KR20060111008A - Food managing refrigerator using rfid - Google Patents

Abstract

A food managing refrigerator using RFID(Radio Frequency Identification) is provided to read food data from RFID tags instead of inputting the data manually and realize user's direct setting of circulation periods to RFID data by using control knobs. A food managing refrigerator using RFID includes a control knob(45) for a user to set a circulation period of food. An RFID container(50) receives food attached with RFID tags. An RFID reading unit reads the circulation period from the RFID tags. A controller receives the data read out by the RFID reading unit from the RFID tags and stores the same to a storing unit for managing the food kept in the RFID container. The RFID tags have a plurality of contact terminals(44a-44d) contacting the control knob. The control knob is exposed via a slit(51) of the RFID container for the manipulation of a user.

Description

FOOD MANAGING REFRIGERATOR USING RFID}

1 is a block diagram of a refrigerator according to the prior art.

2 is a block diagram of a food control refrigerator using RFID according to the present invention.

3 is a front view and a partially enlarged view of a food control refrigerator using RFID according to the present invention.

4A and 4B are perspective views of an RFID tag and a storage container.

5 is an exploded perspective view of an RFID tag.

6 is one embodiment of food control information.

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

21: RFID reading means 22: input means

23: clockwork means 24: storage means

25: display means 30: micom

The present invention relates to a food management refrigerator using RFID, and in particular, a food management refrigerator using RFID that efficiently manages food stored in the inside by using the food management information of the stored food using RFID having a storage period set by a user. It is about.

In order to maintain the freshness of stored foods according to the refrigerator products, a separate freshness maintaining room is prepared to be selectively used by users. Various kinds of foods are stored in these refrigerators. Since the user cannot remember the foods stored in the refrigerator, the user has to go through the effort of opening and closing the refrigerator door every time. Confirmation of the food stored in the refrigerator in this way causes the consumption of electrical energy due to the opening and closing of the refrigerator door, and also caused waste of food because the food is decayed because the storage period is exceeded.

In order to solve this problem, the present applicant discloses a refrigerator which can check the stored food inside from the outside in Korean Patent Registration No. 0377741 (name of the invention: storage food display control device of the refrigerator). This is illustrated in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the conventional refrigerator includes an oscillation circuit 10 for oscillating a predetermined frequency and a frequency division circuit 11 for generating time by dividing an oscillation frequency output through the oscillation circuit 10 into a specific frequency signal. ), A time counting means 12 for inputting an output signal of the frequency divider circuit, and counting time, and a date counting means for changing a date when a predetermined time is reached based on the time counted by the time counting means 12 ( 13), a storage means 14 for storing various kinds of information about stored foods in the store, a selection key 15 for receiving various kinds of information about stored foods such as the type, quantity, storage period, etc. of the stored foods by the user; , The stored food date / time display unit 16 for displaying and updating the time and date at a predetermined time interval by the central processing unit 19, the expired food display unit 17 for displaying the expired food, and the storage means. Information of stored food stored in (14) Based on the stored food sequential display unit 18, which updates and displays at regular intervals, and the stored food information stored in the storage means 14, the stored food time / date, the expired food information, and the current stored food are sequentially It consists of a central processing unit 19 to be displayed

From this configuration, in the conventional refrigerator, after storing information of the stored food directly input by the user through the selection key unit 15 in the storage means 14, the stored food time / date, the expired food information and the current storage Information about the food is displayed.

In order to obtain the stored food information in the conventional refrigerator, it is inconvenient for a user to manually input names of a plurality of foods. In addition, since the selection key unit 15 must have an input capability similar to that of the keyboard for this input, the configuration of the selection key unit 15 is complicated and there is a problem of increasing the manufacturing cost of the refrigerator. In addition, the time required for the user to perform the input is considerable for such keyboard input. In addition, if the stored food is to be provided to the user sensitive to the storage period (or expiration date), there is no way other than the user directly input the storage period, the user is inconvenient.

