Abstract:
The purpose of the present invention is to provide a system which, in a product delivery procedure, monitors and manages, more simply and reliably, a deviation from a managed temperature during shipment. To solve the problem, provided is a logistics system, comprising: an information reading and transmitting device which reads an information code which is provided on a product and transmits data which is included in the information code; a server which accumulates, via a communications network, the data which is transmitted from the information reading and transmitting device; and a terminal device which refers to the data which is accumulated in the server via the communications network. The information code is formed from a pattern which changes with an occurrence of a deviation from a specified temperature. The system employs the information code.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a logistics system with a temperature management scheme. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0002]    Lately, there has been an increasing amount of distribution of packages that must be delivered in a cold or frozen condition, such as packages of medical products and foods. During the distribution of these packages that need to be kept in a cold or frozen state, there is a possibility that the packages are exposed to a high temperature with their temperature deviating from a refrigerant or freezing temperature, for instance, when they are handed over from a manufacture to a carrier, when they are handed over from the carrier to another carrier, or when they are handed over from a final carrier to a consumer, or because of failure of a refrigeration/freezing facility. If a package is long exposed to a high temperature, it is of concern that products or articles contained in the package are subject to change in properties and their quality degrades. Hence, there is a need for a system that monitors and manages for a package that needs to be kept in a cold or frozen state as to whether the package has been delivered, while maintained at a proper temperature during its distribution. 
         [0003]    To address a problem as noted above, a delivery label and a delivery/distribution system for delivery of commercial products requiring cold transportation, such as foods and medical products, are described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2006-65374 (Patent Literature 1) and Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication (Translation of PCT Application) No. 2011-526379 (Patent Literature 2). 
         [0004]    In Patent Literature 1, a delivery/distribution system is described that is provided with an element including a shaded region portion, a temperature managing medium, and machine-readable information A which are layered in order one on top of the other over a base material and described information B. The system at least includes data acquisition means that reads a sheet which is delivered with a delivery and the information B and transmitting means that transmits the information B acquired by the data acquisition means to the source of the delivery. The temperature managing medium changes from a colored state to a colorless state when its temperature goes beyond a predetermined temperature range and the information A is visually readable before the change in color and becomes hard to read visually after the change in color. The system further includes a computer that includes receiving means that receives the information B from the transmitting means and broadcasting means that outputs a redelivery instruction regarding the delivery depending on the information B received by the receiving means. 
         [0005]    In Patent Literature 2, there is disclosed a quality management system including a quality indicator with a first barcode which becomes unreadable by becoming colored when temperature goes beyond a threshold of temperature and a second barcode which becomes machine-readable at the same time. 
       CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
       [0000]    
       
         Patent Literature 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2006-65374 
         Patent Literature 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication (Translation of PCT Application) No. 2011-526379 
       
     
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
       [0008]    In Patent Literature 1, there is a description that the temperature managing medium discolors when its temperature deviates from a predetermined temperature range, which causes the information A to overlap with the shaded region portion and makes it unreadable. However, in the method of Patent Literature 1, when the information A has become unreadable, it cannot be distinguished whether the information A became unreadable or there was failure to read the information A. It is also disclosed that, if the information A has become unreadable, a deliverer is to take an image of a merchandize item label (information B) with a cellular phone and transmit the image to a computer to arrange for redelivery. Two types of information reading devices, i.e., a barcode reader and a cellular phone to take an image are required and the system becomes complex. In addition, if a carrier fails to transmit the information B, even though the information A is unreadable, determination cannot be made as to which phase of distribution that deviation from the temperature range has occurred. Moreover, even after the temperature managing medium discolors, separating the information A from the shaded region portion makes it possible to read the information A and there is a possibility that the information A is transmitted even when temperature has exceeded the temperature range. 
         [0009]    In Patent Literature 2, there is a description that the first barcode becoming unreadable and the second barcode becoming readable occur at the same time. In this indicator, switching between readable and unreadable states is made by natural spreading of a coloring agent. There is a time lag in response to temperature change and there is a possibility that a temporary excess beyond the threshold of temperature, even when occurring, is not reflected. Also, it is difficult to switch between the readable and unreadable states of two barcodes at the same time. In addition, because the barcodes themselves do not change, even when temperature has exceeded the threshold of temperature, separating the barcodes from an element capable of coloring makes it possible to read the barcodes, and resistance to counterfeiting is low. 
