office>
At the logistics office 300, when the article 1 is delivered to the logistics office 300, the wireless tag reader 351 identifies the article 1 by transmitting radio waves to the wireless tag 31 in the article identification tag 101 attached to the article 1. , and notifies the processing device 321 of the acquired identifier IDC.

The processing device 321 uses the identifier IDC notified from the wireless tag reader 351 to store management information indicating the quantity of goods 1 in stock, etc. in the storage device 361.

For example, by transmitting a data request including the identifier IDC of the article 1A notified from the wireless tag reader 351 to the database 151 via the network 161, the processing device 321 transmits the metadata 41 of the article 1A including the identifier IDC to the network 161. The information is obtained from the database 151 via the database 151.

The processing device 321 adds arrival information indicating the arrival date of the article 1A to the acquired metadata 41. The processing device 321 updates, via the network 161, the metadata 41 of the article 1A in the database 151 to metadata 41 to which the arrival information has been added. Furthermore, the processing device 321 stores the arrival information of the article 1A in the storage device 361 in association with the article 1A.

When the product 1 is ready for delivery, the code reader 341 acquires the identifier IDB of the product 1 by optically reading the two-dimensional code 21 on the product identification tag 101 attached to the product 1. The processing device 321 is notified of the identified identifier IDB.

The processing device 321 updates the management information in the storage device 361 using the identifier IDB notified from the code reader 341.

For example, by transmitting a data request including the identifier IDB of the article 1A notified from the code reader 341 to the database 151 via the network 161, the processing device 321 transmits the metadata 41 of the article 1A including the identifier IDB to the network 161. The information is obtained from the database 151 via the database 151.

The processing device 321 adds tracking information indicating the destination of the article 1A to the acquired metadata 41. The processing device 321 updates, via the network 161, the metadata 41 of the article 1A in the database 151 to metadata 41 to which tracking information has been added. Further, the processing device 321 stores the tracking information of the article 1A in the storage device 361 in association with the article 1A.

<Processing at sales office>
The processing device 421 in the sales office 400 uses the identifiers IDA, IDB, and IDC of the article 1 to determine the authenticity of the article 1 .

More specifically, when the article 1 is delivered to the sales office 400, the optical reader 471 optically reads the pattern of the fine substance 11 and the two-dimensional code 21 on the article identification tag 101 attached to the article 1. By doing so, the identifiers IDA and IDB of the article 1 are acquired. As described above, since the two-dimensional code 21 can be optically read by passing through the fine material tag section 10, the optical reader 471 can acquire the identifiers IDA and IDB through one reading process. . The optical reader 471 notifies the processing device 421 of the acquired identifiers IDA and IDB.

Furthermore, the wireless tag reader 451 acquires the identifier IDC of the article 1 by transmitting radio waves to the wireless tag 31 in the article identification tag 101 attached to the article 1, and notifies the processing device 421 of the acquired identifier IDC. .

The processing device 421 provides the identifier IDA acquired from the fine substance tag section 10 to the database 151 to acquire article information.

More specifically, the processing device 421 acquires the metadata 41 including the identifier IDA and article information by transmitting a data request including the identifier IDA notified from the optical reader 471 to the database 151 via the network 161. try.

If the processing device 421 cannot obtain the metadata 41 including the identifier IDA from the database 151 via the network 161, the processing device 421 determines that the article 1 is a counterfeit item.

On the other hand, when the processing device 421 is able to acquire the metadata 41 including the identifier IDA from the database 151 via the network 161, the processing device 421 combines the identifier IDB included in the acquired metadata 41 with the identifier IDB notified from the optical reader 471. The identifier IDC included in the acquired metadata 41 is compared with the identifier IDC notified from the wireless tag reader 451.

The processing device 421 determines whether the identifier IDB included in the metadata 41 and the identifier IDB notified from the optical reader 471 do not match, or the identifier IDC included in the metadata 41 and the identifier IDC notified from the wireless tag reader 451. If they do not match, it is determined that the item 1 is a counterfeit item.

On the other hand, the processing device 421 determines that the identifier IDB included in the metadata 41 and the identifier IDB notified from the optical reader 471 match, and that the identifier IDC included in the metadata 41 and the identifier notified from the wireless tag reader 451 match. If the IDC matches, it is determined that the article 1 is a genuine product that is not counterfeited.

