JP2007179324A - System and method for managing individual article transition information - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an open system for managing individual article transition information allowing more enterprises to easily participate with small investment. <P>SOLUTION: The system 10 has a management server 12, client PCs 14 of the respective enterprises, and RFID tags 42 stuck on commodities 40. Address information of an RSS feed and a serial number are recorded in the RFID tag 42. The client PC 14 has: a means reading the address information of the RSS feed and the serial number from the RFID tag 42 stuck on each the commodity 40 through an RF reader/writer 20; a means generating transition information wherein information showing arrival or the like of the commodity is associated to the serial number; and a means transmitting it to the management server 12 provided with the RSS feed, and requesting registration into the corresponding RSS feed. The management server 12 has: a storage means 30 storing a plurality of RSS feeds each associated to each the serial number; and a means adding a postscript of the transition information transmitted from the client PC 14 to the RSS feed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an individual item transition information management system and an individual item transition information management method, and in particular, an individual item identification medium such as an RFID tag or a two-dimensional code is attached to each item, and each item moves on a distribution route. The present invention relates to a technology that realizes SCM (Supply Chain Management) and article traceability by reading out an identification code recorded on an individual product identification medium each time and storing and managing information associated with the identification code.

In recent years, with the globalization of the distribution network and the increase in the volume of merchandise, the management of supply chains across companies, that is, the establishment of SCM, has been recognized as a major issue for each company.
In addition, with the discovery of cattle with BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy), the occurrence of food poisoning accidents due to O157, and the emergence of fake food labeling, the establishment of food traceability has been called out. In other words, at each stage of food production, processing, distribution, and retail, information related to companies, date and time, processing details, etc. is stored and managed in association with individual foods, so that problems can be quickly handled. Pursuit of the cause and reliable removal / recovery. Establishing traceability is also useful for products other than food, and this can be expected to have effects such as obtaining marketing data, preventing theft in the distribution process, and promoting recycling after disposal.

In order to establish the above SCM and product traceability, there are currently many standardized systems that manage the relationship information at each stage of manufacturing, distribution, sales, and recycling by attaching RFID tags (wireless IC tags) to each product. It is being promoted by an organization.
For example, as shown in Non-Patent Document 1, a ubiquitous ID system advocated by a ubiquitous ID center and an EPC global network system promoted by EPC Global are known.
These systems differ in the final form and philosophy they aim for, and there are, of course, differences even at the level of detailed specifications. However, in the processing process for realizing SCM and traceability, there is a commonality in the following points: have.

・ Product providers such as manufacturers and importers build their own dedicated product management servers for managing the transition information of their products.
The system operator assigns a dedicated identification code to each product provider, and constructs a directory server that manages the correspondence between each identification code and the product management server.
-The product provider attaches an RFID tag storing the identification code assigned by the operator to each product.
-When a product provider ships a product, it reads the identification code stored in the RFID tag of each product by an RF reader and associates it with shipping date / time information etc. and registers it in its product management server.
・ Distributors, wholesalers, and retailers read the identification code stored in the RFID tag of each product by the RF reader at each stage of collection, delivery, shipment, sale, etc. Product transition information associated with a code or the like is generated.
Next, the RF reader accesses the directory server via the network and inquires about the location of the product management server in which the identification code is registered.
Next, the RF reader accesses the corresponding product management server based on the IP address notified from the directory server, and requests registration of product transition information.
The product management server registers this product transition information in the database.
Ubiquitous ID vs EPC Global [Search December 7, 2005] Internet URL: http://www.itmedia.co.jp/enterprise/articles/0411/24/news034.html

By joining the above system, member companies can access the necessary product management server at any time, and can share product transition information among companies involved in the transaction of the product. Become.
As a result, the member company can search the current position of the product shipped to the company, and can grasp the sales of the product shipped from the company.

However, in the case of the above existing systems, there are mainly operating organizations that maintain and manage their own standards, and it is assumed that identification codes will be provided to each participating company and directory servers will be installed. Yes, with a centralized and closed system configuration.
For this reason, of course, a large amount of investment is required to maintain and operate the organization, which rebounds as a relatively high admission fee or membership fee for participating companies.
As a result, SMEs with inferior capital are expected to be unable to participate in the system, and if there is even one non-participating company in the middle of the distribution channel, the establishment of SCM and traceability will be lost.
Furthermore, if each standard is integrated into one, if multiple standards coexist without compatibility, companies participating in either one cannot refer to the other information. If you participate in both, double investment is required.

