JP7834592B2 - Information management system and information management method - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to an information management system and an information management method.

Patent Document 1 discloses an apparatus for generating simulation models using BIM (Building Information Modeling) and CIM (Construction Information Modeling), which are three-dimensional data of structures.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2016-51412

As described in Patent Document 1, the provision of devices and services utilizing information related to actual structures, such as BIM and CIM, has been increasing in recent years. However, BIM and similar data are not always genuine; various forms of data are circulating, including data created by students as a project or simply created for the metaverse space. Therefore, it is not easy to quickly and accurately access and utilize genuine information related to actual structures. In fact, there is a risk of acquiring and using incorrect information, which can further spread misinformation.

This invention aims to improve access to authentic information related to structures.

The present invention relates to an information management system for managing digital information associated with a structure, comprising: an information management server that stores the digital information; and a blockchain that holds non-fungible tokens on which an identification code pre-assigned to the structure and a connection program for connecting a user terminal to the information management server are recorded. When the identification code obtained by the user terminal matches the identification code recorded in the non-fungible token, the control unit of the user terminal executes the connection program in the non-fungible token to connect the user terminal to the information management server, and the information management server permits the user terminal to use the digital information.
Furthermore, the present invention relates to an information management system for managing digital information related to a structure, comprising: an information management server that stores the digital information; and a blockchain that holds non-fungible tokens on which an identification code pre-assigned to the structure and a connection program for connecting a user terminal to the information management server are recorded. When the identification code obtained by the user terminal matches the identification code recorded in the non-fungible token, the control unit of the user terminal executes the connection program in the non-fungible token to connect the user terminal to the information management server. The information management server determines the authenticity of the access key generated by the user terminal's control unit executing the connection program, and if the access key is determined to be authentic, the information management server permits the user terminal to use the digital information.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to an information management method for managing digital information related to a structure, comprising the steps of: searching for an identification code obtained by a user terminal within a blockchain that holds a non-fungible token on which an identification code pre-assigned to the structure and a connection program for connecting a user terminal to an information management server storing digital information are recorded; and executing a connection program within a non-fungible token on which the same identification code as the identification code obtained by the user terminal is recorded, thereby connecting the user terminal to the information management server.
Furthermore, the present invention relates to an information management method for managing digital information related to a structure, comprising the steps of: searching for an identification code obtained by a user terminal within a blockchain that holds a non-fungible token on which an identification code pre-assigned to the structure and a connection program for connecting a user terminal to an information management server storing digital information are recorded; when the identification code obtained by the user terminal matches the identification code recorded in the non-fungible token, the control unit of the user terminal executes the connection program in the non-fungible token to connect the user terminal to the information management server; the information management server determines the authenticity of the access key generated by the user terminal's control unit executing the connection program; and when the access key is determined to be authentic, the information management server permits the user terminal to use the digital information.

According to this invention, access to authentic information related to structures can be improved.

This is a configuration diagram showing the overall configuration of an information management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. This flowchart shows the processing flow of an information management method performed by an information management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is an illustrative diagram illustrating the process in which a user terminal accesses digital information stored on the information management server. This flowchart shows the processing flow of a modified version of the information management method performed by the information management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 is an illustrative diagram illustrating the process in which a user terminal accesses digital information stored on the information management server.

The following describes an information management system and information management method according to an embodiment of the present invention, with reference to the drawings.

First, with reference to Figure 1, an information management system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The information management system 100 is a system for appropriately managing digital information relating to a structure 1 in association with the structure 1, and for providing authentic digital information relating to the structure 1 to users. Note that "structure 1" refers to an artificially constructed structure fixed to the land, and is not limited to buildings such as office buildings, large commercial facilities, factories, and schools, but also includes structures such as roads, dams, and bridges.

As shown in Figure 1, the information management system 100 comprises a blockchain 10 that holds non-fungible tokens 12 (NFTs; hereinafter referred to as NFTs 12), and an information management server 20 that stores digital information related to the structure 1. The system provides the digital information stored in the information management server 20 in response to requests from a user terminal 40 operated by the user. The blockchain 10, the information management server 20, and the user terminal 40 are connected via a network such as the internet, either by wired or wireless connection.

