JP2002132684A - Refrigerator and refrigerator inventory information management system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to accurately provide the inventory information on a refrigerator to a user. SOLUTION: A refrigerator 1 is provided with a storage part 6 being an inventory information storing means, a mail receiving part 24, and a mail transmitting part 23. When the mail receiving part 24 receives a collation mail related with the inventory information from a remote communication terminal (a personal computer 11 and a portable telephone 12), the storage part 6 is retrieved so that the target inventory information is retrieved, and the inventory information is converted into the format of an inventory information notification mail, and transmitted by the mail transmitting part 23. The refrigerator 1 is provided with a header decoding part 25 for decoding header information in the received mail, and the mail address of the origin of transmission among the decoded header information is stored by an address holding table 26, and the mail address selected from among the stored mail addresses is registered as the transmission destination address of the inventory information. In this case, a plurality of transmission destination addresses can be registered in a transmission destination registration table 27.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a refrigerator having communication means with the outside and capable of transmitting inventory information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When procuring ingredients, it is required to procure the ingredients so that they do not overlap with the stock in the refrigerator. It is a common practice to bring memos in order to avoid unnecessary shopping, but there are many cases where a memo is forgotten and noticed at the shopping site. In order to solve this, it is preferable that inventory information of the refrigerator can be obtained from outside even via communication means. One technique for achieving this is proposed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-325703. In the management system disclosed in this publication, storage management information of goods stored in a refrigerator is read by a barcode reader and stored in a storage unit as a database. When an out-of-office administrator requests in-house management information through a communication terminal, the in-house management information is searched in the database, and the search result is sent to the manager's communication terminal via a communication line. is there.

[0003]

According to the above-described refrigerator management system, the manager can check the management information in the refrigerator in real time from outside. However, the management information reaches the manager only when the manager himself makes an inquiry, and when the management information changes, the management information is automatically delivered to the manager. is not. In addition, the administrator must keep the communication terminal connected until the search result of the database arrives after starting the inquiry.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a refrigerator and a refrigerator inventory information management system capable of automatically transmitting inventory information when a user should acquire inventory information, in addition to replying to inventory information each time an inquiry is made. Aim. It is another object of the present invention to be able to receive an answer later even if the connection to the communication line is cut after the inquiry of the inquiry is transmitted. Further, it is another object of the present invention to facilitate registration of a destination of inventory information.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a refrigerator includes a stock information storage means and an e-mail transmission means for transmitting the stock information stored in the stock information storage means by e-mail. Was provided.

Since the stock information of the refrigerator is transmitted by e-mail, the mail can be opened and the stock information can be obtained at any convenient time. It is also easy to transfer information and print out.

According to the present invention, there is provided an electronic mail receiving means,
The refrigerator is provided with means for decoding header information in the received mail and means for storing the mail address of the sender in the decoded header information. As a result, the mail address of the person who has inquired about the stock information can be stored, and the information can be transmitted to all the people who need the stock information. When inputting information, complicated operations of the keyboard and the touch panel can be eliminated, so that it is not necessary to provide a large number of operation keys, and the cost does not increase. There is no mistake in input.

Further, in the present invention, the refrigerator is provided with a registration means for registering a mail address selected from the stored mail addresses as a destination address of the stock information.
This makes it possible to prepare a destination registration table that narrows down information transmission targets to those who truly need the information.

In the present invention, the refrigerator is provided with a destination registration table for registering a plurality of destination addresses. As a result, the stock information can be delivered to all those who need it at once.

Further, according to the present invention, the stock information storage means of the refrigerator, a communication terminal located at a remote place, an e-mail receiving means for receiving a stock information inquiry by an e-mail from the communication terminal, and a reply to the inquiry by the e-mail A refrigerator inventory information management system is to be constructed by means of the e-mail transmission means transmitted by the above. This allows the inquirer to disconnect the communication line once if there is not enough time until the answer is returned, and open a reply mail later to obtain inventory information at a convenient time.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a refrigerator stock information storage means, a remote communication terminal, and an e-mail transmitting means, and at a set time, the e-mail transmitting means sends the stock information notification mail to the communication terminal. Automatic transmission was assumed. Thereby, the stock information of the owner or the user of the communication terminal can be constantly updated.

According to the present invention, the inventory information storage means of the refrigerator, a communication terminal located at a remote place, and an e-mail transmitting means are provided. When the inventory information is updated, the e-mail transmitting means sends the e-mail transmitting means to the communication terminal. Is automatically transmitted. This makes it possible to reliably provide information to a person who needs to know that the stock information has been updated.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 1, 1 is a refrigerator. The term "refrigerator" is used as a representative name for a device that stores food and beverages in a refrigerated / frozen state, and the actual condition may be only a refrigerator portion or only a freezer portion. Or a combination of a refrigerator and a freezer. The term “refrigerated” means not only normal refrigeration but also ice temperature, partial
It covers various low-temperature storage modes other than freezing, such as chilled.

