Traceability system Number:7,183,923 from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) owispatent

Title: Traceability system

Abstract: In a traceability system, information of a change in distribution situation and form of an individual article, and information of identification of the individual article is collected from each of distribution sites, and collected information is strung in accordance with a predetermined rule. A flow of distribution is known and managed based on the strung information. This makes it possible to know a location from which the individual article is distributed and a route through which the individual article is distributed, thus allowing safety management of the individual article.

Patent Number: 7,183,923 Issued on 02/27/2007 to Sasaki,   et al.

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Inventors:	Sasaki; Shigeru (Tokyo, JP), Kobayashi; Yuichi (Sagamihara, JP), Terada; Shuji (Kawasaki, JP), Sato; Yoshifumi (Yokohama, JP), Nakatani; Takeshi (Yokohama, JP)
Assignee:	Hitachi, Ltd. (Tokyo, JP)
Appl. No.:	11/060,563
Filed:	February 18, 2005

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Foreign Application Priority Data

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Feb 20, 2004 [JP]			2004-043831

Current U.S. Class:	340/572.1 ; 340/5.92; 340/572.4
Current International Class:	G08B 13/14 (20060101)
Field of Search:	340/572.1,572.4,10.1,10.42,10.51,505,5.92 235/385,383,384,492,376 705/28 700/226

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References Cited [Referenced By]

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U.S. Patent Documents

	6600418		July 2003		Francis et al.
	7036729		May 2006		Chung
	2004/0206810		October 2004		Yamagiwa
	2006/0192003		August 2006		Chung

Foreign Patent Documents

	2000-233808		Aug., 2000		JP
	99/50761		Oct., 1999		WO
	02/067063		Aug., 2002		WO

Other References

Traceability in the Food Chain, Mar. 2002, Food Chain Strategy Division, Food Standards Agency, pp. 1-51. cited by other . FOODTRACE Concerned Action Programme Generic Framework for Traceability, May 8, 2002, Foodtrace Framework, pp. 1-21. cited by other.

Primary Examiner: Pham; Toan N.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Antonelli, Terry, Stout and Kraus, LLP.

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Claims

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The invention is claimed is:

1. A traceability system for managing an individual article distributed through a plurality of sites with a form thereof changed at least one of said plurality of sites, said traceability system comprising: means for receiving change information indicating a change in distribution situation and form of a predetermined individual article from information processing apparatuses installed at each of said plurality of sites; means for associating said received change information with one another; and means for specifying a distribution route of said individual article based on associated change information.

2. The traceability system according to claim 1, wherein said receiving means receives pre-process identification information added to said individual article at a site before the concerned site, and post-process identification information added if said individual article is processed to change the form thereof at the concerned site, and said associating means associates said pre-process identification information and said post-process identification information with said change information.

3. The traceability system according to claim 1, wherein said change information includes at least one of division to divide the individual article into a plurality of articles, change to change the form or name of the individual article, and integration to integrate a plurality of individual articles.

4. The traceability system according to claim 3, wherein said individual article is a meat, and said change information includes dressing into the meat and packing of the meat.

5. The traceability system according to claim 1, wherein said post-process identification information is created from said pre-process identification information in accordance with a predetermined rule.

6. The traceability system according to claim 5, wherein said pre-process identification information is expressed by a numerical value of a predetermined number of digits, and in said predetermined rule, said post-process identification information is created by adding a numerical value of a predetermined number of digits to said pre-process identification information.

7. The traceability system according to claim 1, wherein a tag in which an identifier capable of identifying the concerned individual article is stored is attached to said individual article, and said traceability system further comprises means for storing any one of tags attached to individual articles before integration as being active if said change information indicates said integration.

8. The traceability system according to claim 1, wherein a tag in which an identifier capable of identifying the concerned individual article is stored is attached to said individual article, and any one of tags attached to individual articles before integration is stored as being active if said change information indicates said integration.

9. A method of managing an individual article distributed through a plurality of sites with a form thereof changed at one or more of said plurality of sites, wherein change information indicating a change in distribution situation and form of a predetermined individual article is received from information processing apparatuses installed at said plurality of sites, said received change information is associated with one another and stored, and a distribution route of said individual article is specified based on associated change information.

10. The traceability method according to claim 9, wherein in the reception of said change information, pre-process identification information added to said individual article at a site before the concerned site, and post-process identification information added if said individual article is processed to change the form thereof at the concerned site is received, and in the storage of said change information, said pre-process identification information and said post-process identification information is associated with said change information and stored.

11. The traceability method according to claim 9, wherein said change information includes at least one of division to divide the individual article into a plurality of articles, change to change the form or name of the individual article, and integration to integrate a plurality of individual articles.

12. The traceability method according to claim 11, wherein said individual article is a meat, and said change information includes dressing into the meat and packing of the meat.

13. The traceability method according to claim 9, wherein said post-process identification information is created from said pre-process identification information in accordance with a predetermined rule.

14. The traceability method according to claim 13, wherein said pre-process identification information is expressed by a numerical value of a predetermined number of digits, and in said predetermined rule, said post-process identification information is created by adding a numerical value of a predetermined number of digits to said pre-process identification information.

15. A traceability method of managing an individual article distributed through a plurality of sites with a form thereof changed at one or more of said plurality of sites using a center apparatus connected via a network to information processing apparatuses installed at said plurality of sites and achieving information processing with different schemes, wherein said center apparatus receives first individual article information about distribution of said individual article, first identification information for identifying the concerned information processing apparatus, and second identification information for identifying the information processing apparatus of the site to which said individual article is distributed after the site of the concerned information processing apparatus from said information processing apparatus, converts said individual article information into second individual article information matching a scheme used in the information processing apparatus identified with said second identification information based on said received first identification information and second identification information, and associates converted said second individual article information with said first individual article information and stores the same.