For example, when the processing device 421 determines that the article 1 is a genuine article, it stores information indicating the quantity of the article 1 in stock, inventory, etc. in the storage device 461 using the identifiers IDA, IDB, and IDC.

Note that the processing device 421 may be configured to provide the identifier IDB or the identifier IDC to the database 151 instead of the identifier IDA to obtain article information. For example, the processing device 421 attempts to acquire the metadata 41 including the identifier IDB notified from the optical reader 471 by transmitting a data request including the identifier IDB to the database 151 via the network 161. In this case, the processing device 421 determines whether or not the metadata 41 was acquired, and the identifiers IDA and IDC included in the acquired metadata 41 and the identifiers IDA and IDC notified from the optical reader 471 and the wireless tag reader 451. Based on the verification result, it is determined whether the article 1 is genuine. Alternatively, the processing device 421 attempts to acquire the metadata 41 including the identifier IDC notified from the wireless tag reader 451 by transmitting a data request including the identifier IDC to the database 151 via the network 161. In this case, the processing device 421 determines whether or not the metadata 41 has been acquired, and based on the comparison result between the identifiers IDA and IDB included in the acquired metadata 41 and the identifiers IDA and IDB notified from the optical reader 471. Then, it is determined whether the article 1 is genuine or not.

For example, when a sales contract for the article 1A is concluded, the optical reader 471 acquires the identifier IDB of the article 1A by optically reading the two-dimensional code 21 on the article identification tag 101 attached to the article 1A, The acquired identifier IDB is notified to the processing device 421.

For example, by transmitting a data request including the identifier IDB notified from the optical reader 471 to the database 151 via the network 161, the processing device 421 transmits the metadata 41 of the article 1A including the identifier IDB to the database via the network 161. Obtained from 151.

The processing device 421 adds sales information indicating the sales date and sales destination of the article 1A to the acquired metadata 41. The processing device 321 updates, via the network 161, the metadata 41 of the article 1A in the database 151 to metadata 41 to which sales information has been added. Furthermore, the processing device 421 stores the sales information of the article 1A in the storage device 461 in association with the article 1A.

<Processing at the end user's home>
The processing device 521 in the end user's home 500 uses the identifier IDB of the item 1 to determine the authenticity of the item 1 .

More specifically, when the article 1 is delivered to the end user's house 500, the code reader 541 optically reads the two-dimensional code 21 on the article identification tag 101 attached to the article 1 according to the user's operation. The identifier IDB of the article 1 is acquired, and the acquired identifier IDB is notified to the processing device 521.

The processing device 521 provides the identifier IDB acquired from the code tag section 20 to the database 151 to acquire article information.

More specifically, the processing device 521 attempts to acquire the article information of the article 1 including the identifier IDB by transmitting a data request including the identifier IDB notified from the code reader 541 to the database 151 via the network 161. .

If the processing device 521 is able to acquire the article information of the article 1 including the identifier IDB from the database 151 via the network 161, the processing device 521 determines that the article 1 is a genuine product that is not counterfeited. On the other hand, if the processing device 521 cannot obtain the article information of the article 1 including the identifier IDB from the database 151 via the network 161, the processing device 521 determines that the article 1 is a counterfeit item. The processing device 521 notifies the user of the determination result regarding the authenticity determination of the article 1.

For example, when the user receives a notification of the determination result from the processing device 521 and desires a more rigorous authentication, the user hands over the article 1 to the manufacturing office 200 or the sales office 400 and requests authenticity determination.

<Authenticity determination at manufacturing sites>
In the manufacturing business 200 that has been requested by a user to determine the authenticity of the article 1, the tagant reader 231 identifies the article 1 by optically reading the pattern of the fine substance 11 on the article identification tag 101 attached to the article 1. The identifier IDA is acquired and the acquired identifier IDA is notified to the processing device 221. Further, the code reader 241 acquires the identifier IDB of the article 1 by optically reading the two-dimensional code 21 on the article identification tag 101 attached to the article 1, and sends the acquired identifier IDB to the processing device 221. Notice. The wireless tag reader 251 also acquires the identifier IDC of the article 1 by transmitting radio waves to the wireless tag 31 in the article identification tag 101 attached to the article 1, and notifies the processing device 221 of the acquired identifier IDC. do.