         [0010]    An object of the present invention is to provide a system that, in a process of delivery of products, monitors and manages for deviation from a managed temperature during distribution in a simpler and reliable manner. 
       Solution to Problem 
       [0011]    To solve the foregoing problem, for example, configurations described in claims are adopted. The present application encompasses a plurality of means for solving the foregoing problem. By way of example, a logistics system is configured as follows: the logistics system includes an information reading and transmitting device that reads an information code attached on a product and transmits data contained in the information code, a server that accumulates data transmitted from the information reading and transmitting device over a communication network, and a terminal device that refers to the accumulated data from the server over the communication network; the information code includes a pattern that will convert when its temperature has deviated from a specified temperature; and the logistics system uses the information code. 
       Advantageous Effects of Invention 
       [0012]    According to the present invention, by taking advantage of the fact that an information code itself will covert, it is enabled to monitor and manage for deviation from a managed temperature during distribution in a simpler and reliable manner. Problems, configurations, and advantageous effects other than described above will be apparent from the following description of embodiments. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a general schematic diagram depicting an overall aspect of a logistics system in a first embodiment. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a basic configuration diagram of devices which are used in the logistics system in the first embodiment. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional diagram of a thermochromic marking element in which color conversion takes place by temperature deviation. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a general schematic diagram depicting the logistics system in the first embodiment. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a general schematic diagram depicting a logistics system in a second embodiment. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a general schematic diagram depicting a logistics system in a third embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0019]    In the following, embodiments will be described with the aid of the drawings. 
       First Embodiment 
       [0020]      FIG. 1  is a general schematic diagram depicting an overall aspect of a logistics system of the present embodiment. In  FIG. 1 , a manufacturer  101  of a product which requires temperature management delivers and sales the product to a carrier  102 . Likewise, the carrier  102  delivers and sales the product to a carrier  103 , the carrier  103  does the same to a wholesaler  104 , the wholesaler  104  does the same to a retailer  105 , and the retailer  105  does the same to a customer  106  who is a final recipient. 
         [0021]    There maybe a single carrier or a plurality of carriers. Without intervention of the wholesaler  104  and the retailer  105 , the product may be delivered from the carrier  102  or  103  directly to the retailer  105  or the customer  106 . Dashed arrows indicate a flow  107  of the product. Also, solid arrows indicate a flow  110  of an information code. 
         [0022]    Also,  FIG. 2  depicts a basic configuration of devices which are used in the logistics system of the present embodiment. In  FIG. 2 , an information reading and transmitting device  500  is primarily comprised of an image processing unit  501  that processes an image which has been read, a data analysis unit  502  that analyzes data relevant to the image, a control unit  503  that controls the device as a whole, and a communication processing unit  504  that transmits the data. The read data transmitted by the communication processing unit is sent via a base station  505  to a server  109  over a network  108 . The data which has been sent to and accumulated on the server can be browsed by a computer  508  which is a terminal device over the network  108 . 
         [0023]    In  FIG. 1 , when handing over a product to the carrier  102 , the manufacturer  101  reads an information code by the information reading and transmitting device and transmits data thus read to the server  109  over the network  108 . When the carrier  102  receives the product and when it hands over the product to the carrier  103 , the carrier  102  likewise reads the information code and transmits data thus read to the server  109 . When the carrier  103  receives the product and when it hands over the product to the wholesaler  104 , the carrier  103  likewise reads the information code and transmits the data to the server  109 . When the wholesaler  104  receives the product and when it hands over the product to the retailer  105 , the wholesaler  104  likewise reads the information code and transmits the data to the server  109 . Also, when the retailer  105  receives the product and when it sells the product to a customer, the retailer  105  likewise reads the information code and transmits the data to the server  109 . Also, when the customer  106  receives the product, the customer  106  reads the information code and transmits the data to the server  109 . And now, depending on the product type, it is omissible that the customer  106  reads the information and transmits the data. 