The refrigerator 1 includes a control unit 2. The control unit 2 controls the operation of the refrigerator 1 and decodes and generates an e-mail. An operation panel 3 connected to the control unit 2 includes a display unit 4 formed of a liquid crystal panel or the like and an operation unit 5 having various switches. Reference numeral 6 denotes a storage unit also connected to the control unit 2, which constitutes a database of inventory information of the refrigerator 1. The control unit 2 connects to a public line via a modem 7. FIG. 1 shows a situation in which a connection is made to a public line 10 represented by the Internet via a mail server 9 of a communication provider 8 under contract.

The control unit 2, operation panel 3, storage unit 6, modem 7, etc., do not necessarily need to be incorporated in the refrigerator housing.
It is also possible to partly or entirely separate the refrigerator housing.

A user's communication terminal is connected to the public line 10. "User" is defined as follows. That is, if the refrigerator 1 is for home use, first, the members of the family are "users". If there are traders who have a food supply contract with this household, for example, a grocery store, a liquor store, a supermarket, a co-op, etc., these traders are also "users". If the refrigerator 1 is for business use, an external food supplier or the like is a "user" in addition to personnel in the organization such as a kitchen manager or a purchaser. In the case of a refrigerator at an individual restaurant chain restaurant, the procurement / supply department at the chain headquarters is also a “user”.

FIG. 1 illustrates a personal computer 11 and a portable telephone 12 as communication terminals of a user. The mobile phone 12 is connected to a mail server 14 of a telephone company 13 and a public line 10 via a mobile telephone network 15.
The personal computer 11 may be a fixed type or a mobile type. In addition, any device that can send and receive e-mail can be used as a communication terminal.

FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the control unit 2. The control unit 2 includes a CPU, a memory, etc., 20 is a device control unit, 21 is an operation panel control unit, 22 is a communication interface unit, 23 is a mail transmission unit as an e-mail transmission unit, and 24 is an e-mail reception Mail receiving unit as means, 2
Reference numeral 5 denotes a header decoding unit which decodes header information of the received mail; 26, an address holding table which stores a mail address of a transmission source; 27, a destination registration table; and 28, a food stock table. Although the storage unit 6 is illustrated as being separate from the control unit 2, the storage unit 6 may be included in the control unit 2.

Next, the function and operation of the refrigerator 1 and the function of the refrigerator inventory information management system will be described. The refrigerator 1 must have its stock information accurately grasped. Therefore, when a new food or beverage is stored, the operation unit 5 is operated to call up the screen of FIG. On this first screen, first, the item of the food is input. After selecting the major category of "meats", enter the minor categories such as "beef", "chicken", and "pork". Although FIG. 3 shows only up to the sub-classification, a sub-classification may be further provided, and detailed attributes such as meat parts such as loin and rose, and grades, suppliers and prices of meat may be input.

The input, that is, the selection of items displayed on the display unit 4 may be performed by attaching a touch screen panel to the display unit 4 and touching the screen, or may be performed by operating the keys of the operation unit 5. Alternatively, a separate selecting means such as a mouse or a trackball may be provided. Further, a barcode system may be adopted, and the barcode attached to the article may be read by a barcode reader to input information.

When the item of the food is input, the display unit 4 displays FIG.
Screen appears. On this second screen, information such as when it is to be used and when the expiration date is until is entered. Enter the goods receipt quantity. Fig. 2
And the food stock table 28 shown in
Finally, the data is stored in the storage unit 6, which is a stock information storage unit, and a database is constructed.

A user can obtain inventory information of the refrigerator 1 at a communication terminal at a remote place. E-mail is the communication means in this case. In this case, the “remote location” does not necessarily mean that the refrigerator 1 is physically far away from being seen. A management desk located in one corner of the kitchen floor,
Such cases are also "remote locations." The point is that if the distance is such that the interior of the refrigerator 1 cannot be seen directly and confirmed, it is a “remote place”.

If the refrigerator 1 is a household refrigerator, the stock information is transmitted by e-mail to a personal computer 11 at work or a mobile phone 12 carried by an individual. After the stock information is extracted from the storage unit 6, the mail transmission unit 23 collects the stock information into a mail of a predetermined format and transmits the mail. The user who has received the e-mail takes an action to replenish the goods based on the e-mail. When the e-mail is received by the personal computer 11, it can be printed by a printer and taken to the procurement site. When the e-mail is received by the mobile phone 12, a necessary item can be procured while looking at the telephone display at the procurement site.