In order to solve this problem, an object of the present invention is to provide a food management refrigerator using RFID to manage the stored food by storing the storage period information without the user directly input the name of the stored food.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a food control refrigerator using an RFID provided with a control knob on the RFID tag so that the user can directly set the storage period in the information of the RFID to facilitate the management of the stored food. do.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a food management refrigerator using RFID that provides information on the storage period of the stored food to the user by managing the storage start date and / or storage period information of the food together.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a food control refrigerator using RFID to inform the user of the storage period information of the food in advance to facilitate the food management of the user.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a food control refrigerator using RFID that allows the user to easily find the stored food through the food management information.

The food management refrigerator using the RFID of the present invention includes a control knob which is moved by a user to set a storage period and an RFID element which handles the storage period set by the control knob. RFID reading means for managing a container, RFID reading means for reading the storage period from the RFID element, storage means for storing food management information, and stored food stored in the RFID dedicated container introduced into the container. And control means for acquiring the storage period from and storing the storage period as the food management information in the storage means.

In this case, the RFID element further includes identification information, the RFID reading means reads identification information from the RFID element, and the control means stores the identification information as the food management information in response to the storage period. It is preferable to store in.

The refrigerator further includes one clock number means for calculating a date and time for acquiring the storage period, and the control means includes the date and time obtained from the clock number in the food management information as a storage start date of the stored food. It is preferable to store together in the storage means.

In addition, the refrigerator further includes an input means for receiving a command for a storage period notification service for the stored food from the user, the control means is preferably included to store the user's command in the food management information; .

In addition, the refrigerator preferably further comprises a display means for displaying the food management information to the user.

In addition, the control means preferably reads the food control information including the storage period notification service to display a predetermined warning message on the display means from a predetermined period before the end of the storage period.

In addition, the RFID tag for a refrigerator of the present invention is an antenna for transmitting and receiving radio frequency, the RFID integrated element and one side is connected, the other side is a control means for selectively contacting with one of the contacts of the contact portion of the differential sensing means, and the contact point Differential detection means for responding with different return values according to the position of contact with the adjustment means on the part, a return value from the differential detection means connected to the adjustment means by a radio frequency received from the antenna, and predetermined identification An RFID integrated device is configured to transmit a radio frequency including information through the antenna.

In this case, the adjusting means preferably includes at least one adjusting knob which is always connected to the RFID integrated element and the other side is in contact with the contact while moving on the contact portion.

In the following, the invention is explained in detail on the basis of the embodiments of the invention and the accompanying drawings. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited by the following embodiments and drawings, and the scope of the present invention will be limited only by the contents described in the claims below.

2 is a block diagram of a food control refrigerator using RFID according to the present invention, Figure 3 is a front view and a partially enlarged view of the food control refrigerator using RFID according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the food management refrigerator 100 includes at least RFID reading means 21 for obtaining at least storage period information from an RFID tag (not shown) installed in an RFID dedicated container for storing stored food to be stored in a refrigerator. ), An input means 22 for receiving a predetermined command by the user, a day clock number means 23 for calculating the year, month, and / or time, and frames (user interface, etc.) to be displayed for food management services; Storage means 24 for storing food management information and the like, frames to be displayed for a food management service (user interface, etc.), display means 25 for displaying food management information and the like, and the above-described components Thus, the microcomputer 30 obtains and stores storage period information from an RFID tag installed in an RFID-only container in which food to be stored in the refrigerator is stored, and displays the information to a user. The refrigerator 100 may additionally include a main microcomputer (not shown) that performs a refrigeration control operation, and the like, and a communication line is connected between the main microcomputer and the microcomputer 30 to perform data communication. Alternatively, the refrigerator 100 may perform a refrigeration refrigeration control operation through the microcomputer 30. In addition, the refrigerator 100 includes a power supply unit (not shown) to supply power required for each component.