  This invention was devised to solve the above problems related to the establishment of SCM and product traceability, and an open individual product transition information management system that allows more companies to easily participate with less investment is realized. It is aimed.

In order to achieve the above object, the individual item transition information management system according to claim 1 generates an RSS feed associated with an individual item identification code for uniquely identifying an item and stores it in a predetermined storage means. Means, a means for writing the address information of the individual product identification code and the RSS feed through an input device corresponding to a predetermined individual product identification medium, and an individual product identification code and RSS feed via a communication network from a terminal device. And a means for adding the transition information of the article to the corresponding RSS feed when the article transition information accompanied with the address information is transmitted.
The above “RSS” is an abbreviation for Rich Site Summary, Really Simple Syndication, and RDF Site Summary. It is an XML-based description that describes metadata such as titles, addresses, headings, summaries, and update times of web contents. Refers to the format. This RSS is mainly used to publish updates on news distribution sites, blogs (Web logs), and podcasts (audio file network distribution systems). The substance of “RSS feed” is a text file described in XML format.
The “individual product identification medium” corresponds to, for example, an RFID tag. In this case, an RF writer is used as the input means.
Examples of the above-mentioned “product transition information” include processing history information such as raw materials and manufacturing methods of industrial products, production history information such as the use of agricultural chemicals on agricultural products, shipment information of goods, arrival information, sales information, delivery information, etc. Applicable.

  The individual item transition information management system according to claim 2 generates an RSS feed associated with an individual item identification code for uniquely identifying an item, stores the RSS feed in a predetermined storage unit, and the individual item identification Means for generating a two-dimensional code including code and RSS feed address information, means for outputting the two-dimensional code, and transition of an article with an individual product identification code and RSS feed address information from a terminal device via a communication network And a means for adding the transition information of the article to the corresponding RSS feed when the information is transmitted.

The individual item transition information management system according to claim 3 is a system comprising a management server, a terminal device connected to the management server via a communication network, and an individual item identification medium added to each item. In this individual item identification medium, at least the individual item identification code for uniquely identifying the item and the address information of the RSS feed associated with the individual item identification code are recorded. Means for reading the address information of the individual item identification code and RSS feed from the individual item identification medium attached to each article, means for generating transition information in which necessary information related to the article is associated with this individual item identification code, Means for transmitting the transition information to the management server provided with the RSS feed and requesting registration to the corresponding RSS feed. And storing means for a plurality stores an RSS feed associated with de, transition information transmitted from the terminal device is characterized in that a means for appending the corresponding RSS feed.
The “individual product identification medium” corresponds to an RFID tag or a two-dimensional code, and the “means for reading the location information of the individual product identification code and the RSS feed” corresponds to an RF reader or a two-dimensional code reader.
Examples of the “terminal device” include a personal computer and a PDA to which an RF reader or a two-dimensional code reader is connected. Alternatively, the terminal device can be configured by a single RF reader or two-dimensional code reader having a transition information generation function and a communication function.

  An individual item transition information management method according to claim 4 includes the steps of generating an RSS feed associated with an individual item identification code for uniquely identifying an item and storing it in a predetermined storage means, and the individual item identification The step of writing the address information of the code and the RSS feed through the input means corresponding to the predetermined individual product identification medium, and the transition information of the article accompanied by the individual product identification code and the RSS feed address information from the terminal device via the communication network Is added to the corresponding RSS feed, the transition information of the article is added to the corresponding RSS feed.

In the individual item transition information management system and management method according to the present invention, the address information indicating the location of the transition information is recorded on the individual item identification medium itself fixed to each item. There is no need to install a directory server for managing and notifying the storage location, and it is based on an open and general-purpose format called RSS, enabling information to be added, updated, distributed, and shared at a very low cost. This eliminates the need for a centralized administrative organization as in the past.
As a result, each company can participate in the system at a relatively low cost, and it is easy to establish consistent SCM and product traceability without omissions.

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an individual product transition information management system 10 according to the present invention. The system 10 includes a management server 12 of a manufacturer A, a client PC 14a of a manufacturer A, and a client PC 14b of a wholesale B company. And a client PC 14c of a retail company C, and the client PCs 14a to 14c and the management server 12 are connected by a communication network such as the Internet 18 or a dedicated line.
In addition, each company has a large number of RF reader / writers 20 connected to the management server 12 and client PC 14 via wireless communication such as wireless LAN and Bluetooth (registered trademark) and USB cables. Is done.