The processing device 221 uses the identifiers IDA, IDB, and IDC notified from the tag gun reader 231, code reader 241, and wireless tag reader 251 to determine the authenticity of the article 1.

More specifically, the processing device 221 attempts to acquire the metadata 41 including the identifier IDA notified by the tagant reader 231 by transmitting a data request including the identifier IDA to the database 151 via the network 161.

If the processing device 221 cannot obtain the metadata 41 including the identifier IDA from the database 151 via the network 161, the processing device 221 determines that the article 1 is a counterfeit item.

On the other hand, if the processing device 221 is able to acquire the metadata 41 including the identifier IDA from the database 151 via the network 161, the processing device 221 combines the identifier IDB included in the acquired metadata 41 with the identifier IDB notified from the code reader 241. The identifier IDC included in the acquired metadata 41 is compared with the identifier IDC notified from the wireless tag reader 251.

The processing device 221 determines whether the identifier IDB included in the metadata 41 and the identifier IDB notified from the code reader 241 do not match, or the identifier IDC included in the metadata 41 and the identifier IDC notified from the wireless tag reader 251. If they do not match, it is determined that the item 1 is a counterfeit item.

On the other hand, the processing device 221 determines that the identifier IDB included in the metadata 41 and the identifier IDB notified from the code reader 241 match, and that the identifier IDC included in the metadata 41 and the identifier notified from the wireless tag reader 251 match. If the IDC matches, it is determined that the article 1 is a genuine product that is not counterfeited.

The processing device 221 notifies the administrator at the manufacturing office 200 of the determination result regarding the authenticity determination of the article 1. The administrator notifies the user who requested the authenticity determination of the determination result.

Note that the processing device 221 may be configured to provide the identifier IDB or the identifier IDC to the database 151 instead of the identifier IDA to obtain article information. For example, the processing device 221 attempts to acquire the metadata 41 including the identifier IDB notified from the code reader 241 by transmitting a data request including the identifier IDB to the database 151 via the network 161. In this case, the processing device 221 determines whether or not the metadata 41 was acquired, and checks the identifiers IDA and IDC included in the acquired metadata 41 and the identifiers IDA and IDC notified from the tagant reader 231 and the wireless tag reader 251. Based on the results, it is determined whether the article 1 is genuine. Alternatively, the processing device 221 attempts to acquire the metadata 41 including the identifier IDC notified from the wireless tag reader 251 by transmitting a data request including the identifier IDC to the database 151 via the network 161. In this case, the processing device 221 checks whether or not the metadata 41 was acquired, and checks the identifiers IDA and IDB included in the acquired metadata 41 and the identifiers IDA and IDB notified from the tagant reader 231 and the code reader 241. Based on the results, it is determined whether the article 1 is genuine.

<Authenticity determination at sales offices>
At the sales office 400 that has been requested by the user to determine the authenticity of the article 1, the optical reader 471 optically reads the pattern of the fine substance 11 and the two-dimensional code 21 on the article identification tag 101 attached to the article 1. As a result, the identifiers IDA and IDB of the article 1 are acquired, and the acquired identifiers IDA and IDB are notified to the processing device 421. The wireless tag reader 451 also acquires the identifier IDC of the article 1 by transmitting radio waves to the wireless tag 31 in the article identification tag 101 attached to the article 1, and notifies the processing device 421 of the acquired identifier IDC. do.

The processing device 421 uses the identifiers IDA, IDB, and IDC notified from the optical reader 471 and the wireless tag reader 451 to determine the authenticity of the article 1 in the same manner as when the article 1 is delivered to the sales office 400. .

The processing device 421 notifies the administrator at the sales office 400 of the determination result regarding the authenticity determination of the article 1. The administrator notifies the user who requested the authenticity determination of the determination result.

[Flow of operation]
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the sequence of article identification processing in the article identification system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 6, first, tag generation device 202 receives a tag creation instruction from article generation device 201, generates article identification tag 101 indicating an identifier unique to article 1, and attaches it to article 1. (Step S11).

Next, the registration device 211 uses the URL for acquiring the identifiers IDA, IDB, and IDC indicated by the article identification tag 101 attached to the article 1, public information regarding the article 1, and private information regarding the article 1. Metadata 41 including the following is generated (step S12).

