JP6500253B2 - Inventory management system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an inventory management system that manages the inventory status of food in a refrigerator.

  In general, a large number of refrigerator inventory control systems of this type have been proposed. For example, a refrigerator inventory management system described in Patent Document 1 includes an operation input unit such as a keyboard, a barcode reader for reading barcode data of an article, or a microphone for performing voice recognition. The storage period data such as the expiration date of the article is input by any of the above. The management information stored in the refrigerator can be viewed at any time by a terminal device such as a mobile phone through a network.

  In addition, the inventory control system of the refrigerator described in Patent Document 2 uses a camera as an observation means for observing the amount of food in / out, retention period, and quality condition, and the characters and / or displayed on the food by this camera Information on any of the date of processing, the date of purchase, the item, and the expiration date is read from the code, and the storage period is managed.

Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2003-4368 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-30421

An object of the present invention is to notify a user that food of the same type is redundantly stored in a refrigerator .

The inventory management system provided by the present invention is an inventory management system for managing the inventory of a refrigerator, and is the same type of determination means for determining whether or not food of the same type is stored in the refrigerator in duplicate. Informing means for notifying the user that food of the same type is redundantly stored in the refrigerator when it is determined by the determination means that food is redundantly stored in the refrigerator , the notification means may turn on the predetermined light emitting portion, the predetermined light emitting unit is characterized that you have attached to food.
Further, the inventory management system provided by the present invention is an inventory management system for managing the inventory of a refrigerator, which comprises: identification means for identifying the food newly stored in the refrigerator; and the food identified by the identification means Judgment means for judging whether or not the same kind of food is already stored in the refrigerator, and judgment by the judgment means that the same kind of food as the food specified by the identification means is already stored in the refrigerator And notifying means for notifying the user that the same kind of food is redundantly stored in the refrigerator , wherein the notifying means lights a predetermined light emitting portion and emitting unit is characterized that you have attached to food.
Moreover, the management method provided by the present invention is a management method for managing the stock of a refrigerator, and is the same as the determination step of determining whether or not the same type of food is stored in duplicate in the refrigerator. There is a notification step of notifying the user that the same type of food is redundantly stored in the refrigerator when it is determined in the determination step that food is redundantly stored in the refrigerator and, by the notification step, a predetermined light-emitting portion is lit, the predetermined light emitting unit is characterized that you have attached to food.
In addition, the management method provided by the present invention is a management method for managing the inventory of a refrigerator, and the same step as the identification step of identifying the food newly stored in the refrigerator, and the food identified in the identification step It is determined in the determination step that the same kind of food as the food specified in the identification step is already stored in the refrigerator. And informing a user that the same type of food is redundantly stored in the refrigerator, and the informing step turns on the predetermined light emitting unit and the predetermined light emission. part is characterized that you have attached to the food.

The present invention can notify the user that the same type of food is redundantly stored in the refrigerator .

Front view of a refrigerator used in the stock management system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention Schematic cross section of the same refrigerator An explanatory view showing the whole constitution of the stock management system using the same refrigerator System configuration diagram adding the wireless module configuration of the stock management system Block diagram showing the server apparatus configuration of the stock management system Flow chart showing the operation of the stock management system System configuration in which the wireless module configuration of the stock management system in the second embodiment is added System configuration in which the wireless module configuration of the stock management system in the third embodiment is added

  Hereinafter, specific and detailed embodiments of the present invention will be described. First, the main points of the embodiments of the present invention will be described.

  The stock management system according to the embodiment of the present invention comprises a refrigerator, a wireless module attached to food, and a server communicating with the wireless module, the wireless module including a wireless communication unit and the wireless communication unit. A power supply unit for supplying power, a period specifying button for specifying a start time of a storage period of food, and an attribute specifying unit for indicating a food attribute of the wireless module, wherein the server has pressed the period specifying button In this case, inventory control of food stored in the refrigerator is performed from the storage period information specified by the attribute specifying unit of the wireless module and the period specifying button.