16. The traceability method according to claim 15, wherein said center apparatus stores a conversion rule for converting schemes of information among information processing apparatuses identified with a plurality of identification information according to said plurality of identification information for identifying each of said plurality of information processing apparatuses, and said individual article information is converted using said conversion rule.

17. The traceability method according to claim 16, wherein the conversion of said individual article information is achieved by converting said first individual article information into intermediate information between said first individual article information and said second individual article information, and converting the converted intermediate information into said second individual article information.

18. A center apparatus performing management of an individual article distributed through a plurality of sites with a form thereof changed at one or more of said plurality of sites, said center apparatus connected via a network to information processing apparatuses installed at said plurality of sites and achieving information processing with different schemes, said center apparatus comprising: a storage device storing information for management of said individual article; a receiver receiving first individual article information about distribution of said individual article, first identification information for identifying the concerned information processing apparatus, and second identification information for identifying the information processing apparatus of the site to which said individual article is distributed after the site of the concerned information processing apparatus from said information processing apparatus; and a processor converting said individual article information into second individual article information matching a scheme used in the information processing apparatus identified with said second identification information based on said received first identification information and second identification information, and associating converted said second individual article information with said first individual article information and stores the same in said storage device.

19. The center apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said storage device stores a conversion rule for converting schemes of information among information processing apparatuses identified with a plurality of identification information according to said plurality of identification information for identifying each of said plurality of information processing apparatuses, and said processor converts said individual article information using said conversion rule.

20. The center apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said processor achieves the conversion of said individual article information by converting said first individual article information into intermediate information between said first individual article information and said second individual article information, and converting the converted intermediate information into said individual article information.

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Description

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INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The present application claims priorities from Japanese applications JP2004-043831 filed on Feb. 20, 2004, the contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference into this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a technique for realizing traceability of individual articles cutting across a plurality of enterprises.

As a technique for managing and grasping distribution situations of individual articles, the technique disclosed in JP-A-2000-233808 has been known. In the document, IDs are assigned to individual articles, the IDs are read at each site, and information thereof is managed collectively, whereby individual articles can be traced. By writing the ID in an RFID tag, articles can be traced on an individual basis even if they are packed in boxes or the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the document, although IDs are assigned to individual articles, they can no longer be traced if they are processed in an enterprise and their IDs are changed.

IDs are assigned to individual articles, and information of movement of individual articles across enterprises is collectively managed. If the ID is changed in an enterprise, information for relating the pre- and post-change IDs to each other is managed. Particularly, information processing is carried out to cope with a change in form of individual articles.

The present invention includes use of tags attached to individual articles for coping with a change in form of individual articles. The tags include rewritable IC tags and read-only IC tags. Moreover, the present invention includes assimilating a difference between ID systems used by (computer systems used by) parties involved in distribution. It includes, for example, exchanging information at a center apparatus connected via a network to the computer system of each party involved in distribution. This can be equally applied to the case where data formats of tags are different. The present invention includes assimilating a difference between tags used by parties involved in distribution is assimilated. If read-only tags and rewritable tags coexist, for example, rewritable tags are subjected to processing same as that for read-only tags. That is, control for prohibition of writing is performed.

The present invention includes storing unique IDs for identifying tags themselves in tags capable of storing information.

The present invention includes providing an output indicating that attached tags should be changed to computers installed at sites if divergence/integration of individual articles is detected. If the individual article is diverged into two articles, for example, display indicating that one or two new tags should be attached is output to a screen. If two individual articles are integrated into one article, an output indicating that one tag should be discarded is provided. If individual articles are integrated, a flag may be set in the center apparatus with one tag as being active (i.e. for use in subsequent distribution processes). In this case, the present invention includes making the non-active tag active if divergence is detected for the tag.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an inter-business traceability system;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the inter-business traceability system of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment when the present invention is applied to the meat industry;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of a process for collecting data when the present invention is applied to the meat industry;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of a process using data collected when the present invention is applied to the meat industry;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an embodiment when the present invention is applied to the meat industry;

FIG. 7 shows one example of process history data created at sites if the ID of a trace object is changed and the date and time across sites is not correct when the present invention is applied to the meat industry;

FIG. 8 shows one example of process history data which is managed at a traceability data center when the present invention is applied to the meat industry;

FIG. 9 is one example of index data which is managed at the traceability data center when the present invention is applied to the meat industry;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of a process for creating data at sites if the ID of a trace object is changed and the date and time across sites is not correct when the present invention is applied to the meat industry;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a flow of a process for collecting data at the traceability data center if the ID of a trace object is changed and the date and time across sites is not correct when the present invention is applied to the meat industry;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a flow of a process using data collected if the ID of a trace object is changed and the date and time across sites is not correct when the present invention is applied to the meat industry;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a flow of a process using data collected if no index data is required when the present invention is applied to the meat industry;

FIG. 14 shows individual article information A; and

FIG. 15 shows traceability information.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below.

Trace-back which is realized by implementing the present invention refers to knowing locations and times at which an object existed on its way, and locations and times at which components of the object existed on their way. Trace-forward which is realized by implementing the present invention refers to knowing locations and times at which the object existed on its way and a location at which the object currently exists, and locations and times at which a product obtained by processing the object existed on its way and a location at which the product currently exists.