Blockchain 10 is a distributed ledger management technology that manages the same information in a distributed manner among multiple nodes 11 on the network. Specifically, it treats data, including transaction data and hash values, as a single block. When a new record is added, a new block is generated and linked to the previous block. By sharing this chain of linked block data chronologically among the nodes 11, the reliability of the data recorded in the blocks is ensured. It should be noted that the mechanism of such an information-sharing platform with data tamper resistance is publicly known.

Each node 11 constituting the blockchain 10 is a computer managed by a company, local government, or national government involved in the design, construction, and management of structure 1. In other words, the blockchain 10 of this information management system 100 is a so-called consortium type. However, the blockchain 10 is not limited to a consortium type with multiple managing entities; it could also be a public type with no administrator or a private type with a specific administrator.

The NFT 12 held on blockchain 10 records transaction data, hash values, and nonce values, as well as basic information such as the location, manager, and contractor of structure 1, an identification code pre-assigned to structure 1, and a connection program for connecting the user terminal 40 to the information management server 20.

The connection program, as described later, is a program that allows a user terminal 40, which has acquired the same identification code as the one recorded in the NFT 12, to access the information management server 20, which stores digital information related to the structure 1 to which the identification code is assigned.

NFT 12 is created on the blockchain 10 in response to a request from the information management server 20 when the digital information of a new structure 1 is stored in the information management server 20. In other words, an NFT 12 is issued for each structure 1.

By storing NFTs 12 on the blockchain 10, which is tamper-proof, the authenticity of the digital data associated with NFTs 12 is automatically proven. Therefore, as described later, by using NFTs 12, it becomes possible to provide users with only authentic information regarding structure 1.

The information management server 20 is configured, for example, by combining a web server, an application server, and a database. It functions as a file server 22 where digital information related to structure 1 is stored, and also functions as an authentication server 21 that controls access to the file server 22 by user terminals 40. The information management server 20 is installed, for example, in the node 11 managed by the company that designed and constructed structure 1. Alternatively, the information management server 20 may constitute the blockchain 10 as a node 11.

It is also possible to record all digital information on the NFT 12 without providing an information management server 20 for storing and managing digital information related to structure 1. However, if relatively large data such as BIM and CIM is recorded on the NFT 12, the data storage capacity of each node 11 sharing the NFT 12 will increase, and the amount of data communication between each node 11 will increase when the NFT 12 is updated. Therefore, issuing new NFTs 12 or updating existing ones may take a considerable amount of time.

Therefore, in order to smoothly issue and renew NFTs 12, it is preferable to reduce the amount of data shared within the blockchain 10 by providing the information management server 20 separately from the blockchain 10. The authentication server 21 and the file server 22 may be configured as a single unit or separately.

The user terminal 40 is a general information processing terminal comprising an input unit, a display unit, a communication unit, a control unit that controls these units, and a storage unit that stores programs executed by the control unit. For example, it may be a personal computer, or a portable terminal such as a smartphone or tablet equipped with a camera, motion sensor, and positioning sensor. Furthermore, the user terminal 40 may be mounted on a moving object such as a vehicle.

In addition to the blockchain 10 and information management server 20 described above, the information management system 100 further includes an identification code provision unit 30 for providing an identification code pre-assigned to the structure 1 to the user terminal 40.

The identification code providing unit 30 is a device that provides an identification code to the user terminal 40 by displaying the identification code assigned to the structure 1 as a barcode or QR code (registered trademark), or by transmitting it via radio waves, sound waves, or optical signals. If the identification code providing unit 30 displays the identification code and allows the user terminal 40 to read it, it is installed in a highly visible location such as the entrance of the structure 1. If the identification code providing unit 30 transmits the identification code and allows the user terminal 40 to receive it, it is installed on a wall or rooftop of the structure 1 so that the transmitted waves are not obstructed.