Next, the registration device 211 registers the identifiers IDA, IDB, and IDC indicated by the article identification tag 101 attached to the article 1 in the database 151 in association with the article information regarding the article 1. More specifically, the registration device 211 stores the generated metadata 41 in the database 151 via the network 161 (step S13).

Next, the processing device 221 updates the metadata 41 in the database 151. More specifically, the processing device 221 receives quality information of the article 1 from an inspection device (not shown), and converts the metadata 41 of the article 1 in the database 151 into metadata to which a URL for acquiring the quality information is added. Updated to 41. Furthermore, when preparations for shipping the article 1 are completed, the processing device 221 updates the metadata 41 of the article 1 in the database 151 to metadata 41 to which shipping information indicating the shipping date of the article 1 is added ( Step S14).

Next, the processing device 321 updates the metadata 41 in the database 151. More specifically, when the article 1 is delivered to the logistics office 300, the processing device 321 converts the metadata 41 of the article 1 in the database 151 into metadata that includes arrival information indicating the arrival date of the article 1, etc. Update to data 41. Furthermore, when preparations for delivery of the article 1 are completed, the processing device 321 updates the metadata 41 of the article 1 in the database 151 to metadata 41 to which tracking information indicating the destination of the article 1 is added ( Step S15).

Next, when the article 1 is delivered to the sales office 400, the processing device 421 provides the identifier IDA of the article 1 to the database 151 to obtain article information. More specifically, the processing device 421 acquires the metadata 41 including the identifier IDA of the article 1 by transmitting a data request including the identifier IDA of the article 1 to the database 151 via the network 161 (step S16).

Next, the processing device 421 can acquire the metadata 41 including the identifier IDA from the database 151 via the network 161, and the identifiers IDB and IDC included in the acquired metadata 41 and the information attached to the article 1. If the identifiers IDB and IDC indicated by the article identification tag 101 match, it is determined that the article 1 is a genuine product that is not counterfeited (step S17).

Next, the processing device 421 updates the metadata 41 in the database 151. More specifically, when a sales contract for the article 1 is concluded, the processing device 421 adds sales information indicating the sales date and destination of the article 1 to the metadata 41 of the article 1 in the database 151. The metadata 41 is updated (step S18).

Next, when the article 1 is delivered to the end user's home 500, the processing device 521 provides the identifier IDB of the article 1 to the database 151 to obtain article information. More specifically, the processing device 521 acquires the article information of the article 1 by transmitting a data request including the identifier IDB of the article 1 to the database 151 via the network 161 (step S19).

Next, if the processing device 521 is able to acquire the article information of the article 1 from the database 151 via the network 161, the processing device 521 determines that the article 1 is a genuine product that is not counterfeited (step S20).

Note that although the article identification tag 101 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure has a configuration including the fine material tag section 10, the code tag section 20, and the wireless tag section 30, the present disclosure is not limited to this. do not have. The article identification tag 101 may be configured without either the code tag section 20 or the wireless tag section 30. In the article identification tag 101 that does not include the code tag section 20, the wireless tag section 30 is an example of a second tag section, and the identifier IDC indicated by the wireless tag section 30 is an example of a second identifier.

Further, the article identification tag 101 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure has a laminated structure in which the wireless tag section 30, the code tag section 20, and the fine material tag section 10 are laminated in this order from the article 1 side. However, it is not limited to this. The article identification tag 101 may have a structure that does not have a laminated structure. More specifically, the wireless tag section 30 may be provided so as not to overlap the code tag section 20. Further, the code tag section 20 may be provided so as not to overlap the fine substance tag section 10.

Furthermore, in the article identification tag 101 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the code tag section 20 is configured to include the two-dimensional code 21, but the present invention is not limited to this. The code tag section 20 may include a one-dimensional code such as a barcode instead of the two-dimensional code 21.

Further, in the article identification system 601 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the optical reader 471 optically reads the pattern of the fine substance 11 and the two-dimensional code 21 in the article identification tag 101 to obtain the identifier IDA of the article 1. , IDB has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to this. Even if the optical reader 471 acquires the identifier IDA by optically reading the pattern of the fine substance 11 on the article identification tag 101, it does not read the two-dimensional code 21 or acquire the identifier IDB. good. In this case, the article identification system 601 may further include a code reader provided at the sales office 400 that acquires the identifier IDB by optically reading the two-dimensional code 21.