In FIG. 1, only manufacturer A company, wholesale company B, and retail company C are illustrated, but in reality, there are logistics companies between each company, and each logistics company also has the same client as above. PCs and RF reader / writers are deployed.
In addition, depending on the target product, there may be a recycler after the retailer C. In this case, the recycler also has the client PC and the RF reader / writer.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the management server 12. The management server 12 includes a product transition information storage unit 30, an RFID information generation unit 32, a product transition information additional recording unit 34, and a product transition information distribution unit. And 36.
The RFID information generating unit 32, the product transition information appending unit 34, and the product transition information distributing unit 36 are realized by the CPU of the management server 12 executing necessary processes according to the OS and a dedicated application program.
The product transition information storage unit 30 is provided in the hard disk of the management server 12.
In addition to general-purpose web browser programs and RSS reader programs, each client PC 14a-14c has a process to read data from the RFID tag 42 attached to the product 40 via the RF reader / writer 20 and generate necessary product transition information. In addition, a dedicated application program for realizing processing to be transmitted to the management server 12 is set up.

In this system 10, it is assumed that the manufacturer A, which is the product provider, attaches the RFID tag 42 to each product 40 before shipping, and then each company such as a wholesale company B or a retail company C A related company reads out necessary information through the RF reader / writer 20 and transmits product transition information to the management server 12 through the client PC 14.
A processing procedure performed by the management server 12 of company A, the client PC 14a of company A, the client PC 14b of company B, and the client PC 14c of company C will be described below with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

First, the RFID information generation unit 32 of the management server 12 confirms the serial number (individual product identification code) of a product prepared in advance according to the code system of Company A (S10), and then this serial number is described in the title element. RSS feed is generated and stored in the product transition information storage unit 30 (S12).
Next, the RFID information generation unit 32 writes the serial number, RSS feed address information, product classification code, and company code to the unused RFID tag 42 via the RF reader / writer 20 (S13).
The RFID tag 42 in which the basic information is written is sequentially attached to the corresponding product 40 in the manufacturing process.

When the product is shipped from the manufacturer A, the address information and serial number of the RSS feed are read from the RFID tag 42 by the RF reader / writer 20 connected to the client PC 14a of the company A (S14).
Next, the client PC 14a includes shipping information specifying information (company A company code), shipping destination specifying information (company B company code), date and time information (2005/12/10), shipping location information (company A). (S16) is generated (S16).
Next, the client PC 14a transmits the shipping information to the management server 12 and requests registration to the RSS feed (S18).
Upon receipt of this, the product transition information appending unit 34 of the management server 12 adds an item element reflecting the shipping information to the corresponding RSS feed stored in the product transition information storage unit 30 (S20).

Next, when the above-mentioned product arrives at the wholesale company B, the address information and serial number of the RSS feed are read from the RFID tag 42 by the RF reader / writer 20 connected to the client PC 14b of the company B (S22).
Next, the client PC 14b includes, in addition to these information, arrival source identification information (company A company code), arrival destination identification information (company B company code), arrival date information (2005/12/11), arrival location information (B Incoming information associated with a company warehouse code is generated (S24).
Next, the client PC 14b transmits the arrival information to the management server 12 via the Internet 18, and requests registration to the RSS feed (S26).
On the other hand, the product transition information appending unit 34 of the management server 12 adds an item element reflecting the above arrival information to the corresponding RSS feed (S28).

Next, when the merchandise is shipped from the wholesale company B, the address information and serial number of the RSS feed are read from the RFID tag 42 by the RF reader / writer 20 connected to the client PC 14b of the company B (S30). .
Next, the client PC 14b includes shipping source identification information (company B company code), shipping destination identification information (company C company code), date and time information (2005/12/13), shipping location information (company B). Shipping information associated with the warehouse code) is generated (S32).
Next, the client PC 14b transmits the shipping information to the management server 12 via the Internet 18, and requests registration to the RSS feed (S34).
On the other hand, the merchandise transition information appending unit 34 of the management server 12 adds an item element reflecting the shipping information to the corresponding RSS feed (S36).

Next, when the product is delivered to the retail company C, the address information and serial number of the RSS feed are read from the RFID tag 42 by the RF reader / writer 20 connected to the client PC 14c of the company C (S40).
Next, the client PC 14c includes, in addition to these pieces of information, arrival source identification information (company B company code), arrival destination identification information (company C company code), arrival date information (2005/12/14), arrival location information (C Incoming information associated with the company store code) is generated (S42).
Next, the client PC 14c transmits this arrival information to the management server 12 via the Internet 18, and requests registration to the RSS feed (S44).
On the other hand, the merchandise transition information appending unit 34 of the management server 12 adds an item element reflecting the arrival information to the corresponding RSS feed (S46).