Objects which are traced by implementing the present invention include foods, medical products, apparel products, electronic devices, parts and raw materials, which may be packed. Packed boxes and the like may also be objects to be traced. Locations that are traced are called sites. The site is, for example, a production plant, processing plant, distribution center, wholesale center, retail store or consumer, and may be, for example, a plurality of branches of the wholesale center. A data carrier such as a barcode or RFID having UCC/EAN-128, a slip number and an arbitrary number (hereinafter referred to as ID) written therein is attached or related to the trace object. The ID of the trace object may be changed as a result of integrating the trace object with one or more other trace objects at a processing plant or the like, dividing the trace object into two or more trace objects, packing one or more trace objects in one box and shipping the same, or taking out one or more trace objects from a received box.

One example of the configuration of an inter-business traceability system of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The inter-business traceability system comprises a traceability data center, one or more sites, and networks such as a telephone line, a LAN and a dedicated line. The traceability data center collects information required for traceability from the site and outputs trace-back information and trace-forward information, and comprises an external storage device such as a hard disk, communication devices such as a modem, a router and a terminal adapter, a central processing unit such as a CPU, and output devices such as a display, a printer, a FAX and an electronic data output, and may comprise input devices such as a keyboard, a mouse and a scanner as shown in FIG. 2. The site i (1.ltoreq.i.ltoreq.n) manages individual articles of the trace object during receipt/shipment and processing, and comprises communication devices such as a modem, a router, a terminal adapter and a FAX, receipt/shipment data creating means and index data creating means, and may comprise an external storage device such as a hard disk and a central processing unit such as a CPU like the site shown in FIG. 2. The traceability data center and the site i (1.ltoreq.i.ltoreq.n) are connected to each other using the communication devices.

The receipt/shipment data creating means reads the ID written in the barcode or RFID attached to the trace object by a reader when the trace object is received at and is shipped from the site, creates receipt/shipment data, and sends the receipt/shipment data to the traceability data center via the communication device. Alternatively, the receipt/shipment data creating means may connect to a receipt/shipment managing system such as a WMS or ERP system, create receipt/shipment data from information when the trace object of the site is received at and shipped from the site, and send the receipt/shipment data to the traceability data center via the communication device.

The receipt/shipment data is data indicating when and from which site to which site the trace object was received or shipped, and has information including IDs for identifying individual articles, the date and time of receipt or shipment, the site name, the name of the receipt/shipment destination, and the name of a process for distinguishing between receipt and shipment.

The index data creating means reads IDs written in barcodes or RFIDs attached to the pre-change and post-change trace objects by a reader when the ID is changed as a result of processing or packing the trace object in the site, creates index data, and sends the index data to the traceability data center via the communication device. Alternatively, the index data creating means may connect to a production managing system such as a WMS, MES or BOM system, create index data from information when the ID of the trace object is changed in the site, and send the index data to the traceability data center via the communication device. Alternatively, as in the site m shown in FIG. 2, the index data creating means may connect to the production managing system such as a WMS, MES or BOM system, create index data from information when the ID of the trace object is changed in the site m, store the index data in the external storage device of the site m, and send the index data to the traceability data center via the communication device upon request from outside. The index data is data indicating the relation of the ID before a process of the trace object in the site such as processing or packing with the ID after the process, and has information including the ID before the process, the ID after the process, and the names of processes such as processing, integration, division, packing and unpacking.

When the trace object is received at the site, the receipt/shipment data creating means reads the ID of the trace object, adds thereto the receipt/shipment date and time, the site name, the name of the receipt/shipment destination and the name of the process to create receipt/shipment data, and sends the receipt/shipment data to the traceability data center via the communication device. The central processing unit of the traceability data center stores the receipt/shipment data in the external storage device. In the site, the index data creating means reads the ID before the trace object is processed, reads the ID after the processing of the trace object, adds the name of the process to the IDs before and after the processing, and sends them to the traceability data center via the communication device. The central processing unit of the traceability data center stores the index data in the external storage device. When the trace object is shipped from the site, the receipt/shipment data creating means reads the ID of the trace object, adds thereto the receipt/shipment date and time, the site name, the name of the receipt/shipment destination and the name of the process to create receipt/shipment data, and sends the receipt/shipment data to the traceability data center via the communication device. The central processing unit of the traceability data center stores the index data in the external storage device. The central processing unit of the traceability data center reads the receipt/shipment data and index data stored in the external storage device, and links thereto related data, whereby trace-back information and trace-forward information of the trace object can be output via the output device.

For means for sending receipt/shipment data and index data from the site to the traceability data center, data may be sent directly, input using a Web browser, stored in a file format and sent in a file, or sent through FAX. In the case of sending data through FAX and the like, receipt/shipment data and index data created at the site may be input from the input device of the traceability data center as shown in FIG. 2. For timing of sending receipt/shipment data and index data from the site to the traceability, the data may be sent immediately after the data is created, at fixed intervals, or when the data is accumulated in a fixed amount. As shown in the site m in FIG. 2, the created index data may be stored in the external storage device of the site m, and not sent unless the send of the data is requested by the traceability data center. The central processing unit of the traceability data center reads the index data from the external storage device of the traceability data center, the external storage device of the site or both, and creates and outputs trace-back or trace-forward information. When the central processing unit of the traceability data center reads the index data from the external storage device of the site, the read index data is stored in the external storage device of the traceability data center, and the index data may be read from the external storage device of the traceability data center for second and subsequent times, or a period over which the index data is stored in the external storage device of the traceability data center is set, and the index data stored in the external storage device of the traceability data center may be deleted after expiration of the period.