In detail, the RFID reading means 21 transmits a predetermined frequency generating means, in order to obtain storage period information stored in an RFID tag attached to an RFID dedicated container in which food to be stored in a refrigerator provided by a user is stored outside the refrigerator. Means and receiving means (not shown). At this time, the RFID reading means 21 acquires identification information of the RFID tag together with the storage period information. The RFID reading means 21 has a performance enough to read the RFID tag when the user approaches the RFID tag within a predetermined distance. In addition, as shown in Fig. 3, the RFID reading means 21 allows the user to be mounted at a height that can be comfortably read (e.g., the height of a human chest). The RFID tag includes storage period information (for example, 4 days, 6 days, 8 days, etc.) set by the user, and identification information (information for identification with other RFID tags). The identification information consists of a series of numbers, for example, and consists of numbers, such as '1' and '2', so that the user can easily read them. A description of the RFID tag is described below with reference to FIG. 4. Here, the storage period is a period in which the stored food is to be stored in the shelf, and means an expiration date, which is a period corresponding to the expiration date described in the stored food or a period arbitrarily set by the user.

The input means 22 is a means for receiving a command (for example, reading an RFID tag, adding or deleting food control information, etc.) from a user, and is related to a frame displayed through the display means 25 and the like. Number of buttons and the like. However, since there is no need to input the name of the stored food at all, the number may be configured to about six, as shown in FIG.

Next, the one-time clock means 23 is a means for calculating the year and date and time when the storage period information and / or the identification information is obtained by the RFID reading means 21, and there is a request from the microcomputer 30. If so, it provides the microcomputer 30 with the date and time when the request was received.

Next, the storage means 24 stores at least frames displayed to the user and food management information formed by the microcomputer 30 to provide food management services provided by the food management refrigerator. These frames represent interface screens for the user to facilitate their use for food control. In addition, the food management information includes at least storage period information of the RFID tag installed in the RFID-only container, and additionally includes identification information, storage start date or storage days, and the like. Here, the storage days means the number of days in which the RFID-only container (or tag) is stored together with the actual storage container.

Next, the display means 25 is to display the above-mentioned frame (user interface) and the food management information, is formed on the front of the refrigerator 100 as shown in Figure 3, RFID reading means 21 Is formed at a similar height. As shown in FIG. 3, the input means 22 is formed near the display means 25 to consider the user's convenience.

Finally, the microcomputer 30 controls the entire refrigeration / refrigeration process, and additionally provides a food management service to be described later. The microcomputer 30 includes at least one central processing unit (not shown), and may be a device including the storage means 24 described above, or a device including only a processor such as the central processing unit. . However, in this specification, in order to describe the data stored in the storage means 24 in more detail, the microcomputer 30 and the storage means 24 will be described as separate elements.

First, the microcomputer 30 displays the frame for the food management service stored in the storage means 24 through the display means 25 in order to configure the food management information to manage the stored food. When the user selects the food management service, the microcomputer 30 receives the command through the input means 22, and first, the RFID reading means 21 causes the storage period information and / or from the RFID tag installed in the RFID dedicated container. Acquire identification information. At this time, the RFID tag of the RFID dedicated container in which the user has stored the stored food to be located within a predetermined distance from the RFID reading means (21). In addition, the microcomputer 30 stores the obtained storage period information and / or identification information as food management information in the storage means 24 as food management information. At this time, the microcomputer 30 may receive the user's command to store the read storage period information and / or identification information, and then perform the storage to the storage means (24).

At this time, the microcomputer 30 causes the one-time counting means 23 to store the storage period information and / or the identification information when the RFID reading means 21 obtains the storage period information and / or the identification information. Request the time when the data is stored in the storage unit 24, and store the time (i.e., the year, month, date and / or time) provided from the chronological means 23 together with the storage period information and / or the identification information as food management information. . This time provided means the date of storage of the stored food. In addition, there is a storage period (or expiration date) for each stored food, which is read by the RFID tag.