Next, when the product is sold at the retail company C, the address information and serial number of the RSS feed are read from the RFID tag 42 by the RF reader / writer 20 connected to the client PC 14c of the company C (S48). .
Next, the client PC 14c generates sales information associating these pieces of information with sales source identification information (company C's company code), date / time information (2005/01/03), sales place information (company C's store code), and the like. (S50).
Next, the client PC 14c transmits this sales information to the management server 12 via the Internet 18 and requests registration to the RSS feed (S52).
On the other hand, the product transition information appending unit 34 of the management server 12 adds an item element reflecting the sales information to the corresponding RSS feed (S54).

  This system 10 reads the address information and serial number of the RSS feed recorded in the RFID tag 42 by the RF reader / writer 20 at a necessary place where the product 40 moves on the distribution route, and the client PC 14 reads the necessary product. Since the transition information is sent to the management server 12 via the network, and the transition information is added to the corresponding RSS feed by the management server 12 each time, the RSS feed includes a time series indicating the transition of the product. Information is accumulated sequentially.

The transition information of this product can be easily viewed through the client PC 14 of each company.
For example, when a person in charge of wholesale B checks the sales of products wholesaled by the company, the client PC 14b accesses the Web site of the management server 12 via the Internet 18 and requests to view product transition information from the service menu. (S56).
On the other hand, the merchandise transition information distribution unit 36 generates a search screen provided with a search condition input field and transmits it to the client PC 14b of company B (S58).
The person in charge of Company B inputs the company code and search conditions (search target period, product code, etc.) on this screen, and requests a search for product transition information (S60).
On the other hand, the product transition information distribution unit 36 extracts information corresponding to the search condition from the product transition information storage unit 30 (S62), generates a product transition information browsing screen, and transmits it to the client PC 14b of the B company ( S64).
As a result, the current status of the specific products wholesaled by the company B is displayed in a list on the Web browser of the client PC 14b (S66).

Alternatively, by using an RSS reader program set up in the client PC 14 of each company, it is possible to display the transition information of the product with which the company is involved in real time.
In this case, a transition information distribution request is periodically transmitted from the client PC 14 to the management server 12.
In response to this, the product transition information distribution unit 36 of the management server 12 searches the product transition information storage unit 30 based on the company code transmitted from the client PC 14, and extracts all RSS feeds in which the company code is described. .
Next, the product transition information distribution unit 36 extracts necessary information from each RSS feed, converts it into a predetermined format, and transmits it to the client PC 14.
Receiving this, the RSS reader program of the client PC 14 generates a list in which the products handled by the company and the latest transition information thereof are described, and displays them on the display.
As a result, the latest product transition information related to the company is automatically distributed to the client PC 14 of each company.

Product transition information can be disclosed not only to commodities dealing companies such as Company B and Company C, but also to general consumers.
In this case, the general consumer reads the information of the RFID tag 42 attached to the product 40 by the RF reader 52 connected to the personal computer 50 and requests the management server 12 to browse the transition information via the Internet 18.
Upon receiving this, the management server 12 extracts product transition information from the RSS feed corresponding to the serial number transmitted from the personal computer 50 or the like, generates a product transition information browsing screen, and transmits it to the personal computer 50.
A general consumer can also browse the product transition information using a mobile phone or PDA (personal digital assistant) having an RF reader function instead of the personal computer 50.

As described above, manufacturer A, wholesale B, and retail C are examples, and it is assumed that many companies are actually involved in this system 10.
For example, when retailer C performs mail order sales of goods, the date and time when the goods arrived at the logistics center of the courier, the date and time when the goods were shipped from the logistics center, the date and time when the driver loaded the delivery vehicle, Detailed transition information such as the date and time of delivery and the date and time returned to the sales branch for absence can be stored in the management server 12.

  Alternatively, if the product is a book, install an RF reader on the shelf of the bookstore, and once it is removed from the shelf, record the number of times it has been restored to the RSS feed of the management server 12 The number of browsing of a specific book can be totaled and can be used as effective marketing data.

In the case of this system 10, the server 12 for managing the RSS feed corresponding to the serial number (individual identification code) is installed in the product provider, and the address information and serial number of the RSS feed are recorded in each product 40. However, since the RSS tag address information is recorded in the RFID tag 42 itself, there is no need to install a directory server for managing the management server 12 of each company. For this reason, it is not necessary to maintain and operate a centralized organization, and other related companies can easily participate without incurring high membership fees.
In addition, since it is based on an open and general-purpose format called RSS, each participating company can manage its product provider using its own equipment even if it is an RFID tag 42 attached by another product provider. The server 12 can be accessed.