In this example, an embodiment for implementing the present invention will be described where the ID related to the trace object is not fixed, but changed through a production or distribution process. In this example, as shown in FIG. 3, the trace object is a meat, and the sites are a plurality of producers (A, B, C, D) feeding beef cattle, a plurality of processors (A, B, C, D) dressing beef cattle into cut meats, a plurality of wholesalers (A, B, C, D) assorting cut meats for retailers, a plurality of retailers (A, B, C, D) processing a plurality of cut meats together into ground meats, and many and unspecified consumers consuming ground meats. At the producer A, beef cattle having attached thereto a tag with the ID of 100 is shipped to the processor B. At the processor B, the beef cattle with the ID of 100 is received from the producer A, and dressed to produce two cut meats, tags with IDs of 1001 and 1002 are attached to the cut meats, respectively, the cut meat with the ID of 1001 and the cut meat with the ID of 1002 are packed in a box having attached thereto a tag with the ID of 501, and the box with the ID of 501 is shipped to the wholesaler C. At the wholesaler C, the box with the ID of 501 is received from the processor B, a tag with the ID of 310 is attached to the box with the ID of 501 for the purpose of assortment, and the box with the ID of 301 is shipped to the retailer D. At the retailer D, the box with the ID of 310 is received from the wholesaler C, the two cut meats having attached thereto the tags with IDs of 1001 and 1002 are taken out from the box with the ID of 310, the cut meat with the ID of 1001 and the cut meat with the ID of 9001 are processed together to produce one ground meat, a tag with the ID of 11-111 is attached to the ground meat, and the ground meat with the ID of 11-111 is shipped to the consumer. The consumer receives the ground meat with the ID of 11-111 from the retailer D.

A flow of a process of receipt/shipment data creating means and index data creating means at sites of the producer A, the processor B, the wholesaler C and the retailer D is shown in FIG. 4.

The tracing of the beef cattle with the ID of 100 is started from the producer A (step 1000). The receipt/shipment data creating means of the producer A reads the ID of the beef cattle being a shipped article (step 1010).

The receipt/shipment data creating means of the producer A creates receipt/shipment data with the number 100 input for the ID, a shipment date and time input for the date and time, the producer A input for the site name, the processor B input for the receipt/shipment destination and shipment input for the process (step 1011).

The receipt/shipment data creating means of the producer A sends the created receipt/shipment data to the traceability data center. The central processing unit of the traceability data center stores the received receipt/shipment data in the external storage device (step 1012).

The beef cattle with the ID of 100 is received at the processor B (step 1100).

The receipt/shipment data creating means of the processor B reads the ID of the beef cattle being a received article (step 1101).

The receipt/shipment data creating means of the processor B creates receipt/shipment data with the number 100 input for the ID, a shipment date and time input for the date and time, the processor B input for the site name, the producer A input for the receipt/shipment destination and receipt input for the process (step 1102).

The receipt/shipment data creating means of the processor B sends the created receipt/shipment data to the traceability data center. The central processing unit of the traceability data center stores the received receipt/shipment data in the external storage device (step 1103).

The index data creating means of the processor B reads the ID of the beef cattle before the beef cattle is dressed (step 1104).

The index data creating means of the processor B attaches tags with IDs of 1001 and 1002 to two cut meats obtained by dressing the beef cattle (step 1105).

The index data creating means of the processor B creates index data with the number 100 input for the pre-dressing ID (Before), the numbers 1001 and 1002 input for the post-dressing ID (After), and dressing input for the process, and stores the index data in the external storage device of the processor B (step 1106).

The index data creating means of the processor B reads IDs of the two cut meats with IDs of 1001 and 2001 before the cut meats are packed (step 1107).

The index data creating means of the processor B attaches a tag with the ID of 501 to a box packed with the two cut meats (step 1108).

The index data creating means of the processor B creates index data with numbers 1001 and 2001 input for the pre-packing ID (Before), the number 501 input for the post-packing ID (After), and packing input for the process, and stores the index data in the external storage device of the processor B (step 1109).

The receipt/shipment data creating means of the processor B reads the ID of the box being a shipped article (step 1010).

The receipt/shipment data creating means of the processor B creates receipt/shipment data with the number 501 input for the ID, a shipment date and time input for the date and time, the processor B input for the site name, the wholesaler C input for the receipt/shipment destination, and shipment input for the process (step 1011).

The receipt/shipment data creating means of the processor B sends the created receipt/shipment data to the traceability data center. The central processing unit of the traceability data center stores the received receipt/shipment data in the external storage device (step 1012).

The box with the ID of 501 is received at the wholesaler C (step 1200).

The receipt/shipment data creating means of the wholesaler C reads the ID of the box being a received article (step 1201).

The receipt/shipment data creating means of the wholesaler C creates receipt/shipment data with the number 501 input for the ID, a receipt date and time input for the date and time, the wholesaler C input for the site name, the processor B input for the receipt/shipment destination, and receipt input for the process (step 1202).

The receipt/shipment data creating means of the wholesaler C sends the created receipt/shipment data to the traceability data center. The central processing unit of the traceability data center stores the received receipt/shipment data in the external storage device (step 1203).

The index data creating means of the wholesaler C reads the ID of the box before another tag for assortment is attached (step 1204).

The index data creating means of the wholesaler C attaches a tag with an ID to the box for assortment (step 1205).

The index data creating means of the wholesaler C creates index data with the number 501 input for the preceding ID (Before), the number 310 input for the subsequent ID (After), and assortment input for the process, and stores the index data in the external storage device of the wholesaler C (step 1206).

