CN115427991A - Inventory management system, inventory management device, and storage container - Google Patents

Abstract

The inventory management system of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a radio wave reader (63) that reads first information (61) about the item attached to the item; an optical reader (64) that reads second information (62) about the item affixed to the item; and an inventory management device (1) that issues an instruction to display the items (45, 46, 47) relating to the read first information and the items relating to the read second information in association with spaces (51, 52, 53) in which the items are stored.

Description

Inventory management system, inventory management device, and storage container

Technical Field

The invention relates to an inventory management system, an inventory management device, and a storage container.

Background

Recently, a technique for finding an article stored in a container without observing the inside of the container has been widespread. The stock management device of patent document 1 is integrated with a refrigerator that holds food. The inventory management device reads, for example, a reusable RFID (Radio Frequency identification) tag attached to a filling port, which is attached to a plastic bottle.

The automatic reading system of patent document 2 simultaneously reads an RFID tag and a barcode attached to a product at a gate through which the product passes. The RFID tag records identification information of the RFID tag, and the barcode stores product information. The automatic reading system associates identification information of the RFID tag with product information.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2006-298554

Patent document 2: japanese patent application laid-open No. 2008-508164

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

RFID tags, although currently becoming increasingly popular, have not yet completely replaced two-dimensional codes (e.g., QR (Quick Response) codes), other bar codes, and the like. It is also expected that these tags and codes will coexist in the short term in the future from the viewpoint of cost.

Consider checking an inventory of items in a space. Various forms of labels or codes are attached to the articles. They are typically RFID tags and QR codes. The RFID tag can be read by an RFID reader and the QR code can be read by a QR reader. Assume that a QR code is attached to an article. At the entrance of the space, the QR code is read by a QR reader. When checking inventory, information of the QR code cannot be read even if the RFID reader irradiates radio waves to the article, for example. In this way, the item would be considered as if it did not exist as inventory.

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to reading a tag or a code attached to an article without any loss in an environment where a radio wave reader and an optical reader coexist.

Means for solving the problems

The inventory management system of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a radio wave reader that reads first information about an item attached to the item; an optical reader to read second information about the item affixed to the item; and an inventory management device that issues an instruction to display the item of the read first information and the item of the read second information in association with a space in which the item is stored.

Other technical means will be described in the detailed description.

Effects of the invention

According to the present invention, in an environment where a radio wave reader and an optical reader coexist, a tag or a code attached to an article can be read without omission.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating the distribution of food.

Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating the types of tags and codes.

Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating the types of tags and codes.

Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating the kinds of tags and codes.

Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the stock management device and the in-and-out management.

Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating an inventory list.

Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the inventory management device and inventory management.

Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating a read mode.

Fig. 9 shows an example of the exclusive processing list.

Fig. 10 is a flowchart of the exclusive processing target determination processing flow.

Fig. 11 shows an example of an inventory check screen.

Fig. 12 is a diagram illustrating correction of the inventory list.

Fig. 13 is a diagram illustrating correction of the inventory list.

Fig. 14 is a flowchart of (one of) the flow of the inventory list correction processing.

Fig. 15 is a flowchart of (two) the stock list correction processing flow.

Fig. 16 is a flowchart of (third) the inventory list correction processing flow.

Fig. 17 shows an example of the stock list display screen.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, a mode for carrying out the present invention (referred to as "the present embodiment") will be described in detail with reference to the drawings and the like. The present embodiment is an example of food storage in a space such as a home or a refrigerator. However, the present invention can be generally applied to an example of storing articles other than food in a space other than a home such as a production site.

Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating the distribution of food. When foods such as yogurt 45, sauce 46, and jam 47 are shipped from manufacturer 41, they are delivered to consumer 44 via wholesaler 42 and retailer 43. The consumer 44 has a refrigerator 51, a food cabinet 52, and a food rack 53 as storage containers. The number of the refrigerator 51, the food cabinet 52 and the food rack 53 is arbitrary.

The encircled "in fig. 1 indicates that the food enters a space managed by the manufacturer 41, the distributor 42, the retailer 43, or a space such as a refrigerator 51 possessed by the consumer 44. Similarly, the encircled "out" indicates that the food leaves the space managed by the manufacturer 41, the wholesaler 42, the retailer 43, or the refrigerator 51 or the like possessed by the consumer 44.

In a home (consumer 44), yogurt 45 is first stored in a refrigerator 51, and is taken out of the refrigerator 51 and supplied to a dining table or the like before eating. In many cases, the sauce 46 is first put in a food cabinet 52, and is taken out from the food cabinet 52 before a meal and supplied to a table or the like. The sauce 46 may be stocked in the refrigerator 51 depending on the season, taken out of the refrigerator 51 and supplied to a table or the like before a meal, or may be supplied from the food cabinet 52 to the table or the like via the food shelf 53. The same applies to the jam 47. In this way, the food is moved in the plurality of containers (spaces) before being carried into the home and being provided to a dining table or the like.

