JP7405979B2 - Inventory management system, inventory management device and storage container - Google Patents

Description

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

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, technology has become widespread that allows users to know what items are stored in a container without visually checking the inside of the container. The inventory management device of Patent Document 1 is integrated with a refrigerator that stores food. The inventory management device reads, for example, an RFID (Radio Frequency IDentifier) tag attached to a reusable spout attached to a plastic bottle.

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

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-298554 Special Publication No. 2008-508164

Although RFID tags are currently becoming popular, they have not yet completely eliminated two-dimensional barcodes (eg, QR (Quick Response, registered trademark) codes), other barcodes, and the like. From a cost perspective, these tags and codes are expected to coexist for the foreseeable future.

Now, consider inspecting the inventory of goods in a certain space. Items are tagged with various styles of tags or codes. These are typically RFID tags and QR codes. RFID tags are read by an RFID reader, and QR codes are read by a QR reader. Assume that a QR code is attached to an item. At the entrance to the space, this QR code is read by a QR reader. When inspecting inventory, for example, even if an RFID reader irradiates radio waves onto an item, the information in the QR code cannot be read. In this case, the item is regarded as if it does not exist in inventory.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to read all tags or codes attached to articles in an environment where radio wave readers and optical readers coexist.

The inventory management system of the present invention includes a radio wave reader that reads first information about the article attached to the article, an optical reader that reads second information about the article attached to the article, and an article related to the read first information. and an inventory management device that issues an instruction to display articles related to the read second information in association with the space in which the articles are stored , the second information being readable by the optical reader. It is characterized in that it also includes readability information indicating that it cannot be read by a radio wave reader .
Other means will be explained in the detailed description.

According to the present invention, tags or codes attached to articles can be read without exception in an environment where radio wave readers and optical readers coexist.

It is a diagram explaining the flow of food. It is a figure explaining the types of tags and codes. It is a figure explaining the types of tags and codes. It is a figure explaining the types of tags and codes. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an inventory management device and warehousing/output management. It is a diagram explaining an inventory list. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an inventory management device and inventory management. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a reading pattern. This is an example of an exclusive processing list. 3 is a flowchart of an exclusive processing target determination processing procedure. This is an example of an inventory inspection screen. It is a figure explaining correction of an inventory list. It is a figure explaining correction of an inventory list. It is a flowchart of the inventory list correction processing procedure (Part 1). It is a flowchart of the inventory list correction processing procedure (Part 2). It is a flowchart of the inventory list correction processing procedure (part 3). This is an example of a stock list display screen.

Hereinafter, a mode for carrying out the present invention (referred to as "this embodiment") will be described in detail with reference to the drawings and the like. This embodiment is an example in which food is stored in a space such as a refrigerator at home. However, the present invention is also generally applicable to examples in which items other than food are stored in spaces other than homes, such as production sites.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the flow of food. When foods such as yogurt 45, dressing 46, and jam 47 are shipped from a manufacturer 41, they are delivered to a consumer 44 via a wholesaler 42 and a retailer 43. The consumer 44 has a refrigerator 51, a food storage 52, and a food shelf 53 as storage containers. The quantities of refrigerators 51, food storages 52, and food shelves 53 are arbitrary.

The circled “in” in FIG. 1 indicates that food is going into a space managed by a manufacturer 41, a wholesaler 42, a retailer 43, or into a space such as a refrigerator 51 owned by a consumer 44. Similarly, "out" in a circle indicates that food goes out from a space managed by the manufacturer 41, wholesaler 42, retailer 43, or from a space such as the refrigerator 51 owned by the consumer 44.

In the household (consumer 44), the yogurt 45 is first stored in the refrigerator 51, and taken out from the refrigerator 51 just before a meal and served on the dining table. In most cases, the dressing 46 is first stored in the food storage 52, and then taken out from the food storage 52 just before a meal and served on the dining table. Depending on the season, the dressing 46 may be stored in the refrigerator 51, taken out from the refrigerator 51 just before a meal, and served on the dining table, etc., or may be served on the dining table, etc. from the pantry 52 via the food shelf 53. There is also. The same applies to Jam 47. In this way, food moves through multiple containers (spaces) during the period after it is brought into the home and before it is served on the table or the like.

(Incoming/outgoing management and inventory management)
Typically, an item, such as a food product, is read by a reader each time it enters or exits a space. A device that performs warehouse entry/exit management detects whether an article is "inbound" or "outbound" based on the reading result of the reader and the direction in which the article moves. In addition to such management, articles are read by a reader all at once in a certain space and at a certain point in time. A device that performs inventory management detects the presence or absence of the article based on the reading result of the reader.