The receipt/shipment data creating means of the wholesaler C reads the ID of the box being a shipped article (step 1010).

The receipt/shipment data creating means of the wholesaler C creates receipt/shipment data with the number 310 input for the ID, a shipment date and time input for the date and time, the wholesaler C input for the site name, the retailer D input for receipt/shipment destination, and shipment input for the process (step 1011).

The receipt/shipment data creating means of the wholesaler C sends the created receipt/shipment data to the traceability data center. The central processing unit of the traceability data center stores the received receipt/shipment data in the external storage device (step 1012).

The box with the ID of 310 is received at the retailer D (step 1300).

The receipt/shipment data creating means of the retailer D reads the ID of the box being a received article (step 1301).

The receipt/shipment data creating means of the retailer D creates receipt/shipment data with the number 310 input for the ID, a receipt date and time input for the date and time, the retailer D input for the site name, the wholesaler C input for the receipt/shipment destination, and receipt input for the process (step 1302).

The receipt/shipment data creating means of the retailer D sends the created receipt/shipment data to the traceability data center. The central processing unit of the traceability data center stores the received receipt/shipment data in the external storage device (step 1303).

The index data creating means of he retailer D reads the ID of the box before the box is unpacked (step 1304).

The index data creating means of the retailer D reads the IDs of two cut meats taken out by unpacking the box (step 1305).

The index data creating means of the retailer D creates index data with the number 310 input for the pre-unpacking ID (Before), numbers 1001 and 1002 input for the post-unpacking IDs (After), and unpacking input for the process (step 1306).

The index data creating means of the retailer D reads the IDs of two cut meats before the cut meat with the ID of 1001 and the cut meat with the ID of 9001 are processed together into a ground meat (step 1307).

The index data creating means of the retailer D attaches a tag with the ID of 11-111 to one ground meat obtained by processing two cut meats together (step 1308).

The index data creating means of the retailer D creates index data with numbers 1001 and 9001 input for the pre-processing IDs (Before), the number 11-111 input for the post-processing ID (After), and processing input for the process (step 1309).

The index data creating means of the retailer D sends the created index data to the traceability data center. The central processing unit of the traceability data center stores the received index data in the external storage device (step 1310).

The receipt/shipment data creating means of the retailer D reads the ID of the ground meat being a shipped article (step 1311).

The receipt/shipment data creating means of the retailer D creates receipt/shipment data with the number 11-111 input for the ID, a shipment date and time input for the date and time, the retailer D input for the site name, the consumer input for the receipt/shipment destination, and shipment input for the process (step 1312).

The receipt/shipment data creating means of the retailer D sends the created receipt/shipment data to the traceability data center. The central processing unit of the traceability data center stores the received receipt/shipment data in the external storage device to end the process (step 1313). The process described above allows receipt/shipment data and index data to be created at sites of the producer A, processor B, wholesaler C and retailer D.

A flow of a process in which the central processing unit of the traceability data center outputs trace-back information of the ground meat with the ID of 11-111 received at the retailer D is shown in FIG. 5.

As a condition for retrieving receipt/shipment data, the number 11-111 is set for the ID, the retailer D is set for the site name, and receipt is set for the process (step 2001).

Data in which the ID is 11-111, the site name is the retailer D and the process is receipt is retrieved from receipt/shipment data stored in the external storage device of the traceability data center (step 2002).

Whether the number of hits as a result of retrieval at step 2002 is 0, or 1 or more is checked. The number of hits of receipt/shipment data in which the ID is 11-111, the site name is the retailer D and the process is receipt is 0 (step 2003).

As a condition for retrieving receipt/shipment data, shipment is set for the process (step 2011).

Data in which the ID is 11-111, the site name is the retailer D and the process is shipment is retrieved from receipt/shipment data stored in the external storage device of the traceability data center (step 2012).

Whether the number of hits as a result of retrieval at step 2012 is 0, or 1 or more is checked. The number of hits of receipt/shipment data in which the ID is 11-111, the site name is the retailer D and the process is shipment is 1 (step 2013).

Receipt/shipment data hit at step 2013 is output as traceability information (step 2014).

As a condition for retrieving index data, the ID of 11-111 of the condition for retrieving receipt/shipment data is set for After ID (step 2015).

Data in which After ID is 11-111 is retrieved from index data of the retailer D stored in the external storage device of the traceability data center (step 2016).

Whether the number of hits as a result of retrieval at step 2016 is 0, or 1 or more is checked. The number of hits of index data in which After ID is 11-111 is 2 (step 2017).

Two index data hit at step 2017 is output as traceability information (step 2018).

Before IDs (1001 and 9001) are acquired from two index data hit at step 2017 (step 2019).

As a condition for retrieving receipt/shipment data, Before IDs of 1001 and 9001 acquired at step 2019 are set for the ID (step 2020).

Processes (processing) are acquired from 2 index data hit at step 2017 (step 2021).

Whether the processes acquired at step 2021 are unpacking is checked. None of the processes of index data in which Before IDs are 1001 and 9001 is unpacking (step 2022).

Whether the processes acquired at step 2021 are packing is checked. None of the processes of index data in which Before IDs are 1001 and 9001 is packing (step 2032).

As a condition for retrieving receipt/shipment data, receipt is set for the process (step 2040).

Data in which the ID is 1001 or 9001, the site name is retailer D and the process is receipt is retrieved from receipt/shipment data stored in the external storage device of the traceability data center (step 2002).

Whether the number of hits as a result of retrieval at step 2002 is 0, or 1 or more is checked. The number of hits of receipt/shipment data in which the ID is 1001 or 9001, the site name is the retailer D and the process is receipt is 0 (step 2003).