(warehouse-in and warehouse-out management and inventory management)

Generally, items such as food items are read by a reader whenever they enter a certain space or whenever they leave a certain space. The device for managing the entry and exit detects the entry or exit of the article based on the reading result of the reader and the direction in which the article moves. Outside such management, items are read by the reader all at once at a certain time (point of time) in a certain space. The inventory management device detects the presence of the item based on the reading of the reader.

(RFID tag and QR code)

Fig. 2 to 4 are diagrams illustrating types of tags and codes. In fig. 2, an RFID tag 61 and a QR code 62 are attached to the yogurt 45. In fig. 3, only the RFID tag 61 is attached to the sauce 46. In fig. 4, only the QR code 62 is attached to the jam 47. As described above, in general distributed food, only one of the RFID tag 61 and the QR code 62 may be added, and both may be present at the same time.

(kind of tag and code and kind of reader)

The readers contemplated by the present embodiment are a radio wave reader and an optical reader. The radio wave reader irradiates radio waves from its own antenna to a tag (e.g., a metal chip) of a reading object. The tag transmits a response radio wave to the radio wave reader in response to the radio wave. The response radio wave includes EPC (details will be described later). The radio wave reader receives the response radio wave and reads the EPC.

The optical reader irradiates light from its own light source to a code (e.g., a printed matter) to be read. The optical reader reads light reflected by the code. In general, a code is a one-dimensional stripe-shaped or two-dimensional checkerboard-shaped pattern, and EPC (encrypted according to a predetermined rule) is embedded in the pattern. The optical reader reads the EPC by detecting the reflected light. The optical reader may be a camera. Then, the object read by the camera may be a pattern other than a code. In this case, the EPC is also embedded in the graph, and the camera can read the EPC.

In the present embodiment, "RFID reader" is an example of a radio wave reader, and "QR reader" is an example of an optical reader. Then, assuming that the radio wave reader reads the RFID tag, the QR reader reads the "QR code".

(information stored in RFID tag and QR code)

In the present embodiment, RFID tags 61 and/or QR codes 62 in which EPC (Electronic Product Code) is recorded are attached to all foods. EPC is expressed, for example, by a 24-bit 16-ary number (0 to 9 or A to F). For simplicity of explanation, the RFID tag and the QR code will be hereinafter referred to as a "tag" in a broad sense.

(read permission/non-permission information)

The prescribed bits of the EPC are "read enable/disable information". In fig. 2 to 4, the predetermined bit is the last 1 bit. In fig. 2 and 3, the read propriety information indicates that the tag attached to the food item can be read by both a radio wave reader and an optical reader, or can be read only by a radio wave reader (cannot be read by an optical reader). Specifically, the read permission information here is any of the numbers 0, 1, 2, 8230, and 9. Here, the predetermined bit is not limited to the last 1 bit, and the read permission information may be recorded in any bit.

In fig. 4, the read permission information indicates that the tag attached to the food can be read only by an optical reader (cannot be read by a radio wave reader). Specifically, the information indicating whether reading is possible is any of characters a, B, \8230;, and F.

In fig. 2 to 4, the bit format other than the last 1 bit is common to all foods. Further, as shown in fig. 2, when the RFID tag 61 and the QR code 62 are attached to 1 food (yogurt 45) at the same time, the values of the EPCs having the same contents are recorded.

(inventory management device)

Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the stock management device and the in-and-out management. The inventory management device 1 is a general computer (server, personal computer, portable terminal device, etc.). The inventory management device 1 includes a central control device 11, an input device 12 such as a mouse, a keyboard, and a touch panel, an output device 13 such as a display, a main storage device 14, an auxiliary storage device 15, and a communication device 16. They are connected to each other by a bus. The auxiliary storage device 15 stores an inventory list 31 and an exclusive processing list 32 (details will be described later). The input/output processing unit 21 and the inventory management unit 22 in the main storage device 14 are programs. The central control unit 11 reads these programs from the auxiliary storage unit 15 and loads them into the main storage unit 14, thereby realizing the functions of the programs (details will be described later). The auxiliary storage device 15 may be configured independently of the inventory management device 1.

The kitchen 3 of a home (consumer 44) has a refrigerator 51, a food cabinet 52, and a food rack 53 as storage containers (spaces). The kitchen 3 has 1 or more radio wave readers 63 and 1 or more optical readers 64. Each storage container, the radio wave reader 63, and the optical reader 64 are connected to the inventory management device 1 via the network 2. The inventory management device 1, the radio wave reader 63, and the optical reader 64 constitute an inventory management system.

Assume that the consumer wants to put food purchased from a retailer into the refrigerator 51. The consumer directs the radio wave reader 63 and/or the optical reader 64 at the food item. Thus, these readers read the EPC stored in the tag. The inventory management device 1 can detect that food is put in storage based on the timing of opening and closing the door of the refrigerator 51 and the timing of reading the tag.

Suppose that the consumer wants to take the food items (symbols 45-46) out of the refrigerator 51. The consumer directs the radio wave reader 63 and/or the optical reader 64 at the food item. Thus, these readers read the EPC stored in the tag. The inventory management device 1 can detect the shipment of food from the refrigerator 51 based on the timing of opening and closing the door and the timing of reading the tag.