(RFID tag and QR code)
FIGS. 2 to 4 are diagrams for explaining types of tags and codes. In FIG. 2, an RFID tag 61 and a QR code 62 are attached to yogurt 45. In FIG. 3, only an RFID tag 61 is attached to the dressing 46. In FIG. 4, only a QR code 62 is attached to the jam 47. In this way, commonly distributed foods may include a mixture of foods with only one of the RFID tag 61 and the QR code 62 and foods with both.

(Tag and code types and reader types)
The readers assumed in this embodiment are a radio wave reader and an optical reader. A radio wave reader irradiates radio waves from its own antenna to a tag to be read (for example, a metal chip). The tag transmits a response radio wave to the radio wave reader in response to the radio wave. The response radio wave includes EPC (details will be described later). The radio wave reader receives the response radio wave and reads the EPC.

The optical reader irradiates light from its own light source onto a code to be read (for example, a printed matter). Optical readers read the light reflected by the code. Generally, the code is a one-dimensional striped pattern or a two-dimensional checkered pattern, and an EPC is embedded in these patterns (encrypted according to a predetermined rule). Optical readers read EPCs by detecting reflected light. The optical reader may be a camera. The object read by the camera may be a figure other than a code. Even in this case, the EPC is embedded in the figure, and the camera can read the EPC.

In this embodiment, the "RFID reader" is an example of a radio wave reader, and the "QR reader" is an example of an optical reader. It is assumed that the radio wave reader reads the RFID tag and the QR reader reads the "QR code".

(Information stored in RFID tag and QR code)
In this embodiment, all foods are attached with an RFID tag 61 and/or a QR code 62 that records an EPC (Electronic Product Code). EPC is expressed, for example, as a 24-digit hexadecimal number (0 to 9 or A to F). For simplicity of explanation, RFID tags and QR codes are hereinafter referred to as "tags" in a broad sense.

(Readability information)
A predetermined digit of the EPC is "readability information". In FIGS. 2 to 4, the predetermined digit is the last digit. In Figures 2 and 3, the readability information indicates that the tag attached to the food can be read by both a radio wave reader and an optical reader, or that it can be read only by a radio wave reader (it cannot be read by an optical reader). (cannot be done). Specifically, the readability information here is one of the numbers 0, 1, 2, . . . , 9. Here, the predetermined digit is not limited to the last digit, but the readability information may be recorded in any digit.

In FIG. 4, the readability information indicates that the tag attached to the food can be read only by an optical reader (it cannot be read by a radio wave reader). Specifically, the readability information here is one of the characters A, B, . . . , F.
In FIGS. 2 to 4, the model numbers in digits other than the last digit are common to all foods. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, when an RFID tag 61 and a QR code 62 are attached to one food product (yoghurt 45) at the same time, they record exactly the same EPC value.

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

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

A consumer is currently trying to store food purchased from a retailer in the refrigerator 51. The consumer holds the radio wave reader 63 and/or optical reader 64 over the food. These readers then read the EPC stored on the tag. Note that the inventory management device 1 may detect the arrival of food based on the timing of opening/closing the door of the refrigerator 51 and the timing of reading the tag.

The consumer is now trying to take food items (numerals 45 to 46) out of the refrigerator 51. The consumer holds the radio wave reader 63 and/or optical reader 64 over the food. These readers then read the EPC stored on the tag. Note that the inventory management device 1 may detect the delivery of food based on the timing of opening/closing the door of the refrigerator 51 and the timing of reading the tag.

Here, the yogurt shown in FIG. 6, which will be described later, is registered in the inventory list of the refrigerator. First, let's say that a consumer forgets to have an optical reader near the refrigerator read the yogurt when he/she takes it out of the refrigerator. After that, when the consumer puts the yogurt into the refrigerator again, it is assumed that the consumer causes an optical reader near the refrigerator to read the yogurt, and then opens the door. In this case, unless the opening/closing of the door is taken into account, the yogurt will be deleted from the inventory list. However, since the door was opened after the reading, the inventory management device 1 may determine that yogurt is in the refrigerator.

Alternatively, the inventory management device 1 uses the inventory list to issue a short notification sound "beep" when an optical reader detects the food when it is placed in the warehouse, and causes the optical reader to detect the food when taking the food out of the warehouse. In this case, a continuous beep sound may be issued. In this way, the consumer realizes that he forgot to read the optical reader or that he read it by mistake.

Furthermore, the inventory management device 1 may detect the withdrawal of food by accepting that the consumer presses the "departure button" displayed on the door of the refrigerator 51 or the like.
The consumer performs similar operations when putting food into the food storage 52 or the food shelf 53 and when taking out food from the food storage 52 or the food shelf 53.