Furthermore, identification codes can be obtained not only from the identification code provision unit 30, but also from an identification code list containing a list of identification codes and an identification code display map where the identification codes are displayed. The identification code list and identification code display map are installed, for example, along with the access software described later when the access software is installed on the user terminal 40.

Next, the process of providing genuine digital information about structure 1 from the information management system 100 with the above configuration to the user terminal 40 will be explained with reference to the flowchart shown in Figure 2.

First, as a preliminary step on the information management system 100 side, in step S11, the NFT 12 corresponding to structure 1 is created.

Specifically, when digital information such as BIM and CIM of a new structure 1 is stored in the information management server 20, the information management server 20 uploads data including the identification code and connection program to be recorded in the NFT 12 to the blockchain 10 and requests the issuance of the NFT 12 corresponding to the structure 1.

In response, the blockchain 10 issues an NFT 12, resulting in a state where the NFT 12 corresponding to the new structure 1—that is, an NFT 12 containing an identification code pre-assigned to structure 1 and a connection program for allowing the user terminal 40 that acquired this identification code to access the information management server 20—exists on the blockchain 10 (on-chain state).

Furthermore, as a preliminary step on the user terminal 40 side, in step S12, access software for acquiring and using digital information related to structure 1 is installed.

Specifically, this access software is provided as application software from the information management server 20. When the access software is installed on the user terminal 40, the information management server 20 assigns a user ID to the user terminal 40. This user ID is used for access control to the information management server 20, as described later.

Furthermore, the access software is not limited to that provided directly from the information management server 20; it may also be provided by a business operator 24 that has obtained prior permission from the information management server 20, for example, a business operator 24 that provides services utilizing the digital information of structure 1. The business operator 24 is assigned a user ID in advance by the information management server 20, and a user ID corresponding to this is assigned to the user terminal 40.

Thus, when the identification code of structure 1, whose NFT 12 is now on-chain in step S11, is acquired by the user terminal 40 with the access software installed, digital information about structure 1 is provided to the user terminal 40 through the following steps.

As described above, when the user terminal 40 obtains the identification code of structure 1 from the identification code provision unit 30 installed on structure 1, in step S13, the access software performs a search for NFT 12. Specifically, a search for NFT 12 with the same identification code as the obtained identification code is performed within the blockchain 10.

Furthermore, the user terminal 40 can acquire the identification code of structure 1 by various methods. For example, if the user terminal 40 is a mobile terminal equipped with a camera, the identification code can be acquired by reading the barcode displayed on the identification code provision unit 30 of structure 1 with the camera, or by receiving the signal transmitted from the identification code provision unit 30 as an optical signal via the camera.

Furthermore, if the user terminal 40 is a mobile terminal equipped with short-range wireless communication means such as Bluetooth®, it is possible to obtain the identification code by receiving the signal transmitted from the identification code provision unit 30 using the short-range wireless communication means. Also, if the user terminal 40 is a personal computer, it is possible to obtain the identification code of structure 1 from a pre-obtained identification code list or identification code display map.

If an NFT 12 with the same identification code as the one searched in step S13 is found, then in the subsequent step S14, the corresponding NFT 12 is provided from the blockchain 10 to the user terminal 40.

In this way, the NFT 12 provided from blockchain 10 to the user terminal 40 is incorporated into the access software installed on the user terminal 40 in step S15, and the aforementioned connection program recorded in the NFT 12 is executed within the access software.

Specifically, the connection program generates an access key necessary to access the information management server 20 based on the assigned user ID, and also generates an access address necessary to access the digital information within the information management server 20. This address, in other words, indicates the area within the information management server 20 where the available digital information is stored. As described later, the access address generated in step S15 will vary depending on the user's purpose for accessing the digital information.

The generated access key is transmitted to the authentication server 21 of the information management server 20 in step S16.

As shown in Figure 3, the authentication server 21 determines whether the access key transmitted from the user terminal 40 is genuine, generated based on the user ID by the connection program recorded in the NFT 12 (step S17). If it determines that the key is genuine, it grants the user terminal 40 permission to access the file server 22. Figure 3 is an illustrative diagram showing the situation in which the user terminal 40 accesses digital information stored in the information management server 20.