When a user located at a remote place wants to obtain inventory information, an inquiry mail as shown in FIG. FIG. 5 shows a state where the inquiry mail received by the mail receiving unit 24 is opened on the display unit 4. In response to this, the user at the refrigerator 1 searches the storage unit 6 and transmits the target stock information as a stock information notification mail in FIG. The date display 31 ("** / ● /") is displayed in the "Subject" of the stock information notification mail.
X indicates a date). In the text, the contents of the food items in the food stock table 28 and the contents of the last date (expected use date, expiration date) are described. As the destination mail address 32, the three addresses “Name1@aaa.bbb” and “N” registered in the destination registration table 27 are used.
ame3 @ ee. fff "" Name4@gggg.h
hh "is used.

The stock information notification mail not only presents information in the form of a “stock list” as shown in FIG. 6, but also forms a “procurement list” indicating what must be procured from there. And may be transmitted.

It is not always necessary for a remote user to request the transmission of inventory information by using an inquiry mail. You can also request by phone. Also, regardless of whether or not there is a request from a user at a remote location, a user at the refrigerator 1 can transmit a stock information notification mail. For example, there is a case where a wife at home requests a husband at home to shop while returning home.

The mail address of the transmission destination is stored in the address holding table 26. The mail address can be input from the operation unit 5, but can be input more easily from the header of the received mail. When the mail receiving unit 24 receives the mail, the header decoding unit 25 decodes the header of the mail. For example, if the received mail has the header 33 shown in FIG. 7, a character string of “From:” indicating the transmission source is searched from the header, and the mail address “Name5@jjj.kkk” following “From:” is searched. "
Is extracted. If this mail address is not registered in the address holding table 26, it is automatically registered.

When an event that increases the number of destination mail addresses occurs, for example, when the number of family members has increased or when a personal computer for management has been added, an inquiry mail must be sent to the refrigerator 1 once. Good. As a result, a new mail address can be automatically registered. By adopting the automatic registration as described above, it is possible to eliminate complicated operations of the keyboard and the touch panel when inputting information, and it is not necessary to provide a large number of operation keys, thereby preventing cost increase. There is no mistake in input.

A mail can be simultaneously transmitted to a plurality of users (FIG. 6 is also an example of simultaneous transmission). In this case,
The e-mail addresses of a plurality of users are put together in the destination registration table 27, and the e-mails are simultaneously transmitted to the e-mail addresses registered in this table. For example, there is a use method in which a husband and a mother-in-law share stock information, or in a restaurant industry, a stocking person and an accounting person share stock information.

When registering a mail address in the transmission destination registration table 27, the operation unit 5 is operated and the display unit 4 is operated.
Is called in FIG. This displays a list of registered contents of the address holding table 26. From here, the address to be registered in the destination registration table 27 is selected. That is, here, the operation unit 5 is a registration unit of the destination address. In the example of FIG.
Of the four e-mail addresses registered in "Name
"2" is not selected. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 9, the remaining three addresses except for “Name2” are registered in the destination registration table 27. In this way, it is possible to prepare the transmission destination registration table 27 in which information transmission targets are narrowed down to those who truly need the information.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of an electronic mail transmission / reception process in the first embodiment of the refrigerator inventory information management system. Here, it is assumed that when a predetermined time has come, a mail reception confirmation process is performed. Step S1
If it is confirmed in step S6 that the predetermined time has come, step S6
A communication connection is made via the modem 7 in step S7, and a mail reception process is performed in step S7. In step S8, an e-mail address is extracted from the received e-mail, and in step S9, it is checked whether the registered e-mail addresses in the address holding table 26 are the same. If they are not the same, they are registered in the address holding table 26 in step S10.

In step S2 in FIG. 10, the presence or absence of an inquiry mail is confirmed. If the inquiry mail has arrived, a communication connection is made via the modem 7 in step S3, and step S4
To set the destination address, and send a stock information notification mail in step S5.

In the above description, the user at the refrigerator 1 transmits the stock information notification mail based on the inquiry mail from the remote user. Storage unit 6 according to inquiry contents
, And automatically generate and transmit a stock information notification mail summarizing the desired stock information. In this case, it is preferable to standardize the inquiry mail so as to include a keyword that is easy to decipher.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of an electronic mail transmission / reception process according to the second embodiment of the refrigerator inventory information management system. The difference from the first embodiment is the transmission / reception processing of the mail.
At a predetermined time, a stock information notification mail is transmitted. If it is confirmed at step S1 that the predetermined time has come, communication is established via the modem 7 at step S3, a destination address is set at step S4, and a stock information notification mail is transmitted at step S5. then,
In step S7, a mail receiving process is performed. In step S8, a mail address is extracted from the received mail. In step S9, it is checked whether the registered mail addresses in the address holding table 26 are the same. In step S10, the address holding table 26
Register with.