(Inventory list)
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the inventory list 31. The inventory list 31 is a list of foods 33 to 35 stored in a certain storage container at a certain point in time. In response to a consumer's request, the inventory management device 1 displays the inventory list 31 on a display device installed on the door of a storage container (such as the refrigerator 51). When the consumer takes out the food from the storage container, the consumer presses the "take out" buttons 36 to 37 corresponding to the food. The inventory management device 1 can output an instruction to display the inventory list 31 to the output device 13 or any external device.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the inventory management device and inventory management. The inventory management device 1 in FIG. 7 is the same as the inventory management device 1 in FIG. 5. Similarly to FIG. 5, the kitchen 3 includes a refrigerator 51, a food storage 52, and a food shelf 53 as storage containers (spaces). Each storage container stores many foods 45-47. Consumers are now trying to find out what kind of food is currently stored in each storage container.

Therefore, the consumer transmits, for example, an instruction to the radio wave reader 63 disposed inside the refrigerator 51 to simultaneously irradiate the food in the refrigerator 51 with radio waves. Then, the radio wave reader 63 reads the EPCs of all foods stored in the refrigerator 51.

(reading pattern)
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a reading pattern. Looking at FIG. 8, the following can be seen. Note that FIG. 8 is a diagram for explanatory purposes and is not stored in the auxiliary storage device 15.
- The EPC embeds the name of the country where the product is produced, the name of the manufacturer, the name of the product item, and the tag type within its own digits. Accordingly, the EPC column 101 stores the EPC itself (column 101a), the name of the country where the product is produced (column 101b), the manufacturer name (column 101c), the product item name (column 101d), and the tag type (column 101e). are doing.

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

- For each storage container (column 102), both the radio wave reader and the optical reader attempt to read the tag. Note that "RFID reader" in the reader type column 103 represents a radio wave reader, and "QR reader" represents an optical reader.
- If the RFID reader is able to read the EPC, it will output the words "in stock". The RFID reader does not output anything otherwise. “?” indicates this. The same applies to the QR reader (column 104).

- As reading patterns, there are a first pattern (records 110a and 110b), a second pattern (records 111a and 111b), and a third pattern (records 112a and 112b).
- Only the third pattern whose EPC is read by the QR reader and not read by the RFID reader is subject to exclusive processing (details will be described later) (column 105).

(exclusive processing list)
FIG. 9 is an example of the exclusive processing list 32. In the exclusive process list 32, in association with the EPC stored in the EPC column 121, product items are stored in the product item column 122, and exclusive process contents are stored in the exclusive process content column 123.
The EPC in the EPC column 121 is the EPC described above.
The product items in the product item field 122 are product items included in the EPC. In addition to the product item field 122, the exclusive processing list 32 may include a country name list, a manufacturer name field, and a serial number field.

The exclusive processing content in the exclusive processing content column 123 is the specific content of the exclusive processing. Exclusive processing is exceptional processing that should be performed separately for the food when an RFID reader is used to carry out an inventory inspection of the entire food. Here, "reading the food (jam) with an optical reader (QR reader, etc.)" or "manually confirming" is stored.

(Exclusion processing target determination processing procedure)
FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the exclusive processing target determination processing procedure.
In step S201, the input/output processing unit 21 of the inventory management device 1 receives a stock entry. Specifically, the input/output processing unit 21 accepts a consumer placing food into a storage container (for example, the refrigerator 51). The input/output processing unit 21 receives a warehouse entry by detecting that a consumer operates the door of the refrigerator 51, for example.

In step S202, the input/output processing unit 21 reads the tag with a QR reader. Specifically, the consumer uses a QR reader to read the tag attached to the food to be stocked. However, there are cases where the QR reader cannot read the tag (the tag does not exist). If the EPC can be read, the input/output processing unit 21 receives the EPC from the QR reader.

In step S203, the inventory management unit 22 determines whether the tag has been read. Specifically, the input/output processing unit 21 proceeds to step S205 if the QR reader can read the tag (step S203 "Yes"), and otherwise proceeds to step S204 (step S203 "No").

In step S204, the input/output processing unit 21 reads the tag with an RFID reader. Specifically, the consumer reads the tag attached to the food to be stored using an RFID reader. The input/output processing unit 21 then receives the EPC from the RFID reader. Note that the order of steps S202 and S204 may be reversed.

In step S205, the inventory management unit 22 determines the tag type. Specifically, the inventory management unit 22 refers to a predetermined digit of the EPC received in step S202 or S204, and determines whether the received food is either <1> or <2> below. do.
<1> The EPC of the food is readable by both an RFID reader and a QR reader, or only by an RFID reader.
<2> Food EPC can be read only by QR reader.”

In step S206, the inventory management unit 22 determines whether the tag type is "QR only". Specifically, if the food item falls under the above-mentioned <2> (step S206 "Yes"), the inventory management unit 22 proceeds to step S207; otherwise (step S206 "No"), the inventory management unit 22 proceeds to step S208. move on.