Furthermore, in the article identification system 601 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the database 151 has a configuration provided by an autonomous distributed system, but the configuration is not limited to this. Database 151 may be provided by a centralized system.

Furthermore, in the article identification system 601 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the registration device 211 registers in the database 151 a URL for acquiring public information of the article information and private information of the article information. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The registration device 211 may be configured to register private information in the database 151 in addition to public information.

Furthermore, in the article identification system 601 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the processing device 421 in the sales office 400 is configured to give the identifier IDA acquired from the fine substance tag unit 10 to the database 151 to acquire article information. However, it is not limited to this. The processing device 421 may be configured to provide the database 151 with the identifier IDB obtained from the code tag unit 20 instead of the identifier IDA to obtain article information. More specifically, the processing device 421 attempts to acquire the metadata 41 including the identifier IDB notified from the optical reader 471 by transmitting a data request including the identifier IDB to the database 151 via the network 161. Then, the processing device 421 determines whether the metadata 41 was acquired, and checks the identifiers IDA and IDC included in the acquired metadata 41 and the identifiers IDA and IDC notified from the optical reader 471 and the wireless tag reader 451. Based on the results, it is determined whether the article 1 is genuine.

Additionally, the processing device 421 may be configured to provide both the identifier IDA and the identifier IDB to the database 151 to obtain article information. More specifically, the processing device 421 attempts to acquire the metadata 41 including the identifier IDA by transmitting a data request including the identifier IDA to the database 151 via the network 161. Further, the processing device 421 attempts to acquire the metadata 41 including the identifier IDB by transmitting a data request including the identifier IDB to the database 151 via the network 161. For example, if the processing device 421 is able to acquire the metadata 41 including the identifier IDA and the metadata 41 including the identifier IDB, the processing device 421 may obtain the article information in the metadata 41 including the identifier IDA and the article information in the metadata 41 including the identifier IDB. If the two match, it is determined that the article 1 is genuine. On the other hand, if the two do not match, the processing device 421 determines that the article 1 is a counterfeit product.

By the way, there are cases where different security levels are required depending on the situation in which the individual identification of an article is performed.Therefore, there is a technology that can flexibly perform the individual identification of an article according to the difference in the security level required in different situations. is desired.

Conventionally, manufacturers, logistics companies, distributors, end users, etc. have proposed technologies for individually identifying objects using one-dimensional codes such as barcodes, two-dimensional codes such as QR codes, or wireless tags. . However, while one-dimensional codes, two-dimensional codes, and wireless tags can be read using simple reading devices, individual identification methods using these have low resistance to copying and falsification, so it is difficult to distinguish between genuine and counterfeit products. The reliability of the identification results is low. Therefore, individual identification techniques using one-dimensional codes, two-dimensional codes, and wireless tags are not suitable for determining the authenticity of articles.

Although the individual identification technology described in Patent Document 1 has high resistance to copying and tampering, it requires a dedicated and expensive reading device. Therefore, it is not realistic from the viewpoint of cost and usability of the reading device for all businesses and end users who carry out individual identification to own the reading device.

In contrast, the article identification tag 101 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is attached to the article 1. The article identification tag 101 includes a fine substance tag section 10 including a fine substance 11 indicating an identifier IDA, a code tag section 20, and a wireless tag section 30. In the article identification tag 101, the identifiers IDB and IDC can be acquired from the code tag section 20 and the wireless tag section 30 by a method different from the method for acquiring the identifier IDA from the fine substance tag section 10.

In this way, the fine substance tag section 10 including the fine substance 11 indicating the identifier IDA, and the code tag section 20 and the wireless tag section 30 that can acquire the identifiers IDB and IDC by a method different from the method for acquiring the identifier IDA are used. With this configuration, when individually identifying the article 1, the identifiers IDA, IDB, and IDC are selectively used depending on the required security level and the identifier that can be obtained from the article identification tag 101. be able to. Therefore, it is possible to flexibly identify items according to the different security levels required in different situations.

The above embodiments should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than the above description, and it is intended that equivalent meanings to the claims and all changes within the range are included.