As described above, by automatically transmitting the stock information notification mail at a predetermined time, the stock information on hand of the owner or user of the communication terminal can be constantly updated.

In the first and second embodiments, the setting of the "predetermined time" is arbitrary. The time may be set once a day or may be set several times a day. The time may be set once every several days.

FIG. 12 shows a flowchart of an electronic mail transmission / reception process in the third embodiment of the refrigerator inventory information management system. Here, the stock information notification mail is transmitted when the stock information is updated. Step S1
If it is confirmed in step S3 that the stock information has been updated, a communication connection is made via the modem 7 in step S3, and
To set the destination address, and send a stock information notification mail in step S5. Then, a mail receiving process is performed in step S7, a mail address is extracted from the received mail in step S8, and in step S9, it is checked whether the registered mail addresses in the address holding table 26 are the same, and the same If not, step S
At 10, the address is registered in the address holding table 26.

As described above, by automatically transmitting the stock information notification mail at the time of stock information update, it is possible to surely provide information to a person who needs to know that the stock information has been updated.

Although various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, other various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0040]

According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained. The refrigerator is provided with stock information storage means and e-mail sending means for sending the stock information stored in the stock information storage means by e-mail, so that the stock information is transmitted by e-mail. When it's good, you can open an email and get inventory information. If necessary, information can be transferred or printed out. Since the refrigerator is provided with an e-mail receiving means, a means for decoding header information in the received mail, and a means for storing the mail address of the sender of the decoded header information, the mail of the person who has referred the stock information By accumulating addresses, information can be transmitted to anyone who needs inventory information. Moreover, it is possible to eliminate complicated operation of the keyboard and the touch panel when inputting information. It is not necessary to provide a large number of operation keys, and the cost does not increase. There is no mistake in input. Since the refrigerator is provided with registration means for registering a mail address selected from the stored mail addresses as a transmission destination address of inventory information, a transmission destination registration table which narrows down information transmission targets to those who truly need the information. Can be maintained. Since the refrigerator is provided with a destination registration table for registering a plurality of destination addresses, the inventory information can be delivered to all those who need it at once. Refrigerator information storage means, a remote communication terminal, an e-mail receiving means for receiving an e-mail inventory information inquiry from the communication terminal, and an e-mail transmission means for replying to the inquiry by e-mail by e-mail Created a refrigerator inventory information management system, the inquirer disconnected the communication line once if there was not enough time to return the answer, and later opened a reply mail at a convenient time to obtain inventory information can do. Since the stock information notification mail is automatically transmitted to the remote communication terminal at the set time, the stock information of the owner or user of the communication terminal can be constantly updated. When the inventory information is updated, the inventory information notification mail is automatically transmitted to the remote communication terminal, so that it is possible to surely provide information to a person who needs to know that the inventory information has been updated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a refrigerator and a refrigerator management system.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a control unit.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a first stock information input screen;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a second stock information input screen;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a screen on which an inquiry mail is opened.

FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of a stock information notification mail.

FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram of a received mail.

FIG. 8 shows a destination address registration screen.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a destination registration table creation status;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a refrigerator inventory information management system according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a refrigerator inventory information management system according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a refrigerator inventory information management system according to a third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Refrigerator 2 Control part 3 Operation panel 4 Display part 5 Operation part 6 Storage part 11 Personal computer 12 Mobile telephone 23 Mail transmission part 24 Mail reception part 25 Header decoding part 26 Address holding table 27 Transmission destination registration table 28 Foodstuff stock table

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A refrigerator comprising: inventory information storage means; and e-mail transmission means for transmitting the inventory information stored in the inventory information storage means by e-mail. 2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, further comprising: an e-mail receiving means, a means for decoding header information in the received mail, and a means for storing a mail address of a transmission source in the decoded header information. 3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, further comprising registration means for registering a selected one of the stored mail addresses as a destination address of the stock information. 4. The refrigerator according to claim 3, further comprising a destination registration table for registering a plurality of destination addresses. 5. A refrigerator inventory information storage unit, a remote communication terminal, an electronic mail receiving unit for receiving an inventory information inquiry by an electronic mail from the communication terminal, and a response to the inquiry is transmitted by electronic mail. A refrigerator inventory information management system including an e-mail transmission unit. 6. A refrigerator inventory information management system comprising refrigerator inventory information storage means, a communication terminal at a remote location, and electronic mail transmitting means for automatically transmitting an inventory information notification mail to the communication terminal at a set time. . 7. A refrigerator inventory information management system comprising: a refrigerator inventory information storage unit; a communication terminal located at a remote location; and an e-mail transmitting unit automatically transmitting an inventory information notification mail to the communication terminal when the inventory information is updated. system.