KR20090010652A - Rfid system, refrigerator including the same and method for driving of rfid system - Google Patents

Abstract

RFID system, refrigerator including the same and the operation method of the RFID system are provided that the identification ratio of the RFID tag can be enhanced. An RFID system comprises a plurality of antennas receiving the information signal from the RFID tag of the food kept within the food custody part, a RFID reader(120) reading the information signal received with a plurality of antennae and acquires the food information, an antenna distributor(130) which performs the allocation function so that the RFID reader and plurality of antennae be connected.

Description

RFID system, refrigerator and RFID system including the same method of operation {RFID System, Refrigerator Including The Same and Method for Driving of RFID System}

The present invention relates to a radio frequency identification (RFID) system, a refrigerator having the same, and a method of operating the RFID system. More specifically, a dead zone includes a plurality of antennas that are easily installed in a food storage unit of a refrigerator. The present invention relates to an RFID system capable of minimizing a zone and to ensuring economic feasibility, a refrigerator having the RFID system, and an operation method thereof.

In general, a refrigerator is a home appliance that provides a storage space for storing food, such as food or drink, and maintains the freshness of the stored food by appropriately maintaining a temperature in the storage space. Such a refrigerator is recognized as one of home appliances that must be provided in a home or a business because it provides a function of storing food, which is one of consciousness, for a predetermined period of time.

In recent years, such refrigerators are being customized to satisfy the functions required by various demand groups. For example, past refrigerators could be simply divided into household refrigerators and commercial refrigerators, but recently, they have been specialized for specific demand groups such as kimchi refrigerators, wine refrigerators, cosmetic refrigerators, and mini-bars for hotels. Refrigerators are provided. These dedicated refrigerators have specific shapes and functions to suit the intended use of each.

Meanwhile, with the digitization of home appliances, various automation systems have been introduced to the function of the refrigerator. One representative example of the automation system applied to the refrigerator is a radio frequency identification (RFID) system.

An RFID system is a system that can wirelessly acquire information of an article using a tag attached to the article. The RFID system has a high recognition rate, a non-contact recognition medium, linkage with other communication networks, and high scalability, and thus, the application range of the RFID system is expanding in business areas such as logistics, distribution, and food.

In general, an RFID refrigerator equipped with such an RFID system includes an antenna capable of receiving an information signal from an RFID tag attached to a food item stored in a food storage unit, an RFID reader for reading an information signal received by the antenna, and the like. In this case, the RFID tag attached to the food includes various food information related to the food, such as food production information, distribution information, storage information, and consumption information.

The RFID refrigerator may display information of foods stored in the store using the food information acquired by the RFID reader to the user or may be used to control the operation of the refrigerator. Therefore, the user can easily recognize the food information without checking the food stored in the refrigerator with the naked eye, and can enjoy the convenience by various operation control functions provided by the RFID refrigerator according to the food information.

Due to these advantages, RFID systems have recently been applied not only to general medium and large refrigerators, but also to low-cost small refrigerators (for example, hotel mini bars and cosmetic refrigerators). However, in the case of a low-cost small refrigerator, it is impossible to apply an expensive RFID system because economic efficiency is inevitably considered. Therefore, the RFID system installed in a low-cost small refrigerator requires a low cost and a simple structure.

However, due to this, a conventional RFID system installed in a low-cost small refrigerator has a problem that the detection performance is considerably lowered. For example, a conventional low-cost small refrigerator equipped with an RFID function generally includes a single RFID antenna on an upper portion of the food storage portion in order to detect an RFID tag existing in the food storage portion. However, in such a case, there is a dead zone in which the RFID antenna cannot detect the RFID tag in a considerable area of the food storage unit. Therefore, the recognition rate of the RFID tag is lowered, so that the error of food information may occur frequently.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a RFID system that can increase the recognition rate of the RFID tag by minimizing the dead zone and at the same time easy to install the RFID antenna and ensure economic feasibility, and a method of operating a refrigerator and an RFID system having the same. It is.