As a condition for retrieving receipt/shipment data, shipment is set for the process (step 2011).

Data in which the ID is 1001 or 9001, the site name is the retailer D and the process is shipment is retrieved from receipt/shipment data stored in the external storage device of the traceability data center (step 2012).

Whether the number of hits as a result of retrieval at step 2012 is 0, or 1 or more is checked. The number of hits of receipt/shipment data in which the ID is 1001 or 9001, the site name is the retailer D and the process is shipment is 0 (step 2013).

As a condition for retrieving index data, IDs of 1001 and 9001 of the condition for retrieving receipt/shipment data are set for After IDs (step 2015).

Data in which After ID is 1001 or 9001 is retrieved from index data of the retailer D stored in the external storage device of the traceability data center (step 2016).

Whether the number of hits as a result of retrieval at step 2016 is 0, or 1 or more is checked. The number of hits of index data in which After ID is 1001 is 1, and the number of hits of index data in which After ID is 9001 is 0 (step 2017).

One index data hit at step 2017 is output as traceability information (step 2018).

Before ID (310) is acquired from one index data hit at step 2017 (step 2019).

As a condition for retrieving receipt/shipment data, Before ID of 310 acquired at step 2019 is set for the ID (step 2020).

A process (unpacking) is acquired from one index data hit at step 2017 (step 2021).

Whether the process acquired at step 2021 is unpacking is checked. The process of index data in which Before ID is 310 is unpacking (step 2022).

The After ID (1001) is stored in a buffer of the traceability data center (step 2023).

As a condition for retrieving receipt/shipment data, the process is changed to receipt (step 2040).

Data in which the ID is 310, the site name is the retailer D and the process is receipt is retrieved from receipt/shipment data stored in the external storage device of the traceability data center (step 2002).

Whether the number of hits as a result of retrieval at step 2002 is 0, or 1 or more is checked. The number of hits of receipt/shipment data in which the ID is 310, the site name is the retailer D and the process is receipt is 1 (step 2003).

Receipt/shipment data hit at step 2003 is output as traceability information (step 2004).

A receipt/shipment destination (wholesaler C) is acquired from receipt/shipment data hit at step 2003 (step 2005).

As a condition for retrieving receipt/shipment data, the wholesaler C being the receipt/shipment destination acquired at step 2005 is set for the name of the destination (step 2006).

Data in which the ID is 310, the site name is the wholesaler C and the process is receipt is retrieved from receipt/shipment data stored in the external storage device of the traceability data center (step 2002).

Whether the number of hits as a result of retrieval at step 2002 is 0, or 1 or more is checked. The number of hits of receipt/shipment data in which the ID is 310, the site name is wholesaler C and the process is receipt is 0 (step 2003).

As a condition for retrieving receipt/shipment data, shipment is set for the process (step 2011).

Data in which the ID is 310, the site name is wholesaler C and the process is shipment is retrieved from receipt/shipment data stored in the external storage device of the traceability data center (step 2012).

Whether the number of hits as a result of retrieval at step 2012 is 0, or 1 or more is checked. The number of hits of receipt/shipment data in which the ID is 310, the site name is wholesaler C and the process is shipment is 1 (step 2013).

Receipt/shipment data hit at step 2013 is output as traceability information (step 2014).

As a condition for retrieving index data, the ID of 310 of the condition for retrieving receipt/shipment data is set for After ID (step 2015).

Data in which After ID is 310 is retrieved from index data stored in the external storage device of the wholesaler C (step 2016).

Whether the number of hits as a result of retrieval at step 2016 is 0, or 1 or more is checked. The number of hits of index data in which After ID is 310 is 1 (step 2017).

One index data hit at step 2017 is output as traceability information (step 2018).

Before ID of 501 is acquired from one index data hit at step 2017 (step 2019).

As a condition for retrieving receipt/shipment data, Before ID of 501 acquired from acquired at step 2019 is set for the ID (step 2020).

A process (assortment) is acquired from one index data hit at step 2017 (step 2021).

Whether the process acquired at step 2021 is unpacking is checked. The process of index data in which Before ID is 501 is not unpacking (step 2022).

Whether the process acquired at step 2021 is packing is checked. The process of index data in which Before ID is 501 is not packing (step 2032).

As a condition for retrieving receipt/shipment data, receipt is set for the process (step 2040).

Data in which the ID is 501, the site name is the retailer C and the process is receipt is retrieved from receipt/shipment data stored in the external storage device of the traceability data center (step 2002).

Whether the number of hits as a result of retrieval at step 2002 is 0, or 1 or more is checked. The number of hits of receipt/shipment data in which the ID is 501, the site name is the retailer C and the process is receipt is 1 (step 2003).

Receipt/shipment data hit at step 2003 is output as traceability information (step 2004).

A receipt/shipment destination (processor B) is acquired from receipt/shipment data hit at step 2003 (step 2005).

As a condition for retrieving receipt/shipment data, the processor B being the receipt/shipment destination acquired at step 2005 is set for the site name (step 2006).

Data in which the ID is 501, the site name is the processor B and the process is receipt is retrieved from receipt/shipment data stored in the external storage device of the traceability data center (step 2002).

Whether the number of hits as a result of retrieval at step 2002 is 0, or 1 or more is checked. The number of hits of receipt/shipment data in which the ID is 501, the site name is the processor B and the process is receipt is 0 (step 2003).

As a condition for retrieving receipt/shipment data, shipment is set for the process (step 2011).