  As a result, since the wireless module is provided with food attributes such as meat, fish, vegetables, milk, etc., the wireless module is attached to food and stored in a refrigerator, and the period attribute button is pressed. The receipt timing information is sent to the server, the server can be inventory-managed, and the user prepares a few wireless modules with food attributes and does not introduce a complicated device or equipment refrigerator, a simple configuration In addition to establishing an inventory control system, food information can be input by attaching a wireless module to food and simply pressing a period identification button, and adding a wireless module to food without erroneous input of food attributes. It will be good for ease of use as it only requires one operation. Moreover, the target of inventory management can also be managed by attaching a wireless module to only the food that the user wants to manage in inventory, which improves usability.

  The system further includes a wireless relay unit that relays communication between the wireless module and the server.

  Thereby, even if the wireless module is stored together with the food in the storage room of the refrigerator, communication between the wireless module and the server can be reliably performed via the wireless relay unit, and the reliability is improved.

  In addition, the wireless module further includes a notification unit for notifying of the food condition, and when the server recognizes that the food attribute is duplicated in a plurality of food items stored in the refrigerator, the notification unit performs the storage period. Based on the configuration, the notification content is changed.

  As a result, when the user stores food with overlapping food attributes, for example, meat in duplicate, the server recognizes this redundant storage and the notification content of the notification unit is displayed in a different form, so that the redundant storage is surely known In addition to being able to do it, it is obvious at a glance whether it is better to use which method is faster if duplicate food is already stored, and usability will be further improved.

  Furthermore, the notification unit is configured by an LED and configured to notify by different wavelengths and different lightings, whereby the user can see, for example, even if there are overlapping food items stored in the dark part at the back of the storage room of the refrigerator The difference in light emission color of the LED makes it easy to identify the new and old stock status at a glance, and to be more convenient.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings taking as an example a case where the invention is applied to a French door type refrigerator. The present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

Embodiment 1
In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the refrigerator main body 1 includes an outer case 2 made of metal (for example, iron plate) opened in the front, an inner case 3 made of hard resin (for example, ABS), the outer case 2 and the inner case 3 And a heat insulating material 4 such as hard urethane foam filled with foam. Further, in the heat insulating material 4, a vacuum heat insulating material 4a formed by sealing a core material with an outer covering material made of a metal film such as an aluminum sheet is embedded to enhance the heat insulating property.

  The refrigerator main body 1 has a plurality of storage compartments partitioned therein. This storage room is located from the upper part of the refrigerator main body 1 to the cold storage room 5, the switching room 6 located below the cold storage room 5, and the ice making room 7, the switching room 6 and the lower part of the ice making room 7 And a vegetable room 9 located below the freezing room 8. Further, the front of the refrigerator compartment 5 is closed freely by the double door 10, and the switching compartment 6, the ice making room 7, the freezer compartment 8 and the front part of the vegetable compartment 9 are drawn out doors 11, 12, 13 , 14 (hereinafter referred to as a drawer type door) closed freely open and close.

  Each of the doors 10 to 14 is filled with hard urethane foam in the same manner as the refrigerator main body 1, and the vacuum heat insulating material 4a is embedded to provide heat insulation. Moreover, the door opening / closing detection part 15 which detects opening and closing of the door performed at the time of taking in and out of a foodstuff is provided.

  There is a cooling chamber 16 at the back of the refrigerator body 1, and a cooler 17 for generating cold air, a blower fan 18 for supplying cold air to each chamber, and a damper (not shown) for adjusting the air volume to the refrigerator room And are provided. Further, a compressor 19 is provided at the back of the top surface of the main body 1 of the refrigerator, and a condenser (not shown), a heat radiation pipe 20 for heat radiation, a capillary tube 21 and the cooler 17 described above are sequentially Refrigerant is sealed in the annularly connected refrigeration cycle so as to perform a cooling operation.

  Next, the whole stock management system constructed | assembled using said refrigerator is demonstrated using FIGS. 3-5.

  FIG. 3 shows the entire configuration of the stock management system 30 using the above-described refrigerator. As shown in FIG. 3, the stock management system 30 includes a refrigerator 22, a wireless module 31 attached to food in the refrigerator 22, a router 33 for wireless communication, a public communication network 34 such as the Internet, and a server 35 as well as the display terminal 36.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the wireless module 31 communicates with the server device 35 connected to the public communication network 34 such as the Internet directly or via the router device 33 via the wireless communication unit 37 and the wireless communication unit And 37 and a power supply unit 38 for supplying power.