In order to achieve this problem, the present invention provides an RFID system in one aspect. In the RFID system installed in the refrigerator, the RFID system is installed on one side wall and the opposite side wall in the food storage unit of the refrigerator to receive information signals from the RFID tag of the food stored in the food storage unit. An antenna; An RFID reader for reading food information received by the plurality of antennas to obtain food information; And an antenna divider configured to perform a distribution function to allow the RFID reader and the plurality of antennas to interwork.

The plurality of antennas are installed on the right side wall of the food storage portion, the first antenna of the flat type formed with an insertion groove that can be inserted in close contact with the right end of the shelf provided in the food storage portion on one side; And it is installed on the left wall surface of the food storage unit, it may include a second plate-shaped antenna having an insertion groove in which the left end of the shelf is provided in close contact with the food storage unit on one side.

The RFID system may further include a network unit which receives the acquired food information from the RFID reader and transmits it to a specific external system through a communication network. In this case, when there is a food information transmission request from the external specific system, the network unit may transmit the food information to the external specific system. The network unit may also include a controller capable of processing food information received from the RFID reader.

On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, in another aspect of the present invention provides a refrigerator having an RFID system. The refrigerator including the RFID system includes: a food storage unit having at least one shelf and storing food; A first antenna installed at one wall of the food storage unit to receive an information signal from an RFID tag of the food, and having at least one insertion groove into which one end of the shelf is inserted; A second antenna installed on an opposite wall surface of the food storage unit to receive an information signal from the RFID tag of the food, and having at least one insertion groove into which the other end of the shelf is inserted; And an RFID reader for reading food information of the food by reading the information signal received by the first and second antennas.

The RFID reader may be a single channel reader. In this case, the refrigerator having the RFID system may further include an antenna distributor for interworking the RFID reader with the first antenna and the second antenna.

The refrigerator having the RFID system may further include a network unit. The network unit may perform a function of receiving the acquired food information from the RFID reader and transmitting it to an external specific system through a communication network.

The external specific system may be a hotel server. In this case, when the food information request is received from the hotel server, the network unit may transmit the food information acquired by the RFID system to the hotel server.

On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a method of operating an RFID system in another aspect. In the operation method of the RFID system, a method of operating an RFID system provided in a refrigerator, the information signal is received from the RFID tag of the food present in the food storage unit using a plurality of antennas installed in the food storage unit of the refrigerator. Making a step; An antenna distributor receiving the information signals from the plurality of antennas and transmitting them to an RFID reader via a specific single channel; And acquiring the food information of the food by reading the information signal after receiving the information signal from the antenna distributor by the RFID reader.

In addition, the operation method of the RFID system, the RFID reader transmitting the acquired food information to the network unit; And transmitting, by the network unit, food information received from the RFID reader to an external specific system through a communication network. In this case, the operation method of the RFID system may further include the step of the network unit processing and storing food information received from the RFID reader using a controller included in the network unit.

According to the present invention, by using a plurality of antennas capable of operating in a single channel for detecting the RFID tag of the food storage unit of the refrigerator, it is possible to minimize the dead zone and significantly increase the recognition rate of the RFID tag and maintain economic efficiency. In addition, the installation structure of the antenna is concise, there is a very easy advantage in the production of the refrigerator.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art may easily implement the present invention.

First, in the description of the present embodiment, a hotel mini bar will be described as an example. However, the refrigerator in the present invention is a concept including a refrigerator of a general concept including a low-cost small refrigerator comprehensively. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the hotel mini bar, of course.

1 is a front view showing the shape of a food storage unit of the refrigerator having an RFID system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a refrigerator including the RFID system shown in FIG.

1 to 2, the refrigerator 10 includes an RFID system 100. The RFID system 100 receives an information signal from the RFID tag 32 of the food 30 stored in the food storage unit 20 of the refrigerator 10 by using the first antenna 140 and the second antenna 150. It receives and acquires the food information contained in the information signal. The acquired food information may be provided to the refrigerator control unit 16, the display unit 12, etc. of the refrigerator 10, or may be provided to an external specific system connected to the communication network 300.

The RFID tag 32 attached to the food 30 may be a passive device that receives and drives a signal from the RFID system 100, or may be an active device having its own power source. In the present embodiment, it will be assumed that the RFID tag 32 is a passive element. Of course, this is not a limitation.