Through the above-described process, the refrigerator 100 obtains food management information of food to be stored in the store, and stores and manages it in the storage means 24. Subsequently, when the user wants to check the item (RFID tag) of the food currently stored in the refrigerator 100, when the user inputs a service selection for checking the currently stored food through the input means 22, the microcomputer ( 30 reads the food management information stored in the storage means 24 and displays it on the display means 25.

At this time, the microcomputer 30 reads the food management information, obtains the current date and time (year, date and / or time) from the one-hour number means 23, calculates the storage days of the stored food, and displays it on the display means 25. Can be. This storage date is calculated from (current date-date of storage).

In addition, the microcomputer 30 may display the food storage information on the basis of the storage start date or the food storage information on the basis of the remaining time of the storage period in order to facilitate the confirmation of the stored food by the user. . In particular, the microcomputer 30 may display the stored food of the food storage information that does not include the expiration date on the basis of the storage start date and time.

In addition, the microcomputer 30 provides a notification service for the remaining storage period of the stored food by the user or automatically by using the stored storage period and the calculated storage days. The notification service calculates the current remaining storage period of the microcomputer 30, and if it is within a predetermined period of time, a warning message (textual display, display by icon, warning sound by a speaker (not shown), etc.) to inform this. The display means 25 can be displayed to inform the user. For example, when the remaining storage period is three days, the microcomputer 30 may start to display a warning message. In addition, the displayed warning message may be displayed as another warning message as the remaining storage period is shortened, and may draw more attention to the user. The warning message here is stored in the storage means 24. In addition, the microcomputer 30 may display a warning message for the stored food whose storage period is over, via the display means 25.

As described above, when the user is provided with the service for the stored food through the information of the RFID tag attached to the stored food stored in the refrigerator 100, and then the user releases the stored food in the stored food, It is necessary to delete the information of the stored food from the food control information. Accordingly, the microcomputer 30 displays the food management information on the stored food currently stored through the display means 25, receives the stored food to be deleted by the user's selection through the input means 22, and stores the food. Information related to food (storage period information, identification information, storage start date, storage days and whether the warning message service is selected, etc.) is deleted from the storage means 23. Alternatively, the microcomputer 30 reads the information (retention period information and / or identification information) of the RFID tag attached to the RFID dedicated container of the stored food to be released by the user by the RFID reading means 21, and the user The storage release command can be input through the input means 22. When the microcomputer 30 receives the storage release command, the food management information including the information corresponding to the information of the RFID tag may be deleted. After this deletion, the microcomputer 30 again displays on the display means 25 food management information for the RFID tag installed in the RFID dedicated container of the remaining stored food.

4A and 4B are perspective views of an RFID tag and an RFID dedicated container.

As shown in Figure 4a, as shown, the RFID dedicated container 50 has a hollow (50a) for storing the stored food, such as milk cartons, the RFID tag 40 is attached to the exterior. The RFID tag 40 is detachable and can be used for other dedicated containers.

In particular, the RFID-only container 50 is formed so that the upper surface is open so that the stored food can be received from the upper side, it is made of at least two or more plate-shaped fixing portion to surround the circumference of the stored food.

At this time, the fixing portion is formed of the same material as the general plastic.

Of course, the RFID tag 40 in the RFID dedicated container 50 is attached to any one of the fixing parts, attached to be exposed to the exterior so that the user can easily read the RFID tag 40 attached to the dedicated container 50 by RFID reading. It is configured to bring it closer to the means 21.