Here, the yogurt shown in fig. 6 described later is registered in the stock list of the refrigerator. Assume that a consumer first forgets to have an optical reader located near the refrigerator read the yogurt when taking out the yogurt placed in the refrigerator. Then, assuming that the consumer puts the yogurt into the refrigerator again, the yogurt is read by an optical reader located near the refrigerator, and then the door is opened thereafter. In this case, if the opening and closing of the door are not considered, the yogurt is deleted from the stock list. However, since the door is opened after reading, the inventory management device 1 can determine that yogurt is placed in the refrigerator.

Alternatively, the inventory management device 1 may notify a short notification sound "beep" when the food is put in storage by the optical reader and notify a continuous notification sound "beep" when the food is taken out of storage by the optical reader, using the inventory list. If so, the consumer may perceive forgetfulness or misreading with the optical reader.

Further, the stock management apparatus 1 may detect that the food is out of the warehouse by receiving a "out button" displayed on a door or the like of the refrigerator 51 pressed by the consumer.

The same operation is performed when the consumer puts food into the food cabinet 52 or the food rack 53 and when the consumer takes food out of the food cabinet 52 or the food rack 53.

(inventory List)

Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating the inventory list 31. The stock list 31 is a list of foods 33 to 35 stored in a certain storage container at a certain time (time). The inventory management device 1 displays the inventory list 31 in a display device provided on a door or the like of a storage container (refrigerator 51 or the like) in response to a request of a consumer. When the consumer takes the food out of the storage container, the consumer presses the "out" buttons 36 to 37 corresponding to the food. The inventory management device 1 can output an instruction to display the inventory list 31 to the output device 13 or any external device.

Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the inventory management device and inventory management. The inventory management device 1 of fig. 7 is the same as the inventory management device 1 of fig. 5. The kitchen 3 has a refrigerator 51, a food cabinet 52, and a food rack 53 as storage containers (spaces), which is the same as fig. 5. Each storage container stores a plurality of foods 45 to 47. It is assumed that a consumer checks what food is stored in each storage container at the present time.

Then, the consumer sends, for example, an instruction to the radio wave reader 63 disposed inside the refrigerator 51 to irradiate radio waves all at once to the food inside the refrigerator 51. In this way, the radio wave reader 63 reads EPCs of all foods stored in the refrigerator 51.

(read mode).

Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating a read mode. The following can be seen from fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a diagram for explanation, and is not stored in the auxiliary storage device 15.

The EPC embeds, in its own place, the country name of the place of origin of the goods, the manufacturer name, the individual trade name and the kind of label. In accordance with this, EPC column 101 stores EPC itself (column 101 a), country name of the place of production of the product (column 101 b), manufacturer name (column 101 c), individual product name (column 101 d), and label type (column 101 e).

The tag type (column 101 e) is any one of "RFID, QR", "RFID", and "QR". "RFID, QR" indicates that the tag can be read by both a radio wave reader and an optical reader. "RFID" means that the tag can only be read with a radio wave reader. "QR" indicates that the tag can only be read with an optical reader.

In each of the keeping containers (column 102), both the radio wave reader and the optical reader attempt to read the tag. In addition, "RFID reader" of the reader category column 103 represents a radio wave reader, and "QR reader" represents an optical reader.

The RFID reader outputs a word "in the library" when reading the EPC. The RFID reader outputs nothing otherwise. "? "indicates this. The same is true for the QR reader (column 104).

As the read mode, there are a first mode ( records 110a and 110 b), a second mode ( records 111a and 111 b), and a third mode ( records 112a and 112 b).

The third mode in which only the EPC is read by the QR reader and not read by the RFID reader is an object of exclusive processing (described later in detail) (column 105).

(Exclusive processing List)

Fig. 9 shows an example of the exclusive processing list 32. In the exclusive processing list 32, a single product is stored in the single product column 122 and exclusive processing contents are stored in the exclusive processing content column 123 in association with the EPC stored in the EPC column 121.

The EPC of EPC column 121 is the above EPC.

The singleton items of the singleton items column 122 are the singleton items included in the EPC. The exclusive processing list 32 may have a country name column, a manufacturer column, and a serial number column in addition to the single item column 122.

The exclusive processing content in the exclusive processing content column 123 is specific content of exclusive processing. The exclusive process refers to an exceptional process to be additionally performed for all food items in the case where an inventory check is performed using RFID readers in principle for the food items. Here, "reading with an optical reader (QR reader or the like)" or "manual confirmation" of the food (jam) is stored.

(Exclusive processing object determination processing flow)

Fig. 10 is a flowchart of the exclusive processing target determination processing flow.

In step S201, the input/output processing unit 21 of the inventory management device 1 receives warehousing. Specifically, the input/output processing unit 21 receives a consumer putting food into a storage container (for example, the refrigerator 51). The input/output processing unit 21 detects that the consumer operates, for example, a door of the refrigerator 51 to receive entry.

In step S202, the input/output processing section 21 reads the tag with the QR reader. Specifically, the consumer reads a label attached to the food item being warehoused with a QR reader. However, there are also cases where the QR reader cannot read the tag (the tag does not exist). If the reading is successful, the input/output processing unit 21 receives the EPC from the QR reader.