When the RFID tag 32, which is a passive device, receives a signal from the RFID system 100, the RFID tag 32 generates a carrier wave, that is, an information signal, and transmits it to the RFID system 100. In this case, the RFID tag 32 may load predetermined data including food information stored in the carrier to the RFID system 100. In this case, the food information may include a variety of information such as food identification information, food production information, food use information, food storage information.

The RFID system 100 includes a first antenna 140, a second antenna 150, an antenna splitter 130, an RFID reader 120, a network unit 110, and the like. It is provided.

The first antenna 140 and the second antenna 150 are installed in the food storage unit 20 of the refrigerator 10 and attached to the food 30 stored in the food storage unit 20. Send and receive signals). For example, the first antenna 140 and the second antenna 150 receive an information signal containing food information from the RFID tag 32. The shape and installation position of the first antenna 140 and the second antenna 150 will be described in detail later with reference to the drawings.

The antenna distributor 130 performs a distribution function so that the RFID reader 120 may interwork with the first antenna 140 and the second antenna 150 through a single channel. For example, the antenna divider 130 transmits a signal received from the RFID reader 120 to the first antenna 140 and the second antenna 150, and the first antenna 140 and the second antenna 150. The information signal received from the RFID reader 120 may be provided. By the antenna distributor 130, the RFID reader 120 may recognize the first antenna 140 and the second antenna 150 as a single antenna.

The RFID reader 120 receives the information signal of the RFID tag 32 received by the first antenna 140 and the second antenna 150 from the antenna distributor 130, and reads the food information contained in the information signal. To the network unit 110. The RFID reader 120 may operate according to an operation request signal transmitted from the refrigerator control unit 16 or the network unit 110.

Preferably, the RFID reader 120 may mean a single channel reader. Of course, a multi-channel reader can be employed in the construction of the RFID system, but the multi-channel reader is much more expensive than the single-channel reader, so it is not economical, and the division within the food storage section such as a hotel mini bar It can be inefficient in refrigerators that don't mean much.

Therefore, the present invention realizes low cost by using a single channel RFID reader 120, but employs the antenna divider 130 and the plurality of antennas 140 and 150 to achieve the same performance as in an RFID system employing a multi-channel reader. To get it.

The network unit 110 transmits the food information read by the RFID reader 120 to an external system such as a hotel management system through the communication network 300. In addition, the network unit 110 may receive an operation request signal from an external system and transmit the received operation request signal to the RFID reader 120. The network unit 110 may mean a network board having a network interface chip.

In addition, the network unit 110 may include a controller 112, for example, a microprocessor or a micro-controller. In this case, the network unit 110 may process the food information read by the RFID reader 120 by itself. For example, the controller 112 may extract a change by detecting a difference between the food information in the refrigerator 10 and the current food information acquired at a previous time, and further include a memory (not shown) to provide its own food. You can also build an information database.

Meanwhile, the RFID system 100 may provide the acquired food information to the refrigerator control unit 16, the display unit 12, or the like of the refrigerator 10. In this case, the refrigerator controller 16 may control various operations of the refrigerator 10 by using food information provided from the RFID system 100, and the display unit 12 may provide food information provided from the RFID system 100. May be displayed to the user.

The provision of the food information may be directly transmitted by the RFID reader 120 of the RFID system 100 to the refrigerator control unit 16 or the display unit 12 or by a network unit receiving the food information from the RFID reader 120 ( 110 may deliver food information to the refrigerator control unit 16 or the display unit 12. In the latter case, the data processed by the controller 112 may be provided to the refrigerator control unit 16 or the display unit 12.

3 is an exploded perspective view for explaining the shape of the first antenna 140 and the second antenna 150 installed in the food storage unit 20 of the refrigerator 10.

As shown in FIG. 3, the first antenna 140 and the second antenna 150 are each configured as a flat RFID antenna. On one side of each antenna (140, 150) is formed an insertion groove (142, 152) that can be inserted in close contact with the end of the shelf (22). In the present exemplary embodiment, since the shelf 22 is provided in the food storage unit 20, only one insertion groove 142 or 152 is provided in each antenna 140 or 150. However, the insertion groove may be provided in each antenna to correspond to the number of shelves provided in the food storage. The first antenna 140 and the second antenna 150 are respectively installed on both side walls of the food storage unit 20 (see FIG. 1).