In the subsequent step S18, the user terminal 40, which has been granted permission to access the file server 22, accesses a predetermined address within the file server 22 based on the access address generated in step S15.

Here, the access address generated in step S15 differs depending on the user's purpose for accessing the digital information. For example, if the purpose is maintenance such as repairing the entire structure 1, the address of the area where all of the BIM and CIM data is stored is set as the access address. If the purpose is to renovate or remodel a part of structure 1 (for example, a part of one floor), the address of the area where only a portion of the BIM and CIM data is stored is set as the access address.

Furthermore, if the purpose of access is to create a metaverse space using the external shape of structure 1, or to create movement paths for unmanned aerial vehicles, autonomous robots, or autonomous vehicles, then information on rebar and piping, as in BIM or CIM data, is unnecessary. Therefore, the access address generated in step S15 is the address of the area where the data of the external shape of structure 1 is stored.

Furthermore, if the purpose of access is to manage or analyze information related to facilities within structure 1, such as electricity usage, indoor temperature, vibration, or tilt of structure 1, the access address generated in step S15 will be the address of the area where facility-related information within structure 1 is stored.

The above-mentioned purposes of use and access addresses are merely examples and are not limited to these. For example, if the purpose of access is to use the facilities within Structure 1, access may be granted to facility-related information such as facility congestion status, electronic ticket sales, and facility maps. Furthermore, the user's access purpose may be set before a user ID is assigned, or it may be changed after a user ID is assigned.

Thus, the connection program recorded in NFT 12 is a connection destination specification program that specifies (generates) the connection destination of the user terminal 40 within the information management server 20, according to the user terminal 40's purpose for accessing digital information.

Then, by accessing a predetermined address within the file server 22, the user can access desired digital information related to structure 1 via the user terminal 40 (step S19).

In addition to maintenance and repair of Structure 1, the digital information associated with Structure 1 can be used for various purposes. For example, by using an AR (Augmented Reality) camera function, objects created based on the acquired digital information of Structure 1 can be overlaid onto images of Structure 1 captured by the camera, allowing for the free creation of AR spaces. Furthermore, by acquiring digital information from multiple Structure 1s, it is possible to create a more realistic metaverse space over a wide area and utilize it for various simulations.

Furthermore, when the digital information of structure 1 is used via NFT 12, a predetermined fee is paid to blockchain 10 by the user or business operator 24, either directly or via the information management server 20.

Through the process described above, authentic digital information regarding structure 1 is provided from the information management system 100 to the user terminal 40 via NFT 12 held on the blockchain 10.

According to the above embodiment, the following effects are achieved.

In the information management system 100 described above, if the identification code acquired by the user terminal 40 matches the identification code recorded in the NFT 12, the user terminal 40 is connected to the information management server 20, which stores authentic digital information related to structure 1, via a connection program within the NFT 12 where the identification code is recorded.

In this way, by pre-recording the identification code assigned to structure 1 and the connection program for connecting user terminal 40 to information management server 20 in the NFT 12 issued and held by blockchain 10, it is possible to reliably allow user terminal 40, which has acquired the identification code of structure 1, to access digital information that is guaranteed to be genuine digital information related to structure 1.

This prevents the user terminal 40 from accessing incorrect information about structure 1, and as a result, improves access to genuine information related to structure 1.

Furthermore, the following modifications are also within the scope of the present invention, and it is possible to combine the configurations shown in the modifications with the configurations described in the embodiments described above, or to combine the configurations described in the following different modifications.

(1) In the above embodiment, the connection program recorded in the NFT 12 is a connection destination specification program that specifies the connection destination of the user terminal 40 within the information management server 20. Alternatively, the connection program recorded in the NFT 12 may be a determination program that determines the accessible range of the user terminal 40, as shown in the flowchart of Figure 4. The flowchart of Figure 4 shows the process of providing genuine digital information about the structure 1 to the user terminal 40 in a modified version of the information management system 100.

