JP2006284111A - Refrigerator with stock detecting function, refrigerator stock detecting method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an article storing refrigerator capable of carrying out easy stock detection without the need for troublesome putting-in/out work. <P>SOLUTION: The refrigerator comprises an information tag 2 attached to the refrigerator, an information tag transmitting/receiving part 4 for transmitting/receiving information to/from the information tag 2, and a stock detecting part 12 for determining in-stock when there is no communication of the information tag transmitting/receiving part 4 with the information tag 2. Thus, stock detection is carried out without pasting the information tag to a food container. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a refrigerator with an inventory detection function for articles such as food in a refrigerator, a refrigerator inventory detection method, and a program.

  Conventionally, as a refrigerator with an inventory detection function, there is one in which it is possible to reliably detect inventory by a simple method by eliminating troublesome entry / exit information input operations at the time of acquisition (see Patent Document 1).

FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of a conventional refrigerator with an inventory detection function described in Patent Document 1. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, when food is put in the refrigerator 101 in the food storage container 102 with the information tag 103, the information tag transmission / reception device 104 attached to the refrigerator 101 communicates with the information tag 103 to automatically Since it is possible to manage the storage of goods in and out, there is no need for trouble, and it is possible to detect food stock in a refrigerator simply and reliably.
JP 2001-317859 A

  However, in the background art, it is necessary to attach an information tag in which food information is written to the food storage container 102 in advance. In addition, canned beverages could not be detected unless they were placed in a food storage container with an information tag.

  This invention solves the said conventional subject, The information tag transmission / reception part which transmits / receives the information with the information tag attached to the refrigerator, and the said information tag arrange | positioned at a refrigerator, The said information tag transmission / reception part, Equipped with an inventory detection function that can detect inventory status without attaching an information tag to a food container by providing an inventory detection unit that determines whether there is inventory when communication with the information tag is interrupted The object is to provide a refrigerator.

  In order to solve the conventional problem, the refrigerator with an inventory detection function of the present invention includes an information tag attached to the refrigerator and an information tag transmission / reception unit that transmits and receives information with the information tag arranged in the refrigerator, An inventory detection unit that determines whether there is an inventory when communication between the information tag transmission / reception unit and the information tag is disconnected is provided.

  The refrigerator with an inventory detection function of the present invention determines that there is an inventory when communication between an information tag attached to the refrigerator and an information tag transmission / reception unit that transmits and receives information between the information tag disposed in the refrigerator is interrupted. By including the inventory detection unit that performs the detection, the inventory status can be detected without attaching an information tag to the food container.

  The first invention includes an information tag attached to a refrigerator, an information tag transmission / reception unit that transmits / receives information to / from the information tag, and stocks when communication between the information tag transmission / reception unit and the information tag is interrupted. It is a refrigerator with an inventory detection function provided with an inventory detection unit for determining, and can detect the inventory status without attaching an information tag to a food container.

  According to a second aspect of the invention, in the refrigerator with an inventory detection function of the first aspect of the invention, the information tag is placed on a tray or a bottom surface in the refrigerator for storing the food in the refrigerator, so that the information tag is placed on the information tag. By placing a food container with a metal lid or metal bottom, it is determined that there is an inventory when communication between the information tag and the information tag transmission / reception unit is interrupted. Even if an information tag is not attached, it is possible to detect the stock status simply by storing the food container on the tray or the bottom surface in the cabinet.

  According to a third aspect of the invention, in particular, in the refrigerator with an inventory detection function of the first or second aspect of the invention, the information tag is placed on the bottom surface of the beverage storage space of the refrigerator door, thereby placing a metal can drink. Thus, when communication between the information tag and the information tag transmission / reception device is interrupted, it is determined that there is a stock, and the user does not have to attach the information tag to the food container. Stock can be detected simply by putting canned drinks in and out of the storage space.

  The fourth aspect of the invention is a refrigerator with an inventory detection function of any one of the first to third aspects of the invention, particularly comprising a door opening / closing detecting part for detecting opening / closing of the door and a notifying part by voice or display, and opens / closes the door. When the stock status information is changed by the stock detection unit, the notification unit notifies the information, and the door opening / closing is always operated by the user's own hand. By informing about the change in the inventory status, it is possible to reliably notify the user who is near the refrigerator.

  The fifth invention is characterized in that, in particular, in the refrigerator with an inventory detection function according to any one of the first to fourth inventions, the communication network unit is provided so that information on inventory status can be notified to an external device. It is possible to check the stock status of the refrigerator from inside or outside the house.

  The sixth invention includes a door opening / closing procedure for performing door opening / closing detection, an information tag transmitting / receiving procedure for transmitting / receiving information between an information tag attached to a refrigerator and the information tag arranged in the refrigerator, and the information tag transmitting / receiving procedure. And an inventory detection procedure for determining whether there is a stock when communication between the information tag and the information tag is interrupted, and an alarm detection method for notifying when there is a change in inventory status information. Since it is always operated by the user's own hand, when the door is opened or closed, the change in the inventory status is notified so that the user can be surely notified to the user near the refrigerator.

