JP2021177278A - Use information management system, use information management method, program, and server device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a use information management system configured to manage information on use of a commodity while suppressing workload or the load on information management for a user.SOLUTION: A use information management system includes: an RFID tag T attached to a commodity; a detection apparatus 10 having an RFID reader 11 to detect a state of use of a commodity M corresponding to a tag ID on the basis of a read state of the tag ID; and a server device 30 which manages tag information formed by associating a commodity ID of the commodity M, a device ID of the detection apparatus 10, and the quantity of remaining commodities specified by a tag ID, corresponding to each tag ID. The detection apparatus 10 includes a communication module 13 for transmitting a tag ID and a device ID to the server device 30 when the commodity M is in use. The server device 30 acquires a use period of a commodity corresponding to a tag ID on the basis of information on the time when the tag ID is first received and the time when the use of the commodity ends.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a technique for acquiring usage information such as the usage amount of a product of each user.

In recent years, various information has been collected from consumers using a computer network, and services have been provided to individual consumers in an optimal manner. On the other hand, recently, with the development of sensor technology, a technology for detecting the remaining amount of contents according to use has also been developed. Further, a technique for detecting the remaining amount of consumables and supporting the purchase of consumables has also been proposed (see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-200755

The technology described in Patent Document 1 is suitable for a business operator handling consumables and the like, and is easy to use for a business operator handling a large amount of information, but it is desired to take time and effort for information management and work. There is a problem that it is difficult to use for general consumers who do not have it.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a usage information management system capable of managing information related to the use of products while suppressing information management and work load on the user side.

In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention,
RFID tags attached to products and
An RFID reader that reads a tag ID that identifies the RFID tag from the RFID tag, and a detection device that detects that the product corresponding to the tag ID is in use based on the reading state of the tag ID.
For each tag ID, the product ID that identifies the product with the RFID tag on which the tag ID is recorded, the device ID that identifies the detection device, and the remaining amount of the product specified by the tag ID are displayed. It is equipped with a server device that manages the associated tag information.
When the detection device detects that the product is in use and that it has finished using the product, the detection device transmits the tag ID corresponding to the product to the server device together with the device ID. The server device has a transmission means, and the server device is based on information on the time when the tag ID is first received from the detection device and information on the time when the tag ID is received when it is detected that the use has ended. Therefore, a usage information management system having a usage information acquisition means for acquiring usage information including a usage period of a product corresponding to the tag ID is provided.

Further, the usage information management system of the present invention is
The detection device periodically reads the tag ID from each RFID tag, and the tag ID cannot be acquired by the RFID reader for a predetermined time. It is characterized in that it detects that the product corresponding to is in use.

Further, the usage information management system of the present invention is
The server device
Further, the user ID that identifies the user is managed in association with the device ID together with the attribute of the user.
Based on the number of times each of the tag IDs is received from the detection device, the number of times the product corresponding to the tag ID has been used is acquired for each attribute and added for each product ID to analyze the product for each attribute of the user. It is characterized by asking for information.

Further, in the present invention,
A detection device and data that read a tag ID that identifies the RFID tag from the RFID tag attached to the product and detect that the product corresponding to the tag ID is in use based on the reading state of the tag ID. It is a server device that communicates with
For each tag ID, the product ID that identifies the product with the RFID tag on which the tag ID is recorded, the device ID that identifies the detection device, and the remaining amount of the product specified by the tag ID are displayed. The associated tag information is managed, and each tag ID is said to be based on the time information when it is first received from the detection device and the time information when it is received when it is detected that the use has ended. Provided is a server device having a usage information acquisition means for acquiring usage information including a usage period of a product corresponding to a tag ID.

Further, in the present invention,
A detection device and data that read a tag ID that identifies the RFID tag from the RFID tag attached to the product and detect that the product corresponding to the tag ID is in use based on the reading state of the tag ID. A program that makes a computer function as a server device that communicates with
For each tag ID, the product ID that identifies the product with the RFID tag on which the tag ID is recorded, the device ID that identifies the detection device, and the remaining amount of the product specified by the tag ID are displayed. The associated tag information is managed, and each tag ID is said to be based on the time information when it is first received from the detection device and the time information when it is received when it is detected that the use has ended. Provided is a program for operating a computer as a server device having a usage information acquisition means for acquiring usage information including a usage period of a product corresponding to a tag ID.

Further, in the present invention,
RFID tags attached to products and
An RFID reader that reads a tag ID that identifies the RFID tag from the RFID tag, and a detection device that detects that the product corresponding to the tag ID is in use based on the reading state of the tag ID.
For each tag ID, the product ID that identifies the product with the RFID tag on which the tag ID is recorded, the device ID that identifies the detection device, and the remaining amount of the product specified by the tag ID are displayed. It is a method of managing product usage information using a server device that manages associated tag information.
When the detection device detects that the product is in use, the step of transmitting the tag ID corresponding to the product to the server device together with the device ID.
Based on the time information when the server device first receives each tag ID from the detection device and the time information when the server device detects that the tag ID has been used, the tag ID is assigned to the tag ID. Provided is a usage information management method having a step of acquiring usage information including a usage period of a corresponding product.

According to the present invention, it is possible to manage information related to the use of products while suppressing information management and work load on the user side.