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

In step S208, the inventory management unit 22 creates a record of the inventory list 31 (FIG. 6). Specifically, the inventory management unit 22 stores, as a record in the inventory list 31, the fact that the food concerned was present in the storage container at the time of receiving the warehouse receipt. After that, there will be some time interval until the timing of inventory inspection.

In step S209, the inventory management unit 22 receives an instruction to start inventory inspection. Specifically, the inventory management unit 22 receives a consumer's input of an instruction to conduct an inventory inspection via the input device 12.

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

In step S211, the inventory management unit 22 displays the specific details of the exclusion process. Specifically, the inventory management unit 22 displays the exclusive processing content (column 123 in FIG. 9) on the output device 13 in association with the specified food. Then, the consumer tries to read the tag attached to the specified food using an optical reader or manually confirms the tag. The inventory management unit 22 receives the reading results of the optical reader or the results of manual confirmation (hereinafter collectively referred to as "exclusion processing results"). An example of the screen that the consumer views when performing manual confirmation will be described later.

In step S212, the inventory management unit 22 modifies the record of the inventory list. Specifically, if the specified food item is not listed in the inventory list and the exclusive processing result indicates "in stock," the inventory management unit 22 adds the specified food item to the inventory list. The inventory management unit 22 deletes the description of the specified food from the inventory list when the specified food is described in the inventory list and the exclusive processing result does not indicate "in stock." Thereafter, the exclusive processing target determination processing procedure ends.

(Inventory inspection screen)
FIG. 11 is an example of the inventory inspection screen 71. In step S211, the inventory management unit 22 displays the inventory inspection screen 71 (FIG. 11) on the output device 13. When the consumer presses the "View inventory list before manual confirmation" button 72, the inventory management unit 22 displays the list 75. The list 75 displays the union of the foods listed in the latest inventory list 31 and the foods listed in the latest exclusive processing list 32 for each storage container. The foods listed in the latest exclusive processing list 32 are highlighted (numeral 76). The list 75 may display other information (e.g. time elapsed since initial stocking, summary, etc.) depending on the consumer's needs.

For example, the consumer visually checks the inside of the food shelf to check whether there are "cup noodles" and, if there are none, presses the "none" button 74. When the "None" button 74 is pressed, the inventory management unit 22 definitively recognizes that the food item does not exist in the storage container.

(Correction of inventory list)
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating modification of the inventory list 31. The inventory management device 1 creates a list as shown in FIG. 12 and stores it in the auxiliary storage device 15. In association with the storage containers stored in the storage container column 131, the pre-correction stock list column 132 displays a pre-correction stock list, the confirmation list column 133 displays a confirmation list, and the post-correction stock list column 134 displays a post-correction stock list. is memorized. FIG. 12 corresponds to an example of managing inventory for one storage container.

The pre-correction inventory list column 132 stores an inventory list that specifies foods that were present in the storage container at a certain point in time (also referred to as a "first point in time") before the inventory inspection. The manufacturer name (column 132b), product item name (column 132c), and tag type (column 132d) are the same as the manufacturer name, product item name, and tag type in FIG. Due to space limitations, "country names" are omitted in FIG. 12.

The classification in the classification column 132a is either "Inventory List A" or "Inventory List B." "Inventory list A" indicates that the food item has been read by the RFID reader. “Inventory list B” indicates that the food item has been read with a QR reader.

The confirmation list column 133 indicates that the storage container was entered into or out of stock at the time of entry and exit or inventory inspection after the first time point (also referred to as the "second time point"), or that the storage container was A check list identifying the foods that were present is stored. The inventory management device 1 uses the information received by the RFID reader and the information read by the QR reader at the second time point to "confirm" the contents of the inventory list before modification. This is the reason for the name “confirmation list”.

The reader type in the reader type column 133a is either "RFID reader" or "QR reader". "RFID reader" indicates that the food items were read all at once by an RFID reader (see FIG. 7), and corresponds to "inventory list A." "QR reader" indicates that the food was read by a QR reader at the timing of its arrival or departure (see FIG. 5), and corresponds to "inventory list B."

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

Although the record whose reader type is "QR reader" is not directly described in FIG. 12, "warehousing" and "warehousing" are distinguished. For example, "soba" (record 135b) from "Company C" is read as being taken out of the refrigerator. “Seasoning” (record 135c) from “Company H” is read as being stored in the refrigerator.

The detection time (column 133e) in the detection time column 133 is the year, month, day, hour, minute, and second (second time point) when the reader reads the tag attached to the food. Note that, for convenience of explanation, the time lag of several seconds when multiple foods are sequentially read with a QR reader is abstracted away.