  The wireless module 31 further includes a period specifying button 39 for specifying the start and end times of the food storage period, the attribute specifying unit 40 indicating the food attribute of the wireless module 31 itself, and the notification unit 41 formed of an LED or the like. .

  That is, the wireless module 31 itself has a food attribute, for example, a food attribute such as meat, fish, vegetables, milk, etc., which is attached to, for example, the above meat, fish, vegetables, milk, etc. We use in form to store in refrigerator. Therefore, the wireless module 31 is formed in a form that can be easily attached to food, for example, a form of a clip, and illustrations of the meat, fish, vegetables, milk, etc. are attached so that the food attributes can be recognized at a glance.

  Then, the wireless module 31 transmits the food attribute together with the day when the period specifying button 39 is pressed through the wireless communication unit 37 by pressing the period specifying button 39, that is, the storage date when the food is stored in the refrigerator. By pressing the button 39 again, the information that the food is consumed and excluded from inventory management is transmitted.

  Further, the wireless module 31 is configured to transmit identification information (for example, a serial number, a model number, and the like) of the wireless module 31 itself to the server device 35 via the wireless communication unit 37.

  The display terminal 36 is, for example, a general-purpose portable terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet PC (personal computer), and has a function (means) of connecting to a public communication network 34 such as the Internet and a function of communicating with the router device 33 And (means).

  The display terminal 36 is configured to connect to a public communication network 34 such as the Internet via a telephone network (for example, a 3G network).

  The display terminal 36 is also configured to be connected to the router device 33 by wireless communication such as Wi-Fi communication, and to communicate with the wireless module 31 without passing through a public communication network 34 such as the Internet. A device (for example, a Wi-Fi antenna or the like) for that purpose is incorporated in the display terminal 36.

  That is, in this system, communication with the display terminal 36 not via the public communication network 34 such as the Internet (that is, first communication via only the router device 33) and communication via the public communication network 34 such as the Internet That is, the second communication via the public communication network 34 such as the Internet and the router device 33 can be executed. The reason for this configuration is to enable quick communication using the first communication when the user is in the house and the public communication network 34 such as the Internet is congested.

  The display terminal 36 acquires food attribute and date information from the wireless module 31 from the homepage of the manufacturer of the refrigerator 22 through the public communication network 34 such as the Internet by connecting to the public communication network 34 such as the Internet. can do. By installing the acquired program on the display terminal 36 and activating the installed program, the display terminal 36 can acquire the food attribute of the food in the refrigerator, the storage date information, and the like. That is, by operating the operation screen of the display 36a, the display terminal 36 can generate and transmit an instruction signal for acquiring the food attribute of the food in the refrigerator, the storage date information, and the like.

  The server device 35 is prepared, for example, by the manufacturer of the refrigerator 22. The server device 35 manages information and the like necessary for access and authentication regarding the display terminal 36 and the wireless module 31. For example, the server device 35 includes the identification information of the display terminal 36 included in the communication request signal, and the identification information of the display terminal 36 stored (registered) in association with (the wireless communication unit 37 of) the wireless module 31. It authenticates (determines) whether or not there is a match. Then, when these match, the server device 35 authenticates the display terminal 36 to be accessed as a regular display terminal, and permits the communication of the wireless module 31 provided in the refrigerator 22 in the residence A.

  In addition, the server device 35 stores the food attribute and the storage date information in the refrigerator transmitted from the wireless module 31 described above. This information is transmitted to the display terminal 36 based on the information call signal from the display terminal 36. That is, the user can operate the display terminal 36 to display and confirm the food attribute of the food in the refrigerator and the storage date on the display 36 a.

  FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the server device 35, which includes a server interface 44, a server control unit 45, and a data storage unit 46.

  The server interface 44 is a communication unit that exchanges data etc. between the display terminal 36 and the router device 33 and the server device 35 via the public communication network 34 such as the Internet under the control of the server control unit 45.