Data in which the ID is 501, the site name is the processor B and the process is shipment is retrieved from receipt/shipment data stored in the external storage device of the traceability data center (step 2012).

Whether the number of hits as a result of retrieval at step 2012 is 0, or 1 or more is checked. The number of hits of receipt/shipment data in which the ID is 501, the site name is the processor B and the process is shipment is 1 (step 2013).

Receipt/shipment data hit at step 2013 is output as traceability information (step 2014).

As a condition for retrieving index data, the ID of 501 of the condition for retrieving receipt/shipment data is set for After ID (step 2015).

Data in which After ID is 501 is retrieved from index data stored in the external storage device of the processor B (step 2016).

Whether the number of hits as a result of retrieval at step 2016 is 0, or 1 or more is checked. The number of hits of index data in which After ID is 501 is 2 (step 2017).

Two index data hit at step 2017 are output as traceability information (step 2018).

Before IDs (1001 and 2001) are acquired from two index data hit at step 2017 (step 2019).

As a condition for retrieving receipt/shipment data, Before IDs of 1001 and 2001 acquired at step 2019 are set for the ID (step 2020).

Processes (packing) are acquired from two index data hit at step 2017 (step 2021).

Whether the processes acquired at step 2021 are unpacking is checked. None of the processes of index data in which IDs are 1010 and 2001 is unpacking (step 2022).

Whether the processes acquired at step 2021 are packing is checked. Both the processes of index data in which IDs are 1001 and 2001 are packing (step 2032).

After ID equal to Before ID (1001 or 2001) is retrieved from the buffer of the traceability data center. After ID (1001) is acquired, and as a condition for retrieving receipt/shipment data, only the number 1001 is set for the ID (step 2023).

As a condition for retrieving receipt/shipment data, receipt is set for the process (step 2040).

Data in which the ID is 1001, the site name is the processor B and the process is shipment is retrieved from receipt/shipment data stored in the traceability data center (step 2002).

Whether the number of hits as a result of retrieval at step 2002 is 0, or 1 or more is checked. The number of hits of receipt/shipment data in which the ID is 1001, the site name is the processor B and the process is receipt is 0 (step 2003).

As a condition for retrieving receipt/shipment data, shipment is set for the process (step 2011).

Data in which the ID is 1001, the site name is the processor B and the process is shipment is retrieved from receipt/shipment data stored in the external storage device of the traceability data center (step 2012).

Whether the number of hits as a result of retrieval at step 2012 is 0, or 1 or more is checked. The number of hits of receipt/shipment data in which the ID is 1001, the site name is the processor B and the process is shipment is 0 (step 2013).

As a condition for retrieving index data, the ID of 1001 of the condition for retrieving receipt/shipment data is set for After ID (step 2015).

Data in which After ID is 1001 is retrieved from index data stored in the external storage device of the processor B (step 2016).

Whether the number of hits as a result of retrieval at step 2016 is 0, or 1 or more is checked. The number of hits of index data in which After ID is 1001 is 1 (step 2017).

One index data hit at step 2017 is output as traceability information (step 2018).

Before ID (100) is acquired from one index data hit at step 2017 (step 2019).

As a condition for retrieving receipt/shipment data, Before ID of 100 acquired at step 2019 is set for the ID (step 2020).

A process (dressing) is acquired from one index data hit at step 2017 (step 2021).

Whether the process acquired at step 2021 is unpacking is checked. The process of index data in which Before ID is 100 is not unpacking (step 2022).

Whether the process acquired at step 2021 is packing is checked. The process of index data in which Before ID is 100 is not packing (step 2032).

As a condition for retrieving receipt/shipment data, the process is changed to receipt (step 2040).

Data in which the ID is 100, the site name is the processor B and the process is receipt is retrieved from receipt/shipment stored in the external storage device of the traceability data center (step 2002).

Whether the number of hits as a result of retrieval at step 2002 is 0, or 1 or more is checked. The number of hits of receipt/shipment data in which the ID is 100, the site name is the processor B and the process is receipt is 1 (step 2003).

Receipt/shipment data hit at step 2003 is output as traceability information (step 2004).

A receipt/shipment destination (producer A) is acquired from receipt/shipment data hit at step 2003 (step 2005).

As a condition for retrieving receipt/shipment data, the producer A being the receipt/shipment destination acquired at step 2005 is set for the site name (step 2006).

Data in which the ID is 100, the site name is the producer A and the process is receipt is retrieved from receipt/shipment data stored in the external storage device of the traceability data center (step 2002).

Whether the number of hits as a result of retrieval at step 2002 is 0, or 1 or more is checked. The number of hits of receipt/shipment data in which the ID is 100, the site name is the producer A and the process is receipt is 0 (step 2003).

As a condition for retrieving receipt/shipment data, shipment is set for the process (step 2011).

Data in which the ID is 100, the site name is the producer A and the process is shipment is retrieved from receipt/shipment data stored in the external storage device of the traceability data center (step 2012).

Whether the number of hits as a result of retrieval at step 2012 is 0, or 1 or more is checked. The number of hits of receipt/shipment data in which the ID is 100, the site name is the producer A and the process is shipment is 1 (step 2013).

Receipt/shipment data hit at step 2013 is output as traceability information (step 2014).

As a condition for retrieving index data, the ID of 100 of the condition for retrieving receipt/shipment data is set for After ID (step 2015).

Data in which After ID is 100 is retrieved from index data of the producer A stored in the external storage device of the traceability data center (step 2016).