The steps up to step S14 in the modified example are the same as those in the above embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, and therefore their explanation is omitted.

In step S14, the NFT 12 provided from blockchain 10 to the user terminal 40 is incorporated into the access software installed on the user terminal 40 in step S25, and the determination program recorded as a connection program in the NFT 12 is executed within the access software.

Specifically, based on the assigned user ID, the scope of access that the user terminal 40 can access to the digital information within the information management server 20 is determined; that is, the user's access level to the digital information is determined.

The determined result is transmitted to the authentication server 21 of the information management server 20 in step S26.

As shown in Figure 5, the authentication server 21 sets the available range (step S27) according to the access range (access level) transmitted from the user terminal 40, and grants the user terminal 40 permission to access a predetermined range of the file server 22. Figure 5 is an illustrative diagram illustrating a modified example in which the user terminal 40 accesses digital information stored in the information management server 20.

In the subsequent step S28, the user terminal 40, which has been granted permission to access the file server 22, accesses the available areas within the file server 22 as configured in step S27.

In the modified example, the usable range set in step S27 varies depending on the access rights of the user utilizing the digital information. For example, if the user performs maintenance such as repairs on the entire structure 1, the entire data range (range A) of the BIM and CIM data is set as the usable range. If the user renovates or remodels a part of structure 1 (for example, a part of one floor), the usable range is set to the range (range B) of the entire data range (range A) of the BIM and CIM data that contains the data for the floor being renovated, etc.

Furthermore, when a user uses the external shape of Structure 1 to create a metaverse space or to create movement paths for unmanned aerial vehicles or autonomous robots, the usable range is set to the range (Range C) within the entire data range (Range A) of the BIM and CIM data that contains only the external shape data of Structure 1.

Furthermore, when a user manages or analyzes information related to facilities within Structure 1, such as electricity usage, indoor temperature, vibration, or tilt of Structure 1, the access scope is set to include the accompanying data containing facility-related information within Structure 1. Note that these user access rights are examples only and are not limited to these.

By accessing the scope of digital information available according to the user's access rights, the user can utilize desired digital information related to structure 1 via the user terminal 40, even in this modified example (step S29).

In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, the digital information accessible according to the access purpose is stored separately within the file server 22, and each piece of digital information does not overlap with the others. Therefore, it is possible to provide users with digital information that matches their diverse data utilization needs, while also preventing users from accessing other digital information or becoming aware of the existence of other digital information. On the other hand, the more the access purposes are subdivided, the more digital information is stored in the file server 22, which puts pressure on the data capacity.

In contrast, the modified version, as described above, sets a boundary to define the usable range of the digital information stored in the file server 22, and appropriately changes this boundary according to the access range of the user terminal 40, i.e., the user's access rights. In other words, since the digital information provided to users has overlapping portions, it is possible to minimize the data size of the digital information stored in the file server 22.

Furthermore, in this modified version, the scope of digital information disclosed by the file server 22 to the user terminal 40 is reset by the authentication server 21 based on the accessibility range generated by the connection program within the NFT 12. By configuring the information management server 20 to set the scope of digital information disclosure in this way, it becomes possible to make the data indicating the accessibility range transmitted from the user terminal 40 to the authentication server 21 and the data indicating the usable range generated by the authentication server 21 different from each other.

Therefore, even if the data indicating the accessible range generated by the connection program within NFT 12 were to be stolen, it would be impossible to directly access the digital information in the file server 22 using that data, thus improving the confidentiality of the digital information.

(2) In the above embodiment, the access address within the file server 22 accessible by the user terminal 40 is specified by the connection program recorded in the NFT 12. Alternatively, the access address within the file server 22 accessible by the user terminal 40 may be specified again by the authentication server 21, as in the modified example described above.

(3) In the above embodiment, the connection program recorded in NFT 12 is executed within the access software pre-installed on the user terminal 40. Alternatively, the connection program recorded in NFT 12 may be executed within the application on the browser logged in with the user ID.