  The server control unit 45 controls the overall operation of the server device 35. The server control unit 45 also causes the data storage unit 46 to store the food attribute and the warehousing date information transmitted from the wireless module 31 as described above, and the signal of the food attribute and warehousing day information request from the display terminal 36 If there is, the latest information of the food attribute and the storage date information stored in the data storage unit 46 is transmitted to the display terminal 36.

  The data storage unit 46 stores necessary data such as a management program and an application program for executing the stock management system. Furthermore, the data storage unit 46 rewrites and stores the food attribute and the storage date information transmitted from the wireless module 31 according to the control of the server control unit 45. The data storage unit 46 is configured of, for example, an HDD (Hard Disc Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), or the like.

  The server device 35 can be constructed as either a server constituted by a single large computer or a cloud type server constituted by a large number of computer groups.

  Next, the operation of the stock management system configured as described above will be described.

  When storing the food in the refrigerator 22, the user attaches the wireless module 31 to the food first. For example, if the food is meat, the wireless module 31 having the food attribute of meat is attached, and if the food is milk, the wireless module 31 having the food attribute of milk is attached. In this embodiment, the wireless module 31 is attached with an illustration showing the food attribute, and even a child or the like can attach to the corresponding food without making a mistake. And since this wireless module 31 is in the form of a clip, it can be easily attached to food.

  Next, the food attached with the wireless module 31 is stored in the refrigerator 22 by pressing the specifying button 39 for a period provided in the wireless module 31. Thus, the food attribute and the storage date information are transmitted from the wireless communication unit 37 of the wireless module 31 to the server device 35 via the router device 33 and the public communication network 34 such as the Internet by WI-FI wireless. That is, the user can input the food attribute and the food information of the storage date by a simple operation of attaching the wireless module 31 to the food and pressing the period specifying button 39. And since it is only attaching the wireless module 31 to food, there is no erroneous input of food attributes, and it is sufficient to attach the wireless module 31 only to food requiring inventory control, and it is freely according to the preference of the user. We can use properly.

  On the other hand, when the server device 35 receives the food attribute and the storage date information from the wireless module 31, it is stored in the data storage unit 46, and the server control unit 45 performs inventory management.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the stock management will be described using the flowchart of FIG.

  When the period specifying button 39 of the wireless module 31 is turned on (step 1-Y), the food attribute and the storage date information are transmitted from the wireless communication unit 37 of the wireless module 31 (step 2). The server device 35 stores the food attribute and the storage date information in the data storage unit 46 via the public communication network 34 (step 3).

  Next, the server device 35 starts counting the storage period by the server control unit 45 (step 4), and the food attribute of the food transmitted by turning on the period specifying button 39 is already overlapped with the food attribute of the food which has been received. It is confirmed whether or not it has been done (step 5).

  If overlapping (step 5-Y), the length of the storage period of the overlapping food is specified (step 6) and stored in the data storage unit 46 (step 7). Then, the server device 35 transmits an informing signal according to the length of the storage period to the wireless module 31 (step 8), and the wireless communication unit 37 of the wireless module 31 transmits the notification signal to the public communication network 34 such as the Internet and the router device 33. The notification unit 41 of the wireless module 31 is driven according to the length of the storage period (step 10).

  For example, the LED of the notification unit 41 is notified by changing its color to a red light when the storage period is short, a yellow light, etc. for the short one. As a result, when the user stores goods in duplicate, the server device 35 recognizes the double storage and the notification content of the notification unit 41 is displayed differently, so that the double storage can be known with certainty. In addition, when the door 10 is opened to carry out the food, when the food having a duplicate food attribute, for example, meat, is received, it is stored in the dark part at the back of the storage room of the refrigerator 22. This makes it easy to know, and because the color of the light emission differs depending on the storage period of the duplicate food, the new and old stock status can be known at a glance, and it is easy to judge which one should be used earlier, Usability improves.

  Then, after the notification operation, the process shifts to the next control sequence, and is in a standby state for inventory management.

  Further, as a result of the duplication confirmation (step 5), in the case of no duplication (step 5-N), the stock management is in a standby state.