The corrected stock list column 134 is a correction made to the pre-correction stock list based on the result of the inventory management device 1 comparing the pre-correction stock list with the confirmation list. The manufacturer name (column 134a), product item name (column 134b), and tag type (column 134c) are the same as the manufacturer name (column 132b), product item name (column 132c), and tag type (column 132d), respectively. . Looking at FIG. 12, the following can be seen, for example.

<Regarding records 136a to 136e>
- "Canned beer" of "Company G" exists in the pre-correction inventory list (column 132), but does not exist in the confirmation list (column 133). “Sauce” from “Company A,” “jam” from “Company E,” “bottled beer” from “Company B,” and “bottled beer” from “Company D” exist in both.
- This indicates that "canned beer" from "Company G" was taken out of the refrigerator during the period from the first time point to the second time point.
- As a result, record 136e is deleted from the corrected inventory list (column 134).

<Regarding records 138a to 138e>
- "Bottle beer" of "Company D" exists in the pre-correction inventory list (column 132), but does not exist in the confirmation list (column 133). “Canned beer” of “Company G” exists in the confirmation list (column 133), but does not exist in the pre-correction inventory list (column 132). “Sauce” from “Company A,” “jam” from “Company E,” and “bottled beer” from “Company B” exist in both.
・This means that during the period from the first point to the second point, “bottled beer” from “Company D” was taken out of the refrigerator, and “canned beer” from “Company G” was put into the refrigerator. It shows.
- As a result, in the corrected inventory list (column 134), record 138d is deleted and record 138e is added.

<Regarding records 135a to 135c>
- "Seasonings" of "Company H" exists in the confirmation list (column 133), but does not exist in the pre-correction inventory list (column 132).
-This shows that at the second point in time, the "seasonings" of "Company H" were placed in the refrigerator.
- As a result, record 135c is added to the corrected inventory list (column 134).

- “Soba” of “Company C” exists in the pre-correction inventory list (column 132) and also exists in the inventory list (column 133).
- This indicates that "soba" from "Company C" was taken out of the refrigerator at the second time point.
- As a result, record 135b is deleted from the revised inventory list (column 134).

- "Udon" of "Company F" exists in the pre-correction inventory list (column 132), but does not exist in the confirmation list (column 133).
・This shows that at the second point in time, the "udon noodles" of "Company F" did not enter or leave the refrigerator (it remained stored in the refrigerator).
- As a result, in the corrected inventory list (column 134), the record 135a is not deleted and is maintained as it is.

FIG. 13 is also a diagram illustrating modification of the inventory list 31. The configuration of each column in FIG. 13 is the same as in FIG. 12. FIG. 13 corresponds to an example in which inventory is managed for a certain storage container and another storage container. Records 139a to 139d and 140a to 140e in FIG. 13 are related to refrigerators. Records 141a to 141c and 142a to 142d are related to food storage.

Similarly to FIG. 12, in the confirmation list, records whose reader type is "QR reader" are distinguished between "warehousing" and "warehousing". For example, "seasoning" (record 139d) of "Company H" is read as being stored in the refrigerator. Looking at FIG. 13, the following can be seen, for example.

<Regarding records 139d and 141a>
- "Seasoning" of "Company H" exists in the pre-correction inventory list (record 141a in column 132) and also in the confirmation list (record 139d in column 133).
- This indicates that at the first time point, the "seasonings" of "Company H" were in the food storage, but at the second time point, they were transferred from the food storage to the refrigerator. A food item is often stored in the pantry before opening and in the refrigerator after opening. Note that at 10:00:00 on May 30, 2020, the consumer did not notice that "seasonings" from "Company H" were taken out of the food storage (record 141a in confirmation list column 133).
- As a result, in the corrected inventory list (column 134), record 139d is added and record 141a is deleted.

(Inventory list correction processing procedure)
There are "Part 1", "Part 2", and "Part 3" as the inventory list correction processing procedure. “Part 1” starts with reading by an RFID reader. “Part 2” and “Part 3” start with reading by the QR reader. In the following, "Part 1", "Part 2" and "Part 3" will be explained in order, but these orders are arbitrary; "Part 2" and "Part 3" are executed first, and then "Part 1" is executed. ” may be executed.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of the inventory list correction processing procedure (Part 1). As a premise for starting the inventory list correction processing procedure (Part 1), it is assumed that an inventory list at the first time point already exists and is stored in the auxiliary storage device 15.

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

In step S302, the inventory management unit 22 determines whether the item is in the inventory list A and the confirmation list. Specifically, first, the inventory management unit 22 acquires the uncorrected inventory list (inventory list A) for the storage container at the first time point from the auxiliary storage device 15 .