In step S203, the inventory management unit 22 determines whether or not the tag has been successfully read. Specifically, when the QR reader has successfully read the tag (yes in step S203), the input/output processing unit 21 proceeds to step S205, and when the QR reader has not successfully read the tag (no in step S203), the input/output processing unit proceeds to step S204.

In step S204, the input/output processing section 21 reads the tag with the RFID reader. Specifically, consumers read tags attached to warehoused food items with RFID readers. Then, the input/output processing section 21 receives the EPC from the RFID reader. In addition, the order of steps S202 and S204 may be reversed.

In step S205, the inventory management unit 22 determines the tag type. Specifically, the inventory management unit 22 refers to the predetermined bit of the EPC received in step S202 or S204, and determines whether the food put in storage is any of the following < 1 > or < 2 >.

< 1 > the EPC of the food can be read by both the RFID reader and the QR reader, or can be read only by the RFID reader.

The EPC of < 2 > food product can only be read by the QR reader.

In step S206, the inventory management unit 22 determines whether or not the tag type is "QR only". Specifically, when the food corresponds to < 2 > (yes in step S206), the inventory management unit 22 proceeds to step S207, and otherwise (no in step S206), proceeds to step S208.

In step S207, the inventory management unit 22 generates a record of the exclusive processing list 32 (fig. 9). Specifically, the inventory management unit 22 creates a new record of the exclusive processing list 32, stores the EPC and the single product in the EPC column 121 and the single product column 122 of the new record, and stores the specific content of the exclusive processing specified by the consumer in the exclusive processing content column 123.

In step S208, the inventory management unit 22 generates a record of the inventory list 31 (fig. 6). Specifically, the inventory management unit 22 stores, as a record of the inventory list 31, the state of the food existing in the storage container at the time of receiving the warehousing. Thereafter, until the timing of the inventory check, time intervals are slightly spaced.

In step S209, the inventory management unit 22 receives an instruction to start inventory check. Specifically, the inventory management unit 22 receives an instruction to perform an inventory check input by a consumer via the input device 12.

In step S210, the inventory management unit 22 specifies the target of the exclusive processing. Specifically, the inventory management unit 22 reads the exclusive processing list 32 (fig. 9) from the auxiliary storage device 15, and specifies the food to be subjected to the exclusive processing.

In step S211, the inventory management unit 22 displays the specific contents of the exclusive processing. Specifically, the inventory management unit 22 displays the exclusive processing contents (column 123 in fig. 9) on the output device 13 in association with the specified food. Thus, consumers attempt to read a tag attached to a designated food item with an optical reader, or manually confirm. The inventory management unit 22 receives the result of reading by the optical reader or the result of manual confirmation (hereinafter collectively referred to as "exclusive processing result"). An example of a screen that the consumer views when manually confirming is described later.

In step S212, the inventory management unit 22 corrects the record of the inventory list. Specifically, when the specified food item is not described in the inventory list and the exclusive processing result indicates "in stock", the inventory management unit 22 adds the specified food item to the inventory list. When the record of the specified food item is present in the inventory list and the exclusive processing result does not indicate "present in the inventory", the inventory management unit 22 deletes the record of the specified food item from the inventory list. Thereafter, the exclusive processing target determination processing flow is ended.

(inventory inspection Screen)

Fig. 11 shows an example of the stock check screen 71. In step S211, the inventory management unit 22 displays the inventory check screen 71 (fig. 11) on the output device 13. When the consumer presses the "view inventory list before manual confirmation" button 72, the inventory management unit 22 displays a list 75. The list 75 displays a union of the food items described in the latest stock list 31 and the food items described in the latest exclusive processing list 32 for each storage container. Then, the food items described in the latest exclusive processing list 32 are highlighted (reference numeral 76). The list 75 may display other information (elapsed time after initial warehousing, summary, etc.) according to the needs of the consumer.

The consumer visually checks the interior of the food rack, for example, to confirm the presence or absence of the "cup surface", and if the "none" button 74 is pressed. When the "none" button 74 is pressed, the inventory management unit 22 surely recognizes that the food item is not present in the storage container.

(correction of stock List)

Fig. 12 is a diagram illustrating a modification of the inventory list 31. The inventory management device 1 generates a list shown in fig. 12 and stores the list in the auxiliary storage device 15. In association with the storage containers stored in the storage container column 131, the pre-correction stock list is stored in the pre-correction stock list column 132, the confirmation list is stored in the confirmation list column 133, and the post-correction stock list is stored in the post-correction stock list column 134. Fig. 12 corresponds to an example of managing inventory for 1 storage container.

The pre-correction stock list column 132 stores a stock list for identifying food items present in the storage container at a time (also referred to as "first time") before the stock check. The manufacturer name (column 132 b), the individual product name (column 132 c), and the label type (column 132 d) are the same as those of fig. 8. The "country name" is omitted in fig. 12 because of paper surface limitations.

The classification of the classification column 132a is either "inventory list a" or "inventory list B". "inventory List A" indicates that the food item is read by an RFID reader. "inventory List B" indicates that the food product is read by the QR reader.