  On the other hand, when the user takes out the food from the refrigerator 22 to consume the food, the wireless module 31 attached to the food is removed from the food and the period specifying button 39 is pressed to turn it off (step 11-Y) . As a result, the information that the food is consumed and disappears is transmitted from the wireless module 31 (step 12), and the server device 35 receives this (step 13) and cancels the inventory control (step 14).

  Further, when the user operates the display terminal 36 at the stage of the standby state of the inventory management and requests acquisition of inventory information (step 15-Y), this request is sent to the server via the public communication network 34 such as the Internet. The device 35 receives and transmits stock information, for example, the food attribute (food name) of the food currently stored and managed and the storage period (period from the time of receipt to the current time) to the display terminal 36 (step 16). Then, the food attribute and the storage period of the food are displayed on the display terminal 36 as stock information (step 17). Therefore, the user can know the stock status of food in the refrigerator even at the point of purchase, and it becomes possible to carry out efficient and efficient shopping.

Second Embodiment
FIG. 7 shows the stock management system in the second embodiment. In the stock management system of the second embodiment, a wireless relay unit 47 for relaying communication between the wireless module 31 and the server device 35 is newly provided to ensure communication between the two. .

  That is, the wireless module 31 and the server device 35 shown in the first embodiment are performed by WI-FI wireless communication. This WI-FI radio is easily blocked by a metal plate or the like. Therefore, in the first embodiment, in order to perform communication between the wireless module 31 and the server device 35, an operation such as pressing the period specifying button 39 in a state before storing the food in the refrigerator and closing the door is performed. The communication with the server device 35 needs to be completed.

  Therefore, in the second embodiment, the wireless communication unit 37 of the wireless module 31 can perform good communication even if a metal plate or the like intervenes with the communication partner. For example, the specified low power wireless frequency band (924.0 to 928. It is as a communication system using a 0 MHz radio. And, while communicating with the wireless communication unit 37 of the wireless module 31, the wireless relay unit 47 that can also communicate with the public communication network 34 such as the Internet is newly established to construct an inventory system.

  The wireless relay unit 47 has two types of wireless communication methods, a first wireless communication method for communicating with the wireless module 31 and a second wireless communication method for wirelessly communicating with the server device 35, and the first communication method is as described above. Even if a metal plate or the like intervenes with the wireless module 31, good communication can be performed. For example, as a communication method using a wireless of a specific low power wireless frequency band (924.0 to 928.0 MHz), the second wireless The communication method is a wireless communication method such as WI-FI wireless communication using a high frequency radio wave that can perform good wireless communication even if there is a distance.

  The wireless relay unit 47 is provided in the refrigerator 22. For example, the door 10 or the refrigerator main body 1 is near the end of the door 10 or the refrigerator main body 1 where the joint portion of the metal outer panel constituting the refrigerator outer panel is present. It is provided at a position not facing the vacuum heat insulating material 4a embedded in the heat insulating material.

  As a result, even if the wireless module 31 is housed in the refrigerator together with the food and the door is closed and the wireless communication unit 37 is surrounded by the refrigerator body 1 and the metal exterior plate constituting the door 10, the wireless module Communication between the wireless communication unit 37 and the server device 35 can be reliably relayed to the wireless relay unit 47.

  Therefore, according to the second embodiment, there is no need to take care such as communication between the wireless module 31 and the server device 35 before storing the food in the refrigerator and closing the door, which is more convenient to use. It can be done.

  Further, the wireless relay portion 47 is embedded in the heat insulating material of the door 10 or the refrigerator main body 1 near the end of the door 10 or the refrigerator main body 1 where the joint portion of the metal exterior plate constituting the refrigerator exterior plate exists. Since it is attached at a position not facing the vacuum heat insulating material 4a, communication with the wireless module 31 can be made good, and communication reliability can be improved. That is, since the radio wave easily passes through the joint portion of the metal exterior plate, it is possible to establish communication with higher accuracy. Also, the vacuum heat insulating material 4a is often composed of a metal film etc., but even such a vacuum heat insulating material 4a is not opposed to it, so radio waves can easily pass and it is higher Communication can be established with accuracy.