         [0024]    By browsing the data contained in the information code transmitted to and accumulated on the server  109  directly or via a terminal device such as a computer, the manufacturer  101 , carriers  102 ,  103 , wholesaler  104 , retailer  105 , and customer  106  can check delivery status and decide whether or not deviation from a managed temperature has occurred. Or they cause the terminal device such as a computer to automatically process the data on the server  109  and decide whether or not deviation from a managed temperature has occurred. When receiving the product, the carriers  102 ,  103 , wholesaler  104 , retailer  105 , and customer  106  compare data that has been read upon receipt with the data accumulated on the server. If there is a discrepancy between both data, they will decide that the product&#39;s temperature has deviated from the managed temperature and can reject its receipt and ask for redelivery. 
         [0025]    For use in the present embodiment, an information code is adopted in which its pattern or color will convert irreversibly when the product&#39;s temperature has deviated from the managed temperature. The pattern or color after changing may be readable or unreadable by the information reading and transmitting device. 
         [0026]    An element whose pattern or color is converted by temperature deviation is described below.  FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional diagram of a thermochromic marking element in which color conversion takes place by temperature deviation. In  FIG. 3 , reference numeral  1  is a base material;  2  is a developer layer;  3  is a barrier layer; and  4  is a color former layer. Here, the color former is a medical agent that is colorless or light-colored when in contact with a product such as a medical product or a frozen food and forms a color by contacting with an acid or basic chemical. The developer is a colorless or light-colored medical agent having acidity or basicity. The barrier layer is of a material that fuses or softens when its temperature becomes equal to or above a predetermined temperature. As depicted in  FIG. 3 , the developer layer  2  and the color former layer  4  are isolated by the barrier layer  3 . When the temperature of the barrier layer  3  becomes equal to or above the predetermined temperature, the barrier layer  3  fuses or softens, so that the developer and the color former will contact with each other and the color former will form a color. 
         [0027]    And now, in  FIG. 3 , the barrier layer  3  is formed over the developer layer  2  and the color former layer  4  is further formed on top of the barrier layer  3 ; however, the barrier layer  3  may be formed over the color former layer  4  and the developer layer  2  may be formed on top of the barrier layer  3 . That is, it is only required that the developer layer  2  and the color former layer  4  are isolated by the barrier layer  3 , and their positional order is of no matter. 
         [0028]    Also, it can be implemented that pattern conversion takes place, as the color of a particular pattern converts; for example, it can be implemented so that pattern conversion takes place, as characters become invisible, when the characters&#39; color that will convert becomes the same color as the ground color. 
         [0029]    If the thermochromic marking element mentioned above, as its color converts in consequence of temperature rise, not only forms a color, also can form a color in the form of a string of characters, a string of numbers, a graphic, a barcode, a two-dimensional code, etc., it is also possible to manage information such as the number of a factory and the number of a line where the commercial product was manufactured, in addition to managing for temperature rise. In that case, a method of printing using a liquid in which a color former dissolved as ink is preferable; a typical one is an inkjet printer. As an inkjet printer for use for this purpose, a charge control type inkjet printer is preferable that is capable of printing on even a product that is not planar, such as a product having a large surface asperity or a cylindrical shape. 
         [0030]    A method of creating a thermochromic marking element with a charge control type inkjet printer is to form the developer layer on an objective product and cover the developer layer with the barrier layer, and, subsequently, to form the color former layer using the charge control type inkjet printer. Alternatively, the element is created by forming the color former layer using the charge control type inkjet and covering the color former layer with the barrier layer, and, consequently, by forming the developer layer. 
         [0031]      FIG. 4  is a general schematic diagram depicting how monitoring for a product and detecting that its temperature is managed are implemented in the logistics system of the present embodiment. That is, the logistics system of the present embodiment implements management of the temperature of a product by managing, as an information code, a history of the temperature of the product through distribution routes and checking the information code pattern at given timing. 