Second, the inventory management unit 22 identifies unprocessed foods among the one or more foods stored in at least one of the inventory list A or the confirmation list as "confirmation target foods."
Thirdly, the inventory management unit 22 proceeds to step S303 if the food to be confirmed is in the inventory list A and also in the confirmation list (step S302 "Yes"); otherwise (step S302 "No") ”), the process advances to step S304.

In step S303, the inventory management unit 22 maintains the inventory list A as it is. Specifically, the inventory management unit 22 creates and stores a post-correction inventory list record with the same contents as the pre-correction stock list for the food subject to confirmation (see records 136a to 136d and 138a to 138c in FIG. 12). .

In step S304, the inventory management unit 22 determines whether the item is not on the inventory list A and is on the confirmation list. Specifically, the inventory management unit 22 proceeds to step S305 if the food to be confirmed is not in the inventory list A and is in the confirmation list (step S304 "Yes"); otherwise (step S304 "No"), the inventory management unit 22 proceeds to step S305. ”), the process advances to step S306.

In step S305, the inventory management unit 22 adds the item to the inventory list A. Specifically, the inventory management unit 22 creates and stores a record of the corrected inventory list for the food subject to confirmation (see record 138e in FIG. 12).

In step S306, the inventory management unit 22 determines whether the item is in the inventory list A and not in the confirmation list. Specifically, the inventory management unit 22 proceeds to step S307 when the food to be confirmed is in the inventory list A and not in the confirmation list (step S306 "Yes"), and otherwise proceeds to step S306 (step S306 "No"). ”), the process advances to step S308.

In step S307, the inventory management unit 22 deletes from the inventory list A. Specifically, the inventory management unit 22 deletes the record of the pre-correction inventory list for the food subject to confirmation (see records 136e and 138d in FIG. 12).
The processes of steps S302 to S307 are repeated for each food to be confirmed.

In step S308, the inventory management unit 22 combines inventory list A and inventory list B. Specifically, a record of the separately managed pre-correction inventory list (inventory list B) is added to a record of the post-correction inventory list (inventory list A). Thereafter, the inventory list correction processing procedure (part 1) is ended.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of the inventory list correction processing procedure (Part 2). As a premise for starting the inventory list correction processing procedure (Part 2), it is assumed that an inventory list at the first time point already exists and is stored in the auxiliary storage device 15.

In step S401, the inventory management unit 22 of the inventory management device 1 creates a confirmation list. Specifically, at the second point in time, the inventory management unit 22 creates a confirmation list (corresponding to the reader type "QR reader") for any storage container specified by the consumer. In other words, this process corresponds to performing exclusive processing on items that have been entered (out of stock) using an optical reader such as a QR reader.

In step S402, the inventory management unit 22 determines whether the item is in the inventory list B and not in the confirmation list. Specifically, first, the inventory management unit 22 acquires the uncorrected inventory list (inventory list B) for the storage container at the first time point from the auxiliary storage device 15 .

Second, the inventory management unit 22 identifies unprocessed foods among the one or more foods stored in at least one of the inventory list B or the confirmation list as "confirmation target foods."
Thirdly, the inventory management unit 22 proceeds to step S403 if the food to be confirmed is in the inventory list B and not in the confirmation list (step S402 "Yes"), and otherwise (step S402 "No"). ), the process advances to step S404.

In step S403, the inventory management unit 22 maintains the inventory list B as is. Specifically, the inventory management unit 22 creates and stores a post-correction inventory list record with the same content as the pre-correction inventory list for the food subject to confirmation (see records 135a, 137a, and 137b in FIG. 12).

In step S404, the inventory management unit 22 determines whether the item is not on the inventory list B and is on the confirmation list. Specifically, the inventory management unit 22 proceeds to step S405 if the food to be confirmed is not in the inventory list B and is in the confirmation list (step S404 "Yes"), and otherwise (step S404 "No"). ”), the process advances to step S406.

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

In step S406, the inventory management unit 22 determines whether the item is in the inventory list B and the confirmation list. Specifically, the inventory management unit 22 proceeds to step S407 when the food to be confirmed is in the inventory list B and also in the confirmation list (step S406 "Yes"), and otherwise proceeds to step S406 (step S406 " No”), the inventory list correction processing procedure (part 2) is ended.

In step S407, the inventory management unit 22 deletes from the inventory list B. Specifically, the inventory management unit 22 deletes the record of the pre-correction inventory list for the food subject to confirmation (see record 135b in FIG. 12).
The processes of steps S402 to S407 are repeated for each food to be confirmed. After the repeated processing is completed, the inventory list correction processing procedure (Part 2) is completed.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of the inventory list correction processing procedure (part 3). As a premise for starting the inventory list correction processing procedure (Part 3), it is assumed that inventory lists at the first time point already exist for a plurality of storage containers and are stored in the auxiliary storage device 15.