The confirmation list column 133 stores a confirmation list for identifying food items stored in or out of the storage container at the time of the storage in or out or the inventory check (also referred to as "second time") after the first time. The inventory management device 1 "confirms" the contents of the inventory list before correction using the information received by the RFID reader and the information read by the QR reader at the second timing. This is the reason for the naming of the "validation list".

The reader type of the reader type column 133a is either "RFID reader" or "QR reader". The "RFID reader" indicates that the foods are read all together by the RFID reader (refer to fig. 7), corresponding to the "inventory list a". The "QR reader" indicates that the food is read by the QR reader at the time of warehousing or ex-warehousing (refer to fig. 5), corresponding to the "inventory list B".

The manufacturer name (column 133 b), the individual product name (column 133 c), and the label type (column 132 d) are the same as the manufacturer name (column 132 b), the individual product name (column 132 c), and the label type (column 132 d), respectively.

Although not directly described in fig. 12, the record whose reader type is the "QR reader", it is distinguished between "entering" and "exiting". For example, "buckwheat noodles" (record 135 b) for "company C" is considered to be read from the refrigerator ex-warehouse. "seasoning" (record 135 c) of "H company" is regarded as being read to the refrigerator warehouse.

The detection time (column 133 e) in the detection time column 133 is the year, month, day, hour, minute and second (second time) of the time at which the tag attached to the food is read by the reader. For convenience of explanation, a delay of several seconds is ignored in the case where a plurality of foods are continuously read by the QR reader.

The post-correction inventory list column 134 is obtained by applying a correction to the pre-correction inventory list based on the result of comparison between the pre-correction inventory list and the confirmation list by the inventory management device 1. The manufacturer name (column 134 a), the individual product name (column 134 b), and the label type (column 134 c) are the same as the manufacturer name (column 132 b), the individual product name (column 132 c), and the label type (column 132 d), respectively. The following is known, for example, by observing fig. 12.

< about records 136a to 136e >

"canned beer" by "G company" is present in the pre-correction inventory list (column 132) but is not present in the confirmation list (column 133). "ketchup" of "company a", "jam" of "company E", "bottled beer" of "company B" and "bottled beer" of "company D" are present in both.

This means that the "canned beer" of "company G" is taken out of the refrigerator during the period after the first time until the second time.

As a result, the record 136e is deleted in the corrected inventory list (column 134).

< records 138 a-138 e >

"bottled beer" by "D company" exists in the pre-correction stock list (column 132) but does not exist in the confirmation list (column 133). "canned beer" of "company G" is present in the confirmation list (column 133) and is not present in the pre-correction stock list (column 132). "sauce" from "company A", "jam" from "company E" and "bottled beer" from "company B" are present in both.

This means that "bottled beer" of "company D" is taken out of the refrigerator and "canned beer" of "company G" is put into the refrigerator during the period from the first time point to the second time point.

As a result, the record 138d is deleted and the record 138e is added to the corrected stock list (column 134).

< records 135a to 135c >

"seasoning" of "company H" exists in the confirmation list (column 133), but does not exist in the stock list before correction (column 132).

This means that at the second moment "sauce" of "company H" is put into the refrigerator.

As a result, the record 135c is added to the corrected inventory list (column 134).

The "buckwheat flour" of "C company" exists in the pre-correction inventory list (column 132) and also exists in the inventory list (column 133).

This means that at the second moment "buckwheat noodles" of "C company" are taken out of the refrigerator.

As a result, the record 135b is deleted in the corrected stock list (column 134).

"udon side" of "F company" exists in the pre-correction inventory list (column 132) but does not exist in the confirmation list (column 133).

This means that the "udon face" of "company F" is not entered or exited to the refrigerator at the second timing (the state of keeping the refrigerator in the storage tube is maintained).

As a result, the record 135a is not deleted in the corrected inventory list (column 134), but is maintained as it is.

Fig. 13 is a diagram illustrating the correction of the inventory list 31. The structure of each column in fig. 13 is the same as that in fig. 12. Fig. 13 corresponds to an example of managing inventory for a certain storage container and another storage container different from the certain storage container. Records 139 a-139 d and 140 a-140 e of fig. 13 pertain to a refrigerator. Records 141 a-141 c and 142 a-142 d are for food bins.

In the same manner as in fig. 12, in the confirmation list, "put in" and "out" are distinguished for the record whose reader type is "QR reader". For example, "seasoning" (record 139 d) of "company H" is regarded as being read to the refrigerator warehouse. The following is known, for example, by observing fig. 13.

< about records 139d and 141a >)

"seasoning" of "company H" exists in the pre-correction stock list (record 141a in column 132) and also exists in the confirmation list (record 139d in column 133).

This means that at the first moment "sauce" of company "H" is located inside the food cabinet, but at the second moment, is transferred from the food cabinet to the refrigerator. Some food is often stored in a food cabinet before being opened, or in a refrigerator after being opened. In addition, at 10 hours, 00 minutes and 00 seconds, 5 months, 30 days, 2020, the consumer did not read "seasoning" of "company H" taken out of the food cabinet (record 141a in the confirmation list column 133).