It is a figure which shows the usage information management system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a hardware block diagram of the smartphone which is a user terminal 20. It is a hardware block diagram of the server apparatus 30. It is a figure which shows an example of the product information stored in the server apparatus 30. It is a flowchart which shows the processing operation of the usage information management system. It is a figure which shows an example of the user information stored in the server apparatus 30. It is a figure which shows an example of the tag information stored in the server apparatus 30. It is a figure which shows an example of the usage information stored in the server apparatus 30. It is a figure which shows an example of the analysis information obtained by using the acquired usage information.

<1. System configuration>
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a usage information management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 10 is a detection device, 20 is a user terminal, 30 is a server device, 40 is a relay device, and 50 is a network. The user terminal 20, the server device 30, and the relay device 40 are connected to a public network 50 such as the Internet, and data can be transmitted and received to and from each other. The usage information management system according to the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is a system for managing usage information when a user uses a product.

The detection device 10 is a device that detects that the product M is in use, and includes an RFID reader 11, a processing module 12, and a communication module 13. The RFID reader 11 is a record information acquisition means for reading the record information of the RFID tag T attached to the packaging material P that wraps the product M by wireless communication. The detection device 10 usually includes one RFID reader 11. The processing module 12 is an arithmetic processing means that is electrically connected to the RFID reader 11 and the communication module 13 to perform predetermined arithmetic processing and to control the RFID reader 11 and the communication module 13. The processing module 12 also acquires a tag ID, which is the recorded information of the RFID tag T read by the RFID reader 11, and also performs a process of determining whether or not the product with the tag ID is in use. If it is determined that it is in use, it means that it is in use. When the processing module 12 detects the usage state, the communication module 13 is a transmission means for transmitting the tag ID for which the usage state is detected to the server device 30 via the relay device 40.

The processing module 12 instructs the RFID reader 11 to periodically read the recorded information of the RFID tag T, and acquires the tag ID which is the recorded information read by the RFID reader 11. The time interval for reading can be arbitrarily set, but can be set to, for example, 5 seconds. If the same tag ID cannot be obtained from the RFID reader 11 for a predetermined time, the processing module 12 determines that the product corresponding to the tag ID is in use. Specifically, the first elapsed time D1 is set as a predetermined time, and when the first elapsed time D1 or more cannot be read, it is determined that the corresponding product is in use. The first elapsed time D1 for determining that the product is in use can be arbitrarily set, but can be, for example, 60 seconds. When it is determined that the tag ID is in use, the processing module 12 instructs the communication module 13 to transmit the tag ID, and the communication module 13 transmits the tag ID to the server device 30 via the relay device 40.

The RFID reader 11 can read recorded information from a plurality of RFID tags T located within a readable distance at the same time. Therefore, the processing module 12 determines that only the tag ID of the RFID tag T, which has not been read for 60 seconds, is in use. Further, the processing module 12 includes a storage element, and stores a device ID which is identification information for identifying the detection device 10 in the storage element.

The communication module 13 transmits the tag ID, which is the recorded information of the RFID tag read by the RFID reader 11, to the relay device 40. At this time, the device ID that identifies the detection device 10 is also transmitted together with the tag ID. If the tag ID of the RFID reader 11 cannot be read for a predetermined period of time, it is determined that the product M specified by the tag ID is in use. When it is determined that the product is in use, information indicating that the product corresponding to the tag ID is in use is transmitted to the communication module 13 together with the device ID that identifies the RFID reader 11 itself, and the communication module 13 sends the information to the communication module 13. , The signal is transmitted to the outside by a predetermined communication method.

The user terminal 20 transmits information about a user (user) to the server device 30 by communicating with the server device 30 via the network 50, and is a terminal for performing various processes in cooperation with the server device 30. It is a device. As the user terminal 20, various information processing devices capable of input / output and calculation of information can be used, but in the present embodiment, the smartphone, which is a multifunctional mobile phone, is referred to as an "app". It is realized by incorporating a dedicated program called. A smartphone is a multifunctional mobile phone, but it also has a function as a computer that can be controlled by operating a screen with a touch panel. The user terminal 20 is not limited to a smartphone, and a device having a data processing function and a network communication function, such as a general computer or tablet, can be used.

The server device 30 is a server computer for managing information about a user, a product with an RFID tag, and the like by communicating with the user terminal 20 and the relay device 40 via the network 50. The server device 30 is realized by executing a dedicated program in the hardware described later. In particular, in the present embodiment, the server device 30 is an information management means 31 that manages various information such as tag information, product information, usage information, and analysis information, and when each tag ID is first received from the detection device 10. Usage information acquisition means 32, information management that acquires usage information including the usage period of the product corresponding to the tag ID based on the time information and the time information when it is received when it is detected that the usage has ended. It functions as a server device having information notification means 33, which notifies the corresponding user terminal 20 when the information managed by the means 31 satisfies a predetermined condition.

FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of a smartphone which is a user terminal 20. As shown in FIG. 2, the user terminal (smartphone) 20 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 20a, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 20b which is a main memory, and a hard disk for storing programs and data executed by the CPU 20a. , A large-capacity storage device 20c such as a flash memory, an instruction input unit 20d such as a keyboard or a touch panel, a data input / output I / F (interface) 20e for data communication with an external device such as a data storage medium, and a liquid crystal display. A display unit 20f that is a display device such as a display or an organic EL display, and a network communication unit 20g that is provided with an RF circuit (high frequency circuit) and wirelessly communicates with another computer via a mobile phone network and a network. , A camera 20h having an imaging element such as CCD or CMOS, and a short-range wireless communication unit 20i for wirelessly communicating directly with other short-range devices, which are connected to each other via a bus. ing. In reality, the smartphone has a microphone, a speaker, and the like in addition to those shown in FIG. 2, but they are omitted because they are irrelevant to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of the server device 30. The server device 30 is realized by incorporating a dedicated program into a general-purpose computer. Usually, it is managed by a company that is the same as or cooperates with a company that provides products with RFID tags, or a company that is entrusted by such a company. As shown in FIG. 3, a large capacity of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 30a, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 30b which is a main memory, a hard disk for storing programs and data executed by the CPU 30a, a flash memory, and the like. A storage device 30c, an instruction input unit 30d such as a keyboard, a data input / output I / F (interface) 30e for data communication with an external device such as a data storage medium, and a display unit 30f which is a display device such as a liquid crystal display. And, a network communication unit 30g for performing network communication with another computer via the network is provided, and they are connected to each other via a bus. The server device 30 often does not have a display unit 30f.