In step S501, the inventory management unit 22 of the inventory management device 1 creates an inventory list B for the first storage container. Specifically, at the first point in time, the inventory management unit 22 creates a pre-correction inventory list (inventory list B) for any storage container specified by the consumer. Here, for example, records 141a to 141c in column 132 in FIG. 13 are created.

In step S502, the inventory management unit 22 creates a confirmation list regarding storage into the second storage container. Specifically, at the second point in time, the inventory management unit 22 checks the confirmation list (provided that the storage container corresponds to the reader type "QR reader") for any storage container other than the storage container specified by the consumer in step S501. ). Here, for example, records 139a to 139d in column 133 in FIG. 13 are created.

In steps S501 and S502, the first storage container is, for example, a food store, and the second storage container is, for example, a refrigerator. The "seasonings" of "Company H" are being moved from the first storage container to the second storage container.

In step S503, the inventory management unit 22 determines whether there is any item that has been detected to have entered the second storage container and has been stored in the first storage container. Specifically, first, the inventory management unit 22 sets one or more foods stored in at least one of the inventory list B or the confirmation list as "confirmation target foods."
Second, the inventory management unit 22 proceeds to step S504 if the food to be confirmed is in inventory list B and also in the confirmation list (step S503 "Yes"); otherwise (step S503 "No"), the inventory management unit 22 proceeds to step S504; ”), the inventory list correction processing procedure (part 3) is ended. For convenience of explanation, here it is assumed that "seasonings" of "Company H" were detected to be stored in the second storage container and were stored in the first storage container.

In step S504, the inventory management unit 22 deletes the first storage container from the inventory list B and adds it to the inventory list B of the second storage container. Specifically, first, the inventory management unit 22 deletes the record of the pre-correction inventory list for the food subject to confirmation (see record 141a in FIG. 13).
Second, the inventory management unit 22 adds a record of the corrected inventory list for the food to be confirmed (see record 139d in FIG. 13).

Thirdly, the inventory management section 22 displays the inventory list display screen 81 (FIG. 17) on the output device 13. When the inventory management unit 22 receives the consumer's selection of, for example, a refrigerator (reference numeral 82) as a storage container, it displays a corrected inventory list 83 regarding the refrigerator. The corrected inventory list 83 displays foods added to the inventory list and foods deleted from the inventory list. Thereafter, the inventory list correction processing procedure (part 3) is ended.

(Effects of this embodiment)
The effects of the inventory management system of this embodiment are as follows.
(1) The inventory management system can manage information regarding articles using both radio wave readers and optical readers.
(2) The inventory management system can recognize items that are read only by optical readers.
(3) The inventory management system can recognize items that can be read by both a radio wave reader and an optical reader, or only by a radio wave reader.
(4) The inventory management system can read the same information using either a radio wave reader or an optical reader.

(5) The inventory management system can modify the inventory list at a certain point in time using a radio wave reader at a later point in time.
(6) The inventory management system can add items that are not listed in the inventory list at a certain point in time based on the reading results of the optical reader at a later point in time.
(7) The inventory management system can delete items listed in the inventory list at a certain point in time based on the reading result of the optical reader at a later point in time.
(8) The inventory management system can maintain the items listed in the inventory list at a certain point in time based on the reading result of the optical reader at a later point in time.

(9) The inventory management system can reflect the movement of articles between multiple storage containers on the inventory list.
(10) The inventory management system can identify items that are subject to exclusive processing where radio wave readers cannot be used. In other words, articles that can be read only by the optical reader, that is, articles that have been stored (stored) in a certain space based on the reading results of the optical reader, can be excluded during regular scanning by the radio wave reader, for example. Therefore, even if the radio wave reader cannot recognize the item, it can be prevented from mistakenly recognizing that the item has been taken out (consumed).
(11) The inventory management system is applicable to items attached with RFID tags, QR codes, etc.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and includes various modifications. For example, the embodiments described above are described in detail to explain the present invention in an easy-to-understand manner, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to having all the configurations described. Furthermore, it is possible to replace a part of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, and it is also possible to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment. Further, it is possible to add, delete, or replace a part of the configuration of each embodiment with other configurations. For example, the optical reader may be a camera that reads the product name, expiration date, manufacturer, etc., or a camera that recognizes the image of the article.

Further, each of the above-mentioned configurations, functions, processing units, processing means, etc. may be partially or entirely realized in hardware by designing, for example, an integrated circuit. Furthermore, each of the configurations, functions, etc. described above may be realized by software by a processor interpreting and executing programs for realizing the respective functions. Information such as programs, tables, files, etc. that implement each function can be stored in a memory, a recording device such as a hard disk, an SSD (Solid State Drive), or a recording medium such as an IC card, SD card, or DVD.
In addition, control lines and information lines are shown that are considered necessary for explanation, and not all control lines and information lines are necessarily shown in the product. In reality, almost all configurations may be considered interconnected.