4 illustrates a shape in which the first antenna 140 is installed in the food storage unit 20 of the refrigerator 10.

As shown in FIG. 4, the first antenna 140 is installed on the right wall of the food storage unit 20. At this time, the right end of the shelf 22 of the food storage unit 20 is closely inserted into the insertion groove 142 provided in the first antenna 140. Therefore, the first antenna 140 may be fixed to the right wall. In addition, the first antenna 140 may be more firmly attached to the right wall of the food storage unit 20 through adhesion, irregularities, bolts / nuts, and the like.

Units 110 to 130 of the RFID system 100, including the antenna distributor 130, are provided at predetermined positions inside the refrigerator 10. Although not shown, the units 110 to 130 are connected to each other through internal wiring. The first antenna 140 installed in the food storage unit 20 is connected to the antenna distributor 130 installed in the refrigerator 10 through the antenna connection line 134. To this end, a through hole through which the antenna connection wire 134 connecting the first antenna 140 and the antenna distributor 130 may be provided at a predetermined position of the right wall of the refrigerator 10.

In the case of the second antenna 150, the first antenna 140 is installed and wired on the left wall of the food storage unit 20 in the same manner as in the installation and wiring form of the first antenna 140. Therefore, the first antenna 140 and the second antenna 150 are installed on both side walls of the food storage unit 20, respectively.

Conventionally, one antenna is installed on the upper side of the food storage unit for a low cost configuration. This is because multichannel readers are quite expensive. In this case, however, as mentioned earlier, too many dead zones are formed in the food storage. In contrast, in the present invention, by installing the first antenna 140 and the second antenna 150 on both side walls of the food storage unit 20 and using the antenna divider 130, the dead zone can be significantly reduced while realizing low cost. have.

 In addition, since the antennas 140 and 150 described above are installed in a concise structure on the wall surface of the food storage unit 20, the antennas are easily detached during production of the refrigerator, and the existing refrigerators are not changed without changing molds of the refrigerator or modifying a complicated production line. It is possible to easily install the RFID system in the.

5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example in which a refrigerator having an RFID system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention operates in conjunction with a hotel server. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process in which a refrigerator having an RFID system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention operates in conjunction with a hotel server.

1 to 6, first, the refrigerator 10 is provided in a room of a hotel. When the user enters the hotel room (step: S1), the hotel server 400 requests food information from the RFID system 100 of the refrigerator 10 (step: S2). Then, the RFID system 100 of the refrigerator 10 receives an information signal from the RFID tag 32 of the food 30 stored in the food storage unit 20 through the first antenna 140 and the second antenna 150. Received, and after obtaining the food information from the information signal (step: S3), and sends it to the hotel server 400 (step: S4). Therefore, the hotel server 400 stores the food information at the time when the user enters the room.

On the other hand, when the user requests a checkout after staying in the room (step: S5), the hotel server 400 requests food information to the RFID system 100 of the refrigerator 10 (step: S6). Then, the RFID system 100 of the refrigerator 10 receives an information signal from the RFID tag 32 of the food 30 stored in the food storage unit 20 through the first antenna 140 and the second antenna 150. Is received, the food information is acquired from the information signal (step: S7), and then transmitted to the hotel server 400 (step: S8).

The hotel server 400 compares the food information at the time the user enters the room and the food information at the checkout, extracts the food information used by the user, and calculates a fee (step S9). Therefore, even if the hotel staff does not visit the hotel rooms directly and check the items in the refrigerator, the user can charge according to the information of the food used by the user.

Meanwhile, in the above-described example, a case in which the RFID system 100 of the refrigerator 10 simply transmits food information in response to a request of the hotel server 400 is described. However, the controller 112 is provided in the RFID system 100. When the information processing is possible, the RFID system 100 stores the food information at the time of the user's entrance at the request of the hotel server 400, and at the time of checkout, the food at the present time according to the request of the hotel server 400. The information may be compared with the pre-stored food information at the time of entrance to calculate the food variation information and then provide the information to the hotel server 400. In this case, the hotel server 400 may charge through the change information of the food delivered from the RFID system 100.