(4) In the above embodiment, the digital information relating to structure 1 stored in the information management server 20 is used by the user by being read by the user terminal 40. While the digital information is simply read by the user terminal 40, the configuration may allow the user terminal 40 to rewrite the digital information in the file server 22. In this case, it is preferable to issue an NFT containing a program capable of determining whether or not the user has permission to rewrite the digital information, separately from the NFT 12 described above, to the digital information relating to structure 1.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments represent only a portion of the applications of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention to the specific configurations of the above embodiments.

100... Information management system 1... Structure 10... Blockchain 12... Non-fungible tokens (NFTs)
20... Information management server 21... Authentication server 22... File server 30... Identification code provision unit 40... User terminal

Claims (10)

An information management system for managing digital information related to structures,
The information management server that stores the aforementioned digital information,
The structure comprises a blockchain that holds non-fungible tokens on which an identification code pre-assigned to the structure and a connection program for connecting a user terminal to the information management server are recorded.
If the identification code obtained by the user terminal matches the identification code recorded in the non-fungible token, the control unit of the user terminal executes the connection program in the non-fungible token to connect the user terminal to the information management server, and the information management server authorizes the user terminal to use the digital information.
Information management system. The connection program is a connection destination specification program that specifies the connection destination of the user terminal within the information management server according to the purpose of the user terminal's access to the digital information.
The information management system according to claim 1. The connection program is a determination program that determines the scope of access that the user terminal can access to the digital information,
The information management server sets the range of digital information that the user terminal can use according to the access range determined by the determination program.
The information management system according to claim 1. The structure further comprises an identification code providing unit that provides the identification code to the user terminal by displaying or transmitting the identification code.
An information management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. An information management system for managing digital information related to structures,
The information management server that stores the aforementioned digital information,
The structure comprises a blockchain that holds non-fungible tokens on which an identification code pre-assigned to the structure and a connection program for connecting a user terminal to the information management server are recorded.
If the identification code obtained by the user terminal matches the identification code recorded in the non-fungible token, the control unit of the user terminal executes the connection program in the non-fungible token to connect the user terminal to the information management server.
The information management server determines the authenticity of the access key generated when the control unit of the user terminal executes the connection program.
If the access key is determined to be genuine, the information management server will authorize the user terminal to use the digital information.
Information management system. An information management method for managing digital information related to structures,
Within a blockchain holding non-fungible tokens that record an identification code pre-assigned to the structure and a connection program for connecting a user terminal to an information management server storing the digital information, the control unit of the user terminal searches for the identification code obtained by the user terminal.
The process includes the user terminal's control unit executing the connection program in the non-fungible token, which contains the same identification code as the identification code obtained by the user terminal, and connecting the user terminal to the information management server.
Information management method. The process further includes: the user terminal's control unit executes a connection destination specification program included in the connection program, and specifies the user terminal's connection destination within the information management server according to the user terminal's purpose for accessing the digital information;
The information management method according to claim 6 . The user terminal's control unit executes a determination program included in the connection program to determine the user terminal's access range to the digital information.
The process further includes the step of the information management server setting the range of digital information that the user terminal can use in accordance with the accessibility range determined by the determination program,
The information management method according to claim 6 . The process further includes the user terminal receiving the identification code displayed on the structure or the identification code transmitted from the structure.
The information management method according to any one of claims 6 to 8 . An information management method for managing digital information related to structures,
Within a blockchain holding non-fungible tokens that record an identification code pre-assigned to the structure and a connection program for connecting a user terminal to an information management server storing the digital information, the control unit of the user terminal searches for the identification code obtained by the user terminal.
If the identification code obtained by the user terminal matches the identification code recorded in the non-fungible token, the control unit of the user terminal executes the connection program in the non-fungible token to connect the user terminal to the information management server;
The process includes the information management server determining the authenticity of the access key generated when the control unit of the user terminal executes the connection program,
The process includes the step of, if the access key is determined to be authentic, the information management server permits the user terminal to use the digital information,
Information management method.