1 Inventory management device 2 Network 3 Kitchen 11 Central control device 12 Input device 13 Output device 14 Main storage device 15 Auxiliary storage device 16 Communication device 21 Input/output processing unit 22 Inventory management unit 31 Inventory list 32 Exclusion processing list 45, 46, 47 Food (goods)
51, 52, 53 Storage containers (space, refrigerator, food storage, food shelf)
61 RFID tag (first information)
62 QR code (second information)
63 RFID reader (radio wave reader)
64 QR reader (optical reader)
133 Confirmation list

Claims (12)

a radio wave reader that reads first information about the article attached to the article;
an optical reader that reads second information about the article attached to the article;
an inventory management device that issues an instruction to display an article related to the read first information and an article related to the read second information in association with a space in which the article is stored;
Equipped with
The second information is
including readability information indicating that the device itself is readable by the optical reader and cannot be read by the radio wave reader;
An inventory management system featuring : The first information is
Contains readability information indicating that the device itself is readable by both the radio wave reader and the optical reader, or that the device itself is readable by the radio wave reader and cannot be read by the optical reader,
The said article is
At least one of the first information and the second information is attached;
The inventory management system according to claim 1 , characterized in that: The part of the first information other than the readability information is
being the same as the part of the second information other than the readability information;
The inventory management system according to claim 2 , characterized in that: The inventory management device includes:
At a first point in time, create an inventory list that identifies the items stored in the space based on information read by the radio wave reader;
At a second time point after the first time point, create a confirmation list for checking the items stored in the space based on the information read by the radio wave reader, and calculate the difference between the inventory list and the confirmation list. extract,
modifying the inventory list based on the difference;
The inventory management system according to claim 1 , characterized in that: The inventory management device includes:
At a first point in time, create an inventory list that identifies the items stored in the space based on information read by the radio wave reader and/or the optical reader;
At a second time point after the first time point, create a confirmation list for checking the article placed in the space based on information read by the optical reader;
modifying the inventory list by adding to the inventory list items that are present in the confirmation list and not in the inventory list;
The inventory management system according to claim 1 , characterized in that: The inventory management device includes:
At a first point in time, create an inventory list that identifies the items stored in the space based on information read by the radio wave reader and/or the optical reader;
At a second time point after the first time point, create a confirmation list for checking the article taken out of the space based on information read by the optical reader;
modifying the inventory list by deleting from the inventory list items that are present in the inventory list and not in the confirmation list;
The inventory management system according to claim 1 , characterized in that: The inventory management device includes:
At a first point in time, create an inventory list that identifies the items stored in the space based on information read by the radio wave reader and/or the optical reader;
At a second time point after the first time point, create a confirmation list for checking the items that have not been taken out of the space based on the information read by the optical reader;
maintaining the inventory list by avoiding deleting from the inventory list items that are present in the inventory list and not in the confirmation list;
The inventory management system according to claim 1 , characterized in that: The inventory management device includes:
At a first point in time, create an inventory list that identifies the items stored in the space based on information read by the radio wave reader and/or the optical reader;
At a second time point after the first time point, create a confirmation list for checking the articles stored in a space other than the space based on information read by the optical reader;
modifying the inventory list by deleting from the inventory list an item that is present in the inventory list and also exists in the confirmation list as an item that has been moved from the space to the other space;
The inventory management system according to claim 1 , characterized in that: The inventory management device includes:
determining the article, which is found to have only the second information attached based on the reading results of the radio wave reader and the optical reader, to be subject to exclusive processing in which the radio wave reader cannot be used;
The inventory management system according to claim 1 , characterized in that: The radio wave reader is
It is possible to read RFID tags,
The optical reader includes:
being able to read at least one of a QR code, a barcode, and image information other than the QR code and the barcode;
The inventory management system according to claim 1 , characterized in that: communicably connected to a radio wave reader that reads first information about the article attached to the article and an optical reader that reads second information about the article attached to the article,
An inventory management device that issues an instruction to display an article related to the read first information and an article related to the read second information in association with a space in which the article is stored,
The second information is
including readability information indicating that the device itself is readable by the optical reader and cannot be read by the radio wave reader;
An inventory management device featuring: a radio wave reader that reads first information about the article attached to the article;
an optical reader that reads second information about the article attached to the article;
an inventory management device that issues an instruction to display articles related to the read first information and articles related to the read second information;
Equipped with
The second information is
including readability information indicating that the device itself is readable by the optical reader and cannot be read by the radio wave reader;
A storage container featuring :

Images