Even the management server 12 installed by the product provider has an advantage that a system can be constructed at a relatively low cost because it is based on open general-purpose technology.
The serial number recorded in the RFID tag 42 can also be assigned independently by the product provider, and it is not necessary to purchase it from a system operator or the like, so the cost burden can be minimized.
It is possible to lend the function of the management server 12 to each product provider by the ASP method. However, in this case, the independence of each product provider is ensured, and the own management server 12 is also provided. The system configuration is completely different from the conventional centralized system configuration.

In the above description, the RFID tag 42 is used as the individual product identification medium. However, the RSS feed address information, serial number, and the like recorded in a two-dimensional code can be used as the individual product identification medium.
In this case, the management server 12 first generates an RSS feed associated with the serial number, stores it in the product transition information storage unit 30, and then consists of the serial number, RSS feed address information, product classification code, and company code. Convert basic information into two-dimensional code.
Next, the management server 12 prints this two-dimensional code on a predetermined sheet via a dedicated printer.
The two-dimensional code in which the basic information is written is sequentially attached to the corresponding product 40 in the manufacturing process.
In this way, when a two-dimensional code is adopted as an individual product identification medium, general consumers can read the RSS feed address information and serial number using a digital camera and a two-dimensional code reading program installed in a mobile phone. It is possible to easily access the management server 12 and browse the transition information of the specific product.

In the above description, the example in which the product PC 14 generates and transmits the product transition information to the management server 12 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
For example, the RF reader / writer 20 is provided with a function for reading basic information from an RFID tag, a function for generating product transition information, and an Internet connection function, and the product is transferred from the RF reader / writer 20 to the management server 12 without using the client PC 14. The system 10 may be configured so that the transition information is transmitted directly.

It is a conceptual diagram which shows the whole structure of the individual item transition information management system which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of a management server. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence in a management server and client PC. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence in a management server and client PC.

Explanation of symbols

10 piece transition information management system
12 Management server
14a-14c Client PC
18 Internet
20 RF reader / writer
30 Product transition information storage
32 RFID information generator
34 Product transition information additional section
36 Product Transition Information Distribution Department
40 products
42 RFID tag
50 PC
52 RF reader

Claims (4)

Means for generating an RSS feed associated with an individual item identification code for uniquely identifying an article and storing it in a predetermined storage means;
Means for writing the above-mentioned individual item identification code and the address information of the RSS feed into a predetermined individual item identification medium via an input unit;
Means for adding the transition information of the article to the corresponding RSS feed when the transition information of the article with the individual product identification code and the address information of the RSS feed is transmitted from the terminal device via the communication network;
An individual product transition information management system characterized by comprising: Means for generating an RSS feed associated with an individual item identification code for uniquely identifying an article and storing it in a predetermined storage means;
Means for generating a two-dimensional code including the individual product identification code and the RSS feed address information;
Means for outputting the two-dimensional code;
Means for adding the transition information of the article to the corresponding RSS feed when the transition information of the article with the individual product identification code and the address information of the RSS feed is transmitted from the terminal device via the communication network;
An individual product transition information management system characterized by comprising: A system including a management server, a terminal device connected to the management server via a communication network, and an individual item identification medium added to each item,
In this individual item identification medium, at least an individual item identification code for uniquely identifying the item and the address information of the RSS feed associated with the individual item identification code are recorded,
The terminal device is configured to read an individual product identification code and an RSS feed address information from an individual product identification medium added to each article;
Means for generating transition information in which necessary information relating to the article is associated with the individual article identification code;
Means for transmitting the transition information to the management server provided with the RSS feed and requesting registration to the corresponding RSS feed;
The management server includes storage means for storing a plurality of RSS feeds associated with each individual product identification code;
Means for appending the transition information transmitted from the terminal device to the corresponding RSS feed;
An individual product transition information management system characterized by comprising: Generating an RSS feed associated with an individual item identification code for uniquely identifying an article and storing it in a predetermined storage means;
Writing the address information of the individual item identification code and the RSS feed to a predetermined individual item identification medium via an input means;
A step of adding the article transition information to the corresponding RSS feed when the article transition information with the individual product identification code and the RSS feed address information is transmitted from the terminal device via the communication network;
An individual product transition information management method comprising:

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