         [0032]    In  FIG. 4 , the manufacturer  201  of a product, when handing over the product to a carrier  202 , reads an information code  210  attached on the product by the information reading and transmitting device and transmits it to a server  209  over a network  208 . In the present embodiment, one example of the information code attached on the product is assumed to be [98765]. When the carrier  202  receives the product from the manufacturer and when it hands over the product to a carrier  203 , the carrier  202  likewise reads the information code  210  and transmits it to the server  209 . Also, when the carrier  203  receives the product from the carrier  202  and when it hands over the product to a wholesaler  204 , the carrier  203  likewise reads the information code  210  and transmits it to the server  209 . When the wholesaler  204  receives the product from the carrier  203 , the wholesaler  204  likewise reads the information code  210  and transmits it to the server  209 . 
         [0033]    Here, if the product&#39;s temperature has run out of a managed temperature range during a period when the product is placed under management of the wholesaler  204  after the wholesaler  204  receives the product from the carrier  203  until it hands over the product to a retailer  205 , the pattern of the information code  210  will convert. In the present embodiment, one example of an information code  211  whose pattern has converted is assumed to be [00000]. When handing over the product to the retailer, the wholesaler  204  reads the information code  211  of [00000] by the information reading and transmitting device and transmits it to the server  209  over the network  208 . When the retailer  205  receives the product from the wholesaler  204  and when it hands over the product to a customer  206 , the retailer  205  likewise reads the information code  211  and transmits it to the server  209 . When the customer  206  receives the product from the retailer  205 , the customer  206  likewise reads the information code  211  and transmits it to the server  209 . 
         [0034]    The manufacturer  201  refers to the information code transmitted to the server  209  directly or via a terminal device such as a computer and compares the information code  210  of [98765] and the information code  211  of [00000]; thereby, the manufacturer  201  can decide that temperature deviation of the product occurred after the wholesaler  204  receives the product until it hands over the product to the retailer  205 . Information code discrepancy in every phase of distribution may be visually judged by a person in charge on the display screen of a terminal device such as a computer or information code may be judged automatically by an image recognition function. 
         [0035]    In addition, when the retailer  205  receives the product from the wholesaler  204 , the retailer  205  can learn that temperature deviation occurred before the receipt by confirming that the information code  211  of [00000] on the receipt from the wholesaler  204  differs from the information code of [98765] acquired beforehand by the manufacturer  201  or the carriers  202 ,  203  on the information reading and transmitting device or on a computer connecting to that device. 
         [0036]    When the customer  206  receives the product from the retailer  205 , the customer  206  can likewise learn that temperature deviation occurred before the receipt by confirming that the information code  211  of [00000] on the receipt from the retailer  205  differs from the information code of [98765] acquired beforehand by the manufacturer  201  or the carriers  202 ,  203  on the information reading and transmitting device or on a terminal device such as a computer connecting to that device. 
         [0037]    By providing the logistics system that manages, as an information code, a history of the temperature of a product through distribution routes and checks the information code pattern at given timing, as noted above, it is enabled to monitor and manage for deviation from a managed temperature during distribution in a simpler and reliable manner. 
         [0038]    In addition, high resistance to counterfeiting is provided by conversion of an information code itself. That is, an information code whose pattern or color converts with change in its temperature is used in the logistics system, thereby providing high resistance to counterfeiting, since the information code itself converts. 
         [0039]    And now, examples of the information reading and transmitting device in the present embodiment include a cellular phone equipped with image capturing and transmitting functions, a smart phone, a barcode reader equipped with a communication function, a scanner equipped with a communication function, etc. Additionally, devices to read the information code  210  and the information code  211  may be identical or different. In addition, in the present embodiment, the description assumes that an information code is a barcode; however, an information code may be a string of characters, a string of numbers, a graphic, a two-dimensional code, etc. 
         [0040]    As described above, the present embodiment is a logistics system configured as follows: the logistics system includes an information reading and transmitting device that reads an information code attached on a product and transmits data contained in the information code, a server that accumulates data transmitted from the information reading and transmitting device over a communication network, and a terminal device that refers to the accumulated data from the server over the communication network; the information code includes a pattern that will convert when its temperature has deviated from a specified temperature; and the logistics system uses the information code. 
         [0041]    In addition, the above logistics system uses an information code whose pattern that will convert when its temperature has deviated from a specified temperature, in which the pattern is readable by the information reading and transmitting device. 