In addition, the RFID system 100 acquires food information every time the door of the refrigerator 10 is opened or according to a set cycle and transmits the food information to the hotel server 400 in real time, or stores the acquired food information and stores the hotel server ( Whenever there is a request for food information from 400, the stored information may be provided.

Although the present invention has been described above with reference to its preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will variously modify the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims below. And it will be understood that changes can be made. Accordingly, modifications to future embodiments of the present invention will not depart from the technology of the present invention.

1 is a front view showing the shape of a food storage unit of the refrigerator having an RFID system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a refrigerator having an RFID system shown in FIG. 1.

3 is an exploded perspective view for explaining the shape of the first antenna and the second antenna installed in the food storage unit of the refrigerator.

4 illustrates a shape in which a first antenna is installed in a food storage unit of the refrigerator.

5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example in which a refrigerator having an RFID system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention operates in conjunction with a hotel server.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a process in which a refrigerator having an RFID system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention operates in conjunction with a hotel server.

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

10: refrigerator

20: food storage

22: shelf

12: display unit

16: refrigerator control unit

100: RFID system

110: network unit

112: controller

120: RFID reader

130: antenna splitter

140: first antenna

150: second antenna

Claims (12)

In the RFID system installed in the refrigerator, A plurality of antennas installed on one side wall and an opposite side wall of the food storage unit of the refrigerator to receive information signals from RFID tags of the foods stored in the food storage unit; An RFID reader for reading food information received by the plurality of antennas to obtain food information; And And an antenna divider configured to perform a distribution function to allow the RFID reader and the plurality of antennas to interwork. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of antennas, A flat plate-type first antenna installed on a right side wall of the food storage unit and having an insertion groove formed at one side thereof so that the right end of the shelf provided in the food storage unit may be inserted in close contact; And RFID system, characterized in that it is installed on the left wall surface of the food storage unit, the second antenna of the flat type formed with an insertion groove in which the left end of the shelf is provided in close contact with the food storage unit on one side. The RFID system according to claim 1, further comprising a network unit which receives the acquired food information from the RFID reader and transmits the acquired food information to an external specific system through a communication network. The RFID system according to claim 3, wherein the network unit transmits the food information to the external specific system when a request for food information transmission is received from the external specific system. The RFID system according to claim 1, wherein the network unit comprises a controller capable of processing food information received from the RFID reader. In the refrigerator, A food storage unit having at least one shelf and storing food; A first antenna installed on one wall of the food storage unit to receive an information signal from the RFID tag of the food, and having at least one insertion groove into which one end of the shelf is inserted; A second antenna installed on an opposite wall surface of the food storage unit to receive an information signal from the RFID tag of the food, and having at least one insertion groove into which the other end of the shelf is inserted; And And an RFID reader for reading food information of the food by reading the information signal received by the first and second antennas. The method of claim 6, wherein the RFID reader is a single channel reader, And an antenna divider for interlocking the RFID reader with the first antenna and the second antenna. 7. The refrigerator according to claim 6, further comprising a network unit which receives the obtained food information from the RFID reader and transmits the acquired food information to a specific external system through a communication network. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the external specific system is a hotel server, And the network unit transmits the food information acquired by the RFID system to the hotel server when a food information request is received from the hotel server. In the operation method of the RFID system provided in the refrigerator, Receiving an information signal from an RFID tag of a food present in the food storage unit by using a plurality of antennas installed in the food storage unit of the refrigerator; An antenna distributor receiving the information signals from the plurality of antennas and transmitting them to an RFID reader via a specific single channel; And And receiving, by the RFID reader, the information signal from the antenna distributor, reading the information signal to obtain food information of the food. 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising: transmitting, by the RFID reader, the acquired food information to a network unit; And And transmitting, by the network unit, food information received from the RFID reader to a specific external system through a communication network. 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the network unit processing and storing food information received from the RFID reader using a controller included in the network unit.

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