In addition, the control knob 45 connected to the RFID tag is provided with a slit 51 to be exposed and slid to the outside, and the number of days 51a indicating the storage period to be set by the user is displayed below the slit 51. do. In addition, the RFID dedicated container 50 further includes an identification means 52 that can be identified by the user on the outer surface, the identification means 52 may be a number or color as shown.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the RFID-only container includes a lid part 53 and a receiving part 54 in which food is stored, and the lid part 53 opens and closes an upper portion of the receiving part 54. . As shown in FIG. 4A, the slit 55 and the number of days 55a are formed on the upper surface of the lid portion 53, and the identification means 56 is formed on the outer surface of the accommodating portion 54.

Here, the identification means 56 is associated with the identification information stored in the RFID integrated circuit 42 to distinguish other RFID tags or RFID-only containers. In addition, the storage means 24 of the refrigerator 100 also stores a database for reading the identification means through the identification information, so that the microcomputer 30 responds to the identification information through the display means 25 to the user through the identification information. The identification means may be displayed.

In addition, the RFID tag 40 is formed on the outer surface of the lid portion 53 or the receiving portion 54.

5 is an exploded perspective view of an RFID tag.

As shown, the RFID tag 40 includes an antenna portion 41 for transmitting and receiving radio frequency from the RFID reading means 21, and an adjustment knob 45 based on the radio frequency received from the antenna portion 41. A plurality of RFID integrated elements which allow a return value from the connected differential sensing means 44 and a radio frequency including predetermined identification information to be transmitted through the antenna unit 41, and a control knob 45; Differential sensing means 44 having contact terminals 44a to 44d and responding with different return values at each of the contact terminals 44a to 44d, and an adjustment allowing the user to select one of a plurality of storage periods. It consists of a knob 45. In addition, the RFID tag 40 includes at least an upper and lower covering portions 43a and 43b for covering and protecting at least the antenna portion 41 and the RFID integrated element 42, and the upper and lower covering portions 43a and 43b are additionally differential. The sensing means 44 may also be covered and protected. However, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the adjustment knob 45 of the RFID tag 40 is formed outside the upper and lower sheaths 43a and 43b because the user adjusts the exposure knob 45.

Here, the differential sensing means 44 includes a resistor (not shown) having, for example, a different resistance value connected to each of the contact terminals 44a to 44d, so that the RFID integrated device 42 has different resistance values. It detects the return value and transmits the return value itself or a value indicating the number of days corresponding to the return value through radio frequency together with previously stored identification information. In addition, the differential sensing means 44 may include a discontinuous contact portion including contact terminals 44a to 44d separated from each other as shown, or may include a continuous contact portion. This continuous contact portion has a form that can have a myriad of contacts with the control knob (45). At this time, the differential detection means 44 is to produce a different return value according to the position of the contact contact with the adjustment knob 45.

Next, the adjustment knob 45 connects the one contact terminal 44a to 44d of the differential sensing means 44 with the RFID integrated device 42, for example, a linear movement (arrow direction) by the user is possible. Thus, the user selectively contacts one contact terminal or one contact point of the continuous contact portion among the contact terminals 44a to 44d corresponding to the storage period to be set by the user. At this time, since the adjustment knob 45 should always be connected to the RFID integrated device 42, the RFID tag 40 is provided with a common connection line 46 for this connection, the common connection line 46 is a control knob ( Regardless of the movement of 45, it is always in contact with the adjustment knob 45.