         [0042]    The above logistics system is such that temperature deviation of a product is judged by data transmitted from the information reading and transmitting device. 
         [0043]    Alternatively, a logistics system is configured as follows: the logistics system includes a first information reading and transmitting device that reads an information code attached on a product and transmits data contained in the information code, a second information reading and transmitting device that is operated by a carrier who receives the product from a manufacturer to read the information code attached on the product and transmit data contained in the information code upon the product receipt and before and after the product delivery, a third information reading and transmitting device that is operated by a customer who receives the product from the carrier to read the information code attached on the product and transmit data contained in the information code upon the product receipt, a server that accumulates data transmitted from the first, second, and third information reading and transmitting devices over a communication network, and a terminal device that refers to the accumulated data from the server over the communication network; an information code includes a pattern that will convert when its temperature has deviated from a specified temperature; and the logistics system uses the information code. 
         [0044]    Thus, according to the present embodiment, by taking advantage of the fact that an information code itself will covert, it is enabled to monitor and manage for deviation from a managed temperature during distribution in a simpler and reliable manner. 
       Second Embodiment 
       [0045]      FIG. 5  is a general schematic diagram depicting how monitoring for a product and detecting that its temperature is managed are implemented in the logistics system of the present embodiment. 
         [0046]    In  FIG. 5 , the manufacturer  301  of a product, when handing over the product to a carrier  302 , reads two information codes  310  and  311  attached on the product by the information reading and transmitting device and transmits them to a server  309  over a network  308 . In the present embodiment, one example of the information codes  310 ,  311  attached on the product is assumed to be barcodes. Additionally, the information reading and transmitting device is a barcode reader. And now, the information codes  310  and  311  may be identical or different. Here, the information code  310  will not convert even when its temperature deviates from a managed temperature range, whereas the information code  311  is such that its pattern converts to another information code  312  which is readable by a barcode reader when its temperature deviates from the managed temperature range. 
         [0047]    When the carrier  302  receives the product from the manufacturer  301  and when it hands over the product to a wholesaler  303 , the carrier  302  likewise reads the information codes  310 ,  311  by the information reading and transmitting device and transmits them to the server  309  over the network  308 . When the wholesaler  303  receives the product from the carrier  302 , the wholesaler  303  likewise reads the information codes  310 ,  311  and transmits them to the server  309 . 
         [0048]    Here, if the product&#39;s temperature has run out of a managed temperature range during a period when the product is placed under management of the wholesaler  303  after the wholesaler  303  receives the product from the carrier  302  until it hands over the product to a retailer  304 , the pattern of the information code  311  will convert. In the present embodiment, the information code  311  will become an information code  312  whose pattern is readable by the information reading and transmitting device. When handing over the product to the retailer  304 , the wholesaler  303  reads the information codes  311  and  312  by the information reading and transmitting device and transmits them to the server  309  over the network  308 . Subsequently, when the retailer  304  receives the product from the wholesaler  303  and when it hands over the product to a customer  305 , the retailer  304  likewise reads the information codes  311  and  312  and transmits them to the server  309 . When receiving the product from the retailer  304 , the customer  305  likewise reads the information codes  311  and  312  and transmits them to the server  309 . 
         [0049]    The manufacturer  301 , carrier  302 , wholesaler  303 , retailer  304 , and customer  305  refer to the information codes transmitted to and accumulated on the server  309  directly or via a terminal device such as a computer and compare the information codes  311  and  312 ; thereby, they can decide that temperature deviation of the product occurred after the wholesaler  303  receives the product until it hands over the product to the retailer  304 . 
         [0050]    Information code discrepancy in every phase of distribution may be visually judged by a person in charge on the display screen of a terminal device such as a computer or may be judged automatically by the terminal device such as a computer. 