As a result, the record 139d is added to the corrected inventory list (column 134), and the record 141a is deleted.

(inventory List correction Process flow)

As the stock list correction processing flow, "one", "two", and "three" exist. "one of" begins with a chance to read with an RFID reader. The two and three starts with the read by the QR reader. Hereinafter, the description will be given in the order of "one", "two", and "three", but the order is arbitrary, and "two" and "three" may be executed first, and "one" may be executed later.

Fig. 14 is a flowchart of (one of) the flow of the inventory list correction processing. As a premise for starting (one of) the stock list correction processing flow, it is assumed that the stock list at the first time already exists and is stored in the auxiliary storage device 15.

In step S301, the inventory management unit 22 of the inventory management device 1 generates a confirmation list. Specifically, at the second time, the inventory management unit 22 generates a confirmation list (corresponding to the reader type "RFID reader") for any storage container instructed by the consumer.

In step S302, the inventory management unit 22 determines whether or not the information is present in the inventory list a and the confirmation list. Specifically, first, the inventory management unit 22 acquires a pre-correction inventory list (inventory list a) regarding the first time of the storage container from the auxiliary storage device 15.

Second, the inventory management unit 22 designates unprocessed food items among the 1 or more food items stored in at least one of the inventory list a and the confirmation list as "confirmation target food items".

Third, when the confirmation target food is present in the inventory list a and the confirmation list (yes in step S302), the inventory management unit 22 proceeds to step S303, and otherwise (no in step S302), proceeds to step S304.

In step S303, the inventory management unit 22 maintains the inventory list a as it is. Specifically, the inventory management unit 22 creates and stores a record of the corrected inventory list having the same contents as those of the inventory list before correction for the food to be checked (see records 136a to 136d and 138a to 138c in fig. 12).

In step S304, the inventory management unit 22 determines whether or not the list is not present in the inventory list a but is present in the confirmation list. Specifically, when the confirmation target food is not present in the inventory list a but present in the confirmation list (yes in step S304), the inventory management unit 22 proceeds to step S305, and otherwise (no in step S304), proceeds to step S306.

In step S305, the inventory management unit 22 adds the inventory list a. Specifically, the inventory management unit 22 creates and stores a record of the corrected inventory list for the food to be checked (see record 138e in fig. 12).

In step S306, the inventory management unit 22 determines whether or not the information is present in the inventory list a but not in the confirmation list. Specifically, when the confirmation target food is present in the inventory list a but not present in the confirmation list (yes in step S306), the inventory management unit 22 proceeds to step S307, and when the confirmation target food is not present (no in step S306), the inventory management unit proceeds to step S308.

In step S307, the inventory management unit 22 deletes the list from the inventory list a. Specifically, the inventory management unit 22 deletes the record of the pre-correction inventory list for the confirmation target food (see records 136e and 138d in fig. 12).

The processing in steps S302 to S307 is repeated for each checking target food.

In step S308, the inventory management unit 22 merges the inventory list a and the inventory list B. Specifically, a record of a pre-correction inventory list (inventory list B) separately managed is added to the record of the post-correction inventory list (inventory list a). After that, (one of) the stock list correction processing flow is ended.

Fig. 15 is a flowchart of (two) the stock list correction processing flow. As a premise for starting the (second) stock list correction processing flow, it is assumed that the stock list at the first time already exists and is stored in the auxiliary storage device 15.

In step S401, the inventory management unit 22 of the inventory management device 1 generates a confirmation list. Specifically, at the second time, the inventory management unit 22 creates a confirmation list (corresponding to the reader type "QR reader") for an arbitrary storage container instructed by the customer. That is, this processing corresponds to execution exclusive processing for warehousing (ex-warehouse) with an optical reader such as a QR reader.

In step S402, the inventory management unit 22 determines whether the information is present in the inventory list B but not in the confirmation list. Specifically, first, the inventory management unit 22 acquires a pre-correction inventory list (inventory list B) of the first time of the storage container from the auxiliary storage device 15.

Second, the inventory management unit 22 specifies unprocessed one of 1 or more food items stored in at least one of the inventory list B and the confirmation list as a "confirmation target food item".

Third, when the confirmation target food is present in the inventory list B but not present in the confirmation list (yes in step S402), the inventory management unit 22 proceeds to step S403, and when the confirmation target food is not present (no in step S402), proceeds to step S404.

In step S403, the inventory management unit 22 maintains the inventory list B as it is. Specifically, the inventory management unit 22 creates and stores a record of the corrected inventory list having the same contents as those of the pre-correction inventory list for the confirmation target food (see records 135a, 137a, and 137b in fig. 12).

In step S404, the inventory management unit 22 determines whether the information is not present in the inventory list B but present in the confirmation list. Specifically, if the confirmation target food is not present in the stock list B but is present in the confirmation list (yes in step S404), the stock management unit 22 proceeds to step S405, and otherwise (no in step S404), proceeds to step S406.

In step S405, the inventory management unit 22 adds an additional item to the inventory list B. Specifically, the inventory management unit 22 creates and stores a record of the corrected inventory list for the confirmation target food (see record 135c in fig. 12).