Various data used in this embodiment are stored in the storage device 30c. Further, the storage device 30c also stores a program that is read into the RAM 30b and executed by the CPU 30a to function as the server device 30.

The information management means 31 shown in FIG. 1 is realized by the CPU 30a executing a program stored in the storage device 30c and processing the data stored in the storage device 30c. The usage information acquisition means 32 is realized by the CPU 30a executing the program stored in the storage device 30c and cooperating with the network communication unit 30g. The information notification means 33 is realized by the CPU 30a executing the program stored in the storage device 30c and cooperating with the network communication unit 30g. In the example of FIG. 1, the server device 30 is shown in a single form, but the server device 30 does not mean one computer, but is realized by a plurality of computers distributed on the network 50. It also includes cloud-type server equipment.

The relay device 40 is a device that accesses the network 50 and relays data between the detection device 10 and the server device 30. As the relay device 40, any device that can perform short-range wireless communication with the communication module 13 of the detection device 10 and can communicate with the server device 30 via the Internet can be used. For example, a smartphone, which is a multifunctional mobile phone, an IoT gateway specialized for data relay, and the like can be used. The IoT gateway is a communication device capable of performing both short-range wireless communication and network communication. For example, Bluetooth (registered trademark) can be used as a method of short-range wireless communication.

In this embodiment, it is assumed that each product M is consumed by use. Therefore, each product M is wrapped in the packaging material P. An RFID tag T is attached to the packaging material P that wraps the product M. Therefore, in reality, the RFID tag T is attached to the packaging material P that wraps the product M, but in the present specification, for convenience, "the RFID tag T attached to the product M" and "the product with the RFID tag T attached". Sometimes expressed as "M". In the present embodiment, as an example, the product M is a food product or the like, and it is assumed that the product M is taken in and out of the refrigerator as a storage place, and it is determined whether or not the product is in a used state. Therefore, the RFID reader 11 is installed at a position where the entire area in the refrigerator can be read. By installing the RFID reader 11 in this way, the tag ID that identifies the product M existing in the refrigerator is acquired by the processing module 12, and the product M for which the tag ID cannot be acquired for a predetermined period is obtained from the refrigerator. It can be considered to be in a distant position, that is, in a state of use.

The specifications of the RFID reader 11 and the RFID tag T are not particularly limited, but since it is sufficient that a plurality of tag IDs in the refrigerator can be read at the same time, those having a reading distance of 1 m or more may be adopted. For example, a radio frequency RFID tag having a frequency of 860 Mhz to 900 MHz in the UHF band can be adopted. A radio frequency RFID tag having a frequency of 860 Mhz to 900 MHz has a long communication distance and is suitable for simultaneous reading. However, since products stored in the refrigerator are likely to be used in the kitchen, it is necessary to adjust the communication distance so that the kitchen does not fall within the readable range.

The method of attaching the RFID tag T to the packaging material P of the product M is not particularly limited. For example, the RFID tag T itself may be embedded in the packaging material P, or the RFID tag may be a label fixing type and may be attached to the packaging material P by using the adhesive layer of the label.

The server device 30 stores product information related to products to be managed by the tag ID. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of product information stored in the server device 30. As shown in FIG. 4, the server device 30 stores a product name, a product type, an internal capacity, and a standard usage amount / time in association with a product ID which is identification information for identifying a product. The product name is the name of the product and is usually the product name. The product type is a type in which the specific contents of the product can be generally classified. The content is the amount of the contents of one product, and is managed by the number, weight (grams), and the like. The standard usage amount / time of the product is the standard usage amount per time and may be fixed, but as will be described later, it can be updated by using the usage information acquired from the user. The product information shown in FIG. 4 is an example, and various information other than this can be stored.

<2. Processing operation>
Next, the processing operation of the usage information management system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5 together with the usage information management method according to the embodiment of the present invention.

The usage information management method is a method of managing usage information. First, as a preliminary preparation, it is necessary for the user (general consumer) to prepare a refrigerator in which the detection device 10 is installed. As the refrigerator, a refrigerator with a detection device 10 manufactured by a refrigerator manufacturer may be purchased, or the user may install the detection device 10 in a refrigerator at home. A device ID that identifies the RFID reader 11 included in the detection device 10 is recorded, and the device ID is written on the outer surface of the detection device 10. The user performs a work of associating the detection device 10 of the refrigerator at home with the user himself / herself. This work may be performed in any mode, but in the present embodiment, it is performed using the user terminal 20 (smartphone) possessed by the user.

The user terminal 20 (smartphone) possessed by the user incorporates a dedicated application program for causing the smartphone to function as the user terminal 20. In order to incorporate a dedicated application program into a smartphone, a predetermined server (not shown, the server device 30 may also be used) is accessed via a network, and the dedicated application program is dedicated as a so-called "application" for a usage information management system. Download the application program (hereinafter referred to as "app"). By activating this application on the smartphone, the smartphone functions as the user terminal 20 of the usage information management system and executes various processes in cooperation with the server device 30. It is also possible to configure the server device 30 to take the initiative in processing by using the Web browser incorporated in the user terminal 20 without downloading the application.

<2.1. Registration of user information (step S10)>
After the above preparations are made, the user first registers the user information (step S10). Registration of user information is performed by cooperation between the user terminal 20 and the server device 30. When the user starts the application, the user terminal 20 displays a predetermined screen on the display unit 20f by the function of the application. The user inputs predetermined information and gives a predetermined instruction by using the screen provided by this application. By the function of the application, the screen of the user terminal 20 realized by the smartphone is displayed in various modes, and the user can input and instruct in various modes. Since the specific modes of input and instruction can be appropriately designed according to the design specifications of the application, detailed description thereof will be omitted. When the user inputs predetermined information and gives a predetermined instruction, the user terminal 20 transmits the input information to the server device 30. Then, in the server device 30, the information management means 31 registers the information received from the user terminal 20.

Specifically, user registration is performed by inputting user attributes such as name, age, and gender as user information on the screen displayed on the display unit 20f of the user terminal 20. At this time, the user confirms the device ID for identifying the RFID reader 11 written on the detection device 10 attached to the refrigerator, and inputs the device ID together with the user information of the user. The input user information and device ID are transmitted from the user terminal 20 to the server device 30, and in the server device 30, the information management means 31 issues a user ID to the user information received from the user terminal 20, and the storage device 30c. Register with. Then, the information management means 31 notifies the user by transmitting the issued user ID to the user terminal 20. The user ID is user identification information that is different for each individual user.

The device ID can also be registered by using code information such as a two-dimensional code. For example, a two-dimensional code recording the device ID is printed on the surface of the detection device 10. Then, the user switches to the camera mode according to the instruction on the screen displayed on the display unit 20f, and photographs the two-dimensional code formed on the surface of the detection device 10. As the two-dimensional code, for example, a QR code (registered trademark) can be used. The user terminal 20 acquires the device ID recorded in the two-dimensional code by shooting. Then, the user inputs his / her own user information and gives a predetermined instruction. Then, the user terminal 20 transmits the device ID and the user information to the server device 30. By forming the two-dimensional code recording the device ID on the surface of the detection device 10 in this way, the user can easily register the device ID of the detection device 10 attached to the refrigerator at home. It becomes.

As a result, the user information as shown in FIG. 6 is stored in the storage device 30c of the server device 30. In the example of FIG. 6, the device ID "R00001" is associated with the user ID "U00001", and the device ID "R00002" is associated with the user ID "U00002".

<2.2 Creation of tag information (step S20)>
The server device 30 creates tag information (step S20). The server device 30 manages the information of each RFID tag T. Specifically, the tag information as shown in FIG. 7 is stored in the storage device 30c of the server device 30 for each RFID tag T. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an initial state of tag information. A tag ID unique to each RFID tag T is stored in each RFID tag T, and the tag ID is transmitted in response to a reading request from the RFID reader 11. Each RFID tag T is attached to the packaging material P that wraps the product M by a predetermined method, and the relationship between the RFID tag T and the product to which the RFID tag T is attached is as tag information as shown in FIG. Be managed.

As shown in FIG. 7, the tag ID unique to each RFID tag T is associated with the product ID of the product M to be attached. The product ID is identification information for identifying the product. As can be seen by comparing the first line and the second line of FIG. 7, even if the same product ID "M0001" is used, different tag IDs "T00001" and "T00002" correspond to each other if the individual is different. In this way, each individual can be managed by the RFID tag T. As the product ID, other identification information already used, such as a JAN code that is also used as record information of the product barcode, may be used. Further, the tag information stores the product name and product type corresponding to each product ID.

In addition, the remaining amount of the product is stored in association with each tag ID. In the initial state, the content in a new state is recorded as the remaining amount. In the examples of FIGS. 4 and 7, the product M of the product ID "M0001" specified by the product "○○ cheese (large)" has a content of 20 pieces, so that the tag IDs "T00001" and "T00002" are used. The corresponding remaining amount is recorded as "20 pieces". Similarly, the product M of the product ID "M0002" specified by the product "○○ cheese (small)" has a content of 10 pieces, so that the remaining amount corresponding to the tag IDs "T10001" and "T10002" is Both are recorded as "10".

In addition, each tag ID is stored in association with product expiration date information. As the expiration date information, the expiration date, the expiration date, and the like can be used. The deadline information may be managed on a daily basis or on a monthly basis. The deadline information differs depending on the date and month when each product is manufactured, even if the product ID is the same.

Further, a user ID and a device ID are stored in association with each tag ID. As described above, the user ID is the identification information for identifying the user, and the device ID is the identification information for identifying the detection device 10 and the RFID reader 11. As described above, the user ID and the device ID are registered based on the work of the user using the user terminal 20, but in the initial state before the product is shipped, the user ID and the device ID are stored in the tag information. It has not been. This is because it has not been decided which user the product M to be shipped will reach.

The number of times of use is the number of times of use of the product corresponding to each tag ID. The number of times of use is added each time the tag ID is received from the detection device 10. The end status is status information indicating whether or not the product corresponding to each tag ID has been used. In the present embodiment, it is expressed as "finished" indicating that the use has ended, or "not finished" indicating that the use has not ended (not finished).

As shown in FIG. 7, in the initial state, the remaining amount of the tag information corresponding to each tag ID is the content at the time of new product, and the user ID and the device ID are not registered (blank in FIG. 7). Yes, the number of uses is 0, and the exit status is "not (not finished)". In the present embodiment, the registration of user information (step S10) and the creation of tag information (step S20) are described in this order, but the tag information is created for each RFID tag attached to the product to be manufactured at any time. Therefore, depending on the product, there is a product before the registration of user information. As the tag information, various information other than that shown in FIG. 7 can be stored. For example, it is possible to record information on the store to which the product is shipped (store name, etc.) and information on whether or not the goods have actually been received or delivered.

<2.3. Association of tag ID and device ID (step S30)>
Next, the server device 30 associates the tag ID with the device ID (step S30). The product M with the RFID tag T is shipped from the manufacturer and delivered to the user who purchased the product through a store or the like. In the present embodiment, since the product M is a product for refrigeration, the user puts the purchased product M in the refrigerator at home.

In this state, when the user puts the article in the refrigerator, the RFID tag T attached to the article is located within the readable range of the RFID reader 11. Then, the RFID reader 11 acquires the tag ID, which is the recorded information, from the RFID tag T attached to the article. As described above, the processing module 12 includes a storage element and stores the tag ID once acquired. Therefore, every time the tag ID is read, the storage element is referred to to confirm whether or not the same tag ID exists, and whether or not the acquired tag ID is acquired for the first time. Then, when the acquired tag ID is the one acquired for the first time, the communication module 13 associates the acquired tag ID with its own device ID and transmits the acquired tag ID to the server device 30.

When the server device 30 receives the tag ID and its own device ID in association with each other from the detection device 10, the tag information is referred to by the tag ID. As a result of the reference, when the device ID corresponding to the tag ID is not registered, the received device ID is registered in association with the tag ID.

<2.4. Transmission of tag ID when in use (step S40)>
Once the product is placed in the refrigerator, the user will take out the product M each time it is used. When the user takes out the product M from the refrigerator, the product M is separated from the readable distance of the RFID reader 11. Then, the RFID reader 11 cannot read the tag ID from the RFID tag T attached to the product M taken out. When the unreadable time exceeds a predetermined time (for example, 60 seconds), the processing module 12 transmits the unreadable tag ID together with its own device ID from the communication module 13 to the server device 30 (step S40).

<2.5. Update the number of times the product has been used (step S50)>
Next, the number of times the product is used is updated (step S50). The communication module 13 transmits the acquired recorded information to the relay device 40. The relay device 40 transmits the tag ID to the server device 30. The server device 30 refers to the tag information with the received tag ID, adds the number of times the tag ID is used by 1, and updates the number of times of use. Further, the remaining amount of the product specified by the tag ID is calculated and recorded. Specifically, when the server device 30 acquires the tag ID from the detection device 10, the server device 30 refers to the tag information (FIG. 7) with the acquired tag ID and acquires the corresponding product ID. Subsequently, the product information (FIG. 4) is referred to with the acquired product ID, and the standard usage amount / time corresponding to the product ID is acquired. Then, the acquired standard usage amount / time is subtracted from the remaining amount recorded in the tag information to calculate a new remaining amount, and the remaining amount of the tag information is updated with the new remaining amount.

For example, in the example of FIG. 7, when the tag ID “T00001” is acquired from the detection device 10, the standard usage amount / time “1 piece” is acquired by referring to the product information shown in FIG. 4 in the product M0001. Then, the "1 piece" is subtracted from the remaining amount "20 pieces" in the tag information shown in FIG. 7 to update to "19 pieces". In this way, the server device 30 subtracts the standard usage amount / time from the remaining amount each time the tag ID is received from the detection device 10. Further, each time the tag ID is received from the detection device 10, the number of times of use is also added once.

If the tag ID is further received after the remaining amount becomes 0, the remaining amount cannot be subtracted any more, so the remaining amount of the tag information is left as 0. However, the number of uses is added once. This is because the remaining amount recorded in the tag information is an estimated value when the standard usage amount / time is set to a predetermined value, and does not necessarily match the actual remaining amount. For example, in the present embodiment, the remaining amount of the product M having the product ID "M0001" is calculated assuming that two products are used at one time, but in reality, one product M is used at one time. This is because there are cases where it is not constant, such as when three are used, and there are various modes of use, such as when three or more are used each time.

The one-time usage fee differs for each user, and it cannot be said that the goods are actually used up. The remaining amount of the article calculated by the server device 30 is based on the estimated value obtained based on the average value of the usage information as the usage amount. However, although it is not possible to grasp the exact quantity, an estimated value can be obtained, so as will be described later, the remaining amount of the product corresponding to a certain tag ID is below a predetermined threshold value set in advance. In that case, the server device 30 can notify the user terminal 20 that the remaining amount of the product is low.

<2.6. Acquisition of usage information (step S60)>
Next, the server device 30 acquires usage information (step S60). Specifically, first, the detection device 10 determines that the use of the corresponding product has ended when a certain tag ID cannot be read for a predetermined time or longer. Specifically, the second elapsed time D2 is set as a predetermined time, and when the second elapsed time D2 or more cannot be read, it is determined that the use of the corresponding product has ended. That is, the detection device 10 detects that the product has been used. "Ended use" means that the product has been used up. For example, if the product has a content of 10, it means that 10 products have been used. The second elapsed time D2 can be arbitrarily set as long as it is longer than the first elapsed time D1. For example, 24 hours can be set as the second elapsed time D2. This is because if the product does not return to the refrigerator after 24 hours, it can be considered that the product has been used.

When it is determined that the use of the corresponding product has ended for a certain tag ID, the detection device 10 transmits the tag ID together with the information indicating that the use has ended. When the server device 30 receives the tag ID and the information indicating the end of use from the detection device 10, the server device 30 receives the tag ID with information on the time when it was first received and when it detects that the use has ended. Based on the time information at that time, the usage period of the product corresponding to the tag ID is calculated. Specifically, the start time of use is obtained from the information of the time when it is first received, and the end time of use is obtained from the information of the time when it is received when it is detected that the use has ended. The elapsed period from to the end of use is calculated as the period of use.

As the time information at the time of the first reception, information close to the time of the first reception can be used instead of the exact reception. For example, it may be information such as a date and time acquired from the internal clock of the server device 30, or it may be date and time information transmitted by the detection device 10 together with the tag ID. Further, as the information of the time when the time is received when it is detected that the use is finished, it is possible to use the information close to the time when the first reception is performed, not the exact reception time. In this case as well, it may be information such as the date and time acquired from the internal clock of the server device 30, or information such as the date and time transmitted by the detection device 10 together with the tag ID. Further, the server device 30 refers to the tag information by the received tag ID, adds 1 to the corresponding number of uses, and determines the number of uses after the addition. In this way, the tag ID is received from the RFID reader installed in the refrigerator of each household, the final number of times of use for each tag ID is recorded, and the tag ID is accumulated as product usage information. In addition, change the exit status to "Exit".

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the accumulated and acquired usage information. As shown in FIG. 8, the final usage period and usage count are recorded as usage information corresponding to each tag ID. The usage information may include various information other than the period of use and the number of times of use. Further, only the usage period may be calculated. In the present embodiment, analysis information is obtained using the acquired usage information. Specifically, in the present embodiment, for each product ID, the average value of the final number of times of use is calculated as the standard number of times of use. As a result, it is possible to obtain the standard number of times of use of the product, which is how many times the product is used. The standard number of times of use may be rounded off to an integer value, or may be used as a real value. Further, by referring to the product information by the product ID, acquiring the content of the product, and dividing by the standard number of times of use, the standard amount of use / time, which is the standard amount of use per time, is calculated. In this way, various analytical information can be obtained using the accumulated usage information.

The obtained analysis information can also be recorded as a part of the product information. In this embodiment, the standard usage amount / time calculated as the analysis information is added to the product information. Since the standard usage amount / time added to the product information is used for calculating the remaining amount, in the present embodiment, the value after the decimal point is rounded off to obtain an integer value. However, since the calculated remaining amount is an estimated value, it does not necessarily have to be an integer value and may be a real value.

Further, as the analysis information, it is possible to associate the user's attributes such as age and gender with the number of times of use. In this case, the server device 30 first refers to the usage information shown in FIG. 8 and acquires the corresponding tag ID for the specified product ID. Then, the user ID is acquired by referring to the tag information shown in FIG. 7 for each acquired tag ID. Then, the age and gender of the user are acquired by referring to the user information shown in FIG. 6 for each acquired user ID. In this way, information on the ages and genders of a plurality of people can be obtained for a specific product ID. Next, the tag ID corresponding to the user ID corresponding to a specific age and gender was acquired, and the average value of the number of times of use was calculated from the usage information shown in FIG. 8 to associate with the attributes such as age and gender. Information on the number of times of use is obtained as analysis information. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of analysis information obtained by using the acquired usage information. In FIG. 9, the relationship between the attribute of a product with a certain product ID and the number of times of use is shown as analysis information, and the age and gender are used as the attributes. From such analysis information, it can be understood how the number of times of use of a certain product differs depending on the age or gender. As a result, when targeting a certain age or gender, it is possible to formulate a sales strategy such as the capacity of the product and the shape of the packaging container.

In addition, as analysis information, it is also possible to obtain the usage period for each product. In this case, the server device 30 first refers to the usage information shown in FIG. 8, acquires all the usage periods of the corresponding tag IDs for the specified product IDs, and calculates the average value thereof. As a result, information on the usage period for each product can be obtained as analysis information. It is also possible to calculate the usage period for each product for each attribute such as age and gender.

In addition, repeat information for each product can be obtained as analysis information. In this case, the server device 30 first refers to the usage information shown in FIG. 8 and acquires the corresponding tag ID for the specified product ID. Then, the user ID is acquired by referring to the tag information shown in FIG. 7 for each acquired tag ID. By obtaining the tag ID corresponding to the same user ID for the specified product ID, repeat information indicating how many specific products the specific user has purchased can be obtained as analysis information. The repeat information is information on how many times a user purchases a product. Repeat information can also be calculated for each attribute such as age and gender.

<2.7. Notification to user (step S70)>
The server device 30 notifies the user of various information regarding the calculated remaining amount (step S70). For example, it is possible to notify the remaining amount of the product according to the user's request. In this case, the user starts a dedicated program on the user terminal 20 and operates according to the display contents of the screen to instruct that he / she wants to acquire the information of the product in his / her refrigerator. Then, according to the operation of the user, the user terminal 20 transmits the acquisition request of the user ID and the product information to the server device 30.

When the server device 30 receives the user ID and product information acquisition request from the user terminal 20, the information notification means 33 refers to the tag information with the received user ID and obtains the corresponding tag ID, product name, and remaining amount. It is acquired and transmitted to the user terminal 20 as a response to the acquisition request. When the tag ID, the product name, and the remaining amount are acquired from the server device 30 as a response to the acquisition request, the user terminal 20 displays a list of the product name and the remaining amount in pairs. As a result, the user can collectively know the remaining amount of the products in the refrigerator at home.

Further, the information notification means 33 of the server device 30 can give a predetermined notification when a predetermined condition is satisfied with respect to the remaining amount of the product. Specifically, when the remaining amount becomes less than the threshold value as compared with the preset threshold value, the registered user address is notified that the remaining amount is low. The registered user address may be any address as long as the information can reach the user. As described above, when the application installed on the user terminal 20 is used, the address may be any address from which the information from the server device 30 can be acquired by the application. For example, an address for push notification of the application can also be used. In the case of this service, the information notification means 33 associates the tag ID, the product name, and the remaining amount with each other and transmits the information to the registered user address. If the user installs the app on the smartphone and sets the smartphone to notify the incoming information, the user can know on the spot that the remaining amount of products in the refrigerator is low on the smartphone that he / she owns. Can be done. Then, it recognizes that the expiration date (or expiration date) is approaching.

Since the product name is also recorded in the product information, for example, "○○ cheese (large) is running out" will be notified, and the user will have less 〇〇 cheese (large) in the refrigerator. You can know what you are doing. Such a notification service is convenient in that a user who mainly manages household foods can grasp information on a product whose remaining amount has been reduced without knowing it by being used by another person in the family.

Similarly, the information notification means 33 of the server device 30 can give a predetermined notification when a predetermined condition is satisfied for the expiration date information of the product. Specifically, a predetermined period (for example, day or month) is set. Then, using the date information of the day managed by the server device 30, when the deadline information is within a predetermined period, the registered user address is notified that the deadline is approaching. Specifically, the information notification means 33 associates the tag ID, the product name, and the expiration date information, and transmits the tag ID, the product name, and the expiration date information to the registered user address. Then, the user terminal 20 acquires the tag ID, the product name, and the expiration date information from the server device 30, and displays the acquired product name and the expiration date information as a pair. As a result, the user can know the product whose expiration date (or expiration date) is approaching from among a large number of products in the refrigerator.

Further, the server device 30 can provide services such as a remaining amount confirmation service, an automatic ordering service, a marketing service, and a recipe proposal service. The remaining amount confirmation service is a service that notifies the remaining amount based on a request from the user terminal even if the remaining amount is not less than the threshold value.

The automatic ordering service is a service that accesses a server that performs a purchase procedure for the contents and places an order when the remaining amount becomes less than the threshold value. In this case, if the address is registered in advance, the user can deliver the low-remaining product to his / her home without performing any procedure.

The marketing service acquires information such as usage amount for each product (same product) by dividing it into various indicators such as age and gender, and collects trend data for each indicator by vendors such as product manufacturers and sellers. It is a service to send to the address. In addition, as an extension of this marketing service, we will conduct questionnaires on services and products to users through user terminals, and carry out incentive programs (campaigns such as presenting refillable items according to usage). Is possible.

The recipe proposal service is a service that proposes a recipe using the food remaining in the refrigerator. When providing the recipe proposal service, the server device 30 separately includes a recipe proposal means for managing recipe information. Specifically, the recipe information is stored in the storage device 30c so that it can be used as a recipe database, and a program that realizes the recipe proposal means is stored. Recipe information is information that records specific cooking items and the types and amounts of ingredients used. For example, for each cooking item, the nutritional component display, allergy information, etc. for each ingredient can be stored. In this case, also in the product information, the nutritional component display, allergy information, etc. are stored in association with each product ID. This makes it possible to propose recipes that take into account nutrition labeling and allergy information.

When providing the recipe proposal service, in the server device 30, the recipe proposal means refers to the tag information for a certain user ID, the end status is not "finished", and the deadline indicated by the deadline information has not been reached. Product information is extracted for all tag IDs. At this time, the extracted product information having the same product ID is added up to calculate the remaining amount. As a result, the recipe proposing means can obtain, for a certain user, the number of each product (gram number) in the refrigerator that has not reached the expiration date or the like as the remaining amount of the product for each user.

Then, the recipe proposing means searches the recipe database based on the remaining amount of products for each user, and extracts cookable recipes using the combination of the remaining amount of each product in the remaining amount of products for each user. When a plurality of recipes are extracted, various rankings such as popularity, near deadline, and the like can be added. The recipe proposing means transmits the extracted recipe to the user terminal 20 of the user ID. As a result, the user can know the recipe using the product within the deadline in the refrigerator at home.

Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, in the above embodiment, the user terminal 20 and the relay device 40 are realized by separate hardware by using the smartphone as the user terminal 20 and the IoT gateway as the relay device 40, but the user terminal 20 and the relay device 40 are used. It may be realized by hardware that fits in one housing. For example, the smartphone may be provided with the functions of both the user terminal 20 and the relay device 40 by incorporating a dedicated program. In this case, the tag ID and the device ID are received by using the short-range wireless communication unit 20i of the smartphone shown in FIG. 2, and the network communication unit 20g transmits the tag ID and the device ID to the server device 30. The smartphone serves as a relay device 40.

Further, in the above embodiment, the information regarding the user and the RFID tag is stored and managed in the manners shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 to 8, but the necessary information is stored based on the correspondence relationship defined by these. As long as it is configured so that it can be obtained, it is not limited to the mode shown in FIGS. 4, 6 to 8.

Further, in the above embodiment, one server device 30 via a network with the user terminal 20 and the relay device 40 includes an information management means 31, a usage information acquisition means 32, and an information notification means 33, and is the center of the usage information management system. The server device 30 may be physically composed of one computer or a plurality of computers. Further, it may be configured as a so-called cloud type in which a large number of computers cooperate to perform processing on the network.

Further, in the above embodiment, the product is used as food for refrigeration, and a refrigerator is used as an example of the storage place. However, when the food is not for refrigeration, a food shelf, a pantry, a washing machine, a tongue, or the like is used as a storage place. Can be done. In addition, when the product is other than food, various places can be used as storage places as long as the product can be stored, such as a chest of drawers.

Further, the information is not limited to the information described in the above embodiment, and various information can be recorded in the server device. Computers of various vendors in the distribution process can be connected to the server device, and the information input from them can be centrally managed by the server device. For example, in addition to the above product information, tag information, etc., the product image, product size, manufacturing date, manufacturing location, manufacturing conditions, inspection data, distribution conditions, shipping date, etc. can be input from the manufacturer's computer. You can enter pickup date, delivery data, warehouse location, shipping data, etc. from the vendor's computer, and store name, location, arrival data, price, purchaser information, payment information, purchase from the retailer's computer. You can enter the date and time.

10 ... Detection device 11 ... RFID reader 12 ... Processing module 13 ... Communication module (transmission means)
20a, 30a ... CPU
20b, 30b ... RAM
20c, 30c ... Storage device 20d, 30d ... Instruction input unit 20e, 30e ... Data input / output I / F
20f, 30f ... Display unit 20g, 30g ... Network communication unit 20h ... Camera 20i ... Short-range wireless communication unit 20 ... User terminal 30 ... Server device 31 ... Information management means 32 ... Usage information acquisition means 33 ... Information notification means 40 ... Relay device 50 ... Network M ... Product P ... Packaging material T ... RFID tag

Claims (6)

RFID tags attached to products and
An RFID reader that reads a tag ID that identifies the RFID tag from the RFID tag, and a detection device that detects that the product corresponding to the tag ID is in use based on the reading state of the tag ID.
For each tag ID, the product ID that identifies the product with the RFID tag on which the tag ID is recorded, the device ID that identifies the detection device, and the remaining amount of the product specified by the tag ID are displayed. It is equipped with a server device that manages the associated tag information.
When the detection device detects that the product is in use and that it has finished using the product, the detection device transmits the tag ID corresponding to the product to the server device together with the device ID. Has a means of transmission and
The server device uses the tag ID based on the time information when the tag ID is first received from the detection device and the time information when the tag ID is received when it is detected that the use has ended. A usage information management system having a usage information acquisition means for acquiring usage information including the usage period of the corresponding product. The detection device periodically reads the tag ID from each RFID tag, and the tag ID cannot be acquired by the RFID reader for a predetermined time. The usage information management system according to claim 1, which detects that the product corresponding to the above is in use. The server device further manages a user ID that identifies a user in association with the device ID together with the attributes of the user.
Based on the number of times each of the tag IDs is received from the detection device, the number of times the product corresponding to the tag ID has been used is acquired for each attribute and added for each product ID to analyze the product for each attribute of the user. The usage information management system according to claim 1 or 2, which requests information. A detection device and data that read a tag ID that identifies the RFID tag from the RFID tag attached to the product and detect that the product corresponding to the tag ID is in use based on the reading state of the tag ID. It is a server device that communicates with
For each tag ID, the product ID that identifies the product with the RFID tag on which the tag ID is recorded, the device ID that identifies the detection device, and the remaining amount of the product specified by the tag ID are displayed. The associated tag information is managed, and each tag ID is said to be based on the time information when it is first received from the detection device and the time information when it is received when it is detected that the use has ended. A server device having a usage information acquisition means for acquiring usage information including a usage period of a product corresponding to a tag ID. A detection device and data that read a tag ID that identifies the RFID tag from the RFID tag attached to the product and detect that the product corresponding to the tag ID is in use based on the reading state of the tag ID. A program that makes a computer function as a server device that communicates with
For each tag ID, the product ID that identifies the product with the RFID tag on which the tag ID is recorded, the device ID that identifies the detection device, and the remaining amount of the product specified by the tag ID are displayed. The associated tag information is managed, and each tag ID is said to be based on the time information when it is first received from the detection device and the time information when it is received when it is detected that the use has ended. A program that causes a computer to function as a server device having a usage information acquisition means for acquiring usage information including a usage period of a product corresponding to a tag ID. RFID tags attached to products and
An RFID reader that reads a tag ID that identifies the RFID tag from the RFID tag, and a detection device that detects that the product corresponding to the tag ID is in use based on the reading state of the tag ID.
For each tag ID, the product ID that identifies the product with the RFID tag on which the tag ID is recorded, the device ID that identifies the detection device, and the remaining amount of the product specified by the tag ID are displayed. It is a method of managing product usage information using a server device that manages associated tag information.
When the detection device detects that the product is in use, the step of transmitting the tag ID corresponding to the product to the server device together with the device ID.
Based on the time information when the server device first receives each tag ID from the detection device and the time information when the server device detects that the tag ID has been used, the tag ID is assigned to the tag ID. A usage information management method having a step of acquiring usage information including the usage period of the corresponding product.

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