         [0051]    In addition, when the retailer  304  receives the product from the wholesaler  303 , the retailer  304  can learn that temperature deviation occurred before the receipt by confirming that the information code  312  on the receipt from the wholesaler  303  differs from the information code  311  acquired beforehand by the manufacturer  301  or the carriers  302 ,  203  on the information reading and transmitting device or with a terminal device such as a computer connecting to that device. When the customer  305  receives the product from the retailer  304 , the customer  305  can likewise learn that temperature deviation occurred before the receipt by confirming that the information code  312  on the receipt from the wholesaler  303  differs from the information code  311  acquired beforehand by the manufacturer  301  or the carriers  302 ,  203  on the information reading and transmitting device or on a terminal device such as a computer connecting to that device. 
         [0052]    Additionally, by providing the information code  310  that will not be converted by deviation from the managed temperature, it is possible to indicate that the information code  311  converted to a readable one  312  during distribution of the product, but there was no failure to read the information. 
         [0053]    In addition, by embodying all the information codes  310 ,  311 ,  312  as merchandise item codes, they can be read by a code reader of the same type. In this case, that the information codes  310 ,  311 ,  312  are only required to be readable by the information reading and transmitting device of the same type, but are not necessarily merchandise item codes of the same type; for instance, one may be a JAN code and another may be a two-dimensional code or QR code (a registered trademark). Moreover, when reading the information codes, if the retailer  304  or the customer  305  has detected temperature deviation by the read information codes, the retailer  304  or the customer  305  can reject the receipt of the product and ask for redelivery. In addition, high resistance to counterfeiting is provided by conversion of an information code itself. And now, although the foregoing description assumed that the information codes are two, the information codes may be plural. 
         [0054]    As described above, the present embodiment is a logistics system configured as follows: a product is provided with a plurality of information codes, at least one of the information codes has a pattern that will not convert even when its temperature deviates from a specified temperature range and at least another of the information codes has a pattern that will convert when its temperature has deviated from the specified temperature range, and the logistics system uses the plurality of information codes. 
         [0055]    In addition, the pattern of an information code that will convert when its temperature has deviated from the specified temperature range is readable by the information reading and transmitting device. 
         [0056]    Thus, according to the present embodiment, by providing an information code that will not be converted by deviation from the managed temperature and an information code that will be converted by the deviation, it can be decided whether there was failure to read the information, and it is enabled to monitor and manage for deviation from the managed temperature during distribution in a simpler and reliable manner. 
       Third Embodiment 
       [0057]      FIG. 6  is a general schematic diagram depicting how monitoring for a product to see that its temperature is managed is implemented in the logistics system of the present embodiment. 
         [0058]    In  FIG. 6 , the manufacturer  401  of a product, when handing over the product to a carrier  402 , reads two information codes  410  and  411  attached on the product by the information reading and transmitting device and transmits them to a server  409  over a network  408 . In the present embodiment, one example of the information codes  410 ,  411  attached on the product is assumed to be barcodes. Additionally, the information reading and transmitting device is a barcode reader. And now, the information codes  410  and  411  may be identical or different. Here, the information code  410  will not convert even when its temperature deviates from a managed temperature range, whereas the information code  411  is such that its pattern converts to a pattern unreadable by the barcode reader when its temperature deviates from the managed temperature range. 
         [0059]    When the carrier  402  receives the product from the manufacturer and when it hands over the product to a wholesaler  403 , the carrier  402  reads the information codes  410 ,  411  by the information reading and transmitting device and transmits them to the server  409  over the network  408 . When the wholesaler  403  receives the product from the carrier  402 , the wholesaler  403  likewise reads the information codes  410 ,  411  and transmits them to the server  409 . 
         [0060]    Here, if the product&#39;s temperature has run out of a managed temperature range during a period when the product is placed under management of the wholesaler  403  after the wholesaler  403  receives the product from the carrier  402  until it hands over the product to a retailer  404 , the pattern of the information code  411  will convert to an information code  412  including an unreadable pattern. When the wholesaler  403  hands over the product to the retailer  404 , the wholesaler  403  reads only the information code  410  by the information reading and transmitting device because the information code  411  is unreadable by the barcode reader, and transmits it to the server  409  over the network  408 . When the retailer  404  receives the product from the wholesaler  403  and when it hands over the product to a customer  405 , the retailer  404  likewise reads only the information code  410  and transmits it to the server  409 . When receiving the product from the retailer  405 , the customer  405  likewise reads only the information code  410  and transmits it to the server  409 . 