In step S406, the inventory management unit 22 determines whether or not the information is present in the inventory list B and the confirmation list. Specifically, when the confirmation target food is present in the inventory list B and the confirmation list (yes in step S406), the inventory management unit 22 proceeds to step S407, and otherwise (no in step S406), ends the (second) inventory list correction processing flow.

In step S407, the inventory management unit 22 deletes the list from the inventory list B. Specifically, the inventory management unit 22 deletes the record of the pre-correction inventory list for the confirmation target food (see record 135b in fig. 12).

The processing in steps S402 to S407 is repeated for each food to be checked. After the repetition process is completed, the stock list correction process flow (two) is completed.

Fig. 16 is a flowchart of (third) the stock list correction processing flow. As a premise for starting the (third) inventory list correction processing flow, it is assumed that an inventory list at the first time point already exists for a plurality of storage containers and is stored in the auxiliary storage device 15.

In step S501, the inventory management unit 22 of the inventory management device 1 generates an inventory list B for the first holding container. Specifically, the inventory management unit 22 generates a pre-correction inventory list (inventory list B) for an arbitrary storage container instructed by a customer at a first time. Here, for example, records 141a to 141c in column 132 of fig. 13 are generated.

In step S502, the inventory management unit 22 creates a confirmation list for warehousing the second storage container. Specifically, at the second timing, the inventory management unit 22 generates a confirmation list (corresponding to the reader type "QR reader") for any storage container other than the storage container instructed by the consumer in step S501. Here, for example, records 139a to 139d in column 133 of fig. 13 are generated.

In steps S501 and S502, the first storage container is, for example, a food cabinet, and the second storage container is, for example, a refrigerator. "seasoning" of "company H" is transferred from the first storage container to the second storage container.

In step S503, the inventory management unit 22 determines whether or not there is an object that has been stored in the first storage container after the storage of the second storage container has been detected. Specifically, first, the inventory management unit 22 sets 1 or more food items stored in at least one of the inventory list B and the confirmation list as "confirmation target food items".

Second, when the confirmation target food is present in the stock list B and the confirmation list (yes in step S503), the stock management unit 22 proceeds to step S504, and otherwise (no in step S503), ends the stock list correction processing flow (three). For convenience of explanation, it is assumed here that "seasoning" of "company H" corresponds to an object that has been stored in the first storage container after the second storage container is detected.

In step S504, the inventory management unit 22 deletes the inventory list B of the first storage container and adds the same to the inventory list B of the second storage container. Specifically, first, the inventory management unit 22 deletes the record of the pre-correction inventory list for the confirmation target food (see record 141a in fig. 13).

Second, the inventory management unit 22 adds a record of the corrected inventory list to the food to be checked (see record 139d in fig. 13).

Third, the inventory management unit 22 displays an inventory list display screen 81 (fig. 17) on the output device 13. Upon receiving a selection of a refrigerator (reference numeral 82) as a storage container from a consumer, for example, the inventory management unit 22 displays a corrected inventory list 83 of the refrigerator. The modified inventory list 83 displays the food items added to and deleted from the inventory list. After that, the stock list correction processing flow (iii) is ended.

(Effect of the present embodiment)

The effect of the inventory management system of the present embodiment is as follows.

(1) Inventory management systems are capable of managing information about items using both radio wave readers and optical readers.

(2) The inventory management system is capable of identifying items that can only be read with an optical reader.

(3) The inventory management system is capable of identifying items that can be read by both radio wave readers and optical readers, or only by radio wave readers.

(4) The inventory management system can read information without a discrepancy regardless of which of the radio wave reader or the optical reader is used.

(5) The inventory management system can correct an inventory list at a certain time by using a radio wave reader at a later time.

(6) The inventory management system can add an item that is not described in the inventory list at a certain time to an item that is not described in the inventory list at a later time based on the reading result of the optical reader.

(7) The inventory management system can delete an item described in the inventory list at a certain time based on the reading result of the optical reader at a later time.

(8) The inventory management system can maintain an item described in an inventory list at a certain time as it is at a later time based on the reading result of the optical reader.

(9) The inventory management system can reflect the movement of the items between the plurality of storage containers on the inventory list.

(10) The inventory management system can identify an item that is an object of exclusive processing that cannot use a radio wave reader. That is, for an article that can be read only with an optical reader, that is, an article that is stored in a certain space (warehoused) based on the reading result of the optical reader, it can be excluded when, for example, a timed scan is performed with a radio wave reader. Thus, even if it cannot be identified by the radio wave reader, it is possible to prevent erroneous identification as out-of-stock (consumption).

(11) The inventory management system can be applied to an article to which an RFID tag, a QR code, or the like is attached.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible. For example, the above-described embodiments are described in detail to explain the present invention easily and understandably, and are not limited to having all the structures described. Further, a part of the structure of one embodiment may be replaced with the structure of another embodiment, and the structure of another embodiment may be added to the structure of one embodiment. In addition, other configurations can be added, deleted, and replaced for a part of the configurations of the embodiments. For example, the optical reader may be a camera for reading characters such as a product name, a consumer term, and a processing manufacturer, or a camera for image recognition of an article.