The above description includes the features noted below.
[Additional note 1]
An article identification tag attached to an article,
a first tag portion including a fine substance indicating a first identifier;
and a second tag part,
The second identifier can be acquired from the second tag part by a method different from the method of acquiring the first identifier from the first tag part,
The second tag portion includes a code indicating the second identifier,
The article identification tag further includes:
Equipped with a third tag part,
The third identifier can be acquired from the third tag part by a method different from the method of acquiring the first identifier from the first tag part,
The third tag section includes a wireless tag indicating the third identifier,
The first tag part, the second tag part, and the third tag part are stacked in this order.

[Additional note 2]
An article identification tag attached to an article,
a first tag portion including a fine substance indicating a first identifier;
and a second tag part,
The second identifier can be acquired from the second tag part by a method different from the method of acquiring the first identifier from the first tag part,
The second tag portion includes a code indicating the second identifier,
The second tag part is provided on the article side of the first tag part,
The fine substance is an article identification tag made of a colorless mineral.

[Additional note 3]
An article identification tag attached to an article,
a first tag portion including a fine substance indicating a first identifier;
and a second tag part,
The second identifier can be acquired from the second tag part by a method different from the method of acquiring the first identifier from the first tag part,
The second tag portion includes a code indicating the second identifier,
The second tag part is provided on the article side of the first tag part,
An article identification tag, wherein the fine substance has a size of 100 μm or less.

1 Article 10 Fine substance tag part 11 Fine substance 12 Resin layer 20 Code tag part 21 Two-dimensional code 22 Base material 23 Covering material 30 Wireless tag part 31 Wireless tag 32 Covering material 41 Metadata 101 Article identification tag 151 Database 161 Network 200 Manufacturing office 201 Article generation device 202 Tag generation device 211 Registration device 221,321,421,521 Processing device 231 Taghan reader 241,341,541 Code reader 251,351,451 Wireless tag reader 261,361,461 Storage device 471 Optical reader 300 Logistics office 400 Sales office 500 End user's home 601 Article identification system

Claims

An article identification tag attached to an article,
a first tag portion including a fine substance indicating a first identifier;
and a second tag part,
An article identification tag, wherein a second identifier can be acquired from the second tag part by a method different from a method for acquiring the first identifier from the first tag part.
The article identification tag according to claim 1, wherein the second tag portion includes a code indicating the second identifier.
The second tag part is provided on the article side of the first tag part,
3. The article identification tag according to claim 2, wherein the code in the second tag part is optically readable through the first tag part.
The article identification tag further includes:
Equipped with a third tag part,
The third identifier can be acquired from the third tag part by a method different from the method of acquiring the first identifier from the first tag part,
The article identification tag according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the third tag section includes a wireless tag indicating the third identifier.
The article identification tag according to claim 4, wherein the third tag section is provided on the article side of the second tag section.
The article identification tag according to claim 1, wherein the second tag section includes a wireless tag indicating the second identifier.
An article identification system for identifying an article to which an article identification tag is attached,
The article identification tag includes a first tag part containing a fine substance indicating a first identifier and a second tag part, and is obtained by a method different from the method of acquiring the first identifier from the first tag part. A second identifier can be obtained from the second tag part,
The article identification system includes:
a first device that registers the first identifier and the second identifier in a database in association with article information regarding the article;
a second device that acquires the article information by giving at least one of the first identifier acquired from the first tag section and the second identifier acquired from the second tag section to the database. , Article Identification System.
The second tag portion includes a code indicating the second identifier,
The second tag part is provided on the article side of the first tag part,
The article identification system according to claim 7, further comprising a reading device that acquires both the first identifier and the second identifier by optically reading the pattern of the fine substance and the code in the first tag part.
The article identification system according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the database is provided by an autonomous decentralized system.
The article identification system according to claim 9, wherein the first device registers, in the database, information that is part of the article information and can be made public.
An article identification method in an article identification system for identifying an article to which an article identification tag is attached, the method comprising:
The article identification tag includes a first tag part containing a fine substance indicating a first identifier and a second tag part, and is obtained by a method different from the method of acquiring the first identifier from the first tag part. A second identifier can be obtained from the second tag part,
The article identification method includes:
a first device registering the first identifier and the second identifier in a database in association with article information regarding the article;
a second device providing at least one of the first identifier acquired from the first tag unit and the second identifier acquired from the second tag unit to the database to acquire the article information; An article identification method, including: