JP6298983B2 - Inventory management system - Google Patents

Description

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

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

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

JP 2003-4368 A JP 2003-30421 A

  However, the conventional inventory management system requires a camera, a barcode reader, or a voice input device to input food information, and the structure is complicated and expensive. If you enter the number, you may be forced to repeat food identification work due to poor image quality or misrecognition of voice, etc. It was difficult to input food information and it was not easy to use.

  The present invention has been made in view of these points, and an object of the present invention is to provide an inventory management system that can easily input food information and can be constructed at low cost.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention comprises a refrigerator, a wireless module attached to food, and a server that communicates with the wireless module, wherein the wireless module supplies power to the wireless communication unit and the wireless communication unit. and a supplied power supply unit, and the period specifying button for specifying the start timing of receiving the period of food, and the attribute specifying unit showing a food attribute of the wireless module, a display terminal via a Rutotomoni router device comprises a communicable, wherein When the period specifying button is pressed, the server performs inventory management of the food stored in the refrigerator from the attribute specifying unit of the wireless module and the storage period information specified by the period specifying button. As a configuration.

Thereby, since the wireless module has food attributes such as meat, fish, vegetables, milk, etc., if this wireless module is attached to food and stored in the refrigerator, and the period specifying button is pressed, the food attribute and food Warehousing time information is sent to the server, the server can manage the inventory, and the user can easily prepare several wireless modules with food attributes without introducing a refrigerator with complicated equipment and equipment. In addition to constructing an inventory management system with a configuration, inputting food information is as simple as attaching a wireless module to the food and pressing the period specification button, and the wireless module is attached to the food without erroneous input of food attributes. It only takes one operation to attach, making it easy to use.

  In the present invention, since it is only necessary to prepare a plurality of wireless modules with food attributes, an inventory management system can be constructed at a low cost, and food information such as food attributes can be easily and definitely input. It can be a good inventory management system.

The front view of the refrigerator used for the inventory control system in Embodiment 1 of this invention Schematic sectional view of the refrigerator Explanatory drawing which shows the whole structure of the inventory control system using the refrigerator System configuration diagram with additional wireless module configuration of the inventory management system Block diagram showing the server device configuration of the inventory management system Flow chart showing operation of the inventory management system System configuration diagram in which the wireless module configuration of the inventory management system in the second embodiment is added System configuration diagram in which the wireless module configuration of the inventory management system in the third embodiment is added

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

  An inventory management system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a refrigerator, a wireless module attached to food, and a server that communicates with the wireless module. The wireless module is connected to a wireless communication unit and the wireless communication unit. A power supply unit that supplies power; a period specifying button that specifies a start time of a food storage period; and an attribute specifying unit that indicates a food attribute of the wireless module, wherein the server has the period specifying button pressed In this case, the inventory management of the food stored in the refrigerator is performed from the attribute specifying unit of the wireless module and the storage period information specified by the period specifying button.

  Thereby, since the wireless module has food attributes such as meat, fish, vegetables, milk, etc., if this wireless module is attached to food and stored in the refrigerator, and the period specifying button is pressed, the food attribute and food Warehousing time information is sent to the server, the server can manage the inventory, and the user can prepare a few wireless modules with food attributes, and without having to install a refrigerator with complicated equipment and equipment, a simple configuration In addition to building an inventory management system, inputting food information is as simple as attaching a wireless module to food and pressing the period specification button, and attaching the wireless module to food without erroneous input of food attributes. It becomes easy to use because it only needs to be performed once. In addition, the object of inventory management can be managed by attaching a wireless module only to the food that the user wants to inventory, which improves usability.

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

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

  The wireless module further includes a notifying unit for notifying the state of the food, and when the server recognizes that the food attribute is duplicated in the plurality of foods stored in the refrigerator, the notifying unit is in the storing period. The notification content is changed based on this.

  As a result, when the user receives food with duplicate food attributes such as meat, the server recognizes the duplicate receipt and the notification content of the notification unit is displayed in a different form, so the user knows the duplicate receipt reliably. In addition, if duplicate foods are already stored, it is easy to see which one should be used sooner, which improves usability.

  Further, the notification unit is configured by an LED, and is configured to notify at different wavelengths and different lighting, so that even if there is a duplicate food stored in the dark part of the refrigerator storage room, the user can Due to the difference in the emission color of the LEDs, the new and old stock status can be seen at a glance, making it even easier to use.

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

(Embodiment 1)
1 and 2, the refrigerator body 1 includes a metal (for example, iron plate) outer box 2 that opens forward, an inner box 3 that is made of hard resin (for example, ABS), an outer box 2, and an inner box 3. It is made of a heat insulating material 4 such as hard foam urethane filled with foam. Further, in the heat insulating material 4, a vacuum heat insulating material 4a constituted by sealing a core material with a covering material made of a metal film such as an aluminum sheet is embedded to enhance the heat insulating property.

  The refrigerator main body 1 has a plurality of compartments formed therein. This storage room is located from the upper part of the refrigerator body 1 to the refrigerator compartment 5, the switching chamber 6 located below the refrigerator compartment 5, the ice making chamber 7 juxtaposed to the switching chamber 6, the switching compartment 6, and the ice making chamber 7 below. A freezer compartment 8 and a vegetable compartment 9 located below the freezer compartment 8. The front face of the refrigerator compartment 5 is closed freely by a double door 10 and the front parts of the switching compartment 6, ice making compartment 7, freezer compartment 8, and vegetable compartment 9 are drawer type doors 11, 12, 13 , 14 (hereinafter referred to as a pull-out door) can be freely opened and closed.

  In addition, each said doors 10-14 are filled with the hard foaming urethane similarly to the refrigerator main body 1, and embed | buried the vacuum heat insulating material 4a, and have heat insulation. Moreover, the door opening / closing detection part 15 which detects opening / closing of the door performed when taking in / out food is provided.

  There is a cooling chamber 16 on the back surface of the refrigerator main body 1, a cooler 17 that generates cool air, a blower fan 18 that supplies the cool air to each chamber, and a damper (not shown) for adjusting the air volume to the refrigerator compartment. Are provided. In addition, a compressor 19 is provided at the back of the main body top of the refrigerator body 1, and a condenser (not shown), a heat radiating pipe 20, a capillary tube 21, and the cooler 17 described above are sequentially provided. A refrigerant is enclosed in a refrigeration cycle connected in a ring shape, and a cooling operation is performed.

  Next, the whole inventory management system constructed | assembled using said refrigerator is demonstrated using FIGS.

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

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

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

  That is, the wireless module 31 itself has food attributes, such as meat, fish, vegetables, milk, etc., and attaches them to, for example, the meat, fish, vegetables, milk, etc. Use in the form of storing in a refrigerator. Therefore, the wireless module 31 is formed in a form that is easy to attach to food, such as a clip, and illustrations such as meat, fish, vegetables, milk, etc. are attached so that the food attributes can be seen at a glance.

  The wireless module 31 transmits the food attribute together with the date when the period specifying button 39 is pressed via the wireless communication unit 37 by pressing the period specifying button 39, that is, the date when the food is stored in the refrigerator. By pressing the button 39 again, information indicating that the food is consumed and removed from the inventory management target is transmitted.

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

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

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

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

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

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

  The server device 35 is prepared by a manufacturer of the refrigerator 22, for example. The server device 35 manages information necessary for access and authentication regarding the display terminal 36 and the wireless module 31. For example, the server device 35 includes the identification information of the display terminal 36 included in the communication request signal, and the identification information of the display terminal 36 stored (registered) in association with the wireless module 31 (the wireless communication unit 37 thereof). Authenticate (determine) whether or not the two match. And when these correspond, the display device 36 to access is authenticated as a regular display terminal, and communication of the wireless module 31 provided in the refrigerator 22 in the residence A is permitted.

  Moreover, the server apparatus 35 preserve | saves the food attribute in a refrigerator transmitted from the above-mentioned radio | wireless module 31, and warehousing date information. This information is transmitted to the display terminal 36 based on an information call signal from the display terminal 36. That is, the user can confirm the food attribute and the date of receipt of the food in the refrigerator by operating the display terminal 36 on the display 36a.

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

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

  The server control unit 45 controls the overall operation of the server device 35. As described above, the server control unit 45 stores the food attribute and the receipt date information transmitted from the wireless module 31 in the data storage unit 46, and also receives a signal requesting the communication of the food attribute and the receipt date information from the display terminal 36. If there is, the latest information on the food attribute and the warehousing date information stored in the data storage unit 46 is transmitted to the display terminal 36.

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

  The server device 35 can be constructed by either a server composed of a single large computer or a cloud server composed of a large number of computers.

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

  The user first attaches the wireless module 31 to the food when storing the food in the refrigerator 22. For example, if the food is meat, the wireless module 31 having the food attribute of meat is attached, and if the food is milk, the wireless module 31 having the food attribute of milk is attached. In this embodiment, the wireless module 31 is provided with an illustration showing food attributes, so that even a child or the like can attach it to the corresponding food without making a mistake. And since this radio | wireless module 31 is made into a clip form, attachment to foodstuffs can also be performed easily.

Next, the food to which the wireless module 31 is attached is stored in the refrigerator 22 by pressing the period specifying button 39 provided on the wireless module 31. Thereby, the food attribute and the warehousing date information are transmitted from the wireless communication unit 37 of the wireless module 31 to the server device 35 via the router device 33 and the public communication network 34 such as the Internet by WI-FI wireless. That is, the user can input the food attribute and the food information of the warehousing date with a simple operation by simply attaching the wireless module 31 to the food and pressing the period specifying button 39. Since the wireless module 31 is simply attached to the food, the wireless module 31 can be attached only to the food that requires inventory control without erroneous input of the food attribute, and can be freely selected according to the user's preference. Can be used properly.

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

  The inventory management operation will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When the period specifying button 39 of the wireless module 31 is turned on (step 1-Y), the food attribute and the warehousing date information are transmitted from the wireless communication unit 37 of the wireless module 31 (step 2), the router device 33, the Internet, etc. The server device 35 stores the food attribute and the warehousing date information in the data storage unit 46 via the public communication network 34 (step 3).

  Next, the server device 35 starts the counting of the storage period by the server control unit 45 (step 4), and the food attribute of the food transmitted by the ON of the period specifying button 39 is duplicated with the food attribute of the food already stored. It is confirmed whether it is not (step 5).

  If it overlaps (step 5-Y), the length of the storage period of the overlapping ingredients is specified (step 6) and stored in the data storage unit 46 (step 7). Then, the server device 35 transmits a notification signal corresponding to the length of the storage period to the wireless module 31 (step 8), and the wireless communication unit 37 of the wireless module 31 sends the public communication network 34 such as the Internet and the router device 33 to this. (Step 9), and drives the notification unit 41 of the wireless module 31 according to the length of the storage period (step 10).

  For example, the LED of the notification unit 41 is notified by changing the color so that the LED having a short storage period is lit red and the LED having a short storage period is lit yellow. Thus, when the user enters the food in duplicate, the server device 35 recognizes the duplicate receipt and the notification content of the notification unit 41 is displayed in a different form, so that the duplicate receipt can be surely known. Also, when the door 10 is opened to put in and out the food, if some foods with duplicate food attributes, for example, some meat, are stored, they are stored in the dark part at the back of the storage room of the refrigerator 22. It is easy to know this, and since the emission color varies depending on the storage period of the duplicate food, you can easily see the new and old stock status at a glance, and it is easy to determine which one should be used sooner, Usability is improved.

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

  As a result of the duplication check (step 5), if there is no duplication (step 5-N), the inventory management standby state is maintained as it is.

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

In addition, when the user operates the display terminal 36 in the standby state of the inventory management to make an inventory information acquisition request (step 15-Y), the request is sent to the server via the public communication network 34 such as the Internet. The apparatus 35 receives and transmits the inventory information, for example, the food attribute (food name) of the food currently stored and managed and the storage period (period from warehousing to the current time) to the display terminal 36 (step) 16). Then, the food attribute and storage period of the food are displayed on the display terminal 36 as inventory information (step 17). Therefore, the user can know the stock status of the food in the refrigerator even at the purchase destination, and can perform efficient shopping without waste.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 7 shows an inventory management system according to the second embodiment. In the inventory management system according to the second embodiment, a wireless relay unit 47 that relays communication between the wireless module 31 and the server device 35 is newly provided so that communication between the two can be reliably performed. .

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

  Therefore, in the second embodiment, the wireless communication unit 37 of the wireless module 31 can perform good communication even if a metal plate or the like is interposed between the communication partner, for example, a specific low power wireless frequency band (924.0 to 928. 0 MHz) as a communication system using radio. An inventory system is constructed by newly establishing a wireless relay unit 47 that communicates with the wireless communication unit 37 of the wireless module 31 and can also communicate with the public communication network 34 such as the Internet.

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

  The wireless relay unit 47 is provided in the refrigerator 22, for example, near the end of the door 10 or the refrigerator main body 1 where the joint portion of the metal outer plate constituting the refrigerator outer plate exists, and the door 10 or the refrigerator main body 1. It is provided in the position which does not oppose the vacuum heat insulating material 4a currently embed | buried in this heat insulating material.

  Thus, even when the wireless module 31 is housed in the refrigerator together with the food and the door is closed, and the wireless communication unit 37 is surrounded by the metal exterior plate constituting the refrigerator body 1 and the door 10, the wireless module The communication between the 31 wireless communication units 37 and the server device 35 can be reliably performed by relaying to the wireless relay unit 47.

  Therefore, according to the second embodiment, there is no need to take care of communication between the wireless module 31 and the server device 35 before the food is stored in the refrigerator and the door is closed, and the user-friendliness is further improved. It can be.

The wireless relay part 47 is embedded in the heat insulating material of the door 10 or the refrigerator main body 1 near the end of the door 10 or the refrigerator main body 1 where the joint portion of the metal outer plate constituting the refrigerator outer plate exists. Therefore, the communication with the wireless module 31 can be improved, and the reliability of communication can be improved. That is, since the radio wave easily passes through the joint portion of the metal exterior plate, communication can be established with higher accuracy. Further, the vacuum insulation material 4a is often made of a metal film or the like, but even such a vacuum insulation material 4a is not opposed to the vacuum insulation material 4a. Communication can be established with accuracy.

  Other configurations and operational effects are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 8 shows an inventory management system according to the third embodiment. In the inventory management system of the third embodiment, the notification by the notification unit 41 shown in the second embodiment is performed in conjunction with the opening and closing of the door.

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

  As a result, if there is a door opening / closing that is to be performed when food is taken in and out, the door opening / closing detection unit 15 detects this, and the refrigerator control unit 48 transmits the wireless relay unit 47 to the server device 35. Send that the door has been opened or closed. Based on this, the server device 35 transmits a notification signal to the wireless module 31, and the notification unit 41 notifies this. Thereby, the overlap notification of food can be performed only when the user opens the door, and consumption of the power supply unit 38 can be reduced.

  As mentioned above, although the inventory control system of the refrigerator which concerns on this invention was demonstrated using the said embodiment, this invention is not limited to this. That is, the embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. That is, the scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description but by the scope of claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims.

  As is clear from the description of each of the embodiments described above, the present invention can construct an inventory management system at low cost since it is only necessary to prepare a plurality of wireless modules with food attributes, and input food information such as food attributes. Since it can be performed easily and without doubt, it can be an easy-to-use inventory management system, and can be applied to various refrigerators, showcases, etc. including home refrigerators.

1 Refrigerator body 4 Heat insulation material 5 Refrigerated room (storage room)
6 Switching room 7 Ice making room 8 Freezing room 9 Vegetable room 10 Door (insulated door)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 Door opening / closing detection part 22 Refrigerator 30 Inventory management system 31 Wireless module 32 Wireless relay part 33 Router apparatus 34 Public communication network 35 Server apparatus 36 Display terminal 36a Display 37 Wireless communication part 38 Power supply part 39 Period specific button 40 Attribute specific part 41 Information Unit 44 server interface 45 server control unit 46 data storage unit 47 wireless relay unit 48 refrigerator control unit

Claims (4)

A refrigerator, a wireless module attached to food, and a server that communicates with the wireless module, the wireless module including a wireless communication unit, a power supply unit that supplies power to the wireless communication unit, and a food storage period starting a period specifying button for specifying the timing of, and an attribute identifying section showing a food attribute of the wireless module, capable of communicating with the display terminal through the Rutotomoni router device wherein the server, the period specifying button is pressed The inventory management system for managing the inventory of food stored in the refrigerator from the attribute specifying unit of the wireless module and the storage period information specified by the period specifying button. The inventory management system according to claim 1, further comprising a wireless relay unit that relays communication between the wireless module and the server. The wireless module further includes a notifying unit for notifying the food state, and when the server recognizes that the food attribute is duplicated in the plurality of foods stored in the refrigerator, the notifying unit notifies based on the storage period. The inventory management system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the contents are changed. The inventory management system according to claim 3, wherein the notification unit is configured by an LED, and reports with different wavelengths and different lighting.

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