  The seventh invention is a program for causing a computer to realize at least a part of the refrigerator with an inventory detection function of any one of the first to fifth inventions. Since it is a program, it is possible to easily realize at least a part of the communication apparatus of the present invention by cooperating hardware resources such as an electric / information device, a computer, and a server. Also, program distribution and installation can be simplified by recording on a recording medium or distributing a program using a communication line.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
1 is a schematic diagram of a refrigerator with an inventory detection function and a system thereof according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an inventory detection function of the refrigerator with an inventory detection function, and FIG. 3 is an inventory of the refrigerator with an inventory detection function. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the inventory detection function of the refrigerator with the inventory detection function.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a refrigerator, and 2 denotes an information tag, which is embedded in a tray for placing food when the food is stored in the refrigerator or in the bottom of the refrigerator. The information tag 2 is also embedded in the refrigerator door 3 where the beverage inside the refrigerator is placed. In the present embodiment, 16 information tags 2 (2a, 2b, 2c,... 2p) are embedded in the refrigerator, and 16 different IDs are assigned in advance so that each information tag can be identified. Yes.

  In this embodiment, an initial ID value is assigned in advance in this embodiment, but there is also a method in which an ID is assigned from the information tag transmitting / receiving apparatus 4 described later.

  Reference numeral 4 denotes an information tag transmission / reception device that transmits / receives information to / from the information tag 2. Although not shown, the information tag transmission / reception device 4 includes an antenna, a transmission / reception unit, and a control unit, and transmits / receives information to / from the information tag 2 by generating electromagnetic waves from the antenna. It is possible.

  Reference numeral 5 denotes a metal metal lid, which is placed on the information tag 2 so that communication between the information tag 2e and the information tag transmission / reception device 4 is interrupted, for example, as shown in FIG.

  Reference numeral 6 denotes a food container whose bottom is made of metal, and when placed on the non-contact tag 2, communication between the information tag 2 and the information tag transmission / reception device 4 is interrupted.

  7 is a metal can beverage. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, when placed on the information tag 2j embedded in the bottom surface of the beverage storage space of the refrigerator door, communication with the information tag transmitting / receiving device 4 is interrupted. Become.

  A buzzer 8 alerts the user by issuing a warning when the door is left open or when the stock status changes when the door is opened or closed.

  Reference numeral 9a denotes a communication network unit, which includes a wireless slave unit. The communication network unit 9a can perform communication using a wireless communication band such as a specific low power wireless or wireless LAN, and may be wired as long as it can communicate with other devices.

  The refrigerator 1 can perform data communication with a home information device 10 (such as an information terminal device or a personal computer) via a network device 9b having a wireless access point function. It is also possible to communicate with devices outside the home via the FTTH line. In addition, as a notification method to the home, there are a broadcast notification to be transmitted to all devices connected to the home network, a method of setting a device to notify in advance and notifying a predetermined device, etc. Either one does not matter.

  In FIG. 2, reference numeral 11 denotes a door opening / closing detection unit that detects opening / closing of the door 3, and uses a switch or the like that is interlocked with opening / closing of the door.

  An inventory detection unit 12 drives the information tag transmission / reception device 4 to check whether communication with the information tag 2 is possible, and detects inventory in the refrigerator.

  An inventory management control unit 13 receives a door opening / closing detection signal from the door opening / closing detection unit 11, issues a command for inventory detection to the inventory detection unit 12, receives inventory status information as an inventory detection result, and 16 The inventory presence / absence state information is managed in correspondence with the information tags 2 (2a, 2b, 2c,... 2p).

  Reference numeral 14 denotes a display unit that displays the stock status. At the same time, the notification unit 15 notifies the display device or the like at a remote location of the stock status. The notification unit 15 can notify the stock status to at least one device other than the refrigerator using the communication network unit 9a.

  Note that the display unit 14 displays, for example, a liquid crystal display on the front surface of the door.

  FIG. 3 is an example of a display image. The locations where the information tags are arranged as the inventory locations 21 are arranged in the left column. The stock name 22 allows a user to freely input the name of a food or beverage corresponding to the stock location 21 using a touch panel, a keyboard, or the like. In the display image of FIG. 3, the stock name 22 has already been input. In stock / not in stock 23 indicates whether there is an inventory state corresponding to the stock location 21. In FIG. 1, the food container 6, the metal lid 5, and the can beverage 7 are placed on the information tags 2 b, 2 e, and 2 j, respectively, so that the stock is displayed.

  Although the present embodiment described above is capable of detecting inventory even if the product does not have an information tag with product information, the information tag with product information written with infrastructure in place. The information tag of a product that can be newly communicated (that is, newly entered in the refrigerator) is stored in the “stock name” of the place where communication is disabled in FIG. 3 above. 3 can be more easily managed by inputting the product information obtained from.

  The operation | movement is demonstrated using the flowchart of FIG. 4 about the refrigerator with an inventory detection function comprised as mentioned above.

  In FIG. 4, it is first detected in S1 whether the door has been opened or closed. If the door is open / closed, the stock detection unit 12 generates an electromagnetic wave from the information tag transmitting / receiving device 4 in S2, and communicates an ID response request to the information tag 2. The information tag 2 with no ID response is determined to be in stock.

  That is, when the metal lid 5, the food container 6, or the can drink 7 is placed on the information tag 2, the electromagnetic wave from the information tag transmission / reception device 4 is blocked by the metal between the information tag 2 and communication is impossible. It becomes a state and an ID response cannot be obtained, and it is determined that there is inventory. The information tag 2 having the ID response is determined to be out of stock. In FIG. 1, the information tags 2b, 2e, and 2j cannot communicate with the information tag transmission / reception device 4 and are determined to be in stock.

  In S3, the inventory status detected in S2 is displayed. If there is a change in the stock status, in S5, the buzzer 8 notifies the user that the stock status has changed.

  Further, in S6, the stock status is notified to an information terminal device, a personal computer, or the like located away from the communication network unit 9a. By providing this notification means, the user can view the stock status from inside or outside the house without using the refrigerator.

  In the present embodiment, the display by the display unit 14 is used for checking the stock status, but a method of announcing the stock status by speech synthesis may be used.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the user can easily detect the stock of food using the metal lid and the information tag.

  In addition, the user can easily detect the stock by simply taking in and out food containers and cans and drinks without being conscious of food and beverage storage.

  In addition, when the door is opened and closed, a notification is given when there is a change in the stock status, so the change in the stock status can be reliably communicated to the user near the refrigerator.

  Moreover, even if it is not a metal cover, even if it uses a metal sheet | seat etc. so that communication of an information tag may be interrupted | blocked, inventory detection can be performed similarly.

  In addition, the buzzer notifies when there is a change in the stock status. However, a method may be used in which the changed stock is displayed on the display unit by blinking or coloring.

  In addition, the home network configuration is configured to communicate with the information device via a network device having an access point function, but the refrigerator and the information device may be configured to communicate directly. .

  Note that the units described in this embodiment cooperate hardware resources such as a CPU (or microcomputer), RAM, ROM, storage / recording device, electrical / information device including I / O, a computer, a server, and the like. You may implement with the form of a program. In the form of a program, new functions can be easily distributed / updated and installed by recording them on a recording medium such as magnetic media or optical media or distributing them via a communication line such as the Internet.

  As described above, the refrigerator with an inventory detection function, the refrigerator inventory detection method, and the program according to the present invention can be used in the same manner as long as they are not a refrigerator but a storage.

Schematic diagram of a refrigerator with an inventory detection function and its system in the first embodiment of the present invention The block diagram of the inventory detection function of the refrigerator with an inventory detection function in the 1st Embodiment of this invention Display image diagram of inventory detection function of refrigerator with inventory detection function in the first embodiment of the present invention The flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the inventory detection function of the refrigerator with an inventory detection function in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. Schematic configuration diagram of a conventional refrigerator with an inventory detection function

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Refrigerator 2a-2p Information tag 3 Door 4 Information tag transmission / reception apparatus (information tag transmission / reception part)
5 Metal lid 6 Food container 7 Can drink 8 Speaker (notification part)
9a Communication Network Unit 10 Information Device 11 Door Open / Close Detection Unit 12 Inventory Detection Unit 13 Inventory Management Control Unit 14 Display Unit 15 Notification Unit

Claims (7)

An information tag attached to a refrigerator, an information tag transmission / reception unit that transmits / receives information to / from the information tag, and an inventory detection unit that determines whether there is inventory when communication between the information tag transmission / reception unit and the information tag is interrupted A refrigerator with inventory detection function. By placing the information tag on a tray for storing food in a refrigerated room or on the bottom surface in the cabinet, by placing a metal lid or a food container having a bottom surface made of metal on the information tag, the information tag and the information tag The refrigerator with an inventory detection function according to claim 1, wherein the presence of inventory is determined when communication with the information tag transmission / reception unit is interrupted. The information tag is placed on the bottom surface of the beverage storage space of the refrigerator door, and by placing a metal can drink, it is determined that there is an inventory when communication between the information tag and the information tag transmitting / receiving device is interrupted. The refrigerator with an inventory detection function according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the refrigerator has an inventory detection function. A door opening / closing detection unit for detecting opening / closing of the door and a notifying unit by voice or display are provided, and when the door is opened / closed, when the stock status information is changed by the inventory detecting unit, the notification unit notifies The refrigerator with a stock detection function according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The refrigerator with an inventory detection function according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a communication network unit, which notifies an external device of inventory status information. A door opening / closing procedure for detecting door opening / closing, an information tag transmission / reception procedure for transmitting / receiving information between an information tag attached to a refrigerator and the information tag arranged in the refrigerator, and the information tag in the information tag transmission / reception procedure. An inventory detection method for a refrigerator, comprising: an inventory detection procedure for determining whether there is inventory when communication is interrupted; and a notification procedure for informing when there is a change in information on inventory status. The program for implement | achieving at least one part of the refrigerator with an inventory detection function of any one of Claims 1-5 with a computer.

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