         [0061]    The manufacturer  401  refers to the information codes transmitted to the server  409  directly or via a terminal device such as a computer and can decide, by the number of information codes transmitted in every phase of distribution, that temperature deviation of the product occurred after the wholesaler  403  receives the product until it hands over the product to the retailer  404 . Information code discrepancy in every phase of distribution may be visually judged by a person in charge on the display screen of a terminal device such as a computer or may be judged automatically by the terminal device such as a computer. 
         [0062]    In addition, when the retailer  404  receives the product from the wholesaler  403 , the retailer  304  can learn that temperature deviation occurred before the receipt due to the fact that only the information code  410  can be read by the information reading and transmitting device or by visual judgment. When the customer  405  receives the product from the retailer  404 , the customer can likewise learn that temperature deviation occurred before the receipt due to the fact that only the information code  410  can be read by the information reading and transmitting device or by visual judgment. 
         [0063]    Additionally, by providing the information code  410  that will not be converted by deviation from the managed temperature, it is possible to indicate that the information code  411  converted to an unreadable one  412  during distribution of the product, but there was no failure to read the information. 
         [0064]    In addition, by embodying all the information codes  410 ,  411  as merchandise item codes, they can be read by a code reader of the same type. In this case, that the information codes  410 ,  411  are only required to be readable by the information reading and transmitting device of the same type, but are not necessarily merchandise item codes of the same type; for instance, one may be a JAN code and another may be a two-dimensional code or QR code (a registered trademark). Moreover, when reading the information codes, if the retailer  404  or the customer  405  has detected temperature deviation because one of the information codes cannot be read, the retailer  404  or the customer  405  can reject the receipt of the product and ask for redelivery. In addition, high resistance to counterfeiting is provided by conversion of an information code itself. 
         [0065]    As described above, the present embodiment is a logistics system configured as follows: a product is provided with a plurality of information codes, at least one of the information codes has a pattern that will not convert even when its temperature deviates from a specified temperature range and at least another of the information codes has a pattern that will convert to a pattern unreadable by the information reading and transmitting device when its temperature has deviated from the specified temperature range, and the logistics system uses the plurality of information codes. 
         [0066]    The logistics system is also configured such that temperature deviation of a product is judged by the number of data pieces that the information reading and transmitting device has read from a plurality of information codes. 
         [0067]    Thus, according to the present embodiment, by providing an information code that will not be converted by deviation from the managed temperature and an information code that will be converted by the deviation, it can be decided whether there was failure to read the information, and it is enabled to monitor and manage for deviation from the managed temperature during distribution in a simpler and reliable manner. 
         [0068]    The present invention is not limited to the described embodiments and various modifications are included therein. Also, the foregoing embodiments are those described in detail to explain the present invention clearly and the invention is not necessarily limited to those including all components described. In addition, a subset of the components of an embodiment can be replaced by components of another embodiment. To the components of an embodiment, components of another embodiment can be added. For a subset of the components of each embodiment, other components can be added to the subset or the subset can be removed or replaced by other components. 
       LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS 
       [0000]    
       
           1  . . . Base material,  2  . . . Developer layer,  3  . . . Barrier layer,  4  . . . Color former layer,  101 ,  201 ,  301 ,  401  . . . Manufacturer,  102 ,  103 ,  202 ,  203 ,  302 ,  402  . . . Carrier,  104 ,  204 ,  303 ,  403  . . . Wholesaler,  105 ,  205 ,  304 ,  404  . . . Retailer,  106 ,  206 ,  305 ,  405  . . . Customer,  107  . . . A flow of the product,  110  . . . A flow of an information code,  108 ,  208 ,  308 ,  408  . . . Network,  109 ,  209 ,  309 ,  409  . . . Server,  210 ,  211 ,  310 ,  311 ,  312 ,  410 ,  411 ,  412  . . . Information code,  500  . . . Information reading and transmitting device,  501  . . . Image processing unit,  502  . . . Data analysis unit,  503  . . . Control unit,  504  . . . Communication processing unit,  505  . . . Base station,  508  . . . Computer