Whether the number of hits as a result of retrieval at step 2016 is 0, or 1 or more is checked. The number of hits of index data in which After ID is 100 is 0 and the process is ended (step 2017).

The process described above allows the ground meat with the ID of 11-111 to be traced back from the consumer to the retailer D to the wholesaler C to the processor B to the producer A to output the ID (100) of beef cattle that is a raw material.

A flow of a process in which the central processing unit of the traceability data center outputs trace-forward information of beef cattle with the ID of 100 produced by the producer A is shown in FIG. 5.

As a condition for retrieving receipt/shipment data, the number 100 is set for the ID, the producer A is set for the site name and shipment is set for the process (step 2001).

Data in which the ID is 100, the site name is the producer A and the process is shipment is retrieved from receipt/shipment data stored in the external storage device of the traceability data center (step 2002).

Whether the number of hits as a result of retrieval at step 2002 is 0, or 1 or more is checked. The number of hits of receipt/shipment data in which the ID is 100, the site name is the producer A and the process is shipment is 1 (step 2003).

Receipt/shipment data hit at step 2003 is output as traceability information (step 2004).

A receipt/shipment destination (processor B) is acquired from receipt/shipment data hit at step 2003 (step 2005).

As a condition for retrieving receipt/shipment data, the processor B being the receipt/shipment destination acquired at step 2005 is set for the site name (step 2006).

Data in which the ID is 100, the site name is the processor B and the process is shipment is retrieved from receipt/shipment data stored in the external storage device of the traceability data center (step 2002).

Whether the number of hits as a result of retrieval at step 2002 is 0, or 1 or more is checked. The number of hits of receipt/shipment data in which the ID is 100, the site name is the processor B and the process is shipment is 0 (step 2003).

As a condition for retrieving receipt/shipment data, receipt is set for the process (step 2011).

Data in which the ID is 100, the site name is the processor B and the process is receipt is retrieved from receipt/shipment stored in the external storage device of the traceability data center (step 2012).

Whether the number of hits as a result of retrieval at step 2012 is 0, or 1 or more is checked. The number of hits of receipt/shipment data in which the ID is 100, the site name is the processor B and the process is receipt is 1 (step 2013).

Receipt/shipment data hit at step 2013 is output as traceability information (step 2014).

As a condition for retrieving index data, the ID of 100 of the condition for retrieving receipt/shipment data is set for Before ID (step 2015).

Data in which Before ID is 100 is retrieved from index data stored in the external storage device of the processor B (step 2016).

Whether the number of hits as a result of retrieval at step 2016 is 0, or 1 or more is checked. The number of hits of index data in which After ID is 100 is 2 (step 2017).

Two index data hit at step 2017 are output as traceability information (step 2018).

After IDs (1001 and 1002) are acquired from two index data hit at step 2017 (step 2019).

As a condition for retrieving receipt/shipment data, After IDs of 1001 and 1002 acquired at step 2019 are set for the ID (step 2020).

Processes (dressing) are acquired from two index data hit at step 2017 (step 2021).

Whether the processes acquired at step 2021 are packing is checked. None of the processes of index data in which After IDs are 1001 and 1002 is packing (step 2022).

Whether the processes acquired at step 2021 are unpacking is checked. None of the processes of index data in which After IDs are 1001 and 1002 is unpacking (step 2032).

As a condition for retrieving receipt/shipment data, shipment is set for the process (step 2040).

Data in which the ID is 1001 or 1002, the site name is the processor B and the process is shipment is retrieved from receipt/shipment data stored in the external storage device of the traceability data center (step 2002).

Whether the number of hits as a result of retrieval at step 2002 is 0, or 1 or more is checked. The number of hits of receipt/shipment data in which the ID is 1001 or 1002, the site name is the processor B and the process is receipt is 0 (step 2003).

As a condition for retrieving receipt/shipment data, receipt is set for the process (step 2011).

Data in which the ID is 1001 or 1002, the site name is the processor B and the process is shipment is retrieved from receipt/shipment data stored in the external storage device of the traceability data center (step 2012).

Whether the number of hits as a result of retrieval at step 2012 is 0, or 1 or more is checked. The number of hits of receipt/shipment data in which the ID is 1001 or 1002, the site name is the processor B and the process is shipment (step 2013).

As a condition for retrieving index data, IDs of 1001 and 1002 of the condition for retrieving receipt/shipment data are set for Before ID (step 2015).

Data in which Before ID is 1001 or 1002 is retrieved from index data stored in the external storage device of the processor B (step 2016).

Whether the number of hits as a result of retrieval at step 2016 is 0, or 1 or more is checked. The number of hits of index data in which Before ID is 1001 is 1, and the number of hits of index data in which before ID is 1002 is 0 (step 2017).

One index data hit at step 2017 is output as traceability information (step 2018).

After ID (501) is acquired from one index data hit at step 2017 (step 2019).

As a condition for retrieving receipt/shipment data, After ID of 501 acquired at step 2019 is set for the ID (step 2020).

A process (packing) is acquired from one index data hit at step 2017 (step 2021).

Whether the process acquired at step 2021 is packing is checked. The process of index data in which After ID is 501 is packing (step 2022).

Before ID (1001) is stored in the buffer of the traceability data center (step 2023).

As a condition for retrieving receipt/shipment data, the process is changed to shipment (step 2040).

Data in which the ID is 501, the site name is the processor B and the process is shipment is retrieved from receipt/shipment data stored in the external storage device of the traceability data center (step 2002).

Whether the number of hits as a result of retrieval at step 2002 is 0, or 1 or more is checked. The number of hits of receipt/shipment data in which the ID is 501, the site name is the proces