To this end, the adjustment knob 45 is a connecting member 45a in contact with the contact terminals 44a through 44d and the common connecting line 46, and a supporting member 45b connecting the identification member 45c and the connecting member 45a. And an identification member 45c exposed to the outside and indicating the number of days 51a displayed on the outside of the RFID-only container 50 (only a part of which is shown). Here, the connecting member 45a has both ends in contact with the common connecting line 46 and the contact terminals 44a to 44d, respectively (indicated by the dotted lines), and the user connects the identification member 45c connected to the supporting member 45b. As they move, they move together in the direction of the arrow, and contact the other contact terminals 44a to 44d. In addition, the support member 45b is coupled with the identification member 45c while protruding between the slits 51, so that the connection member 45a is moved as the user moves the identification member 45c. At this time, the common connecting line 46 and the contact terminals 44a to 44d are mounted on one fixing member 48, and the adjusting knob 45 moves in the direction of the arrow on the fixing member 48. Both ends of the fixing member 48 are fixedly mounted at least in the RFID container 50 in the direction of the arrow so that the adjusting knob 45 is positioned only between the contact terminals 44a to 44d, and the adjusting knob 45 The contact between the contact terminals 44a to 44d and the contact between the control knob 45 and the common connection line 46 are improved. In addition, the peripheral portion of the fixing member 48 may be fixedly mounted to the RFID dedicated container (50). In addition, the fixing member 48 further includes a guide member (not shown) on both sides of the arrow so that the adjustment knob 45 moves only in the direction of the arrow, thereby increasing the accuracy of the movement of the control knob 45 by the user. You can also

Here, the stored food is mainly the quality or taste of the food during the storage period, such as dairy products, but the stored food according to the user's choice may be applied to such food management services.

6 is one embodiment of food control information.

As shown, the food management information displayed on the display means 25 includes storage period information of the RFID tag in which the stored food is stored, identification information, storage start date, and storage days. In this case, an indication of the stored food to be provided with the warning message service may be additionally made. In addition, as shown in the figure, the microcomputer 30 may also display the exceeded date and time, such as item '1' in the case of the stored food which has exceeded the storage period.

The present invention of such a configuration has an effect that the user can conveniently manage the stored food without having to directly enter the name of the stored food.

In addition, the present invention is provided with an adjustment knob on the RFID tag so that the user can directly set the storage period in the information of the RFID to facilitate the management of the stored food.

In addition, the present invention has the effect of providing information on the storage period of the stored food to the user by managing the storage start date and / or storage period information of the food together.

In addition, the present invention has an effect of facilitating food management of the user by informing the user in advance of the storage period information of the food.

Claims (8)

An RFID dedicated container for storing food to be stored in the store including an adjustment knob which is moved by a user to set a storage period, and an RFID element that processes the storage period set by the control knob; RFID reading means for reading the storage period from the RFID element; Storage means for storing food management information; And controlling means for acquiring the storage period from the RFID reading means and storing the storage period as the food management information in the storage means to manage the stored food stored in the RFID dedicated container introduced into the refrigerator. Food management refrigerator using RFID. The method of claim 1, The RFID element further includes identification information, the RFID reading means reads identification information from the RFID element, and the control means stores the identification information as the food management information in the storage means in response to the storage period. Food management refrigerator using RFID. The method of claim 1, The refrigerator further includes one clock number means for calculating a date and time for acquiring the storage period, and the control means includes the date and time of acquisition from the one clock number means as the storage start date of the stored food in the food management information for the storage. Food control refrigerator using RFID, characterized in that stored together in the means. The method of claim 3, The refrigerator further includes an input means for receiving a command for a storage period notification service for the stored food from a user, and the control means stores the user's command in the food management information. Food management refrigerator using. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The refrigerator further comprises a display means for displaying the food management information to a user. The method of claim 5, And the control means reads the food management information including the storage period notification service and displays a predetermined warning message on the display means from a predetermined period before the end of the storage period. An antenna for transmitting and receiving radio frequency; A control means connected to one side of the RFID integrated element and the other side selectively contacting one contact among a plurality of contacts of the contact portion of the differential sensing means; Differential sensing means for responding with different return values depending on the position of the contact with the adjusting means on the contact portion; A refrigerator comprising an RFID integrated element which transmits a return value from the differential sensing means connected to the adjusting means by a radio frequency received from the antenna and a radio frequency including predetermined identification information through the antenna; RFID tag for. The RFID tag for a refrigerator according to claim 7, wherein the adjusting means includes at least an adjusting knob which is always connected to the RFID integrated element and the other side is in contact with the contact while moving on the contact part.

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