  The other configurations and operational effects are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the same reference numerals are given to the same parts, and the description thereof will be omitted.

Third Embodiment
FIG. 8 shows an inventory management system according to the third embodiment. In the stock management system according to the third embodiment, the notification by the notification unit 41 described in the second embodiment is performed in conjunction with the door opening and closing.

  In FIG. 8, the refrigerator control unit 48 of the refrigerator 22 is configured to wirelessly transmit the door open / close detection unit 15 to the wireless relay unit 47 when the door open / close detection unit 15 detects the door open / close operation.

  Thereby, when there is a door open / close that is performed at the time of taking in / out food, the door open / close detection unit 15 detects this and the refrigerator control unit 48 transmits it to the wireless relay unit 47, and the wireless relay unit 47 Send that there was a door open and close. Based on this, the server device 35 transmits a notification signal to the wireless module 31, and the notification unit 41 notifies this. As a result, the notification of duplication of food can be made only when the user opens the door, and consumption of the power supply unit 38 can be reduced.

  As mentioned above, although the stock control system of the refrigerator concerning the present invention was explained using the above-mentioned embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, it should be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative and non-restrictive in every respect. That is, the scope of the present invention is indicated not by the above description but by the scope of claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the scope of claims.

  As apparent from the description of each of the above-described embodiments, the present invention can prepare a plurality of wireless modules with food attributes so that the inventory management system can be constructed inexpensively, and food information such as food attributes can be input. Since it can be performed easily and definitely, it can be used as a convenient inventory control system, and can be applied to various refrigerators, showcases, etc. including household refrigerators.

1 refrigerator main body 4 heat insulating material 5 cold storage room (storage room)
6 switching room 7 ice making room 8 freezing room 9 vegetable room 10 door (insulated door)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 Door opening / closing detection part 22 Refrigerator 30 Inventory control system 31 Wireless module 32 Wireless relay part 33 Router apparatus 34 Public communication network 35 Server apparatus 36 Display terminal 36a Display 37 Wireless communication part 38 Power supply part 39 Period identification button 40 Attribute identification part 41 Notification Part 44 Server interface 45 Server control part 46 Data storage part 47 Wireless relay part 48 Refrigerator control part

Claims (4)

An inventory management system that manages the inventory of refrigerators,
A determination unit that determines whether the same type of food is stored in the refrigerator in duplicate;
Notification means for notifying the user that the same type of food is redundantly stored in the refrigerator when it is determined by the determination means that the same type of food is redundantly stored in the refrigerator Equipped with
Inventory management system the notification means may turn on the predetermined light emitting portion, the predetermined light emitting portion, characterized that you have attached to food. An inventory management system that manages the inventory of refrigerators,
Specifying means for specifying the food newly stored in the refrigerator;
Determining means for determining whether or not the same kind of food as the food specified by the specifying means is already stored in the refrigerator;
If it is determined by the determination means that the same kind of food as the food specified by the specifying means is already stored in the refrigerator, the same kind of food is redundantly stored in the refrigerator and a notifying means for informing the user,
Inventory management system the notification means may turn on the predetermined light emitting portion, the predetermined light emitting portion, characterized that you have attached to food. It is a management method to manage the stock of the refrigerator, and
A determination step of determining whether the same type of food is stored in the refrigerator in duplicate;
Informing the user that the same type of food is redundantly stored in the refrigerator when it is determined in the determination step that the same type of food is redundantly stored in the refrigerator It has a door,
By the notification step, a predetermined light-emitting portion is lit, the predetermined light emitting unit, the management method comprising that you have attached to food. It is a management method to manage the stock of the refrigerator, and
A specifying step of specifying a food newly stored in the refrigerator;
A determination step of determining whether or not the same type of food as the food specified in the specific step is already stored in the refrigerator;
If it is determined in the determination step that the same type of food as the food specified in the specific step is already stored in the refrigerator, the same type of food is redundantly stored in the refrigerator And an informing step of informing the user ;
By the notification step, a predetermined light-emitting portion is lit, the predetermined light emitting unit, the management method comprising that you have attached to food.

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