In addition, each of the above-described structures, functions, processing units, and the like may be implemented in hardware by, for example, designing them in an integrated circuit. The above-described structures, functions, and the like may be realized by software by a processor interpreting and executing a program for realizing the functions. Information such as programs, tables, and files for realizing the respective functions can be stored in a memory, a hard disk, a recording device such as SSD (Solid State Drive), or a recording medium such as an IC card, an SD card, or a DVD.

In addition, the control lines and the information lines are illustrated as being deemed necessary for the description, and not necessarily all of the control lines and the information lines on the product are illustrated. In practice it can also be considered that almost all structures are connected to each other.

Description of the reference numerals

1. Inventory management device

2. Network

3. Kitchen cabinet

11. Central control device

12. Input device

13. Output device

14. Main storage device

15. Auxiliary storage device

16. Communication device

21. Input/output processing unit

22. Stock management part

31. Inventory listing

32. Exclusive handling List

45 46, 47 foodstuff (article)

51 52, 53 storage container (space, refrigerator, food cabinet, food rack)

61 RFID label (first information)

62 QR code (second information)

63 RFID reader (radio wave reader)

64 QR reader (optical reader)

133. The list is validated.

Claims (13)

1. An inventory management system, comprising:

a radio wave reader that reads first information about an item attached to the item;

an optical reader to read second information about the item affixed to the item; and

and an inventory management device that issues an instruction to display the item of the read first information and the item of the read second information in association with a space in which the item is stored.

2. The inventory management system as recited in claim 1, further characterized by:

the second information includes reading propriety information indicating that it is capable of being read by the optical reader but is not capable of being read by the radio wave reader.

3. The inventory management system as recited in claim 2, further characterized by:

the first information includes read propriety information indicating that it is capable of being read by both the radio wave reader and the optical reader or that it is capable of being read by the radio wave reader but is not capable of being read by the optical reader,

the item is appended with at least one of the first information and the second information.

4. The inventory management system as recited in claim 3, further characterized by:

the portion of the first information other than the readability information is the same as the portion of the second information other than the readability information.

5. The inventory management system as recited in claim 2, further characterized by:

the inventory management device is provided with a plurality of inventory management devices,

generating an inventory list for identifying the items kept in the space based on information read by the radio wave reader at a first timing,

generating a confirmation list for confirming the items stored in the space based on the information read by the radio wave reader at a second time after the first time,

extracting a difference between the inventory list and the confirmation list and modifying the inventory list based on the difference.

6. The inventory management system as recited in claim 2, further characterized by:

the inventory management device is provided with a plurality of inventory management devices,

generating an inventory list for identifying the items kept in the space based on information read by the radio wave reader and/or the optical reader at a first time,

generating a confirmation list for confirming the item put in the space based on the information read by the optical reader at a second time after the first time,

adding an item that exists on the confirmation list but does not exist on the inventory list to modify the inventory list.

7. The inventory management system as recited in claim 2, further characterized by:

the inventory management device is provided with a plurality of inventory management devices,

generating an inventory list for identifying the items kept in the space based on information read by the radio wave reader and/or the optical reader at a first time,

generating, at a second time subsequent to the first time, a confirmation list for confirming the item taken out of the space based on the information read by the optical reader,

modifying the inventory list by deleting items from the inventory list that are present on the inventory list but not present on the confirmation list.

8. The inventory management system as recited in claim 2, further characterized by:

the inventory management device is provided with a plurality of inventory management devices,

generating an inventory list for identifying the items kept in the space based on information read by the radio wave reader and/or the optical reader at a first time,

generating a confirmation list for confirming the item not taken out of the space based on the information read by the optical reader at a second time after the first time,

maintaining the inventory list by not deleting items from the inventory list that exist on the inventory list but not on the confirmation list.

9. The inventory management system as recited in claim 2, further characterized by:

the inventory management device is provided with a plurality of inventory management devices,

generating an inventory list for identifying the items kept in the space based on information read by the radio wave reader and/or the optical reader at a first time,

generating a confirmation list for confirming the items stored in a space other than the space based on the information read by the optical reader at a second time after the first time,

amending the inventory list by deleting items that exist in the inventory list and also in the confirmation list from the inventory list as items that have been moved from the space to the other space.

10. The inventory management system as recited in claim 2, further characterized by:

the inventory management device determines that only the item to which the second information is added is determined based on the reading results of the radio wave reader and the optical reader, and determines that exclusive processing by the radio wave reader cannot be used.

11. The inventory management system as recited in claim 2, further characterized by:

the radio wave reader is capable of reading the RFID tag,

the optical reader is capable of reading at least one of a QR code, a barcode, and image information other than the QR code and the barcode.

12. An inventory management device, characterized by:

communicably connected with a radio wave reader that reads first information about an item attached to the item and an optical reader that reads second information about the item attached to the item,

issuing an instruction to display an item of the read first information and an item of the read second information in association with a space in which the item is kept.

13. A storage container, comprising:

a radio wave reader that reads first information about an item attached to the item;

an optical reader that reads second information about the item attached to the item; and

an inventory management device that issues an instruction for displaying an item relating to the read first information and an item relating to the read second information.

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